It was an odd quartet. A single boy, dark-haired, bronzed and handsome, leaned against the gate. Three girls ranged around him. The first, clearly of Trader descent holding a metal capped staff carved with events from her life, stood next to another of the group, a fine boned young woman with sun streaked brown hair and a stubborn chin that seemed at odds with her button nose. The Trader had her well-muscled arm around the shoulders of her slender friend. All three eyes were fixed on the last of the group. A stout young woman with bright red curls steadily returned their gazes, even if her hands were clasped too tightly behind her back. No one looking at them would ever have been able to tell they were family.

Then again, to anyone looking on, it seemed as if they all stood there in silence. But they would have been wrong. The conversation between the four was heard only by the circle, a magical link from their years of intertwined powers.

I still wish you would let us accompany you. Sandrilene fa Toren, Sandry to her friends, was barely holding back her tears.

It had only been a few months since her family had been truly reunited, and now one of them was leaving… again. Even the glass dragon curled around her throat seemed upset by the departure. Chime had been sulking for days, staying with Daja or Briar as opposed to Tris. Keth's creation did not appreciate being left behind anymore than Sandry.

We have been over this. Trisana Chandler was right; the argument had been rehashed several times since her siblings learned she still planned to attend Lightsbridge.

Tris's right, ya know. Briar Moss slowly left his spot on the outer gate of Number 6 Cheeseman Street to stand by Sandry. Traveling with us lot would be a dead giveaway.

And Niko wouldn't be any better. It was Daja Kisubo's turn to join in the conversation, referring to their teacher Niklaren Goldeneye. Sandry was as stubborn as the mules her mother's family bred.

We've been watched ever since Namorn. All four instinctively looked around after Briar's mental comment.

Apparently, four young mages destroying a mile of magical barrier that had protected a country for hundreds of years created quite a stir. The siblings had hoped the story would be silenced by Empress Berenene, but news traveled too quickly at the border. Leaving a Great Mage such as Ishabal Ladyhammer stripped of power in their wake had not helped quiet the rumors.

Of course, spies quickly learned it was better to stay away from the house that three of the mages shared, but that did not mean eyes were not on them elsewhere. For all that Sandry spent a good deal of time at Daja's house, she returned to live with her uncle, Duke Verdis, at his palace. His health had not fared well in her absence, but he had rallied upon her return.

The carriage arrived to pick her up right on time. It had been a concession to Sandry that she not travel alone. Briar showed the men her trunk before turning to his sister. They had always been close; well, ever since she had taught him to read. Even after they all came back from their travels, she was the first one he opened up to.

"Enjoy your travels, Coppercurls." Briar reached out to tug a strand of Tris's hair but thought better remembering the seed lightning she kept braided within.

"I'll keep your room open for you, in case you get tired of it, saati." Daja gave the shorter girl's arm a quick squeeze and a sad smile. The whole group knew that Tris had no intention of coming back to the house until she had finished her mage accreditation. It would be difficult to keep up the pretense otherwise.

Despite the fact that they all knew Tris was not one for physical displays of emotion, Sandry wrapped her sister in a tight hug. Do not spend all your time in the library, and do try to make some friends!

"We will miss you." She added outloud.

Tris awkwardly patted Sandry's back, ignoring the tear that rolled down the sleeve of her dress rather than leave a stain. It was of Sandry's making, after all.

If anyone noticed that Tris had to clear her throat when Sandry finally released her, they were smart enough to keep it to themselves. "I will miss you all, too."

A footman helped her into the coach. The windows were open to keep it from sweltering inside during the late summer heat. Tris would have the air flowing in no time, but for now, she stuck her head out and waved one last goodbye to her family. Chime took to the air above her sibling's keening a goodbye as the light refracted through her.

Saying goodbye to her teachers, Glaki and Little Bear had been hard enough. Luckily, Glaki was thriving under the watchful eye of Lark and Rosethorn. But as Cheeseman Street faded from view, Tris shed a few tears of her own, glad for the empty interior. Their trials in Namorn had brought them even closer, and the past few months felt almost like being back at Winding Circle. Briar was even sleeping through the night, after she had forced him to visit a soul healer.

But this was something she had to do for herself. If anything, Ishabel Ladyhammer had confirmed that for her. Tris did not wish to be tied to anyone who would force her into the situation Ishabel had been in, war magic or no. She would get accredited as an academic mage and put aside her ambient medallion for stormy days.

The embroidered handkerchief she produced from a pocket in her skirts whipped around in the air that unnaturally circulated through the coach. Drying the last of her tears, she pulled out a book and put on a smile. For the first time in a while, she was going somewhere that no one would look at her twice. She planned to enjoy every minute of that anonymity.