This is a longer chapter for you all here. Enjoy! Like always Disclaimers
are in the beginning of this story.
Chapter Two: The Fates in Motion
The pale orange light filtered into the large, ceiling high windows of the Jedi Council Chamber. The light levels signaled it was nearing time to retire for the day but those in attendance knew there were a few more things to discuss before they could call it a day.
"That is all I have Masters." The small drall Jedi bowed.
"Thank you Knight Dri. You are dismissed." Mace Windu announced and then waited for the Knight to leave the chambers.
As he was leaving Mace leaned forward; thinking through all that he was about to say. He had gleaned most of the information he now had from several different sources and the rest was just rumors. He folded his fingers in front of him and caught the other Council Members' attention.
"There is one more topic I would like to bring up for discussion."
"Continue please, Master." Adi Gallia spoke from her seat across the room.
"There have been rumors of a planet in the outer rim that takes in rogue Force-sensitive individuals. Upon further inspection to this rumor I've found much more to this rumor. They are possibly training these individuals."
All the Council took in his information carefully and mulled it over before speaking. Mace knew that this could be met with many different reactions. He hoped though that one of the reactions was of concern not indifference to this faction.
"How can this be?" Ki-Adi Mundi straightened and looked around him. "Such an operation could have serious consequences for us and the republic. Even more that this operation has been there and we have not known of it until now."
"So far I haven't uncovered any concrete evidence of the people behind the group." Mace continued. "Only rumors and certain people saying they've transported people to this place and that they were odd. "All of them say this is near the planet Diriala or it's moon Eckinshea. More say they've gone to Eckinshea and not planet side. No one, other than those intended, have made it to the surface of either to see where the training is taking place." He paused to let everyone take in what he had said and then would give them the concerning part. "They also say that many who go there are accepted regardless of age, background, or any other standards."
"Are they inviting the dark side to their ranks by following that trend?" Adi Gallia spoke. "We have those restrictions for a reason, they should see the same reason."
Mace shrugged. "I have little other information other that there seems to be a connection with these places and a company on Bespin."
They all sat pondering what all clues were pointing to. If there was a rival Jedi academy what was their purpose? What else could their purpose be other than their removal or the Republic's dismissal of the Jedi?
Yoda tapped his stick lightly on the rim of his seat. "Diriala we know well." He started. "Qui-gon and Obi-wan retrieved Padawan Eerin from Diriala they did. Remember do you not?"
Most of the Councilors instantly looked to Master Yaddle, who still sat quietly. They instantly recalled the planet Diriala and what had happened there.
Knowing their eyes were on her, Yaddle looked up. "Where my Padawan, lost she was."
"That place was deserted though." Mace intervened. "How could anyone have found a way to live there?"
Yoda nodded his agreement to what Mace said but he knew more than Mace did about what could have happened. "Relayed to me, visions have been. Hold clues they do. Reborn the planet could have been after freed from the darkness it was."
"Thus restarting the chain of life there." Mace nodded. "But who else would have known to look at the planet after that? We made no official reports to the Republic after the incident." Mace turned to face him, hoping Yoda would reveal more of what he might know.
"Know this, I do not."
"So it's possible someone could be there, and if they are why train force- sensitive people?" Adi questioned.
"An army or opposition." Oppo Rancisis put in. "Assassins with Force abilities would be extremely valuable and accurate. There is, of course, the obvious and most disturbing possibility. They could be Sith or Dark Jedi."
"We would have felt it if they were Sith." Ki-Adi Mundi argued.
"Hard to see the Dark Side is." Yoda spoke absently. "Unaware of their intentions we are. No evidence of outside contact has there been. Wish seclusion they may."
"What should we do?" Mace asked. They needed to decide the course of action to be taken. They could not just hope these people were friendly people.
"Send someone we should. Show of good faith it could be." Yaddle recommended while eyeing each of the other council members.
"They could be hostile though." Adi mentioned. "If we send someone they could very easily find themselves in a trap."
"I feel, hostile they are not." Yaddle nodded. "A puzzle this is, one that a piece is missing from."
"So find the missing piece that will make it make sense." Mace began nodding as well. "We should being thinking of who to send."
"Know I do, who we can send."
******************
For the second time that day, Xanatos found himself in their Council Room. This time he wasn't alone. Each of the Sect's had a section in the grand room and each of those sections was now being filled with their representatives.
They were talking quietly amongst themselves as others were sitting down. Most of them were probably wondering why this meeting had been held off till later afternoon and seeing Telly already standing on the center platform spurred their concerns even more. Xanatos himself was standing behind her and to the right, showing he was a channel in this meeting, not one of his own Sects members. He and she normally entered last in the precessions.
Xanatos had his concerns as well. After seeing the vision of the people of Diriala joining up for a War he wasn't sure how the council would take what they had to tell them. What would they decide to do about it? Would they decide to strike first? They weren't strong enough for that. They weren't strong enough to face the Jedi if they came.
Jareed entered and unconsciously both he and Xanatos nodded to each other. Jareed being the head of the Empathic Sect, he entered these chambers as a leader instead of his assistant these days. Jareed did well as one of their leaders; he actually knew what he was doing.
After years of being head of Offworld and his other company on Bespin, one would think that he knew what he was doing to. Of course that had all been shifty business, and now that he was out of it he wasn't so good at it anymore. He had been better at threatening people, not leading them.
Soon he heard the silence fall over the large group of people. It was the sign that everyone was in and ready to hear what was going on.
This is where he admired Telly most. She stood now tall and confident in the center of the room looking around at all that now seemed to think of her as the highest of their order. Most of her life had been spent in the shadows, shy and hidden among the throngs of Jedi in the Temple. Who would notice a soft-spoken child such as she? She had used it to her advantage all those years but if anyone from that order could see her now they would be shocked.
Up on that pedestal and with her few years of experience she had become an effective speaker that spoke with her heart and soul. She made anyone see reason when it was nearly impossible to get others to see it. Telly indeed was the head of their order and he was proud of her.
"I am sorry for the delay in your routines." Telly began and she smiled at all those now listening to her. "I was detained by something I think I should tell all of you about."
There were some whispers and Xanatos barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did they really have to murmur like a bunch of politicians? She only spoke two sentences.
"I had a vision this morning; me and Master DeCruet both did." She waited out the initial gasps of shock. They all knew it was rare for her to have visions, being an empath and strong aligned to the Living Force. "What was shown to us was disturbing. We were at odds with the Jedi order and there was a battle imminent."
Xanatos snorted a little. The battle hadn't been 'imminent'; it had started from where he was standing. There was silence before finally the yells and questions came flying at them like wildfire. Even he had to close his eyes and try to shut out the roar.
What they expected to happen was happening. Most of them were panicking and had begun to worry about what would happen to them if the Jedi came and took them away. The only two groups not in an uproar were the Mediators and his own sect, the Visionaries.
"We have a right to be here! They cannot take away our rights!"
"What should we do if they want us to give up our new home?"
"We cannot unlearn what we've learned?"
"What have we done wrong?"
"How did they find us?"
Telly waited out the initial roar and heard a lot of the questions being shouted their way. Finally she couldn't stand the emotional uproar. "Enough!" She yelled and for those who barely knew the young Channel it was a shock to hear her voice hold that much snap.
They all quieted instantly and Telly scanned the crowd to make sure they all were ready to listen. "We can work through this, but we must think if we are to survive it."
The head of the Visionaries stood to speak and the attention was turned to him. "M'lady is correct." Master Tuscon, a rather robust Corellian spoke calmly. "Visions are not set in stone, they are merely possibilities of what can happen if the wrong paths are taken."
"Interactions with the Jedi are imminent no matter what." Jareed stood. "I hear from our contacts that a request has been made from Coruscant. I can only assume that is who wishes passage, for we have never found anyone from Coruscant, the Jedi have mostly trained those living there."
"Our only question is what should we do about their coming?" Xanatos finally decided he would add in his own thoughts. "We can allow them passage or we can close our ports and invite suspicion."
Everyone stopped and looked around. No one could really make up his or her minds about what should be done. Master Tuscon stood once more and everyone turned to those who could possibly see what their actions could cause. "To close our borders is the worst decision we could make. If they think we have something to hide, they will instantly take us as a threat."
"I disagree." One of the Warriors stood. "If we open ourselves up they will just swarm us and we won't have a way to defend ourselves or cut off the flow. A wide open door is a folly in our defense."
Jareed turned his gaze on the warrior. "The request is only for a small group, of 5 or less. If more come we can refuse them on legal grounds. They deceive us we won't seem like the bad guys in the conflict." He turned back to looking towards the center of the room. "I say we allow them to come and if it comes to it we can show them off our planet and pray for the best."
"We agree to Empath's wisdom." The Healer's representatives added.
Telly began nodding her own agreement. "I want to open an invitation to them. Like the Visionaries have stated, if we appear to have something to hide they will assume the worst. They will play on their fears of what we could be and then the battle is more imminent than ever." She turned to face the Warriors. "But we will not let our guard down. The Force will guide us in what we must do."
"We should put more faith in the Force. It has not led us this far to destroy what we have worked so hard for." A small female mediator spoke up and bowed to Telly. "M'lady is correct it will guide us."
"So it is settled," Xanatos came to be standing at Telly's side. "We shall prepare for the Jedi's arrival."
The groups nodded or murmured their support for the decision. The fear was still there but most had faith in the Force. They also had faith in Xanatos and Telly. If anyone could protect them, it would be those who destroyed the Dark Channels holding Diriala in the first place.
"I think we should disassemble and meditate on what is coming." Telly bowed deeply. It was the normal cue that the meeting was over.
The Sects began to flow out of the double oak doors; murmuring to one another about all that they should do. Telly looked over at Xanatos and the expression in her eyes was one of worry. He knew she was as worried as the rest of them about what this all could mean for their future.
"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" he asked quietly as he caught sight of Jareed out of the corner of his eye. He was heading their way. He turned his attention back to Telly. "We can find another way, I'm sure."
"This is the only way." Telly whispered and looked at the floor in front of her. "They have to see we are not the evil they think we are. It's just."
"Just what?"
"What are they going to think when they see me standing here?"
"If we are lucky, they will send some new Knights that won't recognize you." Xanatos rubbed his neck and smiled a bit as Jareed finally came to stand with them. His face showed confusion, they had stopped talking when he had stopped in front of them.
Telly smiled at him then smirked at Xanatos in a sad sort of way. "We both know Yoda too well for that. We know who he's going to send."
