A vicious, monstrous beast…and that’s just Connor!

[Corvus Raaf]

“Just because they sound different doesn’t mean they are.” She grinned at him and purposefully muttered under her breath but loud enough for him to hear. She held her hood across the bottom half of her face and lowered the tone of her voice. “Complex means many different and connected parts. Complicated means many interconnecting parts. Totally different meanings. Totally.”

She laughed again, keeping her voice low and gruff.

”And I’ll think you’ll find” she had kept up the lower tone but was starting to cough at the effect it was having on her throat, “That I don’t turn my emotions on and off.” She gave up the poor imitation and reverted to her natural voice. “In fact they’re permanently turned off. Or at least on a very low setting. And as for healthy…”

But now she had no words to counter his argument. She let go of her hood and shrugged. Her family? Now that was a subject she’d come back to time and time again. She knew Connor better than most of the Jedi in her Order but this was a conversation too far. How could she tell him she didn’t deserve the love of a family. Because she didn’t love herself. She had recently become ashamed of being the cold-fish and had tried to become a person and a Jedi but had failed thus far. But she planned to visit Corellia when she got back from here, so perhaps, just perhaps she could be reunited with her family.

“I’d like that,” she said, without giving any indication of what aspect of what he’d said she was agreeing with, her eyes locked on the back of the Tusken leader ahead of them.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Stopping in the sand and looking bemused at her strange scary impression with a shrouded face and deep voice, Connor laughed sharply and looked on ahead at the Tuskens moving towards looming canyons in the distance, the twin suns blaring down up above in the crystal clear blue sky.

”I think the sun is frying your brain, Lord Corvus,” Connor replied in an equally dark and hoarse voice.

It was a shame her smile dissolved any appearance of looking intimidating with her faux tough-guy persona.

But when she went quiet, her aura dropped and Connor felt it immediately. Always wanting to speak and try to say the right thing, he didn’t say a word and refrained from probing her mind with the Force because that was something he dared not do out of respect for her and her emotion – whatever there was left.

Obviously he had hit home with talk about her family, and maybe she would find time to bury the past with them and not follow Connor on his next un-exciting adventure. Priorities. Keeping his head down, she suddenly spoke with a calm and placid tone, as if she was here, but not.

Connor looked over as he pulled out his water flask, already a little warm. He pulled the cap and took two mouthfuls. The coldness didn’t bother him; it was the hydration he was after. Again, he wanted to speak and ask what she was talking about, but maybe it wasn’t the right time. His stomach flipped, just for a second.

He reached out with the flask and tapped her arm with it.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was pleased for the light relief. What they were about to do was a combination of reckless and more reckless. With a small helping of mad thrown in. Of course, she would never admit that to Connor. What they were about to do was necessary.

As she glanced up at the deep blue sky, she held up a hand to shield her eyes from the glare of the twin suns. “It’s already fried,” she said as she lowered her eyes and blinked as her retinas struggled to cope with the change in light. “Too many Sith Lords poking about in there.” It was a common Jedi joke – and standard gallows humour but here and now, with this man, it wasn’t probably the wisest of comments. Their exploits on Prakith were still too close for comfort.

She took a drink from his flask readily and handed it back. Ahead she could see the Banthas that had been found and were now being herded where Connor had indicated. Their long shaggy fur seemed an odd genetic choice for a species found on a desert planet and despite being vegetarians, they looked fierce with their large curved horns. These specimens must have been almost three metres tall and weighing in at 4,000 kilos each. No wonder a human would have been no more than a morsel to a Krayt Dragon.

She looked at Connor now. “Game faces on?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

The silence between them was…well, it wasn’t awkward as such, but more reflective, thoughtful. Both had plenty to say, but never really had the chance, but for the first time in a long time, Connor felt he had seen a glimmer of the real Corvus Raaf. Just a glimmer.

He smiled at her joke – he felt the hesitation afterwards but let it go. She was the only person he genuinely felt was honest and true, and she seemed to accept him and relish his company and support in the times they had been thrust together via the Force, and for that he felt comfortable around her.

