Kashyyyk2

Carth

I was kinda glad I didn't speak wookiee when Danika talked with him. She sent him back to the ship, and as we walked, she filled me in. Zaalbar might have been a wookiee, but he had always struck me as an honorable being. I wondered what I would have done if my brother, if I had one, had done the same thing. I think I probably would have beaten him to a pulp. A good thing my family-

Carth? Carth Onasi! I thought that was you!'

I turned, looking at the smiling man approaching me. 'Jordo!' I leaped forward, catching in a bear hug.

'I thought you'd be out there painting your name across the stars! What happened, your ship crash?'

'Actually yes it did.'

Jordo roared. 'I didn't think anything would tie you to the ground.' He looked toward Danika. 'It might be your attractive friend that finally got you on soil again.'

'I assume you're a friend of Carth's.' She looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. 'I didn't know he even had any.'

'Best friends in the world, missy! Joined the Militia the same day back on Telos. That was back during the Mandalore Wars.'

'So what are you doing here, Jordo? The last time I saw you was... Well it was on Telos after the attack.'

'Yeah, it's a shame about home. It hasn't recovered from the attack. The relief efforts were a joke. The Senate was screaming about the cost, and handed it over to a Corporation. That corporation decided to make ends meet by convincing the planet to dragoon anyone with space flight experience into their commercial fleet.'

'Let me guess, Czerka?'

'You got it. Anyway, I didn't find out until after you'd left about Kudra. I'm sorry, man.'

'Nothing can be done about it, Jordo, but thanks.'

Trying to lighten the mood, he turned his attention back to Danika. 'But I can see why you keep this one around. Kudra's hair, her eyes, but not her...' He juggled as if holding two melons chest high. 'Upper body strength.'

'Hey chill your jets. That's the owner of my ship.'

'No spit? Then if i keep it up she'll dump you?'

'Out of the airlock in hyperspace.' Danika said smoothly.

Jordo laughed. 'Well it isn't all bad is it? Dustil's alive-'

'What?' I felt as if someone had punched me in the gut.

'He's alive on Korriban.' Jordo looked worried. 'You mean you didn't know?' He looked from me to Danika. 'Yeah. He's a student at the Sith Academy there. I saw him in uniform and everything.'

'No, I didn't know. He's been missing since the attack. The Sith must have captured him when they landed.'

'Maybe. But he's spouting the same garbage the Sith always do-'

'A word.' Danika interrupted. 'What is a Republic Corporation doing dealing with the Sith?'

Jordo looked around. 'When Czerka picked me up, I found out there's a whole lot going on. They've signed an agreement that Czerka carries all of their trade and sells it in Republic markets as coming from somewhere else. They're even trying to negotiate with the government of Manaan to carry all Kolto to both sides so the Selkath can kick both off the planet.' He dropped his voice. 'I can drop a datapad with all this information off at your ship before I return upstairs. We're in orbit.'

'What's your cargo?'

'Coming out of here?' Jordo asked sardonically.

'Yeah. Thanks for letting me know. Take care.' I watched him walk away. 'He's alive.' I looked at Danika. 'After all this time, he's alive!' I thought of his face, only a dim memory now. 'He'll be a man by now.'

'We'll find him.' Danika promised.

Danika

Carth and I left after making sure Zaalbar got aboard. I was in a hurry to complete this mission. As much as a Republican company buying from the enemy, carrying slaves in contravention of law and making secret deals with a neutral planet was important, I had to finish what we had started here. The Czerka guards were surly, but allowed us to pass. Onto the Great Walkway

There were three landing stages, and as we passed one a shuttle landed. A dozen wookiee in restraint collars were chivvied aboard, and it lifted. Part of me was coldly furious. To treat anyone this way was an abomination.

We were almost to the village when my com squealed.

'Danika, they came and took him and we couldn't do anything!' Mission wailed.

'Calm down, Mission. What is it?'

'It's Zaalbar! A couple of wookiee showed up with half a dozen Czerka bullyboys, and arrested Zaalbar on the orders of some guy named Chuundar!'

Carth cursed. 'Interesting timing. After you're gone. Only the captain of a ship can demand proper extradition.'

'What about Janos?'

'Bastila talked with him. He said the wookiee deal with their own when it comes to criminal acts. He doesn't have any authority.'

'All right, Mission, I'll deal with it. Put Canderous on.'

