Canderous
The Elders announcing their findings was both unnecessary and anticlimactic. Understanding that, Elder Gregor kept it brief and to the point. I saw Disciple tapping madly away on his ever-present datapad, grinning all over his face. He caught my eye and gave a victory gesture, which I returned with a grin. The rest of the Jedi, far from being disgruntled about the massacre that we had wreaked upon them, came forward to congratulate us on our triple victory. Jennet hugged our friends, even Carth, who she hardly knew, and said all the right things. But under it, she was numb from the effects of the ecstasy and the outpouring of devotion from the Mandoa. I could feel the sense of being overwhelmed pouring off her, although she hid it well.
She even kissed Elder Gregor, much to his overt dismay and I suspected private delight. He was regarding Jennet much as a granddaughter and was fonder of her than he would ever admit, I thought. Elder Drane took the kiss on his cheek with a quiet good humor that reminded me of Bao Dur, and Elder Evana returned Jennet's kiss with a warm hug, clucking over her like a mother sparrow with one chick.
Ladria, more sensitive to situations than most, slipped her arm through Jennet's and lead her off, obstensively to find something to drink and ask about some point of the wedding plans. She winked back at me as she towed my Mate away, and I nodded back. Mira tagged along, chatting about the battle and lamenting that she had been taken out so early.
Carth strolled up, hand outstretched. "Good fight there," he said.
"Yeah, it was," I said, grinning and shaking his hand. "You gave us a challenge."
"Banthashit," Carth said cheerfully. "We got slaughtered. I'm not entirely sure of the details, but Sergeants Henders and Quarn say they felt some connection with the Mandoa, and more specifically you and Jennet, as they fought. They're quite enthusiastic, and are very sorry I'll be shipping them back tomorrow."
"They're good men," I said. "It was an honor to fight with them."
"In fact," Carth said carefully, "Most of the troops would like to stay for the wedding. You've made quite an impression."
"Can they be spared that long?" I asked curiously.
"Well, it would be up to their commander to say," Carth said with a grin. "As that's me, the answer is yes. I realize having this many in camp for another week would be an imposition at least rations-wise; I can order supplies from Onderon easily enough to cover."
It was my first impulse to refuse, but calculating the cost of feeding that many soldiers for a week shut me up quick. I nodded, and said, "That would be helpful, thanks. And of course, they're welcome to stay. I have to say I'm a bit surprised they want to."
"The war with the Sith isn't what you'd call usual," Carth said seriously. "It's a lot of boring waiting around for something to happen, and there's been precious little action. Not that I regret not putting my men in harm's way, but we know there's a threat out there, we just can't find it. This assignment has been a much needed distraction for them, as well as being an opportunity to introduce our people to each other. But…something big is coming; it's going to break loose soon, I think. The catalyst just hasn't happened yet."
I glanced over at Ladria, who was talking to Jennet and Mira, and thought about what she had said right after we left Malachor V.
It isn't over yet. The Sith are still out there, and need to be fought.
There had been something in her eyes when she had said that, elusive and determined and sad. I had been fresh with my own grief at the time, but had seen it. Or Jennet had, maybe, and showed it to me.
"No," I said slowly. "But I think it will be soon."
"Congratulations, by the way," Carth said, shifting gears. "I understand you've completed the Mate trials successfully."
"Thanks," I said. "It's been…interesting."
Carth laughed. "I don't think you're ever going to be bored with Jennet around," he said knowingly. "And after that display after the battle, it's obvious your men adore her."
"More than that," I said, my pride in Jennet swelling all over again. "She's theirs, now. They claimed her as Mandoa, and the spirit of our people. As far as they are concerned, she's a true Mandalorian, never mind her birth."
"Quite an honor," Carth said, and I looked at him sharply. But there was no irony there, just simple admiration. "You're proud of her." It wasn't a question.
"Yes," I said simply. "She earned it."
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to get out of this armor and get a shower. Privilege of command; I get first dibs. Anything you need before I make myself scarce for a while? We losers need to slink off and lick our wounds," Carth said with a wink.
