Rosethorn (born Niva, surname unknown) is a dedicate in Winding Circle temple and an ambient green mage. As a mage she belongs to the great mages; as a temple dedicate she worships Mila of the Grain[1]. She was the primary teacher, and later traveling companion, of Briar Moss, as well as secondary caretaker to him and his foster-sisters, Daja Kisubo, Trisana Chandler and Sandrilene fa Toren. Rosethorn is bisexual and polyamorous; she has a committed, long-term relationship with Lark and a more causal sexual relationship with Crane, her occasional colleague.[2]
Biography
Early life
Rosethorn was born and raised in a family of farmers in northern Anderran. The village was attacked by bandits once, who amongst others wanted to get at Rosethorn for her green magic. Her father and brothers fought them off. Her effect on the crops benefitted her family financially, making him the richest farmer in the district, and Rosethorn has said that her father loved the money she brought in as much, if not even more so, than he loved his daughter herself.[3] On her father's farm she learned not only grow crops but also about birds. She began nursing nestlings when she was in her early teens.[4]
At some time during her life she visited Lightsbridge and studied at the university. Presumably this was before she became a dedicate. At the university Rosethorn first met Crane.
It is not known how Rosethorn became a novice or came to Winding Circle, but during her novitiate she worked closely and competitively with Crane. There is frequent speculation about the nature of their relationship at this point, although canon does not indicate that they were romantically involved before or during their sexual relationship. It's also not known when she met Lark, or how their relationship progressed prior to canon.
Caretaker of Discipline
By 1035 KF Rosethorn has progressed to being accounted as a great mage and member of the Winding Circle Initiate Council, which takes part in the decision-making process for the temple and also supervises the abidance by the laws governing mages accredited by Winding Circle or Lightsbridge. By that time she has also become the second caretaker of Discipline cottage along with Lark and both have gained a reputation of taking young mages in. In the middle of Goose Moon of that year Sandrilene fa Toren—an orphaned Emelanese noble—, Trisana Chandler—a Capchenite merchant's daughter—, Daja Kisubo—an outcast Trader— and Briar Moss—a boy from the streets of Hajra—came to Discipline. Rosethorn immediately realizes Briar's green magic by the reactions of her plants to his arrival. Thus she takes him on as her student.
In spring the following year Rosethorn and Briar discover the first victim of a new plague, the blue pox. After the quarantine is lifted Rosethorn works intensively with Crane to discover the cure. However, she contracts the disease and her health degenerates quickly. Thus even the administration of the cure can't save her anymore, because the fever has already taken its toll from her. Rosethorn only survives through Briar and his three housemates, who refuse to let her die and save her magically by following Rosethorn to the afterlife and bringing her back. But although she survives the preceding seizure has left her with some damage for her brain activity stopped for some time. She regains her speech after some time, although it isn't as clear as before.
Travels
In 1039 KF Rosethorn and Briar leave Winding Circle for traveling and giving Briar a change to learn how foreign gardeners and mages handle things. In autumn that year they stop at Chammur, where they are joined by Evumeimei Dingzai, Briar's first student. There Rosethorn helps the local farmes, who have great difficulties because of bad crops. The land had been cultivated for too many years and is tired. Thus Rosethorn grows special seeds for them, putting her magic in them and giving the locals a good storage. While staying in Chammur Rosethorn also has quite a stern talk with the local stone mage Jebilu Stoneslicer, who initially refuses to take Evvy on as his student, although this would be his responsibility. After Rosethorn reminds him of his duty and of the laws laid down by Lightsbridge and the Winding Circle Initiate Council Stoneslicer accepts his duty and it is Evvy who refuses to be taught by him.
After staying for some weeks in Chammur they continued their travels. They also visited Yanjing and Gyongxe, where they were caught in a war-zone when the Emperor of Yanjing occupied Gyongxe. Upon their return to Summersea in 1041 KF, Rosethorn did not show the same signs of post-traumatic stress disorder that Briar did. By then Rosethorn had to share Discipline with Lark, her new student Comas and Evvy. When Tris returns the following year she brings them another charge, the young Glakisa Irakory.
