Coppercurls

by an anonymous geek

Chapter Four

Briar found himself spending more and more time with Tris. She seemed more sensible and interesting than the others. He was sure to have a fun time when he was around her. It didn't occur to him that he was falling in love with her until one day, two weeks after their return, when they were sitting together on the roof. It was a hot day and they had decided to go to the coolest place in Discipline.

They were having a moment of silence as Tris was looking up at the clouds, and Briar was looking at Tris. She looked like a goddess, she was so beautiful. Her red hair was braided up all over her head and she had taken her glasses off, so it was easier to see her beautiful gray eyes that were full of laughter and happiness. Things that were rarely shown outwardly.

She must keep it all hidden, and lets her temper be the thing that is shown, thought Briar, remembering the times that her temper had been shown to him. He loved how she was always quick to offer a retort to whatever he said. That was one of the things that made him like her so much.

I'm doomed to love women with bad tempers, he thought, meaning Tris and Rosethorn.

Love? Yes, I can no longer try to hide from my own feelings. I love her. But I can't tell her. I don't want to ruin our friendship if she finds out that I love her and is appalled by it! The thought of Tris knowing that he loved her, and not returning that love, and never speaking to him again, made him shudder.

I have to keep it a secret then. I can tell no one. Not even Daja, or Sandry, or Rosethorn. Especially not Rosethorn. I'd never hear the end of it if she found out!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Later that evening, after supper, Tris sat down on one side of the table, reading a book that she had gotten. On the other side of the table sat Briar and Sandry. They were talking about something that she didn't quite catch. But she knew that they were flirting. It was quite obvious and sickening. Tris detested it, and especially since she had recently been having strange feelings for Briar. He was too handsome for his own good. Whenever he looked at her, Tris's heart started racing.

Tris looked over at Briar and Sandry, right after Sandry had said something to him. They both laughed and smiled at one another. Tris couldn't stand it any longer, so she slammed her book shut and left the room.

As she walked up the stairs, she heard Sandry ask, "Do you know what's the matter with Tris? She's been acting so strange recently."

She didn't hear Briar's reply, since she was already in her room.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

[The next day]

Daja stood up and walked over to the door when she heard a knock.

She opened the door, and there stood Kirel. She couldn't help noticing how handsome he looked.

"Hello, Daja. I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk, unless you're busy."

"No, I'm not busy. Sure, I'll walk with you."

~~~~ * ~~~~

They had a nice walk, and when they returned to Discipline, Kirel did something that greatly surprised Daja. He leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips, then walked quickly away, leaving her standing there, stricken.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Sandry was weaving when she heard a knock on the door. She was going to get up and see who was there, but Lark had already gone to the door. Hearing voices, she walked out into the kitchen. There stood a boy, about 18 years of age.

"I have a message for Niklaren Goldeye."

Niko stood up. "I am Niklaren Goldeye. Who is the message from?"

"It is from Duke Vedris IV." He handing the paper containing the message over to Niko. Then he looked over at Sandry. He had a puzzled look on his face.

"Sandry, is that you?" he asked.

"Yes, my name is Sandry."

"You probably don't remember me. My name is Jonathon ei Landen. We played together as children."

Suddenly, Sandry remembered the time she had spent with him while her parents had been visiting his parents. He had been the only noble child who would talk to her as a friend. "Oh, now I remember. Wouldn't you like to sit down?"

"Thank you, but I really must go. Maybe tomorrow I can see you?"

"Yes, I'd like that." After that, he excused himself and walked outside.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I wrote this chapter last night. I hope you liked it. I think in the next chapter the action/adventure part will start. That will last about three chapters, and then I'll have one final chapter. So, I think this will be about 8 chapters long.

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GEEKS WILL ALWAYS CONQUER!