A wayward Knight (Master/apprentice mission)

[Kian Karr]

Vol Vallen:

Vol hadn't expected the leap away from the padawan. He hadn't expected the fight to go on this long. As a padawan, Vol hadn't expected much when compared to his own strength as a Jedi Knight, he had believed the fight would be over quickly. But this padawan was showing more strength then Vol had anticipated.

When he saw the attack coming, he knew there was no dodging it. All he could do was bring up a force shield of his own.....but still the power of the attack was too great and Vol found himself slammed into the ground, his shield protecting him somewhat, but the force of the attack sliding him back across the forest floor and into a nearby tree. He hit with enough force that he saw stars for a moment, but he slowly rose to his feet.

"ENOUGH!" He yelled and threw his hands at [member="Varus Shatterstar"], releasing all his anger in a blast of lightning. In his injured and tired state, the attack would drain him, but hopefully it would prove the downfall of the padawan first.

Kian Karr:

Kian had injured the two katarn's but they were still very dangerous as he leapt away from a swipe of the razor sharp claw. Then he felt it. The vast amount of force energy that rushed from his apprentice's body and struck Vol. Kian couldn't turn his attention to those two though, as the second katarn was leaping at him. Diving to the side, Kian reached out with his mind once more and found that the katarns were no longer under Vol's influence.

Kian poured soothing, calm thoughts into the katarn's minds and the beasts halted in their tracks. He continued to exert influence over the animals, and the beasts' minds fought him tirelessly. Kian wasn't an expert in this sort of force technique and as he and the beasts fought he realized that he wouldn't be able to help his apprentice without losing control of the animals.

When the force lightning flashed from the corner of his eye, Kian couldn't help but worry.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

As Varus' form fell from he sky he watched as Vol was slammed into the ground and ended up sliding into a tree at the edge of the clearing. He was pleased to see that his attack had worked to best the Knight for the moment, but it hadn't taken long for the man to get back up and become angry. He yelled at them that he'd had enough, and as Varus fell to the forest floor, landing smoothly in a crouched position with his right hand now clutching his saber again and his left hand now bracing his weight. As Vol yelled at them in anger he reached out and let forth a flow of force electricity, which had truly surprised Varus.

He'd never seen anything like it before, and certainly wasn't prepared for such a violent and illustrious attack from a Knight, but this Knight had been a rising star of the Jedi. That was something he kept having to remind himself when he realized just how strong her was, but he hated to think on it for too long. Varus couldn't help but want to be that same rising star. He wanted to be the hand of the Jedi Council. He wanted for his name to strike fear in the hearts of those who would oppose the Jedi. If for nothing else, he wanted the Sith to feel fear in knowing that if they went to far, Varus would be the one to come and balance the scales for their committed sins.

He wanted for too much, and he knew that. That was why moments like those were so precious. Moments like the very one he was in reminded him that he was not invincible. They reminded him that he, just like everyone else, was very much a mortal man. He, like everyone else, was only as strong as the force allowed him to be. He wasn't the strongest living Jedi, and he'd never be the strongest force user in the galaxy. There would always be someone stronger than him, but he also knew that he could be the bravest. He could be the wisest. He could be the most careful and the most considerate. It all just came down to what kind of man he was growing to be.

The moment was past, and Varus eyes watched as the wild and violent electric storm came down upon him. All he could thing to do was raise his saber, in that moment, allowing for Center of Being to take his body. The force would guide him and protect him as long as he was meant to live, and as he allowed the force to guide him, he caught the wild force energy against his saber. That's when he noticed that he was not harmed, though the harder Vol pressed the harder it was to hold him off. It was like trying to keep a Bantha from grazing where it pleased with just your hands holding it's horns.

The power was incredible, and as he raised up from the ground he snapped his left hand to his hilt, pressing forwards as he did. He took one step and then another, but Vol pushed harder at him and he began to slid, his boots breaking the ground beneath his feet and tearing through the grass and mud. He then stopped again, feeling the Force draining out of Vol. His arms were already numb from the sparks and snaps of electricity that popped him as he held his saber up and allowed it to absorb the force lightning, but he'd never known a struggle like this before. He bore down with every muscle in his body, gritting his teeth as he did, and he began to move again.

