"Oh, Princess!"
Luzaya's head snapped around and she frowned at the woman who had appeared from one og the crossing hallways. Mahel, she found, had slipped back into the shadows, and the newcomer probably had never ever seen him. Jiliha n'Averone was a short woman, much shorter than Luzaya, who had inherited her mother's build. The princess did not know the other woman well. All she knew was that Jiliha was on the Imperial Advisory Council, and that Father considered her a good administrator. With thick, wavy brown hair and dark green eyes, Jiliha was a beautiful woman, and her looks always managed to stir envy in Luzaya's heart. Nodding at the councillor, Luzaya tried a smile.
"Councillor n'Averone, if you thought to pay a visit to Father you should know that he is not well and needs rest."
Jiliha frowned. "I had hoped that he would recover faster. I trust his injuries are not too bad?"
"Poison, no injuries," Luzaya corrected her sharply.
The woman could not possibly have missed the cause of Father's illness! She was too good for that, presumably. It was only then that Luzaya realized that Jiliha might know more than she did. Had there been another foiled attempt on her father's life, one which her parents had kept secret? Luzaya paled considerably.
"Princess, are you well?" Jiliha asked concernedly.
Luzaya gave a hurried nod. "Yes, yes. But you should leave," she added quietly. To her surprise the other woman gave a gay laugh.
"Your Highness, you need not fear anything from me. You should know that your father and I are friends."
"Nevertheless, you should leave now. Or you will be made to leave," Luzaya retorted haughtily.
Out of nowhere Mahel appeared, his tall, armored form towering behind Jiliha n'Averone. The councillor seemed to sense his presence and turned to face him. With a strangled gasp she backed away, then threw a startled glance at Luzaya. Suddenly her features eased again, so quickly that Luzaya wondered whether she had seen fear on them at all.
"I will go," Jiliha explained and nodded at Luzaya: "I wish your father all the best. The administration misses him dearly."
"I bet it does," Luzaya whispered at Jiliha's retreating back. Then she looked over at Mahel, who had not moved from his position. "I really need to talk to Deron," she breathed. "But first ..." Trailing off, she hastened toward the threshold of the West wing, where she found a contingent of regular troops and three Royal Guardsmen standing watch. They gave her repective bows, but Luzaya barely noticed.
"Captain," she addressed their leader, "has a similar guard been posted at the other entrances?"
"Yes, of course, Your Highness," he answered calmly, his voice filtered through his helmet.
She nodded. "Please leave the regular troops here and take up position in front of my parents' private chambers. Do not let anyone enter save members of the family and the Royal Handmaidens."
"As you wish, Princess," he replied, refraining from inquiring for the reason for her request.
"Thank you. Mahel, come. We need to find out what is going on here," she ordered. Together, they stormed down the hallway.
"Luzaya Dan!" She stopped short upon hearing her mother's voice and stared at Yana, who had just stepped out into the hallway in front of her, blue eyes blazing. "Get in, both of you," the Empress snarled, and grabbed her daughter's arm to start dragging her into one of the guest dining rooms.
Dumb-founded, Luzay followed without protest, only to find Naas Deron standing by the window, arms crossed bhind his back, watching her intently. Mahel quietly closed the door behind them, then took up position there. Gently, Luzaya twisted out of her mother's grasp and took a step back. "What is going on? " she asked, frowning.
"That was my line, child," Yana replied coldly. "What gave you the right to give orders to the Royal Guard? Captain Stieg just called me to have those confirmed. Are you out of your mind?"
Luzaya swallowed slowly, embarrassed. Then she dropped her gaze demurely to stare at her slippers, that were peeking out from underneath the hem of her skirt. "I am sorry," she offered. "But Jiliha n'Averone hinted that there had been another attempt on Father's life. She mentioned something of injuries –" She was cut off by her mother, who sharply held up a hand and whirled to face Naas Deron.
"What do you know about that?" she asked in frosty tones.
At that moment the princess felt her mind go blank. He had known? Had he also anticipated Father's being poisoned? If he had, why had he not prevented it? Feeling very weak all of a sudden, his betrayal slamming into her heart with unstoppable force, Luzaya almost fell. But Mahel was with her in an instant, steadying her discreetly. Luzaya did not find the strength to thank him, as she was still waiting for the Cor'dan's answer, along with her mother. Naas Deron, his powerful body unfolding as he spread his arms in an appeasing gesture, seemed unpertubed by the attention he was getting.
"What I know, Empress, is mine alone to know. No harm was done."
"My husband was poisoned," Mother retorted, a cutting edge to her voice. "I must assume that you also knew this would happen, and decided that it had to happen."
"I do not need to justify myself to you for anything I do," Naas Deron replied calmly.
But Mother was unimpressed. "Who?"
"You would find out anyway," he shrugged. "His name was Raval Domain Carr."
As one, mother and daughter turned to look at Mahel Sivaraya. Luzaya could not help but notice the pain in his black eyes.
"He was my brother," the young warrior whispered, dropping his gaze in shame.
Mother drew herself up straighter, an expression on her face that made Luzaya wince. "By law the entire domain pays for the transgressions of one of their own," she declared coldly.
In response, Mahel dropped to his knees in a gesture of surrender. "I know, Your Majesty. I will be the first to pay."
