TITLE: Dark Sacrifice  3/36

AUTHOR: Cara & Quintus

E-MAIL:  [email protected]

RATING: PG-13

CATEGORY: Pre-TPM, Jedi Apprentice, Original Characters

ARCHIVE: Yes. Please keep headers intact.

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars is the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. No copyright infringement intended, no profit is being made from this fiction. All original characters and story belong to the authors. 

FEEDBACK: Constructive feedback appreciated.

TIME FRAME:  Pre-TPM @ 1-2 years

DARK SACRIFICE

By Cara & Quintus

Chapter 3

Obi-Wan took his place on the start mark, and glanced up. Obi noticed the man didn't ask if the other apprentice understood the rules. Remii didn't look like he was allowed to forget much. The youth facing him was nervous, he held his saber in a tight grip and stared across the ring without seeing.

"Ready? Hai!" Dushiko called. He dropped his hand and jumped back out of the way.

Obi-Wan leapt in to attack, and almost immediately caught Remii off guard. The youth backed up, on the defensive, he blocked and parried desperately. Obi-Wan faked, reversed, and caught the other apprentice cleanly across the ribs, leaving a bright red mark where the blade of the light saber stung. Remii started to yelp, then pressed his lips together and stood, breathing hard.

"One for Kenobi," Dushiko announced. "Score is Kenobi one, Hajradurama zero." Dushiko walked by his apprentice, smacked him lightly in the back of the head with an open hand, and growled. "Do not back up, Remii, it puts you off balance. You know better. Have you learned nothing? Use a proper defensive stance."

"Yes, Master," Remii replied through gritted teeth.

Obi-Wan glanced over at Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon gave him another nod, then returned his gaze to Dushiko. Obi-Wan toed the start mark and swung his light saber in an arc, loosening up. That had to have been a fluke; the other apprentice must have been caught off guard.

"Ready? Hai!"

At Dushiko's signal, Obi-Wan propelled himself up with a leap and flipped, landing behind where the other apprentice should have been. But Remii executed the same maneuver, landing opposite Obi-Wan. The two leapt again, sabers clashing as they met in mid air. The next minute was a fury of leaps and slashes. Obi-Wan jumped to the side, rolled, and managed to come up behind Remii, tagging the padawan in the back before he turned. Remii closed his eyes a minute, absorbing the pain before he moved to take his place in the center circle. Obi-Wan stood opposite, feeling the exhilaration of battle course through him. This was more like it.

"Score is Kenobi two, Hajradurama zero. Ready? Hai!"

Obi-Wan attacked, blocking the defense from the other apprentice easily, sparring a minute before Force leaping out of his reach. He took a breath, rolled, and leapt to his feet, drove the youth back with a furious volley of slashes. Remii rallied and returned Obi-Wan's strikes blow for blow. After executing a flip, Remii stumbled back. Obi-Wan gave him a slight Force push, and the youth tripped, and fell out of the ring. Obi-Wan stopped his attack.

"You used a Force push, Apprentice Kenobi," Dushiko said.

"You did not forbid them in your rules, Master Dushiko, so I assumed they were allowed," Obi-Wan answered politely.

Dushiko nodded. "You are correct, Apprentice Kenobi. I did not forbid them, so I will continue to allow it. My apprentice knows only elementary Force combat maneuvers. This will be a good challenge for him." He eyed the apprentice. "Despite your Force leaps, you could have taken Remii on your first attack. We do not play. Do not give your opponent a break, you may not live to regret it." Dushiko stepped over to Remii and pulled the youth to his feet by one arm. "You are disqualified from the point. Kenobi wins." Dushiko looked at Obi-Wan. "There is a five minute break between rounds." The Jedi Master turned his back and walked away, lecturing his apprentice as he went.

Obi-Wan went to the fountain and got a drink, then came back to the bench where Qui-Gon stood.

"You fight well, Obi-Wan. But Master Dushiko is correct, against a stronger opponent, your fancier Force leaps could get you into trouble." He smiled to take the sting from his criticism. "You have mastered them, though, from the looks of things.  And I am glad to see you enjoy yourself."

"Yes, Master..." Obi-Wan chewed his lower lip. "Although things are going a bit differently than I anticipated."

"Do not anticipate," Qui-Gon replied softly. “The Force is a guide, Obi-Wan. It cannot be coerced to your will."

"I know, Master." Obi-Wan glanced up, and saw Remii standing in the center ring as he had before the match. "Is it time already?"

"No." Qui-Gon pursed his lips. "You still have three minutes."

Obi-Wan frowned. Remii had wiped the sweat away, and the recent saber slashes showed bright red against his skin. Obi-Wan took deep breaths, cleansing his mind in preparation for the next round. He watched Remii from under lowered eyelashes as the boy waited in the center ring, alternately tightening and loosening his grip on the practice saber. Obi-Wan threw his senses out toward Remii and frowned at the anxiety emanating from the youth. This match was important to him. Far more important than the friendly contest Qui-Gon envisioned for the padawans. Obi-Wan felt disquiet nibble at his mind and shook his head to clear it.

