A Divine Purpose [Cameron Centurion]

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

Once more, Lord Aatrox lead her down into the depths of the Temple. This time however, to a different place she had not visited. Her head turned as they passed the prisoners and beyond into what appeared to be a training room. She thought is peculiar a training room would be situated so close to prisoners in their cells and pondered on the purpose behind it. Her conclusion did not sit well in her mind. Aerin is no stranger to death or killing, but always only ever for self defense and when hunting creatures, means to provide food for her table, never for sport. However, she will keep her thoughts to herself.

As they moved to the center of the room, she watched as he summon a book from a shelf. And as he spoke of it, the importance of the life's work not lost to her. Nor the content. And nor the fact that Lord Aatrox had just offered a gift of knowledge to her. It was this that made her react with a surprised expression written on her face, and gratitude.

"I am humbled that you so offer me this knowledge.. .. .. this book will never leave this room by my hands", she added, giving her word which she prides in giving with absolution. But Aerin is also not innocent enough the believe that this knowledge will come at a price, and she wondered what that price might be. One thing she has learned since leaving Midvinter, is that the wider galaxy never gives without wanting a return. Nothing is free out here.

She stood tall, to her full height and looked him directly in the eyes, she would voice the question but he would sense it enough within her.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Silver-green eyes gazed intently at [member="Ærin Firebrand"] as she offered forth her pledge to do as he'd instructed. In all honesty, Cameron did not require her reassurances, and he was not particularly moved by her...honesty. Rest assured, Cameron valued honesty and integrity over...most anything else. There was always an air of...complication to honesty, however. It was not as pure an emotion or construct as some often chose to believe.

Now. What he desired and respected above all else was loyalty...obedience. Aerin would either succeed in doing as he'd instructed, or she would fail and suffer the consequences. The reality of Cameron's life was that undesired occurances were so infrequent that they really created much of a problem in the larger scheme. Plus - he prided himself on being a creature of adaptability.

For Aerin, however, the Sith Lord only had a nod of his head and a brief comment to offer. "Contact me at the end of each day with your questions. I will answer them and provide guiding instruction each morning...until you are ready to construct the weapon on your own." The moment his lips stopped moving, the Deceiver departed the training room and was seemingly enveloped by the shadows of the dungeons.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

She looked down at the book in her hands, then back to him as he spoke his words of departure. "Yes Lord Aatrox", she replied in a whisper, as her mind now focused on the cover of the book. As his visage vanished as if into thin air, Aerin turned to look around this strange training room. She began to move .. walking the entire walls looking at the weapons mounted on the walls. A case of book to one end, which her eyes fell over but her hands did not touch.

She would be true to her word, that was something as faithful as the force itself. Her noble blood would not allow anything other. Although the definition of nobility differs she had discovered, the galaxy a melting pot of not only all species, but of doctrine and beliefs, however Aerin was of the old school where a nobles word means something. The book would not leave the room.

And nor would she.

Aerin walked to the center of the room and sat down on the hard surface, her legs crossed as she rested the book on her legs. Firstly, she thumbed through the pages, her eyes catching points of interesting on differing pages and she noted to for later. Finally, she decided to begin with the saber techniques, all forms set out here as well as his personal variances. There was even a completely new form she had not read about, which she suspected was the form in development. This triggered a thought in her, she would not address his personal form, but began to think on her own.

She is master of the longsword, coupled with her Valkyri physical strength, which is equal to five male offworlders, she can best them all. Add the force to that strength .. she is unbeatable. The other Apprentices found that out .. the hard way. The saber however, completely different. The techniques vastly different, and she has still much to learn.

Questions .. she had many.

Finally she arrived to the lightsaber construction passage. The components she knew well enough, and the requirements needed to form the blade. But she did not understand how one imparts oneself within the blade, to make an extension of ones self. After many hours, she realised she was thirsty and hungry. As promised, Aerin returned the book to the exact place on the self and went to eat before she would contact him.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron had received [member="Ærin Firebrand"]'s message as he stood silently on the balcony of his new private residence. The sun was returning to the horizon already as the shadows of the night once again prepared to takeover the vigilant watch over the Crusade's capital. The serenity of it all was broken by the sounds of shifting and coughing coming from behind the large Sith Lord. Slowly, Cameron closed and opened his eyes before turning to address the shimmering blue hologram of a most irritating crime lord. "If you think I care about your impatience, you are tragically mistaken. You are paid to provide a service, keep the supplemental rhetoric and bodily functions under control. What do you have?"

The man speaking to the Aesir did not have much of a response to the chiding, clearly he was used to as much. "Whatever you say big man. Yeah. Got some goods for ya. Uploading it now."

As if on cue, Cameron withdrew a different datapad and briefly skimmed the information. "Grainy photographs. Explain."

