Emberly tapped her foot nervously. She was sitting beside Will and Arran, watching carefully as Sir Wylan called the first years to remain in the Great Hall while the other squires were dismissed. She had heard of this practice from the older squires. Sir Wylan would have the squires remain behind the rest following breakfast. Then, he would take them to the place that the test would be administered.
The nerves coiled around her. She felt petrified as though the world was stopping to watch her at this moment. What if she did fail this test? What if she passed? Was she ready for her next year as a squire? Fear surrounded her the way it had when she was walking up the hill with the other squires.
“Calm down, will you?” barked Will in her ear, annoyance weighing down his words. He gently ki
