Brothers

[TheDrunkenConsular]

Thanks, guys!  I'm not as proud of that one as I'd like to be, it was a bit heavy handed, but I was in the mood to write something and didn't have a solid plan for how to bridge the game between what I'd written and what I did have planned.

[TheDutchman]

Thanks, guys!  I'm not as proud of that one as I'd like to be, it was a bit heavy handed, but I was in the mood to write something and didn't have a solid plan for how to bridge the game between what I'd written and what I did have planned.

I think we can all relate 

[TheDrunkenConsular]

New chapter time! I'm also planning to write a "Behind the Scenes" type thing later to explain some stuff that I just can't figure out how to work into the story organically.

Chapter 7: Home
     The Fugitive was sitting in a breathtaking vale on the planet MB-3079178.  A creek of crystalline water filled with lazily swimming red and blue fish quietly made it’s way through rich green grass, interspersed with flowers of every color.  Even in broad daylight, stars peeked through the clear atmosphere, and an enormous moon hung in the sky, serving as a backdrop for trees as high as the tallest skyscrapers, trimmed with their translucent sapphire leaves and white bark.  The greyish saucer-shaped hull of the Fugitive, with it’s sooty blast marks and sharp man-made edges seemed woefully out of place amongst this natural beauty.  Dala and Rakham stood alone outside the ship; the others were preparing supplies for what was likely going to be an extended stay. 
     “This place is beautiful.”  Dala said softly.  Rakham nodded, and put his arm around her.
     “How did we get here, Dala?  I thought everything was okay.  I thought it was going to plan.  I thought we were safe.”  He sounded almost broken, dejected.  This was the first time he’d slowed down since their narrow escape from the Imperials, and it finally caught up to him.
     “The Force will guide us through, Rak.  We’re safe here, I can feel it.”  She responded reassuringly, rubbing her husband’s shoulder and resting her head against him.  On the inside, she was just as worried as he was.
     Addy was sitting on his bunk, staring at a mirror.  His brown eyes and hair were bloodshot and shaggy, respectively.  His long, sharp featured face was mournful.  He had a swarm of feelings battling for supremacy over his heart, but he could already predict a clear winner.  Anger.  He was angrier than he’d ever been.  He was more furious than he knew he was capable of.  Without realizing it, he had picked up his lightsaber, and was gripping it so hard that the ridges around the hilt were cutting into his flesh.  The pain finally snapped him out of his rage, and a sense of quiet panic replaced it.  He didn’t know what to do.  He didn’t know what he could do.  He didn’t know how to stop the Empire.  He turned his attention to the saber, turning it over in his hands.
     The hilt was silver, with three red buttons at the top end, and a simple, flat emitter.  At the bottom, a series of black ridges had been added for grip, and the pommel was pointed sharply.   His thumb danced over the three red buttons in a specific order, and the yellow blade hissed softly to life.  The crystal was calibrated perfectly, beyond perfectly.  The blade was long, and narrow.  It’s hum was barely a murmur in the air.  He gazed into the yellow glow for what seemed like an eternity, with one question in his mind.
     What am I going to do?
    “Need a hand?”  Tasri asked, stepping into the emergency storeroom.  Heditt was searching through crates and calling out their contents to L2, who recorded his words on a datapad.
    “Sure.  We need those two crates taken outside.”  Heditt replied, pointing to two boxes by the door.  Tasrii grabbed the top one, which was surprisingly heavy.  As she walked away, she could still hear Heditt rattling of inventory.
    “Twenty… No, this can’t be right.  Actually, it is, twenty-five kriffing kilos of smoking herbs and fifteen liters of Agavinol.  We could have had weeks of rations in this space.  Weeks.”  Tasrii couldn’t help but smile.  She rather liked her new companions.  She made her way though the ship to the ramp, careful not to bump the box against anything or shake it too hard.  She found Rakham and Dala sharing what appeared to be an intimate moment, and stopped, but before a moment had passed they sensed her presence and turned to face her.
     “What’s this?”  Rakham asked.
     “I don’t know, Heditt said to bring it out here.  There’s one more.”
     “Must be the seeds.”  Dala noted, as Rakham took the crate and thanked his new apprentice, who promptly took off for the other box.  “You know, I wasn’t sure at first, but she seems to be alright.”  she added.
    “Kadmaur wouldn’t have taken her in if she wasn’t.  You ready for some farming?”  Rakham replied, prying to top off of the crate and revealing several trowels and an impressive store of seeds.
     Three and a half hours later, everyone was gathered at the far side of the clearing.  Tasrii wasn’t entirely sure what was going on.  They’d been planting seeds all afternoon, and it was beginning to grow dark, the great moon in the sky brightening as the sun dimmed.  The patterns in which they’d planted seeds made no sense to her.  There were four great circles, and within the circles, aligned with the outer edges, were smaller circles.  Rakham and Dala were kneeling in the middle of the three, now, facing one another and holding hands, with their eyes closed.  Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.
     “What are they doing?”
     “Shh!  They need concentration!”  Heditt hissed.  Addy tapped her shoulder, and gestured towards the ship.  They both walked towards the ship, out of earshot.
     “Those weren’t normal seeds we planted.  They’re seeds of the koloa tree, a plant that is especially connected to the Force.  Rakham and Dala can influence the growth of the seeds through great concentration, and shape the trees into structures, that way we don’t have to live on the ship while we’re here.  It’ll take them hours of deep meditation.”
     Tasrii nodded in response.  She wasn’t sure she’d ever realized how much more there was to the practical side of the Force than lifting rocks and reading minds, and as she stared at the two Jedi kneeling across the clearing, she had a newfound respect for their power.
     The next morning, the ‘construction’ was complete.  Three domes of living wood had grown from the earth, with windows, doors and concentrations of leaves around the roofs that looked for all the world like green shingles from a distance.  Inside, beds, seats, tables and shelves were formed in the tangle of trunks and branches.  Supplemented by mattresses and small appliances from the ship’s stores, they became very inviting.  By the time they were done preparing their new lodgings, night was once again creeping in. 
     “It isn’t perfect, but I think it’ll do.” Rakham said as they all gathered around a table in the central house, proud of their work.  “We’ve got dehydrated rations that’ll last us until we can get more seeds planted and vegetables grown, and the emergency stores should have anything else we need.  Medical supplies, clothing and survival gear.  Speaking of clothing, Tasrii, we have robes in Addy’s size that should you fit you just fine for training.  We’ll start tomorrow, at dawn.”
   
