Chapter 5: Flashpoint“Good Ari, good!” Saani’s voice was encouraging as she watched the teenager block several swift attacks from Kazic’s teidowan, Kasah Fayar. Smiling at the compliment, Aresaea blew a lock of her red hair out of her face, her practice saber at the ready. She had donned a variant of the same practice tunics that the other Vhal’Dan teidowans wore. And anyone looking would think that she was just that.
But as Kazic knew so well, such looks could be deceiving.
“Now Kasah, how do you best an opponent who is stronger than you; worse, expectant and fully prepared?” Kazic softly asked from behind the short young woman, his arms crossed casually. Intently, his red eyes scrutinized the two as they slowly circled one another.
Careless of her long, blonde hair that had fallen from her hairclip, Kasah’s eyes were intent on Aresaea, both young women with sabers at the ready. And if there was a centimeter of difference in height between the two, it would take a more discerning eye than Kazic’s to notice. But the Anzati master knew that Ari was several kilograms heavier, despite her looks and—more importantly—she was exponentially stronger in the Force than Kasah. In fact, with the exceptions of Saani and Kazic himself, Ari was the strongest Force-user in the entire building, and by quite a fair margin.
But strength did not necessarily translate to skill; Kasah took Kazic’s rhetoric to heart. In a flurry of motion, the blonde teidowan swung several precision attacks, testing, probing, always searching for an opening. And Ari was good, very good: her defense had vastly improved over the months, her green practice blade seemingly impenetrable. And Ari never needed to be shown anything twice before she absorbed it. But Kasah was adept; she’d been practicing for far longer and such experience was its own capital in a duel such as this one. The two locked their sabers, neither gaining advantage at first, but Kazic knew that—given time—Ari would emerge the victor in such a contest. Kasah must have surmised that as well for she quickly disengaged, putting a full saber-length between her and Ari before she attacked again.
Even as Ari defended, she began to fall into a pattern…one orchestrated by Kasah’s saberwork. And although the opening was miniscule, to a proficient saber practitioner it was an invitation. Kasah’s sudden riposte was lightning-quick, stabbing in the center of the opening, the practice blade connected to Ari’s exposed ribs on her left side, the red-haired girl flinching from the mild shock of the blade.
Clapping echoed throughout the salle as many of the students and instructors had been watching, impressed by both of the girls’ swordplay. Kasah went up to Ari, both smiling as they congratulated one another. Saani put a hand on both of their shoulders. “Kasah, excellent saberwork! I can see that Master Kazic has been training you hard. And Ari: it’s amazing how much you’ve improved!” Saani’s smile split her face as she complimented both of them. Turning her head, she saw that Kazic was approaching, lightsaber in hand.
“Kasah, I am proud of you. I want for you to try your hand with Koawan Teke Ando; see if you can’t teach him a lesson in Makashi.” Nodding to Ari in farewell, Kasah gave a soft “Yes, master” before squaring off with the taller koawan. Addressing Aresaea, Kazic said, “Ari, I know how quickly you learn but I would like for you to get used to an opponent who does
not follow patterns.” Slowly stretching his arms, Kazic ignited his practice saber, performing a few easy practice swings before adopting a low, modified, Iron Horse stance. Used to Kazic’s proactive methods, Ari walked towards the center of the circle, the snap-hiss of her lightsaber prefacing her kata as she settled into readiness. Smiling, the Anzati master…moved.
With speed belying his size, Kazic opened with a savage overhead blow, switching at the last moment with a cut towards Aresaea’s neck. Adroitly, the girl deflected, intent on following through with her own attack. But before she could reposte, Kazic’s blade was scything towards her again, his movements so quick that even with the aether she had to focus. She could hear his words: that he would
not follow patterns. As she was surrounded by the aether, Kazic’s rapid attack seeming to slow as her senses compensated as a result.
