"Gifts"
By: Elisia Melouet - Padawan Learner
Dargus Kandran - Crimlord

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 10, 3ABY

***

Elisia moved amongst the vendors and shops. She had slipped away after their morning training. She had tried all morning to reach out and touch objects, only to fail. Each time she thought she was close, she wished she could touch it and lost her concentration completely. Kace knew where she was and she had promised to be back in two hours. She knew he was still trying to fix his ship. She had enjoyed a flavored ice and was wandering amongst the different clothing shops when a shiver ran up her spine. She stopped moving and stared into a window in front of her. She reached out and felt about her, but the mass of people confused her senses.

Dargus Kandran walked slowly behind Elisia as she made her way through the sparse shipyards crowd. He could see the change in her movements. She moved with the grace of a woman, and her clothes now revealed that she was less of a child than she had been letting on. As he watched her, he could feel his arousal stirring. The thought of taking her, despite Kace Mordin's petty threats, filled him. But, not yet. There were other things he'd need to do first.

"Elisia," he called out.

Elisia turned frowning. "You promised Master Kace you would stay away from me," she said firmly. However the candy stick she was sucking on diminished her severity of tone.

"I cannot help it if we happened to have been in the same area of the shipyards at the same time," he said. "But, I saw you, and I wanted to say hello to my friend Elisia." He let his eyes roam over her body, and had to force his thoughts from the images of their bodies twisted and writhing together in passion. "Is that candy stick good?"

She took it out of her mouth and smiled. "Yup, almost as good as flavored ices," she said. She couldn't help it. She was having so much fun and no one made her pay for a thing. She wondered if Kace had arranged that for her. It never occurred to her that anyone else had.

"You look like you are certainly enjoying yourself," Dargus said with a wolfish smile. "And, buying quite a bit of stuff. I have always loved shopping." He smiled knowing that she had not paid a single credit for any of it. All charges were coming out of his own accounts. Oh he would win her over, first with his money, then with the power he could give her, and then she would be his tool to use as he pleased.

"Yes, this is the oddest place. They won't let me pay," she said in a confiding tone.

"Well," he said with a shrug, "it must be your natural charms. They can be quite generous at times, I am told. So, you've gotten everything you've wanted today?"

"No...I don't think so...I mean...I haven't asked for anything too expensive. Well, except for these clothes," she admitted.

"And, very nice clothes they are," he said with a grin. "I hardly even recognized you in them. Now, I know I'm not supposed to be near you, but I hope you won't mind me saying that you do look very pretty in that outfit."

"I should probably go now."

He looked around and smiled. "You know, if everyone is being so generous today, you should go get something very expensive. You never know when they'll make you start paying again. You don't want to lose your chance, right?"

"I don't have my credit chip. What do I do if they want me to pay?" she asked, grinning.

"Well, then you tell them you forgot your chip, and you leave. It's not like you're stealing from them."

"Okay. What should I try to get?" she said in a conspiring tone.

"Well, of all the things you saw today, of those you didn't buy, which do you want most?

"I don't know. I kind of have what I need," she said with a frown. "I know. There was a diamond necklace in the jewelry store." She looked up at him to see if this would do.

"Perfect," he crooned. "Then, that's what you should go try to get. A beautiful necklace for a young Jedi Knight. Well, go get it."

She looked at him intently and shook her head. "You and Kace have to get your colors worked out." With that odd comment she sauntered into the shop indicated. She did not see the look that passed between Dargus and the owner. She played up the wide eyed wonder and when she asked the price of the necklace, it was not acting that widened them in surprise. It was the price. "I can't afford that," she whispered.

"It's okay love, you go ahead and take it. I can tell you really like it and it would look better on you than sitting around gathering dust." The woman closed the case of the necklace and handed it to her.

Elisia took it in shock and left the store. She looked up at Dargus. "This isn't right. Why are they doing this?" She wondered if she was using her wishes, but she couldn't remember even thinking a wish.

"You're a special girl," he said with a smile. "They can see that, and they reward you for it." If she only knew his plans for her, she would be running by now. But, those who were duped into serving as a weapon for another rarely realized what was happening until it was too late. And, it was already too late for Elisia.

"There are other nice girls. I bet they are not giving them whatever they want." She felt guilty for taking the necklace but now that it was in her hands, she had no desire to give it back.

"Oh, but they aren't special like you, Elisia," he said. "I can see you love it, so it belongs with you." And, driving a further wedge between you and Kace. Her greed would drive her right into my arms, he thought with satisfaction.

