Chapter 6: Heir to the Throne

The past two months for Ursa Wren has been an experience to say the least. Training two teenagers and one child was a trial all in itself, especially since they weren't Mandalorian. Despite her initial feelings on her father's decision, she respected it and in time learned to love it.

Each one of the boys had caught her eye in their own unique way. For Owen, she always found him in the stronghold study after training and often found him there in the morning asleep. She noticed he was so eager to learn about this new technology that was so normal to her. Tom's fighting style and strength is what caught her eye. When they had first started their training, Ursa had brought them to the armory to find their personal weapons. To Ursa's disliking, Tom had chosen the one non Mandalorian weapon in the armory. A lasat bo-rifle. Her great-grandfather had won it off a lasat in combat. It was a great honor of both cultures for her great-grandfather to receive this weapon. Knowing the history of that weapon and knowing that her clan knew too, she advised Tom to not take it. However once she saw him use the lasat weapon, she knew it fit him perfectly and was prepared to fight anyone that said otherwise. The one thing she respected about Tom, from the start, was his protection of Andrew but found it a nuisance sometimes as it got in the way.

Andrew had caught her eye the most. His determination and commitment to becoming one with her people was honorable enough, but his acts of kind heartedness and wisdom at his young age is what impressed her. She had grown close to him in particular. Taking him under her wing teaching him skills and tricks to one-up his sparring partners. To the clan, he looked like one of them. To Ursa, never gifted with siblings, he was like a little brother. Now that they have almost completed the trials and that they have proved their worth, they would be accepted into the clan.

Currently the three had trapped themselves in the Forge for the past two days, completing their last task of the trials. They had been creating their mandalorian armor out of the special ore found on Mandalore, Beskar. For this reason Beskar was hard to find, as the pacifist ruler of Mandalore, Duchess Satine Kryze, had outlawed the armor itself. But Clan Wren had its ways. It was tradition to not be in contact with people, while making your first set of armor. However, Ursa knew that no one followed that tradition as she walked to the Forge with her fiancé.

"So, why are you bringing me to the Forge?" asked Alrich, Ursa's fiancé.

"Because, darling, I want you to meet the newest additions to the clan." answered Ursa.

"Are these the kids you were telling me about?" questioned Alrich.

Ursa replies with a nod as they reach the door to the forge. Looking to her left and right, making sure no one was watching them, she and Alrich snuck in. The forge was a hot and steamy room. It had an orange glow from all flames, for melting beskar, and smelt of molten metal.

Alrich had never been to the forge even the one at his clan's stronghold. Alrich was not a typical Mandalorian. He prefers art and diplomacy over armor and guns. But he is still mandalorian so he knows how to use them if necessary. He was very surprised when Ursa had chosen him for her hand in marriage. There were better men that went against Alrich for the same prize. He still doesn't quite understand why Ursa chose him but she only tells him that he was the only one that she loved.

Ursa quietly moved through the room, finding the boys near the back of the forge. They were waiting for their armor to dry from their fresh new paint job.

"Oh, hey Ursa." said Kid as he heard her clear her throat.

"Tom, Andrew, Owen." she said nodding to each of them, "I would like you to meet my betrothed, Alrich."

"It's an honor to meet you." said Kid as he stuck out his hand to Alrich.

"I heard much about you three. Especially you, young Andrew." said Alrich as he shook Andrew's hand.

Andrew just smiled and went back to his armor. The full set had dried except for the helmet. The helmet would not be worn until tonight at the ceremony. Count Wren will put the helmets on each of them, signifying their membership of the clan. The ceremony was not only to celebrate the boys' completion of the trials and acceptance into the clan. It was also to celebrate Ursa's engagement and the birth of a new alliance with Death Watch.

Alrich having an artist's eye saw that each of the boys had different armor color and different helmet designs. Yet still managed to keep the clan's arches in their design as well.

Tom's armor was blue and white. On the chest plate it had identical blue flames, outlined in white on each side the shin guards had the same design, but with only white flames and a blue outline. Behind the flames on the chest plate was the clan wren arches, in their golden color. Although what stood out to Alrich the most was what was on Tom's shoulder pad. To Alrich it looked like a pair of sticks.

