DISCLAIMER: I do not own any names, places or objects you may recognize
(Jedi, Sith, the Force, lightsabers, ysalamiri, etc.). I'm definitely
not making any money out of this.
Chapter 3 - Innocence Lost
The next morning they had to dig their way out of the shelter; it had snowed heavily. The world around them was white and seemed even flatter than usual, because the snow had turned scraggly shrubs and stunted trees into small mounds of glistening white. There was no wind, and it was as if it had lain down to rest after bringing the icy flakes over the land the night before. The small blood-red sun hung just above the horizon, and the glowing sphere stained the ice there in the distance soft red. The rest of the sky was gray and toneless where the light did not hit it.
The snow was knee-deep and Koja wondered how they would be able to move through the hindering, hard-packed mass.
Naturally, the Sith had come prepared. Taren opened his satchel and took out four black, flexible metal slats along with what looked like two pairs of elastic, tear-shaped nets. He fumbled with the articles for a while. Koja watched with fascination as his deft, bluing fingers fixed together two pairs of snowshoes. He grinned up at her from where he crouched. " 'Always be prepared,' "
Taren then showed her how to put the snowshoes on and strapped his on over his boots. He left the chain off that morning - it would have been awkward with the wide strides that had to be taken with the shoes, and it was not as if the slave could run away.
After Taren had pulled on his mittens again, he walked over to the other shelter, which was a quarter buried in the snow. He kicked the stiff, ice-caked walls, "Hey, wake up! Do you want to stay here until this crap melts?" he yelled, his blows shaking the snow off the tent.
A moment later there was a violent curse from inside, and then Jalekk's muffled voice, "Why you up so early? I take it you didn't have any fun last night?"
At that, Taren's features hardened, and he glanced at Koja. "Just hurry up." he growled at the shelter again, white steam floating from between his lips. He moved off to dismantle their own shelter, heaving the packs out into the open first.
Koja moved over to help him and they were busy folding the damp cover when the other couple emerged from their tent.
The Jedi moved over to the other woman as Jalekk went to assist Taren. "How are you?" she said, looking at Kairal.
Kairal fidgeted with a mitten, glancing down. Koja couldn't see her eyes through the tinted visor of her snow goggles. "I'm fine . . ." the girl finally uttered.
"Really? Are you really all right?"
"Yes . . ."
Koja nodded, shrugged, and walked off. She knew what had happened between Kairal and Jalekk the night before; so much was obvious from his previous outburst.
* * *
The day passed without much excitement, but it was more exhausting than the previous ones; taking huge strides with the snowshoes took some getting used to.
By that late afternoon they reached a large, basin-like depression in the soil. In fact, it was so large that one could not see the other side.
The four adolescents scrambled down the slope and landed in the snow at the bottom. Taren stepped out of the holes his feet had made and moved back onto the surface of the frozen ground. "We're going the right way . . . If we go the same direction as the setting sun; we ought to get to some hills soon . . . and from there it's to the south,"
Jalekk brushed the powder snow off his trousers. "You'd better be right, I have no intention of staying here longer than we have to."
Taren gave a nod. "I have a good memory. I hope you remembered your half as well as I."
The other Sith gave an irritated sigh and shoved past Taren, waddling like some water bird. "Let's just move."
* * *
That evening they camped in that same basin; and, although none showed it, all of the young people were slightly nervous out there on the flat white plain, with no cover.
Kairal timidly suggested they dig themselves in; Taren agreed while Jalekk said that Sith were not to follow women's advice, but in the end the blond Sith saw the logic in it and they dug holes in the snow to set the shelters up in.
A while later Koja and Taren were crouching in the tent, and he lighted the glow torch with numb fingers. After that he took off his gloves, boots and socks, and spread out his damp cloak next to Koja's. He rubbed his hands next to the torch, crouching close.
The Jedi noticed how red his fingers and toes were. She decided to wait until the air was warmer before taking off most her clothes.
After a while he still sat there, trying to warm up, and then Koja moved over to his pack and started boiling some water.
She laid a tentative finger on his cold red ones. "You okay?"
He looked at her before nodding slowly. "Yeah . . . just caught a minor case of frostbite."
