"Tamora Pierce - Protector Of The Small 1 - First Test" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pierce Tamora)

home."
"Who judges her fitness?" inquired the king.
Wyldon's lips tightened. "Who but the training master, sire? I have the most experience in evaluating
the 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 now, I will not tender my
resignation over this, provided I judge whether this girl stays or goes in one year's time."
The king weighed the request. Alanna fidgeted. She knew Lord Wyldon meant his threat, and the
crown needed him. Too many great nobles, dismayed by the changes 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?"
"You wish to help the girl, understandably." Wyldon spoke as though the mild words made his teeth
hurt. "But you rarely deal with the lads, my lady. If you help the girl, it will be said that you eased her path
in some special way. There are rumors that your successes are due to your magical Gift."
"By the Goddess," snapped Alanna, crimson with fury. If the king had not forbidden her to challenge
men on personal grounds years before, she would have taken Wyldon out to the dueling court and made
him regret his words.
"Alanna, for heaven's sake, you know the gossip," King Jonathan said. "Stop acting as if you'd never
heard it before." He looked at Wyldon. "And you suggestтАж "
"Lady Alanna must keep from all contact with the girl," Wyldon replied firmly. "Even a moment's
conversation will give rise to suspicion."
"All contact?" cried Alanna. "But she'll be the only girl among over twenty boys! She'll have questions -
I could help - " She realized what she had said and fell silent.
King Jonathan gently patted her shoulder. "Is there no other way?" he asked.
Wyldon shook his head. "I fear not, sire. The Mindelan girl will be the cause of trouble as it is, without
the Lioness hovering over her."
The king thought it over. At last he sighed. "Lord Wyldon has the right of it. You must stay away from
Keladry of Mindelan, Alanna."
"But Jonathan - sire - " she pleaded, not believing he would do this.
"That is an order, lady knight. If you cannot accept that, say as much now, and I will find you work
elsewhere."
She stared at him for a long moment, lips tight. At last she got to her feet. "Don't tax yourself. I'll find
knight's work myself," she told him. "As far from Corus as possible." She stalked out of the room,
slamming the door in her wake.
The men stared at the door. Each of them was trying to remember if Alanna the Lioness had ever
spoken to Jonathan in that tone before.

***

Baron Piers and Lady Ilane of Mindelan watched Keladry read the reply from the training master. A
Tortallan who did not know them well might have thought the man and woman felt nothing, and that their
ten-year-old daughter was only concerned, not upset. That was far from true. The family had spent the
last six years living in the Yamani Islands, where displays of deep emotion were regarded as shameful. To