For a Brighter Future, Together | Midvinter Aftermath [Silver Jedi & Allies]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

​

Tháinbroek, Midvinter
City Centre​

Thurion clutched his side, attempting to alleviate the pain of the superficial wound of his abdomen as he staggered about the blood-soaked streets of Tháinbroek, looking for a familiar face amongst the living while simultaneously wishing he would not find one amongst the dead. Every turn he took there would be a litter of broken bodies belonging to Valkyri, Rangers, Jedi, and Sith alike, and at times it got difficult to navigate the streets due to the gathering of corpses. His head swam in a horrible mix of fatigue and emotional suffering, and his eyes betrayed him by offering but a blurred picture of the world around him.

The otherwise homely living quarters of the city were turned into a proverbial maze of rubble, and where cries of battle once filled the air there was at first naught but silence, eventually replaced with the wailing of widows and loved ones emerging to find the countless dead. Turning the corner, however, Thurion stumbled upon the city square where he’d stood and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with his Valkyri brethren, and only now did he look down to find his sword covered in blood, and his hands began to tremble. He fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. His armour felt more akin to a steel coffin, weighing him down.

But Snowfall had not given up on him, and so supporting his weight on his trusty blade he rose to his feet once more, wincing from the stabbing pain from inside his chest. At the far end of the square, lined with even more bodies upon the cobblestone, stood the once-proud bronze statue of his father, the Dawnbringer. Its head was missing. At its base sat his older brother, and in his lap rested the cut-off head of their father. “Th-... Thyrian…” Words were almost too much to bear, and what escaped his lips were but whispers. Still, it seemed to be enough to draw his brother’s attention, as he promptly set aside the bronze head and ran towards him.

“Thurion,” he called out before they met half-way, and the two embraced each other. All at once did Thurion’s legs give in to fatigue, leaving Thyrian to carry both their weights as he brought him to the feet of their father where they could find a moment to rest together amidst all the destruction. Both men were covered in blood and grime. Fortunately, none of it belonged to them. Their foreheads touched as they sat resting against the base of the statue, with the younger holding onto his elder’s hand. “When will it end,” he asked him. “All this suffering and death…” Thyrian held his little brother’s hand firmly, lending him his strength as best he could, but he had no reassuring answers to give.

Thurion closed his eyes. “Coci…” He could feel her presence, and for a moment the faintest smile found his lips. She was safe. They were safe.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Xander Carrick"] | [member="Vitha Sat-thuron"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Lynn Nantaris"] | [member="Willa Isard"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Honoko"] | [member="Marek S'hadar"] | [member="Calder Icehammer"] | [member="Catherine Soja"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Jericho"] | [member="Claire Ouron"] | [member="Sochi Ru"]​

OOC: Open to SJO and her allies!​

​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZsmofXJBKI​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Tháinbroek, Midvinter
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

The Sephi's expression was grim. Circumstances were relatively favorable: the Sith and their forces had retreated from Midvinter. They had taken considerable damage and casualties on the way in, and it was a wonder that any of them got back out. Some of them always got back out though, always cheated certain death. The strange strokes of luck happened on both sides, but it was almost always when least expected or desired for the other side.

The cause of the grim look was not that some had escaped. It was what they'd left behind. There was damage, and there were bodies. No doubt there were smaller amounts of both than intended, but still significant. The East Gate had been nearly untouched, with just a couple squads of Sith thrown at that objective. Two Sith had come as well, and had - in his mind - fought two newer Jedi and a Knight close to a standstill. He'd intervened, and the two Sith were no longer there. Not dead, as he'd really intended only to drive them away. He'd made a note that the Jedi as a whole needed to work on working together rather than at cross-purposes.

Inside the city, there were a number of houses that had been demolished. Bodies littered the streets...but there again, far fewer than the assailants had desired. The vast bulk of the Sith forces that had made it to the ground had been prevented from entering the city. Those that had made it in were some of the best and had wrought as much damage as they could before retreating. The keening of the survivors was plainly audible, and the anguish they felt was almost palpable through the Force. Yet long-distance scouts were reporting at least two villages - one of them almost a camp - that appeared to have been completely slaughtered. Zero survivors, though there were groups of soldiers that would go to verify those initial analyses.

By far, the most damage had occurred at and around the Western Gate. The most damage, and the most casualties. The amount of wounded though, was lower than he would have otherwise expected. A moment's examination provided a potential explanation: the Valkyr were a hardy, warrior species. They neither asked for quarter or gave it, to leave an enemy alive behind them was to leave a threat alive and they expected the same to be done to them. They fought to the end. Wounded there were though, warriors who had vanquished their enemy only to find the rest of the army they'd been fighting gone.

