These chapters are dedicated to Koy, my best friend. His caring has seen me through thick and thin, has made a lot of this past year worthwhile, and has made me a happier person. Thanks Koy. They are also dedicated to two new members of my household, my kitties Fog and Perci. :)
Ebony's Weavings:
Chapter Thirty-One
Regrets
Ebony climbed nimbly up onto the rock, staring back at each of her tribemates in turn. They all returned her gaze, waiting for Cutter. He would have to be present to start the Howl. Only one elf stared back in anger, her pain still not completely assuaged. It was, Ebony supposed, too much to hope that it would be. And Ebony considered that.
Finally, Cutter showed up, and Ebony stared at the transformation which had befallen him. He was gaunt, bones sticking up against his skin in an undignified manner. He seemed exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes. She nearly cursed Leetah for bringing this upon her chief before considering that Cutter could do something about it, if he really wanted. He was certainly charming enough. Just a little too good-hearted for his wellbeing.
Cutter began the Howl with little ceremony. It seemed that his heart wasn't in it, and Ebony could understand. But she couldn't do anything about it. Time passed, and it came time for Ebony's part in the Howl. She only prayed that she could do the story justice.
"Several years ago, an elf was born to Moonshade and Strongbow, a precocious little cubling who wanted nothing more than the entire tribe's love. And she had it. There was not a tribemember here who didn't love her as they would their own cubs. Not one who wouldn't give their life to insure her safety . . . ." At that, a voice interrupted.
"Except one!" Moonshade's blazing eyes fastened on Ebony, searing her with their intensity. "Get out! You aren't one of us, you never could be. Just go away. You don't deserve to be here!" Strongbow clapped a hand over Moonshade's mouth, but the damage was done. Before anyone could say anything, Ebony leapt down from the rock she was positioned on, leaving the gathering.
As she hurried away from the Howl, she didn't notice the diaphanous folds of pink that surrounded the interloper. But the interloper noticed her.
Ebony found a small pillar of rock, perching upon it as she considered the way her life was going. "I don't understand it," she whispered into the night air. "What happened?" But in her mind, Ebony knew what happened. She hadn't saved Warbler.
A low voice floated out through the night, bringing Ebony out of her trance. "What happened, kitling?" Ebony's head jerked up, and she saw Savah standing before her.
"Savah! I didn't hear you approach." Savah smiled a gentle smile, and touched Ebony's shoulder as she lowered herself down to sit beside the dark-haired huntress. Ebony smiled back at Savah, burying her feelings of rejection for the moment.
"I could hear some yelling from my hut, and I was wondering what was going on. I looked at the group of Wolfriders up on the ridge, and I noticed that you were not among them. Care to tell me what happened?" Savah's kind eyes and patient smile reminded Ebony of Joyleaf, who had been much like a mother to the huntress.
"Before we came here, when the humans burned us out of our Holt, one of us was killed." Ebony's eyes were faraway, her expression sad. "She was only a cub. Moonshade was her mother, Strongbow her sire. I was going to teach her to hunt. We noticed that she had wandered off too late to do anything."
Savah touched Ebony's shoulder, a questioning look on her face, and Ebony nodded slowly. She knew that the Mother of Memory wanted to see what had happened, so she opened her mind to the regal elf, allowing Savah to see exactly what had happened and Ebony's own self-disgust.
Savah's eyes widened for a long moment, then she drew slightly away. Ebony nodded slowly, understanding Savah's wish to move away from such horror. But to the storyweaver's surprise, Savah sighed softly and began to speak.
"It wasn't your fault, kitling. We both know that you could not have saved the elf-child."
"Yes, Savah, but I could have tried! I should have done something other than keep Moonshade from going to her cub. And now she hates me, and I can't blame her."
Savah regarded Ebony for a long time, then sighed once more. "Come to my hut tomorrow, and we will begin trying to heal this pain. Perhaps together, you and I can help Moonshade as well. But now, I must sleep. These old bones are not as resilient as they once were, and I am tired. Sleep well, little Wolfrider. I will see you tomorrow."
And as Savah walked away, Ebony stared after her, wondering why the Mother of Memory would want to help such a silly memorykeeper. With a self-deprecating smile, Ebony stood, walking to the cave she shared with Skywise and Cutter. For now, she would have to try to sleep. Perhaps Savah was right, though. Perhaps together, the two of them *could* help Moonshade.
