Author's Notes
Hello. Originally I had about two thirds of this chapter done but then my computer turned to shit. Then when i got a new one the world decided to turn to shit. I've had several anxiety attacks in the past two weeks and have gone to some darker places. I'm still not totally fine but I'm at least not frozen. Hopefully the world will return to normal soon and all the horrible shit happening right now will stop peacefully but given how little I have faith in humanity I doubt it.
I do have a better writing schedule now so the hope is that I will be able get out new chapters more often. Though I have divided my time between fanfics and original work much more. My first original book is almost done and soon I'll be looking for a literary agent to shop for a publisher. Becuase fuck amazon and fuck Bazos, I will never give either a single penny.
"He just called you? Out of nowhere?" I asked as I held a meeting between myself, Cipher Nine, Major Ingall, Huldrak, Quinn, and Ivuc. We were discussing the Mando Civil war and the current state of Imperial preparations. However, the meeting was starting off on a unexpected note as the Major informed the rest of us that Jango Fett contacted him just before the meeting.
"Yes sir, though not directly. First he contacted the Dragoon elements that were assigned to liaison between us and the Mandalorians. They knew he was a priority subject and so relayed him to me." I was planning on courting Jango since the beginning, but the fact he's come to us first was not in the plans. It honestly suggested that things were worse between father and son than I had believed. "He gave little details other than he was planning on taking the idea of honorable mercenary of his father a little earlier than others. He's offered an open contract."
"Take it, but only use him on basic stuff. But also encourage him to be as independent at possible. I don't want it to look like we're stealing him from Jaster." Jango was still young, and this was likely a stunt pulled for some sort of personal reason. He didn't have his father's iron will yet nor the experience of working as a bounty hunter, just a soldier. All he's known is a mission and now that that mission is done he's going to be a little lost. "Cipher, is anything you know that might shed some light on this?"
"Possibly. It would seem that Jaster Merrell has taken on Bo-Katan Kryze as his own after she was disowned by her father. Perhaps Jango feels he's being replaced after their public disagreement over supporting you." Fuck that, Jaster is too solid and simple of a man too pull some sort of manipulative bullshit like that. It could be that Jango is taking it that way but that's also stupid… but again he is still pretty young so maybe. Whatever the reason the situation needs to be monitored.
"Continue to keep an eye on things there. Is there signs of the Republic getting involved?"
"It has been a week since the civil war ended officially. Yesterday several senators from neighboring systems praised the end of the conflict and spoke about being excited to work with the new government." The fact that anyone was being publicly open toward Jaster's new regime was a good sign. No doubt in my mind that those senators had to have gotten the okay from more powerful people in the government. If I had to guess the military is leaning more on the side of excited for the possible mercs for their side in the coming Hutt War. "There has been surprisingly little back-channel chatter on the subject. My summation, this truly was seen as a local matter by the wider Republic."
"The Mandalore system has never been a major trade or industrial power. Its sole unique resource, Baskar, can only be worked by the Mandalorians. As such it's only a potential problem for the Republic, had Death Watch won then I think there'd be more of a response." Ingall pointed out and I agreed. Mandalore was an issue that the Republic could afford to ignore, as a massive galactic government it had all sorts of daily problems to sort through. It is highly centralized in regards to its military and similar branches but its governmental side is actually quite isolated. If not for the historical prominence of the Mandalorians I would not even think that any senator would care all that much.
"The Mandalorians are for now safe from outside threats, gives them time to reorganize and recoup. They plenty of time before The Last Hutt War. Ten to twelve more years correct?" I looked to Cipher Nine who nodded. That was the timetable that we had collected from the Republic's movements and internal documents. Build times, training requirements, loans, all sorts of things were slated to set something up within ten to twelve years. Perhaps more if something happens. It is still possible the slugs are plotting something before that though so we have to be careful. "After that it will at least be a little under two decades before our time to shine. Plenty of time to recruit Jango as our Primary Clone Template and secretly set up the needed defenses on the border of our first sphere of expansion."
"On that note may I give my report?" Ivuc spoke up and I gave a lazy wave of approval. "Population projections for my people are good, should things continue as they are we will have a perfectly viable population capable of maintaining itself without cloning."
"But…" I needed to hear it. Ivuc needed to say what he didn't want to admit.
"The Second Generation Project is to thank. The DNA scramblers have proven effective in both physical and early testing of mental differences. First Generation Project results have been… less than satisfying." It took a lot for him to admit that. Clear on his face was the disappointment and disgust all at once. He wanted so desperately to spite the Kaminoans that came before him and prove they didn't need the cloning tech to survive. Unfortunately for him cloning was in his people's blood now. They were the best… whether they wanted to be or not. "Once we have reached a sufficient surplus here on Helska, I shall begin having the Infinity Engines we have and selection of our cloners begin work on the Deep Space Facilities."
"Please inform me when you do as I can rework our supply system to begin stopping off at the sites." Major Ingall spoke up and Ivuc nodded in understand. The Imperial Dragoons were our secret strike force but also our covert logistical network. They ran the various supply chains I needed. There were many places I needed essentials supplied, in complete secret from the Republic. Legion worlds, construction sites, listening posts, and soon the Deep Space Facilities. Where the Triple Digit Legions will be born and trained. These would my equivalent to the Imperial Guard. The rank and file clone trooper… though calling them that was a disservice to the quality they would still represent.
"Huldrak." I said knowing that the cyborg wasn't listening. I waited a moment before trying again. "Huldrak."
"Perhaps you should send a signal to BI-6?" Cipher Nine threatened and immediately Huldrak shifted slightly before the holo-screen was updated with a mess of data. The Infinity Shipyards were at ninety percent complete. Its drydock systems were still locked down until it was completely repair as the mechanisms required a complete circuit in order to function. That was a bit annoying but it came with the territory of it being partial Force tech.
"Projections are in line with our desires. However, now that we are close to our goal of revitalizing the great machines… an issue has come to our attention." Huldrak spoke without any real signs of speaking. More and more he was becoming intertwined with the machines as he learned more about Rakatan technology. My own agents within the site have reported to me that this has tempered his more irrational moods but at the cost charisma of course. Nevertheless, he is what I need out of him. "Like the Infinity Engines the shipyards require raw matter in order to produce its products. But this relic of circuit and iron demands the matter of the stars themselves."
