TEoLAWKI- Chapter 2

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

Chapter 2: Growing Determination

Written by: Kelly (Kyra)

For over a year now, Selae had hunted Arael down. When she learned of the lairs filled with the knowledge of the ancient Sith Witch, she could not wait to help herself. Selae knew a little of Sable since taking the gauntlets and cape from the woman. As their new master, the spirits trapped within were somewhat forthcoming with the information she sought.

Selae fumed again as she reached another one of Sable's secret lairs of knowledge only to find the smoking ruins. The brat had done it again. The witch somehow knew that Selae would try to get her hands on some of her hidden research. Her last wish was for Arael to destroy them. Hunting the child turned into a race to find the lairs before they were destroyed. Somehow she couldn't shake the feeling that the spirits trapped were still loyal to their original master. How was it that the order in which she proceeded to the lairs was the exact order Arael destroyed them in. Perhaps the child had sensed it and was stronger than she original thought.

The Sith witch had given her life to protect the spawn of Kyra. The change of heart was touching, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Arael may have escaped but only for a time.As she walked through the charred remains, she kicked the debris with her foot hoping to find some shred of something that survived. The black, crinkled paper disintegrated right before her eyes as she kicked them. The girl was smart in one aspect. Whatever she used to destroy the building was powerful enough to leave no traces. Another key piece of information she learned from the wrecked site. Arael hadn't destroyed the other lairs to the degree of this one. It had to have held very important and dangerous information. Selae was not about to give up her search. Too much was at risk now for her to give it all away. She would accomplish her goal and then...then she would crush the redheaded brat under her heel. With Kyra's seed forever destroyed, she then could turn her attentions to others....namely the Ebonclaw and the Jedi.

Dejectedly, she turned from the smoking rubble and headed back toward her ship. Her mood was getting fouler by the second. There were other places to visit...other places that may or may not have been destroyed. One thing was certain...the child would pay for this.

***************

Months had come and gone quickly to Arael. Her head was filled with plans for the wedding as well as courtly affairs within Onderon. One thing she had talked to Damien about was her leaving the throne behind. For years they had been separated from one another as he went about Jedi duties and she about matters of the state. Feeling herself being torn apart by being queen and Jedi, she had made a decision. Damien was not the least bit happy about it, but he supported her the same. No longer would he be wondering of her safety.

Final plans were set and the date she would formally withdraw as Queen were complete. The week before the wedding, she would no longer be Queen Ebonclaw....instead she once again would be Jedi Knight Arael Ebonclaw. Leaving all of the diplomacy of the throne behind, didn't bother her one bit. It would be good again to freely move...to be close to Damien. As the date approached, she grew anxious in his absence. Rebuilding of the Republic was taking more of his time. The few days they could spend away, were the best times of her life.

"Mistress?"

Arael turned her head toward her aid and smiled at her. "Yes, Amelia. What is it?"

The young woman stepped forward with a package wrapped delicately. "The other maidens and I don't have much, but we wanted to show you our appreciation for serving Onderon in such difficult times. We are glad to have met you. Your grandmother Talia would be well pleased with you." She handed the wrapped package over to Arael and then bowed to her.

Unable to find the right words to say, Arael looked at the woman and smiled. "Thank you, Amelia. You didn't have to do any of this."

Amelia blushed and nodded with her eyes downcast. "It was our honor. Please, open it."

Arael turned around and laid the package on top of the bed. Slowly, she unwrapped it only to reveal a beautiful gown of white. Her hands went in to touch the ivory silk and held it up. "Oh, Amelia, it's beautiful." She turned around to face the woman and smiled. "Thank you." She moved toward the woman and hugged her. Amelia had become her one true friend while in the courts. Not only was she her primary decoy, she was the one who made her laugh when her heart was saddened by Damien's absence.

"We had the seamstresses specially tailor it for you. It was our gift and blessing for you in your marriage. You'll be missed, milady."

Arael laughed and nodded her head. "As will you. You know I'll come to visit you when I can. With the Jedi, you never know where you'll be sent again. Besides, I have to make sure the new queen doesn't let the Mandalorians walk all over her. Knowing Mandalore, he'll get greedy as time passes."

A knock on the door to her chambers is heard as she leaves her bags she had begun packing and turns around. "Enter"

The door slowly opened and her bodyguard peeked his head in. "Malady. The delegation has arrived and are awaiting your presence."

"Thank you."

The door quietly closes behind as she turns back to Amelia. "I don't know if I'll ever get everything packed..."

"I'll handle it, milady."

Her hand is gently placed on the shoulder of the woman as she smiles. "Thank you, Amelia." Saying nothing else, she leaves the room and begins the long walk toward the receiving chamber. Today was the day the ruling families learned of her resignation and the future of Onderon. Arael took a deep breath before walking into the room. The confidence that once was lacking seemed to fill her being again.

"I want to thank you all for coming on such short notice. There is much to be discussed."

Heads bowed and the meeting began to proceed through closed doors.