"Yeah well, film development ain't exactly up to snuff where little red riding hood has been hanging out."

Cameron was fairly certain the photographs and the man he was speaking to were...basically crap. "I see. Thanks, I'll be in touch." With a wave of a hand, the connection was terminated. Storing the datapad, he re-entered his personal apartment and went about a plethora of other tasks. Aerin may have contacted him, but he'd been very clear about offering her instruction each morning, not as she required it.

------
Following Morning

Cameron entered the large chamber approximately one hour before sunrise. Silver-green eyes searched for his pupil, curious to see what questions she had.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]


Lord Aatrox would fine Aerin in the room. It would be as if she had no moved from her place before he had left her to study. Her legs crossed sitting on the floor with the book opened on her lap. Again she went over the pages relating to lightsaber construction. By now she knew it backwards, well the way in which the components are to be arranged in order to succeed. Aerin had even visualised this, using levitation, in her minds eye. She would sit and focus on this over and over. But there is something missing, a piece of the puzzle that is alluding her. And so she would ask Lord Centurion when he arrives.

She sensed his coming, his presence in the force palpable. And as the large doors open, Aerin immediately stood, turned and bowed low in respect.

"Greetings Lord Aatrox, thank you for coming". she lifted up to her full height. Aerin did very much appreciate his assistance and willingness to guide her in this. She looked down at his book in her hands as if trying to find words for her question.

"I have .. at this point .. concentrated on lightsaber construction. I understand the required components, I have memorised the order in which the components need to be place for success but I lack the understanding on how one ... makes a connection to it, how .. as you said, to make it an extension of myself, to place something of me within it".

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Silence was all that Cameron initially offered [member="Ærin Firebrand"]. However, after a few moments, he afforded her a shallow nod of his head before preparing to respond to her question the best way he knew how. "This is not something that any could adequately explain to you, Firebrand. The imprinting of one's soul into an object is...a side-effect. Think of something that you love and cherish more than anything else in this life. Something that remains more important to you than anything else. It will take on the properties of your nature through simple interaction, through manipulation of the object in times of extreme emotion...positive or negative."

Taking a step forward, Cameron swiftly withdrew his crimson-bladed sword. Briefly, the crimson hue of the alchemical steel shimmered with an orange tint as the Sith Lord briefly flourished the weapon. "This...has seen me through nearly every critical experience in my recent life. I have channeled so much of myself through it purposefully and inadvertently that it practically lives now...registering a presence all its own within the Force. You will find during your construction that the intensity of your focus and efforts will manifest themselves in the properties of the weapon."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

Her clouded mind became clear as crystal as he explained what she had lacked in understanding. She thought about what mattered to her the most, several things entered her head, but her mind would always go back to one, above all others .. Midvinter. This planet steeped in natural beauty beyond any she has witnessed in her time in the galaxy, nothing even comes close to it in this regard. Her home, a place she would give her blood for, her life for.

She walked closer as the blade of the force ignited before him. Watching it move in deft hands with grace and strength, a blade of devastation and one that would have saved it's masters life no doubt. The weapon pulsed within the room sending it glow to not only change the light but the rippled through the waves of the force.

Aerin then knew it would take time, much time before she would have such a blade in her hands. A constant 'relationship' that required attention just like any other. Her eagerness would show on her face. She has focus a plenty to construction a blade, but is unsure about her level of talent to use telekinesis. She could only try.

"That is truly a commanding blade, my Lord", she said as she moved to view it better. "I only hope to achieve such majesty with time".

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron offered [member="Ærin Firebrand"] a simple nod and thin smile in response to her comment. Though he did not require it, admiration of his work was generally appreciated in the hushed darkness of this subterrainian lair. "All great things do take time, Firebrand. The key to anything involving the Force and life in general...is to know yourself. When you have mastered every part of your being, you will know both true mastery of the Force and how your existence truly effects the same."

Sheathing his weapon, Cameron clasped his hands behind his back. "I've shown you the path - it will remain up to you to walk it and endure whatever strife it may bring you. What else do you have questions about?"

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

Only rarely do you find someone that not only will impart wisdom, but makes perfect sense when they do. There is no cryptic message or illusions in words with Lord Aatrox, but clear words like the waters of the Lakes of Mist on Midvinter. For this, Aerin will always be grateful to him, she liked him, although she knew he would not care for this.

"I have two questions My Lord", she said after she had regarded the man. "The first, where do I go to find the components for my saber?", she is ready now to try, and she will travel back home to do it.

"My second question", she began more hesitantly as it would be bold, "Would you do me the honour of a .. duel?", she looked down at her sword of Midvinter, the same that she had first approached for him to strengthen. "Since I do not have a saber, may I suggest a duel of the hard blades", she would bow her head in respect after such a daring question.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Silver-green eyes remained fixed on [member="Ærin Firebrand"] as she stated both her questions. Per usual, Cameron's face betrayed no emotion as he offered a response to her first inquiry. "The acquisition of the necessary parts, Firebrand, is quite simple. You can undoubtedly purchase most in the galaxy's more...prodigious markets. The exception, of course, being the crystals. Those you will have to acquire through your own investigation. As for your second question..."

