Ask The Trees have Ears

[Darth Caelestis]

The landings thrusters of the 'Wyvern' slowly illuminated the ground beneath the transport as it lowered into the dark undergrowth of Makem Te. Artorigas and Cydric were navigating by instruments only, the thick black beneath the tall trees blocking all of the natural light from the sole sun 'Makem'. "Doesn't look pretty down their sir." The servant/co-pilot/trusted advisor said stating the obvious. "Well what did you expect, in a world were one tenth of it is a graveyard, it was always going to look like a horror scene on the surface." Artorigas replied, he flicked a few switches above his head and the ship vibrated slightly the landing gear readying themselves for the soft mushy ground beneath them. Ten seconds later the ship jumped up as the shock absorbers in the landing gear bounced them a few times before coming to a stable landing. More switches, knobs and dials and the ship powered down, the lights upon the ship only seemed to illuminated their immediate surroundings, which was unnerving as soon as they were on foot only the light they brought themselves would guide them.

Unbuckling himself from the pilot's chair he made his way to the back of the transport, he picked up his customary mask along with a flashlight which lay on the table in the middle of the living area, slipping the metallic casing over his face as he waited for the loading ramp to lower and allow him to exit into the dark. Flicking the torch light on and off again to make sure it worked, he then pressed the button on the side, checking the battery life. "Six hours. That should be enough." He said to himself. The ramp touched the ground making a wet sucking noise as it sunk into the damp soil. Great this was going to wreck his boots.

As he stepped down the loading ramp he found the darkness around almost suffocating, the landing lights from the ship only seemed to give him a few meters of light before they trailed off into black. This was not going to be fun, he pulled his long handled lightsaber free from the clip on his belt, he expected that the blade would be in use before long. A world such as this on a good day would be dangerous for those uninvited with the added aspect that they were here to hunt down a village of corrupted Swokes Swokes could only make things a more dangerous. Stepping a little further from the landing bay he gazed around the darkness trying to allow his eyes to adjust. "Well this is an interesting place." The voice buried deep inside said sarcastically. Artorigas chose to ignore the old Sith trapped inside his mind, it did him little good talking to him, it would only frustrate him and lead the other voice to appear, that one right at the back in the darkness and he was really not needed right now.

Looking out into the darkness wondering what threats there would be out their he found some comfort in the fact that even here on this forsaken planet surrounded by unknown dangers and threats he was not taking this task on alone. There were two sent to wipe out the village hidden in the trees and the other unlike Artorigas had fully embraced the Sith ideology and power, as she was not an Acolyte or Even a Marauder but a Lord, A Darth. He smiled at the thought behind the mask. "You think your safe with this Darth, beware other Sith Artorigas. You never know what they are thinking." The voice chimed in. Artorigas was acutely aware of the power of this Darth and the ease at which the Sith could turn on eachother if they wished. If anything the vast difference in power between them was a comfort, for if she decided to kill him their would not be much of a fight, so it would probably be pretty quick death at least.

He had offered the Darth transport before he left had Dromund Kaas, it was courteous of him to ask her at least...

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil had declined the offer to travel together for numerous reasons, and had arrived at the location of the meeting point several hours earlier. The Destiny was "parked" at the agreed meeting place and her pair of guards and pilots remained aboard with the lights out. For her part, Andruil had spent the time acclimating to the world and meditating on why she was here.

The order to kill the cultists at the ball had been a necessity, but this had been by choice. The cultists had never meant much to Renfry, but Malicia had been her friend and ally. They had worked together for years and formed somewhat of a bond. And then she had failed to do anything. She'd not fought for what mattered, she had not defended herself, she had not stood up for herself. It felt nearly like a betrayal to Renfry herself. Her alliance with the negligent Councilor put Renfry and everything she cared about at risk.

So it was one part pragmatism and one part vengeance. She could not afford friends anymore. Further weakness would cost her.

As the other Sith arrived, she emerged from the shadows of the brush. Her golden eyes reflected the lights off his ship and betrayed a primal violence that somehow seemed fitting for the world they were on. She wore practical black clothing and brought her saber, hunting knife, a small pack of supplies, and even her energy bow. It was a weapon she hadn't used for some time, but it was an ideal weapon for hunting in the forests. This landscape and world may have been unfamiliar to her, but the principles were no different than what she had done for her entire life.