"Fool!" Luzaya started at Naas Deron's sharp tone. Storming past empress and princess, the Cor'dan slapped the young Yuuzhan Vong warrior across the face hard. Mahel stared up at him in bewilderment, but when he opened his mouth to speak, Deron cut him off brutally. "Silence! Are you that dim or simply that arrogant?"
"I – "
With a low snort Mother caught both males' attention. "You spoke the truth, Cor'dan, when you claimed that he is honest." Addressing Mahel directly she added: "You understand, that your obvious loyalty to your domain makes it hard for me to still trust you now. We will find a replacement for you, I am certain," she explained. "As for your paying for your brother's evil intentions, I am quite certain that your domain would rather renounce than accept that contribution. You are an outcast. You should realize that at last. And still," she continued very quietly, catching Naas Deron's gaze, "nothing is proven yet."
Mahel thought his heart might stop in shame and horror. The Empress' summary of his situation had been quite accurate, and it was embarassing for him to have disappointed her trust like that. He thought of Raval, and how he had scorned his younger brother for choosing against tradition by becoming the Cor'dan's follower. And still Mahel had been ready to die for Raval's crime. If he had understood correctly, his brother had planned to kill the royal consort after all. That was neither honorable nor tolerable, not for a Yuuzhan Vong warrior. Mahel thought of what Luzaya Dan had said, that they both could not escape their pasts. He still thought like a Yuuzhan Vong warrior, and he still felt compelled to oblige to his domain's rules, in a sense.
But what had shocked him even more had been the Empress' announcement that she would not honor the Cor'dan's words. The Cor'dan was above the law, and what he said was to be taken seriously. Naas Deron had practically told them that Raval had planned to kill Franzis Sarreti, and Mahel did not doubt his words one minute. Only belatedly did the young warrior realize that the Empress was giving Mahel an excuse to survive. Not only was she dismissing him from his post as Luzaya Dan's bodyguard, she also chose to ignore his foolish reaction to his brother's affront. But she did not trust him anymore. Looking up tentatively, he met Luzaya Dan's pale blue eyes. The princess' features were unreadable, and he could not miss the similarities she shared with her mother then. Did she also share her mother's view on Mahel's lack of trustworthiness?
Heart breaking, he thought that she probably did.
"You may leave us, Mahel Sivaraya," the Cor'dan told him coolly, and he staggered upright, his usual grace weighed down by grief. Turning away, he left.
In a daze, he walked down the hallway, numb to his surroundings. He had been waiting for this chance for so long, and he had been fool enough to lose it again. Wistfully, he thought of Luzaya Dan's beautiful face, the first tentative beginnings of a friendship, perhaps, when they had talked like equals. She shared his secret now, but he had nothing of her in return. Suppressing a sigh, Mahel resolved to not let thise become a setback. He was a warrior, and perhaps he should strat thinking like one. To accept an assignment only becasue of a pretty face was foolish, to denounce loyalty was childish, and to run from the past was cowardly. Raval had been subject of the Empire, just as he was, and the law applied to both of them. Perhaps the Cor'dan could advise him on his future course of action, Mahel mused, as he left the palace and stepped into the Royal Promenade.
The young warrior turned into a pathway to the left that would lead him into the northern part pf the capital, where he had his lodgings with a human landlord who did not mind housing a Yuuzhan Vong. Cordell Tryway had cheered the Empress from the very beginning, and he had been one of the first who had come to Byss after it had been reconquered from the Yuuzhan Vong to show his support for Yana Dar. A loyalist, he accepted Mahel's devotion to the Empire, and had alos contributed to it, the young alien tought ruefully. Shame flooded his mind when he realized that he had not even told Cordell that he had been named Luzaya Dan's bodyguard, and that he could not tell him even now, now that he had been fired after just a day of service. It was too shameful. Hanging his head, Mahel was surprised to suddenly find his way blocked by four Yuuzhan Vong.
"Halt," one of them, shorted than Mahel, called out.
The warrior gazed at them suspiciously. They were not warriors, that he could see, but civilians. "What do you want?"
"To show you something," the speaker replied, waving him on.
Mahel followed cautiously, but he was confident that he would be able to defeat them, should they plan to attack. They led him into a backyard and into one of the cheap buildings that had been erected to house the many thousand citizens that had come to Byss to seek a new future. In one of the small flats that rented out for a small amount of Imperial currency and would have been Mahel's chocie had he not found a place with Cordell, they assembled in a solemn circle around a shrouded body lying on the floor like trash. Mahel felt his skin pucker with dread anticipation. The four, who had remained nameless, gazed at him expectantly, and in the end Mahel let his amphistaff uncurl to push the shroud away from the body's face.
Raval.
Looking down at his brother's features, Mahel felt overcome by fury. His weapon slashed through the air brutally, and came to rest at the speaker's throat. "Where did you find him?" he asked harshly.
The other Yuuzhan Vong met his stare calmly. "He was one of us, Mahel Sivaraya," he declared, and Mahel almost snarled that Raval had been a warrior, no common thug. But then he realized what the other was really telling him.
Ordering the amphistaff to curl around the bracer he wore around his forearm, Mahel straightened haughtily. "I will not let you dishonor my brother's memory," he told them.
The speaker merely smiled. "Honor? What do you know about honor? You are a traitor to our race, our people. You dishonor Raval Domain Carr by still breathing."
"You want to die, perhaps?"
"No," the Yuuzhan Vong said. "We want you to finally realize that you must join us. Those infidels are weak and blasphemous, and you have joined them in your grief over your father's death. We understand that. But it is time to wake up and take back what is ours."
