Heir of Mandalore

Chapter 1: Scars

Seven Years After Bo and Din's Wedding Ceremony...

Aeja Kryze -

Our little feet steered along the stretch of hall before we reached our destination. The door enlarged as I raised my head. "You sure we won't get in trouble for this?" my companion questioned.

"Trust me," I smirked, reaching for the control panel on my tippy toes.

"I don't know." he scanned the vicinity with a worried look plastered across his face.

"It's fine." I pressed a few buttons and the door hissed open.

Blasters were lined up across the target range and weapons of all kinds were placed in containers with precision. I rushed in and grabbed the nearest twin blasters: WESTAR-35 Blaster Pistol. I aimed them around imagining myself fighting against enemies like my fellow Mandalorians. "Y-you might want to be careful with that."

"You worry too much, Kipp." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm cautious."

"Well stop it. You're ruining the vibe around here. Phew phew phew phew!" I twirled the blasters around my pointer finger. "Come on! Don't you want to play with me?"

After my consistent pleas and begging, Kipp came to his senses and took one of the twin blasters. We messed around the target range, pretending we were at war with one another. That's when one of the palace guards walked in and yelled at us. Grabbing our arms, they took us straight to my parents and made a grand entrance to the throne room. Two Mandalorian warriors stood on each side of the entrance. Mother sat upon her throne and father stood to her right. And who was positioned before them, my older brother Eros, who seemed to be seeking their counsel. All three gave notice of our presence. "I'm sorry your highness, but may I address the bantha in the room?"

"Speak." Mother said.

"I found these two playing in the target range and the blasters weren't on safely, might I add."

I stared into my mother's eyes. After a second of silence, my mother ordered for the guard to leave as she stood up, slowly walking towards us. "You know the rules and yet you defy them."

"It was-"

"I-I'm sorry, your highness." Kipp interrupted me, "This was my doing."

His face flushed red and his fingers couldn't help but intertwine, out of nervous habit. "I-I asked Aeja if she wanted to play with me."

"So you decided to take her to the range." My father stepped in while he walked down from the throne to stand by his wife.

"Yes..."

I was shocked.  He took the blame for me? Why? He's so afraid of even speaking to the guards, let alone people. Here he is confronting the King and Queen of Mandalore. "And is this true?" Mother turned her gaze to me.

I didn't want to lie but I didn't want to be honest. Kipp is already taking the blame for me. I stared in silence. "Don't play mute," Father spoke sternly.

Kipp looked at me and I him. "I see." Mother said, nodding her head, "Kipp, you've broken the core principle of the Canons of Honor: Shuk'la ljaat."

Kipp swallowed as he stared at the Mand'alor. "Though exile is common for our people, I'll show some grace. This is a new start for Mandalore and shall be treated as such. Fifteen lashes will make sense of you."

His eyes grew wide and his breathing quickened. My jaw dropped. He's only nine! A guard from the side strolled over and took hold of Kipp's arm, dragging him off. His face clouded with fear as he turned around to look at me. What have I done? The doors closed and I faced my parents alone. "I'll see to it that you stay away from that boy from now on." Mother said.