AKwxlady Obi Wans Daughter Part three Chapter five

When summer arrived Kal’buir decided there should be a gathering of the aliit, Clan Skirata, and all the associated families. The gathering was to be held at the Beach House, because there was more room to set up tents for all the visitors along the beach than around the lake. Still, the month leading up to the event was very busy at the Lake House. Laseema had the kitchen busy from dawn to dusk making sweet treats like uj cake, and traditional Mandalorian foods like haarshun bred and tiingilar. Haarshun bread was a very thin dough that would be rolled to bake and then moistened to eat. Tiingilar was a spicy casserole that she made several variations of with different meats and vegetables, and varying degrees of spiciness for the children and adults.

Like preparations were taking place at the Beach House. The wives of Delta Squad ran the kitchen there, with Boss’s wife, Edyra firmly in command of a kitchen almost the size of the one at the Lake House. Ki’tia and Laseema arrived at the Beach House a few days before the gathering was to begin to help with the final preparations. Ki’tia was aghast at the size of the encampment set up around the house. It was like a temporary military base. There were family sized tents, rows of ‘freshers, a huge mess hall, a medcenter, and an outdoor meeting area complete with a burning pit in the center for a fire. Ki’tia and Jorj were put up in a room in a tent near the Beach House. It was warm and comfortable. She started helping in the kitchen. The other Delta wives, Trea, Fixer’s wife, Sami, Sev’s wife, and Daani, Scorch’s wife, were glad to have her help, there was a ton of seafood to be cleaned and prepared. Ki’tia found her Force senses quite helpful when using the small knife to clean the various shellfish and crustaceans.

Delta Squad was in charge of roasting meat for the gathering, and before. Boss, Fixer, Scorch and Sev had several pits dug along the beach for roasting roba covered in the sand, and there were open pits with split nerf’s turning on spits over open flames. The brothers took shifts tending the meat, and fending off other brothers trying to filch the meat before it was ready.

The official gathering was to take place over three days, but families started to arrive early. Before long there were over 250 men, women and children, mothers, fathers and grandchildren, or Kal’s great-grandchildren running around the compound. Most of the people from Kyrimorut were there, a few remained on at the bastion on Mandalore for security.

Finally, the large fire was lit. Drinks of tihaar and ne’tra gal were passed among the adults. The banquet was laid out and ready. Papa Kal raised his glass of tihaar. Silence fell across the crowd. “Welcome aliit, my family and friends,” he smiled as he looked around, his eyes glossy with unshed tears. “''Kandosii! Haili cetare!'' Fill yer boots!” There was a cheer and people started making their way to the buffet.

Ki’tia was sitting a little back from the crowd nursing Jorj with a blanket covering him. Darman and Kad walked over to her with their drinks and plates.

“How is our little ad’ika tonight?” Darman asked. He sat his mug in the sand and raised the blanket covering Jorj. Darman didn’t seem embarrassed to see the baby nursing from Ki’tia’s exposed breast under the blanket.

Ki’tia just smiled. “He’s having his dinner right now.” Darman continued to watch the baby nurse.

“Well,” he said with a note of wonder in his voice, “Kal’buir did say to ‘fill yer boots.’ I must say that is a beautiful site.” He looked up at Ki’tia and smiled. “Excuse me. Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” she answered. “It’s a natural part of motherhood, and there certainly are enough mothers here.” She gestured to the huge crowd around the fire. “I’ve never seen this many people! Kal certainly has touched a great many people’s lives.”

“Oh, this is only the close family,” Darman corrected. “Dr. Uthan and her daughter, Scout, are keeping track of all the rest. I think there are now over two thousand assorted clones, wives, and children with grandchildren and great-grandchildren now included, on her roles.”

“Ki’tia, would you like me to get you a plate of dinner?” Kad asked. He was sitting on her opposite side from Darman.

“Thank you, Kad,” she replied with a smile. “That would be very nice.” Darman beamed at his son as Kad put down his own plate and went back to the buffet table.

“He’s a good man, Ki’tia,” Darman said looking after his son.

“Darman, are you trying to set Kad and me up,” Ki’tia accused jokingly with a smile.

“Yes, I am,” Darman confessed. He looked seriously at her. “Kad needs a woman in his life, and you need a father for that baby. Being alone, watching a child grow, is still lonely, Ki’tia.” He patted Jorj’s back. There were tears in his eyes. Then he smiled. “Besides, I’d make a pretty good grandfather.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed.

Jorj had fallen asleep. Ki’tia straighten her tunic and laid him in her lap. Kad returned with a plate of food for her and a drink. “Let me take the baby while you eat,” Darman offered. Ki’tia handed him Jorj, wrapped in a blanket. Kad handed Ki’tia the food and sat next to her. They were eating and talking when Kal and Walon walked nearby.

“Dar’ika,” Kal called, “this is a nice gathering you’ve collected,” pointing to the four of them and winking. Both old men smiled and nodded at Kad and Ki’tia.

“Subtlety is not a strong point in this clan,” Ki’tia laughed.

Kad laughed with her. “Wait until the Nulls get started in on us,” he smiled at her. “We’re doomed.” They both laughed. Darman at first looked startled, then he joined in laughing.

