Chapter IV: The Forest
It had been several days since the unlikely trio had spirited away from Nevarro. They'd been on the run, flying nonstop to put as much distance between them, the Guild, and the imperials. All of whom were no doubt fuming at Mando's decision to reclaim the Child. This decision set well with Kreya, although she'd been swept away in the thrill of it all a little herself. Her goal of getting optical implants had been momentarily set aside as her focus shifted away from herself and towards the Child.
Currently, Kreya had no clue where in the galaxy they were in relation to where they'd been. All she felt beyond Mando's ship was the deprevating void that was space. Any attempt to meditate in order to occupy herself was interrupted by the Child, who was now free to roam the ship at his pleasure.
His inquisitive coos were too much to resist, so she scooped him up and set him down in her lap with hopes of placating him for a little while. Instead of settling down, his tiny hands found their way into her bouncy curls and tugged at them, firmly.
"Stars." Kreya swore, jerking her head away from the Child only to earn an amused giggle from the youngling. His joy at her expense caused the woman to grumble, "If this is what having an apprentice is like, thank the force I never became a knight."
"A knight?" Mando's modulated voice inquired from the pilot's chair as the man turned to face his shipmates.
Kreya shook her head, "It doesn't matter anymore."
"How so?" He inquired, "If the Child is one of your people, shouldn't he know about the culture he belongs to?"
"Not necessarily if one considers how it was our culture that blinded our judgement and led to our downfall," The woman sighed, running her hand soothingly over the Child's fuzzy head and lifting her blank gaze in Mando's direction, "While most creed's have their followers' best interests in mind, they aren't always what's best."
Kreya's words resonated with Mando. He understood her thoughts and feelings towards following a creed or code for one's entire life. He'd struggled with aspects of his own creed several times in his life. But his code had also given him purpose and people to belong to. From what he could tell it seemed like she didn't have either of those things at this point in her life. Or that was what he assumed at least, he didn't know her well enough yet to believe anything for certain.
"Is your own blindness related to your people's downfall?" He wondered, aloud, unsure if she'd share anything more with him.
Kreya hung her head and nodded. She couldn't bring herself to confirm his question out loud. Even though she'd healed physically, her mind had yet to recover. She could still hear the screams of her brothers and sisters as they were slaughtered like animals. She could feel the utter despair and agony in the force as their troops turned against them. She would never forget that day and how it turned the entire galaxy upside down.
Her companion seemed to sense she no longer wished to carry on their conversation as he didn't press the issue further. She was thankful for his steady silence in a way she'd never felt grateful for it before. She also recalled that he still mourned over events from his own past and she didn't wish to burden him with her demons as well.
Shifting her attention to the Child's presence in her lap, Kreya sent an assuring nudge his way. She knew he could pick up on what she was feeling and even though he didn't understand, it might still cause him some distress. Once she'd pacified him, she scooped him up into her arms, rose to her feet, and placed him down in the empty co-pilot's seat. She felt him reach out to her to pull her back to him, but she ignored his request and headed to the ladder.
After thinking about her past, she needed some time to herself. It had been awhile since she'd taken a hot shower, it would be nice to relax after all the recent and unexpected activity going on in her life.
In the middle of her shower, the ship jerked erratically. Panic caused her blood to run cold and she, nearly, bounded up to the cockpit to find out what was going on. But after she calmed down from the initial jolt, she sensed mirth not panic from her shipmates.
Shaking her head, the woman finished showering and dried off with an old towel G-5 had packed for her. Once she was dry, she wrapped the towel around her body and walked over to the spare quarters she'd been storing her things in so she could dress.
Kreya began to rummage through her satchel in search of her desired attire. Her fingers grazing a cool metal cylinder as she fumbled for her clothes. The woman paused and grasped the baton, pulling it out into the light. She trailed her fingers over its intricate components as she inspected it. It had been a long time since she'd used that item and she didn't think now was the right time to begin doing so either. So she nestled it back among her things and returned to dressing.
Once she'd put on her undergarments, she pulled on a cream, sleeveless tunic with a v-shaped neckline that hung down to her hips. After that she slipped on a pair of brown leggings. Next came a pair of thick socks and her brown leather boots, which fastened just above the ankle. She finished off her outfit with a matching leather belt that cinched around her waist and threw on her cloak.
She knew all the details about her clothing options despite her blindness because she didn't own many items to begin with and secondly, G-5 had told her in detail what it had packed. Most of the items were ones she'd had for a long time and wore quite often.
Despite the number of years that had passed since the order had fallen, Kreya still opted to follow the code's modest sense of dress. It, for most part, was bland enough to allow the woman to pass through many planets without drawing attention to herself. She wore the drab fabrics like armor as a way to conceal her presence from those who might wish to bring harm to her. Besides, pretending to be a blind beggar tended to avert people's gaze rather than attract it.
