Chapter Six: A Thousand Steps
Kalikori Village was just over an hour's hike from the Jedi Academy. There was no path, as such, and visits to the village were officially discouraged – But such visits were not forbidden, and there had been enough foot traffic in both directions to have created something of a trail through wear alone.
The village was small, made up of less than 200 Twi'leks. It was little more than a collection of hand-constructed shacks, with two prefabricated habitation domes in the center. A crude fence surrounded the perimeter, and the villagers had begun work on a second fence further out – An added barrier against the Flesh Raiders, and also additional protection for their crops and livestock.
When Canlyn and Ashara entered the village, they were greeted by the sight of Twi'lek children, scampering excitedly around the village square. Decorations and banners proclaimed the "Festival of Awakening."
"Well, at least we're here in time for a party," Ashara chirped.
"We are not here for festivities," Canlyn reminded her friend.
"But we are supposed to gain their trust. No better way to do that than to join in."
A young boy was struggling to activate a sparkler, a device that created small-scale digital fireworks. He could not get it to turn on and sat in the dirt, crying.
Ashara leaned down. "May I take a look?" she asked.
The boy gazed at her, eyes wide as he took in her montrals.
"Your lekku look funny," he said. "What are those stripes?"
Ashara smiled gently. "These are montrals," she told him. "I'm a Togruta, not a Twi'lek. You can touch them, if you like."
The boy reached out and touched her montral. He gasped. "It feels like bone!"
"More like a shell," she replied. "They let me sense movement around me. Like the two men who just stepped up behind me and my friend."
Canlyn turned and saw two Twi'lek males, approaching. They glared at the two padawans. Ashara continued to look at the boy's broken toy, trusting Canlyn to deal with the newcomers.
"Today is the Festival of Awakening," the older of the men announced. "Outsiders are not welcome."
"I am Canlyn, this is Ashara. We mean no intrusion."
"If you mean no intrusion, then be gone!"
Ashara pulled a screwdriver out of a pocket she had sewn into the inside of her robe. She tightened one of the screws in the tube-like toy, then activated it. Burst of multi-colored flames emerged from the tube, complete with the sound of explosions. The men jumped back, startled, as the boy laughed and applauded.
Ashara turned the device off, handed it back to the boy.
"It had just come loose was all," she told him. "You might want to wait for dusk before turning it on – It'll be prettier in the dark."
The boy gave her a hug, then scampered off with his fixed toy. He had already turned it on again by the time he reached the other end of the square.
Ashara turned to the Twi'leks, grinning. "Sorry to startle you," she said. "Just a harmless sparkler. His parents probably got it from one of the merchants around the Academy. At least, I'm guessing it's not from here."
The Twi'leks regarded her warily, but with less hostility than before.
"Good of you to fix Emur's toy," the older man said.
"I had a younger brother, before my abilities manifested," Ashara said. "I don't like to see children cry."
She walked toward them, extending a hand. The older man shook first, introducing himself as Yuleph Phan, Master of Rituals. The younger man was Opar Phan, his son.
"Is there any way we could take part in this Festival?" Ashara asked. "Sounds like a lot more fun than evening meditations at the Temple."
Opar laughed, clearly taken in by her friendly smile. Yuleph gave a nod.
"You could become honorary members of the village for the day," he said. "You would need to partake of the ritual of the Thousand Steps."
"The Thousand Steps?" Canlyn asked, intrigued. She enjoyed learning more about the rituals and cultures of different species. "What is that?"
Yuleph registered her enthusiasm and addressed her for the first time since their initial approach.
"It is a sort of symbolic pilgrimage," he replied. "Members of our village take it when they come of age. Our original matriarch, Kolovish, lives at the top of the mountain to the east. Pilgrims carry a fire and light four beacons, evenly spaced along the path to the summit. Those who are able to light all four beacons before the torch goes out become official members of our sect."
"What of those who fail?" Canlyn asked.
Yuleph shrugged. "As I said, it is symbolic. Those who fail try again each following month. We can extend you that same courtesy – But if you wish to join our festivities tonight, then I'm afraid you will need to succeed on the first try."
"And no Jedi tricks," Opar added, with a hint of his former suspicion. "The fire from the torch or nothing. And Matriarch Kolovish will know the difference."
Canlyn bowed her head. "I would never disrespect your customs," she promised. "If the torch goes out, we will admit our failure." She glanced meaningfully at Ashara, who also bowed her head.
Yuleph walked them to the foot of the path and lit a torch for them. He passed it to Canlyn.
