The Book of Long Walks

Bali's mediation adventure had left him worn out and he had been allowed to sleep for some time after. Hours had passed and the Temple slipped into quieter mode for the late evening. The only problem now was that Bali was wide-awake and full of energy. He had tried meditation. Even made a concerted attempt to work on his studies but was just too excited

The constant kicking of feet against the wall had been the last straw. Obi-Wan had pulled himself together from his own disturbed meditation and found the excitable apprentice staring at the wall. "Come, Padawan," was all the prompting the master offered as Bali chased after him through the arteries of the massive Temple.

Obi-Wan saw a lesson in the thirteen-year-old's desire to know more about Ben'al Houk. The apprentice had already asked dozens of questions, long since exhausting the master's mental resources. He could tell the boy little more about Ben'al Houk than Bali already knew. He was aware of his own kinship to the ancient Jedi but it never sparked curiosity beyond his regular studies.

He would put the boy's interest to good use. They were headed for the archives and for the first time, the notion did not upset Bali. In fact, the apprentice was excited to go. The stacks would be empty and quiet and they could speak freely as Bali learned how to use the archive. It would teach him just how to research for missions and other projects and it would not be as painful to learn as it usually was.

Bali happily trailed a step to the side and one behind. His enthusiasm for this lesson was powerful and Obi-Wan could not help but to give a little smile. Yet, a part of him hoped Bali had gained more from the meditation than the strange visitation.

Obi-Wan had remembered when Master Yoda had provided him with a calm center during his recovery after his first battle with the Sith. The little master had guided a mediation that put the fight with the menacing tattooed figure into perspective. He thought that would do Bali good. The apprentice had been quieter and he was concerned that Bali was keeping something in. Obi-Wan desperately wished Bali would share his fears with him and not after the fact. How was he to protect the boy if he did not know what demons haunted him?

Now this mess with Ben'al Houk.

Bali was rather talkative about his adventure during meditation. He did not understand what most of it meant and even Yoda could not decipher some of the meanings. The little master had suggested more mediation. Bali had tried to mediate but his mind was elsewhere and could not calm himself enough.

For the time being it did not bother Obi-Wan too much that Bali could not immediately return to mediation. When he had felt Bali's bright consciousness slip away while in the deep mediation he had become afraid. Desperately he had grasped for the boy's spirit but for a moment, it was gone. Occasionally, the master glanced back, stealing a glimpse at the apprentice. Carefully the master noted that Bali's aura was a little different. Just a little brighter than he remembered it. The constant struggle with timidity seemed to be lacking from the brilliant aura. Pulling free of the mediation, a very happy, content child appeared with the burden of the recent past lifted from his shoulders.

Bali had been electrified by his spiritual encounter and struggled to play the part of the obedient padawan and follow his master through the Temple. Sensing this and knowing they were alone in the corridor, Obi-Wan sent a light pulse through the bond. A beautiful smile leapt to Bali's pale pink lips as he broke free and half-skipped along the corridor.

Occasionally the apprentice would stop to allow his master to catch up but then he was off again enjoying the moment of freedom. Then suddenly he stopped. Bright green eyes carefully studied the approaching master.

"Yes, Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Nothing." The curious look did not subside. "You really do look like Ben'al."

"Master Houk," Obi-Wan gently corrected. "He may have been dead for more than a millennia, but he still deserves respect." Besides, the comparison made him uncomfortable for he did not want to be compared to the famed Sith killer.

"Yes, Master," Bali replied dutifully. Then he paused. "How do you think you and I are related, Master?"

The ginger haired master folded his arms deep into the billowing sleeves of his cloak and considered the boy's question. "We are most likely very distant cousins."

A thoughtful look glazed the thirteen-year-old's long lash framed eyes. He was quickly leaving the world of the cute child and entering as a handsome teenager. The awkwardness of the early teens having yet to hit him. "You mean like Master Gallia and her cousin?"

"Much more distant."

"Oh."

"Master Houk probably has descendants spread throughout the galaxy."

"Oh." Bali started walking again. "Did you ever meet him in mediation?"

