Private No Good Deed

[Cerys Dyn]

| Serenno
| Village Market

Common. It was such a disparaging for the 99.9 percent of people that dwelt in the galaxy. Though, it gave someone like Cerys Dyn a consistent peer group. She was one of them. Not of noble blood. Not of noble station. Only her vows and her office held any nobility, and those she took seriously.

As her master had done before her, Cerys had been on the planet for some time just looking for wrongs to make right, and wrong doers to recieve justice. It had made quite the stir, and she was no longer just a face in the crowd.

”Master Jedi…please…take one of my Meloran with my thanks.”

”I cannot accept that gift. I do as the Force wishes me too…and I am no master…merely a Padawan,” Cerys said to the elderly merchant. She smiled warmly, but with no small amount of pride in her chest. The people of this small village far from the capital city loved her. She had made their lives better, and she was being rewarded with an adoring public. Despite her devotion to non-attachment, it felt good to be liked and wanted.

This is the moment you should move on.

The words of her late Master filtered through the armour of her pride. Vaas was wise and knew that this could happen. That you could become attached not to a location, but to the status you have in the said location. Cerys sighed, knowing that she would have to put her savings to work again and book transit off world soon.

”Ah…well your Master must be proud of you then,” said the elderly woman. Her words brought Cerys back to the moment, and the bustle of the market.

“No. I suspect she would be relieved more than proud,” Cerys said with a smile, before handing over some money to the woman, “a meloran does sound delicious though. Let me buy one.”


Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

Word of the Jedi on Serenno had circulated through the area like the lifeblood of a body. From one end of the province to the other, the good deeds of a young woman with the Force on her side were stories near on every ear. It was no surprise they eventually reached those of the lord of the village and land. There was hardly any hesitation in his commands.

"Bring the Jedi to me. Alive and with my most open invitation."

Several guards had been dispatched, all armed and in constant communication with each other. Their uniforms carried the symbol of the lord, a black blade on a red field. The colors usually associated with the Sith. They went about, asking and sharing whatever news they had on the Jedi.

Before the sun had begun to set, two of the guards finally found the girl. She was at a stand where an old woman was offering her a free piece of fruit. They approached from behind and stood, looming over her like twin towers.

"You there," one grunted. "You're the Jedi who's been going around causing quite a stir, aren't ya?"

It was only after Cerys Dyn confirmed this that the other spoke. "Lord Awuad has invited you to his estate. He demands your audience post-haste."

 

[Cerys Dyn]

The shift in the air was felt just a moment before the voice was heard from behind her. It was still not soon enough to prevent her from jumping a little. She spun about on her heels, such a practiced move for her, and looked up at the guards.

Wide, brilliant blue eyes stared up at them with surprise. “Stir?” She looked back at the older woman at the stall who was retreating from the scene. Cerys frowned and looked back at the men.

“If your Lord Awuad is finding it troublesome that I am aiding these people in their time of desperation…then I think I have discovered the chief problem that needs to be remedied. Take me to this…estate.”

Her shoes clipped together as she set off on a determined march.

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

The men escorted the young Jedi, one in front of her and the other behind. Both kept their hands on their weapons as she was led to the House of Awuad. It stood on a high cliff, overlooking the village like a hawk down on potential prey. Large, spiraling towers above a crown-like main building. Modified architecture to the usual palaces on Serenno.

Once inside, Cerys Dyn was brought into a main hall area. A crimson carpet led from the door all the way into the larger hall where the master and mistress of the house sat on matching thrones. Both were robed in colors of crimson, the lady wearing a mix of gold with hers whereas her husband had black. Once the Jedi was close enough, she could see the scars across his face. The Lord expressed that of a warrior, yet the aura was strong with the dark side.

"So. Your the one they've been speaking of. The Jedi, here on Serenno."

His wife leaned closer, a bemused smile on her face. Her eyes were almost vixen like. "She's younger than I expected. Prettier too."

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Upon entering into the vast dining area of the Lord’s keep, Cerys felt a chill run up her spine. This was no ordinary noble person. He was rippling with dark side energies. Cerys kept her distance.

”A reputation earned by merely doing good for the people of your fiefdom, my Lord,” she said courteously, words carefully enunciated.

She glanced at the woman. Being called pretty was not something she cared for, but she wasn’t much keen on the opposite either.

“If it is my departure you are to request. I had just set my mind to leaving within the week.”

Though with a Sith in the castle, perhaps she needed to stay to deal with that first.

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

"That won't be necessary." Lord Awuad said, holding a hand up. "I just had to see this famous Jedi for myself."

He stood and slowly descend to meet her. He could sense the tension as much as she could yet kept a more proud, regal composure. He circled her. One of his hands remained hidden up the sleeve of his robe.

"You've nothing to fear, girl. I'm not some dagger that will stab you in the back. Not all Sith are as underhanded as that." He stopped in front of her, his eye locking with hers. "Why are you here, if not simply to pass on to whatever other planet you intend?"

As he spoke, his wife, Lady Kagha, stood from her seat. She softly moved down to stand next to her husband while keeping her eyes on Cerys Dyn

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Her unease intensified. It seemed almost intentional that he mention stabbing in the back as he rounded her and walked behind her. She felt incredibly observed, and vulnerable beneath not just his gaze, but his wife’s. She assumed her to be the wife at least.

