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It was forbidden for apprentices to leave their rooms after curfew—one of the steps Qordis had taken to reduce the “unexplained” deaths that seemed to be all too common in academies populated by rival students of the dark side. Bane knew that if he was caught, the punishment would be severe. But this was the only time he could act without fear of being seen by the other students.

He wound his way through the dormitory floor that housed the students until he reached the stairway leading to the upper levels and the Masters’ quarters. He glanced quickly from side to side, peering into the flickering shadows cast on the stone walls. He paused, listening for the sound of anyone who might catch him in the halls. He had memorized the routes of the night sentries who patrolled the corridors after dark; he knew it would be almost an hour before they returned to this floor of the temple. But there were many other underlings—kitchen staff, cleaning staff, groundskeepers—who served the needs of the Academy and might be wandering about.

Hearing only silence, he proceeded up the stairs. He made his way quickly past the personal quarters of Qordis, somewhat relieved to see that even the Sith Master felt the need to close and lock his door at night. He continued on past another half a dozen doors, pausing only when he reached the entrance to the Blademaster’s room.

He knocked once softly, careful not to wake the others. Before he could knock a second time, the door swung open to reveal the Twi’lek. For a split second Bane thought he must have been standing on the other side waiting for him. But that was impossible, of course. More likely the Blademaster’s highly tuned reflexes had reacted to the first knock so quickly that he had already crossed the room and opened the door by the time the second rap came.

He was clad in a pair of pants, but his torso was bare, showing his scarred and tattooed chest. His confused expression confirmed Bane’s assumption that the Blademaster hadn’t known he was coming, and the speed with which he reached out to grab Bane and haul him inside the room confirmed his suspicions about his extraordinary reflexes.

Before Bane even realized what was happening, the door was closed and locked behind him, sealing the two of them together in the small, dark room. His host lit a small glow rod on a stand by the bed and turned to glare at his uninvited guest.

“What are you doing here?” he hissed, keeping his voice low.

Bane hesitated, uncertain how much to tell him. He had been thinking about Githany’s offer, and what she had said to him. He had decided she was right: he had to look out for himself if he was to survive. That meant he had to be the one to bring Sirak down, not her.

“I want you to train me again,” Bane whispered. “I want you to teach me all you know about the art of lightsaber combat.”

Kas’im shook his head in response, but Bane thought he sensed a brief hesitation before he did so.

“Qordis will never allow it. He has made it very clear that none of the Masters is to waste any more time on you.”

“I didn’t think you answered to Qordis,” Bane countered. “Aren’t all the Masters equal in the Brotherhood of Darkness?”

It was a blatant appeal to the Blademaster’s pride, and the Twi’lek easily recognized it for what it was. He smiled, amused at Bane’s boldness. “True enough,” he admitted. “But here on Korriban the other Lords defer to Qordis. It avoids … complications.”

“Qordis doesn’t have to know,” Bane pointed out, taking heart in the fact that Kas’im hadn’t flat-out refused him yet. “Train me in secret. We can meet at night on the temple roof.”

“Why should I do this?” the Twi’lek asked, crossing his muscular arms. “You ask for the teachings of a Sith Lord, but what are you offering me in return?”

“You know my potential,” Bane pressed. “Qordis has cast me aside. If I succeed now, he cannot take the credit. If I become an expert warrior for the Brotherhood, Lord Kaan will know you were the one who trained me. And if I fail, no one will ever suspect your part in this. You have