CHAPTER 2
Corran was astonished by what he had just been told. A few hours had passed since he was with Belaya in the Archives. A Initiate had told him that the unidentified newcomer that had been traveling with Bastila had been considered for Jedi training.
This was severely different from what Corran had been brought up with. He was taken as an infant, and had been raised on Dantooine. He was taught the principles and duties of being a Jedi Knight, what he can and can't do. Never did the Council take in an adult for Force Training; an adult has ties to emotions, whether family or friends and he had a past, shocking memories and traumatizing events. The newcomer was a soldier after all; he had been required to kill and see comrades and perhaps family die.
There had to be a big reason behind this. He had to be ultimately strong in the Force for veteran Jedi Masters to consider taking him under their wing. Perhaps he had been approached by the Sith, or the Council knew that they might approach him.
Whatever the case may be, Corran was shocked. He would watch this affair extremely closely.
Corran now was in the Main Level dojo, training with his master, Master Retra Bothi.
Today they were studying the Maskashi form, a lightsaber combat variation that was designed to best handle lightsaber wielding enemies.
Corran was deeply coated in sweat, even though he had on his training gear; light garments below the waist and a bare naked chest. He was remarkably strong, like all Jedi trainees, and he was vigorous in his training methods.
He held a violet colored lightsaber, which was his own. He and his tool and seen much action together, but rarely had the Council sent him out on his own missions; the tasks he usually was assigned were accomplished through a small group of Jedi. Retra's lightsaber was an ocean blue, and it cast color into the dark corners of the room. Retra was a Ithorian female, and her hammerhead-shaped skull was smaller than most Ithorians; it in fact was around the size of a normal human skull.
Corran pressed the offensive with quick and fierce attacks but Master Retra was skilled defensively, batting away his blade and counter attack every few paces. Retra then changed her tune, and started to attack with extreme ferocity. Corran did his best to parry; horizontal, vertical and then tried to gain control of the duel once again with a well-executed uppercut. Despite his efforts, Retra pounded the weapon out of his hand and brought Corran to his knees with an elbow to his stomach.
Corran, spluttering, said, "You win…again."
"Winning is nothing, Corran Antilles," Retra chided him. She could speak Galactic Basic, unlike most Ithorians. "But indeed, it is you who mostly bests me in a physical trial. Today you are distracted." She deactivated the training saber and continued. "What troubles you, Padawan?"
Corran sighed and sat upon the dojo floor. He really did not want to have this conversation. It would only add to his grievances.
"Corran…" Retra said.
Corran sighed again. "Master, I am troubled with the fact that the Council has taken the newcomer for training. He only just arrived two days ago and now he has started the initial training."
"You are jealous? Or intimidated?"
Corran scoffed. "Jealous? Intimidated? No my good master, but insulted. Why can a ruffian out of the slums become a Jedi?"
"You have never met the man!" Retra interjected. "Why are you judging one you do not know?"
Corran thought upon that for a moment. Was he becoming like Belaya, rebellious and judgmental? He thought about it for a moment and he knew not why he seethed with anger toward the new trainee.
"Master, what would you have me do?" he said looking up.
"Endure, my Padawan," she said. "Endure, even reach out to him. He might be feeling as you, confused with the Council's decision."
She helped Corran up and said, "Help will always come to those who deserve it."