A visit to the edge

[RC 212]

[member="Mirko Kreff"] [member="Vaulkhar"]

For once clearer head prevailed.

Zakath raised his hand, palm down and stepped in front of the Master Jedi.

"Do not let your Passions interfere please."

He then eyed the other. He knew he was skilled already. The cloaking, the way he conducted himself, and the power that he now recognized as a mixture of the two sides radiated from him. And then he appeared to weaken his position by sitting.

​

Interesting. Perhaps a ruse? To appear meek and defeated?​

He let a small twinkle into his eye.

"Greetings then Vaulkhar. I see you've fallen far from the tree of the Greys nowadays?"

He cast a glance around.

"I am simply a scholar, searching for anything they may have left behind. Tell me, were they especially astute at anything?"

 

[Mirko Kreff]

Mirko had once more failed to maintain his hatred for the Dark Side hidden, as he had shown tremendous hostility to the Dark Jedi.

"Hmph.."
-He just glanced at the padawan, as he walked in front of him.

He maintained a steady grip on his lightsaber, not fully trusting the Dark Jedi, simply because of the way he approached the duo - it was methodically stupid to do this. Maybe the Dark Jedi hoped for their simpathy?

Well, he's not getting it from me.

[member="Zakath Tariz"] | [member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

"I can't say for sure whether they were particularly knowledgeable in anything. My time with the order was short, as my master who had taken me on abandoned me before I could make any progress with the order," Vaulkhar shrugged once again, allowing his wrists to rest along his knees, his cloak falling back to pool around his bottom and cascade down a few steps of the stairs. "Do remember, a fair bit of black is needed to make gray."

The half breed pushed himself to his feet before moving to descend the steps. His hands clasped together behind his back as he reached the bottom, his cloak now returned to hanging about him. He eyed the duo, scanning them closely now that he was neared to them. His earlier smirk returned as his gaze settled on Mirko, the dark jedi finding amusement in Mirko's hostile and emotional response to his presence. Vaulkhar's steely gaze then flickered to the Padawan, a hint of surprise passing through his gaze as he studied him. He seemed old. Another shrug passed along his shoulders before he held out a hand to the elder man. His intent clear.

[member="Mirko Kreff"] | [member="Zakath Tariz"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Mirko Kreff"] [member="Vaulkhar"]

"Aye from what I've read and studied I would agree. Though I care not to tread down the path of Darkness at this juncture."

He took Vaulkhars own hand, and shook it with a firm grip.

"A truce then, in the name of knowledge?"

 

[Darth Duellant]

Crystalsong

Zeref had now the thirst for more knowledge on the Force, and he knew exactly where to start.

He knew Crystalsong had an Ancient Temple of old, which the Grey Jedi used to ammass knowledge about a silver lining in the Force. He never was one to take things to the extreme, and he wanted to seek this knowledge for himself. Therefore, in a selfish drive, he landed his lightweight ship from about 200 meters from the Ancient Temple. He didn't know exactly where it was, he had only coordinates given to him by and older contact he met in Nar Shaddaa.

The name of the man? He had already forgotten. But he had a database of endless junk and maps, whatever of the sort, that he never used. Always ignored the most obvious "treasure hunts" that were probably traps.

He effortlessly masked his presence from the force to a minimum that he could, and at the same time, he could feel about three other Force entities around his general area. The coordinates all lead to the entities. He felt a particular dark aura around the precinct that he'd felt these entities, as the two other entities seemed a least a bit pure.

A Sith and two Jedi. He thought to himself, almost murmuring the words. He put his black, shadowy robe around him, covering his hands and face almost completely, and moved towards the coordinates, which seemed as if it were the same that the entities were, but he needed to be sure.

about 200m away

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]
[member="Mirko Kreff"]

 

[Darth Duellant]

about 100m away from the main door

Zeref had been walking for a few minutes now and all he could think was the Force presence he had felt. It was closer than ever and he was sure of it - this energy was coming from inside, if not extremely close to the temple. At this rate, he put away his holomap and followed the Force. He was nearing the Temple, and he hadn't really been bothered by the cold and thick fog, but he knew that the temperature was decreasing.

He had brought his normal-hilted crimsom red lightsaber for this, and he kept it in his left holster, held by his belt, and he kept his holomap in his belt aswell, held stable by a clip. He was worried about his ship, but he didn't mind theft. He kept nothing valuable in that ship. But he still kept some maps.
-
10m from the door

This was it. The main door of the Grey Jedi temple was in viewing distance. He was there, now he only had to enter. This is also where the Force presences were. He concentrated on masking his Force presence once again, and even the most competent Force users couldn't see him. He felt the Force around his body, wrapping around him as it was a natural energy. It flowed like electricity around his mortal body, and he masked as a non-Force user. He was about to get in the temple, but waited until the entities were out of the first floor, making as less noise as possible.

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]
[member="Mirko Kreff"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

"A truce sounds good to me."

