Master Orgus sat at the Jedi Council table, his back straight but the strain of his injuries evident in his eyes. Masters Satele Shan, Yuon Par, Jaric Kaeden, and Syo Bakarn filled the other seats. Padawans Agenord and Yvisnusiish stood at the end of the long table, waiting for the Council's assessment of their work.

"The Flesh Raiders are still a threat," Master Orgus said with a steady voice. "But without Bengel's leadership, they'll be scattered and ill-equipped."

"This temple could've been devastated," Master Satele added. "The entire Order is in your debt, both of you."

"In a way," Agenord said. "Bengel Morr did save the Order. He proved we are still vulnerable to attack."

"Agreed," Master Satele replied. "And now we have concerns beyond the Flesh Raiders. Recent developments in the Twi'lek settlement demand a response."

"Their Matriarch, Ranna, betrayed me to Bengel," Orgus said. "Reports indicate she still leads the settlement."

"You know the Twi'leks," Master Satele said. "How do you recommend we proceed?"

"We should take charge of their settlement," Yvisnusiish said. "They obviously don't know what they're doing."

"Jedi don't govern others," Master Satele said. "That kind of power is too easily abused."

Agenord replied, "The Matriarch said it well. We ignored the settlement until the flesh raiders threatened us. If we had defied the Senate and helped them right away-"

"We might have detected Bengel Morr's influence earlier," Master Satele finished.

"Are you certain the Matriarch regrets her actions?" Master Orgus asked.

"Very certain," Agenord replied.

Master Jaric added, "It seems we have much to learn about the villagers."

"Perhaps Nalen can help us," Yvie said.

"I've been treating him," Master Satele said. "He'll recover from his injuries, but I'm worried about his mind."

"That's the stuff from the Fount," Yvisnusiish said.

"The Fount of Rajivari?" Master Yuon said. "You actually set foot there? Please, tell me everything!"

"Master Yuon," Master Satele said. "The settlement."

"Of course. My apologies."

Master Satele turned back to Yvisnusiish. "You've seen more of this than anyone. What should become of Nalen?"

"Train him as a Jedi," Yvie said. "He proved he has great strength in the Force."

"And he could help bring reconciliation with the villagers," Master Satele said. "Padawan Agenord, do you agree?"

"About Nalen, yes," Agenord said. "We could also buy their surplus renlah."

"Renlah?" Master Orgus asked.

"A Ryloth grain," Agenord replied. "A staple of the diet, mostly used for flat bread. I think most of us are a little tired of the Republic food packs."

"Of course," Master Jaric said. "We should have approached them about their crops from the beginning."

"You want gallab," Yvie said to Agenord.

"Ga...?" Master Orgus asked.

"Gallab," Agenord said. "It's a celebration treat made with renlah. It happens to be my favorite. But, they'll have fruits and vegetables soon. And, without the flesh raider attacks, they might be able to domesticate some uxibeasts."

"Support for protection," Master Satele said. "A wise course. Do you agree, Master Orgus?"

"It is said the wise forgive but do not forget," Master Orgus replied. "We have both made mistakes. We must both learn from them."

"Agreed," Master Satele said.

"Permit me to tell them of the Council's decision," Master Orgus said. "I can show them I'm safe and not angry. Besides, I need to get my lightsaber back."

"Very good," Master Satele said. "And, now, Padawans. You have done more than enough to prove yourselves and complete your trials. You are full Jedi now, both of you."

"It's about time," Yvie said.

Agenord rolled his eyes.

"Time for the real work, anyway," Master Orgus replied. "The two of you should come with me. The villagers would respect the word of an Onoka Jedi."

"We don't get that much respect from our people," Agenord told him.

"They will respect you," Orgus said. "After Keth and Allia tell them what you've done."

"When you return from the village, you must go to Coruscant," Master Satele said. "Master Kiwiiks has requested assistance."

Agenord and Yvie nodded. The Masters stood and began to file out.

