The Keeper of the Light hurried through the dim streets of Phrinnchatka, his footfalls ringing upon the cobbled stones and echoing lightly into the waning night. Always being one to whom sleep remained somewhat elusive, he had been at his appointed task in this city of Warriors, that being the care-taking and constant upgrading of that which had been charged to his keeping: the Great Library of the Sith. That wonderful archive, although capable of constant renewal through the Sith magicks inherent to it, still needed a Caretaker. Information needed caching and archiving, some compressing and filing away, while others of a more trivial nature needed simple eradication from the memory banks altogether.

It was during this maintenance that he came upon it: the approach of yet another strange ship to his home. Not to mention the amassing group hovering just on the outskirts of the Khar Delba/K'eel Doban system. He had been shocked to discover both, which was saying quite a bit for a race who had once held the Galaxy in its claws. Now he frowned as he hurried along, thinking about it.

Why were these ships so strange...? Rumor had it that something had happened as of late, but he had not been a part of the festivities. The Keeper of the Light does not stray from his duties for mere camaradarie.

He sighed a little, and pressed forward a bit faster. This information needed to be brought to his Dark Lord immediately, it was not his place but that of the Dark Lord of the Sith to determine if it had value or not. A slight shudder cascaded through him in memory of that lesson learned; his brilliant eyes cut briefly downward to his left hand, his dominant one, there to rest briefly on the truncated stubs where there were once long and sensuous fingers. The Dark One had been kind that day, it had only been the one hand....

He quieted then, firming his resolve, and increased his pace through the Phrinnchatkan streets. Soon the dark shadow of the Temple loomed ahead. He didn't pause at all but continued up it's stepped sides, reaching the apex in a manner quite remarkable for a Sith of his age, and hurried within. Even as he did so two guardian warriors, their bodies lean and hard, their faces even harder, stepped forward and crossed their pikes afront him. Their eyes blazed uncannily in the dim light, their demeanor spoke of no question but of simple command. One finally vocalized it.

The Keeper of the Light bowed his head humbly in utter respect for the Temple Guardians. "I have important information which must be brought to the Dark Lord," he said, falling to one knee and bowing his head to them.

The one Guardian cut his eyes to those of his companion, connected with him, remained silent. Something seemed to pass between them; then the one who had spoken nodded succinctly, stepped back, and withdrew his pike.

The Keeper of the Light scraped on the floor in response, then rose to his feet. He hurried on....

As Dash Kelderon entered realspace near the planet one could only assume was K'eel Doba, Jasyn Lancaster gripped the blaster he now held in his hands fiercly, his eyes revealing that he was deep in thought. Seated in the passenger's chair behind him, Matt Stanza didn't say much either...

...but merely leaned forward to scan the new planetary atmosphere they had entered for himself. Before Matt could get the words out that Jasyn knew were probably about to issue forth from his lips, Jasyn turned to Dash and spoke them himself. "So what is the life-readings and climate like down there? This ship should certainly be able to give us a fairly good picture; her previous owner had her beefed up pretty nicely..."

At that Jasyn's voice trailed then, his brown eyes again drifting to that planet hovering in front of them. Without turning his eyes from the sight, he spoke one final thought, the tone in his voice nothing but concern. "Let's just hope that if Galen is here on this planet she and her sister are on those good terms Aaron mentioned..."

[ 06-19-2003 08:30 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Jasyn Lancaster ]

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Her back to him, his one-time love watched the scene with equal intensity. He was not foolish enough to assume that she was not aware of his presence there.

At length he straightened, letting his arms drop to his sides. His nostrils flared as he took a breath --

Oh, to draw sword and wade in amidst the pair, to send limb flying from torso in complete victory over the pair. For skillful though they might be, they were no match for the Dark Lord of the Warriors.

--but refrained. Instead, he satisfied himself by sliding his poignard from his belt, running a thumb across it's razored blade, drawing his own blood in vicarious delight. He was therefore startled just a touch when a trembling hand lightly touched his shoulder; whirling, he beheld the abject form of the elderly Keeper of the Light, who immediately backed a few steps to cower in the Dining Hall itself.

Dark Lord Roan frowned, took a step toward the librarian, still fingering his dagger... and paused. Something about the expression on the Sith's face prompted him to stay his hand; a metallic kiss broke the silence as he slid his blade back into its sheath of Sith metal and waited to hear what the Lightkeeper had to say.

