So second chapter. Hope you like. I don't know how to finish this story so it might be a while before its complete.

At the Citadel

The doors to the court room flew open as Niklaren Goldeye ran into the room closely followed by the servant that had been sent to fetch him. He completely ignored the questions hurled at him by the court surrounding Sandry. He simply elbowed his way to the Duchess's gripped her hand and pulled Sandry out of her state of shock.

"Sandry what is it? What's happened?" Niko asked desperately knowing his ex-student was seeing something other than the room around them.

Sandry stared blankly into Niko's black eyes.

Her voice was flat when she told him, "It's Briar. He is dead."

Niko's eyes widened in horror; he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "That can't be true Sandry."

"It is, Niko! Briar Moss is dead. My brother has left this world forever." The court around Sandry gasped at her words but she paid them no attention. "He was stabbed in the street. I saw it. Tris is with him. He is gone." She seemed to snap out of her state and looked at her old teacher clearly for the first time. "Oh my God!" She gasped. "He is dead." She broke down crying.

Still holding Sandry's hand Niko slipped into her mind. Gently he shifted through the connections Sandry had had since that fateful earthquake many years ago. Tris's and Daja's connection were filled with grief but there was no sign of Briar. Briar's connection was dead. Niko let go a Sandry's hand and summoned the guards to search for Briar. He left Sandry with her court.

Niko arrived at the scene of crime with the guards. The crowd parted just like it had for Tris. No one knew what to do but didn't want to leave the excitement of it all. They all wanted a piece of the gossip.

Gently he placed a hand on Tris's shoulder. She was still crying.

"Tris, come on now. Leave him." Niko said calmly. He tried to pull Tris away from Briar's body. She wouldn't budge.

"No, I'm not leaving him."

"Tris there's nothing you can do. He's gone." Tris was as stubborn as ever.

"No! He'll be alright. He'll be fine."

"Trisana Chandler, don't play games with me. You know very well what has happened. Come with me now and I'll get you home."

Numbly Tris stood up and went to Niko who embraced her tightly. Tris cried into the front of Niko's shirt. Niko held the small girl who had been like a daughter to him for so many years. Tris regained her composure and looked up at Niko. Neither of them said anything, there was no need to say anything at all. He ordered a guard to escort Tris home.

He watched as the girl disappeared around a corner then turned his gaze to the boy on the ground. He watched as the guards lifted Briar's body onto a stretcher. Niko fought back the tears that threatened to come. He would find out who did this soon and make sure they paid in full price. Nodding his head to the guards Niko left the street and sent a runner for Lark to come to the house that evening.

Lark made her way to the house that evening her mind full of worry. She had no idea why Niko had called her there. Lark knocked on the door but no one answered. Curious Lark tried the door and found it open. Going inside Lark found Tris sitting at the dinner table staring at a cup of tea in front of her.

"Tris, it's me, Lark. Are you alright?" Tris didn't move so Lark made her way towards the girl to find Tris silently crying. Tears fell down her cheeks as Tris stared at the tea. "Oh Tris what is it? Why are you crying my child? Whats wrong? Where is Briar?" Lark knew that Daja was travelling and that is was only Tris and Briar at home so she wondered where Briar was. It was already getting dark. Tris turned towards her former teacher as Lark sat down next to her.

"Briar's not here, Lark. He's dead." Lark gasped. Tris couldn't keep the words inside her. It was like the flood gates opened and everything came tumbling out. "He was stabbed in the street. I watched him die, I held him as left this world. You know I'm considered to be the most powerful witch of my time yet I couldn't save my brother. I don't have the power to save anyone at all. My power can only destroy. I can't go on Lark. Since I only destroy and I can't save then there is no reason for me to go on." Tris folded her head in her hands breathing heavily.

"STOP RIGHT THERE TRISANA." Tris looked up alarmed. Lark never raised her voice. She was standing up next to Tris. Slowly she sat back down and when she spoke again it was in her calm voice with a hint of sadness in it. "Don't ever say that again Trisana. You have amazing power, Tris never forget that. Not everyone has the power to heal. Rosethorn and I have learnt that lesson many years ago. It's time you learnt that lesson as well Tris. It wasn't your fault that Briar died. It's just a consequence of life. Every one has there time and unfortunately it was Briar's time. One day Tris it will be your time and mine. But now let's just remember the good time we had with Briar when he was here with us. It isn't your fault Tris always remember that."

Lark put her hand around Tris's shoulders. "Come on, Tris. Let's get you up to bed." Before leaving the kitchen Lark grabbed some of Briar's famous sleeping draught, mixed it with Tris's tea and forced the young girl to drink it. Lark made sure Tris was fast asleep and then made her self at home in Sandry's empty bedroom. Going to sleep the old woman dreamt of Briar.

Far away from Emelan

Daja calmly set aside her ruined work ignoring the worried voices around her. In silence she left the forge and made her way back to her lodgings deep in thought. Daja was too far from Emelan to connect with Sandry or Tris but the grief she felt from her sisters filled her entirely. She just felt her connection to Briar burst with pain and disappear. She could no longer feel him anywhere. It could only mean one thing; Briar had died.

She made immediate plans to head back to Emelan. She could leave at dawn the following morning which suited her just fine. Daja sat in front of her shrine and sent prayers to the trader Gods hoping the Briar's accounts were all paid.

Daja sat there all night; silent tears fell down her cheeks. She knew crying wouldn't change anything but in the confinements of her room Daja was glad she was able to express some feelings about the pain she felt throughout her body without anyone seeing how broken down she was. Daja thought of all her memories of Briar. She tried to make them more real but they kept slipping away. Daja fell asleep on her floor dreaming of Briar.

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