”Those Sith Lords are tricky, but if you’re strong enough, you’ll be one of the most powerful Jedi ever. Naming no names, but…” he said aloud as if talking to himself, but she would know it was aimed just for her.

And there they were; slow, heavy behemoths of muscle and fur that were being led to the slaughter. Connor felt a pang of guilt for these helpless creatures, but knew it was for the greater good, and he would do all he could to protect many, if not all. Although he knew one would certainly have to die.

Taking his flask without looking, he fixed it on his right hip and instinctively drew his hand over his lightsaber hilt on his left, just to make sure it was still there. It was. The Jundland Wastes stretched over a large section of the North West of the planet, and the canyon mouth was now flanked by the Banthas being corralled in and the Tuskens either side as guide.

It was actually happening; they were about to seek out and take down a Krayt Dragon. What the Force was he doing?! Couldn’t they just leave and continue talking over a drink and let the Tusken warrior deal with it? NO –come on, get a grip. She wouldn’t look at you twice if you bailed.

With her proposition, Connor looked over and pulled up the hood on his greatcoat. Kark me, I need a lighter coat for these planets.

”Let’s do this.”

Kark me, I need a lighter coat for these planets.

”You go left, I’ll take right. Take the high ground and keep your eyes peeled, but can you relay this to A’J…Jur…A’Jorg…your Tusken man, what’s his name? But, yeah, if they can try to get attention down on the ground, we should be ok from up top to strike.”

He didn’t look nervous, but now he was bumbling over words, because effectively, again, her life rested in his judgement.

”Corvus, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – be careful, and may the Force be with us.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled inwardly at Connor’s words. She suspected he meant what he said but to dwell on them felt uncomfortable so she let them appear to wash over her. Corvus smiled, for all his veneer of bravado, he was actually a very brave Jedi. It was almost like a double-bluff to deflect from his true conviction.

She allowed him to dictate tactics and immediately rushed over to A’Jork. “The Dragon will be here soon. If you and your men can keep him occupied here,” she pointed at the area around them, “Connor and I will take the high ground and surprise him, OK?”

The Tusken nodded an agreement.

“And I’m sorry, at least one of these magnificent creatures will die, but it is necessary.”

“Ness-ry yes,” He repeated. And as if one cue the sound of the Krayt Dragon could be heard echoing around the canyon. “Go now, worrier.”

She bowed and smiled at him before heading to the left where Connor had indicated she take position.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Watching the Jedi and the Tusken converse, Connor unhooked his lightsaber and rolled it in his palm, warming to it and feeling it warm in his hand. This weapon was his life, and every time he used it, he had to feel it was part of him. Connor didn’t need to look, he knew the weapon well, and just looked around the canyon, then to the Banthas, then to Corvus and then the Tuskens.

Then, his back tingled with a shiver – fear? – as the Krayt Dragon let out a roar that shook the rock around them, bouncing through the canyon walls and surrounding them in a nightmarish wave of oncoming danger.

He had started to move to the right as Corvus took the left, he nodded to the Tusken who watched for him to move also. Regardless of what common society thought of these mysterious savages, Connor included, their bravery couldn’t be disputed.

Moving fast and low, hugging the burnt copper coloured rock wall that followed the incline up, Connor was almost in a military crouch, saber hilt in his right hand, his left pushing past boulders and rocks. He glanced right and saw Corvus move with grace and fluidity, her brown robe trailing behind. Down below and starting their steady journey into danger came the Bantha herd and Tusken shepherds.

Corvus, Connor tried to reach her through the Force, how do you think Force persuasion would work on a Krayt for a few seconds?

With each step making Connor feel they were walking into death, he suddenly thought that he hadn’t made a plan with her. But now he was, in his own head, probably far more dangerous than it should – control the beast, calm the beast, mount the beast, kill the beast.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus mirrored Connor’s movement, but kept her saber and shoto attached to her belt. The Dragon had spooked the bantha and it was all the Tuskens could do to keep them in one place.