     When Rakham awoke and went outside the next morning, he found Tasrii already waiting for him.  Instead of armor, she was wearing a brown cloak and sand colored robes, just like Rakham. He rubbed his beard for a moment before speaking, taking in the cool morning air, and reflecting on how much he hated it.  He wasn’t a morning person.
     “Are you ready, apprentice?”
     “I am.”
     “Then follow me.”
     Rakham led a long, winding path through the forest, letting the Force guide his steps.  Eventually, after hours of walking, they found themselves at a precipice.  One could see for miles from here, out across wilderness where no person had ever walked. 
     “I must know what Master Kadmaur taught you.  Please, have a seat and clear your mind.”  Rakham said, waiting a moment for Tasrii to comply.  She sat crosslegged and closed her eyes.
     “Did Master Kadmaur teach you the Tenets of Balance?”
     “Yes.”
     “Can you repeat them?”
     “Through Love, I gain Empathy.  Through Empathy, I gain Perspective.  Through Perspective, I gain Light.  In Light, I see the Will of the Force.  The Will of the Force is Balance.”
     “Do you understand them?”
     “My responsibility is to maintain the balance of the Force.  Sometimes, this means taking action when I’m afraid.  Sometimes, it means doing nothing when I’m angry.  Balance is when nature exists in harmony, without interference from darkness.  If I attempt to suppress my own nature, I will only imbalance myself.”
     “Very good.  Now I need to know how well you use the Force.  Hold out your hand.”  Rakham said.  He already had an idea of her knowledge and abilities, but he needed to see it.  He dropped a stone into her open palm.  “Levitate it.”
     After a long moment’s straining concentration, the pebble finally lifted from her hand.  She opened her eyes excitedly, breaking her concentration and causing the pebble to fall.  “I did it!  I actually did it!”  She said excitedly.  She must have meant it when she said Kadmaur had made her learn the philosophy of the Force before teaching her to use it.
     “It’s a start.”  Rakham said with a warm smile, and pointed to a large boulder several hundred feet away on the edge of the cliff.  “Now, do it with that one.”
CHAPTER END

[Illyiss]

*smiles*  I love it.

