Chapter 50: The Charge
Careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
It was those words that Avaryss focused on as she was escorted down the long corridors of the Sith warship. At eight hundred meters in length, the Harrower class vessel was the primary command and control vessel of the Imperial navy. It was not surprising to find a Dark Council Member in the field operating from one.
But what sort of operation is this, she wondered. As they had made their approach to the ship's hangar, six more capital ships had joined this one and were now in orbit of the station.
A large operation, she realized, it would need to be if the council itself had gotten involved.
She had no sooner stepped off the boarding ramp of her ship when she had been met by the ship's captain and a full company of Sith troopers, an honor guard, to see her escorted to Lord Marr. Quite the honor considering that she was not even a full lord.
But are they simply an escort, the dark voice within her asked, perhaps the councilor's flattery and invitation was merely to get you aboard.
She frowned.
It did not take much to turn an escort into an execution squad.
She glanced over at the ship's captain, he had said nothing beyond "Welcome aboard, my lord, and follow me please." Her escort was in full battle armor, but that was standard for Sith troopers.
If this is my death, I will not make it easy, she thought, her hand drifting to her belt, but even as it did so, she pulled it back.
You are being paranoid, her conscience chided.
Stop it.
If Darth Marr wished her dead, he could have had her ship blown to atoms when he realized who she was. The loss of a single Fury class interceptor would be barely noticeable to the Imperial navy.
No, if Marr had wanted her dead, she would be dead.
The councilor had something else in mind.
There were Sith in the Empire that spent their entire lives trying to draw the attention of the dark council, to get the chance to impress the twelve most powerful Sith in the Empire. Such attention was a grand opportunity, but it was also…a risk.
Failure at this level was not an option. The Dark Council would tolerate no mistakes. Whatever it was that Lord Marr wanted she would need to be mindful, and tread lightly.
She would do nothing to disgrace herself
The group arrived at a turbo lift and entered without a word, the Captain pressed a button and again they were off, moving higher up in the massive warship.
Avaryss reached out with the Force, trying to get a sense of what awaited her when they reached their destination.
The dark side was quite strong on this vessel, but what would you expect from a ship carrying a Dark Council member? She could sense the grim determination of their soldiers, that and a sense of simmer anger. Whatever these men and women had faced…they took it personally.
Useful in motivating soldiers to fight to the last, she realized.
The turbo lift stopped somewhere near the command deck she figured. Her escort once again led her down a long hall, it ended in a sealed door with two armed guards standing sentry before it.
"Wait here, please," the captain said before stepping forward, the door hissed open and he stepped through.
"Avaryss of House Feer, my lords," the Captain said loudly.
"Send the girl in, Captain," Marr called out.
The officer gestured her forward, he gave a curt military bow as she passed, turning sharply, he headed back the way he came, her escort remaining behind.
Avaryss stepped into the room, an officer's lounge by the look, a single view port made up the wall in front of her, and through that view port she could see a sea of stars and the dreadnaught's support vessels. She saw no less than three Terminus class destroyers and at least two more Harrower class ships.
A full war fleet, she thought, an impressive sight.
Yet, that view was nothing compared to what waited her.
Around the officers table sat four Sith Lords, with Darth Marr himself at the head, and if what she was feeling was accurate, it was safe to say that each and every one of these men were all dark council members, a third of the council's full strength.
She snapped to attention, trying to remember the military discipline that her father had taught her as a child, how to behave in the presence of those clearly above you.
Marr nodded slightly, she could not see his expression of course, the mask and hood he wore hid his features, yet he seemed pleased by the quickness of her arrival.
"Welcome apprentice," Marr said gesturing her forward, "Be seated, we have many questions for you."
"As you wish, my lord," she said respectfully, moving quickly to the table.
The dark lord sitting to Marr's left pounded his fist on the table; the noise was enough to make even Avaryss jump.
The man was human, was dark hair and a red Sith Tattoo adorning his forehead, cybernetic circuits wove their way up both sides of his jaw.
He glared at her.
"This girl has no place here, Marr," he declared, "She is both a poisoner and a coward."
The dark lord shook her head.
"She should have been shoved out an airlock as soon as she came on board."
Normally Avaryss would have responded with anger at such a comment, but given that this man was a dark council member, she recognized that that emotion would not serve."
