and why cant the winding circle mages help? plenny of them aren't connected to teh four kids, and even if briar could reach rosethorn through plants, most are dead and out of reach by that time...and they're surrounded with water!
sucks, doesnt it?
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Sandry was acutely aware as the last dribbles of magic flowed out of her hands and into the shield that Daja and Briar were so desperately strengthening. The stormy waters were well over the city now, the sparkling tides hundreds of feet above even their shield.
"Briar!" The cry burst from her lips as she collapsed into the cold knee deep puddle. The boy stepped hastily over to her.
Lifting her from the chilling cold water, he propped the girl against the wall. "Sandry!"
"I'm almost dr-" she began, then turned back to the city. Peering closer, Sandry saw trickles of water slowly draining into Winding Circle through weak spots in her glimmering cloud.
If she told Briar she had no more magic, he would forbid her to help. And without her temporary shields, the city would surely be overtaken by the immense water pressure above them.
"Lark," Sandry whispered. "Rosethorn, Niko, Little Bear, Crane, Moonstream, Frostpine, Kirel, Uncle-" Feeling resolve enter her mind as she recited her friend's names, the tired girl turned around to face the city.
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Briar stared at Sandry in confusion. The girl appeared to be chanting under her breath, breathing hard as her teeth chattered.
"Sandry love," he said hurriedly, worried out of his mind. "Are you doing all right?"
Turning to him with a brilliant smile, Sandry gazed at him gently. "Of course," she said calmly. Adjusting herself in his arms, the girl continued to smile to herself. "Just don't let go," she murmured.
So, the chuffle he was, turned back to creating vines painstakingly. His power was running low, and even Daja's plated protection was getting thinner and weaker. And that was when he saw the raw, ragged gasp of Sandry's magic streaming from her hands.
"Sandry!" he cried, shaking her. Briefly she looked at him, but returned to her work. "Stop it, you know you're tapping your life's energy! Sandry!"
Tris, sitting, yanked Sandry down on the otherside. "Can't you get her to stop?" the redhead begged, staring at the wispy white threads streaming from Sandry's palms.
She turned to look at her friends. "If i stop now, Winding Circle and Emelan will be crushed by the weight of the water. Have we worked this hard to save them, only to give up? I will not quit, or die trying!"
Kethan and Daja, their eyes pleading, joined the small group. "Sandry!"
Determined, the girl turned back to them. "Daja, keep plating the shields, they are very weak."
Briar was miserable. "Sandry, if you're going to use up your life, then use my power!" He offered his hands desperately, filled with emerald green plant magic. "You can use it for something, right? Just don't waste your life!"
"Sandry!" Tris choked out, "You are not going to die." She offered her hand, too. "Here. I only have a little left, but use it." When her friend hesitated, she scowled. "Now, Sandry!"
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