Chapter 4:

Eliza sat in the mediation room alone and breathed deeply. She played the battle of Iridonia over and over in her mind. She tried everything to justify her actions but nothing seemed to work. Eliza was now positive that things would have worked out differently, if she had just listened to her Master. She had been so sure of herself. So sure that he was wrong.

After hours of trying to relax Eliza exhaled sharply out of frustration. She felt similar to before, when her first Master had died but this time was a little different. The other feelings were stronger, more powerful and almost clearly telling her to change, to join them but Eliza knew it was wrong.

Since returning to Coruscant she had spoken to no one, not even to the Council. Kit had done all the talking; he sensed that she did not feel right. Eliza made no eye contact and once the meeting with the Council had ended Kit let her walk away from him. Now wasn't the time to talk with her. Kit and other members of the Council could feel her anger and were all apprehensive since feeling it.

Eliza started to wonder if there was a way to release her anger gently without anybody knowing it. She felt angry, at herself, at Kit, even towards the Council. She couldn't really be blamed for her actions while on the planet, could she?

She stood up from the small chair and left the room. She walked around the Jedi Temple alone. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this alone. She knew she felt this way when her first Master died, but somehow this time it felt a little different but she couldn't explain why. Was it because her Master's death hadn't been her fault?

She ignored the other Jedi that passed her and she just continued walking to nowhere. When she was just a youngling Eliza used to love the Temple and exploring and just walking around it but when she became a Padawan that changed. She never realised how hard being a Padawan would be.

After a while of being alone, Eliza felt a presence walking beside her. She turned her head and saw Eeth Koth. She bowed her head to him and he continued walking. Eeth placed his hands behind his back and observed Eliza before looking away.

'I'm sure meeting your family must have been hard,' he said quietly. 'I understand the feeling. I still have family on Iridonia. That's one of the reasons I wasn't there for that battle.'

Eliza nodded but said nothing. She couldn't think of anything to say. Eeth stopped walking and Eliza joined him. He stood before her and stared her in the face. Eliza didn't look away.

'Padawan,' he said a little quieter. 'I understand you're feeling angry but believe me when I say that it's not a path you want to go down. After meeting my family, my attachment grew instantly and it had to be severed quickly. I was angry and I wanted nothing more than to give in but I am glad I did not.' He paused. 'I just wanted to give you some advice. I hope it helps in some way.'

'Thank you, Master Koth,' said Eliza softly, bowing to him.

She watched him walk away and she continued her walking around the Temple. She thought over his words. He had been through something similar. Hearing that helped a little but it didn't answer some of the questions that Eliza had though she was afraid to ask. She knew she should be thankful to even hear of his past at all. It only helped her understand that she would have to face this alone and that scared her.

After a little while longer, Eliza found herself outside the training room. She hesitated on whether do enter but she ultimately decided to. She watched as a few Younglings were practicing with their newly created lightsabers. Eliza wondered if either of them would get the chance to actually use it.

She quickly left, realising that she didn't really want to be there and she returned to her quarters. It was still afternoon but Eliza was tired and if her Master wanted to find her then he knew where she lived. She entered her bedroom and lay down on her single bed. She was tired and part of her hoped that the feelings and thoughts she had now would disappear if she went to sleep.

Eliza woke up several hours later. She sat up on her bed and looked around, confused. Something felt a little wrong and she quickly realised she woke up from someone knocking on the front door to her quarters. Eliza got off the bed and checked the time. It was almost one in the morning. She frowned as she walked to the door, grabbing her lightsaber on the way.

She cautiously walked to the front door and opened it, ready to use her lightsaber if necessary though she was sure it wouldn't be needed. She opened the door and peered out, her eyes meeting with her Master's. He gave her a smile and Eliza opened the door and let him inside. He nodded this thanks and stood in the small sitting room. Eliza quickly closed the door and joined him.

'Was there something you wanted, Master?' she asked looking at him.

He glanced over. 'I was looking for you earlier,' he said quietly. 'But I found you nowhere so I thought maybe you had returned here.'

'Did you need me for something?'

'I wanted to talk with you,' he said slowly, gauging her reaction.

'About what, Master?' she asked.

'About what happened on Iridonia,' said Kit slowly. 'I believe it's time for you to discuss it.'

