Author's Note:
At this time I would like to welcome Etriganek as my co-author. Initially one of my Test Readers who went on to become my muse and now finally a full on co-author of this story. Please give him a round of applause. =)
Chapter Fourteen - Aftermath
"Jedi poodoo!" Calista cursed as she checked the weight of the sword she was given to practice with.
The blade was recovered from a dead soldier whom Calista felt didn't need it anymore. It was a well crafted well balanced longsword with enough length for a two handed grip. But she was not satisfied with the weapon. It was crude, no matter how well made it was it was just ordinary steel.
"Matilda… Can't you conjure me something actually worthy of my skills?" asked the Sith.
"I'd love to. But if you take it far enough away from me it'll just dissolve." said Matilda with a shrug.
Calista groaned in irritation. "Lightsaber or no Lightsaber… When I find that Jedi I'm going to keep my promise to him!"
"Not sure I want to know what that promise was considering the look on your face right now."
"No. You probably don't. Let's get started then."
Calista held the sword with both hands in the Shii-cho opening position before her familiar runes started filling her mind with the proper techniques for the weapon, she shifted her stance accordingly to a completely alien martial art which she didn't think would work with her own training and instincts. The weight of the blade was something she was highly unaccustomed to coming from Lightsabers which had no weight. Matilda put a hand neatly behind her back and held out her Rapier towards Calista. The pair nodded at each other before Calista rushed out at her only to be quickly disarmed as she just couldn't maneuver the sword fast enough to keep up with her rapier.
Scattered about the field were a variety of weapons Calista had tried to use to replace her prized Lightsaber staff but were all rejected for one reason or other.
"What was it this time," asked Matilda with an amused smirk.
"Too heavy… Too damned heavy," answered an irritated Sith.
"The Zweihander was bigger than you are. The Longsword too heavy. The Rapier bends every-which-way and can't cut. The Saber was a joke because it's curved… Has anyone ever told you that you're too picky," Agnes asked sarcastically from the side with an amused smile.
"Come on Cali, I thought those Familiar runes of yours were giving you everything you needed to know to use these weapons so what is it really," asked Matilda.
"I think it's because of these stupid runes. They're telling me to do things with these weapons that my body just can't do. Meanwhile my training is telling me to do things that the weapons can't do. Simple fact is there's no substitute for actual training. So I just have to pick something and apply myself to learning it," Calista explained as she looked about the pile of weapons.
"Your primary weapon was a staff right? Maybe a polearm might be suited to you? I think we can find you a Pike or something?" Matilda offered.
"No. Those things are far too long to use in single combat. Believe me, during my escape… They tried very hard. For now though, let me try that short sword again," said Calista.
"By the Founder! What the bloody hell did you need any of us for?!" shouted an infantryman as he surveyed the carnage caused by the Manticore Knights.
Duke Brinvilliers had tasked part of his army to capture the city of Avignon after Duke Valliere marched out from it. However, the approaching army was spotted by a group of Manticore Knights and Valliere redirected his forces to deal with the invaders.
Tabitha picked up her book to read while her Dragon and the Manticores feasted on the remains of Brinvilliers' soldiers. Those who surrendered were being chained and sent to prison in Avignon and the mortally wounded were being finished off by the regular infantry. The battle was one sided and ended almost as soon as it began once the Manticore Knights and Tabitha joined the fray.
"Don't any of you find it the least bit disrespectful to let your familiars eat the dead?!" yelled another soldier with an incredulous tone at the sight while others turned away and and fought to hold the contents of their stomachs. The Manticore's faces were all drenched in blood, some had entrails they were seemingly slurping up.
"I don't see a problem. Predatory animals eat what they kill," said one of the Manticore Knights with a dismissive tone.
"It's easy to take your place on the food chain for granted. Never forget your place is contested," explained one of the other Manticore Knights with an equally dismissive tone.
"Lady Tabitha. You did exceptionally well. We're all impressed. You might not have a Manticore, however you and your dragon are certainly formidable. You can fly with us anytime," complimented one of the Knights to the short blue haired girl who in turn simply gave a courteous nod.
Lutèce Central Prison
Karin de la Valliere was roughly thrown into a dark, damp, and musky prison cell and then the door was slammed behind her and thoroughly locked. The men outside weren't taking chances at all, there were several guards outside including two mage knights for inside the cell were two of Tristain's living legends.
"We need more room. You two are sharing from now on!" shouted the guard who threw her in after securing the door.
Karin immediately recognized her new cellmate and the two women quickly embraced one another. "Marianne! Are you alright," asked Karin as she hugged the Queen.
"My god Karin! Your cheek is bleeding and you're all bruised! What happened to you," asked Marianne with concern and urgency as she guided her to sit on one of the two beds in the room.
"Well. I beat up two of the guards and tried to make the usual daring escape. Though, when you're fighting people who grew up on your legends…" started Karin.
"They know how to be ready for you. The same thing happened to me, only I didn't get beat up. What did you do?"
"I may or may not have insinuated something about the measurements of their mothers being in latitudes and longitudes," replied Karin with a shrug.
"At least you didn't get all your fingers broken this time. But if this the example you set for your children no wonder Eleanor can't find a husband," said Marianne with a sigh as she tore off a strip of her dress for a makeshift bandage for her friend's bleeding cheek.
