Chapter 8
Rak'jan
"Warrior Huck is the clear and honorable victor," the sergeant announced.
Mira clapped, very bored, as her two Mandalorian admirers cheered heartily for the winner of the match, who proceeded to take the loser's wife. Mira now knew her two followers' names; they had finally introduced themselves as twins named Valk and Velk. One of them—she couldn't tell them apart—turned to her and spoke. "That's Huck's eighth straight victory! Amazing…he is a great warrior, and I have never even heard of him before…"
Mira ignored him, walking away as some of the people in the crowd dispersed, while others remained to watch the next fight. As hard as she had tried, Mira couldn't get rid of Valk and Velk; even rudely telling them to leave her alone hadn't worked. They had simply pretended not to hear her, complimenting her on her appearance and asking her questions about herself.
Mira spotted Atton walking around by himself, looking even more bored than she was. She walked over to him. "So…"
"Who are they?" Atton asked, as Valk and Velk came running up next to her.
"Ignore them," Mira said hastily. "Anyway…how are you?"
"How do I look? There's just nothing to do here…ever since Kalan went running off I haven't had a partner to fight with…"
"I thought you would be more concerned about what happened to her."
"What are you talking about?"
Mira smirked. "You mean you don't know?"
"Don't know what?" Atton asked impatiently.
"Jedi Kalan has received a great honor!" Valk said.
"She is Mandalore's Number One!" Velk explained.
Atton's jaw dropped. "She…you mean she…Number One…Mandalore's wife?"
Mira nodded. "Got into a fight with one of his wives, won, and then got promoted right after she married him."
"But…she…I…I don't believe this…"
"If I were you, I wouldn't do anything rash. You'd be torn apart if you insulted the great Mandalore."
Nevertheless, Atton went running off as fast as he could in a random direction, hoping to find Mandalore and tell him precisely what he thought about not only allowing Kalan to marry him, but making her his Number One wife.
Instead of finding Mandalore, however, Atton found Kalan.
Kalan opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated, deciding to close it and walk away. Atton went after her. "Hey!"
"I can't talk to you," Kalan said out of the corner of her mouth, staring at the ground and walking determinedly on.
"You're not getting off that easy…"
"Atton, please," Kalan whispered, "if someone sees us talking…"
"Someone? You mean your dear husband?"
"Atton, please…" Kalan said again, glancing around nervously. Fortunately, they were in a vacant area out of eyeshot of other Mandalorians; Kalan had definitely been attracting a lot of attention ever since her appointment as Number One, and was afraid of what would happen if someone caught her talking to Atton.
"You told me you were trying to be a Jedi again, and you couldn't have 'romantic relations'!"
"I am not having any romantic relations! The marriage was an accident, and if respecting the Mandalorian traditions can secure an alliance with Mandalore, then…"
"Kalan, you're married to him! You've seen the way these Mandalorians treat their women! What happens when he gives you an order you don't like?"
"Well, what exactly are you suggesting?!" Kalan asked angrily, not realizing she was losing control of her emotions. "What is your brilliant idea, Atton?!"
"We get out of here! We take the whole crew and leave this stupid place, and we go somewhere else! I don't care if we drift out in space, as long as we…"
"You're just afraid I might end up liking Mandalore, aren't you? You're not worried about my safety, you're just jealous!"
"Jealous?! Who said I ever liked you, anyway? That was just an act to get Mira and Mical angry! Besides, I think you've made your feelings for me very clear! Forget my stupid Jedi training! If you need someone to protect you, you can turn to your precious Mandalore!"
Atton stormed off. It took a while for Kalan to calm down, and when she did, she felt guilty; she hadn't meant to make Atton so angry. This is all because I tried to help that woman…well, I certainly hope she's happier with Bralor than Mandalore… Kalan sighed. And I hope Atton doesn't give up his Jedi training forever…we had only just begun…
-----------------------------------
Kalan stood in the center of the largest ring. She could hear people cheering "Jedi" over and over. She waited nervously for Jana to arrive.
Jana came forward with her helmet on. She was holding two Gamorrean War Axes in her hands—very formidable weapons, but rarely used because of the difficulty in wielding them. Jana would only pick them if she knew how to use them properly.
