Ebony's Weavings

by Yuuki Miyaka

[incomplete, original character, some sex in chapter five] There are currently forty chapters in the series, though the parts are broken into five chapters a pop. This details the story of Ebony, from her earliest memory on.

6. Chapters 26-30

Dedication:
These chapters are dedicated to the ElfQuest Fanfic List, and especially those recipients of my story who have been so generous and helpful with their own views.

Special Thanks:
Thanks go to Heather Grimes and Jeremy Burns. Heather was kind enough to bring a special idea to my mind, which you will see in these chapters. Jeremy was kind enough to send me a picture of Ebony, which you can see in Ebony's Lair. Thank you both of you. Also, I would like to thank Tamra Farran for her particular compliments and the honor she has given me.

Ebony's Weavings:

Chapter Twenty-Six

Celebration

"Have you never seen an aged elf before?" Savah's affectionate tone soothed the Wolfriders, though the tribe was still very much in awe. "No!" she laughed, pointing to Treestump. "I see that even the eldest among you is but a stripling."

Dewshine had the grace to attempt to hide her laughter as Treestump bristled. Savah turned to Cutter.

"And you . . . what is it they call you? Cutter? A fine name for a fighting cockerel." As Cutter grinned, his two soul-siblings laughed aloud. Savah patted the chief's head, then spoke again. "Dear me! There is even a crest here to complete the image."

Savah took Cutter and Ebony's hands, leading them over to a bright wall. "My heart rejoices that you are here at last. Long have I believed that other children of the High Ones still dwelled in lands beyond the desert." Savah's voice spoke volumes of her happiness at their arrival. "You come from that green, growing place which is legend to all but myself. You see, I am old enough to remember a time before the village, a time when my family crossed the burning waste, just as you have done, to settle here in the oasis we named Sorrow's End."

Savah subsided into a comtemplative silence, staring at the mural on her wall. A small voice spoke up, making Ebony flinch. "Did the humans chase you away from your holt, too?" The speaker was Dart, Moonshade and Strongbow's other cub. His voice reminded Ebony of his sister, and she turned away, leaving the hut without hearing Savah's reply.

That night, there was a grand celebration welcoming the Wolfriders. The abandon with which the SunFolk partied, the generosity and frivolity, surprised the forest-dwellers. Ebony sat to one side, watching the dancers with quickly waning interest. Instead, her thoughts centered on those she had met earlier, particularly Savah, Leetah, and Rayek.

Savah captured her attention first, placed as she was on a grand dais. Her regal form seemed to reside over the gaiety and, if pressed, Ebony would easily say that the Mother of Memory was the chieftess of this unusual tribe.

Leetah was noticed next. Ebony had a fair guess that Cutter's prompting to carry the healer off came from Recognition. The clues were rather apparent, including Cutter's inability to think about much else. Even now, the chief only had eyes for Leetah, watching her dance with more concentration than he used even to hunt. But Leetah, it seemed, tried her hardest not to return such studious attention.

Finally, there was Rayek. Ebony had ascertained that the black-haired elf was the chief hunter of the SunFolk. Right now, the elf brooded, gazing angrily at Cutter. Ebony could swear that the only thought in his mind was anger at Cutter's sudden arrival. No, she thought, grinning softly. Better make that the Wolfrider's sudden arrival. Rayek was glaring at her now.

He was handsome, her mind supplied, and Ebony's smile widened. It had been some time since she had noticed others in such a manner. Of course, at this point, all Ebony could do was look. Although Cutter and Leetah had Recognized, Ebony knew that Leetah and Rayek might still continue their relationship. After all, it did not look as though Rayek would enjoy losing . . . on anything.

Ebony shivered, drawing her thoughts back to the celebration at hand. The dancers were boisterous. But there was still a cloud over the whole evening, a cloud cast by Rayek's glare.

Author's Notes:
I've had some comments about rewriting the story, so I'll say it once more. A lot of what happens in these stories are important to the story of Ebony's life, and I plan to write about her life, not one particular part that happens to be interesting. I've lived with her in my head for a decade, and I'd like for others to know about her as well.

