--

- Four Weeks after the ‘Death’ of Canton….Concord Dawn, Mandalorian Hunting Camp….

Kote Kyr’am was usually accompanied by the funeral pyre. As a warrior died facing insurmountable odds and became a legend among his brethren; his or her body was burned and their name added to the rolls of that Clan. Canton was given the honor, but not completely. His body was never recovered. Remains thought to have been discarded by the Sith after the exodus from the enclave on Dromand Kaas.

Renatta was robbed. They all were. Robbed of the honor of sending her husband to the afterlife properly. And that dishonor as well as Canton’s honorable death was now hers to bare. The pyre works were empty. An empty rack, with an empty meaning. And as they all encircled and surrounded it, no one spoke. Staring into the emptiness of it all, bitter to the end that things had turned the way they had. Not just for Canton, but for all of them. The betrayal of the Sith, the rise of the Eternal Empire and the capitulation of the Republic. These were dark times for Mandalorians. The empty fire just adding to the hopelessness of it all.

She told herself she would shed no tears. And in their presence, she didn’t. She was Mando’ade. This was a good death and as the Clan Leader began to speak; calling out Canton’s full name, his true name for all to hear; the words harkened a new beginning from Canton’s dark end. A new direction that this Clan would follow. All because of Canton’s sacrifice. With his death, the meaning of the words loyalty and duty would have a new definition.

“Canton died so that all of us may live…his sacrifice will not be in vain. From this moment forward, the Tu’akka Clan will never again stand alongside a galactic power. We will live as true Mandalorians. Free. Never again to be called by another’s leave.”

The words turned heads, but Renatta did not look. Her mind focused. Eyes narrowed into the fire that burned alone. The Clan Leader continued, even calling out Renatta who did not acknowledge.

“…Mandalore has given us the call. And we will answer. No Mandalorian can deny the Mandalore once the banners are assembled. But we will NOT be attached to the Republic or the Empire. I will not have us fight alongside those who would betray and murder our confidence. As they did Canton….Aay’han Akaanatikar’oya….Vod. We shall meet again…”

Looking into the fire, Renatta heard all of them fall silent. She wasn’t really following the speeches or the call. Finally coming to her senses slightly and looking away from the flames, she saw that all eyes were turned to her. Renatta looked down, no words came to mind until she looked back up and saw the empty funeral works and thought once again of the theft committed against her and to her husband.

“…I will never again trust them. I will never again unsheathe my blade or fire my weapons in anger for them. All Dar’jetii and Jetiise are the enemy. And all of them should die for what they’ve done. This is their war….and if we must fight, then we fight to liberate not only the galaxy from this new Empire, but to also liberate ourselves.” Renatta pursed her lips and shook her head turning back to the flames. “…Canton is not here. Though his spirit is with the Shadow Warriors. And I will NEVER forgive them for that…dishonor. Kry’am at an dar’jetii!!!”

Without knowing it due to not really listening to what was said before, Renatta only added to the speech given by the Leadership. One by one, the warriors all passed. Laying something of value at her feet. An item that would have been traditionally thrown in the fire or placed with Canton’s body to journey with him to the afterlife. Since he was not there, they laid all of it at Renatta’s feet.

She stayed long after the others had drifted away. Determined to watch the fire die out. And with its dimming light, the fire within her ignited.

Placing the helmet on her head and sealing it to her armor, Renatta walked off. Not looking back. A single tear streaking down her face within the confines of her visor. She drew her blaster and charged it, moving to join the others as the assault shuttles began lifting off. All of them answering the call of the Mandalore. But Renatta, answering her own call.

Revenge.

--

- Eight Years, Three Months later.....Zakuul, Old World…During the Mission to secure the refinery in 'Sides'….

Any other society looking in from the outside would have determined that Ivan was a pig. A braggart that was full of himself, over confident and self-assured. It didn’t hurt that though Ivan was all of those things, he could actually back up all of the ‘talk’ with real skills. He was the current strongest of the Tu’akka Clan. A young war leader, given command early on because of his prowess and competence. Ivan had not only proved his worth on countless occasions he was on his way to becoming sub-leader within the Clan in his own rite. What he lacked was a tie that bound him. He lacked a partner.

Unfortunately, he chose Renatta. One who could not only shirk his advances legitimately due to her status as a widow of a hero within the Clan; Renatta had also sworn to herself never to marry again. Not wanting to go through the ritual of binding herself to another. Though Renatta had worked with Ivan on multiple occasions as a medic for his teams, she really didn’t like him very much. He was handsome, strong, very capable and could provide all that was necessary in a good partner. But he was no Canton. Nor would he ever be. All Ivan was for Renatta is a distraction. A very pleasant one.

Renatta often thought of her husband when Ivan came calling. Which was often. The things Ivan did were reckless, often times only his strength or blind luck carrying him through. Compared to other Clans, Tu’akka was a calculated one. They were thinkers, had a variety of personnel with high levels of skill in multiple areas. And were often called to assist other less ‘educated’ Clans. Ivan was right at home with the ‘door kickers’ of other Clans, like the Fetts or the Skiratas. Though the latter were more calculated than the Fetts. Canton was a planner, a born engineer. The things he could do with tech, any tech, was simply amazing. That he was a large man with the ability to run with all of the guff and muscle of the front-line warriors was a testament to his well-roundedness. Something that Ivan lacked in large quantity.

The mission on Zakuul provided them all kinds of time. So much, that Ivan’s presence was annoying her. Especially since Renatta had been given a mission of her own and one that only she could accomplish as the Mandalorian’s chief medical professional. Analyzing the cybernetic schematics for the implant known as ‘life-giver’, given to her by their Republic hosts. They were very interested in her analysis of not only the metal which was used to produce ‘life-giver’, but the medical properties of it as well. It was a real mission, though Ivan didn’t look at it the same way. All brute force and direct action, Ivan much preferred to be on recon or running an op. And when he wasn’t out keeping eyes on the refinery producing the metal that could only be used to produce ‘life-giver’, he was hovering around Renatta. Under the guise of keeping ‘abreast’ of all facets of the mission.

Bending over the desk, Renatta reached for the holo-terminal. Datapads scattered over her desk, she was typing and analyzing on several different screens. Ivan saw she was busy after getting her report on the progress of analyzing the device and Renatta went straight back to work. Diving in and giving the analysis all of her attention. She felt the hands move over her hips and up her backside, looking back annoyingly. Ivan was smiling. The customary, sly grin he always got when he thought he had Renatta in a compromised position. She tried to stand and felt one of the hands move to the small of her back, pushing her back down on the desk. Renatta wiggled.

“Ivan…really?!?! I owe them this report by twenty-hundred. They aren’t going to wait.” She looked over at the door.

“I locked it.” Ivan spoke after seeing her look.

“Gev utreekov…Gar cuyir dush’shya a Nexu Kar’taylir darasuum.” There was humor in her voice. Renatta backed into him slightly. Giving him the go ahead. The hands that continued to rub and stroke went to the back flaps of her undersuit and began to open the enclosure.

Women had needs. And Renatta was no exception. But due to her personal promise to herself; she never accepted Ivan’s ‘legitimate’ advances. The qualities were there, overall. He would make a fine husband to someone who wasn’t worried about deep thinking or learning new things. But Renatta was seeker. Always striving and looking forward. Constantly improving her skill in her craft. Where other Mandalorians turned away from learning from outsiders, Renatta embraced it. Even if those outsiders were technically the enemy to her. The both of them, Ivan and Renatta, went out of their way to keep their relationship secret. But everyone knew and they knew why. Ivan was not good enough for her, though no one voiced it.

“Nexu? Ni’m Jate’shya…” Renatta felt the air of the room on her bottom. Ivan backed up and unbuckled his undersuit dropping the armored plates from his waist. Looking back, Renatta narrowed her eyes.

“Gotal'ur ibic iviin'yc. Ni ganar at ve'ganir norac at borarir.”

It was almost always for his benefit. That was the kind of man Ivan was. All bluster and muscle. The kind of Mandalorian you wanted on your side if you were kicking down the door. But not one for patience or understanding. A blunt instrument. Renatta’s head came up as she gave out a moan and a gasp. Feeling Ivan push her back down once he started to slide in abruptly.

“Haar'chak!!...te jatne….” Ivan murmured. Burying himself all the way to his hilt, he heard Renatta whimper slightly. The whimper urging him more. “I love kriffin’ you. I can never get enough.” Ivan spoke the basic tongue as he often did during. An illicit act, something they shouldn’t have been doing in the middle of a mission. Ivan liked to break rules behind closed doors, it added to his allure. At once he started pumping, hard and fast. Renatta cried out, moving her arms across the desk. Knocking everything off once the furniture started to rock in time with Ivan’s pushing. 'Damn it...' She thought, '...now I have to sort all that shit back out...'

“N-Ni kar'taylir darasuum bic b-balyc….” She tried to speak between thrusts and moans. Crying out as the first wave of pleasure hit and passed through her. Ivan was full bore, going for broke. Pressing down hard on her head after leaning forward. Trying to hold her down, even though he didn’t need to. Ivan always felt the need to dominate. It was part of his nature. And one Renatta had become used to.

Flexing the inside of her tunnel, she started to milk him. Practically closing at every outward thrust. Hearing the first grunt and moan from him meant she was being successful in breaking him as well as speeding things up. It was intense, fast. Every inward thrust rocking her and causing another eruption within. The race was on. Renatta had already come. And was still coming. It was up to her to make him crack before she melted.

Mind wondering, she missed the passion of actually feeling something for one she did those kinds of things with. It was good. Physically, she couldn’t complain. To say Ivan was a good lover was giving him too much credit. He was competent. The problem was entirely on her end. She lacked the desire because Ivan produced no desire within her. It was an act. Every time, just an act. A means to an end to satisfy one another’s base urges. There was no passion. Not like there was for Canton. Again, her mind wandered back to him. Just seeing him work, tinker with things or do anything that defined them all as Mandalorians got her blood pumping. Ivan didn’t know it, but Renatta’s mind wandering to thoughts of her former husband was what sent her over the edge. Grasping both sides of the desk, she cried out loudly.

The chill of sharp air hit her as Ivan jumped back. Holding his shaft in two hands. He knew better than to come inside. Renatta slowly turned around to see him holding it in. Stopping himself. Ivan gave her a helpless look. To which Renatta waved him off.

