Hi readers! I'm back! And trying out a new fandom too!

Ok, so this story happened because I saw the Savage and Maul episodes of the Clone Wars and they kinda broke my heart and left me crying for both of them. And, while my sister MuchAdoAboutNonny (go check her out too peeps) took charge of our brainstorms involving a continuation of Maul's story, I really wanted to write something about poor Savage. So this is that story.

The Light Bow is a weapon of scarcity and deadly grace. It is a hunter's tool and an assassin's pride. And it forces no connection between its wielder and its victim. ~Brutal

Kycina drove her speeder resolutely, trying to ignore the painful wrenching in her heart as she thought of her destination. Six months earlier, she had gone into seclusion as some sisters chose to do to when giving birth to their first child. As fate would have it, her choice was wise. She had given birth to twin boys. One had been beautiful, a rare red color to his skin like the skin of his father. As soon as she saw him she knew his fate would be sealed if he was given to the Night Brothers, as those with red skin were coveted by the sisters. As soon as he was of age he would be taken as his father was. But she also saw a possibility that few Night Sister mothers ever had. She could save one of her boys. So she chose to save that one, finding a traveler who was visiting Dathomir for only a short time and giving the child to him, bartering his passage off world. The other, who she now carried with her, was the smaller and weaker. His skin was a pale green/gold and his eyes were gray. She looked to his basket which sat beside her in her craft, seeing his keen little eyes looking back to her. She bit her lip, holding to her resolve.

She wondered if she'd made the right choice in handing over the healthier baby, who she'd named Maul, rather than this little one. After all, who was to say which would grow up stronger, smarter? Why did she not just give both of them to the traveler as she had been tempted?

But she knew she couldn't have done that. The other Night Sisters knew she had conceived, watched as she grew through her pregnancy, and wished her good health when she left, so if she didn't bring back a girl someone would be sent to check that a boy was given to the Night Brother clan. And if no child was found, she would be punished. It was simple; nobody was excused from the laws, the will of the Spirits. This boy or the other had to be given to the clan. She could only have saved one. And the choice she was forced to make had almost killed her, as she was sure handing this baby to the Night Brothers would.

She drove until she came to the outskirts of the little settlement, seeing the sentries give her less than friendly looks as she entered. And why should they not? Women were always bad news to them. She came to a halt at the center of town and turned to the baby beside her.

"Fear not, my Savage," she said as she reassured herself more than the baby, "You will live well here, I'm sure of it."

She then picked him up and stepped out of the speeder, walking towards the Father of the settlement. He approached her, well used to welcoming and tending to the sisters. He was older than she was, in his late thirties. She knew that he only survived to that age because it was forbidden for him to be taken.

"Welcome, sister," he said, his voice cordial in spite of his rigid stance and tone, "What can I do for you?"

"I am looking for the nearest relative of a man I took in the choice a little over one year ago," she replied, "This child is his."

"Ah, I see," he said, looking toward the blanketed bundle in her arms.

He gestured to her to come forward, inviting her inside the nearby hut, which was the largest in the town square. She followed him, and when the door was shut behind them he turned to her, an almost sympathetic look in his eyes.

"I remember Carnage," he said, "I know his elder brother well. I will have him sent for."

She couldn't think of any response so she simply nodded, instinctively holding her baby tighter to her. Every instinct in her told her to turn and go back to her speeder, take her baby with her, and run as far as she could run from this place. The Night Sisters need never find her. She could run to one of the others tribes of sisters that kept their men with them. She could watch him grow, her little baby, he need never know the hard life that she was about to doom him to.

But she couldn't do that either. The Spirits would be angered by her disobedience, and if they were not vengeful then Mother Talzin certainly would be. She had already broken enough rules in saving her pretty baby, her little one was too much to ask from the Spirits. They had given her two, she must give them at least one.

Kycina didn't know how long it was before she heard footsteps approaching the door, but it wasn't long enough. She'd found herself a chair in the Father's absence and nursed her little Savage one last time. When she heard the steps she covered herself and curled around her baby. She didn't want to show weakness before men, or doubt of her purpose here, but he was hers. They had no right!

The Father walked in first, followed by a man just a little taller than he was and a few years younger. That was an accomplishment for any man beside the Father, son of Talzin's reared to lead the Night Brothers. Of course, Talzin could make sure that her little boy was safe and esteemed, but any other woman had to let their child go to the slaughter.

"Sister," the Father said, turning to see both her and the other man, "This is Brutal, Carnage's elder brother. Brutal, the child the sister brings us came of your brother. Are you willing to tend him?"

The man, Brutal, hesitated for a moment and Kycina took that time to evaluate his every feature. His skin was lighter than his brother, something like the color of her little one, and his eyes were blue. He was in his mid thirties and built like a soldier, with a wiry frame that was not hugely attractive and a thin, sharply boned face. Everything about him said "dangerous" and Kycina couldn't help but notice that he was evaluating her as she was him. After a few moments, he wordlessly held out his arms towards the baby, upon which the Father turned and exited the shelter, his job finished and other work to do. Kycina pulled back instinctively, holding her Savage close to her. Brutal's quick eyes met hers and an understanding came to them. He dropped to one knee and met her eyes solidly.

"Sister," he said, his voice deep and gruff, "I know nothing of you. You know nothing of me. The only reason we meet is our mutual interest in this child."

At this he paused and looked at the little bundle she was holding so tightly, a tender look that didn't match his surly face coming to his eyes.

"I raised my brother, Carnage, since he was given to me when I was fifteen," he said, looking at her again, "And I can't say that I could ever care a bit about comforting you, after what you did to him. But this child is now all there is left of him in the galaxy. I promise that I will protect this boy with my life."

Kycina saw the determination on his face and heard his sincerity. Her breath began to heave slightly, but she loosed her grip on her little baby and held him out to this man, knowing at least that he would have a good guardian. Brutal took the child in his hands gently, with the ease of a man who has held and cared for a baby before. He looked closely at little Savage for a moment before returning his eyes to her, all gruffness and surly masculinity again.

"What's his name?" he demanded more than asked.

Kycina tried to speak but her voice refused to cooperate with her for a moment. Finally, she forced the word out.

"Savage," she said hoarsely, her shoulders now shaking miserably.

Brutal nodded once and turned away, not giving her a second glance before walking out of the hut and leaving her alone to sob for the babies she'd lost.

Ok, so a few notes before I let you go.

Brutal is pronounced Bru-TALL. Doesn't really matter I suppose, but it does to me.

Oh, and about the chapter name. Each chapter is named for the weapon that most suits its content matter. So, for this chapter, it's a Light Bow since this is the one and only chapter told from Kycina's point of view. The next chapter will be coming along shortly, hope to see you all then! Leave me a review if you like it so far!