Chapter 24: Favors

The night wind blew the tall grass on the open plain. Avaryss leaned against the borrowed speeder while Rink sat behind the wheel, ready to take off at a moment's notice.

He is worried, the young Sith realized, they had been here almost an hour and no sign of their contact, this was starting to look more and more like a set-up, perhaps the Lady Elana had lied to them.

Avaryss' eyes narrowed.

If she had lied, she would find out just how monumentally stupid a move that was, her cousin was protected by his Sith contacts, the same protection did not extend to her.

Anyone who willingly angered a Sith was taking their life into their own hands.

Such people did not usually live very long.

She resisted the urge to start pacing, instead she took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, her eyes went to the night sky, seeing stars so different from the worlds she had seen in the last few years.

There is something about Alderaan, she thought, a quiet hum that seemed to fill the Force itself. Though she had been here only a short period of time, she was starting to understand why the locals were so protective of this place. It had a rhythm all its own. The Force sang differently here, but different was not necessarily bad.

I could see myself living here, she thought, once I become a lord, I should really see about building a palace here, after it has been properly subjugated of course.

From his place in the speeder Rink looked around nervously. Unlike her, he did not see the appeal of this place. She suspected it was because he grew up on Nar Shadda. He was not conditioned for a place of simplicity, being surrounded by growing things made him nervous.

"I don't like this, boss," she heard him say, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Avaryss smirked.

"Are you worried about my safety, Mister Rink, I'm touched," she said with mock innocence.

"Of course I'm concerned," he admitted, "You're my meal ticket after all, Beric and Holli's too."

The young man frowned.

"What happens to us if something happens to you?"

"Beric would see you safely home, I'm sure," she said.

"Yeah, but without you, it is not like we will get what you promised out of your master. He might even blame us if something goes wrong."

Avaryss chuckled.

"All the more reason to keep me alive then. I'm a woman of my word, Mister Rink. You continue to serve me well, and all your dreams will come true, such is my generosity."

"Good to know," he said leaning back in his seat, his hands behind the back of his head.

"What do you think is keeping the lady's friend?"

"Hard to say," She replied, "Lady Thul did say we should be patient, these people consider the Empire as enemies."

A thought occurred to her, she reached out with the Force, seeking danger, but finding none. So no ambush then, I suppose we should be grateful for that, at least.

She took another deep breath, and crossed her arms over her chest.

Where were they?

Perhaps she had put too much faith in the young lady of House Thul.

She had made a good case for herself, but that was all it was…

Perhaps this had all been some game of Duke Kendoh's.

Perhaps she had made a serious mistake.

IOI

They had spent almost an hour talking in the hall, going from statue to statue. If the Lady Elana was to be believed the Duke's cameras would only see the two women discussing the artwork he had collected.

If he watched the recording later, he might be a little suspicious, but he would find no evidence that anything amiss had happened. The only other people close by were Beric and Elana's two bodyguards, and they were loyal to her and only her or so the noble had said.

Avaryss hoped she was right.

"My cousin has been playing your people off against each other for months," Elana Thul explained, "One of you comes to him with a problem, and almost immediately a rival Sith contacts him making a better offer."

The noble shook her head.

"He aids only those that reward him the most, and because of what he has done in the past, none of the Sith that have come out on the losing side dare seek to see him punished for that."

Avaryss nodded.

"And what has Terrog offered the duke for his…aid?"

"Sith Acolytes to protect him, and deal with his enemies, when the time comes, the dark lord hinted that the servants he would send would be far beyond normal Sith. He promised that they would be able to do things that their fellows could not. Do you know what he might have meant by that?"

Avaryss had her suspicions, she had seen Shyra Viel after all, the girl was not only monstrous, but extremely strong in the Force, if Terrog could enhance common acolytes in a similar way…?

"Terrog's weapons are many," she admitted.

I suspect that is why Kendoh chose him over your master. That…and He thinks he is safe from retaliation because of his allies within the Empire."

That was part of it, Avaryss suspected; the rest was likely that no Sith wanted to admit that they had been shown up by some Alderaani noble. Their fellows in the order would see that as weakness, inviting even more challengers.

She sighed.

It was a good scheme, but it had one major drawback.