The wounded were already being looked over by medics, and those same medics were far more qualified to help than Audren. So he was sweeping the streets, examining the rubble for potential buried survivors. Unlike the natives, he didn't need to dig through the rubble to find survivors, and if he detected a life they could focus at that point. There was more a higher likelihood that survivors would continue to be such instead of dying while waiting to be dug out.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

It was always the smell that turned her stomach after a battle, simply because that is what hit you first once the deadly silence set in. It is that moment of stun in which the individual stands alone still. Hardly breathing, thinking or feeling anything. It is the same for everyone here, the Valkyri, the Jedi and even those trapped on Midvinter, the enemy. Eventually, the mind returns, the senses pick up on what had happened and reason is still illusive. What had been the purpose of this attack? Revenge most likely, but if this was to send a message to the Heavenshields, it had been for nothing. No matter who was at the 'helm' the name mattered little, this was simply to fight the Jedi. It was insanity.

There was no victor today other then Death.

She walked back through the Western Gate, smoke spiralling up from all manner of burning things adding to the horror of the sight before her. Twisted bodies, charred remains and the sound of crying filled the air around her, the faces of those she met looked blankly at her as she passed, mostly etched with disbelief or unable to comprehend what had happened here. The strange people that had come to their planet with only the thought of murder on their minds they could not fathom as this was not a want for glory but pain. It was something the Valkyri did not understand, there was no glory in this.

She followed the trail of their force bond, allow it to take her to him, and once she turned into the square she found him and Thyrian. There was not much one could say, no words of wisdom to ease the moment, or use to form understanding and so she approached silently. Her hand reached out and took Thurion's, a hold of reassurance that she was there and real enough, in this unreal situation. Coci looked at the two brothers, each with their own thoughts railing through their minds and she voiced what they all thought, "It is time to end this". She knew Thurion would understand her words. And with emotion boiling over in her she grabbed hold of Thurion and held him close to her, pressing her body to his and would not let go.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

Matsu had heard about the attack on Midvinter and had made sure they were getting as many parts of their information to them here. She knew the ranger's had been working hard and she had seen the reports of the systems and the layers of defenses they had brought in. The early warning, monitoring stations, relays, mapping ships and everything that gave them the strongest view of the areas of space they held influence in. She arrived coming down from the library stopping at the outer walls where she had arrived. Seeing the jericho class ships, the defenders who had been working together that were moving the bodies that had been around here. Matsu could see more things around as she passed the exterior and there were walkers, vehicles and more rangers on the inner ring going with Jerico's clone soldiers. She could see some of the others and people were arriving here for them to see. Sakura medical teams were helping out, they had what information they could get and she entered the inner walls that had just as much in the way of defenses seeing the massive tank walker that had been around defending this. The shield carriers were there ready to be used to defend. The city walls where the rangers had been setting up and giving them reinforcements with auto turrets and the different soldiers, ranger's, beorni, valkyrie and they had all of the teams working hard. Scans for the teleportation technologies were being given and she was looking for her former padawan and now master [member="Sorel Crieff"] wh was skilled and could give to her information about what might be happening.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Walking alone through the snowy streets of Tháinbroek for the first time, she had finally become convinced the that the Sith were all completely deranged. As a commander, she took great pains to ensure every operation she planned actually achieved something of strategic value, and was orchestrated in such a manner as to limit casualties where possible. Here, there had been no rhyme or reason to the Sith's actions, other than to inflict mental trauma upon the Silver Jedi in their sick obsession with a few particular members.

They had utterly failed in doing so, losing countless lives and untold amounts of resources in the process. Outside the city, she could see huge splotches of black and red where their forces had been mowed down from above and below. In space, billions of pieces of debris now orbited Midvinter from the destruction she had wrought upon their poorly directed fleet. The Sith had incurred all those losses, just to topple only a few homes in the end. This was truly the actions of those mad with power, slaves to their dark impulses. The Sith's reckless assault on Midvinter encapsulated everything wrong with their disturbing ideology.

The hawkish Jedi hoped she would finally receive the backing to do what needed to be done to ensure the safety of Outer Rim from the Sith scourge. Their attackers operated like ghosts, always striking from the shadows with no warning. Their seemingly endless resources for their terrorism didn't come out of thin air, so it was high past time to cut off their sources. Otherwise, the Silvers would continue to be on the defensive, risking another location being assaulted. Tháinbroek and Midvinter had gotten off lightly, but the same couldn't be same for the next target.

But for now, her immediate focus was on securing prisoners for interrogation, and dispensing aid to the locals and wounded among her fellow Rangers and Jedi. Through the streets, she could see several Kiribians about, helping clear out the wreckage, passing out foodstuffs, providing medical attention, etc. They were a charitable people, making the Jedi feel right at home with them on Kiribi.

