A question of faith

Roj Kell's mouth quirked into a humorless smile as he watched Yoda leave. It was quite impressive how a creature this small could move so energetically. But the Jedi Master was not to be underestimated, that he knew. He had always asked the right questions, had never let his opponent disperse his suspicions. No. He would have to be very careful with this one around. His pale eyes narrowed suddenly as he thought back on their conversation. That damn Sith brat had let himself be captured all too easily and it was true what he had told Yoda: a Sith Master this incompetent at teaching as this one's must be would not survive for long. Especially not with Roj Kell around. But first he would have to find him. The fact that the Jedi had captured the boy on this particular world was supicious in itself. What were a pair of Sith doing here of all places? Well, he would find out, that he was certain of. Calling for his aide he started pacing the length of the room again, thinking.

"Ambassador?"

"What!"

"You called for me," the Chadra'Fan chirped calmly. "How can I be of service?"

"Tell me again, where was the recently deceased prisoner captured?"

"The South Ridge."

"In the mountains?"

"Yes. I can give you the exact location."

"Do that. And Master Yoda was present during the capture?"

"Apparently so."

"Good. I will need a transport."

"Your highness, I would not advise you to go there alone."

"Do not worry for me," Roj Kell answered with a smile. "I am never on my own."

Turning toward the slightly startled aide he nodded sharply and left the room briskly. If he were the boy's master he would get away as fast as possible. But this one was not so smart, no. He was here for a purpose. And Kell could already guess what it was. The unfortunate thing was that Yoda might reason along a similar path. In that case he would leave matters to the alien master gladly, even though Kell might regret having to give up the kill.

Walking the hallways of the ambassador's residence toward the room his host had assigned to him Yoda was replaying the previous conversation in his mind. Kell had claimed that he had believed to do him a favor by questioning the young Sith. And yet it had come out more as if he had done him a favor by killing the youth. He was almost convinced, no, he knew that the man had murdered him. But he could not prove it. Yet. The question prompted by his suspicion was clear: if the boy had been the apprentice, who was his master? Was it Kell himself? Maybe. But that too lacked any evidence. It was so frustrating that he had no way of reading the man. In a sense what he could sense from Roj Kell felt so insubstantial, as if it were just a camouflage for something more, hidden behind unbreakable shields. The Jedi Master's ears started twitching again with excitement. A truly challenging puzzle. And one he vowed to solve.

Suddenly a warning tingle in the back of his mind caught his attention. He ambled over toward one of the floor-length windows and gazed outside. Down in the courtyard a speeder was pulling up on the driveway. Then a tall figure dressed in a long dark cloak left the building and took a seat next to the driver. The Jedi Master's eyes narrowed. What was Kell doing this late at night? Not that he had any right to question the ambassador's timetable. After all, this could be harmless. Still, he had this certain feeling ... Making up his mind he nodded to himself and turned around to follow Kell. After all, the weather was just fine and the night too warm to stay indoors. A small midnight stroll would be highly acceptable. Smiling slowly the Jedi Master stepped out into the open and drew a deep breath. Whatever turn this night's events would take, he was glad to be here.

The South Ridge was looming into the starlit sky out of a sea of white mist. Covering the craggy cliffs like a thick blanket the forest was dark and mysterious, green, humid and full of shadows. In short, Roj Kell felt right at home. He had spent too much time among civilized beings already. And although life in the city had its pleasant sides too, he never felt truly at ease there. He rose out of his seat of the speeder and nodded at the driver.

"Wait here."

The man looked at him uneasily: "Sir-"

"Afraid? What is there to be afraid of? Shadows, mist, nothing else. And besides, you can lock the doors, if it makes you feel safer."

"Sure, sir."

Turning around the Sith forgot about the man immediately. He breathed the night air deeply, and found it to be so much cooler here than down in the plains. A hunter's domain. His lips curled into a snarl as he looked upon the jungle, in remembrance of times long past. Too long. To feel the blood in their veins, their heart-beat, their fear. The feel of the chase, not a hunt for blood and flesh, but survival, nothing more. All of his life had been like that. But he had tamed himself over the years, had become accustomed to civilization. A pity. And yet, it was the only way to be what he was, to play the game and to take the challenges. Those too had been scarce over the past years.

