Chapter 45: Family Matters

Words could be as deadly as a lightsaber, and cut just as cleanly.

Avaryss knew the value of words. The sisters of the Imperial mission had used them to ensnare her, and bring her to the place she was now. Those words had motivated her to seek revenge and power, and though she would not trade what she had gained for anything, she was well aware how the manipulation had happened, and how deadly such a manipulation would have become had she learned the truth too early.

Now…she found herself trapped, not because of any enemy, but because an ally heard something that he should not have. He had not been ready. Words had put her in an ugly position. The side of her that followed the tenants of the dark side knew how to free herself, but in doing so, would bring pain, perhaps the greatest pain of all.

The young Sith sighed.

Was she ready to endure such pain?

There was no pain where the power lies.

What did pain matter in face of greater power? What did it matter what she had to endure if it lead to success.

She knew what was expected of her, but at the same time…

It would not be an easy pill to swallow.

She had retired to her cabin aboard her ship. She had both locked the door, and scrambled the access code, so great had become her paranoia. She was not sure how he would react, what he would do now that he knew the truth.

She tried to think of something to say, anything that might turn things back in her favor; anything that might help soothe the savage beast that had been unleashed.

She could think of none.

Damn you, Lady Synestra, she thought, imagining her fingers wrapping around the woman's slender throat. A pleasing thought, but did little to change what had happened.

Damn you straight to hell.

IOI

It had all began to fall apart when she had tried to contact her master, to inform him of what she had learned on the listening post. The Hutts were already on their way to secure the now abandoned station, if anyone asked what had happened to the previous crew; Lord Vogga's people were already in place to claim that an electrical fire had gotten out of control and consumed the five men.

It was a reasonable story, made even more so by the damage that the repair team would find. Vogga and the Hutt clans would have the station working again in no time, which would please their mining guild partners.

As far as both the Hutts and the mining guild were concerned the matter would be closed.

Avaryss had been eager to report as much to her master. She was also eager to get Warmaster Feore's people to work on the name of Xen Loor, to find out who the Padawan's master was, and thereby find their next target…perhaps their final target.

She had sent the request for an audience, and stepped back, ready to take a knee before Lord Feer. She could barely contain her excitement, surely this was what they had been waiting for, and searching of all this time.

Both that eagerness and excitement faded when the hyper-comm connected with the Feer estate on Dromund Kaas, and the image of who was answering materialized.

Her master's rodent of a son glared down upon her.

"Oh," the boy said coldly, "It is only you."

Avaryss' eyes narrowed, yet she had enough self-control to manage a curtsey.

"Young master Bael," she said with a slight tilt of her head.

Respect, she thought, remember to be respectful.

For now.

"I'm seeking your lord father, or Warmaster Feore."

They are not here," Bael informed her, "My lady mother has assumed control of House Feer in their absence."

The boy shook his head.

"Father did not feel that I was…ready for such a responsibility. How does he expect me to ever be ready if he does not let me rule?"

Avaryss said nothing.

In her eyes, the boy would never rule House Feer. As her master's apprentice, it was her destiny to bring House Feer into a new era, to remake it into the House of Avaryss. Which she would do…

….once she had tied up some…loose ends.

"My report is expected," she informed her master's son, "If you could send it along to your father…"

"I'm not your servant, Avaryss," the boy spat back; "You will deliver your report to my lady mother. She will decide what to do with it."

It wasn't her decision, Avaryss thought, but managed to hold her tongue.

Lady Synestra was the ranking Sith in House Feer. She would need to play along with her, for the good of the mission and their house.

Bael vanished from the hologram, only to have his mother appear a few moments later.

"Report, girl," she said in a cold, yet courteous voice.

Avaryss did just that. She informed the lady of what had happened aboard the listening post, and her encounter with the Jedi Padawan.

The lady's reaction was not unexpected.

"So you failed," she said flatly.

"I did not fail," Avaryss assured her, "The logs may have been destroyed, but the Jedi's presence there confirms your Lord Husband's suspicions."

'All I need now is to hunt the girl down, and after that, the conspiracy will fall into our laps."

The Lady was not convinced.

"Your overconfidence is your undoing, child."

And your arrogance is yours, Avaryss wanted to say back, but again held her tongue. If her master and the Warmaster were gone, she would have no one to come to her aid should Lady Synestra seek to punish her. Lord Feer would be angry of course, but if he was as distracted as Bael suggested who knew when he might return.

