Facing the Future

Never concede to evil. That is our oldest and most sacred law. When we concede to evil, even in a small way, we feed it, and it grows stronger.

-Augwynne Djo

I—(I)—I

Sanola Ti, niece of Jedi Master Kirana Ti, had just been a child during the Yuuzhan Vong War. While the older tribeswomen fought off Yuuzhan Vong warriors, she had been hidden away with the rest of the children in sacred groves and secret networks of caves.

Now only a few months away from her fourteenth year of life, Sanola was a cowering child no longer. Like her aunt, she too was a Force-sensitive member of the renowned Singing Mountain Clan on Dathomir. Entering into her teenage years, she wanted to prove both to herself and to the other members of her clan that she was worthy of being Kirana's niece, worthy of being born into the Singing Mountain Clan.

Her training staff whisked through the air in a barely perceptible blur, clacking loudly against two others. Not even a second had passed between the meeting of their weapons when she dug one end of the staff into the ground and used it to spin herself around; kicking away both opponents with lightning fast reflexives. A third opponent leapt at her, but she flicked her staff up and caught her attacker in the chest, dropping the assailant to the ground.

"Good," the supervising instructor, Jedi Knight Damaya said curtly. "But had this been a real fight you would be dead, Sanola."

"I bested the three of them," Sanola argued, gesturing to where her three opponents were now nursing newly forming bruises.

"Did you?" Damaya had the unenviable position of being the niece to a fairly vicious Nightsister who had been exiled from the Singing Mountain Clan after trying to assassinate its leader. Very few in Singing Mountain trusted her, yet Kirana Ti was a clear exception to that majority.

The long, raven-haired Damaya, hair done up in customary Dathomiri braids, seemed to glide across the stone and gravel floor. She gestured with a single hand. "Aggression, however controlled it may be, cannot prevail on its own. Your desire to win was admirable, but you would have joined the others in death, I think."

Sanola noted her Rancor-leather tunic and saw red paint marks across her stomach and legs. Her head jerked up in a flash, her mind trying to process when the others had scored the hits. "What? How?"

"While two sacrificed themselves, the third landed the killing blows," Damaya held up one of the training weapons being used. It was a training staff equipped with dye brushes on the end to mark where each blow would land. "That is, of course, before they both landed marks of their own." Damaya used the training staff and pointed at Sanola's shoulder and at her back.

Sanola hissed in frustration. "Again, then! I'll be more careful this time."

Damaya shook her head. "Not today, Sanola. You will earn the title of Jedi Knight, but in time. Do not rush so quickly to a fate that is already certain. Kima, Sansu, Negala, thank you for your participation, you may return to your duties."

The three other Dathomiri witches all bowed politely and departed.

Sanola couldn't help but stare at her feet. She had failed again. Despite all her preparation, all her training, she was no closer to becoming a Jedi Knight than she had been at the beginning of the year. "Why, Damaya? I would have succeeded."

"You might have, yes. But you would not have learned the lesson taught today by your defeat," Damaya said patiently. "There is much more to becoming a Jedi than rank, than power, or a desire to do good."

"I know that!" Sanola said green eyes blazing like burning copper. "But I waste my time here on lessons and philosophy when I could be out in the galaxy aiding the other Jedi. I've heard the stories. In the war, the Jedi Order even let twelve year old girls fight. How could a waif of a Jedi be any more prepared for the demands of the Order than me?"

"The times were different, Sanola," Damaya said patiently. They walked out of the sparring room and through the cavernous walkways of the Jedi Praxeum on Dathomir.

The Praxeum had been founded by Streen, Damaya, and Kirana shortly after the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War, with the goal of teaching the powerful Force-sensitive population of a planet equally powerful in the Force. Everything about the new academy emphasized the unique teachings and culture of the planet's people.

Carved out of cliff overlooking one of Dathomir's vast oceans, the Jedi Praxeum was located directly beneath a vast savanna and a thick forest teeming with wildlife, a few dozen kilometers from the Singing Mountain. Rancors, brackaset, and purbole roamed the ground above, while schools of burra fish occupied the waters below, and saurians glided in the skies above. The red-brown rock from which the praxeum was carved from only contributed to the exotic and untamed nature the place exuded.

It was a sharp contrast to the artificial buildings of the Ossus Praxeum, or the militaristic-style of the praxeum on Yavin Four. Inside, the hallways were towering—easily able to fit two Dathomiri Rancors standing on top of each other—with roughly hewn arches holding up the unfinished ceiling. The rooms varied in size and shape, with doorways that sometimes required a person to duck their heads to enter, or access-ways that required one to turn several times before reaching the main chamber.

The core of the praxeum had once been the home to an ancient Dathomiri clan—widely believed to have been a clan with direct ties to the founder of the Dathomir clans, Allya, herself. Though lost to a forgotten war centuries ago, the presence left by this clan could be felt in every rock, every stone archway and flagstone. It was even said that the ghosts of this lost clan would occasionally make themselves known; giving their blessing to the new purpose their home had been dedicated to. It was no coincidence that the praxeum had been constructed around such an integral part of Dathomir culture. In the three years it had been operational its success in merging traditional Dathomiri teachings and the culture of the Jedi Order had been great, with multiple clans welcoming the combined dogma that emerged from the two.

The walls of the academy were adorned with the symbols of the many clans that made up its diverse student population in a clear sign of unity. Instead of Jedi robes, Rancor-leather was a more common sight. And it was not uncommon to see students riding Rancors through the hallways to get from one lesson to another. Nearly every clan was represented in some way or form, with over fifty Dathomiri students in attendance. It was not unusual to see a clan leader teaching members of other tribes about unique spells and techniques that had once been hoarded by the clan. Even Teneniel Djo, the new leader of the Singing Mountain Clan, frequently graced the halls of the praxeum with her presence; she had seemingly regained some of her vitality as she spent most her days giving lessons to the younger Dathomiri initiates.

Often lost in the crowd of Dathomiri were a few Jedi 'exchange' students, who had traveled to Dathomir to learn a different perspective about the Force and the galaxy as a whole. There were only six of them—two males, three females, and a newly minted Iron Knight—and their ways were as alien to the Dathomiri as the Dathomiri ways were alien to them. The males had been warned about what to expect regarding the very matriarchal society practiced by the Dathomiri, but they decided to brave the anti-male sentiment anyways. In doing so, they had actually earned the respect of their peers, who grudgingly accepted their presence without scorn.

"You mean the Order was at war and desperate," Sanola countered Damaya.

"Yes," Damaya said with a raised eyebrow. "And many at the time argued that the children shouldn't have been involved. I know that those young ones already regret losing their childhood to the war."

"We're Dathomiri."

"We're also mortal. And your aunt would be more than displeased with me should any harm come to you. You will have your time, Sanola, I promise. But that time is not now."

"Then when?" Sanola pressed, flicking her lone, dark-brown braid in agitation. "Already half my friends have been selected for off-world missions. Some of the others are even allowed to go out as diplomats to the tribes that have yet to join the academy. When will I get a real mission? Not a job escorting dignitaries or a 'find an ancient artifact or dead person's robes' throw away quest. "

"Perhaps when…" Damaya paused as her comlink chirped. Holding out a staying hand, she unhooked the device with her other. "Go ahead."

