The Flame

[Jairdain]

Bast Castle, Vjun

Jairdain was here to look some things up in the library when an unexpected visitor arrived. Lady Numare wasn't present when Vincent brought in the man. It fell to her to greet the guest and welcome him.

"Vincent, please just bring or offer what you normally do and leave this to me."

Putting the item she had been holding back onto the shelf, she turned to greet Jorus. Giving him a bit of a nod, she motioned to the seats by the fire.

"I am Jairdain Ismet. I hope your welcome here has been acceptable. What brings you to Vjun and this castle?"

While she was wearing clothes, she also wore what could be taken to be a housecoat over it. There was a chill in the air and the added layer provided her with a bit of warmth. Even though she was looking in his direction, her eyes were unfocused. All her sight was through the Force and he might feel its attention to him.

[member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Jorus marveled at the architecture as he was led through the long halls by Vincent, he had always had a fascination with ancient places that had a deep connection with the force, light or dark. Jorus was dressed in what would have been white robes when they were first made, but were now a tinge of beige due to his travels. This was then kept together by a black belt that held his two orange lightsabers. To complete the outfit he was wore a pair of leather boots and a white hood with a mask to cover the lower part of his face. Vincent suddenly stopped as Jorus was greeted by a woman, who was clearly blind and he felt her probing him with the force, clearly to compensate for her lack of sight.

"I am Jorus Dane, I have come here in search of... inspiration you could say." He said in a deep, gruff, but still softly spoken voice, as he removed his mask and hood to reveal his face.

His face looked like that of someone in their mid fifties, weathered and wrinkled. However his green eyes sparkled with the energy of a younger man, his dirty blonde hair parting just above his eyes, with noticeable streaks of grey running through it.

 

[Jairdain]

The old man nodded when Jairdain issued her request and turned to face their guest.

"Would you care for some food or drink, sir?"

He waited long enough for an answer and then left. If something was requested, he would return a few minutes later with juice for Jairdain and whatever Jorus had asked for.

In those minutes, Jorus introduced himself and told her what had brought him to Vjun and the castle. With a small wave of her hands, Jairdain indicated the area around them as a whole and moved to take a seat in one of the chairs.

"Please have a seat. This place does attract a few people that's for sure. Here there is a Force Nexus as well as...well history."

[member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Jorus sat down listening to Jairdain carefully, his ears piquing at the statement of the possibility of seeing a Force Nexus for the first time. He reached out with the force trying to feel what sort of person he was dealing with in front of him. He felt that she was largely a good person and a light sided force user, but with there being a hidden darkness within her.

"So how did a jedi come into possession of a sith fortress like Bast Castle?" Jorus asked as he looked up a Jairdain with his emerald eyes continuing to study her.

He shivered feeling slightly cold, Jorus' deep connection to the force causing a slight physical reaction to the intense presence of the dark side of the force. He felt like someone was breathing cold air on the back of his neck, continually over and over again.

 

[Jairdain]

Feeling the touch of the Force on her, Jairdain automatically raised her mental defences. He would be able to pick up on her surface thoughts and emotions only. Before that almost impenetrable wall went up, Jorus might have gotten a little more information about the type of her person she was.

Vincent returned with their requested drinks and left the room. The door would be left open and if they needed anything else all they had to do was call out.

Taking a sip of her juice when he asked his question, she almost coughed in surprise. Setting her glass down, it took a few moments before she could answer his question.

"This is not mine. It belongs to Baroness Numare. However, it also houses a small movement she founded. I am part of that movement and as such can come and go from here freely. Also what makes you think I am Jedi?"

He wasn't far off in his assessment, but not totally accurate. With everything she had been through in her life, she didn't feel she could ever call herself a Jedi again.

[member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Feeling his probing with the force going nowhere as he felt Jairdain put up her mental guard. As an unspoken gesture of friendship he let his own defenses down letting her probe his feelings freely. His eyes narrowed with her response to his question, she felt like a jedi and behaved like one from what he had seen, maybe he wasn't as in tune with his surroundings as he thought.

"You give off the same aura through the force as a jedi, and I can see you have a lightsaber, at the very least you are by no means a Sith. Also what is this movement you are a part of and what are you using the castle for?" He asked as he drank his water, feeling the cold liquid fill his dehydrated and weak body due to days of travelling.

