Disclaimer: I am not Tamora Pierce as you can clearly tell from my
writings. I don't own any of the characters so far, the plot is mine but I
suspect that some things that will be written here may appear in some of
TP's future books.
NOTE! I haven't read Shatterglass, the finale to the Circle Opens quartet. If something I write conflicts with this book please inform me politely.
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This story takes place after Brair, Tris, and Daja leave to study their magics abroad. Duke Verdis is healthy and has a very little chance of further heart attacks. Care for the Duke was handed over to Yazmin Hebet and Sandry spent many of her days visiting with her teachers, friends, and their students.
Dedicate Lark of winding circle temple sat quietly talking to her newest student Comas, when there was a tap at the door. Lady Sandriline Fa Toren walked in to discipline cottage and greeted her teacher warmly. "Lark hello! Comas how are you?"
"Very well, thank you Lady." Comas murmured, and he quickly stood up and ran from the room blushing.
"Hmm... Lark I see that you haven't had any luck breaking that boy of his shyness. He really should have grown up around the four of us."
"Mila bless, Sandry. I wouldn't be able to handle another one of you!" Lark replied laughing.
"Oh I do miss Daja, Briar, and Tris terribly. I hope that their return trips will be quick. Briar wrote to me yesterday and said he and Rosethorn have finished seeding, and strengthening the plants in Yanjing. They leave to come home on the 5th and it should only be a 10 day journey." Sandry reported gleefully. "Oh and he says that Evvy is being a brat as always. She and Pasco will get along perfectly."
"So Rosethorn, and Briar will be back within the month. I received a letter from Frostpine saying that he and Daja should be finished their work in a week and that they will be setting off for home as soon as possible after that. The snows have mostly melted so it shouldn't be long before we hear their voices again. But I don't know about Niko and Trisana they went to far for letters to be delivered quickly and I haven't received word from them in over a month."
"Oh Lark you don't think they will stay much longer?"
"I have no idea. Niko was very brief in his last message and he didn't mention what he and Tris were up to." That didn't cheer Sandry up so she opened the brown bag that she had sewn for herself and took out her drop spindle.
"Let's weave like we used to. It will make everything fell normal again." So Lark and Sandry sat down in two comfortable armchairs and began to weave plain white cloth. After a while Comas came down with his spindle to join then and as he spun Sandry noticed that the more he concentrated on his magic the more knots formed in the string. She got up silently and went over to him. "Comas..." She whispered gently as to not remove him from the magical trance he was in. "Don't focus so hard on the magic, focus on both that and the spindle. You need to see it clearly as to know when to turn it." She watched him for a while more as he tried this new technique, then returned to her own weaving.
About an hour later as Sandry and Lark both had about a meter of cloth made and Comas was still working on his string there came a knock at the door. The two women stood stretched and went to find Dedicate Crane at the door.
"Hello Crane, come in. Would you care for a cup of tea?"
"Yes thank you Sandry. Dedicate Rosethorn is taking her time on her vacation I see?"
"You know very well Crane that Rosie is needed in the southern countries. Her and the boy aren't on vacation, they are making medicines, and strengthening the plants, and stocking food for the hot summer to come."
"Oh I know that Lark I was just picking on her. Thank you Sandry." Sandry handed a second cup of tea to Lark and put one on the table for herself before she went to get the milk, and honey. "Actually I came here to talk to you about a project that I think you might enjoy doing. I was thinking that maybe Comas could help also."
"Comas would you come sit down with us please?" Comas was still into his magic (which had improved greatly with Sandry's help) and didn't hear Lark's question. "Sandry could you wake him please? And perhaps he will need some tea as well. Spinning with his magic still tires him."
"Yes, Lark." Sandry stood and went to do as she was bid.
When Comas was seated with his tea and was eating a honeycake the Air Dedicate continued. "Lady Sandriline I don't believe we will need your help, but indeed you are very busy with teaching young Pasco. If we are in need of your expertise Lark will be in touch."
"Well if I am not needed here," Sandry said feigning hurt, "I shall take my leave. I am meeting Yazmin in an hour with Pasco to see if we can use his net dancing to find a woman's lost son. Lark thank you for tea, and for the talk."
"Oh it was my pleasure to see you again child." Lark said as she hugged Sandry good bye.
"Good day to you Comas, Dedicate."
"Good day, Lady Sandry." Comas said. Crane simply nodded. Sandriline Fa Toren walked out of the cottage and down to the stables where she collected her horse and tipped the stable hand. She then mounted and rode steadily back to the city.
