Chapter 82

"A Jedi has to proof his skills and his abilities to use and control the Force," She said half aloud, "But does that only mean physical endurance while relying on the Force. If that's the case then I certainly would pass such a test. What Anakin taught me on Morantan is more than enough proof, and on Endor Luke taught me those high jumps and somersaults. What about the skills with a lightsaber? On Na'ctaMagh'Ba Ben helped me with my first exercises to practise with a lightsaber and yesterday I even have defeated Wedge, and he's a fully trained Jedi. And I also can use the Force if I want to move objects, or want to talk to my friends using Jedi telepathy. Probably there are more useful ways, but I will surely learn them at a later stage. Maybe I know enough to pass this test. Next trial is the trial of courage. A Jedi has to proof his courage. I'm not sure about this test. The use of the Force has scared me in the past. I often have reject her help, for I was afraid of her power. I wonder if I really have enough courage to use the Force the way she wants me to do?

'"Don't doubt about if your courageous, my daughter. The way you have learned to use the Force, listening to her will, be being cautious, and even afraid of the great power she give, confirms the courage you have as a Jedi Knight,', a voice said.

Liane looked up and saw the Force apparition of Anakin Skywalker.

"In which way, father?" She asked.

Anakin started to laugh.

'Haven't you often opposed the orders, that I gave you, as you felt that what I taught you wasn't the way the Force had to be used. That certainly is a proof of courage. You've argued many times with me, a Sith lord, about my Force use, which you rejected as evil and malicious, Liane, and you survived those fierce disagreements you and I had. There aren't many persons who can say the same. Your greatest achievement was when you refused to kill your friend Tijan who had abused your friendship.'

"You called me weak, father, and you forced me to look how he died. He didn't deserve this kind of death."

'Yes, I called you weak, but in fact your refusal to succumb to the power the Dark Side could give, was a act of great courage. You're also showing your determination to face Trevor Matrik again. Tell my, Liane, what will you do if he does not want to abandon his plans, or if he threatens to kill you, or one of your friends.'

"I have learned how I can defend myself with the help of the Force, father. I will act from knowledge and defense. Luke taught me that a Jedi Knight values life, even the lives of dangerous enemies, but only to some extend. I will not hesitate to defeat Trevor Matrik, if he won't surrender himself, or abandon his plans, or threatens the lives of the Quelans, or any of my friends. I'm determined to use the Force if he can't be convinced, but I won't act from the disgust and antipathy I've always felt for him. On Morantan you ordered me to defeat, or even kill your son, if he would show up unexpectedly. I promised you, I would follow your command, but I've never had the intention to do exactly as you wished. Long before my encounter with your son, I decided that I would only wound him in such a way that he would surrender himself. But I completely misjudged his abilities as a Jedi Knight. His use of the Force scared me, but against all odds, I wanted to stick to your command, father."

Anakin Skywalker smiled.

'So, my dear daughter, you certainly don't have a lack of courage, and now that you're a Jedi Knight you surely will rely on the Force to help you to make the right decision at your encounter with Trevor. For you know you have to face him, Liane. He has to be expelled and handed over to those who will judge his acts and sentence him for what he wants. My dear Liane, lovely daughter of my dearest friend Obi-Wan, on your mission I will give you as much support as you'll need. You know how I think about Trevor, and my opinion has not changed. May the Force be with you, Shaayla-Car Kenobi.'

"Father, wait, one question. Have you ever known that I was Obi-Wan's daughter?" Liane asked.

'Never. To me you were the illegitimate daughter of Severini Solichor, the Jedi healer of the Jedi Temple. I learned the truth about your parentage when I was united with the Force. From that moment I only wanted to achieve one thing: making sure that you would become a Jedi Knight, and undoing the great injustice, that I had done to your father and my dearest friend Obi-Wan, your mother Severini and especially you.'

The apparition of Anakin Skywalker vanished. Liane took up her book again.

"So I probably would pass the trials of skills and courage, if Anakin and Wedge spoke the truth, but what about the other three. The trial of spirit. The text says that it's a confrontation with my own dark side. Could that mean that I still have to face the knowledge of the Dark Side I gained on Morantan. Luke has said many times that I don't have to fear what I learned in the past, but is that enough. I have to talk about the real meaning of this trial with Luke. The next trial - the trial of flesh - is scary, because it speaks of loosing a limp or getting wounded in a fight, but Wedge said that I have gone through enough ordeals to pass this trial. He mentioned the loss of my memory due to the treatment I've gotten on Wegoyy and the discovery on Endor that Anakin wasn't my real father."

