AN: The survivors are my own creation, everything else belongs to Lucasfilm...
From Scratch
Chapter 30
Vola and Flynn had found an area towards the edge of the front lines and cleared away the ash and debris, pushing the mud out before settling into a depression that seemed to have walls. It afforded the illusion, the almost homey air, of security and privacy, something much needed for the young couple. Though they were comfortable in their own town, the Shamed ones here seemed to be almost as fanatical as some of the warriors and shapers had been.
It was disturbing to Vola, who was an oddity even among the Shamed ones. She stayed as close to Flynn as she could, but did her share of duties around the campsite they'd chosen. It was she who'd started the fire, who'd rummaged through Jacen's pack to find two water and fireproof blankets and laid them next to the fire. It was she who'd spitted the animal someone had thrown them to cook.
She sat next to Flynn by the campfire, her back rigid and stiff, her gaze moving continuously across the Yuuzhan Vong, who stared back at her curiously. Uncomfortable under their scrutiny, she pressed herself against Flynn's side. "I don't like it here," she told him softly. She could hear the murmurs of the camp, could understand that they were speaking of her and Flynn, and of the Jedi who had yet to return. Vola felt Flynn slide his arm around her shoulders, his muscles tense.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he said softly, but his arm remained where it was.
She laughed softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "We're hardly alone," she informed him softly. He couldn't argue that point and she watched the camp as he carefully turned the spit that held their dinner. It was the middle of the night, the campfires the only light other than the torches the Warriors guarding the Well had spaced out through their lines. Jacen and Tenel Ka were nowhere in sight, and Vola wondered if they'd gotten lost. Or worse.
"I'm sure they're fine," Flynn murmured softly, as if reading her mind. "Jacen's pretty competent and that cousin of mine seems to be as hell of a fighter."
"I can't help but worry," Vola admitted. "What if something goes wrong?"
Flynn was quiet for a long, long time. Long enough that, if he hadn't be slowly turning the spit, she would have thought him to be sleeping. His voice was sure when he finally responded. "If they're not back by tomorrow night, we'll head home."
"Alone?" she asked amazed.
He grinned. "We found them on our own, finding our way home might be more difficult, but we can manage."
She closed her eyes. "Thank you."
He placed a kiss on the top of her head and continued to turn the spit. When it was finished almost thirty minutes later, he gently nudged Vola, waking her from a nap, and divided the carcass into four portions. Leaves from Tenel Ka's pack supplied something to keep the other two portions warm in and he placed them in the outer edges of the coals as Vola accepted her portion with a smile. They ate quickly before rising to stretch and check the horizon again. Nothing yet.
Vola felt a sensation slide up her back, as if covetous, spiteful eyes were watching her. Turning, she could see no one, but rubbed her hands up her arms. Flynn caught the motion and urged her back to the fire, pulling out another blanket. They curled up together, Vola using Flynn's shoulder as a pillow as he pulled one of the packs under his head, but the sensation remained. Flynn dropped off, his arms wrapped loosely around her, but Vola lay awake for long hours, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. Someone in this camp was watching her more than the others. Someone who meant her harm. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she'd find no sleep until they left this place. She sent a silent plea to the gods of her people to make it soon.
Just before dawn, as Vola's eyelids were becoming heavy, the sound of weary footsteps drew her eyes open. Sitting up, she looked around. The fire was small, having been replenished carefully as the night went on, and she had trouble making out the shape approaching them, but the sensation of recollection was heavy. She sucked in a sharp breath. "Jacen!" Pushing herself out of Flynn's grasp she scrambled to her feet and drew his attention.
Jacen turned and she sucked in a sharp gasp. His face was haggard, drawn, as if he'd aged immeasurably in the time he'd been gone. His burden was instantly recognizable, and Vola was beside him in a minute, helping him down into their camp and helping him settle Tenel Ka on the ground. The small fire revealed the damage done to her leg and Vola quickly added fuel to the flames.
Jacen sank to his knees beside his wife. "There's salve in her pack," he said softly, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Flynn continued to sleep as Vola pulled several things from Tenel Ka's pack. The salve, bandages and a couple more blankets. She urged Jacen to sleep, "You look dead on your feet," she said softly, careful not to insult him, "sleep, I'll tend She of Flame's wound."
