Chapter One:

A young girl of about 10 years looked out of the window of the carriage with a sigh. Anyone could see that she was a beautiful child and would one day make a gorgeous woman. Her long black hair fell down her back in waves, and her piercing blue eyes looked far into the distance, the red, delicate mouth drawn into a straight line. She was concentrating hard. She thought of how wonderful it would be to be a knight, something even her older brother couldn't, or didn't want to, do. If only she hadn't had so many things blocking her way. The first thing was her mother, who hoped the girl would become a young lady that they could marry off. The second thing was the king, who didn't particularly want her to be a knight for reasons unknown to the girl. Now, on the way to Corus, she wondered what her fate was the be.

"Katherina, do not sit like that. You are slouching. No proper lady slouches." Katherina of Kingscove turned to face her mother.

"Who said I was a proper lady?" Kat retorted.

" Gracious! Are we at it again Kat? I thought we asked you to leave your temper behind." Her father's dry voice with a hint of amusement filled the carriage. Duke Henry of Kingscove was a kind man who was very fond of his daughter, as she was much like himself.

"How would you feel, Father, if you felt that the only dream you ever have was being stripped away from you for no reason at all. It isn't fair! You even said that I was a natural with a sword. Certainly the king has seen that. Father, the only thing that I want to do is to be a knight of Tortall. That's it. Why does it have to be denied from me? It isn't fair!" Kat's eyes were glittering angrily.

"My dear, there are reasons. And I will try my best to appeal to the King." He responded patiently. The family was used to these angry outbursts, Kat had a terrible temper problem.

"I insist that my daughter not be a knight. She should be sent to a convent like every other respectable girl of her age. I have had enough of this knight-nonsense." Kat's mother, the duchess Lorraine of Kingscove, was conservative as it gets and definitely saw having a knight as a daughter was shameful.

The family arrived in Corus a few hours later. The king was ready to greet his relatives and one of his realms most powerful nobles. Kat, despite her anger toward him, ran to him immediately to throw herself into his arms as she screamed his name. The King in turn, lifted the girl off the ground and gave her a hug, smiling the whole time. Of course, he greeted his cousin and the duchess more discreetly.

Inside the office, the adults sat down to drink tea while Kat ran around looking for childhood playmates. She had grown up in the palace and knew everyone and everything in the Royal wing. The first person she looked for was her cousin Roald, who was a page at the time.

"I have thought it over and I don't think I will let Kat enter page training. I know it is all she wants, but I need her for other things. Henry, you know that she is practically a princess. And that everyone sees the Conte in her." The king was saying as Kat re-entered the room.

"I do not want my daughter to be used as a political pawn, Jon. She is more valuable than that. Besides, you let Keledry of Mindelin be a page, why is it any different with Kat. You have seen her with a sword, Jon. Can you deny that she is a natural worrior. You cannot waste that much talent and you know that, you are just waiting for someone to tell you that so you have a reason to let her in." Henry's voice was, as usual, patient and reasonable. He gave the impression that he would give this argument for anyone, not just his own daughter.

"I rather agree with you, your Majesty," Lorraine spoke up.

"Henry is right. I have no choice but to let her train. I suppose I don't have to like it. Although, it is a comfort to have her on my side." the King smiled ruefully.

It was decided, Katherina of Kingscove would become a page, the second girl to openly be a page, after Keledry of Mindelin.