"Fighters ready."

At Dushiko's call, Obi-Wan walked to the center ring. "Relax," he whispered to Remii, "this is supposed to be fun..."

Remii just shook his head, and placed both hands tighter on his light saber.

Obi-Wan scored two points in short order. He puzzled over the Remii's awkwardness; - no, Obi-Wan corrected himself, not awkwardness. Lack of skill. Remii was far below Obi-Wan in terms of skill. This was not the duel he expected when Qui-Gon told him he'd battle the student of a Weapons Master. Remii showed flashes of outstanding light saber technique, then promptly lost it to hesitation. Obi-Wan reached out with his mind again toward the other apprentice. He sensed that great nervousness, and underlying apprehension. This padawan lacks confidence. Is it because he is a child? Or are there other things at play? Puzzled, Obi-Wan took his place at the mark.

"Score is Kenobi two, Hajradurama..." Dushiko paused a long moment, staring at his padawan. "Zero. Next point wins. Ready? Hai!"

Obi-Wan was surprised by the sudden ferocity of the other apprentice's onslaught. He was forced to leap time and again to escape Remii's flashing saber. The funny part was Obi-Wan enjoyed himself, despite the near misses. This was more like it. A leap and a twist and Obi-Wan found himself saber to saber with Remii. They grunted and pushed each other. Obi-Wan began to apply Force pressure. To his surprise, Remii countered immediately, adapting to the tactic, and Obi-Wan found himself Force blocked at every turn. He learns quickly… There was strength in this apprentice, but it was not centered on battle techniques. His fighting strength seemed based in desperation.

The intensity in Remii's brown eyes unnerved Obi-Wan. He felt the Force grow in the other boy, a wild flicker that threatened to flare out of control. I'd better end this… Obi-Wan recalled one of Qui-Gon's tricks, and released his Force block suddenly, throwing himself backward as Remii came on. Somehow Remii executed a twist in midair and slashed downward with his saber as he fell. The strike caught Obi-Wan across the throat. With a gasp, Obi-Wan went down in a heap, hand pressed tightly over the mark.

Remii leapt to his feet and raced to Obi-Wan's side. "I'm sorry!" The youth dropped his light saber to the grass and pulled Obi-Wan's fist away to look at the mark. Remii put his own hand over the area and closed his eyes, lips moving silently.

"Remii." Dushiko said in warning. "Remii! Stop!" he repeated more sharply when the padawan ignored him.

His tone caused the boy to look up. Obi-Wan could feel the undercurrents that flowed between master and padawan, most prevalent was the outright defiance emanating from Remii.

Dushiko strode over and yanked Remii to his feet. "I told you …"

The padawan stared back at his master, rebelliousness etched all over his young face. It faded, replaced by a rigid mask. "I'm sorry, Master," he responded in a tone that indicated he wasn't sorry in the least.

Obi-Wan watched the interplay, wide eyed. If he hadn't been so attuned to Dushiko, he might have missed the dull flush that colored the Weapons Master's neck. Dushiko took a deep breath, and then another before speaking.

"Striking him in the throat was an accident. Do not… apologize." Dushiko gave Remii a small shake, then dropped his hand off the boy's arm. He turned and gave Obi-Wan a level stare. "Are you injured, Apprentice Kenobi?"

"No, Master." The words rang out automatically from Obi-Wan. The blow hurt like crazy when it landed, but the pain had vanished. Obi-Wan touched his throat. He'd expected the sting of a practice saber to linger in the area he was hit. Curious…

"Do you feel okay, Obi-Wan?" an anxious voice asked, accompanied by a wave of mental regret. Remii stared at him, face reflecting pain, as if he had been the one hit by the blow. Obi-Wan came to his feet, picked up his light saber, and held out a hand. Remii took it, and Obi-Wan gave the youth a grin, and projected confidence towards the other boy. He tried to send reassurance through their physical touch, and saw Remii's tenseness ease some. Obi-Wan dropped his hand and clapped the boy on the shoulder. "Good move, Hajradurama. You caught me unprepared."

The incredulous look Remii shot him almost made Obi-Wan laugh, until he considered the implications.

 "Fighters return to your marks." Master Dushiko looked at his apprentice. "Well, you gained a point, Padawan. Finish the match."

"Yes, Master." The youth sounded resigned, and took his mark with little enthusiasm.

Obi-Wan turned to look at Qui-Gon. His master stood with arms crossed. There was no expression on his face. Beyond Qui-Gon, the Knight still watched, lost in the shadows, hood thrown back as he studied everyone.

After touching his neck, Obi dropped his hand. There was no pain from the saber strike on his throat. It felt as normal as ever. Somehow, that bothered him. He shrugged and walked to center to take his position. Obi-Wan wiped his face with the back of his arm and regripped the light saber. He could feel Remii's worry from across the ring. The youth was unduly concerned about Obi-Wan's injury and the odds of it happening again. His mind was not on the match.

"The score is Kenobi two, Hajradurama one," Dushiko said. "Ready? Hai!"