At some time in 1042 KF Rosethorn is called away from Winding Circle to investigate the plant-dying in the Battle Islands. She takes Evvy with her because the girl has caused some trouble at Winding Circle.
Physical description
Rosethorn has dark brown eyes[5] with delicate eyebrows[6] and auburn hair which she wears short. She is described as being a handspan taller than Briar, who is at that time five feet tall, and only an inch taller than Daja was at the age of ten[7]. Rosethorn is broad shouldered, has long legs and a broad, firm jaw.[8] She normally works barefoot and usually wears the dark green robe of an Earth dedicate.[1] In Mead Moon of 1035 KF Briar once noticed Rosethorns scent, which he described as a funny mixture of pine, dark soil and hints of aloe and basil. He also added that he felt as save with Rosethorn at his back as in the arms of the Living Circle goddess Mila of the Grain.[9]
Personality and traits
Rosethorn has a quite gruff character, which can be especially intimidating on children. Thus children normally see her with respect, if not even fear, when first meeting the dedicate. She encourages this attitude by threatening new charges with hanging them in the well, when they cause mayhem in her workshop or disturb her garden. Her sharp temper and her even sharper tongue don't help much, either.[10] However, she also has soft spots. Thus she often cares for nestlings when she finds them in her garden or other bring them to her. Rosethorn especially has a soft spot for starlings.[11] Even Briar is intimidated by her, when he first meets Rosethorn, but he begins to like her quickly. She mangages to surprise him when they are in Chammur and she anticipates the problems caused by Evvy's refusal of being taught by the local stone mage. He had fully expected to have to argue with his teacher because Evvy and her ten cats were to stay with them, but Rosethorn had already made all necessary arrangements, when they came home. She also shows her humanitarian side when caring for sick people in Urda's House, which is shown in the course of the blue pox epidemic.
Skills and abilities
Rosethorn is a very good gardener and skilled green mage. She has even managed to grow tomatoes at Winding Circle, although noone else has managed this so far; not even Crane in his greenhouse.[12] She has also been the most successful of all the gardeners around the Pebbled Sea at growing new plants from the far side of the Endless Ocean like beans, corn and clover plants[13].
Appearances
- Sandry's Book
- Tris's Book
- Daja's Book
- Briar's Book
- Street Magic
- The Will of the Empress
- Melting Stones
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sandry's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 68; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Sheroes-Central; "TP, I heard that in your new book that you have a gay c..."; January 2004
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 7 (p. 111; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 50; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Sandry's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 67; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 47; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Daja's Book, Cp. 2 (p. 28; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Sandry's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 69; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 9 (p. 151; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 49; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 51; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Sandry's Book, Cp. 4 (p. 70; Scholastic paperback)
- ↑ Street Magic, Cp. 6 (p. 111; Scholastic paperback)
See also
| Street Magic | |
|---|---|
| Set in the Circle Universe in Chammur (1039 KF) | |
| Mages | Dedicate Rosethorn • Briar Moss • Evumeimei Dingzai • Jebilu Stoneslicer |
| Vipers | Lady Zenadia • Ubayid • The Mute • Ikrum Fazhal • Sajiv • Orlana • Yoru • former Camelguts: Ayasha • Hammit • Mai • Douna |
| Others | Nahim Zineer • Qinling • Kemit doen Polumri • Turaba Guardsall • Gate Lords; Gods: Shaihun • Lailan • Mohun |
| Places | Chammur (Sotat): Golden House • Jeweled Crescent • Market of the Lost • Grand Bazaar • Princes' Heights • Fortress Rock • Heartbeat Heights • House Attaneh • Evvy's squat |
| The Circle Opens novels: Magic Steps • Street Magic • Cold Fire • Shatterglass | |
| Melting Stones | |
|---|---|
| Emelanese Characters | Evumeimei Dingzai • Rosethorn • Myrrhtide • Luvo |
| Battle Islanders | Oswin Forest • Azaze Yopali • Jayatin Holly • Tahar Catwalker • Nory • Meryem • Treak • Dubyine • Karove |
| Spirits | Flare • Carnelian • The Sea • Starns |
| Places | Battle Islands • Starns • Moharrin • Makray River • Mount Grace • Sustree • Lake Hobin |