Private Teaching Resilience (Elpsis)

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Ixzuma looked up at her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, but then took the hand. Or rather, she touched it, pulled back and looked up.
"I thought it'd be cold." She took the hand again. Zhaleh was tanned, though less so than her southern sistren. Compared to a Xio though she was pale, and to the little girl she must have thought that the pale people would be cold to the touch. She likely had not had much contact with non-Xio before today.

She swiftly led Zhaleh down into the city, and into a maze of tunnels dug into the rock of the edge of the caverns. In these near lightless depths navigation might be tricky for one not used to the darkness. However, Ixzuma led Zhaleh to a small group of children who'd made a makeshift camp near an industrial boiler's underside. The drip of water provided them with enough to drink and the warmth from the hot metal kept them from getting too cold. Fungi and other growths had sprung up, attracted by the heat and water, some of which could be eaten...and some which were deadly.
"Hey, I brought a snow topsider!" she called as she approached. "This is us!" she declared proudly.
A group of four other children of similar age and condition, peeked out from the scavanged fabric tents, two girls, two boys. They looked thin, pinched faces, dirty, but bright eyed in the dim light.

XXX

Lalax waved a hand. "Any sky-realm is bigger than ours," she said. "But more information is always worthy of desire," she said with a nod.
She frowned. "Threw a skyship? Like a toy? This is powerful magic indeed. I expect nothing less from the Karishzar," she said loyally. It was unclear if she understood that Nyssa was being mocking or not. "When she awakens I am sure she will reward you for your faith and suppliance," she told Nyssa. The last was probably not even a word.

XXX

Phylis frowned. "Yes hmm, from what I know. Interesting...concerning." Carefully the Jedi examined the surrounds and ran her hands over the frame. "Hmmph, depends whether they're actually clever or merely thought they were."
The search proceeded a little longer, but she finally stepped back, about to employ more direct tactics. Then frowned. "Or...they were actually very clever."
Closing her eyes she let the Force flow through her and to see through them, in the way Elpsis perceived the world. It was harder to maintain focus for sure, and her control was nowhere near as exact...but effective enough.

"There!" she exclaimed. "Diona, see through the Force if you can, and you will understand."
Symbols, invisible to the mortal eye, now sparkled in glorious colours in the Force. Runes of concealment and warding surrounded the door, and though old seemed still potent.
"Look for a symbol which looks like a Cresh. That's the one we'll need. Hmm, unless they were really really clever...."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Zhaleh took in the camp. Someone else might have focused on how wretched the children looked. She noticed that, too. Her heart ached for them and for what they must have been through. But she also saw something else. Ingenuity. Resourcefulness. These children had been all alone, but banded together and made best use of the tools at their disposal. The camp's location was well-chosen and it was a good set-up.

"I greet you, brave Xio," she gave the four little Xio a friendly wave, smiling at them in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "I am Zhaleh Jai Bysara. I, uh," she paused, trying to figure out how to phrase, "am in service of the Destroyer's Heir. Your camp is well-composed. A labour of skill," she frowned. It sounded off even to her.

xxx

"Truly, I yearn for nothing more than to expand her sky-realm, smite her enemies and lay their swords at her feet," Nyssa declared.
Elpsis glared at her. "That's enough, Nyssa. She pulled a skyship down, she didn't throw it. And she had help," she corrected a bit annoyed, though she didn't know for sure whether Lalax had bought the Pureblood's embellishment or not.

She sighed. "Anyway, looks like we can get the kids sorted if they wanna stay. It has to be their choice. I can spend a couple extra days to make sure they're okay. You got a time scheduled for the, um, petitions? By the way...how does this whole Karrigan work?"

xxx

Diona joined Phylis at the door, carefully examining the frame. She had been a Jedi Inquisitor, but she was not well-versed in sorcery. Concentrating on the ethereal realm, she sunk into the living Force. However, Force Sight was not one of her skills. She could tell the door was touched by the Force, but not perceive wards.

"I cannot do that," she stated after a moment. It was a matter-of-fact response, rather than an irritated one. "What do you see?" Then she felt a pressure in the back of her skull. "Let me see for you, Diona," Javana's voice spoke inside her mind.
"You can see through the Force?"
"I could not use Zari in life, not like you or your star traveller friend. But now as a ghost...I see things the living can't. Let me see for you." Wordlessly, Diona nodded.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan
The kids looked from one to the other, a mixture of puzzled and confused.
"Uhh, she alright Ixy?" one of the boys asked, making a face.
"She just doesn't speak our language," Ixzuma said breezily. "So this is Squiddy, Maz, Glint and Feather," she introduced the two boys and then the girls.
They gave little waves.
"They've got proper names too, but they don't really get used much anymore. Not just between each other."
"So what'd you bring her here for? She's not with the workhouse is she?" Feather asked suspiciously. She did indeed have a couple of feathers behind her ears, rare things in these caves.

xxx

Lalax nodded thoughtfully. "It is well, Lady Heir, you need not be modest for the Karishzar. Her acomplishments are great and numberless." She looked to Nyssa. "You are a true Scarlet Knight of the Destroyer!" she declared. Another title for Nyssa?

Returning her gaze to Elpsis she smiled. "Any who wish may take the mantle of Karrigan, but they must deject their old family and life - this is why mainly the abandoned and the lost choose it." Possibly not the best way of saying it, but it was clear enough. "There is usually not a big ceremony, but for this I will have a grand event!" she looked positively excited at the prospect.

