Chapter Ten
Bant Eerin tapped her fingers on the side of the desk, while she read the same test question for the fifth time. The test was a vital part of her grade, but she could not concentrate. She had given up on finding her calm center nearly twenty-five minutes ago. From the corner of her eye, she could see her friend Garen Muln's glances in her direction. He must have sensed her distraction. He was most likely worried she would not do well on the exam.
While speaking with Master Yoda the night before, she had overheard Docent Vant tell the aged Master that they had news about the missing Padawan. The only missing Padawan that she knew of was Obi-Wan Kenobi, her friend. Has Obi-Wan been found, is he alive, and unharmed she wondered? If Obi-Wan was found safe, she assumed that she and the rest of the Temple would know by now. News like that would spread quickly both inside and outside of the Temple walls.
The sound of the classroom door sliding open, and the echo of a walking stick tapping on the floor, filled the large room. Bant turned to see Master Yoda hobbling down the walkway between the rows of desks. It was very unusual for a Master to interrupt in the middle of a class, especially Master Yoda.
"Master Yoda, we are in the middle of an important exam, is there something that I can help you with?" Master Scutt asked from the front of the large classroom. The strict instructor hated interruptions.
"Speak with Initiate Eerin I must," the small Master spoke in his recognizable backward manner.
"She is in the middle of the exam, can't this wait?" The tall human Master questioned Yoda. Her dark eyes seemed to seek answers as she stared at him.
"No. Important matter this, come with me now she must," Yoda said pounding his walking stick on the floor for emphasis. "Resume the test tomorrow she will."
Suddenly more worried than she was before, Bant slowly began to gather her books knowing that Master Scutt would not disobey Master Yoda's orders. "Bant, go with Master Yoda," the instructor said with a barely audible sigh to the Mon Calamarian girl, who sat in the center of the large room.
Bant nodded and stood up. Garen watched her carefully as she gathered her books faster. She knew when Garen caught up with her later that she would have a lot of explaining to do. She hoped she was not in too much trouble. The only two options that she could come up with, was that either she was in trouble, or something had happened to Obi-Wan, and Yoda wanted to tell her in person. She hurriedly walked toward the troll-like Master that waited for her.
"In trouble you are not," Yoda spoke as they exited the classroom together. Bant watched him as he climbed onto his hover chair that sat just outside the doorway. "Show you something, I must," he continued.
Bant was confused, but she realized her questions would have to wait until Master Yoda communicated his information. She followed him as his hover craft quickly floated down the corridor away from the classroom and her concerned friend.
"Hurry we must," he told her as the hover chair increased speed, causing Bant to jog in order to keep up.
When they entered the lift tube, and the Master keyed the lift to take them to the landing platform, Bant again became worried. She could not imagine what he would want to show her on the landing platform. Garen and Obi-Wan were the ones interested in ships and flying, not her.
Bant and Yoda stepped out of the lift tube and out onto the landing platform just in time to see a speeder enter on the far side of the hanger. As she suspected, they headed toward the speeder, as it came to a complete stop. She could already see Masters Mace Windu and Qui-Gon Jinn climbing out of the vessel. Then a third very familiar person jumped out of the back of the speeder, Obi-Wan. She could not hide the smile that spread over her face at the site of her friend, back at the Temple where he belonged. She hurried toward him at a run rushing past Yoda's hover chair.
"Obi-Wan!" she yelled and immediately wrapped him in a suffocating hug as soon as she was close enough. "I was so worried about you."
"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan told her as she finally released him from her embrace, "It's good to see you again. "I promise that I will say goodbye before I leave next time."
"That would be nice," Bant agreed as Yoda caught up, and stopped his hover chair beside Bant.
"Good to see you it is," Master Yoda spoke to Obi-Wan.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I caused so much trouble Sir," Obi-Wan said looking down at the grease stained floor.
"Afraid you were, understandable it is. Although, keep in mind you must, fear to the dark side leads."
The former Padawan nodded at the small Master, he however, he did not understand what Yoda had meant.
"To the Healers you must go. Waiting for you they are," Yoda said with a glance up at Qui-Gon.
