These Shattered Stars -- Logs

Freyja heads towards the room where they can call the Ark Nova, in a thoughtful mood. Just before she goes to log into the holovid, however, she giggles suddenly and grins at her companions, "I just had a funny thought! You know how I told you that the Sith lord Ghang told me I couldn't try reaching Fhazil Taas again? Well... my thought when I found out Tavra Soon was an Oather who was in approval with the Sith Council was 'oh! Bet Ghang would like to learn this! -oh, wait... can't try reaching Kuras Taas.'" She grins mischievously, adding light-heartedly, "So, I hope they found her cell on their own -- it's on Sith Lord Ghang's own head that I couldn't help there!"

Vakkal chuckles a little. "Well, we'll see if my Brother knows anything of that when we meet up with him."

Freyja nods interestedly, "I hope he does... I have lots of questions for him!" She pauses, then grins a little sheepishly, "Well... all right, I always have lots of questions..." She hastily activates the holovid, a slight flush on her cheeks for a second.

It seems Master Roakkana has been expecting the call, since he responds fairly quickly, appearing on the screen. "Ah, child, welcome back! How did the meeting with the nomads go?"

Freyja beams happily, her words running together a bit with enthusiasm, "Heiyo, Master Roakkana, may the Force be with you, how're you doing? Things seem to be going pretty well down here, at least so far!"

"Ah, good, I'm glad to hear that. I take it all went well, then."

Freyja updates the people in the Ark Nova, then adds, "So... what do you think? Should we try controlling the worms right away, or have you all had any progress in the translations of the mad scientist's writings? Oh! Also, how's Karrac doing?"

"He is doing well, but unfortunately even with his assistance in translating what you sent to us, we have not been able to find anything with regards to the key to the Tenth Gate. His knowledge of very technical dialects of Sith is limited. With the way it looks, I daresay we'd need Tavra Soon herself to properly translate her notes."

Freyja nods, unsurprised, "I thought that might end up being the case... but I thought it might help Karrac too, to be there and help if he wished. I'm glad to hear he wants to help." She tilts her head thoughtfully, then adds a little diffidently, "Um... so how's he getting along with Paladin Dakkan, do you know?"

Roakkana looks mildly amused. "Fairly well, actually. Karrac had no idea what a paladin was at first, which possibly helped. Had he known he was dealing with a Jedi who was worthy of assuming the rank of 'master,' then I imagine he'd have been much more nervous. As it is, he and Paladin Dakkan are getting along well, and I believe Dakkan is putting into motion a way to get Karrac to either the Bendu or the Savalli Kho."

Freyja beams, "That's wonderful news! Thanks, Master Roakkana... I was hoping something like that might happen." She thinks a moment, mentally reviewing her list of questions to ask, then adds, "Oh! I was wondering about something else, Master. You guys are up near to the folks from the Bloodeagle, so maybe you can either verify or dismiss a rumor I heard today... that a Sith officer, maybe a lord, was captured recently on a planet that's far from the war front?" She grins and doesn't bother admitting she deliberately didn't explicitly enumerate what a paladin was to poor Karrac... Master Roakkana knows her well enough that he probably got a grin from that 'omission' as it was!

"Indeed? I had not heard this rumor myself. I will see what I can gather. Paladin Dakkan has a good relationship with the Republic Guard; I will ask if he can ask around about that."

Freyja says, "Thank you, Master Roakkana." She pauses, then adds a bit nervously, "Well... in that case, I guess we should go ahead and try controlling the worms, hai? I mean, the various keys we know of all sound vaguely like attempts at poetry, as does the one that I think might be the ten..." Her voice trails off and her eyes get distant as a sudden thought hits her -- then she face-palms, "Oh! Poetry, poetry -- a poet -- why didn't I think of that before?!" She brightens, grinning at Master Roakkana, "Hey, I just had a thought -- would it be all right if we asked for a copy from the Academy of all the poetry by that renegade Jedi-turned-Sith who blew up the moon? We could search for the keys we already know -- and maybe turn up a pattern, and be sure as to what the tenth key is!" She grins excitedly, her eyes shining, "You think that might be a good idea?!" then pauses, yanking out her datapad, muttering under her breath, "Name, name, what's his na- ah!" She looks up, still excited, "Ku Radama, that's him!"

Roakkana blinks. "You mean... the particular group that Ku Radama belonged to? It... will take some time for them to compile all the information and pass it on to us -- you know how they get with requests -- but I will do that, certainly. It may be a good idea. And even if it does not give us the key to the Tenth Gate directly, then it will almost certainly have to give us more knowledge about the other keys, or their poetic roots, at least."

Freyja nods happily several times, "Hai, all right, good!" She bounces slightly on her toes, still pleased, "I hope it works -- that'd help a lot, I bet!"

"I do not know how long it will take for them to reply. How long can the people down there deal with the worms running free?"

Freyja says, "Um..." she thinks a moment, then says honestly, "I've neh idea, Master, but I wouldn't recommend more than a week, tops. The nomad clan is waiting for us and not moving on... and herds that don't keep moving can decimate an area really fast." She pauses, then takes a deep breath, "I... I guess I'd have to suggest that we try the phrase we think is the key, and if it works, fantastic! We'll tell the worms to go to a particular place to be fed -- and if it doesn't work we at least have a fallback position, hai? Knight-Captain Baas said she'd get right onto finding a ship and food from the Academy, too."

Roakkana nods, "Very well. I'll send off the request to the Academy. I'm glad to hear that, as well, about the ship. I'm sure the Academy is moving heavens and worlds to make this happen."

Freyja grins a bit tightly, "I hope so too, Master Roakkana." She takes another deep breath -- part of her is rather nervous about telepathically shouting incomprehensible and fanatic nonsense at simple-minded creatures, after all -- then says a bit more calmly, "So... oh, did Jedi Diath get a chance to talk with you yet?"

Roakkana's expression changes visibly, becoming somewhat grimmer. "Yes, he did, actually," he says, his voice not changing. "I was... intrigued. We shall have to talk more of it later."

Freyja nods, looking relieved, "Good, I'm glad to hear it." She considers a moment more, then asks curiously, "So I've blathered about everything I can think of, and asked a bunch of questions... do you have any for me, Master Roakkana?"

"None that I can think of, child. I received word, however, from an old friend and fellow-master, that Jedi Colburth has become a knight-errant. In addition, there is the remote chance that he might be declared Fallen because of the means of his departure, which was apparently not without its own drama."

Freyja blinks -- then looks horrified, "Oh, neh! He doesn't deserve that -- he's just got questions!" Her look slides into deep unhappiness, "That's not fair! If being declared Fallen is contingent just upon having questions, I bet at least half, if not most, of the Jedi Order would be so!" She pauses... then says worriedly, "Wait... how did he depart? He didn't hurt anyone, did he?" She frowns puzzledly, muttering under her breath, "Neh, surely not... he didn't seem the type...?"

"I said it was because of the means of his departure, child. If all it took to be declared Fallen was to have many questions, I daresay most masters, upon accession to the rank, would be so declared be default! No, I am not aware of details, but there are... complications, regarding his prior... affiliation. There has not been one who has gone from that to errantry in almost a thousand years."

Freyja says, "His af- oh." She frowns worriedly again... then simply reiterates firmly, "That's still not fair, I don't think, Master. I mean... punishing someone for that just seems wrong." She looks unhappily at the Wookie, adding, "Is it really bad?"

"We do not know the details of what happened. However, even if he is declared Fallen his search for questions will not be impeded. Being Fallen is different than being heretical. It denotes a fall from grace, but not yet a descent into heresy. Most orthodox Jedi would spurn him, and no company would wish to risk involving themselves with him, but knights sent after him by the Council will not interrupt his search for answers. It is still, of course, something to be avoided."

Freyja looks unhappy, chewing absently on the side of one finger... then says firmly, "Master Roakkana, unless you tell me not to, I for one don't feel Jedi Colburth should be avoided... and if I can help him, I will." She pauses, then adds a little uncertainly, "Um... is that all right?"

Roakkana chuckles, "That's quite all right, child. I would not, either. As for where he might be going, however, he has left that decision to the will and wile of the Force."

Freyja nods, reassured, then adds, "I hope we get to see him, though. I know it's a whole lot of un-fun to have everyone telling you how awful you are, or avoiding you like the plague."

Some time later, Knight-Captain Baas approaches the three and says they're ready to try controlling the worms. The location chosen is the same as before; the gaping, dusty hole sits in the center of the plain. This time nobody is on the ground, and a few skiffs hover over the landscape. It is one of these skiffs which carry Freyja, Zero, Vakkal, Baas, Dakk, and Jiaohua, who grips the railing with all four paws and his tail and leans out to stick his head into the wind.

Zero leans back against the railing, watching the distance, somewhat faraway for the moment. Freyja is breathing slowly and deeply, trying to stay calm. She sits next to her friends and keeps a hand on Jiaohua, so he can't fall overboard. She grins a bit nervously at the Knight-Captain, "Ah... just tell me when you're ready, hai?"

The skiff swoops down low over the ground, skirting over one of the few massive, twisted daibonsai trees found outside of the Cao Forest. A soft howl from the tree greets the passengers, and a pair of medium-sized dakangs -- only about a hundred kilos -- leaps from the tree and dash away from the commotion. The skiff slows to a stop, the engine's noise dropping to a deep purr, as it pulls into position above the crated, at a comfortable altitude.

Baas nods in satisfaction. "We're using the same seismic sensors as last time," she provides, "Except we don't have any people on the ground, just in case. Also in case, Bloodeagle has this grid reference laid into their fire control system. I don't think we'll need them, but if things get seriously out of hand... well. We have that option." It's impossible to read her expression, though her voice does get a bit wry. "The mayors insisted, though they say they don't like it. Apparently there's the chance it might violate a very strict wording of the treaty. But as I said, we probably won't need their help."

Zero takes a deep breath. Stang, this had better work. Something tells me Freyja won't want to spend ten more years here. Freyja nods tightly, crossing her fingers that the Bloodeagle won't be necessary. Her voice is a little husky from nervousness, "Hai, Knight-Captain... I understand..."

Baas nods. "At your convenience, Padawan Freyja."

Zero brushes his hair out of his eyes. "Now? You want us all to drop it, or just Freyja?"

Freyja looks over the edge of the skiff, then straightens and nods firmly to the Knight-Captain, "I'm ready, Knight- Captain." She drops the suppression... then gives Zero a faintly startled look, "Oh, good idea! Can you, please?"

Zero nods. "Say when."

Freyja grins, "Now!" She's already glowing herself, to those who can see the Force. She absently picks up Jiaohua, cuddling him in her arms as she watches and listens. It's non-consciously reassuring to her as she waits for the worms... and also, dakangs seem to be able to tell when the worms are approaching.

Zero just closes his eyes. He grunts softly, as if stretching. "Mm." He doesn't glow so much as is suddenly there when a moment before he wasn't; his presence is palpable, yet somehow transparent, like a part of the ambient life force, only more vibrant.

Baas considers for a moment, then nods. "A good point, Padawan Satau. All of us. That's certain to get the worms' attention... and I can't believe I just said that, but so be it." She closes her black eyes, concentrating. Dakk looks mildly discomfited, then nods and takes in a deep breath.

Shortly, all four Jedi have dropped their suppression, and once again the light of the Force surrounds and embraces them with warm familiarity, like a lover who's been too long away, gentle and warm and comforting and bright, so bright; with eyes awakened to the Force the four are beacons...

...and, thus, it is impossible to miss the feeling of blight that is already rapidly approaching the group.

Freyja sighs in both relief and a hint of regret, putting Jiaohua on her shoulder and rising. She takes another deep breath, then a firm grip of the railing, and leans to look over it at the hole. One of the consoles starts bleating, and Dakk glances over to it, stretching a little as if getting used to standing. "Here comes one... no, wait... two! Fie, they're coming in fast. Five minutes, tops."

