The Emerald Price Chapter 23
By Ash Darklighter
Disclaimer:- The characters and situations used in this story are the property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. I am only using them for some entertainment and will not even make one Republican credit from this endeavour. This is set around eight to ten years after Luke and Mara met each other for the first time. This one is for all the girls on the AA list and of course for Mona – what would I do without you? My thanks also to Niqella and Rhea for their encouragement and invaluable suggestions.
Mara didn't see much of Luke for the rest of that day. After bidding Corran farewell she returned to her room and changed into her exercise gear ready to join a class of senior students on a route through the jungle. "Will this kill me?" she asked a lithe looking, pale green Twi'lek female.
"No, this is only rated at a moderate level of difficulty," the Twi'lek answered. "I think you should manage this without any problems. I'm B'Nera D'ewal. "
"Mara Jade."
"I know," B'Nera said with a smile. "I've seen you here on a number of occasions but this is the first time you've joined us for a training run. You usually go with Master Skywalker."
Mara grinned. "Ah, but this time I've joined your ranks."
"One of us, eh?" B'Nera said, her eyes twinkling. "Welcome to the class."
The run left her tired and aching but happy that she had some purpose to her life once more – something to aim for. For a brief moment, she had worried that she would be left trailing behind the others but she had kept up easily. She pulled at the strap of her black top which clung damply to her body. She needed to visit a shower and soon.
"Mara?"
"Master Solusar," she said evenly, turning to face the man approaching her from the main administrative building.
"Kam, please," he said with a cordial smile which was mirrored by the warmth in his grey eyes. "It's good to finally have you with us."
"Thank you for allowing me to come here."
Kam smiled. "Do you really think I had any choice in the matter?"
"I…I…I don't know," Mara answered slowly, feeling a sense of disappointment filling her. They hadn't wanted to let her come?
Kam watched her emotionless face carefully. She was giving nothing away but he was sensing something. Instinctively he sought to do what he thought was right. "I'm delighted you are here. It's long overdue. Master Skywalker said you would be joining us and said that he would take responsibility for your training."
Mara nodded. "I hope that's not created any problems for you?"
"No. Luke only teaches some of the more advanced classes these days. He has other responsibilities outwith our facility. I think they call it the rest of the galaxy." He quirked a wry smile. "We are hoping to provide him with companionship on his journeys. Perhaps when you achieve your knighthood you can accompany him?"
"Sounds good," Mara grinned for a moment and then the expression on her face changed to one of curiosity. "If I achieve my knighthood. You have faith in me."
"Why shouldn't I? Master Skywalker's faith is recommendation enough." Kam sounded as if there was no doubt. "You are strong in the Force and grounded in the light. You will become a good Jedi Knight."
Mara was a little taken aback. She had met with so much resistance as she'd tried to carve out a life for herself in the new post-imperial galaxy. To be welcomed so easily with so few questions asked was a novelty. "I have your supplies and your order of ilum crystals stored on my ship," she said quietly. "Karrde managed to locate a supply of good quality jewels."
"He managed to get the amount I wanted?"
"Yes." Mara nodded.
"Wonderful. I asked for more than I thought he could get. I should know by now never to underestimate Talon Karrde. We have several students who are almost ready to begin building their lightsabers. The Jedi are becoming a power once more in the galaxy and for that to continue to happen we need crystals for lightsabers. I inherited a crystal from my grandfather who was also a Jedi. My father told me that cooking your own crystal was perhaps the most taxing and time consuming part of building a weapon. It has to be correct in every facet. Even in the old days ready made crystals were mainly used."
"Luke's first saber…?"
"The one you carry?"
"No, the one he…" Mara stopped.
"His current saber." Kam nodded his head in understanding. "I believe he couldn't find a crystal suitable on Tatooine at the time and he created his own. I believe it links the Jedi to his lightsaber even more than usual."
"I see."
"He was hiding from agents of the Empire such as his father and yourself. He was also sought after by the criminal fraternity."
"Black Sun," Mara said, proving that even back then she was aware of Luke's desirability as a captive. "I remember him telling me about that once," she recalled. "One group wanted him alive and the other dead. It was just a matter of who would pay what. He'd just found out that Vader was his father and wanted Luke to join with him against the Emperor. Luke had failed to arrive on Bespin in time to save Solo and had walked into a trap. Tatooine was a waiting game - find out what had happened to Solo and recover from losing his hand in a fight with his own father."
