Alice the Raven: Thanks, I just read your update, and it was awesome. I can't wait for more.
Trillian4210: I wouldn't mind you copying me. I doubt that I wasn't the only one kind of grossed out by Visas without her veil. Thanks for reviewing; I worked really hard on that chapter.
Chapter 5: Revalations
Katarr, Bruloune Mountains, Kimura Farm
It's been six months since the Battle of Iziz. It is now December, and the fourth year of the Mandalorian Wars is coming to an end. Thanks to the help from the Marr's family, Seja and Callista had a thriving medical herb business. Doctors from far away cities wanted Seja's herbs, since they were as effective as Kolto in terms of healing. The growing season was surprisingly long as well, the crops were all harvested at the beginning at the month before the frost could form.
On the way home from helping treat an elderly Miralukan couple, Seja stopped to help a young child who scraped his knee. He heard footsteps coming up behind him, and he turned around to see Ergot, in merchant clothing, walk up to him.
"Hey Kimura, long time," Ergot said quietly, "I got some information about…the war…"
Seja nodded, and put more of his special herb on the child's knee, "There little one, it should be all better now."
"You sure about that big brother, will I be able to play with the others later?"
"Yes, I'll be happy to play with you all later, now, run along; your parents are waiting for you," Seja told the child, who smiled and ran off to his planets, "What's this information about, Ergot?"
A few minutes later, they were sitting on a grassy hill, watching as speeders went by. Ergot took out a cigara, lit it, and blew out the smoke out of his mouth.
"Dxun was finally taken by the Republic in August, and in October, the vulgar speech law was passed by the Mandalorians on Iziz," Ergot told him, "The Mandalorians have invaded Republic and Resistance HQ, but it wasn't very successful. They say Mandalore will try again…" he put the cigara back in his mouth, "And upcoming on the 15th, Vaklu will launch a massive offensive on the Mandalorian troops in the city, and Iziz will be in all out war again. Revan will also be starting to push the offensive to take back Seracco and Taris soon, trying to cut Mandalore's forces in half…"
"…is there any word at all from Mr. Wann…?" Seja asked him, the wind picking up as leaves fell near his face.
"Not at this time," Ergot replied as he took the cigara out for a second, "There's no word from him at all," he then looked down at the ground, "After the Beast Inn burned down, he pretty much disappeared…being the only survivor of the Mical Incident, he was dubbed 'Runaway Wann', by some. Which my really be true…" he then flicked the excess burnt tobacco off his cigara, "Is the Republic really done for…? I know Revan is fighting with us, but we are taking major losses at Seracco."
"Not by a long shot," Seja replied, "I am sure Mr. Vaklu will win, and Mr. Wann will definitely return…"
Ergot's eyes closed shut, and he leaned back on the hill.
"So what's happening in Iziz?" Seja asked Ergot.
"Eh? Oh jeez, horrible stuff," Ergot replied, remember the atrocities the Mandalorians were now committing on Onderon, "It is pretty much Mandalore Honor Guard territory now. And that Kath Hound pack hunts down Resistance fighters and Republic Troops in the city almost every day. Mandalorian patrols burn down Resistance homes, making the city a veritable bloodbath…" he then started to get up, "…you just stay careful man."
"I will, they do have to maintain the peace. Their grasp most likely won't reach Katarr," Seja told him, and he remembered the Dark Jedi who ambushed him, "My only major worry is that of those undercover Mandalorian spies…and since the traitor wasn't found, they're like me…like they didn't exist at all…they could send someone at any time…"
"Gee, what a fun talk. I'm bummed out…" Ergot said as he got up and put his bag on his back, "But how are you? You're going to be bummed out soon, aren't you?"
Seja looked up at him with a friendly smile, "Thanks for your concern, Ergot…"
"Yeah, you're looking good kid," Ergot said with a smirk, "You know, I thought you being an assassin…you'd perhaps get bored with stuff like this."
