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Satine Kryze had barely stepped out the wooden tub of her hot bath, small droplets sliding softly down her body and dripping from her blonde hair in the steamy, dark room when one of her maidens, her sister, came barging into the bathing room with the groan of the heavy oak door, apologizing all the while."Duchess, forgive me, but the people have called themselves to arms outside the city walls." The Duchess's sister took in a breath as if afraid of delivering the next sentence. "They are facing the Crown's Army.""What's the Army doing here, Bo?" Satine asked with a heavy frown as she dried herself off with a robe, seemingly unbothered at the sudden intrusion. "We've no quarrel with their Crowned Kingdom.""No, my sister. It seems they were summoned by you, or by someone using your name." Bo-Katan closed the door behind her and moved to help Satine rub most of the water out of her hair and then stuff her into her court dress, cinching the corset closed and tying the lace up her back."That's absurd! I hadn't been to the Crowned City before it was overtaken. And I haven't even spoken to the Seats in years! Much less now that they are in Coruscant, under that Dark King." Satine huffed and then held her breath as her sister finished tying the back of her teal and purple court dress, her mind busy with angry memories and future bloody possibilities. "Where are they meeting now, this army?""That's just it, sister. The Army is camped outside the city walls, maybe they arrived overnight... The people of the city raided the weapons' house and some of the castle's Knights have helped them arm themselves with what they could find. They'll be dealt with, of course." Bo-Katan stepped away, grabbing the Mandalorian headdress and handing it to Satine. "Perhaps an envoy, Duchess, and this battle could be stopped before it even begins."The naming of her title deliberate, Satine pursed her lips as she took on the weight of the headdress, a deliberate weight she knew, to remind a monarch of their duty. She knew that her sister did not share the same ideals as herself when it came to the keeping of the peace. Bo-Katan loved to be a fearless warrior and was the prime reason and influence in Satine's allowance of Knights in her city and swords in each Mandalorian's home. Well, that and the constant danger of raids from the Jovlins.Thus, taking her sister's hand in her own, Satine knew Bo desired to be that envoy and perhaps even desired to be placed in harm's way, maybe not yet eager for a fight but eager to keep Satine well away from one. But that Satine would not allow, and after giving Bo's hand a gentle squeeze, hardened her gaze with determination while Bo bit the inside of her cheek in angry defeat, seeing the denial of her desires in Satine's blue gaze."We've no time to waste then, my sister. Let's go!" The Duchess turned and led the way out of the bathing room, calling for her mare and standard-bearer as she hurried down the stone stairs to the main room of her fortress of a home. Bo rushed after her and when they made it to the outside courtyard, yelled for the rest of Satine's guards to get their spears and swords and accompany her, making sure the armor she wore was well adjusted in case she needed to protect her sister.Satine Kryze had seen war in her youth. She knew it was ravaging through the Provinces further east after the taking of the Crowned City, and knew that Coruscant was the origin city of the orders given to the four generals of their army. She would not let war take her home Province if it was the last thing she did. The Seats of the Crown, their cursed Dark King and his "crowned" army could go plant fields for all she cared. Mandalore would not go to war.Outside the walled capital city of the Province of Mandalore, the Grand Army of the Crown was settling down after riding through the winter's frozen wild grass. Their journey had been cloudy and cold, and many of the army's soldiers had grumbled along quietly. Only the large battalion's Generals and their loyal commanders had refrained from complaining. Now one of the Generals, with light auburn hair and a nicely trimmed, short beard adorning his handsome face, sat inside his hastily erected tent. He quietly rubbed his anxious golden mastiff's ears, concerned at feeling the Ashla expectant and unforgiving.Sometimes the General wished the Ashla were more powerful around them and in their lives, instead of only giving them miniscule hints of emotion and slow warnings. He knew there had been a time, when the kingdom had had many Ashla-wielding Knights that had been able to manipulate it, use it to influence minds, use it to understand minds and intentions, wield it like a very fine sword as easily as breathing.Now, however, only two Knights remained, hardly able to touch and influence the Ashla; it had become a weak and slow ancient power. At the same time, he thought as his mastiff Tripio whined, he thanked the Ashla for alerting him of the approach of other beings, like for example that his faithful commander was nearing his not-so-warm tent. The flap of the tent's entrance rustled and a cold breeze chilled his cheeks."Sir Kenobi?""Yes, Cody, has your scout returned?""Yes, General.""Good. Anakin should hear what the scout has said as well." Kenobi sighed and stood, the fitted black, silver studded armor feeling heavy on his shoulders, like a broken promise desperately trying to drag him down for bringing the war to Mandalore. He ignored the feeling and nudged Tripio aside to reach for his belt and long, cobalt tinted sword, buckling the belt around the tight waist of his dark trousers and strapping his sword in.Cody was clapped on the arm as his general walked out to the cold again, and he followed, Tripio walking beside him with a wagging tail. Kenobi was a good General and an excellent Knight, and the Commander watched him trade small nods to the men and women serving under him amiably as he made his way through columns of tents and milling war dogs like Tripio and Ertoo.The other General of this company, slightly taller and darkly handsome, was Knight Anakin Skywalker, who was walking towards them with his own commander and twin brother to Cody, Rex. Rex had blond hair that helped differentiate him from his brother, as Cody had dark hair and a jagged scar that ran down from his left temple and around his eye. Ertoo, a grayish almost blue wolfhound, trotted behind them with a lolling tongue."Sir Skywalker." Cody saluted once they had met halfway, his right fist over his heart."Commander Cody, Obi-Wan." Anakin nodded at their approach. "What do the scouts say?""They're just a peasant army, Sirs," Cody said dismissively. "And it would seem this army was never taught how to fight. Some of them don't know how to properly wear chainmail.""Some of them aren't even wearing chainmail, Sirs," Rex incredulously added, disbelief lacing his words."Yes, well, the Duchess of this Province believes in peace, even if her city is walled. She has a couple of Knights in her service out of sheer obligation." Obi-Wan crossed his arms with a pensive frown. "I think it unwise to underestimate these peasants. Mandalorians are warriors since before the Crowned Kingdom existed. They have a long history of blood and war. I know that the Knights of time passed had waged war against Mandalorians, and it wasn't always that they won. Even the most powerful of Ashla trained Knights wrote of their difficulties here.""What does the Ashla tell you now?" Anakin asked as he combed the longer hair that he let grow only down the very middle of his head with his fingers.Obi-Wan shook his head bemusedly. ". . . Almost hesitant. I don't sense any evil from the people, just. . . desperation. But it always feels that way in these Provinces.""The Jovlins take much from the people here," Anakin spoke, his voice going quiet.Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes soft, willing the dark blanket of memories to fall away. "Indeed."The two brother commanders waited quietly, looking away to give them some privacy but at ease with the care their two Generals often demonstrated to each other. They straightened when Obi-Wan let his hand drop and faced them."The Duchess Kryze of Mandalore is under our protection, and if we are fortunate, we are under hers as well. She is at the head of an independent Province, though very often in need of our kingdom, and the Seats sometimes resent her for remaining apart. We need the fighters she has but first, we are here to prevent any danger from getting close to her and her city. She will most likely try to dissuade us personally from entering the city and her peasant army from attacking us, so be on the lookout for her standard. If we fight, I want you to get her out of here. Drag her to safety if you must." His eyes were focused and stern now, mimicking the hushed blue of an ocean before a storm."These peasant fighters are obviously not happy with our presence," Anakin added. "If they think she sent for us, we'll have to protect her from them, too. But we can't kill any of them.""If any of her soldiers are killed by one of ours, we're finished. She will not speak with us; according to old Mandalorian law, we will be shunned. Whatever it is dissidents to the Crown are doing here, we were sent to keep the Duchess in power and safe. That is the only way she will consider aiding us. And so that leaves us as infantry today, everyone will be on foot. If we go in as cavalry, we will too easily overwhelm them with the horses." Obi-Wan finished briefing the brother commanders."Well, Cody, Rex." Anakin straightened and nodded at them. "Get everyone ready. If we fight, signal only the first third. We're too many. And if you see my squire, send her my way.""Yes, Sir!" The two brothers saluted with fists over their hearts and turned around to walk away, their voices identical and yet impossibly distinct as they roused the camp for battle readiness."So what's our move, Obi-Wan? The king left this campaign to the Seats and you know them better than I do. What will they allow us to do now that they've sent us here?" Anakin placed a gloved hand on Obi-Wan's arm, his blue eyes bright again and reflecting the white clouds that hid snow in the skies.Obi-Wan leaned into his hand through his armor, using it and the Ashla to center himself amidst the yells and clanging of metal plating that was properly placed armor and chainmail of the weary camp. "We march. And if they meet us in battle, then... It will be short and brutal."He moved, leading Anakin to their stallions with Tripio and Ertoo barking excitedly at each other. Anakin's was a powerful black that answered to Twilight, his own an equally vigorous red dun called Negotiante. As the two Generals swung up into their saddles simultaneously, Cody and Rex led the now organized rows of thousands of soldiers towards the city's stone walls."Ashla willing, our numbers alone will be enough to make them turn back," Obi-Wan continued as the horses trotted towards the head of their company and the dogs whined, expectantly looking up at Anakin and Obi-Wan, anxious themselves for battle."And if they're not cowed, Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked bitterly once they were leading at the front of their army. His horse tossed his head and laid his dark ears flat against his mane. "The Ashla damned Jovlins will scourge their corpses, and us as well.""Now, now, Anakin. It won't come to that." Obi-Wan's voice turned placating, reassuring, and in the Ashla he felt Anakin's anxiety dissipate as smoothly as the thick fog of dawn slowly lifting away in the morning light.They were still well away from the stone wall when Obi-Wan raised a fist and gave the signal to halt. His horse pranced in place beneath him, and Anakin frowned when they saw the roughly thrown together crowd of beings before them. A short line of teal clad Knights stood spread out at the front, spears and lances in their gloved grips. Behind them, rows of armored sentients at their backs, dissidents. They were foolish for standing against the Crowned Kingdom. They were a large army considering it was just one city. But they stood no chance against the Great Army of the Crown."Are you sure this is just a peasant army, Cody?" Obi-Wan asked with a dangerous smirk. But before his commander could answer, a regal voice cut through the icy air."I demand all to stand down!"
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"I demand all to stand down!" A regal voice cut through the melee of angry insults being yelled across the short strip of land between two opposing armies. Not a soul dared to step foot into it, as if Death itself waited there with outstretched hands and a gruesome grin.The voice belonged to a fierce woman with soft, platinum blonde curls, who wore bright teals and purples as she stood proudly on the cold frozen ground between the two facing armies. She wore no coat, but refused to shiver at the wintry day with snow clouds and freezing temperatures, even though her standard-bearer behind her trembled, chilled hands holding a large white flag with a Mandalorian white lily emblazoned in silver.From the black fitted army to her left, an auburn haired man with silver studs adorning his black armor swung down from a terrifying red stallion and walked quickly to her. Quietly, the woman scowled at his gait - the light, confident one of a soldier accustomed to the weight of his armor and sword. Another equally black armored man got down from his own enormous black stallion almost at the same time to follow closely."Duchess Kryze," the man who dismounted first spoke now. "It is not safe for you here. Please, do as we agreed years ago." His voice, though quiet, had the same regal accent as hers, as if in another universe, in a different life, they could have ruled together. "Please, Duchess, leave the battlefield.""It would be safe, if you did your job, Sir Kenobi, and kept to your kingdom." The Duchess spoke as coldly as the cutting wind of the icy months, and strode further out between the meeting armies of chain mail and weapons.
