Arn had returned from his daily work at the shrine on the Fort’s compound to a curious scroll sitting neatly on his humble bed.  Clerics, just like any other military member, had spartan accommodations.  This meant that their rooms had no locks and could be easily accessible to anyone.  Theft was heavily frowned upon and discouraged via lashings or sometimes even worse, cutting off the offender’s hand.  

Easy access to habitations did not really give others the right to enter other’s rooms.  After a quick talk with the Barracks Seargant, none had been able to even identify a possible culprit.  His superior, Master Hardal spoke simple yet very wise words.  [color=00aeef]“Why don’t you just go to Hoseforne’s Academy and find what that is all about.”[/color]  So a long journey later, made longer due to the fact that he could not simply borrow any of the War Boars or Great Goats that his military units employed. 

However, the two month land journey enabled him to help people on the road and receive rides from travelers, farmers etc and experience life outside the cloistered walls of the Iron Gates Fort.  it had been high time he initiated his Tempering anyways.  Perhaps, it had even been a ploy from his wise master to get him out and into the world.  This latter was not entirely unplausible. 

Whatever the case, here he was here now, starting at the impressive architecture of Hoseforne’s.  He was dressed in his everyday Gambesson, a black sort of jacket with matching black pants.  His pack contained his armor, a few travel rations and most important of all, his Warhammer.  His Warhammer was a sight to behold.  Intricately engraved though none of the runes had been active for quite some time.  It could also be considered a maul but thanks to his dwarven strength, Arn was able to wield it in one hand.  

As he took he steps towards the Main Hall, he noticed a bulky warrior type purposefully bump into a person who could only be a magic user based on the dress and light body frame.  Though Arn had no particular love or hate relationship with mages, he could not stand by and abide any sort of disrespect, especially for purely prejudiced purposes.

To pay back the other burly offender, he stepped into the person’s path.  Thanks to his low stature, bulk and innate strength, bumping into the dwarf was like bumping into a small boulder.  The offending warrior emitted an audible grunt as he was not expecting the collision.  The human uttered an audible curse and looked down at the dwarf.  Arn merely looked up and said calmly. [color=0054a6] “My apologies.  Please be careful.  You could get hurt bumping into people like that.”[/color]  The  other man gave the cleric a mean look but decided against any further altercation and moved along  muttering under his breath. 

Arn followed him with his gaze until the bulky man was out of sight in the mass of people and continued into the Main Hall.  Despite having seen the majestic halls of his people under Iron Keep which boasted awe inspiring columns and architecture, even he could not help but widen his eyes and take in his breath at the sight of the magic crystal that command the Main Hall.  It was more than the beautiful gem like exterior, his own limited magic affinity seemed to hum.  For as many knew or rumored, anything that glints is a dwarf’s weakness. 

The young cleric’s eyes scanned the room and identified cubicles that had many people going in and out of them.  He found it interesting and impressive that such a great amount of people were able to keep from falling into chaos.  Yet something inside him had known that he was to come here and he had somehow known that the cubicles were for sorting people.  His logical and tactical mind made notes of this.  This sort of efficiency would be helpful in other applications, such as triage. 

He proceeded to an available line and waited patiently for his turn.  Many students around him grumbled on the wait but the dwarf was used to this.  Lines and the military were like inseparable lovers.  So he inched along, straight backed and stoic faced until it was finally his turn.  He entered the booth.  Suddenly there was a voice that seemed to be speaking directly to his mind.  He was surprised but the only physical evidence of that was the slight straightening of his back. 

[color=f49ac2]"Greeting's new student. I am Athena. Welcome to Hoseforn's Academy for Gifted Adventurers. Please present your acceptance scroll now."[/color]

[color=0054a6]“Yes ma’am”[/color] Arn replied smartly and he efficiently produced the scroll that had started it all.  A light scanned the document and the female voice sounded in his head again. 

[color=f49ac2]"Letter accepted. Welcome Arn Thurson of the Stonehammer clan Vassals of the Battlehammer Clan.”[/color]

Arn lifted one eyebrow at how accurate Athena had addressed him following the dwarven protocols.  He expressed his impressed feeling by nodding ever so slightly towards the small jewel in a sign of respect.  Inanimate object it may be but it deserved to be acknowledged. 


[color=f49ac2]"This is a map of the school grounds, your dorm number is 785. A fresh uniform and any supplies you require will be waiting for you. Please change...bathe... and return to the Main Hall within an hour and a half for the welcoming feast. Attendance is mandatory."[/color]

[color=0054a6]“Understood.”[/color]  His baritone voice again said properly and he exited the booth looking at his map and following the highlighted path to his room.  

He moved like a stone amongst the tide of students.  He saw many familiar and unique sights.  There was even a point when he thought he saw a girl with pink hair and fox ears?  He had no time to verify this as the sea of people swallowed her up.  Shrugging, he continued down the rows of apartments to one labeled with the appropriate range. 

The young dwarf moved from floor to floor until finally he was at his appointed room.  He placed a hand upon the door experimentally and heard an audible click.  Again, his eyebrows raised appreciatively.  He was about to enter when his nose caught the scent of something scrumptious.  He identified the smell coming from a blonde mage type entering a room a few doors down. 

His stomach grumbled, having eaten only bland travel rations.  He was glad that there would soon be a feast.  Dwarves were known for their hearty appreciation of good food and good drink.  Trained and shaped to be a deadly force, this did not mean that the young dwarf did not indulge in good food when available.  

Inside the room he could see a humble but efficient set up.  The room was much bigger than his own habitation back at the Fort but it had no fancy flourishes.  He directed his attention to one of the stand up closets and was happy to find that there was even a place to set his armor for easy cleaning and storage.  He continued to unpack his sparse belongings, an extra pair of everyday Gambesson and a ceremonial Doublet that was meant to be used for grand ceremonies.  

The crystal had mentioned a school uniform. [color=0054a6] “I wonder if I am to wear my uniform to the feast or if I am required to wear my ceremonial garb?”[/color] Unknown to him, there were even small versions of Athena in the rooms and through out the school.  This sort of comunication system would be quite lusted after by any military.