Chapter 21: The Kelethurians

Ai'lanynn proved to be even more valuable than Mordivai could have predicted. Within a week of her arrival, all their supplies were neatly stacked and inventoried and a schedule had been set up for the ordering of new supplies. As new recruits continued to trickle in, Mordivai discovered that many of them were not without skills. Rather, they had given up their old lives once their Force sensitivity had manifested in favor of going into hiding under Paladius's yoke. Mordivai put Rylee in charge of a screening process where new arrivals could be assigned tasks based on their history and talents. Soon Mordivai had a field medic, a slicer, a droid assembler, two cooks, and a gladiatorial brawler who Mordivai put to work teaching basic self-defense skills.

Most importantly, Mordivai began showing his new members some basics on how to hide and control their Force powers. He felt terribly inadequate at this job, especially once he realized that a few of them were strong enough to become Jedi or Sith in their own right. They should not be languishing here on Nar Shaddaa, but what else could he do with them?

He continued to try and retrieve Kel'elth Ur's teachings from the holocron, but to no avail. It did not go unnoticed among the new members however, that their Sith leader had been spotted meditating over a holocron, or that he practiced compassion and preferred peaceful resolutions over brutality. Word started to spread beyond the walls of their little haven. Stranger still, however, was the news that Mordivai's new followers had given themselves a name. New arrivals came seeking "the Kelethurians, and the great healer who leads them."

When Mordivai had questioned this, he was told that everyone knew that he consulted with the ghost of the ancient Sith, Kel'eth Ur, seeking greater knowledge and wisdom which he would bestow upon them when the time was right. Mordivai had no idea how to handle this revelation and was concerned with how quickly his new recruits had fallen back into cult-like ways and idolatry. He only hoped that such tales were not yet reaching Lord Zash.

A month into his new endeavor, Lord Zash called.

"My dear apprentice," she said. "I hear you have been busy taking over Lord Paladius's cult. That must be great fun, I'm sure, but don't forget that I sent you to Nar Shaddaa on a mission, and am still awaiting word that you have retrieved my artifact."

"Yes, Master," Mordivai replied, trying to mask the disquiet that hearing from Zash always embroiled within him. "I am drawing Lord Paladius out of hiding and expect he will emerge soon." Thankfully, this was not a lie, since Mordivai was indeed confident that Lord Paladius was on the brink of breaking. Recently arrived cult refugees had described his frequent temper tantrums and threats, all associated with Mordivai's doings.

Zash was watching him thoughtfully through the holocron now and Mordivai wondered if she had the ability to read his thoughts from so far away. "I am growing impatient, apprentice," she said at last. "The time for my ritual draws near and I need that artifact. Your patient, stalking ways do you credit, but we are on a time schedule and I will not let it be delayed."

"I understand."

"Good then. I look forward to hearing of your success."

Luck was with Mordivai, because within the week, Lord Paladius broached him through the holo, wanting to strike a deal.

"Cease this nonsense!" he boomed from the comm. His lungs were an equal match for his girth, and he was dressed in rich robes. Mordivai was reminded of the initial tales he had heard of Paladius taking his members' hard earned money and squandering it on himself.

"This is about Tulak Hord's necklace, isn't it?" Paladius asked. "Have it if you like! Let us meet like civilized beings and discuss how we can work out a beneficial arrangement." He leaned forward then, as if about to impart a secret, and said quietly, "Surely you don't really want the responsibility of these mewling children on your hands? If they want more freedom, I will give it to them. I only wished to protect them, you know, like a father would his brood."

Mordivai gave away no concessions, but agreed to meet Paladius at one of his safe houses in two days' time.

When he informed Rylee of this development, she became adamant. "My lord, you must let me go with you. I know Paladius, and I know his followers. I can help negotiate on the former members' behalf, help us come to terms that would be acceptable to everyone."

"You are not thinking of going back to him, are you?" Mordivai couldn't hide his astonishment.

"No! But my lord, you are not...were you planning to kill him rather than negotiate?"

Mordivai hesitated, unsure and unwilling to give voice to how things may or may not play out. "I will accept his resignation in leading this cult of his. Nothing less."

Rylee appeared to think on this a moment. "He will try to trick you, my lord."