He had stayed in the background mostly, well aware of the fact that despite Hagen Dycos' promise to keep his continued existence secret, there were still sources that could be uncovered, tales to interpret and information to be found. If someone wanted to find him they could. Which was why he had kept a low profile so far. Now though, as ambassador, he was a more public figure, if only in this small sector. But still, finding him had become easier. And now apparently not only the Jedi had found him, but also the Sith. He would have to be extremely careful, and still, if he had calculated this correctly the morning sun would greet him too.

He stalked into the undergrowth purposefully, assuming the soft gait of a nightly predator, dainty yet powerful. Stepping over roots and small rocks he moved soundlessly, became one with the forest and the shadows. They reached out to him, took him into their embrace readily. It was elating to feel the cool air on his face, the wind in his hair, the ground underneath the soles of his boots. Life, so powerful and vibrant. A smile appeared on his lips and crept up into his pale eyes forcefully, making them shine with an inner light. Beware, he thought, beware indeed.

The cave had a low entry and yet he could already sense his prey waiting down inside the natural catacombs. His instincts were screaming at him to move swiftly, but his mind was far stronger. No stumbling into unknown territory, no surprises. He had to be cautious, after all.

Slipping through the slightly wet stone corridors the Sith frowned slightly. Something was wrong, but he could not quite put his finger to it. When he rounded a corner though he understood perfectly well why he had been so hesitant. A clawed hand locked over is mouth and drew his head around against the rough stone wall. After that there was only darkness.

He woke to the sweet sound of nothing. Silence was all that greeted him. Roj Kell opened his eyes slowly, feeling dizzy and on edge. A Devaronian was seated across from him on his haunches. The alien's horned head was cocked to one side and predatory eyes regarded him coolly. The ancient Sith drew an angry breath.

"Oh no," the alien hissed through razor-sharp teeth and dangerous claws caressed his jaw almost tenderly. "A voice of magic, the legend says. I took the liberty to prevent any - ah - unforseen complications."

Kell frowned. But then he got it. He was not only bound, but also gagged. The broad leather strip was chafing against the corners of his mouth when he tried to speak. In a moment of uncontrolled fury he tried to break the bonds with brute force, Unsuccessfully. As expected. Rolling over with a sigh he stared at the ceiling, unconsciously exposing his throat. A mistake. Almost immediately the claws brushed along the veins on his neck. "I have been expecting you," the Devaronian explained with a smile. "I have studied the old tales in detail. And I suspect that I know more than most alive, albeit not as much as you do." He chuckled softly. "Your knowledge, Lord Kell. It is priceless. I have studied the old rituals and there is a very interesting one that I believe will suit my purposes." Kell sighed inwardly. Not another one of those would-be magicians who understood only half of what they were about to employ. Too bad. It required much more than the ability to read ancient Sith scripture to understand the subtleties of these rituals. Roj Kell was Cor'dan, and he knew all about it. "Oh yes," the alien continued. "The good thing is that you are such a survivor. I know you won't fight." No, but others might in my place, the Sith Lord thought grimly. Force, he just hoped he had read that unrelenting Jedi Master right.

Hurrying through the dark undergrowth Yoda kept a close watch over the shadows, but in the distance the Dark Side was shining like a beacon. And if he was not completely mistaken he knew already who was the source of that darkness. When he had been a Padawan some one-hundred-and-fifty years ago he had first heard the legend of the Sith Lord Roj Kell. According to the stories this man had been thousands of years old upon his death about two hundred years ago. It sounded incredible, but the Jedi Master had found evidence dating back to the Sith Wars and then, a thousand years later, there were stories of a Dark Lord captured on Dantooine and imprisoned on Coruscant. The descriptions matched each other perfectly. A tall man with long, raven-black hair and pale green eyes. The last entry on Kell had been recorded on Coruscant again, by a Jedi Master by the name of Kattewa. The Hortek had reported Kell's capture on a space station and his death on Korriban later on. By the look of it the Jedi had been pretty thorough there.ortHorteH^HHkdsjflkdNvÖLN m qähHH

And yet here he was once again. The tales spoke of great power, but the blood test that had been performed on board the warship HeSheva, where Kell had been held until his short flight to Korriban, showed an unspectacular concentration of midichlorians. Nothing remarkable. Still, the stories had spoken almost reverantially of the Sith's power. Strange, that. But Yoda had resolved to be careful. What awaited him inside the maze-like cave though surprised even him.