Her eyes did narrow at his words. Poisoner he called her, she should have known.
This was about Fehl, again.
It was always about Fehl.
She tried to come up with the proper response, but could think of nothing that would keep her out of trouble.
As it turned out she did not need to.
Lord Marr came to her defense.
"The girl is here at my request, Ravage," he spat, "She is here because it serves our needs, her history, at this moment, is irrelevant."
Darth Ravage grumbled but said nothing further.
"It was at that moment that the Sith to Marr's right spoke up. He was tall an almost as pale as Avaryss, a strange armored cowl covered his head, leaving only his pale face visible.
"You under estimate the girl, Ravage," the councilor said, "Baras has spoken well of her; she has proved to be a most useful…resource in dealing with the Empire's enemies."
"I will believe it when I see it Vengean," Ravage responded.
Ah, Avaryss thought.
Darth Vengean, Darth Baras' master, she should have guessed that he would be here. After all Baras did say that his master had gone to tend to matters outside of the Dromund system.
A resource he had called her, she guessed that that word was more respectful than the one he had would have used normally. Pawn, perhaps, dupe, Baras did not strike her as the respectful type when it came to dealing with underlings.
The final dark lord in the room was a Sith pure blood, he sat across from Vengean, but seemed to be trying to distance himself even more. Tall, slender, and elegant with dark hair, his dark red skin and golden eyes seemed even darker in the subdued light of the lounge.
He chuckled softly.
"Pay Ravage no mind, child," he said in a cultured voice, "He growls, but he will not bite unless the rest of us agree that it is the best course of action."
Ravage shot his fellow councilor a cold stare.
"You go too far, Vawrawn, far too far."
Darth Vawrawn merely smiled politely.
Ravage started to rise from his seat.
It only took a glance from Darth Marr to diffuse the situation, you might not have been able to see his eyes, but through the Force…the man's presence was chilling, even to one of his equals on the Council.
"Enough of this," Marr growled, "We have more important things to discuss than waste time sniping at each other, save such behavior for the council chamber, you make us look like fools before the apprentice."
Avaryss said nothing; she was feeling like she was a very small shark in a pond filled with four far larger ones.
Any one of them could consume her with the barest of thought.
She was determined not to give them any reason.
"I am at your service, my lords," she said nodding respectfully, "Whatever it is you need, I can do."
Vawrawn chuckled.
"Well, she does not lack for confidence that is for sure."
"Confidence," Ravage said icily, "Or arrogance."
"That shall be determined soon enough," Vengean said.
Marr nodded, he turned his full attention to Avaryss.
"Tell me girl, to whom do you owe your loyalty? Whom do you serve above all others?"
"The Empire, my lord, of course," she answered.
"And what is the Empire?" he said.
"The Emperor of course, the dark council, my master…and my own interests I suppose."
"In that order," Vengean asked.
"What other order could they be?" she shrugged.
Ravage snorted.
"And what if this council ordered you to bring us your master's head? What would you do then?"
"Lament the fact that I had not had the opportunity to learn everything he knew, and then…well…"
She chuckled.
"Pick out a nice and pretty box to see the head safely to my lords' table."
The four dark lords looked at each other. Vawrawn seemed pleased. Vengean remained unreadable. Ravage radiated barely concealed rage and disdain.
Marr merely nodded.
"Lord Feer is not the reason that I asked you to come aboard, girl. My agents have been watching you. You have done much lately in the service of your master and the Empire. From what I've observed, you are what you claim to be, namely loyal to the Empire as a whole. You've passed up on several opportunities to enrich yourself at the expense of the Empire. I would ask why?"
It was a good question she supposed, but it could be dangerous if she answered incorrectly.
Be careful, the darkness chided.
Be very careful.
"If I had to be honest, my lord, I would have to say my upbringing. I was born the daughter of an Imperial soldier. Loyalty to the Empire has been stressed since I was in the cradle."
She shrugged.
"Not that I'm above feeding my ambitions," She admitted with a sly smile, "If I can find a way for both the Empire and myself to prosper, why not? My experiences on Alderaan taught me much about politics. It is truly a shame that they are not a Sith holding yet. We could benefit greatly from studying Alderaani power-games."
Vengean smirked.
"Well she is certainly more than a mere blade," he said to his fellows, "Perhaps we should consider rejecting House Feer's recent proposal."
