Bonadan Trade Hall



"Tyscio, how many people have I doomed to death by letting that man live?" came Leia's dark thoughts. "How many times has he come this close to death by someone adhering to the will of the force and they withhold the killing stroke only to hear that he has yet conquered another system. That he has yet destroyed another enemy and that he has yet killed more innocents?"


Tyscio thought quietly about his impression of the Imperial he had just met.

So that's Simon Kaine. He was not the blustering Imperial that he had thought such a man would be. He did not wear excessive rank pins or medals and did not so much promote the pomp that he would have thought a man in his station would have.

This was a man who let his successes speak for him. Tyscio tried to recall the man's eyes and saw a hardness there, a resolve to meet whatever Fate conspired to have befall him.

He either was very confident Leia would control her rage.. which was not a bad gamble when you thought about it, or he simply is not afraid to die.

I wonder how often he comes face to face with those that wish him dead. And they are probably more numerous than he realizes.


"Leia, if you've taught me anything, it is the fact that a Jedi opens their mind and heart to the will of the Force. That by allowing ourselves to act according to our emotions (through the Force) perverts and shatters the threads that bind all life...all living things...together. Such an act would eventually see this galaxy to wither and die as all binds are cut. But, by allowing the Force to flow through us, we begin to catch glimpses of these threads and see the eventualities that must play out. It is the cycle of Life through the Force that allows us to see that life will progress, will evolve and will stand up to that which enslaves, dictates and destroys that process.

If people die, it is not you who hold the responsibility but the man who wields the sword. If you were to break that cycle...if you were to ignore that powerful ally, the Force, how many more would die?"


He put his arm around her. "Do not punish yourself for doing the right thing."


Leia smiled but in the end, Tyscio knew that she would worry. "Do you still want to see Mr. Vinda?"


Suddenly brought back to the reason as to why she had come, she pushed the experience of the past few moments aside and nodded.

"It looks like his assistant has gone off with Kaine." Tyscio looked around.

"Then he's free." Leia remarked and headed for the door cracked open a little and pushed.

It moved silently open and they saw Mr. Vinda seated once more holding a drink and looking lost in thought.

They had not seen him since the Jubiliee (Victory celebration after the Conquest) and the meeting afterwards on Capricia. The man who had stood with them throughout the Conquest and the last battle in the Jak'Tol Province seemed a little worse for wear.

"Mr. Vinda?" Tyscio interrupted and the businessman turned towards the intrusion.

The man had cast them a questioning look that Tyscio could not decipher.

Leia, though...She knew what was going on in Vinda's mind and smirked, "Don't worry. I did not kill him."

“If you would be so kind as to follow me please Supreme Commander, I have booked you into the Bonadan Excelsior, you have a free tab, and if you should need anything , anything at all, simply call reception and ask for me…”

She gestured for the Imperial to follow…

*

Kaine allowed himself to be guided by the nervous woman before him as she made private arrangements to have him delivered to the Bonadan Excelsior with all the discretion a man of his stature and reputation required.

"Please arrange for two rooms," he informed her as she was contacting the Excelsior, thinking of Zell. "The Grand Moff is off inspecting... something and, should he check in, may need a place to stay."

He briefly wondered where Zell had gone too but was too tired to really care. If the old man was found lying face up in pile of snow dead in the morning, he figured Zell would have a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a frozen whore in the other.

As the woman led him to the transport that was shuttle him to the hotel, he had the temerity to suddenly ask, "Tell me, Zara is it? Are you wanted by the Empire for anything?"

Vinda looked up to see both Leia and Tyscio standing in the doorway…

The Jedi Master appeared to read the ex-businessman’s thoughts, since the first thing she said was almost in direct reply to them…



"Don't worry. I did not kill him."


He visibly relaxed at this and took a swig from his glass, relieved…then smiled half-heartedly at the pair…


"I am relieved to know that"


And with that he gestured for the couple to enter, and take a seat…


“Today did not go as expected…” he added ruefully, as the couple entered...

He placed his drink down...

“Its been too long, despite the timing, its good to see you both” He smiled as he arose from the table to shake Tyscio’s hand in greeting…


Leia cooly kept her hands to herself, her run in with the Imperial still fresh in her mind, Vinda sensed she was still simmering under the surface…

It was of course no surprise to Vinda to know the Jedi Master would not be thrilled to find Kaine here amongst the Commonwealth...


