The Empress and the Knight

[Nimue Stormson]

On one of the many planets within the vast galaxy two men were in search of a man known as [member="Asterion"] , the wandering Sith warrior. They’d heard rumors about him but had never thought it was real. Not that they were looking for him for their own benefit.​

​

The men had been hired through another party, who in-turn was hired through some unknown ally who had requested a message be sent to the Sith in question. Both men found it odd. They were small information brokers, not delivery boys. Their employer, however, insisted upon it. Apparently this unknown client had paid rather handsome all for the sake of having a message brought to someone who may or may not have still been alive. For all they knew they would’ve been looking for a ghost and the person’s money would gone to waste; not that they cared all that much, so long as they had their fair share.​

​

However after using their contacts and underground sources they’d finally managed to track Asterion down. It had taken a few days, when normally they would find someone within a few hours, and now had to do what they considered the hard part: giving him the message.​

​

Oddly enough the message itself had been sent via envelope and not just over the holonet. Though as they could feel it there was more than just a message inside. Something else, something with weight, had been sealed in as well. The more the two men tried to figure it out the more odd it all seemed.​

​

When they’d finally found Sith one of them spoke, saying “Mr. Asterion? Are you Asterion?” He waited for an answer before saying “We have a message for you. From someone who went through a lot to find you.”​

​

​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

With Teth being the one time residence of the Sith Order and one Lady Kyros, it wasn’t much of a surprise to find two men calling his name. It was, however, a surprise to see them venture out this far just to find him amongst ancient Sith ground, and not seeking the Lord he once served.

With fresh silver and black armour taken from the bunker he was leaving, Asterion looked revitalised and refreshed after his recent training of the girl. Now, however, either the past had once more caught up with him or he had a bounty on his head. He favoured the former, with so many names who would request him; Lady Kyros for one, if she had established herself and was seeking her former apprentice.

”Just Asterion – speak up.”

But then again, why would she send two grubs? Maybe it was another test to gauge his willingness and his volatile temper. Stepping up onto the jungle flooring away from the bunkers entrance, Asterion walked before the two men and snatched the envelope, looking at it and holding it tight.

”So what, you leave me here to make my own way or do you take me to the one behind all this?”

It had to be her, he felt it. Who else would be seeking a wandering Sith Knight? He glared down at both men, standing tall in his black cowl with dark piercing eyes and a heavily stubbled face sporting a wonderfully fresh deep scar on his right cheek from the incident days ago.

”You’ve got 10 words left by the way before I rip your throat out and I go on my way.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As [member="Asterion"] approached them both men tensed, one reaching behind as if ready to draw a weapon. The man was intimidating in all sense of the word. Even if he hadn’t worn his armor and had his own weapons at the ready he would still have been imposing to look at. The one carrying the message pictured nothing but pure muscle and rage underneath.​

​

When the letter was snatched he flinched, only to hear the knight’s threat before saying “We were only told to deliver it to you.” He clarified, unsure about actually transporting him to wherever he was being called.​

​

When he would open the message Asterion would see that the heavy object was in fact a piece of pure silver. It looked recently mined and cleaned from wherever it was dug up, but it was clear it was the genuine article. Following that was the letter, folded and written in ink. On the bottom most part of it was a sigil of a six-legged horse.​

​

The letter read as follows:​

​

To the one known as “the Minotaur”,

On behalf of the planet Effekt, I wish to extend my greetings to you. I apologize for inconveniencing you, if at all, but having heard what I have from your dark reputation I’d insisted this message reach you post-haste.

I’m told you are among the strongest warriors within the known galaxy, and that you hold no true allegiance with any of the known factions. I find myself in need of someone with your talents to assist in my personal training. Yours skills with a blade and with the ability you commonly refer to as “the Force” have gained my interest enough to extend this offer to you.

Let this small piece of silver be but a sample of what you will be given if you chose to accept this offer and help forge me into a finer warrior. It should provide more than enough for your trip.

I only ask that you keep this matter secret, and make sure no one will be able to speak of this to anyone else. I cannot afford for rumors to spread of the dealings at this time. Until then I hope we shall meet soon enough, Lord Asterion.

The Gods blessings upon you,
Empress Nimue Stormson of the Stormborn Empire of Effekt

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Reading the note in one hand, he rubbed the fragment of silver between his thumb and forefinger, taking in the words. His eyes went over each line twice, certain words sticking in his head – the most being an Empress. An Empress requesting his knowledge? He’d be stupid not to see what this was all about. And it certainly wasn’t who he thought.

