32.   Scarlett.

 

As I looked at cousin Elektra, then at this alleged Skywalker and his accompanying Jedi warriors, and then back at Ele, I sensed that all wasn’t right.  I could feel danger lurking somewhere in the background.  Even though I’m in no way even close to my mother in respect to the Pattern sorcery, I do have some inbred talent and had walked the Walk.  Whether or not the threat was from this Skywalker and his gang, I couldn’t be sure.  I was, however, sure of the powerful aura that seemed to surround the newcomers, and equally sure that this man wasn’t the same Skywalker I’d met earlier in the compound!

 

Ele’s voice startled me, but then I smiled proudly as she challenged his attempt at deception – an icy smile on her face when she told him we knew Skywalker and Bubba were one and the same.  I gasped as I heard him deny being our adversary, Bubba the Gut, and stammered the name ‘Jubba the Hutt’ as he tried yet further deception.  I became very confused at the things I heard which seemed to contradict all that we had learned before.  Deception and outright lies, I was quite sure.  And then the sense of danger became overwhelming!

 

Skywalker finally ended the game by grabbing my cousin!  My saber flashed, as if on its own accord, and would have relieved his body of his cunning head had he not been blindingly fast and blocked my attack, parrying with his laser-like light saber.  It was as if he had moved his blade ahead of mine; perhaps he had sensed what was in my mind.  I was surprised as my blade, though of the finest steel in Amber, survived the clash.  Then, in the corner of my eyes, I saw Ele sprawled on the ground, perhaps even injured, and sensed she was somehow reinforcing my blade with the strength of the Pattern.  Thank Unicorn for Ele!  I truly love my fine weapon.  I’d spent the last several years receiving the best training possible in the arts of warfare and swordplay, my genetic makeup was perfect for the art, and I knew I was stronger than this Skywalker, but each time my blade flashed he parried it easily.  Strike after strike I attempted, always easily deflected, yet strangely, Skywalker didn’t take the offensive.  I began to tire, I knew he could finish me if he wanted.

 

Suddenly, the skies seemed to explode – lightning everywhere and a torrent of water!  Everyone stopped and looked up in awe.  And then, without warning, Elektra launched herself in the air and was abruptly one with a massive lightning bolt.  Our battle forgotten, Skywalker and I raced as one to her side as she landed hard on the ground, not moving.  Then, Skywalker’s light saber flashed again.  This time I saw what I missed earlier, an energy bolt from the roof of the compound being deflected away from my cousin.  At last I understood my earlier sense of danger, and the confusion that had swept through me.

 

I yelled at Skywalker, “Keep her safe, heal her if you’re able... I have an assassin to catch!”

 

I raced off towards the building, intent on the shadow on the roof.  Bloodletting was on my mind!  What would happen next, I couldn’t be sure…

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