Private No Direction Home

[Leda Elariel]

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A village, outside Fridheim - Capital City of West Midvinter​

Leda donned her thickest cloak.

Next, she fastened a rusty blade 'round her slender waist. It was not her sword, but a relic left behind here, in the small cottage. These four walls, rustic and weathered, were far from the Empire's grasp—and far from home.

Stepping out into the cold, she found the sun here on Midvinter so very deceitful. From her window it promised warmth, but outside she found none. Her cloak did very little to keep the chill at bay, but it was better than nothing at all. At least, from what she'd heard, this brief thaw was a contrast to the winter cold that normally covered this world in a thick blanket of snow. It was for this coming winter that she would prepare. Over the next few months, she'd stock food, drink, supplies, which would include winter furs.

Her small allotment had a small stable, enough room for a single mare. And, much like her blade, the mare had come with the property. The horse was old, but she could still pull a cart well enough. Leda ran a hand down the smooth side of the black horse and murmured quietly as she hitched her to the rickety wooden cart. Her rations had run low, and the supplies provided by the Red Eye Armada upon her arrival had been spent.

It was time to make the journey into the city.

Leda, having been here for only a few weeks, was still getting used to life on Midvinter, life alone. The clear sky above and the rocky ground beneath her boots still felt foreign. She'd had very few interactions with the locals, but she found the Valkyri to be proud people. And this place, sometimes reminded her of Oaken Dawn.

The thought of Oaken Dawn came with bitterness. House Elariel was no more, their estate had been destroyed—from what she had heard—and their lord was dead. No, not even Oaken Dawn was home—there was no direction home now. This revelation came with grief, sadness, and anger.

Her eyes blurred by tears brought on by the storm of emotions, she set off with her horse and cart with a hard whip of the reigns. And as the rage swelled in her heart, she urged the mare quickly—a pace that threatened to run down anyone in her path.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

Fridheim was not so different from home. Colder, but similar to most of their largest villages. It was easy to get lost in the maze of little shops and stalls sellibg wares. When he had left Oaken Dawn he was also brought to Midvinter, though he had specifically asked to be taken elsewhere. The Armada could only take people to certain places without raising too much suspicion or drawing attention. He hadn't remained on the world for long because he had a mission to undertake and it couldn't be completed there.

Whenever he missed home he did return to the cold world far out on the edge of the galaxy. In the places he had visited since, and there were many, he had not found anywhere so similar to his world as this one was. It was the only place he felt truly relaxed. Whenever he returned he always felt that Dawnite side of him returning a little and he would slip into some of old basic formalities of the tongue from time to time.

He paused at a stall selling various fruits and shrugged his cloak up a little more. The garment barely worked with his lightsaber pike but it kept him warmer than not wearing it did. He selected what appeared to be a local form of apple and paid the merchant with a few extra coin, as was his custom. Money was a thing he did not need mich of and he knew that often the stall merchants could use a little extra where as the shopkeepers tended to have more than needed.

When he turned away from the table he bumped into a young redheaded woman that was leading a horse-drawn cart. He stepped back immediately and sipped his head.

"Apologies," he said as he straightened. "I hope thou art not injured by my clumsiness?"

Just a little of that Dawnite tongue slipping through.

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

By the time Leda reached town, the flame of anger had burned out—leaving her smoldering, homesick. Her wooden cart rattled, complaining about the rather rough ride she'd given it to town. And her mare huffed in commiseration. Taking it slower down the cobbled street, her emerald eyes took in the sights.

The buildings and shop fronts here were something like Oaken Dawn's own. But already, she could tell that this place had character, there was charm in the skilled woodwork of the Valyrki. And she couldn't help but stare when a couple of locals passed her by—even seated high on her cart, she felt small next to them. Leda cast her eyes down when they looked her way, instantly reminded that she was an outsider here.

And when she neared the market, she dismounted and led her horse by hand. Surely there would be a place to tether the horse and cart, so that she could explore what the stalls and vendors had to offer. Craning her neck, she gazed about, but halted when someone bumped into her.