Jareed raised an eyebrow. "And just who is this Yoda going to send?"
Xanatos ran a hand through his thick black hair. "My former Master and his apprentice."
Jareed's eyes widened. "Shouldn't we be hiding you Xanatos? If they see you they are going to want to cart you off to stand trail for your. your past transgressions. And if that happens."
"That won't happen." Xanatos snapped a little then sighed. "We will deal with the problem when it arrives. Anyway, they want me they'll have to fight for me. I'm not leaving this planet unless I'm dead."
"Don't say that." Telly whispered almost too quietly for the men to hear.
"I'm sorry, Tel." Xanatos reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. "It will all work out. I promise."
Jareed put his arm around Telly's shoulders and Xanatos removed his hand. Jareed forced her to look at him and hugged her playfully. "Come on 'my lady' why don't wee see if the cook is cooking anything edible at the moment so we can eat."
"You two could just learn to do things for yourselves." Xanatos rolled his eyes at them. "Jareed you're twenty-four, Telly you're twenty..."
Jareed and Telly looked at one another for a second then they both began smiling.
"That usually ends up with us being banned from the kitchens because we tried to burn it down, inadvertently." Telly laughed and leaned over on Jareed. "You coming?"
"No, I promised Jassy Emri to talk with her and her Master about her 'training' and all." Xanatos sighed. "She's getting rather frustrated with us."
"Good luck with her." Telly smiled and then she and Jareed walked out into the hall and then towards the kitchens.
Xanatos watched them go. He wasn't surprised about their new behavior towards each other. As he had stated Jareed was 24; the man had started working for him at a young age but he had showed talent and brains so it hadn't mattered to him about his age. Telly was now twenty and the two had worked together since they had arrived on Diriala; both being Empath's and heads of their Sect.
It was a good match. Jareed drew out the girl in Telly who had been hidden by her self-inflicted burdens and duties. Jareed only enjoyed being around Telly and was glad to be of help to her.
He could only hope that he had been right and things would work out with the Jedi. He really wanted them both to have a chance to continue the relationship.
****************
He could hear the sounds of birds singing and screeching all around him. Dense dark leaves touched his arm and his boots were hidden under a thick covering of brush and vines. It was unbearably hot and he unconsciously removed his cloak and let it drop to the jungle floor.
A loud roar in the distance made him jerk and the thoughts of animals other than birds began to creep into his mind. As he looked around to make sure none of those creatures were closing in for a kill, he began to realize that it was deserted. He figured there would be bugs or small lizards about, and hoped there wasn't some large predator waiting to kill him but there was nothing.
It began to sink into him. This was different; this had to be another vision. Wasn't he asleep though? He began surveying his surroundings closer looking for a clue as to what to expect of this showing. It wasn't like the one where he was in the darkened room, this time he was in a jungle alone.
Or it had at least appeared that he was alone.
A blue-green light caught his attention and he froze. It flickered again and Obi-wan stared back at it. It appeared to be a set of eyes watching him and every so often they would blink. He watched the eyes and tried to make out what they were attached to but he could see nothing but the eerie blue-green glow.
For a few minutes nothing happened. He and the set of eyes that appeared to be floating in mid-air stared back at one another and that was it. Then more sets of eyes began appearing around it. Not just eyes either, symbols began joining the glow in front of him.
Obi-wan began backing from the watching lights. Whatever they were it couldn't be good for him so he would try to slowly move away from them and hope this odd vision would end soon.
As he got further away the glows began disappearing. Some would move forward when he stopped and he began to realize they wanted him to be going in the direction he was headed. He turned and began walking, if that's where he was supposed to go so be it.
He finally hit a large clearing and as he checked behind him the final pair of eyes blinked out and didn't return. Sighing a bit in relief he turned back to surveying the large open plain of tall grasses.
They flowed gently in a soft wind. Obi-wan stepped further out and caught a breeze, which alleviated the heat for a few seconds. As he let the wind play with his hair he gazed upwards and was drawn to the large glowing moon in the sky. What was he supposed to be seeing here?
Just as his eyes began to wonder away from the moon, someone's arm came around his shoulders and he turned. He was suddenly face to face with Telly and she was smiling at him. Her gaze tore away and her other arm outstretched in front of her pointing to the moon.
Obi-wan looked back up and felt Telly's arm go limp from around his shoulders, but her face remained close to his ear. "We are home." She whispered and then she was gone.
Obi-wan jerked awake and he stared at his door in confusion. The last vision was replaced with this new version and it was even more confusing than the one that took place on Diriala. He brushed his hair back away from his forehead and sat for a few seconds to clear his head. He was getting very tired of all these visions that didn't make sense.
After a few minutes he finally stood and made his way to the fresher. He turned on the shower and as the hot water ran down over his head and down his back he couldn't help but see the images spring back to mind. The glowing blue-green eyes and symbols that watched him from a distance and in a way herded him to the field.
Then there was Telly. Why was she such a prominent figure in his dreams? Was Bant right in thinking the Force was trying to tell him something about her? That she wasn't dead? But then where did this latest showing fit into the puzzle? She had pointed to a moon in the sky and said they were home.
He remembered her home planet being Corellia, not some moon. He sighed and decided to think about it later.
Finishing his shower, he dressed. He knew there was going to be a meeting with the Council today, his Master had informed him last night. He was sure they were being summoned for a mission so he had to focus on the task at hand. He had to forget whatever crazy though he now had about taking up Bant's suggestions about finding out what really happened to Telly Liksani.
Even though he really wanted to.
"Padawan?"
He heard his master calling for him from the front rooms and he grabbed his things. "Yes Master?" he asked once he entered the common room and was sitting his things down on their large chair.
"You remember our meeting with the Council this afternoon, right?"
"Yes Master, at noon." Obi-wan answered and checked the time. He'd have to leave soon for class.
"That is correct." Qui-gon looked at him critically. "Anymore visions?"
Obi-wan shook his head no and adverted his eyes from his Master. He hated to lie to Qui-gon but if he thought Obi-wan was too distracted he wouldn't take the mission. He admitted that he was itching to get out of the Temple for a while; they had already been there for a few months.
"I would like it if you would tell me about them, Obi-wan, but if you don't feel comfortable then it's alright." Qui-gon smirked at him, knowing his apprentice's body language all too well by now.
Obi-wan nodded. "I would just like to figure them out on my own, Master."
"Very well, I will see you at noon."
"Yes Master."
Noon came quickly and Obi-wan was soon entering the Council Chambers with his Master. As they entered he couldn't help but feel Yoda's eyes on him and he absently wondered just how much the wizened old Master knew.
They bowed and straightened and waited to hear why they had been called.
"We wish to send you both to a small pair of planets on the outer rim. You both know the planet well." Mace started.
Obi-wan's interest peaked and he turned all his attention to Mace and what planet he was talking about.
"There have been rumors and some reports of a group living on either the planet Diriala or it's moon, Eckinshea, that is taking in Force-sensitive individuals. The rumors are that they are training these people, though for what reason we are unsure."
"Would they accept a team of Jedi willingly or are we to find a way onto the planet?" Qui-gon queried, his arms instantly folding up in his robe sleeves.
"There has been an inquiry sent with one of the cargo ships that frequents the moon. They have allowed four to come if they wish, but anymore and the envoys will be turned away." Adi Gallia informed them.
"We want you to investigate what is actually going on there and if the rumors are true. See if they are training arts that would be questionable or dangerous if in the hands of someone not fully trained as a Jedi." Mace continued.
Qui-gon nodded. "You said Diriala did you not?"
"Been there before you have, know it better you would." Yoda pointed a little at him. "Your apprentice, being pulled there he is. Why we chose who we did it was."
"You also said they accepted four envoys, are there others accompanying us?"
"Tahl will be with you, as well as her apprentice, Padawan Eerin. Tahl will be able to find any additional information beforehand and can help you observe things that maybe only her senses can pick up. You both have experience with Diriala as well."
"Yes I remember it well." Qui-gon nodded. "When do we leave?"
"In a few hours. The cargo ship we sent word with will be leaving and the Captain is willing to drop you off with his cargo on Eckinshea. There, he says, you will be able to find a way planet side and a representative will meet you."
"Thank you Masters." Qui-gon bowed and Obi-wan followed his lead.
"May the Force be with you." Mace responded and they were dismissed.
As they were leaving Yoda spoke one final time. "Remember, Obi-wan. Visions not always true are they. Find another road you can, I think."
Obi-wan turned to face the small Master and he wondered what he meant. Yoda only stared back, his eyes half lidded. He did say one more thing. "In your heart, know in whom you can trust."
"Yes, Master." Obi-wan bowed and then followed his Master out to pack their things.
*********************
Bant came up on the cargo ship and began scanning all that were going on board. She had a small pack slung over her shoulder and she was ready for the mission ahead of herself and her Master. For once she was coming along.
She found Obi-wan immediately and rushed over and hugged his arm. "Obi- wan! Do you believe it?"
"Believe what? That they trust us to work together or that we're going to Diriala?"
"Both!" she smiled widely. "I told you your visions meant something. They have to if the Council thinks something is going on there."
"You did get a mission briefing?" Obi-wan smirked a little at her. "You heard why we are being sent to Diriala? It's possibly dangerous."
"Yes I got a mission briefing. There's supposedly a rival training academy for Force Sensitive people there." Bant rolled her eyes at him. "But we both know who was on Diriala when we left, who possibly could have started such a thing and she's not capable of evil."
"We don't know if she's alive of not, and what if she lost that battle? Those things could be calling people to them and training Sith for all we know."
Bant put her hands on her hips as they began walking up the ramp to find their cabin. "We wouldn't have been allowed to land if they were Sith."
"Okay you have a good point, but still we should be careful of what is going on there. We can't be sure."
"Maybe." Bant calmed considerably then perked again. "We'll get to see if she's alive. We'll get to see her again."
Obi-wan was keying the door open to a larger cabin and he silently smiled to himself. The images of past visions flashed in his head. "Trust me, she's beautiful." He whispered and suddenly Bant had spun him around and was staring at him.
"What?"
"I told you I've seen her in my visions." Obi-wan blushed hard. "If she looks anything like she does there, she's quite pretty."
"She always was." Bant smiled and set down her travel pack. "I bet she's happy."
"I hope so. I just can't help it though." He paused. "I really do have a bad feeling about this."
*************************
It had taken them several days on the slow moving cargo ship to arrive at the moon of Eckinshea. The Padawans were clearly planning something the whole trip but the Master's allowed it. They themselves were more concerned with the Captain's cautions to them a few hours before they dropped out of hyperspace.