"Damaya, is Sanola with you?"

"She is."

"Good, can you please bring her to the main chamber? I've been talking with Master Streen and the leaders of the other clans, and we've managed to reach an important decision regarding the future of this academy."

"We will be there shortly," Damaya replied. She looked to Sanola. "Well, Jedi Apprentice Ti, it appears your prayers may have been answered. I know of the decision she speaks of, and it looks as if you will soon receive your first 'real' mission."

I—(II)—I

"I've called you all here for a matter of great importance," Jedi Master Kirana Ti, and lead instructor of the Dathomiri Jedi Praxeum, said. The room's acoustics made it so that the gathered students could hear her even without a voice-amplifier. "The Clan Leaders, Jedi Master Streen, and myself, have reached an agreement that will affect all of your futures here at this academy. After three years, we have finally decided to extend an offering of peace to the Nightsister clans scattered throughout the planet. Instead of our usual policy of avoidance and denial, we will openly accept any member of a Nightsister clan that wishes to learn at this praxeum."

Immediately, chatter broke out amongst the students. One of the non-Dathomiri Jedi raised her hand. "Jedi Master Ti."

"Go ahead Jedi Apprentice Aiesi."

"Master, we were always taught that the Nightsisters are the Dathomir's version of a 'Sith' or dark Jedi. That they used forbidden, unethical abilities and cared little for anything but power."

Kirana inclined her head politely. "That is the common description of them, yes. But like the Jedi, not all Nightsisters are the same. In fact, the primary reason why they are separate from the other Dathomiri clans is because they do not wish to follow the Book of Law set down by Allya. The dark practices and unethical experiments you may have heard about only occur after Dathomiri society turns their backs on them, bars them from our trade, and denies them basic supplies. Given that the Book of Law is slowly changing into something more akin to guidelines instead of an actual legal codex, I believe it is time to invite them back into our society once more. Much can be learned from them, just as we have much to teach them as well."

"Can we trust them?" Another student, this time a Dathomiri Zabrak, asked. "Honor and honesty are not something any Nightsister is known for."

"And should they trust us?" Kirana returned. "Most of our clans are dedicated to hunting down and slaying Nightsisters upon any encounter. Maybe what we're doing is a ploy to draw them out and take care of them in one fell swoop, to be rid of them so that we will have this planet for ourselves. Trust has to start somewhere, Jedi Apprentice Riesha."

Teneniel Djo stepped up next to Kirana. "The Singing Mountain Clan has already sent envoys to the Infinity Gate Clan, currently ruled by Queen Ros Lai. The queen has in turn expressed a similar interest in mending the gaping wound between our two sides. It is the hope of this academy that once one Nightsister clan allies with us, the others will be quicker to follow."

"Now, we know there are some concerns, but we have decided that the benefits far outweigh the risks," Streen said congenially. "For one, the reunification of the Nightsister tribes with the clans who follow the will of Allya, will ensure a stronger Dathomir. No longer will there be whole tribes of Dathomiri trying to kill one and other. The time you now spend doing that can be turned into something much more productive. Another thing, as Master Ti has touched on, is that there is much to be learned from one and other. Already the benefits of sharing different clan techniques and philosophies have challenged our views of the Force, our views of this planet and the galaxy it resides in. Once we learn to see what the Nightsisters see, we will have an even better understanding of the greater Force that runs through everything."

Kirana spoke once more. "The times are changing. No longer can we hold on to our old prejudices and grudges. It is even said that Allya herself would have wanted a stronger Dathomir, and in her later years, would have done everything in her power to reach out to those disillusioned by her teachings. She is still with us in spirit, and we will do our best to honor her memory by welcoming the Nightsisters into our society once more. A team of ten of you will be dispatched to the Infinity Gate Clan to continue negotiations on behalf of both this academy, but also for the many Dathomiri clans it represents. You will be going as both Dathomiri and Jedi, so your burden will be doubly so. But I have the greatest faith in those who have been chosen for the mission, and I know that they will succeed. That is all."

The excited babble broke out once more as expressions of eagerness, disbelief, and anger mingled. Sanola Ti was of the former of the three. From the faint nod Damaya had given her, she knew that she would be among those selected as envoys to the Nightsister village.

As she thought about her assignment, tales of adventure and daring played back in her mind. Some were those told by the older Dathomiri, about the dangers and corruption of the Nightsisters. Others were the magnificent tales of Jedi of old, masterfully told and broadcasted by Tionne Solusar from the confines of the Jedi Praxeum at Ossus.

"Apprentice Ti," Damaya said, her voice making itself heard through the din around them. "Follow me."

Sanola beamed and eagerly followed her mentor through the crowd and to a side room.

Members of other Dathomiri clans soon joined the two of them. Discounting the instructors, all those who arrived were around her age. It was an even split between the teenage boys and girls, human and Dathomir. Nine of the ten young teens were on their home planet, with one of the 'exchange students' rounding out their group. They each took a seat at a long rectangular table and waited patiently to learn of their duty.

They did not wait long. Teneniel and Kirana both stepped through the door, their expressions betraying nothing.

The doors closed behind the two Dathomiri Witches, and Teneniel surveyed the gathered individuals with a regal tilt of her head. "The ten of you have been specially chosen for this important mission for many different reasons. Some are skilled with their words, others with their lightsaber, others still, with their minds. I cannot stress the importance of this mission and what it will mean for Dathomir should we succeed. To avoid the impression that we are invading Nightsister territory, Damaya will be your only instructor on this mission. We are sending you, instead of using standard holocomms or a fully trained unit of Jedi Knights, because we believe you are all capable enough, skilled enough, to brave the challenges this planet may present you. We also wish to prove to the Nightsister clan that even our initiates and apprentices have what it takes to survive on this harsh planet, have the strength that the Nightclans so often respect."

The ten young teens sobered immediately.

Kirana moved to the opposite end of the table and began speaking. With hard green eyes and a tall, muscular form, the leader of the Dathomiri Praxeum had always radiated strength—both physical and mental—an aura that infused those around her with purpose and determination. "Despite this mission being a peaceful one, we fully expect danger in several forms. The trek you will take will take you across great swaths of unexplored Dathomiri territory, the Wilds so to speak. Additionally, Queen Ros Lai has already informed us that at least two Nightsister Clans are opposed to such an alliance and will do everything in their power to thwart it.

Lastly, she also tells us of a possible Yuuzhan Vong garrison embedded in the mountain passes through which you will be traveling. We are unsure about the nature of this report, but from what she has relayed to us, purple-skinned men being invisible in the Force, it adds up. From her report, it is quite possible that this garrison is unaware that the war has ended, and as such, will be extremely hostile to any Force-users who venture into their territory. We have already sent word to the Freed Yuuzhan Vong, but we do not have the time to wait for them to arrive. Time is of the essence. Both Queen Ros Lai and myself are taking a great gamble with this alliance and cannot afford to let it come apart. The immediate future of Dathomir will now rest in your hands."

