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And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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Jade_Skywalker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/8/04 11:03pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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Okay you guys, here's an update! The next part is finally finished!!  But! Expect somemore time of waiting. Believe me, t'will be worth it, especially since this is about how long it takes me to get an update, but this is 30 pages long!! Wahoo!!
I think I have decided to post it in three parts, one directly after the other so that way, those who want to break in between can find their spot easily, and those who don't can just keep going.  Alright, I'm sure we're all looking forward to this.
~Jade
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Dallas_Valla
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Jul '03
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Date Posted:
12/10/04 6:05pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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I am looking forward to this.
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Captain of the E11 paintball team.
RP sister of Laine Snowtrekker, RL best friend
Jedi Outcast Officer on Leave
Check out the links in my bio for some Fanfics.
What's wrong with being NUTS!?
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Jade_Skywalker
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Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/21/04 3:54pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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GOOD NEWS!!! Yep! It's here! It's all here! I am working on the beta right now, and you should be expecting PMs within the next hour or so. YAY!!
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Jade_Skywalker
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Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/21/04 5:31pm
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RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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Okay, so I had a minor crisis with my computer, but it should be up some time tonight. 
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Jade_Skywalker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/21/04 10:03pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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Obviously much later than I had hoped, but here it is, 30 pages worth of "And Then There Was Light" for you're reading enjoyment.
By the time the morning horn blew, Maleah had had about two standard hours of sleep. She found it difficult to sleep that night knowing that the next day was supposed to have been the day Jeredi would have been brought out of the hole. After Brock had cut off Jeredi’s food and water, he had seemed quite proud of himself and extremely cocky. That had lasted for about two days, and then each passing day after that, he had grown more and more irritated. She knew that if Jeredi had died, Brock would have informed her, yet he had not. Her heart wanted to hope, but her mind could not accept the possibility.
As she left her hut to join the other slaves for their walk to the construction site, all she could think about was Jeredi - the only other person besides her family who had ever truly cared about her. Getting along the past six weeks without him had been difficult. She had gotten used to his company, enjoyed it even. When he was around, Maleah didn’t care about the looks that she received from others. She did not care how she was looked upon as an outcast. She was simply happier with him.
If Jeredi dies in the hole, his blood is on your hands, not mine.
Remembering Brock’s words was like a stab in her heart. Despite Connor’s efforts to convince her that Jeredi being thrown in the hole was not her fault, Maleah could not wipe the guilt from her conscience. Her throat and chest began to ache, but she tried to hold back the tears. She yearned for Jeredi to hold her again as he had before. She wanted to feel the caress of his fingers upon her face, but she knew it would never be again.
Maleah hardly noticed when her group approached the construction site. Silent as she always was, and ignored by the others, she made her way to her level to begin working. Her throat began to feel as though it would burst from the endless aching. She had lost her dear friend, never realizing just how dear he was until now. Connor would never speak to her again. Jeredi was dead, and Ruby would soon join him. Once her grandmother was gone, Maleah would be alone.
“Maleah!”
Suddenly startled at hearing her name, Maleah nearly stumbled as she turned around to see a young man coming at her. “Connor?”
With a huge grin played across his face, Connor came rushing up to her, and wrapped her in the biggest embrace he could muster. It particularly began to scare her when he twirled her around.
“Connor! What are you doing?”
He set her back down on her feet, unable to keep the smile off his face. “He’s alive, Maleah! Jeredi’s alive!”
At the sound of the news, Maleah’s mood turned quite serious. “What?”
“I just heard that the guards were bringing a slave out of the sixty-footer this morning.”
Maleah shook her head, not wanting her hopes to rise, to later be crushed again. Instead, she moved to a nearby toolbox, pretending to look for something. “That doesn’t mean that it was him. It could have been anyone.”
Connor stayed on her heals, the excitement never leaving his voice. “How many other people could be coming out of the sixty-footer today of all days? Standard punishments for slaves who were out of line is either flogging or the twenty-footer.”
Connor’s enthusiasm was beginning to make her blood boil. Hearing happily spoken words at a time for grief was enough to make her scream. Maleah slammed the toolbox lid shut and stood to face him. “Connor, you and I both know that’s it’s not possible for Jeredi to be alive. He was in the hole for six weeks, the last two of which he had no food or water. No one can survive under those kind of conditions!”
A bit taken back by her anger, Connor’s smile faded, and for a long moment, he only stared at her. Little by little his eyes grew more intense and determined. “I know it’s him.”
Maleah gave up on trying to convince him otherwise, but could not bring herself to look away. There was something in his eyes that seized her, but it was still too much for her to understand. “Why do you embrace hope?”
“Why do you fight it?” Connor countered.
At his question, Maleah threw her arms up. “Look at my life, Connor! I haven’t had much room for hope.”
Connor drew up to her so fast, she had to step back for fear that he would run into her. Again his eyes, so intense and focused, burned into hers. “Have you not?” And then he walked past her to go back to his level.
Maleah did not want to turn around, but she could not erase the words from her mind. “What do you mean by that?” she asked in a sharp tone.
Connor turned back to her with an expression in his face that told her the answer should have been obvious. “Jeredi. He gave you hope. You can’t deny that.” He began to walk towards her again as he spoke. “He told you that he could free you from Brock. He told you to hold on, and you did.” As soon as he was close enough, Connor took her hands. “Even these last six weeks when Jeredi wasn’t here, you held on. You’re still standing here even though you think he’s dead.”
Maleah pondered his words. She had not thought of it that way, and wondered just why she was still standing here. She would have killed herself had Jeredi not been there to stand in her way, but he had not been around for six weeks. What was stopping her? It was then that she realized that Connor was right. Her soft eyes looked into his, bringing down a bit of his intensity. “Where does your hope come from?”
Connor looked down at their joined hands wishing that he could be holding the hands of someone else. “It’s those we love who give it to us.” His eyes met hers once again. “It’s what Kalisha gave to me. Please, don’t try and take that from me.”
As Maleah looked upon him with sadness in her eyes, her heart went out to him. They had both suffered a great deal, and it was clear that Connor was not a man who was easily broken. It was a trait that she wished she possessed, and something that she found that she admired within him. “I won’t,” she replied quietly.
Connor nodded and left to go back to his own level. Maleah was left to think about Jeredi; she could not keep the wonder from clouding her mind. It gnawed at her thought, refusing to be ignored. Many things pointed to Jeredi still being alive. For some reason, Brock had been growing more irritated each day. It had been the reason behind cutting off Jeredi’s meals, but his frustration had grown even worse after that. If Jeredi had died, it would have been in Brock’s character to boast about it endlessly, especially to her. That alone had to be enough to hope.
