Luke woke up to the sound of exotic birds, the low murmuring of people outside and the feeling of his lover laying against his chest. It never failed to make him smile to see the pale skin and vibrant red-gold hair against his shoulder. He smiled and kissed the cute little nose next to his. Mara gave a little moan and tried to snuggle more securely against him. The blankets were around their waists do to the humidity and Luke ran a callused left hand along the smooth skin of Mara's bare back, stopping just where the blanket was. She gave another little moan and murmured, "Feels nice. Keep goin'."

Luke kissed her forehead and continued his long, slow brushes over her smooth, silky, bare skin. Suddenly, there was a knock at the tent pull outside. "Luke, Mara - it's Kyle. We just received word that a large number of Zann Consortium transports have landed out in the desert. I think that Diabolis is going to be hitting us hard. Not only that, the Clan Mother sent out messengers to the other clans and we're hoping to be able to get their support. Just thought I'd give you two and update."

Luke chuckled and said, "Thanks, Kyle."

Mara was glaring at where Kyle was most likely standing. "I was NOT ready to wake up and that sleemo pretty much made sure I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep."

Luke nodded and continued his long, slow brushing over her back. Slowly, her glare turned to a smile and she laid her head back down. "Hmmm... I like this. I hope we have lots of mornings like this - just laying here snuggling."

Luke nodded. He was quite enjoying himself. Suddenly, Mara chuckled and said, "Hmmm... I see a tent in this tent. Want me to take care of that for you?"

Luke blushed but grinned and said, "I certainly won't stop you."

Isolder had woken up early, dressed and went down to bath in the stream, a small bundle of the fragrant leaves wrapped in a cloth in one hand. Quickly, he stripped and waded into the chilly water. As he spluttered and gasped at the frigidity, he crushed the leaves and rubbed them against his body. The sap turned to suds and tingled a little as he did. When he had finished, he turned around to see Teneniel sitting on a stump, waiting with a towel. Beside her was a large bundle of somethings. "You may want this unless you were planning on staying soaked;" she murmured dryly. She stood and went down to the edge, stopping just out of the water - just out of Isolder's reach if he wanted his hips and everything else to stay submerged. They both locked eyes and Isolder, feeling as though he was being challenged, stepped out of the water into full view and took the towel. "Thank you very much;" he said courteously. "Is there anything I can do to help you this morning, Teneniel?"

Teneniel considered and shook her head. "No, not at the moment. I might have something later if only to keep up the facade that you are my husband."

Isolder nodded as he clothed himself once again. Teneniel suddenly smiled. "You haven't washed those clothes since you've been here. I'll find you something else to wear so that you can wash them."

Isolder shook his head. "Oh no. I saw what Mara made Luke ware and that isn't going to happen."

Teneniel's smile became mischievous. "Now, now husband, I can't have you going around looking and smelling like an animal. That simply wouldn't do. Now be a good little slave and do as your mistress commands or else you won't get any food today."

It was clear that she wasn't in earnest but, even so, Isolder had to back up towards the water again as she advanced on him. Despite himself, Isolder couldn't help but grin as he held his hands up and said, "Now, Teneniel, let's be reasonable about this. There's no need to..."

Suddenly a root wrapped around his ankle and he fell backwards into the water. Teneniel laughed and then squeaked as he leaped up, grabbed her and tossed her into the water as well without thinking. They both froze and Isolder turned bright red. He was about to apologize when a small tidal wave swept over him. He came up spluttering to the grinning face of Teneniel Djo. "No fair. I don't have your force."

She just shook wet hair out of her face and said, "Well then you shouldn't have started something with a witch who does."

Isolder's eyes widened and he protested. "But I'm not the one who started it."

Another wave crashed over him. Teneniel crossed her arms and said, "Anything else?"

Isolder lifted his hands helplessly and chuckled. "No. Do you require anything, oh kind and gracious Mistress?