Freyja nods grimly, "Probably the two I didn't talk to last time. All right... I don't know precisely how we'll catch the other two, but I'm as ready as I can be for these two."

Zero stretches a bit, folding his arms behind his head. "Here we go..." Freyja grins nervously over her shoulder at Zero -- then looks hastily back at the hole.

In slightly less than five minutes, not one but both worms simultaneously erupt from the ground, almost leaping out of the dirt as they try to reach for the skiff. One actually comes frighteningly close to catching the skiff; it lands with a hard, titanic sound, and is already starting to right itself, both worms squealing their high-pitched cries. Freyja draws in her breath sharply, jerking back a bit reflexively -- then leans forward again, drawing on the Force to shout at the worms so they can understand her, "Stop!"

Zero makes a face as the worms tower over the skiff, "Stang..."

Dakk swallows audibly. "You took the word right out of my mouth," he murmurs to Zero. "Gods in the depths, what monsters!"

Zero licks his lips absently. "Let's hope they go for it, Dakk, or it's gonna be a hell of a drive home..."

Dakk gives half a laugh. "I'd definitely rather drive than walk, now that we dropped the suppression..."

The worms slow their actions; the one on the ground manages to right itself. Both stand like towers of rippling biomass, their eyes clicking in sequence; it's hard not to imagine all of those eyes focused directly on Freyja. She takes a deep breath, then says firmly, "I am your new master. Ask me your question!"

That phrase sets the odd, mental gears of the worms twitching harshly, and shortly one shoots back, If our new master you are, what is the key to the Tenth Gate?

Freyja takes another deep breath before chanting the entire phrase she heard, in the hopes that at least part of it is the correct answer, "We must rise up, for the Shadows shall struggle against the Light, and Fires of Darkness shall cleanse the stars!" She watches the worms closely and worriedly. Bright Lady of Warriors, let this work, please!

Zero fights the urge to close his eyes tightly. Dakk's Nautolan sense of smell can actually scent the adrenaline. Dakk glances slightly to Zero. "Yeah, me too," he mutters. "I'm just glad you can't smell how I feel right now..."

Zero grins wanly, "If this doesn't work I think we're all gonna be able to smell it..."

The worms twitch a little after Freyja speaks, still staring at her. Freyja takes another deep breath... then says more calmly, "Now... lie down." Her friends can hear her quiet, vocalized whisper to herself, "...please..."

Finally, the worms' mental processes seem to click or such, and shortly both worms, still entirely attentive upon Freyja, lower themselves to a supine... er, prone... er, horizontal degree upon the ground.

Zero blinks, then looks at Dakk, wide-eyed. Freyja blinks too -- then yelps vocally, "It worked!" She gleefully whirls and hugs the nearest victi- er, person tightly, almost bouncing in place, "It did it did it worked!"

Zero blinks again, and shouts, apparently at Dakk, "AAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIII-YAH!! She did, Gods above below and on the ground she did it!"

Vakkal gurk!s as Freyja almost strangles him. "Gack... I'm... glad... it... did... can't... breathe... Freyja...!"

Dakk almost collapses in on himself in relief. "First round of Tsingtao tap is on me," he mutters. There are cheers from the other skiffs as well, and waves of relief can be felt by the un-suppressed Jedi. Dakk, looking much more relieved, grins to Zero. "Oh, yeah, Gods of the Depths, too! Stang, this is a relief!"

Freyja grins gleefully over her shoulder at Zero's exuberant yell, her eyes sparkling, then laughs excitedly, breathlessly adding to Vakkal, "Sorry, sorry!" as she releases him. She's still beaming, her eyes shining with happiness as she quickly turns back to the worms and continues speaking to them, "Good! Good worms. Now... tell me, how often do you eat, and how much, please?"

The worm answers, We hunt twice a day, at dawn and at dusk. We seek the beasts of the plains. Two, perhaps three, serve us well.

Freyja looks relieved -- that amount she thinks they can handle! She reports the information to the others, then asks, "Do we want them to come here? Can we have some beasts for them at the right times?"

Zero slumps against the rail. "We'll have to ask the nomads."

Freyja grins at Zero, "Hey, maybe the city officials will help -- Knight-Captain Baas, did you get to ask them?"

Baas makes a quiet sound. "We expected that they'd eat a lot. We can get hold of some herds of hakaast that roam the reservation, and maybe we can find analogues... yes, I think we can manage that, in the short term at least."

Freyja brightens, then turns to address the worms, "Very good! From now on you will come here for food, at the same times that you would ordinarily hunt. We will have plains beasts for each of you. You will also stop hunting the 'burn' any more." She pauses, considering... then grins and adds, "I don't want to see any fighting over who gets which beasts either, all right?" She can't resist bouncing slightly on her toes and grinning exuberantly as she reports the conversation back to the others -- she's very happy that they apparently won't have to kill the poor worms!

We understand. We will do so. We will come here for food. We will not hunt the burn.

Freyja grins happily, "Hai, very good! Now... can you call your other two... companions here also?" She hastily (and still gleefully) whispers the worms' replies to the others, as well as her query to them.

...it is done. They approach. The impression is that it will take quite a bit of time.

Freyja considers, then assigns each worm a name which they're to use to identify themselves when she next sees them. She chooses the four cardinal directions as being easy to remember... then dismisses these two worms. After that she happily chats with the others, awaiting the last two worms. Once they arrive, they receive the same instructions... and then Freyja gleefully hugs Zero and Vakkal (less stranglingly this time) and adds, "And now Master Roakkana and Paladin Dakkan can come downside too, yay!"

Zero can't help but laugh. "Gods of the Four Corners! Hah! Ha hah! That's genius, Freyja!"

Freyja grins a little sheepishly, "Well, I thought we needed some way to know if we'd talked to them all, you know?"

Once the tension with the worms is out of the way, Bass stretches. Most of her body is concealed by the Order's robes, but her non-Human physiology is patently, almost startlingly, obvious all the same. "Blessed Light, it's so good to no longer be blind, anymore!" She brightens at Freyja's comment, "Oh, yes, that's very true. Both Paladin Dakkan and Master Roakkana should have no issues coming down here, now."

Freyja sighs happily, almost flopping down on the bench chair, "Whew! I feel almost limp with relief now... hey!" She looks up, grinning mischievously at the Nautolan, "Where's my Tsingtao, Jedi Dakk?"

Qigong Palace is starting to get back into the use of their power plants, though most of the street lighting along the main thoroughfares at night seems to remain the low-powered, brightly colored incandescent lanterns strung between poles. The nightlife remains as boisterous and long-lived as before, and far from being merely "quaint" or "primitive" the lanterns give a bright, lively air as crowds mill about the street, happy and vivacious.

Baas had earlier given a brief statement to the Human government of Sedrak, and the news was met with much relief and joy. In keeping with long-held tradition, no gifts of gratitude were offered to the Jedi either individually or collectively... but quietly, and also in keeping with tradition, a courier delivered to Freyja and Zero, with the compliments and gratitude of the government, a small box containing two pendants. Each is on a slender woven black silk cord; Freyja's is a dark gold with a small sapphire inlayed in it, while Zero's is silver with a garnet. In design the pendants are circular with a design of multiple trigrams surrounding the stones that dates back to the ancient Corellian or Alderaanian culture which gave birth to that of the Sedraki Humans.

They aren't medals, per se; such would be highly inappropriate to give to Jedi. But they are the closest things the government can give to the keys to the planet. Zero recognizes them as being very similar to the tokens struck for some of the better known hero-survivors of the Ten Year's War... including his father and mother.

Freyja blinks at the medallion, then looks at Zero and whispers, "These are important... aren't they? I... I feel like I cheated or something... like I don't really deserve it...?"

Zero smiles a little to himself, closing his fingers around his. "My mother and father have something like these... so do some others."

Freyja looks a little unhappy, "Hai, but... but they deserve them! They bled and fought and suffered in the war, for ten years! All I did was shout at some worms... is that really comparable?"

Zero tucks his under his shirt and grins. "What do you think they'd have done had you not shouted at them?"

Freyja opens her mouth to answer... then pauses and considers. "Um... well, that is a compelling point... " She studies the pendant, adding almost reluctantly, "It is... really lovely... I guess it's not really cheating...?"

Zero smiles, "If it were, you'd not have one now. C'mon, we're going to miss the lift."

Freyja considers... then nods once and gives Zero a quick hug, "All right. Thanks." She slips the pendant on a bit self-consciously, and tucks it neatly under her shirt also.

The lights of the shuttle can be seen clearly as they get off the lift, and shortly the shuttle -- one of several, actually; Qigong Palace is having a busy night! -- touches down on the landing pad. Roakkana and Dakkan are the first descending from the ramp. Freyja brightens, calling, "Haiyo, Master Roakkana, Paladin Dakkan! It's so good to see you again!" She gleefully and tightly hugs the big Wookie, reveling in having him near again.

Roakkana oof!s a little, laughing. "It's good to see you as well, child, and you, Zero!" He takes in a deep breath. "Ah, nothing quite like a planet's natural air, I think..."

Zero grins, arms folded behind his back. The blast-wash blows his hair back over his head in a wild wave, "Sah, master. Welcome to my home. How do you like our Palace, aiyah?"

Freyja beams, stepping back a bit but still keeping an arm around his waist. Her words all run together with happiness, "Hai, I think so too! -and the natives want to see us again, or at least Zero, like I said, and this is Jiaohua -- say haiyo, Jiaohua! -- and we're very happy to have you downside!" She giggles as the dakang meefs! a little uncertainly up at the big Wookie.

Roakkana smiles, "It feels wonderful, Zero. Just... the sense of the people of the city. It's very... alive." He chuckles. "Your palace! Ah, we caught a good glimpse of it on the way down. It's a sight to see! I'll be surprised if they aren't talking about it throughout the sector in a few more years." He grins to the little dakang. "Well, now. Hello there, little one!"

Jiaohua meef!s and tries to skitter into Freyja's hood. Freyja giggles again, helpfully holding up the edge so Jiaohua can hide. She suspects once his initial startlement is over, he'll be all over the larger Wookie! Then she glances curiously behind Master Roakkana, adding, "So... did Jedi Diath and Karrac come back also?"

Zero smiles and looks around. "I hope they will, Master. I've forgotten how nice it is to be home." Freyja smiles a little shyly at Zero. She's not sure what that means... but she's glad to hear he's happy.

Diath is standing in the background near Roakkana, quiet and a bit reserved, while Dakkan and Karrac are talking quietly together. When the attention shifts to them, Dakkan looks up and steps over, smiling a little. "Congratulations to you both. "

Freyja beams at the Zabraki, "Thank you, Paladin! I'm glad you weren't unhappy about my giving your name to Karrac, too."

Zero bows politely, hands out in front of him, palms-out. "Thank you, Paladin."

Roakkana nods to Zero, smiling. "I can understand that, I think. So, all is well?"

Zero nods. "Yes, very much so." He takes a deep breath. "It's done me a lot of good, coming home. I forgot..." He grins. "I forgot that I love this place."

Dakkan inclines his head, returning the palm-out bow. "You are welcome, Padawan Satau. I was not unhappy, no, Padawan Freyja. There are more than a few Darksiders who would prefer a tradition other than the Sith, and yet who have no desire to become Jedi."

Freyja nods slowly to Dakkan, thinking of Jedi Colburth and murmuring, "It's possible there are Jedi who feel that way too, Paladin... I hope there is room for everyone, eventually, as far as Force traditions." She oh!s, remembering, and pulls out the medallion to somewhat self-consciously show it to Master Roakkana, "Zero and I got these from the city, Master. Um... what do you think of it?" As she speaks, she grins at Zero again. She likes seeing him this happy... she's not seen it before.

Zero grins a little. "Don't think of it as a medal, Freyja. Think of it... more like a thank you from Shenlong itself."

Freyja studies the medallion... then smiles, tilting her head at Zero, "That is a nice way to think of it, hai. I like that, Zero; thank you."

