[color=00aeef][center][h2]Chapter 5[sub][color=0076a3][center]Unsettling Future -cont.[/center][/color][/sub][/h2][/center][/color] [hr] [right][color=00aeef][right]Week 5, Day 6, Morning[/right][/color][/right] Dawn cracked across Ryloth's skies, the night's purple faded away to reddish gold. The light climbed through the crude door. Separated into bars, they stretched across the dirt floor toward Lo. The young Bothan sat cross-legged while she inhaled then exhaled. With each breath, she spread out her energy. Letting it mingle with the outside world as a peaceful mood spread over her. It didn't last long. Her head cocked when her ears caught the sounds of foot steps bolting toward their hut. "Master, I believe we will have company shortly." Just when she finished, a young Twi'lek shifted the dangling planks aside and stepped in. The youngster, Ro'Sara, was Lo's senior by only a year or two. Pale blue skin painted by the dark stripes and tribal markings of her original tribe caused her to stand out. She wore the simple, streamline garb fitting for both modesty and the humid weather. Her eyes shifted from Dom to Lo, her voice breaking the silence within. "Jedi Rothul and Lo! Sar needs your help. Come quickly." Lo's eyes opened and concern crossed her expression, showing in her bristled fur. With grace, she shifted to her feet then looked to Dom to note his reaction. Hearing Lo’s warning, Dominik began to stand from his crude bed as the young Twi’lek burst through the crude doorway. The man adjusted the boots on his feet before looking to Lo, and then back to Ro'Sara. “Lead the lay, Ro'Sara.” he said. He made sure Lo was ready before following after the Twi’lek girl, out their crude hut and towards the place in which many of the farm animals for their small village were kept. Adjusting the robes on his shoulders, Dominik spotted Sar as the younger Twi’lek rejoined the group. “Sar, what’s wrong?” he asked as he stopped right beside the Twi’lek man. “The gate wasn’t shut properly on the Rycrit’s pen. They’re all gone. Our hunters have searched nearby but could not find any of them.” Sar explained. “Lo and I will take a look. Pay attention to your wrist com, if we find them I’ll let you know.” Dominik said, thankful that one of their most recent supply drops had included some older technology they could use to communicate in short distances. “C’mon Lo,” the man said, looking to his Padawan next before turning towards the treeline, “We need to hurry before they wander too far.” "Agreed. A large herd like that is bound to gain the attention of a few Gutkurrs'." Lo stated as she glanced to the ground. The Rycrit's cloven tracks sank into the dirt, but barely left traces or indicated a direction. She wiggled her muzzle before turning to Dominik with an uncertain look. "I have no idea how to track them, do you?" She was blunt in her addressing of the problem and lack of skill. “It’ll be tricky, but I do. Come, I’ll show you.” Dominik didn’t wait much longer before he led his Padawan towards the treeline, where the faint tracks disappeared amongst the underbrush and foliage. He kneeled down upon reaching the start of the thick brush, seeing as the tracks disappeared but many other clues presented themselves. “Look here, on the brush.” He explained, his fingers moving to grab a small tuft of fur from the rough foliage. “We can keep a look out for their fur on the brush, it might take us far if we can keep finding it.” Lo carefully watched him. Her dark eyes narrowed and absorbed into his lesson. When he brought forward the brown fur of the Rycrit, she leaned in to get a good sight of where it came from. Her eyes lifted to look deeper and farther into the indicated direction. "Are there any other sights we can look for too? Fur can't be the only way to track them, can it?" Her questions once more rapidly fired from her muzzle. “Come.” Dominik said at her questions, leading her into the brush now, quietly, his old eyes scanning their surroundings for clues. “Broken twigs on the ground, disrupted leaves, bent foliage. Like this, here.” Dominik explained, his hand caressing a small leaf that had been torn as an animal had ran by. Lo quickly followed in Dominik's wake. Her eyes gradually began to piece together the faint, but clear impression of a path within the foliage. It wove farther from the village as she smiled, finally catching onto the lesson. Her head turned when she sensed her master about to give her additional instruction. “Use your senses Lo, close your eyes, listen to your surroundings.” He explained, looking down at the young Bothan before his eyes scanned through the trees. She nodded. Her brown eyes sank behind her eyelids as she inhaled then exhaled. Her force began to reach out into the surroundings and take stock of all living creatures within it. Faint flickers of living creatures, their various shapes outlined in her head, darted throughout the flora. After identifying each one, she got a tug into one direction. Her arm rose to point them into it. “They went that way. Toward water.” “Very good.” Dominik said with a