caileanandtalos

[caileanandtalos]

Those Poor Sad Eyes

“NO, NO, NO, NOT WITH THE FACE. STOP.” CAILEAN AND TALOS 

asked by @starrypawz 

Talos sighed and shook his head. How could he resist those beautiful blue eyes, trembling lips, the woebegone expression on her face? She knew how to play on his emotions like a instrument in a Dromund Kaas quartet.

“Fine,” he relented. “But just one, all right?”

She squealed and skipped over to the plushies in the back of the museum gift shop. Hmm…a Darth Maar plushie or a jeweled oroboro bird one? Talos watched as she evaluated the merits of each one.

Someone behind him chuckled and he felt arms slide around his waist. “You big softie,” Cailean whispered. “You can’t resist her adorable sad face.”

He groaned, but a slight smile flickered on his lips. “She just like you, love. It’s your fault.”

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: “LOVELORN ACADEMICS”

Now, a story based on this week’s prompt. (Yeah, I’m actually proud of myself. LOL). Fluff, the cotton-candy stuck to your teeth kind. Crossposted to the Short Fic Challenge Thread. Prompt: Love Letters and Secret Valentines Title: Lovelorn Academics Character(s): Cailean (SI)*, Sho'isa (SI, mentioned), Scorpiana (SI, mentioned), Graydenn (SI, mentioned), Khem Val (mentioned), Talos Drellik, Marissah (Cailean and Talos’s young daughter) Timeframe: past Act III of SI class story Spoilers: None, but if BW made Talos romanceable, my SI would marry him in a heartbeat! Pictures of Cailean, Sho'isa and Scorpiana are here

*****

For most of her life, Lady Cailean was used to being alone. Her life as a noblewoman on Maevan seemed so far away. The Circle of Clans panicked at the show of Imperial might and offered members of their ‘riffraff’ as slaves. They ripped her from her home, sold her into slavery, and eventually sent her to Korriban. The Circle hoped the tukata would take care of their problem. She chuckled and touched the pendant around her neck. Fate had a strange way of repaying generosity. Surely the Clan hadn’t counted on a slave becoming the first Maevan Sith. She hadn’t counted on enjoying the scholar’s life. Or finding the love of her life in the process. The boom of thunder echoed in her chambers, followed by the rattle of rain. Cailean picked up the small holorecorder on her desk. She took it to the bed and placed it on the pillow. A carved wooden box sat on her night table. A neat stack of recordings lay within, arranged by time and date. She chose one at random and popped it into the recorder. “I do hope this message finds you in good health. I have wonderful news to share with you and I’m excited as a rakghoul in a ragheap. Ugh…that wasn’t want I meant to say. Forget I said that. Anyway…that map that Lord Sho'isa lent us? The boys and I triangulated the coordinates and turns out, she was spot on. It took about four days of hard digging through a hill side, but we found the entrance. I measured the dimensions…there’s definitely something big behind that.” Cailean smiled as he rambled on about the arguments for opening the door. Rogers wanted to use explosives; unfortunately, that was out of the question. The carvings on the lintel provided the necessary clues. A secret panel hidden in the outer walls, some sort of mechanical spring. Genius, if a bit old fashioned. She could imagine him sitting in his tent and dictating this message. The sound of a light shower punctuated his words. A little water never bothered him. What was a minor storm compared to the discovery of a Sith Lord’s tomb? So very much like him. “I wish you were here to share this remarkable discovery with me. Since you cannot, I’ve included as many language samples as I can fit in this message. I know you love a linguistic challenge as much as I do. I don’t think this dialect is as 'dead’ as Lord Scorpiana believes. It shows a remarkable similarity to Cheunh and Maevan in certain respects. That reminds me…perhaps you might have Lord Graydenn see this. He might be able to provide some valuable insight.” Cailean couldn’t help but laugh as he took another deep breath. Some husbands sent roses, chocolates, shimmersilks and exotic clothing. Not hers. He sent her data crystals, audio samples, fragments of parchment, and measurements of stone tablets. Pictures of hieroglyphs, dictionaries and rare paintings. Early in their marriage, he had made a recording from his dig site on Mustafar. To her surprise, he tried to compose it in High Maevan. She understood most of it, although his accent reminded her of Khem Val’s voice at times. She chuckled as she remembered his entreaty: “I know this sounds like utter rubbish, but I wanted to try out my knowledge of High Maevan. Would you be so kind as to correct my grammar and send me those corrections? I know your heritage is of utmost importance to you. I want to do it justice because I do love you so.” Some husbands asked forgiveness for crashing the family speeder. Her husband asked forgiveness for not having a perfect accent. Cailean had laughed and did as he requested. She made the necessary corrections and sent the results back to him. He thanked her and promised to do better next time. It was that attention to detail that made him good at his job. Granted, he became rather grumpy when one of his theories proved wrong. Yet he managed to find the rancor’s tooth in the silver lining, so to speak. Whenever he heard his voice, it always made her days less lonely. “Mama?” She looked up at the doorway. “Come in, Marissah. I was just listening to your father’s recordings.” The little girl ran and bounced next to her on the bed. “I miss Dada, but it sounds like he’s here.” “It does, doesn’t it. Well, he’s coming home soon. I’m sure he misses you very much.” Cailean ran a hand through Marissah’s reddish-blonde curls. She touched the button on the holorecorder. He always closed his messages the same way: “I look forward to seeing you and Marissah again. Tell her that her Dada misses her very much. And as always, I remain your faithful and loving husband, Captain Talos Drellik. "End recording.”

Notes:

Cailean is one of the few who prefers the title 'Lady’ as opposed to 'Lord’. That was her title on her homeworld and she prefers it.

[caileanandtalos]

LOVE IN A LOCKED LIBRARY…SITH STYLE (NSFW, CALIEAN/TALOS)

Characters: Cailean (SI), Talos Drellik

Who knew that the Ancient Sith language could be romantic in the heat of the moment? (Translations in italics from Coruscant Translator)

Definitely NSFW, Don’t like, don’t read. You’ve been warned. Tagged appropriately.

There was one advantage to owning the only key to the Archives. No one could walk in on you.

Cailean groaned and tightened her legs around her husband’s waist. Her fingernails dug deeply into his shoulders as he thrust into her. He pinned her against the wall behind the book case, his breath hot against her ear. The Force bond between them vibrated with delicious tension.

“Talos…don’t stop…dary nenx akida…” Don’t stop.

“Nu buti nenx..m-mantimas kia.” I wasn’t planning to. He gritted his teeth as he pounded harder into her. She gasped, her eyes fluttering closed as she savored the feel of him. He always seemed to know exactly what she needed. She was so close, just a little more…

He stiffened in her embrace, then his breath exploded into a harsh moan as the spasms overtook him. It was enough to tip her over the edge; her cries echoed with his as her body convulsed. Talos’s knees buckled and they nearly ended up on the floor. Cailean used the Force to cushion their fall against the carpet.

They lay there, entwined with each other, as they slowly drifted back into reality. She snuggled against his shoulder as he pulled her back into his arms.

“This little alcove is quite convenient,” he murmured, back in Basic.

“There was a reason why I included it in the floor plan, love.”

Laughter bubbled in his chest and she smiled. “Clever. I ought to return early from my expeditions more often, if this is the homecoming I’ll get.”

“You should.”

He kissed her softly, gently, his hands wandering over her skin. Now that the initial hunger had been satisfied, she knew he would take his time. A bundle of contradictions, this man. Cheerful, optimistic, brilliant, witty. Chatty, distracted, and good-natured. Multi-lingual. Cailean also saw the flip side: moody at times, silent, irritable.

Deeply passionate and a man who didn’t hesitate to show how much he cared, how much he desired her, how inventive he was in the bedchamber. Or on the floor. Or against the wall. Or…

She cried out as he slid deeply within her, slowly and deliberately. His arm encircled her head and brought her mouth to his. Then they were moving again, enjoying the sensations and the pressures against each other. Cailean reached out to him through the Force; he unconsciously responded to her touch. He lifted her legs and placed them on his shoulders, then rocked against her, faster.

“Talos–” She arched against him and he bit out a curse in Huttese. She laughed and countered with the foulest word she knew in Minnisat.

“Minx,” he growled. “j'us buti manosi, dovanoti anas.” You are mine, remember that.

“Noret vel,” she whispered, “Vel…” Need more…more…

He reared back and slammed against her as she tightened her muscles all around him. Talos moaned, his limbs trembling, his jaw clenched.

“Tapti’…nuo nun,” she commanded in between gasps, “dabar!” Come for me, now!

He smirked and thrust hard into her again. “J'us karuvis!” You first!

She screamed and completely fell apart, and he followed her, both giving themselves up to the heady rush of release. He collapsed on her, their harsh gasps magnified by the small space.

“Talos?”

“Mmmm?”

“Only you can make Ancient Sith sound…sexy.”

He grinned. “Only for you, my Lady. Only for you.”

[caileanandtalos]

Two Sith vs. the Imperial Bureau of Taxation

asked by @elbywoggit (with her Sith Inquisitor, Elby)

Randomized #19  “They said all of our assets have been frozen.”

“WHAT?”  Cailean glared at the datapad.

Elby threw up her hands in a gesture of exasperation. “The Imperial Bureau of Taxation said the Reclamation Service overextended their yearly budget. No new excavations, no new projects. No new artifacts. Don’t they realize that what we’re doing is important to the war effort? Those credit-counters don’t give a damn–”

Cailean smirked as Elby went off into a tirade about useless Imperial bureaucrats. Her language was even more colorful than usual. Cailean didn’t blame her one bit. Talos was going to have a fit when he heard about this latest red tape.

“Well, how about we march down there and do some–ahem–aggressive negotiations. I’m sure we can work something out.”

Elby’s feral smile showed teeth. “Two Sith against the Imperial Bureau of Taxation…this could be fun.”

[caileanandtalos]

“STRANGE CRAVINGS” (CAILEAN/TALOS)

Characters: Cailean (SI), Talos Drellik, Sho'isa (SI, mentioned), Khem Val (mentioned), Xalek (mentioned)

Cailean experiences the joys and trials of early pregnancy. Then she and Talos discover a pleasant surprise.

Fluff, fluff, fluff. To counteract all the serious tragedy I’ve been penning recently.

Cailean sat on the low couch in her Archives, comfortably under a fluffy throw blanket. She reached over and plucked a winterberry from the bowl on the table. She craved sweet things like berries, chocolates, ice cream. Yesterday, she wanted–no needed–a piping hot cherry pie from a certain Dromund Kaas bakery.

Xalek only exchanged a look with Khem. The two silently ventured out into a Dromund Kaas lightning storm and acquired the pie. It had cooled off on the way back to the Taigh estate, thanks to the winds.

Well, Force lightning was good for more than just frying the occasional Jedi.

She slid a hand over her swelling abdomen. Talos’s parents fussed over her as if she was their own daughter. His mother swore the baby was a girl, for ‘sweets and spice make a girl nice’. Moff Drellik preferred it to be a boy, of course. Someone to carry the proud Drellik name. Cailean bore it all with good grace, even if she really wanted to give Icarius a small shock now and then.

She wished her mother and father could see her now…

Cailean realized she’d been reading the same page on her pad for the ninth or tenth time. She sighed and powered it down. Then she lay her head upon the couch pillow and closed her eyes.

Ugh, if only she didn’t feel so tired all the time. Eilan Drellik assured it it was only temporary, and after the first three months, she’d get some of her energy back. After all, that had been the case with her two boys, and with Talos, she hardly got sick at all. It seemed that even in the womb, Talos was careful not to offend anyone.

