St.Remy: K... I currently have a cold so some of this chapter might not make any sense or at least sound really stupid. Sorry, but I plan to reread and possibly repost this chapter later after I'm better and not taking Dayquil. Still, I felt that while I had the time I should update, so here it is. I hope you enjoy it and it doesn't make me sound like I'm on crack, it's just cold meds and to much Jerry Springer I swear!
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any of the actual characters in said series.
I also do not own the Dune series by Frank Herbert or the SciFi-Mini Series it was made into! I'm just borrowing a few concepts and the like from it, no actual characters, though there are a crap load of neat ones in those books.
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None? C'mon people! Show me some love! I get more responces from the people on AFF. Net! Which is sad on your alls part, really it is...
Force Order
Ch.3
As Obi-Wan began to come to he noted that his eyes felt like they had been welded shut and his throat was dry and it stung to swallow or breath the warm air around him. His lips were chapped and moving made his muscles cry out harshly. He did his best to center himself and noticed that he was clad in nothing more then a light pair of pants. Paying no mind to his bodies protests Obi-Wan jerked into a sitting position and pried open his aching eyes. The room was sparsely decorated with no more then a low table surrounded by three mats, a shelf carved directly into the rock wall at the foot of the relatively thin but surprisingly soft sleeping mat and pillows that Obi-Wan currently sat on and a few pots and jugs on the far wall near a clothe covered entry way. The Padawan noticed how only a soft glow filtered through the makeshift door and seemed to flicker and move like fire light. He looked around again and tried to stand. It took a few minutes before he was steady on his feet enough to walk to the shelf and grab one of the blankets resting there. A chill prickled his skin and Obi-Wan pulled one of the heavier blankets off of the shelf. After wrapping himself in it he made his way to the door way nearly making it out before nearly running right into by someone coming in.
Bright green eyes stared down at the young Jedi from a softly featured face. A smile quirked full lips brushed by long blond hair. Obi-Wan swallowed nervously at the sight of the beautiful man standing before him. He was a bit taller then Obi-Wan but not as tall as Qui-Gon with skin a few shades to light to be moca but still held a lovely tan. His body was lean and compact, strong but didn't look to have gone through any real warrior training. Obi-Wan felt himself begin to sway where he stood and a nimble fingered hand came up to steady him.
"You are very strong I will admit young one but rest is still needed." The blond man steered him back to the sleeping mat, that Obi-Wan noted curiously looked more suited for two people then just one, "I will, however tell your friend that you have awoken. I'm sure he will be delighted to hear the news."
Obi-Wan felt a bit dumb for merely nodding as he was lowered to the mat and tried to mumble out a thank you.
"There is no need to thank me little one. I am a healer, it is my duty." Obi-Wan nodded again before drifting back to sleep.
The next time Obi-Wan woke he felt a presence in the room with him. After a quick investigation he discovered it to be his Master, safe and sound. He sighed in relief as he opened his eyes to see Qui-Gon not far away sitting on one of the mats from the table meditating. A few moments of watching and blue eyes opened to meet his own. The two shared a smile before the older man got up and went to sit beside his Padawan. Obi-Wan sat up as well, finding it much easier this time and smiled happily at Qui-Gon as the man took him into his arms.
"I was very worried Obi-Wan. Kivu said that you would be fine but I still worried." Qui-Gon told the younger man.
"Who is Kivu, Master?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering if Kivu was the man who had put him back to bed the last time he had awoken. 'How long ago was that I wonder.'
"He is one of the healers here. He and his mate were kind enough to give up their dwelling to us and even convinced their clan to wait a few days before moving again." Obi-Wan looked up sharply and curiously at his Master's words, "They are a nomadic people Padawan. We seem to have fallen in on them just before making their next journey."
"Did the ship crash Master?" Obi-Wan asked simply.
"I'm afraid so. Simber and Morilis died on entry and Orick died in the desert."
"I hope he did not suffer much." Obi-Wan looked away sadly, remembering the young mechanic.
"Don't worry kid. If anything he was delirious and didn't feel a thing. Dune can be a merciful mistress when the inclination suits her." A deep voice drew both Jedi's attention to the door way. The blond man from before and another man, with short, light brown hair decorated with a few short, silvery gray feathers and a jagged scar over one azure blue eye stood there.
The blond man gave the other a swat in the arm before addressing the Jedi, "I'm glad to see you awake, Obi-Wan is it?"
"Yes. I am feeling much better, thank you."