"Please," she rose her voice to be heard among the throng of battle hardened bodies, "Put down your spears, axes, and swords. Why must we fight? Are we not neighbors, kinsmen, friends? Can we not all help each other, instead of waging war? I ask for peace!"Beside Kenobi, his companion stood with a tense fist resting on the hilt of his long and heavy midnight blue sword. The light scar that ran down beside his right eye crinkled when he frowned at the Ashla that seemed to still the air around them. Kenobi angled his head toward him."Anakin?" A silent question in his blue eyes, and Anakin was relieved that even through the few thousands of men and women about to fight today, Kenobi felt the abnormal stillness too."Are we not the same at the end of the day?" The Duchess continued speaking to the two armed forces, unaware of the Ashla coiling tightly around them, as a snake does before striking. "There is no reason for us to fight one another! We have enough to worry about with the Jovlins! I know the Crown seems to harass us! I know why you don't place trust in the Seats! But that doesn't make the ones before me enemies. Please! Let us dine together tonight as the friends we once were!"The Duchess was adamant about her beliefs on peacekeeping, an unmovable wall against threats and growing pressure from the Seats of the Crown. She was confident that today peace would prevail, if only the Knights of the Crown supported her.Suddenly Kenobi had one gloved hand around her arm, the other already brandishing his sword, and he pulled her behind him almost roughly. Kenobi raised his admiral blue sword, Anakin following suit not a second later."The Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore is under the Crown's protection!" Kenobi shouted, and the soldiers aligned behind him all banged their shields in synchronized unison down into the frozen ground as one enormous entity, a single yet viciously powerful blade forged with the hottest of embers and honed dangerously sharp."If any harm befalls her," the Knight continued as he walked backwards with the sputtering Duchess in tow, "Remember Skywalker and I know the Ashla! We will find whoever is responsible! And they will receive punishment before the Seats of the Crown and before the sovereign King Sidius of Coruscant!"Not turning his back on the mostly peasant army before them, Kenobi signalled the two brother commanders of their company to be ready, and the freezing air trembled as the hundreds of beings in his and Skywalker's command shifted in metal armor."Unhand me, Kenobi!" But the Ashla felt unbearably cold in Kenobi's mind, in his blood, and he kept a firm hold on the indignant Duchess.Then from the opposing ranks, the Ashla bled resentment and then confusion as a scuffle broke out. A single arrow was launched into the frigid air, soaring for what seemed to approach eternity before arcing down towards the Duchess.The Crown's soldiers roared and ran to meet the angry dissidents, for without thinking to, Anakin had given the signal.A choked, angry cry, however, made the younger General and Knight turn back to his Kenobi, and he saw that the arrow had been true. It would have pierced the Duchess's heart if Kenobi hadn't turned around, pushed her back further, and taken it himself to the left shoulder."Obi-Wan!" Anakin felt his heart crawl into his throat and rushed to his side on the ground as the other grunted in his effort to break off the arrow's length."I'm fine, Anakin, it was just heavy," Obi-Wan reassured him, though he winced when he finally broke off the shaft that had made it between the slot in his armor. His hand came away stained crimson with blood. "Go, Rex and Cody will need you."Anakin sought Obi-Wan's eyes to measure the pain from the small missile, but Obi-Wan was already standing up, shouting at the standard-bearer to stay as a decoy, at the Duchess's guards to take her away to safety. He yelled for his horse too, and when Obi-Wan finally turned to him, he widened his eyes."Anakin!" The Knight's attention had wavered, and out of the chaotic fighting fray of the front lines, one absurdly large Mandalorian fighter appeared, swinging a battle-axe at his head. Survival instinct and the Ashla made him raise his sword in time to parry off the heavy blow, but he fell to his knees beneath the weight of the next swing, his arms straining as a fierce snarl ripped from his throat.He didn't even have time to fear for his life before Obi-Wan was there, his sword clanging loudly against the metal of the axe's tip, scowling all the while. Then Anakin stepped in and they crossed their blue swords into an acute 'x' with the next blow. Step by blundering step, their combined attack drove the abnormal giant back.They groaned and gave an immense shove with straining arms until it was a young squire, a female Togruta, who finally jumped from the side to aid them. She sliced the giant's throat with the shortest of her two blades, surprising the three of them. She flashed them a quick, grim smile before she charged away, giving a short battle cry as she twirled her sword.It was Obi-Wan who cleared his throat first and chuckled at Anakin. "It would seem young Ahsoka is doing well despite your teaching.""Hey now, my teaching is great." Anakin smiled good naturedly, watching opposing soldiers break through the front lines and run towards him and Obi-Wan, the giant bleeding out at their feet. Soldiers from their army intercepted them, and he saw Rex and Ahsoka fight together to keep the enemy army back.Obi-Wan spun his sword before he gripped the hilt with both hands and brought it above his head, wanting to finish off the giant and spare him a slow, choking death.But the giant grabbed his ankle and Obi-Wan hesitated. The giant's eyes were intense on him, his mouth was moving, and he realized the man was trying to talk. Anakin moved to give the killing blow himself, but Obi-Wan held out his hand to stop him."Wait." Obi-Wan kneeled, placing the tip of his sword on the giant's chest as insurance, and leaned close to the dying man's face."