Entwining Loves
Chapter 1: Interest Blossoms
By: Lunarian Princess
This will be a Briar-Tris fic, simply because there is a shortage of them, also I can readily relate to Tris as I am almost her mirror image, seriously. Beware this is slightly AU, I wrote as if there was no "Circle Opens", so on with the romance, err I mean story! P.S. I put in minor violence and language also I took inspiration from other sources see of you can tell what they are! The kids are 17 and Kirel is 19
It was the day before they were to set off in search of their destiny. They were granted the freedom to go to the Summersea market. They reached the bustling city and glanced at the people all rushing around and all the little shops that were busy. They each went off in search of parting gifts. Sandry set of for the cloth sellers, Daja the forge, Briar the plant stores and Tris to the booksellers. Each was filled with excitement tinged with trepidation.
Sandy had already made each of her friends a gift, for Daja there was a beautiful pair of gloves in a beautiful amber color with tiny hammers in red embroidery with a matching apron, both spelled against heat. For Briar there was a pair of green breeches and a beautiful cream shirt, slightly large in case he grew, with roses embroidered around the sleeves, also there was a beautiful green handkerchief, with a pattern of silver clouds around the edge. The best gift was for Tris, it was a set of scarves, handkerchiefs and shawls. There was one silver handkerchief with red hammers embroidered on it, the second was a blue handkerchief with honey colored embroidery needles woven in, and the third was a deep grey with white lightening bolts embroidered on the edges, the last was gold with blood red roses in the corners and a pattern of vines twined throughout the handkerchief. There were similar recurring patterns on the scarves and shawls.
Daja had gone to the forge and bought different objects to bring happiness and protection to her closest friends. For Sandry there was a set of needles and spindles that were engraved with the symbols for health and contentment as well as a gold necklace in the symbol for success. For Briar there was a set of small knives, which were spelled for protection and last there was a set of earrings and a bracelet for Tris, they were spelled for happiness and power.
Briar had first ventured to the plant store but had only bought one gift there, for Sandry, since she would be the only person who would remain in the area and not travel all over the place he had bought her a pot of lavender, which was in a pot spelled for relaxation, he thought it would help her sleep. He wondered what to buy Daja, he thought and then decided on an armband in copper that looked like a bunch of needles, briars and lightening bolts. He then knew what he wanted to buy for Tris. He walked into a stationary shop and went directly to the owner. After about a half an hour he walked out with a beautifully wrapped box, inside was a wooden box inlaid with symbols for friendship, knowledge, love and strength. Inside was a beautiful writing set there was a set of colored inks in small pots that had the color artfully inscribed on them, also was a lovely array of pens and brushes in a variety of thicknesses. The most striking thing of all was the paper itself, it had a different symbol in each corner, lightening in the upper left hand corner shaped the symbol of 'knowledge', needles and thread formed 'friendship', hammers formed 'strength' and lastly vines formed 'love', Briar didn't know why he had done that, but it was a beautiful gift. He also would give each a set of soaps, shampoos, and conditioners in a unique scent for each of his friends.
To our heroine, Tris was, predictably, in a bookstore. She had two books in her arms and was walking up and down the aisles oblivious to everything but her need to find the perfect book for her friends. The two books she had were for Sandry and Daja, The Living Thread, it contained different types of thread, their sources and properties, Vital Metal, with locations and properties, it was essentially the same thing as Sandry's book but also listed metals most common locations, which Tris thought Daja would enjoy since she would be traveling. She finally found the perfect thing for Briar, A book with all different plants and their properties, uses and connotations. It was called "A Rose is a Rose", Tris giggled when she saw this she purchased her items. She dropped them off at the cart and went to look at the Sea.
Soon it was time to go, Briar, Sandry and Daja were talking by the cart waiting for Tris, and their gifts were safely stored and wrapped in the cart, soon the two girls were beginning to worry.
"I hope she didn't get lost or hurt" Sandry worriedly said. Daja put her hand on her best friend's shoulder and patted gently.
"Saati, I am sure if she was in danger she would contact us through her mind, hey why don't we do that?" she said when the thought occurred to her.