The final paragraph spoke volumes, and he glanced up at both men, before pocketing the silver and folding up the note to slip inside his cowl.

”8 words. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

He checked his surroundings and started towards them, to the path they were standing on.

”I can make my own way.”

Asterion stalked forward and as he passed between the two men, he quickly out stretched his arms and fixed his hands tightly around their throats. His gaze focussed on the fauna below his boots as he squeezed, the flailing arms tugging and grabbing at his cowl.

The muscle ruptured and the bone popped – and the two men went limp and dropped to the floor. Asterion didn’t look back and carried on out towards the clearing, never having even heard of the planet Effekt. He sidled down a steep incline and found his small fighter just where he left it.

Activating the loading ramp with a wave of his hand, the Knight stooped low to walk on board and passed through into the grey cockpit. Firing up the engine, kicking up the earth around the ship, Asterion plotted a course for Effekt – a good day or so would get him there with plenty of time to read the letter again and work out just who this Empress was an Empress of.

He pulled back the yoke gently and cleared the thick trees surrounding the bunker and made his way up and out into the atmosphere.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

On Effekt itself, within the capital city of Halaban, the Effektians were still reeling from the grand celebration that had taken place over a week ago. It was the first time they’d had so many off-world visitors come to their world and the Empress herself had spared no expense for the great ball that was held in their honor.​

​

Large banners bearing the same sigil of a six-legged horse were hung about from windows and buildings and the like. The streets were still being cleaned of flower petals and trash that littered about the place from everyone celebrating the great news of the new open relations with the galactic society.​

​

But all of that would be a trifle for [member="Asterion"] once he arrived, as a speeder carriage was awaiting him at the landing platform that was waiting his arrival. It was made even clearer when, as he would descend, he would see a well-dressed handmaiden along with two armored guards awaiting his landing. The girl herself was a fare beauty with long blonde hair and sad yet caring blue eyes.​

​

Once the knight had landed and made his way off the ship she spoke to him, saying “Lord Asterion, yes?” Once it was confirmed she bowed before continuing with “I’ve been sent to greet you, on the honor of the Empress. She is awaiting you at the palace where we shall take you.”​

​

After that she gestured to the speeder, one of the guards holding the door for him, before awaiting him to enter.​

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**********​

​

​

During this time Empress Nimue herself was sitting with the grand hall of the royal palace that sat atop the highest level of the city of Halaban.​

​

The district the royal palace was in was often called “the Heights”, an indication of it being the highest section where the rich and elite of the city’s people lived.​

​

The palace itself was grand, with hundred foot high walls that were a mix of the technology of the galaxy and the old, Nordic look of the stonework and design of the Effektian people. This was one of the many signs that indicated that Effekt had only recently been involved with integrating technology into their history and society; about five-hundred years to be precise.​

​

The Empress sat in her throne, dressed in her regal emerald attire with her large, golden horned crown and her staff in her right hand. She was listening to a trio of representatives from the planet Bespin; two men and a woman. They had been provided small chair where they sat in front of the small steps leading up to the throne while the Empress looked down and heard their proposal of opening trade routes through her planet’s system. While she was looking at them and showing interest, in reality she was growing all the more bored with their prattling. It was something her late husband had taught her while dealing with the trialing aspects of being a ruler.​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

The journey was pleasant enough, and it took just under a day to traverse the hyperspace lane to Effekt. Asterion sat in the cockpit the whole journey, reading the message over and over and studying the silver given to him. A few glasses of water and a power nap charged him enough when it was time to come out into space and take the ship down to the coordinates provided.

Landing outside a large town, Asterion was greeted by a welcoming committee and noticed that his surroundings were almost historic in scale and décor. He stayed silent, nodding to confirm his name, accompanying the maidens and guards through the streets that were lined with banners and flags. People carried on their business as the speeder travelled through to its destination.

The palace was unlike nothing Asterion had seen before. It was enormous, standing tall on the skyline looking over the planet and the city below. High walls looked strong, impenetrable and historic. The speeder passed up the winding incline to reach the courtyard, passing straight through a squad of guards and coming to a stop after a longer journey than expected.

Asterion begrudgingly got out and surveyed his surroundings. Reaching out with the Force, he could detect the strong essence of life around him, but no evident Force signatures bar his own.

Following the guards from the speeder and the young maidens, Asterion was led through the vast gates into the inner circle of the palace and then through the grand entrance into the building itself. It was certainly nice on the eye, but Asterion didn’t care for such material displays, he was simply focused on where he was being taken and why.

