AN: WOAH. Sorry this took so long to get up. Its been almost a month hasn't it bowing GOMENOSAI! for non japanesse speaking people- SORRY!!

I can't even begin yo name all the wonderful people who have reviewed. (you know who you are- I most likely wrote you back) And to all those currently reading this HUGGLES I know its shortish- I had to lengthen it actually- I've been ridiculed for my cliffhangers before, and I know this ends with one but PLEASE forgive me.

Now I'm going to stop my nonsensical ramblings, and let you read this story. OH, and for the record I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING FROM ANY OF TAMORA PIERCES WORKS. Or anything else important.

:THE STEPPING STONE ISLANDS:

Tris raced through the waters, closing in on Summersea. Her small one-man sailboat, The Tempest, was fed from the storm that had ravaged the Vermouth. It shredded a path through the waves, Tris hanging by her ankles off the edge, hiking for all she was worth. As she approached the docks, she leaped out of the boat and pressed a silver astrel in a boy's hand, asking him to tie up for her, as she raced towards where the battered ship was tying up.

:THE VERMOUTH:

The crew finished tying up, and the captain went to register the boat with the harbormaster. Numair stared out at the ocean. He could sense the mage nearby, and closing the distance with astonishing speed. He tried to concentrate, but the exhaustion from his magical draining, and the thrilling trip had left his mind woozy and unfocused. Garian noticed this and grabbed his dad by the arm, leading him to the gangplank.

"Dad, we so need to find you a proper bed. I may be old, but you're still giant sized, and I don't think I could carry you."

Numair smiled weakly and straightened. He stretched, and yawned.

"Alright, Alright. At least let me walk by myself, I have my dignity you know." Looking at Garian, so glad to be on solid ground again, he grinned wider. "On with you. We've discovered a new country- I don't want you to spend it with your old man. Shoo." Garian Punches the air, hugs his dad and runs down the gangplank. Numair calls after him.

"Don't forget to look for that mage! They must be around here somewhere."

Garian waves at his dad, but as he turns he stumbles, his legs still wobbly from the sea. He tries to get his feet under him again, but the wooden planks of the dock are slippery with seawater, and he continues to fall. Then an arm scoops him up, holding him steady as he sways, still bent over. His face goes bright red and he peeks up through his lashes, expecting to see a guffawing sailor laughing at him. Instead, a broad shouldered girl with fiery braided hair and clear, alert eyes smiles calmly at him. He blushes even more, and straightens. He tops her by a head, so now she's then one looking up at him.

" Umn.. I'm sorry about that.." Garian winces at his pitiful excuse. He was so not going to live this down. He looks down to see the girl smirking, her gaze amused but thoughtful.

" That's perfectly alright. It's my fault you're like this already. " Garian stared blankly at the girl. "Nice to meet you Garian, Sorry about the rough trip." Trisana chuckles softly. " Although I must admit, you're taller than you seemed."

insert unhealthy awkward pause + obligatory crickets."

"..." ... "HOLY CRAP!" Garian stared dumbly down at her. His eyes jumped out of his skull. Tris was holding her sides now, trying to keep her clam visage, tears of laughter threatening to roll down her cheeks. "Y-you're not SERIOUS. I- You-we. TRICKSTER GODS THIS IS CONFUSING!".

Numair rushes as fast as his weak legs can carry him down the gangplank.

"Garian! Garian what's wrong?" He puffs between words. " What happened?"

Garian turns, white faced, to his father and points to the stocky girl in front of him.

" Found her." His voice trembles with shock. " She- She said she's sorry."

Numair looks back and forth from his son to the girl. His eyebrows shoot up, his eyes bug out. His hand shakes as he extends it to the girl. He pats her on the shoulder.

"Do you know where we can find somewhere to sit? My son seems to be suffering from shock, and I need a decent meal to eat."

:EMELAN:

Daja, Briar and Sandry burst into the tavern, red faced and gasping. Briar placed his hands on his knees and bent over, chest heaving. His voice, deep and honey like, had an almost frail quality. He gasped between words.

" Never...again. I'm... never...ever running.. that far...even... if copper curls... is dying." Sandry just leaned on Daja, who clung to her staff like a drowning man does to a piece of driftwood. They both nodded weakly.

" Oh, is that really what you think?" Trisana turned, a mug of tea in her hands. The three friends turn her way. The redheaded girl was crammed into a corner booth, two guys sandwiched in beside her, heads bent, slurping up their steaming soup as if they were expecting a very long, painful famine.

"You sure you don't want to know who I dragged you down here to meet?" Her voice was shaking with excitement. " HMMM?"

Briar whipped his head up. "Y-you mean..." Trisana nods briefly.

The two men sitting beside her raise their heads from their busy soup slurping and stare at the young adults. Soup dribbles from down from their chins. The younger one grins, the older one wiping his face.

"Hello. You have wonderful soup here."

AN: whacking head against wall. Please forgive me- Ihave cliffhanitiniigertess ( cliffhanger disease)

And who can tell me where the siblings are living after WOTE? It's one of the few books of Tamoras I don't have, and I'm too lazy right now to run down to the library to check. I'LL OWE YOU ONE if you can tell me!!

THANKS FOR READING!!