Shadows Of Lehon - Chapter Six

 Chapter Five

A beep echoed into the silence of the hall as the chamber door slid open. Emerald eyes peeked out curiously, surprised that the door even opened. Did that one guy forget to lock it? How long has she slept since he left her alone here? A slice of bread hung between lips, food left over from when that one boy first interfered.  Leaning a bit further out of the doorway, she looked left…and right…the long, wide hall was completely empty!

Well. It was his own fault for not locking her in. Right? She grinned encouragingly to herself. Afterall, while he did warn her from ‘leaving the temple’ he said nothing about exploring the temple itself. Besides, she might get lucky and find a way out of her current predicament. Although, that last bit felt rather empty at this point…exactly where was she trying to anyways? Back to Taris? Sure, right. That was it…it was home after all…wasn’t it? Swallowing the last of her meal, she made up her mind. It was time to explore.

‘The Temple’ was built by the Rakata natives of Lehon. The hall was large and plain, built with a kind of sand stone. Along the wall's she was able to notice small carvings of pictographs and designs. Reaching out to one, she ran her small fingers into the grooves, tracing the lines of the pictures as she slowly walked down the hall.

Other rooms were lined down the hall, and the other various junctions that led to different parts of the temple. Most of these rooms were either locked, empty or used as some sort of storage space… at least on this level.

The further down she explored however, she began to encounter other occupants. Droids that scurried along about their chores or small groups of all sorts - both alien and human of varying ages whispering and talking amongst themselves. Every one of them seemed to ignore her or glare as if challenging her to dare get involved…but none of them attempted to stop her. In fact they acted like a stranger's face was no new thing. 

Well, this worked out for her. She didn’t want to deal with anyone either.

Walking along the lower levels, Triss continued to be drawn to the various pictures engraved into the wall.  So much so that she didn't see the person coming directly at her until she had literally walked into him.

“Ah!” she shouted in surprise and stumbled back a few steps “Er! Um! I-I’m sorry! I, didn…Oh!” she suddenly gasped, both hands clamping over mouth to stop herself from saying anything stupid, green eyes wide as she stared into a terrifyingly disfigured face.

Half his face was machine, red mechanical eye shifted about its servo motors as it narrowed in on the girl, the metallic frame stretched out like an eye patch to frame the man's jaw and down to what appeared to also be a mechanical arm. In truth the man was really quite dashing, despite the machinery that made up his eye and allowed him to work muscles into a grin. Long black hair was pulled up in a half tail, tied by a red ribbon. An equally red earring glinted on his right, human ear and his uniform was crisp and clean. A black robe hung off his right shoulder, held  together with an emblem clasp, a spicy aroma clinging to him…a kind of callone, one that richly nobles and well to do folk wore. “Oh?” he echoed, tilting his head curiously at the girl “And what do we have here?” she didn’t look like the usual rif raf of this disgusting place. “This isn’t the kind of place a child should be wandering, alone…” was there perhaps a story behind this one? One of Mainyu’s…perhaps.

“Um.” Triss stepped back again “I was just…Curious…th-that's all…”

The quiver in her voice and fear that flooded off the girl in waves hinted that this child was clearly far out of her elements. This was an anomaly that didn’t usually occur here within the Rakata temple. So, why? Why would Lord Mainyu keep such a thing here? For what purpose. “Hmm?” he inquired, leaning forward slightly as he observed her. Still, there was something there….something hidden in the fear that blanketed her. A strong sense of the force, raw and untouched but still there…was this the reason? It was like staring at a blank canvas…a most tempting and curious find indeed.  "Curious you say.." the man hummed, his mechanical fingers shifted as he contemplated on what he should do with this find. He was here on orders, and frankly he didn’t want to be here any longer than he had to. Even so, this could serve as entertainment… something to pass the time. 

There was just one problem…

Triss was struggling to determine an escape. If she had learned anything it was that any encounter made here was dangerous. Those thugs, that boy, those other people she passed by… She was pretty certain this guy would be no different. The problem was that there were very few ways to escape. Either she ran the way she came, or rushed past him hoping his machine-like body would slow him down…But these options were swiftly stifled…something else instead filled her. A pressure within her chest and thoughts that seemed to whisper and comfort, quitting her fears. She didn’t have to run…she didn’t have to be afraid. 

“I wonder…” The man suddenly broke the stalemate, taking a step towards her - a grin creeping upon his features “...Are you an acolyte here? Servant, perhaps…” his tone suddenly darkened “Vermin.”

“H-hey!” Triss snapped, suddenly emboldened by the secure sensation she was feeling “That’s rude!”

A chuckle answered “Oh? Then…” suddenly he was right in front of her, crossing the distance between them and shoving her back against the wall, his fisted mechanical hand slambing so harshly that he caused the stone to buckle and peel. His face was right up against her as he continued to analyze and study the child “Perhaps you're right, then. You are…rather cute. Too cute to be vermin.”

“Wha?!” Triss gasped, her eyes wide with shock at being pinned to suddenly against the wall. Something else swiftly began to bubble up within her. Not fear, or security. But anger. How dare he…How dare he treat her like this! So she accidentally ran into him, that wasn’t cause for this sort of treatment! “Hey.” her confused and fearful gaze turned into a glare “Back off. I don’t like you.”

“Ah…” he laughed dryly, raising his other hand to grip her chin “What if, I don’t want to? No, I might just be inclined to make you m-” he was unable to finish his words, her knee had sharply slambed up between his knee’s taking a chance that he wasn’t mechanical ‘down there’ - anger bubbling over at the the thought of this creep doing something nasty. 

The air suddenly condensed as she raised both hands and shoved him off of her. But rather than the expected heavy wall to push against, the man went flying into the opposite wall as she screamed “Get. Off of me!!”

As amazing as this act was within itself, the girl was far too consumed with anger as she began to march across the hall towards the man sitting on the floor. Not that she had any idea what she was going to do when she reached up, her hand raising slowly at her side, fingers curled as if she planned to swipe and scratch her anger out on the guy “I am Trisskar! Not vermin! She raised her hand further as she glowered and snarled “I would never belong to the likes of you! I-“

Suddenly a cloaked arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her back into a tight grip. “I see that you have met my new Apprentice.” Mainyu’s Raspy voice sounded in her ear, freezing her current rampage as he held her firmly in place. This was an interesting and most fortunate development. Perhaps it wouldn’t take as long to tap into her inner darkness as Mainyu first thought. Still, he couldn’t allow others to take advantage of this potential and tainting his prize. “Shouldn’t you be in the auditorium making your report, Lord Xinos?”

“Apprentice?” Lord Xinos grunted, pushing himself back up onto his feet. Well, that was disappointing. An Apprentice, unlike the rest of the rif-far of this temple - was completely off limits.  “I see…Apologies. It seems I have overstepped.” His gaze met with Lord Mainyu and an annoyed sneer crept across the thin lines of his lips “Well. I was actually on my way to find you. We are not finished yet…”

“Indeed?” Mianyu sneered “Well, If you'll follow me to the catacombs. I’m ready for my presentation." Darth Mainyu interjected, tugging on his Apprentices shoulder to force her away from Lord Xinos cryptic gaze and lead the way back up the hall.  This Apprentice must be new. She wasn’t here during the last inspection and her potential was so incredibly raw. 

Well. No matter… He was a man that enjoyed all sorts of entertainment. But he wasn’t interested in children, nor did he desire to accidentally prolong his stay here. Even so, he would have to make sure this…Apprentice, was included in his next report.