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The next day as Sandry sat in her chambers in Duke's Citadel a servant rapped at the door with a message that a young girl from Yanjing was awaiting her audience in one of the small meeting rooms downstairs. As Sandry descended the stairs she pondered who she knew in Yanjing. It must only be a messenger with a letter from Briar she though happily and quickened her step. Silently she let herself into the room and saw standing beside a comfy looking arm chair a girl no older than ten years of age.
"Greetings. I am Lady Sandriline, how may I be of assistance?" Sandry asked puzzled as she motioned for the girl to sit down.
"My teacher sent me to seek you out, Lady." The girl answered. "And to request your presence for dinner tonight."
"What is your name child?"
"That I believe you do not need to know at present. Do not worry. You will learn of it soon enough."
"Well may I inquire then of your teacher's name?"
"I cannot answer that either. I am sorry for the inconvenience. But please do join my teacher for dinner. It would be of some shock if you were not present."
"Well in that case I must accept. When and where shall I meet your mysterious teacher?"
"A carriage will be here to pick you up at 6 o'clock."
"Well thank you very much can I offer you a cup of tea? Or some juice perhaps?"
"No, thank you milady. I must be on my way."
"Until the evening then." Sandry stood and opened the door for the girl and then returned to her rooms, thinking about who this strange teacher could be.
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Having loads of time to spare before dinner Sandry returned to Yazmin Hebet's dance school and was surprised to find Lark there talking to Yazmin and Pasco practicing a difficult square dance.
"Higher Pasco! Higher!" Yazmin barked and Pasco lifted his leg higher as he twirled around.
"It's good to se that dance improving." Sandry commented.
She's possessed by the devil I swear! I've been doing this dance for and hour and a half straight!" Pasco yelled.
Laughing Sandry said, " It will teach you to focus and control your power better!" She turned to Yazmin and Lark. "How is he doing?"
"We are still warding his power as you know, but Lark said he shouldn't need it much longer."
"Yes," said Lark, "You can see his magic, Sandry, look and tell us what you see." Sandry looked not focusing but looking with the sides of her eyes, and noticed that Pasco had controlled his power so well that no magic was escaping his body.
"Good Work Pasco! He is holding it all in!" Sandry said thrilled.
"I though so." Said Lark. "You have done good work in training him Sandry, I'm proud of you."
"I couldn't have done it without Yazmin's help."
"Ok Pasco you can take a break now." Yazmin called. "Come over here."
"You're in control of your magic!" Sandry said hugging him.
"Does that mean no more meditation?" Pasco wondered happily.
"Of course not! Meditation helps calm you and to focus your power so the more you do it the stronger your magic will become. You can't get out of it that easily." Sandry chided.
"Oh I know. But do we have to do it today? I'm so tired I don't think I could focus."
"Hmm, well Lark what do you think?"
"I think we can give him a break for today."
"Oh all right but straight back at it tomorrow with no complaints. If there is one I wil make Yazmin work you harder! I know she will." Sandry joked. Yazmin laughed. "Go on and play but be back in an hour I think there is more dancing for you to do."
"Yippee!!" Pasco exclaimed running from the building.
"So do we remove the warding now?" Yazmin asked.
"No, not for another couple of days. We have to make sure he is always in control of his magic incase some of it breaks loose." Lark told her. "Well Im starved. Sandry would you care to join me for lunch? Yazmin?"
"I would love to lark." Sandry replied, but Yazmin had some other students to teach andhad to be off. Sandry and Lark set off in the direction of a small resturant they knew of down the street. When they arrived the waiter led them to a small room with a table in the center and two chairs. They ordered and the man left.
When they were half way through their meal Sandry brought up the conference with the little girl. "She was very young I thought, perhaps the age that the four of us were when we started. Maybe younger. And she asked me to meet with her teacher tonight for dinner. But she didn't say what her name was or who her teacher was."
"Hmm well that happens often enough. Where are you meeting?"
"See thats the strange thing. She didnt say, but a carriage would be here to pick me up later in the evening."
"Ahh very interesting. An admirer perhaps?" Lark said smiling.
"Ohh Lark who could it be?" Sandry wondered getting excited.
"I have no idea. You'll just have to wait until you go. But do not worry my dear, because you can defend yourself with your magic, and almost nothing can defeat you. You know that."
"Yes I know, and I'm not worried about that. I just wonder what this person wants. You know I'm not even sure if my host is male or female."
"Well you have fun, I want to know how it goes so come visit us at winding circle tomorrow. All right?"
"Oh yes I certainly will." And with that she went back to eating her lunch.
