Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall, or any of the Tamora Pierce characters- obviously. Only characters a hard core fan doesn't recognize are mine- IE Aaurie, Branic and Illean.
AN: Feel free to leave reviews, but try not to point out misspellings of names and places. If you know what I am talking about its close enough. This is a WIP and I will post if an older chapter gets edited. This story is as much just for me as anything else, but it would be awesome if someone else liked it as well. So tuck in and enjoy!
"This is indeed a shock coming from you milord. You if anyone should understand the ramifications of granting your request- the consequences," Jonathan of Conte sighed, peering down at Wyldon of Cavall, a man he had the utmost respect for.
"I realize it is an odd request your Highness- but I assure you I have thought it through most painstakingly. The children were orphaned and my men at the fort adopted them as if they were their own. When it was time to send those we rescued onto the refugee camps- well, even I could not see them go.
"They are good children milord. Strong willed, but good. My men and I have taught them common, and most of our Tortallan traditions. I intend to adopt them when they are old enough to decide if they would have me. They eldest three have expressed a desire to become knights of the realm your Highness. They view Tortal as their home- I realize that they are old to be starting, but you will fine that they are well ready to enter this year as fourth year pages- the older boys could be ready as squires in a few months."
"It will cause a fuss Wyldon- allowing three Scanran children, one a girl no less, to try for their shields while we are currently fighting a war with Scanra," Jonathan explained, hoping to reason with the older man.
"I vouch for them your Highness, my men and I have lived with them for nearly four years now- I've trained them and taught them. I admit even I was hesitant to include the girl in my request, I had done my best to try and raise her to be a proper lady but that is hard amidst an army of lads. I am just asking that they be given a chance for their shields- for the honor of my house if nothing else your Highness. Would you deprive me of an heir in service of the realm?" Wyldon asked, knowing that Jonathan would not refuse his request now.
It was true, that Wyldon planned to adopt the children and that it had long been his hope to have a child of his be in the service of the crown- but his pleas to the King had been based on the sparks he saw in the children. They would be excellent Knights if they could make it to the Chamber in one piece.
John sighed, running a hand through his lightly grayed black hair. Coming from anyone else John would have immediately laughed off the request; but Wyldon of Cavall was a sensible man, and had served him faithfully for years.
"Alright. I will set it up with the other Lords. They will be tested mind you; I won't let them pass years of study if they are not found to be competent. I don't care if they are 20 and still pages- they will earn their places." John conceded. Wyldon gave a nod of his head, offering a bow.
"I would ask for nothing more you Highness."
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"All three passed your highness. I would have expected no less from children reared by Wyldon for a three and a half- they older boys I would see fit to make squires as soon as Knight Master's can be found, they are both 17 and I should see no reason why they could not try for their shields in two years.
"The girl, well, she tested high along with her brothers, but it would be tricky to make her a squire so quickly- the others would resent her for it and the Lords would claim some sort of female trickery. And she is still young, 16, it would be harder as a woman for her to be squired. My suggestion would be to have her finish out the term as a fourth year page and join her brothers as a squire in the spring."
Jonathan nodded at the advisor, giving his consent to the arrangement. They had certainly had older pages before; Nealan of Queenscove had been 18 as a fourth year page. Either way, John knew he would be looking forward to a very eventful year.
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"Come on then, we need to get you settled in your rooms at the palace before midday," Wyldon chided, watching as the three children hurried to untie their belongings from the pack horses.
Branic and Illean were both large lads, Wyldon was strongly reminded of Cleon of Kennan when he first saw them through their growth spurts. The twin boys had tanned skin, dark blond hair and towered over most of those they met. Where the boys were solid and dark, their younger sister was fair skinned- tall for a girl but not like Kel had been, with a head full of red curls that were testament to her Scanran heritage.
Wyldon smiled at her as she slowly patted her horse's mane, it was easy to tell when she was nervous. She wore her emotions of her sleeve, unlike her brothers who were often reserved, keeping their emotions to themselves.
"Nervous Aaurie?" Wyldon asked kindly, watching the youngster. She looked up at him and opened her mouth, looking lost.