Roakkana leans down a little, peering at it. "Well, now," he says, chuckling softly. "Yes, I agree with Zero. There are long-standing traditions against individual Jedi or the Order itself accepting public accolades and tokens of appreciation and medals. Even so, the Order and many outside the Order realize that simply acknowledging that Jedi have done a good job is not enough. And so the compromise; There is no public ceremony, but a quiet giving of a symbol of thanks." He squints a little. "I see it has your name upon it engraved along the edge, child. I daresay that your own has your name as well upon it as well, Zero."

Zero smiles and nods absently, looking out over the skyline. "A piece of the Dragon's Heart; it always does."

Freyja blinks, studying the medallion again and squinting slightly to make out the inscriptions, "It does? Where?" Then she blinks at Zero, "The what?"

Roakkana looks to Zero. "That is fascinating imagery, Zero. Where is it from?" He points out along the thick edge of the medallion where Freyja's name, preceded by the honorific 'Jedi,' and today's date, has been carefully engraved.

Freyja's mouth opens in a small 'oh' and she glances a bit nervously at the Wookie... but Master Roakkana doesn't seem upset that she's not identified as a Padawan, so she decides not to worry about it. She looks back at the medallion, smiling a bit... this is nice! She murmurs quietly, "I like the colors..."

Zero hmms? "The thing you're wearing around your neck, Freyja. Shenlong is the Dragon City: the Water Dragon curled around the lagoon, the Earth Dragon curled around the foothills, the Sky and Fire curled around the air between the buildings. Shenlong's tradition has always been to give its heroes and benefactors a little piece of itself. It's only a fair trade."

Roakkana smiles quietly. "The symbolism is rich, Zero, and very appropriate. I think it is indeed a wonderful way for the city to thank you for what you've done." He tilts his head to the side. "When will you be returning to the nomads?"

Freyja listens, then nods and smiles, "Ah, I understand. That's a lovely tradition. Ohh... I bet that's why you liked the worms' names too, hai?" Then she oh!s again, "I almost forgot! When I bartered for the braid tie with Nistikani, I got something else too." She looks at Zero, adding a bit worriedly, "I wasn't sure how you felt about wearing native gear, Zero, so I waited on getting something for you." She pulls the bright cobalt blue feather with the small medallion decoration on the tie out, and smiles, "But I got this for Vakkal." She offers it to him a little shyly, "I hope you like it?"

Vakkal blinks. "Oh! I do, thank you very much, Freyja." He accepts it with a smile, then blinks a little quizzically. "Erm... how do I... that is, what do I do...?"

Freyja giggles, reaching to weave it carefully into the longer fur behind one ear, "You wear it like so!" She steps back when it's properly fastened, tilting her head thoughtfully, then grins happily, "Very handsome!" She looks at Zero curiously, "So... would you be comfortable with something from the nomads? Here, want to see what I got for me?" She grins, holding up the end of her long, thin Padawan's braid, where a slender band of diminutive beads pick out a delicate pattern of cobalt and violet, "Isn't it pretty?"

Zero says, "Soon, master. After that it'll be on to Commenor..." He smiles to Freyja, "It's lovely. Where did you get it?"

Roakkana nods soberly. "Yes, I imagine that we should begin preparations for that trip..."

Freyja smiles happily at Zero, "From Nistikani! Good, then you won't mind wearing something nice too?" She tilts her head at Zero, considering his words about home, then murmurs quietly,
"We all seek refuge
Within the hearts and the homes
Of those that love us."

Zero smiles a little to his sibling learner. "You... have been practicing."

Freyja grins cheerfully at Zero! -then looks in faint surprise at the Wookie, "Is that a problem, Master?" Hopefully she adds, "Um... I was thinking maybe we could visit the former Guardian of the monastery at Marnaas if we went early enough, too?"

Zero nods, "Yes, master. It's going to be a long haul. I have some ideas for that too." Freyja gives Zero a similarly puzzled look -- then oh!s as she realizes it's not just Commenor they mean.

Roakkana brightens a little. "Ah, yes, Jedi Kuuna is at the monastery at Commenor, isn't she? She may be pleased by the visit."

Freyja thinks a moment, then says cheerfully, "Well, shall we head for the building the Jedi are staying in, so we can drop Jedi Diath and Karrac off? Then maybe we could sit and talk some?" She hopes so... she very much wants to ask about the information Jedi Diath gave the Master and the Paladin. She glances around the big Wookie to curiously regard the smaller Khar Velos man. How does he look? A bit less desperate and hangdog, she hopes?

Roakkana nods, "Certainly, Freyja." Karrac seems a little less forlorn, and in fact seems much more at ease, staying close to Paladin Dakkan. Freyja smiles encouragingly at Karrac, pleased he's looking happier.

A few hours and one tube trip back to Shenlong later, Diath, Dakkan, and Karrac are installed in the Jedi building, while Roakkana, claiming legitimately a need for "quality time" with his Padawans, asks Zero for the location of a nice, comfortable, small, somewhat private restaurant. Zero knows of just the spot: a small, out of the way place a few levels above the water and looking out over one of the busier canals.

Not long after, a nice meal is ordered, and the three are settled in. Freyja sighs happily, curling up comfortably against the Wookie with a mug of hot drink. She's very happy... Master Roakkana's back, Zero's pleased to be home, Vakkal likes his gift and looks quite handsome with it on... and the city's happy with them, and they don't have to use the suppression all the time! Things are pretty wonderful right now, at least to her... she murmurs quietly again, this time reciting from her own people,
"And in the sweetness of Friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
She thinks that's appropriate. She certainly feels refreshed again, surrounded by her dearest friends.

Roakkana begins almost without preamble. "The message you sent up with Jedi Diath raise many questions, and unfortunately I fear I was not able to answer Diath's questions to his satisfaction. Even as one with only passing respect for the Seal placed upon us, I could not tell him everything that happened, and he has more questions now than when he began. All I could say is that it is possible, from what he told me, that his company has encountered the Oath of Fire before, and that should give him some idea of what happened on Marnaas. I am worried that he will seek his own answers -- and Paladin Diana -- before long. However, it is not all gloom. The message seems to indicate that Paladin Diana does indeed have the best of intentions for Valsha."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "I got that impression also, Master." She looks up amusedly, adding, "But... I can't really blame Jedi Diath for wanting answers. I would too, in his position."

Zero says, "Well... it's something, at least. Still don't trust the intentions of that strange little splinter sect." Freyja nods quietly to Zero in agreement.

"Neither can I, child. His close friend has apparently broken several dozen Republic laws and acted in a most- uncharacteristic manner. And if you refer to the Orphic Jedi, Zero, I cannot say that I am entirely sure what to think of them. They are generally passive; knowledge of the future is a dangerous thing, and they realize it. They work and think on levels that most masters don't even attempt to aspire to. If, however, you mean our own Order's dirty little answer to the Oath of Fire, well... I wouldn't trust them even half as far as I could throw any of them."

Freyja says worriedly, "So... how do we nose them out? The Jedi-Oathers, I mean?"

Roakkana shakes his head as he takes a sip of a large, paper-thin ceramic mug of green tea. "I do not know, child. I have spoken briefly, at his initiative, with Master Mull, while you two were down here, but unfortunately he could provide nothing new."

Zero mms. "Splinter sects, secret oaths. Just wish I knew how this all fit together..." He sighs, "Oh, well. At least after we get to Zhar... we'll be better equipped to handle it when we do figure it out."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, considering as she savors the flower scent of the hot tea in the mug she holds in both hands. She takes a slow sip, then swallows and asks Vakkal curiously, "Were there... I don't know, call signs or hand signals or something, that Oathers used?"

Vakkal bites his lip a little. "At my grade... no, there were not. We were expected to be introduced to other members through the discretion of higher-graded members."

Freyja nods, "Oh, well. It was worth a thought." She glances at Zero, "So... what were you thinking of in regards to getting there?"

Roakkana nods to Zero. "I wish, as well. Perhaps I shall make a chart," he quips. Freyja grins.

Zero says, "Well, I was thinking that the Order's been selling the titles to those cruisers... the couriers, to Masters towing around more than one student. We're four, looking at five strong, now... I was thinking that maybe a little 'donation' to the Council, maybe a little something from the Rigg family for a few new additions to the Library..."

Freyja grins, still curled up against the Wookie, "Mother maybe could be talked into that, hai..." She looks up at Master Roakkana, "Would you be comfortable with that, Master?"

Roakkana makes a quiet sound. "Certainly, that sounds like a good idea. Preprogrammed astrogation courses can be purchased easily enough, though I daresay the final destination should not be so bought. If I understand correctly, Fhazil is something of an astrogator and could accomplish that if need be. So, yes, I would endorse that idea."

Freyja glances inquiringly at Vakkal, figuring he'd know if Fhazil was an astrogator. She smiles, wondering what Vakkal thinks of the idea, now that the bits and pieces have finally been laid out in front of him... all but the reason why they're planning this.

Zero says, "There are a couple of upsides to this plan outside of the simple transportation offered."

Vakkal remains quietly attentive through all this, but nods at Freyja's glance. "He can astrogate. He won't win any accolades, but he programmed the courses to our fighters the last time we made a solo trip into the Republic, in our pursuit of Volc." Freyja grins, pleased at the news Vakkal offers, then turns to look inquiringly at Zero.

Zero says, "Firstly, it gives us a base of operations. We won't be operating out of monastery basements and borrowed offices anymore. If nothing else," he grins, "-it's a safe place to put our stuff. There's also the safety-in-transit issue... I can operate any of the weaponry that comes standard with a cruiser of that class. So can Vakkal or Fhazil. And I can teach you to as well, if need, Freyja. Further, if it becomes apparent we're sailing into some heavy territory, we can always get some more installed. Beyond that, there's the simple act of carrying the Jedi standard. If nothing else, most of the space dregs aren't going to bother with us for that alone."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, listening. "Makes sense to me. We have to successfully get to Zhar, complete the training, and return first, though, hai?"

Roakkana nods slowly. "Protection that will disappear the further into Hutt space you go."

Zero says, "I was thinking we could get the ship first so we can get to Zhar. Once we hit Hutt Space -- and believe me, they'll let us know -- we can change transponder codes and make sure we're not flying any colors on the hull."

Freyja looks puzzled, "But... wouldn't the Hutt just try to confiscate it? Is it wise to try strong-arming through Hutt space?"

Zero says, "Who said anything about strong-arming the Hutt? If we're running neutral transponder codes and not flying the Order's colors, we aren't going to look like Jedi to the Hutt."

Freyja says, "Then... wouldn't they still try to tax or tariff or toll us all the more?"

Zero says, "They're going to do that anyway. The point is we take a route that's apt to run us across the fewest tollers. I can help with that, but I'll need Fhazil. There's probably not going to be any way out of bribing or paying off someone on the way through Hutt Space, unless by some miracle of positive fortune we don't run across anybody on the way to Zhar."

Freyja looks unconvinced... but finally sighs quietly. "Well... even though I think sneaking through as far as possible is the best idea... I'm certainly not a specialist in the Underworld. Zero probably has far more experience than I."

Roakkana considers for a moment. "If I understand what Zero is saying, he means that if we sneak too much, we will be noticed and come under strong suspicion. I wonder... how do you handle, say, a slaypneer who is hard to train, Freyja?"

Freyja smiles, "Gently. Usually they're hard to train because they're afraid of something and no one's taken the time to reassure them." The Wookie hms thoughtfully.

Zero says, "The only problem with sneaking through Hutt Space, for me at least, is that if we get caught we're going to be either doing time on Kessel, or fighting some bloated Hutt bigwig's pet gundark."

Freyja looks curious, "Why so, Zero? Wouldn't they just slap the usual toll on, with maybe a bonus? -which would still save us all the tolls for the other families we'd passed already? Or am I missing something obvious here?"

Zero grins, "Are you kidding? Tax evasion? In Hutt Space?" He laughs, "We'd be in less trouble for asking Great Bogga if he wanted his back waxed."

