Ebony to Knighthood
Chapter 2 – First day, First FriendsEbony was a complete mix of her two parents. She had Numairs tanned skin and black hair, but her curls and freckles had come from Daine. She was short too like Daine and slim like them both. She had Daines eyes though, with Numairs emotion, blue-grey with flecks of anger. Those flecks weren't always angry though. At the moment they were tired, very tired.
It was her first early morning as a Page. Her Mother and Father had stayed up with her until very late the night before, and she was feeling the repercussions of that now. She rolled onto her side and grabbing the sheets dragged herself to the edge of the bed. But morning grogginess dragged her to far and in a tumble of legs, arms and material she crashed onto the floor.
Chandra, her maid, ambled in, not even lifting an eyebrow at the pile of sheets and hair that was Ebony on the floor.
"Miss I have a hot bath ready for you. The towels are set out over the cabinet door. Looks like you need it. We don't want you stiff even before you have begun training"
The maid quickly moved to the clothing cabinet and flung open the doors. "What were you thinking of wearing? I think the brown tunic and breeches, you want to make a good impression on your first day and that set really suits you."
Without a word of reply the maid began to pull out the suit anyway, setting it on an extra chair near the fire so it would be warm against Ebony's skin.
Grunting Ebony untangled her head and an arm from the sheets and pushed her hair from over her face. "Yeah that's what Mother said to wear"
"Yes Miss" replied Chandra moving toward Ebony. She grabbed the corner of a sheet and pulled. Ebony tumbled headfirst and rolled before feeling wood beneath her.
"Chandra" she moaned, rolling onto her back. The bed was made already.
"I have to keep this place tidy Miss. What would you parents say? Now bath," she said pointing at the door.
Obediently Ebony crawled to her feet and rubbing her head walked into the washroom.
Breakfast was first. Ebony was used to large breakfasts in the castle, she had lived here forever. She wasn't used to picking were to sit though. She didn't know anyone yet; she hadn't exactly made friends with any noble's children who were going to be knights in her year. In fact she had only one friend and she was far, far away now.
She spotted a half-empty table and made her way quickly toward it. She sat at the far end, away from a group of loud boisterous 2nd years. She didn't notice the other girl until she was sat down.
"Hello" the girl said in a falsely high voice "I'm Shannonia of LillisField. And you are?"
"I'm just Ebony" she replied, watching the girl pick at the roll in front of her. The girl was not ugly but plain. She had mousy, straight brown hair and matching eyes. She was quite well built, not muscle but not overly fat. Ebony couldn't see how tall she was.
"Oh" Shannonia replied, surprised "But I thought that only nobles could become Knights. Of course I don't mean to be rude"
"You do," thought Ebony. "My parents are Daine and Numair Salmalin. That's why I have no fife" she replied shortly.
"Of course" the girl replied slowly, knowingly. "I have heard a great deal about Master Salmalin. I hope to study with him as I have the Gift. But I suppose you have been doing so for a great many years now, him being your Father and all. Are you a Wildmage like your Mother or do you have a Gift like your Fathers?"
"Neither" replied Ebony, "I have neither"
"Oh" It was surprised again. "I thought you would be all-powerful what with you parentag-"
"Well I'm not" snapped Ebony, ruffling curls in anger, "Sorry if it displeases you"
"I'm sorry, I meant no offence," said Shannonia, in a voice that implied the opposite and also sounded knowing. "I only have a small Gift, but I'm hoping I may be able to increase my power with study and oh!"
A black haired, handsome youth sat next to her. He smiled at both the girls.
"Now before you think I'm some sort of flirt, I came over to speak to you both because you are my new neighbours. I'm Justard of Sarbrook"
"Hello. I'm Shannonia of LillisField," she said, already trying to dominate the conversation. She turned fully towards Justard; giving him her devoted attention and smiled shyly but happily.
"I'm Ebony. Ebony Salmalin" she added as an afterthought.
