“Your situation is unusual. The First Huntsman has described his difficulty in determining your temple, and your subsequent struggles with the Binding. You have been given basic training by Third Huntsman Lochlade, and now you’ve come to be judged by the Holy Council.” Auris stood up and walked around the table. Lena could see the deep lines at the sides of her mouth, the determined set to her eyes, which were the dark-yellow shade of autumn leaves. “Your test will proceed in three stages, and we will use them to decide whether you are properly in control of your powers. Each stage tests one of the three main skills of a mage: power, dexterity, and reactivity. If you pass the test, you will no longer be deemed a Rogue, but will be accepted into the temple training system. Do you understand?”

Lena nodded again, feeling cold and pale and extremely small.

“Good, then let us begin.”

A few items were produced from the back of the hall and laid on the two tables in front of the temple masters. One table supported a large glass globe, big enough to fit a child inside. The second table had been laid with a single sheet of paper and a wooden log in a stone basin. The third challenge, Lena knew, would be a combat, and a dark-skinned woman dressed in red appeared to be standing ready at the side of the room.

“Your first challenge,” said Grand Master Auris, standing behind the table bearing the glass globe, “is to fill this receptacle with a manifestation of your magic. You must produce enough to fill the globe, but not so much that it shatters. This is to demonstrate the nature of your power, and your basic ability to control it. Proceed.”

Lena glanced at Emris, who nodded encouragingly—You can do this, his eyes promised. She had practiced a similar technique on several occasions. Slowly, she stepped up to the table and touched her finger against the cool, smooth glass. She closed her eyes and carefully drew on her power—today it felt mercifully close to her fingertips. She opened her eyes to watch the glass bubble fill with roiling gray cloud in a matter of seconds. Quickly, she drew her hand away. The cloud inside the globe flickered suddenly blue, like lightning, and Lena jumped.

Each time she used it now, her power seemed to strengthen.

The watching mages murmured at the manifestation, and Lena waited as the eight masters conferred among themselves. She swallowed and glanced down at her hands.

Grand Master Auris leaned forward, and Lena expected her to pronounce whether she had passed or failed the first challenge. Instead, Auris said, “Your second challenge is a simple spell. You will find everything you need on this table. This will demonstrate your dexterity, your ability to mold your magic to individual requirements not necessarily compatible with its character. Proceed when you are ready.”