A Trip Through Legend

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed herself to be quite literally dragged out of the room. “Yes..it’s often like this here.” She laughed, “They’re so pleased to no longer be a Youngling and to have been chosen by a Master. Not that it works out every time. But I do what I can to ensure the Padawans are allocated and even so, there’s nothing to stop them picking up learning from anyone and everyone around. That’s what I did to be honest. But I suspect you could have guessed that. I didn’t wait to be trained, I just walked up to Knights and Masters and asked. Why not?”

“And yes, the Forge is there, in the gardens. I even recreated the small stone shrine and the steps. It’s as authentic as it can be - but without the monster. One of my Padawans is about to be the first to use it in fact.”

“Did I mention that the Senate – or rather the Prime Minister – has agreed to us welcoming non-Jedi into our ranks. Under our guidance initially and there’s a formal interview with the Council to negotiate – but the process is definitely in place for say a…former Sith to become a Jedi.” She grinned broadly and through their bond, her sister would be aware just how pleased Corvus was with this development. “Anyway, where to first?”

[member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Well sometimes we all must find out own paths to those who are destined to fill a role in our lives," Taeli said, nodding to herself a bit. "Glad to hear the Forge is being put to use again, it really does deserve to be used by the Jedi and remembered for all the history that surrounds it."

As Corvus spoke about what the Prime Minister of the Republic Senate had agreed to, Taeli was both full of hope and slightly skeptical. The emotions coming from her sister across the bond did elicit a further smile on Taeli's face, it was clear that at least part of Corvus had done that just so Taeli wouldn't have to worry about execution or imprisonment when she joined the Jedi.

"Prime Minister Lasedri right?" Taeli said, tapping her chin in thought. "I'm somewhat surprised she agreed without some conditions that aren't a bit more harsh than being watched by other Jedi to make sure one isn't falling back into darkness. Then again . . . any advantage one can gain, any information is useful for fighting against . . . well them. When I finally leave, I'll present myself before the Council though Corvy, I . . . I think I'm done being in a sea of darkness."

Shaking her head a bit, and putting a smile back on, she led the way back to the Valley of the Jedi, her excitement mounting once again. It wasn't everyday someone got to explore such an important place to galactic history, but then all of Ruusan fell into that category. A bouncer floated past as they neared the entrance to the Valley, the impressive statues within already visible.

"Since you might know the layout a little better, I'd like to see the site of where the thought bomb went off," Taeli said, looking at her sister.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“Yes, that’s her. She was pragmatic. She stands to gain more than she loses. And I agreed we should allow be tracked. Not just any reformed Sith, but all Jedi. Next time one gets kidnapped, we’ll have an understanding of where they’re taken. It was a small price to pay.”

“And the first step will be to meet the Council. To answer their questions. To assure them you mean what you say. It is what I would expect of anyone and you know me well enough to understand I don’t play favourites. It’s not in my nature. But you’ll be fine – your aura speaks louder than any words."

Corvus had been here before – when they’d come to reclaim the planet after the Galactic Event. So she led them swiftly, finally arriving at a large entrance in the rock.

Corvus was unusually silent. Despite Kyle Katarn’s actions, this place was the scene of not only mass murder but also a prison for Jedi souls for countless years. Igniting a glow rod, she walked forward.

The caves were cool and damp, but they were far from dark. The rock walls and ceiling were laced with crystals that caught the dim light from the glow rods, reflecting and refracting their illumination throughout the cavern. Small pools shimmered on the floor, and enormous stalagmites jutted up. An inverted forest of stalactites hung down, water dripping steadily from their tips to splash and ripple the pools far below. In some places the protrusions on the floor and ceiling had actually fused, joined by centuries of sediment deposits from the endless trickles of moisture. The enormous columns were magnificent: massive, yet at the same time delicate and fragile.

It was as it had been all those years ago. Underground, time appeared to have stood still. There was a natural beauty of their surroundings but it was tinged with sadness.

After a short while they reached a cavern, though large, it must have been cramped with all of the Brotherhood in here. Every surviving Sith Lord – with the notable exception of Darth Bane – was gathered with Lord Kaan here to make their final pyrrhic stand. The rest of the army had been left to guard the main entrances to the subterranean tunnels, with orders to hold off the Jedi attack for long enough for the ritual of the thought bomb to be completed.

Corvus looked into her sister’s eyes. “Here, history was made. The Rule of Two could never have happened without it.”

