CHAPTER EIGHT: SECOND TRIAL

The next day, I couldn't get myself up at the first sound of my chronograph's alarm, as usual. Instead, I fought sleep for at least ten more minutes. I felt drugged, and not only by fatigue. Yesterday had drained me, and not only because I'd faced my first Padawan trial. I'd also met Kreia and a Jedi Knight whose Force presence was a whirlwind of emotion. As I rubbed my eyes and stretched, I knew today would be no different. My gut feeling, whether in the Force or not, was that I'd face an even greater challenge. "Good morning," I mumbled to the object on my bedside table, blinking. Did I just say that to an empty cube-shaped artifact? Yes, I did, and now I feel even more stupid. Was Kreia just a figment of my imagination?

I thought that I saw the holocron flicker out of the corner of my eye. Still, I wasn't quite awake, and I took a cold shower to remedy this. By the time I'd dried myself off briskly and dressed, it sat as silently as ever. By the time I'd eaten breakfast and reported to Master Severns, I'd almost completely forgotten about her. "Greetings, Per'dra," the Miraluka said with a nod and a salute. "Please sit down." I obeyed. "As you might have suspected, you'll now face your second Padawan trial. What are the five duties of an ordained Jedi?"

"Protection, peacemaking, enlightenment, upholding justice, and Force mastery."

"Very good. Today you'll concentrate upon the first two. I've assigned you as one of two escorts for Master Bolaph Nurk. She's a Mon Calamari, an aquatic humanoid, and so one of your duties will be to help keep her moist as well as to protect her. You know full well that Tython is our hiding place, where we have withdrawn in order to avoid detection and extermination by the Sith. However, that doesn't mean we stay cloistered within our Temple. On the contrary: We try to help where we can, and wherever we're needed. However, many on Tython mistrust us and think there's no real difference between us and the Sith. Master Nurk is going to a village meeting near here where anti-Jedi sentiment is running high. It's this afternoon, and she needs bodyguards as a precaution. You're to move out at 1300 hours. Understood?"

"Yes, Master," I replied, "but are you sure I'm worthy of this trial? Are you confident I can protect her?"

"Remember that I value loyalty as much as combat and Force ability. I'm not expecting anyone to attack her, but I'm aware that this could happen. Don't sell yourself short; you're stronger than you think. After this meeting is over, I'd like you to debrief me on what was said, since I'll be unable to attend. One of our covert allies is facing overt hostility and lethal danger from some of the people who live here on Tython, and he needs to be rescued. I'm headed into the nearby wilderness where he's holed up. Wish me luck."

I winked at Master Severns. "There is no luck, only the Force." He gave me a gentle wave of dismissal. Covert allies? Lethal danger? What's going on here, and will any of it be a part of my third trial? I thought. Nevertheless, I returned to my quarters and prepared myself for today's assignment. I had never guarded anyone with a higher rank than Youngling, let alone a Jedi Master. Was I really suited for this? I supposed that if I wasn't ready now, how would I ever be? Master Severns knew what he was doing. I'd trusted him ever since I first learned his name. If he believed that I could rise to this challenge, I would certainly try.

All of a sudden, I spotted the holocron. It gave off no mere flicker, but a bright silver glow of sentience.

"Please," it said. "Take me with you." Gingerly I reached out, scooped up the artifact, and slipped it into the right pocket of my thick brown Jedi robe. Unlike my undertunic and leggings, which were both white, the robe was heavy. In the mirror of the closet door, I couldn't see the glow of the holocron through the material. Thus satisfied that no one else would see it, I clipped my yellow training lightsaber to my belt and headed for the Temple exit. I definitely saw Master Nurk waiting, with her blue dome-shaped head, but who was that beside her? When I recognized his face, I gave a little start. Uh-oh. Did Master Nurk notice?

"Greetings, Padawan-in-training Yllari," the Mon Calamari said in Basic. "I'd like you to meet Knight Sten."

"A pleasure," I said, keeping my voice neutral, "even though this is our second time being introduced." I held out my hand for him to shake, and he did. While his grasp remained firm, my palm went as limp as one of the fish that Master Nurk might have eaten for lunch. I felt my cheeks ignite. Per'dra, you idiot!