Post by Cyran Oghma on Dec 8, 2007 8:24:49 GMT -5
Hello All, just giving the west coast brethren a taste of the fiction on the nyjedi forum
Reliance
Of all the beings in the galaxy Cyran Oghma was one of the few that could make Kalius A’dar laugh. The two old friends were sparring, a weekly event kept away from the younglings’ peering eyes. Cyran was fighting with rapier and dagger, Kalius an ancient katana. Steel rang against steel as the two spoke of temple business.
KALIUS – You know the younglings refer to the cantinas as your second temple.
A brief exchange, steel ringing in their hands.
CYRAN – Really. I wasn’t aware of that.
Cyran said through his trademark wry smile, then lunging for Kalius’ sternum. Kalius swatted it away.
KALIUS - You are bad influence on them Cyran, you spoil them. Too over protective. And the brawling. You are even training the assassin sent to kill you.
Kalius struck at Cyran’s head, he ducked, Cyran riposted with a strike to Kalius’ left wrist, which Kalius parried and spun.
CYRAN – Twice a week, she’s getting good
KALIUS – And the cantina incident with Udo.
Cyran dodged, as Kalius gave him a head butt. Cyran threw a kick.
CYRAN – Math is not my strong suit.
KALIUS – And you do love to listen to the cantina singers don’t you.
CYRAN – Is that a crime.
Cyran disengages.
KALIUS – She used to sing to you, didn’t she. Does she still?
Cyran, rarely at a loss for words, changes the subject and went into a retreat thrust. Kalius, knowing Cyran’s tricks from his bag of death, didn’t take the bait.
CYRAN – What are the stakes today?
KALIUS – I win, you stay sober for a month.
CYRAN – My gods, and when I win.
Kalius went high, Cyran blocked him, then struck at Kalius’ eyes with a quick snap of his wrist.
KALIUS – You can go drinking- lecture free- for a month. Do you accept?
Cyran Oghma nodded.
CYRAN – Shall I compose a sonnet while we duel?
Kalius threw all his power into three devastating strikes to Cyran’s shoulders and head, The Makashi / Jar’Kai master used both blades to hold off the onslaught.
KALIUS – Quit showing off.
CYRAN – So what are you going to lecture me about this fine day, sword brother; the evils of drink?
Cyran went into a blizzard of thrusts.
KALIUS – No, wouldn’t have any credibility there. And that was last week.
CYRAN – Smoking too much of the pipe.
Kalius parries with ease.
KALIUS - Week before last, no my old friend – today we talk about the force.
CYRAN – Heard of it
Sarcasm pouring out of him, Cyran charged forward and stepped out to get a clean strike at the Juyo Master’s center line.
KALIUS – You rely far more on your sabers, although formidable, than you do on the force. And I’ve only seen you use the force when you are….
CYRAN – Drinking the liquid muse.
Kalius launched two devastating strikes at Cyran’s hips, which he parried with grace.
KALIUS – Why?
CYRAN – My blades are enough.
Cyran launched into his 8 star weaving pattern.
KALIUS – Or did you lose your faith?
Cyran sped up, a blur of motion.
CYRAN – Faith is Sun’s department, not mine.
Kalius stepped up his defense.
KALIUS – Then give me your words.
CYRAN – You cut deeply my friend. The force failed me once.
Kalius struck back with power, Cyran grace and precision.
KALIUS – Mirana.
Cyran changed tactics, new patterns weaving through the air blades cutting the air. More power now in the blows.
CYRAN – Don’t speak of her Kalius, you have never loved. The Juyo you perfect is all focusing of anger. My focus is love. Indifference is not part of me.
KALIUS – I know, old friend. But your love will get you killed.
CYRAN – We all die Kalius, just some die better than others.
KALIUS – Huh, always the poet.
They locked blades Cyran pushed away.
CYRAN – But of course.
KALIUS – You still hear her voice.
Cyran stuck hard and fast
CYRAN – Stop it Kalius.
KALIUS – You still write for her.
Kalius counters, with more effort than he wanted.
CYRAN – Brother I warn you…
KALIUS – Then don’t throw your life away.
CYRAN – It’s mine to do as I please.
KALIUS – She’s gone Cyran.
Cyran screamed and went on the total furious offensive, then quoted the old Jedi Code.
CYRAN – Death, yet the force!
The two locked, throwing blades, punches and kicks.
KALIUS – Then let’s get you back your faith.
Kalius said landing a perfect backfist into Cyran.
CYRAN - I rely on no one nor no thing.
