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Now, this is chapter 4. Daja's in this chapter. Briar's coming next chapter, then Tris last. This continues right off of the last chapter, so make sure you know what the duke said last.

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James and Sandry stared at him blankly, until realization hit them. What he was suggesting!!

"N-n-n-no, s-s-sir, th-th-there wasn't anything l-l-like that going on," James stammered, turning red.

Sandry nodded. "There is nothing like that between us."

"I hope so. I trust you both have been told about these things." The pair nodded. "I thought so. Now, do you have an explanation?"

James started to say something, but Sandry cut him off. "It's my fault, Uncle. I couldn't sleep so I asked James to talk to me until I fell asleep, then he would carry me to my room. Except we fell asleep at the same time, I guess."

"Ah. Now that this is settled, I have other matters to attend to. You are dismissed."

The twosome got up, bowed/curtsied, and left.

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They were walking in the hall, talking about the reports of war threats from across the Pebbled Sea, when a maid cautiously approached them. Of course, with the gossips most servents were, news had spread that Sandry and James had been found in the same bed, so most of the servents had given them dark looks.

"Lady Sandrilene?" the maid asked timidly. "There is a friend of yours in the front hall."

"Who?" Sandry asked.

"She says to tell you she's back." Sandry's eyes lit up. She grabbed James's arm and dragged him with her, yelling, "They're back! They're back!"

Meanwhile it took James about to the top of the main staircase to realize she meant her friends. He broke her grip and stayed at the top of the staircase as Sandry bolted down.

"Saati!" the stocky brown girl cried as a blur connected with her, enveloping her in a hug.

"DajaDajaDajaDaja!!! You're finally here!!!"

"Yes I am." Sandry let go and faced the man that was standing near them.

"Frostpine!!!"

The man chuckled. "Hello, Sandry."

Suddenly Sandry glanced back at the top of the stairs. "Come on," she called.

"Who are you calling to?" Daja asked. "Your student?"

"No, James."

"Who?"

"James." Then she yelled, "James, if you don't get down here, I will march up to your room and break your flute."

The boy raced down faster than thought and, facing Sandry, said, "You wouldn't."

"I would."

"Nyah."

"We have guests, be polite." For the first time, James noticed that there were other people there. He looked at Daja and whispered awefully, "Daja? The Daja? Smith mage extraodinaire? No way. And is that her teacher, the famous great smith mage, Dedicate Frostpine? This can't be real. I must be dreaming."

Sandry pinched him. He yelped. "Nope, not dreaming, then."

"Who is he?" Daja asked. "You didn't tell me about him in your last letter."

"Come in to the parlor and we'll talk more," Sandry said, the picture of a perfect hostess as she held the door open for the others. When they had settled themselves and sent the maid to get refreshments, Sandry continued, "It's a bit of a long story."

She proceeded to tell them about their first meeting, Daja and Frostpine staring, wide-mouthed, when she got to the part where he told them he was from another world.

She went on to tell about his magic, of which . When she finished telling them of his latest discovery, that the placing of certain runes usually meant for metalwork on instruments improved the tone or pitch of the instrument, Daja commented, "You seem to attract all the mages with unusual powers."

Sandry laughed. "Yes, it certainly seems that way," she said, picking up a scone from the plate of food the maid had brought. She offered James one, but he refused, turning bright red.

"I'm gonna, um, go practice my, um, flute, um, yeah, that's it," he stammered. He rose, bowed jerkily, and nearly flew from the room.

He likes her, Daja realized. He likes her. Interesting.

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Frostpine went to Winding Circle, but Daja decided to stay with Sandry at the Citadel. For the next couple of days, they caught up on the times and practiced magic together. James, however, seemed to be avoiding Sandry's company except for mealtimes and lessons.

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Did you like? I'll never know, people, if you don't review and tell me. Please do that or IM me on AOL (gryffindor918). Thanx!!!

James