"Mmm… so it is like a Star Forge. We're not draining the Lehon system's star. I don't' want to risk it imploding. Which means we'll have to outsource." Mining solar matter wasn't exactly impossible or even too difficult. We had the tech thanks to occupying the Lehon system and having access to the Infinity Shipyards. The only real issue was making the tools and vessels necessary, and then finding the nearest star system in the Unknown Regions. "Continue work on finishing the shipyards. But commit some of your followers to searching for an appropriate system to mine. Nothing that is habited."
"Very well." He said before shutting off his connection. We weren't done but clearly he was.
"At this point it would be too costly to remove him from our circle… though I wish I had known just the sort of man he would be before agreeing to his inclusion." Cipher Nine gave me what for him was an accusatory look. I just shrugged but the fact he was doing that at all was telling. I'm going to have to key him into something bigger than what I already have. As a man that hates not knowing things, it's clear that he believes I'm hiding something from him.
"He's annoying yes, but good at what he does." I waved the topic off and the we begun speaking of more mundane things concerning our networks. All the small things that needed to be spoken of that any leaders of large organizations have to do. Once that was done the blue glow of the holo-projector died off leaving me alone.
The Mandalorian Civil War finished, the larger galaxy was now back to default for me. The storm had passed and now it was peaceful. My focus returned back to Terra. Robert's war was now in full swing and I was pleased with how things were turning out. Everything was going exactly as planned… which made me paranoid.
He was finally back home. After years of living away in the Vale and then the hardship it took to return, Eddard was now finally back in Winterfell. But… not as he ever expected.
"It still doesn't feel right to call this mine now." He touched the handle of the master bedroom's wardrobe. When he first arrived in his ancestral home he had been informed that he would be moved to the lord's chambers as he was in fact the lord now. Eddard had appreciated the Maester's own awkwardness and somberness in that moment. Both of them felt how this simply shouldn't have been how things are.
But how he felt over his new room accommodations and the lordly title that brought them was only a small piece of his current mood. No. In fact the real source of his melancholy was still sleeping in his bed. Glancing back for only a moment he saw the slumbering form of Catelyn Tully… or Catelyn Stark now. Last night had been their wedding. Quick and nothing like what he assumed she had dreamed of. He was sure after the massive affair of her sister's wedding her expectations were very high. But war had changed all that. Madness had destroyed any dreams either of them had for love.
Eddard slowly opened the wardrobe as to try to not wake the sleeping girl. Both of them were too young for all this in his mind. Tales of Darth Nagash's insistence of ten and eight years as the proper age to be before marriage, Eddard even now having broke that rule felt it right. He did not feel ready. Or maybe that was simply because he did not feel ready to marry someone he did not love. Either way he would not dishonor the vows he spoke before the gods.
"That's not the shirt for that coat." Eddard's hand froze as he had been reaching into the wardrobe. Turning back he saw Catelyn sitting up on… their bed. Her eyes had no joy but also no sadness or anger. They just stared at him expectingly. "It has to mismatch; they have to believe you're not thinking straight after your wedding night."
"I uh…" Eddard couldn't really come up to a response and even further felt his tongue twist as Catelyn slipped out from the blankets and off the bed, still completely naked. He looked away, still not thinking of her as his wife. To his core he was not like Robert and didn't feel so confident around the fairer sex.
"If they do not believe we consummated the marriage and the whispers begin, that could create doubt in our lords. You must be the man they believe they need you to be." Catelyn walked up to him and grabbed ahold of jacket that was more meant for spring than the Winter they were experiencing. She then held it up to his body and gave a long look at it before glancing up to his blushing face. And for the first time Eddard saw a genuine smile on her lips. "Dear boy you really weren't prepared for this. War yes, marriage no."
"Aye. All this still hasn't settled in my mind as real." Even last night, when they shared the same bed it didn't feel real. The darkness of the room helped, and he would never admit aloud but more than once another woman entered his mind during it all. But he suspected that while he thought of a lady of the marches instead of the girl of rivers with him, she was doing the same in thinking of a different wolf altogether. This train of thought however was Eddard's alone.
"If it means anything, I did enjoy it." That did in fact spark a little pride in the stoic young man. At the very least he had been able to perform well enough. "I know that neither of us truly wanted this. Few ladies of the realm ever marry the lord the wish. But… I think this can work. We can at least try."
"We can." He gently grabbed her hand, both were shaking lightly. This wasn't the marriage that either had envisioned, but it was the one they got. At very least it wasn't starting off cold.
The rest of the morning was less awkward than what Eddard had expected. They both got ready at their own pace, with neither of them very familiar with the room or where things were. Normally servants would be right there to assist their lord and lady but given that this was the morning after the wedding no one entered the room, more out of tradition than assumption. A very quick and light meal for the morning preceded a small speech by Eddard to the attending Lords of the North and Riverlands. That they were to ready their bannermen for the march down south to put an end to the dragons and their madness.
The new lord of Winterfell was one of the last to leave the keep's great hall. Only a small brief moment to catch his breath for a wedding before he was back into the war. He had to save his sister, that's what this war was for. Beyond doing anything for the southerners and their schemes and games, this was for family. What came after wasn't even on his mind even as he took his vows of marriage. Even now as he walked through the darkened crypts of his House he could only think of the past and present. This didn't stop even as he did at the tomb of his mother.
"Don't worry mother, father will join you soon." He muttered as he stared up at the incomplete statue. Or at least he felt it was incomplete, without his father standing by her side. His siblings had told him that their parents had grown apart in her last years but Eddard refused to believe that. All he had was the memories when he had lived in Winterfell and the reaction of his father from her murder. There had to be love there for him to so strongly crusade against the wildlings.
"Looks just like her… or that maid I've seen around." Eddard looked up to see Ser Brynden Tully standing nearby, looking at the stone visage of the previous Lady Stark. And what he said was true, Eddard had seen the serving woman that looked remarkably like his mother in her youth. "I once spoke with her when she visited the capital. A very smart and polite lady, though she certainly had the chill of the north about her."