..will..fall.""What?" Obi-Wan asked and Anakin watched him closely for any sign of danger from the man, surprised that he could even speak."The Crown..will fall." A series of gurgled coughs and terrified chokes but he struggled to finish. "-Ashla.. - seen it.."Obi-Wan felt the panicked hold on his ankle slacken and he sighed and stood, knowing he was finally dead."What did he say?" Anakin shouted over his shoulder as another fighter broke through their defenses and ran to engage him. A good duelist, but with the giant's death was enough. Anakin didn't want anybody else to die today, and their swords screeched angrily where the metal met."Later, I've got pressing issues right now!" And soon Obi-Wan was side by side with Anakin, fending off wave after wave of brave, foolish, enemy soldiers.Ertoo and Tripio appeared and they snarled with bloody teeth, eagerly sinking their fangs into calves and thighs and arms, happy to drag down any body that threatened their masters."We have to use the Ashla, Obi-Wan!" Anakin knew they would tire sooner than later and he didn't know where Ahsoka or the two Commanders were anymore."Only as a last resort, Anakin, we agreed!" Vaguely, Obi-Wan knew that they were now at the very front of the skirmish, their battalion fighting behind them. He didn't want to spend all his strength wielding the untouchable Ashla, not now, and surely not when the King had explicitly ordered to refrain from using it."Shields! Take cover! Incoming arrows!" That was Cody giving an alert, and the soldiers confronting Obi-Wan and Anakin backed off hurriedly as their own ranks released arrows towards them."Obi-Wan!" Anakin began gathering the Ashla into him, and Obi-Wan grit his teeth, his brow furrowing in reluctance and disagreement as he began to do the same.The air shimmered around them, and suddenly the sun broke through white clouds, the first peek of sunlight seemingly too bright as it fell on the two Knights. The dogs growled deeper in their throats and ducked their heads as they were forced away by the strange power emanating from their masters.Obi-Wan felt Anakin beside him, but suddenly, also quietly, steadily and brightly, in his mind. He felt Anakin's sense of cold and the effort behind his use of the Ashla, he heard and felt Anakin take in a shuddering breath, which Obi-Wan mirrored, as Anakin felt him, too.It was beautiful feeling the Ashla as it had been, absolutely everywhere, in the warmth of Anakin's beating heart, in the strength behind Obi-Wan's hold on his sword, in the gray winter grass, in the frozen earth beneath their soft leather boots, in the white of the sky above, in their indigo swords, in the tightening bowstrings and in the living sentients letting loose wickedly sharpened arrows.As one, Anakin and Obi-Wan took in a deep breath, and using the Ashla, pushed with outstretched hands up, out, away.An invisible and unworldly shove had the opposing army heaved back and most fell over, the released arrows falling harmlessly to the ground. Most importantly, behind the two Generals, the Crown's Army was safe. The battle was over.But the Knights' task was yet to be accomplished. Even though their armor was the dark of their king today, they had the Ashla at the forefront of their minds, and they radiated light. It seemed as if they held all the light of day within them, emitting a pleasant warmth that thawed the grass at their feet and turned it green.Before them, the Mandalorian soldiers that still lied sprawled, groaned as they tried to move away. One in particular, the blond archer who had shot the arrow that had started this battle, managed to get to a knee. Anakin scowled, moving quickly through the dazed Mandalorian ranks, and pulled the man up roughly, ceasing to consider ways to hurt him only when Obi-Wan rested a hand on his shoulder."State your name," Anakin snarled. "You traitorous dissident.""Mandalore won't ever kneel before your standard, outsider," the man said with spite in his cold eyes. "You don't know anything about me!""You're right." Obi-Wan angled his head at the man. "But I can almost taste your fear. And your hatred." He looked away from the man nonchalantly, and considered the army around him, how Cody and Rex were pushing the defeated and retreating Mandalorians away. "You're all alone now. Speak, and perhaps some mercy w-"Another life signature was headed towards them, strong and fierce like the Duchess, but sparking with a collected anger that was different, colder."Pre Vizsla!" The angry life signature's commanding voice was heard, and a red haired woman in blue, plated armor stepped beside Obi-Wan. "You bring shame to your house.""Another Kryze." Vizsla drawled out before shoving out of Anakin's hold and spitting on the ground. "You, woman, do not belong in battle. Like your sister, you're weak, and half-braine-"But Bo-Katan had her sword in her hand and the tip digging into Vizsla's stubbled chin before he could finish. "I should kill you for the insult to the Duchess and to my family." She glared at him with ice in her eyes, adding pressure to where her blade rested against the man's skin.
"But your blood is unworthy of my sword.. I'll let the Duchess's Knights drag you to the dungeon." Crisply, Bo-Katan swung her sword away, leaving a shallow, angry red cut on Vizsla's chin. "Leave him, Kenobi." And she marched off, calling for the Mandalorian knights that had remained to go tie him up.As her knights complied, Anakin slowly loosened his hold on the Ashla and felt Obi-Wan do the same as his gentle touch in his mind, a soft and warm presence, waned until it disappeared. They took a few seconds to breathe, and felt heavy tiredness creep into their extremities, as surely as the tide when it rose from the sea, even after making sure to let go of the Ashla little by little. Using it always came with a price unfortunately, and Anakin worried their soldiers would find them too lax and tired by nightfall. The King would hear of this, undoubtedly.Obi-Wan, he knew, thought similarly, and as the other man sheathed his long sword, Anakin took a moment to admire him. His hair was still brushed up, barely in any disarray, and there was a bit of sweat glistening on his brow, but the snow white sky did wonders to his blue eyes. He was frowning, as he often did in and after battles, but once he met Anakin's gaze, he softened and managed a small quirk of his lips."Kenobi!" Bo-Katan yelled from where she'd stopped walking to receive a messenger and turned to face them. "The Duchess would see you!"Obi-Wan raised his arm to show he had heard and huffed once Bo-Katan's form finally entered the city's walls."The Duchess won't be happy, Anakin. And I'm not exactly fit for negotiations at the moment.""We had no choice, Obi-Wan. Even our king will see that. Use the Ashla, or die. Pull her out of here, or die. Besides," Anakin raised his sword to inspect it's clean edge, the blue of his blade unmarred of any blood for once. "At least she's willing to talk to us. She'll listen to us." He sheathed his sword at the belt around his waist. "In the meantime, thanks to her army, we've got wounded to tend to. Helix and Kix will appreciate help.""Right." Obi-Wan sighed, glanced up at the cold, pearly sky, and Anakin rested a hand on his shoulder briefly before whistling Ertoo and Tripio over. The men and women liked their dogs, even when lying on the ground moaning softly. Anakin would not deny them the comfort of a furry warmth at their side, licking them in the face.The center of the city was still beautiful, Obi-Wan thought through a closed-mouth yawn that made his eyes water. Banners of turquoise, fuschia, teals, magentas, and white with silver hung from windows, and many people bustled about, making it an annoyance to their hot blooded horses to start and stop and