Faction Atoa Meet Again (SJC + Knightwatch)

[Aberrant]

Silver Rest was solemn with the attack on Onderon. An unwarranted attack upon the people that had been answered by a number of jedi and non-jedi alike. Numerous people had given of themselves to secure the planet, including Tarish Galland. His hidden agenda had not been made known to those he considered family in his time with the Silver Jedi from training to this point.

Had been a plan of his own machinations. Words left on his communicator for those that found him were directed to Naria, someone who might understand even a little of what they meant.

Oh quit, who do you think came up with the idea?

Words he had said a number of times. Words that had always been trouble for someone. Trouble that always seemed to follow the man when he spoke those words. The ideas he came up with were fool-hearty. Half baked but usually coming together in the end when the dust settled. Except this time when the dust settled.

His cold body was amongst the rubble.

It had been set out in respect. A wound in his chest was plainly made by that of a lightsaber of some kind. Burns along his entire body matched up with the destruction of the building that was once a power plant. It had been the scene of his last battle, and seemed a catastrophic one at that. The signs of a large explosion had torn the building to pieces. Those structures flanking it in no better shape as fires died in the burnt out husk of a building that had kept him until his body had been found.

His remains had been taken to the Commenor temple, what was once his new home; Now turned final resting place. Preparations had been made, a message delivered to Atoa and received with mixed reactions.

His mother, a high priestess of Atoa, had expected the news somehow. Had hoped the message would never come, had hoped that her daughter had been wrong. His parents mourned, while a group departed to find the other half of the now missing force bond that left his sibling feeling hollow and empty. The other half that had gone to be with whatever called the wandering spirit to rest.

An alert had been sent last minute to those around Tarish. His friends called to address something about discrepancies with what was to be the final verdict on his death. Issues that caused the coroner to call into question what had ultimately been the final blow that killed him.

Inside the morgue, four figures stood, all dressed in a similar manner that Tarish dressed, waiting for the arrival of those around Tarish. One stood over his body, the other three at a respectful distance. None who entered could sense the four within the force, and there were a few weapons visible on their being though they were armed with far more than was presently seen.

 

[Cato Harth]

Farrina

When the news first came through, Cato thought it was some dumb joke. Couldn’t be true. Tarish did dumb things all the time. Always came out alright. When he realized it wasn’t, he withdrew. Nothing hit him quite this hard since what had happened with Sim.

Cato stepped into the morgue, first to arrive. The young Knight made little note of the other figures in the room, even their lack of a force presence flying over his head now. His tawny eyes, now sunken and bleary, were locked on the body of a man he considered a close friend. Tarish Galland, dead. The pale figure laid still on the table. It seemed fake. But Cato knew it wasn’t.

In a way, he’d almost wished no one else would show up. The thought of seeing the others go through this again made his stomach drop, the pain he bore already too much to handle. He didn’t know how to react. How he would react, given the circumstances of this summoning. But he wanted to know what happened. Needed to know. The Knight stood across from the individual nearest to Tarish, and waited with an eerie stillness, eyes never leaving the table.

For the first time in a long time, Cato was silent.

 

[Naria Harth]

Naria's face was stone, not a single emotion flickering across her as she came to stand before the body.

Oh quit, who do you think came up with the idea?

The final words of her fellow jedi echoed through her, haunting her.

Oh quit, who do you think came up with the idea?

They had been meant for her and only for her, the phrase a common occurrence. But why here, and why now? HIs loss tore holes through her, stealing away whole chunks of her facilities and leaving her numb and quiet. There was no anger. There were no tears. There was only a sense of stillness and the knowledge that everyone was watching her. Her brother was watching her.

She stood strong against the many eyes and the pile of flesh that held no life. His essence had fled his body, leaving them all behind.

Oh quit, who do you think came up with the idea?

She looked up sharply to the figures that framed him, a bit of fire entering her gaze. "Are you sure these wounds don't line up?" A padawan had killed him. Reports say they were his friend. Her gut churned, something sitting unwell inside her.

Oh quit, who do you think came up with the idea?

Something was off here.