"But first, petitions. Shall I read them, or shall your red knight?"

xxx

Phylis turned, she could feel the Force flowing through Diona...but strangely. And indeed with Javana's aid the symbols appeared.
The Jedi Master still continued to look at the door. Frowning a little she finally nodded. "Right, Cresh it is."
There were two such symbols visible, and Phylis touched one the same time as Diona, waiting until the Tephrike had found her mark so they could do it as one.

With a click the door swung open, leading down into the depths. Stone stairs led down into the depths beyond. Phylis ignited her lightsabre and used it to illuminate their path down.
To her surprise and relief they did not find a hidden torture chamber or harem, but a small circular room lit with many crystals in the walls which refracted the light of the Jedi's blade. In the centre of the chamber was a black stone altar on which sat a staff made of some white metal or stone.
Phylis frowned and held up her hand for Diona to pause. "Hmm, curious. Be cautious though, who knows what traps might have been set here...or what might be in this staff!"

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Zhaleh seemed to realise her linguistic efforts were a bit flawed, flushing slightly. "No. Sorry. I mean you no damage. Those are nice feathers. I have the acquaintance of a Vash who wears them like you." She cleared her throat. "I'm friends with the woman you call Miss Heir. She met Ixzuma at the soup kitchen. She says she can offer you a home there."

xxx

"We don't need a spectacle. And they have to agree. They're supposed to get a home, not be shown off," Elpsis said awkwardly. Nyssa seemed about to make a snarky comment but a glare from Elpsis told her otherwise. "Right, petitions. Xilae, can read them."

"Making the male do the paperwork. The Daughters are making a good Xio lady out of you," Nyssa remarked.
"I know he'll be accurate. Not sure about you," Elpsis responded tersely.
"Thank you, ma'am," Xilae said stoically "Shall I get started?"

In that moment Elpsis' comm rang. "Yeah?" she asked a bit gruffly.
"Sergeant Jai Bysara, ma'am," an aristocratic, somewhat accented voice greeted her in Basic.
It left Elpsis feeling a bit sheepish. "Oh, it's you. You finished up with the artefact business?"
"For today yes, ma'am. The Xio was haughty, but the judgement was largely...acceptable."
"You sprang it on us, Sergeant. Be happy with what you got."
"Yes, ma'am. I am not protesting it." A pause. "Where are you?"
"Daughters' poorhouse. Come over."

xxx

Javana faded back into the depths of her consciousness, and Diona returned to the forefront. The Jedi blinked, as if she had to get used to seeing with her own eyes again. Her gait was a bit awkward as she descended the stone stairs cautiously, mindful of her step. But the staircase did not suddenly collapse beneath them. Nor did hidden blades suddenly sprout from the walls to cut them to pieces. But that was less surprising than the sight that greeted them once they stepped into the small chamber, illuminated by light emanating from the crystals.

She gave Phylis a curt nod. "The crystals...you feel their power, too?" Diona asked rhetorically as she took in the sight. Her gaze focused on the staff, and she frowned. "This is no cursed weapon, it has been touched by the Light," she said, voice full of surprise and even a bit of awe.

Why do you come here, star woman? It was not clear where the disembodied voice came from. There was an eerie quality to it, like multiple beings speaking as one. For power? For knowledge? The crystals pulsed and bright glow surrounded the staff. The Force energies that permeated the room coalesced into a burning, intense blast of light directed their way.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Whilst a couple of the kids looked interested Squiddy in particular looked suspicious.
"What'cha mean 'home'? We got a home here," he said.
"Yeah but it's cold here, and I'm sick of scrounging foot and eating mushrooms," Maz replied.
"I don't trust them up top, all fancy and like," Squiddy grumbled. "When we get up there they'll make us work, just like old Mistress did," he added.
"I'm sure Miss Heir won't make us work right?" Ixzuma asked, looking up at Zhaleh with big eyes.
Glint meanwhile was looking suspiciously around, as if expecting a horde of people to appear and invade their space.

xxx

Xilae started to read the petitions out, one by one. There was a wide array of them, from rebels or recruits in the Downfall who were wounded, to single parents or relatives of orphans finding it hard to make ends meet. There were also those forced from their homes after losing work or because of domestic issues.
It was a rather sad and pitiful litany, enough to make even the hardest hearts flinch.
What was most interesting was that it wasn't as if they wanted much. For those in the gutter even a shared room and a guaranteed meal a day was worth the effort.

At the end of each petition Xilae would stop to listen to Elpsis' instructions and carefully note down her views.

xxx

Phylis heard the voice too, and instinctively raised her barriers, just in time. The blast that emerged was not what she expected. Rather, it was an emergence of Force Light, a powerful yet rare ability which she could use in very limited situations.
The Jedi took the blast full on, and it washed over her like a warm wind, hot but not burning. Her defenses melted before it but...there was no need for her to worry.
The Light only purged the Darkness.
Phylis shook her head to clear the after flash from her eyes.
"Peace, spirit, I am not, hmm, your enemy. I am a Jedi, a defender of the Light and I came here to discover this place, not to defile it."
A pause, and then she looked back to Diona. "Diona?" she asked, preparing to render assistance if the lost Tephrike needed it. She didn't know whether the Force energy might affect her...the weight of old sins might be still on her.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Zhaleh's heart went out to the children. She squatted down on the ground so that she would be looking them in the eye instead of looking down on them. "No. Miss Heir doesn't want slaves," she said quickly. Her eyes darted to the Xio who was called Squiddy. "I mislike most topsiders, too. Big Qadiri ladies say I'm not good enough because I can hunt and work," she confessed. "And humans don't know how good they have it. But my friend is not like that."

xxx

The more Elpsis listened to the tales of woe, the sadder she got. None of these people were asking for much. They all suffered through no fault of their own. Victims of an unjust system. It brought back memories of Lower Coruscant, where the poor struggled and often starved. Not far from the capital district where the rich and affluent lived in splendour. Naturally the Jedi Temple was located in the rich part of town.

