Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"Sibling Revelry, Part 1"
By: Ferrig Mullerin - Leader of the Feltreys
Raeila Mullerin - Entrepreneur
Various NPC's

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 25, 4 ABY

***

"Hey, Raeila! Why don't you come here and give me a little taste! I might be interested in buying."

"Show me the creds and you got yourself a deal, Coreg!" With a flick of her blonde hair, she blew him a kiss, which inspired a chorus of whoops and hollers from her fans outside of the bar. She dismissed their half-hearted taunts and pleas with a shake of her head then started out in search of some real customers. It was a slow day and her earnings had been meagre, but it was still daylight and she'd yet to hit gang territory, where she was bound to find a few hungry boys willing to pay.

The sun's rays weren't as intense as she was used to, so Raeila shrugged out of her cloak and slung it over her shoulder. Showing more flesh and flaunting her endowments might attract more taunts from the local drunkards who couldn't pay, but it might also draw in the real customers. Everything was a business strategy for Raeila; without anything else to do in Thanatos, work really was the only thing on her mind, the only thing worth thinking about.

She looked down at her shirt and adjusted it so more of her chest was bared. It didn't take much effort to get the men around there worked up; the desert heat made them restless enough and even a glimpse of flesh sufficed to get them really hot.

She greeted and waved at the same vendors she passed every day on her route, but they weren't interested in her services so she paid them very little heed in return. Her job wasn't a glamourous one, but compared to sitting on a crate, waiting for some passerby to stop and buy some rotting fruit or rusted jewelry, her profession was far more fulfilling.

"Hey, Raeila! Business slow today?"

Raeila's face brightened as she spotted the dark-haired Feltrey propped against the doorframe of the local bar, one of the many Feltrey hangouts. She sauntered over to Ven with an alluring smile and planted a kiss on his cheek before pressing her hand to the door of the bar to clear a way for her entrance. "I don't think so, Raeila," Ven said with a laugh as he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her hand away from the door. "You're too young to go in there, sweetheart."

Raeila pouted playfully and shifted closer to Ven. "Come on, Ven. You didn't think I was too young when you took me into an alley last week."

"Yeah...well it was dark."

"Oh, Ven! I'm practically a Feltrey myself." Raeila sighed sharply and freed her hand from Ven's grip. Her sultry smile returned as she flattened herself against him and ran her finger lazily down his arm. "Look...if you let me in, I'll give you a freebie."

"A freebie, eh?" He moaned quietly when Raeila's hand cupped his crotch, then grinned as his eyes glossed over her body. "Well, by the looks of it, you're all grown up now. I guess my little education in the alley did wonders for ya."

Raeila laughed silkily and removed her hand from Ven's groin. "Maybe you can teach me a few more things later... But it's gonna cost ya this time." She pushed open the door of the bar with her free hand and puckered her lips at Ven before she stepped through. With a little wave, the door closed behind her, and Ven was left shaking his head and smiling as he returned to sentry duty.

Loud, heavy music bombarded Raeila as she was transported to the realm of barfights and sticky, bloodstained floors that was the Feltreys' gathering place, and strictly Feltrey domain. Having connections to one of the most powerful gangs in all of Thanatos came with its privileges, mainly exemption from being victimized during the rape raids, as well as Feltrey protection when needed.

No matter how ruthless and brutal the gangs were, they still had some sense of honour. Harming family members was strictly off limits and considered taboo. To gain power, one had to prove his dominance during battle and not by underhanded methods such as terrorizing a rival ganger's old, decrepit mother.

As the music from the jizzbox began dying down, the raucous of the gathered Feltreys took its place. They were all seated around a large table with cigarras hanging off their lips and girls from their arms. Raeila desperately wanted to join the Feltreys, even if it was only as a toy for the gangers, but her brother was adamant against it. Despite his refusal to initiate her and recognize her as an official member, it never deterred her from showing up at their hangouts or offerring them her services for a discount.

Laughter erupted from the group as Ferrig delivered the punchline to one of his many jokes. He seemed to have an unlimited supply stored in that twisted mind of his, but Raeila had always thought her brother's sense of humour was somewhat lacking and really had no idea what the others found so amusing.

Ferrig started in on another joke as Raeila slinked over behind him and distracted him with a kiss on the cheek while she stole his mug of ale. "Hiya big brother! Miss me?" Raeila stepped away with an exuberant laugh, then she guzzled down the drink in one shot. With another laugh, she tossed the empty glass to the bartender and ordered another.

Ferrig growled in frustration, mainly at knowing no one in the room would be able to concentrate in here with his sister flouncing around. Seemed as if whenever she showed herself, and each time she seemed to be showing more of herself, every single Feltrey's mind went on vacation while she worked them. He'd stopped trying to figure out who all from his gang had had his sister a year ago. They all had the creds to pay, and for the chance at his sister they'd all open their chips. "What are you doing here, Raeila? No one has any money here today. Come back next week after we obliterate the Dust Eaters. This town is going to fear us like they never feared us with that whip-assed Selrid running the show."

Raeila frowned at Ferrig as she sat heavily upon one of the barstools and sprawled out her legs. She set her cloak down on the stool beside her and sighed wistfully. "I liked Selrid. His ass was so much cuter." Raeila hung her head back and laughed throatily. "And the things he could do with that tongue of his..."

"Selrid paid for you? I can't believe that piece of nerf dung would actually pay for a woman. I wonder what that little sand mite cook he's got now charges him. By the looks of her, she'd probably run screaming as soon as she sees his cock. And, I know a few tricks with the tongue too. Things that Selrid would never know."

Raeila looked at Ferrig and gave a wry laugh. "Big brother, a demonstration like that'll cost ya 20 creds. Now Kael... I don't remember ever charging him." A salacious smile curled Raeila's lips and she ran her hand over her breast lightly as she thought back to Kael's numerous late night instructions. She dropped her hand into her lap with a heavy sigh and pouted. "I miss him... His jokes were a lot better than yours and he never once told me to get lost."

Ferrig frowned. "I'll try to improve my jokes for your benefit then," he said. "And, I can't believe you'd actually charge your big brother, especially for a lesson you could learn from." He watched her for a moment, then laughed. "So, what brings you here, Raeila? Just looking for creds, or have you picked up some new information that will help make the Feltreys even stronger?"

"Gods, Ferrig, what the hell do you think I am?" Raeila scoffed at him as she slid off the stool and dragged her feet along the sticky floor. "If you expect me to go hang out with one of the other gangs and loosen their tongues with a free ride..." Raeila grinned and leaned over Ferrig's shoulder. "If that's what you want, then make me a Feltrey," she whispered into his ear.

"Then let's go somewhere private and I'll loosen my tongue while I think about it," Ferrig said with a sly smile.

Raeila rolled her eyes and took a seat on the lap of a nearby Feltrey. "Sure you'll think about it. I'm your sister, remember? I'm not stupid, Ferrig." She momentarily looked at the man whose lap she was occupying and she patted him on the cheek. "Hi there." With a sigh, she refocused her attention on Ferrig. "Maybe I don't wanna be a Feltrey. Maybe I'll round up some chicks from the neighbourhood and start my own rival gang. With my smarts, we could have you guys run outta here in a month."

"Don't think I've got what it takes, eh? Well, your loss. I wouldn't even tell you any jokes either. And, I seriously doubt you'd make it as a gang. Men crave sex, yes; but could you give them the violence they need? I don't think so. You can sate one passion, but not the other." He watched her for a moment and then smiled. "How bad do you want to be one of us, Rae?"

Raeila leaned forward and grinned at Ferrig. She slid her hand across the table and ran her fingers lazily along his arm. "Depends on what I'd have to do to be one. But to answer your question... Pretty badly, Ferrig."

Ferrig smiled. "Why don't we go talk about what you'll have to do to be a Feltrey," he said.

"Being your sister should be enough." Raeila vacated the Feltrey's lap and stared down at Ferrig. "But I think you have something else in mind, don't you, big brother?"

"I always have something in mind, little sister," Ferrig said. "That's why I'm the leader of this gang. Let's go, and we'll talk about your initiation."

Raeila gazed at Ferrig with an imperceptible smile, then laughed and strode towards the back exit. "I'll be waiting in the alley. We can have our little conference back there." She stepped out onto the muddied sand in the alley as she pushed the rusted door open, then poked her head back into the bar. "And don't forget to bring your creds. The kinda talk you have in mind costs money."

Ferrig laughed at Raeila's comment and shook his head. He grabbed, Torn's mug and downed it. "Get another," he grumbled and strode toward the exit. "Don't blow anything up without me," he added as he pushed through the door. He found Raeila leaning against the wall watching him. He walked up to her with a smile, and then kissed her. "I've missed you around here, little sister. Ever since Selrid got sick in the head and left with that whimpering little sand mite, there's been no decent conversation around here."

"Then why is it that you sneer at me whenever I show up around here?" Raeila laughed as she ran her finger down Ferrig's chest. "Afraid I'll turn your own men against you using my sexual wiles?"

"You show up here, Rae," Ferrig said as he slid his hands down to her hips, "and all the boys go crazy trying to see who'll be first to screw you. They don't think straight, and all they have is sex on their minds when you're here. There's nothing wrong with sex, but when we're trying to figure out what to do with a rival gang... I may sneer, but I'm always glad to see you around." He kissed her hard again. "And, especially to see that you're safe. With everything else, I don't want to see one of the other gangs doing anything to you. I don't think I could stand losing you too."

Raeila groaned and playfully pushed Ferrig away. "You're getting soft, Mullerin. You really miss that jerk Selrid, don't you?" She casually began undoing her pants and pursed her lips tightly. "Yeah, Selrid was a good screw but the bastard left without a goodbye! And to deal an even harder blow, he skips out on me with some little mangy kitchen scum who probably won't ever spread her legs for him. I mean, leaving me for another woman? Is he trying to ruin my reputation?"

"If he ever shows his ass around here again, you can have what's left when we're through with him," Ferrig said. "I'm sure you could keep him as a toy or something." He moved to her again and started kissing her throat while she slipped her pants over her hips. As she did, he undid his own pants. "He'll be back. He's too desert to leave completely. And, when he does, we'll have him." Then, as if to punctuate his sentence, he slid himself inside of Raeila.

With her head thrown back against the wall, Raeila laughed derisively. "If he really is desert, he won't be stupid enough to step into the death trap he's laid out for himself." Raeila tangled her fingers in Ferrig's hair and brought her head forward to kiss him roughly. "If he does come back though, the Feltreys wouldn't dare reinstate him as leader. If it's any consolation, brother, I'll back you up."

"Thank you," Ferrig said between moans as he continued thrusting himself inside her. "He won't be taking over the gang again. After the shit he pulled, we're gonna kill him. Two of the boys found him almost kissing that bitch of his." As his anger increased, his thrusts became more rough. He knew his sister liked it that way though, so he did nothing to calm his burning emotions. There was only one release for those emotions, and it would come with Kael Selrid's blood darkening the sand. For the moment though, he would have to settle for the release he was building toward. "I think the bitch he's with has gotten him all wet."

Raeila grunted with every impact of Ferrig's thrusts, and the hotter the rage in his eyes burned, the more her primal grunts became replaced with wild laughter. "I bet he makes her all wet too," she said thickly. "He always did make me wet, but never like you could, brother." Raeila's head was thrown back against the wall again as a cry broke loose. She gritted her teeth to contain it and pressed her lips to Ferrig's for another hard kiss. "We'll get him," she whispered fiercely, "and the bitch follows. I'm sure though you'll wanna show her how it's really done." She nibbled on his ear and giggled. "I bet she likes it rough too."

Ferrig cried out with a mixture of lust and primal rage. "I bet you'd like to teach her a thing or two," he rasped. "Make it more satisfying for all of us. Oh we are good together, little sister. Consider this your initiation into the Feltreys. Our first female member, and I think my right hand in running this piece of sand. It's all gonna be ours, and there's no one to stop us."

"And in honour of my initiation, I'll only charge you half price." Raeila spread her arms back against the wall and stared up lazily into the sky as her wild laughter filled the alley, accompanied by Ferrig's grunts and the slapping of their burning flesh. Together, they would rise up from the mire fate had buried them in and seize Thanatos for their own glory. Just as the blinding wave of ecstasy washed over her, Raeila thought she caught a glimpse of their future: she and Ferrig side by side, the blood dripping from their hands and the creds spilling from their pockets. "He was a fool to leave all this," she said breathlessly. "A damn fool."

"More foolish for leaving you for that little wet bitch," Ferrig grunted. "But it just leaves more for me." He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, and then filled her with his seed.

Raeila sighed deeply as her head fell forward onto Ferrig's shoulder. She sucked on his neck and brought her hands to his rear, squeezing it roughly. "I hope you can afford me. I don't come cheap, brother." She laughed and looked up at him with a grin. "But maybe now that I'm a Feltrey, you might be eligible for a little discount."

Ferrig laughed and kissed her. "I hope it's a big discount since not only am I head of the gang, I'm family." He held her close, still pressed against the wall, as they nuzzled, her lips against his neck and his suckling at her ear. "You interested in spying for us, little sister? It'd probably put you in the beds of a lot of our rivals; but then at the end of the night, you could come to my bed and tell me everything you heard in theirs."

