Chapter 3: Haven
Seren tried not to gape as she saw Haven for the first time. Next to all the villages she had seen on her way here it was huge. And all the people! Seren hadn't seen this many people even on a festival day. Haven was a lot different from what she had thought it would be, and looking at the dirty and ragged people darting around in the crowd, it wasn't all she had hoped either.
:They look poor.: Seren mindspoke Lan.
Stepping around a small child running in front of them Lan spoke back. :Not everyone who lives in Haven is rich. Most actually aren't.:
:But, I thought…: she let the thought trail off. She knew now it sounded dumb.
:Not dumb, love. Many of the other Heralds arrived thinking the same thing. I've even heard that Herald Elva, the King's Own, arrived with the belief that the roads were paved in gold.: Lan whickered a sound she had realized was the Companion laughing.
:Where would she have gotten that idea?: Seren asked glad she wasn't the only one to think some rather silly things about the capital.
:Well she was only eight when Chosen and her older brother had told her that. She was very disappointed when she saw that the roads weren't gold.:Lan shook his head. :She decided the gold had been stolen and was trying to convince Radnor to take her to catch the thieves before the King managed to convince her it had just been given away.:
:Her brother must have been good at story telling. When my brother was eight I couldn't even convince him that trees changed color in the fall.:
:What tricks did you play on him to make him not believe you?: Lan asked dodging a cart.
Seren giggled slightly. :Good point.:
:Look in front of you.: Lan ordered suddenly.
Seren looked up. :What? All I see is a wall.:
:The palace is behind that wall.: Lan walked forward a little faster.
Now Seren started studying the wall. Glancing up she realized she could see the top of the palace. :How big is it?:
:Bigger than when I first saw it.: his voice was soft. It was almost as if he was whispering.
:What do you mean? They've built more on it since you were born?: Seren frowned when a picture of what the old palace might of looked popped into her head. She knew it was one she had thought of but she had never even seen the palace… Seren shook her head focusing on what Lan was saying instead.
:That is sort of what I meant.:
:Sort of?: Seren asked quickly.
:Not now, were at the gate.:
Surprised Seren looked up to see a smiling man in guards uniform in front of her. "Hello, lass," his gaze switched to the Companion. "Glad you're finally back Lan. People were getting worried," he smiled again. "Go on in, they're probably waiting."
:Who does he mean?: Seren began to worry. What if they didn't like her? she wondered biting her lip.
:He meant the Dean and probably the Weaponsmaster. He is sort of…Strange. Anyway, he insists upon meeting all the Trainees when they first come in.: Lan broke into a canter once he was past the gate, and Seren got her first real look at the palace.
:How can something be so big?: it looked to Seren as if the palace itself could just be a city.
:Nothing so big. Most of it isn't even part of the original palace, and not all of it is just the palace. There's the Collegiums for Bardic, Healers, and Heraldic here too.: Lan told her.
:I know. But still it's so big.: Seren stressed the last.
:Well, how about turning your eyes to the stables. People are coming out, I think perhaps you have more of a welcoming committee than I expected.: surprise laced through his voice.
Seren did as he said and began to feel even more self conscience than before. There was definitely more than Lan had expected. There were five people standing in front of the stable. Seren barely felt as if she could survive a meeting with one!
:Why are there more? Who are they?: Seren felt to alarmed to care how she sounded.
:Well, you see the two all men in the middle of the group? The one with black hair and a little gray is Herald Stowe, the Dean. The red head is the Weaponsmaster, Herald Mika. The shorter blonde guy is the Seneschal's Herald Thorin.: Lan had slowed to a walk so that he could tell her all the names before they got to the group. :The girl with the brown hair is Mage-Herald Caliopa. And…the other one is Herald Elva.:
Seren felt her face go blank in shock. The King's Own had was out here. She didn't want to meet the Herald now! Embarrassing herself in front of the others wouldn't be enough she had to do it in front of one of the most important people in the country!
Before she even felt remotely ready they stood in front of the group. :Chosen, dismount.: it was an order. Feeling shaky she obeyed it.
On the ground she felt small, not because of height Herald Thorin was shorter than her. The fact that all these people were so important was what did it. They all held some position or other, and she was just a Trainee. Why would they even be down here?
:Seren, you are important. And even if you don't hold a position you think would make you important you will someday.: Lan tried soothing her. He wasn't successful.
"You've finally made it back," the one Lan had told her was Herald Stowe spoke first. "I was worried something had happened."
Seren knew he had been talking to Lan but she opened her mouth to say something. Lan didn't let her. :Seren, I will tell them.: She frowned, had he thought she would do something to embarrass him?
Stowe smiled at her. "You're Seren?" she nodded having guessed that his Companion had told him. "Welcome to the Collegium. Lets get you settled in."
None of the others had even said anything but it had finally dawned on Seren that they might have been there to see Lan. It was a relief but she wanted to be included on this. Lan was her Companion she should be here if they were going to talk to him.
:Love, I tell you all that happens. Don't worry.:
:But why can't I stay?:
:I don't know love, but maybe it is because you're new.:
Seren let herself be dragged off though she still wanted to stay. Herald Stowe lead her towards the palace. She wondered what all would happen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seren stared around at her new room. Everything had seemed to happen so fast. First Stowe had fired questions at her then bustled her off to get uniforms. And tomorrow she was going to start her classes as a Heraldic Trainee. She sighed leaning back, it was overwhelming but at least she had Lan.