However, as far as Vinda was concerned, it was a necessary evil...



Regardless of this, he was sincerely pleased to see them both, a welcome distraction from the stressful day he had experienced thusfar...


“What can I do for you both or this just a social?” He asked, genuinely curious as to why the pair would have come all this way to see him…













Private Docking bay.




As Zara did her job, she listened intently as the Imperial spoke, anxious to make up for her earlier mistake...

"Please arrange for two rooms," he informed her as she was contacting the Excelsior, thinking of Zell. "The Grand Moff is off inspecting... something and, should he check in, may need a place to stay."

"Of course Supreme Commander, consider it done..."

...and as Zara made the arrangements , she confirmed the details with her guest.

"You are in penthouse 205, and Commander Zell has the opposite, no 206, I trust you will enjoy your stay Supreme Commander"

As the couple exited the Trade hall, Zara gestured to the awaiting shuttle..." This will take you straight there, it is yours to use while you stay on Bonadan, the driver will take you anywhere you need..."

The Imperial's next comment, made the secretary freeze...

"Tell me, Zara is it? Are you wanted by the Empire for anything?"


Zara smiled nervously, unsure of how to respond...


"No, Supreme Commander" She said quickly, then in a flush of confidence she added... "but I suppose that might depend on how your stay goes"

She looked up and smiled...

Natalya awoke early, the sounds of the birds outside seemed to fill her ears as she slowly , but stiffly, hoisted herself upright…

The fire was still going, and something new was bubbling away in the pot over it…

At least, Nat hoped it was something new…

She looked over to her friend, who looked still very much asleep, and as her eyes settled on her sleeping form , the previous nights revelations came to the fore…

The young woman’s gaze did not shift even as Salazar entered the home, clutching a pile of firewood, his touch light, careful to not wake his resting guests.

“you’re up early..” He said softly, laying the wood down in the corner…

Nat smiled slightly, drunken with heavy thought…

The old Jedi chuckled quietly to himself…

“What?” She asked, turning to face the Jedi, sensing she was the centre of the amusement…

The old man sat down by the fire as he replied “ Nothing, its just you remind me so much of your mother…I swear the last time I saw her, she had the exact same expression on her face…”

Nat smiled faintly…and her gaze drifted to the fire, and there it stayed, as if hypnotized…

“What was she like?” She asked eventually…

Salazar smiled to himself, and he seemed to drift away himself as he spoke… “Beautiful, passionate, stubborn as hell, she held an inner strength…A grace about her, an innate dignity which came through in her dealings with people…and I was amazed at how strongly the force flowed through her…”

The old man moved and sat down beside Nat upon the makeshift bed…

“She would be very proud of you”

Nat swallowed, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, but listened intently…

“I was angry when she took the decision to give up being a Jedi, I felt it was too much, even for your father…I’m afraid he doesn’t like me much, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still blames me for what happened…” Salazar’s voice trailed off a little…

“I admit , I blamed him, but I realise now it was the will of the force” He shook his head a little… “I sometimes think your mother understood this better than I did…she was naturally insightful…”

Natalya’s eyes widened at this…

“Will of the force?..” She asked…her face confused…

Salazar, nodded slowly but deliberately.

“You are not here by accident Natalya, you are here because events have led you here, events guided by the force…”

Natalya looked away; it was a stretch for her at this moment in time…

…But inside she felt his words strike a chord…

“I’ve been having …dreams…” She started, her eyes glazing over…

Salazar ‘s forehead wrinkled in reaction…

“Oh? what were they about?”

Natalya sighed deeply, and described vividly all she had dreamt of, the horrific scenes of death, and torture, the faces of those perpetuating it, and of course how she had come to learn of Brion and Salazar himself…

When she finished , she searched the old man’s face as he leant back, with his fingers stroking the greying stubble upon his chin…deep in thought…

“Very interesting…” he said finally, almost absently as he fell into deep thought…

“There was something else too…” Nat followed up quckly, and the old Jedi looked up expectantly…

Nat returned her gaze into the flames…

“A name…..Mnestra…”

“Does it mean anything to you?…”

Salazar’s face was one of puzzlement…and he shook his head…

“No, I’m afraid it does not”