Koja removed her hand and started pulling off the outer layers of clothing. After that she again dug around in the Sith's satchel for the box of rations, and added some of the meat cubes to the warm water.
Taren watched as she brought the blanket over and lightly wound it around his feet. "This should help," She started rubbing his feet vigorously to bring life back into them.
As she did this, Taren watched the girl. He saw the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way her eyes widened and her lips compressed as she massaged his feet, pressing the blanket onto the chilled skin. The cold had not affected her, he could feel it as her fingers once brushed his ankle - they were comfortably warm.
"Don't you feel the cold?" he asked as she moved her grip to his hands.
Koja rubbed them. "I feel cold wind; but water from the snow that leaked into your boots, for instance; or the damp that soaked into your gloves . . . I don't find that uncomfortable,"
Her warm breath lightly caressed his itchy/burning fingers as she exhaled onto his hand. "Because of my Melodian ancestry I am not affected by cold water. The whole of Yavin 8 is covered by deep lakes of freezing water, so . . .'' Her deft fingers lightly ran over his, removing the chill. The aroma of cooking meat filled the shelter. He watched her beautiful face, half-light and half-dark in the glow of the torch . . . almost pale, though, because of the raven dress she was wearing.
She let go and glanced into the pot. A greasy broth had formed, and delicious-smelling steam dampened her face.
They ate all of the meat, wasting not a word between them. Both were ravenous.
After they had finished the meal, Taren met her eyes. She knew what he was thinking, and he knew that, too.
He reached out and took both her hands, rubbing them gently as she had done. She looked at him expectantly. Slowly, he moved her fingers up to his mouth and kissed their tips gently, just occasionally flicking his tongue over them. He could feel an excited tremor running through her. That ache was returning . . . Swiftly, he reached forward and down, fingers flying to the buttons of the dress. He started ripping them open when she suddenly stopped him. She moved his unwilling fingers up to her mouth, and kissed his knuckles. "Gently . . ." she whispered.
Taren looked up at her with a suddenly frightened expression. He remembered very well what her previous Master had done. And suddenly, icy water drenched him from head to toe. He stiffened and stared at her. "The pills . . ." he breathed. And within a heartbeat, he was next to his bag, producing a small box. He took out a glossy white pill from it, carefully holding it in his palm.
He moved towards her and she opened her mouth to accept it. He dropped it onto her tongue; and breathed, "Don't chew, just swallow."
After she had swallowed it, she just moved away from him, face impassive. Koja then took out the groundsheet, laying the blanket over it after she had spread it out.
Koja turned around to face him, kneeling on the makeshift bed. He moved over to her and studied her for a long moment, heart jumping to his throat. But that urge in his waist was still there.
"Do the same you did yesterday . . . I'll help you," she murmured softly.
Taren leaned forward and started with a kiss, taking her by the sides of the face. She brought her hand up to lightly caress his jaw, pushing her tongue against his. After a while Koja broke the contact and pulled away, lying down on her back. He straddled her legs and ran his hands up her body, ruffling her clothes - and to her neckline. He kissed her there as she gasped above him, hands resting on his back.
Taren ran his hands over the fasteners of the dress and opened them one by one. Her breasts burst from the confines of the dark material; and through the thin fabric of her shirt he could feel her hardening nipples pressing against his exploring palms. He moved forward and down, bending for another kiss.
Taren could feel their body temperatures rising, and the garments he was wearing seemed heavy and hot.
Cool air flooded in, caressing his skin as Koja ran her hands up his back, lightly stroking his already damp skin.
He could very distinctively feel her lower body pressing against his as her knees rose to both sides of his waist.
The lust was mounting in the young Sith's body and the uncertainty evaporated like dew on a warm morning. Taren pulled off his shirt and trousers, fumbling with the cumbersome material. He wanted to feel Koja's bare flesh against his. He tugged impatiently at her clothing, but she responded quickly enough and not before long she too was clad only in undergarments. As his body almost covered hers completely, he pressed a long kiss onto her lips. He could smell the fragrance of her hair and skin - like the tiny flowers that turned the drab tundra into splendid iridescence in the fleeting summer. Blended with this sweet odor was the aroma of spice and wet forests of distant worlds. Her hands ran over his back, pressing into his muscles, and she trembled almost involuntarily under the pressure of his weight.
