Confronting Fear

Names

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Let Her Go - Passenger

Finn stroked the rancor's head as Poe unbuckled the heavy spiked collar that was the source of so much of the poor beast's misery taking care not to jostle his arm in its makeshift sling. The inward facing spikes had left scars on top of other scars upon the animal's thick neck. The rancor nuzzled against his hand in what Finn interpreted to be a gesture of thanks. Once free of the heavy bit, collar, and saddle the rancor scuttled to where its partner waited, already freed of its bonds. "Watch out you two!" Finn called as they trotted away to wherever it was they were going, suddenly awash with sorrow over Nothnor's fate.

A familiar whirring filled the air as the Millennium Falcon's clumsily cobbled together landing gear descended, supporting the rest of the ship. A few moments later Maz and Chewy came down the loading ramp bickering good naturedly. They immediately joined Seirien and Derwyn in their questioning of the Spiderclan's former prisoners. Finn and Poe shared a concerned look before joining them.

Seirien was leaning against Stormrose for support, taking great care not to let the pain she was feeling show on her face, reminding Finn that he too needed to get the long cauterized burn on his arm healed by Eirny.

"What's going on?" Poe asked with his usual enthusiasm though Finn could hear the tiredness in his voice.

"It seems these bucketheads want to join the Resistance!" Maz laughed. The four men looked surprised.

Finn addressed the older man. "Is this true?"

The man nodded. "Yes. We're done with the First Order."

"Well, whadda ya' know?" Poe grinned. "Four more for our colony!"

The men shared the same confused expression. "We've ran into quite a few defectors recently." Finn explained. "We set them up on one of our bases."

"Its up to the general what happens now, boys." Poe added. "Any of you got names or just numbers."

The four men stared at the ground with what looked like shame in their eyes. "Just numbers." one of the younger men responded dejectedly.

"We'll have to fix that." Finn told them. "Start thinking. We need to tell the general what to call you when we introduce you."

Finn looked at the four natives. "And you?"

"Your friend has been kind enough to agree to help us get back to our villages." one of the blue tattooed men answered pointing to Maz.

"Let's get going then." Poe declared, ushering the rescuees into the Falcon. Seirien and Derwyn did not join them. "Are you going to ride or fly back?" Poe asked.

Derwyn looked at Seirien. "You are injured Clan Mother. Go with them. I will make certain Stormrose gets back to the village"

Seirien looked like she was ready to object but thought better of it. Derwyn mounted Windsong without another word, clasping Stormrose's rein in one hand to lead her along behind them. Poe offered Seirien his arm for support as she limped to the ship, but she refused it, her head held high.

A cacophony of voices followed by raucous laughter assaulted Poe's ears as he followed behind Seirien. "Sounds like everyone is making friends." He grinned sheepishly.

The cause of the shouting and laughter turned out to be Maz and Chewy playing an intense game of holochess with the rest of the group cheering them on. From what he could decipher, Maz was winning. Apparently she didn't fear having her arm ripped off like most of the Wookie's opponents.