Warrior's Heart Part II, Training

Dawn came much faster than before as I opened my eyes and glanced over at the balcony. The first rays of the sun were barely lighting the edge of the horizon as I rose from my bed and dressed. Wanting to be comfortable, yet prepared, I pulled on a pair of black pants with a dark turquoise dress. The dress was almost knee-length, so technically I wasn't breaking Haadiakan dress protocol. My boots, sai-blades, and wrist guards finished off my training uniform as I redid the braid in my hair, tightening it.

Feeling a slight chill in the early morning air, I removed my midnight-colored cloak and wrapped it around my body. Pulling the hood over my head, I left my room and entered the long corridor. Glancing around at first, I remembered that Lord Maul said he would find me, so I continued down the long hallway.

Seeing a shadow moving towards me, I swiftly removed my sai-blades, holding them in defense position. The shadow stopped and lowered the hood revealing Lord Maul's calm face. Raising an eyebrow, he said,

"At least you're alert at this hour. Come."

Removing my own hood, I replaced my sai-blades on the inside of my boots before swiftly following Lord Maul. Staying in stride beside him, we left my sector behind us, moving towards the east wing arena. We passed by other training rooms, but apparently Lord Maul had the arena set for the place of our training.

Entering the arena, Lord Maul motioned for me to begin warming up my muscles. After I removed my cloak, I stretched my legs, arms, shoulders, neck, and back while he retrieved several different weapons hanging on the walls. Placing them on the floor near me, Lord Maul proceeded to remove his own long, black cloak. Tightening his robe at his belt, he picked up a long spear, saying,

"You realize what you agreed to when I offered to train you, Princess Amira."

"Yes, I do, Lord Maul," I nodded as I stood a few feet in front of him.

"Good. Then, let your training commence," he stated as he swung the wooden pole of the spear at my feet.

Immediately, I leapt into the air and flipped back away from him to compose myself again. However, unlike the somewhat slower droids, Lord Maul didn't allow me that time to concentrate as he charged with the spearhead aimed at my chest. Moving to the side, I blocked and grasped the spear as it became a tug of war for only a moment.

Then, lifting the spear into the air, and me along with it, Maul swung it and me towards the wall. Widening my eyes, I braced my feet for impact as I slammed into the northern wall. Bending my legs, I propelled myself away from the wall as I shifted all my weight onto my side of the spear.

Jarring my trainer, the maneuver threw off Maul's concentration for a second, before he twisted the pole around my arm. Then, he forced the opposite side about my other arm and grasped both ends of the pole towards himself, trapping me in the process. Gritting my teeth, it felt like my arms would be yanked out of their sockets, but I didn't let this entrapment faze my concentration.

Thinking quickly about my strategy, I knew that head-butting Maul might injure me too much to continue training. Then, I remembered that even though my arms were pinned, I could still use them against my opponent. Bringing my forearms up slightly, I rammed my elbows sharply in Maul's stomach with the help of his own added strength.

Grunting, Maul tried to keep his hold on the pole, but loosened it just enough for me to slip out of my prison. Swiftly flipping behind him, I grabbed the pole, tightening it against Maul's throat. Then, I heard him say in a struggled voice,

"Impressive."

As he spoke, he pushed hard against the pole, breaking my hold on it and swinging it around again, adding,

"But, not good enough."

As I tried to back-flip away, I felt the blunt end of the spear strike my wrists, making me loose balance and roll to the side. Getting at least to my knees, I looked up to see Lord Maul standing over me with a stern gaze, stating,

"You would have lost your hands if that had been my lightsaber. I suggest you learn to move and react faster, your highness, otherwise you won't last."

Giving him a perplexed look, I told Maul,

"I can move faster than that. You saw yesterday's demonstration."

It wasn't a very good excuse, but I knew I was faster than what he had viewed this morning. Apparently, Lord Maul believed the same as he explained,

"You must possess that speed at all times, not just when you receive bursts of energy and adrenaline. To know and be able to experience that speed of reaction every second of every day is to be a true warrior...one who is at least two steps ahead of the opponent."

Blinking my eyes in astonishment, I knew what Lord Maul said made absolute sense. Such wisdom coming from a man that seemed not too much older than me was a little surprising, yet comforting. Nodding my head, I rose to my feet, declaring,

"I'm ready to start again, Lord Maul."

Giving me a small smile, at least it looked like one, Maul raised the spear again.

xXx

Over the next few weeks, my training under Lord Maul's observance continued. Every morning, I rose and met my trainer in the outer corridor before we would use the different arenas on the east sector. All this time was paying off, for now I moved thrice my usual speed and that was throughout the training sessions.

