Tython-3648

The journey to Tython was not long, but he had insisted to himself that he must visit the ruins of the Temple on Coruscant first. It had been a haunting scene. The damage to the capital city had been extensive enough that no one had touched the rubble at the Temple and he wondered if they would. The tale around the city was that it was now populated with the ghosts of dead Jedi.

Shemric had walked the grounds for more than an hour before he bid goodbye to the place and took a taxi to the spaceport. Tython itself was a very sparsely populated planet and the temple was one of the only stops the shuttle made. They did not really make civilian flights there; you had to wait for a supply shuttle headed down to the surface.

Eventually, though, he found himself at the new temple and for a time he simply walked about to get a feel for the place. He managed not to meet anyone he knew, or at least, they did not recognize him. He wondered if Balmorra had changed him so very much. He finally made his way to the Grand Master's offices and politely requested a few minutes. Shem ended up waiting for the better part of an hour before she would see him, so he meditated on calmness and tried not to think about his future.

When he was shown into her office, she greeted him warmly at the door. Satelle Shan was an attractive older woman with dark hair and penetrating eyes. Her smile for him seemed genuine and she apologized for making him wait so long.

"My executive assistant sometimes makes people wait just to see if they have the patience to sit," she explained before offering him a seat. "You seem to have passed her test."

"Thank you for seeing me, Grand Master," he said. "I would like to report on events on Balmorra and see if there is still a way forward for me in the Order."

"I have heard a number of things about Balmorra from my contacts, Shem, but one must sift through what they report," she said. "I have also spoken with Master Panarch about your taking leave of him." Shemric shifted uncomfortably but the grand master went on. "More importantly, I have spoken with no fewer than three Republic soldiers from the 924th who escaped Balmorra back to their families. So, before you begin, know that I find your actions on Balmorra to be quite exemplary and in keeping with our Jedi mission."

Shemric's relief seemed obvious and Satelle smiled encouragement as he began his tale. She asked very few questions and for the most part, did not interrupt except when Shemric was trying to awkwardly explain around some events related to Julienne.

"You need not dissemble with me, Shemric," said Shan. "I have also heard rumor of your … personal scout."

She said it in a completely neutral voice, but Shemric suspected she knew more than she was letting on. As such, he told the rest of the story as starkly as possible and then finished by saying he visited his family on Nubia.

Shan regarded him for some time without speaking. She had seemed like she had made a decision before he arrived and was now reconsidering, whether for good or bad.

"You present me with a bit of a quandary, Padawan Shemric," she said. "Overall, your actions saved hundreds of lives and most of the word that has filtered back has been reflected quite positively on the Order. On the other hand, you continue to be a bit of an … oddity within the Order for some of your past associations and actions. Were it up to me, I would make you a Knight and have done with it. Others may disagree. You have not really expressed your wishes yet."

Shem was ready for that question. "I think I can continue to serve in the Order, if the Order wishes me to do so," he said. "Balmorra taught me a great deal about leadership that I would not have learned in any other way. I know we are not really at war right now, but … well, conflict is always right around the corner."

"In that, we agree perfectly, Shemric," she said. "There will be some discussion on the matter and in the meantime, you are free to use Temple resources as you need. I will try to help the council reach a decision that is best for you."

"Thank you for your time, Grand Master," he said, bowing out.

It took him several hours to acquire a small room with bedding and by then he was ready for lunch. He was really unsure of his status, but he decided to err on the side of caution and eat with the Padawans. As such, he looked out of place, more so now that he was in his twenties. It was even more obvious now after nearly four years of fighting that he had very little in common with the bright-faced, naive younglings that chattered amongst themselves as they ate. He filled his tray and sat alone until the first familiar face of the day sat down across from him. It was a boy named Hosum, a near-humanoid with light blue skin who had shared classes with Shem years ago.

"So the legend returns," he said excitedly.

Shemric sighed. He looked so young, even if he was probably a foot taller than Shem remembered. Hosum wanted to hear stories, of course, and it became evident once Hosum had sat that others could as well, so that soon there was a crowd of young Padawans listening to Shemric's stories. He told them as starkly as possible, without embellishment, but the younglings just ate it up faster than they were their meals.

It was a relief to escape back to his room where he gave some thought to what he would do if they did not make him a Knight. He thought he might go back to Nubia for a longer stay, or maybe … he really did not know. He did not have a plan for post-Jedi Order life. Whenever he was troubled, he found that he needed exercise, so he dressed and went looking for the stairs that were inevitable in any building of this size. With a little exploration, he found the stairwell that run up the outside of the building from bottom to top. It was a little disorienting as you rose higher and higher up the side of the temple on the stairway that had only a small rail to the outside. Shemric stayed next to the wall and did not meet up with anyone until he had reached the very top. The land spread out below him in its stark grandeur and the sunset was full of colors from all areas of the spectrum.

After exhaustion set in, Shemric decided not to brave the chow hall again, but found the small after-hours kitchen that had food available at all times of the day. It was not always fresh and sometimes had to be reheated, but it was filling and prevented him from having to tell any more tales. Shemric spent as much time as possible in the library to avoid having to tell any more stories. And he had missed the resources that were available there.

It should have been nerve-wracking to be waiting with your fate in the hands of others, but Shem's visit to his family had filled him with a sense of peace. They would make their decision and then he would make his own.

After finishing the lunch meal, he left the chow hall and there was a man waiting for him. His hair was slightly gray, but he looked very fit and his eyes glinted dangerously. Shemric was instantly alert. His former master did not look happy at all.

"So, you have returned," he said. "And clearly not being disciplined in any way, despite your disobeying my orders in a combat zone. In some cases, they would call that treason and you would be executed.

"I never disobeyed an order from you, sir," said Shemric quietly. "I simply left."

"The order was implied and obvious!" said Master Panarch. He stood and squared his shoulders, looking down at Shemric with a face full of fury. "That fight was finished. We had other future battles to concern us."

Shemric had always been a little scared of Panarch in the days he had been placed under his command, but years more of fighting on Balmorra, and his near-constant conflict with Julienne, had changed him. He was aware of the other man's strength in the Force, but he was no longer intimidated.

"Master Panarch, you taught me to follow the Force and let it guide me even as I tried to use it effectively," said Shemric calmly. "That day … it felt right. Men and women survived and some made it back to their families because of what I did. It was my path."

Panarch's severe expression began to soften as he looked at his old apprentice. "You still embrace too much of the Dark Side, Shemric. I can feel the odd balance you keep. Be very careful." There was an implied threat.

"That also, I learned from you, Master," said Shemric. "Using my anger to fuel my purpose."

Panarch blew out a long breath and suddenly looked older. "That day haunts me," he said, so quietly Shem could barely hear. "I did not like leaving but returning meant death, or so I thought. I wanted to live to see the Empire defeated. I would have done anything for that. Instead, we were defeated." He shook his head. "If half of what I hear is true, you did well. Very well. I should be congratulating you instead of berating you, but I was so angry for a time. You were a very good tool and I was not happy to lose you." Panarch stood silently for so long that Shem wondered if he had forgotten there was anyone else there until he shook himself and regarded Shem once again. "I recommended you for Knighthood. With Master Shan's backing and a few others it was approved against the protests of some. Your Trials were longer than most." He put out his hand and Shemric took it in surprise. Knighthood! Officially. Finally.

"Thank you, sir," said Shem. He could not think of anything else to say. It had been a long time coming.

End Part 1