COVENTRY CAROL

That woe is me, poor child for thee

And ever morn and day

For thy parting nor say nor sing

Bye bye, lu li lu lay.

There's been so much sadness and death on Onderon and not enough time to put things in their rightful place. It's time to bid the dead goodbye — without adding to the body count. - LS

...

The first thing Dalla hears the next morning is "oh, you are in so much trouble."

The words come nanoseconds after a jetstream of icy cold water wakes her from what was, if she'd say so herself, some well-deserved sleep. Cade and Emoth stand in the doorway, squirt guns in hand.

"What was that for?" she demands between muttered swear words.

"Dalla, you're so dead." Cade says.

"Why am I so dead?" she asks, wiping the water from her face. "What time is it? Did I miss something?"

Emoth's eyes are like saucers. "You wish."

"What is it?" She puts an elbow on her pillow and … it moves.

Filled with dread, Dalla looks down. Saw Gerrera, whose shoulder she was just using as a pillow, is sound asleep on the couch despite the rude wake-up call. We must have passed out exhausted last night, after talking and grieving as long as we did. And - kriff, Double Trouble!

"Guys, this isn't what it looks like," she scrambles off Saw, who snores in response. How he can sleep through squirt guns is beyond her. "We just fell asleep on the couch. Nothing bad happened."

"Good luck telling that to Father."

"Father doesn't need to know."

Cade shakes his head. "Father already knows."

Just then there's a commotion upstairs and Marlon Blackwell bellows "Jamos, where did you put my blaster batteries?"

Dalla jumps off the couch and shakes Saw's shoulder. "Saw, wake up!"

Saw just snores. And Dalla thought she slept like a rock. "Cade, Emoth, squirt him!"

Emoth and Cade look at each other in disbelief, and then decide to just roll with it. They lift their squirt guns and loose what looks like half a lake at Saw's face.

Saw wakes up sputtering and trying to block the stream with his hands. Dalla waves off Double Trouble before he can lunge at them on instinct alone.

"What the hell?" He demands as soon as he's done spitting water out of his mouth.

Dalla cuts to the chase. "Saw, you need to find a place to hide."

"What the -?"

"We fell asleep on the couch and my father saw us just a few minutes ago. He's upstairs looking for batteries to put in the blaster!"

Saw scrambles off the couch with the speed of light. "Kriff, we didn't do anything!"

"Thus you need to hide so I can explain without him blasting you!" She puts her hands on Saw's shoulders to shove him out of the room but before they even hit the door, Marlon appears at the end of the hall. With the blaster rifle.

Dalla steps in front of Saw like a human shield. "Father, it's not what it looks like."

"Then what is it, Dalla?" Marlon cocks the blaster. "I thought I'd taught you better than this. And you!" He swivels his aim to Saw. "At first I thought you were a good man, but apparently I was wrong. You took advantage of my daughter, and believe me when I say I'll do everything to you that I wanted to do to Sanjay Rash!"

"He didn't do anything!" She holds her hands out in surrender. "Saw and I were up late last night talking about Steela, we were exhausted and we fell asleep on the couch. Nothing else happened, I swear it. Look! We even have our shoes on!"

Marlon isn't buying. "I might have dismissed one incident as a misunderstanding, but two? I heard about the kitchen."

"I'm gonna kill Hutch," Saw grumbles under his breath.

Marlon glares at him. "Why do you think you get a say in this?"

"Because I'm being falsely accused! Nothing happened here or in the kitchen. Hutch, he blows things out of proportion. It was one kiss, for good luck on a mission."

"So you did touch my daughter."

"Well I'm not a Jedi, so yeah there was physical contact -"

"Saw, drop the shovel," Dalla whispers.

Saw wisely shuts up. If anything, his testimony's made Marlon angrier. Luckily, Dalla remembers something else about that kitchen. "There was a witness," she says and then shouts down the hallway: "Lux? We need you, now!"

"I'm busy!"

"Kriff whatever you're doing, Bonteri, it's an emergency!" Saw yells.

There's a commotion upstairs and they hear a door slam. About thirty seconds later Lux appears on the top of the staircase, soaking wet and clad in nothing but a towel around his waist and a shower Mohawk.

He sighs, not looking at the spectacle unfolding beneath him. "What reasons do you have for interrupting my first hot shower in months? Is there a fire? Is someone bleeding from the head?"

"I'm about to be. Look down!"

Lux does and races down the stairs. "Oh, gods. Lord Marlon, I will not have shooting in my house!"

Dalla skips that bit. "Lux, tell him what happened in the kitchen."

"What, the kiss? That was nothing but innocent, Hutch exaggerated it." Lux swipes a hand through his hair to destroy the shower Mohawk.

"Of course you would say that; you're his friend."

"I swear on my father's grave nothing happened."