Apparently, as I suspected, these sessions didn't go unnoticed as my mother approached me one day, asking,

"Have you improved any since you received a new trainer, Amira?"

Still keeping my natural stride, I merely glanced at her, answering,

"Of course, Mother. Why would you expect me not to?"

"I'm glad to hear it," she said, giving me a pleased look as we continued down the south corridor. "However, Amira, I trust that you have paid him a...proper fee."

"He has not asked me for anything, Mother," my reply surprised her as she raised an eyebrow slightly.

"No fee or favor?" she inquired.

"None," I assured her, for although Lord Maul intrigued me more with each session, both he and I truly focused on harnessing my skills during the training.

"No matter, then, right, my daughter?" she said with a glance that made me a little suspicious. "I am sure you would make arrangements."

Stopping in my tracks, I narrowed my eyes at my mother as she stopped and I asked,

"What exactly are you getting at, Mother?"

"I am not blind, Amira," she replied, allowing a small smirk to appear on her mouth. "I have seen you around Lord Maul, and there is nothing wrong with desiring him. If you want him, I suggest you take him. It's what I would do."

"But, I'm not you, Mother," I declared with a smug look of my own.

"Amira, you're not the only one who is intrigued," my mother added before she continued down the corridor ahead of me.

Frowning, I thought with an annoyed sigh, 'Now, what in the gods' name does she mean by that? Does she mean that he is intrigued by me? Or is Mother interested in Lord Maul as well? I wouldn't doubt the latter.' Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, I turned the next corner making my way towards the east sector.

Instantly, I sensed a presence nearby as I stopped in my stride, but kept my gaze towards the end of the hallway. Soon, Lord Maul, the one I felt, silently approached my right as both of us continued on our way. Nodding without turning my head, I greeted,

"Does the day find you well, Lord Maul?"

"It does as long as you continue to improve in your training, Princess Amira," he replied in that velvety tone that made my insides twist in a knot.

"Shall we use the battle droids in today's session?" I inquired, trying to force my stomach to settle.

"Yes, but their settings need to be switched to higher levels," Lord Maul replied as a reminder. In the times when we used the battle droids before, their settings were on two below the highest level before 'destroy'. Today, I would modify them to the highest level, making them able to lacerate, break bones, or any technique except full-out killing.

Seeing to the droids, I watched Lord Maul approach the center of the arena circle formed by the robots. Today didn't seem any different from yesterday except for the fact that my trainer was unarmed, a strange sight for me to see. Of course, this didn't really matter in a battle, for, like me, Lord Maul was skilled in many forms of unarmed combat. However, something seemed very different about the lesson this morning, and it made me a little anxious.

As Lord Maul waited in the center of the arena, he kept his gaze on my every move. Then, with a slight motion of his hand, he brought a siksor from the wall to his extended palm. Returning his gaze to me, Lord Maul called,

"Come, your highness."

Striding towards him, I stopped just a few feet in front of my trainer. Handing me the siksor blade, Lord Maul declared,

"The object of this session is defending another person. You must protect me from these droids. I place my life in your hands."

Widening my eyes in surprise, I had never heard of this lesson before. In previous sessions, Lord Maul had always been my opponent or initiated the droid attacks against me. Now, he was the one I had to guard, which never even came to my mind. Of course, one had to expect the unexpected when one became a true warrior.

Nodding my head, Lord Maul answered with a nod of his own, also bringing the droids to life. As they shifted around the room, I turned my back on Lord Maul for the first time knowing it was safe to do so.

Slowly, the six droids circled us and drew closer, like vultures coming in to feast upon a carcass. Already, I knew that there were three droids wielding blasters, one with a set of sharp, three-pronged claws, and two with siksor blades. It would be an interesting session.

After the first rank charged, only four droids stood where the original six had previously been standing a few seconds before. Lord Maul was a good teacher, and I knew that all this time, he was assessing my every move whether it was an attack, block, or counter. With the second wave of attacks, only two remained as the others fell to the floor with their comrades.

Keeping Lord Maul behind me wasn't too difficult. It was keeping both droids within my sight that was the problem. However, I guessed that was the point of today's lesson. The single blaster droid that remained slammed its fist against my siksor blade as I tried to block it from firing at Lord Maul.

Suddenly, the droid with long, extended, metallic claws lashed out at Lord Maul's back. Apparently, it had circled around while I was distracted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the sharp prongs rip through my trainer's long, black cloak. As Maul bit back a hiss of pain, I jabbed the siksor into the Blaster before glaring at Claw, forcing him against the wall with my mind.

