A/N: Hello All! so after a mention, I edited a typo error on an House name and reuploaded the corrected chapters, and added in this edit on Ch.8 to explain, in case any extra alerts go out. As with everyone reading along, do leave any comments or critiques if you have any questions or concerns, I try to keep my errors to a minimum but it happens...I'm trying to get more future chapters uploaded quicker than before so with that, please be patient but thanks for staying along!
I slept throughout the night fairly well, I knew more questions would be asked of me and towards early morning I felt a restlessness that stopped me from trying to sleep more and I just stopped trying and got up and dressed and readied myself for the day.
It was still quite early in the morning, dawn was at least an hour away if I had to guess, so not wanting to bother anyone or disturb the house servants, I went to the one place I knew would not really be occupied and I could meditate without disruption. Outside was quite crisp with a slight morning freeze and fog that hung in the air, this is Northern climate I had heard of I reckoned. Walking towards the Godswood I was contemplative. From hearing the tales of the North, I couldn't imagine a full on winter that it was known for. Reminded me of a few Ice planets I had learned about from my studies at the Jedi Temple. Or even when I went to Ilum, the Ice planet, to complete my lightsaber and be one step closer to attaining my Jedi Knighthood. But one trip to Ilum hardly seemed to compare to living amongst the Snow and Ice for generations as these Northerners do. Such a harsh climate, no wonder the people here seem straight to the point, a bit rigid, harsh one might say but I wouldn't consider it a bad thing. Without doubt a very tough, hearty sort of people that are gentle with their friends, and unforgiving with their enemies. They reminded me a bit like Wookiees are, imposing, a bit scary, very vocal, yet if you appreciate and learn how they are, they will move mountains for you and be by your side. I chuckled a bit at that last revelation and settled down to sit and meditate in front of the Godswood spot that I was at yesterday and placed my sword in front of me and placed my hands in my lap and started to calm my breathing and settle into my meditative state I had learned many years ago. It seems I feel settled and in tune with the Force here in this grove amongst what they call the Godswood. Some type of pull was in effect and I could feel it towards me, just a bare enough, notice, a call you could say, that grabbed my attention. I wish Master Del Masona was here, he was always an excellent interpreter to what the Force spoke of and especially when it seemed questionable and a bit wild when it appeared. I would just have to make due and try to interpret what I was sensing. I was still young and very new to being a Jedi Knight, after all these years it seemed funny, I had so much to learn about the finer points of my Order. But time will help, but sadly in what I was going through now, I was at a disadvantage. Yet I will carry on, there is no other way for me to go. After I start to settle down and sort of wake from my meditation, I stand up, do a quick arm back stretch and reach down to grab my sword while I pull it from its scabbard. I lift it in front of me and examine it in the dawn light, it was a short sword, nothing close to what a lightsaber would be. The weight was all off, this was forward tip heavy, where as a lightsaber was just hilt weighted, being as the blade from a lightsaber had no real weight. But after training all my life in weapons, it was easy to compensate and I could make do with this sword.
I gave the short sword a few lazy swings back and forth, just getting use to how it felt and swung as I tried out different strokes and swings to see the balance and feel how the sword cut the air. Yes, a proper simple sword, nothing to elegant or refined, but it would do. Maybe if I talked to the master at arms here I could find another sword more suited to my use, with my lightsaber training. I started slow slashes through the air and went into a light Form 1 mode of moves to start with, using all the basic moves I had learned from my youngling days. I went through my routines alternating which hand I held the sword in and soon was picking up speed with my swings and slashes and starting to breath harder as I switched from Form 1 to my favored style Form 3. After having to deal with blaster fire and numerous opponents in front of me and after trying some other forms, I committed myself to Form 3 and strived to master it such as some of the other Great Jedi masters I had seen and heard of. Continuing to let the Force flow through me I was spinning around and attacking my imaginary enemies as I kept up my attack and defense towards what I would feel be set at me and when I felt I had done enough I ended with one last jump with a downward strike at a enemy in front of me and knelt down to me knees panting and catching my breath. After a few moments I stood back up, took in a deep breath and stretched my back from all the movement I had been doing and put my sword back in its scabbard and right as I finished that I heard a sound behind me.