"Recent proposal," Avaryss said, "What recent proposal?"
Ravage smile wickedly, while Vawrawn rolled his eyes.
"The council has received a request from House Feer, child," Vawrawn informed her, "Lady Synestra Feer has asked that the council declare you a rogue Sith, and issue an execution order for you."
The pure blood smiled.
"She says you are a danger to us all."
"Oh really," Avaryss responded, her voice taking on a silky dangerous tone.
"And what else has my master's beloved wife said?"
"She said you disobeyed a direct order from your master," Ravage informed her, and that you went off on some pointless crusade, one that you have neither the skill nor the resources to complete."
Pointless, Avaryss thought, unskilled.
That was her opinion.
Avaryss had other ideas.
She kept smiling, trying to play like this didn't matter, but inside she was fuming.
How dare that witch seek to have me killed.
How dare she!
"Lady Synestra is mistaken my lords," she said, trying to keep her voice as pleasant as possible, "Gravely mistaken."
"Did you disobey a direct order?" Vengean asked.
"An order from Lady Synestra, yes, but she is not my master, Lord Feer is. I chose to pursue the mission that he assigned me. His orders take precedence over any his wife could give."
Avaryss smiled dangerously.
"A fact that I will…discuss with Lady Synestra the next time we meet. I'm sure it will be a most…enlightening conversation."
And it will at that, Avaryss thought, with the blood shine of my lightsaber's blade providing all the illumination we could ever need.
She claims she is worthy of being called a master? Let us see her back that up with her lightsaber!
We will see how talkative the shutta is after I've removed her tongue, not to mention her head.
Vawrawn laughed.
"I do believe the girl wishes to kill her master's wife. Whatever shall we do brothers?"
Avaryss bowed her head, technically she was overreaching, if these men decided to see her punished for that…
Though…it seemed that none of these four cared very much, Vawrawn was amused. Vengean seemed…acceptant of her choice. Ravage remained belligerent. Marr was…well…Marr remained Marr cold and calculating.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Problems within House Feer our not our concern," Marr said flatly.
"But the kill order," Ravage reminded him.
"Has not yet been approved," Marr said dismissively.
"Indeed," Lord Vawrawn said, "As far as anyone else is concerned, this council is still in a closed session, as far as Lady Feer is concerned we have not even seen her request yet.
The pure blood smiled at Avaryss.
"That gives us time to make use of this one's skills."
"Let the girl prove her loyalty," Vengean said, "If she is as inept as Lady Synestra believes, then her death will be assured. If she succeeds…well…we may find other uses for her, if House Feer wishes to discard a useful tool, who could blame the one who chooses to pick it up, and make better use of it?"
"Vengean's idea is not without merit," Vawrawn said nodding.
The pale Sith glared at the pure blood.
"If you agree with me, then perhaps it is not such a good idea."
"Enough," Marr said, "The girl will be given a chance. First she must tell us about this mission that she had been pursuing so doggedly."
"You mean the conspiracy?" she said, "What would you like to know, my lord?"
"Everything," Marr replied, "Leave nothing out, recent events have forced us to reevaluate past decisions involving this…interference into Imperial affairs..."
"This conspiracy, as you call it, maybe more dangerous than we anticipated."
"Do as Lord Marr asks, dear girl," Vawrawn said, "Tell us about this…Jedi conspiracy that you have uncovered."
Avaryss nodded.
At least the council was now admitting that something was going on, these four at least.
They want to know everything, she thought, so be it.
She began her story.
There was much to tell.
IOI
The dark lords remained silent as she told her tale, occasionally Marr or Vengean would ask for clarification about something, but for the most part, they chose to simply listen.
She did as they asked, and left nothing out. She did downplay her relationship with Fenn, of course
Somethings were best kept private after all. What she shared with Fenn, it had no bearing on her dealing with the conspiracy and its agents...
She did not want the dark council thinking she was some Jedi-lover after all. The connection she shared with Fenn went beyond Jedi or Sith, beyond the light or the dark.
It was best…kept secret.
She ended her tale with her final contact with Darth Baras, her request that he send out her challenge to Sy Dar Bynn. When Ravage asked her why she had chosen Baras to aid her, she had reminded the Dark Lord of their previous encounters.
