Chapter One
The wind roared in Lorien M'aheirha's ears, whipping her long, dark hair are she sped past the numerous buildings and people in downtown Coruscant. Her best friend, Cylise Riyahndez, pulled her hoverboard up beside hers, matching her speed perfectly.
"Race you to the Ulrec Club," she called over the wind.
"You sure about that?" Lorien yelled back, grinning. "Aren't you scared I'll beat you again?"
"You're joking, right?" Cylise laughed, her clear blue eyes sparkling. "The day I'm scared of you is the day Master Windu buys shampoo!"
Both girls laughed at the thought of the Jedi Master ever needing shampoo.
"All right," Lorien said. "I'll give you one last chance to beat me. Say 'go'."
"Go!"
In an instant, both were flying down the streets, dodging old ladies and speeders as easily as if they were in slow motion. Cylise was ahead, guiding her hoverboard expertly. She drew nearer and nearer to the club. Victory at last! Then-
A brown blur of jedi robes whizzed past her, taking the lead in less than a second. She was soon out of sight.
"Sith honour her," Cylise muttered, pushing her board into top speed, and banking left, to take a shortcut that would lead her to the club faster. With Lorien, games had no rules.
When she finally reached the club, she hopped off her hoverboard and carried it inside. Lorien was no where in sight
"I must have beat her after all," she thought, happily.
"What took you so long?"
Cylise jumped, and a familiar laugh filled her ears as she turned around. Lorien was standing just inside the door, sipping a glass of Jawwa juice, her eyes sparkling, the right one a brilliant emerald green, the left one a deep indigo.
"How did you do that?" Cylise asked her. Our boards are the same model, top speed's the same or both of them, and I took a shortcut."
Lorien smiled. "Be nicer to Anakin and Kad and maybe they'll return the favor."
Cylise shook her head. "I'll beat you one of these days, Lorien M'aheirha, Force forsake liars."
"Right." Lorien said, finishing up her drink. "You just keep telling yourself that. But I've got everything in life going for me right now. No serious injuries, no major enemies, no deep trouble with the Council-"
"Until today, "Cylise interrupted.
"What do you mean?" Lorien asked sharply.
"Have you forgotten that today is the 4,000th anniversary of the formation of the order? You've got too make a speech, remember?"
"What time is it?" Lorien said, smoothly.
"Sixteenth hour standard time. Lorien?"
But Lorien had dropped her glass and was already out the door and in her hoverboard, racing toward the Jedi Temple.
Cylise sighed, thanking the Force that she hadn't been the one chosen for the job.
~*~
By the time Cylise caught up with Lorien, the shorter girl was waiting for the lift that would take her to the Celebration Hall, twenty stories up. She began to pace, impatiently, hardly acknowledging Cylise's presence, but muttering nonstop to herself.
"Lorien, relax, you can't be that late."
"Yes, I am. By now the ceremony will have ended and the feast should be ending any minute. There's no use in hiding from the Masters. I'll have to tell them where I've been." She met her friend's eyes at last. "Make yourself scarce, Cylise, or they'll catch you too."
"No way."
"I mean it." Lorien said, insistently. "'Member last week when I hid Master Ki-Adi-Mundi's Robes by the fuel generators and the light-iluna he had in his pocket exploded?"
Cylise nodded, smiling. "It was beautiful."
"It was," Lorien agreed. "Who would've guessed that they burn with green flames? But remember that when Master Windu found me he said that if anything like that happened again he would make sure I learned my lesson?"
"That was willfully burning a master's clothing. this is accidental lateness for a ceremony. Big difference," Cylise pointed out.
"Yeah, this is about a hundred times worse," Lorien said, slumping against the wall. "Never mind the fact that I'm late and kept the entire order waiting, but add the fact that I never wrote a speech to begin with and I was outside the temple without permission, and they have an excuse to kick me out of the order this time, especially when you count all the things I've done before.
"They won't kick you out, don't worry," Cylise said, soothingly. Just then, a small bell sounded, signaling the arrival of the lift. Both girls turned around.
"About t-"Lorien stopped when she saw the three people exiting the lift. Jedi Master Yoda, Jedi Master Mace Windu, and her own master, Takai Na-Mari.
"I-"Lorien stuttered, momentarily at a loss for words, but quickly regaining her composure. "I am graced by your presence, Masters." She bowed, trying to look respectful.
"Save it, Lorien," Takai said, his aging face hard.
"Yes, Master." Lorien said, but without the expected humbleness.
"Young M'aheirha," Master Yoda said, looking up at her. "Aware, are you, that the ceremony has ended?"
