DISCLAIMER: I do not own any names, places or objects you may recognize
(Jedi, Sith, the Force, lightsabers, ysalamiri, etc.). I'm certainly
not making any money out of this.
Chapter 2 - New Masters
The next morning early Sitah woke them with breakfast, which consisted of soft bread-like biscuits and sweet tea.
"Enjoy, it'll be the biggest and best breakfast you'll get in a long time. She informed them in her usual cheery manner.
After that the woman told them to have a shower. Koja told Kairal to go first, and the girl disappeared behind the partitioned corner. While the water splashed, Sitah and the Jedi took all of her clothes and deposited them just inside the entrance of the cubicle. After a while she came out, looking rather bulky but refreshed.
Then it was Koja's turn and while she was showering, Sitah helped the other girl with her hair.
The shower was nothing spectacular, here was not even a hot/cold setting - only a constant dribble of lukewarm water. But there were a lot of different soaps, shampoos, perfumes and lotions; something the Jedi was glad for. After she was as clean as she could get, she dried herself with one of the black-white towels and put on her 'new' set of clothing. She'd put on her headgear and mittens later. A few minutes later, just after Kairal had plaited Koja's hair, the first knock sounded on the door. Koja recognized it as 'her' Sith's.
Sitah smiled. "Well, there's the first one. The other one ought to be here in a few moments. Both of you, take these packs." She handed them two small light bags. "And good luck." The two girls took them.
"Thank you for all your help." Kairal said, slinging her pack over her shoulder.
"Same here," the Jedi intoned. "Thanks, Sitah."
The other woman just grinned. "Hey, it's my job." She moved forward to open the door.
The brown-haired Sith shoved past her the second she opened it. "Stupid woman!" he growled at Sitah. And to Koja he said, "Come on, it's time for us to get going."
She nodded, noting that her snow goggles, scarf and mittens had been secured to her bag.
Just then the other Sith also came in by the door. This one had dark blond hair and brown eyes. He was taller than Koja's, and now there was a leer on his face.
"Taren . . . Having some trouble with the women already?" As he spoke, he moved over to Kairal and snapped a silver chain to her left wrist. She was scowling at him.
Taren, the brown-haired one, spat a short word in the Sith tongue and did the same with his slave. Then the quartet set off down the passage and turned a right into a wider one. Then they reached a foyer, with two huge black doors on the far wall, where the two Sith Masters were standing.
Master Kashorm gave a toothy smile and said, "All we can say is, may the Force be with you."
Beside him, Jalekk's teacher gave a curt nod. Then he punched in the code that opened the doors. No light flooded in, just icy cold, rushing to bite at their exposed faces and hands. The two initiates ignored the wind and tugged at their slaves' chains, giving one last bow to their Masters.
It was still dark outside, and the only sound that reached their ears was the eerie howl of the wind. In the gloom they could make out small hummocks of ground in the almost flat plain beyond.
Taren steered them right, and they headed off in that direction. Both the slaves put on their scarves and mittens and pulled up both their hoods about ten minutes after they had left the academy. The Sith followed suit five minutes later.
The ground was hard and sometimes the scrape of loose pebbles could be felt underfoot. Sometimes they flattened frozen plants in their path.
It hurt to breathe, and talking would have been a wasted effort, with the wind. The party just trudged along; all glad for the many layers of clothing they were wearing.
About an hour later the sun rose on the horizon, a diminutive orb of flaming pink-red. As it ascended, it turned the sky gray, and allowed them to see the vast plains stretched out before them. It was all gray. Even the scarce plants were gray-brown, or gray-green. Sometimes there were little clumps of short, stiff grass. There were even less scraggly, leaning shrubs.
Everything looked dead and lonely, which it was. Only once that whole day they saw two dark specks wheeling in the distance, buffeted by the wind. These scavenger birds were the only animals they came across.
* * *
They had been walking for about nine hours when the sun started setting. The Sith stood close to each other and had a heated argument because Jalekk insisted they put up camp now and the other said that they could at least keep going for another hour. Then Jalekk pointed out that blizzards started at nightfall and that the cold might surprise them if they were not bedded down any time soon.
Eventually Taren gave in and they spent a further half an hour finding a suitable spot, at the foot of a small hill, to protect them from the wind. Of course, there had been another argument as to which way the wind actually blew.
Finally the Sith started constructing the two shelters in the gathering dusk, while their slaves looked on, weary and battered. Both girls guessed they would be getting used to it.
After a while the Sith decided they'd set up the shelters right and gesturing for the girls to come in.
The two girls hugged.
"Remember what I told you," Koja said to the other.
Kairal nodded. "I will."
Then they separated and left for their separate retreats.
Taren was waiting for her, crouching in the low round entrance. He moved aside to let her enter, and then shut the flap securely. It was dark inside, and she heard the Sith rummaging around and then a small glow torch flared to life.