"As long as they're paying, you got yourself a deal." Raeila reached down and pulled Ferrig out of her with a laugh. "What are you gonna tell the others? Your little sister screwed her way into the gang? Next thing you know, they're gonna want their little whores in the gang too."

Ferrig laughed. "I don't give a fuck what the others think," he said. "And, you were in before we screwed. That was just for fun. I don't care what anyone says, you're more use to this gang in it than out. Though, you always are a morale boost."

"So, should I go in there and lay across the table so the other Feltreys can get their boost?" Raeila gazed at Ferrig with a wicked gleam in her eyes as she nibbled on his lower lip. "You know, this will only work if we refrain from being seen together in public," she whispered. She ran her tongue over his lips then smiled mischievously. "I guess that puts an end to these little family reunions of ours."

Ferrig pushed away from the wall and Raeila. "I'm sure you're quite happy about that," he said. "Well, no more family reunions then. And, that means you tease me with your body, you get treated like any other member of this gang. If you want to, go in there and boost the gang. I'm sure they'll all pay for a gang bang."

"Aww... Did I hurt Ferrig's feelings?" Raeila laughed as she reached out and grabbed Ferrig by the waist of his pants. "Big brother, you know your place in my bed is secured. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be the slut I am today." She playfully tugged at his pants and gave him a mock pout. "You're not getting broody again, are you? You were like this when Kael was around. I thought it was just resentment towards him for holding a place you coveted. Now I'm beginning to think you're just naturally glum."

"Not naturally," Ferrig said, trying hard to keep scowling. "Just...just didn't like how Kael ran the place. He was too soft. And, now...now I think it's just because despite the fact that I hate him now...I miss having him around. Before that bitch of his, he was good. He just deserted us. At least I still have you here. I don't think I'd be able to do this without you here. I need someone I can talk to that I'm not also beating the shit out of."

Raeila quickly closed her pants and pushed off the wall. She giggled cheerfully as she pressed the tip of her index finger to the top of Ferrig's head and began skipping around him. "Well, if you need to," she said as she spun around him faster, "you can beat on me. If you can catch me!"

Ferrig laughed as he watched his sister dancing around him. He timed his movements carefully and easily had her in his arms again, and pressed against the far wall of the alley. His reputation as one of the Feltreys' fastest fighters wasn't for nothing. "I caught you, little sister," he said, grinning madly at the surprise in her eyes. "Now I get to beat on you." His hands moved to her breasts as he kissed her roughly. The skimpy top was easily moved out of his way and Ferrig covered one breast with his mouth while his other hand worked at the other.

Raeila's surprised gasp was replaced by laughter accompanied by intermittent moans and the sounds of Ferrig's lips suckling her flesh. She buried her fingers into his hair and guided his head back to her breast if his mouth strayed too far. "You'll have to teach me to be as fast as you are. I could learn to fight too." Raeila chewed her lip and groaned as she slipped her hand into her pants and began rubbing at her crotch. "I bet you could teach me alot, big brother."

Ferrig laughed as he nibbled gently at one of Raeila's nipples. "I'll teach you how to fight," he said. "Among other things. Though, you'll never be fast enough to get away from me; though, I have a feeling you like being caught." He slowly sank to his knees. "Especially when this is what getting caught means." He kissed the fabric of her pants, and the hand moving beneath as Rae pleasured herself.

Raeila peered down at Ferrig and gave him an enticing smile. She watched him intensely as she removed her hand from her pants and slowly pulled them open. "And would you like being caught, Ferrig?" She laughed huskily while she slid her pants over her waist and spread her legs for Ferrig. "If one of your gangers walked out here with your face between my legs, would you swear them to secrecy? It can't be very good for your reputation knowing you share your bed with your sister."

"I don't give a fuck about that," Ferrig said as he teased her with his tongue. "If I had any problems about fucking my sister, I would have stopped a few years ago. They all know we're close, and maybe they suspect we share a bed. I don't give a fuck." He worked between her legs, easily driving her toward climax. He stopped before she could and looked up at her. "Are you ashamed about our relationship? Are you afraid of being caught, little sister?" He returned his mouth to her slit, knowing she'd demand it soon enough.

"No," Raeila said in a strained whisper. "I'm not ashamed of anything I do." She released a shrill moan and clutched at her breasts, kneading them to enhance the pleasure Ferrig was eliciting in her. "I...I think it would fun to be caught--" Raeila cried out again and squeezed her breasts firmly as the pulsating in her cunt intensified to near culmination. "I would l-love to see their faces... They'll...certainly know how I managed to get myself into the Feltreys."

Ferrig laughed, but didn't cease his activity between Raeila's thighs. He heard a door behind him open and loud laughter followed it. He couldn't recognize the laugh over the pounding of blood in his ears and Rae's cries. With a smile to himself, he pulled his face away and stood up. She started to complain, but it only became a moan when he entered her again. "I guess we'll get to see their faces now," he whispered before covering her mouth with his.

Raeila's moans came shrilly and piercing as Ferrig thrust against her. She strained her eyes to see who the sole member of their audience was, but as the climax denied her before neared again, she clenched her eyes shut and continued kissing Ferrig frantically. She jerked her hips forward to meet Ferrig's thrusts and gripped his rear firmly. No one had ever watched them before, but Raeila found it exciting and as she pulled her lips from Ferrig's, she laughed hoarsely. Her laughter gradually transformed into shrill, reverberant cries as Ferrig's thrusts finally brought her climax to its sweet culmination. The ganger watching them finally came into view, and Raeila met his bewildered gaze with a mischievous gaze of her own. With a final, resonant cry, she arched against the wall and pulled Ferrig tightly to her.

Ferrig panted heavily as he and his sister clung to each other. He kissed her neck slowly, languidly. He glanced back and saw Halrid watching them with a lazy smile.

"Sorry," Halrid said with a laugh. "Just came out to piss. Didn't expect a show. You open for business, Raeila?"

"My legs are always open for business, Hal." She laughed breathlessly and extricated herself from Ferrig's hold. She motioned Halrid over, then pulled off her top and threw it blindly at Ferrig. "You got the creds, right?" Raeila reached over to Ferrig and cupped his chin with her hand. "He always has the creds, that's why he's my favourite customer." She grinned at Ferrig and licked her lips at him enticingly.

Hal laughed as he started toward Raeila. He kissed her while he opened his pants. "I've got the creds," he said. "You want them before or after. Or maybe I could give them during. Get you even hotter that way, eh?" He kissed her again before she could answer and then entered her. "Sloppy seconds. My favourite."

Raeila laughed and ran her hand gently along Ferrig's cheek as her first real customer of the day made her earn her creds. Ferrig was never a customer to her. He was a bedmate first, but he was equally as importantly her brother. He'd sworn to protect her and even now, watching as she let a strange man defile her, he was doing what he'd promised. She enjoyed having his eyes on her as her body writhed against Hal's; the gentle smile on his face indicated he was enjoying it just as much. "Wanna help him, big brother, or have you had your fill?" Raeila laughed derisively at Hal and commented rudely, "He's not very good. I think he's had far too much to drink. He's not even hard yet."

Hal grunted his annoyance at Raeila's commentary on his technique.

Ferrig grinned. "I've always got enough for you, little sister," he said. "Just tell me where you want me."

"Well, I would ask you to help old Hal out up front, but he might get a little offended if you have to show him how it's done." Raeila continued laughing as she ran her finger over Ferrig's lips. Her attention was focused entirely on him, but Hal was a customer so she graciously let him continue thrusting into her despite how bored she was growing of him.

"Do you do this with all your customers," Hal asked as he continued thrusting inside her. "I don't need any help. I'm doing fine. Stop trying to show off for your boyfriend brother."

"She's not showing off," Ferrig said with a laugh. "She just knows I'm a better fuck than you are. You want me to take over, my dear? Or should I take over in back?"

Raeila grinned at Ferrig then turned to Hal. "You're paying, Hal. So what'll it be? How would you like to share me with the leader of the Feltreys, Hal? That's gotta be quite the honour."

Hal smiled. "Is that what you want," he asked. "I guess sharing with the big man's alright if that's what you want. Though, I'll want a private session later." He kissed her. "With binders and blindfolds."

"Whatever you wanna pay for, Hal. Though, I'll give you this one for half price, since you have to share." Raeila smiled wickedly as she gripped Hal's shirt and spun him around towards the wall. She looked to Ferrig with an alluring smile and motioned him over with her eyes. "He wants to share with the boss, Ferrig."

Ferrig smiled and moved over behind Raeila. He kissed her neck and held her in place while Hal continued pumping himself inside her. Ferrig positioned himself at Raeila's backside and slowly entered her, easing a little more inside with each thrust. Once he was all the way inside, he caught on with Hal's rhythm, and soon they were alternating thrusts into Raeila. He nibbled a little rougher than he should have at her ear, and laughed. "How many times have you done this, little sister?"

"With you," she asked strenuously, "or in general?" Raeila vocalized an abrupt cry as a spike of pain radiated from behind and enveloped her. She planted her hands firmly on the wall to brace herself for the next jolt of searing pain Ferrig would inflict on her.

"I know how many with me," Ferrig said with a grunting laugh. "In general. I bet Kael would never do something like this. He was always pretty secretive about his sex. Only with whoever he was with. I bet he wouldn't have done this. I bet not even you could have convinced him."

"Oh, I bet I could have. He always was very willing with me." Raeila winked at Hal, whose face was contorted into an expression that conveyed the exertion he was feeling and the immense pleasure he was receiving. His motions were hastening and his grunts were growing louder by the moment as his climax neared. She kissed him playfully on the forehead and turned her attention back to Ferrig. "I liked Kael, Ferrig," she said breathlessly. "He had the blood lust. If...if we can reawaken that in him, maybe we can reinitiate him and make him my loyal sex slave."

"I like the way you think," Ferrig said. "I think if we can bring him back, we can make him forget the poison that little bitch is feeding him. If anyone can turn Selrid back, it's you. And, I can take care of his damp little trollop. She'll be the toy the Feltreys can play with. Maybe you can teach her some tricks. I bet if you trained her well enough, she could be an extra source of income."

Raeila squealed with delight as she rested her head back upon Ferrig's shoulder. "I like toys. And I bet you'd like to initiate her on your own, Ferrig, with these boys watching." She moaned gently, then let out a series of coarse grunts as Ferrig increased his pace suddenly. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Hal?" Raeila slowly brought her head forward as the only response from Hal was a high-pitched moan. His hands clutched her breasts desperately, which was the final signal to Raeila that he was ready to blow his load.

With a shrill laugh, Raeila pushed herself and Ferrig away from him, just in time to see his seed spurting from his still erect cock onto the sands below. "Sorry, Hal!" she cried out. She moaned thickly as Ferrig continued his thrusts behind her, and freed of Hal's cock, she brought her hand to her mound and began rubbing furiously. "Can't have you messing me up for the rest of the boys," she whispered with a sigh.

Ferrig laughed as he continued his thrusts and brought a hand around to help Raeila. He could feel himself approaching his climax again and brought his lips to her throat. "You want it in or out from me, my sweet sister?"

Raeila gasped at Ferrig's touch, then laughed huskily. "You know how I like it, brother." She cried out suddenly and jerked back against Ferrig as she was consumed with shuddering gasps. She brought both her hands back to grip Ferrig's thighs and whispered, "Fill me, Ferrig. Your seed is my seed. We are family after all."

Ferrig laughed and continued his thrusts. "Anything for my sister," he said. It only took a few more thrusts before he fulfilled her command and filled her with his seed.

In front of them, Hal only laughed. "You know, Raeila, you're a real bitch sometimes. You let Ferrig fill you up, but not me. Fucking bitch. At least you're still the best fuck around here."

Raeila laughed breathlessly and ran her fingers idly along her breast, savouring the residual sensations rapturing her. She looked to Hal with a dreamy smile and held out her other hand towards him. "And since I am the best fuck you'll ever have, pay up, dear Hal."

With a grumble, Hal dug into his pockets for the wad of creds he kept there. Unlike everywhere else on the planet, coin and paper currency was still used in Thanatos and the other desert towns. He pulled out Raeila's fee and dropped them in her outstretched palm. "You're a bitch, Raeila, but at least you're worth what you charge. So, you tempted any wetters into sampling your desert charms?"

Raeila reached down to pull up her pants, then jammed the creds into one of the pockets as she blew Hal a kiss, her trademark display of gratitude. She pulled away from Ferrig and walked past Hal to retrieve her shirt. "I don't do wetters, Hal. They don't deserve to partake of this feast," she said as she cupped one of her breasts.

"And, what a feast it is," Hal said with a sly grin. "Binders and blindfolds, Raeila. Tonight if you're available. And, not that I'm pushing for wetters or anything, but I bet you could make more off them. They've got cred to burn, and much more than you'll ever find down here in Thanatos. I bet you could triple your rates, and they'd think it a bargain."

Raeila pulled her top the rest of the way down and nodded her head slowly at Hal. "I probably could... Good thinking, Hal. Ferrig should make you his financial advisor." She laughed silkily as she sauntered over to Hal and ran her finger along the shaft of his still exposed cock. "Binders and blindfolds tonight for you... And if you want," she whispered into his ear, "I'll let you fill me up real good."

