Of The Force

A Good Night

This one has come a little later because I took two days to draw the new cover photo, which I have to say I really am proud of. Little Valour doesn't look great but everyone else does and that's what matters. Things are about to pick up and I don't think I'm even ready for it.
Enjoy!!

TW; violence, a little propositioning

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"The Knights are mostly focusing on fighting technique. They said the Supreme Leader is the one who will teach us more about the force." Valour said as he led her from the training hall towards the shared sleeping chambers the children slept in.

Cordelia muttered something she hoped sounded like encouragement, but she still hadn't shaken how effortlessly Valour had looked while fighting Ap'Lek, who was now trailing behind them at a respectful distance but definitely keeping his eyes on them. Cordelia already had her mind set on giving the man a piece of her mind about teaching her son such violence, but for now she was walking with Valour, and that was all that mattered.

They entered the sleeping chamber and Cordelia noted the line of six beds with their own chests beside. Valour led the way to his chest and found some clothes to change into. It was almost dinnertime and Ap'Lek offered for them all to dine together. When they'd began making their way back through the training hall to go to the dining hall, a small Togrutan girl ran for Valour. Her pale blue striped head tails swinging with her jouncing steps.

Valour introduce Aanrah, and Ap'Lek told her to join them for dinner.

During dinner Valour had spoken with Aanrah more than Cordelia, but she didn't mind. She'd been happy simply to sit in her son's company and listen to his voice. Though Cordelia hadn't missed the way his red eyes brightened when the girl engaged with him. When Ap'Lek announced it was almost lights out, the four of them made their way back to the sleeping chambers, Ap'Lek noticeably staying back, giving Cordelia a few minutes alone with her son.

"I'll come see you again tomorrow, I promise." Cordelia said, squeezing him close.

"I'm so happy you're liking it here, mom. It really is the coolest thing!" Valour said into her embrace.

Cordelia wanted to confide in him, tell him of her plan to escape, but the excitement in his voice was obvious, and she knew then and there getting her son off of this ship was going to be harder than she'd thought. In the past, Cordelia had never kept information from her son. When he asked, she'd answer him. When the question of his sire arose, she hadn't lied. He was a man she'd spent one night with. She'd hardly gotten even gotten to know him before he left her. Leaving her with the most precious gift another person could give.

"Okay moommm." He wriggled from her grasp, having lingered too long.

"Okay. I will see you tomorrow. Be good and kind and think of others. I love you." She said, cupping his face.

"I love you too."

Leaving Valour to prepare for bed, Cordelia made her way back towards the training hall and make for her own rooms. As she was crossing the room, barely paying any mind to Ap'Lek, Ushar and the two other knights by their side, she headed for the stairs that would lead her up and out of the room. When her foot met the bottom step, it was Ap'Lek's voice that halted her.

"Valour is advanced in his skill with the force. We have yet to train the others, yet he shows off his skill to them when ever he thinks we aren't watching. You're part Chiss, does that force strength come from you?" He asked.

Cordelia turned to lean her hip against the railing while looking him over. The two other Knights watched her intently. One looking younger than the rest but still likely a few years Cordelia's senior. She didn't often refer to men as beautiful, but he was, with dark brown hair, cut short on the sides and hanging a little longer on the top. The look he gave her was pure mischief, a twinkle in the eyes and all. The other had skin darker that Ushar and curlier hair cut almost to the scalp, a handsome face but more reserved and closed off.