"I suppose that's just how southerners see us Starks." He had heard similar comments about himself when he was fostered in the Vale. "I assume wished to speak with me."
"Yes, what I want to say shouldn't be heard by others." He chuckled before letting a small pass of silence to fill the crypt. Eddard had assumed that his new good uncle would want to speak privately with him. A normal duty of any male relation of a newly married bride. He suppose he'll have to do it with Robert… hopefully one day. "I wanted to speak as one second son to another."
"Oh." That was not how Eddard expected this to start.
"Had you been your brother, this would be a very different conversation. But I know of you Eddard Stark. I trust in what I've heard and seen for myself. I know you won't dishonor Catelyn." As he spoke, there was a firmness like steel in his voice. A warning that straying from this perception risked much. But the young lord of Winterfell didn't feel any fear because the danger would only come from what he thought was impossible. But then the Blackfish continued. "I know you love another, but unlike me… I know you'll do your duty to your family and not act on it."
"I-I… there's no-"
"Don't lie Lord Stark. It's not in your nature." Brynden cut him off with a sigh. "I don't know to who or any detail. I only speak from the experience of my younger days and the signs I can see. But I can also tell you're a better man than I was at this age. Which is why I will keep my thoughts to myself and the gods."
"Thank you." He couldn't say more, a denial or a promise to love the man's niece. Only give his thanks for his understanding.
"I will see you at the next war council my lord." With that the Blackfish turned and was on his way. Leaving the young man with a greater sense of heaviness in his heart all the greater.
"And once this rebellion is done I want my son brought to me in chains! Clearly he had been plotting something before stealing away his savage wolf girl. By the gall of those northerners, they should be honored that one of us of Valyria even gave them such attention!" Elia just sat quietly as the king ranted to everyone in the dinning hall of the Red Keep. It had been this way since the start of the war, the prince had vanished from its walls and the king had been even more unhinged then usual. Thankful his madness seemed to be directly focused on the prince and the rebellion and so she and his wife were spared for the time being.
"Your Grace, I don't believe it would be wise to arrest your heir who once this war is over will be a hero to the people." Jon Connington, the current hand to the king, voiced his concerns. But then it just devolved further with Aerys threatening to disinherit Rhaegar and install Viserys as his heir and Jon trying to talk him down. Elia would have elected to leave the room if it wasn't for the fact she was forbidden from choosing just where she was at any given time.
From the moment that Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna, and Elia knew it was kidnapping, her life had turned miserable. From being nothing more than a prisoner to insure her brothers compliance to knowing that her entire marriage was a sham. She hated Rhaegar now, out right hated the man. He had turned the whole world upside down with his insanity. The only difference between him and his father was that he was able to hid his madness.
Eventually she finished her meal and was allow to return to her room. No talking to anyone just straight to her confinement. At least before the war she was allowed to pretend she was a human being with agency. The door slammed shut behind and she sighed while walking over to her bed. Good thing was that the times her husband had actually been in this bed could be counted on her fingers so it at least felt like a safe refuge. Elia crashed into the soft bedding knowing that it might be a hour or two before a servant would come with the medicine from the Maester. Which is why fifteen minutes later she was surprised to hear the door opening. For a second she froze, wondering if it was the king who finally decided to punish her for whatever twisted reasons he could come up with.
"Hey princess, your rescuers have come." That was most certainly not the king's voice. Turning over Elia could see that instead of the disheveled form of the king was instead three black robed individuals. She immediately recognized their robes as the attire of the official Sith, her heart skipping a beat at the thought that Naraiz had sent them to free her. The thought of a rescue had come to her once or twice, both times she had pictured Oberyn doing the deed.
"Come on, we don't have much time before they figure out something's up." One of them said as he walked over to her and helped her out of the bed. She was speechless at the situation and so said nothing as they pulled her over to the only female of the group. There the woman who looked to be of Dornish decent as well held up a small metal disk. A bright blue light showered over her followed by a small chip sound. "Did you get it?"
"I think so… even after all this time I'm still getting used to this stuff." She held the disk flat and after a second it slowly levitated off her palm. Elia watched with amazement as it floated over the woman's head and then vanished in a quick shimmer of light. Then Elia was staring at herself. The woman that had come to save her now had her face. "Please tell me you don't really talk all that much to people?"
"Uh… not really anymore." Elia was still bewildered by the sight of her own face talking to her. Though the rest of the opposing woman was unchanged. The robe the woman wore wasn't as baggy as the men's and so she could tell that this woman had a little bit more curves than her. With some bindings she would be a perfect match now.
"Good, then we can go." The last male of the group grunted in a hurried voice. Elia got one last glance at the room she had spent the last few years in. Even if it was more overt recently, she had always felt trapped by it. No real personal items, she had avoided them in case the King ever just destroyed them like she had heard he had done with others he was displeased by. Any attachment she had to the Red Keep as a whole was gone if it ever existed at all. Elia was happier than she ever had been with the prospect of leaving now in sight.
Stepping outside her room, the guard that had been there to keep her confined was still there. Elia at first froze at the sight but was pushed forward by her rescuers. The guard didn't react in the slightest and as she turned down the hall Elia caught a glimpse of his eyes. Glazed over and staring straight forward without any reaction to what was going on. Whatever power they had used was something no one knew the Sith could do.
"Here, put this on." Out from one of their sleeve came a shawl and Elia quickly put it. Even if her door guard was taken care of there were many more.
Following the Sith through the halls of the Red Keep, they had swiftly taken turns Elia had never gone down before. Deeper and deeper into the bowels of the keep until they were in the very caverns underneath the castle. On the way the Sith escorted her all while carefully avoiding any eyes that could see them. Elia guess they had some sort of power to sense others as they had been stopping and turning back almost at random until they finally reached the deepest part of the Red Keep.
"That contact we have better be at the rendezvous point." One of them grumbled to the other as the sound of the sea filtered into the cavernous corridor they hurried down. The Blackwater Bay was near, her escape was near. Elia half expected guards to be waiting at the end to arrest her, and prepare her for the pyre. But no, instead there was just a small dingy with black sails.
