AN: Written for a challenge for The Dancing Dove – to depict friendship without romantic overtones/implications, within approx. 100 words. 

 

Tortall and Inhabitants belong to Tamora Pierce, and are used with direct permission.

 

 

 

Trials

 

Francis’s face was flushed as he joined the other pages.  They were going to be made squires within the half hour, now that the Ordeals were finished.

 

 “You missed Wyldon of Cavall,” Raoul said casually.  “Came out of the Chamber as cool as a cucumber, like it hadn’t even phased him.  Where were you?”

 

 “Other chapel.  Praying.”

 

 “That nervous?”

 

“I… went to the Chapel of the Ordeal last winter.  Touched the door.”

 

Raoul gaped.  “B-but pages who…”

 

“Don’t live to see squirehood,” Francis finished.

 

“You’ve got thirty minutes, and I won’t leave your side,” Raoul declared, gripping his friend’s arm.