The Birth Of Acceptance

 

 Chapter 7

By Sienn (2002)

 

Rating (for chapter):  PG-13

Protagonists: Luke/Mara

Category: Action/Angst/Drama

 

Series: Part III of "Soul's Trial" Trilogy

 

Time Frame: 26 A.Y. (immediately after "Soul's Trial II: Healing")

 

Spoilers:

See Chapter 1

 

Disclaimer:

See Chapter 1

 

 

Yuuzhan Vong Craft Moota, Edge Of The Coruscant System, Same Day

Silence hung heavy over the small chamber Mezhan Kwaad called her home. She had lived on many worldships during the last years - too many as that she could even try to count them. But home had never been any worldship. Not even the worldship of domain Kwaad, which had not passed over into this galaxy yet.

She had spent her childhood on this worldship. Had studied her craft on this worldship. Had fallen in love on this worldship and had been disappointed on this worldship. Yet, no emotional ties connected her to it. No hate, no longing to be back. She didn't even wonder where it was and how her father was. Meanwhile he would be nearing the end of his long life.

Already in her early years as a Shaper Adept, some of her colleagues had uttered the assumption Mezhan Kwaad didn't have feelings. But they were wrong. Love, friendship, compassion, fear... these were emotions foreign to her. But elation, longing, triumph and hate - those were very present within her mind.

Unlike many beings she knew that had similar attitudes to life and other people, Mezhan Kwaad was well aware that she could not blame any outside event for her state of mind. She couldn't remember a time at which she had felt or thought differently.

Already in her teens, she mused, had she felt that the Supreme Overlord underestimated the Shaper caste and its potential. Even then, she had held nothing but contempt for the Warrior caste and had considered them stupid, blood-lusty individuals. They didn't deserve to stand this high in the Yuuzhan Vong hierarchy. No matter how many infidels they had slaughtered, how many worlds they had conquered. The really important work was left to the Shapers.

If not for them, their people wouldn't have been able to survive the long generations of wandering between the stars. If not for them, there would be no way to alter planets so that they could provide nutrition and shelter - a home to the people she called her own. And yet, in matters of government, her caste had no say.

Supreme Overlord Shimrra consulted Warriors. No matter what question, Warmaster Tsavong Lah and many of his caste were those who were asked their opinion when a crisis arose, when decisions had to be made. Even the Priests - of some of the gods and goddesses - were asked occasionally. Yet the Shapers ---- they were considered mere animal carers.

Their inventions practical, but of no importance. Those who ruled long enough had committed this mistake. SHE would change that. She would make Shimrra see that the Warrior caste belonged at the bottom of the hierarchy. The Shapers were the genius, the brain, in the Yuuzhan Vong society. No one else.

SHE would make the embarrassment of minor work stop. She would take care that never again any Shaper would suffer mockery from the likes of Tsavong Lah and his Warriors.

Hurt. Another emotion she was quite capable of feeling. It had eaten itself deep into her heart. She had been mocked more than one time by Warriors of her own domain for being nothing more than a Shaper.

Yet, her hate, her evil, was no result of these insults. Not even her wish to better the position of the Shapers within her people's society was the reason for her to be as she was. Sometimes, even she herself was surprised that someone like her could be born, could survive, and could grow to what she was. And though some would say it was impossible, she was the living prove that it indeed had been allowed to happen. Perhaps only once, but it had been allowed.

Mezhan Kwaad didn't think it to be arrogant to consider herself someone special. She was quite sure that her intellect surpassed those of even the greatest Master Shapers. She had no doubt that she rightfully belonged at the head of the caste and that even Supreme Overlord Shimrra should be very attentive when around her.

Her schemes usually worked. If she held all strings in her own hands. After the disaster with Elan, she had vowed to never give anyone else control over even the simplest of steps of her plans. No one. Not even her own apprentice.

If she had monitored the Priestess closer, taken her more seriously, she would have been able to prevent her stupid foolishness from spoiling all her plans. She had lost more than she had admitted to anyone.

