Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits girls to train for knighthood. She is tall and strong for her age, and she also had training for fighting when she was a child. She has a fierce desire to protect all in need, but the only thing that can stop Kel is Lord Wyldon, the trainer for pages and squires. He does not think girls should be knights, so he puts kel on probation for one year, a trial no other boy has to endure.