Teneniel nodded and said, "Yes, get those leaves and rub them against that sponge."

Isolder listened, crushing the leaves and getting the sponge all sudsy. When he turned around to hand it to her, he blushed and looked away. Teneniel had taken off her clothes and laid them out to dry in the warm sun. "Do I displease you?" she asked quietly. Isolder took a peak and, once he saw that she had knelt below the water so that only her head showed above the rippling surface, turned fully to her. "No, it's not that. On my world, it requires an invitation to look on a woman when she is um..."

Teneniel nodded. "Here, we do not care so much. You are not on your world, Isolder. You are going to make my people think that you do not care about me. That may be the case but you must at least pretend to or else there will be talk. It will cause trouble if the clans do gather. If any of them think that you do not care for me, they will try to steal you and any hope of being freed from here without bloodshed will be lost."

Isolder knelt down by the water and stretched the sponge out to her, saying as he did, "I never said that I did not care about you, Teneniel. You are being very kind considering the situation. You are a very compassionate woman and that is something that I am unused to. On my world, women are usually clawing and backstabbing for a better position in the royal court, compassion the very farthest thing from their minds. You have proven to be a very good friend even though you don't have to be."

Teneniel looked at the sponge for a moment and then stood out of the water and took it. "Thank you;" she murmured. It was all the Hapan prince could do to keep from ogling her. She was athletic and strongly built yet slim and her figure pleased him. He cleared his throat and stood straight. Teneniel smiled and went deeper into the water. Suddenly, just before he could turn away, something tugged him into the water again. Isolder, came up spluttering and looked around. There was nothing there and no one there. Teneniel was humming to herself, a small smile on her lovely face as she leisurely scrubbed herself. Isolder sighed and took off the majority of his once-again dripping wet clothing. She was right. They stank. He was about to start washing but then decided he would wait till she was done. Instead, he climbed onto the bank and wrapped the towel around his waist, rotating between looking at the beautiful scenery and the beautiful woman in the water. When she was cleaned, Isolder handed her one of the towels, wrapping it securely around her body. She gave him a quizzical look and Isolder lifted and dropped his hands in embarrassed exasperation. "I'm really not good at this whole servant thing, I'm afraid. I'm not entirely sure how I'm supposed to be acting."

Teneniel nodded in understanding. "I see. Wash your clothes while I dry and then we'll head back to my lodge. I'll find you something to ware and we can have a meal. You can come with me so that you can learn to identify edible plants and to set traps for animals."

Isolder nodded. He took his clothes and stepped into the water with another handful of leaves and scrubbed his clothes with a chunk of sandstone. When he had thoroughly done so, he gathered them into a dripping pile on the bank. Teneniel handed him two items from the pile. One was a tunic much like the one Luke had worn the day before but the neck line had ties to keep it shut and there was also a pair of trousers of rough cloth. He slipped them on and pulled his boots over them. Teneniel still sat on her towel, naked as she considered him. Isolder couldn't help but run his eyes over her for several seconds before looking her in the eyes. To his surprise, they were dark with desire. It made Isolder feel a little uncomfortable to be gazed at by her so intently. Slowly, she stood to her feet and walked up to him. "Would being my husband be so bad, Isodler? Is there something wrong with me?" she murmured, reaching out and touching his forearm. Isolder took her hands and focused on her eyes. "No. Not at all. But I cannot leave my people to the despotic rule of one of my cousins or aunts. It is my duty to choose the future Queen Mother."

She looked down at the dirt between them. "You would have chosen Mara Jade. What made her desirable and worthy? She is not royalty."

Isolder sighed and turned away. "Our nobles would have accepted an exception for her do to her talents and position. They fit a certain need that we have."

Teneniel turned away and got dressed. Loneliness was draining her spirit again. All she desired was someone who would stay with her even in her exile. "Come. Let's find some food;" she said, her voice emotionless yet brisk. Isolder followed her. He felt terrible, knowing that he had hurt her and that he was continuing to sentence her to loneliness but he was powerless to do anything about it.