"The poison's been removed." He told her before smiling gratefully and stretching out on Tenel Ka's uninjured side. He was asleep in moments. Thankfully he'd left the injury facing the fire. The warrior woman was still unconscious, but Vola could see the toll the injury had taken in the pallor of her skin. Working quickly, she smeared the wounds with the bacta salve before wrapping the wounds with the clean bandages. They were deep, but didn't bleed as much as they should have. Vola wasn't sure what Jacen had done, but whatever it was, it'd been effective.
Pushing her hair back from her face with her wrist, she settled back on her heels and looked at her handy work, sweat trickling down the back of her neck. The sun was rising, just peeking over the horizon, as she pushed herself to her feet. They needed more firewood. Looking around at the sleeping camp, caution the utmost in her mind, she collected her blaster and a knife before leaving the camp. There was a communal firewood pit - she'd go there. It was within the camp and not that far away. Determined to be back shortly, she set out with firm strides.
On her way back, her arms full, a hand clamped over her mouth from behind and dragged her to a halt. She reacted, dropping the wood and spinning, her hand going for her knife, but something pricked the skin of her neck as she did. The world spun, whatever had entered her system having an instant effect. The last thing she saw was the ground rushing up to meet her as the world turned black.
Flynn woke as the sun came up over the horizon, casting its golden rays against his eyelids. He yawned, scratching his head as he stretched briefly before freezing. Vola. His eyes flew open as he reached to his side. Nothing. Not even the warmth from her body was left on the blankets. He frowned, looking around. Jacen and Tenel Ka lay curled up together across the way, one of his cousin's legs bandaged in Vola's careful tourniquets. Jacen's face was shadowed, lines of exhaustion carving deep grooves in his features, even in sleep. Tenel Ka's face was lined as well; exhaustion and pain she couldn't hide in sleep causing shadows under her eyes and hollows in her cheeks.
Flynn looked beyond them. "Vola?" he called softly, looking beyond the flames of the dying fire. He pushed the blanket down and got to his feet. "Vola?" he called again, looking beyond the indentation of their campsite. Careful to keep his voice down, he checked their fuel supply and added the last to the fire. Perhaps she'd gone to collect more wood?
Probably, he reasoned silently, fighting with the uneasy feeling that something was seriously wrong. Shouldn't she have been back by now? When had she left if the covers beside him were now cold? He looked down towards Jacen and Tenel Ka, loathe to wake them if nothing was really wrong. Taking a deep breath, he headed for the communal stockpile to collect more fuel for the fire, keeping an eye out for his companion. Had she simply slipped away to collect wood, or had something happened to her?
Flynn felt a squeezing sensation in his chest as he thought about the possibility that she'd been harmed. She was a unique individual, an unscarred Yuuzhan Vong in a world of scarred, weary slaves. A young woman with fire and spirit that had never been broken. Would they harm her for that? Would they try and change what she was because of it? He hoped not, yet he had a sick feeling they might.
Quickly collecting fuel for the fire, he headed back towards the campsite, his pace quick, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Vola. Nothing. Not even a distinguishable footprint. Not that that was a surprise in the camp. He dropped the load beside the fire, and looked critically at Jacen and Tenel Ka, the sun beginning to climb in the sky. From beyond the edges of the main camp, he suddenly heard screams of outrage.
Spinning to his feet, he looked beyond to see the warriors lining the wall guarding the World Brain. They were shouting battle cries, ones he could identify from the raiding parties he'd had to fight - and evade. He looked back to the Jedi, wondering what exactly they'd done to drive the warriors into such frenzy. From the sound of it, it was something terrible. Flynn smiled grimly. Good. He hoped whatever the Jedi had done would cause those warriors to think twice about attacking this encampment.
His thoughts turned immediately to Vola and his blood ran cold. Had they stolen her away for retribution? Had they seen her tending the Jedi and put two and two together? Watched her sleep in his arms and figured her for a part of their group? Probably. He turned to Jacen and Tenel Ka, seeing his cousin had opened her eyes and was staring at him, her face impassive.
Jacen was still sleeping, his arm wrapped securely about her waist. Tenel Ka carefully removed it from her body and rolled, her sharp inhale the only indication of any pain. She sat up, examining the cuts on her leg dispassionately, as if the limb belonged to someone else before slowly getting to her feet.
