The Last Defender

By Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Huff

Chapter Six: Where Vornskrs Howl

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Luke, Fenice, Artoo, and Threepio sat in the cockpit of the Markiea as they approached Halgard. It had been a long ten hours for all of them. Luke had contacted Yeveth from Yavin, and the Gindian would be more than happy to help. Luke was relived to set down on the small landing pad near Yeveth's home.

When Luke and Fenice exited the freighter they were greeted with enthusiasm by Yeveth and his family. "It's good to see you again so soon Master Skywalker." said the yellow-gold skinned man.

Yeveth wore loose cloths, and had long dark hair that was tied in a neat ceremonial top knot. Yeveth's wife Mena wore a lose dress of the same drab style, and covered her hair with a scarf. Engrina wore leggings, and a short jumper type olive colored dress. The child wore her hair in many thin braids. A life of tough times showed on the parents faces, horrors Engrina had never known.

"It is good to see you to Yeveth," Luke said as he shook the Gindian's hand, "Mena." he nodded to Yeveth's wife. "How are you Engrina?" he asked the little girl.

"I'm fine Master Skywalker." the girl smiled as her daddy lifted her up to face the Jedi at eye level. "Who is your friend?" Engrina asked pointing to Fenice.

Fenice stepped forward, "I am Fenice Eamar Dayknight."

"She is the last Tein'kal Defender of Ansath," Luke finished, "and a Jedi in training."

"Pardon me," Threepio broke in, "I am C3P-O, human cyborg relations." The Gindians nodded only half paying attention.

"I'm going to the Jedi Academy when I'm bigger." Engrina smiled.

"That you are my darling," Yeveth said half dreaming, "that you are."

Fenice pulled a small carved pin out of a pouch on her belt. "A gift for the future Jedi," she said pinning a flower pin to Engrina's dress, "a teys flower is a symbol of love and beauty on my home world. No doubt a fitting gift for one who is her parents greatest treasure."

"It's so pretty." Engrina said admiring it. "Did you make it?"

"Yes as a matter of fact," Fenice smiled back, "I did. Tein'kal may not take payment for services, so they make crafts to sell, and trade."

"Thank you for giving our daughter such a great gift." Mena said with awe. "Here on Halgard we believe the greatest gifts are those one makes with their own hands."

"Come you will spend the night in our home," Yeveth beamed, "and tomorrow I will lead you through the fire pits."

-----

Mena made a large breakfast of hma cakes, with grut honey, tefer milk, gemd tea, fried remt, grain porage, and tesleberry juice. While her husband and guests ate, Mena and Engrina packed a lunch and supplies for the expedition.

"You really don't need to go through so much trouble." Fenice told the Gindian woman.

"No trouble," Mena smiled, "it is a long journey, you will need your strength if you are to get past the wild dogs."

"Vornskers?" Luke questioned.

"I've heard them called that." Yeveth stated. "I know the safe route to get where you want to go, but past a certain point the wild dogs, falling rocks, and fire spurts are more than any dare." he leaned back sighing. "Those old ruins haven't seen a soul in a millennia or more. I hope what you're looking for is there."

"How do you know the fire pits so well Yeveth?" Fenice asked curiously.

"I'm a metal smith by trade," Yeveth replied, "I learned the traditional way. I set up a forge in the pits, and work there as long as I need to."

"Ah so you learned about the fire pits the same time as you did your trade." Fenice smile understanding.

"Yes he did," Mena smile helping her husband on with his pack, "my Yeveth is the best metal smith there is." she lovingly gave him a peck on the cheek.

"You two behave while we're gone." Luke said to the droids, as he put on his cloak.

"Yes Master Luke, Mistress Fenice, do be careful." Threepio bid the Jedi and Tein'kal.

Yeveth bid his wife and daughter goodbye, then led the Jedi Master and his student outside. "Mena exaggerates my skill, but I can lead you where you want. That's what matters."

"Your help is much appreciated." Fenice told the metal smith.

"It's a pleasure." Yeveth smiled leading the way.

"You do this for Engrina." Luke said knowing.

Yeveth turned to face him, "So what if I do. The Tein'kal are allies of the Jedi. It's a rough galaxy out there, we need all the people who would do good. I can't let one as kind as Defender Fenice be the last Tein'kal Defender. Without people like her what galaxy will my daughter face?" he turned to path and continued walking.

