Lady Knight

Lady Knight
Tamora Pierce

Duty or glory: which will she choose? The adventure continues in the final instalment of the New York Times bestselling series from the fantasy author who is a legend herself: TAMORA PIERCE.   A powerful classic that is more timely than ever, the Protector of the Small series is about smashing the ceilings others place above you. Keladry of Mindelan has finally achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a knight – but it’s not quite what she imagined. In the midst of a brutal war, Kel has been assigned to oversee a refugee camp. Others are sent to fight. Though certain she has been given this inglorious and difficult task because Lord Wyldon continues to deny she is equal to her male peers, Kel is learning the importance of caring for people who havebeen robbed of their homes, of self-respect and of safety. Perhaps this is the most important battleground in the war? But when Kel discovers truths behind the monstrous killing devices that her friends are fighting without her, will she honour her sworn duty... or embark on a quest that could turn the tide of the war? A powerful classic that is more timely than ever, the Protector of the Small series is about smashing the ceilings others place above you. In a landmark quartet published years before it’s time, Kel must prove herself twice as good as her male peers just to be thought equal. A series that touches on questions of courage, friendship, a humane perspective – told against a backdrop of a magical, action-packed fantasy adventure. ‘I take more comfort from and as great pleasure in Tamora Pierce’s Tortall novels as I do from Game of Thrones’Washington Post

LADY KNIGHT

BOOK 4 OF THE PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL QUARTET

Tamora Pierce

Copyright (#u0bd1f467-fa25-5e57-9e0c-96a17134a055)

HarperVoyager

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 2019

Copyright © Tamora Pierce 2002

Map copyright © Isidre Mones 2017

Jacket design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019

Tamora Pierce asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008304287

Ebook Edition © September 2019 ISBN: 9780008304294

Version: 2019-06-25

PRAISE FOR TAMORA PIERCE (#u0bd1f467-fa25-5e57-9e0c-96a17134a055)

‘Tamora Pierce didn’t just blaze a trail. Her heroines cut a swathe through the fantasy world with wit, strength, and savvy. Pierce is the real lioness, and we’re all just running to keep pace.’

LEIGH BARDUGO, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us.’

HOLLY BLACK, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘Tamora Pierce’s books shaped me not only as a young writer but also as a young woman. Her complex, unforgettable heroines and vibrant, intricate worlds blazed a trail for young adult fantasy – and I get to write what I love today because of the path she forged throughout her career. She is a pillar, an icon, and an inspiration.’

SARAH J. MAAS, #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘I take more comfort from and as great pleasure in Tamora Pierce’s Tortall novels as I do from Game of Thrones’

Washington Post

‘Tamora Pierce and her brilliant heroines didn’t just break down barriers; they smashed them with magical fire.’

KATHERINE ARDEN, author of The Bear and the Nightingale

Dedication (#u0bd1f467-fa25-5e57-9e0c-96a17134a055)

To the people of New York City, I always knew the great sacrifice and kindness my neighbours are capable of, but now the rest of the country knows, too.

Contents

Cover (#u588938ff-ffcc-5c1d-ae5d-bd801dabf303)

Title Page (#u57f9a7c3-ed15-54df-8f51-d4d94e8ae76d)

Copyright

Praise for Tamora Pierce

Dedication

Map

Mid-March, Corus, the capital of Tortall; in the 21st year of the reign of Jonathan IV and Thayet, his Queen, 460 H.E. (Human Era)

Chapter 1: Storm Warnings

Chapter 2: Tobe

April 1–14, 460 near the Scanran border

Chapter 3: Long, Cold Road

Chapter 4: Kel Takes Command

April 15–23, 460 the refugee camp on the Greenwoods River

Chapter 5: Clerks