Happy Memorial Day, Readers!

And wow, how about that Star Wars Celebration? I think I'm most looking forward to Mandalorian S3 and Ahsoka. Acolyte sounds intriguing. Previously, I wasn't all that interested in Andor, but that trailer definitely piqued my interest.

So, the workout (Coleman Crucible) that Aedan and Kyra do is actually the "Murph" workout in honor of Seal Team member Mike Murphy who died in battle (see Lone Survivor). Every memorial day, most Crossfit gyms hold an open workout, and my wife and I did it at her gym today, along with a few friends. And guess what, she freaking beat me. Ugh.

So, yea, she's where a lot of the inspiration for Kyra comes from- Badass warrior princess.

Chapter Nineteen

Aedan watched, amused, as Kyra was grinning widely as they finished their meditation that morning.

He couldn't help but smirk back, "You seem quite pleased, Padawan." Kyra nodded, still grinning. "Care to share?" he asked.

Kyra just shrugged, "I'm starting to enjoy meditation now, Master. My connection seems to be...deepening." Aedan nodded, thrilled at her admission. "Remember when you spoke of the valve, Master, back on Coruscant in our super-secret Spot?"

"I do," he said.

Kyra looked up at the temple, and around at their surroundings, and then closed her eyes. "I don't think it's there anymore. I feel like I'm perpetually connected to the force, almost to the point where I'm tapped into it automatically. There is no valve."

"Show me," Aedan said.

That brought Kyra up short. "How?"

Aedan stood up and opened the crates containing the remotes. He began activating a number of them. Kyra stood up, and brandished her training saber, activating it with a snap-hiss, a smile pulling at her lips, excited for the next challenge.

Soon eight remotes were floating in the air, letting out their propulsion puffs. "Begin," Aedan said, and Kyra fell into the force. All eight Marksman-H droids began firing their stun bolts.

Kyra, whirling her saber around in a tight, controlled pattern, deflecting all the shots. She kept her movement crisp and sharp, only flipping or rolling to the side when she needed to alter the angle of defense. She began sending the stun bolts back at the remotes, which made the droids stop firing for a full minute. The goal was to get all eight deactivated at one time. It was tricky because that meant she had to make eight perfectly aimed deflections in less than a minute.

Tricky or not, she did it, causing a noticeable quiet to settle on the stone dais. Aedan nodded, "Again," he said, and Kyra flourished her blade, settling once more into Shien. The remotes began firing and she became a blur of calculated movement. She was about to suggest that Aedan add more remotes when the Force rippled behind her. She deflected one stun bolt, then quickly turned around and saw Aedan leaping towards her, ignited saber held high. She was startled for a microsecond but quickly recovered and parried the powerful attack. He then attacked with a vicious combination, which she blocked and parried, and then had to roll backward to avoid a barrage of stun bolts from the droids. Oh, she thought, I see.

She came out of her roll, deflecting more bolts, and then Aedan was on her again. She blocked a low attack, then whipped her saber up to parry more bolts, then had to bring her saber back around to block another looping strike from Aedan. Oh, this is going to be difficult.

She knew she had to remain calm and rooted in the force, so she breathed deeply, and reached for more. Aedan attacked with a spinning slice, and then he flipped over her, and struck again, off-balancing her with these awkward attacks, but she reoriented herself, remained in control and continued defending saber and stun bolts attacks.

Aedan made another charge just as a remote fired. Kyra, knowing she had to turn the tables, deflected the bolt directly at Aedan. He barely managed to parry it, and had to halt his advance. Kyra capitalized, striking at him, and sending any stun bolt in his direction. He was so surprised and so quickly overwhelmed, that he had to roll to the side.

This was something she had not achieved yet, causing Aedan to recover and retreat momentarily. She poured on the attack, all the while staying attuned to the remote's fire, sending any she could his way.

Aedan blocked the redirected stun bolts, and then parried Kyra's quick, whip like attacks. She mounted an impressive combination, but Aedan's blade mastery was still superior, and soon she was on the defensive, and had to create space due to the two-pronged attack of Aedan and the remotes once more. She deflected two more stun bolts at him, but he deflected them right back, one stunning her shoulder, the other her leg. Her shoulders sank in defeat, and she let her saber down.

Aedan still pushed forward, "You're not out of the fight yet, Padawan," he said, "Never stop fighting," and he attacked with the saber. She was too caught off guard and was disarmed in three moves.

"I'm sorry, Master," she said.

