Fash attacked first, grabbing the nearest tree and swinging her legs round towards Kyia. The Quelena ducked and then sprang up fist first aiming for her opponent's midriff, hoping to wind her. The aim at this point was to disable, the first rule was never to go for the killing blow unless it was necessary. Fash saw it coming and continued her swing so Kyia missed her. "I see you're still as quick as you always were." Kyia sprang up into the upper foliage to gain a height advantage. "And just as agile."
"What did you expect?"
"To be honest, I thought using the Force would make you sloppy, you Jedi rely on it too…." She didn't get to finish her sentence because Kyia pounced driving a snap kick to Fash's chest. Fash winced and dropped to the ground using the roll to release its kinetic energy. Using her legs she flipped herself upright again, dropping into a crouch she used her right leg to scoop Kyia's legs out from under her. The Quelena rolled backward to give herself space to gather her stance and not let Fash take advantage of her. Her opponent rolled forward and tried the trick again just as she was coming out of her roll, however she would not let it work twice and returned to the safety of the trees. Fash followed her but this was Kyia's arena. Kyia grabbed a branch above her and swung round it to hit her in the rear as she came up. Fash fell forward but reached up and grabbed a vine and with the intention of propelling herself on to the next tree. The fast pace of the fight increased in tempo as Kyia followed her, she had the upper hand and she was not going to lose it. She dove for the vine also, but higher up. Using gravity she slid down it at a phenomenal speed hitting Fash, and causing her to lose her grip and to fall.
Fash turned like a cat and landed on her feet. She looked up and glared at Kyia who landed with a thud beside her. She stood her ground going hand to hand, she drove her fist in a slice towards Kyia's shoulder hoping to hit a nerve to numb the arm. Kyia reacted by grabbing it with her left. She put her right hand on top of her left and brought her elbow into Fash's jaw.
Fash winced but brought her knee up into arm to break the grip. "You didn't learn that from me." She extended her leg downwards and caught Kyia in the chest. "I taught you to keep your abdomen protected"
Kyia sputtered but grabbed her opponent's foot as she was pulling away.
A hard tug brought Fash to the ground but she spun her legs and caught Kyia in the jaw. "Nice recovery, you need you watch the end of your moves though."
"Watch this" Kyia replied bringing both her knees down on Fash's legs to pin them. Fash's previous move had made it easy for Kyia to bring her on to her back. She put her full weight on Fash's back to push her chest into the dirt. Quick as lightening the length of material on the end of Kyia's wrist became wrapped around Fash's neck.
Fash kicked the ground twice with her left leg. And Kyia stood, letting her up. It meant Fash had yielded.
Fash grasped at her throat. "Very good. I'm impressed. You've gotten better."
Kyia nodded "I learnt a lot of moves at the Jedi Academy."
Fash looked at her suspiciously. "Pull the other one. Some of those moves were dirty."
Kyia smiled. "A few my Dad taught me."
Fash's expression became downcast. "I'm sorry, about your parents. It was a tragedy."
"Yes it was." She swallowed changing the subject. "Did I pass?"
"The Guard are ready for your inspection your Royalness" She bowed.
They walked out of the training room back to the main group.
"How was she?" Asked Anice
"She passed" Fash replied simply
Kyia and her retinue walked around the back of the building where to a large square where several hundred of the Quelena's Guard stood at attention. Each lithe warrior stood bolt straight staring ahead. Some were hybrids but most were Elphoran woman, all looked dangerous.
"Whoa" Anakin gasped.
"Joie" Kyia said and in union the Guard removed their salute putting their arms by their sides and turned to face her.
"This is about seventy percent of the guard." Fash stated. "In the time you gave I'm afraid I could not gather more than this. And obviously those on protection duties could not leave their posts"
"This is excellent Fash," The Quelena replied. "Pointé de khi" She called out with authority.
The Guard responded as if it was a reflex action performing a series of standard moves and shouting Elphoran in unison.
