Disclaimer: The world of Tortall belongs to just one person, Tamora Pierce. Most of the characters are mine, mostly the noble girls and their parents. Although, First Test does mention Neal has a younger sister who is Kel's age.
Ch. 1 Kyleah of Queenscove
So, here I am. 15 and fresh out of finishing school. Tonight, the first night of Midwinter Festival, I, Kyleah Kiana of Queenscove, daughter of Duke Baird, chief of the realm of Tortall's healers, will be presented at the royal court of King Jonathan the third and Queen Thayet. I can almost hear the voice of the herald, presenting Lady Kyleah of Queenscove, daughter of Duke Baird and Duchess Eleanora of Queenscove. My brother, Neal, who is a squire, will be there, serving. My maid, Jenine, will have made me look like a proper young maiden. She will have somehow managed to get my unruly brown curls to hang in perfect ringlets around my shoulders. She will do my make-up too. I usually just wear a plain dress and tie my curls up with a matching ribbon. Everyone says I would be quite a beauty, or prettier than I am now if I wore more fancy dresses and face paints, but I find it a pathetic attempt to entertain the idea that if you are not a "beauty", you can become one with the perfect application of face paints and expensive dresses.
Any way, you can just call me Lark. That's what all my friends do. I don't know how I got that nickname. Well, I think it started at Lady Cavall's School for Maidens. That's when I met Miranda of Hollyrose, Shauni of King's Reach, and Princess Kalasin of Conte. I had just arrived from our castle at Queenscove. Lady Cavall assigned the three to show me the ropes of the school. We became quite close friends.
Princess Kalasin, who I came to know as Kally, was the daughter of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet of Tortall. I found it odd how down to earth she was. I was delighted the Princess of my kingdom wanted to be my friend.
Lady Miranda, or Randi, is the cousin of Lady Shauni. Miranda was what some people would call a priss. You know the type, concerned with hair, boys, and the like. She was, however, surprisingly good company. However, her quick temper on top of her slow wit had gotten all of us in trouble more than once.
Lady Shauni became the closest to me of the three. She was the daughter of a famous knight and adviser to the King. Her mother had died in her early childhood and her 9 brothers and her father raised her. She, like me, was not the least bit interested in girly things. This influence was most likely from her brothers. She once said, "My brothers taught me to play with daggers, not dolls." Her brother Faleron and my brother Neal are friends, because Faleron is a squire as well.
Jenine's voice broke into my memories. "This dress okay for tonight?" she asked. I looked up to see Jenine holding up a bright turquoise-blue dress. It was the dress my mother, Eleanora, had bought me when she first came to Corus. It was indeed a lovely dress. Bright colors, especially red; were not common in the dresses ladies of the court wore. My mom, never into the trends, loved to make a splash. She herself wore the bright colors that had made her so popular at court. My father, Duke Baird, on the other hand, dresses more conservatively than his wife does.
"Yes, Jenine, that's fine. I believe it's what Mother wants me to wear," I answered. I assured myself I would not be embarrassed about wearing such an odd dress. The more people think I am weird, the better. Actually, Mother said that it was her style that made her such a hit at court. I wouldn't mind being popular.
"Lark!" I turned to see my friends, Randi and Shauni standing in the doorway.
"Hey guys! I didn't hear you come in."
"Is that the dress you're wearing tonight?" Randi squealed in delight, running over to the dress, which was lying on my bed.
"Yep."
"Wow! I wish my mum would let me wear something like this. But she says bright colors make people look fat." I contained a giggle. Randi's mother was constantly in a flurry trying to change her plump daughter's eating habits and get her to loose some weight. As this was not working, Lady Helena tried to disguise the extra baggage. She did this with the supposed colors and stripes that make a person look thinner. Shauni too was aware of her aunt and cousin's issues with weight.
"What does your dress look like?" Shauni asked.
"Oh, Mum picked it out. It's dark lavender with black vertical velvet stripes," Randi answered.
"Vertical stripes, heh?"
"Yep. Mum says they make you look thinner, and taller too."