The words had not bided well with either Tahl of Qui-gon and they wondered how it had been left out of their briefings. Unless, of course, the Council hadn't been told about it either.
"Just a bit of caution to you Jedi." The large Arkanian man had started. "Eckinshea is not a friendly, tourist-minded, place. The natives are just that, natives. They ain't too technologically advanced and they ain't too friendly towards outsiders. They don't like you butting into their business and you guys are going to stick out like sore thumbs there."
"Why are we docking there then?" Tahl queried while Qui-gon folded his arms in front of him.
"My understanding of the situation is you gotta go through some check point here on Eckinshea before you can head down to the planet." The captain shrugged as he turned to return to his cockpit. "Don't want any bad seeds getting down to the surface I suppose."
"This checkpoint is where we are landing, correct?" Qui-gon followed the man. He had a feeling that it wasn't where they were being dropped off.
"Nope." He responded and sat down in the pilot's chair. "I have a designated drop spot and they don't want any of my workers escaping over to the transports so they make me land like a mile away. I'm not classified as one of their transport ships."
"Then how are we supposed to find this checkpoint?"
"They said there would be someone there to guide you to the checkpoint." He glanced back at Qui-gon. "Don't worry pal if a tribe of Eckinshean's show up we'll know they are there to guide you."
All the little cautions the pilot had given them had sent up flags in their minds. Was this a play of fate or did the Dirialian government set it up in this way in hopes to loose or distract the Jedi?
Tahl gave them the benefit of the doubt though. "It has to be a safeguard like he says."
"What if it isn't? We're already on their turf and once this transport leaves we'll have little chance to escape if we need to."
"We'll be fine." Tahl smirked. "If I remember correctly you and your Padawan have a talent for escaping such situations."
Both of them felt the ship shudder and finally fall silent. Both Masters stood to leave and soon their Padawans were rushing up to follow. They gathered at the ramp and awaited it to open so they could start their mission. It soon became apparent that it was a jungle moon. The heat slapped them all in the face and Obi-wan started having a strange sense about how this was a little too familiar.
They were sitting on a plain platform with small bunkers set up that droids and other workers were loading boxes into. Around the platform there were ladders down to the ground and around it was a small plain of flat grasses. Beyond it was dense foliage that seemed to be growing wild. Looking into the brush proved difficult because it nearly looked pitch black in the brush.
The captain came up behind them and snorted a bit. "Yeah, don't wonder too far into that brush without guides either. Tree canopy is so thick that is like night in that jungle." He said as he sat some smaller boxes down and looked out around the platform for movement of life. "Your guides should be here soon."
He moved back inside the ship to grab more supplies. As he did a small band of dark-skinned humanoids emerged from the brush carrying large staffs and spears. As they marched up to the platform it became their mocha colored skin was taught and their muscles were impressive. Strange blue- green tattoos marked their arms and some had them on their faces; their eyes seemed to be the same blue-green color. They were all squinting in the bright sunlight.
They stopped a little ways away from the platform and one male came closer to stand out and await them. Once they got down to their level the man crept closer and eyed them warily. "Jedi?" His thick accent fumbled over the word. "Are you Jedi?"
Qui-gon bowed to the man and nodded. "Yes we are the Jedi, are you our guides?"
The man looked back over his shoulder and said a few words in what had to be their native tongue. A few others responded and he turned back and nodded as well. "Guide yes, to the gate we can take you."
"They don't speak basic very well." Tahl whispered as she came up beside Qui-gon. "Lead us then."
He nodded and turned quickly on his heel. Striding back to his tribe, Qui- gon and Tahl looked back at their Padawans briefly before starting to follow the small band towards the blackened forest. Concerns were still there, seeing as their guides couldn't speak basic and didn't seem to want to be leading them to wherever it was they were going.
As they entered through thick brush most of them noted the drastic change in light. It was near pitch black under the canopy of large leaves and tree cover and they slowed slightly till their eyes had adjusted. Save for Tahl that was, she hadn't slowed any and was unaware of the change. Their guides did not seem phased by the change either and their pace quickened once they got on the trail.
Talking adamantly amongst themselves and looking back at their followers the tribe seemed very agitated about what was going on. At least it sounded like from their tones and mannerisms. They had thickly accented voices and their language rolled over words that didn't make any sense to them. Qui-gon was in vain trying to follow along and see if he couldn't pick up what they were at least feeling but he couldn't seem to catch on.
Tahl moved herself closer to him and she smiled at him. "They have a feeling of responsibility but anything past that is a bit hazy. They are also Force sensitive, by nature, I think."
Qui-gon looked back at their guides and felt finally the tendril of the Force that connected to them and wasn't really surprised by it. "They probably needed it to navigate this darkness." He muttered.
One of the tribe turned back to them and she slowed till the Jedi caught up with her. "Forgive our pace. We forget you can not see in our home."
"You speak better basic than your leader did." Tahl observed with a slight smirk.
"Yes. I was taught by our healer contact how to speak your language." She glanced ahead of her and waved away some of her companion's worried glares. "My tribesman wishes only to keep up appearances."
Tahl snorted and ribbed Qui-gon a little. "Sounds familiar in our own society."
Both women laughed and the young native turned back to observe the two Padawans. When she did Obi-wan nearly stopped walking. Her eyes were glowing an eerie blue in the darkness of the forest, as did her two tattoos on her cheek. Eyes and Symbols, it was too huge of a coincidence.
"Are you bringing your younglings to the trainers?"
Qui-gon shook his head. "We are Jedi, they are being taught now. We have only come to see what your trainers are teaching."
"You must be the ones of dark cloaks that they fear." She nodded in understanding. "Sometimes travelers speak of you. They say you are guardians?"
"That is what many call us. You said they fear us?"
"Only a few speak of this fear. They fear what you will do to them if you find them. You've turned them away once and they could be turned away again or punished if they come in contact with you again."
"I can understand why they would fear us." Tahl muttered softly.
"Indeed" the woman paused and looked back at the Padawans. "Still, the trainers would like to see such as your younglings." She smiled widely at them. "An Elemental and a Visionary. Strong Sects they are."
Obi-wan and Bant exchanged looks at the woman's declaration. Bant pointed to him and mouthed the word Visionary and so by fault she had to be what they had called an Elemental. She wished she knew what that meant.
The tribe skirted over suddenly off the trail and so did the young woman speaking to them and in front of them they could see a clearing that allowed sunlight to filter down into the forest.
"The light hurts your eyes doesn't it?" Tahl asked the woman.
She responded but Obi-wan was too distracted to hear it. Feeling the warmth on his skin he did look up and there in the sky, towards the left of the sun, was a large transparent shape of a moon. Images from the vision flashed in his mind and he instantly turned to the woman speaking to them. "What is that moon in the sky?"
She didn't look up at all. "That is the planet, we are the moon. It is Diriala, home to the Force followers that help us in preserving our moon for our traditions."
"People have come to the planet wanting to cut it haven't they." Tahl asked.
"Yes many wish to rape our lands." The woman's face contorted in a scowl. "We fought and died against their light weapons. Then force followers arrived and promised us our home and though in name Diriala owns Eckinshea, it belongs to us."
"That was a very noble thing for them to do."
"Lady and Sir Summoner are the ones that thought of it and made it so." She smiled. "They are very kind and wise."
"Lady Summoner?"
"It will be explained." She replied. "By those who follow them." She left them then, someone motioning her forward.
There were even more questions than answers now.
******************
Healer Nasha Rica stood out by a small transport platform watching the forests edge for the familiar blue-green lights that signaled a tribe of Eckinshean's. Other than herself and the pilot of the transport, the small port of Quirin was abandoned.
There was only one scheduled set of travelers that was supposed to be leaving for the planet and they had yet to arrive with their guides. She knew the tribe leading them was probably moving slowly and hoping the light was just right for them to come out without it hurting their eyes. Light had a cruel way of playing with their eyes and coming up to the ships that reflected it always was a sketchy decision for them.
Nasha was nervous. It wasn't the normal clientele of rogue Force users or those unaware of their abilities. The ones scheduled to go planet side were Jedi. They were to meet the Council and examine their planet's ways.
The Jedi suspected that they were in the wrong for teaching away from their set ways and now they were coming to get rid of them. Even though she had been warned against such thinking she couldn't help but wonder. Why else would they be so curious? If it weren't a problem the Jedi would have just left them alone.
A flicker of movement out by the edge of the small port's boundaries caught her attention. She could finally see the slow procession of a small band of natives. Their eyes and tattoos wavered up and down and back and forth in the darkness of the forest; it was rather unnerving to those unaccustomed to the spectacle but for her, it was fascinating.
Tribe, status, and family tattooed the Eckinshean's traditional bands and markings on their mocha skin. Their eyes glowed because the darkness in the canopy's left no other option for them, and the tattoos were made from dyes found in plants they used in everyday life. She herself held two small arm bands of one of their honored tribesmen.
As the tribe got closer and the bars on their right cheeks became more prominent she knew that it was Niko's tribe and they had been the ones that promised to guide the Jedi to this spot. She could make out some shadows trailing behind the tribe. It had to be them, for they had no markings that stood out against the backdrop of black.
The tribe stopped and pointed up to where she stood and the shadows broke off from the tribe. They were approaching the platform in the light by themselves, Niko already had been out once and he wasn't daring it again. Nasha straightened herself and made sure she was ready to greet the Jedi as she had been taught.
A tall man was the first to come up and soon he was helping a smaller female alien up the stairs. A young human male and a young Mon Calamari female followed them and she instantly recognized the two powers that settled around their Force Signatures.
The two elders moved forward and the younger ones fell behind as if in step and the elders bowed to her and she returned the gesture. "I am Nasha Rica of the Healer Sect, Diriala." She paused a little hoping she was saying everything right. "I am pleased to greet the Jedi to the second part of their journey."
The large man nodded his head to her in another bow. "I am Qui-gon Jinn and this is my apprentice Obi-wan Kenobi." He said waving his hand back to indicate the human male. "The other Master with me is Tahl and her apprentice Bant Eerin."
Nasha kept her smile on amazingly. The inclusion of two younger Jedi and one of which probably understood what was going on better than the older ones did lightened her spirits. She finally realized they were just standing there and motioned back to the transport. "If you would like we can leave now. You've had a long journey no doubt, and I know how hot the jungle can seem your first time here."
"Yes," Qui-gon chuckled and the slight smile lit up his dark blue eyes. "We appreciate your help, Miss Rica."
