Chapter 14
"Skye the path you have chosen to walk is difficult. Intensive training will prepare you physically for the demands of the Order. Meditation will teach you to channel the powers of the Force. To truly understand the way of the Jedi you must open your mind to knowledge.
"A Jedi is never alone. Others in the Order will always stand by you. You and Bastila share a special bond. Do not be afraid to turn to her should you need help in your training. The training of a Jedi is difficult. It requires great discipline and sacrifice.
"Let us begin."
Training had become intense. Skye was to put up her vibroblades and swords and take up the training saber which had the same weight and grip of a Jedi's traditional weapon. It did not have the same distinctive hum of a saber but had the same snap hiss when it struck another blade.
One of the first tests was to use the Force to sense the movement of an opponent, to stop their attack before it struck. She was given a trooper's helmet with the blast-shield in place and ordered to block the stinging fire of a little training droid that floated about her programmed with an osculating random attack pattern.
This, Skye thought, was very practical and a rather elementary teaching method. It forced her to rely on the Force and not the information given to her by deceitful eyes. One could never fully trust what the eyes saw, but the Force wasn't something so easily fooled.
At first, a few shots got though her defences. Sith's blood the little buggers could sting! Best way not to get shot wasn't a good offensive defence but not to be there when the enemy fired. It did not take her long to increase the number of training droids. She also found that she did better with an inverted hold on her saber which by the time she was up to five droids she was wielding twin blades just as if she were her familiar swords.
There were days when she felt as if she were playing a desperate game of catch-up and there were days when she felt she was out pacing her training. She excelled at saber-practice. But this wasn't a surprise after all Skye Ravensong grew up in a Nagai monastery. Her entire childhood was set in ritual and martial training. She simply had to adapt the styles and forms of her people to that of the Jedi.
There were seven styles or forms of lightsaber combat.
The first form the most basic of all of the forms but no less important nor when used correctly and efficiently it was very effective.
Form One, the Shii-Cho Form, was an extension of traditional sword-fighting styles, it retained the basics of attacks, parries, and body zones established by such ancient methods. Shii-Cho fostered an emotionally-heated mindset, which resulted in the considerable temptation to execute combat with lethal intent, requiring great restraint to exercise the form without going too far. Despite the pull to kill, the style was designed for the purpose of disarming without seriously injuring.
Ravensong found the Shii-Cho swordplay simplistic and raw. It was very similar what she had learned in the monastery. In the hands of a master, the blade work was described as 'like watching water flow over the falls.' However, less adept practitioners displayed much more basic and somewhat clumsy performance. In combat, Shi-Cho encouraged deliberate tactics, calling for continuous, step-by-step advancement while cutting off the opponent's angles.
Shii-Cho was specialized towards engaging multiple opponents, the wide, sweeping motions being ideally suited towards attacking numerous adversaries. As Ravensong soon found, Form I was not as useful against single opponents that had complete mobility. Having first attempted it within the sparring ring, Bastila easily exploited the weakness in Shii-Cho's comparatively clumsy blade work
The Form II or Makashi was logically the second style Ravensong explored. Makashi was described as elegant and focused, and was based on balance and footwork to outmanoeuvre opponents. Fluidity and economy of motion were relied on, rather than strength, with Form II blade work heavily utilizing jabs and light cuts rather than hack and slash movements. However, Makashi was not without its weaknesses, being ineffective against multiple opponents and failing to address the issue of blast-deflection. This was discovered during combat with the seven training droids the Nagai now employed to assist in her training.
She found the blade manipulation required for this form was very refined, requiring intense focus, and was described as elegant, powerful and precise, relying on feints to confuse and trap opponents. All of this was to allow the user to attack and defend with minimal effort, while opponents simply tired themselves out. Makashi also placed considerable emphasis on footwork, using it to maintain a proper distance from the opponent during defence and when moving in for an attack. The footwork of Makashi practitioners commonly followed a single line, front and back, shifting the feet to keep in perfect balance as the practitioner attacked and retreated. Makashi was a style based on balance, on back-and-forth charges, thrusts, and sudden retreats.
A flash of a dusty brown headed woman with brilliant blue eyes entered Ravensong's mind. This Jedi danced forth with such perfection and agility it was a marvel to witness. But For the life of the young Nagai she knew she had never seen this woman before. She held the face in her mind until it was solid, the name came then; a phantom of what was. Meetra Surik. Yes, that was it. Surik was master of this form.
For a moment Ravensong wondered to herself how she chanced upon this bit a trivia when it occurred to the scout she must have read it in the archive data-bases when she looked up the history of each form and the more noteworthy practitioners of them. Bastila also seemed to favour this form. She was exceptional student, nay master of the style and a beauty to witness as she went through the katas.
It was the third form: the Soresu that Ravensong felt very comfortable with.
The Soresu form was devised to counter the wide-spread emergence of blasters, one that Makashi wasn't equipped to combat. The pragmatic Form III became the most defensive of the seven forms, and utilized tight moves, consisting of subtle dodges and efficient parries, intended to provide maximum defensive coverage, and minimize exposure to ranged fire. Over time, Form III came to transcend this basic and pragmatic origin, and became an expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy.
Once more it was as if Ravensong's muscles had a memory all of their own. Soresu utilized tight motions; the lightsaber moving every second in an attempt to achieve near-total protection and expend as little energy in the process. Form III stressed quick reflexes and fast positional transition, in order to overcome the rapidity with which a blaster could be fired. This technique minimized the body's exposure, making a well-trained practitioner practically invincible, which allowed Soresu to be effective against both single enemies and multiple opponents, as well as blasters and lightsabers.
Form III involved preparation for prolonged battles where the user observed and learned as much as possible about their adversary's technique while engaged in combat. Also, being more optimized for lengthy battles, a Soresu user had the ability to gain control of a combat situation, creating multiple options for the Jedi employing the form.
Like Makashi, Soresu relied on economy of motion and energy efficiency, keeping up constant blade-movement to build up momentum and minimize energy-expenditure. Form III focused on strong defensive technique to essentially outlast an opponent, waiting until he began making mistakes due to frustration or fatigue, before taking advantage of these lapses and countering. A master of Soresu was considered invincible, and the focus on long-term survival allowed such duellists to take stock of and control of their situation. However, despite its effectiveness, Soresu would receive heavy criticism due to its lack of offensive capabilities, as it merely facilitated survival rather than victory. As an answer to these weaknesses, the highly aggressive Ataru and Shien were developed side-by-side.
Once more Skye imagined Meetra dancing upon the field of battle using this technique alongside…Revan. The two were fighting side by side. Revan was particularly adept at this style as she was of the forth form. A form that Ravensong excelled for it was identical to Way of the Hawk-bat which she had learned at the monastery.