"I see discipline hasn't suffered" Anice commented under her breath
"Shesh" Kyia said and the guard returned to their stiff stance. Again she turned to Fash. "I want you to prepare the Guard for expansion."
" Is a bigger force needed your Royalness?" Fash questioned in puzzlement.
"Not at the moment" The Quelena replied "But I want it made so we have the facilities and teachers to increase the Guard at a moments notice. "
"Expanded by how much?" Her tutor's normal composure had disappeared
"I do not know," She said honestly. "But there have been three attacks on this world in the last forscreen. I want you to be prepared."
"For what?" Fash muttered inaudibly. Elphora had not been at war since the hierarchy was established.
Anice was also giving Kyia a strange look. She had not expected this either.
The Quelena approached the warriors and started pacing up and down the lines, occasionally she greeted one and the answers were given in a composed and controlled manner. After she had walked down each row she returned to the group. "Well?" Asked Fash "Did we pass?"
Kyia smiled. " Of course. Was there ever any doubt?"
Fash returned her smile ferally. "Guess not"
Obi Wan had been watching the whole display intently, and he had made up his mind. He would try and talk to Kyia again. The atmosphere had been thick enough between them to cut with a viroblade and although he did not want to make things worse he could not protect her effectively with things the way they were, and he thought, she deserved more of the truth this time. Fash gave them a tour of the facility while Kyia spent the time going over the files and accounts. It impressed him, it rivalled the Jedi Temple, except it was all natural and based to be relevant to Elphora, there were replicas of streets to learn stealth and tests set around the vast forests that surrounded and penetrated Xrai. However their were fields in which the Guard learnt to grow food to feed themselves to make sure that themselves and the city could be self sufficient.
After they got back he told Anakin to get some rest, he went to the balcony much like he had done on the day of his arrival and saw Kyia
She was at the far end of the gardens practising footwork and lightsabre handling much like she had done at the temple. This time he took the stairs, checking Anakin was sleeping first he headed out the door.
"Yes?" She lifted her head defiantly.
"You need to lower your body weight, make it harder for your opponent to put you off balance", he deactivated the hologram and lit his own lightsabre.
Kyia looked at him in annoyance then made the first strike. She had taken to the new grip quickly and the other Jedi sensed an improvement already. "I did not realise the lesson was still continuing".
Obi Wan had the feeling of swimming against the tide, "We had an agreement".
"Fine" She spoke stubbornly.
The Jedi sighed and parried the oncoming blows, "Hold back, let me be the aggressor defend against my blows"
She raised her eyebrow as if finding this amusing "Fine" She repeated.
Obi Wan found himself increasing the intensity of his attack, it felt good to get the static of the day out of his system. Kyia's face was a mask of concentration. Unexpectedly he changed the direction of his offensive, attacking from her weaker right side and seamlessly she turned taking the blow from over her shoulder in mid swing.
"Good" He said in reply, "You'll find it easier once you have developed your own style, try combining it with some of the aspects of your training with the Quelena's Guard".
Kyia nodded retaining focus and encouraging her body to duck and weave, keeping light on the balls of her feet. A moving target was tended to be harder to hit, which made little difference to the Jedi as they mainly used the sabre to defect multiple blaster fire, but a Sith Lord was her reason for her sudden interest in combat, in particular form two, duelling.
Obi Wan seemed to be finding this a problem as often his sabre contacted with air. He turning off his weapon he asked inquisitively "What technique is that?"
Suddenly feeling sick with pretence and remembered she was angry with him. "No" He looked back confused. "It's getting late, I want to go inside"
He realised his attempt at reconciliation was not going well. Kyia had seen straight through him. Something about the holoprojector caught his eye, he used it to reinitialise the conversation "I see you are not using the normal remotes. I thought you used form three?"
"I was using it to relax, it reminds me of practicing with other padawans at the temple" She tried to keep the anger out of her voice and was not sure that she entirely succeeded.
"I'm sorry. I have offended you" Obi Wan replied bluntly.