'Just a minute.'

'Canderous.'

'Report.'

'Just as Mission said. Two wookiees, half a dozen Czerka with Janos taking up the rear. He stated that if we didn't turn Zaalbar over, they would blow us off our landing legs. They mounted two anti-ship cannon on lifters and brought them out as they were trying to get past me. Bastila said to let them go, and we'd get him back.'

'In a moment I want you to put Bastila on. But before you do, I have orders.'

'Chu!' Canderous shouted the Mandalore word for 'Sir!', meaning he would obey anything I said.

'No one comes aboard that ship except for our crew from this moment on. If anyone attempts to come aboard, you are to stop them. Peacefully if possible. But if peace will not serve, blow them to hell. That goes for those damn guns if they man them.'

'Chu!'

'Put Bastila on.'

'Danika-'

'I don't want to hear it, Bastila.' I said wearily. 'You may have saved the ship and the mission but it might cost us Zaalbar. When I get back, we'll discuss it.'

'I am sorry, Danika.'

I cut off the communication without speaking. 'Come on.'

We ran the rest of the way.

There was a guard at the village gates, and he roared at me. 'Stop where you are, Outsider!'

I wasn't in the mood. 'Who dares stand in my way?' I roared right back at him in Shyriiwook. 'What mother whelped such a pup?'

He shrank back, surprised at my vehemence. Then he stiffened. 'It is to Chuundar that you must answer for bringing a Mad-claw exile back among us! Come!'

The wookiee village was beautiful. A work of art created by people that had only rudimentary tools until a century before. The common village level was broad and airy, nets laid to block Mynar Hawks and Web crawlers. The village runs up the trees for half a kilometer, with the nurseries at the very tops.

I just wish I had come without murder on my mind.

An elderly wookiee stopped us at the door to the residence, slamming his staff down and shouting, 'Step forward and address the Mighty Chuundar! Ruler of Rwookrrorro!'

I stormed forward, facing a slim wookiee sitting on a huge chair.

'It is normal courtesy to bow.' He said calmly.

'It is common courtesy to ask before boarding a ship.' I gritted back. He looked surprised at the fluency of my Shyriiwook

'Ah but I did. Dear Janos assisted me.'

'Spare me the histrionics.' I snarled. 'You have kidnapped one of my crew, and I will have him back.'

'Kidnapped?' He laughed. 'No, captain. I invited my dear brother home for a consultation. There has been no injury. Yet.' He waved languidly, and a pair of wookiee dragged Zaalbar in. One wielded a restraint collar control, and pressed the button. Zaalbar screamed in pain, collapsing to the floor.

'Touch that again, and you die.' I hissed. He looked at me, then at Chuundar. What he was in my eyes must have convinced him. 'As I said Chuundar, spare me the melodrama.'

'Did you think you could wander the upper boughs of the forest without me knowing my dear brother had returned?' Chuundar laughed.

'That Janos worked with you was more interesting.'

'Of course he works with me. I am his pet Wook!' He laughed again, this time ugly. 'We work very closely.'

'You work with slavers! You betray your own people!' Zaalbar roared. The one with the control box wisely left it alone.

'Oh not our people, dear brother. There are a thousand tribes. Each can say I have punished them instead of selling off our own.'

'That is worse.' I snapped.

'Really. Your race is the biggest market woman. Your kind love to see us having to bow and scrape to you.' He looked at Zaalbar. 'As for you, brother, you shouldn't use that tone with me. Things have changed here. You are a Mad-claw without honor or name, while I. I am Chieftain.' He looked back at me. 'And my people agree with me on this.'

'A tidy nest of lies.' I said. 'Right up to the part about your people backing you.'

'Ah but they do.' He grinned. 'With Zaalbar a Mad-claw, and our own father enslaved, Mighty Chuundar stepped up and we have been at peace ever since.'

'Mighty Chuundar?' Zaalbar laughed. 'You were the runt of the litter!' Then all of his words came through. 'Freyyr enslaved! When?'

'We have much to discuss, brother, but that can wait until I am done with your friends.' He turned back to us.

'What do you want?'

'Ah sweet words now? Well let us say I have taken your knight, and you must kill my bishop.' He motioned toward Zaalbar. 'I have a use for him, but there is another Mad-claw below. One that has gone insane. He is interfering with the business of my allies, and must be stopped. But as my brother can tell you, we dislike killing our own except in the heat of battle.'