I—(III)—I

Feeling like she had a stomach full of flutterwings, Sanola took in and released several breaths as she gripped onto the reins of her Rancor-mount. It didn't help, and she was too anxious to call upon the Force, so the only thing she could do was stare at the pair of massive doors that led out of the Jedi Praxeum on Ossus; her home for a good portion of her young life.

"Nervous Jedi Apprentice Ti?" Broken Columns Clan member Rajade Lo asked from his Rancor. He was three years older than her, but from the male-controlled clan that lived in the ruins of an old procession way. Naturally, those of Broken Columns saw no need to kowtow to the female-dominant traditions of the other clans. Which, strangely enough, only made the men of their clan appear all the more stronger; and thus all the more desirable. Not that Sanola would ever entertain the idea of going out with this uppity Broken Columns clansmen.

"You wish," Sanola shot back with a grin. "You?"

"Course not," he returned with a smirk.

"I have a question," the 'exchange student' spoke up. Fifteen year old Nagai Apprentice, Aviana N'takkilomandrife stood out amongst the Dathomir and Zabrak students with her chalky gray-white skin and bluish black hair—the back of which was woven into a series of braids. She was the youngest of three children, and the only one to be Force sensitive. It was because of her other-worldly abilities that she had left her home galaxy to train with the Jedi. Despite being many hundreds of lightyears away from home, she seemed at ease atop her own Rancor-mount. "Why hasn't anyone made an effort to map out all of Dathomir? In this day and age, how can there be any 'unknown' regions on a lone planet?"

"All our cartographer droids and expedition teams keep getting eaten," Sanola answered dryly. "And no one bothers with Dathomir anyways. We certainly don't mind."

"That's it?"

"There's nothing more fun than the unknown," Rajade said with sparkling honey-colored eyes.

The large doors before them opened with a slow, loud, creak, and their banter fell silent as they took in the great outdoors that was revealed to them. Distant mountains, sprawling plains, lush forests, the glittering gems of Dathomir stretching out almost infinitely; all the while flocks of saurians and other avian creatures soared through the expanse of gray and white clouds above, and rays of sunlit coursed through in shimmering beams of gold. It had rained recently, so the air was fresh, the scent of trees and ocean wind mingling with every shifting breeze.

"The unknown, huh," Aviana said with a jerk of her head. "I like it."

"You fit in more and more every day, N'tak," Rajade complimented, using his nickname for her.

"Thanks," Aviana laughed softly. "This place is so unlike home, it's just so amazing. You Dathomiri have definitely made me feel welcome here."

Sanola just rolled her eyes. "Are we going to go on our mission or stand around ogling the sights?"

"Right, mission," both Rajade and Aviana looked away from one and other with flushed cheeks.

"We best get started then," Damaya said with a nod, once again ending the banter. "We'll be moving at a fast pace, resting every two days. By the end of the week, we should be meeting up with the Infinity Gate clan guides."

I—(IV)—I

Aviana received the concise and breakneck version of a tour of Dathomir, scanning the planet from the back of her Rancor as it whizzed past her in a dizzying blur. Streaks of green, brown, gray, blue, went by at a record pace as the group of eleven Jedi urged their Rancors to the fastest of paces. Wildlife scattered in terror at the sight of eleven gigantic Rancor thumping their way, and the ground shook from the heavy footfalls.

Despite the fact that they had been traveling for nearly two whole days, neither the young Jedi nor their mounts seemed to feel any fatigue at all. The Rancors were much heartier than that, and the young Jedi were much too excited with the mission they had been given.

Even Aviana, who was not of the planet, understood the importance and monumental undertaking she was a part of. As a Nagai, she was well aware of the benefits of making friends out of former enemies. Her own father had led an attack against the galaxy nearly thirty years ago and caused much damage. Yet at the end of it, he came away with allies and friends, and ensured Nagai freedom in the face of their mortal enemies, the Tofs. If the Dathomiri of the praxeum could make alliances with the Nightsisters, both sides would be all the stronger for it.

This was her second year on Dathomir, but it was still a very strange place to her. Coming from a society where the males held the majority of governmental and military leadership positions, watching the males on the planet be treated as second-class citizens was shocking to say the least. Although the Jedi Praxeum attempted to promote equality between the genders, it was hard to undo centuries of gender bias and tradition.

She had started her Jedi training on Ossus, under the guidance of Master Luke Skywalker himself. The once great leader of the Jedi Order was now little more than just another instructor at Ossus, helping his wife raise their two children. She did not think any less of the man though. After all, her own father had likewise given up his warring ways and politics to focus on his own family.

Ossus, however, was wholly different from Dathomir. Culture shock notwithstanding, Aviana found it hard to see how the Jedi Order could be so united when the philosophies from one praxeum to another could be so different. At Ossus, the emphasis was about learning to master one's self, one's doubts, about being the archetypical Jedi. Peace and harmony were valued greatly, friendships and unity core values with which their lessons were based around. There were over two dozen races represented, all working together for a single goal, all wanting to be Jedi.

Yet on Dathomir, it was independence that was highly valued; appreciations of war, of combat, of never underestimating one's foe. Dathomiri culture was deeply engrained in the types of lessons being taught, was reflected in the types of Jedi being produced. The Jedi of Dathomir were strategists, warriors, trained to take on multiple opponents all by one's self. They were also diplomats, but of the razor-edge sort; where a single, ill-chosen word would lead to disaster. The multiple Dathomiri clans present were united only because of the praxeum. Personal and historic differences hadn't been set aside just because the Jedi had set up shop, and those better inclined with words performed a daily balancing act to keep the different clan-heads satisfied.

Yes, the contrast was great indeed.

Her first lessons on Ossus had been meditation, using the Force to feel the planet around her and sync herself to its rhythms.

Her first lessons on Dathomir had been lightsaber forms, using the Force to feel her opponents and sync her movements with theirs.

It was as if Ossus had laid the groundwork and Dathomir had taken Ossus' lessons and turned them sideways.

"Hold!" Damaya held up a hand. The Rancor-mounts all obeyed, stopping in their tracks.

The delegation was at one end of a yawning chasm, a stone archway connecting one end to the other. They had traveled far in their two days of fast-pace travel, and were well outside the safety of the Singing Mountain Clan's territory. The fact that nearly a dozen Dathomiri-sized Rancors had been tromping through the forests and plains for the past two days also meant that they weren't exactly hard to find either. Either they could be heard coming from several kilometers away, or one merely had to follow the heavily worn trail their herd of Rancor had left behind. Even with the sun setting, the swath they had made in the landscape was more than a little noticeable.

"We'll make camp here for the night." Damaya gestured to the leafless, thick-trunked trees in their immediate area. "Two watch the bridge for any oncoming people, another two the path back. Switch shifts mid-way through the night. Remember, we're in Nightsister territory. The land beyond this bridge belongs to the Blood Gorge clan, so stay alert at all times."

Damaya's announcement was met by visible tension setting into many of the female members of the group, and sharp eyes darted towards the other side of the chasm. Anger and hatred flashed out before the young teens managed to control their emotions once more.

"Blood Gorge?" Aviana whispered to Rajade, not wanting to seem ignorant in front of the others.