"Well, mine may not be as colorful as yours, Lark, but it's a nice solid dark green. It was my mother's," said Shauni, with a hint of sadness when she added the part about her mother. Poor Shauni, I thought. She had always missed the presence of a female role model. And Lady Cavall at school was hardly the paragon of motherly displays.
"Green is a good color for you. It will bring out the green in your eyes," I said instead.
"What about your turquoise! That will go well with your emerald eyes!" Randi advised. Randi's color of dress would do nothing for her looks. She wasn't ugly, far from actually. But a less neutral color would accent her thick red hair and pale blue eyes. Shauni had chosen well in green. It would highlight her hazel eyes and very dark brown hair.
"Say! Shauni, do you think Cleon of Kennan will be there! He's sooooo dreamy!" said Randi. Shauni sighed,
"You're hopeless, Randi! Do you believe her, Lark? Honestly! Cleon of Kennan! He is not dreamy. Now, Esmond of Nicoline, he's fine."
I couldn't help but laugh out loud at Shauni's outburst. To be honest, I think they both have awful taste in boys. Cleon was slow, immature, and he wasn't that cute at all! With that messy red hair and he was gigantic. And Esmond, well, Esmond wasn't as bad as Cleon, but can you get anymore freckles? No, I had someone else in mind. Someone way more handsome and sophisticated than what my friends wasted their time on. All I had to do was meet him.
"Who do you have an eye on Lark? I know someone has caught your eye!" shrilled Randi.
"As if I would tell you two! No, you'll just have to wait and see."
"Come on Randi. We'd better go get ready. The ball starts in a few hours. We'll see you there Lark."
"Bye guys," I escorted my friends to the door. Then I started getting ready. It happened just the way I expected. Jenine did me up expertly. She got my hair to hang in exactly perfect ringlets at my shoulders. She did my face paints. Eye shadow and lip stuff. Then, my mother dropped in.
"Kyleah! Darling! You look lovely!" she simpered. She looked radiant herself, beautiful in a brilliant orange silk gown. Maybe that's why I've never been good enough for her. I'm not like her. Or maybe that's a blessing. I sighed.
"You look great too, Mother."
"What? This old thing!? Besides, it's your night. I wouldn't want to outshine my daughter." Yes you would, I thought. I'd give anything to be able to say that out loud, and all the other things I wanted to say over the years. "I just brought you this," she said handing me a sparkling tiara.
"Mother!" I hardly knew what to say. It was so beautiful and delicate.
"Well, it's not for staring at, it's for wearing!" she replied to my shocked face. Then she took it from my white-gloved hand and placed it gently on top of the mass of curls on my head. "There," she said to herself, stepping back to look at the finished product. "You know, Kyleah, you might be the girl I always hoped you would be. Tootles, Hon!" she said and breezed out the door.
The girl she always hoped I would be? What the heck does that mean? I mean, I knew I was never good enough for her, but now this? Sigh. Time to go to the ball.
Chapter 2- The Ball
Deep breaths, even steps, and keep your head up; open your eyes and your mouth will follow. I repeated the rhyme over and over again in my head. This little poem was the best advice Lady Cavall could give her students. She schooled us to believe that this would allow us to make perfect chitchat and good impressions with the most powerful nobles in the realm of Tortall. Yeah right! I can't believe I am so nervous! It's just a stupid little ball where stupid little people make stupid little conversations. What am I thinking? These stupid little people run this kingdom! Okay, think even steps, and deep breaths.
"Lady?" It was my brother's knight master, Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak. My parents arranged for him to be my escort to the ball, since I wasn't betrothed and my squire bro was serving. Smile! I commanded my face.
"Lord Raoul! How lovely it is to see you." I said, taking his arm and smiling.
"And you also, Lady Kyleah."
"Please, call me Lark. Only my parents are too formal not too." What a stupid thing to say! Arrgh! Is there a wall to beat my head against anywhere?
"I agree. I dislike all the formalities, so just call me Raoul. Shall we?"
He led me to the top step of the Queen's Staircase. The Herald standing there announced us.
"Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak (takes deep breath) and the Lady Kyleah Kiana of Queenscove."
Oh man! Someone told him to use my first and second names. My mother probably, the old hag! Lord Raoul gently guided me down the grand staircase. There are so many people here! And all their eyes are on me. I can almost feel their stares. Some of the old dames nod approval and whisper among themselves, so do all my mother's old friends from her finishing school days. I can almost hear it now.
"So, that's the Queenscove girl, is it?"
"Yes, and do you know what Edith? I heard she got herself into a spot of trouble up at Cavall's school."
"Did she really? Just like her mother I bet that one is."
The scrutiny of these wise and hardened women is enough to make me scream.
"Don't worry about them. They have been siting in this court for years. You'll give them something new to talk about," Raoul whispered in my ear.
"Are you reading my mind?" I whispered back.
"Nah, I can just feel your fingers digging into my arm," he grinned. I quickly loosened my hold on his arm as we reach the end of the staircase and approached the dais where the thrones of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet are located. My friend Princess Kally was sitting on her mother's left, and her brother Prince Roald on their father's right.
"Lady Kyleah Kiana, the King and I welcome you to court," Queen Thayet said in her husky, feminine voice." Time for the curtsey. Gods I hope my knee doesn't crack, as it did at finishing school. Sigh of relief. My curtsey is perfect.
"And Lord Raoul!" The King booms. " Glad to see you back at court, and with such a lovely young lady, too!" What?? Did the King just call me lovely?
Raoul bowed. He was good friends with the King. "Yes, I am lucky to have the pleasure of escorting Lady Kyleah. Though that is the only thing that makes it worth coming to court!" King Jonathan chuckled and waved a hand, indicating that the musicians should begin to play. "Shall we?" Raoul glanced at me with a devilish look in his eyes.
"Certainly."
The dance begins. Lucky for me, dancing was the only thing I excelled at, at finishing school. While we're dancing I get the opportunity to study my escort. He's much older than me. 27? 28, maybe? No, probably even older than that. He's handsome though, dark brown hair, and charcoal black eyes. He's studying me to. Is he impressed? Disappointed? How much has his squire Neal, my brother, told him about me? His eyes were unreadable. I stifled a sigh. Guys were so strange! Like a whole different species.
Raoul's Point of View
Why is she so nervous? Or is she upset that I am escorting her? Girls are so weird. It's so hard to tell what they're thinking. At least guys are able to communicate exactly what they mean. Like that look in Jonathan's eyes? I knew exactly what it meant. She sure was a beauty. That squire of mine had neglected to mention that I would be escorting such a pretty little thing! Sure, she is young, but what's age? Mother was at least 10 years younger than Father.
Randi's POV
Sigh. Why is Lark so pretty and I'm not? She doesn't even care about looks. Another sigh. Why am I jealous of her? She's my friend. And as long as she's happy, that's what matters. Now, did I see a buffet around here? Ahh, yes. And they have chocolate cream truffles! Oooo, and cheesecake.
"Miranda! You step away from those desserts this instant young lady!"
Gasp! Mother! Turn and run, turn and run! Damn this stupid dress and idiotic ruffles!
"Come on young lady." Ouch! How embarrassing, I can't believe my mother grabbed me by the ears at a ball! Who cares about the buffet, where's the ladies room? I need a place to sulk.
Lark's POV
Giggle.
"What's so funny?"
"Look." I said, nodding my head to where my friend was being scolded by her mother. Raoul laughed too as Lady Helena grabbed her daughter's ear. Randi turned to find the ladies room. The dance ended.
"Will you pardon me while I go find my friend?" Raoul nodded.
I walked into the ladies room and was blasted with a scent that was a mix of every perfume of the ladies at the ball. However, the brightly designed room with nearly every accessory a girl could need, was empty except for Randi. She was sitting on an almost fluorescent pink puff, a glum look on her face. I gotta cheer her up.
"Randi! What in the world are you doing here?"
"You saw what happened. I'm not leaving here for the rest of the night."
"Oh. Well, that is a shame because I just saw Cleon of Kennan looking very bored, without a dance partner." Her face lit up. I knew that would work.
