Chapter 47

"And masters, what's absolutely terrific and unbelievable, when I woke up I didn't feel any pain and all my wounds were healed. I still can't comprehend what happened to me," Ian's voice sounded excited and full of disbelieve.

Han and Mugin looked skeptical. Luke and Leia had listened to Ian's recovery story with great attention and interest.

"A great privilege has been given to you, Ian, meeting one of the masters of old to help you, while you're still a padawan learner," Luke said.

Han frowned.

"You have been dreaming, Ian. Luke, do you seriously believe this?" He asked looking at his brother-in-law with a with half mocking laughter.

"I do, Han, and I'm sure Leia does too. The evidence is clear. Toallin has confirmed that yesterday Ian's back and chest were covered with blisters and several wounds. He has told us that it's impossible that those bacta's have healed those wounds overnight spontaneously. Something special has been given to Ian. I have read about the Garden of Force Healing in an ancient Jedi book, but even I couldn't fully comprehend what the outcome of a 'visit' to that garden could be."

"Sounds like a kind of magic. You Jedi aren't magicians, as far as I know, are you?" Mugin asked.

"No, Mugin, we're certainly no wizards, although some people think we are. We're just relying on the power of the Force. We can use her power to gain knowledge other people can't see. We see and feel more than non Force sensitive people do. Sometimes that's an advantage, like in Ian's case, but it also brings a great responsibility. Ian, you're a very lucky guy to have the greatest Jedi healer of all times as your protector." Luke said with a smile in Ian's direction.

"Masters, I haven't told you that this all started when Liane visited me and helped me in the same way as I saw her help the wounded Ewoks on Endor. She talked in such a quiet way to me that I forgot my worries. She also showed me that one day I will be assem..." He stopped and for a moment he looked quite embarrassed. Then he quickly changed to subject of their chat.

"Toallin and Mugin also have a special power. Toallin told me that all Quelans can adept the color of their skin according to their surrounding, isn't Mugin?"

Mugin nodded with a smile.

"Can you tell us more about those skills. Are you using it often?" Ian asked.

"It happens naturally and involuntarily. As soon as our environment differs from our natural skin color - this olive skin color - our skin adepts to the predominant color around us."

"When Toallin was looking for me at the lake his skin was nearly as green as the leaves around him. At first I hardly noticed him; I only heard his voice," Ian said enthusiastically.

Mugin started to laugh.

"Don't think, Ian, that we can take on every color. Our skin can't get blue, yellow or red. The reactions are limited from a yellowish-green, which happens mostly in a sunlit environment, to brownish grey and green-dark grey, nearly black, and all kind of grey shade colors in between. We often have used it here, when we were hunting. Among the bushes we're almost invisible, with the emphasis on almost. We can't become invisible."

Luke had listened attentively.

"I've heard about that special potential of the Quelans. As you said it, Mugin, it's very useful when you don't want to attract unwanted attention. I know, that our intelligence force employs several members of your species to carry out under cover operations. Their secret work is greatly appreciated."

Toallin entered the room and put several large bowls of steaming broth on the table. He responded to Luke's comments.

"You're right, master Skywalker, the New Republic knows how to appreciate the Quelan's strength and qualities, but our skin changing skills has been the cause of misunderstanding too. In the past the Quelans have been persecuted, because others were afraid of us. Many others think we're a kind of shape shifters, because, due to our color changing we often turn up unexpectedly, although the Quelans mostly avoid situations where our skin changing skills could frighten others. That's why many Quelans have sought a sanctuary on uninhabited worlds. A group of Quelans sought a living in a small area of Myr, one of the two continents of Palomintar Four. The Quelans have colonized Myr several centuries ago, for they wanted to build a peaceful life without disturbing others. We earned our living trading the surplus of our harvests and products," Toallin said and Luke sensed a strange pain in his voice.

Toallin stared into the distance, then he turned to Ian.

"Ian, I've made your favorite recipe to celebrate your recovery. I don't know how you did it, but I believe in the power you have. Enjoy your meal, son, before you're leaving us."

"Leaving you, Toallin? But I promised ... " Ian stammered looking bewildered.

"Of course you will leave this place, son. Do you think your masters will let you stay with us, after all the troubles they have had of finding you. You're going home, son, to that wonderful girlfriend of yours, that lovely girl Liane you told me about. Mugin and I would love to meet her one day. Don't wait too long to marry her, son."

Ian's face became red hot; he cast a shameful look at Luke before he ran over to the cabin door and rushed outside. Toallin looked at the open door; Ian's unexpected reaction left him flabbergasted. Chewbacca let out a laughing growl.

