A/N: Disclaimer - All of the canon characters and settings are property of the incredible Tamora Pierce. This is my first attempt at writing fanfiction, so please R&R and I'll try to improve!

The Conté Road, Tortall;

Summer

In the 38th year of the reign of

Jonathan IV and Thayet, his Queen,

477 H.E. (The Human Era)

3

Arrival

Time did indeed pass quickly - just three years later, a few months before Nishiko turned thirteen, her monthly cycles began. Though the discomfort was more intense than she had expected, with the help of willow bark tea and her mother's ache-diminishing magical meditation, Nishiko was able to train through the pain. Despite the extra years her father had used to "educate" his daughter about the difficulties of Knighthood, Nishiko's desire was as pure and strong as it had been six years before when she had first pledged to serve. When the Queenscove harvest drew to an end, after all the sheaves of wheat and barley had been combed and stored in the cool, dry cellars of the fortress, Nishiko began contemplating preparations for her journey. However, a sudden, inexplicable nervousness overtook Shiko every time she pulled out her saddlebags and tried to gather all the possessions that she might need.

She was not the only one nervous about her imminent departure. Duke Nealan grew more sullen every day that brought Shiko closer to her departure until one night when he got an urgent message in the fire from his Royal Highness King Jonathan IV of Conté. In his haste to excuse himself from the dinner table and answer the magical summons, he had nearly knocked over his chair leaving his wife and daughter staring after him with expressions of poorly concealed mockery. However, Neal returned from the conference with a strut and a wide grin on his face, sat back down at the dinner table, and announced that Cyril Finesman, the man who had been chosen to replace Duke Baird as Chief of the Palace Healer's, had been disgraced. It seemed that he had tried to heal a man while drunk and had accidentally cemented the bones of the man's knee together so badly that the poor patient could not bend the leg at all. The patient was not just anybody; he was Padraig haMinch, an influential nobleman and the Pages' Training Master.

"I knew that oaf Cyril could never replace my father," Neal exclaimed, justified at last in his negative opinion of the man, "A powerful healer to be sure, but he was always a fool."

"That is simply awful," Yukimi demurred, "Will Lord haMinch recover?"

"He will indeed because I am going to the Palace to help! The King has requested - no commanded - that I return to the palace, fix haMinch's leg properly, and serve as Chief Healer until I can find or train a suitable replacement," Nealan beamed wickedly at his daughter, "Guess that means we will be accompanying you to Corus, Shiko m' dear!"

Nishiko's face drained of color at her father's words. Realizing what this would mean, she looked frantically to her mother for help, but Yukimi only smiled slightly and shook her head, hoping that her daughter would accept this calmly and with grace. She did not.

"Papaaaa," Nishiko began desperately, "I'm really happy for you and all, but when we get to the Palace you cannot watch me like a hawk, okay? I need to be treated like any other Page or I won't be respected. Please promise me that you will not interfere with my training."

Duke Nealan paused for a moment, considering the answers he could give. Reluctantly he replied, "Though my instincts are to guard you every moment that I can, I will be too busy reorganizing the healing staff, attending to their majesties, assisting the Lower City, and training a suitable successor. Even my desire to protect you will not allow me to shirk my duties."

Nishiko let out an audible sigh of relief and sat back in her chair comfortably, letting the words of her parents' conversation about the necessary preparations wash over her.

"We should inform the servants tomorrow so that we can begin to get the household in order and ready for our departure - when does the King expect us?"

"In five day's time, he's sending Keladry's squad of the King's Own to escort us since there are rumors of Gifted bandits prowling along the Conté Road," Neal added.

"I hope we do not inconvenience the Own," Yukimi replied worriedly.

"It's no trouble at all," Neal waived his hand dismissively, "Kel and her men are just South of the River Bonnett at the moment and she is already planning to return to Corus since she has to give her yearly report and escort her young Rowland to begin his training, too."

Nishiko sat back up at this and smiled joyously at her father, blurting out, "Cousin Rowland is starting his Page training this year, too?"

"Indeed he is, I thought I told you that already," Neal replied smiling, "I am just as glad that you will have kin training with you - I swear the point of family is automatic friendship."

"It is a relief," Shiko replied, only just realizing how afraid she had been of making no friends in the Page's wing. As her parents debated about what instructions to leave for Ramell, Shiko returned to her room and began packing her belongings with a lightened heart.