Stopping before another set of blast doors, the group waited a few moments while a guard talked into a headset. The blast doors rose smoothly which presented Asterion with a throne room, and what a throne it was. Black, gold and intricate in design adorned with a lady who made it her own. Dressed in emerald green and black with a crown that seemed to resonate the myth of the Minotaur Asterion had been named after, she radiated power and wealth…and a very weak Force aura that he wasn’t surprised to sense for a woman in her position.

Being led forward in a small entourage, Asterion sighed to himself at the pomp and circumstance of it all and made his way forward to the throne where the lady was already engaged. He didn’t have time for this.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As the delegates from Bespin continued on, Empress Nimue giving only half of her undivided attention, she’d perked when she could see someone approaching. Examining him from afar, seeing the strong and gruff look of the man, it wasn’t that hard to figure out who this was. Nimue’s heart almost skipped a beat from how excited she was to finally see [member="Asterion"] arrived in her palace.​

​

Realizing that despite this the delegates were still talking, the Empress waved her hand to silence them before saying “Yes. Thank you, my friends. These trade routes you wish for shall be given. On the grounds that my planet receive half the proceeds from your shipments.” The delegates were shocked to hear this, some trying to raise an argument, before Nimue banged the end of her staff against the ground and said “This are my demands. If you would prefer to let them go unheeded, then I suggest you find other planets to speak of trade routes with.”​

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The delegates, obviously without much choice, conceded to the Empress’ demands. Once it was done Nimue had the trio dismissed. As soon as they were gone she looked towards Asterion, a cold smile running over her face, and gestured for him to come forward. As he would walk up both the handmaiden and the guards would escort him to the base of the throne where the Empress sat.​

​

Looking down at him Nimue stood and said “So you must be the infamous Sith Knight Esterion I’ve heard rumors of. I must say you’re not quite what I expected. You’re the first Sith I met, and yet all the Jedi claimed the Sith were hideous beast-like men. Yet seeing you I do not know if I’m disappointed or…relieved.” After that she bowed her head a little low before finishing with “I welcome you to Effekt, sir.”​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Standing still as the royal carried out her personal business. Trade routes and profits? Business indeed. He looked around the hall and found it rather large to cater for a throne, but he imagined when needed it could be a place full of social activity, entertainment and heated discussions.

The banging of her staff brought his attention back to her, and Asterion was ushered forward to her, eyes glancing over those around him. He made a mental note of their numbers and positions in case things suddenly became heated.

As the Empress spoke, her voice soft and silky with a deep growl of power and command, Asterion rolled his head back slightly, trying to work out just what she was after. As she lowered her head, he rolled his eyes slightly at the surreal fact he was now in a throne room feeling like he’d stepped back in time.

”Thank you…I think. I got your note. Care to tell me who you really are why you want me of all others?”

He shot another look to the guards beside him.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Straight to the question of why he was here. How direct. Nimue kept that same amused smile on her face when he asked. It was hard to tell if she found him funny or if she just liked the fact that he was a man of business first and then frivolity later.​

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Looking to her servants and guards she called “Leave us. All of you.”​

​

Her voice was loud enough that it echoed throughout the hall. All the servants who were cleaning and the guards who stood at their posts could certainly hear her when she gave her command. Everyone exited the hall through the nearest exit as fast as possible. Even the guards who stood by [member="Asterion"] had known they were supposed to leave as well. They all hurried out before sealing the doors behind them. On the other side the guards kept watch on the doors to make sure no one would interrupt the Empress and her guest. When they would speak their words would echo throughout the now practically empty hall.​

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Now alone Nimue, who’d kept her eyes on the Sith the entire time, began walking down to him while saying “I hear from the words of many mouths that you’re a great warrior, Lord Asterion. You fought with the Sith and yet now you wonder the galaxy on your own in search….whatever it may be.” She circled him, the end of her staff tapping against the stone floor as she did. “They also tell how, like the Jedi, you Sith are skilled in the ways of this power you call ‘the Force’. Correct?”​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

He held his posture as her booming voice called for privacy, and everyone obeyed without hesitation or question. Looking at her when she spoke, Asterion only moved his eyes to follow her down the steps, like a predator coming to its prey, and then circling.

”I’m not a Lord, so quit calling me that.”

If anything, he wasn’t even a Knight – he was a Knight of the Sith Order, under the leadership of Lady Kryos, but as she was now elsewhere, who did he serve to be given such a worthy title?

