Most often, it is the first time that is remembered.
Confession! Santal has been studying in the Order for a month and has already acquired some of the basic skills necessary to move to the next level. And this despite the fact that the girl showed a fear of performing acrobatic exercises. And an important event awaits ahead - a training duel between the Grand Master of the Jedi Order Yoda and another master.
Many people believe that the closer a grand event is, the more difficult it is to sit still. Likewise, on the eve of a duel in the clan in which Santal studied, many found it difficult to stay in the classroom and stay focused. The same Nick or Max turned to others at every opportunity. A couple of times they even got some remarks. And Landa and the girls were angry. And if because of them, as a punishment, everything is canceled? Santal mentally agreed. She herself was expecting a duel, but she did not turn around, but stood calmly.
Also, over the remaining days, Santal managed to talk to Barriss a couple of times, suddenly she heard something about a demonstration duel. But no, she didn't hear anything. Or she was simply told to be silent so as not to spoil the surprise. If this is true, then it's okay.
And yet Santal was impatient, if only because she had never seen a lightsaber duel before. And she also did not know with whom the Jedi who had brought her to the Temple would fight.
To distract from "hot" thoughts from time to time, the girl went to the library and read the information that she wanted to find earlier, but her hands did not reach. So one evening she studied the races again. And not just looking at the pictures, but looking for an uncle among them. I decided to start the search in alphabetical order. After the second letter Santal began to get tired. What hard work it is to look for a personality! But, fortunately, the whole alphabet did not have to be rummaged. On the fifth letter, the goal was achieved.
Santal was shocked to see such a familiar face on the computer:
Here he is! Only without a hat. It all fits together. So the Duros race. Well, the name. From the word fool! - At such thoughts Santal laughed louder than she wanted, which is why those who were sitting next to her shouted at her. The girl hurried to apologize and, taking the datapad, left the library, heading to her room.
"Wow! Duros race. I thought that my uncle was an inanimate creature wearing the skin of a duros. But this is unreal. The Duros race - or Durosian - was one of the first in the Far Galaxy to master interstellar travel. Duros are known for their calm and restrained nature, peacefulness, sociability and reliability. But this one is not at all like that. Or the recordings are wrong, but I can't believe it. I am sure that in the library of the Temple there is only truth and nothing but the truth. In this case, one of two things - either there is not all the information in the library, or this uncle is defective. Freak of nature. From the word stupidity. "
Elina, stop breaking the dishes! We didn't buy it for that! - shouted Nobi, trying to calm his wife.
The Letanka stopped this occupation, left the kitchen, came to her husband's bedroom, sat down next to him on the bed and sobbed aloud.
Well, well, well, dear, calm down.
I can not! The woman's cry turned into a howl. - That's all ... We're alone now. There are only two of us now.
And who is to blame for this? The green Twi'lek replied in a stern voice. "Who went broke in front of the
Jedi by dishonoring us? Who yelled at Santal, is it not her fault at all? Who yelled at the hunter? You yourself missed your chance.
And you did the right thing! - Elina barked. - This degenerate could not return our girl, only rob her to the skin. You know we are not rich, our monthly income is less than thirty thousand. And this freak might ask for fifty or more after learning about her abilities. And anyway, I hate hunters! Worse creatures can not be found! They only want money!
Well, well, why didn't you turn to the Jedi then? Oh yeah, you hate them too.
Of course! Because of them, my friend died. And not only her. Everyone says the Jedi are noble knights. But I think they are robbers. Children are being stolen. They are taken away from their parents, growing biodroids without love and affection. As a result, these unfortunates die old maids and single. More often young. Rarely do Jedi live to old age. - Elina sobbed, calming down for a while. "That is why I have always felt sorry for the others as well. And now these ... our Santal have been hypnotized, and she will become just like them! An insensitive Jedi, for whom the goal is more important than feelings, dying in her prime. What a dumb rule! If everyone thought so, they would have died out long ago.
"So the fact of the matter is that these are the rules for the Jedi.
I know! But all the same, their laws are incomprehensible to me.
Maybe then you shouldn't try to understand?
How is it not necessary? If I had the slightest understanding of their order, I would have worried less, but, O Power, what have I done, since fate deprived me of the most precious thing that we had - my niece. It's not fair!