He took big, powerful steps towards Vol, one after the other bringing him closer to the man, and though he'd often times been a gentle man, he couldn't help but to think what he was going to do to Vol when he got his hands on him. It was going to be violent. That man was going to bleed before this was over.

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Vol Vallen:

Vol poured all his energy into the lighting as he poured it out at the young man before him. To his great disgust, he found that the young Jedi had blocked the initial attack with his lightsaber and was continuing to hold out against it. As the young man began to force his way closer, Vol became afraid. Fear and doubt poured into his mind and he began to feel his resolve....his power....weakening.

Vol let the lightning die, and sunk down his to his knee, pulling his lightsaber once more and igniting the emerald blade.

"Don't you see......I'm trying to save the Jedi!" He spit at Varus as he approached him. "I'm trying to make us strong enough to fight the Sith!" He yelled once more and rose up, slashing wildly at Varus. There was no form, no technique. He attacked with blind abandonment, with little to no care for his well being.

Kian Karr:

Fear, anger, and hunger flashed through Kian's mind as he delved deeper into the psyche of the katarn's. Kian could feel the struggle between [member="Varus Shatterstar"] and Vol Vallen but he could do very little to help. If he broke the connection between his mind and the katarn's he would be putting them both at risk. Kian continued to flood the katarns' minds with soothing thoughts, and slowly the darkness that Vol's mind had force into their own began to subside.

"Leave here.....leave NOW!" Kian said, putting force into his words. Reluctantly both katarns turned away and leapt into the trees, free once more from the grip of the a force user. Kian took a deep breath and turned toward the Vol and Varus just as Vol began to attack his apprentice.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

As Vol attacked him, Varus shifted into the form of Makashii to utilize his speed. He turned his right shoulder forwards and held up his saber, his legs coming together as he bent at the knees just a bit. His own take on the style looked something like fencing, matching the speed of such a technique as well. He held up his saber in his right hand and rested the back of his left hand against his lower back as the Jedi Knight attacked with wild and inaccurate strikes.

Varus began to dash left and right, avoiding each of Vol's attacks with his emerald blade. He watched, not bother to use his blade to deflect attacks that were far enough off mark as they were. He simply had to make sure and force Vol to cross himself up with each attack, which effected the Knight's balance. That's when Varus realized that Vol was no skilled warrior with a saber. In fact, from what Varus had seen and from what he'd gathered from Kian, Vol was a powerful practitioner of the force. Once he'd been the pride of the Jedi, growing stronger and more knowledgeable of the force as he learned among them, and it was this reason that he had been so praised for his abilities.

He wasn't much with a saber, and like Varus, he was a very powerful force user, but that fact only favored Varus, for Vol was exhausted and he could feel the Knight's connection to the force slipping away from him. That, and the fact that beads of sweat ran down his face as he took in heaving breaths, not bothering to control his intake of air. He was already beaten, and he hadn't even realized it because he was in such a rage.

He swiped at Varus over and over again until his final strike, a thrust at Varus' chest, was right on the mark. This caused Varus to stop for but a moment, realizing that he wasn't going to be able to simply step out of the way of this one. That's when Varus raised his saber and finally the sapphire and emerald blades clashed, a shower of sparks dancing through the darkness of the shadowlands as Varus pushed Vol's blade to his left and forced it's tip into the ground. When he did, Vol stumbled forwards after his weapon, which had been pushed past and away from Varus into the ground. When Vol was near him, Varus disengaged his saber, allowing Vol to fall further off of balance.

As Vol fell into Varus, the young Padawan swung his right arm back across his body and aimed his elbow at Vol's nose. He felt the blow connect, but that was only the beginning. Varus was a large man, and when his patience was pressed, it was hard to stop him from thrashing someone. He spun around and thrust a knee up towards Vol's gut, intent on setting the man on his heels, and only when Vol was stunned would he press. With a heavy saber hilt clutched in his right hand, it would only add to the damage he could do to the man as he swung at him with heavy handed blows with both fists, over and over again.

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Vol Vallen:

The elbow to the face did it. Vol's eyes rolled back into his head and he knew only darkness.