Are you ready? she asked as she approached the other Sith. His impression in the Force struck her immediately. To anyone else, the Sith's condition may have gone unnoticed, but with the death of Vyrassu, Andruil was arguably the leading expert in the Order on possession and bodily cohabitation. She had purged one Darth's mind, helped temper another's possession, and studied a great deal beyond that. She sensed the duality of the man without knowing the full extent, but said nothing. It reminded her of Malicia. It reminded her of how the two Darths had grown to know one another. It both piqued her curiosity and did not improve her mood.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas tensed as he sensed movement within the darkness beyond, his hand on his saber, white knuckled he was about to ignite the purple blade when the yellow eyes appeared followed by the silhouette and finally the full figure of Darth Andruil. He let go of the breath he had been unknowingly holding and relaxed, at least he was no longer alone out here. Of course the Darth had not taken his offer to travel with him, he had expected as much but courtesy to someone who could easily tear you limb from limb with a thought was both practical and good manners.

Her dark clothing matched is own, he had forgone the typical Sereenian noble wear he often wore about and settled on a more traditional Sith attire of a thick black tunic. He had expected her to bring the saber, a knife and supplies but it was the bow upon her back which caught his attention. He had never seen such a thing, like all newcomers to the Sith he had heard of the Dathomir invasion and the subsequent take over of the planet and of course the Darth who had come from their ranks. But to see one of their weapons up close was fascinating, perhaps when all was said and done he could perhaps take a closer look and see how it works.

She seemed a little on edge, like she was ready to explode into violent rage at any moment, though after seeing what she did at the ball he was not at all surprised of this. "She cannot be trusted, you should strike whilst you can, before she cuts you down." He had to catch himself from rebutting the voice out loud, the last thing he needed was to sound either rude or insane to the Darth standing in front of him. So he chose to ignore the voice and just address Darth Andruil. "I am mi 'lord." He gave a short bow to her as he answered. Even if she did not expect or like that he did, acknowledgment of rank had been drilled into him since he was old enough to walk, it could not be helped. "From our inital scans the village we are searching for is due south south west of our current location." He pointed off to his left and Andruil's right before continuing. "We have about ten miles to cover before we come across the first what appear to be dwellings, the main village is about a mile further on from there." He turned to begin walking the direction before catching himself and turning back to the Darth. "After you mi 'lord." He said dipping his head.

As they began walking the sound of the 'Wyvern' disappeared as Cydric powering it down, leaving them with only their footsteps and the sounds of the forest.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil had grown accustomed to the introductions and expectations of being a Sith and the title she held within the Sith. Though she seldom pursued those pleasantries unless it was specifically for the purpose of exercising her authority over a resisting party.

Out here, she was back to her roots, and her roots had no preference.

Good, she said as he gave report. Acolytes were a mixed bag. They hadn't been fully tested, and so many may have been inept, but in Andruil's brief experience with them, they had always seemed competent. This one was off to a good start. Saying that Andruil liked him was an overstatement, but he seemed useful at least.

They will likely have hunters patrolling far out from village. We'll need to be alert the entire way in, she said. At least that was how things operated on Dathomir. She had quickly learned that tribal worlds carried with them similar customs despite having no connection. It was simply the result of it being the best technique.

She lifted her hand and spoke words in a different language and a trio of small, green orbs began to float above her and follow her through the forest. It cast eerie green shadows, but at least it gave light that followed them hands free. The dancing lights were one of many "mundane" magick techniques she knew.

Unslinging the bow from her back, she started heading in the direction he had indicated, not fully turning her back to him as she did so. In parallel may not have been the most efficient way to make it through the forest, but it would have to do when you didn't trust your partner.

Are you experienced in the wilds? she asked. It was better to get a gauge for what he did or didn't know before they were probably ambushed or hunted by either native creatures or native sentients. @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas was fascinated by the three glowing orbs that appeared above Darth Andruil's face, slowly lifting up to illuminate the area around them. He had never seen this kind of power before within the Sith, perhaps it was something else, something from her heritage from Dathomir. Perhaps if he had the chance, maybe once this was over he would ask more about this amazing ability, how it worked, how it was learned, was it taught or was it a gift of birth? Many questions and so little time to ask them, he thought as he followed her into the forest.

He felt a little useless now with the small flashlight in his hand, he placed the long cylinder back on his belt and instead continued forward with just his saber in his hands, he kept the blade deactivated. There was no need of it yet and with the uneven slippery ground beneath their feet, the last thing he needed was to slip onto his own blade and decapitate himself.

