Promises are made to be broken. Deals are made to be kept.
[The Mandalorian Season 1-2]
I do not own the Mandalorian or any of the Star Wars Universe characters/settings. I own Alora and her unique story.
Prequel to Promises and Deals --> Truth...
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The morning came with a layer of fog. Alora found herself sleeping dreamlessly for the first time in months, though stiffer than she had in months. Though her home on Tatooine had nothing more than a mattress, sleeping against solid muscle, rock, and armor is not the most comfortable arrangement. Despite that, she slept dreamlessly.
The Mandalorians assemble quietly and quickly, cleaning up the area to leave no trace. Busying herself with the plan and checking her climbing equipment, Alora stays near the fire pit with Bo-Katan.
"The raptor's lair is atop the highest peak," Bo-Katan explains. "Now, our hope is that the child is still alive, so we have to make sure not to fire on the raptor."
Paz Vizsla stands. "It will kill the foundling if attacked. It has happened before when it has taken others."
Nodding, Alora looks at the group. "Our best bet is stealth. Your jetpacks will alert it to our presence, which is why we're gonna scale this peak. Quietly and as slowly as needed."
Bo-Katan's helmet turns to survey everyone on the team. "Let's move."
Alora's grip on her climbing gear tightens as they march to the smoothest part of the mountain and begin climbing. They stagger their starts, and Alora takes a bit more time than she would like trying to manage the Mandalorian climbing gear. Without speaking, Din comes up to her side to assist.
"It's ok, I've got this," she says. To prove it, she shoots up the wire that attaches to the side of the cliff. "See? Come on."
He waits until she is a few feet up before he, too, begins to climb the cliff. He always stays just under her, matching her pace no matter how slow or fast she goes. The other Mandalorians pay them no attention, except for Bo-Katan who sends Alora a nod once and a while, as if encouraging her.
As they near the top, Alora pauses and secures herself to the cliff. Din climbs up to her side, and Bo-Katan and Paz Vizsla are at the same height. Din points up at the nest, alerting the others to how close they are to their goal.
Alora starts climbing again, this time with renewed fervor. She easily passes the others and makes it to the nest first, crawling into the branches and hiding from sight. Luckily, the creature is nowhere to be found, but she does see a small Mandalorian helmet at her feet—one small enough for a young child.
"It's not here," Bo-Katan says as they scale the side of the branches. "Let's find the kid."
"I see a heat source there." Din points across the nest.
Alora glances back to see Paz Vizsla climbing into the nest. "Wait until we clear everything," she whispers from her hiding spot. He jerks as if not expecting her voice, but he ultimately does not listen.
