Sir Jane
Chapter One: Duty
A young girl is forced to go for knighthood when her older brother bankrupts the family fortunes.
"Of course I will do whatever you wish, father," the girl standing in front of her father said, no trace of resentment in her face.
Lord Collins surveyed his daughter skeptically. Where was the fire that her mother had? The girl was a dull twat, plain and simple.
"You know very well I cannot afford to send you to the convent. You will go to the palace to train for your shield."
The girl made no answer.
"The estate cannot support you any other way- it can barely support me. I will go abroad to some foreign court where the sight of a Tortallian is so rare that they will shower honors and gifts upon me."
"And Caspar?" she asked.
"He is as good as dead to us now. You would do well to remember that it is he that has bankrupted this family."
"Is there no other way then, father?"
"No," Lord Collins said shortly, surveying his daughter sadly. Jane of Riverhill was about medium height for a girl of ten. She had long, dirty, blonde hair and grey eyes. Her only remarkable feature was her hands which she vainly displayed to their best advantage with a signet ring bearing the Riverhill family crest on the middle finger of her right hand.
But hands and well placed rings weren't going to get the girl a husband. It would be impossible to marry her off without extensive training at the convent. Which cost money. There was no other way to save the family fortunes.
"No," he repeated, "There is no other way. You must do as you are told and manage as best you can."
"Yes, father. I will do my duty." Turning on her heel, she left the room- her drab little shapeless dress flowing behind her.
She swept into her room and surveyed her reflection in the looking glass. "Yes, I will do my duty," she said sadly, surveying her hair before reaching for the shears in her dresser drawer.
A/N: I'm sorry it's so short... the first couple of chapters will be that way, but they will get longer, I promise. Hope you liked, and please review!
Lady Mage