DISCLAIMER: I never got a reply to my letter about owning Protector of the Small, so I don't know yet…For now it's a no.
Too Late
"Keladry of Mindelan, You failed to arrive on time to your examinations. We have decided on the proper punishment for your tardiness. You will repeat all four years of page training," Wyldon said as he stared at the young girl in front of him. Her hair was cut short, like a boy's, and was wearing loose breeches and shirt. She nodded, her face impassive. She wanted to be a knight, and she would repeat all four years of her training, if that's what she needed to do. She bowed and turned to go. She walked down the hall. Her fellow pages, now squires, stuck their heads out of their rooms. She walked past all of them entering her own room. She shut the door behind her, but it never connected with the frame.
Neal walked into the room behind her. She turned, rolled her eyes, and then turned forward again.
"Are you really going to repeat three yeas of training?" he asked her.
"I want to be a knight. If that's what it takes, that's what I will do," she replied. "And now I'll be able to be your squire."
"I can't believe the stump actually made you repeat all those years. Especially after the probationary year." Neal shook his head.
"Neal," Kel retorted. "I made it through all of those years, and I can do it again. It will be easier without Joren around. Just don't forget about me."
"Never, Kel. I would never forget you. But I won't have anyone to tell me to eat my vegetables while with my knight master."
"Well, maybe I should quit my page training and become a servant to your knight master so I can force you to eat them."
"Nope, I'll do it, if it will keep you in training." And then he was gone, after a hug and a kiss on the cheek.