The next morning, Mother told me how lucky I was, and sent me off with the man, telling me a lot of things I cannot remember, all about how I was to remember to be good, and obedient, and not to run wild like I do in the hills. I was allowed to climb up onto the lovely runner, holding a basket with food for the journey and my best clothes for the Gather. I was very proud to be chosen to serve the Lord and Lady, and the only sadness I felt was when I said goodbye to Heat and Shadow. They were very sad too, and wanted to come with me, but Father said they could not. So I had to tell them to stay, and they sat, watching me with their eyes. They do not understand that I will come back... Will I go back? I do not know, now.
The journey was very pleasant. I had never been on a runner before; we had always travelled on our cart behind our oxen. I like runners, they are friendly animals. The first night we stayed in another hill hold. I was very quiet because I did not know the family there, and because I was so tired. I was allowed to sleep in the loft with the other children, and at daybreak we set out towards Ruatha Hold again. My friend spent that day telling me stories about the Lord and Lady, and about the special duty he had selected me for. He told me about the Harper Robinton, how kind he was and how good, and of his firelizard Zair, who was just like a bronze dragon, only much smaller. He said I was allowed to serve this good man, and only him, because he was so important. Lord Jaxom had sent him off to find a special girl to take great care of his friend Robinton, and he had found me. I was very glad he had decided to trust me with this task, when the man I was to serve was so highly valued.
When we arrived at the Hold, I became very quiet. It was all so big and so grand! So many people were bustling about, and it was so loud. My friend dropped me off in the kitchen, saying I was to help where I could and that he would see me later. The Headwoman came to inspect me and asked me if I could cook; she was upset when I said I couldn't. But she set me to peel tubers. That I can do, even if not very well or very quickly. There were so many people working around me, and nobody noticed me in my little corner. I saw them preparing all kinds of treats, and my mouth watered at the smells. When I had finished about half of the mountain of tubers, the headwoman came by again and seemed angry I had not finished yet. But someone called her away before she could scold me.
Another woman came to join me and she asked me where I was from and what I was doing here. I told her about my home, my family and my goats. I told her how I missed my dogs, and was certain they missed me. But I did not tell her about my special assignment. My friend had warned me that if I told the other servers, they would be jealous of me and treat me badly. So I held my tongue, even though it was very hard not to tell her how lucky I was. I was looking forward to serving the MasterHarper with all my heart!
With the woman's help, we finished the tubers quickly and after talking to the Headwoman, she took me out to a courtyard where the roasting spits were set up. Each spit had dogs tied to it who walked round and round to turn it! I had never seen anything like it before, but the woman said that was how they always roasted meat for feasts at the Hold. The dogs weren't as pretty as mine, but she said I could care for them and make sure they walked at a good pace so the meat wouldn't burn on one side. I was so happy I could be useful and went to get to know them right away. I trained Shadow and Heat myself, so I know how dogs talk. We got along very well, and when the meat was ready to be served, the Headwoman praised me, saying the dogs never behaved this well, and the roasts were perfect.
The Gather had started a while ago, and soon my friend showed up, telling me to get washed and dressed in my Gather clothes. I cleaned and dressed myself very carefully, hoping the Harper would notice the pains I was taking to look my best for him. I wanted to honour him as much as everybody else seemed to. Then, when I was ready, I was shown to a little room, where a lot of wonderful food was on a table, and many wineskins. Even a tray with raw meat was there, and I became worried. Did the Harper eat his meat raw? But the man explained that the meat was for Zair, who did not like his food cooked. The firelizard likes raw red meat best of all, and if I was good and trustworthy to the Harper, I would be allowed to feed him. This room was reserved for the MasterHarper's food and drink only, and whatever I served him, unless it was freshly roasted meat from the spit, was to be taken from here.
"Only the best for our beloved MasterHarper, my dear." The man winked at me. "Lord Jaxom wants everything to be perfect for his friend. Now off you go! Begin with his wine."
I slung the wineskin he gave me over my shoulder, carefully, as I'd been taught, and headed out into the Gather square. My friend pointed out MasterHarper Robinton, who was sitting on the far side of the square. He was very tall, and dressed in an elegant blue Gather costume. His silver hair shone in the light and as I drew near, his voice sounded pleasant and friendly. I stopped a few steps away from him and trembled. What if I did something wrong? Then I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. Lord Jaxom had chosen me to serve the Harper, so I would do it well! I slowly came closer and paused again at his elbow. He was speaking, but broke off and looked at me. His blue eyes were very kind.