He spotted the party of a dozen mounted men, a single unmounted beast, and canines in the valley below the hill he stood on. The Macrobinoculars indicated they were about a click away, as the hawk-bat flies. They were armed and armored, for certain. He reached out with the Force and tried to get a feel for them. Most of them were too weak in the Force and too far away for him to get a read on, but one did have a moderately strong connection to the Force. It felt similar to the boy he had rescued, but different. They were probably blood related but he could tell that they weren't immediate family. The connection was too different for a parent and child or between siblings. He lowered the macrobinoculars and picked up his comm, pressing the transmit button.
He said, "Master, I have spotted a group of a dozen riders, armed and armored. They appear to have some kind of canines as well. One has a similar Force signature as the boy".
Letting go of the transmit button he waited for a response, and it came, "That's likely the boy's Father and some retainers. The boy's name is Jon by the way. He regained consciousness and we had a brief discussion. So far I have had him teach HK his native language to make it easier to communicate. Jon is well enough to walk with the brace that you put on. We'll make our way towards you. Keep trailing the group".
Josiah replied, "Yes Master".
So he tailed them until just before sunset when his master, HK, and Jon arrived. Then they went off towards the riders who had stopped to water their horses at a stream.
Jon said, "Thank you, for saving me".
Josiah smiled and said, "No thanks are needed, that is simply what a Jedi does".
Jon said, "Master Hulis says that I have the potential to be a Jedi, and that she is willing to train me".
Josiah smirked as with that statement it meant that Master Aliym had to concede on at least some of the points about the Ruusan Reformation and perhaps if they ever got off this planet, she would recommend him for the trials. As they both knew he had the skills to pass them easily, but what kept her from recommending him was that he was still staunchly against the Ruusan Reformation.
Josiah said, "You are certainly strong in the Force. Even stronger than I am. The Order would be happy to have you. My brother would almost certainly give you a place of honor within our household. Out on the Galactic Frontier in Wild Space we need as many Jedi as we can get. Especially after the war".
Jon said, "Thank you. Though I just realized I have been telling Master Hulis and the machine about my home, I don't know almost anything about your home. What is it like"?
Josiah said, "You would love it. It's similar to this place. A large lush planet brimming with life and like this world, it's strong in the Force. It's called Odessen. It was first settled nearly three thousand years ago by the founder of my line. Initially it was solely a secret military base to fight against an Evil Emperor and his heirs, it eventually became a fully settled world and my family took an unofficial role as the guardian of the system and sector. Eventually we became the formal rulers of the world"...
He gave an abridged description and history of his homeworld for Jon who was enthralled by his stories. Especially of the tales of the heroics his ancestors and family had performed.
The last rays of the sun were still peaking out over the western hills when they caught up to the riders. The dogs hadn't caught they're scent until they were a mere dozen meters away. The men had all drawn their weapons when they had appeared before them.
Josiah knew that Master Hulis must have sensed it as well, but she kept silent. The man who Jon believed to be his father, dropped his sword and ran to Jon pulling him into a tight hug. One that didn't require the use of the Force to sense the genuine love between the two and the fear the man had about Jon's safety.
The armed men stood with blades drawn forming a protective circle around the two. Almost certainly wondering who the three with Jon were.
They spoke in their own language, with tears falling down Jon's face and tears threatening to fall on the man's face.
HK said, "Translation: Jon is apologizing to his father for running off while his father is admonishing him for running off while thankful that Jon is safe".
One of the soldiers spoke to Jon's relative.
HK said, "Statement: I do not have enough of their language in my database to properly translate that statement. I do believe they are warning their master against us. Query: Should we take preemptive measures"?
Josiah said, "Negative HK we come in peace and they cannot harm us".
HK replied, "Affirmative Master".
HK said, "Translation: Jon is telling his father about us. Statement: I will record their words and attempt to decipher their meaning while Jon introduces and translates".
Josiah replied, "That is for the best HK".
Jon said, "Master Aliym Hulis and Padawan Josiah Dracos, this is my Lord Father, Eddard Stark. Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North".
Jon introduced them to his believed father in their language, and got a response and the man gave a slight bow to thank them.