"Cc…Cleon is here?" she stammered.
"Yeah, but he looked almost as sad as you so……"
"What are we waiting for! Let's go," she exclaimed as she dragged me out the door.
Well, so I told a little fib. I just hoped Cleon of Kennan was there so that Randi wouldn't find out. Great! He is here. And he is walking toward us.
"Good evening, ladies," he said, bowing.
"And to you, Squire Cleon. Well, Randi, if you will pardon me, I must go find my escort." I try to walk away with Randi still grasping at my arm. Am I a matchmaker or what?
"Lark, or should I call you Kyleah Kiana?"
"Oh, hey Shauni, I mean Shaunina. Are you having fun?"
She sighed. "No. This is so boring. I wish I could be out riding." I laughed. Yes, Shauni would go riding at ten o'clock at night. "Why do I have to be here anyway? Everyone knows that the only reason girls come to court is to find husbands and I'll never get married."
"So you say, but isn't that Esmond over there?" Shauni looked around frantically. My friends are so funny. As soon as Shauni's eyes found Esmond, she went into a blank stare. "I think I'll just leave you two alone." I said as Esmond walked toward us. Yes, another score for the match maker.
"Lark, there you are. Want some punch?" It's my brother Neal, holding a large pitcher up.
"Oh, no thanks Neal. Maybe later."
"Fine. I understand. Can't be seen talking to your own lowly squire brother for too long. Might damage your reputation," Neal said , walking away with pretend hurt feelings. He hasn't changed a bit since we were kids. I hope his insanity wasn't inherited, that means I'm crazy too. Ever since he decided to become a knight instead of a healer.
"Lark, darling, here you are!" Arrgh! Mother! Why won't these people leave me alone? "What are you doing? You should be out socializing! Honestly, how do you expect to make good impressions on these people if you don't talk to them?"
"I don't know Mother. I was thinking I could do it telepathically. You know, transmit messages right into their brains." Mother shook her head and sighed at my attempt at sarcasm.
"Come on. There are some of my old friends I want you to meet," she said nodding in the direction of a group of middle aged, conservatively dressed women. As we walked she whispered their names and a brief history into my ear. I had to memorize it all by the time we made our way all the way across the room.
"That one in the beige is Duchess Imajen of Veldine. She's a bit huffy. And the short fat one is Duchess Marjorie of Genlith. You'll want to stay on her good side. You know how powerful Genliths are. And that one is Lady Oriolella, a commoner who got lucky and married into the family. She said this about Orioella with a more than a trace of disgust. "The one at the center is Baroness Pollyanna. She and I used to be quite close, though she was always jealous of me. And the last one is Lady Edith, a wrinkled old prude, don't mind her at all. She has little standing in court." By this time we had reached the group, who stopped their chatter to greet the newcomer.
"Eleanor, still wearing those scandalous dresses! And I see it has rubbed of on your daughter." Imajen was more than a bit huffy. The Duchess Marjorie squinted at me and sniffed.
"So this is her is it? Well, she's just what I would have expected from your upbringing, Eleanora." I stuck my chin out defiantly. I wondered how my mother would react to the insult. Doing the exact opposite of what I would have done, she smiled and said "Why Marjorie! How is your son? He's a squire I hear?" Marjorie's squint faded at the mention of her son.
"Yes. And I am just so proud of him. You know how tough that training is. I just wonder how your son made it." Another insult! Why was Mother letting this supercilious woman walk all over her and get away with it? Why can't I do that? Again Mother smiled and said, "Do you believe they let a girl do it? Why it's absolutely scandalous!" The conversation soon turned to the girl squire Keladry of Mindelan.
My friends and I had thought it wonderful to have a girl squire, and wished we could do it too. But, no, our families would never approve. King Jonathan had talked Kally out of it. She had to marry a prince, and no other kingdom would want a knight queen. Shauni's brothers were all knights and no doubt thought she couldn't handle it. My family? My mother always loved a good scandal, and my father approved of women warriors. So, why didn't I do it? I don't know. I guess I could have. But I don't think even with their ideals my parents would let me. After their disappointment with Neal not becoming a healer, I couldn't let them down a second time. And when my older brothers died in the Immortals War, they thought that giving several sons was enough. But then Neal had to go and become a knight, just because our brothers had.
