Chapter 15 The Council
Samal went to the Jedi Council chambers at the top of one of the towers of the Temple. There were a total of Twelve Jedi Council members. Several alien members and a few humans. In the center sat a man with orange hair and red robes.
"Welcome back Master Ogan," the man with the orange hair said. "I sensed Jaster's death. I'm sorry for your loss."
"That is your second Padawan lost. Seems you are cursed my old friend," a Keldor Councilor in dark robes said.
Ralon narrowed his eyes at the remark. "We were up against Death Troopers. He was blasted…"
"Perhaps if he had learned from me he would have survived," the Keldor laughed. "Both my padawans are alive and one is a knight now. Seems I've made the better teacher between us!"
"Master Clo Loom, that is enough!" the orange haired man said. "I would have thought you would have put your old rivalry with Ralon aside. We Jedi must not allow ourselves to fight amongst each other like the Sith do. We must stay united. You are not one of the Sith anymore."
The Keldor stiffened. "Apologies, Master Donn. Old habits die hard."
Apparently this Clo Loom and Ralon were long time rivals. Samal was startled when he heard the former had been a Sith at one point.
The orange haired man in the red robe now turned to Samal. "You must be Samal Dicar. I am Sate Donn, current grandmaster of the order."
"Greetings, Master Donn," Samal said.
"You!" Clo Loom exclaimed.
Samal looked at him. "Yes?"
The Keldor hesitated. "N-nothing. I thought I sensed something familiar about you is all."
"Well, I sense you have a strong connection to the force young Dicar," Sate said. "Very strong indeed. I think it would best for you to remain here… at least for a time."
"I agree," Ralon Ogan said. "I plan on returning to the battle field as soon as possible. The newer trainees should remain here until they are combat trained."
"I'm combat trained!" Samal objected. "I don't need to hide."
"Now, now, watch your anger," a woman with a green mask over her eyes said.
Samal huffed. "I'm sorry… but I have been trained in martial arts and other areas of combat."
"We will be the judge of when you are ready to enter combat. You seem to have a bit of pride. Also, we sense something in you. A dark feeling of regret. You have been scarred young one. We can sense the grief inside you," a human with a brown beard said.
Samal felt the emotion inside him beginning to emerge. "My echani instructor, Master Brano… he was killed in the Sith Invasion."
"Ah… and now you desire revenge do you?" the masked woman said.
"No… well… I did. But I already got it… I killed the Sith who killed my master,"
Looking around the council he saw several of them look worried or even frowned.
"Young Dicar, revenge is not the Jedi way," the woman said. "These actions could lead you down a dark path. You will require time to heal before we can begin your training. Killing in revenge, whether it is a Sith or not… is something we can't ignore."
"But-
"Do you wish to become what killed your Echani Master? Do you want to become a replacement for the Sith that you slaughtered?"
Samal stood frozen for a moment then said, "No."
"Good. Now, let me make this clear. You must never use what we teach you for the purpose of revenge. Only to defend yourself or others. Do you understand?" Sate Donn said.
"Yes sir," Samal said.
"Good. For now you may be escorted to your room."
The woman in the green mask rose from her seat. "I will escort you there, then I think we should begin your healing process. That is my responsibility after all."
Sate nodded. "Very well Master Nella. I will leave healing his spiritual wounds to you."
…
Master Nella escorted Samal to the room in the temple he'd been given.
As they walked Samal asked, "Forgive me but… are you human or… not?"
She shook her head. "I am a Miraluka. My species does not see with eyes like most others do. We are all able to see through the power of the force."
"Oh."
As they walked Master Nella pointed out areas of the temple. "That there is the library and the Archives."
Samal did his best to memorize the details, though the Jedi Temple was massive. She lead him to a turbolift and went to the floor below. They stepped out and she continued explaining.
"This is the accommodation sector of the temple where we have our dormitories. There are nurseries, youngling dormitories, and the Knight's Billet. You're two old to stay with the younglings so you'll stay in the Billet."
There were thousands of the rooms in the lower areas of the temple. It was small with no holoplayer or other forms of entertainment. There was a small dresser in the corner. Samal emptied his suitcase of the clothes he'd been given and put them in the dresser. He also set his vibrosword on top of it.
"I sense… disappoint in you."
"Well… not much in here," Samal said.
"Indeed. We Jedi do not have much luxury. We tend to pass time through mediation, training, and studying. Rest here if you wish. Dinner will be soon. We will begin attempting to heal you tomorrow."
Samal nodded.
…
Ralon made his way back to the Comorus Eagle. He walked into the cockpit and called a lightsaber there to his hand, it was Jaster's weapon, as well as the weapon of Ralon's padawan before him. Ralon had had two padawans, and both fell before reaching the rank of knighthood. The Weapon Master couldn't train his padawans well enough to make it.
Ralon sighed. "I'll never take another padawan again. Samal will be better off with another master."
Well Ralon's not gonna take me as his padawan. Or is he? Maybe he needs some healing as well. Even if he doesn't, no doubt our paths will cross again. Next up, time to heal, then training with my new master whoever it will be.