“You can only turn to magic if you are completely beyond help and completely beyond hope of obtaining what you seek,” said Anthea, rising from the stone table. “You will be seizing the strings of this world and manipulating them to suit yourself. You must be sure before you start treading this path. The fates do not take kindly to impatient, ignorant mortals playing with these forces.”

“I’m sure,” Morgana said. She stared at Anthea hungrily, her cheeks flushed and green eyes bright with the potential of harnessing magic.

“Very well, Morgana.” Anthea bowed her head. Her long grey hair fell in ripples down her back. She passed the young woman a goblet. “Know that you must have purpose and intent with everything you do henceforth. This applies to not only the magic you use but how you act in life, as this affects what spells you will wish to cast, the potions you brew, and how you bend the universe.”

The goblet filled with wine and Morgana took a sip. Anthea conjured a goblet for herself out of the air and drained its contents. She set it down on the table.

“You must prove to the fates you are worthy and bold enough to cheat them. And this may kill you. Magic comes with a price. Are you willing to pay?”

“I am.” Morgana stood up to stare resolutely at her mentor. “I know what I have to do. Surrender myself to the element that calls to me so I know what will be my source of strength as an enchantress. That is the first stage.”

“Yes.” A little smile formed on Anthea’s face. “As you may have guessed, mine was earth. I had to bury myself until the brink of suffocation. I woke with the soil running from me in a landslide and the earth giving birth to me once more.”

“Water calls to me, as you’ve seen,” said Morgana eagerly. She began to stride around the cave. “So I will have to drown. Mostly, at least. I should survive - I have played in streams since I was a child. The other children were afraid of drowning but I was always the strongest swimmer. It gives me strength now and it can be my source of magic, I know it.”

Anthea watched her walk. She was not sure what to make of Morgana. She had the makings of a great spellcaster, possessing a clever mind and passion, but to sacrifice and humble herself in order to attain power was something else. Not being certain of someone unsettled Anthea. But she knew all would be revealed.