Shae was reading a book and Kwen was rolling a ball on the floor for Shamal when the letters came. One each was addressed to Shae and Kwen.

Kwen pulled hers open immediately and beamed. “I was accepted!”

Shae hesitated, looking at the blue wax impressed with the queen’s seal. Kwen had been accepted. What if she was denied? How long would it be until she saw Kwen again?

“You going to open yours, Shae?” Kwen asked.

“Oh…yes.” She slid her finger under the wax and pulled open the envelope. She pulled the papers out slowly and with a deep breath, unfolded it. She read the formal writing slowly, and then again more quickly.

“So?” Kwen prodded.

“I was accepted,” Shae said sighing with relief as she said the words out loud.

“Of course you did. There’s no way they could accept me and not you.”

Father would be proud of her making it.

“It does say we have to be there by tonight,” Kwen said. “Not much time.”

“That’s why everyone stayed in town.” Shae stood.

Uncle Haerlann came in. “I heard your letters arrived. Good news?”

“We both made it,” Kwen said excitedly.

“Well I’m glad to hear it. You’re not leaving too soon I hope?”

“We need to be there by tonight.”

“It has been a pleasure having you both here. I’ll send for the servants to gather your things and get the carriage prepared.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Shae went to her room to oversee the packing of the one trunk the letter had said she was allowed to bring. Their uniform would be provided for them, so there was not a need for as many clothing as she had at first assumed.

A servant then took her trunk downstairs. Kwen’s trunk was already settled on the back of their carriage and she was cuddling Shamal one last time.

“He’s going to miss you,” Uncle Haerlann said.

“I’ll miss him too, and you too Uncle.”

“Thank you again for letting us stay.” Shae curtseyed before her uncle.

“Don’t think anything of it, and don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything at all.”

The sisters climbed into the carriage and with one last wave they traveled down the driveway to the road, and then up toward the castle. This time there was a long line of carriages as well as people on foot.

“Everyone’s coming at once.” Kwen looked out the window over the crowd. “Seems like a lot of people made it.”

“Well a lot had to apply to fill up the inns.”

When they reached the front of the line the guard took their letters and assigned them each a servant to carry their trunk and show them the way. The servants led them toward a large building that was positioned to the side in the castle’s courtyard. Inside they climbed up one flight of stairs to a hallway crawling with girls and servants.

Shae followed carefully after the servant carrying her trunk. She lost sight of Kwen in the confusion. The servant went to a door labeled with 204 and pushed it open. Shae followed and closed the door to the noise behind her. Inside was a small sitting room. There were two cushioned chairs facing a round table, a small desk against one wall, and a bookcase on the other.

Three doors adorned the far wall. One of them was open and a young woman walked out. It was the commoner with the braided pink hair and brown dress from before the interviews.

She stared at Shae for a moment. “You? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I ended up with a noble. I doubt many of us commoners were accepted.”

“Hello again, Miss Linnath,” Shae said. She had not expected to share a room with anyone, much less a commoner. Why had they not put her sister with her?

The servant came back out of the door on the far right. “This is your room,” he explained. “The Hall Mistress will be by to tell you more. You are requested to stay in your room until she comes.” He bowed and made his way back out into the confusion.

Miss Linnath stood looking at her for a moment. She looked over the other noble’s fancily decorated bonnet, the dress made of expertly dyed fabric, and the comfortable beaded shoes.

“Has the Hall Mistress been by to talk to you yet?” Shae asked. If they were forced together, it would be best to try and get along.

“Nope, probably waiting for both of us to be here.”

The door opened inward. “Shae! It’s so cool here.”

“Kwen, what have I told you about entering without knocking first?”

“Sorry, Shae.” Her attentions shifted to Miss Linnath. “Oh your roommate is here. Mine isn’t yet.”

“Splendid, they’re both here.” Miss Linnath said in a dull voice.

“I believe you were told to stay in your room.” A shorter woman stood behind Kwen with vibrant red hair cut off at her shoulders. Her green eyes were youthful and she had the pointed ears of an elf. Her uniform was a green and white dress unlike those of the guards and other servants.

“Oh, sorry.”

“I am Madame Ethyth, the Hall Mistress. I am in charge of your lives in these dorms and I suggest you get used to obeying the orders that are given to you. Now go back to your room.”

Shae heard Miss Linnath chuckle. Kwen sulked away from the door and Madame Ethyth walked forward into the room.

“Now, the first point of business is shaving your heads.”

“…what?”

The woman’s face broke into a huge grin. “Just kidding. I run a tough building, but I don’t need everyone walking on eggshells. As long as you do as you’re told and keep things clean and moderately quiet, we’ll get along handsomely.”

Shae looked back at her roommate who looked amused.

“Now as for the dorm rules. Beds are to be made up every morning and your rooms kept clean. They will be inspected once a week on a randomly selected day. And yes, you will do this yourself. Laundry will be collected every Monday morning and be returned the next day. Any essentials you need should be reported to me with your name and room number. Meals are served three times a day in the room to the right of the northern stairs. Dinner is served at 6 tonight and will include instructions about your new schedule.”

“Any questions?”

Neither candidate had anything to ask.

“Ah, and you’re permitted to walk anywhere in the city, including the castle as long as you aren’t late for any appointments and you don’t try to pass any guards with black bands on their shoulders.”

“Thank you for taking me into your care.” Shae curtseyed shallowly.

The woman raised an eyebrow and then grinned. “Don’t forget the meeting at 6.” She turned and left the room.

“Sounds like you won’t have anyone waiting on you hand and foot anymore.” Miss Linnath smirked.

“It will take a little getting used to, but I knew this position would reduce me to a servant,” Shae said truthfully. Maybe a lot of getting used to, but she could do it.

“I think you would look good with a shaved head.” The pink haired girl retreated into her room and shut the door. Shae sighed. Her roommate disliked her this much and she didn’t even know she was a shisa yet.

Shae retreated to her own room. It was small as well. A window was against the far wall and a bed on the right. Her trunk was placed at the end of her bed. Opposite the bed was a door that slid into the wall and revealed a small closet. When she turned around she saw there was a vanity mostly hidden by the open door.

Shae went to her trunk and pulled a wrapped bundle from the top. She unwrapped the cat carving and placed it on the small nightstand next to her bed just under the window.