So she hugged the rocks as best she could, the banthas fortunately would be such a draw for the Dragon, he would most likely ignore the Jedi and even the Tuskens.

She felt Connor’s thoughts gently brush her mind. ‘It’ll have a small brain compared to its size, so it won’t be that advanced, so yes, you could convince it to do something. Having said that, it would have to be a strong impulse to override eating. That appears to be its main thought process.’

Corvus was meticulous when it came to research and Jedi Lore and lesson planning. But when it came to killing Krayt Dragons, she tended to rely on making it up as she went along. She was sure Connor would understand.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor felt Corvus in his head, and was about to reply when it came from nowhere.

Up above the canyon wall, the Krayt Dragon was seen before heard, rearing up over the rock to peer down into the canyon, seeing the meal lumbering down on the rocky floor. Connor raised his eyes and his mouth fell slightly, and he found himself standing in awe of the monster. It was hideaous - scaly brown and tan skin, large horns, a rather small and nasty looking head and a thick, well built body and claws.

It seemed to move slow, without a care in the world. Craning its head, the Krayt let out a powerful roar, deep and piercing at the same time. Connor winced and felt his heart race. This was foolish! How had he let Corvus talk him into this!

He shook his head, asking himself a rather obvious question; who was the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows it.

The dragon started to move along the canyon wall, and worryingly if it didn't take the bait, it was going to head straight down to Corvus. Connor moved forward quickly, close to the edge and watched the beast. Glancing back at the Tuskens, they were herding the Bantha together and sticking back. Corvus was on the move.

I'll never forgive you or I die here.

They had to wait for the Krayt to get down to the canyon floor, almost funnelling itself in the narrow passage way where it would have a hard time escaping quickly. But that's not to say its sheer strength could easily wipe them out if they were careless.

The dragon moved down a stepping stone of rock away from Corvus. Connor let out a sigh and moved to the edge, watching and waiting and praying it moved thundered towards lunch.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus marvelled at the Krayt Dragon – it was perfect. Thousands of years of genetics had created a perfect specimen. Its thick hide to defend it from predators, its horns and teeth and claws so practical for capturing and eating its prey. But she shook herself out of this period of admiration and glanced over at Connor. Again genetically developed to be the perfect foil for the creature below.

She heard it roar again – up close it was even more intimidating – which was odd as the sight of it alone had scared the banthas into shedding what could only be described as a lot of poodoo.

She glanced across again. He was no doubt trying to come up with some witty Obi-Wan Kenobi one-liner. Well two can play at that game – it was time to spring the trap.

And she gave not a second’s thought to dying – it was inevitable it would happen one day. She would join the Force sooner or later and today was as good a day as any. Not that she intended to die. At least not before she’d tried to ride a Krayt Dragon.

It moved a stepping stone of rock away from her and she leaped onto its back. She was inaccessible here and should prove enough of a distraction for the pothers to get into position. The canyon was too narrow for it to turn, so that could only help matters, couldn’t it?

Well, it mattered little. Her feet touched its thick hide and she focused primarily on keeping her footing. Who needed a plan when you could simply improvise? And she could also scratch another thing off her bucket-list.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EErCd-_JA2A

Connor was near enough above the Krayt Dragon now, albeit it a few ledges higher than he needed to be. Leaning on a boulder, he was transfixed to watch something so fantastical yet so dangerous so close to them lumber across the Wastes. Its head moved heavily, looking at the Bantha with hungry eyes, the hulking thick limbs gripped the rock with sharp claws and moved forward slowly and with purpose.

Watching Corvus, he noticed she was moving into a similar position to Connor, and seemingly just as memorised. About to converse with her, Connor found he was too late – Corvus sprung from the ledge and out onto the hide of the dragon with power and grace.

Landing with precision in the square of its scaled back, her balance was spot on and she was in a position out of danger from the Krayt itself, but still risking great injury should she be thrown. However, she was in control and it showed – and Connor felt nothing form her but a surge of excitement.

