Arabella Ultor's Training

[Ser Yorick]

It was deep beneath the surface of the Dark Jedi Temple that the training of Arabella Ultor would take place. In one of the various dungeons the Dark Master Serpentis awaited the Crusader. Arabella wished to be taught the ways of the Assassins of the order, and for that, she had come to one of the most skilled and prestigious of their ranks. But this would be no easy task.

Not all Dark Jedi are cut out to be Assassins. Some are Instructors, some are Marauders, and some, have the necessary skills to become Assassins. Though these individuals are rare, they usually show promise at an early age; they are fast, agile, and quiet. Assassins know the proper time to strike to be most effective, and rarely do they charge their opponents from the front. If Marauders are the blunt instruments, Assassins are the daggers glinting in the darkness.

The chamber in which Serpentis waited was dank and cold. Only two dying torches lit the stone-walled room, which kept it shrouded in shadows, just as the Dark Master liked it. It was the perfect breeding ground for his kind. Soon he would know if Arabella was worth the effort. If she was not, then she would be dealt with for wasting his time.

 

[Emma Lou]

Arabella had never been into the dungeons and she shivered as she walked through the darkness. She was nervous about her training to become an assassin with Dark Master Serpentis. She had never met the man, but she had heard stories and those are what worried her. She found the dungeon in which he waited, she could feel him in the Force.

"Master Serpentis, I am here to learn the way of the assassins"

She had not been a Crusader for very long and she was very eager to be picked up for tutelage under one of the most skilled assassins. She did not know what to expect and she knew it was not going to be easy for her to make it through. She would though, she would prove them wrong.

 

[Ser Yorick]

"I know," he rasped. "And to prove that you are worthy of that honour, I want you to strike me." The Dark Master then reached into his black and blue robes and withdrew the hilt of his lightsaber. He threw it against the wall and turned his back to Arabella. "There is a sword to your right. If you do not draw blood within five strikes, then I will deem you unworthy and you will be cast from my sight. You will not be permitted to enter the dungeons again, and no one will attempt to teach you the ways of the Assassin." The surprisingly loud voice of Serpentis echoed back to her off the stone walls. Arabella would be able to tell from the inflection in his tone that he meant every word. If she failed now then she was done. Never again would she get another chance. It was harsh, but that was the way she had to play it.

 

[Emma Lou]

The task seemed simple enough even though she knew it would not be. She found the sword and picked it up quietly, holding it now in her right hand. The room was not completely dark and that helped her a little, but she knew she might not be so fortunate when this was happening in the real world.

She took a few steps forward and forced on his presence. She felt him and knew where he was. She also knew that he would probably move before the sword hit. She brought the sword around towards what she believed to be his right side. She put all her power into it.

 

[Ser Yorick]

Even though his back was turned to her, Serpentis knew Arabella was coming. He didn't just guess either, he could actually feel her clumsy attempt at an attack. When she swung her sword the Dark Master pivoted on his left foot, both dodging the blade and spinning to face her. Serpentis then kicked forward with his right foot aimed at the Crusader's stomach.

"Come on, I want you to do it," he said. "Hit me."

 

[Emma Lou]

Arabella felt his foot connect with her stomach as it knocked some of the wind out of her. She scowled, anger started to flood through her. She was not used to not being able to do something and she did not like it! She would do this now and she could be able to continue her training.

She centered herself and breathed quietly, even though it hurt to do so. She knew that he was now facing her and that would make it more difficult. She swung with all her might, trying to be quieter this time, and used the force to guide her blade. She felt it hit something, hopefully it was her target and hopefully it drew blood.

 

[Ser Yorick]

Serpentis smiled under his veil. "I like the anger," he said. The Dark Master could feel Arabella's emotions run off her like a river over a stone. If she could only harness the power of her anger and use it to augment her control over the Force, she might be able to pass this test. But so far the Crusader was doing nothing but attacking blind and wildly; she hardly made any attempt to focus or take her time.