"'ello Sith, wonderful weather for sailing don't you think?" A smiling man said as he popped up from the dingy and hauled up a walking plant to connect the ship to the rocky shore.
"You Davos?" The more stern of the Sith asked while holding a hand on his sword. The man just gave him a weary and exasperated look with a nod of the head. "Good, this is where we part princess. This man will be taking you out of the city where another will escort you to Dol Guldur."
"Not Dorne?" She had assumed that they would be sailing to a larger ship out in the bay and then traveling to her homeland. Not that she was entirely opposed to traveling back to the City of the Sith. But it was just a odd and slightly concerning choice on Darth Nagash's part.
"Sorry princess, but we all have our orders. I promise you that you'll be safe." She did not fully trust his word as there was a small break in his tone. He wasn't as sure of his promise and she didn't know why. But she didn't have the option to turn back now, anything was better than staying here.
"Thank you, if I could please though have the names of those that saved me." At the very least she wanted to be able to tell her brothers just who had beaten them to saving her.
"Gruner." The gruffer one said as he watched the shadowed entrances that led into the hidden alcove they stood in.
"Jarman Buckwell." That was a name that she recognized as one of the Sith that had been talked about in court several times. One of unquestioned honor and bravery. It helped her decision to trust him but also made her even more worried over his doubts. "The others that came with us are Luisa, Royn, and Mysa Sand who will be staying as you."
"My thanks to all of you and I hope I can one day repay each you." With that there wasn't anything else said as Elia boarded the smuggler's ship. Both the Sith didn't stay long and vanished into different exits each. Clearly, they had their own further missions. The ride out of the cave had been even more quiet. A slow and careful sail without any movement to alert any watchers. It wasn't until they were good and far from the Keep that Elia felt safe to let out a stress filled breath.
"The last of the clans have submitted to your rule Mandalore, the Creed is once again whole." Jaster signed as he sat on the throne of Sundari. He had elected to remain in the New Mandalorian capital until the last of the reunification was finished. Then he begin to move all governmental duties back to Keldabe which was getting some massive infrastructure and defensive improvements that were long overdue.
"Then it is truly over. No longer will our people be at war with each other." He intended to make those words true. Never again did he want the Creed to be corrupted or tossed aside by the Mandalorian people. He would install his philosophy deep into the Creed so that something like this civil war wasn't possible. "And the Republic?"
"We have received envoys from neighboring systems and they all seem to say that the Senate will approve our change in government. Though I guess we will only rest easy when they send for our senator." That was a whole thing that Jaster was going to have to deal with. Picking just who to send to Coruscant to represent the Creed. Technically it wasn't even the entire Creed but just the Mandalorian system and its people. The Creed transcended borders of territories and racial divides. Something he was sure was going to come back to bite him.
"With that news let us just focus on our own issues." He waved the matter of the Republic as for now it seemed they were in the clear. For a few hours longer Jaster suffered through an inevitable duty of all centralized leaders, monotonous governing and decision making. He was a solider first and foremost and so things like tax law, budgetary concerns, or internal politicking were more than a chore for him they were outright painful. But it was either this or delegate some of his power and authority to others. And right now that unacceptable.
He knew that there were some undesirables in his council. Those that would try and profit off the chaos within the Creed right now. It was a different kind of chaos to the civil war, and in Jaster's opinion more dangerous. It was weak and suspectable to influence, the wrong bit of a advice could set the stage for centuries of disorder in the Creed. This had been one of the reasons he had rejected the Sith's offer as he knew malicious or not that his presence here would have set a tone going forward.
"And with that we shall call it a day." The newly official Mandalore held back a disrespectful choice of words for the tediousness of all of this. He remained on the throne officials and delegates began to filter out of the chamber leaving only him and his closest allies and supporters. These Mandalorian men and women who had been with him since the beginning.
"You hate this don't you Jaster?"
"I know I would."
"I'd rather deal with a Deathwatch ambush by myself than have to deal with another moment of discussing civilian supply chains." Several laughed at this and Jaster couldn't help but feel the same. This is what a warrior who became king felt like, he could see why so many turned to savagery. It was a return to the familiarity of war. But he wasn't Death Watch and he had a greater goal to work towards.
"By the way Jaster… your boy took one of the Spitfires. Last seen docked at a merchant station, one with a Guild Outpost." That was expected, and probably for the best for now. It was time for Jango to make a name for himself out of Jaster's shadow. Not only that but it gave the two the distance, Jango wouldn't be burdened with the un-exciting parts of victory and Jaster could better focus on them. Those logical reasons however didn't do much for the illogical feelings he had over this matter.
"To victory!" Everyone cheered in the great hall of Strom's End. The Stormlands were now fully united behind their lord. Soldiers that had been fighting each other hours before now drank side by side. Former enemies made allies by the charisma of their leader and the promise of forgiveness if they fight for the true cause now. To average serf and levy of the armies of Westeros they rarely care why or who they fight for that is the lord and ladies problem. All that mattered is who paid and fed them.
Upon arriving in his homeland, Robert gathered those who were loyal and hunted down the traitors in quick succession before they had time to rally into one cohesive force. Three battles took place in a single day where normally an army the size of Robert's would have ran itself into the ground from exhaustion, fresh troops in the form of defeated enemies resupplied and boosted moral allowing for a full day of fighting.
Lord Grandison and Lord Cafferen had been fairly easy to persuade by Robert, official pardons and pieces of the lands surrounding Summerhall for their own use. The haunted and cursed retreat of the Targaryens had been abandoned for years now but its lands were still the property of the House of Dragons and so once the war was over it would be up for grabs. As befitting royal lands and ones that bordered the Reach it was quite fertile and wealthy, a great boon to the lords.
The last battle however saw Robert slay the Lord Fell himself. Leaving only his son Jacor 'Silveraxe' Fell in command of his house's army. It had been the largest of the three but the moment that his father died, Jacor ordered the army to stand down. The feelings of the father towards the war did not match the son's. The new lord of House Fell recognized the injustice of the Prince's actions and so supported Robert in his rebellion. Being a only son he had been secure from punishment from his father on this matter and now that he was gone there was nothing preventing Jacor from taking his troops and throwing their lot in with the rebellion.