For a precious second he stared at the Devaronian crouching over Ambassador Kell with a very sharp-looking dagger in his left paw. Then the alien turned toward him, a snarl on his face, and the Jedi Master realized that he had been badly mistaken. He had found the Sith Master. And it was not the one he had suspected at first. Kell was struggling against his bonds, obviously frightened and angry. What had he thought he was doing anyway by coming out here all alone? The man had not struck him as particular foolish before. Yoda took another step into the cave and nodded at the Devaronian, who rose gracefully and turned to face him fully.

"Greetings, Dark One. Yoda my name is, Jedi Master I am."

"Greetings, Tiny One," the Sith sneered. "I am the last you will ever see."

"Doubt that I do," the short alien replied coolly.

But the Devaronian did not wait for his reply. He raised his paws high, palms facing Yoda and let out a ferocious growl that reverbrated from the dank walls eerily. Very suddenly blue lightning started arching from his hands at the Jedi Master, cackling fire that seared the walls with a cold heat. Yoda moved calmly, one eye always on the ambassador still lying on the hard ground. Kell had turned his head away to shield his eyes. Well, he could worry about that one later. The Jedi Master was protecting himself against the angry onslaught easily and walked toward the Sith Master with purposeful steps. As the Devaronian retreated the Jedi took the handle of his lightsaber from his belt and ignited the blade. For a moment he thought that he could hear contemptuous laughter at the edge of his mind. But he dismissed that strange occurence immediately. He had other things to worry about now. When the Sith Lord drew his own weapon Yoda relaxed and opened his mind to the Force, letting the great turrent fill him to bursting and flow through his body like a giant stream. A strangled gasp wrought itself from Kell's lips. Was he injured? No time to think about that. Pivoting on his left heel the Jedi Master side-stepped the first slash elegantly and immediately he brought his own blade up, his small height giving him good leverage for batting his opponent's lightsaber back into the other's face. As the blade rebounded the Sith Master stumbled back in surprise. Yoda pressed the advance and stabbed at the Devaronian's legs.

Roj Kell had closed his eyes and tried in vain to shut out the roiling emotions he could feel from the Sith. The man was inexperienced and foolish. Who had ever considered making him an apprentcie anyway? But Yoda ... He shuddered at the feel of the Jedi Master, all cool and calm composure, a true master who handled the great flow of the Force expertly. It had been a very long time that the ancient Sith Lord had been awed by someone else's power. In fact it was the first time ever since his own master's death. But where Exar Kun had been an untamed wildfire this Jedi was an extension of the Force, much like Kell had been, but on a different level. Much different. Kell was sincere enough to recognize mastery when he saw it so clearly. And while he had never craved this sort of control he still had to admit that it was quite impressive. There was not even a hint of anger, not even suppressed anger or hatred. Incredible. He was very careful not to let Yoda sense his cautious intrusion and he still was afraid that the Jedi Master would notice despite being otherwise engaged. The battle against the Devaronian seemed fierce enough, but in the split-second of evaluation of both combatants Roj Kell could already tell who would win this one.

Caution was what would let him survive, as it always had been. Unfortunately he had the feeling that Yoda was someone who saw deeper than most. And although Kell was fairly certain that he still knew much more than the Jedi Master it was also clear to him that the tiny alien would not show any weakness, even only because he had none. So he would have to avoid a fight under any circumstances. The worse thing was that now everything hinged on him again. With the Sith Master's death it would fall to Kell to train a new apprentice. Something he was not really looking forward to. It was risky and yet, if he could convince the Jedi Master the Sith would be believed truly extinct. Roj Kell groaned softly. No chance of that happening. He himself had realized the truth a thousand years earlier and he suspected that Yoda had seen it too: the Dark Side was ever-present, yet elusive, and every Jedi was a potential Sith. The trick was to keep them out of harm's way and temptation as far as possible. A difficult endeavor. Actually it was the same for the Sith, as Kell had learned the hard way. Here too temptation could ruin everything. The temptations of the Light.