Then, striking the air with my palm, my strong mental force crushed Claw's body beyond repair. Flipping with siksor still in my grasp, I landed in a wide stance in front of Lord Maul. With a quick glance around the spacious room, I found that all the droids were either destroyed or had been knocked off-line.

Once I assessed the safety of my trainer, I turned to see how badly he was injured. Moving my head, I saw Lord Maul stripping the ripped cloak and robe from his upper body. My eyes widened in shock as I saw the three-pronged wounds etched within Lord Maul's back.

"Damn," I whispered. "I should have watched more carefully."

"It's a lesson best learned in training rather than a situation," Maul informed me. "But, you did protect my life, your highness, so your lesson was learned."

Taken aback by his criticism laced with slight praise, I allowed my eyes to wander along Maul's body. Nothing but sculpted muscle graced his upper body as more red and black markings formed symmetrical patterns on his skin. 'Gods, he's so... magnificent,' I thought to myself as I tore my gaze away.

Then, I heard Maul sigh and saw his muscles tense up as fresh blood flowed from the three long wounds. Frowning at my slight carelessness, I propped the siksor spear against the wall. Striding towards Maul, I reached up a hand hesitantly as I wanted to aid him.

Instantly, I felt a hand on each of my wrists as my body was shoved against the arena wall. Grunting as I hit perocrete, I heard Maul firmly state,

"Don't, Amira."

Looking up, his eyes blazed golden, but not with just anger. The shocked fury died from his gaze as I asked,

"Why? Are you afraid of contact with any other being?"

Still keeping his grip on my wrists, Maul moved his face to where only inches separated us as he said,

"I fear nothing."

"Then, what is it?" I prodded, trying to still the swift drum that was my heart. "I only wanted to help you."

Nodding his head, Maul's grip loosened against my arms, saying,

"I know that you have capabilities of the mind. You are telekinetic."

"Yes, I am telekinetic," I agreed. "But, I am not as strong as you seem to think I am."

Raising an eyebrow at my statement, Maul inquired,

"Can you see into others' minds?"

A little perplexed by this question, I replied,

"I never have had that ability before."

Releasing my right hand, Maul slowly placed my left hand against his face. Like the rest of his body, his jaw was well chiseled, and I had to force myself to keep from blushing. Then, looking directly into my eyes, Maul questioned,

"When you look at me, what do you see?"

Blinking in slight confusion, I realized what I had seen in Maul's fiery eyes before. He wasn't angry...but, concerned, and it showed plainly in his face now.

"I see..." I began as my confusion faded to a softer gaze. "I see only you."

Relief flashed quickly across Maul's face as he returned to his normal nonchalant attitude. I decided then to use his inquiry technique on him. Removing my hand from his face, I gently grasped his and set it against my left cheek. The action seemed to surprise Maul for a moment as I gazed deeply into eyes that danced like flames, asking,

"What do you see?"

For awhile his gaze stayed locked with mine, and the intensity made me want to look away. However, I refused to break our heated stare.

Never had I felt something as forceful as what pounded through me now. My mother had offered a few of her "men toys" several times before in order for me to gain experience, but I refused. Personally, I didn't really care to have any of them for pleasure or anything for that matter. Now, I wanted Maul, but for something more intense than mere pleasure.

Keeping his eyes locked with mine, Maul answered,

"I see you alone...Amira."

The way he lingered on my name sent chills down my spine. His voice was so smooth, so velvety, and I couldn't silence the air that escaped my mouth sharply. Then, I felt his fingers caress my face gently. His touch was so warm against my skin as his hand moved up towards my hair. Soon, Maul's fingers ran through my long mane as he drew closer to my face.

Closing my eyes, his gaze was the last vision I saw. His lips pressed against mine in a kiss that felt like fire. Such passion held within those lips, it was almost more than I could stand. It was as if heat radiated from Maul's entire being as we continued our long, yet soft kiss. Leaning closer to me, I felt him stop mere inches from my body.

Something was coming closer to the arena; I could feel it and I knew Maul could, too. Backing away, he stopped and gazed at me before running his fingers through my hair once more. Then, within a few seconds, Maul was standing where both of us stood before he propelled us against the wall.

I knew the presence approaching the arena; J-2LR, my protocol droid. One would think he were my older brother by the way he always checked on me. Giving a slight smile, I practically teleported myself over to the arena doors to await J-2LR's arrival.

When the doors slid open, the protocol droid nearly jumped out of his exo-layers and he said,

"Good heavens, your highness! You startled me!"

"Sorry, J-2LR," I laughed slightly. "I was merely testing a new skill."

"Quite alright, your highness," J-2LR told me in his practical voice.