An aggressive style, Form IV was fast-paced and effective against single opponents, though weaker in prolonged combat and confined spaces. It was also was not recommended for use against opponents wielding blasters. Ataru was characterized by Force-assisted acrobatics, such as somersaults and leaping strikes, both for attack and defence. Another characteristic of the form was its fast, powerful strikes from multiple directions Practitioners of Ataru were always on the offensive, attacking with wide, fast, and powerful swings. Form IV practitioners constantly called upon the Force to aid in their movements and attacks.
By allowing the Force to flow throughout their body, they could overcome their physical limitations including old age, as was the case with Master Vandar. Those who used Ataru performed amazing feats of acrobatics, such as somersaults and backflips, not only for attack, but also to evade the slashes and strikes of their opponents. This was the Form that most practitioners of the Zeison Sha philosophy adapted.
Indeed, it was Master Vandar also of the Zeison Sha School that saw Skye's natural affinity for this form and gave her instruction on the basics. He instructed her that Jedi utilizing Ataru needed to incorporate all the Force powers that involved surpassing normal physical ranges of motion, speed, and agility in order to be successful. Running, jumping, and spinning were all emphasized in learning the elaborate kinetics of the form
Those who used Form IV could move at high speeds and could rain strong blows, jumping and attacking through the air. Powerful and quick spinning attacks could be utilized from all angles, either from ground or air. A master in Ataru combat could appear like a blur to their opponents, attacking from all directions—the front, the sides, overhead, or behind. The Force not only allowed them to perform athletic feats not possible otherwise, but it also helped guide their actions and movements in combat.
Sky was quickly favouring this form above all others, even her salmon leap shoulder technique worked exceptionally well with it.
Form V was almost two separate forms that followed along parallel lines. The first was Shien, considered the classical Form V, was more adept at blocking blaster bolts. Whereas Djem So the second aspect of the Form was developed later and intended for lightsaber combat.
The two-tier Form was created by Form III: Soresu masters who desired a more offensive style, since the defensive nature of Form III often led to prolonged combat, which was dangerous for the practitioners. Form V evolved into an accepted style by combining the defensive manoeuvres of Form III with the more aggressive philosophy and tactics of the Makashi.
Form V required a higher level of physical strength than the other lightsaber forms due to its focus on complete domination of its practitioners' opponents It was considered the most physically demanding of all the forms. Zeison Sha leaned toward this form as well. Skye, found she rather enjoyed the challenge of it, of it demands. Both Shien and Djem So were designed to use an opponent's attack against them, as evidenced by Shien's focus on returning blaster bolts to their origin and Djem So's emphasis on immediately striking back after a blow.
Through Bastila's insight, Skye learned that some Jedi felt that Form V encouraged aggression and domination, that sentiment did not stop many Jedi from practicing the Form. Most of those of the Zeison Sha School were highly trained in its use and Skye completely understood why. Along with Ataru, Ravensong felt more at home, more at ease with this form than the others.
Bastila however favoured the sixth form also known as Niman. It was sometimes called the Moderation Form or even the Way of the Rancor. This fighting style was a hybrid martial art created by effectively combining elements of all the preceding lightsaber forms into a single generalized form.
Niman balanced out between the various specializations of the other forms, covering many of the basic moves, but focusing on overall moderation. This resulted in a fighting style that lacked a significant advantage, but also lacking any serious drawbacks, and thereby not leaving adherents as exposed as some of the more aggressive or specialized forms. Overall, Niman had a fairly relaxed focus on blade work, designed as a simple, easily mastered fighting form for Jedi.
As a Sentinel, Bastila was the balance between the more warrior aspects of the Guardians and the Councillors who preferred to devote most of their time to study and diplomacy, though it was absolutely deadly in the hands of a skilled practitioner, as demonstrated by such notable Jedi such as Exar Kun.
To compensate for the relaxed focus on blade work and lack of significant specialization, Niman training regimens encouraged the inclusion of Force-based attacks in combat, such as telekinetic pulls and shove in sync with lightsaber strikes. Also, as Niman was developed from two pre-existing martial arts fighting forms that both emphasized the use of dual-blades, it provided a firm foundation for duellists looking to study into such practices. Ultimately, Niman's success in combat was dependent on a practitioner's intuition and creativity in combat.
The last of the forms called Juyo was described as the most vicious form of lightsaber combat and was said to be filled with both fury and 'malignant grace.' The form was given the title of the most difficult and demanding form in all of saber combat. It wasn't surprising to Skye that the one most skilled in this style was Master Vrook.
By the orders of Grand Master Vandar he gave Ravensong instruction in it, telling her rather gruffly that he'd only show her once, so she had better pay attention. But it was what he said later that stuck with Ravensong. Vrook commented that Juyo was "to eviscerate a lone enemy." According to the notes the scout had read left by former Master Kreia the form was both chaotic and erratic, with a heavy focus on offense.
It was also the most controversial of the forms amongst the Jedi Order, as many felt that Juyo violated the "there is no emotion, there is peace" tenet of the Jedi Code due to its requirement to fight under the guidance of controlled passion. The Sith had no such inhibition. In the documents, Skye read about the history of the Forms she discovered Master Kreia went so far as to label it a Sith style. It has been described as the most vicious form of lightsaber combat and was said to involve significant internal focus on the part of the user.
It was less elaborate than Ataru but held more, direct motions and was more open and kinetic than the two-tier Form V Shien /Djem So. It had the strength of being unpredictable with seemingly unconnected staccato sequences. The form was said to necessitate greater energy than Form V, due to a broader wielding of a user's focus and a deeper emotional link. Despite the challenges inherent in the use of the form, it could serve as a pathway to considerable power.
During her research Ravensong uncovered that Vrook Lamar wasn't the only notable practitioner, others included Masters Kavar and Zez-Kai Ell both of whom sat on the Jedi Council. Was it strange or typical that three of the Jedi Council courted such a dangerous style?
Skye knew Kavar only by name both by reputation and records within the archives, as he had gone off to fight very early in the Mandalorian wars. He had been Meetra Surik's informal master prior to his 'defection.' Ravensong had to wonder why he was still on the Council when Surik who had done the same as he, had been Exiled. To be fair the Council had not yet forbidden anyone to join the cause officially, only when Reven pushed the issue had they made such a decree.
Still it struck the young Nagai with hypocrisy that Kavar was allowed and welcomed back into the fold of the Jedi Order but one of their most promising and talented Knights was not. Guess it was good to be the Council.
Of Zez-Kai Ell, Skye knew little, only that he sat on the Council and had a rougher scruffier demeanour than what one would expect in a Master let alone one who sat on the Council.