She chuckled to herself at the thought. This one obviously took more after her, then.

Hullo, sweetheart. Can you let your mum rest for a little while? You kept me up nearly all night last night. I know you’re restless, but–

A familiar presence entered the edges of her Force awareness. She smiled; Talos was back from his latest dig site. To her surprise and relief, the little one quieted down considerably.

Is that it? You were just waiting for your Da to come home? She wondered if her child could sense Force presences even at this early stage. If that was the case, then he or she was definitely Force sensitive. That really didn’t surprise her at all; Cailean was strong in the Force, and it ran in Talos’s family.

She felt a gentle hand on her forehead and smiled. She opened her eyes to see Talos’s face. He looked tired, but triumphant.

“Hello there, love,” she whispered. “You’re in a good mood. I take it your mission was a success?”

“A smashing success, yes.” He helped her sit up and perched himself next to her on the couch, his arm firmly around her. “We found a Sith Temple on Ithor, isolated on an island in the middle of the lake, but packed full of artifacts! No one had gotten to them yet. Most of them are headed to the Dromund Kaas and Korriban archives, but I did borrow a few to show you.”

He reached into his pocket and drew out a small, transparent ball. “I showed this to Lord Sho'isa, and she recognized it as a child’s toy. If a child possessed the Force, it would light up and play music. If not, I understand it made a good ball to kick around.”

Cailean reached for it, but before she could touch it, the toy levitated itself out of Talos’s hand and rotated once before dropping back. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise. He gasped and stared at her.

“That wasn’t me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. I didn’t touch it with the Force.” She slid a hand on her abdomen and grinned. “Well, that answers that.”

“I suppose it does.” He laughed and shook his head. “Why does this not surprise me?”

Her smile faltered a moment as she asked, “You’re all right with this? I mean, being Force-blind with a wife and a child who isn’t? I know it wasn’t easy for you when you were a child–”

He put his hand on hers. “Circumstances are different now. I don’t plan on making the same mistakes my father did. If we have a child who is Force-blind, that doesn’t make a difference to me. I’ll love him or her, no matter what.”

“You’re implying we’ll have more than one,” she teased.

“Even if we don’t…I’m sure we’ll enjoy the process.”

She laughed outright. Only Talos could still sound academic while talking about sex. She smirked and drew his lips closer to hers. “I’m sure we will, love. I feel a craving coming on.”

“What sort of craving?” he whispered back.

“This one.” She pulled him down to her onto the couch. The toy bounced out of Talos’s hand and rolled under the table.

Notes

Khem and Xalek are sweethearts and heroes of the first degree.

When I was pregnant with my son, I craved ice cream…but it was was Thanksgiving, and a snowstorm was raging. My dad didn’t hesitate; we bundled up and went to Wal-Mart…in the middle of a snowstorm…to get ice cream. My niece came along too, bless her.

Sometimes, it’s just what the kid wants. lol

[caileanandtalos]

HOMECOMING, PART VII

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel, Mwamina Dreamwalker (SW) and a surprise character. [Who is it? Important timeline notes at the end of chapter.]

Cailean plays an important role in re-establishing order on Maevan. Another member of the Dreamwalker Clan helps her. This is the last part of the story.

Part I here. Part II here. Part III here. Part IV here. Part V here.

News of the High Circle’s salvation spread like wildfire. The Maevan forces quickly rallied under their banner with a zeal not seen in three decades. Even Moff Caiyou was taken aback by the new enthusiasm.

“I don’t know what you did, my Lady, but the High Circle has taken the initiative. I’ve been here nearly eleven years and their lazy indulgence drove me completely insane, but now it seems they’ve made a complete turnaround!”

Cailean smiled thinly. “To be blunt, I had to light a storm under them. Literally.”

Moff Caiyou laughed and shook his head. He nodded as his aide gave him a datapad to sign; he did so with a flourish. “We owe you quite a bit, then. I have confidence that we’ll get things under control soon enough–”

An analyst glanced over his shoulder and said, “Sir, a message from the field. It’s Captain Revel.”

“Put him through.”

Andronikos’s image glowed from the holoterminal. “My Lady, the fighting on the Northern Continent’s leveled off, but there are a few stubborn pockets left. We’d appreciate it if we can have some reinforcements, if you can spare ‘em.”

Caiyou glanced at Cailean, who nodded. He addressed Andronikos, “I can send the Besh Dragoons, Captain…they’ll be there within forty-eight hours.”

“Much obliged, Moff Caiyou, and to you, my Lady. Lieutenant Drellik sends his regards to both of you. Revel, out.”

The reports came in from all over the planet. The rebels had expected this, and had spent many years preparing for a conflict. Nevertheless, they hadn’t expected a solid partnership between the High Circle and Imperial forces. Cailean called in some favors from Dromund Kaas and Korriban. Old friends jumped at the chance to help her.

Cailean wished she was there at the front lines. These were her people, fighting and dying, Everyone insisted that Cailean remain in the command center as the supreme leader of all Sith forces. Only her crew knew of the real reason; Talos would have had a fit if she even suggested that she go out into the field.

She took a deep breath and let it out. Talos was with Andronikos, organizing the medics there, while Xalek and Ashara led the charge against the Force-sensitive rebels. Cailean felt a thrill of pride in her apprentices. They needed experience on how it was to be truly Sith. Xalek embraced it; Ashara not quite so enthusiastically, but she now saw firsthand that war was not as nobly fought as the Jedi claimed.

No black or white, but a lot of gray. Cailean sat down at the holoterminal and read the latest reports. Was the Jedi responsible for training the Force-sensitive warriors? There still wasn’t any hard proof, but all indications pointed to a handful of leaders who directed their assaults.

She leaned forward and rubbed her temples. Gods, she was tired.! I’m a scholar, not a tactical genius.

Moff Caiyou glanced over his shoulder. “My Lady, you have a personal call, from Lord Mwamina.”

“Put her through.” Cailean straightened at the sight of her friend. The dark-skinned Sith Marauder smiled, her orange and yellow facepaint highlighting perfectly even teeth. A man stood directly behind her right shoulder, his demeanor stiff.

“Lady Cailean, you’ll be happy to hear that two of their leaders are now under Imperial custody. It seems that these upstarts fancied themselves as a new kind of Sith. You were correct in being worried about their training,” Mwamina said.

“So they’ve decided to teach themselves without any outside influence?”

“Apparently so. They stole a varied collection of artifacts and datacrons. We’re collecting them now so you and Lieutenant Drellik can look over them.”

“Thank you, Lord Mwamina. I’m sure my husband will appreciate it.”

Cailean noticed the Imperial officer standing at Mwamina’s shoulder. He straightened and said, “My Lady, Imperial forces are now established in the eastern sectors. The fighting is becoming more sporadic. We estimate the conflict will be over within seventy-two hours.”

She sighed in relief. “That’s very good news. I had worried about an extended civil war.”

The officer shook his head. Cailean got the distinct impression the man hardly smiled, which was ironic, considering he was obviously on Mwamina’s crew. Mwamina was an optimistic sort.

“Once the Maevans saw their High Circle willing to take action, they decided to throw their lot with the Empire. The Circle’s new laws and edicts have won them more support. I daresay this is a success, my Lady.”

Mwamina nodded and agreed, “Rymar’s an excellent tactician, my Lady. He’s the one who helped plan the eastern assault.”

“Then we’re fortunate to have you. Your name is Rymar?”

“Yes, my Lady. Lieutenant Rymar Quinn. I’m newly assigned to Moff Quisnar’s staff.”

“I’m sure you’ll go far, Lieutenant.”

“Thank you, my Lady.”

Cailean nodded and addressed Mwamina again. “Contact me again once the mop-op is done. We should talk. It’s been a while.”

“It certainly has. Eastern Command, out.”

Cailean absently put a hand on her stomach as she tried yet again to read her datapad. One day, she might bring her child to a new Maevan, one whose people laughed and sang again.

I’m sure you will, lennevan. I’m sure you will.

She started in surprise and nearly dropped her datapad. A glowing form stood next to her, an achingly familiar form. Cailean began to say something, but the apparition only raised a hand and shook his head. She nodded and blinked the tears from her eyes.

We will always be with you, blood of my blood. You carry the future of our clan re-born. I am sure you will know what to do. Trust in yourself.

With that sage advice, Donal Taigh winked, then disappeared.

*****

The High Circle threw a magnificent banquet to celebrate their victory. It was open to nobles and commoners alike, and this time, Moff Caiyou and his staff were honored guests. Lady Vishna seemed almost paranoid about the security, but no one complained. They had all seen the effects of being too lax.

Cailean made a slow circuit around the room. Unlike the first time, she was greeted with smiles and bows, laughter and merriment. The dance floors, no longer segregated strictly by clans, the guests no longer cordoned off by age. The thrill of a new future energized the High Circle; it seemed that the partnership with the Empire was finally bearing fruit.

“Now that the High Circle isn’t so terrified about losing their power, they’ve lightened up a little,” Andronikos commented. “They won’t forget who saved their collective, uh, hides.”

Cailean smirked. “No, they won’t. Over there, Andronikos. It looks like you’ve caught the eye of Mistress Vaughn’s eldest daughter.”

“So I have. I promise, I won’t do anything too scandalous, Sith.” He grinned and joined the dance circle.

Talos chuckled and said, “And he said he didn’t dance. I suppose he simply had to gain enough confidence in himself.”

“He isn’t the only one. I believe Ashara and Xalek have taken upon themselves to look over the Maevan Force-sensitive candidates, to see if there is anyone promising.”

“Xalek, I understand…but Ashara? That is somewhat of a surprise. A pleasant one, mind you, but I think she still has a bit of growing up to do.”

She nodded in agreement. “She’ll find her own path. I’m sure of it.”

“And you, my Lady?”

“I think I’ve laid a few ghosts to rest, love. Let the past stay there. We have a bright future.”

He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “We do indeed.”

Notes:

Timeline: In the Dreamwalker Universe, the first generation (which includes Cailean and Talos and does not strictly follow the game) also includes a younger Eckard Lokin (long before he joins Kezz) and Rymar Quinn, Malavai’s dad. Rymar served on Mwamina’s Fury for a short time before being transferred elsewhere.

[caileanandtalos]

HOMECOMING, PART VI

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel

Cailean sees the High Circle finally take charge. She also ends up teaching Ashara an important lesson.

Part I here. Part II here. Part III here. Part IV here. Part V here.

*****

Cailean observed the proceedings from a comfortable balcony overlooking the main chamber. She reclined on a couch with plenty of pillows and a fluffy blanket. She thought the High Circle was very accommodating, but she didn’t argue against it.

Ashara leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the horseshoe-shaped meeting table below. Lady Vishna stood at its curve, with six members flanking her on either side, for a total of thirteen. Loud voices echoed off the majestic ceiling as the High Circle argued among themselves.

“Their aides say that the High Circle has accomplished more in two hours than they’ve done in two years,” Ashara commented mildly.

“They just needed the right encouragement,” Cailean answered.

“A pity that they need the threat of a Sith to get things done.”

“Sometimes that’s just what’s required.” Cailean sighed. “Ashara…it’s not pleasant, but do you understand why?”

The Togruta reluctantly nodded. “You’re nicer than most Sith…but diplomacy only gets you so far.”

“I was raised to respect the High Circle, Ashara, much like you for the Jedi Council. Not everything is black and white…and not everyone responds to politeness.”

Cailean believed that actions spoke louder than words, and this was a teaching opportunity for Ashara. The Jedi spouted their pacifistic philosophy, but now Ashara was seeing progress in action.

