Entry 8

We arrived on Dathomir a few days later. Sacha set the Laranth down in an open field near the Singing Mountain Clan's village. During our last visit we were met by a number of the witches on foot, but this time things were different. We walked down the boarding ramp of the ship and found ourselves alone. I knew the ship's approach and landing couldn't have gone unnoticed, so I was a bit confused that a greeting party was not sent.

We closed up the ship and prepared to walk to the village when we heard a terrifying roar of a large beast. Den looked up at me with panic on his face. "Is that a rancor?"

"Rancors," I said. "It sounds like more than one."

"Then lets get back on the ship," Den started to retreat back to the Laranth, but I grabbed him by his tunic holding him fast.

"I sense riders with them. They are under the control of the witches. This might be a test."

Den's voice raised a hitch. "A test for what? Who can soil their trousers the fastest? Because I think I just aced that exam."

I-Five chimed in. "It is more likely that they wish to see if we are worthy enough to take one of their sisters off planet."

I nodded. "I-Five is probably right. We are asking them to send one of their top lieutenants to train with a man. True, I am a Jedi, but I am still a man. Probably many women in the village think Magash is being foolish and want to demonstrate that even a Jedi male will flee at the sight of a rancor."

"Well, I'm not a Jedi and I'm not going to train her…so it should be acceptable if I stand behind you."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Fine. But I really don't think the riders will allow their mounts to eat you." As I said those words, three rancors with riders burst out of the tree line and quickly headed in our direction.

Sacha was standing by my side and I could feel a ripple of fear radiating from her, but much to my surprise she stood firm, head up, with a determined look on her face. The beasts halted approximately twenty meters from our position. We were out of range of the monster's enormous claws and jaws, but close enough that we could smell the carnivores' foul breath wafting over us. I looked up and saw Magash riding the center rancor. She swung her leg over the animal's neck and dropped down from its back, landing deftly on the ground.

I know my jaw went slack as I took in her striking figure-hugging outfit. It appeared her people were sending her off in the Dathomiri wardrobe equivalent of a dress uniform. She was wearing a skintight, cleavage enhancing, bustier-like tunic that appeared to be made out of lizard skin leather. The lower part of her body was covered with a colorful knee length breechclout and protective leather leggings that began just below her knees and extended down to her well-worn leather boots. As she slowly walked toward me I couldn't help but noticed the tone of her muscles and the grace of her movement.

I gave Sacha a furtive glance. "She reminds me of the heroine of the holo-series Xuna-Warrior Princess."

Sacha gave me a slight shrugged. "Or Xuna-barbarian pole dancer."

I shot her a warning glare. "Be nice Sacha." I could hear her snicker under her breath, but she didn't expand on that thought.

Magash walked up and stopped in front on me. Her face was a mixture of defiance and determination. "I accept your offer to train, Jedi Jax Pavan." Her gaze travelled over to Sacha and I saw her eyes narrow before she turned to addressed me. "I can feel her fear of the rancors."

Sacha wasn't the only one frightened by the beasts. None of us were comfortable around animals that could swallow a person whole. Den's apprehension flowed through the Force with such abundance that it put me on edge. Sacha glowered at Magash but didn't respond to her taunt.

Magash turned her regard to Sacha. "She fears the animals, but she did not flinch." She looked to where Den was now pretending to be adjusting his boot instead of crouching behind I-Five. "Unlike others in your party."

Den's face flushed as he stood and tried to look nonchalant. "I was just getting a pebble out of my boot."

Magash laughed before she turned her attention back to Sacha. "Having fear of rancors is understandable. Overcoming that fear is admirable." She gave Sacha a nod of her head. "She has the heart of a witch. Perhaps she should stay here and train. There is much we can learn from each other."

I could feel a spike of irritation from Sacha. "No thanks. Jax is training me to be a Jedi Knight." She put a possessive hand on my shoulder.

Magash nodded and then walked back to her Rancor and untied a carrying bag from its saddle before she tossed the animal's reins to one of the other witches.

"Return soon," one of the riders called out.

"Learn much," the other added.

The women kicked the side of their rancors with the heels of their boots. "Go." The animals roared, then turned and stomped off in the direction of the clan's village.

Magash watched her sister's disappear into the woods before her gaze travelled across the green landscape. I could sense she was anxious about leaving her home and her clan, but there was an underlying curiosity and resolve that overrode all wariness. She turned and gave me a grim smile. "I am ready to train."

Flinging her bag over her shoulder, she briskly walked up the boarding ramp of the ship.