Title: The Triad Chronicles Book III: Valley of Shadows
Author(s): Layren and Neon Star
Characters: Qui-Gon, Dooku, OC's
Summary: The Jedi Order is one steeped in tradition. Traditions must change if they are to survive. Can the Order make the necessary changes with enough warning, or will destiny destroy them forever?
Timeframe:Four years after Then The Morning Comes
Genre: AU
Authors' Note: This is the third book in our series. Thanks so very much to our loyal readers. You guys are the best! Sorry Darth Real Life has been kicking us so much lately. We had time over the holidays to get a small bit ahead and our New Year's Goal has been to get off our lazy butts and post Just a fair warning, this is going to be the darkest part of the story yet.


Prologue: Just Before Dawn


What a cruel thing is war: to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world. Robert E. Lee, letter to his wife, 1864

It was almost time to return to Saren.

Looking down from his place at the top of the highest building left standing on Ziost, he gazed upon the many workers, current apprentices, and droids working through the rubble, unearthing ten thousand year old weapons, vessels, anything of value. After the last few years, he doubted there was much left in the ruins, They had already salvaged so much, enough to bring the Jedi to their knees now, if they chose.

He felt almost a little impatient, a little bloodthirsty. He remembered battle, he remembered slicing through flesh and bone with his teeth, his claws, his sword. He remembered the taste of death, could feel it even now.

Ziost, the former capital of the empire, was full of death, almost more so then Saren. The feel of it was intoxicating. To merely reach out... to draw that substance in, to feel his mistress consume him from the inside out as he once had...

Such temptation.

If anything, he might not wait so long to strike now, destroy the Jedi.

He had all the weapons he needed; he didn't need that fool... And he could use these foolish few until they were of no use. He could destroy everything if he chose... Just like before. He didn't care for the Sith, or the Jedi. So why not destroy both? Wipe the slate clean... He already had the material to start again, in the Triad.

It would be so easy.

She knew his thoughts, his feelings, his temptations. It would be a temptation for any being, especially one on the path such as himself. Thus why the Force had granted to her the choice to be involved in this game, to be the check against him, to ensure that he did his task and played by the rules. She whispered his name as she embraced him from behind, 'La'tranar.'

He tensed, unsure, very sure he was having another vision unaware, and cursing himself for it. He hunched into himself a bit, thoughts broken for a moment, that spell lost that had been woven over him. Only to swiftly return, with the very seductive darkness about him, feeding off his soul, except for that tiny light that she had given him so long ago.

'No. I'm no vision,' She assured him, knowing what he thought instantly. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, 'La'tranar.'

One clawed hand lightly touched upon the small ring hanging from a chain, as if for support. It was a copy, the original had been lost so long ago, but it was still of her, a reminder to himself of all that he did, "Don't torture me...It's been so long... I could not bear the pain. Choose some other form to speak to me..."

She merely put her hands in his hair soothingly. "I am not here to torture you. I have been granted my own part to play."

He leaned back into her touch, a bit unwillingly, "Estella. So it is you..." He didn't wish to believe it.

"It is me,"she said in agreement. "I am your check, your counterpart. Your neutral, as Zamir will soon be found to be Merrick's. We have been given this task. And I have been chosen to remind you of what you are," she said. "I have felt your temptations."

He felt a vague bit of shame in himself, for such. To be tempted, when he knew well his task, "Forgive me for being so weak, as to pull you from your rest, my heart." He could not promise that it would not happen again.

She shushed him. "You did not wake me. The Force has granted me this opportunity and I took it when it was offered. I wished to be with you again."

"Does it not trust me to do what I was meant to do?" he asked quietly, "It is not that I do not want you near. Just..."

"I cannot say that the Force trusts or does not trust. Merely that It desires its Will be truly followed. To take steps to that affect, thus the pieces are put in their perspective places. You, Merrick, Zamir and I, and the Triad, and the other mortals, all have our own roles and parts. We are merely pieces of the puzzle," she tried to explain."In the end, the Force is shaping Its own game."

A nod, he felt himself calm, the darkness ebbing a bit, not pressing so close, not all consuming as it had been. He had another mistress, a much stronger one in her, "As it has always done."

"So it has,"Estella agreed. "The Force's Will be done in its own way," she leaned her head against his back

There was a long pause, "I wish I could hold you. It seems fitting, we'd meet again, at the same place we met the first time."

There was a silence between them. "Only the Force knows if such a thing will be possible," she said at last. "The Force has said nothing about such."

"I have foreseen nothing," he admitted, "But this is enough."

"Then lets enjoy this time we have been granted,"she said softly

If he had need to breath, he would be gasping.

