Lady Zash was furious when she found out what had happened. I sent her a private holo as soon as I got back to my quarters, and she commed me that very night, entirely disregarding the time difference of the day/night cycle, which she had heretofore harped upon as being the most basic of courtesies in polite society. After I reassured her that I hadn't been harmed, I explained every detail of the encounter to her as she scowled and fumed and muttered dark threats under her breath. I waited there, on the open comm channel, while she stepped away to make a few calls. Eventually she came back.
"Apprentice," she said briskly, "Darth Skotia is my direct superior, and as such, my hands are somewhat tied in this matter. If he is already moving against us, then we must move quickly before that disgusting machine realizes what happened and finds someone else to attack you." She steepled her fingers in front of her face. "You're too vulnerable on Korriban right now. I've called in a favor and arranged passage for you and the dashade on a military vessel that arrives the day after tomorrow. I'm afraid it's not going to be the most comfortable accommodations, but it's taking a direct route, and it will get you to Dromund Kaas without any needless delay and without giving Skotia a chance to slip more assassins on board."
"Yes, Lady Zash," I said.
"Once you arrive here, you'll be safe," she continued. "On Dromund Kaas, the Sith are supposed to present a united front, and the Dark Council has forbidden us from moving against each other in such an overt manner. We'll still have to be cautious, but not even Skotia dares go against their command."
"Yes, Lady Zash," I said.
"Fear not. The time will come when we can have our revenge on Skotia," she assured me. "For now, stay safely within the academy. Prepare to depart, gather your belongings, but don't say any farewells until you're on your way to the shuttle. It's best that we try not to give Skotia any advanced warning."
"Yes, Lady Zash," I said.
"I don't want anything to happen to you, my marvelous apprentice," she said, smiling fondly at me. I smiled back, hiding my discomfort. I had no idea why she was constantly complimenting me. I knew from interacting with other apprentices that none of their masters sent them gifts "just because" or arranged undoubtedly expensive hololessons with tutors across Imperial Space. Lady Zash constantly treated me like a friend, like someone she was trying to ingratiate herself with. I'd seen enough brownnosing slaves to know what currying favor with someone looked like. And while I was powerful, while I had beaten out my competition, besting every obstacle that Overseer Harkun had thrown in my path and getting a dashade to swear himself as my (albeit temporary) companion, I wasn't totally delusional. I knew that I didn't deserve the amount of praise she heaped upon me at every opportunity. I knew better than to let it show, though.
"You are too kind, Lady Zash," I said instead.
"Nonsense, Apprentice," she said. "Send me a message when you are safely away on the ship."
"I will, I assure you," I said.
"Until then," she said. With another encouraging nod, she cut the communication.
"This Skotia seems to be a coward," observed Khem.
"I hope so," I said. "It will make it more entertaining when you eat him." Khem Val laughed, but for the first time, it was in solidarity with me instead of my expense.
"I await your command," he rumbled.
A/N:
Thanks for making it this far! The Sith Inquisitor's journey will continue in "Book Two: Dromund Kaas", but it'll be a while. I'm about to finish my spinoff, "To Be A Jedi", and then once that is finished and published, I'll be devoting myself to the Smuggler's Story and the Imperial Agent's story.