Baras had been the most accessible resource she had had, given their history of doing favors for one another.
"I would advise you to be careful around my apprentice," Vengean said, "You would not wish to become simply another of his pawns.
"There is risk involved with any relationship, Lord Vengean," she said, "But for now…the rewards are worth that risk."
She smiled.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
When she had finished, the four dark lords looked at each other, perhaps choosing how best to deal with what she had told them.
It was Vawrawn that spoke first.
"We should take this as good news brothers," he said, "It does not sound like what happened on Fydon had anything to do with the conspiracy young Avaryss is investigating."
Ravage shot the pure blood an angry look.
"The girl is not cleared for that information Vawrawn," he spat, "You always did talk too much."
The pure blood smiled cruelly.
"The girl needs to know," he replied, "If she is to serve the council in this matter, she will need to know what we know, is that not right, Marr."
The hooded dark lord nodded.
"Vawrawn has the right of it, Ravage. The girl must be told everything if she is to serve our needs."
Avaryss almost shuddered with pleasure.
They want my service.
They need my aid.
She was ecstatic.
"I shall do everything in my power to aid you my lords, you have my word."
"Baras trusts the girl to carry out his dirty work," Vengean said, "My apprentice does not choose weak pawns."
"As I said, I'm ready to serve," Avaryss repeated, ignoring the pawn comment.
She looked at Darth Marr.
"Tell me about this…Fydon was it? I will see that your interests are carried out swiftly and decisively, my lords."
Marr nodded, and gestured to Darth Vengean.
It was he that explained.
"Fydon was a planet in the Zahn system child; it was a training ground of sort for Sith marauders and battle ragers, a fierce world for our fighters to hone their savage skills. It was…useful."
"Emphasis on was," Vawrawn added morosely.
Vengean nodded.
"Four weeks ago, according to the records we have obtained, an unidentified freighter crashed on the planet's surface. It broke up as it fell through the atmosphere, and as it did so, it released a crimson cloud of unknown origin, a cloud that dispersed quickly across the planet's surface.
"A Terminus class destroyer had been in orbit at the time and recorded what had happened next and a good thing too."
"What came next was not a pretty sight, child," Vawrawn said, "Even now the mere thought of it is enough to make me lose my appetite.
"The cloud contained some kind of virus," Marr said coldly, "Given how it was released it blanketed the planet in a matter of hours."
Avaryss frowned.
"A bio-weapon?" she asked.
"An extremely virulent, one," Ravage said with a shudder. "It spreads quickly and the symptoms manifest in mere minutes of one being infected."
"What symptoms, my lord," Avaryss asked.
"Radical cell mutation, to begin with," Vengean said, "I am no scientist, but from what the experts we have consulted have said, the virus attacks the victim on a genetic level, activating some genetic traits, turning others off. Death is quick and extremely painful, and that is only if someone is lucky. Those that survive the change are left as mindless vicious animals. Civilization on Fydon collapsed within hours of the initial infection."
"But that was not the end of it," Ravage said, "the Sith on the planet suffered far worse."
Avaryss said nothing, what could she say.
What was worse than having your genetic material turned inside out?
"To those that are Force sensitive, the virus proved even more powerful, the virus did not mutate them, instead, it bonded with the Sith on the planet in the most subtle of levels, it changed them…altered them."
"We are not sure how, but…this plague, it destroys any connection that its victim has with the Force. It left its victims powerless, unable to access their power."
Ravage shuddered.
"Our marauders, our battle ragers were powerless before the mutated guards and soldiers. They were massacred."
"Several Sith managed to escape the planet, they fled as the last gasp of civilization fell away. They thought that they had not been infected, that they had escaped in time, but that had not been so, the virus remained, bonded with them. Within an hour of stepping aboard the Terminus in orbit, the crew began to mutate."
Avaryss shuddered.
Emperor save us, she thought.
"Carriers," she said, "The virus not only took away their abilities, but it turned them into carriers."
Darth Marr nodded.
"The captain of that ship did his duty, he triggered the ship's self-destruct, but not before requesting that the planet be quarantined and sanitized."
Marr sighed.
"Fydon was a useful world, but now…it is nothing but ash."
"For the good of the Empire, it had to be cleansed."
Avaryss nodded.
The Empire had no choice.
This virus could not be allowed to spread.