Andronikos nodded from the other side of the balcony. His eyes continuously scanned the chamber. “I bet our Maevan rebels won’t be happy to hear the High Circle’s taking a stand against ‘em. That makes us even more a target.”

“We were going to be a target whether we liked it or not, Andronikos.” Cailean inclined her head as Lady Vishna verbally chastised another noble for speaking out of turn. The atmosphere in the chamber was as noxious as poisonous gas, but she saw glimmers of genuine progress.

Ashara frowned and narrowed her eyes at a pair of nobles at the end of the horseshoe. Cailean followed her gaze. One of them was Master Yurri, the man who had replaced Mistress Hedrel of the WhiteRider Clan. Cailean did not recognize the other one.

“Those two,” Ashara whispered. “I sense something from them.”

Cailean glanced at Andronikos, who nodded and tapped the silent comm channel in his helmet. She closed her eyes and felt through the Force. It was like navigating through sluggish currents, but she saw faint silver tendrils from both men.

“They’re relaying information. Passively, so not to alert us,” Cailean said. Fatigue hit her like a sledgehammer, but cracked her eyes open. She pulled herself to her feet and headed towards the stairs leading down to the chamber.

Lady Vishna turned, glanced up at the balcony and addressed Andronikos. “Captain Revel, may the Circle address Lady Cailean?”

“I am here,” Cailean said. Lady Vishna spun around at her unexpected voice, but Cailean only stared at the two men.

Master Yurri’s eyes widened in fear. The other man stumbled out of his chair and fled towards the door…only to run into Khem Val. Quite literally.

Cailean slowly approached Master Yurri. He gasped and tried to put up some sort of Force barrier between them. She waved a careless hand and simply stepped through it.

“I have been listening to your lively debates. They have been quite informative, so informative that Master Yurri is eager to share them with his compatriots.” Cailean ignored the horrified reactions of the Circle; she extended a hand and Yurri yelped as a bolt of Force lightning hurled him out of his chair.

“That is just a gentle push, Master Yurri,” Cailean said in a calm tone. “You will tell me what I want to know, in front of the High Circle.”

Yurri shook his head in a clear panic. Cailean glanced at Khem and said, “Are you hungry enough to eat him?”

Khem growled, “Both are weak, not worthy of a full meal, but I suppose they will do as a snack.”

“No!” Yurri shrieked. “No…please…”

Cailean simply tilted her head as if addressing a deaf tukata. “Then I want names.”

Yurri sputtered, his words overlapping each other as he managed to answer. Lady Vishna glanced at some of her guards, who immediately left the chamber. Finally, the man’s tortured voice ground into silence.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Cailean raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Moff Caiyou, did you hear all that?”

The moff’s voice boomed from Andronikos’s holocommunicator. “I did indeed, my Lady. My gratitude for your assistance. Your apprentice is asking permission to join in the hunt.”

“Tell Xalek he has my blessing.”

“Much obliged. I’m sure he’ll make you proud, my Lady. Caiyou, out.”

Cailean took a deep breath and sighed. She nodded at Lady Vishna. “What will you do with these traitors?”

“Treason deserves death,” she answered. “All who agree, say aye.”

The replies were all in the affirmative. Yurri cried out, a weak protest against the inevitable. Lady Vishna bowed her head and added, “I leave the punishment to your discretion, my Lady.”

Cailean looked up at Khem. He grabbed Yurri by the collar, tucked the other noble under his arm, and strode out of the chamber. The condemned men’s cries bounced off the walls, and died out completely.

Lady Vishna whispered, “Thank you, my Lady. You have saved us once again. We are in your debt.”

“These rebels can be quite subtle, acting like friends when they aren’t.” She met Ashara’s gaze; the Togruta only nodded. “This is only the opening volley. If we are to see this through, we must work together. Are we agreed?”

The response was overwhelming. “AYE!”

[caileanandtalos]

HOMECOMING, PART V

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel

Ashara makes an unexpected friend. Cailean has finally had enough and puts her foot down. Andronikos finds out the secret that really isn’t a secret.

Part I is here. Part II is here. Part III is here. Part IV is here.

*****

The prisoner survived through surgery and a short time in the kolto tank. Now she rested comfortably in an isolated room, under heavy guard. Xalek and Ashara took turns sitting at her bedside. The girl was definitely strong in the Force, but not trained in either Jedi or Sith teachings. Ashara observed her as she slept. Of course, the Empire had the means to hobble Force ability to prevent prisoners from using it.

Ashara shivered as her eyes swept over the girl’s pale features. She looked even younger than Talos’s initial estimate, probably thirteen at the most. Would the Maevans use one as young to do their bidding? A small voice inside her whispered, The Jedi do the same.

She nearly missed the soft sigh. “Why?”

Ashara leaned forward as the girl opened her eyes. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

The girl squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face away. “Why did he spare me? Why didn’t he just kill me outright?”

Ashara wasn’t sure to whom she referred: Andronikos, who had wounded her, or Talos, who had healed her. Nevertheless, Ashara told the truth. “I don’t know.”

“Your accent…you aren’t Imperial, are you?”

“No, I wasn’t born in the Empire.”

The girl opened her eyes and gazed at her with curiosity. “I haven’t seen your kind before…but you aren’t a Twi'lek, are you? You look rather the same, but not.”

Ashara chuckled; others had made the same assumption. “No, I’m not a Twi'lek. I’m a Togruta. You don’t usually see my kind in Imperial space, but there are a few, here and there.”

“Are you a slave, then?”

Ashara shook her head and answered, “I am an apprentice to Lady Cailean.”

“An apprentice…you’re a Sith?” The girl’s eyes widened in fear and dread.

“It’s…complicated.” Ashara managed a smile, but it trembled at the edges. “My name is Ashara Zavros. What’s yours? I really don’t feel comfortable just calling you, ‘You there’.”

She seemed to struggle with the answer, but finally she said, “My name is Natryona.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Natryona. Are you hungry or thirsty? I can order something for you, if you’d like.”

“No…I feel like I’ll get sick if I eat or drink anything…and I don’t fancy being poisoned.” Natryona answered quietly. “You..did something to me, something so I can’t touch the Force, right? I don’t blame you for it, but…it hurts. Like an arm or a leg’s been cut off. It hurts, Mistress Zavros.”

Ashara gripped her hand tightly. “I’m so sorry. I know it hurts, but your friend assassinated Moff Yitnau and put so many innocent people in danger.”

“They weren’t innocent!” Natryona grated. “Ever since the Empire came, the old Clans took over and hurt the really innocent people! You don’t know what they did. They took people away, like my grandfather, and passed all these rules. No merry-making, nothing that takes away from loyalty, from duty, They said that anyone with the Force would be twisted into terrible monsters, to serve the Empire, and to serve the Old Clans. I didn’t–I don’t want –to become a monster! I will die first before that happens to me!”

Natryona took a deep shuddering breath. “They say that there are others who use the Force for good, for protection. If only…if only…” Her words ran over each other as she cried. Ashara drew the young girl into her arms. “Please, please help me. They will torture me, interrogate me, then kill me. All Imperials are the same. Please…”

Ashara sighed and rocked Natryona in her arms. “Not all are the same. The man who saved your life…he’s an Imperial officer, Lady Cailean’s husband. He’s an archaeologist and a medic.”

“He shouldn’t have saved me! He shouldn’t have…”

Ashara didn’t know what to say to that. She only held Natryona in her arms until she passed out from sheer exhaustion. If the Jedi had found Catryona first…if the Maevan Force-users hadn’t been driven to hide themselves, to use their natural powers for chaos…

Oh, my dear one, what will become of you?

*****

Cailean watched the scene unfold on the security screen in front of her. She felt a deep sadness and a cold rage in the depth of her heart. Natryona’s anguish was genuine, but Cailean felt a darker undertone to the girl’s words. Ashara was not Sith, and she was still too rooted in Jedi teachings. That made her easier to manipulate.

She felt a hand tighten upon her shoulder and glanced up to see Talos. His face mirrored her sadness and concern. “I’m sorry, my Lady, but it had to be done.”

“Never apologize for following your instincts, love. She’s our only link to the Maevan rebels. I take it Moff Caiyou will definitely interrogate her?”

“When she’s stronger. What Natryona said, it matches our suppositions. The Old Clans…I assume they are the ones now in power? Lady Vishna and her ilk?”

“Yes…the Old Clans are the original families who settled the planet millennia ago. The Taighs were--had been--one of them as well.” Cailean pulled out the wrapped present from the pocket of her robes. Lady Hedrel’s gift–a carefully drawn Taigh family tree–was worth more than gold.

“Lady Hadrel said your father angered the High Circle and that’s why the Taighs were sold into slavery. Now she’s disappeared and another fellow–Master Yurri, I think his name is–has taken her place. She tried to warn us, Cailean.”

Cailean nodded. “She did. The question becomes…what do we do now? We still have no direct proof that Lady Vishna and the High Circle are involved in any treason. They claim this is 'an internal affair, one that will be dealt with swiftly’. These rogue Force-users are dangerous to others, if they aren’t trained.”

“I don’t care what Natryona implied…you aren’t a monster, Cailean.”

She sighed and leaned back against her husband. “I know that…and you know first-hand the pain of families who lose relatives to the Trials. Acolytes think of survival, and if that means destroying others to live…that’s what we have to do.”

Talos said nothing to that. His brother had been an acolyte, but Talos himself had no idea how brutal the process really was. It was very simple: survive or die. Now that it was confirmed that there were Force-sensitive Maevans, those children, too, would be sent to Korriban.

They spent a few minutes in silence and watched as Ashara returned to her vigil, the dread shining in her eyes. Cailean needed to talk to her apprentice; obviously, Ashara didn’t think she was being manipulated by a child, but Cailean sensed Natryona’s hidden intentions.

Talos broke the silence with a question. “Did you find anything about the Lost Colony in the Archives?”

She nodded slowly and took out her data pad. “It took the better part of a day to go through all the information. I was right; the quantity of 'information’ yielded very little real data, but what we found is a good start.”

“Good. At least something useful came out of your visit to the Archives. One of the Clan Elders told me that the Taighs considered that building sacred ground. I don’t blame them.”

Her smile barely stretched her lips. “I remember playing in the halls of that building as a child, Talos, and watching my father work at his console. When I walked through those halls this morning, I felt a presence near me.”

“One of these Force assassins, like Natryona?”

“No, it was nothing like that. It seemed protective of me. It was a rather odd sensation.”

Talos didn’t seem convinced that the so-called Force spirit was benign, but held his peace. If Caliean felt no danger from it, then he wasn’t going to rile it up by making it angry.

The door chime rang. Talos automatically put a hand at the blaster at his side. Minutes later, Andronikos came in, with Lady Vishna at his side. The leader of the High Circle looked dazed and exhausted, her dark eyes reflecting dreadful fright. Lady Vishna stopped a respectful distance away, her head bowed.

“Lady Cailean, allow me to apologize to you and yours. We honestly did not expect such an attack on your husband and the death of Moff Yitnau grieves us.”

Cailean nodded coolly. “These renegades infiltrated Outpost Rainstorm and assassinated Moff Yitnau. He was the original target, wasn’t he? My husband and the others just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Am I correct?”

“Yes, my Lady. That is correct.”

There was a beat of silence, then Cailean carefully rose from her chair. Her body trembled, but the fury radiated from every pore of her body. She simply looked at Lady Vishna. The noblewoman looked up and gasped in mortal fright.

Cailean’s dark blue eyes had lightened to a dangerous Sith orange.

