amid the dust of past conquest (open to observers)

{Alright, this is just my intro post. I think we should wait for the others who will be judging/observing to make their entrance posts before getting down to business, though I guess there could be a bit of bantering back and forth between Vis and Raeg as we wait}

Visari parted from his newly-found apprentice-to-be when they arrived at the top of the Temple. "Stand with the rest of them," he said, gesturing at a small group of observers who had already arrived. He nodded at Jarzec in farewell, and made his way to stand before his opponent. There Visari stood, feet planted shoulders' width apart, with both hands resting lightly on the head of his cane, which stood in the ground in front of him.

"Well, here we are, Falleen," Visari said coolly as he regarded Raeg through a mask of indifference. "See what your arrogance has wrought for you? You claim to be a schemer, a master of intellect, but I've yet to see anything that would support such a claim." He tilted his head ever so slightly, and let the barest hint of a sneer show on his face. "You could have simply surrendered to our men, and they would have brought you into this place without harm. But you did not. The Dark Lady Novus offered you a way out, a way to join our Order on better terms than most would give. But you squandered it. So now, I find myself forced to ask, what is it that you could possibly bring to us in joining, Falleen? Hmm? By all accounts, you are too reckless, and too arrogant to be of any use, and you do not know how to act in the presence of your betters, as evidenced by your behavior in front of the Dark Lady."

Visari shook his head in disdain after he finished speaking. A cool wind blew across the top of the Temple, gently rustling the bottom of his coat around his knees. The Epicanthix glanced up at the vivid reds and oranges of the evening sky, which gave a bit of a reddish tint to his snow-white hair, before turning his attention back to Raeg. "No, Falleen, I dare say you would be more of a liability than an asset to us." The faintest hint of a smirk touched the edge of Visari's mouth, as if he was amused at something.

"But it makes no matter. You shan't be joining us this day." Visari was not one to gloat, and what he said was not gloating. To him, it was a simple fact. It was certain that Raeg had some ability, yes, but Visari was a man of considerable power, and those that did not know him had a tendency to underestimate what he was capable of in a fight, due to his rather reserved nature. But you shall see soon enough Falleen, he thought to himself. It's high time someone knocked you down a peg or two.

Off to the side, Shard stood casually, leaning against one of the pillars with his arms crossed. He had changed his robes to something more ceremonial for this occasion; still black, but of more expensive materials and with gold thread along the hems. Naturally he had all his armaments in case of emergency; his two lightsabers, his Echani rapier, and both his slugthrowers (the silenced automatic beside his sword and the much larger-caliber holdout gun in his boot) as well as his custom armor worn beneath the robes.

Like usual he held his power in check, so as not to distract the duelists this evening. It was an interesting event; a horribly mutated Falleen named Rage Vashin had slaughtered his way into the Temple, killing one of the gate guards and sending several others to the medbay; he had also, for some reason, killed his own retinue, which the Miraluka could only surmise had been for distraction purposes. Shard loved distractions as much as anyone else, was quite capable of them merely through his presence (like any other Jedi or Sith), but the Falleen's idea... pointless, wasteful, show-offy even by Shard's standards.

As he watched, the Lady Novus set down the terms of the battle; no lightsabers, no killing blow. Simple enough, though the first was quite obviously in place because of the freak; he had no physical ability at all, or else why the hoverchair? Break the thing, he'd be next to helpless, he thought to himself; doubtless Visari had already realized this weakness in his opponent, and Shard hoped he would exploit it in the coming battle.

And now, Visari mocked the Falleen, repeating what had been said before. "Liability, indeed," the Miraluka murmured with a smirk; the last thing they needed around here was someone with no regard for anyone's life but his own, no morals or manners or anything. Even the most depraved of them had to have some sense of themselves and the world around them, after all, or else the grand vision Iniquitous had for the galaxy would crumble to ruin.

Shard's vision? Not so much, perhaps, though without the backdrop of the Order his efforts would certainly be set back. His wasn't as grand as the Dark Lord's though. Not on the surface anyway. Privately he hoped Vashin would disobey Novus' terms and attempt a killing blow on Visari; if that happened Shard would be able to intercede, and oh what an intercession it would be.

