As everyone knows, I don't own this unless I'm Tamora Pierce. Who I'm not.

Deliberately

Nearly and hour had passed. Suddenly, Tris and Daja moved. Their connection to Sandry flared and vanished. Tris stretched her arms. "Niko? What are you doing?"

Daja rolled her shoulders just as Sandry's magic glowed and died. The girl rubbed her face. "Did you find a healer?"

Lark wrapped her arms around Sandry. "You deliberately disobeyed me."

Briar shivered and opened his eyes. Sparks of magic glittered around him. "Rosethorn? Rosethorn!"

Everyone turned to look at the dedicate. She lay still for a long moment, the coughed, and kept coughing. She tried to pull her hand away from Briar, but he seemed unable to let go. Finally, Moonstream handed Rosethorn a cup of water.

After she drank, Rosethorn opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She gasped, but only meaningless noises came out.

Lark stared, horrified. What's wrong? I though she was okay!

Briar gaped at Moonstream. "She choked. She turned blue!"

Moonstream touched Rosethorn's neck. "A small part of her mind died, when she was unable to breathe. She only needs to learn to speak and she will be her old self." She looked at Rosethorn. "Someone must have grabbed you right as you passed on."

Rosethorn pointed at Briar.

Lark sighed, her terror forgotten. Briar would do anything for his teacher. It seemed he was willing to offer his life too.

"I think it would be best if no one else knew about….this," Moonsteam said. She nodded to Lark and Rosethorn then made her way to the door.

Lark kissed Sandry's head then followed Moonstream into the kitchen. Niko was there too.

"Give her fluids," Moonstream was saying. "Have Gorse make up some stew for her. Mila knows she could use it. Keep her in bed as well as you can-" Niko snorted. "-and I'll come by tomorrow."

Lark nodded then slowly walked back to Rosethorn's room. "Tris, Daja, if you don't mind, go to Dedicate Gorse and ask for stew with lentils and sausage and biscuits and supper for ourselves. Sandry, if you could watch over Rosethorn." Sandry looked slightly nervous. "Briar, come with me."

The girls came Briar pitying glances, and then went about their chores. Briar followed Lark to Rosethorn's workshop.