"What is that on your shoulder pad, Thomas?" he asked.

"Oh, those are drum sticks." explained Tom.

"Drum sticks. Something from your culture I presume?" asked Ursa, peering over Alrich's shoulder.

"Yah, back home I was pretty good. Well that's what everyone said at least." sighed Tom as he went back to his armor.

Alrich moved on to Owen. his armor was completely different from Tom's. Owen's color scheme was dark brown and maroon. Though it still had the golden Wren symbols. The paint scheme was bland in Alrich's opinion as each armor piece was painted one color. However Alrich was interested in the writing that went diagonally across the maroon chest plate. The writing was in mando'a, the native language of mandalore. It read, 'The Comrades'.

"They are who they lost. Andrew still thinks they are alive, but I think he is starting to see reality." whispered Ursa, noticing Alrich reading Owen's armor.

Nodding in understandment, Alrich only patted Owen on the back and moved on to see Andrew's armor. With all of Ursa's conversations about this young boy, Alrich expected a work of art. He was most surprised to see Andrew's armor fully white with only the clan symbols outlined in a light gray.

"No color?" questioned Alrich, "I expected something more... bright from someone that is always on my beloved's mind."

"Well both Tom and Owen had something meaningful or personal happen to them during their life back home." started Andrew, as he answered Alrich's question, "My life wasn't really much at home, but my new life is just starting here. So I thought I'd leave it white as a…, as a blank canvas."

Alrich was astonished by the young boy's answer. He spoke like a true artist.

"Plus I would like only one person to paint it." continued Andrew, with a smile on his face.

"And who would that be?" asked Alrich, hoping Ursa had told them about his painting skills.

"Your daughter." responded Kid, not thinking about his words.

"MY DAUGHTER!" screamed Alrich, as he turned to Ursa, "Why didn't you tell me?!"

Ursa was blushing hard from embarrassment. "I am not pregnant, darling. I have no idea what this di'kut is talking about."

"Sorry, you weren't supposed to know about that." said Andrew sheepishly. Owen chucked at Ursa calling him an idiot.

Ursa only sighed happily, gripped her husband's hand and walked out of the Forge. "Just be ready at 15:00. The ceremony is at 16:00." she called back to them as she exited.

As day was turning into evening the time had come for the ceremony. The three comrades had donned their armor, except for their helmets and the guest had started to arrive at the stronghold. Members of Alrich's clan had come to celebrate for him and even the head of Death Watch, Pre Vizsla, had come with some of its members to signifi the alliance.

The mandalorians all gathered in the throne room of the Wrens. Tom and Owen had tried to mingled with the crowd but they only gave them puzzled looks. The only clan that opened up to them was the one they will be joining. Andrew however was not in the throne room. He had isolated himself on the balcony that looked over the frozen lake that the stronghold was built next to.

"You should be inside." said Ursa, startling the young boy.

"Ursa, I'm sorry about the whole daughter thing." apologized Andrew, as Ursa joined him by the railing

"I don't mind." she said, "Plus it gives Alrich a theme to paint the cradle."

The two stood there in silence. Hearing only the engines of the landing ships and guests inside.

"Something else on your mind?" asked Ursa.

"I don't deserve this." Andrew blurted out.

"What do you mean you bested all parts of the trials. Aced both the final physical and mental parts. I have never seen someone your age complete them without a mistake." argued Ursa.

"Yet, for two months I still haven't found a clue to where my friends are." he fired back, "If I can't even find them, what good am I to the clan?"

"What good?" questioned Ursa, "We still can't explain how you guys got here, so don't beat yourself up over something beyond our understanding. And despite that, you still have proven your worth to me, the clan, and especially to my father."

"Really?" asked Kid, now with Ursa's hand on his shoulder.

"Heck, you have impressed Father so much that tonight he is giving you the family name." exclaimed Ursa.

"Wait, what!" Andrew was shocked at what Ursa had just said.

"Just act surprised, ok." she said shyly.