"That's not necessarily true; I was a Jedi before an assassin," Seja replied, rising to his feet, grabbing his medical supplies bag, "In truth, I like sword arts and Jedi training, but not killing. And besides, these past five months, though boring, have enlightened me incredibly…"
Ergot frowned, but tried to keep it hidden. He put up his mental shield so Seja couldn't read his thoughts, and then heard a few people coming up behind him. They were human farmers.
"Oh, it's the medical man," one of them said.
"You're stocking up again? Must have been a long walk, probably an even longer drive to the hospitals in Mira."
"Yeah, but Seja's medicines work wonders on wounds."
Seja nodded thanks to the farmers, and walked off down the street towards the farm. Further down the road, he encountered a few of his usual customers.
"Ah, Seja, good timing," one of the Miralukan farmers waved at him, "My stomach isn't feeling too well."
"Okay, I'll come by later with the medicine, just got to get it ready," Seja told him cheerfully, slinging his bag over his shoulders.
"Why pick herbs even today?" one of the farmers asked cheerfully.
"So diligent," his wife replied, and Seja smiled at them.
"So are you," Seja commented, bowing lightly, "Take care of yourselves."
At the Kimura homestead, Visas and Callista were playing with the human, twi'lek, and Miralukan children who lived in the area. The boys were playing with sticks, using them like swords, while the girls played ball with Visas and Callista. Visas had become a good friend to Seja and Callista, helping their farm get started and checking in on them. The wind started to pick up as he arrived.
"I'm home," Seja said quietly as he walked up his own driveway.
"AHH!" the children yelled happily, and they all started running to Seja with their balls in hand, "Welcome home! Where were ya?"
One of the kids accidentally threw his ball at Seja's chin, which knocked the Jedi off his feet comically. The boys surrounded him with their sticks and another ball nailed Seja in the face and one of the boys slammed their stick on the back of his head.
"I was picking herbs; did you have fun playing with Mrs. Kimura and Ms. Marr?" Seja asked, with bandages that were mysteriously placed on the impact wounds.
"Yeah! But…" all of them started, and one of the girls went over to Callista.
"Ms. Marr is a lot of fun…but Mrs. Kimura is not….is she in dreamland?" the girl finished what her friends were saying.
There was a young Miralukan girl standing far away from the group. One of the human boys glared at her.
"What's wrong?" Seja asked, looking over at her as one of the little girls near Seja sighed longingly.
"My dad said, 'don't play with him'…" the girl started sheepishly, "'cause we don't know what he's up to.'"
"I see," Seja smiled, looking at the little girl.
"But, my mom says you take good care of everyone. Isn't that right?" the girl asked Seja.
"I see…" Seja started, and he stepped forward and he placed his hand on her head, "I'll be here all day tomorrow. So come and play with the others whenever you like.
The girl smiled, and Seja took his hand off her head. He looked up at the sky, to see the sun starting to set.
"Well, it's getting late. Time to go home," Seja told the children cheerfully.
"Okay! BYE!" all the children yelled, and Seja turned to Visas.
"Thanks for keeping Callista company," Seja said to the Miralukan as the children ran down the driveway to the home, "Will you be staying for dinner tonight?"
"I'd like to, but I actually have a school project to get started on," Visas replied, "I'll grab my bag and be off."
"Okay, thanks for coming anyways," Seja thanked her, and Visas went in and grabbed her book bag and she ran off, and Seja looked over to Callista, "Did you have fun with the kids?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, I really do love children, but I'm not used to smiling too much…" Callista explained, and Seja chuckled, walking towards the house, "and speaking of smiling…"
Seja looked over at her, as she put her hands on her dress, trying to straighten it out.
"You've been doing it a lot lately, haven't you?" Callista asked him, looking over to her husband.