For a moment Liane looked up. In her mind the image of the stone on the Endor clearing emerged. She felt a slight shiver, as she recalled what had happened after she had uncovered the words. Then the Force showed her her first encounter with Ben and Anakin. For a moment she relived the appearance of the two Force ghost at the clearing, and her face got a thankful smile.

"Getting my memories back was very scary too. Thanks to you, my two fathers, I managed to use the Jedi-pendant again, and restore my contact with Luke. Maybe the meaning of the trial is more symbolic, for the text also mentions that there's a huge separation between a padawan and his master, after the padawan has become a Jedi Knight, because the old relationship between them has ended. I will ask Ian, no Yarmod about this trial. Has he lost the special relationship that exists between a master and a padawan, now that he and Wedge are both Jedi Knights, and as Wedge said to me, now that he is also Wedge Antilles' equal. Do I feel I have lost my union with Luke?"

She shook her head, "I don't think I feel it that way. Luke has never been my master, and I have never been a real padawan learner."

Thoughtful she read the text of again, then she started to smile, "I have been some one's padawan, for Anakin has been my master on Morantan. I was his padawan learner, although, at that moment, his intentions weren't to teach me the ways of the Jedi. And I also understand what the text says about the loss of the bond between a padawan and his master. It's an emotional feeling that causes feeling of great sadness and pain. I remember, when Leia confirmed the death of Anakin which I couldn't believe when Luke try to tell me what had happened to the galaxy during my last years on Morantan. His words made me angry and I hated him for what I already knew was the truth."

She put the textbook next to her and leaned backwards, focusing on her past and her feelings when she had realized that her father would never return.

"I have mourned his death, and I felt abandoned," She murmured, "For I always saw him as my master, my father, and the one I admired, ... and hated. ... I felt so alone, that I became an easy victim for Zolgathrii who became a new father figure, and I paid a high price for being so naive and ignorant."

With a sigh she pulled the book to her again.

"Last trial: the trial of insight which means that a Jedi has to look further and behind situations and events, assessing and weighing them from different points of view and with a deeper knowledge to act the right way. That deeper knowledge, or insight, he will only get if he commits himself fully to the guidance of the Force. Do I really have a Jedi's insight."

She shook her head, feeling more and more uncertain about her Force abilities, "I still have to expand my awareness of what the Force tells me. I still have many doubts about my skills."

'Stop worrying about your Force perception. Master Antilles told you the truth. You have passed all the Jedi trials, Shaayla-Car Kenobi,' A soft melodious voice said.

Astounded Liane looked up. In front of her the Force ghosts of master Thon, master Odan-Ur, master Yoda and master Nomi Sunrider appeared. The guest room was lit with the soft shimmering images of the four Jedi masters. Instantly Liane became one with the Force and reached out to the Jedi masters of old.

'Greetings masters, 'Mezorahim dejan Forca marusale' ,' She said and brought the Jedi salutation.

'My mother Severini proposed the name to my father Obi-Wan, Nomi. She must have known that your daughter was called Shaayla too.'

Nomi smiled at Liane and pointed at master Odan-Urr. Liane reached out the friendly old Jedi master.

'Master, when I talked to you in the Jedi archive cave you never called me Liane. You said you wouldn't call me by a name which wasn't mine. Did you know who I was?'

'Of course I knew who you where, Shaayla-Car Kenobi. But when we first met, you just had taken some minor steps at the long path that leads to Jedi Knighthood. You had to unlearn your old perceptions of the Force; your dark perceptions of and experiences with the Dark Side. You had to learn to improve the knowledge, the skills and abilities which are required as a Force user at the Good Side of the Force, and show your full commitment to learn to rely on , and to control the power our common ally. I must say, that you have proven to be a competent and committed learner. You're now one of the luminous beings who are the servants of the Good Side of the Force,' the friendly Jedi master said.

'Thank you, master Odan-Ur,'Liane said with gratitude in her voice.

'Show me your lightsaber, Shaayla-Car. The lightsaber you've assembled during the Illum-meditation, I mean,' the dark voice of master Thon rumbled.

Liane hooked the lightsaber from her belt.

'Ignite it, my headstrong Force student,' the voice rumbled on a friendly tone.

