Possibly a Tea Session

[Darth Veles]

“Ah, lady Lasedri will surely be very surprised to see someone like me,” the Mon Cal mused, “We both know what most sentients imagine under the term ‘Sith’. As shameful as it is, true Sith like me are not the ones shaping the image; it is the majority of beings calling themselves Sith, albeit incorrectly. Maniacs who murder their own subjects for fun and commit genocide at least once per week. It makes one wonder why anyone follows them – how their empire can still exist, I do not understand.”

Shaking his large domed head, the amphibious Sith Lord paused before continuing, finally parting with the wall touching his back and taking a step towards the brown-haired woman. Despite the slightly closed distance between the two, a metre or two still separated the Jedi Grandmaster from her favourite Mon Calamari Sith, by which the assassin hoped to show he meant no harm.

“Do you remember our first meeting, Corvus?”

The switch from ‘lady Raaf’ and ‘Grandmaster Raaf’ was intentional, just as the soften glare his eyes pierced her with. The history between them did not belong among the usual tales of Jedi Grandmasters and Sith Lords; such stories and legends usually ended quickly, unlike this one.

“Younger and naïve with the whole idea of reforming the One Sith for the better, I had thought Darth Bane’s philosophy to be foolish – now I finally see the wisdom of the Rule of Two. I suppose we both know what I mean by that.” A shrug of his shoulders and the Mon Cal refused to delve deeper into the topic – while a gentle and noble soul, the Sith Lord understood words held no power when facing a wall of ignorance and indifference built by the 0S leadership, therefore it was time to let his lightsabers do the talking, one false Sith at a time.

“Have you heard of the Covenant of the Black Rose?”

She might have. Then again, the news of treason among the highest circles of the One Sith quickly faded, possibly before reaching the Republic territories.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “The Sith are former Jedi after all,” she said, “And as an historian, I can understand how they’ve evolved and changed over the millennia, so I always find it hard to define a true Sith — other than the species of course. But if I’m honest, when the term comes up I think of the Rule of Two. So successful. Genocide? No. But not precisely good either.”

And she nodded at his recollection. He’d sworn to leave the One Sith and they’d pretty much saved each other’s lives to escape from a perilous predicament.

And the nodding continued when she mentioned the Black Rose. “I may not be someone my younger sister wishes to spend an afternoon with, but she still seems to be willing to speak to Taeli. Or at least not fight her. So I am aware of her recent exploits. Leaving the One Sith, being branded a traitor and ending up alone rather than stab anyone in the back. But she professes her allegiance to the Dark Lord and so I don’t know.”

“But I have learned a little of that group. It seems to have changed in its short life — or at least that’s how it appears to an outsider.”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Corvus’ insight earned her a satisfied nod from the Sith Lord; if only more sentients realized Jedi and Sith used to be one, despite the fact both orders have changed over the years! Respecting them as rivals and worthy adversaries allowed Avreet to see them as potential allies now in these dark times. As a Sith, Veles, too, had wondered about the definition of a true member of the Order numerous times, always reaching similar conclusions. After studying the history of the beloved organisation he had devoted himself to, the amphibious assassin was led to believe he and wise beings like lady Zarrah represented the natural evolution of the Sith Order, with the majority seemingly taking a jump backwards and devolving; if the history repeated itself once more, Avreet was certain Zarrah’s and his legacy would bring an end to these Dark Jedi wearing Sith clothes. This wish to start his own line of Sith seemed to fuel him as of late, driving the Mon Calamari forward and consuming him at the same; if he failed, there’d be no other to make things, or so he believed after years of searching for a worthy apprentice and seeing all being around him consumed by insanity that spread through the One Sith like a poison.

The mention of Melori, even though not by name, ran down Veles’ spine in a form of cold shiver. For an unknown reason, she gave him the creeps. Not fear, Sith feared nobody, but a general tingly feeling of discomfort. Maybe it had something to do with her master, Darth Venefica, whom Veles wished to execute? Luckily for the youngest sister, the Mon Calamari had little to no reason to remove. It sounded the young blonde had suffered fate similar to Avreet’s own, walking the loneliest of roads, and the amphibious Sith assassin sympathized. One Sith, Black Rose – he had yet to find a part of this galaxy to settle in, hopefully with his beloved queen.