[member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"She will also know where all Jedi are if she ever feels they have run the course in their usefulness, sis," Taeli said, looking around the large cavern and speaking in hushed tones. The atmosphere of this cave felt cold . . . unnaturally so. The dark side still had some hold on this place, such was the power of the ancient ritual that had been unleashed here. "Not to tell you how to do your job, but tracking chips might not be the way to go if you value the survival of the Order. What happens if an unfriendly Prime Minister comes about and wants to eliminate or imprison every Jedi? What happens if the Senate turns against the Jedi and demands further restrictions or worse and the Prime Minister is forced to give them the data on where each Jedi is? As you said, she is pragmatic and if the ever shifting tides of the Senate are going that way, she just might go that way herself to keep the Republic together."

Walking slowly around the central spot, she could feel almost like something was tugging at her consciousness . . . at her Force presence.

"The Rule of Two . . . I admire what Bane and Zannah created, maybe not as I once did since I've been changing, but it is still impressive," she said softly. "They built an order of Sith that very well near succeeded in their ultimate goal. One must admire their patience and cunning when it came to their plans."

Turning to look back at her sister, she said, "I would recommend negotiating with the Prime Minister that tracking chips are optional to be inserted into Jedi . . . or even better, I could make something for you that would serve the same purpose. I'm quite a tinkerer myself."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “I don’t remember agreeing that she would have access to that information - just that tracking devices would be fitted.” She smiled. “Surely a politician would be aware of what was said as opposed to what they thought they’d agreed."

Corvus listened to her sister’s view on the Rule of Two. “Yes, it was far more successful than the One Sith. But it was helped by the Jedi believing they could rid the galaxy of the Dark-side. I believe in balance. My role is to ensure the Sith do not dominate. I will do everything in my power to end their regime but I suspect that in a thousand years we’d still have Jedi and Sith fighting. And in ten thousand years. Not that it makes our efforts futile - just putting them in perspective.”

“But as I didn't agree a timescale or a precise nature of tracker, feel free to tinker. Something reliable but that could be negated if it fell into the wrong hands.”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"We might just make a politician out of you yet, Corvy," Taeli said, a teasing tone laced in her words. "I should have something done up by the time I present myself before the Council for judgment and questions, already got a few ideas on that. But as you say, I agree with the whole thing between Sith and Jedi. The cycle just never will end. The Sith want the Jedi to be completely wiped out, and the Jedi always strive to eliminate and break apart the Sith. It's an inevitable circle that neither fully succeeds in breaking. The Rule of Two came the closest . . . no wait, I would actually say the Sith Triumvirate came the closest. Palpatine had too many Jedi escape into the wilds to be successful completely."

Looking around the cave, she stepped up to the spot where Kaan would have stood, the exact center of the cavern.

"The thought bomb . . . a truly terrifying power of the ancient Sith," she said softly, looking up and holding her hands aloft for a moment. "Hoth was right that this needed to be stopped here or risk this being used elsewhere. Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb, and Hoth realized that and got rid of it by the only way he could. Corvy . . . I'm going to have so much to say at that Council meeting I'm going to need water I feel like. Master Karr, right? I think that's right? He's the head of your intelligence branch yes?"

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked her sister in the eyes. “You’ll have water and you’ll have me too. My role is GrandMaster but you and the rest of the Council know me well enough to know I have no bias. Whatever I say in support of your acceptance into the Order will be factual and honest. But because I know the facts, I am comfortable with how the meeting will go. Yes there will be tough questions but that should be expected. We cannot pretend to observe a process. And I shall ask for you to be placed under my care – if you’re willing. There may be an objection but I believe the truth will be enough to sway any argument to the contrary.”

“And Kian is indeed the person who will be most interested in what you have to say about the One Sith. I’ve known him for a dozen years now and trust him implicitly. He has a wonderfully dry sense of humour and is a rock of the Order.”

“So,” Corvus said, looking around, “Where to next?”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"I would want a fair hearing yes," Taeli said, nodding. "At least I have no atrocities or anything tied to my name, just never understood the need of other Sith to actually go about and do all that. Sure, I led Sith forces in invasions and stuff, but it would be no different than a Jedi leading Republic forces since I always gave orders against doing needless damage."

Looking at her sister with a smile, she added, "I think being under your care and tutelage would be quite . . . interesting, sis. And I shall address any question or argument that is brought up during that meeting with honesty and politeness. Kian sounds like um . . . how should I put this . . . dedicated to the mission, but I'm interested in meeting him. I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about."

Thinking about where she wanted to go next, she wasn't sure so she would leave it up to her sister.

"You decide where we go next," she said, her smile widening a bit. This would be how it would be once she joined the Jedi, maybe not all the time, her sister did have a great many responsibilities, but they would be able to spend much more time together.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was serious for a change – it would possibly be a new side of her for Taeli.