"It's because I raised my daughters to never tolerate the intolerable."
"Then what about Louise?"
Karin let out a long and heavy sigh as she processed that question.
"Louise is a special case. So is Cattleya to an extent, but at least she's a very strong mage. I really don't know what to do with Louise. I spoiled her so much and no matter what I tried... I couldn't get her to build any self confidence. It's painful to think about how I've failed with her."
"What do you mean? I think you did a wonderful job of raising her! Or is this about how she's lacking in magic?"
"We both know she isn't. Whenever she was upset, things around her would somehow just break themselves. Keeping her happy and calm made that little problem go away, but it also made her a bit spoiled. She could also just catch flies before they got into her food as if she knew they were coming. Then there was the first time I was teaching her to ride. Eleanor went through a period of being too afraid to get on a horse. Cattleya loved them no matter how many times she fell. But not Louise. She was a natural! When she'd ride… It was as if that horse was her familiar instead of a trained animal."
"Henrietta went down to the academy to see her. She missed her terribly... As things were, I encouraged her to go. She needed a friend."
"I miss watching those two play together," said a wistful Karin.
There was a loud knock on the door and a man shouted into the room with an obnoxiously loud voice. "By order of a court of the people you are to be put to death by hanging four days from now."
Karin narrowed her eyes at the door and yelled furiously "Coward! If any of you miserable bastards have any courage at all grant me a trial by combat!"
"Those traditions are dead now, just like you'll be. Along with everyone else who clings to those tyrannical ideals that help the nobility oppress the people," came the answer from the other side of the solid oak door.
"The fact that you don't even have the courage to face me only proves you deserve to be oppressed! You're too small minded to know what's in your own best interests! If you think differently come in here and prove me wrong!"
"Keep talking my Lady, and you'll go to the gallows without that tongue."
"Come in here and say that to my face you coward!"
There was no response except the sound of footsteps walking away as the world fell into deafening silence for the two.
Marianne sighed deeply. She filled her fists with her dress and clutched tightly. "Karin… You're not twenty years old anymore. Do you really think you can beat all these young men without even a weapon?"
"If that's what it takes. I'm not letting them hang us up like dirty laundry!"
"If I have to die I'd rather go out fighting. So we need to come up with a plan here."
"Oh? What pray tell could you possibly come up with to get us out of this fine mess we're in," asked Karin with an agitated and aggressive tone.
"There are a few things we can look at. But first you need to calm down, sit down, and listen," answered Marianne with an authoritative tone as she pointed to the bed across from her with a stern glare.
Karin seated herself with a disgruntled huff.
"First we need to really carefully examine this cell. Is there anything here we can use to focus magic? Second, they're going to feed us soon, we have to be ready to try and exploit that opportunity when the door opens. Are you with me so far?"
"Yes… Yes… Pretty standard. Like how we got out of that prison in Guldenhorf."
"We got out of that one because the guards were incompetent. Assume these people know what they're doing. They already managed to subdue you twice."
"No. The first time they were using you as a meat shield. That doesn't count."
"That's not my point. Anyway. I was thinking more along the lines of that time in Cagliari. When we used the table leg as a makeshift staff."
"This wood is all oak. It won't conduct magic. Maybe the metal in the nails though… If it's well made."
"I doubt it. This is a prison, not a luxury hotel Karin. If it doesn't outright explode in your hand you'll probably only get one spell off before it does. But it's still worth a try."
Late that afternoon Louise and Kirche were walking back towards the inn. Kirche was smiling radiantly while looking at a gift-wrapped package in her hand. But her mood was instantly soured once she got a look at Louise's face. She was walking as if there was a giant storm cloud over her. Being a full head and shoulders taller than the pink haired girl, Kirche looked down and couldn't even see her eyes through her hair.
"Louise. I get that you've been through a lot but you really need to learn to suck it up."
"Suck it up? Kirche do you have any ide-"
Kirche gave her a look which suggested finishing that sentence could have dire consequences.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"I know what you meant Louise. But this is a perfect example of what I was telling you about that night. Life goes on. It doesn't stop just because you've been through an ordeal. Believe it or not I once tried it your way. If I kept going like that I'd either be dead or worse right now. You need to learn to suck it up and keep going. No matter how much it hurts, or how unfair it is."
"I'm trying Kirche."
"I know you are Louise. That's why I'm not beating you to a bloody pulp right now."
"Why is violence always the first solution to your problems Kirche?"
"Because it works. The only way to get rid of weakness is to have it beaten out of you. That's a lesson I promise you Calista learned well and I have no doubt she'll be teaching it to you when the time is right. For now, all I can do is be here to give you a swift, and friendly, kick in the ass when I see you looking the way you do now."
"With a friend like you, who needs enemies?"
Kirche gave Louise a light smack on the back of her head.
"Exactly! Aren't I a better friend than an enemy?"
"I'm starting to wonder if I liked you better when we hated each other's guts."
"Hey. Just because I'm giving a you a clean slate doesn't mean I like you. Far from it," said Kirche with a mischievous grin.
Up the street a herald was shouting to gathering crowds as he passed them by with an entourage of soldiers around him who were glaring at the people as if daring them to grant the soldiers any excuse to resort to violence.
Louise and Kirche got off the street and blended in with the crowds to hear what was being announced.
