*****Yup. Not much real mention of the Star Wars Universe yet. Thak will continue to be just a little problem, but that's okay because Sha'lee can handle it, don't ya' think?*****
"Sha'lee?" whined a petulant voice.
Sha'lee moaned, completely unable to summon a single coherent thought. If some one asked her her name, she would have had trouble coming up with the answer. Cautiously, she cracked open a bleary eye and was blinded by a piercing beam of light. An unrelentless headache thundered back and forth through her skull, keeping perfect time with her heartbeat.
With another moan, Sha'lee closed her eyes. Slowly, the spinning images from the day before and life in general began to fit into place although the headache failed to diminish. Her stomach churned unsteadily at the mere thought of moving. If this is what a hangover's like, she managed to think through the constant explosion in her skull, I'm never ever going to drink.
"Sha'lee!" the voice whined again followed by small fists pounding on the bedroom door.
"What?" Sha'lee moaned, cautiously seeking a more comfortable position on her bed. For a moment she considered taking off her shoes which she had been unable to untie the night before. Just the thought of moving made her chose against it.
"You're supposed to get up!" Sha'lee's younger sister complained.
"No, I'm not," Sha'lee called back and had to clench her teeth against the agony from the headache. It didn't take long before she had fallen asleep again. She managed to sleep in relative peace for a few more hours.
Blaring music caused Sha'lee to start awake with a gasp that was a cross between fear and pain. Shadows flickered eerily in the dark as Sha'lee glimpsed a blood-red speeder—and inside was…
"Sha'lee!" the demanding yell abruptly jerked he back to reality.
Warm, golden sunlight drizzled lazily through Sha'lee's window, adding honey-like highlights to the dark walnut wood décor. The carpeted floor resembled sea spray splashing up from a rich aquamarine body of water. The ocean affect was emphasized by the holos projecting various images of marine life and breathtaking panoramas of glorious sunsets.
"Yes, mother?" Sha'lee shouted back a bit timidly.
"Get ready!" her mother snapped impatiently. "Your grandparents are coming to visit today!"
Sha'lee groaned loudly. Somehow, whenever she heard the news that made other kids shout with joy and cheerful anticipation, Sha'lee felt as if some one had signed her death warrant.
"What was that?" her mother demanded waspishly.
"Uhh-wonderfull!" Sha'lee hoped she didn't sound as sarcastic as she felt. Her mother made a suspicious sound, but eventually stalked away to attend to the pressing issue of preparing the house for the formidable couple's arrival.
Sha'lee sighed with resignation. Normally, her parents were pleasant enough to be around except when her grandparents were the issue. Her grandparents had deemed Sha'lee the problem child, a little devil, etc…
Cautiously, Sha'lee sat up, correctly anticipating the rush of blood instantly followed by the crashing headache she had awoken to the first time. That day was certain to be a long one.
Mira, Sha'lee's younger sister, squealed with delight shouting, "They're here!"
Sha'lee, however, felt anything but joyful. Her golden hair was coiled and braided properly as for a young woman of her status—a status she hardly felt qualified for. Instead of waiting anxiously by the front door—and getting in the way—Sha'lee sat in a lonesome corner on the far side of the room trying to concentrate on a book.
Warily, Sha'lee raided her head and accidentally made eye contact with her mother who had a 'come here and greet your grandparents like a proper child' expression on her face. Sha'lee smiled even though the expression stretched her face uncomfortably and set down her book. She had just reached her place by her mother's side when the door swished open, and her grandparents glided importantly inside the greeting room.
For a moment Sha'lee toyed with the notion of forcing a cheerful smile across her face but knew the constricting knot in her throat would make the expression seem forced. I wonder if this is what it's like to be strangled, Sha'lee thought, settling for a mildly pleasant expression—no smile.
Grandmother Ria looked the same as she always did: elegant, calm, and poised. A delicate chain necklace studded with diamonds the size of grain of sand, rested on her graceful neck. Of course her make-up was flawless and her dress perfect. Sha'lee recalled looking on this semi-deity as a child, watching her with a timid awe. How could she have known that this noble woman would become one of her most powerful—if subtle—adversaries?
Sha'lee's grandfather could have resembled any royal man nearly a decade younger than he. Pure silver hair was shot through with stunning streaks of jet-black hair. A demanding jaw set off his square face, but Sha'lee knew from experience that while men officially had a higher social standing than women, that Aln seldom hesitated to yield to his wife's authority. Occasionally, he may sympathize with Sha'lee, but he never interfered on her behalf.
Ria smiled with delight—Sha'lee wondered how much of it was genuine—to see her "precious" grandchildren. She warmly embraced Sha'lee's younger brother and sister, taking care not to rumple her ink black dress in the process. Pale blue eyes seemed cool and distant, oddly contrasting with her benevolent expression.
