A Gift From The Gods

Training / Task #3

A gift from the gods ( a prelude to the task A special Delivery)

Closed RP

IC - Kas’sparr Bathori / Terrogate Artifex of Tollere

// Batorine Forrest - Batorine //

~\*~

It's the middle of the night on Batorine, the forest mist has just started to cling to the trees and a strong breeze makes its way across the surface making the autumn leaves rustle and break away from the branches. Terrogate stands alone out on the front lawn of the house, a leather bag strapped to his side.

He closes his eyes and probes outwards with the force, reaching out to his sleeping son, touching his mind. ”Kas’sparr…. Kas’sparr wake… It's time for your next task. Meet me at the sacred circle.”

(( this task will be a combination of a short joint RP and finish with a small mission for you to complete. ))

\*

~ with his eyes up to the bright blue sky, Kas'sparr lay on his back in the tall grass. Far away from the nearest village. A warm summer breeze rustled the long strands of grass. "Will you ever come back again?" A soft voice next to him asked. He turned his head and found a young Trianii woman with beautiful white furr next to him. "I don't know, I'd like to see you again." He responded with a smile. The woman turned her head, her blue eyes glistened in the sun light. She wasn't smiling "I might have joined by then.. the head priestess said she found a match for me." Kas'sparr stopped smiling, he felt sad. "Joined?" He rose up to a seated position and turned towards her. "That's how things are done at the temple, they are very strict " she also rose up, avoiding eye contact. He reached for her face, lifting it up to meet his "but what do you want?" He asked her with a caring voice. A faint smile appeared on her face as they gazed into each other's eyes. She didn't respond to his question instead he leaned forward and planted his lips on hers. For a moment he thought shes would push him away and smack him across the face but to his surprise she returned his kiss.

”Kas’sparr…. Kas’sparr wake.” A voice in the distance said. Kas'sparr ignored it as he wrapped his arms around the young woman. But then a shadow loomed over them and he opened his eyes. Shocked he let go and fell back as he stared into the eyes of Terrogate, who stood right next to him. "I can explain!!.  It's not what it looks like" the boy said as he held his hands up in surrender. "It's time for your next task. Meet me at the sacred circle." Terrogate said to him. The horned Chiss didn't understand, but then he felt a pull. It was a dream and he was waking up.~

"I can explain" he yelled as his eyes flung open and he dropped from his bed on the hard wooden floor. C00-K13 switched on at once and shone a small searchlight around the room. Kas'sparr shielded his eyes from the bright light as the little droid kept it on him. The BD unit started beeping at him as he got back onto his feet. "Don't judge me Cookie.. just dont" he sighed and walked to his closet "better get ready, don't want to keep Terrogate waiting" he continued. His heart was still pounding in his chest as if the Cathar warrior had really caught him kissing Fae. That was the name of the Trianii girl in his dream, he had met her a few years back when they went to Cathar. Kas'sparr got dressed, thinking about his dream, about her.

Moments later, dressed in simple training gear and a cloak the boy left the house. C00-K13 sat on his shoulder lighting the way as he walked through the dark forest. His mind wandered, thinking about Fae, their last meeting on Cathar. He wondered what his parents would think if they knew what had happened between them..

The little droid on his shoulder beeped cheerfully, "I don't know, he didn't tell me anything about this new task." Which was true, Kas had no idea what to expect and the closer he got to the stone circle the more he got curious about his next task.

"Master Terrogate, I'm here" he said as she stepped between the tall standing stones. There was no response, Cookie moved the light around the circle. Part of him worried he had just got himself out of bed and dressed, walking through the forest at night for nothing. Maybe it was all just a dream….

\*

Terrogate senses Kas’sparr approaching from the path leading to the house and wanting to see how attuned to his surroundings Kas’sparr is, Terrogate starts climbing the tree directly next to the circle stones and waits for him to arrive.

As Kas’sparr arrives and looks around aimlessly Terrogate probes his mind again… ”up here” he says and throws an acorn at him.