“Nayc ibi'tuur. Ni cuy' ve’ganir’i bat ner cetar par gar.”

Ivan released a pent-up breath and his hands. The rod blasting out the vestiges of the fast-paced session. Renatta moved her leg to avoid the spray, placing a hand to her mouth to hide the smile.

“Haa'taylir….meg gar vaabir at ni…” Ivan spoke trying to catch his breath. Behind them, the terminal began to chime. An incoming message. A distress beacon. Renatta turned back to Ivan and stood up to fasten her undersuit closed. Both of them looking at the terminal as Ivan pulled up his undersuit.

“A Tu’akka Distress Beacon…” Renatta said inquisitively. ‘I wonder who it’s from…’ She thought.

--

- Concord Dawn, Contractor Hunting Camp….

They were gathering. It almost seemed to Canton that Renatta led them there or called for them. That wasn’t the case. Canton and Renatta only had a day together before the first contingent arrived and it was the Clan Leader of Tu'akka and his personal guard. The Clan Leader went out of his way to avoid Canton and Renatta after letting his presence be known. Only greeting Canton, welcoming him back to the ‘land of the living’ and detailing the reason why he was there as well as why the Clan was being assembled.

The rolls existed as an honorarium. A listing of all the warriors within a clan who died with honor. Going as far back as the formation of said Clan. Ancient Clans dating back to the origins of the Mandalorians had a list that took a full day to read through. The Clan assembled yearly to read through the names out loud as a way of remembering them, speaking their names to remember their sacrifice. Canton's name was recited every year since his death. And the Clan was assembling specially to recite his name one last time. Only this time, to remove his name and place it back among them. It was rarely done. And only in special circumstances. Usually a name coming off the rolls was not a time for celebration. A stricken name was taken off for dishonor. Either to himself or his Clan. Stricken and unremembered. A fate worse than death for a Mandalorian.

The Clan Leader also avoided Renatta and Canton for another very serious reason. They had to renew their bond to one another. It wasn’t a process that could be rushed, though the Leader was understandably curious. They couldn’t keep the Clan on Concord Dawn indefinitely. There were things to do, a war to fight. Their manpower, needed by the Column in all parts of the Galaxy. But the act of taking Canton off the rolls and Canton himself were important to the Clan’s survival. The whole reason the Clan answered to the Column and didn’t Ally themselves with the Republic or the Empire was because of Canton. His 'death', the catalyst which caused the Tu'akka Clan to turn their backs on alliances forever. The Column was not an alliance, but rather a shelter for all of them to exist and live as Mandalorians and not by another’s leave.

Renatta joined her husband on the hunt. Though Canton was returning from a hunt when she originally arrived; it was not a true hunt by Mandalorian standards, but an exercise to resharpen skills. Renatta and Canton went back out to get to their roots together. Hunting as husband and wife. One supporting the other. One in the spirit. Becoming one with the land and environment. And as they made their first kill, sharing the blood from the hearts of the creature, they began a ritual of rebinding their spirits to one another. Using what they learned, what they were raised to do was a way of proving oneself to the other.

Love would come again. It had come before when Renatta chose Canton and Canton chose her. Even though both of them didn’t love one another strongly. Mandalorians put Clan first. Through direct action and missions together, their love grew. His death was a great weight that Renatta had to bare. Carrying the honor of his glorious death on her shoulders. Canton died a hero. And his death and sacrifice passed on to Renatta, who read his name yearly with honor.

Something was different. Renatta could see it in the way he moved. Something foreign or added to the base skills they both were raised on. The man was aggressive. More aggressive than she remembered. He killed without thought now. Something that took a moment out of him before. There was never any hesitation. None of them possessed that for either an enemy or an honorable kill. But his face, she watched it on the hunt. He was placid, almost serene as he went about his work. Renatta felt the urging once again inside of herself, seeing him move and strike with an almost passive ease. Canton had grown. The man had become a natural killer, the likes even Ivan and the other more direct contact Mandalorians could identify with.

Canton knew she was watching. Trying hard to hide the fact that Cornelia and more Mrysti’s influence had changed him. Those last weeks at ‘The End’ had become a turning point for him. Seeing the Sith release their more aggressive tendencies with an ease he couldn’t understand. Until it came face to face with him. Killing the other inmate in the laundry. That was the catalyst. Canton had never given himself over to unbridled rage like he did in the laundry. And when he was done, bathed in the blood of his first kill in years, he was born again into something entirely different.

Not one to take advice from a Sith, Canton actually confided in Mrysti before leaving. Owing much to her on several levels; saving his life, the death of Acina, his jailer; freeing them and liberating Cornelia. But most of all, giving him back his reason to live. Giving him back Cornelia. After the near-death experience and having Mrysti, a Sith whom was a sworn enemy, save his life; Canton had a more reflective view on things. With all of the power at her command, how did she use it so easily and without a thought as to the repercussions? Mrysti replied with, ‘…there was no thought when the heart leads. We do what we feel we must to survive. And deal with the fallout of those decisions after’. She went on to explain that even though she did not like him very much his survival was key to ensuring Cornelia’s success. She couldn’t let Canton die. It would have destroyed Cornelia to a point that her new apprentice would have become a liability instead of a weapon she was planning to build.

Bending down, Renatta jabbed the blade into the plexus of the beast’s ribcage and began to tear through. Looking up to see Canton looking off in thought. She smiled warmly. “Credit par gar kov'nyn…Canton.” Looking at her and seeming to come back, he smiled in return. Holding down the carcass as Renatta continued to cut. She had lazy eyes for him. A sudden chill shooting down his spine. Canton had seen that look in his wife before, but only in special moments. Now he was seeing it all the time. The look of longing, the look of pure satisfaction and bliss. Renatta wanted him.

--

The time was coming when they would have to share. Canton knew it. And dreaded it. His mind on another. Several times during the next few days, Canton almost told Renatta about Cornelia. But when the subject of the prison came up or what happened to him while he was away; Renatta stopped him from speaking of it deliberately. “We do not dwell on the past or the dishonor placed upon you in being imprisoned…we look forward, always forward.” It was almost as if by not dying all of the honor of his sacrifice or the mantle of his being a hero had been removed and by virtue of that fact, removed from Renatta. She held no grudge in that regard, only ensuring him that she was there for him. That her heart was his heart. Her hands, his.

Canton was in the back of the lodge when he strung up the kill from their last hunt and began to dress it. Looking around for her, Renatta was missing. Dressing their kill, taking what they needed was a task husband and wife did together. And up till that time she had been a part of every kill.

Entering the lodge, wiping the blood from his hands with a cloth after parting the doorflap; he found the interior dim. The scent of incense burning as well as the fire bright as if it had been tended recently. He looked around and froze as the voice, soft and sultry came from the darkened side of the room. Renatta was on her knees. A very ornate handmade wrap the only thing over her shoulders. The sound of metal and scrape of a sharpening stone accompanying the words.

“Ni ganar kad'laan cuun kal. Baatir’be cuun ga'amur. Vi ganar oya'karir tome, kyrayc tome. Me'dinuir te tal be cuun parjai, vi cuyir evaar’la o'r runi. Ner buir.” Renatta stood slowly after setting the vibroblade back down gently. Lining it up neatly in the row with the dozens of other weapons she had been servicing.

Nervousness suddenly shot through Canton. This was it. He knew it was coming. All of it was only a matter of time and he took a step backward. Raising his palm to face her. Saying the words he knew he needed to say. “Gar miit bal kar'tayl gotal'ur gar a kovid mate. Ner riduur.”

Moving slow and silkily, she smiled. Reaching up to pull the tie from her hair. Blossoming out, the dark brown and blonde tinged locks framed wildly around her head. Getting close she leaned in and ran a hand up his bare chest. “Gar klesir guuror tal bal tracyn. Ni cuy' briikase. Gar ganar tengaanar’be ni kar'tayl o'r gar kot. Tug'yc, Ni cuy' briikase. Gar cuyir sa kovid jii sa gar rucuyir. O'r birov ara’i dralshy'a. Bal ner kar'taylir darasuum hettir dral par gar or'atu.” Renatta took his hand and placed it on the center of her chest. Switching to basic, Renatta leaned in closer. Canton inhaled deeply of her scent. “Our bond will be renewed. We have tended everything…everything, except each other.”

Dread became real. A streak of fear shooting through him once Renatta leaned in. Her mouth ensconcing his, he opened slightly. They touched tongues. But Renatta felt him back off. Pulling her head back, she gave him a warm smile. Moving his hand to place it on top of one massive breast. And placing one of her own atop his. His next words were not in keeping with the moment. He spoke in basic and with a resolved sigh. This had to stop. He had to tell her. “You deserve better Renatta—” he began. She quickly shushed him, placing a finger to his lips.

“Shhh…you’ve been gone a long time. Imprisoned. It’s normal to have this apprehension from not being with anyone for so long.” Canton swallowed hard. She had no idea how wrong she was. Continuing to smile, she tightened her grip on his hand forcing him to clutch her breast. Renatta gave out a short slow breath. “You don't have to be nervous with me, baby. I am....your wife." Kissing him gently, making herself go slower she nibbled at his lip and then smiled into his chest. Her voice vibrating though him. "We were so young when we married. Feeling our way around one another.” Looking up, Renatta locked eyes with him. Slipping a hand behind his neck smiling wickedly. “I’m not a girl anymore…and I know every inch of you. Knowledge I can use even more now that I know what to do….”

Canton closed his eyes as she kissed him again. Though he willed it not to, he couldn’t control his body. Not in that regard. Renatta was an extremely attractive woman. Dark cocoa skin that shined in the firelight. Milky green eyes that spoke volumes to longing. She wanted him in the worst way. The rising bulge in his pants pressing against her was contrary to his reluctance. Renatta gave out a slow hissing sigh, reaching down to rub her hand over the front of his pants. Canton shook his head slightly. Trying to back off again. Renatta pulled him into her.

“I should—”

“—Should--” Giving a breathy reply between burying her mouth on his, Renatta pulled the front of his pants down slightly. “--To ni. Vi gotal'ur solus shol'shya….a solus adat tug'yc.”

Walking him back, Renatta pushed him into the end of the bed. Reaching up to quickly remove the wrap from her shoulders. Canton couldn’t stop himself any longer. Reaching for her, he pulled her into him. Spinning her around as they both fell over the end of the bed, landing among the furs which lined it.

