Death of the Csahn

[Bryce Bantam]

​

​

Funeral Procession - Wilds of the Southern Jungles - Heading for Lost city of Tilikez

It had been well over a week since they had set out from the capital city of Kal'Shebbol, by foot Clan Rha had marched into the jungles of their sacred lands. Nearly a thousand had turned out all to walk with the great Csahn and follow him to his final resting place among the other great leaders of the clan. Cla'Mari had explained how important this was to her, the youngest of his daughters and not even of his blood she refused to let any see weakness in her or her new husband. So when it came time to carry the Csahn she made sure Bryce understood the importance of his place. He was a Csahe'eb a prince of the clan. To carry the Csahn to his final home was a great honor, one that would be sullied if he did not fulfill. So day after day Bryce had lifted her father's chariot upon his shoulder and carried the great king through the hot jungle.

His newly reconstructed legs ached from the strain of shouldering such a load all day, but Bryce also used it as practice for his force skills. Calling upon the force for help he used it to strengthen his muscles while at night he soothed and fortified his body for the next day ahead. It has been a gruling ritual for Bryce, with little time to think of anything else he focused his mind to perform the task requested of him. One that thankfully looked to soon be at an end as in the distance the great stone towers of Tilikez were coming into view.

Little did he know as he traveled others not related to clan Rha looked on. What would they think of the procession of so many Twi'leks? Only they knew...

Spoiler

[member="Jiduveda"] and [member="Kuulhagar"] This is your entrance, The environment seems fitting for both you characters. Jump in whenever you want, I will craft the story around you once you do. Any questing please PM me. Also enjoy the music in the link, picked it to help set the mood.

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

Dark emerald eyes, solemn, pensive and unmoving, observed from afar a most noble cortège that traipsed along the heavy jungle bed of Kal'Shebbol. Some distance away, a figure of silence and solitude took care along dense forestland. The many layman with whom the being treaded with, not directly affiliated with the immediate procession though owing respect regardless to the event, spoke infrequently and with caution to the stranger, who would return the irregular intrigue with humility and earnest. Though as content as he would be to indulge another's desire to speak, the creature preferred isolation, for it provided space to ponder on matters most important.

The Jedi had come here to pay respect to the memory of an old friend, recently passed and widely held in high regard and importance by many for his deeds, yet there was something of particular note upon this happening that intrigued and distracted him; a presence of unknowable conflicts and challenge, and profound scars to show for it. Viridescent eyes narrowed slightly as Jiduveda's face exhibited a familiar grim expression, as if a long lifetime of study and understanding had taken its toll upon its bearer. From where did this bright light shimmer, and why was it so entombed within an abyss? Jiduveda reached for his staff that lay by his bare, clawed feet, and strode onward along the layman path.

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce was finally able to lay down his burned upon the steps of the great temple. The duty of the Csahe'eb ended here as the many watched the fallen king carried off into the holy halls to be sanctified and made ready for the great journey to the afterlife. Bryce was now family by law but not long enough to warrant him engaging in the great rituals that were to follow, instead he passed into the crowd and then beyond them to a quite place upon one of the cities many great walls. From here he would be able to see all the comings and goings, but also be out of the way and removed from the grand event.

Cla'Mari had made it clear to Bryce what was expected of him, no more and no less. For now, he had time to relax and rest his weary body, time to reflect and try to collect his thoughts and bring to balance his mind, which was becoming harder with every passing day.

[member="Jiduveda"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

"You are an important person here," came an observant voice; solemn, curious and calm. Some paces along the grand city wall of ancient stone came the ageing being to whom the voice belonged. He had been watching from afar for many weeks, and had felt the thrum of the Force about the place. He had noted the unique aura belonging to the individual who stood before him some time ago, and took strategic actions to ensure an encounter happened. The older man, though half the size of the human, stood humbly, draped grey-green robes. His face was calm, and his deep green eyes told of age beyond his physical form. He gently adjusted the beads that were spun around his wrist as his wide eyes watched the Jedi prince.

"It may not feel it, but there are people here who do look up to you. You are a part of the royal family." His voice was smooth, low and mature, but seemingly pulled back in a way as to remain somewhat hushed.

