Entry 10

On the trip back I worked with Magash on some preliminary Force exercises, such as meditation or the movement of objects using the Force. She can do it, but she still believes she needs to cast a spell in order to perform the feat. That is fine when you have time, but in a survival situation one doesn't have the luxury of going through ritualized singing and dancing.

We were in my cabin, sitting crosslegged on the deck. Magash was concentrating on moving a small bowl I found in the galley. She stared at the object, her face pinched with concentration as she attempted to move the bowl without vocalization. When the bowl did not move, Magash became frustrated. She uttered a few words and the bowl flew across the deck. "I have been taught since a child to follow our Book of Law. It records the proper spells and dictates our moral code."

Her remark about a code piqued my interest. "What is your code?"

She hesitated and I wondered if this information was forbidden for men to know. Eventually she spoke.

"Those who suffer emotion will never enjoy peace.

Those who choose ignorance will never know their own greatness.

Those who yield to passion will fail to dominate.

Those who fear death will never achieve pure power.

Never forget that your magic must always be used wisely. Never concede to evil, lest you be consumed by it."

I was surprised. "Your writings in the Book of Law are very similar to the Jedi code which is:

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no death, there is the Force."

She nodded softly. "That is good that our moral teachings are close. It makes training easier."

We worked on the technique for a few hours. Eventually she was able to shift objects without casting a spell…but I noticed her lips were moving silently as she did so. I knew the spells were running through her head during the exercise.

It is just the first day. She's making great progress.

Entry 11

Once on Toprawa I realized we needed to get different clothing for Magash. Her current outfit was causing a huge distraction to the men at the base. As she walked across the hanger bay, two male technicians strolled by her, eyes transfixed on her bosom, before they walked into a support pillar. We can't have the entire male Antarian Ranger fighting force suffering from head concussions.

Sacha showed Magash to her quarters and gave her a very baggy coverall to wear. Magash changed and came out of her quarters practically swimming in the overly large jumpsuit. She held her arms out allowing us to see how the garment hung on her. "This does not fit."

Sacha shook her head. "No, work coveralls are supposed to be really loose."

Magash regarded Sacha's formfitting jumpsuit. "You have gained weight?"

I barely contained a chuckle before I jumped into the conversation. "That outfit is just until I can find one that fits better." I gave her a reassuring smile. "You look great. Come on, I'll show you around."

I guided her away from Sacha Swiftbird. I don't know why these two women don't seem to like each other. I showed Magash the dining facility, the mechanics repair shop, and then walked her around the perimeter of the Ranger's base of operation. She gazed out to the towering pines surrounding the secret outpost as a warm, sweet smelling breeze whipped through her black hair. "I can feel magic…the Force flowing through the trees."

I regarded the giant pines with a sense of reverence. "Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi believed the Force flowed through the sap in these trees. This planet is effused with the lightside of the Force." I pointed out to the conifers in the distance. "I think we should look for a training area within the forest. It is always dangerous to touch the Force. We can be sensed by Sith. We were somewhat safe on the ship while in hyperspace, but here we must be careful."

She turned to me and nodded. "Let us find a training site, Jedi Pavan."

"Jax," I reminded her.

She smiled. "Jax."

Entry 12

The undergrowth around the forest was full of burs and thorns but once we reached the tree line the darkness created by the tree canopy restricted plant life near the base of the trees. We looked around and found a fairly open space between the conifers. It wasn't a huge opening, but large enough for lightsaber practice.

I was pacing out the diameter of the training area when Magash spoke. "The droid said you would be training the other woman." She was leaning against a rock outcrop watching me, her face emotionless.

I stopped and looked up to her. "Yes, is there a problem with that?"

She shook her head. "No."

I studied her for a moment. Sacha was always evasive when I asked her about her feelings on Magash. Perhaps Magash would be more upfront and honest. The witches didn't seem the type to hold back their words to avoid hurt feelings. "Magash, please be honest with me. I sense some tension between you and Sacha. What is going on between you two? I want to fix this situation. I want you two to be friends."

She actually looked confused. "There is always tension between women who are not of the same clan."

"And why is that?"

She looked even more puzzled by my comment. "Clan sisters share supplies and protect each other. When women of another clan come into our territory it is usually to steal our men or other resources."

Men or other resources. He didn't like the sound of that. I was hoping to convince Magash that men could be equals. "I'm hoping that while you are training on Toprawa you would be part of our clan…the Antarian Rangers. We fight against the Empire and the Sith."

Her eyes were unreadable, but she nodded. "I would be honored to be a part of your clan and have Sacha Swiftbird as a clan sister. The Sullustan told me how she defeated a Sith. She is a formidable fighter." Her head turned suddenly looking out in the direction we had come. "Somebody is approaching." She stepped closer to the tree line as I reached out with the Force trying to identify the interloper.

"It's Den Dhur," I finally said. We walked through the woods until we came upon my diminutive friend.

Den was trying to pull the burs off his overalls as he limped up to us. "You had to go on a stroll through a patch of Fire Nettle and Cockleburs." He hopped up and down on one foot while he removed one boot and pulled out a handful of thorns.

"Well, I didn't expect to be followed."

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to. Aren Folee and Degan Cor want to see you." Den hopped a few more times before he was successful in putting his boot back on.

I could see the confusion on Magash's face. "They are part of the Antarian Ranger leadership." I looked back to Den. "Did they say what is going on?"

"They got a message from Pol Haus. Whiplash agent Sheel Mafeen has been captured by the Empire."

I had a sinking feeling about this. "Let's go."