Ask An Unexpected Encounter

[Zaia Krodas]

After all this time, it was as if nothing had changed. Yet so much had. Zaia sat on top of a moss-covered fallen tree in the clearing, her blasters on the log beside her. When she was younger, her clan would stop here from time to time for combat training. It was in this very clearing that Zaia had first learned to use her jetpack, going from hitting her head into branches(multiple times) to jumping from tree to tree as if she’d lived in them her whole life. But she hadn’t been able to find the people who’d taught her.

It was her own mistake, really. She’d been so eager to leave and explore the galaxy on her own that she’d left without any thought of what she actually needed to bring with her. In the rush, she’d even forgotten to ask for a way to get back to her clan. Now they were untraceable, probably still moving from planet to planet the way they’d been living for years. Fortunately, she knew that they came somewhat often to Mandallia. It was, after all, in Mandalorian space, quiet for the most part, and the perfect place to train. All she had to do was wait here for some time until they would return. The longest they’d been away from the planet had only been… Zaia tried to count on her fingers before realizing, a few years. Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“Why don’t I ever think things through?” Zaia grumbled to herself, kicking her legs over the log so that she was lying down on top. It was uncomfortable, but it was what she deserved for making such a foolish decision. With a sigh, she put her arms behind her head and closed her eyes for a short nap. She would deal with this later.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

Concord Dawn had been liberated. Malinkar had escaped and was now hiding somewhere, but the Coalition had begun the slow and long process of liberating Mandalorian Space and with it, uniting their people. Mandallia was no such different. It was apart of their peoples history, their space. So it was only natural that the Coalition begin reaching out to those on the world.

So Srucayr had. He had begun to lead the expeditions to Mandallia personally, and his people had set up a camp about a days walk southwest of his current position. Kad had called to him, and so he had answered. He always did.

Ancient silver beskar gleamed through the streams of light piercing the canopy as he weaved his way through the brush. It was like Dxun in so many ways, but at its core, the two were nothing alike. He had no idea where he was being guided too, but that was always the excitement. As such, the War Priest would begin to hum the Dha Werda Verda as he traversed the terrain.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia was just about to fall asleep when she heard a familiar melody coming from the woods. It was faint, but she was still able to pick up on it. Opening one eye, she looked into the trees. There didn’t seem to be anyone there, but the humming was still present. It sounded as if it was getting louder too. It was a song she hadn’t heard in a long time. She’d learned it when she was much younger, a Mandalorian war song. She had to be dreaming, but it sounded so real.

Making up her mind, Zaia got up and looked into the trees in the direction of the humming, her hands instinctively heading towards her blasters in their holsters. But she had a feeling that she wouldn’t need them. No, she would observe instead.

She headed into the forest, making sure to keep as quiet as she could. She worked her way up a tree, not willing to use her jetpack out of fear of being spotted, before settling on a branch that was just high enough so that she had some cover from the leaves, but not enough to block her vision. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a glint of silver in the undergrowth. It seemed to be getting closer, and it was clear now that this was the man humming the Dha Werda Verda.

“Tion'cuy?” she called in the direction of the man, the fingers of her right hand inching slowly towards her blaster. She didn’t want trouble, but it often found a way of getting to her no matter how hard she tried. Hopefully this time would be different.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr felt Kad's pull guide him deeper into the forest and he trusted the will of his God. So with the humming came the taps of gauntlet on chest plate. The volume would drown out the scraping of metal on wood, and though on q different day it could have meant the end for the War Priest, today, it wouldn't.

In fact, the only sound to pull him from his melody would be that of a voice. Stopping mid step, his visor would trace it to the source, though his hands remained at his side. Had it been an ambush, they would have already struck. When he spoke, it was in Mando'a. "Srucayr. Come down from there, I would rather not have to shout." He would call out. "If you are of my kind, you should bear no fear, unless you're an Ordo or serve Malinkar. Aside from them, I've no recent feuds."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia sucked in a breath when she heard her call being answered in Mando’a. Could it be someone from her own clan? The voice had said that she would be fine if she wasn’t an Ordo or served Malinkar. Well, she certainly wasn’t affiliated with either of those, so if the man was being honest, then there would be no conflict. That was reassuring. Making her decision, she slid down the tree trunk and walked towards the man in the silver armor. Just by looking at it, she could tell that it was true beskar.

