In answer, Artoch turned to the roaring fire, uttering more words. Moments later, the flames died out, becoming nothing more than a smoking pile of wood. "If you can create a fire," he said, "you can also extinguish one, though if it is not yours, it requires more energy to do so. Now, let us continue with the exercise..."

The Competition

Spring 1103 SR

Natalia waited as Katrin finished tying her shoe. "How are you progressing?" she asked.

"Not so well," her friend answered. "I can get the spell cast, but I'm having difficulty with targeting. They often miss entirely, though I'm all right for those with no range."

"Well," offered Natalia, "isn't it good that we get time to practise?"

Her shoelace tied, Katrin rose from her seat. "Let's go, shall we. We don't have all day."

They made their way through the halls of the Volstrum, halting as they reached the casting range.

"Are you sure we're allowed to be here, unsupervised?" asked Katrin.

"I cleared it with Mistress Nina," Natalia replied. "Now, are you ready to begin?

"Where shall I start?"

"How about something simple? Let's go back to the mist spell, and we'll work on ice shards later. First, cast the spell with no range. I'd like to see your strength before continuing on to a distant target."

Natalia watched as Katrin incanted the words, the familiar buzz coming to her ears. A moment later, they were surrounded by mist.

"Not bad," said Natalia, waving her hands and uttering the words needed to dispel it. "Now, let's make it a bit more challenging."

"Challenging how, exactly?"

"Try to target a space halfway between us and the dummy down there," Natalia said, pointing.

Katrin cast the spell again, this time the mist appeared farther into the room, midway to the target.

"Again, a good casting, though your aim is off a bit, you're hitting to the left. Try to adjust your aiming point. Go ahead, do it again."

In answer, Katrin shook her hands to release tension. "Did you see the visitors today?" she asked.

"You mean the Sartellians?" asked Natalia. "What of them?"

"They were a handsome set," remarked Katrin.

"You should concentrate more on your studies," Natalia chided.

"They've come a long way to see us," her friend continued. "What do you think they're doing here?"

"I don't know," Natalia admitted, "but the Sartellians and the Stormwinds are two branches of the same tree. Where we master water, they master fire. What else is there to know? Now," she said, changing the subject, "are you ready to try once more?"

Katrin cast again, this time hitting closer to the target.

"You're getting there," said Natalia.

"I'm always getting there," fumed Katrin, "but never arriving. I'm never going to hit the target."

"You're tensing up too much," offered Natalia. "Remember, first you cast, you've got that part down, then you have to target. It's like letting loose with an arrow, you have to visualize hitting the mark."