You may notice I skip a chapter number as the one before is 18 and this one is 20 that is because its rather annoying to write 19 when the official chapter sais its 20. Well enjoy and leave reviews.;p
CH20
I meditate on what I have seen. The answer eludes me. And now it is morning as always all too early for my taste. Qui Gon no doubt is already awake watching the sunrise. I for one prefer the sunsets. For me the sunrise represents a beginning, a beginning of good which always reminds me that one day that good might come to an end. The sunset gives me hope. As the darkness now is so the light one day will be again. It is ironic that I a Jedi councilmember think this way and yet although I wish to believe that the darkness is gone I cannot. For Xanatos is still out there and as long as he lives the danger of more Jedi following his path is increased tenfold. Some have left the path because they felt it was not for them but never had they turned to such darkness. I fear this darkness is merely the beginning. But Jedi must not fear so these feelings are exhaled into the force.
My padawan does not stir. I attribute that to his habits as head of security. No doubt many late nights were spent trying to foil assassinations that the other houses attempted in a struggle for power like on Alderaan. Strangely enough the fourteen year old Queen decided against her initial limit of two terms and amended the constitution once more to allow her a reign for life. But the force indicated no threat of this change and so I will ignore it.
I walk to the kitchen in a light step and brew myself some tea. Cooking is not my forte but I can manage basic items such as toast. Many younglings would gawk at the way I toss the omelet as to them I am more a part of the temple as opposed to its resident. I have no qualms in eating the temple served food but it is a custom for most masters to eat their first meal of the day in the silence of their own abode and so as per tradition I cook my own meal. The food is made I sit and eat though my padawan will have to cook his own tripe. I am not a cruel man but if my padawan does not help in the making of the meal he does not eat. This is not the philosophy of some aged Jedi from the temple archives it is my own. And thus far after that first day of learning this rule the hard way not one padawan had deigned awaken late for the morning ritual.
My padawan stirs. I have no learner's bond with him yet and might never have one as he is a child no longer and a man in his own right who does not need a mother hen looking over his shoulder every time he scrapes a knee, but I can hear the bed groan as he rises and the sound of clothes being changed. I take another sip of my black tea and wait with anticipation for the beginning of my Padawan's torture.
My padawan exists his room and enters the fresher. I chuckle at his unruly bed hair. Internally of course. He is out in moments and appears a lieutenant to boot. He freezes momentarily when his eyes settle on me. He eyes me as if slightly at a loss at what he is supposed to say. But the moment passes and his mind is fully awake whirring a response.
"Master, I hope you slept well." The greeting is ironic as he must have realized I have not slept. I give a curt wave and he slides opposite me seemingly unfazed that no breakfast is waiting for him.
"Likewise." He nods at the response and I vaguely wonder whether I should ask him about his wounds. But he is entitled to his privacy and asking him before he is ready will only make him more wary at my prodding.
"Your day will begin with meditation." I can sense his frown in the force though his face is clean of emotion. It is a good start and I sense that he already has shielding which though slightly surprising is not uncommon. He had already built a light saber before being sent away so it is highly possible that he kept practicing the shielding. Though the shields are basic and I will of course have to teach him the more advanced forms.
Regardless he is no youngling so meditate he will, "I have also admitted you in several basic courses and advanced light saber training under Master Drallig." Kenobi might not know much of using the force but with a light saber, firefek with enough training he would give Dooku a run for his credits. The force warmed at the notion of sparring. Blood thirsty was he? Well not to worry after Mace Windu was through with him he would claim pacifism through and through if only to escape his master's wrath at the dojo.
"What classes if I may ask?"
"I believe you are already well acquainted with astronomy and engineering and mathematics. So I took the liberty of passing you in those courses. Philosophy and History and will be your main focus as I have doubled both on your time schedule. You will be taking both advanced and beginner for both these classes. Peacekeeping and culture you will have only one class of each." The prospect of having to study seemed to once again moot Kenobi's humor.
"These classes are necessary for you to become a balanced Jedi knight."
A wistful smirk appeared on Obi Wans face. I sensed some broken dark humor which was begging to escape the lips of his owner but another thought seemed to flit across it completely destroyed what fire he held suddenly dampening his force signature and having his shields tighten. The rapid mood swings were unnerving in their speed although to be fair he was not an ordinary padawan so he could not be compared to one.
"Of course master." He gives a slight bow which confuses me as he has done nothing to receive my censure. I nod and leave trying to meditate on the action as I make my way to the council chambers for another session on the Skywalker's blatant disregard of the rule which states a padawan may not leave the temple's perimeters unless supervised. Master Tara Li Nas is beside herself. The boy disregards her authority and will daily leave his classes when the younglings who don't know any better slight him or outright laugh at the age difference between them. I cannot fully blame the boy as he is different in his upbringing but how do we deal with this divergence? He is emotional and anger leads to the dark side. And with Xanatos still on the prowl a Jedi who goes against the code may decide to seek refuge with him. I sigh as I enter the council chamber settling down comfortably for another long session of impasse.
