Prologue
Venget ha Minch, training master of the Tortallan court, was a man who didn't shock easily. He had fought in the Immortals War, and in many other skirmishes since. He was hardened by his experiences and had thought that nothing could surprise him. King Jonathan IV, ruler of Tortall, had unfortunately just proved him wrong. "Could you repeat that, Your Majesty?"
The king nodded and glanced back down at the letter he held. "Lord Darron of Clearwell has written to say that his youngest daughter wishes to become a page." He looked back up. "She is of age."
"Are you sure that's wise, sire?"
Jonathan nodded. "The Clearwells are an old family. They are not as well-known as the Naxon or Queenscove, but they have served faithfully for hundreds of years."
"There was a Clearwell a few years behind us, Jon." This came from the prime minister, Gareth the Younger of Naxen. "He has two daughters. Darron is his younger brother and he has four daughters. It's the youngest that wants to be a page."
Ha Minch nodded. "She wants to bring honor to the family name, no doubt." He looked between the two other men. "I know that the idea of female pages isn't as unthinkable as it used to be, sire, but are you sure that she is suited to be a page? Is she a girl with smooth hands who's never done an ounce of work? A page's life is not easy. Alanna the Lioness and Keladry of Mindelan have done very well as knights, but it's not for everyone."
"Your concerns are just, Venget," said the king thoughtfully, "but I think that the Clearwell girl deserves acknowledgement. Don't you agree, Gary?"
The prime minister nodded. "That sounds fair, Jon. Venget, talk to the girl. If you think she has what it takes, we'll accept her."
"I think that is a wise course of action," said ha Minch. "By your leave, sire."
Jonathan waved a hand. "Dismissed." The training master left. "Gary, write a letter to Clearwell, telling Darron to send his daughter a week earlier than the other pages. We'll need to have things ready before the boys arrive."