"Yes, Master Yoda."
"Thank young Vizaan, you can, for making a speech in your place."
Lorien sighed with relief, making a mental note to thank Kad the next time she saw him.
"However," Master Windu said, "That does not excuse your absence. Where have the two of you been?"
"We were outside," Lorien confessed, knowing that it was no use lying to the Masters. They were in for it now.
"On the streets?" Takai said, tensely. "Again?"
"I'm sorry, Master, but I-"
"Do not lie to me, Lorien." Takai said, warningly.
Lorien looked at him, curiously.
"You know as well as I do that you are not truly sorry for what you did."
"Then I apologize, Master, but I really wanted a bit of excitement, it's been so boring around here lately." Lorien watched her master, hoping she would be forgiven. No matter how many rules she broke she never wanted to have to give up being a Jedi. She loved the Order and the people who worked, learned and taught there.
Takai's expression softened, somewhat. "I am fully aware how painful a quiet, uneventful time such as this has been for someone like you, but you still broke the rule. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions?"
"Yes, Master."
"You and Cylise will spend all of tomorrow, from sunrise to sunset, with Madame Jocasta Nu in the Hall of the Archives," Master Windu said.
Lorien nodded. "Yes, Master Windu." They were playing with her nature. Much as she loved the Archives, a full day with Madame Jocasta Nu would be close to torture. The woman was kind, but very strict and had high expectations.
"Dismissed you are, young M'aheirha and Riyahndez," Mater Yoda said.
~*~
The day in the Hall was as painful as Lorien had expected. Madame Jocasta Nu had them organizing the holos and files and helping the younglings who came in to complete assignments. Every time the door opened and a snatch of fresh air or laughter floated into the room, both girls had to fight the urge to run outside. After their midday meal, which had been brought to them in the Hall, Anakin Skywalker and Kadir Vizaan walked in.
Cylise tucked a stray strand of light brown hair behind her ear. "Hey," she said, more to Anakin than to Kad.
"Hey," They replied, looking around. They were both good friends of the two girls. Or rather, they were both good friends of Lorien's, but Cylise could hardly stand Kad. Anakin was the tallest, with sand-coloured hair and ice-blue eyes, strong willed and outspoken. Kad was the oldest, though. He had jet-black hair, and expressive grey eyes, serious and thoughtful. No one would have suspected that the two would become friends.
"You seem to be hanging in there," Anakin said, playfully.
"Barely." Lorien gave a weak smile and punched his arm lightly. "This isn't fair, fifteen year olds shouldn't be confined in one place so long, we need air. Someone else should do this. How about you two? You're older."
"Nice try," Anakin said. "But this is your punishment. Besides, We're only a year older than you. And I have no idea how this place works, I always need someone to help me."
"Yeah, me too," said Kad.
"Oh, thanks for covering for me yesterday, Kad," Lorien said, looking up. "I owe you one."
"No problem." Kad smiled. "But you're right, you do owe me. Master Shalone's making me do an assignment on the formation of the Republic now, 'cause she says I'm getting too cocky, getting up and making a speech up off the top of my head.
"Cocky?" Lorien asked, raising her eyebrows, "You? That'll be the day." Kad shrugged.
"Would you mind helping me find a file on the Republic, Your Highness?" He asked Cylise.
"Find it yourself," Cylise snapped, continuing to place holos on the shelf.
Lorien rolled her eyes and turned to Kad. "Fifth row down to your right. Around the middle there should be a whole section on it."
"Thanks." With a glance at Cylise, Kad walked off down the hall. When he was out of earshot Lorien spoke again.
"Look what you did, Cylise, you hurt his feelings."
"Like I care."
"Why're you so mean to him? What did he ever do to you?" Lorien asked.
Cylise shrugged. "I just don't like him, that's all. He never gets into trouble, he's always right, and he calls me 'Your Highness' all the time.
"So now it's a crime to call a princess 'Your Highness' , is it?" Anakin grinned
"I'm no different from anyone else. I'm a Jedi, just like you. And Iego's not even in the Republic. Being it's princess has no importance here."
"Are there really angels on it's moons?" Anakin asked, interested.
"Sure." Cylise turned back to the holos.
"And are they as beautiful as people say?"
"You can't possibly imagine."
Kad came back with a stack of files and holos in his arms.
"Well, we'd better go now," He said, not looking at Cylise. "Thanks, Lorien."
"Sure. Bye." Lorien watched as the boys left the library. Then she turned and went to see if Madame Jocasta Nu needed any help with the particularly excited group of young children who to had just come into the Hall.