"It was a difficult time for him having both mental and physical scars to deal with."
"There have been many difficult times for all of us. However, it is time for us to learn from our mistakes and move on." Mara held Kam's grey gaze.
Kam cleared his throat. He had dark times in his own life he didn't want to dwell on too often but perhaps Mara was right. He would meditate on this at a later point. "You are a wise woman, Mara Jade. I will arrange the loading droids to be at the Jade's Fire once you have had time to recover from your run."
"Not so much as recover as I do need to shower." She wrinkled her nose. "Just don't stand too close or inhale my aroma."
Kam chuckled. "I know that feeling well. Luckily, Yavin's tropical climate also includes plentiful rain so showers don't have to be considered a luxury. Luke always arrives from wherever he's been and immediately ups the ante as far as our general fitness is concerned. I sometimes think that I'm too old to be swinging through the jungle and climbing trees."
Mara could see, in her mind's eye, Luke leading a reluctant Kam on one of his epic runs. "Never," she disagreed lightly, a smile tugging at the edge of her lips.
"You can discuss with him which of the classes you want to participate in. I am quite aware that your expertise is far beyond that of a beginner and, in some areas, well beyond our advanced students. The Master will know what you must learn."
Mara blinked. She didn't know Kam Solusar well but he had had his trials, including a brush with the dark side, and had come through all the stronger. Giving Kam a smile she realised that she respected the serious man standing in front of her. It couldn't be easy taking on the training of young Jedi and being in Luke's shadow wasn't something to be undertaken lightly.
"Skywalker chose well," Mara commented thoughtfully. "You are the right person to be in charge of the Academy."
Kam looked surprised. "Coming from you, Mara Jade, that is an honoured compliment. I endeavour to live up to his ideals and expectations but in the end I can only try."
Mara grinned. "Better not let him hear you saying that. I believe the expression is 'do or do not, there is no try.'"
Kam laughed. "I think you are correct. He is still the head of the Order and by training Jedi at all levels we hope to see Yavin as more than just a school. I am still, I find, not too old to learn." He bowed his head. "I hope to see you at dinner." He turned and walked away, his brown cloak flowing behind him.
Mara returned to Luke's quarters, where she quickly showered and changed. She felt tired and not a little stiff. After checking that the Fire had been unloaded properly, she delivered the precious ilum crystals to Kam's office where his silvery-eyed wife had stared at her, suspicion written large on her face.
Mara shrugged. So Tionne had yet to be convinced of Mara's genuine willingness to be a part of the Yavin community – she could live with that.
"Do you know your assigned timetable yet, Mara?" Tionne enquired.
Mara shook her head. "No, I've yet to discuss it with Master Skywalker." It felt strange to be referring to Luke in such a manner but Mara could feel Tionne's reserve through the Force. She was perhaps the weakest of Luke's first batch of students but had made up for her shortcomings through her hard work and total dedication to the Jedi cause. Mara wasn't one to be influenced by the opinions of others but for Luke's sake she had to make the effort. Treating Luke in public with the proper amount of deference Tionne thought he deserved would be the first step. Mara would not change the way she treated him in private. He needed her honesty.
"Your husband said it shouldn't be a problem whatever I decide to do. As long as I'm prepared to be flexible and fit in with whatever is going on around me, I should be fine. He is the head of the school and of course, even Luke…Master Skywalker…will listen to his opinion."
Tionne had seen Mara at her most obdurate and this new, reasonable woman in front of her was not what she had been expecting. "That should work," she said faintly.
"I have gaps in my knowledge and, on the other side of the credit, areas in which I have a lot of experience. It's just finding the right balance."
"The Force is all about balance," Tionne said cryptically as she held out a data card. Mara Jade's ability in the Force unnerved her. The only other being she had ever felt with the same amount of resonance was Master Skywalker himself. This woman who could wield the same amount of power had been an Imperial for most of her formative years. But Master Skywalker had always trusted her and longed for her to join the ranks of his Jedi. The Force must have been at work to keep her grounded in the light side. If Master Skywalker was so convinced that this was the right thing to do then Tionne would do her best to make it happen. She held out a data card. "This has details of all the classes currently taught here. Have a scan through and see what jumps out at you." Tionne didn't add that this was a luxury afforded to only the most advanced and gifted of the Jedi initiates.
