Jacobus by WebRuss
Chapter 3 - The Journey
"We began the journey aboard a Corellian CR90. We left from Corisant and traveled for many days before we arrived on this planet. Once here we had to find local transport. We secured a captain for hire that was no more loyal than the highest bidder. We traveled over land slowly out from any civilization into the wild desert where these places could only be described as the place where the insane dance of death and commerce goes on in a still and other worldly atmosphere like a baking catacomb. The desert seemed to try and ward off life. We never stopped but the force that moved through this desert seemed to emanate a general sense of vague and oppressive wonder upon us. I felt as if we were weary pilgrims traveling amongst nightmares."
At what seemed the furthest point from any civilization the captain stopped the transport and let us know that this was as far as he went. From here we must journey on foot. I stepped out of the transport and the heat became instantly oppressive. I pulled up my hood and gestured to Jacobus and the other two Jedi to follow me into the local village. I sought some shade from the sun and noticed a large arched building at the edge of the dry riverbed. I approached with the Jedi and my padawan following me.
It was then I saw the shapes crouched, laying, sitting between the support columns. All of them in attitudes of pain, abandonment and despair. Here the locals had come to die. They were dying slowly, that part was very clear. I wondered if they were enemies or criminals but it did not seem important. They were nothing but shadows of disease, starvation and despair lying confused in the evening gloom.
Many were slaves brought here to serve the mines and fed upon unfamiliar food rations they became sick and could no longer labor and were allowed to crawl away to this place to rest. As my eyes adjusted to the low light I became aware of a face near my left hand. This bag of bones rested against the column and slowly the eyelids rose and the sunken eyes looked up at me, wide and vacant, full of a kind of blindness, the flicker of life in the depths of those orbs, which was slowly dying out. The man seemed to be young, perhaps a boy, but it was hard to tell."
"Near the same column two more bundles of acute angles sat with their legs drawn up. One, with his chin propped on his knees, stared at nothing, in an intolerable and appalling manner: his brother phantom rested its forehead, as if overcome with a great weariness; and all about others were scattered in every pose of contorted collapse, as in some picture of a massacre or a pestilence. While I stood and surveyed this suffering, one of these creatures rose to his hands and knees, and went off on all-fours towards the water pan in the middle of the room to drink. He lapped out of his hand, then sat up in the sunlight, crossing his shins in front of him, and after a time let his bare head fall on his breastbone."
"What I was keenly aware of was the the force was slowly draining out of me like so many tiny cuts all over me were suddenly leaking out my life's blood. I knew we had to leave that place quickly or be overcome, yet I turned and there was Jacobus with a look of morbid fascination upon his face. He had seen death many times, but this time he was enthralled by this slow and torturous death spiral. I called to him and at first he did not respond but then after a few moments he looked at me and then followed me out. I believe at this moment his fascination with death began."
Rustafa paused in his story telling and many of us shifted uncomfortably around at the fire. Jacobus was known among us as a feared and deadly enemy. Rumors often spread that he was wild with anger and often killed out of pure rage like a sith. Then at times he was merciful and kind. Rider sat still, almost motionless and her eyes were transfixed on a point far from this place, her face was unreadable. The sky was now a deep sea of dark blue covered with stars. The twin moons were rising above the skyline and were almost entirely visible. There was much more to say and Rustafa seemed to be gauging what to say and what to withhold.
"I quickly took the entire group out of that place and by chance we walked past a trading post. Coming from the door, I heard an unusual, yet familiar sound. Unmistakable in its notes and lyrics I heard the opening aria of the opera Corisina. The high notes lifted and fell sung with exquisite skill and I was drawn to the sound. We all walked into the trading post lobby, and there on a small stage in the corner, was a crying dawn singer in full plumage. The lobby was a small area at the front of the trading post with a dozen or so tables on the wooden plank floor. Along the wall were a series of booths all filled with merchants and ship's crews, pirates and traders alike. Normally this room would be a raucous bustle of noise from competing voices all babbling and conspiring. Yet as the singer lifted the notes, the room had fallen still, everyone in the room was mesmerized. Some puffed slowly at their hooka, others stared off into the distance."
"The singing continued for several minutes and then, just as it had started it ended. The audience, slowly came back to life, some shaking their heads as though they were shaking off sleep. I turned and began to walk towards the wookie that was tending the singer as the shop keeper stepped into my path. This was a man who stood juxtaposed to the surroundings. He wore a white shirt that was clean and fresh, his pants and shoes were immaculate and his external appearance was remarkable. I might have thought him to be a member of the senatorial staff on Corisant if I was not aware of where we were. To remain this clean in such a filthy place where death hung about like an oppressive mask required great discipline of the mind."
"I greeted him and introduced my group to him. He returned the greeting warmly and invited us to sit and have drinks. I agreed and asked him to tell me who I could hire for transport. His eyes darted about and he leaned in. "
"Talk to Mungo at the corner booth." he said quietly. "He will have what you need."
"I thanked him and he turned to head for the bar. I motioned the other two to sit at the table"
"I am going to speak to Mungo" I said softly. "Watch the door."