The Sith stood the glow torch in the center of the small, tent-like shelter.
"It will get warmer soon," he told Koja as he unlocked the chain from her wrist.
Then she helped him spread out the thick groundsheet he'd carried. She crouched down next to him on it, and followed suit when he seated himself. She lowered her hoods and took her mittens off, stuffing them into her own pack.
Taren did the same and pulled out a small box. He opened it and stretched out his hand, offering her the contents. Koja saw that the box contained cubes of dried meat. She helped herself to two and chewed on them. He took a swig of the water he'd brought along, and after she'd finished her first cube of meat he offered her some too, which she gratefully accepted.
After they had finished eating, the Sith packed the food away again and stretched, yawning.
"I'm tired," he murmured.
She nodded and suppressed a yawn herself.
Slowly, the Sith started removing his clothing. This went on until he was only wearing his trousers and a long-sleeved shirt.
He looked at the girl. "Don't you want to take off some of that, too? It's quite warm already,"
Hesitantly she undressed, until she was clad in only the long shirt.
The Sith stared at her as they were both bathed in the bright, warm glow of the torch. "Now I can finally see you," Gently he ran a hand down her cheek. It felt warm and strong.
Then Taren turned away from her and pulled out the blanket from his pack. He spread it out on the groundsheet. He then beckoned to the Jedi and he moved under the blanket, pulling his cloak over as well.
She brought the red cloak too and slipped in beside him, spreading the garment over them.
He lay on his side and pulled her to face him. She stared into his soft peach-colored eyes as he gently put a hand on her shoulder. They remained like that for long minutes until she spoke.
"You don't have to do it tonight, you know . . . you have at least five nights left."
Taren looked deeply into Koja's eyes, lightly kneading her shoulder. "Even though you cannot use the Force you know what lies in my heart," He moved his hand across and up to her face, and gently moved his fingers down her cheek and touched her lips. Then the Sith leaned forward and lightly touched her lips with his tongue-tip. Then he took her again by the arms and pulled her even closer, so that their bodies almost touched beneath the thick blankets. He probed her mouth again and Koja slowly parted her lips.
They spent about an hour of the night just gently kissing, occasionally caressing the other's face. Just enjoying the closeness and warmth.
It was all the reluctant Sith wanted. He had never had a woman before. Or, at least, one that he could enjoy without the constant fear of discovery; and after, punishment.
After both of them had rid their bodies of any energy they had still contained, the two Force-sensitives lay next to each other, staring at the slanted white ceiling of the shelter. The unceasing glow of the torch was snuffed out when the Sith reached out and pressed a button.
The girl moved closer to him and kept her back lightly pressing against his chest, fingers curled around his hand as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
* * *
The next day dawned, and it was quiet when they awoke. The Sith offered the Jedi some food, which she accepted, and then they both dressed again, a rather arduous task. After that they set out to pack everything. The wind had settled and only a cold light breeze was present.
They were busy disassembling their shelter when Jalekk and his slave stepped out of theirs, fully dressed.
While the males packed away the poles and folded the insular covering- sheets, their two slaves moved over to stand close to each other.
"How was your night?" Koja asked the other girl.
Kairal looked fine, but there was no happy glint in her eyes, either. "It was okay . . . We just kissed and he touched me . . . in certain places,"
The Jedi deduced that he had not hurt her.
Then the other girl looked at her. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing much. He was rather reluctant."
Kairal smiled and nodded. "This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Come on, you two. Let's get going." Jalekk called to them.
* * *
That day was no different from the one before, with Taren leading the way across the barren tundra. Once they startled a small flock of scavenger birds from a large carcass. The Sith referred to these birds as kinz-shteinot, which was Sith speech, and translated into Basic roughly meant 'patient stalker'.
The birds circled above them restlessly as the four youths gathered around the dead beast.
Taren prodded the stiff carcass with a foot. The four-legged creature was large and had short gray-white fur. Its black-blue eyes were half- closed and stared up at the sky sightlessly. The beast's tongue hung out, colored dark purple from the cold. It also had long, pointed fangs. Its side had been torn open by the scavenger birds, and frozen dark red innards could be seen within the jagged lacerations.
"Gerr," the brown-haired Sith informed all of them, although he didn't have to. "Died . . . from age, I think," A white steam cloud rose from his mouth.
Koja studied the creature's huge bulk and understood why no one wanted to meet a living one. The predator probably stood about two meters on four legs, and it had long, retractable claws just visible, protruding from its long, fur-covered toes. The spiked ears and blunt, jowled nose added to the creature's grotesque, cruel features.
Jalekk glanced up at the specks far up in the sky - at the birds - and said, "Come on, we're wasting time,"
* * *
That evening they made camp in a small hollow in the barren soil.
The wind had picked up and buffeted the sides of the shelter, making a rustling roar as it pummeled the strong material.