Hal slipped an arm around her waist, feeling a tingle through his body at the warmth of her skin radiating through his fingertips. "I'll fill you like you've never been filled before," he said. He then leaned close to her ear so Ferrig wouldn't hear. "And, it's...um...kind of disgusting fucking your brother."

"Well then stop fucking him, Hal." Raeila giggled and wriggled from Hal's grip. She stumbled backwards as if intoxicated by all the ecstasy and carnal pleasures they had indulged in. Her boisterous giggles filled the alleyway and as she finally stumbled into Ferrig's arms, she kissed him deeply. When their lips parted, she giggled again and glanced back at Hal. "You don't understand, Hal. Ferrig and I have got something special. No one could ever understand. No one."

"Just don't even bother to try to figure it out, Hal," Ferrig said. "You won't be able to. Like she said, no one could understand."

Hal shook his head. "Fucking weird man, but you're the boss. You wanna fuck your sister, that's fine with me. Just as long as I can have a piece of her too. I'd swear the two of you were twins."

"Only in that we have similar goals, and as Feltreys, we'll be able to attain those all." Raeila gazed into Ferrig's eyes while tenderly running her hand along his cheek. "One day, you'll be king and I will rule by your side as queen of this desolate pit of hell. We'll have our day of glory. This damn universe owes it to us."

"It'll be ours," Ferrig said as he slipped his arms around Raeila's waist. "We're definitely gonna make it now, little sister. Nothing can stop us." He kissed her again and then grinned. "Let's go back inside and I'll buy you a drink."

Raeila laughed as she helped Ferrig stick himself back into his pants. "Buy me two and I'll make this time a freebie. But next time, you're gonna have to pay."

Ferrig kissed her while he helped her adjust her top and pants back into something resembling presentable condition. "You say that every time," he said with a grin. "And, I'll buy you as many as you can handle. And, maybe while we drink, we can plan on how to nab Kael back next time he shows his bleached head in Thanatos."

Raeila slipped her arm through Ferrig's and walked with him towards the back door. "When do we tell them you've let a chick into the gang? If you want, I can spread my legs for them and show them the advantages of having a girl around all the time."

Ferrig smiled. "Maybe after we've had a drink," he said, "I'll make the announcement while you sit on the table showing off the new Feltrey benefit package. I'm sure they won't have any trouble with a new female member. They'll probably want more."

"Oh, we can't allow that, Ferrig," Raeila whined playfully. "You know how I like being the centre of attention. And I refuse to share my customers with another woman!" She trailed her finger up Ferrig's arm and laughed. "Especially not my favourite customer of all."

Ferrig laughed. "Well, I'm all yours except when you're busy with your other customers," he said. "And, you're the only female this gang will have. More than you and there'd be nothing but mass orgies, and we'd never rise up out of this piss hole. You're the only one, little sister. And, they'll be happy or I'll pound them into happiness."

"Sibling Revelry, Part 2"
By: Ferrig Mullerin - Leader of the Feltreys
Raeila Mullerin - Entrepreneur
Various NPC's

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 25, 4 ABY

***

The music from the jizzbox was drowned out by Raeila's shrill laughter as she and Ferrig strode through the doorway. She slipped from Ferrig's side and took a seat at the table with the rest of the Feltreys. "Hi, boys! Was I missed? More than Ferrig, I hope."

Next to her, Jaz laughed. "You're always missed, Rae. By the look of Hal's face, you were giving out freebies in the back. And, with Ferrig probably making sure Hal could find the right holes."

"Never freebies! Hal paid in full. If I gave away my services for free, that would just make me a slut." Raeila leaned forward and caressed Jaz's hand. "And a slut, I am not. If anyone thinks otherwise, Ferrig will make sure to set you right."

Ferrig narrowed his eyes and leaned forward with his sister. "Who here thinks my sister is a slut?" All the Feltreys shrank back from Ferrig and he laughed. "Good. She's one of us now; she's a Feltrey." Before anyone could complain, he continued. "I don't want any arguments, and I don't want the rest of you pushing women you want in the gang at me. Rae's the only one. Her normal rates still apply, and anyone skipping out on paying her has to answer to me." He looked around at his gang and laughed. "Make sure the rest of the boys know. And, make sure to welcome her properly."

"A welcome?" Raeila placed her elbows on the table and supported her face in her hands. "What is the usual Feltrey welcome? Do I have to run a gauntlet of shock sticks or something? I'd rather prefer to suck each of you off," she said with a mischievous smile.

From the grins that spread across each of the Feltreys' faces, it was obvious they liked the idea quite a bit. Jaz leaned close to Raeila, his grin bigger than the rest. "Feeling brave? We could go to that corner booth over there and you could take care of all of us right there. I doubt the guy taking care of the bar will mind too much, definitely won't if you set him up as well. I'm sure he'd give you another drink on the house if you treated him real nice."

Raeila sighed airily as she leaned back in her chair. "I would love to, guys, really I would, but I'm afraid that would only be a distraction from your duties. Besides, I have to get going soon. I've got work to do."

Jaz laughed. "Then when you get done with your work," he said, "you come by the house, and you say hello to us all like only you can do. You don't put something like that out around here without following through. You're gonna suck each of us off, or I don't care what the fuck Ferrig says, you're not a Feltrey."

"You can't threaten me, Jaz," Raeila said with a laugh. "I'm a Feltrey and not to mention the sister of this gang's leader. And I didn't know it was a Feltrey tradition to suck off eachother, or is that just the Feltrey secret? Maybe, perhaps, it's just how you like to do things around here, Jaz." Raeila cast a wicked smile towards him. "So, whose cock is your favourite, Jaz?"

"Why yours is, of course," Jaz said with a sly grin. "The choice is yours though. We can do the usual shock sticks on you, but you already said you'd rather suck us all off."

"Do you think I'm not tough enough to take the shock sticks, Jaz? I may be a chick, but I'm tougher than any of you jerks in this room. I've been through more struggle than you'll ever encounter in your life, so being electrocuted won't even phase me."

Jaz smiled. "Then shock sticks it is," he said. "It's customary for the leader to give out the first hit. That should be fun to see. I bet he pulls it. Doesn't want to hurt his little sister too bad."

"Leave it be, Jaz," Ferrig said. "If you want to pick a fight with my sister, pick a fight with my sister. I know she can defend herself, and I know she'd kick my ass if I tried to jump in and defend her honour at the slightest insult. We're Feltreys; we don't fight ourselves. The choice of her initiation is Raeila's. She can accept the shock sticks, or she can choose the option of blowing the gang. I'll leave that decision to her." He didn't like the thought of either. Watching his sister with other men wasn't a problem, it was just that she didn't seem all that keen on the idea. And watching her shocked into near unconsciousness with the shock sticks wasn't something he thought he could endure. But for the sake of the gang, he would. He knew he couldn't choose favourites in this.

Raeila smiled at Ferrig, then pushed back her chair. With a haughty air, she rose from her seat, and gazed down at the gang members, salivating at the thought of having her lips wrapped around their cocks. She placed her hands on her hips and began contemplating her options, both of which weren't very appealing at the moment. "So either I suck your cocks, or you mess up this pretty little body of mine by sending jolts of electricity through me. Now...that doesn't sound like very much fun for anyone. Isn't there anything else I can do? Not that I'm afraid...it's just I don't wanna lose any income by being incapacitated for days."

"We're the Feltreys," Dennrel said. "We watch our own. Any income you lose by incapacitation will be made up by the rest of the gang. That's the way it works with us. Besides, after you get all wacked out with the shock sticks, we've got a nice little batch of spice that'll make you forget all about the troubles. And, since you're a girl, you can pick your favourite Feltrey to take care of you while you recuperate. And, it won't be for days. The most anyone's ever been down has been about one day. We do it tonight, and you'll be back out and ready for tomorrow night's crowd."

Jaz grinned. "Nothing to lose, Rae," he said. "How do you want your initiation?"

Raeila passed her eyes over each of the Feltreys, grinning at her and awaiting her decision. She stopped finally on Ferrig, who watched her intently and in whose eyes she wanted to see the immense pride she would spark in them once she was officially a Feltrey. All her life, he'd been the strong one, protecting her from the beatings at their father's hands, and now she wanted to prove she was capable of taking care of herself. With a tight smile, Raeila turned her gaze back to the men encircling the table and said, "Well, shock sticks it is then. When do we start?"

Jaz smiled. "As soon as you want to, Rae," he said. "We can head back to the house now, and get you initiated within an hour. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," Raeila replied with a smug grin. She stepped over to the bar and pulled her cloak off the stool she'd laid it upon, then slung it over her shoulder. "So, shall we, boys?"

Ferrig drained his drink...well, someone's drink, and then headed toward the door. "Let's get this over with," he said as he pushed out into the searing heat and started off toward the house. As the group walked, he slowed his pace enough for Raeila to catch up to him. Once they were walking side by side, he glanced at her. "You'll be okay," he said. "I won't let anything happen to you. And, when this is over...I'll...I'll make sure to pamper the hell out of you."

"Oh, don't worry about me, big brother. I've suffered beatings before so this should be nothing." Raeila laughed brightly and began skipping along while singing an old children's tune. She caught up to the other Feltreys and came between two of them, slipping her arms through each of theirs. Looking at them now, she was reconsidering her decision and figured sucking them off wouldn't have been so bad, but it certainly wouldn't have been any way to gain their respect.

She glanced back at Ferrig and winked at him. The look on his face made her believe he would suffer more in this than she would as electricity coursed through her body. Knowing he would be in more anguish watching than she would be receiving the jolts made her love her big brother even more.

***

When the Feltreys finally got back to the house they all shared, the shock sticks were brought out and all the gang lined up ready to initiate Raeila as a member. They took up positions in two columns facing each other with enough room for Rae to walk between. Ferrig took the lead position on the side she would start at and looked at her as she readied herself for the electricity that would soon signal her inclusion in the gang.

"Let me know when you're ready, Raeila Mullerin."

The seriousness with which they all looked at her was momentarily amusing to Raeila and she laughed at them all, but when Ferrig's mood failed to lighten upon exposure to her infectious laughter, Raeila knew that she really was going to regret agreeing to this. She stared down at the gauntlet of men, holding their shocksticks in their hands and watching her almost hungrily. They would enjoy torturing her as much as they revelled in taking her to their beds, which made Raeila even more fearful of what was to come.

The sound of electricity humming in the air nearly propelled her in terror back into the house. She could hide just as she did when her father pursued her as a child. She could hide in Ferrig's protective embrace... Raeila knew she would find no shelter there now, for his hands were full holding the shockstick he was ready to drive into her. With a dry swallow, Raeila stepped forward and gave Ferrig a quavering smile. "I'm ready, big brother. But are you?"

"I'm the leader of this gang," Ferrig answered and tried to smile. "I have to be." With that, he pressed the end of his shockstick into her side, the resulting flash of light and echoing pop as it discharged filled the air.

The pain tinged cry that should have escaped Raeila's lips was replaced by a surprised gasp as the stinging jolt seized her body. Her back arched and her body tensed in reaction to the waves of electricity Ferrig was feeding into her. Once he pulled the shock stick away from her, Raeila groaned and fell to her knees. She cradled her side to ease the residual pain that was slowly dwindling away, but looking down the gauntlet, she knew her journey wasn't even near completion yet.

She looked up at Ferrig for encouragement and the will to continue, which she found by gazing into his eyes. They had to rule together, she and Ferrig, and being a Feltrey would allow them to do so. She had to run the gauntlet right through to the end; she had to prove to Ferrig she was fit to rule by his side. With a heavy grunt, Raeila pushed herself to her feet and walked confidently to the next person in line to inflict her pain. "Gonna enjoy this, Jaz?" she asked quietly.

Jaz played the shockstick around in front of Raeila as she stood defiantly in front of him. "I would have rather had you suck me off," he said. "I think we both would have liked that more."

"But it wouldn't have made me a Feltrey in your eyes," Raeila answered. "Now are you gonna stick that fucking thing in me or not?"

"You'd love to get your hands on my fucking thing, wouldn't you," Jaz said with a laugh. Then before she could answer, he jabbed the shockstick into one of her thighs.

Raeila's shrill cry easily out competed the crackle of electricity leaping from the stick and invading her body. Jaz's turn seemed to drag on longer than it should have, and when he finally withdrew the stick, Raeila fell against him with a grunt. She looked up at him fiercely and scowled at the smile curling his lips, indicating he enjoyed inflicting the torture far too much.

Raeila pushed away from him and staggered backwards only to feel a jolt of electricity surging through her again. Her cry got lost in her throat this time as the stabbing pain arising from her back seemed to shred her insides. It seemed no part of her body was spared and the moment one stick moved from her, another replaced it. Tears involuntarily spilled from Raeila's eyes as the onslaught of physical torment continued. Even over the electrical crackling and the sizzling of her flesh, she could hear the Feltreys laughing and jeering at her.

