Character
The rains had passed, but the scent of ozone still lingered.
Mist clung low to the valley floor, rising in slow tendrils from the banks of the river that cut through the heart of Odessen’s wilds. Trees, tall and ancient, framed the horizon dark pines and hardwoods swaying gently in the wind’s wake. Birdsong returned in cautious notes, interspersed with the occasional rustle of branches where creatures resumed their morning routines.
On a hill, that overlooked the valley, the Academy stood in silent watch. Its architecture blended seamlessly with the stone, reinforced durasteel and permacrete wrapped in natural hues, grown moss and trailing ivy softening its otherwise practical silhouette. Not a temple, not a fortress but something between. A sanctuary with teeth.
Mandalorian patrols kept watch at the valley's few accessible entrances, their checkpoints staggered with precision. An accord struck with an old friend, the ties between Strill Securities and Taiia were deep, she would never question the loyalty of these men and women. For a time she even called a Mandalorian her husband. There was a mutual respect between them, there had to be to have her students there.
Taiia had left before sunrise.
She’d taken no escort, only her cloak, descending from the sanctuary down a half-forgotten trail that followed the river’s bend. She moved without urgency, boots muffled by damp earth, her senses stretched wide. The Force was quiet this morning, like breath drawn in but not yet released.
She came here sometimes, when the weight of vision outpaced the moment. Today wasn’t for confrontation. She wasn’t hunting, nor hiding. Simply walking. The forest trail eventually opened into a narrow clearing near the river’s edge, framed by smooth boulders and twisted roots. Here, the valley dipped just enough to catch more sunlight warm and golden against the moss-covered stones. She exhaled once, quietly, as she stepped into it.
And then she felt it.
Not a threat. Not even a presence, at first. Just the faintest pull in the Force subtle, inquisitive, like a note on the edge of hearing.
She wasn’t alone.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her gaze toward the path upstream. Whoever it was, they were close. A flicker behind the trees, a heartbeat not her own. Taiia said nothing. She didn’t reach for her saber. She didn’t hide her presence., The Hidden Path had taken up residence on Odessen, she wasn't blind to that but she had also not gone out of her way to approach them, they continued to grow in number yet it wasn't a concern for her just yet.
She simply waited.
This valley had always drawn those in need of refuge. But rarely did they wander in without intention.
So let them come. Let them speak first.
She would listen.