Eventually, her trek through the city led her to the center, where she would stumble upon Thurion and Coci in the midst of an embrace. She felt a mix of emotions watching the husband and wife from a distance as she let them have their moment, not all positive. She couldn't think of a time she had spoken with each of them directly since first joining the Silver Jedi Order from the Old Republic. Now seemed as good as time as any. She sucked in an icy jet of Midvinter air to clear her mind, then trudged through the snow toward the pair to reintroduce herself.

"Hello."

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Tyluko-Kai Kaimana]

Tyluko awoke suddenly as found himself lying down in the snow beyond just beyond the city gates. He shook his head as he tried to get his bearings, thinking that he must have gotten knocked out during his duel with the Cathar Sith. As he lifted his head up to take a look around, he was stunned to find that the battle was over. The Sith Forces had completely retreated, leaving behind the smoldering ruins of the city. It was rather quiet, a heavy somber silence hung in the air. '

Tyluko struggled to rise to his feet but he managed to muster enough strength to do so. As he rose to his feet, he felt a dull pain across the side of his face and dorsal crest. He brushed the area to find his skin still tender from having contact with Devaronian blood poison; the pain leaving a physical scar on his face. He walked along the snow, his tail leaving a wavy trail in the snow as he walked towards the city.

As he walked towards the city he looked off into the distance, staring sadly at the scorched, dead forests that littered the landscape. He sunk his head in sorrow as he thought of all the wasted life and beauty that the Sith had destroyed. As he walked into the city, the atmosphere became more depressing; rubble was scattered about as the bodies of the dead covered the snowy earth. As he walked among the dead he saw bodies of many, Jedi, Rangers, Sith, Beorni and Valkyri all scattered about. Men, women and children, young and old. "Why had the Sith done this......what did they possibly hope to gain?" He thought to himself as he struggled to hold back tears.

As he looked around he saw his B1-Battle droid OM-7795 gathered around with the MM-003 Bulwark droid and the TR-V droid that he had seen Oomy with earlier. The 3 droids were gathered around with other droids huddled around the bodies of dead civilians. They were all silent, as if they were trying to make sense of everything that had happened, their logistic processors attempting to grasp anything they could. It was almost as if the droids were showing a sense of respect, compassion and morality realizing that so much had been lost. Tears trickled down Tyluko's face as he continued to walk into the center of the city. The carnage and destruction reminded him of the death of his family and his people, filling the young Dolphinarians heart with sorrow and guilt...guilt for being unable to protect the people of Midvinter. Feeling that he had failed to protect family....twice.

As Tyluko strode into the center of the city he saw a group of people gathered around, two of them were embracing. His eyes widened as he immediately recognized [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] and [member="Coci Heavenshield"] . The leaders of the SIlver Order, and two people who Tyluko looked up to for inspiration. They were speaking with another Jedi, who he did not recognize. He started to make his way over to them, his heart pounding in his chest. As he walked up to them , he bowed his head in respect. "Grandmaster and Master Heavenshield.....it is an honor to meet you...but I ummm I uhhh" Tyluko started to stutter as a feeling of sorrow, guilt and shame washed over him. Fatigue took effect and tears began to fall down his cheeks. Tyluko then dropped to his knees before the two Masters, his voice shaking as he started to cry

"I...I failed my masters.....I failed to protect your people....I...I am so sorry...they destroyed so much."

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWIE0PX1uXk[/media]

[member='Thurion Heavenshield'] [member='Audren Sykes'] [member='Coci Heavenshield'] [member='Matsu Ike'] [member='Arisa Yune']

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

With Coci now at his side Thurion could breathe a sigh of relief, and as they held each other he buried his face in her shoulder just as tears of exhaustion and emotional overload crawled down his ruddy cheeks. All at once the pain from his wound was forgotten, as having his wife and brother at his side provided him all the comfort he could ask for. Between him and Thyrian sat the head of their father's statue, and so Thurion moved to settle his hand upon the bronze head. Memories of him and Coci joining the old king in catching their breath following the victory at Tháinbroek which saw his father reclaim his rightful throne brought the tiniest smile to his lips, and as he looked across to his brother he realised he was once again fighting for his King.

As the three sat resting there in the middle of the city square, survivors of the battle began to gather around them. Many were wounded but still on their feet, and already there were people hard at work tending to them with a lot of help from the medics and healers brought from Voss. While all wounds heal given enough time, there was no doubt this unprovoked attack on a world that had seen no exterior threat in its long history would not affect the future of Midvinter. The people were scared and confused, questioning their gods and way of life when such terrifying enemies and technology exists. A change had to come, sooner or later.