Taren gasped as the pulling in his waist increased to almost painful intensity. His gland had risen away from his body, and now pressed against the girl's slender waist as the friction continued. Neither of them was breathing normally anymore - the desire and kisses had taken their toll on their fervent systems.
The Sith forced himself to pull away from the intense contact and gasped, "Please . . .! I - I want -" He couldn't force any further words from his mouth as he sucked in the honeyed air. Without waiting for her reply, Taren tore off his last garment, knowing that her position was no different from his. Koja pulled off her scanty briefs and chucked them aside.
The Jedi was amazed at the . . . lust she felt. She had never known such a strong feeling, not with her lover Ben, Suul, or anyone else. There was no fear. She was amazed at how much she wanted to feel this man. His eyes were ablaze, and his rapid breath warm on her face. He was all hard muscle now, but somehow that just aroused her craving body more.
The young man fumbled at the juncture of her legs, clumsy now because of his haste, frantic fingers searching. Koja gave a moan when he touched her. She brought a hand down between them, guiding his where they wanted it. When his fingers caressed her, she could barely contain the emotions welling up. Fighting to keep her eyes open from pleasure, she whispered, "Don't . . . wait, I have to . . . feel you /now/!"
The last word was a desperate gasp.
That night could easily have been the most memorable in both their whole lives. They had just lain there for hours, exploring each other's bodies in the search for pleasure to satisfy the craving both felt. They dared each other to new heights, soaring higher and higher until the ultimate sensual extremity . . . * * *
Koja had slept late, something she usually didn't do. She knew it was late, somehow, because both she and the Sith had been exhausted after their mutual experiences.
Taren's arm rested over her bare stomach and it tightened around her as he too awoke. His hand went up to her chin, and she felt his lips on her cheek.
"You have a wonderful body," his words broke the silence. "Thank you for last night."
She moved a hand over his and closed her eyes again. "Thank you very much too. I didn't think anyone was capable of accomplishing what you did . . ."
Taren ran hand ran softly over her hair, and she placed her palm on his arm. They just lay there for a few minutes, luxuriating in the intimate warmth they were feeling. For a few moments the Past and Future seemed to just ebb away, leaving only the current moment, the now. The Present.
But then the young Sith slowly eased himself from the covers and retrieved his clothes, conscious of the fact that they had to keep moving, to get back to Irrchanor before their food supply ran out. Koja followed his lead and got dressed, no longer prudish.
* * *
That night, Koja awoke when she felt Taren moving next to her. She heard it before he placed a hand over her mouth - the scuffling, scratching sound just outside their shelter. She froze. 'Gerr!' Koja remembered the carcass they'd seen out on the frozen ground a few days earlier. And she really hoped that the creature would move on.
And it did. A few seconds later it moved away, to the other tent. There was a startled cry from the other side, and Taren grabbed his trousers from the floor nearby, hissing an oath. The Jedi watched as he pulled on a shirt and opened the flap. Icy air flooded in, numbing exposed skin.
Taren stepped outside, immediately regretting the fact that he hadn't put anything thicker on. But there was no time. The gerr crouched over Jalekk's tent, huge dark bulk looming over the tiny shelter. A single footprint was large enough for Taren to stand in with both feet.
The young Darksider stood dead still as the creature turned its shaggy head to look at him. But then it turned back to the other tent. Hefting the familiar weight of his lightsaber, Taren focused on the Force. 'Jalekk! Jalekk? Can you hear me?' he called silently to the other Sith.
After a few seconds, the reply came back. 'Yes, I hear you.' Jalekk's voice sounded strained but calm.
Taren swallowed. 'Listen, the gerr's right in front of your entrance. I'll distract it and then you get out.'
'I understand. Do it!'
He had to force himself not to shiver as he prepped his muscles for the fastest sprint of his life. Taren gripped his weapon and started running, cutting past the gerr and slanting away from the shelters. Luckily the snow wasn't that deep. A soft roar behind him informed Taren that the gerr had seen him.
"Come on, Jalekk! Now!" he yelled, turning sharply to lead the animal back to the shelters. His feet were on fire and he couldn't feel his hands anymore. His lungs burned with each intake of freezing breath. The icy wind drove hundreds of sharp needles into his face. Taren heard the gerr's hard crunching footfalls behind him as it loped after him.
