Disclaimer: lalalala You all know the drill. This is Tamora Pierce's work...whatever. The characters that are mine are pretty easy to figure out. So, on with the story. Don't fall asleep!

Part One, Chapter Two: Introductions
Kel blinked sleepily at the sparrow perched on her nose. Though small, the little bird could sure make a lot of noise. In a way, they were better that the bells. Ever since Kel had started waking up early, the sparrows had seen it as their duty to wake her up. Shooing the birds off her face, Kel got up and prepared for her daily pattern dance. Today, she chose a simple one for herself-one that focused mainly on the chest and upper arms, areas where females were ordinarily weaker in than males were. Frowning in concentration, Kel exercised. A knock on the door snapped Kel out of her routine. Unlocking the door, Kel came face to face with Gower. He walked silently into her room and began tidying it.
"Good morning, Gower." Kel said politely, no answer came. She sighed; Gower always seemed to be in a gloomy mood, she didn't really expect an answer.
Thinking about Gower made Kel miss Lalasa, Gowers' niece and Kels' previous maid. But Lalasa had left Kel to open a dress shop in the city, visiting the palace only occasionally. Absorbed in her thought, Kel jumped when her dog, Jump barked at the door. Frowning, Kel looked into the grinning face of the small dog. Jump obviously wanted out, and he was determined to have Kel go with him.
With a last glance at Gower, Kel left her room...and straight into a sneering Vinson. Jump crouched and growled menacingly. Vinson glanced at the dog briefly, then returned his gaze to Kels'.
"Why," He said, "If it isn't Keladry of Mindelin."
"Hullo Vinson." Kel said, through gritted teeth.
"It is a surprise to see back." Vinson continued. "We thought that you would
be convinced into leaving after the first four years."
"Are you still out to pick fights with me?" Kel asked. "You should know by
now that I will never leave." Jump added a bark of agreement.
"Women are better off at home, baking pies." Vinson said, scowling. "They
aren't fit for knights work."
"Neither are cowards." Kel retorted. "And yet you're still here."
Vinsons' eyes glinted as he balled his hand into a fist, ready to attack. Kel saw this, and shifted into a fighting stance, just as ready to defend. Soon, she thought grimly, Vinson will be taking a trip to the healers. Just then, Jump barked. Both squires looked up to see the halls filling with other squires and pages. Knowing he wouldn't be able to pick a fight in the
midst of so many people, Vinson gave a last sneer and walked off.
"What was that all about?" Neal asked, still vainly blinking sleep from his eyes.
"Vinson wanted me to change to shape of his face." Kel replied wryly,
"Wanted it to match his heart, I guess." She knelt to pat Jump on the head. The dog rumbled his pleasure.
"I can't believe they still don't like you." Owen muttered. He knelt to give Jump another rub.
"They just like to pick fights, is all." Seaver remarked. "If they don't like our Kel, it's too bad for them."
"They will just have to get used to me." Kel added. "If Lord Wyldon can put up with me, then who's to say they can't?"
"Speaking of the Stump," Merric muttered. "Where in the Black Gods Realm did he go off to? I'm hungry."
"Don't think about it." Kel advised "You'll just make it worse."
"You make it seem so easy." Merric said.
"Quit it!" Neal warned. "The Stump's here!"
"And just look at the beauty he's brought with him." Cleon breathed.
"That's right!" Roald remarked. "The Carthaki ambassador and her sister are staying with us." Kel made a face. She wasn't looking forward to her classes at all.
"Welcome to another year of training on your road to knight hood." Lord Wyldon announced. Kel had heard his speech four times already, so she allowed her mind to stray to the newcomers. Lady Kaliana Kel had met already, and it was quite entertaining to see the clothes Kaliana was wearing-a silky blue dress with a plunging neckline. Kel shivered. She wouldn't be caught dead wearing such a thing. Kaliana's sister, on the other hand, had on more...practical clothing-dark blue breeches, and a cream colored shirt. On closer inspection, the girl was also very pretty, but not breathtaking. Her features indicated a person who seemed to be fun loving and fresh. She wore her ebony colored hair in a long braid down her back; her deep blue eyes were framed in long lashes.
"...will need to be sponsers in that are pages in their fourth year or squires who do not have knight masters." Lord Wyldon said, when Kel turned her attention on him. "First, a sponsor for Lady Kaliana de Yfran?" Hands shot up, each owned by a face eager to volunteer.
Kel grimaced, and was pleased to see that Kaliana's sister did as well. Kaliana shot a critical eye at the crowd of pages and squires. Finally, to Kels' dismay, her roving eyes fell on Neal. Neal noticed this too, and nervously ran his hand through his hair, he hadn't even volunteered!
"The tall brown haired one," She said, flashing a sickeningly sweet smile at Neal. "He seems old enough for me, my Lord."
Lord Wyldon nodded, though Nealen of Queenscove was hardly on the top of his list. Lady Kaliana stepped up to Neal and touched his arm. Neal turned beet red, and moved closer of Kel. The other pages stared in envy. Kel felt another pang in her heart.
"A sponsor for Lady Khari de Yfran?" Lord Wyldon asked.
"The Vale." Lady Kaliana interjected. Lord Wyldon looked at her quizzically.
"Khari Djorïn of The Vale." Kaliana explained. "She isn't really family. Only adopted." A bit of a sneer darkened her fair features briefly. Khari raised her head in pride, looking all the world as regal as the Great Mother Goddess herself.
"Yes. I see." Lord Wyldon said. Kel wondered if she heard a slight hint of disapproval in his voice. 'A sponsor for Khari Djorïn of the Vale?" Roald stepped forward.
"Your Majesty?" Lord Wyldon asked. "You would like to sponsor Lady Khari?"
"Yes." Roald said. "It is only courteous for me to do so."
Kel grinned when she saw Lady Khari blanche in anger and surprise. Neal saw this too, and sighed glumly. "Lucky me." He muttered. Lady Kaliana did not seem to hear.
"We have wasted enough time on this." Lord Wyldon said. "Breakfast." He walked off to the mess hall, pages and squires following him.
"Well?" Kaliana said, offering her arm to Neal. "Aren't you going to escort me to the table?"
Neal gazed at her arm blankly, pondering it. Obviously, he forgot all his lessons; for he didn't know what to do.
"Neal!" Kel hissed. "Take her arm!"
"Oh." Neal said.
Lady Kaliana turned to Kel. "Oh! You must be the female page!" She sneered, and walked away, dragging Neal with her.
"Brat."
Kel looked around for the source of the voice. Khari was staring at the retreating Kaliana in distaste. Khari saw Kel and her friends staring at her, and grinned.
"I'm sorry." Khari apologized. "I'd say much worse, but I don't wish to leave a bad impression." Roald grinned, relieved he hadn't ended up with another Kaliana. The others followed suit.
"I shouldn't keep us all from breakfast, so I'll stop my jabbering." Khari said. Kel and her friends followed Khari's lead.