Chapter 7

The garden near the Doma-tasan's meeting hall was nearly a full acre in size. Paths made of smooth stone meandered through lush greenery dotted with flowers and heavily laden fruit trees. Several small streams and delicate waterfalls added some motion and soothing sounds, and where the paths and the water intersected, there were small, gently arched wooden bridges.

Vandalyn enjoyed the quiet as she walked past some flowering bushes. Stopping from time to time she examined blooms that caught her eye. Finally, she came upon a wooden bench that was nestled among some vines which were covered by purple flowers. The tendrils curled gently along the back of the bench. Across from her was a statue of what appeared to be two Dunali in an intimate dance. The forms were vague, only representations of true bodies, but just real enough to be understood. They flowed around and into each other, and the heads hovered so closely together it would have been difficult to fit a feather between them. The stone they were carved from was a cream color with silver and gold flecks and veins running through it.

Vandalyn sat down and examined the statue for some time before finally closing her eyes, listening to the water sing as it skipped down the rocks, dropping into the water pool near her. It was a quiet and serene place and she welcomed the opportunity to drink in the near silence and collect her thoughts. She found herself thinking of that evening's dinner, and the time she would spend with Qui-Gon…When did I start thinking of him as Qui-Gon and not Master Jinn, she wondered.

The sound of feet on the path near her made Vandalyn look up. Her patience was rewarded when Nimat Ilo and his own clan-brother, Nimat Aba, came around the corner.

"Jedi Apprentice," Aba said. "It is nice to see you." The Dunali frequently called Qui-Gon "Jedi Master" but had seemed to have difficulty simply referring to her as a padawan. The Doma-tasan had settled on referring to her as "Jedi Apprentice" and had done so from the first meeting.

"This is a lovely garden," she answered. "I am grateful to have the time to enjoy it."

"We frequently come here to find peace amid the storm of the day," said Ilo.

"It is a good place for that. I find it is easier to reflect on all that I have seen and heard when I am surrounded by the sound of the water. Sometimes the silence can lead to inspiring ideas."

Ilo and Aba both gave her a measured look, catching a note in her voice. "Has such inspiration struck you, Jedi Apprentice?" asked Ilo.

"It has given me time to reflect on the things that Bruva Tag and Ressem Ud have said over the past few days."

"Really? I think they have said little of substance and shouted much nonsense," snorted Aba. Ilo gave him a measured look and Aba fell silent. Vandalyn was wise enough not to smile.

"They have done their share of shouting," she said with a serious face. "But I wonder why no others in the Doma-tasan have been nominated. The day when Master Jinn will cast his vote approaches."

"Nominating someone else could split the Doma-tasan even more," said Ilo, "and take votes away from either Tag or Sa. Then the other would win through a simple majority, and the Master Jedi's efforts would have been wasted." Ilo did not give voice to his fears that Sa would prevail. He would prefer Tag and his indulgences over a leader who would grow more bloodthirsty, if there was no other choice, but he was no friend of Tag's either. For Ilo, choosing between the two was simply a matter of measuring which represented the lesser evil.

"A true possibility," she agreed. "But one must wonder what would happen if a vote was cast for… let us say, Zava Ur."

"Zava Ur?" Stillness settled over Nimat Ilo.

"I was simply wondering," replied Vandalyn as she offered earnest smile, "what would happen if something so… unexpected… were to occur. Zava Ur seems to be well qualified and intelligent. Someone of his nature may find he has more support than he realized."

"Your idea is most interesting, Jedi Apprentice," said Nimat Aba.

Vandalyn smiled at him. "Thank you, as a Jedi I find pondering different possibilities to be a good way to sharpen my mind and my insights. However, as much as I would enjoy continuing to theorize with you, I'm afraid I must return to my quarters; Master Jinn will be expecting me." She stood and bowed respectfully to the two Dunali men. "I have found that the universe does grant us unexpected opportunities, but one must find the inner inspiration to heed them. May the Force be with you." She disappeared around the corner a moment later.

"Aba, find Zava Ur for me, and while I talk to him find Fosat Ela, Veelas Ak, Nannal Oir, and Cadai Zu," said Nimat Ilo. "I am feeling… inspired."

Back at her quarters, Vandalyn found the Dunali men gone and Qui-Gon Jinn outside practicing his light saber forms. He was an accomplished sword-master, but Ataru was his favorite, and the form he was most proficient at. The physical demands of Ataru, and the use of wide, sweeping slashes with the light saber required a certain amount of open space.

Qui-Gon Jinn worked slowly, deliberately, putting focus and thought into each move. He turned, raising the light saber at an angle over his head, and then brought it down in front of him. It was a defensive move that could repel either a saber thrust or a blaster bolt. The move was followed by two slashing strokes and a powerful leap to the left. He landed solidly and turned in a flash, moving quickly across the patio stones amidst a flurry of slashes and parries. Vandalyn smiled. It was a pleasure to watch him. She was an expert in Soresu, and was well on her way to mastering Ataru, but as she watched the smooth confidence of Qui-Gon's steps, she realized how much more she had to learn.

Qui-Gon was aware of Vandalyn the moment she came out onto the patio even though his back was to her in that instant. He'd become increasingly aware of the feel of her energy within the weaving patterns of Force energy. He lunged forward and then brought his light saber back, an aggressive attack followed by a dramatic reversed block. He was showing off a little, and he knew it, but he didn't let the realization disturb his form or show in his expression.

For her part, Vandalyn realized that watching Qui-Gon reminded her of the lovers statue in the garden. His moves are as fluid as the lines of that statue… And he brings a power, a sens… She flinched and refocused her thoughts, refusing to let the word "sensuality" fully form in her mind. I should not think of him like that…

"You practice Ataru?" asked Qui-Gon as he finished his form.

"I do, but I am not as adept as you," Vandalyn answered.

He smiled. "I am older than you." The answer was matter of fact, but touched with a dusting of sarcastic humor.

"Master Tabor gave me an adept rating in Soresu, and I after I achieved that I began studying Ataru."

They started to walk back inside, and as they did, Qui-Gon asked, "What is it about Ataru that appeals to you?"

She thought for a moment. "I like the openness in it. The sweeping use of the light saber. I must confess there is a flair to it that I find appealing."

"I think you will master Ataru quickly. Your pursuit of your ah'dan will give you an advantage over other students," said Qui-Gon. Then he changed subjects. "Did you find anything inspiring in the garden?"

"Aside from an intriguing statue? Yes, I did. I had a brief philosophical discussion with Nimat Ilo and Nimat Aba." Vandalyn started to yawn, but stifled it quickly.

Again, Qui-Gon smiled. "It has been a long day, hasn't it? Go and get some sleep, Vandalyn. Tomorrow will be an even longer day."

She nodded and headed to her room. As she got to the door, Vandalyn stopped and looked back over her shoulder. Qui-Gon was sitting in one of the chairs, studiously looking down at a handheld computer pad. Vandalyn thought back to the garden and what she said to Nimat Ilo: I have found that the universe does grant us unexpected opportunities, but one must find the inner inspiration to heed them.

Perhaps it is time to take my own advice, she thought.

As if he'd heard her, Qui-Gon looked up. "Yes, padawan?"

"Just a thought," she answered. "Good night… Master Jinn."

"Sleep well, Vandalyn."

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Ah, at last. Another chapter. As always, thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to review my story… and thanks also to those of you who have simply taken the time to read it. I appreciate your interest and your feedback. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.