quick nod and a smile before his feet started in the direction she had pointed. His form kept low, hidden in the brush in case they were to come upon the unsuspecting herd, or worse. He took the lead in front of his Padawan, following the clues, reaching his senses out and feeling the herd as well. His eyes scanned the forest around them as his senses remained out, feeling the aura of the forest and seeing many of the surrounding creatures. As Dominik led her, Lo expanded her senses. She mimicked him in his posture and alertness, understanding the importance. Her foot stepped on a twig causing it to loudly snap. Immediately, she froze in place. Two of the six Rycrit rose their heads, their four nostrils inhaled. The wind blew downwind pulling the jedi's scent away from the beasts. With some hesitation, they lowered their heads and satisfied their thirst. Just to the right of them, three Gutkurr stalked the herd. Lo immediately caught their energy causing her to whisper to her master. "I think we need to hurry. The Rycrit won't be safe for long." She didn't know why, but she got an unsettled feeling for them to hurry. Dominik heard Lo's warning so he closed his eyes and focused. He could feel the energy too, and hear their huffs and large clawed feet on the forest floor. He could feel their passion for their prey, could feel the vibrations of their muscles as they prepared to launch towards their prey. "Lo, go directly to the herd. I'm going to intercept the Gutkurr." Dominik instructed. He didn't wait for Lo to ask any questions before he started moving towards the small group of Gutkurr to their right. Lo opened her mouth, but she shut it when she spotted her master take off. She sighed. Her legs tensed and pushed off the ground, her figure pushing into a quicker pace. She remained in stealth as she continued to pull closer. Just a meter or two from the drinking animals, her foot snapped on a twig. All six Rycrit's heads lifted into her direction. Lo gave a guilty and toothy grin. Exposed to their line of sight, they snorted then began to bolt away. "Crap..." She cursed then began to rush after them. Master Rothul heard the herd bolt before he saw them, and then saw his Padawan chasing after them. He brought a finger to his wrist link, activating it and sending a signal to Sar that they needed help. As the Rycrit bolted, the Gutkurr charged after the running herd. Dominik's feet pushed off the ground in order to keep up with them, the man suddenly seeming a lot younger than he was as his speed matched the large animals. He jumped a few moments later, flying through the air before his feet found the hard shell of the Gutkurr's back. The creature started banking left and right at the realization that something was on top of it. Dominik drew his lightsaber and activated it, the blade shooting down into the creatures head. Keeping his saber active, Dominik jumped onto the next closest one, shoving the end of his saber down into its head. The creature collapsed immediately and Dominik caught himself on the ground, not a moments hesitation before he chased after the final one. Lo's eyes narrowed on the Rycrit. She picked up her speed and pushed forward, rushing from the tall grass onto the river's shore. Dust kicked up behind her with each step, driving her closer to the nearest Rycrit. The nostrils shorted in heavy breaths as it raced forward. Her mind shuffled through numerous solutions to get them to stop. Her attention snapped up to the head Rycrit's open back. She smirked then picked up her speed to get to the nearest one. Her eyes closed and she focused her force within her. With a coiling of her legs, she released then jumped into the air. Lo's eyes snapped open. Her legs came together when she managed to land on its back. The beast snorted and jerked causing her balance to shift. A small yelp escaped her muzzle as Lo wobbled, catching herself. Her eyes jerked to the lead Rycrit. She inhaled deeply then leapt again. Flipping herself over, her foot slipped when she landed. Her arm shot out and gripped a fistful of fur. Desperately she hung onto the beast's side while it continued on. Each twitch and sway threatened to knock her off as she fought to keep on. "Oh no... oh no." Lo uttered while her original grip slipped. With heavy effort, her other arm came up. It tugged on another fistful of fur, and she scaled up the creature gradually. Reaching the back, she gripped the creature's hunches. “Why did I think this was a good idea?” She asked herself. Looking ahead as he ran, Dominik noticed his Padawan moving amongst the herd, balancing on their backs and finding her balance in the chaos that was the raging herd. The remaining Gutkurr charged faster towards the Rycrit as they moved as one, its large eyes spotting even larger prey moving amongst them, Lo. Dominik saw the creature’s desire for food fuel it’s movements as it sped up. Dominik moved fast, pushing hard off the ground and finding very unstable footing on the back of the Gutkurr. It bucked and struggled immediately, it’s desire for food outweighing the alarm at the