The Vancian Order typically operate in large academies overseen by the Telemeric Court, but there are exceptions to every rule.  From her high walled estate, Sasha is one such.  A militant book mage in semi-retirement, she  serves the Court as an informal mentor and instructor to the rawest batches of Paresaad recruits.  Channeling Strength and Skill, she demands the most from her trainees, and they love her and despise her for it.  The grey in her hair, untouched by the Changeries, hasn't taken any of the iron out of her voice.  Most mornings she can be heard bellowing out drills to her newest clutch of victims.  That in itself would be manageable, but her frequent puzzles and challenges result in a near constant stream of young Vance in and out of the compound on a seemingly endless series of esoteric tasks.