Disclaimer: None of the original characters from the POTS series are mine, however, Aziala, the man at arms and anyone that isn't Tamora Pierce's is mine. Also, the plot belongs to me, so please don't steal it.
Author's note: This story starts at the beginning of Kel's second year as a page, I'll try to keep most of the major events that happened, but I'll have to change some of them.
"Indicates speech"
'Indicates thought'
Chapter 1: New girl at the palace
Aziala tugged on the long sleeves of her dress and sighed. "Do I really have to wear this" She complained, glaring at the mint green fabric.
"Your grandmother had it made just for today, think how disappointed she would be if you didn't wear it." Her man-at-arms said.
"Can't I even change it a little" She pleaded.
"Absolutely not."
"But I look like a weed and the hideous color makes my face look flushed." She said.
"Young lady, you told your grandmother you loved it when she showed it to you, and you will wear it."
The carriage they were in was slowing down. "That was a courtier's reply." Aziala said contemptuously, flicking a strand of her reddish brown hair out of her eyes. She felt the carriage stop completely. "Thank you for accompanying me, but I will be able to continue alone from here, you may go and prepare the rooms." Her voice was slightly more aloof for the benefit of any public that might be listening.
"As you wish, milady." Her man-at-arms replied. A footman came to help her out of the carriage, and then she heard it drive away.
Looking around, Aziala was relieved to see that the courtyard was completely empty, the dress was truly ghastly.
She elegantly mad her way up to the front entrance of the imperial palace and knocked lightly. 'Now for the dress.' She thought to herself.
Closing her eyes the girl breathed deeply, shimmering multicolored lights danced inside her eyelids.
A palace servant opened the door, startling the girl from her light trance.
The ugly, shapeless mint green dress was gone; in its place was a forest green silk gown, with two narrow sleeves, and a fitted bodice until right below her hips, where it fell to elegant folds by her ankles.
She smiled prettily at the serving man and swept past him.
A maid showed Aziala to the dining room where she would be eating most of her meals. Over the door were the royal insignia and a sign that read Pages and Squires mess hall.
Aziala politely dismissed the maid, then pushing stray strands of hair out of her eyes and tugging lightly at her dress she took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
There were several long tables, many of which were already occupied by boys. The country of Tortall permitted girls to train for there shields, but as far as she knew only one was currently training as a page. It seemed she hadn't arrived yet.
A few curious faces turned towards Aziala, just then a door opened and a small group of boys and one girl hurried past Aziala, barely even noticing her.
Aziala watched the girl with interest; this must be Keladry of Mindelin, The door opened again and a middle aged man walked in, the boys all stood up and silence made its way around the room.
"Lady Aziala?" The man asked in a low voice, bowing slightly and offering her his arm.
Aziala inclined her head gracefully and allowed him to escort her to the raised table at the end of the room. As she settled herself in her chair she noticed many of the boys were staring at her, pleased by the attention she sat up a little straighter and ran a hand through her loose curls.
"I would like to present to you all the Lady Aziala Di Turquaintine; she will be training with us for at least a year." Lord Wyldon of Cavall announced to his pages. Aziala stood up and curtseyed elegantly before the room. Many of the boys returned it with a small bow, several of which were very clumsy. Aziala pressed the back of her hand to her mouth to avoid laughing.
Lord Wyldon started talking again, and Aziala quickly realized he was praying to the gods to thank them for their food. When Lord Wyldon had finished his grace they all sat down.
"One of the senior pages will show you around the palace and teach you the rules if conduct. You will obey these rules or you will be punished. You will never fight with another page or squire. If you are in a room with a boy the door will be left open, the same if a boy is in your room. I will not tolerate flirtations. You will listen to and show respect for your training masters and teachers, do I make myself clear?" Lord Wyldon said in a slightly hard voice.
Startled at first by the sudden berating Aziala quickly composed herself and nodded.
"Very well, do you have a servant?"
This time preparing herself for another speech Aziala answered him. "Yes milord."
Instead of scolding her about discipline, all the training master did was nod curtly. "Very well."
A little confused Aziala picked up her fork and began eating. She was very hungry from her trip and was soon finished. She put her utensils on the plate and allowed the senior page that was waiting on her to take it away with a small smile of thanks. Then she demurely folded her hands on her lap and waited for Lord Wyldon to finish eating.
Fidgeting a little, she wasn't used to the silence, Aziala observed all the other pages who were laughing and talking.
The training master dismissed his pages soon after. As Aziala was preparing to leave he stopped her.
"Just a moment, Lady Aziala, before you go, do you have any questions?" He asked.
"Actually milord, I was wondering if I could sit with some of the pages tomorrow?" Aziala asked.
Lord Wyldon almost smiled; "Certainly, you may sit wherever you want whenever you want."
Curtseying, Aziala walked away.
Aziala was wandering down the corridor looking for a servant of someone to tell her where her room was when a boy with jet black hair walked up to her. With eyes the cool sapphire blue of his father's and hair that could have come form either of his parents, Aziala recognized Prince Roald, the heir to the Tortallan throne.
She wept an elegant curtsey which the prince returned with a small bow.
"Roald of Conté at your service, lady." He said.
"Aziala Di Turquaintine, charmed I'm sure." She answered.
"You seem lost, is there anything I can help you with?" He offered.
"Well, I am a little confused as to how to get to my room," Aziala said, "And I would be very obliged if you would introduce me to some of your friends." She added, smiling sweetly and fluttering her long eyelashes.
The prince laughed at her boldness. "Follow me," he said, leading her down the hallway.
Soon they arrived at a room in the pages wing. Roald entered with Aziala right behind him. Inside was a large group of boys. "Allow me to introduce you to Seaver of Tasride," Roald said, pointing to a boy with dark skin and hair that looked like he might have some Bazhir ancestry, "Nealan of Queenscove," A tall boy with brown hair that looked to old to be a page smiled and waved, "Cleon of Kennen," a tall redhead nodded slightly, "Faleron of King's Reach." A dark, handsome boy smiled at her and went back to the letter he was writing, "Merric of Hollyrose," a shortish boy with red hair and freckles grinned at them, "The page I'm sponsoring, Owen of Jesslaw," a short plump boy with brown hair smiled shyly, "And last, but not least, Keladry of Mindelin." The only girl that was training to be a knight raised a hand in greeting, her hazel eyes and face yamani blank.
"Everyone, this is Aziala Di Turquaintine." The Prince announced.
"Please, just call me Azi." She said with a smile.
END OF CHAPTER 1
AN: Okay, so I've had this idea stuck in my head for like, ever and I haven't been able to actually write it down yet. Also, I am missing a major conflict at the moment, so if anyone reviews and could sagest one it would help, until then I have a couple of minor conflicts to keep the story going.