Flynn was at her side in an instant, offering her his arm, "Uh, can I...?"
She nodded once, allowing him to help her away from Jacen to sit across the fire from him. Far enough away so that they could speak without waking him. Her gaze went to her husband as Flynn helped her down, her last memories of their battle foggy at best. He looked exhausted, so exhausted she was starting to wonder if she need to have bothered moving. "Thank you," she said at last, turning her head to look at her cousin.
Flynn shrugged. "I... It was the least I could do."
"Where is Vola?"
"I don't know," he admitted softly. "When I woke up she was gone. I thought she might've headed to get more wood, but she wasn't there. She'd nowhere around the camp, at least nowhere near. I think something might have happened to her." His tone was worried, almost frantic as he thought of the possibilities again.
Tenel Ka placed a hand on his arm. "She is resourceful and intelligent. I do not think any harm will come to her."
Flynn swallowed hard. "You're not just saying that?"
"I do not offer empty assurances, cousin. Did you ask the people surrounding our camp if they have seen her?"
He shook his head. "I don't speak the language. Vola was going to teach me, but..." he trailed off.
"I speak and understand enough of their language that I may be of help." Her gray eyes darted around the campsite. "I will need to do this without your help. Warriors do not accept aid when they are wounded."
Flynn nodded. "Alright, but, can I come with you? I mean, just to watch and go after her if need be?"
Tenel Ka looked at him critically before her gaze went back to Jacen. "One of us must remain here," she told him softly. "Jacen is in no shape to defend himself right now."
Flynn threw a twig into the fire; a shower of sparks drifting into the early morning sky. "Fine. But if you find anything out, I want to know. I can't lose her, Tenel Ka. I just can't, she's everything to me."
She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I will do what I can," she said softly. Pushing herself to her feet, she took several slow steps, pain lines bracketing her lips, but not faltering as she moved out of the indentation that had become their campsite. Touching the Force, she controlled the pain, but the limb was still partly unresponsive. She set out, stopping at each of the small camps along the line, talking to each person who would speak to her and asking her questions in a clear, if slow, Yuuzhan Vong.
Flynn watched her; unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had risen in his stomach and was crawling towards his chest. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. He watched Tenel Ka's posture, unable to read all of the nuances in her body language, for a sign of success. She passed out of sight far too quickly and Flynn settled back into his spot by the fire, pulling out a knife and beginning to shave the outside off a twig.
An hour passed, an hour of tenseness that was beginning to give him a headache, before he heard his name called. Shooting to his feet, he scanned the area. Tenel Ka was walking back towards him, her face almost impassive, but he could tell by the quickness of her stiff strides, that she'd found something. Her gaze warned him to stay put as she lowered herself back into the hollow. She spared Flynn barely a glance, her gaze going directly to Jacen. He was still sleeping, one arm thrown over his eyes to keep the light out, the strain lines still visible around his mouth. She nodded once before turning to Flynn.
"Well?"
"I do not have good news."
His heart sank, "She's gone."
She nodded once, even though it wasn't really a question. "She has been taken, yes. I received a description of her abductor from a former slave." She pulled a piece of rolled hide from her belt and offered it to him. "This is who took her."
Flynn unrolled the hide and inhaled sharply. The Yuuzhan Vong on the page was the most deformed thing he'd ever seen. His gaze flew to Tenel Ka's. "Is he for real?"
She nodded solemnly. "He is. He is also the one who sent Jacen and I on our mission last night."
"The camp's leader?" Flynn frowned. "Isn't he a Shamed One?"
Tenel Ka shook her head, her braids swaying slightly. "He is not. He is an infiltrator, a liar and adept at disguise. Executor Nom Anor has been hiding among the Shamed Ones, using them for his schemes as he used Jacen and I last night. The other descriptions I received matched this sketch."
Flynn crumpled it in his hand. "I'm gonna kill the kriffing Executor with my own two hands!"
Tenel Ka placed a firm hand on his shoulder and kept him on the ground. "Jacen and I are in no condition to help you," she said insistently. "I must put myself into a healing trance and Jacen must recover his strength before we go after Vola. You cannot take Nom Anor alone."
"But... They could do anything to her!" Flynn's voice was anguished. "I can't just sit here and do nothing while she's in their clutches!"
