Chapter 2: Worlds Collide
The Starfall lay in ruins, smoke billowing from its damaged hull as Kyen Shan emerged from the wreckage, helping Lyra and Caspian out behind him. They had crash-landed in a dense forest, tall evergreens stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was crisp and cold, carrying the scent of pine and snow.
"Is everyone alright?" Kyen asked, his eyes scanning his family for injuries.
Lyra nodded, wincing as she rubbed a bruised arm. "A bit banged up, but we'll live. Caspian?"
The boy looked shaken but unhurt. "I'm okay, Mama. Where are we?"
Kyen closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force. What he felt nearly overwhelmed him. The Force flowed through this world like a raging river, powerful and untamed. He could sense both light and darkness, intertwined in a complex tapestry that defied easy categorization.
"This planet... it's incredibly strong with the Force," Kyen said, his voice filled with awe. "Both the light and the dark side. I've never felt anything like it."
As they surveyed their surroundings, it became clear that wherever they had landed was far from the technological advancements they were used to. There were no signs of modern civilization, no speeders or droids or durasteel structures. Instead, they found themselves in a primeval forest, ancient and untouched by industrial progress.
"The ships beyond repair," Lyra said, her expert eye taking in the extent of the damage. The Starfall's hull was cracked and buckled, its systems fried beyond recognition. "Even if it wasn't, I don't think we'd find the parts we need here. This world seems... primitive."
Kyen nodded grimly. "We may be here for a while. Let's salvage what we can from the ship and set up a camp. We need to figure out where we are and what kind of life this planet supports."
As the family began the arduous task of creating a temporary home, none of them realized that their arrival had not gone unnoticed. Far above, a raven circled, its three eyes fixed upon the strange metal contraption that had fallen from the sky.
Over the next few hours, the Shan family worked tirelessly to salvage what they could from the wreckage of the Starfall. Lyra, with her engineering expertise, managed to get some of the ship's systems partially operational, providing them with a power source and limited access to their databanks.
Kyen focused on setting up a secure perimeter around their makeshift camp, using the Force to sense any potential threats. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though by what or whom, he couldn't say.
Caspian, eager to help, busied himself with gathering firewood and helping his mother sort through their supplies. Despite the gravity of their situation, the boy's natural curiosity shone through as he peppered his parents with questions about their new surroundings.
"Papa, look at these trees!" Caspian exclaimed, pointing to the towering evergreens. "They're bigger than anything on Coruscant. And the air smells so different. Do you think there are animals here? Maybe we'll see some!"
Kyen couldn't help but smile at his son's enthusiasm. "I'm sure we will, Caspian. But remember, we need to be cautious. We don't know what kind of creatures inhabit this world."
As night began to fall, the temperature dropped dramatically. The family huddled around the fire Lyra had managed to start, grateful for its warmth. The forest around them came alive with unfamiliar sounds – the howl of what might have been wolves, the hoot of strange birds, and other noises they couldn't identify.
"What do you think happened?" Lyra asked softly, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "How did we end up here, so far from any charted system?"
Kyen shook his head, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm not sure. The hyperdrive malfunction, combined with the damage from the pirate attack... we could be anywhere in the galaxy. Or beyond it."
"Beyond the galaxy?" Caspian's eyes widened at the thought. "Is that even possible?"
"With the Force, many things are possible," Kyen replied, ruffling his son's hair. "But don't worry. We're together, and that's what matters. We'll figure this out."
As they prepared to sleep that first night, huddled together in the shelter they'd constructed from the ship's debris, Kyen found himself restless. He stepped outside, gazing up at the unfamiliar stars. The constellations were unlike any he'd ever seen, confirming his suspicion that they were far from known space.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught his eye. At the edge of the clearing, just beyond the reach of the firelight, stood a massive wolf. Its fur was white as snow, and its eyes... Kyen blinked in surprise. Its eyes were blood red and seemed to glow with an inner light.
For a long moment, Jedi and wolf regarded each other. Kyen reached out with the Force, trying to sense the creature's intentions. To his shock, he felt something reach back – not the simple mind of an animal, but something far more complex and ancient.
Just as quickly as it had appeared, the wolf turned and vanished into the darkness of the forest, leaving Kyen to wonder if he had imagined the entire encounter.
Inside the shelter, Lyra stirred. "Kyen? Is everything alright?"
He hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yes, everything's fine. Just checking our surroundings." He didn't want to worry her with tales of ghostly wolves, at least not until he understood more about this strange world, they had found themselves in.
As Kyen settled back down beside his family, he couldn't shake the feeling that their crash landing was more than just an accident. The Force moved in mysterious ways, and he sensed that it had brought them to this planet for a reason. What that reason might be, he could only guess.