"I don't doubt it," Mordiavi said. "However, something is bothering me. You clearly don't want me to kill Paladius, but yet you had no qualms about taking my life?"

Rylee winced. "It's not like that, my lord. I didn't want to kill you either. I didn't think I would succeed."

"You expected to die then?"

"I…" Rylee looked away. "I believed you would kill me quickly, because you do not seem the type to gloat. But mostly, more than that even, I...I was hoping for your mercy."

Mordivai was silent a moment, not sure whether the Sith in him should be insulted, or whether he should feel relieved that she knew him for better.

"My lord," Rylee continued. "I want to help you. To show you that I am useful...and trustworthy."

"Very well. You may come," Mordivai said, "but you must wait for me outside. Seeing you is only likely to enrage Paladius, or make him think that I am mocking his failure to keep members on board. If...if for some reason I don't come back, I want you to go to my ship and-" Mordivai paused, not sure how to explain Khem Val, whom he had taken pains to keep hidden. It would not do if the only Dashade to be seen in centuries should show up on Nar Shaddaa and become associated with his refuge. More than anything, he feared discovery by other Sith. Sith more dangerous than Paladius.

"You will triumph, my lord, I am sure of it."

"You must promise me this, Rylee. I have a...a servant. He is frightening to look at but he is loyal. Tell him what happened and he will come."

Two days later, Mordivai arrived at the location specified for his meeting with Paladius. It was a pleasure barge, and Mordivai had to make his way past a jubilant party in order to find the quiet room that Paladius had designated.

"Welcome!" Paladius cried upon seeing him. "My, but you are so young! I'm impressed already."

Paladius was a large, Pureblood Sith, who wore rings on his fingers and a outer robe of flowing silk. He looked more like some rich merchant than any kind of warrior, but there was a lightsaber attached to his belt just the same. Mordivai vowed to stay wary.

Mordivai was led to a pleasant sitting room, with a table and chairs set out for dining. Paladius meandered over to a cabinet and began to remove wine glasses. "Bring me our special bottled brew for guests," he called, and a slave that Mordivai had not noticed at first emerged from a dark space along the wall to comply.

"I hope you will share a drink with me," Paladius crooned. "Such good company deserves a good wine. I don't get to entertain fellow Sith often."

Mordivai nodded, keeping his face neutral while seating himself at the table opposite Paladius's chair. Paladius placed the glasses on the table and settled himself as well.

"You are Zash's apprentice," he said. "As soon as I realized that, I knew immediately what you wanted. Such a trivial thing! We should not be fighting. Here," he gestured towards the glass in front of Mordivai and the silent slave filled first his cup and then Paladius's. "Let us drink to a new start. One where we are colleagues and not enemies, hmm?"

Paladius was looking expectantly at Mordivai, waiting for him to take up his glass. This claim to friendship was surely a lie, but Mordivai was still reluctant to shatter the illusion so soon. Yet, he did not trust the contents of his drink either.

"Thank you," Mordivai said. "But I'm not thirsty."

"Tsk tsk," Paladius said. "I should be insulted, but I understand that your time at Korriban is not far gone and no doubt you still remember the other acolytes' deceitful ways. Erlban! Test our guest's drink, will you? Show him that it is quite harmless."

The slave went back to the cabinet and removed a shot glass. Then he carefully poured some of the contents of Mordivai's glass into it. Just as he raised his glass, Mordivai caught a glimpse of the slave's smile, which was far too mocking for his liking, but nevertheless, the man upended his glass and loudly swallowed it.

"Good then, good," Paladius said, waving the slave away once again. "So you see my intentions are pure. Drink up and we can talk business!"

Mordivai watched the slave out of the corner of his eye as the man walked calmly back to his post and turned once again to stand with his back against the wall. Feeling he was out of excuses, Mordivai lifted his glass and took a careful sip. It was a fruity red wine, although the flavor was blander than he was expecting after Paladius had made such a fuss about its quality. Mordivai wondered if Paladius had watered it down. How he clings to his wealth, Mordivai thought, and how unwilling he is to share.

Paladius had taken up a pleasant-sounding babble, which Mordivai was already finding tiresome, but he decided to let Paladius talk himself out for a bit. Mordivai waited patiently while Paladius described his kindly intentions towards his cult members, how he gave them protection while any other Sith would have sent them to Korriban to die. He finished with a boisterous laugh.