"Quite an interesting display you have good Ser Jedi Knight" A quiet voice cut through the silence of the Godswood.
I turned around in a bit of shock, I had not felt anyone around me through the Force when I was very adept at sensing others approaching me even with my back turned. There at the edge of where the Godswood started was Lady Mira looking at me with a bit of awe and curiosity. I focused my inner feelings and felt that she was feeling questioning and a bit of confusion at what she had just saw.
"Lady Mira, what a surprise, I would not have expected you to be up so early and out here at this time. I'm sorry I was not able to recognize you properly while I was in my state of meditation and self training to center myself. How long have you been watching me might I ask?" I enquired while I stepped a few paces towards her and knelt down to grab some water I brought along with me while I drank a few gulps from it.
She looked at me with a certain sense of shock and wonder, I'm sure she was attempting to process what she say before she answered me.
"Not that long Ser Jedi Knight, I was awake early and I usually come here to do my morning prayers and I found you here, doing what you said, yours sword drills or practice whatnot..But I can say, I have never seen anyone move such as you did just now, that sword way of fighting to me, as little as I know, it's quite different and very foreign to me. Is this how all Jedi Knights, as you say, is this how they all perform and are with a sword?" she spoke while walking a few steps towards me while keeping her eyes looking straight at me. I couldn't help but not keep looking back towards her, it was very new to me. She had a echo in the Force that I could not identify, she seemed to be able to somehow have a slight block as it was to showing what emotions she was sending off into the world. Most likely why I could not sense her presence until she announced herself.
"It is one of many forms that we train with during our time as learners and younglings. We learn a few basic forms as we start to train and from then on as we age, each future knight will start to develop a preference to his own style, usually taking direction from each master that guides a student on their way. My own Master was very gifted at the sword and taught me much, I use some of his ways and I mix them with what I feel would be my own way of fighting with a sword. This is how our order does, how we stay connected to the past, our ancient ways and yet learn and grow to find new ways." I replied to her as I stood before her.
"Very interesting indeed, it seems you have been well taught, and may I ask where you Master is now? What did he say to you going off on your travels to here in Westeros?" She asked me gently.
I looked down at my feet, trying not to feel the emotion I had been trained to suppress and remain passive and within the Force, I looked back towards Mira and softly responded to her.
"My former Master Del Desona fell while in battle very recently, he was very wise and beyond his years in skill and knowledge, I learned very much from him. He would be proud of my travels, as that is what we Jedi do, we go forth, protect and keep the peace. Granted you might not have heard of us, but we still have our path in life to perform." I said back to her.
"Oh I am sorry to hear that news about your former Master. Had he given the rank of Knighthood to you before he fell?" she asked with a bit of sorrow.
"No my Lady, that is not how we Jedi Knights gain our titles. One person cannot raise a learner to the rank of Knight. We have to go through years of training, and then years of close working with a Master, and when the time is felt right, we go through a series of test to see if we are worthy of being Knighted. Masters sometimes have their students with them for a decade before they are ever brought forth to be given the trials test. It varies from padawan and master, since all are different. Thankfully I did not have to wait as long as some others I had heard stories of." I chuckled a little as I answered her back.
"That seems very.. new and forward in ways of thinking. Here almost any Knight can make someone else of the same faith a knight. Some truly deserve it, as they have been training for years.. others sadly, can buy it or gain favor in ways and just be given the title without holding to the truths of the role of being a knight of the realm." She said softly.
"Yes, we have a council of Masters that evaluate us and decide should we be deemed worthy or not to attain our new rank. It can be frustrating sometimes I must admit, but it's our tradition and it works for us.. I think I have kept you long enough from your prayers Lady Mira, I shall leave you in peace, plus I have other things to attend to." I tell her as I slowly start to walk back towards the keep.
