Freedon Nadd's Lineage (open)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

The marketplace outside the palace was bustling at noon, stalls lining the road that led into the walls of the royal complex. Housewives mingled with shopkeepers, and Lilaena walked among them all, reveling in the life that flourished just out of reach of all of the death that lived outside the walls of Iziz City.

She stopped at a silversmith's stall, shaded from the hot sun by a striped blanket that had been pegged to the uprights of the collapsible structure. Some of the designs used were... familiar in a way. Lilaena pulled one necklace from the rack and dangled it from her fingers, looking at the charm that hung from the impossibly thin chain. "You did not make this..?" The woman smiled at the stubble faced boy tending the stall.

"Oh no, no miss, I didn't. That's the master's work, sure enough." The smith's apprentice wrung his cap in his hands, and then reached over to carefully hold up the charm to a bit of light that shone through a hole in the blanket. "See the way the silver shines? 'Tis a very old design, miss, but the polishin' technique is all our own. No where else in Iziz will you find silver that shines as bright as Master Tam's. The chain..." Lilaena let him hold the necklace as he strained over the makeshift table to properly show it off, "the chain is a new design, one that is half as thick with twice the strength. This'un won't be breakin' any time soon, miss."

Lilaena looked at the necklace again, and shook her head. "It does shine, but perhaps it is a little too flashy for me." She indicated her cream colored tunic and pants. She had left A'na Eldhil's cloak at her apartment, for the weather was simply too hot. It made her feel like she was walking about naked, without it's comfortable weight around her shoulders. However, it would have made her stand out, and that was one thing she did not wish to do on this day.

The apprentice's face fell a little bit, but then brightened. "Well, how about this one?" He fumbled with the rotating rack, and showed her a nearly identical piece. "This one was rubbed with a special solution - makes it look antique. It's still polished, and first rate silver, but..."

Lilaena grinned, "Yes, I love it!" The exchange of credits was quickly undertaken, and she stepped away, holding her new charm up to the noon sun. The intricate design was very similar to a sketch of a talisman of concentration that A'na Eldhil had drawn for her once. Nestled into the charm was a little green stone that sparkled in the light. All in all, it was a fascinating find.

The woman undid the clasp and put her hands behind her neck to put the necklace on. Her eyes were on the palace gates, which were open on market day. Certain sellers even got to show their wares to the Queen herself, but that was of no concern to her. The Jedi meandered through the stalls in the large stoneflagged courtyard outside of the palace, walking ever closer to the gates.

[Cozen Daggett]

In the Iziz market, there was more than one way to make a profit. While traders wasted there time and money trying desperately to draw in buyers, other more entrepreneurial characters went right to the customers. Among these characters was a young man by the name of Cozen Daggett. He turned his profit in one of two ways. The first involved scamming tourists and the second - …well, it was pretty much the same. In both cases, he would rob them blind, either by selling them over-priced goods or simply lifting the credits right out of their pockets. The more honest traders tried to warn people against him, but their words were often mistaken as bitter slander against an obviously more talented salesman – or at least that’s what Cozen liked the think.

Today had been a particularly slow day for trade, however. The last tourist shuttle had departed early in the morning and another shipment of culture-hungry offworlders wasn’t expected until late evening at the earliest. Almost ready to give up for the day, Cozen spotted an unfamiliar face. Ah-ha! Immediately arming himself with a number of wares, he scurried after the woman in cream, and accosted her with a barrage of words.

“Souvenir, ma’am? I’ve got your genuine commemorative coronation tea-cups, your authentic replication beastrider weapons, your fully functioning General DeSang action figures…” The list went on, as Cozen displayed the numerous items that lined the inside of his overcoat, which jangled and clanked as he revealed more and more seeming hidden pockets of goods.

[Adraudia Basillie]

"MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN!!!"

The announcement caused most in the crowd to grow silent, but quickly everyone muttered to themselves at the pleasant surprise and shop owners began arranging their wares in hopes that something would catch the Queen's interest. Most of the marketplace was fixated on the castle gates, however, hoping to get a glimpse of their ruler before she was swamped with gawkers.

Palace guards led the way in rows of two, helping to part the crowd to allow Adraudia passage. Jarelson and Dak, the General's handpicked bodyguards, were ever present beside her. The threat of her life still dangled over the Queen's head, but she would not allow herself to be sheltered from her people, no matter how the DeSang tried to sway her that this danger was different.

The number of guards did nothing to disheartened the people, it only lifted their spirits because the Queen cared enough about her subjects and was willing to risk venturing out of the safety of the palace to be with them.

