Untamed Legends

[Eddak Manod]

CHAPTER ONE


[member="Ailuros"]


The work was over and Eddak went to search for the girl who was quite the curious cat earlier, probably around in the Hall of the Prestige. He was dressed appropriately and headed over to the hall after finishing up with his advisors. Walking casually down the hall he saw the girl staring at one of the pictures, a great portrait of the last Governor. He slid up beside her and looked at the picture, "Governor Harold Biggs. The last governor, before I became King. Not the kindest of men." He looked over to the girl, if she turned her head to look he'd smile in greeting, "Are you ready? Have you thought about where you'd like to visit first?"

 

[Riamah]

Having had most of the rest of the day to look at the various portraits up on the walls that went back many years, Ailuros was appreciating the change in the artworks. Each showing a bit of a change from one generation to the next. May be in the color, testure or even the type of brush stroke used. She may not be an artist that could work paint something like these, but she could admire the craftsmanship in the them.

As Eddak approached her, Ailuros turned her attention away from the portrait to look at him. He told her who it was a portrait of and asked if she was ready to go and had a waiting smile for her.

"After seeing this artwork here, I would like see what the church that was pointed out to me on the way here has. If that's possible."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]


Eddak got a little confused, taken aback a little. 'A church' he thought, "Oh.... you mean old Melbens Church. They say it's been standing since the settlement began. Melbens been long dead, of course. No one really bothered it and they never bothered us... they were solitary. It's a bit of a trek, by the mountain near the Fort. How did you hear about the Church, anyway?" He hasked, making a hand gesture to follow her. One didn't even know to call it a church, some called it a cathedral, others called it a holy place. Calling it, it, just didn't suit it so it had to have a name, so that is what it's called in the history books; Melbens Church. As they talked, they left the kings keep and exited through the gates. The cat saw the guard again who escorted her in, but he didn't pay much attention as he was at attention. A Speeder had been called before Eddak reached the girl earlier so it was waiting outside the gate. "It's in the town, so we have to go back. You probably didn't even get to see the fort coming in, or did you?"

 

[Riamah]

"I wasn't told the name of the church when I asked about religion. It was suggested I could look at it if given the opportunity for the different artworks there. Having seen these here, it would be nice to see other forms."

Of course that trooper also said what Eddak did was also art and she would have to remember that as well and ask more about it later.

"Who was Melbens?"

Ailuros fell into step with him and followed him outside to where a speeder was already waiting for them. The guard that had lead her to see him initially was on duty, but did not appear to be paying any attention to her. He asked about the fort and she shook her head. Her tail tip twitched slightly as her curiosity was perked.

"No, I came straight to see you."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]

Eddak huffed a bit of a laugh, hearing the part about her coming straight to him. 'Oh boy, I must be famous' He tucked up his jacket and offered Ailuros the first seat, as he would take the other beside her; the driver seat taken by another trooper. "Hah, like I'd know the man. That was probably over ten generations ago, girl." He smirked as he looked over to her, decided to say what he knew. "I was told as a boy he was just some old man with wild stories. But that can probably said about any religion, headed by a man who believes they have the true belief, and then criticized by others. He was probably the only bit of religion this place had." The speeder sped off down the trail, heading back to Fort Galderra. "Who knows what kind of an impact it really had on the fort.... Either way, it's still standing, never seemed to take any damage from the Gamorreans, not even any structure damage, from what I know. Seems we never really kept records before we started voting on governors... even then records were sparse and rare before I came into leadership. I order everything documented so we have those records if necessary."

 

[Riamah]

"The traditions of my people are passed down verbally and set down in art. We also perform or enact our religion out in music and dance. That's what I can do. Sing, dance and play a few music instruments. Mostly stringed and percussion. Do you play any music?"

Ailuros did listen to what Eddak said about Melben and what he had been as he grew up.

Her ears picked up on the various sounds and while she kept one directed to Eddak, the other one moved as she picked up new noises that caught her hearing. It came back to him as he was speaking about the building not taking any damage.

"It seems keeping a record is a good plan. Do you think they church kept any real records of history?"