"Yes, that's true…" Seja replied with a sigh, "I was born into a middle class family on Nar Shaada, and lost them when I was ten. I heard I have an older brother, but he left Nar Shaada long before I was born. Then there is the vigorous training of the Jedi and the Super Shien style…now I am a Republic Assassin. Whenever I talk to others, there was no exchange of smiles at all…" as the sun continued to set, he continued his explanation, "Having learned the ways of the Jedi and the Super Shien Style, I will fight, even kill for a new peaceful era."
The sun continued to set, leaving a dull orange glow over the land. Seja smiled, and looked at Callista.
"Whatever I fought for before has changed. What I fight for now…" Seja started, "For the happiness ordinary people experience, which I have experienced for these past five months. These past five months with you have calmed my thoughts greatly…"
Callista stood there in silence, not knowing what to say. She nodded, and they both walked into their house. The sun set and clouds started forming in the sky.
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Mira City, Katarr
Posing as a homeless man, Republic Admiral Solo Jalata huddled near a trashcan fire. His blaster and vibroblade were concealed beneath the rags he was given, as well has his Republic Uniform. Shaking, he rubbed his hands as he breathed out; his breath was seen clearly in the cold weather.
"There is probably going to be a new war soon, but not until this current one is over…" Solo said to himself, his body shaking from the cold, 'Man, how long this hiding going to last? Wann must return, and quickly…' he then glanced at the passing crowd, and he saw Ergot walking somewhere, 'eh?'
Ergot was in his military uniform, had both his vibroblade and vibrodagger on his left hip, while his blaster pistol was resting on his right. He looked deep in thought, and unbothered by the cold.
'Isn't that Ergot? What's he doing here?' Solo thought as he got up, 'I thought he was sleeping at Kimura's tonight…'
He decided to follow Ergot, since his appearance in the area didn't make sense. He followed him to a waiting speeder, and Solo ducked back. There was a nearby speeder bike, and he bought it from the owner. He leapt on it and drove after the mysterious speeder that picked up Ergot.
Solo was careful to keep a ways back behind the speeder as they exited the city. His helmet concealed his features, and he kept a safe way back so he wouldn't be seen by the drivers of the speeder. Solo looked up as the speeder turned off the main road, heading towards Mt. Bruloune.
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Mt. Bruloune, Barrier Forest, Katarr
Solo dismounted of his speeder bike, quite a distance away from where the speeder that picked up Ergot had landed. He hid behind a nearby tree to see Ergot exit with two tall men, in blue heavy armor. They were wielding Mandalorian heavy repeater rifles. Solo couldn't hear what the two Mandalorians were talking about to Ergot, but it couldn't be good. The Mandalorians nodded, and went back into their speeder. Ergot then began walking threw the forest.
'Is Ergot doing counter intelligence? That isn't his assignment…' Solo thought as he quietly followed Ergot trudged threw the woods.
Solo began feeling weird in the forest, like a part of him was completely cut off. His senses, especially his sixth sense were dulled, and he didn't know why. Pushing a branch out of his way, Solo continued to follow the Republic Officer. Ergot stopped for a second, and Solo quickly ducked behind a tree.
"Guess it was just a squilek…" Ergot muttered, and he continued walking threw the brush.
'That was a close one…' Solo thought as he continued his silent pursuit of Ergot.
Solo began to feel the effects of the cold weather, his body was shivering has he took each step. He cursed himself for not bringing heavier clothing, but he continued his pursuit of Ergot. He breathed in and out heavily, his breath clearly visible in the cold weather. He ducked under another branch, and he noticed that Ergot had taken a distinct turn east.
Solo rubbed his hands as he continued to walk threw the forest, he had no idea of how far or long he had been out, and Ergot showed no signs of slowing. Just then, Ergot came to a small little shack in the forest. He opened the primitive door, and slipped in, the door was left open a crack. Solo walked forward to get a closer look. He knelt down and peered threw the crack.
'Something's up, and I don't like it,' he thought, looking threw the crack; 'I've never seen this Republic base before."
"You got it. The Republic is finished," the voice of Ergot said, and Solo's eyes widened.