If it wasn't for his faith and power in the force he may not have made it to his final destination in one piece. He was greateful to Vincent and Jairdain's hospitality towards him. He, who was a complete stranger, he felt shouldn't have been met and welcomed with such open arms.

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

It had been only a day after he had woken up to find his friend and trainee, Aren D'Shade, up and gone from their campsite on Ragoon VI. The night before had taken an awkward and unexpected turn, uncomfortable enough to cause Aren to leave with her droids in the middle of the night. Now the search began to find her before the wrong person did.

Lan-Dai Navras, Emerallian Jedi Padawan currently without a master, now was focused on reconnecting with the only friend he currently had. The beginning of his search led him to a castle on Vjun from which emanated an uncomfortable abundance of Dark-Side energy. Lan-Dai nearly froze at the thought of what fate Aren had walked into after leaving him, but if he had to fight his way in and out to claim her, he would.

Landing in a somewhat populated hangar not far from what would be considered the main hangar for high profile guests, Lan-Dai exited the fighter and beckoned his droid to follow him. R8-V8 popped out of his slot on the ship with glee as he caught up to his owner.

While there, Lan-Dai was taken by a slight sensation of vertigo that seemed to increase with each step closer to the castle. Concentrating mostly on resisting whatever influence the castle was giving off, Lan-Dai approached what he deduced was the main entrance to be greeted by an old man in his eighties. As always, Lan-Dai's weapons and armor remained concealed by his cloak, as was his face by his helmet and hood.

Not knowing what to expect, Lan-Dai approached the older man slowly and cautiously, albeit ready to draw his saber under his cloak if need be........

 

[Jairdain]

The old man blinked a few times as he watched yet another unexpected visitor to arrive. He muttered something under his breath about how busy the castle was getting to be, he waited until Lan-Dai approached him. Being as old as he was, he moved slowly but still carried himself with a little bit of dignity. Offering to take the visitor's cloak he informed him the owner wasn't in but he would take to see Jairdain.

Leading him through the halls, it would be seen and known this was a lived-in castle. Troops or guards were stationed around, but nobody appeared to be on edge or tense at all. They watched as Vincent led him to the library.

"Would you care for any food or drink? Lady Jairdain will meet with you."

Assuming a name had been provided he gave it as they walked in through the already open door of the library.

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"I give off the same aura as a Jedi? That is very interesting as the code I follow is not that of the Jedi. I walk the fine line of light and dark, Mister Dane."

Jairdain could tell when he lowered his own defences as she put up hers and nodded slightly. Probing him only gently with the Force, she read a little more of him than she had before. Across from her sat somebody that didn't have a home and wandered around the Galaxy. He was also a friendly person and had gone through enough to leave him scarred. Not delving any deeper than that, some things should be spoken about and not just taken.

"Yes, I carry a lightsaber, but that does not mean that I am Sith or Jedi. You see there are many paths one can take. I am the only one on mine that I know of. Now to answer your question. Here the Dark Hand resides and it was created for a few purposes. Some of them have been accomplished already, but the main goal is to eventually take out the Sith Empire. Don't think they don't welcome Sith though, we are just against that Empire."

Vincent then reentered the room with another person and Jairdain stood up.

"I am Jairdain Ismet. Please have a seat. I hope Vincent took care of you."

It was then she actually firmly focused on the new person in the room and she felt some surprise. At a time in her life when things were going pretty well, she had held a small class on Kashyyyk and he had found himself drawn to it. It had been one where she had been teaching her students how to hide within the Force.

"Lan-Dai, this is a surprise. What brought you here?"

She had already spoken her earlier words, but the last part did still apply and Jairdain did hope Vincent had offered him something.

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"] [member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Jorus listened to Jair's description carefully, as he was always interested in anything new he could learn about the force. He new that there was many different paths to learning the ways of the force, and he was foolish to presume that she was one of the two stereotypical types of force users that he had come across. He new from his many encounters with force ghosts that although lots of them considered themselves Sith or Jedi, their connection with the force was different and personal in many different ways.

Just as Jair had finished her explanation, Jorus felt someone new walking down the hall, then Jair stood up as the newcomer entered the room. He turned his head in his chair as she greeted the newcomer, his eyes looking over the newcomer, studying him. He took note of the lightsaber and the somewhat passive aggressive stance, he was clearly searching for something or someone. The newcomer's face was covered by a mask leaving his identity as somewhat of a mystery to Jorus, something he didn't like, he appreciated people that were open just as a rule of thumb.

