(And So It Begins…)

I stood outside the spaceport with Areeva and Rarsk, Master Braga was getting ready to take Master Denai's body back home to Tython and Areeva was going to ride back to Tython with him, Rarsk and I were going to go back later because Master Braga had told us that Grand Master Schria Davan wanted to meet with me outside the spaceport before she left Coruscant, and we both knew that this was probably the last time we were going to see each other for a while.

"So I guess this is goodbye," the words stung as they left my mouth.

"For a little while, Master Braga says that I might be able to begin my Knight trials soon, and then maybe we…" I stopped her before she could finish.

"We can never be together the way you want us to be, If I'm going to even try and convince Master Davan that I'm capable of begin a Jedi, I have to follow the code," there was nothing else to say.

"I… understand, but for whatever it's worth… you'll always be my dearest friend." She hugged me as a single tear fell from her eye, Master Braga came out and called to Areeva that it was time to go, and Areeva began to head toward the spaceport, she turned around just before she went in, "Goodbye."

"Areeva," I called out, she turned around, "You'll always be my best friend too," Areeva smiled and disappeared into the spaceport.

"Rarsk will miss small-Twi-lek," he gargled softly, I thought it was amazing that even though they fought all the time a bond had been forged between all of us.

"I'll miss simplicity, with the Genoharadan hunting me down, I'll never be able to truly relax again, even on Tython," I sighed resigned to a fate of constantly looking over shoulder, being wary strangers, never truly being able to trust the people who need my help.

"What Kradok think about Chiss Schuttas warning," he must have overheard Li'Rinna whisper that in my ear, I forgot about Trandoshan hearing.

"I don't know… but I'll definitely be spending a lot of time in the Jedi archives to find out," I was determined, Li'Rinna had given me a hint, a hint to what exactly I was unsure, but I was going to figure I out.

"Rarsk will be there, help Kradok figure out Chiss puzzle," he put his hand of my shoulder, I was grateful to him for being my friend.

"I guess we're going to travel the galaxy together for a long time, huh?" I smirked and Rarsk seemed to find it humorous as well.

"You not get rid of Rarsk easily," he gargled. At that moment I felt a strong force presence and Rarsk and I turned to see a woman approaching us, a woman very powerful in the force, she walked straight up to me and looked me in the eyes. She had soft features and kind eyes and she said to me, "I am Grand Master Schria Davan."

"I'm…" I began but she cut me off.

"I know who you are Kradok, and there will be plenty of time for formal introductions later, I'm here to personally give you a message," She paused, I wanted to plead my case with her to allow me to train to be a Jedi, but I sensed this wasn't the time, she smiled at me before continuing, "Master Shi'ka Teradid wants to meet you on the Bridge of the Gav Daragon, I wouldn't keep him waiting if I were you," she smiled with that comment, and proceeded on into spaceport like she had somewhere important to go.

I looked at Rarsk shell-shocked, "What just happened?" he shrugged.

I stepped onto the bridge of the Gav Daragon, the crew was busy bustling around all of their terminals, we were just off port of Carrick Station and were about an hour or so away from launch, Rarsk was waiting for me down by the transport shuttle they wouldn't let him accompany me to the bridge. I made my way across the bridge occasionally getting bumped out of the way by the busy officers. I came up right next to Master Teradid, he was staring out the viewing window, and I have to admit, seeing open space like that was absolutely breathtaking.

"I see you got my message to meet on the Gav Daragon," he said without turning away from the view, "and you're right on time."

"Right on time for what?" I was confused, but I had a good feeling about this.

Master Teradid turned slowly to face me, "Kradok do you wish to be a Jedi?"

I looked back out the window and rather somberly I added, "More than anything, but with my reputation…"

Shi'ka grew very stern all of a sudden, apparently my self-pity wasn't winning his respect, "Your reputation is no concern of mine, and everyone makes mistakes," his tone softened a little, "that does not mean we cast them aside."

"I'm not looking to cast anything aside," I was angry, angry at Denai's death, angry at Li'Rinna for killing her, and angry at the council for casting me aside in the first place causing all of this to happen, "I just want a fair shot," that's when I realized he meant we don't cast people aside for their mistakes, I had thought he meant cast our mistakes aside. We both had a good laugh at that one.

"I want to give you that chance," he said with his good mood back intact.

"Are you saying, what I think you're saying," I was starting to have a really good feeling about this.

"Always remember life is not fair or unfair, it merely is, it is up to us to be fair," his said all Jedi Master like, and looked me dead in the eye, "I want to be fair and give you a chance, will you be my Padawan?"

"Yes!" I said instantly, I was so overcome with joy I almost forgot to be humble, "I will be your Padawan and thank you for believing I was worth it."

"Everyone is worth it Padawan," were the first words Shi'ka said to me as my Master, and I felt they were probably the most important words I'd heard since the councils judgment, "remember that."

"After what I've been through I'll never forget," for the first time in a long time I was happy.

"You best go pack your things and meet me in hanger bay two, tomorrow," I had a feeling my training was going to be intense, but I looked forward to the challenge.

"Yes master, hanger bay two tomorrow, you won't be disappointed," I replied. Master Teradid returned his gaze to the view as I made my way back down to the transport so I could return to Carrick Station; I still had to pay my last respects to Master Denai on Tython, but I knew she'd want me to be happy, so I tried to do what she wanted. I knew that the Genoharadan would be hunting me now, and I knew I had to discover what Li'Rinna meant by the lord of hunger's mask and it being close to being found, and I would deal with all my problems, the day after tomorrow, I felt I'd earned a short reprieve, and I wanted to enjoy my happiness, I finally had some sort of hope that everything would turn out alright, and I was going to hang on to that for as long as possible.

End of Prologue