Freyja looks blank, "Er... waxing is bad?"

Zero grins a little lopsidedly, "He doesn't want his back waxed. Trust me."

Freyja says, "Ah... all right...? So... I guess we just... take a lot of creds along, and hope we don't look too rich?"

Zero says, "I think the best plan of action is to try and keep as low a profile as we possibly can. Make ourselves out as pilgrims or fringers, just nod at appropriate intervals if we get caught, and grease the right appendages." He adds after a moment, "...not that most Hutts really need to be better-greased, mind you."

Freyja grins quietly at Zero... and worries a bit. She's going to have to do the talking, apparently, since she's the only one that speaks Hutt. She hopes she understands the culture well enough to pull it off convincingly. She looks at Master Roakkana, "I have a question... are you coming to Zhar with us? I thought we'd need someone on the outside, so to speak, to disguise the fact we're gone?"

Roakkana looks mildly unhappy and uncomfortable. "I had figured that you would need that. Besides, I must confess that hyperspace travel does not agree well with one of my... venerability. It would be a very, very long trip. I will, however, do my best to cover for you both. We should find a small planet, away from the usual trading routes but at least with a hypernode, and part company there."

Freyja smiles, running a hand lightly down the Wookie's furry arm, "Thank you... and please, don't feel bad about it, Master Roakkana."

Roakkana smiles quietly and inclines his head to Freyja. "I will try not to. Though I admit that I wish I would be with you when you go."

Zero says, "We'll be coming back, Master. Don't worry about that. I don't know about you all, but I plan to come back to Coruscant to claim my Trials and my place as a Knight."

Roakkana smiles to Zero and nods. "If all goes well," he says, "-then that will make me proud, Zero, and not merely because the Order will be recognizing a Grey Jedi."

Zero adds softly, "It wouldn't be honorable to my master's training to allow it to go unfinished. I won't be the first Satau to dishonor his master in anything." He grins a little. "The beating my father would put on me would be legendary."

Freyja admits honestly, "I wish you could be with us too, Master... but I know it'd be difficult for you. Plus, the Silver Path might shy away from contacting us were you along -- we don't really know them that well, after all." She pauses, then says slowly, "I... actually, I'm more worried about you, Master Roakkana, when we come back. Um... I don't want you to be... treated poorly because we've become something... unusual and different. I..." She takes a deep breath, then says firmly (if also unhappily), "If you need to, Master, I know I'll understand if you have to disavow us."

Roakkana smiles and shakes his head. "Freyja, child, don't worry about me. I am an acknowledged Master of the Jedi Order. Even Balin Khoud does not simply declare one such as I Fallen. He and others may try, and they may even succeed, but I will be cast unto the Lower Forest before I disavow my own Padawans. No," he says, looking at both Freyja and Zero, "-you will do nothing to dishonor myself or yourselves, of this I am certain. What you are undertaking has my blessing, and if others in the Order cannot recognize it, then it is their failure and loss. But I will not turn away from either of you, no matter how much the Council -- or the Oath-like Jedi sect -- cry and howl."

Freyja hesitates, looking worried... then simply nods and hugs the Wookie tightly and silently. Zero grins a bit more. "That reminds me. I think I should introduce you to my parents, Master. I think you and my father will have plenty to talk about."

Roakkana gently returns the hug, smiling. Then he blinks to Zero. "I think that sounds like an excellent idea, Zero. I would enjoy doing that."

Freyja says, "Oh, hai!" She brightens, adding, "They're very nice, Master Roakkana... and we can go see the natives tomorrow afterwards, hai?"

Roakkana nods, "A good idea. I certainly look forward to it."

Zero nods, "Right, then. So let's quit looking so bloody serious and finish our dinner. Enjoy the food, sah, it's not often we get to come here." He grins, raising his glass. Freyja laughs, quietly happy amidst her friends, and lifts her mug in reply. Roakkana nods, smiling and lifting his own mug, with Vakkal following.

The three prepare for their second trip to the natives; they possibly hadn't expected to return so quickly, but there is not the note of worry held by Knight-Captain Baas as they prepare for their trip.

Freyja spends some time making sure things are planned out ahead of time. Talking with Knight-Captain Baas, she asks if she may have, say, five boxes of bullets, so the small group can barter with the clan for necessary items like tents, food, and bedding, rather than simply expecting charity. She returns the rifle, however, since short of giving it away she doesn't really see a need for it, and she suspects the local law officials would really like it back. She wryly notes they'll also probably be quite pleased to hear of the local contacts the natives are buying the contraband equipment from... which the clan mother said she'd be willing to ask around for, for the helpful Jedi.

Baas does manage to get the boxes of bullets, though she does note that the City Guard were very reluctant to let go of them, even to the Jedi who took care of the worms and that incident in the Shenlong warehouse. But seeing as the only alternative would be to acquire them from an off-world manufacturer, and there is a distinct lack of time, the City Guard complies with the request, and a few hours later Freyja possesses five boxes of the ammunition.

Freyja neatly packs the backpack she's taking along, considering... aside from barter goods for them all, and personal toiletries, it's pretty light going. She hopes she has enough bullets for the equipment the group will need to borrow. Then again, perhaps they'll get lucky, and the natives will be pleased enough about the worms that they'll help the Jedi feed them. That'd be nice.

Freyja also happily makes sure Baas knows her three missing Jedi will be returned in a week to that point on the reservation from which they departed. It's as she's discussing the puzzling issue of whether it's politer to try to behave like the natives, or stick with one's own clothing, that she falters, then blinks at a sudden thought, and turns to Master Roakkana, "Um... Master, not that I wish to be rude, but I don't think you'll fit on a hakaast! How're we going to get you to the clan?"

Zero says, "Sah, they've never seen a Wookie before in their lives. Gods below only know what they'll make of you, master." He grins. "You could be the start of a dark legend in a primitive culture."

Freyja giggles at Zero, then grins, "Aw, they're not that primitive!"

Roakkana purses his lips. "That's a good point, Zero, though they're certainly aware of races dissimilar to themselves, surely."

Zero scratches the back of his head absently. "Heh, I imagine so. Still, I've no idea what they'll think of you, Master. You're simply huge next to a native." Freyja grins at Zero, then thanks the Knight-Captain for all her assistance. She also quietly notes to Baas that she's only a comlink away if there's any trouble at all with the worms.

Roakkana grins to Zero. "It could be interesting. Do you think it will cause problems, though? I have no problem staying behind, and I have no cause to worry for you three."

Freyja looks at Zero, "You said your father and Master Roakkana might have a lot to talk about. Could he stay with them, maybe? He'd be close that way, if necessary?"

Zero says, "Nah, if the matron was serious about eventually leaving the reservation, they're going to have to get used to stranger than you, my master." He adds to Freyja, "I think he should come, actually. It might do them some good to start getting used to others less like them than us."

Freyja nods, "All right. Then the question is how. He'll have to walk, if they won't allow speeders. Unless... I've never seen double hitches of hakaast... but... hm. I could try talking to them and see if they'd do it?"

Roakkana hmms, "Well, if neither of you object, I would like to go and meet them. Might there not be a... how did you say, hakaast? -which is large enough to carry me? Ah... what is a double hitch, child?"

Zero says, "Got me. I only ride speeders."

Freyja shakes her head at the Wookie, "I'm sorry, Master Roakkana, but I'm no expert on hakaast. The biggest I've seen is, um... about 16 hands, tops. Unless they're stronger than I think, and from the way I've seen them moving they don't appear to be, you could barely sit on it. It'd be like a regular Human male riding a miniature slaypneer pony, you know?" She considers, then says, "Well... I'd ask two hakaast to let us hitch a sling between them -- a sort of double hitch, but not really. Um... fair warning, Master, it can be like riding a skiff in a high sea?" She frowns, considering and muttering under her breath, "Maybe four, so no one of them's overburdened...?"

Roakkana grins. "Sounds intriguing," he notes. "Motion is no strange sensation to Wookies; we're still very close to our arboreal roots."

Freyja tilts her head a moment, considering that... then brightens, "Oh, good point! All right, let's see..." She starts ticking off needs on her fingers to create the carrier, "We'll need a big tarpaulin of some strong, non-tearing material, and rope, and lots of padding so the rope doesn't chafe the hakaasts... uhm, feeding and bedding a Wookie... Knight- Captain Baas, may we have another box or two of bullets?"

Zero grins, "I chased a Wookie through some heavy undergrowth on the Mid Rim once... well, we sort of chased each other. You think I'm athletic..."

Freyja giggles at Zero, then adds, "I'll make sure it's all right with Linijast too, before talking to the hakaasts."

Zero says, "...actually, come to think of it, I chased him until he got so far ahead he could circle behind me. Then he chased me."

Roakkana arches an eyebrow. "That sounds... dangerous, Zero. Especially from a Wookie. We use that technique when hunting katarn." He deadpans, "Or rather, when trying to avoid getting hunted by katarn by hunting it first."

Zero grins. "I had a sonic warbler. He had his claws. It was... only a little in his favor." Freyja grins again as she starts repacking so there's room for everything.

The preparations are made, and later that night, at the last place Linijast met them, she is there again, this time with a number of hakaasts already fitted for riding. She's brought a few extra, fortunately, and while surprised at the sight of Roakkana tries to remain cool and collected, and listens with interest to Freyja's idea for the double hitch to allow the relatively light hakaasts to carry the much larger Wookie. With only a little consideration, the double hitch is set up. Linijast notes that something vaguely similar to this is often done in clans that happen to have very large things to carry that cannot be split up between mounts -- which is to say, it is the rare clan that must often do this. And it has never been done for a passenger.

The trip takes a few hours, and is completed without any problems. Roakkana thoroughly enjoys the trip, having absolutely no motion problems throughout it. So shortly the small caravan trots comfortably into the encampment of the nomads. Many react with some surprise at the arrival, not expecting the Jedi to have returned so quickly; many more are visibly startled at the sight of Roakkana.

At the main fire Linikaito and the matron are already waiting, looking expectantly and anticipatorily to the Jedi as they dismount. Freyja beams as her mount canters up, waving, "Heiyo! It worked! It worked! You don't have to hide from your Lady any more!" She grins excitedly as she swings lightly down, hastily doing a correct bow, "Greetings, grandmother, wise woman."

The matron arches her eyebrows. "It is done, then?" she asks. "What is to happen with the worms?"

Freyja adds happily, "And this is Zero's and my Jedi Master, Master Roakkana. Master Roakkana, the matron and the wise woman Linikaito." She grins cheerfully, "Hai, done!" She explains the arrangements they'd made, then adds a bit hopefully, "If any of the clans felt like donating a herd beast or two, I know the Jedi'd be very grateful?"

Zero says, "It's not permanent, at least. If nothing else they can live out their lifecycles without harming anyone in particular. Natural taozin don't live much longer than a Human... I imagine all that alchemical strangeness can only shorten their span."

Freyja nods to Zero, "The Academy scientists will take good care of them, on whatever planet they end up on." She takes a few moments to feed a carrot to and rub the ears of each of the hakaast that carried the extra load, to say thanks.

Zero says, "I'll just be pleased if they stay under control."

It's clear that most of the clan has never seen an alien other than a Sedraki Human before. Nevertheless, Linikaito and the matron try not to stare, and to remain as calm as possible. The matron bows, palms out. "You are welcome, Master Roakkana." Roakkana returns the gesture, smiling and growling a pleasant Wookie greeting.

The matron listens to the explanation attentively, and with more than a little concern. She nods quietly. "I see," she says. "Twenty-four hakaast and other beasts a day, until they are removed from the world or killed or die. That is... a great many, though I will see if there are any of the more well-off clans who may be willing to part with some of their herd, though they may wish recompense."

Freyja shakes her head, "Neh, grandmother, we expect the ship to arrive in just a few weeks. After that they'll be off Sedrak, and the Jedi Academy will be caring for them."