"The Stormlands are mine once more! And now that I have gotten word that Eddard Stark is marching south, the Riverlands and North will soon join us it finally ending the Mad King's reign! And I'll have that bastard prince's head on a spike outside his precious King's Landing!" There was more cheers from the filled hall at Robert's proclamation. Everyone returned their victory feast and so few saw the frown that came down on their lord's face as he sat back down into the throne of Storm's End. One who did in fact see was Stannis who sat next to his brother.
"There has been still no word on Lyanna?" Stannis asked to his other side, there sat the newest member of Robert's inner council, Khort. The Hedge Sith had proven himself somewhat good at spycraft or at the very least able to collect information and infiltrate the enemy camp. And since the Stormlands was not home to many of those of the intrigue and skullduggery type he had wormed his way into the usurper's court.
"Nah, but there hadn't been many of the dragons' men in the enemy camps. Lord Fell might have something in his solar but I'm sure his kid will let us have at it." Khort shrugged before returning to his meal letting the dour young man to ponder just what could be the Prince's goal in all of this.
Stannis knew that Robert couldn't think about the subject rationally and he perfectly understood why. He had yet to marry or even feel that sense of love he had seen in his parents and Robert and Lyanna but could imagine the rage that would come to him should someone dare to steal what was his. But right now the thought of the prince nagged at his mind. Of course he had heard whispers about a possible coup against the Mad King by his own son, he was no fool. But kidnaping Lyanna Stark ruined whatever plans that had been settled by turning so many kingdoms against the Prince. Madness, it had to be the only answer to anyone that knew that Lyanna was deeply in love with Robert. The Targaryen claim that Lyanna was in love with Rhaegar and had ran away to be with him was silly at best and insulting at worst.
"Perhaps all this is a blessing in disguised." Stannis sighed to himself thinking of what sort of realm it would be with Rhaegar in charge. Now knowing just how insane the young man could be to try something like this did not paint a pretty picture.
"Smart coin is on that this is all being done on purpose." Seems his small admission had in fact been heard by Khort. But Stannis looked to the Hedge Sith curiously. "I would bet everything I owned and even more that all of this is going just as the Grandmaster wanted."
"Darth Nagash? While I will admit he has been playing this smartly, I fail to see how he gains anything from this. He has benefited greatly from the Targaryens and is the favorite of the King. Everyone's playing the Game of Thrones even those without thrones." The Sith weren't in danger if Robert won so long as they didn't fight for the dragons which was pretty much impossible to happen by Stannis' expectation by now. So at best now they would just have to operate with less royal favor once the war was over if they stayed neutral.
"Come on milord, you're smarter than this. The lion knew this from the start, Naraiz Rhyhall is aiming for far more than just what he has now." That thought was indeed something that been discussed before. The Sith were a rapid power in Westeros both politically and culturally. And it did worry Stannis but if what Khort suggested was true and Nagash did have designs on the Iron Throne then perhaps he should be more careful going forward with the Sith.
"And what about you? What is it you're after Khort?" Stannis put aside Darth Nagash in his mind and moved to the Sith in the immediate.
"I'm no Tywin Lannister or Darth Nagash, I know when to call it quits when I'm ahead. This is farther than I ever expected to get. I'm good." The younger Baratheon narrowed his eyes at that obvious lie. Khort had proven himself to an insightful and cunning individual. A person like that rarely was satisfied. Stannis decided then and there that any Sith needed to be watched carefully.
"You are here to explain your failure to the council." Qui-Gon knew that this was coming. Even his Padawan knew that this was his fate when he chose to let the True Mandalorians take Njox Kryze into their custody. It was a choice that had been made even before the duel between him and the new Mandalore. The True Mandalorian victory had been complete and nothing he was going to do would have changed that. What the duel was was a means to get a measure of the man himself. Qui-Gon felt secure in his actions and knew they were right… not that a chose few on the council would see it that way.
"I was sent to the New Mandalorian government to insure that Njox Kryze did not die, I secured that he would face a fair and just trial in a situation where his death was all but certain." Qui-Gon knew enough about Mandalorian culture to know that if it hadn't been for his actions than Njox Kryze would have one hundred percent for sure be dead. They were a very deliberate people who did not like loose ends or questionable results.
"Mandalore is now ruled by an anti-democratic military dictatorship who has a history of war and barbarism. And you claim that this isn't a failure on your part." High Marshal Windu pointed the finger right at Qui-Gon, placing all the blame for the perceived disaster at his feet. When in fact the only reason why this was even a Jedi matter at all was the his their Order shared with the Creed. Those in the Guardian faction saw the possible rise of a new Mandalorian Crusade, even as impossible as that was, as an insult to their pride.
"As far as I am aware the current Mandalorian government has no plans for any further war. They seem to be very focused on rebuilding after their civil war. Would we be facing a more belligerent Mandalore there would rallying calls and troop movement." Jedi Master T'un spoke up in contrast to the High Marshal's accusations. Several other Counselor aligned masters nodded in agreement while the their opponents stayed silent.
"The New Mandalorians were the perfect member of the galactic community for their people, committed to the ideals of peace for the entire galaxy." Master Micah Giiett spoke plainly but with a slight hint of the expected accusation. To the Guardians the New Mandalorians were the perfect ending to their old foe, a sad and pale reflection of what they once were. But most importantly contained. "But discussing the future of the Mandalorians is not the purpose of this hearing."
"Oh so now this is a hearing?" People looked to Master Zibeill as he growled out his question. Perhaps the most aggressive of Counselors on the High Council, the Klatooinian Jedi was often called their attack dog behind his back. Though many knew that he more opposed many in the Guardians than actually believed in the ideals of the faction he associated with. There was in fact a rather public feud between him and Master Windu over his position of High Marshal. "I was under the impression we asked Knight Jinn here for a full report of what happened on Mandalore. I was unaware that he was being charged with anything?"
