The Collegium Chronicles, Book 1

Magpie, a teen orphan, escapes a life of slavery in the gem mines when he is chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar to become a Herald, in which role he discovers talents that he never knew he had and witnesses the founding of the Heralds' Collegium.

First book of three, following three unlikely friends, a trainee Herald, trainee Healer and trainee Bard through their years at the Collegium.