Debt of Honour Chapter 4, a star wars fanfic

Chapter Four

They made their way back to the transport. It was exactly where they had left it. They boarded without incident, noticing that no one had followed them. Murata was the last to board, accepting a lift up from Enacca. The engine rumbled to life and Murata held on tightly as she stared out, watching as the jungle went by with the large trees and native animals that she recognised with a second look.

The trip was almost two hours and they landed in the same spot that they had left from. Murata was first off, jumping clear from the transport. She turned and watched as the others disembarked as well, most of them conversing with each other, the mood evidently light as most were in high spirits after their triumph. Murata shared their sentiment, knowing that everyone was safe and there was now a better chance of her deal going through.

All of them travelled back up the lift to the boardwalk and started going the same way but it wasn't long before some veered off, going elsewhere. Murata watched some of them, wondering where they were heading. But the thoughts soon vanished as she followed behind Enacca. It was soon clear they were heading towards Karra's home.

The giant wroshyr tree quickly came into view and it was soon clear they were heading towards it. Once they were nearby, Murata slowed a little, looking in the direction of her ship. It had been hours since she'd had contact with RA. She just hoped he was alright and not freaking out too much although deep down, she knew there was little hope for that.

"Are you coming in?" enquired Enacca.

Murata spun around to look at her old friend. "Yes," she said quickly.

"Are you alright?" asked Enacca.

"Yes," repeated Murata, smiling. "I was just thinking about my droid. Best case scenario is that he's pacing back and forth, muttering to himself."

Enacca nodded her understanding but said nothing more. The door to Karra's home was open and Murata followed Enacca inside. The sitting room looked exactly as it had a few hours ago and Murata closed the door behind her and took only a few steps inside, wondering what was happening next.

"Thank you, child," said Karra, closing the distance between him and Murata. "If it weren't for you many of my kin would be dead. You saved us as well as the prisoners. You have been hailed a hero among us which is an honour bestowed upon few."

Murata couldn't suppress the smile that returned to her face. "I'm very flattered but don't forget that I didn't do all the work," said Murata. As though unable to help it she added, "I'm small but resourceful."

"I agree."

The female Wookiee Murata had noticed at the prison stepped up beside Karra. The round, black eyes were focused on her and Murata took another couple steps forward. The smile weakened a little but was still noticeable and kind in appearance.

"This is my mate, Satakk," said Karra. "There are no words to express my gratitude but you will always have it."

"It's nice to meet you," said Murata politely.

"You too, dear," said Satakk. "Will you be attending our wedding?"

"Uh… yes," said Murata, with a little uncertainty. "If I'm invited of course."

"Without doubt you are invited," assured Satakk. "I have to see to the arrangements, excuse me."

"How soon is the wedding?" asked Murata, looking between Enacca and Karra.

"We don't wish to wait," said Karra. "It will be tomorrow, at the shores."

The living area went quiet and Murata's thoughts went back to her ship and droid but it didn't last long as Karra's voice broke the short silence.

"I must help Satakk," he said. "I will see you at the ceremony."

Karra left through the same doorway as Satakk, leaving Murata and Enacca alone in the room. Murata met her eye before looking away, sighing a little as she suddenly felt tired after all the excitement of the day. The reasons she was here returned and she faced Enacca again.

"I helped you out," reminded Murata. "Are you able to help me out now?"

"Of course," said Enacca. "I always keep my word. I do appreciate your help. We can discuss the details after the ceremony. There will be plenty of time then."

"That's fine," said Murata, still smiling. "I suppose you'll want to help with the preparations so I'll head back to my ship and rest and I'll see you at the wedding."

Enacca nodded but said nothing more. Murata nodded once too before turning and heading out the door. The walk to her ship was short and only seconds after boarding a familiar sound reached her ears. Mechanical footsteps sounded down the corridor and Murata headed towards her private quarters.

"Mistress!" exclaimed RA. "You have returned. I trust everything went alright…"

"Yes," said Murata. She took the big gun off her back and placed it at the droid's feet. "Could you disassemble that put it away for me? I need to lie down and rest before getting ready."

