From the Past to the Present: Chapter 1

[Kian Karr]

Kian considered [member="Kana Truden"]'s words and [member="Corvus Raaf"]'s question.

"There is more to it then that as well." Kian said looking over the numbers and entering more information into the computer. The image of Cato Neimodia zoomed in further and further until a specific location was pinpointed on the map.

"The coordinates are specific to this area of the planet. It appears to be on the surface.....below the city." Kian said and turned toward the others. "Perhaps it is the crash site?"

Kian's mind raced as he looked at them. All the possibilities blaring through his mind, it took him several moments to clear his thoughts. This excitement took him back to his days before the Jedi, to the days before his life became so much about duty and responsibility and more about childish daydreams. He felt a bit guilty indulging that part.....but at the same time he felt they were due a bit of fun.

"I'd very much like to go to these coordinates. Why don't we cut our trip here short and take a look?" Kian suggested, not sure if the other shared his enthusiasm for the hunt. "There is of course one other thing I'd like us to do before we leave.....but it is getting late. I'd like to pay my respects to my family tomorrow morning and I'd like you both to come with me. After that we should be free to go." Kian offered.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus readily agreed but her face told a slightly different story. "I have one favour to ask. Is it possible your droid can copy any data you have on Teräs Käsi and more specifically with reference to Master Plo Koon. Jedi records are poor other than saying he was a master practitioner. If there was anything you had that I could add to my knowledge. I feel so inadequate sometimes." As ever, there was no irony in her voice - her incomplete records made her feel like a green Youngling.

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“History on the Baran Do, perhaps? Always good to have understanding for the orders. Add to the archives and maybe have something to read when you get homesick?”

Kana smiiled yet deep down she felt bad for not having anything more to add but hoped that by the next post, she did.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]​

[member="Kian Karr"]​

 

[Kian Karr]

"Of course," Kian said handing his datapad to the droid. "Upload everything we have on Jedi Master Plo Koon, Teras Kasi and on the Baran Do Order." Kian said smiling.

"We we return to the Academy, I will submit the information directly to the Archives.....where I'm sure you'll find them." Kian said glancing at Corvus and arching his brow. As he did so, Kian was struck by the fact that it was getting late. The weariness in his bones telling him that the day-time hours were spent. Dorin had no night, no real night. Nor did it have a day for that matter. The planet was always that dim, dusky hue due to the event horizons of the two black holes.

"I do believe we should get some rest." Kian said, "I can stay here tonight, but I suggest sleeping on the ship for you two. Trust me when I say pulling your mask off in your sleep isn't a pleasant experience." Kian said winking. "Tomorrow morning I'll come by with a speeder." Kian said turning them toward the door.

​

​

Kian didn't sleep well. His thoughts were scattered. Part of him longed to get the adventure underway, and another part of him felt guilty about leaving Dorin so soon. He knew he'd never forgive himself if he didn't pay a visit to the resting place of his family though. He also wanted Corvus and Kana there. He wanted them to know more about his past and this trip was going to do just that. And with luck, he'd learn more about theirs as well.

Kian arrived at the spaceport fairly early, the speeder packed down and set to go. It wasn't a far trip out of the city, just a series of caves by a lake to the north. The Kel Dor couldn't afford to bury their dead far from the safety of the city, least a storm catch them unaware. However, Kian had been assured by the Baran Do that the weather would hold. In the back, wrapped tightly were two robes, both green with hints of brown. They were Baran Do Sages robes and they were given to Kian by Master Mong as a parting gift for Corvus and Kana. The Baran Do had made them honorary members of the order and they were welcome to return anytime they'd like. Though, glancing around, Kian was sure it would be many years till he returned here or if he ever would. The galaxy need them all right now. It needed the Jedi.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] - [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was delighted with the data and rushed back to the ship to get her first review of the information. Sadly she wouldn't have time to practice but she was able to mentally confirm a few combinations.

Back on the ship, she felt more relaxed. The storms seemed further away in familiar circumstances and with Kana around, the conversation flowed until it was time to turn in.

#​

And so she waited for Kian to collect them the following morning. As she did, she asked a question. "KIan and Plo Koon. Me and Obi-Wan. Tell me about what it is about Master Katarn that most interests you."