Turning to face Maul again, I saw that he had placed a new black tunic over his shoulders. At first, he was facing the wall, but his eyes flicked over towards me once my gaze was upon him. 'Why does he have to be so...so mysterious?' I thought to myself, in slight annoyance. 'And why did J-2LR have to come at this moment?'

"Your highness, if you will pardon my interrupting your training session," J-2LR's voice snapped me back to reality as I returned my gaze to the droid.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"Your mother has requested an audience with you...alone, your highness," the droid said with a quick glance over at Maul.

"I understand. Thank you, J-2LR," I stated with a nod. Then, I turned my gaze once more towards Maul, saying, "If you will excuse me, Lord Maul."

Maul answered me with a nod before I stepped out of the arena and headed towards the throne room of the east sector with J-2LR struggling to keep up with my stride. It didn't take long to reach the throne room, and I saw my mother seated upon the large chair talking with someone on a holo-transmitter. Kneeling at the base of the stairs, I waited until she recognized me, saying,

"Come forward, Amira."

Rising, I climbed the stairs and stopped just in front of my mother as she remained quiet. Her blue eyes locked with mine in a stare of understanding and respect between a mother and daughter. Then, she said,

"The Imperial Trade Federation wants to explore further systems beyond their reach, including Haadiak. There is a crystal that I want to give them to prevent anyone from coming here against our will. I need you to journey into the city across the desert, Amira, and retrieve the crystal from an informant. You will find him in the heart of the city."

Holding out a holo-projector, an image of the crystal appeared before us. It appeared to be no more than an obelisk, but I knew that there was something hidden about it to make this crystal worth so much. My mother continued in her explanation.

"This is the crystal. Go to the Jiknor Tavern, and you'll find our informant there. I trust that you won't fail, Amira."

"Of course not, Mother," I assured her.

"Go and be swift in your return," she ordered as I bowed and made my way down the stairs and out of the room.

Striding towards the transport chambers, I removed a dark midnight cloak from the side and placed it around my shoulders. The doors slid open as I stepped into the hangar for our land transporters. The moment I entered, I stopped in my tracks upon seeing Maul leaning against one of the support columns of the hangar.

"Lord Maul," I said with a polite bow of my head.

"Where are you going?" he asked without replying to my bow.

"My mother wishes me to retrieve an object from the heart of the desert city," I answered. "What about you?"

"As it happens, your highness, my master has asked me to go on an errand for him in the city," he informed me with a small smile.

"What a coincidence," I whispered quietly, but raised an eyebrow when Maul agreed,

"Indeed, your highness."

Giving him a small smile of my own, I made for one of the land cars, but Maul stepped in front of me, saying,

"Since we are going to the same destination, I will escort you."

Surprised by the insistence hidden in his deep voice, I didn't want to argue or even protest with Lord Maul. Truth be known, I was thrilled with his suggestion. As he turned, the long, black cloak flowed behind him with such grace, and he moved with fluid stride towards a black speeder bike.

Swinging his right leg over the side, Maul sat down before turning to me, saying, almost ordering,

"Get on."

Repeating his movements, I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head before placing my arms around Maul's stomach. His abdominal muscles were like rock, and I felt him contract them almost in a pleasing manner. Turning his head slightly, I heard him say,

"Hang on."

Suddenly, the speeder started out towards the exit of the hangar leading us to a full-out plummet towards the ground below us. Gritting my teeth and gripping a little harder around Maul, I relaxed once we were heading across the desert landscape. As I breathed a sigh of relief, he said,

"Relax, your highness. I've used this bike for awhile."

"I can see that," I told him in loud reply. "And you don't have to stay so formal, Lord Maul. Call me 'Amira'."

"Only if you will take your own advice...Amira," Maul declared, slowly.

"As you wish...Maul," I stated with slight hesitance. It wouldn't be an easy transition, but I preferred that he call me by my name, not a formality.

Desert winds blew our cloaks behind us, and I was only able to see anything if I leaned just behind Maul's head. This wasn't the first time I had been to the city, but it was my first solo mission. Technically, I wasn't alone, but I knew that once Maul dropped me off at my destination, I would be on my own until he returned.

xXx

After speeding through the outer rim of the city, Maul slowed the speeder down so that I could direct him towards my destination. The Jiknor Tavern, in the heart of the city, seemed to be one of the most run-down establishments I had ever laid eyes on. However, I didn't hesitate in dismounting from behind Maul and looking the place over before he said,

"I'll return after I've finished my errand, Amira."