"Did I say something wrong?" Toallin said with a embarrassed grin. "He told me he is in love with that girl. Is anything wrong with that?"

Leia looked at Toallin. With a smile on her face she walked to the door.

"It's alright, Toallin, you haven't said anything wrong. I'll have a word with him."

She went outside. Ian stood a few steps from the cabin, looking at the Astræga. He turned when he felt his master's presence.

"Master, Toallin shouldn't have said this in master Luke's presence. It's embarrassing. I shouldn't have told Toallin about her help, but he guessed my feelings for her," He murmured with downcast eyes.

"You don't have to be ashamed of your feelings for Liane? She is a wonderful girl, isn't she?"

Leia looked at her padawan, and sensed his uncertainty.

"What's wrong, Ian?"

"Master, before Severini brought me to that Jedi Garden of Force healing I had a long chat with her. Severini said there's a special relationship between Liane and me, but it's different from the friendship between master Luke and her. I had to promise to forget my wish of marrying Liane one day, instead Severini asked me I will be some kind of inspiration, a kind of role model for Liane. I have to do it in a way, that one day she will decide to become master Luke's padawan learner. "

Leia placed her hand on Ian's arm.

"Severini asked you a wonderful, but also difficult task. Do you think you can fulfill it, for it seems that once again you're chosen to be Liane's guard or guardian."

"Absolutely. Master, do you know why the friendship between master Luke and Liane is so special."

"My brother once told me about it, but it's better if he tells you himself. It's an amazing story."

"Has he talked to Liane about it?"

"Yes he has, and she has accepted her special bond with him. It's even better; the Force has shown her the deeper meaning of their bond."

"That means, they will .... I mean ... Ian stammered, "they once will get married."

"Not necessarily, it's likely, but that doesn't mean that Liane will like you less. She's very fond of you. Maybe her mother is right, maybe you are the right person who can convince her to accept Luke as her Jedi master."

"That's what Severini also said. I'm more Liane's equal, while she sees Luke as a Jedi Knight. Severini said that Liane trusts my judgment, while she sometimes doubts master Luke's intentions, because he reminds her too much of his father. That's not fair, master. Master Luke want the best for her. He has always been very concerned about her; especially when he couldn't find her after she had left Wegoyy with the Grann brothers," Ian said.

"You're absolutely right, Ian, but Liane's main problem is that she is still struggling with the dark knowledge our father has taught her. She has seen a lot malice and evil done by the power of the Dark Side and that's been a frightening experience for years. That's the reason why Liane objects against Luke's efforts to train her. Come on, Ian, let's go back inside."

They walked over to the door. Before they entered Ian turned to Leia.

"Master, do we really have to leave immediately? Can't we give Toallin and Mugin some help?" He asked.

"I want you to complete your training, so it's indeed our duty to find out what is going on Palomintar Four too. Giving help as a Jedi to those who are victims of injustice will be a great experience for you."

"Toallin and Mugin have lived on Palomintar Four, master. Maybe they can help us?"

"We'll see, Ian," Leia answered.

Ian opened the door and let Leia pass.

"You mean, Toallin, that that odd looking deserted town we saw on Palomintar Four is Ribana, the hometown of the Quelan community you used to live?" They heard Han say.

"Yes, general Solo. Darth Golluth who has settled in the cave network in the mountain ridge behind Ribana, has drive all the Quelans of Ribana into exile. They have found refuge in Cantamaga on Tyr, the other continent of the planet. Darth Golluth has captured about eighty to a hundred male Quelans, especially the strongest, young men to carve passageways and corridors to connect the underground caverns and prepare a kind of underground settlement for him. Mugin and I have been among them doing hard labor for almost a year before we could escape. We have been lucky. Rumors say that Darth Golluth' droid have killed the other Quelan young males."

"Darling, maybe we should have a another look at that city. You've sensed something when we did that fly-by, you said," Han said turning to Leia who had taken her seat. "I think we would do these guys a great favor if we could drive out whoever has forced himself a living there. It could also serve our own mission?"

"Han, you're talking about a possible user of the Dark Side." Luke said concerned.

"Yes kid, and we have you, Leia and her padawan to tell the guy that we don't want to start a war with another dark ruler." Han said determined.

"I'd wish it would be that easy, Han, but I agree with you, that at least we can do some further investigations." Luke said. He turned to Toallin and Mugin.

