Private Ghostfire on the Mountain

[Tigris Aphra]

Location: Narg, Outer Rim Territories

Tigris stood beside her ship, the heavy interceptor squatting in a meadow at the foot of a mountain range. Dark, almond-shaped eyes squinted as her gaze swept up the slope, past where the tree line ended, and only craggy rocks extended towards frigid peaks. Below, in the meadow, a light breeze stirred her shoulder length hair, the smell of rain in the air.

She had carved out time for this. In the aftermath of the Core's fall, in the scramble to escape, to find safety, Tigris had pondered, meditated, and warred mentally over her future. Not about her future with Everest Vale , that was something she was certain of and deeply devoted to. It was her future as a Jedi. Where did she fit? She would be ready for trials soon. Her master, Kahlil Noble himself said she was practically a knight, just without the title.

Tigris thought her path would be to leave behind her past, the life lived in the shadows, by the blade. Perhaps it would be diplomacy, like Khalil. As a seer, or a warrior. But after fighting desperately, battle after battle, mission after mission, it became clear. Her strengths, that which she could offer of most use to the Jedi, was to be that knife in the shadows.

So, Tigris had determined not to fully abandon the Tigris-shunned, the assassin. No, that persona would be stripped of the Dark Side, stripped of motives void of virtue and right. The skills remained, strong, excelling in their execution. But guided by Jedi dogma. Perhaps walking sometimes in the Gray, but always with the end of serving the Light.

The tattooed Atrisian had begun by utilizing the industry of the world of her birth, Atrisia. Her family left when she was only a few years old, it was a place strange to her. That was until until recent visits, and the help and hospitality of Princess Master Junko Ike , revealed that she was of the bloodline of House Aphra.

Atrisian-crafted Kurohana Weave Bodysuit was the first step. Second were specialized bladed weapons. But what she really needed was a suitable Jedi weapon. And so she studied, researched, and began to design a weapon more suited for her work.

That lead Tigris to the remote planet, and to the mountain before her. It was said the transparent stone spires of Ghostfire jutted forth at the peak. The rare Ghostfire crystal would give a lightsaber a translucent blade, without the customary hum of other lightsabers. It would offer Tigris a saber was practically invisible and silent.

Now all she had to do was climb the mountain, find it, and return without falling to her death.

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Location: Narg, Outer Rim Territories

Tigris began her trek, mounting the wooded foothills. It was a place Everest would have loved, she thought. Sunlight filtered through the leafy canopy to dapple the forest floor with golden beams. The ground was covered in ferns and other small flora that could grow in the shade of the taller trees. Wildlife moved cautiously around her. The rustle of leaves betraying a small, black rodent with a fluffy tail. Small avian creatures flitted in the branches above, letting out curious calls as the visitor passed by.

"Lady Aphra, do you wish me to scout ahead?" The small Makie droid chimed in its demure Atrisian male voice. It sat mounted on the small hard pack strapped to Tigris' back. She had acquired it on one of her visits to Atrisia. Junko Ike insisted that its comm module was programmed to refer to it master by her Atrisian title.

"No Mak, I got it for now." She replied, her voice quiet, as if reverencing the natural surroundings. "You can sleep mode, I'll let you know if I need you." She replied, stepping over a small fallen log.

The climb was easy and pleasant in the foot hills, and Tigris made good progress. Eventually, the deciduous trees gave way to conifers, The air grew a bit cooler, and the ground cover of ferns and flowers gave way to hardier bushes. More rock outcroppings cut through the forest and the hike became steeper. The sun began to set, casting the forest in deeper shadow. Tigris found a large flat rock outcropping upon which she could spend the nignt. Igniting a small fire, she sat beside it, eating a small pack of rations.

The temperature dropped and she drew the Enclave Guardian Mantle tighter around her. The Jakku mantle, and the bodysuite beneath, did more to ward off the cold than the small fire before her. Tigris washed down her small meal with water from her canteen, then pulled out a small disk from a pocket. With the touch of a button, a small holo-image appeared. It depicted Tigris and Everest Vale , sitting together on the beach on Scarif. They were laughing. A soft sigh and a small smile touched the tattooed Atrisian's lips.

In a way, this journey was connected to Eve. Gaining this crystal, and crafting a new lightsaber, was one of the final tasks Tigris needed to complete for her knighthood. Once she was a knight, she had said to Everest, they could finally get married. While her master, Kahlil Noble , said she could probably submit to be knighted already, Tigris wanted to ensure she had truly earned the title. Eve had worked, and suffered, much to become a knight. Tigris would do no less.

Tigris' eyes slid shut as she focused on the Force. She felt Everest there through their bond. Her fiance was focused, most likely on work. A bronzed hand reached for the tiny Atrisian Dancer Pendant dangling around her neck. The notions around Eve grew sharper, and Tigris could sense the Echani in her enclave on Eshan. Eve's enclave. Tigris felt at peace, knowing Everest was well. She sent a small wave of love, through their bond, across the galaxy to her beloved.

With another click, the holo vanished. Pulling the mantle around her, Tigris laid down. Her hand remained on the hilt of her lightsaber. "Mak, keep watch?" She said to her droid companion.

"Yes, Lady Aphra." The small droid replied, disengaging from her pack nearby and hovering some distance above, sensors scanning the surrounding forest.