It was still several hours until dinner and even the larger sitting room felt small and stuffy. There were no windows in it to open for air, so Shae decided to go out for some while familiarizing herself with the new surroundings. The halls were still rather busy but she just kept her head down and exited the building as politely as she could.

Once outside, the defensive walls of the castle rose up around her. On the top of the walls she could see guards walking back and forth or talking with each other. One of the men noticed her looking and waved with a smile and a wink. Shae turned away quickly and made her way in the other direction.

The courtyard was a flurry of activity. Though the castle had been built for defense in the past, now the gates stood wide open with only a pair of guards controlling the flow of traffic in and out. Boys were running errands, servants walked back and forth with their own orders, guards patrolled, and even a horse drawn carriage rattled past.

Shae made her way to a low wall off to the side where she was out of the way and sat watching life go on in front of her.

An older man walked by leading two horses behind him at a leisurely pace. The horses pricked their ears forward, their eyes watchful but not wary of their surroundings.

A girl walked past in a pretty green dress. She moved stiffly and kept glancing back and forth as she walked as if expecting to see someone she recognized at any moment.

Two older women stood off to the side, talking. One had a basket of clothes under her arm. The second’s clothing was slightly fancier, betraying service of a noble. Both were smiling as they chatted.

No one paid Shae more than a moment’s glance as they passed. It was interesting to watch how people went along their normal day when she was not a part of it. At home she was always a part of everything that went on. Here they did not know who or what she was; at least not yet.

When she tired of sitting she found another building that appeared similar to the dorms in which her new room was. Next to it was a large, lavish stable. She only looked in as she passed the huge open doors to see stable hands and horse heads poking from their stalls.

The castle proper towered over everything in the courtyard. The grand doors to it were open as well and guards stood proudly at attention. Past them was a beautifully sculpted entrance way. The floor was huge blocks of polished white marble with matching columns that pushed the vaulted ceiling high overhead. The walls were lined with vases of fresh cut flowers flanked by paintings marked with the names of kings and courtiers as well as tapestries depicting heroes in battle.

One tapestry in particular caught her eye. It was much larger than the others, such that Shae had to take several steps back in order to view it all at once. A young man with platinum blonde hair and pointed ears, stood regally with a sword held ready at his side. Behind him was a huge gray gryffin, one taloned foot raised as its wings flared and it called up toward the sky.

Even without looking at the nameplate she knew that this was the Founding King and his gryffin mount. At the time he was only a young knight, but he went on to command a squad to win a decisive battle, which earned himself the monarchy of the newly formed Graymane.

Further down the hall she was surprised to see a large amount of greenery beyond an intricately carved archway. On closer inspection she found a stone walkway that entered a beautiful garden, which opened to the sky. A large tree sat at its center, casting dappled light over the flowers and bushes below. Shae followed the path among the plants, stopping every so often to smell an open blossom.

The path ended at another similar arch back in another hallways of the castle. To her left she saw a pair of guards flanking a huge wooden door. Both had a shoulder guard on their right shoulder that boasted three black lines. She remembered the hall mistress’ warning and decided to go in the other direction.

She had not gone more than a few steps when she heard a rather loud voice. “And what am I supposed to do if I don’t even know where he is?”

“You think I’m privy to that information?”

Shae saw the woman who had given Kwen and her their first test. She was speaking to a young woman with dark purple hair who was frowning quite decidedly. The young noble was about to duck back to the walkway, embarrassed at her accidental eavesdropping when the older woman looked up.

“Well hello again.” The woman approached. “It was Lady…um…”

“Shaewynn Welcen,” Shaewynn provided. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Elentesa.”

“Oh I’m certainly not of a rank to be called ‘Lady’ by you.” The woman smiled. “I’m glad to see you passed the interview.”

“Thank you.” Shae smiled, glancing at the young woman who had followed Miss Elentesa over with crossed arms.

“Oh, let me introduce you. Lady Shaewynn, this is Ashcor Lynnal. She’s a candidate just like you.”

Shae curtseyed. “Pleased to meet you, Lady Ashcor.”

Ashcor nodded, her frown deepening.

“Don’t be like that, Ash.”

“Would you like to tell me how I should be?”

“And now you’re just being a cheeky brat.” Miss Elentesa chuckled. “Now if you two will excuse me, I have a meeting to attend.”

She bowed shallowly to them both before making her way to the door guarded by the men with black bands on their shoulders. She spoke to one in a soft voice and he nodded and opened the door for her.

Shae looked back at the young woman with whom she had been left. “They have some lovely gardens here.”

“Yes, my…well the master gardener is very talented.” The other girl sighed. “If you’ll excuse me.” Without waiting for a response she turned and moved away.