"Today the courts have sentenced Queen Marianne, wife of the tyrant King and the corrupt Duchess of Avignon, Karin de la Valliere to death by hanging for crimes against the people of Tristain. The executions will take place at noon four days from now in the square in front of the palace and will be presided over by his excellency Duke Brinvilliers! The people are invited to gather and watch as justice is served!"
Louise was on the verge of panic and Kirche saw it. She grabbed a hold of Louise and held her tightly. Louise's eye's widened to their fullest and tears filled her eyes…
"Louise. I understand how you feel right now. But you have to hold it in until we get back. Making a scene here won't help anyone and it'll only attract attention to us. You have to be strong right now," said Kirche in a low voice next to Louise's ear.
Calista was standing watch over Montmorency who was still unconscious with Henrietta and Matilda beside her when she suddenly stood up and walked away for few paces before falling on her knees with her hands held tightly over her chest.
"Cali? Are you alright what is it?" asked Matilda who rushed to her friend's side to offer support which wasn't rejected.
"Pain… Louise is in pain. It caused a disturbance in the Force. I have to go to her. She needs me. That Jedi will go after her now. There's no way he didn't feel it as well," said Calista through deep breaths.
"Is she badly hurt?" asked Henrietta with near panic.
"Not physical pain. Something happened that almost totally shut down her mind. I can't contact or sense her anymore… How can I get to her from here?"
"We have to wait for Tabitha to return. She's the only one who can get you there in any reasonable amount of time." answered Matilda.
"That might not be soon enough…" said Calista with an ominous and icy voice.
"Dwoooooo" came a sound from beside Henrietta as the droid observed Calista.
"How is she?" asked Marlene with an empathetic tone.
"She cried herself to sleep. Her relationship with her mother was strained but, she obviously loves her very much. I'm not going to let this happen," said a determined Kirche as she sat down at the table in her friend's room to gaze into the lantern and think.
"Kirche. I don't mean to sound cold but, I have to ask. Is this your problem? She's not your Queen, and the Valliere family have been enemies of your family for generations."
"My family tried to marry me off to Brinvilliers. Which means they knew this was coming. When I refused the marriage my father took my eye. By helping Tristain now, I'd be spitting in their eyes. That thought feels good. If it feels good, it's the right thing to do. It's a big first step on the road to settling the score. Now I just need to figure out how to make it happen."
"An eye for an eye as they say. Do you have any ideas?"
"I think I have a few ideas but I'm not sure how feasible they are with only myself and Louise to work with. I need to gather more information."
"How I can help?" asked Marlene as she seated herself down in Kirche's lap and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
Kirche wrapped her arms around Marlene's waist and smiled at the necklace she gifted her for a moment before meeting her eyes. "It's too risky. I don't want you involved."
"It's too late for that. From now on, your battles are my battles," said Marlene as she leaned in and pressed her lips to Kirche's.
Kirche reciprocated the kiss with her own signature and fiery passion.
"You make a persuasive argument my dear Marlene."
Louise woke up a little after midnight and looked around the room. Kirche was out and she was all alone. No, not alone. "Derf?"
"I'm here Louise. How're ya feelin'?"
"I'm scared Derf. I can't let them execute my mother. I won't let that happen," she said while trying to gather resolve. But her voice was small and shaky.
"What're ya thinkin' about here Louise?"
She stood up and went over to the corner of the room and picked him up before sitting down at the table, she held the sword vertically and tightly with her cheek resting against the scabbard.
"She's most probably being held in the Prison. I want to try and break her out. I need your advise."
"From what ya' told me about your mom, she's pretty badass. If she can't bust herself out then they've got her under very tight security. Getting her out won't be easy Louise. It'll probably be impossible."
"Calista said, with the Force, anything is possible."
"Louise. I love ya, ya know I do. But don't delude yourself. There's a damn big difference between what you're capable of, and what Cali is capable of. And let's not even talk about how Cali's life is also in the balance."
"If I can just get in there…" Louise looked at the lantern on the table illuminated by only what little moonlight came through the small window in the wall opposite her. She concentrated and levitated the lamp before smashing it against the wall. "If I can get in there, I can handle the guards. They're not prepared for my power."
"We're talking about a prison here. Getting in is easy. It's getting back out that'll be hard. Lemmie just put it bluntly Louise. Ya ain't ready for this."
"If I'm not ready for this then why am I here? Calista said there was something I was meant to do in this city… Kirche. She said I'd need Kirche's help to accomplish that goal."
"Even with her help Louise. Ya just ain't ready for this. This is gonna be violent, bloody, and ya ain't got Matilda here to cover for ya when your sword skills can't measure up. All you're gonna have is what little training ya got, your wits, and me in your hands. That's it."
"What more do I need?"
"You're going to need a plan," said Kirche as she came into the room with Marlene behind her.
"Ya got somethin' in mind?" asked Derflinger.
"I have a few ideas. But we need information and contacts. Marlene can set us up with that."
"I know many people here. People who have been inside the prison. They know it well. Tomorrow we can speak with them and gather useful information. These people also know the corrupt guards we can use to help get inside. Possibly smuggle a message to them informing them of our plans," explained Marlene.
"I can't just wait around while my mother is awaiting execution Kirche… I need to do something!" Louise said with agitation.
"You need to trust me Louise. If we just try to storm the place we'll either get captured or killed, and that won't help anyone. We need to be smart about this. Patient. And above all we need to be subtle."