When the crooked-horned Sith was finished, Roan had forgotten his earlier annoyance with him. His eyes growing dark, he nodded the Keeper away, staring at his retreating form but not really seeing him go. At length he brought himself back into focus and, raising a clawed hand, opened a portal through the All...

...and came out to where another form lay cowering in the dark. For a moment he stood in the stone cell, his silence more foreboding than the promises he had whispered to her not so long ago... watching her, memories sliding through his mind with dark delight... and he took a step nearer. Came up to where she lay. Flashed his clawed hand over her mouth, encompassing nearly all of her face, to prevent her from screaming at him. He really was quite tired of her screams.

"There are those to whom life is inconsequential, apparently," he began, his deep bass voice rumbling like distant thunder. "They come seeking you. This cannot be allowed."

With that he grasped Galen by the arm, his claws digging cruelly in, and yanked her unceremoniously to her feet.

"Time for a little vacation, my sweet," he purred as he led her to the portal he had opened. It didn't take much to alter it's point of origin to somewhere completely other. His smile grew even darker then as, the hapless Galen JhinDarr Danner in tow, he stepped into that portal and took her completely off the face of K'eel Doba....

[ 06-19-2003 10:07 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Dark Lord Roan ]

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And the voice had been joined by another. This too was perhaps a lie, as the voice had often presented false images and information, but to what ends The Ghost could not tell. Every moment was a struggle to keep the voice at bay, and now another, seemingly mad, voice had joined to form a bizarre chorus within The Ghost’s head.

The Ghost looked up to see a man staring doubtfully at him. This was Erik, the woman’s husband. The woman had introduced herself as Shayla, with a long last name already lost in The Ghosts fractured memory. Shayla… a name like that was very near to top of memory… Shaylazar… Shalazar… yes, Shalazer! This was a close friend, yes! That was all, but that small bit of memory lifted The Ghost’s spirit tremendously. He gave Erik a broad grin which was returned by a snort as Erik spun back around to face the front of the ship.

Another brief flash of memory rocketed through The Ghost’s mind. K’eel Doba was not safe, this he knew. But there was another planet...

“We should not be overeager to visit K’eel Doba.” The Ghost said out loud. “I know you are anxious to find someone there, but there is another place where we may find information and assistance. I am remembering having many friends and allies on the planet Korri’sian who share no love for those on K’eel Doba! I feel they would help.”

--------------------

I made a quick check on the planets atmosphere. "The surface seems hospitable. The air is breathable, at least. Now we just need to find some sort of town or villiage. I'm gonna lock on to the most heavily populated area, and land close to it. Hopefully we can sneak in. It doesn't look like we have been picked up by any sensor sweeps yet."

Seeing Jasyn clench that blaster, made me wince a little bit. I had lost MY Lightsaber to General Ahem. But somewhere in the Galaxy lies Alexis's Lightsaber. I seem to have lost that one somehow as well.
Well Dash, guess you will be doing things the hard way again.

I took my approach vector and landed quite stealthily, just outside of a major metropolis. Upon landing, I opened the door to survey the planets surface. Strange noises assaulted my ears. I reached out with the force, scanning for any signs of danger. I found none.

It was then that I noticed the you've got mail light blinking. I quickly brought up the message. It was Shayla.

After hearing her newest bit of info and advice, I decided to ask, knowing full well what Jasyns response would be. "Well, do we wait for the others?"

The look Jasyn flashed my way told me that my suspicions were correct. I looked back to Jasyn knowingly. "Right... Let's go!"

[ 06-20-2003 05:31 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Dash Kelderon ]

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Or worse. Again.

I suppose in some places and times I would say I was lucky in that instead I was yanked to my feet, scarcely able to breathe, and jerked away to... somewhere. A somewhere which for all I knew was right down the corridor, for again there was nothing here but dark stone walls and floors. However, as my eyes became accustomed to the darker gloom this cell possessed and my heart ceased to pound quite so loudly in my ears, I realized there was a difference. This room was different from the other I had been held in.

Something fuzzy which glowed a phosporescent green limned its walls, littered here and there with sickly purple pods. From one shadowy corner there came a quiet trickling sound, sharply invasive to the otherwise stark silence. I jerked my eyes over Roan's hand and focused on that corner, there to find a small stream of water. It seemed to erupt from a spring or seep, and tumbled its way down the wall with enough force... or else having tumbled over enough time ...to create a little hollow at its feet. That hollow was filled with water; condensation sprinkled the stone in the nearby vicinity, but other than that this cell was dry.