[Taegin Roan]

There is just something about Rakahm that is so real, so easy to relate to. These Koloa trees are interesting though. Are they a creation of your own?

[TheDutchman]

TR certainly has the right of it: Rakham is relatable.  IMO it's his emotions that make him a better Jedi.  This development with Tarsii is an interesting one: are her bona fides real?  She does know about Master Kadmaur and Ran did a mind probe...but sometimes that can be misdirecting... Great writing!

Speaking of, I love the utility of having the Force directly influence the group's huts, not to mention fauna that is attuned to and can be directly manipulated by the Force.  Let me echo TR again: the koloa trees, are they an invention you created TDC?  Regardless, wonderfull!  I always forget that the Jedi had a "green corps" for growing; well done incorporating that 

I am really enjoying this story! Can't wait to read more!

[Karmack]

Koloa trees...  Wish I'd thought of that!  I am sooooo stealing that one.  :-)

I loved this chapter.  I am more interested in Rakham and Dala's relationship - and how they view themselves vis-a-vis the Jedi.  Do they still consider themselves Jedi?  Or are we seeing the possible birth of another "Gray" order? 

I liked the tenants of Balance.  Very nice.  Not quite the way I'd write them, but then my Mak'Tor are heretics, so...  ;-)

[TheDrunkenConsular]

Thanks for the kind words, guys!  As promised yesterday, here's that behind the scenes post, including some info on Koloa trees!



First off, the Koloa trees themselves.  Left alone, the Koloa tree grows tall, narrow and straight.  A dwelling made of them is usually created by planting many trees very close together, and "weaving" them into the desired form.  This does not harm the tree in any way, and indeed, if one wanted to install door or window frames, they merely need to coax the tree into holding them on it's own, rather than resorting to nails or anything else that would cause damage.  The koloa trees are of my own creation, and I would be honored if anyone else decided to use them.



Next up, Agavinol.  It's space tequila.  Much like Earth tequila, there are many kinds, but Rakham strongly prefers the higher end sipping variety.



Now, for Rakham's pipe smoking.  He's not smoking space ganj out of that thing(not until the Emporer legalizes it, at least) but rather, think of a pleasant pipe tobacco, probably a Cavendish blend.

Lastly, I think, accents.  For Data, think of a sophisticated up-town London Accent.  For Tasrii, imagine Atlanta, Georgia.  Rakham and Heditt speak with a bare American accent, free of inflection(think of Luke and Han in the original trilogy.)

And I THINK that's everything.  If I missed something you were curious about, please feel free to ask.

[TheDutchman]

Thanks for the kind words, guys!  As promised yesterday, here's that behind the scenes post, including some info on Koloa trees!



First off, the Koloa trees themselves.  Left alone, the Koloa tree grows tall, narrow and straight.  A dwelling made of them is usually created by planting many trees very close together, and "weaving" them into the desired form.  This does not harm the tree in any way, and indeed, if one wanted to install door or window frames, they merely need to coax the tree into holding them on it's own, rather than resorting to nails or anything else that would cause damage.  The koloa trees are of my own creation, and I would be honored if anyone else decided to use them.



Next up, Agavinol.  It's space tequila.  Much like Earth tequila, there are many kinds, but Rakham strongly prefers the higher end sipping variety.



Now, for Rakham's pipe smoking.  He's not smoking space ganj out of that thing(not until the Emporer legalizes it, at least) but rather, think of a pleasant pipe tobacco, probably a Cavendish blend.

Lastly, I think, accents.  For Data, think of a sophisticated up-town London Accent.  For Tasrii, imagine Atlanta, Georgia.  Rakham and Heditt speak with a bare American accent, free of inflection(think of Luke and Han in the original trilogy.)