"It just seems wrong. Did you do this? " She looked at him intently, looking for the lie.

"Oh," he said "I just own the shipyards, not all the shops within."

"I think I should go now." Her hand still tightly gripped the necklace case.

"It was wonderful to see you again, Elisia," he said with a smile. "Perhaps we shall see each other again in passing sometime, since I am forbidden to visit you."

"Well... Perhaps now and then...but not often." She said the last three words hurriedly. "I have to go." She hurried off. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that Kace would not be so pleased with her today.

He watched her leave and felt his desire for her and what she could give him growing. She would be his key to ruling this planet and then soon the galaxy. He felt in her the power to topple the galactic empire and set himself up as its new ruler. Oh, and then the fun would begin.

---

"Explosion"
Elisia Melouet - Padawan Learner
Kace Mordin - Jedi Master

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 10, 3 ABY

***

Kace stood in the center of the main cabin of the Vengeance of Corellia. He held an ignited lightsaber in each hand, and surrounding him were three remotes. His eyes were closed, but he sensed each as if he were actually seeing them. He moved gracefully, awaiting their attack. He didn't have to wait long. Each began rapid firing. The crimson blades flashed around him, absorbing and deflecting the low-powered blasts.

The spiral of red shifted slightly, and he sent a bolt back at each remote. In succession, each dropped to the deck, deactivated by the deflected shots.

Kace shut down his lightsabers and opened his eyes as he turned toward the entrance where he sensed Elisia.

Elisia stood leaning against the doorway. "Impressive," she said with a tight smile. Her hands were clasped behind her back. "I think I will go lay down for a bit." She headed for the room she had been staying in.

He watched as she crossed the cabin. He sensed something, but couldn't tell what. "Is everything okay?" he asked.

She stopped at the door, keeping the case behind her. "Yes, I...I just don't feel very well. I guess I am not used to eating and moving about so much," she said. It was a weak excuse but all she could think of.

Kace could sense that she was hiding something. He was silent for a long moment, debating. Finally he nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll see you when you're feeling better." He turned and moved to retrieve the remotes from the deck of the cabin.

She slipped with relief into the cabin. She sat on the bed and opened the case. She stared in wonder at the sparkling diamonds within. They looked like teardrops, wrapped in intricate silver designs. Why was she getting this stuff? Was Kace responsible or was it Dargus, or worse, some unknown party? She curled up on the bed; she should have left right away. She shouldn't have talked to him. She fingered the jewels reverently. Why did she feel so guilty? She hadn't done anything wrong. But something deep inside told her she had. She had no idea that her miserable state was almost palpable to even someone less receptive than Kace.

Once the remotes were back where they belonged, Kace looked around the ship. He felt like he should do something. He felt like he should work on the ship or work out or meditate. He paced the decks of the ship like one of the great cats found in the southern continent of Corellia. There was something eluding him, shifting around just outside the limits of his perception.

He finally decided to use one of the concentration exercises Tal Dan had given him. He moved into the cabin, fell forward and pushed himself up until he was standing on one hand. He stayed in that position for ten minutes before finally raising one hand and closing his eyes. He concentrated on the clutter around the cabin and started putting it back in its place.

Elisia couldn't sleep and began to pace. Something wasn't right and she knew it. She had eaten without paying, she had gotten candy without paying and that had just seemed fun. But the necklace and the enormous amount of credits were not fun. It was uncomfortable. But part of her wanted to go back and get whatever she wanted. She was pulled back and forth. The little girl wanting what she had always been denied and the emerging young woman that knew all things had a price.

When the cabin had been cleaned, Kace decided to just clear his mind and let himself dissolve into the meditation. He did not know if it would accomplish anything, but at least it allowed him to wonder if his trust had been misplaced after all. Something in Elisia's manner bothered him. Something in the way she carried her body indicated that she was hiding something. He forced the thoughts to the back of his mind. This soon, he did not know if he could address his feelings to her. Their trust was fragile, and he did not want to drive her away. He would let things run their course.

Elisia decided she would go test this again. It must be a fluke. She hid the necklace under the mattress. The door opened and she saw Kace in an odd position. "Master Kace, I forgot something in the the shopping center, can I go. I will come back within the hour." She did not look at him.

Kace did not open his eyes, did not move any muscles not necessary for vocalizing an answer. "I will see you when you return," he said.