Also, I've had a request from another author to include Ebony in a story of someone else's. I'd just like to say that such an idea is fine with me, providing certain things happen. If anyone wishes to include Ebony in their stories, contact me, and I'll discuss it. And, if I'm being too egotistical, I apologize. I hope you are enjoying the story.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Encounters

The tribes merged well, the Sunfolk bringing a measure of peace to the rough Wolfriders, and the Wolfriders bringing some spirit to the calm Sunfolk. Although the Wolfriders tended to prefer secrecy and solitude, some still ventured out and made friends with the gentle Sunfolk. Ebony was not one of these.

The dark-huntress huntress often went off on her own, sometimes hunting and sometimes just gathering stories to tell at future Howls. She rarely ran into other elves, but she often thought about them. Then, one day, on one of her hunts, she met someone else.

Rayek had paralyzed a wild boar, keeping it from struggling as he prepared to kill it with a blow to the throat. Ebony shook her head as she watched, then she spoke. "You don't give the boar a fighting chance, you know. You take away every chance it has to live."

Rayek looked up, bristling, then softened slightly when he saw it was only her. "You don't understand." It was a short comment, curt, but she knew that it was as kind as he would get for a Wolfrider.

She jumped down from her perch, landing near him, and she smiled. "Then explain to me, blackhair." She smiled as she said it, taking the sting out of her words. She saw him soften further, and she grinned. He was very handsome when he calmed down.

"I spare the animals the pain it takes to kill them. I keep them from feeling the blow. They do not have to endure that. Isn't that better than giving them a dying chance?" Rayek truly believed in his words, Ebony saw, and she sighed.

"Tell me something. If you had the choice between being given a chance to fight for your freedom and not feeling the pain it takes to die, which would you choose?" She paused for effect, and saw Rayek flinch. "That's what I thought." For a long moment, she said nothing, merely letting him consider it. "What do you plan to do about the situation between Leetah and Cutter?"

Rayek turned to her, glowering. Ebony took a step back, afraid of him for a brief second. "There is no situation between Cutter and Leetah, and your chief better realize that. Otherwise, he will stand no more chance . . . than this." Rayek savagely cut into the boar's throat, fury written in his face.

"Don't try to intimidate me, Rayek. It won't work. If you have something to say to Cutter, say it to him yourself, without the act. If you can get your point across that way." Ebony's tone was disparaging, but she was afraid. No elf should harm another, and yet she could feel his fury within her. It may just lead to something more frightening than a threat.

Rayek approached her, glaring. "It was not an act, Huntress. It was a warning." Ebony instinctually put up an arm to shield her eyes, and suddenly Rayek was frozen solid.

"You . . . son of a rotting human! You tried to freeze me again!" His gaze must have gotten caught in Ebony's armband, reflecting back at her. It was the only explanation. Ebony stared at him for a long moment, then shoved him down to the ground. When she was satisfied, she walked away, furious.

Author's Notes:
Kudos to Heather Grimes for her idea about Ebony's trick on Rayek. She deserves the credit for noting that a reflected gaze would freeze Rayek rather than whomever the real target was. Heather, thank you! It really helped. Now you know what Heather did for me.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hand

"He did what?!" Ebony's sharp voice made Skywise flinch.

"Challenged Cutter. Apparently, it's something he can do, and if Leetah says Cutter has to deal with it, then he does." Skywise shook his head, of the same opinion as most of the other Wolfriders. Cutter should just get it over with, and let Leetah get back to Rayek.

"So what does this challenge entail?" Ebony's question was answered, not by the stargazer, but by her chief.

"There are three trials." Cutter's voice was weary and devoid of life. The charade had barely begun and he was already ready to end it. "The trials of Hand, Head, and Heart. If I can beat Rayek, then I win Leetah. That's what it means." He sat down in the cave he shared with his soul-sibs, tired and disappointed.

