Just so you know, Karolyn's Gift is psychometry. I saw something about it in a couple of fantasy so decided to use it.
The next morning, Kary and Mike missed the bell but nonetheless woke up shortly after it to the clamor of students going by. Kary hurried to grab some clothes to change into and took a fast shower which woke her up, though she did not remember taking off her shoes or getting under the covers the previous night. She didn't let it occupy her mind, though, but rushed down for breakfast. Mike looked as tired as she did as they found seats and started eating. Seeing him reminded her of the shielding lesson the night before so she tested to make sure hers was in place.
Jacy was in much better shape, sitting across from the two friends. "What happened to the two of you? You look ready to fall asleep!"
Kary blinked slowly as the words registered. Before she could think of an answer, Mike spoke up. "Oh, we just had extra homework last night."
"Homework, my foot! Kary didn't go to the morning classes for one thing and we didn't have any homework yesterday anyway. What was it really?"
Kary answered this time, "Sharon wanted to pick my brains last night because of my tan for one thing and for another she wanted to know about Greg and Anna." She could tell her friend did not believe her but she also didn't want to sound like she was bragging by explaining that she was already getting training in her Gift. When the bell rang, the friends went in silence to homeroom. Jacy was sad that her friend wasn't telling her the whole truth but decided not to make an issue of it-all would come out eventually, she was sure.
There were three people in the classroom already, Karen, Allen, and Carl, all of whom Kary had met the previous day. As they took their seats, a man dressed in white entered the room and introduced himself as Thom. He went on to say, "This class is not history as such but since you have been Chosen I don't want you to be to confused about what you can expect so I will tell you an abbreviated version of the history of Valdemar."
He then explained, going into some of what Emily and Stephen had already told Kary and Mike. Jacy too knew some of it from her sister. This was a rather short class and would continue to shorten as the rest of the newcomers came to realize their Gifts and get sorted out as Herald, Healer or Bard. Some would fit into multiple categories but would mainly study one. All would have to learn the rudiments of First Aid, though. Finally Thom ended, saying, "You will have more in here with you tomorrow. I understand that two were Chosen yesterday afternoon and there may be a few more. Now, you will need to go to your next class in just a moment. That is a regular class and some of you might be quite advanced in reading, writing and math. Don't worry if you only have the rudiments in them or are entirely ignorant though. Not everyone comes here well educated. If you prove yourself in that class, you will be placed in a separate class which is in the library. Well, not really a class; instead you may look up subjects of interest to you. Then at then next bell you will have a short break to visit your Companion, after which you saddled them and begin the obstacle course or just work on your riding skills. Then is a geography lesson. You will get lunch immediately afterward. Then you will learn about the various religions of the world and finally do weaponswork. Eventually you will no longer have this class so you will start history. A couple of years from now you will begin training in your Gift or Gifts unless they manifest early." He stared over at Mike and Kary. Then the bell rang and they all rose. "So, until tomorrow. Work hard."
They left the room, thinking about all they had heard. The classroom they had to go to next was five doors down. This one had quite a few books in it and there were other students in there already, from Bardic and Healer classes. All together, there were seventeen of them, including the Herald-trainee group just entering the room. Of course Anna and Greg weren't there but that was as would be expected. There were two teachers for this class, one for those just learning the basics and the other in case the more advance students needed help.
Kary had not been assigned a group yet so she took a seat at a desk next to Mike's, since he was in the advanced group and she expected she would be placed there as well. :So how are you enjoying things so far?: Emily asked.
