Private The Noble in the Tower

[Eloise Dinn]

With a final haul, Eloise made it to the top of the tree. Just as she hoped, it gave her a decent view of the Tower’s battlements and courtyard. She counted roughly a dozen guards scattered around, along with a handful of surveillance cameras.

Her eyes wandered, trying to trace a safe path through all the security. Eventually she found a route that seemed promising, and dropped back down to the ground.

“Do you know how to fly?” she asked Amani, in a serious tone which was wildly out of sync with her question. “Like, with the Force? Or do you have a grappling hook, at least?”

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani had followed just behind her padawan, making it up to a tree limb beside her. Eloise's question earned a double take, and a slight chuckle, "No, no flying from me. But a grappling hook?" She answered by retrieving a small device from her belt and weighed it in her hand for an answer. It was a fairly standard gadget for Jedi on the job.

As she looked between the grapple, the tower, and Eloise, Amani paused, and tucked it away, "We need to do a bit of staking out before we rush in there." She said, "Figure out how to get in and out, prepare, and... give you some time to focus," This mission was obviously personal for her. As much as Eloise probably found the idea ridiculous, she needed to self-reflect on her priorities before charging gung-ho into the prison of an Alliance-affiliated planet. That, and Amani had some things she wanted to talk about with Eloise herself.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

Eloise grunted. “I can’t fly either.” Not for lack of trying. She had made numerous attempts over the years, but hadn’t been able to crack the code. There had to be some trick to it that she just wasn’t getting—which probably explained why so few Force Users were capable of it.

She gestured to her belt, where a grapple was conveniently stowed away. So they were both covered in that area, at least…

"We need to do a bit of staking out before we rush in there. Figure out how to get in and out, prepare, and... give you some time to focus."

Oh, she had forgotten to relay what she had found to Amani. Duh. “I counted thirteen guards, mostly stationed at doors. There are also surveillance cameras pointed at pretty much every corner of the courtyard, so that’s going to be a problem. I’m wearing this disguise, but you’re harder to hide—”

She broke off, realizing something. Amani was giving her a look she knew all too well. That subtly reproachful, “let’s have a talk” stare that preluded a lecture about how her attitude or behavior were not in line with that of a proper Jedi.

Eloise’s eyes tilted heavenward, not quite rolling. “What?” she prompted, wanting to get this over with.

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Eloise had made quick work of assessing the guard presence. Still, it would behoove them to show some patience and see what else goes down here: Patrol routes, relief times, and of course, make a proper plan of attack.

But as Eloise correctly realized, Amani also what to talk about other things. A couple, to be specific. They had a job to do, and obviously Eloise wasn't interested in talking, so best to keep it all brief, hopefully. Amani couldn't help but smirk slightly at the pouty half-eye roll she was given. "How are you holding up after Coruscant?" She started simple.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

"How are you holding up after Coruscant?"

“Fine,” she muttered. Her eyes were on the scene below, watching the shift changes and patrols through binoculars. “Bacta fixed me up. I handled the rest.” A moment passed before she remembered, “Is it normal for kids to be running around playing nurse in the Halls of Healing? Because there was this one furry looking creature that got a little too touchy-feely with me. Shan saw it happen.”

For all that it might sound like she was trying to get Jin’lian in trouble, she was actually concerned. The Halls of Healing were no place for someone that young. She hoped it was merely an oversight, and not some bullchit.

“Those guards have a pretty wide patrol,” she said, pointing toward a smaller tower that was part of the outer walls. “Maybe we could get in the same way we did the Palace and sneak past them...”

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

"Hm." Amani looked off towards the guards as well, though without binoculars the details were lost in the moving and shifting specks, "And about the scene at the end there? With the apprentice?" She kept herself from starting that with something along the lines of 'you know I was referring to more than that', but perhaps it could be intuited all the same.

The mention of some kid getting 'touchy-feely' was… not what she expected to follow that. "Well, the younger healers need some experience of their own as part of training. Depending on how old they were they'd usually have a master or aide with them. But as for what you're bringing up— Do I need to look into it?" If it was quite how Eloise made it sound, it wasn't going to be tolerated in the Halls of Healing.

Maybe we could get in the same way we did the Palace and sneak past them...”

"Probably the ideal way. The less we chance being seen or recognized, the better." There was more to talk about, but she waited for answers to her other questions before pressing further.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

"And about the scene at the end there? With the apprentice?"

