Protector of the Small

1 - First Test

'You have one year to prove that you can keep up with the boys. If you do not satisfy me on that count, you will go home.'

It's ten years since royal decree permitted girls to train as knights. No one applied - until now. Keladry of Mindelan is determined to follow in the footsteps of the nation's greatest legend: Alanna, Lioness of Tortall. She's in for a nasty surprise.

The royal training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, thinks girls should stick to embroidery. He will take her for one year only - on probation. If Keladry doesn't meet his exacting standards, she's out.

It seems so unfair. Keladry knows she's equal to any of the boys, but how can she hope to succeed when Lord Wyldon's mind is already made up?

2 - Page

'A final word, Page Keladry.' Lord Wyldon stood, bracing his hands on the desk. 'This will stop,' he said tightly. 'There was never so much fighting before you came here. It will end now.'

Even after a year, some of the pages still don't think a girl should be training as a knight. For a time it seems they will try anything - insult, trick, brawl - to get Keladry thrown out.

But then the bullying stops, and Kel hopes she can concentrate on honing her warrior-skills, especially with the big exams approaching.

That test-day will be the most important in Kel's life. And it's the perfect moment for those who loath her to strike ...

3 - Squire

'I thought if I survived the big examinations, I'd be fine. I thought somebody would take me, even if I am The Girl.'

Keladry has finished her page training, she's passed the exams and now she's a fully-fledged squire. Which is great - except that you can't really be a squire if no knight will take you on.

But Kel's luck is in. After weeks of waiting, a knight-master has come forward. A true warrior to follow - if she can cope with the gruelling life on campaign. Bandits and renegade centaurs are just what she's trained for - it couldn't be better. But eventually Kell will have to return and face the Chamber of the Ordeal, the final test of a squire. One boy has already died in the chamber this year ...

4 - Lady Knight

'This is one of the knights who has come to defend the border - Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan.'

Kel is finally a knight.  The first girl to make it in decades.  She's dealt with the hazing and prejudice of her year-mates, and the terrifying Ordeal, the final test of a squire.  Now she faces the real thing.  Tortall is at war.

The Scanran raiders have united to form an army, and they're invading.  Refugees are flooding away from the northern border, destitute and terrified, with stories of the fearsome metal creatures that the invaders have brought with them.  Kel's post is to the border refugee camp - the Scanrans, and their monstrous weapons will be waiting for her ...