"Now we're even." he said jokingly.

"Listen, what I am trying to say is, wherever you came from, however you got here, you belong here. You belong here, with us." assured Ursa.

The two smiled at each other. Andrew looked into her eyes and gave a nod of thanks. Out of the corner of his eye he could see through the glass walls of the throne room. He noticed that Alester was addressing the guest.

"We should get inside." said Ursa, noticing her father too.

"Show time." said Andrew as they walked into the throne room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention!" announced Alester, clearing his throat. "We gather here tonight to celebrate a new alliance with Death Watch, to celebrate my daughter's wedding, but most importantly the renewal of our culture in the youth." Cheers and applause arose from the crowd.

"For the past two months, three foundlings have pasted the trials that our ancestors started long ago. They have proven to Clan Wren that they are worthy to wear the Beskar and have, in my eyes, grown from boys to young men." continued The Count. "Behind me are the three helmets of the young men. So without further adieu, may the foundlings come front and center please."

Tom, Owen, and Kid made their way through the crowd passing members of every clan that was their. Some people gave looks of disgust, others looks of respect, but the one look that stuck out to Andrew was Pre Vizsla's. He looked upon the boys with interest, however Kid knew Vizsla had an sinister intention behind it. What seemed like a walk through a thousand faces, the boys finally came out of the crowd and knelt in front of Count Alester Wren.

Alester turned around and picked up Tom's blue and white helmet. "Thomas, your skills with a rifle have gone unnoticed. The bo-rifle may not be a traditional mandalorian weapon but it suits you perfectly. May gar oyacyir ti ijaat bal ash'amur ti kote." said Alester as he donned the helmet on Tom's head.

'May you live with honor and die with glory.' Andrew translated in his head as Tom got up and stood next to Ursa.

Alester turned again and picked up Owen's maroon and brown helmet. "Owen, many of my clan have spotted you within our grand study room. Learning a new way of life is quite respectful. May te fruits be kar'tayl assist gar o'r oyay at olaror." The Count donned the helmet on Owen's head.

'May the fruits of knowledge assist you in life to come.' Kid translated into his head.

Alester turned around for the final time and picked up Andrew's white helmet. "When I first met young Andrew, I saw a boy that had lost almost everything. But I also saw a warrior, someone willing to keep fighting." claimed Alester, "This boy is something very special. Never have I seen such a young man so eager to learn our ways and traditions. Never have I seen someone so young pass the trials, let alone pass them with record times. He has proven himself to me not only by the trials but by his actions. He was brought to me without a home, so the least I can do is adopt him. Evaar'la Andrew, olarom at te Wren aliit." Alester donned the white helmet on Andrew's head.

Andrew could not believe that Ursa told the truth. He thought she was messing with him 'Welcome to the Wren family.' translated Andrew in head to make sure he heard it right. Looking at Alester, through the visor of his hemet, he saw a huge smile across his face. He stood up next to him and looked into the crowd. For a brief moment they were silent but then erupted with cheers and applause. Andrew saw the faces of his friends, as they had both taken off their helmets in shock. Owen was laughing in surprise and Tom just smiled. Kid then turned and saw the face of his new sister. Ursa had a face of 'I told you so', but smiled at her new little brother. Finally Andrew turned and looked at his new father. Alester was smiling from ear to ear and said welcome home my son in Mando'a

The party continued on through the night. Mandos of all different clans came to congratulate the boys and for a brief moment the three actually felt whole again. But that ending quickly for Andrew when he felt something cold go up his spine. Thinking it was just someone stepping outside and letting the cold winter weather of Krownest in, he shook it off and prepared to meet the next guest. However the guest was not any member of a clan. It was Pre Vizsla, leader of both Death Watch and House Vizsla.

"Wren." said Vizsla, bowing in front of The Count.

"Vizsla, welcome." said Alester.

Behind Vizsla stood two members of Death Watch. Andrew knew these guys were bad, he also knew that they would get what's coming to them. Andrew, Tom, and Owen had agreed, early on, to not be heroes and go kill Palpatine. They figured that it could cause something far worse or something great to never happen.

