Disclaimer: I dun own nuttin cept Mian and the now named master dude!
(Don't worry you will find out his name in this chapter) Don't sue me! It's
all Tamora's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I admit it! It's all hers! Just please
don't sue me! (Dramatic child aren't I?)
A/N: howdy y'all! Juss so ya no.I am becoming review crazy. Please please please with lotsa yummy sugar on top leave me a review! Thanks a bunch! Much love from da Super Hobbit!
~*~Chapter Four: Vinen Snakethread~*~
It was dark in the small cabin. A boy, the plant mage, was walking briskly towards the front gate. Carefully, slowly, he opened the gate, crept through, and then closed it softly. He began to walk away, but turned sharply, again facing the gate. It opened and a tall slender girl, the thread mage, slipped out. "Damn!" Vinen Snakethread filled the air with curses. He could have caught the plant mage alone and finished him off in the night if the thread mage wasn't around. He stormed through the castle, hidden very well on a small, innocent looking island covered in trees. This place was very near Emelan, making it an ideal place to hide away. Emelan would be his, no matter how many people he had to kill to be named undisputed ruler!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Briar laughed softly as Sandry tripped on an unseen root in their path. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
"You," Briar replied mockingly.
"Ooooh, you!" she growled with mock anger. Then she stuck her tongue out at him in a very un-lady-like manner. Briar's only response was to shove her lightly. She shoved him back, slamming him into a nearby tree.
"Ouch," Briar remarked breathlessly; the impact had knocked the wind out of his lungs. He fell back into stride beside Sandry. Both were silent, content to walk along the path in each other's company. Briar remembered dimly that it was late and no one knew they had left. Originally only he was supposed to be there, even though Niko had warned him against it. He needed time to think, but of course Sandry had seen him leave, though he had thought she was asleep. Once he was discovered, he had no choice but to let her come along; she had threatened to wake up Rosethorn and tell her if he didn't. Shuddering at the thought of a grumpy, angered Rosethorn, Briar realized that Sandry was no longer beside him. "Sandry!" he called, panicking at the thought of her being hurt, or even worse, dead. He knew she shouldn't have come along! "Sandry!" he shouted again, his voice desperate. As much as he hated to admit it, he had feelings for Sandry. If he had caused something to happen to her by agreeing to let her accompany him, he would never forgive himself. He began walking quickly back along the path, shouting her name. Finally he heard a reply.
"Briar?" Sandry called. "Briar, over here! I'm stuck!" Briar rushed to her side. Sandry's foot had become entwined in a thorn bush. Using his magic, he strengthened the bond between the stem and thorns, making sure that none of them would break off in her skin. Then he carefully removed the plant and examined her foot. The cuts were very shallow, thank the gods, and had already stopped bleeding. Briar fought down the urge to hold her; to be sure it was really Sandry and that she was truly alive and practically unhurt. Taking a deep breath, he helped her off the ground. They turned back towards Discipline. No further troubles arose in Briar's mind that night.
The next afternoon, Niko arrived at Discipline without even a moment's notice. He immediately gathered the four young mages and ushered them to the roof, which had become their designated discussion zone. "Niko, what's wrong?" Tris asked.
"I have found out who is after Duke Vedris, and it seems that you four are in more danger than I realized. Mian's new master is Vinen Snakethread, one of the cruelest dark mages. He will stop at nothing to gain control of Emelan, and that includes murder. Since he knows that the four of you stand between him and Duke Vedris, you are at the top of his hit list. I already have every mage on the alert, and protection spells have been set around every inch of Emelan. As long as you do not stray out of the range of the spells, you are safe from harm, as he cannot detect you within them. Since Vinen would never think of hiring someone to commit a murder for him, he will try to lure you out of Emelan. Ignore these beckons at all costs. Once we find his lair, we can capture him. Until then you are to remain in Emelan. Failure to do so could lead you to your death," Niko said harshly.
"So this Snakethread man, he wants to rule Emelan?" Briar asked
"Yes," Niko replied, "And he will not be fazed if he has to finish off each of you to do it." Tris looked up at the sky.
"Niko, we should go inside. Look at that storm. It will be dreadfully powerful once it hits; I have a feeling that will be very soon," she said. Since no one else had weather magic, they trusted to Tris's predictions. After much discussion of Vinen Snakethread and his plot, Niko left Discipline to aid the mages in their search for the man. The four young mages agreed not to worry, but it was impossible for them to forget that they were the targets of a murderer. Sandry seemed especially affected by the news. Briar couldn't help it, he kept glancing at Sandry, his eyes filled with concern for the noble.
'Ironic,' he thought, 'I used to hate nobles, and look at me now. I've gone soft.' Deep down, Briar was glad that he had given up life on the streets. And being 'soft' wasn't that bad in its very peculiar way, though he did wish that his stomach would stop fluttering when he was around Sandry. Why was it that she made him so nervous? He was closer to her than he was to any of the others in Discipline. That should make him more confident around her, not less. Pushing that thought from his mind, he went to remove his shakkan from its shelf on his window. The storm was beginning to pick up and he didn't want it to fall. He began a detailed evaluation of its condition, leaving not one leaf unchecked. Hearing a noise behind him, Briar turned, nearly running into Sandry. "What are you doing in my room?" he asked, surprised.
