"That's Svetlana," said Marakhova, "she's the high-born I was telling you about."

As her name was mentioned, Svetlana turned, curtsying to the matriarch and the Grand Mistress of the Volstrum.

"You may proceed," commanded Illiana.

Servants opened a side door, revealing another chamber filled with smoke from braziers that lined the walls. Svetlana stepped forward, taking a deep breath before entering. The door closed behind her, and they waited a moment for the smoke to clear in the pool room.

"Send Natalia in next," commanded Illiana.

The servants hesitated, but Marakhova nodded her head in approval, a motion that was not lost on the old woman. It was rare for the matriarch to visit the Volstrum but even rarer for one to issue orders. Though she was the appointed head of the family, the reality was that control was held by many, of which the matriarch, though powerful, was only one.

A side door opened, admitting Natalia, a young woman of approximately twenty years, the typical age for this ceremony. She was of average height, but her jet black hair and pale countenance were an unusual combination in this area of the continent. She carried herself with style and grace, despite her peasant birth.

Nodding to the two powerful women, she stepped into the pool, the water quickly losing its steam.

Marakhova looked on in surprise, but Illiana simply smiled. "I see she's the same old Natalia, though I must say she carries herself well now."

"She's still a peasant," derided Marakhova. "There are some things that training cannot quite eliminate."

"You forget your history," said the matriarch, "for the founders of our line were not high-born."

"That was more than six hundred years ago," said Marakhova, "before we understood how proper breeding could produce such powerful mages."

"And yet, here is Natalia, the very antithesis of our theories. How can one of such low birth display such power?"

"It is a mystery I cannot explain," continued Marakhova, "but I shall keep my eye on her."

"As shall I," warned Illiana. "I've had an interest in her ever since she arrived at the Volstrum."

They fell into silence, watching as Natalia knelt in the water. The young woman rose, leaving ice crystals on the surface of the water as she stepped from the pool.

"Curious," observed Marakhova, turning to one of the servants. "Are you sure the magebane was administered?"

"It was, Mistress," the girl replied.

"And you made sure she drank it?"

"I did, Mistress," the girl stared at the floor, expecting to be rebuked.

Instead, Marakhova turned to the matriarch, "You have an explanation, I assume?"

"It is her power," the old woman replied. "Did I ever tell you about how she came here?"

"No," said Marakhova, "when I took over two years ago, you told me very little about her. I knew you took an interest, but you never told me why."

"Tell me," said Illiana, "how old are candidates when they first come to the Volstrum?"