Hey guys, here is the next update of this fanfic.
Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.
Anyway, enjoy this one.
Chapter Sixteen
Knives in the Dark
"Isn't that dangerous?"
Ellana was looking at her Master in surprise. She couldn't believe what her master was telling her right now. She was going to leave in the middle of a mission by herself and leaving her to do this alone.
"Master, this is our mission to protect Josephine," she said, "Surely…"
"What I am going to do will help," Master Solana answered her, "I have found a way to put an end to the House's attack for good so that they will never hunt down Josephine again. I'm trusting you to be able to protect her along with Leliana."
Leliana, Ellana repeated the name in her head as she turned her gaze toward the redhead woman that was leaning against the wall nearby, looking at them talk. The woman's eyes were a sharp blue, seemingly shining in the contrast with how red her hair was.
Ellana turned her gaze back toward her Master once more.
"Of course, Master," she said, sighing softly.
Master Solana smiled lightly at her.
"Look, if it was any other mission I would have you at my side," she said, "But I want you here. With your presence, I think my mind will be a bit at ease knowing Josephine will be safe."
Ellana looked up at the woman in front of her and gave her a nod.
"Then, I'll try not to disappoint Master."
Master Solana smiled at her before turning away and walking off. Ellana approached the entrance seeing the blond woman talking with another man, an Elf, she recognized as the two left the place behind. Ellana came to stand there looking at the direction they were going, reaching out toward her Master in the force and still feeling her there. She also senses Leliana coming to stand beside her, as the two stood side by side for a while.
She didn't really know what to make of the young woman. She glanced at her, seeing the short red hair that fell around her features. Given the youthful features she must be around her late teens and yet her sharp eyes showed a much older mind behind her young features.
Dressed in her light leather clothing, that tells of her training. Training of someone who used speed to overwhelm their opponents in battle.
"Glad to see that she hasn't changed much," Leliana spoke out, a soft tilt in her voice, thought there was some amusement there as well.
Ellana turned toward her, a light frown upon her features.
"You know my Master?" she asked, curious.
Leliana turned her attention toward her.
"Ten years ago, we worked together to save Ferelden," she answered her.
Ellana thought about it for a moment. Ten years ago, that was around the time she first joined the Temple. She remembers there was a rumor around the Temple about something happening in Ferelden the following years but she had never realized who had been part of it.
"I heard talks about that in the Temple," she answered, "Then you are from Ferelden then?"
Leliana chuckled shaking her head lightly.
"No, I was not but I did spend most of my years on the planet," she answered as the two started to walk back into the room, "I was but a girl back then, but I am glad to be able to aid her again."
Ellana gave her a light nod.
"Then it will be our duty to protect our charges till they return," she said, already thinking of her plans ahead.
She could feel Leliana's amusement within the Force.
"Very well, Miss Jedi."
"It's Ellana," she answered glancing at the taller girl, "Ellana Lavellan."
"You're Dalish?" Leliana repeated, a tone of surprise in her voice, "I thought the Dalish marked their faces with the vallaslin?"
"I am not yet of age," Ellana answered her simply, "But the Jedi will allow me to travel to Elvhenan when I am of age to gain them…How did you know that my name was of the Dalish?"
"I met someone from Clan Lavellan before," Leliana answered her simply, "Two years ago now If I can remember correctly. A colonial world on the edge of the Terminus System. Dale, I think its called."
Ellana nodded.
"I am familiar with it," she said, "The Dales were the first place that the Jedi Council helped my people settle before Elvhenan. I'm confused as to why is that. My Clan don't really travel out of Elvhenan."
Leliana chuckled.
"It showed."
Ellana glanced at her, "Did you ever learn his name?"
Leliana shook her head.
"No," she said, "I only knew he was from clan Lavellan because his companion asked him about the clan itself."
Ellana nodded at her.
"I see."
Leliana gave her another smile.