 

[Cato Harth]

Farrina | Naria Harth

It was Naria’s arrival that finally broke Cato from near-catatonia. His eyes twitched over in that direction, glaring at her for any sign of emotion. Something. Anything.

She was stone. Like always. No sadness, no anger, just the same cold attitude that seemed to follow her most places. It pained him to see. That couldn’t be all. Cato had hoped, if there was any kind of silver lining to this, however marginal, it would be that maybe, maybe Naria would show the person he knew was underneath her shell of an exterior.

Waiting for her reaction was what terrified Cato the most. First it was Sim. Now Tarish. The fear of his sister going through this again was enough to surge him into some kind of action. He couldn’t just stand by and let her keep on like this if he could help it. Surely if anyone could get her to reveal something, it was him. Right?

Before the other figures could get the chance to answer her question, he reached out, gently laying his hand on her shoulder, “Naria...” Cato spoke softly, a look of concern and sadness spreading across his face. His boisterous demeanor having shed away to reveal the Cato that was much more rarely seen nowadays. Words failed the young knight. Perhaps the expression on his face was enough. Is that really all you have to say? He refused to shy away as he stared at her in a moment that seemed to drag on far too long.

“...Are you okay?” Cato finally spoke up, his motions threatening to pull his sister into an embrace at the slightest betrayal of her feelings.

 

[Naria Harth]

The voice didn't hit her, not at first. Her attention was locked so firmly on the body of their friend, the voice of her brother took a moment to hit her.

Cato.

Her gaze followed the hand, his concerned expression cutting through her like icey water. She stirred, instinct driving her hand over his in a comforting gesture. "I'm fine," came the well rehearsed lie. I mean were any of them right now? Her own needs did not matter, here. Not when there was a mystery to Tarish's death and her brothered looked at her with such a sense of disorientation.

She could tell how unsettled he was, and she could sense how close he was to tossing their visit to the wind and breaking down before her. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, it was neither the time nor the place for her emotions. Not when Tarish lacked justice. Not when others were looking.

"I can handle this myself if you do not want to be in here. I won't be long," she offered, protecting him. As always.

Cato Harth

 

[Cato Harth]

Farrina | Cato Harth

He shifted his jaw, holding himself back from blurting something out as Naria kept up her stony exterior. It was odd to find himself on this side of the discussion. Not the part where he tries to get a reaction out of his sister, rather the part where he was feeling just as serious about getting to the bottom of this. There were no jokes, no snide remarks, just the two of them trying to get justice for their friend. More would be likely be coming soon, the chances of getting her to say something then would be effectively null.

She kept trying to protect him. Like he was the same little kid who arrived at the Jedi temple so many years ago. Cato moved his other hand onto hers, "It's okay not to be." He fought hard to hold back his own emotions, trying for once to act as strong as she was. More footsteps were heading there direction. "Promise me we'll talk about this? Later?" He'd eventually let go, turning his focus back to the other figures in the room. "Right, so... What she asked."

 

[Risen]

When he arrived, Risen hung in the doorway. There was a feeling he’d walked in on something private. He scanned Cato — that was the best way to tell how Naria was holding up, since Naria herself betrayed little. But after locking eyes for a moment, he entered the room beside them.

Risen didn't trust these figures, the silence they moved in, or the weapons they carried. He kept a close eye on their movements and tried to keep himself in a tactically sound position. Not because he didn't care for the man lying dead on the stone — it wasn't that long ago he'd started opening up to Tarish. No, it was just that after enough funerals, you learn that someone has to keep an eye out.

He stood by Naria now. There wasn't any comfort he could offer, but he could be there at least.

"Family," Tarish had said. "It's not just blood that makes a family."

Despite himself, Risen turned away and exhaled through his teeth. How could he have missed the meaning then? That was how Tarish saw them all. Night could take all the Jedi lost from Onderon: he'd lost a brother today.

Fires were going out across the planet, the wounds from Risen’s battles were starting to heal. He didn’t yet know what killed Tarish: the dead man had one surprise left for them, it seemed.

 

[Ayden Carter]

He had started at the others in the room, himself in a corner. He didn't understand it at all. None of it made sense. Dead? Really? When he had first gotten there he was frozen in shock. Tarish, the man who he considered a close friend, who they all considered a close friend, laid lifeless for everyone to mourn.