He saw Ergot sitting with a group of three sentient beings. An gray bearded, but very muscular Mandalorian was sitting at the head of the room, next to him was another Mandalorian, wearing all black and he had a vibrosword at his hip, and there was also a tall, muscular Gammorean armed with a huge vibroaxe standing to Ergot's left.
"Wann has escaped, but the Slayer is still in our grasp," Ergot told the Mandalorian evilly, "The past five months have weakened his instincts. Now is the best time to strike!"
Solo bore his teeth and thought, 'No way! Ergot has been the traitor all along!' he shook his head and turned around, "Without Kimura, and even under Revan's leadership, the Republic chances at driving off the Mandalorians will be impossible! I must warn-!"
Before Solo could finish his sentence, his face was grasped by a large, reptilian hand. Above the hand's wrist were golden rings, and the arm was longer than normal.
"Who is it?" the Mandalorian swordsman and Gammorean yelled, looking at the door as Solo was thrown in.
"/You guys should be a lot more careful…/" a reptilian like voice hissed from the window, and the Mandalorian swordsman and Gammorean gasped.
"Alakaaka!"
From out of the window, a reptilian face could be seen. It was covered by a black mask, but it didn't conceal the snake like features.
As Solo turned around, the Mandalorian swordsman lifted his wrist up as quickly as he could.
"Damn it!" the Mandalorian cursed, making a gesture with his hand, and something shot out at Solo's neck from a gauntlet on his wrist, "I got him! Die!'
Solo cried out in pain as a five inch thin spike hit above his wishbone. His air was cut off, and blood flew out of his mouth and neck as he collapsed.
"Ha!" the Mandalorian swordsman cheered triumphantly, twisting his wrist up and the Gammorean looked over at him.
": Quite a handy weapon you have there:" the Gammorean grunted and squealed in its piggish language.
"Yeah! They call it my pin launcher! These things go faster than blaster bolts, and are impossible to block! My friends love this thing!" the Mandalorian swordsman bragged, lifting up his wrist to reveal the strange weapon, "That's why I bought myself a bunch of these things…"
"Damn, it's one of Wann's friends and a Republic Admiral," Ergot grunted, looking as Solo's body twitched, "The Republic will find us out now. Losing an Admiral and all…"
"We won't stop," the leading, bearded Mandalorian snapped, "Not until the Slayer is dead!"
The bearded Mandalorian rose to his feet, and looked over at his men, "He was able to beat our 'Chain-Blade' Dark Jedi in one strike."
"So what?" the younger Mandalorian swordsman asked.
"But I have an idea…" without looking back, the Mandalorian fighter looked back, "I've been training someone for a year. He's our backup, and I'm using him…"
From the backdoor, a twelve year old child entered. The boy had gray skin, dark black hair, and an angry, yet unemotional look on his face. His face was covered in bruises, and he was wearing light battle armor. On his hip was a vibroblade, smaller for his size.
"Shawnou!" the bearded Mandalorian warrior yelled, "It's your turn, Shawnou. When the New Year hits, you go to your sister's house…"
"Yes sir…" Shawnou said unemotionally, and he walked back into his room, 'I'll get you back sis…and we can kill the man who took away your happiness!'
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Katarr, Bruloune Mountains, Kimura Farm
The New Year had come, and the Mandalorian Wars still raged. From the recent news that Seja had heard from Ergot was that the Mandalorians were now retreating on all fronts, and that Revan was assembling a massive fleet to attack Malachor V, the second homeworld of the Mandalorians.
For being this late into the winter, no snow had still fallen. It was in the mid fifties, so the kids were wearing lighter clothing, considering the season. The two boys that were training to be swordsmen stood before Seja, who had two sticks in each hand. The boys were waving the sticks above their heads, and cheered.
"I'm Republic Admiral Revan!" the black haired boy cheered as he brought his stick down.
"And I am Republic General Talo Ramis!" the blonde haired boy exclaimed as he brought his stick down.