"This...this is wrong," she muttered, upset. "And that's just the short list?"
"We had to trim it by a lot," Xilae nodded. "Some cases were frivolous, others more...complicated."
"But there's still many just like this?"
"Likely, yes."

Nyssa looked a bit bored. "Just give them all five hundred credits and let's go already, or we'll be stuck here for ages. Just make them swear eternal loyalty first!"
Elpsis glared at her. "Do you know what poverty is like, Nyssa? Real poverty. You weren't born poor. You've never starved. You don't know what it's like to have nothing, to have to steal, to sell yourself just to survive. So spare me the bullshit."
Taken aback by Elpsis' vehemence, Nyssa raised her hands. "You survived, babe. You took back your life with your own two hands."
"Had to do with a lot more than being able to hit things. I got a lep up because I have the Force. Privilege most people aren't born with."
"Alright, if you want to crusade against 'injustice', let's gather the mob and kill some mistresses."

"If we could get back on topic," Xilae cut in somewhat exasperatedly. "Ma'am, I await your decision."
Something scatological was on Elpsis' tongue, but she swallowed it. "We got the creds. Allocate food. Maybe emergency housing. From what I hear, most of these folks don't have places to stay in?"
Xilae nodded, then remembered Elpsis probably couldn't see the gesture. "Many are homeless. Damp caves at best. Even prefabs would be an improvement."
"Ok, write that down. What can we do about the claims from disinherited folks? And folks wanting legal help against mistresses? Not...really our job." She looked uncertain.
"Lawyers would help, ma'am. Ones that aren't parasites."
"An extinct species," Elpsis muttered cynically. "Maybe I can, uh, fund a sanctuary," she frowned. "One that's not shit."
"I mean, I don't care one way or another," Nyssa interjected, "but put this lot to work if you want to rain mana on them. So they don't get lazy and think you'll bail them out every time."

xxx

The purifying energies of the Light filled the room. The Light burnt all that was impure. Diona had instinctively shielded herself before she knew what it was. Her defences melted away. Her skin and uniform heated up. Her face was contorted in an expression of pain, as she felt an intense feeling of searing heat that brought her to her knees.

A feeling of shame filled her. Are you alright, Javana? she asked as she shook her head to regain her bearings. The flash had left her in a daze. "I'm fine," she grunted in response to Phylis, not wanting assistance. She is tainted. The blood of the innocent clings to her hands, the disembodied voice spoke.
"And I'll never be able to wipe it off," Diona spoke spoke, raising her voice. "I seek to make amends for the time I have left, before I face Ashla's judgement."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

The kids shared a glance, then retreated to a huddle. There was whispers, one of them occasionally glancing at Zhaleh. Finally they turned back around. Squiddy looked still uncertain, but the others looked convinced.
"Alright, we'll go with you," Ixzuma said.
"But we can come back if we don't like it, right?" Glint asked anxiously.

Doubtless reassured by Zhaleh's answers they would follow her up after gathering their meagre belongings. The Qadiri would look quite the picture, leading a small tribe of Xio children from the underground areas.
They would then head towards the poorhouse.

xxx

Lalax looked a little uncomfortable as the two argued briefly. She looked down at the floor silently, and only up when the situation was resolved and Elpsis had spoken.
"I know of some advocates who know the law," she said. "They can determine the wicked," she added, perhaps not the best word...or perhaps it was!

Xilae nodded. "It is very important we let Xio law ajudge this, ma'am, so it doesn't look like we're interfering. It might be tricky though, as despite a new lawcode there are many judges who do not want to...uhh...reopen old wounds," he said tactfully. Meaning they didn't want to unearth the crimes of the Mistresses who had sworn loyalty to the new order.

xxx

Javana inside her head spoke, but the voice was echoing, distant. "I am still here, but do not let it do that again or it might purge me!" she said a little frantically.
Phylis looked from Diona to the staff and stepped in front of the Tephrike, shielding her.
"Diona was led into error, and though she committed sins she, hmm, is working to atone. She is worthy of this chance. The Light is compassion and seeks redemption for those who have fallen and acknowledge their error. I will not let you harm her."
"You are more pure, but even you have guilt and sin in your life. The blood of your sister...."
Phylis narrowed her eyes. "Hmmph, do not lecture me, staff," she said sternly. "I have played out every moment of that confrontation a hundred times, but I have made peace with it, and myself. Twenty years since, and I have done much since which has shown my learning. Yet every day I still learn. There is no perfect being, wholly of the Light. Not your maker, not me, not Diona. All of us are mortals and mortals err, yet the power of the Force flows through us all. The power of the Light is not to divide but to unify, and if you wish to sit in the vault forever more than you may remain with your judgements."
She turned and offered a hand to Diona. "Come, Diona, let us leave this item to its judgements," she added theatrically.
"Your tactics are known to me, but you have a point."
Phylis paused. "I leave it to you, Diona, do you wish to stay here with the judgemental staff?"

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

"Yes. You go any time," Zhaleh said, hoping it was true. She smiled slightly. Passing through the industrial areas, they got their share of odd looks from other Xio going about their business, but the Zaldrani didn't care and reached into her jacket. Retrieving a small packet of sweets, she offered it to Ixzuma. "For you. You share."

xxx

Elpsis seemed to realise the bickering had made Lalax uncomfortable. She looked a bit contrite. "Sorry, not your fault," she muttered a bit sheepishly in an awkward apology. Nyssa, of course, did not feel embarrassed at all. "You mean not make mistresses who are licking mother's boots and swearing they didn't know about the death camp next door look bad, Xilae," she remarked with more than a trace of bitterness.