The blond smiled and nodded, "My name is Kivu, and this is my mate Zyfer. Please excuse his rudeness. He just returned from a hunt and hasn't remembered his manners yet."
"It's quite alright Kivu we understand." Qui-Gon told the lithe man.
"If you can manage it, food's being passed around in a bit. Otherwise Tesserick and Eiru will bring you two something." Zyfer told them stiffly before turning and leaving.
"Pay him no mind. As I said, blood of the hunt still runs fresh through his veins. I do hope you will be joining us though. The little ones are very curious to meet the both of you." Kivu smiled kindly before ducking out of the room.
"We have stumbled upon a most fascinating people Padawan mine." Qui-Gon told the younger man beside him.
"Are we on Dauhkra's surface then Master?" Obi-Wan asked curiously as he rested against him.
"Yes we are and I believe Master Yoda was right to insist the Jedi make peace with these people." The older man sighed heavily and held his charge closer.
"How so?"
"They are similar to the Jedi in many ways but different in a few crucial others. They seemed to have found a balance like I have never heard of in the force. Certainly some lean more one way then others. Kivu for example is more in tuned with the living Force and, as I've been told, is a Gaia elemental while Zyfer is closer to the fighting and skill aspects. I believe he is a Fire elemental." Qui-Gon response only prompted more questions.
"Elemental? They have elemental control as well? And what do you mean by fighting and skill?" Obi-Wan's head spun with even more questions but he settled for the few he had blurted just then.
Qui-Gon sighed again and rocked the younger man a bit to calm him, "Yes they have a small amount of natural element control but it is their potential that concerns me. Kivu says that a few desert born are sent to the Green Lands for further training at the Rain City Temple, Eiru and Tesserick among the hopeful few, while most others just learn what they can from their clan and other Elders they meet in their travels. They have discovered whole new sides to the force and some rather disturbing gray areas that I'm not sure the council has ever considered. Their elemental prowess seems to be linked to whatever force strength they have. Kivu, as a Gaia elemental, is tied closely into nature and has a knack for nurturing plants and animals while his ties to the living force aid him even further in being a healer. It's all quite amazing."
"Who are Eiru and Tesserick?" Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon Was about to answer when a pair of boys entered into the room. One looked to be about Obi-Wan's age while the younger was undoubtable less then ten. His eyes were a bright azure with specks of emerald in them, his skin a bronzish color that looked more sun induced then the older boy's skin tone or the men Obi-Wan had seen, if that was at all possible. His hair was a light golden brown, like the thick honey Qui-Gon would add to his Padawan's tea when he was younger and had became ill. His body was lean but not scrawny in the least. It was almost as if what little juvenile muscle he had was painstakingly placed upon his slight frame by the Gods to sculpted his desert adapted form. Curiously Qui-Gon noted that this child's body didn't seem as well fit to the harsh environment he had learned to be on the other side of the thick stone walls currently protecting them. He seemed more suited to a damper environment, with such light, rich hair and fair skin.
The older boy however was perfectly built. A solid body, lean but with a sturdier frame. His hair was a bluish black much like Obi-Wan remembered the man in his dream having and his eyes were a complimenting cobalt blue. Naturally dark, work roughened skin less silky then the younger boy's was stretched over his body and looked as if it wouldn't lighten a shade even without the unforgiving sun. He was clad in a loose, gray tank top and long brown pants while beside him the boy was only dressed in baggy, dark gray shorts. The child watched the Jedi with avid curiosity and excitement. The young man's eyes were reserved and cautious more then anything else with a twinge of youthful curiosity.
"I am Tesserik, son of Adric and Tithrys. This is Eiru." The older boy introduced them.
"My Da's your healer!" Eiru chimed in, giving Obi-Wan a wide grin.
"And his efforts are very much appreciated. My name is Obi-Wan." The Padawan introduced himself and returned the smile politely.
"We know, Qui-Gon told me a story 'bout the Temple on Coruscant(1) and you last night! It was so exciting! Your gonna tell me another story tonight, right Qui-Gon?" The child bounced over to the pair of off worlders eagerly.
"Eiru! We're suppose to be bringing them out for late meal!" Tesserik admonished before either Jedi could say anything.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Sorry Tesserik." Eiru said, his smile only faltering marginally. "C'mon, before all the grown ups get the good stuff. Father and the other hunters got a lot last hunt!"