"Mugin, you told me you and your brother owned an estate with a vineyard on Palomintar Four. Was that vineyard in the vicinity of Ribana? Do you have any maps, so we can get a clear idea of Ribana and its surrounding area," Luke asked.

"Our vineyard was in a valley outside Ribana; the house of my brother and me lays in the middle of the vineyard. Of course we can show more on a maps. Toallin, did you take the datapad with the Ribana maps with you, or did we leave it in the vault in Ktafunda?"

"It's here. I took it with me when we left Ktafunda the last time, Mugin, but I guess our guests have other obligations, then listening to our story," Toallin asked while he turned to Luke, "Are you sure you want to have look, master Skywalker?"

"Master," Ian said, "Let's have a look at those maps, for we might be able to help Toallin and his brother to get back to Palomintar Four. I owe them part of my rescue. Let's stay here for another day."

"Let's have a look at those maps first. I think it might indeed be interesting to pay Ribana a visit and have a look around ourselves, but we need to be very cautious. I don't want to attract unnecessary attention. If Darth Golluth can use the Force as a Sith, he might sense our presence and that's the last thing I want. I fully agree with Han and you that we should help the Quelans to restore their former way of life. However that might also mean that we will encounter Liane's adversary earlier than I had in mind."

"Hey, kid, if we could get rid of that Sith lord, our visit would have a double advantage; the Quelans will be able to return to their old way of life and Liane and you and Liane can start a life together."

"You're running ahead of things, Han." Luke said with a laugh, "Sure, there are advantages to connect our case with that of our new friends. Toallin, Mugin, if we decide to go to Palomintar Four, will you accompany us?"

Astounded the two brothers watched Luke.

"You're going to help us, master Skywalker?" Mugin asked.

"As Jedi Knights, my sister and I want justice to be done, Mugin. Let's have a look at those maps you're talking about."

Mugin rose and left the room. Within a couple of minutes he returned with a bottle of wine.

"I told you about our wine, master Skywalker. This is the last bottle of our stock. I want to bring out a toast."

He uncorked the bottle and poured a sparkling dark ruby wine in the glasses Toallin hastily put on the table.

"Here's to our new friends and to our new future." The two Quelans said in unison.

Darth Golluth banged his electro pole on the equipment of his communication system, smashing a holo-console and display completely. He let out some outraged screams and continued to cool his anger on the system until it had become a complete mess of wires, plugs and broken parts.

"See to it, that that mess will be repaired. Immediately!" he snarled to a pair of droids which were standing near the door. They snapped to attention when their master stomped away.

"We're going to work on it right away, my lord."

"Fix it! In an hour! I need this communication facility to contact my spies and informants."

The two droids looked at each other.

"Let's start to activate the techs to repair the damage he caused, otherwise he'll punish us severely, for not following orders."

Darth Golluth had crossed the underground corridor to his main chamber. He raised his hand to open the double doors, but the doors kept close. Furious he banged them with his fist. Immediately two droid guards opened the doors.

"Too late," he snarled, "You should open the doors when you hear me coming."

"Yes, my lord," The droids said in unison.

Darth Golluth walked over to his dais and sat down with a gloomy face.

'My whole communication system erased and blocked. All those files with information about Liane Vader and those Jedi are gone. How can this have happened. Some one has intruded my system and gotten access to all the data. Nothing is left. And of course still no trace of Liane Vader, those Skywalker and that wounded Ian Tydon, nothing at all,' He muttered angrily. 'How is this possible. Has that Skywalker brought her and her friend to a secret spot without any of my spies noticing it.'

He violently banged his fist on the armrest of his chair.

'Impossible. That Tydon guy had been very seriously wounded, burned all over, had to survive in a Bacta tank. He wouldn't have survived transportation. Who is behind all this? Has some of my spies been leaking my plans. No, that out of the question. I selected all of them personally. And now my communication system is completely ruined."

"Master, apologies, for disturbing you, but someone has come to Palomintar Four, and wants to speak to you in person," His droid majordomos said humbly, "It's the Y'vanna bounty hunter of Ktafunda, Master. He is a very bad shape, but he says he has news."

"Bring him in." Darth Golluth grumbled in a bad mood

"Yes, master." The droid bowed stiffly. He left and returned with the trembling and severely wounded Y'vanna. Darth Golluth looked with disgust to the jittering humanoid. The Y'vanna fell on his knees.

"Master, I failed you, but the odds were too great."

"What do you mean, the odds were too high? I hired you to track down this Tydon and gather information on him and the former owners of the new owners of that bar in Ktafunda. I want to know where they've gone."

