Serratus inhaled deeply. The smell of the trees, the grass and the flowers filled his nostrils. It was a mild, breezy on Tepasi and Serratus was lying on the grass in his garden. His garden. He never got tired of saying it, thinking it, knowing it. His garden. On the rare occasions that his massive workload got too much, the High Mage like to retreat to Cahir Manor, his house on his ancestral homeworld. He had dismissed his staff for the day, firstly because he wanted some alone time, and secondly because he did not want anyone around while he was training his new apprentice.
Yet another apprentice. Plasma and Sadow were dead, Fien was under Mage Superior Odin's tutelage and Tylerr, well, no one was quite sure what had happened to Tyler. He never made it back from his first mission on Hoth.
But Serratus was determined that this one would complete his apprenticeship. Roan Sinidal would be burned away by the fires of the dark side and tempered by the Force and from his ashes would rise a Sith, a blade of the dark side and bane of the light, a true vassal of the Empire.
Roan was due to arrive any minute now but Serratus made no attempt to move. Roan had been given express instructions to walk from the hangar to the garden and to make no stops in between the two. When his apprentice arrived, Serratus would move. Until then, he would enjoy some rare relaxation.
Roan Sinidal
The thud of Roan’s krayt hide boots landing on the hanger’s floor resounded through the vacant structure, and was followed by the accompanying sound of his cane placing itself beside him. He ventured from his ship, quickly and resolutely, not even considering a post-flight check. The presence of his Master lingered in the air of the hangar, a route he seemed to travel often. Noticing the sensation of his Master in the hangar, Roan could feel his Master within the general area of the manor and knew he was to hasten.
Leaving the hangar, Roan walked along the perimeter of the outer-stone wall attached to the manor. His feet ambled upon the grass until arriving into the door and pushing it open. He did not wait at the entrance, as he sensed no presence other than his Masters, which seemed further away. He continued directly through the manor until reaching the rear of the home and exiting into a lush garden.
Standing amidst the garden, Roan saw his Master awaiting his presence. A moment of fear came upon Roan at the sight, but also a sensation of preperation. He knew he was moving towards his destiny and he walked to his new Master. So, Roan lightly treaded behind his master and awaited his acknowledgment.
High Mage Serratus
As soon as Roan had entered his domain, Serratus had been aware of the younger man's presence. As he crossed the hangar and walked into the garden, the High Mage smiled to himself. Roan's presence in the Force was no greater or smaller than that of any apprentice, nor was his dark side influence. Roan was, by all rights, completely and totally average.
Serratus did not acknowledge his new apprentice when he entered the garden. Instead, he continued to rest, or at least appeared to. Several minutes of complete silence passed but Serratus made no move to get up.
