"Oof!" Amber grunted as she landed on top of Ashton.
"Gerdoff of me!" Airic demanded, trying to push Ash and Amber off of him. "You need to be on a diet, Amber. You're bloody heavy!"
"That's not me! Aquaria is the heavy one, not me." Amber retorted.
"I think you're the heavy one, Ammers." Ash said. "Aqua's gotten off of us already."
"Umm.loves? I don't think we were supposed to land here." Aqua suddenly spoke, looking around her at the group of young men who were now staring at her and her friends like they were demons.
"I told you that we took a wrong turn somewhere. I thought Master Numair said to meet him here!" Airic hissed.
"I'm sure he'll be here. Or else we're bloody damned!" Ashton whispered.
"What vulgar language you have." Aqua commented.
"Mithros! I've forgotten the children!" A sudden yell came from somewhere nearby as a man was seen sprinting down a set of steps into the courtyard. He flew to a stop and quickly composed himself. "I'm Master Numair. You must be Amberlene, Ashton, Airic and Lady Aquaria."
"That we are, Master. I am Lady Aquaria Pike of Oakhurst and Briareley." Aqua curtseyed as best as she could for her skirt was wrapped about her in a way that it was difficult for her to move. "These are my companions, Amber, Ash and Airic." As child stepped up and curtseyed or bowed when he/she was introduced.
"Um.Master Numair?" One of the boys present inquired. "May I ask who they are?" The boy pushed a bit of dark black hair from his sapphire blue eyes.
"Of course, Your Highness. But you wouldn't get an answer. It would seem we are late for a meeting with your Father, Prince Roald. Now if you'll excuse us, I don't like to keep King Jonathan waiting. Come along children." He magicked the trunks to follow them and swept out of the courtyard with the 4 newcomers straggling behind.
?????
"So you must be the children that Numair spoke to me about earlier. It would seem he wishes for you to be allowed to train as pages. What do you think of that?" The handsome King spoke.
"Your Majesty, I believe that would be wonderful. I only hope that we four can become great assets and your kingdom. We thank you for allowing us to stay in your great country." Aqua answered, bowing.
"I would love to be a knight one day!" Ash announced. "It would be brilliant!"
"I would like to try for it, too." Airic answered, nobly.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don't believe I could do it. I cower at even touching a weapon, though my father and uncles have taught us much. I believe I would do better healing or in the gardens. Perhaps even in the loom houses. My magicks call me to those arts." Amber answered truthfully.
"Very well then. Numair, the three who wish to serve as pages may do so. Lady Amber may serve under my Lady Queen as a lady in waiting." The king finally answered. "Because three of you have no titles, it could pose as a problem in my courts because of some of my stuffy conservatives. Therefore, I believe it would be wise for you to use the title and lands of your villages as your own. Numair, I leave it to you to take these children to Lord Wyldon. Lady Amberlene, if you will follow me, I will take you to my wife."
?????
"You what?!" Lord Wyldon of Cavall yelled when Master Numair told him of the newest pages.
"Have three new pages for you. All approved by the King. Lord Airic of Oakhurst Ville, Lord Ashton of Cornwall, and Lady Aquaria of Oakhurst and Briareley. Of course Lady Aquaria will be put on the one-year probation and not allowed to meet the Lioness as Kelandry of Mindelan." Numair answered cheerfully.
"But you want me to take another girl? And two boys in the middle of the year?" Wyldon repeated.
"You don't ever repeat simple ideas like you are now, but yes. I want you to take another girl into training and two new boys. The King has ordered it. These children and Lady Amberlene are under Tortall's protection." Several long seconds of silence followed as Airic, Ashton, and Aqua shifted uncomfortably as Lord Wyldon took his time to study each child. Finally, he answered
"Very well. Lady Aquaria, I will be referring to you as Briareley, rather than Oakhurst for that will be for Lord Airic. You will have your door open if there is a boy in your room, same as if you are in his room. I will not have flirtations. If you do not obey to this rule, you will be asked to leave immediately. You are to serve at royal functions and run errands for any lord or lady that asks. Here you claim to have magickal gifts. Is this true for all of you?"
"Yes sir. Though ours magick is quite different from the normal magic you will see." Airic answered.
"But I will be teaching them our type of Gift." Numair interrupted. "They will have me, rather than anyone else during the time period for magickal learning. Further more, I will be claiming them for a bell or two after supper. I would have it that you send them to me for any punishment they receive. I assure you that they will be worked for punishment."
"Very well." Wyldon answered. "I see that you did not bring a maid or a servant. Palace staff will care for your rooms. Salma is waiting for you outside. She will take you to your rooms. Any questions?"
