Author's note: The name Tarrishagh has a special meaning. *G* You'll find
out what, later.
Chapter 28
Meri glanced wildly around the room, her eyes falling on the small window at the back. Small was the word for it, but she just might be able to fit through.
Adrenaline rushed through her body, giving her temporary strength as she lurched to her feet. The pain at simply moving was agony, but she used the Force to sooth it as best she could. She limped slowly towards the back of the room, keeping one ear tuned into the lively voices in front.
By the time she'd reached the back of the room, her breath was coming in short gasp of air, but determined, she pulled herself to stand on top of the cot beneath the window.
Fiddling with the frozen latch, she finally slid it to the side and pushed the window open. The cold blast of air that hit her face took her breath away.
Grasping the sill, she began to slowly pull herself up and through the small opening.
When the top of the open window grazed her back, she almost bit through her tongue holding back a scream of pain. Unable to control her movements any longer, she fell out the window and into the snow bank.
For long minutes, she didn't move as a strange heaviness fell over her. Darkness fuzzed in around her vision and her dark lashes flickered; finally settling as her eyes drooped closed.
//Get up!//
Meri startled, her eyes shooting open in surprise. Quickly she glanced around expecting to see someone standing near by, but there was no one.
Painfully, she pulled herself to her knees and looked around again. Confusion and pain clouded her normally clear brown eyes. She had heard a voice…hadn't she?
However, the only sounds to be heard now were the rebel's far off voices in front, and the whistling cold wind, which swept across the ground, blowing snow before it.
Meri stumbled to her feet, a new sense of urgency gripping her. Trembling violently she began to half-walk, half-run, in an awkward gait, falling quite often. She was unaware of the obvious crimson trail she was leaving in the snow. Ahead of her there was a broad expanse of open snow covered ground and then the shelter of evergreen trees.
The wind had picked up and blew the falling snow at an angle, straight into her face. She didn't know where she was going, only that she had to get away. Any fate was better than that she was leaving behind.
Just as she reached the line of trees, she heard a shout behind her. She stumbled to a halt, clinging to the green limbs of a nearby tree to keep from falling, then glanced back.
Her already racing heart, began to jump erratically in fear as she saw the rebels pursuing her and at a much faster pace than she could go.
She turned and tried to make her legs move, tried to breathe, but her legs felt like she was wearing leaden weights around them and her lungs were burning from the piercingly cold air.
She stumbled forward, fell, then pulled herself to her feet. Desperation was setting in and she mentally tugged frantically on the bond with her Master. He had to be okay…she needed to know he was alive. In her distressed state she didn't stop to think that if he had died she would have felt the bond break.
She almost sobbed in relief when she felt an answering wave of assurance across the bond, but she didn't stop moving forward. She could hear the rebels getting closer.
Ahead, she could see a ribbon of dark blue weaving its way through the landscape, ice coating its edges, but the center of the river moved deep and strong.
She stopped and stared, wondering in desperation what to do. The yells of the rebels had gotten closer, but in her frantic state she didn't realize they weren't moving towards her anymore, and their shouts at each other were for an entirely different reason.
The sky had darkened and snow continued to fall in heavy waves, blowing mercilessly against Meri's slender and scantily clothed body. She huddled motionless for a moment, looking back the way she had come and then started for the river.
She didn't expect the shock of the cold water to affect her the way it did. It felt as though thousands of tiny needles were poking into her skin. It felt the worst on her raw, exposed back and she gasped as the waves of pain rolled over her.
The deep, swirling water washed over her head as she went under, the fast current sucking and pulling at her legs. The weight of her boots didn't help the situation and she kicked frantically as she tried to get back to the surface.
Finally, she came back to the top of the water, her dark head breaking through the water as she gasped and choked for air. She felt as though she'd swallowed a gallon of water and her arms and legs were tiring quickly.
Again she was sucked under the surface of the water and again she fought for her life. Reaching down she loosened the strap on each of her boots and was rewarded when both boots immediately fell from her feet and she popped to the surface.
With a gasp for air, Meri swam weakly for the opposite bank. When her feet finally felt the bottom, she staggered up the bank before falling to her knees.