Before them now stood [member="Arisa Yune"], presenting herself to the Grandmaster and his wife. Before either could return her introduction, another appeared. A devastated [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] fell to his knees, asking forgiveness. The latter caused a frown upon Thurion's lips. "Help me up," he asked of his wife and brother, and together they managed to raise him to his feet to tower over the kneeling and weeping Dolphinarian. Though it pained him to do so, Thurion reached out to settle a hand upon Tyluko's head and cheek, leaning down to look him in the eye. "There is nothing to forgive, young padawan. You fought bravely, same as everyone else. None of this is your fault, child."

He then got down on one knee himself to place a fatherly kiss upon the padawan's forehead, before rising once more with help from his wife. "Miss Yune," he then turned to the Atrisian woman. "Do whatever you can for these people. They've all been through the worst hell imaginable. I want every Ranger able to stand to aid in the restoration of the city. Have... have them bring in and distribute all the food, water and medicine your ships can spare." There was little in the way of commanding tone in his voice, with his words resembling more of a plea for help. Thurion then offered the Jedi Knight a bow of his head.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Midvinter. Sorel knew she had to return – and soon. Once she’d tidied up her affairs on Voss, she was straight back to support the efforts to return the planet to how it had once been.

As a Jedi, Sorel was objective, but that did not mean she was not empathetic. Death related to returning to the Force and so the Jedi Master did not see this as a time for sadness per se. But the death of innocents was never something to be glossed over or even taken in your stride. It was a time for reflection and grief in appropriate measures.

Bricks and mortar and durasteel were easily replaceable, Sorel never lost sleep over the destruction of buuildings. But the homeless were a different story and so as well as directing medical aid, she was spending time ensuring temporary accommodation was erected for those that lost their homes and would have to wait for new permanent shelter. And she knew that, deep down, nobody saw this as a positive. Loss was called loss for a reason.

But she did believe that those that survived would generally be stronger as a result of their experiences, even if they did not realise it yet.

So she continued to toil – now having gone over a day without sleep – when she sensed a familiar aura. She knew instinctively that her Master, Matsu Ike, was nearby and so she rubbed her dirty palms on her robes and wiped the back of her hand on her forehead – leaving an unfortunate oily stain – before setting off at a brisk pace to where she knew Matsu to be.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

It was unprecedented to see so many ships over Midvinter although he had got used to the sight of his uncles ship constantly in orbit standing vigilance over the place, but the amount of Silver Order ships only served to make his heart ache. They were not here for fun and he knew why. As the Tarly pulled out of hyperspace this was the sight he faced not only that, but communications from the Judgement insisting of verification of his identity added to the seriousness of the situation and it took Theo some time before they were convinced of his intent .. and who he was.

He could not get to ground quick enough, but by the same token he did not wish to see the result of the attack and what had happened to his home planet. The Tarly touched down outside Thainbroek, on the fields beyond the forest, out of habit he supposed as that was the sit location to provide less intrusion. But those days are gone, Midvinter had lost it's innocence and it was a sad day. A sad day on all accounts. Once more, lives had been lost, this time for a different reason and one that seemed to be have been pointless.

As he walked through the familar forest, countless hours spent within the trees as a child enjoying the freedom of the place, the beauty of it, he did not see that today and there would be no Belawir. His determinded steps took him quickly to the main gate, ripped open once more and various holes in the wall but strangely not as much as he had anticipated. That can be fixed, time and again that wall has been patched, but not the lives of those lost, not the lives of those who have lost their beloveds.

Odd it was no surprise to him to see the destruction, for the swirling smoke and smell but the scene of the Valkyri working around unsure of what had happened surprised him. Thousands of years they had faced war, localised of course, but knew of it so they are no stranger to what occurs, but never from Offworlders and so they are confused, uncertain of the future and this caused Theo to break down little by little as the tears welled in his eyes with each passing step.

I had not been here to help. Precisely what Theo fears the most had come to pass.

Firstly, he had to find out if his family and friends were safe and entering the main square he was relieved to see his father, mother and uncle together, although worse for wear. The Silver Jedi that had come to defend Midvinter already at work to provide aid for those in need, some of which he did not know but that mattered little. There were others in Thainbroek he could sense, familiar presences, like Audren who he knew since childhood, Master Ike, and Sorel. A strong sense of relief to be able to sense her well, although he could not see her.

