Chapter 34

'A Step Closer'

'Bread of Life'

'Future Bad'

'Bassa Ridge'

The cloaked figure opens the door before Dantius has a chance to knock. He does not recall if this is the same person who greeted him on previous occasions. These mysterious "door greeters" almost never spoke and he was never able to see their faces underneath the crimson hoods, in addition, the entrance was always dark and gloomy.

Dantius is lead to the old stone altar. The cloaked figure disappears into the darkness of the side entrance of the chapel. Dantius watches another tall figure on the altar. This one, cloaked as well has his back towards Dantius. It is Plagueis. A swirl of red, blue and yellow neon lights shoots up towards his face. Plagueis appears to be breathing in whatever energy this plasma matter exudes. Dantius is about to speak but decides that this is not the best time.

He waits at the bottom of the altar until he hears an ungodly bellowing from Plagueis' mouth. The Muun's head jerks back as if convulsing. A humming noise echoes through the old chapel. The noise is similar to a lightsaber. Plagueis groans as if in deep pain. The humming finally stops and the energy source contains itself into a narrow beam then is extinguished. The room is back to its original eerie darkness. Only a few strategically placed altar candles. Plagueis turns to face Dantius and opens his eyes. The hood falls to his shoulders. Plagueis forces a crooked smile and reaches out to Dantius who looks horrified.

Fear not, my young apprentice. Take my hand." Dantius obeys and Plagueis continues to speak. "I find the need to rejuvenate my body. I have lived a long time but battle wounds have taken years off my life. The Kaiburr crystals do wonders with this vessel of mine. They re-energize me. It is one way to stave off death."

"Are you dying, my Lord?"

"Oh no…not anymore."

The two walk to the front row of the remaining stone pews. Plagueis stops. Dantius turns to him.

"You say that the Kaiburr crystals prolong your life?"

"Yes. They are very powerful …if used properly."

"So you will live forever?"

"The secret is within the crystals, but also harvesting midi-chlorians has lead me to the path of immortality. I believe I am getting close to unlocking the secrets which will allow this to happen with the use of the Force..."

"I am intrigued. Teach me."

"I will let you know when you are ready. I know you think I hold secrets of the Kaiburr crystals from you but be patient. There are many things I will teach the right moment. Dantius, have you eaten?"

"No, my Lord."

"Well, you need not go hungry on your return to campus. I have arranged refreshment. Let us continue our discussion over a meal."

"Thank you, sir. I would like that very much."

"Oh, congratulations on your paper. Professor Guffin seems impressed with your work more than he is with you. Your excellent grades will take you far."

Dantius finds the knowledge Plagueis has on every detail of his life unsettling. He should not have such power. Dantius is not impressed

The secretive Sith Lord leads Dantius through a walkway behind the altar. Dantius can hear his own footsteps reverberate against the stone walls and floor. He can hear his heart beating as loud as a thousand hearts. At the end of the walkway is a large door.

They enter a refectory illuminated with several beeswax pillar candles. There is no electricity in this ancient place. It is a simple dining area. There is a row of square stained-glass windows high up on the far wall. Dantius counts ten of them, all in need of a good washing no doubt. He can distinguish the color of each pane even though no sunlight has shown on them in decades. He cannot quite make out the figures but deduces the each window tells a chapter of a story. The colors must have been magnificent when the sun was able to reach them. The chapel must have had the same type of stained glass windows but the glass seems to have been purposely destroyed or damaged by storms or implosion. That is why it is drafty and covered with a thick layer of dust or soot.

Still, Dantius is intrigued. The candles illuminating the room reveal few secrets of the monastery's past. The furniture is old but still in good condition, considering the dilapidated chapel they just left. Each chair and the four long tables are, exquisitely hand-carved using the finest wood. A huge fireplace is located on the far wall. A few logs burn brightly but does not generate enough heat to warm the room.

On one of the tables, there is a large pewter tray overflowing with luscious fruits and cheeses. The basket next to it is filled with loaves of bread. The aroma of the bread hits his olfactory senses immediately. Why did he not smell it from the chapel? In his mind, Dantius imagines what the monastery was like before it became a haven of darkness for the Sith.

The monastery was not always a dark place. It used to be a place filled with a strong life-force. It was sanctuary housing from 60 to 150 Jedi monks at any given time. The monks had specialized duties, such as gardening, baking, two scribes, craftsmen, a Jedi healer, and three senior Jedi priests. They served the locals by offering salvation to the troubled and food to the poor. The monastery was once a place of beautiful simplicity. Lush greenery once surrounded it and light from the heavens shined upon it.

It made Dantius wonder what had happened to the place. No one ever mentioned it. He never heard about it when he was a young child in school. There was nothing in the Naboo archives but, then, again, he never thought to look for it. He was not about to ask his host. Perhaps it is best not to inquire why Plagueis would conduct 'business' in this dismal place. This place that once served as official cloak maker and cobbler to the Theed Royal House was damned. It appears as if all life-force in this place was sucked dry. The occupants of the monastery and those of the surrounding neighborhoods seemed to have vanished overnight many years ago. The beautiful green vines that wrapped around the gates and walls now resemble brown barbed wire. The rose colored cobble stones leading to this place from the Bassa Bridge are black as if covered with soot. The long, winding streets seem to be shadowed with the same darkness, blocking any hint of natural sunlight.

