A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing! It really means a lot to me and it keeps me going. You all are welcome to make suggestions on further plots for this story or guess to things that might happen. If you haven't guessed already, this is going to be a Briar/"Mystery Girl" thing. Also, for those of you who think this girl is Diane from Tortall, NO! It's not her although it's a very good guess. Her magic is similar to the Wild Mage's but not exactly. SOOOOOO...THANK AGAIN FOR THE REVIEWS! Keep them coming!
When Tris finally clambered down the stairs and entered the main living room of Discipline, she found Lark, Rosethorn, Frostpine, and Niko all seated around the table along with Sandry and Daja. Eager to see Niko and find out what was up, Tris seated herself by him and her housemates.
Niko appeared just as he always had; crisp, clean, and dressed exquisitely. The only visible differences were the bags under his eyes and to the girls, the dimness in his aura of magic like he was especially worn out. He took a deep breath that ended in a sigh.
"I'm sure you girls know everything that's been happening lately?" he asked, looking around at them in turn. They all nodded the affirmative. "Good, less explaining for me to do. Well, I've been working night and day trying to find this girl but to no avail. I can't even get so much as a glimmer when I try to scry her. But that's not the problem here. It seems as though we're not the only ones in search of her."
Everyone seemed to look particularly startled although Tris took this new information easily. Trouble, Tris sniffed, I knew it. "She's some outlaw, isn't she, Niko? Someone's run away mage daughter or a thief who uses spells that she doesn't know about or something," Tris snapped, eager to pin something on a girl she's never met. Niko gave her a surprised look by the lift in his eyebrows.
"Trisana, I would like to remind you that intolerance is not acceptable. If you close your heart to someone before knowing them, you might as well close your mind too because all you're being is ignorant," Niko said lightly, his face reprimanding and his voice chilled. Tris recoiled instantly, like she'd been slapped in the face. Was she really being that horrible about it? Maybe, maybe not.
Niko continued. "Pirates and raiders, not yet pledging allegiance to anyone, have been seen around here the past few days. I've Seen things and I know their intent is she. This makes our search only more urgent. We don't know the extent of her magic or the type yet so that's what we need from each of you," he said, motioning to the Dedicates along with their charges. "Like attracts like, I am correct? Meditation should help with this. When meditating, I'd like you all to search for her. She has to be near. Reach out with your magics, search for something familiar. With luck, she'll be within our grasp in less than three days." Everyone nodded, even Tris. They would all help as much as possible. After the pirate attack a few years ago, no one wanted that scum back here anymore.
"Good. I must be off now. I have more things to deal with," Niko said, standing. Tris got up too, grabbing a hold of his sleeve. He eyed her with impatience but he made no motion to move away from her.
Purely jealous and hurt from being ignored, Tris fought back tears. "When will you have time for ME?" she asked, her voice holding steady. Her storm eyes bore into his black ones, demanding an answer.
"Trisana Chandler," he said, his voice low, "I have never known you to act like this. You're being a very selfish spoiled little child. Someone desperately needs our help and all you can think about is getting back your teacher for yourself. I will be back once I have found this girl and settled her." Without another word, he turned from her. Tris felt grief and shame well inside of her until she felt like she wanted to sob. Before either could make another motion, a loud banging sounded at the door, sending Little Bear into a flurry of barking.
Daja handled the dog, keeping him at bay while Sandry answered the door. A runner boy tumbled in through the door, looking frantic. Spotting the adults, he gasped to try to speak. Obviously he had run a long ways in a short time. Sandry hurried to bring him a glass of water and they awaited until he had finished it and caught his breath.
"Dedicates, Master Goldeye," the boy said, bowing low, "I bring urgent news from Dedicate Moonstream. They've found her!"
The room went deathly quiet with shock and Niko rushed forward to move out the door when the boy called for him to stop. "Sir! I have more! The pirates and raiders are demanding her release. They're under command of the distant Pengi Empire, on orders from Emperor Hatheon to bring the girl to him. She was found around the border of the temple by some plant mage, Brian or Biar or something, sir and both were found unconscious. The boy has minor injuries and the girl is extremely unhealthy."
"Briar!" the girls cried in union, worries evident clearly in their voices. Without another word, the girls and their teachers left in a brisk walk to where the runner told them they would find the charges.