"They're a small but vicious clan specializing in blood control," Rajade replied in a quiet voice as Damaya doled out the night's assignments. "Made up of mostly Nightbrothers, they're one of the clans in open war against Singing Mountain. They're also not helping the male cause on this planet much. Their known to abduct the women of other clans and then leave them for dead once a child has been born. It's how they sustain their population and insult every female on the planet at the same time."

"Oh," Aviana hissed, her hands dropping to the handles of the pair of Tehk'la blades she had strapped to the small of her back. "They've been allowed to live?"

Rajade grimaced. "Yeah. They make their homes at the bottom of the gorge," he gestured to the gap in front of them. "And are too entrenched to attack without serious loss of life. They also have alliances with other Nightsister clans in the area, like the Spiderclan. None of the Dathomiri groups can risk the people required to fully root them out. Any attack will weaken their own clans and leave them vulnerable."

"Besides, the Dathomiri clans are too fragmented and isolated as it is. This gorge is just outside of all their territories, there are many other Nightsister clans closer that provide more immediate threats," Sanola said, joining the duo. "Perhaps this is what my aunt had in mind when allying with the Infinity Gate clan. If we finish this deal, we'll finally be able to take on clans such as the Blood Gorge."

"One can wish," Rajade shrugged. "So, what do we have to do now, Jedi Apprentice Ti?"

"You weren't listening to Master Damaya?"

"And deprive you of the opportunity to boss me around?" Rajade said, aghast. "I could never do such a thing. Besides, you're Master Ti's niece, you could use the practice."

Sanola's eyes narrowed and her hands balled into fists before relaxing. From the conflicting emotional outpouring coming from the younger teen, it was clear to Aviana that Sanola was mentally reciting the Jedi Code ad nauseum.

"Jedi Apprentice Lo, Master Damaya assigned the three of us to the second watch alongside Nikti." Sanola said with a fake smile. She gestured to a Zabrak teen helping to set up the camp. "We are to have our evening meal and then retire for the night. They will wake us when it is time."

"As you command, your royal Jedi-ness," Rajade performed another sweeping bow.

Sanola made a gesture, and the sweeping bow turned into a face-plant into the ground. "Until later, Rajade. Aviana"

"You were asking for it," Aviana sighed, helping him back to his feet as Sanola walked off. She led him to a nearby boulder and they both sat atop it.

"Princess Ti is too uptight," Rajade grumbled, spitting out the rocky soil he had inadvertently got into his mouth. "Sure she's Master Ti's niece, but she isn't even a Knight yet. Just a student like one of us."

"I understand her, though," Aviana said softly. "My own father is a leading member of my people. Everyone is looking to me and my brothers and sisters to follow in his footsteps. To be something even greater. When it was discovered I was Force sensitive, my older siblings immediately tried to shift their burdens onto me. To make me the next leader of the Nagai. I came out here, to Ossus, to get away from all that. Sanola doesn't have that escape, the choice to be something other than what everyone thinks she's fated to become since her aunt started the praxeum. Out here, we may be the nobodies. But she'll always be a 'somebody' no matter where on this planet she is."

"Oh," Rajade looked away pensively. "I guess…I guess I'll go apologize to the princess then."

"Don't apologize," Aviana shook her head. "If I understand Dathomiri customs, it'll mean little to her anyways. You're a guy, right? You'll always be lower in her eyes, expected to do dumb things."

"If this were another planet, probably," Rajade corrected, looking pensive. "Heck, if I was from her clan, an apology would mean little. But Broken Columns is unique on Dathomir. Most of the female-led clans are afraid of us because of what we represent; males in power, males who overthrew their female leaders and are prospering. We are an aberration to centuries' old tradition, are seen as equals to women by some of the clans. And have been on the verge of war with so many of the other clans that we've developed a bit of a siege mentality. We've fought so hard to maintain our sense of strength, our honor; to have the other clans know our strength, to respect us. Unless I want Sanola to see me as one of the men of her clan, I need to show just how different I am from them. I am, after all, the only member of my clan at the praxeum that she's met."

"I don't know much about Dathomiri traditions," Aviana began slowly. They pulled out their ration packs and began to eat. "But I understood the bit about strength and honor. My people were kept as slaves for the longest time. Struggled to maintain our sense of identity when surrounded by hostility and those who saw us as little better than beasts of burden. When it came time to prove our worth, we went to war against this galaxy, sought more respect than we could get. In the end, the places we attacked saw us as monsters, and if it were not for the mercy of the Jedi and their allies, we would have been worse off than before. Sometimes…sometimes it is best to not go looking for respect and honor, but to show it instead. You can still apologize, but instead of constantly antagonizing Sanola, you can offer to be her friend. Like I said, the pressure from all the others to be someone great can make things a little lonely."

Rajade looked at Aviana strangely, causing the teen to shift almost in embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't mean to overstep or anything…"

"On Dathomir for two years and you already understand our people better than I do," Rajade said with a disbelieving shake of his head.

Aviana felt heat come to her cheeks again. "My father sends me lessons on politics with his monthly care-packages. I just…pick up a few things now and then?"

"Keep on picking things up," Rajade said fondly. "I can see why Master Ti wanted you on this mission."

"And you?"

"Probably because many of the men are Nightbrothers solely because of the way they would be treated in a standard Dathomiri clan," Rajade said. "I mean, if you keep treating people like second-class citizens, they'll no doubt harbor some resentment, right?"

I—(V)—I

It was late into the night, or early the next day depending on one's point of view, when the first sign of trouble appeared. Being the lone male of the four-person watch, Rajade was hyper-vigilant. The last thing he wanted was to let his clan down by allowing something to happen on his watch. He was not only a representative of the Broken Columns clan, but of Dathomiri males as a whole. He had to prove that the males were every bit as strong as their female counterparts, that he wasn't just that lucky guy who managed to get into the Jedi Praxeum; a pretender Jedi.

The other males in the group all belonged to males from clans where the women ruled. They didn't seem to mind their station either, fully embracing their clans' traditions and practices and acting subservient to the females on the team. They had prepared the evening meal, cleaned up without any protest, and some even set up the sleeping bags for the females of the group. But being from Broken Columns, Rajade had no desire to view himself as an inferior, or a servant to anyone. He was a Dathomiri male and he was proud to be one. He wanted to have his people be treated as something other than trophies, to be talked to in a tone other than scornful disdain. True, the Jedi Praxeum muted much of the prejudices and opened many eyes, but Dathomir still had a long way to go until it recognized males as actual people.

And until then, he would just have to keep on proving that males were more than honor-less objects, and show that they were fierce warriors in their own right,

He and Sanola were watching the trail they had come. Aviana and the Zabrak teen Nikti were watching the trail their group would venture down at first sun-up. It had been a quiet watch thus far, with only a few creatures daring to approach their camp.

Despite the relative peace, however, he was on edge. Very slowly, he let his hand drift to his lightsaber. He couldn't see anything, or feel anything, out of the ordinary. But there was an acidic taste on his tongue that he didn't like.

"Rajade?" Sanola murmured, her voice a faint breeze carried away by the cool night wind.

"Guard up," Rajade replied tersely. It was better to be safe and look like a fool, then dead and right.