He allowed the Darth to lead the way, though she seemed to want to keep him in sight, as a defer to her, he moved to her right hand side, this made it so his weapon was furthest from her whilst hers was within easy striking distance. Though he doubted that a fight between them would even resort to lightsabers.

"Unfortunately not mi 'lord. I grew up on Serenno best we had where thick woods." He kept his blue eyes scanning the treeline to his right and their rear, his mask allowed him clear vision through the large eye holes within it. Perhaps when he finally upgraded the thing he should look at getting something to help him in situations like this. "I try not to pry mi 'lord, but may I ask a question? What is your thoughts upon the change within the Sith? We were both at that fateful event on Dromund Kaas, but I have yet not been able to get anyone's thoughts on it above and beyond the rank and file which have no real opinion on anything." He hoped he had not brought up our a sour subject, the last thing he needed was to anger a Darth in the middle of the dark forest.

@Phoenix[/abox]

 

[Renfry]

With bow in hand, she made her way into the woods. They had a large distance to cover, and she knew that they would find enemies in short order. She moved with surprising grace through the undergrowth and forests, stepping lightly to leave as little of a trail as she could. It came as second nature rather than a conscious decision. While she may have been here to hunt, she had a certain amount of respect for the natural balance of a world like this.

Hm, she replied to whether he could ask a question. She wouldn't stop him from asking, but she also may not answer. She was a questioner herself, so she knew that urge and desire to know more.

Whether he knew it or not, Arotrigas asked a very, very dangerous question. For both of them. If Malicia was conspiring against the Eternal - something that wouldn't have surprised Renfry - then there was only one real answer Renfry could give without risking her holdings and title. This Acolyte wasn't someone she knew and she had wisened up about baring her soul to others.

Malicia didn't even stand up for herself when challenged, she said, The strong always consume the weak. It was the same thing that Renfry had done when she overthrew her Clan Mother. At least Mother Irithyll had fought back.

You asked that question either because you were looking for a particular answer or wanted to give your own thoughts. Which is it? she asked, shifting the attention back to him. She wondered to herself if he was some sort of plant to test her loyalty. Unlikely, but certainly possible.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

She was graceful effortlessly so, she hardly made a mark or a noise as she passed through. Unlike Artorigas who was more like a wampa in a speeder store. Where she left no trace he was sure that he would be easily tracked, it not without want of trying, he tried to be quiet and move with ease and grace but it seemed that whatever he did it was a colossal failure in comparison to the Darth. Perhaps secret missions through dense dark jungles were not what he was made for.

He expected a short answer from the Darth but not that short, he expected more but should not have been surprised. You had to be closed and cold to reach the level she was within the Eternal. Artorigas was waiting for her return question it was always going to happen, you could not ask an intimate question such as this and not expect to give your own reply. "To be honest mi 'lord, I was looking to understand you and hopefully the Sith at large better, with that question." He began his eyes still moving back and forth along the edge of their small light bubble as he spoke. "I understand the concept, the Strong rule the weak, Arauk'kesh, is a founding tenant within the Sith, I do. But I also cannot deny that it also weakens us. The removal of Darth Malicia and all those who followed her has only reduced our assets not increased them." He knew he was treading on thin ice here, it was as much as an opportunity for Darth Andruil to remove him from the Sith as it was for her to understand his meaning. "Would it not have been more prudent to imprison Darth Malicia and look to return her and those who follow her to the cause? Rather than outright ruin?"

He tensed and stopped as he thought he saw something in the trees off to both his and Andruil's right. He reached out with The Force hoping to sense what he saw but could find nothing, after a moment he continued on and finished his comments. "With the loss of two Lord's upon Sullust, Darth Raze missing, the removal of another prominent member of the Sith Eternal only signals weakness to those outside looking in. When instead we should be promoting strength to those seeking our ruin." He was frustrated at what he saw as an inherent weakness within the Sith, something that if he had the power he would look to change. Organisation and clear defining roles it what made a Kingdom tick.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil was beginning to grasp that whoever had taught him had done a poor job. Her eyes swept back and forth over the edges of the forest. A creeping feeling pricked at the back of her neck and she understood she was in someone else’s domain here. As comfortable as she was in the wilds, this wasn’t Dathomir. It had its own ecosystem and wildlife. And its own natives who weren’t likely to take kindly to outsiders any more than her Nightsisters.