Liane ignited her lightsaber and brought it upward in the official Jedi greeting.

'Excellent, Shaayla-Car Kenobi. You and your weapon are a true expression of your connection with the Unifying Force and makes you a part of the Living Force.'

Liane blushed and switched the lightsaber off.

'Shaayla-Car Kenobi, Severini daughter, daughter of my beloved friend Obi-Wan, you are,' master Yoda chuckled, and Liane heard pride in the little Jedi master's voice. 'All our advices, you have heeded. Followed the path to Jedi Knighthood, you have. Good, this all is. A Jedi Knight, you're now. Great pleasure, Luke Skywalker, it will give to him. An important companion and great help, you will be for him,' Yoda said.

'I will always support and assist Luke, master Yoda,' Liane said humbly, 'I know he needs my help, if he wants to fulfill the task that you have given him.'

'Good, good, Shaayla-Car. Go back, we will. Others there are, talk to you, they want.' The little Jedi master said with a last chuckle.

The four Force ghosts disappeared, but the apparitions of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Severini Solichor appeared.

"Ben .. father, mother, you're here too." Liane said excited.

'Of course we are, my darling daughter,' Severini said with a warm laugh, 'It isn't a common habit that two Jedi parents celebrate the initiation of their children to Jedi knighthood. It never could have happened during the Old Jedi Order.'

They all laughed.

'Shaayla-Car, we're proud of you. Extremely proud, for you've come a long way and had to conquer the many obstacles of your past, but you won. You've found and accepted you're real destiny. You are a Jedi Knight, ' Ben Kenobi said, expressing how proud he was.

"It still feels unreal, father. I couldn't believe Wedge Antilles, and felt reluctant, when he told I had passed the Jedi trials in a different way," Liane said with a serious look, "But the text in the Jedi Path has more or less convinced me, that Luke's friend spoke the truth."

'You have read the Jedi Path, Shaayla-Car?' Severini and her husband asked astounded.

"Luke gave me your copy, father. On Morantan I had already read part of Anakin's copy: the chapter about the Jedi-pendant. Anakin wasn't amused when he found out that I had been reading about the Jedi Knights. In a fit of anger he destroyed the beautiful book and made me promise that I would never try to find more knowledge about them."

'You have to keep in mind, Shaayla-Car, that the Jedi Path does belong to the time of the old Republic, to the doctrines and attitudes of the old Jedi Order. Luke will probably discard many of those attitudes, because they are out of date, or old-fashioned, and brought so much trouble to the galaxy. To be honest, darling, it's good to know that Luke will establish new and easier rules with more freedom. Luke's new Jedi Order has to be part of a new begin. The strict doctrines and attitudes of the Old Order have made the old Jedi Council arrogant and unaware of the rise of the Sith,' Obi-Wan said with concern in his voice.

Liane nodded.

"I've read about it, father. I'm sure Luke will change a lot of things. He has no objection to the marriage of a Jedi Knight. Attachment should be a part of a Jedi's task, just like compassion and empathy, he told me. He thinks that giving love to one special person expresses what it means to be a Jedi Knight."

'Then you will certainly agree with his new point of view, won't you?' Severini asked with a smile.

Liane's cheeks colored and shyly she averted her eyes. In a flash she saw the image of Luke and herself the Force had shown her on Tatooine.

'Your mother is teasing you, Shaayla-Car,' Ben said, 'We know what you and Luke feel for each other, and, my darling daughter, don't forget, that we violated the Jedi rule that forbade a marriage, and we've have never regretted of what we've done.'

'Shaayla-Car, my lovely Jedi daughter,' Severini said, 'I know that there is one more goal you want to achieve, isn't it?'

Liane nodded, "I want to improve my Jedi skills as a Jedi healer, mother. I want to be a Jedi healer, like you. I know that you have passed those Jedi skills to me, but there must be a lot more to learn for me."

'I'm glad, you want to extend your Jedi skills with this new knowledge, and I can help you to take a next step. As soon as you have fulfilled your mission on Palomintar Four, ask Luke to accompany you to the island of Ferlusa on Morantan. I hope that the house where your father and I have lived those happy years of our marriage, hasn't completely been deteriorated. When I was pregnant of you, my daughter, I knew I had to secure the knowledge and the skills I had learned as a Jedi healer, so I have recorded everything I knew about my many healing processes and curing methods as a Jedi healer in a green holocron. I'm sure you will find in those recordings the knowledge you need to grow as a Jedi healer.'

