Onyx grew up in a Shadow world known as a bastard child. Coincidentally, she didn't have many friends, only a few close ones. So, she dove into books and the outdoors where they didn't judge prematurely. She seemed to always have a gift of the unexplainable, which her mom figured she inherited from her father. Given that, she drifted into the practice of Sotamni where she learned about the spirit of life and how to apply its charms in her daily life. As Onyx grew older she became more independent of her homestead and started hanging out in "dangerous" (according to her mother, Santha) clubs and bars, plus spending nights in other people's houses. The fact that a wilder side was developing and a recent trip Onyx made to an "unethical" district of a neighboring town, her mother had enough.
"I think it's time you get to know your father and his side of the family. You don't seem to listen to me anymore, and you're gone so often from home. Maybe meeting the rest of your family will help you to become my innocent little girl again." At least that is the gist of what she said. Little did she know that her "little girl" had grown up and that "the rest of the family" may be where she got her wilder streak from. Either way, Santha remembered the route her lover had shown her to Amber; so, she had her daughter pack a small bag of belongings, grabbed supplies for the trip and they headed off to Amber.
When they arrived� Onyx got a hug and kiss from Mom, and away she went! Hmmm� dumped. The only instructions Santha left with Onyx, was a point toward Castle Amber and directions on how to get there.
Now, don't get me wrong, Santha did leave Onyx with as much knowledge of Amber as she had. Santha was shown Trump, was told about Pattern, had a secret quick tour of the Castle, and was told a little about Brand's brother, Bleys, & sister, Fiona. He also mentioned that there were other siblings, but that's it. Some of this was passed on to Onyx long ago, so not much came as a surprise except for Trump and the fact that her mom knew a route to Amber. Onyx has also known all along whom her father was even though he hasn't been a part of her life, and doesn't even know she was born. Santha has mostly warm memories of Brand and her feelings and impressions of him were shared with Onyx.