After she was dressed, she took her comb and clumsily began to fluff her hair to its typical volume. Her unpracticed movements were awkward as she had relied on G-5 to complete such tasks during their years of traveling together. But without the droid or another female present, she'd have to find a way to make due on her own. And she did or so she believed. She had no way of knowing if she looked presentable or not. But if she was being honest, she didn't really care. As long as she didn't resemble a wet bantha, it didn't really matter.
Kreya felt the ship begin to descend out of the space and felt the pull of a planet's gravity. She had figured they wouldn't make it too much further without stopping. They'd need fuel and supplies before too long.
Reaching out with the force, Kreya was astonished at how much life was on this planet. It was practically teeming with it. A considerable amount of time had passed since she'd visited such a thriving biome. She could feel every tree, rock, and creature so vividly. It was stimulating her to the point of being overwhelming.
Cursing, quietly to herself, the woman massaged soothing circles into her temples. Perhaps, it would be wise to not to utilize the force as her guide through these life-rich surroundings. In the past, when she'd visited similar planets, G-5 would assist her. Without a droid, she'd have to resort to less dignified methods until her mind could adjust to the increased influx of information sent to her via the force.
Mando landed the ship in a small clearing not too far from a tiny settlement that was nestled deep in the woods. But not too close as to make it worth anyone's effort to check out the Mandalorian's cruiser.
"What planet are we on?" Kreya asked when Mando finally dropped down from the cockpit with the toddler in tow.
"Sorgan." The man informed her as he set the Child down to shuffle about their feet, "I figured it would be a decent place to lay low while we wait for things to blow over after Nevarro."
Kreya nodded in agreement, "Yes, this planet feels like it will be conducive for such a task."
Mando hummed and made to head down the ramp, "The ship's scanners picked up a small settlement a few kilometers away. I'm going to check it out."
"I won't be staying here." Kreya interjected before Mando could tell her otherwise, pushing past the warrior and stepping out into the tree-filtered sunlight, "I've been cooped up in here since we left Arvala-7, I want to explore."
Mando glanced down at the Child as he toddled after the woman. The youngling giggled as he did so. The man sighed and shook his helmeted head in defeat before he followed after his companions.
Sorgan was peaceful and tranquil in a very similar way to Arvala-7. Although the planets' terrains were vastly different, Sorgan reminder Kreya of her former home. Kreya could sense just how untouched this planet was and how life seemed to thrive here without inference from developers or governments.
The woman kept her force use to a minimum as she followed Mando and the Child. She'd opted to use a petrified branch as a cane to traverse the forest path. It was nice to not have to constantly exert herself in order to 'see'. Despite the energy she didn't have to use, it did make her feel a little more vulnerable than normal. Using the force to sense her surroundings usually allowed her to intercept incoming threats and give her time to prepare for any counter measures that were necessary. Disconnecting herself meant she couldn't do either of those things and she'd have to rely on signals from Mando to determine if someone unsavory approached.
Off to her side, the Child giggled as he took in his new surroundings. Kreya wondered if he'd ever been to such a lush planet before in his fifty years of life or if he'd been confined to that pram or in a building for most of it. Even without the force, the woman could feel his boundless wonder as he explored the vegetation along the path. Grasping and touching everything in his reach.
More than once he brought something over for Kreya or Mando to inspect. The adults would pat his head and shuffle him along. The Child seemed content with any sort of attention he received just as long as he got it.
"He seems to like it here." Kreya remarked, her voice and expression were soft.
Mando nodded as he observed the Child for a moment, "He does."
"It's been so long since I've felt a planet.. so healthy. I'd almost forgotten what plants smelled like." She continued, holding out one of the tiny blossoms the Child had gifted her in the man's direction, "What kind of flower is this?"
"Uh… It's white." He told her unsure if that was what she wanted to hear. He could've told it was any kind of flower in the galaxy and she would've been none the wiser, "I don't know what kind of flower it is. Probably just a weed."
Kreya snickered, "There are no such things as weeds in a forest. Unlike in a garden, the marker created everything in nature for a purpose. Our interactions with it included."
The woman, then, tucked the blossom behind her ear for safekeeping and sauntered onward down the path with a confident sway in her full hips that Mando had never noticed before. The man shook his head to rid the thought from his mind. There was no room for such inclinations to bloom in a time like this. Not while they were still on the run and had nowhere guaranteed to stay long-term.
Kreya tilted her head back towards the man as if to glance at him. An eyebrow raised in his direction caused Mando to gulp and curse himself, mentally for projecting so loudly. But the woman said nothing, returned her gaze forward, and kept walking.
The village, if one could call it that, was comprised of a handful of wooden huts. Visitors from all over the galaxy milled between the buildings. Their voices were merry and content as they conversed amongst themselves. The smell of fire and food cooking on open flames wafted through the air. The tantalizing smells made Kreya's mouth water. She would probably eat just about anything after living off survival ration packets for the past several days.
No one paid the trio any mind as they ambled into one of the larger buildings. Glasses clinked upon table tops and the scent of alcohol told the woman they were in some sort of tavern. She could hear the Child chirp, curiously at all the patrons until a yowl of a pet beast sent him scurrying behind her cloak.