Elina's crying stopped, only sobbing remained. Nobi took advantage of this moment and began to console his wife.
Honey, you, how much I am you I remember that I always liked to exaggerate and think pessimistically. Have you tried to look at the situation from the outside? Santal will learn to control this Power, make friends, will not go outside the house ...
And it is not known how long he will live, thirty or ninety. Will die childless.
What are you doing ?! - Nobi quickly came to his senses and again switched to a calm tone: - Yes, I understand you perfectly. But which one of us has the perfect life? For example, we are not flying anywhere because you are afraid for a good reason.
Deciding to distract herself from the Duros, Santal suddenly remembered Landa's words. She then said something to Dasha. But what exactly, Santal had forgotten. More precisely, Dasha was going to tell something interesting about her, and Landa shouted, ordering to be silent. Unclear.
The bad news is that she forgot what the Twi'lek was talking about. Wait a minute. It seems that there was the word "biography". Exactly! I need to check with Dasha.
And Santal the next day, during the lunch break, sat down opposite Dasha.
Hello. Listen, I would like to ask you.
Yes? - Togruta immediately smiled, interested.
I can't get out of my head. Then Landa shouted at you about your biography.
The girl's face immediately changed.
Oh, you better not ask. Togruta took Santal's hands in hers. - I promised if you forgot.
Oh, exactly! I forgot. Santal wanted to slap his forehead. - I just thought ... More precisely, I wanted to ...
The girl stopped in time, as she remembered about the secret that she promised herself not to give out.
What did you want?
It doesn't matter anymore. I just forgot that conversation, so I thought, maybe you know.
Sorry. Truth. I can only say that Landa never smiled. I became so interested that I constantly pestered her with questions. She got tired of it, and she, taking an oath from me, told me. And in vain. After all, I almost let it slip in front of you. If she tells you, then you're in luck.
Santal went to Landa, regretting that she had not thought of approaching her right away. But suddenly she stopped. Suddenly she asks, and the Twi'lek woman will be offended, decide that she does not believe her. But she believes her, she just wants to figure it out. After all, Landa said that Max bothered her the most. But Dasha also says that she pestered. Stop though, it all fits. Togruta did not say that she climbed the most. So everything is all right.
But Santal was still worried about something. Like a piece of the puzzle was missing. The girl tensed, trying to remember something. It seems that Landa did not mention during the dialogue that she was saying something to Dasha.
As a result, from all the thoughts Santal's head went dizzy. She decided to go to the Twi'lek and clarify, and come what may.
After class, Santal quickly ran to the door of Landa's room to stumble around her for a few more minutes, not daring to call. In the end, Santal convinced herself that this was a matter of life and death, inhaled and exhaled, and called.
Come in, - came the voice of Landa.
Santal, very nervous, entered. Twi'lek sat on the bed and studied the material. Sensing the girl, she immediately raised her head and smiled.
Hi Santal. Something happened?
Yes, nothing. I just wanted to ask. I'm curious that Dasha promised not to tell you.
Oh, this. Landa's smile disappeared. - Listen, if you haven't forgotten, I only told you the truth. You know perfectly well why.
I see, you lied to Dasha, because she is a chatty one.
Right.
But what did you tell her? - Santal tried in every possible way not to be intrusive. Landa was visibly upset and asked sternly:
I myself began to forget what I had told her. But I am offended that you asked about it. Did you think I lied to you?
No, what are you! Santal waved her hands. - Do not say that! I just got curious.
Landa sighed, and the Jedi daughter didn't know if it was relief or not. And the Twi'lek continued:
"Santal Sabura..." The girl shivered, as she learned from Dasha's example that when Landa starts like this, it means that she is angry. - You, apparently, did not understand that you were given high confidence. It was hard for me to speak, but I told you everything. And you still doubted. Go away, "Landa said calmly but firmly.
Landa, listen. I just wanted to check and listen to two different stories. I would not have thought ... - Santal broke off, because some thoughts appeared.
Landa took advantage of this hitch to reply:
I thought so. Twi'lechka turned the Jedi daughter to her back and gently pushed towards the exit. Santal did not resist. As if in a trance, she went to her room.