Squeezing the leather reins tightly in her hand, she looked to see the tall figure of a cloaked man. Her expression hardened and her tongue grew tight. He was not Valkyri, by appearances. When the man offered her an apology, Leda's countenance softened slightly.

The way he spoke was familiar – the tone and inflection and choice of words.

“Dawnite,” she said. “Art thou from Oaken Dawn?”

There was a hint of desperation in her voice.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

The apple he had purchased nearly fell from his hand when she spoke back to him in the same, distinct vocal inflection he knew from home. She even asked if he was from there! What we're the chances that he would find someone else from his home while visiting Midvinter? Surely it was slim. The Armada was good at what they did, but they took few risks and he knew they only flew when their safety was guaranteed against the Imperial garrison on the world.

"I am, " he said, his voice as shocked as he appeared.

He looked her over and then looked about to see if there was anyone else with her, but the desperation in her voice told him that she was alone. He knew what that was like, but he had a purpose in his leaving. Who was she and why was she there alone? She carried a sword, but how well could she use it?

"You are alone?"

The tone of his voice slipped more into galactic standard basic than what she would likely be used to, but he had been away from Oaken Dawn for years and rarely felt the need to speak as they did. When his eyes settled on her again he realized he was being a little bit rude in that he was allowing the shock to manifest and control the situation rather than acting as a Baron should when in such a situation

"Forgive me. I am Barrien Siegfried of House Siegfried. I have been away from Oaken Dawn for quite some time so I apologize if I should recognize you, but I do not."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda's head canted to the side slightly when the man spoke in something more akin to galactic basic. But she nodded and murmured, “Aye, I am alone.” The informal speech felt odd, but she understood that it was the way on many other worlds, even the trooper of the Empire did so.

When Leda heard his rank of Baron, she dipped into a slight bow to show respect. Her own family had not achieved such a rank, but were lesser known in the network of noble houses. It was something her father had hoped to attain in his life—and if he was unable; he had hopes of Leda marry well.

“I am Leda Elariel—of House Elariel,” she winced at the words and bit her tongue. But rather than poor her soul out to a stranger in the streets, she kept her expression polite. Wringing the worn leather reins in her pale hands, she added, “I have been here a fortnight.” Then, she eyed him curiously. “You have been away from Oaken Dawn for... how long?”

While she knew of some that had left their world, she'd never seen them again. Certainly, she never thought she would leave... and now, meeting the Baron Siegfried made mere coincidence seem inconceivable.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

House Elariel. He was certain that he had heard of most of the houses but this was one he did not know, which meant it was a lesser house that likely resided within the lands of one of tbe larger houses. These were no less important than the larger houses as they were relied upon to run the day to day affairs of their area of the larger houses land. Sort of like a governor or a mayor on some of the worlds he had been to. Everyone played their part or everything failed.

She asked how long he had been gone and he had to think about that.

"Seven years, I believe," he said nodding his head. "You don't gave to defer to me, by the way. I'm fairly certain that my title was likely stripped from me when I left."

He had noticed her wince, and he had been f3eling through the Force to try and read her emotions. It wasn't prying as he wasn't trying to p9ke around in her head. There was a lot to understanding a person by understanding how they felt. For example, he noticed that she winced and felt hurt and upset when she mentioned her house.

"Did something happen to your house?"

Reaching a hand over, he gently brushed the horse that pulled her cart and he realized with a start that they were in the middle of the road and she had come to town for a reason.

"Did you come for supplies? May I help you obtain them?"

 

[Leda Elariel]

“My house is no more” Leda started, briefly remembering the events of her last night on Oaken Dawn. The Armada, the troopers, the blaster fire... it was still hard to fathom. And harder still was the loss of her parents, grief that she hadn't quite worked through. It was easier to keep it all locked up inside her heart. Her green eyes set and gazing straight ahead. For now, there were no more details... it was simply gone.

She gave a little tug on the reins and started to lead the horse across. Leda turned sidelong to Barrien as he mentioned helping. She blinked but gave the Baron a small nod.

