Varn's expression shifted to one of slight excitement. "Serdran really showed their mettle by winning both the marathon and the 5v5 team elimination. The final moments of the team elimination were particularly tense, with Serdran narrowly squeezing out a win over Clan Tov'ra in a nail-biting finale." The match between the two teams had everyone in the arena on the edge of their seats.
"And what about our clan?" Elyse leaned closer to Varn, eager to hear how their team fared.
"We once again claimed victory in the Capture the Flag event and also triumphed in the high-speed speeder bike race. Everyone was cheering and excited while watching the speeder race. We changed the course to accommodate faster speeds and sharper turns. Thankfully, no one got injured at the high speeds they were going."
"What I was most proud of was our victory in Capture the Flag. Each member contributed effectively, making our successes even more rewarding. We were like a well-oiled machine."
Varn smiled, his heart swelling with pride as he continued to detail the competition's events, each victory filled with stories and memories from those exhilarating days.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Satine sat in silence, listening to Varn recount what had happened over the last two days of their competition. Qui-Gon was intrigued and wished he could have watched this event. Hearing about the feats of certain individuals made the young Obi-Wan even more determined to improve. Varn had mentioned how both young and older adults possessed skills that he would find challenging to defend against.
This didn't seem surprising, considering Mandalorians are known for their combat skills. But for a young Obi-Wan, wanting to prove himself, he aspired to be better than even a Mandalorian.
Satine was slightly shocked and intrigued as well. She did not realize that five neutral clans were holding such a significant competition. The skills of the combatants she heard about left her amazed.
Her father had hosted clan games in the past, but Satine had been half distracted during those times when she was younger. Now older, she could comprehend the significance of these games.
Clans held these competitions for several reasons: first, to showcase their abilities to neighboring clans; second, to test their strength against potential allies; third, to demonstrate to their allies that their clan was skilled; fourth, to send a message to potential enemies that the clan should not be underestimated; and finally, these games were used to solidify the submission of certain clans to a central clan that would form a political house.
"Hey, how's Rayden doing? He should be in the survival challenge right now. Is he still alone, or is it time for all the kids in the clan to come together?" Elyse was happy to hear about the clan's success, but she was more interested in how her son was doing.
Varn chuckled; he knew his wife and how much she cared for their son. With a hint of pride in his voice, he told her about Rayden's progress.
"Our son is doing well. It took him a while to get his bearings after being dropped off, but he found a good campsite. The supplies he won in the 5v5 challenge helped him set up camp relatively quickly."
"We should give him some training later on because he could have done better. He made the mistake of putting his tent on mossy ground, which soaked through by the next morning. He had to move it to some nearby dry ground." Varn went off on a quick tangent before getting back on track.
"He won the luxury kit for his team by landing in the top three, so he has three days' worth of food. Coupled with the other supplies, he is doing better than those who finished in last place. At least 47 kids have already been eliminated during the first day alone, a mix from each clan ranging from the bottom scorers to some in the middle of the pack."
A few kids had slipped and broken an arm or leg, while others lost all their supplies when they fell into the water. Some were eliminated because they got hurt while hunting. Those who have survived the two days mostly know what they're doing and should make it through—barring any unforeseen accidents.
As he sipped his drink, Varn continued, "When I left the challenge site, the kids were gradually making their way to their respective clan's designated meeting spots. I estimate that Rayden is about half a day away from there, so he should be arriving around now."
"That gives us just enough time to get back before they extract them," Elyse replied, her voice filled with excitement at the thought of seeing their son just before the end of the youth division.
Once he finished his drink, Varn rose from his seat and extended his hand to Elyse, a warm smile on his face. "Yes, but before we head back, let's seize the day and tour the capital, dear."
"Gladly," Elyse responded, her spirits lifted. She turned to their three companions and said, "I'll see you all at dinner. And Satine, please let your mother know we'll be out exploring."
Satine nodded, a bright smile lighting up her face. "I will! You two have a fantastic time."
Qui Gon then turned to Obi-Wan, who had been listening quietly. "We will finish your training for the day, Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied, a determined nod accompanying his agreement.
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As the afternoon progressed, Varn and Elyse strolled hand in hand through the vibrant streets. They visited lush parks filled with the laughter of children and the sweet melodies of musicians strumming their instruments. The couple wandered through art museums, admiring the intricate brushstrokes of historical paintings and the contemporary sculptures that sparked conversations about their deeper meanings. They had a lovely date together, bringing them even closer.
As evening approached, they made their way back to the palace. The grand architecture loomed elegantly as they entered, with crystal chandeliers casting soft light over the marble floors. In Elyse's temporary room, they prepared for tonight's dinner.
Varn stood before a tall mirror, adjusting his black suit, accentuated by a striking half shoulder cape woven with intricate golden threads that shimmered in the light. Meanwhile, Elyse stepped into the room wearing a breathtaking light golden dress that flowed gracefully around her, reminiscent of the iconic picnic gown worn by Padmé in Episode II. Its fabric caught the light perfectly, showcasing her elegance and charm.
