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Chapter 4
Garr pushed his way through the crowd of his cheering brothers and sisters, making his way toward the Mandalore. The imposing Taung didn't concern him, though – the Mandalore survived the battle, and it was all that mattered. His duty as the Raven was fulfilled. His duties as the father remained.
His Clan's Emblem, carved into the left shoulder pad of his armor, made it easier for him to reach the Mandalore, who was still sitting in his Basilisk. Even with the crowd blocking his path, Garr could still see Amiel's silhouette, partially hidden by the Taung's large body. The Mandalore was shouting something to the gathered warriors, but his words meant nothing to Garr – they blended into one incoherent nonsense as adrenaline still traveled through his veins. He could still hear the sounds of firing guns, shouts of warriors charging into the fight, and screams of the wounded. The Mandalore's words were like a gentle breeze after winds strong enough to break trees.
"Your son did well, Raven," the Mandalore spoke. He was way closer than Garr expected him to be. When did they leave the Basilisk? He asked himself, brought out of his thoughts only when he felt a large hand on his shoulder. He looked up to stare at the Mandalore's Mask. "He shot a few bastards who tried to sneak up behind me."
Garr managed only to nod. He witnessed it with his own eyes. Even though he was supposed to stay at the Mandalore's side all the time, certain things were impossible to predict before a battle. He was too far to reach his Leader when a group of Althiri soldiers somehow managed to breach their ranks and sneak up behind the Mandalore. It seemed as if time slowed down and sped up at the same time at that moment. He watched, running toward his Leader and his son, as Amiel somehow noticed the small group of cowards, raised his rifle, and fired the first shots of his life.
His first shots… his first kills.
Amiel stood in front of him; father and son stared at each other's covered faces. The Mandalore turned around to face the crowd once again, recognizing the intimate moment between the last two members of Clan Raven. Garr wanted nothing more than to run up to his son, embrace him and make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him, that he was still alive. That the blood on his armor wasn't his, but of those he killed.
But he couldn't. Amiel's first battle was fought, and his first lives were taken – the first steps of every Mandalorian into adulthood were already taken by him. Despite Garr's heart's desires, he didn't dare to dishonor his only child by treating him like a small kid in front of so many Mandalorians.
Garr squatted down to be on eye-level with him, placing his hand on Amiel's left shoulder, right above his Clan Tattoo. Their helmets collided as he brought Amiel's head toward his.
"I'm so proud of you, son," Garr finally said. His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat a few times, squeezing Amiel's shoulder. "This is the way."
"This is the way," the young Raven replied. Even though he couldn't see his face, Garr still heard the smile in his words. His lips curled up before he even registered his body's reaction. Amiel returned the gesture by placing his right hand on his father's left shoulder.
"Now, where is that Ordo Mandalorian who disobeyed my order?!" the Mandalore shouted, looking around the gathered crowd.
The cheering slowly died down as the Taung's words made their way across the ranks. The Mandalorians closest to him turned around, passing his words further. One by one, they began moving aside as someone began pushing through the crowd. Garr watched as a lonely man with the Emblem of a Xenomorph on his left shoulder approached the Mandalore. The Raven had to admit he was impressed with the man's courage – not many would be brave enough to answer such an accusation with confident steps and a raised head. Disobeying direct orders before a battle was one thing, but doing it on the battlefield? It was like pressing the rifle's barrel against your own head. Only pulling the trigger remained.
"I'm here, Mandalore," the man said, kneeling down in front of the Taung and bowing his head. Again, Garr had to admit he was impressed. Not even the man's voice showed fear.
"You were tasked with feinting against the enemy flanks. You were supposed to break their formation," the Mandalore said, walking toward the kneeling man. "Instead, you directly attacked our enemy. Your decision might have cost us this battle. You've risked five days of fighting with that maneuver," he growled. Garr was certain that if the Mandalore wasn't wearing the Mask, saliva would be dropping on the ground from his mouth.
"I know, Mandalore," the man said. With his head bowed, it would only take one swift stroke of the Mandalore's vibrosword to behead him.
"What is your name, Ordo?"
"Canderous, Mandalore."