The child took both Jedi by the wrist and tugged insistently. With a fond smile he didn't have the heart to suppress Qui-Gon stood and helped his apprentice to his own feet. Obi-Wan paused a moment to be sure he was stable before allowing the small boy to lead him out of the room. The world into which he stepped was a strange one, even by Jedi standards. They seemed to be standing in a gigantic room within the confines of a mountain. There was a sloping road way that spiraled along the outer wall of the impressive chamber and led to a central area. There were door ways carved every few meters into the rock and covered by clothes; some of the rooms placed further apart had windows overlooking the path and sharp cliff that fell to the next loop of the spiral until it reached the spacious ground level that looked to be dusted with a thin carpet of golden sand. There were some six or seven levels at least that Obi-Wan was able to count chiseled into the red and orange streaked, mostly dark gray rock.
As their young escorts led them silently down th spiraling path way Obi-Wan noted other details of their current hosts. He noticed men with mostly dark skin and hair similar to Tesserik but only looking to vary slightly in age, with the exception of some obvious elders, sitting on benches in front of dwellings and standing in entryways socializing while others carried baskets up or down the path, others pushing small carts full of various things. What struck Obi-Wan as most strange though was that there wasn't a single woman in sight and he had only spotted four children even close to Eiru's age among the men and maybe six or seven near his own and Tesserik's age.
Moving a bit closer to the ledge the young Jedi peered down with interest to the ground level only about two levels below. There were tents scattered around a central point, which happened to be a clear blue spring surrounded by mostly smoothed silver, gray, and blue marble crystal. A few men were dipping pots of various size into the pool and handing them off to others before taking up another pot and repeating the process. Now Obi-Wan also saw more children, about a dozen or so running about under the obvious supervision of four adults, one of whom he recognized as Kivu, not far from the well and near the end of the sloping road. On the other side of the pool a larger group of men seemed to be completing the finishing touches on a massive feast.
"The hunters made a large kill last night. There will be more then enough to go around for now." Tesserik said glancing at the Jedi over his shoulder, "You should be thankful. The elders see it as a sign of good luck and acceptance of you from Dune. They say she gives you her blessing."
"Yeah, father took down a Va-Cour all on his own! Da was so proud, you shoulda seen 'em!" Eiru said cheerily as he walked between the Jedi, having dropped their wrists a few minutes ago.
"What is a Va-Cour?" Obi-Wan asked.
"They're one of the less intelligent, desert breed of black Daigon." Tesserik explained tersely as they neared the end of the road.
"Tesserik! I see you've finally come to help out with meal preparations, a bit late though I'm afraid." A grinning man with more blackish eyes and bluer hair jogged up to the young man.
"I was fetching Kivu's patients, Zythric." The younger man replied seeming a bit irritated.
"Oh, well that's something else then." The man's attention turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, "My name is Zythric, I'm Tesserik's older brother."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Qui-Gon said, he and Obi-Wan both bowing slightly.
"I hope he isn't giving you two a hard time. My little brother is less then trusting." The man, who only looked marginally older then his brother or Obi-Wan, smiled at his sibling who blushed hotly under his gaze.
"I'm making sure they're all right! Don't worry, Zythric!" Euri chirped from between the Jedi.
The man smiled and knelt down to the boy's level, "Good. I'll be sure to give your Da a good report the next I see him. Now run along, speaking of your adab I think he is looking for the lot of you." With that and a short nodded to the Jedi Zythric went on his way.
"He seemed pleasant." Obi-Wan observed out loud. His master merely nodded.
"You won't be seeing much of him soon." Tesserik said tightly as he began to lead them through the light crowd.
"Yeah, Zythric and his mate are leaving for the Green Lands after the sun sinks again." Eiru said a bit remorsefully.
"I still don't see how that distasteful Kyri caught his eye! The man reeks of bad omens!" Tesserik practically spat before calming himself as they approached a man with long blond hair that Obi-Wan could tell, even from behind thanks to the odd lightness of said hair, was Kivu.
"Come now Tesserik, Kyri is a fine young man, and a skilled scholar, he complements your brother in every way." Kivu said as he turned to look at them, "Now, if you will excuse us I believe you have other responsibilities to attend to?"
"Yes Kivu." The boy dipped his head before dashing off.
"Da! Obi-Wan an' Qui-Gon are eating with us right?" Eiru bounced up to his adab with a hopeful smile.
"Of course little one." Kivu ruffled his son's hair fondly, "Why don't you go play, I'm going to show our gusts around a bit."
"Kay!" The boy ran off toward the small group of children playing with a dark brown ball closer to the spring.
"I am sure you are both curious about our people." Kivu addressed the Jedi with a smile. "I decided to wait and answer questions once you awoke Obi-Wan since I doubted it would take more then a day after your Master came to."