"I think it will snow tonight," Taren remarked, pulling a small metal pan out of his bag. Koja watched as he also took out a small satchel containing slender dry leaves. He then poured some water into the container from his water bottle and fixed it to the glow torch. "Which means more water," he smiled.
She nodded in turn. "Well, at least we won't have to worry about starving to death."
He grinned at the fake humor of the situation and spread the groundsheet on the canvas floor of their shelter. He spread his cloak over it and, in turn, laid the blanket over this.
The girl had already started pulling her outer garments off, spreading them over the open space on the opposite side of the glow torch. The Sith followed suit, removing his parka and thick trousers.
By then the water had started bubbling in the little pot and he tossed in a few of the long, grass-like leaves.
He took two synthplas mugs and a spoon from the pack and stirred the mixture.
"This is buir tea . . . We grow it in the academy's greenhouse."
Koja nodded as she inhaled the sweet, herbal aroma the boiling leaves gave off. She thought about it a moment and had to suppress a laugh.
The youth stared at her. "What's the matter?"
"I can't imagine a Sith gardening, that's all . . ."
He glanced to the side. "Well, someone has to do it . . . " He met her eyes again. "But after this . . . /I'll/ be the one overseeing the young ones working in the greenhouse."
He stirred the brew some more and then poured the tea into the mugs. He handed one to the Jedi and she gratefully sipped the hot beverage. As she drank, she listened to the fierce howl of the wind outside and shivered. She was glad for the shelter. At this rate, she was sure that no person, not even Sith or Jedi, would survive a night out there.
The Sith also handed her the box with their rations of dried meat, and took some for himself. They sipped the tea and ate the meat, and Koja often noticed his pensive eyes on her, slowly running over her entire body. But, to her amazement, she wasn't afraid of the rest of the night, of what he might do to her.
After their meal, the initiate packed the empty pan away, packing the used tea leaves into a mug, and put the rest of the utensils into his bag.
She sat on the bed, watching him. She did not move when he drew closer to her and took her by the arms.
"Koja . . . " Taren whispered, an urgent tone in his voice. "Koja, get under the covers," He pulled the blanket far back and she complied, lying down on her back. He brought her crimson cloak over as well. Then, laying the cloak next to their makeshift mattress, he ran his fingers gently down her cheek.
"Relax," he murmured, probably more for his own sake than for hers, he thought in retrospect. He looked at the slave, lying dead still, looking up at him with questioning, expectant eyes.
Slowly, hesitantly, he moved down and put his hands on her thighs, and applied pressure, gently easing her legs apart. Then, trying to slow his heart, he knelt between her legs, and once more ran a reassuring hand down her face. He moved his hands to the hem of her shirt, and slowly pulled it upwards. She arched her back, and he pulled the garment over her head and laid it to the side. He caught his breath as he stared at her chest. He had never really seen any slave's breasts, despite what he had told most of his comrades.
He reached out to touch her, but then drew his hand back, shaking his head. Taren then moved his trembling fingers down to her waist, where the last of her clothing lay. He moved his eyes along with the soft cloth as he pulled it down. Then he moved aside and pulled it away. The Sith then stepped back between her now-bare legs, and gazed down at the creature now lying exposed before him. Somehow, as if to even it out a little, he pulled off his shirt, throwing it aside.
He could not take his eyes off Koja's body. He had never seen a member of the opposite sex like this and until now he could only have imagined what lay beneath the slaves' skimpy outfits. Drawing a shuddering breath, the Sith lay forward so that the tips of her breasts just touched his pectoral muscles, and stared down at her. As he lost himself in her mercury-colored eyes, he moved down and gently kissed her.
And then, as she responded to his tongue, he felt the slight tremor within her body . . . The way she hesitated. He broke their kiss and looked down at her.
"You don't have to be afraid of me," he murmured, giving a small laugh.
She ran a hand down his face; and he sat up again, returning her gaze.
"No, it isn't you . . . Just, memories . . ." She shivered, running her hand up and down her arm.
The Sith quickly leaned forward and down again, pulling the blanket over both of them. "Tell me," he whispered once they were both covered. "I, I . . . don't want to make the same mistakes." He stared down into her eyes again. He was serious about this.
Koja shuddered inwardly when she remembered Ramen Suul's abuse, when he had tortured her for hours - days on end - using his body to do so.
Slowly, swallowing a few times, she told the young Sith how his fellow had hurt her by forcing himself on her, how he had even depriving her of enough sleep and how he had then succeeded in siring a child on her . . .
Taren stared at her, and consolingly ran a hand down her face again. "I'm so sorry,"
Koja wondered how he would have reacted if she told him that the man that had hurt her so was Ramen Suul, the highest leader of yet another rival Sith faction.
Once again the young Sith moved forward to kiss her. She complied easily, almost enjoying his taste on her tongue. Then as he broke away from her, he took her by the hands and moved their arms upwards, up above her head. He lay completely on her, and their bodies touched in almost complete symmetry.