'So someone still stands against you?'

'What of it? Like my brother he is a Mad-claw. No one would dare give him shelter for fear of being declared so himself. This one is mad and in misery, and you are going to hunt him down and kill him.

'My brother shall stay here and we will reminisce about old times, and times to come that he can share if he is willing.'

'You are insane.' I snarled.

'Really? You won't need his assistance. All of the people of my village and all the closer villages understand your Basic. They think it is so they can understand our enemies, but it is really so they can better serve. The local villages play tribute so we will take those from farther away. No one can stand against me here. Only someone of the royal family can stand against me, and the only one left is my dear Mad-claw brother. They will not support an off worlder against me.'

'There is one that can!' Zaalbar roared.

'I assume you speak of our dear enslaved father. If he were here perhaps. He went mad when he discovered that you were right about me. Swore to lead our people against them. But without the Sword of Bacca, he could not challenge me. I do know our laws so well.' He reached behind him, taking the hilt of a vibroblade from a chest by the chair. 'A pity someone lost the blade itself. But as long as I hold it, I am Chieftain. That is the law.' He threw it contemptuously back into the box. 'Let our departed father go Zaalbar. The wookiee will go forward into the future, but at a pace I set.'

'Patience, Zaalbar.' I said.

'Enough words from you, Off Worlder. Go with my warriors. They will take you to the way down into the Shadowlands. Gorwooken my best warrior will take you down and bring you back up when you are done.'

Carth and I were escorted by a full dozen of Chuundar's people to the lift car. Using unbreakable kshyy vines, it took us down into the depths.

'What is this i hear about a human that lives down there?'

Gorwooken snorted. 'You should avoid him. He is crazier than even the Mad-claw. He has been here for a long time, twenty of your years or more.

The car stopped at a wooden platform, and Gorwooken waved. 'Go.'

We started through the darkness. The Shadowlands are well named. Enough light filtered through that you could see, but it was a perpetual twilight. We avoided animals as we went. There were Katarn in plenty, and we had to kill a few to get through. As we came around a corner a few hours later I heard the roaring hiss of a Katarn.

An old man stood against a tree, facing four Katarn. Before we could draw our weapons he leaped forward. A lightsaber blossomed to life, and he leaped, cutting the head of one of his attackers in half as he flew over it. He landed, swung negligently, and a second one died. The other two hissed, then fell to feeding on the dead.

'Well, come on out. You're making more noise than a Cantina on a Saturday night.'

Jolee

I saw the woman in Jedi robes, and the man in armor come out. Hunters. Hate the damn people. Most think killing something is a thrill. 'Watch yourself.' I warned. 'The two behind me aren't all of them by any stretch.'

The woman came close enough for me to recognize her. I had seen her as a kid. Never expected her to be here. 'You are a Jedi?' She asked. Obviously the recognition wasn't mutual.

'Don't go all impressed on me. A simple obeisance is sufficient.' I said. What are you two doing down here?'

'We're looking for a wookiee.' The man said.

'Came to the right place for that. Can you be more specific?'

'The chieftain of Rwookrrorro has kidnapped one of our companions, a wookiee named Zaalbar. He wants us to kill a Mad-claw down here.' She said. I could tell she was saddened, and angry.

'There aren't any Mad-claws down here right now. Except for Freyyr-'

'Freyyr?' Her head came up. 'The Mad-claw we were sent after is Chuundar's father?' She looked to her companion. 'Of course. He can't get his own people to do it, Czerka obviously can't find him or can't kill him. That's why Komad was told he couldn't hunt unless he killed the 'Mad-claw.' She shook her head. 'This changes things.'

'So what are you going to do?' I asked. 'Kill him anyway?'

'I can't just kill him!' She looked appalled. 'Give Chuundar who is helping enslave his own people all the power?' She shook her head. 'I could never sleep again.'

I nodded. She had the right outlook. 'Then I will help you.' I stuck out my hand. 'Jolee Bindo.'

She shook. Obviously she was in charge. 'Danika Wordweaver, and Carth Onasi.' Luckily she turned partway toward her companion. She didn't see my puzzled look. 'Where can we find Freyyr?'

'He's not in this section. Czerka put up a force-field portal to the section where he is, but ol' Jolee was watching when they did. I can get us through. But first I have to pick up a few things from my digs.'