And I THINK that's everything.  If I missed something you were curious about, please feel free to ask.

It's details like these that really help to make the narrative enjoyable!  Great job TDC!

(And I'll have to take you up on your offer for the "Koloa trees"  ).

For other examples of "detailed exposition" I would HIGHLY recommend that you check out any (and all) stories done by Karm, LSG, and TR    You will NOT be disappointed 

[Karmack]

Thanks!  I had thought about the pipe, but I just assumed it was a form of tobacco.  :-) 

And I just love the trees...  I am serious about stealing them.    Healer huts!  LOL

[TheDrunkenConsular]

As always, I really appreciate the feedback and kind words!  Also, I wanted to let everyone know, I'll be going out of country for the next week, so there won't be a new chapter until next Monday or Tuesday. Until then!

[Karmack]

Out of the country!  Wow, enjoy!  Whether work or pleasure, have a great time!

[TheDrunkenConsular]

I'm back, ladies and gentlemen!  I had an eleven hour car ride today, so, against my better judgement, I wrote a chapter on my phone.  Please forgive any spelling or formatting errors that I missed!

CHAPTER 8: Ancient Weapons
     Tasrii was getting very used to her new life on the beautiful planet that her companions had taken to calling Oros.  It had been a month since Master Rackham had ordered her to shift the two ton boulder with her mind, and three weeks since she succeeded.  A smile passed over her face, nearly hidden by the hood of her robes.  It was dusk, and the sky was streaked by orange fingers of light, with dark blue and purple in between, sprinkled with bright white stars.
     Tasrii sat in the clearing they'd made into their home, crosslegged on the ground with her back against a tree that seemed as tall as the sky itself.  Bubbling happily along in front of her was the crystal clear creek, and in it bobbed a small cork running to the fishing pole in her hands.  Rakham and Dala were spending time alone in their hut, and she could hear the distant clash of lightsabers as Heditt and Addy trained in the woods. A contented smile passed over the Zabrak's face.  This was what her mentor meant when spoke of balance, beings living in peace and harmony with nature and with one another.
     Tasrii's mind shifted then to her training.  Each day, starting at sunrise, Rakham took her away from their home and into the wilderness, each time to a different place, but the lessons always had the same purpose; focus and composure.  Today, he'd asked her to levitate a few feet off the ground and meditate for hours as he smoked and napped under a nearby tree.  Occasionally, she wondered at his methods, but she trusted her mentor completely.

     Yellow clashed on yellow in the waning light.  Addy's blade, perfect and narrow, met Heddit's blade, shorter and wider, in a shower of sparks as they vivisected an unfortunate tree branch that had gotten between them.  Despite Heditt's greater experience, he'd taught Addy well, and they were well matched opponents.  Addy brought his blade down towards Heditt's right ear, and as soon as it made contact with the older Jedi's saber, he swung it around into a left handed strike for the other side.  Again, he bounced off the parry, this time throwing a strike to Heditt's thigh.  Before he could make it, Heditt caught his saber upon his own blade and spun it all the way around, the hilt flying free of Addy's hand.  Addy raised his palms, indicating surrender.  Both men were out of breath.
      "Good fight, Master."  Addy said, standing to attention and bowing.  Heditt returned the gesture, if a bit less rigidly.
       "It was indeed.  The only flaw I can see in your form is that at times you allow yourself to be drawn too heavily into your attacks, and forget to defend yourself."  He looked Addy up and down.  He was beginning to worry about the younger Jedi.  His hair was unkempt, he had cultivated a scruffy, unmanaged beard and his eyes always looked like he hadn't slept in days. It had started when they'd first come here running from the Imperials.
     "Addy, are you alright?  You don't look well."  He finally asked.  With a sigh, Addy replied.
      "I've been having nightmares.  About the Imperials.  About Vader.  About... someone else." A faint look of desperation crossed his face. 
      "What do you mean, 'Someone else?'"
      "It's an old man.  The dream always starts with his back turned, and he looks harmless, but when he turns to look at me, there's a darkness that feels real.  It feels like it's going to crush me."  Addy left out the part that scared him most.  He wasn't ready to share it.
      "It's a dark time in the galaxy, Addy.  These dreams you're having are most likely just dreams.  Try to put them from your mind, and if they still persist, we'll see about investigating further.  Go and get some rest."      Heditt clasped his apprentice' shoulder to comfort him, and gestured back towards home.