They looked into each other's eyes and lay like that for a few minutes, in perfect balance.
The Sith marveled at her satin-smooth skin under his breast, and the way her body so perfectly molded to his.
Then, slowly, Taren moved both his hands down her arms, lightly trailing his fingers downwards. Slowly, his fingers traced their way to her underarms and to her breasts. The Sith sat up again, straddling her pelvis. Gently, he ran his fingertips over the mounds, lazily circling. He moved his hands up to the darker points on her breasts, stroking them with his flat palms. He could feel them rising and falling, could feel her breath quickening. He looked up at her. Koja was gazing up at him, regarding him through slit eyes. He could sense that she did not hate this at all.
He could now feel her nipples stiffening under his touch, and he marveled at how something as smooth as a baby gerr's fur could turn as brittle and rough as crushed pebbles in a matter of seconds. Nevertheless, he took it as a good sign and decided to move lower. Cupping her breasts in hands completely once more, he slowly moved his hands down along her sides . . . And stopped. Slowly, he ran his fingers back and forth on her side.
She looked up at him, and smiled softly at his discovery.
He met her gaze before leaning forward and examining the skin on her left side closely. Now he could see the tiny scales clearly, making a diamond of half-circles down her side. It was the same on the other side.
He met her eyes again, running his fingers over the scales once more. "Do all women have these?" he whispered, voice made up of wonder and maybe even a trace of repulsion.
She almost laughed, but instead replaced it with a small smile. ''No. I'm three-quarters human and one quarter Melodian, and they have scales. Human females don't have scales anywhere on their bodies."
"Oh,'' he murmured, planting a kiss just above her navel. "Well, I like them."
The girl smiled and nodded in response.
Her stomach was hard, but much smoother than the youth's own bulging, muscled torso. After a brief examination of her abdomen, which wasn't very interesting, he decided to move even lower.
The Sith moved off her and crouched next to her. She knew what he wanted to do and complied, spreading her legs for him to crouch between them.
By now the blankets did not cover any of them anymore but it didn't matter because the shelter was warm, despite the blizzard that raged outside.
Taren hesitantly picked her up by both sides of the waist and slid his knees in under her, so that he could look at her properly.
The not quite cramps in his lower body increased to an almost unbearable level. He needed her, /wanted/ her now. As he leaned forward to kiss her once more, Taren sternly reminded himself that he would give himself just one more day . . . These caresses could satisfy him until the following night.
After a long, sultry kiss, he stared down at her. Then, taking her by the arms, he flipped over so that she lay on him. Koja started gently running her hands over his chest, and kneaded him lazily, listening to his quickening heartbeat.
He ran his hand through the soft, coppery mass that was her hair, basking in the calm that seemed to surround them now.
He had been thinking about this for quite some time, and hoped that the girl could give him an answer to his question. "K - Koja . . . " he whispered. "If I . . . had you, would you . . . be able to make a child for me?"
She froze, lifted her head to look at him. She remembered Suul and the beast she had almost borne for him. But this young Sith really wanted to know. "Yes . . . probably so, if we didn't do anything to prevent it. But why do you want a child?"
Taren moved both his hands up and tightened his arms around her. "No! I don't want a child. They . . . the Masters gave me pills, white pills to give you so that you would not get one." He ran a hand through the soft tendrils of her hair again. "I'm sorry, I was just wishing, I guess. If one Sith that is not a Master sires a child on a slave . . . And the Masters find out . . . They make him run her through. After this he must take the slave's body out into the wild . . . to a place called Kravt Takkrin, which means Death Rift. He leaves her there and comes back to the academy."
The way he so casually explained this to her shocked Koja.
''The Masters have found that these men often become the best fighters this academy ever produces. But I don't want to have to kill you, Koja."
He sat up and Koja slid down to the side. He pulled the covers over them both, and she put her head back on his chest once more.
Taren spoke again. "If you did make a child for me . . . " he sighed, the sound hollow and long under her ear. "If it was a son . . . I would give him to the greatest Master for training and he would become the most skilled fighter ever."
Koja realized that he was just thinking out loud, that he was only wishing.
"And if you got a daughter . . . She would be beautiful, just like you - maybe even more so. And then, when she was old enough, you could both spend the nights with me . . ."
She suddenly jerked her head up in repulsion. "What? You would sleep with your own daughter?"
He looked at her, surprised at her sudden reaction. "Why is that wrong?"
Koja stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. The Sith didn't even realize that incest was not right. "She would have been your own blood, don't you understand? /It's wrong./"
His brow furrowed, and she saw that she was not getting through to him. He would see even his own daughter as just another woman he could sleep with.
"It's all right," Taren murmured, stroking her cheek. "We won't forget the pills, and you won't fall pregnant."