Connor shook his head and sighed. ”Always on the move.”

Without wanting to wait much longer, he slid sideways down the first tier of rock, bringing him closer. He could now see Corvus on his level, her focus on nothing but controlling her balance and stopping the dragon. Glancing to the left, the Tuskens has taken position in small crevices as the Bantha herd clustered together without anywhere to go.

Connor edged forward and waited for the inevitable, as a crazy plan formed in his head. The Krayt let out another snarl, lurching forward to take the first Bantha closest with jaws laced with sharp teeth thate tore through the poor creature almost immediately with a worthless cry.

Feeling the stab of life extinguished through the Force, Connor knew the sacrifice should not die for nothing. He stood and shouted over to Corvus.

”Brace yourself!”

Connor stepped back a few paces from the edge, flexed his fingers around the saber hilt and ran forward. He left the edge of the rocky tier and landed up against the Krayt’s right horn. Connor let out a gasp as he wrapped his arm around it, feeling the jerking motion of the head his boots stood on, a sickening smell of blood and death hitting him and the sound of cracking bone.

No time to stop and admire the view; twisting around the horn like the greatest pole dancers on Corellia, Connor twisted the hilt in his hand, emitter pointing down and activated the blade with a satisfying burst of blue energy and plunged his weapon down between the horns, above the thick scaled brow of the beast and into the cavity that Corvus spoke about.

The Krayt reared its head, twisting in agony and rage, bouncing its primal roar off the canyon around them all. Gripping on as best he could, Connor winced and waited for the Krayt to lower its head, which it did and at the same time started to move from where it stood. Killing the blade, Connor pushed off the right horn, onto the left and emitted a jump enhanced with Force energy to carry him over the gap to where Corvus had been.

Skidding down on the gravel with both feet, he span to see the Krayt fighting to pull back, the small smouldering open wound left by Connor seemed to be doing little to stop it. The remains of the Bantha half devoured on the floor and smeared across its huge jaw.

He found Corvus still on the Krayt’s back, this time crouching down as if riding it like a pro.

”One-nil to the Silvers, Corvy.”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sat and watched. No, she observed. Connor was worth the admission price and she had a front-row seat.

She heard his warning but from where she was sitting, he was the one at risk, so she hung on tight as the beast started to buck and resist the Jedi’s determined efforts to end its life. Kraft Dragons could be mean like that! And she watched as Connor manoeuvred his way to where she had identified the weak spot and he expertly drove his saber in.

Connor disengaged and the Dragon was dead - albeit it didn’t know that yet. It thrashed about for a few seconds before shuddering and finally succumbing to the inevitable.

As Connor approached Corvus, who slid of its back, she was aware that A’Jork was walking towards them. He offered an approximation of the Jedi bow and held his hands out. Nestled amongst what looked distinctly like Krayt Dragon’s innards were what would be - one polished - two lustrous, coloured stones. Both white.

“I have given one to each of my worriers. These are for you.” If a Tusken was capable of a smile, A’Jork was doing a fine imitation.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor caught his breath, and nodded to Corvus. It said it all.

With a bow to A’Jork, albeit shaking slightly with the adrenalin residing from the whirlwind attack, Connor gratefully received the jewel, unsure of what it was, but it stank. And had a nice sheen of what looked like…well, best not think that.

”Your bravery is a credit to your people, and I wish you well on your future travels. Thank you.”

It was a welcome moment of humanity amidst a day of in-depth conversation, weary travelling and taming a vicious, monstrous beast…and that’s just Corvus! The Krayt Dragon was an added bonus to add to his belt of conquests – the pang of guilt in taking a life was there, as it was acting on nothing but natural instincts.

But the Jedi were there to live and serve those in trouble.

Turning to Corvus, Connor inclined his head and held out his hand.

”Take care of yourself, Corvy. I’m used to these moments, but I am sure we will meet again. Sometime. Somewhere.”

He half-smiled and gave her a little wink.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]