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CROSSROADS: Chapter 4

Lady Sandrilene hurried down Festival Street with her personal guards Oama and Kwaben warding either sides of her. Something was surely taking up Pasco time and half a notch late was not Yazmín's usual style for disobedience punishment. Usually Pasco complained about having to do more stretches than necessary. She was not particularly worried about her student though irritated with his attitude, but she couldn't really lay blame on him. There were just too many attractions to lure a boy of fifteen away from his timetable. He had probably gone off to watch the visiting Capchen dancers and had lost track of the time as he so often did with exciting foreign dances.

Yazmín's door was answered by the same boy that had answered her when she brought Pasco here for the first time: Wamuko. He grinned broadly as her recognised her and ran back inside the school calling "Noble in the building". Sandry smiled faintly. That had become her customary title in the school and Yazmín came running right away. Whacking Wamuko lightly for his insolence Yazmín stepped lightly and curtsied gracefully before her.

"I suppose you want to know where Pasco went," she sighed. "I let him off on time but it seems that he found a small injured party on the way and took them to the local healer."

"Well at least he is doing something useful," she replied dryly, "Not wasting his time with those street dancers."

"He also said something about mages and Dedicates my lady. I wouldn't know if they had magic but the young man, about your age I'd say, was hurt quite badly. My lady, would you know them, I mean the lad, a younger girl and the fierce Dedicate that Pasco claims."

"Maybe, if they are also from Winding Circle but there are just so many Temple Circles," she replied. "I'd better go find him then. Uncle is still going to be waiting there at Fletcher Circle for lunch and would love you to be there."

From the class beyond came many salacious whistles and other noises. It was no secret that the Duke had a liaison with the famous dancer as there had not been for quite some time now. Discussions were all focused on when the two would exchange vows. Curtsying deeply and blushing slightly, Yazmín nodded her assent before rounding on her class and scowling irritably.

After receiving directions, Sandry rode in that direction hoping that Pasco hadn't yet moved from his position. Oama and Kwaben didn't feel her annoyance and in fact were rather amused.

"The boy is always getting himself into trouble without you to keep him in line," joked Oama. "You didn't have to let him off his permission leash so he could get himself into useless heroics."

Scowling visibly, Sandry nudged her mare ahead of the others and boldly rode to the door of the healer with her guards still chuckling quietly. Stepping into the store she immediately saw Pasco trying to calm a small girl slightly younger than him. Upon seeing her, he quickly stood up and wobbled a bow.

"Lady Sandrilene, I...I .......I  had to bring them here" he shakily began before the small girl stood up fighting back unshed tears.

"My pahan is dying. Please tell me you can help him," she pleaded.

Instead of feeling compassion, straight away Sandry was startled by her accent and words.

"Pahan? But that is Chammuran. What can you be doing here in Emelan?" she inquired curious.

"What is even more strange is that the young man injured is a full mage and he can't be that much older than you teacher. I saw that pendant with the tree on his neck," added Pasco.

Suddenly remembering the incidents of Briars last letter, she began to feel afraid.

"Evvy....?" she called in a shaky voice.

The girl's widened eyes gave as much confirmation to her identity as to that of the injured.

"Take me to him now," she commanded feeling breathless.

Feeling her distress, Pasco grabbed her arm to steady her while whispering, "Do you know them?"

"Briar has returned..."