"I was right when I called her your greatest treasure." Fenice smiled.

"Yes you were right, but that is what children should be." Yeveth said back to her.

------

When the sun was high Yeveth stopped near a rough outcropping, "Listen." he said. There was a howling noise.

Vornskers, Luke knew the cry well.

"If you look there you'll see the ruins." Yeveth pointed to a half-toppled building in the distance. "I will lead you only this far. We eat, then I will wait here until you return." he pulled off his pack, and began preparing the meal his wife had packed, setting up a small camp near a flame shoot.

The trio ate in silence as Luke and Fenice prepared themselves mentally for the task ahead. The meal was bland, but nourishing.

"We'll see you soon Yeveth." Fenice promised as she and Luke set out to trace the long unused trail to the ruins.

The duo walked on for some time, until they could no longer see Yeveth's camp behind them, and the vornskrs grew louder. The ruins were Meir meters ahead, and their shear enormity dwarfed all things around them. Luke could sense the Force hunting wolves closing in around them, and ignited his lightsaber with a snap-hiss.

Fenice followed the Jedi Master's lead, "You can feel them too," she said softly, "and I was afraid I was getting jumpy."

"You don't trust your instincts enough." Luke told her bluntly.

"School's in session." she said, trying to break the ice that ran down her spine.

"Can you think of a better time to learn?" Luke questioned.

A vornsker came barreling through the scrub at Fenice. "Not off hand, but if you give me a minute." she said, parrying it's teeth and slicing off it's lethal tail.

At that moment Luke was too busy to respond to the remark. Two vornskers had chosen him as their next meal, and he was doing his best to disappoint them. Fenice had no sooner finished off the first of her attackers then two more took its place. They were surrounded, both losing count of the beasts. Then Luke saw it, a break in the ranks. He took advantage, forced them to open further. Fenice saw what Luke was doing, and picked up the rocks from the area. Using them to beat back the vornskers as she fought on with her father's blade. They got to the perimeter of the pack, and backed up a hill, taking the high ground. They stood between two megaliths, Luke took note and signaled a plan to Fenice with the Force. They each toppled one so it rolled into their attackers.

With the vornskers momentarily occupied Luke and Fenice made a break for the ruins. They ran though the main entrance of what used to be a temple. The vornskers weren't delayed long and ran hot on their heels. They followed the only path they could, hoping there would be a way to stop the vornskers. They reached a point where the floor of the temple had long since fallen and a flame spurt blocked their path.

"Now what?" Fenice questioned as she came to a halt at the shut's edge.

Luke could hear the Force wolves behind them, "We can't go back the way we came." he shrugged.

"Over the pit!" Fenice was taken aback.

"No different then lifting rocks." he told her. He backed up a little clipping his saber to his belt. Then ran for it and leaped the chasm in a single stride.

"Alright." Fenice said under her breath as she repeated the action. She closed her eyes as she reached the edge of the abyss, and before she could exhale, she landed in a heap on top of Luke. "Sorry." she said timidly, as she scrambled off the Jedi Master.

Luke couldn't help himself, he tried to stifle the chuckle, but he found himself shaking with laughter. He covered his mouth trying in vain to regain his composure.

"What's so funny?" Fenice asked, hurt.

"Next time, aim for the other side," he chided, mockingly, "not me."

Fenice put her hands over her face turning red as her oldest sister's hair. "Oops." Fenice realized she had unconsciously aimed for Luke. She had more faith in this Jedi Master she barely knew, than in the mysterious Force she had known all her life. "I just proved there is no better time to learn." she said, finally facing her teacher.

"That you did." said Luke as he stood, dusting himself off. "So what's next?" he asked.

"There's a room off the side of the main chamber." Fenice stated as she pointed down what was left of the hall.

Luke took the lead into the main chamber. Fenice found the masked panel that led to the room they sought. Inside small room they found a marble box on a pedestal.

"This should hold the scroll." Fenice said as she walked toward the pedestal.

"Be careful." Luke cautioned.

"When on a quest, always..." she was cut off as the floor gave way, taking her and the pedestal with it.