Of the three Skye knew Vrook far better though she wished she hadn't. To her he seemed a bigoted delusional paranoid and a right pompous ass.
Looking at it this way-a rouge hypocrite, a scruffy cynic and pompous ass it wasn't all that surprising the three of them danced around the edges of the dark side with their devotion to the Juyo Form.
Skye continued to hone her abilities in Arturo, Makashi, Soresu and Shien / Djem So, though it was the later that the Nagai truly excelled.
"You know by dedicating yourself to the learning of these four forms you will be master of none of them." Bastila sagely warned one afternoon while watching her bondmate go through the Makashi dance. It frightened her how quickly Skye was adapting… remembering.
"Oh, I don't know. I seem to recall reading that a certain Nagai was quite capable of mastering these same four."
Bastila shifted in the grass, seemingly removing a stone she was sitting upon. "Skye… modelling your training after Revan is… not wise."
"But who was it that taught Reven? It was Master Zhar and Dorik who picked up the pieces after Kreia. Who is then doing the moulding if not Zhar and the Chronicler?"
"That argument is a razor's edge."
"You're missing my point, Princess."
"Which is?" Bastila picked a blade of grass and held it between her fingers.
"There is no chaos there is harmony."
"The Code?" Bastila started to tear the blade in twain. "You are quoting me the Code?"
With a cocky grin, Skye switched from in mid-leap from Makashi to Arturo. She went into the kata instead of executing the finishing move then just as suddenly she spun into a magnificent butterfly kick of Shien / Djem So then back again into a Makashi finishing manoeuvre.
Panting and glistening with sweat, Skye fell to her back side near Bastila. "But I say harmony cannot be achieved without fluid adaptability." Her cocky grin came back as she took a bottle of water near their resting spot and drank greedily from it. "I don't need to be a master of each form as long as I master the ability to switch from one to the other perfectly. That will be my advantage."
"That has its merits Skye, but being able to perfectly switch from form to form will do you little good in combat if you are not proficient in them. All you are left with is a very beautiful martial dance what will leave you dead."
"This is why I intend on becoming proficient in all four." Skye took another long dreg of her water before wearily climbing back to her feet. With drawing her training saber Ravensong turned to T3-M4 who had followed them to the grassy knoll of the enclave's gardens. "Teethree, begin recording." she commanded and started to go through her routine.
She'd go through each manoeuvre one thousand times, a customary and regular regiment for Padawans. Their katas recorded so they might show their Masters and have their flaws pointed out and corrected. It was expected that once shown the flaw it not be repeated.
After Skye's second run, Bastila decided to join her Padawan companion in her own dance switching from Niman to Shii-Cho. Her ego would not allow her to sit idle while Skye perfected her command over the forms.
Skye's mental training was no less intensive. Using the Force in martial combat was one thing, to use and understand its power was another. It was during their sparring matches that Bastila discovered that Ravensong wielded the gift of battle precognition. It was a variant of precognition that allowed one to sense the flows of the Force and allowed Skye to anticipate others' actions when engaged in a fight. This gift simply hadn't manifested, it now simply had a name. Ravensong, without knowing it, had been using it on Taris when she was in the area as the Mysterious Stranger. She also used the Force to augment her physical strength, speed and perform various acrobatic feats.
Ravensong could also use the Force to create a whirlwind of Force energy to overwhelm his opponents. Furthermore, Ravensong was adept in the use of the saber throw technique and used this ability to cut down multiple opponents simultaneously from a distance.
Skye also was quite adept at floating meditation. Something Bastila did during Battle Meditation but something she normally did during her meditative states. More than once Shan came into their shared quarts to find chairs, datapads and the young Nagai floating several inches off the ground. Ravensong's use of telekinesis was no less impressive.
She had moved on from stacking stones while standing on one hand to more complex and intricate and delicate uses. She was able to move heavy objects simultaneously with mere gestures. She could also hurl heavy objects as missiles towards her targets. More than a few practice droids and dummies were obliterated by her practice. Of the droids, she would repair or reconstruct as necessary.
One such day Bastila was once more spending time with her, mentoring Skye on the history of ancient Masters, their successes and their failures. The Nagai insisted this lesson take place as she was repairing one of the training droids to be more resilient to lower yields of kinetic force such as boulders flying at it.
Bastila put down the pad she was reading from and watched skilled knowing hands work their magic on the inertial workings of the droid.
"I didn't know you were that skilled with machinery." she said, her voice soft and filled with past memories of watching someone else do the same thing ages ago.
"Meh, I like to do it. It isn't good to be so controlled by the Force and its effects on you that without it you're no good at the rest of life. Look, before I was awakened to what I can do with the Force I went about my entire life doing things the mundane way. Now, I can walk over to that bench and pick up the spanner I need or I can do this." she stretched out her hand and the spanner came flying at her. Skye caught it deftly and smiled. "Takes energy to do either one. Energy is energy no matter the form. But what if you, my dear Princess, having lived your entire life with the Force- did not have it. What would you do? Look back to your time on Taris with the Vulkars.
"Could you have escaped earlier if you were able to think outside the use of the Force? Yes, the Force sustained you even drained as you were, but had you…" here Skye blushed a bit, "a bit more imagination you might have succeeded. Maybe I'm wrong but I see that in Jedi training and most likely that of the Sith dark knights is that they lack the imagination and will to do anything in the mundane, thus they are ill equipped to deal with it when it comes."
Skye didn't say her views on emotion or why she thought Jedi fell because of them. Being told so often and in many cases when they were so young that there is no emotion Jedi were ill-equipped to deal with strong emotions which was why they succumbed. If they were to embrace emotion and taught to control them rather than surpass them, the Jedi would be far stronger for it. Love didn't always lead to passion or jealousy; in fact, Skye firmly believed love and its expression lead to redemption.
She turned her thoughts back on the point she was trying to make with her bondmate. "What would the Masters do, if they were suddenly cut off? Would they be as skilled as they are now or would they be lacking so severely that an ordinary child would be more proficient at living life? Find something Bastila, to do as a mundanely as possible, something that takes skill and knowledge and energy but not the Force. For me it's the world of mechanics."
"I… I don't have anything like that." Bastila said. She felt as if she were somehow lacking. Ravensong was right; she had been ill-equipped on Taris to break out of the Vulkar prison on her own. Nor did she have the imagination to see beyond what the Masters had taught her. She recalled as a child she used to travel with her father across the galaxy explore and unravel puzzles during his adventurous treasure hunts before her mother forced her away from her father and sent her to the Jedi.
"When I was a little girl I used to love solving puzzles of logic and riddles. I was quite good at them. I helped my father more than once during one of his excavations."