Tenel Ka squeezed his shoulder. "I am not asking you to do nothing. Clean and test your weapons. Pack everything that we will not need in my pack and things we will in Jacen's. We can do nothing against Nom Anor in the daylight. We must wait for nightfall."
Flynn shrugged off her hand, his expression telling her exactly what he thought of her plan and their need to wait. He wanted to go now, before anything could happen to Vola.
"Flynn." Her voice took on the regal, commanding tone that helped in dealing with the diplomats of her world.
"Yeah?"
She leveled a cold gaze on him. "If you go alone, now, you too will be captured."
"Better to be with her!" he snapped back.
"You will die." Came her response, as biting as a whip. "You are no use to her dead. They wanted Vola for a reason; I do not believe they will harm her."
"But you don't know that for sure."
Tenel Ka shook her head once. "You are correct. I do not. In my experience people are caught for a reason. Vola is different than the other Yuuzhan Vong, they will wish to keep her that way for the moment. Trust me, do as I say, and we will rescue her tonight."
Flynn swallowed hard, his heart squeezing painfully in his chest. "Alright." He finally admitted. "I'll wait until Jacen and you are ready, but it had better be tonight, 'cause there's no way I'm leaving her with them over night."
She nodded once. "That is acceptable. I will put myself into a healing trance. If you have need of me, call my name. Understood?"
He frowned. "Why?"
She met his gaze squarely. "It will cause me to wake to come to your assistance. No other word will wake me until I am ready."
He nodded. "Alright, I can do that. Will the rest of the day be enough to heal that?" he waved at her leg.
She inclined her head fractionally. "If it is not, it is of no consequence. I will be ready by tonight. Do not forget to prepare carefully."
Flynn said nothing as she settled next to Jacen again, not even bothering to eat as she closed her eyes. Flynn watched as her breathing slowed to the point where he could barely detect it when looking for it. Shaking his head, his stomach in knots, he set about preparing for later that evening, but his mind wouldn't quit working. What if Tenel Ka was wrong? What if they did hurt, or even kill, Vola before they could save her? His heart clenched painfully. He couldn't think about that. If he did, he'd slowly go mad.
From Scratch
Chapter 30
Vola and Flynn had found an area towards the edge of the front lines and cleared away the ash and debris, pushing the mud out before settling into a depression that seemed to have walls. It afforded the illusion, the almost homey air, of security and privacy, something much needed for the young couple. Though they were comfortable in their own town, the Shamed ones here seemed to be almost as fanatical as some of the warriors and shapers had been.
It was disturbing to Vola, who was an oddity even among the Shamed ones. She stayed as close to Flynn as she could, but did her share of duties around the campsite they'd chosen. It was she who'd started the fire, who'd rummaged through Jacen's pack to find two water and fireproof blankets and laid them next to the fire. It was she who'd spitted the animal someone had thrown them to cook.
She sat next to Flynn by the campfire, her back rigid and stiff, her gaze moving continuously across the Yuuzhan Vong, who stared back at her curiously. Uncomfortable under their scrutiny, she pressed herself against Flynn's side. "I don't like it here," she told him softly. She could hear the murmurs of the camp, could understand that they were speaking of her and Flynn, and of the Jedi who had yet to return. Vola felt Flynn slide his arm around her shoulders, his muscles tense.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he said softly, but his arm remained where it was.
She laughed softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "We're hardly alone," she informed him softly. He couldn't argue that point and she watched the camp as he carefully turned the spit that held their dinner. It was the middle of the night, the campfires the only light other than the torches the Warriors guarding the Well had spaced out through their lines. Jacen and Tenel Ka were nowhere in sight, and Vola wondered if they'd gotten lost. Or worse.
"I'm sure they're fine," Flynn murmured softly, as if reading her mind. "Jacen's pretty competent and that cousin of mine seems to be as hell of a fighter."
"I can't help but worry," Vola admitted. "What if something goes wrong?"
Flynn was quiet for a long, long time. Long enough that, if he hadn't be slowly turning the spit, she would have thought him to be sleeping. His voice was sure when he finally responded. "If they're not back by tomorrow night, we'll head home."
"Alone?" she asked amazed.
He grinned. "We found them on our own, finding our way home might be more difficult, but we can manage."
