Galen Ellis sat on one of the highest hills just outside of Winsdell. It was early spring, and the late morning air still held a chill. Galen wrapped his dark cloak around his body and took a deep breath. It was the last few weeks of freedom for him.

As an eighteen year old, soon he would face his future. He had recently returned from spending four years at the lower academy of Cacia. He now would either attend the Royal Academy, work in an apprenticeship, or if he got his greatest wish, he would train to try to become one of the Elite of the kingdom.

Galen curled his fingers towards his palms and several fist sized rocks rolled towards him into a neat pile. Galen spread the fingers in his hand and a spark flew out of his fingers, hitting the rocks, causing a small fire to burn. Galen placed his hands over the fire to feel the warmth.

“Great gods of our king, Galen, where did you learn how to do that?” asked Martin Nest as he walked up the side of the hill to sit by Galen.

“The same place you should have, Martin, from Alvis in our lessons,” replied Galen pulling back a lock of his black hair out of his eyes. Martin had attended the lower academy with Galen.

“He may have taught us to spark fire, but I don’t think even he could do it as easy as you just did, and the trick with the stones, do you even have to try at all?”

“Of course, I have to try, I’ve just had a lot of practice. Perhaps if you took your Mystics as serious as you should, it would be as easy for you.”

“Why should I take it seriously? Besides casual use, when will I ever need it?” asked Martin as he picked up a small stone.

Galen supposed Martin was right. As the oldest son of Lord Nest, he would take over for his father someday. He would serve on the king’s council and oversee the Nest’s lands and home. He would not have to use Mystics for fighting or for work as a healer or teacher, or anything else. He would not have to forge his own way as Galen would.

Galen was the youngest son of Lord Ellis of the Low Hill. It was a minor house of the Cassendar court, but still respected. Galen’s oldest brother Alaric was already Lord Ellis. Galen’s father had died fifteen years ago from a fever when Galen was just three. Galen’s other older brother Roderick was a second to the High Captain of the Sentinel of Cassendar.

“So, what are you going to do with your impressive skills, Galen?” asked Martin. “You could be a healer. Our city hasn’t had a powerful Mystics healer in a long time. My father says our healers today couldn’t cure a simple cough.”

“I have applied to attend the Royal Academy as well as for a few other positions,” said Galen putting his hand over the fire and calling a small flame to jump into his palm.

Martin smiled slightly. “Would I be able to guess at least one position, Galen?”

“What are you trying to guess, Martin? Is it how useless you really are?” asked Tomas as he sat down heavily on Galen’s other side. “Because I can tell you if you would like.”

Tomas held out his hand and curled his fingers in and out. The flame from Galen’s hand jumped into Tomas’s. Tomas had been in almost all of the same classes as Galen in the lower academy. They had spent many hours working on their Mystics together.

“Jump off the highest hill, Tomas. I care not for your opinion. You’re just sour because your father has said you have to apply at the Royal Academy to learn apothecary.”

“And runes,” said Tomas miserably. “While my stupid older brother can do whatever he wants as the next lord. Still, father doesn’t know what else I’ve applied to do.”

Galen smiled slightly. “What happens if you actually get selected. Do you think he will actually let you do it?”

“He will have no say. I am of age. I can choose my own path,” said Tomas.

“He can cut you off from your inheritance and his support,” said Martin. “Are you really prepared for that to happen?”

“I am,” said Tomas. “If I am selected, I will have no use for his support, anyway. I will have all I need with my fellow Elites.”

“What if you go to training and you aren’t selected. What will your father do then?” asked Martin. “Do you think he will take you back?”

“I don’t plan on failing,” said Tomas simply as he threw the small flame in his hand back into the fire on the stones.

Galen looked at Tomas and wondered what would happen if Tomas failed to make it as a full Elite. Would his father disown him for good? Galen supposed Tomas could make his way on his own. He was very good at Mystics. He was smart and could find work in many different areas of the kingdom. Galen thought Tomas might even be a good instructor one day, if he ever learned to hold his tongue.