"Thank you," Mara said, surprised. "I'll do that and discuss it with Skywalker."
"Master Skywalker," Tionne insisted gently.
Mara rolled her eyes. "Oh for…Master Skywalker," she mumbled reluctantly. "Force, look at the time." Mara stuck her wrist chrono into Tionne's face. "Master Skywalker should be finishing his classes soon and has things he wants to discuss."
"Probably your timetable."
"Probably." Mara grinned and headed swiftly from the room, leaving a rather bewildered Tionne behind.
'She's changed,' thought Tionne as she watched the red-haired woman disappear. Perhaps Mara's presence on Yavin would work after all. Tionne hadn't been the only tutor to have doubts. She recalled the meeting where Luke had dropped his thermal detonator into the conversation. He had been certain that the Force was calling to Mara Jade more strongly than ever and that soon she would feel the need to seek out others of her own kind.
"She needs to be with the Jedi," Luke said. "Sporadic training with me a couple of times a year soon won't be enough."
"Then she can apply to join the next year's class," Kam said consideringly.
Luke shook his head. "She won't do that. Mara doesn't need to follow a set timetable or be with a particular class. Her programme must be challenging yet flexible."
Kirana Ti frowned. "That cannot work," she stated. "We do not have the staff to allow the luxury of such flexibility. What you are suggesting is that Mara Jade needs one-on-one training with a Master."
Luke was adamant. "She could not follow the same programme as any of our classes. None of the current programmes take into account Mara Jade's pre-existing accumulation of knowledge. It would be a complete waste of her time."
"Master Skywalker…" Kirana Ti protested.
"Who is our most accomplished hand-to-hand fighter?"
"Pod Nor," answered the Dathomerian witch without hesitation.
Luke tilted his head to one side. "Pod Nor…ah yes. I remember him. Is he up to the standard of a former Imperial assassin trained by the best exponents of the art that the Empire had at its disposal? Palpatine also saw that her knowledge of weaponry, combat strategy, sabotage and infiltration techniques were second to none."
The other tutors seated around the table frowned at the mention of Palpatine.
"Can he match that? Can you?" Luke pinned them all in place with his gaze.
Kirana Ti dropped her head. "No."
"She was already used to a lightsaber when I met her. She's had ten more years to work on improving any shortcomings with that weapon. You might beat her in a saber fight but you would not come out of it unscathed."
"There's more to Jedi life than fighting," Kirana Ti said.
"Of course there is. That's where Mara needs to focus most of her attention. She has the ability to communicate with other Force users across vast distances. Do we have any other students this advanced?"
Streen had been silent as he listened to the conversation. "There is no question about Mara joining us – the only question is when this will happen. Master Skywalker believes Mara Jade should be with us now. I agree."
Luke's face softened. "Thank you for your vote, Master Streen."
Kam pursed his lips, steepling the tips of his fingers together. "Mara has the required physical skills of a Jedi. I agree with Master Skywalker that she has to be taught in a different way than the others. We do not want to drive her away."
"That would not be good," Tionne's soft voice agreed.
Kam turned to Luke. "What about her Force skills generally? The ability to communicate we know about."
"She can accomplish simple levitation and use the Force to aid her endurance during a physical activity. She has learned how to shield her mind from the probes of others and can, for a short period of time, mask her presence in the Force."
"She can cloak?" Streen asked.
"No," Luke answered. "She can hide her identity but you can sense trained power approaching and she is powerful."
"That's what worries me," Kirana Ti said.
"That is why she has to be trained correctly in the ways of the Force. Mara is more dangerous half trained than fully trained." Luke's voice was sure. "Mara is a pragmatist and knows the pitfalls. She does not want to follow the example Palpatine left her."
"Who will take the responsibility of guiding Jade on her path?" asked Streen.
"I will be responsible for Mara Jade's training," Luke insisted firmly.
"She should join the senior class," argued Kirana Ti vigorously.
"We've already discussed this," Kam intervened, not wanting the discussion to go round in circles. "When she is ready, Mara will come to Yavin to train and Master Skywalker will select the most suitable course."