It lifted Adraudia's spirits too, even on a hot day like today, but refused to miss another market day solely on the weather. Her dress, though still formal and closely hugged the ground, was of light coloring, whites and silvers mostly. Her arms and shoulders were bare to afford some relief from the sun. Yvana, her aide, provided the rest of the Queen's comfort by shielding her from the heat underneath a parasol.

The entourage moved steadily forward, stopping now and again as Adraudia browsed the stalls and offered smiles of greetings and of confidence to her people.

It made her remember Dak's suggestion back in inside the palace. He had tried to convince her that wearing her armor was a necessary precaution. She clearly thought the idea absurd.

"We're going shopping, Dak," she said then, "Not heading to war."

The last image she wanted to portray to her people was a Queen in fear of her life.

"Hold a moment." The Queen stopped in front of a stall that had a variety of hand crafted porcelain items. Adraudia glanced at the craftsmanship. Different types of cups, saucers, plates and vases lined the bench, all painted with various designs. She nodded to Kant, the second aide to accompanying her in this venture, and pointed out one of the teacups to be brought to her.

The owner, a young woman, curtsied in respect to the Queen, pleased that her quaint store was receiving attention. "Your, Majesty. What has caught the Queen's eye that I can humbly assist you with?

She turned the cup over in her hand. It was beautiful work, "You are well gifted."

The woman blushed at the compliment and bowed. It was clear that she was quite nervous, "Thank you, your Majesty. My mum taught me everything before her passing."

"She would be very proud of you, then...?" Adraudia paused, coaxing for a name.

"Taza, your Majesty."

"Taza." She smiled, "Do you perhaps have a complete tea set available? I've been hard pressed to find one as a gift for the newly arrived Princess."

[Razielle Alastor]

It was time, Razielle had decided, to test the confines of her new gilded cage. Adraudia had insisted that this was no temporary residence, that she should settle in and be at home here. Razielle had done just that and been made quite comfortable already. She had been given a brief tour of the palace and was welcome to go just about anywhere she wished. No one had exactly told her not to leave the walls, although issues of safety were brought up and it was ill advised to venture out unchaperoned.

At home, she would never have gotten out without a swarm of guards, but here she was not so public a figure. Being new to the scene had its benefits. The fact that no one really new who the "Princess from Davora" was, helped immensly when she walked right out of the gates with a smile. She was free!

Technically she was still in mourning, so the somber gowns that she had been wearing were expected of her in the palace. However, outside in the bustle of the Iziz market, she stuck out quite dramatically from the deep green of her dress to her polished black boots and gloves. She chose to ignore the blatant staring as she moved through the crowd and observed the many merchants wares.

She stopped just before a silversmiths tent and was admiring a rather dangerous looking hairpiece. Rather more of a dagger than an ornament, it would serve a double purpose. She didn't haggle over the price and handed over what the merchant was asking. Razielle coiled her long braid up and slid the dagger through it with a smile. Her smile quickly faded when she heard the call.

"MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN!!!"

Had she been caught already? Was she to be calmly escorted back to her room and chastised for leaving the safety of the palace? Frowning, Razielle braced herself and turned to face the Queen. Adraudia however was going in the other direction completely and didn't look at all like she was looking for her..

Blowing out a sigh of relief Razielle did her vey best to blend in, but she knew it was a futile attempt. In these clothes, it was only a matter of time.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

"General Devious dolls?" Lilaena allowed him to hand her one, and she looked it over dubiously. "The helmet doesn't even come off." She tossed the gimmick back to the young man and shook her head. "Not interested. Besides, those tea cups are very badly painted." She raised an eyebrow and added, "Better luck with the next mark."

Turning away, she strolled through the crowd, worming her way towards the gates. And she saw her chance - a caravaan of commotion heading her way out of the Palace.

"MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN!"

Could it be? The Force was indeed with her. As the crowd parted with an excited burble for the Queens entourage, Lilaena shuffled with them. Behind the last guards a vacuum of space was left that quickly filled in with men and women eager for a blessing or just a glimpse of their beautiful Queen.

Lilaena allowed herself to be swept up in the surge around the gates as the Queen moved on into the marketplace, and slipped through into the outer yard.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

After hanging around in the outer yard for longer than she thought prudent, Lilaena simply walked into the inner yard through a narrow door that was left open by a servant. Her drab cream colored garb was not exactly like the livery of the Queen's hired help, but close enough that the guards raised no hue and cry.

She noticed that the inner wall was as thick or thicker than the outer wall. And one could drive a yoke of nerfs on the top of the outer wall. The stones nearly thrummed with the Force as she passed through into the inner courtyards. The castle had been built millenia ago, and it had been built using the Force. The energies here were delectably present.

Freedon Nadd must have stained the entire building with his deeds for her to be able to feel it now.