Hands upon her back pushed her through the gauntlet, ricocheting her from man to man as each took turns delighting in the violent initiation. The pain had numbed most of Raeila's senses and her mind reeled from the residual waves of sharp electricity slowly dissipating throughout her body. She was determined to persevere despite the unbearable pain; every time her legs gave way beneath her, she dragged herself up from the ground and stumbled along again. She distinctly tasted blood and felt the grit of sand in her mouth and a vague recall reminded her of the impact her face had made with the densely packed sand below during one of her many collapses.

The spikes of pain continued relentlessly and Raeila felt exhaustion nearing so with a final, weary cry, she fell to the ground again and closed her eyes. Her body was no longer under her control and rebelled when she willed it to move, when she begged her legs to pick her up again. She needed to prove to the men that she belonged in their gang, that she was tougher than all of them put together. But the pain had drained her of all strength and she was reduced to a moaning heap.

Ferrig would be so disappointed in her, that's all she could think of then. After all he'd done for her, the least she could have done was make it through the gauntlet and prove herself worthy of ruling by his side. Now, she had only proven herself weak and truly only worthy of being the gang whore.

As Ferrig watched each shockstick impact against his sister's body, he winced with her cry of pain. As the final shock jolted through her body, his own knees nearly gave out. And, then she crumpled to the sand in a heap. A cheer went up around the ring of Feltreys now circling around where Raeila lay. He saw a few blasters fired off and the kegs of roliad ale were pulled out. Now the party would begin. Ferrig moved over his sister's prone form and scooped her into his arms.

"I'm gonna take her in and clean her up," he said, and then started toward the house with her.

He put her in his bed, and pulled out a damp cloth to wipe the grit from her face. She was still groggy and mostly out of it, but he still took great care in cleaning her up. He smiled as he saw her eyes trying to open, and consciousness trying to beat away the pain and exhaustion of her initiation.

Raeila winced as her roused mind brought with it awareness of the numbing pain still seizing her body. She moaned and whimpered, but she knew moving would only heighten the aches. Her eyes fluttered open with a groan, but she closed them again as Ferrig's face came into focus. She was not anxious to see the discontentment and disappointment in his face. "I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely. "I...I'll do it again. I'm so sorry, Ferrig..."

Ferrig leaned close and kissed her forehead. "It's alright," he said gently. "You're not the first one to pass out after that. Jaz pissed himself when he went through. I stayed on my feet until after my first ale, then I was out for like an hour. You just had more electricity shoot through your body than runs this entire house." He kissed her again. "But you made it, little sister. You're a Feltrey now. You stayed on your feet until after the last shock hit you." He grinned as he looked down into her eyes, the pride showing in his nearly overwhelming. He blinked away a few tears and laughed. "You're in, Raeila."

With comprehension slowly filling her mind, Raeila opened her eyes and blinked as she stared at Ferrig. "I...I made it?" She laboriously lifted her arm despite the pain and ran her hand along Ferrig's cheek. "I'm in?" Raeila laughed softly, but took in a sharp breath as the pain in her sides and back flared again. She clutched at her stomach and coughed gently, then sighed once the pain finally dwindled again. "Thank the gods," she said quietly, "because there is no way I'm doing that again."

"I don't think I could bear to see you go through that again," Ferrig said with a smile. He moved over to the door and closed it then back to the bed with a jar of ointment. "Strip down. I've got something to help the pain."

Raeila obliged and carefully sat up. She breathed sharply as she pulled off her top. Her limbs felt stiff and even the smallest movement spawned new pinpoints of pain within her. She whimpered quietly as she moved her hands to her pants and attempted to undo them, but she abandoned the effort with a gentle cry and looked up at Ferrig. "Help me? It...it hurts so damned much, Ferrig."

With as much gentleness as he could manage, Ferrig helped his sister out of her pants. Once her clothing was piled on the side of the bed, he dipped his fingers into the little jar of ointment and started at Raeila's stomach. It tingled slightly as he rubbed it into her skin, moving outward as he covered her body. "This stuff is like magic," he said. "Remember that girl Kael was spending a good deal of time with a few years ago? She rubbed me down with this when I went through my initiation."

"Is that why she dumped him?" Raeila sighed and relaxed her body as Ferrig's hands spread the soothing ointment over her wounds. The throbbing in each began dying down, allowing Raeila to begin revelling in her accomplishment. "I actually did it, Ferrig. I...I didn't think I could ever be as strong as you, but I did it. Maybe I am stronger than I think after all."

"You did it," Ferrig said, and again kissed her brow, and then her lips. "I knew you could. I've always thought you were strong; it's in our blood. And, she left him because she wanted to get out of this festering pit of hell, not because she initiated me in a different way while she was still Kael's girlfriend."

"Well, I guess Hal won't be able to initiate me tonight like he wanted to. I do really hate disappointing customers..." Raeila moaned softly as Ferrig's hands eased the aches left by where the shock sticks had pierced her flesh. She gazed up at Ferrig and asked, "Are you going on a rape raid tonight? Not gonna leave your little sis' all alone to tend to her own wounds, are ya?"

Ferrig smiled. "I'm gonna let them go out on their own tonight," he said. "I couldn't go out there tonight with my only sister lying in here wounded. And, you'll have to watch out for Jaz. I think he wants a freebie from you, and I think he plans on taking what he wants without your approval. So, I'm not leaving you here alone at less than your best. Besides, I'll have to apply more of this stuff later. We've never had a girl in the gang before, so I have to make sure everything goes alright. This is all new."

"It'll go fine, Ferrig-- Don't forget the ones on my back. I think those jerks were intentionally choosing the most painful spots." Raeila groaned as she shifted onto her side and painstakingly turned onto her stomach. "I think this gang could use a chick. A female perspective on things would make you far more successful. I'm not good with weapons, but I'm not stupid either."

Ferrig kissed her neck as he started working on her back. "You're definitely not stupid," he said. "I'm certain you could out-think any of those guys out there. You and me though, I think we're a fairly even match." His hands worked the ointment into her skin, careful to cover every centimeter of flesh. He knew the power of the mixture, and knew she'd be feeling better very soon. She wouldn't want to move until at least the morning, but at least the pain would go away. "How does it feel to be the first female Feltrey? And, speaking of firsts, I haven't chosen my First yet..."

"I've only really been a Feltrey for a matter of ten minutes, but being first by your side is what I've always wanted, Ferrig. I owe it to you to be the best Feltrey ever. I owe you so much..." Raeila sighed and finally felt the throbbing pain dissipate and replaced by the pleasure Ferrig's hands were creating as they smoothed over her flesh. "I'll sleep in your bed tonight, I think," she said softly. "They may suspect something, but I think it's only a matter of time before Hal tells them about us anyway."

"At this point, I don't care what they think," Ferrig said as he trailed kisses along her neck. "If they have problems with it, screw 'em. And, you know you're welcome in my bed whenever you want. If I've got someone in there already, I'll tell her to go slip between someone else's sheets. And, I want you to be my First, Rae. I don't think anyone in this gang could ever take that role. We're a good team, and this will take us where we want to go. They may get pissed because you're my sister, but let them be pissed. Jaz thinks it's gonna be him, and he'll probably call me down because of it. I can take him though. I need you at my side, Rae; that's the only way this will work."

"Jaz is a horny jerk, Ferrig. I'll be by your side so you don't have to put one of those undisciplined curs in charge." Raeila turned her head and met Ferrig's kiss with her own. She smiled at him and turned onto her back again. "You and me, Ferrig. We're gonna rule this damn province one day soon. No one would dare call you down after that. They'll be kissing your feet by then, just as it should be."

"Kissing our feet," Ferrig said as he started working the ointment into her breasts. "There's nothing that can stop us now, not after tonight. If you want, I can send a message to Hal letting him know the binders and blindfolds will have to wait." He bent down and kissed her lips again. "And, any money you're losing tonight, I'll make up for if you want me to."

Raeila laughed softly and raised an eyebrow at Ferrig as he massaged her breasts. "I don't recall getting shocked there, Ferrig." She gave him a sultry smile and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "Tell Hal I won't be quite recovered for a while. My big brother will just have to take care of me, and to show my gratitude for your special attentions, you can have tonight for free."

"Well," Ferrig said with a grin to match hers, "I guess I'll have to make it extra, special good tonight then. I mean, if you're giving it to me for free, then you at least deserve something back in return." He kissed her slowly, sensuously. "I think when you don't show up, Hal will figure out you're not going to be able to make it."

"And I think he'll suspect why," she replied slyly. She groaned softly as a residual spike of pain radiated from her thigh wound. With a tight smile, she removed Ferrig's hand from her breast and replaced it onto her thigh. "Later, Ferrig. For now, keep rubbing."

Ferrig laughed, and moved his hands to her injury and added more of the ointment to it. "Our dreams are getting closer, Raeila," he said. "We've got the gang, now it's only a matter of time. When we rule this place, and you're my queen, would you like a crown? And, maybe a harem of fine young men to use as you'd like?"

"Only if Kael is one of them." Raeila smiled at Ferrig and idly stroked his hair while he massaged her thigh. "We'll rule this place soon enough, Ferrig. Kael will come to his senses too and he can help us. We may hate him right now, but he'd be a good addition to our court of royal consorts. And that little whore of his..." She laughed bitterly and added, "She can work in the kitchens and suck off the guys so I don't have to do it myself."

"I'm sure you'll enjoy breaking her," Ferrig said. "And, if you need someone to teach her how to suck off a guy to your standards, I will humbly submit myself for your demonstrations."

"And I'd be very grateful for your assistance--" Raeila gave a startled gasp as blaster fire and shouting erupted from outside the house. She sighed sharply, but her annoyance didn't last very long with Ferrig continuing his sensual massage. "They're drunk," she said sourly. "You should...you should go celebrate with your boys. Remind them again who they should be cheering for. They're lucky to have you, Ferrig. Remind them of that."

Ferrig glanced toward where the rest of the Feltreys were and sighed. "I'll go as long as you're completely content and I've covered your body with this stuff."

"You mean until you're satisfied that you've groped every part of me." Raeila laughed and playfully shooed Ferrig away. "Go on. I'll just sleep it off. Go get drunk, then come back here and slip into bed with your sister."

"I'll be back soon," Ferrig said with a laugh. "I'll try to stay sober enough that I don't bring back company."

"Even drunk, I doubt you'd do that. Tonight's strictly you and I. That's how it's always to be, Ferrig. Don't forget that."

Ferrig kissed Raeila as he stood. "I'll never forget that," he said. "And, I'll be back soon. You want me to bring anything with me when I return? I'm sure there will be drink and spice aplenty."

"Ooh! Spice please." Raeila sat up in bed with a giggle and smoothed her hands over Ferrig's abdomen. "I think a little spice buzz will help ease my pain even more...as well as some tender loving from my dear brother."

"Well, give me a little bit," Ferrig said, "and I'll come back with both for my little sister."

"I'll be waiting," Raeila said silkily. She watched Ferrig with a soft smile and reclined back on the bed to give him a full, unobstructed view of her naked body, ready and waiting to be ravaged upon his return.

As Ferrig slipped out of the room, Raeila sighed contentedly and closed her eyes. Everything always seemed to go right when she was with Ferrig; even as children he took it upon himself to make certain her life was burden free and she always envied his ability to make everything seem so optimistic in light of the fierce struggles they had been faced with.

She wouldn't have thought herself worthy of conquering Thanatos with him, but she proved herself thus today. Together, no one would stop them; they were a greater force joined as one than they could ever have been walking paths leading towards different goals. Uniting to achieve this one goal would make their dreams closer to becoming realized. With Kael behind them, their chances of succeeding would increase substantially, but gaining his allegiance would take time.

For now, they would set their sights upon gathering the forces needed to overthrow the rival gangs, and in time, secure their places as king and queen of the desert.

"A Step Forward"
by: Ithea Tass
Admiral Tarkin

Location: Imperial Palace, Arcadia
Date: Praeda 25, 4 ABY

Ithea showed up at the palace late in the afternoon. She knew Tarkin would be expecting a report and his little mole would have been keeping him updated on her movements. She wore her home garb, knowing that few if any would recognize her from the party girl who had gone out the night before. She waited impatiently. She hated waiting more than anything. She glared at the red guard who was close by. Okay, maybe she disliked them more.

The red guard took Ithea Tass to the Admiral. He was glaring at a window, looking towards the outside of the palace, towards the gardens. He turned slightly as she walked in. "Well... What news do you bring me?"

"Not even a greeting Admiral? My, but you must be having a bad day." Ithea smiled at him warmly. "I have made friends with Zale's girlfriends and even went out with them. He is not very trusting. It will take some time for me to gain his trust. In that effort, I need you to send a visible force that can be reported back to Zale to a place called Freskadri. It will lend credence to the trust I am building with him. I have also started inquiries as to your princess and I believe I can deliver her to you. But, I will need maps of the area. I have heard there have been rebel outbreaks. I will need to know the location of each of these if I am to track her back to her lair."

"Are you implying that you come back to me, and offer no results but ask me for more than what I have asked from you? My dearest, I am not at all glad from things I have heard about your latest developments... And your presence here without results confirms only what I had already been told."

He took a few paces and faced her. "I do not sustain or have you run free so that you may have parties and sex! That is for the weak minded who are not able to concentrate! Now tell me, what is this Freskadri place and, please, no more games..."