Cho had heard of the duel from a few of the new ones. The problem started with a dark one just randomly killing ones.

To himself..See, the first time you leave, your blade could have been of use.

Cho eased his way to see the duelist. On reaching the edge of the watchers he found Shard was on the other side.

The two duelers were by Cho's standards complete opposites. On in a hover chair and the other with his dark power subtly in check the sign of a good master.

To himself..This will take very little time unless the master decides to try to teach the cripple.

Siting cross legged with his dual saber in his lap, Cho waited to see what the outcome was going to be.

Kick, punch, kick, spin. On and on Shandari did her usual evening drills out by herself. Twice daily she did this to make sure she stayed in shape. Panting, the Rilan woman wiped the sweat from her brow and pulled her robe on. She then slid her wings through the slits in the back. After a moment of stretching them, she was off, off into the air.

As she neared the temple, she noticed something strange going on ontop of the strutcture. Sticking to the shadows and using clouds as cover, the Rilan woman landed on the far end, hoping no one saw her arrive by flight. Very few knew she had wings, short of Shard. After she pulled them back into her robe, Shandari silently walked towards where it seemed a crowd was gathering. It was surrounding two people. A white haired man, and something with a freakishly large head sitting in a hoverchair. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Novus. The power felt familiar, one of the five she had sensed when arriving. The woman sat on an ornate chair, a group of guards surrounding her. Knowing this was not the time, Shandari payed no more attention to them.

Spotting Shard, the woman walked over to him. She rested her head against his shoulder, looking out at the two men that everyone was surrounding. Using her mind once more, she entered Shard's. "What's going on?" It was a simple question, one she hoped had a simple answer, though most things usually were not simple for her. One hand fumbled with the two saber hilts clipped at her belt, combined for the moment to form one devastating weapon.

As he walked with Visari, he saw the fighting ground. There was a very distinct looking throne seated in the middle, which held a woman, who looked to be... arkanian? She certainly held the features of an arkanian... Regardless, she was clearly the more prominent of those assembled. Another figure who struck out to Jarzec was the fairly lithe, tall man wearing sunglasses. He seemed unique to him in some what, but couldn't really pinpoint it. He mentally waved the thought aside, as today had been full of unique people and this man surely didn't fall outside this category. Already on the field was a large headed falleen, who Jarzec presumed to be Raeg. Jarzec almost laughed when he combined the impression Visari had given him about the arrogant man who'd killed guards and this being who sat feebly in the hoverchair before him.

As the two approached, Visari directed Jarzec to "stand with the rest of them," to which to politely obliged. He didn't care what directions he would have to follow to watch this, he was going to observe and enjoy. He decided it would be best to sit down, and thus sat cross-legged towards the edge of the field. He settled in comfortably on his bottom when another arrived. This ought to be a rather interesting show indeed.

The thought struck him that he did not know anyone here and one main goals when he'd arrived at the Temple was to meet those involved in its activities. He decided to speak up, standing up as he did so, that he may appear more presentable.

Hey there, my name's Jarzec Taelstrom, may I be honored in recieving your names?

Raeg opened his eyes. A staging ground. This was not a duel. It was a show. A performance, to let everyone see the power of the Sith. How amusing. Netellus had been talking to him, but he had ignored it. He did not answer, until Visari had said everything he wanted to. Are you done, Epicanthrix? Do you have any more uninteresting facts that you feel the need to fill my span of attention with? I am waiting.

He looked around himself. The young Sith were arranged around the two. Of course. A display to inspire them. Bah. Though I do not really feel the need to display my intellect in front of you, it is quite possible for me. Here is an observation that I have made: You are relatively young and not crippled, like some of us. You do not need a cane. You do, however, need some kind of protection. To conceal a vibrosword or likewise in a cane is not unheard of, and I would be disappointed, were you to use such a weapon against me. Of course, you do not really care. So be it.