A dark figure stepped in front of him, ignited lightsaber washing the area around it in pink. Taren ducked aside and behind Jalekk, hot tears streaming down his face. Through the blur, he could see that the gerr had halted in surprise. It stood up on its hind legs, growling at Jalekk. One swipe of a deadly paw could shred a human to bloody ribbons.
Taren noticed that his own lightsaber was still dangling from his unfeeling hand and he ignited it, trying to ignore the glacial cold.
Jalekk waved his glowing crimson blade from side to side, staring up at the predator. The animal took a lightning-fast swipe at him, and he ducked, but the energy beam burned the creature's heavy arm. It roared in pain, dropping down onto four legs again. Jalekk then ran at it from the side, aiming a blow across its spine. However, the gerr saw the blade coming and jumped aside with its hind legs, showing amazing agility for a creature its tremendous size.
Taren jumped forward and sliced his lightsaber down towards the creature's slavering face. By accident, the animal's right front leg caught him on the shins as it whirled around to face Jalekk again. He went sprawling in the hard snow, but scrambled up again. The creature wasn't concentrating on him in the moment. Swiftly, Taren raised his saber for a deadly thrust to the side, just beneath the spine. The hum of the weapon lowered for a nanosecond and the gerr roared, lifting its forepaws off the ground. This motion forced the glowing blade down more, rupturing air passages and other vital organs.
Jalekk took that moment and sunk his lightsaber into the gerr's muscular neck with a mighty lunge.
Without a sound, the gerr sagged down into the trampled snow, blood pooling from its almost severed head and the long, vertical cut in its side. A leg twitched, and the mighty beast lay still.
The two young Sith stared at the dead creature, chests heaving. Finally, the cold seemed to make them aware again. Both reluctantly switched off their sabers and silence returned to the night.
* * *
The Sith and their slaves sat in Jalekk's shelter drinking hot buir tea. The girls had decided to shift all the blankets and the glow torch from Taren's tent, so that the men might recover from their ordeal with the gerr. Both suffered from minor frostbite and exhaustion.
Chapter 3 - Innocence Lost
The next morning they had to dig their way out of the shelter; it had snowed heavily. The world around them was white and seemed even flatter than usual, because the snow had turned scraggly shrubs and stunted trees into small mounds of glistening white. There was no wind, and it was as if it had lain down to rest after bringing the icy flakes over the land the night before. The small blood-red sun hung just above the horizon, and the glowing sphere stained the ice there in the distance soft red. The rest of the sky was gray and toneless where the light did not hit it.
The snow was knee-deep and Koja wondered how they would be able to move through the hindering, hard-packed mass.
Naturally, the Sith had come prepared. Taren opened his satchel and took out four black, flexible metal slats along with what looked like two pairs of elastic, tear-shaped nets. He fumbled with the articles for a while. Koja watched with fascination as his deft, bluing fingers fixed together two pairs of snowshoes. He grinned up at her from where he crouched. " 'Always be prepared,' "
Taren then showed her how to put the snowshoes on and strapped his on over his boots. He left the chain off that morning - it would have been awkward with the wide strides that had to be taken with the shoes, and it was not as if the slave could run away.
After Taren had pulled on his mittens again, he walked over to the other shelter, which was a quarter buried in the snow. He kicked the stiff, ice-caked walls, "Hey, wake up! Do you want to stay here until this crap melts?" he yelled, his blows shaking the snow off the tent.
A moment later there was a violent curse from inside, and then Jalekk's muffled voice, "Why you up so early? I take it you didn't have any fun last night?"
At that, Taren's features hardened, and he glanced at Koja. "Just hurry up." he growled at the shelter again, white steam floating from between his lips. He moved off to dismantle their own shelter, heaving the packs out into the open first.
Koja moved over to help him and they were busy folding the damp cover when the other couple emerged from their tent.
The Jedi moved over to the other woman as Jalekk went to assist Taren. "How are you?" she said, looking at Kairal.
Kairal fidgeted with a mitten, glancing down. Koja couldn't see her eyes through the tinted visor of her snow goggles. "I'm fine . . ." the girl finally uttered.