“Cailean–” Talos said in warning. He’d seen this before. In fact, when he had met her on Hoth, her eyes were orange, just not this deep of a shade. Gradually, her eyes had regained their natural color. He’d always thought her eyes were lovely.

They were downright terrifying now.

“You and the High Council have been withholding information from me. Your petty jealousies and rivalries have allowed this threat to grow unchecked. You profess loyalty to the Empire, but undermine it at every turn. Your grasp on control is so weak that you must force our people to deny their very nature. You sell your kin, your very blood, into slavery. Only when one of those prodigal children achieves the impossible do you acknowledge your mistake.”

The silence in the room hung heavier than a dense fog. Lady Vishna swallowed hard and kept silent. The color drained from her face as Cailean’s tone became a soft whisper.

“I grow tired of your posturing, Lady Vishna. Our world is slowly being destroyed by enemy forces, and you do nothing. I will not stand for that.”

Cailean dipped her head and enunciated every word so everyone could hear her. “Call a session of the High Circle. Everyone must attend. All thirteen, no exceptions. I will be there at the proceedings and I will listen as the lot of you tell me what you know about this threat to our people and to the Empire. Make sure the nobles are aware that I can and I will know if they are lying. And if they do lie–”

She turned an upraised hand and purple lightning crackled at her fingertips, so close that Lady Vishna could feel the electrons jump on her skin. Her eyes were wider than tea saucers, her hands shaking as if with tremors. Cailean’s mouth turned up into a humorless grin.

“I am Sith, Lady Vishna. I will use my authority to stamp out this threat and I expect your cooperation. Do I make myself clear?”

The noblewoman nodded so hard that Talos thought her neck might snap. “Yes, my Lady. Your will be done.”

“Then go. The closed session will be an hour after sunrise tomorrow.”

“I will make sure all the representatives are present, my Lady.” She curtsied low and fled the room without a backwards glance.

Cailean’s breath came out in a ragged sigh. She sat back down in the chair, exhausted. Talos was immediately at her side with a med scanner in hand. Andronikos knelt at her other side.

“You scared the living daylights out me, Sith, and that says somethin’,” Andronikos said without any sarcasm. “I know they’ve been rude and condescendin’ to you since we arrived. Can’t say Lady Vishna didn’t have it comin’.”

Talos scowled at the readouts. “Cailean, you must rest. All this stress is not good for you so early in pregnancy.”

Andronikos did a double-take. He looked at Talos, then at Cailean. “Wait a minute…you two are–”

Cailean managed a smile. “Yes, Andronikos.”

“Damn…you two didn’t waste any time, did ya?” He laughed with genuine mirth. “Congratulations. Uh, wait…I bet I’m the last to know? Bein’ Force-blind has its drawbacks, I guess. No offense, Daddy-to-be.”

Talos glared, but the silly grin on Andronikos’s face brought out a chuckle from him. “I can completely understand where you’re coming from. But seriously, Cailean, if you plan on facing the High Circle tomorrow, you need rest now.”

She nodded and closed her eyes. “I won’t argue with that, love. Andronikos, tell the others what happened here, and please inform Ashara that I’d like to talk with her privately.”

“No problem.” Andronikos answered. “Take care of them,Talos. Leave all the runnin’ around to me.”

Talos nodded. They all noticed that the pirate had addressed him by his first name, instead of 'Drellik’. It was a subtle change.

Cailean smiled ahd whispered, “Thank you.”

[caileanandtalos]

HOMECOMING, PART IV

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel

Cailean does research on the Lost Colony, while Talos accompanies the local Moff on an inspection tour. Mayhem ensues, and Talos makes a surprising decision.

Part I is here. Part II is here. Part III is here.

*****

Cailean stood at the entrance of the Maevan Archives, a massive stone-and-marble building at the top of the highest hill of the planet. Ashara stood on her left, while Khem Val hovered at her right. She gazed at the turquoise-and-ivory inlaid pattern above the door, outlined in gold.

The truth shall set us free. Honor the truth, live it.

Cailean thought about the grim irony. The Taigh clan had been the keepers of knowledge for centuries. That duty fell to the Koravi clan now, the Taighs’ worst rivals. The Koravi put their own stamp on the Archives by carefully chiseling out any mention of their enemies from the stone walls and substituting their own.

The best way to destroy an enemy is to forget them, and make sure they are forgotten. Cailean narrowed her eyes at the elegant script as it spouted their lies. The rage and grief welled up in her heart; she carefully harvested it for the Dark Side, for future need.

Lady Vishna turned as a man in violet and silver approached them. “Ah, Archivist Ferun, right on time, as usual.”

Archivist Ferun stood a shade taller than Ashara, with a mane of thick brown hair and a goatee. He took Lady Vishna’s hand and kissed it, like a proper Maevan gentleman.

“And Lady Vishna, beautiful as the Southern sunrise, as usual. It’s always a pleasure to serve you.”

Cailean rolled her eyes as Lady Vishna simpered at the attention. Ashara seemed amused at the acting, but Khem Val growled deep in his throat. Ferun’s eyes snapped towards Khem and widened at the sight of the Deshade.

“I say…is that a Deshade? I had thought them extinct when Ukrop was destroyed! This is a marvel! May I ask a few questions, if it isn’t too much trouble?”

Khem grumbled something in reply. Cailean translated, “He eats those who are too curious for their own good, Archivist Ferun, especially those who offend him.”

“It wasn’t my intention to offend, my Lady. Forgive me.” Ferun bowed deeply. “I am at your service as well. Lady Vishna tells me you seek information of our lost brothers and sisters. I took the liberty of assembling everything I could find on this subject. If you would follow me, please…”

The main chamber hadn’t changed: the room was lined with shelves filled with books and folios, crystals and tablets, parchment and data cards. Ashara gazed all around her, wide-eyed at the sheer amount of items in one place.

“Even the various Jedi temples don’t have this much,” she whispered, “or the Archives on Dromund Kaas…”

“I beg to differ with you there, young lady. Half of what you see in Dromund Kaas come from here. We have a close agreement with the Sith scholars there and at Korriban. The flow of knowledge is a great one.” Ferun guided them to a conference room, and a table piled high with reference material. “I will make sure you aren’t disturbed, my Lady, as you and your apprentice and your guardian sift through the many items.”

Cailean gritted her teeth, but managed to keep her tone civil. “My thanks, Archivist Ferun.”

“Oh…and feel free to share any of this with your husband, my Lady. I’ve heard that he is also a scholar. I’d love to chat with him in the near future. Imagine the ideas we can come up with!”

“I’ll keep it in mind, Archivist, thank you.”

Ferun bowed, then backed out of the conference room, Lady Vishna behind him. The door slid closed and they were finally alone.

“Why do I feel like I need to take a shower?” Ashara groused.

“Because Ferun is constantly reminding us of his usefulness,” Cailean said.

Khem scowled, which was not too different from his usual expression. “For a forbidden subject, Little Sith, he has managed to locate a wealth of information.”

“Quality does not mean quantity, Khem. Let’s see just how ‘useful’ this really is.”

*****

Moff Caiyou ushered Talos into his office, with Andronikos and Xalek close behind. Caiyou punched several codes into a wall panel, then nodded at the three men. Talos immediately saw the strain on the Moff’s face and knew there was trouble.

“It’s getting harder to circumvent the Maevans’ security, Lieutenant. They’re getting very crafty in their coding, especially after we took over. They’re quick learners, in more ways than one.” Caiyou sighed and sat down behind his desk. “I apologize for my absence when your Lady arrived. I was quelling a minor rebellion on the next continent over.”

Talos raised his eyebrows. “Minor rebellion?”

“I don’t know what kind of fierfek the Maevan nobles have fed your Lady, but I can tell you that for all their show of loyalty, they’re not exactly thrilled with the Empire.” He nodded at Talos’s scandalized expression and Andronikos’s smirk. “Forgive my bluntness, but I’m tired of having my concerns pushed aside and ignored.”

Andronikos said to Talos out of the corner of his mouth, “I like this guy.”

Xalek sat back in his seat, a gleam within his eyes. “Why have you not corrected this, Moff Caiyou?”

“Because I believe the Maevans are getting help from elsewhere. On the outside, they act like the perfect Imperial subjects. I see the facade, and every time the Empire sends outside observers, they manage to fool them into believing all is well. I can’t explain it, my Lord, but it’s frustrating.”

“Weird that no one’s picked up on it by now,” Andronikos said. “No offense, but even though blockheaded-ness is a standard for Imperial officers, not everyone is that clueless.”

Xalek crossed his arms and added, “It is possible to cloud the minds of weaker beings, trick them into believing a falsehood.”

Talos nodded; he’d seen both Xalek and Cailean befuddle an enemy’s mind, as if it was just child’s play. He privately disapproved of the practice, but he understood the reason for it.

“Xalek, those invisible presences you felt at the banquet–” Andronikos began.

“Yes, it means we have Force-users at work to undermine the Empire’s control here. The obvious suspects, of course, are Jedi–”

“–but until we have direct proof, we can’t accuse the Republic of subversion,” finished Talos.

“Indeed, Lieutenant.” Caiyou clasped his hands together on his desk. “Gentlemen, I’m due to make an inspection tour of Outpost Rainstorm later this morning. May I request your presence while I do it? It would be prudent to have fresh sets of eyes…and a Force-sensitive Sith apprentice to detect anything amiss.”

Xalek nodded, then glanced at Andronikos and Talos. “Of course, sir,” Talos said. “If it will help the Empire, we’ll come along.”

*****

Outpost Rainstorm lived up to its name. The heavens opened and dumped water over the inspection tour. Moff Caiyou came prepared with rain gear; he seemed to be a veteran of Maevan’s temperamental weather.

Xalek’s expression immediately went from bland to alert. “They are here,” he said simply.

“How many and where?” Andronikos whispered.

“Two, like in the banquet hall. The first one seems to be content to be an observer. The second…is quite agitated.”

Talos couldn’t help but smirk. “They weren’t expecting us here. Stay sharp, gents.”

They fell into familiar roles: Talos warmly greeted the Imperial soldiers and their Maevan allies, while Andronikos stayed close, as befitted his role as a bodyguard. Xalek watched the proceedings like a hawk from under the black hood of his Sith robes. No one dared interfere with the Lady’s apprentice.

Moff Caiyou introduced Talos to Moff Yitnau, the commander of Outpost Rainstorm. Yitnau was the exact opposite of his counterpart: full of energy, talkative and open. Talos found himself liking Yitnau right away.

Xalek turned his head as he felt a definite shift in the Force. Up until now, the intruders were passive. Now that was about to change. The thunder boomed overhead and flashes of lightning pierced the sky. Xalek was not blinded to the vague shadow standing close to Moff Yitnau’s right, less than ten meters away from Talos.

He didn’t hesitate. His dark orange double-saber leaped into his hand, and he launched himself at the shadow. Andronikos reacted out of instinct; he pushed Talos behind him and unholstered both blaster pistols. Everyone dove for cover, weapons drawn.

Yitnau screamed as a blade erupted out of the center of his chest. The commander was dead before he hit the ground. Caiyou fired his pistol at the retreating shadow, but the bullets only whizzed past. Two Imperial soldiers fired their rifles at Caiyou, and forced the Moff to scramble for cover.

“Those two soldiers…they aren’t ours, damn it,” Caiyou snarled as he crawled to Talos’s side. “We’ve got traitors.”

Andronikos shouted something over the fray, but Talos couldn’t hear over the chaos. The pirate’s aim was true as one of the 'soldiers’ toppled over, his chest smoking. Talos spotted another shadow creeping within Andronikos’s blind spot.

