5 Welcome?

Lonna's home was a hollow carved in the stone. Her place was dark, damp, and wet. I found myself wondering if I could even stay here one night, let alone one month. Lonna's bed was made of moss and grass, which was also a bit damp and cold.

"We can get some moss and grass for your bed. There's some that was harvested for fresh beds yesterday and I think there's enough left for you."

I hugged myself, "Uh Lonna? I don't think I can stay here."

She looked offended. "Why? Kian's place isn't any better. Just a little bigger."

I raised my hands, "No, I don't mean just your house. I mean down here with all of you. It's cold and a little damp. If I get too cold, I'll get sick and staying that way would kill me. There's no way I can stay here for a month."

Lonna gasped and clasped her hands over her heart. "Oh goodness! I didn't think of that! It's ok Wren. We can make something for you! Let's go topside and see what there is that will keep you dry and warm!"

" I don't think that will be enough. I think I'll need to sleep above the ground and wrapped in fur to stay warm." I said.

"How would you sleep above the ground?" She asked.

"That's just it. I don't know. Everything here is foreign to me, so I don't know what I could use. Unless you have dry animal skins that we could stitch together and make a sheet like bed that can hang up?"

"Oh. Well, we'd have to go to the king for that. He is in charge of lone females that need to take from the tribes resources. And his eldest son, Lock is the one who decides how much."

"I have to ask them? Will they even let me?"

"I think Kian went to tell them about you. You'll probably have to meet anyways. Might as well ask while doing that."

"Ok." I said while tugging at my shirt.

"But first," Lonna said, looking me up and down. "let's get you out of those weird clothes."

"Hey Lonna!" This came from some guy outside of her hollow.

"What is it Lenn?" Lonna asked.

"Kian sent me to tell you the King requests the warm females presence!"

"Ok. We will be there soon!" Lonna said. She looked at me. "Let's get ready."

Lonna picked out a light green dress and some jewelry made of light wood for me. The dress tied behind my neck while the front left a rippled scoop. She stitched the dress to hug against my curves with the skirt loose, draping nearly to the floor. When I walked, I small slit in front exposed my calves, showing the pretty wood beaded anklets. Beads were also weaved into my hair in a clever braid that hung over my right shoulder. My left arm adorned a prettily weaved bicep brace.

I looked at Lonna and she had an excited look on her face. "Oh my gosh! No male will deny you!"

Lonna herself looked amazing. She wore a purple tied top that resembled a bikini. It started by hanging behind her neck, brought up tight in front with a big black bead at the hollow. Then the fabric split into two, covering her chest and was stitched to a strap that wrapped around and tied in back. Her skirt was high waisted, hugging her figure to her hips before it hung loose like mine. She had a purple fabric brace on her arm as well, but was merely tied once around before forming something like a flower knot in front. She wrapped her hair up in a tousled bun with purple fabric weaved into it.

I couldn't even tell where it started and where it finished. She's an artist.

"You mean they won't deny YOU." I said with a smile.

"Us." She winked at me and I couldn't help staring into her eyes for a minute. She snapped her fingers.

"I know I look great, but I want the males to gawk, not you." We laughed as we linked arms and headed towards the center of the underground village.

We followed a wide stone staircase lined with pillars to a platform in the center. There were people pooled below the platform and the stairs leading up to it was guarded by two men. Both had their heads shaved, black arm braces, and black skirts that hung to their knees. They both held weapons that reminded me of a trident made of black marble or some other kind of smooth stone.

On the platform were three men sitting on chairs. I recognized one to my left which was Kian. The middle, which was the biggest chair, was the king, given his black crown, and the one on my right must be Kians older brother. As I got closer, I saw that he had a black necklace that looked a lot like those collars that Egyptian pharaohs wore. He wore a light grey skirt with a black belt and black anklets. His hair was light grey and hung on his left side. His right side was shaved bald.

His dad had the same charcoal gray hair that Kian had and his hair was braided to his head like a Mohawk with both sides shaved bald, falling over his shoulder to his waist.

I felt so nervous inside I was quivering and Lonna put her hand over mine guiding me to the guards.

"Don't be afraid Wren. You are magnificent. We all see it." Lonna's voice was so quiet, I barely heard her. I swallowed my fear and forced a face of stone cold confidence.

"The King requested the warm females presence." Lonna said to the guard on the left. He looked at me with murky brown eyes and sized me up. I couldn't tell because his skin tone was a very light green, but his face had flushed cheeks and he looked straight ahead while allowing us through.

I looked at the poles around the platform which had long black flags hanging from them. What's up with all the black?

"Lonna, why is everything black?" I asked.

"Black is seen as a dominant color. The night is dark, bringing cover for us to hunt prey easily and provides a cloak to hide us from strong enemies."

Looking from Lonna to the King and two princes, I could now see why they valued the color. It not only provided cover for hunting and protection, but it also demanded respect as black didn't help me feel welcome at all. It put off an aura that made them look strong and kind of mean.