'I would rather not, just yet,' said Eliza, moving away from him.

Kit did not move from his position. Eliza quickly learnt that she wasn't getting out of this conversation. They were going to talk about this whether she liked it or not. Eliza walked away from Kit and stepped out onto the small balcony and Kit joined her. Eliza looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled and looked down upon them brightly. Eliza sighed inwardly. She wished she were somewhere else right now.

'Padawan, we need, you need to talk about this,' he said correcting himself.

'I have nothing to say, Master,' said Eliza tightly. 'You already know how I'm feeling about this. I no longer want to discuss it.'

She turned her head she couldn't see him in her sight at all. She watched as ships flew around and people walked by the Temple. There definitely was something cold about this planet. She could feel it.

'Padawan,' said Kit softly, turning to her. 'This needs to be discussed.'

Eliza turned and walked back into the sitting room. Kit followed. 'I do not want to talk about this,' she repeated loudly. 'Why should I have to, because the Council think I should?'

'You disobeyed my orders,' said Kit firmly. 'I'm supposed to be your teacher and you're supposed to listen to me. You went against my wishes and you sought your family out. It was a mistake.'

Eliza turned to Kit, her eyes narrowed. 'Are you saying I killed my sister?'

'I'm saying it could have been avoided,' said Kit gently. 'You have to admit that it was wrong for you to go there, that it would have been better to keep your distance.'

'The Council should not have allowed me to even return there,' said Eliza, her voice rising. 'They must have known it would have a bad effect.'

'They were hoping you would be strong enough to resist, but they were wrong, they see that now,' said Kit. 'Although only Master Yoda freely admits that it was a mistake for them to send you there with me.'

Eliza turned away and sat down on the sofa. She placed her head in her hands as tears stung the back of her eyes and threatened to fall. She didn't want him to see this but it was obvious that he was not going to leave just yet. He moved away slightly to give her a little more space. He could tell she was upset but this conversation wasn't going to just vanish.

'Padawan, blaming yourself for her death will only lead you down a path I do not wish to see you follow,' said Kit softly. 'You need to let go.'

'How?' Eliza asked as some of her tears fell.

'Master Yoda once trained me to let go of everything I feared to lose and you must do the same.'

Something within Eliza snapped. She stood up and Force lifted the sofa from the floor and hurled it at wall near the entrance to the bathroom. Several windows smashed from the force of it and the bathroom door cracked and creaked. Kit jumped from his student's sudden outburst of pain and anger.

Eliza stood where she was and she panted hard. Anger still flooded her veins as she attempted to calm herself down. Kit dared not move any closer to her. She was agitated and angry enough.

'Padawan,' he started before being interrupted.

'NO,' Eliza shouted. 'I don't want to hear anymore from you!'

She paused as she took several more heavy breaths. 'I want you to leave and let me be.'

'I cannot do that,' said Kit slowly. 'Release your tension. Shout, scream, cry, I do not care but release it before you harm yourself or others.'

Tears flowed down Eliza's cheeks but she ignored them. She looked at Kit and she backed away from him further. She hit her bedroom door and she slid down it. She held her head in her hands and she stared at the floor as she finally spoke of how she felt.

'Master, forgive me,' she whispered. 'I never meant to disobey you but something told me I had to meet my family. The feeling was too strong and I was weak and I couldn't resist it. Once meeting them, it felt right but I quickly felt as though something was turning wrong and fast. I couldn't understand it at the time and I don't think I do still.

'I killed her,' she wept. 'My little sister ... dead ... because of me ... because of what I did. I wanted to meet them, I told them to flee. If I hadn't they might all be alive still. If I had done as you asked and nothing more than ... none of would have happened.'

Eliza brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them before placing her head onto her arms. She remained there and sobbed quietly. Kit watched her. He was unsure of what he should do. He hadn't encountered with this another Jedi before. He decided to let Eliza be but before leaving he did have a few words to say.

'Padawan,' he said steadily. 'What happened was not ... directly ... your fault. It is difficult to predict anyone's future and you wondering what would have happened if you did not meet them will never help you move on.'

He left and Eliza remained where she was, her sobs continuing. She couldn't look up at him when speaking, not like this. She heard him leave but still she did not move. Right now, she started to wonder if there was something wrong with her. Why would any of this happen otherwise? Why am I being made to suffer?