I’m an archaeologist, not a fighter…but a friend was in danger. He took a deep breath and launched himself in a low flying tackle. His target grunted as they both went down. The hum of a blade whistled in his ears; Talos ducked, spun and drove his fist into his attacker’s jaw. A split second later, the thunder of blaster fire roared past him.

He crawled to the twitching body on the ground. The person’s hood had fallen around–her?-shoulders. The woman–no, girl, she can’t be more than fourteen or fifteen!–gazed up at him, her eyes clouding with shock. Andronikos’s shot had been to incapacitate, not kill, but her face was pale with blood loss.

“I need some help here!” Talos ripped off his formal jacket and wrapped it over and around the wound in her shoulder. His medic’s instincts kicked in as he fished a stim out of his kit and injected the girl with it.

“Lieutenant–?” Moff Caiyou gasped as he knelt at Talos’s side. “What are you–?”

“Press here, sir, hard. We need to stem the blood loss. I’ve got her sedated, and this–” he selected another injector, “–will help slow the infection. We need to get her into a kolto tank as soon as possible.”

“She’s one of them–”

“I’m aware of that, sir.” Talos concentrated on his patient, “but first and foremost, she’s hurt. We can interrogate her later, but she has to be alive for that.”

Caiyou made a scoffing sound, but did as Talos ordered. The girl made a muffled noise of pain, and Talos gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry about that,” he whispered.

Less than fifteen meters away, Xalek was locked in battle with a robed figure. Talos didn’t recognize the clothing as a Sith’s, and the man fought with a pair of razor-sharp swords that gleamed like lightsabers, but they were definitely not lightsabers. The assassin was easily Xalek’s equal in marital skill.

Andronikos fired repeatedly, but somehow, the assassin managed to avoid every shot. He leaped straight upward and kicked at the Kaleesh’s head, twisted and threw one of his swords at Andronikos. Andronikos ducked, but the edge of the blade sliced one of his blasters nearly in half. Xalek sidestepped, parried and pivoted, reversed his saber and thrust backwards.

It caught the assassin right in the gut. The man staggered backwards, slapped at something on his belt…then he burst into flame. Xalek scrambled out of the way, singeing his robes, but he was unharmed. Seconds later, a scattering of ash was all that was left.

The battle was over.

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: “HOMECOMING, PART III

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel

The plot deepens as our heroes know something is amiss. Cailean reveals her secret to her apprentices, and Andronikos is surprised by an early-morning greeting.

Part I is here. Part II is here.

*****

Andronikos and Talos swept the rooms for listening devices, while Khem kept constant watch on the main door of their suite. In another room, Cailean, Ashara and Xalek sat in their meditation circle. Cailean drew on currents of Dark Side energy to replenish herself, but fatigue still nibbled at the edges of her consciousness. Ironic, that even powerful Sith still answered to the quirks of biology.

She finally nodded at Xalek. “No one can hear us. You may speak freely.”

He glanced at Ashara, who made a gesture that clearly said, Tell her. He gazed at her directly and said, “I detected a presence at the spaceport, my Lady, and another one in the Feasting Hall.”

Ashara nodded in confirmation. “As did I. They were content to simply watch and observe.”

Cailean shivered at this new information. “Force presences? Ghosts? Jedi?”

Xalek shook his head once. “I was unable to tell. If they were Jedi, Ashara would have been more familiar with their signatures.”

“Unfortunately, if they were, they were adept in hiding it, and I’m not skilled enough to tell the difference.”

Cailean sighed. “It’s all right, Ashara. At least you were able to feel it.”

“And you didn’t at all, my Lady? That is quite unusual.”

She clasped her hands together and looked directly at Xalek. “No, I did not. What I am about to tell you will not relay to anyone else.”

“Understood, my Lady,” he said, “and you can count on our discretion.”

Cailean told them about the Lost Colony of Salinas Five. The apprentices listened avidly to the story of how a group of Maevan rebels had established their own group, and how they had disappeared without a trace. Ashara had a thoughtful expression.

“There are stories of various races establishing colonies in the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions. Even the Republic has records of such places, abandoned for whatever reason.”

Xalek’s face took on an intense look. “Curious, that Lord Sho'isa knows of this and that she claims her daughter found the pendant you now wear. Is her information correct?”

“Talos and I have done extensive research, and we both believe there is some merit to the claims. Tomorrow, I plan to meet with Lady Vishna and gain access to the official Maevan archives.”

Xalek inclined his head. “And what if she refuses?”

“There are ways to get the true information. My Clan was one of scholars and recordkeepers, Xalek, and I still know a few tricks.”

Ashara’s brow wrinkled in concern. “I don’t believe Lady Vishna would refuse your request, my Lady. She seems almost fanatic in proving the High Circle’s loyalty to the Empire.”

“If there is any reason to doubt it, the Empire would make sure they remain loyal,” Xalek added. “Perhaps she is merely paranoid or there is more that just that.”

“We shall see. Stay vigilant, my apprentices, and if you sense these Force presences again, try to discern who they are and where they come from.”

They both nodded. “Of course, Master,” Ashara said. “Although it is odd, that you haven’t felt anything.”

Cailean leaned forward and placed her hand on Ashara’s. “There is a reason why I am so preoccupied. I am…with child.”

Ashara gripped Cailean’s hand and smiled. Xalek glanced at her as if to say I told you so. She rolled her eyes and refocused her attention on Cailean. “I thought I sensed something different, my Lady, but this is rather…fast. Does Talos know?”

“We found out at the same time.”

“Then your safety–and the child’s–is paramount,” Xalek said. “You are no longer the last of your Clan, and if your enemies know, they will try to harm you and the child. If they cannot do so, they may strike through your husband, or one of us. We will not allow that to happen.”

Despite herself, she felt tears at the corner of her eyes. “Thank you, Xalek.”

He nodded brusquely. “You are my Master. It is my duty and my honor.”

*****

“We found nine different listening devices scattered throughout the suite. Captain Revel got rid of all of them.” Talos whispered as he held Cailean within his arms. “If Ashara and Xalek are right, we have other eyes watching us.”

“Yes. It worries me that I cannot feel these presences, but my apprentices can.”

“Perhaps he or she is taking great pains to avoid your detection. Perhaps there are other reasons.”

She nodded and snuggled deeper into his embrace. “You were very quiet during the welcome banquet. That’s not like you.”

“I was watching the interaction between the Clans. They were all skittish like newborn Jawas in the Tatooine sun. I believe Khem described it as if they were ‘walking at the edge of the lava pits of Yn and Chaboosh’. At first, I thought such rigid formality was normal, but from what you’ve described of your childhood, it is not.”

“Something has changed drastically since Maevan became a protectorate.” She took a deep breath and chose her words carefully. After all, Talos was a staunch supporter of the Empire. “I expected more of an Imperial presence when we arrived, but there was none.”

“I noticed that too. You would think the local Moff would at least pay his or her respects to a visiting Sith Lord.” Talos frowned in thought. “I don’t like it at all, Cailean. I know this will always be your home, but I have a bad feeling about this. It may not be safe to stay here for very long.”

She nodded, despite the tears in her eyes. This was not the homecoming she dreamed of for so long. She should have expected it.

“Don’t cry, love.” He hugged her as the sadness swept through her body. “I wish I could do something to make it better.”

“You’re already doing it, Talos. You’re here.”

“And I always will be, as long as I’m able.”

*****

Andronikos sat up on the luxurious couch in the central room of the suite. What the hell–? What woke me up? A soft knock on the door echoed off the walls. He got up and silently crossed the room. his hand on the blaster at his side, just in case.

“Yeah, who is it?”

“Captain Revel? It is Mistress Hedral. I wish to speak with you.”

Andronkios became fully awake. What did the elderly Matriarch of the Windrider Clan want at this ungodly time of morning? He touched the lock and cracked the door open. Mistress Hedral still wore her evening gown, and it looked like she hadn’t slept very well.

“Mistress Hedral? Are you all right? Lady Cailean is still asleep, but I can wake her if you need to talk with her.”

She wrung her hands together in a nervous gesture. “Let her sleep, Captain. Unfortunately, I won’t be staying. My Clan is holding an emergency meeting, so I cannot dawdle. If you would do me a favor, Captain, and give this to either your mistress or her husband?”

Andronikos reluctantly accepted the small, wrapped package. It was about the size of a hardcover book, rare in the Empire. “What is it?”

“I merely wished to give this to Lady Cailean, as a wedding gift. As I told you last night, I have known her since childhood, and well…since I cannot give this to my own daughter, I will give it to her. Please make sure she receives it?”

He nodded. “Of course, Mistress Hedral, I’ll give it to her.”

Her expression seemed sad, but relieved. “Take care of her, Captain. She will need your support.”

Mistrell Hedral curtsied and turned to leave. Then she did something unexpected: she whirled around and gave Andronikos a tight hug. She let him go just as quickly and hurried out the door and around the corner.

Andronikos was too stunned to react. Finally, he said, “Okay…what was that for?”

Notes:

The mystery only deepens in the next few chapters.

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: HOMECOMING, PART II

The Maevans hold a celebration for Cailean and her crew. Andronikos ends up using the skills he learned in Dance Lessons and learns a bit about Cailean’s family. Trouble looms on the horizon, though...

Part I is here.

*****

The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

The Feasting Hall still boasted five rooms the size of Imperial cruisers, with stages as large as the missile turrets. A group of musicians gathered on one of those stages, with woodwinds, string and percussion. Dancing groups occupied most of the stages, all arranged by clan and rank. The older members circulated around the various rooms, strengthening connections and making new ones.

Andronikos found himself the center of attention of the WindRider clan. They asked him about his flying experience, his adventures as a pirate, and as a guardian of the Lady Cailean. Outwardly, they seemed friendly enough, but he knew when someone was fishing for information. He kept his tone pleasant, and didn’t skirt the tough questions. All the while, he watched Cailean and Talos at a nearby table.

“The Lady has achieved much in such a short time,” said Mistress Hedral. The gray-haired matriarch smiled over at Cailean and Talos. “A Sith Lord and married to an Imperial officer! When she was a child, she showed great potential. I was heartbroken when her Clan was dispersed and sent away.”

“You knew her as a child?” Andronikos was curious, despite himself.

“Yes, indeed! Bright-eyed, eager to learn, quick to pick up concepts and apply them to life. The Taigh Clan were scholars, you see. They were the keepers of our history. Unfortunately, they were not as keen to keep it pure.”

“History’s what you make of it…and usually it’s written by the victors.”

Mistress Hedral clapped her hands in delight. “A philosopher as well as a soldier! I knew you would understand! We are proud of our heritage and the stories of our ancestors should inspire their descendants. After all, how else can we move forward?”

Andronikos knew a false compliment when he heard one, but he managed a polite smile. “Yeah, you’ve got a point there.”

“She mentioned the Imperial Reclamations Service…I’m not familiar with that branch of the military. Is it like Special Operations?”

Andronikos smirked at the thought of Talos Drellik as a special ops agent. Not very likely; the man was too open, too honest. He couldn’t even play a decent game of sabacc.

“I suppose you could say that. Lieutenant Drellik commands his own team…they safeguard the Empire’s history. ‘From the forgetful sands of Time’, is how he describes it.”

“So the Lady’s husband is also a historian? I had no idea the Empire treasured their past as much as we do. The Taigh Clan would have welcomed him with open arms.”

“Sounds like Lieutenant Drellik would’ve fit in just fine with Lady Cailean’s family.”

“Chieftain Dongal Taigh–Lady Cailean’s father–was a wise man, and a stubborn one. He was often at odds with the High Circle. I admired him, but he refused to bend to the will of the High Circle. If he’d only set aside his pride–” Mistress Hedral gave a theatrical sigh. “Well, there’s no mourning the past. I’m glad that Lady Cailean has met such a lovely young man.”

