The brisk, trampling steps echoed in the gilded corridors of the Sith Academy.
Kande was running as fast as he could, avoiding all obstacles, not caring about drawing attention.
As he was about to slide down the stairs, his arm was seized by a towering, ancient Sith Pureblood.
"What do you want?" he blurted, without releasing him.
"I was going to warn the Overseer! Darth Eemion... my brother, too, they've been ambushed by the Jedi Council! Just outside the Capital! You must help or they might be imprisoned!"
The Sith retracted his head in wonder and stared more intently at him: Kande was still, though with wide eyes and a plunging heart.
"And why do you think this is a concern of yours, or of anybody here in the Academy?"
The boy exhaled a low, shocked groan; then he addressed everyone around in the hall with an unstable voice:
"It's the Jedi Council! And she's the Emperor's Wrath! This is an attack on the Empire!"
Heads were turned, but no-one came to his aid.
The Sith walked away with a righteous attitude and not saying anything more.
He was appalled, but did not dismiss the search for his Overseer. He started running down the stairs, until he was surrounded by a group of older Apprentices.
"We know where to find them" one said, with a cunning look.
"You don't!"
He staggeringly tried to snap away, but they clasped his torso with a swift sweep, and caught his limbs right after.
Kande uselessly kicked and tussled to break free, too proud to cry for help, as they rushed to a rutty road, near a caravan full of slaves. It was drifting forward slowly, taking bumps and hits along the way. Still with a firm hold on him, they tore off most of his clothes and threw him on the carriage.
"Make sure you tell us what you find!"
He made an effort to get up, as he felt his bare legs had been crushed by the thump.
He started moving to the back: the slaves made room for him as they could in that crowded space, but his skin adhered to theirs, and his face was very close to that of a man he had injured and was groaning in pain. Grabbing the border of the carriage with both hands, he attempted to lift himself and jump off, but his knees were too shaky.
"You can't do this!"
He scoffed: his hoarse, pain-stricken voice was not imposing in the slightest. He tried again immediately, but he was weak and the sudden intake of air made him coff.
The caravan had overcome the old road and was now going faster: they were too far to hear him. Unwarranted tears escaped his eyes and slipped on his already parched tongue.
Kande knew he was lost.
As the caravan stopped, he was welcomed by the unexpected: he saw an Imperial sentinel.
He stirred his face in a great smile. It was not over: he would still get back.
Jumping off before everyone, he ran towards the guard and cried:
"I'm General Dosk Thur's son! A group of Sith Apprentices got me on the carriage, I should not be here! Could you send me back to the Academy? Also, my mother, and brother need immediate help from the Emperor! I don't understand why the Sith didn't listen to me..."
The man was startled. He brought his cuff closer to his ear, looked over to his side and nodded.
Then, he turned around, took a few steps, and returned holding a slave collar.
Kande gnashed his teeth with his mouth closed. His eyes were fixed on the guard as he implanted the collar on his neck, and as he electrocuted it.
The cry rested in his bowels: his jaw was furiously clenched, but he had remained silent.
Father would get him back: it was only a matter of time.
Walking towards the camp in line, he just thought of the songs he'd sung with Arwar in the Academy, and the words of his mother resonated in his head: in adversity, he should always channel his strenght, and remember he was loved, very deeply.