"Hi. I'm Joren of Stone Mountain." I had been so busy thinking about my loony brother I hadn't noticed the young squire who was standing in front of me. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked.
"No, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something. What did you say your name was?" Joren, he answered. He was tall, and very fair, with pale blonde hair and icy blue eyes. "I'm Kyleah."
"So I hear. I was wondering, would you like to dance?"
"Sure," I said smiling. I was really trying to remember where I had heard that name before. Maybe Neal had said something?
"You're a great dancer," Joren said to me.
"Thanks. So you're a squire? Then you must know my brother Neal." At the mention of my brother's name, a grimace passed Joren's face. "I take you and Neal aren't friends?"
"Is it obvious? I hope that won't be a problem."
"Why would it? Neal and I don't interfere with each others personal lives."
The rest of the night flew by. I was introduced to so many courtiers that they all began to blur together in my mind. By one in the morning, most of the party goers were filing out. My parents and I returned to our luxurious house in the richer part of Corus. I immediately fell into bed. I had made plans to meet Shauni, Randi, and Kally at the royal stables at the palace this morning.
Riding - Chapter 3
I awoke early, my mother was still sleeping and my father I assumed had left for work at the palace healing chambers. Grabbing a muffin from our cook Ginger, I walked to the stables. I was wearing one of my favorite frocks, it was bright cheery yellow, embroidered with little pink and blue flowers. I had made it myself at finishing school. As usual I tied my hair up in a matching yellow ribbon, my curls were still stiff because of the stuff Jenine had put in it so it would stay in place at the ball. I reached the stables to find Shauni and Randi already there. Kally, they said, was talking to her parents and would be there in a minute. We stood chatting about the ball until Kalasin arrived.
"Hey guys, bad news," she informed us. "The royals of the Yamani Island will be here next month."
"Why is that bad news?" asked Randi innocently.
"Duh, Randi! Because that means there'll be a prince and princess," said Shauni, annoyed at her cousins naiveté. Randi looked at her uncomprehendingly. "Hello! Kally and her brother have to marry royalty!" said Shauni.
"Oooohhh, I get it."
"Yes. And Father said that all four of us have to show the princess and her ladies around. If Roald marries a Yamani princess, I won't have to marry a Yamani prince. But if I marry a Yamani prince, he doesn't have to marry a Yamani princess. But we still have to marry royalty," Kally wasn't to happy about this prospect, either way.
"What do you mean we four have to show them around?" I asked.
"Oh, you know. Guide around the palace, answer questions, that sort of thing."
"Wait a sec, what if we don't want to? I mean, wasting time playing hostess to a bunch of weird royalty? When did that become part of the job description?" asked Shauni.
"Come on guys, you know I would do the same for any of you." We shook our heads, accepting the fact that she was right. "Now, lets ride."
We all saddled our horses. Mine was a Morgan that I called Wind Whistler. She was dark brown with a white star on her forehead. Kally's was North Star, Shauni's was Glossy, and Randi had a small dainty pony called Constance. Randi absolutely refused to ride anything but side saddle, as the ladies were supposed to. We just shrugged and mounted up as the men do. While Kally, Shauni, and I galloped off, Randi walked her horse, because that was the fastest it would go. We set of down the trail. We came to a sudden halt as we heard young male voices not to far off. Leaving our horses tied to trees to graze, we walked silently along the path. Randi had caught up with us.
"What are you.." we cut her off and pointed. There was a lake and all around, the pages and squires were swimming, racing, and horsing around. We had to stifle giggles because they wore nothing but their loin clothes.
"Guys, I got an idea," I whispered to my friends. They followed me to the pile of clothes laying on the ground. We all grabbed as many as we could, and ran back to our horses. We reached the stable without anyone noticing, as it was still early in the morning.