"No, Padawan. Master Yoda believed you were the first to communicate with him." Obi-Wan noted the mundane explanation seemed to dull the apprentice's enthusiasm somewhat. The boy even slowed his pace as he gaze shifted to the floor.

"Problem, Padawan?"

Bali stopped and looked up, a hint of sadness danced within his aura. "I was just hoping we were closely related."

"Why?"

The apprentice scrunched up his face in thought. "I don't know, but I want to know my family."

This was new, Obi-Wan thought as he fought to keep the concern pushed back.

"Didn't you ever want to know where you came from?"

"No, Padawan. The Temple is my home. I need not look any further."

"Oh." Bali gave a thoughtful look then asked, "Don't you ever wonder about your parents or if you have brothers and sisters?"

"Why do you ask that?" Obi-Wan had always sensed Bali's need to feel like he belonged and he worked very hard to make sure the apprentice did. He just never realized Bali felt that deeply about his place in the universe beyond the Jedi Order.

Bali thought for a moment, "I just wonder if I had siblings so my parents wouldn't be alone." He smiled sadly. "Haven't you ever felt like you are missing something?"

"I did, once. Then we met." Obi-Wan gave the apprentice a gentle look then tugged on the flame tipped braid dangling behind Bali's right ear. "I have my own little padawan to pester, what more do I need?"

Bali giggled. "You have Bant."

"Yes, I could not forget her if I tried."

"She will not let you."

"That too." Absently the master reached out and brushed his fingers through Bali's dark hair.

"Master!" The boy squeaked and he roughly pushed the spikes back up.

"One of these days you will be too tall for me to do that."

"I'll never be that tall."

_____________________

The Book of Consternation

Obi-Wan guided Bali to the Council of First Knowledge Tower where the vast library resided. The presence of other Jedi nearby brought Bali back to his proper position trailing slightly to Obi-Wan's right side. The Jedi master folded himself into his cloak, wrapping his arms across his chest for added warmth he knew would not come. Glancing over at his padawan, a gentle smile found him at the sight of Bali's unconsciously mimicked response.

The master noted the quickly approaching presence of Mace Windu but chose to ignore it, hoping the senior Councillor was heading elsewhere.

"Master Kenobi," Mace called from behind.

The Jedi turned to see the tall Jedi walking briskly toward them. "Master," Obi-Wan said, noting Mace's frown.

"May I borrow a moment of your time?"

"Of course." Obi-Wan turned his attention to Bali's emotionless expression but sensing his padawan's distress at not getting to research Ben'al Houk. "Padawan."

"Yes, Master?"

"Why don't you go on ahead and begin researching. I'll be there before you get stuck."

Bali smiled and bowed formally to Mace before scampering off toward the archives. For a moment, the younger master watched as the boy disappeared around a corner, then he turned back to the tall master.

When they were alone Mace turned his complete attention to the ginger haired Jedi. "How are Padawan Tiro's studies?"

"Behind," Obi-Wan answered suspiciously. "We are not ready to return to the field."

"What ever you did to earn the Chancellor's favor I wish you could undo."

Obi-Wan sighed but knew it would do little good to argue with the Councillor. "What now does he wish of us?"

"To provide protection to Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. His diplomatic mission to the Aveniar has failed. Following a brief layover in Alderaan, he will be returning to Coruscant. You and your apprentice are to meet him upon arrival."

Tiredly, Obi-Wan nodded. "When?"

"A few days. I know it will not be enough of a reprieve. Chancellor Palpatine made this decision and sent the message. He did not leave us room to send anyone else in your place. We are attempting a conference with him so we can suggest another team, but he has been quite unavailable recently." There was a tone of suspicion in his voice. Lightening his tone, he continued, "With luck this immediate threat will subside soon and you two will be granted leave. You are both deserving of a rest." Mace eyed the younger man but Obi-Wan did not react to the prodding.

"Does not the Council usually leave the evaluations to the mind healers?"

"Well, yes." Mace laughed. "But we are getting tired of Lorus complaining that you still refuse to sit down in the sessions."

"Not as tired as I am of him wanting to explore my inner initiate. What more can he learn?" Obi-Wan glanced down the corridor noting the silent approach of two Jedi.