"Anyway, I get what you mean. Those advocates would be helpful. If you could get in touch with them, that would be cool," she said with a nod to Lalax. "I hate to say it, but Nyssa's got a point." The Pureblood smirked smugly, but wisely said nothing. "Doesn't help anyone if folks don't have work. But we gotta get them help first. So...how do we do this?"

xxx

Diona's eyes narrowed. "I do not fear its judgement. One day, Ashla will judge me. If it finds me to be damned, so be it. But I shall not let the spirit I host be harmed. Know that I will defend her," she said firmly, unyielding steel in her words.

The energies of the Force flowed through, though she did not lash out. But she readied herself to wrap them around her tightly like a cloak...just in case the staff decided to resort to fire and brimstone again. "The owner of this house went to great lengths to hide you. Out of shame of having someone who serves Ashla in the family? I think not. Easier, less risky ways to dispose of an awkward spirit. They'd certainly not let you sit in judgement. She was a lightsider, wasn't she?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Ixzuma took the sweets and then sniffed them. Deciding they were fine she took one and gnawed on it.
"Nice!" she said, offering more to her group. They seemed to have decided that the Qadiri was not a threat as they took them.
There was some brief squabbling as Feather tried to grab two and leave Maz with none, but he was able to snatch his rightful prize back with a glare.

As they arrived at the commandeered building they got even more looks. Mostly curious, but one older Xio woman spat on the ground near Squiddy's feet. "Daughters. Feh," she grumbled and turned away.

xxx

Lalax nodded. "I did not intend to offend you, Lady Karrigan," she said meekly. "Those in the law will need to interrogate...question...those in need so a trial can be constructed. It will be a difficult trial if it happens," she added a bit pessimistically.
"Proof is the main problem," Xilae added. "Most Xio were...and many still are...illiterate. Proving anything against certain people given the time, war and chaos will be...tricky. I'll see what I can do to get assistance from her Majesty."

xxx

Phylis nodded, she was right where Diona was in that regard. "Yes, if they so wanted to be rid of you they would have destroyed you or, hmm, dropped you in the ocean. One does not go to these elaborate precautions for no reason."
The staff did not reply for a good moment.
"We were hidden here. Our creator was of the Light and we were passed down through generations. But recently few have come, few have been here to learn. We felt great turmoil through the veil, and now you from the stars are here. We were created to aid, but the darkness closed in and we had to be hidden. Now the darkness is lifting and change has come."
"Hmmph, still doesn't explain why you attacked," Phylis said sternly. "Where I come from, those in the Light do not attack without determining the hostility of their foe first."
A pause. "We...expected those of the Dark, or false agents to come. We...regret our actions."
"I understand. Ah...Diona...a moment?" Phylis said, gesturing her to a corner. "What should we, hmm, do? My normal procedure would be to properly document everything before trying to remove the item."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Where Zhaleh came from, things were far from utopian. But the conditions up north imposed a kind of communal solidarity. If a child was left without family, the priestess was charged with finding a guardian. So a deep expression of shock and disgust was written across Zhaleh's face. "You're filth!" she called after the Xioquo woman. She felt inclined to go after her, but the rude woman was already gone. Instead she bent down, and gave Squiddy a loose hug. "Vile woman. You're a good boy."

xxx

Elpsis sighed. "Mother should've killed the lot of the parasites. She had the chance when she took the damn city."
"Well, she didn't," Nyssa interjected. "And both of your mothers really dropped the ball since they didn't bother teach you anything. I mean, one got herself put in coma, the other's a nonentity, so whatever. Now do you want to figure this out?"
"Nyssa, you're out of line," Elpsis growled, glaring at her. The cracks in her skin glowed fiercely, like burning embers.
"I have a plan. You want to hear it?"
"Make it quick. Stick to the facts. Spare me the Pureblood are so great speeches. Got it?"
Xilae, meanwhile, leaned over to Lalax to whisper, "Uh, Centurion," he cleared his throat, "they're always like this. It's...best not to read too much into it," he said gently.

"You want justice for the 'downtrodden', don't make it obvious there's an investigation. They're nobles, they got big egos. Some of them probably want to wed their kids to you. So - you'll love this - pander to them. Ask for an assessment of family assets before and after the war, family details and so on. Put it all down on paper. Make it clear the details must be just right and match some pre-collapse survey you can cook up. Do the same with the dispossessed. Compare the data and then...spring a surprise on them."

xxxx

Diona followed Phylis into the corner, though she was sceptical that this would prevent the staff from hearing what they were saying. "Remove it and take it where?" she asked. "It should go to Xio who follow the light. It could teach their...Seekers." She glanced to the black stone altar the staff rested on. "Spirit, Do you know what happened to the last one who was trained by you? As you said, great changes have been wrought in Tlaxqui. The adepts of the light now walk freely among your people.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

Squiddy had glared at the woman but stiffened initially when hugged, but relented. He was slender, barely more than skin and bones.
"Thank you...some of them are...mean," he muttered, wiping his eyes angrily, not wanting to cry.
They headed inside where they found a collection of other children waiting. Some of them gave the new kids a look of disdain when they entered, but most seemed more accommodating.
One of the kids came over whilst Zhaleh headed upstairs presumably. "I've seen you around. Are you Ixzuma?"
"Yeah?" she asked, hands on hips.
"I'm Laqshae, welcome!" the other girl said. She was a bit older, perhaps equivalent of a young teen for a human.

xxx

Lalax looked from one to the other, then back to Xilae. "They have a lot of fire inside them," she confirmed with a nod. "Does she cohabit with her bodyguard?" Lalax asked conspiratorially. There was some clear tension here, and probably sexual tension at that!
Xilae gave a quick glance between them, uncertain whether to disclose what he was almost sure of...but not certain. It'd be a brave man who asked Elpsis such a thing!
"I think they're...quite close," he said quietly, and left it at that.