With a light shake of her head, Maleah banished that word from her mind, but it did not keep her from leaving her workstation and heading for the medical center. She had to know for sure. The closer she got, the faster her pace became. Her mind was a ceaseless battle between the hope she longed for, and the common sense that ruled it. With every piece of evidence for one argument, came a counter, or a contradiction, and along with that, yet another counter. Her mind went back and forth from hope to doubt, and pretty soon, it was too much to take in. She was resolved to learn the truth once and for all.
Once Maleah was inside the medical center, she had to work her way through a maze of corridors with no idea where Jeredi could be, if he was in fact alive. She turned many corners looking for someone who could help her, but to no avail. It was strange. During the times when she would visit Ruby, there were usually people walking the halls, doctors heading to their next patient, injured slaves limping their way in, but not now. Now, all was quiet.
Maleah did not stop. She knew that eventually she had to bump into someone who could help her. Pretty soon, she lost track of time and of all the corners she had turned. Off in a distance, she could hear murmurs. As she followed the sounds, they began to get louder, and it was easier to guide herself through the corridors. When she finally found the source of the murmurs, she was surprised.
Maleah found every single doctor that was stationed in the medical center gathered by a window, looking into the room in awe. As she focused in on the specific voices, she was able to pick up, “How was he able to survive so long?,” and, “I’ve never seen anything like this,” among other things.
With those words, Maleah, at last, allowed hope within her heart. The feeling rushed through her and her hands started to shake. She had to see him. It was the only way to know for sure and silence the remaining doubt within her.
Hesitant, Maleah began to take steps toward the window, but she had not gotten far when a strong hand grabbed her by the elbow and yanked her into a shadowy corridor. Her backside was thrown against the wall so hard that the pain that started in her back, quickly flew up to her head causing a momentary ache, followed by dizziness.
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked an icy, harsh voice.
Maleah knew exactly who it was before her eyes met with Brock’s. The fury displayed in his countenance and the very fact that he had been here waiting for her confirmed everything as far as she was concerned. Her eyes narrowed and she was surprised to find that she was not afraid.
“So it’s true.” Her voice had come out with more attitude than intended, but she would not allow her calm to falter. “You didn’t get what you wanted this time, Brock,” she shot at him.
At those words, Brock let off a loud growl and took her by the throat, slamming her head against the wall. “What makes you suddenly so fearless, Maleah?”
“I honestly don’t know,” she replied.
Brock brought his face closer, and the grip on her neck tightened. He could hear her breaths coming out in a wheeze, and her face was taking on a strained look. “Go to him,” he spoke in a low growl. “One last time. Tell him to stay away from you. If I so much as catch him looking at you, Ruby dies!”
Maleah grabbed the hand that was choking her, trying unsuccessfully to tear it away. Regardless, she spoke with what little air she had. “If you kill Ruby . . . you won’t have a . . . prize anymore!”
Brock released her throat, and Maleah bent over, taking in deep breaths of air. “Are you threatening to never come to me, Maleah?” He grabbed her hair, and yanked her back up to look at him. Maleah only let out a small cry, not wanting to bring any attention to the two of them. “Understand, Maleah, even with Ruby gone, I can still find ways to get what I want. If you refuse to come to me, I will find ways to make you, and Jeredi suffer.” At those last words, Brock pushed himself upon her, attacking her lips with his.
Maleah was absolutely disgusted, and wanted to shove him away, but she knew better. His grip in her hair tightened and pulled even more, causing her eyes to tear. She felt as though Brock would devour her the way his mouth open and forced his tongue inside. Soon the tears were no longer so much for the pain to her scalp, but for the pain in her heart. Her world was beginning to crash down around her, and she knew that Brock would still be standing in the end.
When Brock was satisfied, he pulled away, giving no regard to her wet cheeks. He took her by the arms and thrust her in the direction of Jeredi’s room, where a doctor was now ushering the onlookers to get back to work.
“Give him my message,” he barked. “And I will see you tonight!”
Brock stormed off then. Maleah watched him disappear around a corner before her shaken body could no longer support her. She fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands and sobbing. She now knew what Jeredi had gone through in the hole, because she realized that she was now in one; one that she had dug herself, and there was no escape.
Maleah felt a soft hand on her shoulder, and turned toward the doctor to whom it belonged.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Maleah nodded, wiping the tears away, though she could not get them to stop. “I’m fine. How is Jeredi?”
The doctor helped her to her feet, and though he still wondered about her upset state, he could not help but answer her question with pure amazement. “We’ve never seen anything like it. He was in the hole for six weeks. He should be skin and bones with no strength at all, but he walked here!”
Maleah’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “What?”
“Guards usually have to drag slaves from the hole and to the medical center. He didn’t. He came here, walking between them. We’ve checked everything. He’s perfectly healthy.”
Maleah was shocked, and speechless. When she finally did, her voice came out low and astonished. “How is that possible?”
For a brief moment, they looked into each other’s eyes, not a word said between them. Then the doctor answered simply, “It’s not. Maybe you should ask him that. You can see him now.”
With that, the doctor left to tend to another patient. Wasting no time, Maleah quickly moved to the door and stepped inside, but once she saw him, she could go no further. As Jeredi’s eyes met with hers, they first appeared happy to see her, but as soon as he took in her distressed state, they became concerned.
“What happened?” he asked, his worry for her heard plainly in his voice.
Maleah could not answer. She could only look at him and the miracle that he was still alive. She took two hesitant steps toward him, and then ran, throwing her arms around his neck wanting so much to be held by him once again. “Jeredi!” she cried.
Jeredi held on to her tightly, bringing a hand up to massage her head, as if to comfort a small child. He pulled away just enough to be able to see into her eyes. “Is it Ruby?” he asked quietly. Maleah shook her head, still sobbing. “Then what?” Jeredi persisted.
“It’s everything else! It’s Brock. He . . . he . . .”
Maleah trailed off as she could not seem to form words through the tears. She buried her face in his shoulder and squeezed him tighter. “I can’t take it anymore, Jeredi! I don’t want to live like this anymore. I don’t want to live.”
As those last words came from her mouth, Jeredi had a sudden flashback of the day Maleah had nearly killed herself. He pulled her away, gripping her by her arms, and looking desperately into her eyes. “Maleah, you promised me that you would hold on.”
“And I’ve done that, Jeredi! I tried, I really did, but it’s getting worse. I can’t do it anymore!”
It was all very disturbing for Jeredi; not at all what he had hoped for. To Maleah, he had only been gone for six weeks. To Jeredi, it had been much longer. All he wanted to do was hold her, and to give her hope. He wanted to be with her for the rest of his life, but she was beginning to slip from his fingers.