"A bit milord, it's the first time I'll be without you or my brother's is all," she said quietly. She had been delighted to hear that the King would allow her to try for her shield, but her excitement had dissipated slightly when she learned she would be separated from her brothers.
"It will be alright little one, they'll be back and forth, and I will visit when I can. You'll be bust any way, with training and the like." Aaurie nodded, slinging her bags over her shoulders.
Wyldon opened the door, noting that several extra locks had been placed on Aaurie's door. He knew the tricks that Keladry had endured and feared that Aaurie would suffer worse because of her Scanran heritage. The room was a large one, it was at the very end of the page's hall meaning that it curved slightly around the courtyard outside. Large windows graced one wall, a fireplace, bed and lavatory.
Wyldon scanned the room, noting things that would need to be changed- he would ask Numair to add spells to the window to prevent their being broken or forced open. He'd also see about adding new screens to the lavatory area so that Aaurie would not be seen bathing from the windows should she forget to cover them.
Wyldon sighed, feeling like the nervous father he seemed to have become lately. Aaurie gasped walking in behind him and setting down her bags.
"Wow, it's rather big isn't it?" Aaurie asked. Wyldon laughed. The children had shared close quarters back at the fort; the men had turned an office into a bedroom for the three to share.
"Yes well, only a bit bigger than the others. Besides, it faces the courtyard and fields, which means there will be a bit of noise. The other pages certainly won't envy you the noise." Aaurie nodded. She sighed, sad that she would not be sharing a room with her brothers any longer.
"Well, you'll want to change and then make your way down to the dining hall, I will meet you there alright?" Aaurie nodded and closed the door as Wyldon left.
"Here we go." Aaurie sighed, pulling out a fresh shirt and throwing her travel stained tunic on the floor. Aaurie looked at herself in the small mirror over the fireplace and frowned.
A light dusting of freckles ran across her nose and cheeks. She grazed a finger over her lips thinking them too red- it looked almost as if she had applied rouge to them. She frowned slightly looking at her hair. Red curls hung to her midback- she had refused to cut it, citing that even Scanran men saw long hair as a symbol of honor. Now she worried the decision would haunt her; with a sigh she fastened it in a ribbon, letting it drape neatly down her back, out of her face.
A knock at the door made Aaurie jump, and she quickly jumped over her belongings to pull open the heavy door. A bored looking young man stood outside the door, holding a handful of clothing. When Aaurie opened the door he looked startled.
"Yes?" Aaurie asked, swallowing.
"I- uh, perhaps the wrong room? I was told to bring the new page uniforms in the palace colors…?" He said not believing that the girl in front of him could be the new page.
"Oh, thank you." Aaurie said, taking the offered pile of clothes. He nodded, still confused,
"We didn't know your sizing- they just said you were a bit small. But these will have to do for today, I am to take you to get them sized tomorrow." Aaurie nodded looking at the soft blue and gold clothing.
"Oh, I'm Aaurien by the way. Aaurie for short," she said with a smile looking up at the older boy.
"Thom. I'm a fourth year too. I was rather wondering why they had assigned me to look after you. But I suppose your being a girl explains it," he grinned.
"It's more likely to be because I am Scanran, Thom." Thom raised an eyebrow; he had heard rumors that the King was allowing Scanran refugees to try for their shield.
"Well, get those on and I will escort you to the dining hall." Aaurie nodded and shut the door.
The palace colors seemed a sharp contrast to the pale greens of Cavall she was used to wearing. The breeches fit almost perfectly, hanging a bit loose on her hips. What bothered her was the shirt, it was most definitely tight across her chest.
Aaurie groaned looking down her front; she had grown somewhat that past year- her chest much more defined than it had been when she first came to the fort. Wyldon had looked quite comical trying to help her sort out breast bands and had finally begged one of the refugee women to supply her with several breast bands of the correct size.
The shirt clung tight to her chest and the slight curve of her hips. Aaurie sighed deciding it would have to do for the time being. She opened the door suddenly, making Thom who waited outside jump. He looked at her and blushed slightly.
"They seem to be a bit snug," he said quietly, holding back a laugh when he saw her face.
"Yes a bit," she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, come on then, they'll all be waiting."