How long have you been a Sith? Who’s you master? Have they not taught you at all? she asked. They were serious questions. Many Sith were passing through the Order at group academies and their training made them little more than fodder for the war. Others received more traditional training.
Her answer didn’t come too swiftly. A large portion of her focus was on deciphering the rustles in the bushes around.

How many Sith did it take to bring down the Republic? she asked. Sidious virtually alone. Quality is far, far more important than quantity. Sith who can’t stand up for themselves make the average of our order weaker. And not all of Malicia’s assets are lost. 99% will go to Stolas. It’s only the radical cultists - who are therefore of no use to the Order - that are being removed, she explained. Perhaps some Sith wouldn’t have bothered, but Andruil had a tendency to offer people just enough rope to hang themselves. Blind violence seldom helped anyone. If anyone needed to be put in their place it was the Acolyte’s incompetent master.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He knew that old drunken ass, would come up eventually. To be honest when he thought about Andruil's question it was probably pretty embarrassing, no not embarrassing potentially dangerous to answer fully and truthfully. In all intensive purposes he could not call himself true Sith. He had exchanged the limited knowledge and power he received from his master for enough credits for him to waste his life away. Because of it he lacked in most of what he would assume the Darth would consider essential abilities, he could swing a lightsaber well and move things with The Force, but beyond that his power was limited. He had actively chosen not to fall completely to the Dark Side, something his Master either did not notice or did not care for, as such he could not use some of the more devastating abilities the Sith Eternal could harness. Artorigas' eyes were still the clear crystal blue he was born with and he held the healthy complexion many of his comrades had since lost.

His joining of the Sith was less to do with the Dark Side but more the ability and freedom the Sith Eternal gave him. He was a second son, he would have nothing in his life except servitude to his brother but since he met the Sith his opportunities were endless and so now were his goals. "Soonto Fell, mi'lord, he began my training four years ago. Though it was isolated upon Serenno, I had little contact with the wider Order until recently." Artorigas was afraid to divulge much more, be the Darth have serious concerns over his ability and loyalty to the Sith Eternal. "I told you, give in!" "She will kill you if you don't listen to it, Artorigas." Artorigas gritted his teeth, he had hoped they would leave him be today, trouncing through a dark and deadly forest but it seemed not to be the case. In trying to block out the voices inside he missed the beginning of Andruil's comment upon Malicia, having to scramble through his mind to see if he could pick out everything she had said.

They walked in silence for two dozen more places, he was torn, should he continue the subject, it seemed as though she had made her mind up on Arauk'kesh and perhaps even on the Acoylte himself. "Maybe you should tell her more about that useless Fell. Maybe she can teach you." "She call help you give in." Artorigas tensed the rage of these voices inside his head making him grip his saber handle tight, the small metal edges digging into his palms, his finger hovering dangerously close to the ignition switch. "Go on use that rage." "Strike her down, go on do it, she's not even looking. Maybe you can take her seat." The second voice ended with a cackle. "Frak you." Artorigas stupidity said out loud.

'Cock' Artorigas thought to himself, did she hear that. He stopped, looking over at the Darth to see if she was about to turn and strike him down. Then behind her he saw it, the silhouette of man charging through the undergrowth, no not a man a beast. Its mouth was ajar, saliva pouring from his teeth a crazed look in its eyes. The green light from Andruil's magick glinted off something in his hands, Artorigas ignited his saber as he sensed that this one was not alone.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She could sense the tension within him. An inner conflict that was a battle between the parts inside of him. It fascinated her as these things had a tendency to do, but her attention was drawn forcefully outward again.

Soonto Fell. Well, he needed a visit. Or more precisely, he needed something else. You should kill him if you haven't already, she said. Perhaps his spirit was who the man was in conflict with.

Something moved in the shadows, and the glow of the orbs only caught it for a moment. She drew her bow to its full length, the purple string now glowing to create the arrow between string and bow. Her sights took aim, but whatever was there seemed to have vanished again.

Excuse me, she hissed at the Acolyte's final comment, before it burst from the bushes again. She sent a bolt directly into its chest, but the shot seemed to simply dissipate with minimal impact. She was forced to leap aside as it lashed out with its claws.

It was dressed, which implied sentience, but it was acting more like a raving animal. She didn't have time to think about it as she landed a few meters away and the creature whirled toward Artorigas and slashed with the weapon clutched in its hand: a short vibroknife.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Damnit, she heard. Artorigas was going to pay for that later but only if he survived the creature attacking him. If he was honest he was expecting the Darth to handle it so when she leaped aside leaving him in the wake of the creatures attack. He was caught unaware only seeing the vibroblade at the last moment, its blade pointing upwards the creature trying to ram it into his belly. "Let it out." Artorigas didn't have the time nor energy to argue so gave in, the anger and frustration the voices had built up was released.

Flipping the activation switch a bright purple light shot from the hilt of his saber, blocking the vibroblade mere inches from his stomach. The beast snarled at him, salvia drooling down his face. Artorigas jolted his head forward smashing the metallic dome of his mask into the face of the creature, a sickening crack was heard as bone broke beneath metal. It stumbled back a few steps screaming in pain, giving Artorigas some space to move turning in place the Acoylte landing a spinning hook kick to the creatures chest pushing him back even further.

Reaching out with a hand, he felt the Force flow up through a burning sensation filling every bone, muscle and fibre of his body, his blue eyes had disappeared as he gripped hold of the beasts neck, lifting it from the ground. It reached up clawing at its bare neck in a desperate attempt to get free. Pointing his blade towards the floating creature, he flicked his hand towards himself and the beast shot towards him, skewing itself on the outheld blade. It let out a blood curdling cry as died, Artorigas disengaged his blade and the creature fell to the floor, it gave a muffled bump as it folded onto the moss covered ground and lent up against the Acoylte.

The weight upon his legs grabbed his attention, looking down at the dead body Arotrigas seemed to snap out of whatever daze he was in. His vision cleared as his eyes seemed to turn back to their natural blue. He looked up at the Darth a mixed look of confusion, fear and pride upon his face, then he heard it. What sounded like a thousand cries identical to the beast at his feet, echoed through the trees, the creature and they were not alone.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Artorigas had managed to kill the creature, but Renfry didn't actually stop to see it. She had slung her bow over her shoulder and leapt upward to land in the low branches of one of the trees. The lights had remained behind near the Acolyte.

Look, it wasn't that she was using him as bait, she was just letting him... lure the enemy in. Another two came from the sides and she gripped them in the Shadow. Green surrounded them and a faint green was around her hands as well as she grabbed them by the heads and snapped the heads.

Up here or die, she said. The lizard people might have more trouble climbing, but he hopefully knew how to use the Force to gain the high ground. If not, he might find a quick and unpleasant end.

More of the barabel hunters began to appear below, mostly melee weapons in hand. It was odd to find them here. This wasn't their native world. Were they hunting something? Brought here as forced labor by the cult? Random chance? She didn't know and there was no time to find out. They were outnumbered and a primal fear began to seize her. The need for survival that she was so well acquainted with.

She began to move through the trees, glancing back to see if the Acolyte had actually made it up here with her. She landed on another large tree branch nearby, barely able to make it out in the darkness. The sounds of their pursuers were still below. @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Darth Andruil had disappeared. "I told you, she has left you to die. You should have taken your chance." "How did it feel? Good right?" His lightsaber readied Artorigas ignored the voices in his head and turned to spot the next two Barabel's charging towards him, raising the blade into a guard he stopped as the two were caught by an eerie glowing green light. Andruil's voice then appeared from the tree above him, the lights still floating around his head gave him just enough light to see her silhouette within the branches.

Damn, he still wasn't great at this stuff yet. Pulling The Force into himself he deactivated his blade before launching himself up into the trees as two more of the creatures charged out of the undergrowth. His landing wasn't graceful, more falling into the tree trunk than balancing on the branch itself, but he was up here and safe for now. He didn't have much chance to catch his breath however as he spotted the Darth begin to dart between the trees.

Gritting his teeth he followed, like most things today she made it look easy and by the time he had caught up to her, sitting on a branch on the other side of the tree to the Darth he was breathing heavily. "Do you think they are part of the Village's defences?" He asked between breaths. "They seemed savage, unhinged." Looking up he caught a glimpse of stars between the swaying tree canopy. "If they are feral, perhaps we can lead them to the village? Use them as fodder?" Artorigas continued his mind finally catching up with his body.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Trial by fire was the way of the Sith. He would either learn on the fly how to do these things or he would die. Andruil didn’t want him to die, but if he did she wouldn’t shed any tears. Her own survival was far more important to her not only for the sake of survival but for what her survival represented to others. Her people.

