Jungle Witch

Ebony opened her eyes to find herself staring up at her father's ceiling. Jerking up she looked around. Raj was laying on a rug - that hadn't been there earlier - next to the bed. Venom was curled up on the pillow next to Ebony's head. The journal was on top of the chest at the end of the bed.

"What happened?"

Raj lifted his head. "The man called Jay brought you up here. He even brought me a rug so that I could have a softer spot to sleep." As an afterthought, the tiger added, "The human called Naveen is in the room next to this one."

"How long was I out?" she demanded, throwing off the covers.

"Through the night," Venom replied, slithering her way over to Ebony. "It's midmorning now."

"Oh."

Not sure if there was anything else to say, Ebony shifted to stand. Venom slithered around Ebony's wrist like a bracelet made up of four green coils. Raj stood and followed her. She was halfway down the stairs when she smelled something cooking. She made her way to the kitchen.

Jay was just setting three plates loaded with eggs and bacon onto a tray. He glanced over and grinned. "Well, good morning."

Frowning, she asked, "What are you doing?"

"I made some breakfast. Figured you'd be hungry after yesterday." He saw the tiger and added, "I even cooked up some steaks for your tiger friend."

Raj's ears perked. "Steak?"

"You better come out with those steaks or Raj might eat you," Ebony warned.

Jay laughed as he lifted a plate with six thick steaks then put it on the ground. Raj padded his way over to it and sniffed experimentally. Deciding it smelled better than great, he munched away.

With a full mouth, he rumbled, "Maybe this human isn't too terrible."

"Now I know a tiger your size could eat more than that, but I wasn't stocked for anything as big as you," Jay said apologetically. "I'll get more at the market today."

"Why are you going to the market?" Ebony asked feeling a little grumpy.

He was being so...nice. She hated it when humans pretended to be nice, and there was no way he wasn't pretending.

"To get more steaks," he said, looking confused. "Didn't I just say that?"

She nearly growled. "I mean, why are you going at all? Why shop for me? You know I can shop right?"

"Of course you can, but I always take my job very seriously. Never do anything halfway. I was hired to take care of this place, so I am." Jay handed her a plate with eggs and a slice of bacon. "Eat up while I go wake up the other guy. Since he's here, he can help me with the repairs on the roof."

"I'm here," she pointed out, taking the plate.

"Yeah, but you'll be busy, right?" He eyed her ragged clothes. "Besides, don't you need to get some new clothes."

"These clothes are fine." She turned towards the dining room. "It's not like I have coins."

"You have tons of coins if you own this house." His head tilted to the side. "Don't you know that the taxes collected from the southern district go straight to the owner of this house?"

She paused in the doorway. That hadn't occurred to her before. Of course she had coins. It wasn't like there was anyone else here to spend the taxes in this district.

"In fact," Jay continued thoughtfully, "those coins have been what's paid for the upkeep of this place and my salary. Far as I know, that's the only time the taxes of this district have been spent on anything...Wait. The Mista family does use some of it, but there should be plenty for you. You'll have to ask them for some though. It's all being kept with them."

He was just filled with information and didn't seem to mind sharing, she thought. How could anyone stand to be that open? It was asking for disappointment or pain.

"You know what, you should take the other guy with you," Jay suggested brightly. "He can help you."

"I think helping me is the last thing he'll do," she grumbled, going into the dining room.

She sat at the table to eat and just listened to the sounds of the house. It was so different from the jungle. Probably a good thing she'd used up so much energy yesterday or she'd never have gotten any sleep because of all the noise outside. Even the scents drifting through the city bothered her. It felt like she was a salt water fish that someone had just dumped into a river.

Above her, someone made a thunk sound, and a muffled curse from Naveen echoed through the house. Jay must have made good on his promise to wake him. Somehow, Nareen's misery made her feel better about her day.

"I am a small person at heart," she informed Venom.

The snake moved off Ebony's wrist to lay coiled on the table, then lifted her head to look at Ebony. "Two-leggers tend to be, though I can't say it makes sense. You should be more practical."

"Of course you think so. Reptiles are always logical."

"Naturally," Venom agreed proudly.

Ebony considered what Jay had said about her clothes as she ate. "Should I blend with the humans of this city?"

"A wise one always adapts to the environment if one can," Venom answered with a sagely nod of her head.

"Alright then. I guess I'm going shopping." She considered for a moment then sighed. "And I guess I'll have to take Naleen because he's the one with the money."

