title: Unexpected Heroes: The Battle for the Black Onyx
author:  Charlene Haines 
description: Charlene Haines wasborn in Cumberland, Maryland in 1980, and resides there still. Shecompleted her first book in 1996, at the age of sixteen, but did notpursue publication. After graduating from Allegany High School in1998, she completed three additional books. Taking a hiatus fromhigher education, she completed a fifth book. As with before; however, she did not pursue publication for any of her work. In 2007, she graduated from Allegany College with an A.A.S. degree inTherapeutic Massage, and is currently in the process of becomingcertified in the state of Maryland. She finished a sixth book anddecided that it was time to allow others to enjoy reading what shehas enjoyed creating. "The Battle for the Black Onyx" isthe first in the "Unexpected Heroes" series. Readers who wish to correspond with the author can do so by visiting: http://www.myspace.com/Zeppelin201or http://www.myspace.com/unexpected_heroes or e-mail at: Unexpected_Heroes@yahoo.com
zlib_text: Haimya was a thing of beauty and terror alike as she made a thrust at full
  stretch, driving the point of her sword into the base of the attacker’s skull.
  Even in the darkness, Pirvan saw life go out of the man’s eyes—and also a
  fallen attacker roll over and grip Haimya’s ankles.
  
  Caught off balance, she staggered, and another man came at her with two
  daggers, getting inside her guard before Pirvan could even open his mouth for
  a warning. But a sailor stamped down hard on the clutching hands, and as they
  released their grip Haimya flung herself to one side, cushioning her fall on
  the man who’d thrown her off balance.
  
  The sailor’s sword ended the second man’s threat to Haimya.
  
  Then Pirvan’s mouth went dry, as running feet thudded from the direction of
  the harbor. He turned, knowing that the wall at his back would buy him only
  time and hoping Haimya would fight close enough to him for a last word or two,
  if they could not hope for a touch—
  
  > ![](Images/image00187.jpeg)
  
  >  **From the C