I just couldn't drop this idea. Oh, and keep in mind that I haven't read Squire. Poor, broke me is waiting for it to come out in paperback. Pity me. Oh, and how old do you have to be to be a Rider? Fifteen, I think.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tamora Pierce's stuff. Don't sue me.
Heir
Chapter 1: Not Fair
Princess Kalasin of Conté paced her room, fuming. She didn't want to admit it. But- it was true. No, somehow it seemed disloyal to think thoughts like that. Her father was only doing his duty, after all. But- yes, it was true- she hated him! She hated him for every little unfairness, every little thing was just one more reason to hate him.
I don't want to be a princess if this is what it means! She thought, furious. I get no freedom of choice, no fun. Daddy is such a control freak! She was surprised she hadn't
cracked ages ago- but somehow she'd taken it. This was the last straw.
Proper Daddy must have a proper princess. He promised that since I couldn't be a page, then he would let me be one of the Queen's Riders. But now! Two weeks ago had been Kalasin's fifteenth birthday- and within a month she could have been a trainee. But King Jonathan had said- he broke his promise!- That Kalasin could not be a Rider- it was simply too dangerous.
Not for the first time, Kalasin quashed murderous thoughts. If only I were Queen! She thought fiercely. I'd be a good Queen, and that- Father of mine would never push me around again. I'd do anything, anything to be Queen. I know all about ruling, as Daddy always planned to marry me off to Kaddar or someone. If only...
She collapsed on her bed, fighting back tears. It's not fair! All I ever had to hope for was being a Rider. That's all I ever had to keep me going. And not he took that away, too. She pounded her fists against the sheets. Why doesn't Mother do something! They're the Queen's Riders, she has control of them. Why can't she let me in? Why, why, why?
A knock came at the door, and Kalasin, wiping away the last traces of tears, opened it. A servant stood just outside and said, "His Majesty wishes to see you, Princess Kalasin. In the his receiving room."
Sighing, she followed the servant down the winding staircase, wondering what it was now. She wasn't sure she could take much more. The servant opened the door to the King's receiving room without a sound, motioning her in.
"Ah," King Jonathan looked up from his papers. "You're here, Kalasin. Please sit down."
Kalasin bristled at his use of her full name. It made her uncomfortable, her name. Being named after a dead person was like you had to live up to that name, to be something you weren't. Kalasin just wanted to be herself, she'd rather be called anything- Kally, Ala, Kala, or Dumbbell, anything but Kalasin.
Of course, Jon didn't care in the slightest.
"Yes, Father."
Jon sighed. "You don't have to be formal with me, Kalasin. We're not in public, and you're my own daughter."
"Yes, Father."
Jon gave up. "I've been thinking, Kalasin. You're fifteen, now, and-"
Oh, no, holy mother of fried cockatoo crap-
"-and I think it's time we thought about a formal marriage."
Knowing Jonathan, he'd probably have the documents signed by now, with some Prince about to arrive at the Palace tomorrow-
"Actually, it's already arranged. The documents are signed, and the Prince should arrive tomorrow."
Knew it.
"The Prince of what?" Kalasin said through her teeth.
"Prince Eleran of Tyra."
Kalasin had met Eleran before, a charming Prince only a year younger than she. Yes, sweet, but….?!? Kalasin tried to calm herself. You knew this was going to happen eventually, she told herself. It was just a matter of time. So why am I so surprised?
But then something in Kalasin just snapped. She was sick and tired of being pushed around, she was not going to stand for any of this crap. This was the straw that broke the donkey's back.
She calmly walked over to Jonathan and punched him in the nose. Her father cried out as a sickening crack! shot through the air, and blood spurted from his face. Kalasin, horrified by what she had just done, turned and ran out of the room.