Author's Notes:
This section has taken a long time to get out, I know, and for
that I apologize. This one part has gone through about three name
changes and incarnations because of problems on my computer. Please
forgive me, and enjoy!!! And I'm guessing that Savah is the closest the
SunFolk *or* Wolfriders will ever come to having a psychologist.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Recognition
"I don't like it. Cutter's ribs are starting to stick out like bare branches." One-Eye's proclamation reached Ebony's ears from inside the cave, and she moved back to the group sitting with Clearbrook. She agreed with One-Eye, but she couldn't do anything about it, no matter how much she wanted to. As she passed Moonshade, she didn't even get a glance. The temperature had dropped so much between the two of them that every day Ebony expected to see white-cold on the ground outside. "That Leetah's got him so turned around he forgets to eat or sleep."
Ebony sighed, nodding her agreement as she drew out her knife and began sharpening it. Scouter looked a little confused as he spoke. "I know. Cutter told me Recognition is like sitting in a thorn bush gulping overripe dreamberries with a sand flea up your nose." Ebony laughed a bit, adding on her own description.
"Only if your leathers are too tight as well."
Scouter nodded. "And it's supposed to be good for you. I hope I never have to go through it."
Scouter's lovemate, Dewshine lay on the rocks at his feet, resembling a cat. "Nor I. Love is much more pleasant. Think of Nightfall and Redlance. They aren't Recognized."
All of them winced as they heard Moonshade's icy voice float up from where she was tanning a hide. "Well, hopefully Leetah will come to her senses soon." They all shook their head at Moonshade, then looked at her lifemate.
:I say he should just take her, and to the humans' cookfires with what she wants.: Ebony sighed once more, moving back to the front of the cave, where she could see Cutter. Again, she didn't even rate a glance from the angry tanner. :Leetah claims the right of choice, but there is none. Recognition is Recognition.: Ebony agreed with Strongbow, remembering her own argument. For a brief moment, she wondered where Rayek was, and if he was coming back. Then, her thoughts fled as she watched Cutter's gentle wooing of the SunFolk's Healer.
Though she could not hear the words, she had some idea that Leetah was changing her mind. Perhaps with a bit more time, Cutter could convince her. Then she saw the two of them start, and noticed that Shenshen had approached. Leetah's cheerful younger sister grated on Ebony's nerves, especially since she saw that whatever progress Cutter had made seemed destroyed.
She hurried out of the cave, just in time to catch up with Cutter. "What happened, Cutter? It seemed to be going well."
Cutter glanced at her, then turned away. "So, you were watching me? Was it just you, or the entire tribe? I assume you saw me make a fool of myself? Go away, Ebony. I don't need your stories right now, or your company."
Ebony fell behind, staring at Cutter's back as he walked away from her. Perhaps she didn't belong here. Perhaps she *should* have tried to rescue Warbler so long ago. It would have been better than being banished from her tribe this way. She turned back to the caves, intending to get her things and leave.
Author's notes:
Hmmm, I wonder how much longer it will be before Moonshade
finally makes up with Ebony. Could be years.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Stampede
Ebony heard Scouter's frantic voice, though she couldn't make out what he was saying, and she went to the mouth of the cave, ignoring her belongings for a moment to find out what was happening. As she got outside, she saw Scouter jumping up and down, pointing out to the Bridge of Destiny, yelling something about big animals heading toward the village.
She walked down to Scouter, grabbing his upper arms and glaring at him. "Easy! Now, what are you yipping about?" It was at that moment that Cutter and Skywise showed up.
"Zwoots. A whole big herd of them!" Ebony stared, then looked over at her chief. Their earlier conversation seemed forgotten as the two of them digested this information. Scouter's father, One-Eye approached.
"Hear that?" He motioned back to the Bridge again, indicating the rumble coming from that area. "All that noise scared the things up from the chasm where they live.
Skywise shook his head. "That doesn't mean we're in any danger. It's a long way for the beasts to run under the hot sun. Maybe they'll tire out or turn aside before they get here." Ebony grinned, nodding her agreement.