     "I think I could stay right here forever."  Rakham said to Dala, staring up at the intertwined branches that made up the ceiling of their Koloa hut.  The light was soft and yellow, and the two lied together under a thick, fuzzy blanket, wrapped in one another's arms.
     "If only we could."  She replied.  "How much longer do you think we can stay on Oros?"
      "Until I finish Tasrii's initial training, at least.  Should only be another month or two. I'm going to ask Heditt to start wiping the Fugitive's codes and replacing them with new ones tomorrow."  He sighed at the thought of leaving their little paradise behind.  He had noticed over the years, though, that their little group had developed a tendency to find happiness in one another's company wherever they were.  It hadn't been so long ago that they couldn't wait to leave this planet and get back to business.
      "What do you think we'll do next?"
      "I've been meaning to talk to you and Heditt about that.  I think we should start doing private investigations, the way Rakham and I did for the Jedi.  We were good at it, and we could settle down for a bit.  Stay in one place."
     "That sounds like it could be a nice change of pace from running cargo."  She replied. "We'll talk with Heditt about it tomorrow."  They both purposefully left out the fact they still had no idea how the Imperials had found them on Tattooine, and before either of them could change their minds about it, they'd met in a passionate kiss.

     The deer was a majestic creature.  It's hide was white, dappled with dark grey spots, and it's antlers were four feet wide if they were an inch.  It made it's way through the forest like a king walking through his court, stopping occasionally to sample a bit of grass or a leaf or a sip from a stream.  This king of the forest had no idea that he was being followed by another creature, this one shrouded in black, as silent as the quietest mouse, and as dangerous as a Krayt Dragon.
     The hunter followed the deer, knowing full well that at any moment, she could snap up her prey without challenge, but enjoying the chase too much to cut it short.  This hunter did not often get the chance to enjoy a hunt.   As the chase continued, the moon began to replace the sun, and the light got as dim as it ever did on this planet.  Oros was as beautiful in moonlight as it was in sunlight, but the hunter was not aware of such things as the deer finally came to a halt, having sampled enough potential meals that he finally came upon one that satisfied him.  As he munched the greenery of a brilliantly flowered shrub, the hunter crept into range, coming close enough to count the hairs on the deer's neck before striking.  He never knew what hit him, the six-fingered hands snapped his neck so quickly. L2 sighed.  This was the most humane way of collecting food for Master Tasrii, Master Dala had said, but it could be boring at times.  The battle droid turned bodyguard turned hunter lifted up the body effortlessly over her shoulders.  A quick check of her nav system revealed that L2 had strayed a very long way from home during her hunt.  She sighed again, and began humming an old song she'd heard Rakham whistle as she turned to retrace her steps.

