Pots, Pans and Plows [Stephanie]

[Coci Heavenshield]

On a road north of Rildonmark ..

Grace sits atop a wooden cart wrapped in a heavy black fur given to her by her cousin [member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]. He had bid her farewell a week ago now, after giving her the means of travel and much needed advice on the people of Midvinter. Their ways so different from the rest of the galaxy and new to her of course, but it is something pure here in this land that she grew to love. There is something pure about the nature of living here.

The morning air sat crisp and with each breath the mist issued from her mouth a sharp shot of mist, the horse nostrils flared with each pull and they too fell into the walk of nature. There was no burden on them, the team she had acquired from Rildonmark strong and healthy and will be much needed back at the Temple, needed to help turn the soil for the first of the valleys crops.

She sat pondering over plans as there is much work to be done, to establish the farm and the covenant and she relished it. But in the back of her mind there is still unfinished business, there is one more person she is wanting to meet, Thurion. Now that she is aware of him, and his position she had been keeping track of the news of the galaxy not envying him at all. She knows what he looks like now, his image larger then life on the holonet, he held the resemblance to her mother as she to her sister Sarah.

The horses head turned right and pulled the cart along the snow coated path that would lead her to the gates of Thainbroek. By eventide she would enter the city gates and find a place to rest within the walls of the Grand Hall. She was told by Thyrian, they would be expecting her.

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

So this was the world away from everything else she’d ever known.

A cold, bitter planet called Midvinter.

Maybe it was the name that had called to her – sounding almost mystical and romantic – but Stephanie Swail had been dumped on the outskirts of a city called Thainbroek on an icy path to follow. That was it.

Her blue and white jumpsuit was covered in dustings of snow, and her new shield strapped to her back. That was it. So much for being a shield of light – she didn’t even have anything else to her name except the clothes on her back and the blaster on her thigh.

She was looking for a fresh start. For somewhere to call home and to be of use, because right now she had nothing and nobody.

Arms tucked in tight under her armpits, Steph walked along the dirt track road, hard snow crunching over black boots that shone with dew and frost. An archway of snow-capped trees guided her way in the tolerable – JUST – temperature as the high sun made her surroundings look like something out of a dream.

Steph just kept on walking, annoyed at why the guide hadn’t taken her further on, but even he looked very backwards in his attire and attitude. Maybe this place was another world, light-years from what she had known before. Maybe she had picked the wrong place to look for herself.

A sound of clip-clopping hooves teased her head around to look at the oncoming cart down the path. A horse drawn cart? No swoop bike or hover-sled or even a quad for these conditions. Steph blew an icy breath and slipped a hand out, waving the cart down to hopefully stop. Not that it was speeding along to miss her anyway.

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

On the road north to Tháinbroek there are many travelers. Valkyri with carts laden with goods for trade within the walls of the captial, anything to help them provide sucker for their families before winter approaches and they all dig deep to see it through, but winter is a little way off yet as it is summer here on Midvinter. Which Grace learned was cold save for the Sun that graced the skies and beamed much needed light on this fair land. Some Valkyri traveled on foot, treading the path to the grand hall and those therein to bring news from parts distant to the King. Others to visit family or friends or find a new home with the safety of the city. It is strange to her as well, this fair land and its people but the faces of them all harded with life but filled with a sense of nobility from the top down. A noble people with history as far back as the galaxy itself.

Up ahead, in the distance, a beacon of light shone. It was not the Sun nor anything else but a person who stood on the side of the road. Grace sensed the force within this person, it was lightside and strong. And as the cart approached, Grace could see the girl standing there, well out of place and she looked lost. And cold.

Curious. Midvinter, so isolated sees very little in the way of visitors from other parts yet here stood a girl clearly not of this world, Grace had the knowledge of this, being one not of this world equally. The cart on which Grace traveled stopped beside her. "Greetings young lady .. forgive me, but you look like you could use some company". She smiled as she pulled back the fur on the seat next to her offering the young stranger a place next to her and a warm fur.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Not wanting to move much of her body, Stephanie smirked, shivered and nodded.

”You could say that,” she said, noting the space for her, ”thank you.”

Pulling herself up, feeling the cold in her muscles, she slid the frosty shield off her back, resting it by her feet with a thud and pulled the fur up over her shoulders, burrowing her face down into it like a little rodent getting comfy for winter.