Naria and Cato had their heart to heart moment. It's not often you see these but they do happen. But Naria, stubborn to show any emotion, he believed it was only on the outside. On the inside, she must be hurting. She must be.

And Cato. Poor Cato. He usually hides his true emotions behind a persona of happiness and mischievous actions. But right now, anyone could tell that he was holding back his feelings. Ayden knows he wants to let it all out, but it's not the right time. Ayden wanted to just give Cato a hug, let him know it was alright, let him know that he had someone to talk to, but it wasn't the time.

For now, it was time to mourn, to grieve the passing of a trusted and beloved friend.

Risen | Cato Harth | Naria Harth | Farrina​

 

[Aberrant]

Cato Harth Naria Harth Risen Ayden Carter

The three figures behind the first shifted quietly upon the pair entering, shifting again when another entered and took a defensive stance. None of them seemed entirely focused on those assembling, rather on the one by the table. Their posture still relaxed but plainly flanking the one that did not yet move. The unmoving figure stood silently, hooded face only looking up when the refusal to seek comfort was made by Naria. They did not speak, the moment between siblings observed as the coroner walked in from the adjoining office.

“Yes, very much sure they do not.” The man called from across the room.

"Let's begin then. I'll speak on what I know, but, even I cannot explain some of what I have found upon further investigation." The man spoke softly, as though raising his voice would disturb the man on the table.

The first figure stepped back, hand brushing the table before the three behind them opened their position and closed protectively around them.

"The wound in his chest were initially presumed to be the cause of death." He pulled the file from the side of the table and presented it to Naria. "The issue however is his biology...well...their biology, as I was informed." His hand waved to the hooded figures as the one nodded.

"Their people do not have a singular heart, as is the case for most beings in the universe. They have a number of smaller organs that function cohesively in the way a centralized, larger, heart would. The wound on his chest would have collapsed a lung, but not caused his death." He explained further. "There are no...inflicted wounds that would have caused his death either. The explosion of the plant; The shrapnel created from that explosion...none of that would have killed him."

"Upon further inspection, of which I apologize for." His hands moved nervously as he nodded to the hooded figures, the leader giving a nod but saying nothing. He looked to the knights now, somewhat nervous it seemed as he spoke.

"How much do we know about Sith force abilities, or the ones this...Amani knew before they broke away?" his tone was unsure, eyes stealing a glance to the body before returning to the knights. Something made him nervous, or at least very tense.

 

[Cato Harth]

Cato nodded to the others as they stepped in, acknowledging their arrival but saying nothing else as the coroner began to explain the purpose of their meeting. The revelation of Tarish’s death came as a shock to him, the man’s unique physiology was not a topic Cato had exactly delved into. He resisted the urge to comment, dwelling on the information for a few moments until the mention of Tarish’s apparent killer made his brow twitch. He stole a glance at the enigmatic figures behind the coroner, and moved over to a nearby terminal.

“Anything in particular we know already? We can access her file, can’t we?”

The Knight accessed the Order’s database, finding the culprit’s name among the list of students.

“Let's see... Amani Serys. Padawan. Been around here since she was eight, brought in from Tython after her parents died from illness… Star student. Near spotless record. No notable signs of concern until Yurb. Lost her arm… There was intent to intervene after Yavin, but then she just… disappeared. Showed up again at Onderon… you know the rest.”

He backed up, running his hand down his face as he turned to everyone else. “As for sith powers, the report mentioned what looked like a use of force lightning on Yurb. Beyond that, nothing definitively Sith-centric. Other than the general presence of the Dark Side, if you will.” Cato shook his head. The thought of this padawan being able to take down Tarish confused him to no end. “Do you think that could have done it?” Even if it answered the how, it still left the why.

Farrina | Naria Harth | Risen | Ayden Carter​

 

[Risen]

Farrina Naria Harth Cato Harth Ayden Carter​

Amani?

