Thirteen O'Clock

[Lief]

Thule. Four years since Saeldar had last stepped foot upon this planet, a different name, a different face, a different girl. And yet the reason was the same. Kaine. It was well known that this particular Sith Lord had a keen interest and affinity towards Alchemy, an art Saeldar sought to learn various aspects of... An art she one day hoped to perfect. Not Alchemy as a whole, but specific sections... Saeldar did not learn for the sake of it. Every decision she made with regards to her training was carefully selected. The only time this differed was when someone else took control over the subject... And when that happened, the girl would find a way to manipulate it into a usable form for her specific skillset.

Saeldar had been sent forth from Dromund Kaas to a scheduled set of training sessions with Kaine, and upon landing on Thule she recalled the time she had spent here, the high-vaulted ceiling of the Palace, how busy the servants had been... With a small sigh she pushed on from the hangar bay the Imperial Ship had been docked within, and on towards the Palace itself, leaving behind the small entourage who had accompanied her. Truth be told, Saeldar would have rather they remained on Dromund Kaas, they were of more use to the Empire there than watching her every move. Perhaps that was why she despised them, they were more insistent than a swarm of locusts.

Making her way up the steps she entered the Palace and ventured through the halls to the Grand Hall, tracing the same steps she had taken four years prior. Inside contained the Throne room, where she had been instructed to meet with Kaine before they moved off to a more appropriate location. Of course, this was only what she had been told, and Kaine may have other ideas. Either way, she made it to the Throne Room in one piece, pushed open the doors and strode inside, her eyes instantly attempting to seek out the figure that was @[member='Kaine Zambrano'], but not before her gaze lingered up to the ceiling, which was still filled in a thick fog. Her eyes broke through effortlessly... Some things never change.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine was once again situated upon his iron throne, although much of his appearance had changed. The entire right side of his face was damaged, some of the cheekbone showing through where flesh had been torn and scars lining the flesh that remained. The forearm of his left arm was no longer organic, a cybernetic replacing the flesh that was lost to the Jedi Master Tahira Solo back during the Battle of Metalorn. He smiled as Saeldar entered the throne room, much in a fashion that had occurred four years prior. "We have to stop meeting like this, people will start to think all I do is sit on this throne for years until someone comes to visit me." With graceful ease Kaine leaped from the throne down to where Saeldar was, fixing any ruffles in his garb with both of his hands. "Now then, my dear. I have heard that you wish to learn about the dark science known as Sith Alchemy? How splendid, if only more of your age-group wanted to learn such a valuable skill, but alas they instead waste any potential talent they have. I'm glad you're setting an example for them all."

@[member="Saeldar"]

 

[Lief]

And there he was, the Dark King himself. Stepping further into the room, the young Umbaran made a course for the centre of the floor, to be directly across from Kaine in a manner which left her exposed on all sides. Yet there was method to such madness. It meant that she had more room to move should he play false and lay a trap, it increased the chances of her hearing the approach of another, which in turn decreased the time it would take her to react. Kaine, she noticed, was not looking his best. Skin torn, flesh exposed, arm missing... She wondered what could have caused it. The only substantial thing that had happened since their former meeting was Metalorn. He had been close by her that day, they'd been given objectives in the same area, it was why they had met the first time around. Had she missed some further assault against the Master? Perhaps it had been during her confrontation with Azar, her now-insistent stalker of a spectre. He was not here with her today, however, which was a blessing in itself.

When he began to speak his words made her pause, sent a chill down her spine. He knew who she was? How is that possible? No one knows, except for-- That made sense, Tyrin must have informed Kaine. If that was so, she sincerely hoped he'd also been warned against revealing who she was. Saeldar hated having to clean up after others let their mouths run without thought. And suddenly he was there, before her, smoothing down his attire. "You heard correctly, Lord Zambrano" she stated, asserting once again that his position in the Sith mattered more to her than his position in the Galaxy at large, through the refusal to acknowledge him as King, where titles were concerned. "Specifically Metallurgy, at present, although I do wish to branch out further in the near-future." Saeldar had very specific motives and goals in mind where Alchemy was concerned. She did not want to learn it all, far from that she wanted specifics. Something to contain the inferno, for one. But first thing's first, she had to learn the basics. Even then she still had to bring Thyrian into her control, provided Cerci hadn't done any permanent damage. All such thoughts she kept well hidden from Kaine, however, her mental defences back at full-form.