"Yes. About having her door open when there is a boy in the room. Will an exception be made for when I have them practicing their magick? I wouldn't want for it to leak out or cause a scene among the other boys and er, girl."
"Very well, but Salma will be informed at such occasions. You may go now." Wyldon dismissed the group.
?????
"This is your room, Page Airic." Salma unlocked a door, revealing Airic's thing. Then she took the across the hall to another room with Ashton's name on the slate. "This would be Page Ashton's."
"We'll start unpacking. Lord Wyldon said that he would be assigning us to sponsors to show us about. Then we would have supper. See you in a bit, Aqua."
"Alright, then Ash. See you then, Airic." Aqua answered.
"And this is your room. Your name's been washed off. I suppose the boys will be playing the same tricks on you as they did on Kel. You'll be finding your room in a mess, I suppose. Never mind that. I'll have the staff clean it. You just worry about the warrior things." Salma said, opening the door to reveal a mess of things. "I should have known to get the locks magicked. I'll need your keys when you're done. And I'll make sure your room is clean by the time you return from supper."
"No need, Salma. For either of the things you've said. I'll clean it. My mother taught me these spells ages ago. Simple things." Aqua said, throwing the shutters open to allow a breeze in. "This might be different from anything you've ever seen." Aqua took a deep breath and called on a small wind. It whirled about her room, pushing the furniture upright and collecting all the papers and loose things, putting them back to where they go. Within five minutes, the room was completely clean and everything was unpacked.
"That was rather nice." Salma said.
"Thank you. I'll be magicking my door and windows. Only people with good intentions will be allowed into my room. You needn't have anyone come into my room. I'll make sure my room stays clean. And I can lay a new fire. I have a bit of fire magick. Every thing will be fine, Salma."
"Alright then. If you need anything, I hope you will come to me. Master Numair has placed your purse under my watch. If you need any money, come to me."
"Thank you again, Salma."
"You should change for supper. When the bell rings, come out into the hallway and stay before your door. Lord Wyldon will come then." Salma turned and left the room.
Aqua smiled as she rummaged through her wardrobe. 'Should I wear a dress or breeches?' Her smile grew as her fingers brushed the gown her Aunt had made her for her birthday. It was a debutante's white gown. She pulled out a pink shift and changed quickly. On her feet was a pair of white satin slippers. Suddenly, overhead, a great bell rung. 'That must be the bell.' She took a deep breath before walking outside. She closed the door and silently spoke a word of protection to keep people out. Airic waved to her before turning to watch Lord Wyldon come down the hall.
As he did, boys followed him, talking and joking quietly. Several boys caught her eyes. One boy who had hair and eyes almost like Airic's, only he had the complexion of a girl. He would have been a stunning woman if he were a girl. Airic, however, was all muscle and no one would mistake him or even think of him as a pretty girl. Then there was the big red headed man. And the Prince and a handsome boy who looked about 15. And finally, the girl with a dreamer's hazel eyes in a dress. Airic and Ashton both bowed to the man. Aqua however chose to curtsey.
"Don't think that this year will be easy for you. You will be worked to the brink of insanity. Added to the magickal training from Master Numair, you will have been worked till you are too tired to work, and yet you will work even more. You are entering in the middle of the year, so I will allow your sponsors to take tomorrow off so that they can show you about the castle and take you to collect the things the crown supplies you. You." He pointed at Ashton. "Your name and fief."
"Ashton of Cornwall, sir." Ash answered strongly.
"Who here will sponsor Ashton of Cornwall?" Wyldon asked.
"Sir? Where is Cornwall? If I may ask." An elegant boy in his 3rd year stepped forward. "And may I sponsor him?"
"Yes, you may sponsor him, Faleron of King's Reach. As for Cornwall, it is located in the country of Britain. You?"
"Airic of Oakhurst Ville, sir."
"And who will sponsor him?"
"Please, sir?" Cleon of Kennan a 4th year stepped forward.
"Very well. And you, probationer?"
"Aquaria of Oakhurst and Briareley, my lord."
"And who will sponsor her?"
"Girls still don't belong here." The pretty boy sneered.
"I will." A quiet answer came from the back. Everyone turned to face the speaker who was The Girl.
"You? Kelandry of Mindelan?" Wyldon asked, perplexed.
"Yes, sir. I would like to keep her from getting in trouble."
"I would rather have someone else. Anyone else?"
"I think I am being rash, yet again, but I will take the girl." The handsome boy who was too old to be a page spoke.