"I was not playing games," Ithea retorted angrily. "You asked me to get Zale to tell me things. If you want him to trust me, he has to believe that you will buy what disinformation he gives me for now. If he is going to trust me, you have to have men check this position out. If you do not, then I am done. For I cannot build trust with this man who knows that I have lived under your influence unless he believes he can also feed you information that is false. You want the good, you must react to the bad." Ithea's voice had gone to a deadly cold tone.

Admiral Tarkin held up a hand and pointed at Ithea. "I will do what you ask of me this time, but I expect the results to be of my liking. Let us hope for your sake that they are..." he warned her. He was not a man to be crossed or backstabbed. "Now, let us not be too harsh. I said I would provide you with granting your needs. This I shall do. Anything else you might be wanting? Anything else I should know of?"

"I am concentrating on the Princess. I think I can find her for you. I need some things. I need something that was hers. I also need a map of the area and a list of recent uprisings," Ithea said, unbristling a little.

"Very well then," Tarkin said. He then called one of the Red Guards. "You, escort Miss Ithea to the former High Princess' chambers!" he ordered. He turned back to Ithea and nodded. "You shall find there her former belongings. Clothings mostly. And I will have ready for you the most recent reports of uprisings from that area that have been registered as well as a map. They will be delivered to you before departure."

Ithea nodded. "Thank you Admiral." She followed the man without a backward glance. Once in the princess' room, she wandered about, touching things, taking note of little items missing and what had been left behind. She finally stopped at her dressing table. She picked up a small brush and held it for a moment and then smiled. She put it in a pouch at her waist. She wandered about the room for awhile longer before finally exiting. The half hour had been well worth her time. She had learned quite a few things about the princess if not too much had been altered. She nodded to the Red Gaurd. "I am ready to leave." She was unsure if he would escort her to the door or back to Tarkin. She knew, either way, she would have what she needed. She sensed that Tarkin wanted this princess very badly.

The Red Guard escorted Ithea back to the outer palace where a transport was waiting to get her back to town in New Plouton. An officer approached. "Ma'am, I was told to grant you these," he said before he left. It was two electronic padds, one containing the map Ithea had asked for and the other with the reports of the most recent uprisings in the area.

"Gifts of Vengeance, Part 2"
by Elisia Melouet
and Dargus Kandran
Location: Tae'Remok System
Date: Praeda 25, 4ABY

***

As consciousness slowly returned to Elisia, she found herself in a small room with spare furnishings. She was on a bed with silken sheets and a terrible headache.

Elisia immediately reached out for Kylas, trying to call him to her as she had done numerous times before. She panicked momentarily as she felt cut off from him. She forced herself to sit up and looked around. The room spun and she almost lost the contents of her stomach. She laid back down, focusing healing energy as she had been taught. She was also trying to hang onto the reason and calm Kylas had been desperately trying to instill in her.

It wasn't long after that the sound of locks being disengaged clanged through the room, and then the door slid open. A guard stood in the doorway and stepped forward. "Come with me," he said. "My Master wishes to see you."

"If he wishes to see me, he can come here," Elisia answered defiantly. "I am quite comfortable where I am at, but thank you for your concern."

The man's eyes narrowed and he stepped forward. "Get off that bed now, or I'll drag you there myself." He pulled his blaster from its holster and leveled it at her. "Are you going to cooperate, or do you wish to make this difficult?"

Elisia stood up slowly. "Well if you are going to get all testy about it." She shrugged as if he did not bother her. What bothered her most was that she did not have the saber that Kylas had helped her build. She preceded him from the room and waited to see which way he wished her to go.

He led her through a series of twisting corridors, indicating which direction she should turn. At last, the corridor opened into a much larger chamber. It was dark, a single shaft of light illuminating a dais in the room's center. A large seat was placed atop it, but it was turned so that the single occupant faced away from the entrance.

Elisia was led to a point between the door and dais, and once she was in place, another spear of light came down from the ceiling to illuminate her space.

The guard stepped away, leaving her alone in her island of light.

Slowly, from the dais, laughter started, a deep, menacing sound that struck to the bone and sent shivers enough to rattle teeth loose. "It is good to see you again, Elisia," the voice said. It was a deep, rich voice, and one very familiar.

The dais spun slowly around until the throne's occupant faced her. He smiled down upon her, though it appeared as more of a sneer. "It is truly good to see you again, my dear." How was it possible that he stood there before her? Dargus Kandran was supposed to be dead.

Elisia stood stunned and then hope filled her. "Evie...is Evie alive too?" It did not dawn on her that previously, Dargus would never have sent someone to abduct her.

Dargus made a gesture of dismissal with a hand and then shook his head. "That bastard Mordin and his woman killed her when they destroyed my ship," he said. "I barely escaped with my life, and now I slowly rebuild my empire. They will die slowly this time, and that bitch Kovan along with them. However, it is good to see you again, dear, sweet Elisia."

"Kace... Kace killed Evie?" Elisia fought the building anger that had worried Kylas so. "Why have you brought me here? Why not just ask?"

"You've never willingly associated with me in the time that I've known you, Elisia," he said. "And, besides, I'm starting a collection." He dropped a hand to the naked young woman chained near his foot. Her face was downturned, and blond hair fell to cover her features but she unmistakably wore not a stitch of clothing. "Don't worry, if you wish to join my side willingly, this will not happen to you. Besides, this pretty one has another use besides her considerable bedroom talents."

Elisia's breath caught in her throat. She didn't want to know what the woman's use was. "Join your side willingly? Explain." Elisia knew she had to buy herself time, time to think and time for Kylas to find her. She only hoped some clue of what had happened to her had been left.

Dargus stood and left Maeren where she was on the dais. He stepped down toward Elisia, his dark eyes smouldering with the hate that raged inside. He pushed his cloak back and saw her eyes flick to the double-bladed lightsaber hanging there, bringing a smile to his lips. "Join with me willingly, commit yourself to me and in helping to rid this universe of Kace Mordin and Yelara Neerou, and you will have a place at my side as Empress when I overthrow Palpatine and rebuild this galaxy under my control. Stand with me and taste the sweet revenge as we strike against those who murdered your sister."

Elisia's eyes met his for brief moment and her heart lurched. She had known that Dargus was not a good man, but something was changed here. She looked at the woman chained on the dais; to refuse him at the moment would only end her in the same position. "I don't know, I mean you are asking me to take my sister's place in your life. That seems as if it would dishonor her memory," Elisia said calmly her eyes returning to his. "Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against punishing those who killed Evie."

"Delaying will buy you little time," Dargus said. "And, if Kylas tries to follow you here, we have surprises for him. He was holding you back, Elisia. You know he would only keep you from that which you crave. I can feel the need for justice for the death of your sister burning without you. You need me now; you need what I can offer you that he never could."

"I doubt you know very much about my needs, Dargus. However, I am listening." She stood, arms crossed, watching him. She now was guarding her thoughts since she was fairly sure he had just read her.

"Kace and Yelara have moved back to Tae'Karada and they're living in New Plouton. I have a plan in the works that will soon put them within my grasp, and vengeance will be slow and painful for them."

Her eyes narrowed at the sound of Kace and Yelara together. "And I figure into your plan how? I know you didn't kidnap me just to say hello," she added carefully.

Dargus smiled. "They killed your sister," he said. "Is that not enough reason to think that you might wish to be in on this?"

"I do wish to see whoever killed Evie punished. Do you have proof it was Kace and Yelara?" She glanced at the woman on the dais and frowned. Her heart went out to the woman but it would do Elisia no good to try to help her and end up in the same position.

"I have all the proof I need," Dargus said. "One of the crimelords operating in the area worked with them to attack and destroy my ship. It seems Kace and Yelara managed to put a tracking device on my ship, and they led the crimelord and her ships directly to me. I have enough proof."

"Then I definitely wish to see justice due," Elisia answered evenly. She smiled and took a casual step backwards. "How do you plan to serve it?"

"Before I trust you with my grand plan," Dargus said with a smile. "You will have to earn my trust. My question to you is how you intend to earn that trust."

"Well, since I know you fairly well, I know that nothing I could do in a single task would earn your trust, for you don't ever trust anyone," she said with a frown. "Just as I would never totally trust that you have told me the truth." Her eyes held honest regard. She knew him for what he was.

"You have two choices, Elisia," Dargus said. "You help me take down Kace and Yelara, lending your power with the Force as I need it. Or, you join Maeren as one of my slaves."

Elisia shrugged. "Not much choice to make. I want justice done and I am not much into slavery. But let me ask you this, how come you need me?" She forced the fear she felt back down, control taking its toll on her. She knew that Kylas had said that the dark force drew on anger and fear so she had to make sure she controlled those two emotions.

"I don't need you, Elisia," he said with a wolfish smile. "You make what I plan to do easier. Your skill with the Force and your thirst for vengeance will be an asset against Kace and Yelara. I would not put myself in a position where I had to rely on a single person to accomplish my goals. That would require me too surrender power, and I will never put myself into a situation where I have that sort of need."

"Well, then we are agreed. I will help you seek retribution." She thought about their conversations under the stars and looked at him with concern. He did not seem the same to her. "You are different. It is more than the loss of Evie. What has changed?"

Dargus smiled. "Everything has changed," he said. "Almost dying will change a man, and tapping into hidden power, power that can propel him all the way to the top even more so. If you stay with me, you will find yourself a powerful woman, Elisia. Very powerful."

"I like the sounds of that," Elisia said with an answering smile. Her eyes dropped to the woman. "But I am not sure I care for your choice of decor."

Dargus glanced down at Maeren and smiled. "I don't care," he said. "She's very important to my plans. She'll be the key that allows us to get very close to Kace and Yelara. For the time being, she's just a nice toy. She has a voracious sexual appetite as well."

Elisia shrugged but inside part of her cringed. She felt sorry for the woman but now was not the time to try and help her. "Your toys." She smiled at him. "I don't suppose you have food?" Elisia had never gotten over the constant hunger of the streets and she knew it had always amused him.

Dargus shrugged. "Food is this way," he said. "Come along, Maeren." He retrieved the chain and handed it to the girl who quickly fell into step behind him. She followed behind, head bowed, carrying her own chain. Standing, she was taller than Elisia, and now that she was close enough, probably a few years older as well. She was an attractive young woman, but her eyes showed signs of some drug at work on her system.

Dargus smiled as he glanced to Elisia. "She's very pleasant, and knows how to handle herself in bed. She's been with me here about a week. Poor little darling almost lost her ship to some pirates, but I rescued her. She was so grateful that she agreed to be my slave. You can join us in my bed tonight, Elisia. Maeren is partial to women."

Elisia paled. "I don't remember that being part of the revenge pact. And I told you before, I don't share." Her tone held a bravery she did not really feel at the moment. His words implied that he had become Force trained, something he had said he had not been able to accomplish. Kylas said she was strong but she wasn't sure she was ready to test it so completely. "I would also like my saber returned." She wanted to reassure the slave woman but knew right now, she did not dare.

"Then, I'll give Maeren the night off," Dargus said with a smile. "I imagine she needs it. Being my only slave, I've kept her quite busy. She's been good about it though. Hasn't complained once. But, I'll give her the night off, and you will join me in my bed."

They had reached a table where food was laid out but for once Elisia suddenly wasn't hungry. "Well that wasn't quite what I had in mind," she said with a short uncomfortable laugh. "So tell me Dargus, am I a prisoner or your partner? If I am your prisoner, I doubt you will find me very cooperative. And if I am your partner in this endeavor, ordering me to your bed just isn't going to happen."

"Make yourself amenable to my desires," Dargus said with a smile, "and I'll consider not making you a prisoner. You are a partner if you wish it, and a prisoner if you don't. Though, perhaps partner is too equal a term. You will be an agent under my control, working to help me to achieve a goal that will benefit us both, and satisfy your thirst for vengeance for your sister. And, I do believe there are other reasons why you might enjoy destroying the lives of Kace and Yelara." Dargus smiled, and decided that a show of strength was necessary. He reached out a hand toward a table across the room, and unseen tendrils wrapped themselves around a wine-filled goblet resting there. He drew it to himself and, with a satisfied smile, drank down the sweet contents within. "A good vintage."

"And when the goal is complete?" she asked noticing his use of force. She looked at him with keen understanding. He had not forgotten her forceful rejection and he was now showing it wouldn't be so easy a second time. Her mind was racing as to her options which seemed damned limited at the moment. She sat down and picked up a glass and drank sparingly.

"When that goal is complete, we move on to the next goal," Dargus said with a smile. "The galaxy is a big place, and I intend to rule all of it."

"I see." She drank deeply to quelch the growing pit of fear in her stomach. She glanced over at the slave woman and frowned. "Well I guess that means I have come to stay." She sat the cup down. Her eyes returned once more to Dargus. "I think I would like to take some time to refresh and mediatate. I am still feeling the effects of your invitation." She was worried. She would not be able to hide her pregnancy from him if they were intimate and she had no desire to be intimate with him in the first place. She was in a corner and she didn't know how to come out fighting and still survive.