feeling of something on its back. Lo felt the Rycrit’s movements jar through her own body. She winched with each bump they trampled through as they continued to stampede. Her eyes widened when she glanced to the right. Large biped, segmented Gutkurr bared down on the herd’s side. Gritting her teeth, the young Bothan scooted higher on the hunches and gripped the ears of her stead. She jerked the head to the side. A small resistance before the Rycrit she rode turned. With its guidance, the rest started to follow as they pulled away from the predators. Seeing the Rycrit herd change direction thanks to Lo's quick thinking, Dominik's focus moved back to the Gutkurr. Two more had come up from within the treeline to one side, making three again. Suddenly he jumped from the one he was one, propelling himself forward and landing just before the small group of Gutkurr as they charged their prey. The Master Jedi held out one hand, eyes closed as he took the Gutkurr's attention with the Force. The three predators skidded to a stop almost immediately, their focus suddenly taken by the Jedi Master as he stood before them, attempting to buy Lo some time to get the Rycrit herd under control while he held the Gutkurr at bay. Lo knew the Rycrit wouldn't settle down until they no longer had the scent or sight of the Gutkurr. Her hands gripped the Rycrit's ears as she continued to veer them away. She glanced back to see her master fully ceasing the Gutkurr's attention on their prey. A smirk crossed on her muzzle as her eyes caught the small figures of Sar and his group coming in to intercept the herd. "How do I stop these things?!?" She shouted. “Show them you mean no harm!” Sar called back, racing somewhat close to the Rycrit herd with his Blurrg. “Place your hand on its forehead, you have to show the leader it has nothing to fear!” “Easier said than done!” Lo yelped as the Rycrit bucked. She lost her seat and began to slip down the side, her hands clinging desperately to the fur. Her eyes widened in panic while she pulled herself back on. Gently her arm stretched out to rest her hand on the creature’s head. He snorted then began to slow down, the gallop trickling down to a walk. Lo laid against the Rycrit’s back as it continued its meandering pace, her jawline pressed into the neck. “That was an unpleasant ride…” Coming in riding on the back of a Blurrg, Dominik joined the rest of the group around the herd of Rycrit who had calmed down. A few of the other Twi’leks had dispatched the Gutkurr that Dominik had been dealing with, leaving the Master Jedi to check on his padawan. A chuckle could be heard as he slid off the back of the Blurrg, walking amongst the Rycrit who had now come to a stop. “Very well done, Lo.” he said, walking up to his Padawan and giving her one, then two pats to her back as she rested on the Rycrit. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have a way with animals.” He said, half joking as he had seen what she had done to finally stop the herd. “Now, shall we get them back to the village?” “I seriously doubt that. They refused to listen to me and if not for Sar’s instructions, I would still be hanging on for dear life.” Lo huffed in exhaustion, her eyes rolled into her master’s direction. She let her arms hang down while she felt the beast move underneath her. “Yes, please. I don’t think I could handle any more excitement today.” [right][color=00aeef][right]Week 6, Day 4, Midday[/right][/color][/right] “Pace yourself.” Dominik said, his saber lit as he struck falsely towards Lo to his front. After many sparring sessions, the Master Jedi had decided it was time to pull out their sabers, to make it as realistic as possible. A injuring blow and the sparring would stop so that they could discuss with each other, right and wrong. “Your breathing, your strength, you must control it all; otherwise you’ll tire easily and give the enemy the upperhand.” “I’m trying to, Master.” Lo stated as her arm fidgeted and rose to block the fake out attack. She ducked underneath his next swing. She lifted her leg and went to instinctively kick his side. The little Bothan hesitated. Her second guessing caused her to retract it and missed an opportunity, adjusting her stance. Decades of experience was one of the things that separated the two Jedi as they sparred. A man of hundreds of conflicts and duels versus a young Bothan with a trying past and troubled present. “Do not hesitate, Lo.” Dominik said, noticing as the young Bothan adjusted herself for a kick but backed off at the last moment; he knew it wasn’t just because they were against each other, there was more to it. “If you start something, you must commit to it, no matter where it may take you.” He began, swinging his saber and catching Lo in a parry before he used a light Force push to force the Bothan backwards. He watched her stumble at the sudden push, so went in for a feinted strike towards her form. Lo widened her legs but her balance suffered. She fell to her side as she raised her blade to protect from a downward strike by Dominik. She flipped back onto her feet and