However, Kazic’s master swordplay was still pressing her regardless. His saber seemed to be in multiple places at once; attacking high, low, then a quick up-chop that he followed with a brutal overhead slice. On several occasions, he’d try to trap her blade against her, almost succeeding twice as he maneuvered towards her flanks as he momentarily locked blades, only to flow into another attack, his strikes always deliberate, powerful, and none the same.
And still Kazic moved.
Ari noticed that with every other opponent that she’d faced, they would eventually tire, fatigue beginning to impair their performance. But Kazic had not tired; he didn’t even seem to be winded. She knew that she couldn’t outlast him so she must…how had Saani put it? “Make the opportunity.” Yes, that was it. Saani had told her before that if the occasion did not present itself, then one must make it so.
Ari would “make her opportunity.”
Kazic’s assault was relentless, his offense merciless, his technique impeccable. But Ari thought that she could
almost see an opening. Plus…and she knew that she wasn’t
supposed to know this but…she knew of a trick that she’d seen the Guardians do. Before she went to exploit Kazic’s apparent flaw, she focused the aether to push against—
into—Kazic’s mind.
That did something; Kazic’s red eyes squinted, his flow momentarily interrupted. And in that interim, Ari struck. Her green blade pulsed, her aim both strong and true. Expectantly, she started to smile, her practice saber stabbing directly at the Anzati master’s thorax.
Somehow, suddenly, she was facedown on the floor, her back and shoulders stinging. It took a moment for Ari to realize that Kazic had somehow shifted, completely avoiding her thrust while pivoting and then striking her below her shoulders. Even before she moved to rise, Saani was beside her.
“Ari! Are you ok?” The Twi’lek’s voice was full of concern tinged with worry. As she was helped to her feet, Saani started to rub her back while her Force Healing flowed into Ari.
Almost in unison with his wife, Kazic closed down the practice saber, asking, “Ari, are you hurt? I’m sorry, I had not intended to use my full speed.” His gray brow furrowed in apprehension, his own big hand on her other shoulder, gently rubbing Ari as his voice became gentle. “I…had not expected that, Ari. I apologize.” Suddenly, a wry grin started spreading across his face and Kazic looked at Aresaea from underneath his brow. “…I guess that we
both received lessons in the unexpected.”
Ari reflexively Delved the Anzati Gray Master, feeling his sincerity in the aether, as well as his embarrassment in accidentally hurting her. She could feel his self-reproach as his worry for her grew as she remained silent. “I’m ok Saani,” Ari told the Twi’lek first—as was proper—quickly followed by, “I’m not hurt Kazic.” Echoing the truth in her words, she filled the aether with her earnestness, projecting her well being into Saani and Kazic’s minds.
Looking around, Ari stopped, abruptly noticing that instead of only Saani and Kazic, she’d accidently included
everyone within the salle. Every single Gray Jedi was staring at her, some amazed, others fearful, all astonished. Except one.
Anson stood in the doorway, his muscular arms crossed in front of his chest. The look on his face was that of a judge…or an executioner. As his brown eyes assayed the scene before him, Anson’s gaze settled upon Kazic and Ari. Once Anson began walking towards them, quiet talking resumed but they all drew away from Kazic, Saani, and Ari, creating a conspicuous void around them.
Saani grabbed Ari gently, holding her protectively while Kazic stood straight. As Anson stood before the Anzati Master, the air between them felt electric, both men staring impassively at one another. When Ari looked into Saani’s face, she saw a woman in control. But in the aether…
…Ari could feel the aether around Saani…roiling, like a wave cresting, an instant before crashing down. With Kazic it was different; he had enveloped himself in the aether as if wading into a raging river…but the waters around him were suddenly…tranquil. But Anson…Anson’s presence in the aether was the most troublesome.
