Chapter 10: Old Friends
"How much longer do you think it will be, Cee-Cee?"
The droid shrugged as it passed her a towel.
"The captain said it would likely be five days before we could leave. It has only been three, be patient, Poppet."
She nodded wiping the sweat from her forehead, a slight frown creasing her features.
Two more days then, she thought with a nod.
Two more days…and hopefully Fenn…Merrit will have come up with something.
What now, she wondered.
She had just finished working out, tumbling, doing crunches. She had worked up a nice sweat…
More meditation, she suspected, though…her mind really wasn't in it. The risk of being here, it did little to contribute to the peace needed for deep meditations.
Yet, they had to remain here, for the moment.
Merrit Fallenstar needed to keep up appearances.
Once again, she found herself in hiding. The Knightfire had come in for a landing at Guild Station Five three days ago. He had brought them here for the purpose of collecting his fee for the destruction of the Knights of Bantoon.
No great loss there, she thought to herself, since Donos had died, the group had ceased to be worthy of their name and title. Merrit had showed her the recordings that the knights had sent to his client, the one who had hired him to eliminate them.
What they had done, it was no wonder that a bounty hunter had been engaged to deal with them.
They had deserved that fate, and if Merrit profited from it, so much the better.
Who was more deserving than her master's student, and her friend.
Bayla took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She sat down crossing her legs, she would try to meditate again. Her fingers moved over the smooth deck plate, and in that moment, echoes of what had come before flitted through her mind. She welcomed them, any chance to see her family, even if they were only shadows of the past. When she closed her eyes, she could almost feel their presence, the echo of them remained strong aboard this ship, despite it being years since any of them had last set foot here.
Despite the risk and the danger, she could not help but feel happy, having these echoes around her. After being on her own for so long, worrying about being found, and watching her allies die. Being aboard this ship, under the protection of Merrit…
…she couldn't help it…
…after so long…she felt free…and safe.
You're neither safe, nor free, she reminded herself. You are aboard a ship on a Bounty Hunter's Guild station, with a bounty on your head.
Safe? You are farthest thing from.
That was all true, if anyone found out she was here, even Merrit's name would not be enough to protect her. Who knew how many hunters would come charging up that loading ramp, looking to claim the price on her head.
That was why she had needed to remain quiet, do nothing that could reveal herself.
Once Merrit had his credits, and completed his business, they could leave…
…then…she would be safe.
As she tried to slip into a meditative trance, her thoughts drifted back to their last conversation. Merrit had been quite clear on what she couldn't do while they were here.
"Try to keep out of sight," he had said, "And…don't call on the Force if you can help it. Some of the hunters here are sensitive to the Force. The Gotals for example can sense when it is being used. If I'm off ship, and someone senses someone aboard…well…you can guess what could happen."
She nodded.
"So, I need to keep my presence small, and don't actively train in any Force disciplines, got it."
He nodded, giving her a slight smile.
"I'm sorry to bring you here, but everything has to appear normal. I usually stay for five days whenever I stop, so that is what I will do. I need to keep up appearances, so no one suspects that I might have a guest on board. Cee-Cee will watch over you, if you need anything, go through her, she is known on the station, and no one will question if she leaves to get something."
Again, Bayla had nodded.
It all seemed simple enough.
And so…he had left, and her time of hiding continued. Cee-Cee restocked their food supplies, and discreetly purchased her some new clothes. Her mother's stuff was fine in a pinch, but Bayla preferred something a bit more practical. Pants and shirts, a vest with some pockets for blaster cartridges, not to mention a few more…practical under garments.
Her mother's taste in such things, not really her style.
As the droid and the captain tended to business, Bayla quietly explored the Knightfire. Her psychometrics were not easily detectable, and allowed her to get a sense of what this ship had gone through in the last few years. The older memories of her family were comforting, but that was not what she needed…
…it was the more recent events that intrigued her. Merrit had had this ship for years now.
She found herself growing more and more curious about what he had been doing these many months.
He had given her free range of the ship; she was able to go anywhere aboard that she wished. She had started with the port cabin. He had converted it into a holding area for prisoners, reinforcing the hatch, and removing anything that could be used to cause trouble mid-flight.
The memories here had been the most disturbing for her. The people that Merrit hunted were not innocents who had seen the wrong thing, or low-level criminals that angered some crime lord.
She quickly abandoned her search there. The echo of those people, not to mention what Merrit had done to bring them in…well…it wasn't pretty.