Jon said, "My father thanks you for saving me and helping me. He offers the hospitality of Winterfell in thanks and invites you to dine with him and House Stark".
Master Aliym said as she bowed in respect to the Lord of Winterfell, "Thank your father for us, young Jon. Our journey has been long and taxing. We graciously accept his hospitality and invitation. Tell him that I propose an exchange of sorts. As we are strangers in this land, we know nothing of it and we would graciously offer information of our homeland for information of this land".
Jon translated Master Aliym's message and gave them his father's answer, "My father would gladly accept such an offer and says you can stay in Winterfell until such an exchange is complete".
Master Aliym replied, "Thank him for his generosity, and that if we could be of service in any other ways we would be glad to render aid to such a benevolent host, so long as it is keeping with The Light Side of the Force and The Jedi Code".
Jon soon looked perplexed, "What is the Light Side and the Jedi Code"?
Josiah stepped in and said, "Think of it like our faith and the tenets of our faith. Though tell your father that we sense that such conflicts are likely to arise".
Jon translated their message and told them that the terms were accepted.
Jon and his father's men led back to their Keep, and though they initially tried to keep the pace slow for them, they were soon surprised by how fast and how long they could move. Even the smallest displays of the Force amazed these people. Josiah wondered how that could be when such individuals like Lord Stark and Jon were so strong in the Force.
Jon was almost an anomaly of the Force with his strength, but the man who Jon claimed as his father would have been a respected and powerful Jedi Knight for sure if he had been born in the Republic.
When they arrived before the castle, it was Josiah and Master Aliym's turn to be amazed. A castle did not do the fortress justice. It was a city inside a massive fortress of high and thick stone walls with moats and multiple turrets and guard houses. What was even more amazing was the sheer strength in the Force the castle and location possessed.
Master Aliym said, "This place is surely a Force Nexus. It is extremely strong with the Living Force. You can feel the multitude of life within these walls. From the smallest vermin to the humans".
Josiah replied, "I agree Master, this place is stronger than even the ruins of the Enclave on Dationine, perhaps even stronger than the Jedi Temple on Coruscant itself. I have only felt like this back on Odessen within my family's ancestral seat".
HK said, "Observation: this location has been superbly fortified for a primitive civilization. Optimized for efficiency of resources by following the natural flow of the terrain while also ensuring that even the low points of the walls are well protected. The addition of a shield generator, anti aircraft defenses, and communication systems would turn this into a powerful defense position even during the War".
Josiah replied, "You're absolutely right HK.
As they passed under the massive stone walls' gatehouse, Josiah was even more amazed at its defensive capabilities. The walls were incredibly thick and Josiah would wager that it could even withstand direct blasts from the heavy laser cannon of RT-6 repulsor tank or AT warheads from a crew served rocket launcher.
HK was right it wouldn't take too much to turn this castle into a modern fortress that the Sith would have been hard pressed to crack even on Ruusan when their fleet blockaded the planet.
Even with the strong defenses it was also a beautiful castle, banners and runic engravings were all over the place likely indicating defensive positions and raising the esprit de cor of the castle's defenders. The homes and businesses of the people living within were beautifully painted and had beautifully carved decorations. Yet there was still so much room for expansion. Many of the buildings were uninhabited and there were empty lots that were just waiting for something to be built.
As they passed through the gates of the inner wall, Josiah saw a group of about two dozen waiting for them arrayed as if they were in daily military formation just before the entrance of the main keep. Most appeared to be household staff and guards. Judging by their positions, it was easy to tell rank even without the Force. The pregnant woman and the children were clearly Lord Stark's wife and children. The row behind were senior officers of Lord Stark's household. Behind them stood the common guards and servants.
Josiah heard Master Aliym's voice within his mind, a not uncommon occurrence, but it meant that it was something she wasn't ready for Jon to hear yet let alone their hosts.
"Those children are all strong in the Force, including the unborn child in the woman's womb", said Mast Aliym.
Josiah responded with his own thoughts, "I sensed that as well. Though none of them share the close Force signature of even half siblings with Jon. Jon has to have been adopted from another branch of their House. Though that leaves the question of why and why does it seem like Jon believes himself to be Lord Stark's biological child".