This task he plans on helping the young chiss to use the force to become more aware and to connect to the world around them. To realise things are not just black and white.

\*

”Rule #1 Kas’sparr, be mind full of your surroundings!” the Cathar chuckled and jumped off the branch landed next to Kas'sparr. Still rubbing his head the boy looked at his stepfather as he started walking. With a sigh he followed Terrogate and listened to him speak. ”Tell me Kas’sparr, what do you know of the force?” the Cathar asked the teen as he led him further into the forest.

On his shoulder, C00-K13 bleeped and chirped cheerfully as he lit the way through the dark forest. "The force? Ehm I know it causes a lot of trouble" he responded thinking about the ongoing war. "The force is the energy that binds everything around us together. Those who are force-sensitive are able to control or manipulate certain aspects of the force." He added as he continued to follow his stepfather.

\*

Terrogate smiles to himself as Kas’sparr explains his limited understanding. It was totally reasonable given everything he had seen, everything that had happened to his mother and sister for the young man to see the Force as being a cause for trouble. He was impressed to see that he had a grip of the base concept though.

”Yes, and also no…” says Terrogate. ”yes, the force is the energy that binds us, it penetrates and surrounds us, guides us”. he pauses for a moment, bending down and picking up a semi closed leaf that had fallen to the ground with the gusty wind that violently shook the tree branches high above them. It's small clumps of pollen were loose, but as the leaf hadn't opened they were still intact and trapped inside

.

”But to say that the force is the cause for trouble is the same as saying it's the fault of the trees that the wind shakes the leaves from their branches… There is almost always conflict Kas’sparr” Terrogate continues as he turns to look at Kas, holding the closed leaf out in his hand in front of the blue-skinned Iktotchi. ”Yes, those of us that are able to manipulate the force can use it to devastating effect, but also to help and to heal.” he continues, ”but understand this Kas’sparr… The force does not create war.” Terrogate says pausing for some dramatic effect..  ”It creates life”.

With the leaf outstretched between he and Kas’sparr Terrogate focuses his mind and using a light TK he opens the leaf to full. Allowing the wind to pick up the several clumps of fresh pollen within and sending the fluffy white wisps up into the air, floating past Kas’sparrs face and off put into the forest to begin the cycle all over.

Terrogate smiles, as the pollen moves off on the wind and into the darkness to begin the circle of life again.

He then waits for Kas to look back at him; he at once uses Pyrokinesis, setting the leaf still held in his hand alight, it's bright light cutting sharp through the darkness. It's violent flames scorching it and turning then green and golden leaf to black. ”We are all capable of creating death, or we can help create and sustain life..” Terrogate says to Kas’sparr as the flame goes out leaving nothing but a blackened husk glowing with light embers.

Letting the black dead leaf go, it also catches on the wind and flys off in the same direction as the pollen had traveled, fluttering and the red of the embers quickly disappearing into the darkness. ”It's up to each of us to decide how we will use our gifts my son. It's my job to give you the knowledge to help you make the correct choice, when the time comes that you are force to choose.”  the broad Cathsr says as he turns and continues along the stream making his way through the dark forest. ”Common, let's keep going..” Terrogate says signalling for Kas’sparr to follow along.

As they walk Terrogate probes into the young man's mind once more  \*”I want you to stay focused as we walk, look around, reach outwards with your feelings and try to sense any other evidence of the force at work.. You can say it out loud, or as we are in training.. I'd prefer you try to use your telepathy sills the same as I am doing now to communicate. I will open myself up to your attempts, try to touch my mind. We will be at our first destination soon.”

\*

Silently Kas'sparr listened to his Master explaining what the force was. The boy knew most of it, his mother had taught him when she started his training six years ago. But after everything that had happened he had lost his interest in the force, he barely used the few abilities he had learned.