The wind roared in Lorien M'aheirha's ears, whipping her long, dark hair are she sped past the numerous buildings and people in downtown Coruscant. Her best friend, Cylise Riyahndez, pulled her hoverboard up beside hers, matching her speed perfectly.
"Race you to the Ulrec Club," she called over the wind.
"You sure about that?" Lorien yelled back, grinning. "Aren't you scared I'll beat you again?"
"You're joking, right?" Cylise laughed, her clear blue eyes sparkling. "The day I'm scared of you is the day Master Windu buys shampoo!"
Both girls laughed at the thought of the Jedi Master ever needing shampoo.
"All right," Lorien said. "I'll give you one last chance to beat me. Say 'go'."
"Go!"
In an instant, both were flying down the streets, dodging old ladies and speeders as easily as if they were in slow motion. Cylise was ahead, guiding her hoverboard expertly. She drew nearer and nearer to the club. Victory at last! Then-
A brown blur of jedi robes whizzed past her, taking the lead in less than a second. She was soon out of sight.
"Sith honour her," Cylise muttered, pushing her board into top speed, and banking left, to take a shortcut that would lead her to the club faster. With Lorien, games had no rules.
When she finally reached the club, she hopped off her hoverboard and carried it inside. Lorien was no where in sight
"I must have beat her after all," she thought, happily.
"What took you so long?"
Cylise jumped, and a familiar laugh filled her ears as she turned around. Lorien was standing just inside the door, sipping a glass of Jawwa juice, her eyes sparkling, the right one a brilliant emerald green, the left one a deep indigo.
"How did you do that?" Cylise asked her. Our boards are the same model, top speed's the same or both of them, and I took a shortcut."
Lorien smiled. "Be nicer to Anakin and Kad and maybe they'll return the favor."
Cylise shook her head. "I'll beat you one of these days, Lorien M'aheirha, Force forsake liars."
"Right." Lorien said, finishing up her drink. "You just keep telling yourself that. But I've got everything in life going for me right now. No serious injuries, no major enemies, no deep trouble with the Council-"
"Until today, "Cylise interrupted.
"What do you mean?" Lorien asked sharply.
"Have you forgotten that today is the 4,000th anniversary of the formation of the order? You've got too make a speech, remember?"
"What time is it?" Lorien said, smoothly.
"Sixteenth hour standard time. Lorien?"
But Lorien had dropped her glass and was already out the door and in her hoverboard, racing toward the Jedi Temple.
Cylise sighed, thanking the Force that she hadn't been the one chosen for the job.
~*~
By the time Cylise caught up with Lorien, the shorter girl was waiting for the lift that would take her to the Celebration Hall, twenty stories up. She began to pace, impatiently, hardly acknowledging Cylise's presence, but muttering nonstop to herself.
"Lorien, relax, you can't be that late."
"Yes, I am. By now the ceremony will have ended and the feast should be ending any minute. There's no use in hiding from the Masters. I'll have to tell them where I've been." She met her friend's eyes at last. "Make yourself scarce, Cylise, or they'll catch you too."
"No way."
"I mean it." Lorien said, insistently. "'Member last week when I hid Master Ki-Adi-Mundi's Robes by the fuel generators and the light-iluna he had in his pocket exploded?"
Cylise nodded, smiling. "It was beautiful."
"It was," Lorien agreed. "Who would've guessed that they burn with green flames? But remember that when Master Windu found me he said that if anything like that happened again he would make sure I learned my lesson?"
"That was willfully burning a master's clothing. this is accidental lateness for a ceremony. Big difference," Cylise pointed out.
"Yeah, this is about a hundred times worse," Lorien said, slumping against the wall. "Never mind the fact that I'm late and kept the entire order waiting, but add the fact that I never wrote a speech to begin with and I was outside the temple without permission, and they have an excuse to kick me out of the order this time, especially when you count all the things I've done before.
"They won't kick you out, don't worry," Cylise said, soothingly. Just then, a small bell sounded, signaling the arrival of the lift. Both girls turned around.
"About t-"Lorien stopped when she saw the three people exiting the lift. Jedi Master Yoda, Jedi Master Mace Windu, and her own master, Takai Na-Mari.
"I-"Lorien stuttered, momentarily at a loss for words, but quickly regaining her composure. "I am graced by your presence, Masters." She bowed, trying to look respectful.
"Save it, Lorien," Takai said, his aging face hard.
"Yes, Master." Lorien said, but without the expected humbleness.
"Young M'aheirha," Master Yoda said, looking up at her. "Aware, are you, that the ceremony has ended?"
