Chapter 2 - Refuge
A swirling maelstrom of darkness and light engulfed Edric. Voices echoed around him, harsh and accusing. He saw Master Asher, his face twisted in a mask of rage, screaming, "You left me to die!" The image of his mentor's distorted face burned into his mind. Edric tried to reach out, but he was pulled back into the blackness.
Unknown voices filled the void, their words sharp and unforgiving. "You have let down your family," they accused. Faces he did not recognize but felt an inexplicable connection to, flickered before him, their eyes filled with disappointment and sorrow. A shadowy figure held up a holocron, its facets glowing. "You will never get it back," the figure hissed, the holocron's light casting eerie shadows on the faces around him. The vision swirled faster, the faces and voices blending into a nightmarish blur until, mercifully, it began to fade.
Edric slowly surfaced from darkness, his ears buzzing and vision swimming in a haze. Shadows danced above him, and muffled sounds reached his ears as if through water. He struggled to piece together where he was and what had happened. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his sight and understand his surroundings. Agony pulsed through every fiber of his being, his limbs leaden and unresponsive. His head pounded in unison with his heart, his muscles felt heavier than the weights he carried during training. A figure loomed over him, words indistinct and muffled.
"Hey! Can you hear me? We need to move, come on!" The voice sharpened, piercing the fog with urgency and panic. Edric tried to focus, fragments of the battle flashed in his mind—explosions, blaster fire, and something else he couldn't fully remember. As his senses sharpened, Edric recognized the face of a girl about his age. Her wide green eyes reflected worry, her dark hair tousled from the fight. She kept looking around.
"Who are you?" the Padawan managed to croak out as he attempted to sit up. His vision became blurry again for a second and he deduced it might be a good idea to take things slower so he wouldn't faint again.
"I'm Lyra. There's really no time, the droids can come back any second. Let's go!" she urged, pulling at his arm. Edric struggled to his feet with a few grunts. His body rebelled, aching from the battle and the explosion that had knocked him out. As he straightened up, a switch flipped in his brain and his stomach twisted into a knot. "Wait, my Master! Master Asher, where is he?" he asked, his eyes darted frantically over the scene, searching for any sign of Kael. But all he found was destruction; the lifeless bodies of their clone squad, droid parts scattered everywhere and craters dug by the bombs from the sky. His tears welled up as a chasm of grief opened within him, mirroring the craters of the battlefield. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the Force, but the same image kept repeating in his mind; his Master thrown by the explosion and lying on the ground. The Force eluded him, replaced by a crushing pressure around his chest. He had failed to protect his Master, failed to understand what the Force was trying to tell him, to foresee the danger.
Lyra's voice pulled him back to reality. "I don't know who you're talking about, but we really have to get out of here. Now!"
She tugged on Edric to move. The young Padawan's head swam, only now noticing the dozen figures encircling him. An older man with greying hair and a wrinkled face was behind Lyra, sharing similar features. They all seemed to be locals, judging by their attire. Some were checking the bodies to see if there were any other survivors and salvage anything useful. Edric noticed two of them helping up a trooper not far away with a nasty wound on his right side screaming in pain. The one who saved him, the Padawan realized.
Lyra set off towards the nearby forest, and the man behind her pushed Edric along to follow her tracks, the boy's steps unsteady and faltering. Each footfall was a struggle, as if the ground itself was shifting beneath him, while he clenched his teeth to stave off the lure of unconsciousness. The distant booms grew louder, a stark reminder that trouble was closing in. Urgency propelled Edric forward, his body's protests a mere background noise.
As they reached the edge of the treeline, his thoughts started to finally clear, but the persistent throb lingered near his brows. Edric struggled to keep up the pace with his shaken body. A sudden cold breeze swept over him, piercing his sweat-drenched skin like icy needles. The chill sliced through him, clearing the fog of disorientation. The canopy of the trees looked like shields from the terrors of the war, with giant green leaves covering the planet's sun almost completely. It reminded Edric of a living temple, the towering trees filtering light to create a lush, vibrant understory alive with colorful plants thriving in the moist, shadowy haven. He could have sworn he saw tiny flowers swaying of their own accord, but it might have been his mind playing tricks on him. As they walked between the trunks, the distant clamor of weapons gradually faded, giving way to the symphony of insects and animals.
"Where are you taking me?" Edric asked finally, his voice raspy from dehydration. He tried to keep a mental record of where they had been going, just in case he might have to retrace his steps.
"To safety," the girl responded.
"You are from here, aren't you?" Edric said between two coughs. Lyra stopped. She turned back with a frustrated sigh; her eyes hard as flint. "We thought you and the Republic would save us," she said. "Instead, you brought this devastation."
