If You Be The One To Cut Me

[Khthonia Rowan]

Given their way, it was probable that the male would have been outright killed by the witches. His meat and bones feeding their rancor and spiders, and.. possibly a Nightsister or two. They were starving. Tossing meat to their mounts and not taking the odd bite would be.. a test. Some would pass, others would feast.

Khthonia was of the opinion that the male was worth more to them than just his meat and bones. In time, maybe he could be much more.

She had heard that once, not so long ago, Tristan had been the one who had almost been the meat. It had been before her time, before the eruptions. To her, to most of the survivors, he was just Tristan now. The Nightbrother who lead his Brothers, and who walked with their Shaman, Megaera. If there was truth to it, Tristan might be the one to communicate with her captive.

When Tristan arrived, she gave him a nod of thanks for coming so quickly, and then waited to see what kind of answers he might get.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan got confirmation that this Tristan person was a male, as she believed the man who arrived was indeed the one his captor had called for, given the brief nod she gave him. He was no fool and could tell the others around would likely see him dead if left to their own devices. To say he had got himself into a deadly mess was an understatement; but it was definitely in par with the rest of his day.

He looked at the man before him, noting how he appeared different from the others, even though his attire was very typical of the leathers he had seen not only upon the spider-riding warrior; but on the ones gathered around them. And the man's command of Basic was fluent.

"Name's Kavan," he started, his throat a little parched. He saw no need to give a last name at this point.

"My ship crashed on Dathomir. I'm the only survivor."

[Tristan Alastor]

It was a story that Tristan knew all too well. Though he had come to Dathomir willingly, compelled by visions of Megaera, his shuttle had not survived the trip. There was something in the atmosphere of Dathomir, in the energy of the planet itself, that seemed to covet those travellers who strayed too close to it. Once setting foot on Dathomiri soil, few had either the means or the desire to leave.

“You should know, we have no way of repairing a starship. My clan will strip the vessel of any parts deemed useful.”

The rest, Tristan thought, would be consumed by Dathomir itself. The plant-life on the planet grew with a preternatural speed and ferocity. In no time at all, the skeleton of Kavan’s ship would be wrapped in vines and creepers, it’s hollowed hull providing a new refuge to wild beasts.

“Has she told you what they do to men here?” he asked, green eyes shifting for a moment to Khthonia. Many of the witches had a loose command of Basic, at best. It was possible that this Kavan had yet to understand the fully gravity of the situation that he found himself in.

[Khthonia Rowan]

A pleased little smirk crossed the Nightspider's features. Whoever he was, she had been right to send for Tristan. Obviously he was better suited to the male's Basic sounding words. Khthonia let them talk, walking a few steps away to where Empusa waited in the torch lit gloom. For all appearances, she was disinterested with what Kavan was saying. Choosing to wait for the Nightbrother to tell her anything important when he was done conversing with the stranger.

You tell him... Khthonia, one of the last Nightspiders, owns him now. She thought, narrowing her eyes on her captive, but turning that mean green glare on more than one of the other assembled Nightsisters. There was a balance to maintained between working together with the tatters of other clans, and not taking shit. They were to be as one, but there were limits. The male was hers.

From her saddle, Khthonia rummaged once more through the items she had taken from him, immediately stowing one of the other bars of food away for her sister, Kinzie.. The rest would go to the Clan Mother. Anjali could determine who was most in need of the supplies.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan nodded to Tristan. "My ship is beyond repairs at this point. Stripping what you can is the best plan, regardless." While he was good with mechanics, he had experienced the wreck and explosion first-hand and knew that salvaging was all the ship was good for anyway. It wasn't as if he expected to leave Dathomir at this point. It wasn't that he disliked the idea; but he knew better than hang onto unrealistic hopes. There was something about this place too, something he couldn't explain. It likely was one of these weird intuition bouts he had.

While he couldn't really take his attention away from Tristan; he was tempted to see where Khthonia roamed. He doubted she had gone anywhere far, given her vested interest in his capture and survival as long as he proved useful. And he heard faint noises he already knew to recognize as belonging to that spider monster she rode. He doubted the woman was far from the spider.

