Natalia gazed out the window of the tower she occupied. There were six of them at the Volstrum, every one topped by a copper dome. They were often used by full mages to practice their arts, but today they were being used for the final assessments of the graduating students. She waited patiently, staring out at the cold, wet weather that was so common this far north, wondering what tomorrow"s dawn might bring, for today was to be her last day as a student. Her reverie was cut short when the door opened, revealing none other than the matriarch herself, Illiana Stormwind.
"Greetings, Natalia," she said, "I hope you are well?"
"I am, Mistress, thank you. And yourself?"
"As well as can be expected for someone of my advanced years," she said, sweeping her gaze over the young woman. "You look