"Lark! What the heck are we doing? Do you know what the boys will do to us?"
"They won't know it was us who took them! They never saw us, member? Now, come on. I've got an idea." We ran to the tailors in the palace and grabbed more than enough pink dresses, throwing the boys things into the tallest tree in the courtyard. As quickly as we could, we returned to the lake, where the boys had no idea that something was amiss. We left the dresses in the same place the clothes had been, and left.
When we returned to the palace, we untacked our horses. We then sat in the sunny courtyard, working on our sewing. About an hour later, the pages and squires came back. Because they had no choice, they had donned the pink dresses. They trudged into the courtyard, looking at the ground. Neal, Faleron, Randi's brother Merric and the Crown Prince Roald stood glaring at us.
"You guys get dressed in the dark this morning? Although, Neal, I must say, pink is definitely your color!" I said, laughing.
"Ha ha, Lark! I know this was your doing!"
"Neal, what are you babbling about? What doing?" I asked innocently.
"You took our clothes and hid them, then replaced them with these dresses!" said Faleron angrily, grabbing at his skirt.
"How could Lark do that? She's been with us all morning!" said Shauni, pretending to be indignant.
Neal's brow cleared. "She has?"
"Yes, now I suggest you apologize for your outrageous allegation!" said Kally forcefully.
"Sorry Lark," they all mumbled. "Hey! There's our clothes!" Neal had caught sight of the tree. "If you have been here the whole time you must have seen who threw the clothes into the tree!"
"Did I say we were here the whole time? We actually just got here. We had to go get our sewing." Kally came up with the story without hesitation. The boys looked at her suspiciously, then shrugged.
"We'll worry about who did it later! I want out of these clothes!" exclaimed Merric. The boys took of to their rooms.
The girls burst out laughing. "I can't believe they fell for it! You're a genius Lark!" Shauni exclaimed. After our laughter subsided, we went back to our sewing.
"Guys, I've been thinking. You know how my mother has the royal ladies and the Queen's Riders? And how my father has the King's Own?" Kally asked. We nodded. "Well, I've been thinking. Don't you think it would be cool if I had a guard of my own? You know, like "The Princess Guard" or something." We thought about it for a minute.
"Kally," I said, "It's a good idea, but you've got to have a better name! I mean, the Princess Guard? Totally lame." Shauni and Randi nodded.
"So you think it's a good idea? I bet my parents would never go for it."
"It's worth a shot, and if you don't ask you'll never know," put in Shauni.
"You're right. I'll ask at the ball." I groaned.
"What?" asked Randi.
"I forgot there was another ball tonight. I have to go. Mother and I have to go shopping for a new dress." And with that I drudged home, desperately trying to think of an excuse that would get me out of the tiresome task of shopping with my mother. Unfortunately, I was still drawing a blank when I reached our front door.
Ch. 4 Shopping
"Kyleah!" my mother exclaimed the second I stepped in the door. "Where have you been, love? We must be going soon."
I walked into the sitting room. My mother rose from an elegant hand-carved arm chair to greet me. She looked glorious and as young as ever in a refined dress of peach colored satin. She kissed me on both cheeks and motioned for me to sit. I did so, wanting really to sink into the floor.
"We'll have some refreshments before heading out, Lynn," she told our maid-servant. "You look like you've had a busy morning, what have you been up to?" she asked me.
"Oh, you know. Just hanging out with the girls." I wasn't about to tell her the truth. "Princess Kalasin has a wonderful idea. She wants to start a female guard of her own." Mother insisted I refer to people using their whole name. Her reasoning being that people weren't given an entire name just to use part.
"Scandalous!" she declared. "Well, wouldn't that just cause a stir?" Luckily, before I could reply Lynn returned with a tray of lemonade and dainty cookies. We finished our snack and journeyed out to the market.
Stepping inside each store, my mother decided that the dresses were all dreadfully dull.
"Now, the dress you wore last night was that bluish color, so tonight it should be, umm, purple? Or maybe green. At the very least yellow."
