his head, his dark eyes sweep up my body, as if he expects me to have transformed overnight. âI hope you were able to rest despite the dreams.â
I bite the inside of my cheek. âThank you for your concern, Elder Aleksi. Iâm quite well rested.â A splinter of doubt pierces my determination. Too well rested, perhaps.
I keep my back straight and my head high as we descend into the catacombs. I wish I could face all this in the daylight instead of in this cold, dank tomb. This is the realm of the cloistered acolytes, the ones who are not chosen as apprentices and live in seclusion after they reach the middle of their third decade. They live together, one united community, completely hidden from the distractions of the world above, devoting themselves to the Valtiaâs magic. I have always wondered how pale they must be after years without sunlight, but whenever I asked, Elder Kauko merely chuckled and reminded me that some of them wield fireâthey do not want for light or heat. And I will be able to wield fire now too. Starting today. Starting now.
Veins of green and orange copper glint in the torchlight as I follow Aleksi past the Stone Chamber to another circular room. This one is larger, with four tiers of wide, steep steps leading down to a small arena that looks more like a pit from where I stand. Sitting on the steps are the priests, thirty of them in all. No acolytes or apprentices today. Elder Aleksi takes me to a set of shallow steps that lead to the bottom. âTake your place in the arena, Valtia, and weâll begin.â
My heart thuds, and again I feel it reverberate within me. When I reach the flat, slippery stone floor, I turn in place. Aleksi is sitting down with Kauko and Leevi, our three elders, on the lowest tier of this arena. If their robes werenât so long, from this vantage point Iâd be able to see what hides beneath.
âAfter the events of last night,â says Leevi, his voice filling the chamber, âwe wanted to make sure you are ready before we proceed with the coronation.â He smiles at me, but between his gaunt face and his jutting brow, it looks more like a grimace. âWe know you have always been an obedient and loyal Saadella, if a bit too inquisitive.â He pauses, as if to make sure everyone notes that fault, before continuing. âBut you have always respected the role of Valtia. Therefore we expect you to understand the crucial nature of what we ask.â
I clasp my hands in front of me. The feel of my own clammy fingers sends a chill down my back. âOf course, Elder. At a time like this, having lost their beloved queen, the people need to know theyâre secure and protected.â
Kauko nods his approval. âWell said, my Valtia. This could not be a more critical time for that. Now, all we ask is that you practice your ability to wield ice and fire. As soon as you complete these simple manipulations, weâll proceed with your coronation. It shouldnât take more than a few minutes.â
I swallow, but my mouth is so dry that it hurts my throat. âWhat would you like me to do?â I say, my voice pitifully soft in this roomful of staring priests. I wonder if Sofia had to go through this. I wonder how she felt.
âThree basic tasks is all,â says Aleksi, smiling as if it is nothing. âThe same that we ask of all our apprentices and acolytes when they first come into our care, so that we may evaluate which elementâice or fireâis more powerful within them.â He chuckles. âOf course, you will easily complete each.â
He gestures to my left, where a shallow copper bowl full of water sits on a stone pedestal. âTurn the water to ice.â He points to my right, at a sheet of parchment on another pedestal. âBurn it to ash.â Then he slides his plump finger over to the third pedestal, directly in front of me. On it sits a pebble, the kind that litters the shore