Shadie, Knarf, Usharr, and Fane stood with Talyc as he gave instructions to Nriwe for the clan. The barve kept reminding her of things she probably already knew.
            ‘Don’t worry, I can look out for the clan when you’re not there, you know,’ said Nriwe.  ‘I have done it before. Multiple times.’
            ‘I know.’  Talyc bowed his head.  ‘I worry I’ve let the clan down.’
            ‘You haven’t,’ she replied.
            ‘I haven’t failed all of you?’ Talyc asked. Nriwe gave him a sardonic look.  Knarf put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.  Talyc looked at him.  ‘I just worry.’
            ‘So does Shadie,’ said Knarf, smiling.  He looked at his wife who nodded in agreement.  ‘You’re a good clan leader, Talyc, and a fine Mandalorian.’
            Talyc smiled.  ‘And you’re a good friend, Bes’laar.’
            Nriwe’s comlink chimed and she looked at her datapad.  She giggled. ‘Remember to bring a bottle of Tarisian ale for Lian,’ she said.
            ‘How do you know he wants that?’ asked Fane, giving her a mock-suspicious glance.
            ‘Oh, he just messaged me.’
            ‘What?’ exclaimed Shadie, curiosity on her face. 
            ‘Shall I tell him you’re on your way?’
            ‘Since when do you exchange private messages with Lian?’ asked Knarf, amused.
            ‘Well, we got chatting and he wants to confide in people who aren’t his closest friends,’ said Nriwe. ‘He doesn’t want you to feel bad for saving his life, but he’s still adjusting to his new life and he just needs a sympathetic ear.’
            ‘We’re sympathetic!’ said Fane.  He looked bemused.
            ‘I’m sure Lian considers your friendship more important than to complain to you about his woes,’ said Knarf. 
            Nriwe put her datapad away.  ‘I told him you were leaving soon.’
            ‘Oh, okay,’ said Shadie.  ‘You sure there’s nothing more going on between you two?’
            Nriwe blushed.  ‘I don’t think he wants that right now.’
            Talyc pointed her way. ‘Now if there’s one thing I do well is gathering information and I’ll find out for you, because I know you, Nriwe, and I can tell–’ 
            She shook her head. ‘Get going. I’ll be fine. The clan will be fine.’
            Talyc began going through a few more details and Knarf had to pull him away. When they reached the docking area, the Krayt Dragon seemed already prepped for takeoff.  Brenum was at the controls, waiting patiently, and Trylia waved from behind the cockpit viewport.  Once everything was loaded onto the ship, they were off into hyperspace.

* * *

Continue Reading Chapter Two

Catch up on previous Star Wars Fan-Fiction from the Shadie story series.

Perhaps you’ll also enjoy Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing; fantasy action-adventure taking place in a realm strong with magic where prophecies are dictated by dragons. https://binkyproductions.com/stardustdestinies

Shortly after the events at the Crypt.

Lord Void entered the Dark Council Chamber.  He walked to the centre, his boots plodding heavily as he did so, echoing in the silent chamber.  He turned to look at the others.
            ‘You have seen the holorecording?’ he asked. 
            ‘Yes,’ replied several of the others.
            ‘Former Master of the Sith Academy on Korriban, now in cahoots with the Mandalorians and the Jedi,’ a Dark Council member said, ‘can the old man truly be trusted?’
            ‘He aided the Jedi on Mandalore,’ said Lord Void, ‘yet Lord Usharr is an enemy to Relsor, who clearly has no regard for the alliance he bartered with the Sith Empire.’
            ‘Lord Void,’ his Dark Council leader said to him, ‘you were here, in this chamber, when Relsor approached us, you witnessed his might, felt his malady, saw his illusions.  We cannot turn away from his alliance now.’
            ‘You will let fear guide you instead of fuelling you?’ said Void.  ‘Let us allow our passions and fears to fuel us with the necessary power to turn away from a false ally.  The proof is there.’ Void put emphasis in his voice, rallying the toher Dark Council members. ‘Recall the Sith, let them return to the Empire, where they can fight with us, for the Empire.  We can weaken Relsor by reneging our alliance and the Jedi can defeat him.  Then while the Jedi are weak and recovering and the Sith Empire strong, we can strike at our true enemy and take the galaxy for ourselves.  What say you?’
            There was a murmur in the room and finally, when it died down, the Dark Council members had settled to devise a strategy to retreat from the alliance in a way that would be more subtle and safer.
            Afterwards, Lord Void left the chamber and contacted Awgro.
            ‘What news?’ he asked of him.
            ‘A Republic envoy has flown by Relsor’s flagship while the True Sith Lord was away.  They flew close.  Then they left.  If a tracking beacon has been put on the ship, I know not, but if it has, then Shadie will know more about it.’
            ‘Excellent, Awgro.  See if you can find out more.  Let us earn her trust if we must.  And be wary of Relsor.  His days are numbered.  The Empire grows stronger.  We will strike when Relsor has been eliminated.’

Continue Reading the Prologue

Read Chapter One

Catch up on previous Star Wars Fan-Fiction from the Shadie story series.

Perhaps you’ll also enjoy Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing; fantasy action-adventure taking place in a realm strong with magic where prophecies are dictated by dragons. https://binkyproductions.com/stardustdestinies