Chapter 1: Banishment

As I wake up in my small cold room in the living quarters of Corascant, I reflect on my deeds that have led me this far.

I imagine the tears of my dear mother and the wide smile on my older sister, Atris, as I'm being led to the small pod that will take me to Dantooine.

I see my instructors scold me for being late to the first lesson in the daily schedule.

I now see as Master Kavar selects me as his Padawan.

I train with my new master as he teaches me how to hold onto my Lightsaber correctly.

Master Kavar takes me to a Technician to build me my very own lightsaber to fully fit to my newly made status of a Jedi Knight. I select the double bladed hilt with a silver crystal.

I see my self with my fellow Jedi trainees as I hear the news of the Mandalorian wars. This time I can feel my cheeks turn warm by anger.

I see many Mandalorians and Jedi lie on the ground, there is blood on my blade and smoke that is coming out of my blaster. I breath heavily under my helmet and shoot at the foe that is making his way towards me.

I close my eyes…. When I open them again I am here, inside my bed, in my small room.

I get up and put my Jedi garments on. I go to the mirror and brush my long white hair and tie it in three braids as I usually do.

I wear my dark red robe and put the hood all the way up to hide that I have weeped.

There is a knock on the door.

Maya: "Yes?"

My friend, Yalade, comes in and her face is grave.

Yalade: "Your sister is seeking your audience in the Council's Chamber. I am here to make sure you get there."

Maya: "I see."

I take one look at my friend. I chuckle in my mind as see how she is a mere image of my sister. Even though Atris is pale as the moon and Yalade's skin is dark, you can not deny that Atris has sure left her mark on Yalade, making her as hard and strict as she is herself. There is no need to convince my self that Atris hasn't turned her against me.

Yalade looks as if she hasn't had any sleep during the entire night.

Maya: "You sure look like hell."

She smiles warily at me. In one second she is scowling again.

Yalade: "Are you ready?"

I think about washing my face at the refresher but Yalade's patience is running thin so I mentally wave a way the idea.

Maya: "Yes, please, lead the way."

As we exit my room the door closes and automatically locks it self in one, muffled click.

As I wait inside the lift I can not help but to wonder with what kind of words possibly Atris has poisoned Yadale's head. Did she describe the Mandalorians as young and innocent calves?

Did she say to her that I, as well as the other Jedi who went to the war, have fallen deeply into the dark side and the only redemption that was offered to us was death?

I look at Yalade and imagine Atris standing behind her, leaning close to her ear and whispers to her the most bitter venom she could possibly think of. I feel some bitter taste in my mouth and I wonder how much of the monster Atris has made me does Yalade think I am.

The turbolift opens and I walk outside, marching the hall towards the Audience Chamber.

As is reach closer into the open room I can hear Yalade sniff and wipe one of her eyes. I shudder at that.

There are only 5 Jedi masters sitting in the Audience Chamber, strangely, I thought that Bastila would be here.

Among them was my sister Atris, Master Kavar, Zez Kazai El, Master Vrook and Master Vash. I could've felt Atris' smug smile like acid on my skin.

Vrook: "Do you know why we have called you here?"

I took a deep breath and tried, as best as could, not to show a glance of my fright.

Maya: "You have called me here to answer to answer my crimes on Malachor V."

Kavar: "As Revan summoned you, so have you come full circle to return to the Jedi."

That's a horrible reference Kavar. I said in my mind.

Zez Kazai El: "Why did you defy us? The Jedi are guardians of the peace and have been for centuries. This call to war undermines all that we have worked for."

Atris didn't bother to hide her amusement.

Atris: "Is revan your master now? Or is it the horror you wrought at Malachor that has caused you to see the truth at last?"

It's not the truth, it's only Y-O-U-R truth Atris. But fine, if you want to play it this way.

Maya: "The truth is the Mandalorians had to be stopped, or countless else would have died."

Zez Kazai El: "You refuse to here us. You have shut us out, and so have shut yourself to the galaxy."

This isn't true, this is NOT true.

Vash: "You are exiled, and you are a Jedi no longer."

These words cut through me as if I am about to split in half.

Vrook: "There is one more thing. Your lightsaber. Surrender it to us."

I took a step closer to the Center Stone, equipped my double bladed lightsaber. I took one last moment at my lightsaber and felt the pale light wash my face. I impaled the blade deep inside the Center Stone and walked out of the room without looking back, not even when Yalade tried to say my name.

I, Maya Narr, was now a Jedi Exile.