Instead he cleared his throat. "Uhh...the LT does have a good strategy, ma'am. I think we should let the Queen know our plan so we can get her on board. I think she's been wanting to push a proper census through for a long time."

xxx

"They never returned," the staff commented. "We felt them join the spirits...and we felt all hope was lost. If there are those who follow the Light above perhaps we may aid them."
Phylis nodded. However, her hand strayed to her belt and produced a datapad from which she started making notes. "Yes, hmm, I think that's wise." She started to circle the pedestal, making notes. "So, hmm, who created you?"
"You would not know her name," the staff declared.
"Hmmph, try me."
"We were originally made by the Paragon Ashira. A gift to her daughter Mystra, a gift forsaken. We were taken by those who followed the Light and hidden here."
Phylis stopped in her tracks. "Really? Made by Ashira? That's going to cause a few waves. The Eldorai are going to want you back."
The Eldorai still live? We have been lost to them for so long."
"Yes, despite their own and others best efforts," Phylis muttered. "Well, that complicates things. Uhh...do you mind if we remove you upstairs? There's some people who might be interested in you."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

A single tear dripped down Zhaleh's cheek. "I'm sorry." Overcome with emotion, she had slipped back into Zandri. "I'm sorry," she repeated again in Xio. She patted the boy on the back, then looked to the other children to make sure they were alright before leading them into the poorhouse. The reception seemed less openly hostile there.

Among the throng of Xio waiting for help of some form, Zhaleh spotted a familiar face that also seemed to have just arrived. "What are you doing with these...waifs?" Hazani asked, speaking in Zandri.
"They're under my protection, ma'am. They have no home. The Lieutenant wants to help them," Zhaleh insisted loyally, responding in kind.
Hazani's gazed across the dirty, painfully thin children. For a moment there was a flicker of emotion on her face. "Yes, I can see why she would. Go fetch her, Private."
Zhaleh looked at the kids, speaking in broken Xio this time. "You wait. I go and see if Miss Heir is available."

xxx

"See, he agrees. He's smart. Keep him around," Nyssa declared, pointing at Xilae. "'Nyssa, that's a fantastic idea. Nyssa, you're brilliant.'"
"You're the most arrogant woman I've ever met, and I've lived with Sio," Elpsis retorted. She gave Xilae a curt nod, and looked at Lalax. "What do you think? Is this a good way to go about this? You're the one who deals with this stuff all the time."

xxx

"Mystra...you mean Myrou? The tyrant?" Diona asked.
"The most promising of Ashira's daughters, but she fell into darkness and wrought great evil. So much promise, so much potential wasted."
Diona glanced at Phylis, looking sceptical. "What use would the Eldorai have for a sacred instrument of Ashla? The staff is too precious to be someone's trophy, or shown off in a temple. It was given to the Xio and taught generations of them in secret. Now it can do so openly. They have adepts of the light; they are clawing their way out of the darkness. It can help illuminate the way for them. And instruct those who struggle with temptation."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

The kids looked at the new Qadiri cautiously. They didn't speak Zandri of course, but they could tell she was bossing their new friend around.
Ixzuma, always the most bold, peered up at Hazani. "Hi, you're very tall!" she said innocently.
"Are you Zay-lah's boss?" Maz asked curiously.
It was unclear whether Hazani knew Xio or would reply, but the kids were curious to see another 'pale outsider' here.

Meanwhile upstairs Lalax frowned. "I like this plan. There will be much angry from the Mistresses when they discover the plan." She smiled. "But I like to angry them so I concur!"
"Anger," Xilae whispered.
"Anger." In Xio she retorted, "This human language is strange."
"You get used to it," Xilae replied diplomatically.
"We should declare this to the Queen! She will see the skill of this I am sure. We shall get justice time."

Phylis looked very uncertain, almost torn. "Hmm, I am inclined to agree. Given the 'complicated' Eldorai relationship to Ashira this might cause issues. But, that might be something which should be regardless. However, this might be a great boon for the Xio, and it was a gift...."
There were many secrets she and few others knew about all the elves, and the Eldorai especially. Secrets which even now could shatter the illusion of the Goddess. And this staff might still do this even if not malicious.
"I should take and study this further before making any recommendations." She looked to the item. "Staff, will you allow me to do so?"
"I consent to this. However, I do wish to help teach the children of Mystra. That is my purpose."
"Hmmph, and therein lies the problem."
The Jedi extended her hand and the staff lifted from the altar and drifted to stand before her.
"I guess we had best tell Elpsis about this." Though the human may have already sensed something odd as they left the shielded chamber.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

In contrast to Zhaleh, Hazani could not speak Xio. Her dealings with Xioquo had been limited...outside of fighting them. There was Xilae, but he was a minion, a maleling and she spoke Basic with him. Sometimes she'd dealt with prisoners. Guarding them was a common task for acolytes among the Sistren. She looked a bit uncertain when the children addressed her. "Hello," she said awkwardly. It was one of the few Xio words she knew. Realising she would not get far with her limited language skills, she pointed at herself. "Hazani Jai Bysara," she spoke, and pointed at them.

xxx

Upstairs, the mismatched party seemed to have formulated a plan. "And make sure she knows it was my idea. She likes me, you see," Nyssa opined very modestly.
Elpsis groaned and wondered once again how she'd shacked up with someone whose ego rivalled her adoptive mother's. "Xilae, call whoever you have to call at the palace. And message Royal about the money," she ordered instead. She gave Lalax a slight smile despite herself. "I think you and me will get along just fine." It was very much to her own surprise. "You know, I like making prissy arseholes angry, too."
"It's the least they deserve," Xilae added darkly.