Kian Karr:

Kian turned to see his apprentice knock Vol out with an elbow, but he didn't stop there. [member="Varus Shatterstar"] continued to attack the man and Kian realized that his apprentice was in danger of crossing a delicate line. Stretching out with his mind, Varus would feel the sudden touch of Kian's mind to his own.

Varus.....stop! Kian said in his mind, putting both authority and concern in his thoughts, You have him beaten, that is enough. You are a Jedi.....there is no emotion, there is peace....we do not strike helpless opponents.

Kian didn't immediately move to intervene physically. He wanted to see if his apprentice would gain control of himself on his own, and he was certain that while Vol might be injured he was in no immediate risk of death. Regardless, Kian didn't step closer so that he was within arms reach of his apprentice....just in case.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

Varus had beat the man bloody with only a few swings, but as Kian told him to stop, Varus clutched the man by his shirt and pulled him up from the ground as he raised his right hand above his head. He had been about the give a bone shattering blow, his brow rippled and his teeth gritted against one another in what appeared to be anger. It was confusing to feel, as he hadn't felt it in such a long time. He'd always been, for the most part, a peaceful man, but he hadn't been able to control himself in that moment. It was only Kian's presence that had spoken to him. His words invaded his conscience in that moment, and immediately he thought better of what he was doing.

His stopped, frozen in that place as he looked at the situation through eyes sobering of their anger and frustration. He was surprised to find himself doing what he was, and as he looked back at Kian, he lowered his right hand, blood covering his knuckles as he dropped it to his side. He'd unleashed something in himself that was terrifying, but to say he'd never experienced something like that before would have been a lie. He'd lost control before, but in the protection of himself or someone who couldn't defend themselves.

He'd had too much of a life of running and hiding from people. He'd been jaded by a hard, cold life that had only ever become rewarding when he'd met Jarrek, and then years later when he'd met Kian. There was something so profound about that moment to him, when he saw what he was doing, and in that moment he realized that it didn't matter how strong he was or how powerful he could be if he couldn't control himself. It was learning how to control yourself and deciding to become something greater than what you were in mind and spirit that made you ready to become a Knight. It was strength and resolve, coupled with wisdom and determination that made you ready to become a Master. Something Varus hadn't yet entirely understood until that moment. He'd always thought himself so strong, and smart enough to think through any situation, but if he couldn't control himself he'd never be more than the man he already was.

The grip he'd had on Vol's shirt gently loosened as he lowered the broken Knight to the ground. He let him go, and finally his onslaught was done as he rolled back on his heels and fell to a seated position, taking in deep breaths as he gathered his thoughts. As he did he let his legs slide out from under him and he dropped his hands into his lap, about to ask forgiveness for his outburst, but not having the words at the moment. He knew Kian would understand that he was sorry for what he had done in pushing things just a bit further than they'd needed to go.

That didn't make it okay, however...

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian said nothing at first, but walked over and, pulling some cable from his utility belt, secured Vol's hands behind his back. Vol was bloodied and unconscious, but otherwise would live. Turning back toward [member="Varus Shatterstar"], Kian sat down opposite him on the ground and tilted his head studying his apprentice for a moment before speaking.

"You are new to the Jedi....new to our ways." He began, in a calm soothing voice. "What separates us from other people and other force users, is our ability to separate ourselves from our emotions. We feel....all being do....but we can act without those feelings influencing us. It isn't easy, believe me I know, but we do it because if we do not we take steps towards becoming something dark....something evil."

Kian looked back at Vol Vallen for a moment and then back to his apprentice.

"Vol feel to the darkside because he allowed his emotions to cloud his judgement.....he allowed hopelessness to seize him. You hurt him today because you allowed yourself to be seized up in the fight, to allow your emotions to take over." Kian said raising his hand up and stroking his antiox mask like it were a beard.

"It happens." Kian said, trying to sooth his apprentice, "But when it does you need to learn to recognize it and work through it. When we return to Ossus we'll work on it.....we'll work on controlling your emotions." Kian said and rose up and motioned for Varus to do the same.