The 'something' Arabella thought she had hit turned out to be part of the Dark Master's robes. The blade of her sword ripped through some cloth close to his left wrist. As she swung past him Serpentis once again kicked out with his foot. The blow was aimed toward Arabella's wrist in an attempt to knock the sword from her hand.

"You have wasted two strikes because you are too hasty. Take your time, learn your surroundings, and don't use your eyes as your only method of sight."

 

[Emma Lou]

Arabella felt the sword slip from her grip and clang on the dungeon floor. Instead of picking up the sword she closed her eyes, focusing on the room around her. She could feel Master Serpentis’ presence in the cold room and she knew where he was located. She knew it was him by the way everything was darker, the way the Force flowed over him in such a black manner. She could not understand why she was not hitting him when she knew exactly where he was.

Then his advice finally hit her and she understood what she was doing wrong. He was right, she was not focusing on everything. She was just rushing into it. That was not the way of an assassin at all. Assassins waited for their moment and struck without warning. She picked up the sword and held it tightly. She closed her eyes again and listened, it was silent except for her quiet breathing. She focused on Master Serpentis and took a step forward. She let her anger flow through her and she struck. This time, like a cobra, it was fast and hard with little room for him to think before he was hit.

 

[Ser Yorick]

If Serpentis had not moved, she would have stabbed him in the chest. At the last possible moment the Dark Master stepped to his right, which caused Arabella's blade to only graze his left shoulder, but still draw blood as the edge cut his flesh. "Good," he praised. But before she could relish in her victory the Dark Master grabbed her sword arm with his left, then reached out with the Force and pulled his discarded lightsaber into his waiting hand. He stepped to within inches of the Crusader and pressed the business end of the lightsaber hilt against the side of her neck. "I bleed," Serpentis breathed. "And therefore, am your master. But I am not impressed. You have ability, but you lack even basic training."

 

[Emma Lou]

"Then I have much to prove of myself--"

She was careful as she moved her left leg out to kick him in his knee. As she did she ducked her head to the left as well and spun out of the way of his lightsaber.

"although I doubt you are ever impressed by an apprentice"

 

[Ser Yorick]

The Dark Master let go of her arm and stepped out of the way of her kick. "Yes, you have much to prove." Serpentis clapped his hands and the two torches suddenly went from dying to blazing bright, bathing the room with their orange glow.

"And you're wrong about that," he said. "I'm impressed by those with natural talent; talent that with the right training could lead to skills that rival my own. I have only trained one such student. He challenged me to a duel; hand-to-hand combat only, with no help from the Force. He hoped to defeat me and take my place as Dark Master and the top Assassin."

 

[Emma Lou]

"And is he still alive?"

She highly doubted it. Her eyes adjusted to the brightening light and now she kept her eyes on her Master. She was ready to learn, but she had to admit that he did scare her a little. She would impress him and maybe she would take his spot someday. She would show him how powerful and deadly she could be! It angered her that he believed she lacked basic training.

 

[Ser Yorick]

"I strangled him."

Serpentis turned his back on the Crusader once more and checked his shoulder. The cut wasn't deep and would probably heal within a few days, leaving no scar. He wanted to have a mark, something to remind both himself and Arabella whenever they looked at it. Today she had passed her first test and gained access to his teachings, an honour few received. The Dark Master ripped off the sleeve of his robe. Later, when the wound began to heal, he would cut it open again.

"The High Lord is going on a mission tomorrow," Serpentis told her. "You will accompany her. If you bring that sword with you and tell her I sent you, then she will explain further.

"Go, we are done for the day."

 

[Emma Lou]

Arabella picked up the sword and bowed to the Dark Master.

"I will see you when I return then"

With that she left the dungeon. She would mediate and rest because she tomorrow would not be easy. The High Lord was not a fan of Arabella and it worried her that she would be going on a mission with her.