go around the crowds. Most of them stopped to stare, and in some cases glare at their somber party as they rode to the Duchess's fortress. Anakin chuckled at the sight they must have made.Obi-Wan spared him a glance from his seat on Negotiante, looking down at his dark armor and then back at Anakin with mirth in his eyes, subdued from lack of energy. Yeah, dark black in a colorful city, they stood out as outsiders.Obi-Wan led the way because he knew the city from years ago, from when they'd both been young squires in the service of Knights Jinn and Windu. Back when there had been an entire guard of the Crown's Knights, before the First Jovlin attack.Obi-Wan turned slightly in his saddle to check on Ahsoka riding her gelding, Resolute, behind Anakin. She was young, barely fourteen years, but behind her, Rex and Cody nodded at him from their own steads, Torrent and Ghost. They'd take care of her, the young squire. They knew he and Anakin were dead on their horses, exhausted. Not for the first time, Obi-Wan appreciated that Negotiante was a good horse, hot blooded, but cooperative and responsive with him.He also appreciated his Commander's discretion. If Anakin and Obi-Wan dropped to the ground too heavily from their saddles at the Duchess's door, the Commanders didn't comment on it."Stay here, please, Cody, Rex." Obi-Wan looked up at the still mounted Commanders, leaning some of his weight on Negotiante, who merely nickered at his master. "The Duchess won't appreciate five armed foreigners in her hall. Perhaps it would be best if you stayed behind as well, Ahsoka. I don't know if the man was one of hers or not.""Alright," she said calmly, combing Resolute's mane softly, while Cody frowned at his General.Anakin also threw Obi-Wan a questioning frown, which he pointedly ignored, though he sensed confusion and the start of a protest in disagreement from the younger General. But Obi-Wan knew they didn't need to bring in more soldiers. They would be safe enough, so Obi-Wan pushed a firm determination into the Ashla and Anakin settled for pursing his lips mildly. He gave Twilight's reins to Ahsoka while Obi-Wan murmured softly to Negotiante and once he'd handed Cody his reins, turned towards the stone steps that led to the small castle. Anakin came to stand beside him, apprehensive curiosity coming off of him in a small, steady stream like water from a spring.The outside of the Kryze fort was formidable, regal, made of opal and stone, made for royalty. Two tall towers overlooked the city like stoic sentinels waiting for their time to serve, ready to withstand any assault or trouble. They walked up stone steps that led to an arch, and as Anakin and Obi-Wan made their way beneath it, it opened to a pentagonal courtyard.Bo-Katan stood in the center of the courtyard with a platoon of trained knights awaiting them. They wore not the heavy plated armor that usually covered a soldier's chain mail, but dark, smooth leather that made for easy mobility and spoke of well trained soldiers that didn't need much protection. These were not the knights that had met them outside the city walls. These did not stand with nervous expectancy, but with the patience of water before a dam, accumulating overwhelmingly. These would only move when ordered, and when they would, like a dam broken to make a waterfall, they'd be powerful and unstoppable.Obi-Wan didn't need the Ashla to know that they were standing here because their sole loyalty was to the Duchess; he remembered her personal guard's ferocity. Anakin tensed beside him, itching to reach for the hilt of his sword, and at this sudden anxiety, Obi-Wan let out a swell of deliberate calm in the Ashla, and Anakin let out a slow breath as Obi-Wan brushed his knuckles with the back of his hand."Hello there," Obi-Wan said warily but with a pleasant enough voice."Welcome," Bo-Katan answered and moved towards them. Anakin shifted his weight back, almost expecting the thirty or more Knight's behind her to follow, but they remained still, observing.
"Do not be alarmed, Sir Kenobi. We are all of us tense," and her inquisitive eyes flickered over to Anakin briefly. "They are just here to make sure none of us do things we might come to regret later." She offered them a brief but somehow threatening grin. Again, she only spared Anakin a short glance, though Obi-Wan knew it was enough to assess whether or not he could be deemed a threat. "This way, the Duchess awaits you."She led the way to the corridor behind the Duchess's knights and as she walked towards them, Obi-Wan felt Anakin's momentary confusion that she would collide with the leather clad knights, until they snapped, splitting down the middle of their ranks and left enough space for her to walk through them.Obi-Wan moved to follow her, knowledgeable of this formality and felt Anakin make sure to walk a step behind him. This show was meant to intimidate them, and it was certainly making Anakin feel uneasy. Any one of these Mandalorians, if they happened to hold a grudge against Obi-Wan could very well finish him off. Or they would try to, because with Anakin at his side, they would undoubtedly make it out. In the Ashla, they felt closed off to him. They had strong minds and were clear-headed, and fortunately they made their way through the knights without incident.Inside the corridor, the light from outside waned until the dark hallway relied on fiery torches that beat back the darkness. Anakin moved beside Obi-Wan until their booted steps fell at the same pace."Do you think...?" Anakin whispered, He didn't know the Duchess, and in this dank hallway, he wasn't feeling particularly trusting."I don't know. It's been a long time." Obi-Wan murmured back, radiating tiredness and a certain bleakness. He was wounded, Anakin remembered suddenly. Though not bleeding profusely, he realized as he craned his neck to check Obi-Wan's arm. Thank the Ashla. As for the tiredness, that could be blamed on extended use of the Ashla, Anakin frowned. The King often warned them of this. Only he had unlimited power.Finally they entered the throne room, large and cavernous, with painted glass widows behind the steps that raised the throne, where the Duchess sat regally in silhouette. Tinted light fell on the floor in front of her and on Obi-Wan and Anakin, coloring them different hues of lavender, blue and maroon. They stopped to bow while Bo-Katan walked to the side of the throne and stood at Mandalorian attention.The Duchess extended a delicate hand in their direction and Obi-Wan moved to gently take her hand and kiss it chastely. When he straightened, she gave him a small smile, and Anakin felt bitter melancholy tint the throne in the Ashla. Anakin didn't know whether or not to go to the Duchess as well, but when she clasped her hands in front of her, Obi-Wan retreated and Anakin decided to stay where he was."Obi."In a single syllable, the Duchess uttered familiarity and fondness. Anakin felt a small desire to huff, and a twinge of fierce protection over