Just then Ahsoka skids around the corner from where she was probably having breakfast in the kitchen. "What's going on?"

Dalla could hug her right now. "Ahsoka was there too! Saw didn't do anything in the kitchen or now." Jedi are peacekeepers, right? Well salt gods, we need a peacekeeper!

Realization dawns on Ahsoka and she cautiously edges her way between Marlon and Saw. "Lord Marlon, you have the same prescription for pain medication that I do, and the bottle says one of the side effects is emotional imbalance and impaired judgement. Might that have something to do with this?"

Dalla's willing to bet her inheritance it does.

Marlon readjusts his aim. "This is a case of a man taking advantage of my daughter."

"Pardon me, my lord, but I find that very hard to believe. Saw treated his sister like a queen, and he's shown nothing but respect and friendship toward Dalla and I. This honestly doesn't sound like something he would do."

"Because I didn't!"

"Saw, stop talking," Lux beseeches.

"Father, please," Dalla begs. "Please just put down the blaster and we can talk about this." Marlon lowers his aim just a little, which does nothing for Dalla's nerves. If anything, he's aiming for the part of Saw he really wants to hit. Since she's the only person he for sure won't shoot, she tries again. "This isn't like you. It's the pain meds."

"This day is going to be hard enough as it is," Ahsoka reasons. "Let's not make it any worse."

…

It's no use. Marlon doesn't drop the blaster until Jamos walks in on the scene from the front door. After a quick explanation from Marlon and then a markedly calmer one from Lux, he shakes his head. "Aye, I saw them asleep on the couch when I left for the medcenter first thing this morning. Sleeping is all they were doing, Marl. I got a whole lot further with Shara back in the day when you were supposed to be chaperoning us."

"You stay out of this!" Marlon snaps. "And just what were you doing at the medcenter first thing this morning? I thought you'd made it through the battle unscathed."

"I did too. But it turned out I had this internal issue I needed to get checked out." He winces and discreetly adjusts his pants. "Still have some recovery to do. But that's beside the point. There's no reason to blast Saw here."

Marlon narrows his eyes at Saw, but he puts the safety on the blaster and lowers it.

"Next time, I'll use you as bait," he swears and stalks away as best he can on crutches.

Saw breathes a huge sigh of relief. "Oh my gods, my life just flashed before my eyes."

"Thank you, Uncle Jamos and Ahsoka, for saving him," Dalla says.

"Not a problem," Ahsoka says. "I was just getting ready."

Lux is already halfway up the stairs. "I'm going to finish my shower. Please let me know about any other attempted shootings."

"Duly noted, Lux." Ahsoka gestures for him to hurry along and waits for Saw to slink off to get himself ready. "And Dalla, General Tandin said something about needing you and your aunt for an errand. Any idea what that's about?"

She knows. We didn't tell her, but she knows.

"Please don't tell the guys," she whispers. "They can't take it, not now. Not today."

"I won't," she promises. "My masters are landing in a few standard hours; I don't think they'll ask after any of you but if they do, I'll tell them you're taking care of personal business."

…

Like Lux said, the Rash Estate fire really was a blessing in disguise. Dalla has no idea how they were going to move Sanjay Rash's corpse from the speeder to the river without getting an audience, but the bones which remain don't take up much space. Just enough to occupy the middle of the rowboat wrapped in a black shroud.

She and Shara sit at the stern of the rowboat, Tandin at the bow. He's a shaky sailor at best and the last thing they need is someone pointing and laughing at them on this particular errand because he capsized the boat. Dalla doesn't mind rowing, anyway. It keeps her hands busy so she doesn't fidget from the uncomfortable situation. She doesn't want to be here, Tandin doesn't want to be here, Shara really doesn't want to be here, yet here they are. The last person to see him alive, the closest thing he had to a friend, and the only woman he thought about for almost twenty years.

Shara speaks up. "I think we're in deep enough water, Dalla."

Dalla stops rowing and turns her attention to the shroud in the middle of the boat. All three of them sit in silence, wondering what they should say or do.

"He'd like it here," Tandin says after a minute. "You can smell the fruit from the orchards."

"Aye, he'd like that. When he saw mine for the first time I thought he would collapse from sheer joy." Shara smiles sadly at the memory. "It's nice and quiet too. He said that was the one thing he liked about the jungle, besides the fact he was in it with me."

Dalla jumps on the distraction. "You never mentioned taking him out to the jungle."

"He only went out once," Shara says. "He was the family witness for his sister's wedding, and to give her and her husband an alibi we took our vows the same day. We spent the night in a caretaker's cottage and then went back into the city with them. In retrospect, the only good thing about that day was that Mel was so happy."

"He only had the one sister, Melaana? He said I reminded him of her."

Tandin blinks. "I only had the pleasure of meeting her once, so I don't really see it," he admits. "But if he mentioned it at all, it must be there. He never spoke of her while I worked for him."