"So you've come, you puny pick pockets. I, the Mandalore Honor Guard War Chief, Cassus Fett will fight you…!" Seja proclaimed drolly. Sweat dropped down from his face, and he closed his eyes in embarrassment, "I will show you my vibroblade is bloodthirsty tonight…!"
The two boys then attacked, and Seja effortlessly blocked their attacks. Block, parry, block, parry, block, parry, which is how the game went. He continued to do it until the girls stopped playing ball, and looked down the driveway. He looked over to see a young boy, with black hair, in raggedy clothing standing there, looking unemotionally at them as the wind blew.
"Who's that Visas?" Seja asked as the 15 year old Miralukan walked up. Seja raised his arm and put the stick on his shoulder, trying to get a closer look.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before," Visas replied, stepping forward.
"Maybe he wants to play," one of the little girls mumbled.
"Alright! I'll go ask him myself!" the Miralukan girl with a pony tail told them, and she ran up to the boy.
She asked him if he wanted to play, and told him how much fun Kimura was. When she mentioned that, however, the boy hit her over the head. One of the girls gasped and Seja and Visas ran forward.
"Hey!" both Visas and Seja yelled, and the boy turned to them.
Immediately, the boy bit Seja's hand and he jumped as he tried to shake the boy off. He looked like a firaxan shark when he did it, and a sweat drop formed on the back of Seja's head as he tried to shake the boy off.
"Shawnou?" Callista gasped, apparently surprised the boy was there, and Seja looked back at her, "Shawnou, is that you…?"
"SIS!" the boy yelled enthusiastically.
A little while later, Seja, Visas, and Callista brought the boy, named Shawnou into Seja's house. Callista had put dinner on the stove, and it started cooking, so she came out. Putting her arms on the boy's shoulders, she presented him to Seja and Visas.
"This is my little brother, Shawnou," Callista said, presenting him to Seja and Visas.
The kids peaked threw the watch what was happening, and Seja stepped forward.
"Ah, I get it now," Seja said cheerfully, and he bent down to put his hand on Callista's brother's head, "Your brother, eh? I see, well, once we talk things out-OUCH!"
Shawnou clamped onto Seja's hand like a firaxan again, and the Jedi comically tried to shake him off. Seja's hair stood up and another sweat drop formed on the back of his head. He finally managed to shake the boy off, and rubbed his hand.
"Since you two probably want to catch up, I'll leave for a while," Seja told Callista, trying to show a smile threw the pain of getting bitten.
"I'll…come too…" Visas said quickly, not wanting her hand to get bitten as well.
Seja decided to sit out and think as the kids played in the field. Some of them were fencing with their sticks, while others were playing ball with Visas. He lifted up his bruised hand and looked at it.
"Callista's brother…other than just now, I wasn't told of him…" Seja said to himself, looking as his hand throbbed from the pain of the bites, '…how did he know how to get to this place? Only Roland and Ergot know…' he then looked back at the house, 'The only other person would be Callista…but I doubt she told him. Based on her initial reaction…'
"What's wrong?" one of the human girls asked.
"Aren't you going to play?" the black haired boy asked.
"Oh yes, I'm sorry," Seja said cheerfully, 'No use worrying about it I guess. Something tells me this New Year will be nothing but peaceful…' he thought as the wind picked up and more leaves fell from the trees.
In the house, Callista bent down and put her forehead against Shawnou's lovingly. He nuzzled her, and she smiled.
"It's been a while," she said to him, and Shawnou showed her a big smile, "Quite a surprise, but I am happy to see you. You must be hungry, I'll be fixing some dinner soon, okay?"
She went into the kitchen, and started stirring the stew. She put some spices into it, and stirred it some more after tasting it.
"When did you come from Ordo? And how is father and cousin doing?" Callista asked him, as she stirred the stew some more.
