Corina sat on the bench of the table in the great hall, which wasn't that great as the Hall for Council announcements; she had a piece of parchment in front of her and a quill in hand with inkbottle next to her; Hermione sitting beside her.

"Queen is the highest rank of Herald, next is the Heir, then the Queen's Own." Corina explains

"Your queen is a Herald as well doesn't that put the Heralds in conflict with the rest of the court?" Hermione asks

"No, Valdemaran law states that the monarch must also be a Herald." Corina answers, "That way, we do not fall under the rule of a tyrant."

"Cause the companions make sure the rulers is loyal to the people first right." Hermione questions

"Not really, at least I don't think so. Hmm…I have to consult with Dash on that one." Corina replies, "But I rather not do consulting right now." She closed her eyes and exhaled a sigh, "Some Highborns do not see the importance of the Heralds because we are only answerable to the Monarch and the Circle. One such case was Lord Orthallan."

"Lord Orthallan, he tried to overthrow the queen? Hermione questions

"Worse than that, he hired an assassin to kill the King in last war with Karse." Corina replied

"What he tried to throw your country in to chaos?" Hermione questions again

"No, he couldn't do that. Even if he wanted too. He wanted the crown for himself. He hid his black heart under an angelic face." Corina replied, "He was trying for years to undermine the Heralds, but to an outsider they can't understand the unity of the Heraldic Circle."

"Well I'm glad that failed." Hermione replies

"He also tried to murder the Queen's Own when she was a student, and then I believe he was the main one responsible if he didn't do the actual murder himself; he killed my Uncle, his nephew." Corina comments.

Hermione's face paled at this then shook her head. "I'm sorry to hear."

"You should have seen some of the guards' expressions when I came through the gates. No one really trusts my family since Orthallan's traitorous behavior." Corina states, before grinning.

"I find that hard to believe I mean you were chosen right your companions don't make mistakes."

Corina looked up as Dasher cantered into the hall, "Hey fairy foot, do you make mistakes?"

Dasher dipped his head in a good imitation of a nod.

Hermione just laughed at the sight "that's not what I meant, I mean when they chose their partners."

Corina shrugged "That's one of their secrets, we Heralds don't know why they chose us, or rather we don't know what traits they look for other than being responsible, patient, and unselfish."

Hermione sat there sitting deep in thought making mindless doodles on the table.

Corina had been giving Hermione some detail about Valdemar, starting with the permanent assignments positions. "If the twin Heirs don't want to rule, which is unlikely, I might end up with the title."

"Well I hope you get what you deserve."

"I don't want the crown, that is too much pressure, I rather just be Dean or Special messenger." Corina replied

And have Harry by your side right." Hermione adds

"He can't be rid of me, if he tries." Corina replies, "We're lifebonded."

"Lifebonded what's that?" Hermione asks

Corina smiled "What you have to know first is that I love Dasher first and foremost, then the Heraldic Circle has my heart as well, not many of us have enough room for a third love; Harry and I are the fourth Heraldic couple that is lifebonded. This is to say, we are madly in love with each other."

"So it was love at first sight with you two like in the fairy tales." Hermione states

"Mostly." Corina replies

"Let me guess Harry was stubborn and denied his feelings for you." Hermione guessed

"Yes, and it's a pain in the backside when the other person is in denial." Corina replies

Hermione chuckled "Sounds like a typical male."

Dasher snorted

"Nobody asked for your two knuts worth, Dasher." Hermione snapped.

Corina stared at Dasher for a few seconds, "He says that since he is a stallion, he had to back all males on this topic."

'But you don't deny that males are like that, do you?"

Dasher tossed his head.

"No, but we do tend not to think with our heads most of the time." Corina quoted before she looked as if she were trying not to laugh.

"Eww, I did not need to hear that you silly colt" Hermione gasped

Dasher's eyes widen and he hung his head

"He didn't mean it like that, of course, he's used to being sought after in Companion's Field, and Morgan doesn't have any leanings toward him. But he meant that males don't think before they act, Herald or not." Corina explains, "And Dash is older than I am."

The witch just laughed "Not the way he acts sometimes."

Dasher rolled his eyes before looking pleadingly at his Chosen.

"Fine." Corina relented

"What did he say this time?" Hermione asks

"He wants to be groomed and his hooves cleaned." Corina answers, "And since he doesn't have hands..."

"Fine I'll leave you to it I'll be back later to finish our lesson if that's ok with you Corina." Hermione replies

Dasher looked between his Chosen and the clever filly. :Why doesn't she tag along? I don't mind being an object of teaching.:

"Why don't you come along, tending a Companion is one of the basics of Heraldic life." Corina asks, "Dasher suggested it."

Hermione stood up to follow looking a bit nervous "I would like that but I don't know too much about grooming."

"I've been grooming Dasher, I think I can teach you, also it's a chore of the Trainees to tend their Companions as well, I even volunteered to groom some of the unpartnered Companions, so it's easy plus you can see Dasher's tack, it's a different then regular horse tack." Corina replies, "it's a wonder in itself that he suggested to be teaching object."

"Really I would love to take a closer look, thank you Dasher."

Corina let Dasher lead them, "Another thing that proves companions are smart as their human partners, in all this time, have you seen them use the restrooms in the castle? And I don't mean the real thing by the way."

Hermione shook her head as she thought about it.

"They haven't, I think some of the elves asked them to manure the strawberry beds." Corina smiled

Once they were at the tents, Corina ducked inside one of them, and came back out with a brush and currycomb, she set it aside on the ground and went back inside and got Dasher's tack.

Hermione looked the brushes over and trying to figure out what their used for. Then when she saw Dasher's tack, she gave a soft squeal.

Corina groomed Dasher's coat, "If you take a closer look at the bridle, you will see one major different between a normal bridle and that one."

Hermione picked up the bridle and looked it over with a fine detailed eye.

:When do you think she will notice the difference?: Dasher asked as he looked at the witch studying his tack.

:Not sure, loveling.: Corina responds

"There's no bit the bridle just sits there it doesn't go on the mouth at all." Hermione replied

"Correct, Some Companions allow the bit, others don't. And if some outsider tries to saddle and bridle with a bit a Companion, it's an insult of the unforgivable kind." Corina explains, "Mainly it's just for show and something for me to hold onto as well."

"Amazing this is a simply amazing and the rest of the tack is so light than most saddle and tacks I seen." Hermione commented

"And that is the simpler tack, Dasher has. He has more that is fancier." Corina replies, "that's set is called Field tack."

Hermione continued to study the tack and saddle she seemed to memorize the smallest details.

"Have you found Dasher's name on the saddle yet?" Corina questions

Hermione shook her head no.

Corina put down the brush and walked over crouch by the saddle, she pointed out a set of marks that was a converted version of Dasher's name, without the 'a' and 'e' engraved on the skirting.

Companion and Herald looked up as Harry and Morgan came up on them, and Morgan was fully tacked.