Private To Tame One's Beast

[Revna Marr]

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Just as she had told her Disciple she would, Revna reached out to the Dread Wolf, Lord Lechner himself, while Varin recovered further from what remained of his injuries from the Battle of Brosi. The correspondence had been brief; she requested an audience with the Dark Councilor, indicating that she would be bringing a secondary individual with her to discuss a matter of importance, something she indicated that only Gerwald could help her with.

Or at least, she hoped he would help her with.

She made it clear, too, that should Gerwald demand something as payment in return for his help, then she was more than willing to do so. She was well aware that nothing came free in the world of the Sith, and she knew that Lord Lechner was aware of that as well.

So the appointment was made, a time and location given, and Revna informed her Apprentice once he was recovered enough that they would be leaving Korriban and travelling to Jutrand - the very heart of the Eleventh Sith Empire. She didn’t need to tell Varin to be on his best behavior, for she knew he would show due respect and give it where it was due. It was just how he was raised - something she was thankful for. His parents, especially his Sith Lord father, had taught him much - though not everything. Now she just had to guide him on the things he still struggled with, push him where he needed to be pushed, and let him figure out the rest for himself.

But this particular struggle - taming the beast that lurked within, or at least learning how to bring it under his control - required the guidance or wisdom of another, and that was why she sought out Gerwald. She wasn’t even sure he would agree to aid her and Varin in this, but it was worth a shot. She would do anything and everything she could to ensure her Apprentice had the best training and guidance possible - even if that meant she had to step aside and allow someone else more experienced than her to take the lead for a bit.

And so, Revna and Varin travelled to the Obsidian Spire in Jutrand. The little Sith woman led the way once inside the tower, the taller young man just behind her. She was quiet but alert, her pace as quick as her limp would allow her to be; though she hid it well enough, those who knew her or had a keen eye would notice it. Once inside, some of those within the Spire that she passed by didn’t bother to glance her way, while others watched her and her Apprentice pass by with narrowed eyes of curiosity or outright suspicion.

Finally, they both came upon the agreed meeting location, and Revna was the first to enter the room - offering a polite and respectful bow of her head towards the Dark Councilor as she stepped through the doorway, coming to a halt just beyond the threshold. This was Gerwald’s territory, his domain; she would wait to be invited in further.

“Lord Lechner.” She said in greeting, her voice neutral in tone, though edged with respect. “I appreciate you responding to my message and allowing myself and my Apprentice to meet with you. May we come in?”

Varin Mortifer // Gerwald Lechner ​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: This
WEAPONS: Ferrum Solus | Blodmåne | Strømafbryder
SHIP: Úlfs Reiði (Wolf's Fury)
TAG: Revna Marr | Varin Mortifer

Gerwald’s desk was a mess. Leadership had brought him many things, but he had never grown used to the endless letters, reports, and demands that required his attention. Decisions often came quickly, far faster than it took him to read every petition that crossed his desk. Those who had known him when he left Stewjon would not have believed it possible that the warrior would ever sit and read such things. Had he remained there, he would have died as another soldier in someone else’s war.

Now he planned his own. He executed them with precision, and his effectiveness drew attention he neither wanted nor needed.

He stood from the desk, parchment and datapads scattered across its surface. The protocol droid under his employ moved in silence, sorting through the clutter and handling whatever matters did not require his hand.

“There is a request here from the Lady Revna Marr,” the droid said. “She would like to visit.”

Gerwald turned, the sound of his boots sharp against the stone floor.

“Give it here.”

He read the letter quickly, eyes scanning the neat lines of text before tossing it back onto the desk.

“Tell her to come.”

For several days, the request slipped to the back of his mind. The rhythm of leadership was a steady current, one that left little room for reflection. The Second Legion had returned from the Rim only a week earlier, their ships still in dock for repairs. Reports from the front trickled in through encrypted channels, each one carrying its own weight of consequence. Commanders sought approval for deployments, quartermasters requested resources, and the Imperial overseers demanded updates. Gerwald gave each what was required of him and nothing more.
The Spire itself was alive with activity. Apprentices trained in the lower halls under the guidance of their masters, while the forge in the east wing burned day and night to supply the Legion. The air smelled faintly of oil and fire. From his private balcony, he could see the endless cityscape of Jutrand stretching beyond the storm clouds. It was a place that reflected the Order itself.

In the evenings, he walked the observation decks that lined the upper spires with his mate. The nights there were quiet. Lightning forked across the clouds in the distance, casting silver light through the glass. It reminded him of storms on Stewjon, of rain that fell on open fields and forests which surrounded his home. The memories came rarely, and when they did, he let them fade as quickly as they came.

When the droid reminded him of the appointment near the end of the week, Gerwald had already pushed aside a dozen other matters to make time. There was something curious about the woman’s message. It had not carried the tone of ambition that most Sith brought when requesting an audience. There was caution in it, almost restraint. Whatever her purpose, it was not political. That alone was enough to stir his interest.