At this moment there was a knock on the door. "Uh, ma'am, Private Jai Bijana here."
"Come in. You got the kids?"
"Yes, ma'am. They're downstairs," the Zaldrani reported as she stepped inside.
"Any trouble?"
"A Xio lady we passed by was...mean. Other than that no. They're smart kids. Had their own camp. A huntress would be proud to call them her own," Zhaleh said feelingly.
"People have to be jerks," Elpsis muttered disdainfully. "But, cool, Lalax, can you...," she broke off her train of thought, frowning, for she felt the surge of light emanating from far down. "Did you feel that?"
"My headache?" Nyssa asked. "Yes."

xxx

"As far I'm concerned, the relic belongs where it can do good. It can't be a coincidence that it was unearthed now - when the Xio strive to emerge from the chasm. Whilst the Eldorai are engaged in...petty squabbles," Diona remarked. She frowned, staring at Phylis intently. She knew the basics of Eldorai mythology from Celaena.

It seemed strange for her to worship an anthromorphic being. But perhaps Ashira and the Kashara of the Qadiri were enlightened Force ghosts. Or had they just personified Ashla? Now that she thought about it, Kashara and Ashira sounded very similar. Maybe Javana would have her two coins to add. "You keep alluding to Eldorai secrets. Seems like you have secrets of your own." She followed Phylis out of the shielded chamber, sticking close to her. Watching the staff.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

"I don't think she can understand us," Feather said.
"Your tattoos look nice!" Maz said, straight faced. When he got no reaction he chuckled. "No, she can't understand us!"
"Be nice!" Ixzuma said sternly. She pointed to herself. "Ixzuma." Then named each of the others in turn by pointing to them and using their name.
Squiddy waved. "Hello!" he said the one word they knew she knew.

xxx

Lalax beamed at the compliment. "It is my big wish that we become allies!" she told Elpsis.
When Zhaleh entered, Lalax gave her a smile and a little wave, but then tempered at the words.
"There was still cruel people. We should be conjoined for one mission, but people are anger...angry. It is my goal to make people respectful but some do not do so."
But before she could go further she turned to Elpsis, confused. "Feel what?"

xxx

Phylis frowned. "Well, hmm, I'm not much of one for the 'will of the Force' except in certain cases. It usually plays into confirmation biases. Still, now is not the time for a discussion on fate..." she said, pulling herself back from a metaphorical abyss before she could vanish inside it.
"The Xio could use the guidance, but the Eldorai are not without need too. Their system was broken for a long time; lies, cruelty and deception poisoned their people's lives. They are trying to escape that, trying to adapt, not unlike the Xio. It is a situation I must give more thought to. At the very least it needs to be presented to Queen Vondra."

As they headed up the stairs Phylis spoke. "I do, ones which could, hmm, still do great harm. Therefore I must keep them to myself and the few others who know."

As they headed up the stairs holding the staff, Phylis opened the door to reveal the rest of the group. "Well, hmm, we found something unexpected in the basement. It's an artefact of the Light. Uhh, Lieutenant, we might want to discuss in private."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Her inability to communicate with the children left Hazani with a feeling of frustration. It was not that she particularly wanted to interact with Xio, but...they looked just like Qadiri children. She had seen that look many times. On poor peasant children, street urchins in Krolis, slave children rescued from the clutches of Xio or Khaimari pirates.

"Hello," she repeated again, cursing her lack of linguistic knowledge. But there were more ways to communicate than verbally. She smiled at the children. Taking off her gloves, she stretched out one hand to Ixzuma, and the other to Squiddy. If they shook her hands, she would offer them to Maz, Glint and Feather. An extended hand meant no threat, as it could not be armed. Hazani's hands were calloused and scarred. They woud feel warm to touch for the Xio. Her skin was a darker shade than Zhaleh's.

xxx

Diona's brow furrowed as she absorbed the words. And what the other Jedi was not saying. This might have been the moment for her to get melodramatic about it. Except she was not a galaxy Jedi. "I see. I understand," she said laconically, and left it at that. Javana, what do you think about this? she asked mentally. How much Javana knew or cared about mythical stuff was another question, but she had common sense. And still knew more about Tygaran matters than the Tephriki.

xxx

"That," Elpsis pointed at the staff Phylis was holding up.
"Yes, it's giving me a headache," Nyssa grumbled.
"Don't be a baby," her occasional lover retorted. Zhaleh had to suppress a giggle when the Pureblood glared at her. It was a bad idea to anger Nyssa. She tended to be...mean when she was in charge of drills. Creatively mean.

"Alright, just a moment, Phylis," Elpsis looked back at Zhaleh. "Who's with the kids at the moment?"
"Sergeant Jai Bysara, ma'am. I...don't think she speaks Xio."
"Lalax, can you and Zhaleh help them get settled? Should help having another Xio around. I'll be back in a moment. Xilae, you message the palace?" the Xioquo soldier nodded.
"Do I get a quest too, ma'am?" Nyssa demanded, putting her hands on her hips. The staff was making her antsy.
"You can...," Elpsis trailed off. "Yell at Royal and tell her I need money for poor people."
The Pureblood smirked. "You had me at yelling at her."