But two of Skywise's numerous female friends laughed. "You don't know how strong zwoots are." The girl speaking was in a pink ruffle, which made Ebony cringe slightly.
"Or how stupid." The other girl, in a skin-tight blue top, seemed more regal than the first. But her giggle indicated otherwise. "They will get here."
It was at this point that Minyah, one of the farmers of the Village spoke. "Nothing stops them unless they plow head-on into something they can't knock over. You should have seen my garden after the last time!"
Ebony and Cutter's eyes blazed, and they both spoke together. "What?! You mean this has happened before?"
Suntoucher turned to Cutter, knowing that he should speak to the chief about this. But he answered Ebony's question all the same. "Once in a great while . . . ." His eyes softened, growing sad as he continued. "It was Rayek who first journeyed to the canyon, alone, on foot. And it is only he, with his exceptional powers, who has been able to capture and tame the few beasts you see here." Ebony looked up at the mention of Rayek, smiling sadly. Suntoucher seemed to sense her feelings, and nodded at her comfortingly. "They have proved very useful to us, but when the entire herd is driven to flight, there is nothign we can do but get out of their way."
Cutter was the first to speak this time. "So you're going to let these zwoot things kick holes in your houses and tear up your food plants and you won't try to stop them?" Ebony looked at Suntoucher to see his answer, and so was surprised to hear Leetah speak.
"What would you suggest, Wolfrider? A net?" Her tone was almost affectionate, Ebony was surprised to hear, but she didn't understand the cryptic question. Cutter seemed shocked, though. He stared up at her for a moment, then turned his attention back to Suntoucher. "Sorrow's End is our home now, too. We Wolfriders fight to protect our territory. We'll turn the herd before it reaches the village and have fresh meat tonight in the bargain." The Wolfriders called their wolffriends in, and when the animals arrived, the tribe began to prepare.
Ebony ran into the caves, followed closely by Dewshine. The two gathered up what ropes they could find, then headed back out into the sunshine. Leetah was surprised to see the two of them heading back, particularly the smaller of the two. "Dewshine! Y-you're not going with them, are you?!"
Ebony looked back, staring at Leetah in confusion. "Of course she is."
Leetah grabbed Ebony's arm, holding her back as the other huntress went on ahead. "It is not a maiden's place to . . . ."
Ebony's laugh was cold. "Leetah, Dewshine is one of our huntresses. She is someone I would not want to leave behind." Leetah looked away, but Ebony continued to press. "Now may I suggest that you leave Wolfrider business to the Wolfriders?" With that said, she caught back up with Dewshine, and the two shared a laugh.
In the final stages of getting ready, Savah approached Ebony.
"The other Wolfriders have been given covers for their heads, and I thought you might like this one." The sash was red, black, and gold. "It was Rayek's before he left. I think he would want you to have it." Ebony regarded the sash for a moment, then threw it over her head. As she drew it close, she could almost smell his scent. She shivered slightly, remembering the way she had felt, then put it out of her mind. It wasn't important at this point. Moments later, the tribe moved out, positioning themselves at the base of the Bridge of Destiny. Ebony could feel the pounding of hooves from the zwoot stampede.
Cutter had the tribe wait until the zwoots had approached very close. And the wolves charged head-on into the herd, scattering to run alongside the animals. Ebony pulled out her sword, wielding it well as she pursued her own beast. "We'll drive them through that gap in the big rocks ahead. It leads to a dead-end!" Cutter's words brought Ebony back out of the reverie she had been in, reminding her that as wonderful as riding Blackbriar was, there was a reason she was riding.
They herded the zwoots past the village, and immediately, she heard Strongbow's thoughts in her head. :We saved the village. Now the hunt can begin.: Ebony nodded her approval, immediately throwing herself into the hunt. She looked around for a moment, analyzing the situation. She was, once again, on her own.
She rode into the fray, choosing her prey with the utmost care. No young must be killed, none who were healthy or could bear little ones.
Only the old and infirm could be killed. And she found one who was old and slow enough not to be too much of a problem. She rode alongside the zwoot for a time, analyzing its movements and planning the way she was going to bring it down. And just as she decided to start, she heard a panicked yell.