“The process is not to judge you for any…crimes. It is to see if you wish to truly walk the path of the Light. What’s past is past. Our focus will be on the future. Once we agree you should be accepted into the Order, we will tell the Prime Minister of our decision and the judiciary will suspend any warrants for your arrest, cancel any bounties and have your records moved to the Jedi Order database. Should any Sith…shall we say re-offend…the records would be re-opened and handed back. Whilst a Jedi only the Council would have sight of this aspect of your file – and only then if they choose to go looking. But it will be fine, I am sure.”

“And I suspect my becoming your Master would work for all parties. And you’ll like Kian when you meet him. He’s as fair as anyone – and who could ask for more?”

“And where to next? How about we see if we can find any trace of the ruined Sith base?”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Ah, I see," Taeli said as her sister explained how the process would actually play out. It seemed her sister had been able to secure some autonomy for the Jedi in this regard, which she felt was a good thing. The serious side of her sister though . . . she could see how this woman she shared blood with had risen so quickly to her station as the Grandmaster, but then they both had serious sides. Taeli's just hadn't come out much around her sister.

"I can safely say I've never met a Kel'dor before," she replied. "I look forward to meeting him and your other colleagues, sis. But, sure, let's go see if anything survived at the old Sith camp where Kaan and his . . . ilk stayed while here."

Even as a Sith, she was not one to like Kaan and his Brotherhood. They had been successful, sure, pushing their enemy back and taking a large portion of the galaxy, but he had gone about it all wrong in trying to unite the Sith as he had, something the One Sith would eventually discover. Plus there was the problem of he was bloody insane and cracked easily under pressure if things didn't go his way.

"Care to lead the way to this one?" she asked, holding her arm for her sister to take with a smile.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“Kian is really funny once you get to know him, but with the face-mask he can be quite intimidating for Younglings – and some Masters to be honest. I’m just lucky to have known him for so long."

“All the records seem to show the old camp is west of here. I’m not entirely sure what we’ll find but sometimes just to stand where history was made is enough. Where Qordis died at Bane’s hand.”

So she linked her sister and they walked in the direction of the camp. With every step they could feel the draw of the Dark-side – even after so many years. Such a concentration of Sith plotting and scheming was bound to leave its mark. The nexus of the Valley overshadowed it but as they moved further away from the centre of the Valley, so the feeling grew.

“Can you sense it?” she asked her sister, her voice barely above a whisper. “We must be close.”

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

As they got closer and closer, Taeli could feel the dark side. It might not be a full nexus or nearly as powerful as other sites she had visited in her time, but that much dark side energy, the amount of dark siders there, and the feelings the entire conflict inspired in the Sith army at the time had lingered. It seemed to sense her too, as it was trying to call to the darkness that was still part of her.

"Yeah, I can feel it," she whispered, "and it feels me too. I'm not completely light and it can sense the darkness in me, trying to reawaken it and have it grow again."

Smiling though, she shook her head and stated, "Don't worry though, I'm not even tempted at all. This place, if anything, is giving me a slight headache. Come to think of it, using the dark side lately gave me a headache, but in light of my realization, it makes sense now. I do wonder if the Sith left a few things behind though that were lost to time, I know several Sith Lords among the Brotherhood liked to hoard artifacts and knowledge. There might be a few things there for either careful study or need moved to somewhere safer than here."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. Taeli’s glass was always half-full – and she loved her for that aspect of her personality. She never doubted for one moment that her sister would fall now – but her vigilance was a positive sign. “I suspect we’ll not turn up Kaan’s saber or the plans for the Thought Bomb – in truth I would really not like to find the latter – but you’re right. This many Sith in such a small area. Things would have been left behind – especially as this planet and more importantly this location remained untouched for so long.”

Corvus looked up and saw bouncers drifting in the gentle breeze in the distance. ”They once said they contained the souls of Jedi who died here.” This was a site of great historical value but it should never be forgotten how many lost their lives and Corvus sounded slightly melancholy.

“So, do we stick together or split up? The one that gets the better artefact gets to be trained in one Ability by the other – Light-sided or neutral only of course.” She laughed and immediately started to scan the area using Force Sight. It was clear which option she had already voted for.

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"I accept your challenge," Taeli laughed, taking a dramatic pose for a moment. "Although my repertoire of current abilities is rather limited for neutral and Light-sided techniques. Then again, I know a few that could be interesting. Anyways, I'll search one side, you search the other and we see what comes up."

Running off with a spring in her step, she thought that her sister might use Force Sight to look for some objects, but Taeli had a bit more experience in this regard. At least, she thought she did. She did have a background in archaeology and knew the dark side very very well. The old remains of the camp, actually more preserved than she thought they would be, but then the dark energies and the strangeness of Ruusan might have a hand in that.

Using her senses, and deploying a small survey drone, she started looking for the small eddies in the dark side that would indicate sneakiness or a desire to hide something. She could still feel her headache, but it was just a dull throb right now. If she won their friendly little contest, she would really like to learn Force Sight. Hmm, something over there. . .