She must have heard the tone in his voice, because Sanola didn't make a single sound at being ordered to do something by a male. Her hand gripped her Ssurian-tooth lightsaber—a unique construction where the sharp-ended pommel was just as deadly as its liquid yellow blade. He had heard the story of how she had slew the massive predatory lizard during her coming-of-age rite, and how its tooth now formed the basis of her Jedi weapon.

Not that his own lightsaber was any less unique or impressive. It was fashioned from the skull of a kodashi viper, one of the most poisonous creatures on the planet. The skull formed a basket-hilt of sorts into which he stuck his hand. A sickly green blade emerged from the base of the skull—where the spinal column would have been. The blade was longer, but narrower than most lightsaber blades. It made blocking blaster fire a bit of a pain, but it was positively lethal against fellow sword wielders.

He felt Sanola's eyes on him, and he prayed to the Force that he wasn't imagining things. He had only just managed to form a fragile truce with the younger teen, and the last thing he wanted was to have his image drop even lower in her eyes.

The dark clouds above blocked out the moonlight, keeping everything near pitch dark. He reached out with his senses, trying to figure out what had unnerved him so.

Suddenly, in the distance, a pink light flared into existence.

"To arms!" He yelled out, his lightsaber flashing and intercepting a bolt of plasma.

And then more pink lights lit up the night; ten, twenty, thirty. The numbers continued to swell.

"Fall back across the bridge!" Damaya ordered.

A hail of pink plasma rained down all around them as the attackers kept their distance but continued their ceaseless bombardment. One of the teens in the group was unable to move fast enough and was pierced through the back. Another had a bolt of boiling plasma burn through her leg. There were almost forty attackers firing plasma arrow after arrow with Force-enhanced accuracy. If the arrow wasn't on target, it was only to induce the intended target into a certain direction and into another arrow.

Sanola's yellow blade was a constant flurry of motion as she fended off downward volleys and straight-shots like a spinning top.

"Fine time to hit us with projectiles," Rajade swore, his slender blade able to block much less than the blades of his companions around him. One bolt of sizzling plasma burned a hole through his sleeve, another winged the top of his shoulder.

"Go! Get the injured back across the bridge," Sanola barked. "You'll be more of a liability if I have to cover you too."

Though his heart wanted to stay and fight, his mind knew the logic of her words. Yet at the same time, he wouldn't be doing much for the males of Dathomir if he retreated and let the girls fight on his behalf. He saw another of their delegation go down and grimaced.

"They have arrows, Sanola! They can stay out of range and continue to hit us from afar!"

"Like they're doing now! Tell me something I don't know?"

Rajade shut off his lightsaber and used a clan art, the Spell of Shadows, to bind the Force around him in a protective sheath. He would still be detected if a Force user was actively looking for him specifically, but he would otherwise be invisible to their senses. "I'll be back shortly!"

"Are you an idiot?! There's several dozen of them out there, maybe more!"

"And we're down to six capable people. We can't just run full on into Blood Gorge territory in the middle of the night!"

"Fine!" Sanola shut down her lightsaber and leaped out of the way as a hail of pink pummeled the ground she had just been standing on. "I'm going too then. We're the only ones in position to do anything anyways!"

With no time to argue, Rajade cloaked Sanola with the Spell of Shadows and then took off towards the line of pink flares nearly half a kilometer away. They were fleet-footed, running under the pale pink light of the seemingly ceaseless barrage of plasma. Just when they were about to reach their goal, Sanola gasped in pain.

Rajade quickly ground to a halt, catching her as she stumbled forwards. "What's wrong?"

"Master Damaya, she's been hit…several times," Sanola panted, her eyes squeezed shut and her panic rising.

"Sanola, listen. The only way we can help her now is by stopping the attack. Focus on that and that alone," Rajade hissed. They were close enough to the Nightsister ranks that they could almost hear the others gleefully talking about the attack.

Sanola took in a deep breath, panicked green eyes hardening into those of a warrior on a mission. "Let's do this."

Rajade nodded. "Now they outnumber us, but if we spook them, they'll be demoralized and run off."

"You have a plan?"

"Yes, here's what we'll do."

I—(VI)—I

Despite the pitch darkness they were in, the energybows of the Nightsisters were every much the beacon the lightsabers of the Jedi had been. The Nightsisters and Nightbrothers were spread out in a single line, alternating who was firing to keep the barrage steady.

"Hey, there are just two of them left!" Laughed one of the Nightsisters, gesturing towards the flare of distant lightsabers. "What do you say we go in there and finish them off personally?"

"We have our order Kadira."

"Oh come on. Hitting them like this is hardly sporting," Kadira whined, standing among a group of five others.

"Then how's this?" Sanola growled from behind the Nightsister. Before the group could respond, Sanola let out a deafening, Force-enhanced shriek, much like the sound made by the Ssurian dragon. It was a haunting sound that rattled bones and caused teeth to gnash together. Normally used by Nightsisters, Kirana Ti had re-appropriated it and taught Sanola a less lethal version. Not that the Nightsisters currently under the attack would have appreciated it in any case.

The five Nightsisters clapped their hands to their ears in reflex only to have their eardrums rupture and their minds shaken by subsonic vibrations. As if they were experiencing repeated concussions, the eyes of all five rolled up into their heads and they fell to the ground, unconscious.

Pink energybows were all swung in Sanola's general direction, a barrage of arrows immediately being fired a split second later. Sanola, however, had leaped into the air and Rajade once again cloaked her with the Force.

On the opposite end of the Nightsister and Nightbrother line, nervous bowmen heard a twig snap and all spun around to see Rajade approach them. He was highlighted by the glowing light of their bows, yet he was unfazed as he stared the four down. Without a word, he held out a hand and used another of his clan's ability, the Spell of Sickness. The spell used the Force to mimic the affects of the kodashi viper venom, causing mental and physical illness and pain to all those involved. His four targets staggered backwards, clutching at their chest, stomachs, or heads in disbelief. One even lost their last meal as they curled up into balls on the ground in obvious agony.

The line of energybows was immediately extinguished, the darkness making it impossible for the Nightbrothers and sisters to see just who was attacking them and causing such distress. Rather than risk facing an unknown force, they melted back into the night, vanishing almost as quickly as their attack had begun. They took their injured with them, leaving no trace that they were even present.

Meeting up again, Sanola and Rajade exchanged victorious high-fives, laughing in relief as they did.

"That worked!" Sanola said brightly.

"Of course it did," Rajade said with mock arrogance.

Sanola rolled her eyes. "I would have just charged their line and beat up as many as I could."

"I'm sure that would have worked if they hadn't outnumbered us several dozen to two."

"Hey, eighteen plus for you, eighteen plus for me."

"We aren't that good…yet," Rajade added with a smirk.

Then, as if remembering the rest of their friends at the same time, the two exchanged grim expressions and put their celebrations on the backburner. Without another word, they raced across the landscape to see if they had stopped the attack in time.

I—(VII)—I

The sight that greeted them was one that caused even Sanola to pale. Most of their Rancor mounts had succumbed to the continuous barrage of plasma, while the ground all around was littered with scorch marks. Four of the teens who had traveled out with them were dead; three others were badly wounded, including an unconscious Damaya. The older Jedi had obviously used her body to shield several of the wounded and had paid a heavy price. She had no less than five burns from where the plasma arrows had hit, her armor and skin badly charred.

