[Ballad of Valerie of Mor 01] • Valiant Valerie (Ballad of Valerie of Mor #1)

**Valiant Valerie,

A student of sword,

Would not be a lady's maid,

She would get much too bored.**

Valerie doesn’t want to be a lady’s maid, she doesn’t want to be a Lady, and she doesn’t want to be a princess. She just wants to be the first successful woman in Mor’s army. And, a country coming back from war and sorrow should be pleased with any decent solider they can get. Right?

Wrong. The High Council won’t have it. According to them, Valerie must be a proper princess; no graduating to the Senior Corp with the rest of the trainee soldiers. And, with the future of the country uncertain, her father complies. Valerie knows there’s only one thing that will change their minds.

The wizard is known to bestow a quest upon any knight in order that he may prove his worth. So, Valerie is going to find the wizard and get him to give her a quest. Then, she’ll finally show the High Council she can be a knight AND a princess.

But, even all of Valerie’s tutoring could not have prepared her for the real world and the dangers it holds. Thankfully, her best friend finds her and helps her on her way. And, for a minstrel, Jonathan sure has some handy hidden talents.

The road to the wizard is long and arduous, and there are many lessons to be learnt along the way. But, will he grant her wish? Or, will she have to go home and be just a princess after all?

*Please be aware that this story uses Australian English spelling and syntax.*