OK! This thread is meant to be read concurrently with Karm's excellent "Wind Chimes." Whenever we have a crossover, I'll post the timeline prior just in case
My thanks to my friends for inspiration and feedback
Special thanks to Karm for suggesting this
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SHADOW ETUDE
Chapter 1: A Collaboration in Gray: New Friends (takes place immediately after "Wind Chimes, Ch.2 'Allies'")
Orange lightsaber?! The thought drilled through my mind. Seemingly of its own accord, my right hand flexed. Even now, years later, I could feel the searing agony within my arm. Beside me, D’Aylanna moved imperceptibly, her hand a calming touch on my elbow; but moreso, her soothing caress with the Force as we shared our bond.
Master Chillum continued. “Considering the two targets Kage Oyuna and Kage Silman agreed that we should split our effort. D’Aylanna’s team is headed to Kuat to follow up on the lead there. Karmack, you and Arnor will go to Sallust and track down Julwynn. Our primary objective is to stop whatever devices or weapons these enhanced crystals are being prepared for. If we can recover the crystals as well and liberate them that would be a bonus.”
Focusing on the situation at hand, I berated myself for getting distracted. Looking down into D’Aylanna’s dark eyes, I nodded my gratitude. From behind me, Jorya spoke, “Master…could it really be…?”
Turning, I forced myself to smile and project confidence that I did not feel. “Don’t worry, Dear One. It’s a wide galaxy. Besides: we have a job to do. You heard Master Chillum. We need to find out more about these Night Sisters, specifically Jennira. Thanks to the Mak’Tor intelligence, we’ve been able to deduce a few items of note. Most pertinent: Jennira was last seen at Kuat. THAT is our lead.” Turning my head to D’Aylanna, I was about to speak when she did.
“
Shakal. I must needs speak to Master Chillum and Kage Silman. Please excuse me. Try to behave yourself.” Her eyes twinkled. “Try acting more like Master Karmack. He seems a man of refinement and propriety.” A light brush of her blue lips, she kissed me and was gone.
Smiling, I went to approach Karmack. But before I could take a step, I felt Jorya’s hand upon my shoulder. Facing her, I looked down and noticed a tentative look upon her face, her eyes coy. “Father?” I mentally switched roles, no longer in the mindset of “maenowan.” She continued, “Father, I’d like to…look upon the Mak’Tor Spire. It’s always been a dream of mine.”
I was astonished; I didn’t know that Jorya shared my own love of architecture and geology. I must have been silent for too long because she softly added, almost pleadingly, “Please?”
My mouth spread into a smile that radiated pride, pride and love. “Of course, Dear One. I’m sorry; I…I just never knew that you had a shared interest.”
Hugging me, she laughed gracefully, “Oh Father, I forget that Mother doesn’t
always tell you everything. Thanks! Love you!” The last two sentences came out as a single word as Jorya ran off. I shook my head disbelievingly.
“They grow up so quickly.” A deep, rich voice sounded behind me. Turning, I looked at Master Karma—
Karm—and smiled. His eyes followed Jorya’s retreating footfalls, but then turned them towards me. And there it was, in his eyes: a kindred spirit. “Takes after her mother, I take it?”
Yes. I think I like this man…“Yes, thank the Maker,” I laughed. “In looks as well as temperament.” Solemnity followed for a moment. “I’m sorry for my abruptness earlier; I must admit that I was…amazed. Kage Silman is…
legendary. Of the Water Warriors, no one is more esteemed. I have to say that I am still in awe. My own Nexu Master, Pranay Torsin, waxed nostalgic concerning
his Water Master: Kage Silman.”
Waving his hand past in welcome, I fell in besides Karm. He had the graceful gait I immediately recognized as that of a master warrior. But then, I knew that already. Robes whispering around us as we slowly walked, I casually asked, “From your comment earlier, I take it that you are a father yourself from experience?”
Karm smiled, a proud set to his face…but something beneath, subtle…worry? “Yes. In fact, my eldest, Kenneniah, will be assigned as my teidowan.” Ah, of course.
“He could not have a better master, Karm.” I grinned, suddenly reflective. “I’m not sure if you’d remember, I was a koawan at the time, but I actually saw you before.” Karm’s face looked inquisitive while I continued. “You were teaching a class in ‘remote tactical techniques.’ Every single koawan and teidowan in attendance spoke about it for months afterwards, amazed at the Silver Koawan that could use the Force with such precision and acuity.”
