Intricate

A/N- I'm going to tell this one (start it anyways) more from the Living Circle dedicate's pov. Hope you enjoy! Oh, btw, I have no idea about his name, it just kinda popped into my head one day. Thanks to CrazyDyslexicNerd for reviewing!

First Dedicate Hwangwalker of the Living Circle Water Temple listened in mild annoyance and surprise when someone banged on the door. It was almost the end of his sentry shift, and now he'd have to go out and talk to people who wanted in, probably for a rather idiotic reason. He pulled a summer cloak over his uniform: loose blue breeches and a matching tunic, all trimmed in black. Much more sensible then stuffy robes and skirts like other temples. He climbed the ladder on the back of the door to the eye slot viewing platform and pulled the slot cover back with a crisp crack."Please stare your names and what you're doing here at the crack of dawn." Not the most polite inquiry, but certainly not as rude as some.

He peered at the people curiously. A girl and an older boy, both who looked local except for the odd choice of clothes. Chammuran perhaps, with that headscarf, her thought. An older woman stood between them. She was the most curious. To young to be their mother, but too old to be a sister. An aunt? She didn't look related though. Straight brown eyes and paler skin and dark hair with a coppery glimmer. Maybe just a friend.

They glanced at each other, and the woman stepped forwards. "Are you a dedicate?" she called in accented Chammuran.

"Yes. Dedicate Hwangwalker." First Dedicate had seemed too formal since the day Hwang had received the title.

The woman nodded. "Dedicate Rosethorn of Winding Circle Temple, Emelan, across the Pebbled Sea. These are my companions, Briar and Evumeimei."

Hwang frowned. Emelan? That's.... I don't even know how far away. What would a dedicate of Emelan be doing here? Her name does sound familiar though... "I'm going to need proof of that, please." He quickly drew a spell in the air before himself to shield the glow of any magic.

The woman pulled out a silver disk on a cord from around her neck and touched it. It flashed white, illuminating the walls in stark relief.

It's definately an original medallion. Hwang paused and made a quick decision. "If you'll give me a moment, I'll be right down to open the sally port for you." He slammed the eye-slot shut and clambered down the ladder. The sally port was a small door built into the right side of the main gate. Hwang took a large silver key from his belt and unbolted the door. Another, smaller key unlocked the door. He swung it open a crack and held out his hand to the travellers. "If you don't mind ma'am, I'd appreciate another look at your medallion."

The woman glanced at the boy curiously, but handed her necklace over withhout comment. It glowed softly in Hwang's hand, and he examined it carefully. On one side, it was imprinted with a large spiral. "Rosethorn", "Snowpaw", and "Winding Circle" bordered the spiral. The student's name, teacher, and temple, Hwang remembered. He flipped it over. A large tree ringed by birds and roses dominated the face of the disk. Some vague memory clicked into place in Hwang's head and he gasped. Dedicate Initiate Rosethorn, the herbalist! All the strange stories of her.... ablities to grow anything, incredible herbs, and didn't she help create the human essences? There were endless stories about her, tales of earthquakes, pirates, fire, and plague. And not just about her, but about- "Can I see your medallion, too, sir?"

The boy handed his over as silently as his teacher had. Without any surprise, Hwang found another spiral on the back, inscribed with "Briar Moss", "Rosethorn", and "Winding Circle." On the front, there was another large tree, this one bordered with ribbons, lightning, and flames. Hwang took a deep breath and handed the medallions back. I've just met people of legend! "If you'd follow me please. I believe Dedicate Sandstorm would like to meet you. She's our head."

The three mages slipped through the door and Hwang relocked and bolted the sally port behind them. They were coated in dust and grime and all three looked exhausted. Hwang sighed. It wouldn't really matter if Sandstorm met them an hour later, would it? No, not much. Besides, she'd probably appreciate another bit of sleep. And this lot looks like they'd like a bath. "Actually, I think we can visit the bathhouse first." He began to lead them across the temple, trying not to fall over his feet in his amazement at meeting some of the most powerful mages to have lived.

Rosethorn looked around amazement. The temple was slightly smaller than Winding Circle, and built differently. A large central building seemed to contain housing. A square structure in a corner was the kitchen and dining hall, judging by the steam and smells wafting around it. Large cloisters and groves were scattered across the grounds, mingling with offices, workrooms, and tiny cottages.

Evvy tugged Rosethorn's sleeve. "What's that? It's newer than everything else, by loads." She was pointing at crisp-looking, cubical stone buildings that were set half underground.

Hwang heard her and explained quickly. "Those are our new storage cellars. Supposedly, being partially belowground will help everything stay cooler." He led them to yet another small granite building. "This is the bathhouse." He ducked inside and the others followed him down a few steps to a steamy pool. "It's geothermal, so it's always warm in here. Best place to be in the winter," he added nervously. "Soap is on the shelf there and towels are in the cupboard. We don't have a night attendant, so if you need anything...."

Rosethorn smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Dedicate-"

"Hwangwalker! Just Hwang, though, please." He nodded."Um, if you need anything else, well, I think everything you'd need is in here. I'll find you some clean clothes, if you don't mind. I'll be back in a bit." With that he rushed out the door.

Rosethorn raised her eyebrows at Briar. He grinned and shrugged, stripping down to his undergarments, and sliding into the hot water.

"Need any help, girl?" Rosethorn asked Evvy.

"No thanks."

Evvy pulled her headscarf off, dropped it on the floor and let her breeches and tunic puddle next to it. She checked to make sure nothing could slide off underwater, then leaped in.

Rosethorn sighed and picked at the intricate folds and knots holding her dress together. "Evvy! How do I get this blasted thing off?"

The girl giggled, floating in the water. "The tie, by your right hip, get that undone and it should come apart."

Rosethorn grumbled and pulled at the knot, eventually letting the dress spill across the floor. She kicked off her shoes and walked over to the cupboards Hwang had pointed out. Soap, brushes, and shampoo. "Boy! Catch!" She tossed two bars of soap and a pair of brushes at the two in the water, before sliding in herself.

"I can finally get all this dye off," she muttered.

*****

Hwang had gathered the clothes and was sitting on a bench outside the bathhouse. He could hear the mages talking among themselves, and he didn't want to interrupt. He leaned back, trying to relax. A moment later, his bench shivered as someone else sat down. Hwang didn't have to look to know who. The scent of grapefruit told him what he needed to know.

"Alyssa."

"Hey. What's up? Nya was wondering when you let those people in and didn't come back," his sister said. She was a few years younger, training to be an Air dedicate.

"Aly," he sat up and looked at her. "Can you not tell anyone this until Sandstorm hears of it?"

She frowned, completely serious now. "Yes."

"Aly, those mages are..." he leaned closer and lowered his voice. "It's Dedicate Initiate Rosethorn from Emelan and her student-"

"Briar Moss."

"And his student, a girl from Chammur, I think. I don't know her name."

"Hwang, do you want me to tell Sandstorm, so you don't have to wait when you take them to her office?"

"That would be nice, thanks."

Alyssa grinned. "You'll owe me. A slice of your incredible cherry pie, perhaps?"

Hwang smiled back, glad that someone else knew now. "A whole pie, if you want."

His sister's teeth flashed white in the dawn. "A whole pie. It's a deal!" She gave him a quick hug, turned, and began jogging towards the head dedicate's office.

Hwang stood before the door to the bathhouse, took a deep breath, and entered, determined to keep his calm.