Knight-Errantly Chapter Twenty


Main Theme- Forever Young by Alphaville


At dawn's first light, the shell bells chime across Kotokai. The capital city's crystalline buildings and houses are bedecked with paper flowers of many colors. As Luke Skywalker walks through the city, he sees the Nagai dressed in their own unique styles. Some are dressed in simple robes, others drip with crystals and wear long capes, and a few wears the Electromesh armor of mercenaries. The only cohesion can be found in their open displays of arms: sonic blasters, Tehk'la blades, longswords, and Swiftcut foils. None give a second glance at the lightsaber clipped to his belt, though many give him judging looks over wearing a hood when it wasn't raining or cold out. Eventually, he ends up back where he started: the festival fairgrounds.

The few food stalls open at this time still have long lines. He does sees that the Jades are a quarter away from getting their breakfast buns. Mara has her hair pulled into a high ponytail with a green paper flower wrapped around the hair tie. She wears her usual dark number though she's adopted a shimmersilk jacket matching the flower's light color. The twins have opted for the cotton robes and sandals that most of the Nagai children wear for the occasion. Jaina's robe is a cream yellow with blue and green dragonflies sewn throughout the fabric. Her hair is in a double bun at the top of her head, reminding him of a skittermouse's ears. Jacen's robe is a powder blue with a wave pattern with his reddish hair left unadorned. He notes the bags under the boy's eyes.

I hope I can do something for him, but he doesn't want my help. For now. Maybe I can make some recommendations to Mara, and she can pass it onto him. He'll listen to her.

"I got you green tea, Master Jedi." Zev's sudden appearance snaps him from his thoughts. The tutor wears a cotton robe like the children, but he wears a pair of dark pants to cover his legs. His robe is a steely gray with a pattern of clouds.

"Thanks, and it's just Luke since we're…" He wants to say family, but half of the family has decidedly mixed feelings on him. Mara made it clear that they won't be anything more than co-parents, while Jacen is hostile at best towards him.

"A unit," Zev offers and then adds apologetically, "Jacen is an empathetic child for the most part, but he's used to it just being his mom and sister. And I guess me, but I think I qualify more as a family friend in his eyes."

"He's gifted with the Force and struggling with it. I want to help him."

"You can't force him to accept it. He's got a stubborn streak like his sister, though not as pigheaded."

"He might end up hurting himself."

"Mara will step in before she lets that happen. Though, I think she must be tired from raising the kids herself, but she doesn't show it. Is that a miracle of the Force?"

"More like great skin care." He earns a snort from the man.

"What will you be doing for the rest of the day?"

"Check out more of the capital, observe the people, and maybe talk to some Grays."

"Sound plan. We'll be mostly relaxing until the Moon Dance tonight."

"Moon Dance?"

"It's exactly what it is. The people will gather in circles and dance as the moon rises from its slumber. Then, the fireworks happen to symbolize the violent death of the harvest, or that's what I believe. It's probably there to entertain the younglings. It's a Nagai tradition, so we don't have to participate."

"Good thing, I can't dance. Mara can tell you that."

"We're in the same boat."

As mornings goes, it's a rather pleasant start for Luke, Zev, and the Jades.


It's night as the dark speeder zips through the backroad. Armitage's cloak billows and he's kept from strangulation by the circular clasp by his own mismatched hands. Warlord Nihl keeps his red eyes on the road, but he slows the speeder a bit.

"You just missed the turn to the fairgrounds," Armitage finally gets out.

"I know."

"Are you worried about assassins ambushing you?"

"There's no need since I have the Force. I'm just taking you to the best spot to watch the fireworks."

"Why?"

"You ran all my errands without question, missing the chance to explore the city with your friends."

"This is your way of apologizing?"

"Maybe. Really, the Aing-Tii monks informed me of the Great Dragon."

"Me too! Wait, is the dragon going to be there?"

"Possibly, at least you'll be able to get a view of it."

"But you'll be late to the Moon Dance."

"I can't dance. I can fight in all sorts of ways, but dancing has always eluded me."

"Do you always find a way out of the dance?"

"It's not my fault that problems of Firefist pop up at inconvenient times." Eventually, the speeder halts near a clearing overlooking the fairgrounds though separated by a woodland thicket. "This is where you get off."

"At least, the fairgrounds are nearby." He gets out of the speeder and goes to the driver's side. "What did the Aing-Tii monks tell you about the Great Dragon aside from it possibly flying over here?"

The Nagai looks away for a moment, mulling over several thoughts, and then settles on one: "They said the dragon is drawn to curiosities."

"Curiosities? What would impress the Great Dragon?"

"I don't know. I suppose you'll find out." He watches as Nihl leave and then runs down the steep hill to reach the clearing. He waits with bated breath for the dragon. At the first scream of the fireworks, a giant shadow passes through the moon. He could almost believe it to be an asteroid passing by if not for it coming closer to him. The dark shape becomes a winged-creature with four limbs and a membrane-like tail. Its head is similar to a cobra's head though its hood is more a mantle of white fur. The rest of its body is covered in scales that reflect the moonlight to appear almost white like the moon. Its golden eyes burn with ancient wisdom.

He doesn't move away from the clearing. He watches the Great Dragon land with all the grace and power of a unicorn. The wings are membranous as the tail, but it reveals the scars accumulated over the ages.

"I'm sorry," he manages with a slight warble to his words. He knows that he's not at fault for the dragons' wounds, but it hurts him to imagine the pain the dragon must've felt in the past. The dragon gives a slight nod as though it accepts the child before them.

And then, there's a flick of their tail and a mighty THUMP against a nearby tree. He turns around to see Ben on the ground.

"PRINCE! DEAD-STAR!" he shouts, but neither of them stir. He turns back to the dragon, fully ready to plead for mercy or to defend his friends from further harm. The dragon rears his head and swallows him whole.


Ben lifts his head up and feels the back of his head throbbing. He touches the back of it and comes away with blood on his hand. He feels Dead-Star curled up in pain inside their shared mind. He's devastated by their plan's failure. Ben doesn't blame him. He thought the so-called Great Dragon would be easy to control like the Battle Hydra. They underestimated the Great Dragon and were batted away like flies.

The human.

Huh?

Armitage was there.

Ben freezes as he recalls seeing the flash of fiery hair right before the Great Dragon slammed them into the tree. He looks around for Armitage and then spies his black and white cloak. Armitage is gone.


Author's Comments- There are no links.

We've reached an end of this part of the series. When I started the series, I didn't think I would be still writing it. My feelings and views towards SW have changed throughout the years too, and I've tried to accommodate those changes. Now, I'm going to take time off from this series to plan out the next step and possibly the rest of the series. Thanks to all those who stuck with this series and this particular part all these years.