52. Things About Love That You Can't Understand
Right. I'll calm down and explain everything now. Dilan was there, but he didn't see me. I saw him. He looked different...older, angrier, dirtier, tougher. He wasn't still in his Jedi robes...he was wearing black. He was carrying a book, but I had no idea what book it was.
And Vulna was with him.
I don't know what to do. I don't even know what's going on. They were talking...Dilan was smiling. Vulna was not. That I remember.
Perhaps Vulna's trying to get Dilan to turn back? But he'll never be allowed back in the Jedi Order again. And if the Council finds out that Vulna has been meeting Dilan...I'm sure they'll just expel him, regardless of his intentions. I can see it happening now. I'll talk to my Master...tell him. He's usually the sensible one.
*****
17th day, 4th month, standard year 29437
I did everything wrong.
Amiri and my Master say that's not true, that what happened wasn't my fault...but I feel so much like it is. I went to find him,but I was told he was with Amiri. So I thought I would tell them both. We went to a deserted corner of the Room Of The Thousand Fountains, and I told them what I had seen.
But Mapru had been hiding and listening. I hadn't seen him there...hadn't even sensed him. He's very good at disguising himself, apparently. He heard the whole thing.
It's all my fault. I should have waited until Master came back to the quarters...or something. I was too impatient. I was wrong.
And now something bad will happen because of me.
*****
I'm sitting on my bed. Master has just stopped himself from saying that he hates Master Mapru. And Amiri is not crying.
*****
Vulna's gone, I don't know where.
Wait, he's coming back...
*****
We stood before the Council. I do not know what my Master and I were doing there. The Council just let us stay. Master had his hand on Amiri's shoulder.
There was talking. And arguing. Vulna said nothing; just glared. Yoda said nothing either. Master shouted, Amiri stood there silently, I watched.
"You've grown to love him like a child," I heard Mapru say, speaking like he was talking to a two-year-old...and intending to utterly terrify her. "We fear we must part you now."
Master began to yell, so did Amiri. But Mapru
cut them off.
"The Council is decided," he said icily. "Master
Yoda made his decision...he agrees with me."
All of us in the center of the circle turned to look at Yoda. He glanced back. I read everyone's eyes....Amiri's were frightened, Vulna's were lost, and my Master...he looked full of bitter disappointment.
"Anyway," Mapru annouced. "The matter is closed, no more arguing. Amiri...return to your quarters...and you two, as well. Vulna, you stay."
No-one moved.
I found myself talking, my voice shaking at first.
"This isn't right,"
"It's not for you to decide, fortunately." Mapru said. "Leave."
"Mapru, you of all people...you...you lost Dilan, don't you know what it's like for her?"
"No."
"We're sorry this happened, we truly are," I heard Vione say. "But the Code..."
"The Code! What's the...what's the point of this? We do good...what good will this achive?"
No-one spoke. Vulna stepped forward, however.
"Thank you," he muttered. I couldn't tell if he meant it or not.
Yoda looked at each of us in turn. He looked at Mapru as well. I noticed he wasn't happy...didn't seem to be, anyway.
"Now," he said quietly, "Leave you will."
*****
18th day, 4th month, standard year 29437
Mapru came to our quarters to tell us which Master Vulna had been reassigned to...Master Kiloxan, a Council member. He didn't seem in the least bit sorry about anything...downright unemotional, in fact.
Amiri hit him.