She gestured back to where they came from. Edric swallowed. Her words rang too true. This was nothing more than destruction and slaughter. The Separatists might want the planet's doonium, but the Republic, the Jedi Order should have known better about their chances and what the battle would mean to the people living here. A flame licked his ribs inside and he couldn't quite place the sensation of his ears burning with the same intensity. He knew it was an emotion a Jedi should not embrace.
The older man behind Edric stepped forward and put a gentle hand on Lyra's shoulder.
"Not everyone is to blame, Lyra. Not him."
Lyra sighed again, her expression softening slightly. "Maybe. But it's hard to see that when everything is falling apart around us, dad."
The girl took off stomping, and the old man looked back at Edric with tired, but kind eyes. Edric noticed the man's worn clothing and calloused hands, signs of a hard life.
"This war takes a toll on all of us. Especially on young ones like Lyra. I'm her father, Renan."
Edric nodded, absorbing the weariness etched into Renan's features. "Edric. Thank you for helping me."
Renan gave a faint smile. "You've been through a lot, young Jedi Knight. But so have we. Our village was destroyed, and we lost many friends..."
Edric shook his head. "I'm not a Jedi Knight, sir. I'm just a Padawan."
Renan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Edric's thick frame. "Just a Padawan? I would have thought you were a Knight by the looks of you."
"I get that a lot," Edric felt his face blushing as he managed a weary smile, "But I'm far from Knighthood. And maybe even further after today," he said, head dropping.
"Well, Padawan or not, you've shown more courage and heart than many seasoned warriors. We're grateful for your help. Lyra too, even if she doesn't show it yet," Renan added with an encouraging wink.
They continued their journey through the forest, the path winding deeper into the trees. Edric's mind was burdened with images of the battlefield, the devastation, and the lives lost. This war had taken so much already. He had to try to clear his mind. What would Master Asher say and do? he wondered. Same as before; focus on the present and the tasks right in front of you. So he did just that, taking account of how many there were around him — a dozen plus the injured clone trooper and himself. Just right to get on an LAAT to evacuate.
"This forest," Renan said, breaking the silence and Edric's train of thought, "was once a place of peace. Lyra and I used to come here to hunt and forget our problems. Now, half of it is gone, but it will grow back. Life doesn't stop."
Edric glanced at Renan, his heart aching for the man and his daughter. "I'm sorry for what happened to your home. The Jedi... we thought we were doing the right thing, but we've caused so much pain instead."
Renan nodded slowly. "Intentions don't always align with outcomes. We all believed the Republic would protect us. I can't say they succeeded."
Edric sighed, guilt and frustration churning within him. "I wish I could make it right."
"You're young, and the galaxy is vast and complicated. All you can do is try to make a difference where you can."
They walked in silence for a while, the forest around them a stark contrast to the battlefield they had left behind. Edric made sure to remember Renan's words. They felt like they encapsulated the true purpose of the Jedi. And not being generals or weapons of politicians. They were supposed to help people like Renan and Lyra, those who lost their homes, their livelihood. Instead, he was more akin to a child soldier. And now, with his master absent, he felt lost in all senses of the word.
"Maybe I can help a little. We need to get your people out of here. I can try and get a transport and– "
"– we can't leave just yet. We have a whole camp nearby, we are taking you there," Renan cut in.
Edric nodded and remembered Master Asher's words about one step at a time. Wait and see how many refugees there were and if any serious injuries needed tending before making plans. Don't get ahead of yourself, he thought.
The forest gradually unveiled a concealed cave entrance nestled in a steep rock face. Edric noticed how easy it was to miss it due to the shadows of the mountains and trees. A perfect sanctuary from the ravages of war. Lyra stood at the cave's mouth, arms crossed, waiting. She looked at Edric, then away from him as they got closer, her expression still guarded, but less hostile.
"This way," she said, leading them into the cave. As they entered, Edric's eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness until Lyra and a few other refugees ignited glowrods. Cool air brushed against his skin, carrying the earthy scent of mud and wet foliage, perhaps even mushrooms. Echoes bounced around the cavern, making it hard to tell if the draft was the only thing moving in the depths.
After two more turns, they emerged into a larger chamber with a high ceiling, ancient stalactites hanging from above. Edric's mouth gaped open. Around fifty refugees were gathered in the room, surrounded by makeshift beds, supply boxes, and scattered light sources. Children ran to the returning adults, some sobbing. Edric stepped aside, watching as a small girl, no older than four, hugged her mother tightly. Both cried, and Edric felt his throat tighten, an unexpected lump forming.
"Come on, I'll show you a place to rest," Lyra's voice said. She extended a packet of ration bars and a flask to the boy. Edric nodded and murmured a small "Thanks," before setting off. The spot Lyra had mentioned turned out to be an old mattress with a flickering lamp perched on a supply crate. To Edric at that moment, it looked like the most luxurious bed he had ever seen. His eyelids felt heavy, but he knew sleep was out of the question for now. There was still much to do.