"Master, I recruited some twenty rogues to assist me. The bar was almost empty when we entered, but as soon as we started to threaten the owners, two Jedi and a big hairy Wookiee and a friend of him attacked us and started a fight. They killed all my men. I could hardly escape. One of the Jedi severed my shooting arm. Now I'm a cripple and of no use to any one."

"So, there were no customer at all in the bar, only those Jedi and their companions. That must have been Skywalker and his sister. You're right. You're of no use to me any longer. Killer droids!"

Four droids came rushing in.

"Get rid of this useless creature." Darth Golluth snarled.

"Master, don't, please, have mercy. I served you with all my heart. I have a great love for you and the empire."

"Maybe you did, but you disappointed me. You're no longer of any use to me. Take him away."

The droids took the yelling and screaming Y'vanna and dragged him away.

Darth Golluth leaned back in his chair.

"It's a shame, that I'm unable to kill this kind of scum myself. How did the Emperor and Vader use their power to choke an opponent to death? Or made use of Sith Lighting. I need to conquer that knowledge and the only one who has that knowledge is Vader's daughter Liane. As long as I haven't captured her, and brought her here I'm not able to extend my knowledge."

A scornful laugh echoed through the cave.

"You will never have that knowledge, Trevor. I will see to it." A mocking, yet menacing voice spoke.

Darth Golluth jumped up and yelled on top of his voice .

"Lord Vader, is that you again?"

But nothing more was heard.

Luke watched the sky above Palomintar Six. It had been an eventful day. He thought of Ian and smiled. His young padawan had been saved thanks to the combined strength of Liane and her mother. He knew that Severini's help has been of more importance than the young padawan realized.

'Thank you, Severini, thank you for your help. I fully understand why you did this,' He thought reaching out to Force to show his gratitude to the Jedi-healer.

"Luke, where are you? What are you doing?" Leia's voice sounded softly.

"Over here, Leia." Luke answered.

His sister joined him.

"Are you in doubt about the developments of our case against Darth Golluth, Luke?"

"Not at all, Leia. I just wanted to enjoy the serene surroundings of this spot. It's lovely here. When you look up to the stars, it's impossible to imagine that so many species are still living a life in danger or fear. I would love to stay here for a long time. Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I felt you were awake and went outside. I was just worried about you," She said and put her arm through his.

"You shouldn't. It's just that I miss Liane. It would be so great to be here with her," He sighed, then looked at his sister and placed his hand over hers.

"I'm very impolite, Leia. I should be glad that you're here with me," He said with a smile.

"I understand your wish to be with her, Luke. Have you told her that you're not immediately can go back to her?"

Luke smiled and looked at his sister.

"Not yet. You know I have to wait until she uses my gift. It's still her main way to contact me. I want to tell her what has happened to Toallin and Mugin and their fellow Quelans. She certainly will understand that I can't go back to Na'ctaMagh'Ba soon."

"Can't you make contact with her using Jedi telepathy. You told that the two of you have practised our way of communication on Endor and Han told me that he has heard her voice in his mind while she was helping him to recover from his comatose state. And also on our visit I even could communicate with her using Jedi telepathy to encourage her to listen to you."

Luke smile and took his sister's hand in his.

"And when I confessed why I hadn't told her about our eternal friendship before, she uses the Jedi telepathy way to tell me what she had experienced on Tatooine. She even told me she had felt my doubts about her friendship for Ian. You're right, Leia, I should make contact with her myself before we leave and head for Palomintar, instead of waiting for her to use the Jedi-pendant. I need to tell her that Ian has fully recovered and how Toallin and Mugin have taken care of him."

"She is your soul mate, Luke. You're both united as a Force dyad. I'm almost sure that she knows in advance what you want to tell her and that she fully supports your plan to help the Quelans. Let's finish our mission on Palomintar Four so you can go back to Na'ctaMagh'Ba, so you can start your life together with her and take her as your padawan learner."

Luke smiled, but after some moments he let out a deep sigh.

"It's not going be that easy, Leia, and you know it is. If Darth Golluth is a Sith, we must destroy him, there is no other way."

"If that's necessary then we must." She said determinedly.

Luke was silent.

"Join me for a walk, Leia. There's something else I want to share with you." He said.

"So there is indeed something troubling you, Luke?"

They walked away from the cabin to the path among the trees. Without saying anything they walked on for a while, enjoying their bond as brother and sister and as Jedi twins. They crossed the stream, using the stepping stones and followed the path on the other side. Finally they reached the lake where Ian had been swimming that morning. Luke sat down on the fallen trunk and invited Leia next to him.

