First Test Read Online Free PDF Page B

not show her around. She looked at the training master, expecting him to agree with the blond page.
    Instead Lord Wyldon frowned. "I had hoped for another sponsor," he commented stiffly. "You should employ your spare hours in the improvement of your classwork and your riding skills."
    "I thought Joren hated—" someone whispered.
    "Shut up!" another boy hissed.
    Kel looked at the flagstones under her feet. Now she was fighting to hide her embarrassment, but she knew she was failing. Any Yamani would see her shame on her features. She clasped her hands before her and schooled her features to smoothness. I'm a rock, she thought. I am stone.
    "I believe I can perfect my studies and sponsor the girl," Joren said respectfully. "And since I am the only volunteer—"
    "I suppose I'm being rash and peculiar, again," someone remarked in a drawling voice, "but if it means helping my friend Joren improve his studies, well, I'll just have to sacrifice myself. There's nothing I won't do to further the cause of book learning among my peers."
    Everyone turned toward the speaker, who stood at the back of the group. Seeing him clearly, Kel thought that he was too old to be a page. He was tall, fair-skinned, and lean, with emerald eyes and light brown hair that swept back from a widow's peak.
    Lord Wyldon absently rubbed the arm he kept tucked in a sling. "You volunteer, Nealan of Queenscove?"
    The youth bowed jerkily. "That I do, your worship, sir." There was the barest hint of a taunt in Nealan's educated voice.
    "A sponsor should be a page in his second year at least," Wyldon informed Nealan. "And you will mind your tongue."
    "I know I only joined this little band in April, your lordship," the youth Nealan remarked cheerily, "but I have lived at court almost all of my fifteen years. I know the palace and its ways. And unlike Joren, I need not worry about my academics."
    Kel stared at the youth. Had he always been mad, or did a few months under Wyldon do this to him? She had just arrived, and she knew better than to bait the training master.
    Wyldon's eyebrows snapped together. "You have been told to mind your manners, Page Nealan. I will have an apology for your insolence."
    Nealan bowed deeply. "An apology for general insolence, your lordship, or some particular offense?"
    "One week scrubbing pots," ordered Lord Wyldon. "Be silent."
    Nealan threw out an arm like a player making a dramatic statement. "How can I be silent and yet apologize?"
    "Two weeks." Keladry was forgotten as Wyldon concentrated on the green-eyed youth. "The first duty for anyone in service to the crown is obedience."
    "And I am a terrible obeyer," retorted Nealan. "All these inconvenient arguments spring to my mind, and I just have to make them."
    "Three," Wyldon said tightly.
    "Neal, shut it!" someone whispered.
    "I could learn—" Kel squeaked. No one heard. She cleared her throat and repeated, "I can learn it on my own."
    The boys turned to stare. Wyldon glanced at her. "What did you say?"
    "I'll find my way on my own," Kel repeated. "Nobody has to show me. I'll probably learn better, poking around." She knew that wasn't the case—her father had once referred to the palace as a "miserable rat-warren"—but she couldn't let this mad boy get himself deeper into trouble on her account.
    Nealan stared at her, winged brows raised.
    "When I require your opinion," began Wyldon, his dark eyes snapping.
    "It's no trouble," Nealan interrupted. "None at all, Demoiselle Keladry. My lord, I apologize for my wicked tongue and dreadful manners. I shall do my best not to encourage her to follow my example."
    Wyldon, about to speak, seemed to think better of what he meant to say. He waited a moment, then said, "You are her sponsor, then. Now. Enough time has been wasted on foolishness. Supper."
    He strode off, pages following like ducklings in their mother's wake. When the hall cleared, only Nealan and Keladry were left.
    Nealan stared at the girl, his slanting eyes taking her in.