Chapter Four
The Sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was turning a bluish black color, the stars dotting above the dark horizon. Esor held her hands behind her back as she descended the steps out of the temple. Her silver eyes roamed over the grounds. Students were on their way back to the Hall for dinner, but she wasn't planning on joining them. She wasn't particularly hungry.
She had been thinking all afternoon on the vision the Force had allowed her to see. What exactly had that been? Two dark figures, both wielding red lightsabers, and a room full of anger; what did it mean?
Esor paused at the bottom of the steps, and heaved a great sigh. Perhaps she could get Master Skywalker's advice on the matter…Quickly she dismissed the idea with a shake of her head. She wasn't one to ask for help, not now not ever. She would just have to figure it out on her own..
She hoped at least.
The heat that had lingered during her training session earlier that day had barely dwindled. The humidity in the air caused loose strands of her hair to stick to the back of her neck and forehead.
Master Skywalker was probably busy anyway, Esor surmised as she continued on with her slow stride. A few students who had been lingering outside now hurried past her. She glanced back at them for a moment. One of them paused, and she did the same as the young man approached her. His companions waited for him on the top steps. Esor recognized him as Jacen Solo.
"Hey Esor." Jacen said "You heading in for dinner?" He had a slight concerned look on his face and in his voice. She refrained from rolling her eyes in disapproval of his reaction, and instead focused her attention momentarily on his two companions. She couldn't remember the red haired girl's name, but the darker haired one was Jaina, Jacen's twin sister. Esor quickly formulated a response.
"No, I'm not particularly hungry. I thought maybe I'd take a short walk." And mull over things silently, she added to herself.
Jacen gave a slight grin. "It's dangerous out in the jungle after nightfall." He seemed to be trying to persuade her to come inside. A very caring and thoughtful young man, she noted.
She gave a forced smile of her own. "There's nothing out there I can't handle." She gave a slight tap to the lightsaber at her belt. "Not when I have this."
"Well…ok…" Jacen didn't sound so sure. Behind him, his sister and friend waited patiently.
"Listen," Esor began, annoyed with all this. "I just need some time alone, and I would appreciate it if you didn't reprimand me for my decisions. I'm going into the jungle at night, so what? Big deal. And I don't care if you tell Master Skywalker or not." Her silver eyes slightly glared into his.
Before Jacen could say another word, she turned and continued walking. She ignored Jacen's calls of "Esor! Wait a minute!" And made her way into the darkening jungle.
It made her feel a bit bad for being so bitter, but she had become hardened over the years. Nevertheless, the words Jacen said rang in her mind. Esor placed a hand on her lightsaber…just in case.