Elyse stepped softly toward Katrine, her hand resting gently on her shoulder in a tender gesture of comfort. She observed the unwavering dedication and loyalty Katrine had displayed toward Adonai, never leaving his side as she held vigil, anxiously awaiting the heartening news of his recovery.
The medbay was filled with a heavy silence as the group lingered for a few more moments, eventually beginning to trickle out—each person lost in their thoughts. Katrine, weary and worn, had not slept, eaten, or showered in what felt like an eternity, and she desperately needed rest to revive her depleted spirit. Satine and Bo-Katan were doing better, yet the shadows of the recent attack lingered in their eyes, revealing the toll it had taken on them.
A group of palace maids gently escorted Katrine away, offering their assistance to help her rejuvenate and take a much-needed nap. Later that evening, she had arranged a special dinner to express her heartfelt gratitude to Elyse, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan for their help. Though the trio had insisted that it was unnecessary, Katrine felt that she needed to show her appreciation in a meaningful way.
As the afternoon sun dipped into a warm golden hue, Elyse joined Qui-Gon in sharing some training pointers with Obi-Wan, who was currently immersed in his practice.
Two hours later, Satine had joined them, seeking solace from the weight of her thoughts. Watching Obi-Wan train brought a much-needed distraction, and occasionally witnessing his amusing failures elicited soft laughter from her lips. Gradually, the tension in her shoulders began to ease as she sat quietly with a soothing cup of tea, expertly brewed by the maid, its warmth spreading through her.
At that moment, Obi-Wan attempted a handstand, precariously balanced with a few heavy books on his feet and surrounded by a scattering of polished stones from the palace garden. "Focus, Obi-Wan. Feel the Force; it is everywhere, connecting us all," Qui-Gon instructed, his tone calm and encouraging.
Obi-Wan took a moment to center himself, delving into the depths of his training and drawing on the profound lessons imparted by his Master. With determination, he balanced on his right hand, slowly extending his left to reach out to the Force that surrounded him. His mind concentrated on the stones nearby, feeling their presence through the Force, and with gentle determination, he began to lift them into the air.
In that fleeting moment, the world around him faded into insignificance; it was just Obi-Wan and the Force, intertwined in a beautiful dance of energy. The stones floated gracefully, suspended as if in a delicate waltz, cradled by the invisible embrace of the Force.
"Excellent, Obi-Wan! Remember, your connection extends beyond the objects; it encompasses everything around you. You are part of a grand tapestry," Qui-Gon encouraged, pride shining in his voice.
Elyse observed quietly from the side, seated in a meditative posture, nostalgia washing over her as she recalled her training days at the Jedi Temple—fond memories of her childhood enveloping her like a warm embrace.
As Obi-Wan concentrated deeply on the floating stones, the door to the chamber swung open, revealing a striking figure clad in deep blue and silver armor. The man carried his helmet tucked under his right arm, exuding an air of confidence accentuated by a sleek jetpack and a flowing, small cape that fluttered behind him. His shin guards were equipped with twin vibroblades, glinting menacingly in the soft light, while a blaster holstered securely at his left thigh completed his imposing silhouette.
He scanned the room with keen eyes, taking in the serene sight of Satine, who sat nearby, sipping her tea with an air of grace. Upon noticing Obi-Wan's focused endeavor, the man's expression shifted to one of mild amazement. Meeting Qui Gon eye to eye, the man nodded his head as a sign of respect.
Continuing his survey of the space, his gaze landed on Elyse, and a radiant smile bloomed on his face, brimming with warmth and affection. Varn strolled over to her with purpose, setting his helmet on a nearby table in a gentle motion.
Elyse caught sight of Varn's approach and gracefully rose to her feet, smoothing out her outfit in an instinctive display of care. "What are you doing here, dear?" she asked, her voice tender as she cupped Varn's face with her right hand, her fingers gently tracing the outline of his full beard. Her left hand delicately tucked away a few loose strands of his tousled black hair, her gaze lingering in his hazel eyes.
"I came to see for myself that everything was alright after hearing about the attack," Varn replied, his voice soothing, yet laced with urgency. "I would have been here sooner, but the competition has taken up all my time until now." With a soft smile, he pushed a few errant strands of hair behind Elyse's right ear before leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her lips.
The atmosphere in the room was palpable as the other three witnesses took in this heartwarming reunion. Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile, while Obi-Wan, momentarily distracted from his focus, executed a flawless leap, catching the tumbling books mid-air before landing gracefully on his feet.
From her vantage point, Satine had a clear view of the entire scene, captivated by both events unfolding before her. She marveled at Obi-Wan's athletic prowess, recalling tales of how the Jedi were renowned for their agility. The tender exchange between Elyse and Varn resonated with her, evoking fond memories of the affection shared between her own parents in their private moments.
After their tender moment, Elyse gracefully introduced Varn to Qui-Gon. With a warm smile, she recounted their time training together at the temple, the shared laughter, and the rigorous lessons that they had with the other younglings. Then, she turned to introduce Obi-Wan, going on to explain she was helping out in his training while the two were here.