"Dereliction of duty is a perfectly fine charge that could be used here." The High Marshal leaned back in his seat with a scowl. Things had not been going well for him in the past few years.
The entire galaxy had been awash in a new wave of resentment towards the Republic and the Jedi as a whole due to the Blue Sky Incident. Nothing of that scale had happened but several groups had styled themselves after the stunt in a effort to attack the Republic who they saw as oppressive and corrupt. And Windu had to come to the harsh truth that many accused in the Blue Sky Incident had turned out to be in fact very corrupt.
"A bit far, that would be. Knight Jinn, responsible for an entire people he is not." Grandmaster Yoda spoke and as usual in opposition to the High Marshal. Windu could not outright speak against the grandmaster and Yoda did not wish to increase the division in the Jedi by doing the same. However both rarely if every agreed with the other on matters of policy and action.
"But this has become a pattern. Knight Jinn has shown that he is incapable of performing as the council needs him. We overlooked his previous dereliction as a lapse of judgement caused by grief, but this can not be ignored." Further discussion between the High Council members occurred as they turned from talking about Mandalore to about Qui-Gon almost entirely. In this the man himself did not speak as he knew that anything he said would just lead to argument. Though he was disappointed at the state of the Jedi if it was so easy to turn something as simple as this into another sticking point between the two factions. But they all stopped once the Grandmaster held up a hand.
"Heard what happened on Mandalore we have. No longer Jedi Knight Jinn need is." It was messy but final. But the argument would continue without Qui-Gon and he was happy to leave before the Sentinels came and cuffed him. He hadn't thought about the stress of the moment but as he walked down the stairs to the council chambers he could feel a weight lift off his shoulders.
"I have told you many times, that is the last place any sane man should ever be." Qui-Gon looked to see his old master walking over to him, a knowing smile on his face.
"Master Dooku. I did not expect to see you on Coruscant after your last time here." There had been a very public spat between his od master and certain members of the Guardian Faction. Several of them had been outed in the Blue Sky incident, and later investigations revealed ties to favored arms dealers. Jedi were supposed to be above material things and wealth but many did not exactly abide by this.
"I felt I needed to be here for my padawan. But yes, I do loath being on this world. The center of the rot in the galaxy." Years and years have gone by and Qui-Gon had seen a deep change in his old master. Master Dooku had always had reservations about how the Republic and Jedi acted in the galaxy but he had always wished to change things for the better within the system. That had turned sour in the times since the great exposure of just how corrupt things were.
"Careful master, they might hear you over their bickering." Qui-Gon nodded back to the council chambers knowing that they were safe in their speech. Everyone in the Temple was always so involved in whatever they were doing that they never noticed what happened around them.
"Someday soon I might just speak plainly to their faces." The older man sighed as he rubbed his face. But composed himself as he looked back to Qui-Gon. "Nevertheless, I'm happy for their dysfunction in this case. They will never be able to come to a consensus and deliver a meaningful reprimand for what failures they see in you."
"We've both thought about it, but I don't think either of us are ready to leave the order." It might have been barely a moment… but the look on his old master's face made Qui-Gon doubt that.
"Here, I've fulfilled my end of the bargain, even a day earlier than planned." Ser Alliser Thorne said as Elia dismounted from his horse. It had been a… very uncomfortable ride with the grumpy knight. As opposed to the joyful and friendly smuggler Davos, the high-born knight was irritable and clearly participating in her rescue begrudgingly.
"Yes, we will ensure that you survive this war with your position intact." Governor Quinn spoke as he stood outside the gate of Dol Guldur. It was the dead of night with only the torches of two Black Cloaks beside the governor, added with a cold but very light drizzle of rain. "And should you ever speak of this, the Wall will feel like a blessing compared to where you will be."
"I doubt that but I have just as much to lose if it's found out I betrayed my liege." With that Ser Thorne turned his horse around and galloped off into the night. The two Black Cloaks quickly moved to escort the Princess out of the rain and into a waiting carriage. The entire affair was coming to a close, as she sat down a wave of relief washed over her body. She was safe now.
"Welcome back Lady Martell." Governor Quinn closed the door behind them and soon the carriage was on its way. The smooth road of the still new city made for a pleasant ride that only added to Elia's sense of respite. "I am pleased to see that our operation was successful, was there any complications in your trip."
"Oh no, it was perfectly fine. I'm so thankful for everyone risking their lives saving me." She could not begin to think about the danger that everyone put themselves into. The Mad King would no doubt do unspeakable things to anyone that stole away his leverage against Dorne. The thought of her homeland however did bring up a question in her mind that had been held back until now. "But if I could ask… when will I be returning home?"
"Unfortunately that will not be a option for quite some time." The way he spoke was so cold but without any malice it was eerie. She had only ever heard a few people speak like this before, mostly merchants when discussing their business with nobility.
"So after the war?" She asked trying to hide the nervousness that threatened to expose her growing worry. Was she going to be a new hostage?
"No. Considerably longer than that. Our plan is for the realm to believe that you have been killed by the Targaryens. To further galvanize them against the idea of the rule of dragons. Our body double will fake your death as instructed." Which made her a liability if the secret was ever exposed. Elia tightened her grip on the cushioned seat of the carriage. She had to remind herself that if they planned on killing her to keep that secret than she would already be dead. Too many people were involved in this scheme for that possibility to be feasible. Still, the manner of which the governor discussed this spooked her. "You will be staying at Barad-dûr for foreseeable future. Not as the Martell princess, remember that. We will insure your safety and comfort as requested by Oberyn."
"My brother knows about this?" She should be surprised btu she was. For months Elia had been expecting Oberyn to mount some sort of rescue plan but she never thought it would come in this form.
"Yes, your brother is apart of Lord Nagash's inner circle here in Westeros. Both of them formulated this plan to rescue you." That gave her back some relief. Oberyn would never allow her to be harmed if he could help it. This revelation blunted much of the possible dread that had come into her thoughts.
The rest of the carriage ride through the city was silent as Elia stared out the window. She watched as few people walked the night streets, not completely dark as street lamps lit the roads ever so slightly. Only the occasional group of Black Cloaks really broke up the scene of the empty streets. It wasn't like King's Landing were there would be packs of homeless beggars or even less savory types wandering about. Here there was little to no poverty.