Nasha moved out of the way and allowed them to board. The two younger Jedi looked at her hopefully and she got the impression they wanted to ask her something. They decided against it though and just climbed into the transport after their masters. Nasha who was a bit noisy as she was climbed on board as well and started to talk to the Jedi. "Are there any concerns I could settle on our way down to the planet?" She asked hoping maybe it would encourage the two apprentices to speak their question instead of keeping it quiet. It was instead, the one teacher that spoke.
"Why does Diriala use this moon as a gateway?"
The pilot checked to make sure everyone was in before starting the take off procedures. Nasha looked up at him while he did so then turned back to Qui- gon and sighed. "It seems strange but the Eckinshean's are like a buffer for us. They have an inborn Force sense, though sometimes not strong, helps them to understand us and other Force sensitive people as I'm sure you noticed." He nodded and she went on. "They also have an inborn empathic gift that allows them to know when someone has an ill will towards them or others. They don't allow those types to get far on their grounds and thus they don't get to us."
"A trial of sorts." The one named Tahl put forth.
"Yes, it also keeps the moon safe from anyone that would wipe out the Eckinshean's and take the rich resources there."
"They are grateful to you for that." Tahl smiled and Nasha smiled a little.
"We are grateful for their help, and it is horrible for any race or group to just be wiped out."
************************************
Jareed found himself standing near the outskirts of Nikir letting the wind whip his dirty blonde hair around his face. Behind him he could hear the noises of people talking in the background and the noises of the busy marketplaces. Most of the whispers and talking was around the rumor of the impending Jedi visit. It had hit every corner of Diriala shortly after the Council meeting a few days ago.
He admitted his own fear of their coming. He didn't want this newfound freedom to be ripped from him and being forced back into trying to find his way in the galaxy again. Telly was afraid of it to and had been nothing but agitated nerves. It was starting to wear off on him.
His biggest fear was the Jedi discovering Xanatos. That would be disastrous.
He had known about Xanatos' past crimes and things he had done as head of Offworld. He'd known since he and Telly arrived on Bespin that day and had an inkling of it when he knew the man as Tosan Cran. Yet even after all this he understood and looked past it all. After Telly had arrived he'd seen penitence and regret etched in every feature in Xanatos' feature.
Telly had later told him part of him, the part that had gotten lost, had always regretted what the darkness in him was doing. That part just couldn't make the dark part stop what it was doing.
Now Xanatos had cleansed himself of the darkness, with Telly's help, and he was doing good things with them. His former employer, now really good friend, was helping several get the second chance that he got. Then of course there was what he did for Telly. Telly needed him as much as she needed anyone. He was the one person who understood her rare and strange gift as only they could. She trusted him whole-heartedly and she'd told Jareed once that he was the other person she truly trusted.
Telly had been young when they had met but as he had learned maturity and wisdom never was picky about those who could reason it. Telly was extremely smart and she had a great deal of good reasoning taught to her by some unseen force. It was what he liked most about her.
Though, right now, her good reasoning left them with little option than to accept the envoys from Coruscant and hope for the best. Jareed really hoped for all to go well but the pit of his stomach told him to be ready for a battle of wills. Even if the Jedi understood them, the politicians in the Senate would soon find them and they wouldn't understand. They would want their support or their blood either way they'd have a battle.
Just as he finished his thoughts and looked back up to the sky, he saw the small ship coming to land and braced himself inside. Telly had already told him whom the Jedi Council would send. It would be those who had been to Diriala before, one of which was Xanatos' former Master, Qui-gon Jinn.
Xanatos rarely talked about his Master and Telly only spoke of his Apprentice. Jareed hadn't a clue what to expect of the man but was sure he had to have some good in him to have something for Xanatos to base on. Xanatos had to have learned something from him otherwise he'd be blind right now as to what the good really was.
Still as the transport landed and the Jedi emerged he felt his stomach tightened even more.
A young Mon Calamari girl was first off and Jareed pegged her as Telly's old friend, Bant Eerin. Behind her came a Noorian woman with a slim build and the way she was staring blankly ahead gave him the impression she was blind. Bant Eerin's master, but he couldn't remember her name.
Next came a fairly well built young man, a few years younger than himself he figured, with ginger hair that was spiked and the traditional Padawan braid hanging down behind his ear. Obi-wan Kenobi was his guess. That left only one other person.
He came out and he was the tallest among them, broad of shoulder and with dark brown, long hair and beard. His arms were folded up instantly into his cloak as he looked around with cobalt blue eyes that strikingly reminded him of Xanatos' own. That had to be Qui-gon Jinn.
Jareed began walking forward, not sure how to approach them but he had to whether he liked it or not. As he stopped in front of them a smaller woman in healer's greens came out. He bowed and smiled to her first. "Hello, Nasha."
She returned the greeting and smiled back at him. "Master Damson. I hope you are well."
"Very well thank you." He smiled at her and pointed to her arm. "I haven't seen you since your banding ceremony? Would you mind horribly showing me?"
"Oh no!" Of course not!" Nasha exclaimed, rolling up her sleeve to reveal the pale blue-green bands across her upper arm. The first one was a long waving line with dots in the loops of the wave. The second one was more weaves and bars that formed some shape but without time to inspect it closely he couldn't tell what it was.
"As well as my animal, they gave me the healer's band." Nasha beamed.
"Well you are a healer, Nasha." He laughed. "Those are very impressive." He praised as she rolled her sleeve back down. "Have a safe journey back."
"Thank you Master." Nasha turned to the Jedi and bowed. "I wish you well on the rest of your journey."
"Thank you, Nasha." Jinn bowed and the others bowed their heads as well. They had been right to ask Nasha to escort them down to the planet she had a very likable personality.
Jareed absently rubbed his own arm, remember his own shaman's band and the weavings that indicated his 'spirit' animal. He waited till Nasha was inside the transport and then turned to the Jedi. "Masters, I welcome you to Diriala. My name is Jareed Damson, I am to take you to the Tower."
"Qui-gon Jinn." The tall, broad one bowed, proving him correct in his assumptions. He introduced the rest of them and Jareed began showing them towards Nikir.
"This is the main city of Nikir, our Capital." He began explaining a little as they hit the now busy streets. "It is mostly a marketplace and a gathering place for those who come to visit. Some have made their homes here in the capital, but they are mostly the Sect leaders themselves and their families."
"There are other cities then?"
"Yes. Most of them are scattered and small and organized by a certain talent. They are dedicated to said talent and ways. " Jareed waved to a few of the merchants that had noticed him walking down the dusty paths. "An example would be a few days north from here is the city of Jordash. It is dedicated to the Sect of Healing. It was where Nasha was trained.
It was a short trip to the center of Nikir and from there they had but a few steps to the tower. Jareed stopped just short of entering it and allowed the Jedi to come up ahead of him. The expressions of shock on their faces showed they were impressed as well as stunned.
"The White Tower." He muttered as he stared up at the building. It was a tall circular tower coming out of a large stone building that itself was in a circle patter. For some reason the rocks on this planet polished off with a white type sheen to it and thus it appeared to be white. Thus the White Tower. "This is the home of our Council and the only building that survived the reign of the Dark Channels."
"The last time we saw it, it was rubble." Obi-wan muttered as he stared in disbelief. Could it actually be the same place? "It was decaying from the inside out."
Jareed stepped forward to stand beside the younger and nodded. "We rebuilt it when we arrived here. It felt right that the old be joined with the new."
"Who were 'we' that arrived here?" Tahl questioned and he glanced at the blind Jedi. "No one knew this place was here."
Jareed went back to looking at the tower and began walking. "All of that will be explained tomorrow. It will make better sense then."
The Jedi respected his answer and they entered in silence. As they headed towards the stairs and the guest quarters Jareed caught the whispers of some of their younger tenants and smiled. Of course they'd be spying on them as they entered.
"I hear we've picked up some stragglers." Qui-gon smirked and Jareed laughed.
"Yes, I think I should go back and just see who it is." He said loudly and soon they were rewarded with the hurried footsteps heading in another direction. "Sorry about that, we keep anyone under fourteen here at the tower until they have learned the basics. After that they are sorted into their gift."
"What about those older than fourteen?"
Jareed smirked; he had expected that question to come up. "We've found anything past fourteen and the gift is already manifested itself and it's more apparent. They are tested to see what they need to be taught and then they are moved to their Sect." They came to the staircase and Jareed took a deep breath before continuing. "See, there are thirteen sects, all with their unique talent or gift. There are some that, naturally, are bigger than the rest but they are as follows. Combat Masters, we call them Warriors traditionally. Then there are Healers, Elementals, Mind Masters, Empaths; my own Sect. Then Visionaries, Mediators, Illusionists, Telepaths, Concealers, Seekers, Levitators, and the last are the Channels."
All four Jedi straightened and he knew just whom they were thinking about. Telly was still in their minds when that term was used it was amazing. He stopped in at the fourth floor and walked down the curved hallway. He felt a little conspicuous walking there with four-cloaked Jedi at his back and the way everyone kept looking at them made just a little worse.
He came to the room and opened the oak door and held it for them. "This is where you'll be staying for the remainder of this. I hope it's alright." Jareed looked down the hall at the one person watching him insistently. "I'll be back for you tomorrow morning."
"Thank you Jareed." Qui-gon and Tahl bowed while their Padawans stared in awe at the rooms given to them.
Jareed smiled and closed the door behind him. As soon as he was gone Obi- wan whistled as he sat on an overstuffed chair. "They defiantly dressed the place up since we were here last." He looked around at the hanging tapestries and he touched the blanket draped over the back of his chair. "It was only stone slabs last time."
Qui-gon sat as well and watched his apprentice taking in everything, as it was familiar. "You're right, it is much changed." He watched as Tahl came to sit near him and relaxed a little as she did. "Do you have the feeling we're being watched?"
"Of course we're being watched, Qui-gon." Tahl laughed. "They've had five years to make this their home. We are like the Angel's of Death swooping in here all high and mighty. Truthfully, to you feel anything wrong about this place?"
"Not yet."
"Exactly. I say we give them a fighting chance. They might have some good ideas going here."
Qui-gon nodded and then turned to eye the two Padawans. "And don't you two get any ideas of sneaking off. You can start your search tomorrow. It won't look good on us if you both start snooping around."
"Yes Master." Both replied instantly and Qui-gon swore it had to be folly for the Council to think Obi-wan and Bant could work on this mission together. That any of them could. They were all personally involved in it.
