CHAPTER THREE
Gar-Ren-Jedi wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked to the East, watching as the sun sank lower towards the horizon. Dinner would be ready soon. He surveyed the portion of the fence he had just repaired. It had been a good days' work. Better than he had anticipated. There was still much work to be done, though.
Jerroc-Sith should be finished repairing the barn roof by the time he returned to the farm. The storm had lasted nearly three days. The farm had needed a lot of repairs after the storm had passed. Thankfully, he had finished most of them and soon they could relax and get back to the routine of their lives.
It was nearly an hour later when he walked into the house which he and his fraternal twin brother shared. They had inherited it from their father when the senior had died nearly a decade before. In that time, they had built up the farm to be nearly the largest one in the region.
Gar-Ren-Jedi and Jerroc-Sith were fraternal twins, both about 5'9" in height and of medium build, but Gar-Ren-Jedi had inherited their mother's blonde hair. He had also inherited her gentle, emerald green eyes. Jerroc-Sith had the jet black hair and deep brown eyes of their father.
There were personality differences as well. Gar-Ren-Jedi was the gentler of the two. He could barely bring himself to harm any creature. Jerroc-Sith usually shouldered the responsibility of putting down a mad animal or one who would stalk the livestock. While he didn't enjoy such tasks, Jerroc-Sith was less squeamish about such matters.
Gar-Ren-Jedi was the older of the two by about seven minutes. As was the custom, his parents named him for the twins' paternal grandfather, Gar-Ren-Jorlan, and for the doctor who had delivered them, Nol-Jedi. They had named Jerroc-Sith for the twins' maternal grandfather, Jerroc-Sauron, and for their mother's uncle, Tenn-Lol-Sith.
When Gar-Ren-Jedi entered the house, Senn-Luc, one of the local boys, was sitting at the table with Jerroc-Sith. Senn-Luc was almost twelve years old; the birthday that would make him a man. Jerroc-Sith and Gar-Ren-Jedi had promised Senn-Luc that when he became an adult, he could begin working on the farm. It was tradition that when a young boy reached his majority, he would enlist the aid of some local merchant or businessman to learn their skill. The twin brothers had been very proud when Senn-Luc had announced he wanted to join them and become a farmer.
"Good evening, Senn-Luc," said Gar-Ren-Jedi as he laid his tool box on the floor inside the door. "What brings you out here this fine evening?"
Gar-Ren-Jedi just smiled at his brother. Both knew what the young lad wanted. Of the many students they had, Senn-Luc had proven to be the most adept; and the most enthusiastic.
"Well," started Senn-Luc, "I was hoping you might give me another lesson. I know you've been busy the past few days. I've nearly mastered the lessons you've given me so far. I was hoping that, now that you've nearly finished the repairs to the farm, you might take one evening out for a new lesson."
"It seems our young student is anxious to learn new ways of the Force," said Jerroc-Sith as he continued to set the table for dinner.
"Well, brother," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, "the fence repairs went better than I anticipated. I don't suppose one evening off from the repairs would do any harm."
He winked at his twin as Senn-Luc burst into a broad smile. In the four years since the twins had started his training, Senn-Luc had progressed further than anyone else. Both of the twins thought that, soon, Senn-Luc would be able to begin teaching himself.
They ate the meal mostly in silence. Senn-Luc was a regular visitor to the farm. The three spent many a night having a meal then discussing the ways of the power they had called the Force.
The twin's father had been the first to discover the Force. An energy field that inundated the planet and everything on it. After the death of his wife when his sons were only four, their father had begun to teach them what he had learned about this power.
By the time he had died, the twins had mastered everything their father had taught them. Jerroc-Sith was more aggressive in the use of the Force. He tested his control of it and pushed the limits of his control at every opportunity.
Shortly after their father had died, the twins had discovered that several of the young men in the nearby village seemed to have an affinity for the Force. After many hours of discussing it, they had decided to take on a few of the young men and tutor them in the ways of the Force.
Some had progressed well. Very soon, people from many of the nearby farms had come to them and asked to be taught in the ways of the Force. Gar-Ren-Jedi and Jerroc-Sith had decided to train only the most adept and they, in turn, could be used to train others. Soon, they felt that a training academy might be set up to train others in the use of the Force.
"Oh," said Senn-Luc, reaching into his pocket and removing a letter, "father asked me to deliver this to you."
He handed the letter to Gar-Ren-Jedi. It had the mark of the Prefect, the leader of this province on it.
"A Darth Lord delivered it today," said Senn-Luc. "He asked that someone deliver it to you. He never said what it was about. Father knew I was coming out here tonight and he asked me to bring it with me."
"A Darth Lord?" questioned Jerroc-Sith, looking at the Prefect's seal. "It must be very important for a leader of the Prefect's personal guard to deliver it."
"Yes," said Gar-Ren-Jedi absentmindedly. "Perhaps he has heard of our Tamaack Root stew. I hear he is partial to Tamaack Root."
