Ren awoke first, Rey's body next to his breathing deeply. It was warm under the covers, but the cool air nipped his face. The brazier had died during the night. He looked down at her, her hair coming out of its braid and little wisps curled around her face. He didn't have to look down to know she was sleeping, he could tell in his mind. It was a strange sensation when he was attempting to sleep last night, he knew she was content and felt safe next to him as she dozed off. It was as if she had a presence in his mind at all times. He always thought about her, and worried about her. But now she was there.
He could sense that she was aware he was awake moments later, and she rubbed her eyes and gazed at him. "I could tell where you are from across the galaxy I think. And know you're ok." A small dimple formed as she smiled. She added "It's a little weird too. I know you are happy right now, but is it from me being happy?" He tightened his arm around her and kissed her briefly.
"Who knows, I typically wake up content next to you though." he murmured.
The morning was cooler than the prior morning, their breath misted in the air. Luke was sitting outside, meditating. Rey saw the Jedi and she became embarassed. Aware that Ren knew she was embarrassed she fought down the emotion in her mind. He'd find out later from her, but right now Ren wanted to laugh, this was going to be interesting.
"Good morning Uncle."
Luke started to stand, and Chewie exited the domed tent behind him. "We may be traveling today if we get concurrence from the clan mother on my proposal. Let's find out from her first, and we'll come back and pack." He turned and led the way. The feeling of embarrassment again emitted from Rey... and he looked at her questioningly. She shook her head at him and they followed Luke to the clan mother's tent.
They were allowed in by the sentries, and they sat near Euouae who was already finishing her breakfast. Neya sat with her. Roasted and salted fish from the river was provided in addition to goat cheese.
"Euouae, have you had time to consider my proposal?" Luke asked. His food was untouched infront of him. Ren, Rey and Chewie had already started to eat the flakey fish.
Euouae eye's rested on Luke and gravely responded "You know it will be dangerous but this may be the only choice. It also may be best if we are to summon the two nearby clans regarding the Nightsisters. Like the Jedi, we do not participate in offensive strikes however, we cannot allow the Nightsisters to taint the galaxy." Neya looked interested in her grandmother's words, she had not heard this news yet either. "I discussed last night and Lana'i will be accompanying you to where Beriz is in solitary exile for the year. She may have information for you, I do not know. But she has not come back fully to the light yet, you must be wary of her words, they could poison your mind." Luke nodded respectfully. "It is not too far away from the Nightsisters live. I do not know how they treat those who leave them, so be ready. I will also request you move your ship past the northern part of the settlement here, that way the other two clans will not see it." Euouae's gaze moved to Neya. "You want to go too?"
Neya nodded "Rey is my friend, I can help guard her back." Euouae smiled. "Very well." Everyone had finished eating except for Luke, who was finishing the fish. "Go prepare, it's almost a two day trip by foot from here." Everyone got to leave, but Luke stayed.
Ren walked with Rey and Neya. As soon as he exited the tent he turned to Rey and quietly asked "So. What are you so embarrassed about?" Neya looked uncomfortable with his unsolicited question, but if she was to be traveling with them she would hear more than this. He wouldn't be following their ways once they left. Rey turned to their tent and Neya walked on the other side of her. The embarrassment returned to Rey's mind, and worry... for him! She said softly "Ren. Luke... when he visited here before, twenty some years ago... a intimate relationship formed between him and Euouae. She wanted him to stay but he felt the Jedi Academy was more important."
Ren stopped in his tracks, thoughts flooding his mind. He always thought that his uncle wanted to live as much as a Jedi as possible, he always had been alone. Ren felt like he couldn't breathe almost, the shock was overwhelming. Rey had turned to him, her concern flowing strongly in her mind and present in her eyes. "Ren. You have no cousins, just so you know." He exhaled slightly, but also felt a loss. What if he had cousins here, he would have to hope they were female cousins the way the males were treated. It was a strange feeling, of something that could have been.
He dwelled on the thoughts as they packed and returned outside. Neya and Lana'i were waiting, their belongings in animal hide sacks. A male stood near, with several days rations in hand for them. It was dried nerf and goat meat and cheese. Ren was glad they still had rations to eat as well, he liked more variety in his diet. Luke met them there, Chewie's bowcaster in his hand "Chewie already went to move the Falcon, we'll meet him north of the settlement.
They started out and met up with the wookie. The day started to warm but it would not be as warm as the prior day, the sky was clouded and the sun weakly pierced through. Lana'i walked several meters ahead, she wanted no company during this trip. Neya attempted to walk with her for a short time but fell back after a cool glance from the raven haired woman. The green grasses bowed and flowed with the cool winds as they made their way towards the mountains. Rey walked next to him, and he felt her growing apprehension.