Some Sith had hotter tempers than others.

"Your cousin must be very lucky," Avaryss said pretending to inspect a frieze that the woman had shown her.

"Not all Sith are as forgiving as I am."

"It is only a matter of time," the noble agreed, "Kendoh was off world when the Sith came during the war. He does not seem to grasp what your people are capable of doing to an enemy. I was only a girl when the war came, but I still remember what the Sith war machine can do. I would spare myself that, and my family, if I can. Eventually, my lord cousin will lie to the wrong Sith and they will not care who owes him what."

She shook her head.

"I joined with him to secure a place of power for myself, not die with him when he enrages the wrong person."

She smiled at Avaryss.

"I think you may be just the person that I've been waiting for."

"Why me," Avaryss asked.

"I'm good at reading between the lines, what my cousin agents found out about you is that you don't use violence as your first resort. You are capable of it, but that you are a thinker, and willing to find more subtle ways to advance."

"You and I have similar styles of doing things. I think we should mesh well."

"Perhaps," Avaryss said, "Where is Noldan Alde?"

"Not with his family, that is for sure," Elana informed her, "I have a few contacts of my own, and unknown to my cousin, I began making my own inquiries into where he might be hiding."

"Have you discovered anything?"

"Only that he has retired to a secure location, protected by allies of his family."

Elana sighed.

"As I said, my contacts are limited, but I do have an idea that might just help you find him."

"I'm willing to listen," Avaryss said, "If your information proves useful you will find me a most grateful and generous ally."

"That is what I hope," the noble said bowing slightly, "Tell me Sith, what do you know of the political situation on Alderaan right now?"

"I know there is tension," she replied, "I know that your throne is currently having succession issues."

"That is the biggest part of it, yes. Right now, House Ulgo has the most power among the noble families, not enough to seize the throne, but they are moving in that direction. They have used their contacts in the Republic Senate to limit the other houses options, using their pet senators to pass laws and issue injunctions to block any kind of off world aid that could be used to oust House Ulgo from power. Some of the houses have complained, House Organa chief among them, but so far any pleas to the Senate have fallen on deaf ears. The Jedi may have intervened once, but they are still rebuilding after the last war, and have other interests right now. They have no time for complaints from one of Alderaan's noble families, no matter how high placed that family might be."

"Has your House tried to stop them yet? House Ulgo, I mean," Avaryss inquired, "House Thul does enjoy Imperial backing; we could supply what you needed to stake your own claim to the throne."

"My father will not do that," Elana said bitterly.

"Your father?"

"I'm the third born child of Duke Horis Thul. He speaks for our family, unfortunately, since our return to Alderaan; he has tried to distance us from our old Imperial allies. He had no problem accepting your help when we were desperate and homeless, but now he is focused entirely on rebuilding our relationships with the other houses, he thinks nothing of the Sith, in fact he would rather forget you aided us entirely. My older brother and sister both follow his lead.

"Unwise," Avaryss said with a frown, "Is that why you are here working with Kendoh?"

"Yes, he at least understands how much our house needs the Empire. We could begin a new dynasty, and when the Empire conquers the Republic, we will already be in place to make a peaceful and quick transition of power. The Empire would find House Thul valuable allies."

Avaryss nodded.

She could see the value in that.

"And what of your father, does he understand what will happen?"

He does not," Elana admitted morosely, "I love my father, but his policies are foolish. There are too many opportunists in our family; Kendoh is only one of them. It is only a matter of time until someone seeks outside aid to…retire my father."

'And so you hope to beat them to the punch?"

"That was my plan. I do not wish to see my father, or my siblings, harmed. If I was to claim my father's seat, I would be able to shield both him and them from harm."

Elana Thul sighed.

"Do you know what that is like Sith, that desire to protect your family?"

Avaryss frowned. She did not need to look over at Beric to know he was frowning as well. What had happened to their family had become the Rancor in the room every time they spoke. So far he had remained patient, but how long would it be until that patience finally ran out?

"I understand," she said nodding, I know what it is like to lose people because of the schemes of others. To lose those that I love…"

She gave the Alderaani a slight smile.

