What goes around

[Sorel Crieff]

Time passed as it inevitably did. And Jedi came and went. Younglings progressed through to Padawans and Padawans to Knights. It was the way of the Order. It had been the way for millennia. Yet every generation of Younglings believed they were the first – that they were the beginning of the cycle and issues and challenges they faced were unique to them. It was natural and inevitable.

Many years ago, Sorel had stood in a Temple not unlike this one. For her it was on Coruscant, before the One Sith had taken the planet. She was wondering if she’d ever be taken as a Padawan or be cast aside into a life in the AgriCorps. At the time she was stubborn.

On reflection that was still a trait but nowadays it was tempered. There was an arrogance that allied with that aspect of her personality back then. Today it was coupled with wisdom. Not great wisdom. Not Yoda-esque wisdom – but a blend of knowledge and experience that informed her decisions – and allowed her to understand when she did not know all of the answers or would be better placed deferring to another.

The blade of a lightsaber hissed through the air. The air smelled like lightning.

One of the Temple’s trainers called out encouragement from the side-lines of the room.

In front of Sorel were a number of Younglings. They were paired up and undertaking advanced training in sparring. Size and strength were an asset, but not as great as agility or speed. And even these were second to a mastery of the Force.

For all of the Jedi in front of her were blindfolded. A random jumble of blocks on the floor added another element to their exercise. As well as sensing an opponent, they had to use the Force the sense those, too. With such uneven ground, it was easy to lose one’s footing.

“Keep your guard up,” Sorel advised a young Rodian – her voice low but authoritative. She’d learned the first six Forms before she’d been taken as a Padawan and had practised every day since.

Every student at the Temple has his or her weaknesses. Sorel knew hers now. Back then she was blinded to them – which was why, she suspected, she was late to be chosen. And on occasion she would reflect on that. The Master that chose her was exceptional, yet he had a secret that he took to his grave. One that Sorel found out about only on his dying day. He used the dark-side. Not exclusively of course, but in combat – away from the gaze of other Jedi, she suspected he was a regular practitioner. Was that why he chose her? Did he suspect she would make a most suitable apprentice to a rogue Jedi?

She shivered involuntarily and brought her mind back to the here and now. To the Younglings that no doubt sensed her presence and – as she did all those years ago – looked to impress her, to demonstrate they deserved to be her next Padawan. If she had time she would have taken them all. But that was a resource that was finite and she had only room for one. And she had committed to choose them from this room.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

It is funny, you know? Where the Force takes you when you let it. Today, Lynn found herself in quite a fun place, the Academy of the Silver Jedi. She was invited by the Master to attend a series of trainings. She had been there a few weeks now, learning and sparring with other younglings. She found joy in that she was not the ont the only person in her 20s there. She had even met a friend, Jane. Jane was a match for Lynn as she could keep up with Lynn as Lynn was quite a prodigy with her blade.

She had potential in the Force, but she had trouble with using it. She did not like that she lacked in using the Force, but hoped a Master would help her fix that. For now, she enjoyed the opportunity to train among some of the future guardians of the Galaxy and under the teachings of some of the greatest minds in the Galaxy.

As she walked the halls with Jane, laughing and just enjoying life, she was greeted by her teacher, "Miss. Corerunner and Miss. Withess, should you now be studying for your exam tomorrow?" Lynn bowed politely, "Yes Master, we were just taking a break to stretch our legs." The teacher smiled and placed a hand on Lynn's shoulder, "We are glad you came to train with us, but do well to study. There are rumors some potential Masters will be here tomorrow. You have a lot of potential, but don't lose sight of why we do it. We are keepers of the peace, not warriors of violence." Again, Lynn bowed and smiled, "Yes Master, I will keep mind of this."

Jane and Lynn made their way back to their quarters and spent the rest of the night studying.

The next day they were first presented with a written exam over the history and methods of the Jedi. Lynn passed this part with flying colors. When it came to the Force, however, she barely passed, but did pass. Lastly came the duel, She only had two lightsabers for this, but had prepared greatly for this part. She was paired with Jane which was to be expected, but when they were given blindfolds she did not expect this. Following orders, she wrapped the blindfold around her eyes and was plunged into darkness. She took the time to focus herself and ready herself. While she did not expect the blindfold or have much of a mastery in the Force, she was called the adopted Echani. She was no Echani as her hair clearly stated, she had instincts that mirrored the Echani ability to predict moves. She felt confident in her ability to fight here. Her senses perked as she sensed, but did not see, a strong presence. She wondered if a Master really was presence. She had to focus and calm her mind if she was going to pass this final exam.