”And yes, we hold such ability. So do you. Don’t pretend you don’t know what it is. I can feel it radiating from you, so cut to the chase.”

She was standing before him, and he refrained from looking anywhere else except her eyes.

”You know a lot about me but I know little about you and that makes me nervous.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

She’d only stopped when [member="Asterion"] had said “cut to the chase”. By then she was right back in front of him, her back to her throne. Even for a knight he had such a commanding presence. Much like he’d said about sensing the force in her she could feel it from him as well. It was odd, as if being able to sense something with her feelings and not her ears or mouth or eyes. And she could feel power from him. Looking into those eyes, so angry and yet so intent.​

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Finally she spoke when mention of not knowing her, to which she said “Obviously you’re aware I’m like you, Sir Asterion.” She was trying to work around calling him “lord”, since he didn’t seem to like it. “We both possess unnatural abilities. You people of the galaxy call it the Force. On Effekt many come to consider it magic. And in the past magic has been looked down upon as too dangerous a thing for people to wield. No one else knows my secret and I cannot risk it being know. Not now at least. I want to harness this ability. Prove it can be controlled and used. It will strength both my resolve and hopefully the people’s trust in my decisions in joining the rest of the galactic society. But there’s more. I want to learn to fight. And being a warrior of the force I thought to seek someone with more knowledge in both it and the sword than anyone here on my planet.”​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

He cocked his head slightly, digesting her words. Now it was his turn to circle the Empress.

”First, who is to say the Force in unnatural? What if those who don’t possess such a natural gift are the unnatural ones? You can call it magic, voodoo, whatever. Question you need to ask yourself, is how far are you willing to go really understand and control your ability?”

He stood behind her now.

”Why should I give you my time to teach you something you know so little about and fear other to know also? As for combat, you look like you can take care of yourself in a fight, or am I wrong? What sort of enemy are you trying to avoid?”

The Sith moved back to face her.

”I’m intrigued, yes I’ll admit. Why don’t you tell me a little why you want to bring these abilities out now, why it’s so important? I’m sure we can make some sort of arrangement.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Ah. And now he was playing her tactic on her. Empress Nimue gave a bemused smile when [member="Asterion"] circled her now. She followed him, keeping her eyes on his while her head followed his direction, as he spoke. One question after another while pointing out her own little points made during her offer.​

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Once he’s stopped in front of her she raised her head up, a smile still on her face, before holding her scepter out in front of him. The scepter itself was long enough to reach the floor while the one end still made it stand taller than her. It was golden and curved from the blunt end to the bladed end at the other.​

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“One thing that someone like me needs to maintain her throne is power.” She began, now using her staff as a crutch as she leaned against it. “My empire is wealthy, and soon it will be outfitted with technology from your galaxy that will make my armies stronger than ever. But I need more than that. I need to prove to my people that there’s nothing to fear in the galaxy. So many of them are like children afraid to step outside their homes because they fear what lies out there. The Force is but a grand catalyst that they all use as a major scapegoat in their blaming. If I can harness and control enough abilities in the force than I can prove to them they should embrace their gifts. That they have nothing to fear from the galactic community.” She’d been so inspired by her explanation that when she’d reached the end her hand had clenched into a fist. After that she calmed before explaining “As for the fighting, I prefer to be both strong in the force as well as with a weapon. You never know what sort of enemies could arise in situations that I may fall into. A life of an Empress can be trialing after all.”​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Folding his arms, Asterion gave a defeated little tut.

”See, that’s all nice to someone who cares, but my job isn’t to be beckoned by horny Empresses who want power and to make everyone happy and smiling and build bridges with the galaxy.”

He gave a satisfied quick shake of the head.

”Good luck with that, sweetheart. I’m not an ambassador for peace and hope. I’m keeping the silver for my troubles.”

Glancing at her staff, he locked eyes with her as he started past to get to the exit. He turned, walking backwards.

”You’ve got more than enough guard power here to keep you defended. And the funny thing is I could work through them all without breaking a sweat.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given his response Nimue was obviously not happy. Her face became a grimace as he tried to make the argument of her having enough power and men to guard her; even after his remark of being able to cut through them if he wanted.​

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“This isn’t about you proving my argument to my people.” She said as he kept walking backward. “This is about you teaching me how to be stronger. No one need know you were involved.” To keep him from going further she banged her staff against the stone for, the loud echo of it sounding through the main hall. “I would ask that you consider this matter more seriously, Sir [member="Asterion"] . I could have contacted any other knight or lord in the galaxy, but instead I looked to you. Because you hold no true allegiance with any factions. You’re a wandering warrior without much cause. I offer you one where you will be rewarded for your troubles. Riches. Perhaps even women. Or men. Whichever you prefer.” ​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Smirking, he listened to her voice as it became louder, more desperate and more powerful. The bang of her staff stopped him, looking around for guards flooding in to seize him – but none came.