"No one ever said being a Jedi was easy," Kian said smiling beneath his mask, "but today you showed your potential. Your potential to be a magnificent Jedi....and your potential to be a danger to others. We all carry that burden. When a personal falls into acting out in rage, frustration, fear or any other emotion they can do really stupid, horrible things. When a Jedi does.....we become something terrible." Kian said, images flashing before his eyes of the horrors he had seen Sith commit.

Kian leaned down and plucked Vol Vallen's lightsaber from the ground and handed it to Varus.

"Keep that, as a reminder of what happens when a Jedi loses control." Kian said and looked down at Vol, "Perhaps one day you can give it back to him."

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

Varus stared at the ground for a long time with an indifferent look on his face as he listened to Kian. His eyes were still, almost vacant, but he was listening to every word rather intently. He was just surprised at himself that after all he'd been through already. After all of the training he'd already done and all the control he'd thought he'd gained over himself, he'd lost his temper for but a moment, and in that moment he could have ended the life of a man no more confused than he was. It would have taken him just a few more seconds to kill Vol by crushing his skull with his overhanded blows or striking him so hard that his neck snapped, but Kian had saved him from that fate by reminding Varus of who he was now.

He wasn't the scared young alcoholic he used to be on Coruscant with no family or gang to turn to. He wasn't alone anymore, hiding out and running from force users or authorities that had been tipped off about what he was capable of. He was a Jedi, and the sooner he realized how important that was and came to odds with what he wasn't any longer, the sooner he'd be ready for more responsibility. Responsibility he wanted and needed in order to grow and to help other people that needed it. People who needed protectors and guardians.

That was the point of the Jedi. Not to fight the Sith or support the Republic in their never ending battle with the Empire. The Jedi were protectors of the innocent and saviors of the helpless. The Jedi had been his hero. He was ready to be someone's hero.

"My apologies, Kian.", Varus said as he pushed against the ground and folded his legs beneath him so that he could stand. When he was back upright he reached out and took Vol's saber, clipped it to his belt, and nodded to his Master in respect. He then approached Vol and rolled him over. He then pulled him up to a seated position, tucked his shoulder into Vol's stomach and folded the man over his shoulder. He then pulled back, straightening up before he stood, bearing Vol's entire weight across his right shoulder, his right hand coming to rest on Vol's left leg to balance him.

Turning to Kian, Varus watched him for a few moments before he frowned slightly and said. "We'll start working on it after we get him to the healers."

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian watched as [member="Varus Shatterstar"] struggled with what he had done. Kian could understand the struggle. Kian was raised among force sages, living a life on Dorin that was focused on meditation and calm, then among the Jedi these qualities were further refined....but he still felt the pull of the darkness. He still understood the way one could get caught up in the heat of the moment when emotions were high.

Then his apprentice rose up and lifted Vol's unconscious form into the air and threw him over his shoulder. Nodding along to what Varus said, Kian turned and lead the way as the two began to make their way back toward the location of the lift. Kian wasn't sure if it would be there or if Grundyr had survived, but they really had no other choice but to go back and hope for the best.

"We all stumble on occasion." Kian said as they walked. "What matters is whether or not we catch ourselves before the fall!"

It didn't take long to get back to the lift, and Kian was glad the journey was a relatively short one. He was tired. The exertion of controlling the animals and the fight that had taken place during the ambush had taken its tole on him, and he was sure his apprentice was as well. When they reached the clearing, Kian was happy to find the lift was back down. Along with the lift however, there were half a dozen Wookies armed to the teeth. Looking at these Wookies, Kian knew full well what they were.

"They've come for Vol." Kian said walking out ahead of Varus and subtly signaling for him to stay back with the prisoner.

"How is Grundyr? Did he survive his injuries?" Kian asked, eager to know what had become of their guide.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

Varus hung back as instructed as Kian walked out in front of him and met the gathered Wookiee. As he did, he felt Vol stir on his shoulder a bit, which drew a glance from Varus to check on the man, but he was still very much passed out. If anything, it reinforced to him that he hadn't killed Vol, which he might have had Kian not been there to stop him. It was that moment that Varus realized he might very well have to protect a man that no more than a half hour ago he'd almost beaten to death himself.