Dargus nodded. "Very well," he said. "I will walk you back to your room. I have taken the liberty of providing clothing as well. A refresher adjoins your room, so you may bathe if you'd like. And, I will have Maeren come by later with some food if you'd like."

"I would like that," Elisia said with a smile. "Thank you." She picked up a roll to nibble on as she would need her strength and her wits. "How did you escape?" she asked as she rose to let him escort her back to her rooms.

"I was able to get free in a working escape pod from the bridge of my ship," Dargus said. "I was picked up by...by a friend, and nursed back to health. Bacta is a wonderful thing."

She looked up at him and he saw true pain in her eyes. "And Evie?" she whispered. "Was it at least quick?"

"It was," Dargus said, though he only suspected it was. Evie had been in another part of the ship, and he hadn't been able to get her away before the ship went down. "She felt no pain."

Elisia nodded. "I had hoped that it was so." She sighed, the pain of losing the only thing she was connected to rushing up once again. She forced the emotions away with a deep sigh. She said nothing more as he walked her back to her rooms.

"I'll return your weapon to you later," Dargus said, "after you've rested. If you need anything let me know. Maeren will bring something for you to eat later, and then perhaps we can share the dinner meal together. Until then, sleep well, you'll need it."

Elisia nodded, knowing full well what he meant. But right now, there was absolutely nothing she could do and fighting against him would just make things harder on her. She needed time to find out where she was. There was also a part of her that wanted exactly what he was offering her; to make Kace and Yelara pay for the hurt they had inserted into her life.

"Paths to Vengeance"
By: Elisia Melouet
Maeren Shivral
Dargus Kandran

Location: Dargus Kandran's Hidden Sanctum, Tae'Remok System
Date: Praeda 25, 4ABY

***

Elisia managed to meditate for awhile and then sleep. Neither activity had brought her any answers. If she did not concede to his wishes, she would end up like his slave. Better a slave with freedom than naked and chained. She thought about what he was offering her. She really did want to make them pay if they had indeed killed Evie. But how could she be sure he was being honest?

Finally she drifted off to sleep a little while longer.

When she awoke she bathed. She looked through the assortment of clothing Dargus had left for her. It was all beautiful though most was more revealing than she cared to wear. She finally found a silken, long shirt that would hide her thickening waistline and a loose black skirt.

She pulled on her boots and looked in the mirror. Her hair was down to her shoulders now and she considered cutting it back off. It was in her face and still too short to pull back.

She looked more feminine than she had when she had last saw him and she wasn't sure that was a good thing. Time and good food had filled out her face and her skin had a healthy glow to it. She thought about ripping off the outfit and finding something less appealing, but looking about the clothes she had rifled through, she doubted that she would find anything. She heard the door open and turned to face it apprehensively.

The young woman Dargus had been holding on a chain stood there holding a tray of food. She stepped forward with her eyes cast toward the floor. "My Master asked me to bring you this food, and find out if there was anything else you required." The girl's blonde hair hung loose, though it didn't fall low enough to cover her exposed breasts. As she moved closer to Elisia with the tray, it was obvious that on her neck, a scar that appeared more like the kind of brand used to mark livestock could easily be seen. As she turned to set the food on the table, the tattoo on her hip became visible. It appeared to be a raptor in flight, though it bore the mark that the girl had on her neck as well. "I am sorry for disturbing you."

"No, I have everything I need," Elisia said softly. She moved to the girl and looked at her with concern. "What is your name? How long have you been here? Where is here?" Elisia asked, hoping the girl would answer at least some of the questions.

The girl glanced back toward the door, and then to Elisia. "My name is Maeren, but most people call me Shiv. I think it's been a couple weeks since I was brought here, maybe less. I've sort of lost track of time. I haven't been allowed to look outside since I was caught, and when I am taken out, I'm blindfolded. That and my Master's schedule is erratic. When the urge strikes him, he takes me. I haven't been able to put any sort of schedule to it. I think we're on a planet, but I can't be sure. It could be a moon. It's not a ship, I know that. I think we're still in the same system as Tae'Karada, but I don't think we're on the planet. I was unconscious when they brought me here. I think we're probably on one of the moons on the outer ring of planets."

Elisia's face fell. If she was not on Tae'Karada, how would Kylas even know to look for her? It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. "I am Elisia," she said as she fought down the waves of panic. "I am sorry for your plight." Elisia apologized because she knew at the moment she was powerless to assist the girl. She sank down onto a chair at the table and buried her face in her hands. She was being left no choice but to go along with Dargus' wishes.

"At least he's mostly decent in bed," Maeren said. "Not like the other people he sends me to. I just wish I could get out of here and go back to Kaysa and Merrick." She put a hand on Elisia's shoulder. "At least we can talk to each other. Maybe it won't seem so bad that way. And, he doesn't seem all that interested in forcing you into his bed. If you help him with his revenge thing, maybe you can get out of here alright."

Elisia nodded. "I don't know. He has always been interested in having me in his bed for some reason. I will do what I can to help you but I don't know that it will be much," Elisia promised. She did not know the names the girl mentioned but she committed them to memory just in case she could help in some way.

Maeren nodded. "Thank you," she said. "And, if you have any doubts why he wants you in his bed, then you should look in the mirror." She offered a slight smile, then glanced toward the door. "I should go before he misses me. If you require anything else, I'll get it for you at once."

"I am fine, thank you. What I require, I know you cannot get for me," Elisia said with a sad smile. "I do not wish to get you into trouble." Elisia sat down to eat, knowing she would need her strength. She smiled as Shiv left, hoping that at least she had a moment's respite. After eating, she sat down on the floor and meditated till Dargus sent for her. Her primary task was to ease fear and hide away the hurt and anger she still felt.

It was an hour later when Dargus sent a guard for her. The man led Elisia, as before back to the darkened throne room. This time, Dargus sat on the steps below the throne, apparently comforting Maeren who was leaning against him as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Elisia stopped a few feet from him. It was actually a tender scene so she said nothing so as not to interrupt. She doubted that Dargus showed much kindness and was not about to interrupt what little the girl might receive. She waited patiently before him, saying nothing.

Dargus looked up after a moment. "I hope you rested well," he said. "We have things to plan."

"Yes I did. Your accommodations were wonderful," she answered politely. "As it seems I have no where else to be, my time is yours," she said with a sarcastic grin.

"Thank you," Dargus said with a smile. "I was just telling Maeren that she will be fine with General Draydge tonight, while you and I get re-acquainted. She doesn't like him very much. Would you believe she says I am a better master?"

"Perhaps you should keep her closer to you then. A slave who is happy always serves better than one who is distraught and fears the night," she answered, hoping to help Shiv in some small way. "I thought you were going to let her rest tonight?"

Dargus looked at Shiv and smiled. "Perhaps I will let her have the night off," he said. "Though, I doubt you will want to share a bed with me tonight. I will need to do something about that. I have found that she's a wonderful gift. If you'd like, I will lend her to you for the evening. She is quite an adept lover, and I'm certain she could put a smile on those lips of yours. I have a few more like her coming in from the planet, and I think tonight I will need to break them in."

Elisia couldn't believe her good fortune. She was sure it would not last but for tonight she could gain a reprieve if she was careful. She looked at Shiv and smiled. "I have never been with a woman, perhaps now is the time to experiment since you are so generously offering." This would give Shiv a reprieve as well from this general.

Dargus nodded. "Very well," he said with a smile. "I hear she is quite accomplished at pleasing women as well. You should be in for quite a treat. Now, let us go discuss my plans for Yelara Neerou and Kace Mordin."

"Now you have my complete attention," Elisia said more coldly. She was trying to keep the anger at bay but to find out that Kace had killed Evie only deepened the betrayal he had done.

"The whole story is quite complex, but Maeren is going to be the key to our getting a foothold on Tae'Karada. And, that foothold will put us directly in the heart of New Plouton. Currently, Kace Mordin's ship, the Vengeance of Corellia, is docked at the starport there. It now goes by a new name, as does he, but it is the same, and visual records prove that out. When we have our foothold, it will put us exactly where we need to be. And, both Yelara and Kace will be sitting unaware that we're about to swoop in and make them pay for their actions." He pulled her lightsaber out of an inner pocket of his coat and handed it to her. "You will need that when the time comes. At the moment, I am merely waiting for events to transpire that will open the door to Tae'Karada. Our first actions will be to disable their ship, the one responsible for the attack on my ship and Evie's death."

"I know the ship well. I helped repair it. I know its systems intimately," Elisia said evenly, taking her saber. "I don't understand what key your slave plays though?"

"She is part of a bigger plan," Dargus said. "And, through her, I will be able to acquire the starport where that ship is docked. How would you like the Vengeance of Corellia as your very own ship, Elisia? Once I assume control of the starport, I will impound that ship and it can be yours if you'd like. And, once I have a place on Tae'Karada, and Kace and Yelara are taken care of, I will move to eliminate the Imperial presence, and then the planet will serve as my base as I rebuild the Empire with my own designs in mind."

"I would like that," Elisia answered. "What happened to your holdings on Tae'Karada?" She moved closer to him with concern. "I mean, when I left, you had so much. If you are not dead, then is it not all still yours?"

"Most of what I owned on the planet was confiscated by the high prince," Dargus said. "When I was dead, they figured I really had no use for it. And, the Shipyards are now the property of the overly ambitious witch who had been managing it for me. But, don't worry, I will soon take back all that was taken from me. And, for those that cannot be retrieved, a healthy price will still be paid."

Elisia now understood why he was so focused and angry. Everything he had built up had been taken from him. "What do you need me to do now?" she asked carefully. He had so far, been very ambiguous as to the part he wished her to play.

"For now we bide our time until events place themselves so that my dear, sweet Maeren can serve her other purpose. And, then once we have what we need on the surface, you and I will make Kace and Yelara pay for the pain and suffereing they've caused. Perhaps you and I can do some training together. It will be good for me to know how skillful you are when we reach the planet's surface. And, it will be good to spar against an opponent who is not a combat droid. We can do our first session in the morning. For now, perhaps I will leave you to get acquainted with Maeren and I will begin the training of my new slaves. It will be difficult to replace such a beautiful slave as Maeren."

Elisia inclined her head. "As you wish. Come Maeren!" Elisia ordered curtly not bothering to give the girl even a glance. "I will see you in the morning then?" she asked, not withdrawing without his permission. Elisia knew she had to step very carefully and so far he had been amicable. She planned to do everything she could to keep him that way.

"In the morning," Dargus said. "I'll have my servants prepare breakfast for us. Tonight, if you require anything, Maeren can serve you." He nodded, and then turned toward one of the other doors.

Once he was gone, Maeren turned to Elisia. She kept her eyes on the floor in front of her. As Elisia headed toward the exit that would take her to her room, Maeren followed dutifully behind her.

Elisia did not breathe with relief till they were safely in her room. Once the door was shut behind them she practically deflated. "Put on something," Elisia directed the slave girl. She didn't feel comfortable leaving her naked.

Maeren glanced at the door and then back to Elisia. "I would not wish to anger my Master," she said. "But, I would not wish to upset my Mistress either." She looked around for clothing, and then at the clothes that were hung in the closet for Elisia. She rifled through the clothes and finally turned back. "There is nothing here that will fit me. I am comfortable in my condition. I grew up on a planet where the climate made clothing a hindrance."

"I am not your mistress and I am NOT comfortable," Elisia snapped. She tossed Maeren a robe that tied in the front. She sat down wearily. She looked over at the woman and thought about apologizing but decided not to. She wondered if she could trust her. Wondered if she would just tell Dargus anything that was said between them.

Maeren slipped into the robe. It was a somewhat tight fit, but it covered her nakedness. "I am sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," she said. "All of my Master's slaves are forbidden to wear clothing other than their collars. Even though I am currently his only trained slave. The others he has, he had his men grab them from the planet. He gave me to you tonight so that he could train them. Otherwise I would have had to go to Vrax and his men. I am grateful that you took me in tonight." She watched Elisia for a moment, and then smiled. "You don't want to...to do anything with me, do you?"

"Not really," Elisia answered. "Like you, I was kidnapped from my home so I am a little upset." Elisia was afraid to say anything too revealing for fear that Dargus would command the slave to tell him. "I agreed to take you for this evening so you would not have to go to this Vrax."

"Thank you," Maeren said. "He's really a monster, and I'd prefer to be with my Master any night over him. Though it is nice to have the night free." She looked around the room, and then at Elisia again. "Is there anything I can do for you? I can give pretty good massages. A friend back on Tae'Karada has...has a slave, and he's great at giving massages. I learned some tricks from him."

"You sound as if you have always been a slave but yet I do not sense that. Why do you so willingly serve him?" Elisia asked not understanding why the girl was so complacent to her position. She would have fought it tooth and nail.

"I think it's the collar," Maeren said. "And, he does things...with the Force, I think. At first, I fought against him, but then he put this on me. I can still think as myself...but when I'm commanded, it's like I respond without thinking. If I don't serve willingly, he'll hurt me. But, with the collar, I really don't have any choice. I want to go back to Kaysa and Merrick, but I can't do that if he kills me for being disobedient. I'll be good until he does whatever he does, and then I can go back to them. But if I was defiant...he'd probably kill me, or hurt me...and then I'd never get back."

Elisia nodded. In a way, it was no different than what she too was doing. "I think I understand." She looked around the room and frowned. "Have you eaten?" She still had food on the ample tray that was good to eat. She indicated that Shiv should sit down. "Tell me more about this Kaysa and Merrik."

Without hesitation, Shiv took a seat and started nibbling from the food on the tray. Between bites, she told Elisia about Merrick and Kaysa and the unique relationship they shared. She looked around the room, and then finally back to Elisia. "I hope he'll let me go soon," she said. "I just want to go back to them. I think one of the first things I'm going to do is pin Kaysa down and make love to her like never before. Things just got so messed up...and...and I just want to make love to her and...and to just hold her again."

Elisia had heard of same sex relationships but she had never seen one. It was very clear that this woman cared deeply for this Kaysa. Elisia smiled at her. "I am sure that you will see her again, since in effect, you are being ransomed. Come, if you are finished we can go to bed and you can rest," Elisia said gently.

Shiv nodded. "Thanks," she said. "And, I hope everything goes okay for you too. It'll be nice to sleep the whole night through. I haven't exactly done that for awhile."

Elisia changed into a nightgown and climbed into bed. "You can take off the robe to sleep," Elisia volunteered. She smiled not wanting to command, but she knew the gown she had tossed the girl was too tight. She laid down and thought of Kylas. He had no way to find her and she was alone again. Tears filled her eyes but she said nothing.

"Thank you," Shiv said as she slipped out of the robe and set it next to the bed. Then she slid into the bed next to Elisia and stretched out under the covers. It was nice to be able to fall asleep without Dargus' hands all over her. Though, as she lay there, she realized she actually miss having the hands on her. She closed her eyes and let herself relax into the soft confines of the silk. "Thank you for tonight, Elisia. It-- it is nice to be able to spend time with you."

"I have to warn you, I may not always be able to be nice." Elisia knew what role she had chosen to play and that role was beginning to appeal to her. She shoved the thought away and rolled over to look at Shiv.

"I understand," Shiv said. "If you're not nice, I can handle it though. I don't mind being a slave so much...I mean, it feels comfortable to me to be told what to do and to have to obey. I like being my own person, but I do think I have a fairly strong, um, submissive personality. Though, if you ever want to save me from Vrax again, I'd gladly repay you however you like." Shiv smiled at Elisia; the gratitude for a night away from Dargus and Vrax clear in her eyes.

"I will see what I can do about saving you from this Vrax permanently," Elisia said firmly. She reached out and squeezed Shiv's hand. "I don't think anyone should be used so."

Shiv smiled again and felt her cheeks flush. "Thank you," she said. "Just don't get yourself in trouble with my...with Dargus. He can have a nasty temper sometimes, and I'd hate to see him direct it at you, especially after you've been so nice to me."

"If I do what he wishes, I do not think he will direct it at me. Since I have a mutual stake in what he wants, that will not be so hard," Elisia said with a smile. "He has always been nice to me for some reason. I don't intend to do anything to make him change that."

"That's good," Shiv said with a smile. "You don't want him upset at you. He hasn't really ever been upset at me, but I can tell when he's upset about something because he's...he's fairly...rough in bed." She was quiet a moment before she decided to ask the question she'd been debating. "Do you have someone...special? I mean, that's going to miss you?"

Elisia nodded. "Yes, I do. I was supposed to get married in a couple of days. He will be looking for me." Elisia frowned. "I am worried for him because he is not the type to give up and Dargus said he had something waiting for him."

Shiv nodded. "I'm sorry," she said. "I hope that Dargus doesn't hurt him. Dargus is a very powerful man, and wouldn't sit still while someone tried to get you back. If Dargus wants you, I don't see him giving you up easily." She reached out and brushed a hand against Elisia's cheek, hoping the gesture would comfort her.

Elisia's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know what I am going to do. If he finds out that I..." Elisa bit her lip. She couldn't let go of her emotions, it would just lead to her destruction. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

The emotion in Elisia's eyes sent a pang through Shiv, and she quickly moved to put her arms around the other girl. "It's going to be okay, Elisia," she whispered. "It'll all be okay. You'll get out of this, Elisia. You'll get your revenge on those people, and then maybe Dargus will let you go. And, then you can get married. It'll be okay."

Elisia shook her head. "You don't understand. I am pregnant. I don't think I can keep that from him for long! Not with his new powers in the force." Elisia looked at Shiv. "I don't think he will like this very much and I am afraid of what he will choose to do."

Shiv nodded slowly. "Why would Dargus not like you pregnant? You're not his wife or anything like that, so it doesn't matter if you and...and your fianc� are going to have a baby."

"It gives him power over me," Elisia tried to explain. "He will know I will do much to protect it from him. There was a time when he was preoccupied with a Force strong heir. That is why he married my sister. I don't know if he still wishes this as well."

"I think I understand," Shiv said. "Hopefully he's over you then. That way you can go back to your love, and be happy. I don't think he'll want to make me have a baby. But, I'm protected. Kaysa made sure after she and I and Merrick got together."

Elisia smiled. "That is good. Come, let us sleep, you must be exhausted." Elisia snuggled close to Shiv, taking comfort in the presence of another and closed her eyes.

"It's nice to be close like this with someone who's not going to wake up in the middle of the night to ravage my body," Shiv said with a grin. "Thank you for tonight, Elisia. It's nice to be here with you, and not with them." With that, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to yearn for Merrick and Kaysa's touch. She hoped she could go back to them soon. She needed to be with people who loved her. She needed to love.

Elisia murmured something unintelligible and the two fell asleep. Two souls cast adrift, taking comfort in the presence of each other. Elisia slept deeply, gaining much needed rest for what was to come.

"Caught in the Middle, Part 1"
by Kael Selrid
Nieme Yaresh (Selrid)
Dani
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Jae Dyn (Kallia) Brael

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 25, ABY

***

The starlight of the night had been replaced by the sun as it beamed into Dani's window, casting its warm glow on the two figures sleeping peacefully. They were still entwined and each looked content and happy in each other's arms.

Kael had managed to get his rage under control though. He'd managed to keep from wrapping his hands around the purple witch's throat and strangling the life out of her. He was quite astounded with how calm he felt at the moment as he watched them curled together like a pair of riesacats. Beneath the surface of his mind, he could feel the anger, the fear, the paranoia and jealousy. He could feel it all burning as hot as the Thanatos sun. But, outwardly he was very calm. He'd take care of Nieme's nymph, and then she'd be all his again. She'd only long to sleep in his bed, only long to be in his arms, and the thought of being naked around anyone else but him would still frighten her into needing him to comfort her. He needed his Nieme back.

He bent down and kissed Nieme gently. "Wake up my love," he said softly into her ear. "You don't want to miss training today. Master Liam says it's going to be a very important day for us. Wake up, my arozeil."

"Is it morning already?" Nieme muttered sleepily. She pulled herself tighter against the form she thought was Kael's, and brushed her lips lightly against those she thought belonged to her husband. The taste that lingered upon her mouth was strange to her, one that didn't belong to Kael. Sweet...just like her purple flower. The silky skin under her fingertips, and the soft mounds of flesh pressing against her were not Kael's either. But his voice... With a slowly rising panic, Nieme opened her eyes and stared at the face of a still-sleeping Dani, but over her shoulder she felt someone peering down at them.

Their emotions gently wafted towards her and sent a chill up her spine - cold, tightly wound emotions they were desperately trying to contain. Nieme slowly turned away from Dani, fearing even to look upon the face she knew would be staring back at her, and as she did, a gasp escaped her lips and her arms flew to her bare chest, desperately trying to conceal the nakedness. "Oh gods... Oh Kael. Please...I'm so sorry. We weren't...we were just sleeping. I swear...nothing happened. Please Kael, don't be mad. Oh please..."

Kael grabbed a handful of the covers that had been draped over their bodies and flung them back, startling Dani awake. She sat up and winced as she looked at him, but made no move to cover her body. She blinked slowly as if still half-asleep, but he could see the raw emotions churning in her eyes. "Oh, mad? Me? Why ever would I be mad to find the two of you curled up in bed together? Why would I have any problems with the two of you clinging to each other in sleep, both of you completely naked? Why would I be mad at all about that? Why should I be mad that you slipped out of our room, our bed, to sleep in here with this slut?"

"Kael...please..." Nieme's lips trembled with the sudden surge of anguish and fear. She reached up to smooth her hands over Kael's chest, but the strength of his anger repelled her away. "I just...I came here to talk to her last night and then...we were talking... We only fell asleep, Kael. We did nothing, my love, I promise."

Kael leaned close to Nieme, his smile leering. "Only fell asleep? And, the clothing fairies came in the middle of the night and undressed both of you? I know you, Nieme. I know how scared you get about taking your clothes off to even get into the shower. You do realize you're completely naked and you had your body as close as possible to hers. And, when you woke up...you kissed her! On the lips! Nieme...something happened. Something had to have. You slept in her bed naked, and you kissed her!"

Dani made a sound partway between a sigh and a sob. "It's not like that, Kael. I care for her. She's my friend. We were just...she was in here, it was late. We were both really tired, and I said she could sleep here if she didn't want to wake you. Nothing happened between us...nothing..."

Kael glared at her, and Dani winced. "Shut up," he said. "I'm talking to my...to my arozeil. When I want to hear what you have to say, I'll ask you. Until then, just keep your mouth closed and your hands off my woman." He turned back to Nieme. "I love you, Nieme. More than anything in life...but to see you with her like that... You were naked holding her... Why?"

"I...I don't know. It felt...it was comfortable. I...please, Kael, don't be mad at her. I-I came here. She didn't do anything...we didn't do anything." Nieme hesitantly slipped off the bed and lightly pressed her hands to Kael's chest, despite the sickening emotions permeating her through the touch. "Let's just...let's just go to our room and we can talk, Kael. Please don't be mad. I'm yours, Kael, only yours. Please believe me."

Kael glanced past her to Dani and then back to Nieme. He took her into his arms and kissed her, making sure that Dani saw their love there. Saw that Nieme was his and she couldn't have her. In the kiss, he felt his anger loosen and his true love for her flare again. Once the kiss broke, he brushed his hands over her breasts and then slipped his hand into hers. "Let's go into our room and talk," he said. "I think we really need to talk. I love you, Nieme."

"I-I love you too, Kael." With a trembling smile, she slipped past Kael and pulled him along gently. "We should talk. Then I'll make you some Hojet. Would you like some Hojet, Kael? I'll show you that everything's fine...everything's okay." Her gaze momentarily shifted to Dani, one filled with sorrow and rue, but she also attempted to convey, in her large, brown pools, a reassurance that she would be alright.

Dani watched with worry as Nieme led Kael from the room. With her eyes, she tried to pass on as much comfort and support as she could. She slid to the edge of the bed, following as much as she dared. When Kael pulled the door closed behind him, she allowed herself to shed the tears the pain Kael's emotions had caused, and mixed with them were the tears of fear for what would happen to Nieme.

In the other room, Kael closed the door after he and Nieme had entered. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly. "I didn't mean to get upset... I didn't mean it, Nieme. It was just seeing you there with her. I lost my mind! I'm sorry. I love you. I just thought as I saw the two of you there so content... I thought I'd lost you..."

"No, Kael..." Nieme cradled his face in her hands and kissed his lips tenderly. "You'll never lose me. Why can't you believe me about that? It's just... You hurt me last night and I needed someone to talk to. I didn't understand why you did it, but she was helping me. She was helping me understand." She pressed her still naked body to his and again kissed him deeply. "I know now, Kael," she whispered, "I know you did it because you love me. Please...you don't have to worry. I'm yours, Kael. I'll only ever be yours."

"She's trying to steal you from me," Kael said softly as he put his arms around her. "It's in her eyes. And, all these situations where you and she are naked together. She's trying to pull you from me. I think...I think if you and she stay friends, it's just going to pull you and me apart. She got you into her bed once. Next time the nothing that happens may be something. I'm so afraid, Nieme. I'm so afraid. You have to stop seeing her. She's going to tear us apart otherwise. Please Nieme... For us..."

"Kael...I..." Confusion and hopelessness wracked Nieme as she looked up into Kael's imploring gaze. She knew she would give up everything for him, but Dani was one thing she couldn't bear to part with. "She...she's my friend. Why can't I be just friends with her, Kael? Oh please...please don't make me do this, Kael." She kissed him desperately on the lips and face, hoping to hit some sensitive spot that would trigger his compliance with her pleas. "I won't sleep with her anymore. I promise. I'll be in your arms always. Just please don't make me give up my friend. I'll do anything else...just please not that."

Kael's eyes softened. "Okay," he said with a smile, and then kissed her. "As long as you two are just friends, that's okay. But anything else like yesterday at the lake, or this morning...and I don't think we'll make it with her around." He kissed her again. "I think it'll be okay for you to be around her as long as I'm there with you. I don't think she'll try to seduce you with me around. Will you promise me not to be around her when I'm not there too?"

"But..." Nieme desperately searched for something that would assuage Kael's fears, but she submitted to his wishes and slumped against him with a whimper. "We weren't doing anything," she whispered helplessly. "But for you, Kael... I promise. As long as she and I can be friends... I want us all to be friends. Maybe if you talk to her and see that she isn't bad like you think she is...we can all be happy."

"I'll only be happy when she stops looking at you the way she does," Kael said. "But with me there, it'll be fine. I'm sure it'll be fine. I just don't trust that if she's alone with you that she won't try to make you love her, to take you away from me. But you can be friends with her with me there. It'll all be better...with the three of us as friends." Kael kissed Nieme deeply and then grinned. "Oh my dear love. My dear sweet Nieme. It'll all be okay from now on. We'll all be wonderful friends." He reached down and unfastened the front of his pants. "But for now, I want to be with my wife, to show her how much I love her, for her to show me how much she loves me."

Nieme looked down at that which had caused her so much pain only the night before. She shrank back for a moment, but she wanted to make their arrangement work and if being with Kael was the only way to lessen his anxieties and doubts about her love for him, then she would force herself to do what needed to be done. Trepidly, she reached down and brushed her hand along his shaft, trying desperately not to tremble. "Kael...p-please be gentle this time. Just...be gentle."

"I'm sorry for that yesterday," Kael said as he kissed her. "I was still a little upset. I'm not upset now, though. I just want to make love to you. I just want to let you know how much I love you, how much we are together." He slowly started removing his clothing, casting it onto the floor at their feet.

He took her hand and led her toward the bed, trailing kisses over her neck and shoulders as they moved. He helped her onto the bed, and as she started to lie down for him, he stopped her. He positioned her until she was on her hands and knees, and then moved around behind her,. "It's okay, my love. It's just something new; a new position to make love in. It'll be okay."

Nieme looked back at him, then down at her body in a position that seemed far too awkward for sex. "Like this? But...how... Are you sure, Kael? How will we..."

"Yes," Kael said gently, "just like this." He caressed her back and backside, and reached around to fondle her breasts while he traced kisses along her spine. When she seemed to calm slightly, he slid himself inside her. He moaned as he started gentle thrusts deep inside her. "Just like this, Nieme. We can try more positions if you want, but this one is my favourite. We move so well together, Nieme. We're so beautiful together."

Nieme closed her eyes and accompanied Kael's moans with her own. The same pleasure as always was elicited through the act, but the tingling warmth, and the elation she remembered from their first time together was missing. The intimacy was gone and the longer he thrust inside of her without her being able to look into his eyes and see the love for her burning within them, the more empty the act became. She wanted to touch his face with her hands, to kiss his lips and whisper her affections to him, but his mouth and ears were nowhere near hers. If he weren't penetrating her and if he weren't grunting so audibly, she would not have even known he was still in the room.

She gripped the sheets of the bed and silently wept. There was no physical pain this time, but the yearning to connect with Kael on the emotional level through their lovemaking made her heart ache. She was merely a vessel through which he could achieve sexual gratification. As Dani had said, she was his droid, obeying his every command and there only to fulfill his wishes and desires. She didn't want to be his droid, she wanted to be his wife. But the longer she knelt upon the bed, being jerked forward with his every thrust, the less human she felt and the more like the automaton she was becoming.

It wasn't much longer before Kael cried out and filled her with his seed. Once he finished, he pulled out of her and then moved to hold her in his arms. "Oh, my sweet love," he whispered into her ear. "Hey...why the tears? What's wrong, Nieme? What happened? I tried to be very gentle. I didn't hurt you again, did I?"

"Oh...oh no, Kael," she said quietly. "You didn't hurt me. I was...I'm just so h-happy that you're being so kind to me. I want to be friends with Dani and I'm so glad you're letting me. I want you to see that I love you so much, Kael. That's why I'm doing this for you." She looked down to hide her teary eyes from Kael, as well as to hide the sudden discomfort she found in being in his arms. "I-I love you, Kael. Believe me...please."

"And, I love you, my precious one," Kael said and kissed her tenderly. "Let's go have breakfast, and afterwards maybe we can come back here and make love again...just like the first time. Then after that we can go train, and maybe we can make love again. Oh, and maybe we can spend some time with Dani too."

Nieme nodded her head slowly and choked back the rest of her tears. "I want it always to be like the first time, Kael. We'll be happy like before. I-I'll make you Hojet, just the way you like it. Then we...all three of us can go and have fun. We can...we can run through the forest and just feel the sun on our faces. I want that...I want that so very badly, Kael."

Kael kissed Nieme and then pulled back with a smile. "Then that's what we'll do," he said. "It will be great, Nieme. It'll be just like when we first met, when we first fell in love. And, you can still be Dani's friend too. It will be wonderful!"

"Truly wonderful, Kael. Truly." She tried to find truth and comfort in her words, but found little there, even less than she found in Kael's embrace. She berated herself for being so cold to Kael's touch - her husband, her arozeil. She knew she was being an ungrateful wife, which saddened her most of all. All he wanted was to love her without feeling threatened that she would betray him with another, and all she'd done was give credence to his fears. She was to blame for all the discord in their relationship, and all the sadness Dani was feeling because of Kael's anger was her doing as well.

"It'll all be better," she whispered. "I'll make it all better now." And she would, or she knew she would never be worthy of the love Kael was offering her, and in good conscience, she knew she would no longer be able to accept it if she couldn't change her ways. For him, she would, and to be able to include Dani in her life, she would strive desperately to appease Kael's fears. Anything and everything for him. That's all that mattered now: him.

***

The breakfast had gone well. During the entire time, Kael was quite cheerful and talkative. That he gave attention to all there save Dani was hardly noticeable to all but the most observant. Jae Dyn Brael noticed it, and figured it was just apprehension at being around another very beautiful young woman while trying to woo Nieme to him. He already had the girl, her utter devotion was obvious. And, rather cute, she told herself. The undercurrent of tension at the table though, that bothered Jae Dyn. She would have to figure out where it came from and see if the problem could be solved.

Dani was still wearing the skimpy leather outfit she'd arrived in the day before, and Jae Dyn offered a browse through her closet for some extra clothes until Dani could make it into town to buy some of her own. She smiled to herself when she looked over the girl's selections. All leather, except for the workout clothing. For the workout clothes she selected a pair of syrcra pants and a close-fitting tanktop. The syrcra was perfect for exercise and would offer the girl a wide range of movement.

When Dani returned wearing her new workout clothes before the first training session began, Jae Dyn found herself playfully jealous as she noted that she could have never made the clothes look as good as Dani did. Yelara said as much, earning a playful glare from Jae Dyn, and a promise to make her pay later.

Liam and Jae Dyn agreed to work with Nieme and Dani later; with Nieme to make sure she could identify a Force-gifted person, and to teach the skill to Dani. For now though, Liam decided to start their training off with a more physical assessment of their gifts. He'd crafted a pair of practice blades that were weighted like lightsabers, but were just metallic rods with blunted edges.

The three Padawans sat before him looking up in anticipation. "For the first series of tests, I want to see Nieme and Kael spar. Just to see how you act and react now, and to determine what we will need to teach you about working with lightsabers. You may get your blades from Master Jae Dyn, and then enter the circle."

"B-But Master Liam Zaneth...I don't think..." Nieme looked at the blades Jae Dyn was holding in each of her hands and quickly, Nieme shook her head. "I wouldn't know how. I mean...I've never... Do I have to be first, Master? Can't I...can't I just watch then try?"

"Very well," Liam said with a smile. "Dani and Kael will be first." From where she sat, Dani nodded dutifully. Unseen by all, Kael smiled. Dani stood and went to Jae Dyn who handed her the practice blade; Kael already held his and tested it with a practice lunge.

Both fighters moved into the large circle marked into the stone, Kael on one side and Dani on the other. At Liam's signal, they started forward. It was immediately obvious that Kael knew what he was doing with a sword and Dani did not. As she parried one of his thrusts, Liam frowned as the girl seemed distracted.

"Concentrate on the moment, Dani," Liam called. "Keep your thoughts on the here and now."

Dani nodded and raised her blade, holding it in a two-handed grip. She found concentrating difficult as her senses were assaulted by the anger emanating from her opponent. Kael came at her again, and she parried away his attacks. Her reflexes were fast, and she seemed to be reacting with Jedi enhanced speed and intuitiveness. Then the unexpected happened. Kael closed in with a barrage of attacks which pushed Dani back as she defended...and then he thrust out a foot between hers, making sure to bring a boot down on one of her bare feet, and then surged up, sending her off balance. As she struggled to right herself, Kael swung around and smacked his blade against her thigh. Dani cried out in pain.

Liam called a stop to the sparring, but Kael didn't hear him. Dani still tried to defend herself from his assault, until his blade came down on her wrist and knocked her weapon away. When she looked up, she didn't need to see his blazing eyes to know his fury; she felt it through every fibre of her being. Tears poured down her cheeks as she scrambled to get away. She cried out again as the blade flashed against shoulder, arm, and then side. Kael rose up above her with blade raised high and poised to come crashing down on her head, but the panic within had reached a critical point. Calling on untapped reserves from deep within herself, she flung her hands out and thick tendrils of pure Force slammed into Kael and threw him back ten meters. He landed and tried to surge back to his feet. Before he could regain his footing, Liam was there and quickly put the youth down onto the ground again.

"Get Dani out of here," he called out as he fought against Kael trying to get up. "Get her out now!"

Nieme had been watching the entire scene, frozen in terror. Through it all, she could see Kael's light dimming and an ominous glow made of pure darkness suddenly surround him. That sight and the sudden sense that she was losing him frightened her even more. When Liam's voice rang through the training room, Nieme's attention was diverted to Dani, lying on the ground as her body shook with tears. With a quiet whimper of her own, she rushed forth and wrapped her arms around Dani. "My flower...oh my dear, sweet flower. Come on, Dani. Let's get out of here...please."

"Oh gods, Nieme," Dani sobbed as she clung to her friend.

From across the room, Kael saw Nieme rush to Dani and he felt his shatter. "Nieme," he cried out. "Please, Nieme. Oh gods, my love...my arozeil!"

Nieme clenched her eyes shut against Kael's pleas and tried to focus her attentions on pulling the weeping Dani from the stone floor. She slung her friend's arm over her shoulder and helped ease the weight from Dani's injured leg. "L-Let's go. We have to...we have to leave, Dani." She fought back her own tears as the struggle between Liam and Kael continued. It was all her fault. If she'd loved him more... With as much strength as she could manage, she pulled Dani to her feet and helped her along towards the doors of the training area.

Dani limped along out into the hallway with Nieme's help. "Where are we going," Dani asked while trying to ignore the pain wracking her body. "Oh gods, what happened? He was upset, I know. But, why did he do that? He's going to get himself kicked out of here..."

Nieme shook her head slowly and was surprised to feel fresh tears burning her cheeks. "He...he feels threatened by you, Dani. I just...I didn't think he was capable of something like that...something so...evil." A shudder ran through her as she recalled the look in Kael's eyes, the one that conveyed his hunger for blood and revenge. "He's...he'll get better. He just...he needs some time to relax and calm down. He'll be just fine..."

"Dani! Nieme!" Yelara hurried up beside the two and helped support Dani as they moved towards the makeshift infirmary. "Are you okay? Looks like Kael got a bit carried away. You'll be alright though. Don't worry."

Dani smiled at Yelara. "I'll be alright," she said. "Just a few bruises, but I've always healed quickly. You'll probably hardly know anything happened to me by tomorrow morning." She looked at Nieme, and then back to Yelara. "Is he calming down? Maybe you should go to him, Nieme. I think he...he probably needs you right now. I'll be alright with Yelara."

Nieme tensed at the thought of having to peer into Kael's darkness again and held onto Dani tighter for her own comfort. "I don't know if I should. I'm... He was scary, Dani. He was so horrible to you and so frightening... I'll go if you think I should, but I don't want to leave you right now."

Dani kissed Nieme's forehead and swallowed back a sob. "I know I want you with me right now," she said. "Maybe you can go to him later after Master Liam has finished talking to him. For now, I like knowing that you'll be with me. H-he felt like that guy you saved me from yesterday...except Kael didn't want to have sex with me before he hurt me."

Nieme frowned and shook her head in a silent denial of Dani's words. Kael wasn't like that, he wasn't like the bad man she'd tackled and pummelled in a blind rage. She could never hate Kael like she hated that man. She loved him...but she couldn't help thinking whether he truly was the person she'd fallen in love with. He felt different and even his touch was changed - cold and lacking comfort. She needed to be with Dani, now, to seek comfort where she could find none from Kael.

"Look, Nieme, I'm sure Liam will be alright talking to him alone. Once he's done, and once Kael's cooled off, you can see him, okay?" Yelara smiled warmly at Nieme, who only nodded her head dejectedly and stared fixedly at the ground below their feet.

Once they entered the infirmary, they helped Dani onto the examination bed and started in on assessing her wounds. Yelara could tell a jealous rivalry when she saw one, and Kael's jealousy seemed to be almost as destructive and violent as Dargus'. She saw some of herself in Nieme, but the only difference was, Nieme had it worse off. She loved Kael, which would make it all the more difficult to turn her back on him if that's what she wanted. Kael's possessiveness would only end up hurtin