"Isn't his name Naveen?" Venom asked.

She grinned and held out her arm for the snake. "Yes, but like I said, I'm small at heart."

Venom chuckled as she coiled around the girl's wrist.

Ebony found Naveen in the kitchen just sitting down to eat his food. There was a bandage around one of his fingers. Jay was washing dishes, humming a little tune. She set her dishes next to the sink without a word. He flashed her a grin without missing a beat in task or tune.

The song was one she recognized. Like most memories she had of this city, the song brought both pain and happiness. Her mother use to sit at the window, singing the tune to herself as she sketched or painted, which made it one of the few memories she had of the woman who gave birth to her. That memory spurred Ebony to learn how to play pipes so that she could play that song. It had made her feel close to her mother. It was so important to her, that the first thing she'd done once arriving in the jungle was make a set of pipes. She kept those pipes in her pocket at all times now.

Just to be sure they were still there, she patted the pocket. The action brought a memory of her father patting the leather pouch he kept tied to his belt. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to force the memory a little. There was something important about that pouch. She lightly tapped the pipes again and smiled. The pouch had actually been a purse of coins he'd kept in his desk. Her smile widened. And the purse should still be there. Now she wouldn't need Nateen to go to the bazaar with her.

She left the two humans in the kitchen, and made her way to Lord Bura's study, making sure to disarm the protective magic first. Her father had always kept everything just so, making it easy to locate the purse of coins hidden in the back of the bottom drawer.

"Mostly silver coins," she whispered, peeking in the leather purse. "That should be plenty for some clothes."

Closing the purse she turned to see that Raj had followed her up. "Let's go."

It was another sunny and humid day in Rivera. Ebony stood just outside the gates to her father's manor looking around. She saw a raven sitting on the wall surrounding the manor and remembered she hadn't sent Sith any messages yet.

"Winged-friend?" she called out to the raven.

The black bird cawed then flew down to her, landing on her forearm. She was careful to make sure it wasn't the arm Venom was wrapped around.

"You're the two-leggar that can speak," the raven commented, tilting his head back and forth as if getting a good look at her. "We heard that you're here to earn protection for the jungle from the other two-leggars."

"That's true," she confirmed. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind giving Sith the Basilisk and update on my progress here?"

"I don't mind. Could be fun."

She gave the raven a summary of everything that had happened since her arrival in the city. As an after thought, she asked the raven to tell Sith where she was staying in case he needed to find her. With a final caw, the raven launched into the air and flew towards the jungle.

Satisfied that Sith would get the message, Ebony returned her attention to finding a tailor. Abhay had said that the speciality shops like that were in the southeast bazaar.

The street she stood on was the one outside her old bedroom window, making it one of the few familiar to her. Turning towards the southeast, she looked around absently as she walked. Like most other streets within the districts, the alleys were only wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The buildings all looked like the same ones that had stood there nine years before. She came to a stop when the alley dead ended at a building with a wooden sign bearing the words 'Ale's House.'

Who was Ale and why was his house so important that it had a sign, she wondered.

She could hear someone singing off key inside. The voice was slurred, like the singer had drank too much nectar from a Fog Flower. Although, she thought as she wrinkled her nose, the smell coming from the Ale's House wasn't like any flower she'd ever smelled.

"I'll have to go left from here," she commented, eager to get away from that smell.

As she walked, she saw more and more building with the bad singers and weird smells. Men came out of the doors stumbling around like a newborn deer, and they smelled just as bad as the buildings. She was starting to wonder if she'd be able to breath properly again anytime soon.

She came to an intersection where six alleys met. She hesitated a moment, trying to decide which way to go. As she looked around, she saw a beggar sitting at one of the corners. His clothes were even more ragged than her own, and he smelled like someone who hadn't bathed in days. He shook his cup towards everyone that passed by.

Deciding to take the road directly in front of her, she left the beggar behind. There were plenty more within the district. In fact...

Ebony made another turn, dodging yet another beggar. "There are more beggars here than in the western part of the city."

"What are beggars?" Raj asked curiously.

"Humans who can't find work or don't earn enough coins to live will ask others for money or food. This is called begging in the human language making them beggars."

Raj sniffed. "All should work to earn their own survival. That is the way of the jungle."

"Things aren't that simple for humans. They tend to build these cities and begin to depend on each other to survive. A lot like a beehive does. Each human has a job to do in order to benefit the entire city. Sometimes doing that job isn't enough though."

