CHAPTER ONE

A little girl joyfully ran through the palace bumping into someone half knocking herself over. "Oh I'm so sorry!" The little girl exclaimed. The person she knocked into was a medium sized tough looking girl. "It's no problem really, you're new here?" Keladry of Mindelan asked politely. "Yeah! You must be Keladry of Mindelan! I'm so excited to start my page training, I was hoping to bump into you, of course not like this.." She giggled and babbled on. "You're starting as a page?" Keladry asked in surprise. "Of course silly! I wouldn't be able to stand acting like those court ladies do.." The young girl trailed off as Keladry broke into a wide grin. "You're babbling again, yes I am Keladry of Mindelan but you can call me Kel. I'm a second year page here and you would be?" Kel looked upon the girl wistfully. "Sorry I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Ashleigh of Olau. My parents never cared for the interesting name factor." She said drily. "Olau…? The Lioness's adoptive father is from Olau." Keladry stated in shock. "Yes, my Uncle Myles… My father's brother. You probably haven't heard of us because we have lived in Tusaine for most of my life.. But I have met a lot of my family including the Lioness, She's thrilled for me to start as a page." Ashleigh babbled on. "You know the Lioness herself?" Kel asked in disbelief. "Yeah I do, she's sort of my cousin…" Ashleigh trailed off as Lord Wyldon of Cavall rounded the corner. "Ashleigh, nice to see you've met Keladry our other girl page. I trust you will sponsor her Keladry?" He turned on Keladry. "Yes my Lord, with pleasure." Keladry replied gracefully putting her stone face on. "Good, Keladry I expect you to show her around the palace this afternoon her rooms will be right next to yours. I expect to see you both at supper on time." Lord Wyldon put emphasise on his last two words. "Yes my Lord." Both Kel and Ashleigh replied.

Lord Wyldon turned to leave. "Wait my Lord..." Ashleigh started. He turned back to look at her questioningly. "The Lioness is here in the palace I know, I would like to see my cousin today.. Is that possible for Keladry to show me to her rooms?" Ashleigh asked boldly. "Hmph, I see no problem with it, as long as you tell her that I allowed it. Keladry her rooms are in the South Wing." Lord Wyldon said and turned on his heel promptly. "Well he's full of feeling isn't he?" Ashleigh asked sarcastically as soon as he was out of hearing. Kel laughed, "I think I'm going to like you." Ashleigh pulled a face. "So show me around this huge place?" She asked playfully. They set off…

Meanwhile in the practise courts, Neal, Merric, Cleon and Owen were practising their hand to hand combat. Neal had been knocked to the ground, "And that is how you do it." Merric gloated playfully as Cleon and Owen helped him up. At that moment Keladry and Ashleigh walked out onto the practise courts. "Who do you think that is?" Owen asked lightly. "No idea, but I think we're about to find out." Neal said drily. The girls walked over and Ashleigh smiled happily. "Hello young lady! I'm Neal, this is Merric, Owen and Cleon." Neal shook her hand and introduce them all. Ash grinned evilly and easily flipped him over her. "I'm Ashleigh, Ashleigh of Olau but you can call me Ash." She laughed as Neal got up in disbelief, with Kel, Cleon, Owen and Merric roaring with laughter. "See Neal, that's what you get for thinking she was to be a court lady." Kel laughed harder. Neal blushed, "Oh shut it you." When the laughter died down they turned around to notice Ashleigh back-flipping lightly off her feet in a pretence duel with the air. They watched for a little while before Kel broke it up. "Alright then, ready to see your cousin now?" Keladry asked politely as Ash turned to face her. "Always!" She said joyfully. "Who's your cousin?" Cleon asked. "Alanna of Trebond, I trust you've heard of her?" Ashleigh gave them a little wave and set off with Keladry as the boys jaws hit the ground.

As they were walking to the southern side of the palace they passed the stable to see Daine conversing with a horse. "Hey Daine! This is Ashleigh of Olau, she's to start her page training tomorrow." Keladry walked over to the wildmage. Daine's eyes widened as she heard Olau. "So your Sir Myles's niece that I heard about? Nice to meet you. I'm Daine, the Wildmage." They shook hands as Daine introduced herself. "Yes, I've heard that Uncle Myles has told many people of my coming.." She said drily making Daine laugh. "I assume you're on your way to see the Lioness then?" Daine asked. "Yep if I ever make it there.. Kel keeps stopping to introduce me or show me something.. Not meaning to be rude, but I'd like to see my dearest cousin quite soon." Ashleigh stated. "Of course, See you around Daine…" Kel replied easily and they set off again. "So those boys back there were your friends then?" Ashleigh questioned. "Yeah, Neal was my sponsor last year. Their not used to meeting new people I guess.. They forgot to state where they were from." Keladry sighed. "Typical boy behaviour…" Ashleigh replied with a smile. "Yes, Nealan of Queenscove, he's one of the oldest pages. He decided to go to University and study to be a mage but changed his mind and started his training as a page at a later age than most. Cleon of Kennan well he's just Cleon. Anyway we all study together after dinner in my room, so long as the door is open. Sometimes Prince Roald joins us… If he doesn't have other court social events to attend. For a Prince he's pretty shy… But here's me babbling on, what's your story?" Keladry babbled as the Yamani expression slid over her face.

"Well living in Tusaine isn't very interesting, the Knight system over there is pretty similar… My parents attend Tusaine court regularly to keep the alliances strong between Tusaine and Tortall. I made up my mind to be a Lady Knight a few months ago. I moved to Uncle Myles's house a month back with regular visits from Cousin Alanna and Her husband. Alanna was thrilled to hear that I was to train as a page. She's taught me a few hand to hand combat moves like that one I used on Neal… I'm just hoping they come in handy." Ashleigh finished off as they came closer to the Lioness's rooms. "Well my parents keep up the alliance between the Yamani Islands and Tortall so there's something in common! Oh and some of the boys will try and invade your room to destroy it… I'll introduce you to my maid Lalasa later, she will put a charm on your door for you." Keladry looked at Ashleigh with interest. "That's so nice of you! Well here we are." Ashleigh said as they reached a door, Ashleigh knocked loudly.