With Nealean of Queenscove as her sponsor, she struggles to find friends and to prove to Lord Wyldon that she is just as good as the male pages. The book outlines Kel's first year as a page, in which she is constantly tormented by those who do not want a girl in their midst and count her as an intruder if not even enemy. She is on the verge of refusing the offer of training with a probationary year when a fight with a spidren convinces her otherwise. She is puzzled as to the reason the king would promise to give females the same chance that males received regarding knighthood, but put her on probation. Upon learning of the king's decision, Kel is outraged, though her years in the Yamani Islands taught her to hide her feelings well. Lord Wyldon convinces the king to put Keladry on probation for a year, which greatly angers Alanna. The novel opens with a discussion between King Jonathan and the training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, during which the Lioness is present. Keladry of Mindelan wishes to be the first female page to legally try for her knighthood in over a century.

Set in Tortall during the reign of King Jonathan III and Queen Thayet, First Test, launches the Protector of the Small series, which chronicles the coming of age of a heroine who is far more than she seems.' ' -Cover flap summary of the 1st Random House paperback edition May 2000 Contents Kel is the first girl in ten years to take advantage of the decree that permits girls to train for the knighthood, and she is about to smash everyone's preconceptions about what girls can and cannot do.

This is the typical attitude that Keladry of Mindelan is up against. ' 'Girls are fragile, more emotional, easier to frighten.'

First test by tamora pierce