"I've been listening to your reports," Synestra continued, "Your work on my husband's behalf has been far from exemplary. Time and time again you have chosen to disregard his orders, and by doing so feather you own nest, and feed your ambitions."

Of course, Avaryss thought, is that not the way of the Sith?

The missions assigned to her had never been easy, and they had all presented the opportunity for self-gratification and advancement. What kind of Sith would she be if she did not take that chance? There was no reward without risk.

"What has been asked of me has never been a matter of going from point A to point B, my lady," she said, "I've been forced to improvise several times on my missions, but my goals have never gone unaccomplished. I've never sought to put the Empire at risk. I've always weighed the good of the Empire against my own desires."

The lady frowned; Avaryss could feel her hatred through the Force. From the very beginning Synestra had known that Avaryss' position within House Feer was both a threat and a challenge to her son. The lady had never forgotten that, though what she could do about it had been limited by the presence of not only her husband, but Feore as well.

With them gone…perhaps she now saw an opportunity?

Avaryss was determined to convince her otherwise.

"I know your mind in this matter, my lady," she said.

Synestra glared down on her.

"Do you really," she said venomously.

"Regardless of your feelings towards me," Avaryss continued, "You must recognize the fact that the mission must come first. Lord Feer knows that ending the threat of the conspiracy is the key to rising even higher in the Empire. Any personal grudges should be put on hold until this matter is dealt with."

The young Sith frowned.

"You would be wise to keep this matter in mind."

"She is threatening you mother, punish her!"

Bael's voice from beyond the holo field reminded her that the rodent was listening to their conversation. She knew that the brat would not be happy unless his mother lashed out at her, and that both mother and son likely saw as their rival.

"Return to Dromund Kaas," Lady Synestra ordered, "My husband will decide how to deal with your failure."

"That is not for you to decide," Avaryss reminded her, "If you put me in contact with my master, I shall…"

"My lord husband does not have the time to deal with you now," the lady snapped back. "There has been a problem in our holdings in the Zahn system. I am the ranking member of our family, and I order you to return."

Avaryss's frown deepened, her temper began to flare.

"And what of the Jedi and the conspiracy, should we just ignore what is going on? Should we forget what I've discovered?"

"Your master's agents will deal with this matter from now on. Once he returns, my lord will see how your stumbling has jeopardized all his good work, and weakened us from within."

She glared at her husband's apprentice.

'The time has come to let your betters handle this matter girl. You do not belong among us and you never have."

"My master believes otherwise." Avaryss responded.

"His fascination with you is a mistake; I see that now, as your repeated failures have proven. Your issues on the Wreck, now this matter with the Hutts, and the Mining Guild, the Empire is lucky we are not at war with both right now."

The lady shook her head.

"You should have died with the rest of your family. When my lord husband purged the rest of your clan, he was foolish not to finish the job; you are a threat not only to this family but to the Empire itself."

Avaryss growled in the back of her throat. It took all of her self-control not to lash out and her master's wife.

"You have no right to order me," she spat.

"I'm the ranking Sith of this family. You serve us, or claim to do so, and you will do as you are told. You WILL return to Dromund Kaas."

The lady sneered.

"Your adventure at my husband's expense is over."

The hologram winked out, leaving Avaryss alone.

Her heart was pounding; she could feel both the blood and the hate within her rushing through her veins.

That…that witch!

She does not understand! I will…

There was a sound behind her; she spun ready to lash out at whoever dared interrupt her.

She froze when she saw who it was.

Beric stood before her; through the Force she could feel a blend of bewilderment, anger and betrayal.

It took her a moment to piece together what had happened.

No, she thought.

He heard.

He knew.

She was left speechless, for the first time in a long time the dark side did not rise to her defense, did not give her the insight and wisdom she needed to confront this.

Her brother turned and walked away. He said nothing, though his confusion and anger radiated like the light from a blue giant.

Avaryss pursed her lips.

Emperor save me, she thought.

What have I done?!

It had not been her, but she should have locked down the communication room the moment that she made her report. It would have been the smart thing to do, then again she had not been aware of her master's absence, and how could she have known that Synestra would have…?

I will need to deal with this, she realized.

You know what must be done, the darkness whispered.