Mahel took a step back, clearing the way to the door. "Go," he said. "Go now or I will kill you all for treason."
The speaker gave him a contemptuous look. "You are the traitor, Lomin Domain Carr."
"I know what I believe in, Nameless One," the young warrior snapped back. "I believe in the Empress' Order, and in the future. But perhaps you do not understand the past as well as I do," he added viciously. With a flick of his hand he took the speaker's head off, his amphistaff slicing through the male's unprotected neck as if it weren't there at all. His black eyes cold and hard, Mahel felt his heart fill with righteous anger. "I have made my choices," he snarled. "And your only choice now is to leave."
The remaining three Yuuzhan Vong shot him venomous glares, but one after the other they filed through the open doorway, leaving Mahel alone with his brother. Taking a step toward the body, Mahel again used his amphistaff to flick the shroud back over Raval's face.
"You are unworthy of my grief, Raval Domain Carr," he whispered. "You are the traitor, not I. You dishonor our father's memory by resorting to cowardly deeds, conspiring with traitors and denouncing peace. You do not realize what such actions will spawn. You have no idea."
Slapping the amphistaff against the bracer abruptly, Mahel turned away, leaving the body like so much trash. He had learned from his father's mistakes. And if there was one thing he had realized, it was that to oppose justice was a direct road to annihilation. Mahel knew exactly what had happened on Laa'kuan, when Warmaster Marayl Carr had executed the Cor'dan, and he also knew why Anakin Skywalker had allowed Andarack clan Rim'kai to slay Marayl Carr. He had refused the warmaster the honor of falling at the Cor'dan's hands. Raval had not deserved to die in battle, and so he had died like a coward. It was the justice of the Cor'dan. The unbelievers could not see it, but Mahel did believe, and he was neither as ignorant as Naas Deron thought, nor as naive as his brother might have believed. Yana Dar had described the essence of what he was perfectly. Honest. And loyal.
The Empress might have relieved him of his duties, but he had not released himself from the promise he had given the Cor'dan. For as long as it was necessary he would protect the princess, no matter what.
With Mahel gone, Yana felt herself calm down somewhat. Still facing Naas Deron, who had taken position at the window again, she ignored her daughter, who slowly made her way over to seat herself at the table. It was not betrayal that the Empress felt, she had dealt with enough politicians in her life-time, but what the Cor'dan was doing appalled her. He made no effort in tempering his methods, moving across the political arena with a butcher's grace. True, he had always been a warrior, but then, the same was true of Anakin Skywalker. Yet the former Dark Lord had acted with more subtelty and more insight, had let diplomacy prevail. Subtlety, though, was no concept that Naas Deron embraced, no matter how clever he thought himself to be.
"Tell me," the Empress began softly, "why do you risk a full-scale civil war without even considering to consult me first? Am I ruler of this empire, or have you suddenly decided that I am unfit for that post?"
Deron blinked at her, his hard, dark eyes for once strangely surprised. "It was the logical step to take, Your Majesty."
"Really," she countered, her voice icy cold. "How so? You told me you did not doubt Mahel Sivaraya's loyalty, yet now you have forced me to question it, and have forced him to choose between his domain and his loyalty to the Empire. The other thing you warned me about – " Here she threw a warning glance at Luzaya, who seemed lost in thought, "might also be accelerated by my dismissing him."
Pushing himself away from the window sill Deron shook his head. "No. I tell you again, Empress, that you can rely on him fully. I have seen it. As for my supposedly having misconducted this affair, please note that I do know who is behind this conspiracy, and it is not Domain Carr."
"What!" Yana stood, quivering with outrage, her cheeks heatening, her blue eyes ablaze. An
accusing finger was pointed at the Cor'dan. "You dare!" He crossed his arms in front of his chest, and her anger rebounded from his calm posture, slamming back into her with brute force. She took a staggering step back, shoulders slumping, then rallied herself again. "Why?" was all she asked.
"In the words of Lord Kell, Your Majesty, I do not fight other people's wars for them. I know what I know, and I do what I can to protect you, but, ultimately, the task to uncover this conspiracy and solve the problem you face is yours. As you already mentioned, you are Empress, not I."
There was a flash of revelation, and Yana cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing somewhat. "Can you tell me why I need you, then?"
"You don't. Neither do I need you. For other reasons than deception, that is," he added with a crooked smile, prompting Yana to nod in satisfaction.
"I thought so. Then I will not hesitate to throw my enemies at you, if you are doing the same with me. One way or the other, I suppose they will be crushed between the two of us."
Naas Deron's smile widened into a grin. "You are getting the drift, Your Majesty. Very good. Then I will rely on you to join me in chaos."
He gave her an elegant bow, then walked past her to leave. She let him go, thoughts racing. Stubborn, foolish man! With a low growl, the Empress turned towrad Luzaya Dan, who was gazing at her out of empty eyes. Yana could sense her daughter's emotions all too well. She felt deceived and used. With a sigh, Yana walked over and ran a hand through Luzaya's thick hair.
"I am sorry, my dear. I did not mean this to happen to you."
"It's not your fault," her daughter replied in a small voice, turning her head away. Yana stood back, feeling torn between wanting to protect her little morning star and leaving her to cope with her pain as an adult. "But I regret my choice now," Luzaya added suddenly.
"To become his apprentice?"
