Chapter 99

"The Griagh is dead!!", the Elder Ewok proclaimed, as we showed the village its corpse, "Quickly, send word to all of the neighboring villages that the legendary beast has been slain!!"

Crying out with unbridled joy, many of the villagers began to dance while others sped off into the forest. Watching them celebrate, Mylene had a sweetness overload when some of the baby Ewoks began trying to mimic the adults. Fighting her urge to rush over, scoop them up, and hug them, she clung to my arm tightly with a pleading gaze. Knowing where this was going to lead, I promised to discuss the topic tonight with her.

"We are forever in your debt, friends. As promised, here is the Sunstar and Shadowstone.", the Ewok Elder said, presenting them to me with a grateful smile, "The five of you will forever remembered by our people. Is there anything else we can do to repay you? Two gemstones are hardly a fair price for your efforts."

"Actually there is, my two friends here were about where exactly the stones came from.", I stated, motioning to Anakin and Ahsoka, "They belong to a powerful group of warrior monks who have a great interest in these sorts of gemstones. If there are more here, they promise to protect you from the people who come to this world to hunt your people. All they ask in exchange is the right to harvest the stones for their young disciples."

"Truly?!", the Ewok Elder shouted, "Yes, there are many more glowing stones in the mountains, though…none look similar to the Sunstar and Shadowstone."

"Do they look similar to these stones?", I asked, projecting images of other varieties of kyber crystals.

"Oh yes!!", the Ewok Elder said, pointing to Christophsis and Solari crystals, "There are others that look similar to these as well."

Passing along the information to Anakin, he seemed very enthusiastic about the information. Asking me to find out where they could be harvested, when I translated the question to the Ewok Elder, he pointed to a large mountain range off in the distance.

"There are dozens of caves filled with them, but be warned, the Gorax claimed those mountains many seasons ago. Our people do not go there anymore for fear of being eaten by them.", the Ewok Elder explained.

Sharing this information with Anakin, he took a few photos of the mountain range and wrote up a brief report on what kyber crystals could be found there. Forwarding it to the High Council immediately, Anakin had me reassure them that people from the Order would come investigate the caves in the coming months. Walking up to Anakin, the Ewok Elder vigorously shook his hand out of an abundance of gratitude.

Offering to share a meal with us, I politely declined and explained that we had to continue with our journey. Understanding the situation, he told us that we were welcome to visit them anytime we were nearby. Thanking him for the offer, we promised to visit them again soon. Taking a few snapshots of the Ewok children before heading back to the shuttle, Mylene scrolled through the images several times with a saddened expression.

"We will have to come back with the others sometime soon. I am certain all of them will be upset that they did not get to see them today.", I said, in a soft voice, "Also, if you want to coordinate a Gorax hunt to protect them go right on ahead."

Giving me a hug, Mylene thanked me while kissing me on the cheek repeatedly. Promising to reward me this evening, she gave me a seductive wink and smile before letting me go. Climbing into the shuttle, we headed back up to the Endless Horizons then made our way to our next stop, Concordia.

---Concordia---

Descending into the capital's space port, as we made our final approach to our designated slot, I noticed a high-profile ship docked not too far from us. Unlike the other vessels in port, it was decorated with ornate trimmings and was being heavily patrolled by Mandalorian guards. Analyzing the ships exterior plating, I was shocked that the entire outer hull was made of beskar.

"Anakin, whose ship is that?", I asked, pulling up an image of the vessel on the monitor.

"That would be Duchess Kryze, ruler of the Mandalore System.", Ahsoka answered, before Anakin could speak, "She is the leader of the Council of Neutral Systems."

"Council of Neutral Systems, what is that?", Roxanne inquired, "I thought everything in this galaxy was part of the Galactic Republic."