At the mention of the padawan’s name, Risen was visibly startled. He snapped to Cato with a rare look of astonishment and followed each word he said. Sith powers… the Dark Side… What exactly had he failed to prevent back on Tython? His head swam with the cruelty of it — that in his last conversation with Tarish, he’d actually had some hope for the girl. He’d spoken of mercy. Back then, Risen hadn’t said what he knew for fear of endangering his own padawan. In light of this moment, that concern seemed misplaced.

He shook his head. “No,” Risen said. “There’s more.”

He looked to Naria — sorry, solemn — and stepped forward. “I met Serys. Once, after she left. She went back to Tython for some reason, we confronted her there. I think it was to get stronger.”

Yellow eyes in the downpour. Darkness on the wind.

“She’s trying to… attune to the Dark Side. Her saber’s red. Sky above, she was powerful, she…” She beat me in single combat. Risen looked away and cursed under his breath. He felt strange, saying all this in front of strangers. It felt strange enough saying it in front of friends.

There was more to tell. He hoped they would ask — anything to avoid searching his thoughts unprompted. Because he knew, somewhere, in his bones maybe, what he’d find if he let his mind wander: if he’d beaten Amani on Tython, Tarish wouldn’t have died.

His failure had killed a friend.

Again.

 

[Naria Harth]

The others stepped up, granting Naria the moment to work through her own emotions. None of which were pleasant. All of which were holy inappropriate. That kept circling through her head on repeat, her pain going no where despite all her attempts to derationalize it. Another friend gone.

If she had just been there.

Risen's unexpressed pain rippled over to her then, their guilt so rich it was unclear where one person's ended and the other's began.

"No," she uttered, her protest cutting through the air in a soft but deceive strike. "No," she repeated, strength entering her voice. She looked away from the body then, her attention turning towards Cato and that holopad as he pressed forward, unaffected.

Her expression clicked back into it's usual blank draw, clearing her throat as she reached out for the pad.

"Tarish wouldn't have been killed by a padawan, even if they went dark. He's too smart for that-- 'who do you think came up with the idea'-- why would he say that? No, something's not off here. He chose to die." The words burned through her throat, her teeth grinding at the very suggestion. It was a bitter, horrible assumption that she didn't want to give life to, but it sat in her stomach like a sack of bricks, the jedi sensing the truth to the words.

"What we need to look at is why, not how. What does his death buy anyone?" She flicked through the files without direction, steel in her gaze.

She would figure this out. If there was something here left unfinished, she would see it through.

For Tarish.

 

[Ayden Carter]

Ayden couldn't help but stand and watch the others conversate. He was mainly silent, recollecting parts of information that could maybe benefit in the conversation but didn't know if it'd help at all. The event that was being recalled by the others was a bit fuzzy to him, little memory. But he used what little memory he had to at least be of some help in the conversation.

Naria had said something that got him to speak, however, Cato's question still floated in the air. "In all possibilities, it could have been force lightning. From what my understanding of the ability does it and the autopsy report, force lightning has the capability of doing such a feat. But Naria's point still stands. Tarish being killed by a padawan seems unreliable at this current moment. Tarish is too smart for that. Not to mention that he was an avid fighter. The only situation where I see him lose is where some outside force, whatever it may be, affected the fight in some way or form. But, that is only what I believe." He didn't expect what he said to be right, he only wanted to give his thoughts and lay them out for the others to ponder upon.

Figuring out how was equally as troubling as figuring out why. A headache had appeared around the time he had stopped talking, so he buried his face into his hands.

Today was not his day. Today wasn't anyone's day.

Cato Harth | Naria Harth | Risen | Farrina​

 

[Aberrant]

Cato Harth Naria Harth Risen Ayden Carter​

The Coroner frowned, seeming unhappy with the suggestion of force lightning. The mention of attempting to become more powerful also seemed to puzzle the man more than solve the problem. He moved to Tarish's left hand, lifting it up for everyone to see before speaking. It bore scorch marks from his finger tips to knuckles as though held in a fire.

"Lightning, I have noticed, tends to affect the epidermis first by forcing blood cells to the surface. It leaves tell tale signs of it's passing to the naked eye." He pointed to the long and solid bruise mark that dominated Tarish's palm. “This does not align with the typical markings I have studied, associated with blocking or receiving such an attack. Force lightning would not inflict the injuries that I have seen inside him.”