Crimson flowed, from his pale, perfect flesh, to lips slightly parted. Whole lips, rather than dried, corpse like ones. All of it was returning, just a bit more, and his love would be complete... Already, his body was near like it had been. Sculpted, muscles, tissue, unmarred skin. Silken hair, burning gold mixed with soothing brown. All of it, as he remembered, as he knew.

His very heart...

He didn't turn as he heard footsteps behind him, merely focused a bit longer on his task, till he practically felt faint. Withdrawing his arm, he pressed lightly on the wound at his wrist, healing it in a matter of moments. Sighing, he settled against that blood warmed body, resting himself on the velvet cloth he had draped his Lord with. Crimson, his beloved's color. Laying his head against his shoulder, he looked at them from the corner of his eye, "Welcome home."

Karchin glanced once to Phaed and then back to his Lord before he bowed deeply. "We came as soon as we could do so," he said, his tail twitching slightly.

Matching his move, Phaed swiftly straightened, forcing his gaze from the restored body, to focus on their Maker alone, not wishing to face it, "As we always do, when we are summoned, my Lord."

Zamir gave a small, faded smile, "Of course, and I thank you for that. How are your assignments going?"

"Well enough. The triad is growing in power, milord. The Jedi Council has recently increased their experimental studies with them to help enhance their abilities as a unit. By my observations, each simulator they have tried has thus far not been able to defeat them. I can give more detailed observations if you do so desire on a more individual level," Karchin said, his tail now reaching to embrace Zamir briefly.

A little nod, "We'll be pleased to have your views. Your sharp instincts have always served well," those were Merrick's words, though it was Zamir's touch that skirted over his scales gently, where his tail was wrapped about him.

Karchin nodded at Merrick's words. "As a unit, the triad is doing well enough in changing the traditional view points of the Jedi. Already the youngest is being considered for apprenticeship by a select group of Masters by the Jedi Council. They will have to approve so they are going through the process much earlier, as powerful as they are getting as a unit. Already they have learned to work together as a team to accomplish tasks by taking each other's senses. For example, Kyran can see through Shane's eyes and hear with Qui-Gon's ears, if need be." Karchin paused for a long moment. "The first time this was attempted, the results were almost comical," a small smile threatened to blossom on his face.

A twitch of those lips, "We remember well, Karchin. I believe it took them two weeks to get untangled."

"Actually, it was two and a half weeks," Karchin corrected. "And even then, they still mirrored each other's movements a good bit after they were unstuck." He paused. "Aside from that incident however, are their personal lives. Kyran is succeeding in making headway with his Master. So much so that others around him are starting to take notice, especially Councilor Sehan of the Jedi Council, and Master Carth Rixar. "There was an even longer pause here before his scales turned slightly darker and he went on. "His abilities are also being noticed by the enemy."

A slight raise of an eyebrow, blue swirled in those dark green depths, "Explain."

"Senator Palpatine is a close acquaintance with Master Zephir," Karchin said this without emotion. "They are frequently in contact and young Josel also has aided Palpatine a number of times with various efforts, at his Master's direction, in learning the art of political networking. The last time they had dinner together an idle comment by the Senator convinced me that he knew that Kyran had been able to make a difference not just among his master, but also around the staff in his office. He also offered to take him off the Master's hands. His remark was in jest, but underneath I felt a shift, a dark spot."

A thoughtful look crossed Zamir's face, as if there was a private conversation between the two souls inhabiting it at the moment, "Interesting," came at the last, "We considered it, but considering our own contact has been slightly limited lately..." Since Zamir had started to work in earnest to restore Merrick, "We will have to keep a closer eye on things. Some pieces may have to be removed if they become too much of a threat."

"Indeed, milord," Karchin nodded. "I thought you would find that observation of interest."

There was a slightly more possessive caress across his tail, before Zamir allowed it to return to him, "Tell us more, Karchin love."

"Young Josel noticed the dark spot. He has a keen sense in detecting it, having been around it so much in his short life, but as of yet, he is uncertain what the spot means. One mere blot means nothing when other senators have many spots, however, this one has disturbed him more than the others. His old nightmare came back, but he has been able to manage going back to sleep without assistance or aide from anyone." He considered for a long moment. "Thus he has made admirable progress. He gave his first speech before the galactic senate only three days ago." He paused for a long moment, "It was part of a debate campaign for a special project among the young people who are aspiring to go into public service, and it was the only one that received full marks."

A secret smile, "It seems we've done our part well, helping him to develop his skills. Especially if such as yourself is praising him," again Merrick.