"What did Ian say to you after Toallin's blunt remark?" He asked.

"He was quite embarrassed. I told him that his feelings for Liane aren't wrong and you know, Luke, Toallin spoke the truth; we all know that Ian is in love with Liane. I guess, he must have fallen in love with her the moment he has met her on Wegoyy. You too have doubted Liane and Ian and their mutual feelings for each other, you remember"

Luke neglected his sister's last comment.

"You said, that he is in love with her? Does that mean that he still sees me as a rival?" He asked.

"No, Luke, Severini has lifted the veil of the eternal bond between you and Liane a bit. She has told him, that he has a special relationship with Liane, but different from the one you have with her. She has made him promise that he will help Liane to find her way to the Good Side of the Force."

"Even I can't persuade her," Luke said with a laugh.

"Severini has asked Ian to be a role model to her. You know that Liane often opposes you because you are already a Jedi Knight, Luke. As a Jedi Knight you represent the authority of the Jedi Order and...you're Anakin's son."

Luke sighed. Leia placed her hand on his arm.

"Ian is a great padawan. He is learning fast to rely on the Force and to control her power. Liane is doing the same, but in a different way. You told me that she believes in her healing powers and that she likes to use of the Force for practical purposes and meditation. Severini has asked Ian to show Liane how he is part of the Good Side of the Force, and how he trusts and relies on her power. Not by talking to her about the Force, but just by being her friend as a future Jedi Knight. "

Luke nodded.

"I understand. I think that's indeed what went wrong between Liane and me, when she was helping Teebo on Endor. Ian and Yarmod never questioned her healing powers; they didn't give an explanation; they just offered their help and she accepted it. Afterwards she accepted Yarmod's comment that she was using the Force to heal Teebo. With me it was different. Too often I wanted to explain why she could use the Force the way she did. She flatly refused those explanations and my involvement with her way to help the wounded Ewoks. She thought that I wanted to press her to use her Jedi healing power to start her Jedi training. If Ian could show her how he's following his way along the Jedi path it would help her and me."

They were silent again.

"Luke, Ian can have a good influence on her. Don't see him as a rival for Liane's affection."

Luke laughed.

"I don't Leia. I'm just a bit worried about how fast the situation is changing."

Leia frowned.

"What do you mean? You think it's a bad idea to go to Palomintar Four already?"

"No, I was thinking about Severini's words."

"I think she has done you a great favor, my dear brother."

"She has asked him to perform a difficult task that might have some unexpected consequences. Aren't you wondering, Leia, why Severini has helped him and asked him to give Liane his support?"

"Luke, it's indeed very amazing, that a padawan can communicate with a former Jedi Knight, who has been united with the Force, maybe all before Ian was born. However, I can taste in your words that there is a much deeper intention behind Severini's visit?" Leia remarked.

"There is, Leia. Anakin fought with Severini, about a year after she had given birth to Liane. Ian is less than two years younger than we are, and about three or four years older than Liane. We might conclude that Ian had been born before Anakin found Severini on Morantan."

Leia looked up at her brother. She saw his quiet mature features. The warm compassion in his eyes; the smile around his lips.

"So Ian was a young toddler on Corellia when Severini gave birth to ..." She stopped and turned inward, listening to Force and gasped.

"Luke, you can't be serious. Are you saying, ...?"

"Leia, Liane was able to contact Ian on board your space ship. Liane had a Force vision about Ian's injuries. Ian told us about his Force vision that Liane visited him here in the cabin. That wasn't just a Force vision, for Liane reached out to him through the Force to help him to surrender to the Force again and start his healing process. Severini, her mother, helped her to cross the distance between Dalmaran and Palomintar Six as a Force spirit."

Leia's face got a thoughtful expression.

"Ian also was the one who discovered the existence of Darth Golluth. In his Force vision he saw how some droids and an imperial officer chasing Liane in a strange environment, a deserted town."

She looked straight in her brother's eyes.

Luke nodded slowly.

"Severini hasn't told Ian the real reason why she helped him, Leia, only a part of it, for she fully understands what kind of impact it would have on him if she would have told him the truth. She only told him that there is a special bond between him and Liane."

"You mean that Severini is also Ian's mother, that he is her son, but then Liane is ...!" She gasped and suddenly she clearly saw what the Force had been telling her.

"Oh, Luke, how wonderful. Now I fully understand Severini's unusual support. She wanted her son to survive. But I thought that Ian has told us, that he was born on Corellia?"

Luke shook his head.