"Your assessment was very accurate Kivu, you are a skilled healer." Qui-Gon complemented the man.
"I am a master of my craft friend Jedi. I only hope my mastery served you and your student well." Green eyes looked questioningly at Obi-Wan.
"I am feel much better, thank you" The Padawan answered the silent question. Kivu nodded and smiled as he lead the Jedi toward the spring.
"I know that there is a vast desert on the other side of the stone walls protecting us but we also saw green forest from orbit." Qui-Gon said after a time of silence.
Kivu knelt upon the carved crystal steps that circled the pool some five meters in diameter. "Yes, the desert stretches for many klicks in both directions. It is nearly three days travel to Green Land's edge alone and even farther to Rain City on the coast."
"We've heard of Rain City a few times before. Is it truly the only city with a space port?" Qui-Gon asked as he and Obi-Wan remained standing in front of the blond man.
"Yes. Rain City is the heart of the Green Lands and they have always been the ones concerned with off world activities. Those of the Dune only look far enough ahead to be sure of their own survival and have been wary of strangers from the beginning. It is rare that even those of the Green Lands venture into the desert. They only come to us once a century or so though a clan may wonder onto their soil ever thirty or forty years."
"That's an awfully long time." Obi-Wan admitted in surprise.
"It doesn't seem so long when you are an Azureth. After all we live for over a millennia unless the Force chooses otherwise. The oldest Azureth I know of is Lord Sake, wisest child of the Dune. He is nearly 1789 I believe, though we tend to stop counting after 600. By that time we are expected to have found our mates and places in the Force." Kivu explained to the pair of stunned Jedi before him. Even with the Force hindering the aging process it was unheard of for anyone to live over a millennia. Even Yoda wasn't expected to live for another hundred years though many hoped he would.
"We were told that there is a temple in Rain City and that Azureth are sometimes sent there for training." Qui-Gon said questioningly, changing the subject as tactfully as possible.
"Yes, normally each desert clan sends one or two children, sometimes three or even more if an oddly large number of births occur in a generation. The two most likely candidates from our clan are Tesserik and my own son, Eiru, though he is a bit young yet. The Green Land counties send many more children then those of Dune side and are less selective. Still, most of our children return to the desert after a time, sometimes bringing with them mates from the Green Lands as Zyfer did with me. Most of the Green Land trainees stay in the militia and are either sent to the Space Security Stations or Boarder Control."
"You were originally form the green Lands?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yes I was born in Rain City as a matter of fact. It is a beautiful place but the desert has grown on me over the years." Kivu smiled fondly at the memory of his old home. "Now, I think we should see how last meal preparations are coming along. I can answer more questions later."
The blond man stood and lead the Jedi through another screen of people, the air scented with smoke and cooked meat. The Jedi noticed that some of the men were working tirelessly on cooking the food while others worked to keep the large fires in the cooking pits lit and lively. Some of the meat was being cooked in chunks slid onto long spikes while some was chopped finely and added along side herbs and powders into soup. As they neared the far wall Qui-Gon noted the blood that stained the clothing of the men that walked by them, some empty handed but most carrying baskets of meat still dripping crimson onto the sandy floor. The Master looked ahead for Kivu and spotted Zyfer standing atop a bolder over the men. His chest bare and soaked in life essence, some of the red liquid smeared on his face wear he may have wiped a hand at some point.
"All right! That's all we'll be getting from this one! Leave it for the gray and take the last scraps to feed our own rides!" The feathers glinted in the soft light as the brown haired man gave orders to the men around him and the group paused long enough to reorganize themselves.
"Your mate is well respected I see." Qui-Gon commented to Kivu.
"This beast is his to do with as he sees fit. He was the one to singlehandedly bring it down after all. On another hunt he may very well be carrying meat to the cooks or feeding the tunnel Daigen." Kivu said with a small shrug, "It is the way of the Dunes, ever changing and never the same as it once was."
"Much like the Force." Qui-Gon said.
"Yes, very similar." Kivu smiled as Zyfer noticed and approached them.
"I hope that their curiosity hasn't worn you out, Kivu." Blue eyes danced with frozen fire as they met sage green.
"They are eager students but there are some things you could better answer then I will ever be able to." Zyfer nodded and turned toward the Jedi.
"Kivu can show you were we sit during meal. I am going to wash quickly and find Eiru. Food will be served shortly." With a curt nod the man left them and Kivu was leading them through the cooking area again and toward a rectangular tent with one long side missing and facing a shallow fire pit.
