Old Paths Lead to New

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Willow Ike"]

The Old Paths, West of Voss-ka

Dune Rhur had set the land speeder down two hundred meters outside the Flamewood forest through which the Old Paths ran through. In the passenger seat, a young human girl of ten or so with hair as fiery as the leaves on the thousands of trees. Turning to look at her, he smiled at Willow, though those who weren't familiar with Bith would not be able to see it. Instead they'd see an emotionless craniopod so alien to the humanoid form with their large cleft heads, huge lidless eyes and lack of nose.

"Come, Willow. We're here," he said gently as he regarded the spark of intelligence in her eyes. Opening the door, the Bith exited the vehicle. He turned to regard the forest itself again and the Old Paths. "It's beautiful," he said aloud, stretching out to feel the Force eminating from within.

That was the point of the journey from Voss-ka. To help the young Padawan expand her senses and better feel the Living Force. "Do you feel the energy flowing here?," he asked while gesturing to the trees. "Reach out, Willow, and feel it all."

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

"Yes I feel it." She says taking in the sites of the beautiful forest. For it was hot that day so willow had decided to put a bandana on over her hair to keep herself cool. She looked at Dune and smiled. She didn't have to see him smile to know he was. "This is amazing"

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Willow Ike"]

They covered the two hundred meters into the forest, walking in the shade of the trees. All around them were the sounds of life. Birds sang, tree-dwelling rodents chattered and scurried about. The breeze ruffled the leaves and shafts of light pierced through the treetops.

Beneath it all, the Force pulsed very strongly. They were silent as they walked initially, Dune allowing the curious Willow to see, hear, smell and feel the life here. The last was most important and as they stopped, he spoke to her about it. "By now, you feel the Force here because it's very strong. That's just the surface and there is so much more. Close your eyes, Willow, and do not hear the wind or smell the earth. Instead, reach...deeper. Feel the birds instead of simply seeing and hearing them. Feel the squirrels as they scurry about."

His voice had taken on a quiet and soothing quality to better aid her in her focus. Dune knew it would be a challenge for her because going beyond the superficial was hard. But he didn't expect her to become adept in an hour or a day. Instead, his purpose was to show her how to expand her awareness. One day soon enough, she'd be able to do it much more easily.

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

As they walked Willow closed her eye's and reached out with her emotions trying to feel around her but she has no luck but continues to listen to Dunes voice and concentrate

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Willow Ike"]

Dune could hardly be upset at Willow because he'd taken a long time to acquire the deeper senses too. "Ah, no matter," he said "I encourage you to keep practising. It will be difficult but anything worth doing is seldom easy." As they kept walking, he spoke more. "The Old Paths, as these are called, were old even during the era of the Old Republic. Pilgrims came to walk the paths to the Shrine of Healing where the Voss Mystics would heal their afflictions."

"The Mystics were a group of seers and healers who once ruled Voss. They still exist though greatly reduced in number. The pilgrims who sought their gifts in the Force were often very desperate. These trails were treacherous because of dangerous creatures and the Gormak, native beings hostile to outsiders."

"We will come to the Shrine today, but it will be a few hours. That's why we started so early today."

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

"Ok." She says as she finally sinces her surroundings

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Willow Ike"]

It was a little while later when they encountered a small problem. Dune had sensed the stealthy creature shadowing them for some time. He hadn't said anything in order to not frighten Willow. Though an intelligent Youngling, a forest predator was something frightening for one unprepared.

It was at the last second when the Bith threw up a protective shield around them. From the trees leapt a brown-furred nexu, attempting to ambush them. It let out a surprised cry when it struck the invisible barrier and bounced off, still managing to land on it's paws. "Stay behind me," the Jedi said as he stepped in front of the girl protectively....

 

[Eli-Mae Forrest]

Willow began to freak out as the thing jumped out of the woods at them

[member="Dune Rhur"]

 

[Dune Rhur]

[member="Willow Ike"]

"Calm yourself, Willow. Remember your training."

His voice was soothing though his eyes were on the predator crouched low. The Bith hadn't drawn his weapon because it truly was not needed even now. His stance was relaxed and upright in contrast to the growling nexu. Reaching out, he touched the mind of the four eyed creature and sent him waves of calm.

His Master had taught him the beast trick what seemed like a lifetime ago now. Unlike a Sith, he didn't seek to dominate the feline mind of the nexu. Instead, he told it that they were friends and not food. Slowly but surely, it straightened from the crouching position. With a last glance, it disappeared back among the trees with a great leap.

"There," he said with an easy tone "You see? If we stay calm, we can fix anything. We don't have to hurt other creatures either to solve our problems." He regarded the young girl with a reassuring smile. "Are you ready to go on?".