Myriad Reckonings

Mother glanced at Kurra, and something unspoken passed between them. Mother turned back to the watchers, who nodded their assent.
"We can hardly turn you away when fate rests so heavily on your shoulders," she said to Sirejj. "We will teach you our ways, Sirejj the Dathomiri, if you believe they will be of use to you."

Sirejj felt his heart quicken. He was eager to learn what they had to show him.

"And I will do my best to pass them on, once learned." He nodded, almost giving a half-bow. "I thank you."

Mother returned the nod. "I am Lady Tris, the High Priestess of this Order of the Vein. My daughter, Kurra," here she gestured, "is my protege and my successor." She made no mention of Raia, instead stepping to the side and beckoning Sirejj forward. "I fear we have very little to offer by way of food and accommodations; ours is a lean and frigid exile."

"How long are you expecting to stay?" Kurra asked.

"Do not worry My Lady. I have rations that will last me for some time." They were compacted ration sticks that tasted like the sole of a boot, but they were heavy and nutrient dense enough to last days. He followed her and glanced to Kurra. "I should not stay too long. A few days...I do not wish to overstay my welcome." He smiled. His eyes were bright and full of creativity and a little mischief. A stark contrast to the cold, hollow eyes of these outcasts.

Regardless of what Tarkin had told him, these people did not deserve what had been done to them.

"We have little else to do," Kurra responded, stepping ahead to aid her mother's movement. "Stay as long as you wish." Raia brought up the rear, staying close to Sirejj but leaving her weapon down.

"His other duties keep him," Mother said. "He has obligations to fulfill."

"Oh?" Kurra blinked, and Raia smiled to herself. Her twin hadn't looked at all the paths, then. She wasn't perfect.

Sirejj was still very careful with his thoughts. The Lady Tris was akin to one of the Elder Mothers of Dathomir. She knew much more than she let on. Sirejj suspected she may have the gift of foresight or prophecy. She would not be one to underestimate.

There were certain details about his mission he'd rather not allow them to learn of. He didn't want to have to fight these people. Perhaps the answer to Tarkin's questions would shift the blame from the Atoans elsewhere. Either way, he did not intend to bring harm to them, but he would not hesitate to defend himself.

"What duties are--"

"You may have a sleeping cot in one of the far corridors," Mother interrupted Kurra. "My other daughter, Raia, will guide you there. Take care not to go anywhere without her; the tunnels are winding and may lead to dangerous parts of this system."

"Mother--" Raia spoke up at last to protest, but her mother raised a hand and she went silent, glowering.

"Should you have need of us, ask her to take you up to this main chamber or go seek us out. Lady Kurra will be most available."

"Thank you. Is there a sign or word to use if I need to find you? I sense that she cannot understand the way we speak now." Sirejj was quite curious to get to know the guard who'd escorted him. She was an interesting character. He could feel the tension that existed within her, though she handled it well. She was no wilting flower- her will of iron and strength of steel had been forged through years of hardship. He wished they could communicate. Her story must be an interesting one.

"She understands our side of the conversation." Mother glanced at Raia. "She is stillborn--the Heart is silent within her. Give her our names and she will know what you want."

"I do not want to be responsible for--"

"You will remember your place," Mother said, raising her voice just slightly as she turned toward Raia. "I will not tolerate outbursts."

Sirejj nodded. He noted the spark of rebellion in her Raia's tone. She was a fighter, that one.

He followed them through the halls. He was proud of himself for making it this far. He gloated a little inwardly that he'd been able to not only find those who'd Tarkin failed to find, but managed to interact with them and was now hopefully going to learn from them. These feelings he was careful not to showcase. He would revel in them later.

Raia looked away, fingers tightening around her lance, then nodded curtly. "He may come with me, then." She gestured for Sirejj to follow her and strode off toward one of the many tunnels leading out of the chamber.

Spoiler

I'll be on today a good bit bc I'm off for a dentist appt

Also Sirejj not being able to run his mouth is killing him haha

He followed her, being careful to memorize the paths they took as best as he could. Though the force guided him, the tunnels were a worth opponent. He'd rather not repeat the experience he'd had when first entering the caves.

Spoiler

Awesome! I'll probably be on a lot as well since I only have one class and the rest is online work.

Raia said nothing as she guided him through the passages, though her mind gave away much. She burned with decades-old resentment and shame, which had mellowed over time but flared up again now that there was an outsider here to witness her humiliation. She wanted desperately to be off this planet and being useful somewhere--her life had been wasted here in these caves.

Spoiler

brains a little slow had to take a goofy amount of Benadryl for the dentist appt so replies might be slower lol

Sirejj sensed many feelings from the one called Raia. He knew of the anger she felt. He himself couldn't imagine being trapped beneath the mountains, wasting away into nothing. He sympathized with her in that regard.

He felt that she would be useful in his search. If he could find a way to communicate with her, there was no telling where she would lead him. Just as Sirejj held the holy knowledge of the Atoans in high regard, he also carried that disdain for the outsiders who razed entire worlds at a moments notice. He felt her animosity towards him. Perhaps that would lessen in the coming days.

Spoiler

All good!

At last they reached an out-of-the-way chamber with a small cot and little else. An alcove consisted of a rudimentary toilet.

"We bathe in the waterfall," she said curtly, and flitted her fingers downward to show the shape of the falls. She then pointed to herself. "Raia." Her finger moved out toward the hallway and crooked left. "My room. If you need anything, I'm usually there."