But then why had they been sent?
*************************
Chapter Two: The Fates in Motion
The pale orange light filtered into the large, ceiling high windows of the Jedi Council Chamber. The light levels signaled it was nearing time to retire for the day but those in attendance knew there were a few more things to discuss before they could call it a day.
"That is all I have Masters." The small drall Jedi bowed.
"Thank you Knight Dri. You are dismissed." Mace Windu announced and then waited for the Knight to leave the chambers.
As he was leaving Mace leaned forward; thinking through all that he was about to say. He had gleaned most of the information he now had from several different sources and the rest was just rumors. He folded his fingers in front of him and caught the other Council Members' attention.
"There is one more topic I would like to bring up for discussion."
"Continue please, Master." Adi Gallia spoke from her seat across the room.
"There have been rumors of a planet in the outer rim that takes in rogue Force-sensitive individuals. Upon further inspection to this rumor I've found much more to this rumor. They are possibly training these individuals."
All the Council took in his information carefully and mulled it over before speaking. Mace knew that this could be met with many different reactions. He hoped though that one of the reactions was of concern not indifference to this faction.
"How can this be?" Ki-Adi Mundi straightened and looked around him. "Such an operation could have serious consequences for us and the republic. Even more that this operation has been there and we have not known of it until now."
"So far I haven't uncovered any concrete evidence of the people behind the group." Mace continued. "Only rumors and certain people saying they've transported people to this place and that they were odd. "All of them say this is near the planet Diriala or it's moon Eckinshea. More say they've gone to Eckinshea and not planet side. No one, other than those intended, have made it to the surface of either to see where the training is taking place." He paused to let everyone take in what he had said and then would give them the concerning part. "They also say that many who go there are accepted regardless of age, background, or any other standards."
"Are they inviting the dark side to their ranks by following that trend?" Adi Gallia spoke. "We have those restrictions for a reason, they should see the same reason."
Mace shrugged. "I have little other information other that there seems to be a connection with these places and a company on Bespin."
They all sat pondering what all clues were pointing to. If there was a rival Jedi academy what was their purpose? What else could their purpose be other than their removal or the Republic's dismissal of the Jedi?
Yoda tapped his stick lightly on the rim of his seat. "Diriala we know well." He started. "Qui-gon and Obi-wan retrieved Padawan Eerin from Diriala they did. Remember do you not?"
Most of the Councilors instantly looked to Master Yaddle, who still sat quietly. They instantly recalled the planet Diriala and what had happened there.
Knowing their eyes were on her, Yaddle looked up. "Where my Padawan, lost she was."
"That place was deserted though." Mace intervened. "How could anyone have found a way to live there?"
Yoda nodded his agreement to what Mace said but he knew more than Mace did about what could have happened. "Relayed to me, visions have been. Hold clues they do. Reborn the planet could have been after freed from the darkness it was."
"Thus restarting the chain of life there." Mace nodded. "But who else would have known to look at the planet after that? We made no official reports to the Republic after the incident." Mace turned to face him, hoping Yoda would reveal more of what he might know.
"Know this, I do not."
"So it's possible someone could be there, and if they are why train force- sensitive people?" Adi questioned.
"An army or opposition." Oppo Rancisis put in. "Assassins with Force abilities would be extremely valuable and accurate. There is, of course, the obvious and most disturbing possibility. They could be Sith or Dark Jedi."
"We would have felt it if they were Sith." Ki-Adi Mundi argued.
"Hard to see the Dark Side is." Yoda spoke absently. "Unaware of their intentions we are. No evidence of outside contact has there been. Wish seclusion they may."
"What should we do?" Mace asked. They needed to decide the course of action to be taken. They could not just hope these people were friendly people.
"Send someone we should. Show of good faith it could be." Yaddle recommended while eyeing each of the other council members.
"They could be hostile though." Adi mentioned. "If we send someone they could very easily find themselves in a trap."
"I feel, hostile they are not." Yaddle nodded. "A puzzle this is, one that a piece is missing from."
"So find the missing piece that will make it make sense." Mace began nodding as well. "We should being thinking of who to send."
"Know I do, who we can send."
******************
For the second time that day, Xanatos found himself in their Council Room. This time he wasn't alone. Each of the Sect's had a section in the grand room and each of those sections was now being filled with their representatives.
They were talking quietly amongst themselves as others were sitting down. Most of them were probably wondering why this meeting had been held off till later afternoon and seeing Telly already standing on the center platform spurred their concerns even more. Xanatos himself was standing behind her and to the right, showing he was a channel in this meeting, not one of his own Sects members. He and she normally entered last in the precessions.
Xanatos had his concerns as well. After seeing the vision of the people of Diriala joining up for a War he wasn't sure how the council would take what they had to tell them. What would they decide to do about it? Would they decide to strike first? They weren't strong enough for that. They weren't strong enough to face the Jedi if they came.
Jareed entered and unconsciously both he and Xanatos nodded to each other. Jareed being the head of the Empathic Sect, he entered these chambers as a leader instead of his assistant these days. Jareed did well as one of their leaders; he actually knew what he was doing.
After years of being head of Offworld and his other company on Bespin, one would think that he knew what he was doing to. Of course that had all been shifty business, and now that he was out of it he wasn't so good at it anymore. He had been better at threatening people, not leading them.
Soon he heard the silence fall over the large group of people. It was the sign that everyone was in and ready to hear what was going on.
This is where he admired Telly most. She stood now tall and confident in the center of the room looking around at all that now seemed to think of her as the highest of their order. Most of her life had been spent in the shadows, shy and hidden among the throngs of Jedi in the Temple. Who would notice a soft-spoken child such as she? She had used it to her advantage all those years but if anyone from that order could see her now they would be shocked.
Up on that pedestal and with her few years of experience she had become an effective speaker that spoke with her heart and soul. She made anyone see reason when it was nearly impossible to get others to see it. Telly indeed was the head of their order and he was proud of her.
"I am sorry for the delay in your routines." Telly began and she smiled at all those now listening to her. "I was detained by something I think I should tell all of you about."
There were some whispers and Xanatos barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did they really have to murmur like a bunch of politicians? She only spoke two sentences.
"I had a vision this morning; me and Master DeCruet both did." She waited out the initial gasps of shock. They all knew it was rare for her to have visions, being an empath and strong aligned to the Living Force. "What was shown to us was disturbing. We were at odds with the Jedi order and there was a battle imminent."
Xanatos snorted a little. The battle hadn't been 'imminent'; it had started from where he was standing. There was silence before finally the yells and questions came flying at them like wildfire. Even he had to close his eyes and try to shut out the roar.
What they expected to happen was happening. Most of them were panicking and had begun to worry about what would happen to them if the Jedi came and took them away. The only two groups not in an uproar were the Mediators and his own sect, the Visionaries.
"We have a right to be here! They cannot take away our rights!"
"What should we do if they want us to give up our new home?"
"We cannot unlearn what we've learned?"
"What have we done wrong?"
"How did they find us?"
Telly waited out the initial roar and heard a lot of the questions being shouted their way. Finally she couldn't stand the emotional uproar. "Enough!" She yelled and for those who barely knew the young Channel it was a shock to hear her voice hold that much snap.
They all quieted instantly and Telly scanned the crowd to make sure they all were ready to listen. "We can work through this, but we must think if we are to survive it."
The head of the Visionaries stood to speak and the attention was turned to him. "M'lady is correct." Master Tuscon, a rather robust Corellian spoke calmly. "Visions are not set in stone, they are merely possibilities of what can happen if the wrong paths are taken."
"Interactions with the Jedi are imminent no matter what." Jareed stood. "I hear from our contacts that a request has been made from Coruscant. I can only assume that is who wishes passage, for we have never found anyone from Coruscant, the Jedi have mostly trained those living there."
"Our only question is what should we do about their coming?" Xanatos finally decided he would add in his own thoughts. "We can allow them passage or we can close our ports and invite suspicion."
Everyone stopped and looked around. No one could really make up his or her minds about what should be done. Master Tuscon stood once more and everyone turned to those who could possibly see what their actions could cause. "To close our borders is the worst decision we could make. If they think we have something to hide, they will instantly take us as a threat."
"I disagree." One of the Warriors stood. "If we open ourselves up they will just swarm us and we won't have a way to defend ourselves or cut off the flow. A wide open door is a folly in our defense."
Jareed turned his gaze on the warrior. "The request is only for a small group, of 5 or less. If more come we can refuse them on legal grounds. They deceive us we won't seem like the bad guys in the conflict." He turned back to looking towards the center of the room. "I say we allow them to come and if it comes to it we can show them off our planet and pray for the best."
"We agree to Empath's wisdom." The Healer's representatives added.
Telly began nodding her own agreement. "I want to open an invitation to them. Like the Visionaries have stated, if we appear to have something to hide they will assume the worst. They will play on their fears of what we could be and then the battle is more imminent than ever." She turned to face the Warriors. "But we will not let our guard down. The Force will guide us in what we must do."
"We should put more faith in the Force. It has not led us this far to destroy what we have worked so hard for." A small female mediator spoke up and bowed to Telly. "M'lady is correct it will guide us."
"So it is settled," Xanatos came to be standing at Telly's side. "We shall prepare for the Jedi's arrival."
The groups nodded or murmured their support for the decision. The fear was still there but most had faith in the Force. They also had faith in Xanatos and Telly. If anyone could protect them, it would be those who destroyed the Dark Channels holding Diriala in the first place.
"I think we should disassemble and meditate on what is coming." Telly bowed deeply. It was the normal cue that the meeting was over.
The Sects began to flow out of the double oak doors; murmuring to one another about all that they should do. Telly looked over at Xanatos and the expression in her eyes was one of worry. He knew she was as worried as the rest of them about what this all could mean for their future.
"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" he asked quietly as he caught sight of Jareed out of the corner of his eye. He was heading their way. He turned his attention back to Telly. "We can find another way, I'm sure."
"This is the only way." Telly whispered and looked at the floor in front of her. "They have to see we are not the evil they think we are. It's just."
"Just what?"
"What are they going to think when they see me standing here?"
"If we are lucky, they will send some new Knights that won't recognize you." Xanatos rubbed his neck and smiled a bit as Jareed finally came to stand with them. His face showed confusion, they had stopped talking when he had stopped in front of them.
Telly smiled at him then smirked at Xanatos in a sad sort of way. "We both know Yoda too well for that. We know who he's going to send."
Jareed raised an eyebrow. "And just who is this Yoda going to send?"
