Euthalia woke early, as she was wont to do after a life on the ranch. She had slept wonderfully on the soft bed but it was time to get up. She wanted to practice casting her magic so she could try to get better control over it.

Euthalia got out of bed, dressed, and stepped into the hall. There were servants bustling everywhere. Euthalia wasn’t sure if that was normal for this time of morning in the castle or not but she soon found out when a servant approached her.

“Milady, how are you this morning?”

“I’m good thank you, and you?”

“I’m ok milady, but war has been officially declared between Silica and Baingana-Kerajya. I’m to take you to a magister when you are ready.”

“I’m ready now.”

“Then follow me, milady.”

Euthalia followed the servant down to a well-decorated room in the castle. The servant bowed and then left Euthalia with the magister.

“Please sit Ms. Santhos.”

The magister pointed out a red, plush chair with gold trim.

“Since you arrived, many things have happened. I am to brief you on them all. First, during the midnight hours, the Knight and the Archer of the Four Warriors prophecy arrived. We surmise that the Duelist is on his or her way. Early this morning, Baingana-Kerajya troops landed on our shores near the port town of Aquamarine. In turn, the Kingdom of Silica declared war on Baingana-Kerajya. We have dispatched more troops to the area and fighting is occurring. It is likely that when the Duelist arrives, the Four Warriors, including yourself, will be dispatched to the area. For now, that is all the news I have. The king will likely want to meet with you when the Duelist arrives. Until then, the king would like you to train to control your magic.”

Euthalia took a moment to process the information.

War has finally broken out and soon I will be in it. I hope my family stays safe.

“Yes, magister, I was actually going to ask you if there was a place to practice my magic?”

“A servant will take you to the court mage. She can help teach you.”

“Thank you.”

Euthalia was taken to a large courtyard. There she was introduced to the court mage.

“I have been informed of your story, Ms. Sathos. You have never been able to wield magic until two days ago correct?”

“Yes.”

“And now you have abundant power but cannot control it.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I will do what I can to help teach you the basics of magic. First, can you cast a small spell you I can see for myself what I have to work with?”

“Alright, if you’re sure.”

“Yes. Cast a fireball at the target set up over there.”

The court mage pointed to a distant target set up on the grass near the middle of the courtyard. Then the court mage took a step back to observe Euthalia.

Euthalia took a deep breath, then chanted the spell.

Fire, passionate soul, bringer of heat, burner of coal, hear my desire: Loegja Fireball!

She tried to picture a small ball of fire but instead a massive amount of fire exploded into being and then coalesced into a ball then sailed off toward the target. Euthalia didn’t have to worry about accuracy because the fireball was bigger than the target and obliterated it. Hardly even ash was left.

“Sweet mother of minerals!” The court mage screamed as the fire crashed into the target. She looked back to Euthalia. To Euthalia, it seemed that her eyes were fearful as the court mage looked at her.

Eventually, the woman calmed down.

The court mage walked Euthalia through basic lessons of magic but despite them, she had no more control than when she started. After several hours, Euthalia was told that the Dualist had arrived and that the king would meet with the Four Warriors shortly.