Liane had listened attentively to what Severini was telling her.

"You made a holocron with your healing knowledge?" She whispered.

'Consider the holocron as my inheritance to you and your brother, Shaayla-Car, because you are the last Jedi healers at the moment, darling. I would be assured if the knowledge I gained will be passed on to a next generation of Jedi healers.'

"Mother, if we use your holocron, will I meet you too? I mean, can we talk to you, like I have talked to Nomi Sunrider and the other Jedi masters of old when I used their holocron. Will you help us, if we need some extra help," Liane asked out of breath.

'You will, my lovely daughter. I will help you two to find and learn everything a Jedi healer needs to know, so I'm looking forward meeting you and your brother many times and I will share my knowledge with you. And now, Shaayla-Car, we want you to call your brother, Tama-Hinn, for your father and I want to give him also our blessing now that he has become a Jedi Knight.'

"Father, mother, Luke, Tama-Hinn and I will go to Ferlusa. We will find your holocron, mother. On Tatooine I have found father's holocron too, and although he said I'd better read the content of the datapad, I'm sure that Luke wants to hear the voice and meet his old master again. Please, stay, as I ask Tama-Hinn to come to this room."

Liane released herself from the Force contact with Obi-Wan and Severini and used Jedi telepathy to reach out to her brother.

'Tama-Hinn, Ian, are you still awake?' She asked hardly able to disguise her happiness

'You sound very excited, Shaayla-Car,' her brother answered almost immediately.

'I'll show you, so come to my room, dear brother, right now. I have to tell you something very important.'

'Now? What is it, Liane?'

'I tell if you've come.' Liane said with a teasing laugh.

'Alright. I'll be with you in a minute.'

Liane looked up and sighed relieved as she still saw the Force apparitions of her parents.

"He is coming. Oh, father, mother, he will be so surprised to meet you. Oh, there he is."

The door of her guest room opened and Ian Tydon stepped inside.

"What do you w...." He began, but he stopped and looked at the Force apparitions of Obi-Wan and Severini.

"Obi-Wan? Father? Severini, oh yes, your my mother. I remember both of you," He stammered.

'We meet again at last, my dear son. It's been a long time ago, since I had to leave you with my friend Lucian Tydon,' Ben said, and Liane and Ian heard the regret in their father's voice.

"I have read files you've recorded on that datapad, father. It must have been a very difficult time for you and mother to be separated, not only from us, your children, but also from each other. Your story made clear, that you didn't have a choice. I want to thank you for all the effort you took to find a way to be united, with me again, after mother had been united with the Force. I can imagine how lonely you must have felt without her, but, father, you shouldn't blame yourself anymore for the decisions you once had to make. The Force has shown you the path you had to take and you have committed yourself fully to your mission to be the guardian of Anakin's son Luke. You have followed the Force's lead and relied on her guidance." Ian said with a warm compassionate smile and reached out to his father to sooth the regret of the old Jedi master.

Ben watched his grown-up son and his eyes lit up and he began to smile too. In amazement Liane watched the change in the looks of Luke's old master. She compared the expression of Ben's face with that of her brother, and saw the striking resemblance between them. Ben and Ian were father and son, but they also could have been a pair of brothers. Manall, the old harvest man, had had a keen eye, when he thought that his old friend Obi-Wan had returned to Palomintar Four.

'Thank you, my son,' Ben said hoarsely, 'Know, Tama-Hinn, that your mother and I are very proud of you and of your sister Shaayla-Car, now that you're both Jedi Knights.'

"We're proud to be the children of general Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi healer Severini Solichor, father. As soon as our mission on Palomintar has ended, we're going to ask the administration of the New Republic to give us a pair of new ID-cards with the names you've given us and with the names of our real parents," Ian said proudly.

'Then you also will accompany Luke and your sister to Morantan, Tama-Hinn, for Shaayla-Car wants to look for the holocron I recorded with my Jedi healing knowledge,' Severini said, 'You and Shaayla-Car also should pay a visit to Eremian and ask him to give you your official original birth certificates.'

"I will gladly accompany my sister and my friend, mother. I'm Shaayla-Car's an older brother now, but I have been her guard and protector already for a long time. Mother, I'm really sorry I didn't recognize you when you helped me to cure and heal the wounds I've gotten with my reckless action in Ktafunda. I'm aware that my thoughts were more focussed on my feelings for my daughter, then on your apparition and your support." Ian said as he turned to Severini.