Is it really? Maybe she really thought that Landa could have lied? Need to think. She just wanted to get rid of inconsistencies, to figure it out. But Landa was offended, deciding that she was not trusted. And ... she's right. Santal had to admit that she was trying to find out who was lying. But this does not mean that she would cease to be friends with her. This is what she was trying to say. But she didn't have time. But nothing, sings.
*** Santal woke up three times that night. Because I was afraid to oversleep, to be late, to get lost. After all, show duels don't take place every day. The girl even got up half an hour earlier than usual.
The lessons were only until lunchtime. Especially the restless Max, Nick and those who usually behaved calmly - Adrian or the silent Justin and Risha - could hardly wait until the end of the class.
Finally, the younglings were given as much as an hour to quietly dine and tidy themselves up. Max ate so quickly that he began to hiccup, which angered Landa. Santal finished her meal in fifteen minutes and went to the shower. Yes, she learned to wash. Nothing complicated, especially when they show you, and your memory is not lame.
By the appointed hour, everyone gathered. Sitting down in her seat between Dasha and Grace, Santal discovered that two more clans had come. The girl noticed a youngling, covered in yellow wool with stripes. Svante was sitting next to him. Landa, wearing a beautiful hat, sat down not far from Dasha. They did not wait long. Finally, leaning on a cane, Master Yoda came out. Santal smiled at once, looking at the one who had brought her to the Temple. And the green Jedi stood waiting. Then a second door opened on the other side. Came in ... a man whose clothes Santal thought was more expensive than her own. Yoda's opponent looked pretty. Brown robes with a Jedi sash, cuffs, collar and fastener placket decorated with patterns. The face is not young, with a beard and mustache.
- Children, the training duel will begin. Meet Master Dooku, "Yoda said. - Look carefully and learn.
The opponents stood opposite each other and bowed. Then the swords were activated. Yoda - green blade up. Master Dooku - blue blade down. For a few seconds, nothing happened.
The duel began. Yoda jumped high, but Dooku swerved to the right and twisted the twisted handle to block the blow. Then swing again. Block.
And then began what Santal mentally called a "spinner", because the swords began to look like fan blades
- every now and then they drew semicircles, spun and spun.
Despite the fact that Santal was not yet aware of the existence of the seven forms, she clearly saw that the masters were fighting in different ways. Dooku moved gracefully, smoothly, enjoying the duel with the older master. Yoda, on the other hand, was like an acrobat, often jumping and twisting the sword. But the rivals were not limited to one sword and used the Force, of course, trying not to harm each other.
Therefore, they mainly used it to push each other slightly.
The duel turned into a real end of the world. It was as if someone in the training room had decided to
fireworks. Swords drew circles, semicircles in the air. The Jedi jumped, turned, did somersaults. But unlike Dooku, Yoda's body movements were not as noticeable.
During the next blow, Yoda, sliding his legs, moved to the left. Another blow. Block. Yoda spun. Bounce. The swords made a cross. Almost perfect. The opponents' blades came together in a clinch. And how many emotions! Gritted teeth, a smile that only he could see, signifying praise. Combat enthusiasm in the eyes. Full attitude and close attention to the weapon.
Then it stopped abruptly. The masters bounced apart. Apparently, the Force pushed imperceptibly. Or the swords have been moved. Dooku raised his sword high above his head so that the blade looked through her. Two more semicircles. Dooku spun.
In the next five minutes, he tried twice to make a sweep, to get the grand master to make a mistake. But it didn't work. At some point, Dooku fell and Yoda jumped. There was a grinding of blades.
Well, how are you better? - Nobi asked his wife, who all day drank, probably, a liter of sedatives. - Look, I say, from the other side. Our Santal will follow in the footsteps of our parents and help people.
And will die, most likely, a virgin and early! I have noticed that Jedi die between about twenty and fifty- seven years old. Few! Is this life? Terrible! You can die on your first independent mission! Only the knight, as they say, passed the final exams, and already death. Moreover, if I understood correctly, the Jedi cannot foresee everything. That is, you are flying on a mission and do not know the ending. Take Adira, for example. She died at thirty. And her husband is thirty-five. Is this normal? We could still live. And how many years are allotted by fate for our Santal?
