Chapter 6
About a year later, Vanda was confronted with a conflict that almost never ended.
It all began one evening in the Sinlahekin valley. Vanda was talking with Melayne, one of her Jedi friends, when Taylor appeared.
See Taylor looking cross, Vanda wondered what was wrong. She knew Taylor was upset, as he had an extremely short temper.
"Is this how it's gonna be, Vanda? Are you just going to continue to ignore me?" he snapped.
"What are you talking about, Tay?" Vanda was confused. She always spent time with Taylor when her lessons were completed for the day.
"You know exactly what I mean!"
"Taylor, you know I have to continue my training."
Taylor cut her off, "Vanda! Stop talking about your training and talk about me!"
Vanda was taken by surprise at the harshness of his words.
"Kain is a Jedi Knight and he still has time for his girlfriend!" he shouted.
Melayne could take it anymore. She charged at Taylor and struck him hard on the face. Vanda ran between them. "Stop! No, Mel! Stop!" beginning to cry as she continued, "Taylor, Kain and I are different people. I'm sorry, but I put my training before you."
This time Melayne cut Vanda off. "I can't believe you! You almost made her turn!" she shouted at Taylor as she lunged at Taylor to hit him again.
"No, Melayne, stop!" Vanda yelled as loud as her raw throat would let her, then she calmed down, "Mel, I'm fine. I'm calm. Leave him alone."
Melayne turned her back and walked home, visibly upset, as Taylor was.
"I'm sorry, Vanda. It's just that..."
Vanda cut him off, "I understand. Listen, maybe we should tone it down a little, break ties, until I become a Jedi Knight. Then this won't happen again. Does that sound fair?"
Taylor nodded. "It does."
"Here," Vanda said as she took off her locket and pressed it into Taylor's palm, "We will be back together again. Be patient."
Taylor smiled and hugged her. Vanda hugged him back and finally broke the embrace, turning and walking home herself.
But little did she know that things were far from over in this conflict.
"His temper is too short, Vanda! He's jeopardizing your training!" Mel shouted at Vanda.
"He is not! Hey, I'm still Light, aren't I?" Vanda shot back.
Melayne shook her head. "You don't understand."
"What's there not to understand?!"
"Never mind! Forget it!" Melayne shouted and walked away.
Vanda was confused. She was still the same person she always was. What was it that made Melayne dislike Taylor so much?
The next day, early in the morning, Vanda was seething with frustration she fought to control. Sitting under her usual tree, Vanda clenched her hand into a fist and shook in her bursting composure.
Letting a violent growl escape her throat, she tensed up, pulled her fist back and launched it into the tree. Hearing something snap, but not feeling it, she shoved her fist into the tree again. Letting everything out in a way that her training forbid but at the moment, she didn't care. All she felt was the struggle inside and then, only then, when her fist was nothing short of a bloody pulp, did she feel the pain in her hand.
Taking a spare tunic out of her pack, she carefully wrapped her pulverized hand and held it close to her side. The pain was excruciating but in a way, she felt she deserved it. She was the one who decided to become boyfriend/girlfriend with Taylor. She was the one who caused her family to die. She was the one.....
Later that evening, Ravan appeared and looked extremely concerned at her Padawan's behavior. Noticing the right hand held close to her side and the look of extreme pain on her Padawan's face, she ventured for some answers.
"What happened?"
Expecting the question, Vanda pointed to the tree. Which now held a jagged hole edged with a coppery look of blood.
Looking back at Vanda, extremely concerned and glanced at the favored hand. "May I see it?"
Reluctantly, Vanda held out the tunic-clad hand.
Carefully and very gently, Ravan pealed away the blood-soaked tunic from the hand. The look on her face said it all. She was appalled. "Follow me," she beckoned quickly.
Vanda was led to the lake, where her hand was painfully cleaned. Then, with gentle hands, Ravan set the remaining bones into place and carefully used the Force to put the shattered bones together and set them. The task was time consuming and extremely painful but Vanda seemed unaffected. She just sat there and watched.