"Cutter?" Ebony's voice had changed. She could see what this was doing to him, the way denying the Recognition had changed him. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, and he was not in his best form. "When is the first trial?"

"At dawn." Ebony looked toward the sky, and saw where it was just beginning to turn a light grey. Dawn was almost upon them. "What can I do, Cutter? What help can I give you?"

Cutter shook his head, then stood again. "I'd best go. Will both of you come and watch?" His soul-sibs nodded mutely, then watched as Cutter made his way down to the village.

"What's the point of this, Skywise? Whether Rayek likes it or not, Cutter and Leetah have to answer Recognition. It will kill both of them if they don't." Skywise shook his head, then sighed. The stargazer moved toward the opening, not waiting for Ebony. She sighed, talking to herself. "Maybe he just wants to humiliate Cutter for what Cutter and I did to him. I hope that is it. Whether Rayek wills it, Recognition will be answered. I will not lose Cutter."

Ebony stayed in the cave for some time more, unable to really do anything and very tired herself. It was she who stayed up with Cutter when he couldn't sleep at nights. He needed company, and trying to sleep at night instead of during the day had her body all turned around. Besides, she loved him.

Finally, she moved down to where the contest was, curious to see just what this trial was all about. "Cutter!" Ebony moved toward Skywise's voice along with her chief, both arriving from opposite directions. "Here. Wear the lodestone for luck. It led us away from the fixed star--away from our old life--to here. Maybe it will guide you now." Skywise handed Cutter the small trinket he had gotten from the troll caverns, and Ebony stiffened. It had been days and she hadn't really thought about the journey here, or the fact that one of their number had been left behind. She spared a swift glance over at Moonshade and sighed in relief. The tanner, it seemed, was also caught up in the Now of Wolf-Thought. Perhaps soon things would return completely to normal.

"Thanks, Skywise." Cutter moved away from them both, and Ebony shivered despite the heat already moving through the desert. Skywise glanced over at her, then sighed, putting his arm around her and drawing her close. It was a comforting gesture, and one which Ebony yielded to without a thought.

The trial of Hand began, a test of strength, balance, and agility. Blindfolded to prevent the use of powers, the two contestants could not see the twin poles upon which they must balance. But Ebony could. She grinned slightly, already knowing to whom this contest would go.

The opponents were placed atop the poles, and Suntoucher spoke. "One fall loses all. Ready yourselves . . . . Begin!" Immediately, the surrounding area erupted into a cacophony of voices.

"Good luck, Blackhair!" Treestump's deep voice boomed out above the rest, and Ebony looked up in shock. She had not expected anyone else to have the same wish. From her vantage point, she could not hear the conversation going on between Treestump and Pike, but she could guess that Pike was not happy about Treestump's wishing luck to Rayek.

"Give up, Flea-scratcher. No one can beat me at this game." Ebony turned her attention back to the trial, just hearing Rayek's sharp words.

:Rayek's never had to take on a Wolfrider before, though.: Skywise's words caressed Ebony's mind, and she smiled slightly. Her soul-brother was right. Wolfriders grew up learning to walk on branches about that size; even when the winds were fierce they must know how to hold their balance properly. This would be easier for Cutter than Rayek suspected. As if to echo her thoughts, Cutter spoke.

"Hah! This is easier than walking a tree branch in a light breeze!" The two had joined hands, doing their best to yank each other off of the poles, and Rayek now used that to his advantage.

His swift jerk nearly toppled Cutter, and Ebony grinned, muttering softly, "Well, maybe a heavy breeze." Skywise reached up from behind her, tousling her curly hair affectionately. She shook her head, grinning back at him, then returned her attention to the game.

Cutter and Rayek exchanged insults as much as they exchanged yanks. And the insults became simpler and crueler each time. Ebony sighed. Perhaps Cutter would not win this trial, but even so, there were still two left. And then, the moment she looked away, it happened. Ebony heard a dull thud of a body hitting the ground, and she looked back to see Cutter grinning widely. Rayek merely glowered back.