The Mandalore growled again, gripping Canderous' neck. The Taung's strength allowed him to easily lift the human Mandalorian from his knees; his feet dangled a few centimeters above the ground. "You've risked all that we have achieved in the past five days by ordering the men under your command to attack," he said, bringing Canderous' face close to his. "But your decision gave us victory," he growled again, releasing him. Canderous gasped for air, massaging his neck. "I like those who see an opportunity and take it. I will have a word with your Clan Leader, Canderous. But next time, make sure to run such decisions through me."
"I will, Mandalore," Canderous promised.
"Good," the Taung commented. "Kill them," he ordered to no one in particular, gesturing at the kneeling Althiri Generals.
"Control your emotions," Arren hissed, reprimanding her Apprentice. She would have been surprised if Raven didn't hear about Masters Lamar's and Tokare's arrival to Dantooine. The Republic freighter was landing in the Enclave; as always, the arrival of someone new managed to gather the attention of everyone who wasn't occupied by their training.
"Master Lamar murdered my parents," the young boy spoke, glaring at the landing freighter.
"Did he?" Arren questioned, raising her eyebrow. "Your parents died in battle – with their weapons in their hands. It's a death every Mandalorian dreams of. I might have not known your parents, Raven, but I'm sure that in their last moments, they respected Master Lamar simply for proving himself to be a challenge for them. Besides," she added, shaking her head to get rid of the image of Vrook's corpse on some forgotten world. "What do you think you're going to do about it?"
The boy bit his lower lip, staring at his feet. It didn't take a Jedi Master to sense his inner turmoil from him. Even as Raven tried to control them, his emotions continued swirling around him. The darkness around him was like a veil Arren had to disperse before the two Masters left the freighter. Even if it meant hiding it, Master Lamar couldn't sense the Dark Side from the boy. He would surely bring that matter to the Council, and her Apprentice would be taken from her before she could even start his training properly. Arren gripped Raven's shoulder, digging her nails into his flesh. The boy hissed quietly, but the darkness around him became slightly less noticeable.
"You are a part of the Jedi Order now, young one," she said, observing the freighter. "And Master Lamar is a respected member of our Order. Remember that. The Mandalorians value honor above anything else," Arren reminded him. "And that includes showing respect to their superiors."
She was glad that none of the other Masters were listening to their conversation, nor felt what she had felt from her Apprentice. At least, that's what she hoped for. The lack of any reaction from them was a clear indication that was the case, though. Dorak, Zhar, Kavar, and others were gathered in front of the landing pad as well to greet the arriving Jedi.
The boarding ramp was lowered with a low hiss, sending steam across the grassy plain. Vrook and Vandar started walking down it before it even hit the ground.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Master Tokare, Master Lamar," Zhar greeted them, stepping toward the front of the small crowd. "What brings you to our Enclave, if I may ask?"
"The Council's decision," Vrook answered, scanning the gathered Jedi with his eyes. His gaze stopped on Raven for a few seconds longer than the other Padawans. "That should not be discussed in the presence of the Apprentices."
"Should we hold a Session?" Master Dorak suggested.
"Yes, please," Vandar said.
"Go with your friends, Raven," Arren instructed, quickly spotting the boy's roommate and Master Kavar's Padawan. "You've earned some rest. I shall come for you once the Council is done."
The boy nodded his head, awkwardly approaching the two other Padawans as the Masters, led by Zhar Lestin, headed toward the Enclave's Council Chambers. Arren found it somewhat amusing. Back on Coruscant, she never wanted to sit on the High Council, simply because it would have taken her away from the Archives.
However, her current assignment has already done that, and with the limited amount of Jedi Masters on Dantooine, it was almost mandatory for her to sit on the Council. Luckily for Arren, they didn't lead the Order, and the Sessions weren't nearly as frequent as those on Coruscant. And that meant she could spend more time overseeing the progress of her promising, young student.
"Master Q'Anilia had yet another vision, similar to that she had half a year ago," Vrook said once all the Masters sat down. "And she believes it to be worse than the previous one. Something happened five days ago, something terrible."
Arren held her breath, forcing her body not to show any signs of discomfort. Raven learned the truth about his family five days ago.
