Shadows of Bankor

"Here it is."

Qareme had spoken very little after the mornings work. Or whatever it could be called. Once they had returned, she had asked Verse to follow her, without truly explaining why. Comfortable with the notion that the women she knew from the past would follow.

She opened the old looking door to the place she resided in, and stood to the side, letting Verse enter first. Her home was...empty. There was only a few rooms as it was, and it barely looked lived in. The kitchen was barren, although it was at least clean. The living area did not even have somewhere to sit. The last door was closed, most likely where the woman slept.

Qareme closed the door after the two of them and walked to the kitchen, taking out a bottle of water and pouring into two cups, offering one to Verse.

Even Verse could figure out why Qareme had asked her to follow her, and why she'd been quiet as they walked. Some things you just didn't discuss in public. Especially on worlds with an Imperial presence. For her part, Verse had been a little less quiet; offering up meaningless commentary on the sights they passed. She hadn't seen too much of Bankor yet, so it was all still relativley new to her... even though she'd seen dozens of worlds just like it. Slums and all.

She let her eyes wander about the very empty place after the door closed, and then took the cup offered to her a moment later.

"Uh... nice place?"

"I did not see a reason to furnish. I have all that I need."

Qareme turned, moving into the living area. She placed her walking stick down, and sat next to it.

"Come. Sit. I feel there is need to talk."

"Well, duh! I was beginning to think I was the only one left!"

She eyed the walking stick for a moment as she sat down, and then recognized the limp... and she wondered if that had always been there.

"You are not the only one, Verse. There is a number that escaped with me on the guidance of Master Claflem, that have since gone their own ways. A few remain here, hiding, attempting to return to a simpler life. Leaving their past behind."

Qareme closed her eyes, taking a few moments before she spoke again.

"Out of respect, I have allowed them to do just that. I check on them from time to time, to ensure they have not fallen to despair or worse. Thankfully, the worst any have done is become addicted to unusual television programs."

"Really?" Verse sounded enthustiastic at first, when mention came of others... but then disappointment crept into her voice and expression when more of an explanation followed.

She frowned. "That... that doesn't sound right. I mean... I get doing that when you're alone like I've been... but if there's a bunch of the Order here, then... doesn't that mean doing something actually stands a chance of... well, doing something?"

"I understand your frustration, however, I would ask a question."

She opened her eyes, looking at Verse.

"What would you suggest they do?"

"Well, fight of course!"

Duh! Verse was always pretty straightforward like that.

"Or at least *prepare* to fight, I guess."

She blinked, as if she were considering something.

"I mean... I just... I haven't exactly been preparing either but... if there's a bunch of you here... there has to be *something* that can be done to make things better. Even if it's just this one planet. There's more that could be done than watch holos, right?"

At that, a rare smile came to the Zabraks face.

"You have not changed."

The smile vanished.

"However, such a notion is not considered by young men and women who have had their whole lives ripped out from under them. Not all have the strength and resolve that you or I have. The mass slaughter of the masters, the knights, even the council. It is enough to shatter the belief in many a young impressionable being, Verse. I can understand wanting to vanish, so as to not be hunted down. I am sure if you think on it, you can also."

"But... but I only did it because of what they did to Master Alana. If I had been with other survivors... maybe it'd have been different."

She crossed her arms, trying to hold on to her stubborness.

"Did... I mean, should I ask about yours?"

"Master Claflem gave her life ensuring as many padawans and younglings survived, to ensure they would have a life. I respect her wishes" Qareme lowered her head for a few moments, as if offering a prayer to her master, before looking at Verse.

"I have had the thought you have displayed though. I know Master Claflem foresaw what happened, but chose not to tell me. On that day, I believe she saw something more, but accepted her fate. I have thought if she had informed me, perhaps others could have survived, or perhaps what happened may not have happened at all. She did not though, and there is a reason for it. Unfortunately, I do not know that reason. I only know one thing, and that is to trust in the Force."

"So then, what does the Force tell you we should do? I think, after what we just went through, we can't just keep doing nothing. Even if we wanted to, the Empire won't let us. For all we know, the both of us already have bounties on our heads."

"I would be surprised if there was not a bounty placed on me at some point. As for the Force, it tells me to remain calm and patient."

Qareme paused, tilting her head slightly, looking at Verse in silence for a few moments before speaking again.

"One cannot allow their emotions to get the better of them. I understand Bankor has gained an unwelcome visitor, if the words people whisper is to be believed. Now more than ever, we must trust in the Force."

She paused again, before adding "do you remember the code?"

"Ofcourse, but I don't see what... okay, but... so what do you propose then? Peace and serenity doesn't just mean doing nothing, waiting for a sign, does it?"

"The situation is different now. For now, we can guide those who are starting something, while learning who this inquisitor is and what they are here for. I am concerned for those who do not wish to be dragged back into this may be targeted. However, we also cannot bring undue attention onto ourselves, which means conventional resolutions rather than Jedi resolutions."

She paused, before adding "so, in a summary, yes. Doing nothing, waiting for a sign. Patience."

She frowned. "I'm not... really good at anything though. Beside aggressive negotiations that is."

Her eyes glanced over to the walking stick again. Maybe Qareme wasn't *able* to do take her part in such negotiations anymore?

"I'm not sure I could really learn much about inquisitors without giving myself away."

"I disagree. You have the ability in you to learn without risking yourself. I know this. I understand you are unlikely to become a politician in your lifetime, but you have your eyes. You also have the benefit of being new, and unused to this planet, so you can view the planet without bias."

Qareme looked to her side, at her walking stick, then back at Verse.

"If you are concerned for my health, please do not be concerned."

"What if it comes to it though? Would you be able to trade that stick for a lightsaber again?" Verse thought it better to focus on such practical matters than worry about learning subtlety.

There was a smile.

"I can assure you I will not need to trade my stick as you have referred to it."

She moved the 'stick' closer, clearly made of metal rather than wood at a closer inspection.

"No, I believe I am ready should the situation arise. However, one must keep appearances until such a moment."

"Ooh, that's clever," she said, impressed. By comparison, the lightsaber that was fastened to her side did not seem to have any sort of concealment; although it did have a customized grip from the looks of it. But that was all.

"Guess I've gotten lucky nobody's noticed mine."

"Your luck may reduce if you continue to display it openly. I would suggest finding a way to disguise yours" Qareme moved her walking stick back to her side "or not bringing it with you all the time. Yours appears to be too small to disguise as a walking stick. Hmm."

"Well that's rude," she said, "it's not like it's a shoto. But I don't know... most people don't really notice it for what it is. And those that do... well, maybe those are the kinds of people who could recognize us through the force anyway?"

"A shoto would be easier to disguise as a walking stick. It would be ideal as the handle. Your saber is too big compared to a shoto, but too small compared to mine. Not comparing saber sizes, just speaking factually, Verse."

She paused a moment.

"You may be correct, or at least before this new person arrived I am perhaps being too cautious, however as I have have now regained a face from a better time, I would prefer to see you live and help this resistance based here than come across one who notices the saber and blinded by greed reports you to the authorities."

"Who is this person you're worried about anyway? An inquisitor? I almost ran into one before, but managed to luck out. What do you know of them?"

"I know very little about them, other than they hunt our kind. I do not worry for myself, but for those I wish to protect."

Qareme looked down at her hands.

"My last words to Master Claflem were a promise to look out for the other Padawans and younglings. I cannot watch all of them, as many have moved onto different worlds, but those that are here I will watch out for. It is what she would expect of me."