swung at his feet, ducking underneath his next incoming attack. Despite her grace, her mind continued to race. It questioned her actions and choices. With each parry or block, her strength threatened to give. She inhaled then exhaled, trying to purge her mind of the negativity. Seeing and feeling everything from his Padawan, Dominik stopped immediately. His saber was withdrawn and he stood, taking a few deep breaths as his body pulled out of it’s sparring tension. “You’re hesitating. You cannot hesitate Lo. Your enemy will see that and take advantage of it immediately.” “It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose.” Lo’s frustration showed in her voice causing her to flinch. She closed her eyes and inhaled, her own blade deactivated in the same motion. “Thoughts just keep flying into my head whenever I try to do something. I try to shut it off, but…” Her foot shifted and scraped the dirt. She found the ground with her eyes. “Remember what I’ve told you. Trust my words, trust yourself, and trust in the Force.” He said, taking another stance before his saber was activated. “Again.” He said. He gave his Padawan a few moments to prepare herself before the years of experience suddenly began to show from Master Rothul. His feet moved in almost practiced grace and fluidity as he covered the distance between he and Lo in a heartbeat. His saber hit hers, but he didn’t wait unlike before. He moved again, and his saber was caught with another parry. The Jedi struck at Lo with precision only one could gain from the experience Dominik had been a part of his whole life. Despite the Master kicking it up a notch, he made sure to give his Padawan a chance. He purposefully left openings as he struck, seeing if she would notice them, and, in time, use them to her advantage. Lo's eyes widened in surprise when Dom's attacks came. They struck with unfamiliar aggression and precision. She had little time to think as her body reacted. Her blade wiped out to block. First right, left, then jump. She flipped over him coming down with a vertical slash. He blocked it causing her arms to push herself away. A tingling sense warned her of danger. Her eyes shifted to see the green blade swing around for her legs. She stretched out an arm. With the force, she gripped the nearest tree. With some effort, she jerked herself to it. Landing on her feet, she spotted the opening. She spun on her leg as her blue blade went for it. Every ounce of her committed to the attack. Her master's green blade buzzed while it blocked her. Plasma hissed and sparked when they locked. Lo gritted against the man's strength. Her feet lost grip when he pushed her back. The blade released each other, once more engaged into a whirling battle. Lo continued to parry, dodge and block. As her master's last swing missed her, a right leg shot out. She aimed a round kick to his shoulder connecting with flesh. Dominik almost immediately noticed the change in Lo’s attacks and parries when he gave her little time to think. This was as close as he could get her to an actual duel right now. He watched her reflexes, as she handled her saber and her footwork while doing so. He could hide the smirk on his face as he became impressed at how quickly she was learning. The man felt Lo’s kick to his shoulder; strong and committed. It knocked him off balance as he went down to one knee, catching himself. His saber was withdrawn immediately before the man raised a hand, signalling the end of their duel. “You learn quickly, little one. Now do you see what I mean?” He asked, referring to how her actions changed when she trusted each movement and counter. “You’d do well to remember this.” [right][color=00aeef][right]Week 7, Day 1, Midday[/right][/color][/right] Lo’s head shifted and took in the ambient noises. Avian creatures rustled in the trees. They chirped their songs, calling to mates or chasing away the silence. Water ran its course through the land at a steady, relentless pace. Its noise calm and inviting. Sunlight peeked through the canopy’s gaps placing a dapple light pattern on her brown fur. A smile cracked on her muzzle while she looked into her basket hung. She lifted the arm it hung from as she shifted through the damp moss and leaves. “Master, make sure to keep the leaves damp. They are less likely to wilt. If that happens, it would be harder to press and properly dry them later.” Lo commented as she turned to glance at her master. Hearing words of wisdom from his Padawan, Dominik looked over to her and smiled. "You're the expert." He teased, watching her for a moment before his eyes moved back to the surrounding forest. Now that the caverns were halfway finished, the Twi'lek people were preparing themselves, stockpiling herbs, food, and even water down in the cave system. Everyone knew war was coming to Ryloth, it had already begun. His old eyes moved to the Twi'leks around them who were helping to gather different kinds of herbs. Some for healing, some for cooking or other things. Children and adult alike were all helping to better their now large village and prepare for the