"Something is moving across the Outer Rim," Vandar explained. "And the High Council decreed that the Masters must scatter across the Republic in hopes of finding that which eludes us. Master Lamar and I were sent here." I wonder what was the true reason, Arren commented in her mind, barely holding back a snort. "Masters Q'Anilia, Draay, Xamar, Feln, and Tey traveled to Taris, while Masters Sunrider and Amon went to Telos. Currently, only Masters Kardal, Zez-Kai-Ell, and Nivix remain on Coruscant."
"We didn't sense anything," Zhar replied, frowning as he leaned forward in his seat. "Is Master Q'Anilia certain of what she had seen?"
"More than the last time," Vrook replied, turning his gaze to Arren. "How is the boy's training going?"
"Raven is doing steady progress," she replied, doing her best not to roll her eyes in annoyance. "His potential is indeed remarkable. In terms of lecture, I'm almost done guiding him through the first tenet of the Code."
Her words sparked the interest of not only Master Lamar but all the other Masters gathered in the Chamber.
"Half a year, and you're almost done with the first tenet?" Kavar asked in disbelief, crossing his legs.
"That's quite slow, Master Kae," Vrook commented. "He should already know the entire Code, not just the first line," he added, earning himself nods of agreement from other Masters. "One's Force potential isn't the only factor that contributes to becoming a Jedi – an open mind and willingness to learn is necessary as well."
"I assure you, Master Lamar, that my Apprentice has plenty of both," Arren countered immediately. "I know that his current learning pace isn't common amongst other Apprentices, but the Archives hold many examples of Jedi Knights who only memorized the Code instead of understanding it. He is my Apprentice, and, hopefully, a Padawan in the future. And I believe it will be crucial for him to understand the Code properly if we want him to learn how to accept his past."
Vrook's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, scrutinizing Arren's face. "You've told him about his parents," he more stated than asked.
"Yes," Arren confirmed simply. "And before you get your lightsaber in the knot, Master Lamar, it was Master Kardal's order when he instructed me to teach Raven. The Grand Master believes it's important he knows the truth about his family."
"Are you sure it was the right time to do it, Master Kae?" Kavar asked, rubbing his chin. "The boy is still very young, and telling him such things, especially when he doesn't know the entire Code yet, could be… dangerous."
"Then perhaps we should be grateful he hasn't started his dueling training yet," Arren replied. "Trust is a key factor in a relationship between a Master and an Apprentice. The Force continued giving him dreams of what happened over two years ago, and he started asking questions. Lying to him would be even more catastrophic."
"When have you told him?" Vandar asked.
Arren sighed heavily. Lying to her fellow Masters would be catastrophic as well. At least in certain aspects. "Five days ago. But I assure you it's not what Master Q'Anilia sensed," she added quickly, hoping her words were true.
"We would have sensed something from him," Dorak agreed, nodding his head. Arren forced herself to hold the relieved sigh until she was out of the Masters' earshot. "But the timing is still questionable at best, wouldn't you agree, Master Kae?"
"As you've said, Master Dorak, you and the others would have sensed the darkness from Raven if he was the source of it. And since you haven't, he's not what Master Q'Anilia has seen." If the others indeed haven't sensed what she had, there was no way the Miraluka's Force Sight would allow her to look so far. No, the source of it had to be something else.
"Still, I think it wasn't a wise decision to tell him so quickly," Vrook commented, crossing his legs. Arren raised her eyebrow.
"Control your emotions, Master Lamar," she said. "What is it that you fear from the five-year-old boy?"
"There is no emotion," he countered immediately, offended by Arren's suggestion.
"Really? Then why do you hate him so much? He hasn't done anything to you nor the other Jedi who went with you to Mandalore all those years ago."
"He's a Mandalorian," Vrook replied. "His people have no control over their passions. They are prone to anger, and bloodlust flows through their veins. This is who they are, and I'm certain that boy is no exception."
"Is that the true reason? Or is it what happened to Knight Abya when she accompanied you to Mandalore?" Arren struck a nerve, and she knew it. The sudden tension in Vrook's body, the immediate collapse of his smirk upon hearing the name of the deceased Jedi, and the unconscious trembling of the left corner of his lips were clear signs of that. "I saw how you looked at her coffin when she was being lowered into the grave. And I remember the turmoil I sensed from you when her tomb was closed. But, of course, there is no emotion. Now, if you excuse me, I have a bloodthirsty five-year-old beast to attend to. I wonder if, perhaps, in my absence, he started killing other Jedi already."
