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Chapter 2: The beginnings of a new life

The sun was hot and the clothes were itchy. Commander Evin sighed and stamped is foot impatiently. Why did he get this crummy job? He was a commoner, so he couldn't be a knight. He wasn't good at any trade, so he couldn't join a guild. Oh, and when he went off to battle two years ago, he got wounded so now he walked with a limp. And because of that limp, he was put in charge of gate duty. It had to be the very worst job; cold in the winter, stifling hot in the summer, and itchy all year round. No action, only teasing from soldiers and scolding from important people who thought he didn't do his job fast enough.

He squinted. A purple haze filled his awareness before he heard,

"She will come from humble beginnings, but rise to be something to behold. A person masked as another will save the country from destruction and ultimate peril."

The voice was booming, a sound not meant for human ears. He dropped to his knees, astounded, his eyes streaming with unstoppable tears. Years later he was still trying to figure it all out.

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"Excuse me?" A tiny, hesitant voice entered his consciousness and woke him from his deep reverie. Confused, he scrambled to his feet in utmost haste, hoping that not all of his dignity had been ruined.

"State your name and business." The phrase was so old and familiar to him he said it without thinking.

"Edmund of Hollybranch. I've come for knight training."

Even in his stupor, Evin could notice (and did) that something was terribly amiss. This little runt of a boy was coming for knight training? But with a pounding headache, it was hardly something he would like to engage in. So he let the weary lad and his travel-worn horse in through the palace gates.

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Her first impression was that of a huge building stretching as far as her eyes could see. It was indeed a brilliant site to behold; every different wing of the palace painted a different cheery color. Pinks, yellows, blues, greens, and purples in all sorts of different hues decorated the exterior, adding to the bright, sunny air this place seemed to have anyway. Magnificent gardens were everywhere, and somewhere far off in the distance she could hear a strange sound that could have only come from an animal in the Palace's menagerie.

At first, Cliona was quite at a loss for what to do. This place was gigantic; how was she supposed to find anything in all of this? Where did she apply (for lack of a better word) for knight training? Who was in charge? She then realized how very little she knew about this whole business. She began to meander towards what looked to be a main entrance. Once she got there, the guard once again asked for her name and business, and once again, led her through the gates. But then there was another set of gates. Good heavens, how many layers does this place have? Thoroughly confounded, she asked the nearest maid if she could direct her to the wing of the palace used for knight training. The young lady took pity on poor Cliona, taking in her dirty clothes and careworn expression.

"Follow me, I'll take you to the Duke's study where you can learn everything you'll need to know about your next few years here." With that, the maid led Cliona through a maze of passageways. Seeing her unbelieving stare, she commented,

"You do get used to all of this. In time, you will know every nook and cranny."

This Cliona thought very hard to believe. After what seemed like ages, they arrived at a door of a very nice looking suite. "Wait here," the nice maid said, "I'll alert the Duke to your presence."

After another few minutes, the maid returned and gently guided Cliona to another door that seemed to lead to his Grace's study. A few other young boys waited there too. Slightly uncomfortable, she sat down and waited.

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"Edmund of Hollybranch." The Duke's voice was clear-cut, precise, educated and commanding.

Taking a very deep breath and wiping her sweaty palms on her breeches, Cliona stepped into the Duke of Winston's Peak's study. He, apparently, was the training master here.

"You have come to pursue the honored professions of knighthood?" He asked, while looking over her. She, once again, was treated with a rather disbelieving stare for her smallness.

"Yes, your Grace."

"Where is your letter? My steward told me that you wished to speak to me on that matter, and that you don't have a letter. Surely you know that we only accept pages who come from noble families, and the only proof we have of that is a letter. Do explain yourself."

"On the way here, my party was ambushed and looted. I am the only survivor of the tragedy. Prior to embarking on the journey, my father told me that he wasn't going to write a letter; just deliver the message to you personally. My family was intending to stay at the palace for a while, but then he died, and I was still rather hoping I could become a knight…" Here her voice trailed off rather uncertainly. What if they didn't allow her? They had to….

"Yes, yes of course. Well, lets get you measured for the palace uniform. After that, you may explore the sights of the castle until the bell tolls the sixth hour. Then meet me and your fellow pages in the pages wing. Selena will be your maid, and will show you to your room and the fitting rooms. Your bags will be waiting for you there. That is all."

"Thank you, your Grace." One clumsy bow and she practically tumbled into the hallway. Selena was off to one side and gripped her arm as soon as Cliona was in view.

"Off to the fittings with you," she said, in a manner not unkind but not personable either. She seemed to be a rather formidable woman but with a kind twinkle in her eyes.

At the sound of the word fittings, Cliona's stomach lurched in fear. Images of being disgraced, forced home, and forced to tell her real identity filled her mind. If that were to happen, she would be disgraced forever and would have no place in society or any future whatsoever. However, the fittings were no more than a wiry, crabby old man flinging a rope around her and handing her a stack of rather large garments. Almost faint with relief, she stumbled through a maze of passageways behind Selena.

Not long after, the pair of them arrived at the humble room Cliona would call home for the next four years of her page training. It was simple; unadorned but nice and homey in its own way, complete with a bed in the corner, a chest, some shelves, a fireplace, and a washroom.

"Here I leave you. If you need anything I'm down the hall, but I'm not your personal maid; I won't be available at your beck and call. Keep that in mind. Good day." And with that, she strode out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind here.

Cliona heaved a very large, content sigh. So far everything was going just as planned. With that happy thought, she began to unpack her belongings.