I led them at a rapid walk. I had been a pretty good judge of character when I was younger, before the order and I had a falling out. They didn't like me telling stories of the Sith wars to the kids, and pushing the young Padawan too hard. I complained that life is hard, and all history was is stories from the point of view of someone that wasn't there to actually see it. Read the history books if you don't believe me. Every Jedi and Republic trooper was a saint, and all the Sith were devils. If you believe that, I could sell you the home I lived in on Kashyyyk as a 'fixer-upper'. This kid had grown into her powers, and would go far.

My digs are just that. I found a trunk of a fallen Wroshyr tree, and hollowed it out. Made stove and pipes for it from the local clay, made it nice and comfortable. I went into the back room and changed clothes. I hadn't worn my Jedi robes in years. One thing I did bring was a hermetically sealed storage container, so they hadn't rotted. It was hard to get used to them again. I didn't want to use them but I didn't feel right just going as Ol' Jolee if they were serious about doing good.

Danika merely nodded when I stepped back out. As we headed toward the portal, I tried to impart knowledge to them. 'The company has a gold mine here, if they looked at it right. Take that Syren plant you're about to step on, Carth. It stings small animals and their bodies supply fertilizer. Or they're pulled into its flower and are digested directly.' He hastily backed away from it. 'Now the larger ones, like the one you're moving back toward,' He flinched, and moved closer to me, 'they do the same with bigger animals, like careless people.' I moved around the plant. The flower turned to follow, but it's a plant, they don't move fast. I caught the back of the flower, and pointed. 'Right here is the poison reservoir. That stuff could be used in medical research, because in small doses, it paralyzes only for a short time.

'The wookiee have legends that say they came from somewhere else a long time ago. Even the trees aren't native. There are things no Czerka employee or outsider has seen except for me. I won't tell because this forest would be a strip mine when they were done.'

He spent the next few minutes watching out for Syrens.

We heard firing, and Danika stopped. 'A battle?'

'Nah. Those damn Tach hunters.' I pointed at a small primate that sat there staring owlishly at us. 'That is a tach. Fearsome creature isn't it? They hunt them for the glands.' I held my fingers about 25 centimeters apart. 'They kill the animal for something that big. So people on Taris can get blitzed on ale with the strength of wine.'

'Not any more.' Carth said. 'Taris was blasted by the Sith.'

'They're back again?' I shook my head. 'What were the Jedi doing when that happened? Having tea?'

'No.' Danika said. 'Two renegade Jedi joined with the Sith. They killed Revan, but Malak is now in command.'

'They killed Revan?' I looked at her. 'I knew the girl when she was a younker. I don't think she was that easy to kill.'

'Easy!' Carth said. Then he started into a retelling of the battle of Zanebra. I listened, watching her. She was watching the terrain around us, assuring that nothing large enough to be dangerous got close.

'Well it sounds like they got her.' I finally said to shut him up. Man I haven't heard those many words since the last time I tried to talk with the Czerkas up top! 'Me I'd want to see the body.' I signaled for silence, and led them up a hill. Below us, half a dozen Czerka employees were dragging the bodies of their kills toward a lifter. There two of them were using vibroblades to gut the tach, pulling out the glands, and throwing the bodies aside. They had a pile a meter high, and several more scattered around. As the pile reached the level of the lifter, one would get in the driver's seat and pull a few meters away.

'Horrible.' Danika whispered. 'Is there no way to stop them?'

'Ol' Ma nature would if it wasn't for that.' I pointed at the half a dozen sonic fence generators. 'They're piling up a lot of meat. That attracts the local predators and scavengers. But those generators stop them from coming too close. Every couple of hours they move a klick or so away, and it starts all over again. A pity really, you can't use a full power blaster to kill tach, it fries the glands. And those pop guns they're using wouldn't scratch a katarn.' I pointed across the small valley. What looked like a gathering of the clans was going on. If we stayed much longer, they would be spreading to our side as well.

She considered this. 'What if the generators go down?'

'I thought of that, but at least two have to go down to weaken the field enough. I can get to one by sneaking up on them, but to get two I have to move where they can see me.'

'But there are three of us.'

'No, only two.' I waved to Carth. 'Not saying you can't sabotage A generator, boy. It's just you have to move across that open space, and they watch carefully in case an old coot named Jolee was to stroll up.' I tapped Danika on the nose. 'It's just you and me, kid.'

