The Return

[jediduncan]

The sands howled horribly as they battered the sides of the small, lonely cottage. The walls creaked and groaned with the strain, and the wind was strong enough to knock down even the strongest of warriors. Many in the cabin were on edge, fearing that the building would collapse at any moment upon their soft, unprotected heads. Deep down, however, they knew they were safe; they knew that this place would stay standing as long as he was with them.

The man was sitting in a large wooden chair, more of a throne the way he sat in it, in the deepest part of the one-room cabin. Inside, it was very dry, very cold, and very poorly illuminated. Despite the pounding winds, torrents of wind, and the deafening sounds that went with them, the room was eerily quiet. All eyes were on the man in the chair, wrapped in a woolen blanket, holding a glass of boiling hot tea. None could see his face in the shadow, but that didn't stop them from feeling his glare as he eyed each one of them individually, looking over them with equal parts disdain and respect.

The brooding silence grew worse. The man took a sip from his mug and warmth spread to the tips of his fingers and the ends of his toes. The blanket draped over him hung like a cape of the most regal standing, despite its modest decorations. None dared speak but all present wondered what purpose they served standing there doing nothing. The man stroked his chin and the greying beard creeping upon it thoughtfully. Finally he placed both hands on the arms of his chair and stood up straight. Now all could see the features of his face in the light, the battle scars adorning his weathered face, the deep set, piercing eyes and the sterling jawline. All in his presence drew a sharp intake of breath, as they knew he was about to address them. Despite being barely a whisper, his gruff voice was enough to send shivers down the spines of all in his presence, demanding their full attention.

"Bring me... Conrad Aryas."

 

[lordember]

.:.Conrad Aryas was out on a hunt with himself; there was nothing better than taking down a formidable foe all by yourself... and this is how the son of Mandalore the Implacable lived. The brisk wind of Mandalore hit the pale-yellow sand of the desert onto his armor, while the persistent gaze of the son reflected off the Aryas-made armor. Conrad laughed the heat off, which was getting to him even though the cooling systems within his armor were function. He squinted his eyes as he brought up the sight of his sniper rifle, steadily following his prey with the crosshairs. His right index finger pushed the trigger. Before he could collect his prey, a messenger came up to him - the young lad seemed to be in a hurry, a BIG hurry. The little boy spoke.:.

You are needed at the village. He wants to speak with you.

.:.Conrad nodded; if he was being summoned it was important enough. He sunk his feet into the soft sand, and began the march towards the village - it was in view, but still a long, hot mile away. He slung the rifle on his back, and ignited his jetpack. Conrad's feet lifted off the air to a generous height; it seemed like the Mandalorian was almost levitating in midair. When Conrad landed within the village, its people spoke to him, ushering him towards the center hut.

Conrad dusted off his armor quick, and went through the curtain, which acted as a door to the hut. It was dark, and Conrad's Armor AI quickly changed the visor tone so he could see a little better. Conrad was almost taken back when he saw the man. Battle scars decorated across the man's face - he was obviously an accomplished warrior. Yet, the face and figure of the man looked familiar - was he an Aryas tribesman from Ryas Ka? Conrad saluted the old man, and spoke.:.

"You called, sir?"

 

[jediduncan]

Seeing Conrad before him made the Mandalorian's heart jump into his throat. It had been too long since the last time they had met. Gathering his wits, the man returned to his emotionless, cold exterior shell, the same that had faced many defeated foes in times past. He put his hands on the arms of his chairs and slowly pushed himself up, standing up to his full height. The blanket fell to the chair and revealed the man to be wearing the drab garments common in his clan. His posture was impeccable, the result of years of military training.

The man began walking, and the crowd gathered around him split like Moses parting the Red Sea. They dared not get in his way. He took steps further, the padding of his feet seeming to be the only audible noise. He continued wordlessly across the cottage until finally he reached Conrad and stood before him. He looked him over once, as if sizing up a recruit. Then, with startling speed, the man grabbed Conrad in a bear hug.

"My son..."