Finally, the hand was bandaged and a thanks was exchanged.
"I think it's time you learn the healing power of the Force..." noticing Vanda's drooping eyes she trailed off. "Another day," she concluded.
Vanda nodded. "Thank you again, Master. I promise I won't do this again."
Ravan smiled and laid a gentle hand on Vanda's shoulder. "May the Force be with you. Sleep well, Padawan."
Vanda smiled. "You too." Eager to get home, Vanda hustled a bit, wanting nothing more than the comforts of sleep in her warm bed.
The next morning, Vanda was taught the basis of using the Force for healing. Basically, all you did was picture what you wanted to do, whether it was fighting an infection or sealing a cut, and allowed the Force to do so. It was quite easy and Vanda mastered it quickly.
Weeks passed. Vanda's fourteenth birthday came, on which she received a new cloak from Ravan and many, many birthday wishes.
"When will this end?" Vanda mumbled to herself as she sat in her usual spot, under the shady tree where she met Taylor. Things had gotten worse since the argument with Taylor. The Sith were still rising in power and the tension was rapidly rising in Vanda's composure. She meditated often to calm herself down and nevertheless still continued with her training.
"What's wrong, Vanda?" her friend, Elaina, asked as she sat down next to her.
"It's nothing," Vanda replied. She had a reoccurrence of the dream again about Amberle's death after many months of dreamless nights. Nevertheless, the dream still affected her the same as it did the first time.
"Are you sure?"
"Okay, alright, I'll tell you! Amberle's death is haunting me, okay?! Anything else you'd like to know?!" Vanda let her frustrations out through gritted teeth and regretted it immediately.
"I'm sorry, Vanda. I didn't know..." a startled Elaina said softly.
"No. I'm sorry, Ela. I shouldn't of burst like that. It's just that, things have gotten really tense and I'm having a tough time dealing with it."
Elaina placed a gentle hand on Vanda's shoulder. "I understand. Things have gotten a little hectic. Listen, I think that you should talk about Amberle. Maybe it'll help you get over her death."
"Maybe."
Elaina stayed silent.
Vanda lowered her head and stared at her hands in her lap, "We argued that night. The night...she died. She told me not to follow her. She...she went after Nissa. Sasha tried to stop me but I went anyway. I heard Nissa get attacked by the Shadowen. Amberle saved her and they talked about something. I got closer and saw Amberle fighting with someone with a dagger. She told Nissa to run and get help," she began to loose it and sobbed violently as she continued, "I kept thinking, 'If I help her, she'll have a better chance of winning.'. But I didn't move. I couldn't. Then," she swallowed hard and clenched her fists, "she lost her balance. She fell......and.....he stabbed her in the heart," she let out a loud, uneven sob and began crying hard, putting her face in her hands, "I'm sorry, Amberle, I'm sorry! It's all my fault!" she croaked with sobs cutting her breath while she continued to cry.
Elaina was on the verge of tears herself and pulled Vanda into a hug. "It's okay, Vanda. It wasn't your fault she died. You can't go back in the past and change it. You can't change the past. Look at the wonderful Jedi you're becoming. Look at how loyal you've been to Ravan when Kamikon tried to turn you. You were very strong, Vanda. I bet Amberle's extremely proud of you. I bet Ravan is too."
Vanda listened carefully to what the young Mage had to say. She realized that Elaina was right. She couldn't change the past no matter how much she wanted to. It was best to let it go. But, that's just it. It's very hard for Vanda to let her past go.
"Thank you, Ela. Thank you for helping me."
"I was glad to help. You can talk to me anytime."
"You know what? I do feel better about Amberle's death."
"That's good. You're beginning to let go."
Vanda looked at the sun and realized that day had turned to night and the moon was out. "Oh man, look at the time! I gotta go. Ravan's starting the Trials tomorrow and I need to get a lot of rest. Thanks again, Ela. 'Night, bye!" Vanda got to her feet, waved and began her walk home.
What do you think?! Reviews would be nice! Next chapter's coming soon!