Kalan's eyes scanned the crowd as best they could, but she couldn't see Mandalore. She figured he had to be somewhere in the back, where she couldn't see, but she wondered why he wouldn't be in the front considering his position.
Her eyes turned to the sergeant. He raised his arm, signaling for the fighting to begin.
Kalan pulled out her double-bladed lightsaber and waited. Jana stood, axes raised, also waiting. It seemed the whole jungle fell silent in that moment as they faced each other. Then Jana attacked.
Jana fought like a madwoman. Kalan blocked her axes with great difficulty, realizing she was being pushed back. But as she got used to it, it became easy; Jana wasn't using any strategy with her attacks, she was simply hacking at Kalan repeatedly, and while she had good accuracy, Kalan didn't let any strokes come close.
Jana looked like she was tiring early. Kalan decided now would be a good time to attack. She swung at Jana with her lightsaber, and then unexpectedly tried some Force powers on her. Kalan was shocked that Jana resisted them all, and wondered if her armor had some sort of protection or if Jana had actually been specially trained to defend herself from such attacks. The biggest mental blow came when Force Wave was completely resisted; that universal Force power was famed to work on the greatest of Sith Lords.
After feeling like she had made an idiot of herself in not being able to use the Force, Kalan attacked some more with her lightsaber. Kalan had always been proud of her ability to wield the weapon, and she became very frustrated as each one of her attacks was blocked. The crowd was cheering; they thought she was putting on a good show for them. They didn't realize how much she was struggling.
Kalan had to block again as Jana started some more attacks, but these were different. Kalan realized with horror that her first basic strokes were only a test; now she was wielding the axes with great skill, trying to strike in different places with one but striking repeatedly in the same place to catch Kalan off-guard with the other. The biggest surprise came when Jana kicked Kalan while she was trying to block. Kalan lost her footing and fell backward onto the ground.
Kalan was sure Jana was going to finish her, but the warrior did something worse. She took a step back, lowering her weapons. Jana was allowing her to get up and continue fighting; she was insulting her. Kalan took advantage of this and healed herself before standing. Jana raised her weapons and the battle continued.
Kalan wanted to try to hit Jana, but she couldn't get a chance; Jana swung her axes relentlessly, not giving her any opportunities. But then, suddenly, Kalan found an opening, and she immediately took advantage of it.
That would be the biggest mistake she made.
When Kalan swung, Jana blocked with one axe while swinging low with the other. The strange thing was how she swung; she had the sharp end of the axe pointed away from Kalan. Kalan realized why—Jana had invented that weakness on purpose; she had wanted Kalan to strike, and she had known she would hit Kalan. This wasn't a death match, and Kalan was certain that if Jana hadn't turned her axe around, the sharp weapon would have penetrated her little armor and cut open her stomach.
When the back of the axe struck Kalan, she staggered back. Jana was prepared, and she swung again, hitting her again in the stomach. Kalan toppled backward, but this time Jana didn't wait for her to get up. She swung the sharp end of her axe at Kalan's head but stopped it right before it could touch her neck. She held it there, and Kalan sheathed her lightsaber, knowing the match was over.
The crowd was silent as the sergeant raised his arm. "The match between the Jedi and Jana is over," he said in a hushed voice that everyone was somehow still able to hear. "Jana is the clear victor. She will be Mandalore's Number One, and the Jedi will go to Bralor."
The crowd started dispersing. Jana pulled back her axes. "Good fight, Jedi," she said.
Kalan was horrified as she stood up. "What did he mean, 'go to Bralor?'"
"Don't you remember the other match?" Jana asked, removing her helmet; she was smiling her malicious smile. "When you defeated Mandalore's Number Twenty-Eight? She went to Bralor, Mandalore's successor, and so have you. Wives of Mandalore are considered unworthy if they have lost even once in combat, and are sent to the next man down. "
"I didn't know," Kalan said, the blood draining from her face. "I had no idea, I…"
A big Mandalorian stepped into the ring. He faced Kalan.
"Are you Bralor?" Kalan asked, not being able to remember the style of armor the man she had once fought in the Battle Ring wore.