She closed her eyes. "Thank you."
He placed a kiss on the top of her head and continued to turn the spit. When it was finished almost thirty minutes later, he gently nudged Vola, waking her from a nap, and divided the carcass into four portions. Leaves from Tenel Ka's pack supplied something to keep the other two portions warm in and he placed them in the outer edges of the coals as Vola accepted her portion with a smile. They ate quickly before rising to stretch and check the horizon again. Nothing yet.
Vola felt a sensation slide up her back, as if covetous, spiteful eyes were watching her. Turning, she could see no one, but rubbed her hands up her arms. Flynn caught the motion and urged her back to the fire, pulling out another blanket. They curled up together, Vola using Flynn's shoulder as a pillow as he pulled one of the packs under his head, but the sensation remained. Flynn dropped off, his arms wrapped loosely around her, but Vola lay awake for long hours, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. Someone in this camp was watching her more than the others. Someone who meant her harm. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she'd find no sleep until they left this place. She sent a silent plea to the gods of her people to make it soon.
Just before dawn, as Vola's eyelids were becoming heavy, the sound of weary footsteps drew her eyes open. Sitting up, she looked around. The fire was small, having been replenished carefully as the night went on, and she had trouble making out the shape approaching them, but the sensation of recollection was heavy. She sucked in a sharp breath. "Jacen!" Pushing herself out of Flynn's grasp she scrambled to her feet and drew his attention.
Jacen turned and she sucked in a sharp gasp. His face was haggard, drawn, as if he'd aged immeasurably in the time he'd been gone. His burden was instantly recognizable, and Vola was beside him in a minute, helping him down into their camp and helping him settle Tenel Ka on the ground. The small fire revealed the damage done to her leg and Vola quickly added fuel to the flames.
Jacen sank to his knees beside his wife. "There's salve in her pack," he said softly, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Flynn continued to sleep as Vola pulled several things from Tenel Ka's pack. The salve, bandages and a couple more blankets. She urged Jacen to sleep, "You look dead on your feet," she said softly, careful not to insult him, "sleep, I'll tend She of Flame's wound."
"The poison's been removed." He told her before smiling gratefully and stretching out on Tenel Ka's uninjured side. He was asleep in moments. Thankfully he'd left the injury facing the fire. The warrior woman was still unconscious, but Vola could see the toll the injury had taken in the pallor of her skin. Working quickly, she smeared the wounds with the bacta salve before wrapping the wounds with the clean bandages. They were deep, but didn't bleed as much as they should have. Vola wasn't sure what Jacen had done, but whatever it was, it'd been effective.
Pushing her hair back from her face with her wrist, she settled back on her heels and looked at her handy work, sweat trickling down the back of her neck. The sun was rising, just peeking over the horizon, as she pushed herself to her feet. They needed more firewood. Looking around at the sleeping camp, caution the utmost in her mind, she collected her blaster and a knife before leaving the camp. There was a communal firewood pit - she'd go there. It was within the camp and not that far away. Determined to be back shortly, she set out with firm strides.
On her way back, her arms full, a hand clamped over her mouth from behind and dragged her to a halt. She reacted, dropping the wood and spinning, her hand going for her knife, but something pricked the skin of her neck as she did. The world spun, whatever had entered her system having an instant effect. The last thing she saw was the ground rushing up to meet her as the world turned black.
Flynn woke as the sun came up over the horizon, casting its golden rays against his eyelids. He yawned, scratching his head as he stretched briefly before freezing. Vola. His eyes flew open as he reached to his side. Nothing. Not even the warmth from her body was left on the blankets. He frowned, looking around. Jacen and Tenel Ka lay curled up together across the way, one of his cousin's legs bandaged in Vola's careful tourniquets. Jacen's face was shadowed, lines of exhaustion carving deep grooves in his features, even in sleep. Tenel Ka's face was lined as well; exhaustion and pain she couldn't hide in sleep causing shadows under her eyes and hollows in her cheeks.
Flynn looked beyond them. "Vola?" he called softly, looking beyond the flames of the dying fire. He pushed the blanket down and got to his feet. "Vola?" he called again, looking beyond the indentation of their campsite. Careful to keep his voice down, he checked their fuel supply and added the last to the fire. Perhaps she'd gone to collect more wood?