The whole world was spinning wildly out of control, as she crawled weakly for the tree ahead of her, its green boughs stretched out to the ground.
Barely retaining consciousness, she managed to crawl underneath the large tree, its limbs stretching over her and hiding her away from sight. Her breathing was ragged as she collapsed to the ground unmoving, feeling strangely not cold anymore. As a hazy cloud moved in on her vision, she let her dark eyes slide shut. She couldn't fight the demands of her body any longer.
The sound of her name being frantically called broke the silence moments later, falling on ears that could no longer hear.
***
Alex slid off the speeder before it had even come to a full stop, Folly not far behind. The Jedi had instructed the other man to drive right up to the hideout and never mind the guards on watch.
However, to Folly's unease, they had come right up to the edge of the camp and no guards had alerted the others in the camp to their presence.
They had stopped on a small rise that looked down at the small scattering of buildings and Alex strode to the edge and looked down.
"What if they see you?" Folly asked the impassive Jedi.
But Alex didn't answer, his gaze had been caught by a stumbling, staggering figure who had just reached the tree line on the opposite side of the camp. "Meri?" he breathed in question.
Suddenly his gaze was pulled farther behind his apprentice and he saw a group of men heading after her.
There was a sudden, desperate tug on the bond he held with Meri and he sent a flood of reassurance to her. His mouth tightened in a grim line and his ice blue ices sparked.
To Folly's utter horror, the Jedi began to boldly stride down the rise and out in full view of those chasing Meri. He pulled a silver cylinder off his belt and then began jogging to catch up with the rebels.
Folly stared after him for a few moments before pulling out his blaster and running after the Jedi. "They really are crazy," he muttered as he ran.
Though the group of rebels had a head start, Alex quickly caught up to them in the heavily wooded area.
When the first rebel spotted him, he yelled a warning to the others and they all turned to face the Jedi. They immediately recognized what they were facing and just *who* he was. After all, there was only one Jedi on the planet and they had his apprentice.
On Alex's part, he left no doubt as to why he was there. His black hair blew over his forehead in the stiff, snow filled wind, his robe billowing out to the side. With a snap-hiss his lightsabre sprung to life, his bright blue eyes intense with meaning.
Folly stood behind the Jedi, blaster in hand, and wondered if it was a common trait in all Jedi to be so suicidal. He looked at the back of the Jedi's head and the expression on his face said he was wondering what was going on in there.
Alex continued to stare at the rebels in an intimidating glare, the only sound that of the wind howling and the snow hissing as it hit his hot 'sabre blade.
Suddenly a blaster bolt whizzed across the opening towards the Jedi and with the barest twist of his wrist, the Jedi sent it back to the shooter, killing him instantly.
Before the unfortunate rebel had even fallen to the ground, dead, the other rebels were scattering, fleeing for their lives.
Confident that the help coming behind would catch the fleeing rebel, Alex replaced his lightsabre to his belt and began jogging towards his apprentice's presence. She was close, very close, but her wavering and weak presence worried him.
"Meri!" he called, the slightest edge of panic beginning to set into his tone. //Oh, Force please,// he thought fervently.
His hasty jog was brought to a short stop as he stared at the deceptively calm river before him. "No," he breathed, looking down at the footprints leading down to the river.
Folly came up behind him and stated the obvious. "She crossed here."
Alex paced along the edge, his mind racing for a solution to get across.
Folly watched the pacing Jedi and then a slow grin began to grow on his face. "You can too," he said slyly.
"Whatever do you mean," Alex sputtered in irritation.
"I've crossed in winter before," Folly said.
Alex cut him off with an exasperated reply. "You're reckless and irresponsible, so that doesn't surprise me."
If anything the Jedi's comment only made Folly more amused. "Do you want to get to her or not."
Alex whirled on Folly, his eyes ablaze with the intensity of his feelings for his apprentice. "You know I do, stop these petty games!"
Folly sobered, at least somewhat. "Just shed the clothes. All of them, boots too. Wrap everything in your robe and carry it on your head when you cross. Then once you're on the other side, just get dressed. You'll be more dry than she will be."