Nen Yim probably had some suspicions, but she was too inexperienced to really understand what could have happened. But she, Mezhan Kwaad, knew it. She knew what she had lost. And because of this, she hated Luke Skywalker even more.

And yet, she did by no means plan to kill him. No. She would torture him long - as long as he could endure it - for denying her what would have rightfully belonged to her. Elan was dead. She could not exact revenge on the Priestess. The Gods knew that she would have enjoyed seeing the girl writhing on some of her more innovative torturing tools. She would have deserved it.

Feelings towards an infidel - this was a heresy even Mezhan Kwaad, who disgusted most laws, could not tolerate. And of course even less if this particular infidel should have been hers in the first place.

Everything could be hers by now. If she had just been able to finish the protocol, this infidel galaxy could lie at her feet. Lah would have been disgraced. The Supreme Overlord would have seen that SHE and her caste were what he had to rely on. Now, the way to success was much more difficult.

Of course she WOULD succeed. Sooner or later. The first steps had already been made. But if not for Skywalker, she would have long been done with it all.

Clenching her fists, she exhaled slowly and allowed herself a smile. She would get back to him. These thoughts of dark hate that assaulted her whenever she was alone in her little ship didn't but spur her on.

She didn't allow herself despair. Why should she anyway? Her plans were developing just fine. And Skywalker... everything did go as planned.

Opening her eyes, taking in the star-sprinkled space in front of the small viewport, her smile broadened. Step by step, everything unfolded as she had planned. Step by step, Skywalker was more ensnared in her web. Step by step, she would destroy him and be satisfied to see another foe gone and an ally arise.

Noting the soft change in the chamber's air, she straightened fully and softly commanded: "Come in."

Graceful steps could be heard and a mere second later, Nen Yim lowered herself in front of her Master, assuming the same, meditative position Kwaad held at the moment.

"Did you do what I demanded?" the Master Shaper asked, green eyes now trained on the young face before her.

A short flicker of annoyance flashed in Yim's eyes, but she caught herself quickly.

"Of course I did, Master. The present has been delivered to Skywalker."

"Excellent." Kwaad closed her eyes again, ready to indulge in some plans of what she would do with this galaxy once it was hers to command - at least partially. There was a lot of potential here - many things to study, to experiment on.

Nen Yim cleared her throat, bringing herself once more to the attention of her instructor. Dismayed, Mezhan popped one eye open and stared at her. "What?"

"Master, I…"

"Don't 'Master" me." She huffed, rising and stretching softly. Shaking her head, she glowered at the younger woman.

"You wouldn't even take the clue to leave if I stuffed it into your brain with my own hands."

"I'm sorry, Master." Nen Yim bowed deferentially, her cheeks paler than usual. She was REALLY sorry. The better.

"Well, what is it you want to know?"

The girl's head snapped high immediately and a faint glimmer of a smile played around her lips. Though her features were mostly governed by startledness and impatience. Upon seeing this, Mezhan thought to be able to guess what she wanted.

"Master, you know I respect you. More than anyone else. But I don't understand what we're doing. WHY we're doing it. Why did you send an amphistaff to Skywalker? Why did we vanquish Direen?" The words practically blurted out of the young girl's mouth and it took her Master all her self-control to not roll her eyes.

That was why she had never wanted to take on an apprentice. The annoying questions were a lot to put up with if you were a solitary worker and had always been.

"It all belongs to my plan, Yim. In fact, to both of my plans."

"Both?" the girl echoed, furrowing her forehead.

Kwaad allowed herself an exasperated sigh: "Yes, both. My plan for our caste to rise in the hierarchy. My plan to destroy Skywalker."

"But why do you want to destroy him? I don't understand why you bother with him. We could do so much more than sitting around and watching him. Even sending him presents." Now it was Nen Yim's turn to sound exasperated.

"We don't waste our time here, apprentice. I will see Skywalker destroyed. He has defied me. He should have been mine, should have been my way to the top and he dared spoil my plan. Whether he was aware of it or not does not matter for me. I will see him destroyed. Period."

"And you're planning to kill him by sending him presents." The mockery in this young voice was evident and before Mezhan could restrain herself, she had backhanded the other viciously.

