The Blind Padawan

[Killian Hunt]

It was early morning in the Northern Hemisphere of Sullust when his father got him out of bed. He was told yesterday that a man from the New Jedi Order was picking him up in his ship to take him to the Jedi Temple to introduce him to the masters. He would possibly get to start training. As he sat up in bed, he heard his father fumbling in his things. He was probably pick out something to wear for him. His suspicion was confirmed when he heard his father walk over and place something on his bed beside him. When his father left the room, he got up and felt on the bed where the item was placed. It was clothes, and his father made sure to lay it on the right side so that he could put them on right. After he got dressed, he felt his way downstairs and got something to eat. Just as he was finished eating, he heard a ship landing in their yard. That must be the one to take him away. His father took Killian's hand and put it on his shoulder and walked him outside. He heard someone walk over, so he said, "Hello. I am Killian Hunt. Who might you be?"


[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Killian Hunt"]

Jacen was adorned in the traditional brown robes of the Order. These days his armour seemed to fit better than the rough, heavy fabric of his robes. Even when helping the citizens of the Alliance, it seemed he was required in his armour more often than not.

"Hello Killian, I've been looking forward to meeting you. I've heard a good deal from your father. I'm Master Voidstalker from the Temple."

Damn, but the lad couldn't have been much older than his own son must be now. Jacen forcibly prevented his mind from going there. He'd allowed it to go to dark places all too often recently. The rock he'd been leaning on for support had turned out to be something of an illusion.

"You about packed up and ready to go?" he asked.

 

[Killian Hunt]

"Yes sir, I am," he said holding out the strap of the backpack he was carrying. "We can get going now." By the sound of the man's voice, he tell a lot about him. He could hear the hint of age in his voice, so he new that he was probably on up in years. He also heard a sort of gruffness that told him that he had been through a lot of hard times. He could hear that he seemed troubled. It was very slight, but he could sense it nonetheless. He put those thoughts aside so that he could focus on the situation. He was kind of nervous about going away, and meeting strangers, especially since he wouldn't be able to see them. Killian said good-bye to his father, and had him lead him to stand next to Master Voidstalker. He then felt for Master Voidstalker's shoulder and gripped it so he could be led where he need to go.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Killian Hunt"]

The surface of Sullust was remarkably plain. Long obsidian flats with the odd mountainous region. Volcanic activity was high, which was why nearly all the abodes were in tunnel systems carved out millennia ago by the sullustans. Jacen meandered towards their shuttle slowly, trying to think how best to approach the lad's initial training.

"Might I ask, what training have you had so far? Has your father explained much of the Force?"

 

[Killian Hunt]

He thought long and hard before he answered. Then he replied, "He told me that the Force is all through the universe, and it is an energy that resides in all living things. He said that the Force is life, and that it gives strength to those that are sensitive to it. As for training, my father taught me how to focus my mind so I can use my other senses to observe my surroundings. This is how I am able to tell things about my environment without seeing it, especially voices. You can tell a lot from peoples voices. In fact, I can tell things best from sound. Anyway, his training didn't go further than that because he felt that he wasn't qualified to give me full Jedi training since he is not a master. He thought a real master should train me, hence my current situation."

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Killian Hunt"]

Jacen nodded slowly to himself. "A wise man. Often a little knowledge is far more dangerous than none at all. Your training will be very similar to all the other Initiates we're bringing in. The first thing we need to do is teach you to find and control that connection between you and the Force."

Settling down into the shuttle, Jacen slapped the wall to let the droid pilot know to take off. They very smoothly lifted off and maneuvered through one of the great underground tunnels.

"Have you ever been to the Sullust Temple?" he asked.

 

[Killian Hunt]

"My father said that he took me there as a small one, but I do not remember," Killian replied. Thinking about it made him sad. "If only I could see, then I could remember." He sat quietly for awhile thinking, then he asked, "What will my training be? Will I need some special kind of training? Is it even possible for a blind man to be a Jedi? What if they don't accept me?" He felt embarrassed that he asked all those questions. I hope he doesn't thing badly of me, he thought.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Killian Hunt"]

Sunlight seemed harsh as they left the underground tunnel system to launch into the air. Jacen caught the light gleaming off the temple on the horizon.

"Everything here tends to be underground. But not the Temple. A shining orb suspended in the air, a beacon. When everyone else lives in the dark we raise ourselves up to the light," Jacen spoke softly, as if to no one in particular.

"Killian, when I bring the novices in the first thing I do is make them close their eyes and focus on the world around them. The second thing I do is hit them with a stick whilst they have a blindfold on. They can move on to the next phase when I can't hit them with a stick. I guess you could say you probably have the edge on day one."

Jacen chuckled as they descended towards the dome.

 

[Killian Hunt]

"That doesn't sound so hard," he replied. He sat there for in silence for awhile, then he said, "Are we almost there? The suspense is killing me!"

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Killian Hunt"]

"Yes, we're dropping in towards them now. When we land I'm going to hand you over to one of our protocol droids who can show you your quarters and help get you settled in. I'm afraid I've got to take a class with some younglings. However, if I come past perhaps mid afternoon I can start to take you though some basic lessons?"

 

[Killian Hunt]

"Thank you, Master Voidstalker," Killian replied. "I can't wait to train with you." After this he sat in silence for the rest of the flight.

@Jacen Voistalker