Yoda was fast, one had to hand it to him, despite having so much shorter legs than his opponent, who had a hard time keeping track of the tiny Jedi Master. Where the Devaronian was bashing at the stone floor senselessly Yoda coutered him each and everytime with calm strokes that looked as if he were dancing with his blade. It was a beautiful picture, Kell found, entrancing in a way, and the steady hum of the two lightsabers was interrupted now and then only by a sizzling exchange of power when they clashed against each other. Suddenly the Sith retreated again, his right arm stretched ot toward Yoda, the lasersword an extension of himself, but his left hand curled into a fist ever so slowly. Roj Kell could feel the darkness surge through the cave like a black vortex sucking up the light. But the Jedi Master did not give his adversary a chance to build up sufficient power to strike at him. Jumping forward he struck at the blade and whirled around his own axis once in a blur. Suddenly a shower of gore splattered against the cave walls and the ancient Sith gasped in surprise. There had been nothing to warn him, no outburst of sudden fury, on the contrary, there had been only a void blank space, testimony to an utterly focused mind. He shook his head, still feeling dizzy from the immense disturbance the Sith Master's death had caused in teh flow of the Force. When he had managed to calm dow a bit he found Master Yoda watching him coolly. Roj Kell's eyes narrowed slightly. What was the Jedi waiting for?

Yoda calmly extinguished the blade of his lightsaber and tucked the handle back behind his belt. Roj Kell was struggling to sit up and failed miserably. The Jedi Master walked toward him and nodded gently. "Your voice he seemed to have feared, Lord Kell. Remarkable that is. Knew you he did I believe," he stated calmly. The ambassador's eyes narrowed even more in a silent question. "Legends we do have, the Jedi as well as the Sith. One there is that known should be to both," Yoda explained further. Walking around the still bound man the Jedi Master continued his musings calmly. "A tale there is of a Sith with great power. A magical voice to have had he is said. Died a long time ago he did. Find I did evidence of this in the archives on Coruscant. A myth it has become. Too long ago these events took place." He stopped and turned his head slowly, his large, mossy eyes studying the other's pale face: "His name you bear, Lord Kell. A coincidence?"

The ambassador's heated reply was cut short by the gag he was still wearing. Reaching over Yoda removed the broad leather strip expertly. Kell stared at him in annoyance, then licked the corners of his mouth slowly. The too tightly fixed gag had left nasty bruises there.

"A conincidence?" he repeated slowly, his voice hoarse. "If I were who you claim me to be, don't you think that one of my so-called brothers would have managed to kill me by now?"

"A feat that could completed not even be by the Jedi."

"You must be kidding." Yoda looked at him pensively. "Besides, as far as I know those Sith have a different approach to these matters. Might have been more efficient too. Damn! That moron nearly killed me!"

The Jedi Master snorted in disgust: "A tale I said it is. How much is true know not I do." Leaning closer he bared sharp teeth at the ambassador: "But this know, Lord Kell, whatever you may be, betrayed you have your true being."

"I never said I was a saint," the other replied coolly. "Since I believe that I could not be a danger to you even if I were who you think me to be, could you perhaps rid me of these bonds?" He raised his hands toward the Jedi calmly. Yoda did not stir. "Come on, what you just did to that creature was quite impressive. Have a bit more faith in your abilities."

"No. Convince me you did not."

"Neither did you. Ancient tales and suspicions, that's all you have. And the worst thing is that I have to thank you for saving my life, despite everything."

"Adept you are at using words in your favor."

"Such are the mysteries of diplomacy," the ambassador replied sarcastically.

When finally the Jedi Master found a heart and freed him Kell heaved a relieved sigh. Sitting up he started massaging his abused wrists and regarded the tiny alien icily. "Thank you," he said at last and made it sound like a curse. Yoda smiled at him thinly.

"My duty it is to aid the helpless."

"And I am grateful for your assistance. However, one question remains: are you going to pursue your suspicion further or will you apologize to me?"

Roj Kell watched the Jedi Master's jaw drop and could barely suppress a smile. Sometimes he really enjoyed acting like this, even regarding what was at stake. But his arrogance was another sort of shield, one he hoped would distract the all too nosy Jedi from his true intentions. Apparently the ruse with the Sith Master had not entirely worked out. Yoda was still unconvinced.

"Understand I do not why apologize I should."

"Simple. I find your suspicions more than insulting. First you suspect me of being a murderer and then you want to make me a Sith? Maybe I should take this up to the Jedi Council on Coruscant."

"Serious you are?"

"Very much so." Rising with difficulty Kell used the rocky wall to steady himself. Yoda frowned at him and for a second the old Sith wondered if the Jedi would buy this show of weakness. "I am a diplomat and politician. That is bad enough." The Jedi Master smiled at that. "Ruthlessness comes with the job. So, if you want to accuse me of being cold and cynical, please, do that. But anything else will have legal consequnces."