The human Arbiter was at the center of a cyclone, the calm eye contradicting the raging storm around him. But most remarkably, Anson was incredibly strong in the aether. Not as strong as a Guardian, but he was stronger than either Saani and Kazic…
But all of this was in the aether; to everyone else, the ambience of the salle was calm, almost idyllic. “So…” Anson’s steady voice filled the silence surrounding the four of them as he slowly doffed his light gray robes, exposing his sleeveless tunic and tanned skin. “Aresaea, I see that Kazic and Saani are teaching you saber techniques.” He walked over to where Saani and Ari were standing, stopping just short of them. “And I hear that you’re a quick learner.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Much like Kazic. But even an old dog can learn new tricks, eh? You clearly surprised him whatever you did…” His gaze never once wavered from the girl’s aqua eyes and she could sense that he knew more than he let on.
The Arbiter was not a particularly tall man yet he seemed to loom over all present, including Kazic. And while he wasn’t threatening, he was certainly intimidating.
Quietly, Ari spoke. “…I…I tried an ae…a Force Thorn.” Normally she was not timid. But the look on Anson’s face and his aura in the aether…she’d seen the same emanating from a Guardian before. This was a dangerous man.
Anson did not so much as blink. “A…Force Thorn you say? How interesting. How does it work, Aresaea?” Stiff-backed, the Arbiter’s voice was almost gentle, but Ari thought she could detect a hint of condescension. She felt Saani grab her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It helped. Somewhat.
“It…pierces into someone’s mind and if they can use the…Force, it ‘bleeds’ it off, weakening them.” She saw the look in Kazic’s eyes and mistook it for anger at her. “It’s only temporary with no lasting harm; it would’ve just…distracted(?)…I think that’s the right word…” She trailed off as she realized that Kazic wasn’t directing his ire at her…
He was angry at Anson.
Ari didn’t know how either Anson or Kazic could stand so calmly under the withering gaze that each man was giving the other, but she was glad that she didn’t have to talk anymore about the Aetheric Thorn; she had been all but forgotten by Anson.
“As I said: interesting. So Kaz…how about a sparring session between you and me? It’s been far too long, don’t you think?” The Arbiter chuckled but there was no humor in the sound or in his brown eyes. “What do you say?” But even as the last word left his lips, Anson was moving towards the center of one of the training areas.
Sighing, Kazic followed, his practice saber in hand until he stopped directly opposite Anson. Both men were completely silent, performing a few practice swings while everyone stood staring. These two were among the best swordsmen to grace the Vhal’Dan in a long time. They both looked almost bored as they settled on their respective spots until suddenly they both just…stopped.
Then, as if lightning had struck, the two men attacked simultaneously. Each combatant was lost in a burst of motion, the blades of their lightsabers casting both illumination and shadows across the crowd, across their faces. Anson’s green-white blade and Kazic’s blue-white blade moved faster than anything that Ari had ever seen since Home. Watching these two, she was sure that they could give the Guardian a good fight, perhaps even a draw. Perhaps…
Smiling, Anson’s face looked predatory. Instead of the normal swordplay that everyone else had been practicing, Anson and Kazic were locked in a tactical lightsaber bout, both attempting to gain advantage, neither achieving it. Strike, parry, riposte; feint, lunge, disengage. And all the while, they would occasionally throw or deflect a Force Push but to little effect as they were both so closely matched.
Flowing from his defensive position, Kazic suddenly and quickly began a quick succession of rapid attacks, even connecting with a leg sweep that took Anson down to the mat. Immediately kicking up back onto his feet, Anson’s own offense stalled and was suddenly hard-pressed against Kazic’s onslaught. On three occasions Ari thought that Kazic had the Arbiter for sure…only to have the human parry, finally stopping Kazic’s attack.
Anson was no longer smiling. In fact, he was no longer calm but instead had a dogged bent upon his face, his single-minded intent focused to a razor’s edge. Around each other they circled, trading strikes, blocks, and Force attacks. And still neither man seemed to pull ahead. And as they locked their sabers, Anson took a step forward, his face bare centimeters from Kazic’s.