The few survivors were just as badly shaken as Sanola was, looking around in complete shock.

"You're alive!" Aviana exclaimed, rushing forwards to hug Sanola, and then Rajade, in near desperate embraces.

"We're alive," Rajade confirmed solemnly. "I wish the same can be said for all of us."

"The mission's over then?" Nikti whispered despondently, a bacta patch over her shoulder. "There's no way we'll be able to reach the Infinity Gate now. Especially with Master Damaya in a healing coma."

There was a hushed silence as the surviving teens all looked to one and other for answers. Sanola felt a pit in her chest grow, her stomach clenching painfully. As the sense of dread and sorrow continued to grow among the group's survivors, she felt that she had to do something. If she wanted to be a Jedi Knight, this was her moment to prove she was worth that rank. Besides, this was her first real mission, there was no way she was going to let it end in disaster.

"No, we continue on," Sanola said aloud, stepping forward and projecting an aura of determination.

"Sanola," Aviana said in protest.

"Our friends did not die for nothing," Sanola said sharply. "They died so that peace with the Infinity Gate clan could be made possible. So that Dathomir can become one step closer to being unified. Nikti, you and Viica take whatever Rancors we have left. You'll use them to take Master Damaya and all our wounded and dead back to the praxeum. Let my aunt know that Aviana, Rajade, and I are continuing with the mission. We'll get that peace she wanted."

"Just the three of us? We're not even Jedi Knights yet!" Aviana didn't relent.

"She's right, Sanola," Rajade agreed. "There are at least three other Nightsister clans between here and our meeting place, as well as a whole host of dangers we know nothing about. How can the three of us accomplish this when this entire group was taken out in a single engagement?"

"We'll do it because we have to," Sanola said. "We back down now, who knows when another Nightsister clan will show interest in an alliance again? We back down know and clans like the Spiderclan and Blood Gorge can continue to operate because the light-side covens are too scattered and disorganized to do anything about it. It's time we step up and show Master Damaya and the others that they were right to place their trust in us, to pin the future of Dathomir, and maybe even the praxeum, on our shoulders. We can talk about doing things all we want, but unless we follow through with action, we'll never be able to stand proud and call ourselves Jedi."

"There's a difference between pride and recklessness," Rajade argued.

"Then what?" Sanola said, eyes flashing in challenge. She looked up from where she had been kneeling by a downed Rancor, slinging a pack of supplies over one shoulder in the process. "We go back, tell Master Ti that the mission was a failure and that peace was impossible. Members of the Infinity Gate clan are waiting for us out there right now! Queen Ros Lai is putting her own head on the chopping block for this. Are we not Jedi? What have we been training all this time for if not to bring peace to our home, to bring balance to the Force?"

Both Rajade and Aviana shifted uncomfortably. The Zabrak apprentice, Viica, slowly nodded as she cradled a broken arm. "She's right. You two. This has to be done. We haven't gotten this far to turn back as failures."

"Fine," Rajade breathed. "Fine, fine, fine! Rot it all! I'm in. Needs to be at least one token male on this team anyways." He kicked a clod of dirt and grabbed another supply kit.

Sanola just nodded once and turned towards the white-skinned Nagai. "Aviana, this isn't your planet, but…"

"I'll go," Aviana exhaled, following the example of her friends and kneeling by another Rancor. "You're right. Viica's right. Even if only one of us makes it back, this has to be done."

"For the record, I'd prefer if all three of us made it back," Rajade commented. "If I go back without you two, the rest of the clans will kill me. If Aviana goes back, what does that say for Dathomiri strength? And if Sanola makes it back, she'll get all the glory and it'll go to her head."

"And if the two of us make it back and you don't?" Sanola raised an eyebrow, gesturing to herself and Aviana.

Rajade tilted his chin back and folded his arms in front of his chest. "That's not going to happen."

"Oh?"

"All the men on Dathomir are looking to me to prove our worth. I'm not about to let them down any time soon."

"Great," Sanola deadpanned. "Your survival is practically guaranteed now."

Through the Force the group could feel the Nightsisters massing for another attack, and the banter ended. Sanola quickly took charge. "Viica, Nikti?"

"We're ready," Nikti said, strapping the last of the wounded onto a surviving Rancor.

"We'll make our Force presences big, you make yours small. We'll try to lead them away from you but you might pick up a tail."

"Rancors are kind of hard to miss," Rajade said seriously.

"We'll be okay," Nikti leaped atop the rancor. "You worry about yourselves."

"May Allya protect you," Viica inclined her head.

Bows of pink flared back into existence in the distance.

"Go!" Sanola hissed. At the same time, she let unleashed a torrent of Force energy, essentially making her a glowing beacon in the dying night.

The Rancors pounded away, and a flurry of pink ignited the sky.

"Time to run," Sanola said grimly.

Aviana and Rajade both let their own Force presences glow brightly, attracting the second wave of plasma arrows. With a single nod shared between the young teens, they sprinted in the opposite direction of the Rancors, feet flying across the stone bridge spanning the chasm before them.

The air smelled of ozone as pink flashes of plasma rained down all around, hissing and whizzing in an endless storm of lethal energy. The Force energy they were exuding making them giant targets that pulled in more arrows like massive black holes.

And still the three ran, calling on the Force and every ounce of strength they had to push on. They ran, and ran, gradually shrinking their Force presences.

Running beyond the range off the arrows.

Outpacing their pursuers.

Shadows chasing shadows.

The night slowly giving way to day.

Rocky soil gave way to steep inclines of coarse gravel, the slopes of mountains rising up all around them.

Yet still they ran, guided by the Force and a small amount of fear as they streaked through uncharted territory. They could feel danger all around them, could feel the Force urging them onwards. And they ran, and ran.

When the sun began its descent, they finally stopped. They were panting, clothes drenched with sweat, muscles protesting any further movement. Reaching out with the Force, they could tell that they had lost their pursuers.

But, as they straightened and glanced about the mountainous terrain they had stumbled into, they now had an entirely different problem to deal with.

The bodies of several Nightsisters and brothers were littered about the mountain pathway. Plasma burns and stab wounds were evident on all of them.

The Force was no longer calling out in warning, but then again the trio of young Jedi could feel something out of place.

And then a bone-chilling yell, not heard in the galaxy for three years, echoed down from the tops of the mountains.

"Do-ro'ik vong pratte!"

I—(VIII)—I

"At least they aren't Nightsisters," Rajade said through a swollen lip. Blood dripped down from a cut on his head, and bruises covered his body.

"There's that," Aviana agreed sarcastically. She wasn't in any better shape. Both her arms were broken, as was one leg. "At least we can still use the Force to heal."

"So much for our attempt to finish the mission," Sanola sighed, leaning back against the rock wall of their prison and hugging her legs. A nasty welt marred one cheek, and a good-sized lump was forming on the opposite side of her head.

