| The Circle Twists Written by Sorka Robinton |
| 16 year old Sandry stood up and stretched. After nearly two hours at the loom, her muscles felt like mush. Smoothing her pale pink skirts, she left her weaving and wandered into the main room of Discipline. Lark looked up from a large pile of paper. "Oh, Sandry! Rosethorn, me, and Tris are going to go to Lightsbridge for a week." Sandry smiled. "Really? That's wonderful!" Sighing, Lark said "Niko will drop by a few times, but for the second half of the week he too will be with us. I'm sorry, Sandry, Daja is going to also be with Traders, selling some of her magic boxes." Raising one eyebrow, Sandry inquired, "So its up to me and Little Bear to take care of things." Lark grinned. "Make sure Briar actually changes his shirt once in a while. And takes a bath." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At nightfall, Rosethorn gave her last minute words of threat. "And Briar, if you let the weeds take over..." He laughed. "You will hang me in the well for three days, I know." Well, bye! Tris mindspoke finally, then jumped into the wagon. She didnt like being seperated from them, all alone. Daja could do it, so could I. Lucky Sandry. She got to stay with Briar, who had gotton very...old looking (handsome) ...in the past few years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning, Sandry was slicing a loaf of strawberry bread when Briar stumbled out of his room. "Argh! Its morning too soon!" Sandry laughed. "Just eat your bread!" Cleaning up after his crumbs, Sandry dragged out her loom. Lark told her to finish it before they came back from Lightsbridge. Fingering the soft, translucent cloth, she sighed. In addition, she had to put a protecting spell in it to prevent "sadness." What a waste of magic. Drawing her shuttle back and forth made her sleepy. After a few inches of cloth, she slumped over and curled up to rest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Brair shook her hard. "Sandry! Wake up!" Groggily, she complied. "Briar! Why did you wake me?" She yawned. "It was such a lovely ..." Remembering how tightly he had held her in her dream, she stopped. Like that would ever happen. Briar cocked his head. "Well, its noon and-" he gestured to the room-"you slept because your magic is low." Checking her storage of power, she found it dwindling weakly. "Aw, catdirt! I must have been working too hard!" Slapping herself on the head, she slumped down onto a chair. "Well!" Briar said with a happy voice. "You can help me weed! Summer is for weeding and weeding and weeding and weeding and weeding and weeding and weeding and-" "Fine!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daja, with Frostpine at the Trader's tents, lifted a glowing iron rod out of the makeshift forge. Some horse had lost a shoe, so it was up to her to make one. Sighing, she played with her mind while doing the monotonous work. The shrill whistle of passing air shocked her out of her daydream. Before she could even gasp, the fire went completely out, leaving a single glowing coal in the center. "Frostpine?" Daja asked, her voice shaking. Guys, help! He ran in, and gaped at her white ember. "What the...?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Briar watched Sandry pull weeds out of the damp soil. Shurri, she even weeds gracefully! And why was he setting hopes on her, his friend? Wasn't she a powerful noblewoman, and he just a former street rat, Roach? He could still remember that dream of his, last night. He could still imagine the feel of her skin, the way she said words that rolled off so casually to be...charming. Extremely charming. But why even dream? Niko wandered into the gate, and Little Bear nearly knocked him over. "Down!" Briar walked over. "Niko, if you were drained of power, would you keep working anyway?" he glared at Sandry. "No!" "Then Sandry-" he looked over at her-" should continue doing wonderful tasks such as weeding and exercising, right?" "Briar!" Sandry exclaimed. "You're right, get over it!" Niko grinned, then paled as he saw the shambles of the garden. "Well, have to go!" Scurrying down the path, he escaped the dog and went to his horse. Briar whispered, "He just doesn't want to be pulled into weeding." Sandry giggled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Sandry bit back the urge to shiver. He had leaned so close to her ear, and the feel of his breath was overwhelming. Smiling and retreating quickly, Sandry practically ran away. "Well, um...Im going to go to the roof for a while." She glanced at him hesitantly, then bounded into Discipline. Briar's heart sank. She hated him, he could just tell! Maybe if he talked to her later...he would see her on the roof after he finished pruning these hedges... Daja? Guys, help! What? he asked. Ahhh! I made another thing! Damn, Frostpines going to scorch me! Then, she ended the conversation and disappeared. Then, quickly returning, she added, Oh, since Sandry's settling on the roof, Tris wants to tell her its going to rain in a few minutes. Briar thought to himself, why isnt Tris talking to Sandry? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The traders stood motionless at Daja's forge. Frostpine had checked and rechecked her creation. His dark eyes were stretched wide open, and he had sweat dripping down his face. "Daja?" he said, voice muted. Looking up nervously, Daja cleared her throat. "Yeh?" Trying again, she succeded. "Yes?" "Do you know how much this is worth?" "I dont even know waht it is!" Frostpine sighed. "Its called an Everglow, spelled to give off light and/or heat for many years. Daja, dont you even remember how you did this so easily?!" The traders clamored. "We will buy it!" Not again. At least Daja wasnt still trangshi. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reclining on the thatched straw, Sandry fell asleep almost immediately. Her magic was severely depleated, and exhaustion came with that problem. Napping on the roof was just the thing she needed. A few minues later, fat drops of rain streamed down onto her hair. Sitting up with a gasp, Sandry saw black rainclouds over head. She herself was already soaked from drizzling rain. Picking up her plastered skirts, she shivered violently. It was freezing! Climbing from the roof to the attic, she saw Briar waiting for her with a blanket. "Figured you might need this. Sleet is only on the way," he drawled, emerald eyes sparkling mischieviously. He hoped deeply that she would pass his red flush off for sunburn. Shaking, Sandry decended over the boxes to him. Wrapping the blanket around her, Briar felt uncomfortably close. He practically had his arms around her, along with the wool. Evidently she felt that way too, since she blushed and stiffened within the circle of his arms. Slowly, in case she didnt like it, Briar lowered his head down to Sandry's slightly parted lips........... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daja stared at the Traders for a long moment. Was it just her, or were they clamoring to ... to buy this thing? Turning around and squinting at her creation, she examined it. It was just a white lump. The Mimander, Talasi, walked forward. Extending a yellow-covered hand, he confidently felt the aura of the Lump. Drawing back quickly, he gasped. "That...thing...is so potent it shifted the magic inside me." Frostpine picked it up in his bare hands. The Traders jumped back, alarmed, until they sheepishly remembered that the firemage could pick up red hot items and not be burnt. The glowing orb shone in their eyes. Gritting his teeth, he said slowly "I think this is very special." Really, Daja thought sarcastically. "This isnt an Everglow. This -thing, it holds great amounts of magic, ready to be drawn or deposited anytime. Daja, how did you get this much power at a time?" Shrugging, the dark girl flipped her long braids behind her back. "I dont know! Frostpine, i told you already. I dont get it..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sandry's blue eyes opened to their widest. Briar, catching this move of hers, raised one dark eyebrow comically. He laughed, drawing away, and tried to remain calm. Bah, it was ruined. Now she hates me. Sighing, his sadness increased as he thought of her and her wonderous qualities that he had lost in his haste. "What was i thinking?" he muttered. But he still couldnt stop himself. Tweaking her hip length brown braid, he grinned. "Hey," he said irrelevently. Still immobile, Sandry managed a sweet smile back. "Hey." Damn, why had she flinched like that? Probably scared him away, she thought remorsefully. His eyes arent even twinkling! Well, she had to set that right again. Maintaining eye contact, Sandry replaced Briars hands on her waist. He tightened his arms in surprise. Could it be...? Now, without hesitation, he continued what had been so cruelly interrupted. Urgency in his eyes, he tilted Sandry's face up and kissed her. Feeling her wholehearted response, he grinned and literally swept her off her feet. Dumping