Chapter 9
"I don't understand what I did to warrant such cruelty?" Killian growled as he tore into his meal; across from him, Aola was likewise eating the food in front of her with gusto.
After being dismissed, Aola and Killian had given their packs to a protocol droid who had informed them that it would deliver their belongings to their room and scurried away; after that, they had made their way to the mess hall, which reminded Killian of the mess hall from "The Clone Wars" cartoon that he had watched back on earth, around them, the hall was filled with other Mandalorians. The latter were either enjoying a quick meal between training or drinking with fellow clan members.
"Uncle Lec wasn't being cruel, Killian," Aola said between bites, "That's just the way he is; he'll warm up to you in time,"
"Well, why didn't Argyle or mom stand up for me?! They know how I hate showing people my scars!"
"Uncle Lec is the chieftain," Aola said seriously, "And when the chieftain gives an order, you follow it. Mama and Papa couldn't have done anything without angering uncle Lec; if you want to be a Mandalorian, you need to learn our people's rules."
Killian was quiet as he stared at his food; in truth, he didn't blame Argyle or Terra for how he had been treated, but it still had hurt to show his scars, the same way it always hurt when he was forced to do so.
Killian was about to respond when a human boy about Killian's age sat down next to him, making Killian turn to the boy in surprise and confusion,
"Um….hi," Killian said to the boy, "Can I help you?"
The boy stared at Killian in silence for a moment as though he were sizing Killian up before replying in a soft voice,
"You are the one called Killian Farr?"
"I am, and you are?"
"I am Alexander Farr," the boy replied simply, "My father is Lec Farr, which would make you my new cousin, so I have come to introduce myself."
Killian blinked in surprise at the words and looked at his new cousin before replying; the boy was almost a mirror copy of his father, and Killian internally kicked himself for not seeing it before.
Alexander had his father's fair complexion, green eyes, and black hair, but unlike his father, Alexander's hair was cut short and looked as though he had just risen from bed; he wore a simple white V-neck short-sleeved shirt and brown pants, and yet he radiated authority despite his age.
"Hello Alexander, It's been a long time," Aola said with a smile,
"Indeed it has, cousin," Alexander replied coolly to Aola, with a nod, "I am happy to see you again,"
"Could have fooled me," Killian thought as he watched the exchange,
"Have you finished your meal?" Alexander asked, turning back to Killian, "I thought perhaps the two of you would like a tour of the compound; it would give us a chance to get to know one another,"
Killian quickly nodded and picked up his tray before dumping its contents into the nearest trash can and following Alexander out the door, Aola close behind.
"Our parents will be a while," Alexander said simply as they casually walked down the hall, "I imagine they will have quite a lot to catch up on, so that gives us plenty of time to ourselves,"
"So, where should we go first?" Killian asked in a friendly manner, eager to break the ice,
Alexander looked at him for a moment before nodding his head as though he had come to a conclusion,
"I thought perhaps we could start our tour at one of the training rooms and make our way from there if you like,"
"Well, lead on then, cousin," Killian said with a smile, which to his surprise, brought a grin from Alexander,
"This way, then," he said simply before hurrying along, Killian and Aola right behind.
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"That is not what happened!" Argyle laughed as Lec finished his story; next to him, Terra was also laughing, albeit not as hard,
"I was there, brother; I remember exactly how it happened!" Lec laughed back, "You were completely drunk and stole father's favorite speeder and ended up parking it in the side of the compound wall; father was furious!"
"Yeah, I still remember the thrashing he gave me," Argyle chuckled, wiping away a tear, "And I was not drunk, I was simply…. Not in full control of my faculties,"
"Is that what you call it?" Lec laughed as he poured himself another drink, "Well, whatever you call it, it was hilarious to watch how father's face went from pale to bright red in less than a second."
"To be honest, I'm surprised we didn't kill the old man with all the times we raised his blood pressure," Argyle laughed as he passed his cup to Lec for a refill,
"Hey, don't count me in that group!" Terra said in mock anger, "I was nowhere near as bad as the two of you!"
"You must be joking!" Lec barked, "Who was it that decided to sneak a baby Correllian hound into her room?"
Terra turned red and looked away in embarrassment, muttering as she did so,
"I have no recollection of that,"
Lec laughed and continued, "I'll never forget the look on father's face when he discovered it eating his new boots; I thought he would pop a blood vessel!"
The three shared another laugh at that as old memories rose to the surface, making them forget the long years they had been apart; they had been drinking and reminiscing for a few hours now and had become comfortably buzzed by this point, the sun behind them had sunk long ago, and the chamber was dark and cool, lit only by a few lamps.
"I've missed this; I've missed you," Lec said warmly, "I hope we never have to be separated for so long again,"
"As do I, brother," Argyle replied with a raised cup, "But I think it's time we retired for the night; tomorrow promises to be a busy day, and we should all be prepared,"
Lec sighed slowly before nodding in agreement and downing the last of his drink,
"Very well, then,"
Terra quickly finished her drink as well before rising to her feet and grabbing her helmet,
"Argyle and I must speak to the children to let them know what they will be doing for the foreseeable future."
Argyle nodded in agreement before he too rose to his feet; a moment later, Lec did as well, and the three made their way to the elevator, their helmets held under their arms as they casually strode out of the dimly lit chamber.
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"So, who do you think will win?" Killian asked aloud as he lounged on the bench he was sitting on; beside him sat Aola and Alexander, both equally relaxed and enjoying the fight.
