Chapter 12: Ascent

Verd'ika Lodge: Planet Kalevala:

"Nice job handling Gaegan," she said laughter in her voice, "That should keep him quiet...at least until morning anyway."

"That'd be a relief," he replied. Jarek noticed she'd removed her armor revealing the bodysuit that clung to her strong feminine curves. Blushing slightly Jarek averted his eyes before removing his own armor and sat down. When he saw that she was still looking at him he fished for an introduction. "I'm Jarek," he greeted.

"Oh, I know who you are," she replied with a smirk. Did she indeed remember him from the Berry patch? For some reason, the thought made his pulse quicken. "You're the competition," his heart sank a little, but warmed as he heard the good-natured ribbing in her tone, "The others? They'll finish the Verd'goten, most of them." She leaned in a little as she spoke, "But win it? That comes down to you, Gaegan, and me...Vilo."

Jarek returned her smirk. "Nice to meet you, Vilo," he greeted, "And your right. I am going to win."

"Never celebrate victory before it's earned," she retorted with that same confident smirk, "My mother taught me that." She turned and reclined back onto her bunk folding both hands behind her head. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some sleep. I plan on being well-rested when I run you into the ground tomorrow." She gave him a wink before closing her eyes. "I suggest you do the same. When I beat you, it's going to be at your best."

Jarek resisted the snort of laughter before laying back on his bed. "Thanks for the pep talk, Jilo."

"Anytime Jarek."

Later in the night, Jarek found himself tossing and turning unable to fall asleep. Every time he did, he found himself jumping back to alertness at any little sound. It wasn't fear that caused sleep to elude him. It was an odd combination of anxiety and excitement. It was akin to the sensation he felt right before a hunt. He would play through the many possible scenarios, somewhere he would fail, and somewhere he emerged in varying degrees of victory. Then there were the lingering doubts. Doubts about his abilities and doubts about his motivations. Could he succeed and to what end?

What could he possibly offer the clan that it didn't already have?

"So, your first day in Kart'a'Buir." at the sound of Jilo's voice he jumped but calmed when she rolled over and looked at him. It was obvious sleep alluded her as well. "What did you think?" Before he replied she noticed how he couldn't seem to get comfortable on the bed. "You've never slept in a lodge before," she stated and he nodded sitting up, "Not very private."

"Comforts are distractions," he replied honestly, "That's what I think."

"Not all comforts are bad," she replied in a soft tone sitting up, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders.

"Comforts are a weakness," he stated bluntly recalling the lack of amenities of his and Myler's home. Soft mattresses and privacy were two of many things he'd grown up without.

"You sound like my mother," she teased, "You can always go back to living in the wilds if you want too." Her good-natured humor caught him off guard and he had to cover his mouth to prevent a laugh from rolling out.

He looked over at the young woman, taking in her tanned skin and silky black hair. He stared into her soft brown eyes as he replied, "I'll admit it does have certain... charms."

The fire had died down but not enough to hide the blush that crept across the young girl's cheeks. "It's homey enough," she stated gesturing to the well-insulated walls, "Once you get accepted, you'll have all these comforts."

Jarek sighed and rested both arms on his knees. "That's the problem," he said jerking his head at Gaegan's snoring from across the aisle. "I'm not sure I'll ever be truly accepted."

Jilo stood and sat down next to him on his bed. He sat up in surprise but manage to remain calm. She took his hand in hers and locked gazes with him. "I think you'll find a place here," she whispered, "I really do." Her skin was warm, and her touch so tender it made his face heat up, Jarek was so captivated by her soft words and deep brown eyes he acted without a second thought.

The kiss was feather-light, but it sent chills running up and down his arms. His heart pounded in his chest. Pulling away, Jarek started to apologize but she silenced him with a finger on his lips. Her smile combined with her flushed cheeks was enough to fill him with relief.

"Jarek?" she whispered.

"Yeah."

She stroked the top of his hand with her thumb. "I do remember you," she murmured, "From the berry patch." She looked up at him and smiled earnestly, "I'm glad you're here."

He returned her smiled whispering, "Thank you," before kissing her again

They lingered on the kiss for several minutes embracing one another before a snort and grumble from another sleeping youth reminded them of where they were. They lingered unwilling to separate from the other and parted with great reluctance, Jilo returning to her bed. He remained on his own. "G'night," she whispered, and he replied in kind. He finally fell asleep with her warm beautiful smile the last thing he saw.

A new life to be sure.

The next morning was a blur of motion. One moment Jarek was dreaming and the next he was jarred awake by the sharp orders of the clan's warriors. He exchanged nervous smiles with Jilo as they donned their armor and collected their weapons. The two dozen youths hurried out into the cool night air where they linked up with a small group of Mandalorian hunters and warriors. After a few brief instructions, they lead them out of the village and headed east toward the valley wall.

Jarek stayed close to Jilo, occasionally exchanging knowing smiles and eager glances.