Luke and the others were in the meeting house with the elders of the village. Augwynne Djo listened as reports were brought in. None of the messengers had returned but scouts had reported that this strange armor was fortifying as if waiting for an attack. The New Republic strike team considered the information. Luke turned to Han. "How long do you think that it would take the fleet to get here?"

The former smuggler rubbed the back of his neck and blew out a sigh, "Well if they left even a day early, they only would have left when we arrived and it's a five day trip. I doubt that Diabolis and his forces will be ready by then, however. There's a lot of work that needs done still before they attack. They need to lay supplies, they need to plan an attack and they need to negotiate something with these Nightsisters. Augwynne, how long do you think that will take?"

The clan mother shook her head. "I'm not sure. It could take minutes or days. From what I know of Gethzerion, it will take at least a day to come to some kind of terms, especially with a male offworlder. We will have just enough time to gather the clans and form a plan for defense."

They all nodded. Things certainly looked grim.

Diabolis and Silri rode into the midst of the Nightsister stronghold. It had been an old Imperial prison facility but now the yards were the pens for rancors and the women, wearing blood red, pale skinned and some with blood vessels burst in their faces from extended use of the dark side. Weaklings thought Diabolis. Sith and Dark Jedi had controlled the dark side for years without such outward physical effects. These witches had no idea of what they tried to control. Still, they could be taught. Suddenly, the Dark Lord found himself and his bull rancor surrounded by women on their own rancors. Silri scowled and called out in her own tongue. They all looked skeptical and she spoke again, this time angry and harsh. Slowly, the women backed off. Out from the fortress came more of them, lead by the most fowl looking creature that Diabolis had ever seen. Her power in the dark side was unmistakable however. She reminded Diabolis of the mad clone of Jorus C'baoth on Waylend in some ways. The woman spread her arms as they dismounted and she said in basic to Silri, "My beloved daughter returns to her home after traveling with Tyber Zann. Who is this man with you that rides a rancor as a witch - a bull rancor no less?"

Silri leaped down and motioned Diabolis to do the same. "This is my mate, Mother Gethzerion. His name is Darth Diabolis and he is a Dark Lord of the Sith."

An angry murmur sounded from those around and Gethzerion's face grew cold. "Why have you brought such a destroyer here? The last Dark Lord of the Sith wiped out the Nightbrothers, weakening our power and allowing the other clans to thrive and drive us into the shadows."

Silri stood tall and replied, "This man has come to aid the Nightsisters in rising from the shadows that we have fallen into and to bring back the power we once had when Mother Talzin ruled our clans. It was a Sith Lord who brought us low and let it be a Sith Lord who raises us up once again to be powerful, not only on this world but in the galaxy as a whole. We could be so much more, Mother Gethzerion."

"Silence!" hissed the clan leader. "You have betrayed this clan, Silri. I'm afraid you must pay with your life."

She lifted her hand and purple lightning lanced from her fingers. Diabolis stepped forward and caught the lightning on his outstretched hand, absorbing it. This witch was indeed powerful, perhaps even as powerful as that C'baoth clone but Diabolis was a Dark Lord of the Sith. After almost a minute, Gethzerion ceased her lightning attack, her eyes blazing. Chanting and waving her arms, Gethzerion sent chunks of rock and debris at the Dark Lord and Diabolis was hard pressed to fend off the attacks but he managed. Finally, she screeched, an attack that caused the rancors around her to moan and retreat and caused the ground to reverberate and crack in several places. Yet Darth Diabolis stood protectively before Silri, using his own substantial power to defend them both. Gethzerion glared at Diabolis. The Sith Lord gave a gracious bow and spoke. "Mother Gethzerion, it is an honor to meet one so powerful in dark magiks. Your skill and power matches my own. We need not fight. I have no desire to destroy you or rule you but merely to elevate you. I am not of the Sith Lords that destroyed you but of a far more ancient and honorable line who honored our allies. Allow me to remove the stain on the name of the Sith by aiding you in increasing your power. Together, we can subdue our enemies and we can divide this galaxy between us."

