A/N: Oh well Nia and Jory and Keth came with their teachers anyway. I don't
care if they weren't supposed to this makes the story more fun!
disclaimer: I am not Tamora Pierce as you can clearly tell from my
writings. The plot is mine but I suspect that some things that will be
written here may appear in some of TP's future books, but not the same as I
write them. Alexander Debegri is my character, as well as Dedicate Helford
:D!!
NOTE! I haven't read Shatterglass, the finale to the Circle Opens quartet.
If something I write conflicts with this book please inform me politely.
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When it was almost time for Pasco's lesson with Yazmin Hebet, Sandry decided to ride him back to the school, and then return to Winding Circle. Walking into Pasco's training room she quickly sat down on the floor, as did Pasco, and put up the warding spell. They meditated until Yazmin came into the room. Sandry thanked Yazmin, told Pasco to be good, and then went back to the stables where her cream coloured horse waited for her.
The ride back was pleasant, the setting sun was starting to poke through the clouds in places, and there was a small rainbow shooting over the sky. Discipline cottage was quiet when she arrived and Sandry walked in to find everyone but the young students sitting around the dinning table. Lark stood up when she entered and got another chair.
"Sandry, just in time." Niko said. "We have some serious talking to do." Sandry sat down, a puzzled expression crossing her face. Briar, Tris and Daja's faces mimicked her own.
~Does anyone know what's going on?~ Sandry couldn't help herself from asking her foster-siblings. No one had a definite answer
"Let me start by introducing our guest. Alexandre Debegri, son of the Count Debegri in Qalai, meet Lady Sandriline Fa Toren, niece to Duke Verdis IV, Trisana Chandler of House Chandler, The Trader Daja Kisubo of the Tenth Caravan Idaram, and Briar Moss."
~Oh yea thanks Niko~ Briar thought to the girls. ~You all have fancy titles, I'm just Briar Moss!~
~Well you might have had a better title of you hadn't been a street rat all your life!~ Tris replied. ~Now be quiet all of you this is important!~ The four turned their attention back to Niko who had stopped talking when he sensed that the others weren't paying attention. He was about to open his mouth to say something to them about not paying attention (A/N there is a word for that but it seems to have slipped my mind :S) but at that moment Sandry moved her arm so that it was touching his.
~We'll pay attention Niko. Plus it would be rude to Debegri if you said something now.~ She thought through the connection of their magic that formed with the touching of their skin. Niko nodded slightly, just enough for Sandry to see.
"Excuse me Master Goldeye," Debegri said, "I do not believe these children are needed for this discussion." From the look that Niko gave Debegri he knew that he request was denied. "Well then at least remove the Lady. This kind of talk is not for any woman to hear, especially a noble. Miss Kisubo, and Miss Chandler should leave as well."
"Lord Debegri, Lady Sandrilene has seen worse that what we are discussing, worse even than anything you have seen, all of these children have. They have survived earthquakes, killed a band of pirates, stopped forest fires, and found the cure for the blue pox, among other things. These four 'mages' are famous around the world, surely you have heard of their accomplishments."
Debegri looked shocked. "I have heard tell of these rumours yes. But surely they are nothing more than that." He said in disbelief.
