Hi again: sorry for the wait on this. I post here after each chapter appears at KFM, and there was a bit of a hold up there... oopsie! Anyways, I hope this was worth the wait: it is another flashback, revealing more of Revan's past with Malak. And the usual disclaimers apply here: the characters and locales are all property of Lucas, Bioware, Obsidian and everyone else but me.
Word of our dealings with the Terentatek reached the enclave long before we did. We had lost our bearings when we left the scene of the battle and wandered for hours. The wound on my hip still burned, slowing our progress even further. When we did not return to the village, it was assumed we too had been lost to the mysterious wild animal; our emergence from the plains was a welcome surprise. We certainly did not look like heroes, still covered in grime and blood, our clothing crusted and shredded, but we were greeted as such as we approached the academy. Throngs of well-wishers lined our path, clapping and cheering, some awkwardly reaching out to touch us. I was uncomfortable with the attention, but Malak basked in the glory. He was brimming with confidence: he had saved the day, killed the monster…and got the girl. Now, in the fading light of the setting sun, so long from this morning, I wondered if it had been the right thing to do. It wasn't really wrong, but it was avoidable, a choice placed before us. Had we chosen incorrectly? The code was clear, even if the Masters were not in this matter. What was the lesson, our final test? I began to doubt that we had passed.
"If you think we look bad, you should see the other guy!" Malak boasted, and the crowd laughed.
Self-consciously I attempted to better cover myself with the tattered remains of the front of my tunic, but the dried blood, sweat and filth stuck it in place, plastered to my skin in several places. I felt dirty, in every way. I sensed Malak's arm glide around my shoulders, hugging me protectively. He had done this before, but now it was different, especially the way he squeezed my arm with a firm hand. He looked at me and smiled as he did so, a silent communication of our newfound relationship. I smiled back, but the worry on my mind wore through to my face. He saw it and frowned, his brow knitted into the obvious question: What's wrong?
"I do not think the masters will be pleased with us," I intoned. My mouth was dry as I thought on our actions, the path we took…and the path that was now ahead of us.
"Why not? We did what they sent us out there to do—more than that! We killed a couple of the worst monsters in the galaxy! Just us," —he said tapping his chest— "two scrawny kids!"
"We did do more…" I said softly, my eyes trained on the ground. We were at the Academy entrance now, the door automatically sliding open at our approach. No one was waiting there to greet us—the Masters would never do that. We were both glad for the moment.
"Do you regret it now?" he asked, hurt in his voice.
"What if they find out?" I whispered, avoiding his question.
"Well I am not going to tell them! It is none of their business anyway." He huffed loudly, then remained silent for a moment, considering. "Please, Revan, tell me… are you upset with me, or upset that they may punish us?"
I thought on his words. He was right—I was more afraid of what the Council would do than remorseful for what we had found in each other's arms. He did not take advantage of the situation: we did. He did not take advantage of me: I went willingly, gladly. I pressed close to him, he touched his lips to my forehead. His arms slid around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. I wanted to stay like that forever.
"Okay, that's settled. Now, lets go get our robes so we can see what we look like in them," he smiled, "and then we can see what we look like out of them…" he grinned wickedly.
"Stand down, soldier, or you won't need to tell them anything…" I teased as I quickly glanced down and smirked. A coy smile slipped across his lips. Another quick kiss and we were off to the Council chambers.
As I figured, the Masters were not as warm as the crowd outside in their greeting. I explained the village leader's disgraceful hunting habit, while Malak described our battle with the Terentateks. The Council seemed unmoved by our heroics. Master Vrook spoke first.
"You are here later than expected. What kept you after the fight was over?"
"We got lost, Master," I said quickly.
"Indeed, lost," Vandar said calmly. "But you did find your way back to us, did you not?"
He knew. I didn't know how, but he knew. I looked at the floor shamefully, but also with anger. I did not want to give up what I had just found. How was this wrong? Because they said so? That was an excuse, not a reason.
"We ran into some ruins, Master," Malak blurted.
I looked at him with astonishment—I had told him to keep that our secret. As we moved across the plains, unable to locate anything familiar to guide us, we found a large burial site. We were drawn to it. We felt power there, but the door would not open. We planned to return, later, after some research. I knew why Malak brought it up—to distract Vandar and the rest from their line of questioning. It appeared to work.
"Ruins?" Master Dorak asked. "There are some mentioned in the archives. The ancient Jedi sealed that place and cautioned against entering. We have not been there; we heed their words. I suggest you do the same."
"Yes, Master," we said together.
"So, this is your report on the matter?" Vandar asked. "There is nothing else?" We both stood in perfect silence, Force walls strongly surrounding our thoughts. "Then it is settled. You have completed your assigned task. The beasts are gone, you two triumphed, barely."
"The Force was with us," Malak said firmly.
"So it would seem," Vandar said with something like agitation. "The Force has something in store for the both of you. Who are we to stand in the way of this destiny? Welcome to the Order, padawans. Congratulations, and may the Force be with you."
Malak smiled broadly, and reached for my hand. I tensed slightly, aghast at his public show of affection, especially in front of the Council. I quickly changed the handhold into a sturdy warrior-type handshake. I released him as soon as possible and took a small step away from him, again trying to correct my hopelessly ruined outfit.
"Go to Master Zhar; he will have your robes," Vrook said as a way of dismissing us.
"Good thing!" Malak chuckled. "We could use some new clothes!" he said tugging at his tattered tunic.
"And a shower," Vandar deadpanned. I could not tell if he were in jest, or how exactly he meant that to be taken. His face was a perfect mask of calm and serenity. I matched his expression as I stared back into his eyes. I would not be made to feel disgrace in this. I would decide if I should be ashamed on my own, later.
"I bet we do stink, but that monster's breath was a million times worse than its blood!" Malak laughed. "Come on, Rev, lets go check out those new robes!" Malak bowed quickly and sprinted from the room—he hadn't noticed that I remained behind.
"Yes, padawan?" Vandar asked.
"Did we pass?" I asked in a stern, even voice.
"Your task is complete," he returned passively.
"I know, but did we pass?" I wanted an answer, not this cryptic bantha poo.
"You were assigned a task and performed with distinction: you studied the situation and learned the nature of the problem instead of rushing in uninformed. You killed the beasts, thus removing a threat and restoring the balance of order to this place. This was a worthy victory; you both are to be commended. I am quite sure few others would have performed with such distinction."
"They would have done it differently, that is what you mean, with probably the same outcome. We were foolish to attack alone."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. What is done is done."
"Yes, but what of our final test? There is a difference between learning a lesson and finishing an assignment," I said as bluntly as possible.
"You speak the truth," Vandar said with a slight nod. "There is wisdom in you beyond your years, young Revan. You have an understanding your companion lacks."
"So we failed."
"That is up to you, padawan. There is also a difference between learning a lesson and passing a test. It is what you choose to do with the knowledge that determines your success."
"So, what is it that I have learned, then?"
"That too is for you to decide," Vandar's words seemed final; I would get no more from him on the subject. "Now go. Your companion has his robes this day, as he should, for he fought hard for them. But you have earned yours. You came by them along a much more difficult path—wear them well, Revan."