A couple of weeks later Eliza ventured out of her quarters and made her way to find her Master. Right now Eliza walked towards one of the gardens of the Temple. She had spent of lot of time alone, thinking about everything that had happened. She was happy that her Master gave her the time she needed, that he wasn't forcing anything from her.

She exited on the lower level to the side and found her Master there speaking with a couple Luminara Unduil and Plo Koon. Eliza looked around the garden. It was full of green and many other colours from all the flowers. The small waterfall in the corner flowed gently. Eliza loved the sound it made. It was calming. Kit quickly noticed his Padawan's presence and his briefly turned to look at her, as did the other two Master's.

Luminara and Plo left leaving only Kit and Eliza in the garden. A long look went between them before Eliza joined Kit's side. 'Master,' she started quietly. 'I want to apologise for my behaviour the last few weeks. I've never meant you any disrespect.'

'I know,' Kit replied quietly. 'How are you feeling?'

They continued to walk around the garden. Eliza smiled faintly. 'I am feeling much better, thank you, Master,' she replied. 'I know things on Iridonia could have been different but nothing I do or say now will change what did happen.'

'Good,' said Kit in the same quiet tone. 'Now remember, you could not control everyone else's actions, you could only control your own, and in saying that, your sister's death is not down to only your actions. I want you to understand that and accept it. You were not weak, you just need more training,' he added calmly.

'I do understand and accept it,' said Eliza.

They came to a stop and looked at each other. This time Eliza was able to hold his gaze. Eliza wasn't sure if she believed him on her not being weak. She really felt it when on Iridonia. 'Master, I've had a lot of time to think about this and I have finally come to see that you were correct. I just hope we can move past this.'

'Of course,' said Kit happily. 'Before we go further, I have been meaning to ask, your mother called you Elysabeth, why is that?'

'Couldn't you have just asked someone else?' asked Eliza with a small smile.

'Yes, I could have,' replied Kit in a gentle tone. 'But I thought since you are my Padawan, I would ask you myself when the opportunity presented itself.'

Eliza nodded. She felt kind of special by hearing that. 'Yes, my real name is Elysabeth but I've never liked it. I've always gone by Eliza.'

'You prefer it?' asked Kit, looking at her.

'Yes,' she said quietly.

'Very well,' said Kit with a small smile. 'I think we should pick up your training where we left off. I think we should go to the training room. It had been a while since you've used your lightsaber.'

Eliza nodded and together they walked to the training room within the Temple. Eliza felt a little sheepish. She hadn't used her lightsaber since being on Iridonia. For a while it didn't feel like it belonged to her. She no longer felt like herself, like the Jedi she was supposed to be but after this time alone, Eliza realised she was a Jedi and she was becoming who she was supposed to be. She didn't want to walk the dark path and she was proud of herself for resisting it. It was one of the best things she had done during her training yet and she hoped that Kit recognised it.

A few weeks later, Eliza was called to the Council chambers alone. It had her worried. Had I done something wrong? She slowly walked there. She wondered if her Master knew what was about to happen. Eliza just prayed that he wasn't giving up on being her Master.

When she reached the double glass doors they opened and Eliza entered without hesitation. She stood before the Council and bowed to them.

'Young Padawan,' said Yoda politely. 'A new mission we have for you.'

Eliza was confused. She looked around subtly and saw Kit sitting on the Council. Wasn't he going with me? The Council noticed. 'We would like you to accompany Anakin Skywalker on this mission. His own Padawan is injured and unable to accompany him,' said Mace Windu, answering the question within Eliza's head.

'Why not send a Jedi Knight or a Master with him?' asked Eliza quietly.

'We feel this is best,' said Mace. 'A Knight or Master might attract too much unwanted attention but we cannot send him alone and we have chosen you to go with him. We are sending you to the planet Endex. The indigenous people there have had reports of Sith being on their planet and they have asked us to investigate. The queen on the world is feeling threatened and we have to eliminate that worry quickly. Anakin knows the details and will meet you at his ship in the morning.'

Eliza bowed the Council and left, knowing that the meeting was finished. She returned to her quarters and sat down on her sofa. She had been with Anakin before. She knew much about him but not personally. She had to admit that she was nervous.