"I can see why you don't like them then," Raj retorted. "Doing ones duties within your herd should always be enough. If not, something is wrong within the herd."

"Herds are for those who can't fend for themselves," Venom commented. The snake seemed to consider this for a moment. "So I suppose that if someone isn't being cared for in a herd there is something wrong within the group."

Ebony couldn't help but agree with her friends, but things weren't that simple either. For her jungle friends, human things like greed, jealousy, or ambition were foreign concepts. She wasn't entirely sure she understood them herself.

"Humans are very strange creatures," she commented more to herself than her companions.

"You said it," both animals agreed.

She turned right at yet another intersection. After only a few steps, Ebony came to a stop and tapped a finger to her lips. There was no doubt about it. She was lost. She couldn't even remember her way back to the manor.

By the time Raj noticed that she wasn't next to him, he'd left her a few feet behind. He glanced back and asked her, "Why isn't there a girl standing next to me?"

Before she could answer, something brushed her left side. Instinctively she reached out and grabbed it only to find herself holding the wrist of a boy about ten years old. The kid was scruffy looking with short, spiky hair and dirt all over him. In his hand was her father's purse.

"Just what are you doing?" she demanded irritably, taking the purse back.

The thief had the nerve to grin at her. "You're good lady. No one's ever noticed me taking a purse before."

"And you obviously have no shame," she retorted, feeling amused despite herself.

He shrugged. "Hey, a guy has to make a living. My family isn't making enough money right now, so this is the only way to keep from starving."

Ebony actually felt her lips twitch. The thief was just a smug kid. "So anything goes as long as your fed."

"Well...not anything," he disagreed slowly. "I don't steal from those who can't afford to lose the money. My family has to eat so stealing is a necessity."

She looked down at her ragged clothes and bare feet. "And I can afford to lose?"

"You're blond and have pale skin," he pointed out. "A foreigner, so I assume you're a trader, and the clothes are because you're traveling."

Ebony had to admit that his thought process actually made sense, especially since he was only ten years old.

"You're not going to turn me in are you?" He looked as if the idea of being in trouble had just occurred to him.

Since she agreed with his philosophy, Ebony released him with a shake of her head. "Be more careful about who you choose to steal from. Even tigers make sure the leopard is smaller than they are before stealing from it."

Raj nodded his head in agreement. "Of course we do."

She tilted her head at the thief who was just grinning at her. Since he was here and too young to be afraid of her, she asked, "Do you know where the Southeast Bazaar is?"

"Yup," the thief replied cheerfully. "There are plenty of good marks there."

This time she did laugh at his lack of shame. She just couldn't hate this child, even if he was human. "You're something else kid. Can you point me in the right direction. I got turned around."

"I'll show you. Since you caught me and didn't turn me in." He spun around and froze. "Is that a tiger?"

She laughed again at his reaction. "Yes, his name is Raj."

"Oh." The thief and tiger stared at each other for a long moment. "He doesn't bite, does he?"

"Only if he has to."

"Oh," the thief repeated. Finally he glanced up at her. "What kind of person walks around with a tiger?"

"I do." She didn't want to tell him who she was until she wasn't lost anymore, just in case he ran for it. "The southeast bazaar?"

He turned pointed to the right. "It's this way."

She followed him through the alleys without another word. The thief kept glancing over at Raj with more interest than fear. He kind of reminded her of Jay in the way that he was more curious than afraid.

"What's your name anyway, kid?"

He gave her another grin. "I'm called Kumar Tagore. What's yours?"

She hesitated a moment then saw the wide street that had to be the southeast bazaar. It didn't matter if he ran off now. "Ebony Desai."

"Your last name sounds familiar for some reason," Kumar commented thoughtfully.

He was probably too young to know much about her or her father. It had been nine years since Lord Bura's death, and this kid wasn't more than ten.

"Well, if it isn't young Ebony."

She turned to see Commander Abhay walking up with three soldiers. Kumar shifted so that he was partially hidden behind Ebony.

"What are you doing here?" the commander asked curiously.

"Clothes shopping," she replied a little slowly. She just couldn't decide if she hated Abhay or not, and that threw her off balance.

"Do you have enough coins?"

She nodded, frowning.

"By the way, I will be coming by this evening to check on Naveen and see how you're doing."

Kumar looked between them both with confusion.

"You can go check on Naleen now if you like," she replied a little snidely. "While I'm not there to put up with you."