Dantius has seen people leaving the tram at the bridge but, he never saw them traveling in his direction, towards the monastery. He assumed there had residents living in the vicinity of the monastery, but this did not matter, no one ventured out past dusk. He was not looking for people; it was just something that he noticed for some time. Something happened that changed everything at Bassa Ridge. The tram that traveled from the university and stopped abruptly across the Solleu River at the Bassa Bridge, only to turn around and return to Theed, was strange indeed.

Dantius waits until the Muun asks him to be seated.

"Please, Dantius, sit. Wine?"

"Thank you." The hooded servant pours wine from a decanter. Dantius notices that the servant's hands are pale and scarred. The scars appear to be from some sort of electrical burn and not from fire of a candle or hearth. The veins bulge through the damaged skin and seem to travel up the arms but the long sleeves of the cloak covers what must have been a horrific accident or from an unfortunate adversarial encounter.

The servant pours the wine; Dantius can read the worn label on the decanter: Domaine de la Maison sur le Lac Solleu Decani. The rest of the text had faded to the point that it could no longer be read. This is a rare wine, and one of the best outside of Corellia. He tries to recall where he has seen it before. Dantius notices that his host does not have a goblet

"Are you not drinking, My Lord?"

"Oh, I have already eaten. Besides, it is bad luck to raise an empty goblet. You need sustenance. Please, eat and I will talk." Plagueis gestures with his long dried fingers for Dantius to eat.

Dantius is starving and the food does look appetizing. It is not a hot meal but the food put before him will suffice. The luscious grapes in three varieties, pera, apples, figs, star fruit, and pineapple are fresh and unblemished. A cheeseboard has at least four varieties of cheese. A bowl of nuts and a small porcelain cask filled with imported honey are close by. He lifts the lid of another small white porcelain container. It is a crock of fresh sweet butter. He begins to fill his plate with the food. As he breaks off a piece of bread and spreads a healthy layer of butter on it, Plagueis begins to speak.

"First, congratulations on your internship. You seem to be doing a lot on your own these days."

"I have to look out for myself." Dantius has his eye on one of the perfect golden apples on the tray.

"And well you should, my boy! And well you should!" He smiles and again gestures with his long narrow hands at the cornucopia of food. "Please eat. Everything looks appetizing, doesn't it? The cheese is handmade, as is the honey. The bread is wonderful, isn't it?"

Dantius regards the Munn suspiciously for a moment. He has never seen Plagueis so excited about a tray of ordinary food.

"Yes, my Lord. Thank you." Dantius begins to eat. He is famished. Everything tastes ten times better than it looks.

"I do want you to be pleased. Dantius, I pride myself in the way I have groomed my apprentices. I have spared no expense to see that you follow the right path…Perhaps I am overlooking something but... I sense that you are not happy with my tutelage."

Dantius puts down his fork and dislodges a lump of cheese caught between his cheek and gum before he speaks.

"Well, I…"

"It is quite alright. I am not offended. You have strong ambition, you are tenacious. I admire that in an apprentice. You are methodical in your thinking…the Force is strong with you but you do not use it to its fullest potential. Let it out…be unapologetic…be proud of it…There is one thing that concerns me more, however…"

Dantius is waiting for the 'However.' What is it now? The Muun Sith lord is still not satisfied that he is good enough to handle the Kaiburr crystals? What now? It seems as if Dantius has failed to do something.

"Why did you summon me here?" Dantius speaks in a tone that makes one think that he himself is the master and Plagueis is the learner. It is full of indignation and hate.

Plagueis senses that his apprentice is annoyed and finds it quite entertaining to watch. The Muun responds to the question presented to him in an equally condescending but calm voice.

"You are here because I believe we need to have a clear understanding of what is expected of you. You want so much from me, Dantius, yet I don't have what I need from you. I don't see any dedication, but I can overlook that for now. I want you to want to feel the true power of the dark side. I want you to channel the same energy that you are using to attract simpleminded friends and occasional dalliances, to strengthen your powers. I find it painfully pathetic your pursuit of women who are out of your grasp. It is distractions such as these that will keep you from reaching your goal. I doubt that you are prepared to pledge your life to the Sith. Until the time comes, I will hold off training you further."

Dantius was not expecting this.

"But…."

"Dantius, My dear young man, don't take it too hard. You possess great talent; however, I feel you are not quite prepared to take the next step. You need more time to decide what sort of person you wish to be…one of greatness or one of mediocrity. Right now, it seems that you are sliding down that slippery slope towards the latter. I have other potential candidates who would fit in quite nicely so let's not waste my time. Perhaps your father was right…" Plagueis looks at his hands as they lay flat on the table then, without turning his head, he steals a glance at Dantius.

Dantius has no desire to eat now. The food he originally found irresistible is no longer palatable. He slowly pushes the plate away and sits up against the chair back. He is angry and defensive. He did not come here to waste his time in this dark and unholy place. His displeasure with this Muun Sith is increasing.