Obi-Wan parried on instinct, but his heart was no longer in it. He saw an opening under Remii's right arm, and revered his thrust, barely touching the area before pulling the saber back. It was enough. Dushiko stopped the match. "Winner is Kenobi. Five minute break before the last round."

Remii endured a heated lecture from his master and returned to center ring as Obi-Wan walked over to the bench, and accepted the towel Qui-Gon handed him.

"How do you feel, Padawan?"

"I'm fine, Master. The strike surprised me, that is all."

"The boy has much untapped potential, my young apprentice. You will not be able to predict his actions as you would an older student. This is a good lesson," Qui-Gon commented. "Let the Force guide your hand, and do not anticipate the boy's movements."

Obi-Wan nodded, glanced at Remii, then back to Qui-Gon. "Do we have to fight a third round, Master? I've already beaten him twice..." Obi-Wan mopped the sweat from his face.

Qui-Gon looked across the courtyard to the other Jedi. "You must finish what you started,

Obi-Wan."

"I don't want to hurt him, Master. Or him to hurt me. He does not appear to have much control."

"That is not a concern, Obi-Wan. You must give Hajradurama the dignity of an honest contest. You agreed to three rounds, so three rounds you will fight." Qui-Gon looked at his apprentice, started to speak, then stopped. "You should get a drink, and prepare."

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan drank from the fountain and returned to center ring where Remii and Dushiko waited.

"Last round. Are you ready, Apprentice Kenobi?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said, tensing.

"Ready, Hai!"

Obi-Wan jumped at the start word, executing a back flip. He saw Remii charge in, and brought his saber up as he landed, blocking a slash. The other apprentice was tired, Obi-Wan could see it in his eyes, feel it in his saber blows, but Remii matched him Force leap for leap. Obi-Wan knew it exhausted the youth further, but the youngster did not give up. In mid leap, Obi-Wan made a decision. Landing, he parried a cross slash, and drew his saber back and slashed wide, holding it a beat longer than normal. Remii took immediate advantage, reversing his blade and drawing it against Obi-Wan's ribs.

Obi-Wan felt his eyes widen as the sting bit into his flesh. He refrained from rubbing his side and returned to the center. Remii stared at him from across the ring. Sweat poured from both as the padawans faced off.

"Score is Hajradurama one, Kenobi zero," Master Dushiko announced. "Ready? Hai!"

Again Obi-Wan timed his swordplay and left a minute opening. Remii's light saber unerringly found the vulnerable spot. The youth was not unskilled with the light saber. Something else stayed his hand.

Again Remii's brown eyes met Obi-Wan's across the ring. They were puzzled.

"Score is Hajradurama two, Kenobi zero," Dushiko said. "Fighters ready? Hai!"

Obi-Wan figured he better make it look good. He put a lot of effort into leaps and side parries, keeping Remii at bay. The problem was the youth couldn't seem to take advantage of the small openings Obi-Wan left. His strikes came a second too late, his thrusts lacked the power of his earlier blows. The apprentice was drained, Obi-Wan could understand that. But if it didn't end soon, Obi-Wan would be forced to score points, and perhaps take the match. He did a Force leap, doubled it, and deliberately stumbled on landing, sprawled back, and scrambled to his feet. As soon as he regained his footing, the tip of Remii's light saber found his chest. He let himself give a small grunt this time. It really stung.

Obi-Wan walked back to center ring. Master Dushiko gave him a hard look. Obi-Wan dropped his eyes to the ground and panted for breath, dashing the sweat from his face with the back of one hand. 

"Final score, Hajradurama three, Kenobi zero. Hajradurama winds the round. Kenobi wins the match. Thank you, Apprentice Kenobi."

"Thank you for the match, Apprentice Kenobi," Remii echoed in a soft voice.

Dushiko gave Obi-Wan a curt nod, then walked away. Remii looked across the ring. He gave Obi-Wan a tentative smile before following his master to the far bench.

Obi-Wan walked back to Qui-Gon, and set the practice saber down on the bench. He picked up a towel and wiped himself off as he steadied his breathing.

"You did well, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon commented.

"Thank you, Master." Obi-Wan waited a beat. "However...?"

Qui-Gon gave him a faint smile in return. "However, I did observe several things we will need to work on."

Obi-Wan gave a theatrical groan, then grinned. Although this had been a good workout, and a lesson, Obi-Wan loved best the saber play he did with his Master. He picked up his under tunic and slipped it over his head, added the over tunic and belt, then draped the brown Jedi cloak over an arm. He reached for the practice saber, but Qui-Gon beat him to it.

"I've got it." Qui-Gon handed him his real light saber, then took the practice one and set the safety. "Let me go thank Master Dushiko, and we'll return to our room and get cleaned up before mealtime."

"Good, I'm starved."

"Of course you are." With a smile, Qui-Gon turned, looked up, and stopped.

"Odd…"

When Obi-Wan turned around, he noticed Dushiko and Remii were gone.

--Continued in Chapter 4--