After a moment, she felt a little warmer, and turned, hunched in the fur.

”Thank you, ma’am. I’m Swail. Stephanie Swail. Do you know this place? I’m looking for a place – Th..Thorien…Thorenbook? Brook?”

A little wince formed, she was terrible at names. Corellia – Iego – Vaal; so much easier to roll off the tongue.

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Thainbroek", she said as her eyes fell on the gates of the walled city ahead of them. A smile formed on her rosy lips, warm from the cold, "You are not from here are you?", Grace knew well enough the young girl was not, her clothing and strange shield for one would give that away. And she just was not of Valkyri stock. Grace did not really require an answer to her question and so, "I am Grace Vhalorious".

Grace encouraged the horses forward, not with a whip or even a flick of the reins but through a gentle word spoken to their minds. She turned to see the young woman buried within the fur shivering somewhat still. "You are Jedi". Blunt and to the point, but said with a softness held in her countenance.

"If I may ask? what brings you here to Midvinter, to Thainbroek?". Now the team of horses pulled the cart up the winding slope to the gates, more and more people that travel to the city are gather and the pace slows as each one awaits their turn to enter. It is noisy and full of life, people going about their daily chores and trade, some returning to home or leaving to make path back to their villages some even warriors, bring news of far distant parts to the King. I have a cousin who is king, how amazing, grace thought.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Steph didn’t know how to answer the statement Grace just made – a Jedi.

Was she? On paper, probably. In heart, yes. In form, no. It was confusing. She was, but had never been officially confirmed or identified as one…so, maybe she wasn’t?

Before she could answer, the next question came which was easier. She tucked her chin into the fur, keeping as much covered as she could when talking.

”I looked at a map, and saw this to the East. And I like winter, and this reminded me of winter…Midvinter. Plus it looks isolated, free from stress or strain, and right now I need a place like that to find myself, find Stephanie again, and be me. Does that make sense?”

She gave a little shrug and her wide eyes went up to the gates as the noise and hustle and bustle of the citizens got louder and louder. Life in full swing, and already it felt a little warmer, a little more cheery. The cart rattled along, Stephanie bobbing from side to side with the motion. She turned her head, furs and all.

”Are you Jedi? To say that of me you must feel it too”

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

It did not go unnoticed, Stephanie's lack of an answer regarding her being Jedi but Grace would not push it, as their had been a clear turbulant thought around the possible answer. As the cart passed through the gates and made its way along the dirt street, Grace did not turn the horses head to the Grand Hall but rather to the bustling market quarters.

On approach, the noise of the city only grew in volumne, many voices calling out to entice others to come trade for their goods, and in some cases, services. The forges are not far from them nor the tanners and their are other craftsmen as well. Small children ran among the stalls, playing and annoy traders with their games and shooed along with haste.

Grace jumped out of the seat to the street surface, the horses taking a long draft of water from the trough well earned from the journey. Pulling on the leather strapping that held down the load, she loosened the tarp under which would be some cloth from the south she had acquired to barter with, Thyrian had put her in contact with a man, who had a friend, who knew someone who had a wife who could weave one of the finest cloth in Midvinter.

"Give me a hand with this strapping my dear". Grace threw the loose strapping over the side of the cart and moved to the next and began the process over again, her eyes glancing Stephanie's way and she watched the girl for a moment. "Finding yourself you say? it makes no sense what so ever", she grinned at her all the while, while another stap was freed. "It will one day". Of course, Grace meant that Stephanie would find clarity by herself one day.

"I am", she said no more then that, as her gaze shifted to the local people not wishing to say the word Jedi in front of them.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Stepping down, Steph juggled fixing the shield to her back, along with listening to Grace, coupled with wrapping the fur around her body and mixed with avoiding cheeky children. Next, she had to tie up the cart, and she held the strap for a second before leaning around to see how to do it, and mirror it as perfect as possible.

She brushed the side of the horse gently and looked around the market plaza they were in. Rich smells tickled her nose and everything was alive, regardless of the temperature that often made things feel so cold and desolate.

”I hope to find myself one day,” he said as she waddled around to the young woman, ”so thank you for showing mercy on me out there!”

