"Only The Penitent Man Will Pass" [Iella E'ron]

[Connor Harrison]

Connor Harrison, Knight of the Silver Jedi Order, stood before the door to the chambers of Grandmaster Iella E’ron.

He had only received two words on requesting an audience with her – another one – and that was only:

”At once.”

In recent months, Connor had not been himself, but only part of that could be blamed on the Taung spirit that had possessed him from the moon of Shri-tal. Since an apparent exorcism of the spirt into Master Sinopi, now recovered and gaining her footing again after the ordeal, Connor had been dangerous, irrational, violent and cruel.

In the recent weeks he had physically and mentally abused Padawan Nima Tann in a way he couldn’t defend. What was the excuse for hitting out at another of the Order and also dealing with confusing secrets and lies about betrayal, deception and anger. It was these, stemming from the possession and what he had done, that was fuel to the fire for pushing Nima on a dark path forward; obsessed with Connor and his vision that he himself was struggling to decipher from reality.

It made him physically sick, but he was thankful he hadn’t progressed further in the chambers before their first meeting with Master E’ron – that was unforgivable.

The culmination of events since his isolation, his rendezvous with Nima, the audience with Iella, the assault on the Padawan and his opening up to Coci had brought him here, alone, to the luxurious chamber of the Grandmaster to face his future and answer for the sins he had committed.

He was willing and ready to take whatever punishment or demands the Grandmaster asked of him, because right now he wasn’t fit to even call himself a Knight. Connor had hurt those close to him, spread confusion amongst others and generally been the root of many issues amongst some Masters. It was time to face the consequences.

Connor exhaled, and without caring who saw him, pushed open the door gently enough to slip through, before closing it behind him.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

Since the finding of the Hammers and the subsequent discovery of the Taung within them, things for the Silver Order had become difficult. At least for two members of the Order. Master Sinopi had recovered well, but still needed close attention, but Master [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] would see to that and make sure Coci would be fine.

The events surrounding Connor and Nima where far more wide reaching and it would take a lot of time to pull them both threw the mire. Nima had come to her first in a distressed state, after been attacked by Knight Harrison. From what was told her he would have to face retribution for his actions and they would be sever. Iella can not tolerate the abuse of another member or the Order let along a Padawan.

She had spent the last few hours in meditation over this and after their meeting she would determine the course of action.

Iella sensed Connor's arrive and as he entered she stood up to meet him. "Connor, it has come to my attention that you have physically attacked a member of the Silver Jedi, Padawan Nima Tann. Is this correct?". She would allow him to speak for himself on this matter before going further.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Upon entering, it was as if everything else around him fell away. It was just Grandmaster E’ron and Connor in the chamber – no Temple, no other Jedi – just them. The fate of Connor’s path forward would be decided here, and it was time to pass through the gates and allow Iella to be judge, jury and executioner on the matter.

Swallowing slightly as he stepped forward, black greatcoat and charcoal grey combat suit emphasising a cruel twist of fate to his already conflicting darkness, Connor stood a few feet away from Iella as she rose to meet him. His lightsaber hung on his left hip and his hands were clasped behind his back. She spoke with precision – to the point, clear as glass and just as sharp.

”Grandmaster, thank you for seeing me.”

Connor nodded to her; it was the least he could do. He met her gaze to continue, confidence in his voice, not shirking away from trying to cover up his actions and being totally open.

”This is correct, Grandmaster. Padawan Nima Tann bears no guilt in this incident, no matter what she says. I turned on her, I – I hit her, twice and left her in the gardens. I only know why I may have done what I did, but this is not a worthy explanation. Not now.”

He could only imagine that a solider would stand so erect and focused when facing court-marshal for a crime committed before a jury, and Connor held himself just that way before her.


[member="Iella E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

She had not moved from her spot. Her eyes had not moved from his face and she could sense he was telling the truth. Finally, she let out a long and frustrated sigh. She had meditated on the course of action to be taken and asked the advice of the members of the council, all of which mostly agreed on the out come, but in the end it came down the Iella, in this case. Now was not the time to be seeking more understanding of the possession of the Taung, that would come later and with time. The focus complete on the assault.

"I know you are aware, that I will not tolerate any attack on another fellow member of the Silver Jedi Order nor will the council. I understand that recent events have played a part in this, and that this behaviour from you, is out of character. But regardless of this I must address this". She moved closer to him now and stood directly in front of him.