Skye pulled her head up from the bowels of the droid she was working on. "Excavations? Your father is an archaeologist?"
"I'd say tomb raider would be the more apt term."
"Oh, a treasure hunter." Skye smiled.
"Only because my mother insisted on it." there was spite in Shan's voice. "I shared a loving and powerful relationship with my father. But even as a child I saw my mother for what she was. She was always pushing Father for the next dangerous hunt- all so we could live in wealth on Talravin. I am not on good terms with her."
"I take it you're not in contact with her or your father now?" Skye probed.
"Such connections are frowned upon by the Council." Bastila's grey eyes took on a remorseful look to them. "We are encouraged to server all ties, to have no attachments for such things can lead to the dark side."
Skye smiled inwardly this was the unvoiced point she was making earlier. Jedi younglings were conditioned to shy away from emotions, block them out and repress them. That condition went so far as to indoctrinate a sense of near fear of having emotions because emotions are all dark side. BAH! What foolishness. How utterly idiotic to believe that repression was ever a good thing. No wonder Jedi were leaving in droves. Hell, if allowed to express emotions normally there would be fewer Jedi defections. Some left the Order, no doubt just to be able to feel. It was a complete load of bantha poodoo.
"Only if you let it, but if you bend your emotions to your will, they can be a good strength." Skye voiced a paraphrased version of her thoughts. "In fact, those emotions such as love, compassion and friendship will make a Jedi's connection to the Force and to the light side stronger."
"Those are heretical thoughts." Bastila said grimly.
"Yes, well I'm a new convert so bear with me." Skye flashed another dashing smile. A smile that earned her an exasperated sigh from the knight before she left the enclave's maintenance bay.
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It was that conversation as well as the week's earlier one on the knoll that had Bastila profoundly worried. Scheduled to rendezvous with the Council concerning Ravensong's on-going training and her connection, Bastila sized the opportunity to relay those concerns.
"She shows astounding command over the Force." Zhar said was he was seated with four of the masters along with Bastila around the conference table. Represented by holographs were Atris, Kavar and Zez-Kai Ell as well as Master Lonna Vash.
"Just as Reven did, Skye has an incredible Force sense ability. With a bit of guidance, I have no doubt she will be able to sense the presence of another Force-user across the span of the entire galaxy. Not only that, she is adept at using the Force to directly heal her wounds without seeking medical attention. Revan also possessed the ability to resist the effects of poisons and drugs used in the conditioning trials.
"Her ability to push, grip and even crush is noteworthy. Clearly that area of her mind is reasserting itself, and her body is remembering its former connection to the Force."
"Yes, I have seen this too." Vandar said. "I witnessed her continual training in the four forms that Revan favoured. Her body is recalling the moves almost without effort."
"And what if she recalls using the other darker arts of the Force? The wounding and choking of her enemies; manipulating their will, even stealing their vital life essence and their connection to the Force to fuel her own body. Force lighting and mind-probing to the extent of ripping information from a victim. Using the mind-trick is one thing but to completely manipulate another's will is all together another and the Dark Lord was extremely good at that." Vrook cautioned vehemently. "Revan could psychologically manipulate her opponents to use them as tools for her plans. What is to stop her mind from recalling these powers as well?"
"Bastila from your bond with her, do you sense any predilection for her former identity as the Dark Lord or her former darker use of the Force?"
"No…" the young woman started. "But there is a hesitancy to fully conform to the Code or our ideology." Bastila retold her conversation she held with Ravensong in the droid bay as well as the day's prior conversation on the grassy knoll.
"These are not the wonderings of a former Dark Lord." Dorik waved the concern away. "But those of a young fully grown woman suddenly thrust into a very unfamiliar world of Jedi philosophy. But do we see the truth, or the patterns we are inventing?" the chronicler looked over to Vrook and Atris.
"And what is it in the archives she is so diligently studying if not the same texts Revan did? At the time, you put her insatiable curiosity down to the thirst for knowledge and understanding, but we now know the truth. Once again she is studying those exact same texts- will you so cavalierly dismiss this as well?" Atris via a holographic interface challenged. "And what of her induction into the Zeison Sha?"
"It is true." Vandar said. "I condoned it. Her exuberance and talents will be contained and directed with the schooling of the Zeison Sha."
"Just like Revan." Atris scoffed. "That was foolish, Grand Master. Too great of a gamble."
"This requires mindful eyes." Lonna said. "Revan was always wilful, with an extreme charismatic and dominating personality. This time we have the chance to change the course of the river, as it were. Bastila use all the influence you have personally and thought the bond you share with her to insure Ravensong remains in command of her mind and body. But be mindful not to be drawn in into her charms as so many had in the past. "
"I have been placing all my strength into this Master Vash." Bastila said. "So far I have not sensed the darkness of her former self. It is a difficult challenge at times to see Skye Ravensong as the person she is and not the Dark Lord and all the atrocities and betrayals she committed. I find myself constantly at odds with my own thoughts."
"This is still a dangerous game, but there is a necessity in it. More and more worlds are falling to Malak and his dark Jedi. Korriban has a flagrant call for anyone who is Force sensitive. Their propaganda which was seemingly written a year ago, by Revan is particular effective." Kavar's hologram said
"It is a desperate need to understand how and where Malak has amassed such power. That begins with what Revan uncovered in those tombs. How soon will it be before Ravensong is ready?" Zez-Kai Ell asked.
"Shortly, within the week. I will have her perform two of the final tests of neonate to full Padawan. One to will confront challenge the dark side and two the construction of her own lightsaber. After that she and Bastila will be sent into the ruins." Zhar answered.
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Days spread into weeks. Weeks into months. Each day that passed Ravensong was growing more and more into her power. Soon it would be time to venture into the ruins. Zhar had stated as such. It wasn't Skye's upcoming tests to become a true Padawan that trouble her thought. It was the ruins. What was there? The dreams became more and more frequent as if to relay the urgency to uncover the hidden truth behind the Jedi secrets.
"You seem troubled." Bastila offered to Skye as she approached the older woman who had been or at least seemed to have been meditating under the boughs of the great tree in the courtyard of the enclave.
The Nagai nodded, "I want to talk to you about this dream—the one with Revan and Malak not… not the others."
"The others?"
"I told you of them," came the flat answer. "You and Revan. It's this new dream; Revan at the ancient tomb that haunts me."
"It was less of a dream and more of a vision. A vision the two of us shared, but I'm certainly willing to answer any questions the Jedi Council did not."
"I don't think they can answer my questions on this. They cannot understand."
"Are you certain of that Skye?"