"I am sorry but I don't want to risk Coppercurls' ire when she finds out we think her incapable to take care of herself, or thinks we're sticking our nebs where they don't belong. I'll just go look for her." He stated and strolled in the direction of the center of the market. Neither of the girls was surprised by his choice of words, ever since he had learned to read he delighted in mixing high language with street cant.
He didn't know why, but he felt slightly uneasy by Tris' absence. He knew that if she were going to be late she would have contacted the trio, yet he knew his fears were unfounded. He strolled a little further before noticing that the clouds were starting to roll in and the air had tightened, just as he noticed this he heard a call HELP. Tris! He knew that voice as well as his own, if not better, he raced towards the docks
Tris had noticed it was time to get back to the cart and pushed herself away from the end of the wharf. She was walking between the shore and the warehouses when she noticed two men following her, she told herself not to be paranoid and slightly quickened her pace. She reached the point where the road led back to the market when two pairs of arms grabbed her from behind and dragged her into an alley even as she cursed herself for allowing them to get that close. She sorted out three coil dressed raggedly and had a variety of scars displayed on the skin that wasn't covered. They were staring at her body, which had slimmed down and filled out in the years she had been at Winding Circle. She was now a curvaceous girl, and many people looked dressed raggedly and had a variety of scars displayed on the skin that wasn't covered. They were staring at her body, which had slimmed down and filled out in the years she had been at Winding Circle. She was now a curvaceous girl, and many people looked dressed raggedly and had a variety of scars displayed on the skin that wasn't covered. They were staring at her body, which had slimmed down and filled out in the years she had been at Winding Circle. She was now a curv44444444 :îü4œp4444y pe :ï°4#Wî :îü4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444holding her asked as the man in front of her palmed a knife and split her silver bodice. She cried out, her mind traveled back to a time filled with fear and pain. She whimpered as he drew his knife down her shoulder splitting her dark blue sleeve and drawing a line of blood, she cried out again in surprise when his hand moved against her throat just as a voice down the alley spoke.
"No one calls her that, but me," a voice stated warningly, the menace clearly evident in the clipped tones, "don't you think you should have seen if the lady wanted to have some of your fun, before you started playing?" the tall man had spun around unsteadily when he heard the intruder, and had cut Tris' clothes even more when he yanked his knife free, she moaned when it cut deeper into her shoulder.
While his back was turned Tris went about trying to free herself. She elbowed the man in his stomach and when his grip loosened she tried to break free, but he drew her snuggly against him, she wriggled in the short mans grasp, but to no avail, he had her securely. He shoved her roughly into a corner and knocked her against the wall, stunning her. He reached for her and tried to rip her clothes off more.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the alley Briar faced off against the tall man. The tall man brandished his knife.
"Listen, it was just sport, and you had best leave unless you want to be gutted!" he shouted angrily. He was just about to swipe at Briar when he spoke.
"You have to learn to pay attention." he lifted his own hands where two gleaming knives lay. He had released the vine ties he had on them which allowed him to palm them at will. They circled each other warily, the man struck thinking himself superior to the young man in front of him, but he underestimated him, how woulere two gleaming knives lay. He had released the vine ties he had on them which allowed him to palm them at will. They circled each other warily, the man struck thinking himself superior to the young man in front of him, but he underestimated him, how would he know he was dealing with a former thief? He thought he was dealing with a jumped up town-boy. He lunged but Briar pivoted slightly allowing the man to slide past his back while scoring a scratch across his cheek. The man wobbled to a stop clutching his cheek and looking at Briar with hatred in his eyes.
"You jumped up son of a bitch!" he hissed as he struck out at Briar, he lightly nicked Briars shoulder but Briar left a three-inch gash along his arm. The man cried out in pain, and looked at Briar warily.
Tris, had engaged the man in a type of tug of war with her body, but remained unsuccessful, as the only thing she had earned was a bruise on her cheek. She blinked the tears of pain and fear from her eyes as she saw Briar and the other man engage in a knife fight. She needed to get free to help Briar, even though she knew he could take care of himself. She struggled with new strength, but the man seemed unmovable.