After that, she had stuck to the more travelled areas of the ship, the engine compartment, the main cabin. She avoided the bridge, not wishing to be spotted through the viewport.
That…had left only one place onboard she had yet explored.
The captain's cabin, Merrit's cabin, and once…her father's.
She had frowned as she has stood before it.
Merrit had offered it to her upon her awakening, but she had refused. She preferred her old room in the starboard cabin where she had stayed as a child, the echoes there were soothing, and helped her find her rest.
Besides, he needed a place to himself, despite his offer, it felt like she would violate his trust by scanning where he slept.
Some things deserved to be private, she believed.
Still, she had experienced many echoes of his life here, what she felt…it…
She shook her head even now.
What she felt…it saddened her.
Anger…fear…loneliness…loneliness above all.
Merrit…he…he no longer felt safe being around people.
The darkness had isolated him. It was…torturing him.
She hated that.
He didn't deserve to be tortured. She still remembered him as a boy.
That boy…he didn't deserve to be so alone.
Dark Jedi or not, he was still a person.
Didn't a person deserve to be at peace, in their own home, at least?
The Knightfire had become his home.
He deserved to be at peace here, at least.
She wished she could do more for him. They had been close once, not as close as she had wished, but still…
Knock it off, she thought to herself.
You can't help someone who doesn't wish to be helped. For now, just try and focus on what you can do.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Find your place of peace.
Find…the Force.
She tried to meditate, her hands at rest on her knees. The Force was different for everyone. Her father had seen it as an ocean of pure light. For her, it was an aura given off by the gods, its light surrounding and suffusing her. Its shine illuminating all she was, and all she one day might be.
It was…everything.
She tried to focus on that, but again and again, thoughts of Merrit and what he had been going through all this time. It continued to intrude, to distract her.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
She opened her eyes with a heavy sigh.
So much for finding enlightenment through the Force.
"Cee-Cee," she called out.
"Cee-Cee?"
The droid emerged from the cockpit.
"Yes, my dear. Do you need something?"
"Information," she said, "I want you to tell me everything you know about Merrit. What he has been doing these last few years, and how he has been doing."
The droid tilted its head slightly.
"You likely know more about him than I do, Mistress Bayla. You two grew up together, after all."
Her eyes narrowed.
"We didn't grow up together," she said flatly, "He came around with Dad, two, maybe three times a year. We may have spent some time together, but it was not enough to let me know who he was, and what he truly wanted…"
She frowned.
She had misread his desires ten years ago, when she had gone to him, asked him to stay with her. That had been a mistake, and a very foolish on her part.
A mistake, or perhaps…a life lesson.
IOI
Even now she could hear him, after she had made the offer, and tried to kiss him. He had stopped her, holding her arms firmly but gently.
Then he had spoken, his touch had been gentle, but his words…
Even now…his words hurt.
"Bayla…my lady…I'm…I'm flattered, but…what you ask, it…it can never be…"
He lowered his head, blushing slightly.
"I'm…I'm going to be a Jedi. A Jedi…they can't be what you ask. I…I cannot be what you want me to be."
His words had been gentle and honest, but that had not made them hurt any less.
The rejection.
She pursed her lips.
She had been fifteen only a few weeks from turning sixteen…
…Her first broken heart.
She had sought out her father after, after a few days of stewing in her hurt and confusion. She had not wished to anger him, to make him angry with Fenn. Though she didn't understand why.
Fenn had hurt her.
Why shouldn't her father be angry with him?
Jas Dar Bynn was a Jedi too, was he not? He was a husband and father here on Bantoon.
Why was his apprentice so resistant to the idea?
When she could not stand the pain any longer, she went to him tearfully, told him what she had attempted. Her father, always patient with her, listened, she sensed no anger only compassion.
He pulled her to his side, and put his arm around her.
They had talked for hours it felt like, but in the end, he made her understand something.
Fenn WAS her friend, he always would be, if she wanted, but his heart belonged to the Jedi Order. What she admired about him, the traits she thought would make him a good husband and consort were there, but the desire she wished, that wasn't.
She had a crush on him, yes, but that crush was not on the real Fenn. It was on the face he wore here on Bantoon. It was her idea of Fenn. It wasn't really him. The Jedi Padawan, the Jedi he wanted to be, she had never really seen that.
She had not been in love with Fenn, only an idea that she created from his visits over the years. It didn't make what she felt any less real, but it was not fair for her to be angry at him over something he had never seen.
It hurt hearing those words, she felt like an idiot, and said as much, but again her father did his best to sooth her.