Opening her legs, Renatta straddled him from behind. Using her feet to pull his pants the rest of the way down. Canton flipped them off the bed with a quick jerk of his leg. Reaching around to hold her. One hand grasping her chest tightly. The other opening her up. Renatta was more than ready. His hand drenched in moisture. Parting her way with fingers she gave out a moan. Scooting herself down to grasp him, angle his finally released member and scoot back up his chest once she had him in position.

Canton jerked up with his hips sharply. Sinking completely into her with one swift motion. Molten fire. He melted, feeling her release immediately upon entrance. Renatta arched her back with a slight yelp, cooing into a pleasing moan. Leaning slightly to the side in order to bend her head down and look at him. Wrapping an arm around his head from behind she pushed down off the headboard with the other smiling lazily.

“Ogir…” Hot breath in her whisper, she flicked out her tongue hungrily. “Vi urcir. Ner kar'ta bal ner baar cuyir kis'wa be gar.” Words dissolved into a moan. Renatta kissed him fiercely. Pushing herself down, impaling herself as Canton clutched tightly and started to move with her.

In unison. The two becoming one entity.

--

--

- Concord Dawn....

The fire was dimming. Sun long having set, it was near pitch black by the time they finished for the third time. Renatta was turned to her side. But her eyes opened. A look of shock on her face.

Canton was a different man. Seasoned. It wasn’t just making love. It was everything, all of the things about him finally starting to come together in her mind. From the way he conducted himself in the wild, to the way he hungrily ate at her in their bed chamber. Before, she could see the killer. At last she finally felt him. Renatta never remembered it being like that when they made love before. Canton was ravenous once she got him started. Bringing her to the brink in ways she never imagined. Using her in ways she couldn’t fathom. Renatta had never felt passion and heat like she felt from Canton. They all looked at Canton as a ‘geek’. A technical Mandalorian who only played with ‘toys’. Making their lives and their hunts easier. Canton was much more now. Making her feel in ways she didn’t think possible.

Their bonding was complete, she stared off into the darkness. A pang of fear coming over her. Renatta turned sharply. Finding him lying on his back, staring at the ceiling. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one with something on her mind.

“Canton…I need to tell you something.” He slowly turned his head toward her as Renatta sat up, the fur of the bed falling off her naked body. He sat up as well and turned toward her.

“I need to tell you something as well. First, let me say—” Renatta stopped him. Putting a gentle finger to his lips.

“No…me first.” Renatta looked down and shook her head before looking back up. “You’ve changed…” She began and immediately Canton’s heart sank at her words. Until she continued with a shy smile. “…the things you did to me. You must have spent years dreaming about them. Alone in your cell. I’ve never felt like that with anyone.”

“Anyone?” Canton's eyebrow came up. They were both virgins when they married. It was foolish to believe she wouldn’t take another after the reports of his death, but the words still shocked him. Renatta looked away, losing the smile.

“There was another. I’m sorry…I never gave myself to another in ‘our’ ways in order to undergo the ritual. But…” Renatta paused and looked away again. “…I’ve been 'with' Ivan for several years now.” Canton pursed his lips in disapproval causing Renatta to speak faster, she scooted close to him. “I broke it off the moment I knew you were alive. It’s over. My heart is yours…it has always been yours. That’s why I never chose Ivan within tradition. I couldn’t. I’m sorry, Canton…I should have told you before.”

“You don’t owe me any explanation. None of this is your fault and the guilt you carry is not yours, but mine…had I been here—”

“You couldn’t BE here, Canton. They had you. And I—” Renatta turned her head away. “—I was weak. I have been…so weak, without you. Ivan, he—” Renatta smiled weakly and shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter. None of it does. If I were Ivan, I may have done the same thing. Though I would have insisted you accept and initiate the rites.”

“See!!! That’s what separates you from other Mandalorians of Ivan’s ilk.” Renatta scooted closer and looked deep into his eyes. “If I had known you were alive….there would have been nothing that would have kept us apart. I would have shattered the galaxy to find you. Know that.” Waiting for him to respond, he reached out and took Renatta in his arms. She fell into his lap as he hugged her tightly. Her voice muffled. “You’re back now. We are complete.” Renatta turned her head upward and looked at him. Canton was staring off at the continually dying fire. “I’m sorry, you had something you wanted to say…”

He shook his head. For a moment, he was about to tell her. Having started to speak, he changed his mind. “It’s about prison…you don’t want to hear that.” Tightening his grip, he looked down at her. “Though, it may interest you to know….” Renatta looked up at him. “…one of the inmates I was incarcerated with, killed Acina. Probably one of the reasons she was sent there.” Renatta’s eyes got wide for a moment, then she turned away.

Hugging him tighter, Renatta snuggled into his lap. “Dar’jedii…hopefully they will continue to kill one another. The less of them among us, the better.” Renatta looked back up sharply. “Was that all?” Canton nodded as Renatta settled back in his lap.

“Good…None of that matters now….all that matters is us…”

--

- Imperial Prison, ‘The End’…More than two months prior….

Initially, Canton was smiling. They beat him, from the moment they took him into custody, until they tossed him into the solitary cell. Dank and dark, wet with a hint of stale mildew and rot. Toss was too strong a word. Even after the beatings, Canton was upright. Renewed, strong in his personal power. And smiling the entire time the Imperial Prison Guards hammered him with stunsticks and batons.

For the first time in eight years, he felt strong. Like a Mandalorian again. All of that was due to Cornelia and reluctantly Canton had to also consider Mrysti’s part in all of it. She was the catalyst. Her arrival set everything in motion, turning the once controlled prison upside down. Canton knew he should have done it a long time ago. Looking down at himself, covered in dirt and the muck of death. Stained with the blood of one of the rapists who ravaged Cornelia, again and again and again. Powerless before, he could do nothing. And Cornelia knew, he would. Saving him by cutting him off. Breaking off their relationship. Sacrifice. That was real sacrifice.

And now he repaid that sacrifice with the death of one of the Captain’s crew. It wasn’t going to be the first and it would not be the last. Canton stopped pacing and looked at the door. Fear shot through him. Not for himself, he didn’t care anymore. But for Cornelia. Locked up, she was vulnerable. They would retaliate. Canton ran toward the heavy vaulted door and pounded on it, screaming at the top of his lungs.

“HEY!!!....HEY!!!...Cowards!!! Let me out…LET ME OUT!!! I’ll make it quick, I promise…LET ME OUT!!!”

Threats weren’t going to get him anywhere. He knew it. After pounding on the door for more than an hour he backed off, breathing heavily. Finally getting hold of himself enough to actually look at the door. With time, he could break the lock. Make it short circuit. Supplies were limited, but he could find a way. Reaching down he scooped up a handful of the stale water on the ground. Cupping it carefully, moving back toward the door. Tossing it on the lock, he saw it spark. “Yes. YES!!!” With enough time, he could do it. Cornelia needed him.

A day passed, maybe two. Canton was still pacing. When they opened the door to feed him, Canton charged the guards. Rewarded with a series of blows from multiple shock batons. He tried to grab one. They wrestled it away, tossing in some food and slamming the door.

Banging on it, Canton screamed. “Hey!!! HEY!!! Sniveling cowards!!! Come back…COME BAAAACKK!!!” It was no use. Cupping some more water in his hands, he tossed it on the electro lock. It smoked again. There simply wasn’t enough water in the dank cell to do the job. There needed to be a way to create a constant flow. Looking around again he smirked. Pulling down his pants, he urinated on the lock. The door popped open as Canton pulled his pants back up and charged out into the hallway.

They were waiting for him. Not the normal two. But an entire squad. Canton smirked as he charged after them. Death was the only release from his obligation to her. The only way they were going to make him stop. As he got to them, Captain Oberisk stepped out from behind the group and held up a hand.

“…we can do this, Mandalorian. Kill you, be done with it. But understand…anything you do to my men will be revisited upon that ‘Sith’, ten-fold.”

Relaxing his fists, Canton stood up. “How do I know you won’t just hurt her anyway?”

“You don’t.” Giving a sly smile, Captain Oberisk turned and started to walk away. They knew they had him. Leverage. Oberisk was probably the only one on the station that knew what bound Cornelia and Canton together. Having witnessed his reaction to the ‘crew’s’ visits to Cornelia’s cell early on. Waving his hand behind him, Captain Oberisk laughed. “Let him return to his cell on his own. He knows where it is. Remember to close the door and lock it after you’re in….Mandalorian…”

Returning, Canton closed the door. But gave one last look at the guards before doing so. “This…” Canton pointed at the door. “…is my domain now. If I must be here, then you…will not be. Do not enter…I will kill anyone who sets foot across this threshold.” He was going to play along. In hopes that the Captain would actually honor his word, though the Imperial gave no word to be trusted. It was a threat and Canton was powerless to expect more. In the end, he took back his own kind of power in declaring the cell ‘his domain’. Closing the door and locking it behind himself.

Several more days passed. Canton was making himself crazy thinking about it. Having compromised with an Imperial that could not be trusted. That was what landed him at ‘The End’ in the first place. Having time to consider it, Canton realized the Captain was lying just to save his own skin. They replaced the lock while Canton slept. Operated by a combination hard key and AI control. Testament to the lies he been given by the Captain. Now, Canton was really angry. In his mind, he timed it for the next day. Waiting for the guards to open the door. Instead of opening it, they passed the food through the slot. Canton laughed at them, grabbing up the muck he been fed.

“Scared huh?!?! You should be!!! I am going to kill…everyone of you.” He scarfed down the food quickly, pressing his face to the crack in the door slot. “HEY!!! Tell Captain Oberisk…when I get out of here, I am going to pull his entrails out and show them to him. Liar!!! LIAR!!!!”

“They are kriffin’ her right now…Mando!!!” The voice echoed from outside the door and down the hall. The guards laughing to one another. Jumping up Canton screamed in rage once again. Pounding on the door. He lowered his voice, the calm evenness under the circumstances gave the guards outside pause. They fell silent as Canton’s voice echoed down the hall.

“When I get out of here…you two are going to be my first. I am going to feed you the tongue of the other one.”

The guards fell silent. Not chiding or speaking again. Canton stood and smiled at the inside of the door. The silence telling him several things. Cornelia was alright, they were not accosting her. And they were scared…because all of their chiding and threats were lies. A man with nothing to lose was a very dangerous specimen. That was the box the Imperials had placed Canton in. His words, were not threats. They were promises.

