CHAPTER 3

A group of herald trainees had brought down some spare uniforms for the boys. The one that Jaymee got was a faded blue with a patch and ragged hem, and had probably been on the rag pile. It was the smallest the generic uniforms came, and hung loose on the small 14 year old. After he was dressed Rey took him out into the street in front of the warehouse. Standing in the shade of the building were the 3 Companions. One of them moved to meet them as they exited.

Rey put his arm around the horse-like head and hugged the mare close. The equine leaned into the embrace and Rey stumbled. "Alright silly, I'll introduce you. Jaymee, this is Dailiegh, my Companion, Dai, this is Jaymee, who is going to be one of the most famous Bards in all of Valdemar one day." Dai bowed her head to him, and then rested her forehead on his chest. Jay slowly scratched her behind the ear until she pulled back and looked into his eyes. No one being caught in that gaze would ever mistake her for a horse.

"Well, she approves of you. And she says that you should have known better than to trust a stranger. Companions are always so full of wisdom, especially after you have figured it out for yourself! Come on, I'll help you up." Rey lifted the youngster with ease and helped him get settled in front of the strange saddle, before mounting himself. "Ok let's go Dai."

Rey did not use any reins, and held on lightly to Jaymee as they headed for the Palace. As they climbed the road, Rey would point out things to the boy. "That is the Purple Cat. Best tavern in Haven for working folks like us. Oh, there is the closest market to the Gates. It is always cheaper to come down to the markets than to buy from the foot vendors at the gates. They just come back here to reload anyway. That street takes you to the fairgrounds.." They finally reached the gates a half candle mark later and entered the grounds.

"The gate we just came through is the Chosen's Gate. All the companions who go out to pick new heralds came in through that gate. Over there is Companion's Field." Jaymee stared wide eyed at the white forms in the field.

"Companions can have babies?" He blushed red as Rey laughed and Dai snorted in amusement.

"Most of them are born just like we are. But a few come from. well we are not really sure where, but they end up in the Grove. Usually the Monarch's Companion and the Monarch's Own Companion are 'Grove-born'. Dai walked up to a stable in the field and stopped. Rey got down and helped Jaymee off. The Herald then took off all of Dai's tack, and quickly brushed her down.

"Ok Vanity, I have to get Jay to his new home, but I will come back later and do a better job. Come on Jay, this way."

They walked up towards the buildings. Again Rey played tour guide, showing the wide eyed Jaymee the sights. "That is the Healer's Collegium, over there is the Palace, and next to it the Heralds Collegium and Wing and there," Rey said with a flourish "is the Bardic Collegium."

After the last day, the building seemed even more unreal than he had imagined. The worked stone walls seemed to call to him, and to whatever it was in him that gave him his ability to sing. The Herald led the way to a nondescript door in the side of the building. Jaymee did not hesitate to enter, following his rescuer down a hallway full of doors. They stopped in front of the last door and Rey knocked. "Come in" said a muffled voice.

The office was plain. There were several instrument stands holding different stringed or wind piece, and in one corner was a hand drum. The desk was covered with sheets of vellum, not an inch of the desktop could be seen. Two plain chairs has escape the clutter some how, and a third was occupied by a man dressed in a bright red tunic and breeches to mark him as a bard. He looked to be in his late forty's with thinning hair going a peppery grey, and a slight potbelly. He was inspecting one of the various papers from the desk top, with a stylus in one hand and a blotter in the other.

"No, no, no! What have I told you about syncopation?" The stylus jabbed into a pot of red ink and darted across the paper. He set the blotter down on the wet ink and put the stylus on a piece of old leather. He then looked up at the two people standing in his office. "So Herald Reykel, you have brought us a new student?"

"Master Chardeen, head of the Bardic College, and it appears he is now all-knowing too!" Rey laughed. "So, who sent you the runner?"

"You should let an old man have some secrets! Heralds are not the only Gifted people there are. It was Dev's idea I think. I am expecting the second half of that message any time now. But while we wait, why don't you tell me who you are, and why you think you should be a Bard?"

Both Master Chardeen and Rey's eyes turned to the young man. Jaymee froze for a split second, and then closed his eyes and began to sing a tune that had been building in his head while riding Dai thru the city. It was pitched slightly higher than he normally sang, to carry the effect of the Companions hooves on the cobbles, and the tones were clear and airy, to simulate the blue of her eyes. The melody was bright, like Dai's coat, and the tempo fast like her trot. He felt himself slipping into the trance again, unusual for it to happen this soon again. He saw the colors again, but this time, there was a bright beacon near, shining and calling him. It was all he could do to not reach out and pull those colors into himself. There seemed to be a buildup of static electricity around him.

Jaymee pulled himself out of the trance before he could lose track of time. He finished what seemed to be a movement in the music, and let the song fade. He opened his eyes, and found that the little room had several more people in it. Most were dressed in the scarlet of a bard, but some were in the russet of students. Rey, the only herald there stood out in his whites. There was nothing but silence. Then slowly, someone started clapping. Soon the whole room was clapping and cheering, even Master Chardeen. Rey, still standing next to Jay, embraced Jay and said in his ear, over the noise, "Thank you. And Dai says that you can come and see her anytime you want." Jay was shocked to see tears on the heralds face.

The headmaster raised his hand, and slowly quiet came to the room. "Well, I guess that answers my question. You most certainly have one of the most powerful Bardic Gifts I have ever heard of. You obviously also have the creativity. Do you play an instrument?"

"My dad made me a set of pipes before he died. But they were stolen when I got here."

"I am sorry about that. I know a new set of pipes will not replace what you have lost, but we will get you some. It seems you have talent too. All three qualities and at least two are very well developed. I have a feeling you are going to outshine us all. Now, can I get your name so I can add you to our rolls?"