It was another hour before the Council summoned us to return. The first thing I noticed upon entering was that Master Fisto's chair was still out of place; Qui-Gon gratefully eased back into it.

The second thing I noticed was the mood in the room, which was deliberately restrained. The Masters were intentionally sublimating their emotions, blanking their minds. I might have been able to cut through some of their barriers with a focused act of will, but that would have been seen as quite intrusive.

"Come to a decision the Council has," Yoda began. The oldest living Jedi slowly climbed down from his seat, claws clutching his cane has he approached my Master… no, as he approached me.

"Young Obi-wan," he said as he stood in front of me. I took a knee so that I could see him face to face. "A coward, are you?"

I mulled the question over in my head. "I don't think so," I finally said. "I'm entirely willing to risk my life, or to lose it, in pursuit of something I hold to be of greater value."

Yoda's eyes narrowed. "A specific example, give me."

After another pause, I said, "I would have faced Darth Maul in Master Galia's place, to save the lives of the committee."

"And yet, when an opportunity for you to face Maul actually arose, stay on Coruscant you did. Another you sent in your place." He inclined his head in Kit's direction, but his wrinkly green face stayed focused on me.

I shook my head. "I didn't stay here out of fear. I stayed here to make sure Maul showed up to the battle." I sighed, suppressing my growing frustration. "I know that knights are expected to charge forward regardless of the situation or the odds, but I prefer to do what I think will help the most. Whether or not I'm in harm's way. I… genuinely thought you would understand that." I looked around at the other Council members, somewhat pleadingly.

"Understand it, we do, yes," Yoda nodded. He pulled himself to his full height. "Confirm that you understood it, we did." He pulled out his lightsaber, and ignited it. "Your oath to the Order, recite."

I heard the emphasis on my oath, and took it him at his word:

"I am a Jedi. The Force guides me.

I shall act for the maximal good of all sentient beings in the Galaxy.

I shall use violence only against those who endeavor to harm others; them I shall end utterly.

I shall respect the freedom of conscious creatures, and strive to increase it.

I shall give my aid and allegiance to those people and causes committed to the good of the Galaxy. Today, that includes the Jedi Order and the Republic.

The Dark Side is my enemy. I shall never use the Force in any way when motivated by anger, hatred, or fear.

Forsaking all else, neither the Galactic Empire nor Darth Vader shall come into existence, no matter the cost.

Even my death does not release me from my Oath, as long as my Spirit remains to serve."

I could feel confusion and concern from some of those present, but Yoda had heard my modified oath before. He reached out to take my braid in his free hand, and severed it in one simple move of his blade.

"Rise, Jedi Knight," he said. "Prove your skill and wisdom you did, in the Spire of Tranquility. Your Trials, you have overcome."

As I stood, much of the restraint left the minds in the room; it appeared that they had mainly been trying to keep the surprise. Since I didn't know what to say, I bowed my thanks and took my braid from the Grandmaster's hand. It was done.

"One matter to consider," Ki-adi-mundi addressed me as Yoda returned to his seat. "Anakin will be Qui-Gon's Padawan. And while the Council has approved your continued involvement with them, you could also take on a learner of your own. We have many aspiring younglings who deserve the attention of a knight."

"I already have somebody in mind," I smiled.