     The next dawn, Tasrii was in her normal place at the front of the koloa huts to begin the days training, but, strangely, Rakham was nowhere to be found.  She walked up to his door and awkwardly considered knocking, before hearing a thud and a faint curse from the direction of the Fugitive.  She turned and noticed for the first time that the loading ramp was down.
     Walking up the ramp into the cargo bay, she found Rakham standing amongst a pile of boxes and parts that she'd never seen before, with a strange machine in the middle of the floor.  A lit pipe hung from his scowling lips, and he was emitting a steady stream of curses.
     "Master?"  Tasrii called, somewhat nervously.  Upon noticing her presence, his face lit up.
      "Tas!  Good morning!  Don't mind the language, I'm just pretty sure I broke a few of my toes when I dropped this furnace on my foot.  But, today's a big day!  It's time for you to begin constructing your lightsaber!"  Rakham seemed legitimately excited, and Tasrii noted that he wore both of his own lightsabers today, a rare occurrence.  His cheer was contagious, and also a rare thing to see so early in the morning.  Tasrii bounded the rest of the way up the ramp.
      "Where do we start?"  She asked.
      "With a boring lesson, of course." He smiled.  "You should understand the the history and the technical aspects of the weapon before you try to build one, and, believe it or not, I was one of the premier lightsaber historians of the order."
     He went on to explain the details of the lightsaber as a weapon.  The difference between the kinds of crystals, from Khyber to Adegan to Synthetic, the ancient tradition of color correlation with the different types  of Jedi, the origins of the weapon as a ceremonial tool before compact power packs became commonplace, and the different designs and fighting styles that had been used throughout history.  The sun was well in the sky before they'd finished, and, surprisingly, Tasrii was a rapt student.  Finally, the lesson was finished.
     "Now, finally, the fun part."  Rakham gestured at the machines and boxes piled around.  "Building your saber.  To start with, you need to go through these schematics."  He handed her a datapad.  "I have several dozen different designs there, modern and ancient, and you should study them, and then either choose one to build, modify one of them to suit your preferences, or draw a new one from scratch using what you learn from them."  Next, he drew a a small wooden box from his robe and opened it.  Inside, a dazzling array of crystals.  He set them atop the strange machine that he'd dropped onto his foot before Tasrii arrived.  "Next, you can choose a Crystal from my collection, or fabricate one yourself using this furnace.  The parts to construct any hilt you can imagine are available here, and I'm going to leave you to it.  If there's anything you need, I'll be meditating outside, but this is meant to be a personal experience.  Good luck."  And with that, Rakham swept out of the room, leaving a somewhat overwhelmed apprentice standing amongst the various parts and tools contained in the hanger.

     Another several hours passed as Tasrii studied the schematics in Rakham's datapad.  The designs within ranged from plain and utilitarian to almost impossibly complex, and everything in between.  The concept for Rakham and Heditt's sabers was there, along with Dala's graceful, almost dainty hilt and the the imposing, brutish design of Rakham's second hilt and Addy's saber.  She supposed that Rakham must have reverse engineered most of them.
     Out of all the options, one in particular stood out.  It reminded her of a weapon she'd used in her days as a pit fighter, calling on a design that seemed almost incomprehensibly ancient.  She went to work.  A quick glance at the available crystals showed that none would suffice, so, after a thorough read through the directions contained in the datapad, she began work.

    It was three and a half days before Tasrii finished.  The pommel was bright silver and cylindrical, and met a grip made of black metal, with vertical grooves traveling much of it's length.  At the end of the grooves, a silver activation ring, which would be lifted toward the emitter, turned clockwise, and lowered back towards the pommel to activate the blade.  It had a knurled thumb imprint on the left side, which, when activated, faced the front of the pommel.  Above the activation ring, smooth black metal.  The emitter was the strange part.  It formed a plain silver cross, with each 'arm' no longer than an inch.  There was one final touch.  Tasrii rushed over to her armor, which she'd brought into the hold and made some adjustments to as well, and dug into one of the leather pouches.  A string of red fabric, tattered and stained, but still as bright as the day it was woven.  She tied it around the smooth upper part of the hilt, and, holding her breath in anticipation, slid the activation ring into it's notch.
     The saber sputtered and screamed into life, a pale, almost white, blue blade that shimmered with raw energy arcing out four feet from the emitter, with four inch spikes forming a crossguard.  She snapped the ring back into the off position, and hurriedly equipped her armor, minus the helmet for now.  The hilt dropped perfectly and securely into the leather loop she'd added to the bandolier, and the removal of the armor's pauldron's allowed her to slip her Jedi cloak over it.  Helmet under her arm, she finally walked down the ramp into the grass, blinking sun out of her eyes.  Rakham was standing at the bottom, and she realized he was expecting her.  There was a happily surprised look on his face, and she wondered why for a moment, before he transferred an image into her mind.  It was him, a lot younger, staring into his reflection in a fountain on Tattoine.  He wore a set of colorful but battered armor under a brown robe, just as she did now.
     The Student follows the Master.  She attempted to communicate with him using the Force.
     Indeed she does.  He replied.  "Now, I want to see your handiwork!" He said out loud.  She lifted the hilt from it's loop, where it hung squarely over her sternum, and handed it to him.  He turned it over in his hands, admiring the workmanship.  The design was simple, but executed tastefully and skillfully.  The switch threw him, but only for a moment.  The blade screamed again to life, seeming to rip and tear it's way through the air.  Rakham gave it a few test swings, before handing it back, proud of his apprentice's work.
     "This is one for the records, Tas."  He patted her on the shoulder.  "Get some rest, tomorrow, you're gonna get a chance to use it.