His mother laughed, 'You've kept the promise you made, Tama-Hinn. You took care of your sister and stayed with her under all circumstances.'

"And I still do so, mother. My sister is the most lovely woman I have met, and I promise I always be at her side and help her with whatever she does or need." Ian said determinedly and put his arm around Liane's shoulders who at first frowned at his words, but then started to laugh.

The two parents, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Severini Solichor Kenobi, looked at Tama-Hinn, their son, and Shaayla-Car, their daughter.

'We have to go back to our place in the Force, my children, but we will meet often, that's our promise,' Obi-Wan said, 'We feel we're blessed now that our children have found their way at the Good Side of the Force and are Jedi Knights. May the Force be with you both.'

"May the Force with you, father and with you, mother," Liane and Ian said in unison, as the Force apparitions of their parents disappeared.

Liane looked at her brother, "Did you recognize them, Tama-Hinn?" She asked.

"I recognized Severini, Shaayla-Car, but father looked so much older than I remember. When he brought me to Corellia his hair and beard were still thick without any grey," Ian said, "It hurts me, that you haven't any real memory of them. You were too young to remember our mother Severini, and you never have met our father, but we will do as Severini suggested, we will go to Morantan and ask Eremian to give us our official birth certificates. I think you know where we can find him, don't you."

Liane nodded, "I do, Ian. He is a very friendly man and I've learned a lot from him about the healing qualities of plants and herbs. Maybe I should say that his lessons might have put me on the path to become a healer."

"After we have our birth certificates and found the holocron Severini has hidden, we'll go back to Dalmaran and ask Mon Mothma to register our new identities, so we will be known as the children of general Obi Wan Kenobi and Jedi healer Severini Solichor. I'm sure that Luke, Leia and Wedge will support our request."

Liane leaned her head against her brother's shoulder.

"I wonder if Wedge has told Luke already that his new Jedi Order has six fully trained Jedi Knights, and .... all of them are going to help each other to fight admiral Trevor Matrik's foolish ideas to revive the empire.

Manall, the former leader of the harvest men, stood in front of his house high up the mountain ridge behind Cantamaga. He looked up at the sky with some uneasiness. Strange feelings had awakened him, but he couldn't pinpoint the source of those feelings. However, of one thing he was sure; an unexpected change was coming. A unexpected change in the possible plans of his new friends; the children of his old friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. Manall sighed and looked down at Cantamaga and its surrounding area. He turned around and wanted to get inside his house, when his eyes fell on the grassy plains near the village where the Jedi guests of Toallin and Mugin, the governors and their other friends, those six brothers, had landed with their spaceships. Did he see it right? There had to be three spaceships. The last ship that had arrived had been a beautiful vessel which stabilizer wing had turned into vertical position after it had landed. The pilot had been another Jedi Knight who had had long talks with those kind children of his old friend. After those talks the two had looked different, but also familiar. He had gone to Cantamaga to find out what had happened and Shaayla-Car and her brother Tama-Hinn had told him, that the Jedi master Wedge Antilles had raised their status to Jedi Knight. Afterwards he had had an argument with that arrogant councilor Kamalin who seemed to doubt the intentions of Obi-Wan's daughter Shaayla-Car. Manall muttered under his breath and looked again at the plains where three ships should be, but he was sure that he only saw two; the beautiful spacecraft with the vertical wings had left. Manall shrugged his shoulders. All this coming and going wasn't his business. There was only one thing he hoped for, that he would be able to look down on Ribana from his former harvest house on the foothills of the mountain ridge on Myr.

"Granpa, are you alright," a young voice said.

Manall smile, as he turned to door where Lorann his youngest grandson stood.

"Get back to bed, Lorann. I'm coming inside," Manall said and entered his house.

Lorann stood in the middle of the room.

"I'm alright, son. Now get going. To bed with you." Manall grumbled not unfriendly and tousled his grandson's hair.

"Granpa, I thought I heard one of the space ships leaving," the young boy said.

"You're right. There are only two on the plain near the village. Probably one of the guests has gotten a message from his friends who went with your father and the other men to Myr."

"But why did it leave in the middle of the night, and why did it use its sublight-engines instead of the ion-drive which is normally used to lift off."