Canton jumped up as he heard the door start to open. Thinking himself crazy, he had an internal chrono that told him the opening was off schedule. There was no sunlight to measure time. Just the sound of patrolling guards and footsteps outside. Using that as a timetable since the moment he was thrown in, Canton had a rough estimate of how long he been in there. It was a least a week.

Moving to the side of the door, Canton started to jump as the door opened. And slid to a stop as Cornelia rushed in. Too shocked to say anything, he grabbed her. Twisting her around toward him to hold and kiss her. It was all he wanted, all he been thinking about since he was sent inside. They broke apart breathlessly, Cornelia rubbed her hands over his muck covered face.

“Canton!! Force Serve us!!! I was so worried…I found out what you did and I—” Canton kissed her again. Hard and deep, cutting her off.

“It doesn’t matter, baby…I was a fool. Stupid. I had no idea what you did for me. I thought—” Canton grit his teeth, shutting his eyes tightly. “—all those times. ALL THOSE TIMES!!! I let it happen. I can never make up for what I did—what I should have done.”

“No, No…” Cornelia smiled sadly. Rubbing his face again, she held it looking at him frantically. “…you would have died. They would have killed you. But not me…they needed me.”

“Needed?!?! Baby they—”

“--I know what they did. But it’s different now—” Cornelia looked at the door and cursed. “Shit…I only have a few minutes. Listen to me, we are getting out of here!!! Darth Retuvisa has a plan and allies on the inside. This is much bigger than we ever realized—” Canton cut her off again, kissing her hard.

“Whatever you want. I’m in…I’m all the way in. I will never let them hurt you ever again.” Brushing back her hair, Canton snatched her close. Curling a leg up and over his, Cornelia jerked down her prison pants and frantically moved for his waistline. There were no smiles, no going slow.

“We could die tonight. Or when all of this goes down…” Cornelia spoke in hot breaths. Jerking his own pants down, Canton tossed them to the corner scooping Cornelia up into his arms. Carrying her toward the back of the cell. His prize. He won. The moment he killed in her name, she was his forever.

Cornelia wrapped arms around his head and kissed through the muck and the grime. None of that mattered. Not the setting, not the filth. All that mattered was her. Feeling her, getting to touch and hold her. Setting her down, Cornelia jerked the top she was wearing off tossing it out front; giving a glance toward the door.

They paused, just for a second; looking at one another before Canton jerked her backward. Wrapping a hand around her face as he grabbed her chest and spun her around. They fell to their knees, the water sloshing as Cornelia moaned into him. Turning her head backward to find his mouth.

“I’m not going to let you die.” Jabbing hard, Canton sunk in.

“D-Don’t…”

“I won’t…”

--

The guards started to move toward the door. The struggle behind the door sounded like the two were fighting. Clearing her throat, the two guards stopped and turned toward Colonel Rickter, who shook her head and glanced at her chrono.

“There’s nothing to hear beyond that door…give them two more minutes.”

Saluting, the guards went back to their positions.

The entire affair was interesting. Colonel Rickter monitored the Captain’s ‘intervention’ in the cell block. The words he spoke to Canton to keep the Mandalorian at bay. Something else to check into. How long had Captain Oberisk and his ‘goon squad’ been at it? Talia knew there were rapes committed by not just the other inmates, but by the Captain himself. Disgusting. Talia was going to deal with the Captain first and in due time. She glanced at her chrono again as the sounds from inside the cell died down. Talia looked at the guards and nodded.

Escorting Cornelia back, Colonel Rickter leaned in close to Cornelia and spoke in a low tone to not let her guards eavesdrop. “I have done my part…inform your Master that the time is fast approaching. I expect—” Talia looked at the Sith as Cornelia’s head jerked toward Talia. Who was she to ‘expect’ anything from a Sith? The Colonel quickly corrected herself. “—I ‘hope’ that your Master will honor our agreement. Remind her, that I am here for her benefit. Not my own.”

--

- Imperial Dreadnaught ‘Endeavor’, Five Days out of Sector G-7; after the destruction of ‘The End’….

Laying her head on his chest, Cornelia went to sleep to the sound of his breathing. Canton was alive, it was the best she could hope for considering what they went through. She looked up, red rimmed eyes from no sleep and old tears glared at the still motionless Mandalorian. Cornelia laid her head back down, turning her face toward his chest.

“—I would give up the galaxy for you, if you would just wake up. You don’t have to completely wake, just let me know you’re alive. Please, baby…I can’t—I can’t live without you….”

After all they gone through, for it to end like this; was simply not fair. They had escaped a maximum-security prison after fighting not only the guards, the inmates and the rest of the Empire. They fought a trapped entity that attempted to possess and consume them. Mrysti was still trying to figure out what to do with the Eye of Sion. Cornelia could not help her. Mrysti, understandably kept her distance. Knowing how important Canton was to Cornelia.

There were times Cornelia wished she was a Jedi. Only because they possessed the light capable of healing hidden wounds. Mrysti had come, had attempted to use her power to heal what could not be seen. Something Cornelia had no idea about concerning her Master. Mrysti’s hidden Jedi talents. She did not elaborate, even when Cornelia asked questions. Laying her hands next to her head, Cornelia snuggled close. Closing her eyes tightly, trying to concentrate her own power. All she could do was make a solemn vow and a makeshift prayer. Her power did not extend strongly into the mystical.

“Canton….hear me. I promise you—when you wake, I will never leave you. You CAN NOT go. Do you understand me? You can’t. We aren’t done. There are so many more battles to fight. So much more for you and I to do together. Now that we’re free. Let me know you hear me…don’t let the last time we were together be in the basement of solitary confinement.”

Cornelia smiled to herself at the last part. It was true, that was their last time. There was no time after. And then the injury. Cornelia looked up and over at Canton’s slowly moving chest, the bottom of his chin as he lay there. Mrysti jumped through the fire and the destruction for Canton. For her. She knew things, things beyond that which Cornelia could see or feel. Mrysti knew what losing Canton would do to Cornelia. Things happened so quickly, there was no time for even a last kiss. Just the memory of the dank solitary cell. Laying her head back down slowly, Cornelia was nearly rested back on him when her head jerked up sharply, hearing his breathing increase. And slowly, Canton moved his hand. Moving it down and over toward her.

Placing it on top of hers.

--

- Concord Dawn….

Solitary. That was the last time. Cornelia smiled wryly to herself as the ramp lowered and the moisture of the tropical air hit her. What a beautiful place. She had greater appreciation for all things living and colorful than she ever did. Having spent those last years looking at duracrete and grey walls.

Concord Dawn. She heard about it, even dreamed about it after hearing Canton describe it. Regret gripped her as she locked down her ship, turning toward the waiting speeder. Cornelia was breaking a promise. But she couldn’t help it. Desperate to see him. He needed time to ‘find’ himself. But she needed him to find herself. Canton, the second part of a greater Cornelia.

There were others on the speeder. It was a contractor driven conveyance to the contractor’s camp. Cornelia having ‘booked’ a tour in flight. Knowing exactly where she needed to go. Cornelia ignored the others as she paid the droid and took a seat. Looking out at the lush scenery. Eyes all turned to her once the speeder started its slow crawl westward. Excitement and apprehension building, Cornelia closed her own eyes to the sun and smiled.

Cornelia saw him, but really didn’t see. Almost looking through and past the armored warrior who rode on the speeder with her. Just another Mandalorian. Such was her level of power. She was Sith. Everyone one else, beneath her. Everyone except Canton. Which was what brought her to Concord Dawn. On her way to perform a task her Master set her on, Cornelia simply had to stop at the planet to try and see him.

One thing did pique Cornelia’s interest as she entered the hunting camp. The armor of the Mandalorian. It was red, decorated much like Canton’s. That’s when she started to notice. Already having felt their eyes on her, Cornelia finally started to see. Not just the Mandalorian she arrived with; there were dozens of red armored Mandalorians roaming the camp. All of them looking at her.

--

Canton stepped out of the lodge, throwing back the flap which served as a door. A sea of red. His Clan having arrived in force after learning of his 'resurrection'. Taking over the camp, the Mandalorians from Tu'akka Clan were making the contractor camp their own. Going about their work, setting up the ritual which would bring Canton 'back to life’. More were arriving and more would arrive until the moment of the ritual. Canton smiled, stretching his arms. Bare chested and letting the morning chill hit him, he felt that chill enter and shoot up his spine. Seeing Cornelia looking around and moving into the camp after getting dropped off by a speeder.

They saw one another from across the camp. Canton going pale and moving quickly to intercept her. Cornelia smiled brightly. Unusual for a Sith, the act turning a few heads as the two got closer to one another. Dread began to creep into him. On so many levels, so many fears to control all at once. Cornelia was bending, she was going to do it. He watched her speed up, the smile getting bigger as she started to jump. Canton had to get to her first, increasing his speed. He stopped her from jumping into his arms by grabbing and holding her hands. Cornelia gave him a strange look as Canton smiled weakly; glancing behind and around.

“What’s wrong, Canton. I’m so happy to see—” She started to lean in and Canton leaned back.

“Not here, Corny. Can’t you see…” He looked off. Eyes were on them. Some of the other Mandos slowing to watch them both. Cornelia could sense some deceit, but brushed it aside shrugging her shoulders.

“Ok…if not here then--” Cornelia narrowed her eyes playfully, lowering her voice. She scooted close whispering harshly. “--It’s been weeks, Canton. Weeks. Get me alone and I will greet you properly.”

“Fine.” Canton said quickly, taking her hand sharply. “But not here…let’s take a walk.”

--

Interesting didn’t begin to describe it. The Sith said nothing the whole ride and Ivan offered nothing in conversation. And the small tattooed woman was a Sith. It wasn’t just the lightsaber that hung off her belt, it was the arrogant way she carried herself. Jedi didn’t act that way. They had a humble stride and demur demeanor about themselves. Sith, acted in accordance with the power they carried with them.

Both of them heading the same direction, Ivan assumed the Sith was on the hunt. Going to the hunting camp to get a contractor or stage herself to go out on her own. It wasn’t till they arrived and he witnessed the Sith and Canton talking that he stopped to watch. In full armor, he blended in. He wasn’t the only one watching and Ivan kept eyes on them until Canton and the Sith started off toward the woodline.