A sadness came over him as Terrogate spoke about conflict, war and devastation. He thought of his mother and the Sith who had nearly destroyed her using the force. The boy only knew the fear, the anger and hate it brought. He never had seen any good come from it and he was too scared that he would become like those he despised the most.

”It creates life” his Stepfather said as he used the force to manipulate the leaf that he had picked up. The teen tried to smile as he watched the Cathar set the leaf on fire. ”We are all capable of creating death, or we can help create and sustain life..” he said as the flame died and let go of what was left of the leaf. The Terrogate turned to him and told him ”It's up to each of us to decide how we will use our gifts my son. It's my job to give you the knowledge to help you make the correct choice, when the time comes that you are force to choose.” With those words he continued to walk deeper into the forest.

Kas'sparr knew he was right, he understood that it was up to him to decide how to use his skills, but still part of him worried. He had seen close at hand what would happen if things would go wrong. The force didn't save his mother, it nearly killed her and she no longer was the person he had met when he was 12. The teen was afraid the force would change him into something he was not.

As they walked he felt Terrogate probe his mind, talking to him Telepathicly, encouraging him to use the force. \*"yes master I will try"\* he responded using his own telepathic abilities. Being part Iktotchi made this one of the more easy skills as the came naturally to him. C00-K13 had been sitting on his shoulder all this time, quietly observing. Kas'sparr let out a sigh as he followed his Master, then as they walked, he tried to connect with the force and reach outwards like he was told. Overwhelmed by his negative thoughts about the force he was unable to feel panything \*"I feel nothing"\* he said, his frustration would be noticeable.

Then he stopped in his tracks, "I can't do this" he said out loud. "I understand everything you told me, my mother taught me that already." He paused and looked away, feeling angry and embarrassed. "I've only seen the darkside of the Force. The rage and pain it brings, how it eats you alive and destroys who you are" tears welled up in his red eyes. "I'm afraid to become like them"

\*

”Terrogate opens his mind to the young Kas’sparrs thoughts as they walk prepared for the young apprentice to look around and see the forest around them. . A skill he had been practising himself much since his visit to Tython. New life, and also death.. but in nature, in the force it was always purposeful. Always balance. A mother Feragriff kills a sick plant-eater to feed her young. Ants move over the carcass and clean the corpse taking the remains back to feed their young, the ants colony tunnels aerating the planet's soil to help more plants grow that feed the plant-eaters. One of a dozen examples but Kas’sparr saw none of this.

Thoughts, words, images flood into the Cathars mind from the blue-skinned Iktotchi, he feels the frustration, he sees Mab his wife on her bed on Batorine dying.. Images of war.."yes master I will try" he hears.. A direct reply from the apprentice. Terrogate slows his pace.. He isn't trying, the Cathar can see the boy's mind as it turns to hate, to fear. Terrogate knew this feeling all too well, hate was a useful tool in combat situations, and fear can keep you alive.. But this was not the task, not the instruction he had set and Terrogate starts to slow his pace..

Then Kas’sparr stops, "I can't do this" he says. "I understand everything you told me, my mother taught me that already." he continues looking away. "I've only seen the darkside of the Force. The rage and pain it brings, how it eats you alive and destroys who you are” Terrogate can feel his sorrow as he speaks. "I'm afraid to become like them"

\*

”STOP!” roars Terrogate abruptly coming to a halt just as his son had done, turning to face him. ”Come here Kas'' he says, but now in a more softly low growl.. Terrogate, waiting for Kas to approach him, now turns and takes a few steps towards the flowing, bubbling stream, kneeling beside it and waiting for his son to keel beside him.

”Just listen for a moment..” he says to the boy. Taking another leaf off of the ground.. ”Just picture this.. This is us, me… You…. Anyone” He says, holding the leaf up. ”The stream, the water is the force..” he adds. ”The distance of the steam.. That is your life's journey.”

Terrogate places his hand holding the leaf into the water and before letting go speaks once more. ”the rocks, the reeds, the roots, the wind pushing sideways unnaturally against the water .. They are external obstacles, the same as they are in life. They represent others.. force and non force users, sickness, death, family, happiness, war.. and also our personal choices.”

