DarkPriestess66: all heralds mentioned are the teachers! I do not own anyone unless they're made up.
The sound of good-natured laughter could be heard, as Morgan landed with her hooves chiming, she pivoted without prompting. Harry saw a full Herald with straight black hair, darker then his own.
"I'm Herald Sherrill, you have a good seat." Herald Sherrill greeted, she was the equitation teacher. She was almost an expert as her life-mate Herald Keren, who proved to be Dean Teren's twin sister.
Harry just blush. The Herald just smiled once more. "Well I don't think you're going to need too many lessons."
: Well, you might need a few more lessons, concerning working with a Companion.: Morgan commented, as she swung her head to look at her Chosen sitting on her back.
:Hey, I not that bad of a ride even father said so: Harry retorted
Herald Sherrill grinned. "I bet you got the same message, I did. So let's see what the two of you can do in the saddle."
By the time, Sherrill call a halt to the riding lessons, she knew Harry needed a few more lessons with the difference between riding a regular horse and his Companion. "You got a good start on the bond between you two, but it needs nurturing, and go out into the field. Just be together."
Harry just nodded then rode Morgan into the field and then took off like an arrow towards the far end of the field. After a short while he noticed that someone.
However, Morgan would not have it; she just cantered in a leisurely pace. She stopped when she noticed which Companion it was.
Harry looked over to the other rider and gave a small smile "Hi Corina."
"Hi." Corina greeted as her stallion moved in closer to Morgan. She dismounted, and put her arm over her Companion's shoulder.
As Corina came closer harry felt, his heart started be beat faster as if he was running a race.
: You're a little too young, but Corina is a nice girl.: Morgan observed.
: It's not like that i just think she's nice.: Harry did the same then went to a shaded grotto.
:Yeah, and I'm a temple maiden.: Morgan replied, following her Chosen. She dipped her head into the shallow stream and got a drink of water.
"Sorry, I disappeared during your lesson with Sherrill, but I tend to put the image of my Uncle into everyone's mind, Grandfather says, I look just like him for the fact that I'm a girl." Corina apologized.
Harry flopped down on the ground near a tree and folded his arms in annoyance. " Don't worry about it I was trying to pay attention to Sherrill but I'm glad you're here now."
"Why are you annoyed?" Corina asked as she sat down and used her stallion's side as a backrest.
"Oh nothing just something my Companion said that I don't agree with." He huffed and stuck his tongue out at Morgan.
"They do like to tease us, but we do need them." Corina agreed, and started giggling as her stallion lipped her where she was ticklish. "And this is Dasher." She playfully smacked her Companion on the nose.
Harry nodded his head " Hello Dasher. I'm not arguing that but Morgan just talking about silly things."
:Dasher says that he does the same thing to his Chosen, but it sounds all wrong coming from a male to female.: Morgan informed, :and to wait a few years and see if you reconsider your ideas about me saying silly things.:
: okay that I did not need to know, and I really don't know what you mean.: harry thought back while scrunching up his face.
Morgan tossed her head, :Sorry, can't help that.:
Corina just laughed at Harry's face "Oh Harry the look you had just then was just too much." She got control of herself. "How are you adjusting to life in the Collegium?"
"I'm doing ok this I different from home but I'm getting my wish and I'm gonna be a Herald." Harry smiled and leaned back to the tree.
"Yes, I know the feeling, one minute I was out in the yard working on something lady-like, and next I'm looking into the bluest eyes I have ever seen in my life." Corina agreed. "Mother still doesn't approve of me learning weapons work."
"Why not your a natural at it everyone thinks so and I liked the way you moved with Herald Jeri." Harry told her.
"I'm not that good, I've just had more practice. Nevertheless, Ladies aren't supposed to defend themselves, they are supposed to sit and be pretty. Let their suitors try to win their heart. Which I find boring, I like my life now, even though I have a lot to learn." Corina explained, "Father taught me then hired a retired guardsman to continue my training."
"I understand what you mean father wanted me to join the guard but I mostly spent my time on our horses." Harry smiled at the memory of the days.
Corina nodded, then she looked thoughtful before touching minds with Dasher then she looked in amazement at Harry. "You're an Ashkevron?"