She nodded, and we moved apart. Moving across an open space is one thing even a Jedi kid knows, and she wasn't a kid. I reached my generator, and reached up, opening the access panel. The idea was to fry one of the circuits, make it look like simple fatigue, or wear. Kashyyyk is an invasive planet, and there are bugs that can get into anything if you give them enough time. I picked up a beetle, and slipped it into the compartment. They like the taste of gold, and the circuitry used a lot of it. I wasn't even back up the hill when suddenly two of the generators shorted out almost simultaneously.

The men didn't notice, but the system sure did. An alarm wailed, and the men stared toward the generators. A man ran toward the control system, and started to access it.

That's when the wrath of the katarn decided to descend. A dozen or so charged headed for all that piled up meat. Behind them were more. A lot more. One of the men fired, and his shot hit a katarn bull that stood a meter and a half at the shoulder. It spun, and after taking a look, decided he liked his meat fresh.

The others were a lot smarter. They took off as fast as their legs could carry them while that bull was busy with their friend. Not that it really helped a lot. A lot of katarn found out there wasn't ready piled meat for them, and charged along after them.

'You know, you can learn more respect for nature by trying to prove who is better one on one with what nature gave you or you had to make with your own hands.' I said. 'He learned that the hard way.'

We circled around the feeding frenzy. We wouldn't have to deal with any more katarn for a while.

'You didn't come to Kashyyyk just to go wookiee hunting, did you youngster?'

'No.' Danika replied. 'We're looking for a Star Map.'

'That old thing. Never worked for me, why should it work for you?'

She stared at me. 'I don't believe it! Months of training, fighting Krayt Dragons stopping feuds rescuing Jawa negotiating with Sand people for what?' She looked at Carth. 'We get here and all he has to say is 'Oh, that old thing'.' She threw her hands in the air. 'I give up.'

'Well it could have been worse.' I said.'

'Enlighten me.'

'I could have been on one of my vision quests, and never met you.'

She shook her head.

We came to the force field, and I pointed at it. 'You can tell it's new. The wookiee haven't disabled it and stripped it down. The first ships that landed way back when had problems with that you know. The wookiee would take them apart trying to see how they worked. That's how Czerka found out about their mechanical bent.' I waved toward the trees around the portal. 'Anywhere but Kashyyyk, this might even have worked. It stops anything that walks, but what about climbers? wookiee, tach, hell, even Katarn can just go up and over. You and me though have to find another way.' I walked over toward the portal, and ran my hands along the column to the right. Now let me see...' The panel opened, and I reached inside. Couldn't use a bug here. The tolerances were a lot tighter. I found the control stud and pressed it. With a buzz the field died.

I stood back. 'This is a part of the Shadowlands even the wookiee avoid. Freyyr is there, and so is what you seek.'

Danika

He was a surly old man who talked little or ran off at the mouth when interested. Was bothered by others talking and used to being alone.

I found liked him.

Jolee led us into the heart of the Shadowlands, and every word he did speak told us more about the world. The Web-crawlers used a silk for their webs that was strong enough to support a wookiee. He had pointed out that if properly synthesized, it would make ropes that could hold any weight. The kshyy vines had already found a market for restraining Ronto and Bantha.

The shadows deepened until it was twilight. Small animals scurried away from us, and larger animals we avoided as well. Finally we came to a clearing. There were ritual stones set in the ground, and Jolee read them for us.

Feed the beast and it will heed your call.

Take vipers from their lairs.

Hang them upon the vines, as did our ancestors.

Let their blood scent the air and mark the ground.

The beast comes when summoned if you are generous.

It comes to do battle if you are worthy and wise.

It grants you glory if you are fearsome and brave.

'A ritual hunting ground.' I whispered. 'It looks ancient.'

'And unused for quite a while. I know it hasn't been used since I came down here.' Jolee said. He brushed some moss from the stone. Then he stiffened. 'Freyyr is here.'

I reached out with the Force. Yes. A single wookiee watched from nearby. He carried a massive wookiee double-sword, one that made my engaged lightsaber look like a twig.

'More Czerka.' He hissed, coming into view. 'Must you defame and destroy everything? Enslave my people kill the tach make deals with my own son? No more!' He spun his weapon into guard, facing us. 'Come! You want my head as well, take it if you can!' With a roar, he charged.

