Amari shut out all outside distractions as soon as she was given the go ahead. All that mattered was getting the summoning right the first time. She had practiced with her mother, gotten advice from her father, and read every book she could get her hands on. She was ready.

The words of the incantation that passed her lips barely registered to her as she focused her entire will on the circle. She knew it wasn't necessary, but she couldn't help being nervous. What if she did it wrong, and her Servant didn't appear? She doubted she could even face her father if she failed her first real assignment. No, she couldn't think like that now. She needed this to work, so it would work. There was no reason for it not to work. She was a mage just like everyone else in this room.

As the last word of the spell died off, the steadily glowing circle flashed brilliantly, like so many other circles in the room. The light blinded her for a second, and she covered her eyes with her arms, surprised for a second, then mortified that she hadn't expected it. Before her eyes could adjust again, she heard movement from the center of her circle, and stiffened in anticipation.

[@GreenGoat]