Neal and Kimi sat at the two chairs behind the desk. Kimi studied the man before her: Lord Padraig HaMinch. He was a dark man, with swarthy skin and dark-cropped hair streaked with gray. He had been the training master of the pages for the last thirteen years and he was not a young man. The Lord of HaMinch was also very tall and broad, and Kimi was having difficulty deciding what part of Tortall he was from. He had large dark eyes and a large nose that was flat rather than pointed. At the moment, he had thin pursed lips with a hint of deep worry etched into the lines around his eyes and mouth. Kimi could not see why he seemed uneager and unwilling to take her. Finally he sighed and his mouth relaxed slightly.
"Wine? Fruit Juice?" he offered them, and then leaned back with a smile. "I've been doing this a long time now, and even though I've had three female pages come through her, it takes me a moment to overcome the initial shock of having another one.
Neal opened his mouth to remind Lord HaMinch that he had four months to get over the phenomenon, but with a pleading glance from his daughter and the reminder from his wife earlier telling him to behave, he shut his mouth unhappily.
"Kimiko, I must ask you, as I've asked all my female pages, to reconsider. It's a hard life, and though things are changing you will still get a hard time from the boys, your teachers, and from the rumor starters at Court. There are other options besides becoming a knight. There are the Queen's Riders, for instance, who are just as effective and they learn how to fight and ride. And the Queen's Ladies, who ride with the queen. It wouldn't be difficult for you to be accepted in a few years because of your parents' connections. Of course, I will not stop you if this is truly the path you wish to take, but I want you to consider the other options." And Kimi had, but she wanted to be a knight more than anything. Kimi paused, as if considering, then shook her head. "I will not protect you or make it easier for you because of your sex."
"And nor should you," Neal interrupted coldly. He did not like Lord HaMinch's hostile tone. "My daughter did not come here to be given leverage over the other pages nor did she come here to be encouraged to do something else. As you know, my daughter has thought through this and knows the troubles she faces, and plans have already been settled for her. Please, I suggest we move on."
Padraig HaMinch met this with his own icy glare. "I see," he said slowly. "Kimiko, do you agree with your father?"
Kimi knew the way she answered would somehow be very important. She looked him in the eyes and said quietly by firmly, "Yes, my lord."
He hesitated; then said, "Very well." He continued by telling her all the rules and what her duties at the palace consisted of. "Your door must remain open if a boy is in there, as must their doors. Do you understand me?" Kimi nodded, and Lord HaMinch stood up. "Outside is my man Machal, and he will show you to your room. Good day, Duke Nealan, and I will see you later tonight, Page Kimiko."
Kimi and her father walked out of the office and closed the door behind them. Kimi sighed with relief. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, yes," Neal muttered sarcastically, "just about as much fun as getting your teeth pulled."
"Oh, Father," she said and shook her head. "Machal! Hello! We're ready to be shown my room if you would be so kind."
Machal smiled at Kimi and led the way. Kimi and Neal both knew where the Page's Wing was, but they followed the man anyway. Kimi had spent almost half of her life visiting Princess Shinkokami and her children, and so knew the palace so well she felt like she lived there. Unfortunately, it had been several months since her last visit due to the royals moving to their summer home on the coast, and Kimi viewed the small changes in the castle with a silent eye.
The three arrived and Neal helped Kimi get situated and move around things to her comfort. "Well," Neal said awkwardly when there was no more to be done. Kimi smiled brightly at him, for she knew how difficult it was for him to say good bye.
"Good bye, Da, and we'll see each other soon," she said, and she hugged him quickly and let him pat her on the back.
"Good bye, Kimi," he said and moved to the door. Kimi pretended to move around her Yamani waving cats, but she still heard him when he murmured softly, "My brave girl." The door shut slowly, and Kimi sunk onto her bed, suddenly feeling quite lonely. "Snap out of it," she ordered and shook herself so she understood the message.
She decided to get dressed and keep very busy. Kimi pulled on some breeches, a tunic and shirt and put her dress away in her trunk.
A sudden knock on the door broke into Kimi's boredom, and she leaped up to answer it. Behind it, there stood a slightly nervous girl who looked about fifteen. She had bright curly red hair and her nose and cheekbones were covered in orange freckles. She was tall for her age, and steadily built, but managed to remain feminine and curvy. Her eyes were a bright blue, framed with fine red eyelashes, and she had a simple beauty. The girl was wearing fine work clothes of a noble and on the sleeve of her shirt was embroidered of the colors of Hollyrose. Kimi beamed at the girl and the girl responded with a grin of her own.
"Page Kimiko, it is a pleasure to see you again." They had met once before when Kimi attended a birthday banquet for Young Prince Jonathan last year and the female squire had served Kimi and her parents.
"Squire Regiana, as is a pleasure to see you," Kimi returned, and the two girls shook hands. "Come in, come in, Regiana!" Kimi invited, and Regiana took the chair while Kimi perched on the bed.
"Call me Ana, or if you want to tease me like the boys, Regi Red," Ana said with a roll of her eyes.
"If you would call me Kimi. Congratulations on becoming the squire to Sir Merric, Ana."
"Thank you, it is an honor. I assume you've been given all the advice you can stand?" Ana asked with a smile.
"Almost. Lady Keladry is a good friend on my father's, so I have been given a large amount from her," Kimi replied. "Not that I couldn't do with more, if you have any worthwhile information."
"Lucky you," Ana said sincerely. "Listen, I know you have Sir Keladry, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I would be glad to, and more than willing. It's tough at first, but you'll do fine."
A boy's voice echoed through the hallway with a call of "Regi Red!" Ana rolled her eyes but acted unsurprised to be called that nickname.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a plainly wrapped box. "There is a tradition among us lady knights, and I am the messenger this time." She placed the box into Kimi's hands. "To you, from us." The two girls stood, and Ana hugged the younger girl. "Goddess Bless, Lady Page," she said simply, and left Kimi alone to open her gift.
Kimi hastily tore off the paper and opened the small rectangular box. Inside was a magic talisman, specifically designed as a focus for Kimi's healing magic. Kimi had inherited the Gift from both her father and mother, and it was fairly powerful. Kimi examined it and knew with a special twist of her magic it would easily sooth the bruises and aches of whoever held it, and make the healing faster and easier for her. For a first year page expecting bruises and pains like all pages should, it was perfect. Kimi dashed out into the hallway, but Ana was long gone.
Kimi knew it was time for the pages and Lord HaMinch to start heading her way, so she quickly placed the talisman back into its box and locked her door. She could hear some of the other first year pages begin to submerge, and soon one page stuck his dark-haired head out into the hall. Kimi received a shock when his whole body followed and she recognized him.
"Jonathan?"
Prince Jonathan V of Conté smiled at her warmly and said "Hello Kimi."
She was immediately pleasantly surprised and ran over and hugged her best friend. "It's great to see you! But what are you doing here?" You're not supposed to come until next year!" Jonathan was nine, but was going to turn ten next month. His father, Prince Roald, had decided to wait until the following year to send his eldest son to train as a page as was tradition for the royal family.
"Oh, you know, grandfather and the training master said I was old enough to start now, and mother agreed with them." Kimi believed him without question until she saw a slight glint in eyes that informed her he wasn't telling the entire truth.
"Jonathan," she began, but by this time all the pages were standing in front of their door and Kimi heard a great many footsteps echo down the hallway towards them. Kimi returned to her spot as a group of about twenty five boys marched over to the new pages, led by Lord HaMinch.