"I assure you most of what you hear is true." Niko said forcefully. "Now if I may continue? Lord Debegri has come in search of aid for some strange things are happening in his province. On his way here he met up with a so-called ally at a side way-inn and that was when he had been poisoned. It was a slow working poison that didn't start to take effect until he was already in Summersea. He kept riding hoping to get here in time to see a healer. But he didn't make it and collapsed where you found him, only around an hour later did you find him there. You know the rest. Before he travelled here he went to Lightsbridge seeking magical aid... No one at Lightsbridge could be spared... So he came here. But we have a dilemma. We can't spare any of our mages to help solve the problem either. I have foreseen some bad things in the flames. Nothing like 5 years ago, but something is there nonetheless. So you see I cannot go either. I must remain here in case something happens. That is where you come in." Niko paused, looking at Alexandre because he had given a small exclamation at hearing that these... Children... Might be the ones to help. Debegri stared back at Niko but said nothing more so Nikarlen continued. "Your teachers, me included, don't believe that you should go." At this Tris coughed and was going to argue when Niko kept on talking, ignoring her. "But Moonstream can send no one, it might endanger all of Winding Circle if she did. Since Our Lord here has asked especially for a certain... type... of mage, I won't tell you about that now you will know before you leave, we believe you can handle it, if you all go and sick together. Keep in mind that this may be dangerous, it is your decision to make, will you go?" Niko was looking worried as he said these last words, knowing how the four were about running off, and doing what they were told strictly not to do. Sandry also looked worried. Daja was thinking. Briar was glad that at least this time he wouldn't be leaving the girls, his sisters. And Tris looked excited.
"We can do it Niko," she said warmly. "You know we can."
"Don't worry Niko, we'll get our hands on the trouble maker." Daja added trying to reassure Niko, and Sandry, as well as herself. She didn't know that these words also reassured Tris and Briar.
"You know what, I think that we're all up to a little action. It has been quite a while since the four of us did anything interesting together." Briar added. "I'm in." They all looked at Sandry who hadn't said anything.
"I do not have a good feeling about this." Was all she said for a while. No one bothered her as she tried to make up her mind. She pondered many things, they had performed some pretty extraordinary acts. But something kept nagging at her, she didn't know what it was. Oh well, she thought to herself, this may be the only way to find out. "When do we leave?" She asked. Her siblings all looked excited now. Niko on the other hand looked even more worried than he had previously.
"Very well. You leave a week from today. There are things that must be prepared before you go, and Lord Debegri hasn't had much time to recover fully. I do feel you aren't taking this very seriously at all. But what am I to say to you. I can't very well not send Qalai what may be it's only hope."
"Oh!" Sandry said all of a sudden. "What are we to do about the children?"
"Pasco Alacon, Niamara and Jorality Bancanor, And Evumeiemi Dingzai will remain here in order to continue their studies. I believe that Dedicate Gorse will instruct Jory in your absence, Daja, and Nia will go to Dedicate Helford of the fire temple, he is a friends of Frostpine's that just recently returned from travelling. Pasco will remain with Yazmin Hebet and will return here to meditate with Lark." At this Lark nodded. "Rosethorn has been kind enough to oversee Evvy's teaching," Briar grinned at Rosethorn who looked menacing, in a joking way. "Keth is here of his own accord, and therefore needs no supply instructor." Niko sighed. To Tris he seemed to be getting older by the minute. Daja, Sandry, and Briar had noticed some change in their teacher as well.
"Well now that that's all settled why don't we get something to eat from Gorse down at the kitchens? I don't feel much like cooking." Lark said. She stood up and went to call on the younger students, Comas included. She wrote something on a slate, made from a stone that Evvy recognized quickly, and told them to go to Gorse. Sandry stood up. It seemed to her that she had been making an awful lot of tea lately but she didn't care. It looked like Niko could use something strong. She walked over to where Rosethorn sat and murmured something in her ear. The then both receded into the plant mages' work room. Coming out quickly Sandry carried a small package of herbs. Briar looked at them as closely as he could, one of the teas that Rosethorn gave to the sick, what was its use again? He couldn't remember. Sandry went into the kitchen and boiled some water on the fire. She poured the water partly into a small kettle, and a lot into a larger one. Taking down a jar she put some peppermint into the latter and added the new package to the smaller pot. Quickly she poured tea into twelve cups (Pasco was still at Yazmin's), and passed eleven around the table, leaving room for the four missing students. She them went back to the smaller kettle poured its contents into the last mug and handed it to Niko while she took her own and sat down. Niko took a small sip of his tea and looked peculiarly at Sandry. Then he gave her a small smile and patted her arm.