Master Aliym mentally replied, "That is certainly a good question, though not one I foresee being answered anytime soon. For now pretend like you do not know the truth. It is quite possible there is some larger scheme on the move here, one designed to at least protect the boy from the truth".
Josiah asked, "What do you think of them though"?
Master Aliym responded, "Most seem honest and kind enough, though the pregnant woman just radiates an ocean of chaotic emotions including some tied to the Dark Side, despite her best attempt to shield them with a picture of serene propriety. They don't seem to focus on us though, but young Jon Snow. Which makes sense from what Jon has told me. He was born outside his reported father's marriage bed. Which understandably would make any woman angry, though I would wager most women would rather take it out on their husband than an innocent child. Though on primitive worlds such as this there may have been no legal recourse for her after such a believed breach of their marriage vows".
Josiah mentally replied, "Those are the same conclusions I came to, though she does also radiate love and warmth when she looks at or thinks of her husband. Perhaps that love created a blindspot and shielded him from her wrath".
Master Aliym mentally said, "That just goes to show the danger and injustice of attachment, my young padawan".
He rolled his eyes at his master's statement, when it came to love and anything resembling attachment Master Aliym Hulis could be so incredibly Orthodox.
He answered within his mind, "That is the sign of an undisciplined mind. No matter how strong in the Force, Jedi or Sith are not just born, but created through countless hours training their body and mind. There are many Jedi who have fallen to the Dark Side and vice versa, it wasn't a innate aspect of their being but because of a personal failure in their training or their training revealed a truth they had not known they were searching for. It seems like our hosts will soon expect a response from us".
Master Aliym replied, "Yes, but we will need to discuss our new path alone".
Josiah, despite differing from his master in terms of philosophy and politics, always respected her for her wisdom and power. Few Jedi could have had a conversation of such length through Force telepathy in just a mere matter of moments.
They dismounted with their hosts.
Lord Stark embraced his wife and such an embrace just radiated love and warmth. Then Lord Stark greeted his children. The children clearly dearly loved their father and despite their mother's ill feelings towards young Jon, loved their believed half brother. Lord Stark followed his return to his family with speaking to the senior household officers, before turning to Josiah and Master Aliym.
Lord Stark and Jon introduced Josiah and Master Aliym. Josiah figured tradition must have required Jon to be silent, per his status, but given Jon was the only one who could communicate with them as HK hadn't decrypted and translated their language yet.
Lady Catelyn Stark was suspicious of them, but curtsied as protocol dictated. The children Robb and Sansa, were amazed and excited to meet them. They certainly made an unusual and interesting sight. As they would have nothing to compare them to and thus would have that childlike amazement.
Jon said, "Josiah, I told my sister Sansa that you were a squire, which is the closest thing we have to padawan. She asked where is the knight you squire for? She loves tales of knights and ladies can't be knights here".
Josiah went down to one knee, recalling the Alderanian courtesies his grandfather and brother had taught him when he was taken to observe his first diplomatic meeting. The girl giggled at the courtesy he paid her. Josiah figured it must be like something out of a fairy tale for her.
Josiah said to Jon, "Tell her the truth, that I serve Master Aliym Hulis, though don't be afraid to make it sound grander than it is. Your sister is adorable and reminds of one of my cousins before she became One with the Force".
Jon must have done what Josiah asked as Jon said, "She says that you and Master Aliym are even better than the stories. I think she may want to give you her favor when you become a knight so you can name her the Queen of Love and Beauty".
For someone as young as Jon, he was incredibly insightful as he picked up Josiah's sudden change in facial expression and emotions.
Jon continued, "It's a ceremonial title, all the knights in the song win a tournament and name a beautiful maiden princess as such".
Josiah replied, " I am honored, but a Jedi does not compete in such displays. Our skill and powers are to protect the defenseless, never for attack or our own glory".
Jon said, "I will tell her, but I think you are only making it worse for yourself".
The rest of the introductions went well as it could be and they were shown to a pair of adjoining apartments, within the castle's guest wing and Jon translated for them what time the evening meal would be.
Josiah looked out of the window of his chamber and looked out towards the central grove within the castle. He didn't know what was in there, but it was incredibly strong in the Force and Josiah could feel that the Force had led him here.
Author's Note:Comments and constructive critiques are always welcome