@[member="Kaine Zambrano"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Metallurgy, eh? I believe I can help you in that field of Alchemy." He smiled at the mention of branching out from metallurgy, perhaps he could even start to teach her how to make new lifeforms to serve her every command. More difficult than metallurgy, but worth learning all the same, despite how harder it would be to grasp. "Perhaps one day I could show you how to make a monster, ah but that's for another day. Follow me, my dear, I'll show you where you'll be working while you stay here with me." He motioned for Saeldar to follow him into a door that stood adjacent to the throne, which lead down into another section of that castle that housed the forges. The area was a good size pavilion open to the outside with a row of forges aligned against the far left wall that constantly expunged black smoke and flames outwards, thus why the area was open to the air as it allowed the smoke and heat to dissipate instead of being trapped. "Now then, I had planned for my apprentice to also join you. She's quite the master forger, but needs to learn how to teach another. If she's going to take on her own apprentice, she'll need the experience. I hope that doesn't bother you all that much, Miss Saeldar."

@[member="Saeldar"] @[member="Balaya"]

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

@[member="Kaine Zambrano"] @[member="Saeldar"]

Balaya looked up from behind the forge and stood straight while the ringing of the hammer came. She finiahed not being able to hear her master but still able to see, she didn't need to see all of the blade to know where to strike. It was second nature as the heat brought sweat to her brow. Finally it was finished at least for now while the dull red metal strip was set in the silver liquid. A gift for them from the dark world and as it sizzled on the metal soaking into it Balaya allowed the piece to cool. Then held it up as one of Kaine's servants came with the ornate hilt. Inlaid with electrum and cherry wood. Then the slow process of inserting it into the hilt came as the blades smallest point slid down into it perfectly. The measurements exact to the point of obsession but this was a special blade.

The rest of the forge got to work as the guard was pressed and brought in glowing white hot. With the tongs it was slid down the length until it fused to the hilt and bottom section locking them in place. Leather was tied while a servant brought a sharpening stone and the large zeltron got to work. One hand sharpening the blade while the other checked for imperfections. There were none visible but that was also from the alchemy it let her use the Caries to create the blade even stronger. Her smirk let her pull away as finally standing fully she held it across her arm. Testing the edge against her own skin until a little red line ran down her arm. Not deep just shallow enough she didn't need a patch.

Then finally her gaze drifted up to Lord Kaine and the one near him as she walked over holding it in one hand coming to a stop. The small girl was a few feet below her as the full figured seven foot eight with four hundred augmented muscled zeltron stared down. Beyond her armored bikini which was deceptive in its looks, she also had visible several weapons. The ones that weren't visible were hidden in the armor itself or her mane of ankle length fiery red hair. "Master Kaine, the beskad for your son is done. One of the finest blades made here after your own my lord."

 

[Lief]

"Monsters, you say? Like the creatures which still plague Korriban from the days-of-old?" With a small smile the young Apprentice began to follow after him, knowing full well that she would enjoy this particular lesson that the Sith had to offer. It was part of her own agenda, also, which made it all the more worthwhile. Saeldar could not stand wasted time. "I appreciate the time you are taking to teach me, Lord Zambrano, if there is anything I can offer in return, within reason of course, then just say so." As they entered the open-topped forge the young girl raised her gaze to the skies, and then began to trace down the plumes of smoke back to their glaring source. For a moment she halted, so as not to stumble. Bright lights often disorientated her. Before it could be noticed she picked up her pace and resumed her one-step-behind-Kaine position. "I look forward to meeting her, my Lord, and it does not bother me."

