Here is a short background story fr my Sith Inquisitor, Shayachern.
It seems like only yesterday yet almost 10 years has come and gone, nobody would have believed it could happen to me.
Allow me to start at the beginning, or at least from the start of my current journey.
It was my twelfth year and in my family this was a big deal, few of the children lived past eleven, yet I, one of the smallest ever to bare my family name had survived. I had grown up being called runt, nubs (due to the size of my horns) and other demeaning names but I never let my size determine my goals. I trained hard in the martial arts insisting that nothing or no one would ever get in my way. That unbeknownst to me was where my troubles began.
His name was Tallak only a little older than I but proficient in fighting, our master had assigned him as my training partner. We were both small but well built boys, so the pairing seemed appropriate at the time. Tal, as I called him, taught me that our size and speed could be an asset and how to use them to keep others off balance. I loved to hear him speak, regardless of the topic, his voice was firm yet comforting always with a note of confidence. It was not long before we were spending every waking moment together. Neither of us were prepared for what was to come.
Tal and I were off in the valley sparring, talking and enjoy one another's company as the clan began to prepare for The Rising Festival and my and Tallak’s Res Selenoren. Father had explained the importance of this rite of passage, the completion of the rite would define how I would appear to others from that point on. It was my hope, regardless of how I did, that Tal would approve of me. Tal was anxious to complete the third rite, as was I, we would not see each other again until our individual rites were completed and the clan accepted us fully at the festival.
Tal stood up and resting his palms on my temples and rubbed his thumbs on my horns, “For good luck” he said.
I had never felt so… so… well you know. Tal took off in a sprint toward his side of the village and soon he was gone.
The morning after the rite… oh… Sorry we don’t discuss the Res Selenoren outside of family or clan. Anyway, I was exhausted from the previous night but I was really anxious to hear how Tal had done. That day would be The Rising Festival and I would learn the outcome soon enough.
All the parents reported back to clan elders who had passed and who had failed. Passing meant the clan would treat you as an adult and full member, failing meant having the “ke” placed before your name and seen as a child forever, not to mention the scars in place of the tattoo you would receive.
As we, my father and I, approached the meeting hall I looked feverishly for Tal but did not find him. We sat at the front and listened as each father stepped forward and introduced each of their sons and/or daughters to the clan for acceptance.
“It is with great honor, pride and pleasure I present my child… no.. my son, Shayachern.” My father spoke so clear and loud, I could feel his pride. Yet, I was waiting for Tal… where was Tal?..
Toward the end of the presentations Tal’s father stood..
“I humbly present to the clan ke’Tallak.” He said and lowered his head. Tal stood and I felt the rage in me immediately, his face… his beautiful face... mutilated!.
“You bastard!!!” I drew my blade and charged his father killing him before anyone could react. I ran to Tal, held him tightly as the elders rushed me. “Look what he did! Can’t you see?!!” I was torn away from Tal. “Tal I will be back for you, I promise… Tal!”
I saw Tal nod in acceptance as the others carried me to the holding chamber.
My father was the first to address what I had done. “You are no longer a member of this clan or our family! Your actions have disgraced everyone! Enjoy your life as a slave.”
“I don’t care! But if anyone of you harms or mistreats Tallak before I return to claim him I will kill you, I will kill you all!”
Everything went black…
Next thing I remember I was in a slave trailer heading for my new Master, I had no idea who and where. It mattered little as all I cared about was getting back to Tal… my beloved…
The seasons came and went as I was traded from one master to another. Used in more ways than I care to recount. On many occasions I had wished that my life would end but the thought of seeing Tal again kept my heart beating.
It was in my nineteenth year that I was to meet up with one who would assist me and my destiny. Lord Melfi had won me in a bet, while I was in the possession of the Hutts, a serving boy by day while my nights were filled with horror. When I was taken to his chamber he gazed up on me with disdain, it was not until he heard me quietly singing song as I worked did he take notice.
“You, boy! What do they call you?” he whispered, never once looking up from the datapad he held.