With Solana
Solana Amell walked through the ship's interior. She can hear Zevran in the front working on traveling them through hyperspace. She couldn't help but feel worry coursing through her. She didn't know that she was making the right decision despite the logic behind the actions. If what Zevran said was true then destroying the contract would stop the House attack upon the Montilyet family and yet, what if that didn't work? What if the House continued their attacks?
Shaking her head, Solana reached the front of the ship finding the familiar bluish tunnel of hyperspace in front of them. Zevran was working on something on the console in front of him, a light frown upon his features.
"We will be reaching our destination soon," he spoke out to her without a backward glance.
"You're certain that the contract will be there?" Solana asked him taking a seat in the co-pilot chair.
Zevran gave her a smile, "It will. Don't worry too much."
Solana nodded at him, turning her gaze toward the tunnel of hyperspace in front of her. Despite what her friend was saying, she didn't want to show just how worried she was. Taking a deep breath, Solana released her emotions into the Force, feeling a wave of calm and serenity surging through her as the Force answered her. It was like the welcoming touch of someone who loved her unconditionally and that love became her strength within the Force.
"Why did you say no?" Zevran asked suddenly.
Solana blinked herself out of the light meditation she had settled herself into, glancing at him.
"What?"
"Back then," Zevran spoke out, looking at her, "Why did you say no?"
Solana met his gaze, and from his expression, she instantly knew what he was talking about. She feel her heart squeezing a bit at the thought of that day and she smiled a bitter smile.
"What do you believe I should have said?" she asked, "Say yes? Turn my back on being a Jedi?"
"We all knew what he felt about you," Zevran said, "And I always thought you felt something back."
Solana placed her hands upon her lap.
"I did," she admitted, "And it's why I told him no. I couldn't stay with Alistair and be his Queen. As a Jedi, I have to think selflessly, and if I acted on my emotions, I would be acting selfishly."
Zevran frowned lightly.
"You don't ever act for yourself?" he asked, "I thought Jedi teachings weren't against marriage?"
"It's not," she said, "But it has to be our choice in the end, and I made my choice. I chose to be a Jedi, rather than be Solana Amell. It's what my Master had taught me."
It had been one of the times she had been grateful for her Master's teachings. She had found solace in the Force in the heartache that followed. She knew what the right decision had been, despite her love for Alistair, she knew that she needed to step away.
To be selfless, as every Jedi in the Order had been taught.
"It's that attitude that got Alistair to fall in love with you," Zevran told her, "You were so genuine with all of us, so helpful and you were kind of like a Valkyrie with that saber of yours…"
Solana chuckled softly.
"You might want to change your clothing," he said.
She gave him a look.
"Why?"
"Because where we are going, you'll draw less attention if you're not dressed as a Jedi," he told her.
Solana glanced at her familiar robes before letting out a sigh.
"Very well," she said standing up and making her way toward where the clothings were situated.
She worked through them for a few moments, seeing a few women's clothing among the others that were present.
"Should I even ask why you have women's underwear here?" she called.
Zevran only laughed but she can sense his amusement. She shook her head lightly at him. The man was a flirt and despite being a Jedi, it didn't stop him from flirting with her back then too when they were on Ferelden. Alistair had gotten a bit jealous that his attention had been fixed upon her…
Solana shook her head of the thoughts. It will do her no good will to think about Alistair now. She found the clothes that she was looking for and quickly worked on putting them on. The leather was a bit unusual considering her usual clothing but it was only for this mission she was about to get herself involved in.
When she returned, Zevran gave her a look over.
"It will do," he said.
"I won't ask how you have them my size," Solana told him, "Why didn't you do this with Leliana again?"
"Leliana is a good rogue," he told her, "However, she is still too green for what we are about to do. I need someone with your level of skills Solana."
The Jedi gave him a look for a moment, before nodding, stashing her lightsaber into her clothing. She took her seat again.
"Best be ready," he said, "We're arriving."
Hyperspace glowed briefly before they were thrown back into real space, a planet suddenly zooming into existence in front of them.
Montilyet Mansion
Ellana was standing in the room with both of her arms crossed where she stood. The young Jedi was looking at the holo of the house in front of her as the many guards of the Mansion were standing around her. With the information she had given them about the House of Repose and knowing the chance of them attacking, after what happened on the Citadel.