Andronikos wanted to roll his eyes. If Talos had overheard the compliments bandied around the room, the poor man would want to run and hide.

Mistress Hedral talked about Cailean’s family and their downfall. She said that her father refused to follow the High Circle. Was that why the Taighs were sold into slavery? Andronikos wondered if Cailean knew the real reason.

He’d have to ask her later. Right now, the musicians struck up a familiar tune. Andronikos couldn’t help but smile. Cailean had tried to teach him this particular Maevan dance in the cargo bay. He watched as Cailean stood up and offer her hand to Talos. The two proceeded to the dance floor, much to everyone’s surprise.

“Has she taught him the proper steps?” asked Mistress Hedral.

“Lady Cailean wanted us to know a few of your dances. She said it was an important social skill.”

“Indeed it is. Will you escort me to the dance, Captain Revel? I do enjoy your company.”

Andronikos stifled a groan. Me and my big mouth. I’m never gonna live this one down. Aloud, he replied, “Of course, Mistress Hedral.”

At least there was one advantage to his awkward situation: he was still in direct line-of-sight of Cailean and Talos. A murmur went through the crowd as the couple smoothly went through the paces. Andronikos admitted to himself that they were well-suited for each other.

I was an idiot…but I guess it all worked out in the end. I’m not the marrying kind, anyway. The truth was just that…and Andronikos accepted it. Yet he did feel a small kernel of wistfulness.

Cailean caught his eye and she smiled widely. It looked like she was holding back laughter. Andronikos tried not to sigh…there was a reason he hated social events like this one, and he was remembering why. Of course, he towered over Mistress Hedral, but she weighed more than he did, and each time she stepped on his foot, it felt like a brick dropped on it.

Damn it, you owe me big for this one. He reminded himself it was for a good cause. Constantly.

*****

“Is that…Andronikos?”

Cailean chuckled lowly as Talos carefully spun her into a turn. “Yes, and he’s with Mistress Hedral. He looks almost ready to bolt the minute the dance is over.”

“Well, you did tell him it was a highly desirable skill,” Talos said with a smirk.

“I did warn him, yes. I didn’t tell him that the matrons would find him…cute.”

He laughed and shook his head in wonder. “Clever.”

Cailean noticed that Andronikos moved with the flow of the crowd, and stayed in constant sight of them. Khem Val stood on the opposite side of the dance floor. Even the bravest Maevan guards gave him a wide berth. Xalek watched from the balcony above them, while Ashara did the same from below. Both of the apprentices had attracted all sorts of attention from the younger generation, though Ashara was more willing to reciprocate.

“How are you feeling, my Lady? Still doing well?”

She nodded, though exhaustion was catching up to her. “I believe I will rest after this dance set, love.”

“Good.”

The dance finally came to a close. Thunderous applause shook the walls of the room. Cailean swept into a curtsey as Talos bowed, then they returned to their main table. She saw Andronikos bow to a simpering Mistress Hedral before hurrying over to their side.

“Don’t say a word,” Andronikos growled. “Not. a. word.”

Talos smirked. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

Lady Vishna clapped her hands and said, “There is no need to be so modest, Captain Revel. I am delighted to see you indulge in Mistress Hedral’s wishes. Next year, she will be installed as one of our Elders and oversee the private affairs of her Clan.”

Cailean frowned. “Is Mistress Hedral ill?”

“No, but she has earned her retirement from public life. She deserves a peaceful rest for a life well spent in the service of the High Circle.” Lady Vishna nodded at a middle-aged man seated not far away from Khem. “Master Yurri has been selected as her successor. The Circle has every confidence in his ability.”

“I…see,” Cailean said. She saw Xalek approach from the upper balcony and nodded at him. “It seems that my apprentice wishes a word with me.”

It was difficult to read the Kaleesh’s expression, but his eyes spoke volumes. Cailean saw the hint of warning and gave him a subtle nod.

“My Lady, I beg your permission to allow me to resume my meditation time. The presence of so many minds is…fatiguing.”

Cailean nodded and thought, Xalek, thank you. She said, “Of course, my apprentice. It is important to that we Sith have this precious time to strengthen ourselves.”

Lady Vishna inclined her head at this information. Cailean knew she would relay this to the High Circle. They knew so little of Sith ritual; this was a convenient escape.

“We have rooms prepared for you all, Lady Cailean. Of course, we will certainly be accommodating to a Lady of the Sith.”

Cailean tried not to betray her relief. “You have our gratitude, Lady Vishna. Captain Revel, will you inform Ashara and Khem that we will be retiring to the guest rooms. and that they should follow? Have Ashara meet us for meditation as soon as possible.”

Andronikos nodded. “At once, my Lady.”

“Follow me,” said Lady Vishna.

Talos offered his hand to Cailean and helped her to her feet. He bent low and whispered, “We need to talk.”

“Yes.” Talos hadn’t said much at all, which seemed quite unusual for him. That meant he was observing the people in the room, and he had noticed something amiss. Apparently, Xalek had as well, and both needed to speak with her.

Cailean felt a sense of unease in the pit of her stomach. It seemed they weren’t the only ones who were worried.

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: “HOMECOMING”, PART I

Character(s): Cailean Dreamwalker, Talos Drellik, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Andronikos Revel

Cailean returns to Maevan, now a full-fledged Sith. Many things have changed on her homeworld, not for the better. Yet there is one change that she welcomes, one that she will defend with her life.

Timeframe: two weeks after Dance Lessons

Spoilers: none, but there is a surprise.

*****

Cailean gazed at herself in the mirror. Her armor, dyed black, green and gold, the colors of her long-extinct Clan. Long cape, gold circlet with an emerald in the middle. Her pendant shone prominently on her breast, a sign of her betrothal. Her red hair, braided into a traditional crown around her head, with stray strands framing her face.

I am Sith. I am Lady Cailean Taigh-Dubh Dreamwalker, also known as Mistress Drellik. I have faced down powerful enemies; I have confronted a member of the Dark Council. Why do I feel like the seven-year-old girl I was long ago?

“Are you all right, Cailean?” Talos came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. He wore his most formal Imperial grays, the image of a spit-and-polished officer of the Empire. She thought he looked particularly dashing in it, but of course, she might be just a bit biased in that.

“I’m a bit nervous,” she admitted. “It’s been more than twenty years, and I’m the last of the Taigh-Dubh Clan.”

He rested his cheek on the top of her head. The familiar gesture calmed her jangled nerves. “You’re not alone, not anymore. You’ve got us.”

Talos slid a hand to her still-flat abdomen. It was their little secret; they hadn’t told anyone yet, since it was so recent. Nevertheless, Cailean suspected that the rest of her crew already knew the surprise. Ashara was more solicitous than usual, Xalek more gentle with her, and Khem more protective. The only one who seemed clueless was Andronikos, but even he had noticed a change.

Talos had nearly fainted when he saw the results of that routine exam. Cailean herself was still getting used to the idea, but it wasn’t a bad one at all. A little one to show the wonders of the galaxy…she knew of no one better to do that than Talos.

She slid her hand atop his and concentrated on the little Force-pulse of life. Its response was faint, still, but it was there.

“Khem Val, Ashara, Xalek, Andronikos…we’ll protect you, as best as we can.”

She took a deep breath and smiled. This was her family of misfits, but they all managed to get along anyway. The Force had a sense of humor. “You always know what to say.”

“I try.”

They met the rest of the crew at the airlock. Ashara and Xalek were dressed in their most elaborate robes. The Togruta’s face was composed, the calm and wise Jedi. Xalek looked most intimidating, the very picture of a ruthless Sith. Andronikos made no secret of being armed to the teeth, his dual blasters gleaming in the low lights. Khem Val towered them all.

Appearances were important to the Maevan High Circle, and Cailean was more than happy to oblige. The more intimidating, the better.

“Stay wary. Here we go.” Cailean touched the door control and walked through with her head held high. Talos followed a pace behind and to her left, her two apprentices followed side-by-side. Andronikos and Khem flanked them, protecting the entire group.

For once, it wasn’t raining. The sun burned high in the sky, a perfect cloudless sapphire. Guards stood on either side of the runway. They snapped to attention as Cailean and her crew strode past. A brisk wind fluttered the banners on the walls.

Cailean sternly controlled the fluttering in her stomach, the sob of grief in her throat. She remembered a time when there was laughter and song, cheering and dance. Babies wailed, children played tag among their elders and the ancient ones gave out advice to the younger generation.

Now the children stood woodenly next to the adults, and the elders sat alone, sequestered away in the Clan strongholds.

I will not let my child grow up in such confinement. I swear it. Talos seemed to sense her unease; she glanced over her shoulder and saw his nod.

The members of the High Circle stood on their dais, with the assembled Clans in attendance. Red and gold of the Red Phoenix Clan, blue and white of the Wind Riders. Royal purple and silver of the Archivists.

Cailean counted twelve of the Thirteen. Per tradition, one was always absent, in case of treachery. If the High Circle was assassinated, they still left their power secure in the remaining member. Cailean recognized the current members; she had spent her early childhood with most of them.

The leader of the High Circle raised her hands in welcome. Her black eyes glittered as she gazed at Cailean and her crew. Garish eyeliner and mascara, dark red rouge on high-boned cheeks, deep crimson lip gloss. The dark hair sported some white streaks now, but Cailean knew her.

“Lady Vishna,” she said. “It is surprising to see you.”

The woman bowed her head in acknowledgment, but that was to hide the resentment. When she looked up, she smiled. “Lady Cailean. I am honored that you still recognize me after all this time.”

“You are quite memorable. I see that you are now the matriarch of the Red Phoenix Clan. That is a position of great responsibility.”

“I welcome the opportunity to serve our people, and I have learned much in the intervening years.” Lady Vishna reached over and took Cailean’s hands within her own gloved ones. “The High Circle welcomes you home, Lady. We are honored that one of our blood is now Sith. It is a great achievement for our people.”

Cailean stifled the surge of anger. Of course, now it mattered to them; never mind the literal hell she went through to get there. She felt a wave of support from Xalek and Ashara, and on the fringes of her awareness, Khem mirrored her irritation.

Somehow she managed to keep her veneer of amused calm.

“Yes,” she answered. “It has been a long time since I have seen my homeland, Lady Vishna. Much has changed since then.”

A slight wave of unease rippled through the audience. Lady Vishna smirked in acknowledgment. “Yes, and we are eager to show you how much improved we are from those times.”

“Indeed.” She turned slightly and nodded at Talos. “This is Lieutenant Talos Drellik, of the Imperial Reclamations Service…and my husband.”

A gasp went through the Maevans, then murmurs of approval. Lady Vishna curtsied and said, “Well met, Lieutenant Drellik. Maevan is loyal to the Empire, and we are honored to have you join our Clans.”

Talos heard the emphasis on loyalty, but he only inclined his head and said, “Thank you.”

“My apprentices, Ashara Zavros and Xivhkalranik–” Ashara bowed, Xalek only glowered, “–and my guardians, Captain Andronikos Revel and Khem Val.”

Lady Vishna’s eyes widened in surprise and dread.Her gaze flickered towards Andronikos, then settled on Khem Val. The Deshade glowered at her. “Two apprentices? The Sith must have much confidence in you. Two guardians as well…very impressive.”

Cailean smiled, despite herself. She found herself enjoying the surge of concern from the High Circle. It would be difficult for them to hurt her directly, but if they tried to strike at her loved ones…they understood the implied warning.