Jeredi rested his forehead against hers and their eyes met. “Maleah,” he spoke in a soft of shaky voice. “I’m in love with you.”
By this time, Maleah’s sobs had calmed, but at hearing Jeredi’s words, her eyes widened, and she stepped away. For a long moment, she only stared at him. Her face was as stone, but her tears continued to spill over. “Save yourself the grief, Jeredi,” she said. “You don’t want to love me.”
Jeredi came closer to her again, placing his hands on her waist, and bringing their faces very close. “It’s too late for that, and believe me, I’ve had more time to think about it than you realize. I care about you too much to turn away from you now.”
Maleah brought her hand up. It trailed its way up Jeredi’s arm, and ended at his cheek. In reaction, he brought his hand up as well, covering hers with it. “I do care for you, Jeredi,” she whispered. “You have given me happiness in a way that I thought I could never feel again, but we can’t beat Brock.” Maleah noticed that Jeredi’s eyes were beginning to flood with tears. “I have to go to him tonight.”
“No,” Jeredi pleaded.
Maleah ignored him. “I’m going to finish this. Thank you for being a good friend.” She turned to leave, but Jeredi stopped her by taking her hand, the desperate look still on his face. She met eyes with him one last time, then stepped forward. Sliding a hand to the back of his neck, she gently pressed her lips to his.
Jeredi kissed her back, feeling the passion coursing to every inch of his body. He caressed her cheeks and neck before letting his hands drop around her waist, pulling her even closer, Maleah’s arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
The kiss lasted for only a moment longer before it broke, and all they could do was cling to each other. Both of them knew that this could very well be their last embrace. “To remember me,” Maleah whispered into his ear.
“I don’t want to have to remember you,” Jeredi whispered into hers.
It was then that Maleah pulled away, and gave him a final kiss. “I’m sorry.” She left the room quickly after that, giving him no chance to stop her.
Jeredi’s head was spinning in circles as he tried to think up a plan. He knew what he had to do in order to save Maleah, but he also knew the fatal consequences if he did. Maleah could hate him forever if he did it, though, if he didn’t do it, she would die. In all the confusion, Jeredi could not balance out which one he would be able to live with. Remembering his training, Jeredi stretched out to the Force, seeking calm, and finally an answer was upon him. There was someone he could ask.
* * *
The instant she saw him, her eyes brightened with happiness and her grin spread from ear to ear. “Jeredi!” Ruby called as he stepped inside her room. Even as she took in his distressed state, she could feel nothing but happiness to see that he was alive. “You look like Hell!”
Jeredi smiled at her comment as he sat on the bed, looking down on her frail form. “And yet, you smile.”
“After six weeks in the hole, I expected worse. Come!” Ruby held up her arms. “Comfort an old dying woman.”
Jeredi leaned down, kissing her cheek and allowing her to embrace him. “We feared the worst,” she said.
“I was protected, Ruby.”
He sat up and again she smiled. “Somehow, I knew you were. So what troubles you now?”
Again, the sadness and confusion began to overwhelm him. “It’s Maleah. Ruby, she’s falling apart. I don’t know what to do.”
At the news of her granddaughter, all turned serious in her expression. “Maleah hasn’t come to see me in a couple of days. What’s happening, Jeredi?”
Jeredi’s voice was heavy and somber. He could not bear to look at Ruby as he spoke, and turned his head away. “She’s lost all hope. She has to go to Brock tonight. Ruby . . . she’s going to make Brock kill her.”
Ruby’s eyes went wide, and her heart began to beat faster. “Jeredi, you have to stop her!”
“I can’t!” he exclaimed.
“You have to!”
“I don’t know how!”
“Look at me!” Her voice had been so sharp, that Jeredi obeyed her immediately, feeling almost like a small child as he did. “You know how to help her.”
Jeredi shook his head. “I can’t do it.”
“You promised me that you would do this for her.”
“If I take Maleah away from Brock now, he’ll kill you,” he countered her. “Maleah will never forgive me for that.”
“If Maleah makes Brock kill her, you’ll never forgive yourself, nor will I.”
Again, tears threatened to spill over onto Jeredi’s face. He clenched his teeth together, hard, and started to gather a handful of Ruby’s bed sheets into a tightened fist. He felt a soft hand under his chin as Ruby gently raised his head up. Surprisingly, she had no tears in her eyes, only a calm expression of love and sacrifice.
“Jeredi, I am an old woman. My time here is short. Please, let me die knowing that I had a part in giving my granddaughter a future.”
Letting out a soft sigh, Jeredi closed his eyes and leaned forward to hug Ruby again. She returned his embrace, knowing that this would be the last time she would see him. “I love you as a grandson, Jeredi.”
“I’ll take care of her, Ruby.” Jeredi pulled away from her, looking into her eyes with the most determined expression she had ever seen. “I promise.”
“Go.”
Jeredi needed no other encouragement. He immediately got up from the bed and left, not even looking back, and at long last, Ruby felt peace.
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Jade_Skywalker
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Date Posted:
12/21/04 10:19pm
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RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
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Jeredi rushed through the corridors, noting that half the day was already gone. He only had a few short hours left before Maleah was going to give herself up to Brock. In a horrifying thought, he realized that he might not have enough time. Again, he called upon the Force for calm, and reached out to find the only person that he could trust.
Connor!
* * *
“Jeredi?” As soon as he heard the voice, Connor got to his feet looking around. He could feel Jeredi’s presence almost as if he were standing right next to him, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Hear my voice.
“I hear you, Jeredi. Where are you?”
I don’t have time to explain. I need you to do something for me.
Connor could feel Jeredi’s anxiety, and knew there was not going to be any happy reunion. Still he nodded his head. “Name it.”
As soon as work is over, I need you to find Maleah. She’ll resist you, but I need you to hide her from Brock. Can you do that for me?
“If she resists the way you say she will, I won’t be able to keep her hidden for long.”
But you’ll do it?
Connor nodded. “Of course I will, Jeredi.”
I’ll try to get there as soon as I can. Be careful.[
Connor felt Jeredi’s presence slip away, and a cloud of doubt came over his mind. “Jeredi,” he whispered to himself. “What are you doing?”
* * *
Satisfied that he had bought himself a little more time, Jeredi made his way out of the medical center and rushed to the transports. The Sireth Follower offices were thirty minutes away as the speeder drove. He knew that he was going to be cutting this awfully close, but there was no turning back now.
As he got closer, the guard on duty noticed him, and held out a hand. “Halt, slave! Get back to work. No one leaves work early.”
“I have to go to the offices and make a request of the head Sireth Follower,” Jeredi spoke firmly.
