VIII
Mid Rim, Baltizaar
33 BBY
Faerhyn had not moved a single centimetre from her position for the exact 47minutes that she was stood there. Battling her exhaustion with every other breath, until even her eyelids were starting to ache. As she had to refrain from blinking, out of fear that her eyes would not want to open again. That's how tired she was.
What was he doing in there?! She didn't know, nor really care. All she knew was that they were losing precious daylight. They had already wasted half a day, not least thanks to her. They couldn't afford losing more time. Not when every second that ticked by without Padawan Myrr found was a second where the Bando Gora gained more ground on them and could change their location, in turn making all possible information that the Sullustan could have on them absolutely worthless. A second, where the chances of the padawan still being alive slimmed and the number of tortures the other prisoners had to endure rose.
Faerhyn leaned her head against the cool wall behind her, suppressing the urge to barge into the throne room and grab Obi-Wan by his robes. Hopefully, the time he spent in there would not have been for nothing.
The door to the throne room opened right on cue and Faerhyn didn't hesitate in kicking herself of the stone tiled wall.
Finally, she thought seeing a person emerge from the throne room. Just not the one she expected.
Faerhyn straightened her posture as the person approached her, the heavy metal door slowly closing behind him. Sounds of giggling could be heard before the thick doors were yet again shut tightly, keeping all noises inside. Had that been the queen? Fae decided that it probably was best if she didn't know, focusing her attention on the figure that approached her.
"Padawan Faehryn." he inclined his head, coming to a stop right in front of her. Having recognised him as the head of the Royal Guard Security of Baltizaar, Fae returned the gesture respectfully.
"I fear that we have not been properly introduced yet, I am General Kra-Phlo Hemplik." 'General', a title highly unusual for a Baltizaan royal guard under normal circumstances, only reserved for military forces. But Faerhyn had been informed that Kra-Phlo wasn't the usual case. Rylah had told her that he had indeed been head of the Baltizaan military forces, having fought in many Baltizaan wars and conflicts until finding his position under the RGSoB as a highly trusted member and confidant of the royal family.
He had served this planet and its royalty for almost his entire life. And the extent of the bond he pertained to both had been made apparent to Faerhyn. She had seen him gallantly fight in the battle as a man who would die to protect his homeworld. She had also seen him do the impossible and convince the queen to not dismantle her. Their relationship had seemed most peculiar to Faerhyn, nothing about it in anywhere resembling what she would have expected.
He had certainly impressed her, not because of how he skillfully handled a blaster but because he had approached the queen bravely, with no falter or doubt in his step. Not fearing what repercussions his actions would have for him. Patriotism wasn't the only motive to his action though it may be the main one, a rarity and in of itself.
"It's a honour to meet you, General Hemplik." The first earnest sentence she had spoken in the palace this day.
"The honour is all mine, Padawan Faerhyn." He smiled, shaking her hand. "Although, I would have perhaps chosen more fortunate times for us to meet in?" The General added thoughtfully.
Choice. A rather strange thing. Some even questioned it's existed. And Faerhyn had to admit that there were some things...a lot of things, that eluded one's control.
"I believe this is as best of a time as any." She, therefore, said softly. Maybe they never would have met had the Bando Gora not attacked, maybe someone else would have attacked and it would have not made a difference. But something always happened in this galaxy, and the circumstances were never fortunate or ideal. That had been by far one of the hardest blows to stomach when she had first left the confines of Coruscant.
"Yes," he agreed nodding. "It probably is." He said simply, but his look told her otherwise and Faerhyn began to question the exact reason for his sudden presence.
"Well, Padawan Faerhyn." He then began, slightly louder and out of nowhere. Faerhyn's mind was reeling, processing slightly slower than usual. Was he insinuating something? If so, then what? She was far too tired to decode riddles.
"Queen Coloulufa has asked me to escort you to your chambers." That came unexpectedly. An outward reaction could not be prevented this time, Faerhyn didn't even feel her jaw drop. Her thoughts-blowing up completely as confusion was replaced by utter perplexity.
"Of course only if you wish me to." The General added, taking her incredulous expression in. Noting his wariness, Faerhyn tried to compose herself. If only that meant closing her mouth.
"My chambers?" She repeated hollowly, not knowing what to make of that revelation. What did she need a chamber for? Just how much time would this 'negotiation' take up? And what the hell was Kenobi doing in there that lead to the queen offering her to stay anywhere near her?! The urge to burst into the throne room became stronger than ever, but Fae remained rooted to her spot.
For now, she'd have to rely on whatever information General Hemplik decided to share with her.
"Yes, it was decided that you and Padawan Kenobi will stay here overnight. In the morning I will personally choose one of my men to lead you to the slate mines." Faerhyn wanted to tear her hair out. They'd stay overnight ?!
"You'll leave early in the morning and will be there before you know it, I assure you." It was embarrassing how easy he seemed to be reading her without her even having to say the words. Sleep-deprivation, responsibility and time pressure certainly did her no good. This was certainly no way for a Jedi to behave, and she tried her best to correct her mistakes.
"Of course, I sincerely thank you and the queen for helping us." Faerhyn brought out shyly, finally collecting her thoughts properly. She didn't want to seem ungrateful. She wasn't. Things weren't as she had imagined them to be, but they weren't bad. She'd have to deal with one night at the palace, no matter the costs. There was no way around it apparently.
"You don't have to thank me, Padawan Faerhyn. It was you that helped us after all, the least we can do is return the favour." He said, radiating with gratitude.
