Chapter 1

"Sunaya, wake up! WAKE UP! Today's the day and we're going to be late!"

I mumbled something incomprehensible and rolled over in my comfortable bed. Nifa sighed, rolled her eyes and pulled the warm covers off me, retorting with "This could be your first day as a Padawan and you're spending it in bed?"

She knew me too well. I propped myself upright on my pillow, instantly awake. This was the day I had been waiting for and I would not miss it for anything.

After quickly thanking her for waking me in time,I leapt out of bedand began to dress hurriedly in my tan tunic and chocolate-brown leggings, threading my matching brown belt through the loops. I didn't have long to ready myself, so I hastily pulled on my black mid-calf boots and gave my face a quick wash to purge the last remnants of sleep from my face. Finally I scraped my nest of long, dark brown hair into a ponytail and I was ready.

Nifa had waited patiently for me and we left the dormitory, jogging through the maze of wide corridors to catch up with the rest of our clan. We were the Bergruutfa Clan, characterised by our unwavering loyalty and devotion and we walked together for what could be the final time; after all it was the day of the Apprentice Tournament.

We arrived at the dining area and sat down together, like we always had and carried out our usual routines, which was slightly comforting to me. However, still too nervous to eat, I watched as all the other Initiates I had known since I could walk laughed and talked among themselves. The dining room buzzed with talk of the day ahead, which Masters were attending and who everyone hoped to be chosen by. All I felt was a sudden dread that threatened to drown me. I was twelve years old and this was my last chance to be chosen. Bile rose in my throat and I forced it down, taking slow, deep breaths. I must end today a Padawan or be assigned to the Service Corps when I turned thirteen in just over a month's time. I refused to let that happen. I would do my best today and hope that the Force was with me and would grant me a Master.

My feeling must have shown as Nifa gave me an encouraging smile and told me that she had every confidence that I would become a Padawan this year. I smiled gratefully back and took more deep breaths, steeling myself. I was glad that Nifa was only ten and had plenty more chances - I wanted her to be successful, even if I was perhaps not destined to be. We had an unlikely friendship, a Twi'lek and a human, two species that tended not to bond with one another as strongly as we had. We looked out for one another and always had done.

Memories flashed through my mind. The day I first met Nifa, at seven and five years old, instantly forming a friendship that would survive the challenges of life in the Jedi time I got Nifa out of the lift when she it got stuck and she was trapped. The day she took the blame for me forgetting to tidy our end of the dormitory when I'd spent the day in intense combat training. This morning. Every little thing I could think of that had happened to us over all those years I'd known her.

Suddenly, the time was upon us. I stopped reminiscing on the past and focussed on deciding my future, so I could have a future. I willed myself to believe I could do this. I was going to do this. I was ready.

We were ushered into the combat training arena. I had not been in this particular one before and took a cursory glance around the room to assess my surroundings – it was vast! The floor was a sky-blue colour and covered in well-padded matting to cushion any falls during the numerous duels that I assumed must take place each day. The ceiling was so high I had to crane my neck up to see the roof supported by a number of pillars, all decorated with carvings of flowers and patterns. Each wall bore the emblem of the Jedi Order, as if to remind us why we were all here and what we were training to continue being a part of.

As we filed in, I buried my nerves deep down in the hope that they would not emerge again to affect my performance. A certain amount of adrenaline was good, but shaking hands when I had to hold and fight with a weapon? Not so much.

Under the watchful eye of the assembled Knights and Masters standing at the edges of the room, Nifa, the other Initiates and I chose a training lightsaber each and began to practise with one another. I paired up with Kaliquay, another older Initiate such as myself and a strong Miraluka, who I knew was destined to be a great Jedi someday. Nifa meanwhile had partnered with Sata – a small, slender Mirialan whose seeming fragility was all a facade. I was proud to have a diverse friendship group.

"Good luck for the coming tournament, Sunaya, may you find a Master this year!"

"The same to you Kaliquay, my old friend, may the Force be with you today and always," I replied, as I parried his strike.

"And with you, Sunaya." We continued to parry one another's strokes in a relaxed way, gently warming up, until the time came to switch partners and I found myself face-to-face with Jarik. My rival.

We said not a word, starting off as slowly as I had with Kaliquay, but striking increasingly quickly and parrying even quicker until our sabers became a blur of green and blue light. We made eye contact, both of us refusing to look away first or show any signs of fatigue. This continued for many moments until Master Yoda called the room to sit. I slowly retracted the saber and looked around, concerned that the Masters had found my conduct with Jarik inappropriate for a Jedi, but none seemed to be looking my way - all were focussed on what Master Yoda had to say.

"Younglings. Knights. Masters. A tournament, we have gathered for today. Chosen to be Padawans, will some of you be." He made eye contact with me and some of the other older Initiates before addressing the whole room again. "Very important, today is."

The rules were then explained, as always, and the tournament began.