He looked around. Obviously, everyone was thinking that he would be helpless without his hoverchair. Netellus and Novus knew better than that. Of course, they were also the only ones around here for whom he had found some bit of respect. Both of them seemed to have a greater ability to think of the future than... Well, for one, this "Shard" persona. Netellus, I do not understand. How are the two of us so very different? You are arrogant, and so am I. However, I have my reasons, reasons which are outside you feeble grasp on reality. Why did I kill that man? Because I wanted to see your reaction. Simple. My prediction was fairly accurate, by the way. Except one thing. I did not expect to get out of my predicament this easily. How amusing.

He regarded the winged lady in the corner of his eye. A Rilan female? Here? Unexpected. He looked at Netellus again. How you are arrogant? You see yourself as victorious already. Weak-minded, uncaring fool. I do hope that you win, for then your already-great arrogance will be increased in size, making you an easy target in a real fight. This... This is just playing. You are powerful, I recognize that in you. Otherwise, you would be afraid now. You are not. Good. But know this: Arrogance will be the downfall that we will both face in the end. Do not expect otherwise.

{Alright, I am going to assume that all who wish to observe have arrived. If not, just come on in during the fight, but try not to interfere, pl0x. Let's get dangerous}

Visari laughed softly to himself as he slowly shook his head. "My friend, you stun me with your intelligence," he said, his voice saturated with sarcasm and contempt. "What in the world could have given that away to you? Did you know I can touch the Force as well?" The Epicanthix laughed openly at that, remembering Raeg's reaction when the Falleen first discovered Visari had ability with the Force. "But know this: You don't want to see what I keep hidden away in here, Falleen. Then you're only a very short time away from being very dead." That much was true. Very few that hade seen Visari's silver blade had lived to tell of it. And those that had... Well, Vashin wasn't the only skilled telepath around. Breaking the mind was a fairly simple thing, for one that knew how, and no one believed the word of an obviously crazy person.

"But perhaps I give your intelligence too much credit, Vashin," Visari continued. "After all, I'd think that most people would understand that killing the guards of a place would land them in a nest of trouble, but not you." Visari grinned wryly at Raeg before continuing. "Ah, but what am I before an intellect such as yours? Your reasons are outside of my grasp of reality, after all." Visari didn't laugh after that, but his tone left no doubt as to what he thought of that.

Visari made a small mock bow of appreciation to Raeg on his comments of arrogance. "Why thank you, sir. To be called arrogant by one with an arrogance such as yours... I'm not sure if I should feel honored or insulted." He shook his head. Clearly, Raeg did not know the difference between confidence and arrogance, though Visari did not doubt that the Falleen would say the same to him.

Visari looked to the horizon as the day gave up its last rays and the sun slipped away out of sight. "And so it begins," he muttered to himself. He noted that some more newcomers had arrived to watch the trial by combat and nodded slightly to himself. They'd come for a show, he suspected, and though he didn't know the exact extent of Raeg's powers, he had a feeling they would not be disappointed. "And so we come to the hour of battle, Vashin," he said as he turned back to face his foe, drawing on the force as he did, preparing to make his attack, but moreso to prepare to defend against whatever the Falleen might try. "Prepare yourself. If you think this will be an easy thing, you will be sorely disappointed." With that, he launched a wave of lightning at Raeg. It was a weak one, and not even close to the strength of one of the full-blast ones he could launch, but his current purpose wasn't to strike the Falleen. Not yet. Now he was feeling him out, to see how he'd respond.

Raeg was thinking. He was trying to figure out what it was that drove his one. He resembled Raeg in more ways than he liked to admit. But the question... Was it their similarities or their differences which drove this one into disliking him? He needed to find a way to break those mental barriers that kept Netellus seperated from him. He was unlike the other users of the dark side that Raeg had encountered. He was... Sane. Raeg found that to be a fresh breeze. Most Dark Jedi were insane and utterly uninteresting.

And sarcastic. Oh, how Raeg had longed for sarcasm. What gave you away? Small things. It is called a guess, young one. And a good one at that, I would assume? Netellus, you surprise me. I thank you for that. But you are over-confident. Be wary of that. My stature is far from intimidating, but my power is still very real. You think that I will be helpless without my hoverchair. Or maybe not? You saw my little display, I believe. This is purely for my comfort. But I digress.