I blinked, knowing what was to come. Roan didn't disappoint me, either. Suddenly I found myself flung upon a leather bench type of thing, where a ratty old blanket lay in a crumbled mass. I reached out instinctively to grip the material, finding it old but serviceable, even though covered with ancient stains of... something. The Dark Lord of the Sith stood towering over me, a gleam coming to his eyes. I tensed... but no, the hand which had held me merely fisted, one finger pointing to indicate the fuzzy walls.

"Those pods are edible, and sustaining. The water is fresh, its source unending.."

Now he approached me, his lips curling back to expose his awful fangs. I shuddered, recent memories of what those fangs could promise rippling through me, and tried to draw back. I didn't have room to go anywhere, and could only draw up the stained blanket in front of me as defense against his approach.

He merely came to a halt next to me and leaned down, planting his hands on the bench on either side of me. For a brief moment I considered a quick knee to his leering face, but Khaandon in all his wisdom prevented me from attempting anything so foolish. So, shuddering, I forced myself to remain absolutely still as he brought his face closer and closer, finally bringing his lips so close as to actually touch my ear.

"Enjoy your vacation, my pet," he finally whispered, and gave the lobe of my ear a kiss. Then he straightened, stepped back, and seemed to disappear into the very molecules of the air I was panting into my lungs like a spent war-steed.

The silence he left in his wake was deafening, shot through with the constant sound of running water. Yet even as the knowledge came to me that once more I was totally alone, I couldn't help but frown as something other began rising up within me, shouldering the terror easily aside, reaching out, sensing...

...to find something about this place disturbingly familiar.

[ 06-20-2003 09:21 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Galen ]

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He didn't stop the move until the tip of the sword touched the floor, and it was soon followed by a wash of blood. The guard dropped his weapon, grabbed at his freshly-open wound, and crumpled to the ground.

As Romanus approached him to finish him off, the guard still tried to get up on one hand. The hunter simply placed a boot on his chest and pinned on the floor. He then took the bloodied sword and drove it into the guard's neck.

He stood there for a few seconds, watching the man die, until he finally he looked up at Graysith...

...and smiled.

"Now where were we?"

--------------------

...and let her lips curl in a slow, sensuous smile to see that his gaze didn't so much as flinch, that a smile curled upon his own dark features. Something, a recognition of sorts, seemed to spread itself out in a ghostly aura all around them, finally settling down with mynock's wings to encompass them both in a mutual understanding born of blood.

Born of blood. One half of the coin, merely a part of a whole....

A little shudder rippled through Graysith then, and she blinked sudden awareness back into her gaze. The smile adjusted into a curl of distaste, and she stepped daintily to the side to remove herself from the darkening Sith blood. Even as she did, she let a silent call flow from her, following a link into the mind of her Blood-Hunt companion; then she continued forward, coming to a halt in front of the dark-coated One who had just slain one of her personally chosen, and therefore extraordinarily skilled, Sith warriors.

She stood in front of him for a moment, letting her hands hide themselves within the sleeves of her cloak, and remained silent. Then she lifted a slim hand, extended one slender finger, and traced a line down the rough planes of his face.

"Your fighting skills do not disappoint me, Romanus," she spoke at last, her smile softening into something close to gaiety at the startled look which passed upon his face at the mention of his name. "But there is more indeed in becoming a true warrior, something I was beginning to impart unto you before we were so rudely interrupted.

"Perhaps your hot fighting blood has cooled enough that you may find within you an answer to the question I had asked?"

With that she nodded her head briefly to him, letting her lids half-close before turning abruptly on her heel. Directly in her line of sight was the silent JhinDarra, who looked somewhat startled herself. Graysith spoke no word to her, but merely leveled a particular look directly into her brilliant blue eyes; Darra gulped visibly, turned, and departed without hesitating. Graysith merely watched her go, then headed back to the table where, incongruously enough, their wine goblets stood yet waiting for them. She seated herself, reached for her goblet, and took a sip.

