That evening at dinner Daja ended up sitting next to Semirah. The Trader and the Gypsy did their best not to get within three feet of each other.
Lark and Rosethorn discussed what had happened in a meeting with Dedicate Crane and Niko. The kids were paying no attention until Rosethorn said something that caught Sandry's attention.
"What?" Sandry asked, turning to face Rosethorn, it was at that moment the five kids realized that Lark and Rosethorn had been talking in quiet whispers so the others wouldn't be able to hear.
Rosethorn and Lark looked up in surprise.
"Nothing." Rosethorn said hastily and Lark nodded.
"Rosethorn…" Briar whined playfully. "Tell us."
Rosethorn shot him a warning look but Briar wasn't defeated. "Would you rather tell us or have us snoop around and find out for ourselves."
Rosethorn's frown deepened. "This is not for you to hear."
"Lark?" Sandry asked, trying her luck with the gentler Dedicate.
Lark smiled sadly and shook her head. "Now is not the time."
Daja looked pleadingly at Lark. "Please tell us! Now you've really gotten us interested and –"
"No." Rosethorn said sharply. "Maybe later, we're not even sure if it's true. It's only a rumor."
Semirah had been silent until now and pushed back her chair and stood up.
"Semirah, here you must ask to be able to leave the table." Lark said.
Semirah looked as if she was going to say some snappy remark but changed her mind and replied sweetly. "Of course, may I be excused?"
Lark nodded and Semirah hurried upstairs.
The rest of the dinner passed in silence and when they were done Sandry and Lark went to the workroom, Rosethorn and Briar disappeared into the garden, Daja headed down to Frostpine's and Tris headed upstairs.
The door was closed but Tris found it unlocked. Inside was empty but the window that led out onto the roof was open.
Smiling to herself Tris shut and locked the window. Have fun getting in now. She thought to herself.
"Tris!" Niko's voice traveled up to her.
"Coming!" Tris shouted back down and ran downstairs. Niko was waiting for her and they went out on their now daily walks.
Up on the roof…
Semirah whistled softly and an answering whistled sounded just beyond the walls around Winding Circle. She quickly climbed off the roof and ran over to the wall.
A rope was thrown over the wall and Semirah tugged on it. After reassuring herself it was safely tied down she climbed up the wall.
She lowered herself on the other side and was greeted by warm arms around her.
"Rilyn." she whispered.
"Where have you been?" he whispered back. "I've been waiting for nearly two hours.
"They have to many chores, and stuff. I couldn't get away."
Rilyn covered her face with gentle kisses. "That's okay, we're together now."
This continued for some minutes then Semirah pulled away. "Rosethorn and Lark are hiding something. I didn't get all the details but I heard them say something along the lines of a large amount of Dedicates and other trainees dying."
"Whom did they hear that from?" Rilyn asked.
"Dedicate Crane and Niko."
"Niklaren Goldeye?" Rilyn cried.
"Yeah, why?" Semirah asked, standing back and looking Rilyn in the eye.
"I've heard things about him. He's not to be trusted."
Semirah frowned. "I wonder if anyone else realizes that…" she glanced back at Discipline cottage.
"Getting attached?" Rilyn asked and playfully shoved Semirah.
"No!" Semirah replied hotly; when she saw Rilyn trying hard not to laugh she shoved him hard and he fell to the ground, pulling her down with him.
They rolled on the ground and fought playfully for a while then Semirah sat up.
"Did you hear that?"
"No."
"It's…" Semirah jumped up. "It's Rosethorn, and she doesn't sound happy. I have to go."
"Aww…" Rilyn complained and grabbed her hand.
"I have to. Sorry." Semirah stood up and helped Rilyn to his feet. She kissed him quickly on the lips then hurried over the wall.
Climbing up the wall of the cottage and slipping into her bedroom was easy. When Tris burst into the room Semirah was sitting calmly on the makeshift bed that was for her.
"Where were you!" Tris cried, all out of breath.
"I was in here, and on the roof."
"We checked both places."
"You must have checked one while I was in the other."
"Lark!" Tris called, sticking her head out the bedroom door. "I found her!"
Lark came running up the stairs and leaned on the doorframe. "Oh thank goodness! We couldn't find you anywhere!"
"I was right here, and on the roof, the whole time." Semirah lied innocently.
"I'm just glad those were the only places she was." Rosethorn commented as she passed Lark in the hallway.
Lark shook her head sadly. Looking up Tris saw a weariness in her eyes she had never seen before. "It's time for bed." she said simply and left.
Tris, unsettled by the look in Lark's eyes, obediently climbed in bed.
Semirah frowned at her. "You're going to bed."
"I don't want to be on Lark or Rosethorn's bad side right now. You should do the same." Tris said and turned off the lights.
Semirah got in bed and pondered Rilyn's words. Once she heard Rosethorn and Lark's doors close she rolled over and faced Tris. "Tris!" she hissed. "Tris!"
Tris groaned and pulled a pillow over her head.
Semirah sent a stream of water at Tris' head and the redhead immediately sat up straight.
Mumbling curses she had picked up from hanging out with Briar, Tris got out of bed and used a towel to dry her hair and face. "What?" she growled angrily.
"What's Niko like?" Semirah asked and propped her chin in her hands.
"You sprayed me with water so I could tell you about him!" Tris cried and changed her pillow.
"Um… Yeah."
"Grr…" Tris growled and got back in bed. "Ask me in the morning."
Semirah sent another stream of water at Tris, who sent a lightning bolt at her and it hit the water and bother disappeared.
"Goodnight."