Vaulkhar firmly gripped and shook the man's hand before withdrawing his own, allowing his to fall back to his side comfortably. His blind gaze shifted to Mirko once more as he looked past him towards the door. It was an instinctual gesture. Nothing more than to memorize and remind himself where the door was when it was time to depart, whether it be in the case of an emergency or after their work here had completed. At that, he shifted on his heel and turned back towards the stairs, beginning his ascent in silence. Offering his back to Mirko was another telltale sign he was not concerned for his own life or seeking any sort of conflict with either of them. Not that he couldn't survive an attack from behind, but it was better to play it safe and offer varying signs of friendship in the hope of establishing trust. The half breed reached the top of the stairs and peered about, studying his surroundings with careful and measured curiosity. If he showed too much interest it would backfire on him, as if he were planning something or looking for something. Neither of which were the case. The same could be said if he showed too little interest; he may come off as detached, looking for something the duo were unaware of. Also untrue. The time spent in his father's court had made him paranoid, something he was not overly proud of.

"I would like to find any information on Darth Malak, if either of you are interested. I've been seeking the man's lightsaber for over a year now, I seek to add it to my personal collection. Perhaps he may even have a holocron lying about the galaxy I could find and utilize," the half breed looked back to them as he finished studying the area, offering a genuine smile. Which on him, looked bored unfortunately.

Thus far he had not picked up the presence of Duellant, unsurprisingly.

[member="Darth Duellant"] | [member="Zakath Tariz"] | [member="Mirko Kreff"]

 

[Darth Duellant]

"A truce sounds good to me."

As soon as he heard those words, he knew it was time to come in, but making as much noise as possible, to disguise himself as a simple old scholar looking for knowledge, but that of course, was his only plan.

When he noticed the men climbing the stairs, through the noise on the other side of the poorly closed main door, he immediately opened the door with as much force as he could, and making as much noise as possible, acting unprepared and civilian-like.

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]
[member="Mirko Kreff"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Darth Duellant"] [member="Vaulkhar"] [member="Mirko Kreff"]

"Darth Malak? An odd choice. He happens to be the Sith that Massacred Taris if my memory of my studies proves correct."

So he was after Dark artifacts? Those were dangerous, and could not be permitted to simply fall into anyone's hands. It was true they were in a truce now, but for how long they could maintain that truce with differing ideologies, he was unsure. Doubtless the Darker one would be the one to strike first, acting from greed. He kept a wary eye on him, but disguised it as curiosity with a twinkle.

Just then another walked in, another Darker one.

Lot of Dark folks today....​

"Master Kreff. Shall we adjourn to the Library?"

 

[Vaulkhar]

"Indeed, the very same Sith Lord. I am interested in the past and while many have information in regards to Revan, I've yet to find anything on the man formerly considered his best friend. I feel like it'll fill the gaps in my understanding of the universe."

Vaulkhar's gaze looked to the door as Duellant strode in, his brow rose in response. Another individual making their way into the temple. Was it a coincidence this temple had been left alone for as long as it had, only for four different individuals to wander in the same day? Why did his master send him here? Why were things becoming even more complicated? He released another sigh and stepped to the side to ensure the duo had the space to pass at Zakath's words. Peering through the force, the former Sith studied him calmly. He saw nothing unfortunately, he was either masking himself or just a generic passerby here at the same time. Coincidences can happen, rarely, but they can. Vaulkhar turned at that and wandered further into the temple, seeking out the library in silence.

[member="Zakath Tariz"] | [member="Darth Duellant"] | [member="Mirko Kreff"]

 

[Mirko Kreff]

How could we be making peace with this man? He was stalking us a second ago!

He thought to himself, in shock about what had just happened. He didn't know what to say or think, he just simply followed the padawan. He was simply lost inside his thoughts and inside the ancient temple. He was told there'd be knowledge here, but as far as he could tell - there was only trouble and more trouble.

As he heard the padawan call him master, he was baffled.

"Oh, you shouldn't call me master just yet. I have much to learn. But answering your question - yes, we shall."

He was nowhere prepared to be called a master nor to be one, and not even in a position of greater respect. He felt as if the padawan had trusted him too much, but nonetheless, Mirko followed him.

As Mirko heard another man barging in the temple, he thought to himself Who is he?. He had no idea what was so important about this temple, he only knew it was something of the Grey Jedi, and it housed knowledge. What sort of knowledge? He didn't know yet.

"Who are you?"

He turned around to see the man, but he was hooded and in black clothes. Conspicuous, but Mirko could not feel their energy, perhaps he was just a scholar?

[member="Vaulkhar"] • [member="Zakath Tariz"] • [member="Darth Duellant"]

 

[Darth Duellant]

"Aye' don't mind me! I'm lookin' for scraps and loot. I don't seek nuthin' too special."