"He isn't. I had my doubts about Ian's birth after we visited his parents on Corellia. During my search for Liane Ian and I went to Corellia. Ian had asked me if he could tell his parents that he would become a Jedi Knight. The moment I met Ian's parents, I knew, that Ian couldn't be their offspring. They are the nicest and kindest people you can imagine, but there wasn't any influence of the Force between them and me. However they were so proud when they heard about Ian's new future prospects, that I didn't dare to ask them more about his birth. Ian's high midi-cholorian count and some Force visions I had in the past, have confirmed my doubts about his lineage with the Tydons."

"Like what, Luke?"

"Ian has been brought to Corellia when he was a young boy. Ian has been adopted. The people he sees as his parents have raised him and taken care of him, but he isn't a relative. Probably he has been brought to safety for the same reason as we have been living a separate hidden life."

"How did you find out that Severini had to be his mother?" Leia asked curiously.

"I have asked master Yoda about the meaning of my Force visions. He told me that Severini had been married. Ian was her first born son. On Morantan you've found the evidence that Severini is Liane's real mother. That makes all too clear that Ian and Liane are siblings."

"Did master Yoda also tell you who's Ian's father?" Leia asked.

"Master Yoda is quite elusive about Severini's marriage. He doesn't want to talk about it, or confirm all of my visions. He gave me the impression, that he still doesn't approve her marriage. Remember that in the past Jedi Knights weren't allowed to marry. The Jedi Code forbade any emotional attachment. I had some Force visions, but I'm not sure how to interpret them yet. So please, Leia, don't tell anyone about the possible family ties between Liane and Ian. Nothing is sure, yet. I wanted to tell you this, because Ian has to complete his padawanship under your leadership. We only have to ask Han if he has any objections."

Leia shook her head.

"He hasn't. He knows by now what Ian means to me. Luke, it's good you entrusted me with this knowledge. Now I better understand Ian's great surrender to the Force and also his devotion to Liane."

For quite a while brother and sister sat in silence in the dark Palomintar night. Luke had placed his arm around Leia. She leaned with her head against his shoulder. They both felt their great responsibility for those who relied on their knowledge as Jedi Knights.

Hesitantly Liane stretched her hand to the blue holocron. She had promised Jedi master Thon to return to hear the story of Nomi Sunrider. Carefully she took the holocron in both her hands and went over to the couch. There she placed the device on the table in front of her.

With great interest she looked at it. It's working was a mystery. How long ago had Jedi Master Thon recorded his knowledge? The story of Nomi Sunrider he wanted to tell her, surely wasn't the only knowledge he could pass on.

That blue color was brilliant. Liane touched the cube gently with her fingers. What would the story reveal to her? Master Thon had said that she was as stubborn as Nomi. Who was Nomi Sunrider? She became a Jedi Knight although she didn't want to use a lightsaber. She didn't want to fight and use with the Force to kill, but she had been very strong with the Force, master Thon had said.

Again Liane caressed with her fingers the surface of the cube.

"I need to concentrate on the Force, otherwise I can't understand what he saying."

She placed the cube on the palms of both hands and turned inward to reach out to the Force. Almost immediately the blue haze appeared and condensed to the frightening beast that she had seen the first time.

"Welcome back, great Jedi," the voice of master Thon rumbled

Liane thought she heard a pleasantly laugh in that dark rumble.

"Greetings, master Thon," She said, "Yes, I have come back, as I promised. Will you, please, tell me the story of Nomi Sunrider."

"Last time we met we talked about your training lightsaber your master gave you. Will you ignite it for me."

Surprised Liane hooked her lightsaber from her belt and ignited the sword. The green sparkling blade extended at the end of the disk.

"Very good, a green blade. Just like Nomi. You can deactivated it. Are you always carrying it with you? "

"I do, master Thon, but it's another keep sake, Luke has given me."

"What more gifts did Luke Skywalker gave, Jedi daughter of Severini? Can you show it?"

Liane took the Jedi-pendant from under her tunic.

"He gave me a Jedi-pendant, master Thon."

"Did he tell you the meaning of the Jedi-pendant, Jedi daughter of Severini? Do you understand why he gave the Jedi-pendant to you?"

Liane's cheeks colored.

"I do, master Thon, but immediately."

"So you understand the meaning of those words carved at the back of the Jedi-pendant: 'Mezorahimed dejan Forka imajors dejan bacarlam tarminan.'

"Yes I do, master Thon. The Force has united Luke and me forever. We're a Force dyad."