Upon reaching a nearly vertical cliff face their escort ordered them to the top. Looking up, seeing the craggy face disappear into haze above, Jarek was reminded of how much he disliked heights. Noticing his hesitation, Gaegan made a show of escorting him towards the wall as if he were some respected dignitary, bowing in supplication. His compatriots guffawed, but Jarek noticed none of them seemed eager to make the ascent either. Without a second thought, he launched himself at the wall and propelled himself upward. His eagerness took them by surprise, and they scrambled to catch up.

Jarek had free-climbed with Myler on several occasions. There were times, as outcasts, they couldn't use the trails the Clan Hunter's used, so they had to forge their own path. By touch alone he knew where the best hand and footholds were. He knew how to distribute his weight so as not to wear out his arms, using his more powerful leg muscles to push himself upward. He kept up with Jilo exchanging looks and words of encouragement. At one-point, Gaegan zipped up the rock face between them nearly dislodging Jarek in the process. For a brief panic-filled moment he had an image of falling into the depths of the cistern. The familiar rush of adrenalin and panic filled him, and he had to take a moment to compose himself.

"Hurry up verd'ika!" snapped one of the warriors who kept pace with the group. The female Mandalorian, like the rest of the minders, were utilizing jetpacks to make the trip easier. Jarek had to squash his envy for such a device and refocused on the climb. Jilo, who had managed to pull ahead, glanced back at him, a question on her face. Jarek nodded in assurance and resumed the climb.

By the time he reached the summit, Jarek's arms, legs, and shoulders were on fire. Even after all the training, he'd been through, the ascent had still taken a toll. Glancing around he saw it had exacted a heavier cost on the other verd'ika as well. Of the two-dozen youth's only Jilo, Gaegan, and himself were still standing. The rest sat hunched over taking deep gulping breathes clutching at cramped muscles. That was when Jarek noticed how thin the air was. Almost none of them, having lived in the lowlands of the valley, were as acclimated to it as he was. He felt a new energy course through his limbs and stood eager to begin.

When the last of the youths rolled over the edge of the cliff gasping for breath, the warriors wearing the jetpacks landed all around them. They didn't say anything or make any remarks as to the group's general disheveled state. They simply stood and waited.

Jarek took the opportunity to view his surroundings, but there wasn't much to see. They were so high up the cloud layer was obscuring everything outside of twenty feet. Jarek couldn't even see the surrounding mountains even though he knew they were there. Between the lack of sight and the silent warriors, it was very disconcerting.

Suddenly to his left he heard some rocks shift under a boot. He turned to see a figure materialize out of the fog. He was tall, broad in the shoulders, and he wore steel grey armor with a Jaing Bird of Prey blazing on his chest. A cloak with a similar sigil wrapped about his shoulders. The newcomer wore no helmet revealing a pale face void of any hair. A pair of piercing yellow eyes scanned the group. He carried himself with utter confidence and yet Jarek sensed a weariness about him as if he were a coiled snake always ready to strike.

The man stopped only a few feet before the group. By then the rest of the youths had all stood and composed themselves. For a moment, the man stood and took them all in with a sweep of his gaze. Only after taking the measure of each of them in turn, did he finally speak.

"You will adhere to the Resol'nare." His voice was deep, sounding like rolling gravel, "The core of what it means to be Mandalorian. A sacred law giving us direction and purpose." It also possessed a slight rasp that made him seem more sage-like. "Education and armor, self-defense, our tribe, our language, our leader—all help us survive. We must educate our children as Mandalorians, obey the commands of Mandalore, speak Mando'a, and defend our clans."

There was no hesitation in his voice. No hint of doubt. No shame. These were not mere words to him. They were his life.

He began pacing back in forth in front of the group. His steps were slow and deliberate much like his tone. "Strength is Life," he said clenching his fist before him, "for only the strong have the right to rule. Honor," he slammed his fist onto his armored chest, "is life. For without honor, one might as well be dead." He relaxed his hand and waved it at the warriors manning the perimeter of the group, "Loyalty is life: For without one's clan, one has no purpose." His arm lowered to his side and he stopped pacing. "Death," his tone became solemn but not without pride, "is life. One should die as they have lived."

He pointed over their shoulders over the cliff face. "If this is not your path. I suggest you get off my mountain." No one moved. No one spoke. No one...gave any indication they wanted to be anywhere else. This was what they had striven for. This was what they had dreamed of. This was, Jarek realized, was what the man wanted.

A small smile crossed the Mandalorian's face. "Then by standing here, you have accepted this oath, to complete your Verd'goten and become a part of the Mando'ade. Our ancestors fought proudly as warriors for generations against the Republic, the Jedi, and whoever else threatened our way of life." He held his arms out as if to encompass and embrace them. "So, I welcome you. I welcome you, sons, and daughters of Clan Orion...I welcome you to the ranks of Kyr'tsad. I welcome you...to Death Watch."