-Natselane
About a year later, Vanda was confronted with a conflict that almost never ended.
It all began one evening in the Sinlahekin valley. Vanda was talking with Melayne, one of her Jedi friends, when Taylor appeared.
See Taylor looking cross, Vanda wondered what was wrong. She knew Taylor was upset, as he had an extremely short temper.
"Is this how it's gonna be, Vanda? Are you just going to continue to ignore me?" he snapped.
"What are you talking about, Tay?" Vanda was confused. She always spent time with Taylor when her lessons were completed for the day.
"You know exactly what I mean!"
"Taylor, you know I have to continue my training."
Taylor cut her off, "Vanda! Stop talking about your training and talk about me!"
Vanda was taken by surprise at the harshness of his words.
"Kain is a Jedi Knight and he still has time for his girlfriend!" he shouted.
Melayne could take it anymore. She charged at Taylor and struck him hard on the face. Vanda ran between them. "Stop! No, Mel! Stop!" beginning to cry as she continued, "Taylor, Kain and I are different people. I'm sorry, but I put my training before you."
This time Melayne cut Vanda off. "I can't believe you! You almost made her turn!" she shouted at Taylor as she lunged at Taylor to hit him again.
"No, Melayne, stop!" Vanda yelled as loud as her raw throat would let her, then she calmed down, "Mel, I'm fine. I'm calm. Leave him alone."
Melayne turned her back and walked home, visibly upset, as Taylor was.
"I'm sorry, Vanda. It's just that..."
Vanda cut him off, "I understand. Listen, maybe we should tone it down a little, break ties, until I become a Jedi Knight. Then this won't happen again. Does that sound fair?"
Taylor nodded. "It does."
"Here," Vanda said as she took off her locket and pressed it into Taylor's palm, "We will be back together again. Be patient."
Taylor smiled and hugged her. Vanda hugged him back and finally broke the embrace, turning and walking home herself.
But little did she know that things were far from over in this conflict.
"His temper is too short, Vanda! He's jeopardizing your training!" Mel shouted at Vanda.
"He is not! Hey, I'm still Light, aren't I?" Vanda shot back.
Melayne shook her head. "You don't understand."
"What's there not to understand?!"
"Never mind! Forget it!" Melayne shouted and walked away.
Vanda was confused. She was still the same person she always was. What was it that made Melayne dislike Taylor so much?
The next day, early in the morning, Vanda was seething with frustration she fought to control. Sitting under her usual tree, Vanda clenched her hand into a fist and shook in her bursting composure.
Letting a violent growl escape her throat, she tensed up, pulled her fist back and launched it into the tree. Hearing something snap, but not feeling it, she shoved her fist into the tree again. Letting everything out in a way that her training forbid but at the moment, she didn't care. All she felt was the struggle inside and then, only then, when her fist was nothing short of a bloody pulp, did she feel the pain in her hand.
Taking a spare tunic out of her pack, she carefully wrapped her pulverized hand and held it close to her side. The pain was excruciating but in a way, she felt she deserved it. She was the one who decided to become boyfriend/girlfriend with Taylor. She was the one who caused her family to die. She was the one.....
Later that evening, Ravan appeared and looked extremely concerned at her Padawan's behavior. Noticing the right hand held close to her side and the look of extreme pain on her Padawan's face, she ventured for some answers.
"What happened?"
Expecting the question, Vanda pointed to the tree. Which now held a jagged hole edged with a coppery look of blood.
Looking back at Vanda, extremely concerned and glanced at the favored hand. "May I see it?"
Reluctantly, Vanda held out the tunic-clad hand.
Carefully and very gently, Ravan pealed away the blood-soaked tunic from the hand. The look on her face said it all. She was appalled. "Follow me," she beckoned quickly.
Vanda was led to the lake, where her hand was painfully cleaned. Then, with gentle hands, Ravan set the remaining bones into place and carefully used the Force to put the shattered bones together and set them. The task was time consuming and extremely painful but Vanda seemed unaffected. She just sat there and watched.