worst. It was something that constantly ran through Dominik's mind. Far from Tython, from the Republic, he was prepared to do anything necessary to protect Lo and make sure she made it to see more worlds than just Tython and Ryloth. It was his duty as her Master, and as a Jedi. Lo flashed him a wider smile, her lips curled back and exposed the white canines. She checked her basket then spritz some water over the plants with the force. A faint mist wafted over them to keep them fresh and moist. She couldn't help the pride or oddness that filled her from teaching her master something. Her figure leaned down as she examined a flower. Noting its odd colored markings and buds, she carefully trimmed off a sprout then placed it in her basket. With the proper care and attention, it would regrow roots. A Twi'lek child rushed toward her. In his fist he clenched a small vine of leaves. "Lo! Lo! I found some clot vine!" The child squeaked. His foot caught in a tangle of roots as he stumbled, a large thump echoed from his landing. The pale twi'lek yelled causing Lo to jerk upright. Carefully the navigated her way to the fallen child, seeing the young boy holding his leg. A large bleeding gash ran from mid-calf to the ankle. "Shh, it's all right. Let me see?" Lo asked as she sat down, her arms raised to gesture for the leg. The boy, Na'seca, shook his head causing the Padawan to frown and thoughtfully put her finger to her lips. Her attention turned to Dominik as she shouted. "Master, can you bring some of your herbs and the bandages?" Meanwhile, she looked through her basket of plants for a specific one. Dominik heard the commotion from his location, not too far from his Padawan. Stepping through the foliage, he rummaged through the bag he held to find what Lo had requested. His fingers found what was needed and pulled out the roll of bandages, as well as a handful of the herbs a moment later. He held them out for Lo, helping the Padawan with an extra hand for when she was ready. Lo turned to Dominik then nodded her thanks. She gently took the materials from his hand as she set the plants into her basket creating a bundle. Her hand gestured causing two rocks to float toward her. One large and flat and the other small and rounder. They would create a crude mortar and pestle. Finally, she passed both the rocks and the twisted plant bundle back to Dominik. "Can you grind the herbs into a paste? One will stop the bleeding, another is for pain, and the final one is to accelerate healing. Please sterilize the surfaces with water." She was calm and confident in her knowledge while she turned back to the boy. "Na'seca, isn't it? I can't heal it if you don't let me see it. I know it hurts, but I'll be gentle. Promise." Again her hands reached out to gently take the Twi'lek's leg. The boy inhaled then let her examine the gash. It was thankfully shallow as she turned to her master. "Are those herbs done?" Listening to her instruction, Dominik did as he was told. The Jedi master hadn't done much in the way of healing in his time, besides dressing wounds in the battlefield and treating others in a proper medical environment. He followed Lo's instructions so that when she asked if he was finished, they were ready. He handed the crushed herbs back to the young Bothan carefully, letting her take them and continue treating the Twi'lek boy with relative ease and wisdom. The Master watched her, his eyes moving from his Padawan, to the Twi'lek, and back again. He couldn't help but be proud in that moment. Lo adjusted a stray bang in her eyesight. She curled her finger around the tip and pulled it behind her ear, the curl caught in place. Dipping a forefinger into the mush, she reached over and spread it across the wound. The boy recoiled then relaxed. Once a generous amount had been applied, she placed the crude mortar and pestle aside. She stretched out the bandages to wrap about the leg tight enough to hold, but loose enough to not hurt. As the young padawan’s eyes shifted, she noticed the sunlight dying. Night was coming causing her to frown. She leaned into her master’s direction and pointed to the evidence. “Sar stated no one should be out past dark. We should collect everyone and start heading back, we can determine what else we need tomorrow. I think Na’seca needs some help.” At those words, she pushed herself upright. In a smooth movement, she slipped the Twi’lek’s arms onto her shoulder and scooped up his legs. Carrying the boy on her back, she handed off her basket to Dominik. “I hope you don’t mind carrying that.” “Not at all.” Dominik chuckled, taking the basket from Lo and watching her lead the way back to the village. He almost felt like he was the student, and she was the master for a moment; the way she held herself when assessing and caring for a wound was something Dominik had noticed and almost seemed natural to her. Lo was a very knowledgeable Padawan, despite her lack of experience in the field. A smile on his face and confidence in his heart for his Padawan, the older Jedi followed the young Bothan back as she led the way to the village.