Mace just shook his head. "It is beyond me because I have never thought you were that interesting to begin with."

Obi-Wan just stared at the plain expression of the Council member.

The tall master burst into laughter. "It is a good thing poor Bali has a sense of humor already. He will never develop one with you as his master."

Folding his arms tighter against his chest, Obi-Wan gave a half-hearted frown. "I think I should be offended."

Mace glanced about the corridor noting the two Jedi who silently passed into the archives before allowing his expression to turn serious again. "The Council regrets sending you out another mission so soon. The Chancellor, I often suspect, feels we are expendable. He has no concept that Jedi can be injured and need to recover. Either that or he just has something against you."

"I often wonder." Obi-Wan pulled on his cloak, still desperate for warmth. He shifted around to stare at the empty corridor where Bali had vanished on his journey to the archives. "Did the Chancellor explain why he felt Senator Organa needed protection?"

"He believes the negotiations with the Aveniar will make him a target."

Sensing the Councillor was holding back, Obi-Wan pressed, "But if the Aveniar are behind the assassinations why would they want someone who was willing to listen to their cause dead? Besides, they could have killed him at any time during his mission."

Mace paused as he glanced about the hall, checking it for any interlopers. "There is something else going on." He glanced around again. "These assassinations are more financially motivated than they are politically motivated."

Obi-Wan nodded. "A chapter on the Trade Federation trial resulted in most of the assassin's victims being mentioned. It was Bali, who remembered them. He also remembered most of the same Senators helped in the dismantling of–"

The younger master paused.

"Trocha's cloning facilities," Mace finished. "These dead Senators were all, in one form or another, in business with Ighista Trocha."

Immediately the younger man withdrew a few steps. "Not Organa or Amidala," he mumbled.

"Not that we know of."

"But how do you know?" Betrayal laced the edges of Obi-Wan's pale eyes.

"It was by order of the Supreme Chancellor that certain information be withheld. Only select members of the Council were privy to this information."

Obi-Wan glanced about the empty corridor. "That explains this private meeting."

"I could not bring this up in an open Council meeting or petition those who know to allow you in on this particular secret."

"I see, so why are you telling me?"

"You need to know," Mace replied flatly, "there are other forces at work." The tone suggesting that was all he was going to reveal.

"The Sith that attacked Amidala."

Mace nodded. "Look at the list of the dead. The scandal alone would rock the Republic to its core knowing some of the highest-ranking members of the Senate were in league with the illegal cloning facilities. Don't tell me you didn't realize that facility was capable of producing armies."

"Rather portentous considering reports of the arms build up in the Modell sector." Obi-Wan was struggling to keep his emotions in check. First the memory of Halla is brought up to battle that offensive creature Jira Thelo and now he is being told Trocha "You believe Trocha to be behind the assassinations?"

Mace shifted. "Ighista did not care about being a Jedi. He cared about his projects; the only reason he remained as long as he did was so he could use our resources. When the Council discovered he was attempting to clone sentient beings, we had to intervene. He gladly handed over his lightsaber and title of Jedi and walked out, carrying all of his research. He found backers in the Aveniar Imperium and Trade Federation. They, naturally, would get an army out of the culmination of his research."

"If he did not care about being a Jedi, what would being a Sith do? He lost his research facilities."

His wife.

"It would get him revenge," Mace replied.

Obi-Wan turned his gaze from the tall Jedi and found a nearby window. It faced the Temple Spire but other than the massive structure's warning lights, there was little to look at in the night sky other than the facing tower. "He tried to use Halla to keep me distracted from his research. I found out anyway and brought the information to the Chancellor. And now, all this blood, because I did not kill him when I had the chance."

____________

The Book of Ghosts of Long Ago

Bali moved quietly through the research hall of the Temple archives. The stacks were so tall that it made the apprentice feel so much smaller against them. He stared helplessly about the vast resource of knowledge and realized what a daunting task he had put himself up for. The need to learn about Ben'al Houk overrode any fear of feeling stupid and he trudged forward through the stacks to an empty learning station and sat down. Bright green eyes glanced about the rows of stations and saw only one other being. A pale blue skinned Twi'lek he did not know sat a few stations away intensely studying her display.