It was a great feeling, to have at least one person appreciate their help. A Jedi didn't go walking around, seeking for eulogies. Yet, to receive recognition for your actions felt good, affirmative.
So despite herself, Faerhyn gave the General a timid smile. But he wasn't done yet.
"Besides, it's your friend that knew how to say the right things. He played his cards well." Faerhyn didn't have a doubt he did. Even now as it appeared as though all topic of discussions had been resolved, he had yet to make an appearance. Maybe he took his job too seriously.
"He can be very... persuasive." Fae agreed, casting a look at the door. Now that she thought about it, she regretted not having entered the throne room with him, if only to to have confirmation for the little suspicion that was creeping into her mind.
He couldn't have, could he?
She shook her head, he definitely could have and knowing his tricks would have, but with the General, in the room, it would have been too risky. Even for him.
"And her highness has a soft spot for handsome faces." Faerhyn inwardly cringed at the comment, transported out of her thoughts. Yet she couldn't help but agree that that had probably helped too. Maybe it was better that she hadn't been in there, to begin with.
"She's a young queen with divided attention and probably more responsibilities than she can handle." Faerhyn's ears perked up at the tone of his voice, noticing the far-away look Hemplik had plastered on his face. He was worried. More so than any other advisor would have been for his queen which only proved what she had concluded earlier.
And Fae had to admit that his worry was likely not misplaced. Now, she had seen and heard of her fair share of kings and queens, a number of them far younger than Coloulufa was now. But it wasn't age that made the Queen of Baltizaar young, nor her lack of experience. Her skittishness, incontinence and temper were her debatable weaknesses.
It was a surprise that this world hadn't collapsed yet under her reign, and that was her definite assessment with just having met her twice. But maybe there was more that held Baltizaar upright, Faerhyn's look found the General.
"It makes her an easy target, easy to influence." She could see how that was a problem. A person with a lot of power was one many wished to control. Fae thought back to this morning, where the Queen's mood had changed drastically with just a few words from someone she saw as a confidant, whom she trusted truly and deeply. The General admittedly didn't seem like one who sought power, he had had more than enough time in his life to grab it had he wanted to. But she wouldn't say that others were just as noble.
There were many voices insistently talking to the queen and trying to coerce her to them, Fae didn't need to see it to be sure of that. Power was like a cadaver, the body was not even cold when all kind of moths were already feasting on it. And Coloulufa didn't seem like the person able to act on her own account, not professionally at least. Nor did she have the interest to learn how to, by the sounds of it.
In Faerhyn's books that sounded like someone who simply wasn't fit to rule. But she didn't think that it was what the General wanted to hear from her. Then again, what did he want her to tell him? Why was he sharing this information with her in the first place?
She felt like his words weren't even meant specifically for her or anyone. It was obviously something that troubled him, so maybe he just wanted to get it out and she just happened to be there? But that seemed like a too impulsive action for an illustrious General to make, didn't it?
Faerhyn felt another headache forming and she stopped thinking altogether. Planning on rather staying silent, comforting other people wasn't her strongest suit. And she really just didn't know what this was all about, nor was it her priority right now.
For a yawn to escape her was the last thing she would have foreseen. She managed just in time, to muffle the sound.
But a response turned out to be needless. As her body acted on its own record, brashly pulling the last strings to signal her of it's over-exhaustion. Faerhyn felt betrayed when a yawn escaped her, and she could only help herself by muffling the sound with her hand.
But the General noticed despite her 'best efforts', and she found his far-away look long gone and his eyes fixed on her. For how long she didn't really know, but she did know that this fatigue wasn't doing her any favour. Her lack of concentration could no longer be denied, not even by her.
It was a pity that she could not glare at herself.
"I think we better get going then." Kra-Phlo Hemplik commented, much to Fae's embarrassment.
She barely managed to plaster an awkward smile on her face this time and she felt a blush creeping up her neck. The General only smiled, openly amused and quietly offered her his arm.
Hesitantly Faerhyn took it and they both quietly moved through the castle's corridors. Parting on 'her' chambers with no more than the usual courtesies. Their conversation was over, though Fae could not for the life of her pinpoint what conversation that had been. Nor did she dwell on it.
She was only reminded that sensitivity could not be trained and...well exhaustion not be tamed. She had been the best example for both in the last hour.
But at least she hadn't gotten the information she needed and with the General's promise that he'd inform Obi-Wan to seek her out as soon as possible, Faerhyn finally gave her body the rest it needed. Letting herself fall straight into the bed to be welcomed by a soft and welcoming surface.
Her eyelids dropped as soon as her head made contact with the mattress, sleep already waiting for her. And for once all thought simply faded away with only the blink of an eye. Faerhyn lost all control as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Well didn't I know it...writing schedule is all over the place right now. School is...a LOT. As is everything else in these uncertain times but hey what would life be without constant change? Probably pretty boring.
I didn't actually triple check this chapter like I usually do, I will probably come around it and do it later on...so if you spot any mistakes...well sorry.
Also...I'm pretty late on that one but god damn has anyone else watched Peaky Blinders?! I'm totally obsessed with it, it's such a great TV Show! And my brain couldn't help but be overflowing with ideas for possible fanfictions (that are really rare) and I might have also been a tiny bit preoccupied with that? Thomas Shelby is just..another...legendary character I gotta say that.
So yeah Netflix is my doom as are amazing TV shows that just have such great plots and there are so many around these days. I love and hate it.
I really hope you enjoyed it.
Stay safe.
May the Force be with you.
And lots of love.
ElriyaStark