“I would welcome the help,” she said. “As I am still quite... lost here.”

Though speaking of her house made her tense, she did not wish to appear ungrateful. She attempted to affect a slight smile, a tight closed-lip affair. Bringing the horse to a stable area, where there were already other steeds tied and waiting, Leda secured the mare—and strapped on a bag of feed. Fortunately, the stableman was there to assist with loading for her a bale of hay and more horse feed—it would be in her cart when they returned.

Leda reached over the side of the cart for a basket which she hooked onto her arm to carry. And she looked to Barrien, “Would you escort me through the market?”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

Her house is no more.

Barrien knew what that meant. The Empire had killed her family. What he did know was that the Empire didn't kill the local populace without reason except by accident. The idea that they accidentally wiped out her house seemed farfetched so more than likely they had been killed. Could it be that they had plotted against the Empire? Was Leda one of the people he would have looked to for support when he returned?

They moved to a stable, where she secured the horse and cart before taking up a basket, clearly off to buy some goods.

"It would be my honor," he said when she asked him to escort her.

This city wasn't notoriously dangerous but they were both outsiders even if fhey came from a very similar world. Barrien had the advantage of the Force which he was almost always using to survey his surroundings, but Leda was clearly in a different situation than he. In fact he was almost certain that she was still dealing with the loss of her house, espdcially as she hadn't indicated other survivors. He had family outside of Oaken Dawn, but it seemed she had no one but herself. That was most unfortunate.

Walking through the market was at least relaxing, as people shopped and hawked their goods. Most were in a good mood, which boded well for the day. Haggling would be easier.

"What do you plan to do now that you are no longer on Oaken Dawn? Will you reside here the rest of your days?"

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda kept her pace even, and her strides as relaxed as she could. Part of her wanted to rush, but she knew that would increase the possibility of leaving without necessary supplies. And she had the polite company of Barrien Siegfried. As they entered the marketplace, she started to feel more at ease. After all, she'd never been away from Oaken Dawn... perhaps it would be interesting to shop the wares of Midvinter.

“Tis a good question,” she said, chancing a sideways glance at the Baron. “If I'm never meant to return to Oaken Dawn,” Leda started, thinking how strange it was to say those words. “Then I should like to stay here, I think.”

Thus far, this world had treated her well. She'd been given a cottage, a garden, and a horse. It was rural enough to give her some peace, yet there were amenities here in the village. And it wasn't too different from Oaken Dawn. Leda was dyed-in-the-wool, a creature of habit and routine.

“Besides,” she added. “I will not set another foot into a space-fairing craft.”

Her trip here had not gone all that well, she'd spent most of it knocked out or in a strange twilight haze.

“Where do you... call home?”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"There art far worse places to live," he said, pausing briefly to help an elderly woman pick up a bit of twine she had dropped.

The place was very similar to their home, though Midvinter didn't operate as an oligarchy and it was free of Imperial hands. One day that would be the same for Oaken Dawn and they would be able to return there. Perhaps he could convince someone among the Silver Jedi or the Echani to help them. All he wanted was someone with the ability to coerce the Imperial garrison into surrendering and ending their control of Oaken Dawn. No blood need be shed in order to make it happen.

Her comment about not setting foot in another ship didn't surprise him too much. When he left he had been scared out of his mind that he would be sucked out into space and suffocate; a lofeless body floating in the vast void. He knew that was rare now, usually reserved for situations involving xombat as ship technology was advanced enough that random accidents were few and far between as long as you stuck to reputable ship owners.

"One day you may rethink that position, though I certainly understand it. Like you, I was brought to Midvinter when I left home. I found it eased the transition into the wider galaxy though there are still many things I do not know and I often have to ask for people to explain them. Unfortunately the galaxy at large is more dangerous than even our home was. I don't own a home but I currently reside in Silver Rest on thenplanet Kashyyyk. It is a Jedi temple where I teach."

It occured to him she probably didn't know what Jedi were so he offered her a sheepish grin.