"Very well. Nealan of Queenscove, you may sponsor her."
"Gerdoff of me!" Airic demanded, trying to push Ash and Amber off of him. "You need to be on a diet, Amber. You're bloody heavy!"
"That's not me! Aquaria is the heavy one, not me." Amber retorted.
"I think you're the heavy one, Ammers." Ash said. "Aqua's gotten off of us already."
"Umm.loves? I don't think we were supposed to land here." Aqua suddenly spoke, looking around her at the group of young men who were now staring at her and her friends like they were demons.
"I told you that we took a wrong turn somewhere. I thought Master Numair said to meet him here!" Airic hissed.
"I'm sure he'll be here. Or else we're bloody damned!" Ashton whispered.
"What vulgar language you have." Aqua commented.
"Mithros! I've forgotten the children!" A sudden yell came from somewhere nearby as a man was seen sprinting down a set of steps into the courtyard. He flew to a stop and quickly composed himself. "I'm Master Numair. You must be Amberlene, Ashton, Airic and Lady Aquaria."
"That we are, Master. I am Lady Aquaria Pike of Oakhurst and Briareley." Aqua curtseyed as best as she could for her skirt was wrapped about her in a way that it was difficult for her to move. "These are my companions, Amber, Ash and Airic." As child stepped up and curtseyed or bowed when he/she was introduced.
"Um.Master Numair?" One of the boys present inquired. "May I ask who they are?" The boy pushed a bit of dark black hair from his sapphire blue eyes.
"Of course, Your Highness. But you wouldn't get an answer. It would seem we are late for a meeting with your Father, Prince Roald. Now if you'll excuse us, I don't like to keep King Jonathan waiting. Come along children." He magicked the trunks to follow them and swept out of the courtyard with the 4 newcomers straggling behind.
?????
"So you must be the children that Numair spoke to me about earlier. It would seem he wishes for you to be allowed to train as pages. What do you think of that?" The handsome King spoke.
"Your Majesty, I believe that would be wonderful. I only hope that we four can become great assets and your kingdom. We thank you for allowing us to stay in your great country." Aqua answered, bowing.
"I would love to be a knight one day!" Ash announced. "It would be brilliant!"
"I would like to try for it, too." Airic answered, nobly.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don't believe I could do it. I cower at even touching a weapon, though my father and uncles have taught us much. I believe I would do better healing or in the gardens. Perhaps even in the loom houses. My magicks call me to those arts." Amber answered truthfully.
"Very well then. Numair, the three who wish to serve as pages may do so. Lady Amber may serve under my Lady Queen as a lady in waiting." The king finally answered. "Because three of you have no titles, it could pose as a problem in my courts because of some of my stuffy conservatives. Therefore, I believe it would be wise for you to use the title and lands of your villages as your own. Numair, I leave it to you to take these children to Lord Wyldon. Lady Amberlene, if you will follow me, I will take you to my wife."
?????
"You what?!" Lord Wyldon of Cavall yelled when Master Numair told him of the newest pages.
"Have three new pages for you. All approved by the King. Lord Airic of Oakhurst Ville, Lord Ashton of Cornwall, and Lady Aquaria of Oakhurst and Briareley. Of course Lady Aquaria will be put on the one-year probation and not allowed to meet the Lioness as Kelandry of Mindelan." Numair answered cheerfully.
"But you want me to take another girl? And two boys in the middle of the year?" Wyldon repeated.
"You don't ever repeat simple ideas like you are now, but yes. I want you to take another girl into training and two new boys. The King has ordered it. These children and Lady Amberlene are under Tortall's protection." Several long seconds of silence followed as Airic, Ashton, and Aqua shifted uncomfortably as Lord Wyldon took his time to study each child. Finally, he answered
"Very well. Lady Aquaria, I will be referring to you as Briareley, rather than Oakhurst for that will be for Lord Airic. You will have your door open if there is a boy in your room, same as if you are in his room. I will not have flirtations. If you do not obey to this rule, you will be asked to leave immediately. You are to serve at royal functions and run errands for any lord or lady that asks. Here you claim to have magickal gifts. Is this true for all of you?"
"Yes sir. Though ours magick is quite different from the normal magic you will see." Airic answered.
"But I will be teaching them our type of Gift." Numair interrupted. "They will have me, rather than anyone else during the time period for magickal learning. Further more, I will be claiming them for a bell or two after supper. I would have it that you send them to me for any punishment they receive. I assure you that they will be worked for punishment."
"Very well." Wyldon answered. "I see that you did not bring a maid or a servant. Palace staff will care for your rooms. Salma is waiting for you outside. She will take you to your rooms. Any questions?"