Lady Vishna recovered her balance and gestured towards the spaceport exit. “We have a feast prepared for you in the main hall. Please, follow me. We still take care of our guests, no matter where they come from.”

Talos offered his arm and she took it. “This will be interesting,” he murmured.

She only nodded in response. Interesting, indeed.

Notes:

Apparently, Cailean and Talos celebrated their betrothal after “The Accidental Proposal” with unbridled enthusiasm. ;-)

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: “DANCE LESSONS”

Title: Dance Lessons

Character(s): Cailean (SI), Andronikos Revel, Ashara Zavros, Xalek, Khem Val, Talos Drellik

Timeframe: A month after The Accidental Proposal

Cailean introduces her crew to a vital Maevan skill before they visit the infamous Circle of Clans.

******

“You gotta be kidding me. I gotta learn how to dance at this shindig?”

Cailean sighed and rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure if Andronikos was laughing or crying at this. He leaned against the far wall of the cargo bay, arms crossed, and wore a forbidding frown. Why did he have to be so stubborn about this? She sighed and prayed for patience.

“It’s an important social skill in the Maevan High Court. It’s expected from everyone to dance at least a round, if not two.”

“You know I don’t dance, Sith.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Look at it this way. If you want to impress all the women of the Court, then you need to learn this skill. None of them would give you another look if you don’t.”

Xalek said nothing, but only watched his master and the pirate. Ashara sat next to him; she barely held back her laughter. They gazed at the unlikely couple standing at the other end of the cargo bay.

“Why does she bother?” Xalek asked Ashara in a low voice. “He refuses.”

“Because Andronikos is a stubborn man. It hasn’t been the first time Lady Cailean has tried to introduce something new to him. It certainly won’t be the last.”

Xalek nodded in agreement and settled back to watch the interaction between his master and the pirate.

“Why don’t you ask Drellik to do this? He probably knows more about social dancing than I do, being from an Imperial family and all that. Besides, he’s your fiance now.”

Cailean chuckled. “I would have, but he and Khem are on that supply run, and they probably won’t be back in time.”

Andronikos gave Xalek a look of appeal. “Xalek, buddy, can you help me out of this? After all, you’re her apprentice. Think of it as part of your Sith training.”

The Kaleesh only shook his head and simply rumbled, “I do not dance.”

Defeated, Andronikos sighed. “All right. Just this once and you owe me big time.”

Cailean smiled and proceeded to teach him the simplest of the Maevan dances. To their mutual surprise, Andronikos picked up the steps rather quickly. When they moved on to the next dance, he began to have trouble keeping up with her. Andronikos became more frustrated, and as a result, made more mistakes.

“Stop for a moment, Andronikos.” Cailean’s brow furrowed as she thought. “I’m not seeing the problem here because I’m your partner. Ashara, come over here a moment.”

Ashara nodded and gracefully got to her feet. “What do you require, Master?”

“You’ve been observing the dance. I want you to go through the steps with Andronikos. I’ll watch and see where it’s going wrong. It may be something so subtle that builds after time.”

She nodded and said, “Very well, Master. Are you ready, Andronikos?”

“Yeah, ready.”

Cailean clapped out the rhythm and the pair began to move to the beat. As she watched, memories came unbidden: her first Dance Mistress as she adjusted Cailean’s footwork, her first recital in front of the Clan Circle, her first shimmersilk dancing dress.

She had repressed the memories as a matter of survival. Now they all rushed back without abandon. Cailean felt tears in her eyes, but held them back with a supreme force of will. So many years, so many opportunities lost.

Then again, if time had been different, Cailean would never have met any of these people in her cargo bay, and never had the chance to share something so dear to her heart.

They came to the end of the dance sequence. Andronikos dipped Ashara down with a flourish and brought out a delighted laugh from the Togruta. Cailean smiled and applauded in earnest.

“That was wonderful, you two. Andronikos, that was perfect. I didn’t see any flaws in your dancing at all.”

“Maybe all I needed was to loosen up at bit,” he joked. “Maybe it was the partner?”

A slight blush rose in Ashara’s cheeks. “Oh, you.”

The joke stung more than Cailean admitted to herself. Yes, there had been a time when she had thought Andronikos was more than just a friend. Then she sensed two familiar Force presences at the airlock and smiled.

They’re back early. Perhaps I have the time to teach Talos after all.

Khem Val surveyed the crowd in the cargo bay. “This reminds me of the dance halls of Yn and Chaboosh, before Tulak Hord bombed them out of existence. The music of destruction was sweet to hear.”

“That’s good to know, big guy,” Andronikos said.

“So, you’ve been showing them some of the Maevan dancing? How fascinating,” Talos piped up from the doorway. “ It’s a preferred skill in the Circle; the higher social classes consider a skilled dancer as highly romanceable.”

Andronikos’s smirk widened. “Highly romanceable, huh?”

Cailean nodded and said, “I told you so.”

Talos carefully laid a bag of supplies next to some cargo crates, “The social interactions among the nobility are a language all their own. If you know how to ‘speak’ it, it will be easier to deal with them.”

Xalek murmured, “As it is with everyone.”

Cailean nodded in agreement and said, “The High Circle is a treacherous pit of vipers. In some ways, they’re worse than the Alderaanian nobles. They want to stay on the Empire’s good side and will do anything to do so.”

“Like sell their kin into slavery?” Xalek asked.

“Yes, if they believe it will further their goals.”

“How will they react to your triumphant return, then?”

“Poorly, I’d guess. We must be vigilant, apprentice.” When Xalek spoke, it was usually for a good reason. He simply wanted to know how her people would react to their visit. Cailean owed him a straight answer.

The Kaleesh nodded, satisfied.  Ashara looked troubled at the whole affair, her headtails trembling with concern.

“We will support you, my Lady, no matter what the Circle does.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Cailean smiled again as she felt their solidarity. “Thank you, Ashara. Thank you all.”

“Not a problem, Sith.” Andronikos stretched like a vine cat. “Well, it’s gettin’ late. Thanks for the dance lesson.”

“You’re welcome, Andronikos. I told you it wouldn’t be so bad.”

The others also headed for the crew quarters. Talos went up behind Cailean and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back into his embrace.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

“And I, you.”

“Perhaps you can teach me some of the Maevan dances before we get there?”

“Of course. After all, it’s required for the consort of a Lady,” she gently joked, “and there’s more than one kind of dance, Talos.”

He chuckled in her ear. “I look forward to learning, then.”

[caileanandtalos]

HEADCANONS: CAILEAN AND ALL HER AU INCARNATIONS

Cailean has three in-game personas (personae?) on three different servers, in three different universes. If you count the SWTOR Switcheroo AU (where she’s the Reclamations officer and Talos is the Sith), she actually has four.

(Edited to add: She now also has a Mass Effect alter-ego, Cailean Shepard, an Adept).

All SWTOR three in-game characters share some things in common, but they are different in many ways.

Cailean Taigh-Dubh Dreamwalker Drellik

Server: Ebon Hawk

Age: 23 (beginning of game), 25 when she meets Talos

Place of Birth: Maevan

Class: Sith Inquisitor (Assassin, double bladed lightsaber)

Parents: Donal Taigh and Marissah Dubh

Husband: Talos Drellik

Children: Marissah Drellik, Keivan Drellik

Grandchildren: Icarius Drellik

Previous relationships: Andronikos Revel, Arthas Rice (OC of @red-nova)

I suppose you can call this Prime!Cailean. She’s the second Sith Inquisitor I made in-game. Her name is pronounced ‘Colleen’. I found the name in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Lady of Avalon. It took me forever to level her up, though (a break from the game, plus developing Kezz and the other Dreamwalker members). Right now, she’s a level 53 on Ilum.

Cailean is one of my favorite characters because her personality mirrors mine in a lot of ways. She wants to explore new places, learn new languages and experience new cultures. In this way, she’s very much suited to Talos’s optimism and exuberance. But make no mistake, she’s still very much Sith…she just hides it better. If you REALLY want to raise her wrath, either a) threaten her family or b) act REALLY incompetent.

Kaliyena Taigh-Hyllus (codenames Cipher Eleven, Red Phoenix)

Server: Jung Ma

Age: 26 (beginning of game), 27 when she meets Vector

Place of Birth: Dromund Kaas

Class: Imperial Agent (Operative, Grek bowcaster, vibroknife)

Parents: Donal Taigh and Marissah Grathan

Husband: Vector Hyllus

Previous relationships: was engaged to an unnamed Imperial officer, but no longer

Here is IA!Kaliyena. She’s a little different from Prime!Cailean in a few ways. Instead of being enslaved as a girl, this version was born into a highly-ranked Imperial family. Her father is a Minder with Intelligence, her mother a socialite (and a relative of that Lord Grathan). She was groomed to be an officer’s wife and was matched with a rising star in Imperial Command. (She’s never mentioned his name, but he’s a familiar character in SWTOR, and he wants her back. With her mind intact. Or broken. It doesn’t matter.)

For reasons still unknown, she broke the engagement and followed her father’s steps into Intel, but became a Cipher Agent instead of a Minder.She is married to Vector Hyllus in this universe, although she and Captain Talos Drellik are affectionate friends.

Her favorite weapon is a Grek bowcaster that she inherited from her dad. It’s an antique, but it’s in very good condition. She really likes unique weapons, for herself and Vector.

Kai'leana Cadera (“Ailea”, “Crimson Flame”)

Server: Red Eclipse

Age: 17 (beginning of game), 19 when she meets Torian

Place of Birth: Csispar, Csilla, Chiss Ascendancy

Class: Bounty Hunter (Powertech, blaster and flamethrower)

Parents: unknown

Husband: Torian Cadera

Previous relationships: she ain’t tellin’

Kai'leana came by accident. I was messing around with the Character Creator and just out of curiosity,wanted to see how she would look like as a Chiss. I liked the look decided to roll a character with it. The problem was picking the class. Cailean’s already been an Inquisitor and an Agent, and I didn’t want to make her a Jedi. It was a toss-up between Smuggler and bounty hunter, and I have several Smugs in-game.

I have a headcanon that she was abandoned as a baby for reasons unknown, and she was raised by adoptive parents. She hates feeling confined by laws and traditions…which was why she left Csilla as soon as she was able. She fell in with a group of bounty hunters, where she learned her trade.

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: THE ACCIDENTAL PROPOSAL

Title: The Accidental Proposal (Cailean Dreamwalker/Talos Drellik) Character(s):  Sho’isa (SI), Graydenn (SI, mentioned), Kymma (IA, mentioned), Cailean (SI), Talos Drellik

Timeframe: three months after The Darkness Within

Lord Sho'isa decides to do her one good deed for the decade by giving Talos a well-meaning assist. Of course, being a Sith, she has other ulterior motives as well.

This is the first in a series of stories exploring the Cailean/Talos romantic arc.

*****

Talos frowned as he regarded the Sith Lord in front of him. Why did she look familiar? He racked his brain for the answer. The long dark hair, high cheekbones, dusky-colored skin. It made for a striking combination, one not easily forgotten.

She simply gazed back at him, then smiled. “I can see why Lady Cailean enjoys you so. She’s always been very selective with whom she courts. Physical looks are not the only qualities she wants, but a sharp intelligence to match. You see, I know your service record quite well, Lieutenant Drellik.”

For some reason, that didn’t feel like a compliment. He only inclined his head and replied, “I’m flattered, my Lord.”

“We share the same goals: to preserve the Empire’s long history from the sands of time. It’s refreshing to find others who think the same way.” She nodded, then added, “I am Lord Sho'isa Dreamwalker. I understand you’ve already met my former husband and my daughter.”