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]


Eddak huffed as he looked away, feeling put off by being asked what instrument he played, if he had one. Eddak had dabbled with a flute a few times, but he never took it up. As a King, or even back when he was Captain of the guard... playing a flute just wouldn't suit him. "No... I just prefer to listen." Eddak took a breath as he tried to take in the Pzob air. It had been awhile since he had just ventured out. He raised an eyebrow at the second question... had anyone even visited the church in the last years? "Trooper," "Yes Eddak?" "Has anyone been up to the churche lately, or are there even people there?" Eddak felt bad asking such a question, being a King and not even truly knowing the state of the only church on Galderra, then again he didn't manage it nor did the town. If it was, it was managed by an individual, just as homes are. There's no religion in the government of Galderra. "We do know of a couple people who live in the church, some of the towns people often provide food for them." Provide food? That was... certainly out of Galderran culture, to give freely. Suppose they must be elders being supported.

"Perhaps there are elders that have some sort of history..." Eddak said to the girl, "I suppose they could have something, I'm curious why I never thought about that....hmm..." As they finished that subject, the Church started to come into sight. There were near the Fort, but that would be longer down the road. "We're coming up on the church, sir." And there it was, from behind the trees. It was old, lightly maintained. Seemingly untouched by technology and the world. "She's ancient...." Eddak commented in a whisper, staring at the beauty of the stone work.

 

[Riamah]

The cat pretended to cough slightly and attempted to hide a smile behind her paw as she covered her mouth. He seemed embarrassed or something when she asked if he played any music. In saying he preferred to listen, her ears spread out slightly and almost appeared to droop a little. Music and dace expression was something Ailuros understood, but then thought of something.

She waited until the exchange between him and trooper finished before speaking the idea she had. However, before she could voice it, the church came into view. It was something similar yet different to what could be found in parts of her world.

"Maybe some time I can show you some of the art I have from my people. The song and dance is quite enthralling."

Her eyes followed the architecture or the church and saw it had been untouched by the technology of the people for the most part.

"It is beautiful. Very natural in its own way."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]


"Perhaps," Eddak said without any confidence, perhaps implying he wouldn't do it whether the reason being he would be busy or unfortunately not interested, "We'll see, I need to check on the people here, that's all that is on my mind, sorry Ailuros." Eddak cared very deeply about his people and he was a little upset that these people existed and he had no clue. As the speeder came up to the church, the driver pulled up slowly to the entrance and parked. The sun was beginning to go down, but it wasn't dark yet. "Wait here," Eddak said to the driver who nodded, and Eddak hopped out, gesturing for the girl to come with him. For Eddak this was no longer sight seeing, there was a situation that he needed to address and he looked concern. He was pretty quiet as he trekked his way up to the door, taking a breath before reaching it, a little exhausted from the day. "Hey there, anybody in there?" Eddak asked as he knocked on the wooden door. But there was no immediate answer, and the old wooden door pushed open. He looked over to Ailuros for a quick second and pushed the door open a little more, then deciding to walk in. It was dark and dimly lit by the outside, the small windows giving almost no light. "Hey there, is anyone here? It's King Eddak, no need to be afraid."

Just then, Eddak turned to see a flame coming down the hall, it was a lit candle. "Why would I be afraid of the Neyhrakiin?" the figure holding the candle said. They had an old mans voice, it was breathy and aged. Eddak squinted his eyes to see until his eyes adjusted to the darkness; it was an old man in a robe. Eddak was still confused on what the old man just called him, maybe he was confused. "Why have you come?"

Eddak straightened his jacket, "Well, originally this lady here wanted to see Galderras religion.... and I had free time, it seemed appropriate since I.... I apologize, I've forgotten about this place, I didn't know anyone was here. Do you need assistance?" The old man smiled as he stared at Eddak "The town has provided for the Order of Neyhral all of its life," he gave a slow chuckle, "We are fine. I'm very gracious you took concern for me. There is just me, and two other followers." Eddak was still thinking over all of this, "Wait... you're the ...order of Neyhral? What is this place?"