They had explored the compound for a couple of hours. Killian was amazed at all he had seen; the compound was massive, and Alexander had seemed to enjoy showing Killian every room, his pleasure growing with Killian's awe.
The compound held a massive library, more than a dozen training rooms where warriors could train with every weapon imaginable, a huge gym, a bar, as well as hundreds of other rooms with more than a dozen different purposes; by the end, Killian had begun to wonder how such a place could exist, a few hours later Alexander suggested that they head to one of the training rooms that held a boxing ring and rest for a while enjoying a bit of healthy competition.
To his surprise, Killian found that he was enjoying the fight as a tall, dark-skinned shirtless muscular bald warrior in dark blue shorts fought against a lithe pale-skinned red-headed female in green, the man had strength on his side, but no matter how hard he swung, he couldn't seem to hit the female who quickly jumped out of his way with every punch.
"I would say the female will end up victorious; she has speed and patience on her side," Alexander said quickly as he watched eagle-eyed,
"Patience?" Killian asked, turning to him,
"Yes, patience. See how she easily avoids his punches? And every time she does, the man grows a little angrier and more frustrated; she's making him use up all of his energy, and then she's going to attack when he is too tired to defend himself."
Killian turned back to the fight and saw that Alexander was right, the man's punches seemed less quick than before, and he appeared to be breathing much harder than he had a few moments ago; as Killian watched, the man's fists began to shake, and the female nodded as though to confirm something, before rushing forward and delivering three massive punches to the man's face, followed up by a brutal uppercut that rocked the man's head back.
The man swayed back and forth for a moment and attempted to raise his fists again before his eyes rolled up into his head, and he fell backward onto the mat with an audible 'Thump,'
the crowd went wild at this, some booing in contempt, others roaring their approval at the female walking around the ring with her hands raised in triumph, a huge grin plastered across her face.
"Well spotted, cousin," Killian laughed, bringing a grin to Alexander's face,
"Thank you, though it was pretty obvious what she was doing; I'm surprised her opponent didn't spot it."
"Perhaps he was incapable of thought," Aola said with a smile, "He looks like one of those idiots who think muscles are all you need to win a fight,"
Alexander nodded at that and replied quickly,
"Too many of those amongst our people these days, it would seem."
As the female exited the ring, Alexander turned to Killian and continued,
"And what of you, cousin? Are you one who believes only in strength, or do you have the necessary skills to outthink your opponent as well as outfight them?"
Killian went quietly at that; as he tried to gather his thoughts, Aola quickly answered for him,
"Killian has an excellent mind, cousin. You should hear some of the stories he tells from his homeworld,"
"Perhaps you would tell me one, then," Alexander said to Killian, who nodded his thanks to Aola,
"I suppose I can; let me see…." Killian said slowly as he thought of what to choose,
"Something new!" Aola said quickly, "It's no fun if I have to hear a story I've already heard before,"
Killian nodded in agreement as he made his decision and began to recite to his audience,
"Okay, this story is called The Iliad; I think you'll like it, Alexander,"
Alexander nodded his head at the compliment, and Killian began.
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"And thus ended the Trojan war, as the Greeks sailed home and Troy burned behind them," Killian concluded to his audience, who roared their approval at his story; when Killian had begun the tale, it had been just Alexander and Aola listening, but gradually more and more approached to hear the story and by the end, there were dozens who were hanging on every word, much to his surprise. As the crowd began to disperse, a few of the listeners approached to offer thanks for the story,
"A grand tale!" A tall Mandalorian said, thumping Killian on the back,
"Indeed, I rather liked the way Odysseus managed to outsmart the Trojans with the wooden horse," Alexander added with a grin,
"Seems like a dumb reason to go to war, though, over a single woman," Aola said, shaking her head,
"Aye, but the Trojans disrespected the Greeks, and such disrespect must be punished," a female Mandalorian said,
"I preferred Achilles, to be honest," a tall, muscular Mandalorian said, "Truly a warrior I'd like to face in battle," murmurs of agreement followed this as the group began to discuss Killian's story,
"What's going on here?" A voice said, making everyone turn to see who had spoken; in the doorway stood Terra, Argyle, and Lec, all looking at the group in curiosity,
"Father," Alexander said respectfully, "We were just listening to a story of Killian's, from his homeworld."
"I see," Lec said quickly, "Well, I am glad to see you getting along with your cousins, but it is time to retire for the evening. Tomorrow, the three of you will begin your training, and you need your rest."
Alexander nodded and turned to Killian,
"I have enjoyed our time together; I look forward to doing it again; goodnight, cousins,
"Goodnight, cousin," Killian said with a smile,
"Goodnight, Alexander," Aola said with a smile of her own, "See you soon, I hope,"
"Of course," Alexander said to her with a grin.
With a final nod to the both of them, Alexander strode out of the room, and the crowd began to disperse as warriors around them took their leave,
"I wish you all a good night," Lec said before turning and following his son out of the room.
"What did he mean we will begin our training tomorrow?" Killian asked as Terra and Argyle approached them,
"Tomorrow, you and Aola will join Alexander and the other children and begin basic training in the ways of our people," Argyle said, "It will be hard, you will be constantly tested, but I have no doubts that the two of you will make us both very proud."
Killian and Aola sat a little straighter under Argyle's stare, and the Twi'lek nodded at him,
"We will not let you down, Argyle. I give you my word," Killian said, bringing a smile to Argyle's face,
"I'm sure that you won't; now, let's get to bed; tomorrow promises to be a very long day.
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Author's Note:
The Iliad was written over 2000 years ago by the author Homer; I claim no ownership over it.