"We will keep the rotation as usual," Miguel was speaking out looking out toward the group in front of him, "But with hourly check-in. I want this done by the book as usual and I will make sure that this place is secured."
He turned his gaze toward her.
"I presume you'll stay near Josephine's chambers then?"
"I am," she said with a frown upon her features, "It is the duty I was given."
"I'll stay with her as well," Leliana spoke out with a light smile upon her lips, "Between me and her, we'll have a better chance against anyone that reaches that room."
Everyone nodded around themselves.
"Very well," he said, "You know your rounds. You know your duties, so let's get to it."
The group scattered from around her, as she and Leliana walked out of the room together. The redhead had both of her arms crossed over her chest as she was seemingly thinking about something. Ellana could sense that something was up with her, but she didn't ask. It wasn't her business to ask.
Her mind was already thinking about going through some meditation as she was going to be guarding Josephine again. The young woman had been with her sister earlier going off to diner when they were called to the meeting.
"Not to discourage the work these men can do," the redhead beside her spoke out, "But there is a good chance that the House of Repose knows where Josephine's room is."
Ellana glanced at her.
"What do you mean?"
Leliana turned her gaze toward her, a serious expression upon her features.
"They managed to get to them on the Citadel," she said, "If it wasn't for you, they would have accomplished their mission. When the assassin escaped, they gained valuable intel as well. They know that the Jedi are involved."
Ellana frowned.
"I wish I could have caught him," she said.
"The Jedi are known to be great fighters and warriors," Leliana continued, "They won't be sending the lone assassin anymore…they might send a squad at least, probably some of their best soldiers to take care of the problem."
Ellana couldn't help the curiosity swelling within her as she looked at the taller woman.
"How do you know such things?" she asked.
"Zevran used to be an Assassin," Leliana explained, "And working with him I've come to understand how they think and how they operate."
Ellana stared at her.
"And you didn't think to share that with the guards?" she explained, shocked at the gall of the woman.
Leliana looked at her, her eyes seemingly darker than before.
"It might tip the enemy off," she said, "Miguel's plan isn't wrong and they are fairly well made. However, if we know how the enemy think you and I can make sure that they never get to Josephine."
Ellana frowned.
"I don't like this," she said with a frown, "Keeping something like that hidden…"
"You want to keep the girl safe right?" Leliana said, "That's how you do it, and also…I have an idea I want to share with you."
From what she can see on her face, Ellana knew that she wouldn't like this new plan either.
Night had fallen a while ago, and it was all silent around the Mansion itself. The Montilyet family had taken to their chambers to sleep sometimes ago and Ellana herself was kneeling within a room with both of her eyes closed, in meditation and keeping her sense acute for trace of the Dark Side. It was an old technique that was taught back at the Temple during her time as a Youngling as a way of teaching them to know and perceive warning from the Force.
Like that, whenever they feel someone with ill intent, they would immediately sense it. It was how she was aware of the danger back at the Citadel and how she was there to protect Josephine from the attack itself.
However, keeping what was going on a secret with the guards really bugs her. In her training as a Jedi, it was always valued to be as honest as you can with people, to be genuine so that you could gain their trust and have them trust you back. It just didn't seat well within her chest that she was keeping information back.
Sure, she might not share many things with her friends back at the Temple but that was just normal among kids, not in a life-or-death situation. It felt wrong to her to keep such secrets but she had a mission as well to keep Josephine safe. It was what her Master told her to do and that is what she will focus on.
Suddenly, Ellana gasped her eyes opened as something flashed within her sense. She can sense some form of menace approaching. A warning from the Force.
They're here. They've come.
She activates the communicator that was on her wrist.
"Leliana, they're here."
"Stick to the plan then," the other girl's voice spoke out, "And we'll be fine."
Ellana stood up from her kneeling position, unclipping her saber from her belt. She felt a light reassurance shooting through her as the crystal hummed in the Force, the sensation as familiar as her own heartbeat.
