STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Brothers

Can I demand an explanation? I assume Einar have done it as having supreme authority over armed forces of Erengard.

Somehow you doubt that anyone will answer the door.

This is getting ludicrous, Melkor. At the rate things are changing against you, you won't even be able to give Anaztazia that tour you promised. It's almost silly how locked out you are.

Nothing can keep you from using a comms unit, of course. Contact with Janus can be easily established, if you are abandoning the checking of the defense grid. You lack the technical skills to do any hacking or breaking in.

Well, is Einar still eating? Melkor will anrgilly return to him.

Your bastard of a brother seems to have finished eating. The dining hall is empty but for maids clearing the table.

"Where did my brother go?" -Asks Melkor the maids, looking around darkly.

"Oh, Master Melkor," one of the maids pipes up. "Master Einar asked for you to be told to meet him in the rear courtyard. Something about discussing new security measures..."

She refers to the courtyard from which you just came.

Melkor barely nods to the maid, immediately returning back to the corridor.

The maids return to their work as you storm off.

Out into the courtyard again, then. It is a circular area, with a stone pathway leading from the rear of the Palace to it. Off to the right is the security sham shack entrance, but on all sides there is a hedge-maze. In the center is a fountain. The farthest edge of the courtyard meets with the outer wall that defends the Palace. Beyond that is the second peak that Maurenburg nuzzles up against, the other peak being where the tombs are located.

It is freezing today, Melkor. The snow has blanketed everything.

No sign of Einar, yet. Are you content to wait?

He will propably make me wait to humiliate me. And what if he is pursuing a sinister plan to occupy me while he takes Anastazia`s attention?

He could be a variety of things at this moment, but as far as you're concerned, all of them are wicked and cruel and meant to hurt you. Einar has never had this level of control before. He knows that. He is taking advantage of it. He is... doing exactly what you want to be doing, honestly. Not the wicked and cruel part, but the control.

Where in the courtyard will you be waiting?

Close to the main entrance to the Palace.

Of course, the difference is that Melkor knows how to exercize power well.

Of course you do. While you have never had the opportunity to grasp the amount of power that Einar has achieved, your education on Cassilis and Alderaan has given you the knowledge required to rule efficiently.

You are found impatiently pacing the stone path between the courtyard and the Palace when two people emerge from that entrance you were waiting by. The first is Janus Pivane and the second is Anaztazia Kosta. Janus is wearing a thick coat, while Anaztazia is bundled in the firs offered to guests of the Palace.

"Say, what are you doing out here?" Janus asks, his arms folded behind his back. "Funny thing to be doing on such a frigid day. You haven't even got your coat!"

Anaztazia gives you a warm smile. You're not sure you even need your coat, now.

"I quess I wanted to remind myself of our wonderful weather... as a true Esgabath I should be able to endure it." Responds Melkor with a warm smile.

"Good to see you here. I am honored that you have answered to my invitation, Lady Anastazia."

"The honor is mine, Lord Esgabath," Anaztazia responds.

"I suppose you are right," Janus says in resignation. "But I still say you are going to catch cold!"

Suddenly, there is a loud cracking noise off in the distance, somewhere behind you.

Melkor silently agrees with Janus, but won`t admit to simply forgetting his cloak. Then he looks behind to see what the noice is.

All that is behind you is one of the two craggly peaks that Maurenburg is nestled between, reaching up beyond the low-hanging clouds of this stormy weather.

"That sounded like the report of a rifle," Anaztazia observes.

"Nonsense," Janus comments. "Blaster rifles do not make so crisp a sound. More of a buzz to it..."

Melkor, you become aware that there is a stinging sensation on your lower back.

"Wait a moment..." -Melkor responds and anxiously examines it, fearing that he has been shot.

Reaching around behind your back, your fingers brush a small metal object that appears to have penetrated the skin.

The brief sting has been replaced by a burning sensation that slowly spreads...

Melkor grimaces as he throws the object away.

"Someone shot me!"

Do I have any idea how lethal this is?

The object is needle-shaped.

Anaztazia gasps in shock while Janus quickly puts himself behind you as if to protect you with his own flesh. He begins to push you toward the Palace when a blaster bolt comes zipping down and bursting against the ground near your feet.

You are not sure, Melkor. Poison is not something you specialize in.