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

The relief of being to breathe fresh air again, so to speak, was enough for Kana to never want to put a mask on again. She would have to do it again tomorrow, obviously, but that was plenty of time for her to be without a mask and just enjoy the masklessness of it all. Truly Kian lived a nightmare with them but she was glad nonetheless that he did.

She spent the remaining time just like Corvus. Meditating, sleeping and waking. Eating too, probably, but mostly sleeping. Definitely sleeping.

Waking up was the hard part anyway. Her ungraceful sleeping position had left her hair in a mess. She got herself out of bed and at least a bit more ready. Hair still a mess she answered Corvus’ question.

“His story speaks to me.” Kana shook it off with a snicker and straightened her hair. “Plo Koon and Master Kenobi were both born into the order, but Master Katarn wasn’t.”

“His father may have been a jedi, but Kyle didn’t know about his heritage until later. I’ve read about him extensively because, in a strange way, I see myself in him. He taught himself a lot about the force and how to use it. He was brought into the order, but even then he retained his ability to stay down-to-earth and he overcame the Dark Jedi Master Jerec and his group of followers.”

Kana unclipped her saber hilt and held it out for Corvus to see. There was a connection to Katarn even there. In a sense Kana thought of it as something she had already spoken to Corvus about, but maybe she hadn’t?
“I actually got this design from one of the Dark Jedi, though to remember this one as such is a shame. His name was Yun and he saved Katarn’s life in exchange for his own, redeeming himself and ensuring Katarn’s survival.”

 

[Corvus Raaf]

As they continued to wait for Kian, Corvus listened to her friend. They stood in the environmental safety of the ship. It was clear how the story of Master Katarn resonated with her - as did Master Koon with Kian and Obi-Wan did for Corvus.

And she could see the reason for the interest, the similarities and the comparisons. And down-to-earth was a phrase that summed up Kana perfectly. She was grounded and practical and was worth ten of the various Jedi she'd met who preened themselves and thought that it was all about becoming a Knight and then turning their back on the Order. Corvus reflected how lucky she was to have two such good friends.

She looked closely at the saber when it was shown. She marvelled at its design, far more aesthetically pleasing to the eye than her own more functional hilt.

And the story was similarly poignant. Unsaid but there none the less. A Jedi willing to give his life simply to save another's. "It all makes sense. Thank you." And slightly misty-eyed she said, "Now where's Kian?"

[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"Transport has arrived." Kian said into his comm, signalling that it was time for [member="Kana Truden"] and [member="Corvus Raaf"] to join him out at the speeder. Kian looked up into the Dorin sky as he waited, glad that the weather appeared to be secure for at least the next few hours. Kian was looking forward to taking Kana and Corvus to his family's resting place. Kian didn't come from money, or from a particularly large family, but as a member of the Baran Do he had been given permission for his people to be interred in the small cave.

Glancing at the ship, Kian smiled as he waited for the other two to get their equipment on and join him. He moved his hands about erratically and he quickly decided, with a smirk, that he was exceedingly nervous. Kian had never been one to share his personal stories with people. He befriend easily, he liked to think, but he always kept those friendships at a distance. Kana and Corvus were different though. He had become closer with those two then he had with any other. It was why he was opening up this part of his life to them. It was why he was taking them to his homeworld and opening up his past.

 

[Kana Truden]

“Got it.” Kana buzzed back at Kian before hanging up again. “If you have any facial gestures to rid off, do it now before we set out” She laughed as she strapped her mask on. “What do you think he’ll show us?”

Kana waited for Corvus to ready herself before she started the pressurizing of the ship. The room steamed up as a loud hiss emanated through the room. The air phased away and soon there was just two jedi and a vacuum. The door opened and Kana walked over to Kian and the transport. Her hair was still a mess, something she had quite clearly forgotten.

“Good morning, Kian.” Kana smiled, not that anyone would know. “Did we miss anything while we were asleep?”

Most likely that was a ‘No’ but it was good to ask, right?

[member="Kian Karr"]​

[member="Corvus Raaf"]​

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled at Kana. It was difficult to remain morbid for long with her around. So she strapped on the mask and did a poor Kian impression. "A Jedi is never late..." She descended into a fit of giggles that sounded really odd with the mask attached.

