Chapter One-Ready Are You Not

"Master Burke, I am ready to take the Council's test," Ira said indignantly, turning to face the aging master, "I know the Council thinks I'm unfit, and that I'm not trustworthy or reliable since Master Vorschen passed, but I am ready. I know I am."

"Prepared are you not, young one," the master replied, his eyes closed serenly, "Because of this, a new master have I selected for you."

"But--"

"Meet her today you will," Master Burke told him firmly, opening his calm brown eyes finally to meet Ira's piercing green ones, "About this will there be no 'buts'."

"Wait... her, master?" the apprentice raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side slightly.

"Yes. Learning from Jedi Master Lady L'anyn Oumarin will you be."

"The Lady L'anyn Oumarin?" Ira's eyes grew wide with both fear and excitement.

"Master Burke," a blue hologram of a young Twi'lek appeared at the center of the table between the two lily pad-like cushions that seated Ira and Master Burke, "The Lady Oumarin has arrived, sir. Shall I send her in?"

"Thank you, Allyah," the Jedi Master stood up slowly from his seat and leaned on his ornately carved walking staff, "In will you send her, please?"

"Yes, sir," replied the Twi'lek, who then vanished from the table.

The doors behind them purred mechanically and slid into the wall, revealing a young red-haired woman. She bowed slightly to Master Burke and stepped into the chamber, smiling peacefully.

"Master Burke, it has been too long," she said almost wistfully as she crouched down to give the small greenish Jedi a warm hug, "Thank you so much, sir, for allowing me this chance to fully redeem myself."

"Welcome you are," he replied, patting her on the shoulder before she stood back up, "Your apprentice you must meet. Ira his name is. Master Vorschen's latest padawan was he."

Ira rose on shaky legs, unsure of himself. He did not know what to expect from such a Jedi as the Lady Oumarin. She was not only descended from Princess Leia Oragana and the rogue Han Solo, but also from the less than honorable bounty hunter Boba Fett and one of Jabba the Hutt's dancers. Lady Oumarin was known to have a short temper and a firm belief in the ways of the Force. She'd been removed from the Council after her former padawan had turned her in as a disguised Sith, which she denied wholeheartedly. She seemed unpredictable at times, and was often looked as an outsider within the temple. Ira found himself suddenly terrified.

"Ira Solaris... hmm. I had imagined you as being perhaps a bit younger," L'anyn held out a gentle hand and smiled warmly at her new apprentice.

Ira took her hand and shook it quickly, hoping that she wouldn't notice how sweaty his palms had become.

"Age matters not, Lady Oumarin," Master Burke reminded her placidly, "Your own training must you remember. Much too old for apprenticeship were you, but Master Vorschen- to train you wanted he, and with young Ira the same it was."

"Yes, Master Burke," L'anyn grinned sparklingly, "On that note, Ira, I am L'anyn Oumarin, your mentor until I find you fit for the Council's test."

"Th-that sounds good," Ira stuttered, returning a grin to the Lady. He felt something make contact with the back of his head- something moving very fast and made of ornately carved wood. He stumbled forward a bit, running into Lady Oumarin. He looked up, wide-eyed, "I-I'm so sorry, m'lady."

"Clean will be your thoughts of the Lady Oumarin, young one!" scolded Master Burke, shaking his wooden staff at the nineteen year-old boy.

"Y-yes, master," Ira rubbed the back of his head and stood up to his full height. He found himself standing nearly a full foot taller than his new mentor, "M-my appologies, m'lady."

L'anyn giggled and covered her laughing smile with a delicate hand. She took a deep breath and rested her hands on her hips, "So, my young apprentcie, shall we give Master Burke some time to meditate while you and I get to know each other a bit better?"

Ira nodded, fearing what might come out if he chose to speak.

"Master Burke, it's been a pleasure as always," L'anyn knelt down again to give the master another hug, "I'll go take young Ira to the training chamber and we'll see just how much he knows."

"Good that idea is, Lady L'anyn," he replied and returned to his lily pad cushion, "Soon will I see you, Ira Solaris."

"Good bye, Master Burke," Ira bowed politely and followed his mentor out of the chamber.

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A/N: R&R as per usual. --lexx