“Indeed. They keep changing still, whether for better or worse. My heavenly inspiration sees potential in them, and so by accompanying her I often find myself close to the Covenant of the Black Rose. Needless to say, I personally find their methods questionable and unethical – such as turning people into Sithspawn. A terrible, cruel fate,” shared the Sith Lord, the look in his eyes displaying regret and a quiet promise of retaliation, "It seems they head in the same direction as the One Sith, albeit on a different track - fortunately, one fool who had allowed the One Sith to blossom won't make the same mistake twice."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded sagely. There had been whispers that the Black Rose were looking to ally with the Republic. There was even the hint they would look to the Jedi Order for alliance as they — by all accounts — had alienated themselves from the Galactic Alliance and the One Sith.

This news of Sithspawn was now verified by the Mon Cal and Corvus had to suppress a shake of the head. What hope an alliance with a group that inflicted that on the galaxy?

Unlike her opposite number here, Corvus was invariably someone of few words. She was a born listener and took in all the information the Sith openly shared. She also heard the information she was supposed to hear, even if not directly communicated and she picked up the odd tidbit from what was said, and not said.

“At least I have a home,” she sighed. “You seem to be wandering a lonely path right now.”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

And yet again, the Jedi Grandmaster saw right through the captured Sith. Indeed; as unfortunate as it was, he’s been wandering for a long time in search of someplace to live – unfortunately, as all those left restless by the ongoing conflict tearing the galaxy apart, the Mon Calamari did not have a place to call home. With so many groups and constantly shifting balance between them, the task of finding the right ‘family’ became almost impossible; especially considering the Mon Cal’s beliefs were shared by only three individuals as far as he knew. There have been many more in the past, but the One Sith’s corruption spared very few. This massive tidal wave washing away the amphibious Sith Lord’s hopes and dreams had fortunately missed the most precious thing in Veles’ life; his beloved mentor. As long as she lived, he wasn’t completely alone.

“I am happy you do not walk the same path, lady Raaf,” he graced the woman with an encouraging smile, “The burden I bear is not an easy one, though there are many who give me strength. My efforts shall bear fruit soon… and then, I might find a quiet place to settle down with my heavenly.”

A soft chuckle of his filled the cell just as another step closer to the robed woman brought him closer.

“But that is just a sweet dream – nobody’s voice should remain silent when this foolish conflict is nowhere near its end. As someone carrying the blessing of the Force, I feel it is my duty to act.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “Despite your trials and tribulations, it has been the Jedi that have been closest to some sort of civil war. Not with sabers, but a battle of words. Casting people out. Judging, evaluating, withdrawing access, stealing. All in the name of the Light?”

She shook her head.

“And I’ll not pretend I am alone in being righteous. In fact, I am as guilty as anyone in not reacting sooner. But when the opportunity arose, I took it. The Jedi are growing stronger, despite the One Sith’s dominance. Oppressed, they are closing ranks. Working together as they haven’t done for a long time.”

“Its output has yet to be seen, but as already discussed, the One Sith may find themselves outflanked and if they start to doubt their own, then the cracks will quickly appear.”

“I was approached to help precipitate a One Sith coup. I declined for obvious reasons, but the seeds of discord are there. I sometimes believe the Sith’s greatest enemy is their own kind.”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Jedi civil war. It sounded almost alien in Veles’ mind, an unthinkable idea; to even consider the Jedi not working in unison as the One Sith claimed planet after planet and committed untold atrocities was beyond unbelievable. And yet, it had happened, the splitting over seemingly petty issues to complex differences between different Jedi. Or, in Veles’ humble opinion, true Jedi and Dark Jedi – then again, his view of Jedi and Sith was fairly strict and only very few shared a similar opinion on the two ancient Force sensitive orders. If he – in theory – looked at the numerous Jedi Orders as actual Jedi and not pretenders, the amphibious Sith did manage to see the situation from the Jedi Grandmaster’s point of view; or at least as much as a Sith Lord could ever be able to. Having been dealt a fair share of empathy, more so than his ‘Sith’ colleagues, the only barrier between the Sith and his Jedi counterpart were the ideological differences. The very same wall made out of bricks of ideology separated the Jedi Order, the Silver Jedi, the new Jedi Order, possibly even more groups – as a whole, the Jedi did not need that. Not now, anyway; in any other situations, Veles would have appreciated the rift between them, but not when both Jedi and Sith faced a seemingly unbeatable enemy.

