Protector of the Small 02 - Page by Tamora Pierce

Author:Tamora Pierce [Pierce, Tamora]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2011-08-07T04:19:15+00:00

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step, then another, until she passed through the open doors. Inside, the first thing she saw was the great hollow space on the other side of the platform. Dizziness overcame her. She backed up against the wall by the door and clung to it, trying to tear her eyes from the chandelier's streams of light.

This is ridiculous, she told herself repeatedly. You climb up and down trees. You climbed down from the cave. Just look where the stair meets the wall. Stop goggling at the space, look at the wall!

You're going to count to three and take a step. One, two, three.

She couldn't take the step. Nothing she thought helped. She could not force herself onto the stair.

She did not know how long she stood there, trembling and sweating, trying to get her courage together. It was too long, she knew, because the thing that broke through her fright was the king saying,

"Page Keladry, look at me right now." Firm hands drew her from the wall's protection, turning her until she stared into the king's face. "It's the height, isn't it? Don't be ashamed, my dear, it's perfectly natural.

You can't get the queen up here for love or money. Now, listen to me.

I can arrange it so your body will take you down without your mind being any the wiser. I don't recommend it – in that state someone else might order you to kill your king – " He grinned, inviting her to share the joke. Kel tried to smile. "In any case," he continued, "I think it's best for you right now, but you must be witling. I swear on the heads of my children that this is the only thing you will do under this spell, and that once you are on the ground, the spell will be gone. Will you accept that? Are you willing?"

Kel squeaked, "Yes, sire."

"Never agree to this from anyone else unless you are sure of them,"

the king told her.

She nodded.

"If you like, I could have a talisman made which will help you to deal with this fear." He folded his hands and waited for her reply.

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