Now it was Alex who was staring at Folly as though he'd lost his mind, yet it only took a moment for him to get contemplative. "It looks deep."
Folly nodded. "It was for her, probably over her head, but you're much taller. I'll wager your feet will be able to touch the bottom, if just barely."
"The current?" the knight questioned tersely.
"Swift, but I think you can handle it," he said looking at the Jedi with raised brow.
"What about after I cross, how do I get back over with her?"
Folly frowned. "You won't. But there is an abandoned chalet not far on the other side. I'm pretty sure it has a working heating unit. Just head straight back from here and you'll find it." He glanced up at the sky with a concerned look. "This weather is about to get a lot worse, so you may be stuck there for a day or so," he said loudly over the wind.
Alex paused for only a few seconds before he reached down and began tugging off his boots. Quickly he undressed fully, ignoring Folly, who was looking off and away.
As Alex straightened up, bundle of clothes held in front of his waist, he heard the other man murmuring something about a full moon occurring. Lips twitching, Alex tried to ignore the comment.
Folly turned to see that the knight had finished. "I'll send someone to pick you two up as soon as this weather clears." He looked around in concern, the wind was now howling loudly and the snow was beginning to obscure their vision. "I have to get back, let's get this going," he yelled over the shrieking wind.
Alex nodded and without a word, waded quickly into the water. He took in a sharp breath as the water washed up over his bare skin, shockingly cold.
The current pulled at his body as the water came up to his neck. He was in the center of the river and the pull of the current was strong. Using the Force, he steadied himself and edged slowly across as quickly as he could. He had to get out quickly; already he could feel his body temperature plummeting.
Finally the water was down to his waist and he splashed quickly out of the water, breathing heavy.
Glancing across the river at Folly, he waved and the other man immediately took off for the camp behind him. The snow quickly hid the other man from sight, but Alex was already pulling on his clothes, his teeth chattering in cold. After replacing his thick socks and boots, he snatched up his robe and headed for his apprentice's weak presence that was slightly down river from where she had crossed.
Alex hurried as fast as he was able, the weakening presence of his apprentice spurring him on. She was fading. Fast. //Oh please, hold on Tarrishagh.//
Chapter 28
Meri glanced wildly around the room, her eyes falling on the small window at the back. Small was the word for it, but she just might be able to fit through.
Adrenaline rushed through her body, giving her temporary strength as she lurched to her feet. The pain at simply moving was agony, but she used the Force to sooth it as best she could. She limped slowly towards the back of the room, keeping one ear tuned into the lively voices in front.
By the time she'd reached the back of the room, her breath was coming in short gasp of air, but determined, she pulled herself to stand on top of the cot beneath the window.
Fiddling with the frozen latch, she finally slid it to the side and pushed the window open. The cold blast of air that hit her face took her breath away.
Grasping the sill, she began to slowly pull herself up and through the small opening.
When the top of the open window grazed her back, she almost bit through her tongue holding back a scream of pain. Unable to control her movements any longer, she fell out the window and into the snow bank.
For long minutes, she didn't move as a strange heaviness fell over her. Darkness fuzzed in around her vision and her dark lashes flickered; finally settling as her eyes drooped closed.
//Get up!//
Meri startled, her eyes shooting open in surprise. Quickly she glanced around expecting to see someone standing near by, but there was no one.
Painfully, she pulled herself to her knees and looked around again. Confusion and pain clouded her normally clear brown eyes. She had heard a voice…hadn't she?
However, the only sounds to be heard now were the rebel's far off voices in front, and the whistling cold wind, which swept across the ground, blowing snow before it.
Meri stumbled to her feet, a new sense of urgency gripping her. Trembling violently she began to half-walk, half-run, in an awkward gait, falling quite often. She was unaware of the obvious crimson trail she was leaving in the snow. Ahead of her there was a broad expanse of open snow covered ground and then the shelter of evergreen trees.
The wind had picked up and blew the falling snow at an angle, straight into her face. She didn't know where she was going, only that she had to get away. Any fate was better than that she was leaving behind.
Just as she reached the line of trees, she heard a shout behind her. She stumbled to a halt, clinging to the green limbs of a nearby tree to keep from falling, then glanced back.
