Dreaded Venture

[Galahad Vult]

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Once again the Azarael zoomed over the canopies of Ifrane's dense jungles, currently headed towards the settlement the two Jedi Masters had defended once before in their travels. Along with Austin and Galahad were two Jedi Knights and two younglings, all now wearing simple refugee clothes. Where once they would wear their traditional robes with pride, they would now have to put them away for good in order to survive. While perhaps not an honourable life, it was one in which these Jedi would hopefully have a future in the face of the Empire's wrath that was soon to come.

Setting down a short distance from the settlement, the group made their way into the town. Having already purchased a small homestead with a plot of land, all the Knights and younglings had to do was simply move in and begin their new life. However, as the 'refugees' were occupied with unloading their belongings, Galahad noticed that all was not well with the village. He felt an air of fear and unease from the other denizens like a thick fog that lingered invisibly over the town. He and Austin had eliminated the pack of Nexu that terrorized the town several months ago, and though he was confident the Knights could handle their own, Master Vult wished to investigate nonetheless. Perhaps it was merely a bad harvest that year, or maybe the townsfolk were concerned with the state of the Galaxy's politics. They would never know unless they asked.

Galahad and Austin headed into the settlement's main square, where they quickly spotted a group of villagers gathered together — several of which were visibly armed and prepared to go on some kind of expedition. Others, however, seemed to be trying to discourage the former. "It's too dangerous! They haven't been bothering us that much! Your lives aren't worth a few Uxibeasts every couple of weeks. Stay here, where it's safe!" The armed ones would not be deterred. "Those creatures are a danger to us all! The Jedi got rid of the Nexu, but we can't rely on them to show up again and save us. It's up to us to take care of our town now!" Stepping up to the group, Galahad made their presence known. "Nay, we cannot always be relied on to be present in times of danger; however, in the event we are, we can certainly be relied upon to offer help where it is needed. Tell us, what troubles you?"

@Vosrik​

 

[Austin Wolfe]

Quite enjoying the temperate world of Ifrane despite the fierce predators they previously faced, Austin was incredibly pleased to be returning to the planet and helping members of the Order settle into their new homes and lives. As they entered the atmosphere and soared in the Azarael towards the settlement, the doctor was busy sitting with the Knights and younglings, teaching them about the possible dangers they faced on Ifrane and other important things they needed to know as they began their new lives in hiding. It was not long before the medical craft had arrived a short distance from the settlement Austin and Galahad previously assisted by clearing out a pride of Nexu. Setting down, the doctor looked toward his fellow Master — he too felt the unease and restlessness that permeated the village ahead. Austin kept this in mind, but they were unable to discern more until they had reached their destination.

As the Knights and younglings already had the information they needed to move in unassisted, the Jedi Masters were free to go to the settlement first and enter the main square. Upon arriving they discovered several people armed for a fight and many others actively attempting to dissuade them. One of the older women spotted Austin and Galahad, clearly garbed in their Jedi attire and exclaimed, ”Thank the gods! The Jedi who slew the Nexu are here!” At her outburst, a great commotion arose as people turned to get a glimpse of the two Masters who had aided them once before. ”Yeah, and brought even more horrors in their place!” one of the armed men scoffed.

Nearing the group, Austin stopped before them and spoke. ”Greetings, what has been troubling you?” The warrior who retorted earlier stepped forward to meet the doctor face to face. ”What’s been troubling us? The fact you two didn’t finish the job. All those Nexu corpses brought a horde of Bear Spiders that are slaughtering our livestock! What good are Jedi if you just bring something worse,” he spat, staring defiantly in the face of the doctor. Murmurs and gasps washed over the growing crowd. No one else would dare be so disrespectful and accusatory to a Master of the Order as this man — but Austin quelled any trace of anger that threatened to well up inside him. What Jedi would he be if he was unable to control his own emotions? Before the doctor could reply, the older woman spoke up first.

”By the stars!” she reproached, giving the armed man a motherly slap upside the head. ”These two risked their lives for us all. How could they have known the spiders would come?” Drawing closed to Austin and Galahad, she implored of them both, ”Please, Master Jedi, help our village again. We couldn’t bear to lose any of our own against those creatures.”

@Shalken​