Waiting for his master quickly grew dull and Bali decided he could at least find the information. With barely any hesitation, Bali logged on and began his cursory search for Ben'al Houk.

The thirteen-year-old had expected to have an extended biography brought up but instead achieved column after column of cross-references. His head immediately began to ache. This was supposed to be fun, not hard like class work.

Sighing softly, Bali settled in and began to read all of the different summaries listed in the index. There were a lot, nearly four hundred entries. Very little of the notations made sense to him as he read through the list of official reports of nearly a hundred missions. There were essays on fighting styles and to the best of Bali's knowledge Ben'al Houk was often cited for his formidable fighting skill. He had to be, Bali reasoned, after all Master Houk was a great warrior and Sith killer.

Further down the list he found the record of Kakasha Girn's funeral. He had been Ben'al's master. Immediately Bali started to scan down the column again but stopped and returned to the funeral record. The Force gently tugged at him as he accessed the file. Lot's of dry information filled with names he had never heard of. He was about to give up on the file and try to find something more interesting when his bright green eyes locked on a single sentence. He read it several times trying to understand it.

Of Master Girn's three former apprentices, Me-Oka El and Pushka Hoble were present.

Returning to the index, Bali scanned down further until another entry snagged his attention. Not understanding why an article called "The Birth of a Funeral Ritual" was suddenly important to him Bali opened it. The file was huge and he knew it would take him all night to read it. Worse, it was written by some moldy old master that had not seen the light of day in years because all they did was research.

So he scanned it for Ben'al Houk's name. He was practically at the end of the article when he came to a section entitled "The Use of Yawen Branches in the Funeral Rites." Bali shook his head before plunging into the complex essay.

After a few paragraphs, he sat back staring blankly at the screen.

"You look confused," a lyrical voice whispered softly. "Do you need help?"

Bali turned to see the blue skinned Twi'lek staring at him. At first he was going to tell her no, but stopped. He did have a question but how does one ask a stranger to tell them about what a funeral looks like. He had never been to one and the descriptions were confusing.

"It is all right," the female Jedi said gently. "You can ask."

Still the apprentice hesitated. "What is an calenture urn?"

The Twi'lek gave a light almost magical laugh as she stood up and walked over to Bali's station. "Since when do young padawans need to research funerals?"

Bali made a little face then tried to explain. "I was looking up information on Master Ben'al Houk and I got distracted."

She glanced over Bali's shoulder at the display. "I would say so."

The apprentice turned a bright shade of red the moment the beautiful Twi'lek scooted up next to him on the bench.

"So, Padawan," she stopped and stared at Bali for a moment. "It seems we have forgotten an important detail, our names." Uncharacteristic of a Jedi, she held her hand out to Bali. "I am Knight Adjani'esan. And you?"

Bali stared at her delicate hand a moment before placing his small one against hers. Grasping Adjani's hand, Bali noted the roughness of calluses indicative of a saber expert. Reminding him of his master's palm. "I am Bali Tiro."

"Nice to meet you, Padawan Tiro." Adjani gave a lovely smile as she turned her attention to the display. "Most knights and masters would not willingly research such a complex figure. Hmm, you did get distracted, didn't you." Lovely, pale blue fingers glided over the information. "A calenture urn," she paused to study Bali's curious look. "Well, in some funerals, there is a little bowl." She placed her thumb and forefingers together creating a small circle. "About this big. It is usually put at the head of the deceased. In it, shaved yawen branches are placed."

"Oh." Bali tried to hide his confusion.

"You haven't been to a funeral, I take it?"

"No."

"Then you are lucky, I have attended far too many in my life." Adjani smiled allowing the mirth to reach her dark eyes. "In the funeral pyre the yawen shavings burn bright colors. It depends on the age of the wood and the time of the year of course. I was always told it burned the colors of the dead's living aura freeing their spirit from this world to join the Force. I remember at my master's funeral the calenture urn burned the brightest green I have ever seen."

"I'm sorry," Bali quickly began, fearing he had brought up some memory in the knight that he should not have.

"Why? My master rejoined the Force years ago. It was not your fault." Adjani smiled at the boy's concerned look. "Yes, I miss her but that does not mean she is gone from my life." Again, Adjani turned her attention to the display.