Manall looked at his grandson. The boy had an sophisticated hearing for the working of all kinds of mechanisms.

"Is there a difference, Lorann?"

"Yes, Granpa. Ion-drive makes a lot more noise when started, but they generate a boost of vertical power to lift a space craft, so it can reach the speed which is needed to escape from the gravity field of a planet. Once outside the gravity field the sublight engines will take over before the hyperdrive is started and the ion-engine is switched off."

"Those sublight-engines can't be used to lift off, is that what you're saying, Lorann?"

"Sublight-engines can be used to hover above a landing spot, before the ion-drive is started. They don't make much noise, because in space there isn't less friction. Most space crafts normally land using their sublight-engines."

"So when leaving, the ion-drive is necessary to get outside the gravity field. What if a pilot decides to use the sublight-engines instead? Can that be done?"

"Yes, granpa, but sublight-engines need a much longer time to reach the escape speed. At first a pilot hovers the ship until it's free from the landing pit or platform, after a while he flies in a circular or back and forth movement to increase the necessary escape speed to get free from the gravity field.

"Flying in circles or to and fro? So because those sublight-engines make very little noise, the pilot can leave almost unnoticed," Manall mused and suddenly he knew what had awakened him. In his sleep he had heard a soft noise that had increased and decreased. The sound of a hovering space craft, flying in back and forth.

"Granpa, do you think, that one of those space ships has left using its sublight-engines to lift off. The distances to the center of Cantamaga is far off and more than enough to leave without being noticed."

Wedge Antilles looked through the windscreen of the Astræa and show the familiar shape of the Millennium Falcon. He switch off the Astræa's cloaking and landed a few meters from the Corellian freighter. Still in doubt about his furtive nocturnal departure from Tyr he beckoned Threepio and Artoo to follow him.

"Let's find out, why Luke want me to take you with me, Threepio," He said, and lowered the ramp.

For a moment he waited and watch the surrounding of the forest and the mountain ridge with his Force feelings. Then he saw that Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca stood waiting for him at the foot of the ramp. Slowly he walked down and made a formal greeting to his friend.

"I'm glad you've arrived already, Wedge," Luke said, while answering the formal Jedi salutation. However he felt the conflict inside his friend about his secret flight.

"It's alright, Wedge. I'm sure Liane will understand."

'I'm not so sure, Luke,' his friend answered, 'Just because of what I told Liane yesterday, I'm not so sure I've done the right thing.'

Wedge turned to Leia en Han and greeted the cordially.

"So good to see you, Wedge," Leia said.

"We'd better cloak the ships again, and do the talking inside the cave," Han grumbled.

"Hello, mistress Leia, sir, hello Chewbacca How are you all doing?" Threepio said.

Han muttered an inaudible answer, but Leia gently answered the droid's words.

"Welcome to Myr, Threepio, and you too, Artoo," She said, "It's good to have you with us again."

Wedge had raised the ramp of the Astræa and had activated the cloaking. Luke had done the same to the Falcon. The three Jedi followed Han and Chewbacca who had already started down the winding path to the cave entrance. Inside Wedge met Cornell and the other harvest men. In a few words he answered some questions of the harvest men and told them all was going well in Cantamaga.

"I've made my acquaintance with your father, Cornell. He is doing well. I've overheard a short conversation between him and master Kamalin. They aren't really good friends, are they?" Wedge said.

"That's an understatement, master Antilles. I won't say they are enemies, but master Kamalin has always envied my father, because of my father's friendship with two Jedi Knight. I hope that with so many Jedi Knights having become our new friends master Kamalin and my father will get along a bit better."

"Might take some time, Cornell. Your father has laid a claim on the friendship of the children of one his old Jedi friends. Ian Tydon and Liane Solichor are the children of a Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Cornell laughed, "Then master Kamalin once again has missed an opportunity."

"I don't think so, Cornell. Although Ian and Liane have paid your father several visits, Liane had built up a good relation with master Kamalin."

Wedge sat down on the rocks around the furnace. Luke had taken Threepio and Artoo and told them to stay near Leia and him, then he walked inside the circle of men and looked around.

"Cornell," he said, "I want to thank you all, for the fine way we have worked together."

The men became silent and looked at the young Jedi. Luke continued, "I want you to continue the task you've undertaken. It looks good, very good. I'm sure that the plan we've laid out so far will be a success. So I want you to accept the help of my sister Leia, her husband general Solo and his Wookiee friend, Chewbacca."