However, the laugh was a waste of energy. Useless. Raeg was not impressed. The Sith before him might be powerful, but he was way too sure of himself. The Sith shot an arc of lightning at him. Raeg slowed it down in his mind, saw before him every single branch. He set up small Force barriers, one in every place where the attack would hit him. No need for more. And just enough to withstand the crude offense.

It was then that Raeg extended his mind. He sent out feelers, tendrils towards Visari. Invisible to the naked eye, and even to most Force-users. Visari would probably not be fooled so easily, but the younger initiates would not notice this. He tried to establish a point from where he could assault Visari indirectly. By turning the man's mind upon himself. Such was Raeg's style. He was able to perform a direct assault, but he preferred not to employ such crude methods. He regarded Visari. Are you really as sure of yourself as you want me to believe, Netellus?

Visari nodded at Raeg's defense. He had expected as much, though he wondered if the Falleen's skill with using the Force to protection was as great as his own. That would be discovered soon enough. He drew on the Force just a little bit more as he prepared for his next strike.

Suddenly, he felt a brush against the thick walls that enclosed his mind. Just the faintest touch, like the soft brush of a feather against his skin. His sharp green eyes locked with those of the Fallen, and he knocked the feelers aside, almost casually so. But he was not angry at Raeg's attempt. No, now Visari was rather amused. "Oh ho ho," he said, almost jovially, "aren't we a nosy little Falleen? No Vashin, you'd best learn to keep out of affairs that are of no concern to you." Still, Visari was not to concerned about the Falleen's attempts to enter his mind. He knew that more would follow and that they'd likely grow in intensity as time passed, but he did not worry. That's not to say he wouldn't keep his gaurd up-that would be stupid-but he kept his secrets hidden away deep within his mind, behind mental walls as thick as the ones of any fortress or great battleship. Vashin would find out nothing that Visari did not wish him to, that was a fact.

Visari chuckled warmly at Raeg's question. "If you seek to throw me off balance, you will be most disappointed, Vashin. You will have to play your little games much better than that to even think of making me falter." Visari suddenly picked up his cane and looked at it, acting as if he were studying himself in its polished silver surface. But that was a ruse; nothing more, nothing less. While he carried about looking at himself, he himself reached out, extending feelers to the little Falleen's mind much as Vashin had just done. They brushed gently against Raeg's mind, as if feeling for a way in. But still, that was not their true purpose. On and on they felt, and Visari continued to give no sign that he was doing anything other than studying his reflection. "But, I have a question for you, if you do not mind," he said halfheartedly, like he wasn't even paying attention to Raeg. Suddenly, the pressure of his feelers' light brush became the short, staccato pound of a wave of hammers bashing against Raeg's mind. "I wonder," Visari said, as the intensity of the blows moved upwards, "if your powers are as great as you claim them to be?"

Suddenly, the mental assault faded away, as abruptly as it had begun. "You, have, after all," Visari said, continuing on as if he were completely oblivious to what was going on, "you have been alive for quite some time.... I wonder what tricks you know..." Then, without warning, his attack continued, and all of his mental feelers slammed into Raeg's mind at once, each one slamming into it with the Force of an angry Rancor. But Visari's intent was not to break into the Falleen's mind-he could care less about that. The attack's purpose was to distract. At the same instant that he slammed against the little Falleen's mind, he threw a powerful wave of the Force at him. But he was not done. As soon as that wave left his hand, a few very concentrated bolts of lightning burst from his fingertips, aiming not for the Falleen, but for his chair. Visari knew that the Falleen did not need his chair to move about, but that was of no import. He had something in mind.

"A challenge," Shard replied to Shandari, leaning back just a little. "A new fellow, that mutant Falleen, showed up and killed a bunch of people, his and ours. He has shown astounding arrogance and a deplorable lack of manners, so Lady Novus has given the task of putting him down to Netellus." He had told the Rilan about his dealings with the Epicanthix businessman, along with other things necessary for her to know if she was to be at his side in the Dominion.