"This holy place is the home of the Order of Neyhral, we served the Neyhrakiin when Pzob was first settled, the quell the Osk'yforce. You probably have stories of the ancient weapons from the remnants before us that saved our people. It is true, they aided the Neyhrakiin, as he could not be everywhere at once, but he lead the first strike of our people. The Neyhrakiin was why we were not driven from our world, like others before us. It has been so long since the Neyhrakiin has blessed us with his presence." Eddak shook his head, this made no sense to the stories he was told. But then again, they were just stories... and over time parts could be mistranslated or forgotten or filled in. "Who is the Neyhrakiin?" Eddak asked in almost a whisper.

"You are the Neyhrakiin. You have a power inside of you that allows you to control an unimaginable force. It is just hidden inside of you."

 

[Riamah]

When she offered to show Eddak a little of her arts, Ailuros could tell he was trying stall that and wasn't really interested. Having gotten it from her parents over the years, she knew the signs. Until he expressed any real interest, she wouldn't mention it again. She might be young, but being on the cusp of being grown up, Ailuros was learning to be an adult. Choices she made were starting to change her and turn her into an adult.

They arrived and he commanded the driver to stay with the speeder. Motioning for Ailuros to join him, she fell into step with him silently. There wasn't a need for her to speak and it would have felt wrong to do that. Not her place. It had nothing to do with him being king and everything to do with something she didn't understand. He knocked on the door and then pushed it open.

Her cat eyes adjusted to the dark quickly and she saw the man approaching with the candle probably before Eddak could tell the gender of the person behind it. What the man said confused her and her head tilted as she listened. The conversation between them left her out mostly and allowed her to observe. Already having grown up respecting beliefs, she was quite interested in hearing what the man had to say.

The mention of Eddak having a power inside him, made her wonder if he could use the Force and didn't know it. Keeping silent, she waited to see what was going to transpire between the other two.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]


If this man spoke about the Force, Eddak had no idea he could control anything. If it was true, how would the people of Galderra react? Eddaks face grew with intense confusion as he thought over everything. "Are you telling me, the hero in the stories wasn't just someone who could shoot a weapon straight? The hero used a... some sort of power, to push the Gamorreans back?" Eddak was puzzled. Sure it was beyond his closest family to hear completely accurate tales, but a major part was left out, "What happened to the... Neyhrakiin, that came before me?"

The old man closed his eyes for a moment to breathe, and then looked at Eddak once again. "The last Neyhrakiin to pass through those doors, before you, tainted these lands in ways we could never imagine. Neyhrakiin, the power inside you is not destined for one path. The last Neyhrakiin used their powers for evil, for greed, and lust. They fought the Order, and nearly killed us all. Were once such a prosperous group. It is perhaps why our people have grown weary of outsiders." The old man walked a short distance away to sit the candle on a table, pulling out a chair to sit down. "Would you like to release the power inside of you, Neyhrakiin?"

"That's why we hate Force Users..." Eddak whispered, "One of our own mistreated our own people, and abused the power we gave them. That's why the stories had changed. That's why we didn't allow Force Users...." Eddak looked up, and walked over to the old man. He saw this as an opportunity to become the true shield of his people. "Tell me what I must do, Elder. Let me awake the power within me."

The old man slowly nodded his head and smiled, "For a Neyhrakiin to release their inner power, to unlock the mysteries that lie dormant within them, they must make a great journey. For they must find the Elder Wizard of Matukai." Eddak thought for a moment... that seemed familiar to him... familiar and dead. "The technique of Matukai? That's been dead for...lifetimes." The old man slowly shook his head, "It is true, for there is only one Elder Wizard of Matukai that remains. You will find them within Redshift Station. Once you have completed your awakening, return to me, Neyhrakiin."

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Ailuros"]


Could it really be possible that Eddak was connected with the force, or had this unexplainable power within him? With each answer the old man gave, Eddak had even more question. But it didn't matter, it seemed anymore questions he would have would only be answered once he returned. Eddak had always felt he couldn't do as much as he wanted for his people, since there were people out there that could cut him down in a single strike. They were people who raged wars that burned the galaxy, just for power or greed. He feared for the day when it would reach Pzob, and he knew it would eventually. That no amount of slugthrowers, blasters, ships or bombs would be able to defeat. That with a wave of their hand, Eddak, everyone he knew, everyone he cared about, the people he protected, could all be destroyed. If he had the chance to prevent all that, he couldn't say no.

