Chapter 4

Ry'ven sighed as he walked with Lady Akuma and Young Miyamoto as the trio explored the village market. He felt at ease now that he was able to at least make conversation in the Oni's language, give or take a few phrases. Comprehend Speech allowed the young Jedi to figure out the rest of the phrases. His mood seemed to not go unnoticed by his companions.

"You seem to be in a good mood," Lady Akuma noted.

"I feel as if I've made great progress with learning the language of your people," Ry'ven stated cheerfully, "It makes my job as an ambassador just a little bit easier."

"What's an ambassador?" Young Miyamoto asked.

"An ambassador is someone like Kashikoi, they are people who advise a leader on matters of the court," Ry'ven answered, "The only difference is an ambassador is in another lord's castle."

The young boy thought for a moment before asking another question, "So, who are you an ambassador for?"

"The Jedi Order and Republic that I mentioned when I first met you guys," the young Jedi replied.

This seemed to satisfy the young boy as he trudged forward ahead of the group. The padawan heard a giggle come from the boy's female companion.

"What's so funny?" the human boy asked.

"Oh nothing," the young girl said sheepishly, "Just a dumb thought."

Ry'ven could've swore he saw a blush on the young girl's face but decided to ignore it as the two caught up to Miyamoto to continue the trek through the village market.

As the day wore on, the trio continued exploring the market. The young padawan felt the Force as it flowed through market and found the life and vibrancy that emanated off the area, comforting for some reason.

The trio conversed more as they continued their task of buying food for the three-day trek to Daimyo Inazuma Yari's castle. The conversation's subject ranged from Ry'ven's questions about Oni culture, Lady Akuma's curiosity of the Jedi and Republic and Young Miyamoto's childish wonder about the world around him.

The Jedi Padawan felt, at peace during the whole event. Spending time with Lady Akuma brought some sort of joy. Ry'ven thought back to a discussion he had with Master Yoda where he voiced his feelings with a young Padawan. Though the feelings for her turned out to be nothing more than a crush, Ry'ven sort of enjoyed the feeling that it brought to him. It showed him that there was more to life than what he was obligated to do, despite what Master Yoda told him about attachments as a Jedi.

Before he could muse on these thoughts, the Padawan noticed a large number of the villagers start to gather along the main street and gawk at something. Curious, the trio decided to have a look at what was going. After looking in the direction of the villagers onlooking, Ry'ven couldn't believe what he was seeing.

A column of Oni was marching towards the village under the banner of the Akuma Clan. If the Young Jedi was to guess, a contingency of soldiers was in the front, refugees in the middle and another contingency of soldiers forming a rear guard.

What surprised Ry'ven the most was who was with this column. Riding with the Samurai at the head of the column some a couple sights that surprised him.

Malcom Vant and Master Jeth, both in the diver seat of speeder bikes, riding at the head of the column at an ideal speed. The village elder was called and came out in person to greet the column head.

"I am Kensei Edo," the Samurai told the elder, "I am a Samurai in the service of the Akuma Clan, on my way to the Inazuma Clan's castle with these refugees."

"Well met Samurai Kensei," the elder replied, "I am honored to host more member of an allied clan. I am curious about the two riding beside you though."

Kensei was taken aback a bit but motioned the Jedi and Ranger over before asking about.

"Greetings Elder," Master Jeth said with a bow, "I am Duran Jeth, Knight of the Jedi Order and this is my companion, Malcom Vant of the Antarian Rangers."

Malcom gave a quick bow as his greeting, knowing of the language barrier between him and the natives.

"Another Jedi you say?" the elder said amused, "We've been graced another one who calls himself a Jedi."

This intrigued the Arkanian Jedi as he relayed this info to Malcom. Before he could ask the elder more, Kensei asked a question.

"You mentioned others of an allied clan," he stated, "Were they from the Akuma Clan?"

"Indeed, they were," the elder answered, "They also had someone with them that also said he was a Jedi."

A quick glance of the old man's attention to someone over the new arrival's shoulders.

"I do believe I see them right now," he stated before ushering over the mystery beings.

The trio looked to see Ry'ven, Lady Akuma and Young Miyamoto walking towards them. Once they got close enough to fully observe them, Kensei made a bow to greet the young Oni aristocrat as Duran eyed his pupil up and down.

"I see you've decided to wear the native's apparel," the Arkanian noted.

"My crash landing and swim in a river did a number on my robes," the pupil said sheepishly, "While I was able to get replacement cloths, I haven't been able to repair my Lightsaber."

"What happened to your repair kit?"

"It was on the A-6 when it crashed. Perhaps we could fix after we talk with the rest of the Akuma Clan."


That discussion with Wakai and the rest of that group went better than Ry'ven expected. Wakai was of course, bit skeptical of the new arrivals but seemed relieved that they had the same story as his own. Once dinner was finished, Duran gave a demonstration of how a lightsaber functioned, much to everyone's awe. After the demonstration, everyone filed off to bed while the Human went to repair his lightsaber.

Eventually, he managed to get the blade working again. The azure blade lit up the room and a few swings and twirls, stayed lit as it was supposed to before switching it off.

"You finally got to work it seems," a voice said behind. Surprised, Ry'ven turned around to see Lady Akuma watching from the sliding, wearing a night gown.

"Lady Akuma," the Padawan spluttered out, "Sorry, you surprised me a bit."

"Apology accepted," the young Oni said with a chuckling, "But please, call me Josei. 'Lady Akuma' doesn't roll off the tongue very well."

"What brings you here?" Ry'ven asked nervously as she entered the room.

"I wanted to see what your lightsaber looked like," she said with an air of curiosity, "Your master's display was nice and all, but I like the color of yours."

"Well, I'm glad you think that."

"What causes the colors to be different?" she asked.

"The crystal," Ry'ven explained, "There's a crystal in the center of a lightsaber that gives it a blade."

"So, the crystal in your lightsaber is different from your mentors?"

"It is; mine crystal is called an Adegan crystal, being found on a planet called Ilum."

"What's it like there?" Josei asked, still even more curious.

"Cold and dry," Ry'ven replied, "All the surface water is frozen solid and it's dangerous to be outside without any sort of warm clothing."

"Where did your master get his crystal?"

"A small world called Dantooine, found in the egg of a large spider creature."

Josei made a face of disgust, "He had to look for a crystal in an egg?"

"Apparently," Ry'ven said, "He said the crystal called to him through the Force. He and his master had to fight off a whole nest of the spider creatures."

This eventually sparked a conversation on all the adventures Ry'ven and Duran had together in the four years they had been master and apprentice. Throughout this discussion noticed a feeling coming from the girl. She seemed to be nervous and uncertain about something.

"Josei, is something bothering you?" Ry'ven asked.

"Why do ask?" the girl in question replies.

"It seems like something is bothering you?" the Human boy explained, "You seem nervous about something."

Josei quivered a bit, poking her index fingers together before she answered.

"Well, there is something I want to tell you," she said sheepishly.

Before Ry'ven could ask, a loud explosion and the sound of a starship's engine ripped through the sky. Jumping to his feet, the young Jedi ran towards the door of the house.


The plot thickens! Hopefully the wait isn't as long as the last one as I get a better handle in my schedule. Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you all again later.