Her already racing heart, began to jump erratically in fear as she saw the rebels pursuing her and at a much faster pace than she could go.
She turned and tried to make her legs move, tried to breathe, but her legs felt like she was wearing leaden weights around them and her lungs were burning from the piercingly cold air.
She stumbled forward, fell, then pulled herself to her feet. Desperation was setting in and she mentally tugged frantically on the bond with her Master. He had to be okay…she needed to know he was alive. In her distressed state she didn't stop to think that if he had died she would have felt the bond break.
She almost sobbed in relief when she felt an answering wave of assurance across the bond, but she didn't stop moving forward. She could hear the rebels getting closer.
Ahead, she could see a ribbon of dark blue weaving its way through the landscape, ice coating its edges, but the center of the river moved deep and strong.
She stopped and stared, wondering in desperation what to do. The yells of the rebels had gotten closer, but in her frantic state she didn't realize they weren't moving towards her anymore, and their shouts at each other were for an entirely different reason.
The sky had darkened and snow continued to fall in heavy waves, blowing mercilessly against Meri's slender and scantily clothed body. She huddled motionless for a moment, looking back the way she had come and then started for the river.
She didn't expect the shock of the cold water to affect her the way it did. It felt as though thousands of tiny needles were poking into her skin. It felt the worst on her raw, exposed back and she gasped as the waves of pain rolled over her.
The deep, swirling water washed over her head as she went under, the fast current sucking and pulling at her legs. The weight of her boots didn't help the situation and she kicked frantically as she tried to get back to the surface.
Finally, she came back to the top of the water, her dark head breaking through the water as she gasped and choked for air. She felt as though she'd swallowed a gallon of water and her arms and legs were tiring quickly.
Again she was sucked under the surface of the water and again she fought for her life. Reaching down she loosened the strap on each of her boots and was rewarded when both boots immediately fell from her feet and she popped to the surface.
With a gasp for air, Meri swam weakly for the opposite bank. When her feet finally felt the bottom, she staggered up the bank before falling to her knees.
The whole world was spinning wildly out of control, as she crawled weakly for the tree ahead of her, its green boughs stretched out to the ground.
Barely retaining consciousness, she managed to crawl underneath the large tree, its limbs stretching over her and hiding her away from sight. Her breathing was ragged as she collapsed to the ground unmoving, feeling strangely not cold anymore. As a hazy cloud moved in on her vision, she let her dark eyes slide shut. She couldn't fight the demands of her body any longer.
The sound of her name being frantically called broke the silence moments later, falling on ears that could no longer hear.
***
Alex slid off the speeder before it had even come to a full stop, Folly not far behind. The Jedi had instructed the other man to drive right up to the hideout and never mind the guards on watch.
However, to Folly's unease, they had come right up to the edge of the camp and no guards had alerted the others in the camp to their presence.
They had stopped on a small rise that looked down at the small scattering of buildings and Alex strode to the edge and looked down.
"What if they see you?" Folly asked the impassive Jedi.
But Alex didn't answer, his gaze had been caught by a stumbling, staggering figure who had just reached the tree line on the opposite side of the camp. "Meri?" he breathed in question.
Suddenly his gaze was pulled farther behind his apprentice and he saw a group of men heading after her.
There was a sudden, desperate tug on the bond he held with Meri and he sent a flood of reassurance to her. His mouth tightened in a grim line and his ice blue ices sparked.
To Folly's utter horror, the Jedi began to boldly stride down the rise and out in full view of those chasing Meri. He pulled a silver cylinder off his belt and then began jogging to catch up with the rebels.
Folly stared after him for a few moments before pulling out his blaster and running after the Jedi. "They really are crazy," he muttered as he ran.
Though the group of rebels had a head start, Alex quickly caught up to them in the heavily wooded area.
When the first rebel spotted him, he yelled a warning to the others and they all turned to face the Jedi. They immediately recognized what they were facing and just *who* he was. After all, there was only one Jedi on the planet and they had his apprentice.
On Alex's part, he left no doubt as to why he was there. His black hair blew over his forehead in the stiff, snow filled wind, his robe billowing out to the side. With a snap-hiss his lightsabre sprung to life, his bright blue eyes intense with meaning.