Terrogate then lets the leaf go.. It floats downstream along the water, bumping into rocks and protruding roots, twisting and turning as it makes its way slowly down the water but always moving forwards on the current of the stream. In a few meters it hits against some reeds and holds still, stick.. The water flowing against it, the leaf trying to twist and turn but cannot free itself of the green reed stopping it's progression.

After a few minutes of the leaf being caught, a piece of Bloodtree bark floats it's way downstream making it's way past the two kneeling males. The steams current pushing it forwards, guiding it along the same path and sending it crashing into the leaf releasing it from the reed and they both then continue their ways along the waters current, spinning, moving back and forth with the bubbling water and bumping into rocks as well as each other as they then disappear into the distance.

Terrogate speaks to Kars’sparr. ”You think it's an accident that you are here? That your mother found your father and then brought you into this galaxy along with your gifts? Or that it is a pure coincidence that she found this secluded planet and finished the building of the house right before she was assaulted?.. Or that Jovian found his way to us? the one who was willing, and was able to protect you and Khara while you needed to go into hiding?” he pauses again, ”Do you think it an accident we were called to Cathar? That you met her?”... Terrogate had sensed his feelings towards the priestess when they had first visited Cathar. It was strong, and obvious even if he wasn't force sensitive.

Terrogate pauses and looks directly into the red eyes of the young man kneeling next to him in the darkness.. His tone now low, inquisitive and somewhat serious at the same time.. ”You think the force wasn't responsible for saving your Mom?” Terrogate says with a raised eyebrow and then stands… ”Common Kas” he says, starting to continue to walk up stream.. ”We haven't long to go until we reach them”.

\*

Terrogate roars, telling him to stop and to join him as he kneels down at the stream. Frustrated, with watery eyes the teen obeys and kneels down. The Cathar took another leaf and used the stream as an example of a journey through life. Kas'sparr rubbed the tears out of his eyes and watched silently as his master placed the leaf in the stream. Instantly it moves on the current and dances around each obstacle it comes across until it gets stuck for a while. Eventually the leaf freed itself and it floated further along the stream. The boy understood what his stepfather was trying to show him, but stayed silent.

The Cathar spoke again, sternly, asking him he thought everything that had happened was by accident or a lucky coincidence. Kas slowly shook his head but said nothing, not even when the Cathar mentioned Fae. ”You think the force wasn't responsible for saving your Mom?” Terrogate said with a raised eyebrow and stood up. Again Kas'sparr shook his head agreeing to the point his Master was making.

His stepfather rose up and started walking again leaving Kas'sparr at the stream. Terrogate had completely ignored the boy's fear, which was upsetting given the fact it had taken a lot of courage to admit that to the Cathar. With a sigh he got back up on his feet and followed. His BD unit softly beeped as him, "not now Cookie" Kas replied as his mind wandered to the things Terrogate had said. About the man who had fathered him, about the house and the housecarl. He shook his head trying to rid himself from the memories and focus on the task at hand.

Once more he tried to connect to the force as his Master had instructed before. But his feelings of shame clouded his senses. He regretted admitting his fear, he felt stupid he let himself be so vulnerable I front of his Stepfather. He took a few deep breaths and tried to empty his mind, reaching outward again as he continued to follow the path. He sensed the Cathar's presence, he also sensed something up a head….

\*

Terrogate tries to explain to Kas’sparr using the leaf and then the stream that his worries are unfounded, that it is his own decisions that will shape how he turns out. But above all else to trust in the force, it will guide you on the correct path if you put you're trust in it, and are patient. After all, through 4000 years of drifting through space and and multiple galaxy-wide wars it had lead Terrogate to his mother.