It is not stupid or foolish to speak your heart. I won't lie to you, Back Up, it will hurt for a while, but in time, you will understand what happened. Fenn didn't want to hurt you, and tried to be as gentle as he could.
"It still hurts, Dad," she had responded teary eyed.
He had nodded.
"It will, but in time, that pain will lessen, and hopefully you will be able to respect Fenn's choice."
She had not wanted to believe it, but her father had been right. She had come to accept what he had said, and was grateful for his attempt to let her down easy. She still wanted Fenn's friendship, she still cared, and wanted him in her life, even if he had rejected being her mate.
She…she had never gotten the chance to tell him that. Shortly after Fenn's last visit the cold war went hot, and the Sith and Republic started fighting openly again.
Fenn had not returned to Bantoon, and she had gotten drawn into her own life, training with the Paladina, and preparing for her stint of military service.
It would have been nice to have spoken with him that one last time though…
…yes…
…it would have been nice.
IOI
The past was the past, she could not change it, but if she was going to move forward, she needed to know who it was she was traveling with.
She HAD to know.
"I knew a boy," she said to Cee-Cee, " I wish to know about the man that boy has become. I'm grateful for his protection, but…I would still like to know more."
She looked at her old care and comfort droid.
"First thing's first," She began, "I want to know how he fell to the dark side. Did he tell you what happened?"
"I am no expert on the Force, child. Perhaps you should ask the captain about this."
"Right," she said dryly, "I can just walk up to him and say: Hey, Rit. Can you tell me what made you decide to join the forces of evil?"
Cee-Cee tilted its head.
"Do you truly see him as evil?"
"No."
The droid nodded.
"I don't think I would start with that, my dear."
"Neither do I, but I hope you can see my point. This isn't something that I can just discuss with him, not yet."
She crossed her arms.
"You are programmed to pick up on emotions and body language, you were created to offer comfort, emotional and physical, surely Merrit had confided in you."
The droid shook its round head.
"I really should not say anything about this, but…because it is related to your current position, it is right that you should know."
Bayla gave Cee-Cee and arched look.
My position?
" I don't know all of the details, my dear, but I do know this. The captain was…involved with someone before his fall, a young woman, a woman who was also a member of the Sith Order."
Bayla's jaw almost dropped.
"Fenn…he…he was involved with a Sith?!"
"Yes."
She shook her head.
"Fenn was in love with a Sith. I…I can't believe it."
"I do not know if I would call it love. Your father and the captain certainly didn't see it that way."
"How did they see it?"
"They saw it as a bond between Merrit and the Sith woman. I don't know all the details, but this bond was apparently very old and strong. So strong that the captain thought he could use it to save her. Bring her back to the light. They had been friends before she had joined the Sith. He thought it his duty to try and help her."
Bayla considered that.
She wasn't sure how Fenn had met such a girl, but if they were bound through the Force…?
…That might explain how she had managed to do what Bayla had not been able to do. Get through Fenn's sense of calm, and find the passions underneath.
Plus, saving someone you knew, what could be more Jedi than that?
"So he tried to save her, this girl?"
The droid nodded.
"I'm guessing that didn't work out very well.
"No," Cee-Cee answered, "It did not."
The droid shrugged.
"As you can guess, he was unsuccessful. In the end, she brought him into the darkness, or so he said. She used him to set up your father and the rest of their allies, but…he did manage to resist, somewhat at least, he still had enough strength to stop himself before he went completely over to her side. He defied her."
"I can't imagine she was happy about that," Bayla said.
"No, she was not, child. I have seen the scars that she left behind. The captain was lucky to have survived their last encounter."
Bayla frowned. She was unsure what to think about this, any of it.
How could you hurt someone that was a part of you?
How could you despise a part of yourself that much?
Force bonds were powerful things, typically formed between family members. She had served with a pair of twin Paladina during her training, and they almost knew what the other was thinking.
How a bond could form between a Jedi and a Sith, she had no idea.
How could two beings on opposite sides of the Force be drawn to each other?
"She left him in exile, in the outer rim, but he still possessed your father's beckon-call, that is how he summoned me, and…the rest…as they say, is history.
"Okay, that makes sense, I suppose," she nodded, " But what made him decide to become a bounty hunter after all that."
"I can't say for certain, all I know is that when I found him three years ago, he said he had become a new person, one named Merrit Fallenstar, and that he needed my help. I knew what you father would have expected of me, and so I stayed and did what I could. Since that time, Captain Merrit has remained focused on his work. He has become a respected member of the bounty hunter's guild, and has gained quite a reputation in the last few years."