Zero says, "Offworld soon, we're hoping. We expect that the Academy is going to want to take them offworld for study, probably back to a world more hospitable to the taozin."

The matron nods. "Good, then. This explains why the deep plains herds were appearing so thin to our scouts of late. We guessed that the worms were behind it, but not to such a great degree." She smiles, then. "So, then. It is safe now? For the matrons to once again be in the Lady's light?"

Freyja beams, "Hai! If you look, you'll see we're not suppressing any more either."

Zero nods. "Sah. Our Master could never have come down otherwise." He's right; to those with eyes to see, he practically vanishes next to the beacon of his Master. Freyja's light and the blaze of Roakkana's life force filter through him like a prism, and standing so close to them both, he's like a clear ripple.

Freyja adds, "If it is acceptable, we'd like to barter with you to temporarily use some tents and bedding. We'd be happy to help with hunting, or anything else we can turn our hands to for you, around camp?" She gives Zero a curious glance, then looks up at the Wookie, "Is Zero so... so transparent because he's a Gray, Master?" She gives Vakkal a curious look, checking to see if he's got that rippling effect also.

Vakkal, while he has released his own suppression, has been very strictly suppressing his own Sithstain, so his appearance is simply as a very bright life presence in the Force; clearly Force-aware, perhaps to be taken as a "wild" Force talent.

The matron nods and closes her eyes. In a few moments those with eyes awakened to the Force can see her own presence in the Force rising in intensity. Unlike Freyja and Roakkana, however, which are like sharp, lantern-like beacons, the matron's is more of a gradient, a flowing of the ambient life-energy of the area, coalesced into a single place or point -- not unlike Zero's own aura.

She opens her eyes, blinking, then smiles and laughs out loud. "Wonderful! It has been so long... children of Jedi, thank you, from all of the matrons of this world. Linikaito, please bring me a messenger-bird; the deep clans need to be informed immediately."

Linikaito nods to the matron, then smiles to Freyja. "That is all right, Jedi daughter. You have no need to compensate us, you are guests." She nods to the matron, and goes to the larger tent to gather the bird. Freyja brightens and thanks Linikaito as she turns to leave. Freyja makes a mental note to be cheerfully free with the bullets anyways. Where she comes from, there are strict guesting rules, as well as for hosting... and it never hurts to be generous of heart.

Roakkana glances over to Zero, then smiles to Freyja. "I imagine so, child. The way every Force-aware person interacts with the Force is sometimes visible to others. This is why Sithstain is so readily recognizable, and why some Force-aware people have... occasionally looked at Zero oddly, or recognized him immediately as a Graysider."

Freyja beams happily, her hands clasped behind her, and occasionally unable to suppress a small toe bounce, at the matron's pleasure at being Force-Aware again. She nods interestedly at the Wookie, then whispers, "He ripples a bit like the matron!"

Zero stretches a bit. "This is going well so far."

Freyja nods happily to Zero, "I was just thinking... we don't have anything we have to do for the next few weeks -- it's almost like a vacation! I've never really had one, but I've heard they're nice. I'm looking forward to trying relaxing!"

The matron gestures towards the fire. "Come, then, and meal with us, and tell us all that has happened with the worms." She looks curiously to Roakkana. "I do not know if you can eat our food..." Roakkana smiles and chuffs out that he can indeed eat the same food as Humans. The matron looks to the Wookie for a long moment, then glances between Freyja, Zero, and Roakkana. "I am afraid I do not understand what he said...?"

Zero grins. "He can eat the same food as the rest of us. He's a lot less exotic than he looks. Honest."

Freyja says, "Oh! Pardon me, gra- er, matron." She translates for the Wookie, then adds, "If you need translations, all of us speak Shyriiwook."

The matron smiles and inclines her head. "Thank you. That would be appreciated." Freyja happily follows the matron to the fire. She'll have to ask about clothing and what's proper, especially since Master Roakkana isn't clothed (much like the natives), and she'd bet poor Vakkal really wouldn't mind not having to wear at least a shirt, considering all the fur he has, and the local warmth during the day.

Freyja will, unless she gets the sense that it's not welcome to the natives, exuberantly tell the story of the worms in the traditions of her people -- as in, with much gesturing and acting out to illustrate parts of the story, interrupting for side anecdotes and corrections from others, and occasional pauses for drinking and cheerful banter! Zero is all about the drinking. Freyja does not, however, show off the pretty thank you medallions from Shenlong, since she doesn't want to give any impression whatsoever that recompense is expected.

The matron doesn't seem to mind one way or another if any of the visitors are clothed or not; the basic rule seems to be what's comfortable and decorative, considering the relative warmth (for them) of the plains regions. The people greet the story comfortably and warmly; there's apparently at least something of a storytelling tradition with the nomads. When the meal and the story are done, and the nomads begin to drift off to their chores, the matron smiles to the visitors. "And now that we need no longer hide from the Lady's light," she says, "I imagine you have questions?"

Zero says, "Actually, wise woman... I was hoping that you could help me understand the gift a little more." Freyja brightens from where she's seated next to her friends. Having put a great deal of cheerfully enthusiastic effort into telling the story, she's down to her cropped athlete's top, weapons belt, and snug breeches. Her cloak, boots, and other accoutrements are neatly tucked into her backpack now. She listens with intense curiosity.

The matron nods to Zero. "Yes, I remember you asking about that." She stands, stretching. "Come. Let us go into the tent. What we will speak of is not commonly spoken around the main fire."

Freyja grins and leans to whisper to Vakkal that if he'd like to lighten his clothing it's fine with her... then blinks and looks a bit wistful. "Um... may others listen as well, matron?"

Zero stands up and stretches. "Lead on, matron."

The matron looks to Freyja wryly. "Of course, Jedi's daughter. I would not expect the Devil's son and Jedi's son to not tell his companions and master of what we see his gift as." With that, she enters the tent. Zero brushes his hair out of his eyes. He tries to stand straighter and carry himself the way he imagines he's expected to, given all the import attached to who he is. Freyja brightens and bounces lightly to her bare feet. Grabbing up her mug, she'll follow Zero into the tent.

In a few minutes the matron has taken the others into the tent. It is comfortable if not terribly elaborate; a number of furred hides are on the ground to provide comfortable sitting or sleeping, and there are a few haversacks with some supplies here and there. A fire pit is in the center, the smoke drifting lazily out through the ceiling hole. The matron sits down, indicating that Zero, at least, should sit in front of her. "So, come, Devil's son," she says easily. "You have questions about the gift given to you by the Lady through your mother, ai?"

Zero sits down carefully, one knee then the other, with practiced smoothness that comes of years of habit. "Yes, matron. It seems only right, if she's given me a gift, that I should know what to do with it." Freyja lies partly on her side, partly on her stomach, comfortably off to one side across several furs, enjoying the silky-cool sensation across her skin. She leans on her elbows so she can still sip from her mug and silently and fascinatedly observe.

The matron nods quietly. "Ai, and it is only right to teach you as much as possible about it." She glances to Roakkana. "I do not know what your master has taught you of the Force that you as a Jedi perceive. I am fairly certain that much of what I am to say will be at odds, if not outright contradict, what you have learned."

"To begin, as you have probably guessed, the Lady is perceived as the moon. More properly, the moon of our world is the symbol of the Lady in our lives. It is in Her light that our world is bathed, day and night. The cycle of Her fullness and darkness, constant and eternal, is the cycle of life; of birth, life, and death -- of creation, preservation, and destruction. In this some have been graced with Her touch. Amongst our people, the nomads, the sign of Her touch is hair the color of Her light." She lightly touches her locks. "And it is mostly amongst the females of our people, though men will on occasion show her touch.

"We the matrons of our people seek to preserve. We use the gift of the Lady to guide the hands of our people in our sowing and reaping, in our hunting, and in our travels. Sometimes we use the gift of the Lady to bring life into the world. And sadly, we must sometimes use the gift to banish life from world."

Zero mms softly. I think I already have that part covered, matron... Freyja leans her chin on her crossed hands as she lies on her stomach and smiles internally. Good thing they didn't turn up with Fhazil in tow also... two silver haired men at once! She listens with fascination.

The matron takes a deep breath. "The ebb and flow of life is a constant harmony that is seen, rather than heard, or perhaps felt rather than seen. It is seen in the light of the Lady. At times, knowing when to sow and when to reap, or to hunt, is crystal-clear. It is the right season, the wheat ears are the right height, and so on. It is... difficult to know other times when and what one must preserve. Understand that the Lady gives us only passing guidance in this. We matrons must use what the Lady tells us and decide from there what we must do. This is why the Ten Years' War was fought, but why we as matrons did not bring the fury of the Lady upon you." She smiles a little. "Which startled us all the more when the Devil was encountered, and utterly defeated so many of our warriors."

The matron says quietly, "Since the Lady's words are subtle, we must ourselves be subtle. Sometimes our presence alone can change things for one direction or another. Therefore we travel quietly, sometimes in secret. Many of the younger matrons use thornberry dye to color their hair and wander quietly amongst the deep clans to understand the truth of things, truths which may not be revealed entirely to a matron."

Zero grins a little. "She was startled, too." Freyja looks fascinated -- that's an interesting technique to try, to learn new things! Sounds vaguely like Colburth, in a way. Good, it would seem he's on the right track then. She's happy to hear that.

The matron grins. "I can only imagine so. Even if she were not a matron, she fought as an avenging aspect of the Lady. While the war could not be stopped by us at that point -- the deep clans were far too eager then to retake the lands of the displaced clans -- it gave us pause. And as you surely discovered, many of the warriors took to calling her the Devil, an aspect of the Lady when She is angered and protective of those whom She cherishes."

"You may be wondering why, if she was called the Devil, an aspect of the Lady, the warriors of the deep clans did not halt the war themselves when they discovered her and acknowledged her as such. Such is the quandary that we sometimes face. To our way, everything is a cycle. The seasons for the farmers and hunters, the day and night, the phases of the moon. In this, war against the Sedraki, even with an aspect of the Lady amongst them, was not forbidden; Her presence did not mean we could not fight the Sedraki. Indeed, some matrons felt that it meant we should fight all the harder, to show that we deserved and so very much wanted and needed the lands that were ours. That the mandate for that lands was ours, to prove ourselves worthy of that mandate."

The matron pauses for a moment, then smiles. "But this does not help you very much, does it, Devil's son and Jedi's son? Do you know what it means, about preservation? Where life and death must balance in order for prosperity, not merely unleashed fecundity, to occur?"

Zero says, "Honestly, matron? No. I don't... at all. My life has been, for almost all of its span, about death." He adds without irony, "But I guess I don't need to tell you that."

Freyja listens curiously. Her namesake, Freya, is a Lady of Prosperity as well as Life and Death. Foremost of the Valkerries, She was the Chooser of the Honorable Slain for Her glittering hall. Freyja remembers too that gold was called "Freya's Tears," and it was for the fertility of herds and riches that the Lady of Riches was renown, rather than for offspring. If anything, Freya was one of the first and most powerful Ladies who determined their own way and their own choice of lovers, in a time where men were struggling hard to create deities that reduced women to a second-class citizenship. Freyja smiles quietly to herself, wondering if the matron would see parts of her own Lady in the Balmorran Lady of Joy.

The matron nods. "Ai. Your scars tell stories which would span many nights beside a fire. Then there is much we can perhaps teach you. This is the gift of the Lady, then. Seeing you, and seeing your companions, illuminated in Her light, I can see that the light reflects from you in much the way that it does a matron of our people. And so I knew at last, when I looked upon you tonight, that her gift came to you true."

"Know this, then. There is always going to be life and death. The hakaast must be slaughtered to provide food for the family. The mother must give birth for the family to continue. It is not enough to merely take all hakaasts and slaughter them for their meat. It is not enough to encourage the women to give birth to as many children as they can. Neither is growth. Both are self-destructive. The Riddle of the Lady is thus: where must we allow birth, and where must we allow death, and where must we take a hand in matters? How are we to know this?

