Sandry woke up. Something was nuzzling her cheek. She rolled over and pushed it away, determined to get back to her sleep. A snort sounded and the nuzzling continued.

"Go away Briar I'm not in the mood." She muttered, rolling over once again.

"It's not me highness, get up."

She opened her eyes and sat up, wiping the sleep from them. Looking around groggily, Sandry was surprised to see that they weren't alone in the room anymore but in a meadow surrounded by men and women mounted on horses.

"Wh-where are we?" She asked her family in a whisper. "What happened?"

"By the looks of it, we're in a meadow." Briar said dryly.

"I know that. I wanted specifics."

"You're in the Great Forest, just outside of Corus."

They looked up to see a short, stocky woman with purple eyes looking curiously at them.

"Corus?"

The woman frowned. "Corus, the capitol of Tortall."

"Tortall?"

"Where are you young ones from?" She asked suddenly. "Who are you?"

She watched as the groggy brunette got to her feet and stood to meet them, her friends quickly doing the same.

"I am Lady Sandrilene Fa Toren, great niece to Duke Vedris the fourth, ruler of Emelan. These are my siblings, Daja Kisubo, Trisana Chandler and Briar Moss. Your names please?"

The violet eyed woman stared down at them for a moment before replying.

"I'm Sir Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau. Kings champion. These are my men."

One by one she introduced her men to the newcomers, accepting their greetings. Once everyone was introduced, Alanna dismounted and stepped forward to talk to them less formally.

She looked them over, sizing them up. Lady Sandrilene was clearly a noble, she could tell from the way she held herself, perfectly straight and poised. That's not even counting the expensive clothes she was wearing. She had sun-streaked brown hair and bright blue eyes. Alanna couldn't help notice how pretty she was. The girl had said something about a ruler of another country that was curious, Alanna had never heard of Emelan and the boy had called her highness. The next girl, Daja Kisubo, was tall, broad shouldered and dark skinned, much like the bazhir. She wore lose breeches and had an even look in her eyes. Alanna could tell that this girl was a fighter. The third girl, Trisana Chandler, looked like a merchant. She had bright copper red hair down in multiple braids and wore a sturdy dress. Sensible glasses framed stormy grey eyes that held a short temper to match the lioness's own. The boy, Briar Moss was clearly a gardener. He had dirt stains on his tunic and a tattoo of a plant on his arm that seemed to move. He had almond shaped hazel eyes and was clearly a player, he had very self confident body language.

"Where did you say you were from again?" Alanna asked after a moment.

"Summersea in Emelan." Tris said it slowly, like she was talking to a young child.

"Can you take me to my uncle?" Sandry asked quickly, wanting to avoid tris's temper.

"Who is your uncle again?"

"Duke Vedris?" Sandry frowned, not understanding. "The ruler?"

Now it was Alanna's turn to frown. "The rulers are King Jonathon and Queen Thayet. There isn't a Duke Vedris."

The four exchanged shocked glances, just where were they?

Alanna stepped forward, "If you don't mind, I could escort you to the palace and we could get this mess all sorted out."

Alanna stayed silent as the four kept looking at each other and almost had the impression that they were conversing somehow. Finally Sandry smiled graciously.

"That would be much appreciated."

She gestured for the four to follow her and gave them each a mount. Signaling to the men, they set off towards the palace.


King Jonathon sat there dumbfounded, trying to process the information that had just been forced upon him.

"So… you say that you are from another realm?"

At the four serious nods he continued.

"And that you came here by accident whilst conducting an experiment?"

Again he received nods.

"And you have ambient magic…"

"Yes, thread, weather, plant and smith." The one called Sandry confirmed.

"And that you can speak mind to mind?"

"We said that already." Tris snapped, starting to grow impatient.

Sandry looked sharply at the red head.

"I'm sorry your highness, my sister forgets her manners sometimes."

Jonathon sighed and rested his chin on interlinked fingers.

"Can you give us a demonstration of your gifts?" he asked slowly.

By 'us' he mean the gathered council, all watching with shock and interest. The council included, Sir Gareth of Naxen, Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, Numair, Queen Thayet and a few other important people and commanders.

Tris smiled and stood up. She glanced at her family as she undid one of the smaller braids, smiling wickedly. The council looked on in amazement as what looked to be lightning gathered in her hands, dancing through her fingers.

"Tris…" Sandry warned, not wanting anyone to get hurt.

Tris smiled at her and pointed out the open window. A booming sounded through the air and white hot heat seared against all their faces. The other three didn't feel it that much as their magic was connected but clearly everyone else did. They jerked backwards, and the mage Numair even fell out of his chair.

Tris smiled sweetly as she redid the braid and sat down again, trying to keep smugness out of her voice when she spoke.

"The was the lightning part of my magic your highnesses, everyone."

Sandry sighed as mutterings started up.

Briar your go next.

He grinned as he stood up and looked around. Spying a wood table in the corner, he walked over to it and placed a hand against it. Immediately the wood came to life and green sprouted from it, quickly forming branches and leaves. Briar snorted at the astounded faces of the watching people and took his seat.

Daja stood to her feet then hesitated, for she couldn't see anything that her power connected with in the room.

Daja, control the metal. Sandry's voice sounded in her head.

Daja smiled and focused on the metal objects in the room. There was an assortment of jewelry on the women and she chose a gold bracelet on the Queens wrist. She lifted up her hand and beckoned, the bracelet shot over to her to rest on the outstretched hand. Smiling apologetically, the girl used her magic to heat up the metal and reshape it into miniature gold swan. She placed the swan on the table and retook her seat, accepting the appreciative glances thrown her way. Last of all, Sandry stood up and smoothed her skirts, trying to find a way for her to display her power. Getting an inspiration she looked at the king.

"Do you have any particular attachments to those curtains?" she asked slyly, her eyes smiling.

"No, why?" He asked, confused.

"This is why."

She turned towards them and threw up her hands. Immediately the curtains pulled themselves away from the windows and flew threw the air towards them. She gestured with her hands and the fabric separated into squares of different sizes, then they sewed themselves together again in a different order. It happened so quickly that the council had trouble following all the movements.

Sandry turned around and presented her masterpiece to the council with a smile.

The ladies gasped in amazement. Presenting itself before them was a beautiful dress with a tight bodice and folds of skirts that bloomed out in graceful waves.

"That was made out of curtains?" Thayet managed after a moment.

"Yes your majesty."

"Interesting" Numair mused. When all eyes turned to him, he explained further. "I've checked their auras and they do seem to have magic but it's not of a kind that I have ever seen before."

"We have ambient magic." Daja explained to everyone. "Our magic is worked through everyday things, the stronger the thing, the stronger our magics."

"Do you know how you got here?" Sir Gareth asked curiously.

He was answered with four heads shaking slowly and he sighed.

"Well until we figure out what happened you're welcome to stay here." Jonathon said, resigned.

"We thank you." Sandry said gratefully.