A frown embedded itself across the young woman’s brow as she heard this…

“What did you …feel?” he asked her, pointedly

Natalya’s gaze grew distant, as she searched her feelings…

“Cold.” She said vaguely…

“It felt…” She paused and looked up at the old man…

“Go on..” he prompted…

“Evil” She said

He smiled to himself…

“It is clear to me, you also share the same gifts of insight as your mother, after all, you found your way here, with nothing more than a name. You should learn to trust your instincts more, and while I do not know of this….Mnestra…. it is clear to me that whatever you saw or experienced, was a warning…”

The old Jedi, leaned forward as if to reinforce his point…

“Heed it Natalya, and heed it well…be ready …”

Natalya looked down, as she considered this…

Salazar continued…

“You must begin your own training, develop your gifts, the force is strong in you Natalya , I can feel it, as I felt it in your mother …”

Natalya’s eyes widened further at this, but as the old man’s words sunk in , it felt right…

“What is the force?” She asked…

The old Jedi Master smiled warmly…

“A living energy that surrounds and binds all living things, if you quieten your mind you will hear its voice…close your eyes and concentrate, clear your mind of questions, and distractions”

His voice was warm, and comforting…

“Concentrate”

“…and listen Natalya…”

Nat allowed herself to do as he said, and closed her eyes, focusing her mind, and slowly she began to sense the world around her, it was almost as if something had been waiting for Salazar’s words, as suddenly she felt the surge of life around her.
Aware now of not just the three of them , but of everything surrounding them outside, a deep connection…it was like she had opened a door to a tidal wave…

The door had been opened, and it would not be closed anymore…


The force would not be denied…


She gasped slightly in reaction, and opened her now piercing blue eyes, feeling her pulse racing, her senses heightened…

The Jedi smiled broadly…

“Good, very good…You’ve just taken your first step” He placed a hand upon her shoulder, and then got up and approached one of the wooden chests at the back of the room, with a dull creak, it opened, and the Jedi retrieved something from inside of it.

Nat, looked up from her reverie to see the old man with his hands thrust forward, holding the item out for her to take…

“A gift from your mother”

His words jolted her back into the moment and Natalya’s eyes glided to the object in question, whatever it was, appeared to be wrapped in a soft but somewhat tired looking cloth, bound with ties…

“Open it when you get home…” He said as she began to untie it, she paused and looked up confused…

“Home?” She queried…

It was only then she realised the old man had started to pack…

“Yes. I am taking you both home”

Natalya’s face frowned…

“What about my training?”

Salazar paused, and smiled…

“I never said your training would be with me Natalya, I have done my part, the rest is now down to you. Your destiny lies on a different path to mine, one that is…” he hesitated for a moment as if to find the correct words…

“Closer to home…” he added finally, with a sly smile…

Natalya blinked; looked down at the object in her hands, then back up at the Jedi…

The old Jedi Master smiled once more, as he finished stuffing a small rucksack…

“I’ll bet your father is worried sick…”

Ishara had slowly woken up as she heard Natalya and Salazar talking and she began staring at the fire as it started to burn out…

Her thoughts were racing from the revelations of the night before.

“Good morning! I have gathered what I could of your things last evening” Salazar said in his normal friendly voice…

“Ishara, your bag has been beeping since the time I gathered it…” he handed the bag to Ishara; “…perhaps you should look.”

Ishara took the bag, still giving Salazar the angry stare she had the night before…

She looked in her bag and noticed her datapad was making the sounds…

While Ishara was checking her datapad, she noticed her friend Nat.

Ishara glanced over at her friend. “Hey Nat” she said with a brief smile.

Ishara returned to her datapad and read the message…

Her face showed she was shocked by what she read…

Nat gave Ishara a concerned look…

Ishara reread the message…

Message from Arahsi Inc., Teyr Facility



Ishara stood up, the pain ignored by her anger and disbelief…

Salazar raised his hands and tried to speak to the upset woman…

“Ishara, you have to control the rage. Don’t let it…” Salazar was cut off…

“Don’t you tell me how I should be feeling!” Ishara’s face was dark. She spoke in a low tone which was gradually raising….

“Don’t even try to!” Ishara continued to shout…

As she did so, the fire mysteriously increased from a small flame to large fire in the center of the room. It seemed to match Ishara’s rage…

Several objects around the room seemed to vibrate softly...