Stopping a few feet away from him, Zaia pulled off her helmet. Something about Srucayr seemed familiar, though she didn’t know how. It was the atmosphere that he brought with him. She knew for a fact that she hadn’t seen him before— that armor she would recognize anywhere. Not knowing how to begin, she decided to simply introduce herself. Surely nothing could go wrong there.

“I’m Zaia. From Clan Krodas,” she said in Mando’a, trying to stop herself from shifting on her feet. “And… how about you? What's your clan?”

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

He would wait for the young woman to come down from her perch, his arms crossing as he waited. Luckily, he wouldn't have to wait long. When she removed her helmet, he would do the same, revealing dark skin bearing deep scars across one eye and along his face. Golden eyes would pierce her soul and graying dreds and a graying beard would betray his older age, though war would be the cause for the look.

"Well met, Zaia of Clan Krodas. Skirata, though I lead a Coalition of many Clans. I am also a war priest of Kad." He would say, gently. "What brings you to Mandallia? Your Clan nearby? Or just a hunt of sorts?"

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Upon seeing the scars on his face after he took off his helmet, the feeling of familiarity only increased. He also said that he led… a coalition. Zaia had heard of Srucayr before— she knew it. That was when she remembered where.

Before she could revel in her discovery, the man asked her a few questions. “Well… I came looking for my clan. I was hoping to get back to them after I, uh, left them a few years ago. Turns out it wasn’t well planned, and they weren’t here. I was just about to leave, actually, before I met you.” She smiled awkwardly and took a hesitant step forward.

“By the way… are you the Srucayr? A friend of mine told me about a man with the same name who was the leader of the Orar’da’yadr. Is that you?”

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

What it was to be young, he almost envied the young woman's pomp and demeanor. "Lost your Clan?" He asked with a slightly amused smile. "Can't have that, little sister. You are welcome amongst me and mine, if you like, at least until your Clan is located."

His helm was tucked under his arm, the wings of it flaring to the side. "I am, and I do lead them still. I've been fighting on Concord Dawn for some time, then rebuilding there." He would respond. "I'm sure if you've heard my name, you've heard both the positive and the negative. So to show my character, yes, I orchestrated the attack against the outsiders on Mandalore. And I have no regrets for it. Foreign boots do not belong on our world. And in years past, all of our enemies have targeted our young, I will not refuse to do the same."

He took a relaxed stance, his expression and tone still warm. "I'm sure it will put me at odds with many, but I have no doubt in my service to our people or to our gods." He knew he unloaded a bit, but where many believed themselves heroes of their own story, he did not. He did what he felt he had to do for their people, within their beliefs, and that would never change. "I hope that doesn't sour the meeting, but i am an open book to my own people. If you wish to talk, we can. If you wish to travel in numbers and safety, you're welcome to. If you wish I depart and leave you, I will do that too."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

So, this really was Srucayr. Cas hadn’t been wrong when she said that he was built like a krayt dragon.

Zaia tilted her head slightly as he offered for her to stay with his clan and his explanation of who he was. In truth, she had no idea what attack on Mandalore he was talking about, but if they really were invaders, she assumed that he did the right thing defending their planet. It did belong to the Mandalorians after all. If anything, Srucayr had her respect, and though she didn’t know him well, she knew that he was being genuine in everything he said.

“Talking is good,” Zaia said with a smile. “I did want to ask you about the Orar’da’yadr. Is it true that your mission is to reunite our people?” She paused, pursing her lips. “That must be difficult. Even my own clan doesn’t trust the others. I’ve always tried to convince them otherwise, but they never listened.” She chuckled at that. “I was hoping maybe the coalition could help.”

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"Then talking we shall do." He would take a few steps over to where a trunk lay on forest floor and take a seat, setting his helm down beside him. "The Orar'da'yadr's goal is to restore Mandalore to its former glory. As much as we would love to unite the Clans, we are also aware of the fact that many Clans will never see eye to eye, and we have our share of rivalries."

He would sigh. "I don't expect our people to rally under me or behind me, but I do hope one day we can stand side by side. Perhaps one day, there will be a leader worthy to follow. Our people presently have several men who want to be Mandalore and one who claims to be him. The latter, I fight because of his ruthless subjugation of our people on Concord Dawn. Now.. he hides like a rat."

His golden gaze would shift her way. "May i ask who you heard of me from?"

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

When Srucayr made the move to settle down on a log, Zaia went over to a rock across from him. She put her helmet down next to her as she listened to his explanation. What he said made sense— uniting all the clans of Mandalore under one banner would be more than difficult, especially with rivalries between them spanning centuries. He was even humble enough to admit that the people might not want to rally behind him. All too often, people had their own self-interests they put before everything else, and she’d seen this in non-Mandos and Mandalorians alike. Srucayr was different, and that in itself made him stand out in Zaia’s eyes.