 

[lordember]

.:.Conrad's heart dropped for a second, like his father's. He couldn't believe it, he was actually with his father. This was the man he would follow into battle, the man he looked up to... but never met. He chuckled slightly; the resemblance was striking, and the size of both men... was almost terrifying. Conrad recomposed himself, and returned the bear hug, even lifting his father off the ground. The Mandalorians would flourish - the Aryas clan was back and running. It all seemed to good to be true, yet the pieces of the puzzle fit - they were on the desert of Mandalore, perhaps even the exact place he was born. The Lieutenant spoke in the typical, yet unique icy Mandalorian voice.:.

"Father?"

 

[jediduncan]

Taking a step back, Aryas looked at the man in front of him, smiling ear to ear. This was a moment he had looked forward to for so long, but had been too busy to ever realize. Now, however, he wondered why he had put anything else in front of it.

"It's me, Conrad; your father, Mandalore the Implacable."

Aryas turned his shoulder and took a few steps away from Conrad, pulling himself back into reality. He motioned with his head for his son to follow him to a table near the back, where two chairs were already set up; they had plenty to discuss.

 

[lordember]

"It's an honor to finally meet you sir."

.:.Conrad took off his helmet, revealing a scarred and battle worn face. Seeing the face of an accomplished Mandalorian was a site few got to witness. He sat down at the table, taking a deep breath. The face of conrad was cold and hard, but also relieved. He leaned back in his chair, and motioned for his father to take a seat. While he was waiting, he sized back his father... he was a true Aryas, the dominant clan of the Mandalorians. There was so much the pair had to discuss... war, strategy, training, and what had happened in each of their absences.:.

"Where did you go? Why did you step down as Mandalore?"

 

[jediduncan]

"Hmph. Are those the lies Darman's been spreading?"

The man once known as Mandalore the Implacable sighed, shaking his head. He stared at the table, thinking about what had happened in his absence. How could everything have gotten this screwed up?How could he have let it get this far?

Aryas stared up again at his son with the very same cold, piercing eyes.

"I never stepped down. The title was taken from me, but not in the honorable way.

As you probably know, whenever any Mandalore has left to go to unknown regions of space, they leave the suit of Mandalore behind. In this way, should the Mandalore die, the sacred suit is able to be passed on to the next most worthy successor. I left on just such a mission. I knew the tales of the great General Hoorex Kwando, and I knew his brilliance could bring the Mandalorians supremacy in the galaxy. He's still alive you know, I've seen him. Many say he can't die.

Regardless, I was gone, searching for him for many years. It cost me a pretty penny, but I know where he's going now. He's going to the announcement of the new Mandalore. Darman. I can't be sure, but I can guess what happened. It was said that I was killed or unable to return or something. Darman, as my right-hand man, was next in line. He was in charge, and supposed to make sure no one took the helm of Mandalore. Instead he's claimed it as his own. He's become Mandalore not through combat, but instead through betrayal and deceit. He knew I was still alive; I was still in contact with him. But instead he chose to cover it up and take the title for himself."

 

[lordember]

.:.If one thought that the expression in Conrad's eyes to get any harder, they would be wrong. Darman betrayed his father... that was blatant to him now. An imposture held the epithet of Mandalore and was the leader of the Mandalorian clans. He clenched his hands into fists; Conrad could control his anger now, but he would gladly unleash it. Darman had no honor, and took Conrad's father - and all of Clan Aryas for that matter out of power within the Mandalorians. He sighed and took a deep breath - something like this could not go unwarranted.:.

"Clan Aryas must reclaim what was once their's; we must return to the battle circle, father. I will not let this disgrace attempt to lead the clans."

 

[jediduncan]

Aryas nodded solemly. This was a task they had to undertake together. But two men against a single Darman and his men would not be a successful one. However, Aryas had a few tricks up his sleeve remaining.

"We have a few allies that we should gather. In addition to the General Hoorex Kwando, there is also Arya Stark and Conrad Ordo, both of whom I am sure are loyal to me. We could use their help in the upcoming task. Conrad is with Darman. Arya... I'm not sure where she is exactly, but it won't be too hard to find out.

