I want to thank my one and only reviewer on this one so far Thomas Drovin he reviewed every chap in The Apprentice and is keeping me going on this fic since I have started moving more onto my POTC fics but on occassion I work on this one so yes this is still being written and I am determined to finish it and maybe even do a third one called The Finale Battle
Chapter Four: Observing Lessons
River instructed her apprentice as she did her daily streches with her to make her more limber. This was one thing she added to her teaching technique that her master never did with her. When they were in their most difficult position Grievous entered the room suprised at the situation they were in.
They untangled themselves from their limbs and Ezzy stood at attention as River walked up to her husband.
"So what did the Count want?" she asked him expectantly.
"He told me what he told you and requested me to escort you to the banqute."
"Does Ezzy have a escort?" River inquired hoping she wouldn't.
"She will but I do not know who or what it is."
"Great an unkown. I just hate unkowns."
"Why? Remember the first night I met you? During the dance I was unkown and you don't hate me."
"That was when I was fourteen and I didn't have the knowledge that I have now. Ezzy today we are going to review all that you know with one blade. It will be your last lesson with just one. The next time we have a lesson it will be one double bladed saber," she said cutting her conversation off with her husband and turning to her apprentice.
"As you wish," said Ezzy drawing out her saber a green blade descending from the finely carved hilt.
River took her stance one blade of her saphirre saber ignited and they began their review. As Grievous obbserved his wife and her student he noticed that Ezzy had a natural ease with her blade and consentrated on her masters line of attack and defence. River he noticed was having no trouble at all countering her students pars. But she was experianced in many forms of combate with multiple weapons.
They pared for an hour or so until River pulled a series of moves he had seen before causing Ezzy's blade to be flung uselessly to the distant wall.
"Well done my apprentice, you would put any Jedi padawan learner to shame," said River as she deactivated her blade,
"Thank you master," said Ezzy as she retrieved her discarded saber.
"Well done it has been a while since I have seen such skill from an apprentice. And I'm impressed with your mentoring River you should be honored to have such a fine apprentice," praised the General in his deep tone.
"Thank you General. I am honored to have such a skilled apprentice."
As they praised her Ezzy's face grew red with pleasure. She wasn't used to a higher superior than her master praise her and it made her feel more confident in her abilities.
"I do have one question, It doesn't take five years to train in the skill of one saber and master it. So what else have you taught her?" asked Grievous.
"It was just two years ago that I started trianing her in the arts of a saber. When I first took her as my apprentice I trained her the way I had been trained as a warrior, teaching her in all the multiple weapons and forms of combat. She knows how to use Kaleeshian swords and vanquish a enemy with them. I had a pair custom made for her. She also knows the history of Kalee and how to read and write the native tongue along with the common tongue. And as I said just two years ago I began training her with a saber," replied River taking pride in her apprentice's accomplishments.
"Impressive. Now it is time for your overdue lesson. Defend yourself!" he said as he split his arms and drew a white, purple, green, and deep emerald sabers igniting them.
River had a secrete that she had not revealed to her master and she decsided that know would be the perfect time to reveal it. She pulled out a device that looked like a addition sign and ignited it four blades coming out of one hilt which she added a knew double saber.
White, deep emerald, saphirre, purple, and orange beams in hand she lunged at her stunned master. He was stunned at the sight of the devices and colors and he caught her attacks just in time.
"You say not to let your guard down. You should start practicing what you preach," she said irritated at how her first lesson in five years began as she attacked his defences.
"You suprised me," he defended as he blocked her many pars.
"You say to use the element of suprise and that is what I'm doing," she said as she retracted the quad saber putting it on her belt replacing it with her purple double saber, intently listening to him as he instructed her.
And instruct is what he did. He taught her the many attacks and defences and forms he had invented to fit his personal style and she gradually caught on. Ezzy watched with awe and wonderment as she watched the impressive display of lights and skill she had ever seen. She noted the natural ease her master had with her blades as if she were one with them consentrating souly on her oppenents pars. She also noted the moves her master used.
She also noted the emotion in the Generals eyes as he watched his student consentrate on his instruction. There was a mixture of admiration and love in his deep and intense golden reptilian like eyes that matched her masters in splendor.
They pared for about two hours befor ethey abruptly turned their sabers off in unisone.
"Whoa! That was the best display of skill with sabers that I have ever seen."
"Thank you Ezzy," said River as she sat down in her commanders chair catching her breath.
"Commander we are preparing to dock The Legacy and The Invisible Hand in the star destroyer docks at Nee'port and awaiting further commands," said a droid coming into the room.
"Make the needed repaires and load the supplies to the fleets," said River sitting up striaght in her chair.
"Roger, roger," said the droid as is scurried off to relay the command.
"Well Ezzy, you and I should go clean up and get presentable for the Count. I'll see you at the ramp?" she asked turning to Grievous.
"Yes," he said and turned back to the window.
Hmm wonder whats eating him. She thought as she walked to her quarters leaving Ezzy as she headed down another corridor. Oh well I'll find out eventually. I always do wether I want to or not. She thought as she entered her room.
She undid her hair brushed it and left it down. She wipped a washcloth over her neck and arms cooling her burning skin. She recoiled as she wipped it across one of the old wounds she had gotten from her near death experience on Kamino which brought back painful memories.
She put on a headband that had a green Kalee crystal, adding matching earings and a necklace. Then she added her cloak to the omsamble. She never liked not wearing her cloak around the Count or any other members of the Separitists other than Grievous and Ezzy. She walked out of her room and headed for the ramp.