Koja could sense, even with the ysalamiri crystal, that Taren still did not fully comprehend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, did you like it? Hate it? Should I post more, or forget I ever wrote it? Please leave any comments and/or constructive criticism and tell me. Thanks, everyone! (
Chapter 2 - New Masters
The next morning early Sitah woke them with breakfast, which consisted of soft bread-like biscuits and sweet tea.
"Enjoy, it'll be the biggest and best breakfast you'll get in a long time. She informed them in her usual cheery manner.
After that the woman told them to have a shower. Koja told Kairal to go first, and the girl disappeared behind the partitioned corner. While the water splashed, Sitah and the Jedi took all of her clothes and deposited them just inside the entrance of the cubicle. After a while she came out, looking rather bulky but refreshed.
Then it was Koja's turn and while she was showering, Sitah helped the other girl with her hair.
The shower was nothing spectacular, here was not even a hot/cold setting - only a constant dribble of lukewarm water. But there were a lot of different soaps, shampoos, perfumes and lotions; something the Jedi was glad for. After she was as clean as she could get, she dried herself with one of the black-white towels and put on her 'new' set of clothing. She'd put on her headgear and mittens later. A few minutes later, just after Kairal had plaited Koja's hair, the first knock sounded on the door. Koja recognized it as 'her' Sith's.
Sitah smiled. "Well, there's the first one. The other one ought to be here in a few moments. Both of you, take these packs." She handed them two small light bags. "And good luck." The two girls took them.
"Thank you for all your help." Kairal said, slinging her pack over her shoulder.
"Same here," the Jedi intoned. "Thanks, Sitah."
The other woman just grinned. "Hey, it's my job." She moved forward to open the door.
The brown-haired Sith shoved past her the second she opened it. "Stupid woman!" he growled at Sitah. And to Koja he said, "Come on, it's time for us to get going."
She nodded, noting that her snow goggles, scarf and mittens had been secured to her bag.
Just then the other Sith also came in by the door. This one had dark blond hair and brown eyes. He was taller than Koja's, and now there was a leer on his face.
"Taren . . . Having some trouble with the women already?" As he spoke, he moved over to Kairal and snapped a silver chain to her left wrist. She was scowling at him.
Taren, the brown-haired one, spat a short word in the Sith tongue and did the same with his slave. Then the quartet set off down the passage and turned a right into a wider one. Then they reached a foyer, with two huge black doors on the far wall, where the two Sith Masters were standing.
Master Kashorm gave a toothy smile and said, "All we can say is, may the Force be with you."
Beside him, Jalekk's teacher gave a curt nod. Then he punched in the code that opened the doors. No light flooded in, just icy cold, rushing to bite at their exposed faces and hands. The two initiates ignored the wind and tugged at their slaves' chains, giving one last bow to their Masters.
It was still dark outside, and the only sound that reached their ears was the eerie howl of the wind. In the gloom they could make out small hummocks of ground in the almost flat plain beyond.
Taren steered them right, and they headed off in that direction. Both the slaves put on their scarves and mittens and pulled up both their hoods about ten minutes after they had left the academy. The Sith followed suit five minutes later.
The ground was hard and sometimes the scrape of loose pebbles could be felt underfoot. Sometimes they flattened frozen plants in their path.
It hurt to breathe, and talking would have been a wasted effort, with the wind. The party just trudged along; all glad for the many layers of clothing they were wearing.
About an hour later the sun rose on the horizon, a diminutive orb of flaming pink-red. As it ascended, it turned the sky gray, and allowed them to see the vast plains stretched out before them. It was all gray. Even the scarce plants were gray-brown, or gray-green. Sometimes there were little clumps of short, stiff grass. There were even less scraggly, leaning shrubs.
Everything looked dead and lonely, which it was. Only once that whole day they saw two dark specks wheeling in the distance, buffeted by the wind. These scavenger birds were the only animals they came across.
* * *
They had been walking for about nine hours when the sun started setting. The Sith stood close to each other and had a heated argument because Jalekk insisted they put up camp now and the other said that they could at least keep going for another hour. Then Jalekk pointed out that blizzards started at nightfall and that the cold might surprise them if they were not bedded down any time soon.
Eventually Taren gave in and they spent a further half an hour finding a suitable spot, at the foot of a small hill, to protect them from the wind. Of course, there had been another argument as to which way the wind actually blew.
Finally the Sith started constructing the two shelters in the gathering dusk, while their slaves looked on, weary and battered. Both girls guessed they would be getting used to it.
After a while the Sith decided they'd set up the shelters right and gesturing for the girls to come in.
The two girls hugged.
"Remember what I told you," Koja said to the other.
Kairal nodded. "I will."
Then they separated and left for their separate retreats.
Taren was waiting for her, crouching in the low round entrance. He moved aside to let her enter, and then shut the flap securely. It was dark inside, and she heard the Sith rummaging around and then a small glow torch flared to life.
The Sith stood the glow torch in the center of the small, tent-like shelter.
"It will get warmer soon," he told Koja as he unlocked the chain from her wrist.