"Good fortune, Padawan," he said.
Canlyn and Ashara proceeded up the path.
"I don't know how you do it," Canlyn said once they were out of Yuleph's earshot.
"Do what?"
"People just automatically respond to you. I know it's unseemly, but I confess to a bit of envy."
They reached the first beacon. Canlyn touched the torch to it, and watched as it ignited.
"There's no science to it, Lyn," Ashara replied, as they began walking again. "It's just being friendly. Give people a nice smile, do something to create a little bit of connection." She shrugged. "It helps that I'm cute. You've got that whole 'distant cat' thing going on. But you should practice smiling a little – A good smile goes a long way."
As they lit the second beacon, Canlyn attempted a smile. Ashara shivered in mock fear. "It looks like you're planning to eat me!"
They moved on, toward the third beacon.
"OK, maybe smiles don't work for Cathar," Ashara acknowledged. "So try a little, you know, chit-chat."
"Chit-chat?"
"General conversation. The weather, birds in the sky, foods. Feel out what people like and dislike, and build the conversation around that."
"You mean lie?"
"No!" Ashara pouted in frustration as they lit the third beacon. "Just pick what parts of the truth to tell. When people think you share their interests, they like you better. Like the old guy back there, um…" She struggled for his name.
"Yuleph," Canlyn supplied.
"Right. He was completely cold to you – Until you asked about this ritual. The second he saw you were actually interested in it, I stopped existing and all his attention was on you. If you'd tried chatting with him from the start, he might have started talking about rituals. Then you'd have become interested and he'd have liked you, with no help from me at all. Do you understand?"
Canlyn nodded thoughtfully as she lit the final beacon. "I think I understand," she said. "You are wise, my friend."
Ashara giggled. "Oh, I'm definitely not wise," she said. "But I actually lived in the world before I came here, and I know people. Learn how to interact with people the way you do with records and rituals, and you'll have the galaxy by a string."
"You were right the first time, Canlyn Dessan. Your friend is wise, in her own way."
The voice came from an old Twi'lek woman, who sat outside a large hut at the end of the path. She leaned forward, peering at both of the Padawans. Matriarch Kolovich, Canlyn surmised.
"You know my name?" Canlyn said. "How?"
The old woman smiled enigmatically. "You lit the fires, and the torch yet burns," she said. "You have completed the Pilgrimage of the Thousand Steps."
She made a motion, and the torch's flame extinguished. Force sensitive, Canlyn observed.
"You are the original Matriach of Kalikori Village," she said aloud. "You are the one who brought the Twi'leks here."
The old woman nodded. "Our teachings angered the ruling class on Ryloth. They refused to recognize the authority of the matriarchs, and imposed restrictions on our sect. Despite its claims to value religious freedom, the Republic Senate refused to intercede on our behalf. Here on Tython, we can practice our ways in peace."
"Well, except for the Flesh Raiders," Ashara interjected.
The old woman smiled ruefully. "Except for the Flesh Raiders," she acknowledged. "But they are brutes, and our defenses grow stronger with each passing month."
"Flesh Raiders recently attacked the Jedi Outpost," Canlyn said. "They were organized, and armed with blasters."
"I am aware," Kolovich said. "An outside influence controlled them."
"An influence that remains on Tython." Canlyn stepped forward. "Do you know anything about a Jedi holo-recording? It was stolen during the attack. My Master believes someone from this village may have information."
Kolovich stared into the distance a moment. She nodded slowly.
"Ask about a hunter named Nalen Raloch," she said. "I suggest allowing your friend to take the lead. He is much revered in the village, and you will encounter resistance if you are perceived as accusing him."
Canlyn nodded. "Thank you," she said.
"Now, allow me to present you with your gifts," Kolovich handed each of them a bronze insignia. "These mark you as honorary members of our sect. I fear I have no more to give. We have very little, as you must know. Still, I hope this symbol of belonging will grant you strength on the difficult path ahead."
Ashara frowned as she pinned the insignia to her robe. "Difficult how?" she asked.
Kolovich regarded them with an expression of sadness. "You each face a long journey. I cannot see its end, but I can see your paths will diverge. One will pass into darkness, the other into light."
She sighed. "I am tired," she announced. "I wish you both well on your journey."
Canlyn bowed to her. "Thank you, Matriarch Kolovich."
The old woman gave them a last, lingering look, her expression unreadable. Then she withdrew into her hut, leaving the two Padawans to ponder her words as they walked another thousand steps downward, back to the Twi'lek village.