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Lucien woke up the next morning with a headache, feeling like he’d been punched by a rancor. Llorian walked in the room as if he was waiting for Lucien to stir, “How do you feel boy? I can’t imagine that was too pleasant, but I told you wisdom beats training any day.” The cocky old bastard chuckled as he redressed Lucien’s injuries. Lucien knew the man was right, he had made a child’s mistake; he assumed he had the advantage on the enemies’ turf. He should have known that Llorian had taken precautions. Llorian smiled “Oh don’t beat yourself up too much boy, I’ve been dealing with Mandalorian raiders here since before you were born.”

                                                                    

                                                                     Lucien had heard of pockets of Mandalorian’s living on various planets throughout the galaxy, usually deciding to keep to themselves, most of them were violent. Lucien had to guess that didn’t sit too well with most beings. He had actually been taught from childhood that many couldn’t understand the Mandalorian way of life, it was about living by the sword, dying in glorious battle. A Mandalorian had no greater honor than in finding the one worthy of killing them. That was the main reason the Mandalorians had started wars with the Republic on various occasions throughout history. The Jedi always obliged such a good fight, or so his clan historians had claimed. Lucien had never met a Jedi before, he’d seen a few Sith, they were so lifeless, most of them it seemed were only being held together by whatever fire it was that burned in their eyes. He didn’t bother too much with either faction because they were both the two sides of the same coin. Neither of them fought for the right reasons.

                                                    

                                                     Lucien had obviously zoned out because when he noticed Llorian in the room, he was being given a stare that told him he was daydreaming for longer than a few minutes. Lucien had heard all he needed to hear, “Alright, where is the Mandalorian camp, I can make it there on my own from here.”  Llorian laughed, “I’m not letting you leave, especially not to go back to those monsters.” The man’s face was resolute; he wouldn’t just let Lucien leave. Lucien was angry, “You can’t keep me here that’s kidnapping!” Llorian didn’t laugh, he didn’t smile, and his face was now so somber Lucien was actually a little unsettled. “Listen boy, your people killed my family and made me watch them do it. All because I couldn’t pay them not to, and if I let you go to them you’ll become just like them.” Lucien was astonished, he had learned about fighting worthy opponents, but killing women and children was dishonorable, at least his father had taught him that. “Why do you care?” Lucien managed to ask after a long pause. Llorian smiled, as a tear ran down his face, “You remind me of my son, he was about your age, and already such a good man. You seem like a good man, and I don’t want that ruined.” Lucien didn’t know what to say, he’d never seen such kindness from a stranger before, it was more than he could take in at the moment. He finally worked out a response, “Alright fine, I’ll stay here until my collarbone heals, and then I’m gone, I have business to attend to offworld.” Llorian grinned, “Nothing like a little revenge to get the blood working.” He said as if Lucien had just told him all about Unra and Captain Tank Tarshing. Lucien’s eyes were fiery, “They need to pay for what they did to my family.” Lucien set his jaw as if he could move mountains with his will. Llorian’s grin faded, “I wanted revenge too, more than anything. Kill them and you’ll never stop killing, there will always be one more person out there who has to pay. You’ll be a slave to your own vendetta.” Lucien was too stubborn to listen, “My collarbone heals and I’m out of here. In the meantime, at least give me some chores to do around here, I hate sitting around.”