Ignoring her remark, Abhay scanned the area around them. "Speaking of my trainee. Why isn't he with you?"

"Because I left him at my father's manor," she replied a little testily. "I don't need him hanging around me with that scared look on his face. He can't even meet my eyes."

"Why is he afraid?" Kumar asked, forgetting that he didn't want to draw the soldier's attention to him. "You don't look scary. I mean, your eyes are kind of strange but not scary."

She didn't want to explain the situation to the kid, so she pretended not to hear the question. Instead, she told him, "Thanks for showing me the way here, kid."

"No problem." Kumar flashed her a cocky grin before turning to scamper off. Over his shoulder he promised, "I'll see you again soon."

Despite herself, Ebony felt her lips curve into a small smile as she watched Kumar rush through a group of people, taking a purse from someone wearing silk garments as he passed by. He glanced back at her with a final grin before disappearing down an alley.

"I'll show you to the tailor's if you like," Abhay offered, making no comment about her smile or the young thief pilfering a purse. "I think it will go more smoothly if I'm there too."

She hesitated then nodded. Despite her earlier comment about not wanting to put up with him, she did want to keep Abhay near by. Maybe if she got to know him better, she'd figure out how she felt about him.

And, why was that answer so hard to come up with? He was human. She hated humans - and that kid didn't count. Therefore, logic said she should hate him. So why wasn't she sure?

As they walked down the street, she examined her surroundings. The Southeast Bazaar was dramatically different from the Northwest. The biggest difference, and the one she appreciated the most, was that there were fewer people and wagons here. Instead of stands, shops lined the street adorned with simple signs. People walked with more purpose as they came in and out of the shops. Ebony didn't see a single street performer, though there were a few beggars shaking their cups. A few thieves zipped amongst the crowd with nimble fingers and precise movements.

Abhay led her to a quiet shop with a sign that read "Chanda's," but he stopped before opening the door. His eyes moved to the tiger in consideration. "I don't suppose Raj could wait out here? He might scare the people inside."

Ebony considered this then shrugged. "He'd probably feel cramped in there anyway. But if anyone attacks him, he's allowed to defend himself."

The commander made a gesture to the men that had been with him. "They'll see to it that Raj remains undisturbed."

"Did you understand all that, Raj?" Ebony asked him.

The tiger nodded his head, then wondered over to the corner of the shop to lay down. The three soldiers positioned themselves around Raj so that no one would come too close to him.

Abhay opened the door and stepped inside with Ebony right behind him.

Inside three women stood on stools, while other women measured out cloth or put in pins. Rainbows of fabrics lined the shelves. Next to the fabric, she saw folded stacks of pre-made clothing mostly for men.

Another woman was pulling a bolt of pink fabric from the shelf. When she turned with the fabric in hand, she spotted them standing in the doorway. She hurried over with a warm smile on her face. "Commander Abhay. How strange to see you in here."

"I'm not here for me," he informed her with warmth. With a gesture towards Ebony, he said, "This girl is called Ebony, and as you can see, she's in desperate need of your services."

Ebony suddenly found herself under the scrutiny of shrewd brown eyes. Since she was being examined, Ebony returned the favor. The woman kept her brown hair pinned up in a mass of curls. Like most of the girls of the region, she wore a dress called a gagra choli which was made up of a short sleeved shirt that left the midriff bare and a long skirt. Over this was a sari made of a sheer material that wrapped around the waist and was thrown over the left shoulder.

"Where in the world did she find those clothes? In a trash bin?" The woman shook her head. "Don't worry. I will take care of the girl."

"Just make sure she can match up with the rich without being too uncomfortable." Abhay hesitated before murmuring, "She's here to help the Mista family with their situation. She'll need to be able to blend in as a peer, but still be able to work."

"That's just like you, Abhay," the woman said with both resignation and happiness. "Always taking care of everyone else. Just don't forget to look out for yourself."

"I have you for that," he replied easily.

Ebony was getting the impression that this was a conversation that they had frequently.

Abhay turned to her. "I'll be back in just a few hours. Until then, Chanda will take care of you."

She looked at the woman. On some level, Chanda terrified her, but she wasn't sure why. "Okay."

"Ebony."

She turned to him again.

"Promise me you'll stay right here until I get back. This is a big city for you to get lost in, and many people may realize who you are."

Because he was right, she nodded in agreement. "I promise, Commander."

"Good." He gave Chanda a small bow before leaving her alone with a bunch of strange humans.