"Oh, sure," responded Jerroc-Sith sarcastically. "The Prefect sent one of his personal body guard leaders to ask for your recipe."
The three just laughed at the joke as Gar-Ren-Jedi opened the letter. Written on the Prefect's personal stationery, it was presumably, penned by the Prefect himself. Gar-Ren-Jedi read the letter out loud.
"To Gar-Ren-Jedi and Jerroc-Sith of the Tashalan Province:
"It has come to the attention of the royal house that you have perfected control over a great power. Our sources inform us that this power could be of great benefit, not only to the people of Tashalan, but to the populace of the entire planet.
"We, therefore, invite you to attend us at the royal palace to show us your use of this power. The Darth Lord who delivered this invitation will wait in your village for seven revolutions. He has instructions to aid you in any way possible.
"We will await your appearance in the court.
"Jerroc-Tol, Prefect, Tashalan Province."
"Wow," said Senn-Luc. "We've got a personal invitation to the Prefect's Palace. This is great."
"I hadn't realized that the news of the Force had travelled as far as the capital city," said Gar-Ren-Jedi.
"He probably heard about it from Sell-Nar," said Senn-Luc. "You remember him. His family moved to the capital city several months ago. His uncle is a member of the Darth Guard. That's probably how the Prefect learned of it."
"Well, brother," said Jerroc-Sith. "Looks like we're in for a trip to the capital city. I've always wanted to go there. At the expense of the Prefect, no less."
"Hold on," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "I'm not so sure this is a good idea. Sure, we've been able to teach some of the locals about the Force. I don't know if we're ready for this. I mean, we have the farm and all. Our small village isn't exactly the hub of provincial activity."
"But think of it," said Jerroc-Sith. "Personal guests of the Prefect himself. Very few ever have that honor. Who knows? Maybe we'll even get a chance to see the new hyper drive they've been working on."
"Jerroc-Sith," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, "we're a couple of small town farmers. What do we know about the big city or space travel?"
"You've read the same tech manuals I have," said Jerroc-Sith. "Those high powered hyper drive ships are nothing even remotely like our land rover. We might even seem like a couple of hicks there. All that will change, though. Imagine, teaching the ways of the Force to the Darth Guard."
"That's not likely to happen," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "They train Darth Guardsmen from the age of five. You have to be sponsored by someone already in that monastic order just to get an appointment. Let's face it. In all likelihood, the prefect will ask us to train one of his Darth Lord, then take all the credit for it."
"They can't do that," said Senn-Luc. "Everyone knows that it's the two of you who discovered the Force. No one can use it the way you can. Especially Jerroc-Sith. I mean, you've spent years to develop your control over it. Even if he does ask you to train a Darth Leader, it will take years to train one. Everyone would know that you are the ones behind it."
"First," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, "father discovered the Force. Besides, using it to remove stumps doesn't seem to be something that a warrior monastic order like the Darth could use. They're looking for some sort of weapon they can use in combat. I hardly think what we use it for can be called a weapon."
"I think you underestimate the Force," said Jerroc-Sith. "I've been able to use it for more than removing stumps. Honestly, Gar-Ren-Jedi, I keep telling you there's more to the Force than father ever dreamed. I mean, I 'saw' Senn-Luc coming here long before he did."
"You saw into the future?" asked Senn-Luc.
"So he claims," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "But he doesn't seem to have any control over it. It just sort of happens."
"Yes," said Jerroc-Sith, "but I think I can gain control over it. It will just take time and practice. We've even learned to do things which father never dreamed about."
"I know," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "But training someone on the Prefect's staff. Senn-Luc is right. It would take years. What would we do with the farm?"
"I have an idea," said Jerroc-Sith. "Why don't we just go see the Prefect. Find out what he wants. Then we can decide what to do from there."
"Sounds good to me," said Senn-Luc.
"Let me think about it for a while," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "We still have the repairs to the farm to finish. We'll also have to find someone to tend the farm while we're gone."
"I can do that," volunteered Senn-Luc. "And I have a couple of friends who can help. I know my official apprenticeship doesn't start for a couple of months. The times you've let me help out around here has taught me a lot."
"I'll think about it," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "It's just a lot to take in all at once."
"Don't take too long," said Jerroc-Sith. "You just don't keep the Prefect waiting."
With their meal finished, Jerroc-Sith and Senn-Luc began to clear the table. Gar-Ren-Jedi went out to the barn to do the nightly feeding of the animals. After they cleaned the dinner dishes, Jerroc-Sith began the lesson for Senn-Luc.
Gar-Ren-Jedi pondered the recent events. It was true that a personal invitation by the Prefect was a great honor. It would be the talk of their small village for weeks to come. Like Jerroc-Sith, he had always harbored a secret desire to visit the capital city.