The dozen or so children Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had seen thus far were seated around the pit and in the tent with three adults. One of the men had short black hair and brown eyes, another had equally short brown hair and gray eyes while the third had slightly lighter brown hair down to his shoulders that was decorated with beads and a single green tipped black feather and cobalt hued eyes; all clad in loose, lightly woven cloths. The children varied with mostly dark hair and eyes though a few bright blue or green orbs were seen in the bunch. As the trio neared a fourth man joined the group. He was muscular and had a streak of blood smeared over his chest where a basket may have rested when being carried and red rivulets ran down his darkly skinned legs from crimson dampened gray shorts. He had bright, almost glowing blue eyes and only a short layer of black fuzz covered his head. The man talked happily with the other three from outside the tent as they watched the children play with stones and crystal figurines of warriors and beasts.
"Greetings Kivu. I see the foreigners are up and about." The black haired man sitting inside the tent called to the approaching group eyeing the Jedi cautiously much as Tesserik had.
"Greetings Tyjri, Ovyrn, Fadrin, Kovia." Kivu nodded to each man in turn and the Jedi made mental not of each man's name. The man who had greeted them with a suspicious eye was Tyjri, the man with gray eyes was Ovyrn, the man with decorated hair was Fadrin and the last, Kovia, was the man soaked in blood.
"I wonder, you are planning to send them on their way soon, are you not Kivu? They can't just be left here, the Va-Cour would get to them in a matter of nights with us leaving the remains of such a large kill behind."Tyjri continued, only a bit of sarcastic concern reaching his tone.
"Zyfer and I will be speaking with the clan elders over last meal." the blond answered smoothly.
"You know I wouldn't mind keeping them around. The younger one is rather handsome." The gray eyed man, Ovyrn, said with a wicked grin.
"Don't say such things Ovyrn, you sound like an old gossip." the decorated man, Fadrin told his companion.
The blood smeared man chuckled, "Well, I'd love nothing more then to stay and throw words about until meal is served but I have to be getting Kitoru and myself back to his Adab." Kovia said turning to the children and motioning for one of the bright eyed younglings to follow him. The boy grinned, lifted himself and one of the crystal figurines out of the sand before saying goodbye to his friends and dashing off after his father.
"It's very unfair that you and Mikou are blessed with such kind and strong mates, Kivu. Perhaps I can take the young, plaited out lander off you hands?" Ovyrn lamented as father and son made their way toward the ramp and glanced suggestively at a blushing Obi-Wan.
"Have patience Ovyrn, you aren't even 200 yet. There is plenty of time for you, so leave Kivu and his guests be." Fadrin told the man as he turned his attention to a dark red crystal in his hand that he appeared to be carving into another figurine for the children with a black crystal bladed dagger.
"Simple for you to say Fadrin, you are nearly 450 and yet without a mate or even an interest in the past century." There wasn't time enough for anyone to blink before the decorated man was behind Ovyrn, his obsidian dagger at the younger man's throat.
"I would learn to hold your tongue if there is to be any hope of you living to find a mate." Fadrin growled out before moving abruptly away and stalking off into the bustle of the kitchen area, leaving Ovyrn gasping a bit.
Qui-Gon had the urge to follow the angry man but found Kivu's arm blocking his path, "Fadrin is none of your concern Jedi." The blond's voice had never sounded so cold and it stopped any protest Qui-Gon may have had.
"I didn't mean to upset Fadrin. I was only poking a bit of fun. I apologize young Jedi." Ovyrn's words were soft and sincere.
"I didn't think you meant any harm." Obi-Wan excepted the apology with a short bow. A silence stretched for a few moments before Tyjri grudgingly dispelled it.
"Why don't you three rest here with us until last meal begins. I am sure the Jedi have many questions and Kivu, you undoubtably could use some help answering them." The Three joined the remaining two Azureth within the tent and watched the children play as they waited for their parents to come retrieve them for meal.
TBC...
1) I spelled it right didn't I? I sure hope so. I'm all fuzzy headed and can't be sure. If it isn't right please do tell me, K!
St.Remy: K, first off. If this chapter sounded kinda funny that's because I had a cold and was hyped on Dayquil when I wrote it! I will be rereading this chapter once I'm all better and possible changing a few things. For now though just bare with me, k! And please REVIEW! I really need to feel the luv right now! I'm actually begging, which is sad! So have pity huh? I just want to know that people are actually reading this and I'm not waiting my time here...