Still disguised, and on her way toward becoming a knight, Alanna is now a squire to Prince Jonathan of Conté. On her way back from Corus she finds a kitten, whose eyes are the same strange amethyst as her own. The kitten, whom Alanna names Faithful, can speak to Alanna, though other hear only mewing. Not long afterward the Great Goddess appears to her and gives Alanna an amulet that allows her to see the workings of magic around her - different practitioners have different coloured auras around their works (Alanna's is purple).
As she matures Alanna keeps her secret, but the two men who know, Jon and George, have both made it clear they're interested in her, and Alanna and Jon soon become lovers.
Alanna also reunites with Thom - a quick study and with significant power, Thom is on his way to becoming the youngest Master of magic the Temple has ever known, and Alanna is troubled by his surety and untempered confidence.
When Alanna faces her greatest challenge, the Ordeal of Knighthood, Thom presents her with a shield decorated with the Trebond crest - when she reveals herself as female it will vanish, revealing a lion rampant. A greater challenge awaits, however - still suspicious of Roger, Alanna unveils a plot to kill the King, Queen and Prince, leaving him next in line for the throne. In the sword fight, in which Alanna ultimately kills Roger, her gender is revealed to the court, and she decides to leave.
As quickly paced and tightly plotted as its predecessor, this second in the series was equally absorbing. - Alex
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