Twin Exiles

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
“Ah, it is reality which may in truth be stranger than fiction. Still, it is true, every word.”

Eyrecae flourished her metal rod experimentally. It was hardly balanced, but it would do. When Tryana came at her with the tomahawk she parried it aside, then slammed the rod back with lightning speed of her own to deflect the knife. Still, she’d come close, grazing close to her.

“Speed you have, daughter, and a coordination of purpose. Good! You are trained for this. Now, again, but conceal your actions. ‘Tis the eyes that do of nature hold intent.”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


"Tis the eyes that do of nature hold intent.”


Truth be told, Tryana was a bit surprised by the woman's strength. Eyrecae was tall and had an imposing build, but she'd judged her by the standards of the aliens and Qadiri she'd fought against. That had been an erroneous assumption, though she'd managed to get close before her attacks were deflected.


However, the Vashyada was undaunted. She planted her feet on the ground, assessing her sparring partner. She was a warrior and if she expected the two star ladies to keep her around, she would have to show it to them. And so she came at Eyrecae again, but this time she tried to be stealthier.


So she drew upon her gift, but instead of turning her gaze inward, she directed it outward towards the air around them. The currents of it from the air conditioning, to the feel and texture of it. Thus she focused on the air around her, silently calling upon the spirits. Tendrils of air passed around them. Here in a spaceship, there were obviously limits to what could be done, but she did not do it anything more than generate some mist in front of Eyrecae's eyes.


She struck again. Just before the mist formed, Eyrecae would probably see Tryana's tomahawk go high as the wood elf swung it at her. She feinted a cut with her knife, briefly piercing the mist, but then twisted her grip and turned it into a straight stab towards the primeval Eldorai's torso.

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
The fight began again, and Eyrecae saw the fog appearing.
“Ah, the mist, it is of nature a paradox. It conceals one, though when one is close one’s movement does distort it.”

Tryana’s blade went high, and Eyrecae parried, but the knife came for her. The paragon could have stepped back, but instead she did something unexpected. She struck her hand down onto the flat of the blade like a sledge hammer, pushing it well aside, possibly even knocking it from the Vashyada’s hand.

A small cut on her hand where she had contacted the blade oozed with blood for a few seconds before the blood turned dry and the cut reformed like magic. She grinned.

“Good, you are of body fast. May I see your weapons, so I might examine their construction?”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


Tryana looked a bit put out, but did not sulk. Loss was a lesson. She had enough discipline to hold on to her blade though rather than let it fall from her grasp. However, she looked shocked when she saw the small cut on Eyrecae's hand suddenly vanish. The cut was minor and would obviously not be an impediment, but then it was gone. That was not natural.


"I cut you. But the blood has vanished and your skin is whole. You are truly Tylania's sister," she declared, as she passed over the tomahawk and dagger. Both were well-crafted and clearly meant to resist wear and tear. They were also decorated with old Vashyada siblings. However, they were obviously made for a more primitive people. "I beg forgiveness for casting doubt upon your word."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Eyrecae laughed and put a hand around her shoulder.
“Fear not, daughter, it is of nature to not accept what one might say at first. It shows you are possessed of wit if you question what others might say. Keep asking for questions, and you cannot be ignorant for long.”
She took the blades and whirled them around appreciatively. Eyrecae nodded.
“These are well made. I think it may be wise to have them remade to enter a more difficult test. Come, your measure I have, I feel, but your mettle will be tested most in blood.”
Tryana nodded, taking them back. “Thank you for your kind words.”

Soon enough they came in to land at Mon Calamari. The planet was well known for its shipbuilding and cosmopolitan nature.
As they settled down to land Phylis emerged from the cockpit. “Hmm, well, we’ve landed. Kaida, it’s been a pleasure as always. I’m sorry I couldn’t do anymore, but, hmmph, I don’t think I’ll be too popular with your kin.”
“My thanks to you, Jedi, I hope we might meet again soon. I have of you some requests to make.”
“Well, hmm, I’m glad I found you. And you too, Tryana, I hope you find the galaxy a new and exciting place.”
Since all this circular talking between one’s own character could easily spiral out of control, Eyrecae headed for the door.
“Come, Kaida, adventure awaits!” she said grandly, possibly to troll the Eldorai.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


Eyrecae got a frosty glare in response.


Mon Calamari - or Dac, as the natives called it - was an aquatic planet. From orbit it looked like a shining bluish-white orb. Phylis' ship dropped the party off at one of the cities that floated upon the ocean. The gang of three egressed Phylis' freighter and stepped onto the soft, rubberised deck of the hangar bay. Kaida noticed the soft sounds of waves lapping against the metallic walls of the city. The brimy smell of seawater was thick in the air. Alien gulls called in the distance. Everything looked tranquil and at peace.