"Very well," Kirana Ti said, her reserve still showing. "Has she given us any indication?"
"I can't say when - but I know she will come and it will be soon," Luke said quietly. "Kam?"
"I agree with you, Luke. I have seen Mara in action and all she really needs is fine tuning. She needs to be here with the other Jedi. She can attend the other classes she wants to."
"Thank you," Luke said. "When she arrives on Yavin she will be ready to learn."
Luke was still teaching. She knew where he was at all times on this jungle planet without even thinking about it. Their shared bond was possibly stronger than the one that had linked her to Palpatine. Mara did not want someone else inside her head. It was bad enough dealing with herself and her own chaotic thoughts. But Luke appeared to be linked to her whether she liked it or not. Part of her wanted to reach out to him and break down whatever barrier he had constructed between them. There never had been a barrier such as this one before and Mara wanted to know why. It was not of her making.
She wandered around the apartment – it hadn't given her any new insights into Luke Skywalker. She knew him better than anyone, yet there were times when she couldn't fathom how his mind worked. There were times when she didn't want to.
The apartment was comfortable and warm, the muted colours soothing her spirit. His few possessions were scattered around in a haphazard yet pleasing arrangement. Things were on display because Mara knew that he liked them. She lifted up a crystal sculpture of a rare desert flower she'd found for him once on a trip to Tatooine. She could still feel his pleasure at receiving such a gift. Still, there was one thing he wasn't short of - holo-books and information files. Scanning the titles quickly, she reaffirmed that Luke Skywalker was passionate about the Jedi – its history and its teaching methods - craving knowledge which would help him in his quest.
A quick glance at her wrist chrono had told her that she still had several hours before dinner. She was impatient to see him – impatient to start her training. Luke would have something to say to her about that. A Jedi Knight had to learn patience.
Moving across to the holo display shelf she noted the family holos in prominent position. The gap-toothed images of the Solo children touched a chord in her heart. They looked so carefree. She'd never had that luxury. Mara picked up one of Han and Leia, a beautifully studied official portrait and behind it… Her hand flew to her mouth. Luke had a holo of her? Her pleasure at her unexpected discovery dimmed. Luke also had holos of the pilots he'd flown with in Rogue Squadron, one of Wedge and Iella on their wedding day and Mirax and Corran squinted awkwardly at the holo-operator from another.
She fixed her attention back onto her own image. It was one of herself at a Rogue Squadron party she'd once attended with him. She'd been dancing with someone and she looked happy as she'd returned to her place by Luke's side. Yes, she remembered that now. It had been just before she'd embarked on the disastrous fake liaison with Lando and the strange distance that had sprung up between her and Luke as a result.
Mara carefully placed the holo back on the shelf, a curious cold feeling permeating her heart. Luke was keeping his shields locked up tight. She couldn't remember exactly when this strange new distance had grown between them but it was around the time she had started seeing Lando publicly. The more she and Lando had acted out their charade, the more Luke had retreated into himself. Why had her farce with Lando put Luke at a distance, she wondered. Had he not approved and couldn't bring himself to say so? Or was there another reason?
She idly glanced at Luke's workbench and found that a cloth covered whatever he'd been working on. He'd always been good with machines, she reflected. Mara moved closer and lifted the cover. "Aha!" she said aloud. A lightsaber lay in pieces, trailing wires attached to strangely shaped metal fragments. She traced the shaft with a shaking finger. An image of his hand grasping the saber flashed into her mind. She dropped the cover back over the weapon and lifted her head, glancing about her. In the corner a small blast furnace sat, its door gaping slightly ajar. Mara peered inside but it was empty, the faint hint of burning reaching her nostrils.
"He's been cooking a new crystal," she whispered. There was now no doubt at all in her mind. "But it takes days…weeks even." Luke had been without his lightsaber for months because he had lost it saving her from the slavers.
How exactly had he done it? He hadn't fought her captors to free her. Mara wasn't even sure that he'd used the Force. But she was alive. Her hand sought the object in her pocket and could feel its tiny pulse through the Force as her fingers made contact.
Luke headed back to his quarters eagerly. The mere fact that Mara Jade was there waiting for him put a spring in his step. He couldn't believe that she was on Yavin at all, let alone ready to finish her training.
"Hello," he called tentatively as the door slid aside.