Gethzerion considered for several long minutes, looking the man over. "Young Silri, you stated that this man is your mate, is that correct?"

Silri nodded, "It is so, Mother Gethzerion."

Gethzerion smiled and said, "Come, let us discuss this in comfort in the fortress. We shall see that your rancors are fed as well."

Diabolis strode up to her and bowed, proffering an object wrapped in fine silk. "A gift for you, Mother Gethzerion. I am told that you are at least marginally familiar with a lightsaber. I give you this one as a sign of friendship and good faith."

Gethzerion unwrapped the intricately carved blade. The outer casing was made of some red metal and around it was wrapped leather. When ignited, a crimson blade came forth. With a pleased smile, the elder witch clipped the weapon to her sash and beckoned. "Come, my Lord. Let us discuss this arrangement."

Han and Luke sat in the shade of a large tree that was up on the mountain slopes overlooking the Singing Mountain Clan's village - or one of them as they had learned. Apparently all along the mountain there were quite a few villages and homesteads. Han was in a bit of a depressed mood. Not only did he miss Leia terribly but he also realized that he could no longer use this world as a place for the refugees of Alderaan to settle on. Even now, he sat there staring at the datacube that served as both the file on the planet and the deed to the planet. "This whole situation has just turned into one gigantic mess;" muttered the Corellian for the umpteenth time. Luke chuckled at his old friend, "Oh come on, Han. It's not so bad. The fleet will be here within a few days and we'll be heading home after that."

Han looked at him sourly. "How the blazes are you so optimistic. Oh right, you won Mara. Don't forget there's a battle to be won and we have to figure out the whole thing with getting the Hapans to join the New Republic. Not only that but I own a planet that is already occupied so it's no good to the Alderaan remnant. What a mess."

Suddenly, Luke realized something. A big smile slowly began to cross his face. Reaching out to Mara through their link in the force, he said, Hello, Beloved. I think I might have the beginnings to a wonderful idea. Come and meet me and Han. Here is where we are.

The reply was quick in coming and was filled with impressed glee. Wow, Farmboy. That could just solve a whole situation here though I doubt it will be that simple. There are still a few rather large kinks we would need to iron out but you just might have something there. I'll be up there soon.

Luke nodded, considering the issues she had brought to his attention during the duration of their mental contact. There were definitely obstacles and no mistake about it.

The messengers going to the nearer clans had returned and a meeting place was agreed on by most of them - the ruins of the Jai starship the Chu'unthor. It would be some days before the remainder would return. In the mean time, the Jedi took time to train, as did the witches of Singing Mountain. Both groups watched the other with great interest. Those who were not Jedi scouted the area around the Chu'unthor out, all in the name of their 'mistresses' of course. Han, Sabine, Hera, Chewie and Zeb all took holos of the crashed ship and also retrieved the two starships, the Millennium Falcon and the Knight Returns. They were landed on the plateau on Singing Mountain above the villages. Weapons were crafted, rancors were gathered and provisions were made ready. While all this was going on, Luke, Han, Mara and some of the others laid their own private plans - plans to solve the problem with the Hapan people. However, all those plans would be for nothing if they could not win the battle to come. On an impulse, Nisotsa, Cariaga and Maris all disappeared one night.

The three women were as wind in the grass as they ran the many kilometers between the Singing Mountain and the area that Darth Diabolis's army had set up as a base camp. It was huge. Earthworks and prefabricated defensive structures were set up and landing pads were cleared as well. It was an impressive sight - a full three battalions of troops, one of Diabolis's 'Sith' Troopers and two of Tyber Zann's contracted mercenaries. For every soldier, there was also a war droid as well and Cariaga and Nisotsa knew of most of them. They were of an ancient design assembled for mayhem and slaughter, the kind of droids that the Sith favored for battle. On top of that, there were dozens if not hundreds of vornskrs. The only relief was that there were no yslamari anywhere to be seen.

