The Mask: The Tusken's Tale
| Author: | Wayne Mann |
|---|---|
| Series: | Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic |
| Length: | 11,159 words |
| Source: | AO3 |
| Publication Date: | October 31, 2024[1] |
| Timeline Placement: | 32–22 BBY[2] |
| Preceding: | Following: |
|---|---|
| "Sense of Self: The Myth of Xelbree" | "Sandsong: The Bounty Hunter's Tale" |
"The Mask: The Tusken's Tale" is a short story written by Wayne Mann. It was first published on AO3, releasing on October 31, 2024[1] as the tenth story in the Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic anthology. It is the twelfth story in the anthology's print release.[3]
Blurb
In the canyons of the Mospic High Range, Tusken Raider A'K'Darr is rescued at a hands of a mysterious outlander - one who is said to a god that will come to doom them all. In response, his tribe must choose between waiting for the vengeance of the gods or trying to strike first against them by killing this strange settler.[2]
Plot summary
The Tusken Raider A’K’Darr finds himself pinned under a rock after his sniping perch collapses. His wounds are tended by the young Anakin Skywalker and C-3PO. Since C-3PO introduces his master as "The One Who Walks Among the Clouds," A’K’Darr mistakes him for the Son of Suns, who is said to bring about the death of the Tusken tribes. A'K'Darr's war chief, Eyark’Argg’Rah, organizes a hunt for the "Son" to kill him while he is still small and weak.[2]
Eight Tuskens travel to the outskirts of Mos Espa to scout for the Son of Suns. Instead, they only find a bulbous-headed settler and four other beings: a young woman in blue, an older woman with short, black hair, a tall, older man with long hair, and a pink creature with bulging eyes.[2] From their perch high in Beggar's Canyon, the Tuskens watch podracers traverse the dunes. They shoot at several, and destroy one. In retaliation, a band of marauders comes to wrest them from their roost. While they succeed in killing two of the Tuskens, they are forced to retreat after Eyark’Argg damages their skiff. Later that night, after the Tuskens retreat and set up a temporary camp, they are attacked again, this time by Aurra Sing. Despite taking grievous wounds, A'K'Darr is saved by Udok, who brings him back to the war camp.[2]
Ten years later, a mysterious visitor arrives at the Tusken war camp. In exchange for thirty cases of ammunition, they Tuskens are ordered to kidnap a human woman. After the strange visitor demonstrates their command over the Force, the Tuskens agree to their request. They make their way to the Lars Homestead, where A’K’Darr again encounters C-3PO—this time, in metal plating. While the droid refuses to tell A’K’Darr where his quarry is, another Tusken, KkH’Oar, believes the entire raid should be called off. Nonetheless, Eyark’Argg and the others succeed in capturing the human woman.[2]
One month later[2], an adult Anakin Skywalker comes to the Tusken encampment to rescue his mother. A’K’Darr awakens only to be by the being he still believes to be the Son of Suns.
Appearances
Characters
- A’A’Shad
- A’K’Darr
- A’Oar’Rrhr
- Padme Amidala (Implied)
- Jar Jar Binks (Implied)
- C-3PO
- Qui-Gon Jinn (Implied)
- Eyark’Argg’Rah
- K’Ruudol
- Ksh'Rup
- Kter’Ya
- Orr Agg R’orr
- Quarsh Panaka (Implied)
- Ben Quadinaros (Implied)
- Aurra Sing (Implied)
- Anakin Skywalker (As "Son of Suns")
- Shmi Skywalker
- Udok
Factions
Locations
References