Xanatos ran a hand through his thick black hair. "My former Master and his apprentice."
Jareed's eyes widened. "Shouldn't we be hiding you Xanatos? If they see you they are going to want to cart you off to stand trail for your. your past transgressions. And if that happens."
"That won't happen." Xanatos snapped a little then sighed. "We will deal with the problem when it arrives. Anyway, they want me they'll have to fight for me. I'm not leaving this planet unless I'm dead."
"Don't say that." Telly whispered almost too quietly for the men to hear.
"I'm sorry, Tel." Xanatos reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. "It will all work out. I promise."
Jareed put his arm around Telly's shoulders and Xanatos removed his hand. Jareed forced her to look at him and hugged her playfully. "Come on 'my lady' why don't wee see if the cook is cooking anything edible at the moment so we can eat."
"You two could just learn to do things for yourselves." Xanatos rolled his eyes at them. "Jareed you're twenty-four, Telly you're twenty..."
Jareed and Telly looked at one another for a second then they both began smiling.
"That usually ends up with us being banned from the kitchens because we tried to burn it down, inadvertently." Telly laughed and leaned over on Jareed. "You coming?"
"No, I promised Jassy Emri to talk with her and her Master about her 'training' and all." Xanatos sighed. "She's getting rather frustrated with us."
"Good luck with her." Telly smiled and then she and Jareed walked out into the hall and then towards the kitchens.
Xanatos watched them go. He wasn't surprised about their new behavior towards each other. As he had stated Jareed was 24; the man had started working for him at a young age but he had showed talent and brains so it hadn't mattered to him about his age. Telly was now twenty and the two had worked together since they had arrived on Diriala; both being Empath's and heads of their Sect.
It was a good match. Jareed drew out the girl in Telly who had been hidden by her self-inflicted burdens and duties. Jareed only enjoyed being around Telly and was glad to be of help to her.
He could only hope that he had been right and things would work out with the Jedi. He really wanted them both to have a chance to continue the relationship.
****************
He could hear the sounds of birds singing and screeching all around him. Dense dark leaves touched his arm and his boots were hidden under a thick covering of brush and vines. It was unbearably hot and he unconsciously removed his cloak and let it drop to the jungle floor.
A loud roar in the distance made him jerk and the thoughts of animals other than birds began to creep into his mind. As he looked around to make sure none of those creatures were closing in for a kill, he began to realize that it was deserted. He figured there would be bugs or small lizards about, and hoped there wasn't some large predator waiting to kill him but there was nothing.
It began to sink into him. This was different; this had to be another vision. Wasn't he asleep though? He began surveying his surroundings closer looking for a clue as to what to expect of this showing. It wasn't like the one where he was in the darkened room, this time he was in a jungle alone.
Or it had at least appeared that he was alone.
A blue-green light caught his attention and he froze. It flickered again and Obi-wan stared back at it. It appeared to be a set of eyes watching him and every so often they would blink. He watched the eyes and tried to make out what they were attached to but he could see nothing but the eerie blue-green glow.
For a few minutes nothing happened. He and the set of eyes that appeared to be floating in mid-air stared back at one another and that was it. Then more sets of eyes began appearing around it. Not just eyes either, symbols began joining the glow in front of him.
Obi-wan began backing from the watching lights. Whatever they were it couldn't be good for him so he would try to slowly move away from them and hope this odd vision would end soon.
As he got further away the glows began disappearing. Some would move forward when he stopped and he began to realize they wanted him to be going in the direction he was headed. He turned and began walking, if that's where he was supposed to go so be it.
He finally hit a large clearing and as he checked behind him the final pair of eyes blinked out and didn't return. Sighing a bit in relief he turned back to surveying the large open plain of tall grasses.
They flowed gently in a soft wind. Obi-wan stepped further out and caught a breeze, which alleviated the heat for a few seconds. As he let the wind play with his hair he gazed upwards and was drawn to the large glowing moon in the sky. What was he supposed to be seeing here?
Just as his eyes began to wonder away from the moon, someone's arm came around his shoulders and he turned. He was suddenly face to face with Telly and she was smiling at him. Her gaze tore away and her other arm outstretched in front of her pointing to the moon.
Obi-wan looked back up and felt Telly's arm go limp from around his shoulders, but her face remained close to his ear. "We are home." She whispered and then she was gone.
Obi-wan jerked awake and he stared at his door in confusion. The last vision was replaced with this new version and it was even more confusing than the one that took place on Diriala. He brushed his hair back away from his forehead and sat for a few seconds to clear his head. He was getting very tired of all these visions that didn't make sense.
After a few minutes he finally stood and made his way to the fresher. He turned on the shower and as the hot water ran down over his head and down his back he couldn't help but see the images spring back to mind. The glowing blue-green eyes and symbols that watched him from a distance and in a way herded him to the field.
Then there was Telly. Why was she such a prominent figure in his dreams? Was Bant right in thinking the Force was trying to tell him something about her? That she wasn't dead? But then where did this latest showing fit into the puzzle? She had pointed to a moon in the sky and said they were home.
He remembered her home planet being Corellia, not some moon. He sighed and decided to think about it later.
Finishing his shower, he dressed. He knew there was going to be a meeting with the Council today, his Master had informed him last night. He was sure they were being summoned for a mission so he had to focus on the task at hand. He had to forget whatever crazy though he now had about taking up Bant's suggestions about finding out what really happened to Telly Liksani.
Even though he really wanted to.
"Padawan?"
He heard his master calling for him from the front rooms and he grabbed his things. "Yes Master?" he asked once he entered the common room and was sitting his things down on their large chair.
"You remember our meeting with the Council this afternoon, right?"
"Yes Master, at noon." Obi-wan answered and checked the time. He'd have to leave soon for class.
"That is correct." Qui-gon looked at him critically. "Anymore visions?"
Obi-wan shook his head no and adverted his eyes from his Master. He hated to lie to Qui-gon but if he thought Obi-wan was too distracted he wouldn't take the mission. He admitted that he was itching to get out of the Temple for a while; they had already been there for a few months.
"I would like it if you would tell me about them, Obi-wan, but if you don't feel comfortable then it's alright." Qui-gon smirked at him, knowing his apprentice's body language all too well by now.
Obi-wan nodded. "I would just like to figure them out on my own, Master."
"Very well, I will see you at noon."
"Yes Master."
Noon came quickly and Obi-wan was soon entering the Council Chambers with his Master. As they entered he couldn't help but feel Yoda's eyes on him and he absently wondered just how much the wizened old Master knew.
They bowed and straightened and waited to hear why they had been called.
"We wish to send you both to a small pair of planets on the outer rim. You both know the planet well." Mace started.
Obi-wan's interest peaked and he turned all his attention to Mace and what planet he was talking about.
"There have been rumors and some reports of a group living on either the planet Diriala or it's moon, Eckinshea, that is taking in Force-sensitive individuals. The rumors are that they are training these people, though for what reason we are unsure."
"Would they accept a team of Jedi willingly or are we to find a way onto the planet?" Qui-gon queried, his arms instantly folding up in his robe sleeves.
"There has been an inquiry sent with one of the cargo ships that frequents the moon. They have allowed four to come if they wish, but anymore and the envoys will be turned away." Adi Gallia informed them.
"We want you to investigate what is actually going on there and if the rumors are true. See if they are training arts that would be questionable or dangerous if in the hands of someone not fully trained as a Jedi." Mace continued.
Qui-gon nodded. "You said Diriala did you not?"
"Been there before you have, know it better you would." Yoda pointed a little at him. "Your apprentice, being pulled there he is. Why we chose who we did it was."
"You also said they accepted four envoys, are there others accompanying us?"
"Tahl will be with you, as well as her apprentice, Padawan Eerin. Tahl will be able to find any additional information beforehand and can help you observe things that maybe only her senses can pick up. You both have experience with Diriala as well."
"Yes I remember it well." Qui-gon nodded. "When do we leave?"
"In a few hours. The cargo ship we sent word with will be leaving and the Captain is willing to drop you off with his cargo on Eckinshea. There, he says, you will be able to find a way planet side and a representative will meet you."
"Thank you Masters." Qui-gon bowed and Obi-wan followed his lead.
"May the Force be with you." Mace responded and they were dismissed.
As they were leaving Yoda spoke one final time. "Remember, Obi-wan. Visions not always true are they. Find another road you can, I think."
Obi-wan turned to face the small Master and he wondered what he meant. Yoda only stared back, his eyes half lidded. He did say one more thing. "In your heart, know in whom you can trust."
"Yes, Master." Obi-wan bowed and then followed his Master out to pack their things.
*********************
Bant came up on the cargo ship and began scanning all that were going on board. She had a small pack slung over her shoulder and she was ready for the mission ahead of herself and her Master. For once she was coming along.
She found Obi-wan immediately and rushed over and hugged his arm. "Obi- wan! Do you believe it?"
"Believe what? That they trust us to work together or that we're going to Diriala?"
"Both!" she smiled widely. "I told you your visions meant something. They have to if the Council thinks something is going on there."
"You did get a mission briefing?" Obi-wan smirked a little at her. "You heard why we are being sent to Diriala? It's possibly dangerous."
"Yes I got a mission briefing. There's supposedly a rival training academy for Force Sensitive people there." Bant rolled her eyes at him. "But we both know who was on Diriala when we left, who possibly could have started such a thing and she's not capable of evil."
"We don't know if she's alive of not, and what if she lost that battle? Those things could be calling people to them and training Sith for all we know."
Bant put her hands on her hips as they began walking up the ramp to find their cabin. "We wouldn't have been allowed to land if they were Sith."
"Okay you have a good point, but still we should be careful of what is going on there. We can't be sure."
"Maybe." Bant calmed considerably then perked again. "We'll get to see if she's alive. We'll get to see her again."
Obi-wan was keying the door open to a larger cabin and he silently smiled to himself. The images of past visions flashed in his head. "Trust me, she's beautiful." He whispered and suddenly Bant had spun him around and was staring at him.
"What?"
"I told you I've seen her in my visions." Obi-wan blushed hard. "If she looks anything like she does there, she's quite pretty."
"She always was." Bant smiled and set down her travel pack. "I bet she's happy."
"I hope so. I just can't help it though." He paused. "I really do have a bad feeling about this."
*************************
It had taken them several days on the slow moving cargo ship to arrive at the moon of Eckinshea. The Padawans were clearly planning something the whole trip but the Master's allowed it. They themselves were more concerned with the Captain's cautions to them a few hours before they dropped out of hyperspace.
