For all her power, Dara wasn't able stop this vicious and personal attack. Poe sat at her bedside, exhausted, a blaster in his hand, watching over her. Her head had been bandaged, and they had given her something to help her sleep. They had grafted some skin on, and attempted to salvage her ear. But she would be scarred forever. And she'd forever be partially bald. He was incredibly sad for her. Her breathing was even and deep. He was glad she wasn't in any pain right now. Poe would never forget the sound of Dara roaring in pain. Her screams would haunt her dreams. Another traumatic event to add to the list. But the worst thing about it for Poe was that he felt he had failed her. He was there to watch her back, and he had watched as acid was thrown in her face. The scar upon her beautiful face would remind him forever how he had failed her.
The door of Dara's room opened slowly. Poe sat more alert, the blaster pointed at the door, as he put himself before Dara. It was the squat handmaiden again, whose sole purpose was to take care of him, it seemed. She looked disgusted and furious. Poe tentatively lowered the blaster.
"They found the bastard." she intoned, quietly. Poe stood. He was completely dishevelled. His hair was a mess from having run his fingers through it in desperation, his jaw was covered in two days' worth of coarse stubble. He knew he needed a shower. He had refused to leave Dara's side for anything, not even sleep. But for this he would leave.
"BB-8, watch her like a hawk." The small droid beeped quietly in affirmation. Poe laxly gripped the blaster and he followed the handmaiden to a small holding cell that was almost as heavily guarded as the Princesses quarters. The figure in the black clothing turned out to be a square faced woman with a formidable bone structure. Her beetle black eyes glared up at Poe with grim satisfaction. Poe came to stand before the chained woman, who stood to look at him. There was a dark foreboding aura about the woman. He felt that he was in the presence of a person who was not in the full possession of their wits. This woman was a psychopath. And she hadn't even opened her mouth yet.
"Why did you do it?" he asked. He was surprised at how calm he sounded. He was so tired he didn't have the energy to be furious. He had spent day and night by Dara's side in a state of complete alertness in case they came back to finish her off, or if someone else tried to get her when she was vulnerable.
"Darkness breeds darkness." the woman said quietly and with a sinister tone. Poe had no idea what she meant. That was no kind of answer for why she had attacked the Princess. His Princess. She lay in a bed with half her head melted off because of the actions of this woman. He deserved more than "Darkness breeds darkness" whatever the heck that was. He waited in a sinister silence for her to elaborate. His lax grip on his blaster tightened. Part of him wanted to shoot her right between the eyes for what she had done to Dara. But he knew he shouldn't. The decision lay with Dara. He was on her planet now. And she was the one who had been hurt.
"She crawled from between the legs of the daughter of Darth Vader, the scourge of the galaxy. Only darkness and filth crawls from Leia Organa's hole." She had touched a nerve there. Tired or not, Poe had enough energy to head-butt the woman. She staggered back, after a very satisfying crack. Her nose spouted blood and she yelped in pain. He turned on his heel disgusted and made to leave. He rubbed the spot on his head that had made contact with the foul woman. But the woman's voice made him stop in his tracks. "She speaks to her brother in her dreams. I've seen it in her head." the woman said in the same, sinister monotonous voice. "She is his tool. Beware her." He left the room without looking back, but her words had chilled him. He stood outside for a minute or two, considering whether or not he should go back in there and get some straight answers out of her. The guards were looking at him, a mix of concern and anger on their faces. Everyone loved the Princess in the palace.
Coming back to Dara he could see her tossing and turning. He thought she must be close to waking. He went back to sitting beside her on her bed, blaster in hand, alternating between looking at her and at the door, waiting for the next attack. She had to be the most heartbreakingly beautiful person he had met. He thought she was such a subtle blend of truly excellent personality traits. She was funny, but serious. Innocent, but very intimidating. She was mischievous, yet dutiful. He was crazy about her. And he would do anything for her. He just wanted her to be okay. He would tell her mother as soon as she woke and he would hear no argument from her. Dara was all the General had left in her life. And the general was all that Dara had. Neither of them had Ben Solo, but he seemed to haunt them at every turn.
"You're going to wake up soon, and I'll be here. And I promise to keep you safe. Always. I'll never let you down again." He took up one of her delicate hands and kissed it and held it to his cheek.