The Darklings 091108 Pegan

A deep echoing voice split the silence. Who are you? Who dares to enter the most sacred place. Are you Shadow or Darkling? Ebonee and Dusk embraced in fear. Woof growled , his fur bristling on his back. No woof! Ebonee commanded. Stay!
We mean no harm, said Ebonee. We are Shadow and Darkling. What is the beast? Asked the loud echoing voice. He is a laughing Jac. said Ebonee. He steals the leavings of the beast who kill. He means no harm.
Who are you? Dusk asked in a loud voice. Where are you? Why can't we see you?
I am Oldun. I sit on a ledge above you. Look up where the light-wings cluster. Dusk and Ebonee looked up. Ebonee made a gasping sound. Are you a God?
His laughter seemed to bounce around them. I am a firehead. Lowered from the nests at my birth to die. Saved by the Shadows and cared for in secret. No, not a God. And you, Darkling. Do I see fire strands in your black hair? Are you not a Firehead too?
Ebonee sighed. Dusk with her weak sight had never noticed. Ebonee then explained how Mother of two had pulled out the firestrands from her and Obsidias hair at birth and kept them out with continual grooming. After the death of Obsidia and Mother of two; the firestrands returned. The Darklings saw and cast her from the nest in the canopy. I am the Jag-cats sacrifice, she said.
Only if you choose to be. Came Olduns answer.
How do we leave this place, Asked Dusk.
Go down those stones to the pool of Sea water and swim out. He answered.
Swim out! Ebonee cried. I can't go near the Sea. Never go near the sea. Mother of two had always warned. It will pull you under and steal your breath. Then throw your body back on the sands.
Dusk put her arms around Ebonee. In a soothing voice she whispered. You told me once that fear is sharper than a Jag-cats claw. Fear is worse than death. I will teach you to stay on top of the water like flotsam. To hold your breath and swim like the fin-fish.
Can a darkling swim? Ebonee called to Oldun. Of course, he replied. a Firehead can swim also.