The girl nodded. "Yes. He is so false!" Her voice rose vehemently. "And I do not believe this is the way for the Cor'dan."
"Hm." The Empress pursed her lips thoughtfully. "My little star, there were worse than Naas Deron. You should not try to see the past through their eyes, though, because they are deceiving. You must find your own way and perspective." An idea came to mind. "An offer, if you want it."
Looking up, Luzaya gazed at her hopefully. "What is that?"
"Well, as Deron told me, we have enemies abroad that will be investigated by the Council of Naboo. I want you to join Andarack clan Rim'kai in his voyage to Naboo, and I want you to oversee their investigations." She smiled. "A spy of my own, you see?"
"I do." Luzaya gave her a brave little smile. "And Andarack can protect me too, right?"
"Yes. That too," the Empress replied, beaming, because her daughter was indeed clever.
Luzaya stood suddenly, and gently drew her mother into a warm embrace. "I love you, Mother," she said sincerely. "And I have faith in you. But please, don't do anything stupid."
Yana gave her only child a sardonic smile that echoed her thoughts on the past. If she were any judge, becoming empress in the first place had been the stupidest thing she had ever done. But that could not be changed, and besides, had that decision not given her a wonderful husband and a delightful daughter? Returning Luzaya's hug, Yana closed her eyes in a moment of undeniable bliss.
"Me, stupid?" she whispered, amused. "Perhaps you should follow that advice yourself." Gently, she held the girl at arm's length. "Luzaya Dan, please try to not let doubts barr your path. Remember what you were named for, and remember that you make your own choices. Always."
"I will, Mother. I will rememer," Luzaya answered, but she sounded sad and lost.
"Another thing," she sad, suddenly recalling why she had wanted to see her mother in the first place. "Jiliha nA'verone knew that there would be another attempt on Father's life – "
"What?" Mother interrupted her, laughing out loud. "Dear, how could she have known? Especially since Naas Deron killed that creature before he could become an assassin."
Luzaya frowned. "Mother, it is a valid assumption."
"It is not," the Empress replied, her voice hard. "No one except the medics knew that the source of your father's illness was poison. No one knew what had occurred. I assume that Jiliha knew no better than to suspect a different kin dof assassination attempt and made an educated guess." She held up a hand to forestall any protest from Luzaya. "Nevertheless I will keep an eye on her. You should know, though, that your father trusts her, and it is very hard to earn yoru father's trust," she added sternly, and Luzaya gave a submissive nod.
Mother was right. Just because Father had been attacked did not mean that anyone at the court was a traitor and not to be trusted. Guiltily, the princess thought of Mahel, who had been sent away just like that. He must be feeling awful. It was obvious that the young warrior admired Naas Deron, and now he had found that the man had killed his brother, had broken the trust Mahel had set in his insight. Luzaya understood that all too well, since she felt much the same. Her hands balled into fists unconsciously, and she gave a start when she sensed mother's fingers running down her arms soothingly.
"Luzaya," she said quietly. "Everything is a matter of perspective. If you try to see things from other people's point of view you will find that bringing them over to your own is taxing, most of the time. It is rare to find someone who shares your views, and if you try to understand you will gain a greater insight into people. Naas Deron did what he believes to be right. You realize, that he does not view people the way you do, don't you?"
"He has no feelings for them," Luzaya breathed. "No feelings for me."
"But do you feel something for him?"
The princess shook her head. "No. You are right. I should treat this as the business matter it is." Abruptly she looked up to meet her mother's gaze. "Would you think me foolish if I still shed a tear or two?"
"Oh, child," Mother sighed, and quickly embraced her, offering shelter and understanding.
Luzaya, her lips quivering, felt her resolve crumble. She could see herself, bereft of emotion, cold and rational, drifting through life like a ghost, never truly experiencing life herself, always watching. That prospect scared her more than she cared to admit. She did not want to end like that. She did not want to use people for no other reason than to achieve a future goal. Life was the present. Of course, it did continue into the future, but why make life harder for anyone? Why hurt someone deliberately, and justify it with something so petty as saving the galaxy? Sobbing quietly, she hugged her mother closer, seeking her warmth.
"It is not the way," she whispered. "There has to be another."
The Empress' accusations had stung, and reminded him again of how new he was to politics, how lost he felt in that maze of deception. But he had to end what he had started. Naas Deron felt his features harden as he stepped into his quarters. Yana Dar had practically told him that he was doing about everything wrong. He had been unable to control Mahel properly, to play on his reactions. Instead he had only managed to drive the young warrior away from the princess again, which was unfortunate. Also unfortunate was the fact that he had had to reveal that he had killed Raval, Mahel's brother. Deron had no idea whether the warrior would forgive him for that. If Mahel joined the conspirators ... No, that he would never do. It was against his nature.
A faint humming sound caught his attention, and Deron walked cautiously over to the sanctuary, which was plunged in total darkness. The windowless room was sucking the shadows into a black vortex, and without the torches and candles burning it was icy cold in there. And yet the giant hall was filled with prayer. The Cor'dan stood for a while, undecided. It was Mahel, he could sense his presence, but the young Yuuzhan Vong gave no indication that he was aware of the newcomer. So Deron remained standing where he was, keeping silent, waiting until Mahel was finished. When the prayer died away the sound of armor scraping over stone reached his ears.
"Cor'dan," Mahel said calmly, but did not continue.