"Now!" Master Yuon said to Yvisnusiish. "Tell me about the Fount!"

"Well," Yvie said as they walked from the room. "Master Rajivari himself spoke to me. What was left of him."

"You saw a Force apparition?" Master Yuon said. "Of Rajivari? This is extraordinary!"

"Master Agenord," Master Satele said and waited for the others to leave. "How are you doing?"

"I don't really know yet," Agenord said. "War is coming, but I have to think it's more than that."

"Well," she said. "The Battlemasters said you were the best they ever trained. They don't give out praise easily."

"Let's hope their right."

She nodded and looked away, obviously thinking.

"Wondering how I would have done against him?" Agenord asked.

"Sometimes," she said. "But it doesn't matter. His time has ended. Your time..."

Agenord sighed. "My time has already begun."

Teeseven chirped and shook at the sight of Agenord.

"Ready to go?" Agenord asked.

Teeseven whistled.

"I really need to get a translator," Agenord said.

Orgus, Yvie and Qyzen waited near the top of the stairs to the Grand Hall.

"Your cousin tells me the Twi'lek are still holding their festival," Orgus said.

"They fought hard for this festival," Agenord replied. "They will mourn tomorrow."

"The Jedi will mourn with them," Orgus said. "Shall we go?"

"Wait," Qyzen hissed. "The battle is ended. Your kin is Herald of the Scorekeeper. Respect is owed."

Agenord said, "I know my cousin better than you."

"Agenord's right, Qyzen," Yvie said. "I don't care how he talks to me."

"Respect is owed," Qyzen said.

"Should I ask how you want to settle this?" Agenord said.

"Do not mock, little hunter."

"My apologies," Agenord said. "You fought well for us. I will honor your request."

They located an empty sparring platform. Agenord armed himself with a vibrosword, and Qyzen dialed his electrostaff down to a training level.

"To five?" Agenord asked.

Qyzen nodded, and the fight began. Twenty minutes later, the fight ended with the score five to nothing.

"You fought well," Agenord said. "You nearly hit me a couple of times."

Qyzen responded with a low growl.

"I meant to say, I am pleased so strong a hunter is protecting my cousin."

"These words I like," Qyzen said. "I will not interfere in matters of kin. Scorekeeper has spoken."

"Can we go now?" Yvie asked.

Agenord said, "You can go. I have something I need to do."

Orgus asked, "Is it that important?"

"I'll be leaving Tython soon. I just have a few things to finish up. Don't worry, I'll be there before the fireworks."

Teeseven chirped.

"Nothing to worry about," Agenord said. "Go with Master Orgus. You'll have more fun."

Teeseven whistled sadly and followed Master Orgus.

Agenord made his way down to the ancient cells of the temple, nodded politely at the guards, and walked to the cell holding Bengel Morr.

"Master Agenord," Bengel said. "Thank you for saving me and bringing me home. What can I do to repay you?"

Agenord leaned close and said in a low voice, "Why were you really going to the Forge?"

Bengel sighed. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"What did you mean by 'paths to power'?"

"A mistake," Bengel said. "Driven by despair. Forget it."

"I'm not here to destroy the Jedi," Agenord said. "Or to rebuild them. I'm here to protect them."

"The knowledge is dangerous."

Agenord shook his head. "Your purpose was dangerous."

"I found teachings of Gray Jedi, and Dark. Teachings I should forget."

"For the Dark teachings, I agree," Agenord told him. His ice blue eyes focused hard on the Nautolan's black orbs. "But, the Gray Jedi sought balance, not destruction. I don't believe it is wrong to embrace a larger view of the Force, if you do it for the right reasons."

"Is that the right path for Tython's hero?" Bengel asked.

"It is a choice," Agenord replied. "I fight a very dangerous enemy. If I must lose my soul to save the Republic, it is my soul to lose."

"Perhaps," Bengel said. "Perhaps this is why the Force spared me. Perhaps you are the weapon I was sent to forge."