Pulling herself together, she waited as Kana opened the ship up and there - standing in front of them - was Kian. Although technically he was late. And so she burst into a fit of giggles again. Wiping a tear from her eye, she tried to speak. "Sorry...gas levels...nitrous oxide...will sort it out...sorry." And closing her emotions down, she proceeded to pretend to adjust her mask and acted as if nothing strange had happened. "Right then. Jedi business. After you..."

[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian tilted his head like a confused puppy for a moment when [member="Corvus Raaf"] burst into a fit of giggles, then he turned his gaze toward [member="Kana Truden"] and shrugged, shaking his head.

"Nothing of importance." Kian said smiling. "The weather is looking like it will be gentle on us today.....though on Dorin that is never a guarantee. But the sages tell me we should be fine making the trip." Kian said leading them down to the speeder. Leaping into the drivers seat, Kian waiting for the two to get in before speeding off down the street.

As they passed through the city, there were a larger number of people out and about then had been the other day. Obvious word had spread that the weather would hold for the time being. Kel Dor children played in the streets and Kian smiled as he remembered his days on the streets here. Kian hadn't grown up in wealth, far from it, but he had grown up with a network of caring people and Kel Dors were known for being a close knit society.

As the passed from the city and into the wilderness, the forests of Dorin could be seen....or at least what passed for forests on the dusty surface of the planet. All around was the rolling hills of the dark, dusty planet and spread out across those rolling hills were small patches of trees. Some were taller, sturdy trees known as Zand trees. They were the basic building materials used to make most of the buildings on the surface, save those that were contracted to be made with offworld materials. Spread among these trees were the smaller Kand trees, one of the only native fruit trees of the planet.

"Those are Zand and Kand trees." Kian said over his shoulder, shouting so that he could be heard. "They are really the only plants that grow on the planet." Kian said smiling. It was more a smile of nervousness though. They would reach the cavern soon. Kian brought the speeder around, pulling between two large Zand trees and down a small slope. At the base was a small lake and to the north side of that lake was the shadowy opening of the cavern that housed the ancestors of the Baran Do.

Pulling the speeder up to the entrance, Kian shut it down and jumped out. Kian pointed toward the water, to show Kana and Corvus the small ripples.

"Those are Eerm." Kian said. "They are snakes that inhabit the planet. They aren't particularly dangerous to us, but they have been known to kill and eat Kel Dor children. They are very cleaver hunters." Kian added and he led them toward the opening. "It won't be a far hike in." He reassured them as he walked through the opening, picking up a small torch that was set at the entrance and using the materials there to light it ablaze. Kian lead them down into the darkness. The cavern was a natural one, but soon they came to a separate chamber, and from the smooth edges and angles, it was clear that this portion of the cavern was carved out by the Kel Dor themselves. As they entered this chamber, small alcoves could be seen, inside of which were small, decorative urns. The urns varied in their styles, some simplistic in design, and others artistic and showy.

"We cremate our dead." Kian said over his shoulder and turned down another bend in the path. Soon they came to a dead end and in the center of the wall was a small alcove containing three urns. One was large, with a series of intricate carvings depicting Eerm intertwined in battle. Next to it was a smaller white urn, with the carvings of a Kand tree. Finally, there was an even smaller urn depicted the Baran Do kneeling down in meditation. Pointing at the largest urn, Kian spoke up again.

"This is the resting place of my mother, Nia Karr." Kian said stepping forward and running a hand over the urn.

 

[Kana Truden]

As they were lead into the burial chamber Kana couldn’t help marvelling at the size of it all. She had to admit that for a while the idea of being buried inside of a cave felt a bit odd but as they had entered the chambers it all made sense. To be buried here must have been an honor. At least that was the tourist-perspective of things. As Kian ran his fingers over the urn Kana placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Wherever she is right now, she is very proud of you, Jedi Knight [member="Kian Karr"].” A smile crept up behind her mask. “We all are. Did you know her very well?”