~What's in Niko's tea Sandry?~ Briar wondered, to himself, not knowing that he had let it slip to Sandry, and the others.
~Oh just some simple herbs, ones to strengthen him, and it will also make him tired so that he will get to sleep tonight. I think us being away without an adult worries him. He would stay up all night if I hadn't given it to him.~ Sandry replied.
~I know he would.~ Tris Said. ~He doesn't sleep al that much anymore.~
~That's not good. Is it because of what he foresees?~ Daja wondered.
~Probably.~ Was Tris' reply before she blocked the others from her mind and returned to her tea.
~This is bothering Tris. I'll try to talk to her later. Don't bother her or she'll get in one of her moods.~ Sandry commented. She looked at Niko who had a frown on his face and had his eyes closed.
Shortly the youngsters came back carrying a basket each. The unloaded food onto the table, as Briar went to get plates, knives and forks. Their dinner was short and quiet. No one tried to make conversation. When everyone had finished their meal they got up and washed their dishes then retreated to their beds. Sandry's sleeping arrangements worked perfectly. She could talk to Tris privately in the work room while she spun some silk thread. She had to use silk, although like that strange feeling that she had, she didn't know why, but she did know what she was planning to do with it.
Sandry had been spinning silently for five or so minutes when Tris entered the room silently and began to prepare for bed, he hair, like Sandry's, still wet from the bath house. She no longer looked excited, in fact she looked the exact opposite. She was worried as Sandry had never seen her before.
"Tris," Sandry called lightly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Tris looked at her friend, sister, confidant, through blurry eyes. But she didn't know if she could talk about it yet. "Please?" Tris decided that speaking her feelings to Sandry may relieve some of the weight she felt in her chest.
"I just can't do it Sandry," She cried, finally letting the tears slip from her eyes. Sandry carefully put down her spindle, so as not to lose the foot long cord unwind, then went to embrace Tris. She, Tris, cried for what seemed hours, but was really only minutes. She let out great wails and Sandy patted her back lovingly. Soon she was feeling better, the ways that crying hard always made someone, still sad but able to deal with her grief. "I can't leave him, I can't! He's getting so old. Nearing sixty! (A/N: I know that previously I said that Niko was nearing fifty but I reread parts of Sandry's book one day when I was bored and realized he was fifty-five when the four met) What if something happens when we're gone? Like he foresaw? I can't let anything happen to him! I wouldn't know what t do if we lost him." She wiped water from her cheeks, and looked into Sandry's bright blue eyes. What she saw surprised her. Sandry had a hopeful look in here eyes. Silently she worried about Niko's age also, but she couldn't let Tris see that. She had to be brave, so that Tris would be brave.
"It's all right, Tris. Niko will be fine. But you have to come with us. You can't stay here, even to protect him, the people in Qalai need us." She said in what she hoped was a calm voice.
"I know. And I will go. I just worry about him is all."
"I know you do. We all do. But don't forget, Lark and Rosethorn will be here. They can take care of him for you, we won't be gone that long." She hoped anyway.
"Yes, they can take care of most people. But I still worry. They haven't been to the realm of the dead like we have, for Rosethorn. They wouldn't have gone to save her, she would have died had we not been there." Sandry said nothing about this. The only things she could say wouldn't help now. So instead she decided that they should get some rest. Tris nodded at her request and pulled the covers down on her palette before climbing in. She put her head down on the pillow and shortly heard Sandry's breathing even out as she fell asleep. Tris wished she could sleep as well but she was so full of worry. She wished that Sandry had given her a mug of the tea that Niko had drank. Since she needed her sleep she relied on the only thing besides a storm that could calm her. She began to count in her head "One... Two... Three... Four... Five... Six... Seven..."