Shocked, the girl took some steps backward and stared at her.

The green eyes of the Master Shaper were narrowed to slits as she softly, threateningly, declared: "Never - and I mean NEVER - speak to me like this again. You are not to question my orders. Much less to ridicule or doubt my way of doing things. Understood?"

Timidly, Nen nodded, her eyes huge, her hands trembling with the effort not to touch her burning cheek. Good, she tried to control herself.

"Direen died to show Lah there is an opposition. He will seek for a vast network. He will seek for traitors. He will become suspicious of many innocent kinsmen and -women. But he will never suspect I'm behind it. Because he thinks I'm dead."

Pausing shortly, she clasped her hands together at the small of her back and stared once again out into space.

"Our further steps against Lah will become clear once it is clear what Skywalker is going to do."

For the second time during the conversation, Yim frowned: "You mean, once he is dead."

A cruel smirk played around Kwaad's lips: "There are other ways to destroy someone, Nen Yim. Much more effective ways. Aside from this, he wouldn't be of any use to me if he were dead. You should have grasped this meanwhile."

"I'm sorry to say that I'm not grasping why he should be of ANY use to us, Master." The young woman huffed, trying desperately to conquer her anger about being treated like this.

Green, evil eyes focused on her and although she was used to them by now, a shiver ran down her spine. This was an expression that was reserved for no one but Skywalker. It had been there whenever she had talked about him. When other things preoccupied Mezhan Kwaad, this look did never appear. It made her look like a hunting beast. Like someone who was torturing and did enjoy it immensely. It was a look that made Nen Yim question the wisdom of her decision to join the Master Shaper.

At the same time, though, she was aware that this very same gaze, this aura, this personality of Mezhan Kwaad, was addictive. She wanted to be with her, to learn from her. Even if it meant placing herself in deadly danger. A danger that might not only come from her people to whom she was an outcast now.

"Luke Skywalker is Liin Kwaad, Nen Yim. He is trying to deny it to himself. He is trying to rid himself of this personality. But he can't. And despite of everything he knows - or, rather, he thinks to know - despite of everything that he has figured out of Elan's objectives, he does not know the truth yet."

Turning back to the viewport, she stated in a normal enough voice: "And the truth is that I created Liin Kwaad. Not as a familiar. I created him to be mine. I've lost him to Skywalker. But a part of him is STILL mine."

She cackled lowly.

"My scheme will make him yield to my orders. I will get what I wanted from the beginning. I will win. And I like to win."

For a few minutes, Nen Yim considered these words, while her Master looked out into space, into the direction she knew Coruscant to be.

"But he doesn't know that you're alive." The apprentice stated finally, having thought through everything and finding herself staggering over this very fact.

Once again, the cruel smile returned: "He doesn't know. But he begins to suspect."

 

Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, Coruscant Orbit, Same Time

"This is startling information, Jeedai Skywalker. Are you aware of what you are saying?"

Warmaster Tsavong Lah regarded him out of an impressive, huge chair. Unlike all the other times Luke had attended conferences with him, this very meeting was held in Tsavong Lah's office. And if it was possible for a Yuuzhan Vong, Tsavong Lah looked positively worried.

Luke bowed humbly in front of him, folding his hands on his stomach.

"I have merely told you what I have experienced while I was on the Direen, Warmaster. I trust you will know that you can count on my word. I would have no reason to lie to you."

The Yuuzhan Vong Commander didn't answer him and continued pinning him with rage filled eyes. Only experience gathered in long years assured the Jedi Master that this rage was not directed at him. Indeed a very reassuring thought. It gave reason to hope that Tsavong Lah would NOT think that the New Republic was sabotaging the peace treaty.

Leia was staring into empty air, her face emotionless. But her Force presence was boiling. Luke could practically taste her anxiousness. This was an unexpected turn and one for the worse.

He hadn't had the possibility to talk to his sister yet. When he had stepped into the room, he had immediately caught on her urge to run into his arms. Of course, when Mara had felt the danger he had faced on Direen, Leia would have felt it, too.

