When Zealots Falter

[Raydo]

Naboo - Late Afternoon​

Silas spun, his lightsaber whirling through the air to block on of the cultists strikes. He had been tracking this group for sometime, finally catching up to them outside a small town on Naboo. They must have figured out he was on their tail as they had laid a trap for him, and Silas had walked right into it.

He was now outnumbered 8-to-1, with no real way to escape. The young Jedi Knight ducked another attack meant to take his head and severed both of the legs of one of the cultist. He turned to intercept another attack, sliding his blade along his enemies, until he plunged the blade into the cultist stomach. As he pulled the blade free, a hot searing pain shot from his leg. He spun to find the legless cultist had pulled out a wicked knife, gleaming with some type of liquid had cut him along his lower leg.

With a howl of pain, he swung the sword down, ending the cultist life. He took a step back as the remaining six cultist approached him wearily, smiles growing on their faces. The pain from the cut did not fade like normal minor cut should have. It burned with the same intensity that it did when he first received it.

Silas found himself with his back against a large stone, leg beginning to feel sluggish. He braced himself for their final attack.

 

[Lyanna Vahlaar]

The blade which was swung towards the head of the young man was of dark amber, reminding of the honey bees collected from conifer forrests. The blade that blocked the savage blow was of sombre green, and it was wielded by a woman in armor which plates shone in the colour of midnight. She wasn't fully covered in armor however, only her chest and lower arms were protected by the black metal. Other than that greyish linen and leather boots completed her ensemble.
The attacker seemed surprised by the sudden emergence of an unexpected addiotional opponent. Lyanna caught the eye of her counterpart while their blades were crossed. Green, enlightend by astonishement, met her. She did not say a single word. Her breath would have been wasted on them.
A fight flared up, and the one she had met eyes with was not her only opponent. She fought three at a time, igniting her second saber mid-fight, and trying to gain the advantage wherever she could. Luckily she wasn't alone. Leyla backed her up within seconds, the sisters quickly becoming a hurricane of green and lavender as they were wielding their weapons. After several minutes the last of the false servants of the force was slain. Lyannas chest rose and sank deeply. Tiny pearls of sweat dusted her forehead. An aggressive fighting style as hers had some advantages, being dealt quickly with the enemy was one of them. However if the fight would have gone on for much longer her stamina would have caused her to retreat.
Her blades danced two full circles and their hiss echoed in the silence before she equipped the hilts back to her belt in a quick move.
She didn't even look at the wounded young man whose life she had just saved. Rather did she kneel next to one of the slain men. She picked something from his ringfinger, before raising. It was her sister, kind-hearted how she was, that approached the Jedi. And a Jedi he was, Lyanna suggessted.
When her blue orbs finally met the young man, he was already on the ground, his back leaning on the rock and his hands inspecting the grievous wound he had suffered by one of the attackers. Lyanna found the blade he had been attacked with lying in the grass. Carefully she picked it up by the handle. The silverly blade glistend with some transparent liquidy with a subtle shade of green to it. The smell of angels tears clang to the blade. A beautiful flower with bright pink blossoms, acting the innocent with malice. Not Lyannas favourite poison, but efficient nontheless.
Leyla knelt beside the wounded fighter, and even though Lyanna couldn't hear what she was whispering, she told her "Leave him. They are not our concern anymore" She could see Leyla's brows furling "Please Lya, he's wounded and the blade must have been poisoned"
"It was. Angels tears" Lyanna continued, as if the young man wasn't even there to listen.
Leyla gapsed for air "Oh no!We must help him. We can't just leave him here!" she insisted.
The silence that followed was louder than a scream could have ever been.
"Please..." Leyla had a way of asking in such a heart-wrenching way, how could Lyanna decline? The older sister sighed and finally approached the couple on the ground. The stranger's face had dangerously paled within the last couple of minutes. He seemed troubled to speak, which was to expect from this kind of poison. Lyanna opend her pocket and her fingers fished a dried berry from within. It must have been of deep blue when it had been fresh, now it was as good as black.
Crudly Lyanna grab his jaw and forced him to open his mouth so it would hang ajar. "Swallow!" she demanded and forcefully closed the sparks mouth after she had dropped the berry into it. "Swallow" she said again when she witnessed how he was having trouble to get the berry down his troat.
Leyla regarded her sternly "Just give him a moment! His thorat is most likly swollen already! You would have been a terrible nurse" she scolded her.
Lyanna rose an eyerbow over that comment. Well, not everyone could be as soft and caring as Leyla. She could see the younger one gently petting the strangers arm and whispering reassuring words close to his face. The berry would not immediately cure him, but it would save his life. For now.
"You are a Jedi....are you not?" she asked, her voice calm and cool.