"I would spare you that pain. Help me in this endeavor, and I will speak with my master on your behalf. I can see that you rise faster than you would normally, even give you a chance to help your family, provided you can help me find Noldan Alde, of course."

"Of course," the noble said smiling.

"You said you had a plan, yes?" Avaryss said turning her attention back to the frieze. "What is it? How do you think I might find Noldan Alde?"

"As I said, he is being well hidden; House Alde couldn't arrange that on their own. They would have needed House Organa's help."

The noble's smile broadened.

"Fortunately, I happen to know at least one member of House Organa that may be open to providing us with his whereabouts, if we can make it worth her while."

Avaryss nodded.

"I will need some excuse to leave this estate," she said, "I would not wish to rouse either Kendoh or my fellow Sith's attention.

"That can be arranged," the noble promised, "We can make it look like you needed to take your ship into the city. My allies here can arrange that, while my cousin thinks you are stuck in the city, I will set up a meeting between you and House Organa, it shouldn't take long."

Avaryss gave her a cold smile.

"Isn't House Organa your sworn enemy? Won't the Duke wonder why you contacted them?"

"The nobles of Alderaan are a very singular group, Sith. Despite our Imperial connections. the past deeds and old favors we were owed still bind almost every noble house to each other. It is not unusual for one of us to talk to our rivals, not with House Ulgo so close to securing the throne."

Avaryss's smile turned sly.

She was starting to like this one.

Deceit, cunning, and yet driven by a desire for the betterment of something more than herself. It was a state of mind that Avaryss knew well; after all, she shared similar views.

Yes, she thought, this one would make a far finer ally then Kendoh, and if we can move quickly, we might just ensure that when her father falls that she will take his place. A House Thul unified behind the Empire would be far more valuable than one dragging its feet out of fear, or a sense of ancient tradition.

Yes, she could work with this.

The Empire could work with this.

"Send word to your contact; arrange the meeting as soon as possible. Time is of the essence."

"It will be done," Elana Thul promised, bowing slightly.

"It will not take long. House Organa is more desperate then they let on."

The lady chuckled.

"I can just imagine the faces they will make when they realize that it is a Sith that wants to meet with them. It would be most amusing."

Avaryss chuckled.

"War makes for strange bedfellows," she said.

We will see just how desperate for aid House Organa is."

"If my agents are to be believed, very," Elana replied.

Avaryss sneered.

Desperation could be dangerous when found in an ally, but if one played their cards right, they just might be able to turn it to their advantage.

Lord Feer controlled two full star systems if he had nothing the Organa wanted; she would be very surprised.

They would deal, they had to, she thought.

She would have Noldan Alde...

…One way…or the other.

IOI

They had been waiting about twenty minutes when the speeder finally arrived.

Avaryss smiled as it approached and stepped between her own speeder and the new arrival. From his place at the controls Rink was ready to take off if she needed him to. The young Sith's hand remained close to her lightsaber, just I case. The Organa speeder only had a driver, a handsome young man to be sure, clad in the vestments of Alderaani nobility.

As his vehicle stopped he flashed the lights in the pattern that Elana Thul had described, identifying himself as her escort.

Rink responded in kind, blinking their lights to inform the man that Avaryss was the one who had requested a meeting.

The Alderaani shut down his engines; he stood up in his seat and met her gaze.

"You are the Sith, yes?" he called out.

"I am," Avaryss replied, an amused smile on her face.

Her escort nodded.

"In the name of House Organa," he called out, "I offer you our hospitality and protection. As long as you remain our guest you will be protected and welcomed at our table."

"And in the name of House Feer and the Sith Empire," she replied, "I accept your offer, and swear to do no harm to my hosts or their holdings. So I swear."

Avaryss found the whole thing amusing, but it was part of Alderaani tradition. By accepting the offer of guests' right, as she had, she could enter House Organa without fear.

"Your driver can remain here," he said, "We can have you back about mid-morning. You will also have to surrender your laser sword, Sith, as sign of good faith."

Avaryss nodded and took her lightsaber from her belt; she approached the Alderaani's speeder, and handed it to him, bottom of the hilt first.

A minor loss, she knew, if these people knew all the ways she could kill with the Force they would not have bothered taking her weapon.

