Jewel-like amethyst eyes observed the Nightsisters in calm silence, no visible shift in the Imperial woman's expression as another appeared and the Clan Mother spoke. Astrid considered the facts of the scenario behind the calm. Military fact. But there was also the Force, the living power all around them that practically vibrated in the air on this mysterious world.
She did not know what the Clan Mother said in their language but she could feel how that power responded to the words. While the Knight guardians behind her shuffled and glanced nervously at one another from the idea of a 'blood oath', Astrid's expression remained unreadable. She examined the contract. The words were foreign, yet Astrid understood their meaning by their own power.
She turned their meaning over in her mind, the exact terminology, considering. 'Forfeit', not necessarily dead. How interesting. In the silence after the Clan Mother's pronouncement, her comm chimed. She held up a hand apologetically and rose her left gauntlet to listen to the message.
"This is Command, sitrep on your outreach." (@Max Dram)
There was a pause. Then, "Singing Mountain will lead us to Queen Renfry, General. All Imperial forces must be off-world within two weeks." She lowered her hand and then placed her helmet beside her on the stump. Would Astrid stake her life against her word? Ridiculous question. Her duty and pride were to defend, and fight for, the Empire and Imperial lives.
She and the Clan Mother both knew the price of failing to end this battle quickly with Renfry's capture. More fighting, more death, grinding to the end. Countless corpses lining a war-torn Dathomir. This was the logical course of action.
Astrid took the knife and ran its edge along her upper left arm- she wasn't doing that palm-cutting nonsense, she was a swordswoman- and let her black blood flow from the superficial cut. She swept her thumb through it. "Ma'am-" She shushed the other Knight with a hand and, without any visible hesitation, marked the contract in blood. A basic med patch was slapped over the cut.
Jewel-like amethyst eyes met the Clan Mother's, steady and even. "You have my oath. Once Renfry is captured and extricated, the Empire will not remain on Dathomir.
Fighting for the Empire and defending its people, guarding the lives of civilians and fellow soldiers, these were her duty and her pride. Of course she would put her life on the line. If she could shield her fellows, and preserve them even if it cost her life, she would.
Astrid al-Bahir was a soldier: no more, and no less.
@Phoenix @Alhon
Astrid tells General Dram what Singing Mountain clan agreed to. She agrees to the oath.