"Thank you for the demonstration good Ser Jedi Knight, we will talk again soon I hope." She spoke over her shoulder as she approached the trees and knelt down and began her prayers.
I looked at her for a few moments then began the walk back and going over what we had talked about for our short time, I had told her some things I wondered if I might had told anyone else about, especially my former Master. What would he say if he could see what was occurring to me on this foreign planet I wonder. I shake my head and give a short chuckle as I remembered old thoughts.
After I made my way back, I entered the main hall and had some food and made some conversation with some of the people around me, more really answering some questions about my travels and who I was and more random questions like that. My personal appearance was very noticed amongst them, with many question is a was from some family line called Targaryens, which founded and conquered their seven kingdoms and maintained a dynasty of sort for hundreds of years until they were overthrown, with the North's help. I calmly said no I was not from this family, that my "people" was from far from where any Targaryens ever lived and I just so happened to have appearances as they did. They seemed to accept this simple explanation and kept making jokes at my expense, but in a light manner which I felt was not malicious at all. I found myself to take a nice liking to their manner and style up here. These Northman people had a very friendly manner, as long as you did not try to force them to do something they did not want to, and had a fairly straightforward way of expressing themselves. They held nothing back and depending on the person, could vary on how.. boisterous they were. I found it all very entertaining and highly thrilling as it was new to me and no doubt made me want to write up about this discovery from this planet.. if I ever made it back to the Republic. I had always dreamed to have a paper written up of mine and added to the Archives and have future learners read about what I had experienced.
Putting aside my dreams of future works of history, I finished my meal and said byes to those around me and wandered around the castle just exploring and seeing as much as I could. I found my way outside and experienced the thrill of so many sounds and sights, as I could see the different areas around me, from the stables, to the smith, to where I eventually walked before, an area for formal arms training... which had men sparring against each other and I watched as man after man tried to best each other and Ser Degore was busy instructing and watching over the men as they were sparring around and yelling out commands or insults for those not paying attention to what he was trying to teach them. How these people trained was somewhat similar to Jedi, but a bit more harsh and real world in a way. I haven't seen any younger boys training as we would have back in the Order when we were but young younglings, but I would assume the gruffness would be less than what these full adult men were receiving currently. Hearing all the training sounds and viewing it brought slight smile to my face, reminding me of my days at the Temple and trying hard to impress future Masters to gain ones attention. I was brought out of my memories when I heard someone walk up towards me and announce themselves.
"Ah Ser Ethras, good morning, how was your night as our guest?" A young man asked as he walked up to me with another far younger boy behind him.
"It was very pleasant, quite a warm room and it helped very much after the travels I have been through. Umm Ser.." I asked hesitantly to the man before me not knowing his name.
"Oh my apologies, I forget my manners, I'm no knight, I am Rodrik Forrester, Heir of Ironrath and eldest son of my Lord Father, this is my younger brother Ethan here as well." He answered as he shook my hand and young Ethan shook as well though a bit timidly.
"Oh no worry at all my Lords, I am sorry I remember introductions yesterday but there were so many names and new people to remember... I am a bit out of depth around this region I'm afraid. I do apologize for this. I really only know so far of your Lord Father and some of his household staff and then your sister, Mira, but only do to running into her at your Godswood this morning by chance after my morning prayer. Other than that it has been a very new experience for me being in your Home and I have been very impressed and felt very relaxed and quite at ease here. This land seems very serene and calm.. almost at tune with my inner feelings if you will. I can only imagine how you how felt growing up here throughout the years." I said back to the Lords before me.
"No bad ill will at all Ser Jedi Knight, I am sure it happens when a person is in a new land and among people not known to them. So it is fine to be sure. You say you saw my dear sister this morning? That sounds about right, she was always early to rise and visit the Godswood to offer prayers before the day happened. Have you been enjoying watching the sparring that's been going on? We try to maintain a good garrison and keep up on training for our man at arms and all our household guards. We pride ourselves on being tough well disciplined Northern warriors that have the attitude and strength to back it up and all." Rodrik spoke back at me.