     Rackham kept good on his promise.  Normally, he would have started teaching her basic forms, but after getting used to the weightlessness of the weapon, she showed stunning proficiency in a form of her own.  Her strikes were wide and brutal, and her guard was  nearly impenetrable.  She explained that she had mastered the fighting style during her time on Olta Station.  As all of the Jedi gathered around to watch, Rakham had a hard time concealing his mirth at his student's talent.  Eventually, he called a halt to their training bouts, which didn't seem to be doing either or them any good.
     "Alright, no holding back this time, Tas."
     
     Rakham fell into his preferred style now, weaving and bobbing as though drunk, throwing feints towards what seemed to be nothing, and stumbling as though off balance.  There was a certain grace and a fluidity to his form. 
     Tasrii, on the other hand, planted her feet, and swung mercilessly.  No movement was was wasted, every block rolled into an attack, every step brought her closer to her opponent.  Her form was savage, and deadly.  Their fight went on for what felt like hours to them.  Eventually, Tasrii would throw an unblockable strike to Rakham's head, he would respond by stumbling two steps backwards before throwing himself into a forward lunge, which Tasrii would mercilessly bat away, using that momentum to swing the saber in a circle back towards Rakham's neck, begetting a duck and lightning quick uppercut from the old Consular.  Tasrii sidestepped and punched her hilt forward at Rakham's kidney, stopping just short of driving the crossguard of her saber into his body.  The two of them deactivated their sabers, and Rakham laughed richly as Dala and Addy applauded.  Everyone from the group had gathered to watch the fight.
     "You got me!"  Rakham exclaimed. "You actually got me!"  In response, Tasrii merely bowed, a gesture he returned.
     "I want a go!"  Addy shouted with a grin, drawing his hilt.  Rakham made his way towards his wife and brother to watch the show.
     "She's got talent!"  Dala said.
     "Yes indeed.  I hope she isn't lying about where she got it." Heditt said, quietly.
     "I wish you'd drop it, brother.  Do you truly sense deception, or is paranoia getting the better of you?"
      Heditt merely grunted in reply.
     "If she was an Imperial agent, wouldn't she have called the Empire here by now?"  Dala pointed out.
      "Maybe."  Heditt replied.  They could both see that he wasn't satisfied, but they turned their attention to the clash in front of them.  Addy was a skilled swordsman, but he was not quite as evenly matched as Rakham had been, and he was on the ropes.  It was only another moment before Tasrii was standing behind him, blade to his neck.
      "Well, I guess I'll give her a try as well." Dala said, drawing her blue blade.  It was a short bout, and Rakham plucked Dala's hilt from the air as it sailed away.
     "Heditt?"  Tasrii shouted.
     "Sure."  He replied quietly.  He walked to Tasrii, bowed, and as he straightened, activated his blade.  In three seconds flat, Tasrii was on her knees, her activated saber burning a T-shape in the grass five feet away, with Heditt's lightsaber hovering over her head.
     "Don't get cocky, kid." 

CHAPTER END

[Illyiss]

Excellent, and engaging as always! 

[TheDutchman]

Alright welcome back TDC!

Good to see that our friends are doing better.  I love the lightsaber construction scene; a couple of us have done so in our stories but not quite with the attention to detail that you did.  Nicely done, that 

Your characterization continues to expand, I love the little intimate (in more ways than one) details that enrich your narrative.  And Tasrii is a personal favorite; hopefully Heditt's suspicions are groundless... But I look forward to find it out!

Until next installment friends