They heard a weapon firing ahead, not a blaster bus something percussive. Matty led the way, creeping around the corner to see a group of Path members crouched behind a large boulder. There was a Dowutin with a ridiculously small disruptor pistol and a Twi'lek with a blaster rifle, their shots drowned out by the Herald of the Open Hand. Werth Pouth was firing the most barbaric weapon Matty had ever seen. It wasn't an energy weapon but a flechette launcher pumping out streams of razor-sharp durasteel darts.

And this was the man with whom she'd thought they should ally themselves. This was his kind of weapon.

His target was a group of Ferdan locals who had joined the fight. Now they were being forced to hide behind a low shelf of rock that was gradually being whittled away by the darts. But they weren't alone. A Jedi was crouched behind them, waiting for a break to respond. Relief rushed over Vatty as she realized it was Olivia, her back pressed to the rock. She was alive, if not exactly safe.

The older Jedi turned toward them as she sensed Matty and Azlin's presence, and she nodded sagely as if everything was proceeding entirely to plan. Maybe it was. As Leebon always used to say: "The Force has a habit of slotting things into place when you need them the most, my young Padawan.

It's all a matter of trust."

If ever they needed trust it was now.

Oliviah tipped her head toward the Herald, and it was Matty's turn to incline her head, understanding passing silently between them.

Olivia vaulted over the rocks, her emerald lightsaber glowing as she threw herself into the hail of darts. Blocking blaster bolts was one thing, but projectiles were another. A dart slipped past Oliviah's flashing blade, slicing her cheek, but she kept moving, darts sparking in the air as she cut them down.



Star Wars The High Republic Path of Vengeance Chapter 51 Page 456