Last Night, Chapter Nine

 A/N- Sorry it took so long to update. I was out of town and so I wrote down the chapters in a notebook. There should be a Battle chapter up soon too. :) What was really funny though, was I saw a sign when I was driving and it said "Silverwing Dr." What's sad is it actually took a minute to remember why the name was familiar.

Rosethorn strode out of the office, beyond emotions and tears. Her feet carried her along the familiar path to the Earth dormitories, as someone approached behind her.

"Master Goldeye."

"Niko."

"Master Goldeye."

"I thought to accompany you to your cottage. Help you carry your possesions."

"I don't have much, just a box and some clothes."

"Nonetheless." He paused, adding, "do you even know where your cottage is?"

"No."

"Then I'll show you. Regardless, of whether or not you can find it by yourself."

Rosethorn pursed her lips. Scryers couldn't read minds, could they? She turned off the main road and pushed through the double doors of her dormitory. Goldeye grunted softly as the door thumped into him.

She ducked into her room, shared with five other women, and threw open her wardrobe doors. Sandals; a spare green habit, now her only green habit; underclothes; a hat; and a thin scarf. She gathered it all under one arm, snatched up her box from Anderran, then turned on her heel. She was almost out the door when a strong hand grabbed her skirt and spun her around.

Silverwing, dirt smudged across her face glared at Rosethorn with all of her First Dedicate power. "Just where do you think you're going?"

"I'm leaving."

"Rosethorn, just because you made a mistake, doesn't mean you have to leave. I've-"

"I'm leaving Silverwing. Froststar's orders."

Silverwing's face hardened. "Just because you made a fool mistake, don't mean Froststar can kick you out!" She slipped into the cant of her childhood and began to march past Rosethorn, who dropped her clothes and held Silverwing back.

"Silverwing, I'm not-"

"I don't care about being nice. That bleating Temple slushbrain-"

Suddenly, Rosethorn was glad for the friend she had in Silverwing.

A large hand clapped Rosethorn's shoulder. "Dedicate Silverwing, Honored Froststar isn't making Rosethorn leave the temple. She's just moving to a cottage across the way."

Silverwing frowned, obviously annoyed. "As you say, Master Goldeye," she muttered, sliding effortlessly into formal Imperial. She saw Rosethorn's surprise. "Niklaren has visited here before, several times." She glanced at Rosethorn's small heap of possessions. "Wait a moment." She disappeared into the storeroom, and Rosethorn could hear her rummaging through boxes of whatever was stored. A few minutes later, Silverwing came back with a teal metal wagon loaded with two large boxes. "These are just a few things to get you started. This isn't goodbye. I'm still expecting to see you at midnight services on Sunsday." She hugged Rosethorn tightly, then shoved her out the door. "Don't do anything stupider than usual." With that, she slammed the door shut.

Rosethorn smiled crookedly. "She doesn't like us to know she's capable of emotions."

Goldeye led her down the path. "Have you known her for a while?"

"Ten or twelve years now. She taught me as a novice, and was promoted to First Dedicate shortly after I took my vows. She just doesn't like to advertise it, so she wears plain habits." Unlike some people.

They walked in silence along the road, passing few others. The midday sun beat down from above and Rosethorn could feel sweat dewing on her face. She snuck a glance at the mage, but he appeared as cool and composed as ever. Finally, the man held up a hand.

"We're here."

Here was a clean white cottage, surrounded by lawn and garden. The scent of fresh thatch wafted over the air. Someone had apparently maintained the cottage. Brightly colored shutters hid the windows, no doubt made of expensive glass. Rosethorn glanced at the white fence surrounding the cottage grounds and sighed in frustration. A brilliant orange mark gleamed through the newer white paint. Rosethorn traced the petals of the tigerlily.

Will I never be free of him? I thought getting a home of my own would keep him away, but now. . . another tie keeping us together. Maybe I can get more paint. . . 

"Dedicate?"

"What?" Rosethorn shook herself back to the present.

"Do you need any further assistance or-"

"I can manage fine on my own, thank you." She stepped through the gate with her wagon and snapped it shut. "Good day."

Goldeye looked faintly surprised for a moment, then his face was as smooth as stone. "Good day. I hope to see you again soon." He turned neatly and walked back down the path.

Rosethorn watched him go, then stomped to Discipline's front door.