Terrogate sees Kas’sparr nodding in agreeance as he listens to the Cathar but Terrogate remaining open to the Kas’s thoughts sensed that his example did little to put the teens mind to ease. The blue skinned boy still radiates fear, fear of making the wrong choices. Of becoming like Skyllan and the others. Realistically there was little else the warrior could do or say right now, he could not promise that Kas wouldn't end up giving into hate and to fear. How could he? The future was in a constant state of flux, of motion, impossible to predict even for a powerful seer like Ammit was. For now Terrogate decides to let it rest, perhaps there will be another way to help Kas’sparr dedicate himself to a correct path. Terrogate makes a mental note to meditate on this once they get back home.

Terrogate stands and begins walking up stream leaving Kas to follow once he is ready.

Pushing forwards, Terrogate smiles as he notices the trees starting to gradually change in colour from brown to a deeper red, and then arriving at the meter high black granite stone placed on the ground.

It was a waypoint he assumed as it was the only rock of its size or deep colour in the area, placed by the Native Bloodcarvers. \*”Not long now, just turn right at the rock” he sends into Kas’sparrs mind, hoping that the young apprentice had calmed during the walk and was still focusing on the task at hand. ”The health of the body feeds the health of the mind” his father had always said. And he was right, the Cathar always felt clarity after some exercise, particularly a hunt or martial training. He was hoping this would be the same for Iktotchi/Chiss as well.

Terrogate turns right and walks into the forest away from the stream until he finds what he is after. When Kas’sparr arrives he would find a circle of about 20 Blood Trees surrounding a circular clearing approximately 12 meters across. In the middle was a small circle of small rocks about two meters wide, inside the ring of rock was black and grey ash. Evidence of a fire. But that was not the most surprising of all, into the blood trees, facing into the center of the circle clearing there were two carved out glowing slots of bright yellow, and around the two slots the wood had been shaped into what looks like a brow and a nose.

\*

Quietly the boy followed his master, trying his best to use the force to enhance his senses. "You can turn the light off Cookie" Kas'sparr whispered to the little droid on his shoulder. The BD unit chirped surprised, "it's ok" he responded and the droid turned the light down.

The forest was pitch black, a pure blood Iktotchi wouldn't be able to see, but Kas had inherited his Chiss father's night-vision skill he had kept to himself. Like his mother he also believed it was an advantage to let others underestimate him.

Slow deep breaths he focused on his surroundings. He heard the leaves rustling in the wind, twigs snapping under their feet as they continued their way. He could sense other lifeforms nearby. His Stepfather led him to a meter high granite stone, it looked odd as it did not fit among there, as if someone had placed it there for a reason. \*”Not long now, just turn right at the rock” he heard Terrogate telepathically tell him. \*"Yes Master"\* he responded as he followed along. Like the Cathar had told him he turned right, wondering where they were going. He could sense that they were getting closer to the life forms. \*"there are life forms nearby Master. I can feel them"\*

Moments later the boy steps onto an open area, surrounded by blood trees. At the centre of the clearing he noticed a fire pit. \*"what is this place"\* he asked as he gazed around, feeling several beings close by but unable to see them. But then his eyes fall on to the carvings on the trees, faces, eyes staring at the odd couple…

\*

\*”Yes Master”\* were the words that his apprentice sent back into Terrogates mind and the Cathar smiled inside, he had been hoping Kas would show him some resolve and push on. Noticing the boys BD unit lower it's lights almost made him think that Kas may have turned around and headed home.

Waiting in the circle Kas’ talks again into Terrogates mind. \*"there are life forms nearby Master. I can feel them"\*, \*”Yes you are right..well done. It's the Bloodcarvers my young apprentice. They have been watching us since the stream, the blood trees are their territory. They are close by, but not a threat for now. We are still too far away from their village but best we keep our communication through the force, as to not draw any more attention to ourselves.”\*

