Natalia curtsied. "Thank you, Matriarch, for everything."

"I know I have been hard on you over the years, Natalia, but I see a bright future for you, whatever path you tread." She turned to leave, opening the door but then pausing as she turned her head to gaze back at the young woman, "We will not meet again, my dear, but know that my hopes and dreams go with you, whatever you do."

Grand Matriarch Illiana left the room, leaving Natalia to ponder this strange turn of events, the pouch clutched tightly in her hands.

Three days later, Natalia stood in line. She was there with twelve other students, each waiting to be officially recognized as a graduate of the Volstrum. Turning her head, she perused the considerable crowd that had gathered. In addition to the entire student body, dignitaries and influential members of the family had come together to witness the day's proceedings, and it reminded her of the matriarch's words of warning.

The sound of Grand Mistress Marakhova Stormwind calling Natalia's name interrupted her musings, and she stepped forward.

"With this ring," began Marakhova, "I do proclaim Natalia Stormwind a Mistress of the Volstrum, and full battle mage."

The students in the crowd cheered loudly, her victory at the competition last spring still fresh in their minds.

"Hold out your hand," commanded Marakhova.

Natalia held out her right hand, waiting.

Marakhova turned to Mistress Voltana, who had advanced with a pillow on which sat a familiar looking ring.

"This can't be right," said Marakhova, "surely there's some mistake?"

"It is correct, Grand Mistress," said Voltana. "It is the ring of Matriarch Illiana herself."

Marakhova lifted the ring reverentially from the pillow, its gem a pale blue. "You receive a great gift this day," she uttered, just loud enough for Natalia to hear. "I hope you don't dishonour it."

"I shall do my best not to,” Natalia answered, bowing her head slightly.

Marakhova placed the ring on Natalia's middle finger, and the gem immediately turned black. The grand mistress gasped, then looked to Natalia's eyes, which were staring straight ahead.

It only took a moment for the older woman to recover, and then she straightened her back, announcing, "Welcome, Mistress Natalia."

Natalia stepped back in line, and the ceremony continued. She remained still, keeping her eyes straight ahead until the last graduate was welcomed and the ceremony complete. It wasn't until the festivities were announced that she finally looked down to examine the ring in more detail. The magerite looked black, but as she held it to the light, she could see just a hint of blue, denoting her water magic. There could be no doubt it was the matriarch's ring, and Natalia wondered why she had seen fit to gift it to her. Was the matriarch trying to tell her something? Illiana's words in the tower came back to Natalia, and she realized her life was about to get much more complicated.