Forged Bonds

Chapter 3 New Beginnings

Disclaimers:

I made up Amaya Cas and Kaleb Faln.

Lok is a real planet in Star Wars, so I don't own it.

Attachments and relationships are not forbidden in my universe, but they are not encouraged either.

"Well you did," Master Yoda told the young woman as she finished briefing the council on her mission. "Pleased we are."

Skylar was humbled by the praise and gave a slight bow, "Thank you, Master Yoda. Master Jinn is the one deserving of credit, as he is the one who raised and nurtured me. His lessons helped me a great deal."

"Trained well you were. Listen well, you did. Pass on what you have learned you will," Yoda told her with all knowing eyes. The other twelve members of the council nodded and awaited her response.

There was a brief hesitation before she responded, "Yes, my Masters. I do look forward to taking a padawan of my own; however, I do not feel I'm ready."

"What know you ready?"

"Do you doubt your talents, Young Jedi?" The question came from senior council member Amaya Cas, a human woman of 60 years.

Skylar considered the question, "No, my masters. I do not doubt my abilities; however, I feel there is still much to learn before I take on the responsibility of training another."

Yoda was deep in thought, "Wise you are, young one. Wait you will."

Amaya nodded in agreement, "In the meantime, we have another mission for you. Thoran Sannes and his new apprentice are preparing to go negotiate a peace treaty on the world of Lok. He has requested you to assist."

Skylar heart began a rapid beat, but she immediately calmed it, "As you wish my Masters." She took the data disks offered to her and bowed to the council, "may the force be with you."

Skylar had not yet seen Thoran since their good bye prior to her mission. She was happy to hear he had taken a padawan. Thoran was a great Jedi and a good man. They had been best friends for many years, and over the course of time, Skylar began to have feelings for him. But, as with all Jedi, the Order and duty came first.

Walking down the halls, she heard quiet voices in an alcove. Glancing over, she saw Thoran and his new apprentice, Kaleb Faln. Kaleb had just turned thirteen. He was a boy of medium build with brown hair and eyes that were warm and bright. The eager eyes at the moment were filled with tears and he was sporting a large bruise under one eye.

"But I didn't start it, Master Thoran," Kaleb choked out, obviously losing the fight to hold back tears, "Why don't you believe me?"

Skylar was not surprised to hear patience in his tone as he responded, "It's not that I don't believe you, Kaleb, but Master Jinn was very clear when he told me that you were the one who started the altercation between yourself and Padawan De'Crion."

Kaleb looked his master in the eye, and in a voice that was more frustration then disrespect replied, "He was not there, Master. It was just me and Xanatos. Xanatos was angry because I was able to beat him in a sparring match at class today. He wanted to go again, so I said yes. He was angry because I beat him again, so he hit me!"

"So you sparred with another Padawan without a Master present?" Thoran asked, still patient, but stern. "You know that is against the rules."

"I didn't want to spar him again, Master, but he was picking on me, telling me the only reason I won was because I got lucky."

Thoran placed his hand on Kaleb's shoulder, "There is no such thing as luck, if you beat him, then you did it of your own accord. However, that does not excuse your behavior. You will do extra meditations tonight for your error in judgment and you are confined to our quarters until we leave for Lok."

"But Master…"

The boy stopped when Thoran held up his hand, "This is not open to negotiation, Padawan, or you will be left at the temple for this mission. Now, go straight home. I will be there soon."

Kaleb bowed to his master and turned to leave, disappointment radiating off of him. As he went to pass Skylar, he stopped to give her a respectful bow before he continued on.

Skylar gave her friend an encouraging smile, "You were good with him."

Thoran rubbed the bridge of his nose, "You think so? I think he would beg to differ right now."

They began to walk side by side, "only because he is a boy, and sometimes children do not realize they are their own worst enemy. Besides, anyone can see he is just too polite and respectful to disagree with you. He was fighting with Xanatos?"

Sighing, he replied, "yes, which is bad enough, however, Master Jinn's handling of the situation really got under my skin."

Skylar felt her stomach drop, "What do you mean?"

"Sky, I know he is your former master and all, but he was not even interested in hearing Kaleb's side of the story. According to Kaleb and his friends, Qui-Gon believes everything the boy tells him. I never knew him to be such a fool." He stopped abruptly, afraid he was going to offend her.

"I'm not offended, Thoran," she honestly told him. "I'm surprised too. Master Qui-Gon never tolerated rudeness with me when I was growing up. Plus, he kept very close track of me, I would have never been able to get away with a stunt like that."

Thoran smiled as she reminisced, "He sure did keep track of you." He reached out and took her hand. Her heart skipped a beat, but she made no attempt to move her hand away. "He never let you go anywhere without a full itinerary of where you were going and who you were going with."

His hand was rough and soft at the same time. She liked how it felt, "I know. But I guess he can't do that anymore."

Thoran stopped and guided her into the map room. It was deserted this time of day. "I've missed you," he told her.

They were standing face to face, she was looking up at him, "I've missed you too. It's hard to believe four months have passed. What did you want to tell me that day on the landing platform?

Thoran did not trust himself to get the words right, so he decided to show her instead. He wrapped is arms around her waist, and lifted her up just slightly. Bending his head, his lips met hers in an explosive kiss.