her unceremoniously into a pile of Lark's old quilts, he pursued his quest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tris groaned. This boring meeting Niko had dragged her to...when would it end? Hopeless, wind magic would never be trapped, didnt the deaths of Dedicate Stormshine and Windtoss prove that? Reaching into her mind, Tris felt for the presence of the others. Red fire was there, but a solid barrier stopped any contact. Tris sighed. Those traders still yapping? Merchants were the way to go, although she did like her friend. Reaching for Sandry and Briar, the wind mage stopped in confusion. What was going on? Trying again, she found her two friends in ...an embrace? Her face turning a beet red, she drew her breath in shock. Grey eyes snapping, she slammed a wave of sparklying blue magic down to seperate her from them, those lying ...! How could they? How? Briar...she liked him a lot. Sandry, she knew, was rich, beautiful, and in love with him too. She had confided in Tris before, who had not returned the favor. And now Briar had reciprocated the feelings...to Sandry! Tris tugged hard at her dress, which did not conceal the un-slenderness of her figure. The poor girl nearly burst into tears, but contained her waters until she was alone in her room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daja massaged her head. After three hours of debating, yelling, and finally bellowing, Frostpine had convinced the Traders to let up for a few days so he could examine her Lump. Her head ached so fiercely, she went outside to escape the chaos. Sitting on a fallen log, she took long deep breaths, like Niko had taught all of them. Wasn't this just like the last time she interacted with Traders? Sometimes, Daja wanted to be with them again, travelling, so badly she wanted to cry. Missing her family was one of the worst parts. Sounds of splashing water diverted her attention. A tall youth was emptying water into the barrels for Caravan Firestorm's horses. He looked up and grinned, his white teeth bright against his dark skin. Daja blushed as he winked, and gestured with his head to the noisy tent. She smiled. Just as he was walking over to talk, Frostpine darted out. "Daja! Get back in here and help me out a bit!" Sighing, Daja waved to the young man and followed her teacher inside. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Sandry woke up with a horrible chill. Nudging aside Briar, she wrapped two more quilts around her soaking wet dress. With a moan, Briar opened his eyes. "Ahhh!" he yelped. "Cold!" Rubbing his eyes, he looked at the sun. Two hours? Gee. What a waste of time, he mustve zonked before he even kissed her twice. Then he returned to the more immediate problem. Sandry was shivering, her creamy skin pale. She sniffed, her lithe body vibrating against his own. "Sandry?" Briar asked worriedly. "Hmm?" She sneezed. He rubbed her freezing arms. "I think you're cold." "Really." With that last sarcastic comment, Briar groaned and bundled her up in more blankets. Carrying her down from the attic, he put her to bed with a hot water bottle and some tea. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Talasi stepped forward. "I propose that our honored mage Frostpine have as much time as he needs to inspect this creation." Muttering into his beard, Frostpine chuckled. "Suck up," he whispered to Daja. Stifling a giggle, she nodded her consent to the Mimander. Then, unsure, she looked back at her teacher. Laughing, he pounded her back. "Why are you staring at me? You're old enough to do this yourself, right?" Grimacing, Daja prepared herself for the awful, long buying process. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tris and the others rode home. Dreading every hoofbeat, the windmage was torn: whether to run away now, or ignore those two when they arrived. Unaware Niko was staring at her, Tris continued with her inner debate. She jumped almost out of the saddle when he did approach her. "Tris? What's wrong?" She scowled. "Leave me alone." Her teacher smoothed his mustache. "Ah, but you're not fooling me. Your hair is sparking." Raising a hand to her short, wiry hair, she felt prickles of lightning growing there. "And just when you were going to let me grow it out." Tris sighed. "Hey! You told me we were going to be at Lightsbridge for a week! Instead we went for one day!" Niko sighed. "Yes, Windsblaze was too complacent. I dont trust him, he will continue his experiments with wind magic. When he returns to Shining Circle, I would bet big money he will cause more trouble." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sandry shivered in her sleep. Laying a hand on her forehead, Briar felt her fever rise. Worried out of his mind, he placed more soaked rags on her burning face. Settling into a ball on the floor, Briar tried to get a few winks before he fed her soup. His eyelids lowered... And suddenly Sandry sat straight up. "They're here!" she said cheerfully. Blinking, Briar looked out the window and saw their housemates through the window. Standing up, he ran to the door. "Briar!" Sandry shrieked, loud for a sick girl. "Don't go without me!" She struggled out of her cocoon of sheets and promptly collapsed on the floor. Groaning, Briar picked her up to her great protests and walked out the door. Rosethorn and Lark stopped in surprise to see him carrying her through the gate to the procession of horses. "Briar!" Lark exclaimed. "What..?" He grinned. "See for yourselves." With that, he put the squirming Sandry down. She attempted a few steps, then sank back down on the grass. Concerned, Lark felt her cheek and gasped. Rosethorn did the same. "Briar, you halfwit, what were you thinking, bringing her out here? She has a fever!" Waspishly, he replied, "You of all people should know i dont think." Tris had turned pale. When she had sent the cold rain, she hadn't meant to make Sandry sick. Wasn't it just a small, angry move to dissipate her jealousy? After all, nothing had even happened between her and Briar when she had manipulated the weather. Guilty, Tris walked over to Sandry to help. She would think about Briar and Sandry later, once she was well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After seven days, Frostpine came to his conclusion. Beaming, he announced, "Daja! Its simple. You drew power from your forge fire, which in turn drew its power from the earth's heat! That's where it came from!" Sighing with relief, Daja handed the Lump over to the Traders. In exchange, she and Frostpine would get 10 gold majas (ten!) and a horse for Daja. Almost gleeful with freedom, the girl ran out to choose a mount from the Caravan's spares. Flinging herself into the airy tent, she collided directly with the boy she had seen the week before. Embarassed, she picked herself up and mumbled an apology. Grinning, he just laughed. "So, you're Daja." "Well, yes, I am," she replied. "What's your name?" His teeth flashed against golden tan skin. "Kethan. I take care of the horses." Frowning, Daja thought. "Aren't you the caravan leader's son?" He nodded. At that moment, a creamy tan mare thrashed as a large pidgeon came and pecked its tail. Shouting, Kethan jumped up and patted her nose. "Down, girl. I know you dont like those birds." The mare nickered. "Especially that one you call Evil." Daja stared. "Can you actually understand them? The horses I mean?" He blushed. "Um. Yeah. I dont know why either." "Mimanders? Isnt there something...?" Shrugging, Kethan looked away sadly. "They didn't know what to do with me. So im still here, doing nothing." He paused. "I wanted to learn more, but they told me to just work with horses and animals, mainly hunt creatures." A light burned suddenly in Daja's head. "Dedicate Huntsheart!" "Who?" "This guy who is at Winding Circle! He talks to animals, even can heal them! He trains others who want to learn to doctor animals, but he might want an apprentice..." Kethan's eyes glowed. "Would you show me the way to Winding Circle?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It had been six days since Tris was back at Discipline, and Sandry was still not well. Lark and Rosethorn were pouring draughts down her all day, and Briar was completely ballistic. If he wasn't in her room, then he was walking towards it or looking in her window. Tris thought she would scream. Why did she have to get sick? she mind screamed to herself. She already got Briar, does she have to make me feel guilty too? Tris sniffed, self pity coming in floods. Briar! Did he not like her? But he was so worried...even his green eyes were dulled with fear. Sandry was running a fever still, yet wasn't getting better. Full of remorse, Tris sent a new breeze of warm air into her room. Sticking his head out of her doorway, Briar grinned his thanks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daja and Kethan stood nervously outside the tent. "Ok," Daja said. "You talk to your father, I talk to Frostpine." He nodded, sweating. Entering the tent, they bowed