Blue eyes met grey. "Only you and I can, Bastila. You can't tell someone what sweet tastes like if they have never tasted such. Can you tell someone born to blindness what the colour blue is?"
"Yes. I see your reasoning. They cannot answer that which they have not experienced."
The black-haired woman nodded. "So why do you think we dreamed of Revan and Malak?"
"Perhaps because we desired to," offered Bastila.
Skye's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the answer given to her by the younger Jedi
"Or perhaps because it's this planet and because they were strong enough in the Force to leave a… a trace."
"What do you mean a trace?" Skye said.
Her voice betrayed her uncertainty, yet still Bastila attempted to put into words what it was what the Council had explained to her when she had put such questions to them. "They did something important here, of that I can be certain, it may be simply that we are sensitive to that event." Bastila thought of her confrontation with Revan aboard the Dark Lord's bridge. She thought further of who Revan was before the Mandalorian Wars. The pain of those memories lingered still in Bastila's heart. "Or not." She finished her thought. "We dreamed about Revan and Malak either because we were meant to or because we needed to. There is no other way to look at it."
"What do you think Revan and Malak were doing?"
That was the question of the millennia. It was the very reason, the task Bastila had been commanded by the wisdom of the Jedi Council to discover. Why she had to agree to the commands of the Council despite her misgivings that their plan was a fool's errand. "I have no idea." Yet her tone would have said otherwise for all its defensiveness. "It was obviously important enough however. That is why we must investigate this further."
Skye had picked up on Bastila's too quick denial of what she knew about the visions. Nevertheless, the Nagai decided to play this game of dajjat. "I still don't understand why we shared this vision. Bastila you knew them, I did not. Of all the Jedi and Padawans here why me? I was nothing more than a scout to you until this bond united us."
"It is as the Masters have said; you are Force sensitive and our bound formed in a time of great need. I…I have to tell you that I felt you during your race on Taris. Whether you intended to or not, or you knew or not you used the Force in that race. Because of it I was able to cipher the wildness of your connection to the Force overcome the nurolizer."
"Ha see now you do admit I rescued you." Skye chuckled.
"I already conceded it was you that did."
"Oh, but you were humouring me back then and you said as much. But not for my Force sensitively and tapping into it you'd not have been able to get that collar off or you'd have done it long before that fight ever broke out."
Bastila nodded. "Skye, our connection was formed in great need." Bastila repeated her earlier remark. "Your connection is wild and untamed, gone without training it would become a storm- a tidal wave of chaos. I felt it when we first met. That battle on the swoop track, seeing you fight and your slaying of Brejik brought forward my memories of my own battle with Revan. As I said it was an intense memory. Maybe it's because both of you are Nagai and the control you have to the Force is strong. The Sith would have come to either silence it or recruit you, just as the governor had attempted on Taris."
"If I hadn't agreed to this training I am positive the Jedi would have 'silenced' it as well. Surely that is Master Vrook's desire. I feel his hate of me. Perhaps he, like you, doesn't see another Nagai Force wielder, but a Dark Jedi."
"No! I don't see that…" Bastila started to deny but the Bond would tell Skye she was lying. "Skye, I can only repeat what the Council told us. Our fates are linked and for two as strong as we are in the Force that amounts to a near physical bond." There it was, the sound of near regret in Bastila's voice. "As for your second question, I truly have no answer for you, Skye. The Force works as it wills. Perhaps we should be grateful we have our Bond." It seemed those last words were but the echo of someone else's and repeated by rote. It was as if Bastila was attempting to convince Skye that the bond formed between them was something of a blessing and not a curse.
"But how did our fates become linked?" Skye pressed.
Bastila carried the look as if she knew the answer to that question, about to give the answer and thought better of it. For a moment, it seemed she heard the whispers of warning from the Masters in her ears. What she was going to say died before her lips even formed the first syllable. Realizing Skye was still looking to her for an answer, the words tumbled clumsily out. "I... I… don't know." Unknowingly she repeated the words she had said months ago. "Believe me, I certainly don't find the prospect of being bonded to you enjoyable in any fashion."
Skye glared at the Jedi, snapping to her feet she moved off from the tree "Yeah you said that before Princess. I got it then; you didn't have to throw that kriffing mess back at me..." She moved for the doors that led to the library grumbling something about 'the feeling being mutual Princess,' leaving Bastila to stare after her.
Suddenly shaken from the sudden chill coming off of the Nagai, Bastila bolted after the slightly older Padawan. "Skye, please! I didn't mean it like that… that I found you somehow repulsive in any sense of the word."
Skye spun around her blue eyes frozen, "No? I think you are very clear how you feel about me, Princess. Enough to repeat your words."
"No… no please… Skye. I am sorry I have hurt you. I meant that we share something so personal it's just not something I'm used to."
"Think I am? Look maybe it's just best we solve this kriffing crisis, the whole fate of the galaxy thing as quickly as possible. After that we find a way to sever this flaming bond when the opportunity presents itself and go our separate ways. I know exactly where I rate in yours and Carth's books.
"Both of you made it abundantly clear my help is accepted out of dire straits and done so reluctantly. I am not fracking Saul Karath, but I am being punished by Carth for all of that frilling man's crimes. I am not some Dark Lord of your past Bastila! We might be of the same race but I'm Ravensong not Revan!
"I am a scout come Padawan and done so because I'd rather be trained as a Jedi then have some Jedi Master or a group of them rape my mind to rip the Force from me because my connection is wild and untamed. I was recruited by the Republic from the Nagai monastery to become a scout and they have my unyielding loyalty. Unwavering loyalty! I served the Jedi as a scout on behest of the Council, I did my duty. So, I wonder who really is repulsive here, Princess. Who is the one NOT to be trusted?
"By the Night Mother, I know exactly where I stand and will always stand with Mission, Zaalbar and frack even Canderous. At least the Mandalorian is honest with me and himself about how he views me. Odd, I even have that old Mandie's respect, but you two…" Skye let out a sigh. "Never mind… I might as well try and convince the tide not to come in than try and prove I'm not Saul Karath or Revan."
Once more Bastila reached out to the hurt woman. "Skye… I know… I know I have taken for granted all the years of training I have had. You are so talented Skye, Master Zhar is right, it took you weeks to master techniques, skills and abilities and powers that had taken others years to develop and accomplish. It's almost frightening… I've never been so close to anyone that powerful and with so little training and learning…"
"Yeah you told me, you don't fancy it in any sense of the word. I understood you the first time you said that to me when I first came here, Jedi. I need to put some distance and time between us Bastila, before I pull a 'Spoiled Princess' and put my foot in my mouth and cut you down unintentionally. Words may not be enough to turn someone from the dark side but they can destroy like it." Skye pulled the hood of her robes up over her head and left Bastila alone with her thoughts and regrets.