"Forgive me. Jedi are those gifted in the use of the Force and attempt to use it to help others. Some are better at it than others, and there are those who use it for evil as well. I know it isn't normal on our world for one to practice but I found out here it is a necessity as I try to help and to find help for our world."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

“Perhaps, in time,” she said and arched a very skeptical brow at Barrien when he mentioned that she may rethink her position. Though, she doubted very much that she would do any such thinking. But she listened closely to his words, interested to know that he, too, had been brought to Midvinter upon leaving Oaken Dawn. His mention of a place called Silver Rest on the world of Kashyyyk made her brows furrow; she did not understand.

She was thankful that he followed this up with an explanation. Jedi. The word still meant very little to Leda, but she could tell that it held weight for the Baron. Her eyes grew wide when he finished speaking.

Leda gripped the basket tightly in her palms, making the dry reeds squeal in protest. If there was a chance that she could one day return to Oaken Dawn, that would be ideal. Though, she had very little idea how she would ever rebuild her House. And while she would not openly admit it, there was a secret wish for revenge in the back of her mind.

“Help for our world?” she asked. For the moment, the vendors and their wares disappeared from focus, and her emerald eyes honed in on his eyes. “Do you mean to return there?”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"I do," he said, his tone of voice quite serious. "When I left Oaken Dawn it was for a two reasons. To explain I must first tell you that my father was not from our world, but was a Jedi from a planet called Corellia. He was all part Echani, which are the people of the world of Eshan and several surrounding planets. They are extremely fierce warriors. I left in part to try and find my father, but also to try and get help for our world. In so doing I discovered that I have two half-siblings, twin brother and sister, and one of them is the former Queen of the Echani. I believe that if I explained the situation to the current Echani queen, and perhaps to the Jedi Order of which I am a part, they may assist us."

There was little doubt in his mind that she would one day enter another starship, even if it was only to return to their homeworld. Part of him wondered what would happen if he took her off to, say, Coruscant to get a view of what the galaxy had to offer. It would probably scare her at first. It certainly had befuddled and frightened him when he had gone there the first time. All the lights, the noise, the droids everywhere. It was a chaotic place to which he rarely traveled. Far too busy for his liking. Kashyyyk was quite nice in that regard. The wookiees were friendly enough and the place was peaceful as long as you didn't venture too far in the lower levels of the world.

Perhaps that would be a good place to take her if she ever wanted to see more of the galaxy. He felt it would be in their best interest to at least be somewhat familiar with the wider galaxy when they returned to Oaken Dawn. When the Empire was no longer in charge they would be needed to lead their people into the future, which had been denied to them by the Empire.

"Did the Armada at least set you up with a decent home when they brought you here? Mine was in need of some repair when I arrived."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda listened as they continued to stroll the market, her eyes wide with interest. The Baron's background was not typical of someone born and raised on Oaken Dawn, to be sure, but perhaps this would set him apart in a positive way. To Leda, it sounded very much like he may have the connections to free their home. For the moment, she remained quiet, her mind working through his explanation.

Drawing close to a stall, she reached out to touch a thick woolen fabric. An elderly woman was seated by the storefront, spinning yarn from a bundle of furry wool. As Leda turned, she spotted the horned head of a goat peeking out of the doorway.

When Barrien inquired about her dwelling, she gave a slight shrug. “It is... what you might call... rustic,” Leda said, trying to be diplomatic, as the elderly shop keep was craning her neck to listen.

There were a few spots in the roof that would let in the rain, some shelves that hung askew, and some fencing that needed mending before she could ever think to own livestock. She'd started to clean it up, but there was quite a lot to do.

Leda drew a few coins from the leather pouch she kept up inside her voluminous sleeve and paid the old woman for a couple of yards of the wool and a small leather wrap that contained sewing needles, thread, and little shears.

