Chapter Thirty-Four

Amber was extremely tired but she knew now was not the time to rest. Both she and Pride had had to put their sleeping plans on hold the minute Hawk and Crow had stepped foot into the camp. Now, less than half an hour later, the rest of the Gaians had been awakened and were greeting the recent returnees excitedly.

“Why didn’t you mention them to me.” Amber inquired of Pride the first opportunity she had to speak to him alone. They were standing on the outskirts of the small circle that had formed around Hawk and Crow, each Gaian begging for news.

Pride frowned, looking down at her. “It was six months ago, Eagle. We really didn’t think they would come back.”

“Why not?”

Pride let out a long, heavy sigh, studying Amber carefully. “Great White was Silver Fox’s best friend, but they parted on bad terms. Great White desperately wanted to find her younger sister, but Silver Fox felt that she needed to stay with the tribe. It was a huge mess. In the end Great White left without Silver Fox’s blessing and took several of the key members of the tribe with her.”

“Oh, I see.” Amber digested the information he had given her. “So, how many of these Gaians will be returning?”

“Well,” Pride seemed to be calculating something in his head, “If Great White left with seven other Gaians. Hawk and Crow whom you’ve already met, but also Panther, Lioness, Leopard, Bear, and Butterfly.”

“I think I’ve heard some of the girls mention a few of them. Minxy especially. She was close to Panther, right?” Amber asked in a low tone, watching Minxy with careful eyes.

“Very close. They were best friends, actually. But Panther felt loyal to Great White. Panther, Minxy, Leopard, and Lioness were all very close. When they left Minxy was devastated. She wanted to go too, but Silver Fox forbade it.”

“That’s too bad. Poor Minx.” Amber murmured softly, pity shinning in her eyes. She knew exactly how the beautiful Gaian felt. It killed Amber every time she thought about her friends, though that separation had been her choice.

Suddenly the small circle parted and Hawk and Crow made their way over to where Amber and Pride were standing. Crow still wore the same smug expression he had when Amber had first laid eyes on her, but Hawk seemed to have softened.

“Eagle, I must apologize for my behavior earlier.” Hawk cleared his voice, speaking loudly so that all of the Gaians could hear him. “I was out of line. I did not understand the full circumstances of what had occurred since we left with Great White. Forgive me.”

Amber smiled, nodding. For some odd reason Hawk reminded her of Bray. She shook her head trying to keep thoughts of her former lover out of her mind. “It’s alright. I understand, Hawk.” She looked up at him with careful eyes. He was very handsome and already many of the female Gaians had crowded around him.

Amber turned and looked at Crow wondering if he too had come to apologize, but he kept his mouth shut, only eyeing her with a careful eye. Finally he spoke, his voice smooth and well practiced. “Thank you, Eagle,” He said her name slowly, “For taking on the mantle of leadership after Silver Fox passed away. If Silver Fox trusted you with her tribe, I too will pledge my allegiance to you.”

Amber was flabbergasted. Not one of the Gaians had officially ‘pledged their allegiance’ to her. She blushed a deep crimson color and ducked her head a little. “That’s really alright, Crow. Just to know that you are loyal to the tribe and the good of the tribe is enough for me.”

Crow nodded in approval, his cool façade breaking just a little. “The others should be here at any moment.”

Amber nodded, turning her attention to where Caribou, Minxy, Cougar, and Robin all stood looking as if they needed something to do. “Girls, go and prepare food and drink for our friends. I am sure they will be tired from their long journey.”

Amber then turned to Hawk and asked him, “How many were with you?”

“Eleven.” Hawk informed her, picking at stray leaf that had snagged onto his long sleeve dark colored shirt. “The original eight as well as Great White’s younger sister and her friends. They have all taken on Gaian names already.”

“I see.” Amber arched an eyebrow. “And those names would be?”

“Kola is Great White’s sister,” Hawk stated in a confident voice, “Then there is Chipmunk and Moose.”

“I see.” Amber murmured, suddenly feeling very weak. She knew she needed to rest and rest soon or else she may collapse, but duty called. “I look forward to meeting the rest of the tribe. Why don’t you two go to your lodges and rest until breakfast has been prepared?”

Hawk and Crow both seemed greatly relieved at her suggestion and immediately began making their way over to where they had once called their home up until six months before, Amber watching them with a steady gaze as they left. At least she understood why the Gaians had always felt as if they were incomplete – because they were.

“Amber,” Ocelot had slipped up beside Amber and looked up at her with wary eyes. “Perhaps you should take your own advice and lay down for a bit. You look exhausted.”

“I am very tired, but I can’t afford to rest now. Great White could return at any moment and I must be ready.”

“At least go change.” Ocelot pressed. “You look awful. I know Great White, she will understand if you are not here to greet her the moment she steps foot in the camp.”

“Alright.” Amber at last consented, casting a longing glance at her own lodge. It would feel wonderful to take a long hot shower and change out of her mussed clothing. If she hurried she might even have time to put her hair up in her Zulu knots. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

With that Amber slipped of, hurrying to her own lodge to change and refresh herself before meeting the new mysterious Gaian members.

