Chapter Three: Jedi Knights

Revan and Malak waited patiently outside the council chamber. Neither spoke, each endeavored to clear their thoughts and control their feelings of elation. Both had taken their trials, and awaited the Council's summons to appoint them to Knighthood. Close as brothers, each dealt with their anxiety differently. Revan paced back and forth, letting the Force work though his tense muscles, relieving his stress. Malak was content to lean against the wall of the antechamber, yet his features displayed intense concentration as he struggled to remain calm.

Without warning, the council chamber door swung open and a voice called out, "Revan and Malak, your presence is desired in the council chamber."

The two men looked at each other and exchanged a handclasp before striding into the chamber. The chamber of the Dantooine Council was unlike any other Jedi Council room. It was open to the windswept sky and gor trees grew up the outer walls. The Masters did not sit, but stood around the edge of the bowl shaped floor. Revan and Malak stepped forward into the depression and looked around at the assemblage.

In the center stood Master Vandar,the small, green-skinned Jedi who headed the Council; to his right stood Master Vrook, the strictest Master of the Enclave. Next to him was Master Zhar, the Twi'lek Jedi, and trainer of Jedi apprentices. Standing with Master Zhar was Jedi Weapon Master Haan, who trained the younglings and apprentices in lightsaber techniques. To the left of Master Vandar stood Master Dorak, keeper of the Dantooine archives. With him was Master Kale, an Iridonian Jedi who spoke little at council meetings, but was known to be one of the wisest masters. The last Council member stood apart from the gathering, under the shadow of a large gor tree; the blind one, Master Kreia.

Master Vandar began, "It is unusual for only two Padawans out of an entire age group to pass the trials. Revan and Malak, you are to be commended on your skills."

"However," said Master Vrook, "mere skill is not enough to make a Jedi Knight. The Force is strong with you both, and your knowledge of the Jedi Code is undisputed. All here know your skill with lightsabers. But it is the will of this Council that decides your fate today. I for one have my doubts that either of you will ever truly bend to that will. Despite your knowledge of the Force, a streak of rebellion runs through you."

"But is it the Council they rebel from, Master Vrook, or you?" Kreia softly whispered from the shadows.

"Your opinion should not weigh in this debate, Kreia, since we are discussing one of your students." Vrook retorted. "Perhaps we should question your methods of training, since clearly your student is always at the fore when these two misbehave?"

Master Zhar stirred, "They are young, Master Vrook, and none of Keia's students have ever disappointed this Council. Revan and Malak have become mentors to many of the younglings, though they are nearly still children themselves."

Vrook gave Zhar a dark look. "All the more reason to be concerned, then."

Vandar spoke again, "This debate is to decide if Revan and Malak should be granted the title they have earned, not the suitability of their Masters. The choice is clear, as is my vote: Knighthood. Do the rest of you agree?"

Vrook spoke first. "No."

"Yes," said Zhar.

Haan and Dorak spoke together, "Yes."

Kreia spoke next. "Yes."

Last of all, Master Kale said, "I agree. But I sense this: it is not the will of the Council that decides us this day, but the will of the Force. For good or ill, these two must become Jedi Knights."

The assemblage looked gravely from the Master to the newest Jedi Knights as Vandar declared the Council adjourned. In regards to the will of the Force, Master Kale was seldom wrong.