Ivan made his way through the camp. Nodding to several of his brothers and sisters, making his way toward the center lodge. The guest of honor suite. The only place Canton would have been. And where he knew ‘she’ was. The only place a wife would be. Though Ivan was arriving unannounced he, like the others, had been summoned to Concord Dawn. The entire clan gathering to take Canton’s name off the rolls. A ceremony that took a fallen warrior off the roll of honor and put them back among active warriors. Ivan threw back the flap to the lodge and stepped inside.

The abrupt entrance made Renatta sit up sharply. Heavy footfalls of armored boots announcing that whoever was coming in was not Canton; who left a few moments before in his sleep pants. Renatta was laying among the furs of the bed, grabbing one to pull it up around her naked body as she glared. Recognizing the armor immediately.

“Ivan!!!” Renatta scowled. “Meg cuyir gar doing olar?!?!”

“Ni'm Jor'chaajir’be” Ivan looked around. Seeing the discarded clothing, the room had a strange heat and spicy smell that made it through the filters of his helmet. Only sex and lust smelled like that. Renatta’s familiar passionate scent permeated the room. “Shi guuror anade. Ni'm olar.”

“Nayc!!!” Renatta got up, letting the fur fall away as she got to her feet. No need to hide her body. Ivan had seen it, felt it many times. Reaching down, Renatta picked up a wrap throwing it over herself. “I mean here…in my lodge!!!”

“Oh.” Ivan spoke with a bit of sarcasm, switching between basic and his native language for emphasis. “I just came to see the 'man of the hour' and offer my well wishes on yours and his 'glorious' reunion.” Ivan’s head snapped toward Renatta after he picked up a pair of panties and flung them back down on a chair. “It has been glorious, hasn’t it!?!” The sarcastic tone gave way to a nasty edge.

“Gev.” Renatta put her hands on her hips. “I don’t need your jealousy right now. You know it had to be this way. Besides…I thought you found a 'confidant' in that Republic Colonel.”

Shaking his head, Ivan laughed slightly. He knew what Renatta was referring to. Ivan having gone back to Colonel La'chance’s chambers after their mission on Zakuul. Ivan shrugged his shoulders. “A mere night’s pleasure. She was curious…you know how Zeltrons are. Besides, you said it was over.”

“Bic cuyir jaon!!!” Renatta hissed, moving toward him. Pushing, she started Ivan toward the door. “You have to go…Canton will be back any moment. You can’t be here unannounced.”

Ivan laughed again.

“I don’t think he’s going to be back for a bit.” Renatta stopped pushing to look at him. “Did you bother to talk to him about his time away? I just had an interesting passenger on my ride in…that passenger was here to see Canton.”

--

“Ok…” Cornelia snatched her arm out of his hand. Canton was practically dragging Cornelia away from the camp and deeper into the woods. “…what’s going on?!? I can feel—” Cornelia paused looking at him, narrowing her eyes. “-- Deceit…lies. You’re hiding something.”

Stopping, Canton grabbed Cornelia’s shoulders and looked at her frantically.

“Cornelia, you shouldn’t have come here. I told you, I would find you after. You are in danger. These people…they don’t see YOU. They see a ‘Dar’jetii’. A Sith who represents those who sent me away….there’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t tell you before because, I didn’t know how to. But…there’s something you need to know—”

“Evil bitch!!!”

The explosion sent both Cornelia and Canton flying. Only Cornelia’s last second sense of the incoming wrist rocket allowed her to jump away. Thrusting a hand out to send Canton a safe distance in the Force. Rolling to a stop sideways, her lightsaber was already in hand. The red blade activating with a pushing snap-hiss of reverberating power.

Renatta was in the air. Her jetpack darting her to the side and past the top of the trees. She was trying to circle. Cornelia watched from a crouch, rolling forward as the next barrage of rockets came up and over the treetops toward her.

“Oh…this is goin’ to kriffin’ stop!!!” Grabbing the top of a tree, Cornelia clenched her fist as if holding it with a large invisible hand the size of the massive Palm. She twisted her arm, snapping the top of it off in the Force and pushed out with a grunt. The treetop sailed toward Renatta who ducked under and darted toward Cornelia with her jetpack accelerating, drawing both blasters once she landed across the jungle floor from Cornelia.

Already firing as she was moving, Renatta was emptying power cells within the blasters in anger. Wild shots, quantity over quality. Slapping one down to her hip after it was drained. A tactical power cell harness having the cells positioned for a quick reload. Renatta loaded a fresh cell in one weapon and continued to fire with the other. Cornelia stepped back. Moving, spinning; deflecting and dodging until she became a blur. Darting forward in and within the Force.

Renatta turned her head in time to feel the pull back. Saw the fingers over the visor and HUD from within her helmet as her head was jerked backward. And the brilliant red glow of lightsaber plasma glowing from her neck line. Cornelia had it at her throat about to slice as Canton called out. Just catching up with the both of them.

“WAIT!!! WAIT!!! Cornelia NO!!!”

The words gave Renatta time, Cornelia looking up sharply toward the voice. Inside the visor, Renatta stuck out her tongue touching a control node. Activating the anti-handling devices of her armor. The surface electrified. Cornelia screamed letting her go and falling to the ground. The lightsaber rolling out of her hands. Snapping around immediately, Renatta leveled the blaster at her head.

“Goodbye, Dar’jetii”

Diving forward, Canton caught Renatta around the waist as the blaster went off. They rolled to a stop with Renatta kicking Canton off of her. He was already between the path back toward Cornelia as he heard the Sith getting to her feet behind him. The sound of the lightsaber sailing through the air and reigniting in her hand.

“Meg te kriff cuyir gar vaabir’ii Canton!!! Ve'ganir te kriff dayn be ner ara!!!”

“NO!!! Renatta, listen to me….”

“Yes, Canton….let her go…”

Her armor was powered and in a heavy configuration. The same Canton had designed not only for himself a decade before, but also designed for his wife. With a swipe of her hand, she swatted Canton aside. Launching an arm out and blasting flames from the hidden port within a gauntlet. Cornelia leapt upward as Renatta tracked her with the jet of flames. Burning the trees and the foliage in an attempt to burn the Sith to a crisp.

Jumping again after landing in a treetop, Cornelia launched herself upward after clipping the lightsaber to her belt. Launching her hands outward, brilliant blue and purple tinges of energy arched from her fingertips. Alerts started to sound within Renatta’s armor as she shook it off, activating an ablative electrical setting on her armor’s surface with a few blinks of her eyes. After landing and continuing the barrage, Cornelia smiled to herself. Taking a few steps forward, she watched Renatta bend down; arm out. In a vain attempt to try and absorb the lightning. Also taking a step toward her, Renatta grimaced. Cornelia clenched a fist sharply and tossed the arm upward.

Renatta launched into the air. As Cornelia swiped sideways the Mandalorian flew through the tress to land against the base of a giant Palm. Taking her lightsaber off her belt gently, Cornelia activated it out to her side. The time to end the attack had come.

Canton had seen what Cornelia could do. And he had seen his own wife in action. Renatta was no match for the power of not just any Sith, but Cornelia. He stood and ran toward them both. Skidding to a stop instantly.

Looking behind him, he pursed his lips toward Cornelia who also turned around at the sound. Stopping in her tracks. The sound of blasters and other ranged weapons powering up caused all of them to look around. The entire Clan came through the brush in unison. All of their weapons trained on Cornelia….

--

“I will kill every single one of you!!!” Cornelia screamed, standing up and flourishing her lightsaber. With his hands up, Canton was running toward the others.

“No, stop!!! Wait!!!”

Pulling herself up off the tree, Renatta was already reloading her weapons. The jetpack sparked and smoked damage on her back. Sparks and other smoke ebbed from her armor from either impact or the barrage of lightning that sent her flying into the base of the tree. The others were fanning out, encircling the confrontation. Ivan, the only one stepping back. The one who set it all in motion by telling Renatta what he saw. But even he didn’t know the full story.

Their weapons and arms still up and pointing toward Cornelia, Canton stepped between them.

“An attack against one…” The Clan leader, having parted the crowd and stepping forward pointed toward Cornelia. “….is an attack against all. You know this Canton.”

“Yes, but I can explain…” Canton stammered.

“Please do!!” Renatta stepped away from the tree cautiously joining the others instead of her husband. Her blaster still trained on Cornelia.

Dropping his arms defeatedly, Canton looked down releasing a resolved sigh. He looked back at Cornelia, but as he started to speak his head and eyes turned toward Renatta. “Cornella and I 'bonded' in prison. She is my second…”

“Second?!?!” Renatta spat out. Her voice still muffled by her helmet, she reached up scrambling to take it off. Angrily, she tossed it aside.

“Second?” Cornelia echoed the question behind Canton in a more inquisitive tone.

“’Dar’jetii….stay out of this.” Renatta took a step forward.

“Kriff you!!!”

“Kriff with me!!!” Renatta brought the blasters straight back up, pointing them at Cornelia.

“Whoa!!!” Canton turned putting himself sideways between the two women. The rest continued to watch as Canton looked between the two women. “Second…” Canton repeated, looking at Cornelia. “Second love…second life…”

“Second wife!!!” Renatta spat the words again, glaring at them both. Cornelia's face moved between shock and humor.

“Canton, we never—”

“It doesn’t matter—” Renatta interrupted “—you bonded.” Her eyes narrowing toward Canton. “Even in death, we WERE NOT parted." Renatta's lip twitched. "You slime…all this time. You never said anything!!!”

“I’m sorry….” Interrupting Renatta in a snarky tone, Cornelia stepped directly behind Canton. “…Canton, who is this woman?”

“I’m the first!!”

Stepping back, it was Cornelia’s turn to glare. She deactivated her lightsaber placing a hand on a hip. The others all lowered their weapons in time with Cornelia shutting her weapon down.

“Clearly, we have some things to discuss…” The Clan Leader turned to walk back toward the camp. “Canton, you should explain yourself to them first…”

--

“Ivan told me!!!” Renatta gestured with her blaster still in hand. “That this 'Dar’jetii' came in with him.”

“I’m getting really tired of that word.” Cornelia narrowed her eyes. “I am NO Jedi….”

“SITH!!!” The nasty tone directed toward Cornelia, both women advanced again. Canton pushed them apart.

“Enough!!” Keeping them apart, he kept his hands up. “You both deserve an explanation. But there isn’t time.”

“Make time, Canton.”

“Yes, I’m not going anywhere…at least not without you.” Cornelia crossed her arms.

“Over my dead body.”