"What were you praying for? Your brother?" Deron asked cautiously, but the Yuuzhan Vong gave a contemptuous snort that cut through his heart.
"Raval Domain Carr was a traitor," the warrior told him sternly. "He deserves no blessing."
Walking closer toward Mahel, who was still hidden by darkness, Deron shook his head. "That is wrong, Mahel. Like any other, his death reverbrates through the Force and needs to be balanced."
"How?"
"Neither by anger, nor by shame, Mahel. Remember him the way you knew him, and honor his memory."
There was a short, but meaningful silence. Then the warrior asked: "Will you honor his death?"
"Yes," Naas Deron breathed. "If you wish it, you may join me in that ritual," he added sincerely.
"I think – I think I would like that," Mahel answered, sounding a bit uncertain, but determination rolled off him in great waves.
The Cor'dan smiled. "Good."
At a gesture of his hand the torches sprang to life and the cackling of burning oil filled the temple's sanctuary. Mahel was standing beside the round altar, his posture tense. His black eyes, flat nose, high cheekbones and prominent, hairless brow ridge made his features look much like a human skull in the temple's illumination, and for a moment Deron stood very still. He remembered Mahel's Naming Day, and what he had seen then. Relaxing once more, he smiled.
"Please fetch the incense bowl."
As Mahel hurried to the back of the temple, Naas Deron stepped up to the altar and ran his palms over its surface lovingly. The Heart of Darkness demanded a price from its host, and that price was forgiveness. He could not shrug off a death, regardless to who had caused it. And he had learned that it was better to balance it sooner than later. Mahel, joining him, carefully sat the bowl down on the altar. Filled with a host of herbs, it gave off a faint scent that was soothing in itself. Standing side by side, both the Cor'dan and the warrior kept quiet, breathing in the silence of that moment.
Naas Deron closed his eyes and knew that Mahel would follow his example. "Life and death are one in my heart. The death of Raval Domain Carr is in my heart. Let death be my heart, let life be my soul."
He flinched ever so slightly when he could sense the slain warrior's spirit enter his mind, but he surrendered his fear quickly, and let the other's emotions wash over him, as Raval relived his own death, a cry of accusation echoing through the Cor'dan's presence. For what seemed an eternity Raval's emotions ravaged his thoughts, until both were united in the aftermath of death. There were only tranquility and understanding beyond that border. Only that. With a sigh, Deron opened his eyes again and almost smiled when he saw a stranger stand across from him. He wore armor just like Mahel, but contrary to the young warrior he wore it like a second skin, and his bearing was noble, not humble. The tall Yuuzhan Vong warrior was gazing at the Cor'dan knowingly, and Deron found himself compelled to sneak a quick glance at Mahel, who was oblivious to the ghostly presence that had joined them. Eyes still closed, the Yuuzhan Vong was breathing hard, still in the grip of his brother's memory. Then, with a barely perceptible nod, the alien spectre vanished, and Mahel woke from his trance with a gasp. For a moment he was unable to speak. But he recovered quickly.
"I must beg forgiveness for shaming you so," he whispered to no one in particular. "I am sorry."
"Never forget," the Cor'dan whispered, caught in the thrall of the future past. "Never forget who you are."
Franzis Sarreti was not surprised at his daughter's visit late that night. He had expected her to consult him before leaving the Empire for the first time in her life. Yana was off, stuck in a IAC session Jiliha had called on the administration's response to the attack, and Franzis had been watching the news on the holovid, something he usually did not do, since his sources used different channels. When Luzaya knocked at the door he had guiltily switched the holovid off and had called for her to enter, which she did, looking somehow different. Older. Sad.
"Hi," she said, and gave him a wry smile.
"Hi yourself," he shot back, smiling, as he beckoned her to come closer. "Nervous?"
She nodded once. "I guess so," she ventured, but she sounded uncertain, as she sat down on the edge of the bed, hands folded in her lap. She was dressed in a casual set of pants, shirt and jacket, for easy travelling, in her favorite color, a dark blue that set off her eyes.
"So, are you looking forward to seeing Naboo?" he continued, hoping to get her out of her reserve.
"I guess." She sighed. "I hate to go now. I feel like I'm deserting the two of you."
Franzis grinned at her. "Your mother and I have been through worse together. Do not worry. We will manage this too."
"I know," Luzaya answered quietly. "Perhaps I am just afraid of leaving. Everything will be new and strange. I feel like I'm ten years old again."
"Keep your eyes and ears open, be polite and careful, and use the connections you have," Franzis found himself telling her, and she turned big eyes on him, before she broke into a smile.
"Thank you," she said. "Would you tell one of your agents who was sent to Naboo on a mission similar to my own the same?"
He nodded sincerely. "Of course. On the other hand," he added, thoughfully, "any agent of mine would be experienced enough to know about the rest."
Her face fell, and he could see that she was hurt. "I know that I don't know everything," she told him defiantly. "That's why I am taking Mother's offer. Because I hope to learn something."
"Then you believe the Cor'dan is not teaching you enough?" Yana had told him of what Naas Deron had revealed about that conspiracy, and he felt with his wife in the matter.
Luzaya averted her gaze self-consciously and bit her lower lip. "Not enough? I do not know. Perhaps the wrong things?" She lowered her head ever so slightly. "I'm not so sure anymore whether I made the right choice," she confessed, and sounded so sad that Franzis promptly lay a hand on her arm.