"Subtlety isn't something you two are any good at. This ain't gonna end well…" said Derflinger with what sounded like a groan.
Meanwhile Calista was sitting on her knees beside Montmorency with a hand placed gently upon her forehead. Her eyes closed she meditated deeply on the Force, desperately searching for the power to heal her friend.
"What are you doing? Haven't you caused her enough suffering?" asked Guiche as he cautiously approached. There was anger in his voice, seeing Calista so close with Montmorency inspired fear in him he didn't dare express except through anger.
"I'm trying to heal her. I'm trying to find the power to help her. I'm so enraged, but my hatred isn't making me strong enough to have any effect on her condition. I've only ever been able to heal myself, never others. It's so frustrating!"
"Ever since Louise summoned you here, you've brought nothing but pain, suffering, misery, and death. Your powers cause nothing but harm, how could you possibly believe you can heal her? This whole war is probably the Founder's means of punishing us for suffering you to be among us."
"Do not speak about things you do not understand."
"Oh I do understand. Montmorency is suffering now because of you! You used her. I don't know how you do it but I'm convinced you can see things before they happen. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if you befriended her knowing she'd stop at nothing to help you!"
"Choose your words and tone very carefully! I don't explain myself to insects. I squash them!"
"What right have you to speak to me like that?!" demanded Guiche in anger.
Calista stood up and balled a fist at him. "Might makes right!" she yelled before extending one lecturing finger out at him before she continued.
"Learn that lesson well. When you become strong enough to overpower me, then you can speak to me in such a tone. Until that time... Be silent... Or perish."
"No. I will not!" he said with determination.
"I'm not going to live in fear of you. If you're going to try and harm me for protecting Montmorency, I won't back down from that! I love her and I will stand my ground and fight you. Even if I lose, I will get back up and fight you again..." his voice wavered from firm to fearful as he fought to control his anxiety.
"Your courage is admirable. But sadly misplaced. You are not worthy of her love. I hope she realizes that soon." Calista walked up to Guiche and stared into his eyes with an icy glare.
Guiche felt almost paralyzed with fear but he held his ground and didn't flinch. He'd just fought in his first battle, he was determined to face his fear of this woman.
"That is one thing we can agree on. But I will one day prove myself worthy. But you'll just be a bully who's unworthy of her friendship."
"You do not have even the slightest comprehension of what it means to be worthy of anything," said Calista, leaving him to infer whatever he could from her icy words and venomous inflections before she continued.
"Nor do you have any inkling of the depth of my power. Never pick a fight you can't win."
"I don't have to win. I just have to stand my ground and face my fear. You can't defeat me if I do that. You could only kill me." he said while glaring into her eyes.
"The only reason I'm not going to kill you now is because it would upset her and I care about her enough that I won't do that. But do not make the mistake of allowing yourself to believe I won't hurt you if you continue to irritate me."
"No. The only reason you're not going to kill me is because you want your place in this army. At the Princess' side. Killing me will make you an outcast, even if it doesn't turn them all against you. Whatever you're really after, you need this army to achieve," said a confident Guiche. No hint of arrogance, only pure confidence.
Calista stared him down for a long moment before her icy cold expression thawed out and she gave him a very small hint of a smile. "There might indeed be hope for you. You have a long way to go yet. But that was a good start."
The Sith walked away from the now perplexed boy and sat on her knees beside the comatose Montmorency and took her hand in her own. "The Force will bend to my will. I will find the power I need. We just have to be patient. I will not fail you."
The next morning Calista awoke next to the still comatose Montmorency and quickly stood up, with her eyes to the sky she walked out towards the center of the encampment and spotted a white spec in the distance moving towards them.
The Sith narrowed her eyes before closing them completely and started pacing from left to right as she drew upon every single memory that ever filled her with anger, hatred, and fury. Her Dark Side aura swept across the camp leaving everyone feeling anxious and fearful. Not even Matilda and Agnes were immune to the feelings her power was invoking as they walked up beside her.
"Calista? What is it? You look like a cat that's about to pounce on a mouse," Matilda remarked.
"Damn I feel so cold… It reminds me of when I was strapped to that inquisitor's garrote back in Gallia a couple years ago," said Agnes as she shivered.
"You're going to have to tell me that story sometime Agnes," said Matilda.
"Ladies. I was wrong. He's not going after Louise. He's come back for me. Get the troops up and alert. If he's coming I doubt he's alone," said Calista with a chilling tone.
"Who's coming?" asked both the women.
"The Jedi. The one who beat me. Get to it!" Calista demanded.
Calista kept pacing while Matilda and Agnes split up to alert the troops. It wasn't long after the camp was ready for battle that the white dragon landed a safe distance from their phalanx and Calista walked out to meet the rider.
Half way out to the Jedi, Calista assumed an odd stance that Matilda had not seen from her yet. Even the Jedi stopped mid-stride to narrow his eyes at her with a mix of curiosity and trepidation as he felt her presence in the Force become highly aggressive, even beyond what he had sensed from her on his way in.
"My Lady. I haven't come to fight anyone. But I will defend myself, and we both know your army won't make a difference and that the disparity between our respective knowledge of the Force is quite staggering. Is your pride truly worth their lives?"