His landings weren’t exactly graceful, but he was keeping up, which was to his credit.

“It seems possible,” she said. If they were guardians for the village then things would become far more chaotic. We’re they infected with something? A virus? AMS? A custom made infection or alteration? Alchemy? Did Malicia have her people here experimenting with old Sith science? Too many questions and not enough answers.

“They could be infected with something. We need to capture one to find out exactly what we’re dealing with,” she said. They shouldn’t have been out here, and that bothered her. She’s learned long ago that things that weren’t part of the natural ecosystem weren’t a good sign.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The cries from the seemingly rabid beasts were coming from all angles as they searched for the two Sith. He looked over at Darth Andruil when she mentioned an infection, he knew little about AMS only the holo-stories which had circulated around Serenno when it all began. Maybe the helmet was a good thing, it might protect him from the infection, wasn't that what the news readers said?

Now capturing them might be hard and they didn't seem to like to keep still. Another dashed passed their tree, its nostrils flared its breathing quick and harsh as he disappeared into the darkness ahead of them. Trying to think on his own instead of waiting for command from the Darth he looked around he had nothing to properly bind one of these creatures. "Let me try." Artorigas shook his head to clear the voice from his head, he thought on it, the voice had the right idea at least.

Unclipping the flashlight from his belt, he waited until he heard one of the creatures nearby and let fly. The metallic cylinder crashed into a tree opposite them, the Barabel came rushing into the clearing beneath them. Closing his eyes and reaching out with The Force he gripped the creature around the neck. "Yes good, give in." "Frak you." He replied with gritted teeth and with effort lifted the creature up off the ground. The tree opposite had a rather large branch, easy enough for the pair of them to stand on. Forcing the creature back with a crunch against the trunk. Artorigas motioned the Darth forward with his head, all his concentration going into holding the creature still, its windpipe closed just enough for him to breath but not let out a cry of help.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil watched him reach out, cursing once again but not at her. A the lizard? Or someone else? She closed her eyes a moment, her eyes blazing like green fire when they opened again to peer at him. Her second sight worked far better on Dathomir where the Spirits were thick, but she got a good enough impression of what she was looking for.

The Acolyte was not alone. Whatever clung to him clung with great zeal. It was them that he spoke to, wasn’t it?

She didn’t have extra time to think about it now as the Acolyte held the enemy by the throat. She leapt over with the help of the Shadow, landing on the other side of the creature and stabilizing its thrashing with a dose of her own power as well.

She moved down closer and then reached out a hand toward the creature to touch it through the Shadow. She had obtained a holocron on Sith Alchemy from Korriban and had familiarized herself with it. Like a doctor diagnosing she let the Force from the creature flow through her to gain a better understanding of what was going on.

And then she understood. They were corrupted by the Force, their minds ravaged and torn apart until it was purely beastial. Perhaps their bodies had been enhanced as well.

She pulled her hunting knife free and plunged it through the creatures neck, though she had to use the Shadow to amplify the attack to get it through the creature’s hide. She guess that had something to do with the “enhancements” as well.

“They’ve been altered,” she confirmed. “I doubt the cult fully controls them. Perhaps they’re here to just kill anyone coming in or maybe you’re right and we could lead some of them back to the village,” she agreed. It was worth a shot at least.

“We’ll have to move quickly if we want to stay ahead of them,” she warned.

“And who are they? Can you control them?” she asked, looking directly at him and offering no explanation about she what meant. He would know.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He watched her leap over effortless and seemingly diagnose the beasts aliments within moments, the green mist which signalled her secret power appear around her body, then a hunting knife was plunged into the creatures neck. As the life bled out of it Artorigas let the body fall down onto the branch, the creature straddling it keeping it from falling into the brsh beneath. She confirmed that the creatures were somehow different than their standard cousins, altered as she said. That gave him some comfort, having this at least be purposeful was much less scarier than a natural occurrence. He was also pleased that she agreed to his idea of leading the beasts to the village, at least something between his ears seemed to work.

Artorigas was about to move when she asked her final question, it caught him by surprise which made him wobble slightly on the branch he stood on. So she definitely had heard its comments earlier, at least from Andruil's initial question she did not think he was crazy. "She knows, I told you to strike earlier. Now she may kill us both." Artorigas gritted his teeth not at Andruil but at the voice inside. "Distract her, then go, maybe we can out run her. Or the beasts will catch her?" The voice became fearful, it was the first time he had heard it sound anything but obnoxious or evil.