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A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update! Well not really long but longer than normal. I was so stuck on how to bring in the problem of Alexandre's that I couldn't write for days. Plus I was busy reading other's fics ;) I start school in a few days so I'll probably only update every 2-3 days. It's kind of strange... The only time I feel like writing is at night... :S Anyway I enjoy reading your replies :D so please reply to me :D I didn't bring the rock into this chapter, that can wait for the next and also what kind of mages were needed? That will also be in the next chapter. Hope you like... Bye for now :)
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When it was almost time for Pasco's lesson with Yazmin Hebet, Sandry decided to ride him back to the school, and then return to Winding Circle. Walking into Pasco's training room she quickly sat down on the floor, as did Pasco, and put up the warding spell. They meditated until Yazmin came into the room. Sandry thanked Yazmin, told Pasco to be good, and then went back to the stables where her cream coloured horse waited for her.
The ride back was pleasant, the setting sun was starting to poke through the clouds in places, and there was a small rainbow shooting over the sky. Discipline cottage was quiet when she arrived and Sandry walked in to find everyone but the young students sitting around the dinning table. Lark stood up when she entered and got another chair.
"Sandry, just in time." Niko said. "We have some serious talking to do." Sandry sat down, a puzzled expression crossing her face. Briar, Tris and Daja's faces mimicked her own.
~Does anyone know what's going on?~ Sandry couldn't help herself from asking her foster-siblings. No one had a definite answer
"Let me start by introducing our guest. Alexandre Debegri, son of the Count Debegri in Qalai, meet Lady Sandriline Fa Toren, niece to Duke Verdis IV, Trisana Chandler of House Chandler, The Trader Daja Kisubo of the Tenth Caravan Idaram, and Briar Moss."
~Oh yea thanks Niko~ Briar thought to the girls. ~You all have fancy titles, I'm just Briar Moss!~
~Well you might have had a better title of you hadn't been a street rat all your life!~ Tris replied. ~Now be quiet all of you this is important!~ The four turned their attention back to Niko who had stopped talking when he sensed that the others weren't paying attention. He was about to open his mouth to say something to them about not paying attention (A/N there is a word for that but it seems to have slipped my mind :S) but at that moment Sandry moved her arm so that it was touching his.
~We'll pay attention Niko. Plus it would be rude to Debegri if you said something now.~ She thought through the connection of their magic that formed with the touching of their skin. Niko nodded slightly, just enough for Sandry to see.
"Excuse me Master Goldeye," Debegri said, "I do not believe these children are needed for this discussion." From the look that Niko gave Debegri he knew that he request was denied. "Well then at least remove the Lady. This kind of talk is not for any woman to hear, especially a noble. Miss Kisubo, and Miss Chandler should leave as well."
"Lord Debegri, Lady Sandrilene has seen worse that what we are discussing, worse even than anything you have seen, all of these children have. They have survived earthquakes, killed a band of pirates, stopped forest fires, and found the cure for the blue pox, among other things. These four 'mages' are famous around the world, surely you have heard of their accomplishments."
Debegri looked shocked. "I have heard tell of these rumours yes. But surely they are nothing more than that." He said in disbelief.
"I assure you most of what you hear is true." Niko said forcefully. "Now if I may continue? Lord Debegri has come in search of aid for some strange things are happening in his province. On his way here he met up with a so-called ally at a side way-inn and that was when he had been poisoned. It was a slow working poison that didn't start to take effect until he was already in Summersea. He kept riding hoping to get here in time to see a healer. But he didn't make it and collapsed where you found him, only around an hour later did you find him there. You know the rest. Before he travelled here he went to Lightsbridge seeking magical aid... No one at Lightsbridge could be spared... So he came here. But we have a dilemma. We can't spare any of our mages to help solve the problem either. I have foreseen some bad things in the flames. Nothing like 5 years ago, but something is there nonetheless. So you see I cannot go either. I must remain here in case something happens. That is where you come in." Niko paused, looking at Alexandre because he had given a small exclamation at hearing that these... Children... Might be the ones to help. Debegri stared back at Niko but said nothing more so Nikarlen continued. "Your teachers, me included, don't believe that you should go." At this Tris coughed and was going to argue when Niko kept on talking, ignoring her. "But Moonstream can send no one, it might endanger all of Winding Circle if she did. Since Our Lord here has asked especially for a certain... type... of mage, I won't tell you about that now you will know before you leave, we believe you can handle it, if you all go and sick together. Keep in mind that this may be dangerous, it is your decision to make, will you go?" Niko was looking worried as he said these last words, knowing how the four were about running off, and doing what they were told strictly not to do. Sandry also looked worried. Daja was thinking. Briar was glad that at least this time he wouldn't be leaving the girls, his sisters. And Tris looked excited.