"I don't wish to waste your time then." Dantius dabs his mouth with the linen napkin and prepares to rise from his chair.

"Thank you for the food and wine but I should go."

The Muun responds by ridiculing Dantius.

"Well, don't leave yet…unless my frankness upsets you so…" "Sounds a lot like your father talking, doesn't it?" Plagueis is smiling. He is quite pleased with himself. Dantius is not amused.

"Are you crazy? What's wrong with you? Why are you doing this?"

Plagueis changes his tone to sound like a caring but stern parent.

"Well, my dear boy, someone has to make you listen to reason! I would never waste my time if I thought there was little hope of training you to embrace the dark side. I foresee great things in your future. Sit…sit…finish your meal and then I will take you on a guided tour. There is much you need to learn. If after our walk, you still find this path I am leading you is useless, I will release you to choose another path and we will never speak of the dark side again."

Dantius appears stunned that Plagueis is ready to release him so quickly. True, he could walk away and have nothing more to do with this man; or continue under his tutelage and see where it takes him. Who else would he recruit? Does he have someone already in mind to replace him? Dantius must think quickly or risk losing out on a great opportunity. He needs to be patient. 'Calm down. He is playing with your head,' he thinks to himself. Suddenly, Dantius responds. He tries to sound humble but the attempt is forced.

"My Lord, I implore you…I am ready to continue training under you. I have done so much in the name of the Sith for you. All I ask is to be rewarded accordingly."

"Dantius, your argument has truth to it, but you do not persuade. I see no devotion in your deeds or words you now speak. You insult me and you have the audacity to demand reward?" Plagueis laughs as if someone had just told a bawdy joke. He slaps his knee something totally out of character for the Muun Sith Lord.

Dantius bites his lower lip. He does not want to bow to Plagueis, not now, especially when he is given no guarantees. This is not his master. The young man bites back.

"How much devotion do you require, my Lord?"

His question smacks of sarcasm as potent as a bitter almond. Plagueis senses the anger and resentment that Dantius still cannot hide. Even still, it invokes great glee in the Sith Lord that he can draw out such dark emotions in this young man. He is the perfect candidate.

"I think you have eaten enough. Come, walk with me. I have something to show you. There is much you need to understand. Perhaps only then will you begin to see your future more clearly."

The two leave the refectory and take the path from which they arrived. There is a door to the left that Dantius had not noticed previously. The door peels open automatically and Dantius follows Plagueis down another long hallway. The flickering candles in the wall sconces light the way. The closer he gets to the next door, the louder the voices get. He senses great pain, fear, and sadness from the other side.

"Where are we going?"

Plagueis does not answer. Dantius can hear a multitude of hearts beating…closer…closer…screaming voices, cries…pleading cries…a blast of cold air hits his back and the flames from the candles die. He can feel something or someone reaching for him in the dark walkway…closer…he can feel a hand grasping for his wrist…it feels like a living being but it suddenly grows cold…like death. Dantius becomes disoriented in this dark place. He no longer hears the footsteps of Plagueis who was leading him down this stone corridor.

"My Lord? Where are you? Answer me!" Dantius can feel himself turning but he is not sure in which direction he is facing. He takes a tentative step with his arms outstretched, in case he reaches the door…the door that will lead him safely out of this place and not the door where those "voices" beckon him.

Beads of sweat cover his face as he bolts upright. Dantius blinks several times, the drops of perspiration stings his eyes. He is in his own bed and frantically tries to catch his breath. The blue glow from his clock pulses like a beating heart. The clock announces the time.

'It is 3 o'clock and 20 seconds…is this the time you wish to wake?'

Dantius slowly turns to look at what he now considers a technological nightmare. He never sets the clock for this hour. How did this happen? Waking to screams and crying, voices pleading for help. His hands are cold but his face is hot with sweat. He feels something grainy and cold in his hands and opens them. It is melting snow. There was no snow this time of year. How did it get here? The female voice coming from the clock speaks again.

'It is now 3 o'clock and 46 seconds…is this a better time to wake?'

"Stop!"

'Alarm stopped. Thank you. Have a nice day.'

He must have had a dream but how did he also have a hand full of snow?

It is clean, freshly-fallen snow, beautiful and pure. Did he even make that trip across the bridge? It must have been a dream. Dantius plants his feet on the floor and runs his fingers through his hair. It is not yet dawn but he can see his clothes and academic robe on the floor near the foot of his bed. His rucksack is on the floor as well, open. The graded paper from Professor Guffin sticks out from the opening of the bag; the box of Paonga Delights is on the floor too.

He stands to make his way across the room to take a shower and one of the soft candies squishes under his toes. He leans over to pick up the robe and jacket. A golden apple falls from the pocket and rolls across the floor. This proves that he was at Bassa Ridge but where else could he have gone last night and return with a hand full of snow?

Dantius opens the medicine cabinet before he steps into the shower. The spray nozzle hits his face. As the water hits him he opens his right hand and stares at the vial. His breathing is labored and he is shaking. It has been awhile since he has taken Telezan Anafil. He needed it now. He did something very bad or is about to do something …horrible.