He looked at the messenger being pulled away and a slight pain of regret crossed him...
I fear this could be a mistake... However she could be right... I can not be sure if this is a true memory or not...

he then looked up. "well then... If we must discuss... Let us discuss... What plan of action do we take?"

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Slowly the towering figure stood, moving about his darkened home in silence, preparing many odds and ends.

Now is not the time then... But soon... Let them seek there own shelter first....

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"The first course of action is to remove ourselves from the dining hall to a more private and unknown location. Too many outside entities seem to know where we are at the moment."

He turned to Jharmeen.

"Can you lead us to such a place, my lady, without speaking it?"

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“Follow me,” she said, turning and leading the others from the Grand Dining Hall. Once in the corridor she paused to consider, her mind racing. If this had been Khar Delba she would have known immediately where to lead them to, but here….

Then her eyes glinted with an idea.

“This way,” she said, turning and heading toward a set of richly carved doors set at the end of the corridor. Without hesitation she opened them and proceeded through the Grand Foyer, a slight ripple of memory shimmering through her as they passed the pillar into which not so very long ago had been embedded the magickal sword that had nearly killed Recinis. The pillar stood in silent shadow, the only blemish marking its otherwise supportive strength being a deep, fracture-surrounded puncture, where the blade itself had been thrust to keep it away from those it meant to harm.

“This way,” Graysith repeated as she then led them out of the Temple entirely. They entered the courtyard, passed several stone benches and flowering plants, and descended the great stepped sides of the Temple itself until they were standing on the streets of the quiet capitol city. She said nothing further but headed through the quiet streets, coming to a certain intersection and turning there. The others followed in solemn silence as she finally came to a stop before the Great Library of the Sith, staring up at the “Closed for Repairs” sign which still hung upon the door.

She cut a glance to those with her then, and with no more hesitation mounted the stairs. A few rapid raps on the door, and they opened to reveal the somewhat harried Librarian.

“M- my Lady,” he stammered, running his restored hand quickly over his head and face as though trying to make himself more presentable. He blinked in astonishment when he noted the others who accompanied the Chosen Daughter of the Sith.

“I have failed you, my Lady,” he stammered further, falling to one knee and bowing over an arm. “Obviously you wish to use the Revealer; I have not yet—“

“That is not why we have come, Elder One,” Graysith said smoothly, laying a gentle hand on the librarian’s shoulder. “We only seek to be in a place where we might remain completely undisturbed by others. Please, rise.”

The librarian did as he was told, managing a somewhat shaky smile in the process. Clearly he was not used to being treated in a fair manner by the royalty of the Sith.

“Of course you are more than welcomed here, my Lady!” he gushed, stepping backward and to the side to then usher them in with the most courtly wave of his hand that he could manage. “You and your party shall not be disturbed; this I promise you.”

Graysith merely smiled and moved into the dark shadows of the great repository, and once inside headed to a small room in the back.

“You may either now attend to your normal duties, or take some time upon yourself for refreshment and rest, Elder One,” she said as she came to another halt and turned smoothly back to face the wizened Sith.

“I trust you will see to it that no one else will be allowed admittance here.”

Her smile softened when the Librarian bowed again, then went to lock the door, making certain the sign was still secured to it. Then he went off to whatever it was he had been doing before being so surprised, leaving Graysith to usher everyone into the little room before closing the door with quiet determination.

She turned to face all.

“How may we defeat Lord Aelvedaar, and find my son?” she asked simply, and fell silent.

[ 11-15-2003 07:09 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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Recinis' mind pondered Jharmeen's question.

How indeed.... How may we defeat him...

"the greatest strategy would to force him to defeat himself... To strike at him would be to fall into his terms... It is far easier to act on the defense, then it is to break a defense..."

His eyes moved to phalomir, "You have training in sorcery, do you not? As a sorcerer do you believe there is anything we might do to tempt him into comming to us? or are we indeed stuck to devise a plan of breaking through his guards?"

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Where would I place someone, Za'in thought, his long, bulky fingers being placed at his chin, rubbing it impulsively. After a moment, he looked up to the ceiling with a smile.

Glancing over at the brownie-eyed EE employee, he nodded at him, making sure that the thoughts that were formulated into words were sure to be noticed by the man. Reclining in the seat, he took his eyes to the ceiling, his demeanor that of one nonchalant.

"Well, I would take someone to the core worlds. As far as I could get in that is." Za'in said in a calm and casual tone. "Maybe Talus, Rori even."

Finally, as his opinion came to an end, he heard the sounds of a beeping alert from the control panel. Falling from his reclined state, his muscles tense, he ran his hands along the control panel in caution. Finding that it was only an alert of a finished act, a smile and sigh came to his lips.