He knows too much, and you do not have the time to explain things to him. The mission stands on the edge of a knife.

Kill him; do not let him jeopardize everything you have worked for.

Kill him…NOW!

She had found herself taking a step towards Beric's quarters, but stopped herself. She thought about calling out to HK, seeing if he would like a little practice at killing a Sith commando in close quarters…

She dismissed both ideas.

I cannot afford to be timid.

She could have moved forward, dealt with the matter but she had not. She sent word to Rink and Holli that she did not wish to be disturbed and returned to her quarters. Quenya was meditating and would not act without orders, nor would HK.

She needed to come up with something. She would need to decide what to do.

The ship was currently in orbit of a small moon within Sith territory, she had told her crew that they would remain there until they had further orders.

Well…she had the orders, but she was unwilling to accept them.

Her eyes narrowed every time she thought of the smug look on Lady Synestra's face.

That shutta does not command me!

If she went home now, if she decided not to pursue this lead before it grew cold?

Even if Feer ruled in her favor, even if he decided she had not failed, it would be unlikely she would get another opportunity like this.

Beric and the mission, she thought, I need to decide what to do with both, and quickly.

What shall I do?

What shall I do?

IOI

She was not sure how long she had been meditating when Beric finally worked up the courage to confront her. She had been lost in the Force when he came, floating on the ebb and flow of the dark side.

His presence felt like a stone dropped into a small pond. It sent out ripples, drawing her back from the cold embrace of the darkness.

She opened her eyes and sighed.

She could feel emotions, churning. His training as a Sith soldier were at war with his emotions. He felt hate and anger, but at the same time fear and confusion. He knew what he had heard, but at the same time, his training, his conditioning was to obey a Sith without question or thought.

The way it felt, was…intriguing, and answered a long unanswered question.

She had often wondered why her father had done nothing when he heard that Sith agents were coming to speak with him after Lord Feer had taken control of Oridanna; she had thought at the time that it was fear or cowardice.

That was not it.

As a soldier, her brother, like her father had been conditioned to obey their lords, to trust them to do the right thing. Even now, she could feel what Beric had been taught twisting his desires. He knew what he wanted, and what he wished to say, but at the same time, what had been done to him during basic training had changed him. He had been taught to obey his lords in all things.

Now, what he knew to be true, and what he had been taught was in conflict, it was…delicious.

She heard him knock on her chamber doors, asking for an audience.

She did not even bother getting up; she used the Force to trigger the door, and remained sitting on the bed where she had been meditating.

She opened her eyes as he entered. He wore his everyday uniform and a sidearm on his belt. If she had been anyone else, she might have been intimidated by that. She could sense his fear, she could almost smell it, despite his skills his every movement was giving off prey signals, and to someone who had been taught to embrace their predatory instincts, it was almost impossible to resist.

Something cruel and mean rose up inside her, it came too fast for her to stop, and she likely would not have stopped it if she could.

She smiled slyly.

"I've seen that look before," she purred, "It was the same look that our father had on his face before he died."

Beric's eyes widened, the world seemed to slow down.

His hand went to his belt, a very fast attempt to draw his weapon.

It was not fast enough.

Her hands were up, she yanked the blaster pistol out of its holster and pulled it to her with the Force, while, at the same time; she sent a wave of paralyzing energy rippling at her brother.

He was caught like a bug in amber, his features radiating surprise.

Time sped up returning to normal.

Avaryss smiled.

It had been over too fast.

She looked down at the blaster pistol; the safety was still, surprising considering her brother had come here, perhaps even contemplating murder.

She sat the weapon down on the bed next to her, and pulled her lightsaber into her hand.

She ignited the weapon, and held it before her. She could see the light reflected in her brother's frightened eyes; see the red glow on his skin, the blood shine of her blade. The dark side sang inside her, begging her to surrender to it, to free herself of Keera Lylos once and for all, and what else would it be but an act of freeing? If she killed Beric the last tie to her old life would be severed.

It would be so easy.

Her brother said nothing. He did not beg or struggle. He continued to watch her, his emotions unreadable through the Force now that he was caught.

"You must have questions," she said, "I think it is time you asked them.

He did not answer; he continued to stare, to wait.

"Ask your questions," she ordered him, "You may not get a second chance."