The next morning dawned clear and cold. As the family began to stir, Kyen shared his plan for the day. "We need to explore our surroundings," he said as they ate a meager breakfast of ration bars. "Find out if there's any civilization nearby, or at least a source of fresh water and food. Our supplies won't last forever."
Lyra nodded in agreement. "I can work on getting more of the ship's systems online while you're gone. Maybe I can boost the long-range scanners, see if I can pick up any signals."
"What about me?" Caspian asked eagerly. "Can I come with you, Papa?"
Kyen and Lyra exchanged a glance. The forest could be dangerous, but keeping Caspian cooped up in the camp wouldn't be good for him either.
"Alright," Kyen decided. "But you must stay close to me at all times and do exactly as I say. Understood?"
Caspian nodded solemnly; his excitement barely contained. "I understand, Papa. I'll be good, I promise."
As they prepared to leave, Kyen made sure they were well-equipped. He had his lightsaber, of course, and he gave Caspian a small vibroblade – not much, but better than nothing if they encountered any hostile wildlife. They packed some rations, water, and a portable scanner Lyra had managed to get working.
"Be careful out there," Lyra said, embracing them both. "And may the Force be with you."
Kyen and Caspian set off into the forest, the unfamiliar terrain challenging them at every step. The undergrowth was thick, and the ground was uneven, hidden roots threatening to trip them up. But Kyen moved with the grace of a trained Jedi, and Caspian did his best to mimic his father's movements.
As they walked, Kyen took the opportunity to continue Caspian's training. "Reach out with your feelings," he instructed. "What do you sense?"
Caspian closed his eyes, his face scrunching up in concentration. "I feel... life. So much life. The trees, the animals, even the ground beneath our feet. It's all connected."
Kyen nodded approvingly. "Good. The Force flows through all living things. Here, it seems especially strong. Keep your senses open. It may warn us of danger before we can see or hear it."
They had been walking for several hours when Caspian suddenly froze, his eyes wide. "Papa," he whispered, "I hear something. Voices, I think. But they're not like any language I've ever heard."
Kyen strained his ears, reaching out with the Force. Sure enough, he could sense several presences nearby, and hear the faint murmur of unfamiliar speech. He motioned for Caspian to be quiet and stay low as they crept forward.
Peering through the undergrowth, they saw a small clearing. In it were three men, dressed in furs and leather, carrying primitive weapons – bows and arrows, spears, and crude swords. They were gathered around something on the ground, speaking in low, urgent tones.
Kyen's breath caught in his throat as he realized what they were looking at. It was a piece of the Starfall's hull, unmistakable in its metallic sheen amidst the natural surroundings of the forest.
"They must have found some of the debris from our crash," Kyen whispered to Caspian. "We need to be careful. We don't know how they'll react to outsiders."
As they watched, one of the men picked up the piece of wreckage, turning it over in his hands with a mix of curiosity and fear. He said something to his companions, gesturing back the way they had come.
Kyen made a quick decision. "We need to follow them," he said. "They might lead us to their settlement. It's our best chance of learning more about where we are."
Caspian nodded; his earlier excitement now tempered with caution. Together, father and son began to trail the group of men, careful to stay out of sight and downwind. As they moved deeper into the forest, Kyen couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the cusp of a discovery that would change everything – not just for his family, but for the entire world they had found themselves in.
Little did they know that at that very moment, two young boys from Winterfell were embarking on an adventure of their own – one that would soon bring them face-to-face with the mysterious newcomers from beyond the stars.
Three days had passed since Jon Snow and Robb Stark had snuck out of Winterfell in search of the fallen star. What had started as an exciting adventure had quickly turned into a nightmare as the boys found themselves hopelessly lost in the vast Wolfswood.
The initial thrill of their secret quest had long since faded, replaced by hunger, exhaustion, and a growing sense of dread. They had quickly eaten through their meager supplies of hard bread and dried meat, and their attempts at foraging had yielded little more than a few bitter berries and some questionable mushrooms that neither dared to eat.
Jon's feet ached with every step; his boots worn through from days of trudging through the unforgiving terrain. His clothes were torn and dirty, his face scratched from pushing through thorny underbrush. Beside him, Robb looked no better, his Tully-red hair matted with twigs and leaves.
"This is all your fault," Robb grumbled as they pushed through yet another thicket. "If you hadn't insisted on chasing after some imaginary star—"
"It wasn't imaginary!" Jon protested; his voice hoarse from thirst. "I saw it, clear as day. And you agreed to come, remember?"