Kas’sparr a moment later catches up with Terrogate in the circle clearing, the two now communicating completely using telepathy \*"what is this place"\* Kas’sparr asks as he gazes around the clearing, looking at the carved Blood trees. \*“Well, I was hoping you could tell me”\* he says looking at the blue skinned boy. \*”Come over here my son”\* he continues, as he makes his way to a blood tree that surrounded the clearing. As Kas’sparr joins him Terrogate looks at the tree then down to Kas’sparr. \*”This is the next part of your task, I want you to clear your mind and I want you to reach out with your feelings. Then when you are ready, using your skill in Psychometry (Force Eco) I want you to touch the tree and tell me what you see. I will keep watch to make sure we are safe while you do.”\*

\*

Terrogate explained Kas'sparr that he was sensing the Blood carvers, the native insectoid species. He had been curious about them from the first moment he saw them watching the house, they were always there at a distance. \*“Well, I was hoping you could tell me”\* the Cathar responded to his question about the strange circle of trees. Terrogate stepped closer to one of the trees and motioned the boy to join him.

With a nod Kas'sparr obeyed, stepping closer to the tree. As he stared into the eyes of the carved face, his Master explained the purpose of their visit. He asked him to clear his mind and attempt to use his psychometric abilities. Unsure he nodded once more, Kas only used this skill to track down targets he never used it like this.

He stepped closer and took a deep breath,  placing both his hands on each side of the carved face. Closing his eyes he focused on his psychometric abilities. At first nothing happened, but then…. (Insert vision).

\*

[ the vision itself was clear, but the timeline was blurry.. First he sees Golden, beaked humanoid Bloodcarvers cutting the clearing. Then he sees them cutting into the trees, a elder male Bloodcarver approaching this one and touching the same place Kas’sparr had his hand. [A bright flash]  and he sees a ship arrive on the planet in the distance, then he sees a family… it was his family in the distance through the trees waiving to that same ship as it takes off into the sky.. A sense of wonder and fear fills him. Next he sees in the distance a circle of old stones.. It's early morning and two beings are sitting in it. A large one, his Master and step father, and the other a shorter golden eyed, horned female with one golden arm and face tattoos. His mother..  She is sad, but around her the natural world flourishes. He sees mushrooms grow in seconds around her as she cries, he feels hope. [Another bright flash]…  The Forest, healthy and more alive than ever, young blood carvers playing, and laughing in the new greenery of the fresh berry bushes surrounding what seems to be a temple.

[Flash] the circle where they stand, fire roaring and many blood carvers around. The elder Carvers are cutting into caught glowbugs with their razor sharp claws and scooping out the bright yellow insides and rubbing it into the slits in the trees.. [flash] many Blood carvers are in the clearing, bowing and chanting around the fire facing the carved trees. Some have headdresses on, the headdress has curved sticks and small branches on each side.. They look like Horns. The ends of the sticks tipped with the same glowbug golden yellow as the eyes.

\*

With his hand against the tree the boy closed his eyes. Everything around him faded away. Colours appeared and whirled around, they changed to shapes and within moments Kas'sparr saw the first image. There was no sound but his own breath and heartbeat. With a bright flashes the images change showing different scenes.

When finally let's go Kas'sparr realises his heart was beating more fast his breath was more rapid as if he had been running. He opens his eyes and for a moment he just stood there thinking about what he had just seen. Eventually he turned around to face his Master.

He was so overwhelmed he forgot to use his telepathic abilities and spoke out loud to his stepfather. "I saw several images, the first was the blood carvers making this circle and there" he pointed at the face on the tree "and these faces." He paused, thinking about the next image. "I saw us.. when we arrived on Batorine, I could feel the fear of the blood carvers." Again he paused the next image was of his mother and Terrogate it was intimate, private and he felt uncomfortable to talk about it. "Ehm…. I saw you… and mom at the stone circle surrounded by mushrooms. Mother was crying." He glanced at the Cathar as he spoke to see his reaction.

