At the moment, however, they were solely intent on Nova.
“Theyre evil,” Nova said to Dray, her voice strong and assured.
The twins continued to eye the girl, almost hungrily. Dray was summarily ignored. Considering he was the self-appointed caretaker of the world they were currently trespassing upon Dray felt that was just plain rude.
“Excuse me,” Dray said and casually switched off his lightsaber. He nearly smiled as he noted their confusion.
Their eyes danced over him and he could feel the soft murmurs of their minds touching his, prying for information. He allowed them to remain long enough to sense his formidable power and then banished them with but a thought.
The male, Xash was his name, spoke first. “You are Jedi.”
“But not Jedi,” his sister said. Sindras head cocked slightly as if unsure of how to proceed.
Dray studied the adepts for a few moments, deciding on the best course of action. “You are observant,” Dray finally said, “but not too smart.” He waved his hand as if dismissing them from his presence. “Take what you will from the wreckage of the ship and then be gone from my home.”
The twins exchanged a rapacious look - somewhere between a smile and a snarl - and then Sindra began to laugh. It was an ugly sound full of cruelty. “Our master wishes otherwise. The girl will come with us.” Her face became serious, the coldness of her visage hardening her beauty. “Stand aside or die.”
“Big words from little adepts. You are both weak.” Dray favored the twins with a hollow smile and a dangerous hiss. “I smell your fear.”
Sindra started toward Dray but her brother apparently wanted the honor. “Leave him to me.”
Without another word, the orange blade of Xashs lightsaber flashed into existence and he launched into a furious attack. The first strike, though powerful, was a bit slow.
Dray easily side-stepped and delivered a hard, open-handed slap to the back of his opponents head.
Xash rolled with the impact and quickly returned to his feet. The male adept was enraged and obviously intent on revenge. He drew back his saber and started to advance.
Dray displayed the patient smile of a teacher whose student has just made a fool of himself. Dray winked at Xash then re-ignited the golden lightsaber, swinging the hilt around at a leisurely pace. The gilded blade finally extended with a soft thrumming of energy.
Outraged by Drays show of disrespect, Xash lunged forward - leading in with a blinding flurry of strikes. Dray swiveled with practiced ease, dodging each attack and countering with his own.
The sabers clashed, sparks flying through the air. Xash pulled back and drove ahead with a quick slash toward Dray’s throat.
Dray twirled his blade, catching Xash mid-strike and spinning Xash’s saber through its own momentum. The move spun the weapon right out of the twin’s grasp. Unfortunately for Xash, his right hand was still attached to the handle.
The severed appendage, clutching reflexively to the hilt, fell to the ground.
As Xash stared mutely at the stump of his arm, Dray planted a boot in Xash’s chest. The blow toppled the surprised adept and he hit the ground stunned.
Dray readied his lightsaber, but before he could finish the job something caught his attention… The sound of Sindra igniting her own weapon.
In mid-turn, Dray felt the tip of her blade bite into his back. He ignored the wracking pain of his burned flesh and quickly followed through on his counter before Sindra could do any further damage.
The strong parry drove her back, giving Dray some breathing room.
She advanced slowly, the deep crimson blade held in a loose two-handed grip.
The two combatants began to circle.
Dray took a tentative swipe high to test her defenses. She countered easily. Sindra was quick, agile, and lithe. That wild mane of hair trailed behind her like a living thing.
Sindra moved the lightsaber high over head - the classic first-position of attack. The girl was well-trained indeed.
Dray adopted a lateral stance - the classic answer. He wasn’t exactly an amateur either.
As expected, her blade arced through a downward strike. He parried with a sharply angled up-thrust. Sindra absorbed his defense and moved into a counter-parry that nearly disarmed him.
Gold and crimson flashed through the night.
They stepped back and circled again.
Dray took the lead in the deadly dance, delivering an overhead strike that abruptly became a feint and quickly cut low. Sindra inverted her saber and blocked the attack, allowing the impact to direct her blade toward Dray’s neck. He parried, driving the tip of her blade downward; she was ready for it and their blades quickly locked together.
The two warriors paused long enough to offer one another an almost imperceptible nod, a grudging measure of respect.