So far, throughout the night they were constant check-up every hour as Miguel had wanted, and that hadn't broken yet meaning that the House of Repose isn't actually here at the Mansion yet, but if she could feel the menace that they bring, then they were pretty damn close.
Suddenly, the light went out all over Mansion, and the com channel that she used to communicate with the guards suddenly went overdrive.
"What the hell just happened?"
"I lost all visual on the cameras,"
"Someone check the breaker," Miguel suddenly spoke out, "Everyone be on your guards, eyes open. Pablo, Martez, you two make sure that the Montilyet are safe and secure…Jedi, you and Leliana stay with Josephine."
"Of course, Miguel," Ellana answered, "I won't abandon my post."
With that the radio went silent once more and Ellana let out a deep breath, centering herself. It was all about the waiting now, waiting for the enemy to come and attack them. Ellana could already see the plan taking place within her mind. Taking out the power means that they couldn't be more than two or at least three of them.
That also means that they just want to accomplish their mission and leave without a fuss…but that won't stop them from killing those who got in their way. Killing was never something a Jedi should do, she learned. The very act itself was something dark, but she knew that Jedi had killed over the many centuries of their existence. Killing must be done when one has balance within themselves, as the Jedi teach because how can you be expected to be a Jedi without balance?
She looked up toward the door as she senses a presence behind it…no two presences to be exact and the menace she could feel, she knew that they were the Assassin after Josephine.
Ellana took a breath, centering herself once more.
The door opened quietly and two people entered within the room. She couldn't see their faces but from the moonlight that was coming from the windows, she notices the mask they wore and then how they froze when they saw her standing there.
She ignited her lightsaber, the blade shining bright in the darkened room.
"I would prefer your surrender," she spoke out, keeping her voice calm.
One of them instantly charged toward her, pulling out a blade that glowed with energy surging through it. Ellana instantly raised her hand as with a Force push, send the enemy flying backward through the door and back into the hallway beyond as they slammed into the far wall.
In that brief alteration, the other Assassin was already moving toward the inner chamber as quick and quiet as a shadow.
"Leliana," she yelled out.
From the inner chambers where Josephine was supposed to be, two blaster shots ran out, each of them hitting straight on target, who was taken aback by the attack. Ellana watched as the body fell down to the ground, and in the Force can feel the life leaving it, as the coldness of death took place.
She couldn't help the shiver that ran through her body as she felt the presence of the Dark Side, its touch breathing around within the room. Ellana shook her head, to clear it. She refocused her attention toward the other one she had pushed out of the room, noticing that the enemy was getting back up, eyes staring up at her from under the mask.
Then the enemy moved, activating the weapon once more, however, Ellana was ready. Her lightsaber was humming as she moved forward, matching the strikes easily as she moved between the lightsaber Forms, she knew. She had spent many times dueling with Sara and Scott back at the Temple, in classes and even in dueling clubs. Lightsaber combat come as easy as breathing to the Jedi.
Ellana can see that her opponent was skilled, and wicked fast, however she was still no match for her as she used the Force to strengthen herself and speed herself up to match her opponent and in one masterful movement that would have her Master grin with pride, she disarmed her opponent, her silver blade slashing through the handle her opponent was holding, causing them to cry out in pain as the saber burned their skin.
The opponent winced in pain, and it was enough for Ellana to launched a round house kick to their face, sending them flying backward landing on their back, dazed and mask falling away from the hit.
She can feel Leliana coming to stand beside her as she aimed her blade right at the enemy's neck. It was a man, she noticed, blue eyes and white hair. An Atlasian, she recognized, having seen many of his kind in the Jedi Order, one of her classmates being one of them.
"Stand down," Leliana said
Seeing that their captive wasn't going to do anything. Ellana activated the com device that was in her wrist.
"Miguel, we've captured the intruders," she said, "They had managed to get into Josephine's quarters."
"That's good," Miguel spoke out, "We should have power back soon. I'll send some guys up there to get him off your hands."
Strong against the invaders...
Next Time: The Right Path
Jacques0 out.
R&R