But first, son, I should ask you... are you sure you wish to undertake this? We don't know each other as well as I would have liked to know you and you will be risking your life for this matter."

 

[lordember]

"I will die to restore the honor of Clan Aryas. That is without question."

.:.Conrad's words were flat; to a Mandalorian, honor was everything, especially when it came to that of one's own tribe. He sat back - the pair had allies, and strategy.... and the desire to restore honor deep within their hearts. It would be a battle never forgotten within the histories of the galaxy. Conrad Aryas leaned forward putting his elbows on the table. Time was of the essence.:.

 

[jediduncan]

Aryas nodded his approval. He was sure of Conrad's answer before he had even asked the question, but felt it necessary to ask. He stood up from the table abruptly, letting the chair slide out from under him.

"Let's find Arya first. Got a landspeeder we can use?"

 

[lordember]

"Yup. I took mine to the village before the hunt. It's out in the back."

.:.Conrad Aryas got up, motioning for his father to follow. Conrad was eager to get out of the dark hut, and gently pushed away the curtain which acted as the door. The Mandalorian's visor quickly adjusted to the bright light of the desert - it seemed like it had gotten even brighter since he was hunting. After passing a few rows of huts, the pair came to the speeder. Conrad hopped in the driver's seat, expecting his father to get in the adjacent seat.:.

"Who's this Arya?"

 

[jediduncan]

"I've trained many Mandalorians in my lifetime. Arya's the only female."

He spoke this as if it answered his son's questions at all. In fact, he was thinking of all the people he had trained in the past. Arya. Conrad Ordo. Darman. He was pitting each of them against each other now, and it all seemed just too strange. It's not that he hadn't seen recruits fight each other; it was that these fights were going to be real now. Not just for the honor the battle circle gained you, but for real honor.

Aryas opened the door to the landspeeder and sat down, closing the door behind him. He strapped himself in, making sure he had everything he needed on his person, then turned to Conrad.

"Get us to the nearest city. We can try to find some information there."

 

[lordember]

.:.Conrad nodded. A female Mando, huh? I'll have to check this out for myself. Conrad knew females could be capable warriors, although there weren't many. Their greatest strength was that most men underestimated them. Like his father, Conrad Aryas checked his equipment before he hit the throttle. Once everything was in check, Conrad hit the throttle. He looked up the GPS, and the nearest city was Enceri... a rather remote city but it would do. Once they found this Arya they would have to lay the foundations of their followers. Conrad knew it would pan through. While crossing the desert, the speeder left a large trail of dust and sand behind it. Little by little the pair inched closer to Enceri.:.

"We're going to Enceri."

 

[jediduncan]

"When we get there, you're going to need to use your status as Lieutenant, get to a computer, and find out if there is any information on where Arya Stark is stationed."

This would be an easy task. Almost any city on Mandalore would have the necessary access to where Stark was located, and then it was a simple matter of getting there. Once that was done, they already had Ordo, and all that would be left was Kwando...

 

[lordember]

"Roger."

.:.The city was now in sight. Within a few minutes, the pair was inside the city. Conrad Aryas found a parking spot on the side of a street and brought the speeder to a hault. He unbuckled himself from the speeder and hopped out. His boots touched the hard street of the city and he fixed up his rank insignia on his armor. Conrad leaned into the speeder and spoke.:.

"Just stay here and don't bring attention to yourself. You know what to do."

.:.Conrad turned around, and hastily made his way towards the command center where he could get access to a computer.:.

 

[jediduncan]

The wait in the speeder was boring. There was no one to talk to, only a few Mandalorians passing by from time to time. They weren't even warriors though, or at least not capable warriors. Aryas could probably kill all of them right now if he'd wanted to. He considered doing it for a brief second, then decided it was a lot easier just to sit there and wait. Hopefully Conrad would be back soon...

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

OOC: Come and get me boys...lol. Anyway, let me know when you want to confront her. Should be interesting to say the least.