Without waiting for any response from her fellow Masters, Arren stood up from her chair and left the Chambers. It brought her some sort of comfort knowing that none of them sensed what she had from Raven. And if that was the case, it would mean that a Bond between has already formed and it was growing. But it had to be too fresh if she hadn't sensed it earlier.
As Arren walked through the mostly empty corridors, she closed her eyes, attempting to focus on that thread connecting her to her Apprentice. The Force guided her as she marched through the Enclave. Even with the Bond being new, their relatively close vicinity allowed her to sense him amidst the other Jedi.
She found him in the company of two other students – Alek and Meetra. Her Apprentice was standing right next to the giant tree in the open section of the Enclave, while his two companions were sitting on the thick branches of said tree. Raven was looking at them with a mixture of envy and uncertainty, not sure if he should follow in their footsteps, even as they continued urging him on. Luckily for him, Arren was going to solve his dilemma for him.
"Come, Raven," she spoke, leaving the corridor, and walking into the open area. Her voice gathered the attention of two other students, who quickly leaped off the branches in a futile hope of not being spotted on the tree. "We must continue your training."
The boy smiled sheepishly at his two companions, waved at them, and followed his Master to the training rooms. Arren's heart started beating faster in her chest as she sensed the immediate change in his mood. Happiness quickly gave way to that unconscious anger that was present within him for the past five days. The Bond between them guided Arren through his thought process: training meant returning to the training rooms. And training rooms were where he had learned of his parents' fate. Perhaps his emotions would have been dulled if Master Lamar didn't arrive on Dantooine.
Arren couldn't deny, though, that Raven was doing his best to clear his mind. She could see it in their exercises that he was, indeed, trying to follow her instructions. But the knowledge of what happened to his parents was still there, stubbornly refusing to leave his thoughts.
Perhaps I should take him to the Mind Healers, she mused as they continued walking to their training room. They would be able to block or even completely erase those thoughts. Would it be a good decision? Raven's anger would have nothing to feed on, and it would die a natural death, and her promise to tell him of his past would technically be fulfilled.
No, Arren decided, shaking her head. Hiding him from the Dark Side would only make him more vulnerable to Its temptations once the true luring would begin. He had to learn how to fight it and how to emerge victorious from this fight. The war between the Light Side and the Dark Side was a constant in every Jedi's life. The earlier Raven learned how to wage this war, the better. There is another way.
"You haven't cleared your mind for the past five days," Arren more stated than asked as they sat down on the carpet in front of each other. As she expected, her words only fueled said emotions as Raven looked down in shame.
"I'm sorry, Master Kae. I'm trying every day-"
"I know that," she interrupted him. "I can sense the war within your mind, Raven, and I'm quite impressed that you're able to wage it at such a young age. But you must learn how to emerge victorious from it. Otherwise, the Dark Side is bound to consume you. We won't be doing our regular exercises today," she announced. "Instead, I'm going to teach you something far more important. What is the first tenet of the Jedi Code?"
Raven sighed quietly. "There is no emotion, there is peace."
"Did you know that the Code didn't always look like that?" Arren asked, even though she already knew the answer. "Of course not. Such knowledge has not been passed for generations, and if I wasn't an Archivist, I wouldn't know what I'm about to tell you. And since it was deemed… inappropriate to teach it to students, what you're about to hear can never leave this room," she added, using the Force to lock the door. "Emotions, yet peace."
Raven looked at her, for the first time in five days with curiosity in his eyes instead of shame or poorly concealed anger. Arren watched as a frown appeared on his face as he tried to decipher her words. Difficult as the Code was before it was changed, Arren was certain that it possessed the solutions they both needed.
"That line contradicts itself, doesn't it?" Raven nodded slowly in response. "You are a Mandalorian, Raven, and your race is more… receptible to emotions than others, especially negative emotions. The Code as it is today can't guide you like it guides countless others. Many Jedi take it literally – a failing of their teachers. It is within the nature of every living being to feel emotions. Only machines do not feel anything."