"I would like to be there when you discuss the relic, Lieutenant," Diona insisted.
"Why's that, Corporal?"
"It is a relic of Ashla. I believe I have some insight to offer on this matter."
"You can share it with me afterwards. Go with Nyssa, and make sure things get organised. There's lots of people here who need aid."
Diona had too much self-control to let her annoyance show or argue the point while they were in public, so she nodded curtly. "Yes, ma'am."

With all those details settled, the group dispersed, leaving Elpsis and Phylis alone. Elpsis' dead eyes darted over the staff. Its presence was like a beacon when seen through the Force, and runes inscribed on it glowed. "Mother always said you dug up toys and tomes in the most unexpected places. Guess you couldn't resist digging here, huh?" she asked sardonically. "So what's it doin' in a Xio villa?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

The children looked at the hand warily, but then Squiddy took it, though not in the usual way. Instead he both shook it as normal, but put his other hand over the top of hers. It was warm, and he smiled, stepping back. The others followed suit, and it seemed she had earned their trust for now.
By the time Lalax and Zhaleh reappeared the kids were chatting to each other and Hazani even though the Qadiri had no idea what they were saying!

Lalax clapped her hands twice to draw attention. "Children! Let us prepare you. Your friend Zhaleh here will go with you, but you need new clothes, a wash and some food," she said firmly.
Inside a back room was a room with a tub bath and some stalls to get changed.
"Heat some water, please," Lalax told Zhaleh whilst she selected by sight some outfits. They were simple outfits of grey or brown cloth with slipper like shoes, but they were warmer, cleaner and newer than the children's current attire.

xxx

Javana was silent for a moment, perhaps still wary of the staff.
"I know nothing of these Eldorai, and little of the Xio. This news that Myrou is a fallen goddess though makes sense. It is taught by some of my people that Myrou was the fallen angel of Kashara and those who followed her were made into Xio. They fled to the darkness and feared Kashara's light. Perhaps this is more true than I gave thought?"

xxx

Phylis raised an eyebrow at Nyssa. The Light clearly bothered her, as she suspected it would. She refrained from pointing it at the pureblood though, it was never wise to poke the bear.
She watched Diona withdraw, curious, but said nothing. Then her attention shifted back to Elpsis.

"Hmmph, it wasn't intentional, you know! I am very good at finding secrets, physical, historical or otherwise. There was something strange about that room downstairs, there was a trap and Force barrier which I passed. I am nothing if not inquisitive. Anyway, that's beside the point."
She paused, judging how much to say, wondering how much Elpsis knew.
"This staff is ancient, at least 25,000 years old. It's been passed down between generations of secret Light devotees, but mainly kept in this sealed room for a long time. Hmm, it says it is...it was made by...."
"Speak, we deem she knows enough of the truth," the staff communicated to both.
"Hmmph, I didn't know if Siobhan had told you all the, hmm, Paragon stuff. It was made by Ashira for Mystra, but when she fell it was spirited away by Light adepts. This gives me a bit of a quandary. It could be of great aid to the Xio...but the Eldorai might want to reclaim it. Diona had...views...on the subject as you could see."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Hazani was not sure what had compelled her to follow, but follow she did. Evil, born in sin, incapable of good without the grace of Kashara. The words of a hardened knight thundered inside her mind. But the children hadn't desecrated the holy temple, killed her sisters or dragged innocent Qadiri into slavery. Children were the same all over...even among her race's hereditary enemy. She sighed slightly. "Is something amiss, Sergeant?" Zhaleh asked softly, about to heat the water.

The Sister of Flame felt a surge of annoyance with herself about being transparent. "Step aside, Jai Bijana. I can heat the water faster."
Zhaleh looked a bit uncertain for a moment, then nodded. "I shall prepare food." She walked over to the kids. "Clean now. Food soon. Hazani is friend," she pointed at the other Qadiri. Meanwhile, water had poured into the tub. Hazani bent down to gauge its temperature, and focused. Her eyes and hands glowed slightly, as her body became a conduit for heat.

xxx
"I know nothing of these Eldorai, and little of the Xio. This news that Myrou is a fallen goddess though makes sense. It is taught by some of my people that Myrou was the fallen angel of Kashara and those who followed her were made into Xio. They fled to the darkness and feared Kashara's light. Perhaps this is more true than I gave thought?"

"That's an interesting theory," Diona responded mentally. "If the relic has knowledge of how your people came to be enemies, perhaps it could help heal a rift. A bit." She was no idealist, and had little truck with Jedi pacifist notions of peace and harmony. But she retained hope of a better world. She had to for a quest to have meaning. Even if she had no place in it. "The Eldorai are...divided. They have a queen who used to rule all of them, a bit like your Shahbânu wants to, but now ruled only group among many. They were fractured when their homeworld was devastated and only the well-off left the proles behind."

"Once more Jedi business makes a mess of things and a Pureblood has to fix it," Nyssa stated grumpily.
"You cannot blame everything on the Jedi, no more than I can blame everything on a Sith," Diona responded stoically. "There is plenty of blame to go around."
The Pureblood turned slightly to face her. "And I get to babysit the possessed Jedi. How's that working out? Am I talking to you or are you speaking for it?"
"I speak for myself. We have symbiosis. And her name is Javana," Diona responded evenly, but firmly.
"Lucky you. So many spirits who want a body and will do anything to hold on to it."
The Jedi did not rise to the bait. "I know. I've exorcised them. You wanted to call Director Royal, ma'am?"

xxx

"Oh, yeah, the fun Paragon story. Mother left me the Cliff Notes in her, 'I'm takin' a nap and all my other grown-up kids died or went crazy, so you gotta be Mini-Me except not really' package. All least she had it written in braille," Elpsis said sardonically, and with more than a little bitterness.