their heads then split apart to talk quietly to their chosen person. After a few murmered words, the caravan leader Keldonal let out a muffled yell. "Boy, what are you talking about? You cannot leave our caravan!" Kethan stiffened. "Father, they might be able to teach me! Its all I ever wanted." Meanwhile, Daja had explained the predicament to her teacher. The Metalmage paused, thinking. Thoughtfully, he said, "Kethan, have you heard of Wild Magic?" The boy shook his head. "Its a force similar but different from conventional magic. It binds you to animals through your own life force, not in a seperate power. It was first discovered in the far east centuries ago, and it is not common." Daja looked up, shocked. "Frostpine...do you think...Kethan..." she looked pleadingly at him. He intercepted. "Frostpine, do you think i have this?" The man nodded. "I think i should communicate to Huntsheart immediately before we even begin talking. Although he is very inviting and would welcome a student." He glared at the uncooperative Keldonal, who grimaced. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lark, sitting at the edge of Sandry's bed, teased a bit of magic in her patient's hand. "I still don't understand this!" She frowned. "Its as if a connection..." Lark stared into the distance. Suddenly, she gasped. "Its the air connection! Its drawing from Sandry!" The others stared at her. "What?" "Whatever connects her to the forces of wind and air is somehow attached to her. Its taking energy, therefore stopping healing process." With a gesture, she cut the fragile string. "There!" Rosethorn grimaced. "Windsblaze?" Lark nodded. "It must have picked up her when she was in the rain and wind." Briar growled protectively. "No, Briar, I don't think it was intentional." Thinking, Tris wondered aloud. "Why didnt it tap me?" Niko smoothed his mustache. "Were you in the wind recently?" She shook her head. "I will ask Moonstream about this right now. This could be dangerous, and he should not be allowed this." Rosethorn groaned. "I think this is going to be another explosion. What is he trying to do, press Nature?" Standing briskly, Lark patted Sandry's hair and motioned for everyone to leave. "Well, she will get better now." Leaving Briar as her nursemaid, the others went about their business before contacting Moonstream about the problem. "Sandry?" Briar whispered. She opened one blue eye. "Yes?" She giggled softly. Squeezing her hand, he gently brushed it with a kiss. "Glad you're going to be okay." Smiling, Sandry nodded back. "I had to be. There were too many good things going on in my life." Hugging him, she then resettled herself and tried to nap. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Frostpine drove the wagon holding his, Daja's, and Kethan's belongings. While the dark girl usually rode inside, she enjoyed riding this gentle but spirited mare. She laughed. Riding wasnt so bad, after Frostpine had dragged her to the stables for a week of lessons two years ago. She went kicking and screaming, much to Frostpine's dismay and Kirel's amusement. Sunshine cantered playfully to Kethan's Golden. Giggling, Daja watched her mount nibble at the calmer stallion. "They look so much alike," she mused out loud. Kethan grinned. "They're first cousins." He paused, listening. "Who are quite eager to gallop. Shall we?" They rushed off in a cloud of dust, towards the Winding Circle walls in front of them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sandry, who felt well after being in bed for many days, was sitting at the table when Daja and Kethan rode up noisily. She, Briar, and Tris crept out cautiously when the commotion had died down. "Daja!" Sandry shrieked, running up to pat the horse's honey colored nose. "You? Riding?" she teased. Tris stepped forward, awkwardly. "How was the 'thing' you were talking about?" Daja grinned. "I must've taken half of Kethan's caravan's money." Everyone looked up at the boy, who had positioned his horse unobtrusively to the side. "Oh! I'm sorry, everyone, this is Kethan. Kethan, this is Briar, Sandry, and Tris, my friends." "Hi," they chorased. "I'm here to learn about animals, from Dedicate Huntsheart," he said, fidgeting slightly. Sandry jumped forward, eager to make him feel at home. He looks so sad, she told everyone in their mind. They led him forward in a clump to meet Lark and a very angry Rosethorn, standing in her now very dusty garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So," Lark continued, "you'll room with Briar until we build that extention." Kethan grimaced. "Really, its ok. I like the attic!" "Niko needs the work," Rosethorn teased, laughing at the mage who was trying to slip away. "Me?" Niko asked innocently, raising his eyebrows. Everyone stared at him, and he capitulated. "Fine, ill help." Briar shoveled his mess under the bed, while his teacher glared at him. Smiling sweetly, he simply said, "Yes? Rosethorn? Is there anything i can do for you?" Staring at the jumble of clothes, dried plants, and papers, she shook her head, scowling furiously. "C'mon!" Daja tugged at Kethan's sleeve. "We'll show you Winding Circle!