He straightened with a sigh and looked down on the short alien. Those large moss-green eyes regarded him steadily and somehow he had the feeling that he had made a mistake. Actually he realized that he had a slight problem with the Jedi Master's accusations. Yoda's species was long-lived, very much so, and being a Jedi as powerful as the alien was would give another boost to his life expectancy. Which meant that Kell could not simply vanish until the Master had deceased. And Yoda was well aware of that. The ancient Sith gave his companion a weak smile: "Let's go."

They walked through the tunnels slowly and in silence, but Roj Kell knew that the Jedi Master was watching him closely. He tried to ignore the other's presence as best he could. This was unfortunate. Of course he could try to kill Yoda now, but that would cost too much energy. Kell relied on balance to survive and what he had seen back in the cave told him that a battle like this would surely push him over the edge. In short, the risk was too high. So, he would have to find another way to disperse the other's suspicions. He considered repeating the feat from back on Coruscant, letting the Jedi Master have a glimpse at his mind, or rather, at what he wanted Yoda to see. But Kell suspected that once he surrendered part of his control to Yoda the Jedi Master would not stop until he knew all of the truth. Faking his own death? No, that was getting boring. He sighed inwardly.

"Tell me, Lord Kell, what reason had you for coming here? Hope you did to capture a Sith?"

"Hardly that."

"Why then did you come?"

Damn, he was stuck here. Roj Kell's face turned into an angry snarl. "Sometimes I need some solitude."

"Here?"

"You have an observant mind."

"Answer you did not my question."

"No."

Master Yoda stopped suddenly halfway to the speeder. The shadows were everywhere now, crowding them. The Jedi looked around pensively and closed his eyes for a moment, ignoring the ancient Sith watching him intently. Kell was fascinated by the other's self-control. Yoda definitely knew what he was facing, but undoubtedly he was waiting for Kell to betray himself. Only then he would act. Interesting.

"Lord Kell, know I do what you are."

"You are a Jedi Master. So you see, I too know what you are." They shared a mirthless smile in the gloom, but then Kell sat down on a fallen log and arranged his robes regally around himself. Looking up at the sky he shook his head slowly before he continued: "A ghost from days long past, when the Jedi were warriors and true guardians. Of that creed nothing has remained."

Looking over at the Sith Yoda tried to understand what Kell had meant by that. Was he too a ghost of times long past? If so, then he had just admitted to being who the Jedi Master thought he was. And if he truly was that legendary Dark Lord ... He walked over to join the tall human, but stopped short when the other's pale eyes met his. They were glowing in the dark, a yellow fire burning in their depths. Astoundingly enough Yoda could not feel anything. It was as if Roj Kell did not exist in the Force anymore. And yet he could sense the shadows gather strength, ready to crush him in their embrace. For a moment the setting was far too eerie for even Yoda's taste. The stars above shone clearly in the pitch-black sky engulfing the planet.

"A light in the dark," Roj Kell whispered, as if he had read the Jedi's mind. "Or else a dark flame in the brightness of the Force. What shall it be?"

"A matter of perspective this is."

"Indeed."

"Understand I do," Yoda conceded at last.

"Yes, I know. Astounding."

"Leave you will and live you shall."

"As if it were yours to decide. So haughty, so proud. A true Jedi."

Yoda swallowed the comment he had been about to utter. He was right. That Sith apparently had a deeper understanding of the Force than he had anticipated. The Jedi Master managed a cold smile. What was he to do? Roj Kell had caught him in a matter of morals and ethics. A devious move, that. But then, the man had a lot of experience and had possibly spent a lot of time thinking about these matters. Which still left that unanswered question - what to do about him?

"What is the Dark Side, Master Yoda? If you can answer that riddle you will have achieved true wisdom."

"True wisdom ..."

"The secret of Life. Think about it. Until then, farewell. Jedi," the ancient Sith added with a contemptuous smile. Yoda watched the shadows reach out for Roj Kell and watched him become one with the darkness and vanish. For a moment he thought that he had imagined the whole affair. But no, the coldness lingered on. Shaking his head the Jedi Master looked up at the sky. It was such a thin line that seperated night and day, two approaches to either, dusk or dawn, dark and light. And on the short journey through life every being crossed one or the other a great many times. A truly intriguing puzzle. Was there a difference at all?

"Hard to see the Dark Side is," the Jedi whispered into the gloom. But the solution, he knew, lay in the very core of things. Search your feelings and search your heart and you will find that answer. Indeed. A matter of faith, no more. But one had to decide which belief to follow. And he had decided a long time ago.

The End