Lambert's POV

They followed Talia through into the palace. The guards fell into step around them alert for anyone who might dare attack their Queen. All except for XIII who fell into step beside Lukas. Kavar glanced at them curiously especially when Lukas slowed to two paces behind the Jedi Master.

Lukas whispered as he checked their surroundings, "It was certainly a surprise to find you here. I would have thought that you'd follow Revan."

XIII snorted as he said, "My loyalty was never to Revan. Even though I was a Knight and you were still a Padawan my loyalty was to you. And you alone. Like so many of the others that went to Malachor."

People were that loyal to him they would follow him to Malachor? Knowing full well that he could be leading them to their deaths? That mission had been known to everyone that there was a strong chance it would be their last.

Many of the other generals and admirals hadn't wanted him to tell his soldiers the truth. They wanted everyone kept in the dark to prevent deserts. The longer the war went on the more their men deserted to get out and save their skins.

Lukas frowned, "I thought it was because everyone believed in Revan. Did so many follow him because I did? For what reason? I am just a man like you."

XIII shook his head as he said, "No you were different. The other higher ups didn't care about what happened to the common soldier. Or the common Jedi for that matter. In their eyes everyone was expendable except the strongest of the soldiers. For you though, you treated everyone the same no matter their rank or station in life. That was what drew so many to you. You didn't have to earn our loyalty. You already had it."

Lukas sighed, "I just did what I thought was right. Though I regret everything that happened at Malachor."

XIII shuddered, "I think everyone who survived it does. But we keep moving forward. Unlike you I couldn't bring myself to face the Council. So I came here and called in my favor with Vaklu. How did you end up with Kavar as his Padawan?"

Lukas said glancing at the Master through his bangs, "Kavar can still sense my presence in the Force. It's just like how it was when we still lived in the Temple. It was his words that caused the Council to allow me to stay with him. I'm to stay with him until it is decided otherwise."

XIII blinked in surprise as he asked, "Your okay with that? You usually aren't one to obey anyone much less a Master. Not since... well not since Shioon."

Lukas froze for half a second then he kept walking. A brief glance back from Kavar showed concern in his eyes. Shioon... his master who had died for him. If he had been stronger then maybe they wouldn't have been able to kill her.

Shioon had been killed because she was close to him. Because of his ability to completely hide himself within the Force. As well as that other ability.

Lukas shuddered at the thought of it. The ability had not made itself known since he followed Revan. It wasn't exactly being able to see into the future. Not exactly. He seemed to get feelings as well as sounds of things to come. Two years before the war he had feelings that it was coming. If only he had listened to it warning those around him maybe they wouldn't have gone to war. Then again his Master died because she refused to give him up. And there were other Masters who wanted to take him in because of his ability.

XIII commented, "You're looking dark over there brother. What are you thinking about that gives you such a look?"

Lukas shook his head as they stepped into the bright hallways of the palace, "Nothing I can talk about here. Too many ears. Know of a place?"

"Always. Meet me at the training room tonight. 2300."

"I'll be there," he replied and XIII broke off heading towards his post.

With declared blood brother gone he quickened his pace to catch up then match Kavar's. Kavar for his part didn't acknowledge him. Instead he seemed to focus on the Queen's words.

Lukas despite having been talking with XIII had still memorized their path. If he had to make a quick escape this would make it much easier. Revan had impressed the importance of it upon all of his soldiers. Anyone with half a brain listened to him.

The throne room was enormous. Lukas had never been in it before as he stayed on the moon. Colors were just as bright as the rest of the palace. As for the throne it wasn't anything special.

Talia said after a moment, "One of the guards will show you to your rooms. As well as where the training rooms are," almost as an after thought, "Unless you prefer your Padawan to share yours Kavar?"

Kavar looked at Lukas who showed no reaction to the question. He didn't know what to think of sharing an apartment with another master. It had been so long since he shared a room. Even in the war the Jedi didn't share rooms. Especially not the Generals.

Then Kavar said, "We will share rooms if you have apartment sized. Otherwise we will make do with separate rooms."

Talia replied nodding, "We do have a few. I'll ensure that you are placed in the one closest to the training rooms. They are also the furthest from my own rooms. Just in case."

There was a twinge of jealousy that he could not place in Lukas's chest. He didn't like the way she looked at Kavar. It was obvious that the Queen and Weapons Master had a past. Lukas knew he had to shove down those feelings. It had no place here. Kavar would not be happy if he learned about them.

Kavar nodded, "That is for the best. Thank you, Talia. We will go to our rooms now so that we can get settled in."

Talia smiled, "Good. I'll see you both at dinner then."