Fortunately, Luke had not had to soothe her too much. He had felt her keen eyes mustering him from head to toe and the brush of her soul upon his. She had been at least partially satisfied, for she had not tried to make mental contact to him ever since.

Mara and Han were reviewing the recordings of the Sernpidal flagship, comparing it to the ones the Yuuzhan Vong warships present in the system could provide.

That left only two more people into the room, both Yuuzhan Vong.

All through the meeting, he had felt the eyes of Miiram Shimrra on him. Though she was not the first Yuuzhan Vong woman he saw, her looks thoroughly differed from those of Elan and Kwaad. Where both of them had been lean and slender, but obviously not trained, Miiram emitted quite the same aura as Mara - compiled, controlled, deadly power.

He had been informed that she didn't belong to the Warrior caste. She was the closest thing to a princess the Yuuzhan Vong society had. Nonetheless, she was trained in the arts of combat. Her dark eyes displayed intelligence, attentiveness and doubt about any fact she was presented with. She had greeted him with a small smile and nodded to him, not bothering to hide that she was assessing him from head to toe much as his sister had done. But in another way.

One that made Luke feel uncomfortable. He had actually feared to have blushed when Miiram had thrown Mara a broad grin and had said a couple of words to her betrothed, Khalee Lah, the Warmaster's son, that had the boy glowering first at his fiancée and then at Luke.

He had hurried to get into the meeting room and away from Miiram. To his utter dismay, she had accompanied Khalee into his father's office and since he had stepped into the midst of the circle of the assembled beings, her eyes had been on him. Regarding him with an expression that made him shiver.

Luke didn't know why, but he had the feeling she was trying to tell him "I know." It was as if she projected the words right into his head. But that was paranoid. There was only one voice in his head. He didn't need another and there was no other.

As dismayed as he was, Luke had to admit that he was simply feeling guilty. Even now, hours after the actual event, his hand tingled. The hand that had held the amphistaff. He could feel the cool skin of the animal against his own. Could feel the slight vibrations when it breathed. Could feel it trembling with the need to strike something. Could hear the voice, his OWN voice, which was telling him to USE the staff, telling him that it belonged to him and that he WANTED to use it.

"You could lie to us in order to cover the fact that your own people are trying to sabotage the peace." Khalee Lah spoke up, his eyes now regarding Luke, too.

At the fringes of his eyesight, Luke could see his wife's head snap up, her jade eyes focusing on the Yuuzhan Vong warrior. He could feel her annoyance about him being doubted.

Luke reached out through the Force and brushed her presence, assuring her that he could handle this and that he had expected the Warmaster's son to say something like this. He had expected SOMEONE to ask this question.

She calmed down, then reached deeper into his soul, wanting to reassure him, clearly intending to investigate on his well-being - as she did always and as he usually never blocked. But now he gently pushed her away, sending her an apology and asking her to understand that this was not the right moment.

He saw her frown, but she relented and concentrated once again onto the recordings. Luke released an inaudible sigh.

Good. He couldn't risk her catching his tiredness. Couldn't risk her stumbling over the Force walls he had erected to block out this unnerving, terrible voice that kept nagging at his thoughts. If she found the walls, she would demand to know what it was he was shielding himself from so heavily. And if he told her, she would think he was insane.

Becoming aware that Khalee Lah was staring at him expectantly, Luke pushed all thoughts that were not linked to the immediate problem away and concentrated on his counterpart.

"Of course I could lie to cover up any sabotage from my people. But I don't. I do want this peace. I DON'T want more beings to die - not humans, not Yuuzhan Vong, not Bothans... no one else."

Leia nodded, smiling faintly at him, and Luke felt relief flood over him. Obviously this had been the right answer. Only belatedly, he had realised that he was being interrogated here. That they suspected him to have something to do with it all. This revelation had been a shock to him, yet, after some thinking, he found it perfectly logical for Tsavong Lah to assume this.

"Yet you have no proof for what you're saying." The Warmaster stated softly, laying the tips of his fingers at each other.