The sun was shining, warming their skin with its rays. Various humans and aliens went about their business. Tryana looked fascinated. Kaida was wary. She happened to be the type of person who always suspected trouble. Among the visitors, three elves kind of stood out. Especially since one looked like a fantasy holovid cosplayer and another was built like a bodybuilder and probably carried a sword. Kaida had put on a coat to look less conspicuous.


Kaida felt a stab of irritation when a customs inspector showed up. "Welcome to Coral City. We hope your stay will be fruitful. Our city is open to all sentient beings, provided they keep the peace," he emphasised. "Before we can let you proceed, we must get some formalities out of the way. You are not on the list of planned arrivals. Due to Dac laws, I must check your documentation. Moreover, bearing arms in our city is prohibited, barring special exemption from the authorities, which must be sought in advance. Unlicensed weaponry must be stored at the customs house."

"No."

"No...what?"

"You don't need to see anything."

"I...suppose everything is in order. I do not need to see documentation. Or a permit."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Phylis had let out a little ‘hmmph’ as she had her documentation ready. Still, there was something about a lightsabre hilt which just looked less dangerous than a huge sword or a tomahawk, even if the opposite was true.

“Of laws, these people are protected by, it seems. If people are all disarmed, how will they fight oppression, or is perhaps that the idea?” Eyrecae said curiously.
Tryana was staring in awe at the sea, the metal buildings, the aliens. She pointed. “The fish creature talks!” she exclaimed.
“I will trouble you to not refer to me as a fish or a creature,” the Mon Calamari said grumpily. “Would you like it if someone called you an ape creature?”
“No…I suppose not. I’m sorry,” Tryana said meekly.
Eyrecae grinned at the Mon Cal. “Worry not about her, she has never seen one of your kind before. I do however remember your people, swimming in the briny shallows. Come, let us go.”
They left the bemused Mon Calamari and Phylis behind as they headed out into the city….

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


Kaida was predictably silent during their walk into the city. She preferred the quiet to aimless chatter. Tryana, meanwhile, looked excited, starring in awe at the sea, the great metal buildings, markets and strange aliens. The frost elf would never admit it, but it was a bit similar to how she'd acted when she left Kaeshana for the first time. Of course, the culture shock would be a lot greater in the Vashyada's case.


Eventually they reached the Trap. Once the bouncers at the cantina let them in, they were greeted by the smell of smoke and considerable noise. Smoky tendrils swirled under the dim lights, casting a dirty pallour on the activity below. Electronic gambling machines and card tables were packed with thrill seekers and credits flowed like blood. Humans and aliens won and lost fortunes here.


Tryana coughed slightly, unused to the smells in the air. "What is this place?" she asked, eyeing the gambling tables. "What are they doing there?" One of the patrons had just lost the game. Overcome by rage, he slammed his fist into the table, cursing his adversaries and accusing them of cheating.

"Being stupid," Kaida responded flatly.

"I do not understand. They are arguing over...cards?"

Kaida sighed. "It is a game. They wager money or something else of value on the outcome. Because they're stupid enough to think they'll get rich. Or have nothing productive to do with their lives."

Tryana started to comprehend. Her eyes travelled across the electronic machines. Many of the patrons had glazed expressions written across their faces. Some had been sitting behind a screen for so long that their eyes were bloodshot and their features pale. "Spirits, they look possessed. It is their greed which puts them in such a state? So it is a...game of chance? They destroy themselves over baubles. It is foolish."

"Yes." Meanwhile, the argument at the table had turned violent. By now it was a full-blown fistfight. Insults and punches were exchanged, someone got his head smashed into the table. "Should we...not intervene?" Tryana asked. Honour compelled her to step in if she saw an injustice, but she was unsure who the wronged party was.

"No." Finally, the tussle was resolved by the intervention of the bouncers. Grabbing two of the brawlers, they hurled them out after applying stun batons. The remaining players resumed their game as if nothing had happened. Kaida paid them no mind and instead looked for Yylaea Althena. Her friend had to be here somewhere in this sin pit.

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Eyrecae looked like a kid in a candy store as she wandered through the bar. It had been a long time…even ignoring her naptime…since she’d been in a place like this.

“Foolish? Verily, a lot of fun though,” she said. She placed a hand on Tryana’s shoulder. “Not every battle requires a hero to ride, to save. Of patience you must learn, daughter.”
“Well hello there, my knife eared honeys, looking for a job? You come over with ol’ Grady and I’ll get you hooked up.”
A man who looked the definition of ‘stranger danger’ was smiling with seemingly pleasant intent at them.
Eyrecae looked to Tryana. “Of some battles though, there is a most needed intervention.” She let go of Tryana and leaned forward to whisper something in the man’s ear.
He jerked back, looked at her, looked at her smile, and then overturned a stool in his haste to escape.
“What did you say to him?” Tryana asked.
“When you are older, sweet Tryana, I shall reveal to thee.”