Looking introspective, the Gray master remembered, nodding. “On Sekot. About…a decade ago?”
I concurred. “Good memory. Sorry; I only mention it now knowing that your son is soon to be your teidowan.” I looked towards where Jorya had disappeared to. “I was fortunate enough that my daughter was assigned into apprenticeship to me. It gave me the focus I needed.” I looked directly into Karm’s eyes; again, seeing a man of wisdom. “The necessary acuity. And the prudence to know when to be a master and when to be a parent.”
He smiled warmly. “Looks like you learned the lesson the way most men do: the hardest.” Knowingly, he glanced towards my hand and, lower, at my left leg. Incredible. Yes, this was definitely that powerful Silver Knight I’d seen. No, no I admonished myself; this is a
master. Feeling at ease, I laughed and continued towards the woman he had been leading me towards, I now realized.
“My love,” Karm fondly called to his wife, the woman that I’d only briefly met.
Easily turning, she smiled at Karm. “Letch.” However, she circled her arm through his and around his waist, standing by him. Hearing the interchange, I was reminded of the playfulness between D’Aylanna and myself. Again, I found myself thinking
I like them…And seeing Karm and Arnor together, I could almost…
hear their affinity. It was…incredible. Was this was what was meant by hearing…the Song? The Vhal’Dan Order had no equivalent, much less a comparison. It was almost…indescribable; akin to explaining colors to a person without eyes. Regardless, it was…extraordinary. Thank the Maker that the Mak’Tor had some members on Sekot; I’d been the recipient of their singular gifts more times than I cared to think about. Mentally shaking my head, I approached Arnor.
“Lady Arnor.” As disparate from D’Aylanna as she was, Arnor was VERY much like her: a beautiful woman but moreover, her
presence was remarkable. I had the distinct feeling that she was not only a warrior in her own right, but—like Karm—a master. I couldn’t help but feel amused: Karm and I had probably chosen the two most dangerous women in the galaxy. What did that say about us?
As if reading my mind, Arnor smiled. “Maenowan Zearic. Your wife is lovely. Such an incredible woman. And Jorya; I see that your…daughter is as excitable as our eldest.” Only the slightest of pauses; I couldn’t help but smile: Arnor WAS exceptionally perceptive. “I trust you’ve given her some latitude to…explore?”
“Please, my Lady, if you’d do me the benefit of calling me Zearic. And yes. Somehow, she takes after me in being enamored with archaic geology. Poor girl, I doubt that it will make her popular.” I looked wistful.
“Actually, Zearic, she’s done you a favor. Now you don’t need to worry about her attracting the wrong kind of attention.” I laughed at Karm’s wit.
“Point.” I conceded, still grinning.
Arnor smiled up at her husband and then glanced at me. “Vih’Torr. That’s a Hapan name.” Arnor’s eyes shined. “House Royal?”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “How is it you do that? Sorry, my Lady; D’Aylanna seems to be able to read my mind without effort.”
“What makes you think that she doesn’t?” The serious look on her face belied the levity of her mood. This time, we all shared in our laughter. “And, please, let neither of us stand on ceremony. Arnor.” Her eyes reflected the welcoming tone of her voice.
“La—Arnor, of course. And you are correct. Marquisa ta’a Chume.” I hadn’t said D’Aylanna’s title aloud in…years. “I took her name when we married. I’m originally from Dalos IV.”
Knowing looks crossed both Karm’s and Arnor’s faces. Dalos IV. Originally a penal colony, the Empire had largely ignored it. Consequently, there was virtually no government, except that from whichever warlord was in power at the time. The populace was almost completely militarized, to a person. Growing up there…you survived. Or you died, nothing in-between. Having lived there, I was lucky to have a FIRST name. But with D’Aylanna, she not only gave me my full name but a HOME. So unlike me, but I opened up to Karm and Arnor.
“Yes. It was just…blind luck that I came upon a visiting maenowan who was on-planet. Found me when I was twelve. He…tested me for Force sensitivity, took me off-world to Sekot.” What I didn’t say was that I was attempting to subconsciously use the Force to “appropriate” a few credits from Master Ovarug. Again, I was surprised to find myself reflective: I hadn’t thought of Master Kazic Ovarug in years. Smiling fondly in remembrance, I said a silent litany of gratitude.