Oh well, what they didn't know could kill them, if they decided to play her false.

She climbed into the speeder without another word. Her escort brought his vehicle around and headed back the way he had come.

Avaryss watched in the rear view as Rink and his speeder shrunk into the distance. Some people might have called her foolish for doing this, but she had few options.

She had to find Noldan Alde before Hezzan.

The Organa were her best lead.

She said nothing to the driver and he said nothing to her. Their path took them away from the rolling plains and towards the forests in the north.

Avaryss remained deep in the Force as they made their way. Her senses were hyper aware, looking for any sign of a trap. She could sense the disdain of her driver, he did not think highly of the Sith that much was clear.

Avaryss ignored him, what did it matter what this servant thought? All that mattered was what his masters' thought, and that they were willing to trade the location of her prey to her.

Beyond that, she could care less what they thought of her.

The speeder made its way into a large clearing in the middle of the forest. It was here that a small villa had been built. Guards in Alderaani security uniforms walked the perimeter. Several nodded to their driver as they passed.

He brought the speeder to a stop by the entrance. He leapt out and hurried around to open the door for her. She smiled and nodded in gratitude.

Never let it be said that Andur and Mya Lylos raised a barbarian. She had been taught how to behave around the wealthy and powerful.

She might have preferred battle to etiquette, but that did not mean she was any less skilled at the latter as she was at the former.

Her mother had taught her well.

As they stepped through the door, they passed through another weapon's scanner. The security here surprised her, she had heard that these people were pacifists, or had been before the Sith Empire's return years ago.

"My lady," the driver called out, "Your guest has arrived."

"Thank you, Blanks," a cultured, yet hard, female voice, replied.

Avaryss smiled and bowed slightly.

"Lady Organa, I presume?"

The noble woman sniffed.

Clearly she did not see herself much as a lady.

Unlike Lady Thul, this one did not dress the part of a high noble. She wore a simple black pants suit, Her long chestnut brown hair pulled back into a braid that was pinned up to the back of her head. The woman might have been considered beautiful if not for the hardness in her expression, and the way she felt through the Force.

This one has no use for finery, she has a mission.

Avaryss smiled.

She could relate.

"I am Giselle Organa," the noble replied, "I've heard that you had business with our family, Sith. I'm wondering just what that might mean?"

A simple matter, you ladyship," Avaryss replied, "You have some information that I require, and I'm prepared to pay handsomely to learn just what you might know."

"Information," Lady Organa said, "What kind of information?"

"The location of a man that I wish to question. Noldan Alde."

Avaryss smiled gamely.

"I was hoping that you could help me out. Let me know where the man might be?"

She tried her best to appear non-threatening, to project only a sense of power, and a willingness to share it.

"As I said, I'm willing to reward whoever tells what I need, it will be a most handsome reward, I can promise you that."

The Alderaani nodded. Avaryss doubted that she had a mercenary nature, but was willing to bet the woman knew an opportunity when she heard it.

Hopefully, she would be smart enough to take advantage.

Lady Giselle smiled.

"I was just about to break my fast," she said, "Would you care to join me, Sith? Our cook does set an excellent table?"

"I would be delighted," Avaryss said, "I've heard only good things about Alderaani cuisine, I'm most curious to experience it for myself."

"Excellent," the noble said, "We shall dine on the balcony; from there we can discuss our business free of distraction and prying eyes."

The noble turned a demure looking dark haired serving girl behind her.

"Jaesa fetch some wine and pastries for our guest."

"At once mistress," the girl said in a soft voice. She turned and made her way towards what Avaryss could only assume was the kitchens.

The Sith smiled.

Interesting she thought.

Since first stepping through the door here, she had sensed something. It was a...tremor in the Force, unchecked and undisciplined, untrained perhaps.

She smiled at her new host; lady Organa clearly did not sense anything amiss.

So much the better, Avaryss thought.

She had come here seeking Noldan Alde, and found something else, something better perhaps.

The serving girl, she thought, she is strong in the Force!

She allowed Lady Giselle to lead her towards where they were to dine.

She said nothing of what she had sensed. Why risk giving up the game?

She smiled slightly.

Interesting…, she thought to herself.

…Most interesting indeed.