"Do I have to? I've been eating. Dex makes sure all his living employees are well fed." The boy looked up at Qui-Gon with eyes that seemed to plead with the taller man to spare him another trip to the healers.
"I am sorry Obi-Wan. I know you don't like the Healers, but you need to go, to make sure that everything is ok," Qui-Gon told him.
"Yes, your medication you neglected while you were away," Yoda admonished.
"I'll go with you," Qui-Gon assured the teenager.
Realizing that he could not get out of visiting the Healing Wing, Obi-Wan nodded his head. He could not help but wonder if he would also have to visit a Healer regularly when he went to Agri-Corps.
Obi-Wan, Bant, Reeft, and Garen sat on the edge of a pond in one of the gardens. They had just finished swimming in the pond and were now talking while their feet dangled in the warm, clear water. Obi-Wan watched small ripples form as he wiggled his toes.
The previous day, the healers confirmed that he had been eating, but they could tell somehow that he had skipped some meals. Once again, he was given medication and was informed that he would have to see a healer once a month when he went to Agri-Corps, to make certain that he was taking his medication regularly and eating right.
"Did we always swim together and get along like this?" Obi-Wan inquired breaking the silence that had begun to fill the area as they climbed out of the pond. Obi-Wan continued to wiggle his toes through the water. Until today, he did not know that he knew how to swim. He did enjoy it though, and hoped that Agri-Corps would have a pond, lake, or something that he would be able to continue swimming.
"Yes. Often we would swim in the Room of A Thousand Fountains instead, but we always swam together whenever we got a chance," Garen explained.
"Bant swims a lot because she's a Mon Calamari," Reeft continued, "We kind of got into the habit of joining her, I guess."
Obi-Wan felt very sad that he would have to leave so soon. Despite barely knowing them, he felt as if they were becoming good friends. He wished he could be the Obi-Wan Kenobi that they remembered. But without his memory, he felt like a different person trapped in Obi-Wan's body.
"We did other things too," Bant offered, "you two make it sound as if all we do is swim."
"What else did we do?" Obi-Wan asked looking at Bant. He had a feeling that it would be hardest on her when he left again for good this time.
"Lots of things; we almost always ate meals together, we studied together, sparred and practiced katas together, and we went to Padawan Tournaments together," she said.
"Sometimes we just sat around and talked about what was happening at the Temple, or about rumors we heard about other Padawans, initiates, Knights, or Masters," Reeft added.
"You are our friend Obi-Wan, even if you never return. We will never forget you," Garen said as he lay back on the soft grass looking up at the ceiling. His brown haired friend appeared calm and collected, but Obi-Wan could sense that his emotions were in turmoil. He wondered if that was a Jedi trait as well.
"Maybe one day you can come back here and visit us," Bant suggested.
"I would like that," Obi-Wan smiled weakly. He wondered if it would have been better for everyone if the Council had sent him away immediately instead of giving him the chance to get to know the people he would soon have to leave.
Qui-Gon walked through the Room of A Thousand Fountains. Élan followed him carrying Cyjeon in her small hands. Qui-Gon had to slow his pace so the little girl could keep up with him without the need to run. The large room was swirling with the life of the plants and the other Jedi that occupied it. Ordinarily Qui-Gon would take Solace in the living Force that was so abundant here, but he couldn't now, not when Obi-Wan would leave to go to Bandomeer in the morning. He did not know how he could say goodbye to the teenager, but he would have to.
The Jedi Master and Initiate made their way through The Room of A Thousand Fountains. They headed toward the garden where Obi-Wan used to take Cyjeon before he gave the tiny creature to Élan and left the Temple. Qui-Gon thought the teenager would like to see both Cyjeon and Élan before he left for the Agri-Corps.
"Why does Obi-Wan have to leave so soon? He just came back from his mission." Élan questioned the tall Master.
Qui-Gon had been so intent on locating Obi-Wan; he had nearly forgotten the youngling following him. He stopped walking, sighed, and knelt down in front of the girl. "Élan, Obi-Wan is leaving the Temple to go to the Agri-Corps."
"But he's a good Jedi. He will be a good Padawan for you," the girl protested. "He helped me with kata. He'll be a good Master too one day."