Following in her slow steps, Steph brushed her chin on the fur when it seemed to be that his Grace was a Jedi. A Jedi in hiding? On an assignment? Undercover? Nothing about this world so far screamed Jedi history – no temples, no monuments, no soldiers or Jedi dignitaries.

”Are you in hiding?” Steph whispered. ”If you want help, I’m good in a fight. I have contacts.”

She didn’t, but it sounded tough to say.

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"I was not showing you mercy young lady .. I was showing you common decency", Grace finished with her job before picking up one of the pieces of cloth. She paused however as Stephanie whispered and she could not help a chuckle. "No, I am not in hiding .. I am way I have come here to find myself as well. Sort of ..".

"Let us go do some bartering .. I need some pots and pans", she said moving off toward the market area in which several trader had had what she needed on display. As Grace held the bolt of cloth in her arms, she waited until the young woman was beside her. "But I do have a secret", she whispered mysteriously.

Walking along the line of stalls, Grace's attention turned to the purpose of the visit. "Fair ladies, come look at my wares they are the finest in Midvinter", a big burly man simply stated before picking up two pots and clanging them together to make a horrid noise. Regardless of the noise however, the pots did not have a dint in them and the man was strong. They all are on Midvinter. Graced noticed the man's eye running over Stephanie, firstly out of curiosity as she was very different to his eyes, then his look softened with a more searching gaze.

"What you have got to trade young woman?", he asked Stephanie. And without a word, Grace threw the bolt of cloth across the pots and pan until it unraveled before him. The cloth of tight weave, thick with wool and the colour of emeral green entwined with royal blue, was brilliant the likes of which the capital would have never seen. It was striking, and even gained attention from on lookers. "And they say blue and green should never been seen". She winked at the trader with a smile.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Hooked on the “secret”, Stephanie fell in line with Grace, taking sanctuary beside her in this world that seemed light-years from anything else. He eyes were busy taking everything and everyone, and while she wasn’t really hot on these backward ways of living and market browsing, she had nothing to object about in her position.

About to object to her lack of bartering skills, the banging of pots and pans made her yelp a little and jump, making that blood flow and heart beat faster. But, as she learnt, Grace was in control and this was her domain.

So, she gave a bewildered look to the trader and to Grace and let her take over, watching how she dealt with them and simply stood to bide her time. She took in the admiration from other traders for the cloth Grace had, and ran the back of her hand across it, feeling how soft it was how much passion had been in the crafting of such an item.

”Finest in the eastern galaxy I dare say,” she smiled at Grace.

Looking up at her, she leant forward a little.

”What’s your secret?”

She was like a dog with a bone – never wanted to let go of it.

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The tradesman showed nothing on his face as his eyes looked over the frabric but it was his eyes that betrayed him. He had been around the markets many a year and had seen everything to be seen when it comes of all manner of items to trade, and this fabric was indeed the finest in the land. Fit for a king or queen. This of course could be a disadvantage to Grace, what Valkyri would or could see themselves in this weave that would pale the threads of even the King himself?

Then, of course, there are those that are lords of clans, that relish such finery and care little for what others think. HIs mind was working, Grace could see it, sense it but she would not interfere. Not yet ..

For the moment, she ignored Stephanie's question, but focused on the job at hand. "Many .. many a good lady or lord would pay a high price for such a cloth". She added to the theatre by placing her hand on the material and smoothing it down. "And all I want for it .. is all your pots and pans".

"Two bolts", he finally spoke while stroking his long beard and watching Grace as equally as she had him. She knew she had a bolt to spare, the rest was to keep to secure a plow. "Two bolts of this fine weave?".

"Aye, and the lot job is yours". By now a crowd had gathered three deep around the stall, whispering about the events and demands of this stranger in their midst, well, two strangers. It was probably excessive, two bolts but Grace did not really care and besides this man's family would eat well this winter. "Deal". Grace sent one of the lads near by to race to the cart to fetch the second bolt.

"Come with me Stephanie", she indicated for her to follow. By the edge of the markets quarters Grace found a long seat on which to sit and once settled, "My secret is that I am Jedi, a Master in fact and reside here on Midvinter. I have a small enclave of Jedi near a Temple in the mountains". She pointed toward the stall where they had their pots and pans waiting for them. "Those pots and pans are but the beginnings of establishing this enclave and there is much work to be done still. That is my secret".