Aside from the infantry, there was a full battalion of Tyber Zann's armored units as well - units that would shred infantry, armor and fortifications as if they were nothing at all. A dozen MZ-8 Plasma Artillery Tanks, four mobile proton torpedo launchers that would level any standing structure, eighteen Canderous-class tanks and six F9-TZ transports that were said to have cloaking field generators of some kind. The three Jedi looked at each other grimly. To there surprise and amusement, it seemed that the Dark Lord had not deployed any planetary defense weapons, meaning that he expected the fleet in orbit and the battle stations there to be able to hold against any fleet attack. They doubted that he expected the Hapan armada to be with them which meant that this fight was going to be much more interesting than anyone, especially Diabolis and Tyber Zann, thought.

"Time to go;" murmured Nisotsa. Silently, they hurried back into the night. It was the next morning, the third day on the planet, that they returned to the base, exhausted but with a lot of useful information. It cause mixed feelings among the New Republic and Singing Mountain Clan forces. Some news that helped lighten the mood was that they had received word that all of the clans would send representation to the ruins of the Chu'unthor.

Isolder had gotten used to the leather and rough cloth garments that Teneniel had given him. In fact, he privately came to like the feeling of the soft, supple leather against his skin. Humming a song from his childhood, he began to clean the dirt from the roots he had found. The door behind him swung open and Teneniel came in, carrying with her edible leaves and fruits and several wrapped chunks of meat. Looking over his broad shoulder, she smiled and said, "I don't believe for a minute that you found those yourself. Who did you get to help you?"

Isolder looked slightly affronted. "I found them on my own, thank you. I may be a simple male and a prince but I can still learn you know. Kirana Ti's mate showed me the best way to find and dig them up."

Teneniel chuckled and set everything down on a wooden table. "Yes, he is talented at hunting, gathering and even fishing - a good man for a Dathomir Witch. She loves him very much and he - her."

Isolder smiled. Somehow hearing such things warmed him even if it had utterly nothing to do with him. Teneniel checked as he sliced the roots length wise, revealing soft white flesh beneath the hard, dirty exterior. "You are getting good at that;" she said. Isolder smiled at her. "I try. I feel like a squatter in your home if I do nothing to help you."

Teneniel chuckled and said, "Well then you are better than Han Solo. He simply shows up to sleep. I'm not sure how he's eating."

Isolder laughed again. "Han is sticking with field rations and will probably start sleeping on his ship from now on. I think he is afraid that his fiance would be most displeased to know that he would be staying with another attractive woman."

He said them so nonchalantly as he sliced the roots. "You think that I am attractive?" asked Teneniel almost shyly. Isolder turned to her. "I thought I would have made that obvious. You catch me staring at you several times a day."

Teneniel turned back to what she was doing, her heart fluttering slightly. Even so, she felt a taste of bitterness in her mouth. Why would he tell her this? It only made her more miserable because she knew that he would not have her. Frustration filled her and the knife she had been using to cut the meat slipped, slicing into her hand. She yelped held her hand with a low whimper. Isolder turned to her and saw the small trace of blood on the knife. "Let me see it;" he said quietly as he moved quickly to her. "No. I'm fine. I can take care of it."

Isolder would stand no argument. Gently yet firmly taking her arm, he pulled it down and looked at the cut. "Let me see it;" he said quietly yet firmly again. Teneniel complied. Isolder pulled her to where Han had left a basic medical kit and pulled it open. He smeared a small pouch of bacta onto the wound which caused Teneniel to whimper. He then took a small bandage and wrapped it carefully and neatly. Teneniel looked at it and looked up into the Prince's eyes. "I would not expect a prince to know how to do such a thing."