Karchin tsked slightly. "Well you assigned me to watch him over four years ago and considering how timid he always was, it's an interesting shift," he said frowning slightly. "Next week he and his Master are traveling to Chandrila to oversee a ceremonial treaty signing to commemorate when Chandrila became part of the Galactic Republic. And that's all I really have on my observations of Josel."

"Thank you," was the acknowledgment, "And of the other two?"

Karchin's tail twitched slightly. "Callister is a dangerous part of the triad, in more ways than one. His skills as a fighter are increasing; in hand to hand combat particularly. He is now working with padawans on the verge of knighthood, and younger knights in the special operations field. He has made excellent progress on controlling his Sight and using it to his advantage and he is the first Seer in the Order in several hundred years. His tendencies are more towards a blurred line between light and dark, depending on the situation. As taught by his Master, he can channel his physical aggression outward for maximum effectiveness as a way of emotional release. Though Callister does not prefer this method. He more prefers going to the rooftops to meditate as he often does. Any news on his brother is immediately investigated while other tasks that need doing, don't always get done if he is pursing something of a personal nature. His Master has encouraged this to some degree, knowing well how it feels." His tail twitched again.

"His progress?" it was almost casual, that blue circulating like a building storm, nearly overtaking the green, "And explain, why do you think him dangerous?"

"He has come closer to finding his brother, Te'renthe. Te'renthe' is no longer a slave as was thought, but is currently a little known, and I say little known, because he is not part of the guild, and he is not as well known as some others, as a bounty hunter and he has discovered that he runs his own private organization aboard a ship called The Brother's Sword. He is desperately trying to track the ship's movements but his brother is proving quite the challenge, even to him and Rixar. As far as why I think he's dangerous... there's something else there in the bond between him and the other two. I don't know what it is, but it's there, and it's dark."

There was a flicker across that face, "We know well, this fourth piece. Theron's Heart of Darkness."

Phaed looked away at that, face closing at the very mention of it.

A glance to him, before those ancient eyes looked to Karchin again, "Anything further?"

Karchin frowned slightly even as he nodded, his tail twitching. "In addition to tracking his brother, Callister has been courting a Zeltron female padawan, Nuri Aiyden for some time." He paused, "Though perhaps I shouldn't use the word courting. They have a strong attachment to each other. It started small but what started as childhood friends has become something more. I don't think Rixar is ignorant of the boy's activities with the young lady either, he merely chooses to ignore them, unless Callister comes to him for advice. I am uncertain as to how aware the Council is of this matter, given their close work with the two of them. I am under the impression, that it is not a well known thing and that those who do know, are waiting to see what will happen, merely accepting this as another stage in the experimentation process."

"And I doubt they're aware," those eyes narrowed to slits, "The Jedi... if we weren't here to watch them, they would dig their own graves and bury themselves. Such natures, if toyed with, will lay the path of ruin."

Karchin's eyes narrowed slightly. "The triad to them is an experiment. They have not yet begun to accept fully what the triad is for and what they're capable of doing. Therefore, perhaps they didn't learn their lesson the first time when a Jedi lay ruin an entire world's leadership from love."

There was a vague smile, purely Merrick, "They don't learn. They've stuffed themselves into a little box and refuse to expand past it. Far from what we once were," those eyes opened fully again, "Love...love is very dangerous. As you well know."

"Love is the most dangerous emotion in the galaxy in one hand and the sweetest in another," Karchin replied, his tail twitching and his scales darkening more now. "And I think one or two have learned, as far as the rest of the Order, that remains to be seen."

"We will certainly see," Merrick agreed, "You may continue if you have more."

"My last observations are for the youngest, Initiate Jinn," Karchin responded. "I have completed the others."

"Then proceed," was the cool comment, before it went warm, gentle again, "Tell us of our Key, Kar love."

"He is near impossible to define like the others. He excels in his studies and works above his age level in many areas of study. His Living Force sense is the strongest the Order has seen in some time, yet he seems to fit in well as the chord of the triad. His favorite past time is the gardens and helping Master Gardener Xiiar Rea with his planting and caring for the various animals." He paused briefly here, a slight smirk turning upward. "Much to the annoyance of his bondmates at times, several of these creatures have found their way into his pockets and in their beds."

A little amused twitch of those lips, "We remember, Kar."

His tail swished again. "So you do. I'm not sure if you are aware however, of the extent his healing ability is gaining."

"Explain," and Merrick was back.