"Due to many grave mistakes of the Galactic Senate, as Ahsoka briefly mentioned earlier, thousands of Outer Rim star systems left the Republic three years ago and formed their own nation. That country, the Confederacy of Independent Systems, are the ones we are currently warring against as neither side can get the other to the negotiation table.", Anakin explained, "The Council of Neutral Systems is a minor group of senators who are actively trying to end the war by not participating in aiding or fighting either side. All members of the council rely on trade with both nations, they cannot survive without both parties."

Understanding the complex situation at work here, Mylene and Roxanne were happy we were doing something to bring an end to the war. Suggesting we make official diplomatic ties with both nations, once the war was over, my politically seasoned wife felt it would be a boon to both sides in the long run. Seeing no reason not to, as we stood to gain a lot from the arrangement, I agreed to initiating talks once the dust settled.

"Are you more than just Bounty Hunters?", Ahsoka asked us, realizing they had never bothered to ask us.

<Master, apologies for interrupting your conversation but a large group of people are approaching the ship. Judging by their formation, it seems local diplomat wishes to speak with you.>

Projecting an image of the group, Anakin immediately confirmed it was the Duchess, her staff, and a contingent of bodyguards. Suggesting we go out and meet her, I had Horizons teleport us down to greet our visitors. Hurriedly rushing down the ramp, Anakin and Ahsoka greeted the senator with a polite bow.

"Duchess Kryze, it a pleasure to see you as always.", Anakin said, as three of us slowly walked down the ramp, "Is there something we can assist you with?"

"Oh my, what is a Jedi Knight and his Padawan doing on a foreign vessel? We were just coming over to see who owned such a beautiful ship.", Duchess Kryze answered, turning to us, "Are you perhaps the owner of this ship, sir?"

"That is correct, Duchess Kryze.", I said, offering her a handshake.

"Ahem…", her aide coughed, "There is a proper procedure to follow when greeting someone of higher standing."

"Olga, there is no to be rude.", Duchess Kryze scolded her, "My apologies, some of my staff take my position far more seriously than I do."

"No, I should be the one apologizing for not properly introducing myself.", I stated, retracting my helmet, "My name is Duke Victor von Stark of the Holfort Kingdom. These two lovely women are my fiancées, Princess Mylene Rapha Repard of the United Kingdom of Repard and my childhood best friend Roxanne. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Dropping her tablet computer in fright, the aide immediately dropped her knees and lowered her head. Realizing that we were foreign diplomats, she regretted opening her mouth before confirming who we were. Understanding now why a Jedi Knight and Padawan were with us, the Duchess apologized for her aide's outburst.

"My fiancé is also the one who valiantly rescued the refugee ships at your border.", Mylene informed them, adding further fuel to the fire.

"I…I am truly sorry for my behavior!", the aide whimpered, on the verge of crying now, "Please do not think any less of Duchess Kryze, I take full responsibility for my actions!"

"Mylene, I think we can leave things at that. There is no need to cause a scene, we do not actively tell people about our status so it cannot be helped. Besides, you are scaring Anakin and Ahsoka.", I said, stifling a laugh, 'They do not need to know that the two nations I mentioned are only a small group of islands on a single planet. It is better if people think we are from large, powerful nations.'

"Thank you for your understanding.", Duchess Kryze replied, helping her aide up, "May I inquire what brought you to the Mandalore System? If there is anything I can do to be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to ask."

"May I be frank with you, Duchess Kryze?", I inquired.

"Of course, and please call me Satine. There is no reason for us to use titles as equals.", Kryze stated.

"I am sorry to tell you this, but Pre Vizsla and your sister are actively trying to overthrow your government. Both are upset that you are, in their eyes, turning your back on Mandalorian traditions by embracing pacifism. Pre Vizsla is the leader of a terrorist organization called the Death Watch; they are operating out of the abandoned mines on this world. Please play along so we can address this issue swiftly.", I advised her telepathically, before giving her a completely different verbal excuse.

Immediately agreeing to help us, she had us follow her so she could take us to Pre Vizsla's residence.