The next morning Eliza was up much earlier than usual and she made her way to the mediation room. The room was empty and Eliza was glad of it. She sat down on one of the small seats and she was able to relax quickly. She breathed deeply and cleared her mind of all thoughts and all her concerns and concentrated on what could possibly happen on this mission.

Eliza heard the mediation room door open and the soft footsteps that approached her. They stopped and Eliza opened her eyes. She gave Obi-Wan Kenobi a small smile as she watched him sit down beside her. He returned the smile. Eliza relaxed her pose and kept her eyes on him.

'Good morning, Master Kenobi,' she said politely.

'Morning,' he replied. 'Are you ready for this mission?'

'Yes, I think so.'

Obi-Wan smiled a little more and his blue eyes seemed to twinkle a little. 'I just wanted to make sure you're alright about going with Anakin.'

'You trained him,' said Eliza slowly.

'Yes, I did,' said Obi-Wan. 'And I know Anakin can be stubborn and he may seem domineering but listen to him. He's a good Jedi. He knows what he's doing.'

Eliza nodded her head and they left the room together. Obi-Wan accompanied her down to Anakin's ship and she noticed Kit was there also. He turned as he heard her approach. She noticed Anakin was there also, waiting for her, his arms folded across his chest. For some reason, he didn't look too impressed.

'You're late,' he said roughly,

'Anakin,' said Obi-Wan softly with a slight head shake.

Anakin rolled his eyes but kept quiet. Kit walked to Eliza and gave her a small smile. 'You'll be fine. Just listen to him and you'll be fine.'

Eliza nodded and walked over to Anakin. 'Master Skywalker,' she said with a head nod.

'Padawan,' he said through gritted teeth.

They walked up the ramp together. 'May the Force be with you both,' said Kit watching them.

Anakin turned and walked backwards. 'May the Force be with you also.'

They entered the ship and Anakin went straight to the controls. Eliza sat down in the seat beside him but she touched nothing. She wasn't a very good flyer. She knew Anakin was and it made her feel much better about going with him on this mission.

Not long after leaving Eliza turned as a droid walked towards them. He looked at Eliza, silent for a moment, wondering if he should know her.

Anakin cleared his throat. 'C-3PO, this is Eliza Linth, a Padawan I was told to take with me. Padawan, this is the droid I built when I was younger. He's a protocol droid and I'm sure we may need one when on the planet.'

Eliza looked from Anakin to the droid. He was a bright gold and shiny. Eliza gave him a slight head nod but said nothing. The droid paused for another moment, still looking at her.

'Good to meet you, Miss Linth,' it said before going on about its business.

Once they left Coruscant's atmosphere Anakin side-looked Eliza but he said nothing. Eliza noticed and she turned her head to look at him. Anakin was still young and quite good-looking, for a human.

'What happened your Padawan?' Eliza asked quietly.

'Let's just focus on the mission, alright?'

'Alright,' said Eliza under her breath.

She could tell Anakin was in no way impressed by having to go on this mission with her though she was unsure of the reason why. Had she done something to offend him? She didn't think it possible as they had hardly spoken or seen each other before.

When they arrived at the planet Endex, Eliza looked out of the ship eagerly, wondering what this world contained. She had never heard of the planet before. She was a little curious. As they landed Eliza could feel her nervousness mounting. She wasn't sure if it actually was from being nervous or something else. She ignored it and once they came to a stop she followed Anakin off the ship. All that Eliza could see were rocky canyons everywhere. The planet looked dusty and rough and there didn't seem to be much of a civilisation at all on the planet.

Eliza continued to follow Anakin and they eventually reached what looked to be a large cave. Eliza gave him a questionable look, wondering if they really had to go in there. Anakin didn't look at her as he continued walking after a moment's pause. They didn't get too far into the cave before they were stopped. Eliza turned and noticed C-3PO coming up behind them.

Eliza looked over the creature that had stopped them. She had never seen one like it before. They were tall, with lanky frames covered in a hardened exoskeleton. They seemed to shimmer a metallic-jade colour, judging from the small light coming in from the entrance of the cave. Eliza noticed that extending from its abdomen to its wrist was a thin chitinous membrane that perhaps allowed limited gliding capacity. She also noticed many spikes extending from the exoskeleton; on the head, torso and limbs.