Again, as if reading my mood, Karm and Arnor smiled genially. Of course, the Song. No wonder that these two could be so insightful and so…hospitable. In a reprise of our earlier encounter, Karm and I shook hands. Once again, the metallic grind of cybernetics sounded as we clasped hands. This time, we both broke out fully laughing.
<<<<< >>>>>
“Master Chillum, thank you for seeing me; please forgive my duplicity but…well, I’m sure that you’ll understand.” D’Aylanna spoke softly in the venerable Gray master’s rooms.
“Doni, please, lass,” His gruff voice said amiably. “Now, what’s this about?”
Sensing the mood, D’Aylanna immediately relaxed. “Doni, Oyuna wanted for me to extend not only her thanks but also her regrets that she could not personally attend you.” Reaching into one of the pouches on her belt, she withdrew an elaborately colored cabochon. As it moved, the polished stone’s colors slowly churned: first red, then green, blue, then orange, yellow, then purple, then back to red. “She hopes that this will…do in lieu of words.” She smiled, handing the artifact to him.
“Forgive me, Doni. But I am desperately overdue to Kage Silman.” Her dark eyes looked into Master Chillum’s clear ones, kindly smiling. “But, I did promise Oyuna.” Taking his larger between both of her smaller hands, she gently placed the cabochon in it. Looking up at his face, D’Aylanna’s eyes told of her compassion. Squeezing his hand, she quietly withdrew from Master Chillum’s apartments.
A sentimental set to his face, he looked at the stone. Then, rubbing his index finger along a miniscule, almost imperceptible pleat that he knew would be there, the cabochon’s colors began to swirl. The light combined, creating a gorgeous panoply of hues.
And then, faintly at first, music began to play. As it continued, it became stronger yet more melodic, a harmony that was entirely exquisite as it was evocative. Time had no meaning, flowing along the melody: lucid, tranquil, beautiful. Softly it concluded, the music did not so much as stop but lingered…
A small smile playing on his lips, Master Chillum smiled. “Ah, lass…”
<<<<< >>>>>
Later that night, D’Aylanna joined Karm, Arnor, and myself. As I had expected (and, truth be told, feared), Arnor and D’Aylanna immediately took to one another. Someone suggested dinner and it was all that Karm and I could do to keep our wives from relating every embarrassing tale, or at least that was my take from D’Aylanna’s choice of anecdotes. But it was the generous nature of our hosts that made our stay on M’Tzigon memorable.
Much later in the evening, after D’Aylanna and I had returned to the furnished apartments lent to us, we found Jorya excitedly pouring over holovids concerning the Spire and its consequent history. Smiling at my adoptive daughter, I looked down into my wife’s beautiful face. By the Maker, could life get better? I asked myself. Allowing myself a moment to reflect on my past, I had to admit that I’d been fortunate…more than I deserved.
Or perhaps not. Perhaps…I also followed the Song, if inadvertently? I would never suppose, never be so arrogant as to presume that… But, looking at D’Aylanna and to Jorya, I realized that as long as I had them—and now, friends like Karm and Arnor—that THIS was what mattered. Tonight, I could rest. Tonight, I could just be “Father,” “Husband,” and “
Shakal.”
Tomorrow, we would begin; to look for Jennira, to look for these so-called “Sith-Shadows.” To find Namman Cha and ascertain his motives. And to see if
she was still alive, even after everything.
Gaetana. She who had wounded me; worse, maimed Jorya. I had not had such…rage, such…FURY in years. I was transported back to the time before I’d learn to properly channel my anger and temper it with tranquility. That was one of the reasons that I’d chosen the Water Warrior Order: to LEARN to be like Water. Gentle. Agile. Yet absolutely unforgiving.
I smiled, transported back in time. No. No, that man no longer existed. In his place was one older, wiser. Deadlier. I thought again of Karm. Precision. That was one of the most valuable lessons I’d learned, and learned well. Acuity. He’d tried to show me all those years ago but I was not mature enough to listen, to understand. Power. So much more than what I thought strength alone would give. Wisdom. I smiled. My new friends had helped to remind me of the power in that.
Hugging me tightly, D’Aylanna added her own soothing via the Force. Tonight, we celebrate life. Tomorrow, we PROTECT life.