Robb sighed, his anger deflating as quickly as it had flared. "I know. I'm sorry, Jon. I'm just tired and hungry. Do you think they're looking for us?"
Jon nodded, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Of course they are. Father will have sent out search parties as soon as they realized we were gone."
He thought back to that night in the godswood, when he'd convinced Robb to join him on this ill-fated adventure. How foolish they had been, drunk on tales of heroism and the promise of glory. Now, cold, hungry, and lost, Jon would have given anything to be back in Winterfell, even if it meant facing Lady Stark's icy glares.
As they trudged on, Jon's mind wandered to the strange dream he'd had the night before. He'd seen a man with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, wielding a sword that glowed with an otherworldly light. The man had been fighting creatures Jon had never seen before, things that looked like a cross between men and beasts. When Jon had woken, the dream had felt more real than the forest around him.
Just as the boys were about to try and get their bearings, they heard rustling in the woods nearby. Hope flared in their chests, thinking it might be a search party. But as the sources of the noise emerged, that hope turned to dread.
Before them stood a group of rough-looking men, their clothes a mismatched assortment of black Night's Watch garb and wild furs. Jon and Robb immediately recognized them for what they were: deserters from the Night's Watch and wildlings.
"Well, well," drawled a tall, scarred man with a patchy beard. "What do we have here? Couple of lordlings lost in the woods?"
"Reckon they'd fetch a good price, Derrick," said another man, this one shorter with a cruel glint in his eye.
The one called Derrick grinned, revealing rotted teeth. "Aye, that they would, Moro. What do you think, Harma? Your folk might pay well for some southron hostages."
A burly wildling woman with a scar across her cheek snorted. "The free folk don't deal in coin, you fool. But these little lords might be useful for something."
"Please," Jon said, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "We're lost. We just want to go home."
"Oh, you'll go home alright," Derrick laughed. "Once your lord father pays us what you're worth."
The group consisted of five in total: Derrick and Moro, the apparent leaders of the deserters; Harma, the wildling woman; and two other rough-looking men - a lanky, rat-faced deserter called Skinner, and a wildling with a thick beard and a missing ear who went by the name of Grum.
As the group of deserters and wildlings closed in around them, Jon and Robb exchanged terrified glances. Their adventure had taken a dangerous turn, and now they were in more trouble than they could have ever imagined.
Jon's hand instinctively went to the small dagger they had "borrowed" from Winterfell's armory. It seemed woefully inadequate against the array of cruel-looking weapons their captors wielded, but it was all they had.
Robb, seeing Jon's movement, shook his head almost imperceptibly. His Tully-blue eyes, usually so full of mischief, were now sharp with fear and a wisdom beyond his years. Jon understood the silent message now was not the time to fight. They were outnumbered and outmatched.
Derrick, the scarred leader, stepped forward, his eyes roving over the boys with a calculating gaze. "Now then, which one of you is the Stark heir? That'll make a difference in how much you're worth."
Jon and Robb exchanged glances again. Jon could see the conflict in his brother's eyes – the instinct to protect warring with the knowledge that revealing his identity might be their best chance at survival.
Before Robb could speak, Jon stepped forward. "I am," he lied, his voice steadier than he felt. "I'm Robb Stark, heir to Winterfell."
Robb's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly schooled his features. Jon prayed his brother would understand and play along. If these men knew Jon was a bastard, they might decide he wasn't worth keeping alive.
Derrick's grin widened. "Well now, that is fortunate. Lord Eddard Stark's own son and heir. He'll pay a pretty price to get you back, I'd wager."
Harma, the wildling woman, stepped forward, her scarred face twisted in a scowl. "And what of the other one? If this one's the heir, who's he then?"
Jon's mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible story. But before he could speak, Robb cut in.
"He's my cousin," Robb said, his voice surprisingly steady. "Brandon Stark, named for my late uncle. He's fostering at Winterfell."
Jon felt a rush of gratitude towards his brother. Robb had not only played along with Jon's lie but had given him an identity that would make him valuable as well.
Moro, the shorter man with the cruel eyes, laughed. "Two little lordlings for the price of one. This is our lucky day, boys."
As the group began to argue over what to do with their newfound prizes, Jon's mind drifted back to the strange dream he'd had. The man with the glowing sword seemed so real, so powerful. Jon found himself wishing that such a hero would appear now, to save them from this nightmare.
But no hero came. Instead, rough hands grabbed them, tying their hands behind their backs with coarse rope that bit into their skin. Jon winced as Skinner, the rat-faced man, pulled the bonds tight, chuckling at Jon's discomfort.
"Not so high and mighty now, are you, little lord?" Skinner sneered, his breath hot and foul in Jon's face.
