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drastic.  Tales of apprentices writhing on the floor while their bodies stretch and twist are completely false.  The process takes place over several hours.  During that time the body and mind are changed slowly.
    The process always takes place during the day, and here it is carried out on the top floor of the keep.  The dome is opened to allow daylight in.  The light helps speed the transformation, and ensures any traces of darkness are driven out.”
    “Darkness?”
    “ Yes, darkness.  Many people carry darkness within their souls.  Not the Creeping Dark that you faced, but a pale shadow that can still wreak havoc with lives.  Even our apprentices can carry the seeds of darkness.  The most important part of the Transformation is driving out that darkness.”
    Ned shivered.  His memories of being attacked the day before were still raw.  The idea that people could carry the seeds of such darkness within them was chilling.  Even worse was the idea that he might carry them too.
    “And the Transformation always clears out the darkness?”
    Master Demotte’s face darkened.  “No.  Not always.  There are a few, a very few, where the darkness has gained too great a hold on their soul.  For them the Transformation is a different affair.  The change works differently.  Instead of increasing their powers it destroys them, burning out their abilities.  They feel no pain with the process, but they suffer afterwards.  To believe you are about to become one of the Golden Order, and then not only to fail but to lose what powers you had… that is a very bitter draught to swallow.  The knowledge that darkness within your soul was the cause, darkness that still remains, can be unbearable.
    We watch those it happens to very closely, talk to them and try to help.  Some become bitter and angry, resenting us and leaving soon after.  Others become disorientated, distracted.  They retreat from the world.  We find them somewhere safe to live where they can recover, or if they choose spend their lives.  A few can’t cope.  They try to take their own lives.  Mostly we get to them in time, stop them or save them.  Not always though.”
    “ And people still go through the Transformation knowing all that?”
    “ They do.  And I think you will too.”
    Ned opened his mouth to reply, to say it was too dangerous, but the words wouldn’t come.  If he turned down the chance to become a master, to join the Golden Order, he knew he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
    “All right.  Maybe I can see why people go through with it.  I just hope there isn’t too much darkness in my soul.”
    Master Demotte’s face lit up with a smile again.
    “I knew it.  Now, there’s more you should know…”
    The Master went on to cover intricacies of the process, what would happen afterwards and many other topics.  The only one that really interested Ned was how the Transformation was started.  Several Masters would work upon a pitcher of water, using their powers to transform it into an elixir brimming with all types of natural power — green, red, white, blue and the others.  The Transformation was started by drinking the elixir.  Until that point anyone could back out.  After drinking it there were only two options — becoming a master or losing all ability to use magical power.
    Finally Master Demotte sent Ned out to freshen up and grab something to eat before making his way to the top level of the keep to observe the Transformations.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Ned sat quietly, studying the three waiting candidates.  Unsurprisingly they all looked nervous.  Ned knew the three by sight and name but little more.  The closest was Lucy, a dark haired girl of fifteen or sixteen.  Rachel sat some distance away, a similar age to Lucy but shorter and with reddish hair.  Frederick completed the trio.  Though only eighteen he was exceptionally tall, at least a head taller than any other apprentice, and built like an