"I'm guessing that I'm all out of chances," he said, "That is how this is going to end, yes?"

"I haven't decided yet. You should speak; then we can go from there."

He took a shuddering breath; she realized how easy it would be to end his life. All she had to do was turn the point of the blade in his direction, and pull him towards her; he would die, just as their father had died almost a lifetime ago.

There was…a strange symmetry in that.

Blossom…why?

She blinked, ignoring the rogue thought.

She continued to watch her brother.

The next move…was his.

"Is it true?" he asked, "Is what Lady Synestra said true?"

"Did Lord Feer kill our family?"

Avaryss sighed.

There was no point in lying now.

"He did, or rather one of his enforcers did."

She shrugged.

"I was the only survivor that night."

She felt her brother's emotions again, shock, horror and rage. Some of that was even directed at her, not that she blamed him.

"You serve him," he growled.

"We both do," she answered.

"You serve the man that ordered our family murdered?"

"Yes."

"Have you known? Have you always known?"

"Not always, he told me after my training on Korriban was done, but since then…yes."

Beric snarled at her, she could feel his rage building, if he had been Force sensitive, she likely would not have survived whatever attack he might have come up with.

She let him struggle; let him rage, he could not escape the stasis field she had trapped him in.

She was eager to see what he would do next.

"How can you just sit there? How can you just admit what you've done?!"

"I've done nothing."

"You stand with the man who orphaned us! He killed our parents, he killed the girls!"

"What do you want me to do, Ric?"

I want you to hurt," he spat, "I want you to feel shame! I want you...you…"

He had no more words, he glared at her, If not hatefully at the very least angrily.

"How do you live with yourself?"

Avaryss pursed her lips, and looked into the red glow of her ignited sword.

She smiled wistfully.

"It is not easy," she confessed, "In the beginning…I despised myself, my weakness, my willingness to do what Lord Feer asked, but, I ask you, what else was I supposed to do? Attack him with no chance of success, to throw my life away? I tried that on Korriban, brother. I attacked Lord Feer and it almost cost me my life."

She shook her head.

"In time, though, I've come to see things differently, to see the opportunity my apprenticeship represents."

"And what is that?" he demanded.

She grinned slyly.

"You cannot stab someone in the back if your do not follow them. How else would you even get close?"

Beric sneered.

"What is that, some ancient lord's proverb?"

"Most likely," she shrugged, "It is sound wisdom, despite the simplicity of it.

She deactivated her sword and sat it down on the bed next to his blaster. She rose from the bed, and walked up to him. She felt him struggling; trying to move, but it was no use.

She was too strong for him now.

"I don't want your death," she murmured, "I don't wish to kill you."

"Why not," he demanded, "I'm a threat to you, now, aren't I?"

"Perhaps."

Then why wish to spare my life?"

Avaryss licked her lips.

There was no easy answer to that question.

Though the darkness screamed for death, there was also a part of it that called for life. That small greedy part of her mind that did not wish to lose anything she considered hers.

He is mine. His life, his death, everything he does should serve me, me!

He is mine, mine.

MINE!

I will not throw away such a pawn recklessly.

That part of her made her smile.

She had not taken the name Avaryss without reason. Avarice…Greed was always part of her desire, her connection to the dark side.

It reared its head up again.

It was for that reason, and that reason alone, that her brother continued to draw breath. Though, she doubted that he would understand that. She decided to put it into a context that he would accept.

She smiled.

"I love you brother," she informed him, it was not entirely a lie, she still held great affection for him, there was enough truth in her words to convince him, she hoped.

"I love you," she repeated, "And together we shall change the empire for the better, I can feel it."

Beric watched her suspiciously, not that she blamed him. Sister or no, she had kept this secret from him, it was no surprise that he was angry.

"And how are we supposed to do that?"

She laughed.

"By living, of course, and by rising to the highest of heights of the Empire."

"You are going to be lord, I see how that might work for you, but I'm just a soldier, I'm just a grunt..."

Avaryss shook her head, no.

"You carry greatness in your blood," she reminded him, "The same blood that flows through my veins. You may not be Force sensitive yourself, but you carry the potential. Our parents begot me, so it is possible that your children or their children will have a strong affinity to the Force."

"We simply have to find you the right girl to bring that affinity out."

He looked skeptical.

"You are starting to sound like mother."