"I know Élan, he would have been a great Knight, but something happened while he was on a mission. He doesn't remember being a Jedi, or enough of his training to remain here. He wants to go to the Agri-Corps. It may be hard to let him go, but it is probably for the best."
"It's not fair," the youngling pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I know," Qui-Gon nodded sadly. Once again, Yoda's words from two years ago came rushing back to him like a lost child running toward his mother. "Grave consequences to Initiate Kenobi, if change your mind you do not," Yoda had said.
"Come Élan, let's find Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon stood up and started to walk toward the garden again. Élan followed behind him silently at a much slower pace than before.
As they approached the garden, Obi-Wan sat on the grass looking at the water. When he heard them approach him, he turned toward them.
"I thought you might want to spend sometime with friends," Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan smiled slightly and stood up, "Hello Élan, how are you?"
"Why you want to leave? You belong here," Élan frowned at him.
Obi-Wan glanced up at Qui-Gon before looking back to the young girl standing in front of him. With a sigh he said, "I would love to stay, but I must go. I can't be a Jedi, I don't remember how to be a Jedi, but maybe we will see each other again sometime," he assured her.
Élan wrapped her arms around Obi-Wan and held him tight. "Still not fair," she said.
Qui-Gon had to fight to keep his emotions in check; Obi-Wan had touched the lives of many people in the short time he was back on Coruscant. Both new and old friends alike would miss the lad greatly.
"Everything will be fine, don't worry," Obi-Wan assured her with a slight smile.
The young girl gradually let go of Obi-Wan and lifted the tiny Diamp out of her tunic pocket. Qui-Gon had not noticed that she had moved him from her hand to her pocket. "I kept Cyjeon safe for you while you were gone," Élan said wiping her eyes with the back of her free hand.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said taking his pet out of her hand. He had missed the reassurance that he felt when the tiny creature slumbered in his own pocket.
The small creature wrapped the length of its body around Obi-Wan's index finger. He smiled down at his small friend and said, "I missed you too Cyjeon."
"Do you understand him?" Élan inquired with a sniffle, as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
"Somewhat," Obi-Wan admitted as he looked up at the girl and then at Qui-Gon. "It's really just feelings. I seem to get a sense of what he's feeling. I could be totally wrong though."
"Most likely you are not wrong," Qui-Gon began. "Jedi are often capable of sensing the feelings of other beings. It is a part of how we determine whether those we deal with on missions are a threat or not."
Obi-Wan nodded his head slowly and looked back at his pet. Cyjeon was now crawling up his arm. The Diamp often crawled up his arm and nuzzled his shoulder right next to his neck.
The four of them sat in silence for nearly an hour before Élan yawned and rested her head on Obi-Wan's shoulder. Cyjeon crawled onto Élan's shoulder and nestled against her neck. With a sudden pang of jealousy, Obi-Wan wondered if leaving his small friend with the little girl had been a mistake.
"I think I should take Élan back to the crèche," Qui-Gon suggested.
"No," Élan complained. "I wana stay with Obi-Wan. He's gonna leave tomorrow. Might not get to see him again."
Obi-Wan looked down at the girl. He could see in her eyes that she was tired, but she was also very determined. He suddenly felt very guilty for the momentary jealousy he felt. Obi-Wan realized that Cyjeon must have sensed Élan's turmoil, and was attempting to comfort her.
"Élan," Obi-Wan began, "why don't you keep Cyjeon with you. He can watch over you while I'm gone. And you can watch over him for me."
"Élan wrapped her arms around the former Padawan again. Once more tears fell freely from her eyes, like the trickle of water that flowed out of one of the nearby fountains. Soon Élan fell asleep in the comfort of Obi-Wan's arms.
Qui-Gon accompanied Obi-Wan to the crèche as the teen carried the slumbering girl and Cyjeon in his arms.
Qui-Gon Jinn sat silently on a chair in his living area as Obi-Wan gathered his belongings. He did not have much, but he was leaving with a lot more than he had arrived with. The items were gifts from the Council and his friends. The Council had provided him with clothes and other personal items he might need, while Obi-Wan's friends had given him small trinkets to remember them.