[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel continued to circle the group, offering advice here and there. Raising an elbow a couple of centimetres or cautioning when she felt emotions running high. She was an accomplished saber trainer and the Master in charge of the lesson gave her free reign to interact with the students.

She wondered how many sensed her presence. Yes, they would be aware of an unfamiliar voice, but how many would be able to sense her aura – especially as they were supposed to be focused on the task in hand. But then, she would counter, she was part of the environment and so they should be aware of her. But how many potential Padawans would be skilled enough to both navigate the uneven floor, as well as fight blindfolded with a saber and in addition take account of bystanders?

And as she circled, she instinctively discounted some of the Padawans. They would all find a master if they were worthy enough. If not, they would find useful work in one of the support services – such as the AgriCorps. But one would be leaving the session with a new master – as long as they were accepting of the arrangement. Sometimes Padawans rejected the master that made the offer. It was not common, but it happened. And Sorel hoped she would not be added to the list that had been declined.

After a few minutes, her wanderings ceased. One pairing were her sole focus now. Both were accomplished with a saber – that much was clear. But one had the edge. Sorel recognised it. She’d undertaken Echani martial arts training and they had an ability to almost predict their opponent’s moves. But that was an advanced sense of body language. Here, blindfolded, something else was at play – and it was something Sorel was familiar with. It was essentially Farseeing, the ability to predict the future, or at least a possible future. But in combat it manifested itself as an uncanny ability to predict the opponent’s next move. And Sorel was sure it was in play here.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

To describe what Lynn saw was complete darkness. She could see nothing else, but for some reason she reacted correctly. Jane and Lynn were set in an area that was more advanced in how uneven it was with even some raised ground that mimicked rocks. Both ladies ignited their lightsabers. Jane's was a emerald green and Lynn's was a blue so bright it almost seemed white. They set their lightsabers to the lowest settings before saluting each other and beginning. Lynn listened, using her hearing to find Jane's location. She would block the first attack then the next. She found herself on the defense, but only on the defense. While she could anticipate the attacks right before it happened, but she could not predict far enough ahead to reach into offence.

They continued this battle with Lynn on the defence, but Jane on the offence. Jane's attacks were relenting pushing Lynn back further and further until her feet found a cliff. Fear crept into Lynn's heart as it was at this moment she became very aware a Master was looking right at her. The combination of fear from multiple angles made Lynn trip and go to the ground hitting her head hard and for a moment everything became white then black once again. Her voice filled the air as she screamed for a moment in pain causing the class to stop. Jane helped her up asking if she was ok. "Y-yes, I just...." It was then she noticed it, her words, Jane's words, the people looking at her, the Master, she saw it all. It was still black, but she saw blue outlines of everything, "I can see!" Jane replied in confusion as Lynn's eyes were still covered. She stood and felt the back of her head feeling a little blood, but the Force had already began healing the young girl to prevent a concussion.

Lynn insisted they start again, but this time she took the duelist stance, ready this time and confident. Jane smiled as her friend lacked fear now and also took the Soresu stance. They came together and the fight was no longer one sided, but an even match. Lynn saw it all, she felt it, smelled it, could taste it even. Her whole body was filled with a sense overload she had never felt before and she enjoyed it. They both moved gracefully across the uneven ground. At one point Lynn found her on top of the bolder like ground and flipping over Jane laning behind her and sending a quick strike for the back. While the lightsabers were on their lowest setting, both Lynn and Jane did not want to hurt each other so they would stop before connection. After 20 minutes of fighting, Lynn had 13 points with Jane having 10. It was here Lynn took and incoming falling leaf attack and caught it with her lightsaber then adding an echani swing kick to knock Jane off balance where Lynn would follow with a quick jab resting her blade right before it would penetrate Jane's heart, a killing blow. Both girl's had smiles on their faces as they removed their blindfold and began laughing only to realize the whole class had still been watching and began respectfully clapping. Lynn blushed and merely thanked them.


[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

The Padawan with the blue-white saber was clearly at a disadvantage. It was hard to spot at first. Initially she seemed to be on the defensive – which was actually a standard Jedi approach. To allow your opponent to wear themselves down before taking the upper hand. To press was to take an undue risk. And both appeared to be dealing with the uneven ground perfectly well. If Sorel could have offered advice, it would be to give themselves into the Force more. To trust in it absolutely. Many Padawans looked to boost their natural senses with the Force. This worked up to a point. But long-term success came from almost releasing conscious control of your actions and to allow the Force to guide you.