“I see,” she murmured, trying to absorb all that she’d just learned. When he asked about who she heard about him from, Zaia assumed that it was alright to share. The way Cas had been talking about him, it didn’t seem like they were on bad terms.

“Casany of Clan Praxor,” she said with a smile as she thought of her friend. “She’s the one who told me about you, and the coalition. I have a lot to thank her for.” Not to mention the free rides on her ship. “You two were friends too, right? She seemed to like you. In more ways than one.” She said the last part with a chuckle. Cas probably wouldn’t be happy with her for saying that, but she could worry about that another time.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"I made peace long ago that I would not be alive to see our people united, or even our people restored to glory. It doesn't just happen overnight. I do what I can so that the future will struggle less then I did, so the future is brighter." He would add as she processed. These were some of his happiest moments, just talking to others of his kind, especially those of different Clans. It was an opportunity for both sides to learn.

He couldn't help the smile when she said the name. "Casany Praxor, Kad knows that woman has a special place in my heart. Always will." He would then laugh at the final statement she made. "Aye, she will always be my friend, but I don't control her feelings. As for the other way, she wore that on her sleeve with me. Her clan has ties to our Concord Dawn sect. I haven't seen her in some time, how is the minx doing?"

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“That’s a noble goal,” Zaia commented, giving Srucayr a nod of respect. His words reminded her of her grandfather. He’d always had a tough appearance, rarely smiled or gave any hint of emotion, but she knew he lived and bled for the betterment of Mandalore’s future. He’d been the one person who would listen to her when she went on one of her many spiels about having the clans come together for the benefit of their people.

“Cas? She’s doing great. Finds something new to do or talk about every day,” Zaia said with a grin. “I’m sure she’s glad to have a break from me, though. I’ve been hijacking her ship for a while. We’ve had some… interesting moments.” She frowned when she said that, remembering the time Cas had eaten one of the peas she’d been trying to sell to a Bothan the first time they’d met. The one Zaia had eaten had no effect on her, but Casany hadn’t been so lucky. Zaia had found the woman in the bathroom waving her arms around and mumbling random words that made no sense together. She would have told Srucayr all about it, but she figured that one revelation(or maybe not so much) was enough for the day. Cas would have her head if she shared that too.

“How are things going on Concord Dawn, by the way? Is the one who claims to be Mand’alor still there? I haven’t been there in years, so I can’t say I know what’s been going on lately.”

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"Its a goal. One our people should all work towards. Many of our kind look to the stars for a way to restore our people, others have started their own laughable shadow of Mandalorian culture. If we want our people to rise, it starts here in the sector." His smile would fade, but the tone remained. "I doubt you're too much for her to handle. She was friends with Laren Vano, and his brother, both of them were handfuls. Good, young, warriors. Bright lights for our future."

He would lean forward at her frown. "I once carried her out of a stadium like a wounded bird. Huttball tournament, holovised. Her and Laren lost and I took both home." He leaned back, one hand stroking his beard.

"Malinkar.. he is in hiding. We liberated that sector of Concord Dawn but he escaped the world with a remnant of his forces. When he resurfaces, we'll catch him."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“You carried her out? No way.” Zaia smiled at the picture in her mind. Though Cas might have lost that one huttball tournament, she had won big on other things. She watched as Srucayr leaned back and stroked his beard, before bringing up Malinkar. So that’s who he was talking about before.

“I hope you do catch him someday. Those who betray Mandalore don’t deserve to live among our people,” she said. She looked at Srucayr, clasping her hands together as she leaned forward slightly. “Is there anything I can do to help? Any way at all? I can’t speak for the entirety of my clan, but I want to do more for our people. The past few years I’ve been… lost.” She spoke earnestly until the last part, when she shook her head. “I was trying to survive on my own, just getting a job here and there, not doing much for anyone other than myself. I didn’t meet any other Mandalorians until recently, and they were all so dedicated to one thing or another. Like you, to our people.”

She looked at Srucayr hopefully. “If Mandalore is going to come together again, at least somewhat, I’d like to be a part of it. If there’s anything I can do…” She trailed off, unsure what to say. “I guess I’ll do it.”