"Of course, Mistress," said RA, voice falling a little. "I will do it immediately."

Murata gave RA a final glance and faint smile before retreating into her quarters, closing and locking the door behind her. She went straight to the bed and collapsed onto the soft surface. The blaster in her holster poked her in the hip and she groaned and rolled onto her back, pulling out the weapon as she did so and throwing it to the floor. The thud went almost unheard as an easy sleep claimed her.

After a few hours sleeping, Murata awakened. She sat upright in her bed and glanced around her private quarters. Nothing had changed and she hopped off onto her feet and headed for the door. It slid sideways with a hiss and she stepped out into the corridor. The ship was quite but in the direction of the cockpit she could hear the light tapping of keys. Knowing it was her droid, she headed in that direction.

Entering the cockpit she saw exactly what she had expected and she approached, moving to sit in the pilot seat which was hers. Abruptly, RA stopped what he'd been doing and turned sharply in order to look at her. Despite the lack of emotion on his face, Murata knew that he was surprised by her sudden appearance beside him.

"Mistress!" he exclaimed happily. "How was your rest?"

"Good," said Murata, leaning back in her seat. "Did you put my weapon away?"

"Yes, mistress," said RA. "It has been disassembled and placed back in storage."

Murata nodded. "Good," she repeated. "What are you doing?"

"Checking vital systems," replied RA. "Has the deal gone through?"

"Not quite yet," admitted Murata.

RA continued looking at her and his head turned to the side as though curious. "I thought once you helped, the deal would happen. Have they backed out?"

"No," denied Murata. "Enacca thinks it's best to wait until after the wedding. I was invited, so I'm going. As are you. It would be rude not to."

For a moment it looked as though RA was about to argue his point of view but instead, he said nothing and went back to checking through the ships computer. Despite having to get ready, Murata stayed where she was for another few minutes, just watching her droid go on with his duties. The quietness was relaxing and she wanted to enjoy it for a moment longer before going to what she thinks might be a loud wedding.

"I must get ready," said Murata, standing up. "Meet me outside in ten minutes."

"Yes, mistress," said RA without looking up.

Murata left the cockpit and returned to her quarters. From within the angular metal locker in the corner she pulled out a leaf green sheath dress that reached her knees and she laid it across the bed. The dress was soft to the touch and had thick black stripes over the shoulders and one along the hem. Murata changed out of her battle clothes and boots and dumped them on the ground and went for a quick shower. When finished, she placed on the dress and a pair of flat light green shoes that covered her feet and she quickly ran a brush through her pink hair.

A few clumps tangled and Murata grabbed the hair and pulled the brush through, hissing a little at the pain it caused. Once her hair was smooth, she put the brush away and looked into the full length mirror inside the door of the locker. Considering where she'd just been and what they went through, she looked pretty good.

The locker closed with a light bang and she left her quarters and headed off board her ship. On the platform, she saw RA already waiting for her, the nearest light shining off him. Murata locked up the ship and together, in silence, they headed for the shores. They went down a couple of levels and when reaching near the bottom, they walked across a boardwalk that looked endless as it stretched out far into the distance.

It was a little while before they reached the end of the boardwalk which spiralled downwards. There were another few metres worth of jungle before they stepped out onto white sand. From where they were Murata could already see the set up for the wedding ahead of them.

"Over there," said Murata, pointing towards it.

They walked over, hearing only the waves of the ocean and the squeaking of the clean sand. It wasn't long before RA began to slow down and Murata slowed so he could keep up. As they approached a few stares went their way but it went mostly ignored by Murata who immediately approached Enacca. Her old friend was standing at the shores edge, the water barely missing the tip of her feet.

"Is something wrong?" asked Murata, standing beside her.

"No," answered Enacca. "You look lovely, dear."

"Thanks," mumbled Murata. "When does the ceremony start?"

"Any moment," said Enacca. "Have you attended a Wookiee union before?"

"No," admitted Murata.

"I will explain it to you," said Enacca.

A cluster of wooden instruments came to life, catching the attention of everyone there. From within the woods, not far from where Murata had emerged, stood one person. Murata immediately recognised it as Satakk. She wore a sheer veil of silvery grey. Satakk approached them and stood beside Karra. The small crowd gathered around them in a circle to watch.

