Don't own Valdemar, just my characters.

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Please, read and enjoy the next installment of Cari's Story!


Several weeks later, we rode into Haven with only four horses left to sell: Skitter, Pop, Winger, and Rosa, along with Zi's and my horses.
The day after we got to Haven, we acquired a pure white horse with an incredible conformation.
"Da? Did you buy a white horse yesterday or this morning?" I asked curiously.
"What? Oh, no. She was given to me. The person said she'd make a perfect mount for you- he must have seen you ridding one of our four." Was the reply. Da was checking out Winger's right hind leg because he'd been limping when we went to feed them this morning. "Meant to tell you to hop on her this morning, but then Winger needed tending to. Why don't you hop on her now?"
"Sure" came my reply, I was game. I brushed her down and saddled her quickly, then mounted. After a few minutes, I realized her gaits were too smooth to belong to an ordinary horse and that she must be a companion.
But where's her Herald?
:On my back. Actually, you're a Herald Trainee. I chose you. My name is Emyr.: My eyes must have gotten as big as a walnut.
"Cari? Is something wrong?" Da implored, but I wasn't listening to him- what Emyr was saying was much more interesting.
:That's- that's just how Chava 'told' me to come. But- how? How did she do it? How am I doing it?:
"Cari, get off that horse now." He said, his voice filled with fear.
"It- it's ok, Da, Emyr- Emyr's a companion. My companion. I have to go. I'll be ok. But I have to go. I'll tell you more in a letter- or something." I told him, somewhat shakily.
:All your questions will be answered when you get to the Collegium. But for now, suffice it to say that you probably have a touch of animal speech.: she sent with a hint of amusement? gratitude? relief? all three?
And with that, she trotted off toward the palace gates
Once there, Emyr then slowed to a walk and then halted in front of the Palace Gate.
"Finally found yer Herald, Emyr? Don' ye worry lil' Lady, the Dean'll take care o' ye alright." The guardsmen said with a heavy accent. I must have looked scared and wide-eyed with shock, which I was, but I was also exhilarated.
As we wound our way along the path, I saw other kids hurrying from here to there in pale green, a gray, a rusty color, and light blue robes.
:The pale green are for Healer trainees, the gray is for Herald trainees, the rust-color for Bardic trainees, and the light blue is for the unaffiliated, or the smart, rich kids from around Haven and the Lords and Ladies from the different estates in Valdemar.: Emyr informed me. By that time, we'd reached a barn, so I hopped off Emyr's back and followed her inside.
Inside, I untacked and rubbed Emyr down. Just as I was finishing up, a Herald trainee startled me.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I'm Brooke, and your . . . Cari, right?" she apologized. "Come with me and I'll get you checked in, in no time." She smiled.
:You'll be all right. 'Sides I have to talk with Sarya, Brooke's Companion.: Emyr said as she left the barn, leaving me alone with Brooke.
First, Brooke took me to see the 'House keeper' so I could get my uniform, list of chores, and my assigned room. Next we went to Dean Teren, who asked me a bunch of questions about my learning and my family so he could put me at ease and also to decide where I needed to be placed in for classes.
After that, Brooke took me to the cafeteria, which was packed full of trainees and a handful of Heralds. When we got our food, some type of hamburger meat and a warmed up roll, Brooke lead me to a table that had two empty seats.
"Hey! Who'd you drag in this time, Brooke?" One of them joked, pushing golden brown hair out of his face.
"This is Cari, Emyr's new Herald. Cari this is Melany, Tristian, and Marc." Brooke said as she sat down.
Melany had brown hair, brilliant green eyes and of stocky build, was eating her food messily, compared to Tristian, who had blonde hair, dark brown eyes and a slight, muscular, was eating like he was in the Queen's presence. Marc, with his tanned skin, golden brown hair cut up around his ears, and hazel eyes, was eating somewhere in between the other two.
"Cari, you can sit here if you want to." Tristian suggested as he scooted over, bumping into Marc, who was getting ready to take a bit of the Mystery Hamburger, causing him to drop it in his lap. "Where'd you come from?" he asked avoiding Marc's glare, which could probably have killed a sheep in two seconds flat.
"A tiny village about a day and a half's ride east of Cordor, called Song Ridge." I replied, wondering if I sounded too smart. And then dared to ask him where he'd come from.
"Me? Haven. I'm the son of an inn-keeper - White Horse Inn."
"That's where my Da and Zigor are staying! We're trying to sell our last four horses." I exclaimed.
"Actually, it's down to three horses, my father bought some after you left, I guess. Your Da must be Kyril, right? And your brother's . . . Zigor?"
"Helper, but how- how did you know?"
"Because he's there as much as possible- gotta keep up on those stalls!" Melany joked. "I'm from a tiny village on Lake Evendim. And Marc's from a hick-town on the south border."
"Hey! Trib's NOT a hick-town! We actually have an inn and a trading post." Marc threw back.
"Well we're working on it, 'sides, didn't your inn burn down last week?"
"Yes, but that doesn't count." He countered as they got up to take care of their dishes and to go to their classes.
"Don't worry about them. It's an old argument, from when they first got here. I'm from Haven, too. Both my parents are healers. Tristian, do you think you could take Cari to the Library? That's where the other kids of her year-group are. Thanks!" and than sprinted off to go to her classes at his nod.
"All done? Great. I have to go to the library too. So, come on."