 

[Raydo]

He stood, back against the large boulder behind him when his vision began to blur slightly. Within seconds his leg went numb, causing him to lean against the wall of stone to avoid falling outright.

The lead cultist give the Jedi a wicked grin, eyes filled with the lust for blood. Silas weakly held up is blade in defense of an attack that would never came. Two woman came into his blurred perception. It was not an easy victory, but they dealt with the remaining six cultist. As the last one fell, Silas' back slid down the wall as he dropped to the grass below. It became increasingly difficult to breathe.

He was vaguely aware of the young woman beside him, whispering something to him. He had a hard time making out the words. The older of the two replied in a harsh tone before finally kneeling down and forcing some type of berry into Silas' mouth. It tasted vile, his body screaming to spit it out but the woman forced his mouth the chew. She repeated the process and took a step back from him.

While his breath was still shallow, he could feel the pressure slowly start to ease on his body as he regained some feeling in his extremities.

"I am..." he choked out quietly. "You saved me.." he added still somewhat dazed from the toxins. "Thank you." he said leaning his head back against the stone as his eyes became heavy.

"My name is Silas." he said forcing his eyes open. He had to get up. This was only a smaller part of the whole group he had been tracking. It would be dark soon and camping out here so close to the cultist did not sound appealing.

He forced himself to stand on shaky legs, using the boulder for balance. "What were those berries?" he asked, bitter taste still lingering in his mouth.

 

[Lyanna Vahlaar]

Lyanna could see how Leyla observed his recovery process with a keen eye. When he tried to get back on his legs, the young girl supported him and the way her cheeks coloured themselves in the shade of fresh cherries wasn't for Lyannas liking. She clearly enjoyed this way too much.
Now while he was standing, even though Lyanna doubted he would be able to do so for much longer as her antidote had its very own side effects, the older Vahlaar regareded him. He was young. Younger than her for sure, maybe just slightly older than her sister, who counted seventeen summers.
The line of his jaw was of rather soft brushstroke of the creator above, if there should be one. He was clean-shaven, which furhtermore pronounced his youth. A long,sharp and straight nose, narrow lips and eyes as clear and blue as mountain crystals defined his face. Streaks of dark brown hair stuck to his forehead, which was bathed by sweat. Another side-effect.
"Don't thank me" Lyanna responded reservedely "Thank her" she nooded towards her sister. Said one was already quite distracted by a pair of pretty, blue eyes. Children....
When he asked about the berries she simply replied "Antidote". She wasn't a woman of too many words as long as she didn't know her counterpart too well, hm?
Leyla's gaze was still darkenend by concern yet when he introduced himself she nodded and smiled sweetly "Silas, this is my sister, Lyanna, and I'm Leyla."
"We need to clear out of here.." Lyanna demanded, as she wasn't certain if there would be more of those lunatics around. What she had wanted, she had obtained.
Leyla was still supporting the young man named Silas "We need to take you with us Silas. We do own a house not that far away. You can be my guest! You can rest there and recover from the poision. It might won't kill you, but believe me, it is a dangerous thing to ignore Angel's tears in your blood.. "
"Leyla.." Lyanna scolded, but the younger sister had nothing of it. So Lyanna sighed and her eyes met the ones of the brunette. The Vahlaar had always been rather introverted. Leyla however seemed to have nothing of said trait.
"Fine...but our guest hasn't even confirmed he wants our hospatility. I can harldy let you bring him against his own will."
Now she regarded Silas, as in curiousity of his reaction.

 

[Raydo]

He didn't need the Force to see the distaste the older woman had for him. He offered a weak smile to the younger woman as she introduced both of them and offered him a place to stay.

He noticed the older of the two tense up at the offer and begin to protest. The two seemed to have a full discussion on his fate without saying a word. Silas eyed both of them, only feeling a small amount of awkwardness before the older of the two gave in.