"Really? Are you really all right?"
"Yes . . ."
Koja nodded, shrugged, and walked off. She knew what had happened between Kairal and Jalekk the night before; so much was obvious from his previous outburst.
* * *
The day passed without much excitement, but it was more exhausting than the previous ones; taking huge strides with the snowshoes took some getting used to.
By that late afternoon they reached a large, basin-like depression in the soil. In fact, it was so large that one could not see the other side.
The four adolescents scrambled down the slope and landed in the snow at the bottom. Taren stepped out of the holes his feet had made and moved back onto the surface of the frozen ground. "We're going the right way . . . If we go the same direction as the setting sun; we ought to get to some hills soon . . . and from there it's to the south,"
Jalekk brushed the powder snow off his trousers. "You'd better be right, I have no intention of staying here longer than we have to."
Taren gave a nod. "I have a good memory. I hope you remembered your half as well as I."
The other Sith gave an irritated sigh and shoved past Taren, waddling like some water bird. "Let's just move."
* * *
That evening they camped in that same basin; and, although none showed it, all of the young people were slightly nervous out there on the flat white plain, with no cover.
Kairal timidly suggested they dig themselves in; Taren agreed while Jalekk said that Sith were not to follow women's advice, but in the end the blond Sith saw the logic in it and they dug holes in the snow to set the shelters up in.
A while later Koja and Taren were crouching in the tent, and he lighted the glow torch with numb fingers. After that he took off his gloves, boots and socks, and spread out his damp cloak next to Koja's. He rubbed his hands next to the torch, crouching close.
The Jedi noticed how red his fingers and toes were. She decided to wait until the air was warmer before taking off most her clothes.
After a while he still sat there, trying to warm up, and then Koja moved over to his pack and started boiling some water.
She laid a tentative finger on his cold red ones. "You okay?"
He looked at her before nodding slowly. "Yeah . . . just caught a minor case of frostbite."
Koja removed her hand and started pulling off the outer layers of clothing. After that she again dug around in the Sith's satchel for the box of rations, and added some of the meat cubes to the warm water.
Taren watched as she brought the blanket over and lightly wound it around his feet. "This should help," She started rubbing his feet vigorously to bring life back into them.
As she did this, Taren watched the girl. He saw the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way her eyes widened and her lips compressed as she massaged his feet, pressing the blanket onto the chilled skin. The cold had not affected her, he could feel it as her fingers once brushed his ankle - they were comfortably warm.
"Don't you feel the cold?" he asked as she moved her grip to his hands.
Koja rubbed them. "I feel cold wind; but water from the snow that leaked into your boots, for instance; or the damp that soaked into your gloves . . . I don't find that uncomfortable,"
Her warm breath lightly caressed his itchy/burning fingers as she exhaled onto his hand. "Because of my Melodian ancestry I am not affected by cold water. The whole of Yavin 8 is covered by deep lakes of freezing water, so . . .'' Her deft fingers lightly ran over his, removing the chill. The aroma of cooking meat filled the shelter. He watched her beautiful face, half-light and half-dark in the glow of the torch . . . almost pale, though, because of the raven dress she was wearing.
She let go and glanced into the pot. A greasy broth had formed, and delicious-smelling steam dampened her face.
They ate all of the meat, wasting not a word between them. Both were ravenous.
After they had finished the meal, Taren met her eyes. She knew what he was thinking, and he knew that, too.
He reached out and took both her hands, rubbing them gently as she had done. She looked at him expectantly. Slowly, he moved her fingers up to his mouth and kissed their tips gently, just occasionally flicking his tongue over them. He could feel an excited tremor running through her. That ache was returning . . . Swiftly, he reached forward and down, fingers flying to the buttons of the dress. He started ripping them open when she suddenly stopped him. She moved his unwilling fingers up to her mouth, and kissed his knuckles. "Gently . . ." she whispered.
Taren looked up at her with a suddenly frightened expression. He remembered very well what her previous Master had done. And suddenly, icy water drenched him from head to toe. He stiffened and stared at her. "The pills . . ." he breathed. And within a heartbeat, he was next to his bag, producing a small box. He took out a glossy white pill from it, carefully holding it in his palm.