I blocked frantically. 'Freyyr, we are not with Czerka!' I shouted. His attack continued. Carth was trying to get a shot at him, but Freyyr was a savvy warrior, and kept me between them. Jolee reached out, and Freyyr was pinned by the Force.

'Listen to her old friend!' He shouted.

The wookiee struggled against the bands of Force energy. 'Kill me! I have learned that only lies issue from your kind!'

'He's almost feral after so long. This might be difficult.'

I shut down my lightsaber, and held out my hands. When I spoke it wasn't Basic, instead it was the booming roar of Shyriiwook. 'A chieftain must think before he does anything!' I roared. 'Even Bacca considered what he did before he formed the ritual blade!'

He stopped, then suddenly started struggling again. 'The words of out worlders are only lies! You will not convince me by speaking my own language instead!'

'Do you call Zaalbar a liar as well?'

He stopped struggling again. 'My son that is dishonored. What do you know of him, out worlder?'

'He came with me on our ship.'

'You claim to be his owner?'

'Never! Zaalbar swore a life debt to me. He follows me because of that oath.'

'A life debt.' He sagged. 'Then he sees more in you than I do. I will listen. But I will have to think on what you say. Being willing to listen to Czerka and my own son Chuundar has made me wary.'

'Let him go Jolee.' The old man released the bonds. Freyyr roared, and swung at my head. I stood, not defending myself.

The blade stopped close enough that I could feel its kiss against my neck. The wookiee grinned. 'Only one that Zaalbar would follow would have allowed the honor strike.' He lifted the blade from my neck. I lit my lightsaber, swinging, and stopped it a bare centimeter from his face. He nodded. 'And only one he would follow willingly would return it so deftly.' He drove the blade of his weapon into the ground. 'Speak.'

'We came for the Star Map.'

'That alien abomination. The wookiee came here before the dawn of our memory as slaves, the trees created by a malfunction of that machine.' He waved toward the massive trunks around us. 'Now it is our home, and we have known no other. Why are you here to face me?'

'Chuundar took Zaalbar prisoner. Sent us to kill a Mad-claw. Only meeting Jolee first told us who you were.'

'Chuundar.' The name was a growl. 'My son's lies sent Zaalbar into exile. If only I had listened to him before that. Chuundar and those who are like him had been leading Czerka slaver parties to our hunters, and worse the hunters of other tribes nearby. He blamed the disappearances on the Shadowlands themselves. Zaalbar had discovered this, but when he confronted Chuundar, he was goaded into attacking. When I saw the blood of Zaalbar using his claws, I had to stop it. But the law is clear. He must be exiled, and until he had expiated his honor, he could not return. Slavers took him. Now I know they had been warned to expect him.

When I discovered the truth Chuundar had already prepared. He had been my advisor, suggesting alliances with the neighboring clans. Signing papers the Czerka put before me. Zaalbar had discovered his duplicity.

'But five years ago, I saw people of those other tribes being hauled away as slaves by Czerka. Heard their own words that it was the papers I signed that consigned them to this. I confronted my son. But foolishly, I did it when only those he trusted were present. They tried to kill me, throwing me off the walkway into the Shadowlands as if I was one of those damned by our laws. Only by luck did I live.'

'That was when I saw him. Climbing down the trees instead of using the lift car. I distracted the team of Czerkas and wookiee that followed to verify his death." Jolee said.

'Yes. I remember you now. I am sorry I attacked those that were my friends. Being hunted like an animal will do that to anyone.'

He looked at the blade in his hands. 'I took this off one that was sent to kill me, and I have waged a war to fight them and their Czerka allies ever since. I want to regain Bacca's blade, but do not feel I am worthy.'

'We saw the hilt of Bacca's blade above.'

'Yes. But there is still a way. My son has created a net of lies to ensnare my people, but there are some among them that will bow to tradition rather than Chuundar. I must find the blade of Bacca's sword. Bring it to stand before Chuundar and the Council. That will give me a chance.

'Bacca was a great warrior of legend. Known for his ferocity and his cunning, and when he became leader, his wisdom as well. Bacca found a wreck of something, what he described as a great disk of metal. Within it, he found the blade that bears his name. Now we know that it was a crashed vessel that had been there for thousands of years. From before we knew we existed. The ship fell apart at his touch, but the blade stayed undimmed by time.

