The False Prince

Conner and the boys continue on their way in the wagon the next morning, though it is unclear where exactly they are headed. Along the way, Conner points out various landmarks of the area and gives the boys further lessons about the history of Carthya. They also learn more about one another, as Sage, Roden, and Tobias all offer snippets from their lives as the wagon travels along. Tobias was educated by his grandmother, who let him borrow a different book each week to read to him; Roden is unable to read. Sage does not say one way or the other if he can read, which irritates Conner.

Conner announces that each of the boys will learn to read, and that “‘[...]at the end of the next two weeks, I intend to make each of you into a gentleman, so flawless in their learning that you could pass in front of the king himself’” (38). When Sage asks what the rush is, Conner responds that they must hurry because that is when the boy he chooses will be “tested,” though he does not say what test he is referring to (30).