As he looked on, the two combatants got down to business, testing each other at first to guage strength and fortitude. In Shard's perception each attack rippled visibly, a lightshow of power and a certain sort of beauty. "Visari is among our strongest newcomers, but Vashin isn't without his own talent," he summarized for Shandari's benefit. "However, Vashin's only chance, his only real talent, is to penetrate and overcome his opponent's mind and wreak havoc from within. He has no chance of penetrating Visari's defenses; even I would have a great deal of trouble doing that."

He fell silent as the attacks ramped up, harsher bursts of lightning and more stringent mental probes; as expected, the defenses of each held up, and so far there was no clear lead. Then Visari launched several attacks at once, at different areas presented by the Falleen's form. "That won't be necessary," he told her, reaching down and laying his hand on hers to stop her toying with her weapons. "Lady Novus was clear; no one is to interrupt for any reason, save myself or her, and only then if one of the fighters should subvert the conditions in place. Namely, no lightsabers and no killing blows."

He chuckled. "I fully expect the little freak to break the second one, which would allow me my chance." What that chance was, he did not elaborate upon. All his speech had been silent, for Shandari alone; if anyone else was curious about the fight they'd have to figure things out themselves, or ask someone else.

Shandari softly nodded as she listened to him, watching the fight. She knew Shard could see just about anything and everything that may be happening between the two, but even though she could not physically see the subtle attacks, she could still sense them. It was an interesting battle of wills and minds.

Shard had told her about Visari before, and she couldn't help but be interested in how he poised himself, used his own talents in defense. Shard had just said even he might not be able to get past it. She was curious to see just how strong such a defense was.

Her workout had her slightly weary. That was why she did it the hardest at night, so that she could meditate or relax before falling into an easy slumber. The Rilan woman leaned on Shard a bit more for support. Tonight she had actually overexerted herself, but she felt safe while doing it at the temple, unlike when she was in hiding. Her eyes never left the two combatants, her ears catching every word said by Visari. He did seem an interesting man. Not in the same way as Shard, but still.... interesting. Maybe she would test his defense one day herself.

Raeg regarded Visari with a mixture of interest and contempt. What was it that drove this Epicanthix? And how could Raeg deprive him of it? Of course, something must inspire despair in that little freak. Raeg felt his feeble attempt at reaching the mind of the Epicanthix being brushed aside. He smiled mentally. This was FUN! He had not been so amused in years. The Epicanthix spoke to him. No concern? My little friend, everything is of concern to me. You should know that by now. Nothing remains a secret from me for very long. Well, most secrets at least. He then diverted the feelers, extending them until he sensed the tiny Rilan that he had seen earlier. He plummeted them into her mind, gently, yet ferociously.

Then, he felt the feelers of the Epicanthix. How amusing and expected. He brushed them aside with ease - his mental defense was the greatest that he had. His other defenses were merely adequate. Then they started hammering his mind. Delightful. He set up a mental trap for Netellus, while taking the hits, again and again. Whether his powers were as great as he claimed? Perhaps not. His only real master had died a long time ago - probably before this one was even born - and he was selftaught to a great extent. He did not answer Netellus, though. There was no need.

Suddenly, the assault halted. He pondered this for a second as Visari spoke. the trap was ready. Splendid. And then Visari attacked. Raeg removed every single defense around his mind at once. Visari plummeted onwards, the feelers reaching, groping. Raeg diverted them. He sent them into the part of his mind that contained his logical sense. As Visari blasted his attacks towards Raeg, the Falleen decided to avoid, leaving his chair to be destroyed. With an unusual speed for him, he flew upwards, being high above the Epicanthix. He then closed the trap by sending a wave of Force energy into every direction. A distraction. At the same time, he followed the feelers back to their source, going further and further. Would Visari notic? Perhaps. But then he would be caught. All communication was two-way, and Raeg did not want to let go. As he felt the Rilan again, he tightened his grip around her and smiled. With a dry, rasping voice, he exclaimed: "Oh, Visari! You say the darnedest things, do you not?" He laughed. Of course it was all a well-measured display. But who would guess that he had not just gone mad?

