Okay, my second fic. I'm not done with Circle Restored yet but I want to put this out while I still have the idea. I'll update once every week or two for this fic because Restored has first priority.

Disclaimer: I do not own CoM or CoMO. I only own the plot to this fic, so if you want to use it, please e-mail me and ask.

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In Summersea in Emelan:

Sandry was cheerfully chattering with her Uncle and Baron Erdogun. She was extremely happy and showed it by babbling about anything and everything. Everyone in the Citadel knew why Lady Sandrilene was happy including Erdogun and Duke Vedris.

"And then, and then," Sandry paused to take a breath.

"My dear, you should calm down. What kind of welcome would it be if you were in bed exhausted from your activities. You may not feel the energy you're using up now, but once you aren't as exciting, your body will feel it."

"I know Uncle, but I can't calm down. They finally coming home!!"

The Duke smiled in amusement. "Yes, so I've heard, many times." Tris, Daja, and Briar were finally returning from their voyages to other countries after two years.

"I wonder how much they've changed. I hope they haven't changed too much," she said.

"They've probably changed a little bit my lady," Erdogun said. "After all, you've changed a little bit as well."

Sandry looked worried. "I hope we haven't change too much. What if we don't like each other anymore."

"I wouldn't worry, Sandrilene. You four are meant to be together, and no matter what you'll always be together. Even if you have all changed, you'll become as familiar with each other as you were before." Sandry beamed at her uncle.

~*~

Off the coast of Yagan Island in the Pebbled Sea:

"Chime, stop it," a cross redhead shouted. A starling flew frantically towards the girl pursued by a glass dragon. Little Bear ran around the group barking. The sparrow dove towards Tris and buried himself in the folds of her dress. Chime, unable to chase the bird any longer, landed on Tris's shoulder and curled herself around Tris's neck.

"Aunt Tris," Glaki called, "come up. Don't you want to see the water."

"Just give me a second to get my circus under control," she called back. She heard Glaki's giggle and Niko's chuckle. "Okay, Chime, you can stay there. Shriek, come out and go sit with Rose in your basket or something." A breeze plucked the starling from Tris's dress and deposited the startled bird in a basket next to another starling. Shriek and his mate had joined Tris when the stopped in Hatar. "Little Bear, stop prancing around and making so much noise."

With her menagerie under control, the redhead made her way up to the deck. "Finally," Glaki said, exasperated. "C'mon, I wanna show you something." Tris allowed herself to be dragged across the deck by the little girl. "Look, look," the child cried, pointing at the water. Globes of water rose from the sea and performed a dance around the girl and her foster mother.

"Wow Glaki," Tris said. "They're beautiful." Glaki giggled, delighted. The sailors on deck inched away from the group and cast uneasy glances at them. The glass dragon unnerved them enough as it was, but seeing actual magic was even more unnerving. "Why don't you put them back now," Tris said, seeing the glances. "Let's go eat okay?"

"Okay!" Glaki chirped happily, sending the globes back into the waves. "Keth and Niko are up front." Tris followed Glaki to the front of the ship. Keth was leaning over the railing and looked rather ill. Niko was talking with the captain who was scanning the horizon.

"-be there in a few hours," the captain was saying.

"We're here," Glaki said, announcing their arrival.

"Ah, Tris, good," Niko said. "I wanted to talk to you about something." He pulled her to the side away from the others. "Have you done any scrying, wind or otherwise?"

"I've been practicing wind but that's it. Why?"

"For the past few weeks, I've been getting visions of a strange land and I've heard 'Guardians of the Gate' repeatedly. I wanted to know if you know of anything."

"I haven't tried scrying the future lately. Do you want me to?"

"No, it's okay. I'll figure this out when we get to Winding Circle."

They rejoined their companions. Keth was drooped over the railing. Glaki and the captain were engaged in a lively conversation about sea animals. "Ah," the captain said, spotting Tris and Niko, "now we may go eat." Keth, who had straightened when Tris and Niko came, immediately bent back over the railing. "Well, we four may eat," the captain amended, eying the glassblower.

The meal, a hearty seafood chowder and bread, was quickly consumed. "It's the sea air," the captain said. "Awakens your appetite."

"Well, I have been hungrier," Tris admitted.

"Me too," Niko said, "but I've been hungry for a good meat bun or cake. I hope Gorse made something good for dessert.

Tris, who had been staring into the distance, looked at Niko and smiled mischievously. "Yep, something very good. Cherry pie, but it's almost gone."

"What?!" Niko asked aghast. Gorse's cherry pie was his favorite. "Faster Captain. I need cherry pie!"

~*~

In Sidorn, Anderran:

"Ah, wonderful warmth," Frostpine said.

"Oh come on Frostpine. It wasn't that cold up north." Daja retorted.

"Are you crazy?" Frostpine asked. "It was so cold ice needed to wear coats." Daja sighed in defeat and went back to looking at the forest scenery around the road.

The wagon they traveled in rattled and clanked on the bumpy dirt road. They were right on the eastern border of Anderran and would be back in Summersea in a few days. Little had happened since they had left Namorn.

'A few more hours,' Daja thought with excitement. "I can't wait to see everyone again!" Frostpine looked over at the girl. "Yep," he agreed, "I especially want to get back to my forge. Kirel probably blew it up."

"Of course he didn't," Daja laughed.

"Well then he probably set the place on fire or something." He sighed. "My poor forge. It will be ruined." Daja just shook her head and clicked her tongue to urge the horses to go faster.

~*~

On the western border of Sotat:

"Evvy, stop bouncing!" Briar growled at his student.

"But it's so exciting. I get to see Winding Circle and your sisters."

"Foster sisters," Briar corrected. "If they were my real sisters, I would've been in an insane asylum for the past couple years."

"What are you two doing back there?" Rosethorn's loud voice rang back. "Hurry up, I want to see my garden." Evvy and Briar sped up.

"Are you eager to get home too?" Evvy asked Briar.

"Of course. It's not as fun without anyone to tease."

"There's the next wayhouse," Rosethorn said. "We'll get a fresh change of horses there." The group broke into a gallop and thundered into the wayhouse. "Rosethorn went inside to get new horses, leaving Briar and Evvy in the yard.

"Can I let my cats out?" Evvy asked. The twelve cats had squirmed and complained the whole trip.

"Fine, but I don't have anymore catnip. You'll have to catch them all when it's time to leave," he warned.

"Don't worry, Pahan Briar. I have this." Reaching into her tunic, Evvy pulled out a dented metal bottle. She pried open the cork and Briar reached in with his magic.

"Where did you get that?" he questioned.

"Pahan Rosethorn helped me make it. It's not as strong as yours, but it will do." She drew a circle on the ground with the fluid and placed each of the cats inside. "See, they're not strong enough to go through, but I can." They watched the cats for awhile until Rosethorn came out.

"Time to go you two." Evvy put the cats back into the baskets and they set off.

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How was it? Please read and review. Next chapter, they all meet again and it finally gets exciting.

*Star Lily*