Obi-Wan."It's been too long.""Indeed it has been, Duchess, and I am sorry that we meet again under these circumstances." Obi-Wan apologized graciously and Anakin couldn't help but want to rush the pleasantries.Beside the Duchess, if a step behind, Bo-Katan cleared her throat so softly, the Knights of the Crown would not have heard it if not for the Ashla, and the ruling monarch winced."Do you know what you've done, claiming that I am under your Kingdom's protection?" The Duchess leaned forward. "You were wise to leave the young Togruta outside. Otherwise I would not speak to you, Kenobi. Know this, also, my people do not want or need your kingdom's protection.""We are aware of that, my lady." Anakin spoke up, "And we humbly ask you forgive our intrusion on your province. But the thing is, Your Highness, the Crowned Kingdom asks for your help." He finished, politely inclining his head, and felt confident and a bit pleased at his interference. But the Duchess regarded him with a skeptical frown, and raised her chin arrogantly."Who is this, Obi-Wan?"Annoyance and irritation came from Obi-Wan and Anakin saw the minute frown he gave the Duchess at her tone towards Anakin. When Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's chest, the painted light coming in through the window made his hand look bloody."Duchess Kryze, this is a distinguished General of the Great Army of the Crown, and my fellow Knight and brother-in-arms, Anakin Skywalker."There was a measured silence as the Duchess flickered inquisitive eyes from the hand on his chest and back to Obi-Wan's steady gaze and back again to his hand, realization spreading over her visage like water over a bleeding wound."I see." She straightened in her seat, watching them with a much more formal air.Anakin smiled softly with a swell of affection, basking in Obi-Wan's protectiveness. He knew his armor was cold and hard, but he could swear he could feel the warm weight of Obi-Wan's hand on his chest, and even after the other had removed his hand, the echo of his touch lingered."Whatever is it, then, that brings you to Mandalore with your entire army?" Duchess Kryze asked with a suddenly hard and suspicious voice.Anakin scratched his eyebrow, and then cleared his throat when Bo-Katan placed a hand on her sword at his movement. He felt Obi-Wan harden his life signature as he prepared a response. They hadn't brought their entire army. The six thousand sentients waiting outside the city were only a small part of the Crown's army, and they were here because even their entire army was not enough."We come to you, Duchess, because the Crowned Kingdom sees itself in a difficult situation. We need soldiers." The Duchess frowned and Obi-Wan hurried to finish with a placating look on his face. "The Seats of the Crown know of the prowess of the Mandalorians of your Province and-""Sir Kenobi, I beg your pardon! Mandalore will not join your war against the Jovlins to get back Crowned City. I forbid it. The very last thing we need is for them to converge on us.""Duchess Kryze," this time Anakin had a concerned frown crinkling his brow. "We need soldiers because we need this war to end, and if your people ever want the Jovlin raids to be over, they need the war to be over as well. Your Highness." He shifted his weight to his back leg when the Duchess stood, looking regally angry."It's 'Your Majesty.' "Anakin frowned. He had only one Majesty, one Lord, and that was King Sidius. No provincial monarch would get that title from him. "Sorry, lady Duchess," he ground out.But she hadn't finished. She pointed an accusatory finger down at Anakin. "And were you born or bred a Mandalorian, to know what Mandalore needs or doesn't, Skywalker?" A minor disrespect to have excluded his rank, which normally didn't bother Anakin, but this time Anakin opened his mouth to defend himself.Obi-Wan put a shielding hand on his chest again, and stepped forward in front of him. "He means no disrespect, lady Duchess. We simply understand better than most what difficulties exist sitting on the throne."She suddenly paled, and looked stricken. "Right," her voice had lost its fire, and she reached a hand behind her, as if to make sure her royal seat were still there, sitting down slowly. "Your service to your dark King." Around her life signature the Ashla was no longer stained with anger, but something else, just as dangerous. Fear."Yes. Sir Kenobi and myself serve the King personally... And he made it clear to us that the Seats of the Crown petitioned the Province of Mandalore for soldiers. What say you, Duchess?" Anakin forced politeness into his voice, letting Obi-Wan continue standing in front of him when the Duchess turned bright eyes towards him again."Please, Duchess." Obi-Wan added imploringly, hoping the sound of his voice would sway her. But when she again met his gaze, he knew they'd lost."You were once an aid to my people, Sir Kenobi. And your fellow Knight, Sir Jinn, is still remembered with honor here. Do not tarnish Qui-Gon Jinn's memory by ruining your friendship with Mandalore, Knight Kenobi." She delivered the words harshly, and Obi-Wan's face fell.He looked wounded, devastated like Anakin had only seen him after Qui-Gon's death."Duchess Kryze," Anakin started, his eyes the ice blue of anger. "Surely-""No, Sir Skywalker. You have my answer. Now leave, please, and let us keep the peace between us. My guards will escort you out of the city."Anakin scowled and shifted his weight, about to step forward and argue she had no right to remind Obi-Wan of his loss. Their loss. She had no idea what the cost of keeping the peace had been. But Obi-Wan grabbed his elbow."Come, Anakin." His voice was quiet and subdued. "We have a long ride ahead of us." He bowed to the Duchess from the waist, and turned to walk away.Anakin set his jaw and hastily followed suit with a shallow bow of his own. He turned on his heel, letting his anger ebb away into concern for Obi-Wan.Together, the two made to leave the Duchess's presence and leave her to stare at their retreating backs. She wondered if Skywalker knew of the loyal, devoting obedience he gave only to Obi-Wan, if he noticed how quickly his anger receded to please the other man. And she wondered if he loved Obi-Wan the same as Obi-Wan loved him.Beside her, Bo-Katan walked down the steps of the throne to send some of her guard to trail the Crown's Knights when suddenly, Kenobi and Skywalker stopped. Abruptly they straightened, their backs snapping upright almost unnaturally. Slowly, they turned around from where they had stopped walking.
