Boundaries

Boundaries is a novella by Atarumaster88. It is within the Yanibar Tales as part of the Force Exile Series. Boundaries continues the story arc of Rhiannon Kraen Burke following her marriage to Kavlis Burke.

Preface
''Welcome, my friend, to a galaxy far, far away. Enter the realm of Jedi and bounty hunters, soldiers and droids, rulers and beggars, aliens and humans. From Stackpole’s Corellians to Traviss's Mandalorians, immerse yourself in a universe with the exotica of Zahn, the wit of Allston, the grimness of Stover, the daring of Ostrander, the imagery of Luceno, the detail of Wallace, and most importantly, the vision of George Lucas, to whom we owe it all. And if you listen close enough, you’ll hear the sweet sounds of John Williams’ score in the background. Welcome to Star Wars.''

''Greetings, traveler. What brings you here to our remote corner of space? There’s little of value here if you’re after money, and little action for a thrill-seeker. After all, what significance does a dusty Outer Rim world have to the big galaxy out there? No, we’re a simple folk here on Yanibar, content to mind our own business and let the galaxy minds its own. Now, what did you say you wanted? Stories? Ah, you want to know if the scattered myths of three hundred years ago are true, if the legends of a great power that once lived here are more than old wives’ tales. They are. Once, this world was home to a great people-nothing special by themselves, but united, capable of great things. They lived and died here, all those years ago, as surely as you and I are standing right here. So, pull up a chair, grab something to drink, and I’ll tell you some of the old Yanibar tales.''

Author's summary
In 27 ABY, word reaches Selu and Milya Kraen that their daughter, long-departed to live among the Outsiders with her husband, Kavlis Burke, has been slandered. They consider the implications of their intervention, knowing that their certain boundaries in place for what they can or should do for her. Word of this vitriol also reaches Kavlis from his sons, and the farmer who has long prided himself on being an easy-going family man must decide how to best defend his wife's honor.

Excerpt
''Selu was lying comfortably in their bed, staring out across the room at the crackling embers of the fire he’d lit in the fireplace more for mood lighting than warmth. He was smiling easily, the cares of the day washed away by an evening spent with his beloved wife and an excellent wine selection that had accompanied their dinner. This was his time to relax and unwind before it was time to sleep and start the new day again tomorrow. He was drowsy and comfortable under the covers and intended to keep growing increasingly so until he fell asleep when he sensed Milya stiffen from where she was lying beside him. Reaching out with the Force, he could sense that her mind was full of turmoil.''

He rolled over to face her, his finger gently caressing the upper sleeve of the silken robe she was wearing.

''“All right,” he said. “What’s wrong?”''

Milya was silent for a moment, staring at the ceiling.

“What’s wrong is that a bunch of lowlife Outsiders have been saying unspeakable things about my daughter in public.”

Dramatis personae

 * Kavlis Burke
 * Rhiannon Kraen Burke
 * Milya Tayrce Kraen
 * Selusda Kraen

Story

 * Located at Boundaries

Plot summary
Selu and Milya Kraen are living comfortably inside the Yanibar refuge they helped establish when word reaches them that their daughter Rhiannon, who left the sheltered confines of the refuge to live in the rugged Outside with her husband, a farmer named Kavlis Burke, is being slandered. Milya grapples with whether or not she should intervene, with Selu suggesting caution, knowing that certain boundaries have been established to allow their daughter to live her own life. Also, he points out that when it comes to Rhiannon's honor, Kavlis, not her parents, is her primary guardian. This doesn't entirely satisfy Milya, but she agrees to give him a chance.

Meanwhile, Kavlis also learns from his sons that his wife has been slandered by several men of ill-repute in the Outsider community. He commends them for showing restraint in the face of the insults, but resolves to handle the matter. Not long afterward, while in the town of Draskar, he and his two sons come across the three men who insulted Rhiannon. They heckle him, sending him over the edge. In a short but brutal fight, he subdues all three and extracts an apology and assurances that it won't happen again from their leader. His sons are visible impressed, as is Milya, who had watched surreptitiously. Kavlis asks her if she would have intervened, and she responds that she is trying to respect her boundaries. However, Kavlis points out that his sons don't recognize her, and that perhaps it would be good for Selu and Milya to lower some of those boundaries. Milya gratefully agrees and accompanies Kavlis and his two sons back to his house for dinner with Rhiannon.

Development
Boundaries was released in May 2013 as the nineteenth entry in the Yanibar Tales and the fourth-latest in in-universe chronology. At approximately 5,900 words long, it is one of the shorter Yanibar Tales. Boundariesd is also one of fourYanibar Tales to be set during the New Jedi Order era.

The concept for Boundaries arose while writing Rhiannon in Force Exile VI: Prodigal and wanting to flesh out additional backstory for Rhiannon and her family, as well as establish the relationship between Selu, Milya, and Rhiannon after Rhiannon's marriage. Atarumaster88 decided to place it around the time frame of Force Exile V: Warrior to establish ages for Rhiannon's children. As it was significantly different in tone and subject from the novel, he opted to write it as a stand-alone story, placing it shortly before the novel and titling it Boundaries.

Recognition and reception
Boundaries currently has no awards or featured work status.