DISCLAIMER: The Circle of Magic, Circle Opens, and the Circle Reforged (otherwise known as The Will of the Empress) are not mine. Both quartets and the last book, are all written by one of my favorite authors, Tamora Pierce. All characters, creatures, etc. are created by her. Copyrighted to Tamora Pierce and Scholastic Inc. (publisher)
Note from the Author: I know the more popular pairing is Coppercurls (Tris) and Briar, but I can't possibly see that happening because I, well, I can't. The way I see it is that Tris and Briar are more like very close and affectionate brother and sister. I mean, I wouldn't dislike the pairing, but I feel the Briar and Sandry pairing is more likely because Briar and Sandry seemed irritated when remeeting again at each other, they used to be very close. Anyways, the Briar and Daja pairing has been completely disproved by Pierce's last book for the Circle characters, The Will of the Empress, as we find out Daja becomes romantically involved with a woman named Rizu. But I also feel that Pierce hasn't completely finished the series, as readers would love to find out what happens to Briar, Tris, Sandry and Daja after they made their escape from Sandry's cousin, Empress Berenene.
This story is based on my assumptions of the direction I hope that Pierce will take should she continue the story.
Aahh, finally a nice quiet calm relaxing bath, thought Lady Sandrilene faToren as she relaxed in the bath house near Daja's house. It feels so nice compared to the journey home. It was grueling, though I did enjoy reopening our connections. Sandry was referring to when she, Briar, Tris and Daja had joined forces to gain freedom from her Namornese cousin, Empress Berenene. The empress had sought to keep Sandry, and her three friends in Narmorn. Sandry would have been married to some noble, because she was a heriress of a vast fortune and many lands that would benefit all of Namorn. Briar would have become the empresses' personal royal gardener, for he was a green mage of extraordinary skill, especially at shaping shakkens. Daja, would be a wonderful asset to Namorn's forges because she was a great metal smith, able to forge living metal. And then there was the mysterious and very powerful Tris, weather mage able to control wind and lightening. They all would have been great assets to Narmorn. But then, one of Sandry's "suitors" had attempted to kidnap her. Berenene's attempt to keep them unraveled from there. Sandry and her friends had escaped after dueling with Ishbal Ladyhammer and the magical wall surrounding the border between Emelan and Namorn.
But now we're all back and living together in Daja's house. Well, Tris and I are. Briar managed to buy his own house with the money he made from the shakkens he had. He has his own greenery. I contributed a little money, enough to let Tris have her own library and observatory and me, my own sewing room. Daja already has her own forge, down at the end of the block. Today's Tris' birthday. I wonder if she thinks we remembered. thought Sandry, soaking a little more before getting out and draining the tub. She dried herself and dressed in one of the dresses that she had created, that would never wrinkle, stain or pick up dust. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror hanging on the bath house wall before walking out and heading to Daja's forge.
"Daja? Where are you? Can I see what you're giving Tris?" shouted Sandry into the defening roar of Daja's forge. Daja's apprentice looked up from his work.
"Daja is over there," he shouted, pointing to a small room off the forge.
Sandry nodded and walked over to the door, knocking. When no reply came, she opened her connection with Daja and said, Daj, I'm outside the door. May I come in? I want to see what you're giving Tris.
If you must. replied Daja.
Sandry entered, and saw Daja sitting at a desk, working on some metal under a lamp.
"Sometimes, I like to get some peace and quiet, yet still be near enough if my apprentices need me." She said, sheepishly.
Sandry nodded and then said, "Tris' gift?"
"Oh! Yeah, I'm giving Tris -- these." said Daja, holding up some jewelry. There was a necklace, bracelet and set of rings. "I put protective symbols on them, so they will protect her when she plays with lightning." said Daja.
"Oh Daja, they're beautiful! Briar is giving Tris some herbs that will cure anything ailment, and some tea made from certain plants, that wake the senses." said Sandry, "I'm giving her a new dress and some new hair ties that will hold the lightning she keeps in those copper curls of hers."
Daja smiled, and said, "I hope Tris is happy on her birthday!"
"Who wouldn't be?" said Sandry, smiling back.
Briar was trimming one of his shakkens as he thought about Tris' birthday celebration. Coppercurls, you'd better be in a good mood, he thought. It was hard to tell with Tris. She could be happy, and then suddenly, be irritated, but then calm the next.
He looked out the window as he trimmed the shakken.
That feels good, the shakken whispered to him through his connection with.
It should, I'm taking extra special care to trim you nicely replied Briar.
He looked at the clock in his greenhouse.
"Oops, gotta go. I'll be back in a few hours to continue trimming you," he said to the shakken, before throwing open the greehouse door.
Tris sighed and thought, Today's my birthday, and I don't think anyone's remembered. We used to celebrate birthdays all the time at Discipline. But I can't blame my friends, they've been gone a while and we've hadn't communicated together too much before going to Namorn. I wonder if we really now all of each other's accomplishments since living at Discipline together. She changed dresses, as Chime, the glass dragon she had as a pet, flew around the room, letting out a musical trill. Well, dinnertime. thought Tris, dreading her disappointment, should her friends have forgotten her birthday.
Short I know, but I have exams this week! So, I'm lucky to even be writing this right now. Till next chapter!