Eddak nodded to the old man, but he was nodding in a thinking manner, nodding over and over as he understood his position. "Alright, I'll go to this... Redshift Station. But when I come back I need you to answer my questions, Elder." Eddak pointed at the old man, making sure he knew that Eddak would eventually return. The Elder slowly tilted his head down, and then back up, understanding the notion Eddak gave. They looked at each other a moment long and then Eddak broke the stare. By now it was night time outside. Eddak turned to Ailuros, "Listen, I'm sorry I can't participate in looking through the city anymore, but I have to leave. Come on." He gestured her to come quickly, as they left the monastery. "Trooper," Eddak yelled out, rushing down the stone incline. "Yes sir?" "I need you to take me to the space port as fast as possible," Eddak continued, activating his commlink. "Listen up, whoever is on watch at the space port, get a transport ready. This is King Eddak, I'll need to take a transport out immediately." Eddak hopped into the speeder, pulling Ailuros in and the speeder jetted off. "Trooper, see to it that Ailuros' needs are helped. I need to leave Galderra... I don't know how long I will be away but I'm sure Jeremy and Alfred can handle things until I get back. This is important, so I need you to make the report to the Advisors." "But sir, I need to know where you're going." "I'll have the pilots on the transport relay anything that may change, okay? Ailuros, we have to go to the space port first, after that you can take the speeder where you need to go, alright? Again, I'm sorry. But I have questions that need answers."

 

[Riamah]

Listened very curiously to the exchanges between the old man and Eddak. Her eyes glancing between the two of them as the each spoke. Not knowing anything about the religion or theology here, much of what was said was lost on the young cat. It was certainly something she would want to learn more about if given the chance. Right now that opportunity wouldn't be given and they left after that exchange.

It was made clear she was welcome to stay on Pzob while Eddak needed to make a journey. A couple of others would handle his kingly duties and that her needs would be taken care of.

Along for the ride really, Ailuros was pretty silent until he actually choose to address her and asked if his message was clear.

"Very clear."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

Eddaks hand smacked the side of the speeder a few times as he became furious, pondering about all of this. Who really was Melben, and was that his real name? Who was this Neyhrakiin, who was the first, and how many were there before him. Who was the one that went rogue and harmed the town, making the church fall to age and become almost empty. And who was... Eddak had the memory flash by him of what the Elder said, mentioning the person he had to meet, The Elder Wizard.... What was this Redshift Station. Just then, he realized he never asked where Redshift station was. But then it came to him.... that moment he and the Elder stared at each other... he told him. Or he already knew. He was so confused. As they reached the space port, Eddak hopped out and patted on the Speeder to go go on without him. Eddak wasn't going to pack, he wanted to know about this Redshift Station and the Elder Wizard. He waved goodbye to Ailuros and headed inside, looking for a guard to point him to the next ready transport. One of Galderras trade transports was available and it was fueled. Eddak jumped onboard and rushed to the the cockpit, ordering the crewmen to lock it up and take off.

Upon reaching the cockpit, getting the attention of the pilot. "Hey, how are we on fuel?" "We're great sir, but... where ar-" "How good on fuel are we to reach The Nagai Trade Spine." "The what?" "How good are we, pilot? This is important!" "Sir, my King, it's at least four stops..." "Then we better get a move on, pilot, let's go." Eddak padded on the cockpits seat and walked away. This was pushing the limit for his people to listen, but it wasn't too out of the way. Everything was covered, it just took time out of the soldiers day, and they unexpectedly had to give up their plans. They were just leaving orbit as Eddak found one of the bunks to rest, what the hell was with today?

 

[Eddak Manod]

CHAPTER TWO


[member="Fabula Caromed"]


"Eddak, please report to the bridge. We've arrived."


