This is a 'what if' story. I do not own any of these characters except Mitzi.

-Chapter One:

Keladry walked briskly down the hallway of the page's dorm, glancing at the piece of paper in her hand; a message from Lord Wyldon telling her to come to his office. Kel didn't know what to expect. She mostly went to the trainer's office for punishment, like when she was caught fighting or slacking on chores -which was rarely ever- but she couldn't be perfect all the time. And the page who had brought the message didn't know what is was about either, but then again he had seemed rather shy talking to the only girl squire in the palace.

The message, written on thick parchment in Lord Wyldon's stately scrawl said:

To Page Keladry Mindelan:
After the Noon Meal come to my office for a brief meeting.
Your teachers know of your intended absence.

Short and quick-to-the-point; typical of her trainer. As she turned a corner and drew closer to the office door, she crammed the paper into a pocket of her breeches and put on her best Yamani face so she could take whatever Lord Wlydon wanted with a calm attitude. When she entered the room the 'Stump' as Neal called him, was seated before his desk; maps and lists of inventory strewn over the large table. He was busy calculating something on an abacus, thick brows knitted together in concentration. Keladry itched to know what he was calculating; she rather liked doing math.

"Sit down," he told her while scribbling whatever answer he had gotten from his abacus down on a piece of paper. Kel sat down on cushy red chair; it was meant for larger knights, but even so it fit her tall height well. "I wanted to let you know that the reason I called you down here is not because you are in trouble. Rather, I need to inform you of a certain piece of information that should not be spread around."

"Sir?"

"I want to let you know that what I am requesting will be a voluntary act; but I think you will be the best for this because first off you are a girl...and...well, I believe you are trustworthy."

Keladry remained silent. Lord Wyldon did not give out compliments freely and this was probably one of the first times she had been called down to his office for a reason other than punishment. She knew that her training master was never comfortable with asking people for favors...so it was probably doubly hard for him to stoop down and ask a squire for a favor.

"I'm sure you know that the lady Prince Roald was formerly engaged to, unfortunately passed away. His new betrothed is from the country Norwestia. I personally do not approve of the match...it does not hold much political advantage. But apparently His Majesty King Jonathon is not so much interested in the political benefits of the engagement." Lord Wyldon paused and looked at Kel. "Do you understand me so far?"

"I'm afraid not quite, sir."

"Well listen up because I'm not quite sure how to explain this. There's this princess from Norwestia who is coming to Tortall for three reasons: The First being that she is very magically gifted, unusually so for a mortal, and requires training from Numair. The Second being that Norwestia is currently undergoing a Civil War and already two attempts at her life have been made. Her parents have requested that she come to the palace for safety. Thirdly, she is the new betrothed of the prince and so it is customary for her to spend time in Tortall, to learn the different customs etc." He nodded at Kel, giving permission for her to speak.

"I understand, sir. But why am I involved in this? I know nothing about Norwestian customs and I had not heard until now the news about the engagement."

"The engagement is rather recent. As I said before I do not believe that Tortall will gain anything from this marriage, but the princess does come with a large dowry, and the alliance of Norwestia. Also, King Jonathon used to take Prince Roald down to Norwestia on vacations and it seems the young prince and the princess were childhood friends." Lord Wyldon paused. "You must understand that this information must not be told to anyone," he ordered her.

"Of course, sir."

"Two attempts at the princess's life have already been made, and the chances of more happening are rising. So when the princess does arrive it will be secretly; she is to be treated like a page. She will only take a few combat classes -her parents have requested that she learn a few fighting skills- and will spend most of her time with Numair who will instruct her in magic."

Kel nodded, trying not to let confusion break her expressionless face mask.

"The princess will no doubt have a hard time adjusting to life here. She will need someone to help her. As a page she will need a sponsor. Every day she will be under guard -secretly of course- but will also need a friend."

Realization started to dawn on Kel.

"So I was going to ask you to be her sponsor. You will of course have to keep her position secret; you can't even tell your friends. It will be an added responsibility but all of the teachers will be aware of this task and will no doubt go easier on you. But the girl will have to act like a regular page -she won't have her ladies-in-waiting- so she'll need some time to adjust."

"Sir?" asked Kel.

"Who else knows this information?"

"The prince does. He and the Princess will no doubt want to meet each other. Also all the palace staff except for the servants."

"What will happen if I don't agree?"

"You are kind of our last resort," he answered gruffly. "Her parents specifically requested a capable girl be her sponsor."

"Then I agree," Kel said. She didn't always like her training master, but she knew she didn't like seeing him this anxious. She tried to convince herself that she was just sponsoring a first-year page, just like Neal had done for her two years ago- and not being a body guard to a princess. Lord Wyldon let out a sigh and a look of relief crossed his face.

"Good, the Princess Mitzi will arrive in three days."