“Oh, that can definitely be arranged.”

“I said enough. Listen…” Canton ran his fingers through his hair, sighing again. “…the reasons are not important. What is important, is the truth. Yes, Cornelia is my second. And Cornelia, I never told you I was married because you know how closely guarded I kept my past. It wasn’t important for you to know because honestly, I never thought we would leave 'The End' alive.”

“But you knew!!!” Renatta spat out again. “You knew the moment I arrived on Concord Dawn. You knew the moment you realized your systems sent out the distress call. And you said nothing!!!”

“To either of us.”

“I was in a coma.” Canton spoke in response to Cornelia.

“After. You just let it go.” Cornelia sat down behind him, looking down sadly.

“This begs a question…” Holstering her blaster, Renatta stepped around the side placing a finger to her chin. “Had your armor never sent that signal, would you even have sought us out?” Canton looked up, his face getting tight. “Even returned to your family, to your brothers and sisters…returned to me…?”

“I can answer that…” Cornelia stood up sharply and looped an arm through one of Canton’s leaning in toward Renatta. “No…he wouldn’t have. He belongs with me. This old life…is over.”

“Gar ‘Dar’jetti’…” Renatta laughed menacingly. “…you have no concept of duty or obligation. The commitment we make to our family and each other is not so easily tossed aside.”

“You all wrote him off!!!”

“It’s our way!!!” Renatta gave Canton a pained expression. “He was honored…as all are honored who join the rolls.” Renatta shook her head. “This is why we are here, Canton. To remove you from the rolls and renew our bond.”

“He doesn’t need a bond with those who would discard him so easily!”

“Gar suvarir naas!!!”

“I understand that when he needed me, I was there…have been there. Right next to him, by his side. Did you or your Mandalorians even try to find him?!?! If he was dead, did you try to recover his body?!?” Renatta tried to speak as Cornelia lifted a hand. “No, you accepted the words given to you. The events as you believed they happened all because it helped your Mandalorian narrative.” Cornelia used quotations with her fingers as her words became snarky. “….’He died a hero…he’s a Martyr!!!’ All of that advancing your war effort so you could unite and fight against enemies that you couldn’t unite and fight against before. Yes, he was a Martyr. But only to advance your own agenda. You don’t care about him, you don’t love him. You need to use him and continue using him.”

“Bic nayc’in banar ibac ara.” Renatta spoke back sadly.

“I’m right here.” Interrupting, Canton looked at them both. “Don’t speak of me as if I am not present.”

“SHUT UP!!!” Both women spoke in unison.

“None of this matters.” Renatta folded her arms and nodded. “Canton has returned home. He is MY husband and he knows where his loyalty and his duties lie.”

“Marriage is till death do you part…” Cornelia smiled viciously, looking past Renatta to the shadow which lurked behind her. They all saw Ivan turn and walk away. Canton’s face twisted in annoyance. “And I sense another is waiting in the wings.” Looking at them both, Renatta lifted her chin pursing her lips.

“That is another matter.” Looking back again, they could no longer see Ivan. But Cornelia could sense he was still there. Renatta continued in a bland tone. “Yes, I bonded with Ivan. I gave myself freely. The moment I realized Canton was alive; I knew what I had to do. What my duty and obligations were.”

“Duty?!?!” Cornelia scoffed, “You speak of Canton as if he’s a thing, something to possess. This is love…”

“I love him.” Renatta spoke matter of factly. “My obligation to him is—”

“Obligation?!?!” Reaching up, Cornelia turned his head toward her. “Canton, listen to me. These people, they don’t love you.” She spoke frantically. “I do…you know I do.” Renatta unholstered her pistol.

“Te'habir gar gaan teh ner riduur”

Both Canton and Cornelia looked at Renatta. Canton stepped away, leaving the two alone. He needed time. Both women watched him leave, turning evil eyes back toward one another after he disappeared.

--

“Clearly….” Renatta began evenly. “…we have a situation here. And though I would kill you without a second thought, your ‘attachment’ to my husband makes that less likely and would probably drive a rift between us that would surely end in either his…or my own death.” Renatta narrowed her eyes and scowled. “You should never have come here. Your very presence sickens me. The fact that MY husband would soil himself with something like you—”

Clenching her teeth, Cornelia closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. Yellow eyes snapping open after calming herself slightly. All for Canton’s benefit. “—I am not fond of your traitorous kind either. Making allegiances as you see fit. Betraying anyone you find convenient, all in the name of ‘honor’ and the ‘Clan’.” Cornelia made quotation marks over the stressed words. “—and for your information. It was Canton who made the first move. Not I…he never thought he was going to get out of that hell hole. Neither did I.” Cornelia looked down sadly. “He sacrificed his honor for me.” Looking up sharply Cornelia scowled. “And in return, I did the same…soil himself? Lady, I was the only thing he had in there…”

“I would rather he died than be with you!!!”

“Fine.” Cornelia smiled snidely and folded her arms. “Consider him dead and I’ll just take him with me…”

“No” Renatta spoke gravely. “Now….he must answer for this dishonor. For being with you…a member of the very people who sent him away.” Renatta turned and started to walk away. “But you…you will leave this place. And if I were you, I would hope that you and I never meet again….”

--

“Aliit wero’ii” Ivan smiled snidely as Canton passed, causing him to slow. He turned sharply and hit Ivan as hard as he could before the larger Mandalorian could react. The punch, with all of Canton’s weight and force behind it made Ivan drop like a sack of bricks. The man knocked out instantly.

“He’s not wrong, Canton….” Turning around after knocking out Ivan, he saw the Clan Leader as well as half the others watching him. The Leader stepped forward, giving a smirk to Ivan lying on the ground before looking up at Canton. The Leader lost the smile. “…this is serious business, Canton. You must get your house in order. And this Sith—” The Clan Leader stopped and shook his head, looking down. “--I understand a man’s heart. We do what we must in order to survive. And if that’s what it was, then so be it. Doesn’t make it right or forgivable, but it is understandable. These are special times and special circumstances. The ‘Resol’nare’ does not have a precedent for matters such as these…which leaves much open territory.” He reached out and placed a hand on Canton’s shoulder. “What’s done is done. You and I both know…there is no future in which you and that Sith co-exist.” Taking the hand away, he placed it on his hips. “At least not in this Clan.”

--

Both women came out of the woodline together. And parted ways the second the others caught sight of them. Canton moved away from the others and took Cornelia aside. She stood, arms folded glaring up at him.

“I should have told you. I know I should have. But I honestly never saw us getting out of there, at least not together. And in the hangar…when I was hanging on for life. I saw my end. I knew…I felt I had done the right thing in not telling you. This is all just—” Canton reached up and pinched his brow, closing his eyes.

“You should have told me. But it doesn’t matter. These people…they don’t matter. That life is over. We started a new life a long time ago. The moment you walked into my cell, years ago. The moment you and I—how did you say it? ‘Bonded’?” Cornelia smiled shyly and looked down. “We’re married? I had no idea that—”

“NO.” Canton looked up and shook his head violently. “No, we’re not. It’s complicated…in my afterlife I may choose a second and technically since I was dead I—” Canton huffed a laugh and smiled. “—it doesn’t matter. To you it would be like a ‘common law’ type ‘thing’….”

Narrowing her eyes, Cornelia looked past Canton to the others who were all staring. They were waiting for her to leave and were not moving until she did so. “Canton…come with me. Right here, right now. Walk out of this place with those pants on. No shirt, no shoes…just the clothes on your back. We’ll start again. Do what we talked about all those years ago—”

“I can’t just—” Canton slung his arms down and grimaced. He knew they were waiting behind him for Cornelia to leave. “--what do you want me to do, Corny? This is my life, who I am. There are things about us you just don’t understand.” Cornelia gave a resolved sigh and looked down after his words.

“You think things are going to be the same between you and ‘her’ after this? Trust me, she may be a Mandalorian, but she’s still a woman. She is not going to forget this.” Cornelia shook her head. “I don’t know, Canton. But you need to figure this out.” Cornelia looked down and then back toward the speeder before biting her lip. “I have to go.” Cornelia looked past him toward Renatta and the other Mandalorians who were watching. Giving less than a care, she suddenly leaned in and grabbed Canton around the neck, kissing him deeply. What started out as just a goodbye kiss, became personal. Cornelia opened her eyes as her mouth roamed his. Her eyes locking on Renatta, narrowing.

“Bic ni skana'din…” Renatta started to move and was held back with one hand by Ivan who shook his head. His other hand rubbing the sore jaw Canton had given him.

“Let him be, Renatta. The ‘Sith’ is leaving…that is enough.”

Cornelia looked down placing her hands and her head on his chest, sucking in a breath. For the first time Canton actually wrapped his hands around her, rubbing her back. Releasing the pent-up breath, Cornelia spoke softly. “I will give it all up for you. Do anything you want. Know that…think about that. I won’t lose you again…”

Turning around Cornelia boarded the speeder. She didn’t look back, saying everything she had to. Canton watched until Cornelia and the speeder disappeared into the depths of the jungle, turning to see all of the Clan still watching him. Stepping forward, the Clan leader held out a hand; palm facing him.

“Death…is preferable to a life with no meaning. It is clear you’ve had to ‘adjust’ your values in order to survive…” Turning to the others, the Clan leader continued to hold the hand up, addressing them all. “There will be no recall from the rolls. These are special times. There is no precedent for a situation such as this. Until Canton has decided where his loyalties lie, there can be no renewal. The Clan is gathered, we will hunt….this is my word.”

The crowd started to break up, Ivan one of the last to leave. Canton noticed his arm was on Renatta’s until he finally drifted away from the others. Leaving Renatta and Canton to face one another.

“Gar kar'taylir darasuum kaysh.” Renatta spoke pointedly. It wasn’t a question.

“Elek.” Canton spoke just as pointedly. Renatta folded her arms and glared.

“This is a competition for her. It has nothing to do with you, I just saw her face as she ‘kissed’ you goodbye.” Renatta took a step forward, flourishing her hands. “Your life is here. Your family is here. I state only facts. You took an oath, to me and to the Clan. And even Death cannot end that. Canton, you survived Death. Survived them all. That woman…” Renatta pointed past Canton toward the direction of the speeder. “…represents everything we fought against. The reason you were sent away. The Dar’jetii and their ways are not our ways. They have no honor, do not value family or tradition.”

"You don't know her. You have no idea what she values..."

