CHAPTER 5

Carletta sat in her small, bare room, thinking of what punishment she might get this time for not even cutting off a single limp from her opponent. Despite her time spent at the Academy, she couldn't bring herself into slaughtering others without so much as a single sign of remorse.

Maybe it was best that she should though. The teachers here understood she had talent, but as long as she refused to kill anyone, Carletta would never move forward along the chain of command. The only good news was that her skills were sufficient enough to, at least, survive. Something Carletta couldn't say the same for the many other students she had watched become one with the Force in the most violent and gruesome of methods. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow, I'll have to do it. For everyone back home. As she contemplated this, a voice rang in her ears.

'Mind if I have a word?' Steering her head over her shoulder, Carletta saw an impressive figure standing before her doorway, wearing long Sith robes and a mask so eerie she felt a chill. She was glad she still wore her own mask, otherwise he would see how startled she looked.

'Considering how things work around here, I don't think I'm in any position to question a Sith Lord's wishes.' she said with a dignified tone. The man let out a soft chuckle. Carletta willed herself to not be set on edge by it.

'A sharp eye and very appreciative fealty.'

'Thank you my Lord, but both of those qualities aren't impressive. You just learn them to survive.' Carletta said simply.

'Yes – yes, you are quite right. Nevertheless, you have ideally blunt wisdom.' The Sith Lord slowly crept forwards, surveying her carefully. 'Yes, I think you maybe the right one.' he said with malevolent satisfaction.

'Pardon?' Carletta responded, sounding more nervous than she wanted to.

'I'm searching for a student of my own Carletta. The trouble is that I have certain … standards that I want to find in a person that looks viable to instruct.' Though he couldn't see it, Carletta cast him a questioning look. Surely he didn't mean..?

'You want to choose me?' said Carletta with shocked excitement.

'Let's not get hasty.' the Sith said shortly. 'You may have impressed me with that duel, but there's more than just brutal, yet clever swordplay in learning the ways of the Sith.'

'Then what else is it that you want from me?' Carletta asked.

'Knowledge Carletta,' the Sith said hungrily, leaning close to her. 'And a mind with enough wit to go with it. Out of all the brutes and pathetic worms that crawl among you in this academy, you gave me a feeling I haven't felt in years: potential. However, I must be assured.

'You will go through several trials over the coming week. Are you willing?'

'That's another trick question Lord Matturn.' said Carletta. 'How can a student as low as me turn down the wishes of a Sith Lord like you?' Matturn stood straight again.

'Perfect.' he said pleasantly. 'Remember, I will be watching closely. Feel proud Carletta, for I do not simply throw any student into these challenges to simply prove any feeling to be true.'

'Yes, my Lord.' said Carletta obediently, bowing her head. Robes swishing, Matturn made his way out before halting outside the doorway.

'A final question.' said Matturn, not even turning his head. 'How did you know my name?'

'It's written in ancient Sith on your mask.' said Carletta matter-of-factly.

'A sharp eye indeed.'

When Matturn's footsteps became very distant, Carletta gave a deep breath. Half triumphant in feeling towards the prospect of finally getting somewhere and half fearful of what kind of painful exercises these trials would be.