Raising his head up to Andruil he looked directly back at her, Artorigas wasn't sure exactly what she meant about they? If he guessed right on what she asked there was only one. "His name is Lord Andros mi 'lord. He was a Sith Lord from the Old Empire." "Don't she may seek out my power, I cannot control her." "And you won't control me." He grumbled to himself. "He attempted to take my body when I ventured into his tomb. However I resisted, but not well enough it seems. He has resided here ever since." He tapped the side of his head as he continued. "I have control over my body I can assure you of that. I will kill myself before I give in. I have too much to do, to fall to such a being." "I would like to see you try boy." The anger was back it seemed.

He took a deep breath, it was releasing to talk about it, but he was still concerned the Darth may see this as a sign of weakness and dispose of him. "Maybe I can help with that." Artorigas ignored it but still gripped his lightsaber hilt tight just encase.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

A singular being, then? Interesting. And a Sith Lord at that. Or perhaps someone simply posing? No that was unlikely. Spirits capable of manifesting after death were seldom products of weakness.

She was silent for a moment as she thought. She had exorcised people before, but for a price. She doubted he had anything to offer her at the moment and now wasn’t the time to address it anyway. The rituals were complicated and time consuming.

What she did need to be sure of was the fact that he wasn’t going to lose control during the mission. She studied him for a long moment. They were still both difficult to make out but her eyes and their naturally yellow color seemed to catch an irregular amount of light.

“Possession can cut both ways. A path to power and completely devastating if you lapse for even a moment,” she said. Perhaps he’d already figured that out, but it was the only real tip she offered him on the topic.

“We should move then. Start drawing the lizard-men in toward the town,” she said. A fire would do it, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to suggest it just yet. She respected nature too much for that to be the first line.

“Any ideas that aren’t burning down the first to force the lizards toward the village?” she asked. They should be close to the village by her estimate. “We should get eyes on first.”

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

"They seem to respond to sound rather well." He answered pointing down at where he had thrown the flashlight moments ago. "I would assume there is some reason they haven't already attacked the village, be it the village defending itself, or if this altered state blinds them to the village I am not sure. I would say then that we may need to gather them at another location first and draw them in from their instead of straight from the village itself." He looked over at the dead creature behind the Darth still perched on the branch, they could be a good start, but she was right they needed eyes on.

"I guess we stick to the trees." He said more to himself than the Darth, before pushing himself off, The Force flowing through him onto the next tree, moving closer to the village. Artorigas still wasn't graceful in the slightest, he had to pause once or twice because the only way he could see to land was to hug the tree at the other end of the jump, his chest getting rather sore from the multitude of impacts. They made ok progress, the cries from the beasts were still around but they seemed to quieten slightly as they neared their destination.

The village itself was within a clearing, Artorigas stopped about three trees back from the edge, from the elevated spot he could get a good overview and outline of their target. He dared not get any closer encase of being seen, he expected the Darth would be able to sneak up into their backyard considering the skills he had already seen on show but he was not risking it. The village, if it could be called that was around two dozen mud and wood huts, towards the centre their was a clearing with a large fire. Shapes moving from side to side could be seen around the fire itself, maybe three or four Idols were imbedded into the ground on one side. From the amount of huts, guessing an occupancy of three to four, perhaps three quarters of the town seemed to be around the fire, doing whatever they seemed to be going. As Artorigas looked closer at the fire and the moving shapes, he got a tingling feeling over his body. "That does not look good." "No Sh.."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil was hot on the Acolyte’s tail as they moved closer to the village. Drawing the creatures with sound seemed a good plan, and evaluating their enemy would let them act with much greater ease.

She came to a stop one branch above the Acolyte as they looked down at the village. Small torches lit the mud huts gathered around the central fire and it gave them a fairly good view of things.

Her eyes scanned slowly over the area and the periphery of the village. Surely there was a reason the lizard folk had not attacked. She knew all too well the power that a small, seemingly benign village could secretly wield.

That was when she spotted it. It was very difficult to see in the dim light, but shapes were etched into rocks around the perimeter of the village. They looked like runes of warding and she swung down to the branch with the Sith below.

“You see those stones,” she said, motioning to the marked stone. “I suspect those keep the creatures out. If we break those down they should be able to gain access to the village to overwhelm it.” How many there were was difficult to say. Eight? Ten? She wasn’t sure.

@Braden Drake