~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Lark sighed, staring out the window at the two retreating figures. As they drew away from Discipline, their forms slowly blended with the night's shadows.
Pasco stood by Lark, watching Sandry and Briar leave. "I guess she's retiring as my teacher," he tried to joke, though he was truly worried.
Lark patted his head, her eyes bright. "No, Pasco. She's just taking a short hiatus." She ruffled his hair once before walking away to her room and shutting the door softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sandry's horse trotted quickly until she nearly fell out of the saddle from sheer fatigue. Briar dismounted by her, just as exhausted. "We made it to the forest," he remarked, "before the moon reached its peak. That's good time, you know. seven miles."
She shrugged, pulling him by the hand six feet into the trees. Securing their mounts by a large clump of dewy green clover, she patted the mare and stallion before staggering to a nearby willow. Waving a limp hand, Sandry quickly wove an impromptu shield around Briar and the horses, for protection and invisibility. Curling up, the two slept to the sound of their horses chewing contentedly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, at about noon, Vedris still hadn't heard Sandry's indignant and protesting voice at his door.
He shook his head, wondering at the thoughts that passed through his mind. "Veddie?" the shadowy voice whispered through his head, as it had last night in that strange dream. "Why are you doing this? I did not mean to leave you..." The dancer's image flashed before his eyes once more, her scarlet skirts twirling in a joyful dance.
"Yazmin," he murmured. How he had lain awake for hours, wishing to sleep once more, if only to see her again. His eyes unfocused where he sat, gazing into his lost love's face.
"Dear Gods, what have I become?" he asked himself out loud, standing purposefully. Walking, with sure steps, he arrived shortly at Sandry's door. Knocking, he listened anxiously for a stirring sound.
But none came.
A half hour later, Vedris had forced the lock and...found the room empty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come on, Sandry!" Briar said, as they reached the end of the first forest. "I suppose there must be somewhere we can settle?"
"Are we even still on Uncle's land?" the girl asked, wonderingly. They had traveled so far already...she slapped herself on her head. "Of course! What was i thinking? There are three forests between Emelan and the mountains."
"Well, we just passed through one."
Sandry squinted, struggling to remember some obscure fact. "I was going through Uncle's papers, half a year ago, while he slept. In the Darkwoods, there's supposed to be a lake at the center."
Briar grinned. "Trees? Water? I'm there. Maybe there's a growing village to join." She shrugged.
"Maybe. It seems like a good idea, anyway. But we better get moving, Uncle has probably found out i'm not there just about now, though he still has to scour Emelan and Winding Circle."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~