Julio started going to his Lightsaber but instead assumed an equally odd stance to Calista's with his hands spread out and facing towards the Sith. Meanwhile Calista maintained her Force form with her hands spread out in almost the same way as he did except her had one palm facing towards the Jedi while her other hand held her fingers directed towards him.
After a long moment of cold silence running through the army Matilda stepped out from the ranks flanked by Agnes who had a pistol cocked and ready to fire, aimed at the white knight.
"If you haven't come to fight, then why are you here?" asked Matilda.
"I've come to speak with your Princess. Recent events have given me cause to re-evaluate my choice of allies in this nation."
"The only way you're getting through to see her is over my dead body," spat Calista.
"I have no intention of harming her," said Julio with his signature Jedi calm.
"You tried to poison me and now my friend is dying because of what it took to heal me. I swear on my mother's grave Jedi, if you take one step forward, I will destroy you."
"What's holding you back? If you hold such a potent desire for vengeance against me, why haven't you tried to exact it yet?"
"You aren't even going to deny it?"
"What would be the point? You've already made up your mind about me. Your anger runs so deep at this moment you wouldn't accept the truth even if you'd seen it first hand."
Matilda slowly put a hand on Calista's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Cali. You need to calm down. If he wanted to kill you, I don't think this is the sort of man who resorts to poison. He's also all alone. I think we should hear him out."
Agnes maintained her aim at the Jedi's head but slowly nodded in agreement. "If he was here to start a fight, he wouldn't be all alone. I don't trust him, but I don't doubt him right now."
Julio relaxed his Force form and reached into his cloak with one hand held up in a gesture of peace while his other hand produced Calista's lightsaber staff and tossed it to her. "I've taken the liberty of reinstalling your power cores. If you still believe I am your enemy right now, go ahead and use it."
Calista used the Force to pull the weapon into her waiting hand and ignited the blades. The loud and very sharp sound caused more than a few frights from the soldiers lined up behind her as she inspected her weapon and gauged the power levels in the blades. With a quick flourish she disengaged the weapon and clipped it to her stealth generator while nodding. "You screwed up the power settings and it's off balance now. Kriffing Jedi..."
With that Calista walked away with only one more thing to say to Matilda. "Don't let him near the Princess without reliable security."
"Sir Julio. I'm Princess Henrietta de Tristain, I understand you wanted to meet with me," said Henrietta as she seated herself across from the white knight in what remained of House Montmorency's foundation.
Julio bowed deeply before seating himself before the Princess. Calista stood behind Henrietta with her arms folded over her chest, an irritated scowl on her face. Also beside the Princess was Agnes, Matilda, and General Gramont. X2-C3 was directly beside the Princess with its blaster at the ready.
Julio gave a smile to the little droid, "It's been a very long time since I last saw a droid."
"Sir Julio. With all due respect. Let us dispense with the small talk to get straight to the part where you explain why you're here," said Henrietta in a demanding tone.
"As you wish your Highness. I've come here because I would like to correct a grievous error in judgement I made by aligning myself with the Duke de Brinvilliers. To accomplish this, I would like to join with you and help restore stability to your nation."
Calista scoffed at his words which drew a curious glance from the Knight.
"May I assume you intend to offer a vehement objection to my proposal?"
"You would be correct in that assumption Jedi, we're fighting a war here, this isn't a place for hypocritical pacifist Jedi philosophies and-"
Calista was cut off by Henrietta raising her hand for silence and simply fumed in her place.
"Remarkable. You have a Sith on a leash," said Julio with a slight hint of a smile.
"You misunderstand Sir Julio. I like to think I have her respect. She certainly has mine. I simply don't want you two bickering. I'm not in a position to turn down help when it's offered to me, but you'll understand if I'm wary of you. My only experience with you to date has been the fight you had with Lord Zarkot during our battle. The condition in which she returned to us casts doubt upon you, made worse because of the condition of our friend who sacrificed part of her own life energy to cure the poison in her."
"I certainly understand that my word carries no weight here. All I ask for is the opportunity to make amends."
"Somehow I very much doubt you'd be willing to work with a Sith Lord to accomplish this goal," said Calista with an icy tone.
"You would be correct in that. I can't abide the methods of the Sith, as long as we share the same goal I think we will both do what is necessary to restore order and stability to this nation. However, that does beg the question. What benefit is it to you to fight for what seems to be the losing side? Surely Brinvilliers can offer you more power and resources for whatever goals you intend to pursue here."
"There's nothing that kriffing nerfherder has to offer me that I would be interested in! My wants, desires and passions do not extend to material things." said Calista with venom in her tone.
"Then what pray tell is it that you desire here?"
"That is none of your concern. If you wish to pledge your loyalty to the Princess, do so, but if my personal goals and ambitions are a variable in your calculations, I'd thank you to get back on that beast you rode in on and leave. Before I cut you in half."
"You've already tried that. Surely even a Sith can recognize the futility of violence after it's failed?"
"Enough! Both of you I said I don't want any bickering. Now that being said, I agree with Lord Zarkot. If your motivations for being here have to do with her rather than our cause I'd also thank you to remove yourself. That woman has earned my trust. You have not. I urge you to keep that in mind when you choose your next words Sir Julio."
"I stand by what I've said your highness. I wish to help you restore stability to your nation. However, I can not deny that I firmly believe keeping the council of a Sith will lead you to ruin. Keeping an eye on her is indeed part of my motivation. Before you simply dismiss my concerns, I would beg your indulgence while I make my case."