Looking down, Renatta placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. “YOU...that's quite clear!!! Canton, this Clan….our entire focus changed the day the Dar’jetii betrayed us. We changed…because of you. And have held that until this moment. And today, all of that has been called into question. I can see it, feel it in the others. Will you really throw all of that away for her?”

Taking a moment, Canton looked down. When he looked back up and past Renatta he could see Ivan in the background. It caused Renatta to turn around and then back toward Canton. Folding her arms again, she took on an annoyed pose.

“You chose another. You couldn’t do any better than ‘Ivan’?”

“This isn’t about Ivan. When you joined the rolls, I followed tradition…I mourned you the designated time I was supposed to, until the rolls were called the following year. After that….yes, I chose Ivan. But I did not marry.”

“Then you break with tradition. Being with Ivan, but not ‘really’ being with him.”

“I compromised…”

“Yes!!! Exactly…” Canton stepped forward and pointed at her. “Death was preferable to betraying my oath…that’s what was said. You just heard it again. But I was not going to let them kill me. I was not going to let them win. Death, would have been the same as giving up. So…I compromised. Cornelia was part of that compromise…”

“Ivan and I are completely different. She’s a ‘Dar’jetii’!!!”

“Yes, she is.” Canton spoke softly. “And that changes nothing. We cannot control what the heart wants.”

“O’h elek gar liser.” Renatta was getting closer, taking another step forward. “The heart is bound to our commitment to this Clan…this family.” Renatta snarled. “Canton, you owe us children. The time for maintaining our legacy has come. And the first step toward that legacy began last night.” Renatta rubbed her abdomen as Canton looked down at it. He started to speak and Renatta raised a hand to stop him. “I state only that which you already know, I am not going to beg you. No one is. You will do what you must…just as we will…”

“Cuyir ibac a’jurkadir?”

Renatta shook her head sadly. “Nayc, ori’haat If you do this, you will be stricken from the rolls. A pain worse than death. Your name erased for all time. You will never have been.” Having said what she needed to, Renatta turned and walked away.

--

“AHHHH!!!!”

The entire Clan was suited for the hunt, except for Canton. Who walked back toward the lodge alone. The scream was well timed. Canton looked up to see Ivan part the crowd as they all prepared to leave. Drawing his ‘Beskad’; Ivan’s personal knife made for him, he made sure to drop it where everyone could see. His head and eyes turned toward Canton, Ivan turned around and looked at the mass of Mandalorians. “Dar’manda, di’kutla hut’uun!!! Ni nayc’in at motir de bal duumir ibic….aruetii at kemir ti mhi!!!”

Renatta parted the crowd, her eyes wide. Canton looked at her sharply. Her surprise told him she had no part in what Ivan was doing.

“Ivan…you don’t want to do this…” Canton said lowly.

“SEE!!! He even refuses to speak in our tongue.” Ivan leaned forward, bending down to pick up the blade he dropped. But not sheathing it. “So be it. I will answer you in the language of your Sith whore!!! I challenge you…Canton. In accordance with our laws. For being a traitor, consorting with the enemy and dishonoring not only this Clan, but your wife and yourself…you deserve to die.”

Moving alongside, Renatta snatched Ivan’s arm. “Ivan…don’t do this. Trust me, you do NOT want to do this. Not for me. It isn’t worth it.”

“What?!?!” Ivan laughed. “You think this di’kut can best me?!?!” Looking Canton up and down, Ivan placed his hands on his hips. “I remember him from the old days. Barely able to hold up his blaster.”

Canton said nothing as the Clan started to close in around them. Renatta looked sharply toward Canton before turning back to Ivan, who was still smiling; overconfident in his challenge. Turning his head, Renatta looked up at Ivan. “Listen to me Ivan, you do not want to do this…not to the death. I understand your honor being challenged by Canton hitting you, but—”

“This has nothing to do with that sucker punch!!!” Narrowing his eyes Ivan leaned forward. “Do you accept or are you going to hide under your wife’s skirt? IT’s quite large, trust me I know…” Canton grit his teeth, jaw felxing at Ivan's last words. Renatta scoffed and stepped away, spitting at Ivan’s feet.

“Di’kut!!!”

Knowing what all of it was really about, Canton folded his arms giving a haphazard glance toward Renatta. She looked down in shame as Canton turned his eyes back toward Ivan. The entire Clan had assembled around them. “I’m not going to fight you for her Ivan. If you want her…she’s yours, if she’ll have you…”

“DO YOU HEAR THAT!!!” Ivan threw his hands up turning to look around at the assembled Mandalorians. “He shirks his duty to his wife.” Looking back, Ivan gave Canton a condescending smile. “That’s ok, Canton. In fact, I will help you. I tell you what…next time you have problems in your bed chamber, you call me. I’ll come in and take care of your obligations to her. Since you are not man enough to do it.”

“Gar jaro osik!!!” Renatta’s head snapped up as she glared at Ivan. “I didn’t tell you not to do this because I was scared for Canton. I did it because I am scared for you!!” Renatta pointed her finger at Ivan and sneered. “He…will kill you. And he will do it with no emotion.” Renatta turned to the others, her voice raising slightly. “I have seen it…Canton possesses the true warrior’s heart. Ramikadyc, he kills with passing thoughts. No mind to what he does. The purest warrior.” A collective gasp went up as the Mandalorians looked at one another. Ivan actually swallowed hard, stepping back slightly. But quickly rose his chin and snarled.

“She lies!!!” Ivan swiped the spoken words away in the air. “Renatta says this because she is his wife. Canton cannot possess a true heart. Not one that is Mandalorian…”

“ENOUGH!!!” The Clan Leader stepped between them. “There has been enough talk.” Giving the large knife in Ivan’s hand a glance, the Clan Leader bent down and traced a circle in the dirt where the weapon left an impression after being dropped in challenge. “A challenge has been given.” His head snapped to Canton. “Do you defend your honor against these accusations?”

Canton’s jaw flexed, he looked down and shook his head before looking up. “Meh bic cuyir kyr'am ibac Ivan copikla…..Ni Kelir narir’ir at te haran ti ijaat.”

--

--

Standing on the opposite side, Canton looked composed. Wearing only his armored pants he unsheathed his knife and looked impassively toward Ivan. The larger Mandalorian wore a wicked smile. Slinging his arms to his front as he loosened. Widening them as he flexed. His eyes laser focused on Canton. Ivan was bouncing, the others on his side during the entire affair speaking in low tones and to Ivan as they waited.

Only Renatta stood on Canton’s side. Directly behind him. A solemn expression, she folded her hands to her front and stared outward past Canton and toward Ivan with a resolute expression. The two didn’t speak. Renatta taking position behind her husband as she was supposed to. It wasn’t lost on Canton that part of the fight was about her. Renatta knew it too. All of the accusations mere dressing for the real heart of the matter. Ivan’s jealousy. They all watched as the Clan Leader entered the circle, holding his hands up. Low murmurs died down, silence taking the crowd.

“Ivan…has challenged Canton for dishonoring himself and the Clan. As the one who called Canton’s honor into question, Ivan has chosen this duel to the death to be fought with traditional blade.” Looking at one and then the other, the Clan Leader gave each man a helmeted glance and nod. “This is never performed lightly. In times past, when one challenged another the charges were grave. The sentence graver still.” Giving Ivan a long stare, the Clan Leader was giving Ivan another chance to back down. Ivan merely smiled, continuing to bounce as he loosened up. “…one of you will die with honor this day. The other will have honor restored.” Turning slowly, the Clan Leader walked from the ring and stood among the others.

Moving forward, Canton started out as Renatta pulled him back with a hand on his shoulder.

“…for Honor, my husband.”

Only nodding sharply and with a slight grimace, Canton entered the makeshift circle. Reversing the grip on his blade. His fingers slipped through the knuckle holds of the hilt as he tightened his grip. Arms down, holding them out to the side. He didn’t look threatening. Something he learned in prison. Many a fight was ended by the aggressiveness of another. Looking less threatening to draw in an enemy.

Canton began a slow circle, head down as he walked with purpose. Eyes narrowed, as he watched every movement of his opponent. Seeing Ivan shift his feet before stepping out and away from the small crowd behind him. Ivan had many supporters. His status in the Clan gave him clout. A sub-leader, op runner and as one of the strongest among them; the favorite of the majority of the Clan. They all seen the Sith come and then go. The turmoil brought by her arrival and Canton’s subsequent admission of his relationship with her. No one was happy. And in some ways many hoped the duel would end not only the turbulence brought on by the Sith’s arrival, but Canton as well.

Ivan snarled, swinging his arms left and right as he bounced entering at the same time. Coming to a rest, he held his hands up in a traditional combat stance. Canton didn’t look down, staring straight ahead as he continued to move outside. Ivan’s knife hand and arm was back, extending the other out with fingers spread as a gauge of distance and leverage. He held the blade upright. Its combat blackened metal catching a bit of the light as it moved in Ivan’s fingers. Seeing Canton slowly circle with his arms down didn’t infuriate the other Mandalorian as much as the expression. Canton looked serene, almost resolute in his gaze. Like Ivan was not even there.

With a scream, Ivan lunged in. Slicing forward, then back through. Punching out with the other hand in a third slice, jabbing forward. Canton kept the knife back, moving at the last second to avoid the first, then the second attack. Kicking up once Ivan jabbed. His foot landing solidly in the other Mandalorian’s stomach. Ivan heaved as Canton stepped back, turning to the opposite side and rounding the bigger man.

Raging, Ivan charged toward him from the kick, swinging wildly again. Once of the multiple slices, cutting across Canton’s midsection. Sucking in deeply, Canton spun around to find Ivan standing upright at the sight of blood on his opponent. His eyes wide. Ivan smiled wryly, charging in again.

Punching with the blade, the fist swung into air as Canton ducked. Slamming his own knuckled knife into the ribs of the larger Mandalorian. Ivan screamed again, wrapping arms around Canton he picked up the smaller man and tossed him aside. Moving quickly to follow-up with a stomp to the face. Canton rolled to the side, sliding his body and legs across the ground. Catching Ivan’s legs and knocking them out from under him. Both were on the ground as Canton looked up and over at Renatta, who caught his eyes and looked down shamefully.

Hopping back up with a springboard like action, Canton flipped forward to his feet and put some distance between himself and Ivan. For his size, Ivan moved fast, but he could not springboard back up like Canton. Having to roll to the side, he scrambled to his feet. Wiping the blood from his mouth with a painful smile. Internal organs already shattered from the knuckle blow; Ivan grimaced at cracked ribs; perhaps a punctured lung.