As they were shoved forward, forced to march deeper into the Wolfswood, Jon caught Robb's eye. His brother gave him a small nod, a silent promise that they would find a way out of this together.
Jon thought of his father, of Arya, of all the people back in Winterfell who must be worried sick about them. He thought of the fallen star that had started this whole misadventure. Had it all been for nothing?
As they trudged through the darkening forest, Jon clung to hope. His father would be looking for them. Lord Eddard Stark would not rest until his sons were found. All they had to do was survive long enough to be rescued.
The group marched for hours, pushing deeper into the Wolfswood. Jon and Robb stumbled along, their legs aching and their spirits sinking with each step. The forest seemed to grow darker and more foreboding as they went, the ancient trees looming over them like silent sentinels.
Derrick and Moro led the way, arguing in hushed tones about the best place to make camp and how to contact Lord Stark for the ransom. Harma brought up the rear, her eyes constantly scanning the forest for any sign of pursuit. Skinner and Grum flanked the boys, occasionally shoving them when they slowed down.
As night began to fall, Derrick finally called for a halt. They had reached a small clearing, surrounded by dense undergrowth and towering pines. "We'll camp here for the night," he announced. "Grum, you take first watch. Skinner, see to the boys."
Jon and Robb were roughly shoved to the ground near the center of the clearing. Skinner approached with a length of rope, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Can't have you running off in the night, now, can we?" he sneered, binding their ankles tightly.
As Skinner worked, Jon's fingers brushed against something in his boot – the small dagger he had managed to conceal earlier. His heart raced as he realized their captors hadn't found it during their initial search. He caught Robb's eye, giving a slight nod towards his boot. Robb's eyes widened in understanding, a flicker of hope crossing his face.
The night wore on, and the camp settled into an uneasy quiet. Moro and Harma argued in hushed tones about the best route to take, while Derrick paced the perimeter of the clearing, his hand never far from his sword. Skinner had dozed off, snoring loudly from his position near the boys.
Jon waited, every muscle in his body tense, for the right moment. When Grum's back was turned, and the others seemed distracted, he slowly, painfully, began to work the dagger free from his boot.
It was agonizing work, made all the more difficult by the ropes binding his hands. But inch by inch, Jon managed to work the blade free. With trembling hands, he began to saw at the ropes around Robb's wrists.
Robb kept watch, his eyes darting nervously between their captors and Jon's work. It seemed to take an eternity, but finally, the ropes fell away. Robb quickly untied his ankles, then took the dagger to free Jon.
Just as the last of Jon's bonds fell away, disaster struck. Grum turned, his eyes widening as he saw the boys free of their restraints. "Oi!" he shouted, reaching for his axe. "The little lords are loose!"
Chaos erupted in the camp. Derrick and Moro sprang to their feet, drawing their swords. Harma let out a fierce war cry, brandishing a wicked-looking knife. Skinner jolted awake, fumbling for his weapon.
Jon and Robb scrambled to their feet, adrenaline coursing through their veins. "Run!" Jon shouted, shoving Robb towards the edge of the clearing.
But Grum was faster. The big wildling lunged forward, his meaty hand closing around Jon's arm. Jon cried out in pain, twisting in the man's grip.
Robb, seeing his brother caught, did something both incredibly brave and incredibly foolish. He charged at Grum, tackling the much larger man around the waist.
The impact was enough to loosen Grum's grip on Jon. As the wildling stumbled, Jon raised the dagger and, without thinking, plunged it into Grum's thigh.
Grum roared in pain, releasing Jon entirely. Blood poured from the wound as the wildling collapsed, clutching at his leg.
"You little bastards!" Derrick shouted, advancing on them with his sword raised.
Jon grabbed Robb's arm, pulling him to his feet. "Come on!" he yelled, and together they plunged into the undergrowth.
Behind them, they could hear the shouts and curses of their captors. Branches whipped at their faces as they ran, thorns tearing at their already ragged clothes. But fear and desperation lent them speed, driving them deeper into the dark forest.
"After them!" Derrick's voice echoed through the trees. "Don't let them get away!"
Jon and Robb ran as they had never run before. Their legs burned, their lungs ached, but they didn't dare slow down. They could hear their pursuers crashing through the undergrowth behind them, slowly gaining ground.
Jon and Robb's lungs burned as they tore through the Wolfswood, branches whipping at their faces and roots threatening to trip them at every step. The jeers and threats of their pursuers echoed behind them, spurring them on despite their exhaustion.
"I think... I think I see something ahead," Jon gasped between breaths, pointing to a faint glow through the trees.
Robb nodded, too winded to speak. They pushed on, hope giving them a final burst of energy.
As they burst into a small clearing, both boys skidded to a halt, their eyes widening at the sight before them. A strange metal structure lay half-buried in the earth, smoke still rising from its damaged frame. But it was the woman near it that truly caught their attention.
She stood tall, her auburn hair catching the moonlight as she examined some sort of device in her hand. Her clothing was unlike anything Jon or Robb had ever seen - not quite the finery of lords, but certainly not the rough spun wool of smallfolk.
Without thinking, driven by exhaustion and the desperate need for help, the boys ran towards her.
"Please," Jon cried out, desperation clear in his voice. "You have to help us!"
The woman's head snapped up at their approach, her eyes widening in surprise. She quickly tucked the device away and moved to meet them.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her accent unfamiliar to the young Starks.
Robb chimed in, still trying to catch his breath, "There are men chasing us - deserters and wildlings!"
The woman's expression hardened. She quickly ushered the boys behind her. "I'm Lyra," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "Stay close to me. We'll keep you safe."
Before Lyra could say more, the sounds of pursuit grew louder. Derrick and his band burst into the clearing, their weapons drawn and expressions fierce.
"Well, well," Derrick sneered, eyeing the new group. "Looks like our little lordlings found a friend. Step aside, woman. This doesn't concern you."
Lyra's posture shifted subtly, ready for action. "I'm afraid I can't do that. These boys have asked for my help, and I won't abandon them to whatever fate you have in mind."
Moro laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Listen to her, all high and mighty. You've no idea what you're dealing with, love. Best step aside before things get ugly."
"I assure you," Lyra replied, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of steel, "it is you who don't understand the situation. I'll give you one chance to walk away."
Harma, the wildling woman, stepped forward, her eyes roving over Lyra with a predatory gleam. "We'll be taking the boys... and you too, pretty one. You'll fetch a fine price north of the Wall."
At this, Lyra's expression hardened. In one fluid motion, she pushed the boys behind her and raised her arm, revealing a strange device strapped to her wrist.
The deserters and wildlings hesitated for a moment, confused by the unfamiliar object. But their uncertainty quickly gave way to bloodlust.
"Enough talk!" Derrick roared. "Kill the woman and take the boys!"
As the group charged forward, several things happened at once. Lyra's device emitted a bright flash of light and a sharp crack, sending Skinner tumbling backward with a smoking hole in his chest. Robb and Jon gasped in shock, having never seen anything like it before.
At that moment, a man and a young boy, no more than six years old, emerged from the woods behind Lyra. The man's hands moved in a blur, and suddenly he was holding two cylinders of metal. With a snap-hiss that cut through the air, blades of pure light sprang forth - one a deep blue, the other a vibrant green.
The wildlings faltered at the sight, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror. But Derrick, maddened by bloodlust, pressed on. "What are you waiting for?" he bellowed. "They're just tricks! Kill them!"
As the attackers surged forward once more, a metallic voice rang out from within the crashed ship: "Hostiles detected. Engaging combat protocols."
Jon and Robb watched in amazement as a metal man - no, not a man, some kind of construct - strode forward. Its arms held strange cylindrical objects that the boys couldn't begin to comprehend, but which they would soon learn were powerful weapons called blasters.
What followed was a scene that would be seared into the young Starks' memories forever. The man - who Jon would later learn was named Kyen - moved like water, his lightsabers humming through the air as he deflected crude arrows and parried rusted blades. Where the glowing blades touched flesh, they passed through with terrifying ease.
Lyra proved equally formidable, her strange weapon spitting bolts of light that felled attackers with pinpoint accuracy. And the metal construct - a battle droid, though the boys had no context for such a thing - laid down a barrage of fire that forced the wildlings to scatter for cover.
Throughout the chaos, the young boy who had arrived with Kyen stood his ground near Jon and Robb. Though he carried no weapon and was much smaller than the older boys, there was something in his stance that suggested he was far from helpless.
Despite their initial shock, the deserters and wildlings fought with the desperation of men with nothing to lose. Grum, the one-eared wildling, managed to flank Kyen and rushed him with a crude axe. But Kyen seemed to sense the attack coming. He spun, his blue saber slicing through the axe handle before the green blade described a glowing arc that separated Grum's head from his shoulders.
Jon couldn't hold back a cry of shock at the sight, which drew Moro's attention. The short, cruel man grinned viciously and charged towards the boys, clearly intent on taking at least one hostage from this disaster.
But he never made it. A bolt from Lyra's blaster caught him in the leg, sending him sprawling. As he tried to rise, the battle droid's weapons found their mark, and Moro moved no more.
Derrick, seeing his band decimated in mere moments, finally lost his nerve. "Retreat!" he yelled, already turning to flee back into the woods. "Fall back!"