"Tris and Daja are playing chess, Lark and Rosethorn are with Niko, and I have nothing to do," she explained, a note of boredom in her voice. "I did knock, but you didn't hear. I saw you tending to your shakkan and decided that watching you would be much more fun that watching a game of chess, which, by the way, is not going anywhere at all." Sandry knew that this wasn't the truth. Sure, the game was almost standing still and Lark and Rosethorn were with Niko, but she could have been weaving or finishing the embroidery she had started earlier. The real reason that she had wanted to watch Briar care for his shakkan was that during times such as that, she saw a different side of the rough, unrefined Briar. She saw a caring, gentleness when he was nurturing the plant, and liked to imagine that some day maybe he would treat her the same way.
"Would you like to try and help me?" Briar offered, "I mean, I know you only have a magic with thread, but a plant's roots are sort of like thread. Maybe if you used the roots you could help me make sure that it doesn't need anything."
"I'll try," Sandry replied, doubtful that she would actually succeed. She began to prod her magic, searching for the roots of Briar's precious shakkan. She was amazed that he actually trusted her with the plant. Not even Rosethorn was allowed to touch it. She found the roots and began feeling them as she would a disagreeable thread, gently and tenderly, searching for anything that it might need. Sandry felt an earthy warmth, much like Briar's magic, but different in a way. She knew that this was the shakkan telling her that it was in perfect condition and needed no further tending. She turned to Briar, who was smiling slightly. "It says that it doesn't need anything else," she informed him.
"You mean you did it?" Briar asked, awed.
"Yes, I just pretended that the roots were a thread that couldn't spin right. I asked it what was wrong and it said that it didn't need anything more, that nothing was wrong," Sandry said. He smiled at her and her stomach flopped. Briar's lopsided smile was accentuated [A/N: OH MY GOSH I USED A BIG WORD! GO ME!] by his sparkling green eyes.
"Briar, Sandry, Rosethorn and Lark are home," Daja yelled up the stairs.
"Shall we go greet them?" Sandry asked, grinning as she thought of a wet, cold Rosethorn walking into Discipline barking orders. Briar grimaced; he was obviously having the same unpleasant thought. She laughed as he made a face and then called sweetly, "We're coming down." He led her to the front door and prepared to face the wrath of Rosethorn's discomfort.
A/N: howdy y'all! Juss so ya no.I am becoming review crazy. Please please please with lotsa yummy sugar on top leave me a review! Thanks a bunch! Much love from da Super Hobbit!
~*~Chapter Four: Vinen Snakethread~*~
It was dark in the small cabin. A boy, the plant mage, was walking briskly towards the front gate. Carefully, slowly, he opened the gate, crept through, and then closed it softly. He began to walk away, but turned sharply, again facing the gate. It opened and a tall slender girl, the thread mage, slipped out. "Damn!" Vinen Snakethread filled the air with curses. He could have caught the plant mage alone and finished him off in the night if the thread mage wasn't around. He stormed through the castle, hidden very well on a small, innocent looking island covered in trees. This place was very near Emelan, making it an ideal place to hide away. Emelan would be his, no matter how many people he had to kill to be named undisputed ruler!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Briar laughed softly as Sandry tripped on an unseen root in their path. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
"You," Briar replied mockingly.
"Ooooh, you!" she growled with mock anger. Then she stuck her tongue out at him in a very un-lady-like manner. Briar's only response was to shove her lightly. She shoved him back, slamming him into a nearby tree.
"Ouch," Briar remarked breathlessly; the impact had knocked the wind out of his lungs. He fell back into stride beside Sandry. Both were silent, content to walk along the path in each other's company. Briar remembered dimly that it was late and no one knew they had left. Originally only he was supposed to be there, even though Niko had warned him against it. He needed time to think, but of course Sandry had seen him leave, though he had thought she was asleep. Once he was discovered, he had no choice but to let her come along; she had threatened to wake up Rosethorn and tell her if he didn't. Shuddering at the thought of a grumpy, angered Rosethorn, Briar realized that Sandry was no longer beside him. "Sandry!" he called, panicking at the thought of her being hurt, or even worse, dead. He knew she shouldn't have come along! "Sandry!" he shouted again, his voice desperate. As much as he hated to admit it, he had feelings for Sandry. If he had caused something to happen to her by agreeing to let her accompany him, he would never forgive himself. He began walking quickly back along the path, shouting her name. Finally he heard a reply.