"Well than, lets see what is going on..."

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“I could use magick to combat him, but I am unsure as to how my abilities compare with his. Plus, he is a master of the All. But, then again, perhaps I have powers he does not.”

He shook his head and sighed.

“Let us review quickly. I am very certain it was Aelvedaar that took Jharu, placing upon him a deep magical sleep. From the sensations I received afterwards it is likely the All within Jharu was taken from him and placed within another. The links were then severed, so I know no more after that.”

Either Aelvedaar now had Jharu hidden away, or more likely the boy had served his purpose and been disposed of. He thought briefly of how terrible it would have been for the boy to be helpless and at the mercy of one so powerful and apparently ruthless. His thoughts seem to be echoed from the Dark Lady, and his eyes rose to meet hers.

“I am sure Jharu is well,” he said softly, “we just need to find him.”

He scowled and looked around at the others.

“I am admittedly very new to the realm of the Armorers, I do not know what devices may be of use to us. What forces do we have at our disposal here?”

His eyes shot back to the Dark Lady.

“And what of the Empire? I seem to have a strange, terse alliance of some kind with the arrogant one – what was his name? Perhaps he could be used? Shayla, what was it he searched for? His daughter?”

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

Perhaps I have powers he does not...

But what use will those powers be, when any attack will be repelled with the all?
Perhaps if Aelvedaar could be destracted... Even a sorcerer might have troubles mustering the concentration to fight a battle on two fronts... And if the all was stripped from Jharu... To whom would it be given?

An image of an eager young apprentice flashed in recinis' mind...Perhaps... Had not Aelvedaar refered to him as his son? That would indeed mean that Aelvedaar will be well guarded. Jharu would fight for his mother untill his death... If it is truly within his 'son' aelvedaar most likely now has similier shielding... But then perhaps that can be turned to our advantage

[ 11-15-2003 07:51 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Recinis ]

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... disappeared."

She fell silent for a moment at that, her look turning thoughtful then as she bit her lip. "Still, Aelvedaar might perhaps be a common enemy, and Tarnus does seem to think in those terms, so I suppose it's a possibility...

...depending upon just why those escort ships disappeared, of course."

Shayla quieted for a moment then, her thoughts continuing to whirl. "I do have the Force to aid us...

...but then, against Aelvedaar's All that may mean little. I fear the only way we may succeed is by wit alone. We've established the All will be Aelveedar's advantage over us...

...but what advantage do we have over him, allies and powers aside?"

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After taking a deep breath he spoke plainly. "I believe that we may be able to gain an advantage over him... If one of us" his hand went silently to the hilt of his sword, "attempted a directed attack on him... Then perhaps another" he glanced at phalomir,"could strike at him safely... If that attack can put him down for the count, then we are victorious..."

He then looked to Jharmeen as he spoke, "the only known variable is that aelvedaar will have an ally wielding Jharu's powers, i would suggest his apprentice and heir as the likely choice..."

His eyes pierced her's, reflecting on the emotions he sensed bounding around the room "Jharmeen...When jharu was taken i sensed within you the pain and distress i would expect from a mother who as lost a child, but i did not sense a doubled dispair... One might think a women who had lost a second child would reflect on both of those incedents as they compacted... which brings me to ask... Has ShaRhylla been safely returned? If so.... Then perhaps you may bid her help us? Whoever aelvedaar has placed jharu's powers within, will be new to the all... Perhaps ShaRhylla would hold an advantage over him... perhaps she is the key to victory, if she can deal with his apprentice... I have confidence that Phalomir and myself can take care of Aelvedaar..."

He then looked from Jharmeen to phalomir, "I wont pretend i have an understanding of the All... But i dont think Aelvedaar can wield it if he is unconcious, and please do correct me if im wrong for this plan has no barrings otherwise, So if we are successful in bringing him down..." His eyes focused on phalomir, "Could you place him in a sleep similar to that which he placed jharu? so that perhaps we may explore his mind and seek out the information we desire?"

As he finished he sat back, awaiting what the others would have to say.Now... There is only the unknown variable to prepare for... I do not believe for one second everything is as it seems in this... There must be something more... Something that could be the difference between victory and utter defeat...

[ 11-16-2003 09:41 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Recinis ]

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...but it seems like that would leave too easy of an escape route, surrounded by all those people and resources. Galen is adept at working herself out of sticky situations, so if I were her captor I'd try to place her in the most impossible place to get away from. Some place uninhabited and inhospitable..."

He suddenly paused then, glancing at the readout of the planet's surface now scrolling across Za'in's monitor. "Or perhaps somewhere inpenetrable..." he then added, his eyes still only for the readout. He pointed a finger out then to the largest of those "unreadable" spots the Impys had been talking about...