The three of them had been exhausted from the non-stop running and completely unprepared to face Yuuzhan Vong warriors in their prime. Added to the fact that their Force-abilities had no affect on the alien warriors, and the battle had been extremely one-sided and swift. Only Aviana's Nagai nature had prevented her from giving up, resulting in the serious injuries she now had. The one positive side was that her heroics had spurred the other two on, and they had fought well enough to impress the warriors attacking them.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the cave passageway, and the trio straightened as best they could. The membrane door to their cell slid open, and a tall and muscular Yuuzhan Vong warrior surveyed them from the entryway.

"These are the Jeedai?" He asked in Basic.

"Yes, Commander. They fought differently than those we normally encounter. We thought it prudent to capture them for interrogation."

"You did well, Takh Lian," the scarred commander acknowledged once. "Which of the three is the leader?"

"I am," Rajade said quickly. He managed to pick himself off the ground and straighten as best as one with several broken ribs could. "Jedi Rajade Lo."

The leader entered the cell and very calmly gripped Rajade by his chin with one large hand. "You are but a mere child. All three of you are. Why would the Jeedai send children into a place as perilous as this?"

"The war is over," Rajade managed. "Has been for three years. A lot has changed since then."

"You lie!" The commander drove his fist into Rajade's stomach, causing the young teen to cough up blood.

"We have no reason to!" Aviana snarled. "The war's over. The Supreme Overlord's dead! Your people have a homeworld. All of that's true!"

"The Supreme Overlord is Yun-Yuuzhan's chosen! To say that he is dead is heresy!" One of the commander's subordinates yelled, storming into the cell.

"What reason do we have to lie?" Sanola said almost emotionlessly as she rested against the prison wall. "You can kill the three of us whenever you want, sacrifice us to your gods. But it still won't change the truth."

"There could be many reasons why you lie," the commander said smoothly. "You are but three children, perhaps your Jeedai Order has been reduced to so few in strength that they must send children out now. Perhaps you seek to demoralize us, to make us think that all is loss so your allies can move in unopposed. My command may not be the largest, but we still have within us the ability to take and tame this planet."

"How long has it been since you've heard from your superiors?" Sanola countered softly, not uncurling from her position against the wall. "When was the last time you had a supply shipment? New orders? Reinforcements?"

"We are a covert operations group," the commander said gruffly. "Lack of contact is to be expected."

"But over three years?" Aviana rebutted, realizing what Sanola was doing. "In all that time, didn't you at least wonder what was happening in the rest of the galaxy?"

"Commander, let me kill these Jeedai! They seek to undermine…" The warrior trailed off when the commander held up his hand.

"If…what you say is true, then my men and I have spent the past three years waging a hit-and-run war on this planet's population for nothing. If what you say is true, then I will have lost thirty of my people for no reason other than ignorance."

"How long have you been on this planet?" Sanola asked gently, looking up at the warrior for the first time.

The commander looked unnerved at her stare, but held her inquisitive gaze. "We were on your planet for all of one year when the last message we received referred to a major battle at a place called Ebaq Nine. Scattered messages followed for some time afterwards. Three years ago, however, all messages ceased."

"You've been on Dathomir for almost seven years?" Sanola's eyes grew wide.

"We have," the commander nodded once. "I am Commander Hural Ruuq. When I came to this planet, I had five hundred warriors and thirty shapers at my command."

"And now?" Sanola asked.

"Commander, surely you are not listening to…"

"Silence," Hural barked. "They will die anyways, so informing them will harm no one."

"As you command."

"How many left?" Sanola repeated softly.

"A hundred and thirteen warriors, eight shapers," Hural said without a hint of emotion.

"I'm sorry you lost so many of your family," Sanola bowed her head. Her studies on the Yuuzhan Vong War as part of her battlefield tactic's lessons had enabled her to learn about the unique societal structures of the Yuuzhan Vong race. "Seven years of warring, after a life time of it…it must have been hard on you all."

"You said that my people have a home now? Yuuzhan'tar?" The commander said, without acknowledging her words.

"They do," Aviana nodded, looking up from where she had been caring for Rajade. "A planet with its own consciousness, where everything growing is natural, full of life. All the Domains are there."

"The war is over," Sanola reinforced gently.

The commander blinked slowly, his gaze passing over the three Jedi almost as if in disbelief.

"Commander!" A voice down the passageway called out excitedly. "Warmaster Nas Choka contacts us!"

"Nas Choka?" Hural blinked. He glanced at the Jedi again. "The times have changed indeed. Bring the three of them with us. If they are lying, they will be excellent presents to present to the new Warmaster."

Sanola moved forward to help support both her friends, and the three used the Force to help with their injuries and pain.

Even if they couldn't read the Yuuzhan Vong in the Force, the trepidation on the faces of the war-weary warriors was clear.

They walked in silence through the caverns created by the warriors. The young Jedi could see small plots of land devoted to growing crops, and other organic creatures the Yuuzhan Vong group used to make their shelter self-sufficient. Another section of cave had been converted to a cemetery, with the belongings of the deceased laid out on top of mounds of earth in ceremonial fashion. Living quarters, hewn from the stone. A dining commons. What looked like a trophy room sat adjacent to an armory. The Yuuzhan Vong had done the best with what they had, eking out a living on a hostile world, believing that one day the warring would end and they would see the peace they were fighting for.

"Children?" Aviana said in surprise, seeing several Yuuzhan Vong toddlers being taught the language. "I thought you were a military force."

"We have had to institute breeding cycles to replenish our numbers," Hural said stiffly. "These rocky walls are all they know at the moment, but they will grow to be strong warriors of the Yun'o." He glanced at a disheveled looking Yuuzhan Vong off to the side. "Shamed! Fetch the healing supplies. We can't have these Jeedai die until we've handed him over to the Warmaster."

The Shamed One fearfully bowed his head and scampered off.

The impromptu tour of the base ended in a central chamber, where an aging villip choir chirped feebly in the dying afternoon sunlight.

"Dread One, I present to you Commander Hural Ruuq," a warrior announced.

"You honor me, Warmaster," Hural bent down to one knee. "The war has been hard, but we fight on. As proof of our victories, I present to you these three Jeedai. We also have in our position three dozen lightsabers from Jeedai my men and I have slain during our time here. They are yours to give to Yun-Yammka."

"Hural Ruuq, you and your men have served the gods well. You are the epitome of what it means to be Yuuzhan Vong, what it means to be warriors." Nas Choka's villip likeness said firmly.

"I am humbled, Warmaster."

"Time has passed, however, and the war is over. The Supreme Overlord lies dead at the hands of the Jeedai, as does Onimi and my predecessor Tsavong Lah. We, however, still were victorious. We started this war to find our home, and a home we have indeed found. The planet the Yuuzhan Vong now live on is the very seed of the original Yuuzhan'tar. There we have prospered, grown. You have done the name of Yuuzhan Vong proud, but now it is time to lay down your amphistaffs and coufee and join the rest of your brothers and sisters on the planet Zonama Sekot."

"Then…the Jedi spoke the truth…" Hural was completely dumbstruck, as were the other warriors in the room. "The war was over…these past few years we have been fighting for nothing…throwing away our lives for a cause that no longer exists."

"No," Sanola corrected softly. "That cause lived on in your hearts. You fought for a dream, a day when fighting would no longer be necessary. Your fight was just a bit harder, just a bit longer than most. You have a home now, though."

