Here is my passion project that I've been working on for a while now. This will be part of a trilogy of Star Wars stories that I have planned out. Because this is my passion project updates will be slow as I want to take the time to write it out. Also, a lot of lore research is going on as well.
But enough about that.
Let's get right to it.
My name is Kunon Muleora and I am, was, a Jedi Master. I proudly served the Jedi and the republic for decades until I broke one of the rules of the Jedi Order.
I fell in love.
Yes, I fell in love. With a Mandalorian no less. Me, an Echani Jedi Weapon Master, falling in love with a Mando. Such a thing is unheard of, tabooed even. Our two people never got along and when in close proximity with each other most likely then not a fight would break out. Too much pride in our own way of life.
You see Echani views combat as a form of communication, it is a way to express yourself, and to truly know someone. It is an art form. Mandalorians see this as a weakness and without honor. Mandalorians see victory in battle as a way to gain glory or honor. To the Echani this is seen as barbaric and beneath them.
I guess I should explain how I met my husband, Drudu Ordo. You see I just attained the rank of master and was sent to Corellia to help settle a dispute between the Selonians and the neighboring Drall. The mission was simple enough a Selonian den was worried that the nearby Drall research station would expand and encroach on their land. The Selonians in question knew of the pride of the Drall so they requested a Jedi to mediate the meeting. The Jedi High Council agreed to the request and sent me to maintain peace. I was also instructed to check on the Corellian Jedi to see if the Council needed to step in.
From my understanding, the Corellian Jedi bordered on heresy as they allowed marriages and other practices that are forbidden by the Jedi code. In fact, my guide was married to a local.
I became curious about their ways during my visit and the Corellian Jedi answered all Jedi Council-related questions with barely controlled exasperation. It would seem as though these 'checkups' were pretty common. On the flip side, they were eager to answer my personal questions that I had about their code and lifestyle. It was surprising to learn that even though the Jedi and the Corellian Jedi have a tense relationship. The Corellian Jedi still greatly respected and admired the Jedi from Coruscant. They looked up to Jedi like Jolee Bindo. I found this odd as records from before the Russan Reformation were scarce, to say the least. Those that are known are sealed for those who are masters.
I'll admit I started to question the Jedi Code myself by the end of the inspection. The Corellian Jedi were allowed to love and form attachments and yet not once did I feel the dark side. Nothing felt out of place in fact it almost seemed that they were at peace. I've had discussions with Qui-Gon Jinn about the nature of the Force and the role of the Jedi. Not once did I believe what he was spouting, but now after seeing it with my own eyes I couldn't help but wonder if he had a point.
Deciding that I would have to discuss this with him on my return and having seen nothing overly dangerous or anything that the council needed to know, I departed the Corellia temple.
That is when I met him.
Drudu Ordo was his name, he was a mercenary hired to steal a Holocron from the Corellian Jedi. Unfortunately for him, although he will say that he was fortunate that day, he ran into me. The fight that transpired was quick and ended in a stalemate. In that short time, I learned a great deal about my opponent, which is common for the Echani, and what I found...intrigued me.
I've never fought a Mandalorian before as they were enveloped in a civil war until recently. A civil war that ended with all of the warrior clans banished from their homeworld by the new government. It appeared that not all could give up the warrior way.
Drudu had an underlying passion in his movements that grew as the fight progressed until it burned as hot as his red armor. His T-shaped helmet shined in joy as he dodged my saber. It was then I could understand him. He has been waiting for a worthy opponent to test himself. Drudu grew humbled as I threw him into a nearby spreader.
"K'oyacyi!," I remembered him crying out as he got back to his feet, a bit shaken in his stance. "This was a good fight," his voice rasped from his helmet voice modulator. His stance shifted to a non-combative one. "What is your name Jetii?"
I shifted my cyan-colored blade downward but still activated, "My name is Kunon Muleora, Jedi Master of the Jedi Order, what is your Mando'ad?"
This was one of the few times that I actually caught him off guard, the next is when I said yes to his marriage proposal three years later, "I'm Drudu, leader of clan Ordo, Mesh'la Jetii."
It was then that the Corellian Jedi arrived and with one last look at me Drudu took off into the night.
After reassuring the Jedi that I was fine I departed from Corellia towards Coruscant. My mind was full of thoughts and questions throughout my journey, something that the Council picked up on during my debriefing. After a quick reassurance that I was fine and just needed to meditate.
When the meeting concluded I departed the council chambers and made my way to the room of a thousand fountains. The large open spacious room was one of the most beautiful places at the temple. It was also the most calming one as well thanks to the constant fall of a thousand waterfalls. I would sometimes go there to calm my mind and reconnect with the Force. This time though I did not find peace in my meditations. Instead, I felt this pull and push feeling. At the time I didn't understand what the Force was trying to tell me.
So I called it quits and decided to retire for the night. When I entered my room I was surprised to find something on my bed. Cautiously I made my way over to find a single flower wrapped in paper. It was a gorgeous flower with pure white petals except for the center which was a bright red. It reminded me of the flowers that came from Naboo. I've always wanted to have one if only for a time. I picked up the flower and gave it a whiff before I took off the paper. In the corner of my eyes I found words written on the paper so slowly I unravel the paper and read:
My heart to beat, for love to run, I see your truth, from your eyes to mine Mesh'la Jetii.
I remember my body becoming flushed and warm from the words and I looked out the window to see if I could spot the Mandalorian.