Kyia stood surprised by his directness and started remove the programme from the holoprojector. "Why would you think that?" She let out a sigh to defuse the tension. "It's all about circles, I let the sabre become my second circle of defence instead of the first. Can I go to bed now?"
He looked her in the eye, she tuned away from his gaze set the projector to stand by mode "I can not protect you like this."
"I don't need your protection." She spoke with sudden scorn. "It didn't help me last time" Kyia saw the reaction that the comment provoked and sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Just stop talking like that."
"Like what?" Obi Wan countered raising his voice. He was frustrated and her reactions kept confusing him even more.
"Like a Jedi" Kyia took a breath, gathering steam. "That, is what offends me. The tone of voice that leads to being told that the only reason what happened happened is because you were drunk. I'm afraid it's not very flattering…"
He held up his hand cutting her off. "That isn't what I meant."
"Then, pray tell what did you mean?" Kyia questioned harshly, she knew she had a steely look in her eye, which would get any answer out of the Jedi than mere words.
Obi Wan's shoulders sagged. "I can't"
"Fine" She clenched her teeth stubbornly and turned her back on him.
"Kyia"
There was something in the way he said her name that stopped her from walking away. Kyia remained where she was waiting for him to continue or let her go. There was a brief silence and Kyia was about to walk away when she heard Obi Wan sigh. He took a step towards her.
"What I intended to say was," He paused nervously. "It took away my self control, my inhibitions." The Jedi found himself staring at the floor. "But I still knew exactly what I was doing."
Kyia spun round sharply and found herself face to face with him because of the distance he had closed. "What I said, in my room before. I lied."
It was not what Obi Wan had expected. He found the pain that had been plaguing him since last night had vanished and bent down once more to taste her lips. She let him pull her closer and returned the kiss until gently he pulled away.
"We can't" He looked down at her with a slight solemness.
Kyia's expression became fatalistic "I know but…" His kiss cut off her sentence. She pushed him back again and laughed. Putting a finger to his lips she whispered "People come out here all the time. We'll get caught."
He smiled wryly. "I should really go check on Anakin."
Kyia kissed him quickly on the cheek and moved out of his embrace. "We'll finish this later."
Despite the fact they had just broken several laws she left Obi Wan grinning broadly.
Kyia returned to her room and switched on the view screen. "Sorry I am late, I was held up leaving Xrai"
"Good Evening your Royalness" Finis Valorum spoke quietly.
"When are you going to stop calling me that?" She sighed in frustration.
"When you are no longer the Quelena" Despite being only half Elphoran he was always adhered strictly to tradition.
Kyia took a deep breath and proceeded "What time is it over there?"
He smiled wryly "Very Early, the Senate discussions always seem to run over these days".
"At least you're not in the thick of it anymore" Kyia returned his smile. He had looked tired of late.
Her thoughts must have shown on her face because the distance between them did not allow for him to read her mind. "I am still feeling old your Royalness."
"Well" She spoke chirpily, trying to lighten the atmosphere "You look great, some of us unfortunately will develop age tendrils." The Quelena paused "But still, it cannot be easy for you out there. If you do ever feel too old…"
Valorum straightened up "I will stay here for as long as I am needed"
"Good" She replied. "What news from the Senate?"
"Much of it is still the old argument between the outlying planets and the core regions. Rumours of a separate movement keep being brought up, how accurate they are no one can say. Much of what goes on is to appease both sided"
Kyia nodded understanding, as a small planet she herself had become involved in the paradox over what was best for the Republic being best for Elphora. "Anything that relates directly to us?"
"Possibly, there has been an argument put forth by Corellia about worlds losing their uniqueness, with exports into the core taking away cultural and environmental individualism."
"Xenophobia?" Kyia questioned.
"Most likely, after the grip the Trade Federation has had on many systems they felt like they had become a cog of the Federation rather than their own force. This could fan the flames of an otherwise trivial consideration, but it probably will not come to fruition anymore than that." He glanced at the datapad in front of him. "There will be a more detailed discussion later, I will send you my report in a few days"
She nodded. "Then I suggest we both get some sleep"
"Goodnight your Royalness"
"Goodnight"
The screen blinked itself off.