The storm that rolled across Jutrand on the day of her arrival was heavier than usual. The sky above the capital had turned the color of burnt ash, thunder shaking the high glass towers of the city. Within the Spire, the hum of generators and the low murmur of voices filled the halls. Guards stood at their posts, their armor catching the dim light of the corridor lamps.

Gerwald waited in silence. The air in his chamber was still, touched faintly by the scent of ozone. Shadows stretched across the polished floor, broken by the pale glow of the city below. He stood before the wide panes of glass, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the horizon. His reflection moved only when the door opened behind him.

“Revna.”

The name left his lips as acknowledgment. He did not turn until she greeted him. Only then did he face her fully. His gaze settled on her first, then on the figure that followed.

“Come.”

He watched them cross the threshold. Revna carried herself with the composure of one who understood where she stood. The faint limp did not escape him, nor did the presence of the young man at her side. Power rested beneath the surface of that one. It stirred the air in a way that made the Force itself seem to take notice.

“You asked for an audience,” Gerwald said. “You said it concerned a matter of importance.”

He stepped toward the circular table at the center of the room and rested a hand on its smooth surface.

“Few come to the Spire for anything less.”

He let the silence linger, giving her the space to choose her words.

“I read your message. It was careful with its tone. Now that you are here, tell me plainly, what is it you seek, Lady Revna?”

His eyes shifted to her companion. There was energy there, something unrefined, and Gerwald regarded him with quiet calculation before turning back to her.

“And why bring him?”

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Revna Marr | Gerwald Lechner​

The healing process was finally over with. Though the mental scars of his mistake still burned him. Lady Revna told him to be ready for travel once the healing process had finished. Naturally, Varin was eager to meet this next trainer, he didn't give himself any time to rest, he had rested enough in the tank.

The trip to the ship was uneventful as he climbed in and took his seat. As they traveled he looked at the bandages that wrapped his fully healed arm. Beneath the bandages it was like nothing had happened to him, but Varin could only see the burned tissue. It was so real to him that even on the way there he changed the “filthy” bandages with new clean ones.

The way he lashed out in the heat of battle and bloodlust almost cost him dearly, if not for the quick reflexes Ignati briefly gifted him.

As he wrapped the new bandages he flexed his hand, slowly curling the fingers, testing that the tension of the bandages were right. He felt the ship slow as it landed on the planet known as Jutrand. The only familiarity to him of the strange planet was the mention of its academy and its students.

Thunder rumbled across its skies, as lightning cracked its clouds and split the air. Varin stepped out of the ship and took but just a small moment to watch the spectacle in awe. It had been a long time since he'd seen a storm in the sky since landing on Korriban. He had almost forgotten his love of watching storms.

After a quick moment he composed himself, making sure his mace was well fastened in its holster on his back, in case any curious hands decided to get a bit grabby, and followed his Master. Lady Revna walked with a slight limp as they traveled through the streets where Varin saw The Obsidian Spire. It drew attention to it almost forcefully, as if reminding the people here in the streets that they are always beneath this planet's masters.

Varin's eyes traveled upwards toward the building's apex where he would assume that was where they were heading. As they traveled through the building Varin remained silent, watching as the blurred faces of those he would soon just forget as the day went by.

They reached the threshold of a door where Lady Revna requested entrance. Varin noticed the man in the room. He felt he had seen him before but only briefly.

He allowed them entrance and as they entered Varin followed his Master, even dipping his head in a manner of respect, but still keeping his eyes on the stranger. Something Varin learned to do the hard way from his father, never take your eyes off anyone.

He remained silent as the man spoke, his words echoing off the walls. Even remained silent when asked why Varin was here. For his words were not directly pointed at Varin. He would only speak when spoken to. His eyes would quickly drift around the room, taking note of any entrances or exits. An old habit, but one he would never break.

 

[Revna Marr]

Revna stepped further into the chamber when Gerwald bid her and Varin to come forward, turning to face her directly as he did so. “Thank you, my Lord.” she said, her dark robes rustled softly as she moved further inward, her steps measured and quiet. A flicker of lightning beyond the glass panes caught her attention briefly, watching how it flashed and illuminated the capital city. The storm raged outside, gloomy weather that was rather fitting for a megatropolis Sith world. She could smell the ozone and rain, and feel the electrical energy in the air.

“You asked for an audience. You said it concerned a matter of importance.” Lord Lechner said as he stepped towards a table near the center of the room and diving straight to the point - something that Revna appreciated immensely. She could be cordial and dive into pleasantries all day long if necessary, as sometimes it was…but with Gerwald there was no need for fluff or pretty words. He was a warrior and a busy man, and she had no intention of wasting his time. “Few come to the Spire for anything less.”

Revna came to a halt just opposite of the table, her red-orange eyes glancing over its smooth and reflective surface briefly before lifting once more to regard the Dark Councilor. “Indeed I did.” She replied, glancing briefly at Varin when the mention of the meeting being of importance was mentioned. “And it is a matter of importance…at least it is to me.”