She gave a sigh of relief and slipped from the ship. She hurried to the shopping area. She hadn't noticed a change in Kace, because she was too focused on her own dilemma. She wasn't used to turning to others when she had a problem. On the street, you solve your own problems. She entered a shop with art supplies. Taking on a less friendly tone, she demanded art supplies: Paper, charcoals and pencils. When the woman bagged them up. Elisia smiled at her and said thank you and picked up the bag. She did not offer a credit slip. Sure enough, the woman just let her walk away with a friendly 'have a nice day'.

Elisia returned to the ship. Now she knew something was not right. She should tell Kace, but he seemed absorbed this afternoon with a problem of his own. He was as she had left him. She had been gone less than thirty minutes. His eyes were still shut so she headed straight for her room.

As he sensed Elisia return to the ship, and then her room, Kace allowed himself to slowly return to full consciousness. He flipped back, landing softly on his feet. He reached out with his senses and found her still in her room. He moved to the door and tapped it lightly. "Elisia?"

Elisia stared at the supplies spread out across the bed. There was no place to hide them. "Um...yeah?" she called, not opening the door. She quickly covered them up with a blanket. It was lumpy but just looked unmade.

"I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," he said through the door.

She opened the door and stepped out, letting it slide shut behind her. "I just.I ran into Kandran in the shopping row," she answered honestly.

He nodded, not even trying to hide the concern showing on his face. "Did...did anything happen?"

"No, I-- It just made me uncomfortable," she said. She was being careful to be honest. She didn't know if she wanted to tell him the rest.

A skeptical look crossed Kace's face, but he hid it quickly. Dargus Kandran would hardly show up, and do absolutely nothing. But, he told himself, you must trust her. If she is to ever trust you, you must trust her. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said. "It doesn't sound like he's keeping to his side of the bargain. That isn't good. His presence could be detrimental to your training. I hope he plans on making this a one-time thing."

"He said it was a coincidence. I don't know. He seemed nice enough," she said honestly. She still hadn't looked him in the eyes. Forgetting he could read her thoughts, she wondered if the merchant had been a set up.

Kace hated watching her thoughts, but he knew something was happening. "Dargus Kandran is always very nice when he wants something," he said. "He will be very friendly and generous. It's the same way Palpatine used to be. He was too nice, too friendly. He has a silver tongue." He watched her, noticed she was avoiding his gaze, and knew something was wrong. A new tactic, he told himself. "So, did you buy anything today?"

"No!" she snapped. Then she burst into tears. She didn't know how to handle this. "I didn't have a credit chip." She sobbed into her hands. "I don't know why..." Her words were lost in her tears.

Kace took an involuntary step back. "Elisia, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that--I'm just--I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried. Are you alright?"

She took his hand and dragged him into the cabin where she had been sleeping. She swept back the blanket and there before him lay a great deal of art supplies. She had already said she didn't have the credit chip and she hadn't come in with them yesterday.

Kace's eyes narrowed at the stash she'd been hiding. "Dargus," he said in a voice almost inaudible, but she definitely heard it. His eyes flared blue as he took a breath and let it out. When he turned to her, his eyes were full of caring and concern. "Dargus is doing this. He's trying to pull you toward him with gifts." He brought a hand up and brushed her hair away from her forehead. "He's trying to drive us apart. Did the merchants just let you walk out with whatever you wanted?"

She nodded, tears still on her cheeks. "At first it didn't seem like much. A candy or my hair... The clothes, they didn't charge your chip and I thought that strange. But then, I just demanded all this and they just said thank you," she answered. "I thought you had arranged it at first. But then..." She reached under the mattress and reverently pulled out the necklace. "One of them just let me have this." Her eyes glittered at the beauty of the necklace.

Kace looked at the necklace and then at Elisia. "Dargus is behind this," he said. "When I give you something, you will always know it's from me. In the future, remember that. When I want you to have something, I will make sure you know it is from me. I won't sneak you gifts. When I give you anything, I want you to know that I was the one." He looked at the necklace and smiled. "It is a beautiful necklace. And, I can see that you don't want to give it up. I don't blame you. If you didn't want the things you got, you wouldn't have brought them back. So, I want you to show me everything you've brought home, and we'll go pay for it together. If you want these things, then you should have them. But, I want to pay for them, not Dargus. Does that sound okay?"