Carth, not privy to the recent argument, watched as Bastila and Skye emerged from inner most chamber of the Enclave. Their faces marked with the same expression he had seen on countless leaders aboard starships just before they were implementing a plan to engage the enemy. He knew this had to do with those damn ruins and what they supposed to find found there. How was ancient Jedi crypts supposed to win them the war? Especially if it was the start of how Revan and Malak fell? All they needed now was another Nagai Dark Lord and her apprentice storming the galaxy.
It was a bunch of Jedi mumbo-jumbo and ancient superstitions. The Force hadn't helped them conjure up a way to destroy Malak or stop his rampage across the stars. To top it all off, Ravensong was a flaming Padawan. No not yet, she was only a neophyte, she had to have a great deal of training to even be equal to Bastila yet the Council said that the Nagai was instrumental in stopping Malak. It was insane!
Skye walked away from her companion heading for the corridor leading back outside, no doubt she was heading back to the archives. Ravensong spent as much time in the archives as she did in the martial training arenas of the academy. Bastila remained near the Great Oak as she often had during the weeks of training Ravensong had undergone. It was as if Bastila needed more and more time to center herself from the hurricane of energy Ravensong brought with her.
"You've been abnormally quiet lately," Bastila said as Carth approached her. She had sensed his presence- no not his presence- his anger and frustration were ebbing off of him like the stink off of a three-day old kath-hound killed carcass.
"Have I been? I suppose I have. I just don't like being left out of the loop."
With her face still turn away from the pilot, Bastila hid a playful smirk thinking of what Skye might have said. 'You were born out of the loop.' She almost laughed at the idea of saying it aloud. Instead she opted for a more reined answer; a more dignified response. "I'm not leaving you out of the loop, Carth."
"No?" Carth grabbed Bastila by the arm and swung her around to face him. His mouth worked into a sneer. "You sure haven't been helping matters either. I would have said this to Ravensong but she's scuttled away to who in the kriff knows where, so you will do. She'd be just as elusive and less helpful. And it's really starting to irritate me."
Irritate you?! Skye's right I've about had it with your attitude.
Carth's rant continued. "For one thing, I want to know what the Jedi said to Ravensong! They pulled her in there and refused to tell me about it!"
"That is not your concern Carth, you would do well to leave the matter be." Bastila warned yanking her arm free.
"I respect you, Bastila. But you've been as closed mouthed as the rest of the Council. If you won't talk to me then maybe someone else will."
"You dare threaten the Jedi Council's decrees concerning one of their own? Skye Ravensong isn't under your command, she never was. She was with my contingent, my team, my command. And when she became an apprentice to the Order she stopped being under the command of the Republic military. Would you ask her to forsake her oath just to satisfy your need to be 'in the loop' Commander Onasi? Would you ask her to disobey a direct order from the Council itself? I will remind you it is none of your business."
"None of my business?" Carth's anger was roused and would not be stilled. "Am I not a part of this mission? The Jedi maybe in charge, but I am risking all the same things you are."
"Is that your point? Aren't we all a part of this together?" Bastila asked him.
"Are we? Why doesn't it seem like the Jedi know everything and leave the rest of us out in the cold? Ravensong is a neophyte Padawan saddled with the responsibility of tracking down the source of Malak's colossal fleet. Why? That's not normal!"
"Leave her alone Onasi." Ravensong's voice came from the darkness of the alcove that led from left branch corridor. Her voice cold, hard, and commanding. Bastila shuddered to hear it, for it was the voice not of the woman she knew but of Darth Revan. "Now."
Even Carth took a step back. He watched as Skye came out of the dark, her Zeison Sha blue robes flaring out about her body as great wings as she walked towards them. Skye felt Bastila's unrest and a flash of anger through the bond that linked them. It could only be Canderous or Onasi that could have caused such a reaction. She didn't hesitate to turn from her path to the Archives and go back to the courtyard. She was right; it had been Carth Onasi that had stimulated such ire from Bastila.
"Be mindful of who you speak to." Skye warned darkly stepping near her bondmate.
"I'm not trying to provoke you. Either of you." Carth was defensive.
"That is something you never have to try Onasi, it is a natural gift to you. Are we responsible for the commands of our superiors?" she pushed back the hood so he might see her face.
"No, I'm not saying you are responsible for the Jedi Council, Skye, but give me a hand here. There has to be a reason." Carth knew his tone had been sharp accusatory and that had been the wrong tactic to go with. Women, in his experience rallied against harsh tones, his wife always had. And Jedi women were worse.
"Are you saying I'm not needed?" Skye put to him coldly. Bastila could feel the internal struggle that took the older woman. Her anger rose sharp, frozen and burning. She could feel the desire in Skye to send this man flying across the courtyard with by a powerful wave of the Force.
"NO!" Carth was shaken the question had been asked. He was either blind or ignorant not to see just how close he was in provoking the Nagai. "I didn't… I didn't mean that you were unwanted, or that I don't want to go! Just, damn it! I'll tell you this much, I am not going to wait around and be betrayed again."
Rocks beneath Bastila's feet shook with the rage burring off of Ravensong. She was containing her anger and sending it harmlessly in the earth beneath her, lest she strike out. All Jedi in the courtyard turned towards the disturbance they felt. Knight Beyla and Master Quatra were near as were masters Vrook and Vandar. Everyone seemed to be waiting to see what would unfold. There wasn't a sentient in the courtyard that had not heard or been aware of Onasi's tantrum.
"AUGH! I am not going to betray you or the Order! I am not Saul!"
"Oh yeah, we'll see about that!"
'There is no emotion, there is peace.' The thought entered Bastila's mind but it was said in Skye's voice. Skye retreated back into the codes of the Order with a fierce desperation to retain control over her aggression. "Then quit. Go back to the Fleet, Commander Onasi. I can fly a frigate and so can Canderous and Bastila."
Carth suddenly seemed to realize that he had attracted a fair number of Jedi around him- all of them staring coolly at him as if he had just danced around the Great Oak, drunk off of juma juice and high from chewing spice and decided to piss on the tree of meditation in his stupor.
"Look I didn't mean it that way. Or that I want to quit. No… no… forget it. It seems all I can do is insult you, isn't it? Just forget I said anything."
"So, the fact you can insult me is my fault too? Forget what you said? No, I don't think so. You pulled that one too many times on Taris. You get derogatory of me when things don't go according to plan, or you start thinking of the end Mandalorian War when your compatriots turned. You blame me for their sins. Then you stumble out in your crude way that you didn't mean it that way. How you have somehow confused me with Saul Karath, I don't know. Maybe you need a lesson in anatomy and anthropology. Saul Karath Human male- me Nagai female. It's not like we're Wookies and you can't tell the sexes apart.