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

The older man's cordial nature was highly unexpected, and it served to cloud Lan-Dai with uncertainty as to what lay ahead of him. Holding his hand up to let the man know that taking his cloak wouldn't be necessary, the Emerallian followed him carefully and with an air of apprehension. The name he mentioned seemed all too familiar, and wondered briefly if this was the same Jairdain he had met sometime ago. Although those visible in the castle were neither on full guard nor were they alarmed at his presence, Lan-Dai did nothing to let up his watch as the pull of the dark side intensified the deeper he walked within the halls of the castle.

"Thank you, but perhaps later..........." This was all Lan-Dai would say in regards to the offer of refreshment.

Walking into the library, Lan-Dai was met with an unexpected, yet somehwat pleasant surprise. The visage before him left no room for doubt as he stood once more in the presence of that same Jairdain.

Her words confused him at first, perhaps she didn't remember him. It was then that he sensed her complete focus on him, and her following words were reassuring in that she had not forgotten their brief meeting. Bowing briefly, Lan-Dai also sensed the presence of another who was likewise strong in the Force. Looking the man over, his strength was not the only thing that was apparent, but also his wear and agotation from what seemed to be an endless tour of the galaxy.

"Jairdain............. I am in search of a friend........." Lan-Dai explained in his usually low tone of voice, lower than his normal register would be.

 

[Jairdain]

Jorus fell silent when Lan entered and Jairdain rose to greet him. Making a small motion between the two of them, she introduced them. Vincent had already left the room as Lan did not wish for anything to eat or drink.

Listening to what her sort of student said, her look grew thoughtful for a few moments. Placing her hand under her chin and lifting a finger, the thought was clear on her face. Lowering it, her attention was on Lan as she spoke.

"What brought you searching for your friend here?"

She hadn't remembered ever telling him of this place so something had brought him here. Maybe his friend had been here before and her presence remained behind to tug at him. Jairdain knew people came and went from the castle much of the time so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if that was the case.

That thought brought her back to the other guest here. Turning to him, she motioned at the library around them.

"If knowledge drew you here, I'm sure Lady Numare wouldn't mind you looking around. Of course, I or somebody else will accompany you if you venture outside of this room."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"] [member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

At Jair's comment Jorus looked thoughtfully around at the library, as much as he would love to sift through every single book in this library there was a reason as to why he was here.

"Yes could you please direct me too the Force Nexus?" He asked politely looking at Jair with a hopeful expression. He had heard of the Nexus' but never seen one in person, and here was his first chance to get that opportunity.

He then turned to Lan looking at him with his thoughtful green eyes, sensing some form of desperation and despair from the young boy.

"I hope you find your friend young one." He said quietly hoping to comfort Lan, and calm him down. As he turned to Jair and Vincent waiting for either one of them to lead him to the Force Nexus in the castle.

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Taking into consideration the man who stood before him, the Emerallian bowed as introductions were made.

"I am Lan-Dai..... Lan-Dai Navras...." Speaking in the same lower tone to Jorus as before from behind his hooded helmet.

The mention of a Force Nexus piqued his interest slightly, raising a concealed eyebrow at the mention of it. However, such would have to wait until after Aren was found.

"I followed the signal of the tracker on her to this place, then the signal was lost...... Perhaps I could either find her or vital clues to where she has gone next.." If anyone could help, Jairdain was the best choice at the moment.

Acknowledging Jorus' gesture, Lan-Dai nodded towards him. While it was still unclear, Lan-Dai sensed that he may yet prove to be a valuable ally either moments from now, or in the future yet to come.

 

[Jairdain]

Jairdain gave Jorus a simple nod at his request. It would have to be the Nexus that drew him here like so many others before him and she was sure others would come after him.

"Of course, please follow me. Both of you. Lan-Dai you can explain things more as we walk."

While she had never been to the Nexus herself, there was no way its presence could be missed by her. In the heart of the Castle, a covered courtyard had been built over where it was strongest.

She would open the door for their guests and walk in. Motioning to the area in front of them, she bowed slightly to Jorus and gave him permission to continue on. What he might or might not witness was his business. Her own concern and attention turned to Lan.