...a spot which was conveniently nearby the probable destination of his captured comrades. "That's where we're headed," he said then, his finger pointing to the coordinates the Impys had given him. "While we're at it, might be a good idea to take a look nearby this inpenetrable place. I wonder just what the kriffing hell is out there that none of us can read..."

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“Our arrangement called for the demise of the boy,” Thoran growled.

Aelvedaar, wrapped up in his apparent adoration for his son, did not reply.

“They will attack you,” Thoran continued. “They are no match for the both of us, but be aware that Phalomir seems to possess the power of the Eye within him. If he were to learn the use of the Finger as well—“

He let his statement rest at that.

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“Perhaps we are strong enough to defeat Aelvedaar… perhaps. But how do we get ourselves into such a position? Who is ShaRhylla? We must have more of a plan in place.”

He scowled.

“But what most bothers me are his motives. Can you help me understand his reasons for doing the things he has done? ‘Know your enemy’ I was always told. That wisdom escaped me when I led the Sith against the—the—”

A blank look came over Phalomir as his mind tried to grasp the memory floating just out of reach. Who had he fought? They had descended like a plague upon the galaxy…

“—the enemy we faced in my time. We had no chance to learn of them, and it cost us dearly. What do we know of Lord Aelvedaar?”

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

He then shook his head, "as for motivation, the simplistic answer is this... The children jharmeen were to bare, held only one purpose in the scheme of things... Gifted with an innate strength in the all, they were to bring back the sith... That purpose has been served, aside from that he most likely saw no worth in the offspring born by Jharmeen... Jharu was yet young in his capabilities... No match against one such as Aelvedaar who has had much time to his studies... An easy target. I would say he of course values his own son's worth much more then Jharmeen and my own... Therefor, he would want that power to be gifted to his son..."

"As i said... This is the simplistic answer... However... I do not believe the true answer lies in the simple... But i supose it can not hurt to get everything on the table..."
Recinis quieted, the his own simplistic views now offered to the table... he began pondering...

[ 11-17-2003 09:34 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Recinis ]

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...well, at least most of the time...

...and perhaps even now.

Finally Shayla spoke up. "I wonder..." she started, her thoughts still forming, "...if perhaps Aelvedaar may have one weakness we have yet to mention."

At this she fell silent, her greeny-blue eyes locking on Graysith for a moment. Then she continued. "Am I the only one who finds it unusual that, although Aelvedaar has taken the All from Graysith, he did nothing more than that? For the knowledge of the All still resides in her, and most certainly she still remains in a high position with the Sith...

...why would he continue to allow this even with the possible difficulties it may present to him? And aside from this, I've been there time and again when, although he would not risk himself, he would send another off to assist Graysith when she was possibly in fatal trouble. Perhaps he only did these things because losing her at the time would hamper his plans and goals...

...but I'm not so certain that is all there is to it. It hasn't happened often, perhaps only once or twice...

...but could swear I've seen it somewhere deep in his eyes before...

...a yearning or longing or desire of sorts..."

Shayla trailed, her eyes once more locking on Graysith's. "...a desire to be with you. How easily I can recall the first time I saw him with you, when there was no other but him. Is it possible that this is so, and could it be used to our advantage in recovering Jharu if indeed it is?"

[ 11-19-2003 07:35 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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The obvious discrepancies of his life suddenly dawned upon Phalomir. All of his memories were from the future, including his memories of Jharmeen. She was in the future with him, somehow. But that future was now his past, and was possibly no future at all in this timeline. His head swam with the paradox…

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"Whether or not Lord Aelvedaar has any... feelings for me are of no consequence," she finally said, albeit heavily. "The fact exists that he did something to me, he took my son and he took something from within me which resulted in my not being able to access the All any longer.

"I can scarcely think these actions being those of one who truly cares about me."

She stopped a moment, then cut her eyes to Recinis.

"And as for my daughter, well. I will not have her involved in this. I wish her as far removed from this entire scenario as possible, for her own safety. Granted she is powerful, but Lord Aelvedaar is more so.

"I will not lose her as well."

She fell silent then, a bit of her old spark beginning to flash in the depths of her eyes.

[ 11-19-2003 09:08 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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“My lady,” he said. “I understand your feelings, but perhaps we should not dismiss the possibilities so quickly. If our plans must call for the powers of another All user, then we may indeed need to involve her somehow… but certainly not in a direct conflict.”

His face softened.