The guard pulled out his dagger, nearly cutting Jeredi as he did. “And I say, you’re not going anywhere.”
Jeredi let out a loud sigh. “I really don’t have time for this.” He waved his hand out in front of the guard’s face and spoke in a low tone. “You will take me to the Sireth Followers offices.”
The guard’s face suddenly became a look of understanding as he dropped the dagger on the ground and nodded. “I will take you there.”
* * *
During the ride to the offices, Jeredi found himself glancing at his chrono every five minutes, constantly being reminding that time was short. When they finally arrived, he hopped out of the speeder, the guard close behind him. As they walked up to the front doors, two more guards approached them.
“Where are you taking him?” the one on the left asked.
“No slaves are to leave their work stations during working hours,” the other pointed out.
Jeredi had not had a sudden growth of patience ever since tricking the last guard, so he decided no to waste his time with words. Waving both of his hands in each of their faces, he said, “You will let me pass.”
There was a moment’s pause. The guard on the right stumbled back a couple of steps, shaking his head, trying to deny the influence that Jeredi was having on him. The other just stood there.
“Who do you think you are making demands like that?”
Jeredi shook his head and smirked. “You don’t want to know.” Noticing the other guard, still in a confused state, he reached out to the Force, making him stumble and slam right into the guard blocking his way. Jeredi then sprinted into the offices, being met with the startled faces of the people who worked in the offices.
The guards outside got to their feet and hollered, “Get him!”
In the time that it took for that to register in their minds, Jeredi ran past them, jumping over the front desk and making his way into the corridors beyond. As he tried to make his way through the offices, he realized just how big of a mistake he had made. Had he been more patient, he might have thought of a better plan. Running from guards was not going to get him anywhere, but it was all too late.
Jeredi glanced over his shoulder once to try and get an idea if how many were chasing after him. It was yet another bad decision for as he was turning his head, ahead of him, a guard came out of no where, throwing himself to the floor, and wrapping his arms around Jeredi’s legs.
Jeredi took a hard fall to the floor, and numerous hands were upon him in seconds, dragging him to his feet. He tried to swing his arms and fight them, but there were too many. There was nothing around him that he could throw using the Force, and pushing all of them away with his great power could risk exposing it. Instead, he poured it all into his strength, and swung his arm again. The man holding onto the arm went flying forward, landing hard on a couple of others. Before he could swing his other arm, however, he took a fist to the lip and his concentration broke. The man who had been tossed, got back to his feet and rammed his fist into Jeredi’s gut.
Jeredi felt the wind knocked out of him as the men let him go and fell to the floor. After a long moment, he could breathe again, just in time to see a foot coming at him. Jeredi caught it before it could slam into his face. With a simple twist and the sound of a loud crack, the man belonging to the foot, screamed as the pain quickly traveled up his leg.
Two men grabbed Jeredi by his arms, hauling him to his feet again. Another man in front of him, moved past the other with the now broken ankle. He pulled out his dagger, ready to strike. Thinking fast, Jeredi kicked up his left leg. As anticipated, the man caught it with his free hand, but a split second later, he kicked up his other leg, knocking the dagger from the man’s hand. It flew to the side and got stuck in the wall, just barely missing the head of another. He then kicked his leg into the man’s chest. As he fell back, he ran into more men, creating a pathway as they all toppled over, but at the end of the pathway stood another man. He was different than the others. His clothes were that of a Sireth Follower’s.
“What’s going on here?” he bellowed. Suddenly, everyone was alerted to his presence, and those who could, stood straight with their arms at their sides. Even the men holding Jeredi did their best to straighten their bodies while still holding onto him.
“Are you the head Sireth Follower?” Jeredi asked.
Raising an eyebrow, the Sireth Follower came closer. “I am. I am called Lanx Tade.”
“Please, let me speak with you.”
Tade took a moment to look Jeredi over and consider his request. Jeredi’s lip was bleeding and his face was sweaty from running and fighting. The corner of Tade’s mouth curved upward in a half smile and nodded. He turned to one of the men who was holding him. “Give him something to clean his face and have him brought to my office. Anymore beatings from anyone, and they’ll be sent straight to the hole.”
He left then, going up the lift to his office while everyone else was left in an awkward silence. For men who had just been fighting, the last thing they wanted to do was give aid to the person they were beating, but no one dared disobey the orders of a Sireth Follower.
A mere ten minutes later, Jeredi was in the lift himself, looking at his chrono, and cursing at the time he had lost. When the doors to the lift opened, they emitted him directly into the office of Lanx Tade. His office held every convenience: a large desk, computers that were built into the wall, surveillance monitors, and a small area for eating. Tade was sitting behind his desk as Jeredi walked in.
“Welcome,” he said. “Spectacular display downstairs. Whatever it is that you must speak to me about must be important. I’m surprised that a guard even brought you here. You are aware that slaves are not permitted to leave their workstations during hours?”
“I can be pretty persuasive sometimes,” Jeredi answered.
Tade stood from his chair and moved around his desk. “Indeed? Are you going to try that on me?”
Jeredi shook his head. “Somehow, I don’t think it would work.”
“Quite. Now, what business is so important that it caused this grand brawl?”
Jeredi took a breath, and let it out again before speaking. “I wish to take a fellow worker for my wife.”
Tade suddenly broke out laughing. “Is that all? I imagined the world coming to an end.”
But Jeredi was unmoved. The seriousness of his tone remained, and he waited for Tade’s laughter to subside. “If I can’t do this, it will for her.”
Tade lifted his eyebrows in interest. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Another guard is going to kill her.”
“He takes her to his bed, does he? It often ends that way. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone willing to step in between of that.” Tade came closer, his eye bearing down on him. “You hope that by marrying her, this guard will no longer have any rights to her.”
Jeredi held his stance firm, not allowing himself to be intimidated. “Guards can’t touch slaves that are married.”
Tade nodded his head. “That’s true, it is a rule here. She must mean a great deal to you.”
“She does.”
Tade moved to the computer in the wall. “What’s her number?”
“1-1-8-9-2-5-7,” Jeredi replied, a little surprised at how easily he remembered the numbers.
Tade entered the data into the computer and a file came up. “Maleah?”
Jeredi nodded. “That’s right.”
“And what’s yours?”
“1-1-7-3-9-8-4.”
Another file came up on the computer. Jeredi could barely see what was happening, though none of it made sense to him. Tade continued to press glowing buttons, touching the screen, making selections, closing the files, and finally turning around.
“It’s done,” he said.
Jeredi’s brow wrinkled. “What?”
“She’s your wife. The two of you will be moved to a new sleeping location made for married couples. There you will be for three years and then you will live in a standard hut village.”