:Well,: she replied, :that first class was pretty interesting and right now I am just waiting for someone to test my skills so I can start doing something.:
She hadn't closed her eyes during the discussion so she saw the teacher approach her. "So you're Karolyn? Nice to meet you. I'm Pam." She leaned forward and added, "Herald Pam to be exact but some of these don't know about Heralds yet so I go by Pam. We aren't really very formal around here except under special circumstances. So come with me and I'll see how you do in reading and writing so you can get to work." She led the girl to a desk over by the corner of the room, chatting amiably. "I really hadn't expected you to look like that you know. What I mean is that your Emily is the daughter of my Keisha and, well, I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this five foot six inch girl with black hair, blue eyes, and a tan I'd love to have but I'm too fair skinned and generally end up with a sunburn instead. Well, on with this. Here is the beginner's book. Let's see how well you read."
Kary looked at the cover and saw that it showed a very beautiful woman atop a Companion. She looked inquiringly at Pam and asked, "Why a book about a Herald? I thought people don't believe we exist except in the traditional role to the monarch."
"Most people don't, but I have three books to test students with, one for Healers, one for Heralds and one for Bards. Go ahead and read what you can of it out loud but quietly so as not to disturb those who are working."
Obediently, Kary opened the book to the title page and read, "Talia Meets Dirk." (A/N Yes I know it's completely inane but what can you say. I shouldn't ask) The story told of Talia's journey to Haven when she was newly Chosen and her meeting with her lifebonded, Herald Dirk. Karolyn had no trouble with any of the words but wished the story was longer. When she said as much to the older woman, Pam responded, "Just go to the library on your free time and you can find books that finish this story through her entire life as a Herald, and books on the lives of many others who had a major part in the shaping of history." She smiled at her pupil. "So you can read. Let me check your basic math level and then I'll see where I can place you. For the first month or so, all the first years share this classroom but after that you will be distributed among the rest of the students based on your level in each subject."
Kary's math skills were moderately advanced, to Pam's surprise. The girl then explained, "My dad had a gemcutting shop and he taught me about angles and about the numbers involved in selling stones."
"Handy. Okay, here is a piece of chalk. Write your name on this so I can see how your handwriting is."
Her handwriting was passable, though she had a tendency to get ahead of herself when she was in a hurry so as to make it barely legible. Pam handed Kary a book and told her that if she could read the first page, she could rejoin Mike. The book was about the Cataclysm which had occurred almost four thousand years earlier. Kary found it so fascinating that Pam had to call her name several times so she could return to the desk beside Mike. Kary very reluctantly turned her mind from the book and sheepishly rose to her feet. Pam told her to read the first chapter, then handed her an advanced math book and told her that if it was too difficult, she could turn it in for an easier one.
Kary decided to get the math over with first. Folded up inside was a schedule telling her to do the first lesson, which was mostly review. She finished quickly and opened up the other book. She was so absorbed that she didn't hear the bell or even feel Michael elbowing her. Finally he resorted to a polite mental knock on the shield of her mind. :Ahem. Excuse me but it is time for the next class now Kary and you don't want to be late do you?: She sighed but got a bookmark to keep her place. Mike was reading the same book and looked curiously at the page number. He was startled to see she was already on the third chapter. "Enjoying it, are you?" He asked rhetorically. He looked at his schedule and said, "Oh yeah, now we get to go see our Companions. Let's drop off our books first though."
They separated to do that but met up in the hall again moments later and joined the rush of students in grey down to the Companions' Field. Emily and Stephen were waiting for the two of them off to one side. :Looking for someone?: Emily said archly. She turned so that Karolyn could climb on bareback and Stephen did the same for Michael. They galloped across the field to the far end where Greg and Anna were just waking up.
"Hey sleepyheads! How was your night?" Kary shouted. The Companions came to a halt before the siblings without any prompting.
Anna spoke up, "We were just about to head over to the school but it seemed such a long way." She seemed uncomfortable for a moment and then said, "I hope Dad doesn't find out we're here. He'd be really mad."
She looked down for a moment so Greg broke in with, "So what do we do now?"
Mike answered him, saying, "Now you mount your Companions and come to school. We'll have someone take you to get settled in." He switched to Mindspeech. :Who should we call?:
:I'll call Rowan,: Kary said, :and ask her while you help them mount and tell them what to expect.: