Song: "The Ways of the Force" from The Force Awakens OST

He went to Tikhél's tent in the wee hours of dawn, finding her asleep and laying next to her. She slowly opened her green eyes, then yawned and closed them again. "You look....sunnier."

He pulled her into his arms, taking off her outer cloak and finding only her linens underneath. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. But I have news."

"What sort?"

"We have to go to Tovarskl. It is just a few planets away."

"Didn't you already send Sk'ar to subdue that planet?"

He swallowed. "They've encountered complications. These Yam'rii are much more organized than they were here."

"Why do you think that is?" Tikél asked. The heat signatures from her face contorted as she frowned. "Are they getting help from somewhere?"

"I don't know enough about Yam'rii politics to be sure."

"They carry ties with the Trade Federation," she said with a halfhearted shrug. "But the Trade Federation doesn't have authority to act without the approval of the Senate."

Khetsuu frowned, shaking his head. "We will solve this mystery soon. Saikhan had a stellar report. Her troops have taken Elke and are moving on to its moons."

"Will she aid us at the battle?"

He shook his head. "She is an overly zealous warrior—I doubt the rest of Elke can stand against her forces. We'll get Tovarskl yet, and the moons will fall right into our hands."

Silence graced them for a while. His hands trembled at the thought of taking her with him, of losing her. I'll change my plans once I meet up with Bent. He said he was at the city they'd already taken. I can accomplish this mission alone with three hands tied behind my back.

He kissed her neck, and she sighed, her hands tugging on his clothes in the dark. Against her scales he whispered, "I'm leaving you in charge of Abbaji. Can you handle this job?"

She pulled his outer armor off. "It's not what I'd prefer," she said, "but I'm certainly able to."

"What would you prefer?"

"To go with you," she whispered.

"I can't do what you ask. But the rate we're going at, we'll have the whole Huk system conquered in half a standard year," he murmured. "Then we'll be together. Me, you, Shia, and our Rón."

Tikhél lowered her eyes, accepting his final answer. "Will you at least stay with me till dawn?"

"Of course." He drank in the sweet fragrance of her lips as he began to unravel her linens.

✺✺✺

Morning came all too quickly. He gazed upon his wife, sparks of energy still soaring through his body. "Tikhél," he whispered, pulling a robe over his linens and clothes. "Get up." She slowly opened her eyes in the sparkling light that shone against those sharp cheekbones and dark skin that matched his own.

She sat up, strapping her outer clothes on, and fit her fist over her chest. "At attention, Your Grace."

"General Tash," he said, his voice tight as a commander's should be. "Rally our forces to the center of the steppe. Leave only our guard standing."

"Yes, sir!" she replied, dressing and running in the direction of the barracks. He waited till she was a fair distance away before going in the opposite direction, toward Shia's tent.

✺✺✺

Shia was pale and faintly breathing as she slept on the cot, Rón nestled against her bosom. His heart pounded as his eyes landed on the blood spilling around her bed.

"Shia," he said quietly, sitting down next to her, but she didn't respond. He took a shuddering breath. "Shia!"

Her eyes opened slowly, and she frowned. "You're not....Bent...."

"Shia, it's Qymaen. It's your husband. Wake up!"

"Don't be silly," she said, the words slipping out like raw eggs. "I don't...." she inhaled sharply, clutching Rón to her chest. "I haven't contacted him in a standard week! Now he'll be furious....and I'll be punished...."

She hasn't contacted Bent in a standard week? His nose scrunched up. What is she doing with him that I don't know about?

He took Rón away from her, terrified that she would harm their child in some way, and the baby began to scream. Oh, gods. Not this too. "I'll....I'll get help," he muttered. He took a com out of his pocket. "Khaneme Tash, send Queru to Shia's tent immediately."

He did not wait for her reply before shutting off the link and kneeling next to his wife. "Shia, look at me. It's Qymaen."

She inhaled. "It hurts."

"I know," he said, forcing his voice to remain level. "It'll be okay, Shia. Stay with me." His body grew icy. What if he were to lose her, too? Was that what the gods had in mind?

Queru burst through the door, taking several cloths and stuffing them beneath Shia's skirt. "She's lost a lot of blood," she murmured, looking at Shia's blanched face. "Have you just been standing there?"

"I'm not sanctioned to help with female issues! It's against orthodoxy!" I would have helped Ronderu. Why couldn't I do the same for Shia?

"Sometimes people's lives go before tradition. You would let your own wife die because of a futile code that has caused more harm than good? Bi chamd chadakhui!"

Of course she can't believe me. But he would not allow himself to be shouted at by one of his subordinates. "You dare speak to your khagan like that?"

"Just because I submit to your rule militarily does not mean I support all your choices." She swallowed. "I can't guarantee that we can get her medical care here. She may need to be shipped offworld to a Republic planet."

He swallowed. Would he be willing to overcome his hatred for the Republic, if it meant that Shia would live?

"Very well," he said, passing Rón to her. "Stay with her. Who is your most trusted page?"

"Dalain," Queru responded immediately. "Must I leave her in charge?"

"No. Leave her here with Shia." He shouldn't have brought her here. It was foolish and reckless—everything his mentor had said he needed to fix. "I'm going. I must rendezvous with Sk'ar on Tovarskl. Guard this planet, and you both will have earned my respect." He caught Queru's head tilting inquisitively at his last words as he exited the tent, meeting up with Khaneme Tash's forces.

◈◈◈

Did you know....

● Qymaen views each of his wives in a uniquely unhealthy, impure way. In fact, Unknown Soldier specifically states he married multiple times in an attempt to bury his grief over Ronderu.

Tell me what you think....

● What do you make of Shia's mumblings?

● Would Qymaen take her to the Republic for medical care? What are the risks to that?

● Would you take her to the Republic?