Aedan shook his head, "Don't be. That was exceptional work," he responded. "And that's my fault in regard to the stopping before the fight is over. From here on out, keep fighting until the I say so, or until you are no longer able to continue. I don't want you to get into the habit of stopping when you get struck with blaster fire."

Kyra nodded, "Yes, Master."

"There may come a time when you are hit with blaster bolts, but you will still need to keep fighting. Understood?"

"I do."

"Good," Aedan nodded, "Excellent work Kyra."

She smiled, "Thank you, Master."

Later that afternoon, Kyra was up in her Perch of Peace, as she liked to call it, gazing out over the deep blue waters of Tython. Her heart felt full. This time away from the temple, training on a foreign planet, increasing her abilities each day, and growing exponentially closer to the Force meant the world to her. She didn't think she had ever been so happy.

Yes, that defeat on Taris still rankled her to no end, but after many discussions at the campfire, and many hours meditating since then, she knew she had done extremely well. And sure, things with her Master could be a little better, but it was orders of magnitude better with him now than it had been at first. Some threshold had been crossed, or some barrier had been surmounted. Now, he smiled and laughed and, well, had become a very good friend. But her feelings for him were changing, deepening, strengthening. To what? She didn't know how to describe it. But she did know that looking at him hurt. Being so close to him, and yet still so far apart was becoming painful and...frustrating. Frustrating in a way she had never known. Frustrating in a way that she knew she shouldn't be feeling.

A change in the force startled her. The atmosphere was altered also, as a Delta-7 Starfighter descended through the clouds. She watched as the sleek starfighter, painted white and gold, swooped down, and cut across her view. The fighter passed by, and Kyra reached out with the force. Pure light met her mental probe.

Greetings Kyra Dawnstar, a female voice said in her head.

The voice startled her. And she watched as the ship flew up over the jagged rock wall. Who in the blazes was that?

Master, are we expecting anyone?

No, but...I think we are in for quite the surprise.

Kyra leapt out of her hammock and made her way down the stairs, through the temple, and onto the stone Dais, just as the fighter was landing next to the 'Guile. Aedan was stepping out of the 'Guile as the pilot opened the canopy. A tall, gorgeous female wearing a brown Jedi's robe exited the starfighter and seemed to glide to the ground. She appeared human, but her pointed ears dismissed that notion, as well as the bluish-gray markings on her left cheek and above her left eyebrow.

The woman radiated peace. There was no other way to explain it. Kyra reached out once again in the force and found nothing but warmth and light. But also immense power. This newcomer looked to Aedan and began walking towards him. Aedan was visibly shaken, and instantly Kyra was alarmed. She nudged him through the Force. His shield came down and she saw that he was...happy. Exceedingly happy.

What on Coruscant was going on? She also felt her heartbeat rise, and her stomach lurch. Who was this beautiful woman? And why was Aedan looking at her like that?

Aedan smiled widely, and as the woman came within a few meters, he bowed low.

"Aedan," the woman said in a melodic voice, "Is that how I taught you, to bow to me? Give me a proper greeting."

Aedan stood, and tears were in his eyes.

What the Force?

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the beautiful blonde woman, and she embraced him warmly. Once more Kyra's stomach lurched and sweat appeared instantly at the back of her neck. She stood frozen in place on the dais, gritting her teeth, watching this inexplicable interaction unfold before her.

Calm down, Kyra. They're probably just old friends.

They ended the hug, and Aedan shook his head. "It's so good to see you."

"And you also. But let me see you clearly," she said, and put both her hands on his shoulders. She closed her eyes, and Kyra knew she was deep in the force, and seeing Aedan on the celestial plane where only the Force resides. "Still so guarded. Still so doubtful."

"Still," Aedan murmured.

She opened her eyes, and stepped back, "However, you have...hope again. And happiness."

Then the strange lady turned her gaze towards Kyra. "And this one is the reason."

"You knew this would happen all along, didn't you?" Aedan asked.

A half smirk appeared on his face, "Perhaps," she said and began walking up the stairs toward Kyra, who still hadn't moved an inch.

Hello, Bright One

"Hello," she whispered in response.

Aedan had followed her up the stairs, and said "Kyra, this is Master Fay."

Kyra gasped and tried to keep cool in front of this evidently living legend. "Master Fay! You're real? I thought you were just a myth."

Master Fay laughed, "I am real," she said. "And it's just Fay."

"Fay, this is my padawan..."