"It is not easy. It can take years, and it is more than a warrior's mere tally of victories and defeats. Sometimes in the Lady's eyes there must be a victory, and sometimes a defeat, but to the follower in Her light, there is never a defeat insofar as what needs being done is done."

She reaches out her pale blue hands, somewhat gnarled with age, to Zero. "Take my hands, Zero Satau, Devil's son and Jedi's son. Let me show you how we matrons learn the answer to the Riddle of the Lady." She smiles, glancing to the others. "Meditate with us as well, Master Roakkana and Jedi's daughter. And perhaps you will see what road your companion might yet take."

Zero reaches out uncertainly to take the matron's hands, "... all right..." he murmurs, "I'll take any answer by now." Freyja nods, obediently sitting up into a half lotus and closing her eyes. Roakkana arches an eyebrow, but nods and does so as well.

The matron smiles quietly and closes her eyes. "Meditate, Devil's son. Close your eyes and let yourself go. Let me show you..." The trance does not come quickly; it is not an easy thing that the matron is attempting, but this does not appear to be the first time she's done it.

And then it happens.

The moon roars up over the horizon, with the sound of thousands of hakaast, as if they were drawing Her travois up to the heavens. Laughing, crying, with one hand She reaps and with the other She sows; with one hand She brings good fortune, with Her other She brings misfortune. And not necessarily always in equal measure.

There is a pulse to the world, a pulse associated with a heart, a heart through which flows not blood, but the very forces of nature. Perhaps, as Zero and Freyja recognize it, the Force.

The matron has her finger lightly upon that pulse, sensing it and following it. She is a healer. When the body is weak, she helps to strengthen it. When the body is already strong, she seeks to keep it strong, and to make it stronger. Yet she recognizes that even this body must someday die, for nothing, in the experience of the matrons, lasts forever.

How does one know? How does one see? With what tools does the matron study the body and decide what must be done? These are the gifts of the Lady. Seeing things illuminated in Her light, they are seen differently than with the sight most have. In Her light can be seen the past, the future, the now; other places, and the immediate surroundings.

Consider...

Across the plain, sweeping by at impossible speed through razor grass as tall as a Human. Deep, deep, deeper into the interior of the continent, where no Sedraki Human has ever been permitted. There is a herd of hakaast there, grazing, feeding on the small vermin that scamper through the grass and on the sweet grains that are so much to their liking. Across the veldt is a creature, sleek and graceful -- Zero knows it -- it is a laohu, a tiger-like creature that terrorized many of the Human colonists for some time after landing; a fierce predator.

Consider...

Does the laohu go hungry this hunt? If not, which of the herd are caught and devoured? Does it matter if the laohu was successful or not in her last hunt for food?

Now see it in eyes that see the light of the Lady...

The laohu is strong; it has fed recently, but as with all things it is hungry again. The herd is for the most part strong, but there is one member who has exhausted itself in attempting to achieve dominance over the herd. Is there a "must" or a "will"? The future changes constantly. Perhaps in another time an older or sickly member of the herd would be caught.

This time the exhausted member of the herd is caught, and the laohu does not go hungry. The herd escapes, and without contention for dominance goes on to prosper.

This is only one of many situations; only one of many dramas. Sentient beings are not hakaast and we can transcend our instincts. Sometimes good results, sometimes bad results.

It is not a matter of morals -- the laohu does not have morals or mores. It has a need which the environment can provide for, has mechanisms in place to provide for. And it is more than the tale of "the greatest good for the greatest number." While there will always, always be need for beings devoted to the light, who hold true to that stricture, there will also be need for beings whose profile includes the darkness. And there will be need for those who can balance between those two, when either extreme -- light and dark (or perhaps even Jedi and Sith?) -- achieve too much, and sicken the body.

This is the answer to the Riddle. It is a matter of the strength of the body, the body through which pulses the lifeblood of the Force.

The matron lets go of Zero's hands, and he stumbles back a little. "Ah," is all he manages to say. Freyja sits quietly, eyes closed, and meditates on the vision. She lets her breath out slowly... then takes another deep breath, as if clearing away the ethereal for the material... and quietly opens her eyes to smile at Zero.

Zero blinks a bit, eyes watering at the corners. "That's..." He exhales slowly, deeply. "That's a lot to take in at once." Freyja nods silently to Zero, then turns to look thoughtfully at the matron. That can't have been easy for her. Zero settles back on his haunches, hands on his knees. His eyes stare at the wall of the tent, faraway, as he tries to pull himself back to the here and now.

The matron smiles, not unsympathetically. "It is a great deal, Jedi's son," she says gently, reaching over and offering a large water-skin to him, indicating he should pass it on to the others when he is done. She looks exhausted, a faint pallor to her hue. "Much more than many young matrons might receive. But in many ways it was the only way to begin explaining the Riddle of the Lady to you: by showing you."

"Sometimes in times before the Sedraki Humans came, a clan would seek to go to war against another, for territory or husbands or pride or... or something else entirely. The reasons given were as numerous as the stars, sometimes. But would such a war help the people? Would the deaths of warriors make the body of the people stronger, or would it harm us? More often than not, it would harm -- there are few good reasons for war, though I suspect that your definition of 'war' puts mine to abysmal shame. In those cases the matrons had to determine the best way to prevent it. But we could not step in directly. There were too few of us, and we could not dominate the clans. It is not our way. And the appearance of a matron in full authority would change everything seen, and as soon as she was gone, it would be as if she were never there, even if we knew it would be that way.

"Some of the younger matrons would thus work quietly. What is the cause of the hostilities? What was the cause for making the body threaten to hurt itself? Were there not enough sons born to that clan? Perhaps see if another clan, allied to the first, would have more sons than they could support who would be willing to live for a time amongst another clan. Is it pride? Perhaps somehow that pride could be assuaged.

"And if it was the leaders of the clans, then perhaps... well... it is unpleasant to consider, and many, many other things would be tried first. But if there was no other recourse and the leaders would be dead-set on throwing their warriors at each other... well, then. The Lady sows with one hand, and reaps with the other." The matron's hand shakes just a little as she takes up another water-skin, pouring a drought out into a cup for herself, and takes slow, careful sips.

Zero takes a long, long slug of water, releasing it with a gasp. He passes the skin to Freyja, still gathering himself. Freyja accepts the water-skin with a nod of thanks and has a long drink herself. She passes it on to Master Roakkana, then murmurs quietly to the matron, "Grandmother... may I offer you, ah... some... I don't know what to call it... some energy?" She smiles, adding, "Being a creative sort, myself?" and holds out a hand in offering. She's fascinated at the matron's explanation of reducing hostilities. It sounds like things she's learned herself over the years. She wonders if this triat is going to have far more overlap than the Silver Path expects... and if that will be a boon or a bane.

The matron looks to Freyja, then smiles gratefully. "You are a Jedi's daughter of many gifts. Yes, please... I would be very grateful." She reaches to gently take Freyja's hand. Freyja will close her eyes again, and envision the Light within her -- a bright glow of energy and joy -- and send some of it down through her hand, gently to the matron to accept as she needs.

Zero runs a hand through his hair, wondering if he's actually broken a sweat. He feels for the moment like he could just fade into the background flow of the Force; what was that? The matron closes her eyes, and after a few moments color seems to return to her. Shortly she blinks, a little startledly and looking much, much more awake. "Oh!" she says, and smiles. "Thank you, Jedi's daughter," she says, looking and sounding much less exhausted. "I feel very much better now."

Zero grins a little. "...should ask Vakkal," he murmurs a little hoarsely.

Freyja opens her own eyes, also smiling, and says, "Any time, Grandmother -- you're helping one of my dearest friends, after all." She pauses, then asks curiously, "Ah... were you startled because my Light seems strange to you, or something?" She gives Zero a curious look also, "Pardon?"

Zero smiles a little. "... nothing, just being inappropriate as usual. Feeling better; he was nearly dead, you know. And that before you were nearly this good." He gives her a wan smile.

Freyja laughs, her eyes and teeth sparkling in the dim light within the tent, then grins, "It's part of my job, Zero -- I like helping folks feel better." Vakkal grins quietly. Roakkana meanwhile has been very thoughtfully quiet.

Zero smiles. "And all better off for it." Freyja grins shyly, flushing slightly with pleasure... then hastily looks at the matron to see if she's going to reply.

The matron smiles. "Only that I had not expected... well. You are certainly very bright in the Lady's light. I had not really understood how strong until you touched me and gave me some of your energy." The matron smiles then to Zero, looking to him fairly intently. "Did it help at all, Devil's son? Do you have any questions about what you saw? Do not be shy, ask away; it is the rare matron who herself does not have many questions."

Freyja beams at the matron, pleased at the compliment. Zero says, "I... think I'm starting to understand, matron. I think I know what I have to do now."

The matron tilts her head to the side. "And what is that, Zero Satau?"

Zero says, "I've... been wondering what it is that I need to do with myself since becoming aware of the Force. And how I relate... how I fit in among my partners. I think I understand now." Freyja watches interestedly. She's curious as to what her Master is thinking, as well as what conclusions Zero's come to. He says, "It's plain to see that either side alone can't sustain life; it chokes itself, or chokes everything else."

The matron looks carefully at Zero, listening intently. Freyja nods quietly to herself, listening. Zero says, "To help them... I have to be the Way. I have to be the path that keeps them down the center. It's not enough to be the mediator; I have to be the edge that we walk to keep everything moving. The hub of the wheel." Freyja smiles faintly to herself, still listening intently. Zero adds, "The unmoving center of the turning wheel." He mutters almost to himself, "...the Silver Path."

The matron smiles quietly. "Only remember that even the hub of the wheel turns. Nothing is static. The one who seeks to preserve only to maintain the status quo is not truly preserving." She arches an eyebrow in curiosity at Zero's use of the unfamiliar phrase, but bridles her curiosity.

Zero says, "I don't think anything in my life has ever been static, matron... I don't think I'd even know how." He laughs self-consciously.

The matron laughs quietly as well. "I hope this has helped you, Zero Satau. I truly do. Above and beyond anything between our two peoples." Freyja smiles again. She hopes so also... she's rather looking forward to a bit of downtime roaming with the nomads!

Zero smiles a bit. "More than I can say, matron. And I think... as for the latter... well, I'm here, aren't I? I think that says a lot about how far we've come." Freyja grins. No kidding.

The matron nods. "It does, yes." She smiles. "And I'm here as well."

Freyja spends the weeks with the natives in a wonderful state of self-indulgent relaxation. She throws herself with sensuous abandon into each of the things she tries, doing her best to really, really be herself, and to figure out who that truly is... here a day spent enjoyably mastering the intricacies of the tonal commands for the hakaast, there several hours teaching Jiaohua a cute trick... now a morning spent flat on her back on a hilltop, meditating on the Force within cloud patterns, now an afternoon flopped out in the nude in a stream, to see what it feels like to live in a constant flow... whether fascinatedly observing craftsmen at their work, or helping Vakkal in hunting to support the clan, Freyja enjoys herself tremendously.

Freyja also is interested in trying to live as smoothly and non-disruptively with the natives as she can. She is careful, of course, to make sure to be discreetly generous with the cartridges when asking politely if they might borrow some bedding and a tent -- especially since a Wookie takes up a lot of space! While she doesn't care to ride without the support of her athlete's top, most of the rest of the time she simply imitates the people themselves, bartering more cartridges for a nice pair of soft leather riding pants. Unsurprisingly, she rapidly tans to a deep, even honey gold. More oddly, her hair seems to be changing as well -- from a short mop of light brown it slowly goes over the weeks to a thick, shining mane of bright, fiery gold. She doesn't realize it immediately, being quite absorbed in soaking up as much of the culture and language as she can.