“It is in need of some repair, but I am thankful for it,” she nodded.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

Rustic could be nice, but she further clarified that it was in need of some repairs. He had expected that to be the case. Not that most of the houses on Midvinter were in poor condition but th we Armada couldn't afford to buy them the nicest accomdations that the world had. They had to make do with what they were given and work hard to make something of themselves in order to better their living environment. In her case, however, she had lucked out in finding him because he could help.

"Let me help you with the repairs," he said after she finished making her purchase.

He smiled at the woman who owned the place and dipped his head to her as they stepped away. Though she seemed a nice sort it was obvious that she was listening in for some juicy gossip on the new outsider who had settled in their midst. It wasn't often that someone chose to move to Midvinter, as far as he could see, so their curiosity was going to get the better of them.

"I insist on it. I know what it is like to be on your own with no help and I want to make sure that isn't the case for you. You are the only person from home I know out here so it is the least I can do."

It was nice to talk to someone from home, but he was also concerned about a young, single woman living on her own when she was new to a world. Every world had its unsavory types. A sound home would protect her better than one in need of repairs.

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda turned to Barrien, surprise written clearly across her fair countenance. Her complexion may have grown a shade rosier. She did not wish to inconvenience him, and as she stared at the stately Baron, she could not even picture him doing such manual labor.

“Oh, I did not mean to--” she began to protest, but she pressed her lips together when he insisted upon helping. Leda gave a somewhat stiff nod. Her stubborn side would have kept her from ever asking for such assistance. “Please let me repay your kindness with a meal,” she offered as she continued down the line of vendors.

Back home, she'd done some cooking on occasion. Unlike many of the larger houses, the Elariel family did not have hired help or sevants. Of course, her repertoire of recipes was rather limited. Still, she found enough to scrape together a meal—plump poultry, freshly dispatched and (thankfully) de-feathered, a loaf of crusty bread, some root vegetables, and a bottle of honeyed-mead. With her basket already full, she had required some help with the few sacks of flour, sugar, and bottles of milk.

“Shall we return to my cottage?”Leda asked. “Or is there anything else I should have today?”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

She may not have asked, but he would have insisted regardless. The idea of not helping her out just wasn't allowed in his mind. It was a compulsion for him. See a problem, find a way to fix it. He had been that way even as a child, but when he became a Jedi it only seemed to get worse. Partly he relished the idea of making people happy by helping them. That warm feeling of getting someone to smile was more intoxicating to him than the strongest of wines.

And of course he was more than happy to carry the sacks of flour and sugar and even the jugs of milk. It was a little bit of a balancing act, but he was fortunately quite good at it. Plus he could also cheat a little bit and use the Force to keep anything from falling. Benefits of being a Jedi.

"No, I'm sure I can find everything I need at your cottage," he said when she asked if he needed anything else.

Growing up as they had, it was fairly easy to make due with what was around. He was confident that if she didn't have something he directly needed he would be able to find a different way to accomplish the task. As such, he followed her back to the stable, where he carefully placed the items he carried into her cart, making sure not to upset the milk!

"If you don't mind, I will walk while you ride. I could use the exercise."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda nodded. Yes, there was quite a lot of material strewn about her yard. There were planks of wood that were still usable, she was sure. She set her basket of goods into the back of the cart, and watched as Barrien did the same with the sacks of flour, sugar, and jugs of milk. Climbing up into the seat, she made some room next to her, but gave a brief nod as the Baron mentioned that he would walk.

“Very well,” she said. “Let us go.”

With the cart also loaded with a bale of hay and a bag of horse feed, the mare gave a huff as she set her hooves in motion. The wheels turned with some effort at first, but soon rolled smooth enough along the streets. A peculiar pair, the two of them drew a few stares from local Valkyri.

“It is not far,” Leda said above the rattling cart.

She gestured towards the dirt road that would bring them away from the city of Fridheim and into a smaller village on the outskirts. While she grew quiet during the ride, she glanced sidelong at the Baron walking next to her a couple of times. She'd never dreamed of meeting another Dawnite here. And though her emotions were a complicated mix, she felt a large measure of gratitude toward him already.