“I will do my best to protect you, always, and I extend that to those you love as well. I wish I knew more of myself, my lady, for there could be powers I could make use of. I know I have the power of the Eye within me, this has been demonstrated. Perhaps I can use that power against Aelvedaar, combining it with my magick as surely as he shall combine his with the All. And perhaps we may find allies in strange places… my thoughts turn briefly to Thoran and the strange entity within him, or perhaps the odd Sith who so recently addressed us.”

He shook his head.

“But for now, we must also decide what is our goal. Do we plan to simply retrieve Jharu, or is Aelvedaar so great a threat that we should use this opportunity to bring him down?”

Phalomir’s mind flashed with a sudden image of two sets of eyes surrounding him, one a soft light blue and the other a bright yellow, combining into a brilliant emerald between them. A savage red blast melted the blue eyes, while the yellow pair shivered in delight. Phalomir blinked several times and the image quickly faded.

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

he then looked to phalomir his eyes softening somewhat as he analyzed the swirling emotions running through the sorcerers head.

His gaze then turned to shayla, "Though i am unsure if your insight may help us, every bit may someday come around to be of aid, thank you..."

As his words trailed off he stood and walked over to a wall, examining the symbols etched upon the smooth surfaces, losing himself to thought for a moment.

He turned then to lay upon them all a soft gaze, one illuminated by the warmth of his emerald eyes.
His lips turned up in a half hearted smile and he turned back to the wall. Jharu my son... I have failed you... I dragged you from your mother, and then i brought you back to danger... No matter what i do, i cause you pain my son...
I should not have taken you away in the first place... And i should have been there to protect you... But like a fool i allowed myself to be away from you... I waited for events to unfold... I could have gone to you instead of waiting for your mother... But i did not... I failed you my son... I will find you, even if it kills me, i will find you and return you to your mother where you belong...

[ 11-19-2003 09:50 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Recinis ]

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Was indeed Lord Aelvedaar so great a threat? To whom? To the Sith themselves...

..or merely to her?

What indeed was the first thing he, as her Sire and Teacher, had taught her but to always look beyond the now, the immediate; to look to the Big Picture, the final goal.

Which was... what?

A ripple of unease raced through her. Well she remembered the last image she had seen in the library: the shadowy image of Lord Aelvedaar, surrounded by vague blurs of possibilities, perhaps...

Or improbabilities?

This was immediately followed by the dark plans she herself had fostered. A pang of guilt stabbed into her, causing her to gasp aloud.

Did he know of this? Had he all along? Who indeed was destined, truly, to take his place in leadership of the Sith... if Phalomir's prophecy of "one son to rule them all" had any merit, could that refer to Aelvedaar, or to his own Chosen Son?

Could she be wrong?

Her jaw worked in silent agony, then in a sudden burst of harried words she let out the fears which had just come into her mind, not realizing that as she had done so she had begun taking one little backward step followed by another, until she was stopped by the hard insistence of a great stone pillar, her arms wrapped about herself.

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

He then backed off, an apologetic look on his face.

[ 11-19-2003 10:03 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Phalomir ]

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Tears rushed to her eyes.

"I-- I am at a loss--" she stumbled, then quieted, her earlier spark of fire extinguishing suddenly before an incomprehensible feeling of utter uselessness.

Worse. Of being something once having great use, only to have been offhandedly discarded. While on her forehead the occasionally flickering Glyph quieted as well and remained a stubbornly tiny and lifeless stone there.

[ 11-19-2003 10:10 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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he looked to phalomir for a moment and only flinched slightly at his actions.
"You have a place jharmeen, do not feel that you do not."

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"And actually, very much sooner than later, I'd warrant," I finish, turning to stare into his dark and fiery eyes. My lips quirk to see a responding smile form there in turn.

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“Enough of this. Yes, you are Sith. But living with the feelings you harbor is hardly degrading. I have many feelings for you, you and I both know this. It has interfered with my abilities and has prevented me from making decisions that should have been made. Your feelings are likewise preventing you from seeing clear paths, my lady.”

He sneered, the tattoo on his forehead shining a brilliant gold. He reached out and took her head in his hand.

“My clear path lies with you, and I will do battle for that if necessary.” His eyes beat a hasty trail to Recinis and back. “But I now know what is important to me, and I will make the sacrifices needed for a chance to obtain that. To the Nine Hells with pomp and niceties.”

He let his hand drop to his side, his sneer widening.

“Do you know what is important to you, my lady? Have you the balance to make decisions to obtain what is important? The Sith are not about mamby-pamby feelings, they are not about holding on to what is comfortable. We take risks, we expand our universe, and we know what we want and how to achieve it. What are you prepared to do to take back what is yours, my lady? What sacrifice are you willing to make? Who will suffer in their world so your world may thrive?”

[ 11-19-2003 10:34 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Phalomir ]

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