Talos’s eyes widened as he finally made the connection. “Former husband…Lord Graydenn? And your daughter…is that Kymma?”

Her dark eyes sparkled in the low light. It gave her a predatory look. “Yes, to both questions. It’s a very long story. Needless to say, Lord Graydenn and I did not part on the best of terms, and my daughter refuses to speak to me. I didn’t come here to regale you with my family history. I summoned you here because I need your expert opinion.”

He nodded and wished for this audience to be over as soon as possible. Every nerve in his body told him to flee, but he firmly stood his ground. “I will help as best as I can, My Lord.”

“Such politeness. Your father,the Moff, should be proud of you.” She turned to the desk behind her and gently picked up an emerald stone on a silver chain. The dark crimson characters seemed to have an inner glow unto themselves. “Can you translate the hieroglyphs on this?”

“May I see it?” Talos accepted it with much care. He focused on the elegant characters and his breath hitched in his throat. “Where did you find this, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Actually, Kymma found it, on Salinas Five. Does that sound familiar to you?”

“I believe…wasn’t there a Maevan colony there about, oh, a thousand or so years ago? The so’-called ‘Lost Colony of the Circle’? Cailean mentioned the story as a cautionary tale for children, for what happens to those who defy the Ruling Circle.”

Sho'isa nodded. “You have an excellent memory, Lieutenant. And yes, Lady Cailean has told me the story as well. Has she taught you any words in her native tongue?”

He winced. Lord Sho'isa had caught him there. It had taken him a long time to address Cailean by Lady, but once she had given him permission to address her by her given name, he sometimes forgot the title.

All Kymma had said to him was, “You’re besotted, Uncle Talos. Really besotted.”

Hellfire and damnation. So much for discretion.

Lord Sho'isa still expected an answer, so he re-focused on the question. “Some, yes. It isn’t an easy language to learn. Easier than Cheunh, by a lot, but it requires much study and practice.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie; High Maevan was not like Basic. Talos read it better than he spoke it, and he recognized the words on the stone. Compassion. Love. Desire.

“It is an exquisite piece,” he admitted aloud.

“Indeed it is. If this did come from the Lost Colony, then I believe it’s worth investigating. I have all of Kymma’s notes and reports from Salinas Five. She gives the exact coordinates of where she found it. If you and Lady Cailean wish to take this further, then by all means, do so.”

He bowed slightly. “I will consult with Lady Cailean and seek her advice.”

“You do that.” Lord Sho'isa smirked. “One last thing, Lieutenant. You should adjust the collar of your uniform before you step outside the Citadel. Someone might mistake that for a rakghoul bite.”

Talos turned a bright shade of red. He suppressed the reflex to check the collar on his neck and give Lord Sho'isa the satisfaction. “Thank you, My Lord. I’ll do that.”

“You’re quite welcome. I’ve heard the Maevans can be such sensualists under their prim and proper exteriors. You’re dismissed, Lieutenant. Give Lady Cailean my regards.”

He straightened and bowed in front of her, then walked out of the chamber. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder to see Lady Sho'isa laughing softly at his back.

*****

He found Cailean in her personal Sith Archive. Books, folios and data crystals lined the shelves, all neatly labeled and in its place. She inherited most of it from Darth Zash and Darth Skotia, but had added to it. At this rate, Cailean needed another room just to house the new additions.

She’ll need to find a larger place to keep all this. Perhaps we should scout around for a satellite site, one still within easy access from here. Talos made a mental note to bring it up with Cailean.

“Talos? I thought I heard you come in.”

He looked up to see her perched on a long ladder. She wore her informal robes of purple and green and favorite nerfhide slippers. Normally, she braided her scarlet locks into something more managable. Today, she left it long and loose and it brushed past her waist.

As far as he knew, the only person she dared to be so informal with was him.

“I have something to show you, Cailean, if you have a moment?”

“I always have time for you, love.” She slipped the heavy book back into its place, grabbed the sides of the ladder, and slid down as fast as lightning. Talos grinned as she landed with an graceful hop on the floor. She matched the grin and added, “So, what have you got to show me?”

“I acquired this and wanted you to see it.” He carefully brought out the pendant from his jacket pocket and held it out on his hand. “The writing is High Maevan–”

Cailean gasped, her eyes going wide. She blinked, blinked again, looked at the pendant, looked back at him. Talos knew she would have a strong reaction to a Maevan artifact, but he had no idea it would be like this.

“Cailean–?”

Her eyes filled with tears, happy tears. Then she threw her arms around him with a delighted cry.

“YES! A thousand times, YES! Oh, Talos, you have made me so happy!”

He chuckled and returned her joyous hug. “I’m glad–”

She drew back and stared at his confused expression. “You have no idea what you’ve just done, have you?”

He smirked. “Apparently, I’ve made you very happy.”

She laughed and lightly punched him on the arm. “When a Maevan nobleman wishes to declare his intentions towards his lady, he gives her a unique piece of jewelry. It’s similar to what the Tapani nobles do when they present a unikuo stone to their beloved.”

His jaw went slack for a moment. “It’s part of a marriage proposal?”

Cailean nodded and wiped tears from her face. “Yes. I’m afraid I haven’t gotten anything for you. I wasn’t expecting anything like this, but–”

He swallowed hard. Granted, it hadn’t been exactly his intention, but he gazed at her face and thought, She is my beloved. I’ve known it since we first met on Hoth. This was going to happen, not matter what. Talos’s smile became more gentle. I must thank Lord Sho'isa. It must have been quite a sacrifice to acquire this. Despite her own heartbreak, she wanted to make sure we had a happy story.

Talos squeezed her hands. There would be time enough to tell her about the Lost Colony on Salinas Five. Right now, there was more important business. “Let me do this correctly, then.”

He got down on one knee and pressed the necklace in her hands. “Cailean Tsaig-Dubh Dreamwalker, will you accept my token of affection for all time?”

“YES!”

He quickly stood up and helped her slip the pendant around her neck. She tiptoed and kissed him as if she didn’t want to let him go.

And there, among the books of Sith alchemy and magic, they stepped into a new chapter of their lives.

*****

Lord Sho'isa brought up an index of Maevan customs on her data pad. There were people to notify, events to arrange. Lieutenant Drellik came from an esteemed Imperial family. Cailean’s Maevan clan had been one of the most powerful on the planet before the Circle betrayed them and sold them into slavery. Delicious irony, the fact that one of their outcasts became a powerful Sith.

There were whispers of treason coming from her contacts in that sector. The Maevan nobles were dissatisfied with their new masters. Well, Sho'isa would find out the truth, and if she managed to do her one good deed for the decade, even better.

Drellik needed some prodding. The boy has a good heart, but he can be slow-witted in certain things. He reminds me of Graydenn, before the bad times. Sho'isa laughed to herself, but it was tinged with bitterness. No, she would not allow her own pain to destroy Drellik’s happiness.

If Sho'isa had found Drellik first, well...let’s not dwell on that. I’m in such a giving mood.

She and Cailean had their own issues, but for their sakes’, she put that aside. Sho'isa had good intentions, after all, and she was determined to keep them that way.

Although the road to hell was definitely paved with good intentions.

*****

Notes

Yes, that’s the same pendant Cailean wears at the beginning of Lovelorn Academics. The part about Tapani nobles and the unikuo stone comes from Vector’s marriage proposal to the female IA.

According to the SWTOR Encyclopedia, Talos’s father was a high-ranking Moff who was initially furious at Talos’s decision to join the Imperial Reclamation Service. Though he did warm up to the idea 'after the shouting was done’.

Sho'isa’s turbulent history with Graydenn will be explained later. As for her 'one good deed for the decade’, well, this is probably it. In this universe, Sho'isa knows Talos by reputation, but he was never on her crew.

Which is probably a very good thing.

[caileanandtalos]

"I’LL TICKLE YOU UNTIL YOU’RE BLUE IN THE FACE!" - CAILEAN

asked by @lesabear

Talos grinned and taunted, “You’ll have to catch me first.”

Cailean rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me come after you, love.”

He poked his head from around the stone column. “You’re the one who’s insisting that I spoil the surprise. That simply won’t do.”

She sighed and took off after him. The ruined Sith temple had plenty of places to hide: overturned statues, cracked stone altars, and shattered columns. Talos used his small frame to the maximum advantage. Cailean managed to catch a glimpse of his blond hair among the dull gray stones.

She smirked and circled around a huge broken tablet. Her plan was to catch him by surprise on the far side, just in his blind spot. Talos was sometimes quite predictable.

He pressed himself against the remnants of a courtyard wall and peeked around the edge. Unfortunately for him, he was looking in the wrong direction.

She moved like the stealthy assassin she was. Finally, she reached around and wiggled her fingers under his ribs. He yelped in surprise, but it was far too late.

“Hey! What the–CAILEAN!” He chortled with laughter as she pounced on him like a manka cat. She shrieked as he found the sensitive spot just behind her ear.

If there were any Sith ghosts present, they simply watched the comedy unfold and rolled their eyes.

[caileanandtalos]

SWTOR FIC: “THE DARKNESS WITHIN, EPILOGUE”

Title: The Darkness Within, Epilogue Character(s): Cailean (SI), Talos Drellik Timeframe: past Act III of SI class story. This happens about four years before Lovelorn Academics. A crisis forces Cailean and Talos to acknowledge their feelings for one another.

Spoilers: one for the SI Belsavis storyline.

Nothing too overt in this epilogue, but it’s implied.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

*****

The rest of the excavation went without any further mishaps. 

Unfortunately,Talos ended up bedridden for several days as he recovered from his ordeal. Healers made the worst patients, and Cailean knew that to be true. Rogers supplied the latest reports. Cailean distracted him with long discussions about Sith culture.

“I wonder how Hirkor learned how to Forcewalk,” he mused. “A Sith would never teach him.”

“From what I saw, he was a natural talent, but untrained. Right before he died, he tried to absorb as many ghosts as he could. It overloaded his mind and drove him mad. Their rage and despair sustained him all these years.” Cailean shivered; that could have been her, not so very long ago.

Talos leaned forward in his cot and took her hand in his. Cailean noticed he was careful to remain professional in front of his archaeological team. Yet here, in private, he allowed himself this indulgence. The earnest honesty shone from his eyes.

“Perhaps it’s best that it’s a lost art among the Sith. The side effects are…devastating. It makes me glad that we found a cure for you on Belsavis.”

She nodded in agreement. “Me too.”

He drew her closer to his side. “But that same talent was the one which saved my life. I am wholly indebted to you.”

“You don’t owe me anything, love.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He rested his cheek against her hair. Cailean closed her eyes and just savored the feel of his touch. He brushed his lips against her temple. She shivered again, but for a completely different reason.

“Talos–”

He lowered his voice to a near-whisper. “I do hope you will permit me to make it up to you.”

Cailean smiled. It had been days since their encounter in the repository; she wanted him fully recovered before taking their relationship any further. It seemed that Talos was having none of that, if she interpreted his actions correctly.

“Well, if you insist…”

*****

Someone pushed the flap of the tent aside, but neither of them cared.

“Ah, sir, here are the final reports for your approval and…oh. Uh…I’ll just leave them for you right here. Don’t let me disturb your…um, rest. And, uh, take good care of him, my Lady, he needs it. Just, uh, call me when you’re ready.”

Rogers stepped out of the tent, his face as red as Zabrak with a sunburn. Private Legan opened his mouth to speak, but Rogers shook his head.

“I don’t advise you go in there right now. The Lady’s making sure Lieutenant Drellik stays put for a while.”

Legan blinked in surprise. Then he laughed. “About damn time, sir.”