Qui-Gon ran his finger along the smooth surface of the river stone in his pocket. He wanted to give it to Obi-Wan at just the right moment, but he wasn't sure, when that was. It was nearly time for the teen to say goodbye, possibly for forever. He would have to give it to him now, before they went to the landing platform.
Obi-Wan finally emerged from the temporary room where he had slept for the past two nights, carrying a medium travel bag. "I'm ready, Master Jinn," Obi-Wan said.
"Obi-Wan, come sit down," Qui-Gon said. The young man walked toward the table where the Master sat. Before he reached the table, however, the door chime announced a visitor.
"I'll get it," Obi-Wan told him as he changed direction and walked to the door instead. Masters Mace Windu and Plo Koon stood outside the apartment door.
"Hello Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon," Mace said with a nod toward the longhaired Master, who stood up and walked toward the door.
"The transport is here now to take you to Bandomeer, Obi-Wan. Are you ready?" Plo Koon asked.
"Yes," the teenager nodded and glanced at Master Jinn.
"We better get going then," Qui-Gon said. He hoped he would have a chance to give the stone to Obi-Wan before he boarded the transport. He could not believe in a few minutes he would have to say goodbye to the youngster. The lad's time in the Temple had been so short. Although, Qui-Gon knew that years wouldn't have been enough time for him to say goodbye.
The three Masters and Obi-Wan walked silently through the hallways of the Temple on their way to the hangar. Qui-Gon could sense Obi-Wan's surprise as they entered the hangar and the teen saw all of the people who had gathered on the landing platform to say goodbye to him. All twelve members of the Jedi Council, Bant, Reeft, Garen, Siri Tachi, Master Tahl, Master Ali-Alan, Élan, and even Dexter Jettster was all there.
Qui-Gon waited patiently while the overwhelmed teenager said goodbye to every individual on the landing platform. After saying goodbye to Master Yoda, the last person Obi-Wan had to say goodbye to, Qui-Gon walked with Obi-Wan to the waiting transport. They both stopped at the bottom of the vessel's ramp.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon began as he knelt down on one knee. "I'm going to miss you. I would have been honored to call you my Padawan."
"I will miss you too, but it is best for me to go," Obi-Wan assured him. Unshed tears glistened in his blue/green eyes.
"I know that now," Qui-Gon smiled sadly.
"Thank you for finding me and bringing me here. I can have a real life, and I know who I am now." Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around the large man as a tear slid down his cheek. Qui-Gon desperately tried to ignore the ache he felt in his heart as he returned the embrace. He did not want to let the boy go.
"I have something that I would like to give you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said finally letting the lad go. Reaching into his tunic pocket, he pulled out the river stone and gently ran his thumb over its smooth surface one last time. "I found this stone in The River of Light on my home planet, when I was no older than you are now. I know it won't take the place of Cyjeon, but you can keep it in your pocket and remember me and all the friends that you made here at the Temple."
Obi-Wan smiled and looked at the stone, "I will treasure it always," he said and took the river stone into his own hand. Suddenly the rock began to glow. At first, it was a dim white light, which surrounded the stone and the boy's hand. Then the glowing light became more intense and grew to encompass more and more of Obi-Wan's body. Within seconds, it covered his entire body. With a gasp, Obi-Wan fell to his knees as the other Jedi rushed forward.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon said and immediately grabbed the boy's hand to try and remove the stone. An unknown force threw him backward a few meters away from the teen. He could not move to help the young man. He felt as if a force field surrounded him, preventing him from moving.
Tahl was at his side immediately while the Council members desperately tried to use the Force to remove the stone from the boy's hand. Qui-Gon could only watch in horror as Obi-Wan knelt motionless on the grease-stained floor while he glowed. Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut tight as a grimace covered his face. Qui-Gon could sense his fear and pain, but was powerless to do anything to help him.
Then, just as suddenly as it all began, the glowing stopped and Obi-Wan collapsed in a heap on the floor. The stone clattered on the durasteel floor as it fell from the teen's hand.
Qui-Gon, again able to move, rushed to Obi-Wan's side without hesitation. "Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan, can you hear me?" he asked as he called on the Force to determine what was wrong. He could hear Élan crying somewhere behind him as he picked the unconscious young man up and hurried out of the landing area toward the Healer's Wing.
To be continued…