"What did you expect?"
"To be honest, I thought using the Force would make you sloppy, you Jedi rely on it too…." She didn't get to finish her sentence because Kyia pounced driving a snap kick to Fash's chest. Fash winced and dropped to the ground using the roll to release its kinetic energy. Using her legs she flipped herself upright again, dropping into a crouch she used her right leg to scoop Kyia's legs out from under her. The Quelena rolled backward to give herself space to gather her stance and not let Fash take advantage of her. Her opponent rolled forward and tried the trick again just as she was coming out of her roll, however she would not let it work twice and returned to the safety of the trees. Fash followed her but this was Kyia's arena. Kyia grabbed a branch above her and swung round it to hit her in the rear as she came up. Fash fell forward but reached up and grabbed a vine and with the intention of propelling herself on to the next tree. The fast pace of the fight increased in tempo as Kyia followed her, she had the upper hand and she was not going to lose it. She dove for the vine also, but higher up. Using gravity she slid down it at a phenomenal speed hitting Fash, and causing her to lose her grip and to fall.
Fash turned like a cat and landed on her feet. She looked up and glared at Kyia who landed with a thud beside her. She stood her ground going hand to hand, she drove her fist in a slice towards Kyia's shoulder hoping to hit a nerve to numb the arm. Kyia reacted by grabbing it with her left. She put her right hand on top of her left and brought her elbow into Fash's jaw.
Fash winced but brought her knee up into arm to break the grip. "You didn't learn that from me." She extended her leg downwards and caught Kyia in the chest. "I taught you to keep your abdomen protected"
Kyia sputtered but grabbed her opponent's foot as she was pulling away.
A hard tug brought Fash to the ground but she spun her legs and caught Kyia in the jaw. "Nice recovery, you need you watch the end of your moves though."
"Watch this" Kyia replied bringing both her knees down on Fash's legs to pin them. Fash's previous move had made it easy for Kyia to bring her on to her back. She put her full weight on Fash's back to push her chest into the dirt. Quick as lightening the length of material on the end of Kyia's wrist became wrapped around Fash's neck.
Fash kicked the ground twice with her left leg. And Kyia stood, letting her up. It meant Fash had yielded.
Fash grasped at her throat. "Very good. I'm impressed. You've gotten better."
Kyia nodded "I learnt a lot of moves at the Jedi Academy."
Fash looked at her suspiciously. "Pull the other one. Some of those moves were dirty."
Kyia smiled. "A few my Dad taught me."
Fash's expression became downcast. "I'm sorry, about your parents. It was a tragedy."
"Yes it was." She swallowed changing the subject. "Did I pass?"
"The Guard are ready for your inspection your Royalness" She bowed.
They walked out of the training room back to the main group.
"How was she?" Asked Anice
"She passed" Fash replied simply
Kyia and her retinue walked around the back of the building where to a large square where several hundred of the Quelena's Guard stood at attention. Each lithe warrior stood bolt straight staring ahead. Some were hybrids but most were Elphoran woman, all looked dangerous.
"Whoa" Anakin gasped.
"Joie" Kyia said and in union the Guard removed their salute putting their arms by their sides and turned to face her.
"This is about seventy percent of the guard." Fash stated. "In the time you gave I'm afraid I could not gather more than this. And obviously those on protection duties could not leave their posts"
"This is excellent Fash," The Quelena replied. "Pointé de khi" She called out with authority.
The Guard responded as if it was a reflex action performing a series of standard moves and shouting Elphoran in unison.
"I see discipline hasn't suffered" Anice commented under her breath
"Shesh" Kyia said and the guard returned to their stiff stance. Again she turned to Fash. "I want you to prepare the Guard for expansion."
" Is a bigger force needed your Royalness?" Fash questioned in puzzlement.
