The Santhos family woke up and did their morning chores before heading out to the village for the general meeting. During the morning routine, Euthalia’s brother was quieter than usual. Euthalia thought it odd, but didn’t pay him much mind.

As the Santhos family walked into the commons, the people gathered there were not talking about the impending war. Rather, they were talking about the earthquake.

“You feel it?”

“I felt it too.”

“Was it earth magic?”

“If it was, it must’ve been a powerful mage.”

Frahnk walked up to Nestori.

“Morning, Nestori!”

“Morning, Frahnk.”

“That was some shaking last night. Was there any damage at your place?”

“Euthalia’s window was shattered and there were scorch marks on her floor but other than that, no.”

“Scorch marks? Wherever did those come from?”

“No idea.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the mayor of Teal.

“Good morning folks. Now, I’m sure you want to discuss that earthquake last night, but we have more pressing matters to attend to. In addition to the message from the king, instructions were given on how to prepare for the coming conflict. All families are to prepare for war, possibly a long one. For our village, his majesty has asked that all men, from 18 up, take part in military preparation drills. A trainee from the army will be coming soon to supervise. Everyone involved in agriculture is asked not to join the military drills. You are only responsible for community defense drills. This is to ensure that a large food supply remains available through the war, if it comes. School hours will be reduced by an hour and a half upon a declaration of war, but will remain as normal until then. Any questions or exemptions based on disability or other circumstances should be brought to me.”

The mayor sighed.

“Now, I’m sure you want to discuss the earthquake from last night.”

“Yes, mayor. This area rarely gets shaking of that magnitude naturally. We think it must’ve been magic.”

“I agree; it must’ve been a powerful mage. The question is why would someone deliberately cause an earthquake here? There is no way that a mage with that much ability would be unable to control it.”

“Could it have been a Baingana-Kerejya soldier?”

“Unlikely folks. If Baingana-Kerejya soldiers were this far into the country, why would they risk discovery by attacking a small agricultural village?”

No one had another answer. While everyone was thinking, Euthalia saw her brother whisper to her dad. Her dad nodded to the unheard words then addressed the mayor.

“Mayor, my son says he has an idea. He said it sounds unlikely, but asks you to hear him out.”

“The young Santhos boy, huh? Let him speak Nestori.”

Euthalia’s brother stepped forward. Euthalia was curious what he would say.

“I know this will sound very odd, but let me explain after I say what I think.”

“Yes, young Santhos. Continue.”

“I think it was my sister, Euthalia.”

Several gasps (and at least one guffaw) came from the villagers. Euthalia opened her mouth slightly in shock.

“I know it sounds crazy. Euthalia has never been able to use magic. We know that. Last night though, after we were woken by the shaking, we heard a crash from her room and checking her room, her window had shattered. While we were there though, I sensed a strange energy from my sister. I’ve never felt it from her before, but it felt like magic.”

“That is certainly an odd tale, but it is only speculation.”

“I know. Until Euthalia proves it to be true.”

“Huh?”

Euthalia had a slightly sheepish look on her face and she blushed slightly in embarrassment as everyone turned to look at her.

“I don’t know what’s he’s talking about.”

Tuomas looked at her.

“Eu, I want you to try. Please?”

“Oh, alright, at least it’ll prove I’m not the culprit. What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to try to make a stalagmite.”

“Ok.”

“Watch how I do it first. Everyone please clear a space for us.”

The crowd drew back and an open circle formed around Euthalia and Tuomas.

“Ground, element of Earth, heed my request which I make unto you. Loegja Stalagmite!

After Tuomas spoke, a small stalagmite about 4 feet high appeared. Near the center of the circle.

“Now you try Eu. Just say the incantation the same as I did.”

Euthalia sighed. This wasn’t going to work.

“Very well. Ground, element of Earth, heed my request which I make unto you. Loegja Stalagmite.”

Nothing happened.

“See, I tol-…”

Suddenly a giant stalagmite erupted from the ground and soared to 20 feet high. Its base was so wide as to knock over Tuomas’ stalagmite.

“Holy shit!” Tuomas cursed. His mother forgot to cuff him for language. She was paralyzed in awe, as were the rest of the villagers. The mayor’s eyeballs were bulging so much they looked like they might fall out. Ew.

Slowly, all eyes went back to Euthalia. Her eyes were wide too as she gazed up the tall spire of earth that towered over her.

“I couldn’t do that yesterday.”

Slowly, the crowd came to their senses again and Tuomas continued.

“I know it sounded crazy, but there is your proof.”

“Indeed, thank you for your opinion Tuomas Santhos.”

The mayor specifically left out referring to him as young, for clearly his explanation was beyond that of youth.

“I am not done yet. When we went to check on Euthalia, we noticed scorch marks on her floor and her bed was wet. At the time, I thought she had wet herself-

“HEY!” Euthalia was indignant that he would suggest that privately, let alone in public.

…but, I have one more thing I want to try by your leave mayor.”

“Granted. You have shown yourself worthy of my permission.”

“Thank you mayor.” Tuomas turned and looked around at the crowd. “Is there anyone here who can use fire magic?”

“I can.” A young man stepped forward into the circle that was still around Euthalia and Tuomas. He was a merchant.

“Can you cast a fire spell? A small one preferably.”

“Yes. I’ll use a little trick to attack customers in the city.”

“Fire, passionate soul, bringer of heat, burner of coal, hear my desire. Loegja Flare!”

A small fireball appeared in the merchant’s hand and he tossed it between his hands.

“Eu,” said Tuomas, turning back to his sister, “You try it now.”

A loud gasp came from the crowd and whispers of disbelief permeated the air.

“Two elements?!”

“No one can…”

“…Only one element…”

“… But the Mage…”

Euthalia was about to refuse, but enough strange things had happened in the last hours. She had magic now it seemed. She could easily be satisfied with it. She should just prove she wasn’t the Mage of the prophecy now and get it over with.

“Alright, but don’t expect anything.”

This is ridiculous. I can’t cast two elements.

But you couldn’t cast even one yesterday.

Euthalia took a breath, preparing to chant the incantation and people moved back. If by the slimmest of chances she did cast a fire magic, they did not want to be caught in it. The earthen spire still towering over the village was enough to instill some caution.

“Fire, passionate soul, bringer of heat, burner of coal, hear my desire. Loegja flare tornado!”

Euthalia added the last bit to show how ridiculous this was going to be. In her mind, she had pictured a tornado made out of fire. If she was going to fail this, she might as well be creative.

Immediately from her hand, a small vortex of fire shot out and grew rapidly into a swirling tornado of flame.

People started screaming and running away from the twisting inferno.

Euthalia was so surprised and shocked that she was actually paying better attention to her surroundings then when she had cast the stalagmite.

The spell she had cast wasn’t a true “fire tornado.” Those could only be generated by a unison attack between an air mage and a fire mage. Consequently, there was no wind associated with the cavorting flames but it still spun and twirled like a mad, fiery top, its peak now 10 feet in the air.

“Water, sustainer of life, mover of trade, friend of the vegetation, send us your help at our request. Loegja Rain!”

Euthalia heard several people gathered together chant the words to a rain spell. The combined spells of the people coalesced and put out her fire spell.

Shocked whispers rushed through the crowd as they re-gathered, the danger abated.

Euthalia couldn’t hear what all of them were and there were too many to focus on their words, but she could hear “The Mage” repeated over and over.

Beside her, she heard a hushed voice from her brother.

“My sister’s the Mage!”

The mayor tried to speak but couldn’t. He swallowed twice and a hoarse voice finally emanated.

“Gather an escort and prepare horses. We are going to the Castle!”