"I was just getting to it," Karchin said. "Already without training the boy can take pain from his bondmates, and bleed it into the Force to allow them relief, if one of them is ill. They attempted this for the first time, the last time Callister returned from a mission; he had again broken a bone. Jinn was able to set the bone and take the pain from the arm, then he proceeded to nudge him to sleep, to a light healing trance." He paused for a long time before he said, "The Jedi Council was in an uproar when they discovered that a child not ten years old, could do such things without a Master's aide and only made the ones wishing to take the boy more eager to have him, but the Council is doing a thorough screening process. He is working with interested masters on an almost daily basis. The Master that so far is being considered the most prominent is Master Tavis Dooku."

A raise of the eyebrow, "Interesting. Dooku has yet to take an apprentice, but his record is outstanding, as a Jedi and a swordsman."

"True enough, yet as warm and as outgoing as the boy is right now, is he really the right one for the job?" Karchin inquired. "Though, so far, Qui-Gon has taken to him nicely, more so than any of the others. Perhaps young Josel can warm him up a bit more."

"It would be best for the boy to learn some distance," Merrick stated, "He can't be open to everyone, or he'll have a weak defense against the enemy."

Karchin considered. "I suppose you're right, but it's a bit premature to say now anyway. There is a consideration as to if the boy will move in with his bondmates or if they will have their own separate quarters. So far the Council is undecided on the issue. Both sides have valid points."

"Likely he will. Their 'experiment' is too precious to separate," vague disdain.

Karchin's tail curled again. "Would you prefer their separation, Merrick? One would almost think you would."

"Far from it, I merely loathe that the Jedi have grown so cold that they would consider their own as nothing more than research," was the rebuff.

Karchin shrugged slightly. "Well there has never been anything like this before in the entire history of the Order. One must test the waters before diving into the unknown."

"There have been oddities in the Order before, and they were once accepted as the Force's gift. But then, the Force itself was not always split like it is now," a darkening of those eyes once again, "It is a pity, that the Order has come to this. We will set it right."

Karchin nodded a little. "So we will, it's only a matter of time." He paused for a long moment. "Hopefully the Council will have the matter decided on the boy's Master by his ninth birthday."

Another little smile came from Merrick, "They will," a darker meaning just at the edge of those words, but he wouldn't explain, "You've done well, Karchin."

"Thank you, " he said. "That concludes my findings and observations on the triad. They're progressing, but the Order, so far is not."

A nod, before those eyes moved to Phaed, who shifted just a bit uneasily at the intense study in them. His skin crawled at the sight of Merrick, "That leaves us Saren."

"Saren is about to fall," he forced back the feelings, straightened his spine, "All the Elders in the North are gone. The Tel'k older took care of the first two, but after... The younger collapsed the towers by himself, in representation of his lord. He's murdered the last nine, and all in their households, with the Triad's power at his disposal. He's dangerous, this Heart of Darkness. He can tap into the very raw essence of the bond he's connected to only by threads, and use it in ways the boys have not learned."

Merrick looked far from surprised, "We suspected that the reason why Theron wanted him forged. How is the situation?"

"The North is finally being united under one banner, Theron's, though the people follow a priestess by the name of Anme'te', who is a half blood. Theron himself hasn't been on Saren in some time, I believe it relates to his work on Ziost, which is rumored to involve the raising of every working Sith artifact and clone."

"Interesting," Merrick mused.

"Yes," was Phaed clipped response, before he continued, "The North is massing its forces, under her lead. They are calling for a united Saren under their 'god', and it is a sure bet that they will attack the South in due time, though no official plans have been made."

"How much time do you think we have before the attack on the South?" Karchin couldn't help but ask.

"Could be days, could be months," Phaed admitted, "It's hard to say. That one... she's impatient, wild, and unpredictable. I would blame it on her human side really."

There was a slight chuckle, "Of course. So our dear divine might cause a problem. One would have to wonder, Theron keeps surrounding himself with such...First that savage beast he keeps on a leash, and this woman," Merrick shook his head, before his eyes shifted, Zamir taking brief control, "It seems like him, it makes him unpredictable."

A nod from Phaed, "Yes, my Lord, he is very unpredictable. What few times I've seen him, I can't read him... No Jedi has ever been able to hide from a near immortal's gaze."

"Theron is far different than any Force user, heart," there was a distinct anger, rage in Zamir's voice. Had he not been so tired, he probably would have been up and pacing.

Karchin was quiet for a few moments before he said, "Who makes the next move, Merrick?"

Those eyes turned to him, blue swirling up, "We'll have to see. The faster I recover, the sooner I make my move. Theron... I think is waiting for something."

"But what could he possible be waiting for?" Karchin wondered.

A slow smile, "The right moment, of course. As we all are."