"Father, Mother", he said as he approached them both, and with a quick bow of his head he greeted his uncles and king. Frankly, he did not know what to say to them at this point, but he was here to give all he could to help rebuild his beloved home.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | ​

 

[Catherine Soja]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] [member="Sorel Crieff"] [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] [member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Audren Sykes"]

She had been helping sort through ruble and find trapped people, also helped find the dead. After a shift of this she had stopped to rest but...she really was still standing guard. She noted the various people not too far from the gate but she did not march over. She doubted any of them wanted to speak to her today. She'd failed, she could not help the padawans under her care and had a Master not joined who knows what may have happened. Though she guessed by now after several medical staff offered help if she needed it that they had taken note of her refusal. She looked tired but refused to rest, she could not forgive her own lapses today. As she stepped down from the gate into the streets below she took a seat atop sum of the rubble. Her mind on the battle and what she ought to have been able to do.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Tháinbroek, Midvinter
[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] | [member="Catherine Soja"]

The search had borne results, not all of them positive. He and the Valkyri who accompanied him had managed to recover two people still alive. One had been lucky, as a beam had struck another and effectively 'tented' him from heavy harm; he just had a few bruises. The other, a woman, wasn't so fortunate. Two broken legs and a puncture to the lower abdomen. She was alive though, and with proper care could live a normal life. He'd sensed three others as they'd died. One had died while unconscious, without pain. Another had only minor discomfort as they worked to dig him out, only to have him die seconds before pulling off the last of the rubble. Debris had crushed his spinal cord and prevented him from feeling the jagged piece piercing multiple vital organs. The third's spinal cord had been intact...he'd felt everything.

Then there were the ones who were already dead. Many, many times they saw hands or feet sticking out of the rubble. Unmoving of course. Other times there were patches of bloody scalp, the owners nowhere to be found. Or blood spray along a standing wall accompanying a body-shaped lightening of the burns staining that wall. Gruesome work, but it needed to be done now while survivors could still be found. It had not been long enough - and it was most definitely not warm enough - for the stench of decay to start rising. For now, it was just the odors of war. And still the search continued.

People were gathering near the center of the city. It was a large open square, suitable for tending to wounded or making plans. Thurion was there with Coci; their Force presences could be easily sensed through the city. Several other Jedi were there too, including one of those from the East gate. Others were spread across the city, helping where they could. Tháinbroek might have been the primary target, but Audren was fully aware that there had been several other villages hit as well...he hoped that some Jedi had gone with the Rangers and soldiers sent to those locations. They would be badly needed. That much was plain to see.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The time for rest for the Jedi would come later, there was still much to be done with the countless amount of injured in the city alone, let alone outside the walls and beyond that. This was paramount before the Valkyri and the Jedi could afford to sit and contemplate the time to mourn. Jedi don't possess cold hearts or empty of emotions that would allow them this, regardless of the fact the Valkyri are not their people, but anyone or any race living within the area of Silver Protected Space comes under this banner of family, and any loss is felt as such.

But tired and injured Jedi are no good to anyone. So Coci looked upon Thurion with plenty of concern, sure he is tired they all are but his injury worried her and knowing him as she does, she knew he would do anything to help but not in this condition. "Enough of the orders Thurion", she began with soft voice and took him by the arm. "I need to heal you before we can do more for our people. Theo please help me with your father".

Coci and Theo lead Thurion to a seat by a wall of the what once was a forge. As he sat down, she ripped open what remained of his clothing to expose the injury, yet there was fabric caked into the blood and open flesh and gently she teased it away from the cuts and blood. It would hurt, she tried her best to minimalise the pain but she could not sheild him entirely. With what little energy she had left to use the force, Coci let her tendrils flow through his body around the wound area, using the art of small of all things, she located the toxins, germs and dirt which might cause infections and rended them other, breaking them down to disintergrate them. And once the area was cleansed she stood up and looked around. She could use the force to knit the flesh and rid him of brusings or anything broken, but Thurion Heavenshield was not one to remove the reminder of such tradgedies as this day.

"Don't go anywhere", she said to him more serious and with authority, but she had Theo there to look over him and keep him in place. And with that Coci ran quickly to find the place she knew would have the herbs for healing. She only could hope the place was still standing. By the Grand Hall stood a small house in which a herbalist lived, the same one that provided her with the potions to easy child birth so long ago when Theo was born and the force was kind this day, as she found the small home. But no one was home.

Coci entered the room in which the herbs still hung on the wall to dry, and on the walls many shelves on which small bottles of potions and ointments sat, the place had been abandoned, no doubt once the battle had started. She took what she needed, a concoction of herbs and oils that Thrand had taught her to make, to ease the pain and help knit the flesh, it would never heal the skin from scarring, but that would matter little to Thurion.