What came next made him briefly look around, his eyes easily falling upon the brunette, before he returned his focus upon Tristan.

"She captured me, so she owns me."

[Tristan Alastor]

“Indeed.”

Tristan looked Kavan up and down. There was no desperation in his voice, no panic. It seemed almost as if he was already resigned to whatever life he had fallen into on Dathomir.

“You will be trained and tested to become a Nightbrother. If you pass the trials set before you, one of the sisters may take you as a servant and mate. If you’re found lacking, you’ll either be made a slave… or, if you’re not strong enough, put down.”

For all the gravity of what he was explaining, there was no drama in Tristan’s tone. He stated the truth’s of the clan as the facts they were; nothing more, nothing less.

“Khthonia,” Tristan said, his speech shifting into the serpentine hiss of the Nightsisters speech. “Would you like me to begin preparing him for the Selection?”

[Khthonia Rowan]

His eyes found hers, and she scowled at him. She wasn't exactly warm and sunny to the people she did like. He was going to have to learn that the hard way. If he survived, he might earn her trust someday, but what he needed to learn first was his place..

The Nightspider lifted her green eyes to Tristan's question. Wordless, she came forward again. Slowly she circled her captive, looking him up and down, as if she weren't sure she wanted the trouble of him at all.

"What's his name?"

"I'm not a superstitious type, Tristan, but fate dropped him in front of me. I will speak to Megaera to see if the Spirits agree, but for now...", her words trailed off as she walked away. "Train him. If he's not trainable, he's meat."

She turned back, locked her eyes to the male's and drew a meaningful line across her throat. Then laughed and walked away to find the Clan Mother.

[Kavan Siron]

Maybe he should have been terrified; but he wasn't. It might be due to the fact he had been running on adrenaline for too long; or it might have to do with what some of his superiors back in the military had marveled at in terms of stamina. He could jump into the wrong thing but at the same time he had a knack to get out of it. He wasn't stupid about the whole Dathomir thing. It was going to be a mess of a deadly kind; but he wanted to come through. He had no other choice, and really he had started another life in the past already, so what was one more? He was going to suffer and if he managed not to lose pieces he'd be lucky.

He stared quietly but not fearfully at Tristan's explanations of what was to happen. He could have retorted he wouldn't be put down, but he had better things to save his energy for than some boyish display of bravado. He would have to prove himself by doing instead of saying. He simply nodded to the man's words.

When the exchange between Tristan and Khthonia occurred, he listened intently even though there were very few things he could pick up. As she walked away and stared at him, making a sign of him getting his throat cut, he stared back almost nonchalantly. For some odd reasons, he believed the Dathomiri would slice one's throat without issuing a warning. She was feisty but above all she meant business.

[Tristan Alastor]

“His name is Kavan,” Tristan called after Khthonia’s back. When she turned and mimed cutting her throat, he merely lifted an eyebrow. The small crowd that had gathered to see what all the commotion was about had already to drift away, some murmuring their disappointment at the lack of bloodshed.

“I’d recommend learning the Dathomiri language as soon as you can,” Tristan said, returning his attention to Kava. “It will make all of this much easier.”

He began to walk, motioning for the other man to follow. “Tell me, do you have any combat training?”

[Kavan Siron]

He realized that Khthonia had asked about his name, for her recognized the words used by Tristan besides hearing his own name. He was glad that for now the small crowd was dispersing. He wasn't that entertaining anyway for he was still alive and not bleeding, he guessed.

"I don't doubt that," he replied with a nod to Tristan when he suggested learning the Dathomiri language. It might be one of the biggest challenges to come, but one he would have to handle.

He fell in stride by the man's side, realizing he probably looked like the captive he was with his hands still bound before him.

"I do. I served ten years in the military. I have experience with blades as much as with blasters."

He had actually honed his blade-wielding skills all the more since he had become a pirate and smuggler, but he hadn't been asked for his resume.