"The vows are first," explained Enacca. "The intended pair hold hands and recite the same words."

Murata nodded but said nothing, choosing to keep silent as she watched and everything was explained. Any questions she had she knew could wait until later. She watched as Karra took hold of Satakk's hands and held them firmly. Both of them nodded at each other at the same time and Karra spoke first.

"Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the life power be with us and strengthen me and more if anything but death parts you from me."

All eyes then went to Satakk as she spoke next.

The veil Satakk wore was torn off and the tatters fell elegantly to the side. Murata gave a sideways glance at Enacca, waiting for the explanation to come.

"Once the vows are given, the male tears off the veil, showing that there will be nothing hidden between them. Ever."

The newly married couple kissed and loud rumblings of hoots filtered through the crowd. Murata applauded despite the sound being drowned out. But within seconds, all other noise was too as a bellowing roar erupted across the shoes. Karra bent down and as though she weighed no more than a feather he picked Satakk up into his arms. They went around the circle, hearing nothing but howls and hoots and congratulation.

"Everyone now eats and dances," said Enacca, gesturing for Murata to come with her.

The wooden instruments began playing again and Murata followed Enacca to where everyone else was going. Not far away there were tables set up with food and drinks and it was also where the Wookiees were that played the instruments. Both Murata and Enacca waited until everyone had gotten some food before they approached the tables.

At reaching the first once, Murata looked among the choices and took the wooden plate Enacca offered. "Thanks," she said, a little flustered. "You might have to tell me what I can eat and drink and what I shouldn't."

"Stay away from the Thikkiian brandy, Garrmorl and Grakkyn," said Enacca. "Those drinks are too strong for a human throat. You should have no problems with the graling juice, Wroshyr rootbeer or perhaps the life milk."

Murata through for a moment. "I think I'll try a wroshyr rootbeer."

"Good choice," praised Enacca. "The food you should be extra careful. Most of these meats," added Enacca, indicting to a row of plates with meat along the back of the table, "no human should ever eat. They could potentially burn your tongue so that you'll never taste anything else again. I do suggest you try the Klak, Chyntuck, Wookiee flat biscuits or the xachibik broth."

"Alright," said Murata shrugging. "I'll try all of those then."

Enacca put a little bit of each of the four foods she mentioned onto Murata's plate. With a mutter of thanks, Murata took a rootbeer and headed for an empty table, knowing that Enacca wasn't far behind her. On sitting down she saw Enacca walking over and she sat down opposite her. Without pause, Enacca dug into her food and after a moment's wait, Murata did the same thing. The first bite was small and a little hesitant but at tasting the pleasant taste, she dived in.

They were halfway through their meal before something was said. "Different to what you were expecting?"

"A little," confessed Murata. "It's more informal than I thought it would be but it's still nice. Nice and simple."

Enacca gave Murata what she thought was a small smile before they went back to eating. Near the end of the meal, the music became louder and as Murata was finishing her broth she turned in her chair a little and watched as Karra and Satakk moved out into the open and danced in time with the tune being played.

Surrounding them were tall torches that lit up with fire, lighting up the shores in an orange glow that was easy on the eyes. Murata smile faintly as she watched them dance together and she suddenly felt the urge to join in and dance as well. Turning back around, Murata finished her food and RA shifted beside her.

"What's wrong, RA?" asked Murata quietly.

"The deal…"

"No," said Murata sharply, cutting across him. "This is not the place."

"Do not worry," said Enacca. "The deal will go ahead. We'll discuss the details tomorrow."

"Good," said Murata, smiling. "Thank you."

Enacca nodded and Murata got to her feet. "Leaving already?"

Murata looked up at Enacca and laughed breathily, shaking her head. "No, no," she said quickly. "I'm going to dance. Coming?"

The smile widened as Enacca got to her feet and Murata led the way, eager to party with the other wedding guests. RA stood obediently on the sidelines, watching. And for the rest of the night, Murata danced and met friends of Enacca's, hoping to perhaps make a few more allies.