"The next image I saw was of Bloodcarver young playing. I saw a temple of some sorts." He wasn't sure as he never seen the place he saw in his vision. "Lastly I saw this clearing again, some kind of ritual or feast, they were wearing horned headdresses.. using some glowing substance" he looked at the face in the trees "like they used for these eyes.. on the tips. It.. ehm.. it almost looked liked they were… ehm… worshipping my mother."

\*

Terroate’s ears prick up at the sound of a twig snapping amongst the rustling of leaves in the shadows of the forest as he waits for his apprentice to begin this part of his task. Pushing out and probing outwards with the force he senses more beings close by, but still not a threat. \*Bloodcarvers are watching them closely.. \*I'm not sure they particularly like us being here, he thinks to himself.

In front of him Kas’sparr was facing the tree, closing his eyes and focusing. Concentrating on his breathing and clearing his mind just like his master had instructed, he then placed his hands on the tree attempting to create the Force Eco. Within moments the blue skinned apprentice was breathing heavily, his eyes moving rapidly behind his eyelids and then removes his hands from the tree. It happened faster than Terrogate had expected and the Cathar wonders what, if anything Kas’sparr had seen.

"I saw several images,” Kas’sparr says out loud to his stepfather and Terrogate looks at him with interest. “the first was the blood carvers making this circle and there" he pointed at the face on the tree "and these faces. I saw us.. when we arrived on Batorine, I could feel the fear of the blood carvers.” Terrogate nods slightly in silent contemplation as Kas’sparr continues to explain his visions "Ehm….I saw you… and mom at the stone circle surrounded by mushrooms. Mother was crying." He looks up at his master as he explains it. Clearly he was uncomfortable, Terrogate however looks sad as the memories of the morning flood his mind. It was the time that Mab had told him that she was retiring from active duties, that she had tried, but failed to resume their life as sith of the Empire.

Kas’sparr continues,"The next image I saw was of Bloodcarver young playing. I saw a temple of some sorts”. Terrogate’s focus is brought back into the present and a glimmer of excitement appears in his eyes as Kas’sparr mentions it. He knows of the temple. It was that very ancient Blood Carver assassins training Temple that the local tribe had developed their village around and where this task was ultimately leading for his apprentice. “Lastly I saw this clearing again, some kind of ritual or feast, they were wearing horned headdresses.. using some glowing substance" he said turning and looked at the carved face in the tree "like they used for these eyes.. on the tips. It.. ehm.. it almost looked liked they were… ehm… worshipping my mother."

\*”very well done Kas’sparr i am impressed by your ability, but please remember an assassin’s advantage is in silence and shadow to the outside world. Best we remain communicating in the force.”\* the warrior projects into the young man's mind, a feeling of pride in his apprentice wells inside the warrior. Terrogate thinks for a moment.. This vision of the Bloodcarvers worshiping Mab made sense and confirmed what he had suspected when he first saw the carved trees. The Bloodcarver clan had been watching them since their arrival afterall, Mab’s power had only grown in leaps and bounds especially those powers to create and manipulate the natural world, the Forrest had thrived and the world around them flourished ten fold since her rebirth as Mab. The natives were close to the planet spiritually, one with it. They would have noticed this change and seen Mab as a powerful god sent to them. Her Golden ultra-chrome arm, the same coloring as their own unique golden skin would have strengthened this belief. It’s probably why they had not attacked the family who now inhabited their world. But Terrogate had sensed death also coming from the village in his recent meditations. An illness making its way through the village, making the young deathly sick. Mab had confirmed this also, and that is the main reason why they are here.

\*”Excellent Kas’sparr, we are now close to the mission part of your task. But to begin we need to lose the Bloodcarvers that have been watching us. I need you to use your force augmentation to speed up your movements.\* Terrogate looks over his shoulder and upwards to the steady incline of the hill in the distance. \*”We need to get to the peak of that hill (aprox 1km to the peak from current location), it overlooks the Bloodcarver village on the other side. It is there we will start your mission”\* When you are ready, get going, and I will follow right behind you, as you are still learning I suggest short bursts of speed to conserve your energy rather than to try and cover the entire distance in one attempt. If you like, I can hold Cookie for you to make is easier.

