Chapter 2
From a distance, Doma watched his young Padawan practice the deflection exercise. He couldn't believe that it had been almost 11 years ago that he had taken on this girl as an apprentice. She had started her training a few years later than most, but she had caught up to, and even surpassed, many of her peers. Costia was unaware of this for the most part, of course, because once a Padawan has begun the most intensive part of their field training, most of their time is spent learning from their Master, with little time shared with peers. He and Costia were constantly being sent off to distant star clusters on missions; missions that she had gained much knowledge and skill from.
At seventeen, Costia had grown into a beautiful, confident woman. She was mature and wise for her young age, having already seen and been through ordeals that many never would. Her hair was tied back in knot, excepting for a small braid that hung loose, marking her status as a learner. She wore the traditional Padawan garb; a slightly loose earth toned top with fitted pants. The lightsaber she wielded against the exercise droid glowed violet.
With the exception of Anakin Skywalker, she quite possibly exceeded the other current Padawan learners, Doma mused. Anakin, however, was quite a different story…
Then, almost as though he could sense that someone was thinking about him, Anakin appeared through the doorway. Several other apprentices accompanied him. Many Jedi Knights and their apprentices had recently returned from their respective missions, it wasn't often that some many of the Padawan were able to enjoy each other's company during what little leisure time they had while on Coruscant. And it was even less frequent that Anakin associated with his peers. Doma glanced over at the group of young men, turning his attentions back to his apprentice once he was certain that the crowd wasn't going to cause a distraction.
"Very good, young one," Doma said as Costia stepped back and lowered her weapon, the blade of energy disappearing completely. "You've been working hard these past few weeks. You're free to retire for the rest of the day…"
"Yes Master," Costia complied quickly and turned to leave.
"I'm not finished yet. You are free to take the rest of the day for leisure and rest, but be prepared, for early tomorrow morning we begin to prepare you for the trials."
"Of course Master," she replied with a respectful bow of the head before taking leave of him.
"Who is that girl?" Anakin finally managed to ask after the small group of Padawans watched her take leave of Master Doma.
"You really do keep to yourself, don't you Ani?" Shivitz asked incredulously. Anakin merely shrugged. "That's Costia Dolciam. She's from the Sirius star system. She started training late, but she's already reached the advanced levels as a Padawan. We're all counting the days until she takes the trials."
"There's a few rumors going about her as well," added Levios.
"Like what?" Anakin asked with his usual tone of indifference.
Levios looked around. Once he was certain that the group was alone, he continued in a hushed voice. "I've heard some talk saying that she's actually a Sith in disguise. Some say that she may be the Chosen One."
"Looks like you may have some competition for that title, Ani," Shivitz chuckled.
"Competition indeed," Anakin chuckled along with his companion. But inside he felt envious of the girl. She had a Jedi Master that seemed able to see when she was prepared to take the trials, whereas Master Obi-Wan was blind to his abilities and saw only his flaws.
From a distance, Doma watched his young Padawan practice the deflection exercise. He couldn't believe that it had been almost 11 years ago that he had taken on this girl as an apprentice. She had started her training a few years later than most, but she had caught up to, and even surpassed, many of her peers. Costia was unaware of this for the most part, of course, because once a Padawan has begun the most intensive part of their field training, most of their time is spent learning from their Master, with little time shared with peers. He and Costia were constantly being sent off to distant star clusters on missions; missions that she had gained much knowledge and skill from.
At seventeen, Costia had grown into a beautiful, confident woman. She was mature and wise for her young age, having already seen and been through ordeals that many never would. Her hair was tied back in knot, excepting for a small braid that hung loose, marking her status as a learner. She wore the traditional Padawan garb; a slightly loose earth toned top with fitted pants. The lightsaber she wielded against the exercise droid glowed violet.
With the exception of Anakin Skywalker, she quite possibly exceeded the other current Padawan learners, Doma mused. Anakin, however, was quite a different story…
Then, almost as though he could sense that someone was thinking about him, Anakin appeared through the doorway. Several other apprentices accompanied him. Many Jedi Knights and their apprentices had recently returned from their respective missions, it wasn't often that some many of the Padawan were able to enjoy each other's company during what little leisure time they had while on Coruscant. And it was even less frequent that Anakin associated with his peers. Doma glanced over at the group of young men, turning his attentions back to his apprentice once he was certain that the crowd wasn't going to cause a distraction.
"Very good, young one," Doma said as Costia stepped back and lowered her weapon, the blade of energy disappearing completely. "You've been working hard these past few weeks. You're free to retire for the rest of the day…"
"Yes Master," Costia complied quickly and turned to leave.
"I'm not finished yet. You are free to take the rest of the day for leisure and rest, but be prepared, for early tomorrow morning we begin to prepare you for the trials."
"Of course Master," she replied with a respectful bow of the head before taking leave of him.
"Who is that girl?" Anakin finally managed to ask after the small group of Padawans watched her take leave of Master Doma.
"You really do keep to yourself, don't you Ani?" Shivitz asked incredulously. Anakin merely shrugged. "That's Costia Dolciam. She's from the Sirius star system. She started training late, but she's already reached the advanced levels as a Padawan. We're all counting the days until she takes the trials."
"There's a few rumors going about her as well," added Levios.
"Like what?" Anakin asked with his usual tone of indifference.
Levios looked around. Once he was certain that the group was alone, he continued in a hushed voice. "I've heard some talk saying that she's actually a Sith in disguise. Some say that she may be the Chosen One."
"Looks like you may have some competition for that title, Ani," Shivitz chuckled.
"Competition indeed," Anakin chuckled along with his companion. But inside he felt envious of the girl. She had a Jedi Master that seemed able to see when she was prepared to take the trials, whereas Master Obi-Wan was blind to his abilities and saw only his flaws.
