An Unexpected Encounter

[Thel Antares]

"Hello?" His voice echoed through the empty cave. Much of the sound would be deflected by rocky outlets and greet the Jedi once again, giving him great sense of loneliness. It seemed that as Thel wandered off on his own, to find his Kyber Crystal, he had become split from the group he had travelled with. Without the droid unit who was memorising the route they had taken it would be almost impossible to find his way back without aid.

Although some would consider this a dire situation, the young Jedi padawan knew that he was safe with the Force guiding him and that the pilot he payed to take him to Ilum would not simply leave without him. as he could not hear or see his group as of yet, Thel decided it would be best to trace his steps back the best he could and allow the Force to guide him to safety. Due to the expansive history of Ilum and the Jedi, Thel felt a much greater presence in the light side of the Force in these caverns.

Thel began his lonesome journey through the caves. All that lit the way ahead was a weak ball of force light. The padawan had not been taught this skill properly, meaning the light he was able to produce was lacking. He hoped he would find the way out the caves soon enough.

 

[Jairdain]

The young master was present with one of fellows who was here for his trial to gain his first lightsaber crystal. She had taken him as far as she could before he got drawn into his trial. So now she waited for him in the dark.

Since Jairdain was blind, the light her companion carried meant nothing to her. Her world in the physical sense was already dark. Through the Force though she could see so much more. Thankfully she was not here for a crystal of her own and she did not relish the thought of ever having to make another trip here for one for herself.

In the near silence, she could hear the approach of unfamiliar steps. Ilum was a place of cold and a beauty of its own. While so many came here for crystals, it was not unheard of for a sith to do it now and then. However, she did not sense a taint around this person.

His voice called out and she turned in the direction it came from. An aura of calm and peace surrounded her.

"Hello. Come around the corner. I will not harm you."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

A reply could be heard originating from further down the caves. This would not of been an odd occurrence, but the voice clearly belonged to a female. The only people Thel was aware of in these caverns were the two males and the droid he had been travelling with; this meant whoever was round the bend was somebody new. The Jedi felt no reason to not greet this new acquaintance, there was no feeling of fear or danger in the force, and perhaps they would be able to help Thel find a way out.

"I am unarmed and bring no harm." Thel wish that he did not have to say this, however the Galaxy was a dangerous place and you could never tell exactly what would happen next.

Upon coming around the bend, the young padawan realised his distrust was misplaced. A welcoming comfort accompanied the woman who stood in front of him. It was strange to Thel to think she was alone here and in the total darkness of the caves with no form of lighting. Pondering over her intentions on Ilum caused Thel to pause and then stumble over his words when he realised he was being rude.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Thel, is everything okay? Are you lost?"


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

They had both displayed a sense of distrust and it was something well reasoned. However, what they each said was accurate and true. No harm was meant and he came around the corner. He stated he was unarmed and Jairdain found that a little surprising. Not totally though because if he was here to gain his crystal, then he may not yet have a lightsaber. Other weapons were out there certainly and she had learned how to shoot a bow, but other than her own saber, she carried no weapon.

That saber was clearly displayed on her hip and she turned in the direction of Thel as he spoke.

"I am Jairdain. Everything is fine. My charge is getting his crystal now, just waiting for him. Are you lost?"

It appeared he was in f​ull health so she did not have to worry about healing him. Not that she would have minded if she did. In her turn she asked if he was lost. If he was, then there she could assist him.

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

Although many saw Ilum as a dangerous planet, due to the wildlife that lived on the surface and within the caves, the young padawan did not carry any form of weapon. His new acquaintance was partially correct in assuming it was because he had not yet constructed his lightsaber, however a greater reason was due to his pacifist nature. Thel made an effort to avoid all forms of weaponry and combat in everyday life.

Thel was glad to hear when the lone woman introduced herself and gave her reasoning for being on the planet; if she was here for Kyber crystals then there was a high chance that she was a Jedi or belonged to something similar. Surely she would be able to assist a fellow Jedi out of this predicament.

"I think so-" He began in his soft voice, looking around the cave, "I mean I was here with a group but I split with them and appear to be lost." Thel gave a slight chuckle at his situation and how it would appear to Jairdain.

"Do you know a way out?"


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

He admitted he thought he was lost and she nodded. While it might be too dim for him to see it, she hoped it would be clear she accepted his answer.

"Perhaps your separation was have you trialed? Have you picked out a crystal yet?"

If not, then he would be ​here a little longer before being able to leave. At least that is how Jairdain felt. Coming to Ilum, unless bringing another person could only mean he was here for one.

"Yes, well sort of. The way my charge and I came in should be clearly marked by our foot prints."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

Thel would reach into a leather satchel attached to his hips and remove the small crystal from within, presenting it to Jairdain. "Yes I have already found my crystal!" He would announce to her, allowing a clear view of it as it shimmered in the little light there was. "I'm excited to put it into my lightsaber when I return home."