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` All five of them rushed to get properly dressed for an evening of fun. Sandry grabbed an delicate yet sturdy dress with wide skirts for riding. Her hand had paused over the breeches, but...Lark would be angry if her charge was romping through temple grounds in improper dress. Putting her blonde streaked brown hair in a single braid, she grabbed her satchel and ran out into the hallway. Banging on Briar's door, she yelled, "Briar, Kethan? You ready yet?" The door opened, nearly bopping her on the head. Briar stepped out, his shirt in disarray and his sleeves unbuttoned. "Help!" Smiling, she fixed his collar and sleeves. Catching her hands, he gave them a quick kiss before Kethan stepped into the doorway. Daja, wearing sleek brown breeches and a clinging white shirt, bounced excitedly into the hallway. Sandry raised one eyebrow at the tall, slim girl. Daj? What? Does someone have a crush on the new boy? Huh? 'Cause i never saw you wear such a...revealing outfit before. Daja blushed slightly, the red hard to see in her dark cheeks. Embarrassed, she smoothed her clothes over her long legs. Walking into Sandry's room, she inspected herself in the long mirror. Do i look okay? Sandry grinned. Go get'm Daja. Lark came up to them. "Sandry, put on a shawl, or you'll catch a cold again." "Why? Its summer..." "And, you've just healed. Going out in a small strapped dress will not help," Lark said tartly. "Daja, at least take one with you! Young people nowdays..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "And this is the gate," Daja pointed to the entrance to Winding Circle. Kethan looked. "What's beyond this?" "Well, its a field, and a road." Sandry clapped. "And wildflowers!" Groaning, Tris rolled her eyes. "Sandry, are you going to go off and pick flowers again for hours?" "No!" Then the girl winked. "Well, probably," she admitted. Kethan turned to Daja. "Do you want to go?" The metalmage's heart fluttered. His eyes sparkled like the forge when he smiled like that. "Sure," she said, her fingers tingling. Tris groaned. Everyone seemed to be pairing off...where did that leave her? As they walked into the field, she saw the separation already beginning to go into effect. For consolation, she reached for the wind. It swirled around her fingers, warming her heart. In its own form of wordless communication, it told her how wonderful she was, that it would always be her friend. The clouds, ocean, and storms echoed the same, tickling the back of her mind. Tris smiled. She wasn't really alone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lark, weaving, felt the air. "Rosie?" "What?" came a shout from the plant mage's workroom. "Don't you feel something different?" Just then, Niko rushed in. "Where's the children?" His hair was windtossed, and he held a scrying stone in his left hand. Moonstream sprinted in after him. "Windsblaze!" she cried, her eyes flashing angrily. "His spells backfired, and theres a huge disturbance heading this way. I mean, a storm of epic proportions, that will wipe out both the City and this temple. Windsblaze's Shining Circle has already been destroyed from the explosion of wind!" she rambled, losing her usually poised demeanor. Rosethorn gasped. "What can we do?" The Superior bit her plum colored lip. "If they could stop it, the way they saved themselves from the earthquake five years ago, its...our only hope. We cannot possibly evacuate everyone to far enough lengths away from this storm..." Niko added grimly, "Our student's powers may have expanded enough to actually pull it off. May," he reminded. Rosethorn buried her hand in a vine instantly, contacting Briar as quickly as the plants could relay the message. Briar! We need your help, now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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