"They won't let you," she said miserably. "I tried to pay for my clothes. They just gave back the chip. Besides, if you insisted, they would just take your money and Dargus'," she pointed out, she had worked for merchants a few times. Rather than anger two nobles, they would just please them both.

He smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile. "They'll take my money," he said. "I don't care if they take Dargus' money or not. That's Dargus' problem. But, I will pay for the things you have. All I care is that they take my money."

"Then take them back. I don't want them." She shoved the necklace into his hand and turned to flee the room. She couldn't and wouldn't let him pay the price the clerk had told her for the necklace.

The necklace floated to the side as Kace reached out for Elisia's arm. "Wait," he said. "Why will you allow Dargus to buy you whatever you want, but refuse to allow me to do the same? I told you I would provide for you. Why will you accept these things from Dargus?"

"I didn't know they were from him," she defended. She had known that something wasn't right, and even suspected Dargus but she couldn't be sure and wasn't sure how he was. "I won't be kept...not by either of you...no one is ever giving me jewelry again." Her eyes were wide with a mixture of anger and terror. Terror out of place for their current situation. "If I want anything, I will earn it myself."

He let go of her arm and turned away. "Very well," he said. "If you do not wish for me to help you financially, I won't. I doubt you'll find that Dargus gives in as easily. He does not know the meaning of the word 'no' when it is spoken to him. Expect more of his generosity to follow wherever you go."

She stood stunned and unsure. "What is it you want of me?" she cried out finally. "I didn't ask for these things. Well I did the art supplies but that was just to see... and Dargus dared me to ask for the necklace." She knew she had just hurt him but she wasn't sure why. "Never mind, I should know better than to stay in one place." She grabbed her letter off the table, tears of confusion blurring her motions.

He turned back to face her. "I want to train you. I want to teach you to use your gifts. I want to know someone else like me out there in the universe. I just want to help. That's all I want. I want to help you. When I was young, a man helped me out. In the end, I betrayed him and killed him. I want to set right the mistakes I've made. I want to be better than I was. I want to be a decent human being again." He could not remember the last time his words had been so impassioned. He could not remember the last time he had pleaded with anyone, if he ever had. He couldn't remember ever needing someone like he needed Elisia. She could be the key that would lead to his redemption.

"I am not your sacrifice to the gods to make your life right," she said firmly. All she felt was naked pain and she didn't even understand why. She didn't know why she felt betrayed or even who she felt betrayed by. Yes, yes she did. She wanted him to want her for who she was.not to make amends for his wrongs. She had to get out. The confusion of emotions and the sense that something was desperately wrong was crushing her. She left the cabin, leaving everything but the clothes she had on and the letter from her mother, now carefully folded with the paper picture.

Kace watched helpless as Elisia left the ship. He stood silently, the rage inside him building. He shook his head slowly, his body beginning to tremble. He dropped to his knees, his eyes completely blue, glowing bright. His rage released in an instant, shattering all the glass in the main cabin. He dropped forward, his still boiling anger directed inward. How could he just let her go? How could he do that? A cold emptiness filled Kace Mordin. Why didn't he stop her? Why couldn't he tell her he wanted her to stay with him? Why couldn't he have told her he needed her? Truly needed her.

---

"Tempest"
By: Elisia Melouet
Dargus Kandran
Keldra [NPC]

Location: Drogen Shipyards then Dargus' Ship
Date: Selene 10, 3 ABY

***

Elisia ran once she was off the ship. She forced herself to walk but there were not a lot of places to go to. There were no outbound ships to planet side and she did not want to take the elevator just yet. Old habits die hard. Elisia ducked under a metal staircase behind some cargo containers. There in the dark, amongst the noise of ship repairs and moving cargo, she began to cry.

She had cried more the last three days than the last three years. But once the emotions became unbottled, she began to cry in earnest. Tears for the little girl who had accepted a ring so long ago. Tears for a lost mother. Tears for a lost home. Tears for a lost master. She was so tired of being used. At least Dargus was honest in his desire to use her. Kace didn't even recognize it. But he was using her too, to find his redemption for his past wrongs. Finally, clutching her letter to her chest, she fell asleep.

Keldra had been on the girl's track since Lord Kandran have given her this new assignment. When she finally saw the girl drift off to sleep, she made her move. She approached carefully and then gave the creature a powerful sedative. She would sleep for some time. She picked the girl up and strode off toward her ship.

***

"Here is the girl as you requested, Lord Kandran," Keldra said. "She left his ship, and then fell asleep on the station. I have brought her here to you."