The Jedi was relieved to here that a pathway out of the caves may still be visible. The fresh footprints on the cave floor could easily be followed. The older footprints would be harder to follow but not impossible. This part of the caves were still very cold, as if the air from the surface was still reaching them partially, and so Thel realised they couldn't be far from the exit.

"How long has your charge been gone for?"


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"Great! Do you know what color it will be?"

If she had wanted to, there were ways for her to know what it would be. However, she wanted to know what this man thought. Her own had originally been green, but through time, trials and various other reasons, it was now white. That green crystal, she had gotten on this world.

Thel asked how her charge had been gone and she shook her head slightly with a sense of unknowing.

"Time is almost meaningless to me. I am unsure how long he had been gone."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

As long as Thel could remember he had always despised violence and felt the Force was a tool that could be used to help others, rather than a weapon. Because of this mindset, the padawan had always though that his Kyber crystal would be green, however he would only know once he put it into his lightsaber. "I believe it will be green, but only time will tell I guess." He told Jairdain, rolling the crystal in his hand.

"Well I do hope he returns soon, it wouldn't be ideal if either of you got lost in these caverns alone."

"Why did you accompany your charge here?" Thel asked, "I heard that it was a task for people to find their crystals alone."


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"Mine was green as well."

It would difficult to explain to him, but if he asked she would attempt to tell him how she knew. That is if he noticed the clues that she was blind.

Thel mentioned he hoped her charge would return soon, but she shook her head slightly. Then in asking why she had come, she waited until he finished speaking to answer.

"He's in there getting his crystal and it is a time of trial for him. So I brought him in this far and stepped back once that trial began. Somebody did the same thing for me when I came here the first time."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

"Oh I see, that makes a lot of sense I guess. Back in my training as a youngling I was told that I would have to make this journey alone, so thats what I did." A sadness came over Thel. Much had happened sonce he had completed training as a youngling; war had broken out throughout the Galaxy and his Jedi Order has disbanded. The lone padawan now travelled on his own looking for an Order or master who suited his style of learning.

Realising that he had become lost in his train of thought, Thel turned back to Jairdain, "I guess a lot has changed since then!" The young man spoke with positivity in an attempt to cover his inner thoughts. If his new acquaintance was strong in the Force there would be no doubt that she could have sensed this change in emotion.

"Where did you and you charge travel from?"


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"I thought you came with a group yourself?"

Maybe she was mistaken, but she was almost positive that is what he said earlier. That he had gotten separated from them, lost his way and then found her. War had struck again and the light was slowly fading. Sadly this was a trend Jairdain had noticed over the years.

She gave him half of a smile when he said things had changed, it wasn't one with any joy in it. More understanding and sympathy than anything else.

"Indeed, a great deal has changed even since I was a padawan."

He asked where they had ​come from and she shook her head for a just a moment. Because map reading and geography was something lost on her, she couldn't tell him where in the galaxy they had come from.

"From the Fel Empire."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

"Oh yes I did come with a group." Thel began in response to Jairdain's confusion, "I meant that I did not come with a Jedi master." The Jedi had two reasons for commencing this journey alone; the first being due to what he was told as a youngling and the other reasons being that he did not have a Master. Therefore, he had travelled to the planet with a ragtag group who were all on Ilum for personal reasons. He was eternally grateful for the group as they had managed to navigate the surface and subterranean levels of the planet and that had allowed Thel to find his Kyber crystal.

Thel recognised the name of the 'Fel Empire' but did not know where this territory was situated in the Galaxy. "I don't recall where that is in the Galaxy."

The padawan then saw an opportunity for him and his future, perhaps he could join the same Order as Jairdain and continue his Jedi training? He would pose the question to her, "Does your Jedi Order have any spaces available? I am without a master but am keen to continue to training."


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"Oh I understand better now. When I first came it was with a Master, but not my master. You see I had been taken captive and was rescued by some people. They gave me the time needed for recovery and when that was finished, one of their masters brought me here to get my crystal. But I still had to come into the caves to find it alone."

They were really only very small and Jairdain did not feel the Fel Empire would be quite the right fit for him. However, she could certainly welcome him and had a space available. If the truth was known and he would learn it soon enough, not because she kept it from him on though, he would know that empire was failing. The Fel weren't exactly Jedi either and that was a key word in his question.
​
"Not with the Fel actually, but there are other Jedi orders and I feel the Silver Jedi would probably be a better fit. There are more people there and have better tools for training."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

"I guess everyone has their own style of training. As long as you find the crystal attuned to yourself I'm sure it doesn't matter how you do it." Thel was ignorant in this topic, he knew little about all forms of training apart from what he had heard from his time as a youngling.