Luke shook his head: "No. But I saw with my own eyes how those bugs dissolved the yorik coral I was walking on. I think the conclusion that they have been the reason for the destruction of the Direen is sound and logical. Besides, your Shapers will find the truth in a matter of days. Lying to you would be pointless."

"It would give you more time for further actions against us."

Luke smiled thinly. If they chose to believe their own reasoning, nothing he could say or do would get them to reconsider. He REALLY had no proof for what he was claiming.

"That it would, Warmaster."

For a long while, the room was quiet. Everyone seemed to be focused on his or her own thoughts. Luke didn't let his gaze budge from Tsavong Lah's face. If there was the slightest possibility that the Vong could see the sincerity in his eyes, he should have plenty of time to do so.

After long minutes, Tsavong Lah rose and stood face to face with Luke.

"I do believe in your honesty, Jeedai Skywalker. You're a man of honour. You would not lie. Not even to cover up treachery from your sister's part." At this, he glanced over to Leia, his eyes sparkling in something close to amusement. Leia cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.

Luke got the impression the two of them had already had some discussions about treachery before he had stepped into the room to give his testimony of the events.

"However, there is no question that this has been sabotage rather than an accident. If you're not mistaken and the bugs have been the tool to destroy the worldship, then we obviously face a threat that comes from our own people." He paused, his lips pressing together in a grim expression.

"This means that the New Republic does not need to concern itself further with the matter. We will take care of the situation on our own."

"Excuse me, Warmaster." Her voice calm, Leia rose and stepped next to her brother to face the Yuuzhan Vong commander. "With utmost respect to you, I don't think this matter is only a problem of the Yuuzhan Vong. Whoever it is, he or she is trying to sabotage the peace. He or she does not want the New Republic to ally with the Yuuzhan Vong. If this is so, then the whole treaty is in danger. Should he or she or they succeed, millions will die. War will erupt anew. I can't let this happen, Warmaster. I officially offer the help of the New Republic in the investigation and DEMAND to be informed about everything your Intelligence may discover."

Tsavong Lah stared for a moment into her eyes, then actually grinned: "Leia Organa Solo, I should have learned meanwhile not to underestimate you. The permission is granted. Help is accepted. But yet, we ask that the other tasks your New Republic has taken upon itself be not neglected. New homes for our people."

Luke cleared his throat: "Warmaster, I assure you that this is still our foremost priority. That and the arrival of Supreme Overlord Shimrra. Did you have contact with him?"

Lah nodded: "He will arrive here in a couple of days. We will have a special worldship prepared for him and his court. He demands to see the Jeedai Skywalker before he engages in political talks with Leia Organa Solo. I hope this will be no inconvenience. The Supreme Overlord doesn't take kindly to altering his plans."

Luke felt his stomach tighten a little. This was unexpected and unwelcome. He didn't feel any need to meet up with this Supreme Overlord all on his own. But he assumed any hesitation would not suit the greatest Jedi of the galaxy.

Nodding, projecting a confidence he did not feel, he bowed once again in front of Tsavong Lah: "This will be no problem. I will be there."

"Splendid."

"Then we can discuss the plan for the political talks. And the reinforcement of all worldships' defences in this galaxy against further attacks." Leia interrupted, glancing shortly at Luke, smiling softly.

Luke smiled back, understanding the gentle praise he just had received.

"I can retreat then. There are other things I have to see to." He directed at Lah.

The Warmaster nodded, bowing a little distractedly himself.

Luke tried to conceal a grin and began his way over to the doors. Mara joined him when he had crossed half the way, touching his hand shortly and giving him one of her brilliant smiles.

"You handled this very well, farmboy."

"Why, thank you." He smiled, gripping her hand a little more thoroughly.

"So, what is it you have to see to?" Mara demanded to know, mustering him suspiciously. She was evidently a little uneasy about his blocking her earlier. Not that she was that open about it, but Luke knew her long and well enough.

He smirked, bending low and whispering into her ear: "My bed and my wife. Preferably at the same time."

"And this out of the Jedi Master's mouth." She teased, pecking at his lips, confident that no one was near. They were well towards the door and everyone else was still clustered around the Warmaster.