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr nodded his head slowly. "Aye, I don't leave my own behind, and each loss is felt." His gaze drifted beyond her at the last part. "So do I. He needs to stand trial for what he has done to our people. And one day, I will be called to answer for my sins, be it the Republic who finds me or one of our people betray me. I would not be surprised if it were the latter."

His gaze fixed on her. "Cowards stand from a position of false morality in times of war. War, is not to be romanticized. We live for it, we die for it, and through it we further the ambitions of the Destroyer. We aren't gallant Knights that slay evildoers, we are warriors who erase whole species from memory. Those who try to pretend the former, are fools."

He leaned forward once more. "I want you to understand what you're asking. Our word.. its our bond. And this path you seek, is not one many will want to follow. There will be pain, there will be loss. But Kad willing at the end of it all, our people will be united, Mandalore restored, and you will have tales to tell and still be around to share them. This is a time for convictions, for pushing the boundaries. There are things I will ask you to do, things that I myself will do, and I will need to know that you can do it."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

When Srucayr warned her about what she was about to get herself into, Zaia paused. The man was right. War wasn’t to be romanticized— she knew that much. She’d seen what it could do to a people, her own people. She’d done things herself that she wished could have gone differently. But sacrifices had to be made.

He also took care to explain to her what giving her word would require, and Zaia realized that she didn’t know if she could do what he was asking. It wouldn’t be as easy as she’d imagined at first. Before, she’d just been spewing out ideals. She did want to help her people, that part was true, but she didn’t know exactly what was in store for her if she went on that path. There was only one question she had to ask first.

“Clan Solus… are they with you?” she asked carefully.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"No." Srucayr would reply. "Clan Solus hasn't even fought for Mandalore until recently. Nor would we follow a mercenary, we don't believe in fighting for coin, only for causes. He is doing good freeing slaves.. its what we did centuries past, before our people fell to this."

His hands would clasp in his lap. "If you ask Solus of me, I'm sure they have no end of political crap to spew. I will not do the same, but I will offer this one bit of advice. Experience has taught me to be wary of men who proclaim their own power, or their own place. Malinkar did it years ago, and Kotii called a meeting some time ago to inform us he was leader of Solus and then asked for us to follow him."

He would sigh. "The second piece of advice, do not pick sides. If unity is what you want, draw no lines in the sand. Even with our differences, me or mine would die to help them against enemies of our people. We are Mandalorian first. Solus has nowhere near the animosity towards them, that we hold for Ordo, and even if Ordo found themselves on the right side of a war, we would still help them." He would tap his Clan sigil. "Never look at this.. this serves only as a division. Put our people first. No matter what path you choose, put our kind first and you will help our people."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“Ah.” That would complicate things, Zaia thought with an inward sigh. There was one thing, one person she wasn’t willing to give up for anything, and that person considered Clan Solus his family. If she did anything to put herself at odds with them… she didn’t know if she’d be able to forgive herself.

“I never met Kotii. I’ve heard two different sides to him, from you and from-” She swallowed. “And from someone else.” Now she didn’t know who to believe. Perhaps both stories were true, perhaps neither. Srucayr was saying to not pick sides and to always put her people first. She would be doing that, in a way, if all went well. The Mandalorians had been in conflict with the Jedi for far too long, and it was only now where she saw hope of that animosity being let go of. But she needed Solus for that. One man in particular.

“I wish I didn’t have to look at it. But others do,” she said, looking over at Srucayr. “I know you have good intentions, and I want to help you. I’d give you anything else, but I just can’t- I can’t give him up.” Her voice broke at the last part. Nothing in the galaxy ever lined up, did it?

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

The conflict in her eyes was one he had seen many times before. The most recent with Reiel, and her love of an outsider. It was a pairing that would be doomed to fail. But that would be a lesson she would have to learn on her own. This one, this one was definitely in love with a Solus, and she seemed perturbed. He couldn't have that.

"There are three sides to every tale. Each side, then the truth. The truth is always somewhere in the middle. Make your own decisions based on your encounters, it's why I gave you a single piece of advice on Kotii." He would lean back, his hand moving through his dreds. "As for others, let them think what they will. You do enough good, then those around you who whisper and snerk would be seen as what they are. Live by the codes of our people and live in a way that you can be confident in. And if those around you cannot support you or accept what you do, then they are unworthy of all that you offer. But you never turn your back on them."

"Tell me about him, the Solus boy. Clearly thats his Clan or you wouldn't have spoke about it the way you did." He would smile faintly. "Love is sacred to our people. Cherish it, no matter the Clan. You would never have to give him up, at least from where I'm sitting."

@Sicadorito