Harma and the few remaining attackers didn't need to be told twice. They turned tail and ran, disappearing into the trees as quickly as they had come.
As the sounds of battle faded, replaced by the groans of the wounded and dying, Jon and Robb found themselves rooted to the spot, unable to process what they had just witnessed.
Kyen deactivated his lightsabers, clipping them to his belt before turning to the boys. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle now that the danger had passed.
Jon nodded mutely, while Robb managed a shaky, "Y-yes, my lord."
Kyen smiled softly. "I'm no lord, young Robb. Just a man trying to protect his family... and those who need help. I'm Kyen, and you've already met my wife, Lyra. This is our son, Caspian."
The young boy who had stood near them during the fight gave a small wave, his earlier bravery replaced by shy curiosity.
Lyra approached, holstering her blaster as she did. "Kyen, we need to decide what to do now. We can't stay here - there might be more of them out there."
As the adults discussed their next move, Caspian turned to Jon and Robb. "Hi," he said, his voice high and childish but filled with excitement. "I'm Caspian. I'm six! Are you really from around here? This place is so... different."
Jon nodded, finding his voice. "Yes, we're from Winterfell. It's not far from here. I'm Jon, and this is my brother Robb. We're... we're the same age as you."
Robb, still pale from the ordeal but recovering his composure, managed a weak smile. "I'm six, and Jon's six too. Winterfell's our home. Our father is the Lord there. He'll help you if we can make it back."
Lyra and Kyen exchanged a surprised glance. They hadn't realized just how young the boys were.
"Six years old?" Lyra said softly, her expression softening. "You're very brave for your age."
Kyen nodded in agreement. "And articulate too. Your father must be proud."
Jon, feeling a bit more confident, spoke up. "We're learning our letters and numbers from Maester Luwin. He says we're doing well."
"That's impressive," Lyra said with a kind smile. "And who is Maester Luwin?"
"He's the maester at Winterfell," Robb explained proudly. "He teaches us and helps Father with important things."
Kyen, who had been examining their surroundings, turned his attention back to the conversation. "You've mentioned Winterfell a couple of times now. Is that a city nearby?"
"It's a castle," Jon explained. "The seat of House Stark, Wardens of the North."
Kyen and Lyra exchanged glances. "North of what?" Lyra asked.
"The North," Robb said, confusion evident in his voice. "One of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros."
Realization dawned on Kyen's face. "I see. It seems we have much to learn about this world we've found ourselves in. But first, we need to tend to any wounds and make sure we're safe for the night. Tomorrow, we'll make for this Winterfell of yours."
As Lyra began checking the boys for injuries, Jon's curiosity got the better of him. "What... what were those weapons you used? The glowing swords and the... the thing that shot light?"
Kyen knelt down to eye level with Jon. "The 'glowing swords' are called lightsabers. They're the weapon of the Jedi - peacekeepers from where we come from. And the 'thing that shot light' is called a blaster. It's... well, it's a bit like a very advanced bow and arrow."
"And the metal man?" Robb asked, his eyes darting to the battle droid that was now standing motionless nearby.
"That's a droid - a machine that can think and move on its own," Lyra explained as she finished her examination. "Don't worry, it won't hurt you. It's programmed to protect us."
As night began to fall, the group worked together to set up a camp, moving away from the crash site and the bodies of the fallen attackers. Kyen used the Force to mask their presence, hoping to avoid any further confrontations.
Around the warmth of a small fire, with the strange metal ship looming in the background, Jon and Robb began to pepper their new companions with questions.
"Where are you from?" Jon asked, his earlier fear giving way to fascination.
Kyen smiled, though there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. "We're from very, very far away. Another world entirely, in fact. We... we crashed here by accident."
Robb's eyes widened. "Another world? You mean, beyond the stars?"
Lyra nodded. "That's right. We traveled here in that ship you see behind us. It's called the Starfall."
Jon's breath caught in his throat. "The star! That's what I saw falling from the sky a few nights ago! I knew it was real!"
Kyen raised an eyebrow. "You saw us crash? Is that why you were out in the woods?"
Robb looked sheepish. "Jon saw it and wanted to find it. I thought it would be an adventure. We... we didn't tell anyone where we were going."
"I see," Kyen said, his tone gently admonishing. "That was very dangerous. Your family must be worried sick."
Both boys looked down, shame evident on their faces. "We know," Jon muttered. "We're sorry."
Lyra placed a comforting hand on each boy's shoulder. "What matters is that you're safe now. Tomorrow, we'll get you home."