Zeref was dressed in a way that could set the men off as of his identity, but he was confident the "simple man" cover was going to work. He hoped the men believed him, as he walked towards the flight of stairs that they were. They had the higher ground on Zeref, both geographically and in manpower. He could probably defeat the more inexperienced one, but the other two on him alone would prove to be a challenge. Zeref believed to be more experienced, but even arrogance and overconfidence could lead him to ultimate failure. He avoided confrontation as a methods for him to not fall to arrogance and be blind-sided.

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Mirko Kreff"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Vaulkhar"] [member="Mirko Kreff"] [member="Darth Duellant"]

Disinterested, he pushed past the group. The man that had just arrived was boon to Zakaths own plans. With him distracting Vaulkhar and maybe Mirko, he was free to pursue his goals unimpeded. He stepped up the steps, and into the Library are beyond, pushing the door open with the tips of his fingers, other hand curled around his lightsaber on his belt.

Hopefully there was neither traps, nor others that lay in wait...

 

[Mirko Kreff]

Mirko made a wave with his hand, signalling that it was ok for the man to be there. He didn't care, and he frankly couldn't pick up his Force energy, anyway. If he really was here to do what he said, Mirko wasn't sure, but he was certain the man held no threat to them. He followed the padawan into the library, still behind him, as he was using the padawan as a guide. Before he could go any further, though, he stopped in the middle of the stairs to talk to Vaulkhar. "Let's go, Vaulkhar, enemies are made more quickly than friends. I apologize."-Mirko said, extending his hand to shake theirs. It was unwise to not surrender to Vaulkhar's truce, seeing as he was willing to help both Jedi, but only just, anyways. He would still keep an eye on Vaulkhar, but if he accepted his truce, on his own terms, Mirko would gain some trust from him. And if he were to ever try something, Mirko would be the first to react. But Mirko was doubting the threat that Vaulkhar posed, as he imagined that if he were here to kill anyone, he would've done it already.

[member="Vaulkhar"] • [member="Zakath Tariz"] @ • [member="Darth Duellant"]

 

[Vaulkhar]

It was safe to say Duellant's garb most certainly set off Vaulkhar's senses. The 'looter' was dressed in a similar manner to himself which was obviously off putting to say the least, though he did not bother to comment on it. It was very possible he was just wearing clothes he stole at one point. Vaulkhar had met a fair number of looters dressed in the garb of jedi and sith alike, even wielding lightsabers they took off their corpses. With a shake of his head, he turned his attention away from Duellant and watched Zakath move past him. The older gentleman clearly was disinterested in the gathered individuals, instead entirely focused on that of the knowledge possibly held within the library. A right and proper scholar, something Vaulkhar respected. He was not much of a scholar, solely a warrior, bred to slaughter the foes he came across on the battlefield. From his first day at the Sith Academy on Coruscant oh so many years ago to now, his focus has been on the blade and ways he could empower his style, whether he wanted it to be or not.

As he prepared to move deeper into the temple once again, he was stopped by Mirko as he approached and apologized. It was surprising to say the least, considering the man was hostile at first. Though he had met worse individuals who were willing to do as Mirko just did. With a shrug and a smile, Vaulkhar reached out and gripped Mirko's hand, shaking it firmly.

"I appreciate the apology, though it isn't necessary. I understand and respect why you reacted as you did," Vaulkhar took a step back and moved to follow the duo.

[member="Mirko Kreff"] | [member="Zakath Tariz"] | [member="Darth Duellant"]

 

[Darth Duellant]

Hmmm

Zeref wondered in silence what all the commotion for one temple. Although he was here for knowledge, he would do it in any way he could, even if he had to steal it. Suddenly, he walked a bit faster and moved to a nearby bookshelf, and pretended to be looking around for anything that was of interest, but in fact, his plan was to find any secret entrance or a hidden passage amongst the books or something of the sort. The Grey Jedi weren't so stupid as to keep all their secrets in plain sight. He was glancing at all the books, to not blow his cover, but at the same time, looking for a secret somewhere.

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Mirko Kreff"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]

 

[Mirko Kreff]

Mirko, after hearing the response of Vaulkhar, nodded positively, and after shaking his hand, started climbing the steps once again, to reach the padawan. The padawan was eager for knowledge, it seemed.

Mirko still held some suspicions with the shady man that had entered, but for now, he was no threat to the trio and he was a simple looter, as far as they knew.

[member="Zakath Tariz"]
[member="Vaulkhar"]
[member="Darth Duellant"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Vaulkhar"] [member="Darth Duellant"] [member="Mirko Kreff"]

Zakath walked down the rows of dusty shelves. There was books yes, Datacrons, and random other odds n' ends. Most of what was there was useless in any real capacity. Or so he thought. That was until he walked by a particular book case, and felt a strange murmur in his gut. The closer he got, the stronger the force whispered. Strange waves crashed in his ears, almost as if it was a beach. The sound of gulls followed.

He glanced left, then glanced right.

Then he laid his palm upon the dusty book, trying to read the spine or discern just about anything he could.

It whispered one thing.

Take me.​

And so he did, pulling it from the self, and stashing it in a bag.

He moved on....