Dark Journey

Many thanks to Shelly Shapiro and Sue Rostoni for their guidance and patience throughout the writing process, and to Kathleen O’Shea David, who holds down the front line. I’ve appreciated the comments, suggestions, and attention to detail provided by LFL’s keen-eyed guardians of continuity. Thanks to all the folks who batted around brainstorming e-mails, or simply shared information: Troy Denning, Greg Keyes, Mike Friedman, Matt Stover, Walter Jon Williams, and Aaron Allston. To Chris Perkins and Dave Gross over at
Star Wars Gamer
magazine, who gave me the opportunity to write a few more tales about Jaina and her friends. Thanks to the Star Ladies for their upbeat presence, and to Fred Espenchied, who makes a tremendous contribution to the online community. Thanks to Andrew Cunningham for all the discussions about black holes, dark matter, and
Star Wars
technology, and to Sean Cunningham, who shares my affection for Tenel Ka.

Finally, to R. A. Salvatore, who threw my name into the hat. Thanks again, Bob.

About the Author

Also by this Author

Introduction to the
Star Wars
Expanded Universe

Excerpt from
Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Rebel Dream

Introduction to the Old Republic Era

Introduction to the Rise of the Empire Era

Introduction to the Rebellion Era

Introduction to the New Republic Era

Introduction to the New Jedi Order Era

Introduction to the Legacy Era

Star Wars
Novels Timeline

Han Solo; captain,
Millennium Falcon
(male human)

Harrar; priest (male Yuuzhan Vong)

Isolder; Hapan prince (male human)

Jagged Fel; commander, Chiss squadron (male human)

Jaina Solo; Jedi Knight (female human)

Khalee Lah; warrior (male Yuuzhan Vong)

Kyp Durron; Jedi Master (male human)

Leia Organa Solo; Republic ambassador (female human)

Lowbacca; Jedi Knight (male Wookiee)

Ta’a Chume; former Hapan queen (female human)

Tenel Ka; Jedi Knight (female human)

Teneniel Djo; Hapan queen (female human)

Trisdin Gheer; courtesan (male human)

Tsavong Lah; warmaster (male Yuuzhan Vong)

Zekk; Jedi Knight (male human)

A sunrise corona limned one edge of the planet Myrkr, setting its vast northern forests alight with a verdant glow. Viewed from space, the planet appeared as lush and green as Yuuzhan’tar, the long-lost homeworld of Yuuzhan Vong legend.

Two Yuuzhan Vong males stood at the viewport of a priestship, deep in contemplation of the scene before them. One was tall and gaunt, with a sloping forehead and sharp, aristocratic features scarred by many acts of devotion. These marks, and his cunningly wrapped head cloth, identified him as a priest of high rank. His companion was younger, broader, and so physically imposing that a first glance yielded no perceptible boundaries between armor and weapons and the warrior who wore them. He struck the eye in a single blow, leaving an indelible impression of a complex, living weapon. His countenance was somber, and there was an intensity about him that suggested movement even though he stood at respectful attention.

The priest swept a three-fingered hand toward the scene below. “Dawn: bright death of mortal night,” he recited.

Harrar’s words followed the well-worn path of proverb, but there was genuine reverence in his eyes as he gazed upon the distant world. The young warrior touched two fingers to his forehead in a pious gesture, but his attention
was absorbed less by the glowing vision of Myrkr than by the battle raging above it.

Silhouetted against the green world was a fist-sized lump of black yorik coral. This, an aging worldship housing hundreds of Yuuzhan Vong and their slaves and creature-servants, looked to be nothing more than lifeless rock. But as Harrar’s priestship drew closer, he could make out signs of battle—tiny coral fliers buzzing and stinging like fire gnats, plasma bolts surging in a frantic, erratic pulse. If life was pain, then the worldship was very much alive.

“Our arrival is timely,” the priest observed, glancing at the young warrior. “These young
Jeedai
seem determined to prove themselves a worthy sacrifice!”

“As you say, Eminence.”

The words were polite, but distracted, as if the warrior gave scant attention. Harrar turned a measuring gaze upon his companion. Discord between the priest and warrior castes was growing more common, but he could discern nothing amiss in Khalee Lah.

The son of Warmaster Tsavong Lah stood tall among the Yuuzhan Vong. His skin’s original gray hue was visible only in the faint strips and whorls separating numerous black scars and tattoos. A cloak of command flowed from hooks embedded in his shoulders. Other implants added spikes to his elbows and to the knuckles on his hands. A single short, thick horn thrust out from the center of his forehead—a difficult implant, and the mark of a truly worthy host.

Harrar knew himself honored when this promising warrior was assigned to his military escort, but he was also wary and more than a little intrigued. Like any true priest of Yun-Harla, goddess of trickery, Harrar relished games of deception and strategy. His old friend Tsavong Lah was a master of the multilayered agenda, and Harrar expected nothing less from the young commander.

Khalee turned to meet the priest’s scrutiny. His gaze was respectful, but direct. “May I speak freely, Eminence?”

Harrar began to suspect Tsavong Lah’s purpose in sending his son to a Trickster priest. Candor was a weakness—a potentially fatal one.

“In this matter, consider the warmaster’s judgment,” he advised, hiding words of caution in seeming assent.

The young male nodded solemnly. “Tsavong Lah entrusted you with the sacrifice of the twin
Jeedai
. The success of his latest implant is still in the hands of the gods, and you are his chosen intercessor. What the warmaster honors, I reverence.” He concluded his words by dropping to one knee and lowering his head in a respectful bow.