The words had not bided well with either Tahl of Qui-gon and they wondered how it had been left out of their briefings. Unless, of course, the Council hadn't been told about it either.
"Just a bit of caution to you Jedi." The large Arkanian man had started. "Eckinshea is not a friendly, tourist-minded, place. The natives are just that, natives. They ain't too technologically advanced and they ain't too friendly towards outsiders. They don't like you butting into their business and you guys are going to stick out like sore thumbs there."
"Why are we docking there then?" Tahl queried while Qui-gon folded his arms in front of him.
"My understanding of the situation is you gotta go through some check point here on Eckinshea before you can head down to the planet." The captain shrugged as he turned to return to his cockpit. "Don't want any bad seeds getting down to the surface I suppose."
"This checkpoint is where we are landing, correct?" Qui-gon followed the man. He had a feeling that it wasn't where they were being dropped off.
"Nope." He responded and sat down in the pilot's chair. "I have a designated drop spot and they don't want any of my workers escaping over to the transports so they make me land like a mile away. I'm not classified as one of their transport ships."
"Then how are we supposed to find this checkpoint?"
"They said there would be someone there to guide you to the checkpoint." He glanced back at Qui-gon. "Don't worry pal if a tribe of Eckinshean's show up we'll know they are there to guide you."
All the little cautions the pilot had given them had sent up flags in their minds. Was this a play of fate or did the Dirialian government set it up in this way in hopes to loose or distract the Jedi?
Tahl gave them the benefit of the doubt though. "It has to be a safeguard like he says."
"What if it isn't? We're already on their turf and once this transport leaves we'll have little chance to escape if we need to."
"We'll be fine." Tahl smirked. "If I remember correctly you and your Padawan have a talent for escaping such situations."
Both of them felt the ship shudder and finally fall silent. Both Masters stood to leave and soon their Padawans were rushing up to follow. They gathered at the ramp and awaited it to open so they could start their mission. It soon became apparent that it was a jungle moon. The heat slapped them all in the face and Obi-wan started having a strange sense about how this was a little too familiar.
They were sitting on a plain platform with small bunkers set up that droids and other workers were loading boxes into. Around the platform there were ladders down to the ground and around it was a small plain of flat grasses. Beyond it was dense foliage that seemed to be growing wild. Looking into the brush proved difficult because it nearly looked pitch black in the brush.
The captain came up behind them and snorted a bit. "Yeah, don't wonder too far into that brush without guides either. Tree canopy is so thick that is like night in that jungle." He said as he sat some smaller boxes down and looked out around the platform for movement of life. "Your guides should be here soon."
He moved back inside the ship to grab more supplies. As he did a small band of dark-skinned humanoids emerged from the brush carrying large staffs and spears. As they marched up to the platform it became their mocha colored skin was taught and their muscles were impressive. Strange blue- green tattoos marked their arms and some had them on their faces; their eyes seemed to be the same blue-green color. They were all squinting in the bright sunlight.
They stopped a little ways away from the platform and one male came closer to stand out and await them. Once they got down to their level the man crept closer and eyed them warily. "Jedi?" His thick accent fumbled over the word. "Are you Jedi?"
Qui-gon bowed to the man and nodded. "Yes we are the Jedi, are you our guides?"
The man looked back over his shoulder and said a few words in what had to be their native tongue. A few others responded and he turned back and nodded as well. "Guide yes, to the gate we can take you."
"They don't speak basic very well." Tahl whispered as she came up beside Qui-gon. "Lead us then."
He nodded and turned quickly on his heel. Striding back to his tribe, Qui- gon and Tahl looked back at their Padawans briefly before starting to follow the small band towards the blackened forest. Concerns were still there, seeing as their guides couldn't speak basic and didn't seem to want to be leading them to wherever it was they were going.
As they entered through thick brush most of them noted the drastic change in light. It was near pitch black under the canopy of large leaves and tree cover and they slowed slightly till their eyes had adjusted. Save for Tahl that was, she hadn't slowed any and was unaware of the change. Their guides did not seem phased by the change either and their pace quickened once they got on the trail.
Talking adamantly amongst themselves and looking back at their followers the tribe seemed very agitated about what was going on. At least it sounded like from their tones and mannerisms. They had thickly accented voices and their language rolled over words that didn't make any sense to them. Qui-gon was in vain trying to follow along and see if he couldn't pick up what they were at least feeling but he couldn't seem to catch on.
Tahl moved herself closer to him and she smiled at him. "They have a feeling of responsibility but anything past that is a bit hazy. They are also Force sensitive, by nature, I think."
Qui-gon looked back at their guides and felt finally the tendril of the Force that connected to them and wasn't really surprised by it. "They probably needed it to navigate this darkness." He muttered.
One of the tribe turned back to them and she slowed till the Jedi caught up with her. "Forgive our pace. We forget you can not see in our home."
"You speak better basic than your leader did." Tahl observed with a slight smirk.
"Yes. I was taught by our healer contact how to speak your language." She glanced ahead of her and waved away some of her companion's worried glares. "My tribesman wishes only to keep up appearances."
Tahl snorted and ribbed Qui-gon a little. "Sounds familiar in our own society."
Both women laughed and the young native turned back to observe the two Padawans. When she did Obi-wan nearly stopped walking. Her eyes were glowing an eerie blue in the darkness of the forest, as did her two tattoos on her cheek. Eyes and Symbols, it was too huge of a coincidence.
"Are you bringing your younglings to the trainers?"
Qui-gon shook his head. "We are Jedi, they are being taught now. We have only come to see what your trainers are teaching."
"You must be the ones of dark cloaks that they fear." She nodded in understanding. "Sometimes travelers speak of you. They say you are guardians?"
"That is what many call us. You said they fear us?"
"Only a few speak of this fear. They fear what you will do to them if you find them. You've turned them away once and they could be turned away again or punished if they come in contact with you again."
"I can understand why they would fear us." Tahl muttered softly.
"Indeed" the woman paused and looked back at the Padawans. "Still, the trainers would like to see such as your younglings." She smiled widely at them. "An Elemental and a Visionary. Strong Sects they are."
Obi-wan and Bant exchanged looks at the woman's declaration. Bant pointed to him and mouthed the word Visionary and so by fault she had to be what they had called an Elemental. She wished she knew what that meant.
The tribe skirted over suddenly off the trail and so did the young woman speaking to them and in front of them they could see a clearing that allowed sunlight to filter down into the forest.
"The light hurts your eyes doesn't it?" Tahl asked the woman.
She responded but Obi-wan was too distracted to hear it. Feeling the warmth on his skin he did look up and there in the sky, towards the left of the sun, was a large transparent shape of a moon. Images from the vision flashed in his mind and he instantly turned to the woman speaking to them. "What is that moon in the sky?"
She didn't look up at all. "That is the planet, we are the moon. It is Diriala, home to the Force followers that help us in preserving our moon for our traditions."
"People have come to the planet wanting to cut it haven't they." Tahl asked.
"Yes many wish to rape our lands." The woman's face contorted in a scowl. "We fought and died against their light weapons. Then force followers arrived and promised us our home and though in name Diriala owns Eckinshea, it belongs to us."
"That was a very noble thing for them to do."
"Lady and Sir Summoner are the ones that thought of it and made it so." She smiled. "They are very kind and wise."
"Lady Summoner?"
"It will be explained." She replied. "By those who follow them." She left them then, someone motioning her forward.
There were even more questions than answers now.
******************
Healer Nasha Rica stood out by a small transport platform watching the forests edge for the familiar blue-green lights that signaled a tribe of Eckinshean's. Other than herself and the pilot of the transport, the small port of Quirin was abandoned.
There was only one scheduled set of travelers that was supposed to be leaving for the planet and they had yet to arrive with their guides. She knew the tribe leading them was probably moving slowly and hoping the light was just right for them to come out without it hurting their eyes. Light had a cruel way of playing with their eyes and coming up to the ships that reflected it always was a sketchy decision for them.
Nasha was nervous. It wasn't the normal clientele of rogue Force users or those unaware of their abilities. The ones scheduled to go planet side were Jedi. They were to meet the Council and examine their planet's ways.
The Jedi suspected that they were in the wrong for teaching away from their set ways and now they were coming to get rid of them. Even though she had been warned against such thinking she couldn't help but wonder. Why else would they be so curious? If it weren't a problem the Jedi would have just left them alone.
A flicker of movement out by the edge of the small port's boundaries caught her attention. She could finally see the slow procession of a small band of natives. Their eyes and tattoos wavered up and down and back and forth in the darkness of the forest; it was rather unnerving to those unaccustomed to the spectacle but for her, it was fascinating.
Tribe, status, and family tattooed the Eckinshean's traditional bands and markings on their mocha skin. Their eyes glowed because the darkness in the canopy's left no other option for them, and the tattoos were made from dyes found in plants they used in everyday life. She herself held two small arm bands of one of their honored tribesmen.
As the tribe got closer and the bars on their right cheeks became more prominent she knew that it was Niko's tribe and they had been the ones that promised to guide the Jedi to this spot. She could make out some shadows trailing behind the tribe. It had to be them, for they had no markings that stood out against the backdrop of black.
The tribe stopped and pointed up to where she stood and the shadows broke off from the tribe. They were approaching the platform in the light by themselves, Niko already had been out once and he wasn't daring it again. Nasha straightened herself and made sure she was ready to greet the Jedi as she had been taught.
A tall man was the first to come up and soon he was helping a smaller female alien up the stairs. A young human male and a young Mon Calamari female followed them and she instantly recognized the two powers that settled around their Force Signatures.
The two elders moved forward and the younger ones fell behind as if in step and the elders bowed to her and she returned the gesture. "I am Nasha Rica of the Healer Sect, Diriala." She paused a little hoping she was saying everything right. "I am pleased to greet the Jedi to the second part of their journey."
The large man nodded his head to her in another bow. "I am Qui-gon Jinn and this is my apprentice Obi-wan Kenobi." He said waving his hand back to indicate the human male. "The other Master with me is Tahl and her apprentice Bant Eerin."
Nasha kept her smile on amazingly. The inclusion of two younger Jedi and one of which probably understood what was going on better than the older ones did lightened her spirits. She finally realized they were just standing there and motioned back to the transport. "If you would like we can leave now. You've had a long journey no doubt, and I know how hot the jungle can seem your first time here."
"Yes," Qui-gon chuckled and the slight smile lit up his dark blue eyes. "We appreciate your help, Miss Rica."
