Hello! Short chapter this week longer one next week;) Constructive criticism and ideas are welcome!


Ch8

He blames me for Kai's death. I can sense it. It was the council's decision to allot Kai to Qui Gon after Master Kor-la's preordained departure into the force. Dooku was against it. He himself wanted to take Kai.

He was unable to do so however because of a civil war which broke out Jabon dividing the planet. Being an aristocrat of Serenno he was the perfect diplomat to send. It was he who trained the boy Makashi.

I Mace Windu am not the kindest man and I do not have the disposition of Master Gallia. I however am fair. It was my fault. Not just mine the council's Qui Gon was not fit to teach the boy, he would have worked better solo, and I should know I've known the man for years. The council we knew of Qui Gon's wall of ice. We threw the padawan to him, using him like an axe to try to break the ice.

He was no axe, Kai; he faded away like flames where there is no air. Like a soul without guidance. I clenched my fist. This was not the orders first over sight. A dark vergence like Xantise should never have occurred. Firefek, Anakin, what about him, another failure that would turn to haunt us? Another victory for darkness? Force I need to meditate.

The funeral was a simple one. Kai's body was placed on a marble bier. A bier on which thousands of Jedi bodies before had burned, sacrifices on an altar like the sacrifices of their lives for the happiness and security of others. The dimly lit hall was adorned with torches. Standing next to Qui Gon was his pathetic life form, Anakin. I was sent as reinforcements from the council, coming from a troubling feeling I couldn't shake off. He acknowledges me with a faint nod. I slide in next to him. I have stood beside him since we were younglings, even when the old troll discovered his gimmer stick missing and came to look for the culprits. I Mace Windu stand by him now. Master Gallia, sent with me, in clear voice reads the mantra for those that have become one with the force.

In Life we are servants.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force.

In Death we are freed.

Emotion, yet peace.

Ignorance, yet knowledge.

Passion, yet serenity.

Chaos, yet harmony.

Death, yet the Force.

The Force guides our path.

Our path guides us to the Force.

I set the bier on fire. There is a murmur among the queen's handmaids. The flickering flames cast a glow around the room. I hear sniffling. It's Qui Gon's young ward. I sigh. He, Kai, was young, strong in the force, yet its ways are unknown a mystery I dare not question. The flames flicker out as the ceremony ends. Such is the way of the Jedi the way of the force the path of sacrifice.


Shame Kai had to die. Sigh.