"Did he ever try to free himself from the dark side?" she asked.
"He tried that. We spent almost a year seeking out this Jedi Master or that one. The captain attempted to find someone who could help him regain his connection to the light side of the Force, or so he told me. All those attempts ended in rejection. No Jedi seemed able, or willing to help him."
Hearing that, it…it angered Bayla.
Where was the vaunted Jedi compassion!
Fenn…Merrit he had been one of them.
Why reject someone when they come to you for help?
"After those rejections, the captain recommitted himself to the hunt. He used the darkness within to rise up in his trade. He does his best to temper it, holding tight to his code, but even that proves difficult sometimes, or so he has told me."
"Has he ever sought out help beyond the Jedi? Does he spend time with anyone besides you?"
"The hunter trade is a lonely one, according to the captain."
Bayla winced.
That would explain what she had felt from the echoes of this place.
"Doesn't he ever spend time with anyone? Doesn't he try to spend time with friends…or…um…maybe…girlfriends?"
"As I said, he lives a solitary life, rarely does he seek out others. As for female companionship, I'm unsure, he has certainly never brought someone back to this vessel."
Bayla nodded.
"Good," she murmured to herself more than the droid.
Cee-Cee tilted its head.
"Interesting."
"What?"
The lights on the droid's head began to blink faster.
"I'm detecting a slight increase in both your heart rate, and body temperature…"
The droid's optic focused on her.
"Is this a degree of interest I'm seeing, Poppet?"
Bayla blushed.
"It is concern for a friend, Cee-Cee, nothing more."
"As you say, my dear."
Bayla rolled her eyes.
Seriously.
Cee-Cee had spent the last few years before Bantoon fell encouraging her young charges to seek out mates and build families for themselves.
Despite everything going on, the droid still seemed focused on that.
Interest? In Merrit?
Hardly.
No, it wasn't possible. Nope. She had learned her lesson a decade ago. The boy who was now Merrit Fallenstar had made his choice.
There was nothing between them now. No. That particular ship had made the jump to hyperspace a long time ago.
There was no chance between them now, none…
…besides…he was a Dark Jedi.
She pursed her lips.
She was not her sister. Miri had been the one who had a thing for bad boys. She had been interested in Gabe Cooper's son Quire, but nothing had come of it.
No, Bayla was her father's daughter, she knew better.
Interest in Merrit?
No.
Never.
It was impossible.
He had broken her heart once, or rather…her idea of him had.
Not again, she promised herself.
Never again.
IOI
He couldn't get the vision out of his head.
What the dark side had showed him had left him rattled and disturbed.
He and Bayla together, lovers, but that was not what got to him, oh no.
The thought of her corrupted, of being on the dark path with him. Her yellow eyes looking down into his with hunger and desire.
That…was distracting enough.
For that reason alone, he had chosen to stay away, at least, until he got his head straight.
He didn't wish to face her until he had a plan.
He needed to get her someplace safe, and then…
…she would never need to see him again.
He was a threat to her…
…it was not something he wished to be.
So, he did what he always did when he came to the guild station. Submitted his claim that the Knights job was done, waited to get paid, and checked in with his contacts.
He had to keep up appearances, after all.
Part of that was stopping in here, and getting a drink.
It was just another part of his routine.
Merrit found himself sitting at the bar of the Hard Merchandise, the most popular cantina here on Guild Station 5. He was still waiting for her payment for the Knights of Bantoon job to be deposited into his account, and to touch base with the last of his contacts, seeing if any new bounties had been posted.
The former was necessary, the latter was to keep up with appearances. He would not be hunting in the near future.
He needed to find a safe place for Bayla, and make sure they were not followed.
If he had any doubts that she was still in danger, all he had to do was look at the bounty holo that shone on every table and at the bar.
Seeing Bayla's face there, was all the warning he needed.
The image of her was almost a decade old, back when she had still worn her hair long, and her face still had a bit of that roundness of childhood. A good hunter would still recognize her, if he saw her now though, and why wouldn't he?
The price was now, more than worth it.
Two million alive, and one million dead, a body would be needed to claim the full amount, according to the holo, and the payment released by the Prime Minister of Bantoon.
Merrit's eyes narrowed.
Avaryss.
Even thinking about his dream friend and former lover made the scars on his back and chest burn. The brand she had seared on his chest seemed to twist painfully at the very thought of her.
He felt the hatred in him try to rise, but again he pushed it down. The thought of Avy never failed to trigger an emotional response in him. Anger, yes. Hatred, to a degree…
…lust…
He shivered.