The patrons of the lounge immediately turned back to whatever they had been doing before the warrior had burst in with his assassination attempt. The clinks of their glasses and the low hum as their conversations reinstated themselves was interrupted only by a sudden, scraping click, click, click as M'wonBo'o and his two mates entered the lounge. The great beasts headed straight for the fallen warrior; M'wonBo'o took up the body between his great fangs, turned round, and whined, his pupilless eyes pinned upon his Mistress. Then he too departed, leaving his mates to their task of delicately lapping up the remaining mess, making the scene within the lounge approach the ludicrous for the way that their immense bodies flanked the quiet Romanus.

Graysith merely cocked a brow, and tilted her head forward and to the right. She lifted her goblet to Romanus, and waited.

[ 06-20-2003 05:31 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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Korri’sian? Never heard of that...

...or at least she didn't remember it...

Frowning in total frustration, Shayla turned to the navcomputer, typing in the name of the planet the Ghost mentioned...

...and of course coming up with absolutely nothing.

"That information would be good if I had any coordinates or even the slightest idea where the planet you mention is," Shayla finally spoke up, turning to look at the Ghost. "But unfortunately I have neither. This K'eel Doba is the best lead we have concerning the person who has gone missing..."

...and it thusfar is the only lead I have to possibly explain some gaping holes in my own memory. Unless you can give me an idea where this Korri'sian is, we'll simply have to go on what we've got...

...which is the coordinates for K'eel Doba. Why is it that you fear this place so very much...

...or do you even remember that?"

Asking that, Shayla fell silent, her look quizzical as she waited to see just what the Ghost might respond.

[ 06-20-2003 08:43 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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“I do not know the coordinates. Except I do know it is visible in the spring in the K’orridan constellation, just below the left ear.” The Ghost sighed. “Perhaps you are correct. Your friends need you, and what little information I have concerning my friends is not enough to risk a delay.”

Well, well, well. So you admit that you’re wrong! Maybe you need a break, you’ve been awake for a long time. Let me drive for a while!

The Ghost frowned and thought silently “I will never let you take control, I know my past lies before me, and I am sure you are not part of it. Go back to the recesses of wherever it is you came and let me be! And take that other one with you!”

Other one? Don’t blame me, he claims he’s with you! Come on, pull it over and let me pilot.

“Never in the life of my clan!” shouted The Ghost. Shayla, startled, drew back.

“I apologize, milady. As I said, I am struggling with a demon.”

[ 06-20-2003 09:12 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by patternghost ]

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"Well," she said, breaking the awkward silence, "Looks like we're here anyway, so we might as well take a look."

As she spoke, Erik took the initiative to watch the count-down indicator, and was in the process of pulling the reversion lever when Shayla finally turned back towards the viewport. As realspace appeared and Erik established orbit around the planet, Shayla couldn't stop herself from stretching out with her Force senses to "survey" the planet. She was struck with life of all varieties...

...and likewise with a strange sort of bubble of nothing somewhere within the planet. Frowning for a moment in utter confusion, Shayla shrugged this off, figuring there was probably some natural explanation for this phenomenom.

"I pick up lots of cities and technology," Erik spoke up after doing a scan of the planet with the Supernova's sensors.

Shayla pursed her lips thoughtfully, considering this information. "I'm going to zero in on the largest city, both by population and technology, and land us nearby. That should give us a good start. I can only assume Jasyn Lancaster and his companions have already arrived and landed here somewhere; I still think it's wise that we keep in seperate groups for matters of stealth as well as back-up."

Erik nodded in agreement with this thought, and Shayla turned and began navigating her way down to the surface. As she did so, she spoke back to the Ghost. "Does any of this seem familiar to you?"

[ 06-20-2003 09:43 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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And it was followed fairly closely by yet another.

A dark smile lighting his fearsome features, he left the Library and hurried back to the Temple. Coming upon its great stepped pyramidal front, he leaped upward five tiers at a time, and soon had gained the apex. There he passed scattered stone benches and potted greenery as he crossed the courtyard, heading for the richly carved wooden double doors in the stone wall ahead. Through them he entered into the Grand Hall; high-ceilinged like a cathedral, sculpted with flying buttresses and great pillars, its stone floor smooth and shining beneath his booted feet.

He paid it's simple beauty scant heed as he headed toward the doorway at the rear. Through it he passed into another sconce-lit corridor, and three doors down he came to another set of richly carved double doors. He opened these with an easy push of one great clawed hand, and strode into the Grand Dining Hall as if he owned it.

Which of course, he did.