Mara was curled up on one of his sofas, her legs tucked underneath her, a holo-book in her hand. Her face lit up. "Hey, farmboy! Good day?"
Luke's heart jumped inside his chest. Force, she looked so right. "Yes – very good day. I've got this new student who has a lot of potential." It struck Luke that there was something incredibly domestic about the whole scene.
"Really," Mara relied dryly. "Tell me more."
"Could you make me a stim tea, please? I need to change." Luke was already heading to his bedchamber pulling off his tunic as he went.
"I'm not your kitchen droid," she mumbled under her breath.
"Please," he said beseechingly, pausing in the doorway. "Kitchen droids don't make good Jedi," he said. "You're much prettier than one of those clunkers…I... Well, it's true," he said a little defiantly. He quickly dashed inside away from the possible repercussions of his awkward comment.
"I'll only do it because you said 'please'," Mara retorted, secretly enjoying the quick flash of Luke's muscular chest as he disappeared from sight and gratified at his unexpected compliment. She headed into the galley kitchen and made a caf for herself and a stim tea for Luke.
"Oh, wonderful." Luke grabbed the large mug she had correctly guessed he favoured, sporting the slogan 'I'm with the Wookiee', and took a large swig of the hot brew. "Come and have a seat, Jade. We have to make up some sort of timetable for you." He subsided gratefully into the large soft cushions on one of the sofas. "The questions some of the juniors think up to torture me with are incredible," he moaned.
"You love it, Skywalker – stop complaining." Mara sat down opposite him, mug in one hand and data reader in the other. "Tionne gave me a look at this earlier today. I'm very impressed with what I see."
"Ah…the timetable. It's much better than it used to be," Luke admitted. "I could only do so much before. Kam and Tionne have reorganised the timetable so that it actually works. The tutors can concentrate on their specialities and it is good for the students to see different teachers and if I need to drop everything and head Force knows where, I can do that."
"Yes, it's a good thing not to be so reliant on one person. But Luke - don't run down your own achievements. When you started, farmboy, there were no other teachers."
"True." He gave a quick, shy smile. "I did what I had to but I don't need to do it quite so much any more. Each student does now report to one Jedi knight in particular."
"I report to you?"
"Of course. You are my responsibility."
Mara wondered if he had realised that his eyes had darkened as he'd said that last word and was that possessiveness she could hear ringing fervently through his voice? "I'm no one's responsibility," she countered lightly.
Luke arched an eyebrow. "You think not? You misbehave with some of the other little Jedi and I'm the one who gets called to account.
"Misbehave with those…" Mara's jaw dropped open. "Other little Jedi! Why…you…miserable excuse for a…"
"A master is responsible for the conduct of his Jedi initiate at all times," Luke said with a chuckle as he placed his mug on the table between them.
As soon as he did that, Mara aimed a cushion at his head. "Oh really?"
"Hey! You are supposed to treat your master with respect," Luke protested as he fielded the cushion neatly and tossed it back in her direction.
Mara laughed, her green eyes glinting with mirth. "When he is worthy of it, I suppose I should. But I'm being respectful. Notice it was the cushion I threw at you. My blaster's on the other side of the room."
He was momentarily breathless by the happiness that radiated from her. "Don't change the way you treat me, Mara," Luke said, the glee fading from his earnest blue gaze. "Don't change what you are."
"But as a Jedi?"
"Things will alter and, yes, there will be some changes. It is inevitable. But your essential spirit should not change." Luke beamed at her, a lazy heart-stopping smile.
"Saber practise tomorrow?" she enquired casually, wondering at the strange breathlessness she felt and why her heart was pounding so loudly inside her chest. "I went through those last exercises you gave me but I think I need more than just going through a set series of moves on my own. I need a sparring partner." She smiled back at him, her green eyes contrasting vividly against her creamy skin.
"I'll see if there's anyone available," Luke said, staring at her. Force, she was beautiful – why did this have to be so hard?
"Uh-uh, farmboy. You said you were ultimately responsible for my training. I want to fight with you."
"Me? You want to fight with me?" Luke's eyes went wide.
"I usually fight with you," she countered. "Often without a saber."