Then she helped him spread out the thick groundsheet he'd carried. She crouched down next to him on it, and followed suit when he seated himself. She lowered her hoods and took her mittens off, stuffing them into her own pack.
Taren did the same and pulled out a small box. He opened it and stretched out his hand, offering her the contents. Koja saw that the box contained cubes of dried meat. She helped herself to two and chewed on them. He took a swig of the water he'd brought along, and after she'd finished her first cube of meat he offered her some too, which she gratefully accepted.
After they had finished eating, the Sith packed the food away again and stretched, yawning.
"I'm tired," he murmured.
She nodded and suppressed a yawn herself.
Slowly, the Sith started removing his clothing. This went on until he was only wearing his trousers and a long-sleeved shirt.
He looked at the girl. "Don't you want to take off some of that, too? It's quite warm already,"
Hesitantly she undressed, until she was clad in only the long shirt.
The Sith stared at her as they were both bathed in the bright, warm glow of the torch. "Now I can finally see you," Gently he ran a hand down her cheek. It felt warm and strong.
Then Taren turned away from her and pulled out the blanket from his pack. He spread it out on the groundsheet. He then beckoned to the Jedi and he moved under the blanket, pulling his cloak over as well.
She brought the red cloak too and slipped in beside him, spreading the garment over them.
He lay on his side and pulled her to face him. She stared into his soft peach-colored eyes as he gently put a hand on her shoulder. They remained like that for long minutes until she spoke.
"You don't have to do it tonight, you know . . . you have at least five nights left."
Taren looked deeply into Koja's eyes, lightly kneading her shoulder. "Even though you cannot use the Force you know what lies in my heart," He moved his hand across and up to her face, and gently moved his fingers down her cheek and touched her lips. Then the Sith leaned forward and lightly touched her lips with his tongue-tip. Then he took her again by the arms and pulled her even closer, so that their bodies almost touched beneath the thick blankets. He probed her mouth again and Koja slowly parted her lips.
They spent about an hour of the night just gently kissing, occasionally caressing the other's face. Just enjoying the closeness and warmth.
It was all the reluctant Sith wanted. He had never had a woman before. Or, at least, one that he could enjoy without the constant fear of discovery; and after, punishment.
After both of them had rid their bodies of any energy they had still contained, the two Force-sensitives lay next to each other, staring at the slanted white ceiling of the shelter. The unceasing glow of the torch was snuffed out when the Sith reached out and pressed a button.
The girl moved closer to him and kept her back lightly pressing against his chest, fingers curled around his hand as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
* * *
The next day dawned, and it was quiet when they awoke. The Sith offered the Jedi some food, which she accepted, and then they both dressed again, a rather arduous task. After that they set out to pack everything. The wind had settled and only a cold light breeze was present.
They were busy disassembling their shelter when Jalekk and his slave stepped out of theirs, fully dressed.
While the males packed away the poles and folded the insular covering- sheets, their two slaves moved over to stand close to each other.
"How was your night?" Koja asked the other girl.
Kairal looked fine, but there was no happy glint in her eyes, either. "It was okay . . . We just kissed and he touched me . . . in certain places,"
The Jedi deduced that he had not hurt her.
Then the other girl looked at her. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing much. He was rather reluctant."
Kairal smiled and nodded. "This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Come on, you two. Let's get going." Jalekk called to them.
* * *
That day was no different from the one before, with Taren leading the way across the barren tundra. Once they startled a small flock of scavenger birds from a large carcass. The Sith referred to these birds as kinz-shteinot, which was Sith speech, and translated into Basic roughly meant 'patient stalker'.
The birds circled above them restlessly as the four youths gathered around the dead beast.
Taren prodded the stiff carcass with a foot. The four-legged creature was large and had short gray-white fur. Its black-blue eyes were half- closed and stared up at the sky sightlessly. The beast's tongue hung out, colored dark purple from the cold. It also had long, pointed fangs. Its side had been torn open by the scavenger birds, and frozen dark red innards could be seen within the jagged lacerations.
"Gerr," the brown-haired Sith informed all of them, although he didn't have to. "Died . . . from age, I think," A white steam cloud rose from his mouth.
Koja studied the creature's huge bulk and understood why no one wanted to meet a living one. The predator probably stood about two meters on four legs, and it had long, retractable claws just visible, protruding from its long, fur-covered toes. The spiked ears and blunt, jowled nose added to the creature's grotesque, cruel features.
Jalekk glanced up at the specks far up in the sky - at the birds - and said, "Come on, we're wasting time,"
* * *
That evening they made camp in a small hollow in the barren soil.
The wind had picked up and buffeted the sides of the shelter, making a rustling roar as it pummeled the strong material.
"I think it will snow tonight," Taren remarked, pulling a small metal pan out of his bag. Koja watched as he also took out a small satchel containing slender dry leaves. He then poured some water into the container from his water bottle and fixed it to the glow torch. "Which means more water," he smiled.