She found it odd that her saber had not been confiscated upon entrance, but his hidden hand gave her some understanding as to why. He thought himself easily her better, and was ready to strike.

”I go where the Force wills. Each port…I find what needs to be remedied…and I do it. That is all.” Her eyes lingered on the woman’s. This one had a fire that Cerys found unsettling. Even more than the Lord, the Lady made her feel as prey.

”It is a sad time to live in when a Sith can so proudly live in the open…”

Her gaze went to the Lord, challenging his intent.

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

He smirked at her reply. "Would you prefer my kind slip back into the shadows and remain as myths? Bed time stories to frighten children? You might be surprised to know I do not feel that way about the Jedi. Those with the Force have been blessed to use it for one purpose: order."

The sound of his voice rang with conviction. His wife almost stood taller at these words, showing she believed it as well.

"It's clear you didn't come here for a fight, child. But that doesn't mean my husband isn't interested in one." She stepped a little closer to Cerys Dyn . "And as lord of these lands, he tends to get what he wants. As I do, being the lady."

 

[Cerys Dyn]

"Your suggestion is not without merit, my Lord," Cerys said, her eyes flashing with a challenge that belied her calm words. "Slither back into the shadows, perhaps we'll avoid the necessity of a confrontation."

At his pronouncement about the purpose of the Force, she exhaled a long, weary sigh. Her golden blonde hair swung back and forth as she shook her head. "No, my Lord. The Force is meant for the betterment of all, for the upliftment of life itself. To wield it in the name of imposing order always raises one inescapable question… whose order, exactly?"

As the Lady of the lands drew near, Cerys squinted, casting a wary sidelong glance. Her overt lasciviousness was hardly surprising; those who surrendered their souls to the Sith often bore such traits. "My Lord, I would advise you to keep a tighter rein on your spouse. She may soon find herself draining from more unwilling bedfellows than she can afford."

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

Lord Awuad let out a lot, apparent chuckle at the Jedi's words. His hand reached over, clasping his wife's. "I think we're making our guest uncomfortable, Kahga." He turned back to Cerys Dyn and said "Some would argue that order IS for the benefit of all life. And the only ones whose order should be imposed are those with the conviction to hold it." He held up a hand after this. "But such discussion is meant for the philosophers. Not those like us. I can sense your prowess. Your tenacity. You wear it upon your sleeve as you do on your face.

"I make a humble proposition, Jedi. You and I settle this matter through combat. Plain. Simple. A test of whose power stands stronger."

 

[Cerys Dyn]

“It is entirely clear that philosophy is not your forte. Hence you need to resort to the blade to settle some manufactured discord,” Cerys said, hiding the shiver down her spine that the Sith and his wife gave her.

She brushed down the soft white fabric of her loose hanging garment. There was a subtle step away from the two, as she spun to face them.

”As of yet, I am not aware of any matter that needs resolving, save for your presence on this world. I have done nothing but help those that you would rule. If this is a matter of concern for you, then I claim you to be the problem…not my good deeds.”

Her chin lifted high, just a little of that Jedi arrogance showing through. Bold despite herself.

”But I would expect nothing less of a mind corrupted by the Dark Side.”

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

At first, there was a harsh sneer from the Lord at her initial claims. He was a man of the blade, yes, but his intelligence was not something he appreciated taking slander. He could feel his wife's senses as well. She felt like jumping on the Jedi and pulling out all her locks to answer for insulting her husband. His hand on her shoulder kept Kagha from moving.

When she seemed to agree to his offer of combat, however, he smirked. "Excellent. I'm glad to see Jedi still hold honor. Even if the smallest of counts." He bowed his head a little before holding up one hand. "But not just yet. Come. Eat with us. I want you at your best for our battle."

He and his lady turned and began walking towards a doorway to the left of the hall. Nearby guards approached Cerys Dyn as if to insist she follow.

 

[Cerys Dyn]

Cerys stood her ground, unflinching even with the shadows of the guards looming over her. The tension in the air was palpable. She knew that she had likely pushed them as far as she could without causing them to break. Part of her wanted to just to prove herself capable. But that was not the side of her she wished to entertain. No. Her arrogance was merely the only way she knew of keeping control of her own fear.

”I have already eaten.“

Her eyebrow quirked upwards.

”And if I am completely honest. Eating at the table of a Sith is among the least appealing options I could take. So. No, thank you.”

She began to turn, as if to leave, but felt a hand fall on her shoulder. The guard’s grip was strong, and Cerys felt her eyes narrow in pain.

”Unhand me…”

Darth Genace

 

[Darth Genace]

At first, the guards seemed ready to manhandle the Jedi for disobeying their master. The guard with his hand on her tightened it and then-

"You heard her," Genace said. "Unhand the good lady." He did, both bowing to their lord before stepping aside. "Feel free to wait in the courtyard then, good Jedi. Practice. Mediate. Do whatever you wish to prepare yourself. I will meet you...in time."

After that exchange, Genace and his wife went into the dining hall. A protocol droid approached Cerys Dyn , directing her towards the courtyard. The guards still kept nearby to her but did not touch or impede her in anyway; unless she disturbed something or snooped where not to. All the while, Genace ate and dined with Lady Kahga like a man without any worries in the world. Like a true lord of the land.