"Oh yes Lord Rodrik, it has been very impressive, your master at arms keeps quite a strong routine for the men and it shows. They seem very able and I would doubt to see them on the battle field with what they show." I replied back.
"How much training do you and your siblings have a day? I'm just curious as not being from here so it's interesting to me to see other ways of how people train from different regions."
"Oh we usually spend a few hours a day training with the Ser DeGore and other more advanced guards to keep us guessing and try harder. Between our other studies and chores, we try as much as we can daily training, it is definitely needed, we never know when we will be called upon for battle, especially with some of the known enemies we might have come at us. Would you care to try at a spar with me? I would be so interested in seeing another style of fighting from a Knight from far away, would be good practice." He asked me with a confidence while looking me right in the eyes. These Northern men were very confident and straightforward with their views and questions.
"I would be honored to spar my Lord, I have been a bit lost of practice lately with all my travels." I replied.
"Swell! We can grab some sparring swords and armor and have a round or two, I will tell Ser Degore!" Lord Rodrik said enthusiastically heading towards Ser Degore and I followed along. I would have to take it easy, I would think I would have a big advantage over the Heir, seeing as I Had the Force on my side, but I also did want to have a challenge as well, so I vowed to keep my senses low and just use my own martial training to keep me going.
Ser Degore grunted acknowledgment at Lord Rodrik's request at told us to get some weapons and armor from the armory next to the sparring yard and when I went there, Rodrik seemed to already have his preferred sword and started to put on armor and a shield that no doubt he used many times before. I went to the sword rack and searched for a sword I felt confident with and after testing out a few, I settled on a longer sword that I could use single or double handed and it had a wonderful balance that felt right with me. A servant or squire came forward with some armor and helmets and asked which I preferred and I thankfully turned him down saying it was not needed and he even asked if I wanted a shield if nothing else. Again I said no, it was not needed, and seeing his reaction was very comical to say the least. I knew my style already and knew it was not needed, but I'm sure it would turn attention to me here, seeing as these people favored more stronger armored approach to battle.
After selecting my practice sword and going back to the sparring yard, Ser Degore gave me a slight grimace, asking if I was not liking to any of the armor or arms they had.
"No Ser Degore, it looked all fine, but I am used to not having any armor and I shall be fine without it. Thank you though" I replied back.
"As you wish, but do realize you could get hurt and it won't do good on my watch having a guest be injured while sparring on my yard!" He spoke back harshly.
"Very much noted good Ser, but I acknowledge I won't blame or have anyone hold you at my expense, tis my own choice I say. This was how I was trained and it suits how I fight as the Jedi Knight as I am." I offered back to him so he wouldn't feel in trouble should I get hurt. As we got done talking Ser Rodrik walked out of the Armory in leather armor, with a quite formidable shield and sword and he seemed very prepared to spar. Once he saw me he did seem a bit confused and looked to Ser Degore, but Ser Degore merely shrugged back at him as if trying to explain.
"Ser Ethras, are you sure you don't need any armor or shield to be used? We have many kinds if you did not find any to suit you?" Lord Rodrik spoke to me.
"Oh I am perfectly fine my good Lord, no need to bother at all about me, this sword feel perfectly balanced, so it will be all I require." I said back very confidently. He looked up and down at me judging and testing me.
"A bastard sword is all you need good Ser? That's it?.. Well if you feel that is what you need, I will not say otherwise.. I wish you luck then." He replied while he looked me in the eyes with a very smug, confident look.
I flourished my sword in several waves around my body and ended with it forward defensive stance towards him and then gave him a traditional salute and went to a upper ready defensive stance above my head, in the style of Djem So, waiting for his move. With my one hand free pointing towards him, I smirked and replied, "Whenever you're ready Lord Rodrik."