“I read your message. It was careful with its tone. Now that you are here, tell me plainly, what is it you seek, Lady Revna?” Lord Lechner said, his eyes shifting to her Disciple briefly as if to take measure of the boy. “And why bring him?”

A faint smile curled at the edges of Revna’s lips; oh how she appreciated the straight forward nature of Gerwald. It was a breath of fresh air when she spent much of her time amongst Sith and non-Sith within the royal court that were flowery with their words.

“I am actually here because of him.” Revna stated softly, casting a glance towards Varin for a moment, noticing how his eyes drifted over the room, checking for exits and entrances. “This is my Apprentice, Varin Mortifer. He has been my student for some time now.” She began, “He had already received a good amount of training and education prior to him coming under my tutelage. He is an eager student, and I am rather pleased with how he is progressing.” She paused briefly to glance over the young man, idly musing on how much he’d grown since she had first laid eyes upon him - not just in his power, but physically too. “However… there is a part of him, a part of his nature, that has come to my attention over time - something that I cannot guide him on as I just frankly don’t have the experience nor the personal resources to do so, not yet anyway.”

Revna glanced from Varin back to Gerwald, and there was a glimmer of uncertainty within her eyes, of concern. “After the Battle of Brosi, he mentioned that there was some sort of…starving creature within him that wanted to utterly destroy everything around him, ally or enemy alike and he told me of his struggle, unveiled his…concerns…and the only individual I could think of that could possibly offer guidance or wisdom on this, was you.”

For a moment, Revna's attention drifted past the Sith Lord to stare at something unseen, as if she was deep in thought for several moments, before she looked at the young man standing beside her. It was rather humbling, to find herself in this position: seeking out another to help guide her own student when she should have been able to do so. But she wasn’t so prideful or arrogant to believe that she could teach Varin everything. No Master could - despite what they might claim or believe.

“But…I believe it would be better for you to hear from Varin directly about this, my Lord. Hear from his own mouth about his… beast he wrestles with…and why I asked for this meeting in the first place.”

Gerwald Lechner // Varin Mortifer
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[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: This
WEAPONS: Ferrum Solus | Blodmåne | Strømafbryder
SHIP: Úlfs Reiði (Wolf's Fury)
TAG: Revna Marr | Varin Mortifer

Gerwald listened. The storm outside filled the silence between Revna’s words, thunder rolling through the Spire and echoing faintly across the polished stone floor. He stood still, the sound becoming a rhythm that marked each pause in her voice. She spoke clearly and without arrogance, careful to give shape to the matter that had brought her here.

When she finished, the chamber was quiet again. Gerwald let the silence linger.

His gaze settled first on Revna. There was sincerity in her tone, a rare thing among their kind. She did not come to flatter, nor to offer excuses. She came because she understood that her reach ended here. That truth alone drew a measure of respect. Most Sith would rather die than admit such a thing.

His attention shifted to her apprentice. Varin Mortifer. The boy stood behind her like a shadow, his posture disciplined but his eyes restless. Gerwald could feel the Force moving through him, strong but uneven. It pressed against the air, spilling from him without focus.

The wolf within stirred at the scent of something raw and familiar. He had seen this kind of turmoil before. He had lived it.

Gerwald took a single step forward. The motion was quiet, but it carried weight. The air in the room seemed to bend with it, subtle yet unmistakable. He let his gaze move from Revna to Varin and back again before speaking.

“You brought him because something inside him troubles you." His voice was calm, the words simple. “And you were right to bring him.”

He turned his eyes to the apprentice.

“It troubles you as well.”

Varin’s silence was expected. The boy was disciplined, cautious, perhaps even wise enough to understand that words meant little without truth behind them.

Gerwald began to move, slow and deliberate, the faint echo of his boots the only sound besides the thunder beyond the glass. He circled once around the table that stood between them, watching the boy as he would a blade being tested for the first time.

“Power often takes a shape before it is understood. Sometimes it feels separate, as if it were another life living inside you. You call it a beast because you have not yet decided if it belongs to you.”

He stopped beside the wide window. Lightning flared across the city below, its reflection glancing off the armor that covered his shoulders.

“What is it that wakes in you when battle begins? What do you see? What do you hear?”

He looked back over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. “You will answer me plainly.”

The words carried no threat, yet they filled the chamber as if they were law. He watched the boy’s eyes shift slightly, his posture tightening, and in that small movement Gerwald saw something deeper than fear. He saw recognition.

For a moment, he looked again to Revna. Her composure held, though he could sense the undercurrent of unease in her presence. It was not fear of him, but of what she had brought here — the understanding that this moment would shape her apprentice more than anything she could teach.

Gerwald returned his focus to Varin.

“The creature within you is not separate. Tt is the part of you that refuses to be contained. Whether it devours you or serves you will depend on what you are willing to face.”

He stepped closer, the distance between them shrinking until only a few feet remained. The weight of his presence pressed against the younger man like the stillness before a storm.

“Speak,” Gerwald said quietly.

Outside, the lightning flashed again, its brief light catching the crimson of his eyes.