"Lord Farshaw was the last of the Sith that had served on Fydon, his death ends the threat of what happened there going any further," Vawrawn said with a shuddered.
"Yet, the culprits behind this attack remain unknown," Marr growled, "they will need to be hunted down and destroyed for this outrage."
Avaryss nodded. She could not imagine a more worthy goal. If this is what the council wanted of her, she would carry out their orders without hesitation.
It was at that moment that a thought occurred to her, one that should have been obvious to anyone. She was a bit surprised that the Councilors had not picked up on it.
"Have there been any other attacks, my lords?" she asked, "Has this virus been used elsewhere? Have any other worlds suffered the same fate as Fydon?"
"According to our agents," Darth Vengean began, "Two Republic worlds have been attacked. The Jedi there committed suicide rather than risk exposing their fellows."
We have also gotten similar reports out of Hutt space," Ravage said, "Two of their space stations were infected by something similar to the virus we encountered on Fydon."
"So these attacks were not political," Avaryss said thoughtfully, "They sound almost random."
"Not Random at all," Lord Vengean informed her, "The Republic worlds were home to two distinctly different species. The first was a water world, its alien population was all water breathers, and the second possessed an ammonia based atmosphere. The difference did not stop this virus."
"Our friends within Hutt space confirmed similar findings," Marr said, "the stations that were infected had two entirely different atmospheres. Yet, the virus moved through both populations with ease."
Avaryss pursed her lips, considering what she had heard. Five different targets, each with different atmospheres, one would think that at least one of them would have stopped the virus' advance, yet it sounded like the weapon had no problem adapting to any of them.
It was too perfect, she thought, someone had taken a great deal of care in engineering this…monstrosity. The worlds that had been infected, the two stations, they were not attacks, not in the traditional sense. They were test runs. Someone wanted to see just how good their little creation was, if it had any weaknesses.
It would have taken a great deal of will to perform such an act, that and the skill necessary to create such a weapon.
The only question was who?
She did not think the Jedi had it in them to create such a weapon, much less test it on a Republic world. No doubt there were some senators or military leaders within the Republic that would not balk at such an action, but would they risk the anger of their own people, not to mention the Jedi if someone found out? Hutts viewed other life forms as expendable, but even their cold hearts drew the line at destruction when there was no profit to be made from it, and she could not imagine any of the slugs wishing to risk either Republic or Imperial anger. This left her with only one possible culprit, another Sith, one who was familiar to her after so many months serving as her master's apprentice.
They were dealing with a fellow Sith, she was sure of it, one skilled in not only genetics, but alchemy as well. One name came to mind; a man who would not hesitated in unleashing such a weapon.
"Tell me, my lords," she said thoughtfully, "Has anyone thought to ask Darth Terrog about this virus? From what I've heard he does have some experience in viral weaponry, and he is no friend of my master, who just happened to have lost a planet to this plague?"
"Darth Feer made a similar accusation," Ravage said, "Sadly it came to naught."
"You were not alone in suspecting Terrog, apprentice," Marr informed her, "After Fydon, we sent word to Imperial intelligent, asking them to check up on him."
"The man remains under house arrest after that business with the food shipment," Vengean reminded her.
"Intelligence has been monitoring all of Terrog's communications and keeping a watchful eye on any visitors he has received. So far, they have turned up nothing out of the ordinary." Ravage said.
"Terrog had no opportunity to release this weapon," Vawrawn sighed, "If he had, our agents would have notified us."
Avaryss cursed under her breath.
Terrog was the most likely suspect, given his hatred for House Feer.
If not him, then who else, who had the skill to arrange something like this?
"Despite having an ironclad alibi, we are still keeping an eye on Lord Terrog," Vawrawn informed her. "We have dispatched your master and his fleet to the border of Terrog's holdings, to make sure that nothing unforeseen is happening."
Well that explained why she had not been able to reach him, Avaryss thought, The Dark Council would not wish to cause a panic, so keeping this matter secret was likely the best way to do that.
It could not remain secret for long however, she knew.
Sooner or later, someone would talk.
"Is this what you need of me, my lords," she asked, "would you like for me to investigate this matter for you?"
"We have other agents looking into the Fydon matter," Marr assured her, "Your task however, is no less important."