Instead of unnerving her and sending her running for safety, Lilaena felt comforted. She was going in the right direction. The power Freedon Nadd had harnessed was the Force, and she needed only to learn how he did it. How he had shaped the living Force to do his bidding.

The answer was somewhere... close.

Lilaena slipped into the main building, letting her instinct guide her into a cavernous library. The door closed quietly behind her.

[Adraudia Basillie]

"Excellent, Taza!" Her voice was joyful, almost childlike, that the merchant could produce an entire set within a few days. The basic ceramic work was already done; Taza would just need to finish painting the pattern.

"Ah'm just grateful I was able ta please you, your Majesty." The girl's cheeks were brightly blushing. Not only because of the Queen's flattery but also from all the attention she was gaining.

Adraudia waved over one of her servants who bowed deeply before awaiting her command, "Please pay Taza now. In full."

It was while the Queen was finishing up payment that Dak received a communication from inside the Palace. Dalamar was most irate that his Queen did not receive his permission to leave the Palace, nor was told by his own officers..

The soldier stiffened from hearing the orders through his earpiece and then nodded out of habit, "Aye, sir."

This would not go over well at all. "Your Majesty?"

Adraudia did not turn around. Taza had been paid and she still had many booths to look through, "Yes, Dak?"

"We need to return to the Palace." Dak strode up alongside the Queen so he could whisper into her ear without causing undo alarm. "The General does not think it wise for you to be about with the threat of your life looming over us."

She merely smiled pleasantly as if she didn't have a care in the world, "We went over this before we left. And we're here now. Another hour will not cause me undo harm as Dalamar thinks."

"Perhaps, but he is insistent."

"Let me guess." Adraudia paused and glanced over her shoulder, "If I don't return he will be here to retrieve me personally. And with much production"

Dak smiled nervously, "Aye, your Majesty." He sighed, "You know how he gets."

Did she ever. If Dalamar came to fetch her, it would cause a scene. Something that her people did not need to see. They were happy and the thought of war was far from their minds today. Besides, as far as they knew, the Queen was finished with her shopping since purchasing the tea set for the Princess.

As always, her people came first.

"Very well, Dak." She turned around with a gentle grace that betrayed no urgency, "Lead the way."

However, she and the General were going to have another severely long talk about his over-protectiveness.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

She'd been in the library for a long time, thankfully undisturbed. Lilaena rifled through a file cabinet of slim datapads, still looking for any clue. So far, all the information she'd been able to find was too recent. Well, still hundreds of years old, but too recent nontheless.

Mandalorian Iron

She paused, and then pulled out the 'pad that had caught her eye. The Jedi skimmed the first screen, and then flipped through, looking for anything pertinent. ...used in the construction of the tomb of Freedon Nadd, Mandalorian iron is virtually indestructible and can resist nearly everything - including the lightsabers of the Jedi. Too dense and heavy to be practical for making weapons out of, the iron is... blah blah blah. Lilaena used an ivory stylus to select the footnote, and the screen changed.

For more information on the overthrow of Nadd and his burial on the Demon Moon, see... Heart thumping excitedly, Lilaena scribbled the historical index number given onto a scrap of flimsiplast. She turned off the 'pad and slipped it back into it's place in the cabinet. Historical index? She regarded a case full of leather bound books, and sighed. Shouldn't be too hard to find.

Surprisingly, after all her work getting to Onderon, and then infiltrating the palace, and all the time she'd already spent in the palace archives searching, it was easy to locate the information she wanted once she found the correctly numbered tome. Of course, the old paper made her sneeze, as it always did. Musty old books. Lilaena gave it a good glare as she tucked it back into it's place in the bookcase.

After a moment spent inputting the coordinates into her own datapad, she made her way to the doors. Soon she'd be out of the palace, and ready to make the next move.

[Adraudia Basillie]

She was the perfection of calm and composure as the Queen walked back to the Palace. Even upon entering the gates, her guards had no clue how truly enraged that her outing had to be cut short.

The Queen burned with outrage, threatening to boil over any second, and would, once her eyes fell upon Dalamar. Everyone around her were none the wiser, though Dak suspected how his Queen truly felt.

She spied several new formations of the guards and groups of them marching into different positions.

"What's this?"

Dak stepped forward, making sure to stay an arms length besides her, "The General's orders. He received new information and wishes that our soldiers patrol more readily."

"I see." Her tone was satisfactory. "I want a report of what exactly Dalamar has changed so I can be mindful when the Princess and I carry out gatherings. I do not wish her to feel confined."

Dak completely understood and agreed, "I will do my best to convince the General of this."

