ASCENDANCY (Feyd-Rautha)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

After the night of indulgent dance and revelries, I felt an overwhelming need to reconnect with nature, to cleanse myself from the haze of the evening. Luckily, I had the gardens of the palace right at my feet. 

I brought Amma with me, along with a shotgun and a servant of the palace, who carried a large cage with white doves in it. I had promised to teach her the art of shooting, and I intended to keep that promise.

"It is quite easy, really," I said, holding the shotgun with a practised ease. "You aim, pull the trigger, and watch as it dies," I continued, demonstrating the stance, my feet firmly planted, the butt of the shotgun snug against my shoulder. 

We were standing in an open field, some trees and flowers, as well as the palace, behind us. The morning light shone brightly upon us, and the dew of the night still glistened on the grass.

Amma watched me intently as I taught her, her eyes wide with a mix of apprehension and interest. She was wearing one of her plain, virginal dresses, but with a light blue headscarf covering her baldness. I had never seen her cover her head in such a manner before, I wondered if the change in norms had made her feel insecure about her lack of hair. The shock of suddenly being surrounded by people who held long manes of hair must be quite considerable after growing up on Giedi Prime.

"Throw!" I commanded to the little servant boy who was in control of the doves, my voice ringing out over the open field. The boy, his eyes plagued by a nervous concentration, grasped the dove tightly, before launching it high into the air, allowing it to fly off. Its white wings fluttered against the blue sky. I steadied my breath, aligning the shotgun with the dove's flight path. The world seemed to slow as I focused, my senses narrowing to the bird soaring above. With a squeeze of the trigger, the shotgun roared. The sound echoed through the gardens, startling Amma into a slight yelp. The dove fell from the sky, its new life of freedom cut short. I smiled broadly at my success.

"It gives an addicting rush, seeing the bird fall from the sky, its white feathers turned red." I remarked, handing the shotgun to Amma.

"I think it is kind of sad. They are so beautiful." She spoke, her voice soft as her hands trembled whilst adjusting her grip.

"They are only birds," I replied, my tone dismissive. She nodded slowly, though the sadness in her eyes did not fade. She lifted the shotgun to her shoulder, mimicking the stance I had showed her. 

"Here," I said gently, stepping behind her to guide her. "Place your feet like this, shoulder-width apart from each other," I continued as I bent down to place her feet in the correct stance. I stood back up and surveyed her stance, making sure everything was in order. "Now, command for the dove to be released when you feel ready." I explained. 

With a body radiating uncertainty, Amma took a deep, shaken breath.

"Throw." She spoke to the boy, her wide eyes plastered to the sky. The boy released the dove, allowing it to fly off. Amma followed the dove with the shotgun, but her finger remained motionless on the trigger.

"Shoot!" I commanded as the dove started to gain a considerable distance from us, but Amma stood frozen. As the bird disappeared from our view, she accepted her defeat and lowered the shotgun.

"You are such a child in some ways," I spoke with a harsh tone. "You will never get anywhere in this world if you cannot outgrow that vexing sensitivity of yours." I continued, my frustration evident. I could see my words hurt her, a shadow of shame engulfing her.

"I am sorry." She murmured quietly, her eyes fixed on the grass beneath her.

"Do not. Fragility is a luxury we cannot afford," I explained, my voice decisive. "Raise your weapon and go again." I continued. Reluctantly, she complied.