Chapter Five- The First Assignment
"Lady Oumarin, escort the Chancellor to the Queen's palace on Naboo you and your padawan must," Master Burke said with an authoritative and level voice, "There you will report and check-in at the temple on Naboo. Inform you of your next duty will we then."
"Yes, master," L'anyn bobbed her head, elbowing her padawan to remind him to do the same.
"Now go you to the Chancellor's private hangar for the flight to prepare," he told them, motioning to the door, "Leave this evening you must."
"Yes, master," L'anyn bowed to the Council and turned to walk out the door, tugging Ira's sleeve to make him follow, "Come along, young one."
Once outside of the chambers, Ira pulled away from L'anyn and crossed his arms, "We're escorts? You said that--"
"I said that we would probably be doing exactly that," L'anyn reminded him sternly, "I told you that we would most likely be escorting the Chancellor. It was you that had the visions of blood and glory. You're too young, Ira. I know you're used to being 'too old', but in this instance you are too young."
"But I'm ready for battle, L'anyn," Ira protested, "I've got the passion to make up for inexperience."
"Ira, passion leads to love, which leads to hate, which then leads to what?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Suffering," Ira looked down at the floor and scowled.
"And where does that lead?"
"The easy way out… the Dark Side," he admitted.
"More brilliant Jedi are lost in battle than to the Dark Side," L'anyn told him gently, "And with that sort of passion, both of them will destroy you before you've any experience at all."
"Yes, ma'am," Ira nodded and returned his gaze to meet his mentor's, "I apologize, ma'am."
"Now, let's go meet the Chancellor," L'anyn's eyes brightened as she spoke, "I'm sure he can't wait to meet you."
Ira smiled and followed L'anyn as she stepped quickly down the corridor toward the door out of the Jedi Temple and into the wide world and city of Coruscant.