She nodded in turn. "Well, at least we won't have to worry about starving to death."
He grinned at the fake humor of the situation and spread the groundsheet on the canvas floor of their shelter. He spread his cloak over it and, in turn, laid the blanket over this.
The girl had already started pulling her outer garments off, spreading them over the open space on the opposite side of the glow torch. The Sith followed suit, removing his parka and thick trousers.
By then the water had started bubbling in the little pot and he tossed in a few of the long, grass-like leaves.
He took two synthplas mugs and a spoon from the pack and stirred the mixture.
"This is buir tea . . . We grow it in the academy's greenhouse."
Koja nodded as she inhaled the sweet, herbal aroma the boiling leaves gave off. She thought about it a moment and had to suppress a laugh.
The youth stared at her. "What's the matter?"
"I can't imagine a Sith gardening, that's all . . ."
He glanced to the side. "Well, someone has to do it . . . " He met her eyes again. "But after this . . . /I'll/ be the one overseeing the young ones working in the greenhouse."
He stirred the brew some more and then poured the tea into the mugs. He handed one to the Jedi and she gratefully sipped the hot beverage. As she drank, she listened to the fierce howl of the wind outside and shivered. She was glad for the shelter. At this rate, she was sure that no person, not even Sith or Jedi, would survive a night out there.
The Sith also handed her the box with their rations of dried meat, and took some for himself. They sipped the tea and ate the meat, and Koja often noticed his pensive eyes on her, slowly running over her entire body. But, to her amazement, she wasn't afraid of the rest of the night, of what he might do to her.
After their meal, the initiate packed the empty pan away, packing the used tea leaves into a mug, and put the rest of the utensils into his bag.
She sat on the bed, watching him. She did not move when he drew closer to her and took her by the arms.
"Koja . . . " Taren whispered, an urgent tone in his voice. "Koja, get under the covers," He pulled the blanket far back and she complied, lying down on her back. He brought her crimson cloak over as well. Then, laying the cloak next to their makeshift mattress, he ran his fingers gently down her cheek.
"Relax," he murmured, probably more for his own sake than for hers, he thought in retrospect. He looked at the slave, lying dead still, looking up at him with questioning, expectant eyes.
Slowly, hesitantly, he moved down and put his hands on her thighs, and applied pressure, gently easing her legs apart. Then, trying to slow his heart, he knelt between her legs, and once more ran a reassuring hand down her face. He moved his hands to the hem of her shirt, and slowly pulled it upwards. She arched her back, and he pulled the garment over her head and laid it to the side. He caught his breath as he stared at her chest. He had never really seen any slave's breasts, despite what he had told most of his comrades.
He reached out to touch her, but then drew his hand back, shaking his head. Taren then moved his trembling fingers down to her waist, where the last of her clothing lay. He moved his eyes along with the soft cloth as he pulled it down. Then he moved aside and pulled it away. The Sith then stepped back between her now-bare legs, and gazed down at the creature now lying exposed before him. Somehow, as if to even it out a little, he pulled off his shirt, throwing it aside.
He could not take his eyes off Koja's body. He had never seen a member of the opposite sex like this and until now he could only have imagined what lay beneath the slaves' skimpy outfits. Drawing a shuddering breath, the Sith lay forward so that the tips of her breasts just touched his pectoral muscles, and stared down at her. As he lost himself in her mercury-colored eyes, he moved down and gently kissed her.
And then, as she responded to his tongue, he felt the slight tremor within her body . . . The way she hesitated. He broke their kiss and looked down at her.
"You don't have to be afraid of me," he murmured, giving a small laugh.
She ran a hand down his face; and he sat up again, returning her gaze.
"No, it isn't you . . . Just, memories . . ." She shivered, running her hand up and down her arm.
The Sith quickly leaned forward and down again, pulling the blanket over both of them. "Tell me," he whispered once they were both covered. "I, I . . . don't want to make the same mistakes." He stared down into her eyes again. He was serious about this.
Koja shuddered inwardly when she remembered Ramen Suul's abuse, when he had tortured her for hours - days on end - using his body to do so.
Slowly, swallowing a few times, she told the young Sith how his fellow had hurt her by forcing himself on her, how he had even depriving her of enough sleep and how he had then succeeded in siring a child on her . . .
Taren stared at her, and consolingly ran a hand down her face again. "I'm so sorry,"
Koja wondered how he would have reacted if she told him that the man that had hurt her so was Ramen Suul, the highest leader of yet another rival Sith faction.
Once again the young Sith moved forward to kiss her. She complied easily, almost enjoying his taste on her tongue. Then as he broke away from her, he took her by the hands and moved their arms upwards, up above her head. He lay completely on her, and their bodies touched in almost complete symmetry.
They looked into each other's eyes and lay like that for a few minutes, in perfect balance.