The padawan was slightly disappointed to hear that there was no space with Jairdain in the Fel Empire, but he did not let this bother him. He had already visited many Jedi Orders and had found that they did not suit his style of learning or his beliefs. Perhaps Thel could use Jairdain's greater knowledge in this subject matter to aid in his search for a master and an Order.

"Where should I go to find the Silver Jedi? And are there masters you know of who would be willing to train a padawan such as myself?"


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"Agreed. Each person learns at their own pace. And I will admit that even as a master to a padawan, the learning goes both ways. Nobody can know everything, Thel and anybody that says they do are mistaken."

​Sensing that disappointment in him, Jairdain lifted a hand to try and reassure him.

"You had asked if my Jedi Order that is with the Fel Empire had a place. Technically they do, but it isn't Jedi. More neutral and that is why I directed to you the Silver Jedi. They are located on Kashyyyk and I also belong to them. There are quite a few masters and students. Quite often you can find classes being held that your own master may not know the skill for. I've done such classes before for the padawans, knights and even a master or two."

As she spoke, it might be clear to Thel just what she felt of the Order.
​
"I can also train you if you don't find another master that suits you. My skills rest in diplomacy and the Force mostly. I'm not much of a fighter, but do know some things. If you wanted to focus on that, you would need to take lessons from one of the other masters."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

Thel had started to like Jairdain, and enjoyed the presence of his new acquaintance. She seemed knowledgeable, yet did not show any form of arrogance when she spoke. From what she was saying, it seemed she shared similar opinions on the Force as Thel did.

"I am not interested in fighting at all. I am a pacifist at heart." Ever since Thel had undergone his youngling training he knew that he despised violence and always felt his role as a Jedi would be a consular.

The Silver Jedi that Jairdain spoke of seemed like a good place for Thel to begin looking for a training as a Jedi. Although he did not know much, The Silver Jedi was a well-known Jedi Order throughout the Galaxy and were the largest around. With the sheer number of masters present here, it would be likely for Thel to find a master of his own. "I think I will go to Kashyyyk once I am done here. If the Silver Jedi welcome me, I think I would like to join."


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"Sometimes fighting is a must though. However, there are certain skills and abilities that one can do that keep you away from the front lines. Those are what I have focused on. Healing, Battle Meditation and some others."

Not telling him she was a​lso a trained assassin, Jairdain felt he could learn a lot from her as well as the other Jedi of the Silver's. What she did say though was accurate. As much as one wanted peace...she didn't think it would ever come. The battle between light and dark was an unending one.

There were many skills she could teach him that did not deal with war and battle, so if that opportunity came, she would offer them to him.

At the pause in the conversation, they could hear the return of the man Jairdain had brought here. He was not actually her padawan, but she the leader of the Fel Empire. Thel couldn't know that though and she had never said who she was here with.

"Harris, good to know you passed your trial to get your crystal. Now we can return to the shuttle."

Turning her attention ba​ck to Thel, she nodded at him slightly.

"You are welcome to join us. There are items to construct your saber if you need them and we can travel to Kashyyyk."

[member="Thel Antares"]

 

[Thel Antares]

What Jairdain said made sense to Thel, violence could not always be avoided and would be a good idea to learn some offensive or defensive abilities. Although he was still ignorant to the Galaxy, and what lay within it, the padawan knew it was a dangerous place and he was glad he had made a new friend who could potentially help with his future endeavours.

Before Thel had time to respond, a new face appeared from the darkness of the caverns. Thel was not startled at the appearance of this person, and Jairdain recognising him as her charge confirmed that he was correct in not misplacing any negative thoughts.

"I am Thel." He spoke to the one named Harris, "I am a Jedi padawan who is also here for his crystal. I stumbled upon Jairdain here a few moments ago."

Jairdain then offered Thel transportation to Kashyyyk and parts to construct his lightsaber. "I think I have all the parts I require for my lightsaber, but thank you for the offer. If it isn't any trouble, I would like to join you on the way to Kashyyyk. I can find payment once we get there if you require that."


[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

She found it a little surprising he already had the parts for his saber before he got his crystal, but made no mentioned of that. Thel might pick up on it through the Force, if he was as empathic as she was.

Harris introduced himself with a great amount of flare with all his names and titles. It was just the type of man he was. Jairdain was actually quite glad she was not his master. As the leader of the Force users within his government though, she felt it her place to bring him here.

Giving Thel a smile, she nodded and turned to appear to address both Harris and himself.

"The exit is this way. No trouble at all Thel. It will be a good journey for him to take as well. Give him the opportunity to meet with others outside of the Fel Empire. Are you ready?"
​
[member="Thel Antares"]