6/21/05
Wyldon's Experience
Disclaimer: I don't own Wyldon or "Page haMinch", or Piers of Mindelan. They belong to Tamora Pierce. I did create Cathryn of Mindelan and the Priest. They are mine. And I am not proud…
"It is my experience that they start young…" –Sir Wyldon
"Page Cavall! Page- PAGE CAVALL WOULD YOU PAY ATTENTION FOR ONCE!" The stick in the Priest's hands slammed onto Wyldon's desk, snapping in half. The broken-off piece flew across the room, hitting a startled Page haMinch in the head.
Ten-year-old Wyldon flinched, and then looked up reproachfully at the Priest. Wyldon ducked his head, muttering an indistinguishable apology.
When the Priest moved on, Wyldon glared at the girl on the other side of the window. Cathryn of Mindelan, (Who's youngest cousin happened to be Piers,) merely smiled flirtatiously and waved her fingers. Then she flounced off to her lessons, leaving Wyldon staring miserably at her desk as the Priest droned on…
When the bell finally rang, Wyldon gathered his belongings and hurried toward the courtyard where he knew Cathryn would be waiting.
Sure enough, there she was, pretending to be meek and obedient, wrapped up in her embroidery. Wyldon wasn't the least bit fooled.
"Why'd you get me in trouble?" he demanded.
Cathryn kept her eyes carefully downcast, and her hands folded in her lap, waiting for the right moment to pounce.
"-Now I've got to do two more chapters of history tonight, all because of you!"
Cathryn let her eyes appear to well up with tears, playing for pity.
"Aw Cathryn, don't cry," pleaded Wyldon, a desperate note creeping into his voice.
Cathryn stood up onto her tiptoes, and planted a shy kiss on Wyldon's cheek. Too shocked to do anything, Wyldon just stood rigid, unsure of what to do.
"Come on, kiss me back!" Cathryn whispered into Wyldon's ear as she pulled away.
Wyldon kissed her on the lips, still a shy peck.
Unfortunately, at this moment the Priest who had punished Wyldon happened to be passing through the courtyard.
"PAGE CAVALL!" roared the Priest.
"Oh thank goodness!" Cathryn threw herself at the Priest's feet, "He made me-!"
"I didn't!" replied Wyldon.
"Come along Page Cavall," the Priest's tone was icy.
"I swear to the gods that I didn't-,"
"NOW!"
Wyldon trudged behind the Priest. He shot back a last glance into the courtyard. There was Cathryn. She was smirking, looking extremely smug. Catching Wyldon's astonished look, she waved her fingers, an ugly sneer spread across her face.
Wyldon followed the Priest to the Training Master's office. Eventually, it was decided that Wyldon was to be confined to the palace and not allowed to have anyone in his room for one year.
I will never trust a girl again, he promised himself as he made his way back to his room.