Yes, despite everything, he still felt pangs of lust for her. Memories of their trysts remained strong, a part of him missed her touch, the taste of her skin.
She had awoken something in him, that was not easily put back to sleep.
He still craved the pleasures of the flesh, and had sought out several lovers these past few years to feed that hunger.
Those relationships had not lasted though, how could they?
His life now didn't contribute well to forming permanent bonds.
Yet, if he went back to Avaryss…?
No.
He shook his head, and did the best he could not to think on those memories.
If he could not lose himself in one vice, he would try another.
He frowned down at the empty tumbler before him.
Damn.
He needed another drink, to let his mind float away on the haze of alcohol.
Better to be numb, rather than fully lucid.
That haze killed the desire…the need.
Pain or pleasure, she had offered him both. He
He clenched his fists, and thought of pain.
Yes.
Better to think on the pain she inflicted when he defied her.
Anger was better than desire, at least in this.
He sighed.
How many times in the last three years had he thought of giving up. Simply going to Avy, throwing himself at her feet, and accepting her desires, to let himself be hers?
More than a few times, and not simply out of a desire to touch her again.
I want to see my children, he thought, and with that thought, came more pain and loneliness.
Avy had dug the perfect trap for him.
He had not yet figured a way to dig himself out of it.
"Something wrong with your glass, Fallenstar?"
He looked up at the bartender, and smiled.
"It seems to have ceased functioning, Jaxie," he answered, "Perhaps you can do something about that."
Jax. A Besalisk male, and proprietor of the cantina gave him a large toothy grin.
"The cortyg?"
Merrit nodded.
The bartender retrieved the bottle and refilled the mug with two of his arms, while the other two continued to wipe down the bar.
He glanced over at the hologram of Bayla.
"Lot of credits for that one," he said conversationally.
""Lot of trouble too," Merrit said taking a sip of the Cortyg brandy, he shivered as he savored the taste.
Say what you wanted; the Wookie brew masters knew their work.
"You gonna try for it," Jax asked, "The runaway princess bounty?"
Fallenstar pretended to consider it.
"It would be quite the hunt," he said, "But I'm guessing the field is going to be a bit full."
He looked around the bar.
"I'm guessing others are already on the hunt, this place is empty."
The Besalisk snorted.
"It is the war, kid. That is more distracting than any bounty hunt."
He gave Jaxie a curious look.
"The war?"
"Yeah, you have heard of the Alliance against the Eternal Throne?"
"Sure," Fallenstar answered, " Pack of idealist fools."
"Maybe, but such a fight attracts fighters. Half the hunters are out there looking to sign up with the Hero of Tython and his lover. The other half are seeking out the Zakuul, eager to collect bounties on the alliance leadership. Lots of credits to be made out there."
"Sure," Merrit agreed, "If you don't mind risking your neck. Alliance or Empire, it doesn't mean much, both will kill you if you get on the wrong side of their blades."
Jax turned his attention back to Bayla's holo.
"That is why you might want to reconsider getting into the hunt for that little lady. Little competition, with great reward."
Jax smiled again.
"If I was twenty years younger, I would close up and go back on the hunt myself. Two million is a lot of credits."
"Hunting a Force sensitive isn't easy," Merrit reminded him.
"True, but even if she ends up dead, a million is still nothing to sneeze at."
The old bartender sighed.
"Where do you think the girl is right now?"
Merrit shrugged.
He was almost tempted to tell the old Besalisk, she was aboard his ship, it would have been funny to see his reaction.
His eyes narrowed as he looked down at his mug.
He wasn't sure what Avy had been thinking, posting such a bounty.
Did she fear Bayla that much?
You could use that fear, the darkness within him whispered.
Merrit paused, listening.
The dark side continued.
You could use the girl. Get close enough to Avy. You could destroy her, her and Taya both! You could have your children back; they could both be yours."
He considered that.
And why stop there? It would not be difficult to provoke Avy into murdering Bayla's family. That would be more than enough to turn poor little Back Up. She would help you willingly then, and when you destroyed Avy, and took all that she possessed…
…then…you would be more than just a Dark Jedi; you would be a king. Bayla would be yours, and the two of you would…
SNAP OUT OF IT!
The mental shout almost made him fall off the bar stool.
He shook his head, the dark day dreams retreating.
He…he…
He shook his head.
Force save me, he thought.
What…what was that?!
In that moment, he could almost see her, his mother.
