Chapter 103

"A dress? ... Oh, that white dress you wore when Luke and I were heralded as the heroes of the Rebel Alliance after we blew up that first Death Star. That dress, you mean. Yes, I remember that Liane wore it during our wedding ceremony. It fitted her even better than you, sweetheart." Han grinned, shaking his head.

"So my kid-brother stayed behind on Myr to pick ... Leia, where is that dress?"

"I don't know, Han. Maybe Liane took it with her when she fled Na'ctaMagh'Ba. She knew that my brother loved it to see in that dress. She especially dressed up after Luke had come to the residence while we were there to ask Liane about her possible connection with Trevor Matrik on Morantan. You even teased Luke and made my brother blush."

Han Solo grinned aloud.

So, if Liane has taken Luke's favorite dress when she fled, they might have gone to ... Tatooine, for she could have left it there after she decided to go to Palomintar Four."

"I don't know if Liane has told Luke anything about that dress, but yes, Luke might have taken Liane to Tatooine, or Liane might have asked him to get the dress were she left it, for she knows he loves it."

Han shrugged his shoulder and looked at his wife.

"Do you know how much time the Astræga needs to get to Tatooine?"

"About thirty standard hours, I estimate," Leia answered.

"Exactly, that means that they won't arrive on Tyr for at least three standard days. By that time Cantamaga has been deserted and all those Quelans are busy cleaning up what's left of Ribana."

"I won't be surprised if my brother is avoiding the festivities on Tyr deliberately. Luke hates small talk. He always avoids the celebration of the Alliance's victory every year."

"I can't blame him for doing that, my love. I don't like those gatherings, either. Could Liane have hidden that dress on other planets. Hey, wait a minute, she possible have hidden it in the Astræga. She has told Luke and he wanted to see her in that dress again ... No, that doesn't make sense. Why is that guy always so elusive about his plans."

Leia smiled.

My brother is a Jedi Knight, Han Solo, and educated by the last most famous Jedi Knight this galaxy has ever seen: master Yoda. Perhaps Luke has taken Liane to Dagobah to meet the old Jedi to present him Shaayla-Car Kenobi, the daughter of Obi-Wan and Severini."

"Liane won't wear that dress on that swamp planet. She will be soaked in minutes," Han said snappy.

"You have never been on Dagobah, darling, but you're right. It's not really a good place to wear a dress and certainly not a white one." Leia laughed and put her arms around her husband's neck. "Get dressed, general. We're expected to be some of the guests of honor. Toallin and Mugin surely will mention all of us in their opening speech."

Han grumbled.

"I hope they're not too talkative or verbose as a certain protocol droid, you know who I mean, right."

Leia kissed him, before she went over to the closet to take out her ceremonial Jedi outfit. Han looked at her while she put on those special Jedi garments and smiled.

"Those clothes suit you, darling. They give you dignity and status. Leia Organa Solo, Jedi Knight,.. oh no, Jedi master and special envoy to the Supreme Chancellor Lady Mon Mothma of the New Republic."

Leia gave her husband a push and threw his jacket at him. Han caught it and took it on.

"Ready, let's get to the main plaza. Wait, Leia, I'll have to warn Chewie."

Leia and Han weren't the only ones who wondered about the absence of Luke and Liane. Ian and Yarmod shared one of the guest rooms. They had refreshed themselves quickly and had gone for a walk through Cantamaga. A group of younger Quelans had surrounded them, asking all kinds of questions about the liberation of Ribana. Politely the two Jedi Knights had given evasive answers and had referred to the governors and the council of the Elders. Together they had walked through the farmlands behind Cantamaga and admired the growth of the different vegetables, but mostly they liked the borders around the agricultural areas which were blooming with all kinds of flowers. They walked up the hillside to the plateau halfway of the top and used the quiet area to mediate on the Force for a while.

Finally they were looking at the hustle and bustle on the roads to the center of Cantamaga, as all the inhabitants of the different farms were going to join the festivities on the main plaza.

Yarmod laughed and looked at his companion.

"It feels really great to see this community so happy, don't you think," He said.

"Absolutely, Yarmod," Ian said, but seemed absent minded, before he turned to his friend.

"Yarmod, do you have any idea why Luke and Shaayla-Car haven't come here yet? I have used Jedi telepathy to ask my sister where she and Luke had gone, but I didn't get any response. I also don't sense her presence any longer on Palomintar Four."

"Ian, your sister is a fully-fledged Jedi Knight. Yes, she is your younger sister, but Luke is with her, so you shouldn't bother about her. You're not her guard any more, Ian."

Ian silenced.

"You're right, of course, Yarmod, but it's regrettable that they haven't come to Tyr with all of us."

"I'm sure they will arrive shortly, and if not, that's also up to them. They are both Jedi Knights. Luke even is a Jedi master. What's the use to worry about them."

"Nothing, in fact, but I wonder why they have left Palomintar Four, for they are not on their way to Tyr, Yarmod."