He turned to them all, more frustrated by the given answers now. Naria's mention of his death being his own doing had one of the hooded figures jerking forward as if slapped. A sharp word in a foreign tongue by the leader had them snapping back to attention.

"Are you suggesting he killed himself?" The leader spoke, a tone blended with anger and sadness. A woman's voice, but sharp at the wording.

"Very probable. Lightning would have scorched the epidermis, put him into cardiac arrest, or at the least even just stunned him for a time. But I believe he was at Yurb with Ms. Serys if I read correctly and would have known to watch for that." He pulled back the left sleeve slowly to reveal an arm that looked akin to a log burnt from the inside. "The wounds that killed him are internal and look similar to this. Which was what begged the question about the sith, and Ms. Serys."

He put the sleeve back down reverently as the leader of the group stepped forward slowly.

"Ms. Galland, your brother most likely caused his own demise." The hood fell back as she moved closer to show them the sharp features of what seemed to be the sister of Tarish. A scowling look that was pointed to the body before her. It only softened when she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What were you trying to do?” She asked as though expecting an answer.

The man’s attention went to the file, nodding to Naria as she grabbed it while he posed his next question. "You might see something I missed-” He spoke while crossing his arms. “-as I do not study fighting. Reckless use of force powers given the explosion. Aren't you all trained to not make flashy shows of fighting?"

 

[Cato Harth]

Cato blinked in response to Risen’s sudden revelation. “You what? I never heard about any kind of mission like that. You knew where she went, and didn’t tell anyone?” A hint of frustration arose in his voice. Risen wasn’t exactly the maverick type, and now he had the chance to prevent this from happening and didn’t.

Naria cut in next, surprising Cato even further. “You seriously think he’d just kill himself like that? You heard Risen, she beat him! And he’s one of our best fighters!” The concept of Tarish letting himself die was something Cato couldn’t comprehend, or rather, didn’t want to. “He wouldn’t just leave everything behind like that, no way.” Ayden gave further credence to Cato’s previous theory, and he gestured at his friend in approval, “Thank you,” before he too refuted the idea of Tarish being taken down by a padawan. Cato’s eye twitched in irritation, before resigning to silence.

Finally, the coroner had shut down his theory as well. He listened carefully to the new evidence, before his attention was taken away by a new revelation. “Sorry, your brother?” Cato pointed a finger at Farrina, and looked back at the others to see if they were as surprised as him. They moved on, returning to the subject at hand. “Psh, I mean, I like to make flashy shows of fighting.” He scoffed. “Okay, fine, let’s say he let himself die. Like Naria said, what does that buy? And who could he possible be helping here? The girl? That still doesn’t make any sense.”

Farrina | Naria Harth | Risen | Ayden Carter​

 

[Risen]

Farrina Naria Harth Cato Harth Ayden Carter​

“Personal business.” Well, he’d already decided that he’d take the fall. They’d see him kicked out the Silver Jedi Order before he rolled on Centin — not that it would come to that. Risen wasn’t known for being very forthcoming, anyway.

As for the other implication of what Cato said… that cut deeper.

By that time, Risen had almost forgotten the hooded figures. The reveal of Galland’s sister pulled his attention back to their mysterious presence, and although he didn’t share Cato’s exaggerated reaction, he did subtly shift himself to face her. He didn’t take a combat-ready stance — he just didn’t know what to expect. Tarish had spoken fondly of her, but also said they hadn’t seen each other in years. Night take him, he hadn’t even asked her name.

“Sorry, your brother?”

Risen followed up the exclamation. “Galland hardly mentioned you. Said you never visited.” It wasn’t exactly decorous, given the situation, but someone had to ask it. “Why are you here now?” He glanced at Tarish's body. Other than the obvious, anyway.

The conversation turned to lightning and suicide. He chose to die, Naria said. What does his death buy anyone?