Suddenly the woman in question came into her sights, a huge Zeltron-female working away at the Forge, hammering some metal or another to fashion it to perfection or something akin to this she presumed. The woman's size did not make Saeldar halt for even a second, after all she was used to such sights, but her chosen attire gave the young girl cause to frown. It hardly looked like it could protect her from the elements let alone another man's blade. The array of weapons, too, seemed a little odd to the young girl who carried only one lightsaber, all she required, a duellist's curved hilt hidden beneath the folds of her robes, up the sleeve more specifically, ready for quick-release upon necessity. Why have so many weapons when you could not use them at once? Maybe it was a Warrior-thing, something Saeldar definitely was not. Kaine has a son? She could not help but mentally enquire, but kept such thoughts to herself. Instead, all she said was "Greetings", after all manners did not cost a thing.

@[member='Balaya'] @[member='Kaine Zambrano']

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine took the blade from Balaya, inspecting it on both sides before handing it to a servitor that had trailed Kaine to the forgeworks. "An excellent blade Balaya, I'm sure my son will be delighted to use it." The fact that Cassus most likely wanted to use it on him was left out of Kaine's comments, but Kaine showed no sign of any negative thoughts crossing his mind. "Now then, Balaya. This is Saeldar, apprentice to his excellency who has requested that I train her in the art of Sith Alchemy, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for you to get some hands-on experience training another as well. Which is why I brought her here to the forges, I want you to give her lessons on how to work the forges, and how to mold metal into weapons. This lesson is crucially important to what I have to teach you in Sith Alchemy, Saeldar. I hope you understand." With that he allowed Saeldar to join Balaya in whatever she had to teach, and while Kaine himself was a master at working these forges, Balaya would make a fine teacher.

@[member="Saeldar"] @[member="Balaya"]

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

@[member="Saeldar"] @[member="Kaine Zambrano"]

Balaya gave a bow of her head and looked down. "As you command my master. Come Saeldar." She led the way towards the forge and stopped getting near the fire before speaking. "One of the first lessons is to remove any clothing you have that might catch fire, do that and put on one of the aprons. It will keep the heat from you. Second you will need a pair of gloves and to find tools in your size on the rack. Finally make sure your hair is tied back and your ready."

Balaya remained standing for the moment while grabbing some of the coals and pitch. "When we work with the fire keep it hot, don't waste time trying to keep it going with the force, it is a going to cause you to make a mistake. Now grab a hammer and some tongues there is a dagger in we can make for Lord Kaine's child." The zeltron made enough room for Saeldar to get through with her stuff while kicking a barrel so she could stand. The caries was still boiling from being tainted but it was cool to the touch and finally the time came. "Now once you have the grabbed the blade from the coals only touch it with your tongs. It will be white hot, ready to shape and then begin striking it with your hammer little one."

 

[Lief]

The young girl inclined her head across to Kaine and smiled warmly. "Very well, my Lord Zambrano, I shall participate in your student's teachings." And with that Saeldar stepped towards Balaya and the forges upon her urging. Having to avert her eyes, due to how intense the light was, she instead focused upon the giant of a Zeltron before her. "As you wish" she said, slipping out of the outer robes she wore in order to stand in just her tight-fitting training garments which were always worn beneath. Saeldar was no stranger to sudden conflict, after all, and knew that robes slowed one down in the battlefield.

Then she stepped across to the side, following the Sith's instructions. Taking one of the aprons she placed it over her torso and tied it into place, before collecting the correct tools from the rack. Only when she had done this and pushed back her hair, for it was too short to have tied back, did she place the gloves on and step closer to the Zeltron, with a slight glance back to Kaine. "Very well, Lady Balaya" she said, as she took up the tongued in preparation for the white-hot metal. Only once the dagger, or the beginning of it, was removed from the forge did she bring the hammer into her free hand and lowered it down to land a striking blow upon the heated edge of the blade, her action somewhat precise despite the fact that she could not look at the blade, instead trusting in the guidance of the Force to land each blow...

@[member='Balaya'] @[member='Kaine Zambrano']

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

Balaya continued to watch the girl as she went to work and moved from her position. She walked around to watch Kara and took in how she was doing it. With the hammer striking but not looking upon it. Slowly Balaya moved forward and spoke taking the hammer. "you need to look at what your doing, the force can help but blindly striking is a dangerous game and can waste the material. Use goggles to protect your eyes if you don't want to squint but just hammering is dangerous. Now put it into the fire and start again. THis time focus, if you want to learn how to imbue the metal you need to know how to shape it first." The face she gave showed now room for questions and little desire to repeat herself, for now she was the teacher here. The forges her domain and dangerous little girls swinging about cause accidents that could be avoided.