But Sorel’s senses told her this young woman was on the defensive because she could not connect with the Force adequately enough to take the advantage to her opponent. And so it proved as the girl continued to be pressed backwards until she fell.

Sorel was about to step forwards and declare the name of the Padawan she would take when the girl who she presumed was defeated, insisted on continuing. Given determination was something Sorel prized in a Padawan, she remained impassive and allowed the spar to develop once more.

Whatever had happened, it changed the duel completely. Sorel wondered if it were a ruse, or perhaps the prospect of losing had changed the young girl’s outlook, but it was as if she was looking at an entirely different duel.

Now the one she’d come to understand was Lynn was holding her own. And Sorel sensed she was connected to the Force in a way she hadn’t been before. And although the contest was more even, the balance had definitely shifted to be now in Lynn’s favour.

And Sorel suspected the Master that was holding the lesson was aware of Sorel’s interest, for suddenly she noticed that all of the other spars had ceased and the entire class was watching this one bout. And then Lynn performed a move that would have definitely been a killing blow and – as were the rules – she was automatically the winner.

The class clapped their appreciation and Sorel bowed politely to both combatants as they realised they were the centre of attention.

“I am Sorel,” she said by way of introduction, her dark brown robes neatly pressed with two sabers hanging from her belt, partially obscured by her cloak. “A proverbial spar of two halves. Tell me, either of you, what happened at that mid-point?” Her voice was light and non-judgemental.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn's attention was quickly taken as she was addressed by the presence she had sensed and was surprised to see someone her age, but had a great presence. She bowed back in respect and as she did it could be seen where she hit her head was bleeding even more.

Jane was the first to answer with in the first part she had the edge since she was better with the Force than Lynn, but after Lynn's fall she gained the advantage since it was Lynn's speciality which caused Lynn to blush more in embarrassment.

Lynn began to speak, but her words began to slur the more she spoke. "At furst I could not see any tang cept arkness. I hen ell and my head and then all I saw was blue utlines. If felt so..." Lynn could feel her head becoming light. Her use of the FORCE was weak and her I jury was taking ahold. "Medic." Was all she said before she began to fall to the ground where Jane caught her. Her mind was leaving her as she was passing out, but she never lost that smile. This spat was proof she could be the Jedi she wanted to be and become a guardian of peace.
[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel noted that the successful combatant was bleeding, but given she would live, first aid was not a pressing issue.

And then she listened intently as the two young women explained what had happened. What they relayed was what Sorel witnessed but the fact that Lynn used what amounted to as Force Sight to fight – despite appearing not to be trained – and only using it half way through? Well that was intriguing.

And then Sorel noted her initial prognosis was a little wide of the mark as Lynn crumpled to the floor, her speech having already begun to slur. Sorel immediately stepped forward and put her hand on the back of Lynn’s head. Channelling the Force, she set about stopping the flow of blood, which was the easy part.

Sorel glanced to the class instructor. “I’d call a Healer. There’s no telling with head injuries and my field medicine skills don’t and shouldn’t cover anything that delicate.”

The Master immediately asked one of the Younglings to fetch a healer and he dismissed the class. Sorel noted that the young woman’s sparring partner was reticent to leave and Sorel didn’t press the point. Instead she cradled Lynn’s head on her lap and awaited the Healer.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

The student that was sent for the Healer was pleasantly surprised that a Healer was already near by. The Force was funny in that way. The healer entered the room and without needing to ask who needed help, he approached the Master with the young Padawan. "What happened here?" He inquired, but still got busy to work. He saw that the bleeding had stopped and the basics and less complex methods had been masterfully executed, which meant she was stable and moveable, "We will take her to the west wing where I will reverse the concussion and she can rest."

As they proceeded in the conscious realm, something was happening below the surface in Lynn's mind. She was completely unaware of her being out, she felt she was somewhere else. She in fact was in a whole nother time. She was in the desert, the wind was blowing and she had to squint as she could feel the sand getting into her eyes. Before she could wonder where she was, she heard the sounds of metal on metal times a hundred. She turned to see an army of....droids? Where was she indeed? She searched her mind, but she could not think of anyone having a droid army let alone such an old model. These droids dated back to the....Clone Wars. She seemed hesitant, she was dreaming, she knew it, this was just a very real dream. The droids opened fire and she reached for her lightsaber to find nothing there. She had no weapon and she could feel the heat of the rounds wizing past her.

