‘Now, listen carefully. You are first going to learn to work with silver, which means control of the wind. Why? Because it was copper that caused you so much trouble before, and because iron is the most dangerous. Gold we will save for another day. As I have already said, think of the power within you as a slow-burning fire. Can you feel it? You may close your eyes if you wish.’

She closed her eyes and there it was. It was just like the magus said: a seething fire pit, burning inside her. Her chest tightened. She tried not to think of all the pain that the fire might bring.

‘Focus your attention on it, without drawing it in any way. Remain calm.’

Concentrating, Chloe tried, but suddenly she was afraid, remembering what had happened in Sindara.

‘You are frowning and clenching your jaw. Find the calm. If you cannot make this first step, you will have to listen to the wind some more.’

‘No,’ she said.

She allowed her thoughts to settle, and finally was able to calmly appraise the fire. Like any fire, it rose and fell, surging and ebbing.

‘I can feel it. It’s not bringing any pain.’

‘Good. You are close to the Source, so while you are at Athos, the power will come to you easily.’

Chloe nodded, surprised to feel a thrill of excitement.

‘Now the fire consists of all four materia. Think of a real fire. When you hold tinder above it, the flame seeks out the tinder and catches hold of it. It is like this with your power. You can think of violence, and the power of iron will come, but the true path shows us another way.’

She swallowed. ‘I’m ready.’

‘First, let us think of the wind. Do it now.’

She remembered the wind she’d heard on the cliff, howling as it blew, bringing cool air from the sea. The fire inside her surged upward, seeking an exit. A slow pain grew in her head as it felt like more than she could handle.

She opened her eyes.

‘What happened?’ the magus asked.

‘It grew, but it felt like it was too strong.’

He nodded. ‘That is exactly what I expected to happen. It might feel difficult, like thinking four thoughts at the same time, but the wind in your mind can’t have any temperature. It can’t have any sound. It must just be the wind. Otherwise you will not get the one materia you want to use; you will bring a combination, which is one of the greatest sources of danger, and where many go wrong.’

She frowned, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

‘Now try once more.’

She again closed her eyes and thought of wind that was neither warm nor cold. It was a soundless wind; it didn’t howl. It could only be noticed by the feel of it on her skin.