"No idea…" Shawnou replied, looking around the house, "I came here about a year after you left for Iziz…"
Callista's pupils shrank a bit, and she looked over at her brother, "…Shawnou, where are you living now?" and she turned around to him, "And how did you know I was here? Especially since I haven't told anyone else…"
Shawnou gave a sly smile, "I'd known even if I wasn't contacted. I'm an informant…for the Mandalorians…" as he said that, his features changed to a dark expression and an evil smile appeared on his face, "Don't worry, it's time for you to be happy sis! Let's punish the Slayer!"
Callista's eyes widened and her brother's evil expression and she stepped back. Her soup ladle fell to the wooden floor, and she put her hand on the nearby table.
"Shawnou…you didn't…" Callista gasped, her eyes opened as wide as they can.
"You didn't here? Strange," Shawnou replied, his expression changing back to normal, "Didn't the old man you met tell you?"
Callista's eyes widened as she remembered that long away night in Iziz, back when she was full of anger and grief.
"When the time is right, you will send 'it' to us," the old, Mandalorian fighter told her as she knelt before them in respect, "Don't ask for details. Just remain close to the Slayer and keep him in your sights…have him in your grasp so you can read every one of his mental thoughts. When you discover his weak point, our mutual goals will succeed."
Callista gulped, now regretting this day. She didn't want to do this, and she stared down at the floor. Shawnou stepped forward and extended his hand to his sister.
"Come on, sis! We can end all this right now!" Shawnou told her, his sick smile reappearing on his face.
"Ordo…go back to Ordo…" Callista told him, looking back down at the ground.
"Eh?" Shawnou asked, surprised at his sister's reaction.
"You're the male heir to the Ordo Clan, and…" Callista replied, still refusing to look at him, "I can't let you do such a terrible thing. Canderous is still fighting on the front lines, and I don't want you to experience any carnage…please, for our clan…"
Shawnou's pupils narrowed, and his irises expanded. He bore his teeth, and growled.
"WHO CARES ABOUT OUR CLAN?" Shawnou roared, enraged, "I CARE ABOUT YOU, SIS! THAT'S WHY I AM HERE NOW!"
"Go back home, Shawnou," Callista told him, looking down at the ground as a shadow descended over her eyes.
She continued to look down at the floor as the sick, evil look appeared on her brother's face again.
"What…" he started, looking down at her, "What is wrong…?" he squeezed his fists angrily, "Why…won't you come with me?" tears streamed down his face as he looked up, "Why are you defending him? He's your enemy, isn't he? He's the one who made you miserable and unhappy!"
Back outside, the sun was beginning to set and the kids were saying their goodbyes to Seja and Visas. Visas waved and started to walk away.
"Bye! See you tomorrow!" one of the children yelled cheerfully.
"Okay! Take care!" Seja replied, and he began to walk back to his house.
He looked up, in surprise, to see Shawnou walking down the lane, his eyes to the ground. They walked near each other and Seja stopped before the boy.
"Where are you going?" Seja asked him, a bit confused, "We haven't had dinner yet…"
Shawnou looked up at him with hate filled eyes. The boy had a shadow over his eyes, and the irises were colored dark gold. He growled as he bore his teeth to the Jedi.
"If only…" Shawnou growled as a tear dropped from his eye, "If only you hadn't been here from the start!"
'H-he's fallen to the Dark Side…' Seja thought, his eyes wide.
Shawnou then ran passed him, at full speed down the road. He kept running as Seja looked on, speechless.
Back in the house, in the living room, Callista was entering the latest entry to her diary. Writing free hand, she recorded Shawnou's less that welcomed visit. At her desk, she didn't notice that Seja was coming in.
"Say…what the heck is going on? Why does Shawnou have Dark Side eyes…?" Seja asked, and Callista slammed the off button on her datapad hard.
Seja looked over at her, kind of shocked at her action. She picked up her datapad and held it in her arms. They looked at each other, both shocked. Seja shook it off and walked over to the couch in the room, and he sat down.