But, at least, she will not live a routine life, but a bright, full of events. She will be remembered!
Dooku threw Yoda a meter with two fingers. He stood up, raised the handle at the level of the nose, so that the blade was looking straight up. A kind of obtuse angle. Twisted a couple of times and turned the sword to the right. Yoda jumped. Dooku wanted to do a head-first somersault. Lunge on the right. Block. Left lunge. Block. A series of semicircles. Infinite multivariate algorithm. Again an endless turntable. It was evident that the masters seemed to be playing with each other, but as if they were fighting at the limit of their possibilities.
And none of the younglings could tear themselves away from such a grand spectacle for various reasons. Someone just liked it, but someone wanted to adopt some techniques. Santal did not know which group to rank herself in. First of all, she closely followed both. And she liked every swordsman.
If she was asked who is better, she would not be able to answer. Both showed their best side. The only difference was that Yoda is the very first Jedi she met and for whom she immediately felt respect. She had never heard of Dooku to this day, although she had occasionally read other Jedi files. But in the evening she will definitely fill in the gaps in knowledge. Especially after today. But overall, Dooku made a good impression. The first meeting went well.
While Santal pondered, Yoda jumped, but Dooku easily blocked the blow without even turning around. Then both turned around, extinguished their swords, and bowed. The audience burst into applause.
- See, children? You have seen the skill now. An example of what to strive for, - said Yoda.
Without exception, all the children looked with a happy smile at the masters. Someone even imagined himself in their place, how he applies all the techniques shown himself and deals with a variety of enemies.
And Santal also felt more confident, she can now do everything and cope with everything, no matter what happens. Lost in thought, she was almost left alone in the hall. Glory to Sila, her neighbor gently shoved her, they say, let's go. And she went slowly, not without looking back. But something bothered her, as if she had to do something else and would not be able to sleep or sit still if she didn't. But what?
Santal did not immediately think about Landa, but quickly realized that this was not the main cause of concern. Looking around, she saw Dooku, who had gone far enough from her. Then it dawned on the girl. She was overwhelmed with the desire to say something to him. And Yoda too. Maybe a personal congratulation? Maybe. You have to try to understand. But who should you start with?
Dasha called her again, but Santal replied that she would catch up. After spending a few minutes throwing between two fires, the girl wanted to run up to Dooku, but his trace was gone. Saddened, the daughter of the Jedi decided that while she was looking for an unfamiliar master in a huge building, she would forget why she needed him at all. Therefore, I went to Yoda, the road to which I knew.
Master Yoda had already returned to his room and was beginning to meditate when there was a knock on the door.
Come in.
Hello, Master Yoda.
Hello youngling. How can I help you? Have a seat. Santal sat down directly opposite the master.
To begin with, I wanted to say that the duel was just ... amazing. You were both great! - Santal even clapped twice, at the same time checking her feelings. No, it didn't get much easier. We must act further.
Thank you, but I feel that you want to say something else. M?
This is the whole problem. I really feel like I missed something. Either you, or Dooku, or someone else. Lande ...
Focus, youngling. Immerse yourself in the Force. Feel your thoughts, then you will understand what you want most now. Meditate.
Santal immediately sat down in the right position and tried to concentrate. What does she want? Probably nothing from Yoda. From Dooku - to praise and something else. With Landa - make up. Exactly! Dooku! What does she want from him?
So, all thoughts are on him. Santal played the recent memories in her head. So, she liked the way the master moved and fenced. Wait a minute ... now ... it seems to be getting clearer.
"Stop," the girl said aloud. - I have a question. Who is he, Dooku? "He was my Padawan.
Wow! - Santal could hardly resist not to squeal happily. It turns out the Grand Master had a Padawan. And she thought he was only teaching younglings. - How lucky he is! The green magister just chuckled in response. - I realized that I want to meet Dooku.
Santal could not express in words her admiration for what she had learned. Yoda's apprentice means he's the best Jedi in the Order. All sorts of compliments to Dooku's skill seethed in her head, but Santal could not choose the most suitable one. The girl left the master's room and was about to go to Dooku when they crashed into her. And Santal was so lost in thought that she did not immediately recognize who was in front of her.
Santal, just in case, I have nothing to do with it! It's not me! I dont know!