Shandari continued to lean wearily against Shard while she watched the fight. It seemed neither was truly making much headway. It was even slightly boring. Her voice echoed in Shard's head once more. "What is the fight like to you? Is it much more exciting through your eyes?" Suddenly she tensed.

The Rilan's hand went to her head for a moment, which seemed to ache, though not very much. Her eyes moved to the two fighters, suddenly seeming to watch their every move. Her face showed as if it was trying to fight something off, though only very slightly. And it looked like she was losing. One hand instinctively squeezed into Shard while she continued to stare at the combatants, as if waiting for something.

"No, Vashin," Visari said response to Raeg's claim that everything was of concern to him, "you greatly overestimate your importance. But you will learn soon enough."

Visari grunted to himself when the Falleen moved a few feet up into the air, hovering above the ground to keep himself away from the ground and his chair, which was now a smoking ruin. Good, he thought. One part of his plan had been set in motion. Now he just had to wait. His push had missed, but that didn't bother him; there would be plenty of opportunities to get the little creature later on. A wave of the Force burst out from Raeg as he climbed upwards, but Visari did not move an inch. A protective wall of the Force was in front of him, and the wave of energy passed over quite harmlessly, doing little more than stirring his coat. He raised an eyebrow just a bit in surprise as his mental probes went deep into the Falleen's mind. He felt them guided into an interesting part of Vashin's mind, one that was cold and unfeeling.

"You can't even call him sentient anymore, he has more in kind with a machine." Shard's words from earlier in the day echoed through his head as he felt the depths of Raeg's mind. It was a strange place, though Visari had little interest in it. He began pulling out his feelers to find that Raeg had attempted to take hold of them to keep him from getting out. With an agitated roll of his eyes, he simply let go of his probes and they faded away; it wasn't as if they were hard to make, after all.

At the same time, he felt more of Raeg's own feelers trying to get at his mind. Instead of swatting them aside like the last ones, he decided to humor Raeg. "Are you so desperate to know me Falleen," he asked Raeg through the Force. Images would suddenly flash inside Raeg's mind, quick and almost randomly of what appeared to be Visari's past: being raised by his mother and father, traveling the galaxy with a Cerean man as he learned the ways of the Force, a young Visari staring in shock over the dead body of his master, who had died at his hands, and then him being welcomed back home and trained by his father, who, as Visari is today, was a Dark Jedi in disguise. "Are you satisfied, then," he asked as he raised his eyebrow again, regarding Raeg as an irritated parent might look at a foolish child. He swatted Raeg's feelers away again, and stood as he had been, with his hands resting on the head of his cane, as he waited for a response from the Falleen.

As he reached out with the Force to prepare for whatever might come next, he felt the signs of a struggle, and one that was not going well for one of those that were involved. He glanced about, and frowned a bit when he saw the look on the Rilan woman's face: it was quite subtle, and Visari had to look twice to see it, but she had the look of one who was trying to shrug something off, something that was too heavy to handle alone. I wonder... he thought. Visari reached out with his senses, and indeed, the struggle was coming from within her mind. He withdrew back to within his own fortress within the Force as he pondered what it could be. And then it hit him. "Ahhh...," he said with a wry grin as he looked up at Raeg. "Are you so unsure of your own abilities that you must make others do your work for you? Last I recall, Vashin, she was not the one who challenged your right to join us. Or are you so desperate that you would try to use one of the onlookers in your stead?"

As Cho watch the ensuing duel he scoffed at the turn of events. A noghri leadership duel would have brought blood by now. Though these would spend their force to test or break the mind. He thought about leaving or at the very least standing for his leg had gone to sleep, but the Falleen had started pushing his mine beyond and away from his opponent to another.

So Cho stood and walked over and around Novus's chair as he disappeared from view he also disappeared from the force.

-speaking quietly in native noghri tongue-Deception may be OK but not when you involve others to fight for you.

Cho continued around till he was behind Shard and the winged one. Stepping up behind the rilan, Cho extended his force void to hinder what ever plans were and alert Shard of the falleen's subtle influence.