"For some time now," Vawrawn said, "This council has turned a blind eye to the conspiracy that you have been investigating so diligently. It served the purpose of many lords, helping to cull the weak."
"The value of such a tool has now expired," Vengean said, "If the one who destroyed Fydon is among us, then it is only a matter of time until they might be manipulated to unleashing their new weapon on a larger more important target. Ziost, Serrano, maybe even Dromund Kaas. We must take steps to make sure that such an attack never happens."
"The attack on Fydon proves we have at least one dangerous enemy within our borders," Vawrawn exclaimed, "We cannot afford to have a second, especially not one as unpredictable as these Rogue Jedi."
"That is where you come in, apprentice," Marr said. "By order of the Dark Council, we hereby charge you, Avaryss of House Feer, with the duty of ending this conspiracy. You will find the leaders of this movement, the ones behind the attacks on our holdings, and you will silence them."
"You must do what must be done, girl," Vengean added, "Do not hesitate, and show no mercy."
She smiled at the dark lords.
"I've never been considered overly merciful," she said with a slight laugh, "It will be done, my lord, once I've had verification of Sy Dar Bynn's whereabouts."
A shudder of pleasure went down her spine.
Finally, she thought.
Real recognition.
She was happy, and excited, eager to be off. Happy enough that she decided to share some of her plan with them.
It was the least she could do.
"I've taken steps to ensure what you desire comes to path," Avaryss promised them, "I intend to draw Sy Dar Bynn and his young Padawan out of hiding and onto a battlefield of my choosing.
She smiled confidently.
"Then we shall see what these Jedi fools are made of."
"And what if he does not come alone child," Ravage asked.
"Then my blade will drink far deeper than I had originally intended," she said dismissively. "I will leave no stone unturned in my search, my lords; you have my word on that."
Once again, the dark lords all looked at each other, nodding thoughtfully.
"We find your desire to carry out this mission, acceptable," Ravage said.
"In fact, we have something for you that might speed up your quest," Vawrawn said smiling.
"Do you trust your crew?" Ravage asked.
"As much as I trust any of my underlings," she said.
"I'm sure that they are most useful," Vawrawn said, "But you may need more than the crew compliment of a lone interceptor."
"You shall be granted the use of a destroyer," Marr informed her, "The crew will be completely under your command. You may use the soldiers and weapons aboard as you see fit."
Avaryss smiled.
She could think of many uses for a Sith destroyer. Though the first part of her plan required subtlety, she might need something more once the head had been removed from this particular snake.
"My lords…I…Thank you, you honor me, my lords." She said bowing her head.
"We are giving you a chance to prove yourself, girl," Ravage said, "Do not make us regret that decision."
"You will not, lord councilor, I swear it on the Emperor's name."
"Succeed in this, and you will be rewarded," Marr promised, "You are aware of you predecessors are you not, girl, your master's former apprentices?"
"I know that they never became lords," she said diplomatically.
Marr leaned in.
"That is a fate you will not need to concern yourself with if you do this for us."
"Indeed, Lord Avaryss," Vawrawn said smiling slyly, "Do as this council desires, and the title of lord will no longer be merely an honorific spoken by your underlings."
"Lordship will be yours in truth," Vengean said, "You will be able to proclaim it to all; you shall stand as above the mere common rabble."
"But only if you succeed," Ravage reminded her, "Do not disappoint us girl."
Avaryss almost squealed like a child on feast day morning!
A lordship, she thought, one endorsed fully by the dark council!
Lord Feer would not like that, but in the end, what could he do?!
"If the council proclaimed her a lord, what could he do but protest? It would be a protest that would likely fall on deaf ears."
"All will be as you command; my lords," she promised, "Sy Dar Bynn and his followers will know the vengeance of the dark side."
"Then go forth, child," Vawrawn said, "You have blessing of the council, fulfil your mission."
"Bring terror, apprentice," Vengean said, "Bring rage. Bring death!"
She rose from the table and bowed respectfully.
"That is what I do, my lords," she said, "What I was born to do."
Marr sat back in his chair, the dark lord radiated pleasure.
"May the Force serve you well, Avaryss."
He pressed a button on his chair, the door behind her hissed open; her escort was still waiting, waiting to her see her safely to her Terminus class destroyer.
They were waiting to see her off…for her mission to begin.
"Thank you, my lords," she said bowing once again.
"I will not fail you."