"We can do it Niko," she said warmly. "You know we can."
"Don't worry Niko, we'll get our hands on the trouble maker." Daja added trying to reassure Niko, and Sandry, as well as herself. She didn't know that these words also reassured Tris and Briar.
"You know what, I think that we're all up to a little action. It has been quite a while since the four of us did anything interesting together." Briar added. "I'm in." They all looked at Sandry who hadn't said anything.
"I do not have a good feeling about this." Was all she said for a while. No one bothered her as she tried to make up her mind. She pondered many things, they had performed some pretty extraordinary acts. But something kept nagging at her, she didn't know what it was. Oh well, she thought to herself, this may be the only way to find out. "When do we leave?" She asked. Her siblings all looked excited now. Niko on the other hand looked even more worried than he had previously.
"Very well. You leave a week from today. There are things that must be prepared before you go, and Lord Debegri hasn't had much time to recover fully. I do feel you aren't taking this very seriously at all. But what am I to say to you. I can't very well not send Qalai what may be it's only hope."
"Oh!" Sandry said all of a sudden. "What are we to do about the children?"
"Pasco Alacon, Niamara and Jorality Bancanor, And Evumeiemi Dingzai will remain here in order to continue their studies. I believe that Dedicate Gorse will instruct Jory in your absence, Daja, and Nia will go to Dedicate Helford of the fire temple, he is a friends of Frostpine's that just recently returned from travelling. Pasco will remain with Yazmin Hebet and will return here to meditate with Lark." At this Lark nodded. "Rosethorn has been kind enough to oversee Evvy's teaching," Briar grinned at Rosethorn who looked menacing, in a joking way. "Keth is here of his own accord, and therefore needs no supply instructor." Niko sighed. To Tris he seemed to be getting older by the minute. Daja, Sandry, and Briar had noticed some change in their teacher as well.
"Well now that that's all settled why don't we get something to eat from Gorse down at the kitchens? I don't feel much like cooking." Lark said. She stood up and went to call on the younger students, Comas included. She wrote something on a slate, made from a stone that Evvy recognized quickly, and told them to go to Gorse. Sandry stood up. It seemed to her that she had been making an awful lot of tea lately but she didn't care. It looked like Niko could use something strong. She walked over to where Rosethorn sat and murmured something in her ear. The then both receded into the plant mages' work room. Coming out quickly Sandry carried a small package of herbs. Briar looked at them as closely as he could, one of the teas that Rosethorn gave to the sick, what was its use again? He couldn't remember. Sandry went into the kitchen and boiled some water on the fire. She poured the water partly into a small kettle, and a lot into a larger one. Taking down a jar she put some peppermint into the latter and added the new package to the smaller pot. Quickly she poured tea into twelve cups (Pasco was still at Yazmin's), and passed eleven around the table, leaving room for the four missing students. She them went back to the smaller kettle poured its contents into the last mug and handed it to Niko while she took her own and sat down. Niko took a small sip of his tea and looked peculiarly at Sandry. Then he gave her a small smile and patted her arm.
~What's in Niko's tea Sandry?~ Briar wondered, to himself, not knowing that he had let it slip to Sandry, and the others.
~Oh just some simple herbs, ones to strengthen him, and it will also make him tired so that he will get to sleep tonight. I think us being away without an adult worries him. He would stay up all night if I hadn't given it to him.~ Sandry replied.