When Satine saw their eyes, she gasped.Gone were the pleasant blue orbs of Obi-Wan and his fellow Knight. Now, their eyes had turned a dangerous gold, interlaced with bleeding red."Duchess." It was Skywalker's mouth that moved. But his voice was old. Old and scratchy and evil. "Your Province will aid the Kingdom."The two Knights moved, unsheathing their strange blue swords with frightening synchrony."The Kingdom will have this Province."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Pouring more wine into the obsidian goblet, a Twi'lek servant forced himself to keep his gaze down, away from the fiery amber of His Majesty's eyes. At the Lord's feet, a darkly tattooed green Zabrak knelt in disgrace."Savage," the King spoke quietly, with a voice that belonged to a kinder being, not this abusive and hateful tyrant. Startled, the Twi'lek hurried away from the King's drink. "Your brother said your troops had advanced, General. Why, then, do you appear before me?"The Zabrak hung his head, and the servant saw the Dark King inhale with an expression of relish. Did the Zabrak smell of fear?"Forgive me, my Lord..." Came the deep rumble of apology from the Zabrak.The King smiled, all malevolence and cruelty. He took his time examining the large warrior in front of him, looking... proud of the fear he inspired. "Tell me, Savage, do you deserve forgiveness?""No, my Lord. I just - I need more troops, my Lord." The kneeling General looked up and managed to meet His Majesty's eyes bravely.But the King grew angered now. He stood up from the onyx throne, his black and red coat rearranging itself almost like a living being. The wine server felt the pressure in the room make his ears pop as the King fisted a hand. The Zabrak choked and sputtered as the King picked him up without touching him, his feet dangling in mid air, his hands clawing at his closed throat."Please!" He grunted out. "Your ... Majesty!""There are. No. More. Troops, Savage!" With each word, the King took a step down from his throne and towards the suspended Zabrak. "Do you understand me?" His voice had taken a gravelly undertone, and he sounded aged in bitterness and rancid evil."Y-yes, m-m'Lord.""Good." The King opened his hand and the Zabrak dropped like a barrel, gasping hoarsely on his hands and knees again, at the King's feet. "Now, Savage, go back to your brother. I want that city. And if you fail me again," the King paused and turned towards his throne."We won't fail you, Your Majesty.""No. You won't." The King sat once again and took a sip from his wine as the Zabrak stumbled to his feet and walked out of the dark and largely cavernous chamber.The Zabraks were loyal, and heeded his word doggedly. They were easy to control, for which Sidious thanked the Ashla. But the Knights, they would need a little more time to come around to where he wanted them. His Kingdom wasn't large enough yet. The Jovlins were doing a good job of keeping his four Generals busy, but he wanted them, the Knights especially, broken.The King leaned an elbow on his seat's armrest, closing his eyes in concentration. The Knights... needed a little push. Mandalore would be his, by nightfall. He took in a breath, and in his empty hand, felt the ghost impression of a sword's hilt, and the strain in his fingers from choking a phantom throat. Yes... the Crowned Kingdom would take Mandalore.His musings were interrupted when he sensed nervous energy and coolly controlled anger at the door of his throne chamber. Ah, the lovely Seated Lady Amidala. She was another important piece to his expanding kingdom.From his seat, he used a small tendril of the Ashla to nudge the doors open grandly, and there was his servant Mos Amedda trying to keep the Seated Lady from entering."Leave her be," he spoke, and let that same tendril he had used for the doors to carry his voice to them. "Come. I will listen, Lady Amidala.""Thank you, Your Majesty." The Seated Lady gave the blue Chagrian a brief dismissive glance before she brushed past him gracefully into the dark throne room. She passed glittering black columns and sporadically placed guards wearing red chainmail until she reached the king. She paid him the proper obeisance, and waited for him to speak."What brings you to me, Lady?" Sidious made his voice echo through his lips and into the Ashla. Dividing his concentration to the lady in front of him, he would not admit he was curious of her visit, for this little woman was fiercely intuitive and a strong representative of the Seats of the Crown."My lord, I am worried. The two Knights in your service, as you might know, are friends of mine - ""I do know, Seated Lady." He blinked slowly, as said Knights struggled under his hold. "I allow them to render visits to your homestead when they are not at the front lines.""Indeed, my lord. And I would humbly ask after their health.""Their health? Oh, sweet Lady," he said with an unnerving smile that didn't quite reach his glittering amber eyes. "They are well. Looking after the Crowned Kingdom, I assure you.""And how does the fight for the Crowned City, my lord?"The king's eyes regarded Padmé with intensity, as if they could see into her, undressing her thoughts and finding them lacking. She wished she hadn't come, suddenly, wished she were still in Naboo, when Naboo had been its own province. His eyes still met hers, and she blinked at her thoughts, for a second confused. Naboo had always been inside the Crowned Kingdom's northern border, since before she had been born. She felt a shiver and the hairs on her arms stood up. Those thoughts… had not been hers."The fight goes well, Seated Lady. Is this an inquiry from the Seats of the Crown?""No, Your Majesty. It is merely a personal worry." Personal enough that she would come to the King? Yes. Obi-Wan and Anakin were her friends. But she should not overestimate their feelings for her. Loyalty to the Crown, always. "Forgive me, my Lord, for my query. The Seats are loyal to Your Majesty, though they do worry that soon the war will overcome the kingdom's coffers, that the Jovlins will overrun our forces. And... also about where the kingdom will find more soldiers."At this, Sidious brought a hand to the collar of his coat, not quite leaning his chin on it. "Coffers. Jovlins, and soldiers..." He repeated slowly, mocking in his own way. "The Seats of the Crown are good souls to worry about these things, Seated Lady."He frowned suddenly, with a severity that infiltrated her mind. "Tell them that I am King over this Kingdom. From this glorious mountain, I rule. They needn't worry.""Of course, Your Majesty." Padmé answered with a passive voice, his words echoing inside her mind. Of course. The king would know best."Indeed, now you see." He smiled with eerie charm, and Padmé felt herself smile back. "I have done nothing wrong, my lady. They will see that, too.""Of course, Sire." Padmé wobbled on her feet, feeling dizzy suddenly. "Erm, excuse me, Your Majesty." She brought a hand to her forehead, wiping away a fine sheen of perspiration."Are you ill?" Sidious asked, the forced pleasantry effortlessly falling from his mouth. He wove the Ashla in front of her, easing his grip over her mind, and waited."No, Majesty." Padmé shuddered, closed her eyes tightly, and then visibly relaxed. "I'm fine now.""Excellent. Lady, I will address the Seats' concerns. Soldiers will come from the Mandalorians. And then I mean to control the Outer Provinces that