But the lack of activity did not give Elia a escape from her current situation. What would her life be like now? No longer the princess of the realm or even Dorne. She was sure that her brother would make sure that her standard of living was well above decent but to make sure that no one found out about her she would need to blend in. Perhaps she would be hidden in the serving staff, or maybe as an unnamed lady in waiting for the lady of the keep. However it may play out, Elia was just happy to be away from the Red Keep and those that festered inside. Only the queen would be missed, and Elia had a inkling that Darth Nagash had some sort of plot to save her as well.
They passed through the gate of the keep and into its courtyard. There not a single person awaited them. The place was well lit by large lamps but still maintained a air of discretion as the governor helped Elia out of the carriage and into the keep's main tower. Only a few Black Cloaks stood guard at the entrance to the tower and none were seen as they ascended the levels. They continued to go past far where she had been allowed to explore when she was her for the tourney. They did not stop until they had reached the second to last floor.
"This floor is reserved for direct support staff to Lord Nagash who lives in the floor above. It is also where VIPs live, including myself and others. This is your room." With that Quinn opened the door to a medium sized suite, it wasn't as overtly lavish as her room in the capital but it certainly felt more welcoming. It had been furnished in the style of what a person would find in Sunspear, showing a sense of effort never given to her in the Red Keep. Elia carefully walked through the room trying to remind herself that yes in fact she was far away from her prison cell.
"Thank you, this means a lot to me. When could I speak with Darth Nagash to give him my thanks for all of this." She needed to see him, to express her thanks and… perhaps just talk. Every conversion she's ever had with the man made her feel heard and just better about herself. There were things she would like to ask now that life had become so much different since the last time they spoken. Things that perhaps weren't the right things to say but she needed to have some sort of answer.
"Tomorrow." He said firmly but the Dornish woman wasn't swayed by that. Any minor fear she had for his voice vanished at the prospect of getting answers to questions she's held back for years now. "For now before I leave let me further your living situation here."
"Very well, I assumed that I would have to play some sort of role to hide my identity." The idea of being a serving girl or some other small part wasn't appalling to her. Elia wasn't so high minded that she would be insulted at such a life. For many years the life of princess had been more of a burden than a blessing. Whatever jo they had lined up for her cover she would do without complaint.
"You shall be watching over Lord Nagash children." That… was unexpected.
"That's a bit far off don't you think? Or is Lady Lysa already with child?" There was a very small twitch of the governor's lip that Elia caught. She however didn't know what that could mean.
"No, Lord Nagash currently has eight children. All of which are being raised here and require a dedicated nanny. Two of the four mothers are highly involved in all the children's lives, one is periodically involved in their own while the last is… a situation that requires a entire conversation." Quinn gave a exasperated sigh at the end but Elia was still in a fog of shock to notice. Eight children, four mothers… that was unusual even for someone from Dorne. It made her think of her brother but Darth Nagash and Oberyn were very different in this matter. Or were they? Perhaps Elia didn't know the man as much as she assumed.
"Uh… what?"
"All of this is highly secretive. The servants of the keep are only partially aware of the children's origins but all that even have a piece of the truth understand that it does not extend beyond these walls." It was a testament to the impenetrable nature of the Sith's defense against spies that this had not gotten out. If it had it would ruin Darth Nagash. The Tullys would demand blood and probably try and seize the Sith's lands, the city and keep. "I can understand this can be surprising news, but Lord Nagash is offering you his trust. I recommend you do not waste such a privilege."
Elia stood still as Quinn closed the door to her new room. Quietly, she stepped over to a cushioned chair and just fell into it. A storm of emotions wrecked her, mostly just shock and confusion but somewhere in there was a small sliver of hope. Clearly there was some sort peace in Darth Nagash's love life if two of the mothers were involved in all of the children's lives. Elia knew of several stories in her homeland of families of more than the usual two adults. Though this was a bit extreme even for her people. Does the Queen know? Does Lady Lysa know about all of this? Those two questions hitched themselves to the chaos of it all quite well.
There was only one solution to this. She needed an explanation from the man himself. Determination filled her heart as she stood up and walked to her door, some sense coming back to her as she held the door handle. Creaking the door open a little, Elia checked to see if anyone was watching her door. In further contrast to the Red Keep, no. Everything was clear and empty. Still, she left her room and walked the halls as quietly as she could. Recalling the path that she had just taken prior, she found the central stairway and ascended to the tallest section of the keep.
Of course, without the former princess's knowledge there was in fact eyes on her. It's just that those particular eyes were belonging to a mischievous soul that wished to see what would happen next. Unaware of this, Elia slowly and carefully moved down the corridor. There were several doors though most of them ended up being empty rooms. Some were occupied, by the very children she was expected to be watching soon. They all were asleep and hadn't noticed the creek of their doors opening. Something in her compelled her to not immediately go to the door at the end of the hall.
Nervousness carried Elia's hand as she opened the final door. Inside was empty but for dimming fire in the fireplace. Feeling a little more reassured, the snooping intruder carefully entered the room. Amazed at the home of the Grandmaster of the Sith lasted for but a moment until a sound escaped into the room. Her eyes widened as she recognized just what was going on in the nearby bedroom. Another moan confirmed that thought and Elia was frozen in place.
"I should leave." Elia muttered under her breath as she took a step forward. She knew that this was something not for her to see but even still her body moved without conscious thought. And almost in her mind in the blink of a eye she was now knelling at the keyhole of Naraiz's bedroom door. Perhaps it was the years of intimacy absent in her life, the feelings she had put aside for so long, or just natural curiosity but Elia could not resist peering into what was happening inside.
A thankfully silent gasp hit her as with widened eyes she saw Naraiz in bed with two women, both of whom appeared to be more than just normal people. One was on her back, her legs wrapped around his waist as he pumped into her. Elia could feel a small ring of jealousy at seeing her sizeable bust, but that was washed aside by the sight of actual wolf ears extending out of her head and what looked to be a complimentary tail. Behind Naraiz was the second woman, both in the middle of a passionate kiss as she held him from behind grinding against his body in a needy display of want. She also had the same animalistic features but feline instead of canine.