"Yes, but we kiss and make up afterwards." Oh sith! Luke swore inwardly as the words left his mouth. Kiss. He couldn't think about kissing her. He had to think about more mundane things, not how her mouth had softened under his. He had to focus on training her and teaching her the ways of the Force. Luke dragged his mind back to where it should be and considered the current state of his treasured weapon. Perhaps if he worked on the lightsaber tonight he could have it ready to spar with Mara in the morning. At the moment he couldn't fight with a saber where the blade shorted out as soon as he extended it to its full length. Maybe he could suggest they both used practice sabers. Somehow he didn't think Mara would agree.
"Tomorrow, then." Mara's voice broke into his thoughts.
"You still want to kill me?" he said with a groan slumping back into the sofa cushions. She tilted her head to one side and Luke got the feeling she was seeing right through him. "Tomorrow…uh."
"I checked your timetable and you are free in the afternoon."
She hadn't reacted to his comment about kissing her and it was all that he could do not to just take her in his arms and do it again. "I am?" he said blankly. Of course he was but…
"Good. That's settled. Now what about my classes?"
"That depends on how you see yourself as a Jedi," Luke said carefully. He gave the impression of relaxation but there was an air of watchful tension in his eyes.
Mara nibbled at her lip and sighed. "I never could quite see myself as a Jedi - not until recently. Oh, I supposed it was there in my future if I wanted it to be." She gave a wry grin. "Rather presumptuous of me."
"Why would you say that?" he asked.
"I assumed I was invincible."
"None of us are that," Luke murmured. "But I know what you mean. There is point in your life that you realise you might not make it through this experience. This time you could die."
"Yes," she whispered. "That's exactly what happened. I got caught by one of the oldest traps in the field operative's handbook. I grew careless. I was too caught up in my own anger and pride and then there was no way out."
"Anger?" Luke questioned.
"One of my greatest failings," she admitted, her voice pained. "I was angry at Lando because he wanted more than I was willing to give and angry at Karrde for making me do something. I agreed to it but…" She sighed. "It's totally illogical but I decided that I could go to Elrood on my own without assistance. No Karrde and no Calrissian – just me and I failed. You had to risk your life and Solo's to come after me."
Luke sat up, his posture rigid. When Mara had arrived last night he had been too glad to see her and then too busy diffusing her anger but now… They'd made a promise. "Who told you?" he demanded, his face cold. "It wasn't Karrde – he promised not to say anything?"
Mara's eyes narrowed. "No, it wasn't Karrde - it was Lando. He wasn't too happy about the end of our arrangement and for some reason he's annoyed with you." She cocked an eyebrow at him but no explanations were forthcoming from the glowering man in front of her. "Luke?"
"Karrde?" he grated. "He has to have said something. Lando doesn't know everything."
"Karrde only opened up when I presented him with Calrissian's story." She slipped to the floor and knelt in front of him, her eyes glittering up into his. "But now that I've had time to think, I realise that I knew it was you all along. I heard your voice and felt your presence but I thought I was dreaming. What I can't understand is…?"
"Why I kept it from you?" Luke interrupted, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "I don't know why. It was a stupid idea but at the time I wasn't thinking too clearly." The expression on his face was bleak. "I suppose I didn't want you to remember what they had done to you."
"I don't…not really. I have memories of my actual abduction but after that I only have vague images. Karrde said that they kept me drugged until I was freed."
"I'm surprised you recall that much," Luke said. "That's why I didn't tell you. You'd been through enough. What you could not remember couldn't hurt you further. You were safe and regaining your health. What was the point of bringing it all back?"
"Oh, Luke," Mara breathed. His own pain at seeing the suffering she'd had to endure leached through his shields.
"Is that what has made you change your mind about your training?"
"Partly - but it is also the right time. This isn't a decision made on a whim or on a turn of a sabacc deck. I finally realised that it is time to move on from my current position. Luke…" she hesitated and then ploughed on. "The Force is calling me. I can feel it and I need it – the completeness."
"It is?" Luke clasped her hands with his own and the layers shifted somewhere in the depths of his mind. Yes, he could feel it through the Force. She was ready. "I will tell you everything you want to know but not yet."
"Why not yet?" Mara demanded heatedly, her frustration showing. She wanted all this to be behind her – she wanted to concentrate on her future.
He turned his face away from her.
"Skywalker – why can't you tell me?"