She hurried back to her husband, half expecting him to be gone, unable to just sit and do nothing when so much was to be done, but there he was and how at rest he looked even more tired and sad. Coci mixed the herbs to the oil and began to apply the potion. "This might sting", she whispered. It was only now did she look up into his blue eyes searching for what was in his heart.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Catherine Soja"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkO7jqU3Xy0​

The appearance of their son brought Thurion a mix of joy and sorrow; the former because he was happy to see Théo again, and the latter because he wished Théo would not have to see the damage done to his beloved childhood home. Without a single hesitation Thurion, despite his difficulty at walking unsupported, stumbled towards his boy to wrap his arms around him. The only difference was that for the first time it was he who sought comfort in his son's arms, and not the other way around. Théodred was a man in his own right with his whole life ahead of him, whereas Thurion had lived out his as best he could. His youth was all spent up, and he was so very tired. Yes, it was time.

At Coci's bidding he was brought over to a nearby wall where he could sit upright, and as she began to treat his wound Thurion grimaced quietly from the sting of her careful examination. When she stood back up to locate him some medicine, he looked up at her and managed a tired smile and a wink. "Don't you worry, I'm not going anywhere..." Once left in the company of his youngest sat beside him, the elder Heavenshield closed his eyes while resting his head upon Théo's shoulder.

"Sorry you had to see me like this," he muttered as if he were about to fall asleep. "It would seem your old man is just human after all," he added with a slight chuckle which instead turned to a light cough. He held onto Théo's arm, clinging to him as a child would their pillow or a stuffed animal at night. "I love you, little one..." he barely managed to voice before succumbing to fatigue, nodding off where he sat. While he slumbered, whether it be from fever dream or an actual vision, he saw the woman he had grown up idolising. She appeared before him, speaking soft words of comfort. A tear ran down his cheek.

By the time Coci returned, Thurion stirred from his brief nap as she spoke to him. Groggily he looked up at her, her raven hair caught by a breeze and for a moment he thought she was someone else. "Asha...?" he whispered, only to realise who it really was the next moment. He greeted his beloved wife with another fatigued smile as she got to work patching him up. "Hey, you," he spoke softly. "I was dreaming."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Catherine Soja"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She continued to work on Thurion's injury, applying the mix of oils and herbs to the wound before binding it with a bandage she acquired from the herbalest home. Coci was taken aback by the name he had called her upon waking from his nap, mistaken her for his long dead mother. She had been living in the shadow of this women for as long as she could remember and by now she had hoped her position had been reversed, but this would be a conversation for another time and another place. There was too much do and others to worry about now. "Keep this bandage on for the remains of the day. Already you should feel the soothing of the herbs. And do take it easy". The words would be lost to him she knew, as he would want to get to work himself, as best he can.

It was only now could she turn to her son and greet him properly. "Theo thank goodness you are here", she said raising her hand to caress her son's cheek. How much he had grow in these past few years, into the man that sat beside his father, yet Coci could still see the child. A slight smile greeted him, as she knew their news would please him, but again that was for another time. The occasion did not warrant such news of happiness not with so much loss.

Coci stood up, she too was feeling the fatigue, but she was still very much able to go and help those in need. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Thurion's forehead, "Theo will stay with you now. I must go and see what has happened to those outside the wall". Already there were Vakyri streaming into the Thainbroek now displaced from their homes outside the capital. They would meet with the same sight and but everyone would have to make do with what was available to them.

"I love you", she said to her husband, "Forevermore".

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He had done as his mother had bid, and helped his father to the seat by the wall. His father looked tired and well he might, and the fatigue did not stem from age there was more to it then that. Theo brow peaked together, something was not right here, something was about to change and this battle clearly had been the last straw. He was old enough now to know better, that people grow with age and the sight of his father and mother in this state was not new to him. But the sense of finality was.

Theo raised his arm and placed it around his father's shoulders and pulled him close as he napped. And he sat in silence while his mother was away to gather what she needed to help Thurion's wound. All he could do was sit and take in the destruction of his home, the wandering people going about trying to make sense of all this, or gather what they could of their belongings or what was left of them. Thainbroek had experienced this before, time and again, and would probably do so again in the future, but that did not make it easier to bare.

He could only manage a weak smile when mother returned and greeted him, thank goodness he was here? now? for all the world, for all the galaxy, he wished he had been here before this, to have been able to fight from them all. His head lowered as if in shame as she stood, he did not wish to meet her eyes with the amount of doubt he had in his heart. And then she left, but before she did Theo noticed something was different about her, even in the midst of all this, mother looked .. different.

Left alone with his father once more, it was only now could he summon the courage to speak. "Forgive me", he uttered almost unspoken. "I should have been here. I should have been here with you". I should have been here for my people.

Self pity was would soon be replaced with a growing strong rage, angry at the fact the Sith would come just to prove a pointless point, but that is their nature, since they have no point to their own existance they have to find something to give them reason for living. He wanted to find them, kill them all. Revenge was festering in the young man's heart. "Who did this?, who brought them here?". Someone must have given them the intelligence to Thainbroek, someone that had known this place well, cause the attack had been highly orchestrated.