He moved towards her and she opened her mouth to accept it. He dropped it onto her tongue; and breathed, "Don't chew, just swallow."
After she had swallowed it, she just moved away from him, face impassive. Koja then took out the groundsheet, laying the blanket over it after she had spread it out.
Koja turned around to face him, kneeling on the makeshift bed. He moved over to her and studied her for a long moment, heart jumping to his throat. But that urge in his waist was still there.
"Do the same you did yesterday . . . I'll help you," she murmured softly.
Taren leaned forward and started with a kiss, taking her by the sides of the face. She brought her hand up to lightly caress his jaw, pushing her tongue against his. After a while Koja broke the contact and pulled away, lying down on her back. He straddled her legs and ran his hands up her body, ruffling her clothes - and to her neckline. He kissed her there as she gasped above him, hands resting on his back.
Taren ran his hands over the fasteners of the dress and opened them one by one. Her breasts burst from the confines of the dark material; and through the thin fabric of her shirt he could feel her hardening nipples pressing against his exploring palms. He moved forward and down, bending for another kiss.
Taren could feel their body temperatures rising, and the garments he was wearing seemed heavy and hot.
Cool air flooded in, caressing his skin as Koja ran her hands up his back, lightly stroking his already damp skin.
He could very distinctively feel her lower body pressing against his as her knees rose to both sides of his waist.
The lust was mounting in the young Sith's body and the uncertainty evaporated like dew on a warm morning. Taren pulled off his shirt and trousers, fumbling with the cumbersome material. He wanted to feel Koja's bare flesh against his. He tugged impatiently at her clothing, but she responded quickly enough and not before long she too was clad only in undergarments. As his body almost covered hers completely, he pressed a long kiss onto her lips. He could smell the fragrance of her hair and skin - like the tiny flowers that turned the drab tundra into splendid iridescence in the fleeting summer. Blended with this sweet odor was the aroma of spice and wet forests of distant worlds. Her hands ran over his back, pressing into his muscles, and she trembled almost involuntarily under the pressure of his weight.
Taren gasped as the pulling in his waist increased to almost painful intensity. His gland had risen away from his body, and now pressed against the girl's slender waist as the friction continued. Neither of them was breathing normally anymore - the desire and kisses had taken their toll on their fervent systems.
The Sith forced himself to pull away from the intense contact and gasped, "Please . . .! I - I want -" He couldn't force any further words from his mouth as he sucked in the honeyed air. Without waiting for her reply, Taren tore off his last garment, knowing that her position was no different from his. Koja pulled off her scanty briefs and chucked them aside.
The Jedi was amazed at the . . . lust she felt. She had never known such a strong feeling, not with her lover Ben, Suul, or anyone else. There was no fear. She was amazed at how much she wanted to feel this man. His eyes were ablaze, and his rapid breath warm on her face. He was all hard muscle now, but somehow that just aroused her craving body more.
The young man fumbled at the juncture of her legs, clumsy now because of his haste, frantic fingers searching. Koja gave a moan when he touched her. She brought a hand down between them, guiding his where they wanted it. When his fingers caressed her, she could barely contain the emotions welling up. Fighting to keep her eyes open from pleasure, she whispered, "Don't . . . wait, I have to . . . feel you /now/!"
The last word was a desperate gasp.
That night could easily have been the most memorable in both their whole lives. They had just lain there for hours, exploring each other's bodies in the search for pleasure to satisfy the craving both felt. They dared each other to new heights, soaring higher and higher until the ultimate sensual extremity . . . * * *
Koja had slept late, something she usually didn't do. She knew it was late, somehow, because both she and the Sith had been exhausted after their mutual experiences.
Taren's arm rested over her bare stomach and it tightened around her as he too awoke. His hand went up to her chin, and she felt his lips on her cheek.
"You have a wonderful body," his words broke the silence. "Thank you for last night."
She moved a hand over his and closed her eyes again. "Thank you very much too. I didn't think anyone was capable of accomplishing what you did . . ."
Taren ran hand ran softly over her hair, and she placed her palm on his arm. They just lay there for a few minutes, luxuriating in the intimate warmth they were feeling. For a few moments the Past and Future seemed to just ebb away, leaving only the current moment, the now. The Present.