"I'm just human, after all." His voice sounded a little hoarse, with this special tone she knew to link to tiredness and definitely being sick of all the work. A feeling she shared with him.

"Right. And you know, I think your wife..."

"Mara?"

Annoyed at being interrupted while having a rather private talk with her husband, the ex-Emperor's Hand turned, facing Miiram Shimrra who regarded her with obvious humour. Though the expression in those dark eyes was more serious than suited the situation, even if she seemed amused by the exchange she had overheard.

"What can I do for you?"

"You didn't introduce me to your mate yet." She simply stated.

Mara grinned, remembering Miiram's assessment of Luke that had been all but a welcome feeling for her husband.

"I'm sorry. Luke, this is Miiram Shimrra. Miiram, this is my husband, Luke Skywalker."

Luke bowed and smiled, doing a good job of concealing his impatience.

'Mara, get us out of here!'

'Why me?'

'She's YOUR friend!'

'I don't want to annoy enemy royalty, you know.'

A mental snort from her husband reached her after that.

'Since when exactly?'

'Oh, shut up, Skywalker!'

Miiram bowed, too, then took Luke's hand and shook it: "I'm delighted to finally meet you. I have read a lot about you. And Mara has filled me in on everything I didn't know."

"She did?" Luke asked, not able to banish the surprise from his features and instantly getting suspicious when he saw his wife blush. This looked like more than a casual working friendship. He was still pondering whether he should be flattered or alarmed about the familiarity between his wife and the Yuuzhan Vong woman when Miiram turned to Mara with an apologetic look on her face.

"Could I have a little of your time, still? There is something I have to talk about with you. Now."

Luke heard his wife's mental sigh, but saw her nod, sending an apologetic gaze towards him. He assured her with a soft Force nudge that it was all right and that he would fly ahead down to Coruscant, bowed to Miiram and vanished. Waiting for Mara would just be another welcome, unwelcome exercise of Jedi patience.

*~~

Mara watched the retreating figure of her husband, feeling unease settle back into her heart. Their little flirt had almost let her forget that he had blocked her just a few minutes ago.

She had merely wanted to see whether he was all right, give him a little strength if he wasn't, and soothe him if he was worried. But he hadn't let her. For the first time in long, long weeks.

She knew Luke didn't mean it in a bad way - he had apologised, asked her to understand, mentally. And she had. Or at least she had told him so. Because she didn't. After everything the two of them had been through, having him be so withdrawn from her made her feel suspicious. More than a little bit in fact.

"You worry about him." Her new friend stated.

Mara's head snapped around and she regarded Miiram out of narrowed eyes.

"What makes you think so?" she demanded to know, not liking that this woman began to guess her so well.

"The way you look at him. And what I know."

"What DO you know?"

"Your husband has gotten a present. An amphistaff. From a Shaper."

Mara tensed all over at hearing the word Shaper. Instantly, her worry increased tenfold and she tried to grasp what Miiram had just told.

"Why should a Shaper send him a present?"

Miiram smiled thinly: "The message said out of gratitude. Because he saved her people from her worldship, Direen."

Immediately, the female Jedi Master relaxed. "Now, that's enough of an explanation, isn't it? Even if his nephew technically did all the work."

The Yuuzhan Vong woman stared at her without moving a single muscle in her face. Dark eyes peered into green ones and slowly, Mara understood that this was NOT enough of an explanation.

"What?" she almost whispered. "What is wrong with it?"

"The Shaper who sent the present - Nen Yim... she was only recently assigned to the worldship. She had no kin there. She has never been on it before."

Mara closed her eyes. This was not good. It was in fact really bad. Why hadn't Luke TOLD her about that present?

"It could all be very harmless." She said softly, not believing her own voice.

Miiram still stared at her: "It could be. Did he tell you about the present?"

The ex-Emperor's Hand sighed: "No. But we had not much time to talk since he got it. I'm sure he still will."

Her friend cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything to that. Instead, she grasped Mara's hand: "I will do some research on Nen Yim until we see each other again tomorrow. Before you go to your husband, you should know something, though."