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “I’d wager you know of some Abilities I don’t know. You’re a Raaf – learning is in your blood.”

As soon as Taeli moved off, Corvus closed her eyes. Using Force Sight she was able to identify organics and even their auras – although in theory it didn’t extend to objects – except by combining this with Force Sense (Corvus never really understood where one Ability ended and the next began) she was able to detect the presence of Dark-sided artefacts.

Clearly there was not going to be a Holocron left lying around, but there was always scope for something – so she scanned the area in her mind – her Ability gave her 360-degree vision. And yes, there was something. So she walked towards it, her eyes still closed – she wouldn’t trust them in this search – but she trusted the Force.

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Using her Force Senses, Taeli let out a slow breath as she felt for the pulse of the Force that signified where the object she had sensed was. A small pulse occurred to her right and, smiling, she moved to where what looked like the remains of some makeshift research lab was. Broken pieces of glass, discarded and thoroughly rusted through machinery lay strewn about the place.

Bending down, she probed with the Force and felt a small flare a little bit further, underneath the remains of an old table that was barely remaining from the constant beating from the elements it had sustained. 1800 years would do that to something, but she was surprised how much was actually still here. Perhaps some hidden group of One Sith had been here during the groups phase of being in hiding?

Taking a small digging kit out of her satchel, she started to uncover whatever had been hidden here an age ago. Something metallic could be seen underneath the dirt, but it wasn't a holocron. Perhaps it was a datacron of some Sith Lord recording an experiment or a personal journal. It was still curious enough for her to uncover it.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus glanced across, it appeared her sister was having more success than she was. But she resumed focus on her own efforts. Most items of value would have been taken by the Sith when they left the camp for the final time. Their only hope would be items not considered vital - as the Sith planned to return to the camp once the Thought Bomb had been detonated.

But they would no doubt have to consider the fact that looters would have picked over the camp initially and then almost two thousand years of expeditions would have picked the carcass clean. But there was something. Maybe it had been protected by Sith magic and only over time had it been allowed to show itself, given the spell would wear out over time.

So Corvus stood on the spot and realised nothing was visible to the eye. So she closed her eyes and reached into the ground with the Force. And she pulled, feeling whatever was under the earth fighting with the soil to be released. Finally the ground gave way and a large metal box appeared. As Corvus lay her hand on it, she could feel the Darkness within and fumbling for the catch, wondered what she would find.

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

Brushing away the rest of the dirt, she smiled to herself as she gently pulled a datacron out of the ground. While not as good a find as a holocron, it was still a lovely find. Non-Force users could access it and it usually contained encrypted information that could be very valuable. Sitting down in the dirt, almost giddy with happiness at her find, she pulled out her datapad and plugged the datacron into it to decrypt the information.

Looking over it as she went, she smiled widely.

"Corvus! I found the personal journal of the Sith Lord Seviss Vaa!" she called happily. "He was Kaan's monster maker, responsible for the Behemoth from the World Below on Aduba III. I bet this details the process he went through in his experiments and the notes he made during that process, since no one could make holocrons in that day and age."

Getting up, she carefully put the datacron in her satchel. She wasn't interested for the process contained within, she would have been a few years ago, but times had changed and she was more interested in just the recovery of the lost artifact and putting somewhere for safekeeping.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus heard her sister's excitement. Such a find was worthless to most but invaluable to an historian - two of which happened to be right here, right now. Corvus wanted to rush across and see it, but decided to see what wonderful and ancient item she could find in this large box.

She dusted it off and saw it was ornately decorated...with pink flowers. And she could make out some lettering. Githany? Her heart raced again. Bane had a relationship with a Githany who'd betrayed him and died in the very spot they'd just visited. She wondered what could be in the box. It was large but not heavy. Her mind raced. A lightwhip? Love letters from Bane?

She opened the box with trembling fingers.

Spoiler

It was a breast-plate. No really, an actual breast-plate. Light armour moulded to the shape of Githany's...well, she was well-endowed. Corvus stood and faced her sister and then affixed the chest amour. "You can see what Bane saw in her." She laughed. "But I suppose it's history."

[member="Taeli Rae"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

"Well . . . can't say it's exactly my taste," Taeli laughed as her sister tried the breastplate on. It was made for someone a bit more . . . well-endowed than either of the Raaf sisters. Githany's personal effects had mostly vanished, so she could understand why even just finding her breastplate was a great historical find. Although . . . finding her lightwhip would be an even more incredible find, but that was most likely long gone.

"So which do you think is the better find?" she asked, her smile widening. "A journal or a breastplate?"

She knew what she considered the better find, one looked good in a museum, one could actually be used as a research source and increase someone's knowledge.