"Jedi are the hand of benevolence, but we are not pushovers either. Why do you get to rant and wave your hands around like some frazzled stim-junkie and walk away spouting off 'forget about it' after you've insulted and made digs and cuts? Oh, you don't flyboy. Someone needs to slap you in the face and tell you to shut the frill up. On Taris my hand stayed because you outranked me. It stays now because I will uphold the Code of the Jedi. But let me remind you, I haven't been a Jedi long. I will defend my honour in the way of the Nagai, human!"
Carth stared at her, as did all the others around the massive oak. No one said a word, no one even moved. None of them, not even Master Vandar had foreseen such a turn of events.
"No?" Skye asked him. "Too cowardly for that? Then we do things your way Onasi." She moved with such celerity that no eye, not even a Jedi's eye could follow her. She snatched Onasi's blaster from its holster slapped into his hand and raised it to her head. "DO IT!" she snarled. "If you think I will betray you, then do it! Be smart Commander Onasi, invoke a pre-emptive strike! No? Still no balls? You like violence, Carth. You wave your hands around in anger; you spit angry words, then do it! Shoot me dead now you son of a maggot! Make sure I won't rise to be the next Dark Lord.
"You and Master Vrook can be bed-mates in that path. Then your journey down the Dark Side will be complete. You're already headed there, Onasi. I can see it in you the red haze of the Dark Side tainting you as a cloying mist. " She took a step back from Carth whose hand was shaking so terribly the blaster fell from his grip. It clattered loudly on the paving stones of the courtyard.
"Next time you come at me with accusations and question my honour, you will come armed," when or how she had a knife in her hands no one could recall, "with this." She flung the Nagai honour dagger so that its point embedded into a stone near the butt of the blaster. "I am Jedi, now my hand will remain stayed, and I am Nagai who will remove the tongue of one who taints my honour. Be mindful how you speak to me or Bastila next, human, you have long crossed the line." Skye said no more she turned her back on Onasi, the audience that gathered, and retreated back the way she had come leaving everyone else to stare after her.
Bastila left as well. She could feel the turbulent emotions tumbling off of her bondmate and knew it had been her own emotions that called Skye to her side. Now she needed to be at the older woman's side to console her after such a heated exchange.
Carth stopped down picked up his blaster and replaced it into his holster. On a second move he hesitantly pried the blade from its birth in the stone. "Commander Onasi, a word." Master Vandar approached him. Carth remained kneeling so he might be more level with the tiny Jedi Master.
"I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand, Master Vandar, I just wanted answers." Carth spoke chagrined. He had a hard time meeting the other male's gaze. He felt exposed, embarrassed and little more than afraid of what this great wielder of the Force would do in retaliation for his students.
"Padawan Ravensong has a great and powerful connection to the Force. It is still wild and yet she wields more power than even I. She and Knight Shan are under tremendous pressure. You were told all that you need to know for the moment. They are instrumental in stopping Darth Malak. The young women share a deep Force-Bond, where one goes the other must follow. This is enough for you to know. Know also it is unwise to test one such as young Skye as you have. She is not your junior officer you can brow-beat into submission. As you have seen here today such actions have consequences."
"I… didn't know about their bond. They never said anything about it."
"You never gave them a chance. Such is the way with blind accusations and haunting of past demons." Vandar said sagely. "Admiral Dodonna said you requested a transfer. She denied it."
"Yes. I felt I would be of better use out there in the front lines instead of stuck here while Ravensong trained. It's been weeks since I was doing something for the Republic, for the war effort, I guess I just took out my frustrations out on Ravensong and Bastila. I'm sorry for causing such a ruckus in your Academy sir."
"Indeed. Your actions are not fitting of an officer or gentleman. But you shame not me but that uniform you hold so dear as well as yourself. Worse still you've shamed my young Jedi for keeping their oaths. New students to the Force are more dangerous than any Dark Lord. For their control over their emotions is new, control over the Force is new."
"Is it wise then to unleash Ravensong from the academy?"
"'Neophyte Padawan', I believe you termed it. From your tone of voice, it sounded as an insult though you might have not meant it that way. Commander Onasi, as it has been told to you very often, they need to go together. Padawan Ravensong will learn along this path. We cannot send a Master with her, but we will send another Knight. Bastila will also be there to guide her. As you worked with the others on Taris, I think it will behove you to remain with the crew for better cohesion." Vandar said.
"I doubt Bastila or Ravensong will want me along."
"Then the solution is a simple one. Make amends."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
Canderous was busily pushing the swoop bike back aboard the bay of the Ebon Hawk when he caught notice of the Onasi trudging his way back to the ship. Of note he caught site of the dagger in Republic's hand and recognized it for what it was.
"Stirred up a kenrath's nest, did you?" the old man barked with laughter.
"I guess everyone knows by now." Carth snarled.
"Know what?" Canderous asked. "That blade you're carrying is a Nagai Honour blade. Two ways to get one if you're not a Knife. Steal it off their corpse or a seriously pissed off Nagai flung it at your feet."
"So, what if they do?"
"She means to evoke the Rite of Blade Wronged." Canderous said simply.
Mission and Zaalbar had come back from one of the shops, the earlier eating some sort of frozen confection. "What's the Rite of Blade Wronged?" The girl asked having overheard Canderous' words.
"A Nagai ritual of honourable battle. See if a Nagai warrior's honour has been put into question, they tend to go high and to the right and demand retribution. Not that I blame them, in fact I respect it. All Nagai warriors carry twin honour blades. And if gravely insulted, they will fling one of their blades at the kriffing idiot who was stupid enough to question their honour and the oaths they made. The one wronged will meet this idiot in a battle ring, sometimes to first blood, other times to yield or sometimes to the death. Now either the defender of one's Honour will walk away restored if they are the victor or they are shamed until their honour can be restored in another way. In the latter case, they lose both their honour blades. If that is the cause, the Nagai Warrior might request death by beheading so that their honour is restored in death. Like I said, you get a blade like that in one of two ways and she will want it back, Republic. She'll either take it from your dead hand or from your placid fingers after she renders you unconscious."
Zaalbar growled something that caused Mission to shrug. "Big Z wants to know if Skye needs a second. He calls for that right if there is."
"Now hang on. I'm not going to fight her!" Carth said.
Zaalbar grunted something that sounded like a protest and disproval.
"Big Z's right, you've been kinda nasty to her since Taris and now you won't even try to make thing s right between you. You are a coward."