"Then why was the Code changed?"
"Perhaps to be easier to understand, or obey," Arren shrugged her shoulders. "I know you feel like we're moving too slowly with the Code, but many students memorize it instead of understanding it. And if it's supposed to help you when you grow older, you must understand it. You must understand what those tenets mean and how they can guide you. But I see now that you cannot be taught the way other Apprentices are. The Code is supposed to bring clarity, not cause conflict in your mind."
"Emotions will accompany you throughout your entire life, of that I'm certain, Raven," Arren continued. "And ignoring them would only bring harm to you. Acknowledge them, embrace them, and recognize them for what they are – pieces of you. But don't stop there – understand that it is you, who controls them, not the other way around. They might influence you, but in the end, remember that you're not an animal driven by basic instincts. Find calmness in the storm, silence in noise, peace in a war that will be constantly waged in your heart – between the Dark Side and the Light Side… Emotions, yet peace."
Raven subconsciously closed his eyes as Arren was speaking, meditating on her words. The Jedi Master raised her eyebrow at the immediate change around them. The turmoil from earlier was calmer, and the dark veil around her Apprentice slowly began disappearing. She stared wide-eyed at the boy in front of her, and her lips curled up in a smile.
"You know what Master Lamar has done to your parents," she began hesitantly. "But you must also recognize what it means for the Mandalorians – your parents – to die on the battlefield. Despite their reluctance to give you to the Order, they certainly respected Master Lamar and the other Jedi for being a real challenge for them. They gave your parents what every Mandalorian dreams of – dying in combat, with their weapons in their hands. I know you have every right to be angry with Master Lamar, but remember that your mother and father gave their lives willingly, and found honor in their actions. Let this thought guide you through your hatred. Find peace in what I've told you."
"Did they really die honorably?" Raven asked softly, slowly opening his eyes. Arren smiled gently, finally seeing the calmness in his gaze.
"From what I've been told by Master Lamar, and what you've told me about your dreams, then yes," Arren confirmed, nodding her head. "And I'm sure that despite their hatred toward Jedi, they still respected Master Lamar in their final moments. Emotions, yet peace," she repeated. "And as you meditate on those words, keep in mind that what I'm teaching you now can never leave this room. If you want to become a Padawan, you will have to recite the Code as it is today in front of the other Masters and share your understanding of it with them. Allow what you've learned today to guide you through the current Code – I believe it will help you understand it."
"Where now, Mandalore?" Cassus asked eagerly, bumping his fist against the table. The night has fallen, and the Mandalore, accompanied by the Clan Leaders and a few others, was sitting in the large ballroom in the capital of Althiri III. Servants were walking amongst them, bringing alcohol and a variety of foods to the table as the Mandalorians were celebrating their first victory.
"For now, we wait," the Taung replied, earning himself a series of enraged shouts from the others. He growled quietly before pulling out his rifle. The salvo he fired into the ceiling quickly silenced his Generals. "The Republic is much better organized than the Althiri, and currently, they outmatch and outnumber us. Marching against them now would be suicide. Besides, the Jetti are still there – it's possible they've somehow learned of us. If we attack now, we will only bring unwanted attention to ourselves. Patience, Mandalorians. I haven't forgotten what I've seen and what I've promised you. But we must be smart about it. For now, we wait," he repeated. "To see if the Jetti or the Republic know about us. Let's lick our wounds now and wait for the other Mandalorians to join us. I promised you to attack the Republic, and I intend to keep that promise. But we need more men and more equipment. Otherwise, we will be crushed before the war even begins."
One by one, the Clan Leaders nodded their heads, seeing the wisdom in his words.
"But now, let's celebrate!" the Mandalore ordered, standing up from his chair with a cup in his hands. The others stood up as well. "To our first victory!" he yelled, receiving a roar of approval from the gathered Mandalorians. "And to the two men who proved themselves today – Amiel Raven and Canderous Ordo! Today, Amiel became a true Mandalorian and a true Raven – he's not a boy anymore. And Canderous, with his decision, managed to break the stalemate and made our victory possible. This is the way!"
"This is the way!" they replied, drinking from their cups.