"I would like to introduce two of my top men." said Vizsla to Alester, "to my right is Gar Saxon and to my left Rook Kast."

Andrew knew those names and Saxon would be trouble to Clan Wren later in time.

"Greetings." claimed Alester, "I look forward to fighting alongside you in the future. Please enjoy the-"

"I invoke the code and challenge the boy to a duel." claimed Vizsla interrupting Count Wren.

"He can't do that!" gasped Ursa as she pulled Andrew away from him and closer to her. "He is just a child!"

"This child is now heir to the throne of Clan Wren. He must be a fierce warrior, for a foundling, to earn such a prize." exclaimed Vizsla.

Andrew looked to his new father, a little scared to fight this man. Alester only shook his head. "I am sorry, son. He invoked the code. You must fight him. It is our culture." He said as he got up and directed the crowd toward the sparring room.

The crowd filed into the large, gray room and lined up around the edge of the arena. Alester and Ursa took a different path from the crowd, which led them to a balcony overlooking the arena. In the center of the room stood Andrew staring down the leader of Clan Vizsla.

"Count Vizsla has challenged my son to a duel." announced Alester to the crowd, "The fight will be to the yield. At the sound of the gun the match will begin."

With only that warning Alester fired his blaster in the air, starting the match. The two competitors circled each other before Andrew dove at Vizsla. Vizsla dodged it by stepping to the side and shoved Andrew to the ground. Everyone, except for Kid's family, laughed at the site, including Vizsla. Andrew took this moment to kick Vizsla in his shin and quickly got up to punch him in the gut. This shut the crowd up immediately and brought a smile to Ursa's and Tom's faces.

"Get Rekted!" laughed Owen.

Vizsla looked at his opponent, a child. He didn't expect much from the boy and he thought the boy was smart enough to stay down. But clearly he was wrong about both. Growling Vizsla went on the offensive and threw a series of punches at Andrew. Andrew blocked a couple but was hit by the last few.

Using his short height to his advantage, Andrew swept Vizsla's legs out from underneath him. Vizsla groaned as he fell on his jetpack, hearing a crack come from his back. Andrew had gotten on top of the downed Vizsla and punched his face from left to right, knocking off his helmet. Vizsla had enough of this and intended to teach the boy a lesson. He flipped Andrew over him and proceeded to throw his own set of left and right hooks at the young mando's head.

With each hit he took, Andrew grew more and more angry at Vizsla. This anger piled up on more anger and pain that was already inside of Andrew. Anger of not finding his friends by now and pain from the realization that he would never find them.

With another punch from Vizsla hitting him square in the face, Andrew pushed Vizsla off him, without even touching him. Andrew's anger had subsequently gone away as Vizsla flew across the room. Kid sat up and looked at his hands in disbelief of what had just happened.

"Jedi." muttered Vizsla to himself as he all too well knew what had just happened.

He got up from the floor and reached to his back. Walking over to Andrew, he unsheathed the legendary Dark Saber and pointed the tip at him. But before Vizsla could shove the blade into the boy's throat, he was stopped by Alester.

"That is enough!" shouted Alester as he stomped over to the competitors.

"This boy is an enemy, Wren and he will pay for crimes of his kind!" claimed Vizsla, preparing to end the young mando's life.

"That boy is my son and I order you to stand down!" commended The Count.

Vizsla was beginning to get ticked off by Alester. "Do you forget who's house you are under, Wren?" asked Vizsla, causing Saxon and Kast to draw their blasters on The Count.

"Do you forget who's house you are in?" asked Alester as all of Clan Wren drew their blasters on the three members of Death Watch.

Knowing he was outnumbered, Vizsla deactivated the Dark Saber and told Saxon and Kast to lower their weapons. Andrew watched the three leave the room without a word. His eyes then fell on his adopted father as he came closer to him.

"My boy." he said, as he picked Andrew up from the ground and guided him out of the room. "We have much to discuss."

In the distance Andrew could hear Vizsla ship leaving the stronghold and Usra addressing the crowd that the party was over.