The immensity of what he imagined lay ahead hung heavy in his mind. Somehow he knew that the Prefect would want them to train the Darth Guard in the ways of the Force. That would take years. Even if they were successful, their lives would be irrevocably changed by it.
Jerroc-Sith would fit right in. He had always been more adventurous than Gar-Ren-Jedi. In a couple of years, Jerroc-Sith would be of age to run for a seat on the village council. Over the past few months, he had been expressing his desire to join the council. Secretly, Gar-Ren-Jedi believed that Jerroc-Sith harbored greater ambition than even that.
Gar-Ren-Jedi spent most of the night reviewing the pros and cons of the Prefect's offer. In the end, however, he knew he had no choice. Jerroc-Sith was right. No one refuses an invitation from the Prefect. He knew he'd have to go to the capital city and see the Prefect.
His plan was simple. He would meet with the Prefect and convince him that the Force was minor, at best. That it would be of no use to anyone other than simple farmers. Then they would return to their farm and their peaceful lives.
Senn-Luc had spent the night. He often did. Jerroc-Sith had sent Senn-Luc's father a message through the comm lines so that he wouldn't worry. As they sat eating breakfast, Gar-Ren-Jedi told them of his decision.
"Jerroc-Sith," he said, "we'll go to the Prefect. Once there, we convince the Prefect that the Force is a minor ability. Then we can return here."
"Are you crazy?" asked Jerroc-Sith. "This is our big chance. If we get in good with the Prefect, we can practically write our own ticket anywhere in the province."
"What about the farm?" demanded Gar-Ren-Jedi. "We promised father we'd take care of it. We've done real well so far. Do you suggest we just abandon it?"
"Of course not," said Jerroc-Sith. "Senn-Luc can take care of the farm while we're gone. Once we get in good with the Prefect, we should be able to hire others to help with it. Think of the number of people we can train in the use of the Force. We might even be able to get a special academy to train them. We might even be able to bring this to the entire planet."
"Do you hear yourself?" asked Gar-Ren-Jedi. "We haven't even been to the Prefect yet and you're already making plans to be on the Prefect's personal staff."
"And what's wrong with that?" asked Jerroc-Sith. "One day this entire planet is going to be united. The Prefect will be just another ruler of a province of a worldwide government. Many are saying that might even happen within the next generation.
"Can you imagine the political power we would have if we were on the Prefect's personal staff when that happens? A lot of those people will be on the personal staff of the world leader. We would be able help make changes over the entire planet. Who better to do that than us?"
"Jerroc-Sith," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, "you can't be serious. You sound like you think we're better than they are."
"In a way, we are," said Jerroc-Sith. "Our control of the Force gives us an edge. Imagine an army of soldiers able to use the Force. They would be unbeatable."
"Jerroc-Sith," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, "get hold of yourself. We're simple farmers. You've always had dreams bigger than both of us. Let's just go see the Prefect, let him down easy, and get back to the farm."
"I guess I might be dreaming," said Jerroc-Sith. "All last night I had these visions of where this might lead. I can envision an entire order of Force wielders. Helping to guide the lives of others and form the policies of entire planets."
"I know," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "I must admit, I, too, have often wondered if there might be a better use for the Force than what we've learned. If there is, I don't think we'll live to see it. Perhaps some day the Force can be used for more than pulling stumps or mending fences. For now, I don't think it will be anything more than that."
"Okay," said Jerroc-Sith. "You always were the more rational one. I can at least dream, can't I?"
"Everyone has to have a dream," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, smiling coyly.
"Okay," said Jerroc-Sith. "We can leave first thing tomorrow. I'll get some provisions together. I'll check out the rover, too. Make sure it's ready for the trip."
"Fine," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "Senn-Luc, will you please go back to town and tell the Darth Lord that we will be happy to accept the Prefect's invitation. Tell him that we will come to town in the morning so that he can take us to see the Prefect."
"Okay, Gar-Ren-Jedi," said Senn-Luc. The young boy hurriedly left and headed toward town.
As Jerroc-Sith checked out the land rover, his mind wandered. Gar-Ren-Jedi had always been the more level headed one of the two. He, in contrast, would normally act on impulse. It had served him fine in the past.
He knew that the lives of he and his brother were going to change drastically very soon. Even Gar-Ren-Jedi's level headed determination could not change that. He had acquiesced to his brothers' demands to quiet him. Jerroc-Sith had other plans when they went to visit the Prefect.
He felt he had been right not to tell his brother of his latest vision. It had come over him while he was repairing the barn roof. In the vision, Jerroc-Sith saw himself dressed as a Darth Lord. Standing behind the Prefect, signifying that he was the head of the Darth Guard.
He felt sure that his destiny was beginning to unfold. First, he would get in good with the Prefect. Then, he could use his power of the Force to help guide the entire planet toward the unification that would benefit everyone. After that, he felt there was no limit to what he could accomplish.