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Nina Heavenshield]

Nina had been stationed on Dac for over a year where she was working on a private project, hence her absence from the Silver Temple. She kept in touch with her family via weekly holo-calls, and last she spoke with her father he'd told her he and Coci would be going to Midvinter for some time off their busy schedule. How she wished she could come with them; it had been ages since last she set foot on their family homeworld! In truth, following the passing of her grandfather Thrand there was a time when it became difficult to even think of Midvinter without causing her sorrow, but lately her sorrow has turned to an intense longing to walk the streets of Tháinbroek again and visit her uncle at the Great Hall.

She only heard of what was happening on Midvinter by happenstance, catching two Rangers make mention of the planet as they rushed past her down the hall. This had caused her to drop what she was doing and instead turn and follow them to the hangar bay where more Rangers and relief teams were assembling. "The Order has come under attack by the Sith," the person in charge had told them, and this was all Nina needed to put two and two together. When the officer asked for volunteers, she did not hesitate in putting up her hand. The next moment she was on a shuttle heading for Midvinter with all haste.

When the reinforcements from Dac did arrive, there were no longer any Sith ships in orbit, but there were many telltale signs of battle. Before them sat a plethora of Jedi ships, but none more grand than her uncles old Imperial Star Destroyer, the Judgement. Upon closer inspection it looked a lot more worse for wear, but still operational. It amazed her how loyal the crew members must be to have stuck around for so long, never questioning orders. She hoped the rest of the planet had fared as well, all things considered.

Nina's first step unto Midvinter soil had her hopes dashed, as the fields outside the walls were absolutely littered with the bodies of darkly-clad attackers, crushed and mutilated and showered with arrows to make for a grisly sight. Her stomach would've revolted on her had she not seen this sort of massacre before, back when the Vinterbound laid siege to the city. But what caught her eye above all else were the giant bear-people keeping watch by the main gate, overseeing all who entered and exited the city! The only member of the Beorni species she had ever even seen was cute little [member="Kiriko"], who would always follow her brother around.

While the relief team she'd arrived alongside wasted no time in getting to work, Nina stopped by one of the towering ursine folk as her curiosity got the better of her. She reached out, very carefully, until her lithe fingers grazed the Beorni warrior's soft fur. Feeling braver by the minute, she then pressed her entire palm against his warm tummy. The other Beorni simply looked on as she did this, with the white-haired one looking down at the little one with similar intrigue. When Nina then decided to wrap her arms around him as best she could - which wasn't very much at all - the others muttered something in the ancient language and chuckled.

The white-haired one, who turned out to be [member="Arnor Oathsworn"] himself, did not pay them any mind and allowed the girl to embrace him, even going so far as to settle his large, furry hand upon her head for a gentle pat. Nina looked up at him and smiled, before her eyes opened wide. "You are not like the others, are you," the giant spoke into her mind, as if knowing of her rather unique condition. She shook her head before replying with a simple, "My name is Nina." The large one bowed his head in greeting. "And you may call me Arnor, little one." Nina beamed a smile back up at him, but then turned to look through the open gate to see the destruction of her home.

She looked back up at Arnor, and he quietly nodded in return. Together they walked through the gates and wandered the street leading towards the city centre, her tiny hand engulfed in his.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Catherine Soja"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Tyluko-Kai Kaimana]

Tyluko knelt before the grandmaster, tears pouring from his eyes as the young Dolphinarian pleaded for forgiveness. Tyluko braced himself for what the master of the Silver Order might say to him and was surprised, when the weakened Jedi, stood up towering over Tyluko. The man that Tyluko looked up to then gently placed a hand upon Tyluko's cheek and spoke to him in a very soothing tone, comforting him and letting him know that what had happened was not his fault. Tyluko then felt the grandmaster gently place a fatherly kiss upon his dolphin like head. Tyluko smiled as tears welled to his eyes, as the grandmasters actions reminded him of the way that his own father used to speak to him filling his. This filled Tyluko's heart with a sense of hope and allowed the Dolphinarian to forgive himself.

Tyluko managed to stand up and bowed towards the Grandmaster, "Thank you, Master" . Tyluko watched as the the Grandmaster's family started to attend the Grandmaster's injuries. Tyluko stood idly by looking around as cleanup and recovery crews began searching through the rubble for survivors. Tyluko desired to begin helping but he did not know where to begin, truth was he too was exhausted and his body was covered with scrapes, bruises and scars from his duel with the Cathar Sith, but he knew he had to remain strong. As he continued to look around he noticed [member="Coci Heavenshield"] kiss her husband before making her way to the city walls.

