Alrighty then, let's get down to business. I wonder how this chapter will turn out?

Disclaimer: Sir Leighmont of Lebour is MINE! Mwahahahaha! But youre more than welcome to use him for any other stories, as long as you gave me credit. In fact, I'd be quite honored! Too bad I don't own any of the good characters….

When Kel led Peachblossom onto the practice courts, lance in hand, she noticed all the other pages crowded around a figure that she couldn't see. Oddly, they were listening very intently. Neal glanced back and, spotting Kel, motioned for her to join them. As they did, he had to jump aside to avoid being bitten by his friend's unfriendly horse.

"Is that the knight from Lebour? What's he saying?" Kel whispered.

"I don't know, maybe I would've caught it if your stupid beast wouldn't attack me!…" Neal grumbled in response.

"All right lads, hop to it!" came a deep voice from the center of the circle of pages and their horses.

As Kel started to follow her fellows to the line, she was stopped by the voice saying, "Hey, you there! You must be the girl, Keladry of Mindelan. I was told of you!"

Kel turned to see a short stocky man with a tanned complexion and short steel-gray hair. He strode toward her purposefully.

"Y-yes. I am." She stuttered a little nervously.

"I'm Sir Leighmont of Lebour. So page Keladry, do you really think this is any place for a girl to be? Hasn't anyone told you that women-folk belong at home, sewing and whatnot?"

Kel drew herself up indignantly, "I have as much right here as any man! In fact, I-"

She was startled by a loud belly chuckle from Sir Leighmont. "Oh calm yourself, dear lady. I was only jesting. I think it'll be splendid having another Lady Knight in the kingdom. Alanna the Lioness is a close friend of mine, actually. One of the finest people I know."

Kel was somewhat shocked. Sir Leighmont knew Alanna, her hero? She didn't say anything.

"Well, let's see how our future Lady Knight can tilt, shall we?" Sir Leighton said merrily. Kel nodded and mounted Peachblossom. When it was her turn, she urged Peachblossom forward. Struggling with the weight of her lance, she barely hit the bottom of the target, earning a hard thump from the quintain. She glanced shamefully at the knight. He was frowning thoughtfully, and recognizing her gaze, beckoned her over. Some of the boys were watching her curiously. "Come on now lads, you're not going to get better lagging around looking in others' business! To work!" And to Kel, "May I see your lance for a moment?" Taking the lance she offered, his face registered shock, then confusion, then an understanding anger. "Were you aware, Keladry, that your lance is ridiculously heavy? I doubt any of the other pages are using lances like this," he said severely.

"Well no I- I mean… It's fine, really."

"No, it's not fine. Your lance has been weighted. And don't try to play tough and dumb with me. Lady Alanna faced the same type of sabotage once she was discovered to be a woman."

Kel was embarrassed, but she put on her best Yamani mask. She certainly didn't want any pity from a man. Pity would get her nowhere. "Sir Leighton, believe me. My lance is perfectly manageable," she tried.

"Ah, Yamani are you?" Sir Leighton said, "I know that trick. Vexes the devil out of me, when they do that, put on that blank-face. In my opinion, it makes a person look quite brain-dead."

Kel's surprise broke through her mask. She had never heard a person speak in such an insulting way of the Yamani so casually.

"Well anyway, about your lance, I'm going to see that you get a new one. It's not fair that you should have to deal with anything more. Seems to me like you have enough on your plate, from the looks of ya."

Kel put her hand to bruised eye self-consciously and looked around before she spoke quietly, "Please Sir Leighmont. I need to conquer this, to show everyone that I can do everything a man can, and more. I need to prove to Jo- that is, whoever weighted my lance that their petty tricks won't beat me."

"Hmm…" the knight seemed to ponder this for a moment. "At least you're telling the truth now. That's a credit to you. I can't abide liars, albeit modest ones."

Kel smiled slightly at the man. She liked him. He was so unlike the Yamani, yet she felt she could trust him with anything. "Thank you, Sir."

The knight smiled warmly so his eyes crinkled up, giving him a comforting, grandfatherly appearance. "You are most welcome, Keladry."

Kel and her year-mates spent the remainder of the morning drilling, learning, and receiving tips on holding the lance, steering the horse, and hitting the target squarely. Sir Leighmont was a more patient teacher than Lord Wyldon was, and slower to reprimand a page. But he drove each and every one so hard that by lunchtime when they headed back to the castle, the first-years were ready for the day to end.

Sorry it's a bit short, but it's getting late and I wanted to get it up before I retire for the night. More soon, I promise! In the meantime, why don't you darlings click the lovely button down to the left and please send me some reviews!