"Adopted but yes," Harry answered, "Why did you ask?"
"Because the Ashkevron family is famous for their war-horses." Corina explained, "I have never seen a Shin-a-in bred war-horse. But they are said to be the ugliest brutes but very loyal."
Harry nodded "They are father never let me near them but I saw some of the traders bring some and they are fierce."
"Would you believe my first creature on four legs is Dasher?" Corina questioned.
"Really, I can't even imagine not spending most of my time on a horse. Father said I must have been born on one." Harry chuckled.
: I doubt that.: Morgan stated
Corina unwittingly mimics Morgan's words at the same time. Harry just sputters as he hears both of them.
The warning bell signaling supper sounded, both Companions moved out of the way to give their Chosen room to stand up.
"Well back to duty for us Trainees." Corina groaned "at least its supper."
The duo took care of the Companions after being given a ride back, and then made their way to the common room.
Harry gave his choices of food to the servers and went to sit at a table, when he noticed that some of the people in the Common room were Heralds.
"Heyla Harry!" called Jerome waving toward his new friend.
Harry waved his hand and went over to the table. "Heyla Jerome, what the news of the day?"
"You were doing a landed fish impression at meeting Kris." Jerome answered
Harry just face palmed. "Don't remind me of that please that was just embarrassing."
"I thought it was quite funny." Kris commented as he sat to the far left of Jerome.
"Your hig- I mean Kris, it's good to see you again." Harry stammered out.
"Just because I'm half of a pair of Heirs, doesn't mean I like to be called Your Highness, I took a leaf out of my mother's book; I am only the Prince in the palace." Kris explained, "You have to learn that Heralds are family, you're almost like my brother."
Jerome patted Harry on the back "don't worry youngling you'll get used to it soon enough."
"Speaking of the other half of the heirs, where is your lovely sister?" Jacob questioned
"At the Court feast." Kris answered,
"And you're hiding here again." Jacob teased
"No, we trade off, I sit with them once a week, and she does the other week," Kris stated then gave a sly glance toward his Year-mate. "Why are you going to make a pass at my sister?" he speared a piece of chicken at it.
Jacob just blushed and ducked his head. The rest of the table just snickered and smiled.
"Lord of Lights, if it turns more passionate, please suggest that she keeps Shields up! I don't want at repeat of her nightly activities." Kris shuddered
Harry being the youngest at the table turned beet red and tried to hide he face from the group.
Jerome saw the shade of scarlet that Harry had turned, "Enough of that talk, Harry doesn't need to know more of our other course of studies for right now."
Jacob just laughed and poked Harry in his side "Don't worry Harry you learn it soon I saw the way you looked at Corina during riding class."
"Jacob, shut your mouth or I'll dump you in the river or worse I'll tell Clarissa that you aren't busy and she have a go with you." Kris growled playfully.
Jacob squeaked and ducked his head as well while looking at a far table of girls.
The meal was finished and those who did not have dishwashing, that night went to take a bath and work on homework or just fall asleep.
Meanwhile in Companion's stable, Morgan looked at Dasher in a puzzled expression. : You're pulling my tail, right?:
:No, but I could if you want.: dasher teased
:Not the time to make jokes, about something as your theory about lifebonding.: Morgan replied irritatingly
: But really, it is true they have all the traits, you felt his thoughts when he first saw her.: Dasher explained. :And Corina's thoughts were the same, he kept popping in at odd moments in her classes.:
Morgan gave her fellow Companion a stare that said as clearly as her mind-voice said, 'Of course, I heard my Chosen's thoughts.' She swished her tail, :Yes, I did note that but I lightened the mood by teasing him. If your theory is true, we should not push them into anything, I mean they are young, that is going to be a strong bond almost as strong as Rolan's Chosen and Ahrodie's Chosen.:
:Your right, we should not push them but we should keep a close eye on them.: Dasher spoke in a somber voice.
:You meant a close eye on their thoughts, they can't shield us out yet, unlike we are doing for right now.: Morgan corrected
:That what we do and right now we'll see if my theory is right: Dasher agreed
Morgan bid the stallion good night and went into her stall; she had a lot to think about and did not really want to have a tryst right now.
