The building was huge, three-and-a-half stories of gray stone with a four-story double tower at the joining of two of the walls just ahead of them. “This is Herald’s Collegium and the Palace,” Teren said, waving his hand in an arc that took in everything. “You can’t actually see the New Palace part of the structure from here; it’s blocked by this wing next to us, which is where all the Kingdom’s Heralds have rooms.”

“But most uv ’em don’t live here, at least, not most of th’ time,” Skif stated, on a little firmer ground. “Right?”

Teren nodded. “That’s right. The only Heralds in permanent residence are the teachers at the Collegium and the Lord Marshal’s Herald, the Seneschal’s Herald, and the Queen’s Own Herald. Have you any idea who they are?”

Skif shook his head, not particularly caring that he didn’t know. This new feeling, whatever it was, had a very slightly intoxicating effect. “Not a clue,” he said. “I figger ye’ll tell me in them lessons. Right?”

“Right, we’ll leave that to Basic Orientation; it isn’t something you need to understand this moment.” Teren seemed relieved at his answer. “Now, straight ahead of us is Herald’s Collegium, which is attached to the residence wing, both for the convenience of the teachers and—” he cast a jaundiced eye on Skif “—to try and keep the Trainees out of mischief.”

Skif laughed; it was very clear from Teren’s tone and body language that he meant all Trainees, not just Skif. He couldn’t help but cast an envious glance at the wing beside them, though; he couldn’t help but think that as a Trainee, he’d probably be packed in among all the other Trainees with very little privacy.

“Healer’s Collegium and Bardic are also on the grounds, on the other side of Heralds,’” Teren continued, waving his hand at the three-and-a-half-story wing ahead of them. “You’ll share some of your classes with students from there. Healer Trainees wear pale green, Bardic Trainees wear a rust red rather than a true red. There will also be students who wear a pale blue which is similar to, but darker than, the pages’ uniforms. Those are a mixed bag. Some of them are highborn whose parents choose to have them tutored here rather than have private teachers, but most are talented commoners who are going to be Artificers.”

“What’s an Artificer?” Skif wanted to know.

“People who build things. Bridges, buildings, contrivances that do work like mills, pumps,” Teren said absently. “People who dig mines and come up with the things that crush the ore, people who make machines, like clocks, printing presses, looms. It takes a lot of knowing how things work and mathematics, which is why they are here.”

“Keep that away from me!” Skif said with a shudder. “Sums! I had just about enough of sums!”