Disclaimer: I've decided to try and own Harry Potter now. Got bored of arguing with Tamora Pierce.
A/N Bits in italics are mind-speech. Kinda obvious, but incase anyone's brain is on holiday, there you are.
4. Mixed Magics
Tris' POV
I heard shouting up on the roof. Briar rushed past me, in tears again. Furious, I started towards the house, and climbed the ladder to the roof. When I got there though, Niko wasn't there. Instead I glanced out towards the gardens, and saw Briar sitting in the middle of one, Rosethorn's favourite if my memory was correct. He looked very odd, with his hair spiking out at weird angles, and his small body curled low to the earth. Suddenly an image sprang to mind, out of one of the many books I had read as part of my training. It had a picture of a boy in a similar position to Briar. And next to it had been a picture of a tree…
SANDRY! DAJA! HELP!
What is it? Asked Sandry gloomily.
Yes, why disturb us? Echoed Daja. Some of us are trying to sleep.
Briar is turning himself into a tree! I said, struggling to stay calm.
Is that all? Muttered Daja sleepily, turning over on her bed to get into a comfier position. Briar does stuff with trees all the time.
I don't think you are quite getting this! I almost yelled. BRIAR IS TRYING TO TURN HIMSELF INTO A TREE!
Trying to turn HIMSELF into a tree! Shrieked Sandry. I thought you said Briar was GROWING a tree.
NOW do you see why I'm so upset? I asked grumpily.
Two secs! Said Daja. We'll be there in a minute!
"What do we do?" asked Daja, looking at the inanimate form of Briar, so horribly like Rosethorn's had been, just a day ago. "No idea." I said grimly, sinking into my power. I felt Sandry and Daja do the same. Without hesitation, I threw lightning-bolt hooks into the glowing core that was Briars power. I saw a creamy thread from Sandry follow a second later, and Daja's red wire joined too. Stop it! Briars mind voice was furious. I could feel him hacking away at the lightning ties, trying to resume his transformation. No. I stood firm. We've already lost Rosethorn; we're not loosing you as well. She wouldn't have wanted you to die.
I don't know what she would have wanted. She's dead, replied Briar. I've already lost myself, so you're not really loosing me, just my ghost. I'm half dead already. Just leave me in peace.
No. All three of us – me, Sandry and Daja – spoke as one. Briar ignored us. He continued attacking our magic ties. Daja was the first to go, all her magic spent. Coward! She cried. You're a coward! Killing yourself just because you've got problems doesn't actually solve the problems. It creates more. Coward! Her presence faded in my mind as her magic vanished. Sandry was next. I don't want to lose you Briar. He voice was quiet and sad. I don't want to lose you. It'd be like Rosethorn all over again. Please don't go. Her presence dimmed too, as she left, exhausted of magical energy. I was the only one left.
Let go, Tris. Briar's faint murmur echoed across our link.
Never! I strengthened my tie to him, throwing more and more lightning bolts. I felt him start to attack them, severing them one by one. I knew I wasn't going to be able to hold him much longer. Very well! I snarled. If you will not stop, I will come too!
Tris, no! Briar frantically threw up barriers around his magic, but it was too late. Having no idea what the consequences of my actions might be, I threw my whole magical core into his, melding with him until our magic was intertwined to such an extent that I wasn't sure it would ever be separated again.
A/N Sorry if you don't understand a word of this chapter. I'm not sure I do either. I got the idea of Briar becoming a tree from TCO Street Magic, where Evvy nearly turns herself into a stone. Plz review, all reviewers will be honoured in the final chapter, anonymous or otherwise!