The Wookiee that had met them on their way back looked none to pleased with the man that Varus had been carrying, making the assumption that he had been the one to hurt Grundyr. An assumption that they hadn't made in error, though Varus knew that he and Kian couldn't let them take Vol. They'd kill him if they got him, and that would be after a long, tireless beatdown. Something the young Padawan wouldn't want to put anyone through knowing how brutal a Wookiee could be if they were tested in the wrong way.

For now, Varus stayed back and stayed quiet as he knew Kian would have him be. It wasn't his place to do the calming or the negotiating. At least not yet, though even as a Padawan he knew he possessed the right words for moments like those. Moments he'd that were strained and stressful that would test his patience. Moments that would pick away at his resolve, which would hold in the hardest of times. Those moments were simply a part of life for a Jedi, and in that regard, Varus knew he would excel. He wouldn't let emotions cloud his judgement, no matter how hard it had been to control himself before when the heat of the fight was burning in his heart.

A level head had to be kept on the battlefield and in the Council hall. Unfortunately for him, the Council hall was going to be the easier of the two.

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

The largest of the group stepped forward and leaned down so that his face was close to Kian's. Kian tilted his head slightly, examining the Wookie who stood before him. From the graying of the fur and the visible scars, Kian had to guess that he was an elder of some sorts and likely held a place of honor among the assembled group and those above. It wasn't a hard assumption to make, given the way the other Wookies became more rigid when he closed the distance between himself and Kian. Perhaps they feared for the safety of their elder when within striking distance of the Jedi, though Kian hoped they realized there was no need to fear Varus or himself. While Kian had no intentions of turning over Vol, he also had no intentions of killing in order to ensure his safe evacuation. After all, Vol had broken laws on these lands and was subject to punishment by the Wookies.....though Kian hoped to avoid that.

"We have apprehended the rogue Jedi and wish to take him back for evaluation and punishment." Kian said using his words carefully. "We believe his mind is broken and, as you can see, he needs medical treatment."

Kian paused for a moment and then added. "How is Grundyr? Did he recover from his wounds?" Kian asked putting real concern into his words.

The older Wookie considered Kian for a moment and then began to speak. Kian understood none of the language, but was able to glimpse with telepathy the general meaning of what the elder had to say. Kian was grabbed with a sense of relief to find that Grundyr was in fact alive and had vouched for Kian and [member="Varus Shatterstar"]. But he was less happy about the apparent wish to take Vol into the custody of the Wookies. The elder indicated that Kian should follow him and that they should discuss this in private and Kian considered this for a moment. He doubted that it was a trap as the Wookies up until this point had shown little sign of aggression toward Kian and Varus. Instead he assumed that he wished to discuss things away from his people, where Kian and he could come to terms in a way that allowed him to save face.

"Do nothing to provoke them." Kian said over his shoulder and he followed the elder back to the lift where they talked for several minutes. After a time, Kian came back to Varus, smiling beneath his mask.

"We are free to go." Kian said stepping up alongside his apprentice, "And we are permitted to take Vol with us." Kian said, but didn't elaborate on how he ha secured the permission from the elder. Kian didn't want such information shared within earshot of the others but wasn't sure if his apprentice would leave it be.

I'll explain later. Kian communicated to him telepathically and indicated that they should make their way to the lift.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

I'd certainly appreciate that..., Varus whispered back in the force as he glanced around at the Wookiee around him, still staring him down as he carried Vol across his shoulder. He'd been there for a few minutes, guarding Vol all by his lonesome as Kian spoke to what he'd perceived to be the leader, and he had to admit that he'd grown increasingly skittish around them all. That was about as bad as things got before Kian had returned to him, though, and relieved Varus by sharing with him that they were to leave at once, though he couldn't help but contemplate just how he'd accomplished such a feat.

Turning and shrugging a bit to wake up his shoulder, which was growing a bit numb under Vol's weight, Varus started off towards the lift with Kian, bowing his head to the Wookiee as they passed through them. They didn't seem pleased, but they weren't about to go against the word of their leader and elder just like Varus wasn't about to disagree or disobey Kian, especially when on a mission of such importance.