"You are young and have the whole galaxy before you! Take the pendant and present it to Zash with my compliments. Rylee and Destris are forgiven! I do not hold grudges. I have even kept their old jobs in reserve for them, how's that?"

"No," Mordivai said. He stared into Paladius's face.

Paladius sighed. "My boy, you are a terrible negotiator. Why have you taken on this cause that is not yours?"

"You are taking advantage of them. Making promises and delivering nothing. Keeping them ignorant of their powers. There are better ways to protect them than by stealing their hard earned wages and forbidding them to leave."

"So, this is how you want it. No doubt Zash sent you here with the intent of peeling the artifact off my dead body." Paladius sat back in his chair and Mordivai noticed that he had not yet touched his own drink. "Take it then, boy. Go ahead and attack me. Look at me. Aged and corpulent. I'm an easy kill."

Mordivai stood. A glance around the room told him that there was no one else here but the slave, and he sensed no other presences nearby either. Perhaps Paladius was not deft with a lightsaber, but no doubt he had other skills. There was no way this could not be a trick.

"I don't want to kill you."

"The time for chatting is past," Paladius said, and this time his voice was a growl. "Talking won't kill me. Action will. Take action!"

Paladius leapt to his feet then, flipping the table forward as he did so. The plates, the wine glasses, and the utensils all upended themselves into Mordivai's face and he jumped back to avoid his feet being smashed by the side of the table as it collapsed to the floor. Instinct took over then, and Mordivai threw out his hands to seize Paladius in a grip with the Force.

He barely began the motion, when a stab of pain ripped through his temples. Mordivai staggered backwards and tried again, throwing all his effort into creating a wall of Force power between himself and Paladius, who he now expected was coming in for the attack. But again his own body failed him, and the pain returned with double the ferocity, this time knocking Mordivai to his knees.

"What-What have you done to me?"

"How do you think I protect my charges from discovery by Sith and other Force users, young man?" Paladius was towering over him now, the weight of his voice cutting channels of fire into Mordivai's brain.

"I removed their ability to touch the Force, making then boringly average, and therefore of no consequence to anyone. Did Rylee and Destris never tell you? It's in the water."

Mordivai was growing weak, his arms and legs turning to jelly. He slumped onto his side and looked up at Paladius's triumphant face.

"I thought...the vaccine...it was for the Rot." Mordivai's vision was beginning to waver in and out.

Paladius boomed with laughter. "The Rot! What a clever ruse. I wonder why they lied to you? Could it have something to do with those water tanks that went missing last month from my storage?" Paladius threw back his head and laughed again. "They say they want freedom, but how they will crawl back when their precious water runs out! Even now they are afraid to be without it."

"No," Mordiavi managed, thinking of the ones who had begun training to hide their powers, the ones who came to him with Force abilities that were growing stronger by the day. "They have stopped...stopped taking it." Some of them anyway. Mordivai thought of how Rylee had defended the use of the water vats against Destris's urgings, and realized why she had never come to him for the training he was offering the others.

Someone was coming, many someones. Mordivai felt the passage of their feet as they approached. Soon he was being lifted and carried away to a dark room, where an even darker, empty crate awaited him. Mordivai renewed his struggling, realizing now, too late, that it was only when he attempted to touch the Force that he was weakened. He tried to hold back from using the Force, but the Force was a part of him like breathing. He found it infinitely hard not to even reach out to assess the number of people who were holding him down. He kicked and thrashed, but the brutes buckled down in their efforts. They held him against the floor while others locked cuffs around his wrists and ankles. Then he was lifted again, still thrashing, and the sides of the crate were rising around him. A lid lowered towards his face.

"Have fun in Shadow Town," Paladius called.

Mordivai let out a ferocious scream, Force-imbued, and the back of his eyes lit up in sparks. He choked down the pain and willed his eyes open long enough to see the satisfaction of one of his attackers holding his head with blood trickling out of his ears. His small victory was short-lived. A fist hurled out of the dark and almost knocked him senseless. Then the lid lowered again, the tiny cracks of light around the edges growing ever smaller.

Mordivai felt like his heart had stopped beating. It was the tomb all over again.