Meanwhile Kaida had probably got bored and gone to see Ylaea. The Eldorai looked up when she was discovered in a corner booth.
“Blessings be upon the Goddess for this meeting,” she said, knowing it’d annoy Kaida. It’d annoy her even more since Kaida would know her piety was not exactly ironclad.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


Kaida glared at her, said nothing and sat down. Wordlessly, she passed twenty credits over.
Ylaea pocketed them right away. "Well, that's enough for a good meal or a cheap lay. There's decent brothel nearby. Would like to come? You look like you could use a lay."
"No."
"No, you don't want to visit a brothel or you don't want a lay? I was about to ask whether your knockers are really this big or you're just overjoyed to see me."
"Ylaea, shut up."
"And you're still exceptional at small talk. Good to see some things never change. By the way, where's your sidekick? That Askari lass."
"She chose baubles over duty and became a Duchess," Kaida responded bitterly.
Ylaea looked just a little shocked, then laughed. "Choir girl? Really? Good on her. All grown up. Ready to step into a pit of vipers. If I were her, I'd ask for a better family though."
"She's stupid and will either get herself killed or become like the parasites dragging the Matriarchy down," Kaida retorted. She actually sounded...animated. Angry. She calmed herself. There was business to discuss. "Can you get me in touch with the Shadows?"

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
“The Shadows, huh?” Ylaea asked with a smile. “Knew you’d come around eventually, icicle. Sure, I have the contacts to get you a meeting; but nothing more. You might want to thaw a little bit before you meet them though, your brand of laconic bluntness is an acquired taste after all.”
Before Kaida could reply the other two joined her. Ylaea looked up, blinked.
“Oh, and you’ve got a posse! A Vashyada and a….”
“Paragon,” Eyrecae said, plopping down beside Ylaea with no concern. “Of now, I shall spare you the introductions. Know that I am Eyrecae, and this is Tryana. Kaida aided us on Tygara, and now we travel with her for the moment. Long has it been since I ventured into the stars. And you, a Sciian I guess?”
“I was a Jedi Knight, now I’m more sort of…independent.”
“Ah, so you are like Jedi Phylis?” Tryana asked.
“Hmm, I suppose. Less human though,” Ylaea said with a grin.
“Good! Humans can be nice, but our kin should rely on each other,” Tryana said virtuously.
Eyrecae laughed. “Aye, ‘tis why we are joining a rebel movement which is itself much fractured….”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]

"You know the saying. Three Eldorai are a church, four a schism, five a civil war," Ylae laughed. It would have been funny if it had not been close to reality.

Tryana looked a bit puzzled. "We are four," she pointed out.

"And you can already feel us schisming."

"I do hope there is no discord between us that I have not noticed. I would like for our fellowship to not end so abruptly."

"She's making stupid jokes, Tylania," Kaida grunted.

"Hey, my jokes are not stupid. And at least I can make them, unlike you, Captain Icicle."

Kaida looked...frosty. "What's the situation among the Shadows?"

"What you'd expect of a fractured rebel coalition. Bickering over resources, over who gets which ship and which religion is koscher. The Aspirants and Illyrians hate each other, the Rationalists hate both and vice versa. The Kar'zun look stoic while muttering about silly, pointy-eared mammals who wronged them way back. But it's not all bad. No bowing and scraping before aristos who haven't worked a single day in their life. I'm not sold on the 'service guarantees citizenship' thing, but it's more open than anything in the Matriarchy. And the Archon's got a good head on her shoulders."

"I know that some of my people left for the stars. Are there any of them among the Shadows?" Tryana asked curiously.

Ylaea thought for a moment. "A few. Ride on big, mean spiders. And there's a couple Qadiri and Xioquo. Got to be honest with you, some Shadows are racist jerks who'll think you're something lesser because cruising around in a spaceship is new to you. Don't let anyone put you down."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Eyrecae nodded thoughtfully. “’Tis of much debate then. These Shadows seem more united by what they hate than by what they love. Such a coalition I deem will not survive long when put to the trial, for they might choose another to blame, might split off and form their own group in reply. It is of this situation that we enter; a Vashyada, a Paragon and an Angelii. ‘Tis a joke in there just waiting to be told, yes?” she said to Ylaea with a grin.

“Of these Shadows, what seems their goals? To mind, they seem to have as many goals as they have people – and they do all contradict and diverge.”
Eyrecae did not have much experience with the ‘current day’, but it didn’t take much to realise that Ylaea’s joke was quite apt. The Eldorai seemed so…divisive!