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A/N: Ohhhhh I know who the mysterious teacher is but do you? What will happen next? Any Ideas? Please read and reply I want to know what you think of my first fan fic. :)
NOTE! I haven't read Shatterglass, the finale to the Circle Opens quartet. If something I write conflicts with this book please inform me politely.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
This story takes place after Brair, Tris, and Daja leave to study their magics abroad. Duke Verdis is healthy and has a very little chance of further heart attacks. Care for the Duke was handed over to Yazmin Hebet and Sandry spent many of her days visiting with her teachers, friends, and their students.
Dedicate Lark of winding circle temple sat quietly talking to her newest student Comas, when there was a tap at the door. Lady Sandriline Fa Toren walked in to discipline cottage and greeted her teacher warmly. "Lark hello! Comas how are you?"
"Very well, thank you Lady." Comas murmured, and he quickly stood up and ran from the room blushing.
"Hmm... Lark I see that you haven't had any luck breaking that boy of his shyness. He really should have grown up around the four of us."
"Mila bless, Sandry. I wouldn't be able to handle another one of you!" Lark replied laughing.
"Oh I do miss Daja, Briar, and Tris terribly. I hope that their return trips will be quick. Briar wrote to me yesterday and said he and Rosethorn have finished seeding, and strengthening the plants in Yanjing. They leave to come home on the 5th and it should only be a 10 day journey." Sandry reported gleefully. "Oh and he says that Evvy is being a brat as always. She and Pasco will get along perfectly."
"So Rosethorn, and Briar will be back within the month. I received a letter from Frostpine saying that he and Daja should be finished their work in a week and that they will be setting off for home as soon as possible after that. The snows have mostly melted so it shouldn't be long before we hear their voices again. But I don't know about Niko and Trisana they went to far for letters to be delivered quickly and I haven't received word from them in over a month."
"Oh Lark you don't think they will stay much longer?"
"I have no idea. Niko was very brief in his last message and he didn't mention what he and Tris were up to." That didn't cheer Sandry up so she opened the brown bag that she had sewn for herself and took out her drop spindle.
"Let's weave like we used to. It will make everything fell normal again." So Lark and Sandry sat down in two comfortable armchairs and began to weave plain white cloth. After a while Comas came down with his spindle to join then and as he spun Sandry noticed that the more he concentrated on his magic the more knots formed in the string. She got up silently and went over to him. "Comas..." She whispered gently as to not remove him from the magical trance he was in. "Don't focus so hard on the magic, focus on both that and the spindle. You need to see it clearly as to know when to turn it." She watched him for a while more as he tried this new technique, then returned to her own weaving.
About an hour later as Sandry and Lark both had about a meter of cloth made and Comas was still working on his string there came a knock at the door. The two women stood stretched and went to find Dedicate Crane at the door.
"Hello Crane, come in. Would you care for a cup of tea?"
"Yes thank you Sandry. Dedicate Rosethorn is taking her time on her vacation I see?"
"You know very well Crane that Rosie is needed in the southern countries. Her and the boy aren't on vacation, they are making medicines, and strengthening the plants, and stocking food for the hot summer to come."
"Oh I know that Lark I was just picking on her. Thank you Sandry." Sandry handed a second cup of tea to Lark and put one on the table for herself before she went to get the milk, and honey. "Actually I came here to talk to you about a project that I think you might enjoy doing. I was thinking that maybe Comas could help also."
"Comas would you come sit down with us please?" Comas was still into his magic (which had improved greatly with Sandry's help) and didn't hear Lark's question. "Sandry could you wake him please? And perhaps he will need some tea as well. Spinning with his magic still tires him."
"Yes, Lark." Sandry stood and went to do as she was bid.
When Comas was seated with his tea and was eating a honeycake the Air Dedicate continued. "Lady Sandriline I don't believe we will need your help, but indeed you are very busy with teaching young Pasco. If we are in need of your expertise Lark will be in touch."
"Well if I am not needed here," Sandry said feigning hurt, "I shall take my leave. I am meeting Yazmin in an hour with Pasco to see if we can use his net dancing to find a woman's lost son. Lark thank you for tea, and for the talk."
"Oh it was my pleasure to see you again child." Lark said as she hugged Sandry good bye.
"Good day to you Comas, Dedicate."
"Good day, Lady Sandry." Comas said. Crane simply nodded. Sandriline Fa Toren walked out of the cottage and down to the stables where she collected her horse and tipped the stable hand. She then mounted and rode steadily back to the city.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
The next day as Sandry sat in her chambers in Duke's Citadel a servant rapped at the door with a message that a young girl from Yanjing was awaiting her audience in one of the small meeting rooms downstairs. As Sandry descended the stairs she pondered who she knew in Yanjing. It must only be a messenger with a letter from Briar she though happily and quickened her step. Silently she let herself into the room and saw standing beside a comfy looking arm chair a girl no older than ten years of age.
