Avar started to lower her blade.

And then a flare of warning, a ripple through the Force.

Avar twisted, swinging her lightsaber up and around just as a Nihil woman in blue carapace armor launched herself out of the gloom.

The lightsaber hummed.

The woman’s hand—which was carrying a large, curved blade—parted from her wrist, spinning away across the empty bridge, reminding Avar of the time not so long ago when she’d severed the hand of Lourna Dee, another of Marchion Ro’s disciples, in similar fashion.

The woman screamed in agony, stumbling, unable to stop her forward momentum. Her shoulder struck Avar hard in the chest, knocking the wind from her lungs.

Avar staggered back, sucking at the air.

The woman tried to rally, swinging her other fist in a wide roundhouse aimed at Avar’s head.

Avar ducked the blow, kicking out with her left boot. It connected with the woman’s right leg, crunching the knee joint. The woman howled as she buckled, tottering, and then collapsed backward, no longer able to support her own weight. She sprawled on the ground, grimacing, clutching her knee with her remaining hand.

Avar stood over her, looking down, face passive. “You’re Shryke.”


Star Wars The High Republic The Eye of Darkness Chapter 61