Harden Hearts

Aedrig

"There is no emotion there is peace."Aedrig mumbled as she bounced from window to window. Today was the day. Tython was the final step to becoming a Jedi. She'd been training since she was old enough to walk. After the Battle of Coruscant, any and all force sensitive children were secluded and highly guarded. What with the few Jedi left. Even regular civilians had been taught to fight.

This was the first time she'd set off Coruscant.

"Wow!" She admired the green grass and wild running water. It was so primitive, at least compared to the busy city. Three other padawans were coming from Coruscant. Two she knew- they were twin twi'leks. Always together and never apart. They'd been whispering about the Twi'lek Settlement on the far side of the compound. All she could gather from her elders was the Republic wanted the settlement gone and they refused. Aedrig figured the planet was big enough for everyone so who cared. The other was a boy she'd never met before. He'd been quiet for most of the ride aside from a slight "Whoa!" when they met some turbulence.

They landed and she was the first one out. She took in everything. The smell of Tython dirt, a visionary sapphire blue sky- the taste of cool fresh water.

"Over here young padawans. I'll show you to the barracks and where everything is."

Bouncing up after rolling in the grass, she followed her tour guide. She didn't listen much as they walked the dirt path to some large buildings. Everything needed to be looked at, inspected, retained for future memory. A shiver ran down her pigtails-as if someone was watching her. Looking around she noticed the boy again-watching with an almost sheepish look on his face. Her cheeks flashed with fire-slightly embarrassed. Tugging on her pigtails she dusted grass from her hair and outfit.

They came up upon the Jedi Council building. Here she'd actually train one on one with a master. Oh she couldn't wait.

"When will we get to start training with our Jedi Masters?" She interrupted.

"Later, have patience."

Breathing deep and slow she tried to calm her excitement.

"Alright, that's all. Go get settled. I'll come back later to take you all to the mess hall for supper."

All their gear had been neatly stacked by the barracks. The older students ran in and out on errands for their Masters. All smiled and tried to stay out of the way as the three newbies settled. She was done first. It felt like she could run for miles- the excitement refusing to ebb away.

"There is no emotion there is peace." The voice of her father came to memory. "Concentrate and go through your forms. It will help calm you."

She found a semi-secluded spot by the stream and flowed through the motions.

Shii-Cho followed by Masashi and lastly Soresu.

She did it again and again and again.

By the time she was calm it was at the last glimpse of light. Her name was being call. Wiping the sweat from her brow she called out.

"I'm here!" And she ran to where she heard their voices.

Dinner was fresh vegetables, still warm bread with butter, baked fish with some creamy cheese sauce and berry fruit salad for dessert. Just laying her eyes on it had her salivating and stomach growling. While they ate the Guide talked.

"Tomorrow, we will test you and see where your strengths and weaknesses are. Each person will be evaluated as while as how well you work with a team."

She torn a piece of bread and stuffed it in her mouth.

"The Masters will be watching to see who would benefit best in select fields."

"Do we get to meet the Masters before being tested?" The boy asked.

"After testing there will be plenty of time to talk with them, Padawan Thusbane."

So that was what his name was. Very unusual. She wonder what it meant.

"Alright finish your meal and to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Tomorrow came and day stared at dawn. She was groggy but still full of excitement. They headed out to an open field. Four older Padawans and their combat instructor were already there and sparring off. Once they were done each presented their old training saber to one of the four of us.

Aedrig's was worn but sturdy. She gave it a few practice swings before there guide who was becoming more like their group mentor and who's name she never could remember, gave a narrowing look.

The older padawans then were presented new training sabers. When did they get lightsabers?

"Each of you will show what combat skills you have against your elder padawan. This is to assess strength, weakness, guard, retaliation, reflex, and endurance." It was the combat instructor. "Take a brief moment to get acquainted with your weapon."

Aedrig rolled it in her hand before tossing it to her left. "My names Aedrig." She greeted her sparing partner.

Her opponent was a male Cathar. "My named Zuke. Sorry if I hurt you."

"Gotta learn somehow." She smiled to try and reassure him. Then it was time to duel.

She waited on him. A slight guarded stance. He was fast and his reflex what you'd expect from a Cathar. He was pushing her back if she didn't find away threw his swipes. Foundation in fighting is always key. She'd start with his foot work. Sloppy. He worked off his toes. Hooking her own foot around his she unbalanced him. He fell on his back and she pointed her blade down at him.

"Feet are foundation. Fix that and you be one hard pressed opponent." And she helped him to his feet.

"A very good round. Now I'm going to switch it up." The combat instructor put two of the older padawans together then Thusbane and her together. Then he swapped the twins.

Thursbane's face was red and his breathing quick. She hadn't seen his fight. Had he won or had his opponent been hard pressed like hers? The duels began again.

She started the same as before. But he waited for her to attack first. Had the other battle worn him out? While he waited she watch his feet. He had excellent form. She started with little taps- testing his guard and parry and reflexes. No flaws for weaknesses there. Perhaps distraction. Talking. As her father use to ask her all the time-are you ever quiet?

"Where'd you learn to fight?" She asked him. His focus shifted and his guard dropped a smidgen.

"Oh um.. the desert rancher- Mr. Kudox. I'm also not bad with a pistol or shotgun." He sheepishly grinned.

"My dad taught me. He tried to teach me the assault rifle as well until my mom found out and put her foot down." Downward strike. He blocked. Medium force. "She didn't like me playing with any weapons actually. "

"We always had the Sand People attacking. Mr. Kudox thought it prudent to teach the community after two farms were slaughtered during the night." He leaped and struck. More of closing the distance than actually doing damage. But he followed with a series of two handed strikes. The sudden shift in attack threw her off balance. With a parry and dodge did she just manage to avoid his onslaught. She couldn't take that much force and weight without another training saber. Taking a quick look around, she saw most of the others just standing and watching their battle. Then they wont need their saber right now. Force pulling the nearest saber she crossed the blades as the next wave of strikes came down. Shoving him off she took the offensive. Her strikes were faster and more accurate if not powerful. They made nicks in his armor. Then a force shield began protecting him. He switched stances and she was back to defense. When he double handed his hilt she readied a force rebound. If she couldn't damage him maybe he'd do it himself.

Neither of them encountered the other. Both were pulled apart by the combat instructor. Her legs dangled wildly above the ground.

"No fair!" She whined. "We were having fun." She looked at Thusbane and grinned.

"You two will talk with Master Soon Guy." He pointed to Thusbane and her. "Everyone else will follow me to the next test."

Zuke looked back at the both of us. I gave him a thumbs up but he just looked confused.

The combat instructor lead us through the field up a mountain pass. It had to of been past breakfast and into lunch time buy the time they made it to the top. Master Soon Guy paced as his students ran through routines Aedrig didn't recognize.

"Master, I bring two new students." Master Soon Guy ignored the combat instructor as he rattled off different forms. At first she assumed the master was human but upon closer inspection she saw the head wrap of the Miraluka.

"Our teacher is blind?" Thursbane whispered at her.

"He see with the force." She whispers.

"And I have excellent hearing." The master turned to them. The instructor bowed and began the decent down the mountain again.