For a moment Ian closed his eyes.

"They have lift off and vanished into hyperspace I sense."

Yarmod frowned.

"Into hyperspace, that means that they have gone to some place else. Do you think, that they don't want to come to Tyr?"

Ian shook his head.

"No, I think Liane has told Luke about my father's diaries and that special datapad with recordings he left for Luke. It would make sense that they went into hyperspace and heading for Tatooine."

"I thought we all would go there, for didn't Wedge tell us that we still have to do a final trial to finish our initiation."

"True, but maybe Luke has been wondering what his former master wants to share with him. I don't know, Yarmod, but the Astræga has gone into hyperspace, so Shaayla-Car and Luke are no longer near Palomintar Four."

Chati looked at Wedge Antilles.

"What is it, Chati?" He asked.

"Master, Ben ... I mean master Skywwalker and Shaayla-Car still haven't arrive on Tyr."

"That's right. They will arrive later," Wedge answered.

Chati was silent, but Wedge sensed his new padawan had more questions.

"What's on your mind, young padawan?" He asked.

"I can tell, master, but I have feeling that they have gone elsewhere, just the two of them, without telling us anything."

"And you find that odd?"

"Yes, master, don't you think, it's odd?"

"Looking at this for our point of view, it's odd indeed, but Luke and Shaayla-Car certainly have a good reason to be later, don't you think?"

Chati frowned, but after some moment she nodded.

"And they do not have to account for where they want to go or stay. They have their own responsibilities."

"Excellent thinking, Chati," Wedge said, but he remained elusive.

Chati sighed.

"Still, I think it's a shame that they aren't here." She sighed. "They have done so much for us. I mean, without them Ribana probably would still suffer under that weird intruder. Have they really forced the water flow to reach the dried riverbed, master?"

"Luke and Shaayla-Car used their combined Force strenght to remove a massive pile of fallen trees obstructing the water flow, so that the water could reach the riverbed."

"And then the intruder could reach the western plains any more, just like I hoped."

"And like you told us."

"Master, B...Master Luke once has told me that Shaayla-Car was his padawan learner, but that was before I met her in the Astræga. Does their disappearance have something to do with their relationship as master and padawan?"

"No, Chati, Shaayla-Car has learned to trust what the Force tells her and how to rely on it. It has been a long struggle, but my friend has always believed in her and supported her."

"Does that mean that she has find her own way to become a Jedi Knight?"

"Absolutely not, but she has met several Jedi of Old, those that went before us. They have taught and explained to her what the Force wants a Jedi Knight to do."

Chati nodded.

"I think I understand what you mean, master. She had to do it all on her own, because master Luke had come to Palomintar Four to make sure that the intruder wouldn't do her any harm. It must have been very difficult for a master to protect a padawan from afar."

"That's right. Luckily Luke and Shaayla-Car had found a way to communicate, and Shaayla-Car has often told him what she was doing and learning."

"It must have made her believe in her Force skill strong, for I have seen how she and her brother Tama-Hin have completely cure the terrible wound of master Thai. Before she helped him, she had a long chat with him, for I saw how master Thai struggle with his tears. He was scared, master, very scared. He feared that was going to die."

"He certainly would have, Chati, if you and Tama-Hin hadn't taken care of him, the way you did. Shaayla-Car has a lot of experiences healing other species and humans in the past, too, so she has learned to sense their pain and fear so strongly, that she could feel their pain and fears herself."

"But now she is a Jedi Knight, like master Luke. I think master Luke is very happy about that, isn't he, master?"

"Absolutely, Chati, but there's still a lot to learn for her, so for the time being Luke and Shaayla-Car will do a lot of things together."

"Does he see her as his padawan, master?"

"No, Luke sees her as his peer, his equal."

"That's good," Chati murmured

Wedge laughed

"You like her, don't you?"

"I do, master. I feel she has a strong believe in her Force skills and she is kind and helpful. I have heard that she has gone to the intruder all alone to give him something to eat and drink. She has talked to him while she was alone with him and she has convinced him to go to the honorable leaders of Coruscant and confess what he had done wrong. I think that was very risky, for my father said the intruder was a dangerous man. He could have attack her."

"Tama-Hin, Yarmod and I were standing by, Chati. We would have helped her if Trevor would have resisted."

"Master, would you or one of the others have killed him?"

"Definitely not, Chati. A Jedi has other possibilities to stop an opponent. A Jedi always relies on the Force to act to avoid unnecessary harm. I'm sure that Shaayla-Car would have done so, for she is a very compassionate person."

"There's a lot for me to learn. I hope that master Luke and Shaayla-Car will come to Tyr, before we're going to Myr. I would like to talk to her about what she knows about plants and herbs that can help to heal."

"And you can teach her was you know, Chati. I'm sure that Shaayla-Car has great interest in your knowledge. Enough talking about our missing friends, young padawan. They will be here soon. Shall we now go to the main plaza, for the festivities are about to begin.

