A knock roused me from my reverie; the ongoing dream of living somewhere, anywhere but here. Tis some visitor, tapping at my chamber door, I thought of an ancient verse I had once read. I opened the door to find a man who worked for my father. The man before me had a long, pointed nose and squinty eyes. I could feel how nervous he was and see it in the way he shook.
"What!" I demanded when he didn't speak.
"Your father wishes your presence in his office," he squeaked, choking out the words before continuing hurriedly down the hallway.
I stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door behind me and wondering what the great Senator Palpatine could possibly want from me. I hoped it was not another attempt to convince me to train under him. I had quit being his apprentice when I was thirteen. He thinks I have no desire to master the Force when in truth I disapprove of the ways of the Sith and the man frightens me. I fear that one day I will say something wrong and he will kill me for it. As I made my way towards his office, I wished that I had not left my lightsaber on my bed.
I entered the room where my father was waiting without bothering to knock. The room was large and dark, but for the most part unassuming. No part of it screamed "Sith Lord Here." As it should have been. This was where he conducted his business as a senator of the Republic.
Palpatine stood at the far end of the room, facing me and another man who stood in center of the floor. His black cloak was drawn about him and he had his hood pulled down covering his face. He stood with his head bowed, his feet clad in black boots were spread into a stance meant for solid balance with gloved hands clasped firmly in front of him.
"Cahal," my father greeted me. "I would like you to meet my new apprentice, Darth Maul."
I grinned. He was still trying to include me, act like I had some say in this dark world of his although it had been five years since I renounced it.
He had an apprentice before this one and I had made this boy's life a living hell. He ran away two years ago because he couldn't handle my teasing. Palpatine was forced to hunt him down and kill him because he was not strong enough to stand up to a bully.
I approached this new guy, Maul, and my head only reached his chest. I walked my fingers across his pecs and tried to subtly get a glimpse of his face, but I was unsuccessful. I continued dragging my hand, over his shoulder and across his back as I walked around him, studying his physique. As I reached his back, I gently lifted my hand and clutching the cloth in my fist, pulled down his hood. I noticed Maul stiffen as the hood fell, exposing him, but he did not move otherwise. His head did not snap up nor did he try to return the hood to its desired position. The entire back of his head had been tattooed black. The small horns protruding from his skull marked him as a Zabrak from Iridonia although I had no indication of which tribe he had been taken from. Once at his side, I was able to observe his profile. He had distinct features that were muted by the red and black tattoo that spread across the entirely of his face and down his neck. The Zabrak looked vicious with yellow eyes ringed in red.
My assessment told me only that he was handsome, fit, and strong in the Force. "I like him," I declared, promising myself I would not be so ruthless towards this one.
Darth Maul turned to look at me as I said this and sneered, showing his blackened teeth without making a sound.
My heart skipped a beat, but not out of fear. The aggressive gesture was new, something I had not experienced before. Men usually cower before me and I like the reversal of roles.