Cameron turned and walked to the far side of the room. Turning once more to face Aerin again, the large Sith Lord shrugged off his cloak, exposing his upper body. Withdrawing the crimson-blade of his sword, Cameron gripped the worn leather hilt firmly but without clenching his fist. Allowing the blade to hang loosely down by his side with the tip of the blade pointed at the floor, the Aesir made a simple statement. "To the victor go the spoils, Firebrand." A mischievous smirk slipped across his features at the comment.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]


"When all is over and you march for home, the spoils of war are easily disposed of". She grinned as she unsheathed her long sword from the scabbard, the sound of metal on metal echoed though the training room. It felt good to have the hilt in her hand once more, the feel of the balance of blade through her arm. To loosen the wrist, Aerin flourished the sword in a figure eight, changed hands and repeated, either arm would do really as she was taught from a very early age to strengthen both arms and be equal in skill for both.

Although her level of skill with the saber is low, as the saber is entirely different, it is not however, the same for the long sword, of that she is master. Couple this with the natural strength of the Valkyri, for woman this means they possess the strength of four to five average Offworlder males, then enhance it with the force, well this would be an interesting duel. She is also aware, not to underestimate the opponent, and this man before her has years of experience with both swords. A test of the blades, not the force if so the fight would be over in seconds.

As he is Lord and teacher, she swung the long sword upward in salute. Then took her stance. Her eyes now fixed on his.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

A deep rumbling laughter emanated from Cameron's very soul as his silver-green gaze seemed to burn with an even brighter intensity. The Sith Lord was perfectly well aware that he could end this fight inside of three moves if he so choose to put all of his efforts into such. However, [member="Ærin Firebrand"] presented him with an interesting opportunity to...return to his roots, so to speak. While Cameron did not believe in a fair fight, he did believe in challenging himself. "Cute. I think, perhaps, you do not understand my meaning."

The meaning was simple: when she lost to him, everything about her would quite simply be his for as long as he deemed necessary. Well...that or until such a time as she earned the right for the reverse to be true. "You're going to learn today," were the final words to leave the Aesir's lips as he flourished his heavy blade into a return salute before rushing towards his opponent. The large Sith's movements were quite obviously not influenced by the Force...evidenced only by the fact that Aerin could see him. His first strike was an...almost superficial one directly to the side of her body containing her weapon.

Why so obvious?

Seconds would tell.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Cameron Centurion"]

"I am pleased to see I amuse you my Lord", she said as he approached her. Her eyes narrowed however, his gait odd and unexpected as if playing with her. Aerin could sense he is not using the force, at least not for the moment and she would do the same until such time as the 'goal posts' shifted. Although Aerin is noble of heart, it is her blood to be so being of royal lineage, she is not one to shy away from a dirty fight.

As she blade swung toward her sword arm and as his body is still in motion, she pivoted away from his arc line until her body faced the same direction as his, however hers kept moving and with the natural power of the Valkyri, of four to five of him, she charged her shoulder into the side of his body, before she continued the momentum of her pivot and turned to face him once more. Her sword gripped with two hands. "The spoils of war are not that .. easy", she added with a slight grin. Beside, Aerin understood his intent well enough, she has faced this threat to her more then once and on occasion even after she had bested the fellow he had tried to take his 'prize' only to find himself gutted like a fish, literally.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron would consider the almost superficial nature of his initial strike more a...test than anything. While he did know a great deal about [member="Ærin Firebrand"] from his own...sources, he did not know everything. As was prudent in any combat situation, the Sith Lord respected the unknown for what it was. He made no assumptions...unlike Aerin who clearly merely assumed she could overpower him by right of birth. Classifying Cameron as a human, while partially accurate, was a sad attempt at quantifying something much greater - changed over the many centuries of his life.

However, none of that actually mattered. It wasn't as if he tried to run through Aerin as he made his strike. That would have been a bridge beyond foolish and wholy ineffective. Having stopped to deliver his strike as was necessary for any type of precision strike and what any non-novice would do, it was a simple matter for him to simply back up suddenly when Aerin tried to charge into his body. Casually, he watched as the woman pivoted around to face him once more. The woman was agile, as he'd expected. In his summation, she could afford to be a little more conservative with her movements but to each their own.

Her comment elicited little more than a shrug from Cameron. "Particularly if you just dance around the entire time." This was why he was not particularly fond of duels in sterile environments. No conflict in life was like this. It actually bored him, but that was not uncommon for a warrior that was centuries old now.