"Very well, Maul," I told him as he sped off into the streets, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

Taking one more look at the tavern, I strode towards the doors before swinging them open. Light filtered inside, illuminating all the grime and dust covering almost all of the tables that weren't occupied. Only a few of the customers glanced up at me as I stood for a moment in the doorway before I closed it and walked towards the bar.

I was greeted with a grunt from the Haadiakan bartender. Even though he was fairly portly, his attitude showed that he was one to be reckoned with. Of course, I knew my mother wouldn't trust anyone less with something of great value like this crystal.

Leaning against the bar, I merely stared at the bartender until he grunted,

"Whadda ya want?"

"I'm here on official business from the Haadiak empire," I replied quietly so as not to attract unnecessary attention. "I believe you, sir, have something I want."

"And what might that be?" he inquired, throwing a glance at me.

"I'm sure it was specified by her Warriorship," I answered in annoyance through gritted teeth. Even though there was nothing to really worry about, the fact of the matter was that this guy was taking too long in giving me what I wanted. Propping my head on my left arm, I fingered my sai-blade as I awaited his reply.

Apparently, he must have noticed my hidden weapon because then, he bowed his head a little, saying,

"Ah...I see. Wait one moment and I'll be back."

Removing my hand from the handle of my sai-blade, I drummed my fingers lightly against the bar until the bartender returned. In his hand he held a small pouch which he opened to reveal the crystal I sought. For a moment, I was surprised at the size of the object, but I pushed that out of mind. I knew that things of great magnitude were sometimes contained in tiny shells.

Placing the pouch inside my cloak, the bartender and I exchanged nods before I headed for the door. However, as I turned around, I was greeted with a shock as several customers rose from their chairs. Glancing around the room, it was apparent that my transaction with the bartender didn't go unnoticed by those inside the tavern.

"Hey, pretty lady," a tall, rather well-built Haadiakan stated with a smug grin. "Maybe you should lighten your load by giving us that pouch."

"Maybe I don't think I should," I told him coolly, trying to walk around him. He insisted on getting in my path towards the exit, saying,

"I insist you hand it over now."

Raising an eyebrow, I pursed my lips before reaching for the pouch on my belt but snatched my sai-blade, swiftly bringing it to his throat. Giving him a wicked grin, I declared,

"I suggest you move out of my way and leave me alone."

Swallowing hard, he lifted his hands up where I could see them before moving aside. Keeping my blade on his neck, I slowly backed away before dashing outside where I was greeted by five large and heavily armed Haadiakans. Apparently, these had slipped out of the tavern before I faced the first one.

"I don't think you'll be going anywhere," the closest man stated, smirking at me. "Now, why don't you just give us what's in the pouch and we won't kill you."

Shaking my head, I inquired,

"Will you never learn?"

Quickly snatching the other sai-blade from my belt, I lowered myself into a wide defense stance. The one who spoke gave me a surprised look before laughing,

"Look, guys! She actually thinks that she scares us!"

The other four laughed a little as they reached for the blasters on their belts. That was when I decided to make my move. Leaping into the air, I kicked out with my legs, forcing two of them back against the building. The remaining three looked very stunned, but not enough to prevent them from firing several rounds at me as I flipped around and away from them.

For a moment, I felt Maul's presence very close by, but I refused to ask for help against my own foolish people. Crossing my arms and sai-blades in front of me, I slashed through two blasters while also cutting down the owners of the weapons. As they fell, I turned to the final Haadiakan who was the first one that spoke before.

"Still want my pouch...friend?" I smirked, still holding my sai-blades up in preparation of an attack.

The supposed mugger's jaw seemed to drop almost to the street as he surveyed what happened to his men. Two were unconscious against a wall and two suffered from slashes across their stomachs as red blood drained from their bodies. Looking back at me, he blinked before turning and running down the street.

'Hmph! Coward! Leaving your comrades alone without help,' I thought to myself in disgust as I replaced my sai-blades in my belt.

Suddenly, I heard the whir of the speeder bike as Maul appeared out of a nearby alley. Stopping long enough for me to mount behind him, we soon sped through the city once more, heading for the castle. Maul turned his head a little, asking,

"Do your people not know who their princess is, Amira?"

"No," I replied. "It's best kept secret from those outside the palace in case anyone would want to try and assassinate my mother or me. No one knows our names or what we look like. All they know is that a warrior queen controls the entire planet along with a daughter."

Nodding his head, Maul returned his gaze to the sand dunes ahead as I gripped around his waist again. Raising an eyebrow, I thought for a second I heard a little concern in Maul's usually harsh voice. Shaking my head a little, I leaned against his back again as I watched the castle grow larger as we approached. It was nearly dusk when we pulled into the hangar.