:: On board Sorsha's space cruiser, "The Xiombarg", a gathering assembled in the throne room to witness a duel.

Sorsha stood in the center of a dueling square, two sabres in hand. She tossed one to her opponent, who was assailed by a hail of boos as he allowed the steel to clatter at his feet instead. The man's name was Xavier, one of her lieutenants within Black Sun.

"Pick it up." said Sorsha, stalking in a circle around the man. Xavier glances around the throneroom, his forehead already beaded with sweat.

House Kasajian was reknowned, not only as members of the Assassin's Guild, but as a school of dueling and bladesmanship. They also crafted some of the finest blades in the galaxy, and were held in high regard by many Imperial Families. Sorsha was a champion fencer, dueling professionally with sword and dagger at age of sixteen.

This was not a contest as much as an execution. Sorsha's chosen way of punishing those who betrayed her. Xavier had stood in attendance of such executions many times. Now he was trapped in the dueling square himself. The faces that leered back at him offered no comfort, no forgivness, for betraying their Queen. All he could do was crouch and pick up the blade ::