Author's Notes:
The next part will most likely be reasonably short. For those of you wondering just how close Skywise and Ebony are, please remember Cutter's comment to Rayek years and years later about perfect happiness. The picture I'm referring to shows Cutter's entire family together. I have a feeling that Cutter, Ebony, and Skywise share something akin to that. More friends than lovers, but still a great deal of physical intimacy.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Head

"No!" Cutter's furious cry caught Ebony's attention, and she looked over at him. "You can't have it!" Shaking her head, understanding completely, she moved over to Rayek.

"Why do you persist in this, Blackhair?" Ebony stared at Rayek, more curious than anything. When Rayek turned to face her, he seemed surprised. "You should know that Recognition cannot be denied." Rayek looked away, and Ebony could see more clearly.

"You're afraid, aren't you?" But by the time she finished, she was talking to thin air.

Cutter and Rayek were taken to a cave, and would have to make their way back to the village. And the rest were left behind.

"Savah? May I speak with you?" Ebony's worried voice caught Savah's attention, and the two moved away from the rest of the villagers.

Savah nodded towards Ebony, prompting her. "Why are they doing this? I mean, why is Leetah allowing it?"

Savah sighed softly. "Perhaps she is afraid. What would you do if you Recognized someone you didn't even know?" Ebony looked away, shaking her head furiously.

"I wouldn't do this to him. It's not just about whether or not she knows him. It's just about a cub. A cub that she and Rayek could raise as their own. She doesn't understand." Ebony's frustration was short-lived as Savah stilled her words with a calm hand.

Ebony stalked away, coming face to face with Leetah herself. "Ah, the healer. How has *your* sleep been, cub?" Ebony glared at Leetah, who stared at her.

"Cub? I don't understand . . . ." Leetah's confusion came from the same place that her stubbornness came from, Ebony supposed.

"You're acting like one, after all. It wouldn't be hard to just get this over with and have all of us go on with our lives. But you have to drag it out and hurt Cutter in the meantime. Those are the actions of a cub. I see no point in denying you the title if you want it so badly."

With a nod, Ebony walked away, berating herself for losing her calm so completely.

"What was all that about, Ebony?" She jumped at the sound of Clearbrook's voice.

"I don't know, Clearbrook. Things were so much simpler in the Holt. I knew what everything meant there. Things are so different here. So complicated. But it seems like we're all getting hurt here, and I can't do anything to stop it."

Clearbrook smiled gently, touching Ebony on the shoulder. "I know. Cutter is my chief, too. It's not like you, though, to yell at someone like that, though." The moment Clearbrook finished, the two of them heard laughter in their minds.

:Not like her? You must be kidding!: Ebony looked around and saw Strongbow approaching. She smiled in embarrassment.

"He's right, you know. I mean, I earned my cubname." The three of them shared a tight smile, remembering Ebony's cubname and just how hot-headed she had been. The three moved off, awaiting the appearance of the first one back.

When Cutter arrived, the Wolfriders cheered. But as Ebony looked toward Leetah, all she saw was the pain on Leetah's face.

Author's Notes:
Ummm, since I went by the RPG for the ages of Cutter and Skywise, I plan to use the same source for all ages told therein. According to the RPG, Rayek and Leetah are both over 600 years old. Considering Ebony's insult, I thought you might be interested.

Chapter Thirty

Heart

"Cutter, it will be okay." Ebony stood over by Cutter, trying to help him when in her own heart she couldn't say whether or not things would get better. She was ready to rip her hair out, and her own attraction to Rayek didn't help matters. If only there was someone she could ask advice from. In the past, that person had been Longreach, but he was gone. And with Cutter's problems, there wasn't a single Wolfrider she could turn to.

Cutter looked over at Ebony, seeing the signs of sleep deprivation and helplessness, and smiled sadly. "I know it will. But why does she have to do this to me?" Ebony looked away, unable to say anything.

"We come now to the trial of Heart, the last and most difficult test of all." Savah's voice rang out, cutting off any conversation. "For either of you to win, you must overcome your greatest fear."