Shard, not all knives are use in the back. If you care for this one what her closer and let none take her from you.

This Cho quietly whispered to Shard as the duel continued.

Raeg and Visari continued their fight, attacking the other and shrugging aside attacks in turn. It was tedious; Shard reflected on how it would already have been over if it were him. Then again, if it were him Raeg would have already died. "One of them must give way soon, eh?" he asked of his companion, chuckling wryly. "I see their every move, their every flash and usage within the Force. I could do better, but..." and he chuckled again.

Then, as the mutant Falleen flew into the air, he felt Shandari squeeze his shoulder. "Shandari?" he asked aloud, turning to see what was wrong. He saw her eyes locked on the fighters before them, he saw the flicker of discomfort; looking closer, he saw the binding web Raeg was attempting to weave about her. She had no real defense, and the Falleen could do as he liked with her.

Scowling, he turned back to face the fight again. "I know, Wroth, I see it," he replied quietly as the Noghri shielded the Rilan. "Thank you." With that he focused outward again, snaring the Falleen's web with his own mental pincers. "Lady Novus, the Falleen turns against the others! I cannot let that stand!" he silently told the Lady as he prepared to reprimand Raeg. Even if it had been anyone else, the Miraluka would have intervened, but Raeg had to go after Shandari... very bad move.

Two things happened simultaneously; one, Raeg's feelers were abruptly ripped away, yanked sideways: second, Shard's aura almost exploded outward as he let loose the restraints on his mind, allowing the burning madness within to emanate outward. The Falleen would feel an inexpressable heat tearing along his mental probes, burning them, shredding them to pieces like a dragon its meat. Replacable they might be, he would still feel a pain of sorts.

Before Raeg could react, that fiery draconic fury slammed against his mind, still slightly open from the probes sent against the Rilan. For ten seconds he had assaulted her; accordingly, for ten seconds he would in turn be assaulted. It was like no other assault; a raging cacophany of screaming whispers, images from a black morass flicking by too quick to register. From inside his mind the madness came, spreading, infecting.

Then, one voice above all the others, a thunderous deafening roar from the center of the maddening whirlwind in his mind. No one else would hear it; it was for Raeg alone:

"Stay away from them! Fight on your own, or do not fight at all! We are not your tools, Freak!"

The intrusion would last but a second more, and then it left as suddenly as it came. What lingering effects the Falleen's meticulous mind would suffer from its exposure to madness, Shard couldn't say and didn't care. Hopefully he would learn his lesson, for if he tried it again he would die painfully.

Abruptly Shard's very presence disappeared, as he drew down the Art of the Small once again, though he included Shandari this time as well. Raeg would not be able to find them if he desired to retaliate, not through the Force anyway; besides, even if he did, the interior of the Miraluka's mind was far, far worse than the brief sample he had forced upon the Falleen. "Stay near, Wroth, just in case," he murmured to the watching Noghri.

There was a steep and disgruntled sigh, as a small huff of air pressed out of Eurachis's lips and brushed his now shoulder length hair past his face and up a little into the air. He made a snide remark mumbled at the mirror as he passed by heading to the door. Moments prior, he'd been sitting in his room, on the balcony or dais, staring up into the sky, relaxing... he somber had a chance as of recent. Now that he had a few days to relax, he did so with ease and plenty of joy.

His eyes winced a tad as he stretched his back and arms, rolling his shoulder up and arcing past his neck... a slight pop telling him that he was limbered up now. He stood silently in front of the door, pondering what it was that could be causing such a commotion outside, near the outer wings and rooms of the new temple, and then he felt a very familiar presence flair up and crash down several times.

His smile, as thin or hard to make out as it was soon grew into a full fledged grin. "Lady Novus...Tsk tsk tsk... My aren't we a busy girl." He chuckled and let the door slide open slowly nodding to his clad black guards. They wore dark hoods and red sash's as requested by him upon selecting those worthy enough to watch over his sleeping quarters, as well as his meditation room. His knowledge and power was something he preferred not to share openly, and thus he was very picky when it came to guards that watched over his own inner sanctum.

