SOLVED. Britain based YA - Proving One's Self For The Throne. [s]

[Jaye]

It's a book where there is a king who is aided by a young girl who is always wrapped in bandages and who brings news to him from a wise man.

The king is put through trial by ordeal, where he seeds the ground with caltrops before bulls rush at him, making them run around him and helping him survive. At this time there is also some herb and possibly a sound used that makes all of the animals howl and scream.

it turns out the girl in the bandages is actually someone he has known for a very long time.

I can't remember anything else, I'm sorry. It would have been published by 1998-99 at the latest.

[Jaye]

No-one knows anything?

[Ayshe]

Barbarians from the Isle by Sigmund Brouwer maybe?

[Jaye]

That's it! Thank you so much!