Talia

Talia becomes the Queen's Own when Rolan Chooses her after Talamir is murdered. Talia is from Holdings, a puritanical Border group, and has no idea what it means to have a Herald's Companion accost her and carry her off. Because females hold subordinate positions among her people, Talia is ill-prepared for the world of Heralds, but she manages to find a true home among the Heralds; however, now a year and a half of field duty awaits her, along with a trial she never dreamed of having to pass. At the beginning of this novel, Talia is voted into full Herald status on the anniversary of her first class at the Collegium. Alberich trains Talia and Elspeth in combat, but after the lesson, Talia is concerned by Elspeth's dejection regarding not yet being Chosen. That night, Talia wakes and follows Elspeth to the Grove where Elspeth is Chosen...