08
SUSPICIONS
Qi'ra missed the light. The fortress for Crimson Dawn on Dathomir seemed devoured in a misty darkness. Dim torches lined the wall of the corridor leading to Maul's chamber. The entire fortress seemed isolated and devoid of life. No guards were posted outside of the chambers massive door, not that she believed that Maul required any. Pushing the heavy door open, Qi'ra stepped inside to the dismally shadowy chamber. From across the chamber, Maul's fiery eyes fixed on her, glowing amidst the darkness on his face.
Collecting her nerve, she stood up straight and approached the center of the room, dropping to a knee with a bowed head. "You summoned me, my lord?"
"Yes. Something has been troubling me as of late," Maul said, stroking his red tattooed chin. "Beckett and his crew stormed Vos' ship and destroyed everyone on board and yet, you are the sole survivor."
Qi'ra remained bowed, hiding the astonishment set in her eyes. She hesitated, allowing the flutter in her throat from discrediting her voice. "As I said, I was not with Dryden when he died." Maul was silent as he stared down at her from his throne. She had lost track of how long she had been in his presence and under his scrutinizing stare. Qi'ra risked looking up at the crime lord.
"I'm curious how you'd have faired had you have been," he said. He stood, the mechanics of his prosthetic legs straining as he stood up. In his hand was a short vibrosword. "Show me."
Qi'ra stood and frowned as he brandished the sword before tossing it to her. She caught the sword with practiced ease but the look of shock fell on her face. Maul stepped down from his throne's platform, another vibrosword in hand.
Her eyes widened as he quickly closed the space between them. His strikes were filled with malice yet tempered with precision. Still reeling in surprise, Qi'ra took the defensive, blocking Maul's blows and parrying back. She maneuvered backwards and a chilled focus took over her eyes. Was he trying to kill her?
Qi'ra took the initiative with a quick diversive swing before taking a lunge. Maul evaded her blade and came in for a counter which she was ready for. She parried the blow before they locked blades overhead. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she panted for breath. Maul grimaced before striking with his mechanical leg a kick to her midriff. Qi'ra keeled over, trying to back away from the Zabrack.
Though still in pain and gasping for air, she spun away from Maul's blade then countered again with intense focus. Maul's blade was thrown from his hand, yet his expression didn't change.
Qi'ra felt her heart race anxiously, seeing her opening. She swung hard at Maul's chest. From his black robes, he drew another weapon. His black gloved fist was fitted on a grip with two curved blades extending from both ends. The blade's razor edges came alive was they glowed red and hummed lightly. Intent to hold her ground and even to win, Qi'ra didn't notice, even when Maul parried her strike with the two sided blades. She struck again with a quick follow through which flowed like a work of art. Maul again blocked the blow before lashing out with the short bladed weapon. Qi'ra felt the intense heat of the blades as they whizzed past her skin. As Maul went in for another strike, his blades sliced through Qi'ra's vibrosword. Shock again stole over her face as her blade clattered on the floor, leaving a clean slice inches from the ovular cross guard on the hilt in her hand. She knew she had lost. Finally it registered within her mind that Maul held the favored weapon of her former employer, Dryden Vos at her throat. She shuddered slightly and swallowed hard, still fighting to catch her breath.
Maul stood silent and still with Vos' weapon held at her throat. "You are quite skilled. It is a shame that you were not by Vos' side to protect him." His tone was dark, and to Qi'ra, mocking. Qi'ra fought her expressions. A part of her waited and even wanted for Maul to finish his kill stroke.
He knows. She fought to suppress the thought and the image that accompanied it. Weeks ago, back on Vos' yacht, with that very weapon, one blade cut into the blade of her sword, the other was lodged in the crimelord's chest. Vos died by her hand. It was something that only she and Han knew. But now, Maul knew it too. He must have figured it out.
Slowly Vos' blade lowered from under her chin. Turning away from her, he stepped back up to his chair with heavy mechanical steps. He gave one brief look to the weapon still in hand before tossing it aside into the shadows. In Qi'ra's mind the blade's clatter echoed forever in the darkness of the chamber.
"How goes the hunt for Vos' killers?" he asked as he lowered himself back onto the chair. Qi'ra found her breath again, thinking quickly of how and what to say. She brushed strand's of her dark hair from her face as she swallowed again and tried to speak.
"It is in progress. Many hunters have responded with enthusiasm for the job- A few big names in particular. I am confident one of them will see it through."
"I should hope so for your sake. Their failure will be reflected as your own."