If Stephanie wished to know more, Grace would tell her, but it would be enough for now here in the markets on the seat.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Looking between the two, it was like another language. Weaves. Bolts. Trade? What happened to simple exchanging credits for goods and services. Orders put through databanks and terminals. What sort of place was this? Did people even know what a starship looked like?

Steph’s eyes flicked back and forward, up to the pots, down to the weave, always watching who was speaking and bargaining next.

And, somehow, it was over. Bolts were accepted. And Grace moved away to sit, and shared her secret. Steph nodded, looking up as if to try and see this mountain. It sounded very much like the Jedi Order’s she had researched and heard about in the institute. Caverns and mountains touching the sky shrouded in wispy fog and snow that protected the defenders of peace and justice, hidden away from everything and everyone.

And Grace was a Jedi Master?

”But…” she said, but stopped herself. ”Why…”

She frowned, looking back to the pots and pans. Basic materials for sterilizing water and cooking. She turned back to Grace, voice low.

”Can I see?”

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"I came to Midvinter in a similar position in which you find yourself now .. oh I know myself and what I am, but I was alone, or so I thought. But the force led me to this planet and I completed my quest". Why? she wondered what the girl was asking. Why Midvinter or why here in total isolation?

Well the questions were the same.

"I used to live on Yaga Minor for a few years and there I trained and trained and became the best Jedi I could. I was part of a covenant, called the True Covenant", she stopped talking as a Valkyri woman passed them close by. And she took the moment, to look to the cart to see a young boy loading it with the pots and pans.

Grace also took the moment to seek more understanding of the girl next to her and the force washed over her, what informed her was that Stephanie is light side and true. Powerful and untapped. If she felt Grace's intrusion so be it, Grace had to know her true intent before allowing anyone into the Dawnbringer Temple and the Covenant.

"Come", she said abruptly standing and walking to the cart. "We need to leave now if we are to find a plow". They would discuss more on the road, no doubt Stephanie would have more questions then what answers she was receiving.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Nodding intently, brow creased in concentration, fingers rubbing up and down the fur nonchalantly as Grace spoke, Steph felt this could be a path walked by many before her, and maybe Midvinter had a calling for people in her position.

Snapping out of her trance when Grace made the move to go, she followed quickly.

”A plow? What’s a plow?”

Surely it was something to farm with, wasn’t it? Another thing that made these people seem more…backward was too rude…what was the word…technologically behind? She held the fur over her shoulders and walked with Grace.

”So,” she spoke, mindful of her surroundings, ”you have a Jedi Covenant here on Midvinter? I was part of the Republic Order for a while, but as they began to break away, so did my connections. I’m…” she hesitated, ”…I was part of an initiative for a new breed of Jedi. Genetically engineered, so to speak. It just never came to light before the operation was abruptly destroyed and disavowed. So here I am.”

She was back in the cart, huddled, with her new Jedi guide for the rest of their plow adventure.

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Yes", she said pulling herself up onto the cart and taking control of the horses. With little encouragement, the horses moved forward and Grace turned their heads to the eastern gates of the capital. Before long, they passed though the wall and out onto the open fields that surrounded Tháinbroek. What Grace was not privy to that the field they now crossed had been the scene of the last battle in which Thrand Dawnbringer had perished.

"I am to establish the True Covenant, but with my version of it. Basically, it is selected Jedi that work the land in order to commune with the force through nature. To be able to learn how to survive in harsh climes and be self sufficiant. It is a hard life, but a fulfilling one". It is the closest that Jedi could come to the force without the trappings of others telling them what to do, whether it be a council or politicians. It is a select few.

Grace sensed the 'feelings' in Stephanie as she looked upon the Valkyri. As sense of superiority in her aura as she seemed to look down on them, as if they are backward or ignorant. "Tell me Stephanie what do you think of these people?", she asked knowing it would be the womans first impressions. And depending on the answer, it would be her first lesson.

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

At Grace’s question, Steph looked at her in thought, and then out to the countryside they were passing in the gentle rocking of the cart.

”I’m intrigued. I’ve never been around people like this, and I think you sort of forget not everyone has the same resources the greater galaxy has. Like any world, any sector, there are those who are advanced, those who are not, by choice or not.”

She pulled her shoulders in tight to bring the fur in and her fingers gripped it.