\*

Kas'sparr felt slightly embarrassed having forgotten to speak telepathicly but he tried his best to hide it and listened to his Master speak. He had no idea about his mother's effect on this world, he never imagined it was her powers nor presence that made the forests flourish. The boy felt proud of her, about being her son.

\*”Excellent Kas’sparr, we are now close to the mission part of your task."\* Terrogate smiled at his stepson with pride. \*" we need to lose the Bloodcarvers that have been watching us."\* he added to Kas'sparr's surprise making it sound like the were a threat. The Cathar continued to speak telepathicly, telling him to use the force to speed up to a peak that would overlook the Blood carver village. The boy nodded \*"I will take Cookie Master Terrogate"\* was all he said and turned towards the hill and ran. As he sprinted away from the circle, away from his stepfather he connected to the force just as he was told and used it to speed up. He looked over his shoulder and saw Terrogate catching up on him with ease when he slowed down which motivated him more to try ran faster, connecting to force again to give another burst

As he ran up the hill Kas kept thinking about the visions he saw when he touched the tree, he wondered what it had to do with the mission Terrogate had in store for him…

\*

Terrogate smiles as he sees Kas’sparr take off with pace towards the summit of the hill. In a few seconds he also takes off following the apprentice, Terrogate using Force Augmentation to speed up his movement also and soon easily catches Kas’sparr but is conscious to stay behind him as they reach the top Terrogate slows to a stop next to Kas’sparr. probing into the area around them he feels no other life forms. “Haaa, well done Kas..” he says smiling. “Nothing quite like the feeling of the force powering your muscles is there? You know it can also help you jump higher and become stronger for a time. But, like all force use it comes at a stamina cost.” Terrogate puts his hand into the bag and pulls out a small bar of Trammistan chocolate and gives it to his son. “Here eat this, it will give you your energy back.” Once Kas had taken the snack Terrogate explains the mission to the boy.

“Ok, this is the last part of your task.. The mission. So.. We have confirmed with your help that the Bloodcarv, in fact, are worshipping your Mother as some kind of God.” says Terrogate still not bothering to use his telepathic ability \*not that I can blame them, she has always held some kind of God like power over me\* he thinks to himself.

Terrogate then leads Kas’sparr to the far side of the hilltop and they both see a town rather than a village or triangular tents that you would normally see tribes of Bloodcarvers living in, on the flat plains across the planet. This one was nestled into the side of a mountain with water rushing from several waterfalls running through it and a large cavern in the earth separating it from the foot of the hill where they stood. The only way across is a long bridge with 8 golden skinned insect like guards posted. 4 on each side armed with basic bone swords. The town itself was busy with natives and in the back of the town resting high was the old assassins temple. In front of it looked to be a grove with an alter.

Perhaps the town was here long ago and the natives just moved in. Perhaps by force, that part was unclear.

Terrogate takes off the bag strapped around his waist and hands it to the boy, speaking and allowing Kas to view the village ahead. “So Kas’sparr this is the job.. We want to keep the Natives worshiping your Mom so our house and family is not at risk of attack which means we don't want them to have direct contact with her, but we still need to show that they have her favour.” Terrogate pauses for a breath before continuing.

“We have felt through the force that the village has contracted an illness of late. Many elderly and also children have died.. In the bag you will find medicine that will help them heal immediately and also seeds of known plants that are a natural resistance to illness’s of this kind.”

Terrogate then looks to his son.. “Bloodcarvers are wary of strangers. But I need you to get into the town, place the bag of seed and medicine on the alter and get backout. We don't want bloodshed if we can help it. Remember we are trying to save them, not kill them faster.” Terrogate then adds one final thing. “You May not know it but hundreds of years ago the Bloodcarvers were known as highly trained assassins. If you are feeling confident you may want to peek inside the temple itself. You may find something useful for your class.”