have wallowed in squalor with the Hutts. My army will grow stronger in numbers, and you, Seated Lady, will ensure that the Seats remain loyal only to me.""Of course, my king. It will be as you say.""No!" Bo-Katan cried out. The two beings in pitch black armor were cutting through her guards like they were vegetation. For all the prowess Kenobi had claimed of them, he was unstoppable against them. Skywalker, a shadow on the other side of the throne room, clenched a hand and the man in front of him fell limp to the ground after a sickening snap of his neck. Bo stood in front of her sister, her sword in an iron grip, a scowl hiding her fear as Kenobi turned to her with those eyes. But she would not be intimidated, and as Kenobi took slow, menacing steps towards her, Bo stepped off the dais of the throne and met him halfway."In the name of Mandalore, you will wish to have stayed in your own Kingdom, filth!" And Bo struck.Outside the Kryze castle, Ahsoka straightened atop Resolute, causing the two commanders to tense. Though it happened very rarely, Ahsoka wasn't afraid when she heard the voice of the Knight she served, soft but focused inside her head. She nodded at the space in front of her, clumsily sending an affirmative into the Ashla to the Knight, then shifted her Togrutan predatory gaze onto the commanders."Sir Skywalker orders us to send for our company, Commander Rex. We're taking the city." Ahsoka paused, listening again, this time to carefully sent Coruscanti tones. "Commander Cody, Sir Kenobi asks for you." At Cody's nod, she turned Resolute's head around and nudged him into a gallop towards the city gates.Rex shared a look with his brother. "Be right back," he said with a dry smirk and clicked his tongue at Torrent. In a breath, he was thundering after the squire.Cody huffed and swung down from Ghost. Taking over cities was not particularly difficult for the Grand Army of the Crown and he knew today would be no different. Leaving the obedient Ghost ground tied, Cody ran up the stairs and into the courtyard. Here he paused, unsure of which way his General had taken, but at a prompt in his mind from what definitely resembled his General's voice, he continued running down a dark passageway.It wasn't long before he heard the clangs of swords and yells of a struggle. The throne room looked impressive, for all the bodies that littered the ground around General Skywalker. His general was entertained with a few resilient guards and the woman in blue armor from the battlefield. Cody hurried to back him, his sword thirsty for red.The duchess intervened eventually when her sister was finally on her knees, bleeding from several cuts on her face and a nasty one on the inside of her thigh. Cody had inflicted that one when she had gotten much too close to his general than what he was comfortable with."Please, Obi-Wan! Stop!" The Duchess cried out when all her guards were dead or dying and Skywalker held his blue sword to her sister's neck.General Kenobi held up a hand in Anakin's direction, and took out a dagger from its sheath on his thigh, walking once more towards the Duchess. She trembled with fury or fear. Sometimes they are the same thing, Obi-Wan thought sadly, and felt a sudden headache. He blinked, focused his gaze on the Mandalorian monarch and it was gone instantly. He looked down at the dagger, and imagined it embedded in her side. When he looked at the Duchess again, she paled, and as he reached out to hold her cheek, she cried out and choked on a sob."Indeed, now you see." Her fear was... intoxicating. He moved the dagger, felt how it cut though the fabric of the dress, the tight corset and quickly into soft flesh. Blood oozed from around the blade in her side and she screamed at him."Traitor scum! You will answer to Mandalore!""I've done nothing wrong, my lady. They will see that, too."That voice. That voice was not the one he'd had when he first delegated with them, and Cody struggled not to shudder. His General scowled at the warmth that seeped from the wound, pulled the knife away, and let Cody catch the Duchess before she collapsed.By nightfall, fires burned across the entire city. Fast riders had been sent with Cody to different towns in Mandalore to spread the word of their fallen capital and dead monarch. If they chose to fight, there was a whole division of the Crown’s Army riding fast to Cody. They would made quick work of the Mandalorian resistance.Obi-Wan and Anakin had fought some, while Ahsoka had been ordered to stand by with the surviving Kryze. The lie to her people was to break their spirit. She would not die tonight, Sir Kenobi had said. She would meet with the King in his mountain city and be hosted there. Thus the squire had bandaged the wound and Sir Skywalker had used the Ashla to command the Lady to sleep. But not in his own voice. She couldn't remember who's voice he sounded like.Then he'd turned his face towards Ahsoka and she had carefully monitored her expression. Her eyes never turned, but she didn't like seeing his and Sir Kenobi's like this. She wasn't sure why. It felt like a memory she couldn't think of clearly, like a coppery scaled fish that kept slipping from her hands. Sometimes thinking too hard gave her a headache, so she stopped trying to grasp the memory. Sir Skywalker smiled at her discomfort and turned away. He spoke again, not with his voice, though Ahsoka was sure sometimes, even with turned eyes, his voice did usually sound his own."Commander Rex! I want the weapons taken with us. Any metals, precious stones, it all goes back to the Coruscant.""Yes, sir.""Ahsoka. Come with me." Sir Skywalker, in his pleasant tone, called for her and then for Sir Kenobi.They walked through the burning streets of the city back to the castle they had conquered earlier that day. Ignoring the stains of wine or perhaps blood on the stone floor and past painted windows that told Mandalore's proud history, up the spiraling stairs of one of the towers.Once they reached the top, Sir Skywalker led her to the window."Look, Squire." Sir Kenobi spoke and she turned her eyes from his amber ones to the city."This is what happens, Ahsoka, when you disobey the Crown." Sir Skywalker said. Ahsoka wasn't sure if his voice, this time his own, sounded serious or actually sad.The night sky was full of gray and orange smoke and she frowned at how it reflected the fires blazing in the city. That morning, Mandalore had looked impressive and dignified. Now it only looked beaten, and pitiful. The Ashla was tainted with desperation and confusion, she realized, almost as murky as the skies. She turned to the Knights, her blue eyes questioning.Sir Kenobi blinked, the twisted yellow draining from his gaze and smiled sadly. "You must learn, young one, in order to stay alive." Then he looked out again, and from the way his lips tensed and the Ashla suddenly felt colder, she knew his eyes had turned again."Remember, Ahsoka," Sir Skywalker began once they were outside again. "Loyalty to the Crown always."