"He was devastated when she died," Shara explains. "And Dalla looks nothing like her. But I see some of it. They have the same willpower, the same strength. That must have been what he recognized." She looks at the shroud. "I hope he's with her now. They both would have wanted that." And with that she swallows hard and begins to sing. It's a simple tune, one Dalla hasn't heard before but seems familiar to Tandin.

"The child learns his father's way.

He seeks his guidance through the day.

And from his path he'd never stray.

The child loves his father."

Dalla stares at her aunt. No question about it, that's the song Sanjay wanted her to sing on his deathbed. "I've never heard you sing that before," she says, trying not to sound like she's digging for information. "Where did it come from?"

"I sang it to him on our wedding night. I had hoped to one day teach it to our children," Shara explains. "I so badly wanted what Geb and Edda had, what my parents had had before my mother died. Funny thing is I don't think Sanjay really wanted a child at all at the time. He wanted me. I wanted a family, his mother wanted an heir. He figured he'd knock out two gulls with one stone."

Dalla looks to her feet. "He did say he wanted children while he was...dying."

"Aye. I suppose as he got older he did want the experience of holding his own child in his arms. Perhaps seeing Kason also... He saw what he had missed out on." She gives Dalla an apologetic look. "He wanted to give you that too, must have thought that since it was what I wanted when I was your age that all girls…"

"I knew that's what he wanted, but he thought I did too? Salt gods! I'm not ready to be a mother!"

Shara laughs. "Really missed the boat, that one."

Dalla smiles but grows serious again. "It's so sad. He wasted his whole life wishing for something he could never have."

Her aunt hugs her, carefully so they don't tip the boat. "Aye, that he did."

Dalla lets her go and speaks before there can be another long silence. "Should we say the words?"

Tandin shakes his head. "I don't know them."

Shara nods.

"We asked for Sanjay and he was given," Dalla begins. That's the easy part. "Those of us here today don't have many happy memories of him. General Tandin defected from him in the name of honor, Aunt Shara endured the worst from him, and I feared and hated him since the day he demanded my hand. But in the end, when he was faced with death, he tried to atone for what he did. And that's really all any of us can do."

Shara speaks up. "He was a devoted son and brother. He loved his sister to the stars and back, and he would do anything for her. And...he tried very hard to uphold his marriage vows," she adds almost guiltily.

"Shara, you can't blame yourself for that," Tandin says. Shara nods. Maybe she's agreeing with Tandin, maybe with herself, but he doesn't push it. "I didn't know much in regards to Sanjay's personal life, but from what I did see he tried to do whatever he thought was best. He may have had the wrong idea of what that was, but he always tried."

"I guess that's the core of it," Dalla sighs. "He tried to help his sister. He tried to hold onto Aunt Shara. He tried to become a father. He tried to be a stepfather to Kason. He tried to marry me. He tried to do a lot of things, but he either couldn't or he didn't know how to do them right."

"He tried to be a good person," Shara concludes. "He did some awful things, and this doesn't vindicate him of those deeds, but we know the salt gods are merciful. We ask you to show Sanjay your mercy, and welcome him to your halls for eternity."

Each of them takes hold of the shroud and lifts it out of the boat, setting it gently into the river.

As the water closes over it Shara and Dalla press a thumb to their lips and extend their palms. "In the light of the salt gods."

Tandin tentatively repeats the gesture. "In the light of the salt gods."

…

Shara knows Dalla and Tandin are worried about her walking through the jungle by herself after Sanjay's burial. When she first told them of her plan, Dalla offered to walk with her. Shara had refused her offer immediately, with the convenient excuse that Dalla and rupings don't mix well. Tandin had offered next, and Shara politely turned him down as well. This is something she needs to do on her own, without having to worry about her children or her niece or her cousin.

She can see them now rowing down the river, Dalla no doubt cajoling Tandin to tell her or Marlon what he wants. Shara smiles thinking about that; Tandin should have learned by now that there's no stopping Dalla once she sets her mind to something.

A ruping's cry snaps her back to the planet's surface and she follows the sound to a beast circling in the sky, its rider a silhouette against the sky. Her heart catches in her throat. It's been years since she saw him, but even with the time and the distance she recognizes her beast rider "brother." She waves to him even though she knows he probably won't wave back.

To Shara's utter shock the beast banks into a descent and lands in a nearby clearing. Shara triples her speed into a headlong run off the path. The underbrush tears at her long skirt but she doesn't care a bit. It's nothing a needle and some patience can't fix.

He's still in the saddle when she breaks into the clearing, smiling at her sadly.

Shara beams. "Bremon!"

The older man smiles and slides off the saddle to greet her on equal footing. "I was hoping I'd get to - oof!" He stiffens in Shara's sudden, attacking hug.