The two guards shifted suddenly as if to summon two guards from down the hall, but Eurachis waved them back. He by no circumstances required a guard or a garrison of them for that matter. He was the symbol of strength at the temple.. it would be foolish to appear lesser than he was... and while none of them truly needed their guards, he insisted on maintaining his status and appearance.

Darth Eurachis stepped silently and briskly in the direction of Novus's Office, assuming she was there at the time of her flair up.... "WOMAN.... I swear... sometimes, they all can be real pai---"


The sudden rush of anger hit him like a smack to the head. It wasn't a real familiar surge in the force, the pesence was one he'd sensed before, but not entirely... and then it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Someone is quite practiced in monitoring their own presence.. Interesting. " The surge had come from outside the temple... at the peak above the structure. Eurachis stretched his awareness, let his presence be made known to any and all who were open to the force as he looked around for who, what, and how many there were. The raise of an eyebrow merely tipped the total amount of his now ravenous curiosity. He was very interested in what exactly was happening at the temple peak..


nothing good no doubt.

He quietly worked his way up to the peak and slowly stepped towards Novus, clearly ignoring the duel, even though he was Very well aware of what was going on now that he could see it first hand.

Eurachis's Eyes moved up and down the one called shard. He was sure he'd seen this person once or twice before.. but again, could not place him. His hands moved lightly up to his chin, and scratched at it... his scraggly 5 o'clock shadow was back.

He waved one of the ceremonial guards out of the way making him viewable by Novus's Peripheral vision. He lightly leaned up and over the throne with a wicked looking smile. "MY dear lady Novus, I would certainly love to hear why we are up here, watching two bugs fight each other... Or perhaps there is a game or wager going on that i was not told of?" He cocked an eyebrow and swung down and leaned against the throne crossing his arms smugly and continued to watch the duel, slightly disproving of the fact that lightsabers were not being used.

Deep in meditation, Lady Renata was floating on the waves of the Force. She rose and fell in its tide, allowing it to wash over her. The sensation was like being just a little too close to a flame. It burned. But oh how it burned! The Dark Lady's impassive face allowed the slightest of smiles to tug at the corners of her thin lips. That creature she kept locked inside, the one that rattled the bars of her ribcage was allowed free reign here. It cantered about in the realm of meditation, drinking in the fire and power that was the Force.

Then, like a hammer, the sensations and presence of others within the Force struck Renata, causing ice blue eyes to fly open, and the once eerily pleasant smile to decay into a frown. How dare her peace be disturbed! A feral growl rose in her throat as white knuckles gripped the fabric of her clothing where it rested on her knees. Pulses of the Force began to ripple from the newly appointed Darth and it all rose in intensity around her. But no. That beast could not be loosed. Not here, not now. It must be tamed first. It was caged once again and the energy around the woman began to subside. Her face returned to its blank expression, with only a hint of annoyance showing in her furrowed brow.

Standing from where she sat, Renata exited her meditation chamber. She appraised the doorway as she left, unsatisfied with the ineffectual barrier the walls seemed to make. She made a mental note to reinforce them later. Now, she had more important things to deal with... like those that had disturbed her. Her own guard, dressed in the black armor similar to those that protected the other Darths, shot to attention and fell into quick step behind the Dark Lady as she moved through the corridors of the temple. She rose through the levels, leaving a distinct feeling of vexation in her wake. But as she neared the upper levels, she could sense her comrades and her frustrations was eased slightly.

By the time she reached the door that would exit to where this now obvious show was taking place, Renata was somewhat curious. She had of course known of the events that lead to this, and now simply wished to see the results. She arrived just after Eurachis, and so took the opportunity to reply to his comment once she was next to both him and Novus.

Well if you're not interested.... shoo fly.

Just as she approached, her guard had taken the initiative to bring up more thrones, similar to Novus'. The two were placed beside hers for Eurachis and Renata to sit. Renata waved her guard away, and they stood back behind the thrones in wait for orders. Taking her seat, Renata gave a bow of her head to Novus before turning her eyes to the match.