His face when he turned back was filled with sorrow, the strain easy to read. "You are one of my best friends and I've lost so many over the years. I'm not quite ready to talk about it yet but I thought I was going to lose you forever. I don't know what I would do if you were lost to me."
Mara stared at him, willing to see past the reserve she could see in him. He was still hiding something from her but now she thought that she understood some of it. Her mood calmed. 'Patience, Jade,' she told herself. She would find out eventually but something told her she wouldn't learn anything at all if she pushed right now. A stray thought suddenly occurred. How would she feel if she lost Luke? What would she do if she never saw him again? "You…" Mara opened her mouth as fear gripped her. "I…"
"What?" Luke could sense a change in her emotions. "What's wrong, Mara?"
She shook her head. "Just thinking," she murmured, trying to calm herself. She would do her utmost to keep him safe. "How do you see my training progressing?" she asked, changing direction.
"Jedi training cannot be what it was in my father's and Obi-Wan Kenobi's day. We simply do not have enough knights to be able to train other Jedi one-on-one." Luke gave a deep sigh. "From what I've read, the teaching of young Force adepts was like any school system. Large classes following a set timetable until they reached a certain age."
"Adulthood?"
"No, I think it was much younger. Yoda always said that I was too old to begin my training."
"But you were only what…twenty?"
"About that age." Luke shifted into the corner of the sofa and patted the cushion beside him. "In the days of the Old Republic I would have been given to the Jedi as a baby."
"But that's barbaric!" Mara exclaimed.
"But you were taken by the Emperor as a child," Luke said quietly. "That's worse. The Jedi had the best of intentions. Obi-Wan and Yoda had no choice but to train me. I was the only one left."
"The only one," she repeated. "A heavy responsibility."
"I didn't think of it like that at the time," Luke said softly.
Mara rose thankfully from her knees and slid into the space on the sofa. "I'm feeling my legs after that little jaunt through the jungle you sent me on."
"Advanced fitness training needed," Luke said mockingly and winced as Mara poked him in the ribs.
"Ow! Jade!"
"You deserved it. Stop whining." She shifted against one of the cushions, squirming until she felt comfortable. "What happened to the young Jedi?"
"When they reached the correct age they were paired with one Master. From what I've read, all the texts say that was the normal procedure."
"I can see a problem already," Mara conceded. "Not enough of you."
"You've matched the sandperson with the correct bantha." Luke grinned. "Pity there's no prize for it."
"You don't need to be a Maw scientist to work that one out," Mara retorted pithily.
"Technically I'm only a temporary tutor here but I owe it to you to finish your training."
"Oh, come off it, Skywalker," Mara protested.
"It's true," he said.
"Rubbish. If you wanted to run the Academy, Kam would step aside immediately."
Luke's face was serious. "I would never ask him to do that."
"I know but I wouldn't have come if it hadn't been you who was to train me."
Luke couldn't stop the jolt of pleasure from running through him but he tried not to let his feelings show. "You could learn from anyone."
"You think so? I'm not so sure."
Luke leaned forward. "I am. You admitted it yourself – you are ready to learn…ready to complete the first part of your journey in the Force. You have learned so much already."
"Yes, but there is so much else I must learn. I'm not much good with feelings and I'm not good at letting my innermost secrets show."
"Who is?" asked Luke. "You've taken the first step by coming here with an open mind. You have worked on many of the skills a Jedi Knight needs and you already know where you are lacking."
"I've always tried to be honest with myself. I have perhaps never admitted it aloud but there are disciplines I will find hard to conquer."
"The most important lesson you have to learn is about the Force itself – how it interacts with the universe. How to explore your own Force ability and use it responsibly avoiding the temptations of the dark side." Luke's eyes were grave. "You have a very good grasp of this already. You served Palpatine without turning to the dark side."
"For that I am grateful." She thought a moment before musing slowly, "But why was I blind to his evil for so many years?"
"It was that blindness that kept you…pure, for want of a better word. You served Palpatine with devotion. You were not interested in power or dominance over other species. You wanted to show your loyalty to your master."
"Hindsight is a marvellous thing." Mara's smile was rueful.
"It is but I don't want to let hindsight make me miss supper."
"Skywalker!"
"I'm hungry," he said simply.
"Again?"
"I'm always hungry."
"Then we'd better get you fed."