With a poise that would do the queen credit, Ria rose and turned to face her eldest daughter, Sha'lee's mother. Her gaze snagged on Sha'lee, as if she was an obnoxious weed whose only purpose was to inconvience people as her royal self.
"Well," Ria commented. "I am pleased by your hospitality. You are doing a wonderful job of properly raising your children."
And your grandchildren, Sha'lee thought rebelliously.
Her mother's face colored slightly as Grandmother Ria looked pointedly at Sha'lee. Ria's gaze narrowed as she scrutinously studied Sha'lee.
"Well," Ria murmured again, this time her voice low and silky. "Sha'lee, you have grown into a beautiful woman."
Sha'lee scarcely dared to breathe. Was this a compliment? Praise? Or was it merely some trap Ria's cunning mind had devised for granddaughter? Sha'lee chose to proceed with the utmost caution.
"I am flattered," she responded carefully—no need to sound ungracious,--"although I must confess I can hardly see myself in that light."
Ria's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and Sha'lee knew she was treading on thin ice. What was her grandmother's next move going to be?
"You do not see yourself and beautiful?"
"I do not really care what I look like," Sha'lee stated, stweating mentally. "And I don't exactly see myself as grown up either. I am only beginning to realize how much I need to learn and grow before I can even consider myself as possibly being an adult."
"I see," Ria murmured to herself. The test was over, but Sha'lee was unable to discern whether or no she had "passed."
As if confirming Sha'lee's conclusion, Ria turned her attention to her "favorite" grandchild with a warm approving smile. Sha'lee breathed a minor sigh or relief, although she didn't dare completely relinquish her guard. A slight, almost predatory, smile lit Ria's face; Sha'lee barely managed to keep herself from shuddering. This was bound to be an interesting week.
After on of the most tedious meals Sha'lee had even been forced to endure, she silently slipped out of the house. Once outdoors, she breathed a silent prayer of relief, the brisk air soothing her headache and chasing away the stuffy feeling in her head. Dinner had been a trial that could shake anyone's nerves—or at least Sha'lee's.
The gentle moonlight welcomed Sha'lee into a magical realm. The land was as perilous as that of the day world if not more so, but night seldom judged as the harsh, unrelenting sun did. A cool breeze which promised fresh spring rain caressed Sha'lee's body as she allowed herself to relax and become one with the night. Her cares dropped away like the golden leaves in the fall only to be regrown in the spring. But for now, this moment suspended in time, she was free.
A smile of bliss crossed Sha'lee's face as she began to walk—where she didn't care as long as it was away from her home. There she felt stifled; she needed a chance to breathe.
Incidentally, her path took her to the wood where she had overseen the procession—was it just yesterday? Sha'lee hadn't forgotten the recent events; they had been pushed to the back of her mind because of her grandmother's arrival. Her stomach soured slightly but was unable to chase away the serene feeling that had taken root in Sha'lee's soul. So many changes…
Sha'lee started at the sound of voices. She halted, taking a frantic moment to orient herself. For a frightening moment, she had no idea where she was but hardly felt relieved when she identified her location. Wraith's Grove.
Wraith's Grove had a reputation of dark and ominous danger. Children told storied about gruesome murders that had occurred at that location or malevolent ghosts whose only purpose was to inflict as much pain and agony as possible of the unsuspecting. The children would dare each other to get as close to the terrible grove as they could before their verves broke and they turned and fled—but never at night. The sight of the grove during the day was terrible; at night it was a worst nightmare given life.
Tall twisted oaks stood huddled together as if formulating some vile conspiracy. Silence smothered the surrounding area, the voices which had startled Sha'lee unnervingly loud. The fragrance of imminent rain now was twisted with the musky scent of half-rotted leaves and an acrid tang which invoked images of blood in Sha'lee's mind. Clouds which looked like shredded rags covered the waxing moons, casting ill-boding shadows across the landscape. Sha'lee couldn't be sure, but it seemed as if the temperature plunged towards absolute zero.
Breathing rapidly, Sha'lee began to back away from the grove when she recognized on of the voices. For a moment Sha'lee was torn between the instinctive demand to flee danger, and the nagging need to assuage her curiosity. Taking a deep breath, she moved forward as silently as she could taking care not to snap any twigs.
Ten paces away from the outermost tree of the grove, Sha'lee's tenuous resolve began to fail her. Her heart pounded in her throat making her feel as if she may choke on it. Her body trembled as she took another step towards the grove, a sick feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. Memories from her former trip to the grove assaulted her mind causing her traitorous body to shake even more.
Now Sha'lee felt like she was no longer in control of her own body. Despite the fear charging rampant through her body, she unnervingly continued forewords. It was as if some unseen force was compelling her to move closer to the grove against her own volition. Whatever laid ahead, Sha'lee knew she needed to see it although she had no idea why.