"Yes, Master Yoda."
"Thank young Vizaan, you can, for making a speech in your place."
Lorien sighed with relief, making a mental note to thank Kad the next time she saw him.
"However," Master Windu said, "That does not excuse your absence. Where have the two of you been?"
"We were outside," Lorien confessed, knowing that it was no use lying to the Masters. They were in for it now.
"On the streets?" Takai said, tensely. "Again?"
"I'm sorry, Master, but I-"
"Do not lie to me, Lorien." Takai said, warningly.
Lorien looked at him, curiously.
"You know as well as I do that you are not truly sorry for what you did."
"Then I apologize, Master, but I really wanted a bit of excitement, it's been so boring around here lately." Lorien watched her master, hoping she would be forgiven. No matter how many rules she broke she never wanted to have to give up being a Jedi. She loved the Order and the people who worked, learned and taught there.
Takai's expression softened, somewhat. "I am fully aware how painful a quiet, uneventful time such as this has been for someone like you, but you still broke the rule. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions?"
"Yes, Master."
"You and Cylise will spend all of tomorrow, from sunrise to sunset, with Madame Jocasta Nu in the Hall of the Archives," Master Windu said.
Lorien nodded. "Yes, Master Windu." They were playing with her nature. Much as she loved the Archives, a full day with Madame Jocasta Nu would be close to torture. The woman was kind, but very strict and had high expectations.
"Dismissed you are, young M'aheirha and Riyahndez," Mater Yoda said.
~*~
The day in the Hall was as painful as Lorien had expected. Madame Jocasta Nu had them organizing the holos and files and helping the younglings who came in to complete assignments. Every time the door opened and a snatch of fresh air or laughter floated into the room, both girls had to fight the urge to run outside. After their midday meal, which had been brought to them in the Hall, Anakin Skywalker and Kadir Vizaan walked in.
Cylise tucked a stray strand of light brown hair behind her ear. "Hey," she said, more to Anakin than to Kad.
"Hey," They replied, looking around. They were both good friends of the two girls. Or rather, they were both good friends of Lorien's, but Cylise could hardly stand Kad. Anakin was the tallest, with sand-coloured hair and ice-blue eyes, strong willed and outspoken. Kad was the oldest, though. He had jet-black hair, and expressive grey eyes, serious and thoughtful. No one would have suspected that the two would become friends.
"You seem to be hanging in there," Anakin said, playfully.
"Barely." Lorien gave a weak smile and punched his arm lightly. "This isn't fair, fifteen year olds shouldn't be confined in one place so long, we need air. Someone else should do this. How about you two? You're older."
"Nice try," Anakin said. "But this is your punishment. Besides, We're only a year older than you. And I have no idea how this place works, I always need someone to help me."
"Yeah, me too," said Kad.
"Oh, thanks for covering for me yesterday, Kad," Lorien said, looking up. "I owe you one."
"No problem." Kad smiled. "But you're right, you do owe me. Master Shalone's making me do an assignment on the formation of the Republic now, 'cause she says I'm getting too cocky, getting up and making a speech up off the top of my head.
"Cocky?" Lorien asked, raising her eyebrows, "You? That'll be the day." Kad shrugged.
"Would you mind helping me find a file on the Republic, Your Highness?" He asked Cylise.
"Find it yourself," Cylise snapped, continuing to place holos on the shelf.
Lorien rolled her eyes and turned to Kad. "Fifth row down to your right. Around the middle there should be a whole section on it."
"Thanks." With a glance at Cylise, Kad walked off down the hall. When he was out of earshot Lorien spoke again.
"Look what you did, Cylise, you hurt his feelings."
"Like I care."
"Why're you so mean to him? What did he ever do to you?" Lorien asked.
Cylise shrugged. "I just don't like him, that's all. He never gets into trouble, he's always right, and he calls me 'Your Highness' all the time.
"So now it's a crime to call a princess 'Your Highness' , is it?" Anakin grinned
"I'm no different from anyone else. I'm a Jedi, just like you. And Iego's not even in the Republic. Being it's princess has no importance here."
"Are there really angels on it's moons?" Anakin asked, interested.
"Sure." Cylise turned back to the holos.
"And are they as beautiful as people say?"
"You can't possibly imagine."
Kad came back with a stack of files and holos in his arms.
"Well, we'd better go now," He said, not looking at Cylise. "Thanks, Lorien."
"Sure. Bye." Lorien watched as the boys left the library. Then she turned and went to see if Madame Jocasta Nu needed any help with the particularly excited group of young children who to had just come into the Hall.