Two mornings later, Lady Knight Keladry of the recently ennobled fief of New Hope and Commander of Third Company of the King's Own arrived at Queenscove with her son and a platoon of mounted warriors. They found Duke Nealan, Duchess Yukimi, and Lady Nishiko fully packed and mounted on their horses - ready to begin their journey together. After brief familial greetings, the travelers continued on their way with Neal and Yukimi riding beside Keladry at the front of the procession while Shiko and her cousin rode together in the middle of the pack and enthused about the great deeds they intended to do as Knights.

"It will be hard to get there though," Rowland conceded with a shrug, "Hours of training, squiring, not to mention the Ordeal-"

He broke off as Nishiko quivered with dread at the thought of what waited for her beyond the doors of the Chamber and wondered whether she would make it out in one piece.

"What do you think it will be like for you?" Rowland asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" Shiko gasped in surprise, "I thought nobody has any idea what awaits them inside the Chamber."

"You're right," Rowland conceded, "All we know is that it tries to destroy Squires who are unworthy of becoming Tortallan Knights. The only way I can figure the Chamber does that is by scaring the daylights out of you in really imaginative and specific way. I'm terrified of snakes, so I just know the Chamber is going to toss me into a pit of them." ."

Nishiko thought for a moment before recalling, "A few years ago, right after returning home from the Yamani Islands, I got lost while exploring in the caverns of Queen's Cove. The tunnels twist and turn for miles under the moor and are filled with the strangest rock formations you can imagine. I was so distracted that I barely noticed when the tide began to seep in and I nearly drowned trying to get back out again. I've been afraid of tight, dark places ever since."

Rowland whistled sharply in alarm, "How did you make it out alive?"

"Luck, I guess," Shiko countered dismissively, knowing that if she told Rowland how she had actually managed to escape - who or what had helped her find the way out - he would think she was insane. "Let's not worry about it Rowl, we have eight years to prepare for the Ordeal of Knighthood and try to conquer our fears. You know most snakes aren't even poisonous, right?"

"I suppose that's true," Rowland grudgingly agreed, "The problem is you only know for sure once it's too late."

"Well, if you get bitten by a poisonous serpent of death, I'll help heal you," Nishiko promised dramatically. "Papa's been teaching me how to use my Gift. He says it made him a lot of friends as a Page since he was always mending their broken fingers after staff practice."

"Smart man, your father. Good reason for me to keep you around, cousin," Rowland teased as he leaned out of his saddle to ruffle Shiko's hair affectionately. They both laughed and trotted on together, chatting about lighter subjects for the rest of the day's ride.

The next day, the assemblage arrived in Corus by way of the Royal Forest so that the King's Own would not disrupt the hustle and bustle of the Lower City markets, much to the disappointment of their young charges.

"You will have plenty of time to visit the markets," Keladry reassured Rowland and Nishiko placidly, "Trust me, I kept my nose to the grindstone more than any other Page and even I had plenty of opportunities to go into the city to buy Midwinter gifts and ogle Raven Armory."

As they approached the Forest Gate, a masterpiece of wrought iron deer and hunting dogs trimmed with gold, Shiko looked up at the ramparts of the palace wall and noticed the armed guards in their red and gold liveries training crossbows on the approaching platoon watchfully.

Keladry wheeled her horse about in front of the gate, brandished her badge of office and shouted up to the guards, "Lady Keladry of New Hope, Commander of Third Company of the King's Own, requests entrance be granted to herself, her platoon, her son, and her cousins - the Duke and Duchess of Queenscove and their daughter! His Royal Highness King Jonathan is expecting us all!" She turned to Neal and Yukimi explaining in a normal voice, "Security around here has increased markedly in the past few months…not even old Sir Myles will tell me why."

After a few minutes of waiting while the guards authenticated Kel's badge and confirmed that they were, in fact, expected to arrive today, the guards opened the gates and allowed the string of mounted horses to enter. Keladry led the way to the stable courtyard where royal hostlers took charge of the horses and footmen relocated bags and gear to their proper rooms within the castle. Kel, Neal, and Yukimi all took off the outer layer of soft, leather riding clothes they had worn on the journey trying to keep horsehair and dust from resettling on the relatively clean layer clothes beneath. Shiko and Rowland followed suit a little less successfully, but nonetheless looked far better than they had before. The family walked together into the castle through seemingly endless marble corridors until they reached the Pages' wing.

When they arrived outside the Training Master's office, a footman in an overlarge uniform opened haMinch's door and announced, "May I present Duke Nealan of Queenscove, Yukimi, his Duchess, and their daughter Lady Nishiko. And may I also present Lady Knight Keladry of New Hope and her son Lord Rowland."

