Kwen was so excited about being here, it was a shame things were so boring. She had already completely unpacked her trunk and organized her things several times over. She had straightened a lopsided curtain over her future roommate’s window and smoothed away every visible wrinkle from the bed. There were so many new and unfamiliar smells here.

The rooms were rather small. There was little room to do anything. She couldn’t wait to find out what her roommate would be like. She sat at the desk for a few minutes, then got up and checked on her bedroom, which still looked the same as when she’d left it. Then she scanned the books on the bookshelf. The History of Graymane, The Health of the Body, and Political Dance were only some of the numerous titles. It looked like part of being a candidate was studying. She blanched at the thought.

There was nothing to do here. She moved to the door and opened it, looking out at the bustle. If she was still in her room, looking out into the hallway couldn’t hurt.

Another servant came down the hall, a young lady with dark green hair following after him. Was this her new roommate? Kwen rushed out toward the girl. She flinched away and Kwen stopped short.

“I’m sorry, I thought you might be my new roommate,” she said quickly.

The servant continued down the hallway past Kwen’s room. The girl with the green hair looked away and followed him.

“Still not staying in your room?”

Kwen winced and turned around to see the hall mistress standing just behind her. “I’m sorry, I thought it was my roommate.”

“The fastest way to know would be to stay in your room until she arrives.”

“It’s just so boring…there’s nothing to do and no one to talk to.”

Ethyth just chuckled for a moment. “And what will you do if your roommate doesn’t come?”

“Doesn’t come? You mean doesn’t get here on time?”

“That or they decide not to come. Some find out the conditions of their stay here and decide it’s not for them. Some people won’t have roommates.”

“But that will be so sad. I was looking forward to meeting someone new. I mean there are the other girls, and I’m sure they’re nice but this was going to be my roommate. Almost like a sister, only not quite cause I haven’t know her as long.”

Ethyth smiled. “Come with me. I have to welcome a few more people and I’ll let you say hi.”

“Really?”

The woman nodded and Kwen followed after her to room 214. Inside was the girl she had just seen in the hall as well as en elven girl with long teal hair.

“This is Kwenthien, she’s a little hyper so I’m keeping an eye on her.”

The half-shisa curtseyed properly. The teal haired girl responded in kind, but the other girl simply stood there. Kwen thought she might still be mad about being startled in the hallway.

“And I am Madame Ethyth, the hall mistress for this dorm. There are a few rules you need to abide by while you are here. Rooms are to be kept tidy and will be inspected once a week.”

The girl with the green hair was looking at the floor. Her hair was covered by a strip of cloth that was then tied under her hair at the base of her neck. As the hall mistress talked, she kept her eyes on the ground, or glanced behind her at the open door to one of the bedrooms.

“Any questions?” Ethyth asked.

“What if we choose to have our meal brought to us?”

“That is not an option.”

The young noble did not look happy.

“Now if that’s all, just don’t forget the meeting in the dining hall at 6.” She nodded Kwen out the door.

The next room they went to, both ladies wore fine dresses. Ethyth introduced herself and Kwen again. Both resident’s eyes went to Kwen immediately, then back to the hall mistress with a frown.

“Pleased to meet you,” Kwen curtseyed.

“Welcome to the dorms, there are just a few rules of which I need to make you aware.”

“You put us in these tiny rooms without servants and now you’re placing more rules on us? My father is Lord of Narrows Creek and I am sure he would be most displeased to hear of this.”

Ethyth stood silently while the young noble spoke, letting her finish before speaking. “All of the candidates are given the same rules and expectations.”

“I wish to speak to your master.”

“I have been given full authority in this place. There is nothing my master would say to you that I have not already.”

The young lady glared for a moment. “What are these rules?”

“Your rooms are to be kept clean, and will be inspected once a week. Laundry is collected Monday mornings and returned the next day. Meals are served three times a day at specific times in the room at the end of this hall. Dinner tonight at 6 will include instructions about your new schedule. Anything else you need should be reported to me.”

“So we are to be treated as common servants?”

“As the Queen’s Handmaidens, you would be a servant. If this is not agreeable to you, you are welcome to leave.”

The rooms were small. Kwen figured it would not be that hard to keep her room clean if she put all her clothes in a pile. She had less of them here anyway.

“Now if that is all.” Ethyth did not seem to wait for a reply, but shut the door.

“She was kind of-”

“Your roommate is here.”

“Really?!” Kwen beamed. She rushed back to her room just as the servant was leaving. There was no one in the sitting room, so she ran to the other bedroom and poked her head inside. “Hello!”

The young elf spun around turned, folding her hands over the velvet green dress she wore. “Yes?”

“Oh, sorry to bother you. I’m your roommate and I was excited to meet you. My name is Kwenthien Welcen.”

“I am Laenarra Milwen. Pleased to meet you.” She curtseyed, which Kwen returned.

“Oh, Ethyth needs to talk to us now. She’s the hall mistress.” The red haired woman was standing at the door as Laenarra glided out of her room. Kwen had never seen anyone walk so smoothly.

Ethyth repeated the rules that Kwen had heard twice already, and Laenarra listened without saying a word. When she asked for questions at the end, the smaller girl had none.

“You are now free to go where you like, but remember the meeting in the dining hall at 6.” She glanced at Kwen who smiled back.

“Is that really our hall mistress?” Laenarra asked once the door had shut.

“She does claim to be.” Kwen ignored the slip of the tongue. “So I would imagine she is.”

“From where do you come, Lady Kwenthien?”

“Garwood Valley, and you?”

“Appleblossom. It’s a rather large city to the east.”

“As large as Tarchatel?”

“Almost.”

“So it must not be much of a change to come to this city.”

“Garwood Valley is small I assume?”

“Yes, this is a rather large change for me.”

“Well I’ve heard the small towns have such a warm charm. Have you met any of the other girls yet?”

“A few, but only in passing. I’m sure we’ll be able to meet everyone at dinner though.”

The other lady nodded. “If you don’t mind, I wish to unpack my things.”

Kwen nodded as the girl went into her room and shut the door. She decided that Laenarra seemed very nice. She was glad she was getting along with her roommate. She couldn’t wait to introduce her to Shae.

Kwen then remembered she was allowed out of her room now. She could go see how Shae was. She knocked on the door to her sister’s room, and had to knock again before the door opened to show the pink haired roommate.

“Is my sister here?”

“Not unless she didn’t hear the door with her bedroom door open,” the other girl said. “Of course maybe she just let me answer it. Below her station to open a door.”

A quick check showed her sister was not in her room.

“If that’s all, you can leave now.”

Kwen couldn’t help but smile. “I like you.”

“Excuse me?”

“When Shae comes back, could you mention my room number is 206?”

“Of course. I certainly have nothing better to do than relay your messages.”

“Thank you.” Kwen beamed broadly before leaving the room.