The Sith marveled at her satin-smooth skin under his breast, and the way her body so perfectly molded to his.
Then, slowly, Taren moved both his hands down her arms, lightly trailing his fingers downwards. Slowly, his fingers traced their way to her underarms and to her breasts. The Sith sat up again, straddling her pelvis. Gently, he ran his fingertips over the mounds, lazily circling. He moved his hands up to the darker points on her breasts, stroking them with his flat palms. He could feel them rising and falling, could feel her breath quickening. He looked up at her. Koja was gazing up at him, regarding him through slit eyes. He could sense that she did not hate this at all.
He could now feel her nipples stiffening under his touch, and he marveled at how something as smooth as a baby gerr's fur could turn as brittle and rough as crushed pebbles in a matter of seconds. Nevertheless, he took it as a good sign and decided to move lower. Cupping her breasts in hands completely once more, he slowly moved his hands down along her sides . . . And stopped. Slowly, he ran his fingers back and forth on her side.
She looked up at him, and smiled softly at his discovery.
He met her gaze before leaning forward and examining the skin on her left side closely. Now he could see the tiny scales clearly, making a diamond of half-circles down her side. It was the same on the other side.
He met her eyes again, running his fingers over the scales once more. "Do all women have these?" he whispered, voice made up of wonder and maybe even a trace of repulsion.
She almost laughed, but instead replaced it with a small smile. ''No. I'm three-quarters human and one quarter Melodian, and they have scales. Human females don't have scales anywhere on their bodies."
"Oh,'' he murmured, planting a kiss just above her navel. "Well, I like them."
The girl smiled and nodded in response.
Her stomach was hard, but much smoother than the youth's own bulging, muscled torso. After a brief examination of her abdomen, which wasn't very interesting, he decided to move even lower.
The Sith moved off her and crouched next to her. She knew what he wanted to do and complied, spreading her legs for him to crouch between them.
By now the blankets did not cover any of them anymore but it didn't matter because the shelter was warm, despite the blizzard that raged outside.
Taren hesitantly picked her up by both sides of the waist and slid his knees in under her, so that he could look at her properly.
The not quite cramps in his lower body increased to an almost unbearable level. He needed her, /wanted/ her now. As he leaned forward to kiss her once more, Taren sternly reminded himself that he would give himself just one more day . . . These caresses could satisfy him until the following night.
After a long, sultry kiss, he stared down at her. Then, taking her by the arms, he flipped over so that she lay on him. Koja started gently running her hands over his chest, and kneaded him lazily, listening to his quickening heartbeat.
He ran his hand through the soft, coppery mass that was her hair, basking in the calm that seemed to surround them now.
He had been thinking about this for quite some time, and hoped that the girl could give him an answer to his question. "K - Koja . . . " he whispered. "If I . . . had you, would you . . . be able to make a child for me?"
She froze, lifted her head to look at him. She remembered Suul and the beast she had almost borne for him. But this young Sith really wanted to know. "Yes . . . probably so, if we didn't do anything to prevent it. But why do you want a child?"
Taren moved both his hands up and tightened his arms around her. "No! I don't want a child. They . . . the Masters gave me pills, white pills to give you so that you would not get one." He ran a hand through the soft tendrils of her hair again. "I'm sorry, I was just wishing, I guess. If one Sith that is not a Master sires a child on a slave . . . And the Masters find out . . . They make him run her through. After this he must take the slave's body out into the wild . . . to a place called Kravt Takkrin, which means Death Rift. He leaves her there and comes back to the academy."
The way he so casually explained this to her shocked Koja.
''The Masters have found that these men often become the best fighters this academy ever produces. But I don't want to have to kill you, Koja."
He sat up and Koja slid down to the side. He pulled the covers over them both, and she put her head back on his chest once more.
Taren spoke again. "If you did make a child for me . . . " he sighed, the sound hollow and long under her ear. "If it was a son . . . I would give him to the greatest Master for training and he would become the most skilled fighter ever."
Koja realized that he was just thinking out loud, that he was only wishing.
"And if you got a daughter . . . She would be beautiful, just like you - maybe even more so. And then, when she was old enough, you could both spend the nights with me . . ."
She suddenly jerked her head up in repulsion. "What? You would sleep with your own daughter?"
He looked at her, surprised at her sudden reaction. "Why is that wrong?"
Koja stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. The Sith didn't even realize that incest was not right. "She would have been your own blood, don't you understand? /It's wrong./"
His brow furrowed, and she saw that she was not getting through to him. He would see even his own daughter as just another woman he could sleep with.
"It's all right," Taren murmured, stroking her cheek. "We won't forget the pills, and you won't fall pregnant."
Koja could sense, even with the ysalamiri crystal, that Taren still did not fully comprehend.
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So, did you like it? Hate it? Should I post more, or forget I ever wrote it? Please leave any comments and/or constructive criticism and tell me. Thanks, everyone! (