But then the young Sith slowly eased himself from the covers and retrieved his clothes, conscious of the fact that they had to keep moving, to get back to Irrchanor before their food supply ran out. Koja followed his lead and got dressed, no longer prudish.
* * *
That night, Koja awoke when she felt Taren moving next to her. She heard it before he placed a hand over her mouth - the scuffling, scratching sound just outside their shelter. She froze. 'Gerr!' Koja remembered the carcass they'd seen out on the frozen ground a few days earlier. And she really hoped that the creature would move on.
And it did. A few seconds later it moved away, to the other tent. There was a startled cry from the other side, and Taren grabbed his trousers from the floor nearby, hissing an oath. The Jedi watched as he pulled on a shirt and opened the flap. Icy air flooded in, numbing exposed skin.
Taren stepped outside, immediately regretting the fact that he hadn't put anything thicker on. But there was no time. The gerr crouched over Jalekk's tent, huge dark bulk looming over the tiny shelter. A single footprint was large enough for Taren to stand in with both feet.
The young Darksider stood dead still as the creature turned its shaggy head to look at him. But then it turned back to the other tent. Hefting the familiar weight of his lightsaber, Taren focused on the Force. 'Jalekk! Jalekk? Can you hear me?' he called silently to the other Sith.
After a few seconds, the reply came back. 'Yes, I hear you.' Jalekk's voice sounded strained but calm.
Taren swallowed. 'Listen, the gerr's right in front of your entrance. I'll distract it and then you get out.'
'I understand. Do it!'
He had to force himself not to shiver as he prepped his muscles for the fastest sprint of his life. Taren gripped his weapon and started running, cutting past the gerr and slanting away from the shelters. Luckily the snow wasn't that deep. A soft roar behind him informed Taren that the gerr had seen him.
"Come on, Jalekk! Now!" he yelled, turning sharply to lead the animal back to the shelters. His feet were on fire and he couldn't feel his hands anymore. His lungs burned with each intake of freezing breath. The icy wind drove hundreds of sharp needles into his face. Taren heard the gerr's hard crunching footfalls behind him as it loped after him.
A dark figure stepped in front of him, ignited lightsaber washing the area around it in pink. Taren ducked aside and behind Jalekk, hot tears streaming down his face. Through the blur, he could see that the gerr had halted in surprise. It stood up on its hind legs, growling at Jalekk. One swipe of a deadly paw could shred a human to bloody ribbons.
Taren noticed that his own lightsaber was still dangling from his unfeeling hand and he ignited it, trying to ignore the glacial cold.
Jalekk waved his glowing crimson blade from side to side, staring up at the predator. The animal took a lightning-fast swipe at him, and he ducked, but the energy beam burned the creature's heavy arm. It roared in pain, dropping down onto four legs again. Jalekk then ran at it from the side, aiming a blow across its spine. However, the gerr saw the blade coming and jumped aside with its hind legs, showing amazing agility for a creature its tremendous size.
Taren jumped forward and sliced his lightsaber down towards the creature's slavering face. By accident, the animal's right front leg caught him on the shins as it whirled around to face Jalekk again. He went sprawling in the hard snow, but scrambled up again. The creature wasn't concentrating on him in the moment. Swiftly, Taren raised his saber for a deadly thrust to the side, just beneath the spine. The hum of the weapon lowered for a nanosecond and the gerr roared, lifting its forepaws off the ground. This motion forced the glowing blade down more, rupturing air passages and other vital organs.
Jalekk took that moment and sunk his lightsaber into the gerr's muscular neck with a mighty lunge.
Without a sound, the gerr sagged down into the trampled snow, blood pooling from its almost severed head and the long, vertical cut in its side. A leg twitched, and the mighty beast lay still.
The two young Sith stared at the dead creature, chests heaving. Finally, the cold seemed to make them aware again. Both reluctantly switched off their sabers and silence returned to the night.
* * *
The Sith and their slaves sat in Jalekk's shelter drinking hot buir tea. The girls had decided to shift all the blankets and the glow torch from Taren's tent, so that the men might recover from their ordeal with the gerr. Both suffered from minor frostbite and exhaustion.