"Not at the moment" The Quelena replied "But I want it made so we have the facilities and teachers to increase the Guard at a moments notice. "
"Expanded by how much?" Her tutor's normal composure had disappeared
"I do not know," She said honestly. "But there have been three attacks on this world in the last forscreen. I want you to be prepared."
"For what?" Fash muttered inaudibly. Elphora had not been at war since the hierarchy was established.
Anice was also giving Kyia a strange look. She had not expected this either.
The Quelena approached the warriors and started pacing up and down the lines, occasionally she greeted one and the answers were given in a composed and controlled manner. After she had walked down each row she returned to the group. "Well?" Asked Fash "Did we pass?"
Kyia smiled. " Of course. Was there ever any doubt?"
Fash returned her smile ferally. "Guess not"
Obi Wan had been watching the whole display intently, and he had made up his mind. He would try and talk to Kyia again. The atmosphere had been thick enough between them to cut with a viroblade and although he did not want to make things worse he could not protect her effectively with things the way they were, and he thought, she deserved more of the truth this time. Fash gave them a tour of the facility while Kyia spent the time going over the files and accounts. It impressed him, it rivalled the Jedi Temple, except it was all natural and based to be relevant to Elphora, there were replicas of streets to learn stealth and tests set around the vast forests that surrounded and penetrated Xrai. However their were fields in which the Guard learnt to grow food to feed themselves to make sure that themselves and the city could be self sufficient.
After they got back he told Anakin to get some rest, he went to the balcony much like he had done on the day of his arrival and saw Kyia
She was at the far end of the gardens practising footwork and lightsabre handling much like she had done at the temple. This time he took the stairs, checking Anakin was sleeping first he headed out the door.
"Yes?" She lifted her head defiantly.
"You need to lower your body weight, make it harder for your opponent to put you off balance", he deactivated the hologram and lit his own lightsabre.
Kyia looked at him in annoyance then made the first strike. She had taken to the new grip quickly and the other Jedi sensed an improvement already. "I did not realise the lesson was still continuing".
Obi Wan had the feeling of swimming against the tide, "We had an agreement".
"Fine" She spoke stubbornly.
The Jedi sighed and parried the oncoming blows, "Hold back, let me be the aggressor defend against my blows"
She raised her eyebrow as if finding this amusing "Fine" She repeated.
Obi Wan found himself increasing the intensity of his attack, it felt good to get the static of the day out of his system. Kyia's face was a mask of concentration. Unexpectedly he changed the direction of his offensive, attacking from her weaker right side and seamlessly she turned taking the blow from over her shoulder in mid swing.
"Good" He said in reply, "You'll find it easier once you have developed your own style, try combining it with some of the aspects of your training with the Quelena's Guard".
Kyia nodded retaining focus and encouraging her body to duck and weave, keeping light on the balls of her feet. A moving target was tended to be harder to hit, which made little difference to the Jedi as they mainly used the sabre to defect multiple blaster fire, but a Sith Lord was her reason for her sudden interest in combat, in particular form two, duelling.
Obi Wan seemed to be finding this a problem as often his sabre contacted with air. He turning off his weapon he asked inquisitively "What technique is that?"
Suddenly feeling sick with pretence and remembered she was angry with him. "No" He looked back confused. "It's getting late, I want to go inside"
He realised his attempt at reconciliation was not going well. Kyia had seen straight through him. Something about the holoprojector caught his eye, he used it to reinitialise the conversation "I see you are not using the normal remotes. I thought you used form three?"
"I was using it to relax, it reminds me of practicing with other padawans at the temple" She tried to keep the anger out of her voice and was not sure that she entirely succeeded.
"I'm sorry. I have offended you" Obi Wan replied bluntly.
Kyia stood surprised by his directness and started remove the programme from the holoprojector. "Why would you think that?" She let out a sigh to defuse the tension. "It's all about circles, I let the sabre become my second circle of defence instead of the first. Can I go to bed now?"
