True to his word, Zeruan introduced Ceto to the lion Drox. Drox was a large lion. Ceto was on the smaller end and usually felt small next to other lions, but this time he felt even smaller. Around Drox's neck was a necklace with beads. He had noticed that many of the pride members wore these beads. “Do you mind telling me about the necklaces that you and the other Jedi wear?” Ceto asked once Zeruan left.
Drox gave a small, half smile. The older lion looked like he had hardly slept. Ceto wondered if he was normally like that or if it was because of this mission. He decided that it was best not to mention it.
“The necklaces we wear represent our rank within the pride. The center bead represents the clan we joined when we first joined the pride, then the small wooden beads are the beads we get once we become a padawan. Once a padawan is ready to move on, they go on a quest to get gems that will become their next bead and which will determine what rank they will go to.” He could have continued but, he figured that was a good enough explanation. “If you are interested I could get you a necklace of your own so you do not feel left out. It would just be a string, but it would still be something.”
Ceto laughed. “You know what, why not?” He wasn't about to reject a present, even if it was a simple one.
“I will get you one as soon as I can. Now before we start your training, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?” Drox asked.
“Well, there really isn't much to tell. I was born and raised in the rogue lands. I have been exploring the rogue lands since my mother kicked me out of her den. To be honest was not really prepared for that. I did not know how to hunt and I had to rely on strangers for help. I ran into Cyris who invited me back her pride and I stupidly accepted. Then Zeruan helped me out.” Ceto decided to leave out his more favorable adventures, of his run ins with beautiful lionesses.
“Cyris...” Drox said slowly, looking troubled by the name. “I do not know that name.”
Ceto gave him a confused look. “Do you know many of the Nguvu pride members name?”
“Well, some of them. I was raised by the Sith leader, Lord Majanga.” He explained. “I know most of the older pride members and some of the newer ones. He sometimes seeks me out in an attempt to negotiate or learn information about what we are doing.”
“So you aren't enemies?” Ceto was getting more confused. If the two were enemies how could they even be in the same area without wanting to rip the others throat out? And how did a jedi get raised by a sith?
Drox let out a soft laugh. “It is strange, I know. Lord Majanga raised me from a young age and taught me so much. He wanted me to be like him, evil and corrupt and I could not do that. The way of the jedi was the path for me. It was my destiny. He will always hate me for it. But from time to time we used to be able to talk.” He said. “But that is in the past. He captured my friend and padawan. I cannot forgive him for doing that.”
The light hearted expression that was previously on Drox's face disappeared when he mentioned that his friend was captured. “But that is not our focus right now. Could you describe Cyris for me?”
Ceto nodded. “She was crimson red, with black anguluar markings and a white tail.” He said.
“Thank you. She fits the description of a couple of the sith pride members. Now follow me and we will begin your training.” Drox said, heading into the jungle. Ceto was close behind him. “Now, since you are not apart of our pride, you will not be trained in the typical way. Usually you would start as a youngling and work your way up. We do not have time for that. If, after this mission, you choose to stay you will have to go through training properly.”
“Okay.” Ceto responded. He really didn't think he would be staying. Once Lyra was rescued, he was certain he would go his own way.
Drox stopped once they were a ways from the center of the pride. There was no one around. “The first thing you must understand is that we do not attack out of anger. Learning to control your emotions will help you fight like a jedi.” He said, watching Ceto carefully. It was something outsiders struggled with usually.
“Controlled emotions.” Ceto repeated. “Then what.”
“I would like you to block my attacks. I want you to remain focused and not become frustrated.” He responded.
Time to prove himself, Ceto thought. He had come along ways since he left his mother. There were times he had to hunt for himself in order to survive. Drox attacked at him, but Ceto moved out of the way just in time. The next time he wasn't as lucky. Drox hit him across the face. It wasn't terribly painful, more surprising then anything. To his surprise, Drox did not give him a moment to recover and went in for another attack. This hit got him as well.
“Stay focused Ceto.” Drox reminded him.
He nodded his head. It was a bit frustrating that Drox wasn't going easy on him, but he stayed level headed. Once again, Drox attacked him and Ceto carefully weaved around his attacks. The third attack though, landed, but the next one Ceto managed to move out of the way for.
“You are getting better!” Drox said approvingly. They continued training. It was easily the hardest Ceto had ever worked in his life. In the end he felt like he had improved.
“Thank you.” He said out of breath to Drox at the end of their session. Ceto was lying on the grass. Drox was sitting across from him and was equally as tired.
“It was fun. I have not trained since Tsiana left.” Drox said, then he looked away. Ceto gave him a concerned look.
“If you won't mind me asking, how did they take her? I mean if she is a jedi, wouldn't she know that she was dealing with a sith.” Ceto asked.
Drox shook her head. “Not all jedi worry about the sith. They do not learn the faces and names like I have. Especially when they are so young. She was taken because Lord Majanga knew that she was my padawan, I guarantee it. Her departure is concerning though.” He let out a loud sigh. “I would appreciate it if you do not talk about this freely around other jedi. Since you are apart of the mission you should know. Tsiana was seen leaving the pride, escorting a potential sith. We have not confirmed that he was a sith though.”
“So she might have joined them willingly.” It was strange saying. He couldn't imagine any of the pride members he had met joining the sith. He had heard nothing but terrible things about them. It must have hurt Drox to have his student and friend join the sith.
“Yeah. But there is not enough proof. And honestly I will not believe that she has joined them until she tells me herself.” Drox said.
“Why don't you talk to your old mentor again? Maybe you could work something out with him.”
Drox shook his head. “He already spoke to me, to brag about that she had joined him. I had to hold back from attacking him then and there. If I did that, he would have won. He would have been so pleased about getting under my fur.”
Ceto was certain he would never want to meet this Majanga guy. “Should we head back or did you want to do some more training?”
Drox gave Ceto a small smile. “Maybe a little bit more training. Thank you.”
“No problem.” Ceto responded, getting ready to practice dodging.
WC: 1,393