“What about it?” she muttered. Then, she sighed. “Am I supposed to apologize for killing a guy who was trying to kill me?” Truthfully, she had already forgotten the finer details of that particular encounter. She had been stabbed, then electrocuted, then had gone into a homicidal rage. It was perhaps understandable that there would be gaps in her memory, but she couldn't recall anything she had done that was particularly worthy of reproach...

"Well, the younger healers need some experience of their own as part of training. Depending on how old they were they'd usually have a master or aide with them. But as for what you're bringing up—Do I need to look into it?"

“Shan was there, kind of in charge of the ward. But I don’t know about any master or aide overseeing the kid specifically.” She picked at a leaf on a tree branch. “It wasn’t sexual, just inconsiderate. When I said something about it the kid gave me this scared, teary-eyed look like I was some monster out to get him. The little chit probably thinks he didn’t do anything wrong." She shrugged. "I’m just tired of people being cringe.”

Down below, a speeder that had just arrived at the gate. The guards worked frantically to lower the old-fashioned drawbridge and let it through; once the vehicle was inside the walls, a fairly large entourage gathered around it.

“Look.” Eloise watched as the speeder door opened and a man stepped out. He was about fifty and was dressed in expensive furs (probably real fur, no less). Gray curly hair peeked out from under his black cap. Though she had no idea who he was, she had a sudden sense that this old man possessed incredible political power and an exceedingly keen mind. But more importantly, his arrival could be taken advantage of.

“We should get a move on, while they’re distracted.” She dropped down to the ground and started to creep toward the fortress.

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

"No," Amani immediately replied, "You know self-defense is fully acceptable in the Order. But… it was how you went about it. Like you were in a rage. It was dark. As brief as it was."

At least she was able to dismiss Amani's initial worry about this case nonconsensual contact. The healer sighed thankfully.

But Eloise wasn't content to listen much longer. She wanted to take advantage of goings on down below. Before Amani could say anything more about her next topic, the padawan was already on the move. Begrudgingly, Amani followed.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

"You know self-defense is fully acceptable in the Order. But… it was how you went about it. Like you were in a rage. It was dark. As brief as it was."

“How do I not get mad in the middle of battle?” Eloise asked. For once she wasn’t being sarcastic or a smartass; it was a genuine question.

Combat was, for her, an emotional affair. Either she enjoyed it, or she was angry at her opponents, or at the very least she was driven to fight for something. She had no idea how to be dispassionate about it. To feel nothing when she ended someone’s life. Probably Amani would tell her to be remorseful or sorrowful. As if she were supposed to regret killing a guy who talked about how her death would fuel his lust for power.

After dropping down to the ground, she darted across the grass to the wall. A spiral staircase awaited them inside, leading up onto the wall of the fortress. There were some guards standing along the ramparts, but they were easily avoided.

Below them, the man in the black cap was also on the move. He took the scenic route to the central tower, where prisoners were housed. The same place Eloise and Amani were headed. Eloise watched him disappear into the white stone building with his entourage before she followed him, slipping through the door behind the group. She could hardly believe she’d managed to do it—stealth wasn’t one of her strong points—and quickly hid herself in the shadows.

Inside the tower it was damp and drafty. Steep staircases led up higher in the tower and down into dimly lit depths. Windows were too small for a human body to escape through, but just big enough for the barrel of a rifle or bow and arrow to fire from. The old man and his team of bodyguards and clerks were going up.

“They’re here for Albrecht,” she whispered to Amani, no longer able to ignore the nagging feeling in her gut. What they intended to do with him, she didn’t know—but she wasn't going to wait and find out. She took off like a shot, leaping soundlessly up the steps.

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

"Through training and discipline. And a bit of willpower," Amani responded plainly, her words devoid of any additional judgment. She understood the struggle of controlling your emotions well enough. It would take time to protect Eloise from her own instincts. Amani just hoped she could keep the girl from anything worse in the meanwhile.

They didn't linger on the debate much longer. The duo sought to infiltrate the tower while they had an opening. Amani followed close behind, letting Eloise take the lead but making sure she didn't overstep the risk.

It didn't take long for Eloise to conclude the purpose of the man they were tracking, however. She took off in pursuit, and with a quiet sigh, Amani had no choice but to follow suit.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

Eloise raced to the top of the Tower, narrowly stopping her ascent upon reaching the final step. This time, her presence didn’t escape notice. One of the old man’s cronies uttered a cry, alerting the others, who all turned to face her on the landing.

The jig was up. Her lightsaber found its way into her hand, though she didn’t activate the weapon just yet. It was enough for her to display the hilt, revealing herself as a Jedi, to make them think twice before approaching her. “I’m here for Albrecht von Duschendorff. You have unlawfully imprisoned him.”