Suddenly, Bralor curled his hand into a fist and backhanded Kalan in the face. Through her tears of pain Kalan saw the smile vanish from Jana's face, and the Number One glared at Bralor before turning and leaving the ring.
"You will kneel before speaking to me, woman!" Bralor shouted.
A few Mandalorians who were still trying to get away from the ring glanced back at her, but with their armor on she couldn't see their faces. Kalan wondered where Mandalore was and why he wasn't coming to help her.
Kalan knelt in front of him. He hit her shoulder hard instead of tapping it. She stood up and spoke. "Are you Bralor?" she asked again, but she was sure she already knew.
"I am your husband, and you will call me such," he said.
"Of course," Kalan whispered.
"You will come with me now," he said dangerously.
"Yes, Husband," Kalan said quietly.
Kalan started to follow him when suddenly Mandalore ran up. She couldn't see his expression because of his helmet, but she knew he wasn't happy. "I need to speak with her," Mandalore said quickly.
"As you wish, Mandalore," Bralor said reluctantly.
Kalan followed Mandalore all the way back to his room before he would speak to her. "Kalan, I'm so sorry."
"Jana beat me fairly," Kalan said. "I am the one at fault." Then she healed herself. Afterward, she asked quietly, "Is Bralor one of the men you were referring to earlier, who wanted me for honor?"
"For honor, yes, and for…other things as well."
Kalan wished he hadn't said that last part. "But…but you can get me out of it, right?"
"Of course," Mandalore said, and Kalan sighed with relief. "Remember the little trick I mentioned? It will work the same for Bralor. I will find the best Mandalorians to fight him, all in a row, for you."
"But wouldn't I just go to one of them?" Kalan asked nervously.
"Yes, but you don't have to worry. After they win you, I will 'suggest' that they give you back to me, and they will do so. Bralor would not challenge me for you after being humiliated, and neither would anyone else because of the dishonor in it…you wouldn't have to be my Number One, so Jana would be pleased, and you wouldn't have to be initiated or perform any ceremonies. I'll take care of you until you have to leave this place, and then it will all be finished."
"Thank you," Kalan said. "I…I really appreciate everything you've done for me…everything you're still doing for me."
"It's worth it." Mandalore hesitated for a moment. "It may take me about an hour to gather up my men and tell them the plan…Bralor is a very impatient person, and it might be difficult for you to…to keep him from doing anything until I can have someone challenge him."
"I'll do my best," Kalan said, some of the uneasiness returning.
"Good," Mandalore said. "Now come on; I'll take you back to him."
Kalan followed Mandalore out to the largest ring, where Bralor was still waiting. "Oh, Mandalore, I'm glad you're back so soon," he said. "I just wanted to make an announcement…you can make it for me, if you like."
"What announcement?" Mandalore asked.
"One you'll be quite pleased with, I am sure," Bralor said, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Your total number of wives will be greatly increased." He paused, letting this sink in. Kalan had no idea what he was talking about, but she guessed Mandalore did. "Jedi," Bralor said, turning to her, "I am naming you my Rak'jan."
Kalan stared blankly at him; she recalled Mandalore mentioning the term a couple of times, but didn't know what it meant. She guessed Bralor was enjoying this. "You don't know what that is? I think I will let Mandalore explain it to you…you two can go off again, have a nice little talk about it. I'll wait here."
Kalan and Mandalore went hurriedly back to Mandalore's room. "What is a Rak'jan?" Kalan asked, very worried.
"Kalan," Mandalore said quietly, "I…I never would have…how could he, I mean…he must…" Mandalore shook his head. Suddenly, he took off his helmet and set it down on his bed. Kalan saw his face for the very first time as he rubbed his forehead, frowning deeply. Then he walked right up to her and said, very clearly, "There's nothing I can do."
Panic like Kalan had never felt before rushed into her. "What do you mean?! You're Mandalore! You can order him to do something, or…or…"
"A Rak'jan is a very…special thing," Mandalore said quietly. "If a Mandalorian man very strongly loves a Mandalorian woman—and this hardly ever happens among men with a great deal of honor—he can declare her his Rak'jan. All of his other wives go to Mandalore, and he can have no more unless he decides to strip away the title from the woman, which would only happen if she did something very dishonorable. But Rak'jans are also chosen for one other reason…not if a man loves a woman, but if he wants her so much, for honor or for other reasons, that he's willing to give up all his other wives just to make sure nobody else will take him from her. That is what Bralor has done."