The late patrons immediately fell from their seats to the floor, going down on one knee as he whirled past them in a flurry of Sith robes, his sword slapping smartly against his boots as he passed. Roan didn't pay his subjects one lick of attention, but aimed once more for the door in the back, this time entering once again into the lounge.

Finally he came to a halt, his eyes darkening as he watched Graysith and Romanus. The halt was but a momentary one; in two quick strides he was at her table, insinuating himself between her and the trenchcoated stranger. A sweet smile crossed his face, and he draped one arm about her shoulders.

Graysith didn't even blink, but seemed to tolerate his touch.

Externally, that is.

Hidden from all by the wonders of the All, the emotions and hatred of the pair for each other blazed back and forth. But not one whit of this showed upon their faces, or in their demeanor.

Dark Lord Roan smiled, the expression strangely foreign upon his face, and announced in his deep, rich voice,

"Ahhh, my sweet. Company has arrived... again...."

[ 06-20-2003 10:09 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Dark Lord Roan ]

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Before him, in the center of the city, lay an enormous stepped pyramid connected to still other structures. He drifted quickly to it, diving down into a courtyard located at the apex. He glanced at the richly detailed stone benches and shot for a large double door across the courtyard. He paused, not knowing what this strange power would allow him to do, then slowly attempted to pass though.

Although finding resistance, he found himself on the other side of the doors. He was in a grand hall, a smooth stone floor supporting countless pillars that stretched to the incredibly high ceiling. He found himself wanting to linger, to study the architecture, the strange people.

“There is a huge temple at the center of the city. This is an important place with much power. And people, with horns.” The Ghost heard himself say. Whether it was his spirit or his physical body he could not tell.

The Ghost wafted further into the hall, coming at last to a corridor. There were voices emanating from many sources, but The Ghost felt his time was short. He quickly chose a smaller door and passed through just as heavy footsteps pounded in the corridor beyond.

This room was small, barren of furniture, and dusty. It appeared to be a storeroom of sorts, with aging rugs thrown about, paintings hanging at strange angles on the walls, and a pair of statues lying on the floor near the rear. Intrigued, The Ghost drifted to the statues and hovered.

Both were images of young men, horned like the people in the grand hall. Each had pained expressions, torn clothing, and apparent wounds in many places. The details were incredible, the artist was surely a master. But the most obvious detail was the large hole bored completely through the chest cavities of each sculpture. At the foot of one statue was a plaque. The Ghost studied the strange runes and carvings, at first unaware of their meaning but suddenly cognizant. “The hearts of traitors belong not in the Temple of the Warrior”

The face of this young man felt familiar. Images of a steaming bath lined with flowers, of running through a field of tall grasses, of trimming a newly grown beard and glancing in the mirror to see… that face!

The Ghost’s eyes snapped open. The ship was landing, pulling to a stop. A well of tears sprang open and ran freely down The Ghost’s face and pooled onto the pack in his lap. “By all that is sacred,” he croaked. “It is I who am the demon.”

[ 06-20-2003 10:17 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by patternghost ]

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Falling utterly silent then, Erik remained standing where he was, his brown eyes pinned on the man, demand for an immediate answer swimming in the depths therein.

--------------------

“I do not belong to this body,” The Ghost said quietly. “It is difficult, but I feel the voice that I have so eagerly labeled ‘demon’ is as much a victim as I. There is a great wrong that needs undoing.”

The Ghost attempted to dry his eyes with the back of his sleeve and returned his gaze to the tense Erik.

“I have glimpsed my past in that ‘temple’,” The Ghost said boldly. “I now desire to know more.”

--------------------

With easy grace she sprang abruptly to her feet, one hand reaching around to grasp Roan's clawed one and remove it from her shoulders as if it was so much dirt. She took a step away from him in Romanus's direction, then stopped. After dusting imaginary bits of dirt from herself, she raised her face and gazed past Roan toward the doorway behind him. Suddenly she clapped her hands; less than two seconds later, the aquamarine-eyed Salandaar was there, down on one knee, a fist upon his chest, but his face raised to peer up into her own.

She lent him a smile.

"We have... guests among us yet again, my warrior," she said smoothly, waving one hand toward the door he had just entered through. "Take your best... honor guard, and escort them to this place."

Nodding her head, she clasped her hands quietly in front of her, and watched as the Sith leaped to his feet, bowed, and left. Then, utterly ignoring Roan's presence she turned to the table, took up both her goblet and the one Romanus had been drinking from, and removed both them and herself to another table.