"You know, child, that you have but to ask, and I will give you what advise I can give."
Her pale blue eyes sought his pleadingly. "Then you think I am right in leaving?"
"If you are unsure about something, it is best to gain some distance, to seek a new perspective. Perhaps then other aspects of the matter in question are revealed. Try to gain as broad a view as you can. Ask Lord Skywalker, if you think it will help, consult the Seeker, perhaps." He shook his head. "I am not the one to ask about such things, maybe."
She kissed his forehead quickly, then withdrew with a smile. "No, no," she said, "you are right. That is part of my reason to leave. The other," here she leaned toward him conspiratively, "is that I want to bring those traitors down for you."
Franzis arched his brows in mock amazement. "Avenging me? I am honored, Luzaya."
His daughter gave a delightful laugh. "Well, I don't suppose that I can fully shed my heritage, even if I wanted to. And with an ex-Imperial agent and assassin as father, and a sorceress and empress as mother, I guess I have no choice." Her features softened again abruptly. "I admire both of you for your strength and determination. I hope to become just as confident as the two of you. Going abroad will help me in that, I believe."
"I was your age when I began my service to the Emperor," Franzis told her pensively. "I learned a lot. But I never ceased learning." Squeezing her arm gently, he smiled. "Learn what you can on your journey, my little morning star. There is always a place you can come back to. Never forget that."
Her features froze helplessly. "That's what I fear," she whispered, voice choked. "That I will return home only to find you gone."
"Luzaya!" Feeling almost shocked at her worries and at her deep love for her parents, he sat up straighter. But then he grew calm once more and replied: "Child, don't let your fears obscure your vision. We can look out for ourselves. We both love you, always, and that love is stronger than anything else, even death. Never fear to lose us. We are always with you, just as you are always in our hearts. You will see, your mother and Naas Deron will handle this little affair perfectly. Neither of them is stupid." He sighed. "Luzaya, really. You don't need to worry so."
She was unconvinced, her eyes told him that clearly, but she nodded nevertheless. "I know," she said. "Wish me luck."
"I do. And may the Force be with you."
Luzaya grinned. "Andarack is with me, so I should be safe enough." But the worry did not fade from her gaze.
Luzaya was in a funny mood when she followed Myryane and two of the Royal Handmaidens who were carrying her luggage through the Citadel. She had said her goodbyes to her parents, and even though she knew that they both loved her dearly she somehow had the feeling that they were not as moved about her leaving as she herself was. Their life would go on once she was gone, but what about her? She felt terribly insecure. This was to be the first trip she would make without her family, and though she had known Andarack for a long time he had always remained a stranger, in a sense. It occurred to Luzaya that she had missed out on parts of growing up that only now became important to her. She had no clue about a lot of things. Swallowing her self-pity, she resolved to be open to new things, just as her father had told her, and to grow through this trip.
Her newfound confidence was shattered instantly, when a dark, menacing shape appeared out of the shadows, and Myryane let out a frightened scream that was loud enough to alert about every guard in the Citadel. Luzaya found herself retreating, suddenly missing Mahel's presence as her silent shadow. The two handmaidens, though, seemed very calm, and when the stranger stepped further into the light the princess relaxed too. It was Mahel. His black eyes reflected the light easily, but his grayish-brown skin melded into the shadows, making his appearance insubstantial, like a dream. He still wore his armor, and Luzaya thought that he probably had not even returned home after his dismissal. Gesturing at the handmaidens and Myryane to soothe them, Luzaya stepped up to the Yuuzhan Vong warrior with a gentle smile.
"Mahel Sivaraya," she said, "what brings you here this late at night?"
"A promise," he answered hoarsely. "I have vowed to protect you, and that vow I will not break."
In an instant Luzaya's mind short-circuited. Now that she had finally summoned her courage and accepted the trust her parents had in her maturity, in her ability to watch out for herself, he appeared only to tell her that she needed protection? The insolence! "Why, thank you for your offer, but I won't need your protection," she told him icily and raised her chin in a haughty gesture. But when she pushed past him, deliberately brushing his shoulder with more force than was polite, he caught her arm in a hard grip.
"You will hear me out," he snarled, and suddenly Luzaya realized that he was anything but tame. Face paling, she tried to break from his grasp, but she might as well have tried to move a mountain.
"Let go," she hissed, fury taking hold of her again.
But he ignored her. "I made a promise, Princess, and I will keep it. If you deny me to fulfill that promise I will follow you wherever you go, you can count on it."
"No need for such drama," a new voice cut in, all calm confidence, and Luzaya's heart skipped a beat at the grating sound.
She and Mahel both turned their heads simultaneously to stare at the short alien who had appeared seemingly out of thin air. Andarack clan Rim'kai stood very still, but his stance suggested that this could change in the blink of an eye. He was not menacing, but he was definitely poised for action. To Luzaya's mild shock, Mahel moved protectively in front of her, shielding her against the Noghri. Andarack, though, was unimpressed. Walking around the Yuuzhan Vong, the Sith Lord gave the princess a curt nod.
"Your Highness, it is your choice. Personally, I would not mind taking Mahel Sivaraya along. He might be useful."
Luzaya threw him a grim glance that was redirected at Mahel, and intensified. "This is Deron's doing, isn't it? He sent you to baby-sit me," she accused Mahel, who recoiled, seemingly appalled.