Henrietta turned to her council, Calista extended a hand indicating she could care less while Matilda and Agnes both gave shrugs indicating it wasn't up to them. General Gramont nodded his head to the Princess indicating he wanted to hear the man out.
"Very well Sir Julio. But I only ask that you choose your words carefully and remember this woman is our friend, and I won't stand for you trying to poison our relationship."
"A very subtle jab your Highness," said Julio with a respectful bow of his head.
Julio took a moment to compose his words before he addressed those around him "Very well. I can tell you're not one for beating around the issue so I shall be concise and to the point. The Sith are masters of manipulation and deceit. When they rise to power they cause war on a scale you can't even begin to imagine. Their power twists and corrupts them to their very core. Just look in her eyes to see the effects I speak of."
"That's the best you can come up with Jedi?"
Julio did his best to ignore the death glare he was getting from Calista and asked one simple question of Henrietta. "Why don't we begin with this your Highness. Set your bias aside for a moment and tell me about your friend, the good Lord Zarkot. What do you actually know about her?"
Henrietta looked around and saw Agnes and General Gramont were both interested while Calista closed her eyes and kept her arms folded indifferently. By her body language Henrieta could see Matilda was standing beside Calista very firmly. This Jedi successfully planted a seed of doubt in two of her council members and now it was up to her to maintain unity. But she was at a loss for words, besides Colbert's stories about Calista, the Princess didn't have much to go on that could paint her in a favorable light.
"I sense great conflict in you. Surely you must see what I'm getting at?"
"No Sir Julio. Again you misunderstand. I'll be blunt, I am inexperienced in these situations. That's the reason I've chosen to surround myself with the advisors you see around me now."
"Trust your feelings Princess. Speak your mind," said Calista with a low and neutral tone.
Henrietta gave Calista a small smile and turned back to Julio with a firm nod.
"The first time I met Lord Zarkot, she gave me encouraging wisdom. She didn't tell me what to do to solve my problems, instead she put me on the right path to figuring out the solutions for myself. She told me it was unrealistic for any ruler to have all the answers to every problem facing their nation and that the first step to building a strong and functional government was to surround myself with the correct Ministers who could bring problems and solutions to me. That my role as a ruler was to judge the merits of the solutions being presented to me. Nothing there suggests to me that she was trying to manipulate me into giving her a position at my side."
"Yet here she is. How did that come to be?"
"Because I trust her."
"How did she come to earn this trust?"
"That is personal, and I don't see the relevance. She's proven herself to me and that should be enough for you."
"With all due respect your highness. It isn't enough for me. She hasn't earned my trust yet. All I have to go on is that she's been respectful, and she fights for you. But she isn't one of us. I think I deserve to know her motivations if I'm to trust her with the lives of my soldiers."
"I'm with the General on this issue your highness. Calista's saved my life, and while I do trust her fight beside me. I still have to question why."
"Et tu Agnes," asked Matilda with a condescending glare.
"Oui, et moi," was her pointed response.
"Lord Zarkot. Perhaps it would be best if you spoke on your own behalf now," said Henrietta with a sigh of resignation.
"I only have one thing to say your highness. Thank you. I know this isn't an easy situation for you to be in. I have nothing to say on any other topics. I let my actions speak for me. Words after all, are cheap," said Calista with a calm tone, but she didn't move or unfold her arms, she leaned against the remains of the wall with her eyes shut and no other body language to read.
Julio nodded, he was making good progress "And what actions have you taken my Lady?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you Jedi. If those two have reasonable doubts that's their problem and not mine. The difference is that they at least are giving me a chance to earn their trust. You on the other hand are trying to win their favor by smearing me which I find very low. It's something a Hutt might do, not a Jedi, or even a Sith."
"But you do have to explain yourself to us," remarked the General with a calm even tone.
"The only explanation I have given, and will ever give, was to the Princess herself. Agnes you happened to be there. If that wasn't good enough for you, I really couldn't care less. If you're willing to question my loyalty based on the words of this man, whom by the way is the reason my friend is on her death bed now, then damn you both."
"You have explained yourself to me. But evidently that's not enough for the rest of our forces. Transparency is important, especially considering your position in my council. But on that point, you explaining yourself isn't required. I should be the one who has to defend my decision to keep your council. With that in mind, I'll only say this, Lord Zarkot has asked for nothing unreasonable of me. Nothing I wouldn't give to any other loyal follower. In return she has given me confidence, advise, security, and friendship. She has endured great hardship for me, and that alone places her reputation above scrutiny."
"Then, if your Highness would be so gracious. What has she asked for in exchange for her service. As the general in command of this army, I have the right to know the price of the loyalty of those I go into battle with."
"The only thing she's asked for, is proper recognition for her actions. She wants to make a home and a life for herself here and she's willing to fight to earn her place here. She hasn't asked for lands, or titles, or wealth, or even power. All of which I would have been willing to throw at her, gladly. No. She wants to earn what she has, and I respect that. All she's asked for, is to be recognized."
General Gramont narrowed his eyes as he processed these words and explored all the angles. Julio and Agnes did the same until the General broke the silence that had fallen over them.
