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Squire is the third installment of the Protector of the Small quartet by Tamora Pierce, high fantasy novels for young adults set in the Tortallan Universe. The book is about Keladry of Mindelan as she becomes a squire and what she has to accomplish in the four years leading up to her Ordeal of Knighthood. It's set in the realm of Tortall and provides readers a more in-depth glimpse into problems and issues with the realm as Kel discovers them.

Dedication[]

"To Ms. Gloria Barbizan and Ms. Dorothy Olding—
strong businesswomen before women's liberation
"
—Dedication of Squire

Back Cover[]

"My lord only took you because he felt sorry for you."

When Keladry of Mindelan is chosen by the legendary Lord Raoul to be his squire, the conservatives of the realm hardly think she's up to the job. But Kel quickly proves her mettle as a jouster, warrior, and guardian of a fiery griffin, earning respect and admiration among the men, not to mention the affection of a fellow squire. As she deals with the challenges of a new romance and a life in the royal guard, Kel also prepares for the infamous "Ordeal", the last challenge that stand between her and her dream of knighthood...

—Back cover summary

Publication History[]

The first hardcover edition of Squire was published on May 22, 2001, by Random House Children's Books; again August 1 of the same year by Perfection Learning; and lastly August 22 by Turtleback Books. The hardcover large print edition was published December 3, 2005 by Thorndike Press. The first paperback edition was released August 27, 2002 by Random House.

Plot Summary[]

Beginning[]

Kel has officially past the big exam into squiredom, but she is plagued with the knowledge that she might not ever serve the type of knight she wants to, and instead be relegated to a desk knight who will never teach her what she wants to know. Her own worries and constant trips to the Chamber of the Ordeal fill her head with this notion.

Just when she is about to lose hope, Raoul of Goldenlake offers to be her knight-master. This is awesome for Kel—even though she secretly wishes Alanna the Lioness would take her—as Raoul is one of the most respected knights in the realm. Her best friend Nealan of Queenscove is taken as a squire by Alanna, and although she is at first jealous and saddened about it, she settles into her life as Lord Raoul's squire. As she faces danger and problems, bandits at Haresfield, a new griffin to look after; she realizes that she would not give up Lord Raoul for Lady Alanna at all and she makes friends among the King's Own and Third Company.

Middle[]

Kel begins a romantic relationship with Cleon of Kennan, another squire who serves Kel's older brother Inness of Mindelan. She is resigned and angered to learn that Joren of Stone Mountain, one of her old enemies, was the culprit behind kidnapping Lalasa Isran on the day of her big exams. She is even more angered to see that Joren was only given a fine and she petitions the king and queen to change the law.

Kel also tries jousting. First, when she challenges Ansil of Groten to a jousting match after he insults Raoul and Lerant of Eldorne. She wins the match. She also jousts against Wyldon of Cavall, and is the first person in a long time to not be unseated by him. He also has completely warmed to her at this point and realizes that she is better than many of the boys he taught as training master.

She rekindles her friendship with the Yamani ladies, Shinkokami and Yukimi noh Daiomoru, and practices the naginata with them. A Royal Progress to celebrate the union between Prince Roald and Princess Shinkokami begins, and Third Company joins them—much to Raoul's chagrin.

In her second Midwinter as a squire, plenty of friends and a few enemies are set for their Ordeal of Knighthood. Cleon, Roald, and Garvey of Runnerspring (the latter of whom is an enemy) pass; Vinson of Genlith and Joren of Stone Mountain do not, as Vinson talks during his Ordeal, and Joren dies. Wyldon resigns as training master and takes Owen of Jesslaw as squire as per Kel's wishes.

End[]

Fighting heats up at the Scanran border as Maggur Rathhausak sends killing devices to Tortall. Kel bests one with another squad. She returns to Corus for her Ordeal of Knighthood and passes, becoming a lady knight.

Alanna reveals herself as the mysterious benefactor, with one more gift: a finely wrought sword from Raven Armory. Kel dubs it Griffin.

Characters[]

Main Characters[]

Minor Characters[]

Men of the Own[]

Squires/ Young Knights[]

Nobility[]

Commoners[]

Animals[]

Immortals[]

Mentioned Characters[]

In order of mention:

External links[]

See also[]

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