DISCLAIMER: The Circle of Magic, Circle Opens, and the Circle Reforged (otherwise known as The Will of the Empress) are not mine. Both quartets and the last book, are all written by one of my favorite authors, Tamora Pierce. All characters, creatures, etc. are created by her. Copyrighted to Tamora Pierce and Scholastic Inc. (publisher)

Note from the Author: Luckily, I managed to negotiate the ban. I'm back on, but it may be longer in between chapters for a few weeks. Anyways, I've spent the time writing by hand in a notebook for this particular story, and I'm happy to say that Chapter 4 is finished. BTW, I'm also a major HP fan and am happy that JK Rowling has finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as of January 2007. It will come out July 21, 2007.

Sandrilene faToren gulped as she nodded to the herald to announce her and her party to the crowded throne room of her cousin, Empress Berenene dor Ocmore. She sighed and thought, Here goes.

"Announcing Clemhame Sandrilene daToren, accompanied by Viynameses Daja Kisubo, Trisana Chandler, and Viynain Briar Moss." shouted the herald into the crowded room. The room immediatly hushed as everyone turned their attention to Snadyr and her foster siblings.

"Ah! Welcome my cousin!" said Berenene, smiling. Hmpphh! Sorry, Empress, but we're not so easily fooled by your calm demeanor and veiled smiles. We won't be lured into a trap so easily this time. So, you better think twice about trying something! thought Tris. She surveyed the room, picking out Ladyhammer, Quenaill, Shan, to name a few. She looked for Chime, who was investigating the room. She swooped around as the astounded nobles watched her. She trilled a happy noise, basking in the admiration and attention she was getting.

"I have made arrangements for another garden picnic. Like last time." said Berenene, smiling again. Sandry noticed that again, her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She also saw Shan standing behind the throne. He seemed to be calmly pleasant, but Sandry, noticed the air around him seemed to be tense.

"We would be quite honored to join you." she said, in a bland voice, that gave away no emotion.

Briar let out his breath with a small whooshing sound. That went well...at least we went greeted with open hostility. But veiled hostility is much more dangerous. I hope Sandry knows what she's doing. We don't want what happened last time to occur once more. Not that last time's trip was all that bad...I mean we reunited after all. But I'd rather this be at least a tense visit than us running for our lives. Berenene will never forget what happened last time. If she forgave us, hell froze over with out me knowing it.

The nobles swarmed to the balcony that led to the gardens. Briar noticed the air was much warmer and no wind was sweeping the Syth like last time. He stood on the balcony, watching the nobles cross the vast grounds of the castle that Berenene lived in. He looked east to the greenhouses where Berenene had made advances towards him (not that he minded the attention!) and where she had offered him a position as Imperial Gardener. He looked west at the setting sun, setting behind the mountains that framed the Syth on the horizon. He sighed.

"What's on your mind?" asked a quiet voice behind him.

He jumped and turned, seeing that the speaker was Sandry.

"Nothing, just thinking." He replied.

"'Just thinking'? I sense that you're worried. You're thinking, 'Are we going to make it out of here without any violence? Are we safe? What does Berenene have in mind? Why must have Ambros died? He was murdered...by who?'" said Sandry, voicing Briar's exact thoughts.

"Yes..." said Briar, surprised at how observent she was.

"Well, those very thoughts were coursing through my mind. And, I'm worried and scared, too." said Sandry, stepping forward and hugging Briar.

I never realized how much I've grown. She is really smaller than me. I'm about 6', so she must be 5'4...He thought, relaxing his thoughts and enjoying the hug.

Daja walked steadily to the shore of the Syth. I never thought I'd be here again. I remember thinking the exact thing when I returned the first time with Sandry after being here with Frostpine. But...I guess I regret more coming here the third time than the second or first. She thought, It's because you know that somewhere around here is her. whispered the little voice in her head, suggestively. Daja flinched as her thoughts drifted to Rizu. No! Stop thinking about her! She made her decision when you offered her a life in Emelan. She refused...she's really not a bad person. I see that she's proud and wishes to be independent...but doesn't she love me? she thought fiercely.

A warm breeze picked up over the Syth and Daka let it sweep across her face. She felt the living metal in her palm, and was comforted. I remember that here in Namorn, was the first time I fashioned anything out of living metal. It was at the Bacanor house, when I made them for Ben. That killer! I still regret fashioning something for someone to use for evil purposes. But I did train Jory and Nia, for a bit. Who knew that they were ambient mages?

Daja turned and began walking to the table that had been set with refreshments. The nobles of Namorn were now sitting on blankets in the grass laughing and chatting. She noticed that Shan had escaped Berenene's watchful eye and was openly glaring up at the balcony.

Why is he glaring? thought Daja concerned. She turned to look at what he was staring at. It was Sandry and Briar embraced in a hug. Hmmpphhh! Now that's a little odd, but they are foster siblings. I know I would comfort my foster siblings. Maybe he believes that they are romantically involved. Could they? Nah...they would have told us right? Anyways, he must be jealous.

Daja then noticed that Berenene was talking to Quen and Ladyhammer off to the side. Now that's really odd. thought Daja. Normally she'd be surrounded by her adoring subjects. She must be really plotting...BE on your guard! she shouted through her mental connections with Tris, Sandry and Briar. Berenene is talking to just Ladyhammer and Quen! We should be wary!

Daja turned to head to the balcony to talk to Sandry and Briar. She stopped when she saw a lady and a man kissing rather passionately behind a bush on the way to the balcony.

The lady was Rizu.

plays dramatic music Oh no! Rizu + Daja not love forever. Or do they love each other again?!? Who knows! Find out by reading Chapter 5!

Be warned!: I may stop in the writing process more frequently. So in between chapters may be from 2 weeks to 4 depending on my schedule! I'll try to roll out chapters as much as I can, but don't be disappointed!

Till then,

PrinceYukiRules