She then heard it, the familiar sound of a lightsaber. She turned, but did not expect what she saw. Coming at her was a Jedi with a purple lightsaber. His head was clean shaven like a monk and his skin was dark, much darker than hers. He lept over Lynn which caused her to turn and watch as he lept into the army. His movements were blinding. Before she could realize one droid was down, he was on to another. He was moving through the army quicker than any Jedi she had ever seen. The sky began to darken as Lynn's eyes were casted upwards and she saw a large ship of some sort casting the shadow. The Jedi saw it as well and lept into the air and coming down and with one powerful slam, he destroyed 50 droids at once. She watched in amazement as the action happened around her. She felt as if she was really there, but no one saw her. She was not sure what was happening until her body began to become translucent as she faded back to the present.

Her eyes slowly opened and everything looks so bright and blurry. She could see people around her, but could not yet make them out. The first face she did make out as her sight came to was that of [member="Sorel Crieff"]. She then saw a man standing over her and Jane next to Sorel. The man was clearly using the Force to check that she would be ok. Lynn looked around, "W-what happened?" She looked down and saw herself in a gown and on a bed under covers. It all slowly came back to her as she remembered the spar and then passing out. While she had just been flow walking for only a few moments, her mind had already forgotten it. It would not be the last time she went to that time, but it would take years before she could control it. She did have one thing left, Mace Windu. She would remember him and research him.

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF3ocZu4cZo

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel allowed the Healer to take control of the situation. Aware the room was now empty, save for the Healer, herself and the two young women, Sorel answered her fellow Jedi.

“She fell and banged her head. She continued to spar but once it concluded she passed out. I also suspect that following the initial blow, her connection to the Force deepened.” Sorel had no explanation of why – not that the Healer needed to know – and so she did not consider the matter further. “I merely stemmed the flow of blood.”

Sorel listened to the Healer’s advice and nodded her approval. As was common in these situations, a Healer took control in matters of casualties or any ilk, and as much as Sorel wanted to ask the young woman to be her Padawan, her health came first.

“I shall accompany you and remain until she is rested and conscious.” Sorel’s voice was calm and authoritative, clearly she was not asking permission but her request was not likely to overstep any boundaries. Her amber eyes spoke of compassion but also of commitment – she was not going to take no for an answer.

After some time, Sorel was aware that Lynn was gaining consciousness and finally the Padawan spoke. Sorel stood from the chair she’d been occupying and walked over to the bed. “What happened? You did very well, that’s what happened. And you received an offer from a Master to be their Padawan. Or rather you’re being asked now.”

“If you need time to consider,” Sorel added, her voice low and calm, “That’s fine. I am due to leave on a mission in three days. As long as I know before I leave, that is soon enough. Oh, and I’m Sorel by the way…Sorel Crieff. We never got around to being properly introduced.”

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

She swayed her head a bit to get the blood flowing up top. She felt fine now after the work of the healer. She was approached by the woman she had sensed then spoke with and listened to her. She tried to remain calm, but her expression was that of overload and joy. A smile from ear to ear was placed on her face, "Yes! I mean.... yes, I would love to be your Padawan." Finally, she would begin the journey to fulfilling her mother's dream.

She sat up and turned to Jane who was just excited as her. Jane had also been picked by a Master and soon they would part and live their lives. Lynn jumped up and hugged her friend, "May the Force be with you." She smiled as they said their goodbyes and left with only Sorely and Lynn, "OH, I am Lynn Corerunner, pleas Ed to meet you. Do you mind if I get out of this gown before we go?" She was kind of inviting herself on the mission, but she was too excited to realize it or know what to do. All she could think was about becoming a real Jedi.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel smiled as Lynn did not take long to make a decision – in fact it was instant. “I appreciate your eagerness, but if you change your mind after further rest, I’ll understand.”

“But for now we’ll chat and then I’ll allow you that promised rest Lynn. Then you can rid yourself of that gown and we can progress. I’d like to know a little more about you. Where you’re from, what you’d like to learn, where you see your strengths lying. That sort of thing. Then you can ask me a question and we keep going until we’ve exhausted questions. Is that OK?”

Sorel pulled up a chair and asked one of the Padawans for some refreshments and then settled down to listen.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn sat back on the bed, a bit of her excitement was gone as they weren't leaving yet, but she was still clearly happy. "That is ok, Master." She settled into the bed, crossing her legs and bringing a pillow to her chest before she begun.