~*~*~

Ebony paced nervously back and forth in her bedroom, waiting for the appearance of Tai-San. She had asked if they could have a moment to talk when Ebony had found her after breakfast, and Tai-San had assured her that would be possible. But now the young mystic had not shown up at her designated time and Ebony had begun to fret.

“This will do no good.” She murmured to herself, glancing sideways at herself in her mirror. Dark circles lined her eyes, her face was pale and drawn and even her hair seemed to have lost some if its life and vitality.

Ebony stopped her pacing and sat down in front of her vanity, determined to at least do her best at hiding her dark circles and fix her hair. This was the position Tai-San found her twenty minutes later, breathless and a little disheveled.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Ebony.” Tai-San greeted her with an apologetic smile. “You said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?”

Ebony nodded, studying Tai-San with a careful expression. “Yes. There was.” Ebony responded, her heart trembling inside her. Suddenly she didn’t know if she would be able to say what she wanted to say. “I, uh, need your advice.”

“Alright.” Tai-San began carefully, her dark inquisitive eyes watching Ebony.

“I, uh,” Ebony hesitated, glancing over Tai-San’s shoulder and out the door. No one was passing. “I want to tell Bray how I feel, but I’m scared.”

Tai-San seemed a little taken aback at Ebony’s sudden statement, but then her face broke out in a wide smile. “That’s wonderful, Ebony! You two would be so wonderful together.”

“But what about Amber?” Though Ebony felt that Amber had come back to the mall the night before as a way of saying goodbye to Bray, she wasn’t certain and she still felt uneasy about making a move on her best friend’s boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend. She really couldn’t figure out what to call them.

Tai-San took a deep breath, considering her response to Ebony’s inquiry. “Amber left, Ebony. She is dead to Bray. She knows that she cannot come back to him. And I’m quite certain she would not mind you and Bray pursuing a relationship.”

“I don’t know.” Ebony rubbed her temples with her fingers. “It just doesn’t seem right, but I suppose it is.” She decided not to mention to Tai-San how she saw Amber the night before. Amber had not revealed herself to anyone so obviously she did not want her presence to be known.

“Is that all?” Tai-San glanced over her shoulder as if expecting someone to come up behind her.

“Not really.” Ebony pursed her lips. She was still worried about Bray’s response to her declaration of love. “I don’t know how to tell him. I’ve sort of tricked him into coming away with me this afternoon so we’ll be alone and it will be private, but I’m still worried. How do you think he’ll respond?”

“Bray is a good man. He will see your honesty and if he does not return your feelings, which I firmly believe he does, he will be kind. And though it will hurt at first, I think you will be stronger from it. But it cannot hurt to tell him.” Tai-San advised.

“You really think he likes me? Even after all I’ve done?” Ebony worried, her eyes pleading with Tai-San to say yes.

“He’d be a fool not to.” Tai-San assured her, reaching out and squeezing Ebony’s hand. “So, what time are you supposed to meet him?”

“After lunch.” Ebony replied. “I was just trying to get these horrid dark circles to go away.”

Tai-San grinned. “I have just the perfect thing. You sit tight and I’ll be right back.” Tai-San winked, leaving Ebony alone with her reflection, crossing her fingers and praying that Tai-San was right.

~*~*~

Forty-five minutes later Amber emerged from her lodge, fully refreshed. She had changed into her usual Gaian garb and had taken a long shower, removing all traces of Mara Jade. She hadn’t bothered with her Zulu knots, rather leaving her hair down and wet to dry in the warm sunshine.

“Eagle.” Minxy approached Amber with a cautious smile. “There you are. I was just about to go look for you.”

Concern flitted across Amber’s face. “Is Great White here?”

Minxy nodded, swallowing hard. “She and the others got here a couple minutes ago.”

Amber nodded, seeing worry etched in Minxy’s eyes. “Is something wrong?” Amber pressed, suddenly feeling not nearly as confident as she had when she had stepped out of her lodge.

“Just be careful. I’ve never seen Great White so upset.” Minxy cautioned. “She’s grieving over the loss of my sister and I don’t think she’s thinking rationally.”

“Thanks for the word of warning.” Amber murmured softly, her eyes drifting beyond Minxy and to the common area of the village. Immediately she was able to pick Great White out of the gathering of Gaians by the bonfire. She was taller than the rest and appeared far more mature. Her long brilliant blue hair was swept back away from her face in a practical ponytail with only a few wisps left out to frame her face.

Great White was dressed in a pair of sturdy navy blue Levi’s and a pale blue tank top with just one strap. Over the top she wore a darker blue jacket that seemed to have been stitched specifically for her.

Amber slowly began making her way over to the group, Minxy trailing her at a safe distance. Amber noticed several other Gaians that she did not recognized, a tall and beautiful blonde with bright blue highlights, a shorter girl with thousands of delicately done braids swept back away from her face, a young boy with a long curtain of brown hair covering his eyes completely, and others. Amber did not have time to take them all in for at that moment she was standing face to face with Great White.