"Put her in the guest suite. It is appropriately furnished. She will sleep the entire night, yes?"

"That is correct, my lord," the woman said, but rather than carrying out her order, she paused.

Dargus frowned. "What is it?"

"When I found her, she was holding these." She handed the two objects to her master, and stepped back.

"Thank you," Dargus said, and examined the objects.

Keldra took the girl from the room as ordered. Before she could vanish completely, Dargus gave her the order to attend him in his bed that night, and then dismissed her. With a slow smile he examined the drawing. The girl's mother, he realized. The resemblance was uncanny, and little doubt was left. Then he turned his attention to the letter.

To whom may ever answer this letter:

Let it be known that the girl by the name of Elisia is my daughter and heir. I ask that she be escorted to the sixth royal house of Melouet. There you shall be rewarded for returning this princess to her safety and home.

As to myself, I am being held by Lord Inden Faust of Tatooine. Please be sure that this letter accompanies my child that I may be delivered from my imprisonment.

Princess Tetiana Melouet of Alderaan, Sixth Noble House Of Melouet

Well, well, Dargus thought to himself. What a treasure I have found this day. A princess to a dead planet. At least she will look good in the stable of concubines. "I think she shall be my favourite," he said to himself. Though, the talents she bore were what he really wanted. She would be something very special for him. Very special indeed.

---

"Grandeur"
By: Dargus Kandran - Crimelord, Kandran Syndicate
Elisia Melouet - Princess of Alderaan

Location: Dargus' Floating Pleasure Ship
Date: Selene 10, 3 ABY

***

Elisia woke up and had no idea where she was. She stretched in the softest, warmest bed she had ever slept in. Her head felt fuzzy and strange. She opened her eyes and tried to focus. She couldn't figure out where she was. Putting her hand to her head, she sat up and looked around. The room was done in blues and was absolutely breathtaking. Kandran! She had to be at his ship but how did she get here? She was still clothed and she felt in her boot for her letter. It was gone. She screeched in horror and jumped out of the bed.

"Stop screaming," Dargus snapped as he entered the room. "You're safe, and no one's going to hurt you!"

"Where IS MY LETTER?" she screeched. She practically flew at him, so great was her panic.

Dargus pulled the letter and picture from his cloak and placed them in her hand. "They were safe. I did not want for you to lose them in the vastness of this bed, that is all."

She snatched the picture out of his hands. "Yes, but how did I get here?"

"You were sleeping out in the shipyards," Dargus said with a smile. "One of my employees brought you to me to keep you safe. There are some dangerous people living on the shipyards."

"Why didn't I wake up?" She had never had anyone touch her without bolting awake.

"My employee sedated you so you would not panic. But, you are safe, as you can tell. Would you care for a meal?"

"Yes, please," she said. The realization of why she was under the stairway was hitting her once again.

Dargus held out a hand to her. "It's this way."

She hesitantly held out her hand. He could tell it cost her a lot and that she was frightened.

Dargus led the way toward the dining room. "So, was the bed to your liking?"

"Yes, thank you." All of Kace's warnings were screaming in her head.

"It was my pleasure," Dargus said with a wolfish smile. "I will not hurt you, you know. You are completely safe with me. Now, after you have eaten, you can clean up. And, then I have had an entire wardrobe prepared for you. You will always be safe with me, Elisia."

"I can't take your clothes, Mr. Kandran," she said calmly. She was getting her bearings and a little bit of confidence back.

"Now, why not? It is considered impolite not to accept the gifts of friends."

"I can't take more from you than Ma--. Than Kace," she said sadly. "I won't be bought or kept by any man for any reason." Her words held a touch of regret and a definite sadness.

As they entered the dining room, Dargus made a sweeping gesture. "Sit wherever you like." As he moved to a chair of his own, he faced her again. "I am not trying to buy you. I'm only trying to be a friend. Can't I be your friend, Elisia? Kace is just distrustful and cynical, and he has certain untrue ideas about me. He does not know me well enough to come to those conclusions. If you need to know anything about me, Elisia, just talk to me, not him. And, all of this I offer you is free of any ties."

"No one gives something for nothing." A hard adage learned on the streets. She frowned and sat down at the table. She felt out of place in her current surroundings.

"I am giving you something for something," Dargus said. "I give you all I offer for your friendship. Dargus Kandran needs friends too, you know." He motioned a droid forward to take her order.