"Well, I come from Naboo where both my parents were formally Jedi Masters, but had retired. They did not believe marrage was wrong, but they were traditionalists. They raised me and taught me personally so I know a lot about the way of the Jedi and am more classically trained in wisdom and combat, but they saved me learning the Force when I found a master."

She sighed and took a breath before continuing, "I have these dreams. I know they feel very real and something important, but when I wake up I never remember them, only bits and pieces. I just had one and all I remember is a Jedi of darker skin and no hair with a.... purple lightsaber? I would like to learn to remember them if they are more than dreams. Aside from that, I will learn anything and would like to master all the lightsaber forms one day. My strengths are in combat and using the lightsaber." She took another breath, "What about you, what do you excel at?"

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Too often the pleasantries of getting to know someone were overlooked or worse still, overridden as a mission meant action was called for and Master and Padawan were thrust into activity as relative strangers. This was a bad place to be in Sorel’s opinion. There had to be a bond between the two and familiarity was the bedrock.

So she listened and learned as much as she could about Lynn the person – which was equally important to Sorel as anything she would learn about Lynn the Jedi.

Sorel was unsure she’d met anyone from Naboo. Or rather that she knew came from there. The odds were favourable she knew someone – she just didn’t know that was their place of birth. And the information about tradition struck a chord with Sorel. She too was considered a Jedi that respected the past and traditions – even in as much as she bowed upon meeting people. But like many, she had dropped using any formal titles – except for her own Master.

And the mention of dreams was an interesting one. Sorel did not find it puzzling as she was a Jedi that regularly had prophetic dreams or visions, so had long since given up being mystified by them. “These dreams. They could be something or they could be nothing. I also have dreams. Sometimes they turn out to be a vision of the future and other times not. It is difficult to see if they are a portent that you are gifted with Farseeing. Time will tell – it invariably does.”

“And as for my strengths? I try not to spread my learning too wide. Most of my abilities are related to combat – my role is primarily as a Guardian. And I am fortunate enough to be the custodian of a couple of Holocrons that have helped me greatly in this endeavour. I am familiar enough with the first six Forms to teach them, although I focus on the fourth and fifth. And I can use a single saber, twin sabers and a saber staff. So a competent duelling teacher and a good person to practise with – given I can show you so many variations that you might encounter. Unfamiliarity is often the decider of a duel. A new Form or a different type of saber. It sows doubt and that is often enough to make the difference.”

“So tell me, what Form would you like to learn first – or do you seek to learn an Ability?”

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn sat patiently as she listened to her Master's wisdom. She committed to memory Farseeing and to look into it and see if that was what her dreams were. In reality, her dreams were flow walking, but farsight was apart of it so it would all lead to the same area. In time, she said, time was something you needed to always be patient when waiting for. Impatience was the path to the dark side.

As her Master continued, Lynn noticed how perfect this match was. Lynn of course wanted to learn more than just the lightsaber, using a guy was rare among the Jedi, but in combat one must be versatile. She nodded once the question was presented, " I want to learn ether form four or five first. As for the Force I will start anywhere. I am an unwritten book and eventually I will learn all I want to learn, but since we are just beginning I will start anywhere you see fitting."

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened and was glad that Lynn appeared to be listening. Too often Padawans were so headstrong they couldn’t be taught anything – however talented they were. Others were so timid, they could learn but would never be able to apply that education as a Jedi should.

“The fourth and fifth Forms are the two I use most often, so that’s a great coincidence. And as for using the Force more widely, I tend to focus on abilities that lend themselves to duelling or that will enable missions to be successful. A few techniques well hones will outweigh many at a rudimentary level. It is better to adapt what you have to the circumstances than to have a wide number to choose from but each is a challenge to utilise.”

“For example.” Sorel looked around the room and her eyes alighted on the fruit bowl the Padawan had brought. Focusing on a purple circular fruit, Sorel used the Force to levitate it across to Lynn and then drop it gently in her lap. “A rudimentary application of Telekinesis requires hand movements. This will obviously telegraph your intention to any would be adversary. By practicing for hours and hours you will be able to perform techniques by the power of your mind alone.”

“Which sounds like the beginning of a lesson. Have you learned Telekinesis. If yes, here is your chance to share your knowledge. If not, I can help.”