"The daughter of Numair Salmalin lives in the quarters next to mine. Will he be coming to visit? Can I stay over? Invite him for tea, lunch, everyday. Please?"
His face looked so hopeful and imploring Ebony couldn't help but laugh.
"I'll think about it," she giggled, smiling warmly.
"So we are neighbours," Shannonia said, trying to bring the conversation to herself again, "Won't that be fun?"
"Yes," replied Justard "We can have midnight feasts, and secret dances with all the new Pages invited"
"Oh that would be beautiful," breathed Shannonia, going off into a dream of dresses and dances.
Ebony nearly choked on a carrot. "This girl wants to be a knight?" she thought.
Justards green eyes danced as they caught her blue ones. They flashed and the two giggled together.
A shrill bell rang from somewhere in the Palace.
"Well that's breakfast over" muttered Justard. "What's in store for us next? Us lowly Pages will probably have to scrub the floors or clean the Squires-ew I have to touch that?"
"Yes"-said Ebony. She picked up the dirty cloth and used it to push the leftover food from her plate into the bucket. Justards conversation and the ringing of the bell had taken them from their seats to the waste buckets. She left her plate on the pile and moved away, waiting for Justard to catch her up. Shannonia followed.
"Well I heard that first off we all have to line up outside our rooms and the 2nd years get their pick of 1st years" Justard snorted.
Shannonia jumped into the middle of the trio, "Oh yes. All 1st year Pages are sponsored by a 2nd year. It helps us get to know the routine quicker. I do hope someone of stature picks me. I would hate to be last to be picked also. That must be dreadful"
Justards eyes flashed again, "You'll get picked, I'll bet my sword on it"
"You think so? Oh that is such a relief" Shannonia gushed. Ebony could swear she saw eyelashes fluttering.
They followed the crowd of boys in front, all headed for the Pages wing. They were nosily commenting on the palace, most had never been here before. Ebony had lived here all her life and still she couldn't say she knew the place like the back of her hand, it was far too large. She secretly thought even King Jonathan hadn't visited every room in the place.
"Well this is me," said Justard, "You're the next one along I assume. We left Lady Stuck-up two minutes ago"
"I didn't even notice" Ebony half-laughed.
"Don't worry about it" he smiled, "You seem a nice person, Ebony. I hope we can be friends. I'll need one to complain too after long jousting lessons"
Ebony smiled shyly then laughed outright, "Yeah. I'll need one after sword-practice. I'm hopeless"
"A Knights signature weapon and you can't use it. That's a great start"
"I know" she smiled over her shoulder as she walked the few steps to her door. All the other Pages stood outside their doorways; some had begun to fall silent. A serious looking brown haired boy stopped at the door opposite Ebony's, he offered her no smile, and kept his gaze to the ground. The silence spread from the stairs right down to the farthest reaches of the Pages wing.
Lord Padraig HaMinch was tall and his bulk commanded silence. He led a quiet bunch of 2nd years, all openly studying the 1st years as they passed. Ebony didn't like this; it was like being at a cattle market.
"Well, they look a motley bunch this year don't they lads" a confident voice rang out. The Page strode out from behind the Lords bulk. He was cocky, but not arrogant in the way he moved. Ebony heard Justard snort under his breath.
The Lord halted in front of Shannonia and Ebony watched him talk to her. She smiled, although faintly. Ebony was surprised the large man didn't have a booming voice, but she supposed that came out when training really started.
He carried on, leading his line until he reached Ebony. Again he halted and turned to the 2nd years.
"I know some of you already have Pages in mind to sponsor so off you go. Those who haven't, find someone you like the look of. I want everyone lined up next to his or her sponsors. You have 5"
The boys dissembled quickly and there was a mad rush of bodies. Ebony saw Justard swamped by two similar looking boys. They all shared his eyes and dark hair. The cocky boy stayed in front of her. Their eyes met, blue on blue.