“There was something else he said.” Risen tried to remember the details of his final talk with Tarish. “He wanted to know why Serys left. He seemed…”

Risen

"Family. It's not just blood that makes a family." His eyes shot over to the large man with a smile, however small. He wasn't entirely sure where Risen stood on the matter, but these people were closer to him than most anyone of his kin other than his sister.

His following comment got a scoffing laugh and side eyes. "If you understand where someone comes from, or what shaped them, it helps if they are willing to listen."

"As for better...worse has come to us and been forgiven. Don't forget we have a former sith teaching padawans...and authority in our space." Tarish sing songed his reply with a shrug. "If we are able to forgive one, look past what they have done, wouldn't we be the same as those fallen for not trying to forgive another?"

He stretched, looking to him in silence. "We are jedi. We help. We guide. We reach out and try to connect. Try to resolve rather than fight but are more than capable of defending those who cannot defend themselves. Sometimes people need protecting from themselves, or someone stubborn enough to not give up." He spoke with a solemn tone, chewing on what he had said.

That's what we do right?

He chewed on it a bit longer before speaking again.

"We are still people though. We still trip. Still fall. Stumble. Would you hold your hand out to pick someone up, or walk past without a second thought?" A question he always asked himself before doing something. Even tough choices. Padawans were prone to thoughtless actions. Empowered by inexperience and notions of being saviors or good guys of the galaxy. His smile grew, reminding himself he hadn't gone to far from similar notions himself.

“He wanted to help her.” But, Allya’s name — how far would he go?

 

[Naria Harth]

Naria swallowed hard, the voices melding into the background as she read the file with frantic intent. It took effort to block out the emotions in the room, the grief, and anger, stifling as they all processed the mystery that laid before them.

"This doesn't make sense," was all she could mutter, ignoring the ifs and the whys of the others and focusing on the facts of the file. "The girl, its all around the girl."

She left Tarish's file all together, clicking through the database and pulling up Amanis. It was all basic stuff. Padawan, stellar record, good performance on the field-- Ossus, Yurb, Yarvin-- her missions stopped there. Why there.

"This was her first contact with the sith," she interjected, raising the pad. "The grandmaster's failed extraction. She was caught out alone. Why would anyone leave a padawan alone? They wouldn't. She tried to save Master Elise on her own. Got blasted. Was down after that. And then she's awol."

Naria made a noise of frustration, the pieces not making sense, though they crept closer.

"Where's the connection. Why did fall. Why was he invested?" Her eyes fell to the sister for the first time, a lance of pain shooting through her. She looked away, not acknowledging the woman further.

 

[Aberrant]

Naria Harth Cato Harth Risen Ayden Carter​

The surprise and questioning of her relation to Tarish was warranted. A deep and slow sigh coming before she replied, earning a sharp word from one of her compatriots.

"We spoke through holo-mail once he figured that out. He came here at a young age. As for my failure to visit, I have obligations to our home-world that do not allow me to travel. Personnel management and information gathering...of sorts." She replied quietly. Her free hand made a placating gesture to the offended figure behind her. "It's fine. Atoa and the High Priestess trust the Silver's."

The next question from Risen had her turning back to Tarish and then to him.

"That is my own failing. Putting duty before family, at least before Tarish anyway." Her gaze shifted to the coroner and then back to the group. "Our mother, one of the High Priestesses of Atoa, has requested Tarish be returned to Atoa for burial. I can't ignore my mother's wish, or an order from a High Priestess. So I came personally on her behalf."

There was more heated words in what would likely be the Atoan language, sharp and angry as Farrina turned to address them.

"Silence! These were his friends, comrades, family. You will not speak ill of the ones held so high by those passed. Am I understood?" She snapped, the three bowing quickly in response. "Prepare the ship if you are going to be belligerent." The trio simply nodded after a moment of silence and left, giving the group a wide berth and looking straight ahead.

The comments about why caught her attention, her brow drawn at the mention of Tarish wanting to help Amani.

"His death took her to the dark side, to the sith. What would that gain her?" The coroner sat aside from all the talk, quietly filling out the transfer paperwork for the time being as they discussed theories. His head popping up suddenly as something seemed to click.

"What do most people do when they want to get into an exclusive place on the sly?" He suddenly asked, turning slowly to face them again.