A low grunt of approval could be heard from inside the office and the five of them entered. Unlike in the days of Lord Wyldon of Cavall, the study was lavishly decorated with velvet hangings and portraits while the bookshelf was packed with gilded tomes about military and noble history. The only thing out of place was a large piece of slate that took up the entire rear wall of the room and was covered in powdery white scribbles. Padraig haMinch sat there with his wrapped and padded leg propped up on the desk and a look of barely concealed discomfort in his blue eyes that was echoed in the deeply carved lines of his tanned face.

"Welcome Duke, Duchess, and Lady Knight," Padraig addressed the adults, ignoring the children for the time being, "You must forgive me, I would stand and greet you properly if it were not for my injury." He thumped his leg with disgust and continued; addressing Rowland and Nishiko now, "Sit down, please. I have things to say and your legs are weary from riding."

Shiko and Rowland smiled and thanked the Training Master as they sat before him.

"Now, I don't need to look at the wall behind me to know that you two come from heroic stock," Padraig nodded solemnly, "Yes indeed. Few people know what really neutralized those infernal Killing Devices and turned the tide of the Scanran War, but I was there on the war council at the time and heard the truth. However, heroism is not what I teach here - as a Page you will learn obedience more than anything else. While great deeds are very occasionally the result of disobedience," Padraig conceded scowling at Keladry and Neal, "more often insubordination kills. Until you are deemed intelligent and skilled enough to command, your responsibility is to go where you are told and do what you are told. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Training Master," Rowland and Nishiko intoned together.

"Good," Padraig boomed, "Now remember, when you are weary and feel like giving up or giving in, think of this wall," he pointed at the large slate behind him, "This is a list of every Page who has become a Knight since 400 HE accompanied by their greatest deed to date. Your parents and their achievements are right here." Padraig pointed to a section labeled "460 HE" - the year Keladry and Nealan had become Knights. "Remember that every broken bone, every sore muscle, and every late night studying brings you closer to great moments of your own. You must be ready for them. Now off with you, my footman will show you both to your respective rooms and get you settled. You have three days before the other Pages begin to arrive, so use them to get properly outfitted and practice - Duke Nealan, when you have a moment, if you would do me the honor of fixing this blasted knee, I will forever be in your debt."

"The honor is mine my Lord Padraig, I will see to it now. It may take several healing sessions to remedy so I would like to assess the damage immediately," Neal insisted.

Duke Nealan pulled a chair up beside Lord Padraig's and placed his glowing green hands over the injury, probing the place where the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap had fused improperly. While Neal remained, Yukimi and Keladry left the office with their children in tow following the footman down the Pages' wing to two adjacent rooms at the very end of the hall. With a little wave, Shiko and Rowland separated following their mothers' into their own rooms.

"It will be hard to make this feel like home," Shiko muttered dejectedly as she entered.

The room was a cube of stone walls complete with battered wooden furniture - a small bed, desk, two chairs, drawers, and a bedside table - adjoined by a privy and changing room.

"I disagree, ko," Yukimi replied merrily as she unpacked a bag filled with brightly colored sheets, blankets, and mats, "You will be surprised what a little color and a few personal effects can do to brighten a room like this."

Of course, her mother was right. Half an hour later the room was barely recognizable. All of Shiko's clothes had been refolded and stored neatly in the drawers and the bed had been remade with scarlet silk sheets and furs that were folded at the foot of the bed to be pulled up when the nights grew chilly. The rough stone floor was covered by two bamboo mats that made it comfortable to walk barefoot and Nishiko's desk was adorned with all of her favorite items - shells she had collected on the Queenscove beaches, a small portrait of her family, a calligraphy set that she had brought back with her from the Yamani Islands, and a maneki-neko (waving cat).

"You were right, okasaan!" Nishiko exclaimed with delight hugging her mother, "This is so much better that I thought it would be."

Yukimi hugged her daughter tightly, "I am glad that even now I can still guide you. Nishiko, you have taken a very different course from my own, but I hope that you will always be able to come to me for advice no matter how far removed our path's may seem."

Nishiko looked up, surprised, "You're my mother. Your advice will always be the best. At my age you left your home and traveled to a foreign land where you knew fewer people than you could count on one hand - in a way that is something far braver than becoming a Page."

Duchess Yukimi smiled at her daughter as wide as any Tortallan, kissed her on both cheeks, and then left to go see how her own palace apartments were being prepared. With an exaggerated sigh of relief Nishiko fell back onto her newly made bed with a thump and basked in the softness of a feather mattress after so long in the saddle. Much sooner than she would have liked, Shiko heard a knock at her door. With an unusually wretched groan for a girl only twelve years of age, Nishiko rose from the bed and opened the door to see Keladry standing before her.

