Ebony's eyes scanned the man in the corridor. It was him. She was sure of it. He was clothed in

rags that covered his face but she was sure. There was no one else he could be. She stepped

forward into view. Clearing her throat, she moved closer as the men turned their attention to her.

"Milady, I'm so sorry. We were just asking this commoner to leave and--- "the guard started

but Ebony interrupted him.

"From what I know he's been asking for counsel AND has been here for hours. He's persistent

if anything," she walked aggressively towards the guard looking him in the eye.

He was much taller than her but she could tell that he was wary and scared of her. That's just

how she liked it.

"T-then yy-you'll be-e seeing him the-nn?" he stuttered.

He looked ready to run for it.

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be down here, now would I?" she said calmly but secretly she

was anxious to talk to the wanderer.

"Now go," she said waving all the guards away. She couldn't wait to talk to the one she used to

know, curious to his reasons.

"So what are you doing here after so long? I thought this wasn't your territory."

"I was wondering whether you would remember me."

"I don't forget faces Bray," she spit the last word out like it was filth making Bray wince slightly.

"I only wish counsel with you."

"Fine then...follow me."

"Where are we going?"

"To privacy."

With that he silenced and followed Ebony. He was startled by how much she had changed

although she had never crossed him as a person fond of dwelling on the past but he still

wondered whether or not she did. He knew something had happened between Jay and her but

she had never said. No one seemed to know but right after the Technos were forced out of

power she was chosen again. No mallrat knew why, none of them would have chosen her but

actually it wasn't so bad under her rule, she was fair enough.

They neared a dark door and bray was beginning to wonder whether she was tricking him but

as she opened it, it seemed like just a normal room. His raised an eyebrow at the décor, all red

and black, Ebony's know colors and the whole room was dark...and sad.

"Your room?" he asked.

"Yes." She said bluntly sitting in a vanity chair. He sat on the bed studying her.

"Well?" she asked bored.

"I'm an ambassador for the rebels here to compromise," he said nervous.

She rolled her eyes, "of course," she muttered but he could still hear her.

"So...what am I being blamed for now?"

"You're not being blamed for anyway—" She stood up, cutting him off, "I'm always being

blamed for SOMETHING. Nothing I do is EVER right!"

Bray sighed as he recognized her again. He could see the fire burning in her eyes. This was the

ebony he knew, always ready for a fight.

"They want you to either divide your lands or step down from power," he said sadly.

"Well that's not really a compromise is it? It's a command," she said glaring but sat back down.

"Ebony..."he began.

"Tell me Bray, what are you afraid of? What are the rebels afraid of? That I'll turn into a Techno

Queen? I've changed and it's time your men realized that. Look at you; you don't even have a

real tribe anymore do you? All your old friends scattered in the forest like scared mice."

"They're your friends too."

"Friends don't betray each other."

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

Ebony got mad again, noticing the hidden meaning.

"Why don't you just go back to Baby Bray? You don't belong here."

"Is that what this is about?" his voice raising.

"Amber? No, I have no interest in you anymore. I have no interest in love." She said turning her

back on him.

"What happened to you and Jay? Why are you so cold? I want to help you, look at you, you're

falling apart."

'What happened between me and Jay is none of your concern. Remember Bray, betrayal is the

worst thing that can happen to a person. Go back to your leaves. I won't meet your demands. I

don't want this war to continue but if it must it must. I will protect my people. And as for you,

just leave, don't come back. I don't need friends. It's not worth it," she said, leaving but turned

back, " please find your way out."

With that she left the room and proceeded down the hallway. Bray just stood there in shock.

This wasn't what he had expected. It hurt him to see her like this. He didn't know how much

more she could take. He turned towards the covered mirror and looked at it sadly.

"Oh Ebony..."

He had to help but he didn't know how.

Or if it was even possible.