Disclaimer: I don't own anything, expect the plot.
Summary: When on his travels Briar is given a choice, turn back to his thieving ways or loose the only one he has ever truly loved. When he turns down the offer he will do anything in his power to protect those whom he loves.
The Threat of a Love
Ch. 3
Sometime after completing their morning chores Tris and Daja, along with the still very embarrassed Sandry and Briar, headed out to the roof. They were lazing around in silence, basking in the early morning sun when Briar broke the silence.
"We weren't courting Daja, so you can stop imaging things." Daja turned on her side and looked at Briar, a feigned look of innocence written on her face.
"Whatever are you talking about?" Briar sat up, "Oh come on Daja, get off it, you have that….that look in your eyes."
"I have no clue to what you are talking about Briar Moss." Briar rolled his eyes, lying back down he let out a hefty sigh. Once again they were left in silence, but it wasn't an awkward silence yet a comfortable, easygoing silence. Sandry sat up rather abruptly,
"We've been told of Tris's adventures and about Kirel" she said, with a quick glance at Daja "But… We've heard nothing of your adventures, Briar… would you care to explain your travels?" Briar didn't move for a moment. Sitting up finally he responded
"Well, like I've said before, it wasn't much of an adventure… weeding, working with new kinds of plants, and renewing the cities medicines, and when I wasn't doing those, I was sight seeing! See, nothing interesting." Sandry eyed him suspiciously for a moment, and then seemed to accept his answer. Thank the gods Briar thought to himself, I have not intention to tell her what really happened.
"Hey boy, Lets go!!! We've been away, and we've got some weeding to do!!" crashed Rosethorn's voice through the serene moment.
Briar sighed and sat up. "She sure knows how to ruin a perfectly good silence" He said to the girls. Briar climbed through the attic window, poking his head back through he said "I'll see you at mid-day. Knowing her she'll have me up to my ears in weeds by then!"
With that, Briar's head disappeared through the window. With Briar gone, the three girls settled down settled back into the silence, which was soon broken by Sandry "So Daja, had you any intention, what so ever, to tell us about Kirel?" Daja shifted her position, leaning back on her elbows she tilted her head up and allowed the sun to cast its rays upon her face. Her eyes closed she responded
"Well… Eventually I'm sure, But just… I didn't want you guys to make a big deal out of it!! Hey Tris? Think you could do something about the heat?" Without opening her eyes or sitting up, Tris raised her arm and flicked her wrist. Now a gentle breeze caressed Daja's face.
"Oh come on Daj'! It is a big deal, your first love!!!" Sitting up Sandry sighed. She pulled her knees to her chest and added "You're so lucky."
"Thank-you" she said to Tris. Turning back to Sandry she said "Yes, yes… lucky… If you don't mind me asking, what's going on between you and Briar?"
"What are you talking about? Nothing is going on…" Daja opened her eyes and looked at Sandry, cocking her head to one side she said "Sure…. That was a very… compromising situation I found you two in when I arrived. It seemed to me that the young Briar seemed…… reluctant to let go"
Sandry met Daja's stare. "I have no clue, what you are talking about." She said, so firmly that Daja almost believed her, but behind the confused look in her eye, Daja saw a flicker of hope. Deciding to accept Sandry's answer, for now, "Sure ya' don't Sandry"
Down in the garden Briar was muttering all the curses he could possible think of and in an array of languages, when a gentle breeze carried bits of a conversation to him.
"Oh come on Daj'! It is a big deal, your first love!!!...... You're so lucky." Briar's ears perked up, he'd recognize that voice a mile away, it was Sandry. Intrigued Briar continued to listen to the conversation.
"Thank-you" That was Daja's voice. "Yes, yes… lucky… If you don't mind me asking, what's going on between you and Briar?" Briar's hand paused over the dandelion, which he was going to yank. Why were they talking about him? He stopped picking weeds all together, and sat in silence listening to the girls' conversation.
"What are you talking about? Nothing is going on…Briar's like my brother"
"Sure…. That was a very… compromising situation I found you two in when I arrived. It seemed to me that the young Briar seemed…… reluctant to let go"
"I have no clue, what you are talking about." It was at that point that the wind died down, and the conversation was not longer audible. Briar was confused, had he been reluctant to let go of Sandry? What was with everyone and implying that he had…"Romantic" feelings towards Sandry? He didn't! Or at least he didn't think he did. This is way too much for a mind to be thinking about, on an empty stomach. He thought to himself. Tugging a few more weed out of the earth, Briar headed inside for lunch.
The six occupants of discipline were gathered for their mid-day meal. As they all ate, there was a light knocking sound on the door. Lark stood up from her place at the table and opened the door. After a few words were spoken, a young man, not older than Sandry and the other entered the kitchen. He walked over to Sandry and handed her a letter. Then turn and left the cottage. Everyone was now staring at Sandry, she carefully turned the letter over in her hand. On the back over the envelope there was a tiny red sticker, which signaled that the letter was form the Duke. Sandry tore the envelope open and read the letter inside.
It seemed the Duke had intentions to hold a ball in Sandrys honor for her sixteenth birthday, with was in the coming week. After carefully re-reading the letter she placed it on the table, taking no notice to all the expectant faces turned in direction, she continued to eat.
Tris stared at Sandry in disbelief. "What was that about?" she asked frustrated. Sandry turn to Tris.
"Oh…" Sandry glanced back down at the letter "Uncle wants to hold a ball in my honor for my birthday next week."
Lark smiled "That's wonderful! He is such a great man, and he loves you so much Sandry." Sandry smiled. Yes her uncle did love her very much, and Sandry love him equally as much.
"Yes, he is a wonderful man; I just wish he wouldn't make my birthday seem so important, if I'm with my friends and family, I'm happy"
"You're always happy Sandry" Briar pointed out. Sandry rolled her eyes at Briar and they all continued eating.
Hey everyone, so what did you think? I know it was incredibly boring, but I had to move things along! Is it just me, or did I make Sandry seem like that ball was no big deal. Because…. I don't know! Just tell me what you think! Luv ya!
Hells Angel