~I know he would.~ Tris Said. ~He doesn't sleep al that much anymore.~
~That's not good. Is it because of what he foresees?~ Daja wondered.
~Probably.~ Was Tris' reply before she blocked the others from her mind and returned to her tea.
~This is bothering Tris. I'll try to talk to her later. Don't bother her or she'll get in one of her moods.~ Sandry commented. She looked at Niko who had a frown on his face and had his eyes closed.
Shortly the youngsters came back carrying a basket each. The unloaded food onto the table, as Briar went to get plates, knives and forks. Their dinner was short and quiet. No one tried to make conversation. When everyone had finished their meal they got up and washed their dishes then retreated to their beds. Sandry's sleeping arrangements worked perfectly. She could talk to Tris privately in the work room while she spun some silk thread. She had to use silk, although like that strange feeling that she had, she didn't know why, but she did know what she was planning to do with it.
Sandry had been spinning silently for five or so minutes when Tris entered the room silently and began to prepare for bed, he hair, like Sandry's, still wet from the bath house. She no longer looked excited, in fact she looked the exact opposite. She was worried as Sandry had never seen her before.
"Tris," Sandry called lightly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Tris looked at her friend, sister, confidant, through blurry eyes. But she didn't know if she could talk about it yet. "Please?" Tris decided that speaking her feelings to Sandry may relieve some of the weight she felt in her chest.
"I just can't do it Sandry," She cried, finally letting the tears slip from her eyes. Sandry carefully put down her spindle, so as not to lose the foot long cord unwind, then went to embrace Tris. She, Tris, cried for what seemed hours, but was really only minutes. She let out great wails and Sandy patted her back lovingly. Soon she was feeling better, the ways that crying hard always made someone, still sad but able to deal with her grief. "I can't leave him, I can't! He's getting so old. Nearing sixty! (A/N: I know that previously I said that Niko was nearing fifty but I reread parts of Sandry's book one day when I was bored and realized he was fifty-five when the four met) What if something happens when we're gone? Like he foresaw? I can't let anything happen to him! I wouldn't know what t do if we lost him." She wiped water from her cheeks, and looked into Sandry's bright blue eyes. What she saw surprised her. Sandry had a hopeful look in here eyes. Silently she worried about Niko's age also, but she couldn't let Tris see that. She had to be brave, so that Tris would be brave.
"It's all right, Tris. Niko will be fine. But you have to come with us. You can't stay here, even to protect him, the people in Qalai need us." She said in what she hoped was a calm voice.
"I know. And I will go. I just worry about him is all."
"I know you do. We all do. But don't forget, Lark and Rosethorn will be here. They can take care of him for you, we won't be gone that long." She hoped anyway.
"Yes, they can take care of most people. But I still worry. They haven't been to the realm of the dead like we have, for Rosethorn. They wouldn't have gone to save her, she would have died had we not been there." Sandry said nothing about this. The only things she could say wouldn't help now. So instead she decided that they should get some rest. Tris nodded at her request and pulled the covers down on her palette before climbing in. She put her head down on the pillow and shortly heard Sandry's breathing even out as she fell asleep. Tris wished she could sleep as well but she was so full of worry. She wished that Sandry had given her a mug of the tea that Niko had drank. Since she needed her sleep she relied on the only thing besides a storm that could calm her. She began to count in her head "One... Two... Three... Four... Five... Six... Seven..."
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A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update! Well not really long but longer than normal. I was so stuck on how to bring in the problem of Alexandre's that I couldn't write for days. Plus I was busy reading other's fics ;) I start school in a few days so I'll probably only update every 2-3 days. It's kind of strange... The only time I feel like writing is at night... :S Anyway I enjoy reading your replies :D so please reply to me :D I didn't bring the rock into this chapter, that can wait for the next and also what kind of mages were needed? That will also be in the next chapter. Hope you like... Bye for now :)