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce looked over at the one talking to him, strange he could feel how strong the force was with him but till now he hadn't noticed him.

"By marriage, the Rha are a proud clan, till me they have never had a non-Twi'lek prince and I'm afraid many of them, including my wife, feel that there should never have been one."

From a pouch, Bryce pulled out a cantine of water and a bag of jerky. Taking one of the dried pieces he placed it into his mouth and savored the salty flavor of the smoked meat. Before taking another he offered the bag and cantine to his new companion.

"Unique group these Rha, mixture of pride, honor, and religious fear. Ever since the battle of Sarns place these holy men seem to view me as something special, a gift of the gods they say. View my strength in the force as divine gifts, that I have some grand purpose. Whatever that means..."

[member="Jiduveda"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

The young man spoke with conviction, weariness and uncertainty, and Jiduveda watched and listened intently as he did so.
"Many are afraid of change, and this is natural. This is a part of life; the fear of change, and the change itself. Would you not agree? Ah- no, thank you." He rose his hand rejection while his face remained calm and his eyes showed respect and appreciation for the offer of food. He had not eaten in days, but his fasting had been a true and important conviction. His cocked his head slightly to the man.
"Do we not all have a grand purpose? Is the Force not a great river upon which we all glide, leading us towards the grand ocean?"
His attention was temporarily diverted as the ancient songs of the Rha, sung during the penultimate rituals of the royal funeral, resonated across the city, echoing along the grand walls upon which the two stood, and beyond into the jungle landscape that surrounded them, where it dispersed into a wash of undiluted noise to be met with shrieks and groans of its uncountable, unseen life. Jiduveda returned his attention to the immediate moment, his eyes flicking back to the human before him.

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

"Yes, change is all I have know for the past several years. Seen the good and bad in people, it makes you grow up fast."

Bryce could here wisdom in the man's words, those his age escaped him. His voice was old but young at the same time. Bryce could here the wisdom in his words, he was a man who understood the force, but the force did not surround him as it did with other masters Bryce had met. His take on the force was also new to Bryce. One one he had met spoke on the force with such reverence and eloquence. His previous master Solan was philosophical on life but when it came to his training methods they were very grounded in common sense and pragmatism.

"What your name good sir, if you don't mind me asking? Mine is Bryce, friends call me BB also. You can also if you want."

As Bryce waited in his reply he ate a few more pieces of jerky and a good drink of water from his cantine. Sitting back against the rock wall his closed his eyes and began to list also the funeral hymns that were being sung. They were beautiful, and Bryce to this point had failed to truly hear them due to struggles in the days prior.

[member="Jiduveda"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

"Change is all we can ever know. What would life be without change? What would death be, for that matter? It is all interlinked, and it is all forever changing."
Jiduveda looked up towards the jungle skies for a while, breathing in a quiet, warm breeze that swept along the walls, his eyes closing in a blissful moment of awareness and reverence for all that surrounded him; a gentle calm of fortune. He opened his emerald eyes again and returned them to the young man.
"Bryce," he chose, bowing his head slowly and gently in respect. "It is humbling to meet you. I am Jiduveda. Sometimes people prefer Jidu. I leave that choice with you.." He examined Bryce for a few long moments. "If you may indulge me, Bryce, I am curious to learn more of you. From whom or where did you train?"

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

"My master is [member="Solan Charr"] , the enigmatic King of Kesh. His unique views of the force have helped shape me and my training Jidu."

The sun was setting and Bryce knew the jungle was not a place to underestimate. Reaching out with the force he began to collect stray kindling and wood from the grounds around them and placing it in a pile in front of him. Once a suitable stack was collected, Bryce placed some highly flammable oil cloth from his pocket in the center and surrounded it with dry leaves and twigs. Calling on another skill of his master's teaching Bryce let sparks fly from his hand and onto the makeshift fire starter. As soon as the cloth caught fire Bryce pulled it from higher till it began to consume the larger logs.

"Your ways seem more spiritual than my understanding of the force, please tell me of your understanding of it."

[member="Jiduveda"]