Chalice watched the trio from the other side of the table in her impromptu meeting hall at the spire’s base. At first she had believed that they were identical, but silent observation revealed that there were slight differences between them aside from obvious color preferences. The one dressed in red was obviously the eldest with near invisible creases around his copper-colored eyes. Age was harder to discern between the one dressed in blue and the one in green. She gave up trying when she realised that she would only be speaking with the one wearing red who had introduced himself as Baelic.

“You derive your powers from nature?”

He nodded. “Correct. I have a pact with fire. Mathew,” he gestured to the one in green,”can manipulate plants, and Mattias’s ability to control water is second to none.”

The Orianna looked each sibling over as they were addressed and was conflicted at their pristine appearance. They had arrived at the Orianna spire on word from the nomad that had aided her predecessor who claimed that they were the best mercenaries on the planet yet they were unmarred. They were either extremely weak with their contracts, had a unprecedented means of controlling recoil, or…

“You are favored by the elements?”

Baelic frowned and nodded in response. It seemed he was aware at how rare their position among the mystical community was. On the surface Chalice was impressed, but further inward, she was annoyed. The natural powers had always confounded her. Unlike her own energies, they did not come from a central source - or if they did, it was extremely erratic and untraceable. Additionally, they failed when it came to consistency of requirement. Anyone could make a pact as these brothers claimed to have, but the payment and recoil for it was wildly variable.

This fact made it easy to believe that there were nature spirits that favored some individuals over others, but every attempt at uncovering them throughout history failed. The sciences had provided more consistent means for controlling the elements, but they did not account for the fantastic.

“Obviously, I will need a demonstration.”

The words had barely left her mouth when each of the brothers held an example of their power in their hands. Baelic had produced a ball of fire that flitted between his fingers while the seeds that were in Mathew’s pocket sprouted and grew vines around his arms. The quietest brother, Mattias, produced an impressive miniature ice statue that poured water into his palm yet never overflowed.

Chalice inhaled deeply through her nose before placing her hand to her forehead. “Those are wonderful tricks, but the bounty that you will be chasing — that I’m paying an extraordinary wealth for — is a force as has never been seen before. A force that I, one who wields the sun, am unable to apprehend on my own. I need more than mere parlor tricks.”

They shared a look of concern between themselves before Baelic addressed her again. “You said that we were bringing in a girl?”

“Correct.” The Orianna responded before standing up and leading them to a door that opened to the outside. “A young woman who, mind you, destroyed an entire kingdom with what can only be described as the power of night, which may be why I am having so much trouble.”

They filed through the doorway and into a sizable yard surrounded by a high brick wall, which the siblings took in with slight alarm. Before they had a chance to panic, she raised a hand up and explained “I simply want you three to show me the extent of your abilities. Please use the wall as your target.”

After another silent conversation via eyes, Mathew threw a handful of seeds at the brick. They sprouted upon contact,the emerging vines digging into the porous surface with a surprising amount of force. Mattias stepped forward and made a gesture in the air. Suddenly the plants withered as they injected their fluids further into the rock. Similarly, Baelic made a gesture and the facing of the wall blew off in all directions with steam from the superheated water trailing behind the debris.

“That’s much better.” Chalice said as she crossed her arms in approval.

Baelic smiled weakly in her direction. “Think that’s enough to bring her back alive?”

The Orianna laughed at this remark. “Oh my dear boy. I don’t need her alive.”