Arrows Trilogy

One of my favorite authors is Mercedes Lackey. I know, I already wrote about her with Beauty and the Werewolf, but I figured I'd go over another universe of hers, Valdemar. Valdemar is a country founded by Lord Valdemar (go figure) who wanted to give his people freedom. When he needed help the most, he prayed to every god and goddess he could think of, and his prayers were answered with companions. Might sound dirty, but it's not! Companions are look like magnificent horses, but with quite human minds, and speed and endurance like no horse. Heralds are picked by the companions to help the King. So, ages later, when Valdemar is quite established, there was a girl, whose name was Talia. She was raised in a highly strict religious household, and at 13, was told she was to get married. Terrified at the thought of marriage, she runs away. Scared, lonely, and wondering what on Earth she was going to do, she hears a sound like no other, a companion's bells! She runs out, and promptly falls right down the hill to land at it's feet. She realizes that the companion is alone, and decides she must return it to the capital. Once there, she finds out she has been chosen to be a herald, and starts down a long road of hope, love, danger, and adventure! The "Arrows" trilogy is very good, and it's the first books she writes in this world. Once you finish it, you could read others from the same timeline, like 'To Catch a Thief', or 'Exile's Honor' (there are more too), or you could choose to read from another timeline, like that of the last herald mage, Vanyel, or of the firestarter, Lavan. I would, however, start with her entry into the world, as it might explain a few things you could find missing or confusing from the rest. Hope you enjoy!