"May I speak with you, cousin?" Keladry asked smoothly.

"Of course!" Shiko answered, "Please come in."

They sat in the two standard wooden chairs in silence for a moment as Kel surveyed the room with amusement.

"You know," Keladry recollected wryly, "in my day all of these decorations would have been torn down and urinated on as soon as you left the room."

Shiko looked at her in shock, "That's awful! Papa said you were bullied, but destroying your things…what disgusting behavior!"

"Tortall has definitely progressed since then. The Lioness's success was viewed as an anomaly; it has taken forty years since she became a Lady Knight for Tortallans to accept that some women are just as qualified to fight as their male counterparts. It still is not a respected choice, but I am certain that you will not face as many struggles as I did twenty-five years ago."

"Well, I certainly don't have to worry about getting my monthlies for the first time while I am here," Nishiko retorted ruefully, "Papa took your words to heart about starting later."

Keladry looked slightly embarrassed for a moment before replying, "I am truly sorry about that, but I felt an obligation to answer him honestly - your father is my best and oldest Tortallan friend. I hope it did not anger you too much to wait."

"Kel, I don't actually blame you," Nishiko replied sheepishly, "Papa probably would have found some other reason to keep me at home, perhaps for longer, if you had not told him about the monthlies business. Maybe it's a good thing. After all, this means I am older and probably more mature than the other Pages…that may help me earn their respect. Besides, being able to train with Rowland will be fun. I am just worried that-"

"-that your father will never leave you be," Keladry finished with a smile, "Don't worry, your mother and I plan to ambush him at dinner tonight. Between the two of us, Neal will never know what hit him. Just know that he does this out of love for you, Shiko. Nothing more."

"I know, I know and I love him for it, but I need to make my own way."

"Trust me, Shiko, you will make your own way here with or without your father. Becoming a Page is a personal endeavor; no one else will be able to make it easier. Only you can do that by working hard every second of every day," Kel instructed as she unwrapped something from the pouch beside her sword. "The Lioness gave me these when I was a Page - though I did not know it was her at the time. I have passed them on to each female Page who has walked through the doors of this palace since then and only ten of them have made it to Knighthood. These will only help if you use them to strengthen your arms and build up callouses every day."

Keladry deposited three heavy, worn leather spheres into Nishiko's hands as she stood up from her chair and began to leave. Turning back just before she exited, Kel added, "The first day you get your weapons, go to the carpenters and ask them to add weighted lead cores to each of them. It will hurt your performance initially, but you will need the endurance in battle."

Nishiko stood and bowed to her cousin in thanks as Keladry strode out of the room and back to the King's Own barracks. Rowland and Nishiko followed Padraig's advice and were fitted for Page uniforms that day at the workroom of the Palace Tailors in one of the castle's underground levels. As the knotted cords whipped around Nishiko's body and the tailor called out numbers to her assistant, Nishiko's ears pricked at a whispering sound coming from the staircase outside the workroom. She tried to ignore the voices since nobody else had reacted to them, but they seemed to call to her specifically as they floated up from the depths of the castle.

Shiko turned towards the door slightly to try and make out the words, but the tailor snapped, "Stand still, girlie, or this here tunic will be even more oversized than it should be!"

After the reprimand Nishiko, stayed planted on the spot and the whispers slowly faded away to nothing. Perhaps it was just somebody working downstairs and tailors and Rowland simply dismissed it, Shiko thought hopefully. However, her mind's voice screamed at her that this was not a normal phenomenon and that something strange was happening here - something like the mysterious force that had taken her hand and led her out of the caverns five years ago.

When Shiko finally regained the presence of mind to look down at herself, she noticed that the cloth of gold and scarlet uniform fell all the way to her knees with long thin slits on each side that reached up to her hips. She stared in disbelief at the billows of excess cloth floating about her legs and compared it to the neat tunic that hit Rowland just below his waist.

"Pardon me, Madam Tailor," Shiko inquired politely, "I think this tunic is too long."

The tailor looked her up and down and barked, "It looks just the way 'tis supposed to! Lady Pages are to wear knee-length tunics over their hose that still allow them to move as good as a man. If you don't like 'em, take it up with the Master of Deportment. Now scram!"

Perfect, Nishiko thought bitterly, this is simply perfect. I come all this way to be a Page and I still end up stuck in a skirt - of sorts. This is absolutely unbelievable. I bet that the washerwoman and Sakuyo are laughing at me together right this moment.