Folly stood behind the Jedi, blaster in hand, and wondered if it was a common trait in all Jedi to be so suicidal. He looked at the back of the Jedi's head and the expression on his face said he was wondering what was going on in there.
Alex continued to stare at the rebels in an intimidating glare, the only sound that of the wind howling and the snow hissing as it hit his hot 'sabre blade.
Suddenly a blaster bolt whizzed across the opening towards the Jedi and with the barest twist of his wrist, the Jedi sent it back to the shooter, killing him instantly.
Before the unfortunate rebel had even fallen to the ground, dead, the other rebels were scattering, fleeing for their lives.
Confident that the help coming behind would catch the fleeing rebel, Alex replaced his lightsabre to his belt and began jogging towards his apprentice's presence. She was close, very close, but her wavering and weak presence worried him.
"Meri!" he called, the slightest edge of panic beginning to set into his tone. //Oh, Force please,// he thought fervently.
His hasty jog was brought to a short stop as he stared at the deceptively calm river before him. "No," he breathed, looking down at the footprints leading down to the river.
Folly came up behind him and stated the obvious. "She crossed here."
Alex paced along the edge, his mind racing for a solution to get across.
Folly watched the pacing Jedi and then a slow grin began to grow on his face. "You can too," he said slyly.
"Whatever do you mean," Alex sputtered in irritation.
"I've crossed in winter before," Folly said.
Alex cut him off with an exasperated reply. "You're reckless and irresponsible, so that doesn't surprise me."
If anything the Jedi's comment only made Folly more amused. "Do you want to get to her or not."
Alex whirled on Folly, his eyes ablaze with the intensity of his feelings for his apprentice. "You know I do, stop these petty games!"
Folly sobered, at least somewhat. "Just shed the clothes. All of them, boots too. Wrap everything in your robe and carry it on your head when you cross. Then once you're on the other side, just get dressed. You'll be more dry than she will be."
Now it was Alex who was staring at Folly as though he'd lost his mind, yet it only took a moment for him to get contemplative. "It looks deep."
Folly nodded. "It was for her, probably over her head, but you're much taller. I'll wager your feet will be able to touch the bottom, if just barely."
"The current?" the knight questioned tersely.
"Swift, but I think you can handle it," he said looking at the Jedi with raised brow.
"What about after I cross, how do I get back over with her?"
Folly frowned. "You won't. But there is an abandoned chalet not far on the other side. I'm pretty sure it has a working heating unit. Just head straight back from here and you'll find it." He glanced up at the sky with a concerned look. "This weather is about to get a lot worse, so you may be stuck there for a day or so," he said loudly over the wind.
Alex paused for only a few seconds before he reached down and began tugging off his boots. Quickly he undressed fully, ignoring Folly, who was looking off and away.
As Alex straightened up, bundle of clothes held in front of his waist, he heard the other man murmuring something about a full moon occurring. Lips twitching, Alex tried to ignore the comment.
Folly turned to see that the knight had finished. "I'll send someone to pick you two up as soon as this weather clears." He looked around in concern, the wind was now howling loudly and the snow was beginning to obscure their vision. "I have to get back, let's get this going," he yelled over the shrieking wind.
Alex nodded and without a word, waded quickly into the water. He took in a sharp breath as the water washed up over his bare skin, shockingly cold.
The current pulled at his body as the water came up to his neck. He was in the center of the river and the pull of the current was strong. Using the Force, he steadied himself and edged slowly across as quickly as he could. He had to get out quickly; already he could feel his body temperature plummeting.
Finally the water was down to his waist and he splashed quickly out of the water, breathing heavy.
Glancing across the river at Folly, he waved and the other man immediately took off for the camp behind him. The snow quickly hid the other man from sight, but Alex was already pulling on his clothes, his teeth chattering in cold. After replacing his thick socks and boots, he snatched up his robe and headed for his apprentice's weak presence that was slightly down river from where she had crossed.
Alex hurried as fast as he was able, the weakening presence of his apprentice spurring him on. She was fading. Fast. //Oh please, hold on Tarrishagh.//
