Briar stood outside of Discipline, where everyone else was waiting for him. Tris then started to lead the way up the familiar walkway, and into the cottage while Briar took in the familiar smell of it, the smell of the woven wools, and of plants and concoctions which the two older mages made. It felt wonderful, and it was wonderful. He smiled just for that, but once he turned into the dining room, his smile turned into a dropping jaw.

Her blue eyes sparkled, brought out by her dark blue silk dress. The bodice was tight, and sewed together with beautiful silver trimmings. The bottom half of the dress flowed around her, perfectly, sheer fabric against opaque, and dark against light. Her shoes were silver slippers, and she had her hair done up in the back with silver, and dark and light blue ribbon. Her hair was streaked with blonde highlights, and her mouth was in a broad grin.

"S-s-a" but he didn't have time to get her name out, for all of them, including her, as well as Daja, Lark, and Rosethorn wrapped him in big hugs, while Niko shook his hand. It was more than he expected.

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"She's still the same you know...even if she does look like she shouldn't be touched" Tris whispered to him, after she caught him staring at Sandry, her voice tight, but still warm.

"You told me.." he said, still staring. Tris turned her head back to her plate, and started shoving food in her mouth.

"Gods...he doesn't notice anyone else! It's like she's his damned Shakkan tree! All beautiful and full of magic, i wish he would notice the weeds...." Tris thought to herself, as she smoothed out her hair, a habit from when she was little. Daja caught her actions over the table, and knew her friend well enough to know that something was wrong, and then remembered how Tris had insisted that she be the one who picked up Briar, and escort him back to the cottage, and how just before dinner she had sat right next to him, and Daja had even noticed how she stared enviously at Sandry.

"Briar!" she called from the other end of the table. "You must tell us what you did when you're gone, we all would love to know." she knew it was a boring question to ask, because everyone knew why he was gone, and it was a standard question people asked a traveler who was back from his journeys, but she did it for Tris.

"Daja...I thought you all knew what I did...but If i really have to..." Briar started.

"Come on Daja, you're smarter than that! We all know Briar went to go stregnthen the mage walls over on the coast." Sandry said, as she reached over to place her hand on top of Briar's. "You're not that patient! Even with all your tending for plants all these years, and especially after that mage wall, we can't put you through that!" she said, flashing that all too familiar smile.

Daja, and even Tris had to smile at that, Sandry was no stupid girl, she was smart, and she knew all of their personalities perfectly. And she was right. But still, Daja gave Tris an "I tried!" look, which Tris returned with a tight smile.

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"I thought I'd find you here..." Briar said, as he entered Sandry's old workroom, spools, and spindles placed neatly on the shelves which lined the walls.

She turned to look at him, as she pulled him down into a sitting position next to her. His green eyes sparkled, and his skin shone, with a tan he had collected while working on the coast. His hair was shaggy, but still neat, and his white shirt, and tan breeches hung perfectly on his body. "I want to get to the point..." she started, looking down at her slippers, and then up at him. "They all expect us, to...to be together. Ever since you left, and even before, everyone has been asking 'Are you and Briar together? You know you're of noble blood! And even Lark has been saying how we would go great..." she said, clasping, and unclasping her hands together. "And at first I said, 'No! That could never happen! He's like my very own brother! But Briar...you're not. You're Briar Moss, and I'm Sandry faToren...they're not the same last names! We're not siblings...and even if it may sound like i'm 5 years old right now, I just want to say that I think they are right too."

Briar sat there, speechless. He'd never thought he'd hear this coming out of anyone's mouth, let alone Sandry's! True, he had thought of her as a sister for a while, but he started realizing that whenever he saw her with one of the noble men, he wished that he was in their place. She was right, they weren't brother and sister by blood, so why shouldn't they be together? "Sandry...I feel the same way too." She smiled, and moved her clasped hands around the small of his back, head on his chest. But Briar wasn't about to let her start the kiss, so he lifted up her chin, and moved her lips towards his, gliding his over hers, at first slowly, and then with more vigor. His hands were in her hair, and hers on his neck. They were both so caught up in the moment that they both didn't notice the thud on the door, as Tris slid down it, and landed up sitting on the floor in front of it, head in hands, hunched over, and almost sobbing.

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TO BE CONTINUED...