"Nah," I said, chuckling with a touch of steel, just so he wouldn't forget I was, after all, Mandalorian. "Go on and sop your pride. There's a feast tonight again, though. 2000; don't be late."
"Wouldn't miss it," Carth promised.
"Hey, Carth….thanks for everything," I said sincerely.
"My pleasure."
Atton and Bao Dur approached as the admiral was leaving, grinning.
"You guys hit like a fracking rampaging Bantha," Atton commented, shaking my hand. "But it did take six to bring me down."
"Only six?" Bao Dur asked with a wicked smile.
"Yeah, well, you've got height and mass on me," Atton groused.
"Poor little man," Bao Dur said in mock sympathy. He turned to me and shook my hand. "Great fight, Canderous. We Jedi felt Jennet connect with the Force, and the effects of that and the battle ecstasy. Not on your level, of course. But what we felt was amazing. To bad it didn't benefit our side."
"It was," I admitted. "Nothing like I've ever felt, let me tell you."
"Her merging with the Republic soldiers was completely unexpected. It's all that the group that fought with you can talk about. If the Republic was interested before, I can bet they'll be eager to sign an alliance with you now," the Iridonian said enthusiastically.
"I hope so," I shrugged. "Carth didn't say as much but I'm thinking you're right."
"You don't seem thrilled with it," Atton said quizzically.
"Oh, I'm glad of it," I said honestly. "Just…well, it's been a long day. And it's not even halfway done yet."
"Ah, I see. Well, we'll let the old man catch his breath here, shall we?" he quirked an eyebrow at Bao Dur, who chuckled.
"Rand, just as I think I might like you, you say some damned fool thing," I said with my vibroblade voice. "Get the fuck out of my sight before I beat you to death with my arthritic fists."
"I'm gone," Atton said cheerfully, "let no one say I don't respect my elders. But before I go…what sort of musician did you want to be, I wonder?" he asked, referring to my joke on Carth yesterday.
"Bagpipes," I said promptly. "So I could make as much useless noise as you. Now go away."
Atton gave a cheery wave which would be interpreted as a rude hand gesture by most people, and disappeared toward the hanger, Bao Dur following with a more sincere wave of farewell.
The crowd was breaking up, some to eat, more to hit the showers and change. Jennet was in a clump of Republic soldiers, one of which was Lt. Grant, hanging adoringly on her every word. Mira, Ladria and Visas were with her, Dax and Kex standing nearby, glaring at the lieutenant, who was dangerously oblivious to this. I saw Megari heading toward the mess hall, looking small and somewhat lost without the ubiquitous presence of Bao Dur with her. Disciple was finishing up with the Elders. Jarxel was talking with Captain Bard, Kelborn and Xarga were with me, and the rest of the honor guard were absent, presumably to shower and change. I was looking forward to that myself.
I had been monitoring Jennet since the end of the battle, and could feel she was about spent from the combination of the physical exertion of fighting, the energy drain of the ecstasy, and the emotional impact of the spontaneous oath ceremony. I slipped up behind her as she chatted and put my arms around her waist. She leaned back gratefully.
"Excuse us, gentlemen," I said easily to her admiring crowd. "And ladies," I nodded to Ladria and the others. "I need to speak to Jennet." With a smile and a wave at her companions, she gracefully exited, following me some distance before turning and kissing me soundly.
"Thank you," she said with feeling.
"No problem. I can feel how tired you are. You're holding up well, though," I complimented.
"I could manage for the rest of the day if I had to," she said with a smile. "But I really just want a shower and maybe a nap. I'm whipped. And isn't there a feast tonight? I expect that will go on all hours."
"Probably," I said, wanting to pick her up and save her the trouble of putting one foot in front of the other. But there were enough people around I knew she wouldn't appreciate the gesture. "Want to share a shower?"
"Sounds lovely," she said, smiling. "It might even wake me up."
"That's what I'm hoping," I said, grinning, and we made our way toward our room.
But apparently showers and rest were not in our immediate future. Jarxel intercepted us not a dozen steps later, Angus in tow.