Kreya shook her head at the youngling with an amused expression on her face and nudged him along with a gentle tap of her cane. The peacefulness of the scene, however, disappeared when her mind picked up a flare of intense aggravation. Her head snapped in the direction of a dark corner of the tavern where a lone presence sat, tensely. There was something different about this person, but she couldn't put her finger on exactly what that was. Turning to her armored companion to see if he'd also taken notice of the being, the tension in his presence told her all she needed to know.
Once they'd made it over to an empty table, Mando bent down and placed the Child in one seat before claiming the spot that faced the presence. Kreya sat next to the Child, opposite of Mando with her back to the being.
"Did you feel her?" Mando inquired, keeping his voice level so only Kreya could hear him.
Kreya nodded, "Yes, the woman projects herself loudly. She seems agitated. But I don't believe it's towards us."
"We'll keep an eye on her regardless." Her companion informed her.
The woman's head bobbed again and she allowed herself more access to the force in order to monitor the stranger across the bar.
A hospitable waitress made her way over to the group's table and with a soothing voice she greeted them,
"Welcome travelers. Can I interest you in anything?"
Mando gestured towards Kreya and the Child, "Whatever they want."
The woman shifted her gaze towards Kreya, expectantly.
"Some fresh bread, fruit, and tea for me. A cup of bone broth for the youngling." Kreya requested, her voice clear and soft as she turned her chin over her shoulder to create the illusion that she was looking at the waitress.
"Oh, well, you're in luck. I just took down a grinjer so there's plenty." She informed the table's occupants and then directed the rest of her words in Mando's direction, "Can I interest you in a porringer of broth as well?"
"Just the one." Came Mando's modulated response.
The waitress nodded and wrote down their order on the small pad she kept in her apron, "Very well."
Mando nodded towards the armored woman across the tavern, "That one over there. When did she arrive?"
"Uh-I've seen her for the last week or so." The older woman began, but trailed off certainly as if she was unsure of the Mandalorian's intentions.
"What's her business here?" Mando elaborated, his beskar helmet gleamed in a ray of sunlight that had slipped through the cracks of the tavern's roof.
"Business?" The waitress blinked and then chuckled, "Oh, well, there's not much business in Sorgan, so I can't say-"
Mando tossed some credits across the table towards her, the extra coin peaked the woman's interest and she continued,
"She doesn't strike me as a log runner. Well, thank you, sir. I will get your orders to you as soon as possible, and I will throw in a flagon of spotchka just for good measure. I will be right back with that."
The waitress took her leave and retreated over to the exposed kitchen.
"She's on the move." Kreya informed Mando as the waitress left. But the dark skinned woman wasn't referring to the kindly server.
"Stay here. Watch the kid." Mando directed his companion as he rose from his chair and made his way out of the tavern.
Kreya shook her head after the man and glanced down at the Child, "Let's hope she isn't after you."
The child, merely, cooed at her in response.
Kreya allowed part of her mind to follow after Mando. Mostly because she was curious how the aggressive woman would react, but also to pick up on any signals from Mando in case she needed to get the youngling out of there.
"Isn't he adorable." Their waitress remarked as she returned with their order, setting down a cup of broth first which Kreya slid over to the Child and a small plate of food and tea for Kreya, "Are you his guardians?"
"Something like that." Kreya shrugged, she hadn't really considered what to call their arrangement. She hadn't been lying when she told the Guild agent that she didn't like labels. Labels implied that bonds had formed between the three of them and while she could easily admit she was bonded to the Child, she wasn't sure if she could say the same thing about Mando.
"Alright, well if you need anything else, just holler." The waitress informed the younger woman and left the odd pair to their meal.
Kreya nibbled at the warm flatbread and sweet fruit, but didn't have as much appetite as she'd expected. Her mind was still focused on Mando as he confronted the woman. So much so that she nearly missed the Child sliding out of his seat and taking his cup with him as he attempted to sneak off. Kreya shook her head and followed after the youngling as he toddled out of the tavern's back door.
She could tell the Child was wandering in the direction of Mando and the woman's brawl. She wasn't sure how close she should let the Child get, but she was curious what he might do. He hadn't used the force since the day he'd lifted the mudhorn, Kreya couldn't help but wonder if it had been just an instinctual thing or if he was capable of an advanced application of the force.
Tip-toeing around the next corner, Kreya focused on the two individuals on the ground ahead of her, who were locked in each other's grasp. She could tell the woman was on her left and Mando on her right. She could also sense they'd both drawn their blasters and had them pointed at each other's heads. Summoning the force, Kreya ripped the blasters out of both combatants' hands, grasped them firmly in her own, and pointed them in the woman's direction.
"Alright, that's enough. Break it up, both of you." She commanded, knowing the force would help influence the warriors to ease up. She waited until they both had finished panting before she dropped the blasters on the ground, picked up the Child, and headed back inside the Tavern.