As they reached the lift, Varus took care in getting on the platform before he turned and faced the dark forest around them. He watched Kian with something of a befuddled look on his face as he boarded the platform behind him and considered what Kian might have had to do in order to procure the ill directed Knight. He figured, in that moment, that their services might have been needed for another mission, or that perhaps Kian had made a deal with the Wookiee for their aid in an upcoming territorial dispute, but even then Varus was doubting his own thoughts on the subject and realized that this may not have been as likely as he originally thought. He then glanced over at Kian, wondering if he might have bartered Varus's assistance. Perhaps, if Kashyyyk was to be the target of takeover or war then Varus, or even the pair of them would be expected to return and fight along side them.

He could wait no longer, and as the lift engine activated and began carrying them up and our of the forest depths, Varus asked in nothing more than a whisper, "So what was that all about?"

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian glanced down and watched as the forest floor faded to blackness below them. He was glad to be leaving the Shadowlands. He was sure there was beauty below that he could have noticed if the circumstances had been different, but given the events and the danger they had faced, leaving was a relief. Turning his attention toward [member="Varus Shatterstar"] he smiled beneath the mask.

"Consider the situation." Kian said, using this as a teaching chance. "He is the elder and is responsible for law and order. He couldn't have his people killing a Jedi....even a rogue Jedi. Nor did they have the facilities here to house a Jedi for trial." Kian said, giving some of the reasons behind why the elder would be likely to meet somewhere in the middle.

"We couldn't afford to give up Vol, because he would surely face death and while he was our enemy, we as Jedi still have an obligation to protect him." Kian said as the lift continued to ascend.

"So I gave him an option that allowed him to save face but also gave him a way out of the problem." Kian said and stopped, looking at the Wookies. None were listening but were eyeing Vol menacingly.

"We're going to accompany the elder and a number of other Wookie elders on a diplomatic meeting tomorrow and help to broker a peace treaty between this clan and a rival. The elder is afraid it is a trap." Kian said, not really wishing to leave Vol behind sealed on their ship but knowing he could trust the word of the elder.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

Varus laughed to himself so softly so that only he and Kian could hear it. Immediately a funny thought crossed his mind as he had considered what Kian had shared with him about his discussion with the Wookiee leader, and he had no problem sharing that very same thought, with no regards to whether or not it was deemed appropriate or at all as funny as he thought it was.

"So you're going to whore us both out for this guy on my shoulder's better interests, are you?", He asked, glancing over to Kian to try and gauge his reaction as positive or negative, though it wouldn't stop him from saying more as he continued to laugh lightly, "I don't remember agreeing to that, and I thought consent was necessary for such occasions."

He then shrugged indifferently, a smirk on his face as he kept that positive air about him for the time being as he and Kian neared the top of the lift.

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian glanced at [member="Varus Shatterstar"] with a smirk of his own and shook his head at his apprentices words.

"It is in our best interest that we help to resolve the dispute peacefully." Kian said and the first signs of light began to show from above as they rose ever higher toward the canopy.

"This clan and this city is important to the Republic and if we can not show our allies that we can help defend them from violence.....what good is there to being part of the Republic?" Kian asked, knowing that if they didn't intervened, Kashyyyk would not be lost to them, but using it as an example of the sorts of duties and decisions Varus would often face as a Jedi on his own someday.

"As well as peacekeepers and warriors, Jedi are also embassaries of the Republic and it is our duty to ensure the Republic's interests on occasions like this." Kian said and then paused for a few moments. "And no.....consent is not needed!" He said sternly, but beneath the mask he was smiling with humor.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

"Alright, alright.", Varus said, that smirk still hanging in the corner of his mouth as he laughed lightly. "I get it. Let's just make sure this one's properly restrained on the ship.", he said, reaching up with his free hand and pointing to Vol who was still hanging unconscious off of his shoulder. He noted Kian's lighter hearted demeanor in that moment, realizing that despite the serious words his Master had shared, he was still being very positive about everything. That, in and of itself, was one thing about Kian that Varus respected above all else, though he didn't quite understand it. How he could be so positive all of the time no matter what was beyond him, but he did respect it as an invaluable quality.

When the lift reached the top, Varus stepped out onto the connecting platform and turned to glance back at Kian. "Let's get to work.", he said as he started off towards where they'd landed their ship.

[member="Kian Karr"]