She moved away from her chosen target, trying to find the source of the fear. It was not long before she found what she was looking for. Scouter was trapped against a healthy zwoot's neck, and the animal was huge. Ebony muttered a low, angry sentence, and headed for the young elf. And then, as she was making her way over there, she saw Dewshine thrown away from the zwoot to land against a large rock. The girl was knocked out, and the zwoot was headed right for her. It was going to trample her. Ebony was too far away to do anything, though she continued riding as fast as she could. Blackbriar seemed to sense the urgency. She pulled out her crossbow, aiming quickly, not really noticing what was happening. She fired, then looked at the situation again. Leetah had Dewshine in her arms, and was running ahead of the zwoot as fast as she could, though not fast enough. Ebony's bolt, combined with the arrow that Strongbow had fired, had killed the zwoot, saving both elves. And Scouter was freed from the zwoot's neck.
Ebony came to a halt slowly, watching the outcome of this warily.
Dewshine seemed too still to be safe, and Leetah was obviously unhappy with the Wolfriders. Cutter spoke. "Little cousin . . . " His grief was obvious to everyone, Wolfrider and SunFolk alike. And Ebony closed her eyes for a long moment. She heard Cutter's voice again. "She could die from a blow like that. Leetah, please help her." His pleading tone sparked something in the dark huntress, and she rode over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know I've disappointed you in many ways, but I'll do anything--even go far away forever--if only you'll . . . ."
"I don't care *what* you do! Just let me do my work!" Leetah stormed away into her hut, carrying Dewshine with her.
Author's Notes:
One zwoot stampede and Ebony forgets her plans to leave the
village. Don't you just love her? This is the first time I've written
about hunting, so please give me a little leeway. I was trying to
remember how wolves hunt, and this was the best I could do. :) It's
been *years* since the report I did on them. I hope you enjoyed!
Chapter Thirty-Four
Considerations
Ebony followed the healer into her hut, not knowing what to think. Leetah had just blown up at Cutter, and yet still seemed to be willing to heal Dewshine. And Dewshine was so still, her face so pale. Ebony shivered, for a moment flashing on another face, one with black hair, with something red on her face. The huntress could almost place remember . . . .
She shook her head, clearing it, and noticed that Cutter had not come in. She looked out the beaded curtain, and saw that he was heading back to his cave. She had a good guess as to where he was going, and she knew that nothing she could say to him at this point would do anything. She moved over to Skywise, who was standing on the other side of the doorway. He took her in his arms, holding her gently as they watched Leetah work. And finally, Dewshine moved.
When Ebony saw Dewshine was okay, she waited to see what more Leetah would do. And she was not disappointed. Within moments, Leetah asked for Cutter.
"He's gone." Skywise's words were cold and disappointed. Ebony glanced over, seeing a pouty expression on his face.
"What?! Oh, that foolish, infuriating barbarian. He misunderstands everything!" Leetah rushed over to the doorway, just in time to see Cutter and Nightrunner moving away from the village very slowly.
"Does he? You've made it pretty clear that you don't care if he stays or goes!" Ebony got into the action, letting out her anger on Leetah a second time. And Leetah did not disappoint them.
"You barbaric *oafs*! You're just as thick-witted as he is!" Leetah barked the words into their startled faces, then shoved them aside. "Now get out of my way!" And she stormed from her hut. Ebony and Skywise exchanged a grinning glance and celebratory hug, then moved away from each other, Ebony leaving the hut herself. She went the opposite way from Cutter and Leetah, giving them their privacy.
She wandered through the desert for a while, hunting only vaguely. More than anything, she was thinking about the pairing that Cutter and Leetah would make. With Rayek out of the way, Cutter had his freedom to woo Leetah for a lifemate. And it could not hurt to have a healer, even one so stubborn, in the tribe.
Focused as she was on her thinking, Ebony did not see the snake, or the shadow following her, until it was too late. Her foot came down on the snake, which reared to bite her. It was only the shadow's quick reflexes and magic skill which saved her. She moved away from the snake as fast as she could, falling into the shadow's arms. The arms closed about her, lifting her and then the shadow jumped away from the snake before it could break off the spell which paralyzed it. When they were far enough away, Rayek lowered Ebony to the ground gently.
"Thank you." The words were husky and shaky. He nodded at her once, almost smiling. She had the strange idea that it had been a good boost for him to show off his skills in such a light.