"It seems to me she's getting more than that. She has your ear, that's a lot of power for anyone to have. By your own admission you're willing to give her lands, titles, and power. What will she do with those things once she's earned them?"
"Tell me what anyone, anywhere has, that I can not simply take? The Jedi is right, I could simply sell my service to Duke Brinvilliers and receive those same rewards you just listed and probably more. I could easily kill him and take his place. I very much doubt any of his Lieutenants would have the stones to challenge me. You have to chose, either you can have me on your side, or you can make me your enemy," answered Calista.
"You make it sound so much easier than it would be," remarked Julio.
"That's not really the point now is it? The point is, I could do those thing. I could have done those things. Jedi remark that Sith always take the quick and easy path, why then would I chose to fight this uphill battle with no certainty of victory if I didn't believe in this young woman's potential?"
Henrietta couldn't keep the small smile of pride off her lips, it didn't go unnoticed by the Jedi. Or the General, who did not seem pleased.
"Respectfully your Highness. If a few words of encouragement is all it takes to win a position in your cabinet... I find myself fearing for our future. While I don't trust this man, I also have serious doubts about this 'Sith' and I have to make my position clear. If I don't get an acceptable answer out of her, I will have to take drastic action. Brinvilliers can not take the throne, but if you can't handle the responsibility, I'm afraid my troops and I will have to find someone who can."
"Choose your words carefully General Gramont. I will not allow her to be betrayed," said a very stern Calista. Beside her Matilda gave a firm nod with her eyes narrowed aggressively.
Agnes was shocked by the sudden turn of events and the tension in the room. While she may have had doubts about Calista, she had none about the Princess and she too would not allow her to be betrayed. But she had to draw a line, she had to protect Henrietta, even if that meant protecting her from herself.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with General Gramont. I'll always be here to protect you. But I lost a lot of soldiers in this war. I can't abide your decision to blindly trust this woman. If she's going to be stubborn about this I can't support her. If you're going to be stubborn about this, I have to protect you from yourself."
Calista gave Agnes a cold stare with open eyes to which Agnes simply shrugged. Even the Princess' jaw dropped at Agnes turning against her.
"General Gramont. With all due respect. The only thing you need to know about Calista is that she's on your side, why are you allowing this man to divide us when we should be united against our common enemy," said Matilda with an icy cool air of professionalism which couldn't fully hide the venom in her words.
"What about you Lady Calista? What say you," asked the General to the Sith with a neutral expression on his face and a flat tone.
Calista felt the anger rising in her, setting her blood on fire as she glared at the general with utter contempt. Julio could sense her inner conflict, she was fighting hard to resist the urge to do something terrible to this man and he had no idea what kind of predator he was provoking.
Julio had a decision to make. Either he could step in and diffuse the situation, or allow it to come to its natural conclusion and let the Sith to reveal her true nature.
"Enough! All of you! Lady Matilda is correct. You need to stand together. All I did was ask the question nobody else among you dared to ask. All I wanted to do was make you aware of the danger she poses to you and I think you've all proved my point for me. The simple question of her motives was enough to potentially break your unity."
"Why you stuck up… Half witted… Scru-" started Calista but was cut off by the Princess speaking up loudly.
"Enough! Lord Zarkot. Let me speak now. Sir Julio. You certainly have a talent for asking harmful questions. But I wonder if you realize that you've just done exactly what you accused her of doing? Manipulating. I've had enough of being manipulated and I won't stand for it any longer."
"Yes. I did. And with good reason your highness. One often can't see the breaking points in a structure until the cracks begin to form. If left unchecked, those cracks could cause the whole thing to come crashing down around you. What does your advisor have to say about that I wonder?"
Julio looked to Calista who in turn locked eyes with him.
"She says. An object at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by an outside force. Meaning everything was fine until you came in here asking to join us and then made the discussion about why we should trust you into a discussion about why they should trust me."
"You still haven't answered the question at hand Lady Calista," remarked the general with an impatient tone.
"You want an answer General? What would satisfy you I wonder? Would you like to hear about how I was taken away from my comrades in the middle of a battle while their lives depended on me? How my life and destiny have become bound to a petulant little pink brat? How about I tell you that I can never go back to my life? How I can never get back to my mentor, my lover, my friends, and my home? How about I tell you about how this primitive world has become my home now? And before anyone says anything, tell me why I don't have the right to be angry at being questioned as if I'm before the Imperial Inquisition being tortured just incase I'm a traitor because I'm not bloody Human instead of being out there at my friend's side?! The only person who ever gave me unconditional friendship and acceptance in my miserable life! Who is on her death bed because of this bloody self righteous Jedi?! I will not be shoved aside again! Not by the Sith, the Empire, the Echani, and especially not by you! You kriffing scum!"
Calista spat at the General. Though none of it actually got on him the gesture was received as it was intended. His eyes widened with rage before he really looked at her face and fought back his instinctive reaction. Meanwhile, Julio closed his eyes meditatively and fought to shield everyone around them from the small girl's extremely potent Dark Side aura which was no longer being concealed or even controlled due to her complete mental breakdown.
Tears filled Calista's eyes during her fiery and impassioned speech. She was breathing heavily with her emotions spinning out of control. She was desperate to reign them in and recompose herself but she was failing and ended up leaning on Matilda for support as the world was spinning around her from the adrenaline rush leaving her dizzy and emotionally drained.