"I will seek the knowledge with your help or without it. Besides, I might not find it to my liking."

"Perhaps. But, I owe you a debt." He leaned closer to Agenord. "I found a reference to a datacron hidden on Tython, but the clues led nowhere. Then Nalen told me something the apparition had told him. I realized the clues led to the Forge. You'll find a stone cover at the top. The datacron is deep below, beyond arm's reach. You must find it with the Force and hope it responds to you. Only then can you draw it out."

Agenord smiled. "That answered my next question. Do you know what knowledge it holds?"

"Methods of modifying your lightsaber that the Jedi would not recommend," Bengel said. "And combat techniques that the Jedi might consider to be... unnatural."

Agenord smiled again. "'Unnatural' depends greatly on your point of view."

The dark eyes regarded him. "A warrior so made cannot easily return to the world he has saved."

"But, the world is still saved."

Bengel sighed and nodded. "I will send what I know of other hidden datacrons, but then I am done. I will not fail Master Orgus twice."

Agenord nodded with respect and departed.

The scent of ale and grilled uxibeast met Agenord as he pulled his speeder into the village. Music played, but none of the Twi'lek danced. Peace, painfully earned, emanated from them as they rested in the calm after the storm. The injured and recovering were the most active, talking or laughing, proving to themselves they were still alive.

Orgus stood in a small group with Yvie, Ranna, the hunters and Nalen's companions. He smiled and nodded and examined his lightsaber.

"We didn't do anything with it," Moorint said. "We just held on to it."

"It might be a little dirty," Saylew added.

Master Orgus chuckled. "It's been dirty before." He attached it to his belt.

"We're very glad you're safe," Ranna told him. "And, we're glad it's-" She saw Agenord and stopped. "We're glad it's finally over."

"And the Jedi will be glad to get some fresh food," Master Orgus said.

"In exchange for medical supplies," Vederiat Ayon called out while examining the bandages of an injured hunter. "We need that most."

"No," Agenord said. "You need shield walls most. The flesh raiders are scattered for now, but we don't know how long it will last. Medical supplies are second."

Vederiat glared at him but agreed.

"Welcome back, Master Agenord," Ranna said. "I'm glad you're safe."

"We're all glad," Eseni added.

"Will you stay for the fireworks?" Ranna asked.

"Yes," Agenord said.

Master Orgus said, "Don't stay too late. You'll miss your shuttle."

"I'm taking a later shuttle," Agenord replied. "I have one more thing to do before I leave."

Master Orgus watched him.

"A personal quest," Agenord said. "Nothing else."

"Try not to quest too much," Orgus replied.

Food and ale followed. The festival remained subdued but generally happy. Master Orgus departed early, citing the strain of his injuries. Yvie received a call just as the fireworks began.

"I have to go," she said. "I guess Master Yuon has collapsed or something. I have to find out what." She smiled at Agenord. "Try to be a good Jedi."

After Yvie and Qyzen left, Ranna said, "She's not really my idea of an Onoka."

"There are all kinds of Onoka," Agenord said.

They sat a way from the other villagers. The Jedi presence, though welcome, remained uncomfortable.

"I guess." Ranna moved a little closer to him. "I wanted to thank you for everything, and apologize for everything, and, maybe, say good-bye. If I could. Unless you have your quest."

"The quest requires daylight," Agenord replied.

"Oh." She moved closer. "What will you do until dawn?"

"You need to understand, Ranna," he said, "I can't stay on Tython."

"You can stay tonight."

He sighed. "I suppose I can."

Agenord woke before dawn the next morning. He slid from Ranna's grasp and began to dress. He sensed her wake to the noise, and sensed her disappointment.

"What did you mean?" she asked. "You 'can't' stay on Tython?"

He turned hard eyes on her. The scar between them gleamed in the morning light. "I can't stay on Tython," he said, hooking his lightsaber to his belt. "Because, I'm the only one that can kill my brother."