Entranced with the scene before her, Elia continued to watch as the three enjoyed each others bodies. Her own body responded in kind and soon felt flushed and heated. Elia only noticed just how turned on she had become when she felt her own hand reach for her chest. It was however enough of a shock to pulled her eyes away for the threesome. Embarrassment took over now that she no longer was watching and the sobriety of shame allowed her to escape. Sneaking out of the living room and all the way back to her own suite, Elia forced herself to ignore all the signs her body was giving her that she did indeed just watch the man she had admired from afar have sex with two animal hybrid women who likely were mothers to his children. She no longer was in mortal danger but now in a whole new type of crazy.
"At least this place has some sense of class." Elysali mused as she looked out the window upon the sprawling countryside of Umbara. In the distance, coming closer was a massive estate that dominated the landscape. This was her destination as it was the propriety of Krati Vers, one of the members of the ruling class of the planet that had been persuaded by Darth Nagash's underlings.
But underneath that estate was a whole different operation to the legitimate business above. There was an expanding collection of underground chambers and tunnels, all being dug out and refurbished to create one of the most advanced military intelligence bases in the galaxy. How they were doing this Elysali had no idea only that it further proved that the Sith could do anything.
Bitterly, she knew that her plan to even remotely seduce Darth Nagash had met with failure. Not only was he simply uninterested in her, a concept she had to come to terms with as it had simply never happened before, but also he was already content with several other partners that held his attention far more than she ever could. While she wasn't as experienced in political maneuvering as her mother was, she was skilled at… other matters. And part of those skills was knowing just whom was susceptible toa little homewrecking.
Still, knowing that her plan to endear herself to the future Emperor of the galaxy had failed, Elysali knew that she still had to secure her and to a lesser extent her House's future. Right now she was still only a hostage to ensure her mother cooperated with the Sith in their take over of Dromund Kaas. Once that was done, their usefulness would drop considerably. Not enough however to be gotten rid of. Their money, connections, and control over both the drug trade and the hydroponics industry of the Kaas system made them indispensable. But not replaceable over a period of time. The heiress of House Alizua understood that she needed to secure a means of providing more value on a larger stage to the upcoming empire… or at the very least make sure that they couldn't be harmed without it costing the empire dearly.
"We are approaching our destination, prepare for landing." Still in her musings, Elysali lazily watched the estate come into full view. It sure was busier than one might expect out of the third estate mansion of a noble. Even accounting for the vineyards that surrounded it, there was far more activity than normal. The craft that was carrying the heiress was an example of this, it wasn't a shuttle but a cargo ship bringing in supplies. An indignity that would have caused a tantrum in Elysali years ago but now merely put her in an awful mood. She was used to being disrespected by those that should be beneath her by now.
Four Imperial Dragoon guards escorted her off the craft, all of them she believed came from houses her family destroyed or were houseless to begin with. The glares she got suggested that. It was like that all through the trip, every single Dragoon she interacted with had some sort of a grudge against her House and she knew that was deliberate. Right now she was the single most important piece in the Sith's plans for their former capital. If she returned back to her mother than the resulting war between the Dragoons and the Kaasen crime families would be immense. The Republic would sure to notice and then come and ruin everything for both sides. Worst part was that it would be unavoidable as Elysali was under no illusion that her mother would be impossible to reason with.
"And there she is, welcome princess to your new home." The rough and jovial voice addressing her so causally snapped the heiress out of deeper thoughts. Until now she had just been going through the motions of this entire affair while on the inside she tried to come up with a way to save her family from eventual obscurity. But whoever just spoke to her like that needed all her focus.
"Excuse me?!" Elysali had thought that she had grown a bit since her capture, but in moments she had backslid quite a bit upon being reintroduced to a Sith free environment. She snapped her attention to the source of the smug voice and once she found it all the pieces fell into place.
"No. Excuse me princess. This base is mine to command and I won't be having any spoiled little Kaasen brat slow things down for a second. Got it." The savage snarl that the giant of man had as he looked down upon her silenced any voice that she previously had. This was the Primarch Montross that Darth Nagash spoke of. He was not what she had been expecting, she knew that this base was to serve as the headquarters for the Empire's military intelligence and Black Ops units. She had been expecting someone smaller, unassuming, what one thought of when they thought of a spymaster. But perhaps that was the point, he wasn't the spymaster but the commando that carried out the spymaster's orders with ruthless effectiveness.
"Y-yes." Even as she squeaked out her reply, Elysali was plotting her counter. This man… was her answer. If she couldn't get into the good graces of the Emperor, than one of his top generals would have to do.
Reviews
RonaldM40196867 - It's fine.
17JosephLC - More like I forgot that Guest Rights were a thing. But I like the scene too much to change it.
Reads too much - Eh... my opinion the lemon stuff comes and goes. sometimes I really want there to be more lewd and other times its as I previously stated. There is a non-0 percent chance there will be a lemon just because I'm a horny bastard. Varys is doing his thing in that He's like Cipher Nine in that he will side who he thinks is best for the greater good of the people. Lysa has now started to show to Naraiz that she's more than just the character he knew from the books and show and more than the kid that he was forced to marry. It will continue to develop into an odd and interesting aspect of the story. Qui-Gon didn't get punished but that's mostly because the state of the Jedi is so polarized that they can get anything done. I do not like LoL.
NazgulBelserion - good.
notYacob - It's more like it was a bad timing thing. Jango feels like he's being replaced due to their disagreement over the Sith. And as an orphan, the threat of being replaced hits harder.
ZhaWarudo - I almost extended out that scene in this chapter because you said that. The cringe is never gone. I AM THE CRINGE! I fully enjoy smut and sometimes a smut fic can end up being a genuinely good story. That being said, this point in the story is low on lemons as opposed to the beginning is because its a case of it happens I just don't need to show it. Naraiz is still getting laid all the time but unlike when the fic first started I don't need to actually write it out as its already been established. In the beginning, yes I was hornier and thus did so for that reason but also because I wanted to show and not just tell that sex was happening.