'When he was dying, he passed it on to another. Among our people it is not your blood that determines if you will be king, but your heart and the blade. Such is tradition. If I return with the blade, even if he has the hilt, it will shadow the succession. The people will be split on who should rule, and I have a chance, no matter how small, of deposing him.'

He motioned toward the ritual clearing. 'That is why I come here, trying to gain the courage for the greatest fight of any wookiee lifetime. To face the Great ritual Beast, and regain the blade.'

'Regain?'

'Yes. A generation ago, a great leader named Rothrrrawr was challenged in his leadership. He brought Bacca's blade down to confront the Ritual beast. He failed in killing it, and broke the blade off in its hide. I was given the hilt when he was shamed by this loss. There are those that say our entire race was shamed, and that is why it was taken from us.

'Then you wish to fight this beast, but are afraid?' Carth asked.

Freyyr growled, then subsided. 'If I face it and fail, I am not worthy of being our chieftain any longer. I am old, and not as strong as I was even five years ago.'

I pondered. Something of wookiee history. Where I had read it, I didn't even remember. 'The companions.' I said.

'What?'

'When Bacca went to gather the blade the first time, there were sworn companions that were with him. 'We pledge our life to you, oh great Bacca. To gain in honor by your very presence, and to die if need so that honor be served'.'

I dropped to my knee. 'As they did then, I swear my service to you, Freyyr. To save your race from slavery, to guide my life with honor. Direct me.'

'Are you mad?' Carth asked.

'No, I see where she is going.' Jolee dropped to his knee. 'Direct our swords to your cause.'

Carth looked at us, then shrugged. 'Let's do it.'

Freyyr looked at us, then dropped to his own knee. 'Be my heart, be my conscience, tell me when I fail in my honor. Protect my people even over my own life.' He repeated the ancient words. Then he stood. 'We need a Viper as bait.' We found a herd of the beasts nearby. We killed them, and carried the carcass of one to the ritual circle. Freyyr hung it by a vine, and we moved away. I felt a presence so evil that I wanted to attack it the instant it appeared.

Then it came. 'A terentatek!' Jolee gasped. 'I thought they were extinct!'

The terentatek sniffed the air. Picture something that is all mouth and sheering teeth. With a pair each of arms and legs attached almost as an afterthought. There might have been eyes ears, and a nose, but I didn't see them. It came forward, and the viper disappeared into its cavernous maw.

'Now!' Freyyr dropped like a bomb from the vine above the terentatek, his sword ripping into that massive head at the rear. Jolee and I leaped at it's front, and kept the claws occupied as it tried to get at it's tormenter. Carth blasted it, but the tough skin turned his bolts.

It wasn't sure what to do. It knew that it was in unbearable pain, but it could not ignore us. It spun, and we moved with it, dodging its claws, and striking at it to keep its attention. Freyyr was stabbing and cutting at its skull.

The beast spun, then collapsed, throwing Freyyr. I shouted, keeping its attention. It was sorely wounded, and seemed confused. It spun to face me, and Freyyr charged, ramming his sword deep into its underside.

It tried to rise up on its toes then fell again, this time for good. I gasped, staring at it. The description didn't do it justice. There was a raw wound on its back, and I motioned to Freyyr as he climbed out from underneath it. He took his sword, and slit open the flesh. The slim wand of a vibroblade fell out, and he caught it. Without the power of the vibration cell, it was merely a whip thin piece of metal.

'Bacca's blade. Returned to us.' He looked at me, then at the others. 'You, my companions, humble me. That out worlders would put their lives in danger for my people. Danika Wordweaver, my son has a life debt to you. If we succeed, I would be honored if you would accept us as your Honor Family.'

'Honor Family!' Jolee was shocked. 'I don't know if you realize how big a step that is!'

'No, I don't.' I answered.

'He's saying his entire tribe owes you such a life debt that you have to become family for them to pay it back. You're a wookiee in every way except genetics if he does that.'

I looked up into that furry face. 'I can not express the humility that offer causes in me, Freyyr. Thank you.'

'No, thank you, Danika Wordweaver. I call you Shrromarrik, 'Daughter of Honor' in front of witnesses. That alone will tell my people how much I owe you.'

'We must hurry to the upper levels. This ends today.'

'I must find the Star Map first.'

'Then I must come with you. Honor demands it.'