Finding himself suddenly alone, Roan stretched like a lazy tiger. Then he too rose to his feet, bowed mockingly first to her, then to Romanus. Then, the supercilious smile still creasing his features, he left the lounge to the patrons, the trenchcoated stranger, and the Chosen Daughter of the Sith.

--------------------

"We needn't jump to any hasty conclusions," she said simply, the look in her eyes understanding...

...yet somehow a bit warning at the same time. "Right now we all are seeking answers from the same source; we might as well waste no more time and journey to it."

Quieting for a moment then, Shayhla let her greeny-blue eyes swim in the depths of Erik's brown ones...

...and then she turned to the Ghost. "Lead the way."

With nothing more than that, Shayla stayed close by Erik as they departed from the Supernova and secured her. But no sooner had then began their walk into the grand city in which they found themselves when they came upon the honor guard which, unbeknownst to them, had been sent to retrieve all in their party...

...as well as the party which included Jasyn Lancaster and his friends.

--------------------

The Ghost turned his head to regard the Sith guard closest to him. Yes, Sith was the proper name. The features of the guard took on meaning and recognition to the Ghost.

“You are of the S’andelazer stock, are you not?” The Ghost asked.

The Sith threw a surprised glance at The Ghost. “Silence,” the guard growled.

The walk to the temple was long, allowing The Ghost to focus on remembering. Yes, this city was familiar, but not home. Home was still far away, although there was much meaning here: something dark, sinister, and false. And all along a name rolled along The Ghost’s mind until it took on clarity: Thoran. Thoran was a friend. As well as Shalazer. Yes, Shalazer was to deliver the statues into the hands of the Tunnel Dwellers. They would hide them well.

At last the Sith guards delivered the ill-fated group to the temple The Ghost had envisioned. They were led to the courtyard and made to pause while one guard made his way to the large double doors. Standing firmly this time on the courtyard, The Ghost took the opportunity to examine the benches more closely. The stones and runes were of a fine detail and had held up remarkably well considering the apparent age of the stone around them. Surprised at what he saw, The Ghost let out an involuntary gasp.

“This was dedicated upon the death of Trelanicus, leader of the Sorcerer’s Clan” he whispered to Erik.

Eric stared blankly at The Ghost.

“This cannot be,” The Ghost continued. “He is still alive!”

--------------------

He took a moment to eye them, staring deeply from Shayla to Erik and finally ending that penetrating gaze at the Ghost's hovering form. For a moment he seemed to frown...

Then he shook himself into control of the situation once again.

"You are to come this way," he said tersely, then turned. He didn't even bother to cast another look behind him but continued on into the Temple, leading the group through the double door at the back, down the corridor a few doors beyond, and then finally into the Great Dining Hall where he indicated that they make themselves comfortable.

The large Sith exited, leaving Shayla, Erik, and The Ghost alone in the great dining hall save for a Sith couple seated in a far corner talking quietly to themselves and casting hurried glances in the direction of the visitors.

The Ghost relaxed on a surprisingly comfortable chair and closed his eyes.

“Well, voice,” he thought. “I do not know who you are but I feel we must come to an understanding and level of trust. There is much of my memory locked within you, and if we are to survive I must have access to that knowledge.”

Then show me the same level of trust. Relent control to me.

The Ghost considered this. “But what if I need… No, you are correct. Trust is a bargain for both parties. I will retreat, you will unlock the memories. And if there comes a time when you need me?”

I sincerely doubt that will happen. But if it does, I will relent. As long as we’re in agreement that this is MY body and you are a temporary, er, visitor.

“Indeed,” thought The Ghost, as he relaxed his mind and slipped into darkness.

The Ghost’s eyes opened. He immediately stood, moving quickly to Erik and Shayla. Firmly grabbing Erik’s hand, he shook it up and down in great motions.

“You must be Erik! Panthar Dantares, pleased to meetcha!”

Before Erik could recover, Panthar quickly took up the right hand of Shayla, bent and kissed it. “And VERY pleased to meet you,” he said.

--------------------

Graysith's musical voice carried across the Dining Hall from the doorway framing her at its back, a hovering Salandaar nothing more than a shadow amongst darker ones behind her. Immediately the few Sith diners yet partaking of late meals put their utensils down, dabbed at their mouths with their eating cloths, got to their feet and began to depart, leaving a dwindling cloud of softly spoken murmurs in their wake. Their hurried departure was illuminated by the soft violet glow of the Glyph, which somehow seemed to be finding a strange type of humor in the situation.