Briar knew the man was close to giving up and he lunged, he scored a strike, but the man screamed in pain and fear and ran from Briar. Briar turned in time to see the other man strike Tris hard enough to leave her unconscious he started to lift her navy skirt and Briar was filled with an unholy fury. He charged the man and backhanded him so hard he flew a little ways before recovering. He stood and glared at Briar when he put himself between the attacker and Tris. His eyes drawn to Tris his eyes filled with lust as he leered at her. Briar was filled with rage at the way this man was sneering at Tris.
He stepped toward the man, but the man was staring intently at him. The man pulled a long bladed knife from his waist sheaf. Briar eyed the knife but decided it was worth standing his ground. Just as the man charged Briar, ready to impale him on his blade, a gust of wind struck him and pushed him against the wall. This stunned the man and Briar was able to knock his feet from under him with a swipe of his leg, he then rendered the man unconscious with the hilt of his knife.
He raced over to Tris to see that she was only half conscious. He checked to make sure she had endured no harm then lifted her to a more comfortable position. He proceeded to contact Daja and Sandry. Girls, I'll be there in a few minutes he said while showing them a few images of the fight. He registered anger, shock and fear from them but received an affirmative reply that they would wait for him.
He bent over and lifted Tris into his arms. He looked at her worriedly, she had a bruise on her face and her clothes were worse for the wear. He adjusted them so they wouldn't be so revealing, he also placed his cloak over her to shield her from the sudden cold. He then noticed she was trying to move he shifted her so he could see her face clearly. She moaned and opened her eyes hesitantly. When she saw Briar cradling her prone body she flung her arms around his neck.
"Briar, thank the gods you're alright, I am so sorry. Are you alright?" Briar was shocked. She wasn't angry, she actually cared about him and she was okay.
"Why are you sorry, Coppercurls, did you make them attack you?" he asked softly while cradling her closer. Tris buried her head in his shoulder and mumbled something. He looked at her in surprise wondering why she would let him hold her, normally she was wary of human contact. "What was that, Coppercurls?" he asked gently, she lifted her head and looked him in the eyes.
"I put you in danger, it was my fault you got hurt," she half sobbed while absently fingering the rip in his shirt where the tall man had scratched him. She proceeded to bury her face in his neck and quietly cried, he soon noticed she had fallen asleep in his arms.
When he reached the cart, he informed the girls that there had been a fight and to get back to Winding Circle as soon as possible. Sandry and Daja occupied the driver's seat. He sat in the back of the wagon cradling Tris and thanking every god there was that she was relatively unhurt. He also wondered at the wealth of emotion that swamped him with this singular occasion. He then noticed that Tris was stirring.
Tris sat up and noticed two things, the first she had a slight pain on her face and in her head, and the second that she was closely cuddled against a warm body. Her stormy gray eyes fluttered open to reveal a worried Briar looking at her.
"Are you okay, Briar?" she asked hurriedly. He laughed and she shivered, she adored that sound. He looked at her and smiled.
"Coppercurls, shouldn't I be asking you that?" he said he sat her up so that instead of reclining in his lap she was sitting sideways, upright against him. She reveled in the feeling of being this close to him and then questioned the thought.
"I am fine just a bruise and a scratch, did the knife get you deep..." she was cut off as Briar laid two fingers across her lips. She cherished the unique sensation of his fingers on her lips.
"Coppercurls, hush we're entering Winding Circle." He proceeded to jump lightly out of the wagon once again cradling her body against his.
"Briar, put me down this instant, I am not an invalid!" she intoned ominously. He looked at her and proceeded to lower her, it was a matter of seconds but it seemed an eternity to them both. To Tris each contact was agonizingly slow and she seemed to be more aware of the feeling of his skin on hers than ever before. She noticed her clothing's condition and cradled his forest green cloak to her chest. The minute her feet touched the floor her knees gave out and she fell into Briar's body. She noticed that this time that two laughs joined Briar's. Once she was securely in Briar's arms again she looked over to see Daja and Sandry looking at her and laughing.
"Well, I suppose this would be funny, if I were on the other side of this," she remarked dryly. She was not as prickly as she had once been but she remained well versed in sarcasm and irony. She even giggled once, but broke into a groan as it hurt her jaw, where a bruise was blooming from the last strike of the man that had knocked her unconscious. When the two heard her groan, they rushed over to Briar and looked at Tris and asked if she was all right if she needed anything.
