Introducing Ebony, the Himalayan Ram

The outcast of his herd for his color, bullied for his small stature and the small size of his horns, has had magic since he was born, his mother made him keep it secret from everyone, including his father, Ebony has had a rough life.

His father is the leader of their herd, and is very disappointed in how he turned out

His herd is very nomadic, they pack up and move with the seasons, live in a mountain region, and are always under threat from the predator species of the area, snow leopards, as well as "explorer" species such as wolves and oxen who have been known to kidnap the rams and sell them as slaves.

One day while moving to their winter location, further down the mountain, there was an avalanche and Ebony's mother was killed, in an attempt to save her, he called upon his magic to try and stop the onrush of the snow, but was too late, he saved the rest of the herd, but not his mother.

Seeing his magic and the death of his mother as a bad omen, his father cast him out of the herd, leaving him with only one water skin and dry, stale bread.

Banished from the winter grounds of the herds, Ebony had no choice but to remain high in the mountains and hope he could make it until spring when he could travel down and leave the area. During his wondering, he had collapsed, utterly exhausted and starving. While unconscious, a scouting party of wolves found him, mistaking him for a ewe, they picked him up, and carried him with them as a possible slave to sell to their current contractor.

When Ebony awoke, his wrists were bound, and he was blind folded, he rose to his knees, then tried to stand, but was pushed back down. He could hear deep, growling voices around him, asking various questions to whomever it was that was holding him there. It didn't take Ebony long to realize that he was being sold as a slave. As the voices bickered and debated back and forth, one voice rang out above the others, saying loudly "I will purchase this ewe."

Ebony was then lifted to his feet, and shoved forward, into the awaiting arms of another figure. His blind fold was removed and as he looked up, before him was Kwan, the snow leopard that acted as King over this domain.

Once the fuss and muss of the "auction" was over, Ebony was told what exactly was expected of him as a slave to Kwan. Ebony realized that everyone still thought he was a female, and that, should it be found he was a male, he would either face hard labor, or death to become a meal. However the duties of female slaves were not only to clean and maintain the threshold, but to please their master in whatever way he wished, and sadly, one evening, he was expected to do just that.

Fearing discovery, Ebony confessed to Kwan that he had some magical abilities, and might be able to serve him better through them. After (quite accidentally) setting Kwan's bed chambers ablaze, the King agreed that his magic was quite formidable, and immediately assigned him to be his right hand maiden. This role entails providing whatever extra security or offence he can, and standing next to the king and looking pretty.

What other adventures await our little Ram?

Art and Character © Niji Tenshi AKA Tempy Gentlewing and Gentlewing Creations