When Sha'lee reached the first trees, she dropped automatically to her hands and knees making certain she was hidden from the two men in front of her. Finally she reached a spot half-hidden behind a giant rotting log, where she could observe the couple without being seen. Every muscle in her body was so tense, and she couldn't stop shaking…
Now that Sha'lee had reached her destination, she was unable to do anything besides quiver helplessly behind her dubious shelter. She was held in paralysis until her own name caught her attention, shaking her enough to snap out of her trance.
"I don't see the problem with her," the voice she didn't recognize frowned.
"The girl has jedi powers!" Thak all but yelled.
Sha'lee almost laughed at that comment. Of course I can't have jedi powers, she thought a bit hysterically.
"And what is your definition of 'jedi powers?'" the other voice asked derisively. "Just because she is more clever than you may give her credit for doesn't mean she's special."
A feeling of cold dread gushed through Sha'lee's body causing her to shudder convulsively. Reflexively, she fell into her "chameleon" mode.
"She was able to rip entire boulder from the ground," Thak ground out. "And not little rocks, either."
"Such a person could help, but they could also be a hindrance," a third voice remarked coolly—one that Sha'lee hadn't noticed before. Now she knew the source of her feeling of dread. Evil permeated the soft voice.
"She would never agree to what you want," Thak muttered sullenly.
Sha'lee peeked out from behind the log. Immediately, she noticed Thak who was dressed entirely in black; the only thing separating him from the shadows being his blond hair. The other two figures were cloaked with their faces hidden.
"You cannot say for certain," the taller of the cloaked figures responded. He was the one who made Sha'lee so nervous.
"Yes I can," Thak shot back defensively. "She may be known as a witch, but she has always been a 'do-gooder.'"
"I fail to see the importance of this insignificant matter," interrupted the shorter man, with a voice that possessed a cultured refinement.
"Nothing about the jedi or ones who have jedi abilities are insignificant," the taller one responded condescendingly. "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Nothing can interfere with our plan."
I have to get out of here! Sha'lee thought, beginning to panic.
The taller cloaked figure tilted his head as if listening to something. Sha'lee slipped deeper into her chameleon mode. The wind held its breath as if for once it had agreed to assist Sha'lee in her plight. Thak frowned insolently, but she could tell he was too frightened to interrupt the figure's listening stance.
Finally, the man shook himself out of his trance. "Either way, we must move quickly and silently."
"Easily done," the other cloaked man responded with confidence.
"We'll see."
Sha'lee slowly started to back away remaining as silent as she could. Pieces of bark and pine needles bit into her palms, but she did her best to ignore the inconvenience. Even as she backed away, Sha'lee never took her eyes the group of men who were walking in the other direction. The last thing she needed was to make it this far and do something obviously stupid to blow it.
Holding her breath, Sha'lee moved to a position where she hoped she would be out of sight with the hope of overhearing more of the conversation, but the group of conspirers were leaving. Letting her breath out in a shallow sigh, Sha'lee relaxed infinitesimally. The worst was over, and she had already forgotten where she was. Now she could ask questions.
What's going on? She asked herself, worried. And who were those people? What does Thak have to do with them?
An owl hooted directly above Sha'lee. She jumped doing her best to strangle a cry of surprise. Uneasily, she crept towards the edge of the grove and home. In taking an aimless stroll, Sha'lee had unexpectedly gotten far more than she had bargained for…
"Where were you?" Sha'lee's mother demanded angrily.
"I took a walk," Sha'lee replied weakly. After running high on emotions, she felt drained and unwilling to put up a fight.
"A walk!" her mother cried, exasperated. "Your grandparents are here, and instead of being a sociable guest, you decide to take a walk. Perchance, where did you happen to go?"
"By the river," Sha'lee lied knowing that answer would be more acceptable than the real answer. "I just needed to get some air."
"I see," her mother said. "You must
embarrass me yet again! When will you learn to be proper?"
Tears of injustice stung
Sha'lee's eyes. Determinedly, Sha'lee set her jaw mainly to keep it from
trembling and defiantly met her mother's disapproving gaze. "Proper?" Sha'lee
repeated lowly. "Define proper, mother. Force knows I do my best to behave and
'be proper' and all I get in return is being kicked down and stomped on. I am
my own person; I know who I am. I'm not some drone to do your every bidding,
and you resent that!"
"What did you say?" Her mother's voice was deceptively calm, if threatening.
Sha'lee knew she had gone too far, but she couldn't back down now. "You heard me," she replied huskily, a single tear scorching down her cheek. "That's why Ria doesn't like me, and that's why you don't trust me."
Without another word Sha'lee turned and fled to her room. Flinging herself on her bed, Sha'lee mentally tried to assess the situation. Those harsh words she had spoken were her own, but they were something that she had barely acknowledged herself. Sha'lee had never realized she felt that way, but it was obviously the source of her unhappiness.
What can I do? she moaned to herself. Giving temporarily into despair Sha'lee cried herself to sleep.
*****Tear. Things are starting to roll along now. There are guaranteed to be definite consequences from that night's events.*****