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Lord Padraig pointed at her. In the calm, clear and pleasant voice that reminded the Training Master so much of her father she declared, "Sophia of Sylverden."

There was silence for a minute before Padraig asked the surrounding pages, "Who will sponsor Sophia of Sylverden?"

The question rang through the silent hall, echoing.

Chapter 4:

There was silence for a moment before all the Bazhir pages raised their hands, but it was a commanding voice that answered, "I will sponsor her if it is possible, my lord." Everyone turned to see who had spoken and the Bazhir put their hands down.

Lord Padraig was nodding. "Very well. Prince Liam will sponsor Sophia of Sylverden. Since everything is settled I suggest that you all head down to the mess hall now." With that all the pages rushed down the hall leaving only the Prince and Sophie left in the now silent corridor. He turned to her.

"We should head down as well. There is no point in being late." Liam said diplomatically as Sophie hadn't yet moved. He started walking down the hall and Sophie quickly ran to catch up to him. The Prince was pointing out shortcuts, places and corridors not to go down as Sophie followed on silently, nodding occasionally. By the time they reached the mess hall, the noise that came from it was deafening as each page went to collect their food and found a place to sit.

When Prince Liam and Sophie walked into the hall, everything again went silent. Then suddenly the noise erupted again and whispering could be heard. "Why would she want to become a knight?" or "She won't be able to lift a sword. She's too fragile!!!!" Prince Liam just walked straight up to the line where the servers were and motioned for Sophie to follow.

When they got there he whispered to her, "Just ignore them. They don't' know what they are talking about." At her nod he turned around and took a tray. Sophie copied his actions as he loaded food onto his serving dish. He then started heading to a group of boys that were sitting in a corner and they made space for him.

"Sophia this is Kieran of Blue Lake and the person he sponsored Phillip of Jells Creek, Eric of Meron, Aaron of Mountain Valley and Thomas of King's Reach. Everyone this is Sophia." Liam said. The other pages murmured helloes and Liam and Sophie took a seat. Just then Lord Padraig entered the room and everyone stood up. He and his guest, Lord Wyldon walked up to their table. As soon as Lord Padraig had said the prayer, the boys all sat down and started into their food. Sophie started to eat hers at a slower pace.

While she was eating she looked around at the surrounding boys as the boys' talk filled the air around her. Kieran was a tall boy with blond hair and crystal blue eyes. He was always smiling and always finding something to laugh at. The boy he sponsored seemed to be extremely quiet as he too looked at everyone through nervous sea-green eyes. Eric of Meron was a lanky boy with brown hair and eyes. He was a quiet boy who enjoyed listening to what was happening instead of actually joining in on the conversation although he would occasionally agree with this or that. Aaron was a tall boy whose hair was a glorious russet colour. His eyes were an emerald green and he enjoyed being in the centre of attention. Thomas was a short boy with black hair and hazel eyes. He was a quiet boy and drank in what everyone else was saying.

Sophie tuned into what the boys were saying.

"I wonder what Lord Wyldon is doing here. Do you think he's reporting what's been happening up north?" Asked Thomas.

"I do believe that he is, good old Thom. I mean why else would he be here. He's probably talking about classified information that he had to deliver himself. Don't you agree Liam my buddy? Replied Aaron.

The prince made an uncommitted noise. Aaron just snorted and went back to the conversation while Liam turned to look at her. "Well when we've finished eating, I'll take you on a tour of the palace so that you might have a relative idea of where you're going." He said.

"That would be good," was all Sophie said in that same pleasant voice that Liam was soon to learn was very misleading.

Liam first showed her to the library. From wall to wall, ceiling to floor, the room was covered in books.

Sophie looked around at them then turned back to the Prince who was looking at her with a calculating expression.

Sophie asked in her pleasant voice, "What type of books is here?"

"From what I gather anything you are looking for. I believe there are even books on music and different bones in different species. After you have had a look here we'll go somewhere else."

Sophie looked around for another couple of minutes before heading back to where Liam was. She could explore later.

Liam next showed her to the Royal Gallery explaining, "Most people like to come here first. They for some reason find it interesting. Don't ask me why though."

To that statement Sophie answered, "I do believe that has something to do with the fact that present in that room is generations of rulers. Who would want to pass a chance of seeing so many monarchs all at the one time?" Liam grinned and gestured into the room.

"The monarchs await you, my lady." This was polished off with a great bow. Sophie in return nodded her head at her and entered the room without so much as a glance at the bowing prince.

Liam went in and started pointing at the portraits of all the kings and queens that Tortall had.

"There is King Jonathan the first and his wife, Sorcha. I do believe that they were a formidable pair. The others are in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent. Have fun looking at them. I'll be waiting over there" pointing to a place in the large room. "The Gods know I don't need to know anymore about them than I already do. Don't take too long. It's scary looking at people who have been dead for a couple of centuries if you ask me." And with that he went over to the place he said he would, sitting down on the chair.

And that is just what Sophie did. Looking at each of the portraits she realised that most of the Conte's looks didn't change much. Finally getting to the last portrait she saw the ever formidable pair, Jonathan and Thayet, undoubtedly one of the most handsome couples.

Sophie turned back to the Prince who had been watching her and her eyes widened just slightly. There was a person in the shadows standing behind Liam. Sophie cursed herself mentally for not being aware that there was another person in the room.

Father wouldn't be very happy that I didn't notice, she thought wearily.

Just then the person froze. He was as still as a statue before giving a little chuckle and stepping out of the shadows – still as silent as a predator hunts his prey.

Sophie smiled just a bit when she saw what it was.

The man made to speak, but before that put a hand on the prince's shoulder.

I hoped you like that chapter. It took a bit longer than the others to rewrite. I'm hoping that I can write the next chapter a bit faster, but I'm afraid that I will have to change it completely to fit my new plot!!! It's going to take forever!!!

Wish me luck in a nice short or long review. Whichever pleases you.