It spoke but it was nothing that Eliza or Anakin could understand. Anakin looked to the droid and he spoke quickly and confidently. 'The Entymal queen has requested you be brought to her immediately. Any violent action by you will be taken as hostile against them and it will not be tolerated.'

'Then take us to the queen,' said Anakin.

The nervousness that Eliza felt was growing and it felt stronger now that they were inside the cave. The three of them followed the creature down the long passage way of the cave. It led them to a three way opening but they continued down, into the middle one. The inside of the cave seemed just as rocky and dusty as the outside. Eliza looked around as they walked and she couldn't help but look in disgust as huge sacks hung from the sides of the caves. Eliza could only guess what was inside and she was sure she didn't really want to know.

They eventually reached the end of the passage way and they came to a large opening, which surprised both Eliza and Anakin. Thousands of Entymal workers were within the large area, all working together, although Eliza and Anakin were unsure of the goal but it wasn't why they were here. The queen was quite noticeable as she was the largest of the Entymal's there.

She was dark green in colour and her eyes seemed a white opaque. She sat on a large, circular platform and had many other Entymals surrounding her. Eliza was unsure if they were male or female. The queen turned to them as their presence became known to her but Eliza didn't know if she could see them or not. It worried her. What if they did something wrong?

They Entymal that showed them the way here bowed and spoke to the queen before the queen payed attention to them properly. Anakin stepped forwards and inwardly, Eliza sighed, grateful that she wasn't the one who had to do it.

'C-3PO, translate this exactly,' he said quietly. 'I don't want any misunderstandings.'

'Of course, Master Anakin,' replied the droid.

'Your majesty, we come in peace. We have been sent by the Jedi Council to see what we can do to help.'

They both waited as C-3PO translated and they waited for the response. The droid turned to them. 'The queen requests that you check out the regions to the south. There have been too many sightings of Sith on the planet. They would like you to check out the area and kill them before returning here with the news.'

'Tell her we shall do what she asks and we will begin our search immediately,' said Anakin strongly.

C-3PO relayed the message instantly and the queen sent them on their way though without C-3PO. The queen wanted him to stay behind, to make sure they completed their mission. Anakin looked back a couple of times and Eliza sensed his concern for his droid but she said nothing.

They left the cave and headed towards the south on foot. 'Master?' she asked hesitantly.

'What?'

'Why are we travelling on foot?'

'It's safer and more covert,' he said shortly. 'Besides, do you have a better way?' he asked sharply.

Eliza shook her head to his question and they continued in silence. She wondered why he seemed cold to her. They walked through the rocky canyons and Eliza started to wonder how anyone could live here. In a way, it reminded her of Iridonia except the people there lived on flat surfaces. On this planet Eliza was sure that wouldn't be possible unless it was smoothed out manually. When reaching the south part that the queen was supposedly talking about Eliza stopped as Anakin tugged on her sleeve.

'Stop,' he whispered.

'I don't sense anything,' said Eliza. She attempted to walk again but Anakin tightened his grip on her.

'I said stop,' he said firmer.

Eliza came to a complete stop, annoyed with his tone. 'What is it?'

'Up there,' said Anakin quietly, nodding his head towards the large canyon in front of them.

'Then let's have a look,' suggested Eliza.

She started walking towards the canyon and Anakin sighed in frustration. He moved quickly and caught up with Eliza, grabbing her sleeve again. Eliza pulled away from him.

'What's with you and grabbing me?' she asked loudly.

'You cannot just go walking into a situation you know nothing about,' said Anakin just as loud.

Eliza bit her bottom lip and looked away from him. 'What do you suggest then?' asked Eliza, a little calmer.

'I suggest we go around,' said Anakin looking at Eliza. 'They could have it trapped anywhere.'

'Does that include the going around parts?' asked Eliza.

Anakin gave her a hard look but he looked away and gestured for her to follow him. She did after instantly regretting what she said to him. It was rude and she shouldn't have said it. She followed him around the large canyon and quickly voices could be heard. A look passed between Eliza and Anakin though they remained quiet so they wouldn't be heard in return.

They walked around the edge as far as possible and they crouched down, just able to see what was happening. Eliza's eyes widened.

'Do you see that?' she whispered.

Anakin nodded. 'General Grievous.'