Nasha moved out of the way and allowed them to board. The two younger Jedi looked at her hopefully and she got the impression they wanted to ask her something. They decided against it though and just climbed into the transport after their masters. Nasha who was a bit noisy as she was climbed on board as well and started to talk to the Jedi. "Are there any concerns I could settle on our way down to the planet?" She asked hoping maybe it would encourage the two apprentices to speak their question instead of keeping it quiet. It was instead, the one teacher that spoke.
"Why does Diriala use this moon as a gateway?"
The pilot checked to make sure everyone was in before starting the take off procedures. Nasha looked up at him while he did so then turned back to Qui- gon and sighed. "It seems strange but the Eckinshean's are like a buffer for us. They have an inborn Force sense, though sometimes not strong, helps them to understand us and other Force sensitive people as I'm sure you noticed." He nodded and she went on. "They also have an inborn empathic gift that allows them to know when someone has an ill will towards them or others. They don't allow those types to get far on their grounds and thus they don't get to us."
"A trial of sorts." The one named Tahl put forth.
"Yes, it also keeps the moon safe from anyone that would wipe out the Eckinshean's and take the rich resources there."
"They are grateful to you for that." Tahl smiled and Nasha smiled a little.
"We are grateful for their help, and it is horrible for any race or group to just be wiped out."
************************************
Jareed found himself standing near the outskirts of Nikir letting the wind whip his dirty blonde hair around his face. Behind him he could hear the noises of people talking in the background and the noises of the busy marketplaces. Most of the whispers and talking was around the rumor of the impending Jedi visit. It had hit every corner of Diriala shortly after the Council meeting a few days ago.
He admitted his own fear of their coming. He didn't want this newfound freedom to be ripped from him and being forced back into trying to find his way in the galaxy again. Telly was afraid of it to and had been nothing but agitated nerves. It was starting to wear off on him.
His biggest fear was the Jedi discovering Xanatos. That would be disastrous.
He had known about Xanatos' past crimes and things he had done as head of Offworld. He'd known since he and Telly arrived on Bespin that day and had an inkling of it when he knew the man as Tosan Cran. Yet even after all this he understood and looked past it all. After Telly had arrived he'd seen penitence and regret etched in every feature in Xanatos' feature.
Telly had later told him part of him, the part that had gotten lost, had always regretted what the darkness in him was doing. That part just couldn't make the dark part stop what it was doing.
Now Xanatos had cleansed himself of the darkness, with Telly's help, and he was doing good things with them. His former employer, now really good friend, was helping several get the second chance that he got. Then of course there was what he did for Telly. Telly needed him as much as she needed anyone. He was the one person who understood her rare and strange gift as only they could. She trusted him whole-heartedly and she'd told Jareed once that he was the other person she truly trusted.
Telly had been young when they had met but as he had learned maturity and wisdom never was picky about those who could reason it. Telly was extremely smart and she had a great deal of good reasoning taught to her by some unseen force. It was what he liked most about her.
Though, right now, her good reasoning left them with little option than to accept the envoys from Coruscant and hope for the best. Jareed really hoped for all to go well but the pit of his stomach told him to be ready for a battle of wills. Even if the Jedi understood them, the politicians in the Senate would soon find them and they wouldn't understand. They would want their support or their blood either way they'd have a battle.
Just as he finished his thoughts and looked back up to the sky, he saw the small ship coming to land and braced himself inside. Telly had already told him whom the Jedi Council would send. It would be those who had been to Diriala before, one of which was Xanatos' former Master, Qui-gon Jinn.
Xanatos rarely talked about his Master and Telly only spoke of his Apprentice. Jareed hadn't a clue what to expect of the man but was sure he had to have some good in him to have something for Xanatos to base on. Xanatos had to have learned something from him otherwise he'd be blind right now as to what the good really was.
Still as the transport landed and the Jedi emerged he felt his stomach tightened even more.
A young Mon Calamari girl was first off and Jareed pegged her as Telly's old friend, Bant Eerin. Behind her came a Noorian woman with a slim build and the way she was staring blankly ahead gave him the impression she was blind. Bant Eerin's master, but he couldn't remember her name.
Next came a fairly well built young man, a few years younger than himself he figured, with ginger hair that was spiked and the traditional Padawan braid hanging down behind his ear. Obi-wan Kenobi was his guess. That left only one other person.
He came out and he was the tallest among them, broad of shoulder and with dark brown, long hair and beard. His arms were folded up instantly into his cloak as he looked around with cobalt blue eyes that strikingly reminded him of Xanatos' own. That had to be Qui-gon Jinn.
Jareed began walking forward, not sure how to approach them but he had to whether he liked it or not. As he stopped in front of them a smaller woman in healer's greens came out. He bowed and smiled to her first. "Hello, Nasha."
She returned the greeting and smiled back at him. "Master Damson. I hope you are well."
"Very well thank you." He smiled at her and pointed to her arm. "I haven't seen you since your banding ceremony? Would you mind horribly showing me?"
"Oh no!" Of course not!" Nasha exclaimed, rolling up her sleeve to reveal the pale blue-green bands across her upper arm. The first one was a long waving line with dots in the loops of the wave. The second one was more weaves and bars that formed some shape but without time to inspect it closely he couldn't tell what it was.
"As well as my animal, they gave me the healer's band." Nasha beamed.
"Well you are a healer, Nasha." He laughed. "Those are very impressive." He praised as she rolled her sleeve back down. "Have a safe journey back."
"Thank you Master." Nasha turned to the Jedi and bowed. "I wish you well on the rest of your journey."
"Thank you, Nasha." Jinn bowed and the others bowed their heads as well. They had been right to ask Nasha to escort them down to the planet she had a very likable personality.
Jareed absently rubbed his own arm, remember his own shaman's band and the weavings that indicated his 'spirit' animal. He waited till Nasha was inside the transport and then turned to the Jedi. "Masters, I welcome you to Diriala. My name is Jareed Damson, I am to take you to the Tower."
"Qui-gon Jinn." The tall, broad one bowed, proving him correct in his assumptions. He introduced the rest of them and Jareed began showing them towards Nikir.
"This is the main city of Nikir, our Capital." He began explaining a little as they hit the now busy streets. "It is mostly a marketplace and a gathering place for those who come to visit. Some have made their homes here in the capital, but they are mostly the Sect leaders themselves and their families."
"There are other cities then?"
"Yes. Most of them are scattered and small and organized by a certain talent. They are dedicated to said talent and ways. " Jareed waved to a few of the merchants that had noticed him walking down the dusty paths. "An example would be a few days north from here is the city of Jordash. It is dedicated to the Sect of Healing. It was where Nasha was trained.
It was a short trip to the center of Nikir and from there they had but a few steps to the tower. Jareed stopped just short of entering it and allowed the Jedi to come up ahead of him. The expressions of shock on their faces showed they were impressed as well as stunned.
"The White Tower." He muttered as he stared up at the building. It was a tall circular tower coming out of a large stone building that itself was in a circle patter. For some reason the rocks on this planet polished off with a white type sheen to it and thus it appeared to be white. Thus the White Tower. "This is the home of our Council and the only building that survived the reign of the Dark Channels."
"The last time we saw it, it was rubble." Obi-wan muttered as he stared in disbelief. Could it actually be the same place? "It was decaying from the inside out."
Jareed stepped forward to stand beside the younger and nodded. "We rebuilt it when we arrived here. It felt right that the old be joined with the new."
"Who were 'we' that arrived here?" Tahl questioned and he glanced at the blind Jedi. "No one knew this place was here."
Jareed went back to looking at the tower and began walking. "All of that will be explained tomorrow. It will make better sense then."
The Jedi respected his answer and they entered in silence. As they headed towards the stairs and the guest quarters Jareed caught the whispers of some of their younger tenants and smiled. Of course they'd be spying on them as they entered.
"I hear we've picked up some stragglers." Qui-gon smirked and Jareed laughed.
"Yes, I think I should go back and just see who it is." He said loudly and soon they were rewarded with the hurried footsteps heading in another direction. "Sorry about that, we keep anyone under fourteen here at the tower until they have learned the basics. After that they are sorted into their gift."
"What about those older than fourteen?"
Jareed smirked; he had expected that question to come up. "We've found anything past fourteen and the gift is already manifested itself and it's more apparent. They are tested to see what they need to be taught and then they are moved to their Sect." They came to the staircase and Jareed took a deep breath before continuing. "See, there are thirteen sects, all with their unique talent or gift. There are some that, naturally, are bigger than the rest but they are as follows. Combat Masters, we call them Warriors traditionally. Then there are Healers, Elementals, Mind Masters, Empaths; my own Sect. Then Visionaries, Mediators, Illusionists, Telepaths, Concealers, Seekers, Levitators, and the last are the Channels."
All four Jedi straightened and he knew just whom they were thinking about. Telly was still in their minds when that term was used it was amazing. He stopped in at the fourth floor and walked down the curved hallway. He felt a little conspicuous walking there with four-cloaked Jedi at his back and the way everyone kept looking at them made just a little worse.
He came to the room and opened the oak door and held it for them. "This is where you'll be staying for the remainder of this. I hope it's alright." Jareed looked down the hall at the one person watching him insistently. "I'll be back for you tomorrow morning."
"Thank you Jareed." Qui-gon and Tahl bowed while their Padawans stared in awe at the rooms given to them.
Jareed smiled and closed the door behind him. As soon as he was gone Obi- wan whistled as he sat on an overstuffed chair. "They defiantly dressed the place up since we were here last." He looked around at the hanging tapestries and he touched the blanket draped over the back of his chair. "It was only stone slabs last time."
Qui-gon sat as well and watched his apprentice taking in everything, as it was familiar. "You're right, it is much changed." He watched as Tahl came to sit near him and relaxed a little as she did. "Do you have the feeling we're being watched?"
"Of course we're being watched, Qui-gon." Tahl laughed. "They've had five years to make this their home. We are like the Angel's of Death swooping in here all high and mighty. Truthfully, to you feel anything wrong about this place?"
"Not yet."
"Exactly. I say we give them a fighting chance. They might have some good ideas going here."
Qui-gon nodded and then turned to eye the two Padawans. "And don't you two get any ideas of sneaking off. You can start your search tomorrow. It won't look good on us if you both start snooping around."
"Yes Master." Both replied instantly and Qui-gon swore it had to be folly for the Council to think Obi-wan and Bant could work on this mission together. That any of them could. They were all personally involved in it.
But then why had they been sent?
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