Cyran pummeled Kalius with both blades, knocking Kalius off his feet. Kalius recovered and took to the air.
KALIUS – Then your reliance should be with us.
The two masters stopped, in high parry; neither budging, neither giving ground. The argument was too long coming.
CYRAN – We’ll call it a draw, two weeks sober
KALIUS – Two weeks without lectures.
The two friends, two masters stared at each other for a moment.
KALIUS – Let me buy you a drink, brother.
CYRAN – Who am I to refuse. How many Sith does it take to light a lantern?
KALIUS - How many?
CYRAN - One thousand and one. It requires the Lord of the Sith to order that the lantern be lit, Nine hundred and ninety nine Sith lords to leer, moan, be evil and scream, and one apprentice to light the lantern.
Kalius laughed all the way to the cantina.
Our Secret - A tale of Cyran Oghma and Taryn Fireside
Tarynn Fireside’s heart sank when she received the letter, and a small case. Why on this of all days; the day she became a knight? She saw the vellum, and the familiar pressed purple wax seal with a sword and quill crossed. She dreaded to open it. Master Cyran made a promise to her that when he died each of his students would receive a letter from him. She took in a deep breath and broke the seal. Memories bled back to her mind of the ancient warrior poet with ink stained fingers.
TARYNN
Master Oghma, it’s…it’s just steel
Tarynn stood holding her light saber. Cyran was wielding an ancient weapon, a rapier he called it. It wasn’t even mandolarian iron, or cortosis. The old master laughed. She remembered him clearly: Tall, blue eyes filled with gnomish glee. His violet cloak, fencer’s shirt, and that ridiculous purple floppy hat with an even more ridiculous purple feather in it. He stumbled as he talked.
CYRAN
Take you’re time bright eyes.
The nickname he gave her always made her repress a smile.
CYRAN
En Garde.
Reluctantly she ignited and went in for the attack. The old Makashi / Jar’Kai master sidestepped and cut the top of her hand. Her saber fell. The wound healed as quickly as it was made and in moments the pain and shock were gone.
She called her saber back to her hand and went into a reverse thrust from a spin. But Cyran was already to the side of her and cut her left cheek. It was infuriating. The wound again healed.
CYRAN
Who or what are you fighting Bright Eyes, the blade or the man behind it?
TARYNN
The blade.
CYRAN
Wrong answer.
His ancient blade whipped through the air, she was chasing it trying to parry but it never was there long enough. Then with an evelopé he relieved her of her light saber and shut it down. Frustrated she stared up at the giant in front of her.
CYRAN
What did you see?
TARYNN
You were using the force to move faster?
CYRAN
No.
TARYNN
I was fighting the blade.
CYRAN
Good lass. That’s enough abuse for one day, back to your letters.
TARYNN
But Master Cyran…
She knew complaining was useless, but the attempt somehow made her feel better. She went to practice her letters, trying to copy Master Cyran’s perfect script. All the students dreaded class with Cyran. And they took secret pleasure at stealing his vintage whiskey flasks, or his hat. And master Adar took even more pleasure scheduling Cyran’s classes in the morning while nursing a hangover. He and Udo got into a friendly argument over a cantina tab that cost the temple an unimaginable amout of credits. Cyran’s rooms were full of ancient books, papers, weapons and smelled of smoke and liquor.
It seemed an eternity of copying the story of a Jedi master named Sekara Starfall into a book with, of all things, a stylus. He was scribbling something with his purple quill. Salvation came when Cyran’s droid GNT came into his rooms. It beeped and whined, and brought him the ashtray for his pipe and a glass of brown liquid.
CYRAN
Enough lessons for today small one. I must leave the temple for a short time. Be back tonight.
He took his cloak and promptly left. His pipe still smoking, his drink untouched. Now, being young, and curious, she decided to follow.
He slithered through the streets with deliberate speed until he got to a narrow alleyway. Then, as if he was taken over by another spirit, started to stumble, as if his balance was impaired. Having a master who was a Predator helped her skills in stalking. She crept up to the alley’s edge, and peered in.
There she saw Master Cyran in the alley surrounded by six Trandoshan’s, wearing Wookie pelts, and a human garbed in scarlet and black. She could just make out their voices, and could hear Cyran slurring his words.
CYRAN
Lizards, scaly creatures, I hear you have something for me.
The human spoke, voice raspy dark side reeking off him. Cyran fell over and quickly got up.
CYRAN
Gravity: a great constant
GATO
Yes “Master” Oghma. A fine price paid for a trinket.