"Then you're saying I'm his forever now…that nobody can take me from him."
"There is a way, but…it is a death match. If a Mandalorian wanted to challenge the appointment, he could fight Bralor and kill him. Unless the fight was called by Mandalore himself, you would become the victor's Rak'jan."
"Then you can call the fight."
"I…I will not lie to you, Kalan. I could call the fight. If I did, I would probably defeat Bralor."
"But you are not going to," Kalan said, feeling all hope leave her.
"No. Kalan…my people need a strong leader. I am the only person who can keep them unified. If I was to fall out of favor with my people, the Mandalorians would die. I have done things that they have not agreed with, but I have never…" Mandalore paused. "My people would be very angry if I killed my successor…for a woman."
"I see," Kalan said, looking away from him. "Then you are saying you care more about your Mandalorian customs than you do about me."
"Yes," Mandalore said, his tone becoming stronger, "just as you no doubt care more about your Jedi customs than you do about me."
This was a good point, but Kalan was too devastated to notice. The only person who could help her had just given up on her. Kalan realized something suddenly, and she looked back up at Mandalore. "My friends will not let you do this."
"I will not let them stop Bralor from having you."
"Then you would fight them all to keep me imprisoned?"
"They would die for nothing if they were to fight my people."
Kalan waited a few seconds before speaking. "You are a strong leader, Mandalore. You do not let personal feelings get in the way of doing what needs to be done for your people. As a Jedi, I have always respected leaders like you, but now that I am on the other side of it, I can see why others do not." Kalan took a few steps back and bowed low, then left Mandalore's room.
Mandalore sat down, feeling horrible. Right when he was going to get up to lock the door, Jana entered.
"I have nothing to say to you," Mandalore said.
"Well, I have something to say to you."
"Leave, Wife," Mandalore commanded, glaring at her.
Jana glared right back. "I will say what I have to say, and I will leave when I am finished." She waited. Mandalore didn't say anything; he bowed his head and stared at the ground.
"You should kill Bralor."
Mandalore looked up at her. "I won't do that."
"But you should."
"You're only saying that because you hate Bralor."
"I am saying it because it is the honorable thing to do."
"You think it is honorable for a man to kill his friend?"
"I think it is honorable for a man to kill someone who has overstepped his authority. Bralor made the Jedi his Rak'jan because he did not want you to have her. If he will not even give a woman to you, how can you expect him to die for you in battle?"
"Bralor is a strong man…a good soldier. He will fight and die for me."
"Bralor is a selfish man…a sick man. He will hurt the Jedi if she does not do what he says…in fact, he'd probably hurt her even if she did do what he said. Is that what you want?"
"No…"
"Then why do you do this? I understood when it was me a year ago, but this is the Jedi you are so fond of. You would favor Bralor over her?"
"You are not a Mandalorian; you don't understand."
"I am a Mandalorian. You told me that marrying you made me one."
"Well, you were not born a Mandalorian, and you have a different concept of honor. The others would be furious if I killed Bralor. I won't do it."
"You must."
"I couldn't even if I wanted to."
"You think he would defeat you, then?"
Mandalore looked up angrily at her, then suddenly hesitated. "That's not what I meant, but…that is also something I have to consider."
"And if you lost, then Bralor would be Mandalore."
"Yes."
"So you are afraid?"
"No! I just…I like Kalan, but not enough to die for her. She would never die for me."
"You do not trust her, then?"
"Dying for a person is different from trusting them."
"I know that. But do you trust her?"
Mandalore was silent for a moment. "She is a Jedi," he finally said.
"Yes," Jana said slowly, "but not all Jedi are the same. You were furious when one abandoned you and she could have used your help; this one asks you for help, and you are abandoning her?"
Mandalore looked up sharply at her. Jana straightened. "Think about killing Bralor," she said. "I am leaving."
Jana turned to leave. As she walked out of the door, Mandalore shouted after her, "I won't do it. I have made my decision."
Jana stopped for a moment until he was finished and then continued walking.