"What's wrong?" Seja asked her bluntly, and Callista quickly regained her composure.
"Oh, nothing," Callista replied, walking over to him, "Oh, but Shawnou is going back to Ordo…"
"Ordo…that's a Mandalorian Planet…" Seja said, looking up at her.
"We've never talked before, have we?" Callista asked him, resolving to tell her husband everything, "Do you wonder about me?"
Seja's mouth opened, and he looked over to her.
"…but now might be a good time for it…" she continued, looking at him, "If you don't mind, can we talk for a while?"
Seja then nodded, and looked out the window. It was now snowing steadily, and the tiny flakes of ice melted instantly when they touched the glass.
"Snowing…" he said, looking at the steady snowfall, "The first snow of the season…"
"As I said, my real family, my clan, is from Ordo," Callista continued, and Seja looked back at her, "There are three of us in our family, and we lived there in peace. That didn't set too well for cousin Canderous, and he joined the Mandalorian Army. We had money, but weren't wealthy…we also had trouble getting food, but we weren't in poverty…"
She took a deep breath, and walked into the kitchen. Taking off a tea kettle from the oven, she grabbed two glasses and brought them over. Putting the glasses on a tray, she poured a cup for herself and Seja.
"My father wasn't a great warrior, but he was kind to everyone…even the Mandalorians who mocked him," she continued as she poured her tea, and she smiled, "My mother was also very kind, but she died giving birth to Shawnou…" she then remembered her carrying her little brother on her back and walking everywhere, "Shawnou never even knew his own mother…but since I always took care of him, he thinks of me as his mother…" she then remembered the bright smile Shawnou showed her when he arrived at the farm, "To Shawnou, I am his older sister, as well as his mother."
Seja nodded, and took one of the cups of tea for himself. He sipped it slowly, waiting for Callista to continue.
"He's a really cute brother…" she continued, closing her eyes for a second, "He has a really bad temper also, that's why he bites peoples hands. But he hated my arranged marriage, that's when the problems began…"
Seja suddenly gasped, feeling the old emotions swell up in Callista. A deep grief plagued her heart, and it was starting to radiate off her. He stood up, and she walked over to him.
"My fiancée was next in line for succeeding another Mandalorian Clan…" Callista told him, remembering the flower he gave her on the engagement day, "He was a childhood friend who was very nice to people like my father. When he chose me to marry him, I was very happy, since I liked him a lot…but…"
"But…" Seja started, realizing where this was going.
"…even though I was very happy, I opened my eyes widely," she continued again, "Eventually, I began to hate the idea of it. I couldn't smile…I guess he never knew I was happy…" she then remembered the fateful day of when her fiancée left, "He said, 'My position as inheritor of the Clan doesn't make you happy. I will be recognized like Lord Canderous as a great warrior!', with that, he put off the wedding, and headed off to the violence in Iziz…and he never returned…"
Seja looked at her, not smiling, but his features softened. Callista looked back at him, realizing her emotional walls were coming down.
"I didn't wait to hear any news," she continued, her voice shaking, and she walked closer to him, "So I went to Iziz…" and in the back of her mind, where Seja couldn't probe her mind, she thought, 'and I devoted my life to killing you…'
She squeezed the hem of her dress, and her lip began to quiver.
"Somewhere in Iziz, my fiancée…died…" her voice continued to crack, "And then, my happiness went with him. But in reality…it was all my fault…"
Tears began swelling up in her eyes, and her face reddened. Breathing shallowly, she decided to finish her story.
"I might have been able to stop him by crying…but I'll never know…" her emotional wall began crashing down, "I just feel if I don't hate someone…something, I'll go crazy…"
Seja was overwhelmed by sympathy, and he embraced her suddenly. Pulling her close, he allowed her head to rest on his shoulder.