The next morning, Harry didn't wait for Jerome to come knocking on the door still with a sour look on his face.
Today, Harry took the time to get his room in order before heading toward the bathroom to take a bath before class with Herald Dirk.
Once he was done with his bath and made his way to class, he once more felt his eyes drift to Corina and the words of Dirk.
This time, one of the students recited the story of King Valdemar and the first Companions.
Then after his time in the kitchen washing dishes instead of cooking, he found himself once more facing herald Sherrill.
:Oh come on, Sherrill isn't that bad, you could be in a class with Kero.: another voice beside Morgan's teased.
Harry quickly turned around to see whose voice it was.
Another Companion was watching him with amused eyes. :Over here:
Sherrill quickly gave Harry a rap on the head "Pay attention, youngling. The next time I will not be so nice.
Morgan snorted and the other Companion went over to where the three were standing, she got into Sherrill's face.
Sherrill stared at the Companion then just dropped her head and laughed, "Fine I'll give him a break this time."
:Good. Because you are not supposed to beat the Trainees, leave that to Jeri or even Kero.: The Companion finished after giving the riding instructor a lecture.
Harry just stood there rubbing his head and made to saddle up Morgan once more.
Morgan tossed her head and gave a sigh. : I always wondered why I never got away with anything as a foal.:
:Why am I the one they always pick on: he asked Morgan
:Sayvil isn't picking on you, she considers you one of her foals.: Morgan replied
Sayvil walked over to Harry. : I apologize for surprising you.:
:that's ok I just wasn't expecting it: Harry replied
:I thought I should meet you, you have been giving my Chosen some deep thoughts.: Sayvil explained
Harry jumped in to the saddle and started his paces. : I gave the captain deep thoughts should I be worried now.:
:Yes. I think I will have a conversation with Gwena, and see if it's worth her Chosen's time to meet you.: Sayvil replied. As she turned and trotted away.
Harry whimpered and slumped in his saddle "Harry, what's wrong?" Corina asked as she rode up next to him.
"Oh Sayvil is going to talk to another Companion about me." Harry answered
"Oh about what and whose the companion?" Corina asked
"Gwena" Harry responded, "Do you know who her Chosen is?"
"Yes she's Elspeth's Companion." Corina answered
That name rang bells in Harry's mind, "Herald-Mage Elspeth?"
"The one and the same if she's gonna talk about you , you got something special about you." Corina teased.
Harry just shook his head in denial.
:I think she's right Harry: Morgan added.
:Hush, hay-burner.: Harry added, :There isn't anything about me that is special enough for Herald-Mage Elspeth to want to see me.:
: Fine but I think I'm right because here come a page right now: Morgan pointed out.
Sherrill was clueless as to what was happening when the Page stopped, "Herald-mage Elspeth sent me, she wishes to speak with the Trainee that Herald-Captain Kero talked to her about."
Sherrill called Harry over and pointed to the page.
Harry went pale as Morgan's coat, as he dismounted went over to the page who led him to a building that he had never set foot in before.
Harry gulped as he entered. The room and a away the Herald-Mage smiling at him.
Elspeth stared at the Trainee, "I think you heard stories about me? I'm Elspeth, the First-Herald Mage since Vanyel." The Herald was wearing Whites but they were unlike the normal Whites of the Heralds that Harry had seen. Elspeth looked older then she was, her chestnut hair had streaks of sliver in it, and her eyes were almost blue. "Well the reason I asked you here was because Kero thinks you might be mage-gifted as well and I want to find out."
Harry's mouth dropped open, but he did not know how Elspeth was going to find out if he had the Mage-gift.
Elspeth put herself into a light trance and used her Mage-Sight to look at Harry, and his aura was close to her own, but his gift wasn't developed enough to begin to train him. "You are Mage-gifted but it's too soon to even think of training you to use it."
Harry sat in shock shaking his head. "How as far as I know I never showed any sign of having that gift."
Elspeth rubbed her nose, "You haven't got learn about Gifts yet, so I won't go into that, but as far as I tell you is that some gifts are latent. Your Mage-Gift isn't strong enough yet to allow you to show signs, just continue to spend time with your Companion, and your Gift will get stronger."
That was a clear dismissal if Harry ever heard one; he went to his next class.