"That is a kind offer Leyla, but you both of done plenty for me. I couldn't impose further. I will be alright, I should be able to get far enough away from the area and set up camp before the sun fully sets." he said pushing himself fully upright. He took a few steps before falling forward, only just catching himself on a tree. His head swam with dizziness. Leyla was once again at his side in an instant as Silas lowered himself down onto the forest floor again. "I'm fine." he stated.

Leyla then insisted again they he join them for the night. The Jedi Knight looked up at Lyanna briefly before quietly adding "I will pay for lodging." he said. With that, it was settled. Silas took a wooden staff that one of the cultist had been carrying and leaned on it as they moved away from the battle scene. He let the two woman lead the way. "You obviously aren't Sith, have either of you trained with the Jedi? That was some swordsmanship back there." he said trying to make some conversation as the sky darkened further.

Silas had to stop several more times throughout the short walk, as he was overcome with dizziness. If he could meditate, he was sure he could wipe the rest of the toxins from his body if he was given enough time. He was slightly concerned about trusting these two. The younger one seemed nice enough, if not a little too nice, but the older one gave him the chills every time she looked his direction.

 

[Lyanna Vahlaar]

Lyannas critical eye followed the young man, and she knew his legs would deny service before he as much as stumbled. Leyla was seemingly suffering as well, as the object of her rescue operation declined their offer.
However when his body didn't quite obey his commands, he was smart enough to change his mind. "It won't be necessary. You'll be our guest" Lyanna stated matter-of-factly , yet there was no warmth in her voice. Her sister was clearly not in favour of this reserved attitude, as a scolding gaze met Lyanna. She ignored the whim of her sister, and when the young man that had introduced himself as Silas tried to enable a conversation, Lyanna brushed him off with a short and stern response:"We can talk when you are fully recovered. But be certain we are no servants of the dark side" finally Lyanna managed to grant him a smile. It was a subtle gesture, with only the left corner of her mouth rising, yet it managed to bring life into her statuesque visage.
So they left the scene of the battle, and cleared off to the Vahlaar estate. When they arrived the young Jedi had a hard time keeping his eyes open. She knew some reacted to the antidote like this, however for him the reaction was quite strong. The sisters helped him into a guest chamber, and left him to rest.
Sleep would serve him well...

The evening and the night passed by without any noteworthy occurences, much to Lyannas relief. On the next morning Lyanna was to be found in the large dining room which was also equipped with a terrace. A fine ceiling of glass and ornaments of silvery metal granted the somewhat smaller section a sophisticated look.
A table of precious, reddish wood stood in the middle of the terrace, with chairs for at least ten guests. The eye could spot various delicacies, white bread with a crispy crust and a soft inside, bantha-butter enriched with all kind of herbs, a variety of meat and cheese, grapes, storm-figs and a a bowl filled with berries of all colours.
When Silas entered the terrace, Lyanna rose from her chair and went around the table as to be a dignified host, and then accompanied him to the table. She was dressed in dark grey linnen, the fabric adorned with rich embroidery showing the sigil of her clan. White and silver branches trailed alongside of her flanks.
She smiled and seemed pleased "The poison seems to be completely out of your system by now" there was the echo of relief in her voice, even though it was a far distant one. In an inviting gesture she rose her hand and offered him to join her enjoying this meal "Come. You must be hungry"

 

[Raydo]

Silas become more and more drowsy as they continued walking. By the time they were reached the estate it was all Silas could manage to take another step. He had collapsed into sleep before the two woman had cleared out of the guest bedroom.

Silas awoke out of the dreamless sleep suddenly. He blinked his eyes trying to remember where he was. The memories of the day prior began to filter in slowly as several birds chirped from the window as sun poured in.

The Jedi Knight sat up, cut on the back of leg stinging as it slid across the mattress. He slowly removed the bandage, revealing the swollen wound. While he could no longer feel the poison in his blood, the wound would take time to heal. He reached for the small pack he had been carrying which had been left beside the bed. He cleaned the wound and applied another bandage before standing, only slightly favoring his other leg.

He stepped into the large dining room. He wore a simple dark brown tunic and tan trousers, his light saber hanging from a belt. He smiled and gave a slight bow of his head in greeting as Lyanna spoke. "Thanks to you and your sisters kindness." he replied as he took a seat at the table. "Quite the home you have here." he said looking around the large dinning hall before putting several pieces of the fruit from the table on his plate.