Luke took a moment to asses the situation. He stood on the edge of a fair sized shaft that angled beneath him so he could not see Fenice. He made his way around the edge to where the side sloped up. Luke still could not see his student. His only choice was to follow her. He sat on the edge of the shaft and began to slide down the rough surface slowly. Gradually he gained speed, sometimes falling as the shaft changed directions. Suddenly the shaft dropped into a narrow canyon. Luke landed awkwardly at the bottom of the canyon, he could feel it just below his right knee. He looked up to see Fenice clinging to some roots.

The Tein'kal let go, and ducked into a somersault going into a roll as she landed. "Now that caught me off guard." she admitted as she stood and brushed herself off.

"Are you alright?" Luke asked.

"Bumps and bruises." Fenice stated with nonchalance. "How about you?" she asked with more concern.

"Fine."

"Now that were sure we're both in one piece the scroll landed over there." she pointed to a group of rocks about ten meters up the canyon. She didn't wait for a reply, just headed for the rocks.

Luke followed and helped her pick the scroll case out of the remains of the box, pedestal and flooring.

"Now we need to find our way back to Yeveth's camp." Luke stated.

"First we find a way out of the canyon, and hope we don't contend with more vornskers." Fenice said dryly.

"That's part of it." Luke said with a scolding seriousness.

Luke led the way as they searched for the mouth of the canyon, or a place to climb out. It only took them an hour to find the outlet, and both of them were surprised to find Yeveth's camp only meters away. Neither of them had been able to keep track of the twists in the shaft.

It was near dusk and Luke was so glad to find Yeveth preparing more of the food his wife had packed. Fenice didn't object to being fussed over either.

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't return before dark." Yeveth said as he dished them each a plate.

"We almost didn't." Luke admitted.

"My fault," Fenice said, "I discovered a new shoot, and had to go sliding."

"At least it got us past the vornskers." Luke stated.

"Given that, maybe it was a good thing." she conceded.

"Now that you have the scroll I'll lead you back in the morning." Yeveth stated. "This is a good place to stay because we get warmth from the fire spurt and vornskers avoid them."

"Travel through the fire pits in the dark is not wise I take it." Fenice commented.

"Whether it's wise or not we've had a long day." said Luke.

The three of them finished their meal, and curled up around the fire spurt to sleep.

-----

Fenice sat with Threepio at the table in Yeveth's home translating. The journey from the fire pits had been uneventful. Though Fenice ached all over from the day she wasn't about to admit it, or to stop working now.

Luke walked into the room, "How are you coming along?"

"Fine." she replied stretching. "The next scroll is on Dantooine, some sort of grave I think."

"Sounds like fun." Luke said with a hint of sarcasm.

"The clue say, to walk among the dead where the Force breaths silent." Fenice said with the fraise don't blame me written in her tone. "As to that mark on the first scroll that I said was not writing, I was wrong."

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Wrong?"

"In a way." Fenice half admitted. "Tionne had the right idea when she suggested a puzzle piece." she unrolled all three scrolls to a specific point. "They all fit together." she pointed to a mark on each one. Fenice took out her data recorder to prove her point. She pulled up all three images and combined them for Luke to see. "They form part of a shape, an octagon. The way the pieces are shaped it would take eight of them to touch all the way around."

"And the only shape that pattern would make is an octagon." Luke finished. "So there must be eight scrolls."

"Both from what is written in the main part of the scrolls and this new discovery I have come to that conclusion." Fenice confirmed. " I really shouldn't be surprised eight is a sacred number to Aran, but I doubt I could translate the meaning. Do you remember the Octagon in the center of Santik'sa?" she questioned.

Luke nodded.

"That's not all though." she pointed to a section of the image. "Each piece has half letters that aren't standard Aras dien. They're a form of script. The part that's complete translates to, One who is Two." She pointed to part of the image, "This is from the first scroll and this piece is from the third. They line up on these color bars, and the lines are oriented one-hundred-eighty degrees contrary. It should read counter clockwise, but the color bars indicate clockwise."

"Someone didn't want to make this easy." Luke stated.

"You call what we've done so far easy?" Fenice asked.

-----

Gam'nead laughed, she only begins to see. Her quest has only begun. When she comes her own doubts will defeat her for me. I will have what I want, Kayan was a fool to think she would challenge me. He saw what he wanted in her, I see a pawn that doesn't know it.