Almost sheepishly, she lets him go. Perhaps Marlon's penchant for hugging has rubbed off on her. "I couldn't help myself. It's so good to see you, Brem."

"You too." The old Brem would have smiled at the next bit, but this weathered man only manages a nod. "You've gotten older. And...northern."

"You just noticed now?" She jests but when he doesn't laugh she changes the subject. "Thank you for taking care of Kason, Brem. I was so worried until Jamos commed me to let me know where he was." Frayl the ruping pokes past Brem and nuzzles up to Shara eager to be petted. Shara obliges him, overjoyed to be near any ruping but especially her old friend after being separated from the magnificent beasts for so long. "I'm sorry I didn't catch you and Frayl when you dropped them off."

"I had to leave," Bremon explains vaguely. He seems much more at ease now that Shara's petting the ruping and not addressing him directly. "Kason's a good kid. He has a gift with the animals, like you and your father. He would have been a rider if he was born here."

"Aye. He's always been good with the norcogs." She sighs. "Our Portia passed on while he was down here. They grew up together, almost like she was his big sister. He's really going to miss her."

"I missed my sister when she went up north."

"I missed you too, Brem." She gives him a sad smile before broaching the next topic. "You know who else is missing his sister and could really use your support? Saw…"

Bremon's face falls. "I know. I should go into the city. But I just... They want to make me king, Shar! I might have once when Mel... When Melaana was by my side I could have taken on the Galaxy."

Shara stops petting Frayl and lays a hand on his arm. "Aye. Mel had a strength beyond all of us."

He nods. "And the child, my child... Maybe I was wrong trying to get her away from my uncle. Maybe it was her power we needed when the separatists came. And she would have been … Shara, I had to leave Bonteri's without seeing you because your brother-in-law answered the door."

"Marlon?" Shara doesn't understand. "Bremon, Marlon doesn't care about that feud nonsense! Especially not after what you've done for our family."

"It wasn't him," Brem shakes his head. "He was nothing but grateful, thanked me over and over for taking care of his son. But then his girl walked in reading the directions off a prescription bottle for him, reminding him about his dosage. Remember when Melaana did little things like that? Any child of hers would look after her old man the same way. I couldn't stay watching the two of them. When I saw your niece, when I look at Steela... And now Steela's gone too…"

With that he breaks down into sobs and Shara hugs him.

"They're holding a state funeral this afternoon and then we're going to take her to the Rider's cemetery, where she belongs," she says. "But if you can't make it, or if you can only fly overhead, I know she'd understand."

Bremon doesn't respond and Frayl nuzzles the two of them, sensing his rider's distress.

Shara opens an arm to let the ruping in. If anyone can bring Brem comfort that she can't, it's Frayl.

"I'm so sorry, Brem."

…

Shara arrives back at Bonteri estate on the back of a dalgos, beaming and looking as if it's the most natural thing for her in the galaxy.

As soon as Dalla catches sight of her and the beast she backs away fast and shields her cousins behind her but it's no use. Kason, fearless and half Beast Rider, shoves past her and brings all his siblings with him.

Lana zooms ahead of all of them despite Kason's best efforts. "Beastie! Beastie!"

Shara brings the dalgos to a stop and dismounts in time to scoop up her daughter. "Yes Lana, beastie. Her name is Luna, and she's Sophia's granddaughter. Do you remember Momma's stories about Sophia?"

"I do!" Jamos grins and tries to come up to the dalgos, but Luna snorts at him and he backs away before she can rear next to his young children. Shara smiles apologetically. Sorry love, but it seems like there's no such thing as an honorary beast rider.

Marlon and his two older kids know that's the case but Cade's come up to the dalgos with Emoth. To Shara's shock, Luna doesn't seem to have any trouble with him at all.

He's a beast master, she reminds herself. He's always had the touch with the brylks just like I have. No wonder Luna likes him too.

Dalla isn't convinced. "Cade, get back here before that thing bites your head off!"

Cade rolls his eyes. "Come on Dalla, she's nice!"

"Why is she so fat?" Arkon asks.

Cade and Emoth smirk to each other but Shara beats them to the punch. "Luna is going to have a little baby dalgos," she explains. "And we're going to take care of her until she has the foal. Cornel, do you want to pet Luna?"

Cornel gingerly touches Luna's mane with his fingertips, then divides it into equal sections in his hands. Luna doesn't seem to mind so Shara turns her attention back to the mare's swollen belly.

"It's almost your time, isn't it girl?" she says and pats Luna's flank.

"Almost time for something else too." Marlon speaks up from his place safely back with his non-beast master children. "Lux took Saw to the palace already. Steela's funeral is in a few hours."

…

It's high time Sanjay was laid to rest, and Steela as well. Though her funeral may have a few more unexpected guests.