Varn extended his hand to each of them, his grip firm yet respectful. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Qui-Gon, and you as well, Obi-Wan," he said, his voice steady with calm confidence.
"It's an honor to meet you as well, Alor Knight," Qui-Gon replied, his wise gaze revealing both approval and insight. "I can see that Elyse has found someone she truly cares for." His tone carried an air of sincerity, acknowledging the bond they shared.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alor Knight," Obi-Wan said, his handshake firm as he observed the interaction between Elyse and Varn. He was reflecting on how Jedi are taught not to form attachments, yet he could see right in front of him that Elyse seemed to be thriving.
Turning towards Satine, Varn's expression softened as he greeted her warmly. "It's delightful to see you again, Satine. The last time we met was eight years ago, if my memory serves me right," he reminisced, picturing the moment during a formal meeting with the Duke when a young Satine had burst into the room, her innocent request for her father to play with her still vivid in his mind.
"It's wonderful to see you too, Alor Knight," Satine replied gracefully, her poised demeanor reflecting the elegance instilled in her through years of meticulous training under her mother's guidance. She stood to greet Varn, her posture and manners reminiscent of her mother when she was younger.
"So, how is the duke faring?" Varn inquired as he sank into the plush chair beside the tall window. He had just come from the bustling landing pad, where he had received a flurry of disturbing updates, and urgently needed to locate Elyse. The last report he had heard was that the Duke had suffered a blaster wound to the shoulder and was currently incapacitated, along with movements from the traditionalist clans and Death Watch.
"The doctor just informed us that the duke is going to be fine," Elyse replied, her voice a mix of relief and lingering concern as she settled next to him, her eyes reflecting the low light of the room. "The blaster damaged a significant amount of surrounding tissue and caused internal bleeding, but thanks to swift action, we managed to get him to the medbay in time. He will recover, but it will take some time."
Elyse then detailed the sequence of events that had unfolded during the attack. She explained how Katrine had boosted the security detail around the palace in response to the escalating threat, emphasizing the heightened tension in the air since the incident. She also mentioned that Katrine would be hosting a small dinner tonight to thank them for their help during the attack.
"Unfortunately, you had to endure such chaos, Satine," Varn said, his tone sincere as he addressed her directly. "I understand that our two clans hold differing philosophies, but we can both agree that Death Watch is entirely unfit to govern Mandalore." He extended his heartfelt condolences to Satine.
"Thank you, Alor Knight. I appreciate your support during this tumultuous time," Satine hands clenched in front of her, her voice steady despite the weight of her worries. "My father holds you and your clan in high regard, and you are correct—Death Watch can never be allowed to rule Mandalore. They are nothing but ruthless killers and thugs, and they would lead our people to ruin." Her expression, though tinged with sadness, was resolute as she echoed Varn's sentiments, uniting them in their shared resolve.
"So, dear, why don't you share with us what's been happening in the competition?" Elyse asked, her curiosity piqued. She leaned forward, eager to hear all about the latest developments, which clan was in the lead now, how Rayden was faring, and if there were any entertaining stories from the arena.
With a warm smile, she handed Varn a drink, appreciating his wife's thoughtfulness. Varn took a sip, savoring the cool refreshment, and began to recount the highlights from the adult division of the competition.
Vhar'kar took first place in both the shooting competition and the cooking challenge. Soren Vhar'kar showcased exceptional shooting skills, with his sharpshooters proving to be precise. The clan prepared a delicious lunch, and even now, I wish I had some more.
"That is the second time you've told me about their exceptional cooking. Did you save me any leftovers?" Elyse interjected, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her husband.
"Oh shit," Varn's heart leapt in his chest. He forgot to save her food again. He maintained a stoic expression, but his eyes dropped to his drink to avoid Elyse's gaze.
"Why would you think about leftovers? We'll ask Camren when we get back if his clan can prepare fresh hot food for you to enjoy," Varn sidestepped her question.
Of course, Elyse could tell that Varn was ignoring her question. In fact, the other three people in the room could, too. But everyone stayed quiet and let Varn have his moment since he had traveled here.
Varn noticed the silence, cleared his throat, and continued, "Surprisingly, Tov'ra only won the 1v1 melee event. They came close during the Capture the Flag (CTF) and 5v5 events but lost in the end. Their fighter showed incredible agility and technique, but they underestimated how much the others wanted to win."
"Ravik raised his son, Jarek, to be a fine warrior. He won the 1v1 match with his skill and brutal efficiency, but his hot-headedness cost them the flag during the CTF. Ravik was not pleased when that happened." Varn hid a small smirk behind his drink.
He paused briefly to take another sip of his drink before moving on. "Then there's Drav'korr. They only won the forging competition again, but what can you expect from a clan known for their exceptional forging skills. Even though the craftsmanship is outstanding, their performance in other events was just average."
"Drago forged at record speed, creating not only gauntlets but also a chest piece. Both pieces of armor were of great quality. Because of the speed, their appearance was average, but the boy's skill at the forge will surely surpass his father's one day." Varn truly believed this, as the boy had so much talent and skill at a young age. Given another 10 to 20 years, anything he crafts will be highly sought after.