The voice came up over the ships commlink, waking him up. Eddak had been sleeping, seems like it's been almost a week. Hopefully the pilot had been in constant contact, updating Galderra. Eddak had never taken off this much time. Eddak got up and stretched, throwing his arms about as he stood. He reached over to grab his jacket and toss it back on, slowly making his way into the corridor. He looked around, it was pretty quiet. The crew had nothing to do so they've just been hopping shifts at the pilot seat. Eddak made his way up to the front and looked out the viewport. "That's it? Redshift Station? Looks like.... cobbled together junk." Eddak stated in almost a whisper. "We're not getting any transmissions, no security or docking authorization sir. It seems to be active, and there are people on the station. What do you want to do?" The pilot asked, approaching the station slowly. "I don't have a feeling of hostility here.... go ahead and dock, let's see what this station is about."

As the transport came about, slowly docking with an available port, it latched on and Eddak told the crew to wait onboard, he didn't want to give the wrong impression with soldiers entering the station, to protect him or not. He came out into a station corridor that seems part of a station, and part of some kind of ship, patched together just enough to be operable. Eddak was more afraid of it coming apart than to find hostilities here. As he started to find people and little vendors, he started talking, although subtly. "Ex- Excuse me, I'm supposed to be looking for an Elder Wizard? Um..." He didn't think people would understand what he was talking about. This religion was from half way across the galaxy, from a planet on the opposite edge. "Listen... I'm supposed to be looking for someone called the Elder Wizard of Matukai, or someone who knows Matukai. Can you help me?"

 

[Fabula Caromed]

Fabula idly wondered how Al was doing. Getting him reactivated had been a chore, and now he was having issues with the Pilgrim. He claimed the Pilgrim was the one having issues with him, of course. At some level, Fabs cared. At almost every other level, she just wanted to make sure her two quirky machines did their jobs. If she returned to the docking bay and found her ship in ruins and her droid in a smoldering heap, she might have to pout.

Things had been slow recently, but it was a hush. A calm before the storm. There was almost a pressure in the air, like any second something was going to explode. Normally, Redshift only had that feeling because something was literally about to explode; in this neck of the woods, it was usually the atmo compressor. No, this felt different. A tension. Everyone was expecting something. Everyone was on-edge...and it made Fabula smile. People were never sharper than when they were nervous. Watching everyone around her subconsciously at their best without realizing it was fascinating.

There were possibly two shops on all of Redshift that sold tea. Fabula had a preference for the one closer to the beating heart of the station. She sipped her drink in peace and quiet, for the first time in what felt like ages. She had a moment to herself. Just her thoughts and the thrum of life around her. Those thoughts were mostly of home, of course. Clan Caromed could handle itself well without her, but she was still worried. There was so much about them she hadn't learned. So many of them she still hadn't hugged. And Flynn...

Outside there was a very slight hush for a moment. She'd heard it when she and Vorhi had showed up, before, and a few other times since. Raising her eyebrow, she turned back to the man behind the counter who'd poured her tea. "Excuse me, is there something going on out there?"

The old man shrugged and scratched the fur of one of his shoulders with the claws of his opposite hand. "New pilgrim, probably. Things get a little quiet while people try to figure them out."

With a nod, Fabula smiled her thanks back at the proprietor and got back to her drink. Newbie. Not her concern until it became her concern. She could afford to spend a little more time in here. Her fingers tapped at her datapad, checking the holonet for newly discovered planets. It was important to plan before you boldly went, after all.

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Fabula Caromed"]


Eddak sighed, it seemed either no one knew what he was talking about, or thought he was crazy. Wizards... how common even is that title all the way out here, anyway? Either way, Eddak had been on an old transport for almost a week, eating soldiers rations, which actually made him think about getting his men better food. What is even in that? Well, 'good enough' isn't 'good enough' anymore. Eddak gave up for the moment, taking a break and checking on the money he had on him. Since he didn't prepare for this, and Galderra was full up on the Kings Tab, he had no reason to keep any galactic currency on him, it was a surprise he had any on him. Finding a shop wasn't hard, either. If the locals didn't know about a wizard, they knew about a shop, and they pointed him to one - it even sold tea. Hell yeah.... what if they sell Moogan tea.