"It's okay…" he said with comfort, "Don't worry, it'll be okay…"
Callista broke down with those words, weeping in his arms. He kept hugging her, the love he had for her was growing. He didn't care if she was a Mandalorian, in his heart, he knew she wasn't like them, wasn't the bloodthirsty butchers who have been oppressing the people on the Outer Rim. He also knew in his heart she wasn't the traitor, due to the love that was radiating off her, and he let her cry in his arms. He softly kissed her forehead, trying to give her more comfort.
As the snow kept falling outside, he walked her over to the couch. He dug out a blanket, and wrapped both of them in it.
"About a year or so ago…" he started, wanting to share his life with her, "I got into an argument with my Master, and I left him and the Jedi to go and protect the people who were being slaughtered. So I joined the Republic, and became the Assassination Jedi the Mandalorian Slayer."
She looked at him, snuggling up in his arms. Callista had decided to put away the past, but she wanted to hear his story, to learn something about the Jedi. He looked down at the flooring, as the fire crackled in the fireplace.
"I thought I could use the Super Shien Style and the Jedi arts to aid people…" he continued, "But they couldn't. No matter how many people I kill, the new era of peace isn't coming. I just end up being a killer over and over again, and the smell of blood never left me…" she nodded, looking at him, "That's when I met you."
He sighed, and looked down at the floor again. Seja was never to ready to share anything to anyone, not even in the Jedi. His only friends in the Order were Talo, Revan, and Malak, but they were gone now, fighting on separate planets from him. And he kept pushing people away, Ergot only got so close to be sort of a friend to him.
"The question that you asked me made me forget about the blood. Also my insanity has left me, I no longer walk on the edge of the Dark Side…" he continued, "It's no longer the smell of blood, it's of red lilac…and since I've lived with you, I know what happiness is to the people I protect…" he then looked down at the ground again, "And now, for the first time, I realize what people struggle for and what they were happy for…"
He poked the fire with a stick, letting an ember drop.
"The Super Shien style is impressive, so are the Jedi Arts…but no matter how good I am…" he continued humbly, "I can't make a new era of peace by myself," then he closed his eyes, "And I can never grant anyone happiness…" he opened his eyes again, "But what I can do is help the people in need of the new era one by one…for now, I will kill…until the new era arrives, I will be probably be near the pile of corpses that I had made…"
He felt Callista move closer to him, and his eyes looked at her.
"It may sound strange, but when the new era is here, I won't kill and I want to protect others," he told her, and she nodded, "And while I do, I'll try to make up for the sins I have committed…Callista…?"
"Yes?" she asked, uncertain.
"For all the suffering and pain you've had to experience over these past years…" he began, looking at her, "I will protect you from all of it in the future…"
Seja continued to look at her, and her eyes widened. A small smile formed on her lips, and it grew. She closed her eyes and blushed as her smile grew.
"Okay…" she said happily, as the snow continued to fall outside.
Callista then grabbed his hand gently, and he looked at her. She then led him to their bedroom, and as the door swished shut, she kissed him fully on the lips, with passion and love. He wrapped his arms around her, and he wrapped his arms around her to deepen the kiss. The door closed, and they both went to bed…
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Katarr, Bruloune Mountains, Kimura Farm
As the sun rose the next morning, the entire town was covered in six inches of snow. Callista had gotten up early, and recorded what she would be doing today in her diary. She slipped her heavy dress onto her body. Seja was still sleeping in their bed, shirtless, and she took the blanket that she had made on Iziz and wrapped it around her body.
'I became lonely because of this man…' Callista thought, as she looked at Seja sleep in their bed, 'But this man is different…'
'He is a killer…but…'
'He protects more people than he has killed…"
'And I will not let him die here…'
"Farewell, my second beloved…" she told Seja's sleeping form with a bright, happy smile.
And then, she walked out of their room and hurried downstairs. She quietly exited the house, determined to stop what she set in motion.
To be continued…
A/N: How do you like that chapter? Shawnou is based on Enishi Yukishiro, from Rurouni Kenshin. In my opinion, he is the lowliest little hutt span, using his sisters death as a justification of murder.
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