The entourage took a turn down the main hallway, heading towards the Queen's private chambers. It was still quite a ways to go, but there was a good chance Adraudia might loose her temper. She did not need the entire Palace listening in on her outburst. It happened rarely, but there were times that her anger overrode her sense of grace. Adraudia's verbal lashings were worse then being physically punished by Dalamar.

And today the General's luck had worn out. She was through being coddled like a delicate doll. Dalamar perhaps did not know how powerful his Queen truly was, but even he knew how deadly Adraudia was in battle. He would come to fully comprehend this one way, or the other.

[Dalamar DeSang]

The Queen had gone out again?!! this morning Dal had came to give her an update on Legion. Unfortunately the rumor's had proven true he was on his way. Vice and Nyloh had managed to ferret out the truth if not the location of his arrival. Legion was not so much hired as he was insistent that they receive him.

Dalamar knew the reason why. He hated Devious's soul to the core. He would do anything to cause him pain and if a Queen got in the way? What difference did it make to him. The situation went from a maybe to a definite threat. Dalamar got ahold of Dak on the intercom. He was relieved to hear her personal guards voice. That meant he was still with her and she was safe.

The Queen didn't know the scope of Legion's deadliness or his own. Fighting back resentment for Legion it was time to part with some truth. Hopefully this didn't hurt Adraudia. He did not wish to bring any more pain that the death of her father had already brought. Legion was forcing his hand she was facing death at the hands of a lethal killer it was time to tell her everything. He hoped she would believe and take it to heart. He waited patiently... For his Queen.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Lilaena crept through the hallway, and was surprised to see Dalamar standing in the middle of the door she'd snuck in by. "I thought you would have had important duties at the Queen's side, DeSang." She approached him, making sure that he was alone.

It would not do for them to be seen together, but there was no way to avoid the meeting.

[Dalamar DeSang]

Dalamar was so tense that when Lil spoke he half pulled his blade. You just didn't go around startling a vampyre but then Lil was not an ordinary woman.

"I thought you would have had important duties at the Queen's side, DeSang."

Resheathing his blade he thought he saw a small smile play on Lilaena's face. "What are you doing here, ..Wait on second thought don't tell me. I probably don't want to know." Dalamar trusted Lilaena explicitly. He held no fear that she had anything to do with the threats against the Queen. She was just to classy for assasination's.

All these thoughts flashed in his mind in the second it took for him to answer question. "She is returning to the fortress as we speak." He frowned at Lilaena "I will have to punish the guards that you got past. Apparently my precautions to keep Legion out where not as thorough as I had hoped." Lil just stood there waiting for him to finish. As beautiful and as deadly as he remembered her. He realized he had time yet before the Queen's arrival. "Would you join me for some wine and we can discuss what I can do for you." He added "My Master." with great fondness...

[Razielle Alastor]

It didn't take long to wander the streets and test the limits of how far she could get. She now had a better layout of the city, the rotation of the guards and exactly how to move in and out of the palace at will. She returned by a somewhat more circuitous route through the servants quarters. Only one guard even acknowledged her on the way in. Razielle explained that she had been late meeting the Queen on her trip to the market and had become lost. She was given directions to the royal wing and sent off with a smile.

"Child's play.."

Passing through the hushed halls, Razielle heard voices. She paused before rounding the next corner and listened.

"I thought you would have had important duties at the Queen's side, DeSang." . A woman, not one that was familiar to Razielle, but then, she was still newly arrived. She recognized the name DeSang, even though they had not yet been formally introduced. Was the illustrious general meeting an assignation of his?

"She is returning to the fortress as we speak. I will have to punish the guards that you got past. Apparently my precautions to keep Legion out where not as thorough as I had hoped." Razielle began to relax, the General and his romantic tryst did not concern her in the slightest. She turned to leave.

"Would you join me for some wine and we can discuss what I can do for you, My Master." The reverant tone with which he addressed the woman at that point could not be mistaken. She held her breath and realized that she had just stumbled upon information that could very well get her killed. She had to get out of there without them realizing what she knew.

Turning the corner quickly, the hem of her dark green dress swirled around her boots. She stopped dead in her tracks and addressed the duo, looking through them rather than at them as if their presence hardly concerned her.

"You there! I require directions back to the royal wing. I have become separted from the Queen's party."

[Lilaena De'Ville]

The sudden appearance of the princess caught Lilaena off guard, and she bowed her head and backed away from Dalamar as though she were a servant. It would be his place to address the dark haired girl, and Lilaena's to disappear as soon as possible.

Of course, the fact that she was not wearing the servants livery would be obvious, even if this new princess was as soft in the head as she was rumored to be. Lilaena steeled herself not to look up, because if she met her eyes the girl would know she was no servant. "M'lord, by your leave..." She asked DeSang for permission to remove herself from the castle.