It was mid-morning in Couronne, the holy capital city of Bretonnia, when Duke Folcard of Montfort arrived with his family and his retinue. He was understandably sullen: his meeting with the king would be a grave matter. Clad in a knight's armor and wearing the black and white heraldry of Montfort, he rode on a gray stallion through the narrow and busy streets. At his right was Isabel, his wife, a tall blond woman. At his left was eleven-year-old Jade, his daughter, a beautiful and intelligent girl with long dark-brown hair and emerald-like eyes. Around them were their personal guards: a dozen knights. They were led by Baron Renaud, the duke's champion and standard bearer.

When they reached the large and magnificent castle of King Louen Leoncœur, servants took their horses and led them to the stables. Then, Viscount Frederic, chief butler of the castle of Couronne and herald of the King, greeted Folcard.
"Welcome, duke," he said with a deep bow. "You arrive just in time: the meeting is about to start. And it seems most important. His Majesty's entire council is here, as well as Count Richard of Gisoreux and a few damsels of the Lady. The Fey Enchantress herself will come."
"The Fey Enchantress?" Folcard exclaimed, astounded. "This has to be important."
"You are well aware of what is at stake here," Viscount Frederic said, raising a silvery eyebrow.
"Yes I am. Lead me to the throne room."

The immense throne room was full with nobles, damsels and councilors. King Louen, clad in crimson, sat on his golden throne. The Fey Enchantress, herald of the Lady, was already seated at the king's right. The Fey was by far the most important person in Bretonnia: even the king submitted to her will. But she rarely got involved in politics. If she was here, that meant this meeting was more important than it seemed.

"Welcome, Duke Folcard," said the Grail knight who was guarding the large gate. "Please leave your wife, daughter, servants and knights outside: this meeting is about you only."
"Then why are so many people here?" Folcard snapped. "Let me at least go with my family."
"I'm sorry, m'lord, I'm not sure I can…"
"Only my daughter," the duke offered. "Let my daughter come with me: we're talking about her future here."
"More like the future of your dukedom, m'lord. But fine, your daughter may come in."

Jade was slightly surprised to be accepted in the throne room with her father, but she said nothing and just stood beside Folcard, who sat on the chair in front of the king's throne.
"Hail, Duke Folcard," the king Louen greeted the knight. "Let us skip all the ceremonies, this is an important matter. You know why you have been summoned here, don't you?"

Duke Folcard sighed.
"Yes I know, Your Majesty. I have no siblings and I have produced no male children, only one daughter. And I cannot make more children because of a grave battle wound that has rendered me unable to procreate, some eight years ago."
"And you know what this means for your family?" the king asked.
"Yes, I know full well. Since there are no males who share my blood, my line will not be able to continue to rule the dukedom of Montfort after my death."
"Exactly," the king said. "This is most regrettable, for your line has ruled over Montfort for nine generations, and this dukedom is one of the most successful in all of Bretonnia thanks to your excellent leadership. Now the time has come to choose a new line to replace yours."

The king glanced at Count Richard of Gisoreux, a lean man with a graying black beard who sat near him. The duke immediately understood that this was the man who had been chosen by the king to rule over the ancient dukedom of Montfort. Folcard felt his heart sank, for Richard was a ruthless, violent and arrogant noble who crushed his people under ruinous taxes and forced his peasants to work like slaves. Montfort was the one place in Bretonnia where no one starved, but it would cease to be the case when Count Richard became the duke.

As if reading Folcard's thoughts, the king said:
"I assure you I shall not let Richard and his line oppress the people of Montfort. They will be good leaders: we need a strong family like this one to guard Axe Bite Pass. Do not worry, friend."
"Isn't there a way to keep my line at the head of Montfort?" Folcard whispered.
"Yes there is," Count Richard intervened, his voice suave but slightly cold. "If you let me marry your daughter when she reaches a suitable age, people with your blood will still govern Montfort, though the following dukes will rule following my tradition. I shall also give your family a county instead of just a barony: your line will retain a great deal of power."
"Yes," Folcard said sadly, "but it will be the end of my family's legacy."
"I'm afraid there is no other choice," the king replied apologetically. "Only a male may rule over a dukedom."

For one of the few times in his life, Folcard felt desperate. Not only would his line lose the dukedom of Montfort, but he would also have to marry his daughter to this dog of a count if he wanted his family to keep enough power. He glanced at Jade, who looked just as mortified as he was. But suddenly the duke's eyes lit up. He spoke:
"I would hear the full text of the law, please. The part about the conditions needed to be a duke."
"This sounds fair," the king said. "Someone fetch me the scrolls of the law."
It was done quickly.

