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Keladry of Mindelan has her heart set on becoming a knight.  Though her parents worry that it might prove too difficult a challenge even for a girl with Kel’s courage, she is determined to join the pages being trained at the court of King Jonathan.  Since a new proclamation has decreed that girls be permitted, even Lord Wyldon, the page training master, cannot refuse her admission, though he is adamant that girls do not belong.  Instead, Lord Wyldon puts her on a year’s probation and makes it clear to Kel, and to everyone else, that he expects her gone long before the year is over.
But at ten years old, Keladry is tall, sturdy and strong.  After six years with her diplomat parents at the court of the Yamani emperor, she has learned the value of patience and outward calm.  With the ladies of the imperial family, she has also learned a lot about hand-to-hand combat from one of the famous Shang warriors.
Kel manages well enough during the early weeks of training, helped by her page sponsor, Nealan of Queenscove, and largely ignored by the other pages.  She has been warned by her older brother that she must expect some hazing, and that, no matter what, she must never back down to a bully, or tattle on one either.  She carries out the foolish tasks set for her by the older pages, and learns to avoid the spiteful little traps set by those who’d just as soon see her go, but discovers she’s not going to be able to ignore the nasty Joren of Stone Mountain.
Joren delights in tormenting the new pages, finding and exploiting their weaknesses, and humiliating them at every opportunity.  With Neal’s protection, Kel avoids the worst of Joren’s tricks, but, when she sees him abusing a fellow first-year page, Kel realises her sense of honour demands that she take him on.  Gradually, the young girl discovers that she possesses the courage and fortitude to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity and that, perhaps, she is not as friendless as she had believed.
First Test is written by Tamora Pierce, author of the Circle of Magic books and many other fantasy books.  It is the first of four novels about the adventures of Keladry of Mindelan.  A wonderful story of honour, courage and daring in a magical world.
FernFolio Editor