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DECISIONS

Alanna the Lioness, the King’s Chalee Baron Piers of Mindelan had written to King Jonathan to say that his daughter wished to be a page Alanna fought to sit still as she watched Wyldon of Cavall, the royal training master, read the baron’s letter Seated across his desk fro master as sharply as his Champion did Lord Wyldon was known for his dislike of female warriors

It had been ten long years since the procla Alanna had nearly given up hope that such a girl—or the kind of family that would allow her to do so—existed in Tortall, but at last she had come forward Keladry of Mindelan would not have to hide her sex for eight years as Alanna had done Keladry would prove to the world that girls could be knights And she would not be friendless Alanna had plans to help Keladry through the first few years It never occurred to the Chaht object

Alanna half turned to see Wyldon better Surely he’d read the letter at least twice! Froer princes and princess were starkly visible; Wyldon’s right arers that itched with the urge to apply healingpain er He would not thank her if she tried to heal him now

Goddess bless, she thought tiredly Hoill I ever get on with hiirl Keladry?

Wyldon was not flexible: he’d proved that to the entire court over and over If he were any stiffer, Alanna thought wryly, I’d paint a design on hiot no sense of hue

Still, she had to ad the Iendary creatures had joined with the reales had been forced into battle They had done well, thanks to their training by Wyldon and the teachers he had picked

At last Lord Wyldon returned the letter to King Jonathan, who placed it on his desk "The baron and the baroness of Mindelan are faithful servants of the crown," the king remarked "We would not have this treaty with the Yamani Islands were it not for thehter received so at the Yamani court, so it would appear that Keladry has an aptitude"

Lord Wyldon resettled his arree to this, Your Majesty"

Alanna was about to say that he didn’t have to agree when she saw the king give the tiniest shake of the head Clenching her jaws, she kept her re Jonathan raised his eyebrows

"Your predecessor agreed," he reree master"

"That is a lawyer’s reply, sire," Wyldon replied stiffly, a slight flush rising in his clean-shaven cheeks

"Then here is a king’s: we desire this girl to train as a page

And that is that, Alanna thought, satisfied She , at least in private, but Wyldon would never let himself do so

The trainingAt last he bowed in his chair "May we compromise, sire?"

Alanna stiffened She hated that word! "Coan to say

The king silenced her with a look "What do you want, my lord?"

"In all honesty," said the training ht that our noble parents loved their daughters too much to place them in so hard a life"

"Not everyone is afraid to do anything new," Alanna replied sharply

"Lioness," said the king, his voice dangerously quiet Alanna clenched her fists What was going on? Was Jonathan inclined to give way to the man who’d saved his children?

Wyldon’s eyes met hers squarely "Your bias is known, Lady Alanna" To the king he said, "Surely the girl’s parents cannot be aware of the difficulties she will encounter"

"Baron Piers and Lady Ilane are not fools," replied King Jonathan "They have given us three good, worthy knights already"

Lord Wyldon gave a reluctant nod Anders, Inness, and Conal of Mindelan were credits to their training The realm would feel the loss of Anders—whose ounds could never heal entirely—from the active duty rolls It would take years to replace those ere killed or maimed in the Immortals War

"Sire, please, think this through," Wyldon said "We need the realhten They are not as strong in their arms and shoulders as men They tire e

asily This girl would get any warriors who serve with her killed on soht"

Alanna started to get up This ti beside his Cha her in her chair

"But I will be fair," Wyldon continued His brown eyes were hard "Let her be on probation for a year By the end of the summer field camp, if she has not convinced o home"

"Who judges her fitness?" inquired the king

Wyldon’s lips tightened "Who but the trainingthe young for their roles as future knights"

Alanna turned to stare at the king "No boy has ever undergone a probationary period!" she cried

Wyldon raised his good shoulder in a shrug "Perhaps they should For noill not tender irl stays or goes in one year’s time"

The king weighed the request Alanna fidgeted She knew Lord Wyldon reat nobles, dises in Tortall since Jonathan’s coronation, felt that Wyldon was their voice at court If he resigned, the king and queen would find it hard to get support for their future changes

At last King Jonathan said, "Though we do not always agree, my lord, you know I respect you because you are fair and honorable I would hate to see that fairness, that honor, tainted in any way Keladry of Mindelan shall have a year’s probation"

Lord Wyldon nodded, then inspected the nails on his good hand "There is one other matter, " he remarked slowly He looked at Alanna "Do you plan to involve yourself in the girl’s training? It will not do"

Alanna bristled "What is that supposed to mean?"