Wolven | The Mandalorian

Chapter 8: The Reckoning (Part 2)

Chapter 8: The Reckoning (Part 2)
Word Count: 4,918
*EDITED*

The Mandalorian stepped down from the ladder and into the hull, where Elodie and the child were.

Stood by the burner at the cabinets, she spoke to the child about how to make a certain recipe. The child watched her talk animatedly and sometimes participated in adding ingredients.

"No, Ad. You won't like the taste of that." She laughed, trying to ease his hands away from his face while he attempted to scoff a mouthful of salt. "Add it to the gravy." He did as instructed, emptying the fistful into the pot over the flames. Din leaned against the wall silently, watching. He enjoyed seeing them peaceful and domesticated. [Child]

Interacting with the child as if he were her own.

"Have you ever wanted children of your own?" Din asked, breaking his thoughts. Elodie smiled up at him and continued to stir the pot. "Never really thought about it, to be honest. But, I guess it would be nice. To settle down. Have a family." She replied. The images of young children weaving in between her legs ran through her mind, and the sounds of their laughter would be loud and infectious. A doting husband by her side.

Scooping up a teaspoon, the child lapped at it greedily, his eyes lighting up. "What about you, family man? Any thoughts about creating your own little clan?"

He bit his lip to stop himself from smiling back at them, something he found difficult to express. "Family man? Never thought it was the life for me." Shooting him a serious look, she set the child on the floor to allow the meal to simmer without him eating it. "Well, he's essentially a foundling. He may be half a century old, but he's still a child. He needs people like us not only to protect him but also to teach him."

The next words that left Din's mouth left her feeling conflicted, "You are like a mother to him." She looked between him and the child and said, "I'd do anything for him."

There was a pregnant pause before Din spoke up.

"I have to show you something."

The three of them gathered in the cockpit, with the child in her lap fiddling with the metal ball. Greef Karga appeared on the holocall, appearing alive and well.

"My friend, if you are receiving this transmission, that means you are alive. You might be surprised to hear this, but I am alive too."

"How is he still alive?" She asked, but received silence in return. It was a subject Din had been mulling over the past few hours since receiving the call. He honestly didn't know what to think of it and loathed the idea of broaching the subject. The past few days have felt normal. He didn't want to break the peace the three felt. As if the empire wasn't searching for them relentlessly.

"I guess we can call it even. A lot has happened since we last saw each other. The man who hired you is still here, and his ranks of ex-Imperial guards have grown. They have imposed despotic rule over my city, which has impeded the livelihood of the guild. We consider him an enemy, but we cannot get close enough to take him out. If you would consider one last commission, I will very much make it worth your while. You have been successful so far in staving off their hunters, but they will not stop until they have their prize. So, here is my proposition."

Elodie scoffed, continuing to listen to the call regardless, choosing to bite her nails.

"Return to Nevarro. Bring the child as bait. I will arrange an exchange and provide loyal Guild members as protection. Once we get near the client, you kill him, and we both get what we want. If you succeed, you keep the child and the girl, and I will have your name cleared with the Guild, for a man of honour should not be forced to live in exile. I await your arrival with optimism."