Imperia had grown picky about who she took under her wing.
Her first and only Apprentice had been an utter disappointment – at first meek and unassuming, then rebellious and unreceptive to her teachings. The girl had been a pitiful apprentice, and was disposed of – but really, Imperia blamed herself. Such a creature was not suited to be Sith, and the Knight should have seen that from the very beginning. But alas, she had not – she was too eager to prove herself a capable Mistress and Mentor. Because of that, she had very nearly shared the secrets of her Order with the unworthy.
That mistake would not be repeated. If any aspiring Sith wished to learn from Imperia, they would have to prove themselves worthy of the honor.
Speaking of potential Apprentices, Imperia had two. How exciting.
The first was a young man, a former slave – Imperia had not bothered to learn his name, for as far as she was aware, he had none. Abused and used his entire life, one would hardly think him Sithly material at first glance. But there was fire within the slave, an iron will and fierce determination. This trait, combined with his considerable Force potential, was what convinced Imperia to buy him from his last owner. Still, he had his flaws – first among them was a fittingly slavish devotion to Imperia. Respect and Loyalty were things that she expected from her Apprentice, but so was Independence. She worried that, once he had completed his training, he would lack the initiative to strike out on his own.
Imperia’s other option was a girl who reminded the Knight of herself, when she was first inducted into the Sith. An oddity among the Zabrak, Valeska Daeranthe was small and lightweight, stronger than a human of her size by far, but likely still leagues below her more imposing brothers and sisters. What Valeska lacked in physical prowess, however, she more than made up for in demeanor; ruthless and brutal, ambitious and power-hungry. If Imperia could teach the child to channel that passion, and more importantly, impart in her a devotion to the Way of the Sith, the girl would grow into a force to be truly feared.
The first test the pair would face was held in one of Rhelg’s many deserts, under a moonlit sky. It was the most straightforward of the trials the pair would face – a test of combat prowess, pitted against one another. Neither was told what the trial would entail, so whether they came armed depended solely upon their general preparedness.
“Sith are creatures of conflict,” began Imperia, her face shrouded by the hood of a flowing black cloak. “Of challenge and strife. But most importantly, they are creatures of hierarchy. Even among peers, there are those with more combat prowess, more political clout, or more intellect. Even in the state the Sith currently occupy, scattered and disorganized, an informal hierarchy develops; Rank matters less in our current state, which is as it should be. Knights may serve fellow Knights, Lords may become vassals of a more powerful Lady, and Masterless acolytes might band together to gain knowledge on their own.” The Knight paused for a moment, circling her aspirants slowly, like a Nexu closing in upon its prey. “I tell you all of this so that you understand why I say what I say next.”
With a soft chuckle, Imperia ceased her pacing and threw back her hood, staring at the young darklings with sulfurous eyes and an ever-so-slightly malicious grin.
“The two of you shall duel tonight, until either one submits or is unable to continue. The loser shall fulfill the victor's every whim for a Standard Month, unless I order otherwise.”
A full moment of silence.
“Begin.”
---
[member="The Slave"]
[member="Valeska Daeranthe"]
Her first and only Apprentice had been an utter disappointment – at first meek and unassuming, then rebellious and unreceptive to her teachings. The girl had been a pitiful apprentice, and was disposed of – but really, Imperia blamed herself. Such a creature was not suited to be Sith, and the Knight should have seen that from the very beginning. But alas, she had not – she was too eager to prove herself a capable Mistress and Mentor. Because of that, she had very nearly shared the secrets of her Order with the unworthy.
That mistake would not be repeated. If any aspiring Sith wished to learn from Imperia, they would have to prove themselves worthy of the honor.
Speaking of potential Apprentices, Imperia had two. How exciting.
The first was a young man, a former slave – Imperia had not bothered to learn his name, for as far as she was aware, he had none. Abused and used his entire life, one would hardly think him Sithly material at first glance. But there was fire within the slave, an iron will and fierce determination. This trait, combined with his considerable Force potential, was what convinced Imperia to buy him from his last owner. Still, he had his flaws – first among them was a fittingly slavish devotion to Imperia. Respect and Loyalty were things that she expected from her Apprentice, but so was Independence. She worried that, once he had completed his training, he would lack the initiative to strike out on his own.
Imperia’s other option was a girl who reminded the Knight of herself, when she was first inducted into the Sith. An oddity among the Zabrak, Valeska Daeranthe was small and lightweight, stronger than a human of her size by far, but likely still leagues below her more imposing brothers and sisters. What Valeska lacked in physical prowess, however, she more than made up for in demeanor; ruthless and brutal, ambitious and power-hungry. If Imperia could teach the child to channel that passion, and more importantly, impart in her a devotion to the Way of the Sith, the girl would grow into a force to be truly feared.
The first test the pair would face was held in one of Rhelg’s many deserts, under a moonlit sky. It was the most straightforward of the trials the pair would face – a test of combat prowess, pitted against one another. Neither was told what the trial would entail, so whether they came armed depended solely upon their general preparedness.
“Sith are creatures of conflict,” began Imperia, her face shrouded by the hood of a flowing black cloak. “Of challenge and strife. But most importantly, they are creatures of hierarchy. Even among peers, there are those with more combat prowess, more political clout, or more intellect. Even in the state the Sith currently occupy, scattered and disorganized, an informal hierarchy develops; Rank matters less in our current state, which is as it should be. Knights may serve fellow Knights, Lords may become vassals of a more powerful Lady, and Masterless acolytes might band together to gain knowledge on their own.” The Knight paused for a moment, circling her aspirants slowly, like a Nexu closing in upon its prey. “I tell you all of this so that you understand why I say what I say next.”
With a soft chuckle, Imperia ceased her pacing and threw back her hood, staring at the young darklings with sulfurous eyes and an ever-so-slightly malicious grin.
“The two of you shall duel tonight, until either one submits or is unable to continue. The loser shall fulfill the victor's every whim for a Standard Month, unless I order otherwise.”
A full moment of silence.
“Begin.”
---
[member="The Slave"]
[member="Valeska Daeranthe"]
