The magic shard on the wall between the beds seemed to glow once outside the vision of the young dwarf.  Young by dwarven standards that is.  His beard, only palm long, was a far cry from those dwarves who had lived near 200 or more years.  Though not as long lived as the near immortal elves, some dwarves had been known to live to almost 500 years old.  However, due to their constant quarrels with Orcs, other races, and sometimes even themselves, the great majority of dwarves tended to be between 200 and 300 years of age.

This long life in comparison to some demi humans, humanoids, and humans, meant that they had long memories which were slow to change.  Since most dwarves were not very adept at magic, many saw magic users as devious and to an extent cowardly.  Clerics, rune users, and shamans were sort of exempt as the magic was very practical and applied in a religious sort of level rather than a mystical sense.

Many dwarves would have smashed the orb immediately.  Arn himself would have been wary of such a sentient magical device being in his room.  As it was, when the gentle and cordial voice of Athena spoke from somewhere to his side, Arn automatically stepped further away from the sound and immediately started to reach for the hidden dagger in his boot while he scanned the room.  

[color=f6989d]“Students have a choice between utilizing one of the student uniforms provided in the top drawer of your dresser or any other garment you may have brought for the Initiation Feast.”  [/color]

Arn looked about and quickly identified the Orb.  He  stood up but did not approach or sheath his dagger again.  [color=0054a6]“My apologies Lady Athena, you startled me.” [/color] Then with a more controlled voice he inquired.  [color=0054a6]“I assumed your jurisdiction extended no further than the Main Hall.  Apparently I was mistaken.”[/color]  The young dwarf used politeness to mask his irritation at having a device that could indeed be helpful but could also be used to monitor him. 

[color=f6989d]“Various locations are available through out the campus for the convenience of the students.” [/color] 

The cleric stared at the orb but finally decided that it would be impossible to read an inanimate object no matter how interactive it may be.  He shrugged and proceeded to give the uniforms provided a look over.  The colors were much too flashy in comparison to the reserved ones utilized by the dwarven military.  He also did not know the purpose of the scarf but he would wear it regardless. 

The young dwarf appreciated the need for a school uniform.  With the myriad of students, all different shapes and sizes.  He placed the uniform on his bed and finding himself a towel proceeded to exit meaning to find a communal bath like he had on the military.  Instead, after walking down and up the hall, he found no bath.  Returning to his room, the young cleric realized there was yet an other door.  could it be?  Could this place be so lavish that each dorm room has a bath all of its own?  The answer was a resounding yes. 

This made him a bit melancholic as he was used to an open shower where all the cadets had shared a quick bath during only specific hours.  This time however, the bath had a tub and a stall, a place to hang your towel and a place to hang your caddy. A very shiny mirror with some innate light hung over a very nice vanity and sink.  There were also toiletries provided.  Arn had only brought a small bag of sweet smelling sand. The military cadet decided to stick with what he knew for now.  He was done much faster than the average person due to his training of quick showers to conserve water. He did not even wait for the water to warm up. 

Finally refreshed after two months of travel, he returned to the shared room to change into the school uniform.  He found it interesting that his uniform fit him perfectly.  It was not too tight or too loose. These curiosities and the way that the school seemed to cater and know exactly what the students need it put him a bit on edge. He looked at  himself on the provided full length mirror.  He raised an eyebrow.  He actually looked nice.

He spent more time on his beard that the whole bathing and dressing.  Using a natural bristle comb, he brushed his beard tenderly and careful.  Every one knows that a dwarf’s bear is his pride.  The single braid the only adornment to his dark brown beard. He fidget with it a bit then patted it to rest with the remainder of  his beard.  His half pony tail was nice and tight with the rest of his hair falling as if with a skirt.  

Being only a cadet, he still had all his hair.  Veteran campaigners used to being in battle helmets for a long time sported balding or bald heads. Indeed, though he sported a beard, the facial features of the young dwarf marked him as one having just barely reached adulthood.  He took a deep breath and turning sharply on his heels turned towards the door and headed to the feasting hall following the directions of the interactive map scroll. 

He was of course a bit early.  Thankfully he was not the only one. A pair of magely looking youths also seemed to have the decency of arriving early to an event.