Ellie is next in line for the Valtia (Queen) of Kupari. The Valtia is a strong magic wielder, having a perfect balance of fire and ice. Ellie has the right hair and eye color and she has a birthmark on her leg, so was judged to be the next Valtia. When the current Valtia dies only then will the heir apparent gain magical powers. When this happens, Ellie gets no magic. Ellie then undergoes some tests (torture) to "waken" the magic within her. She is able to escape when her handmaiden, Mim, overhears something she shouldn't have.
Ellie was likeable, but very sheltered and naïve because of her upbringing (she was found and brought to the palace at the age of 4). She does grow as a character learning more about herself and what her ability is (she has no magic herself, but is immune to magic and can amplify it in others). While on the run, she becomes part of a "found" family. She also learns things about the elders/priests. When a group of people are only men (no women permitted) you have to wonder! (The Elders, priest, apprentices were all men, the acolytes were both, but when a certain age was reached, the acolytes were cloistered. And the current Valtia kept very sheltered and interactions with others minimized)
Ellie was likeable, but very sheltered and naïve because of her upbringing (she was found and brought to the palace at the age of 4). She does grow as a character learning more about herself and what her ability is (she has no magic herself, but is immune to magic and can amplify it in others). While on the run, she becomes part of a "found" family. She also learns things about the elders/priests. When a group of people are only men (no women permitted) you have to wonder! (The Elders, priest, apprentices were all men, the acolytes were both, but when a certain age was reached, the acolytes were cloistered. And the current Valtia kept very sheltered and interactions with others minimized)