It was a fair question. The Order that Kana was part of inducted force-sensitive children as soon as they could walk. She shot [member="Corvus Raaf"] a look before setting on Kian again. Did the Baran Do do that too? Who knew? ... Except Kian. He most likely knew.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

As they stood by her ship Corvus decided not to look at Kian for a while…just in case. The talk of the weather made her feel slightly anxious but she pulled the Force close to her and relaxed. So she hopped into the speeder and took in the sights. And soon they’d left the city behind them and she saw a different aspect to the planet. It was bleak in many respects but no less beautiful. Mysterious in some ways. Inscrutable perhaps, like the Kel-Dor themselves.

And so she followed him as they entered the darkness of the cavern, where the natural beauty was replaced by the crafted beauty of the decorative urns. Those less ornate no less aesthetically pleasing.

And Corvus suddenly felt strange. This was an intimate place and Kian had brought them here. And Kana’s words were particularly poignant. So much so that she found she could add nothing and was pleased the mask she wore was hiding her face. Here was Kian – clearly as strong and as Light-sided a Jedi as she knew, telling them about his family. And here stood Corvus, who walked away from her parents aged four and had never, ever chosen to see them again. They could be as dead as Kian’s mother for all she knew. Until this point, the fact was immaterial. Suddenly it was…troubling.

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian smiled when he felt [member="Kana Truden"] reassuring him. He had made peace with the loss of his mother. She had always been a sickly women throughout his life, but she had still lived a full life.

"Yes." Kian said removing his hand from the urn and turning toward them. "She raised me on her own. Though I joined the Baran Do young, we aren't as cloistered as the Jedi." Kian said stepping to the side and looking over the other two urns. While Kian was glad he had brought these two here to see the resting place of his mother, it was the two smaller urns that Kian was nervous about.

There were many things Kian kept secret throughout his life. Many things he hid from others. It came as part of his duty as a Shadow......but he'd been doing it ever since he joined the Jedi. Not out of any maliciousness, but simply because he hadn't been comfortable enough to share this with anyone until now.

This was why he had brought them to Dorin to begin with.

"These are the urns of my wife, Aria, and my son, Plo." Kian said turning toward [member="Corvus Raaf"] and [member="Kana Truden"] and looking at them intently. No one off of Dorin knew this, but they were his friends and he wanted them to know.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Oh...my...goodness.

If Corvus was having troubles holding on to her emotions before this moment, the revelation tipped her over the edge. It was all she could do to stop herself from sobbing uncontrollably and running back outside. A whole range of emotions washed over her. Guilt was the main one. This was Kian's moment and she felt as if she was too focused on herself.

But she knew from a self-preservation perspective, she had to let some of the emotion out. And so the salty taste of tears found their way to her lips down the back of the mask somehow. But she stood there, stoically, not daring to gain eye contact with either of her friends, waiting for Kian to speak again - not trusting herself to say anything.

[member="Kian Karr"] | [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

Emotional overload on her friend’s half, indecision on Kana’s. On one end she had Kian and his wife, a connection she would have never on her life been able to guess. But there wasn’t just the wife, there was the son too and that was the part that truly got to her. Had Kian been a family man at some point? She let her eyes wander between the four of them. Corvus’ facade of ‘I am not crying’, Kian looking at the both of them and then there was the two urns. Their group had become a mix of emotions yet for the first time ever it wasn’t Kana that beat herself up about it.

“Do you want to tell us about them?” She broke the silence. “You don’t have to if you don’t want.”

She wanted to hug the both of them but just this once she held back. She had already given plenty of hugs as it was, hadn’t she? She shrugged internally, if anyone needed her to provide one she’d be there. She always was.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]@​

[member="Kian Karr"]​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian looked at [member="Corvus Raaf"] and [member="Kana Truden"] for a long, silent moment before turning his attention back to the two urns.

"When I was a boy a storm forced me into the home of a neighbor. It was there that I met Aria. We were only 10 at the time." Kian said stepping forward and running his hand over the urn.

"I knew then that I loved her. It was silly, but true. When we turned 17 we were married. Life on Dorin can be difficult, young marriage isn't all that uncommon and I never planned to leave Dorin. I was rising through the ranks of the Baran Do.....and I was happy here." Kian continued, emotion evident in his voice.

