Hillary, a 13-year-old girl living in King Henry II's 12th-century England, has some unusual quirks. For one, she is an expert at swordplay, having learned from her father, Jacob, the blacksmith. Jacob, in turn, learned his skill from Sir Edward, whose life Hillary's mother saved during a recent Viking invasion. Hillary is also just as good at chess and horsemanship, while still possessing her feminine characteristics.

All of this comes into play when Sir Edward, who is like an uncle to her, visits Hillary's mother, Mary, in search of a page. Oh-Ho! Now, how do you think Hillary, who is out in the yard breaking a young colt, fits into all of this? Can a girl in 12th-century England become a knight's page?

Are you sure she cannot?