A small smile crooked upon Graysith's face. Then she left the doorway, gliding smoothly up to the group, one slender hand reached upward toward them, palm up.

"Greetings and felicitations, welcomed guests." Her voice kept up with the same musical overtones it had uttered from the doorway, light and easy and guileless. "Welcome to Phrinnchatka. Please, feel free to partake of our small offerrings here; eat and refresh yourselves and let introductions be made. And while we dine, and before you are shown into chambers where you may rest from your journeys, perhaps you would be so good as to reveal what it is that has brought you here to K'eel Doba."

The final syllables faded with the soft sound of her footfalls as she came to a halt directly in front of the group. She smiled, her one hand still held out, the Glyph still sending forth its rich and somehow mellow light.

[ 06-21-2003 12:46 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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NO! Do not touch her! This is not right, she is not Sith

The Ghost seamlessly swerved his motion to instead spin halfway around and grab Erik by the shoulder, sending him forward with a powerful nudge.

"My apologies, oh beautiful great woman! This is Erik, leader of our little band. He will be happy to explain everything!"

[ 06-21-2003 01:04 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by patternghost ]

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...only to stop. There was something not quite right about this one stranger.

Blinking a bit, she allowed that bit of hesitation and conflict to fade deeply into the recesses of her psyche. She smiled, albeit with a tinge of darkness playing about the corners of her mouth.

"Your flattery, while refreshing, is unnecessary," she said, then her smile grew a bit brighter. She then turned smoothly to include Erik and his wife in her gaze.

"I am the Lady Jharmeen Q'utaro," she said by way of introduction, holding her hand out yet again, its palm up to display the golden emblem of the Dark Lords of the Warrior clan tattooed upon it. Another easy motion with that same hand, and she indicated the stone fireplace at one end of the Dining Hall, before which a few lavishly cushioned couches were positioned.

"If you would like to be seated, I can see to your refreshment," she followed with, her manner and demeanor back to that guilelessly light one. She clapped her hands again even as she spoke, summoning a Sith wench who hovered about, ready to bring them whatever food or drink they might desire.

"You will find our brandy particularly... refreshing as well."

With that she let another smile brighten her face, and glided back to the doorway leading to the lounge. There she stood for a moment, waiting to see if Romanus would care to join them or not.

[ 06-21-2003 01:26 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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“You can’t be serious,” thought Panthar. “Look at her! She’s absolutely gorgeous!”

I have pieced together much of my past, but not enough to know the entire reason for our predicament. Until then, avoid her. I have shielded my presence as best as I know how, my powers are yet weak.

“Powers? You mean like the force?” thought Panthar. “I get to use a light saber?”

No. This is something else, more… innate. Trust me, remember?

Panthar relaxed and took a seat as far from the Lady Jharmeen as good sense and subtlety would allow.

[ 06-21-2003 09:38 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by patternghost ]

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Despite all the external beauty of K'eel Doba, I could sense imminent danger ahead of us. "I have a bad feeling about this place. Keep your senses sharp. And stay close together!"

Reaching out with the force, I sensed everything around us. There was one particular area that was somehow... unreadable. "Jasyn, I have detected some sort of anomoly. Kind of like your Yslmari, there is a very large force deadening bubble about 1 klik West of here. Just how big of a bubble do those little creatures create anyway? Can they link to form one giant bubble?"

Jasyn began to respond. "Well I..."

I felt a disturbance in the force and cut his words short. "Shh..." I pointed just ahead of us. Mentall I told them There is a group of humanoids coming our way. They might know we are here. Take cove quickly. And do it quietly!

Levitating myself up to the tall branches of the nearest leafy tree, I guess you would call it, I watched as Matt and Jasyn broke off in separate directions. Matt scampered behind a large outcropping of foliage, while Jasyn ran to the nearest tree and hid behind the trunk.

Miraculously, the group of tall horned beings walked right past us. I waited until they were out of sight and lowered myself back to the ground.

Jasyn and Matt were watching my waiting for a signal that things were OK. I gave the signal and we pressed on. Speaking in mere whispers now, "I think we should follow these tacks back to where they came from. Even if they weren't looking for us, at the very least we should come to some sort of town or villiage. Right?"

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