The confused look on Jeredi’s face had not yet come down, and Tade took and interest in it. “Is something wrong?”
Jeredi shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. I just didn’t realize it was that simple.”
Tade smirked as he understood. “You’re thinking that there’s supposed to be some ceremony or an exchange in vows to make the whole thing valid?”
Jeredi winced at how insignificant Tade had been able to make the whole thing sound. “Well . . . yeah!”
Tade couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped his lips. All in all, he found Jeredi quite amusing. “Well, it’s true that many slaves like to perform their own little rituals to make the whole thing seem real in their own eyes, but if you think about it, marriage is just a person, having the authority to do so, saying that two people are married. I have that authority, and I say that you two are married. It’s now in your records. That is what makes it official. Rings will be issued to you tonight when you are taken to your new sleeping quarters. It’s how the guards know who they can take, and who they must leave alone.”
Jeredi’s mood suddenly turned serious as he knew Brock far to well to trust that he might actually follow the rules. “And what happens to those who ignore the rings?”
The corner of Tade’s mouth curved upward in a cold grin. “They are made an example of.”
Satisfied with his answer, Jeredi shrugged. “That works, there’s just one more problem.”
Tade sighed, feeling the impatience beginning to grow. “And that is?”
“If we don’t get the rings until tonight, my word alone will not be enough to convince Brock that he can’t have Maleah.”
* * *
When the horn blew at the end of the work day, Maleah did not even bother to help put away tools. She left her workstation with no other thought than the fact that her life would soon be over, as well as the pain. Making her way to the lift, she knew no one would be joining her on the way down. She liked it better that way. On her last day, she’d rather not look at all the sideway glances, the faces that that were meant to put her beneath everyone else. Yet, to her surprise, when the lift doors opened, she was met with one; a face that had never looked upon her as the others did.
“Connor?”
Connor did not reply. He quickly grabbed Maleah by her wrist, and pulled her inside.
“Connor!” she exclaimed, but before she could put up any other argument, he had already programmed the lift to take them to the top floor. “What are you doing?”
“Giving you something to hope for!”
Maleah moved for the controls, but Connor stepped in her way. “Move, Connor!” she shouted at him.
“I can’t do that, Maleah!”
“Jeredi put you up to this, didn’t he?”
Connor moved forward and took her hands. “I want to help you, Maleah. Now, I don’t understand everything that’s going on, but I trust that Jeredi knows what he’s doing.”
Maleah tore her hands away from him and shoved him away. “There is nothing he can do for me! Why can’t you both understand that?”
Before Connor could reply, the lift slowed and came to a stop, but it was still many floors below the one he had intended. The doors opened, bringing in the slaves eager to return to their hut villages. The lift would now be heading for the bottom level.
As more people gather in the lift, Maleah turned to Connor once again. “Going down?” she asked, a note of sarcasm in her voice.
But Connor was not giving up. He would settle for this floor. Disregarding any awkward appearance it would cause, Connor took her by the arm and dragged her out.
“Connor! Stop it!” she yelled. “You have to let me go!”
“Why?” he shot back, meeting her tone. “What is with today that made Jeredi so desperate that I keep you from Brock? What is going on?”
Maleah attempted to pull away, but Connor tightened his grip. “I don’t have the time to explain it to you!”
“As long as I’m here, Maleah, you aren’t going anywhere. You might as well start explaining.”
It was then that Maleah ceased her struggling. Anxious as though she was, she knew when fighting was pointless. “If Brock catches us here, it could mean your death, Connor.”
Connor took the time to consider it carefully. He did want to help, but how far could his help go if he were dead? He had to remind himself that there was still another person missing. Taking a deep breath, he threw all his faith into his best friend. “Jeredi will be here. He’ll come, and everything will be alright.”
“What a massive heap of sentimental waste.”
A cold wave of fear swept through Maleah’s body as she looked over Connor’s shoulder, and at Brock. Connor turned to face him, keeping Maleah behind him as much as he could. He had little expression in his face, but the way his eyes bore into theirs was enough to make their hearts beat faster.
Brock began to take steps closer to them; his momentum smooth and cool. “What is this, Maleah?”
“It’s nothing, Brock,” Maleah blurted out in a panic. “I was just on my way.”
Brock’s face mimicked a look of icy disappointment. “That’s not what it looked like to me. Why are you stories above your workstation? Why does this slave protect you?”
Connor backed up, keeping Maleah behind him, as Brock was coming too close. Brock only spread out his arms. “What do you need protecting from, Maleah?”
Keeping her eyes fixed on Brock, Maleah gripped Connor’s arm. “Connor,” she whispered. “You have to let me go.”
Connor shot his head to look over his shoulder at her. “He’ll be here, Maleah.”
“Even if he was here, there is nothing that you two can do for me. You don’t know Brock like I do. Believe me! You’ll wish you hadn’t done this.”
“Oh, it’s too late to save him that grief, Maleah,” Brock’s voice chimed in.
Both Maleah and Connor had been startled to hear how close it was. When Connor looked back, for a split second, all he saw was Brock’s fist coming at him. With a sharp pain to his jaw, Connor was down.
“Brock!” Maleah screamed, and she stepped forward to attempt to push him away. “I’m here! Let’s just leave now.”
Baring his teeth in a rage, he grabbed her by the throat, squeezing as hard as he could. “Moving on to the next man so quickly after Jeredi are we? Are you so desperate to let so many die because of you?” With that, he threw her aside, and turned again to Connor.
Connor had been able to regain his footing, but Brock came back quickly. He took another blow to his face before stumbling back into a vertical column. Again, he saw Brock’s strong fist coming at him. He was able to catch it, but just as he did, Brock rammed his other fist into Connor’s stomach. The pain to his head and stomach was beginning to spread throughout his body, but Brock would not stop. He clutched Connor’s throat with both hands, and squeezed, hard. Connor grabbed Brock by the wrists as air became more and more of a desperate need, but his strength was getting weaker by the second, and he could not tear them away. As he sank to his knees, there was only one thing he could think to do. With every last bit of strength he had, Connor threw in his entire weight, and threw both of them down.
Brock lost his grip after the fall, giving Connor just enough time to back away as he stumbled to his feet. Brock was back up before Connor knew it, and took notice in the fact that they were getting close to the edge of the platform. Short of breath, Brock felt like he had a temporary advantage over the young man and exploited it. He came up to him and once again sent a right hook to Connor’s head, but this time, he ducked beneath it, and Brock’s fist only hit air. Connor came back up, using his momentum to add power to his arm as he struck Brock across the face.
Brock stumbled back, found his footing, and to Connor’s surprise, smiled. Peering at him and wiping a trickle of blood away from his lip, Brock sighed. “Finally!”
