The story so far...
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In 442 HE, King Jonathan and Queen Thayet proclaim that girls can train for knighthood. But it would be for another 10 years before a brave girl steps up to take on the challenge. Keladry of Mindelan became the first female page in over a century. She inspired many other girls to follow her example and one of them was Arabella of Chesnier, from the new fiefdom won over from the Tusain war. She came three years after Kel, when Owen of Jesslaw appeared with another boy named Nicain of Tesserel. During this time, reports of Scanran raids were increasing and reports about war machines began to slowly trickle in. While they caused trouble for Tortall from the outside, the King's spymaster, Baron George of Pirate's Swoop, are getting information that there are large movements of traitors of the crown in the Chesnier fiefdom. Naturally, Arabella was suspected when she came to Corus but she claim no knowledge of any such traitorous notions.
In the lower city of the Corus, a new rogue had been established after the retirement of the Whisper Man. This was a young man by the name of Kinrel. He was sharp and very deadly with only a smile for his young brother, Nic. He had taken the post at the request of the Whisper Man when his successor was unable to control the criminal ventures in Corus. While he had given his word that he would protect Corus and Tortall, he slowly begins to move his pieces around the table in capture not only the throne, but also of the neighboring kingdoms as well. He will protect Tortall, but he was never sworn to protect in relation to the Whisper Man or his new King, Jonathan IV of Conte. He strikes a contract with a young noble lady and begins to nip at the tail of the Provost's Guard.
What will happen to Tortall when it is being ravaged from both inside and out?