He looked her in the eye, she tuned away from his gaze set the projector to stand by mode "I can not protect you like this."
"I don't need your protection." She spoke with sudden scorn. "It didn't help me last time" Kyia saw the reaction that the comment provoked and sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Just stop talking like that."
"Like what?" Obi Wan countered raising his voice. He was frustrated and her reactions kept confusing him even more.
"Like a Jedi" Kyia took a breath, gathering steam. "That, is what offends me. The tone of voice that leads to being told that the only reason what happened happened is because you were drunk. I'm afraid it's not very flattering…"
He held up his hand cutting her off. "That isn't what I meant."
"Then, pray tell what did you mean?" Kyia questioned harshly, she knew she had a steely look in her eye, which would get any answer out of the Jedi than mere words.
Obi Wan's shoulders sagged. "I can't"
"Fine" She clenched her teeth stubbornly and turned her back on him.
"Kyia"
There was something in the way he said her name that stopped her from walking away. Kyia remained where she was waiting for him to continue or let her go. There was a brief silence and Kyia was about to walk away when she heard Obi Wan sigh. He took a step towards her.
"What I intended to say was," He paused nervously. "It took away my self control, my inhibitions." The Jedi found himself staring at the floor. "But I still knew exactly what I was doing."
Kyia spun round sharply and found herself face to face with him because of the distance he had closed. "What I said, in my room before. I lied."
It was not what Obi Wan had expected. He found the pain that had been plaguing him since last night had vanished and bent down once more to taste her lips. She let him pull her closer and returned the kiss until gently he pulled away.
"We can't" He looked down at her with a slight solemness.
Kyia's expression became fatalistic "I know but…" His kiss cut off her sentence. She pushed him back again and laughed. Putting a finger to his lips she whispered "People come out here all the time. We'll get caught."
He smiled wryly. "I should really go check on Anakin."
Kyia kissed him quickly on the cheek and moved out of his embrace. "We'll finish this later."
Despite the fact they had just broken several laws she left Obi Wan grinning broadly.
Kyia returned to her room and switched on the view screen. "Sorry I am late, I was held up leaving Xrai"
"Good Evening your Royalness" Finis Valorum spoke quietly.
"When are you going to stop calling me that?" She sighed in frustration.
"When you are no longer the Quelena" Despite being only half Elphoran he was always adhered strictly to tradition.
Kyia took a deep breath and proceeded "What time is it over there?"
He smiled wryly "Very Early, the Senate discussions always seem to run over these days".
"At least you're not in the thick of it anymore" Kyia returned his smile. He had looked tired of late.
Her thoughts must have shown on her face because the distance between them did not allow for him to read her mind. "I am still feeling old your Royalness."
"Well" She spoke chirpily, trying to lighten the atmosphere "You look great, some of us unfortunately will develop age tendrils." The Quelena paused "But still, it cannot be easy for you out there. If you do ever feel too old…"
Valorum straightened up "I will stay here for as long as I am needed"
"Good" She replied. "What news from the Senate?"
"Much of it is still the old argument between the outlying planets and the core regions. Rumours of a separate movement keep being brought up, how accurate they are no one can say. Much of what goes on is to appease both sided"
Kyia nodded understanding, as a small planet she herself had become involved in the paradox over what was best for the Republic being best for Elphora. "Anything that relates directly to us?"
"Possibly, there has been an argument put forth by Corellia about worlds losing their uniqueness, with exports into the core taking away cultural and environmental individualism."
"Xenophobia?" Kyia questioned.
"Most likely, after the grip the Trade Federation has had on many systems they felt like they had become a cog of the Federation rather than their own force. This could fan the flames of an otherwise trivial consideration, but it probably will not come to fruition anymore than that." He glanced at the datapad in front of him. "There will be a more detailed discussion later, I will send you my report in a few days"
She nodded. "Then I suggest we both get some sleep"
"Goodnight your Royalness"
"Goodnight"
The screen blinked itself off.