"Kyra Dawnstar," the Jedi Master finished for him. She turned to face Aedan and inclined her head. Aedan responded with a solemn nod and walked back to the guile.

"Come," she said, and began walking towards the temple. "We have much to discuss."

Kyra, still perplexed and confused, followed behind her wordlessly as Master Fay made her way through the temple, up the stairs, and out onto the overlook. "I see why you like this place," she said, gazing out across the ocean, gray eyes sparkling. "I would be up here often as well." She lowered herself to the ground and sat on the edge of the stone balcony, her legs dangling off the sides.

Kyra still hadn't moved and was still standing at the very top of the stairwell. "Sit with me, Kyra."

Kyra nodded and came to sit down on the edge as well, a few feet away from Master Fay. They sat in silence for a few minutes, which was very awkward for Kyra, but this Jedi Master seemed to be completely at her leisure, basking in the gorgeous scenery.

Kyra couldn't help herself any longer, "How do you know Aed-" she stopped herself, "Master Kahl?"

Fay looked directly at Kyra, then shifted her body around so she was facing Kyra. The woman's gaze appraised her, pierced her, and saw right through her. Kyra did her best not to avert her eyes, and so began assessing the stranger before her. She could not tell how old she was. She appeared to be in her twenties, but her countenance, the way she carried herself, and the way she spoke suggested much older. Legend has it that she is thousands of years old, but could that be? One thing was for sure, she was absolutely gorgeous, flawless even. Kyra focused back on the light grey eyes that seemed to know everything, as they were still appraising her.

"What do you know of the living Force, Kyra?" Fay asked.

Caught off guard, Kyra searched for the answer. "I don't know," Kyra said, "Master Kahl has mentioned it often, and has been teaching me more about it, but it seems like such a strange thought, something that I can't quite wrap my head around."

Fay nodded, and then gazed out over the oceans. "Tell me this then," she said, "Have you not felt that the Force has guided you at times, shown you something, or that it has aided you in times of need. Think about the odd coincidences in your life, and imagine that those are not accidents at all, but part of something more.

"I know you can feel it. I know you can sense the difference between just an infinite energy field and the presence of a celestial entity with its own will. But you turn away from it, hide from it, because the order and the council never teach about the Living Force."

Kyra nodded, but Fay continued. "How do you think he got so wise. He's just twenty-three but he's far beyond the majority of those on the council."

"Are you the one that taught him?" Kyra asked, "About the Living Force, I mean."

Fay nodded, "I am. Well, Qui Gon did too."

Kyra remained silent. She had no idea what to say, or where to even begin. "Why are you here?" she finally asked.

"That is a great question. I mentioned the living force because that is what I follow. Ever since I was knighted, and set out on my own, I've rarely come back to the temple, or convened with the council. I've let the force guide me, and incredible things have happened. I've merely been a vessel for it, and so through me, the Force has saved thousands upon thousands of lives. So, with each ended dispute, mediation, or conflict resolved, I have only put more of my faith, belief, and focus in the force, and it has responded in kind, granting me wisdom, strength, and insight."

She eyed Kyra closely, "And now it has brought me here."

"To us?" Kyra asked incredulously, "Why?"

"The cards in the galactic deck are shuffling, and the hands that will shape the future will soon be dealt. And you, Kyra, and your master, are right in the middle of it."

"Why us?"

Fay shrugged, "Why anyone? Why me?" She raised her hand and turned her palm upwards. Kyra watched as Fay breathed in deeply and her eyes flashed brightly for one second, and the next there was a glowing blue orb hovering a centimeter above her hand. "I am a Wayseeker, Kyra. I do not answer to the council or the order, I only follow the Force. It speaks to me, just as it speaks to Aedan, or Qui-Gonn, or Master Zao."

Kyra watched mesmerized as Fay pushed the ball of energy backwards and forwards, floating it around them. "How? How can I hear it?"

"It already speaks to you, Child. Just let go, and let it in."

Kyra let out an exasperated sigh, and let her head fall onto her palms as she stared at the waves below. It was such a different way of thinking, different than everything they had taught in the temple.

Fay seemed to sense her frustration. "Has Aedan talked about the different ways Jedi perceive the Force?" She asked.

Kyra nodded, "Yes."

"And has he ever told you how he sees it?"

"No, he hasn't," curiosity blossomed within Kyra.

"A friend."

"What?"

"He perceives the force as if it's his revered, almighty friend."

Kyra didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that statement. It sounded ridiculous, and yet it all made perfect sense. She shook her head, "He always said he wasn't alone."

