The Priestess Discovered, The balance of good and evil I PM for details

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal found his way out of this ship with the others to the surface of Selvaris. It was a gentle, good planet, with jungles, lush and fertile soil, and a ripeness for cultivation. Here these people could become farmers, settlers, work the land and form a new community of hope, peace and security. Ardgal would make sure it happened. There were spirits rising, and that was good. Things were already on the up and up. He metaphorically rolled his sleeves up and began ordering his men. There was no time to waste.

A road way was already taking shape in a matter of a few minutes. Speeders were pulled out from the military outpost that Ardgal had erect here and began plowing an extension, a road for these non-combatants to live. Building plots were cleared out, trees were felled to make homes, and all manner of work was beginning by the 400 men and women that were with Ardgal. The general wasted no time, in a matter of two hours a virtual miracle was already taking place, created by his mind and leadership. From nothing, a town was taking shape.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara stayed with the refugees and what few doctors weren't helping build. She spoke with the survivors to see how they were as well as to give them a bit of an update as to what was going on. They too were a bit weary of being 'ruled'. But there was nowhere else to go, and they were building a town so fast that they might actually be able to sleep in homes of their own come nightfall.​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

[member="Taara Sehko"]

The first set of houses to be erected were created using instacrete. They were slab houses with concrete bottoms. The logs harvested from clearing the area were quickly refined down to lumber, siding, and roofing. The general typed in an order for insulation to add to these homes later, before the tempermental seasons came in. The homes would be livable, they were lucky they had been erected during the tempermental seasons, otherwise things would have been uncomfortable.

His men moved in furniture from the base, it was spartan to be sure, but it would work for now. Ardgal placed another set of orders for furnature to work with in the long run. Sure, it would be a little less than "ideal" but as this community grew, they could afford whatever they wanted. The heavy clearing machines plowed up plots, clearing out a farm land. By the time Night fell, a new community was erected for these people. Dusty, dirty, and warmly tired, Ardgal walked to the refugees with a satisfied smile on his face, "Let it not be said that I am not a god of order, a god who commits miracles."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

The refugees were amazed. They walked into the new little village, picking out houses to sleep in for the night. Some of the younger children were even laughing as they ran around, in and out of each new house.​

​

Taara couldn't help but smile. This was more than she had expected. How had this been possible in one day?​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal placed his hands on his hips, watching with satisfaction as the youth scurried around happily. The families were adjusting in. It--it wasn't perfect but, it was more than they had when they arrived. Later this week the stuff he ordered would be in and the city would be better. When he saw her smile, Ardgal felt the work and effort was all worth it. Yes, his miracle had paid off. And it had been all worth it for her genuine smile. He followed after her, a step after her.

"I hope it was good enough for the time being," he said slowly, 'But we will add more, don't worry. We will expand. There will be better housing, there will be paint, carpets, and hardwood flooring. We will add factories, machines, and a whole self-sustaining economy. We can have a chance," he searched her face for--he didn't know what, but he wanted to see it so badly. "A Second Haven."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara turned to Ardgal, her smile still present.​

​

"Thank you. This is.... This is more than we could ever have asked for..."​

​

Her smile widened, and she reached out and actually hugged him.​

​

"Thank you so much..."​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Her arms wrapped around him and initially the general was surprised. He hadn't expected that much of a reaction from her for this act of order and kindness. He was a generous, and kind god, even if he was a madman. He hated to see people hurt, and because of that--he was a man of order. Order kept villains from ruling. Order kept criminals from destroying society and harming the people within. Order was the galaxy's greatest weapon against harming the weak.

He wrapped his muscular arms around her tenderly. An act of finesse by a man known for cutting his foes in half without even trying. He rested his head on her's, letting himself savor the moment. He knew then and there he would do whatever it took to take care of her--and keep her happy.

"Of course," he whispered, "I will do whatever I can do to help you, all of you."

He stayed there as long as she would let him before pulling back to see the delight shimmering in her golden eyes.

"Sir, the medics have the vaccines ready to distribute and the meal is ready for everyone," one of the officers reported to Ardgal, breaking into their moment.

'Come,' he said offering his hand, 'Let's eat, I am sure everyone must be starving."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara accepted his hand, still smiling. She may not being smiling tomorrow. Her mind was in total chaos. But for right now, she felt very happy. For however long it lasted, she would enjoy it.​

​

The refugees had all gathered together around a nice, big and cozy fire. Bowls of what smelled like delicious hot stew was being passed around to everyone. People were talking, even laughing as they ate. She accepted a bowl once it was passed to her, tasting the contents. Food still wasn't the most appealing thing, but she could actually taste it this time. And it tasted very good!​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

The cooks were top rate, after all, army chefs had to be. You didn't keep hundreds of men and women who marched on their stomachs happy by being second rate. With that said, the mass of soup they had thought up was frankly incredible when you weighed all the variables. He took a bowl and sat beside Taara. He though he could hear someone singing, and there were plenty of laughs. More than he was sure these people had experienced in weeks. The soldiers and the civilians were intermixed.

The general could feel himself beaming as the Us--Them barriers were fading fast. That was what he wanted, unity. Unity went a long way with order, and happiness. A few cups of water, juice, and tea were being distributed as the meal ended. Someone started singing somewhere. That was nice. Ardgal could go for that. The woman singing was in a language that Ardgal didn't understand. She was one of the ex-refugees. He guessed it was a folk song or something cultural.

"What is she singing?" he asked turning to Taara.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara closed her eyes, listening for a moment.​

​

".... It's a lullaby...."​

​

She looked over toward where the song is coming from. The woman was holding a small bundle in her arms. No doubt it was her baby.​

​

"She's singing to her baby..."​

​

Pain shot through her chest at this. She was staring a bit intently at the baby. Taara's singing had never been very good, but when she had been holding her own children, she had sung to them similar songs. She remembered how small and how warm they had felt in her hands...​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal saw the pain shoot through her face and posture and immediately regretted asking. The general could guess what was bothering her when he looked in the mother's direction. Singing. Children. He could imagine how many times she had done the same for her children. He wondered what it was like to have children. Was it horrible? Was it close and gentle? Ardgal supposed it was a little bit of all of that.

He slipped his hand into her own and squeezed it comfortingly. He didn't know exactly what to say or even how to say it but he knew he could comfort her like this.

"I am sure it is beautiful," he assured her gently.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

"Yes..."​

​

Taara looked back down at her stew and continued to slowly eat it. She focused on trying to drive away the memories that the song conjured. As well as the feelings that they had brought to the surface.​

​

[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​