As the night wore on, Jon and Robb listened in awe as Kyen and Lyra told them about the galaxy they came from. Tales of countless worlds, of starships that could cross the void between them, of a Republic spanning thousands of systems. The boys were enraptured, their earlier ordeal temporarily forgotten in the face of these wonders.
Caspian, emboldened by the friendly atmosphere, began to share his own experiences with the childlike enthusiasm of a six-year-old. "I was born on a planet called Alderaan," he said, his eyes wide with excitement. "It's so pretty there - there are big mountains and lots of lakes and cities that look like they're made of sparkly crystal!"
Jon and Robb hung on every word, trying to imagine such a place through the eyes of this young boy. It seemed impossible, and yet the evidence of its existence was all around them - in the strange clothes these people wore, in the wondrous weapons they wielded, and in the great metal ship that had brought them to Westeros.
"And the Jedi," Jon said, his eyes shining with curiosity. "You said they're peacekeepers? What exactly do they do?"
Kyen's expression grew thoughtful. "The Jedi are guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. We use the Force - a energy field that surrounds and penetrates all living things - to help those in need and to fight against darkness and oppression."
"Like knights!" Robb exclaimed.
"Something like that," Kyen chuckled. "Though our methods are often quite different from what I imagine your knights do."
As the fire began to die down and yawns became more frequent, Lyra insisted it was time for sleep. "We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow," she said. "You boys need your rest."
Despite their protests, Jon and Robb soon found themselves drifting off, wrapped in strange but warm blankets from the Starfall. As sleep took them, their dreams were filled with lightsabers and starships, Jedi and droids.
Kyen took the first watch, his senses extended through the Force to detect any approach. Lyra sat beside him, Caspian curled up asleep in her lap.
"What are we going to do, Kyen?" she whispered, careful not to wake the children. "We're stranded on a world that seems to barely have discovered steel, let alone spaceflight. How are we going to get home?"
Kyen placed an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. "I don't know, my love. But we're together, and we're alive. We'll find a way. The Force guided us here for a reason - we just need to trust in it."
Lyra nodded, leaning into her husband's embrace. As the moons of this strange new world climbed higher in the sky, the Shan family and their young charges rested, unaware of the profound impact their arrival would have on the fate of Westeros.
In the morning, they would begin their journey to Winterfell, where the collision of two vastly different worlds would truly begin to reshape the future of the Seven Kingdoms.
As dawn broke over the Wolfswood, the makeshift camp stirred to life. Jon and Robb woke to the unfamiliar smell of ration bars being heated over a portable stove - a far cry from the hearty breakfasts they were accustomed to at Winterfell.
Kyen, already awake and alert, was consulting a strange device that projected a shimmering map into the air. Lyra was checking over their supplies, while Caspian sleepily rubbed his eyes, clutching a small stuffed toy that looked like no animal Jon or Robb had ever seen.
"Good morning, boys," Lyra greeted them with a warm smile. "I hope you slept well. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Jon nodded, still slightly dazed by the events of the previous night. "How far do you think we are from Winterfell?" he asked, accepting a ration bar from Lyra with a murmured thanks.
Robb, more awake now, added, "If we can find the Kingsroad, I'm sure we can make our way back. Father will have sent out search parties - we might even meet them on the way."
Kyen nodded thoughtfully. "That would certainly make things easier. But we need to be cautious. Those men from last night might have friends, and we don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves."
As they ate their breakfast - the ration bars tasting strange but not entirely unpleasant to the Westerosi boys - Kyen outlined their plan for the day. They would head in the direction Jon and Robb believed Winterfell to be, keeping an eye out for any landmarks or signs of the Kingsroad.
"What about your ship?" Jon asked, glancing at the damaged Starfall. "Won't people find it?"
Lyra shook her head. "We've activated its cloaking device. It won't be visible to anyone passing by, and we've erased any signs of our camp. It's best if no one else discovers it for now."
As they prepared to leave, Caspian tugged on Jon's sleeve. "Can you tell me more about Winterfell?" he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Is it as big as the Jedi Temple on Coruscant?"
Jon exchanged a bemused glance with Robb. "I'm not sure what the Jedi Temple is like," he said gently, "but Winterfell is the largest castle in the North. It has great stone walls and towers, and hot springs that run through the walls to keep it warm even in winter."
Caspian's eyes grew even wider. "That sounds amazing! Do you have droids there too?"
Jon and Robb looked at each other, their curiosity piqued. "What's the Jedi Temple like?" Robb asked, leaning forward with interest.
"Yeah," Jon added eagerly. "And what are droids again? Are they common where you're from?"
Before Caspian could answer, Kyen intervened. "Caspian, remember what we talked about? This world is very different from ours. They don't have the same technology we're used to."
