The Road to Kesh

[Faith Organa]

Force is all conquering, but its victories are short lived - Abraham Lincoln​

Kesh she had heard of Kesh many times over there seemed to be quite the activity there its location in Wild Space would provide a location for any Alderaan Citizens who had moved after the sith occupation. Faith kept thinking she had met the King but couldn't remember where, perhaps one of his balls.

What could Alderaan offer Kesh? Aside from the basket of emerald wine, Artisian breads and cheese, a book on architecture. Maybe they would be interested in the geothermal system they used in Crevasse City. Or something else? What could Kesh offer Alderaan?

These were questions left to be talked about between Faith and Solan, and she truly hoped they could be on a first name basis it would make everything less formal.

Ana was tired they had already been on this journey over two months they would be going home next before starting off to meet Flannigan Mcnash and the representative from Panatha. The children were still sleeping a lot and Blu wanted off the ship.

Faith sat reading another note regarding the building of the embassies and who would like to offer Alderaan a spot. She was still working on Queen Arianna hoping that she would in time allow then to build on Commenor.

Faith tilted her head back staring up, "We need to go home after this, we really do. I miss home, and real air and I'm just about out of my diplomacy mode. I need a break"
Ana could only nod.

The pilot called back, "We are nearing Kesh"

The women prepared for a landing making sure the Alderaan entourage was secure. "Someone will meet us right Ana"

"Yes Faith" the tired at times exasperated assistant answered, "they never forget to send someone to bow, or curtsy to the Princess of Alderaan."

"Oh yea...there is that huh" she whispered back.

Within moments they were on the ground, Faith walked about behind two of the guards then Captain Lindsey and two more guards followed. While two guards, the Nanny, Blu and the kids waited on board.
Faith smiled bright and looked for their contact.

[member="Solan Charr"]

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Faith Organa"]

The City of Tahv​

​

Keshiri Royal Palace, Hanger Area​

It seemed that Alderaan had come to his home, after all, resting in the palace at the top of the city on a hill that was Tahv. He had not thought the woman who ruled would turn her eyes so far to the outer rim, his offer of a planetary connection was surprising in the least when it had been accepted. None the less, though, a relation between planets like this could work in a way that was unexpected and likely unusual.

In the recent years, solan had studied the creation of the glass monoliths, statues, and works of art left behind on the planet. The use of Ice Mirrors to watch over his home and the very world itself around him. And with that study created a reinvigorated planet, with Gyn becoming a political hub, Lys an industrial and Mareth a cultural one. All of these cities had grown from a single thought and now he was about to place the world he belonged to the minds of those far away.

What could they offer, though, to craft this relation? There was a lot that could be offered, from natural resources to simple artisan works that had been recreated and inspired by those of the past. Or perhaps he could offer something more personal, a memorial not only on Kesh itself but on Alderaan too. One he would create with his own hands and the seeds he worked with so often.

Either way it had made him prepare for their arrival, which is why he stood in the hanger alone, looking on as the ship moved to land before him. He was surprised by those that left the ship. Four guards, the woman who he assumed was Faith, and an obvious pilot. For some reason he had thought to see some warrior with the woman, or jedi that still were connected to Alderaan. It was surprising to him but with a quick bow he lowered his body and head to the woman.

Solan was dressed normally, a mixture of dark blues and greys that showed no grand clothing. His was what fit him, the man who ruled, but was born no different than those below. Of course he had no idea if Faith had heard of Solan's avoidance of the fancier things in life, but he would clarify if she was confused by the appearance of the man. That is assuming that she guessed him to be Solan in the first place, forgetting to introduce himself as he spoke.

"Lady Organa, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Kesh."

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Solan Charr"]​

​

Faith took a breath and continued moving forward she blue gown she wore for this meeting was very much the tradition of Alderaan she smiled and heard a small whisper from Ana, his majesty King Solan Charr. Faith smiled, "Your Majesty thank you for allowing us to come and discuss this with you. It is very much appreciated by the citizens of Alderaan, and my family"

Faith was a princess not a Queen and therefore not of equal rank to the King of Kesh, she bowed slightly to him acknowledging the difference in their stations. Faith knew very little of the King of Kesh and she couldn't think but of one time, "I remember coming her for a grand party one year, it was quite spectacular. Do you still hold those parties?" She wanted to find a subject they could discuss with small talk and then move on to the discussion of the Embassy and what was expected of them as the guest, and with what he would offer to them.