But the statement only confused Connor further. “What do you mean?”
Brock chuckled and shook his head. “Haven’t they told you that I know how to get what I want? Do you know what the penalty is for a slave who strikes a guard?” He pulled out a dagger and held it, ready to strike. “No one will stop me now that you have crossed that line.”
Brock was ready to step forward with his dagger swinging, when he felt his arm restrained. He turned his head in that direction and found Maleah holding him back.
“Wrong, Brock,” she said, her voice still shaky. “I will.”
He looked at her for only a second before launching his arm forward. Having a tight grip on his arm, it tossed Maleah in front of him. She landed hard on the platform, and Connor rushed to her side. It wasn’t long before Brock was upon them, slashing his dagger at Connor.
Connor held up his arm to block it, but the blade cut cleanly through his work clothes and made a large gash on his arm. He clutched his wound and screeched. With another blow from Brock to his face, Connor was down.
Brock then took Maleah by her arm and pulled her to her feet. He put her back against his chest and wrapped his free arm around her, keeping her bound. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered into it. “Once he is dead, Maleah, you know it will not be long before Jeredi meets the same fate?”
“Please don’t do this, Brock,” Maleah pleaded through her tears.
Brock smiled a cruel smile and planted a kiss on her neck before pressing his lips to her ear. “I didn’t,” he said. “You did.” And slowly, he brought the dagger up, careful not to make it too fast. He wanted Maleah to remember every second in the moment, he wanted her to suffer for her defiance toward him, and he couldn’t wait to do it.
“Brock!” someone shouted from behind. Brock turned around, still holding Maleah, and forcing her to turn with him. The both of them saw Jeredi stepping off the lift and in a quickened pace, making his way toward them. “Get your hands off her!”
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Jade_Skywalker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/21/04 10:30pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 10-5-04)
- Date Edited:
12/21/04 10:31pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Jade_Skywalker
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Brock only laughed. “And what makes you think that a slave can give such an order to a guard?”
“It’s not his order,” a new voice spoke up, and another person stepped out from the lift. Sireth Follower Lanx Tade stood strong and firm, a pose that could strike fear into anyone that stood beneath him. “The order comes from me.” His pace was steady as he neared the guard. “You no longer have any rights to Maleah, Brock. She is now Jeredi’s wife.” Tade finally stopped only a few feet away.
Brock felt as though his legs would fail him completely. It was not often that a Sireth Follower would visit a construction site. Going against this man was totally insane. Adhering to his words, Brock dropped his dagger and released Maleah.
Once she was free from Brock’s grasp, Jeredi came up and pulled her away, keeping her with him as he went to go help Connor. At the sight of the slave he had nearly killed, Brock’s eyes widened in realization.
“There is still one right left to me,” he claimed.
Tade raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”
Brock pointed an accusing finger at Connor. “That slave struck me, and I wish to carry out his penalty.”
“You hit him first!” exclaimed Maleah.
“Is this true?” Tade asked. Brock glared at Maleah before turning back and remaining silent. It was enough of an answer for Tade, and he brought his tone down low and stern. “If that be the case, then it was a fight that you provoked, and I will not allow you to kill a slave over your wounded pride. Now leave!”
There was nothing left for Brock to do. Even he had not the nerves to stand up against a Sireth Follower. He bowed his head to the man, and left immediately. Tade turned back to Jeredi who was helping his friend to his feet. “If you no longer need my assistance, I must return to the offices.”
Jeredi nodded to him. “Thank you.” He then turned to Connor, examining the cut on his arm. “You alright?”
Though his arm still gave him great pain, Connor beamed at his friend that he had not seen for so long. “I’m fine Jeredi. A quick patch job in the medical center, and I’ll be as good as new.”
Jeredi smiled warmly. “Thank you for what you did. I know you didn’t have to, and I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Connor shrugged it off. “Don’t worry about it, Jeredi. I guess Maleah is starting to feel a little like a sister to me, just like Kalisha was to you.”
Jeredi’s smile only grew until at the mention of Maleah’s name he looked around. “Where is Maleah?” After a moment, he found her near the edge of the platform.
Maleah had been standing there ever since the Sireth Follower had sent Brock away. He was there now; standing and staring at her from the next lower level, and smiling. There was something about the way he was smiling at her that made her turn cold. Bringing his fingers to his lips, he gently kissed them, then extended his hand out to her. It was then that he turned away from her and entered the lift.
Maleah did not allow her eyes to move away. She stayed with him. Something inside her, for some reason, had to know what he was doing. The lift finally made it to the bottom level, and Brock’s familiar figure stepped out. He paused, and she was almost sure that he was once again looking at her, assuring himself that she was still watching. A moment later, he headed for the medical center.
As soon as he entered the doors, Maleah gasped. “No,” she whispered, as the shock had not completely set in.
“Maleah,” Jeredi came up behind her. “Are you alright?”
“Jeredi!” she exclaimed. “He went into the medical center!”
Jeredi’s eyes went wide. “What?”
Maleah took off, sprinting as fast as she could to the lift. “Ruby!”
* * *
Maleah burst into the medical center running as fast as she could, Jeredi right on her heels. As they ran through the corridors, Jeredi already knew it was too late. He’d known this was going to happen, but it had not made him any more prepared for what was to come. Everything was happening so fast, and he could hardly think. The only thing that ran through his head with a surety was to do what he had sworn to Ruby, and though he dreaded what could happen in just a few short minutes, he continued to run after Maleah.
As they neared Ruby’s room, the saw a doctor running in their direction, but stopped at the room, and rushed inside. Through the swinging door, Maleah was not able to see much, but it was enough to make all her emotions run crazy.
“No!” she screamed and ran into the room. Inside, doctors and nurses were crowded around her grandmother. Ruby’s body was jerking and shaking violently from a seizure, and her face was twisted in such inhuman ways.
All reason left her, and Maleah rushed forward. “Grandma!” But as she started to crowd the others, a doctor turned to her, trying to push her away.
“Please,” he spoke calmly, “you can’t be here right now.”
“What’s happening to her!?” Maleah shouted.
“We’re not sure what caused it, yet.”
Maleah would have continued to fight to stay with Ruby, but she suddenly felt arms, coming from behind, wrapping around her, and pulling her away.
“Maleah,” Jeredi spoke into her ear. “Come with me.”
“No!” She fought against him, scratching at his arms, seeking to be released, but he was still able to pull her completely from the room. As soon as they were out, the doctor closed and locked the door. All Maleah and Jeredi could do was look through the window and watch Ruby die. The minutes stretched on like hours. With each flailing of her grandmother’s body, another tear streamed down Maleah’s cheeks.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Jeredi,” she spoke softly. “She was supposed to die peacefully. I gave up everything for it. Why didn’t it happen that way?”
