It was rare that a potential student was brought through the stables and when it did occur, it was usually for one reason, and one reason only; the applicant was being brought in by a mage hunter. High-borns used the front entrance, but low-borns were typically brought in the back, as she had been. She hoped she might see Stanislav, for he was one of the more successful mage hunters, but there were others who showed up from time to time.

Rounding the corner to the stables, the smell of horses drifted into Natalia's nose. Moments later, she entered the busy room where merchants were unloading a couple of wagons of food near a group of male instructors who waited while servants brought them mounts. She passed them, nodding her head to show the requisite respect, and then made her way to the waiting room. This was a small chamber beside the stables where hopeful candidates were held until they could be processed.

She opened the door to see a young lad sitting on a chair, his back to the wall, casting his eyes about trying to take it all in. Opposite him sat a man, and her face broke into a smile as she recognized him.

"Stanislav," Natalia said, "so good to see you. How have you been?"

"I've been well," he replied, likewise grinning. "My, but you've grown. You look like a proper lady now."

"Who's this you've brought us?" she asked.

The mage hunter looked at the young lad. "His name's Pyotr," he said, "and I brought him back from Kasdar."

"Never heard of it," she said.

"I'm surprised," he replied, "it's only a couple of days from here. I take it you're to greet the new initiate?"

"I have that honour, yes," she said, then remembered the letter. "Stanislav, can you linger for a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about, but I have to see to Pyotr here, first."

"Of course," he said, "but before you do, I do need you to sign my contract so I can get my catcher's fee."

"By all means," she said, holding out her hand, "give it to me and then you can collect the coins."

He fished through his overcoat, withdrawing a carefully folded piece of paper.

Natalia took it and placed it upon the table that sat nearby. After scanning over it quickly, she signed her name neatly at the bottom. She lifted it to her lips, blowing on it till the ink dried. "Here you go," she said, "all neat and proper."

"Thank you," he replied, taking it back. "I'll just go and collect my fee. Shall we meet back here? I shouldn't be too long."

"Sounds perfect," she said, then remembered the note she had brought with her. She pulled it from the waist of her skirt. "Hold onto this for me, won't you?"

"What is it?" he asked.