Naiade oil painting

Vader lowered his voice again. "I hope so, Commander, for your sake. TheEmperor will tolerate no further delay in the final destruction of the outlaw Rebellion.And we have secret news now"—he included Jerjerrod, only, in this intimatedetail—"The Rebel fleet has gathered all its forces into a single giant armada. Thetime is at hand when we can crush them, without mercy, in a single blow." For the briefest second, Vader's breathing seemed to quicken, then resumed itsmeasured pace, like the rising of hollow wind.Outside the small adobe hut, the sandstorm wailed like a beast in agony, refusing todie. Inside, the sounds were muted. It was cooler in this shelter, more hushed, and darker. While the beast withouthowled, in this place of nuance and shadow a shrouded figure worked. Tanned hands, holding arcane tools, extended from the sleeves of a caftanlikerobe. The figure crouched on the ground, working. Before him lay a discoid