Page by Tamora Pierce Read Free Book Online Page A

the ankle, stopping the boy’s attempts to kick anyone.
    Peachblossom had just seized Neal’s jacket, with Neal’s shoulder in it, when Lord Wyldon, Sergeant Ezeko, and three stable hands entered. They tossed the buckets of water they carried on the pages. Silence fell.
    “I want this place straightened up and these horses groomed afresh.” Lord Wyldon’s voice, and eyes, were like iron. “That includes Heart. You will then wash and assemble in the mess hall. I will address you further there.” He looked them over, pale with fury. “You are a disgrace, the lot of you.” He turned on his heel and walked out.
    Silently the pages got to work.
    By the time they reached the mess hall, Lord Wyldon had worked out their punishment. It included bread-and-water suppers for a week, study alone in their rooms at night, no sweets, and no trips out of the palace until Midwinter. Those pages who already had Sunday afternoon punishment work were to put that off until the general punishment was done. They were all to help carpenters rebuild the stable. Finally the training master added two more lead weights to the senior pages’ harnesses.
    The subdued pages went to afternoon classes in nearly complete silence. When it was time to dress for supper, Kel scrambled into her shift and gown, stopping only to demand of Lalasa why Jump hadn’t been taken to Daine that morning. When Lalasa, cringing, replied that Gower had carried the dog up to the Wildmage right after breakfast, Kel shook her head. She would have to deal with Jump later.
    Still wearing boots and heavy wool stockings under her gown, she went to Neal’s room and pounded on his door. He let her in without a word, but protested when she closed the door behind her.
    “Do you want everyone hearing what I have to say?” she demanded sharply.
    “If the Stump catches you here with the door shut - ” The Stump was Neal’s nickname for Lord Wyldon.
    “He won’t.” Kel put her fists on her hips and glared at her friend. “You were sixteen last month. You’re supposed to know better. Did you honestly think you were helping me down there?”
    He had the strangest look on his face. “Are you - Kel, the Yamani Lump - are you yelling at me?”
    “Yes, I am!” Kel snapped. “You didn’t solve anything, you just made it worse!”
    He sat on his bed. “Maybe, maybe not. I think they’ll reconsider, next time they want to start fights over your virtue.”
    Kel blinked at him. “What has my virtue to do with anything?”
    “I’m surprised they didn’t try it last year. Oh, I suppose they made dirty little jokes with each other, never mind that a real knight is supposed to treat women decently. Maybe they thought saying you’re a lump, and not as strong, and on probation, was bad enough.”
    “Are you making sense yet?” Kel wanted to know. This conversation had taken a very uncomfortable turn.
    “But you’re still here. Now they’re really worried. They haven’t changed their minds about lady knights just because Wyldon let you stay.”
    “I didn’t expect them to,” Kel informed him.
    “Well, so, they decided to try new insults today. And talk of different kinds of sex makes people crazy.”
    “Your point is…?” she asked. Her mother had explained how babies were made. Nariko had taught the court ladies, including Kel’s family, how to preserve their honor from rapists. That didn’t seem to be what Neal was talking about.
    “See, Kel, if all of a sudden everyone’s getting into fights about your virtue, maybe the Stump will get rid of you after all.” Neal sighed and finger-combed his hair back from his face.
    Fear trickled down Kel’s spine like cold water. Could Lord Wyldon change his mind? Who would protest if he did? The king had allowed her to be put on probation in the first place. No doubt if Wyldon told him Kel had to go, the king would agree. “I’m eleven,” she said at last. “That’s too young to be lying with men, Neal. Much too