"Then the contest is ended!" Cutter's voice rang clear. Ebony jumped, looking at her chief in shock. "My greatest fear is for the safety of my tribe. I would not change that if I could!"

:You can't just give up, Cutter!: Ebony's frantic Sending stopped short as she heard Savah's next words.

"How little you know yourself. Buried deep in your mind are fears that you never imagined were yours. It is from those that I shall select the appropriate test for each of you." She placed her hands near Cutter's head, the tips of her fingers just barely touching his forehead.

When she lifted those same fingers, he was shivering. And she did the same thing to Rayek.

Ebony was chilled to find out that she was just as worried about Cutter's opponent as she was about Cutter himself. She listened closely to what Savah had to say, hoping that there was something she could do to help. She just wasn't sure which one of them she wanted to help.

"For Cutter's trial, we must go where the carrion birds nest, and where the wind moans sadly, like a beast in pain. We must go to the Bridge of Destiny, where others in the past have tried to prove their courage . . . tried, and failed." As the tribes journeyed up the side of the mountain, Ebony could resist looking at Rayek, wondering what was going on in his mind. Cutter had already beaten him twice. And he was someone who didn't like to lose . . . to anyone.

When they finally reached the top, Savah outlined the test. Cutter had to walk across the Bridge to the opposite side, touch the sun symbol, and walk back. Ebony and Skywise looked at Cutter expectantly. "This should be easy for you, Cutter. Why, I've seen you walk a tree branch no wider than this without stirring a leaf."

Cutter's voice, when he finally answered, was tremulous, frightened. "But it wasn't so far to fall, Skywise. Never so far to fall." Ebony touched Cutter's shoulder, glancing back at Rayek. How could she be attracted to someone who put her chief and soul-brother through this? But his expression was cold and hidden from her.

"Give it a try, lad! She's worth it, isn't she?" At Treestump's words, Ebony shook her head slightly, glaring this time at Leetah. She just stared past Ebony at Cutter. Ebony looked back at Cutter, watching him take step after slow step onto the Bridge, hoping against hope that he can do this. And suddenly, she saw him look down, and she knew what was coming.

"He's losing his balance!" Her cry echoed down through the gulf below them to the rocks at the bottom, bouncing back up and reminding her even as she saw what was happening. She grabbed Skywise's hand and inched out onto the Bridge, unsure of what Skywise was doing. When she reached Cutter, she held his arm, strength flowing through her from an unknown source, and she dragged him back to safety.

"Can't do it. My heart's beating like a ravvit's." Cutter's comment was shaky, and the others laughed in shock.

"How dare you?" Ebony's words were for Rayek, not Leetah, but they both looked up in alarm. She was standing in front of Rayek, glaring at him. "How dare you do this to my chief? How dare you subject him to this trial just so that you can prove that you're superior to us? Well, I've got news for you, Rayek. You've been beaten twice already by this barbaric Wolfrider, and you'll be beaten again. You're just not good enough." Rayek couldn't even speak, and Ebony turned her attention on Leetah.

"And as for you . . . you ought to be ashamed! Recognition is something that we all have to deal with, whether we like it or not. You're making yourself sick, you're making our chief sick, and what are you accomplishing? Nothing! If you want this elf after everything is done, you can have him! The two of you would deserve each other. But as far as I'm concerned, just get the thing over with and leave each other alone!"

The other's stood in shocked silence, watching Ebony warily. It had been years since she had gotten so angry. She had been a cub at the time. Only Cutter spoke in the silence that followed.

"Leetah, if I die for you, what would be the sense?"

Ebony just stared at all of them, then turned and walked back down the mountain. No one followed. She found out later that Rayek was gone, that Cutter had won. And she found out later that Leetah was still being stubborn.

Author's Notes:
Well, now you've seen Ebony's temper. What do you think? I think she got over her attraction pretty quickly, don't you? Ah well. I hope you enjoyed these parts. Take care, and hopefully I will write some more soon!