Their rooms were expensively decorated in gold, jewels adorned parts of the walls. It made Lukas extremely uncomfortable to stand in. How could anyone live with such bright colors?

The first room was the kitchen a chair and table were in front of the refrigerator. It was open and looked into the living room. A nice sofa and three chairs sat around a caf table. It looked nice than even the Jedi Council members rooms. This didn't even include the bedrooms. Would he even be able to sleep here? He doubted it.

After they were shown to the apartment they were given a moment to drop their bags off before being directed to the training rooms. Lukas's mouth dropped open at the sight of the room. High vaulted ceilings allowed them to build an acrobats paradise. There was even an obstical course and that was just the ceiling.

Weapons of all kinds lined the walls that were lined with mirror. This would allow for easier adjustments to one's stance. Being able to see yourself was an advantage few had. On the floors were mats that would allow for some protection if they fell as well.

What truly interested him was the different training equipment. Rock walls, running walls of varying heights, practice droids with both sabers and blasters. It seemed Onderon did not want to be caught unprepared a second time.

Kavar sighed good naturedly, "I suspect that it will be a chore to pull you from here. Promise me you will eat and sleep in regular intervals."

Lukas gave him a look that said it all. He wouldn't make a promise he couldn't sleep. Promising to sleep in regular intervals was very much one he couldn't keep. There were few things he hated more than trying to sleep. The reasons for which were obvious to anyone who had spent any time in war.

Kavar shook his head as he said, "I promised I would help you. I have no intentions of backing out on that. Part of helping you, Lukas is getting you to sleep without nightmares every night. It will be a long process but I swear I'll do my best to help you."

He simply nodded but didn't make the promise. No matter if it was in the war or when he was a padawan he didn't take care of himself. Often times he had to be reminded by his friends to eat, drink, and more often than not be forced to sleep. Both Revan and XIII had drugged his food or drink to force him to sleep.

Still they left the training room and continued the tour of the palace. Lukas made sure he remembered each of the turns and hallways. If he needed to make an escape making a mental map would help it.

Kavar asked many questions on the history of the art. Lukas didn't pay much attention to it as he had little interest in art. When they were nearing the west wing he caught sight of Vaklu. With only a brief glance at Kavar who's focus was on their guide he slipped away.

He followed Vaklu a few hallways over from where he had left Kavar. Once he was sure they wouldn't be overheard he greeted, "Vaklu it's good to see you. How have you been since the war?"

"I have been well," replied the older man as he turned to face Lukas, "What are your intentions on returning here, General? I would have thought you would continue to follow Revan."

Lukas sighed giving the man a look before he said, "Don't call me, General. I left that title behind when I went to face the Jedi Council. As for my intentions to coming to Onderon are simply to heal. Heal both my mind and spirit from the war. Something I'm sure you can understand."

Vaklu stared hard at the younger man before he relented, "Fine. But that doesn't really tell me why you're here and not with Revan. Didn't he go to finish the Mandalorians?"

He hesitated for the briefest of moments before he replied, "I made a promise to Kavar before I left for war. I promised him that I would come back. A promise I kept."

"A promise?"

...

Flashback

A part of him felt bad for the fact that he was leaving. The Temple on Dantooine was the closest thing to a home he had. Even if he was one of the oldest children to ever be brought to the temple.

Shaking his head Lukas checked his bag over one more time. He couldn't focus on the past. No there was only time for the here and now.

Sunrise wasn't for another hour and it was fifteen minutes before the shuttles left. Lukas had made a choice like so many others in the Temple. The Republic had requested aid in defeating the Mandalorians. The Council refused to stand against them. They said it wasn't a Jedi's place to go to war. Revan begged to differ.

Every Padawan, Knight, and Master he thought may agree with had been gathered. Revan and Alek requested that they join them in the fight. To go to war with them and defy the Council.

Lukas didn't want to go. Not really. The reason he was going was to protect the innocents. Others were going for the thrill of battle. XIII was one of them. He was a newly Knighted Jedi Guardian and an old friend. They would not be separated if he could help it.

There was a knock on his door. It was familiar and heavy handed. Time to go it seemed. A brief hesitation filled him. Was he really ready for this? There was a chance that he wouldn't come back. Then he squared his shoulders. No matter the hesitation he had to go. A promise made between those as close as brothers could not be broken.

Throwing open the door he found XIII standing there. Like Lukas he had a pack thrown over one shoulder. Unlike the padawan he was not in his robes. Instead he wore light combat armor that wouldn't restrict the Force. His lightsabers hung from his belt.

"Ready to go?" Asked his sworn brother.

Lukas replied coolly, "Yes. Let's go."

Then they headed towards the landing pads. Around them the doors opened padawans and apprentices who chose to stay watched them go. A few held curiosity as well as a longing.

Discreetly he shook his head. No they should not follow their path. He didnt need to add their deaths onto the ones he would personally kill. Younglings should stay as far away from the war as possible.

Taking the lesser known hallways to the landing pads. Revan and Alek were already there directing those who chose to go to the ships. At seeing Lukas, Revan's eyes lit up. It was as if he hadn't expected Lukas to actually come. A promise made was to be kept. No matter any second thoughts he may have.

XIII entered the indicated ship. Lukas was about to follow when he saw a flash of anger in Revan's eyes. Alek's shoulders tightened and his hand went for his lightsaber.

Lukas turned expecting many things but not what he saw. The now Jedi Weapon's Master and member of the Jedi Council Kavar stood in the entrance. His blue eyes searching the crowd of those leaving for war.

They fell on the Lukas who moved away from Revan. As much as he wanted to he couldn't leave without speaking to the man.

Revan said in a low growl, "Lukas you don't have to speak with him."

Lukas shook his head as he replied, "That's where you're wrong. I do need to speak to him."

Revan glanced at him searching Lukas's gaze for a moment. Then he sighed, "Don't take too long. We need to be gone before first light."

Not wasting a single second he went to Kavar's side. The man's force presence encased him. It soothed the fear in his heart and calmed him.

Kavar said in a low baritone, "You don't have to go. The Council will eventually see reason."

Lukas shook his head as he said, "I can't stand by and do nothing Kavar. Too many planet's are falling to the Mandalorians. Without help innocents will die."

Kavar gripped his shoulder and turned the younger to face him. Lukas couldn't bring himself to look Kavar in the eyes. He didn't want to see the anger of the one person he thought the most of.

"Don't go," pleaded Kavar, "Become my padawan and stay here."

"Kavar I can't," denied Lukas shaking his head, "I have to go. And this doesn't have to be goodbye forever; maybe one day when the time is right, I'll come back to see you again. But it is goodbye… for now at least."

Kavar gritted his teeth but released Lukas's shoulder. A few seconds later his presence eased away. This left him feeling empty.

Lukas stepped away as he said, "Don't be greive my leaving Kavar. I'll be back one day. Ask me again when I return."

Then without hesitation he spun on his heel heading back towards the ships. His steps didn't falter and he didn't look back. If he had he would have seen Kavar open his mouth to say something. Only to hesitate then close it again.

Revan gave him a sharp nod as Lukas got onto the ship. He was the last excluding the two Knights who planned it. As the ship took off he finally glanced at Kavar again.

The Jedi Master raised a single hand in farewell. The gesture he returned just before the ramp closed them in.

...

A small smile crossed his face as he said, "A promise between Master and Student."

Vaklu still looked confused but he accepted Lukas's words.