38 BBY
"And that is how I met your father," Kunon said to the bundle in the cradle next to her. She peered down to see her son as he looked up to her with his light brown eyes. The only thing he got from his father. Everything else he got from her from his bright white hair to the softness of his face. That is the way of the Echani. Echani children took most if not all of their features from their parents. For an outsider, it might look like everyone was twins or carbon copies, but only those with the senses of Echani could pick out the subtle differences. From their movements to the way they fight.
Kunon's son opened his mouth wide in a yawn as his eyes slowly drooped closed. Kunon's blue eyes softened and she smiled as her son began to fall asleep. "Sleep well, Reeva," she said, her voice soft as a cloud. She then covered her son before she reached up and spun the mobile of planets above the crib. She paused as she saw one of the planets missing which brought up the 'incident' from this morning. When Reeva pulled the planet into his grasp.
With the Force.
She and her husband should have expected this. After all, Kunon was a Force user even though she was no longer a part of the Jedi Order.
With a sigh, Kunon left the baby's room as softly as she could so as to not awaken Reeva. She traveled through their simple home on Lothal. Brown concrete walls were decorated with art from both Echani and Mando cultures. As she looked at the paintings she couldn't help but smile at the memories of both her and Drudu trying out each other's culture, particularly foods like Uj'alayi.
Under her feet, soft hand-woven rugs cushioned her steps. They were made by Drudu's great-grandmother and favored blues and greens. This greatly clashed with the rest of the house which favored more earthy colors, but it was a compromise. Drudu wanted to create a Vheh'yaim as it complemented his people's nomadic ways, but at the time Kunon was pregnant and she didn't want to raise their child on the move.
A sigh escaped Kunon's lips as she thought about their son, her small delicate hand sweeping her white shoulder-length hair back. She was worried about what Drudu would think. She knew that he wanted to teach their son the ways of Mandalorian when he turned three, but with new development that most likely isn't going to be the case.
Just as her worries and fears began to rise a sense of calm washed over her. Kunon's head perked up and she closed her eyes and reached out with the Force. There she felt it, it was as if the Force was telling her that everything will be okay. She tried to dig further to get more answers, but like always the Force was giving little.
Kunon opened her eyes and a small smile crept on her lips. "Trust in the Force, isn't that you always say Qui-Gon?" she asked herself.
In the back of her mind, she felt the presence of her husband come closer. Sure enough, the scream of a swoop bike roared loudly before it died. Kunon closed her eyes and calmed herself. Deciding that she would trust in the Force. Deep down she knew that no matter what Drudu would love Reeva.
There were heavy footsteps and the swinging of the door followed by the thud of it closing. Slowly, Kunon rises to her feet and turns to greet her husband.
Drudu Ordo was a tall man, easily six feet tall, a foot taller than Kunon, and broad. He was still in his armor, red armor plates made out of beskar. Under it, he wore a black body sleeve. His T-shaped helmet rested on his side, clipped to his armor belt. His face uncovered showed a man who has faced many battles with many more to come. His face was sharp and blocky, his tanned skin shined with sweat. Around his lips, a black goatee rested. His brown twinkled as he smiled at me, "Hello Mesh'la," his deep baritone voice rumbled.
Drudu walked up to Kunon and pulled her into a hug before he snaked his head down to give her a kiss. A kiss she gladly accepted. When they broke apart Drudu brought up a gloved hand twirled them through one of Kunon's many braids. Each one represents a massive accomplishment in her life, as per Echaini's custom. From becoming a Jedi to reaching the rank of master. She even had one done for their marriage. At the same time, Kunon brushed her hand through his short-cropped black hair.
"How was your trip?" Kunon asked as she led her husband to the table and sat him down.
"It was good," Drudu said as Kunon went into the kitchen and pulled out a bowl of soup called Tiingilar. As she set down the bowl Drudu took a moment to take in the pungent spices. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his wife doing her best to learn Mandalorian culture. She was doing better than he was in learning her's. "The clan is flourishing and the jobs are plenty," he said as he took a bite. He looked up and saw that Kunon didn't have a bowl for herself.
"Are you going to eat?" he asked.
Kunon shook her head, "It's alright I ate with Reeva."
At the sound of his son's name, warmth flooded through him and he made a note to go check up on him before retiring to bed. "How is our ad'ika?"
"He is fine," she said, a little too quickly. Drudu looked up at his wife who did her best to hide something. He could tell that something happened and the warrior within him began to awaken in fear that something terrible had happened. Before he could speak Kunon spoke up sensing his emotions.
"Something happened today," she said quickly, "He's fine, don't worry but we need to talk."
Setting his dinner down, Drudu looked at his wife. "He used the Force, didn't he?"
Surprised Kunon stuttered, "Y-Yes how did you know?"
Drudu smirked in that way that always infuriated Kunon as it symbolized that he had something over her. "What? Did you think I am a mir'osik?" he said with a chuckle, "I knew that there would always be that possibility," his smile faltered a bit, "I just didn't think it would be this soon."
Kunon stood up and moved to be with her husband. "What do you want to do?"
Drudu looked up at his wife, "What do you mean?"
Kunon took a deep breath and let it out, "I know you want to train him in the ways of the Mando'ad…" she trailed off.
Drudu looked confused, "But don't we have to give him to the Jetii?"
Kunon pursed her lips as if not wanting to say the next bit, "I could train him in the ways of the Force," she said slowly mulling the words as she said them. She became more sure of herself and said, "We could train him," she rested her hands on top of Drudu's, "Together."
Drudu's eyes began to mist as he flipped his hand over and grasped Kunon's, "Oh cyar'ika," he said his voice cracking, "You have made me the happiest Mando'ad in the galaxy." He rested his head on top of Kunon's.
"We will make the greatest warrior this galaxy has ever known."