"Very good, Jedi-daughter of Severini. Then you also understand what your destiny will be.

"You mean, I have assemble my own lightsaber in the Illum-meditation."

"That's right, Jedi-daughter of Severini."

"Master Thon, I don't need a real lightsaber. I don't want to fight and become a Jedi Knight."

"Why not? "

"I don't want to kill other life forms. I have witnessed so many terrible things done through the use of the Force, master."

"Because those terrible things were done under influence of the Dark Side?"

"Yes, master Thon. Luke's father Anakin Skywalker has been my foster father. I saw him using a lightsaber to kill disobedient prisoners. He taught me a lot of evil use of the Force too. I know he regrets now what he has taught me, but I can't get the visions of what I have seen out of mind."

"Did he force you to kill living beings?"

Liane nodded shamefully.

"I had to practise Force Choking on animals which lived in the Morantan jungle. I angered him if I got emotionally upset as they died in that horrible way."

"What you have seen and were forced to carry out, wasn't the way a real Jedi Knight uses the Force. You've only see its Dark Side equivalent. Tell me, would you have used Force Choke if you would have taken the decision yourself?"

Liane vigoriously shooked her head.

"I would never have done it, master Thon. I hate killing a living being, even trees and plants, for I can feel that they living beings too."

The big head of the Jedi Master nodded approvingly.

"A Jedi should always avoid unnecessary killing, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor. A Jedi uses his power for knowledge and defense. Jedi who wield a green-bladed lightsaber have a high moral standard. They prefer light-sided Force use, like Mind Control, only seeking a confrontation as a last resort. "

"I know, Luke has told me the same more than once, but that unseen power still frightens me. I am afraid, if I ever should learn to wield a lightsaber I will become a servant of evil, like Anakin."

"Hasn't your master told you that his father was a good man in his youth; always helpful and full of compassion for those in need?" master Thon asked

"He did, master Thon, but what would happen if I learn to use a lightsaber and loose my temper? I have been outraged several times and when that happens I fear I can't control my rage. I have used Force Choke and Force Stasis to avenge myself on a human who had punished me severely and had nearly killed one of my dear friends. "

"Nomi once did as you think you will do. She witnessed the murder on her husband and became so furious that she killed his murders using his lightsaber. Her outburst of rage had frightened her so much that in the beginning I couldn't persuade her to learn to use in the ways of the Force."

"Why can't someone with Force potential learn the ways of the Force without learning to use a lightsaber, master Thon. I only want to use the Force as a healer. I'm not interested in fighting. I think my mother was the same. She used the Force to heal," Liane said defiantly.

"Your mother was a trained Jedi Knight, before she became the most powerful Jedi Healer in the Jedi temple. Your master must have already told you, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor, that a Jedi finds his strength in the Force when his mind is focussed on her power. He can only wield a lightsaber if he fully commits himself to the Force. Wielding a lightsaber the right way requires a complete surrender to the Force. It is the Jedi's way to meditate on the Force and become one with her power. If you want to use the Force as a Healer, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor, you first have to learn to wield a lightsaber. You must learn to surrender yourself fully to the Force, because you need to control the full power of the Force if you want to become a Jedi healer. You don't understand the full power of the Force, if you think your mother Severini only used her Force potential as a healer. If necessary Severini Solichor could wield her lightsaber, because she had been trained as a Jedi," Master Thon rumbled thoroughly.

Liane averted her eyes. Master Thon's lecture about the use of a lightsaber had a profound impact on her and she didn't know how to respond to his words.

"Did Nomi Sunrider learn to use a lightsaber?" Liane asked gingerly.

"She had no other choice. It was her destiny to become a Jedi Knight, and be one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy ever."

"You have been her Jedi master, haven't you?"

"I was, the first few months after her arrival on Ambria Nomi needed time to overcome the death of her beloved husband. His unexpected demise had left her devastated. She was full of hatred and anger, mingled with pain and sadness. I had to leave her on her own and let her find a peaceful mind again."

"I pity her, for she had lost the one she deeply loved," Liane said with compassion in her voice.

"I pitied her too, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor, but pity wouldn't have helped her. Nomi possessed a great many Force skills. One of them was the Force ability not many Jedi can master. You have that skill too, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor, and you also have to learn to develop that skill much further."

Amazed Liane looked at the apparition in the blue haze.

"Nomi could change to outcome of the future. She could focus her mind on what was happening and change the outcome of it. It's called Jedi Battle Meditation. Do you recognize this?"

"You mean she could see the future and change the turn of what was going to happen.'

