CHAPTER
ONE
His fist thumped on the table "I have made up my mind. No
daughter of mine will put herself through that." Sir Nealan
whispered furiously.
"Da, calm down" I said soothingly. "Ma said it was ok"
"Chelsea! Do you know how many pages die? Squires? Knights?" I shook my head to each one "Too many for me to let you-"
I cut him off "Da, I know you know that, and I know you know just about everything else too" he rolled his eyes, "but you are wrong about this. I want to be a knight. I need to be a knight. And besides" I added "I have already told Kel." I smiled wickedly. He was powerless when it came to standing up against Lady Keladry of Mindelan. She is one of the other lady knights, and she scares him half to death.
"You did what? It doesn't matter. You are not going. You are too beautiful and I love you too much to let some beastly pack of boys beat you with sticks."
It was my turn to roll my eyes "Da, I am sorry this causes you so much distress, but," my green eyes locked his "it is my choice to make." I bowed my head just so it looked like I was sincere, but of course he saw right through me, like he always does. "Sorry are you? You will be sorry." His eyes narrowed but he was grinning. It was a smile more wicked than mine. "I am sending you to convent school." He said triumphantly.
This was not supposed to happen. My thoughts whirled around in my head, trying to think up an excuse. "But Da, I am not old enough."
"Well you can wait in your room until you are." When Da got that tone in his voice I knew it was best to stand down, for even though he is a great healer I wouldn't put it past him to poison me. I turned to go.
"Wait." He called out after me. "What exactly did you say to Kel?"
With my back turned to him a huge smile broke out on my face "Oh" I said, as if trying to remember. "Nothing much, I just mentioned that I was interested in becoming a knight, and wanted her advice. She wrote back too…" I let my sentence end there and continued walking out of the study.
"And?"
"Well it was a very long letter, written with extensive detail, but she couldn't fit it all on paper." I let him ponder my meaning.
"She is coming here?" As if on cue the trumpeter signalled the arrival of a friend.
"Damn her." He muttered. "Barricade the gate!" He yelled. A hint of muffled laughter came from outside the study.
"Yuki, darling, come in if you please." Da said. "Something must have been exceptionally funny for you to laugh."
Yuki ignored him and instead turned to me. "So, he said no?"
"How can you even think about letting her become a knight? It is down right preposterous."
"Oh my sweet, darling husband, I love you with all my heart but you frustrate me so. She is of the age to decide for herself, and she will do well I think."
Before Da could answer we all heard loud footsteps that could only belong to one person. Quick as anything Da thew himself at the door and held it tight. It didn't work, without any effort on Kel's part the door flew open to reveal my godmother, my idle. Without waiting to greet Da as was proper she threw herself at Ma and me and entangled us in her arms. Only after we couldn't breath did she let go.
"Neal," she said. "My old friend," accenting the old. "I have missed you so."
"I am not old," he muttered. "I just have many worry lines from worrying about her." He jerked his head in my direction.
"So, I take it by all the yelling earlier, I needn't of come and you are letting her become a knight?"
Da blushed a bright crimson red. "Kel" he started say.
She smiled "You have nothing to be scared of. Look how I turned out."
"That is what I am afraid of."
I knew Kel would win him over so I grabbed Ma's hand and we sat in the sitting room to await the verdict.
"Now do not get your hopes up Chelsea. Your father is quite reluctant to give you up. I think he will be happy if you die a spinster."
"Ma, when has Da ever won an argument against Kel? She is fearless. I want to be her when I grow up." I saw the pain in Ma's eyes as I said those words and I realised what they must have sounded like to her. "I am sorry Ma; I just don't think I could handle being such a serious, quiet lady like you." I kissed her cheek. "I love you Ma"
"I know my sweet, I know."
Just then the study doors flew open. Kel grinned triumphantly. "I hold in my hand," she said with put on awe and dignity, "the letter, written AND signed by Sir Nealan of Queenscove, asking royal permission for his daughter, Chelsea of Queenscove to become a knight. So it doesn't get 'lost' in the mail I shall take it back to Corus with me…right now."
"Oh nut wont you stay for dinner?" I begged, wanting her to save me from my father's wrath. She heard the discomfort in my voice but stood firm.
"I'm sorry Chels, you got yourself into this one so you can get yourself out. And besides, I wouldn't put it passed your dad to drug me and steal the blasted letter back." She winked at Da and strolled toward the door. "Bye."
Even though I knew I would be heavily reprimanded later I threw my arms around Da and thanked him most profoundly.
Before he could say anything I ran to my room to pack. The new term started in just over a week and I had plenty to do before then. I couldn't help but laugh…I was going to be a knight!