Bali scanned the mass of words trying to figure out what had Adjani's attention.

"It is true, you learn something everyday." She highlighted a section of text for Bali's interest. "Your Ben'al Houk was the first Jedi to have a calenture urn with the funeral pyre."

"It wasn't an urn," Bali corrected. His finger pointed out a sentence. "His padawan Zor'ban Roa insisted on putting yawen on the bier."

"Yes," Adjani sighed. "Leave it to the Jedi to sanitize even that simple act of respect."

Bali just looked at her not understanding and the Twi'lek did not elaborate.

"So tell me," she hesitated, "what could be so important that you are researching this at such an hour. I sincerely hope you are not preparing for a funeral."

"No," Bali giggled. Again, he could feel the flush rising to his cheeks. He would have his master help him in learning to control such a silly expression of emotion. Although, he was not entirely certain what emotion was causing him to flush so. "My master and Master Yoda helped me meditate earlier and I got lost and then I met Ben'al Houk."

Adjani sat back slightly, surprise clouded her dark eyes. "I understand now. You want to learn about a Jedi blood ancestor."

Bali nodded excitedly.

"Well, let us get beyond this morbid information then." Her long fingers glided effortlessly over the display until she had eliminated most of the cross-referencing and focused on the history and life of Ben'al Houk, Sith killer. "How about this." She keyed a panel and a grainy blue image appeared above the display. An image recorded before three-dimensional holoimaging appeared. Its flatness took nothing away from the scene that played out.

A blindfolded Jedi leapt and swung against three sighted Jedi attackers in a display of skill that Bali had never even seen before. Not even his master was that good and his master was the best. Bali briefly glanced over at Adjani and she was completely enthralled with the battle sequence. The blindfolded Jedi moved with a grace that defied the sheer speed of his actions. Twisting his weapon about, he disarmed one as he landed a boot heel to another fighter's chin. He took one step and was airborne, somersaulting over the third before sending another lightsaber flying and leaving the would-be assailant in check with the glowing blue blade.

There was no sound to the image but Bali imagined a roar of applause from the gallery as the Jedi removed his blindfold. Bali gasped. The memory of his meeting with Ben'al Houk still very fresh in his young mind but the shock of seeing the ghost of his master sent a chill down his spine.

"What it must have been to stand there and watch such skill in the flesh," Adjani said half in dream. Her dark eyes focused slightly. "All my time studying the archives for ancient fighting forms and the most spectacular example is stuffed away in some biographical file. There is so much information here that things are getting lost, someone should re-catalogue this place." A soft chiming caused the knight to sigh. "But it will not be me." She pulled a small communicator from her utility belt. "Adjani'esan."

Not wanting to eavesdrop, Bali opened up the biographical section on Ben'al Houk and started reading.

Adjani let out another sigh as she stood up. "Every time I find myself in the company of a handsome young man, duty calls."

Quickly finding his feet, Bali stood up. "Thank you Knight Adjani'esan for helping me."

"Anytime, Padawan Tiro." She gave the youth an exquisitely beautiful smile.

Bali thought he had never seen anyone as pretty as Adjani.

"May we meet again." The Twi'lek knight turned and breezed through the stacks.

The thirteen-year-old watched until the lovely vision had passed out of view. He turned back to the information Adjani had so kindly pulled up for him. Before diving back into the text, his gaze fell back to the floating image that remained paused on Ben'al Houk's face. He wondered where his own master had gotten lost too and wished Master Mace would leave his master alone this evening. Bali wanted to share what he was learning so much with Obi-Wan.

Settling back to the center of the bench, Bali began reading. It was a slow process and many of the words he did not understand but he plowed on. His master would help explain it when he got there.

The biography was painfully long and a lot more boring than he imagined it would be for a famous Jedi. He started to scan and skip over the exceptionally tedious information.

The apprentice twisted around to look for his master although he did not sense the familiar presence. So, he continued reading through the mammoth text pausing occasionally to watch the hazy blue recording of Ben'al Houk's sparring match again.

Bali had almost reached the end of the document when he suddenly stopped.