"Greetings. I am Lady Sandriline, how may I be of assistance?" Sandry asked puzzled as she motioned for the girl to sit down.
"My teacher sent me to seek you out, Lady." The girl answered. "And to request your presence for dinner tonight."
"What is your name child?"
"That I believe you do not need to know at present. Do not worry. You will learn of it soon enough."
"Well may I inquire then of your teacher's name?"
"I cannot answer that either. I am sorry for the inconvenience. But please do join my teacher for dinner. It would be of some shock if you were not present."
"Well in that case I must accept. When and where shall I meet your mysterious teacher?"
"A carriage will be here to pick you up at 6 o'clock."
"Well thank you very much can I offer you a cup of tea? Or some juice perhaps?"
"No, thank you milady. I must be on my way."
"Until the evening then." Sandry stood and opened the door for the girl and then returned to her rooms, thinking about who this strange teacher could be.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Having loads of time to spare before dinner Sandry returned to Yazmin Hebet's dance school and was surprised to find Lark there talking to Yazmin and Pasco practicing a difficult square dance.
"Higher Pasco! Higher!" Yazmin barked and Pasco lifted his leg higher as he twirled around.
"It's good to se that dance improving." Sandry commented.
She's possessed by the devil I swear! I've been doing this dance for and hour and a half straight!" Pasco yelled.
Laughing Sandry said, " It will teach you to focus and control your power better!" She turned to Yazmin and Lark. "How is he doing?"
"We are still warding his power as you know, but Lark said he shouldn't need it much longer."
"Yes," said Lark, "You can see his magic, Sandry, look and tell us what you see." Sandry looked not focusing but looking with the sides of her eyes, and noticed that Pasco had controlled his power so well that no magic was escaping his body.
"Good Work Pasco! He is holding it all in!" Sandry said thrilled.
"I though so." Said Lark. "You have done good work in training him Sandry, I'm proud of you."
"I couldn't have done it without Yazmin's help."
"Ok Pasco you can take a break now." Yazmin called. "Come over here."
"You're in control of your magic!" Sandry said hugging him.
"Does that mean no more meditation?" Pasco wondered happily.
"Of course not! Meditation helps calm you and to focus your power so the more you do it the stronger your magic will become. You can't get out of it that easily." Sandry chided.
"Oh I know. But do we have to do it today? I'm so tired I don't think I could focus."
"Hmm, well Lark what do you think?"
"I think we can give him a break for today."
"Oh all right but straight back at it tomorrow with no complaints. If there is one I wil make Yazmin work you harder! I know she will." Sandry joked. Yazmin laughed. "Go on and play but be back in an hour I think there is more dancing for you to do."
"Yippee!!" Pasco exclaimed running from the building.
"So do we remove the warding now?" Yazmin asked.
"No, not for another couple of days. We have to make sure he is always in control of his magic incase some of it breaks loose." Lark told her. "Well Im starved. Sandry would you care to join me for lunch? Yazmin?"
"I would love to lark." Sandry replied, but Yazmin had some other students to teach andhad to be off. Sandry and Lark set off in the direction of a small resturant they knew of down the street. When they arrived the waiter led them to a small room with a table in the center and two chairs. They ordered and the man left.
When they were half way through their meal Sandry brought up the conference with the little girl. "She was very young I thought, perhaps the age that the four of us were when we started. Maybe younger. And she asked me to meet with her teacher tonight for dinner. But she didn't say what her name was or who her teacher was."
"Hmm well that happens often enough. Where are you meeting?"
"See thats the strange thing. She didnt say, but a carriage would be here to pick me up later in the evening."
"Ahh very interesting. An admirer perhaps?" Lark said smiling.
"Ohh Lark who could it be?" Sandry wondered getting excited.
"I have no idea. You'll just have to wait until you go. But do not worry my dear, because you can defend yourself with your magic, and almost nothing can defeat you. You know that."
"Yes I know, and I'm not worried about that. I just wonder what this person wants. You know I'm not even sure if my host is male or female."
"Well you have fun, I want to know how it goes so come visit us at winding circle tomorrow. All right?"
"Oh yes I certainly will." And with that she went back to eating her lunch.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
A/N: Ohhhhh I know who the mysterious teacher is but do you? What will happen next? Any Ideas? Please read and reply I want to know what you think of my first fan fic. :)