"We had been married three years when she told me she was with child." Kian continued, his and moving to the smallest urn. "Before he was born I touched his mind.....it was the happiest moment of my life." Kian said, a single tear falling down his face. "He came early though." Kian said wiping the tear away. Turning back toward Corvus and Kana, Kian shrugged defeatedly.

"Aria died in childbirth.....Plo three days later."

"I couldn't stay here. I couldn't stay on this planet. Every day reminded me, every storm, every child in the street. So I left. I wandered for a while......I was so mad.....I felt so cheated." Kian admitted for the first time to another person.

"Then I found my way to the Jedi. It was a new start. I found peace there, among the Jedi." Kian said smiling finally. "I found peace, I found purpose."

"You two are the first I've ever told......I never even told my master [member="Talon Vosra"]." Kian admitted regretfully. "I wanted to tell people.....but it just never seemed like it was the right time.....and I wanted so desperately to move forward."

 

[Kana Truden]

Her friend struck a nerve, a very familiar nerve. Resentment at life and the way things work out. Kana knew the feeling well and it was all she had felt for a majority of her life. The difference between herself and her friend was the time it took to find peace and the Order. She would have made the point, ensure Kian that she knew what he was feeling but deep down he probably knew that already. The peace that the Order brought was worth more than Kana could measure. Then thought struck her. This was something that they all had in common.

Eyes set on Corvus as she seemingly stared at their friend. Corvus had known it after her Master’s death and the resulting lack of direction. Kana had known it from birth and now Kian. Her eyes wandered over to her friend as he held the little urn in his hands. Kian had known it from the death of his wife and child. In common between the three of them was that they had all gotten hardship tossed at them but they had found that one thing that they had in common. That thing Kian had mentioned himself: Peace, one way or the other.

“That is what makes you strong.” Kana spoke up as her eyes darted between her friends. “It’s what makes the both of you as strong as you are.”

“We all share a bond through the force, sure, but an emotional bond is stronger. The three of us can understand each other’s hardships and that is an understanding the force can’t provide. I’m just repeating what you already know but it’s a lesson that is good to repeat.

Corvus, you know this feeling of being lost and I know it as well and now Kian too. It seems like we all have it in common. You overcame it. You didn’t let it go over your head and you both came out on top.” The focus suddenly seemed to shift form ‘us’ to ‘you’. “The Order found you or you found it and as a result you also found peace. Isn't it possible that this is the peace and understanding that is part of what makes you both the great knights that you are?”

[member="Kian Karr"]

[member="Corvus Raaf"]​

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus shrugged. She still didn't trust herself to speak but was also aware that the mask hid all facial clues as to her current mood. She hoped it was a positive shrug. One that said 'yes, but I don't know how to put it in words.' That also said, 'you said it for me and so eloquently too.' But it was only a beginner in comparison to her eyebrow, so at best it conveyed acceptance and a measure of discomfort.

But these were her friends. They'd understand her silence. Except they didn't. Not truly.

But the guilt was still there. Kian had shared his innermost secrets. Kana thought she knew what Corvus was crying for - and in respect of her feelings for Kian she did. But the cold-fish was never more frozen than she was now. Slowly she was accepting what, just maybe, was behind her rejection of the advances of others. Her overwhelming yet deeply buried sense of guilt. She didn't even know if she had siblings that were born after she left home. People like her didn't deserve to be loved.

[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"Great knights that 'we' are!" Kian corrected, smiling broadly. "We've all come a long way haven't we?" Kian asked shaking his head. He was glad that they knew now about his family. Glad that they knew about Aria and Plo.

"We should head back, best not to chance getting caught in poor weather." Kian said stepping away from the urns and folding his hands in front of him. He wasn't hesitant to leave. The urns were not his wife and his child, they were but the memorials. He carried them deep within him.

"Corvus and Kana," Kian said stepping closer and bowing his head to them both, "thank you for coming here with me. Thank you for listening to my story." Kian said smiling more broadly now. He had worked hard to get past the pain of his loss and with the aid of the Jedi and his friends, Kian could say now that when he looked back on Aria and Plo he did so, not with pain and regret, but with joy. He reveled in the joy they had brought to him in the short amount of time they had had together.

And more importantly he knew that tonight he would see them again.....in his dreams.

[member="Corvus Raaf"] - [member="Kana Truden"]