Finally, the hand was bandaged and a thanks was exchanged.
"I think it's time you learn the healing power of the Force..." noticing Vanda's drooping eyes she trailed off. "Another day," she concluded.
Vanda nodded. "Thank you again, Master. I promise I won't do this again."
Ravan smiled and laid a gentle hand on Vanda's shoulder. "May the Force be with you. Sleep well, Padawan."
Vanda smiled. "You too." Eager to get home, Vanda hustled a bit, wanting nothing more than the comforts of sleep in her warm bed.
The next morning, Vanda was taught the basis of using the Force for healing. Basically, all you did was picture what you wanted to do, whether it was fighting an infection or sealing a cut, and allowed the Force to do so. It was quite easy and Vanda mastered it quickly.
Weeks passed. Vanda's fourteenth birthday came, on which she received a new cloak from Ravan and many, many birthday wishes.
"When will this end?" Vanda mumbled to herself as she sat in her usual spot, under the shady tree where she met Taylor. Things had gotten worse since the argument with Taylor. The Sith were still rising in power and the tension was rapidly rising in Vanda's composure. She meditated often to calm herself down and nevertheless still continued with her training.
"What's wrong, Vanda?" her friend, Elaina, asked as she sat down next to her.
"It's nothing," Vanda replied. She had a reoccurrence of the dream again about Amberle's death after many months of dreamless nights. Nevertheless, the dream still affected her the same as it did the first time.
"Are you sure?"
"Okay, alright, I'll tell you! Amberle's death is haunting me, okay?! Anything else you'd like to know?!" Vanda let her frustrations out through gritted teeth and regretted it immediately.
"I'm sorry, Vanda. I didn't know..." a startled Elaina said softly.
"No. I'm sorry, Ela. I shouldn't of burst like that. It's just that, things have gotten really tense and I'm having a tough time dealing with it."
Elaina placed a gentle hand on Vanda's shoulder. "I understand. Things have gotten a little hectic. Listen, I think that you should talk about Amberle. Maybe it'll help you get over her death."
"Maybe."
Elaina stayed silent.
Vanda lowered her head and stared at her hands in her lap, "We argued that night. The night...she died. She told me not to follow her. She...she went after Nissa. Sasha tried to stop me but I went anyway. I heard Nissa get attacked by the Shadowen. Amberle saved her and they talked about something. I got closer and saw Amberle fighting with someone with a dagger. She told Nissa to run and get help," she began to loose it and sobbed violently as she continued, "I kept thinking, 'If I help her, she'll have a better chance of winning.'. But I didn't move. I couldn't. Then," she swallowed hard and clenched her fists, "she lost her balance. She fell......and.....he stabbed her in the heart," she let out a loud, uneven sob and began crying hard, putting her face in her hands, "I'm sorry, Amberle, I'm sorry! It's all my fault!" she croaked with sobs cutting her breath while she continued to cry.
Elaina was on the verge of tears herself and pulled Vanda into a hug. "It's okay, Vanda. It wasn't your fault she died. You can't go back in the past and change it. You can't change the past. Look at the wonderful Jedi you're becoming. Look at how loyal you've been to Ravan when Kamikon tried to turn you. You were very strong, Vanda. I bet Amberle's extremely proud of you. I bet Ravan is too."
Vanda listened carefully to what the young Mage had to say. She realized that Elaina was right. She couldn't change the past no matter how much she wanted to. It was best to let it go. But, that's just it. It's very hard for Vanda to let her past go.
"Thank you, Ela. Thank you for helping me."
"I was glad to help. You can talk to me anytime."
"You know what? I do feel better about Amberle's death."
"That's good. You're beginning to let go."
Vanda looked at the sun and realized that day had turned to night and the moon was out. "Oh man, look at the time! I gotta go. Ravan's starting the Trials tomorrow and I need to get a lot of rest. Thanks again, Ela. 'Night, bye!" Vanda got to her feet, waved and began her walk home.
What do you think?! Reviews would be nice! Next chapter's coming soon!
-Natselane