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


"Officially or unofficially?" she asked with some mirth in her voice. "Protect and build a new future for the free Eldorai, away from fascist jackboots or queens. Give all Asurans who obey the law and contribute to society a fair deal. Freedom of conscience. Give them a new home, a government they choose themselves - more or less. Can't have too much democracy, can we?" she said the last line a bit flippantly and took a swing at her drink. "There's talk about liberating Kaeshana one day. That's a pipedream. But someone's gotta look out for the exiles since the Tygarans can't. There's as many hobby horses as people, but those are the main goals."

"Too many cooks. They should wean our people off superstition rather than include its peddlers," Kaida commented dourly.

"And there we go again. 'My faith is truer than yours," Ylaea sighed. Her own views could be best described as Deist.

"It's not faith, it's common sense, rather than lies and superstitious twaddle," Kaida argued.

"Sounds like you may have a future on the Committee of Rationalist Security, Icicle. Personally, I think the High Illuminatrix' a queen"

"Stupid title. And I am a soldier. I will not join a committee." The way the word 'committee' rolled off her tongue made it sound like an insult.

"I should put your name on a ballot just to annoy you. Shadows don't let you hold office unless you've been a soldier," Ylaea retorted and gave Eyrecae a look. "Well, this is gonna be a fun interview. I'll give our shadowy friends a call. No need to put on your dress blues with all the medals, Icicle. They're not keen on finery."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Eyrecae shook her head. She felt very much in line with Kaida here, though of course she was a bit more verbose about it.
“Of the Eldorai, it seems that such disorganisation pervades. Too much bickering, not enough focus. Clear enemies, there do exist, and yet of them our people seem entirely complacent. Is not our homeworld under the yoke of the tyrant, and yet they squabble on theology as if that will save them. Of this, I fear already there is little hope of unity and purpose, though it remains the best method of achieving such.”

She frowned, looking at Ylaea. “’High Illuminatrix’? Of this, surely it is a joke, for such an absurd title I can barely contend without laughter.”
“It gets better, girl,” the former Jedi said with a grin. “You should see the proper, fancy Eldorai on Tygara. I bet even their Jesters have a foppish title.”
Eyrecae sighed. “Yes, they do of nature sound more absurd.”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


"The Shadows have a lot of work if they want to be more than a rag-tag rebel coalition. But they were there to defend Kaeshana. While our esteemed Ladies ran away and forgot about it because they had parties to attend. Then, after a long time, Tygara decided to take an interest in the homeworld again. They fought the imperialists, then ran, had a coup and forgot about their sisters."

"Not all stopped fighting," Kaida interjected, but the former Jedi waved her hand.

"I know you didn't. unlike most of 'em. Don't blame you for leaving. But you're new. Folks aren't going to click their heels and fall in line just because you want them to," she got up from her chair. "Think on that a bit. I'll make the call."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Eyrecae was strangely subdued when Ylaea left. Finally she nodded. “The Eldorai have many issues to deal with. Perhaps it is that these are beyond the skill of anyone to unravel, but I shall do what I can.”

Tryana said, “It is sad. I hope to find some of my kin with these ‘Shadows’. It was make teaching me easier if I have them to help me learn.”

Eyrecae took another swig of her drink. “Well, we’ll be here a while, and there’s no point moping. Anyone fancy another round?”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


"No," Kaida responded...laconically. She tended to stay away from booze.

"I would like another," Tryana spoke up. "This liquor tastes sweet. It causes my finger to tingle a bit."

"One more. That's it. If you cannot walk when we leave, I'm not carrying you."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
“Therefore, there is more for me,” Eyrecae said happily. Her healing abilities meant that getting drunk would probably be an exercise in binging which would make the most hardened alcoholic wince. Therefore, she settled for a couple of different shots, getting different tastes.

“Of this one, I am most enamoured,” she said, holding up a firewater shot glass. She’d drunk it like it was water.

Soon enough though Ylaea would return with news….

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


Soon enough Ylaea returned. She looked at all the empty bottles in front of Eyreae and raised an eyebrow. "Testing your constitution, I see." Her gaze wandered to Kaida. There was a glint of mischief in the former Jedi's eyes. "I remember that time you got drunk and..."

If looks could freeze, Ylaea would have turned into an ice statue. "Not another word."

"What? It's a fun story. And there's this tale involving that lil Jedi of yours..."

"Did you set up a meeting?" Kaida growled. The room had gotten a lot colder. Layers of frost formed on the table.

Ylaea sighed, wiping some frost away. The cold made her shiver a bit. "Yes. You won't get to see the fleet right away though. There's a club. I'll take you there."