“Hey, Dar, Vode An,” a call came from the direction of the great fire. Darman and Kad both jumped to their feet. Darman still holding Jorj in one arm. Kad extended a hand to Ki’tia.

“Vode An!” Kad said, excited. “You’ve got to see this!” He helped Ki’tia to her feet and Darman handed her Jorj. Kad collected the plates. “It’s not as exciting as Dha Werda Verda, but we’re not doing that until the last day. Come on!” Darman was already running across the sand. Kad had one hand on Ki’tia’s back, but clearly wanted to rush after his father.

“Go on,” Ki’tia said. “I’ll be right behind you.” Kad smiled down at her and took off running after his father.

It was quiet when she reached the gathering, then at a signal unseen by her the Vode An began. All the men joined in the ancient Mandalorian chant “Brothers All” sung in Mando’a. Ki’tia understood a few of the words. She heard Kyrimorut, the name of the other clone home located on Mandalore. Even though she couldn’t understand the words, the song was very moving. She looked at her son. Jorj was awake and listening. He watched the men. “Are you going to be Mando’ad someday, Jorj?” He looked up at her and his red eyes flashed.

After breakfast on the second day was the remembrance of the dead. The giant fire was still burning in the sand. Many people had datapads with lists of names on them. Kal, Walon and Mij stood together and recited, “Nu kyr’adyc, shi taab’echaaj’la,” (Not gone, merely marching far away) then everyone with a datapad started reading the list of names. Those without pads stood silently and listened. The recitation was solemn and lasted over three hours. When finished people simply walked away, quietly.

Later that afternoon one of the women suggested Ki’tia go swimming in the ocean with the rest of the young people. When she admitted she didn’t know how to swim, there was a sudden flurry of activity to get her into a swim suit and off to learn how to swim. Laseema took Jorj from her, while Darman, Kad, and most of Omega and Delta Squads became her swimming instructors.

“But, I’ve never lived on a planet with an ocean,” Ki’tia pleaded. “At least not anywhere near one. I was in the trees on Kashyyyk. I don’t want to learn to swim.” They were pulling her across the sand.

“You have to know how to swim,” Darman insisted. “What if Jorj falls into the lake?”

“I’d use the Force,” she tried to stop him, but Darman picked her up in his arms and carried her into the ocean.

“Not good enough,” he dropped her into the water. Ki’tia flailed about trying to stand on her feet. The water was only up to Darman’s waist, but that was to her chest and the waves were crashing against her.

“Don’t drown her, Darman,” yelled Fi. “You won’t get grandchildren that way!” There was a riot of laughter. Kad dove into the water and swam to Ki’tia. He grabbed her around the waist and started helping her toward shore.

“Can you just steady me in the water, Kad?” Ki’tia asked, smiling at him.

“Sure, what do you have in mind?” Kad replied.

“Hold onto me and watch,” she said. Kad pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. She turned to look at him and said with a smile, “A’nir can control the natural environment.” Ki’tia raised her hands above the surface of the water. She moved one in a circular pattern. Suddenly, a wave appeared beneath Darman and lifted him above the normal surface of the ocean, he fell onto his back and the wave carried him into shore, depositing the stunned Darman onto the sand. Kad and Ki’tia were laughing at Darman’s expression, as were the other squad members.

“Hey Buir,” Kad called to his father. “I don’t think it’s wise to dump an A’nir in the ocean.” He leaned over and kissed Ki’tia on the cheek, then he picked her up in his arms and carried her closer to shore. “I’ll teach you to swim when we don’t have an audience,” he told her as he put her down in the shallow water.

“Thank you,” she smiled at Kad.

“Ki’tia, did you do that?” Darman asked, amazed. Ki’tia smiled and nodded. Then she flicked her fingers and sent a spray of water at the other guys, who were miming Darman being moved by the wave and laughing. They stopped in surprise when the water hit them. “Kandosii!” said Darman. “You’re going to be fun to have around.” He winked at Kad and Ki’tia.

“I agree,” Kad said, and he wrapped his arms around her again.

After dinner that night Kad and Ki’tia walked along the beach, with Kad carrying the sleeping Jorj. “I had fun today,” he said. “In the ocean. You really showed the guys a thing or two.”

“I had fun, too,” Ki’tia agreed. “I haven’t had a chance to use my A’nir skills with water before. That whirlpool was a bit of a surprise.”

“Really?” Kad sounded a bid shocked. “You controlled it well. It was spectacular.”

“I should find some way to practice those skills,” Ki’tia said. “Or maybe I should just let them go.”

“No, don’t do that,” Kad said. “You need to keep your powers strong. You never know when they might be needed. I’ll help you practice. I’m going to be around the Lake House more than I have been.”

“Why have you stayed at Kyrimorut so much?” Ki’tia asked.

“Bardan prefers to stay there with his wife,” Kad replied. “She feels more comfortable on Mandalore, and he has been my only instructor in the ways of the Force. It is difficult to be a Force user among those who don’t understand you.”