Ishara threw the datapad on the floor and clenched both of her fists…

“I never told you what the message said Salazar! You knew! You knew this would happen, didn’t you?!!” Ishara slowly walked towards Salazar who was now standing by the door, still feeling no pain…

“Ishara, calm down and control yourself. If there was anything I could have done, I would have. Right now you need to control your anger.” Salazar said in an increasingly stern tone…

Ishara’s face was still dark as she gave Salazar a cold stare…

She opened the door and went outside, slamming the door behind her…

The fire suddenly subsided and returned to a small flame…

Ishara walked a few feet from the door, reaching the tree line…

She dropped to her knees, overcome by grief.



Back inside, Salazar frowned as he looked towards Natalya...

"Your friend has challenges ahead of her, as does her sister." Salazar said sadly, his hand raising to his forehead...

"Go to her Natalya, you can help her far more than me."

Bonadan Trade Hall


Tyscio broke out into a grin as Vinda downed his drink and ordered another. He looked around and noticed some delicious looking appetizers that had been set out but pretty much ignored by Mr. Vinda's earlier meeting. Feeling brave, Tyscio began to help himself and as he munched he noted the CEO's bemused expression. Tyscio's grin widened even more and mumbled between bites, "A holdover from the Conquest. You never knew where your next meal was going to come from..."


As his voice trailed off, Mr. Vinda laughed and it seemed like the man geniuinely needed a good laugh.


“What can I do for you both or this just a social?” He asked, genuinely curious as to why the pair would have come all this way to see him…


"A little bit of both, I'd imagine," Tyscio answered absently, his eyes searching for a drink. "I came to personally deliver to you..," he reached into a coat pocket and pulled out a rather colorful flimzy, "..your very own wedding invitation."


Leia's eyes widened. "I thought we had agreed on a different format of invitations?"


Tyscio looked like he'd just been caught stealing a Jawa's pet droid. He turned to Vinda, "I thought that was part of a Jedi Mind Trick?"


Leia shook her head and turned to the CEO. "Mr. Vinda, while only the Force knows why I agreed to marry this nerf, you are invited and very welcome to our wedding, the date of which, I would imagine, would be fast approaching.."


"..lightspeed, babe." interjected Tyscio.


"Don't call me babe." Leia responded and turned back to Vinda, "I came here in search of your daughter. And, to be honest, I am not sure why....except that I have felt a force presence about her. An exceptionally stronger presence than I have typically felt with padawans undergoing training.

She stared pointedly at the CEO, "Such presence in a person may indicate a genetic connection. I would not wish to pry into your private matters, Sir, but I must ask, do you know that your daughter is a force sensitive? And, to satisfy my own curiousity more than anything, are you?"


Just because Leia was a Jedi Master did not necessarily mean she could pin-point everyone she saw as either force sensitive or not. The Force did not always reveal itself like a label stuck to the forehead of people. Sometimes, the presence of the Force went hand in hand with how an individual projected their own physical presence. An unassuming personality could go unnoticed by others even in plain sight whereas a stonger, more gregarious personality made hiding difficult, even if a person could mask their presence.

Seth Vinda was a person who kept all his cards to himself. He was a private individual even though seen publicly. Very few, indeed if any, knew anything of his personal life and the recent appearance of a daughter seemed to shed more light beyond the mystique of this quiet man.

Natalya froze as the room seemed to come alive…


The entire room had become highly charged, electric. Nat felt it was almost tangible, that she could almost reach out and touch the atmosphere…


As the fire flared up, she jumped, startled…



Nat remained quiet during the angry exchange between the Jedi master and her friend, her face a mixture of both shock and concern…



Her heart went out to Ishara…


Natalya knew exactly what it felt like to lose a loved one, and she too now felt the anger rise in her as she began to wonder what part Salazar had played in this…



As Ishara slammed the door behind her Natalya stood up to go after her, but stopped momentarily as the old man spoke…


"Your friend has challenges ahead of her, as does her sister." Salazar said sadly, his hand raising to his forehead...


"Go to her Natalya, you can help her far more than me."



She stood there looking at him intensely with a deep frown burrowed across her forehead…


“Is what she said true? Did you know this was going to happen?” She demanded, her voice calm, but the underlying anger clearly present…



Salazar hung his head a little , saying nothing, but his silence spoke volumes…


Natalya shook her head and turned to leave…


The old man defended himself… “There was nothing I could do Natalya, please believe me…”


Unconvinced, Nat opened the door and threw Salazar an angry stare as she replied, her tone sharp, designed to cut…


“You could have at least tried!” with that , she slammed the door and followed after her friend.





