32 BBY, Jansek Stronghold, Belsak
Not all Mandalorians were actually born on Mandalore itself, even if they all considered Mandalore their home. Mandalorian Space was massive and each house had control over vast territories which were then subdivided into smaller ones ruled by the clans of each house. Such was the case for the planet of Belsak in the system of the same name; ancestral home of Clan Jansek.
Belsak's terrain consisted of mountainous regions dotted with evergreen forests, with a climate similar to that of Krownest. As such, its mountains provided a natural defense as well as an excellent training ground for any warriors. The clan's stronghold was built among the tallest mountains of the planet, where the relative lack of oxygen and constant training would help build endurance and teach survival skills in the surrounding rough terrain. Although Karel was not meant to be a warrior, his family had decided to raise him to be a strong man capable of defending himself and his people. Almost as soon as he learned to walk he would go on hikes around the estate's forests, usually accompanied by his mother who taught him his earliest lessons, as was customary for Mandalorians. The new government had made it clear that all warriors would be exiled to Mandalore's moon of Concordia. However, no one could deny that every clan should be able to defend itself from any external threats. The recently appointed Duchess was quite close to Clan Jansek and was certain that they wouldn't betray her, so she decided to visit them and see for herself before reaching any conclusions.
"Being a pacifist doesn't mean you don't know how to fight, it means you don't look for a fight. But you should always be capable of defending yourself and your loved ones. If I recall correctly, you yourself are quite capable with a blaster should the situation demand it, your Grace." Toruk explained as they walked around the stronghold; and she couldn't deny that his words were somewhat true. Sometimes that fight will find you no matter what, and when it does you'd better be prepared to fight it to protect what you hold dear.
"I know, Toruk. It's just that some people can't seem to understand that there are other options besides violence, and not a lot of people tend to listen to you when you're my age. Everyone thinks I'm too young to lead and that I don't know what I'm doing, but I know very well that all that this constant war has brought us is nothing more than suffering and death."
She poured out all her frustrations as she finally had a rest from the constant bickering between her ministers. Toruk had been one of her earliest mentors and she knew that she could always turn to him when she needed advice, not to mention that his clan had lost many good men and women fighting for her cause.
"Ma'am, not everyone has the courage to take on a responsibility as big as you have, and you have my respect for that. If anyone can lead us to a better tomorrow, it's you. I'd do it myself but I'm afraid I'm too old for that." He joked to try to cheer her up and she laughed before smiling at him, thankful of his support.
"Thank you, Toruk. I'm sorry I ever doubted you," she replied, ashamed of her own fears of betrayal.
"Not to worry, Duchess," he replied, deeming the topic closed before yelling at the trees in front of them. "Karel, come down here, we have a guest!"
"I'm coming!" a voice responded.
Nobody could deny that the boy was in peak physical condition as he climbed down a veshok tree and ran down a mountain slope without breaking a sweat, while the Duchess' guards were panting just from walking up the small mound they were standing on. Covered in dirt and leaves, the boy hugged his ba'buir before turning to meet the new guest.
"Su'cuy! I'm Karel. Who are you?" he asked as he extended a hand to the Duchess and grinned. Before she could answer him, Toruk spoke.
"Karel, be more respectful, bu'ad. This is Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore. She's the leader of our people," he said, slightly embarrassed at the boy's lack of manners.
"I thought you were our leader," the boy replied, confused.
"I'm the leader of our clan, she is the leader of all Mandalorians," his grandfather explained.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know that." Karel nervously apologized before bowing to the Duchess, still ignoring the leaf that was caught in his hair, which caused her to giggle at the boy's innocence.
"It's alright, Karel. You like being in the forest, don't you?" she asked as she picked the leaf from his hair.
"Yeah!" he replied enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, aren't you a little too young to be in the forests on your own? You could get lost." The Duchess crossed her arms as if admonishing him like she was his mother.
"No, I know where I'm going. Besides, I'm not alone; my family takes care of me. They taught me to be in the forest. I'll be fine," he said.
"Karel, go take a bath and get changed for dinner," Toruk interjected, trying to stop this embarrassment in front of the Duchess, but was nonetheless amused by his grandson. "Your parents will be back soon and they won't be happy seeing you like that."
"But I already took a bath this morning," the boy replied whimpering.
"Karel..." his grandfather shot back with a stern look on his face. Karel groaned in frustration and slouched his shoulders and head as he entered the mansion. Satine and Toruk looked at the door as it closed before resuming their walk.