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Faith Organa"]

He smiled to the woman as he watched the mouth of her... attendant?

"Seems I can't even surprise my guests anymore. And by all means, my name is Solan. Last I checked you were not one of the nobility here so no need to be all formal." He rose from his bow and ran a hand quickly over his clothing, smoothing out any wrinkles and looking at the princess once more with a raised brow. Had she been to one of his festivals? They were annually to celebrate holidays and solstices. The next one some time in the coming months but he had not remembered her.

Granted, he had not been to the last few, allowing the nobility to use his home as they wished while he spent time in his garden. There was alot more for him to do than would allow him to relax at a party, even this made him anxious to be away from his garden but it was important that he get a deal in place to further the recognition of his planet and it's growth. He would not see the Keshiri trapped in the dark ages once more, and that meant connecting to the worlds out there.

"I must apologize, but i can't seem to recall your face, which is a bit shameful on my part considering your appearance. And yes, the next is to celebrate the fall harvest, a masquerade actually. I figured it would give the Rural folk a chance to transport their goods to the festivals in Kesh's larger cities and promote things a bit more... sorry, my brain is on work. Shall we walk and talk?"

 

[Faith Organa]

Yes her assistant Ana kept her from making mistakes when talking with other dignitaries just to make sure she said the name correctly, she had once said a name very badly which ended up with her insulting the man. Her mother had to give him a cargo hold of phrik to keep him from sieging the house.

"My assistant tries to be very thorough it's her job to make me look good. She researches and provides me names. King Solan this is Ana Quel-Nosh my assistant." Ana did a curtsy for the King down to the floor and then she slowly rose up.

"Oh no worries your majesty there were many people here that night I believe you were quite intent on keeping Lady Kay occupied." She smiled and and Kay were mending their fences and Faith meant no harm when she mentioned her or the evening she was here.

"Perhaps next time I will be more memorable. by all means let us walk and talk. Kesh seems to be a very interesting place. Do you know if there are any Alderaanians here?" She smiled she was thinking perhaps they might go this far out to find familiar settings and far away from the Sith who took Alderaan.

[member="Solan Charr"]

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Faith Organa"]

"Oh?" He turned his eyes on the assistant and in return gave her a bow no different than the one to faith, holding it before straightening back up with a smile.

"I assume the that you already know how I feel on formalities then Miss Ana? If not, then I'll explain. The moment you are inside the walls of my palace, titles and birth do not matter. As far as I am concerned, everyone in this room is no more or less than me. So I hope that does not hurt our conversation knowing this fact Lady Organa? Oh and on that note, please do refrain from using titles on me. I hear them enough that it starts to get annoying after the hundredth time."

He was odd, that much would be true no matter who the individual was but even more so to those that were generally used to pompous asses that lorded their position over others. It was annoying to him, he actually hated it when people bowed and tried to act like he was better than them. He knew that people would when he had usurped the Sith who had ruled before, but even after fourteen years, he never got used to it.

"Alderaanians? I would think so. I have tried to open up the planet for Refugees, immigrants and companies to do business here. I instituted strict labor laws but even then that is to protect my people so that they aren't taken advantage of. If there are Alderaanians here, I suspect them to be out in the more Rural areas or living in Tahv, it fits a people known for their love of beauty to be in those places. It is good to hear though that Alderaan has been recovering. A Friend of mine keeps me quite up to date on the planet.'

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Solan Charr"]​

​

It did not bother Faith and Ana only smiled and nodded, "i'm fine with it I prefer being called Faith I have just never been completely comfortable with the titles that have been bestowed upon me." She looked at Ana who knew then to find something to do close by and still within ear shot should either of them need something. Faith looked at Solan, he was older looking than she remembered.

Perhaps a few tiny crowsfeet at the corners of his eyes some would have called them smile lines.