"I needed to seek council on this and the view of what it do be done did not vary significantly. But I want to ask you now, if in my position what would you have me do", she asked as was her way, even though her mind had come to a conclusion and would pass that down.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor looked at Iella, not faltering from her gaze no matter how much he may have wanted. Both of similar age, race and values, but so different in their stance within the Order. With her words, his stomach lurched and he went cold, as a naughty student would do before a Master upon learning parents would be informed of his naughty actions in class.

But this was far more serious, and far more real than any reprimand Connor had, and the fact the Council were now aware only opened up the void inside his thumping heart.

With a subtle, slow nod following her words, Connor had the answer before she had even finished asking the question.

”If I were you? I don’t know. But if I were me looking down on myself with the shame I have brought on my name and those I called friends – “ his eyes flicked upwards for split second, ” – then I would strip myself of being a Knight. A Knight is someone below a Master and above a Padawan, and I have acted lower than even a Padawan could. As for the Council, there is no place for one as conflicted and volatile on the Council of the Silver Jedi.”

Connnor looked down to his lightsaber, lifting it from the fastening on his black belt and handing it outwards to the Grandmaster.

”Exile from the Order would only be fair. I am ready. I would not blame you, or anyone for that choice. If not that, then seclusion away from these grounds and those I present a danger to. Only then, can there possibly be salvation for me to return to your command in the future, Master E’ron.”

He didn’t falter, and didn’t crack. His saber hilt was extended out to her, a calm grip holding the weapon without hesitation. This was beyond learning new skills and techniques – this was beyond anything he could comprehend he would ever have become.


[member="Iella E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

She pushed her shoulders back and looked him in the eye, she did not look down at the extended saber. "You have read the minds of the council.. in part. And you have shown me that in a position that requires leadership and strength that you would be able to have the strength to pass such judgement". Oh she hated the word judgement, it fell off her tongue heavy.

"Connor Harrison you are hear by stripped of the rank of Knight and will return to rank of Padawan for a set period of time. This time will be determined by yourself, and by this with the result of progress of appointed study and meditation. You are also removed from the Silver Jedi Council, again for the same set time frame". She let that sink in for the moment, as it allowed her to gather herself. This was the hard part of her duty and one only those strong enough can do.

"However, you are not exiled from the Order. That would counter productive to you and us, you are still very much our family and in so we only want you to succeed in this. But I am sure you can appreciate I have to do this, as much as it pains me. Keep your saber Connor you will need it for training. In this probationary period you are to go each morning the gardens and self train in deep meditation, I want you to look introspectively and find the answers you seek. To find the inner core of your being and come to terms with it, for good or ill. The afternoons you will spend in intense force skill training. Go to those that have the abilities and learn from them. We have extraordinary people in our Order and all with varying skills. They will help you as will I. You are not to have contact with Padawan Tann until such time as this is completed and she is willing".

She placed her hand on his shoulder and look with softness within his eyes. "This judgement is passed down to help you and is not as a result of the possession but completely as a result of the physical assault. Please remember this".


((OOC: You do not have to go and request the rank of Padawan on the boards, unless you wish too. As this is a probation))

 

[Connor Harrison]

Meeting the Grandmaster’s square jawed, iron rigid stance, Connor listened to each word spoken, each command issued. Iella’s forming of certain words hit the Knight – nay, Padawan – hard, especially losing his rank he honoured. But what did he expect; a slap on the wrist and a promise never to do it again?

No. This was fair, and he was thankful to at least have an Order to call his home. Now it would be up to Connor to prove he was something different; someone better.

Letting the words sink in, Connor lowered his head to acknowledge her, but his head hung down longer than he wanted. Deflated, exhausted and upset.

Keep it together!

”I understand. Thank you, Grandmaster.”

Looking down, he twirled his hilt in his hand with stylish, but unintentional, flare and fixed it back to his side and exhaled softly, coming back to meet her.

”I will hopefully be worthy to stand by your side once more. Please thank the Council for me, and…apologise to Padawan Tann on my behalf. But excuse me if it proves…difficult, at first…to face others. I will action your commands at once and will await any further instruction. I will not you down.”

Connor stepped back, gave a strong smile to indicate a small glimmer of hope, inclining his head and turning to leave.

”I will not let myself down.”

He didn’t want to rush out, but if needed to release the culmination of a traumatic, dissapointing and confusing few days out of sight.


[member="Iella E'ron"]