Suddenly, Kazic blinked, a howling sound following. Involuntarily, the Anzati Master grabbed his head while he desperately kept his other hand upon his saber. Attacking with renewed vigor, Anson’s saberwork became less refined and more brutal. Hammering at Kazic’s defenses, the human Arbiter knocked his lightsaber high and wide. Everyone, including the Arbiter, thought that Anson had won. But as he tried to exploit the opening that he’d caused, Anson got yet another surprise: intent on a “killing blow” Anson’s blade stopped suddenly, Kazic’s parry barely intercepting the Arbiter’s. The look of pure astonishment on Anson’s face served only to remind the human just whom he faced. Gritting his teeth with conviction, Anson’s offensive went from brutal to savage.
It was testament to Kazic’s swordsmanship that he was able to hold Anson off as long as he did but soon the metaphysical attack that Anson had employed was taking its toll: Kazic failed to follow up on an advantageous move, so focused was he on his own defense. But, in the end, it was ultimately futile.
Again locking sabers, Anson’s right fist quickly jabbed out, taking Kazic on his chin. Now completely stunned, the Anzati Master faltered, leaving himself completely open to the Arbiter’s sudden Force Push. Hitting him square on, Kazic flew backwards, crashing into the far wall with a bone-jarring crunch. “Kazic!” Saani’s yell echoed through the salle as she ran up to her dazed husband. Everyone else, including Ari, stood astonished. As she administered weaves of Force Healing, Saani turned her head towards Anson, a scowl on her face. “Are you insane? What’s wrong with you Anson?!”
Even in the face of her accusation, Anson shrugged it off. Slowly retrieving his robes, he stopped briefly in front of Ari. “I told you: even an old dog can learn new tricks. Thank you, Aresaea. Your instruction has been most educational. You truly are the teacher that Kazic considers you.” And with that, Anson left the salle without a backwards glance.
Slowly, Kazic regained his feet. Thanks to his wife’s Healing—and his own Anzati physiology—his injuries were considerably less than they would normally be. Saani laid a gentle hand upon her husband’s cheek, love and worry radiating from her blue face. “
K’ompo, are you OK?” The fact that she’d used the Twi’leki masculine term of endearment in public was proof that Saani was well and truly agitated.
“…Yes,
Kanp’a…” Kazic nodded painfully, smiling down into his wife’s purple eyes. Then his gaze shifted, focusing on the girl behind Saani.
“Ari? What’s wrong?” Kazic sank to one knee so that he was virtually level with the girl’s eyes. Still slightly unsteady, the Anzati Master rested one elbow upon his bent knee.
Her aqua eyes wet with unshed tears, Ari was silent. But as soon as Saani came and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, Ari began to cry. While tears ran down her cheeks she did not sob, making no noise aside from her breathing. “I…I’m sorry Kazic. I…I didn’t know that he’d seen, that he would…do that… I just…just wanted to…” Ari’s voice trailed off as she bent her head, large tears dropping to the floor.
Aside from the diminishing pain, Kazic’s face was full with sympathy. “Ari…” His finger tenderly cupped her chin, raising her eyes so that he could look directly into them. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did nothing to be ashamed of; not now and not since you’ve been with Saani and I.” The Anzat had a kindly look about him, his demeanor patient. “Do not ever blame yourself for someone else’s actions. You did nothing wrong.”
As Ari looked into Kazic’s eyes, he could feel the tentative touch with the Force on his mind. With a quiet breath, Kazic opened himself to Ari’s Delve, her face beginning to relax as a result. Saani tenderly rubbed the girl’s back, both as encouragement as well as comfort. Feeling Ari withdraw the Force, Kazic saw that she was smiling contentedly.
“…Thank you Kazic…” Ari’s voice sounded small.
Getting to his feet, Kazic gathered Saani and Ari to him. He was still angry at Anson, even if he didn’t show it, nor had he focused on that when Ari had Delved him. But he knew that things could not be the same between them. The Arbiter had crossed one line too many for him to dismiss what had occurred. Next time, Kazic would be ready, or so he told himself. Looking at his wife and then to Aresaea, his anger was soon replaced by contentment.
“Let’s go home.”