 

[Cato Harth]

Cato paid little attention to what the Atoans were saying, too perplexed everything to bother with whatever they were expressing. He simply nodded at the request for Tarish to be returned to his homeward. It wasn't exactly up for him to decide, but he felt little need to debate it.

“She what?” Cato looked at the file again, the events on Yavin and then even further back in her record. “She doesn’t have a proper mentor, even. She did, but they split at her own request.” What could have possibly brought her to do something so reckless, and unsupervised? The details only seemed to make things more confusing. He kept scanning through the records, the look on his face growing more puzzled by the second.

"What do most people do when they want to get into an exclusive place on the sly?"

Cato snarked in irritation, “Uh, you make a fake ID? It’s what I did.” He stole a side-eyed glance at Naria before returning his focus to the file. After a few longer moments, he froze in place, running back through the file to double check himself before a self-satisfied smirk finally pulled across his face. “She was at Onderon.”

He looked back up to the others, “No no, not this last time. When the Grandmaster got abducted. Amani was there for that, too.” Cato presented his findings, making sure the others were on the same page. “Elise traded herself in for the padawans’ safety, yeah? She was one of ‘em. She got cornered by bounty hunters…” He went back to the status report from Yavin, “Then she went and did this? She blames herself! She tried to fix it on her own!” On that, Cato could relate. Underneath his showmanship laid someone filled with self-doubt. He could piece together the motivation quickly. “Elise should be held in captivity somewhere inside the Sith Empire...” He held for a dramatic pause, letting them fill in the blanks that were becoming much clearer. It just left them wondering as to why Tarish was even involved.

Farrina | Naria Harth | Risen | Ayden Carter​

 

[Risen]

Farrina Naria Harth Cato Harth Ayden Carter​

Typical. Risen knew Tarish had noble blood, but he didn’t act it. He was personable, fraternal. All this talk of commands from on high annoyed Risen, reminded him of Earl Masu and Lurival. He’d help bury his friend if he could but — mountain help him, he was in no mood for politics.

Unless, of course, Naria had other ideas. Then Risen would be ready to stand at her back with his weapon ready.

The Galland sister seemed to represent this nobility more closely. She carried herself with poise and grace, and spoke in a voice that was accustomed to being obeyed. Her castigation of the Atoan priests carried an authority that spanned languages. Risen didn’t know what she said, only that her cadre bowed and left.

Naria steered them back to the mystery at hand. Risen closed his eyes. Tython’s lightning flashed in the darkness there as he tried to remember what all Amani had said. He saw her rage, her power, her boot on Centin’s chest. But there were words, too, something she said.

Something…

Elise?

Risen hardly knew the Grandmaster, but he knew of her. And of course he’d been briefed on her abduction, which happened while he was still on Antar. He suspected it was, in part, why he was called to return.

But there was more. Amani was there… She blames herself…

“‘Not until I finish what I started,’” Risen said, almost under his breath. He looked at the others in restrained shock.

Risen | Centin Tillo

Amani stared back at Centin. She saw the fear in his eyes. The lack of recognition. Like she was someone else. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean it.”

Another presence made itself known. The Knight. He stepped forward, wreathed in blue. There was power there, and she feared it. “Just-- Just let me go! I have to do this!” Amani pleaded, hoping to appeal to a sense of duty, “I need to make things right! I need to save her!” It was like arguing with a statue. There was no sign of emotion on his face.

The thunder roared louder, the rain beat down harder. She tried to back away towards her ship, never turning away from the imposing figure now between her and Centin. She spoke with a false confidence, betrayed by the shaking in her voice, “I’m leaving. This doesn’t need to get worse.”

A bolt of lightning struck down behind her, the deafening crack of thunder resounded throughout the valley. Amani flinched in surprise, the booming blast shaking her to the core. Tython was angry. Or she was.

“‘I need to save her.’” He ran a hand through his gnarled hair. “Allya’s name, that’s what she said. So she’s… she’s trying to extract the Grandmaster?”

The dots were connected. If Tarish wanted to help her infiltrate the Sith, then the best way to do it was…

It was a thought too terrible to finish.