“Interesting,” Veles’ eyes sparkled with curiosity, “You are correct, Grandmaster; a Sith is another Sith’s greatest ally and enemy alike. It is true the One Sith is not as united as it claims to be – ever since the Dark Lord’s… show of weakness, if you will, the organisation found itself pulled in many different directions, done by individuals who do not care about Sith and prefer to walk the path towards their personal glory – and ultimately, their downfall. The beast they have created is not as impressive with its strength divided, and it is indisputable more groups and individuals within the One Sith await the right moment to jump off the weakened beast or stab it into its back.”

A strange feeling washed over him – it seemed wrong to wish to see the very monster he had helped to build fall and die, yet for many reasons the Mon Calamari knew it had to be done. He had never wanted the One Sith to grow into… whatever it has become. Anger flared up within the Sith assassin’s heart; the One Sith was supposed to be conquer the galaxy and stomp out those who resisted while peacefully lording over the majority of the population. The actual image couldn’t have been further from Avreet’s wishful thinking, unfortunately.

“Please, lady Raaf,” the Sith Lord spoke once the flames of the Dark Side’s fury died within his large amber orbs, “Do share the story about the coup.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened to Veles’ explanations and thoughts. She nodded frequently.

“Whereas the Jedi have historically called out differences and caused divide, now they see the logic in focusing on the similarities. On being inclusive. I suspect, rather than know, that the One Sith have historically overlooked their differences — but oddly now are starting to question each other’s approach. Banites, that eschew personal wealth are wondering about those that build castles and amass millions of credits to line their own pockets. Some are beginning to admit they aren’t loyal to the Dark Lord but are just in it for themselves.”

She shrugged. “Not that it makes much difference to the worlds that have been lost to the Republic by the One Sith.”

“As for the coup?” She nodded absently. “The head of the Sith assassins asked for my help in distracting the One Sith for long enough to allow the Dark Lord to be assassinated. I saw it as a pointless exercise. Who’s to say a new Dark Lord is any better than the outgoing one? It could get a lot worse? The new one might galvanise the One Sith in a way you say they currently lack.”

“What are your thoughts? Would a change of Dark Lord make any difference?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

It came as no surprise at this point that the Jedi Grandmaster’s outlook did not differ from the Sith Lord’s opinion on the matter. Not too much, at least. A frown could be seen spreading over the Sith Lord’s expression upon Corvus’ mention of Sith assassins – yet another group he had been a part of, yet another group he had left without ever looking back. Just the way they called themselves felt like an insult to the amphibious Sith predating the One Sith and their flawed ways; again, Veles had a strict code and professional pride. While a ruthless killer, Darth Veles liked to think of himself as more than a simple murderer; the rest of the group came nowhere near to meet his standards, preferring slaughter and collateral damage over discretion and no needless casualties. Shame.

“Not at all,” the Sith shook his head decisively, making the whiskers on his chin wriggle at the sudden motion, “After the numerous deaths and resurrections of the Dark Lord, the man’s importance had diminished greatly – I dare to say there is nobody loyal to him, even if everyone says otherwise. Provided he is even alive at this point, the man is a puppet, a prisoner of his own Hands, Voices, possibly others who abuse his unlimited authority to further their own goals instead of following the original vision.” The man’s expressions softened and showed Corvus a sly smile.

“Guilty by association,” the infamous phrase often used when referencing to members of the Black Rose left the Mon Cal’s mouth, “I would have taken Darth Ferus’ offer were I in your place, most honourable Grandmaster, if only to have every single Sith Assassin declared traitor and hunted down. Plus it would have cost the psychopath his life; whether the Dark Lord’s Hands and Voices are loyal to nobody but themselves or actually follow the man who officially rules the One Sith, their power would have destroyed the monster and ironically saved many lives.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened. There was no flaw in the Sith’s approach. None at all. But then, in her mind, that didn’t necessarily make him right either.

“The thing is…I find most Sith…” she was clearly searching for the right word. “Interchangeable. Remove one Sith assassin and another takes his place. Take out a Voice and another appears. We never eradicate, we simply help process a pipeline of talent for the One Sith.”

“So I set no store in taking out individuals. Taking back planets — that will hurt them. Stemming the flow — that will make them think twice. Working with the Galactic Alliance and the Silver Sanctum Coalition — this will trouble them.”

