The man stood there for a moment. You? he said. But youre

If you say a girl, Erin said, I will push you off this bridge.

No, the man said. You will not. And I was going to say that youre young and inexperienced.

Ive fought men, Erin shot back. Ive killed men. Bandits who were hurting folk. Isnt that what the Knights of the Spur do? Help people?

We serve the king, the knight said. But yes, we fight the evils of the world. You still cannot enter.

Erin had prepared for this part. She knew the stories, and what to say.

They say that anyone may seek to join the knights. Anyone, man or woman, high or low born. They say that you turn no one away.

The knight on the bridge stood, if anything, even stiller than he had. That… is true. Any may ask to join our number, at least, if they can get inside.

Then step aside and let me pass, Erin said. Was this a test? Was she supposed to fight this man?

He stood there in his armor, blocking her path. He didnt draw a blade, and Erin wasnt sure what to do. She had her stick in her hand, but she couldnt just strike this man down, especially not now she knew what it was like.

How do I get past you? Erin asked.

You convince me that youre sincere, he said. You tell me why youre here, and youre honest about it. I know theres plenty youre hiding, girl.

Ive told you, Erin said, not understanding. I want to join the knights.

Do you? he asked. Why?

I…

Kneel there, on the rock, and wait. When you tell me the truth, Ill decide.

Erin wanted to snap at him, wanted to order him aside in the name of her father, but something told her that it wouldnt work. She wanted to strike at the man, but she couldnt bring herself to do that, either. So she did the only thing she could think of, and knelt, and waited.

The rock was hard underneath her, cutting into her legs and eventually numbing them. She knelt, and because there was no sign that the watchman wanted to talk, all she could do was stare ahead.

How long do I have to stay here? she demanded.

You can leave any time you want, the guard said. You can go past any time, too, if youre honest.

Im being honest.

Not to yourself.

Erin waited. She waited until her body ached with the stillness, and her mind ached with it too. All her life, shed been someone who wanted to move, to do, to act. Her mother had tried to get her to sit still and be ladylike, but Erin had always been ready to run off, to train, and to fight.