"Your Highness, my only wish is to protect you," he countered stiffly, the epitome of hurt pride, and Luzaya suddenly felt very guilty. But just as she opened her mouth to apologize Andarack said:
"You are both acting childish. Princess, why care whether he comes along or not? And, Mahel, a warrior distinguishes himself by action. And last but not least, we have to go. We have a schedule to keep."
With that little speech the Noghri reminded them that he was in charge of the mission, and though Luzaya bristled, she took an example in Mahel's routine obedient nod and compressed her lips to a tight line, before she, too, nodded.
"Let's go," she grated out, then turned to resume walking again.
Follwing at the princess' heels, Mahel kept a tight watch over Andarack clan Rim'kai. The Noghri was certainly confident and had every reason to be confident. But the young Yuuzhan Vong warrior was still enmeshed in doubts and hurt pride, thinking of his brother's betrayal and of the conspirators he himself had let go unpunished. Too much on his mind to focus on his chosen mission. Straightening a bit, he held his head higher, refusing to let those memories weigh him down. He had chosen not to betray the conspirators, and in that he had realized that his loyalties to his people were still strong, that he sought to protect them even more than the Empire's ruling body. At least he did not wish to incriminate them with his testimony.
A treasonous decision, he knew, but he was not responsible for investigating a conspiracy. He was responsible for protecting the princess, and that he would do. And yet, secretly, Mahel could very well feel the shame over his betrayal burning inside his heart. Guiltily he sneaked another glance at the Sith Lord ahead, but apparently Andarack was not quite as adept as the Cor'dan. The mere thought of Naas Deron finding out about what he had done made Mahel shiver. He envisioned the Cor'dan to take terrible revenge, and unconsciously hunched his shoulders again. When he noticed Luzaya's eyes on him, her head turned to look over her shoulder, he froze in place, even more embarrassed at her having witnessed this show of weakness.
"Anything I should be afraid of?" she asked quietly.
Mahel swallowed drily. "No, Princess."
"Then you should not be so fearful either," she whispered, and winked at him.
Confused, the Yuuzhan Vong warrior shook his head, as if to rid himself of a particularly nasty thought, but the smile on her face had been directed at him, and that image of her sweet face drove all confusion away very firmly. Perhaps she didn't think him a traitor after all. Mahel felt elated at he took to pacing after her again. She thought him worthy, at least worthy enough to be her protector, and he would never aspire to become anything more, even though he might wish for it.
But, Mahel told himself, if there was one mate she deserved it surely had to be the Cor'dan. They seemed to fit perfectly together, didn't they? It was a thought he clung to fiercely, because anything else would only depress him further. He loved her, he thought, but she could never love him.
"Where did you find him?" Naas Deron asked, regarding the corpse lying at his feet dispassionately.
"A building," Elu Cha answered, and his choice of words and the loathing in his voice told the Cor'dan that he did not mean a Yuuzhan Vong dwelling. "We have not yet determined the cause of his death."
Nodding mutely, Deron turned to face the High Priest fully. "You will find that his heart stopped due to excessive convulsions and stress. Sometimes pain can kill," he added thoughtfully.
The Yuuzhan Vong High Priest gazed down at him with a withering glare. "Then you executed him, Cor'dan?"
"Indeed," Naas Deron told the tall alien, and let a cold smile flash across his face. They were not alone here, and he wanted everyone present to know that he could strike anywhere and at anyone, if he chose to. Elu Cha might be ignorant of traitors within his sect, but Deron knew them to be there.
"Raval Domain Carr arrived only three days ago from his domain's headquarters on Nirauan," Elu Cha continued. "You believe he came here with a plan? Or that he received orders?"
"Both, I suppose. He came to kill, but he was summoned, and he was told who to kill."
"How do you want to know?" Alyn Cha, the High Priest's daughter, asked suddenly. She stepped up to the two males, turning inquisitive eyes on the Cor'dan.
Deron shrugged. "It is your job to find out, after all, this is the dception sect. And in this case I would advise you not to wait for a portent by the goddess to prod you into action."
"Don't make fun of our beliefs," Elu Cha admonished the Cor'dan coolly. "We do not ridicule yours either."
"Because you have evidence that mine works," Deron retorted nastily. "Whereas all I see here is a bunch of conspiracy theorists with a liking for torture. All in the name of the great goddess, of course." The change in the atmosphere was almost tangible, but he did not care. They all knew the truth, that their gods had very mortal origins, and they all knew that his own power derived from something more real than fantastic legends.
Elu Cha, though, found that he needed to defend his daughter and his own sect's reputation. "Cor'dan, your might is certainly undisputed, but there is not so much that sets you apart from what you accuse us to be."
"My auhority is absolute, Your Highness, and your authority derives from the Empress' order," Naas Deron replied a bit haughtily. "You cannot compare one with the other."
"You are heir to the people who were as gods to my race," Elu Cha answered a bit more heatedly. "And you surely are as arrogant and as possessed with tyranny."
"Not that you should have a problem with tyranny. You lived under a tyrant for long enough," Deron pointed out, referring to Shimmra.
"That does not give you the right to judge us as if we were unwilling to embrace the new order. Many of us welcome this change, others do not. Assimilation has to come gradually."
Deron took a step toward the High Priest and stuck his chin out. That still left him head and shoulders shorter than the Yuuzhan Vong, but that did not bother him at all. "Twenty years, Elu Cha. Twenty years since that new order was proclaimed. And you still fret and mutter and glorify the past." He gestured toward the body of Raval Domain Carr. "These fools risk the Empress' wrath for nothing. What will they gain? Can you tell me?"