"Is that such a bad thing?" she shrugged, "Having a Sith in the family can be useful. I can connect you with people who can help us elevate your station, and as I rise, so will you."

She gave him an evil smirk.

"We cannot change the past, brother, but we can chart our own course into the future. How would you like to be a general one day, an admiral, or how about a Moff, a Grand Moff?"

She leaned in close whispering in his ear, putting all of her passion into her voice.

"I can make it happen. Stick with me and you will know a life far greater than any our parents could have dreamed of."

She stepped back, watching him. Again she felt his emotions, the anger remained, but it was no longer burning so hotly. Her offer of aid had affected him.

He was considering what she said.

Good.

Very good.

Beric stopped resisting, he held her gaze, a cold determination washed over him as he refused to break eye contact.

"Darth Feer must pay for the our family's death." He said flatly.

"I agree."

"I want you to help me kill him."

Avaryss laughed.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," she said grinning.

She reached up and touched his face, feeling the stubble on his chin.

She remembered when she was small, of the little girl Keera Lylos, her father scooping her up when she was but a toddler.

She remembered touching his face, Beric's face…it was very similar to their father's.

He had grown into the man that father would have wished him to be.

"We must be patient," she informed him, "Lord Feer cannot die until I've mastered all his secrets, until everything that he has falls into my lap."

"And when that day comes?" Beric asked.

"On that day, Andur and Mya Lylos will be avenged. Pamir, Talitha, and Anj will know peace as we crush the life from Darth Feer's body. The House of Feer will fall, and the House of Avaryss will rise and take its place."

She released the stasis field, her brother started to slump to the deck but she caught him, steadied him.

She gave him a cruel smile.

"You will be there when that day comes," she promised, "I will kill him, and you will get to watch."

"And our family will know peace." Beric said.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion, Avaryss thought.

But she nodded none the less.

He nodded back, accepting her offer.

"Lady Synestra ordered us home," he said.

"That she did."

"Are we going to obey?"

"I don't think so," she said.

He frowned.

"Your master may not be pleased by that."

"Right now, he is not home to be pleased or displeased, that gives us a bit of breathing room."

"You intend to continue hunting the conspiracy?"

"I do," she nodded, "If we fail, we will all likely be dead, so it will not matter, but if we succeed…"

"Darth Feer will have a hard time denying your success," Beric answered, "It would make him look foolish if he tried to punish you for success."

"Nothing succeeds like success in the Empire," Avaryss reminded him.

Her brother nodded, accepting her argument.

"So we stay on the hunt," he agreed, "We follow the lead we found on the listening post. This Jedi Padawan…this Xen Loor person, we hunt her."

"That is the plan," she said.

"But how are we going to do that, Sister? We have no access to House Feer's resources. We can't simply contact Warmaster Feore's people ourselves."

"I've been thinking about that, and I think I've found a solution, it will not endure me to my master, but I must not turn away from a resource, especially one with so many contacts throughout the galaxy."

"Baras?" her brother said.

"Baras."

He nodded.

"Your master will not like that."

"Better to ask forgiveness than beg permission."

"And if you succeed, it will not matter."

"That is what I hope."

Avaryss stepped away; she went to her desk and pulled out a bottle of Alderaani brandy, a gift from Lady Elana of House Thul.

She filled two glasses, and offered one to her brother.

"Feer will answer for what he did one day, but for now, we must remain focused on the mission, the Empire has enemies. We must deal with them."

"Agreed," he said taking the glass, and holding it out to her.

"To our family then, Keera, to a matter of justice finally squared."

She nodded, forgiving his use of her former name. In truth, she would only accept that name from the lips of Fenn Shadowstone now.

She gave her brother a pass this time.

"To vengeance," she said holding up her own glass, "And to our glorious future."

The children of Andur and Mya Lylos clinked glasses and drank to their success, and to the war to come.

Avaryss smiled.

"I need to contact Baras," she said.

"Hopefully, he is in a dealing mood."

"And if he is not?"

"Then this game is done before it can even begin."

Beric laughed.

"You will just have to be your charming self, sister."

She chuckled.

Once that would have been a joke, but despite everything, she had learned how to be charming in the last few years.

All she could hope for is that Baras would not prove resistant to those charms.

They needed him.

Hopefully, she thought, the dark lord would be in a good mood.

Hopefully.