"She had a natural talent for using the Jedi Battle Meditation. During her life she had to use it several times in her strive against the Sith. That's why the Jedi Master of Old called it Jedi Battle Meditation, but the same skill can be used when you are a Jedi healer."

Amazed Liane looked at the apparition of the Jedi Master who had been united with the Force for thousands of years.

"Then Luke told me the truth, master Thon," She finally said aghast and breathless, "For when I'm using my healing powers I often get images of the future. When I pass those images to the ones I'm helping they relax and are willing to believe in the new future I'm showing them. Luke says, that Jedi Battle Meditation can also be used when fighting death or great despair."

"Often a fight leaves one party full of despair, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor, and often that's the start of loosing a battle. Giving the fighters new hope through the Force using Jedi Battle Meditation creates a new outcome of the fight. But that same Force power can also be used in another way to turn the dark thoughts of the enemy party upon itself. Then enemy fighters will start killing one another."

Liane gazed through the blue haze to the opposite side of the cavern. There was a long silence between her and Jedi Master Thon. Finally she focussed her eyes back on him.

"I don't know how to thank you for sharing your knowledge with me," She said softly.

"Do you realize now, how important you are? You have a tremendous Force potential. You already can use the Force's healing powers; you can use the Force to invoke the Jedi Battle Meditation. I can't teach you anything more, Jedi daughter of Severini Solichor. Learn to wield that training lightsaber; learn to fully focus your mind and strength on the Force. If you have mastered this Force use, you have to assemble your own lightsaber in a Jedi Illum-meditation. Therefore you must go to the place where your master showed you the stone with the Adagan crystals. I leave you now, but you always may come back to me with your questions. There are many more holocrons to explore. Use them, and develop your skills as a Jedi."

The blue haze became translucent and finally only a few tiny wisps remained. Liane released herself from the Force and looked at the holocron on the palm of her hand.

"Thank you, master Thon, thank you," She whispered. With great care she placed the holocron back in its place and closed the door. Deep in thought she went back to the couch and sat down, thinking about the knowledge the old Jedi master had shared with her.

'I must learn to use my lightsaber, if I want to improve the Force skills I already can use,' She mused, 'but how can I do that?'

She leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes. She still felt ambiguous about learning to wield a lightsaber, but deep inside there was a spark of curiosity that seemed to grow stronger; a strange desire to get more knowledge and learn to use her lightsaber as Master Thon had explained. The old Jedi master had also said that Jedi Knights who wield a green-bladed lightsaber would use the weapon only as a last resort. That sounded good, for she felt that fighting wasn't the first option a Jedi would choose. She look down at her belt and touched the hook which held the lightsaber in place. Suddenly she began to smile. Of course, there was a way to practise. Luke had taught her how to move objects. She could start practising to get her lightsaber quickly in her hand.

Liane stood up and looked for a spot in the cavern where she could freely move around. Near the entrance was enough room for her exercise. She hooked her lightsaber off her belt and placed it on one of the boxes that surrounded the exercise place, then she took a stance in the middle of the place. She closed her eyes and visualize her lightsaber on the box, slowly she deepened her concentration and reached out to the Force. She stretched out her hand to her lightsaber. The device began to move and slowly it started to rise, then it floated in her direction and landed in her outstretched hand.

Chuckling she came out of her Force trance and looked at the lightsaber in her hand.

"Let's do this once again," She murmured. She walked over to the boxes, placed the lightsaber on top of it and went back to her former position. Again she concentrated on the Force her eyes closed, when she stretched out her hand, the lightsaber immediately began to float in her direction, increased its speed and landed with a soft thud in the palm of her hand.

For the next three hours Liane practised the same exercise over and over again, until the lightsaber flew immediately in her hand when she reached out to it. The exercises demanded her full attention and concentration so much, that she lost all sense of time. She looked around startled, when her infocom suddenly began to buzz. It took her a few seconds to realize that it had to be Threepio calling her from the residential area. She switched on the device.

"Mistress Liane, when are you coming back. We have a visitor." The golden droid said.

"A visitor? Who?" Liane asked surprised.

"The Supreme Chancellor Mon Mothma, mistress Liane. She is waiting for you now."

"I'll be back right now, Threepio. Apologize on my behalf for my absence."

"I'll will do so, mistress Liane."

Liane switched off. The Supreme Chancellor herself. And she wasn't at home to welcome her. She'd better hurry. Quickly she walked over to fissure behind the entrance, while she raised her hand to dim the light tubes. Then she vanished between the walls and entered the long winding path through the shallow stream.