She was sworn to kill me. I had caused, the death of the only person she cared about. For years she had nursed the hatred that brought her before me now. What does one say to that? How would my training help me?

To fight is failure. A failure to resolve things with peace, with diplomacy, with the ability to understand and respect the others point of view.

And yet, it was my own anger, my frustration at not being able to save my friends that had moved my hand that day. Two men died there because of it. Had there been an alternative? Or would they have engaged me no matter what was said?

I tried to save him…His lord…Her lord would not have allowed it. Perhaps the out come was preordained?

Then this meeting here was also fated to be? I do not believe in that. Our destines are more malleable than that.

The sun is setting, as it does on so many worlds, behind her. Causing her hair to outshine her blade. I am stunned for a moment, not by her anger, but by her beauty.