“You force me to do these things, Maleah.”
Jeredi and Maleah both shot their heads in the direction that the icy voice had come. Hidden within the shadows, Brock stood there, watching the two in their agony.
Feeling her anger swell within her; it grew to such an intensity that she had never known. Her heart beat faster and faster, and her breathing was short and fast. Her head began to throb, and her hands shook. Maleah could not hold it in. Finding strength that she had not known she had, Maleah rent herself from Jeredi’s arms and hurtled herself towards Brock. A loud terrifying scream escaped her lips as she did, but still, Jeredi was able to catch her before she had gone too far. He reinforced his hold on her, though she still struggled.
“WHY!” she screamed. “Why Brock!”
Brock remained calm as if nothing abnormal had happened. “Don’t you understand the rules, Maleah?” He walked up to them until he came very close to Maleah and then stopped. “We guards can’t take married slaves.”
His last words had not fully registered her mind before Maleah gathered saliva in her mouth and spat on him. For the first time in her life, she was truly without fear.
Brock’s rage finally came out and threatened to boil over. Growling, he raised a hand, ready to strike Maleah, but Jeredi pulled her away.
“She’s my wife, Brock,” he roared. “Touch her and your life as a guard is over!”
Baring his teeth, Brock allowed his arm to come back down again. As he moved past them, he knew that he had lost this round, and already, his mind was concocting plans. “This isn’t over,” he spoke in a low tone. Brock looked back and glared at the both of them. “Don’t forget; I know how to get what I want.” And then he left.
Jeredi was feeling relieved, but when Maleah tore away from him and pushed him away, the feeling faded.
“Is it true?” she asked, and Jeredi could feel the fury emanating from her. “Guards can’t take married slaves?”
Jeredi was careful not to show any regret over his decision. He nodded. “It is.”
The words were barely out of his mouth before she shoved him to the wall. “Then why did you do it?!”
“Maleah,” Jeredi tried to calm her by taking her hands. “It was the only way to save you from Brock. I had to do it.”
“No!” Maleah’s rage needed an outlet. She curled her hands into fists and started to pound Jeredi’s chest. “You killed her!”
Again Jeredi took her hands and held them firm to his chest to keep them from moving. “Maleah!” he barked at her. “Maleah, it was what she wanted! You going to Brock was no secret to her.” At that explanation, Maleah suddenly stopped fighting. It began to dawn on her that everything she had done was all now in vain. Allowing her grandmother to die peacefully, keeping it a secret from her. None of it had happened, and she knew there was no way she could justify her actions.
Maleah moved away from Jeredi. He let her slip away, releasing her and watching her turn her back on him. “You were still her granddaughter, Maleah,” he spoke words of comfort. “She loved you. That’s why she wanted me to do this. She had to know you were going to be okay.”
Jeredi moved closer and gently placed his hand on Maleah’s shoulder. “Maleah,” he spoke in her ear, but she spun around to face him, bringing her hand with her as it slapped him across the face. The sting in his cheek covered the whole half of his face, but the hurt went deeper than that. He felt as though his chest would weigh him down, and that his legs would not hold his support.
Keeping her glare on him, Maleah stepped away until her back was against the wall. She stole one last glance through the window just in time to see a doctor pulling a shroud over Ruby’s head, then fell to the floor.
Jeredi knelt beside her, brushing hair away from her face and tucking it behind her ear. His angel’s wings were broken, and there was no way to tell if time would be able to mend them.
“You there!” Jeredi turned his head to see who had called to them and found two guards, both with cross expressions and halting their strides right next to him and Maleah. “You two were supposed to line up to go to the couples sleeping quarters a long time ago!”
“We’re coming!” Jeredi raised his voice.
The guard’s voice went low and aggressive. “You’ll come now, or you’ll both receive five slashes of the whip for insubordination.”
Jeredi didn’t know what that word meant, but he knew that they were being threatened. The last thing he wanted was to try and rush Maleah, but he had not gone through all the pain of watching everything crumble around her go back on his word to Ruby now.
“Maleah,” he beckoned softly, but she made no regards to him. Jeredi took her hand. “Come on, Maleah. Please!” Still she did nothing.
Knowing he only had seconds before the guards would decide to send them away to be flogged, Jeredi wrapped one of Maleah’s arms around his neck and lifted her off the floor. He turned back to the two other men. “We’re coming.”
The man who had been speaking before now sneered at him. “You’re going to carry her the entire way back?”
Jeredi took on the same tone; his eyes narrowed. “Do you know who I am? I was in the sixty-footer for six weeks. I just got out today, and I walked here. You can ask any doctor. You can do whatever you want to me. Scar my back, starve me, throw me back in the hole; I don’t care. But I will not allow it to happen to her.”
The man’s sneer had melted away to be replaced by another look. Jeredi had rarely seen a look like that on a guard especially when speaking with a slave. He could also feel it in the Force. He intimidated the man.
Trying but failing at keeping his voice steady, the guard gestured for them come. “This way, please.”
* * *
A couples sleeping quarters was most definitely a step up from the huts. Instead of thin fabrics as the huts were made out of, the couple’s sleeping quarters were a long stretch of small cubical rooms made with solid walls. Buried a little into the ground, there was a small path in the middle of the long stretch to allow rooms on either side of it. In each room at the far end sat a large stone slab big enough for two to lay on, which took up most of the space in the undersized area. Sitting on top of the slab was a padded mat and blankets that were a bit thicker than their regular blankets.
As Jeredi carried Maleah inside, he looked over the room, quite impressed, but the overall horrors of the day drowned his one pleasant moment quickly. Maleah remained still in his arms, refusing to speak, and her open eyes being the only sign that she was awake. Jeredi moved to the stone slab, and though his heart beat nervously, he gently set his wife down. After Maleah’s reaction before, he had no idea of what to expect now. The last thing he had wanted was to hurt Maleah, but he supposed that sometimes it was necessary to choose the lesser of two evils.
When he put her down, Maleah rolled onto her side, turning her back on him. Jeredi’s chest felt heavy as the hurt inside him swelled. He tried to rub it to relieve some of the tension, but was unsuccessful. “Maleah,” he spoke softly as he sat down next to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder to turn her back over to face him. She did not squirm or fight, but her face held the deepest of contempt, and it was directed at him.
“You killed her,” Maleah accused.
Jeredi felt as though he couldn’t breathe. His heart was racing and his mind was searching for the right words to say, coming up empty. “Maleah,” he begged her. “Please!”
“Why did you do it?” Maleah’s voice grew louder.