**************************

Selae continued meditating while hiding at the edge of the outer rim. News of the war ending and Coruscant falling back into the hands of the Jedi eventually reached her ears though it was some time later. She felt disconnected from the rest of the galaxy, but her drive to find the one thing that would forever crush and kill Kyra Maans was what had consumed her mind.

The news of a Sith Civil War starting in the midst of the battle for Coruscant had touched the almost dead Jedi Master sleeping within and Selae had quite the time forcing her back down. Kyra desperately struggled once again for control and had almost succeeded. The fool was still madly in love with Kit Rendar that it threatened everything. Only once had Selae been able to use it to her advantage. Kyra's deepest desire was to be with her former Jedi Master and love. It was this that Selae tapped into. Promises of forever being with the man she loved and the nights of passion that followed were enough to help convince her to submit. What she hadn't expected and what eventually led to total submission was Arael casting her off to exile. The final tear within Kyra's being was complete. Shattered and not willing to fight any longer, she conceded.

Now the Jedi Master usually slept through the evilness Selae splayed across the galaxy. Yet, just when she thought the woman would sleep through all, the death of Sable and attempt to kill Arael had only reawaken her. The battle had begun again. Selae knew she was able to keep suppressing Kyra for a time, but her ability to continue to do so after learning of the complete destruction of the Sith was uncertain. The last time Selae walked among the Sith, it was aboard Darth Ravinos' ship. The daughter between Kit and Kyra was her target at the time, though Ravinos proved too difficult to sway. He refused to give Selae any time with the girl unmonitored since discovering her ultimate goal. His love for his daughter only enraged Selae more. Had she stayed aboard his flagship, she might have been destroyed as well. Selae would have to thank Arael for that....right before she killed her.

As thoughts returned to the brat, she rose from her meditation sitting and let out a cry of anger as she slammed her fist into the durasteel locker.

"The bitch shall be mine but not before I see her cower before the complete might that is Selae!"

She moved back toward the cockpit and set a course for Ruusan. She needed to check on what other news her apprentice, Raviel, had collected.

*************************

The wedding day had arrived sooner than had seemed possible. Things had smoothed over at Onderon and the new royalty seemed to have already captured the hearts of the people. Still Arael had kept her presence around to ensure the woman had help when needed. As time had approached for the wedding, nervousness and the sense for rushing filled her. So much had been left undone since she had denounced all offers for help in this joyous occasion. She wanted it all to be perfect and somewhat secretive. Their special day would not be ruined by Holonet news and other news thirsty persons.

Relations between the Queen of Naboo and that of Arael were strong since the ending of the war. Not wanting to step upon any toes, she had been approached by both Arael and Damien requesting her blessing for them to hold the wedding here on Naboo instead of Onderon. When Arael pleaded her reasoning and sense for secrecy, the Queen had gladly obliged and even helped supply some things that would become necessary. Monies were not something the two had freely to spend. Ever since Arael had left the throne, she had once again taken the vow of poverty as a Jedi.

As she peeked her eyes out the tent, she looked toward the sky. Clouds were overhead earlier and she now was nervous. "Don't rain...please don't rain."

She pulled her head back into the tent and sighed. Sitting down at the tiny station, she glanced at her appearance and a thought crossed her mind. Soon she would no longer be Arael Ebonclaw. Instead she would be Mrs. Damien Nightblade.

Hearing a rustling outside the tent, she turned her head toward the entrance to see the silhouette of a man. "Arael?"

The smile on her face widened as she immediately knew who it was. "Damien...oh, don't come in. It's bad luck."

He shifted his weight outside and bowed his head shaking it in humor. Damien had not believed in such superstitions as she was raised to believe. "I haven't seen you for days. You would deny me this one thing over some superstition?"

She could hear the smile within his words. "You may not believe them, but while growing up on Roon, I was exposed to many who later wished they had. Please," she replied jokingly.

His tone grew serious. "I can't wait until I can call you my wife."

The words brought a swell of love to her heart. "Me neither."

He then walked away to give her more time to prepare. The clouds in the sky were far in her mind now. What mattered was they were finally to be together. Perhaps it was his knowing of how nervous she was that brought him to her tent. He always seemed to know the perfect things to say. No matter the reason, it remained in her mind.

Putting the final touches to her face, she stood and walked out of the tent. Standing outside with his arm outstretched was none other than Mandalore. He had always been kind to her and was willing to act as her father in the ceremony. She placed her hand through his arm and they proceeded toward the stream.

The sun began to peek out of the clouds and shine upon the proceedings as she finally raised her eyes only to see Damien staring at her with wide eyed wonder. She heard his comment in her head..their private moment and it caused her to smile and blush as she turned her head toward her feet again. Slowly, she walked toward him. Damien moved toward her as Mandalore presented her to him and took her hand. She raised her eyes up again and smiled at him with such love before looking to his right to see Jedi Master Bo Madet smiling at the two of them. As one they turn toward the minister and the ceremony begins.

Sorrow and fear of the future were not present that day. Love was strong enough to shut out all feelings of hope and replace them with joy and peace. Thoughts of Selae and the deaths of the Sith were far from all minds. Instead, hope for another day grew...hope for a better life.