 

[Lief]

Her eyes were far too sensitive to look at the glowing metal, but Balaya had a point. Inclining her head slowly, she merely said; "Of course, forgive me" and stepped aside while Balaya cleared up the ruined attempt, in order to take up some protective glasses - thankfully the sheen of them helped to reflect the majority of the damaging light exuded from the furnace and the blade. Truth be told she had been focusing, and if Balaya had looked over the beginnings of the blade she would see that she hadn't done a bad job - after all she had some prior experience thanks to Daxton. But neither of the two knew that. Taking the seering hot metal by the tongues she settled it back to the anvil and this time she watched, narrowing her eyes for that extra bit of protection - after all they were severely sensitive. Then she set to work, folding and hammering, each strike resonating around the courtyard, and perhaps even Balaya might note that she had experience before coming here with how precise the strikes were. She was using the ancient technique which she had been taught, which involved folding the metal while the Force naturally imbued it due to the process itself. Of course Kara was no expert, but she would try to make this as well as she possibly could.

@[member='Balaya Zambrano'] @[member='Kaine Zambrano']

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

Balaya looked at Kara as she went to work and stood there with her arms crossed, not in disapproval. No Kara was doing well or better but teaching ones to mold metal was... difficult and less so when you did it without revealing secrets. There was a reason why Kaine valued her and that was where she had come from, what she had been taught about forging on Mandalore. It was why the blackblades enjoyed if they stole it beskads instead of vibro blades or how come the forges worked overtime melting down the armors. Slowly and with purpose Balaya moved across to face her down and finally gave a nod of approval. Her eyes watched the blade while she worked on it and then she finally spoke. "Good, now as you work on folding it, do as you are doing with the force. Push it in and strengthen it, the water from lake Naath will empower it within the darkside to strengthen it.

As the time continued and Kara would eventually complete the blade, the dagger while she slid a piece of wood from the drawer. Her gloved hand ran over the lacquered handle as she took out the section for the blade. It took a moment while she breathed in deeply and spoke bringing it over as some molded electrum was placed around to form a grip. "Now cool it and insert it in the hilt, secure it with the guard and use the force to strengthen the wood as well. We will test to ensure it is secured before sharpening it." Balaya set the hilt down there for her as she backed a little to give her some space to work while the stone to sharpen came to her hand for when it was time.

 

[Lief]

Kara continued after noting the approval given by the Sith Knight, each blow striking hard and true, with more power than the young girl should have been able to muster. But by now the Force was flowing through her, from her, and into the blade, it was empowering both forger and the blade itself, working to remove any imperfections from the folded metal and keeping Kara's energy levels at their peak. Her breathing was no longer laboured, and in many ways she had entered a meditative state, the movement meditation only increasing her focus and her attentiveness, allowing her work ethic to be that much greater. She did not pause for a break, she did not falter, in many ways she was hoping to prove herself - not just to the pair nearby but to herself. She had learnt from Daxton, she would uphold his teachings as promised, her mask was recognition of such and while this blade would not be her own it too would reflect the progress she was making.

Finally the blade was finished, but the work was not complete. Allowing the water to cool down the blade and solidify and strengthen it more so, smoke hissing from the barrel, Kara glanced across to Balaya. She held within her grasp a beautiful hilt. When the pommel was settled down and the blade was cooled Kara took up both and softly eased the latter into the guide of the former. The grip felt smooth within her hand yet at the same time she knew she'd be able to rely on it should it have been her weapon that was being fashioned. When the two halves were in place and the guard secured she resumed the flowing of the force, her bogan energies, through to the blade and the wood itself, practically fusing and strengthening them together while she waited for Balaya to give her the go-ahead to begin sharpening it.