“I had to,” Jeredi spoke in his defense. “Making Brock kill you still would have brought about Ruby’s death. At least this way she could die knowing that you had a future.”
Maleah sat up suddenly, disgusted. “Don’t give me these lies about how this was for Ruby’s peace or for me! I know what you wanted out of this.”
“Oh you do, do you?” Jeredi countered, feeling his anger starting to rise.
“Yes! You’re no different from him, Jeredi! Human life couldn’t even stand in your way. You got what you wanted, but the truth is, I really don’t care what you do with me. You will never understand the pains I have suffered!”
With those last words, Jeredi’s anger grew so rapidly that he took Maleah’s arms and squeezed them hard. He ground his teeth together as he tried to gain control over his emotions before he did anything he would later regret. He couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of Maleah’s mouth. After everything he had done for her, she couldn’t understand his true intentions for her, and she refused to acknowledge his own losses. It took everything in him and major help from the Force to allow calm to flow through him.
It worked slowly, for much of him wanted to yell at her, and explain everything he had risked to save her. Everything he had done that if his real ambitions went as little as she thought, it would not have been worth the trouble. But for his love for her, he could not get the words out of his mouth.
Jeredi’s grip on her arms began to loosen and his jaw relaxed. “If you truly believe that,” he spoke softly, “then you don’t know me.” And then his voice grew firm. “I am not Brock!” That was when he released her and walked over to the wall to sleep for the night. He slammed his back up against it, still working to maintain a level of calm as he slid to the floor.
A familiar pain began to fill Jeredi’s heart as he slowly closed his eyes and tried to swallow the huge lump that was now forming in his throat. He leaned his head back and spoke softly, not even loud enough for Maleah to hear.
“Kalisha.”
Alright!! I hope you guys enjoyed that and that it was worth the wait! Merry Christmas!!
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Amidala_Skywalker
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jul '01
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Date Posted:
12/22/04 6:04am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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I skipped to the end before I started reading and saw the name “Kalisha” and I thought brother and sister were going to reunite. Come to think of it, we didn’t see Kalisha or Sireth in these thirty pages. Any reason for that? Continuity? A hidden plot twist?
Fantastic chapter, Gwen! I adore it. I honestly love this story and even over months, I keep coming back again and again. I really think you should start reposting it in Before the Saga. It definitely needs more exposure.
Back to the story, however…Meleah annoys me. I guess I think of her as the weak female character (and no, not because of her dealings with Brock). She just doesn’t seem to have Kalisha’s stamina. I don’t know why Jeredi loves Meleah. I thought he’d be attracted to a very strong-willed woman, a partner, a Jedi.
You seem to pair very strong characters with more tender characters. Have you noticed that?
Anyway, I enjoyed your writing! Happy Holidays!
Ams 
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Amsié, Crest of Handmaidens . ___ TF.N Archive Reviewer ___ Battlestar Galactica is the new way.
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Dallas_Valla
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
12/22/04 8:13am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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*blinks*
Hmm...great setup, awesome delivery.
The story rocks.
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Captain of the E11 paintball team.
RP sister of Laine Snowtrekker, RL best friend
Jedi Outcast Officer on Leave
Check out the links in my bio for some Fanfics.
What's wrong with being NUTS!?
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Jauhzmynn
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
12/22/04 10:16am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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I throughly enjoyed the new postings.
I too noticed the parings of tender/ strong charactors. SOmehow it balances it out.
I think in time Meleah will realise why Jeridi did what he did and forgove him.
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Lightside Jedi Knight Jauhzmynn Enz :-)
Isa. 42:6-9 , 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph 6:10-18
www.thejediassembly.com
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Jade_Skywalker
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
12/25/04 11:23pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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Yay replies! I'm so happy with how well this part has turned out.
Ams: Sorry your hopes for them two reuniting had to die. My reasoning for coninuing this scene with only these characters is simple. It demanded it. Originally, I had planned breaks in between with scenes with Kalisha and Sireth the Younger, but when I started writing it, the story took on a totally different turn, and I couldn't stop till it was finished. 
Dallas: Thanx for dropping in. I know how much you were looking forward to it, so I really hope you enjoyed it.
Jauhzmynn: Thanx for reading. I really am wondering how you and Ams are picking up on these tender/strong relationshipS because as far as I know, there's only one.
Thank you to all to have replied and for those who could be reading this but just choose to stay silent, thank you.
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What might have happened if the reborn Emperor had not been destroyed? Deception's Poison, Love's Balm (post Dark Empire AU) http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28141525&brd=10477
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Grand_Admiral_Grant
Title: Ex-Mod
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
12/29/04 6:25am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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wow, I just discovered this story and I just couldn't stop reading!
It's simply great!
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Tanith
Registered:
Nov '03
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Date Posted:
12/29/04 9:34am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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Thanks for the PM. As always Jade a brilliant update. Just read all 3 posts in a one-er and feel totally emotionally drained.
Poor Ruby - she knew what would happen to her when she told Jeredi to stop Maleah. I was wishing that they would reach her in time, or that the force would save her. I guess someone has to die, but you don't have to like it.
Please let something nasty happen to Brock - he deserves to be squished like the bug he is. He's such a bully, pick on those who are weaker than him, but toady up to the guy in charge. Yuk, make Brock-burgers out of him!
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Area 42 - Edinburgh's sci-fi club: http://www.area42.org.uk
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Jauhzmynn
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
12/29/04 10:54am
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
- Date Edited:
1/1/05 9:46pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Jauhzmynn
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:-)I'll try to get my brain to get thsi out right. Sometiems it has a freeze and things don't come out right.
Jeridai and Meleah appear to be the obivous ones..
I think the ones who aren't would be Ruth and her grandkids. She's a strong/tender combination.
.Tender with who she needs to be and tuff.
Kalisha at one point was the strong one and Jeridai was the strong, now she's a strong one. Or thinks she's strong.
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Lightside Jedi Knight Jauhzmynn Enz :-)
Isa. 42:6-9 , 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph 6:10-18
www.thejediassembly.com
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Kahara
Registered:
Mar '01
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Date Posted:
12/31/04 8:08pm
Subject:
RE: And Then There Was Light (the beginning of the Jedi, updated 12-21-04)
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I second the request for Brock-burgers. Hold the onions.
Sorry I forgot to comment the first time I read it, but thank you for the update message.
It's great to see a longer post on this. The emotions of the characters are shown very well. Poor Jeredi, he always seems to be in situations where something horrible happens no matter what he does.
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Chaos, confusion, disorder... my work here is done. Embers-- an AU (Anakin Solo, Tahiri, Qui Gon, Obi-Wan, Luke, Jaina, Jacen, OCs, and others) http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=15141665
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