After eating breakfast, Mace found his way to where he'd been meeting up with Master Yoda. The green Jedi Master was waiting for him, meditating. Patiently, the padawan sat down on the seat he'd sat on the day before, thinking over what had happened during his lesson with Jedi Master Cala Brin.
He'd taken her advice and mentally thrown the memory of what had happened on Haruun Kal away like a child tossing his ball. He felt more peaceful, but still not the same as he'd once been. At least he didn't have to suffer every moment of his life anymore.
Mace folded his legs and locked his fingers together as he waited, forcing himself to keep an empty mind. He'd be patient, like any Jedi was supposed to.
After a few minutes, Master Yoda came out of his meditation and greeted him.
"Look more peaceful, you do." The great Jedi Master told him. "Tried Master Brin's lesson, have you?"
"Yes, Master." Mace nodded. "So far it's working."
"Easier your training will be." Master Yoda replied. "Good, this is."
"What do you have to show me today?" He asked.
"Powers of the Force, I will teach you." The Grand Jedi Master decided.
"Okay." The padawan nodded slowly, trying to force away his impatience. They didn't have all day. "Which ones?"
"Depends on the ones you already know, it does." Master Yoda responded.
"I know quite a few good ones." Mace told him and began listing them. "Shatterpoint, Mind Trick, Battlemind, and a lot more."
"Force valor?"
"No. What is it?"
"Makes you faster during battle, it does." The Jedi Master explained.
"Interesting." The padawan murmured.
"Wish me to teach you it, do you?"
"Sure, I guess."
*X*
Mace sat down besides Reach in the main cafeteria for dinner. She was already eating, halfway done with her meal.
"Hey, Reach." He smiled, looking at her.
"Hey, Mace." She greeted in reply. "How'd the training go today?"
"Not too bad. Not bad at all." Mace told her. "Master Yoda taught me Force valor. Took awhile to get it right, though. How's the class doing?"
"They're not doing too bad either." Reach replied. "We've been relearning how to land after falling long jumps. The class hasn't been too good at it, so the Masters think we'll be working on it for a week."
The other padawan rolled his eyes, sighing. "Why're the Masters reteaching it anyway?"
"Well, you know, we don't use it very much and thought we'd be rusty at it. Turns out they were right. One of the others nearly broke their legs when they failed." She explained.
"Ouch."
"You got that right."
"So, how'd you do?" Mace asked.
"Decent." Reach shrugged. "My legs still ache from the landings though."
He nodded in understanding. "Wouldn't blame them for hurting. It's a long fall."
She smiled and pat his shoulder. "Yes, it really is. Be glad you weren't there."
The padawan gave her a small grin. "I am now."
They both laughed.
"We'd better eat before we go back to training." Reach reminded him, taking a bite of something from her tray.
"Oh yeah. Right." Mace nodded and began eating as well. "Almost forgot."
She snorted and then they both burst out laughing.
*X*
"This after noon, train with Master Dooku you will." Master Yoda was saying.
Mace nodded. "Okay. What'll you be doing?"
"Talking to another fellow Master, I will be."
"Okay. Is Master Dooku coming to me or should I go to him?"
"Go to him, you will." The Grand Jedi Master told him. "Now, go, you must."
"Yes, Master." The padawan replied with a nod, getting to his feet.
*X*
Mace found Master Dooku in a private training room after ten minutes of searching. The older man scowled at him.
"You're late."
"Sorry, Master. Didn't know where to find you."
"Surely you know how to find one through the Force?" The Jedi Master raised an eyebrow at him.
"Ye-I didn't think of that." Mace admitted, ashamed of himself.
"One must consider all of his options before searching the whole temple, padawan." Dooku advised in a cool voice.
"Yes, Master." The padawan kept eye contact, not allowing himself to show how unhappy with himself he was. "I'll remember that."
"Best you do." The man gave a small, considering nod. Out of nowhere he said,"Attack me."
"What?" Mace looked at him curiously.
"I need to know your current skill in lightsaber combat, Windu." Dooku glared at him, drawing his lightsaber and igniting the blade. "I said attack me."
"As you wish, Master." The padawan drew the hilt of his own weapon and held it in front of him.
Mace ignited the brilliant violet blade of his lightsaber and charged. He swung high, only to have the attack blocked. Then he swung low, failing again. This time, the older Jedi attacked and blue met with purple. They each moved quickly with swift chops, yet both failed to get past the other's defenses and disarm them.
Impatience at this grew inside the young padawan and he switched to start using his own form of lightsaber combat; Vaapad. He fought with all of his might, yet at the same time hoping his ability of Shatterpoint would reveal an opening to the endless duel.
Then he saw that opening.
Suddenly, Dooku was on the floor, disarmed, with a violet blade held at his throat.
"Very well done." The Jedi Master laughed, though he didn't seen humoured. "Where'd you learn that, padawan?"
"Self-taught it to myself." Mace told him through narrowed eyes.
"It's brilliant." Dooku nodded carefully in approval. "Good move, Windu. Sheath your blade."
The padawan continued to look at him, unresponsive.
"Sheath your blade." The older man demanded, his voice cold once again.
Mace sighed, deactivating the purple blade. He attached the hilt of the lightsaber to his belt and moved back to give the Jedi Master room to get up.
"What have I to learn?"
"Nothing." Dooku replied, brushing off his pants. "You're the most magnificent swordsman I've seen besides Master Yoda."