The breeze had picked up as they approached the mountains, and Rey tried not to shiver. Her skin prickled from the cooler air. They would reach the mountains tomorrow, but tonight they were staying in a forest. The forest was thicker when they entered from the plains, but the closer they came to the mountains it started to become sparse. The ground was littered with leaves and twigs on top of rocky soil. She had been tasked to moving the detritus from the camp, and giving Luke any tinder she found. She set down her pack, Luke was setting up a fire for them tonight. Lana'i looked disdainfully at Luke before speaking "I'll watch the perimeter" She grabbed her spear and set off into the darkening forest. Luke nodded and returned to feeding the fire twigs gathered from their camp site. Neya sat and watched the flames, Rey could sense her unease but said nothing. Behind Rey, she felt Ren nearing and turned. His face reflected the glow of the fire initially, and the rest of him formed from the darkness carrying wood he found nearby for the evening. Chewie appeared behind him, carrying additional logs they scavenged. Ren set the bundle down next to Luke and smiled slightly at Rey.
"Care to practice? I haven't been able to in days..." He asked. She sensed his eagerness to spar, to use his muscles and the Force. Rey nodded and they moved into the woods, where their sparing wouldn't endanger anyone.
She ignited her lightsaber, the hum welcoming in her hands. The jade blades illuminating the grooves of the bark, the ground, and Ren. She felt her anticipation rise, the trees and rocky soil would provide a new dynamic to their duel. She saw Neya at the edge of the camp at the edge of her vision, watching silently. Ren activated his lightsaber, the silvery blade almost appearing white in the contrast of the dark forest. She sensed him tap into his aggression, the Dark Side to prepare. Instantly, she felt the monster inside her, awakening, grasping to take hold. Rey felt her body tense in response, even though her battle was mental in nature. His eyes dark and intent on her... then curious. The leaves crunched under his boot as he took a step towards her. "Rey..." he murmured.
He sensed the Dark Side stirr within her.
Knowing his feelings, that he had to use the Dark Side, awakened her own struggle within her. She felt it clawing, wanting to mirror him. She kept it at bay and breathed, calming herself. "I can hold it off. I need to practice overcoming the feeling." It was almost a whisper.
Ren nodded and took a step back. She felt for the Force, the serene peace of the forest. The trees towered over them, and leaves crackled as she shifted her weight into a defensive stance. The Dark Side's yearning diminished inside her as she solidified being calm. Ren knew she was ready and attacked. She parried with her staff, and the blades sparked and hissed. She Pushed him, and ducked behind a tree as he came back and swung. The tree started to fall from Ren's hit, groaning as it cracked and fell. She lifted her blade again as he attacked. Rey feinted and he stepped from the hit and parried her true strike. She realized with her emotions in his mind, he would be able to predict if she planned to trick him. He grinned at her with her realization. She would use that against him as well. Their blades met and hissed, he countered her hit and she had to duck, she felt he would be attacking her that way, and was right. Fighting with her staff again, her heart beat heavily and her muscles burned from blocking Ren's strikes. But Rey felt enjoyment, to use the Force, to train with Ren. His dark eyes reflected the jade and silver blade's glow and his face serious, but within him, he felt alive. Ren attacked their blades locking and their eyes met. He gave a small smile before Pushing her back, she took to a knee as she slid over the soil and leaves and countered again as he attacked from above. Their blades met and hissed.
"If you really want to help her, you won't hold back."A raspy voice said. Ren was looking into her eyes but they became cold with the ridicule. The Dark Side seethed within him, and Rey had to quell hers as it tried to seize hold again. Lana'i had been watching their sparing from a distance. Ren said nothing and backed off from Rey. Rey stood up and looked at the clanswoman. Her eyes were dark and judging as she walked up to them. "You can shield your emotions from him if you focus on it. Although we do not have them bond us back so I'm not sure how successful it will be." The latter sentence was filled with scorn and she walked away to continue her patrol.
She looked at Ren, his eyes were watching Lana'i as she walked away, his mind full of contempt. He turned to Rey "Again." His words were cold, the Dark Side was strong with him. He was going to try to push Rey to the limit now. She prepared herself, the Dark Side yearning to be used. Rey ignored it and took a breath.
Ren came at her, and she blocked, but his strike was strong and she ended up having to push her jade blade back into him to give her room. His strikes were savage, and he was focusing on hiding his emotions. The only thing she could feel was his attunement to the Dark Side. Rey breathed and welcomed the Force within her, and drew upon its strength. The cold air of the forest chilled her, but her skin and muscles were burning from the exertion. Their blades met and she ended up defending more than she would have liked. His silver blade came down and her blade met his reflexively, but the blow jarred her arms. Ren's eyes were dark and focused, his brows furrowed. She Pushed him back and he slid on the ground. Rey closed the distance between them and attacked, he blocked and countered almost hitting her. She hid her surprise and focused. Sweat slicked her hair to her head, and soaked her shirt to her chest and back. She backed and danced around a large tree, his blade hacking it as she deflected his blows into it. Rey decisively went to attack him, and his eyes were darting around her. He Pushed her and her back hit a tree behind her hard, winding her. Rey gasped. She brought her staff up in time, the jade and silver sabers hissing inches away from their faces. Her chest was heaving, trying to breath after hitting the tree so hard behind her. Ren's eyes were cold, then he blinked and sighed. His emotions flooded her mind, concern and worry dominating. He stepped back and turned off his blade. Rey turned off hers and he stepped forward and embraced her.
"She was right Rey. I should push you more. We have to be strong together."
