Herald Keren is a riding instructor at the Collegium. Keren acted as a sort of surrogate mother to young Talia, and remained her long-time friend. Keren is the twin sister of Herald Teren, who (unusually) is able to Mindspeak with her Companion, Dantris. She can Mindspeak his Companion as well. She is also the granddaughter of Queen's Own Herald Talamir.
Alberich thinks Keren is around his age, but also says people from Lake Evendim don't show their age. She was a Herald for several years before Alberich arrived, and "wore her brown hair cropped close to her head."[1] When Talia met her, she was a "tall, thin woman of indeterminate age, with short, graying brown hair and intelligent gray eyes."[2]
Early Life[]
Keren was raised near Lake Evendim. She is an accomplished swimmer and was familiar with rescuing those who fell into the icy waters. She was Chosen years before her twin brother Teren, who married and sired children.
Relationships[]
Keren is shay'a'chern, and was fortunate enough to have two Lifebondings.
She was lifebonded with Herald Ylsa for some time, until Ylsa's unfortunate death. The death of one in a lifebonding is similar to the death of a Companion to his bonded Herald, and the extreme pain of Keren's loss was felt all around the Collegium.
Sherrill, a fellow Herald from Lake Evendim area, came to help Keren deal with the grief of losing Ylsa. In time, Keren realized she was lifebonded to Sherrill. This was extremely rare, as one lifebonding is rare and hard to find-- two is far less likely. Had they acknowledged the feelings while Ylsa was still living, they likely would have been a trio rather than two couples.
Tedrel Wars[]
During the Tedrel Wars Keren, along with Ylsa, was recruited by Alberich as part of Selenay's Six. As the only Heralds in the group, the pair took the day shift guarding Selenay. This meant they were the ones shadowing the princess during meetings and briefings, where they blended in with the other Heralds in attendance. They also had the help of their Companions, which gave Selenay greater protection during hours when she was out moving about the camp.
Companion[]
Gifts[]
One of her Gifts appears to be Mindspeech.
In the series[]
Keren appears in the following works:
- Exile's Honor, Exiles of Valdemar, volume 1
- Exile's Valor, Exiles of Valdemar, volume 2
- Arrows of the Queen, Heralds of Valdemar, volume 1
- Arrow's Flight, Heralds of Valdemar, volume 2
- Arrow's Fall, Heralds of Valdemar, volume 3
- Winds of Fate, Mage Winds, volume 1
- Winds of Fury, Mage Winds, volume 3
References[]
- ↑ Exile's Valor, chapter 4
- ↑ Arrows of the Queen, chapter 5