Eventually, the rural road opened up to a farm community. Leda's new residence was set back towards the woods, away from most of the other homes—her plot had been long vacant. Pulling the cart up towards the side of the house, just below a rather rickety-looking lean-to, Leda gave the reigns a small tug. The mare came to a halt and chomped her bit a couple of times.

“This is... my allotment,” she murmured, still unable to use the word 'home.'

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"Do not fret over the distance," he said, smiling at her. "I can walk for a long time without tiring."

He could run for a long time without tiring as well, but that wasn't necessary. The horse was pulling a cart with a lot of weight in it thanks to the hay and feed so it wasn't going to be running anywhere unless something scared it. That seemed unlikely so close to town. Neither of them really said much as they walked along. There sasnt a lot to be said. He enjoyed the brisk walk and the crisp, clean air that the qorld had to offer, and the vista outside of the city was well worth enjoying.

When they came in sight of her home he quickly determined that he was right to insist upon helping her. It wasn't the worst place he had ever seen someone living, but he was positive he coukd improve upon it if he had enough time to do so.

"I like the location and the house has potential. Give me a week and I think I can have it in much better shape."

He stepped away from where she was situating rhe horse and cart so that he could walk around the exterior of the house and examine it in cursory detail. Doing so allowed him to determine that the roof was where he would have to start. Once it was fixed up he could work on shoring up the exterior walls, fixing the missing stones in the chimney, replacing boards on the small stable, and smaller things of that nature. When he returned to her he hoisted the bag of feed out of the cart with ease and sotuated it near what she had before he went back for the flour and sugar.

"Let's take a look at the inside, but I am confident in my estimate."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Basket now in hand, she turned towards the Baron as he mentioned he'd need a week. Leda had not been expecting to host anyone at her house, but she could not see off to a local inn. No, she could not do that—especially after his kind offer to help with her renovations.

“Of course,” she said with a small nod. “I shall prepare a room for you—there's three in total.”

Before showing him into the house, she let the mare into her stable for some water and rest. She gave the horse a pat and then held the hem of her skirt up off the ground as she walked towards the kitchen door at the side of the house. It was not the main entryway, but it was easily the one Leda would use the most—with the pasture and garden space waiting outside.

Pushing the door open, she would let Barrien enter first. The kitchen was bare and simple, cabinets—some needing repair—shelves, and a washbasin. A small trap door led down to a root cellar. The oven was outmoded by most galactic standards, but Leda found it suitable for cooking. She swept past the Baron to put on a kettle for tea.

“Come,” she said, gesturing to the dining and living space. Her table was small, just enough room for pot and two plates. And the living room featured a fireplace that was in desperate need of cleaning out. But there was a rather nice fur rug that sat on the floor, it just needed a good beating to shake out the dust.

“It isn't much,” she said, eyes shifting down to her boots on the dusty floor. “But it will do, I suppose.”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

The house was not what he would approve of for her. It was run down and in need of significant repair, though he could already tell that she had been doing some work on it herself. He did not think her a poor homemaker by any means. No, she was a transplant that was out of her element and forced to deal with what she was given. It was an absolute must that he fixes this place up for her even if it ended up taking longer than he had said it would. No one from his homeworld would live in a place that needed as much work as this did if he could help it. It wasn't acceptable to him. He wanted the people of his world to be happy and free, not have to leave it, and live in squalor.

He took his time assessing the place and noted that she had put on a kettle of water. Tea would be quite refreshing.

"It will do when I am done with it," he said, nodding as he rested his hands on the back of a dining table chair. "What will do better is when we free Oaken Dawn and are able to return."

Turning back to her, he removed his cloak to reveal that he was wearing black betaplast armor, a shield on one arm, and a saber lance. He removed the shield and lance and set them in a corner of the space, hanging his cloak atop the saber. Next, he removed the armor from his arms and then his chest so he was only wearing his black tunic and pants. It was warm enough in her home, though he figured she might like to have a fire started in the fireplace. He set about making that a reality without thought.

"I will rest better when I know you live somewhere that will adequately serve your needs."

Leda Elariel