Isolder smiled down at her. "I did not spend my whole life in a palace waited on by servants. A goodly amount of my youth was spent on a pirate ship where I learned to fight, do maintenance and even a little bit of combat first aid."

Teneniel looked at him with a little more respect. "I am impressed, Isolder."

He still held her hand, using a clean cloth and water with the cleansing leaves to wash the blood off her hands, scrubbing gently, almost tenderly. Teneniel felt desire filling her as his strong hands rubbed her smaller ones, massaging them gently. She looked up into his eyes again and felt them boring into hers. "You should let go of my hand;" she murmured, praying to the three goddesses that he would hold on. "I know."

The timber of his voice sent a shiver down her spine and to her belly. "Isolder..." but his lips closed over hers, forestalling any talk. She molded herself to him immediately. As soon as he freed her hand, she wrapped it around his neck. His hands rested on her hips. The kiss deepened and Teneniel ran her hands over Isolder's muscular frame, trying to find somewhere that she could touch the well-defined muscle and soft, smooth flesh beneath. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, followed by several murmurs and a call. "Teneniel? Everything okay in there?"

It was Mara. Teneniel slowly separated from Isolder and they both gazed at each other. "Teneniel, are you in there?"

Isolder smiled and stepped back, a blush creeping into his face as he straightened the clothes she had yanked out of place. Teneniel checked herself as well before clearing her throat and saying, "Yes, I'm here. Come on in, Mara."

Isolder was slicing the roots again as Mara came in and took the entire scene in at a glance. Both Isolder's and Teneniel's lips were slightly swollen and their cheeks were flushed and they were both breathing heavy. Mara smiled brilliantly and immediately began sending mental communications to Luke as she said, "Your Grandmother wishes to speak to you, Teneniel. She is in the main lodge with the elders."

Teneniel nodded and immediately left. Mara looked at the Prince, studying him for awhile before saying, "You seem to be fitting in very well as a domesticated husband, Isolder. Who ever would have thought of that?"

The Prince chuckled and wiped his hands on a cloth, turning to face her. "No such thing. I am simply learning to help where I can. I have no wish to be a simple interloper."

Mara nodded with a smile. "That's admirable."

Isolder smiled and a somewhat awkward silence followed. Mara began to chuckle. "What amuses you?" asked Isolder. Mara simply shook her head. "If you could feel the force as I do, you would see the world with both new clarity and a whole new set of wonders and mysteries, Isolder."

"And what do you sense now, Mara?" The timber of the Princes voice had grown low and suggestive as he straightened. Mara sighed and said, "Isolder, I've already told you that I made my choice. Please accept that. Please let us keep being friends without any of the strain or tension."

Isolder placed his hands on his hips, looked down and took a deep breath. After a moment, he rather sheepishly said, "I am sorry. I respect your decision. It's in my nature to rebel against the things I have no control over. The truth is that I have been alone for most of my life."

Mara knew what he meant. She had spent a goodly amount of her life surrounded by the highest members of Imperial society and yet she was nothing more than a decoration. "I was the same way - until I found the right person. That's what you need to do too, Isolder. Only that correct person will relieve you of that loneliness."

"And when will I find that right person?" murmured the Prince but his eyes strayed to the door that Teneniel had disappeared through. Mara laughed and said, "Judging by the way you two looked before Teneniel left, it would seem that you are exploring possibilities."

Isolder cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not sure that I follow."

"Oh don't give me that. No one knows better than I do what a woman or man looks like after a good, thorough kiss. Flushed cheeks, slightly swollen lips, awkward silence not to mention me calling Teneniel several times before she suddenly decides to answer - all evidence that something was going on. I'm an investigator, remember? I can read people and situations quite handily."