"My apologies, your Grace. He is a bit overenthusiastic and not one for formalities. You know how kids are," Toruk said, trying to explain his grandson's less than appropriate behavior.
"No need to apologize, Toruk. That is a really promising child, you must be proud." She smiled as she remembered how similar she was in her childhood not too long ago.
"Very much so. That kid has brought our entire clan a new hope," he said, glad of the Duchess' understanding and indeed proud of his grandson. Although Karel was just seven years old he was extraordinary for his age; a strong and enthusiastic boy with a quick mind, keen senses, and with one distinctive trait: he wasn't afraid of anything. Toruk couldn't have asked for a better grandson.
"And I am certain he won't disappoint," she affirmed before they switched their talk to other topics regarding Mandalore's current political situation.
A few moments later, Hamar and Asha returned from a visit to Mandalore in MandalMotors' most recent and quite controversial creation, a Lancer-class pursuit craft. Secretly commissioned by Black Sun for use in their criminal empire, the Lancer was a fast, tough and reliable workhorse and had quickly become a favorite for beings from all walks of life. And indeed it was Hamar's favorite design. He knew that ship better than anyone since he had been in charge of its design as Chief Engineer of MandalMotors' Research & Development Department. This particular unit, named the Gray Hawk by Hamar, was actually one of the first units produced and was his personal starship. After a brief conversation, the group went back inside to have dinner, with Karel joining them soon afterwards. He was quiet through most of the meal, and after it was over his parents took him to his room to tuck him in bed. However, as his mother kissed him goodnight, she noticed a small gash on his cheek.
"Karel, why do you have that cut on your face? Were you playing alone in the woods again?" his mother asked, worried. She knew that he would sometimes wander the forest by himself. The wound wasn't serious by any means, but that didn't stop her from holding his face and checking the wound from various angles.
"Sorry. I heard you wanted to make uj cake so I went to go get some nuts," he replied as he tried to free himself from his mother's grasp.
"Were you stealing food from a vhe'viin again?" Asha asked as she took out a small jar of bacta salve from Karel's nightstand and rubbed some of it over the wound. It was just a precaution, but it wasn't a big problem; although it seemed like a small scar would still form nonetheless.
"Karel, how many times have we told you it's not right to steal? Even if it's from an animal," Hamar said to his son with a harsh tone, crossing his arms as he stood next to the bed opposite his wife.
"I didn't steal it! They were hanging from a tree and I took them, but apparently it saw them too. It was a bad loser and attacked me. But I didn't steal them, I just got them first. I'm sorry if I worried you. Please don't be mad. And please don't blame ba'buir. I promise he didn't know anything about the vhe'viin, he just knew I was in the forest." His parents were a bit angered by the situation but pleased that he took responsibility for his actions. Karel was an honest kid with good intentions, so after looking at each other for a moment his parents decided that there was no need for further action.
"Just don't scare us like that again, okay?" Asha said as she hugged her son tightly.
"I won't," he replied, smiling at his mother as she started pecking his face with little kisses, causing him to start giggling and squirming. After giving their son a kiss on the forehead and wishing him good night, the couple left to go to sleep, but Karel had one request.
"Mom, can you sing me a song?" Karel asked his mother as she stood in the doorframe.
"I don't think you deserve it after getting into a fight with a vhe'viin for some nuts," she replied with a laugh.
"Awww, please..." he said with a puppy face, quivering his bottom lip and with his hands intertwined.
"Alright, but you'll have to help me to make the uj cake tomorrow," she replied as he shouted in excitement. She sat down on the side of his bed and started singing him an old Alderaanian lullaby she knew. Whenever Karel couldn't sleep as a baby, she would sing him the same song and it would always calm him down.
"Mirrorbright, shines the moon, its glow as soft as an ember
When the moon is mirrorbright, take this time to remember
Those you have loved but are gone
Those who kept you so safe and warm
The mirrorbright moon lets you see
Those who have ceased to be
Mirrorbright shines the moon, as fires die to their embers
Those you loved are with you still—
The moon will help you remember."
"Good night, Mom," Karel muttered with a yawn, before falling asleep with a smile on his face.
"Good night, ad'ika."
She kissed him lightly on the forehead and pulled the covers up to his neck. She quietly stood up and left the room, taking one last look at her son sleeping peacefully before she turned off the lights and left, closing the door.
