Disclaimer: Rubies are red, Sapphires are blue, I don't own them, god's sake don't sue!

The others did not know about Nia, Marguerite’s special friend. Not one of the others knew- not even the ever-watchful Lord John Roxton. After that first festival when Roxton had taken her scarf, Marguerite has still gotten a hold of the girl, Nia’s, emeralds and garnets. She had traded a brilliant crimson Chinese silk bag. Nia had loved the bag so much that the next time the explorers went to the village, she brought Marguerite the most wonderful bag of coffee. It was different then the rest of the coffee they had experienced on the plateau and tasted bitter with fruity zest and a hint of coco. The Zanga only used it for ceremony, but as Nia was related to their shaman, she got a pound of it away. She thanked Marguerite again for the little bag and Marguerite saw the native with new eyes. Marguerite brought Nia a beautiful royal purple velvet sachet full of English lavender and vanilla on her next visit. They continued bringing gifts like these to each other and became confidants. Anything Marguerite knew, Nia knew, and anything Nia knew, Marguerite knew. They were the best of friends. At Marguerite’s wedding veronica and Finn were not the only bridesmaids, no, Nia was there at marguerite’s side. When Marguerite got nervous halfway though the wedding Nia reached out and rested her hand on the green eyes woman’s shoulder. Marguerite calmed. And in the end, when Nia lay dying it was Marguerite, not Nia’s friends, sisters, or daughters, who sat by her side till she was gone. They were the very best of friends, the very closest of sisters, and the very dearest in each other’s hearts.