"If you're going to be the protectors for the Sun Village, you will have to learn to watch out for snakes. They are very dangerous."
Ebony was still trying to catch her breath as she nodded. "I understand. Are you coming back to the village? You don't have to leave, you know . . . ."
Rayek shook his head. "I do. I love Leetah. I have been defeated by the wolf-chief, but that does not mean that I would give up. If I stayed here, I would only hurt her."
"And yourself." She smiled slightly, understanding. Something about this elf, something she couldn't name or understand, drew her to him. She touched his face gently, and he leaned into the light caress. "There are those, even in my tribe, who will miss you, BlackHair." Her smile grew, and she saw his eyes widen.
"Will you be one of them, Storyteller?" His question, so innocent, nearly made her cry.
"Yes." Her simple answer let out a breath of air, and this time he touched her face. He drew the scarf down from her head where it still rested, running it through his fingers with a tenderness she had never expected from him. "Savah gave that to me. She said it was yours." Ebony made a move to take it off, but his hand stopped her.
"Keep it, and remember me. One day, perhaps Leetah can tell you enough so that you can tell a story about me." He gazed into her eyes for a long moment, and then she felt herself stiffen.
When she came out of the spell, he was gone, and the wind had blown away all traces of footsteps. She caressed the scarf held in her hands, and stared out into the empty desert.
Author's Notes:
Chapter Thirty-Five
Surprises
Another celebration was in order this evening, this one to celebrate the outcome of the Wolfrider's hunt three nights ago. The Wolfriders had successfully integrated into the Sun Village, and the celebration was a boisterous one. Wolfriders and SunFolk alike seemed to enjoy themselves, but there were those who seemed to notice Rayek's absence with less than enthusiam. Ebony was one.
She wondered what the dark-haired hunter would have done had he been subjected to such frivolity. Especially considering the fact that Leetah and Cutter had announced that they were lifemates. It was something she supposed she would never know. Suddenly, Skywise grabbed her arm, dragging her away from the dancing.
"What is it?" Her question was answered abruptly as he pulled her to stand in front of a small bush. She glanced back, then looked in surprise at Redlance, who grinned back at her. Not long after that, Dart pulled Cutter and Leetah up to the group hiding the bush.
"Here they are." His childish voice made Ebony smile, and she glanced over at the other cub, Newstar.
She heard whispering coming from Cutter and Leetah, but couldn't make out what they were saying. And then Treestump's loud voice boomed out. "Well, don't just stand there, cubs! Show 'em!" The group parted in the middle, moving to the side to show Cutter and Leetah the little bush. Cutter's reaction was happy enough to please everyone.
"Ayooah!! *Dreamberries*!! How did you ever . . . ?" His question trailed off, but Treestump answered anyway.
"It's Redlance's doing."
"You grandson of a treeshaper! I *knew* your powers would show up someday!" Cutter clapped Redlance on the back, then pulled back, curiosity on his face. "But I thought dreamberries didn't grow in the desert."
"They don't," Redlance answered. "But Pike stuck some seeds in his belt pouch."
Ebony gave a startled laugh. "Trust Pike! Forest burning down around his ears and he can't forget his one true love. Where is he, anyway?"
Skywise grinned, looking back at the bush. "He's just making sure the berries are ripe enough."
That said, they all fell to the dreamberries, enjoying as many as they could pick without endangering the still-young bush. And when all were consumed, the partymembers moved off to their own private parties. Moonshade approached Ebony, a strange look in her face.
"Huntress? I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry for the other night. I had no right to say what I did. I saw the other day how much you would give for the tribe. And you are one of us." Before Ebony could say anything in response, Moonshade moved away to Strongbow.
Two surprises in one night. It was a good evening. The dark-haired huntress moved out of the village to the rocks overlooking the desert. And she believed that she could just see a lone figure making his way across the starlit sands.
Author's Notes:
Well, I'm finally out of book 1. Whew! I didn't expect to
finish at the rate I was going. And I still have so much to tell about.
But I can rest for a little while, at least. Moonshade came to her
senses, ;) Ebony is getting better about losing Warbler, and Cutter and
Leetah have admitted that there is something between them. All is right
in the world, for now.
Shade and Sweet Water . . . .