Gato took out a simple chain with a locket. Tarynn focused the Force on it, and used a bit of her Predator vision. She saw it now in complete clarity. It had Cryan’s symbol on it: A crossed Sword and Quill.
GATO
Nocturne will be cross when he finds it stolen.
CYRAN
Wasn’t his to begin with, a thief stealing from a thief. I call it even.
From the edge of the alley, Tarynn saw the Trandoshan’s start to ready themselves. She inhaled to shout. But suddenly Cyran turned his gaze to her with a clarity she rarely saw in his eyes, and she knew the situation was in hand. He must have known she was there all along.
GATO
But Nocturne paid me twice as much for your head.
Laughter exploded from the Jedi master.
CYRAN
Did he?
The lizards charged, and like blue hued death, the master had both his ignited short sabers in his hands and spun, whipping them through the assailants. Hit – One two three, his blades weaving like blue lightning. All the lizards fell.
Then Gato drew two red short sabers, and charged, the hits the thunder, eight stars, chasing the dragon, the fan, the falling rain, heaven meets earth. Speed and power and grace the two circled each other. Then a look of shock overtook the sith’s face, as both Cyran’s sabers pierced Gato’s heart.
CYRAN
Amateur. You can come out now Bright Eyes.
She walked slowly into the alley, expecting a thorough screaming from the Jedi master. But she found herself speaking first, the words shocking her.
TARYNN
The drunkenness…it’s an act.
CYRAN
Sometimes. Our secret, okay?
An understanding grew between student and master. That memory stayed with her, dwelling in the shadows of her mind. With those thoughts floating in front of her eyes, she broke the seal. The script was unmistakably his.
“Bright Eyes,
I hope this letter finds you well, and congratulations on your promotion to Knight. I am very much alive. As is my tradition, this case contains a gift for you.”
Joy overwhelmed her, Cyran was alive! Although she could kill him for putting her through all that dread. She opened the ornate case. It contained a rather tattered purple quill and a locket. Two words were written on a note in the case:
“Our Secret”
mbraces - The Tale of Cyran and Mirana
Embraces - The Tale of Cyran and Mirana
EMBRACES
The nightmare is always the same. She falls, He cannot save her as Nocturne brings the red blade across her neck, takes the locket he gave her and runs. He hears her whisper to him
MIRANA – You’ll always be mine
Cyran Oghma then drains the contents of his glass. Lights a candle, and writes. Pours another glass and raises it to the flame.
CYRAN – To you my love and to the house of Oghma.
She was singing to him again, the dream came
Cyran Oghma was falling from a force assisted leap, blue sabers swinging in the night sky. As he brought them squarely on the head of the sentry droid. Cutting it in two pieces. Cyran chuckled to himself. He loved his work as an intelligence gatherer for the order. He had an easy charm that made him blend into any crowd. His skills with force persuasion and illusion were superior, and at his young age, he was an accomplished master in three of the seven lightsaber combat forms. A voice came from the darkness. As a violet saber came to his throat.
STARFALL – Never mistake flash for martial prowess, Oghma.
CYRAN – My apologies Master Starfall but it looked fantastic.
STARFALL – I’ve seen better. Now to the business at hand.
The two crept through the complex, taking out sentry droids as they came. Until they got to the vault they were seeking. Cyran promptly overwrote the security protocols and Starfall got the holochron they were sent for.
STARFALL – Remind me to discipline you tomorrow.
CYRAN – Always master.
The next morning Cyran was up for training. Starfall was waiting. Starfall ignited his saber with a snaphiss and charged. Cyran went blade to blade with his old master. In the surgical lines of Makashi the two argued. Cyran had just mastered the 1000 point thrust from that holchron he had liberated.
STARFALL – The council is giving you a padawan.
CYRAN – Oh please no. I don’t have time. There are secrets to gather. Booze to be met, women to drink, or is that the reverse.
STARFALL – Poetry to write.
CYRAN – I’ll never understand why you have me do it.
STARFALL – Poetry is swordplay Cyran, rhyme and meter, form and function.
CYRAN – As you say master.
STARFALL – You’re speaking.
CYRAN – But what I want is a family, Master Starfall. A bloodline of my own. The house of Oghma. My crest a sword and quill crossed.
STARFALL – That for you Cyran would be the summit of selfishness. The way you live. The risks you take. The Jedi is your family.
Cyran grumbled under his breath.
CYRAN – And my new apprentices name.
STARFALL – Mirana.
