The Art of Chaos and Darkness

Chapter Twenty-Four

The darkness of her master's chambers beckoned.

Valda shoved her fear and anger deep inside her and pushed open the doors.  It was empty inside, the room eerily quiet and still.  Her senses flared and she dove to the left, rolling across the stone.

Darth Krayt landed where she had been standing seconds ago.  His lightsaber blazed in his hands, the crimson glow the only light in the chamber.  "You have not been truthful with me, apprentice."

Valda backed away.  She had no weapons.  Darth Krayt already easily overpowered her. 

His blade hummed.  "You are protecting him.  Why?"

Valda swallowed.  "He could be valuable to us, Master-"

"Stop lying!"  He roared, sweeping his blade at her.  Valda sidestepped the swipe but was sent reeling as her master sent a blow into her side.  Pain lashed through her, voicing the breath from her lungs.  She scrambled to her feet as he advanced on her.  

"I sense something you are hiding from me, apprentice.  Something that is taking all your strength to keep buried.  And it is connected to this Mandalorian.  What do you not want me to know?"  His voice rang around the chamber.

"Nothing, master.  There is nothing I would hide from you.  You know I am loyal to you." 

"Liar."   He sent a wave of Force energy into Valda, knocking her clear backwards and into the wall.  She dropped to the ground on her knees.  Darth Krayt stalked to her, and yanked her head upwards by her hair.  "I know you would not be so foolish as to plot against me, would you?"

"Never, master.  I owe you my life."  Her words came out strained, tears springing to her eyes and he yanked hard on her hair.

His gaze pierced her soul and she took the bond she held with Din and buried it deep.  She shoved it down and all she knew of him with it, praying her master could not see the truth.  She was lying to him about Din, about the Jedi and about everything.

The lightsaber blade hummed closer.  Valda closed her eyes, feeling it's heat.  

"If you care for him, know that it will only be used against you.  It will become your greatest weakness.  What you did tonight, exposing yourself to protect another- never do that."  The edge of the saber paused over her cheek.  "Understand?"

"Yes, master.  I understand."

"Do not be foolish and waste your power."

The lightsaber touched her skin and Valda cried out, feeling the searing heat through her face.  Darth Krayt leaned close to her ear.  "I will find out what you are hiding from me and if it has anything to do with this Mandalorian, I will kill him."  He let go of her hair and she hit the floor.  

"You are the Chaosbringer.  Act like it."  He lowered his saber and concealed it within his robes.  "Go to the Sanctification chambers.  Your weapons are there.  Do not disappoint me again, Apprentice."  And with that he was gone.

Valda crouched on the floor, panting.  She felt the searing heat on her face and knew he had scarred her cheek.  A permeant reminder of her actions.  She climbed slowly to her feet.

An ancient Sith lord waited in the chamber for her.  He was mute, his tongue cut out long ago.  Valda didn't mind, it meant she never had to talk.  His gaze lingered on the new scar on her cheek but then he averted his gaze wisely.  Valda climbed into the chair in the center of the chamber.

Over the years, her master always sent her to the Sanctification chamber for the sole reason of another ritualistic Sith tattoo being placed on her body.  They represented a kill, and this one was for the death of Darth Talon who also bore the tattoos, though not near as many as Valda.  She shed her outer robe and the old Sith lord studied her already inked skin.  He looked at her as if asking, where?    

Valda felt with a tender hand the scar around her throat.

The Sith lord shook his head, gesturing to the already wounded flesh, the open cuts.  It will hurt.

Valda nodded.  I don't care.

He gave a half shrug and then turned his back, readying his tools.  Valda tied up her hair.  The thin black band would encircle her entire neck, like a necklace.  Or collar she supposed.  But this was different.  This time she chose to wear it.

The old Sith lord motioned for her to relax and she closed her eyes, hands gripping the sides of the chair.  The pain was sharp and intense, like a jagged knife slicing her skin.  She swallowed her screams and sank deep within herself.  She longed to reach out and touch the tether that connect her and Din but she didn't dare.

Not when so much was at stake.  Not when Din's life hung in the balance.

So Valda gritted her teeth and embraced the pain.