This is the newest version of this chap. I've added to it after reading some of the reviews.

Hope you like it.

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Tris passed a miniature lightning bolt of magic to Niko. She shuddered as she watched him calmly cut into his palm and spill several drops of blood to seal the spell. Niko muttered words that he still hadn't taught Tris, and the air around them started to glow.

There was a group of the Dukes guards, riding alongside and behind, the hazy image of the Duke. Tris frowned; she remembered the last time she and Niko had performed this spell. She was sure it had been clearer then. In the image the guards and Duke Vedris were chatting together. Suddenly a guard yelled out in pain and slumped forward in his saddle, a black arrow in his chest. The image flickered, and then was gone.

For the first time since Tris had met him, Niko faltered, swaying slightly. Tris rushed forwards to support him.

'What's wrong?' she asked anxiously.

'Nothing. This spell takes a lot of effort that's all.'

'It's never given you trouble before,' Tris pointed out.

'I was younger then.'

'Do you want my magic? You should be able to complete the spell then.'

'You're offering me all of your magic?' Niko asked incredulously. 'You know what I have told you about giving people your magic. If I take it you won't have the strength to follow me.'

'That's ok. I know that you, Lark, Frost pine and Rosethorn are always saying "don't give away your power", but, like you said yesterday, finding out who tried to kill the Duke, is probably the most important thing that needs doing right now. I don't need to follow you. I'm sure you can tell me all about it.'

'Absolutely not. You know I won't do that.'

'Niko, you need to find out what happened. You've worn yourself out by running around, trying to solve too many problems all at once. The only way this spell is going to work is if you use my magic.'

'I still don't like the idea.'

'Nothing is going to happen. I'll just sit somewhere and wait while you cast the spell. You said it yourself, we need to find out who did it.'

'No. Tris, if you get used to giving your power away…'

'I'm only giving it to you. Besides, you don't know why they tried to kill the Duke. For all you know it was someone trying to get at Sandry, which places her in danger, which in turn places Daja, Briar and I in danger. Surely you want to prevent anything from happening to us.'

'You are trying to manipulate me,' Niko pointed out.

'But what if I'm right?'

Niko sighed. He had foreseen that danger was coming to the circle. For all he knew, Tris was right. 'Are you sure?'

Tris nodded in agreement.

'Ok. You'd better tell Daja and the others what you are going to do; or else they'll panic when they can't sense you. And ask how Vedris is.'

:Guys?: Tris mindspoke to Sandry, Briar and Daja.

:Yes?: was the quick response from all of them.

:How's the Duke?: Tris asked concernedly.

:No worse, but no better. It's an arrow wound to the chest. We are doing all we can.: Sandry said emotionlessly. Tris relayed the information to Niko. :Have you discovered who attacked him yet?: Sandry asked.

:No, we're…:

:What do you mean 'no'? Don't you realise that they might have used magic that we can't recognise? Cant you see that his life hangs on your haste?: Tris winced at Sandry's shrieking in her mind.

:Sandry, be quiet,: Daja ordered. :Tris hadn't finished talking.:

:Sorry Tris, go ahead.:

:Don't mind her Tris, she's just really worried and stressed out at the moment,: Daja said privately. Tris 'nodded' in Daja's mind.

:What I was going to say is I'm giving Niko all of my magic, so he can follow the attackers for a while. So don't panic when you can't sense me.:

:Oh, right,: Sandry said, ashamed.

:Wont it be a bit dangerous for you to be there alone, with no magic?: Briar asked Tris privately.

:I'll be fine. I have done dangerous stuff before. Anyway, you've never gotten all concerned before.: Briar didn't reply.

:Does Niko need our power?: Daja asked, unaware of the brief conversation between Tris and Briar.

:No, mine should be enough. I'd better give it to him now; he's starting to fidget. Bye.:

:Tris,: Briar called, his private mindspeech sounding strained to Tris.

:Yes?: she asked impatiently. She could se Niko frowning at the time she was taking.

Briar sighed, :never mind:

:Ok, I'll see you soon.:

:Bye.:

'Are they happy with our plan?' Niko asked.

'Yeah, it's fine.'

'You had better sit down somewhere, because you'll be weak when your magic goes.' Niko lead Tris over to a small table outside an eatery. 'Stay here, and what ever you do don't leave with anyone, unless you know them.'

'Niko I'm not a child.'

'Compared to me you are, and I won't forgive myself if something happens to you while I'm using your power. And before you say anything about being overprotective, I'd like to remind you that the Duke of Emelan just got attacked.'

'Fine, you win,' Tris conceded. 'Do you want my magic now?'

'Yes.' Tris 'looked' inside herself and found the core of her magic. She took hold of a lightning bolt and passed it to Niko. She passed the rest of her magic along the thread of magic until nothing was left. She sagged forwards and trembled. This was the second time she had given up her magic, but it had never made her feel this weak. She figured that it was because she was so much more powerful, and used to calling on her magic nearly every minute of the day.

'Are you Ok?' Niko asked.

Tris raised her head and nodded. 'Go and follow the Duke. I'll wait here,' she told him. Niko called up the spell again and trotted after the image. Tris smiled as she watched, sometimes Niko forgot that other people couldn't see magic. He looked like he was going for a run; a very ridiculous image in Niko's flowing clothes.

Tris had been sitting for about five minutes, when she heard someone walk behind her. 'She's the one,' somebody with a harsh accent muttered. Tris looked around to see whom they were talking about, when somebody placed a large callused hand over her mouth. Tris tried to scream as a large man picked her. She called upon her magic, but Niko had it. Tris' eyes widened as she realised that she had no way to defend herself. Something was placed over her head, and in the darkness she felt herself being carried away.

A cliff hanger (to a degree), annoying I know

Review and I'll write more.