Obviously, as the new face, he caught some peoples attention as he walked over to the counter, passing by some faces that looked like they've been through hell, and some like they never left the station. But Eddak did his best not to stare. "Hey there," Eddak said in a quieted tone to the shopkeep, "Heard you have some tea, what's the cost?" He started, counting his credits, idly talking. "I also need some supplies home. Got any fuel around, also some food for the trip back?" Eddak paused for a moment, looking at the shopkeep, "I suppose you haven't heard of.... an Elder Wizard of Matukai, would you?" As far as Eddak knew, Matukai was some sort of martial art - a dead martial art. To him, it was like talking about the Sith species; gone with the galaxy. He wouldn't be surprised if everyone thought he was crazy. "....I was told by an elder of a monastery I need to find them, I was told they were here... at Redshift Station."

 

[Fabula Caromed]

Sipping her tea slowly with both hands, Fabula waited for the obvious newbie to get his order taken. Something something this is a tea shop, not an outfitter, try whatever down that way or something. Honestly, whatever the furry man was saying was lost on her, because the moment this lost little tourist said one simple word, Fabula's brain drained of all other information.

She had no idea what a grand wizard was, but the rest of it? Hm.

Around the time the barkeeper teakeeper handed his newest customer a cup and a pot, Fabula had managed to close her eyes and demurely swallow the drink she'd almost choked on. "You look exhausted," she began with a smile. Her voice was soft, almost squeaky, though with an intensity to it that made her sound almost busy. She was decidedly not busy. "Please, come have a seat. A journey without a destination can still benefit from the occasional stop to rest."

Seriously. Grand wizard? The hell sort of title was that? Fabula poured herself another pot of mild, green tea as she waited for the bearded man to join her. "This station is full of people with different beliefs. Philosophy and religion walk the halls here almost as freely as those who could likely use some faith to drown the pain." When she was finished, she took a moment to slowly blow on her cup before offering another pleasant, somewhat detached smile to the tourist. Traveler. Pilgrim. Whatever.

"But we rarely find answers when they're all we hope to see."

[member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Fabula Caromed"]


Eddak perked up when he heard the nearby voice of one of the patrons speak towards him, it was a sweet voice that gave him relief. He turned to find they were speaking to him, and what they said was true. He finished up paying for what he needed and gave the seller a quick, disappointed nod, before turning back to the woman and strolling over to grab at the chair, but not pulling it out. "Yeah," he groaned, "but I've been sent on some fantastical journey about destiny and heroics. An old man from a church that had existed since a town was birthed, told me I was special, that he was part of some mystical magical order, that would teach me the power of magic, to fight those who threatened my home. Some made up religion, I'm sure, the Order of Neyhral. And I'm supposed to find someone, that someone being here," he continued, pulling the chair out to quickly sit, taking a drink and wiping the sweat from his brow, "who knows about an old martial art, that I'm not even sure is supposed to do anything. I mean.... I don't know a lot of the ancient stuff in the galaxy.... my people ran away from it all in the first place. I left my seat for a week so I could come to some rundown station and have people think I'm crazy. What am I supposed to find here? A drink?" Eddak shook his head, staring into the tea and taking another chug. It wasn't his moogan tea, but it was tea.

 

[Fabula Caromed]

Fabula gave a nod as she sipped her tea, moments after pouring it. "Not as uncommon a story as you might expect," she replied in a careful, welcoming tone. "There are a lot of prophecies in the galaxy, and they're often just vague enough to be applied to anyone or anything that people want to apply them to." She shook her head and returned to her warm smile. "But that isn't a bad thing, really. It's confusing for you, of course, on the receiving end of it, but for them..."

With a quick gesture, Fabula indicated to the half-open door of the tea shack, barely covered with some hanging tarp. The wide, "street-like" corridor outside was clearly visible, as were the wastrels and guttersnipes wandering around in it. "See those people out there? How do you think their lives have been going? Not 'recently.' How do you think they've lived? Their existence isn't terribly pleasant by anyone's metric. Most steal to survive. Others will take any work that offers them enough to get by, regardless of how terrible it is. They clearly don't enjoy it, but they've nowhere else to do, no other recourse but this facsimile of life to struggle through."

After a moment, Fabula set the half-empty cup of steaming tea down on the table, placing her hands beside it. "Why do you think that is?"

[member="Eddak Manod"]