“You may not agree, but it is what I believe. Anyway…what plans do you have? You’ll no doubt do something for the Republic, then slip your leash. I can’t see you sticking around for long. So what are your longer term plans — if you can share them?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

He smiled – but it wasn’t one of the kind smiles he graced women with so often, the curling of his lips turned out to be more like a knowing smirk.

Interchangeable – expendable in Veles’ vocabulary.

Most, if not every Dark Jedi within the One Sith could be described by that simple word, as Veles had considered almost everyone within the organisation to be a liability to their official goal, and to his own personal goal as well. The Mon Calamari did not suffer liabilities lightly; but since culling was forbidden within the One Sith, unless done by one of its leaders, the Sith Lord had only achieved the brand of a traitor marking his name. It mattered little to him – let the fools drown in their own seeds of incompetence once an uprising happens! Truth to be told, the One Sith desperately needed a good power shuffle to survive, not matter the risk it involved. Its leaders might have been fearsome warriors on the battlefield, but each and every one of them lacked a silver tongue, charisma, and just about everything that made a good politician. One short-sighted choice followed by another, and despite the chain of successful invasions, it appeared the One Sith would defeat itself from the inside. On the other hand, just as tipping the delicate balance of power to one side had the ability to give the One Sith a proper leader, it also held the danger of triggering even more splits and fights for power.

“Lady Raaf,” the Sith clasped his webbed flipper-like hands behind his back. “It might surprise you, but I plan to stay with the Republic for as long as possible – if the situation permits. You have been defeated over and over again, yet you still fight; that is admirable and I look forward to working with both Jedi and Republic forces. A whole new experience, to work alongside my rivals and see their methods! Perhaps I’ll learn a thing or two from you?”

The prospect of getting more intimate with Jedi ways and knowledge intrigued him. Most of these self-proclaimed Sith dismissed the opportunity to learn more about the Light Side almost automatically. It was a taboo for them, an unthinkable crime. For the amphibious Sith assassin chatting with the Jedi Grandmaster, it was neither. The Mon Cal’s amber eyes saw an opportunity to learn, even if his hands were not destined to touch a Jedi Holocron. He had conquered as much of the Dark Side as his sanity and willpower permitted – now it was time to go in the opposite direction and claim the Light Side as his own. No matter what others claimed, Veles believed there was wisdom in controlling the power of his rivals.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sensed the Sith Lord reflecting on her words. It was odd how often they agreed on things — albeit from slightly different viewpoints.

His next words were unexpected — and potentially awkward. If there was one thing the Jedi of the Order had been agonising over for some while it was the composition of allies. Allies to the Order and allies to the Republic. And in particular Dark-siders.

“Now you’ve hit a nerve. And a live one too. One the Jedi Council have debated long and hard without a solution. Or at least a definitive one.”

“The Republic chooses its allies. From time to time it allows groups and individuals to fight alongside it that we would never have endorsed. But as I say, we serve the Republic and cannot choose its friends.”

“But the Republic and the Jedi are not one in the same. So we have debated long and hard about our allies. Of those that are not Jedi but do things for the greater good. And we are broadly in direction of travel that says Dark Jedi — those that use the Dark-side of the Force — but only use it for the cause of good, are permitted to fight alongside us on the field of battle, regardless of it being a Republic cause we’re fighting for.”

“We expect them to follow the basics of the Code with regards the taking of lives and such like. So tell me, where does an assassin stand in the eyes of the Jedi?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet found difficulty in answering that; he had studied the Jedi and their ways, but his flirts with the rival order unfortunately did not grant the Mon Calamari the knowledge extending to the current Jedi politics and precautions. If the Prime Minister had the last word, was there anything the Jedi Order could do against a Sith working alongside the Republic, and inevitably the Jedi themselves? The situation was hard to solve given its unique nature requiring both mutual respect and delicate balance – Jedi and Sith officially working together, even if only to defeat the common enemy, did not necessarily signify the temporary alliance had no flaws. In many aspects, they were complete opposites forced to cooperate in order to overcome a great danger. Certain Sith practices were too hard for Jedi to swallow and vice versa if both parties continued to follow their respective Code, Veles realized that all too well.