"I know it's not the most comfortable, but we have to make do with what we can gather quickly," Lyra said, her tone hovering between apology and practicality. Edric couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or serious, but he bowed his head slightly in gratitude. As she turned to leave, she glanced back.
"I'm sorry I lashed out at you earlier. That wasn't fair," she said, her voice softening with sincerity.
"Nothing to apologize for," Edric replied. She turned and walked away, leaving him alone.
He sat down on the mattress and ripped the packaging off of the ration bar. His stomach grumbled and he realized how famished he was. As Edric chewed, he observed the refugees around him. Their faces were carved with exhaustion and fear, but there was also a sense of determination. These people had lost everything, yet they still found the strength to keep moving forward. He saw children laugh at their parents making faces for them, and others moving supplies and rationing them out for everyone. Edric glanced down at the ration bar he was eating. He could go on with much less, but these people needed every bit and bite. He packed away the remaining ones instead and sipped a bit of water from the flask. Amidst the muffled chatter, echoes of quiet singing reached his ears. He stood up, following the melodic sounds until he discovered a small group of women of all ages huddled around a lamp, singing folk songs to children and other onlookers.
'In Tarnos' verdant embrace, where shadows dance and spirits dwell,
Whispers of the ancient trees weave a sacred, silent spell.
Guardians of earth and sky, hear our humble, heartfelt plea,
Shield our land with unseen might, let our hearts and souls be free.
Oh, spirits of the wild, in moonlit glades and sunlit seas,
Keep us safe in your embrace, under the shelter of your leaves.'
Edric stood and listened, the voices of the women soothing his mind like a gentle massage.
"It's an old hymn to the spirits to protect us," Lyra appeared beside him. Edric noticed how the light glistened in her green eyes. She looked exhausted, but a fire was still there, healthy as ever.
"It's beautiful," Edric said. Despite his Jedi training to avoid attachments, he found himself captivated by Lyra's resilience and beauty. Her spirit shone through her weariness, a beacon of strength. He wished he had that same unwavering confidence, a trait that had always eluded him.
"I used to sing it too, but I no longer believe in miracles. Not unless we make them happen ourselves," she added, her voice tinged with a mix of defiance and sorrow.
"We are taught the Living Force is around all of us and we just have to listen to it for miracles," Edric whispered. A wry smirk tugged at the corner of Lyra's lips.
"You Jedi are idealists. And you have no idea what the real world is like."
"Why don't you enlighten me?" Edric asked.
The girl let out a frustrated sigh. "We've asked the Republic's help for decades, the aristocrats have been using our people as cheap labor. Your leaders ignored us until suddenly it became convenient, until the Separatists showed up. And instead of actually helping, they ruined our home, destroyed everything. And you know what's funny? Those skyscrapers of the aristocrats still stand, but our villages are burned to dust." As she talked, her eyes widened and a vein on her temples bulged more and more, her voice trembled as she looked away from Edric and wiped her face.
"I know you are also just a cog in their machine. But the stories I heard about Jedi when I was a child made me believe you were our saviors. Now, I see that even you have limits. I saw your fellow Jedi leave us to fend for ourselves, and it makes me wonder—can we ever truly rely on anyone but ourselves?"
The girl's words cut deep into Edric, making his throat run dry despite the water he had just consumed. He couldn't protest; he had read countless reports where Jedi prioritized resources over local lives. It was the harsh reality of a war that had gone on too long. But he didn't want to be that kind of a Jedi. He wanted to help people—especially those who needed it most, like the refugees in the cave. That's what Master Asher would have done. Edric clenched his fists. He had to lead them to safety. But can you? a voice in his head asked.
They needed a plan to get off-world and evacuate all these people before the CIS found them. Usually, Master Asher would prompt him to devise a strategy, offering slight adjustments to refine his ideas. But without that guidance, Edric felt uncertain about crafting a plan entirely on his own. It was clear they would need a couple of transports from their ship and a well-defended evacuation point in case the droids found them again.
"I can't go back in time and change everything. But let me try to tip the scales just a bit," he said. "I'll help get you all off-world. I just need to figure out how to reach our cruiser."
Lyra's face was a canvas of conflicting emotions. She went from surprise to a frown in an instant.
"I'm not sure I'm ready to leave my home, Edric," she said, her eyes drifting onto the nearby lamp.
"You said it yourself, your home is in ruins. You'll rebuild, but you can only do that if you survive."
Lyra nodded slowly, her resolve mirroring his own. Edric knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but he recalled his mentor's words to only take one step at a time. And the first step was to start walking.