As she approached, Elyse gently reached out to fix a slight crease in Varn's suit, her fingers deftly smoothing the fabric. "You look lovely, dear," she murmured, a tender smile gracing her lips as she planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
With a playful smile, Varn turned to her, took her delicate hand, and kissed it gently while bowing slightly. "So do you, my love. You look simply gorgeous," he replied, his voice rich with admiration.
Seeing the way her husband treated her with such grace filled Elyse with a wonderful warmth. The joy radiated from her, making her eyes sparkle. "Let's go to dinner," she said, her voice filled with excitement.
Varn lifted his left arm, inviting her to walk. She stepped into his hold, wrapping her right arm around his as Varn opened the door and they walked through. Together, they made their way through the palace, looked at the art and statues while greeting maids and guards along the way.
The dinner unfolded smoothly, and everyone was seated at the dining table. As the meal commenced, Katrine took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude toward Elyse, Qui Gon, and Obi-Wan for their support during the attack that nearly took her husband. Her eyes sparkled with sincerity as she relayed her appreciation, and she turned to Varn, asking him to relay her thanks to the twelve Knight clansmen who had also come to their aid.
Satine, resplendent in an elegant gown that flowed delicately around her as she moved, sat beside Obi-Wan, who exuded his usual calm presence in his traditional Jedi robe. Light banter flowed between the two as they quilty talked after Katrine finished.
Katrine shifted her focus to Varn, intrigued by the stories she had heard from Satine regarding the clan games. She approached the subject with calculated subtlety, attempting to gauge the veracity of the rumor that the five clans were considering uniting into a House. Her voice lowered slightly, reflecting the seriousness of her inquiry as she asked about their stance on the traditionalists and the looming threat of Death Watch.
Varn, looking at the tender steak on his plate before looking up, articulated the clans' position with measured words. He noted that while their ideologies aligned with the traditionalists, they shared a deep-seated disdain for Death Watch's extremist views. The five clans, he explained, were resolute in their desire to remain neutral in the brewing civil war. They would not ally with House Kyrze as they did not share their pacifist ideals.
Katrine sipped her wine, her gaze fixed on Varn, sensing the weight of their conversation. "Varn, I must say, I appreciate your and your clan's desire to remain neutral and distanced from the impending conflict. However, I fear that Death Watch will likely retaliate against you all for your assistance to us two days ago."
As he savored a particularly juicy piece of steak, Varn paused at Katrine's warning. Wiping his mouth with a crisp napkin, he replied, "I understand your concerns, Duchess. Rest assured, we will take the necessary precautions to safeguard ourselves."
Katrine held his gaze, a mix of concern and determination in her eyes. "I hope you do, Varn. I truly hope you do." The intensity of their exchange lingered in the air, underscoring the precarious balance between gratitude and the looming threats they faced.
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The next morning, Varn woke up with Elyse in his arms, and they enjoyed a quiet morning together. After lying in bed for 30 minutes, they got dressed and made their way to the dining room for breakfast before departing.
At the table, Elyse asked Qui-Gon about the plan. "Are you staying until the duke wakes up, or are you leaving for Coruscant with Satine?"
Qui-Gon set down his fork and replied, "I spoke with the Duchess and young Satine. We will wait a week to see if the duke awakens. Our mission is to escort Satine to Coruscant; the council has not called us back, so we have time. I will use this time to train Obi-Wan further before our next mission."
Elyse smiled, knowing how little time Jedi had to train when they were sent from one mission to another. This would be a good opportunity to focus on honing Obi-Wan's skills.
After breakfast, Varn and Elyse walked to the landing pad where the clan's gauntlet starfighter was waiting. The twelve clansmen had taken the other starfighter back to the clan when Varn arrived.
As Varn boarded to start the pre-flight checklist, Elyse stayed at the ramp to say her final goodbyes to Katrine and the others.
"I insisted you take them, Elyse. They are tokens of my gratitude," Katrine said, having a maid hand Elyse a box filled with all the clothes she and Varn had worn while at the palace.
"Thank you, Katrine. I appreciate it. I had planned on ordering dresses similar to these when I got back, but now I don't have to," Elyse replied with a smile. She truly loved the dresses she had worn during her visit, so she was thrilled to keep them.
Turning to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, she smiled and gave them both a hug. "Take care, both of you. I hope to see you again someday. You are always welcome at our clan if you need anything. And if you see our clan members while out on missions, don't hesitate to send me a message through them."
Qui-Gon smiled as he returned her hug. He took her words to heart, feeling that they would meet again in the not-too-distant future. "Take care as well, Elyse. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan bowed slightly. "May the Force be with you, Master Elyse."
"May the Force be with you both," Elyse said as she turned around and walked into the starfighter. The ramp closed as she ascended, finally locking into place.