“It is easy to see why the word might be viewed in a negative light. That is alright – and although I assure you my personal mantra is very strict when it comes to collateral damage and forbids any innocent casualties, I completely understand the path I walk can clash with your beliefs. True Sith despise needless killing – each time a life is claimed by my hands, it is done with purpose. You need to know the greater good is always on my mind and that I am justly proud of doing my work well, even if I do not like the grim thing I do.”

A darker meaning hid behind the Sith’s declaration despite the fact not a single lie left his tongue – different viewpoints and all.

“Though if there is no wish for an assassin, how about a Sith infiltrator, Grandmaster? Stealth is my art; bending light and sound my mastery, just as moving unseen and unheard or taking the appearance and voice of another.”

The woman did not need any proof of that – he had already demonstrated his specialty back on that desert planet by assuming the form of her old.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened, her eyebrow raising once or twice. “Innocent casualties? A Jedi believes all life is sacred. You talk of death as if it is as clear cut and those who are worthy of death and those who aren’t. But I understand your philosophy, even if I don’t agree with it.”

“And it is of course flawed. The definition of needless is entirely subjective — and so impossible to defend.”

“Using your skills to gain information is another matter of course. Like a Jedi Shadow.” She shook her head ruefully. “But you are a Sith and I am a Jedi. We can never agree entirely — or for long. It is out nature. We are designed to balance each other out to keep the status quo within the Force. If we were the same, one of us would be superfluous.”

“Not that a galaxy without Sith would be something I would object to. But I simply doubt its likelihood. History tells me this.”

“So…you plan to be a freelance operative for the Prime Minister?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Whatever Veles thought remained hidden behind his expressionless mask, leaving no clue concerning his thoughts for the Grandmaster to follow and discover the Sith Lord’s opinion on the subject. Indeed, whether out of courtesy or to simply not avoid a debate neither side could win, not a sound passed through Avreet’s lips, answering the Jedi Grandmaster with nothing but a thoughtful glare and an occasional nod. Given the ideological and personal differences standing like a wall between the two still, he truly did not want to get caught in the “murder is still murder” talk. Only Corvus’ mention of Jedi Shadows produced the faintest of smiles, his gaze shifting somewhere over the dark-haired woman’s head as if the bulbous eyes spotted something. Something that did not exist within the cell, possibly a distant memory from another space and time, maybe just the Sith Lord’s musing that demanded an escape from the Jedi Grandmaster’s violet gemstones. Soon enough, the Sith’s head turned back towards his rival.

Corvus suddenly found herself impaled by the Mon Cal’s hard glare as he stared her down.

“But Grandmaster, it’d be such a shame for Sith to completely disappear! Would you want your favourite Sith to disappear, my lady?!”

The tone betrayed his cold gaze, positively revealing Avreet meant it in a joking manner… mostly.

“Oh, my future relationship with the Republic is impossible to tell, lady Raaf!” Veles quietly pointed out in a gentle way, “We have to see what the Prime Minister proposes, though I do wonder – if I am allowed to help the Republic, what will it make me from your Order’s perspective? Will Jedi try to arrest me?”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “The Force requires balance. That much I believe. Maybe in ten thousand years there will be no Light or Dark-side — just the Force again? But until then? We continue to balance each other out.”

“And I wish you no harm. I’d prefer it if you didn’t follow the Dark-side, but then we can’t have everything, can we.”

Her tone remained neutral. Light, airy and friendly but mostly factual and pragmatic as opposed to emotional or subjective.

“And we arrest those the Republic require us to. No more and no less. Would you expect anything else?”

“But I am curious what would happen if the roles were reversed. If I was a prisoner of the Dark Lord?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

“If you were captured by the Dark Lord…” Veles repeated and thought of the situation, mentally placing the Jedi Grandmaster into the role of a captive of the One Sith. Not the best of predicaments – in fact, the amphibious Sith could not think of a worse fate. There was no way Corvus could imagine all the terrible things that’d be done to her, and Avreet did not want to go into too much detail as he refused to talk about such matters with a woman, although the Jedi much have seen her share of gruesome acts. Still, the unexpected answer rolled off his tongue sooner than he had expected. “Then I’d do everything in my power to rescue you, Jedi Grandmaster!” A court nod followed, another proof of the Mon Cal’s gentlemanly nature.

It was more than a statement – a promise. And yet, despite the honesty and chivalry alike audibly sneaking into his words, a gentle, hearty chuckle of his filled the cell.