Nat found Ishara on the floor , doubled over in grief, and she once more felt her heart ache for her friend…


Natalya could feel the anger, sorrow and bitterness emanate from her like a candle throwing light around a darkened room…


Quietly, she approached her friend, and knelt down beside her…



“I’m so sorry Ishara” She said softly, sincere.



Instinctively Nat reached out for her friend, Ishara turned to face her, and Nat could see immediately she was fighting to hold back the tears…



Nat held her closer and cradled her tightly, Ishara did the same, and Natalya felt her friend break down…


She would never know how long they stayed together like that for, cradling each other, but she would always remember how she felt her own heartbreak at not being able to take away Ishara’s pain.


Despite the relatively short time they had known each other, through all of the experiences they had shared on this journey together, they had already grown so close…



There was nothing to say, and nothing that could be said…


Natalya knew exactly what her friend was going through , and she felt her own wounds ache from within her, empathising…



All that Ishara was left with was a raw, mind numbing pain, and a wound this deep, only heals with time, if at all.



Nat also understood this.



She whispered softly to her distraught friend…



“You are not alone in this Ishara. I'll always be there for you”



...I swear...

Ishara had never openly showed her emotions to anyone, but this was different.

Why she felt so comfortable and close to Natalya after such a short time, she did not know…

One thing was certain. Though she lost two of her close friends, Ishara knew she had truly gained one in Natalya. A friendship she would never take lightly.


Ishara had collected herself and then walked along the tree line with Natalya…

Ishara said very little as Nat’s company was simple enough.

After some time, Ishara’s head lowered and she stopped…

She faced Natalya and in a low voice simply said “thanks.”

The two seemed to sense what the other felt. So much so that words alone could never express what they thought.

The two shared a brief embrace until Salazar approached them…

“The bond you both share is your strength; always remember this no matter what the future holds for you.”

Salazar walked up to Ishara and placed his hand on her shoulder…

“There was nothing you, Natalya nor I could have done for your friends Ishara...”

Salazar gave a brief look towards Natalya…

“Even had we tried.”

Walking over a few feet, Salazar sat down upon a tree stump while Ishara still gave him a dark stare and continued…

“Through the force you will see many things. The future, the pa…”

Ishara interrupted; “I don’t need a lecture right now, especially from you” she said as she walked back inside to gather her things.

Salazar sighed and looked back to Natalya with a concerned look on face…

“Your friend is in danger Natalya. Ishara is having an inward conflict with the Darkside of the force, and it could very well take her over. She should come with us to Bonadan so we can stay close to her.”

Salazar leaned forward; his face was now serious as was his tone…

“If you truly value Ishara as a friend, you will need to be there for her now to help her with this struggle.”

Salazar stood up and placed his hands on Natalya’s shoulders…

“Now, let’s get you back home to your father. Perhaps Ishara can be persuaded to bring us there.”

The two walked back inside together…





Ishara was inside gathering her things. She picked up her belt and put it on along with placing her blaster back in its holster.

She had intense anger over what had happened to her friends…

Ishara desired revenge.

The door opened behind her and Salazar entered with Natalya close behind…

Salazar carefully approached Ishara and asked the question…

“Can you take us to Bonadan?”

Ishara gave a cold stare towards Salazar…

Her face then relaxed as she looked towards Natalya…

“Is that where you need to go Nat?”

Natalya knodded her head in agreement.

Ishara gave a small smile as she replied to Natalya, “Then I will take you home.”

Ishara looked back towards Salazar as her face darkened again…

“You can come along if you must.”

The group gathered what they needed and began to trek back to Masada City Spaceport.

Bonadan Trade Hall



Vinda instantly felt himself relax in the company of both Leia and Tysico, the Caprician had a disarming charm all of his own…

“Please, help yourself…” he said in response to Tyscio’s comments regarding the leftover food…

“I’d rather it didn’t go to waste…” he added with a grin…

As the pair explained their reasons for coming to Bonadan, the old man raised an eyebrow , surprised, and then smiled broadly as he accepted the invitation…

“Hah! Wonderful! This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time! …I wouldn’t want to miss this!”

He studied the flimziplast intently, forgetting the day’s stressful events momentarily…

It was only as Leia explained her own reasons, that Vinda looked up…


"I came here in search of your daughter. And, to be honest, I am not sure why....except that I have felt a force presence about her. An exceptionally stronger presence than I have typically felt with padawans undergoing training.