[Anjali Raskor]

As Clan Leader, Anjali had been notified of Khthonia's return with a foreigner. While the handling of the latter was well left up to Brother Tristan, she wished to see the spider rider. She sent for a young Night Sister to retrieve Khthonia and bring her to one of the largest rooms in the underground network of caves that had become the Clan's lodging over the past months. She wished to be appraised of all details of what had happened during Khthonia's travels, and going to the source had always been her choice, rather than listen to what transpired through the grapevine.

When Khthonia arrived, Anjali was standing by a pool of water at the north of the chambers. She turned to look at the Night Sister, Iss-Ka moving forward out of habit. The large Voritor circled Khthonia, sniffing her and eventually coming to sit by its mistress who rested a hand on her scaly head.

"Welcome back, Sister Khthonia. Your findings has caused a little commotion and I want to hear about it."

[Khthonia Rowan]

When she found the Clan Mother, she was not alone. Her own animal companion, the voritor lizard called Iss-Ka, was with her. The lizard came forward, more defensive than aggressive, but Khthonia's scent was not unfamiliar to her by now.

"Hey beastie." She probably smelled like spider. "Still can't eat me."

She waited for the creature to join her master before taking a knee. "Clan Mother."

Khthonia peeked up with the natural exuberance of a seventeen year old that was proud of herself, and proud to be before the Clan Mother, as her scout. Well.. one of them.

"It was awesome." Khthonia grinned, starting at the beginning.

[Anjali Raskor]

Iss-Ka swatted the air with her tail when Khthonia dared her in their usual banter. The Voritor snapped her poisonous fangs at the girl and then stayed quiet. Iss-Ka would never harm Khthonia or any clan member unless attacked first, or given the command to do as such. Anjali knew that her reptilian companion had a sense of humor that could make for a puzzling combination with how dangerous she was. The adolescent witch before her had realized that Iss-Ka's display was founded on true and lethal strength but would behave. That was why the Clan Mother didn't intervene in the usual quick showdown between both.

She watched Khthonia taking a knee and couldn't help grinning in a predatory way at the first answer that came to her question.

"Rise, Sister Khthonia."

She narrowed her eyes at the Spider Rider, as she began to tell the story. She encouraged her to continue when a pause happened.

"I want to know how proud you make me and the Clan today."

[Khthonia Rowan]

Once bidden to rise by the Clan Mother, Khthonia resumed telling the tale of how she had taken her captive. "Yes, Clan Mother."

She did not need to explain that she and her sister had been out scouting the area surrounding the entrance to their new home. They had been tasked to do so by order of the Clan Mother and the Shaman, Megaera. Scout. Report. Rescue if they could. With the fastest legs among the witches, it was ideal work for the pair.

"His ship fell from the sky on the southern slopes. At first.. I thought that it was starting again, the fires from the sky."

Khthonia left out the part where that had terrified her for a moment. She had pulled it together and come out the victor, that was all that mattered.

"He was the only one to emerge before it all exploded. My arrow would have been through his brains before I would have let him harm our clan. I bound him, took his things.."

The young witch pulled the bag from around her shoulder, bringing it before Mother Anjali as a spoil. "There is food.. some clothing and his weapon."

"I gave him over to Tristan, to see if he can be trained, if it pleases you Clan Mother. Or I can just go back and finish what I started with the arrow..?", her green eyes smiled wickedly.

The Nightspider did not really mean what she implied, she wanted to see if her new slave would be a worthy addition to their clan.

[Anjali Raskor]

Among others, Anjali had chosen the Night Spider twins as scouts shortly after they had joined the Undead Fires. The sisters had natural easiness for quick travel and binding any hostiles. And they had both proven quite talented in their new roles. While having to unite survivors from so many different clans had been a challenge, they had gathered a strong lot with a greater variety of talents than a single clan might have possessed back in the day. Megaera and Anjali had seen the value in it, and had both ensured to use everyone's abilities in a most useful way.

When Khthonia talked about the ship falling down from the skies, Anjali was proud of the younger Sister for having pushed beyond what could have terrified a good many of them who had gone through the fires. It spoke volumes of her resilience.

