Chapter Four Summary

The Queen calls the Dean of the Collegium, Elcarth, a birdlike man who immediately comes to show Talia around. Elcarth has been the Dean for many years and is excellent at reading people. He notices Talia's shyness, and after speaking with her for several minutes, he is appalled at the lack of knowledge she has about the ways of the Kingdom, especially where it concerns Heralds and Companions. Elcarth blames the remoteness of the Holdings.

Talia listens and learns about the various training taking place at the Collegium. There are classes for Heralds in training, like herself, and for Healers and Bards. The Heralds all have permanent dwellings here at the Collegium, when they are not out on assignments across the Kingdom.

Elcarth shows her the dormitory section, the Healers', Bardic and Herald areas. There are classrooms and common areas and...