"Seven years," Hural said faintly, glancing about the cavern. "We have been here seven years. Fighting to bring this planet to the Yuuzhan Vong Empire. Even as our numbers dwindled, we never lost hope. We would fight to the end if we had to. For the gods, for the day all Yuuzhan Vong would have a home. And now…now its over…"

An expression of complete loss came over Hural's face as he disappeared into his thoughts. Nas Choka spoke again, his voice gentle. "A ship will arrive in two day's time to bring you and your people to Yuuzhan'tar should you desire it."

"If not, you are more than welcome to stay on this planet," Sanola spoke up, receiving raised eyebrows from her companions. "The praxeum we are from will be happy to establish trading relations with you, medical and food supplies. You've fought for so long for a home, shed blood on this planet. If you want, you can stay."

Hural stared at the young almost fourteen year-old with gratefulness. "Your offer is most welcome, Jeedai."

"It's Sanola, Sanola Ti," the Dathomiri teen replied.

Seemingly collecting himself, Hural looked back to the villip choir. "Warmaster, there is no doubt some among my command who will take you up on your offer."

"You are not among them?"

"This is the planet I buried my five children, my brother, my uncle, my crèchemates," Hural said with a faint smile. "This is the planet I wish to be buried on when the gods come to take me. I think…I think I found my home a long time ago and have only now just begun to realize it. Yun-Harla can be cruel indeed."

"And she can also be merciful. Please see to the health of the Jeedai in your custody. Assist them with whatever mission they have. Knowing Jeedai, it is probably some ridiculously impossible feat with not enough supplies or people. I think they trust in their 'Force' a bit more often than is healthy for them."

Eyeing the young Jedi and their battered and exhausted states, Hural nodded. "You are wise indeed, Warmaster. I will inform the rest of my command and we will await the arrival of your ship."

"There is one other thing," Nas Choka appeared to glance at someone outside of the range of the villip. "As the Supreme Leader was so kind to remind me just now, the Shamed caste has been abolished. They are now simply Yuuzhan Vong. If there are any Shamed Ones left under your command, you are to treat them with the same respect you wish shown to yourself."

"The times must really have changed," Hural remarked sarcastically. But after being told that the war had ended and that the galaxy as he knew it was changed forever, he wasn't really surprised. "It shall be as you say. The Shamed will no doubt leave with you if their lives have been improved that much."

"The change is still ongoing, commander. Many of us still aren't used to treating them as equals."

"That is the first thing you've said that is not hard to believe, Warmaster."

"We will be bringing experts to help you and the rest of your people adjust to a life without war. Being who they are, the Jeedai will probably be more than happy to offer assistance as well."

"It will be…strange, to say the least. Working with them."

"We'll send word once we take orbit. Until then, may the gods watch over you and your men."

I—(IX)—I

Being escorted by two squads of Yuuzhan Vong commandos—who were now experts on Dathomiri wildlife due to their prolonged stay on the planet—and a rakamat, and a shaped Dathomiri Rancor, meant that the second half of Sanola, Rajade, and Aviana's trip went a lot smoother than the first. After spending some time resting up and healing, the trio of young Jedi departed the Yuuzhan Vong base shortly after mid-day. They had since left the mountainous terrain and were now nearing a seemingly endless sea of sand. Plant-life became sparse, as did most wildlife.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Rajade grimaced. He had tried to stretch out his arms, but only succeeded in aggravating his not-entirely-healed ribs.

"You're the leader, really?" Sanola raised an eyebrow.

"Would you rather you were the one they punched in a fit of disbelieving anger?" Rajade retorted.

"You were protecting me?"

"Is that a problem?"

Sanola's jaw worked several times, before the young teen promptly looked away.

"My turn for the questions. Why'd you offer the Vong a place on the planet?"

"It's big enough for all of us," Sanola said simply. "Besides, I just thought of what my aunt was doing and it seemed to fit. You know, 'the reaching out to former enemies' thing. The planet's a big place, the galaxy's even bigger, I think we can use all the friends we can get."

"Pretty smart thinking," Rajade tilted his head respectfully.

"The benefits are already evident," Aviana gestured to their escort. "Glad I decided to follow you out here."

Sanola tried to hide her blush. "Thanks you two."

"Look, there!" Aviana suddenly shouted, pointing to a group of people in the distance.

"Think that's the Nightsisters we're supposed to meet?" Sanola asked.

"If not, they'll probably start shooting at us any time now," Rajade answered deadpan. "Let's keep heading towards them to find out."

No rain of pink plasma occurred, the small group they were meeting letting the others approach without incident. The Nightsister group was gathered around a singular banner depicting a blue sphere contained within a transparent pyramid. They were a mixed group, with humans, Zabrak, and mixes of the two, all waiting with hands cautiously on their weapons.

"Hold there," A mahogany-haired young teen, who appeared to be a Zabrak-human hybrid, called out. Several dozen meters separated the two sides, the sun setting in the distance between the two of them.

"We're Jedi representing the Jedi Praxeum on Ossus," Sanola announced. "We seek an audience with Night Queen Ros Lai."

"Not the most traditional of escorts," the Nightbrother remarked, eyes darting towards the Yuuzhan Vong.

"We Jedi just excel at making friends," Sanola said sarcastically.

"And enemies," Rajade coughed.

"We prefer friends," Aviana added quickly.

The Nightbrother raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I am Third Blade of the Infinity Gate Clan, Quin Lai. Myself, and my brothers and sisters with me, will take the three of you the rest of the way to our clan. I am afraid your current escort will have to stay behind."

"That is satisfactory," Sanola assented.

"Come then," Quin gestured. "My grandmother is eager to meet you all."

"Grandmother?"

"Queen Ros Lai is my grandmother," Quin smiled faintly, an expression that looked out of place on his worn, yet young face. He appeared to be closer to Rajade's age, and also seemed to be the leader of the group despite Dathomiri matriarchal practices. His connection to the Night Queen, in Sanola's mind, probably overrode traditional cultural practices. "I only just became a Blade of my clan. My first assignment was to escort your group to our home."

"Any trouble?" Sanola cocked her head. Quin's group appeared to struggle just to stay standing, with bandages likewise covering a myriad of wounds.

"Nothing we couldn't handle. You?"

"The same," Sanola replied evenly. They both shared a look, making it clear that neither believed the other in the slightest. Sanola's group had ragged clothing, were covered in bandages, and definitely looked a little worse-for-wear. "It is just a simple diplomatic trip after all."

"And this is a simple escort job."

The sound of Rajade clearing his throat shook the two teens from their banter. Rajade was subtly gesturing to the other Nightsisters and brothers, who didn't appear at all pleased with their young leader.

"Right," Sanola felt her face heat up. "The sooner we have a treaty signed, the quicker things can start to improve, for both our peoples and Dathomir."

I—(Part One End)—I

A\N: Early update since I'll be busy next week...Next part we delve a bit more into the Night side of Dathomir =p. Two chapters from now we go to Yavin 8... I've finished writing this interlude so I'll be working on the sequel now, still on schedule to begin posting in November. Thanks for all your support, and hope you've enjoyed this chapter too. 'Til next month!

-An Origami Fish