In the morning, Liam had guard duty with his fellow soldiers, so he took Thomas with him, and left Kyra to the maids. She seemed to get along well with them.

Thomas was keeping watch over the gate when he saw someone coming down the road. “Liam. Someone’s coming this way.”

Liam and a couple other soldiers came over. “Looks like a royal messenger.” Said Liam. “Wonder what he’s here for.” He smiled looking at his other soldiers. They smiled back, clearly in on a joke that Thomas wasn’t.

The messenger rode in the gate and turned towards Liam. “I have a message from Duke Winthor to a…” He looked at the paper. “…Thomas of Thaxon.”

“Me?” Asked Thomas surprised.

“Are you Thomas?”

“That I am.” The messenger handed him the letter.

“I must take my leave. Other letters to deliver you know.”

“Of course. I bid you farewell.” Said Liam. Once the messenger was out of earshot, he said, “Well go on, open it.”

Thomas opened it and read:

Thomas of Thaxon,

I am the Duke Winthor of Windum, head of the page program here at the castle. I’ve heard many good things about you from many different trustworthy soldiers in your area.

I’d like to offer you a chance to show us what you can do as a page. That is if you’re willing. If we deem you good enough, you can be on your road to knighthood.

From one of my sources, they told me that they think you’re already prepared, and although you’ll be younger than the other boys, I’d still like to test you.

So, if you decide you would like to try for a page, be here by the tenth full moon of Summer. You can bring your own servants, or the castle will supply some for you.

Safe travels,

Winthor

King Magenthony

“Well? What does it say?” Asked Liam.

“Duke Winthor would like me to come train as a page!” He said slowly getting louder as his words progressed.

“That’s great kid.” He said ruffling his hair. “We figured you’d be getting a letter like this any day now. When do you have to be there by?”

“In three moons.” Replied Thomas.

“It’ll take nearly two moons to get there. I suggest we leave in two days.”

“We?” Asked Thomas confused.

“Come now.” Said Halef. “You didn’t really think that we’d make you go there alone.”

“Me and Halef’ll go with you.” Said Liam. “And don’t forget that girl Lala and her sister Naitha. They’re going with you to be your maids.”

Two days later, Halef, Liam, Lala, Naitha, and Thomas were off for Windum. Thomas rode Moondance while Liam and Halef rode their own horses, and Lala and Naitha rode the packhorse named Lazy who carried all their stuff.

The trip was quite uneventful for them. They stopped about three times a day, twice to eat, and feed the horses, and once to set up camp.

Thomas found the whole trip amusing, because he didn’t get out of town much. Both Lala and Naitha loved the surroundings, but they seemed to be scared of every little thing. They also did anything they could to help out, even if little Nai just went out to grab sticks for a fire, it was helpful.

About halfway through the journey, they came across a little town where they decided to stay in an inn. Thomas thought it was nice to get a decent meal and take a bath for once.

They didn’t stay long and left the next day after Liam paid. On the last day of their journey, Thomas was looking forward to seeing Windum. It was the biggest city he had ever heard of.

When the city finally came into view, it exceeded Thomas’s expectations for it. Its walls were even more secure than that of Anray’s, and it was humongous.

When they approached the gate, the guards made sure to check their letter before letting them in.