She took the offered bag and began to go through it. "Thank you, Sister Khthonia. Sister Megaera and I will go through them about how to divide them best."

She had noted the new jacket on the girl, but saw no reason to deny such a spoil of war, which was definitely well earned.

"I take it you could bring others to the crash site."

It was likely they could retrieve at least some materials from it, before Dathomir took it into its core over time thanks to a ravenous vegetation.

"You did well," she said with a nod.

She grinned deviously at the witch's offer to finish the man off.

"Let Tristan see what can be done with him. Shall he prove a waste, he'll be yours to kill, just as he remains yours unless you'd rather not."

While the future of the man was very uncertain, Khthonia was the one who had captured him, and the Clan Mother considered him the Night Spider's property.

"Does he have a name?"

[Khthonia Rowan]

"Yes, Clan Mother."

Khthonia would have no trouble finding the crash site again. For that matter, anyone with a bit a a view from high ground would be able to spot the section of the southern slopes where ancient trees had been flattened, upturned in a destructive path, ending in a charred heap of smoking metal.

"Thank you."

Mother Anjali decreed that her slave should live, for now. It was almost tempting to let go of a relieved breath, but she did not show any sort of emotion, one way or the other. So he would live.. So what?

"Tristan tells me his name is Kavan. That is all I have learned so far, but I will have the rest of the tale from him if I have to tear out his tongue to do it."

Mostly, she hoped no one was looking for him. It would not do to lead others to their home. Not until they were stronger.

As for her slave... she would have to figure out what to do with him, after she discovered what, if anything, he was good for.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali wasn't susprirsed that Khthonia could lead others to the crash site; given the scout's extensive skills; but she nevertheless appreciated the confirmation.

"Gather a group of three and lead them tomorrow at dawn. Salvage what can be, before Dathomir swallows it whole."

She trusted the Night Spider to bring whoever she saw fit for this trek. Their numbers had been growing, and while everyone's contribution mattered, it was slowly becoming easier to organize small expeditions when the need arose.

She nodded to the bits of information Khthonia had gathered, either directly or through Tristan, about the new slave.

A devious grin briefly curved her lips at the mention of the young Night Spider cutting Kavan's tongue.

"Until you know what he is worth, restrain from cutting his tongue, Sister Khthonia. It might prove useful, and bring value to his potential as a mate."

She didn't care so much about the male's well-being or how useful he would be; but she saw no reason to deny a Sister from having a fully-equipped mate, should this be in Kavan's future.

"Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

Given the tributes Khthonia had just brought to the Clan, it was only appropriate to give her the floor if she wanted to.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Dathomir would swallow it whole, as it did all things. Sometimes places were found in the thickness of the jungle, or in the dark of forgotten spaces beneath their feet. No one even remembered who had built them, when or why. All that was certain was that tree roots burst through stone floors, tore down walls and the elements eroded their carvings. In time, all things were claimed.

"I will do as you say, Clan Mother."

The Nightspider listened to her Clan Mother's advice on showing restraint about Kavan's tongue. She could not help the skeptical look that crossed her painted features. "If you say so."

"No, Clan Mother. I will report again after we have returned from the wreck tomorrow.", she promised, with a bow of her head, and a wink at Iss-Ka.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali couldn't help feeling amused at Khthonia's skeptical look. She would understand whenever enjoying a well-trained mate, regardless the one she would choose to either simply warm her bed, or share her life in a more wholesome way. Her expression didn't change much, save for a spark in her piercing eyes.

"I do say so, Sister Khthonia," she replied, with a slight and brief grin.

When nothing else was to be discussed, she nodded to the Night Spider's words.

"I will speak to you then. Good hunt."

Without further ado, she clicked her tongue, and Iss-Ka moved to come by her side, briefly hissing, but in a nicer way than before, to the younger witch. Iss-Ka almost sounded amused, in her own Voritor way. Then, both Clan Mother and beast left the room, for Anjali's attention was required elsewhere.