The next morning Cyran again woke for training, a light rain was falling. And in the courtyard stood a woman practicing the elegant cuts of Niman. Her back to him. She was singing a lingering haunting tune. He closed his eyes to listen, but opened them when he heard the words.
MIRANA – Master Cyran Oghma.
CYRAN – Yes I…
She turned to face him, she was a full foot shorter than he was. Eyes of oceanic blue. Waves of flame red hair falling into them. He was staring into a face beauty herself would envy. He was doomed from the start.
A little while later…
CYRAN – Remember Makashi is about finesse, not power.
She followed two spin thrusts with a wheel of death. Singing as she spun.
MIRANA – I remember.
CYRAN – How is your Jar’ Kai
Without warning she ignited a second saber and came at him with a pattern called the fan. Characterized by lightning quick snaps of the wrists. He barely got his own second saber ignited, when she changed patterns again. The two laughed matching strike for strike. Until both were exhausted.
MIRANA – So did I pass the audition.
CYRAN – Yes indeed.
That night he couldn’t sleep. She was in his head. Restless, he decided to write to her. Months went by. Papers stacked upon papers filled his quarters. Until the morning he overslept. And Starfall sought him in his rooms. Papers flew everywhere as the jedi master pushed open the door.
STARFALL – Redecorating Cyran.
CYRAN – Apologies master, I couldn’t sleep.
STARFALL – Well tidy this place up, and you think this is bad. Mirana’s room is full to brim with sheet music. Can’t you just admit it to each other.
CYRAN – Admit what master?
Starfall smiled. And slipped one of the pages in his robe.
The next day, the sun was shining. Cyran had that tune of her’s in his head in an infinite loop. She was there in the courtyard, back to him. She turned to face him. Crystal tears in her eyes. He went to console her. When she slapped him across the face. Stunned he looked at her.
MIRANA – Well it’s about time.
Then she kissed him, shocked at first he returned the affection. A tear stained page at her feet.
The next six months were idyllic. Letters and songs passed back and forth. Secret meetings, brief moments together. The love was all there was. She worried when he’d go on missions. Nursing his wounds on the Centurion. He would fight off world, the dark things the Sith had wrought. But there was always her to return to. The locket with his symbol he had made for her she wore under her robes. They were happy, Until….
STARFALL – Darth Nocturne is raising an army.
CYRAN – I know all the intelligence reports state…
STARFALL – He’s gotten hold of Jedi DNA. From the captured medical frigate Centurion.
CYRAN – Clones, I hate clones.
STARFALL - Tomorrow we go to war.
CYRAN – But tonight is mine.
The last night he’ll always remember. The night before war. All the promises re-made, amidst embraces that always feel final.
.
MIRANA – Tell me my love.
CYRAN – Anything.
MIRANA – You don’t want me in this battle tomorrow.
CYRAN – You can't go.
MIRANA – Please I’m a good a warrior as you are now.
CYRAN – But war is..
She stopped him with a kiss.
MIRANA – as you wish my love.
Something deep inside him stirred, he thought that she wouldn’t listen to him this time. He pushed the thought away.
CYRAN – I’ll survive, Just remember I love you.
MIRANA – I will
And they said in unison
MIRANA/CYRAN – And you’ll always be mine.
Then she sang Cyran Oghma to sleep.
Chasing the Dragon - A Tale of Azure Dragon and Cyran Oghma
CHASING THE DRAGON
A tale of AZURE DRAGON and CYRAN OGHMA
The cantina brawl exploded into street. The short blue haired singer was escaping the fray. As four wookiee bouncers held onto the large blonde bearded Jedi master.
AZURE – No I will not sing for you.
Bouncers started to fly off the man in the purple hat.
CYRAN – Gods why not?
Another wookiee hit the floor with a highly satisfying thump.
AZURE – Cause you will not train me.
Another wookiee took to the air and landed on a now irate dewback.
CYRAN – You have to prove yourself.
The last two wookiees levitated off Cyran and were forced pushed into each other.
AZURE – I can beat you Master Cyran.
CYRAN – Really? Than I propose a wager.
AZURE – What kind of wager? I still won’t sing for you.
CYRAN – Done, If you win.
Cyran reached into his vest and produced a flawless Blue Krayt dragon pearl. Her eyes glistened.
AZURE – And if you win.
CYRAN – A kiss.
AZURE – Done.
The short beautiful blue haired singer ignited her sabers and charged. Cyran needing time sidestepped, placing his purple floppy hat on her head. Temporarily disoriented he spun her around and ignited his own sabers.