"Why are saying this, Ben?" Ronall asked, "Your words seem a kind of goodbye. Are you leaving us?"

"Temporarily, Ronall, because I have to, but I will be back. The time which I have spent here with all of you, have given me a good opportunity to make a detailed plan to persuade the intruder who has driven the Quelans into exile to give up his ideas, leave his shelter under the mountain and leave Palomintar Four."

Taken aback the harvest men look at their Jedi companion. They began to talk together, asking many questions. Luke raised his hand.

"I can't reveal any exact details yet, but you have to know that I have find a way to get inside Darth Golluth's shelter and meet him there at the right moment. I'm not going alone, for my old friends Threepio and Artoo will accompany me. My sister Leia and friend Han are aware of my plans, and although he still has his doubts, he has agreed that he will stay with you, Cornell, and give you and your men all the help you might need to get your work done. You will have to do without me for a while, for I'm leaving with my friend Wedge, who has come to Myr on my request."

"Ben, are you and your Jedi friend going to find a kind of army to defeat the guy?" One of the harvest men asked.

Luke shook his head.

"Unfortunately that's impossible. My sister and her husband have already tried, but our Supreme leader couldn't get enough support to send a ground force to overthrow Darth Golluth's illegal occupation of Ribana and its surrounding area."

"What help can two droids give you, Ben?" Cornell asked, looking with disdain at Threepio and Artoo.

"More than you can imagine, Cornell. Threepio, Artoo and I have gone through many adventures and dangerous situations together. I fully trust them, and I am convinced that also in this case they will play a prominent part.

"Ben, what about me?" Chati dared to ask, looking disappointed.

"You have to stay with Cornell and his men, Chati Fonaldris. Cornell is responsible for your safe return to your parents," Luke said with a stern voice, looking at the young female Quelan, "I know what you are thinking now, Chati, but I'm now reminding you at the promise you made me, when I told you about your possible future. Don't try anything on your own, young lady. Stay with your fellow Quelans. To make sure that you will do as I ask you, I have asked my sister to accept you for the time being as her padawan. From now on she is your master, and you know what I have told you about the obedience a padawan has to pay to his master. Before I leave I will have one last serious chat with you, and I want you to fulfill your task as expected."

Chati nodded, but she looked at him with a open glance, "I will do as I promised, Ben. I will obey Cornell, and be your sister's padawan."

"Are you leaving immediately, Ben?" Cornell asked.

"Not immediately, but surely I will say goodbye one of these days. There are a few things I have to settle. In the meantime we will all carry on the way we have done, and that includes the help of my friend Wedge. I want you to show him the progress you have made and explain to him what you want to achieve. I'm sure that he will help the same way as my sister and I have done so far."

"Ben, does it mean that you expect, that the Quelans can return to Ribana?" Ronall asked.

"That's my goal, Ronall, and I promise that when that moment has come, I'll be back to bring the inhabitants of Cantamaga back to their hometown."

"Chati has told us, that a lot of work has to be done in Ribana. Wouldn't it be better, Ben, if we have a first look, before we confront our people with the overgrown parts of Ribana?" Wolinn asked.

"I'll leave that up to you and Cornell, Wolinn, and your governors," Luke said calmly.

Cornell spoke and instructed his men to continue their work. Han started talking to Wedge and asked how Liane was doing. Chewbacca joined a group of harvest men who were going to work on the digging at the mountain ridge, followed by Leia who would help them with her Jedi skills. Luke took Chati with him to the underground riverbed. In silence they walked on, until they were far out of hearing range of the harvest men. Every now and then Chati gave a sideway glance at the young Jedi she so highly admired, but Luke walked on without started talking to her. Finally they reached the furthest of Luke's exploration.

"Chati, use your Force skills and listen," Luke said on a hushed tone.

The young girl looked at him, but as she saw his serious look, she understood his wish and closed her eyes, like she had done, while looking at the strange visitor in her father's vineyard building. Silently she reached out to her surrounding, noticing the tiniest life-forms around her.

"Tell me, what do you feel, Chati," Luke said still whispering, but now using his Jedi voice.

"There are many tiny creature here, Ben: all kinds of little beetles, and I hear the chirping of the locust we use to catch outside Ribana. I didn't know those creatures were also living so far from the town."