”Nice speech. And I have very simple pleasures, ones that hardly anyone have ever shared.”

To be honest, he couldn’t remember anyone, or anything, he’d shared to maintain satisfaction as far as a Sith warrior could. He stayed still, hands on his hips, tapping his belt with his fingers.

”Ok.”

He slowly began walking back towards her.

”Ok, I’ll stay for a couple of days if that – see the sort of planet you run, see what makes you tick, see what makes you weak and vulnerable.”

He stopped a few yards from her.

”And then - ” he paused, looking her up and down, ” – you can think about paying me what you feel my time and knowledge is worth.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

When he stopped and stayed silent the Empress held her breath in suspense. Either he’d agree or he’d refused. If he did what could she do? Her men were obviously no match for him, and neither was she. And she knew not waste the time an energy if he did.​

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Thankfully he’d agreed, she sighing with relief. She closed her eyes for a moment as she heard him explain he would be looking into both her and Effekt itself. A matter of finding weaknesses and all, as a means to improve upon them.​

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When mention of “special payment” came up she looked back to [member="Asterion"] but with a more amused tone. She let out an enthused coo before walking up to him, already understanding what she wanted. Her obvious expression and almost hungry look in her face was proof enough she didn’t object. But so show it more the Empress placed her hand on his right shoulder before trailing her fingers down across his armor clad body and stopping at the middle of his abs.​

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“If that’s what you’d accept, I’d be more than happy to oblige.” She said, keeping her fingers there they were. “IF you help me enough, that is.”​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

It had been too long since Asterion had conversed with a real woman; one of power, of attitude and of want. He gave a small smirk at her playful tone, always wary of a counter-attack; a blade hidden in her sleeve, a rifle up above….you never knew.

Blinking slowly at her touch and listening as the words rolled off her tongue, he nodded and took her hand in his, lifting it away and casually tossing it back to her personal space.

”I’ll help you enough, don’t you worry. As long as you’re prepared to feel pain, mentally and physically, and to feel like I am about to bring on death. If you give yourself to me, I will work with you to build you up to have a greater awareness of the Force, of yourself and your ability.”

He stepped forward, coming beside her and turned his head.

”When do you want to begin…your Highness.”

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Feeling her hand in his strong grip for a moment had made the Empress realize what sort of power she would be training with. [member="Asterion"] was ever sense of the word a battled hardened. His talk of great pain to come was something Nimue expected. The greatest of warriors never became what they were without learning pain.​

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At that she only commented “I’ve endure a lot of pain in my life, Sir Asterion. Believe me when I say I’m not afraid of what’s to come.” After that, when he asked about when training would start, she went into a more pleasant tone while answer “Tomorrow morning. At dawn. My soldiers tell me the brighter the better, I wish to see if that’s true.”​

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After that the Empress banged her staff two times on the ground. The doors opened and the guards came back in, only to take their posts back in the main hall. Two servant girls hurried in and stood near the Empress’ side while she still looked to the Sith teacher she now had.​

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“The girls will show you to your room.” She explained. “Should you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. My servants will be at your disposal.” After that she bowed her head a little and said “Until tomorrow, Sir Asterion.”​

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With that Nimue turned and started walking for the hallway that would lead to her room. She kept her composure professional as she walked by her servants, and her trainer, but deep down she was a giddy as a child receiving a present for their birthday. She felt like dancing with joy or laughing her relief into the air, but she knew better. Keeping appearances was key after all. She would only retire for the night and let Asterion did what he needed before meeting with him in the morning.​

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Nodding in agreement, Asterion glanced around at the sound of the staff to see her entourage flank back in. He didn’t feel any danger however, only a sense of calm.

”Come and get me when you want me, your Highness.”

Inclining his head and leaving the susceptible double entendre as a parting gift, he followed her out the hall and started to loosen the armour plates on his chest and arms. He stayed silent as the maidens did their duty and led him the opposite way and up a flight of stairs to a small corridor.

His room was small and practical but perfect for what he needed it for. He would undress slowly and stretch out the days strains, peer out of the small window to observe the large palace grounds below, and sit and think on the next few days and how best to tackle them.

[member="Nimue Stormson"]