Probably, he reasoned silently, fighting with the uneasy feeling that something was seriously wrong. Shouldn't she have been back by now? When had she left if the covers beside him were now cold? He looked down towards Jacen and Tenel Ka, loathe to wake them if nothing was really wrong. Taking a deep breath, he headed for the communal stockpile to collect more fuel for the fire, keeping an eye out for his companion. Had she simply slipped away to collect wood, or had something happened to her?
Flynn felt a squeezing sensation in his chest as he thought about the possibility that she'd been harmed. She was a unique individual, an unscarred Yuuzhan Vong in a world of scarred, weary slaves. A young woman with fire and spirit that had never been broken. Would they harm her for that? Would they try and change what she was because of it? He hoped not, yet he had a sick feeling they might.
Quickly collecting fuel for the fire, he headed back towards the campsite, his pace quick, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Vola. Nothing. Not even a distinguishable footprint. Not that that was a surprise in the camp. He dropped the load beside the fire, and looked critically at Jacen and Tenel Ka, the sun beginning to climb in the sky. From beyond the edges of the main camp, he suddenly heard screams of outrage.
Spinning to his feet, he looked beyond to see the warriors lining the wall guarding the World Brain. They were shouting battle cries, ones he could identify from the raiding parties he'd had to fight - and evade. He looked back to the Jedi, wondering what exactly they'd done to drive the warriors into such frenzy. From the sound of it, it was something terrible. Flynn smiled grimly. Good. He hoped whatever the Jedi had done would cause those warriors to think twice about attacking this encampment.
His thoughts turned immediately to Vola and his blood ran cold. Had they stolen her away for retribution? Had they seen her tending the Jedi and put two and two together? Watched her sleep in his arms and figured her for a part of their group? Probably. He turned to Jacen and Tenel Ka, seeing his cousin had opened her eyes and was staring at him, her face impassive.
Jacen was still sleeping, his arm wrapped securely about her waist. Tenel Ka carefully removed it from her body and rolled, her sharp inhale the only indication of any pain. She sat up, examining the cuts on her leg dispassionately, as if the limb belonged to someone else before slowly getting to her feet.
Flynn was at her side in an instant, offering her his arm, "Uh, can I...?"
She nodded once, allowing him to help her away from Jacen to sit across the fire from him. Far enough away so that they could speak without waking him. Her gaze went to her husband as Flynn helped her down, her last memories of their battle foggy at best. He looked exhausted, so exhausted she was starting to wonder if she need to have bothered moving. "Thank you," she said at last, turning her head to look at her cousin.
Flynn shrugged. "I... It was the least I could do."
"Where is Vola?"
"I don't know," he admitted softly. "When I woke up she was gone. I thought she might've headed to get more wood, but she wasn't there. She'd nowhere around the camp, at least nowhere near. I think something might have happened to her." His tone was worried, almost frantic as he thought of the possibilities again.
Tenel Ka placed a hand on his arm. "She is resourceful and intelligent. I do not think any harm will come to her."
Flynn swallowed hard. "You're not just saying that?"
"I do not offer empty assurances, cousin. Did you ask the people surrounding our camp if they have seen her?"
He shook his head. "I don't speak the language. Vola was going to teach me, but..." he trailed off.
"I speak and understand enough of their language that I may be of help." Her gray eyes darted around the campsite. "I will need to do this without your help. Warriors do not accept aid when they are wounded."
Flynn nodded. "Alright, but, can I come with you? I mean, just to watch and go after her if need be?"
Tenel Ka looked at him critically before her gaze went back to Jacen. "One of us must remain here," she told him softly. "Jacen is in no shape to defend himself right now."
Flynn threw a twig into the fire; a shower of sparks drifting into the early morning sky. "Fine. But if you find anything out, I want to know. I can't lose her, Tenel Ka. I just can't, she's everything to me."
She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I will do what I can," she said softly. Pushing herself to her feet, she took several slow steps, pain lines bracketing her lips, but not faltering as she moved out of the indentation that had become their campsite. Touching the Force, she controlled the pain, but the limb was still partly unresponsive. She set out, stopping at each of the small camps along the line, talking to each person who would speak to her and asking her questions in a clear, if slow, Yuuzhan Vong.