“I suppose you are for certain going to get called by the Sentinel for training, Galen,” said Tomas sitting back with his hands on the ground.

“Why do you say that, Tomas?” asked Galen. “I imagine my marks in the lower academy have been about the same as yours. What makes you think I have any more chance than you?”

Martin rolled his eyes. “Your brother is a second to the High Captain. Shouldn’t that at least count for something?”

Galen shook his head. “If anything, Roderick having the ear of the High Captain does me no favors. Mother does not want me to join the Sentinel. I know she has written Roderick to see if he will step in and see that my application is denied.”

“Will Roderick do it, do you think?” asked Tomas looking over at Galen.

Galen shrugged. “Roderick doesn’t talk much about his life in the Sentinel when he visits. He says he cannot discuss the secrets of his fellow Elites or his High Captain.”

“He will tell you nothing of the High Captain?” asked Martin. “I wonder what she is really like. I have barely gotten a peek at her since we have returned except from far away.”

“I hear she is built like a man, tall and boxy with a flat chest. I hear she even has facial hair,” said Tomas grinning.

Martin snorted. “And I hear she is a great beauty that no man can look away from. I hear the only reason she was chosen as High Captain is because she seduced Valian with her womanly ways.”

Galen rolled his eyes. “She was chosen as the High Captain because she was worthy. Roderick would not serve her if it was not so. As far as the rest, I imagine the truth is somewhere in the middle as is with most gossip and rumors.”

“Besides, Martin, what do you know of womanly ways?” asked Tomas. “Have you even ever really talked to a girl? I know you haven’t kissed one.”

Martin grew red in the face. “You know nothing of me and women, Tomas. I have more experience than you know. It does not matter, because I am already promised to a great beauty from Northonton, the Lady Isadale.”

“Who says she is a great beauty?” asked Tomas. “Is it your father? What would he know of beauty, I mean, look at your mother. You should be glad you didn’t get her nose.”

Martin stood up abruptly with his hands at his side in fists. “Do not talk about my mother, Tomas, unless you are prepared to handle the consequences.”

Tomas stood up and dusted off his dark pants. He held his hand up and three large rocks rotated around him. “I am very prepared to handle anything you can throw at me, my lord.”

Galen jumped up and stood between them. “Stop it, now. Martin, I am sure Tomas was only joking. Your mother is a fine woman from a good family. He is always just trying to get under your skin. You need to learn to ignore him. Tomas, how would you like it if I talked about your mother and the rumors that run through the village about her?”

“Yes, Tomas, if you want to talk about noses, yours doesn’t look like your mother’s or your father’s. Some say it looks exactly like Axen, the head of the armory,” said Martin angrily.

“Did you just insinuate I am a bastard, Martin?” asked Tomas with deadly calm.

“Perhaps, I did,” said Martin. He raised his hand and the wind picked up all around them.

Galen took a deep breath and threw his hands out. The rocks by Tomas’s side burst into dust. He pushed out his hands, and the wind swirled around them. He threw his hands down, and Tomas and Martin were both sat down hard on their backsides.

“You are both too old and have been friends for too long for this pettiness. You both need to leave this childish behavior behind,” said Galen looking at them both. He turned to Martin. “Martin, you will be a high lord of the court of Cassendar. You cannot bite at every little baiting that comes your way.” Galen looked at Tomas. “Tomas, if you want to become an Elite of the Sentinel, you will have to learn to keep your mouth shut and control your temper.”

Tomas leaned back with a huff. He picked up a rock and threw it down the hill. Martin looked at Tomas and then sighed, looking at the ground. Galen took his place between them and looked out over the hills. He could see someone on a black horse riding towards them. As the horse came to the crest of a few hills over, Galen realized who it was riding the horse.

“Is that your brother?” asked Martin, shielding his eyes from the small amount of sun that was peeking through a cloud.

“I believe so,” said Galen. “I wonder what he is doing out here.”

“I would guess looking for you, Galen,” said Tomas as he picked up a rock and then levitated it over his hand.