Isolder smiled sheepishly but his shoulders slumped. "Even if that is the case, I cannot do anything about it. I cannot marry her. My people will never accept her and my mother -" and he shuddered at the thought. Mara looked at him almost sternly. "Isn't it your right and responsibility as the Chume Da to choose the next Queen Mother? Your mother had her time and her rule and soon, it will be time for another. Teneniel is strong, compassionate and wise - three things that the Hapes Consortium needs."

"But she isn't royalty, Mara;" said the Prince. Mara scoffed. "Please. Teneniel is more royalty than I ever was. Your nobles made an excuse because they needed my talents and because that would place them in a position of power within the New Republic. Teneniel's grandmother rules this tribe. Doesn't that make her a princess?"

Isolder crossed his arms over his chest. "My people will never accept an amazon woman from a back-rocket world. Her life would be at risk the moment I announced that she would be the new Queen Mother."

Mara smirked and said, "I pity the poor, misguided fool who makes an attempt on her life. Teneniel is strong in the force and can handle herself quite handily."

Isolder couldn't argue with that and yet, something held him back. Mara sighed with exasperation and said, "Look your Highness, you can think of one reason after another after another why it wouldn't work or you can take a chance on someone that, at the very least, you are attracted to and is clearly attracted to you. The choice is up to you, though. Not your mother or you nobles - YOU. Think about it."

With that, she stepped out of the house, leaving Isolder to ponder her words.

Diabolis sat across from Gethzerion and they measured one another yet again. For two days the discussion had come to the same point - neither of them was willing to sell an ounce of control to the other. Diabolis could appreciate this. They were both beings of the dark side and of power. "I am not asking that I be able to command your Nightsisters, Mother Gethzerion. I simply want to have them as an ally. One of my infantry battalions and some of my armored units will go with you as back up."

The old witch smiled and asked, once again, "But why would I need your mercenaries and vehicles? My Nightsisters and their rancors could mop up the Singing Mountain Clan on our own. You being here seems rather unnecessary."

Diabolis quelled his impatience and replied, "Because all of the clans will array themselves against us. It might be together and it might be apart. Us joining together simply insures that losses are kept to a minimum - especially when Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade and a strike team of their Jedi are involved."

Gethzerion sneered. "I do not fear the Jedi. Palpatine wiped them out and any left must not have been worth his while, nor are they worth mine."

Diabolis narrowed his eyes and said, "These Jedi destroyed Palpatine and many more besides. If we do not kill them here and now, they will only gain power. You and your clan are able to destroy the Singing Mountain Clan but you will not defeat the Jedi - at least not without help. If you do not defeat them quickly, you will have an army from the New Republic to content with. I am not demanding to take command. I am offering the assistance of my army."

They were silent. Finally, the old woman said, "I reformed the Nightsisters and I had to do so because during the Clone Wars, a Sith Lord named Count Dooku unleashed a droid army against the Nightsisters and himself wiped out their mates, the Nightbrothers. What can you give me as assurance that you will not betray us as he did?"

Darth Diabolis motioned to Silri who sat in the seat next to him. "I have taken Lady Silri as my mate and I do not betray those I consider family. You are her family and now, I consider you my family, whether you will have me or not."

Gethzerion considered this and said, "Then we must seal this pact in the most binding way imaginable."

Immediately, Darth Diabolis felt a misgiving. "And what way is more binding than any to your people, Mother Gethzerion?"

The old woman smiled and said, "You must become a part of this clan. Have you and Silri gone through the rituals of bonding yet?"

Diabolis shook his head slowly, wearily. Gethzerion clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Then you must. I shall perform this ceremony myself and then you and Silri will be given one night together. We finalize our battle plans after that."

Diabolis chaffed at the delay but smiled. "I would be honored to be a member of your clan, Mother Gethzerion. I eagerly await the ritual."

Silri purred to him in a low voice. "I eagerly await the night after."

Gethzerion clapped her hands and cackled. "Excellent! Excellent! Come, let us prepare and proceed at once."

Updated 10.24.16