“But I guess that isn’t what you wish to know, is it?” the Sith Lord sighed and paused for a second, closing his large eyes momentarily as if to see what ran through his mind more vividly, all the bloody and messy “interrogations” he had witnessed during his stay in the One Sith, “You’d be tortured by the Dark Jedi. Violated in every imaginable way, and finally converted to the Dark Side.”

Both amber orbs fluttered open, locking gaze with the Jedi.

“But even if I were loyal to the One Sith, I’d help you escape or give you the means for an honourable death.”

“Does that surprise you, lady Raaf?” the amphibious Sith asked carefully, understandably quite uncertain of Corvus’ view on that; while the Sith Lord saw dying on one’s own terms as a good and honourable thing, he realized such mentality to be fairly uncommon.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“Curiosity is not a Jedi trait, so my question was not based on idle thought. More professional interest. You see, we never look to turn prisoners. I guess, in a sense, we never have any. You’re a guest of the Republic, not the Jedi Order.”

“But when approached, we would only work with Sith or Dark Jedi that wished to be redeemed. There has to be a willingness to turn to the Light.”

“Which is why I’m always slightly confused that there is a belief that every Jedi can be turned. As if torture and violation would automatically lead to the Dark-side. And given I could take my own life, that would always be an option. But no, I trust in the Force. It’s all I trust in. So I would place my faith in it and resist any techniques designed to make me use my emotions for harm.”

“And given my thoughts on the Sith, turning me would be a bad move. If I were a Sith, I suspect I’d be a Banite and resurrect the Rule of Two. So rank and file Dark-siders should beware.” She smiled. It was an odd concept and strangely humorous to her.

“But to answer your question? Your honour does not surprise me at all. It is possibly your single most noticeable feature. So, what would you say was mine?”

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Shrugging, the Sith Lord could not offer much more than another smile – fortunately not erupting into laughter following Corvus’ comment regarding the Rule of Two. If that unthinkable event of Corvus joining the Sith ever happened, the two would either do their best to murder each other or get along famously. Luckily, Corvus was unlike many of her colleagues. After seeing so many Jedi fall to the Dark Side all too eagerly shortly after their capture, jumping into the corrupted waters head first instead of trying to stay on the surface, it was tempting for Avreet to think all Jedi weak-willed. After all, who in their right mind would join the enemy using torture as the means of persuasion? While Jedi lacked the wonderful ability of turning pain into their ally and source of power, the short amount of time it took to convert one showed a great lack of devotion. The same sort of devotion safely preventing Darth Veles from ever joining the Jedi Order.

“One immediately notices your wisdom and beauty, lady Raaf.” The Sith Lord’s answer swiftly presented itself, the smooth Imperial accent even more pronounced than usually. Whether unnecessary flattery or kindness, it came as no surprise by now, definitely not to a woman who had shared an evening with him.

“But your devotion is what I truly respect and value, much more than any of your formidable skills. It makes you a worthy rival.”

Darth Veles loved this raven-haired Jedi Grandmaster, in a strange way vastly different from the love he felt for lady Zarrah – even though his words concerning her beauty and wisdom were more than an empty phrase. Being a slippery amphibious creature, the Sith Lord used this moment to ask his own question.

“Have you encountered any other Sith since we last met? Eh, of course, by Sith I mean those such as myself.” The dying breed. Hard to find, yet Sith like Avreet did not mind waiting; be it for decades or centuries, these Sith have been gifted with patience, plotting their return. One day, the history would repeat itself with Sith – actual Sith – ruling the galaxy.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “Why is it the behaviours and values that we most admire make someone simultaneously the rival we admire most — and at the same time make us wish we would never have to cross sabers?”

“Few Sith have my respect Avreet. Heaven knows, I’ve educated enough on the battle-field as to Sith teachings. Your Academies are sadly lacking.” She shook her head. “I’m not doubting their power, or Abilities. But their ambiguity of purpose seems odd.”

“Have I met any Sith like you?” she answered, smiling. “Are there any?”

“I have met many on the battle-field. Vornskr, Vitium, Vengeance, Venefica, Carach, Isolda, Vornskr again. And again.” She seemed to be counting them off on her fingers. “Vrag, various assassins…too many to mention. Every Invasion, from either side. And others beside.”

“And a new breed. Calling themselves Ren, not Darth? I know little of them, other than their use of the Dark-side.”

“Have you come across them?”

[member="Darth Veles"]