"I will do what I can to help you, Lan-Dai."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"] [member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Jorus immediately entered the Nexus after following Jairdain, for a time. The entire time he was studying the architecture of the building he was in. As he entered the Nexus he felt an immense sense of grief and his body shivered from the cold. He was almost overwhelmed by the dark side of the force, but he held his own as he wandered deeper into the room and sat down. His legs crossed Jorus closed his eyes and set his hands on his knees as he meditated on the force.

Jorus the pulled out a the Sith holocron he had found on Yavin 4. Now usually two or more people would be required to open this holocron, but because of the intensity of the force in this region he was able to open it. He looked upon the endless knowledge of this holocron, it informing him in the ways of the dark side.

He was so involved with his work that he felt completely cut off from the outside world, and someone would have to physically break him out of this trance to get his attention.

Jairdain

Lan-Dai Navras

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Nodding in acknowledgement as he followed Jairdain out, Lan-Dai simply allowed her to escort Jorus to where he sought. Once they had reached the Nexus and Jorus took to his task, Lan-Dai then spoke, now certain that he now had Jairdain's full attention.

"Her name is Aren D'Shade........... a newly acquainted friend...... During our brief time together I had managed to place a tracer within her traveling gear should the need ever arise for me to locate her.......... The need has come sooner than I had expected, and the signal has brought me here....... From this point, however, the signal has grown cold, and so here I am hoping to find her, or a clue as to her whereabouts........"

Lan-Dai paused briefly to allow Jairdain a bit of time to process this, before adding something else that may be crucial.

"A particular trait of hers is that she thus far only knows to use the Force to manipulate droids and technology..... and not on anything, or anyone else...."

 

[Jairdain]

She watched for just a moment as Jorus entered where the heart of the nexus was and then turned to her friend. If the guest took too much time, then something would need to be done, but for now, she wasn't worried about him.

"I too have lost somebody. No idea if he will ever be found."

A touch of sorrow came off her and sympathy for Lan-Dai because she knew how he felt.

"Tell me about her, please. Anything you know. It might give clues to where she might have gone since leaving here. Sadly, I never met her or I would be of more help."

Taking into consideration that he already partially answered her question. Her face grew thoughtful and Jairdain crossed her arms, placing her hand under her shin to indicate this.

"There are many worlds that are high in technology. Perhaps, Denon. That was once ruled by a government of free droids."

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"] [member="Jorus Dane"]

 

[Jorus Dane]

Jorus saw visions in the holocron, he saw three Sith gathered in front of some form of cave. It was strange, he could feel there presence through the force, the two standing closest to him felt immensely powerful. While the woman in the background, he could barely feel her presence in the force. She looked slightly like the witches he had encountered on Dathomir. He watched as someone attacked one of the Sith lords and was gutted like a fish by this powerful being.

The Sith then looked directly at him in his vision, and said something that Jorus couldn't make out. This spooked him so much that he could no longer focus on meditating and the holocron closed. He came to and his forehead was sweating, he collapsed on the floor, his breathing ragged as he had exhausted himself looking into this holocron. He felt like he was about to pass out on this cold stone floor.

[member="Jairdain"] [member="Lan-Dai Navras"]

 

[Lan-Dai Navras]

Jairdain's words while they gave no comfort, did offer an air of common bond, so to speak. Jairdain herself having lost someone close as well.

"The only noteworthy aspect I know is that she's an accomplished slicer, but beyond that there is nothing more.......... Are there any holocams here? If so, perhaps they may give a clue........"

Lan-Dai's hope and despair met at once, yet incapable of overwhelming him as he sought for possible solutions to finding Aren.

"I first met her on Dorsis.......... I do hope she hasn't returned, she would be an easy target....."

 

[Jairdain]

"Of course there are holocams around, Lan-Dai. How long ago was she here? Do you have anything that belonged to her?"

She knew a skill that could help provided he had a personal item of hers that she really cared for. If he did not, then her skill would not be of much use. There were other options she could use but would wait to mention them until he answered her question.

"I take it from your words, she is not a fighter or trained very much."

Jairdain herself was barely trained in using many weapons. The lightsaber at her hip was there more to denote she could use the Force rather than as a weapon. That did not make her helpless though and she could take care of herself in most fights.

Turning at the sound of Jorus falling to the floor, she nodded to Lan to take her leave and went to the side of their guest. Offering him a light and supportive touch, the Nexus here had very little effect on Jairdain. Having been exposed to it before, she did feel filled with energy and chilled at the same time.

"Do you need help up?"

[member="Lan-Dai Navras"] [member="Jorus Dane"]