"Yes. About having her door open when there is a boy in the room. Will an exception be made for when I have them practicing their magick? I wouldn't want for it to leak out or cause a scene among the other boys and er, girl."
"Very well, but Salma will be informed at such occasions. You may go now." Wyldon dismissed the group.
?????
"This is your room, Page Airic." Salma unlocked a door, revealing Airic's thing. Then she took the across the hall to another room with Ashton's name on the slate. "This would be Page Ashton's."
"We'll start unpacking. Lord Wyldon said that he would be assigning us to sponsors to show us about. Then we would have supper. See you in a bit, Aqua."
"Alright, then Ash. See you then, Airic." Aqua answered.
"And this is your room. Your name's been washed off. I suppose the boys will be playing the same tricks on you as they did on Kel. You'll be finding your room in a mess, I suppose. Never mind that. I'll have the staff clean it. You just worry about the warrior things." Salma said, opening the door to reveal a mess of things. "I should have known to get the locks magicked. I'll need your keys when you're done. And I'll make sure your room is clean by the time you return from supper."
"No need, Salma. For either of the things you've said. I'll clean it. My mother taught me these spells ages ago. Simple things." Aqua said, throwing the shutters open to allow a breeze in. "This might be different from anything you've ever seen." Aqua took a deep breath and called on a small wind. It whirled about her room, pushing the furniture upright and collecting all the papers and loose things, putting them back to where they go. Within five minutes, the room was completely clean and everything was unpacked.
"That was rather nice." Salma said.
"Thank you. I'll be magicking my door and windows. Only people with good intentions will be allowed into my room. You needn't have anyone come into my room. I'll make sure my room stays clean. And I can lay a new fire. I have a bit of fire magick. Every thing will be fine, Salma."
"Alright then. If you need anything, I hope you will come to me. Master Numair has placed your purse under my watch. If you need any money, come to me."
"Thank you again, Salma."
"You should change for supper. When the bell rings, come out into the hallway and stay before your door. Lord Wyldon will come then." Salma turned and left the room.
Aqua smiled as she rummaged through her wardrobe. 'Should I wear a dress or breeches?' Her smile grew as her fingers brushed the gown her Aunt had made her for her birthday. It was a debutante's white gown. She pulled out a pink shift and changed quickly. On her feet was a pair of white satin slippers. Suddenly, overhead, a great bell rung. 'That must be the bell.' She took a deep breath before walking outside. She closed the door and silently spoke a word of protection to keep people out. Airic waved to her before turning to watch Lord Wyldon come down the hall.
As he did, boys followed him, talking and joking quietly. Several boys caught her eyes. One boy who had hair and eyes almost like Airic's, only he had the complexion of a girl. He would have been a stunning woman if he were a girl. Airic, however, was all muscle and no one would mistake him or even think of him as a pretty girl. Then there was the big red headed man. And the Prince and a handsome boy who looked about 15. And finally, the girl with a dreamer's hazel eyes in a dress. Airic and Ashton both bowed to the man. Aqua however chose to curtsey.
"Don't think that this year will be easy for you. You will be worked to the brink of insanity. Added to the magickal training from Master Numair, you will have been worked till you are too tired to work, and yet you will work even more. You are entering in the middle of the year, so I will allow your sponsors to take tomorrow off so that they can show you about the castle and take you to collect the things the crown supplies you. You." He pointed at Ashton. "Your name and fief."
"Ashton of Cornwall, sir." Ash answered strongly.
"Who here will sponsor Ashton of Cornwall?" Wyldon asked.
"Sir? Where is Cornwall? If I may ask." An elegant boy in his 3rd year stepped forward. "And may I sponsor him?"
"Yes, you may sponsor him, Faleron of King's Reach. As for Cornwall, it is located in the country of Britain. You?"
"Airic of Oakhurst Ville, sir."
"And who will sponsor him?"
"Please, sir?" Cleon of Kennan a 4th year stepped forward.
"Very well. And you, probationer?"
"Aquaria of Oakhurst and Briareley, my lord."
"And who will sponsor her?"
"Girls still don't belong here." The pretty boy sneered.
"I will." A quiet answer came from the back. Everyone turned to face the speaker who was The Girl.
"You? Kelandry of Mindelan?" Wyldon asked, perplexed.
"Yes, sir. I would like to keep her from getting in trouble."
"I would rather have someone else. Anyone else?"
"I think I am being rash, yet again, but I will take the girl." The handsome boy who was too old to be a page spoke.
"Very well. Nealan of Queenscove, you may sponsor her."