"Briar?" Sandry called. "Briar, over here! I'm stuck!" Briar rushed to her side. Sandry's foot had become entwined in a thorn bush. Using his magic, he strengthened the bond between the stem and thorns, making sure that none of them would break off in her skin. Then he carefully removed the plant and examined her foot. The cuts were very shallow, thank the gods, and had already stopped bleeding. Briar fought down the urge to hold her; to be sure it was really Sandry and that she was truly alive and practically unhurt. Taking a deep breath, he helped her off the ground. They turned back towards Discipline. No further troubles arose in Briar's mind that night.
The next afternoon, Niko arrived at Discipline without even a moment's notice. He immediately gathered the four young mages and ushered them to the roof, which had become their designated discussion zone. "Niko, what's wrong?" Tris asked.
"I have found out who is after Duke Vedris, and it seems that you four are in more danger than I realized. Mian's new master is Vinen Snakethread, one of the cruelest dark mages. He will stop at nothing to gain control of Emelan, and that includes murder. Since he knows that the four of you stand between him and Duke Vedris, you are at the top of his hit list. I already have every mage on the alert, and protection spells have been set around every inch of Emelan. As long as you do not stray out of the range of the spells, you are safe from harm, as he cannot detect you within them. Since Vinen would never think of hiring someone to commit a murder for him, he will try to lure you out of Emelan. Ignore these beckons at all costs. Once we find his lair, we can capture him. Until then you are to remain in Emelan. Failure to do so could lead you to your death," Niko said harshly.
"So this Snakethread man, he wants to rule Emelan?" Briar asked
"Yes," Niko replied, "And he will not be fazed if he has to finish off each of you to do it." Tris looked up at the sky.
"Niko, we should go inside. Look at that storm. It will be dreadfully powerful once it hits; I have a feeling that will be very soon," she said. Since no one else had weather magic, they trusted to Tris's predictions. After much discussion of Vinen Snakethread and his plot, Niko left Discipline to aid the mages in their search for the man. The four young mages agreed not to worry, but it was impossible for them to forget that they were the targets of a murderer. Sandry seemed especially affected by the news. Briar couldn't help it, he kept glancing at Sandry, his eyes filled with concern for the noble.
'Ironic,' he thought, 'I used to hate nobles, and look at me now. I've gone soft.' Deep down, Briar was glad that he had given up life on the streets. And being 'soft' wasn't that bad in its very peculiar way, though he did wish that his stomach would stop fluttering when he was around Sandry. Why was it that she made him so nervous? He was closer to her than he was to any of the others in Discipline. That should make him more confident around her, not less. Pushing that thought from his mind, he went to remove his shakkan from its shelf on his window. The storm was beginning to pick up and he didn't want it to fall. He began a detailed evaluation of its condition, leaving not one leaf unchecked. Hearing a noise behind him, Briar turned, nearly running into Sandry. "What are you doing in my room?" he asked, surprised.
"Tris and Daja are playing chess, Lark and Rosethorn are with Niko, and I have nothing to do," she explained, a note of boredom in her voice. "I did knock, but you didn't hear. I saw you tending to your shakkan and decided that watching you would be much more fun that watching a game of chess, which, by the way, is not going anywhere at all." Sandry knew that this wasn't the truth. Sure, the game was almost standing still and Lark and Rosethorn were with Niko, but she could have been weaving or finishing the embroidery she had started earlier. The real reason that she had wanted to watch Briar care for his shakkan was that during times such as that, she saw a different side of the rough, unrefined Briar. She saw a caring, gentleness when he was nurturing the plant, and liked to imagine that some day maybe he would treat her the same way.
"Would you like to try and help me?" Briar offered, "I mean, I know you only have a magic with thread, but a plant's roots are sort of like thread. Maybe if you used the roots you could help me make sure that it doesn't need anything."
"I'll try," Sandry replied, doubtful that she would actually succeed. She began to prod her magic, searching for the roots of Briar's precious shakkan. She was amazed that he actually trusted her with the plant. Not even Rosethorn was allowed to touch it. She found the roots and began feeling them as she would a disagreeable thread, gently and tenderly, searching for anything that it might need. Sandry felt an earthy warmth, much like Briar's magic, but different in a way. She knew that this was the shakkan telling her that it was in perfect condition and needed no further tending. She turned to Briar, who was smiling slightly. "It says that it doesn't need anything else," she informed him.
"You mean you did it?" Briar asked, awed.
"Yes, I just pretended that the roots were a thread that couldn't spin right. I asked it what was wrong and it said that it didn't need anything more, that nothing was wrong," Sandry said. He smiled at her and her stomach flopped. Briar's lopsided smile was accentuated [A/N: OH MY GOSH I USED A BIG WORD! GO ME!] by his sparkling green eyes.
"Briar, Sandry, Rosethorn and Lark are home," Daja yelled up the stairs.
"Shall we go greet them?" Sandry asked, grinning as she thought of a wet, cold Rosethorn walking into Discipline barking orders. Briar grimaced; he was obviously having the same unpleasant thought. She laughed as he made a face and then called sweetly, "We're coming down." He led her to the front door and prepared to face the wrath of Rosethorn's discomfort.