Vakkal in this time has taken well to the clan lifestyle, probably in large part since he grew up with it. The matron seems to give him a bit of a berth -- perhaps she can sense the subtle way his aura is different, or a bit of the Sithstain upon him, and recognizes that he is trying hard to keep something concealed or quiet so as not to discomfit his companions. She does spend quite a great amount of time with Roakkana, however, spending long hours talking, debating, conversing with the Jedi Master.

Over the course of the weeks the clan does move once -- it is a small change, about 50 miles from their starting position. It is right after that move that the matron receives word via the long-tailed prairie swallow messenger birds that the deep clans have been informed that they may again bask in the light of the Lady; and that the three Jedi, now more the wiser and humbler for their faux pas, have been returned safely to the reservation. Freyja is relieved to hear that, and thanks the clan mother happily for the news.

Freyja finds herself, over time, becoming more casually touchy with her friends as she relaxes. It's nice to know where they are, and they feel good to her, both physically and through the Force... and as long as they don't seem discomfited, she's happy to lean against them while they're sitting together, or brush lightly against them while standing in a group. She also deeply enjoys sleeping in a warm and furry pile with her friends, and she's pleased (and a bit startled) when Zero turns out to also enjoy doing so.

Zero spends most of the time thinking quietly, staring at the night sky, or explaining quietly to native males why they don't want to challenge him. Most of the time a simple explanation of his last name, or rolling up his sleeve and explaining what a vibrosword is, suffices to dissuade the few aggressive sorts. Once, however, he's required to pick up a staff...

During this time the four gain a much greater insight into the lives and culture of the nomads. In many ways they are much like pre-industrialized cultures throughout the galaxy. There is always work that needs doing, and seemingly not enough time to do it in; the nomads compensate by doing what can be done when it can be done. The evenings when times are slow are spent with the retelling of stories whose origins aren't remembered at all clearly. Sometimes there are contests, most often songs or craftwork.

Occasionally there are more martial contests, mostly amongst the males -- wrestling mostly, friendly and congenial -- though the women also participate in some, such as the shooting contests with the short bows the nomads use when not equipped with rifles; or target practice of a different sort -- pegging a small target with a hunting lance while on a galloping hakaast going full-bore.

Challenges are neither formal nor looked well upon. Most such fights are done away from the encampment and are rarely more than very enthusiastic wrestling. Occasionally fighting sticks or staves are used, apparently as part of ancient customs that have since fallen by the wayside. Needless to say, the matrons are rarely if ever amused by the duels, but know that sometimes they happen. So, if nobody is harmed and kept from their regular duties, and it does indeed and with finality resolve the problem, they let it happen... though once in a while, for reasons of their own, a pair of duelists might suddenly find the stern and disapproving visage of a matron or Linikaito glaring at them, at which point they meekly and quickly return to the encampment.

"You're sure you want to do this?"
"Never done, never known, Devil's Son. Aren't you curious?"
"I don't think about battles. You can die in the time it takes to think. I just breathe."
"Is that all?"
"You'll see."

Zero picks up his staff; he turns once, the staff tracing a blurry spiral over his head. It catches in the crook of his arm, between elbow and behind wrist, as he holds it on his off arm, the other hand held out in front of him. He turns his palm up, and beckons the nomad closer with his fingers.

Zero is silent as the native approaches him. He reflects briefly on how he finds himself in these situations. Criminals avoiding justice. Bodyguards resisting an acquisition. And now, just watching a native ritual, called out for nothing more than his hair and a bad reputation. He sighs inwardly. Some things never change. The native is making a big show of his approach; he's making a lot of noise with his paired fighting sticks, turning his body and turning again as he whirls the weapons in his hands. The wind sound brings Zero back to the here and now; adrenaline brings small details to his eye. Ritual markings. Carvings that clean? In a blunt weapon made of wood? Perfect... either he maintains it religiously, or he's never used it before in his life.

Farther away, Freyja is pacing quietly through the encampment, her head tossed back, smiling and singing softly up at the sun, planning on going hakaast riding... when it quietly impinges on her consciousness... there aren't a whole lot of males in the encampment currently. Curious... she looks around puzzledly, listening to hear if folks are gathered elsewhere for some reason.

Freyja tilts her head thoughtfully... then smiles and shakes her head as she hears nothing distinctive. If the males are off doing something secretive for some reason, she's unlikely to find them. The males know enough not to do something like that so close to the encampment that a suspicious clan mother could hear them right away. She heads off to the hakaast herds, lightly ruffling Jiaohua's ears and singing quietly to herself, and wanders in amongst the hakaast, patting one, rubbing the nose of another, crooning quietly and affectionately to them all. She's looking for one that seems a bit restless and wouldn't mind a bit of running around with her.

Elsewhere, the native's attack comes in fast; the elaborate approach is but a simple feint. The lead stick stabs forward suddenly, guiding Zero's dodge into the path of the off-hand's arc. His fingers curl around the staff, bracing it back against his forearm as it intercepts the nomad's weapon with a single clear clack of wood on wood. "Inhale," Zero says.

Freyja blinks, her head coming up at the sharp *CRACK* of wood on wood. She knows that sound very, very well -- sword practice! But... to her knowledge there's no such thing here? She thinks, then nods firmly to herself -- whatever it is, the natives will probably want to know about it. She swings up lithely onto the hakaast she was skritching, crooning the quiet tones to it to send it weaving easily through the herd towards the sound's location. From her higher position she shades her eyes and stares ahead, trying to spot the sound's cause. There, up ahead -- a group of people, all very intent on something... huh! Looks like she's found the males -- but what are they doing?

The native replies, "So demons can block; can't they fight? Here, breathe deeply, if that's what you do!" Two strikes come in quick succession; low and then high as the native goes for Zero's legs and then his head; the staff intercepts both with another clear clack-clack rhythm. Splinters fly from Zero's staff; the native's sheer muscle power startles him. They're so compact; he's all muscle...

Freyja slides her hakaast smoothly through the herd, to halt quietly behind the male nearest the herd. She blinks... Zero and some native, fighting? Doesn't hardly seem fair... she pushes her mane of hair back, a perplexed look on her face, then leans down to whisper to the native, "Hey... why are they fighting?"

One of the native males glances over his shoulder at the question, then does a double take. "Uh... uhm... uh... practice!" he splutters almost automatically. After a moment he recovers, and says sheepishly, "Practicing fighting, mean. Uh... is done sometimes, for to... how say... practice fight this way. In this case, Kalistaal challenged Zero to practice bout."

Freyja looks up puzzledly, then back at the man she's talking to, "Really? Doesn't he know who Zero is? What's so important to him that he wants to get hurt like this?"

"Am not certain. Am thinking just wished to see how Devil's son fought. Is not honor duel or anything of that sort."

Freyja says, "Oh." She scootches back so she can lean her crossed arms on the hakaast's back and comfortably observe, smiling ruefully and shaking her head once. "Well... in that case I'll stick around so I can patch him up when Zero's done. Zero's careful, but if he isn't he could get himself hurt." The hakaast, unimpressed by the noise, starts grazing. Freyja considers a moment, then adds curiously, "What's an honor duel?"

The native considers for a moment. "Is something... not really done anymore. Matrons put stop to it. If person is wronged then maybe honor duel satisfies both sides. But only if both sides think will help. Thus not often done anymore."

Freyja nods thoughtfully, "All right." She relaxes, waiting for Zero to finish the guy off. Shouldn't take long... and she can make sure they're not marked up such that they get into trouble with the matrons.

Zero is perhaps not as in the moment as he believed; something catches his eye. Golden -- Freyja! He freezes for just a third of a second, suddenly feeling inexplicably guilty for letting himself get pulled into this -- and pays for it in that moment. The native's weapons sail in; another stab-swing, catching Zero in the side, doubling him over and then striking his head. The wooden weapon shatters. There's silence for a moment as Zero staggers.

Freyja sits up, raising an eyebrow. Now that she didn't expect! One hand goes automatically to her medkit as she watches intently -- should she intervene, or does Zero want to go on?

Zero stumbles back, then snaps back into his fighting stance, and throws his staff to Kalistaal. Not at; to him. "Your weapon stinks, aiyah!" Zero reaches back toward a nearby native as Kalistaal plucks the staff from the air; with a low ripple in the Force, Zero snatches the bystander's own staff away from him, swinging it into ready position as he advances.

Freyja raises her head in faintly incredulous amusement -- this is so Zero! She takes a slow breath, relaxing herself deliberately. So he wants to go on... determinedly she reminds herself that he's his own man, and doesn't need her playing nanny.

Kalistaal grins, retreating a bit. "Don't know my own strength, aiyah, demon? How you breathing now?"

Freyja frowns. Taunting? She's never cared for that. One should respect one's oppo- neh, wait, this isn't her battle, Hela take it! She folds her arms and remains sitting up relaxedly on the grazing hakaast, Jiaohua snoozing about her shoulders as she thoughtfully studies the battle.

Zero replies, "Now exhale." His staff comes up; he strikes high with the right, then the left side, the native blocking each as he retreats -- then he turns his body again, smoothly, the staff suddenly a blur of motion as Zero turns it and himself. The rhythm of the wood as Kalistaal mounts a frantic defense is the only sure way to track the exchange. Zero turns three times; clack-clack, clack-clack, clack-clack. Then the staff slaps back into his armpit again, and his leading leg snaps forward, carried on his forward momentum, to strike the native on the chin, once... and then he turns one last time, the staff coming out in both hands to swing down through a low, wide arc, snapping the nomad's legs from under him and spilling him on the ground. "And now I'm done with you."

Freyja doesn't move, curious as to how the natives will react. Zero throws his staff back to the native he 'borrowed' it from, then walks to the fallen native. He takes a deep breath, and then offers his hand. "Next time, let's just call each other names, okay?" Freyja grins, shaking her head amusedly. That's so Zero, too. She's going to have to put bacta on the wound where he got head-struck. The blood's already soaking his pale hair.

Kalistaal opens his eyes and takes a few moments to bring Zero and his hand into focus. Then he grins, "Never done, never known, Devil's Son." He takes the offered hand, and Zero leans way back to help the much denser native to his feet. "Heh. I don't understand you guys at all..."

Freyja croons quietly to the hakaast, still not looking away from the two men, and the beast bleats, raising its head and weaving calmly through the gathered males. She sways easily with its movement, and wonders if Kalistaal will admit why he felt it necessary to challenge Zero. Very strange. He didn't seem just curious... he seemed distinctly pushy about the fight.

Zero grins sheepishly. "Hey... Freyja." His hair falls over his right eye, and a little blood trickles down his cheek from beneath.

Freyja raises an amused eyebrow at Zero, "Haiyo... Preserver." Her voice is a mix of amused sarcasm and teasing... then she turns to look at the native, "Why did you challenge him?" She sounds genuinely curious.

Kalistaal blinks, suddenly noticing Freyja after Zero helped him up. "Uh... I... that is... I wanted... to see how well the Devil's son fought," he finishes rather lamely.

Freyja raises an eyebrow, "Uh-huh..." She has a faintly quizzical expression on her face as she turns her head, to ask Zero, "And... is that why you accepted the challenge?"

Zero says, "Honestly? I wasn't sure if it was alright to say no. 'Course, I wasn't sure what the matrons would say either... guess I let my instinct make the decision for me."

Freyja smiles, looking down at the two men from the hakaast's back. "You're both very silly, you know that." She sighs, still smiling, and slides easily off the hakaast's back. "Well... let's get you both patched up, so you don't get into trouble." She pulls the medkit, cleaning up Zero's head and Kalistaal's mouth, from where he snapped his teeth together at the chin strike.

Freyja says, "You'll both bruise marvelously..." her tone gets wry, "-but I'm sure you can both come up with some convincing excuse for that."

Zero grins a little. "Hakaast kicked me." He snickers a little, "Right."

Freyja smiles, finishing up, and tucks the medkit away. "Try to stay out of trouble, Zero, hai?" She eyes the other male with equal amusement, "You too, hey?"

Kalistaal looks sheepish. "Yes, lady, I will."

