Darkness had invaded Tabrett's dreams, sinking tendrils of anxiety and fear into even the most mundane scenes. Tonight, she traveled through the Tythos River Valley, batting aside stray tree branches as the forest seemed to close in on her. Over the nearby sounds of grunting and growling, which Tabrett knew marked the presence of horranths in the area, Tabrett could hear the sound of distant screams. Her pace quickened, but it seemed as though the trees were working against her. More and more branches seemed to reach out and snag her arms and body, until she became hopelessly entangled. She called out in the direction of the other voice, but she knew instinctively that whoever it was would not hear her. She fought valiantly against the branches that held her, but to no avail. They continued to creep around her, suffocating her with their leaves and needles. Just as she was about to pass out, she felt a hand reach out and grasp her shoulder, pulling her free.
She woke with a start.
Kezrin hovered over her, examining her with a concerned expression. "You were dreaming," he said, his tone hovering somewhere between a question and a statement. He backed up as Tabrett sat up and rubbed her temples. The sun was just barely peeking over the mountains, but already the forest air was warm with the promise of another hot summer day. The Temple was stifling enough without the heat, which had led Tabrett to pitch camp in a nearby forest clearing. Normally, the smell and sound of the trees comforted her, but last night they had only served to augment the dark atmosphere of her nightmares.
Kezrin stood as Tabrett rolled to her feet. "More nightmares?" he asked as Tabrett stretched her long limbs. The Miralukan Jedi offered a curt nod before letting out a frustrated grunt. "I just wish..." she said quietly, her voice petering out as she sighed and rubbed her hand over her face. "You know that this is inevitable, Tabrett," Kezrin began, reaching for Tabrett's shoulder again. "I'm sorry, but-" Kezrin was cut short as Tabrett knocked his arm away. She whirled on him, closing what little distance had been between them.
"No, I don't know, Kezrin. Tell me again why I should simply sit by and let Arianthe get hurt." Tabrett jabbed her finger into Kezrin's shoulder hard enough to make him wince. "Explain to me again why I should be letting Arianthe continue down her path as she is now. You of all people should know where that path may end!"
Anger flickered in Kezrin's eyes for a moment before he sighed and took a step back. "You know very well that Arianthe's destiny, her story, is bigger than that of an orphan mechanic raised in a Jedi temple. I know that the catalyst for her leaving may be... unthinkable... but who are either of us to question the will of the Force?"
Tabrett choked out a laugh. "Usually the first two beings in line!" She cried, backing away from Kezrin. You honestly expect me to do nothing while she's out there in danger?"
Kezrin raised his eyebrows. "Yes," he said simply, and before Tabrett could interrupt, he continued. "I know you promised to protect the girl, but she is seventeen years old. She has spent far too much time on this planet already. I too have been plagued with visions of darkness- this galaxy has no shortage of chaos in its future. I believe that Aria is destined to do good in the lives of a great many people, and that she will be one of many heroes that seek to push back the darkness and chaos. But if we interfere now, we will alter her destiny and throw her future into question. You are a woman of action Tabrett, I know, but for now we must sit back and let events proceed as they may." Kezrin rested his hand lightly on Tabrett's shoulder. "She will survive in the end, but her path must take her through the darkest of valleys before she will see the dawning of the sun."
Tabrett considered pushing Kezrin's hand away again before she sighed, bowing her head and resting her own hand over Kezrin's. Not a moment later, she swore she heard the sound of laughter and familiar voices in the distance. For a brief second, she hoped they were merely cobwebs left over from her nightmare- but when Kezrin's hand tightened on her shoulder, Tabrett knew otherwise. She stepped in the direction of the voices, but before she could all out or run to find their source, Kezrin crushed her against his chest in an embrace that nearly suffocated her.
Tabrett shoved and hit at Kezrin, trying fruitlessly to escape and run to Arianthe and the man whose voice accompanied hers. Kezrin remained like a living, breathing statue, enduring Tabrett's blows, scratches, kicks, and screams with an unanticipated patience. As Aria's laughter faded in the distance, Tabrett's assault eventually waned until her anger and desperation turned to helpless, silent sobs. Kezrin's grip loosened and Tabrett dropped to the ground, knees landing hard on the packed dirt as she buried her face in her hands- a shameful display of emotion that she knew would garner disapproval from other Council members. But the Jedi Council was not here to witness Tabrett's anguish- they were tucked away somewhere in the Temple, unaware of what would occur mere minutes away from their doorstep.
AN: And so "Wandering Child" comes to a close. Now that I've graduated and have a steady work schedule, I hope to continue Arianthe and Tabrett's adventures in other stories- join me on another wild ride?
