NINE
Every squire in the bailey was talking or thinking about the apprenticeship, Melitta was certain of it. She'd even ventured to read some thoughts to confirm it. The hero would have a hundred applicants before the week was out, and every single one of them bigger, stronger and better with a sword than she was, or would ever be. The only thing she was better at was...sewing, not a talent in high regard among heroes.
Unless she could sew herself a heroic reputation in the next few days, Melitta didn't stand a chance.
On the morrow, the line stretched from the tavern to the city gates, as every likely lad vied for the chance to be a hero's apprentice. Some wore little more than rags, but for once, they shared something with the simply dressed tradesmen's sons and the noble boys in th