Fay nodded. "When Qui Gonn died, and Obi-Wan was otherwise preoccupied, he put everything he had into his swordsmanship, and while it was a good outlet, it was not enough for the grief and loneliness he faced."

"And he what, found the Force?"

"No, the Force led me to him, and I showed him the way."

"And now you're going to show me the way?"

Fay shook her head, "No."

"No? Why not?"

"You already know the way, Kyra. You just have to walk it."

Kyra shook her head, "You make it sound so simple."

"And why wouldn't it be?" Fay brought the sphere back in close, and then closed her fingers around it, and Kyra watched, mesmerized, as the force energy seeped back into her hands, and completely disappeared. "You must discover this on your own. While we always believe that the prize is wherever our destination is, the truth is, it's in the journey. And you must travel that journey alone," she shrugged, and smiled. "Well, not entirely alone. He is meant to make the trip with you."

Kyra shook her head. This was all just too much, but she felt she finally had someone she could talk to about her...dilemma, and not be judged for it. And Fay seemed to already know far more than she should. "Aedan has taught me that it's okay to feel, as long as we control the emotions, and they don't consume or control us." Fay nodded, a knowing smile playing at the ends of her lips. "But I don't know how to deal with these new feelings."

"You are a Jedi. You have been given a gift, and with that gift comes a profound duty that must be honored."

Kyra's head dropped in defeat. So much for hoping. "I know."

"But these feelings and your duty are not mutually exclusive. Both can coexist peacefully, wonderfully even."

Kyra's eyes snapped back up to Fay's in surprise. The beautiful, blonde Master had an all too knowing smile on her face. "I will tell you a story tonight at the campfire explaining that. But remember this, Kyra Dawnstar. While the force is omnipotent and infinite, it is still a living entity. And while you might not believe in it," Fay put her hand on Kyra's shoulder, "It believes in you. Next time you meditate, reach out to it with that in mind."

Fay turned to head back down the stairs, when Kyra blurted out, "Did you ever find love?" The moment she said it she covered her mouth.

The Jedi Master turned and appraised Kyra, a small smile on her face. She nodded slowly. "I've found it. Twice. The first died a very long time ago. And the second," she looked out over the waves, crossed her right arm in front of her torso, and brought her left fist to her mouth. "He is a long way from here." She then turned and walked down the stone steps.

The sun was starting to set, and vibrant gold hues were cast across the enclave as Kyra followed Fay back to where Aedan was just now getting the campfire going. He nodded to both as they approached, "Figured I'd pull out the 'Prime Selection' for our honored guest," he said.

"Sounds like a plan," Fay said, kneeling next to the fire and arranging the kindling that Aedan had picked out. Clearly this was not her first time lighting a fire. Aedan began preparing the meals, and they all sat around the fire, transfixed by it.

Night had fallen, and the three had finished their dinner, when Fay began speaking. "A simple merchant from Lothal wanted his son to know the secret to happiness from the wisest man in the world, so he sent him on a journey to the misty mountains of Takodana. There he trudged along lush green paths for forty days, until he finally came to a secluded valley. High up on one side of the valley was a majestic castle. The boy made his way up the mountain and entered the massive castle, as it was there that the wise man lived. Rather than finding a saintly man living alone, the boy found a hive of activity within the walls of the stronghold. All walks of life passed among the stone corridors. There were merchants haggling, there were scholars conversing and debating, poets waxing eloquence, a small orchestra playing melodies that brought tears to the boy's eyes, as well as tables upon tables of the most delicious foods from all over the galaxy. The wise man conversed with everyone in attendance on this day, and so the boy had to wait a few hours, but finally he came before the wise man, who listened attentively to the boy's explanation of why he had come. To the boy's dismay, the wise man said he didn't have time to divulge the secret to happiness at the moment but suggested the boy look around the palace and return in two hours.

"'Meanwhile,'" the wise man said, handing the boy a teaspoon with two drops of oil on it, "'as you wander around, carry this spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill.'"

"The boy marched up and down the palatial stairs, through the hallways, and across the kept grounds, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the wise man."

"'Well,'" the wise man said, "'Did you see the Nubian tapestries hanging in the dining hall? Did you see the gardens that my master gardener has worked on for over a decade? Did you hear the Bith quartet and their music?'"

"Embarrassed the boy bowed his head and admitted that he had seen nothing. His sole focus was on the drops of oil that the wise man had entrusted to him."