Canderous laughed. "I'm with you Wookie. That's the trouble with Republic soldiers. They can get right in your face with the false piety, inalienable human rights, morality and the higher road, but fall every time when things get really tough. Don't have the backbone to admit when their wrong, stupid or in this case a fool. You're good in a fight Onasi, but for all your bluster, how much honour do you have?"
"Inalienable human rights?" Mission frowned, having caught the comment that puzzled her most. "Isn't that a bit racist? But Skye isn't human, she's Nagai. And I've seen plenty of humans on Taris who wouldn't say other species get to have any sort of rights. You didn't seem to be like them, Carth."
"I'm not racist and I'm no coward. I just don't think fighting is the best way to communicate."
Either he sneezed or it was a sound of disbelief Zaalbar had made. Mission nodded at the comment.
"What the Wookie say?" Canderous demanded.
"He said Carth is lying. He's been picking fights with Skye since we were on Taris. Complementing her on one hand and then insulting in the next breath. Big Z and I weren't sure if it was some sort of way of human courtship. It seems to be an awfully weird way to get a female into your bunk, if you ask me. What kind of woman likes to be shouted at all the time?"
"Now we are way off the mark here." Carth protested. "I'm not trying to bed Skye! And I'm not racist. How in the name of the Force is me having a Nagai honour blade related to racism and sex?"
"Don't ask me, you're the one with the problems. But since you made a mess of things with Skye, you've now got the problem with Big Z and me, 'cause Skye is our friend. And she means a hell of a lot to me. She's my best friend and Big Z's got the life debt to her. So, you got problems with us too, Carth. "
"I swore a pledge to her as well Onasi, her troubles are mine as mine are hers. You recall that little event in the cantina? So now you got me to deal with as well. Don't give Skye that fight, then we'll do our own brand of justice in the name of restoring her honour. I'm guessing Bastila will have a few issues with you as well."
"I suppose this has escalated far beyond an apology."
"My brother Griff… he'd do dumb-ass things and apologize the next day. Apologies stopped meaning anything to either of us. It'd become a ritual. He'd say it, I'd forgive him and he'd do another dumb-ass thing that ended up hurting my feelings or getting us into trouble. And the cycle would start all over again. Sometimes an action means a lot more than words. I don't think you have a choice but to do what Skye wants and meet her in that battle arena. You did a lot worse than hurt her feelings, like Big Z said you challenged her honour. Besides like I said we don't like the way you treat her, she saved me and him both from the rancor and slavery and dying when Malak blew up Taris. She's a hero to us and we'll stand at her side, no matter what." Mission turned to the massive Wookie standing beside her. "Right?
Zaalbar growled his affirmation.
"See there you go."
"For a kid, you're pretty smart." Carth complemented the teenager. "It's strange Grand Master Vandar said pretty much the same thing. I would have to find some way to make amends."
"That means fighting her in a battle arena. Seeing her destroy Starkiller with a vibroblade… you don't stand a chance. Still it should be entertaining for all of the thirty seconds it will take to put you down like a dog." Canderous chuckled.
Carth had seen every one of her bouts in the Adjuur's arena. Like Twitch, Carth favored blasters and he was very good with them, he was even fair when it came to fisticuffs but he was nowhere as skilled a Nagai blademaster scout who just happened to be training as a Jedi. The old Mandalorian was right the match would be over before it began.
"Nice support there, Canderous."
"I'll support Skye any day, anyway, anywhere. You? I tolerate you because you are her ally. Once you're not all bets are off, Republic."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
"Are we seriously going to allow this behaviour to continue? Commander Onasi might have been out of line, but her reaction was inexcusable!" Vrook snapped. "She must be disciplined."
"What do you propose, Master Vrook?" Vandar chided his fellow. "Can we punish her for what we insured would be a natural response? We made sure the personality was loyal to the Republic, but we also insured a great hold on racial heritage. Now that Ravensong has awaked to the Force can we turn our backs on the course of action we did, simply because she has responded as we programmed her to? I will remind you, she did not lash out with the Force as Revan surely would have when so provoked. Instead Ravensong chose to initiate a ritual observed by a code of honour."
"The only Code she should be concerned with is the Jedi Code. Racial heritage has no place in the Order." Vrook argued. "Did, Atris and even Kavar not warn of this!"
"Perhaps that is a failing on the part of the Council." Dorik said. "Juhani is nearly lost to us because we ignored the Cathar instinctual bloodlust. As a people the Cathar need to hunt and do so in their own Great Hunts to quell the Dark Side and silence its hold. Master Quatra will lead her Padawan into a confrontation with the darkness within, in a rather unorthodox manner, but it must be done as a part of Juhani's Trial of the Sprit."
Vandar picked up where the Chronicler left off. "Sometimes we as Masters must adapt to the needs of our young charges, to see they rise above that which is most base. Yet we insist our members give all to the Order and set aside their heritage. This is easy when they come to us as infants and younglings but the older ones struggle with this. And there are some natural responses that cannot be suppressed by mental control or emotional repression. Perhaps more guidance and tolerance and understanding on our part as a Council should be re-examined. We cannot discipline our members because of biological responses as in Padawan Juhani or racial honour as with Padawan Ravensong. The Nagai call of honour is strong, doubly so in our Padawan-errant because of the actions we took. Revan came to us as babe in arms; Ravensong came to us as an adult who 'spent' her youth in a Nagai martial monastery."
"I agree with Masters Vandar and Dorik. These two sentients have a dispute better dealt with under our eyes or risk action taken without our guidance. At least here we can set the precedence and conditions of this battle of honour." Zhar commented. "No Force powers, no lightsabers, no striking to kill or permanently maim. A contest to surrender, I believe is fitting in with the ritual and it will satisfy both parties."
Vrook didn't like it nor did he agree with the words of his colleagues. This new Revan should be turned away from the Nagai rituals and urged to take on the more controlled Codes of the Jedi. Allowing her this concession of honour duelling was setting a dangerous precedent for all other students. One he could not abide. He'd lodge a complaint with the rest of the Council when in session. Unlike the Galactic Senate, the Grand Master of the Order could not be removed from his or her station by a vote of no confidence, but their judgments could be questioned and vetoed if the majority of the Council was in consensus.
For the moment, however, the aging master decided to sit back and watch this fiasco unfold. He turned to the others and spoke his last protest. "If this is to be allowed then precautions for Ravensong must be taken so she does not use the Force. I insist she is yoked with a restraint collar."
"I believe that issue is already addressed." Vandar said one of his trademark knowing smiles. "Ravensong's Nagai honour could have no less than equal ground while within this contest."
~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~KOTOR~
AN: the notes of the Jedi Lightsaber forms was taken directly from Wookipida and used liberally.