CYRAN – Great color for you.
AZURE – I prefer….
CYRAN/AZURE – Blue
Cyran laughed again as she charged, She was fast, lightning thrusts. He went into a strike at her head and spun. She weaved faster and faster. Then she broke into Heaven meets Earth, and a form with over under thrusts and fluid strikes.
CYRAN – Alright, enough games.
With that the old master disarmed her. She was dumbfounded.
AZURE – So you want your kiss?
Cyran approached her slowly, cupped her face in his large rough hands.
CYRAN – My heart belongs to another.
He then gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
CYRAN – And please return the pearl you just stole from my vest.
Azure Dragon knowing she was caught showed him the pearl.
AZURE – But it’s so pretty.
CYRAN – One day I’ll ask you for a song little dragon. Promise me you’ll sing it for me. And the pearl is your’s.
AZURE – I promise, Master Cyran.
CYRAN – Great, another padawan.
The two laughed as they walked away from the wookies who were just starting to recover.
All That Matters - A tale of Taomoon and Cyran
ALL THAT MATTERS – Part 1
A tale of Taomoon Nightstar and Cyran Oghma
Cyran Oghma was enraged, his droid GNT following obediently behind him.
CYRAN – I’m going to kill that little runt and eat his entrails
GNT beeped and whistled in disagreement.
CYRAN – Why? He thinks he can improve on MY form. Of all the hubris. Of all the sheer audacity……
GNT then projected a holographic image of Taomoon’s graphic representation of his form.
CYRAN – My Gods
At the town square Cyran Oghma often did demonstrations. In a duelist circle, he challenged all comers to some light sparring. Then as the warriors came to test their mettle, A Mandalorian with long blonde hair emerged from the crowd.
TAOMOON – Did you like the graphic I designed Master Cyran.
Cyran turned to the stranger.
TAOMOON – I just thought that it would improve you’re teaching methods.
CYRAN – I wasn’t aware they needed improvement.
TAOMOON – I’m aware of that. So I took the liberty…
[muttering & shaking head]...Di'kutla Jetii
CYRAN – Get in the circle.
The two faced each other, the old master and the newcomer. Taomoon gracefully stalked the old master. They began with flynns and tic tacs. Testing each other.
CYRAN – Your form is good.
Interior Flynn.
TAOMOON – I know.
Exterior Flynn
CYRAN – How is your footwork?
The two stalked each other, they struck with exchanges, groin, head, eye, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip. Then went into strike thrust patters across the body.
TAOMOON – My footwork is fine, yours needs some work.
Taomoon went into a furious array of thrusts. Cyran swatted then away, went into Taomoon’s center line. Grabbed him by the throat and brought him crashing to the ground.
TAOMOON – How did you know that technique Aruetii??
CYRAN – I’m old remember.
TAOMOON – It’s Mandalorian.
CYRAN – So…
Cyran let go of Taomoon’s throat.
TAOMOON – I haven’t accepted the bounty on you yet.
CYRAN – There’s so many.
Cyran extended a hand to help Taomoon up, he declined and got himself standing.
TAOMOON – Had to see if it was true.
Taomoon eyed the crowd, and went to attack Cyran’s back, Cyran parried, and locked blades with Taomoon. They were face to face whispering.
TAOMOON – How many ?
CYRAN – I count six. Friend’s of yours.
TAOMOON – Hardly.
At that moment six human stepped out of the crowd. Their lightsabers then snaphissed, and ignited. The two opponents then stood back to back. The battle was engaged, they fought as a pair. Taomoon’s speed, Cyran’s power. When one of the hunters would strike at Cyran , Taomoon would thrust home straight and clean. When another of the hunters would thrust at Taomoon, Cyran would relieve the attacker of the offending limb. The final two hunters attacked, each with a high strike at the head. Both Cyran and Taomoon X parried and splayed the opponents blade away, then as if telepathic thrust to the throat of the others attacker. The last two fell.
Taomoon took out his datapad and was scanning the corpses.
TAOMOON – There is some good bounties on these men.
He then smiled.
TAOMOON – Profitable afternoon. Now about the graphics.
The old master laughed.
CYRAN – Come vod'ika, buy an old man a drink.
The two walked the dusty street together.
CYRAN – So tell me about these Mandalorians….
Legend for you
Mando’a (Mandalorian Speak)
Di'kutla Jetii =translate> foolish Jedi
Aruetii =translate> outsider
Vod'ika =translate> little brother