Silence. She locked eyes with the old man, who raised an eyebrow. “Sir,” he began—for Eloise was still dressed like a boy. “Lord Duschendorff has been accused of treason. There is nothing unlawful about his imprisonment. I would know, I’m a lawyer.”

Eloise clenched her jaw. She could sense Albrecht, so close she could almost smell him. It was frustrating, knowing these ass-kissers stood in her way. If only she didn’t have to negotiate. If only she could cut a path through them…

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani came to a halt right beside Eloise. Disguise or not, she cast her gaze downward, partially obscuring her finer features with a hood. The Queen of Alderaan and Chief Healer of the Jedi Order being caught in an operation like this would not be good optics for anyone. One of the men claimed to be a lawyer, and defended Albrecth's imprisonment as legal. "Forgive us if we don't take your word for it," She replied, "Let him go, and we'll be on our way."

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

The old man’s brow furrowed as he looked from the tall red-haired “boy” to the hooded woman. He has the face of a murderer, Eloise thought, her grip on her hilt tightening.

“There was a warrant issued for his arrest, if you wish to see it. I have already compiled significant evidence against him. I believe we are close to extracting a confession,” he said, his tone still dryly polite. “But I suppose the law does not matter to beings of such power as the Jedi. Very well.”

He gestured to his men, who stepped aside as if to let them pass. All except for one. A hooded figure stood in front of the door to the prison, refusing to budge. Average in height and build, the man didn’t have a particularly intimidating appearance. Eloise hadn’t even noticed his presence before now. But now that he was front and center, she immediately detected an unnatural aura radiating off of him like a sickly odor.

“Master Myrddin,” the lawyer said to the man. “I must transfer responsibility for dealing with these intruders to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

The bastard had the audacity to bow to them before walking away, taking his retinue with him. Once the door to the dungeon slammed shut, the Jedi were left alone with Myrddin.

Eloise’s nose rankled, her upper lip pulling into a snarl as she watched the lawyer go, no doubt busy extracting a confession. Her master may have advised against resorting to violence too quickly, but they couldn’t just stand here all day talking to these assholes. They’d never get anywhere. “Feth this,” she muttered, igniting her lightsaber and taking a step toward Myrddin.

An eyeblink later she found herself slumped against the wall. A blast of telekinetic force had flung her across the room. Her back ached from the impact with hard stone and her skin was scraped and bruised, but she hadn’t hit it hard enough to break bones.

While she clambered to her feet, the Force seemed to drain away from the room, cutting off their access to its power. Myrddin stood with his feet planted apart, a vibroblade clutched in his grip. He hadn’t spoken a word yet, but it was clear he wasn’t going to back down.

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

The lawyer spoke plainly of the matter, his tone laced with condescension and faked courtesy. He left with his entourage, leaving behind just one he called 'Master Myrddin'. After only a brief standoff, Eloise made the first move. Amani reached out to stop her, but this Myrddin reacted swiftly. He launched them backwards with a burst of energy. Even Amani was caught off guard, and she was thrown backwards, rolling back onto her feet in a singular movement.

Then, the air around them began to feel thinner. The presence of the Force sapped away. This was going to be more trouble than Amani realized. Myrddin drew a vibroblade, and Amani raised the hilt of her lightsaber in response, not yet igniting it, "Last chance to step away."

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

If Myrddin even heard Amani’s final warning, he didn’t move. The man seemed oddly oblivious to the situation he was in, merely following orders to prevent them from entering the prison.

Eloise was already gearing up for another go, the absence of the Force be damned. “We can’t just stand here waiting for him to hit us again!” she hissed to Amani. “We have to strike first!”

She stalked toward Myrddin, lightsaber raised. He didn’t push her away this time, too focused on dampening their access to the Force. As she raised her arm to strike, their blades crashed together. He was quick and strong, his grip like iron, his deflections effortless. With every impact of their weapons, Eloise felt like she was fighting an impenetrable wall. One that stank of decay…

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Myrddin made no moves to either leave or continue the fight, beyond sustaining his negation of the Force. Eloise closed in again, and finally Myrddin responded with a swift block. Amani rushed in now to assist, her lightsaber bursting to life and she swung for his sword arm, hoping to disable him and end the battle quickly.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

Eloise found herself thrown backwards yet again, not from a Force push but from Myrddin physically shoving her away. Amani was coming in from the side, taking a swing at his sword arm. He blocked her blow and took the opportunity to stomp the heel of his boot on her toes.