"You are Cor'dan," Elu Cha answered drily. "You know everything."
"Ah." Deron smiled. "Of course. But knowledge does not make me omnipotent."
With a nod he whirled away to leave. Let his enemies wonder about that statement and his comments on the Yuuzhan Vong. As he saw it, he had not many choices in confusing them. He was giving mixed signals, on one hand claiming to know the conspirators, but on the other not doing anything more than scolding Elu Cha for his lack of success. But then, he really did follow Roj Kell in this. Don't fight other people's wars for them. The Yuuzhan Vong had to want to bring change about. The problem was making them realize that a return to their old traditions was not an option. Not as long as he was alive.
Enjoying a quiet moment for once, Yana lay relaxed in her husband's embrace, just letting time run by. Their daughter had left a few hours ago, protected both by Andarack and Mahel Sivaraya, as she had learned. Of the two she would trust neither completely. Andarack clan Rim'kai, even though the most powerful warrior they could spare, had his own agenda, or rather the Council's, that he followed, whereas Mahel was far too inexperienced to be considered to even be in the Noghri's league. And yet it was he who enjoyed the Cor'dan's utmost faith. Which in itself was disturbing.
Not even after having revealed his knowledge, or rather, after having hinted at it, did Yana understand Naas Deron's motives. He seemed to be caught in his own web, moving by trial and error more than by a plan. It was undisputed that his power served as deterrent for his enemies, but if he kept on like this they would rightly assume that he was not as adept at fabricating sucessful schemes as he was at threats. On the other hand, that could also be a deliberate move on his part, to encourage an image of his ineptness. The Empress frowned. She was making this far too complicated. But what was he after?
"So, what's his game?" Franzis asked suddenly, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, his chin resting next to her neck. "He's sending Luzaya away, for safety reasons, you claim, he knows who is behind this assassination attempt but does nothing to bring the traitors to justice. Personally, I believe he is either indecisive or very clever. I can't decide."
"I can," Yana retorted in a growl. "He is both. And it will doom his scheme as surely as those traitors will try to kill you again."
"Perhaps this time they will try to get you instead," he reasoned quietly.
"No way. They won't let me die a martyr. They will want to try me, paint me a tyrant, sully everything I have ever achieved."
"So what do we do?"
Yana closed her eyes, erasing all thought from her mind to achieve calm. "You tell me," she said at last. "You are my chief advisor. And for as long as I still have you I will make use of that."
"Oh. Good. So that's all I mean to you?" he teased, and kissed her neck tenderly.
She smiled. "Of course not. But we must be realistic."
"On a realistic basis, Your Majesty, I would advise you to make it very clear that you trust the people, all of them, and that you create a common desire to bring those traitors to heel. This is your chance to unite them fully. They adore you, most of them, at least, and they all love Luzaya."
"But she is not here."
"Which is only for the best. I won't have you put her in danger only for political reasons," he added, his low voice menacing.
His tone surprised her, and she twisted around in his embrace to look at him. "What did you say? You would believe me capable of risking my daughter's life?"
"I would do it." His gray eyes were very cold, and hard as steel as he said it, and the Empress suddenly felt a chill settle over her heart.
"You would not," she stated, still shocked by his admission.
His gaze softened somewhat when he smiled. "Yana, try to think like your opponents. They have an intimate knowledge of proceedings at the court, and you and Luzaya are about the only ones who know my softer side." He chuckled at that. "To all others in the administration I am a cold-hearted bastard."
"The people like you," she added softly.
"Because I am your husband, and because I fulfill my representative functions perfectly. They do not know what goes on behind closed doors."
Thsi time Yana nodded in agreement. He was right. By the Force, her husband was right. As always. Lowering her head demurely she cuddled against his chest. "I thought you had taught me all you know of scheming and back-stabbing," she murmured.
"Only the basics," Franzis joked. "This is high art." He ran a hand over her cheek tenderly. "So. Let me explain. By sending her away as emissary to Naboo you make her vulnerable to attack, despite the company she finds herself in. Let us disregard the Council in this at first. Now, what could happen? You could use an attack on Luzaya's life to start a witch-hunt, and that would discredit you in the eyes of the other nations, even though I am certain that some of our non-Yuuzhan Vong residents would also be quick to cheer a harder courser concerning them. To add insult to injury, those traitors could also arrange it so that you would also lash out at other realms, the New Republic, for example."
"What makes you think so?" Yana asked, surprised.
"Naas Deron's comment about there being enemies within and without. They might have a common goal, but they might also just be using one another. Which means we need to come up with different motives. I suppose Raval Domain Carr's involvement means that the foe within consists of Yuuzhan Vong. They will want to dethrone you to return to the status quo before the conquest of their people. Domain Carr is very conservative in that regard, with the exception of Mahel, it would seem. So, who does that leave on the other side?"
Picking up on his thoughts, the Empress smiled. "We don't need bother with those," she explained. "The Council will deal with them, and they have an advantage over us: the Seeker. They can modify their scheme according to my actions, since they have more freedom of movement and are not as closely guarded as I am."
"Good." Franzis' brows shot up in open admiration. "Excellent. But that still does not answer my original question. What in Sith's hell is Naas Deron up to? And the Council."
TBC