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You need to know if Arine is located within that camp; for all you know, there could be countless camps in the local area, and she could have been traded away or stolen by a rival tribe of Shades. As you take count of the situation, you dissect your own thoughts; traded or stolen means that the Jedi has some worth to these nightmare beings. And that Arine’s body was not found broken and lifeless next to her severed hand means they took her, so they must hold value to Arine. Briefly puzzling about what kind of worth they could assign to her, you shake the thought off; it isn’t a conductive line to ponder; it won’t help you save her.
Scion floats the idea of one of you sneaking into the camp to search for her, but that is far too risky. Sneaking in to rescue her is one thing; sneaking in to search for her is another. You shoot the idea down quickly, giving him no chance to argue its merit. Luke wants to go in with Lightsabers blazing, but the numbers are far too great to overcome with skill. However, you think he is saying it more to project an image of confidence rather than taking his own idea seriously. Alyla gives him a stern look silencing him, daring him to allow another stupid word to leave his mouth.
“Before anything, let’s try to see if we can feel Arine in the Force before we jump to any plans to rescue someone who might not even be there.” You speak with a calmer voice than you feel, observing that many beings that would want nothing better than to part you from this world is not something very comforting. “Luke, Scion, can you keep watch while Alyla, Claire and I can see if we can pick something up?”
“Sure boss, don’t worry about a thing. Take your time. I’ve got your back.” Luke boasts proudly, but you know he realises the important work is going to be done by you and the girls. Scion wears a look of neutrality and just nods.
Sitting on the tree branch, you close your eyes as you rest in the typical Jedi meditative pose, your legs crossed and your palms open. Stretching out with your feelings, you feel the wonderful world around you. So much incredible life. It is awe-inspiring, but it is also dark. So much blood has been spilt here, every inch of the world feels corrupted and contaminated. Darkness lingers on every inch, on the smallest insects of the world and of the trees that dominate the skyline. Reaching out, your senses encroach upon the camp. The lifeforce of the nearest Shades begins to come into focus rather than the vague outline you had from a distance. You can feel the Force radiate from the beings; this brings you to the inference that the Shade’s teleportation is granted by their genetic affinity with the Force.