"You know, I might get hurt more often if people are going to fawn over me" she commented dryly. They all laughed at this, just then they arrived at Discipline, the four adults rushed out when they saw that Tris was being carried in by Briar. Once all were inside and seated comfortably the four young people were bombarded by questions.
"Tris are you injured badly?" inquired Niko quietly.
"Are you two in need of a healer?" Lark asked solicitously, but she received a negative from the both of them.
"What were you two doing, and, boy, if you did this I will hang you by your ears in the well," this said by the prickly Rosethorn, who had disappeared and returned with some cut salve for their shoulders, though Tris kept her body covered with Briar's cloak.
Frostpine just looked on in silent amusement. The two, seated next to each other on the couch, just waited for the adults to calm down.
"I am very sorry, I was walking by the sea, at the pier, and when I went to return to the cart I noticed two men were following me, I thought I was overreacting, and proceeded to quicken my pace. When I got to where the road split they grabbed me and shoved me into an alley, I didn't even notice them get so close." She told them what led up to the fight.
"So what happened?" Lark pressed gently, noticing Tris' hesitancy.
"When I knew I was in trouble I contacted the person that was closest to me..." she was cut off when Briar interjected.
"Which happened to be me, since I went to look for her." He stated.
"They talked for a few seconds, and I asked them to leave me alone, I didn't want to use my magic because I was afraid, in my state, I wouldn't be able to control it."
"A wise fear," Niko said while she stopped to take a drink.
"Then Briar arrived and we fought them," she stated simply, leaving out the part when they had tried to fondle her, maybe more. Briar looked at her questioningly and she shook her head almost imperceptibly, sending the message they will just overreact down his vine, he eyed her and nodded his compliance. They didn't notice that she had Briar's cloak wrapped around her.
"I know, I got you all gifts!" she stood on firm feet, her strength returning and retrieved her stuff from her room and the cart, the gifts in her room were for their teachers, while the gifts from town were for her friends. Once every one had returned they handed their gifts around. Each individual had a pile of gifts that lay around him or her when they sat.
For Niko there was a nice handkerchief personally made and embroidered, with the symbols for thanks and affection in each of their corners, by Sandry, a belt and buckle with the symbol for honesty and fortitude on it made by Daja, a bunch of herbs for various uses from Briar, from Tris there was a book on a variety of truth spells, and various ways to determine the truth.
For Rosethorn there was a set of gloves, bandages and masks spelled for cleanliness from Sandry, a lovely necklace of silver with symbols of protection and help woven in were from Daja, a set of creams and sun lotions were from Briar, Tris had given the ornery dedicate a book on exotic and rare plants in far off lands.
For Frostpine the gifts included a beautifully made cloth case for all his hammers and small tools made by Sandy and spelled against heat and dust, Daja had made him a set of tiny tools for detail work or jewelry, they were spelled for beauty and protection, Briar had included a set of creams and ointments for sunburns or heat problems, Tris had given him a book on the different metals that were common in different lands and what they were used for there.
Lark's gifts included a beautiful set of napkins and a table cloth that had symbols of each young mage embroidered on them, Sandry had spent a lot of time on details, Daja had made a set of napkin rings that matched the tablecloth, also she had made a salt and pepper shaker, on the salt was embroidery needles and tiny hammers, on the pepper were lightening and briars that were entwined, Lark laughed at the implication while Tris scowled and said how some people made to many associations, Briar had made a set of oils and essences, that were for scent and color in thread and cloth, Tris had given her a set of books on different ways of folk spinning, also a set of nice pens, since Discipline had very few writing utensils.
The four young mages agreed to save their gifts for after they left as a surprise and a comfort from leaving. They had a relatively uneventful visit, eventually they all drifted off to bed. Tris assured everyone that she was fine and she had just been a little high-strung after her encounter they all decide she was fine and stopped pestering her especially after she threatened them, saying the next person who inquired about her current condition was doing it at great personal risk of high voltage, they all knew she meant the tiny bolts of lightening that flitted in and out of her braids.