Zero stretches a bit. "I will. Thank you, Freyja." He smiles and brushes her hair out of her eyes. "Sorry to worry you again. That's... what, twice now in a week?"

Freyja looks around thoughtfully at the few males still watching, but doesn't say anything. They probably already know better than to mention this. She smiles, seeing Vakkal's dark bulk moving closer, distinct amongst the blue- tattooed natives. He won't mention it either. She looks back at Zero, her eyebrows raised in amusement again, "Are you trying to set a record, silly man?" She grins, "Shoo, you. Go do something less violent for a while, hey?"

Zero says, "Old habits die hard. But, hey, so do I... don't take it so serious, aiyah?"

Freyja laughs, tossing her head slightly at him... then getting a faintly exasperated look as her hair falls back into her eyes. She pushes it back herself this time, grinning, "Better not to die at all, hai?" She looks around, then takes Zero's hand, "Come on... let's get you out of here before some irritated matron turns up." She smiles at Kalistaal, "You should go too," before turning to head towards Vakkal, away from the telltale group of men.

Zero smiles, "Me? A wizard guy like me will never die." He laughs. "Want to wander back to the stream?"

Freyja grins, "Sure. It's lovely there, and you can wash the dust off you." She pats the patient hakaast, then heads for the stream with Zero, leaving it up to Vakkal as to whether he wishes to come along or not. She smiles, admiring the view... the natives are all bluish and rippling with movement, like water -- while Zero's all pale skin and white hair, in contrasting black pants and boots, and Vakkal's that lovely dark mahogany fur, marked only with the simple loincloth and the bright cobalt blue feather. She hums quietly under her breath, enjoying the feel of the sun on her back, the wind lightly lifting her hair, and the furry dakang stole about her shoulders.

Zero stops at the riverbank, studying his rippling reflection in the surface. He grins as Vakkal approaches. "You look comfortable."

Freyja smiles, letting Zero's hand go to sit down on the bank and dangle her feet in the water. "Water feels lovely and cool. Heiyo, Vakkal! How're you doing?"

Vakkal grins quietly. "I wear more usually mostly to blend in -- like with a uniform -- or to have places to carry things. I haven't worn this little in quite some time." He looks over to Freyja. "I'm doing well, thank you, Freyja!"

Zero takes off his boots and rolls up his pants carefully. "You look like you're having a good time."

Freyja flops back lazily on the grass, "Hai, I think we all are. It's very relaxing here." She grins up at her friends, shading her eyes with one hand, her fiery gold hair bright against the grass behind her, "Let's bring Kuras Fhazil and Fafnir here -- bet they'd both love it!" She giggles, "Two white haired men -- the natives would never recover!"

Zero says, "A million generations of oral tradition? Fafnir would never recover."

Freyja laughs quietly, putting her arms comfortably behind her head and kicking her feet slightly for the splash, "Probably not. What a way to go, though, eh?"

Zero says, "He'd go out a happy man."

Freyja giggles, then nods Zero towards the stream, "You should wash off, Zero." She watches him a bit, then curiously asks, "Hey... how come you stick to pants and boots?"

Zero hmms? "Stick to?"

Freyja says, "As opposed to cooler things, like Vakkal and I?" She waves a lazy hand to indicate the soft blue leather riding breeches she's attired in, and Vakkal's comfortable loincloth.

Zero looks down at himself. "Never really thought about it, honestly. It's what I'm most used to."

"Mm... all right. Was just curious."

Zero wades out into the water. He laughs softly, saying, "I'd think you wanted me to get naked, Freyja," his voice teasing.

Freyja murmurs, "Seems only fair... sure, why not?" She grins lazily at Zero.

Zero laughs, "Fair? I don't see you leading the way, Arving Lady..."

Freyja raises an amused eyebrow, "Already have, silly man. I saw you watching the day I spent in the stream!"

Zero smirks, "I was riding herd on those native boys. You'd think they'd never seen a woman before."

Freyja laughs, "Oh, right, hai, uh-huuuh..." She rolls smoothly up to almost pounce on him, "You expect me to believe that whopper?!" and giggles, trying to swipe his legs out from under him while he's still surprised. She's enough of a healer that she can't quite bring herself to grab at his injured head!

Zero dodges back a little, wobbling precariously in the current. He grins and sinks down in the water a bit, leaning back against a heavy midstream boulder worn smooth by the passing water. "'Course, you are looking a bit more..." He hmms. "I don't know what to say. Striking? That's such a clumsy word. Healthy?" He grins and shrugs. "You're looking good lately."

Freyja tilts her head curiously at him, then smiles and moves to sit back on the bank, crossing her legs. Wet leather, yuck... she'd rather not go there. "How do you mean more? I'm just me, same as always, far as I can tell." She smiles, tossing her braid back over her shoulder, then giggles, adding, "Not striking. That's you!" The reply is Zero's waterlogged pants sailing at the Arving Lady. Freyja laughs, easily leaning to one side to let them sail by, then grins cheerfully, leaning back on her hands to tilt her head and study Zero, "How do you keep from burning, with such pale skin? You don't even have a tan line!"

Zero hmms? "Oh... uh..." Burning? No problem. Blushing? Problem.

Freyja laughs quietly, politely looking elsewhere, "Sorry, I forgot your nudity taboo!" She sounds faintly teasing.

Zero says, "Mine? Pfeh. This water's freezing." Freyja snorts in amused disbelief. Zero folds his arms behind his head. "So. What you expected?"

Freyja smiles, turning her gaze back to Zero, "You're funny. You want so much to be your own man... but you seem almost shy when nude, like you almost expect me to be judging you by how you look on the outside." She considers a moment, then nods her head, "Considering how much I've patched you up, I'd have to say hai, you look like I expect." She grins cheerfully at her sibling Padawan, then adds quietly, "It's the inside, I think, that's the hardest to show someone else... it takes trust to let yourself be vulnerable that way, I think."

Freyja considers a moment more... then smiles again, rising smoothly to slide out of her leather riding breeches, and step lightly into the water. She wades over to the big warm rock Zero's standing next to and settles on it comfortably, smiling up at the Human. "And you're right... it is a lovely day."

Zero says, "Shy? Why shouldn't I be? Isn't that normal when you're around someone... you're attracted to?"

Freyja blinks up at Zero, "Ah... excuse me?" She pauses, collecting her thoughts and amusedly noting to herself that she really could have been a bit smoother there -- then says slowly, "I... didn't think you were at all interested in... in falling in love, Zero... just in sex." She draws her long golden legs up to wrap her arms around them and rest her chin on her knees, still regarding Zero thoughtfully, "I'm afraid of just sex. I'm sorry... but I've seen too many people get hurt that way."

Zero blinks. "You think I-" He shakes his head, "Freyja... that's not what I meant."

Freyja bites her lip, feeling a bit foolish. She considers a moment, then says carefully (and a little huskily, from a touch of nervousness), "Well... all right, what did you mean, please?"

Zero says, "Just... that I like you, Freyja. I want you to like me too... I care about your opinion of me. I want you to think I'm attractive too. Isn't that... normal?"

Freyja considers carefully... then looks up and says a little unhappily, "I... I really don't know, Zero. I'm sorry! I've only seen my parents, where one of them sort of mentally overpowers the other, and I don't want to be like that -- and my sister, who goes through admirers like tissues -- and I don't want to be like that either!" She looks down, murmuring with a bit of embarrassment, "I... I want to... to be with a... a partner... someone that cares about me as much as I care about them, you know?" She sighs quietly, "I know it's... kinda fantastic to want that, but... well, I can dream, can't I?" She sounds a little defensive at the end there.

Zero tilts his head. "What do you feel about me?"

Freyja grins wryly up at him again, "Like I should be careful not to feel too interested in someone that's not interested in me that way, silly! How do you think I feel? I thought you wanted to be strictly your own man!" She grins again, "Turn-about's fair play, too -- how do you feel about me?"

Zero says, "Honestly, Freyja? I'm not sure. I... am interested, you know? But I feel like I'm always saying the wrong thing, like I'm sending a message I don't understand... like I'm always doing something to upset you."

Freyja tilts her head, puzzled, "I... don't understand? Can you give me an example?"

Zero sighs, sinking into the water again. "Now, for example. I just... I don't know what I want to say."

Freyja unfolds her long legs, shifting around to lie on her stomach across the rock, resting her elbows on it and her chin in her hands, to regard her fellow Padawan in puzzlement. She's a long golden swathe across the rock, except for where her braid floats lightly in the water below her. "Well... what do you feel? Maybe you could say that?"

Zero says, "I... want to like you, Freyja. I just... I don't know how to say it. But... maybe you don't want me to."

Freyja looks a bit astonished... then grins, her eyes lighting up, "Really, Zero? Oh, I'd love that, hai!" She sits up with a laugh, "Freya's eyes, why would I not want that?!" She grins cheerfully, flipping the damp braid back over her shoulder, "I like dog-piling with you and Vakkal at night -- it's lovely! I just didn't know if I should be being carefully, politely distant because you weren't really interested!"

Zero says, "I... no. No, that's not it at all."

Freyja pauses... then says cautiously, "What's not what, please?"

Zero says, "It's not that I'm not interested. I just don't know what to say."

Freyja says, "Oh!" She relaxes with a bit of relief, then considers for a moment. "Well... why not ask folks who know how to court, then? I've been watching the natives, and I think they have it down pretty well?" She grins happily, "That could be fun, and we wouldn't have to say anything if we didn't know what to say -- we could just gift each other things?"

Zero studies the water for a bit. "Would it be all right, for right now... if I just said... that I care about you a lot, Freyja?"

Freyja tilts her head, regarding the Human male for a moment... then smiles quietly, "Of course, Zero. Am I going too fast for you?"

Zero shakes his head. "No... I just..." He grins sheepishly, "I haven't got anything else to give you."

Freyja laughs softly, with a bit of relief, "Well, that's all right -- I don't either! -yet."

Zero says, "Uh... actually..." Freyja hms curiously, still smiling. He adds, "I can think of something."

Freyja says, "What's that?"

Zero says, "Can I join you up there?"

Freyja splashes her feet lazily in the water, leaning on her hands and watching Zero with interest. "Sure, if you like." She'll pat the rock next to her.

Zero climbs up carefully on the flat slab, and leans a little closer. "If I... just tell me to stop." He curls his arm gently around Freyja's waist.

Freyja smiles, leaning against Zero comfortably, resting her chin gently against his head and sliding an arm around his waist as well. She's been enjoying being more touchy with her closest friends, without guilt or worry, "Stop what, Zero?"

Zero curls both his arms around her waist, and stretches out at length with her, drawing her body next to his. "I mean... just if I do something that... I shouldn't."

Freyja blinks, looking a bit puzzledly intrigued, and stretches out with him, shifting so she can lay an arm across him to rest her chin on, "All right... um... what shouldn't you be doing, Zero?" She pauses, then says with a touch of embarrassment, "Oh, wait... are there cultural signals or... or known positions or something that mean we should stop or something? Um..." she looks more deeply embarrassed, "-because if there are, I don't really know them..." Her voice trails off uncertainly... then she adds, "But... you feel nice?"

Zero sighs, trying to figure out what is so stanging difficult about this for him. He grins sheepishly and shakes his head. "I... don't know if there are or not. I sure never heard of any while I was on Sedrak..." He squeezes her gently, a hug that gradually becomes a warm embrace, pressing close, "...wonderful. What about you?"

Freyja mms quietly, turning her head to lay it on Zero's chest and relax against him. He can feel the soft rumble of her voice against his bare skin, "...mmmhmmm... like the sunshine..."

Zero smiles a little and closes his eyes, hands brushing unhurriedly across her golden skin. "...I think I like this better."

Freyja chuckles quietly, a small purr against his chest, and then he can feel her smile, "S'nice. Let's stay here a while, mm?"

Zero murmurs, "As long as you want."

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Last modified: 2002-Jul-16 16:14:54

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