The silence that followed her speech was almost painful for their ears until Julio stood up with his hands held neatly in front of him and bowed his head to Calista with respect.
"Forgive me Lord Zarkot. I did not mean to reopen your wounds like this. Believe me when I tell you that I know exactly how you must feel. For I too have had to endure a similar transition when I arrived on this world."
Calista glared daggers at him, "Don't you dare patronize me."
"I assure you. I am doing no such thing. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. A Jedi is always open to new possibilities. Constantly reassesing his conclusions based on new evidence. Today I have learned that, for the moment, I can trust a Sith. Do not take that statement lightly. Our orders have been at war with one another for thousands upon thousands of years. I foresee we will come into conflict again in the future, but in the present, our goals are in alignment."
The General gave a slow nod to the Jedi. Even he could feel Calista's inner pain through her words and realize that wasn't even a fraction of what was really going on inside of her. But it was all the evidence he needed to understand the woman in question. It wasn't that he regretted asking the question, but more that he regretted the outcome.
"Your Highness. I would like to change my position. I will accept her being among us."
Calista took a very deep breath as she peeled herself off Matilda and stormed out.
"Cali, where are you going?" asked Matilda.
"To be with my friend. Away from this kriffing nerfherder!"
"Calista = Should seek mental health professional / / X2 = Concerned / / Calista = In pain."
The Jedi slowly nodded at the Droid's statement while Henrietta read the pad and pat the little droid on the head.
"For now. I think it's best if we put this discussion on hold and allow cooler heads to prevail. For now, you're welcome to be among us, however, I'm going to have to ask General Gramont to assign some Knights to be your escorts. You're still considered an enemy combatant, so this is as much for your protection as it is for ours," explained Henrietta.
"I agree your Highness. I will abide by your decision," said Julio with a respectful bow.
Louise sat on the floor of her room with her legs crossed in meditation. Derflinger was beside her leaning against the bed which she was using to support her back. Suddenly tears streamed down her face and her composure broke down, she started wrapping herself tightly in her cloak as if it were a security blanket.
"Talk to me Louise. What's going on?"
"I need a hug Derf. I wish so badly you could hold me," she said sadly while choking on her tears.
"I wish I could too Louise. But I can't. I'm a sword. I wasn't made to be a nice guy. I was made to kill. And it's so damn frustrating when I see you like this and there ain't squat I can do about it. All I can do is talk to ya. No matter how much I wish I could do more. So talk with me Louise."
"It's Cali. I feel so much fear... Sadness... Anger. I can't put all into words. It's like all the pain of her whole life has suddenly come back to haunt her and she can't cope with it. And it's all so confusing because I have so many of my own worries which I'm sure she's probably feeling just as much now."
"Something Calista can't cope with? Damn. That must be heavy stuff she's got on her soul. I didn't think anything could get her down."
"We all have breaking points Derf. Cali just reached her's."
"Aye. That's the problem with being Human. Ya can't stop hurting. Your whole lives are just pain 'n' suffering. And ya gotta endure it because ya don't got a choice. Ya can't stop hurting anymore than ya could stop your own heart from beating, or the air from filling your lungs."
"Yes we can Derf. We do have a choice. We can make the pain stop. But for some reason we always choose to keep going on in the hope that at some point, things will get better. The pain will become more tolerable, or by some miracle it'll just go away."
"I'm not sure I like what you're getting at here Louise. You're starting to really scare me."
"I'm sorry Derf. It's just, it hurts so much. I never imagined she was living with this much pain inside of her," said Louise with a sniffle.
"Ya also never imagined that about Kirche. People wear masks Louise. They put on a strong front because they can't show weakness to the world. But eventually, ya can't bottle it up anymore and it's gonna burst. All ya can do is just be in a safe place when it does pop because ya still can't show that weakness to the world."
"I hate that. I hate it so much Derf. I hate wearing that mask. But that's also where I went wrong in my life I suppose. I showed everyone my weakness, and they all exploited it for their personal amusement."
"Aye. Kids are a headache. They love to bully one another. But since you've had me I've noticed a decline in the amount of people willing to try and give ya grief."
"No offense Derf. But the idea that they're afraid of me, doesn't make me feel better. It makes me feel worthless. It makes me want to jump out a window."
"Don't go there Louise. Don't follow that line of thinking."
"I don't want to. But it's where my mind keeps going. To the day before I summoned Calista. How close I came to actually doing it. I mean. I took the step out, actually really did it. But Siesta saved me. From that day on, things have just become so confusing. I can't get a break, at all. This whole thing started because I wanted time to process. But then Kirche had to come along and pick a fight, and I never got another chance to sit and figure things out."
"We got time right now Louise. Use it. Talk to me. Process it with me. Let me help you the only way I can."
"I don't even know where to start organizing my thoughts on all this Derf. But I promise you. When this is all over. We're going to go someplace where nobody can bother us, and we'll sit, and we'll talk about everything. I promise I won't keep any secrets from you. We'll talk, and we'll talk, and we won't stop until we figure everything out."
"It'll sort of be our first date so I'm gonna hold ya to that Louise. But first I'm gonna get someone to give me a good polish and sharpening. Oil me up nicely. I gotta look my very best if I'm gonna be out on a date with someone as pretty as you."
Louise couldn't help but giggle a little as she reached over to pull the sword into a hug.