She ordered from the droid a full breakfast. "I am not much of a friend. I don't plan on being here much longer. It is time for me to move on," she said. It was clear that this was not necessarily what she wanted.

"I think I can find a reason for you to stay," Dargus said. "This is a safe planet, and I keep the shipyards even safer. Nothing and no one will ever harm you under my care. Stay here with me, Elisia."

"I have places to go and things to see. I have no reason anymore to stay here." Though in truth, she could still go to the Haven. She had lost the drive to do so. "I am like stardust, always flying off."

"If you go away, then how will I tell you when I've found your mother? I can't help you get your revenge on this Faust person if you run away again."

Elisia paused in her drink, glass suspended in the air. "How?" she asked softly. Her eyes narrowed in anticipation.

"However you want," Dargus said with a feral smile. "You will be a princess again, my dear. I will help you become that princess again."

"I may have been a princess, but that little girl died a long time ago. I am just an orphan," she said uncomfortably. She couldn't deny she liked the luxury. What girl wouldn't? But at the same time, it was too much too quickly.

"She may have died, but the past need not stay that way. I will find you a planet, and you can be a princess again. My ship here is very much like a palace; you can be a princess here with me. So, how do you like my ship?"

"It is...too grand," she said carefully.

"Let me help you, Elisia. Let me help you find your mother, and restore that which was stolen from you by that criminal Faust."

"Okay," she said with defeat. She really couldn't think of a good reason for him not to help her. If he ever demanded something more than she wanted to give, then she would have a reason. But so far, he hadn't given her a single reason.

"I will begin the search at once," Dargus said.

She nodded. She took another bite of food. "Why did you do that on the station? Why did you have the merchants just give me stuff when Kace had made it clear there was to be no gifts? He is...was my trainer and yet you disregarded his wishes. You seem like you want this training of mine, but yet you interfere." She watched him closely for his answer.

"I only wish to give you nice things, Elisia," Dargus said. "I only wish to make you happy, and I'm not going to let Kace Mordin deny me that."

"Kace made it clear he could meet those needs. Yet you immediately interfered. If I am to be trained, shouldn't his wishes be followed?" she asked shrewdly.

"Well, in theory, they should be followed. And, I'll make sure all my people adhere to those wishes. However, I want to be your friend, and I can't really do that if he won't let me even be near you. He can't give you what I can. I can provide wealth, and power, and anything you could ever want. And, he can never give you that as long as he's hiding from the Emperor."

"Maybe as much isn't what is important. He can't train me if you are changing the things he is trying to teach me. How do you know that such generosity doesn't interfere with some lesson I need to learn?" she said. It was clear that Kace had already started training her by the way she spoke to his defense. "I have no problem being a friend if that is all you truly want. But now you have ruined my chances of learning how to control..." Her words fell off and she stared at her food.

"I haven't ruined anything," Dargus said with a frown. "He's coming to get you now; I signaled him. Don't turn him away...just go with him and let him train you."

Her eyes grew wide. "I can't go with him. I... He is angry with me." Her voice trembled with emotion. "I said something terrible."

"You must learn to be a Jedi," Dargus said. "You must learn to forgive him, and to set aside your price. I asked him here, and he's coming. He doesn't seem that upset if he's coming to get you, now does he?"

She stared at her plate and shoved it away. "Is that why you are not a Jedi? Because I don't see you ever forsaking your pride," she said somewhat cattily.

"For some reason, none of them would train me. Though, I suspect they believe me too powerful, and would be afraid to take on someone such as me as a student. Besides, I don't think I could follow someone else's orders."

"I have to serve...to train?" she asked with concern.

"Well, Kace is not like that," Dargus said. "You won't need to serve him."

She nodded. "What should I do while I wait?" she said quietly. Her mind was reeling from the events of the last twenty-four hours."

"You can do whatever you'd like to," Dargus said. "What would you like to do, Elisia?"

"I think I 'would' like to change and maybe take a bath," she said hesitantly.

"Come this way," Dargus said. "I will have a bath drawn for you. And, then I will have some clothing set aside as well."

She followed him to a room that had such an enormous amount of clothing that it could have been its own emporium. She finally chose a pair of skin tight navy blue pants and a loose white top with a matching belt. She followed him to the bathroom and stood stunned at the entrance.

"Everything is in order for you. I know it's a little opulent, but it's all I have."

She stood stunned but nodded her head. As he left, she wondered if he ever did anything for the enjoyment and not for the grandeur.

---