Flynn watched her; unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had risen in his stomach and was crawling towards his chest. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. He watched Tenel Ka's posture, unable to read all of the nuances in her body language, for a sign of success. She passed out of sight far too quickly and Flynn settled back into his spot by the fire, pulling out a knife and beginning to shave the outside off a twig.
An hour passed, an hour of tenseness that was beginning to give him a headache, before he heard his name called. Shooting to his feet, he scanned the area. Tenel Ka was walking back towards him, her face almost impassive, but he could tell by the quickness of her stiff strides, that she'd found something. Her gaze warned him to stay put as she lowered herself back into the hollow. She spared Flynn barely a glance, her gaze going directly to Jacen. He was still sleeping, one arm thrown over his eyes to keep the light out, the strain lines still visible around his mouth. She nodded once before turning to Flynn.
"Well?"
"I do not have good news."
His heart sank, "She's gone."
She nodded once, even though it wasn't really a question. "She has been taken, yes. I received a description of her abductor from a former slave." She pulled a piece of rolled hide from her belt and offered it to him. "This is who took her."
Flynn unrolled the hide and inhaled sharply. The Yuuzhan Vong on the page was the most deformed thing he'd ever seen. His gaze flew to Tenel Ka's. "Is he for real?"
She nodded solemnly. "He is. He is also the one who sent Jacen and I on our mission last night."
"The camp's leader?" Flynn frowned. "Isn't he a Shamed One?"
Tenel Ka shook her head, her braids swaying slightly. "He is not. He is an infiltrator, a liar and adept at disguise. Executor Nom Anor has been hiding among the Shamed Ones, using them for his schemes as he used Jacen and I last night. The other descriptions I received matched this sketch."
Flynn crumpled it in his hand. "I'm gonna kill the kriffing Executor with my own two hands!"
Tenel Ka placed a firm hand on his shoulder and kept him on the ground. "Jacen and I are in no condition to help you," she said insistently. "I must put myself into a healing trance and Jacen must recover his strength before we go after Vola. You cannot take Nom Anor alone."
"But... They could do anything to her!" Flynn's voice was anguished. "I can't just sit here and do nothing while she's in their clutches!"
Tenel Ka squeezed his shoulder. "I am not asking you to do nothing. Clean and test your weapons. Pack everything that we will not need in my pack and things we will in Jacen's. We can do nothing against Nom Anor in the daylight. We must wait for nightfall."
Flynn shrugged off her hand, his expression telling her exactly what he thought of her plan and their need to wait. He wanted to go now, before anything could happen to Vola.
"Flynn." Her voice took on the regal, commanding tone that helped in dealing with the diplomats of her world.
"Yeah?"
She leveled a cold gaze on him. "If you go alone, now, you too will be captured."
"Better to be with her!" he snapped back.
"You will die." Came her response, as biting as a whip. "You are no use to her dead. They wanted Vola for a reason; I do not believe they will harm her."
"But you don't know that for sure."
Tenel Ka shook her head once. "You are correct. I do not. In my experience people are caught for a reason. Vola is different than the other Yuuzhan Vong, they will wish to keep her that way for the moment. Trust me, do as I say, and we will rescue her tonight."
Flynn swallowed hard, his heart squeezing painfully in his chest. "Alright." He finally admitted. "I'll wait until Jacen and you are ready, but it had better be tonight, 'cause there's no way I'm leaving her with them over night."
She nodded once. "That is acceptable. I will put myself into a healing trance. If you have need of me, call my name. Understood?"
He frowned. "Why?"
She met his gaze squarely. "It will cause me to wake to come to your assistance. No other word will wake me until I am ready."
He nodded. "Alright, I can do that. Will the rest of the day be enough to heal that?" he waved at her leg.
She inclined her head fractionally. "If it is not, it is of no consequence. I will be ready by tonight. Do not forget to prepare carefully."
Flynn said nothing as she settled next to Jacen again, not even bothering to eat as she closed her eyes. Flynn watched as her breathing slowed to the point where he could barely detect it when looking for it. Shaking his head, his stomach in knots, he set about preparing for later that evening, but his mind wouldn't quit working. What if Tenel Ka was wrong? What if they did hurt, or even kill, Vola before they could save her? His heart clenched painfully. He couldn't think about that. If he did, he'd slowly go mad.