She stood behind Jaxie, watching him with concern.
Seeing her face, her eyes.
He looked down at the bar.
He…he felt ashamed.
When he looked up again, when he met her gaze.
He wanted to cry.
"I…I don't know how much longer I can do this, mom," he thought.
"It…it is getting too hard."
"I don't deny that, Merrit," she replied, "But you must remember something."
She stood up straighter.
"The will of the Force is real, the will of the dark side is real, but it can only offer suggestions. It can open doors, but only you can step through them."
He nodded.
"In the end, it is my choice?"
She nodded.
"Never doubt that you stand on your own two feet. You make the choice, the right one."
He nodded, and swallowed his drink with a single gulp.
The Wookie brandy burned its way down his throat.
I stand on my own two feet, he thought.
I stand alone.
"You okay, Fallenstar?"
He blinked.
He had been sitting there silently, lost in thought.
Jaxie was giving him a concerned look.
"You okay," he repeated.
Merrit shrugged.
"Just thinking about my next move."
"Thinking of hunting that princess?"
He shook his head.
"Thinking about a vacation actually. Maybe I'll head back to Alderaan for a while. House Alde contacted me again, offered me some bodyguard work."
The Besalisk sneered at that.
"Bodyguard work is for hunters past their prime, kid. You are a hotshot, still in your prime. You should be out hunting big contracts not sitting on your tail babysitting some spoiled noble, for low pay."
Merrit chuckled.
"Credits aren't everything," he answered.
"Oh yeah," Jaxie said, "What else is there?"
"Females for one," he answered, "If you saw the blossoms that were flowering on Alderaan, you would not doubt the value of a few months of bodyguard work."
Jaxie snorted at that.
"Oh to be young again," he said, ""It has been a while since I…plucked a few blossoms. If that is what interests you, kid. Who am I to doubt you."
Merrit bowed his head, in thanks, holding up is mug again.
Jax refilled it.
It was at that moment, that another hunter on the other side of the bar got his attention. He left to tend to him, leaving Merrit with his thoughts.
He nursed his drink, and thought about what he was going to do next.
If anyone came looking for him, they would start on Alderaan, he didn't doubt for a moment his words to Jaxie had been picked up by half a dozen listening devices.
That was good, it meant that no one would be looking to close when he left.
The only question now was, where was he going to go.
Where could he find help for Bayla?
He considered seeking out the alliance, but rejected that thought immediately.
There were too many Sith serving in the Alliance, if you believed the rumors.
It would only take one informer to tell Avy where Bayla was, and then, every hunter in the galaxy would descend on her.
No. the alliance was out.
The Jedi Council was no more, scattered to the winds. Master Satele still lived, but she had already rejected him once.
He could not imagine her abandoning her hermitage to help Bayla.
He frowned.
No, he needed someone who knew Jas Dar Bynn, someone who would want to help his daughter, and was strong enough to protect her.
His eyes narrowed.
Only one person fit that bill.
It would be a risk he knew. The last time he had went to see her, she had rejected him. She had told him never to come back.
He had intended to honor that request, but things had changed.
Bayla needed help.
He didn't think she would turn away Jas Dar Bynn's daughter.
He sighed, making up his mind.
There was only one person he could go to, and hope she would be willing to help.
Master Vey.
The first Jedi to turn him away, to leave him to stumble on his own in the darkness.
Resentment started to rise up again, he had been angry at her for not even trying to help him.
Would she turn him away again?
Would she turn Bayla away?
If so, the girl might be doomed. She had enemies all around her. Avy would not stop until she was dead, or in her hands.
And the only one looking out for her, was Merrit Fallenstar, her old friend, and perhaps her greatest enemy of all, one wrestling with his own darkness…
…one who threatened to leave her in the darkness as well.
He didn't like it, any of it, but…
…what choice did he have?
He sighed.
None.
He took his time, nursing the last of the Brandy.
When it was gone, he got up from the stool, and headed out.
It was time to meet with the last of his contacts.
He wanted to be gone the day after tomorrow.
He tried to stay positive.
Vey would listen, she would protect Bayla.
She would protect her from all her enemies. Even the one who threatened her the most.
He shook his head. He found himself thinking about a treatise he read as a boy, a line written by a Jedi who lived several centuries ago.
It was a terrible thing…to fall.
He sighed.
It is even more terrible…to admit it.
Truer words had never been spoken.
He had fallen long ago.
He only hoped that he would not take Bayla down with him.
She deserved better, but all she had was him.
How sad, he thought.
How…tragic.