"Taylor of Lowridge at your service" he said with an exaggerated wave of the hand, "I was hoping Miss Salmalin you would consider allowing me to sponsor you while you get to know the routine. I know you don't exactly need a guided tour" he smiled, flashing white teeth.
Through all his airs and graces Ebony could see sincerity in his eyes. His smile reached them. He was a pretty-boy though; he had floppy blond locks and bright blue eyes. His skin was tanned, although not dark. He was taller than Ebony but obviously had more height in him. He watched her expression expectantly.
"Yes of course, and thank you" she said, letting her own smile reach her eyes.
Lord Padraig stopped in front of her, "Page Salmalin I would also like the company of you in my office this evening immediately after dinner. I want to lay down some rules for and Page Lillisway" he strode to the staircase, not waiting for an answer.
"Don't worry, it'll be stuff like not being found alone in a room with a boy or something. I think he'll get overly worried about that. Most people would" he watched her eyes nervously, trying to gauge her reaction to his comment.
"Don't you worry" she reassured him, "I won't kill if you refer to that side of problems with my training. I agree with you actually. He probably will worry although not over me. Have you met Shannonia yet?" She saw a look cross his face.
"And I thought I was a flirt" he said, "And then I met Miss I-Need-A-Husband"
Ebony put on a shocked face, and then burst into laughter. "That's the best nickname anyone has come up with yet"
"Why whose been naming her without my consent" he replied, mock-angrily.
"Here I'll introduce you. You and Justard will get on so well" she inclined her head over to where Justard was still being fought over.
He smiled as she approached, "The pitfalls of popularity" he nodded at the two arguing boys, "These are my two cousins, Hadrick of Mountfield and Donack of Ollaway"
The two boys stopped their fight to nod in the direction of Ebony. Taylor smiled at his year mates, "Fighting as usual," he commented.
"Oh sorry. Justard this is Taylor of Lowridge. Taylor this is Justard of Sarbrook. Taylor is going to be my sponsor an-"
"Oh Taylor I haven't seen you since…" Shannonia gushed loudly moving away from a bored looking group.
"All of five minutes" he muttered in Ebony's ear.
Shannonia chose to ignore the comment, if she had even heard it. "You should have come further down the wing. Have you sponsored yet? Ebony have you a sponsor?"
"Yes" butted in Taylor, before Ebony mouth had opened, "I decided to do her the greatest honour, and sponsor her myself. So that's two birds and one stone I believe Shannonia" he used an exaggerated hand roll with his words. Justard turned purple and Ebony was sure he was about to choke.
"Oh" Shannonia looked as if she had sucked a sour fruit, then she recovered and dragged a frightened looking Page into view, "This is my sponsor, Jollin of CopseHill. Here are Ebony Salmalin, Taylor of Lowridge, Justard of Sarbrook, Hadrick of Mountridge and Donack of Ollaway" she gestured to each of them as she introduced them.
"Pages line up," bellowed the Lord.
Hadrick of Mountfield eventually won the fight that ensued to sponsor Justard. Ebony would have said he was the likely victor anyway he certainly had the bulk. He was tall and very muscular probably built up from hard training. His brown hair was short and un-fussy and he was very dark, Bahzir dark. Although cousins, Hadrick and Justard were a stark contrast, dark and pale.
"Where are we going exactly?" she whispered to Taylor who strode next to her, head held high.
"Training of course" he said, not breaking stride, "Please say you expected that"
"Yes of course but I expected a bit more warning, I need to get my weapons and-"
"Did you not check the timetable pinned on the back of every door in this wing?"
She shook her head slowly. His bright eyes rolled.
"Monday mornings are always hand to hand combat. There will be Shang, followed by normal fist fighting, followed by kicks, followed by this new technique of Lord Padriags. It's really quite inventive. You'll enjoy it. Then of course we break for lunch then after that I have no idea what exactly you have, but all afternoon are classroom lessons, arithmetic and the like"
"Oh"