“My friends call me Shay; you may call me Shayachern as it is obvious that you are not.”
“Do you often address your masters with such rudeness?”
“Go back to your work and leave me to mine, or kill me but which ever you decide be quick about it as not to waste our time.”
“Such arrogance, you have an enormous ego for a small, BOY.” Lord Melfi continued to study the pad when he called in a woman whose presence filled me with both comfort and fear.
“Mia! Test this runt of a boy and return to me.”
I than heard an odd commanding voice in my head.. “Come here boy and hold out your arm.” I did not move.
“He resists m’lord” she told him keeping careful watch on me.
“If you wish me to do something just say so I don’t play well with others.”
“Allow her to examine you, you are in no danger.” Melfi’s voice had softened it seemed almost fatherly.
I did as he asked. Mia circled a couple times than took a sample of my blood. “You may have more than a mere slave here m’lord.” She walked over to what appeared to be a medi-terminal and placed the sample in to be analyzed.
“Midi-chlorian count of 10,570” the mechanized voice stated. Both Mia and Lord Melfi appeared to be surprised at the result.
“Leave us! And speak of this to no one, do you understand?”
She left with a simple gesture of the head.
Lord Melfi than explained what had just transpired. The midi-chlorians were tiny life forms living in my blood, which made me special. He went on to explain that one day, very soon he speculated, I would be noticed and called to the Sith Academy. Until that day arrived I was to tell no one and do strictly as he commanded. I was not to change my demeanor or attitude but when we were able he would begin to mentor me in tactics, strategies and fighting.
I choose not to educate him on my earlier training hoping that he would under estimate my skill with a blade and in hand to hand combat.
I felt as if I were play a role when others were around, the arrogant slave boy and his tyrant of a master. When we were alone we talked, studied and practiced. Fighting, philosophy and matters of state were my main subjects.
Lord Melfi had become a mentor and friend, I no longer felt as if I were his slave more like his ward. One night as we were sparring, a vase of some importance to him was struck and without thinking I was able to stop it in mid-air. It was then that the extent of my “specialness” began to sink in.
“You are growing stronger, I knew it was only a matter of time. That display might not go unnoticed, but it might be sometime before anyone realizes from where it came.” He sounded concerned, it worried me a little.
In the days following my studies schedule was increased and my chores were very limited, only having to work when others were around. I seldom slept in order to keep pace with the tasks Lord Melfi was assigning me. It was during one of those tasks that I witnessed my summons.
“Overseer Harkun, why have you intruded on my personal time.” Lord Melfi spoke to the hologram not withholding his annoyance.
“Lord Melfi excuse the intrusion however I have academy business with you. Lord Zash and the Sith Academy require the presence of one your slaves. You know of whom we speak.”
“I do, and just how is the Academy prepared to reimburse me for one of my best slaves.”
“You shall be taken care of, of that you can be sure of. Be certain he is on the next shuttle to Korriban.”
“It shall be done.”
I ran back to my chambers, I am not sure why I ran, was I hiding or anxious to be leaving? Either way time was short.
Lord Melfi entered my chamber, he looked concerned. “I have done what I can now it is up to you. Remember the way of the Sith will not be easy and trust only yourself and your weapon. Demonstrate your strength and never show fear. Be ever mindful that death is the result of weakness either shown or perceived.”
“I will my lord” I had grown to appreciate all that he had taught me as well as the man he had proven himself to be.
“Let the force and your own will be your guide now.”
He turned and walked out. It was not until I boarded this shuttle bound for Korriban that I learned of his death. Harkun’s words stung in my ears, “You shall be taken care of, of that you can be sure.” I am now truly on my own. On a shuttle bound for the Sith Academy with Tal in my heart, midi-chlorians in my blood, Lord Melfi in my spirit and my destiny in my own hands.
So Ffon, now you know what has led me to this point, how is it you find yourself here?
Well, when this shuttle arrives I guess we will both begin a new chapter in our lives.
“You are a mere slave that got lucky, don’t get in my way. RUNT!”
------- The Beginning --------------