The wise man leaned back in his chair and combed his perfectly groomed beard with his fingers. "'Then go back and observe the marvels of my world.'"

"Relieved, the boy picked up his spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all the works of art on the walls. He saw the gardens. He saw the views of the majestic mountains. He heard the beautiful music and feasted on the wonderful delicacies. He observed all that the palace had to offer. Upon returning to the wise man, he related in detail everything he had seen.

"'But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you?'" asked the wise man.

"Looking down at the spoon he saw that the oil was gone."

"'Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you,'" said the wisest of wise men. "'The secret to happiness is to experience all the wonders of the world, while at the same time to never forget the drops of oil on the spoon.'" (see A/N)

The fire before the three of them crackled, and glowing orange embers lifted into the night sky. Fay shifted in her seat and leaned forward, looking at Aedan for a moment, and then turning her gaze to Kyra, staring deeply into her eyes, the firelight flickering across her face, illuminating her gray eyes.

Fay held out her right hand out to the side, palm up, "Honor and duty," she said, then held her left hand out to the other side. "Marvels, wonder, love," then she swept both hands in front of her, clasping them together. "Combined. That is the secret-finding the balance between the two."

Kyra stared at Fay, playing the story over in her head, hearing the message. Was Fay really saying what I think she was saying?

"Well, what do you think?" Aedan asked.

Kyra smiled, and then nodded towards Fay, "I really like her. Can she stay?"

Fay laughed her sonorous laugh that sounded more like music. "I'm afraid I must go, Kyra."

"Just an evening and a story?" Aedan said, "That's all we get with you. We're going to the Forge in a few days, why don't you come with us?"

Fay tilted her head, "You're going to alter your lightsabers?"

Aedan nodded, "Salas Sa'kard, a foe we've been tracking has a cortosis sword. I was hoping the Forge may help with that."

Fay stared at Aedan for a full ten seconds. Then tilted her head up and laughed at the sky. Kyra and Aedan shared a very confused look but couldn't help but smile in response.

Still chuckling, "The Force sure does work in mysterious ways," she said, and then reached into her pack that was on the ground. She grabbed something and pulled it out, keeping it enclosed in her fist. "The Forge is strong, but it won't make your sabers impervious to cortosis."

Despair flooded Kyra. How were they going to stop him?

Fay continued and opened her palm, revealing two, small gold crystals. "But these will," she said.

Aedan stepped forward and picked one up, and Kyra did the same, and both sat back in their seats and inspected the orange crystals.

"I was on Ossus a few months ago," she said.

"What on Chandrila were you doing way out there?" Kyra asked.

Fay smirked, "That's a story for another time, but I wondered into a little placed called Ino Goran's Hall of Wonders, which was owned by a kind, old Ovissian. He had these in one of his shelves. Though he had a multitude of valuable artifacts, these were in a jar mixed in with dozens of other worthless crystals."

"But these are not worthless?" Kyra asked.

"No," Aedan said, realization dawning on him, disbelief obvious in his voice. "They can't be."

Fay nodded, "They are mestare crystals. Placed in a lightsaber alongside the kyber crystal grants the blade an immunity against cortosis."

"How did you find this?" Aedan asked, "I've had people looking and asking everywhere for those for months."

Kyra shrugged, "Well, they didn't check Ossus did they. Ino didn't even know what they were, was going to charge me a mere ten credits for the pair. I gave him one of my kyber crystals for them both."

Aedan nodded, "A fair trade."

Fay smiled, "Yes, but he was so kind, that he almost didn't accept it, thinking he was ripping me off, but I assured him otherwise."

"So, you just accidentally stumbled upon two mestare crystals in a planet literally halfway across the galaxy, and then you randomly show up here, just before we're going to the Forge?"

"With the Force, Kyra, there are no accidents, and random does not exist. I was called to Ossus, as I was called here."

Aedan shook his head, "Thank you, Fay."

She smiled, and shrugged, "I'm just glad I could help."

"But where will you go now?"

Fay leaned back in her seat, "Wherever the force guides me." She looked away from the fire, and off towards the dark clouds that hovered over the ocean, far off in the distance. "But something is coming, I can feel it."

They all three turned back to the fire, staring into the flames—the words hanging in the air like the floating embers. Kyra knew it as well. Something was coming.

Author's note:

*The story of the merchant's son from Takodana is from Paulo Coehlo's book The Alchemist. Which if you haven't read that, well, stop reading this, and go find that.

I love that parable so much that I just had to make a Star Wars version of it, but obviously, all credit belongs to him.