“And, where no one can help you learn what you need to know to use your powers,” Ki’tia added. “Yes, I understand. I spent part of my childhood among the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. I had to use the Force to survive, but there was no one there to guide me. I made many mistakes.”

They rested on a fallen tree and Kad handed Jorj back to Ki’tia, he was fussy and she started nursing him. Kad watched the baby drinking from Ki’tia’s full breast.

“Would you like to have more children?” he asked. He cupped Jorj’s head with his hand.

“Yes,” she answered. Kad leaned over and kissed her.

“I think,” he looked into her eyes, “I’ll be spending much more of my time at the Lake House.” He kissed her again.

Before the evening meal on the final day, the warriors, male and female, dressed in their beskar’gam, the Mandalorian armor. Their helmets, buy’ce, were clipped to their belts. They formed rows, like they were going to march. Laseema told her this chant was called Dha Werda Verda, or “Rage of the Shadow Warriors” and that it had been adapted after they left the Grand Army of the Republic to reflect their allegiance to Mandalore. Kal and Walon were in the front row. Kad was standing next to Darman and Jusik. The warriors became silent, then the beat began.

Ki’tia was transfixed by the sheer power of the performance. The raw energy of the chant and the absolute certainty of blows of gauntlets on armor beating out the rhythm, while the warriors turned their bodies back and forth to the tempo. The chant was loud, and the blows echoed through the air. Ki’tia felt them through the souls of her feet. She felt them in her bones and in her blood. She did not understand the words to the song, but still she felt it drummed into her very being with the final word and blow. Jorj had watched the performance from his mother’s arms. His eyes wide and glowing red.

Kad ran to Ki’tia as the warriors dispersed. He was excited and glowing. She smiled at him, with the same excitement. “Let’s go for a walk,” he said to her. He took her arm and led her away from the crowd. When they were in a private location, he turned to her and asked, “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, Kad,” she replied. “I will.”

He put one arm around her and the baby. He took her hand in his other hand. “I say the ceremony first, then you repeat it.” She nodded. He said, “Mhi solus tome, mi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”

Kad helped her with the words, Ki’tia repeated, “Mhi solus tome, mi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde. What does it mean?

“We are one when together, we are one when parted, we share all, we will raise warriors,” he translated for her. “We’re married, Ki’tia.” He smiled and kissed her.

They walked back to the central fire. The banquet was already underway. Kad walked with his arm around Ki’tia’s waist and as they neared the group, he kissed her.

“Hey, Kad!” Fi called, “You better watch that kissing Ki’tia. People will talk.” There was an outbreak of general laughter.

“Let them talk,” Kad called back. “We’re married!” Ki’tia blushed and Kad kissed her again to the sounds of gasps and cheers.

The party really took off after that. Everyone congratulated the newlyweds and teased them. It was easy to see there were plots being devised to upset their wedding night. Kal approached the couple. He kissed Ki’tia on the cheek. “Congratulations ad’ika, Kad,” Kal said. “Why don’t you two return to the Lake House tonight? I think you would be more comfortable up there.”

“Thank you, Kal’buir,” Ki’tia said. “That sounds wonderful.”

It was late when they reached the Lake House. Kad started the fire in the great room while Ki’tia put Jorj to bed. After a few minutes he knocked on her door. She opened it and he entered. There was a dim light on. Ki’tia had changed to her nightdress.

“They’ll likely put us in a family suite when everyone gets back up here,” Kad said.

“That will be nice,” Ki’tia replied. Her room was one of the smaller ones at the Lake House and the crib took up one wall.

“Is Jorj okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “He should sleep until morning. He sleeps well most nights.”

“Good.” Kad said, his voice husky. They were still standing, looking at each other. Kad reached out and took Ki’tia into his arms. He held her close to him. It was the first time he had been able to hold her tonight without the baby in her arms.

“It’s awkward to already have a baby when we’re trying start a relationship,” Ki’tia said into his chest.

He put his chin on her head, “We’ll make it work.” Kad looked into Ki’tia’s eyes and then kissed her. He lifted the nightdress over her head. “You are so beautiful.” He removed his clothes and then took her into his arms. They kissed passionately, hands exploring naked bodies. He picked her up and laid her on the bed, then laid beside her. They made love as strangers, each searching for something from the other. This wasn’t the true love of the A’nir, but maybe love would grow between them, in time.

Jorj started fussing in his crib. “I’ll nurse him a little and he’ll go back to sleep,” Ki’tia said, starting to rise. Kad stopped her.

“I’ll get him,” he said getting out of bed. Kad went to the crib and picked up the fussing baby. He carried Jorj to Ki’tia. She took the baby to her breast and he started nursing. Kad sat next to them on the bed. He watched the baby take nourishment from his wife, his little blue fists curled against her breast. Kad placed his finger against Jorj’s fist. The little blue fingers opened and then closed around Kad’s finger. Kad kissed the baby’s head. With Jorj holding tight to his finger Kad said, “ni kyr’tayl gai sa’ad Jorj,” adopting the boy as his son. He looked at Ki’tia. “We’re a family, now.”

There were tears of joy shining in Ki’tia’s eyes, “Thank you.”

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