"Easy for you to say," said Katrin, "you never miss."

"It'll come in time, I promise you. After all, you wouldn't expect someone who just picked up a bow to be a perfect shot, would you?"

"No," she admitted, "I suppose not."

"Well, there you go," said Natalia. "Now, try again."

Katrin dispelled the mist then tried again, this time landing the shot closer to the target. She dispelled it with an audible sigh, then turned back to her companion, returning to her previous conversation, "So why do you think they're here?"

"Perhaps they're only visiting relatives," said Natalia. "Just ignore the Sartellians and concentrate. Put all else from your mind."

"I can't, it's bothering me."

"Why would it bother you?"

"I have to know, don't you see?"

"No, I don't!" said Natalia. "What possible reason is there for you to be concerned about a bunch of visitors?"

"We live a life of total isolation from the rest of the world," explained Katrin. "Aren't you dying to know what's happening outside the walls of the Volstrum?"

"No," said Natalia, "but then again, I was very young when I started here. I don't remember much of my previous life."

"I don't know what to say, I just assumed you came at the same time as the rest of us."

"No, I was only ten when I arrived. They kept me separated from the rest of you until I turned thirteen."

"So you never knew your parents?" Katrin asked.

"I vaguely remember my mother," Natalia explained, "but my father is a blur. I don't think I spent much time with him. Stanislav tells me he was a farm labourer."

"Stanislav? The mage hunter? How would he know?"

"He's the one that brought me here, all those years ago. I still hear from him, and he tells me what's going on in the world. How is it for you?"

"I get letters from home," said Katrin. "After all, we might be Stormwinds, but we still have parents."

"It's different for you," said Natalia, "you're a high-born. You can trace your roots back to the founders of the line."

"True," she admitted, "but I wish I had their penchant for ranged magic. I can't seem to hit anything I aim for."

Natalia was about to say something, but the door suddenly opened, and a man wearing very ornate robes stepped in.

"What's this?" he asked. "I thought the casting range was empty."

"We were just practising," said Natalia. "We have permission from Mistress Nina. My name's Natalia, and this is Katrin. Might I ask who you are, sir?"

"I'm Gregori Stormwind," he answered. "I teach battle magic to the young men. I take it that's what you're practising?"

"We are," said Natalia. She glanced at Katrin, but the young woman seemed too petrified to speak. "Did you want the room right now, Master Gregori?"