I gasped. Mother turned from the fabric she was running her fingers over to look at me. I pointed. Mother nodded. Walking toward the dress, I knew it was the one. That perfect dress we had been looking for. It was a raspberry color, made of taffeta. It was beautiful, lace at the cuffs and intricate embroidery around the cuffs, low neckline, and around the bottom.
"I must have this dress Mother," I announced. The grandmotherly looking shopkeeper bustled over to us.
"Found something we like?" she asked.
"Yes. Can you fit this dress for my daughter?" my mother replied.
"Sure can. I can do it right now. Just follow me to the fitting room," she said, motioning for her assistant to bring the dress.
An hour or so later, I emerged from the store carrying the dress and a big silly grin. I never thought I'd be so happy about a dress! Honestly, I'm acting like Randi! No offense to Randi, but being thrilled with a dress and actually looking forward to a ball? That seemed so, so, feminine.
Ch.5- Getting Ready Again
I got ready early. I was so excited. I don't know why, I just had this feeling something magical was going to happen tonight. Jenine did something new with my hair. She pulled it back into a golden net shimmering with rubies to match my dress and pulled out a few wild curls.
As I entered the huge dining hall I met up with Shauni and Randi. We were seated at a table with the other unmarried court women. We recognized our friend Lydian, Lydi, of Hannalof. Her sister Uline had just been married to Kieran of HaMinch. Kalasin had to dine with her parents.
Dinner was served by the squires and pages. It was a festive, jolly occasion. The dinner ended with a delicious course of deserts, after which the courtiers scattered into the ballroom. All the new young ladies had been presented the night previous so there was no nerve wracking walk down the elegant flight of stairs. I did not have an escort, or a need of one. I stood chatting with my friends when Kally briskly walked up to us.
"Guys! Great news!" she exclaimed. "My parent's loved the princess guard thing. It's really going to happen!"
"Really? That's great. And I've thought of the perfect name," announced Shauni. We looked at her.
"What is it?" Randi questioned.
"The Princess's Elite," she grinned.
"Perfect," said Kally.
"I love it," I added.
Before I knew it the ball had ended. I had done the unthinkable and actually enjoyed it. I had also managed to avoid my mother and her gal pals the entire night, and danced with some majorly cute guys. Shauni, Randi, Kally and I agreed to meet in the palace gardens the next morning to begin plans for The Princess's Elite.
Ch. 6- The Princess's Elite is formed.
I awoke at 7 and went through my usual morning routine. I washed my face, tugged a comb swiftly through my curls and tied them with a yellow ribbon, put on a matching dress, and went down to breakfast. My father and mother were sitting at the table silently waiting for me to begin the meal. They sat at opposite ends of the table and I sat in the middle. The seat across from me would have been for my brother, if he was there.
"What are your plans for today?" my mother asked me sweetly.
"The girls and I are discussing the Princess's Elite." I answered.
"The Princess's what?" inquired my father.
"Didn't I tell you? The King and Queen are allowing Princess Kalasin her own guard. We're going to call it the Princess's Elite."
"Oh my! Well, I think that's wonderful. I hope you'll have a part in it. It's about time you showed those blue-blooded codfish what noble girls are made of, get rid of that pansy stereotype." Once again my mother wanted me to make a stir.
"Mother, people already know noble girls aren't pansies. What about Alanna the Lioness? Or Keladry of Mindelan, Neal's friend, or the royal ladies? Just look at Queen Thayet, fighting in the Immortals War." My mother sighed and shook her head.
"Why must you always contradict and argue with me, Kyleah Kiana? A few noble girls breaking the rules is not going to end generations worth of stereotypes! And as for Queen Thayet, she's a backwoods illegitimate redneck. Everyone knows there's bad blood in the jian Wilima line. And her mother wasn't even nobility!"
I was taken aback. "Mother! How can you say that about your queen? If she is all you say than Kalasin must be so too!" I was outraged and she knew it.
"Calm down lass. King Jonathan is of pure blood and therefore his children are. However, you can't change your lineage. The queen is not noble and she knows it as well as everyone else!"
I tried to get a rein on my out of control temper. I counted to ten but it didn't work. I left.