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn nodded as her Master spoke. She took in her advice before speaking, "A jack of all trades is a master of none, though to know a lot of different aspects of one field tends to make you unstoppable and thus you can fight on the many fields of battle." She took a deep breath as the fruit came to her and she gently took it and thanked her Master before continuing. "While I know it is not appropriate for a Jedi to seek fighting, we are at war that seems never ending and if we can end it I will seek out that end." She took a bite of the sweet, fresh fruit as her Master continued on about the Force. While Lynn was not very talented with the Force, telekinesis was one of the first ones that Lynn had developed.

She pulled out her lightsaber, the first one her mother gave her. The one she knew inside and out. She placed it on her lap and then used both hands to put at both ends of the lightsaber, but a foot away on each side. Utilizing the Force she began to lift the lightsaber. It rose to hover in front of her. She closed her eyes and began to focus on the Lightsaber and every piece, every joint, every screw until the screws that held it together began to come apart and with a pop the lightsaber began to come undone piece after piece until was floating between her hands was every individual piece with the crystal floating in the middle acting as the core. She opened her eyes and smiled, "I may not know much, but what little I do know are the basics and practice them daily to perfect them." She smiled as she began using the Force to put the lightsaber back together slowly. Once finished, she would grasp it in her hand and ignite it to test it was put back together properly.. She deactivated it and returned it to the bedside table with her other belongings.


[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel listened. She was a great believer that you only learned when you weren’t speaking. And she invariably avoided banking questions in her head when others spoke – in case she spent her attention on her own thoughts and not their words.

And Lynn spoke much wisdom as well as hinting at debates that had been raging for millennia. “There is always a balance when it comes to learning. We have been Jedi for thousands of years and have achieved many great things – but making the day longer is not one of them. We only have so many hours to study and practise. And the more we learn, the less time we have to study. It’s a simple piece of arithmetic. So you’re right. Focusing on the right things is what makes the difference.”

“And Jedi throughout the years have discussed how proactive a Jedi should be in defending the galaxy from oppression. There is no right or wrong answer. There is the Code, but even that is open to interpretation.”

Sorel nodded when Lynn demonstrated her technique with Telekinesis. “No training required there,” she said. “And is that your own saber? Did you attune the crystal to the Force yourself?”

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn smiled, "On that one, no, that one belonged to my Mother. She let me use it when I trained with Father and he made me take it apart and put it back together before every training." She listened intently and thanked her lucky stars she had a Master who was truly knowledgeable and wise, but also kind and caring. She felt like she was seen as more than a learner, but as a real person.

That was the problem l, some Masters saw their students as only students and they weren't willing to possibly learn from them. Lynn had learned that anyone could teach, but not all were teachable. She wanted to always be teachable and always grow as a person.

A question then popped into her mind, was she alone? Was she the only Padawan or were there more? " Master, do you have other Padawans or have you had other Padawans?"

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded sagely. It was quite common for a Jedi to be bequeathed a saber – either from a Master or a family member. She had purposefully left her own Master’s saber on his body when he died – for reasons she would never share with anyone.

And before Sorel could ponder that situation, Lynn thankfully changed the subject. “I have had a number of Padawans. Some have been what I would describe as full-time and have worked closely with me. Others have been independent and worked with me as and when they felt it necessary.”

“The key to your development is that it is, as you will discover, yours. There is a path that everyone talks about – but although many can describe it, only you can walk it. How swiftly you progress and which actual route to take to Knighthood is an individual journey. We are all unique, no two Padawans are the same.”

“And some don’t last the journey. It is not an easy life. Which is where we always guard against the dark side. Some suggest it is more powerful. Which is nonsense. If it were, there would be no Jedi left. And others say the light side is stronger. Equally false. We are two sides of a whole and we are to be held in balance. But the journey to the dark side is easier and far more seductive. Which is why we have Knights and Masters to guide young Jedi. It is not a matter of trust but of support. To enable you to become the best Jedi you can be. Not the most powerful Force user, but the best Jedi possible – in all that title brings in terms of responsibilities.”

[member="Lynn Corerunner"]

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn felt a sense of unease in her Master as she spoke about lightsabers being passed down, but the subject change made the feeling go away and so she didn't press it. If something needed to be said she would let time reveal it. She nodded a few times as her Master dove into the path of the Padawan."Well Master, I will follow your lead and your teachings. So, when do we begin?"


(Sorry it is so lacking, I just wasn't sure what to write, but needed to respond.)

[member="Sorel Crieff"]