"Reach out further, Chati, extend what you feel now," Luke continued.

Chati narrowed her eyes tightly to concentrate even better. All of a sudden she looked up at her companion.

"We're near ... " She wanted to exclaim, but Luke put his hand over her mouth.

"... Ribana. We are, Chati, but don't raise your voice. Ribana is behind the right wall of this riverbed."

"Does that mean that you have found the former exit of it," she whispered.

"I almost have, behind the wall to your left the riverbed continues," Luke said, "There are many tiny fissures and chasm to the left through with the former river flowed to the old exit and formed the lake between Ribana and foothills of the mountain ridge, before it ran through its old bedding behind the vineyard of our famaily."

"A lake? I don't ... Oh, do you mean, the enormous very steep valley near the mountain ridge? It's been a lake?"

"That's right. But now I want you to concentrate on what's going on behind this left wall," Luke said, using his Jedi voice again.

Again Chati turned her concentration on what she felt behind the wall to her left. Almost immediately she started to whisper, "I hear sounds as if there movements of metals ... Metal footsteps ... voices sounding unreal, but they are far off, not directly behind this wall."

"Very good, Chati. I've heard those sounds too. What's your conclusion?" Luke asked, still in a hushed voice.

For a moment the young Quelan girl was deep in thoughts, then she looked at him.

"Do you think, Ben, that behind this left the shelter of that guy who occupied Ribana, begins?"

"Not begins. Probably behind this wall there is a cave that is connected to his underground shelter."

"A back door for the river," Chati whispered, "Ben, if Cornell finds a way to lead the river back, this cave might flood and with it the rest of the guy's domain."

"Excellent deduction, Chati, but not only is it a backdoor for the river, but also a backdoor for us to slip inside his domain, especially you."

"Me?" Chati chuckled softly, "Don't you think, I'm a little too big to pass those fissures, fractures and chasm."

"You might use this spot in case of emergency. An emergency entrance, after you have used this," Luke said, and handed the astounded girl his lightsaber, "Remember how I used my lightsaber the first time our walk inside the old riverbed seemed to be blocked."

Chati nodded, "You put the top of your weapon against the rock and it started to meld. It looked a kind of wonder."

"It isn't, but, Chati, a lightsaber is useful, but also can be dangerous."

"Why are you giving it to me, Ben?"

"Because I want you to help me once again, Chati, and I'm sure you're the right person to do it. Now listen carefully and remember all I'm going to tell you."

At a whispering tone Luke revealed the young Quelan girl his plan to get inside Darth Golluth's underground domain. Chati listen attentively without asking any questions. When Luke finished his extensive explanation, Chati nodded with a serious frown.

"Are you sure, Ben, the guy will help you? What if he turns out to be a traitor?" What if he will harm your girlfriend? Are you sure he won't? Once you're inside you're on your own without your lightsaber."

"That's why I'm asking you to help me once again, Chati. You're a Quelan, you possess a very useful way to stay out of sight. If you feel, that there's a danger you can use the Jedi greeting, and hand me my lightsaber. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will, Ben, but what about Cornell's supervision and the fact you said that I'm master Leia's padawan."

"My sister will help you to get inside the cave network behind this wall. She will also help you to use my lightsaber to make a passageway in this wall large enough for you to get through. What I'm asking you, Chati, might be dangerous, but I feel that you're the right person to carry out what I'm asking, but you have to be very careful once you're inside Darth Golluth's underground caves."

"Once inside I will find my way, Ben. My cousins and I have often played hide-and-seek inside these caves. I probably will remember ... , Chati said, and continued, "Maybe I should make a kind of map if I'm going to do some explorations, like you did as you explored the underground riverbed. I can go forward step by step and come back to this point to stay out of sight quickly."

"I'll give you my datapad and I'll see to it that my sister and you will be in touch. Don't hesitate to ask her to help you, Chati. She is your master. As her padawan she is responsible for you safety."

"I'll manage, Ben, and I will be on the lookout for your girlfriend, Jedi Liane, and her friends. Are you sure, she will carry on her plan to come to Myr, and to Ribana?"

"Absolutely, that's why I want to give her some extra support when she meets Darth Golluth. Now let's get back to the others. Hide the lightsaber. My sister know you have it, but don't tell the others."

Luke put his hands on the girl's shoulders.

"This might be a dangerous mission, Chati, but so far you're doing fine. May the Force be with you."