"Well, if the Eldorai want it, which of them would you even give it, too? Matriarchy's not the only game in town, and frankly among the dozens of factions I'm not sure it's the best. Worst case, it's a prize to fight over, and I doubt it wants that. Least the Xio have their house in order, which is funny when you think about it used to be here."

 

[Phylis Alince]

Elpsis Kerrigan

They saw Hazani with her hands in the water, they shared a glance.
"What's she doing?"
"Maybe it's something the desert kin do?" Glint asked curiously.
But then the Qadiri's hands started to glow, the water bubbled. Needless to say the children were all amazed and impressed.
"That's awesome!" Squiddy declared with a big grin.
Ixzuma came forward and put her hand in the tub and pulled it back. "She made it hot without fire!" she said in shock.
"I heard the pale faces can do that," Feather said suspiciously.
"She's alright, you know, and it's quick!" Ixzuma added.
Either way, now the water was hot the children could wash. "When you are done, children, pass your old clothes over," Lalax ordered.
As the adults withdrew various rags were thrown in their direction and the kids splashed happily...and probably did some washing too.

As the children emerged they shifted in their new clothes uneasily. The fit and material was different from the old so they now looked a lot more uniform. Feather still wore her namesake items in her hair and Maz had 'forgotten' the shoes, but other than that they looked normal.

"Excellent, now let's get you some food. How are you preparing, Zhaleh?" Lalax asked.

xxx

Javana's reply to the situation was to mentally glare at Nyssa.
"That one is a most arrogant and conceited creature," was all she had to say on the matter before sliding back into Diona's subconscious.
She wasn't wrong either!

xxx

Phylis coughed slightly. "Ah, yes, her record with family has been...mixed," she said diplomatically. "Well, that's good that you understand since it's a complicated situation in several, hmm, directions. It's fair to say that it informs a lot of how we have to act and react to these matters. It also means I have to be careful not just around the Asuran peoples but also outsiders. Regardless...."

"Hmm, the Matriarchy is also much more numerous than any of the other groups. The Shadow Knights are unified but giving it to them would be...diplomatically unwise. They are far from here and not the biggest fans of the Queen as one could imagine. The other scattered groups would also not be suitable as this staff might qualify as a heresy. Hmmph, to some of the conservatives your and my existence is a heresy to the Great Goddess," Phylis added sourly.

"Therefore I think we should present it to Lia at least for now. But...that relies on the staff not being more talkative than it should be."
"We do not understand the problem."
"I think you do. The Eldorai regard Ashira as a goddess, not a mortal. They see themselves as apart from those on Tygara. It could cause, hmm, significant issues."
"We do not wish to cause issues."
"Good. Guide the Xio, just try to steer clear of theology, the Paragons or...anything else so related." She glanced at Elpsis. "Anything else?"

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Phylis Alince

Hazani allowed herself a thin smile as she saw the children's reaction and how they dashed into the tub. It was quickly replaced by her normal, stoic expression. In any event, the kids eventually finished and put on their new clothes. It went without saying that they were the opposite of designer clothes, but they were clean and fit. "I have some bread, vegetables and leftover soup," Zhaleh replied when the children and Lalax joined them. "More than mushrooms," she spoke in Xio and gave Maz a thin smile, remembering a comment the boy had made at the camp.

xxx

She is, was all Diona had to say on the matter. They apparently reached a space where cell reception was decent enough in the cavern, and Nyssa made the call. It took a while before a miniaturised, holographic shape of Royal manifested. "Miss Vykaris, I was expecting Elpsis. I trust she is well?"
"Afraid of losing your meal ticket?" Nyssa asked sardonically. "She's fine."
"Remember who you're speaking to, Lieutenant! I'll have you know I'm very dedicated to her wellbeing. Probably the only person on the board is. Now I hope this is something urgent? I don't expect you to understand this, but running House Kerrigan leaves me with little time for idle chatter."
Diona silently glowered at the majordomo, whom she considered to be one of the few people who deserved to have the Sith inflicted on them. Nysa just smirked toothily. "You mean running its money. Which, by the way, is precisely what I have to talk to you about. Elpsis went to one of the Daughters' poorhouse and felt all sad about the poor, starving women and children. So she wants to help them. They need food, housing and so on. You get to fork over the money."
"I'm not at your beck and call, Vykaris. This is a matter I'll have to discuss with Elpsis in person."
"I wonder, how much input did you have in this journey? I hear Danton ordered it...so probably not much. Didn't even get to slip in one of your minions. Think of it - Fire Princess helps the downtrodden. Paying from her own pocket. Feeding starving orphans."

Diona felt her disgust rising as the gears moved in the Chiss' mind. "House Kerrigan is committed to helping the needy poor and impoverished and furthering the friendship Lady Kerrigan forged with the Xioquo," Royal declared pompously. "I will, of course, have to manage the organisational side of things. Resource allocation may...take a bit. Who would be the contact on the Xioquo side of things?"
"Karrigan'Lalax."
"How much do you need?"
"Uh, fifty thousand."
"Hundred thousand," Diona suddenly interjected.
"A hundred thousand?"
"Yes. It has to happen now," the Jedi paladin stated icily. "Without delay."
"You heard her. A hundred thousand."

xxx

Elpsis shrugged. "I dunno. You're the one who digs artefacts up. Speaking of which," she glanced at the staff, "what should we call you? You got a name from Ashira? You're more than an item, so calling you staff feels wrong and I'm not calling you the holy relic." At least the staff was not murderous like a certain sentient Sith sword.