"Lady," they bowed to Jennet, then me. "Mandalore. With your permission, Lady, it turns out Angus here is handy with needle and ink. I've seen his work on several warriors, and the quality is superior. He could start right away if you wish; there's plenty of time before the feast."
"I thought it took hours and hours," Jennet said, puzzled. "And I thought I didn't qualify until the wedding takes place."
"Well, the ancient way, yes it did," Angus said helpfully. "But I've got modern tools; my traditional ones were lost at the end of the war. It's nearly impossible to find them anymore and I haven't had much reason to fashion new ones. I wanted to keep my hand in, though, so I've maintained a kit with what I could get. Won't take more than a couple of hours, now."
"And," Jarxel added, "You're Mandoa now; the wedding just binds you to the Mandalore."
"Just?" Jennet raised her eyebrows and smiled a little dangerously.
Jarxel didn't flinch, merely smiled back. "Of course that is important, and we're all eager for the formal binding. But you are Mates, and you," he nodded at Jennet, "are ours. The wedding is a significant formality, yet you are bound to Canderous, regardless of it. So, Lady, if it is convenient, Angus can begin."
So much for a shower, Jennet said ruefully.
Wouldn't do, anyway, I answered. If possible, it's done while the sweat is barely dried after your first battle.
Technically, that wasn't my first as a Mandalorian; I wasn't declared until after, Jennet pointed out, but she was merely arguing semantics, and knew it.
It's the one you proved you were, I chuckled inwardly.
"Of course," Jennet said graciously aloud. "Where should we set up?"
"Most of the men will want to watch," Jarxel said. "We thought outdoors, where the light is best, on the battlefield. Zuka and Tagren set up a table."
For the next two hours, Jennet sat as still as a statue, while Angus skillfully applied the phoenix tattoo to her upper right arm. I helpfully removed my armor, baring my own arm for his reference. I was amazed at his artistry; the bird looked ready to fly off, spitting fire and screaming. It might not be traditional tools he was using, but I had to admit that modern equipment didn't seem to create the scabbing I remembered when I first got mine. Jennet had warned Angus to inject the ink as deep as possible, to prevent her healing from fading it too quickly, and I felt her scale it back to the point it was barely functioning on her. I still felt the well of it inside her, though, and marveled again how she could do that.
When the last stroke of color was applied, there was a collective murmur of satisfaction from men gathered around. Jennet stood to display her arm proudly, and a cheer roared through the crowd. She turned to Angus and gravely thanked him for his work, shaking his hand warrior's fashion and impulsively kissing his cheek. I could swear I saw him blush, but he grinned at her and nodded. A few minutes of congratulations and I took my turn, asking Angus to touch up my own tattoo. He was pleased to do so, and in less than twenty minutes had it looking clean and sharp as if it had been applied only yesterday.
Carth, Ladria and the others had joined the crowd, talking quietly as Jennet received her warrior's mark, and gathered around when we were done. Mira bent over to examine it closely, smiling.
"That's incredible work," she said approvingly. "Would it be sacrilege to ask Angus to give me one sometime?"
"No," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm. "As long as it's not a clan badge. He mentioned that he would make a few credits on the side with his skills over the years."
"I'm not surprised that you would want a tattoo," Jennet said, laughing, "just that you don't have one already."
"Oh, I do," Mira said, cat smile on her face. "Just not where I'd show it here."
Dax grinned and patted her rear familiarly. "I've seen it," he said wickedly, and she elbowed him none too gently.
Atton was examining the tattoo, making noises of admiration. "Well," he said with a smirk, "we've lost you now. The Mandalorians have claimed you. It could be removed if you ever change your mind, you know."
"Fuck you, Rand," Jennet said sweetly. "You're just jealous they don't want you."
"Too breakable," I rumbled, giving Atton my smile that scares small children.
"Goes to show the Mandoa don't know a good thing when they see it," Atton said impudently. "They got it right with you, though," he added, giving Jennet a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I never thought I'd be proud a friend of mine chose to become Mandalorian. You done good, kid."
"Thanks," Jennet said with a warm smile. She turned to me, kissed me soundly and complained, "I'm sticky, and hot, and want a shower. Coming?"
"Right with you," I promised.