Tyluko ran after her, "Master Heavenshield, please wait a moment." as he reached her he took a moment to catch his breath before proceeding to bow to the master Jedi. "My apologies Master, but I was wondering if you need any help?"

Coci Heavenshield | Audren Sykes | Catherine Soja | [member="[/FONT][URL="http://starwarsrp.net/user/10808-sorel-crieff/"]Sorel Crieff[/URL]"] | [member="[/FONT][URL="http://starwarsrp.net/user/10781-arisa-yune/"]Arisa Yune[/URL]"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Nina Heavenshield"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She was about to turn from the square and head for the main gate when a young man's voice stopped her. Tyluko stood before her equally exhausted and filled with sorrow, and she suspected this had been his first campaign. She looked him over and notices the cuts and bruises but nothing there to cause alarm save for the young man's mind and the emotions he would be feeling over all this. Hopefully she could help in with this as well and one good way to is to continue on and help those that need it more.

"Of course you can, I could do with all the help there is", she replied with a soft smile. "But firstly we need to get you something warm to wear out there". With the battle over and adrenaline subsiding, the body begins to feel the aches and pains and energy is low to help keep the body warm. On Midvinter that is a feat unto itself.

"Now come with me, I know where to find you a fur coat", with that she lead Tyluko to the Grand Hall, the home of the king and once there home. The large double doors layed open and the main room cold as the hearths had died of their fires but along the wall sat many things, tapestries, shields, swords and fur. She choose one to fit Tyluko, a nice white one that would serve to keep the biting cold from his body. "Here", she said placing it around his shoulders and pulling the string to secure it.

Her hands rested on his shoulders as she looked into his eyes. "Before we go, I want to tell you a little about the Valkyri. They are .. cautious about anything new to them, especially people and considering they have just been attacked by something strange to them, they are scared. And emotions are running high. As you know, when emotions take hold and dictate actions, reason is lost. So, you would be unique to them, so stay close to me .. understood?".

She gave him a gentle pat on one of his shoulders before leaving the Grand Hall and making for the main gate. It took more time then usual, mostly because of the people filing into the capital and those darting about helping where possible. Once they reached the main gate, they both step out on the freshly fallen snow.

​

[member="Tyluko Dubykee"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Tyluko-Kai Kaimana]

Tyluko smiled as [member="Coci Heavenshield"] accepted his offer for help. Tyluko started to feel the cold bitter air of Midvinter gnaw at his body. Even though Dolphinarians were able to survive in these temperatures for extended periods of time, the wear and tear of battle had fatigued him. He could sense the other Jedi's concern as she looked at his injuries that he received in battle, which prompted Tyluko to subconsciously rub the area on his face that had been afflicted by Devaronian blood poison. The other Jedi prompted Tyluko to follow her, stating that they would need to get him a coat to stay warm. As she headed off towards the castle, Tyluko followed behind her.

The two Jedi then entered into the hall of the kings castle. Tyluko's eyes glittered with wonder as he marveled at the swords, shields and tapestries that adored the walls of the castle grand hall. He snapped out of his state of awe as Master Heavenshield came up to him with a white fur coat which she proceeded to help place over his shoulders. She then proceeded to warn him how the Valkyrie people may be a little apprehensive towards him and may act out of fear since he was an outsider. Tyluko nodded his head and gave a soft smile "I understand Master, I will be careful and follow your instructions. I am ready when you are." With that the two Jedi proceeded to head back out into the snowy realm. Tyluko took a brief moment to calm his emotions by focusing on the snow around him, focusing on the water within allowing it to calm his mind.

As they walked towards the main gate Tyluko's head was filled with questions, he looked at [member="Coci Heavenshield"] to ask her a question. "Master, why would the Sith do this? What could they possibly hope to gain?"

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"This is a question I can not answer. If the attack had been anywhere else within our protected space, there might have been a stratedgy or agenda behind it. The attack here was pure cowardess even from the likes of the Sith. They chose to come here knowing the people are weak by comparison to other people in the galaxy, weak in the sense of knowledge of the wider galaxy and it's advantages. Midvinter is so far away on the charted territority beyond it wild space. Most likely this particular band of Sith were sending some sort of message to us, the Heavenshields but it was not just us, the message was for the Jedi. But unfortunately all they truly did was show us and galaxy just how weak they truly are". And so full of shallow words, are the Sith.

Coming up the path toward the main gate is a Ranger who approaches her with news. "Master Heavenshield, the scouting party has returned and with reports that the village of Husavik has been attacked and burned".

So far west, away from the main attack and a very soft target of a fish village. Now Coci's blood began to burn, this was indeed a cowardly act by the Sith.

"We have a new destination. Take us to a transport please and then on to
Husavik".

​

[member="Tyluko Dubykee"]​