Catching Up: Onyx, Part 1

"I'm sorry, Lady Onyx," Northern Chief Drusy apologizes. "We didn't know Val-Yor was against Tamaranians."

"It is okay," she says, accepting the apology. "That is how he is: he is heroic and strong, but keeps that dispicable secret hidden in front of non-Tamaranians. If only I had been at the village when he had arrived."

Onyx walks off to think, and to calm down.

"It'll be fine," she says to herself. "Val-Yor can't compete with Saffire, I know that much."

"Lady Onyx!" passers-by call. "It's the beautiful Lady Onyx!"

They wave to their liberator, and she waves back. After helping free her people, Onyx was given the title, "Lady," and became a high-ranking member in Shadowan society, having clout with the many tribes and their leaders, including Drusy of the Northern Tribe.

Onyx walks along a once-familiar path, the moonstar's light still lighting the way as it slowly sets.

Onyx skips over a high tree root, then climbs up a fallen trunk, one of the many caused by the Hunters. The only good thing about Val-Yor being here was he took those monsters away. But now, everyone would have to relearn the terrain, going out all Moon-day so that the light helps them see what has changed. Onyx would have to hurry to somewhere she still recognizes, or else only her hair-light will be useful.

A rustling comes from a bush a few feet away, and Onyx stops. The rustling stops a second after she does.

"Who's there?" she asks.

Two heads pop out. They're both male, only a year or so younger than her.

"Oh, good," Onyx sighs in relief. "I thought a bloogaf was in those bushes." (Bloogafs are Shadowan wolves, that also have yellow eyes like the humanoids, but no glowing hairs for stealth purposes)

"Sorry to scare you," one of them says. "I'm Blackberry, and this is my friend, Ink."

Ink shyly waves hello as the two boys move out from behind the bush.

"And we know who you are," Blackberry says enthusiastically. "You're the Lady Onyx, one of the Freedom Fighters that fought alongside those Tamaranians, aren't you?"

"Yes," Onyx says. "Which would probably make you two fans of mine?"

The boys nod even more enthusiastically, and Blackberry steps forward.

"You four were so brave to fight against all those Hunters without anyone else," he says. "You're a role-model for everyone I know!"

"Wow," she says, "that means so much!"

Onyx notices the moon is almost below the horizon.

"I really need to be going, and you two should go, too. We need to find shelter for the night."

"If you want," Ink speaks up, "we could take you to a place we've been hanging out at!"

Onyx looks at the boy with such sweet graditude.

"Thank you, Ink, that'd be nice of you two. Lead the way!"

With Ink in front and Blackberry in back, the trio jog to a big bunch of bushes.