Mara had nodded gratefully for the offer of research, but now stopped amidst the movement to peer suspiciously into the dark, alien eyes. "And what would that be?"

"Your mate liked the present."

On the outside, there was no reaction to be seen. But inside, Mara felt like someone had taken the floor out from under her. This couldn't be! It mustn't be! It was over. The whole nightmare was over!

"You must be mistaken, Miiram. Luke would have no use for an amphistaff. They don't obey non-Yuuzhan Vong." She said, her voice sounding mechanical in her ears.

"You're right. Still, he liked it. And I bet he has taken it with him down to your home." Without a further word, the Yuuzhan Vong woman turned and headed out of the room, leaving Mara behind, brooding.

Slowly, she began to make her way out of the hangar. Dread had settled into her stomach. Luke was blocking her. Something was troubling him. A Shaper had sent him a present. She would not be the ex-Emperor's Hand if she ignored all those clues.

"Oh, Luke." She whispered as she settled into her seat on the ferry down to Coruscant. Her husband would meanwhile already step into their apartment. "What have you gotten yourself into now?"

*~~

Miiram Shimrra hurried down the corridors to the brain chamber of the ship. She didn't know why she felt like she had to hurry, but the urge was there. All this had her not only hooked. For the first time in her life she felt that she wanted to HELP. She had grown fond of Mara. This woman was so much like her and she wanted to learn from her. Wanted to teach her.

She didn't know Skywalker enough to care for him. But Mara cared. He was her friend's mate. If she could protect him from harm, she would protect Mara from harm. And that was what honourable friendship was all about.

She hadn't told Mara all about the amphistaff. She hadn't told her that it had obeyed Luke Skywalker. Miiram didn't know what this meant, so she hadn't told her friend. But she had the feeling that she would find out this night. That she would find out about that and about much, much more.

*~~

Luke Skywalker sat on the floor of his private chamber in his apartment. The room was small, but comfortably furnished. It was his little, private domain. Here he kept all his books and data files and his paintings. Mara seldom came here, because she respected his privacy and because she was not interested in most of the books. What she was interested in, they usually both read or talked about in their living room or on the terrace.

Here would be a good place to hide it.

While he was softly, absent-mindedly, stroking the alien creature that was sitting in its box on his lap, Luke dimly wondered why he felt the urge to hide the amphistaff from his wife. He could talk to her about everything.

But this was special. This was an exception. He couldn't tell her. She wouldn't understand. She would draw the wrong conclusions- She would think that the Yuuzhan Vong once again influenced him. Specifically Mezhan Kwaad. And she didn't.

Softly caressing the head of the animal, he glanced down at it, admiring the sleek form. The might that was contained in something that looked so frail. Not aware of his dreamy smile, he repeated to himself that it was ridiculous. He was not influenced by anyone. Mezhan Kwaad was dead. The voice was pure imagination. It would go away as soon as he didn't pay it any attention.

- Will it, yes? Oh, Liin, you're so wrong.-

It felt like it would spear his brain - like a cold hand was in his head and would write the words down there. Looking up, looking into the mirror that was situated on the wall above the sofa, Luke caught his dreamy expression, the delighted smile. Caught his hand stroking the animal.

"No.." he forced out between clenched teeth. Sealing the box, he pushed it under the sofa. "I'm not your toy. I never was, I'll never be. I'm not Liin Kwaad."

Luke straightened, once again staring at his image in the mirror. A delicate tattoo was drawn onto his forehead. In the light of dusk, it glittered.

The Jedi Master's hands flew to his skin, touching, feeling. There was nothing. When he looked again into the mirror, he saw no sign of it.

"I'll not be played with by you. Never again."

Clenching his hands into fists, he stood and made his way out of the chamber, towards his bedroom.

A soft cackle followed him for a couple of moments and he resisted the urge to run. When he remained calm, the cackling subsided. But Luke had the feeling the voice was not gone. Merely sleeping.

While he changed into his pyjamas, he resolved to get to the bottom of this. Soon.

 

| To Be Continued |

 

 

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