The young boy looked crestfallen for a moment, but quickly brightened. "That's okay! Maybe we can show them how to make droids!"
Lyra chuckled, ruffling her son's hair. "Let's focus on getting to Winterfell first, shall we?"
As they set off into the forest, Jon and Robb found themselves constantly amazed by their new companions. Kyen moved with a grace that seemed almost supernatural, his awareness of their surroundings far keener than any tracker they had ever seen. Lyra's knowledge of survival techniques and her ability to navigate using unfamiliar instruments was equally impressive.
Even young Caspian showed signs of extraordinary abilities. At one point, when they stopped for a brief rest, Jon watched in astonishment as the boy closed his eyes in concentration, and a small rock rose a few inches off the ground before gently settling back down.
"How did you do that?" Jon asked, his voice hushed with awe.
Caspian beamed proudly. "Papa's teaching me how to use the Force! I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm learning!"
Kyen, overhearing the exchange, came over to join them. "The Force flows through all living things," he explained to Jon and Robb. "With training, one can learn to sense it and even manipulate it to some degree. It's a fundamental part of what it means to be a Jedi."
Robb looked thoughtful. "Is it like magic? Old Nan tells us stories about magic in the North, but I've never seen any real magic before."
Kyen considered this for a moment. "It's not exactly magic, at least not in the way you might think of it. It's more like... tapping into the very essence of life itself. But I suppose to those unfamiliar with it, it might seem like magic."
As they continued their journey, the boys peppered Kyen and Lyra with questions about the Force, about the Jedi, and about the vast galaxy they came from. In turn, Kyen and Lyra asked about Westeros, about the North, and about the society and culture the boys had grown up in.
It was a strange meeting of worlds - tales of knights and lords mingling with stories of Jedi and senators, discussions of the old gods and the new intertwined with explanations of the light and dark sides of the Force.
As the day wore on and the forest began to thin, Robb suddenly stopped, pointing excitedly. "Look! I recognize that hill! We're not far from the Kingsroad now. Once we reach it, we'll be able to find our way back to Winterfell easily!"
A sense of relief washed over the group. They were one step closer to safety, to reuniting Jon and Robb with their family. But as they crested the hill, they saw something that made them all freeze in their tracks.
In the distance, on the Kingsroad itself, was a large group of mounted men bearing the direwolf sigil of House Stark. At their head, his face grim with worry and determination, rode Lord Eddard Stark himself.
Jon and Robb exchanged a look of mingled relief and apprehension. They were saved - but how would they explain their mysterious new companions to their father? As the search party drew nearer, the boys knew that the moment of truth had arrived. The world of Westeros was about to collide head-on with the far-flung reaches of the galaxy, and nothing would ever be the same again.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support of "The Lost Jedi of Westeros." This latest chapter, "Worlds Collide," was truly a labor of love, and I'm so excited to share it with you all.
Writing about Kyen Shan and his family crash-landing on the mysterious, Force-rich world of Westeros was both challenging and exhilarating. I really wanted to capture the wonder and fear of encountering a realm so different from their own, and how they rely on each other to navigate this strange new reality. Kyen's encounter with the ancient direwolf, the family's struggle to adapt, and the unexpected meeting with Jon and Robb from Winterfell - I hope these moments resonated with you as much as they did with me while writing them.
I have a little confession to make: I actually wrote this chapter alongside the first one and had planned to release it next week. But after seeing all your amazing reviews and enthusiasm, I couldn't wait to share more of the story with you. Your support has been incredibly motivating, so consider this early release a thank you for being such awesome readers!
Juggling these updates with my summer classes hasn't been easy, but knowing that you're out there, eager for the next part of the story, makes all the late nights and endless revisions worthwhile. Your encouragement truly means everything to me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. How do you feel about the merging of the Star Wars universe with the world of Westeros? Any theories or hopes for what might happen next? Your insights and ideas always inspire me, and I'm looking forward to reading your comments.
P.S. I've revised this chapter to address the inconsistencies pointed out in the reviews. Specifically, I've fixed Jon and Robb's ages to ensure they align with the established timeline. I've also rewritten the section that originally mentioned the Imperial Palace, replacing it with a reference to the Jedi Temple. While 500 Republica is taller, I chose to use the Jedi Temple as it's more iconic to the Star Wars franchise.
I've been in class and at work all day, which is why I couldn't address these issues immediately when I first received the feedback. However, I've since had the chance to go through the chapter thoroughly and make these important adjustments. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope you enjoy this improved and more consistent version of the chapter!
Thank you again for being part of this journey. Your support and enthusiasm keep me going. More adventures are on the way!
With gratitude,
Mtle232