"I'm pleased to learn that there could be Alderaanians here, that they found refuge and a home while Alderaan recovered. I wish however well that they never had to leave." But they were safe and that was of the most importance to her.

"A friend? Is it someone I would know?" Not that she suspected spies but perhaps she knew them.

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Faith Organa"]

"I doubt that you know her, shes a rather reclusive hermit that lives in your forests..." He looked at her as he felt a pang of suspicion and a soft smile soon found his lips.

"You have no need to worry Faith, I promise you she means no harm and is no danger. She is simply a citizen of your home and considers the place her own, in fact I know a great deal of my own abilities from her, as well as the reason I can keep a logical mind intact, unlike others who also practice the dark side." He continued to give her that soft smile while he walked with the woman. He hoped that he had not gotten Alexandra in trouble for keeping him up to date on the planet. That woman had lived there for longer than he had been alive, or at least nearly as long, to eject her from her home would be cruel on his part.

On the flip side, he might have simply mentioned a person who Faith knew. It was no secret that Alexandra's home was in the middle of a forest near the capital city a place where the Vongification and dark side corruption had been held at bay while the rest of the planet had been corrupted and twisted. She did fight for the sith, and her programming had meant she was susceptible to their control, but even then she never killed or raised her hand against those around her without just reason and protected life on Alderaan, even if it had been a small area around her home.

"Perhaps we should talk in my garden, the scents will be a refreshing change compared to your ship I hope."

 

[Faith Organa]

A recluse who lived in the forests of Alderaan, even now? Ok, why not. Faith was not really into titles she had avoided her own for years, even rebelling against her mother when she began handing out titles like candy. But that was not for today.'ve

"Yes lets walk, so then are you familiar with Alderaan and the changes we've made, and places we rebuilt?" They had been rebuiding, New Aldera City, New Crevasse, The Museum, the new Welcome Center, the Palace, the Mountain Palace, and one of her favorites the Vinerium.

She wanted those she was approaching to know that Alderaan was rebuilding, growing stronger.

[member="Solan Charr"]

 

[Aithne Charr]

[member="Faith Organa"]

"Ive heard about things here and there, but like I pointed out, shes a bit of a recluse so most information i get is merely the weather and things rather than your cities. It is good to hear none the less, as you could tell I hope on the way down, my own home is seeing a bit of a rather sustained growth when it comes to cities, trade and buildings. Granted, not in the same way that yours are, but... well if you get the chance you should see them. Especially Mareth, they have an old artifact on display in one of the museums there."

He was quick to talk about things on Kesh, having spent so much of his own funds in helping those on the planet. By most rights, he was a poor dictator, but that was because he was one who understood a government would not last once he died if he did not set up a society that could last without him. They would have to press on and he smiled as he thought on that. Yes the woman who he had mentioned before was his official heir, but that was because he knew she would likely not take the position and he himself had no one to give it to when it came to blood relatives.

"Anyways, tell me about your efforts, I am curious about the changes you have made to your home."

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Solan Charr"]

"Growth is always good Solan usually prosperity comes with it. But we still have to be mindful of those who are not as prosperous that they are not taken advantage of. Sometime nobles fight more than children and usually over something perceived to be valuable to one or the other."

She was proud of Alderaan and their headway, "Our effort. With the rebuilding of Crevasse City we hare recreated the thermo generator which provides for the city. It is a feat of engineering and provides a clean resource for energy, something that Alderaan can share with Kesh. Additionally two pieces of Alderaan history have been restored Killik Twilight has helped to reestablish the art of moss painting, and Princess Leia's journal was found and based on it we have re-established the Mountain Palace and opened it for public viewing so that everyone can share in that portion of Alderaan history. "

Faith smiled, "In an effort to cut down on raiding of our phrik mines we've established a permit system where miners can apply for a permit and then be assigned to one of the mines owned on Alderaan. They can refine it there, use equipment all for a fee, in hopes that it will keep credits on Alderaan, and assist the owners of the mines from losing any profits to raiders."

"We are in the process of building a new hospital and establishing a college where we can offer an exchange student program. Alderaan seeks to rebuild its reputation as a world of beauty, and culture."

She was running on and on even though her host was most gracious in allowing her to do so, "Does Kesh have a college?"