A/N This is set during the four's time at Winding Circle, before Circle Opens.


Lark spent the most time with Sandry, out of all her children. It was obvious, of course: as Sandry's primary teacher, she was responsible for the lessons the others went to Niko, Rosethorn or Frostpine for. However, when the four had first arrived at Discipline, they had spent most every meal and the evening hours in the cottage with Rosethorn and herself... as the years passed, these hours were filled with lessons both practical and magical and Lark saw less and less of Daja, Briar, and Tris. Perhaps this was the reason that she was so shocked when she realized they were growing up. Sandry she saw every day, and could hardly note all the tiny changes as her foster-daughter changed from girl to young woman... but after a week or so without seeing much of the others, the sudden differences leapt to her attention.


Lark and Briar were walking back from Gorse's kitchen, baskets loaded with dinner (and the inevitable treats Gorse loaded on his admirer). She was talking about something she had seen in the city, and noticed her foster-son had fallen a step behind and was obviously not listening to a word she was saying.

She turned and looked back and smiled, startled, to see that he had been so thoroughly distracted by a pretty dark-skinned novice girl's smile. He was thirteen. Of course he was noticing girls – she just hadn't thought of it before this moment.

As the girl walked passed, Briar snapped his attention back to Lark, embarrassed. She continued her story as he fell in step beside her, as if she had noticed nothing.


Preparing dinner for one of the rare nights the house was filled – all four children, Niko and Frostpine, and Rosie and herself – Lark was trying to get a platter from the top shelf in the kitchen. There was a reason this cupboard held the items the cottage used least; Lark was on tip-toe and was still just missing the edge of the platter with her fingertips.

"Here, Lark; let me." Daja stepped up beside her and reached up, grabbing the platter easily. Lark took it from her with a smile and noticed – for the first time – that she had to look up slightly to meet her foster-daughter's eye.


The main room of the small cottage was packed full – conversations over food overlapping happily. Lark was sitting beside Tris, with Niko and Frostpine across the table. She had mostly been listening to Rosethorn and Briar on her other side, but she turned back to listen to Tris as Frostpine's question to her caught Lark's attention.

"So," the smith-mage said, "you mean to travel once you leave Winding Circle."

Tris shrugged, looking to Niko. "It's crossed my mind. I want to learn some different magics – mine's so flashy – and Niko said that once I master weather-magic that I'll be able to learn academic... Maybe I'll go north, to Lightsbridge?"

"Well, you have three years before you have to make any choices... especially once that will break your teacher's heart; he would hate to go to that school to visit you."

"Don't remind me," Niko said dryly, making Frostpine laugh. Tris began to bombard him with questions.

Only three years, Lark thought. She looked around the table and realized her children were no longer children at all.


She crawled into Rosethorn's bed, curling herself into her side. They lay there in the darkness, in silence. It wasn't often that Lark grew upset, but Rosie always knew what to do when she was. Lark knew Rosie was awake, but her partner waited for her to speak, giving her time to bring her thoughts together.

"They're growing up," she whispered finally. It sounded final, said out loud.

"Yes, I know."

"Another three years and they won't be allowed to live at Discipline... what will we do then? What will they do?"

Rosethorn chuckled a little and pulled Lark closer. "We will miss them, and see them when they visit, and help other mage children and live our lives together. We will do what all parents have to do, eventually... we will let them fly away and hope we taught them to fly true. And them? What won't they be able to do?"

Lark smiled and leaned her head on Rosethorn's chest, listening to her heartbeat. "They're going to be incredible," she said, already falling asleep as Rosethorn smoothed a hand over her hair.

"They already are," Rosethorn replied, and Lark slept.


A/N See, Rosethorn? I don't always write you in a temper. :)