”They probably think the same with me, this jumpsuited woman with a shield and clearly looking like a solider and not belonging to a world with plows and pans when we have gadgetry to heat and prepare food for us and we spend credits to get supplies, not harvest it.”

She smiled at the woman.

”I don’t think bad of them, I assure you. I’m just…intrigued. What do you think of me then? Question to you.”

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"What you say if correct, however be mindful of your own arrogrance in these matters. Just because a place knows nothing of technology does not mean they know nothing. The Valkyri know how to survive here, they know how to live and feed their children .. we do not .. not yet, and this is why I am here .. to learn". They would arrive to the plains in the east and there to meet with a farmer who plows the fields. "After all .. was it not you that only moments ago asked me 'what is a plow?"". Grace turned to Stephanie and a soft smile.

"I did not know either before coming here but now I know what it is and what it is used for".

The sound of a small snow fed stream could be heard up ahead, the horses fatigued for their burden snorted and pulled forward eager to fill their bellies with the fresh liquid. Grace let them have their heads and soon the horses stood before the steam drinking their fill. Grace jumped down from the cart and went to the back to gather a small brown leather bag.

"Come .. lets eat", she said inviting Stephanie to break bread with her upon the ground of the icy planet. The contents for the bag was emptied on the ground, some cheese of goat, mead and meats even some fruit for dessert. "You must be hungry .. come join me".

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Steph nodded, listening and taking note of the little observations drip fed into Grace’s words. She didn’t speak, and instead hunched up in her furs and was content to let her lead talk and watch the scenery go by.

Funny – about now she thought she’d be in a spaceport, or in some embassy or something. Not in a horse and cart trotting through a picture perfect frosty countryside wrapped in fur talking about pots, pans and plows.

”Forgive me, but I’m all for expansion, but shouldn’t Jedi do more than learn how to simply live off Mother Nature?”

Watching Grace disembark after a while with the invite to eat, Steph kept her fur huddled like an adorable Wookiee and, leaving her shield resting in the foot well, jumped down, heel slipping slightly on some black ice.

”Goodness, sorry….” she laughed nervously, ”…not used to this terrain. So, Grace, do you have a family? Friends? Do you live here?”

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As Grace set up the luncheon on a patch of grass, "Of course Jedi do more, but to be able to survive in conditions outside of their comfort zone and survive well, is a tool given and gained for life. It is but a stepping stone in the path of the Jedi, to be humbled in the view of nature and remove the ideal that they are special by being blessed with the gift of the force". Grace sat down and begin to eat, the cold weather giving her a hearty appetite even since she had arrived to Midvinter. "I do have family, here on Midvinter and Voss and only recently I have discovered them .. some I have yet to meet and for now .. I live here high in the mountains where I will take you".

"Over my travels throughout the galaxy, and coming in contact with many Jedi from different covens .. I noticed they have lost connection to the very thing that sustains them in the force, nature itself. They have grown arrogant, full of a sense of purpose that is not flexible and that is worrying to me". There are many things the Jedi have lost over the years since the days of Skywalker and Yoda, something they have moved on from and progressed, but at what cost?

"For example Stephanie", she removed her lightsaber from under her fur and held in on the palm of her hand. "Tell me what you think about what a ligthsaber means to a Jedi".

​

[member="Stephanie Swail"]​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Hunched up in her furs, Steph knelt down on the frosty grass with Grace and took a moment to take pleasure in her surroundings – bar the chill in the air. Grace didn’t seem too phased by it at all, but then this was probably a summer’s day for one who lived here all the time.

She looked to the food, and then up the mountains as she spoke about the way of her life, and Steph would never throw doubt on a person for choosing how the live, but it still was a bewildering idea to live in such a desolate place. And so cold!

She took some crusty bread under her fur to pick at as she eyed the lightsaber in Grace’s palm.

”Trick question?” Steph grinned. ”Ok. To me, that is a tool to defend yourself and the ways of the Light with. It IS a weapon, but it’s not what I’d like to brandish as a weapon. More of…an extension of my ability with the Force to help protect myself and others in harm’s way.”

She turned slightly and pointed to the shield in the cart.

”Sort of like that. A defender. Protector. That’s what I see myself as. That’s what I want to be.”

[member="Grace Vhalorious"]