In ancient times, a prophecy was spoken. This prophecy foretold that when the kingdom of Silica was in a time of great danger, four warriors would emerge from the populace and come to the aid of the kingdom. They are the Knight, the Archer, the Dualist, and the Mage. The Knight would be a master in the art of melee combat; the Archer, master in the art of missile combat; the Duelist, master of martial and stealth arts; and the Mage, master of all the forms of magic. The date the prophecy was utter has been lost in the annals of history and some consider it a myth; yet, it is still an important piece of Silican history and some think that the day will soon come that it will be fulfilled.

Euthalia looked up from the weathered textbook she had been reading in the one room class room in the rural village of Teal and looked out the window. School was in session and it was springtime. Outside, one could see the rolling fields of green grass and a multitude of teal flowers for which the village had been named and the air had a pleasantly warm feeling as it brushed against one’s skin. Euthalia turned away from the window upon hearing the voice of her teacher ask her a question.

“Euthalia, can you tell me why the Mage is special compared to ordinary people?”

Euthalia stood up to answer.

“Yes ma’am. The mage can use all five of the magical elements freely whereas everyone else can only use a single element.”

“Correct Euthalia.”

Euthalia sat down but as she did a boy sitting in the back spoke.

“Except for Euthalia who can’t even use a single element.”

Some of the other boys chuckled and Euthalia looked down at the floor abashed because they were right.

“Now boys, that is no way to speak to classmate or any other person. Some people just take longer to learn what their magical affinity is. Now apologize.”

“We’re sorry Euthalia,” they muttered.

“Very good. Now back to the lesson.”

Mrs. Hildurdottir continued her lesson but Euthalia wasn’t paying attention. Her teacher was correct, a few people took longer than others to learn their elemental affinity and begin practicing magic, but everyone had discovered it before they turned 12. Euthalia was 16 and still could not cast magic. Because of that fact, she was somewhat of an outsider and considered a bit of an oddity in the village. She didn’t have many friends either. Most of the children would go and practice their magic with each other. Since Euthalia couldn’t perform any magic, she was never invited.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a bell tolling from a fair distance off. Thrice it sounded, which meant that school was over for the day.

Everyone began packing up their supplies and they left. Euthalia began leaving too but Mrs. Hildurdottir motioned for her to stay.

“Euthalia, have you considered the offer which I told you about the other day?”

Mrs. Hildurdottir was from the capital of Silica, Quartz. Since she was from the city, she had several connections that most people in Teal did not. The offer of which she was speaking was to send Euthalia to a magical specialist and have the specialist evaluate her to see if she could be helped.

“Yes, but there is not much to consider. My family doesn’t have much money and I’m needed here to help run the ranch. Thank you for the offer, but I’m afraid I can’t.”

Euthalia also didn’t think the specialist could help. No one in recorded history had been unable to cast magic for as long as Euthalia had. She didn’t say it, but she didn’t think she could cast magic. Somehow she was born without that ability.

Mrs. Hildurdottir sighed lightly.

“I understand. Go on home then Euthalia. I will see you in two days.”

Euthalia said goodbye and then walked out of the schoolhouse and down the dirt road, if one could call it that, headed to her family ranch just outside the village. It was a modest ranch and her family didn’t have much extra money, but Euthalia liked it all the same. Her family was the most important. Her loving mother and her diligent father, both hard workers, and even her little brother—though he could be annoying at times. Her younger brother was a bit of a twit but even though he was somewhat of a prodigy in magical ability, certainly more skilled than his peers, he usually didn’t tease her about her own lack of ability. As she walked through the commons of the village she saw some men and women standing around talking, as they were wont to do on a pleasant spring afternoon. As she passed, she heard snippets of their conversation.

…several more ships sank…

…no survivors…

…more activity… who…?

So, more attacks. The country to the south of Silica was Baingana-Kerejya. The two countries were separated from each other by a narrow seaway. The country of Baingana-Kerejya had been a minor country for the last several hundred years but recently a charismatic but mysterious leader had come to power. From what Euthalia had gathered from the adults was that Baingana-Kerejya had conquered and subjugated several of its neighboring polities. Recently, several Silican ships had been sunk. No one knew why because there were never any survivors left to relate their tales.

Enough about that though. Euthalia turned her mind to the multitude of chores she had to do that afternoon and evening. A ranch didn’t run itself and Euthalia had it rougher than most. Most people in the village and, from what Mrs. Dot said, the people in Quartz all used magic to help them accomplish most tasks in their daily lives. Since Euthalia couldn’t use magic, she had to work harder. Not that she complained. That’s just the way things were. After several more minutes of walking, Euthalia reached her home.