Meanwhile Eloise recovered quickly and charged back into the fray. He may have been able to fight them both off now, but once they tired him out, things would be different…

An overhead strike from Myrddin turned out to be a feint. Eloise failed to catch it in time, feeling the bite of his blade against her ribs. She howled in pain, clutching at her bleeding side.

Believing her too wounded to continue, he turned his attention to Amani. But Eloise was enraged. She flung herself at him, reaching between their crossed swords to punch the Ukatian seer right in the face.

Myrddin staggered, his hood falling back. Beneath it was a face half rotted, decomposing flesh sliding off his skull. One cheek was completely hollowed out, the pale white teeth visible underneath. His eyes were twin flames glowing in hollow sockets.

They fixed on Eloise, gleaming with an unnatural light. She felt frozen, pinned in place by his stare. What was left of the seer’s lips moved, a raspy voice emanating from the shredded remains of his throat.

“Eloise,” it said.

“Wait!” she exclaimed, trying to stop her master from continuing to attack the zombified seer. “How do you know my name? What the hell are you?!”

“No one knows the real you,” Myrddin went on. “You do not even know yourself. But the time will come when your true nature will be revealed.”

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Myrddin seemed unperturbed by dueling two Jedi at once. It helped that their connections to the Force had been diminished, but his reaction time was no less impressive. He managed to stick Eloise with his blade, the sight of which put Amani immediately on edge. She couldn't exactly help her padawan while Myrddin was still on the offensive, so many met him with equal aggression. It seemed that the injury wasn't enough to take Eloise out of the fight either. She rejoined only a moment later, striking Myrddin with a fist. It revealed a zombified face beneath his hood. He spoke in cryptic utterances that left Eloise shaken. Amani tried to take advantage of the moment, swinging her blade towards the undead's head to lop it off.

Eloise Dinn​

 

[Eloise Dinn]

For a moment Eloise simply stared at Myrddin, his words hanging heavy and strange in the air. A heartbeat later Amani's lightsaber swung through the air, lopping off the undead seer's head. It toppled bloodlessly to the floor, followed soon after by the decapitated corpse.

"This place sure is weird," Eloise muttered, staring at the body. She touched the wound in her side, which was bleeding but not heavily. "Master, can I get a freebie for this? Or is it not covered under my insurance?"

The joke was delivered in a slightly off, strained tone. She was trying to lighten the tension she felt in her chest at Myrddin's words. It probably didn't mean anything. Just some spooky bullshit spewing from the mouth of a zombie. Or...

She'd have to stop thinking about it for now. The door to the dungeons was clear. Trying the handle, she found it locked. A thrust of telekinetic force shoved it open.

Fetid, dank air emanated from the jail. Eloise breathed through her mouth as she walked inside, using the Force to track down Albrecht.

The young Ukatian Padawan was in a cell hidden away from the others. Hovering in the constraints of a containment field - a type of cage that was no longer in use on civilized worlds due to the brain damage that would result with long term exposure - he bore the scars of a violent arrest. His left cheek was covered in a splotchy half-healed bruise and his dark curly hair was matted with dried blood. Standing around his cage were the old lawyer and his aides. The lawyer liked to pace around his trapped subject, so Albrecht was forced to slowly spin in place, always facing his interrogator.

"Confess," the old man said, strutting the cold stone floor in his real furs and genuine leather boots. "It will be easier for you and for us."

Albrecht said nothing, his expression caught in a grimace. That is, until he spotted Eloise and Amani approaching the cell door. The lawyer saw the prisoner's eyes move and turned around just in time to hear the two guards posted outside open fire with blasters, only to be cut down by lightsabers.

Eloise brazenly cut through the lock with her blade and stepped into the cell. The lawyer darted over to the cage's control panel. "Stop, or I will overload the field," he threatened. It was a bluff; he didn't want to kill Albrecht. But he figured the Jedi wouldn't know that.

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani was frankly taken aback that Myrddin fell so easily. She had expected him to pull out a last minute counter, or at the very least continue fighting without a head, given his apparent undead nature. But he collapsed, and didn't get back up. Eloise tried to lighten her own strain with a joke. "How does it feel?" Amani offered her a somewhat forced smile in return, and reached out a hand, offering to help heal the wound. She then tried to reassure her about Myrddin, "He was just playing mind games. It's what they all do." If there was more to it… they didn't have time to worry about it right now.

They pushed into the jail, taking out a pair of guards and interrupting Albrecht's interrogation. The lawyer didn't take long to threaten an ultimatum. Amani halted, looking between the man and the control panel. It would be risky to take that chance with the young man's life. So she tried to get into the lawyer's head, "You wouldn't. You need him alive, don't you?"

Eloise Dinn​