@[member="Balaya Zambrano"]

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

Balaya looked as Kara went to work. Her skills coming to the top as she smiled with a nod. She was doing well and if this was her first time it would be impressive but the girl seemed to have a semi practiced idea. Which explained only why she knew how to pour the force into the metal and then she was assembling the blade correctly. Her small hands adept and quick but this was all about time as Balaya checked it when she was done. The large sith could have broken it but there was no reason to do that while her hands went to work making sure it was tightly bound. That it was not going to fall apart and she gave a nod presenting the sharpening stone in front of Kara then the blade was set atop it as she spoke. "Very well constructed now sharpen it and we'll test it on one of the slaves."

 

[Lief]

@[member="Balaya Zambrano"]

Taking the whetstone from Balaya's grasp the young girl inclined her head once and stepped away from the seering heat and blinding light of the forge. Sweat had pooled upon her brow, and her muscles ached from the strain now that the Force had begun to cease flowing through them to aid her. But she did not halt in her endeavours, instead she clenched her jaw and proceeded with the sharpening of Kaine's son's blade. The sound was sickly as she scraped the whetstone across the presently dull edge of the blade, each stroke precise and following the grain of the former in order to achieve a nigh-on-perfect finish. Of course it wouldn't match the more trained or skilled hand, and her presently tired state meant she wasn't performing at her absolute best, but all the same the whetstone worked its magic along the blade, sharpening it. When she settled down the whetstone she took up an oilcloth and ran it across the length of the blade, an added finish to in turn strengthen the now sharpened edge. Then she lifted it up to her eye, to be on par with it, and scrutinized her own work. Happy with the outcome she lowered it and the oilcloth and presented it across to Balaya, unless the woman intended her to use it that is.

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

She watched and judged the work, it was showing she was tired but you had to be able to push yourself. Whatever she intended to use the metal working skills learned here for she would have to be able to keep at it for a long time. Now though her blade came up for inspection and Balaya grasped it dainty between two fingers while she ran the edge slightly over her palm letting a small crimson line appear before it welled up and ran free. Balaya let some of it drip on the blade while speaking and handing it back. "Are you proud of it? Would you sink it into a slaves throat and know it would come out the other side? I can tell you if you did well but only the maker can say if they are proud of their work."

 

[Lief]

She watched as the woman drew a line across her hand and from it came a trail of blood. A small amount of pride made itself known within her but outwardly there was no sign of it, instead she kept her gaze upon Balaya and awaited some sort of confirmation. Both of her hands settled to the small of her back, rubbing the wrists of the other in turn. Extending her hand out she took the blade and ran the oil cloth back along it, clearing up all trace of blood and ensuring it remained in pristine condition, after all if this was for Kaine's son it would be of importance. "Proud is perhaps the wrong word" she stated, with a very subtle shrug of her shoulders, "However, I feel it meets its purpose." Truth be told, that was all that she cared about - if an object did not have and fulfil a purpose then it was useless.

@[member="Balaya Zambrano"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Well done, Kära. You will become a powerful alchemist once you have learned all that I have to teach you." He said proudly as he slowly strode towards the two woman, his hands clapping softly as he approached. He extended his hand for her to hand the dagger over to him, so he may inspect it. When he did he thoroughly turned it over again, and again to make note of any impurities and other mistakes one could have made. "Very good, you learn quickly Miss Vi'dreya. I'm curious to what you could be making with these skills I'm teaching you, care to enlighten me on what you'll be making?" He said slyly, genuinely curious as to what she would want to make with Sith Alchemy. A sword, shield, armor, or something entirely different all together? He had to know.

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] @[member="Balaya Zambrano"]

 

[Lief]

"Thank you, Lord Zambrano" the young woman said, inclining her head softly in his direction. When he came forth to take the created blade from her she obliged, offering it out with both hands in a ceremonial-like fashion. "I appreciate the lesson and hope that your son makes good use of the blade"... And yet his request to know what she would be doing with the acquired knowledge made her inwardly frown. It did not show upon her expression, nor would he be able to detect it in any way - no, her mind was well guarded and tightly locked up. Instead she simply said "To iron out any weaknesses I possess." It was a truthful answer, yet it did not give over any specifics... Truth be told, outside of Thyrian's armour, she had nothing specific in mind... Yet.

@[member="Kaine Zambrano"] @[member="Balaya Zambrano"]