The door opened, revealing the wrinkled countenance of none other than Illiana Stormwind herself, Matriarch of the family.

"Mistress Illiana," said Stanislav, "I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you'd moved on to other things?"

"I have indeed," the old woman replied. "I am the matriarch of the family now, but I like to keep my eyes on our future leaders. I see you've brought us another candidate."

"I have," the mage hunter replied, "I found him near Caerhaven."

"A substantial journey," Illiana replied, "and what led you there?"

"Rumours of a witch, as usual," he replied. "Though in this case, they proved accurate. He displays the usual signs and should make a valuable addition to the Volstrum."

Illiana looked at the boy with a well-practiced eye. She had once been mistress of this academy, had trained many of the mages that passed through its halls, but then the family had called upon her to become matriarch, not an honour to be refused. It might be called a family, she thought, but the bitter in-fighting never seemed to cease.

She pushed the thought from her mind, returning her attention to the boy, though perhaps young man was a more accurate description. He appeared to be about thirteen, the usual age to start manifesting powers, and though he needed to be tested, she was confident enough in the mage hunter's abilities to agree with his assessment. "I'll see to him," she said, "you can leave."

"I'm actually staying," said Stanislav. "Natalia is going through her unleashing today, and I'd thought I'd offer my support."

"I'm surprised by your attachment to her," she remarked. "Out of all the people you have delivered here, why such an interest in her?"

"She is the youngest person I ever brought to the Volstrum," he said, "as you well know. She saved me from the treachery of Nikolai, and I always felt as though I owed her for that. What of yourself? It's obvious she holds a fascination for you, or why else would you be here today?"

"My interest is purely academic," Illiana replied. "Natalia shows strong potential, possibly the strongest I have ever seen, but if you tell her that, I will deny it."

Stanislav chuckled, "Very well, your secret is safe with me."

Marakhova Stormwind strode through the halls of the Volstrum, her feet gliding across the marble floor. For generations, the Stormwinds had trained the most powerful Water Mages in all the known lands, and this day, another group would officially be welcomed into the family. She paused at a mirror, examining herself, noting the ornate trappings of a Grand High Mage, the highest rank achievable in the family. She plucked at an imaginary thread and then resumed her walk.

Two female guards were standing by a set of elegantly decorated double doors which led to the ritual bathing pool as the Grand High Mage arrived. She was about to enter when a voice drew her attention.