“Hello.” Amber swallowed hard, determining not to show her uneasiness in front of this stunning young woman who was at least two or three years older than Amber and many inches taller. “My name is Eagle. You are Great White, I assume.”

“You assume too much.” Great White stated stiffly, her pale blue eyes flashing with fire.

“I know you are upset, Great White,” Amber pulled out all her diplomatic skills, trying to sense how she could best reason with this obviously hurting and angry individual. “And I know you and Silver Fox were very close. I am deeply sorry for your loss.”

“Do not presume to know anything about me, Eagle.” Great White spat, looking down at Amber with contempt. “You know nothing about me, nor my tribe.”

Amber felt a fire burn inside her as she heard Great White’s words. “You have been gone for six months, Great White.” Amber stated in an even tone, careful not to let her passion turn into anger. “A lot has happened. When Silver Fox died she asked me to take over as leader.”

“Something she would not have done if I had been here.” Great White eyed her evilly.

“But you weren’t here.” Amber continued on with the verbal battle, knowing that she would be more than exhausted once it was over. She only hoped she would have a place to rest at that point. “And I was. She appointed me the leader. She trusted me with that responsibility. Though I was reluctant to accept it at first, I realized that it needed to be done.”

“You are not fit to be the leader of the Gaians, Eagle.” Great White stated with contempt, small gasps escaping from the Gaians who had circled around the pair. “I feel that it is best that you leave the tribe.”

Amber narrowed her eyes and put on her most fearsome face. “Are you challenging my authority?”

“Yes, I am.” Great White emphasized each word.

“So be it.” Amber said in a low, deadly tone. “Let’s settle this the only way it can be settled.”

~*~*~

“Alright, Ebony, where’s your contact?” Bray frowned down at the nervous girl who was scanning the horizon anxiously. “Aren’t they coming?”

“They should be here any minute.” Ebony lied, swallowing hard. Her heart was quaking inside her and she didn’t know if she would have the nerve to tell him all that was on her heart. She looked up into his angry pale blue eyes and froze. “They will be.”

“I don’t know, Ebony.” Bray was getting more and more upset with each passing minute. “I was really busy today. I didn’t have time for this. Who is this contact? What tribe are they from?”

“Tribe?” Ebony whispered weakly, wracking her brains for a name of the tribe.

“Yes, Ebony. Which tribe? The Demon Dogs? Gulls? Who?”

“I, uh—“ Ebony began to panic. She was going to loose him. She had to say something fast. “Bray, I, uh, I lied. There is no contact.”

Bray’s face twisted in anger as he stared down at her. “Then why the hell did you waste my time like this, Ebony?”

“I needed to talk to you, Bray.” Ebony wanted to turn and run, forget all about telling him what was on her heart, but she had come to far. She had to go on. “And I knew this was the only way I would get you to listen.”

“Then make it fast, Ebony.” Bray spat her name as if it were filthy inside his mouth.

Ebony took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She could not look into his angry face and tell him. Instead she imagined a smiling Bray, a Bray dressed in the pale blue dress shirt of their old school uniform, his regulation red beret sitting pertly on his head.

“Bray, I love you. I always have and I always will. Since the first moment I saw you I knew that you were the only one for me. I’ve been acting so strangely lately because I didn’t know how to act around you. I love you, Bray.” Ebony gushed hurriedly, still not opening her eyes.

Bray did not respond, silencing hanging like a wet blanket around them.

Ebony summoned the courage to open one eye, hoping to see a positive reaction. But as she did so she wished she could close her eyes again, never to open them again. Instead of joy or even amusement on his fact, Bray was staring at her in complete disgust and annoyance.

“Bray?” She whimpered. “Please, say something.”

“I can’t believe you.” Bray curled up his lip in an ugly sneer. “I can’t believe you would stoop this low. What sort of game are you playing this time, Ebony? What are you trying to make me say? What is it?”

“It’s no game.” Ebony felt her heart begin to shatter inside her chest. “I do love you. I love you so much.” She knew she sounded pathetic, but she had to find a way for him to believe her. She reached up and touched his face, wishing that he would be tender instead of angry. “Please, you have to believe me.”

“I can’t believe you, Ebony.” Bray pushed her hand away. “Everything you say is a lie, Ebony. I would rather trust a snake than you.”

“But Bray, please, no…” Ebony made one last desperate attempt. “I’ve changed. I really have. I’m not the same Ebony any longer. Please, can’t you see how much I love you?”

“All I see, Ebony,” Bray stated with much hatred in his voice, “Is a manipulative pathetic human being. You don’t know the first thing about love, and you never will. You can’t love. You are incapable of it. And I don’t care if I ever see you again.”

And with that Bray spun on his heel, leaving Ebony crumpling to the ground in a heap, tears streaming from her eyes.

“You stupid fool.” She moaned, hugging herself close. “You stupid, stupid idiot.”