OO
They decided not to camp that night. The shanh attack had their Force-senses on edge and it was easier just to keep going. Sometime around midnight, they turned their route west and continued riding parallel to a set of rocky hills.
During the darkest part of the night they were alerted to a soft rustling, but a quick Force-shove ensured the creature would not come nearer. The exercise of dividing the Force between herself and the creature took its toll on Phaelon, draining her of energy, and she wobbled on her mount. She frowned; there must have been something in the animal's claws that kept the wounds from healing, because anytime she tried to release the Force-pressure on them they started bleeding again.
When the sun rose, they found they had entered the foothills belonging to a long chain of tall mountains. They were deep into a series of rocky crags with no sign of the rolling plains they had been surrounded by.
Phaelon scowled. "Do you remember these?"
"I was a little concerned with those things trying to eat us at the time," Kyp retorted. "There was a chain of mountains, but I could swear they were farther to the east."
She rolled her eyes. "Some Jedi we are… Wonderful, we're lost – again."
"How can we be lost again," Kyp asked, "if we don't know where we were to begin with? We can't get more lost than we already are… Unless you have a better idea."
Her scowl deepened, but she didn't reply.
Despite her obvious annoyance, they continued moving forward. Meandering through the rocks was like walking through the outcroppings on Tatooine – there was always a feeling of being watched. Phaelon reached out with the Force and could feel little creatures scurrying around, more trying to keep out of sight than stalking them.
OO
Early the next morning, they rode to the top of a ridge and saw spread before them a camp of a few hundred tents and a portable corral sprawled next to a crystal-clear pond. Thousands of Ansonians were just waking and beginning their day's business.
Approaching them were six riders mounted as the Jedi and richly attired in lightweight armor. Two carried standards while the others carried something which looked like longer vibro-pikes. Each was armed with the latest in high-tech blasters. Phaelon reached out with the Force and could sense no hostility, only curiosity.
"Greetings off-worlders," said the one who seemed to be the leader. "I am Raayar of Situng Januul. What is it that you seek of the overclan?"
Phaelon and Kyp exchanged a look through the Force, neither were diplomats, but really didn't want to make the nomads angry either. After a brief pause, Kyp spoke. "I am Kyp Durron. This is my partner Phaelon Lei. We are heading towards the city of Cuipernam and were recently attacked. We have nothing to give you, but any assistance you could provide would be appreciated."
Raayar examined them with his large convex eyes and smiled. "The shanh have been hungry lately. You are not the first to have been attacked. I will convey your request to the Council. Meanwhile, I invite you to follow me and experience Januul hospitality."
She smothered a smile as the nomads surrounded them. Good job, she thought to him, you managed to not start an intergalactic incident.