Shifting his feet, Ivan changed hands. Tossing the blade to his other. He snarled loudly, “N-not…like before…’techy’. But this is it…” Ivan was breathing hard as he weaved the blade. “D-do you feel it?!?! Do you s-see your death in the reflection of m-my blade?!?!” Canton said nothing, moving slowly again with his arms and hands down. He squeezed the knife tightly, narrowing his gaze.

Ivan spoke the words more for himself. Steeling himself from the fear that had suddenly crept in. And he wasn’t the only one. What started out as a low roar when they began, became dead silence after seeing Canton move. More than move, survive with ease. Renatta wasn’t lying. Canton had changed. They all saw it, in his eyes; his steps were that of a calculated killer. Ivan rushed in, a scream to put the last bit of bravery back into himself. 'Canton couldn’t win, he couldn’t.' Everyone, including Ivan told themselves. Ivan was the strongest. He proven that on countless occasions.

Canton spun in the air. A rounded kick which landed solidly on Ivan’s chin. Continuing the spin, he landed and punched out with the blade in hand. The iron knuckles of the hilt busting Ivan’s nose and face completely. The bigger Mandalorian grabbed his face and backed up, but only for a second. Slicing outwardly, opening his arms to try and grab Canton. He let him get close, Canton seemed to relax. Slicing in a whirl across the arm of Ivan’s offhand. A cut that had no effect even though it was deep. Ivan kept coming.

Tackling him, Canton rolled with the tackle. Dust clouding everyone's vision as the two emerged with Ivan over the top. They both vibrated from the test of strength. Ivan, holding down Canton’s other hand as he struggled to jab the knife down and through Canton’s face. Gritting his teeth, Ivan strained in rage. Canton shook, holding him. But his face remained unchanged, even passive as he held the bigger man off. “Die!!!” Ivan spit out, literally. Blood and spital cascading down with the strength of the attempt.

‘I will bend…’ Canton’s mind wandered, going back to the exercises. Hours and hours of meditation and strength training on his own. An image of himself in a folded leg position. Holding himself above the floor with just his fingertips. Strength unbound. It came from within. The mind his only playground during those long dark times. ‘…like a reed, in the wind.'

The blade came down as Canton released Ivan’s hold. Sliding to the side; up and over, Canton spun. Taking Ivan’s arm with him as he wrapped his legs around Ivan’s arm and shoulder, placing the man’s face in the dirt. Pulling with the hand in which he held Ivan’s knife hand, Canton thrust up with his hips and felt the crack. The others heard it; a collective gasp going up as the Clan took a step back once the dust began to clear. Canton let go, rolling to his feet.

Renatta saw it. As Canton got back up, stepping back and away. A new confidence seemed to fill him. He bounced for the first time, a little speed in his step. Fear leapt into her chest. Ivan was a raging bull. Big, tough and ungainly. Fighting a battle he could not win against the much more calculated and composed Canton. The other’s face never changed. His emotions never wavering. Canton was beskar, impenetrable. They locked eyes once Canton got to his feet. Only Renatta didn’t look down in shame. Instead shaking her head ‘No’.

His arm only a noodle, Ivan scrambled to his feet. Changing hands again, Ivan lazily held the knife. It was over, everyone knew it. Except Ivan. The larger man said nothing. He saw what was coming and for a moment, a reflection of sorrow passed through him. Having started something he could not possibly finish. With no options left, Ivan charged.

After Ivan charged, her heart leapt to her throat. Canton’s body to the side, he raised his arm already knowing where the knife was going to go. Grabbing the charging Mandalorian behind the head, Canton brought up the knee pushing down with his arm. The hand and arm which held Ivan's head. The look of shock on Ivan’s face was unmistakable. Even he couldn’t believe it. In that last second, he could sense what was to come.

And Renatta screamed out.

“Canton!!! NO!!!”

Ivan’s face met the knee as the blade sunk in deep and center of the Mandalorian’s back. The length penetrating the heart from the underside. Canton twisted the blade to wedge it deeply and ensure the mark was met. Feeling the resistance and then give away as it hit the soft tissue between the ribs. Canton released and stepped back. Ivan stood slowly, stepping back turning his good arm slowly around to try and reach the blade that was in his back, to no avail. Giving Renatta one last sorrowful look, Ivan fell to his knees and then to his face.

Dead.

Lip twitching, Canton looked over at Renatta and shook his head. Her scream was not for his benefit, but for Ivan’s. Still standing in the ring, he looked over the silent crowd before bending down and placing a foot on Ivan’s back. Removing the knife with a jerk and wiping in the other Mandalorian’s blood off on his leg.

Giving Renatta another look, Canton’s face twisted in disgust. His voice was loud, carrying over them all. “She was right…this is not my life anymore.” Canton sheaved his blade and looked around the circle. “All my life, I have lived by the code. Honored it.” He looked down at Ivan and scoffed. “We are no better than the Sith. One of our best lies dead because of his own hubris. He didn’t have to die…but the code said he must.” Reaching down he picked up Ivan’s blade, holding it out to look at it. “Why? You all could have stopped him. But you were all so incensed by your hatred for what happened here today that you could not see. But I see…for the first time, I see more clearly than I ever have.” Canton tossed the knife down and spit on the ground.

“Canton…w-where are you going?!?!” Renatta was chasing as he walked out of the ring. He waved his arms lazily; waving her back.

“Away…go, bury ‘your’ man with honor. According to the code, he earned it….”

--

--

- Ansion III, Insertion Landing Site Alpha…following Cornelia’s mission….

There was much more fury there than had to be. And the fact that her Master had shown up left Cornelia with many questions. This was her mission, one of the first for her to be out on her own. Cornelia was much older and seasoned than a typical apprentice, she did not need her Master looking over her shoulder. But that was not why Mrysti came and not why Cornelia destroyed the other apprentice with such fury. Both had answers that lay elsewhere.

Rage and fury came from within. A focused force Cornelia channeled from the events on Concord Dawn. She still had not heard from Canton and as she opened the ramp to her ship, she was beginning to think she may never hear from him. Perhaps it was for the best. After the way she dealt with one of Darth Vowrawn’s former apprentices, she felt powerful. All due to the anger and rage she held inside over Canton. Mrysti arranged the meeting, also a source of annoyance. Having led the apprentice from Dromand Kaas all the way to Cornelia’s location; Mrysti put the two together for a specific purpose. And as Mrysti explained on Cornelia’s departure, it was the same way her own Master had proverbially ‘broken her in’. The death of an apprentice that sought vengeance on them both for killing her Master.

Coming down off the ‘high’ of using her emotions, Cornelia often fell into sadness. Grabbing the strut of the loading ramp, there were no exceptions. She frowned at the ground, her body sagging as the exhaustion of the past day caught up to her. All of the fueled adrenaline powering her starting to bleed away, she turned back to look toward the aftermath. The facility was in ruins. It had been in ruins before their arrival and now it carried the scar of the brief but intense battle of the two Sith. At least Mrysti was pleased. Cornelia’s hate had made her powerful.

“Going my way…”

Eyes getting wide, she felt the adrenaline start up again. New emotions, one of the most powerful started to course though her. Along with the fear, shock and surprise at hearing his voice. She turned and stammered. Her words not coming from the open mouth as she stared.

Canton dropped the bag as Cornelia ran to him, both of them embracing as she pushed away looking down at him once he held her.

“But your commitment? The Clan….”

Canton shrugged. “They will wait. Renatta will wait. I came to Concord Dawn to find myself before any of this could happen. Unfortunately, it found me. Now, I need some time to figure this out. And if you don’t mind…a lift out of here. I seem to have worn out my welcome with the Mandalorians I came here with….”

--

- Concord Dawn….

Renatta sat by the fire, alone. Looking deeply into it.

It wasn’t the fire that started out the day. Everyone was at that pyre. Sending Ivan off to his afterlife. Having died honorably in challenging Canton for what he perceived as a slight to himself on behalf of the Clan. But that wasn’t the whole story and everyone knew it. Ivan died because of his own jealousy. He died because of Renatta.

Part of the reason they let him go was due to the unspoken reason behind the duel. Renatta did not help matters by screaming out during. For warning her husband off and alerting Ivan as to what was coming. Though it was too late when she did it. Ivan’s fate was sealed from virtually the first moment he stepped in the ring. No one could have beaten Canton, not after the events of the day which led up to that fateful confrontation. But Renatta’s actions, though dishonorable, could not be held over her. None of it could. As the Clan Leader explained in confidence; the whole situation was one big ‘Osik gaid’. And everyone was going to have to eat from it. The choice was not a simple one. But fairly two sided. They either let him go to get a hold of himself and possibly come back. Or they declare him traitor and ostracize him immediately.

The latter choice was not so simple and one Renatta absolutely refused to allow them to do. Canton was challenged. No matter how they all wanted it to turn out, he won. Fairly. Deep down, due to the events of that day; Renatta had to admit to herself she wanted him to lose as well. Not for Ivan’s benefit or that she wanted to be with Ivan; but because of what Canton had done. Canton laid with a Sith. Renatta knew in time she would be able to deal with the ramifications of that. But at that moment, she wanted Canton to pay. It was why she screamed. Why she told Canton not to kill Ivan and warn the other man of what was about to happen. Renatta wanted her husband to return to his honorable death and replace the mantle of widow taken from her by his resurrection.

Things were complicated now. More complicated by the fact that no one really knew what to do. And for the moment, they treated Renatta as the widow once again. They all knew where Canton was going. Renatta knew it and refused to accept. He was going to find ‘her’. To try and see if that new life he spoke of suited him. He was going to do it either way. Leaving Concord Dawn angry and frustrated with the lot of them.

“With a word…” The Clan Leader spoke as he entered the firelight and took a seat next to Renatta. “…we can make all of this go away. This is your call Renatta, you are his wife. I will hold this as long as I have to; as I said…we are in new territory. But if he makes a decision that—"

“--He won’t…” Renatta spoke softly, tossing a stick into the flames. “He’ll be back. I know him. Better than he knows himself. He will honor his obligations….” At the last word, Renatta rubbed her abdomen. She didn’t know how, but she could feel it. Their legacy. The name of Canton and Renatta would carry on, regardless of what he decided to do.

--