"So it reads," the king said, a scroll in front of his eyes. "To be designated heir to one of the dukedoms of Bretonnia, one must be an accomplished knight of more than thirty years of age who shares blood with the duke in power."
"You see?" Count Richard said with a clear note of triumph in his voice. "There is no knight who shares your blood, Folcard."
"What are the conditions to be a knight?" Folcard asked the king, ignoring the count.
"To be knighted," King Louen read, "one must be a noble warrior who has slain at least seven worthy foes. One must also be of considerable skill and courage and must follow the rules of knightly honor. Finally, one must know by heart all sixty verses of the full Knight's Vow."

Duke Folcard was pensive for a moment, then smiled.
"I think I found a gap in the law," he said, his voice sly.
"Where exactly?" the king asked.
But a few people in the room had already understood and wore various expressions of astonishment or shock. The Fey Enchantress, who had not said anything since the beginning, was now staring intently at Jade. Jade herself looked at her father, her green eyes wide. Count Richard turned pale when he realized what Folcard was thinking about.
"You've gone mad!" he exclaimed.
"Absolutely not," Folcard replied, his smile becoming a grin. "It is not said anywhere in the law that one must be a male to be a knight… or a duke."
"You are suggesting that your daughter could be a knight?" Richard fumed.
"In theory… yes."

The Fey Enchantress's surprised expression turned to amusement.
"The duke is right," she declared, smiling. "The law was written when the kingdom of Bretonnia was founded, and it is still effective today. Technically, nothing forbids a woman from becoming a knight."
"You're insane!" Richard screamed to Folcard. "How can a girl become a knight? To reach the fighting skills required to be knighted, a boy must train from the age of eight. Your daughter is… what? Eleven? Twelve? Even with the harshest training, she'll never be able to…"
"You forget that we live in Montfort," Folcard retorted, his voice still sly. "The most dangerous dukedom of all: that's where a lot of invasions come from. In Montfort, even girls are given basic sword training, and that includes my daughter. It's a start, isn't it?"

"Your Majesty!" Count Richard pleaded, turning to the king. "You cannot allow this!"
"I cannot forbid this," Louen murmured. "Duke Folcard has a point: the law allows Jade to become a knight… if she reaches a suitable skill and is courageous enough."
"But she cannot reach such skill and courage!"
"Why?"
"She's a girl, for crying out loud!" the Count Richard did indeed cry out loud.
"You're too conservative, my friend," the king retorted.

The Fey Enchantress intervened:
"Shouldn't we ask Jade what she thinks about it?"
All gazes turned to Jade, who still appeared stunned.
"Well…" she began, blushing. "…I never thought I could become a knight, and…"
"Would you be willing to become a knight?" the Fey interrupted.
"If it were better for my family… yes, I would do it!"
The Fey looked at her straight in the eyes for a long time. Jade stirred uncomfortably, feeling as if the woman's mind was probing hers. After a minute, the Fey said:
"You've always dreamed of becoming a knight, but you have never told anyone, not even your father. But you cannot hide anything from me. I see it in you: you have no interest for raising children or serving a husband. You thirst for adventure and glory."
"That's true," Jade admitted, her mouth dry.

Now it was the Fey who appeared triumphant. She turned to Count Richard and said mockingly:
"Tell me. If you are so sure Jade cannot become a knight, why do you oppose her?"
"Well, but… it's just…" he floundered helplessly. "I don't oppose, but…"
"Great, I knew you'd approve," she said with cruel amusement. "Now I have an idea. If the girl does manage to become a knight while Folcard still rules over Montfort, you will raise no objections if she is designated heir: the law is on her side. But if she is still not a knight by the time Folcard steps down or dies, she will be wed to you."

There was a long silence.
"However, any one of the three people involved may refuse the offer," the Fey added.
"I accept it," the duke said eagerly, his face lightening with elation.
"I accept it," his daughter said firmly, her eyes shining with excitation.
"I… huh… I…" the count said hesitantly, his hands trembling with confusion. "Alright, I accept it. There is no chance this girl can become a knight, after all."
But he did not seem so sure now.

"Excellent!" King Louen exclaimed. "Now the succession question is settled. You may all leave."
Without further ceremony, Folcard and Jade left the throne room. Richard was almost foaming with rage, the king seemed amused and the Fey Enchantress appeared satisfied.
"Come, Jade," the duke told his grinning daughter as they quit. "I will make a knight out of you."


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