"Such presence in a person may indicate a genetic connection. I would not wish to pry into your private matters, Sir, but I must ask, do you know that your daughter is a force sensitive? And, to satisfy my own curiousity more than anything, are you?"



Vinda seemed to freeze.


Instinctively the barriers went back up.


A reflex action more than anything, as if in direct reaction to the questions themselves…

The old man stood up and poured himself another drink, before checking the doors were locked by the control panel installed on the desk.

The sudden change in his manner had not gone unnoticed by the pair, and they exchanged a glance between themselves…

Vinda turned to face the window which overlooked Bonadan’s business district…

His eyes grew distant, and he took a hefty swig of the brandy he had just poured himself as he asked finally…

“You are sure of this?”

“There was no mistaking what I felt, Mr Vinda” Leia replied...


Vinda’s gaze dropped as he heard her answer…


He knew she was right anyway…


Perhaps there was a small part of him that had chosen to ignore it…


He turned to face the Jedi Master meeting her gaze…



“Yes. I am” He admitted…

He took another drink from his glass…

“…and so was, Natalya Severina, her mother…”

He placed the glass down upon the desk and paused before continuing…

“She was a Jedi, much like yourself…”

Even though hearing about Natalya’s force sensitivity was no surprise, hearing about where it came from, seemed to.

His gaze grew distant again…

“She takes after her mother in many ways…” His voice grew almost reverent as it trailed off…


His eyes glided to the Jedi Master before him…

“I don’t know if she is even aware of it herself yet….”

His expression grew rueful…

“We have not yet talked about it”


The implacable Jedi crossed her arms as she spoke…


“I think it is time you did” She suggested…

Vinda nodded slowly, then sighed as he sat back down…

“I would like to, but it appears she has taken it upon herself to take her leave…”

Leia frowned…

“She is not here?…”

“Apparently not” Vinda said rather unhelpfully… “I have been told, not to worry because she will be back in a couple of days…” He repeated sardonically…

The pair could see the old man’s annoyance at this…

He took a final swig from his glass, then looked at them both as he added...



“I swear that girl will be the death of me…”

Brion…




“Then I will take you home.”


These words hit Natalya unexpectedly…


Home…


It was strange to her because, until now, she had never really considered Bonadan…. Home…

She now wanted to see her father; despite knowing he wasn’t going to be exactly pleased…

Nat had already gotten a lot more than she bargained for on this trip, and her head was now swirling with well, everything…

To the point where it made her feel dizzy.

Nat smiled appreciatively towards her friend, and as Ishara spoke to Salazar, the young woman could sense Ishara was trying her best to control her feelings…

The young woman suddenly found herself observing Ishara quitely, as the trio prepared for their trek back, both out of concern, and also because of what Salazar had said moments before…

His words lingered in her head and Natalya could not shake her thoughts from them, or their implications…


“Your friend is in danger Natalya. Ishara is having an inward conflict with the Darkside of the force, and it could very well take her over. She should come with us to Bonadan so we can stay close to her...”


“...If you truly value Ishara as a friend, you will need to be there for her now to help her with this struggle.”


Natalya did not yet fully understand the workings of the Force or its complexity, or its nature, or even that it could be used to serve evil…

But there was no ignoring Salazar’s stark and ominous warning…


The Darkside?…



Nat threw Salazar a furtive glance, he met her gaze as if reading her mind, and she looked away in reaction…

Silently Natalya vowed to herself that whatever happened, she would not abandon her friend, and she frowned to herself...



As if she needed Salazar to tell her that!…














As the trio collected their things, and themselves, they slowly made their way outside…

Natalya watched alongside Ishara as the old man secured the pen to his goat herd before leaving enough food out for them to eat in his absence…

“I’m Ready!”He said chirpily as he finally joined the pair, who in return simply looked at him, and then themselves...

“Lucky us” Ishara returned sarcastically…

Nat laughed, but Salazar remained the same, indifferent , and set off with both women following…

The weather had brightened up somewhat, in what felt like a rare moment of respite…

As the others moved on, Natalya stopped and turned around to cast the old hovel a final lingering look. Knowing that events that took place in and around it would forever remain imprinted upon her very being…

Nat did not know what the future held for her now, but a small part of her was thankful for that, she had experienced enough for now...



It was time to go…



(Natalya smiled to herself…)




Home…