On Na'cta Liane woke up and immediately jumped from her bed. She started smiling as she saw her reflection in the mirror. After a quick shower she put on her Jedi outfit and carefully folded the white dress.

"I will wear this dress again, when I'm marrying Luke." She whispered, while she put the dress and the shoes in a box and put it on her bed.

She left her quarter, walked through the corridor to reach the living.

"Did you have pleasant dreams, lovely pixie?" A voice said.

She turned around and flung her arms around Luke who took her in his arms with a radiant face.

"I've dreamt of you, my love," She anwered and kissed him. "Oh, Luke, I feel so happy. I could embrace everyone in the galaxy."

"Share your happy feelings only with me, my eternal comrade," Luke whispered.

Liane laughed, before she kissed him again.

"That's selfish, Luke, but as you're the only other one here, I will fulfill your wish."

They walked over to the terrace and sat close togeter on one the couches for a moment forgetting everyone in the galaxy. After a while Liane jumped to her feet.

"I have to look if there's something for breakfast, Luke. I'm starving."

"I'll help you." Luke said and together they went over to the pantry. Liane rummaged in the cupboard and look in the storage closet, but the automatic food control system had cleaned all the perishable food. They only found a sealed box with hard biscuits. Liane grimaced as she had broken the seal, tasted it and let Luke have a bite.

"Well it's better than nothing," He said, "Is there any juice left."

"Yes, only concentrated. I need to add some water from this last bottle."

"It's not really a breakfast to celebrate our new future, but it will do. We can have a better meal in Mas'onom or on the Astræga. I've checked the pantry before we left." Luke said and took the box with hard biscuits to the terrace. Liane followed with two glasses of juice. In silence they took time to eat two biscuits each. When they had finished they threw the remaining biscuits in the automatic food control system and went back to the living. Liane looked around, before she looked at Luke.

"We can't stay here for another day without enough food and I don't want to activate the complete system that would start the normal food processing system I used. I never realized that a shutdown of the complete system would result in a lack of food. We should consider this when the Jedi are allowed to live here."

"I understand that during the months you've lived here you haven't got any replenishments, right?"

"I've never bothered myself with the way Threepio and Artoo made my dinners and I never have asked Mon Mothma about it. It's inconsiderate, Luke. I should have been aware of it."

"I don't think so, Shaayla-Car. Don't forget that Mom Mothma's residence has been developed to provide a long time of safety during insurrection or crisis. So there still have to be enough food in storage to cover a long period. We'll check it out later."

Liane put her arm through Luke's.

"Have you already given it a thought who we will ask to officiate our wedding ceremony, my love? The Supreme Chancellor? Do you think that she will agree with our marriage, master Skywwalker? And what will our friends think, Yarnick and his brothers, the other Jedi Knights, if they hear our wedding plans?"

"Why do you think Mon Mothma will be against our marriage, Shaayla-Car?" Luke asked questioning.

"Haven't you forgotten who raised me? Will there be representatives from other systems who know you, and will disagree with our marriage?"

"I don't care, naughty pixie. If we can't marry on Irithim, I'll will marry you somewhere else, if necessary in secret."

"Where? Every one in this galaxy knows who Luke Skywalker is, I guess."

"What about Coruscant? I'm sure that the grand-admiral would be willing to marry us."

"No, Luke, I definitely don't want to have our wedding ceremony on Coruscant. The leaders have apologized for misunderstanding my intentions, but I wonder if they're really convinced. Any one else who has the authority to officiate a wedding ceremony. Marek Grann? He is the governor of Rasth. I think we can ask him."

"He might be a good choice, Shaayla-Car," Luke said pensively, "What about the governors of Ribana, or master Kamalin?"

"But all our friends are on Palomintar Four too, then we won't marry in secret," Liane commented.

"No, but do we really want to be marry in secret? Shaayla-Car, my love, do you really believe that what my father taught you, can be an argument for not accepting you as my wife?" Luke looked hurt after his words, "Wedge initiated you. You're a Jedi Knight. You have become what Anakin asked me to promise."

Liane put her arms around Luke's neck.

"No, darling, our friends on Palomintar Four won't object, that's for sure. Also most of the Quelans are also our friends, but even among them who might have still doubts about me."

"How do you know?" Luke asked.

"After Wedge bestowed Jedi knighthood on me I have had a very serious chat with master Kamalin. He had heard about my upbringing by Anakin and what knowledge of the Dark Side I might be able to use. I could convince him of my intentions for master Kamalin is a thoughtful and reasonable person.

Luke, your heralding deeds for the Rebel Alliance are well known throughout the galaxy. Everyone respects you, but there are also others who know a lot about me and how I have used Anakin's dark teachings on Morantan. Being a Jedi Knight now hasn't wiped out what I have been in the past."

Luke shook his head.

"I will neglect all their criticism, Shaayla-Car. You are no longer Anakin's adopted daughter; you are the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi, my first master. The High Council pardoned you and Mon Mothma made you a citizen of the New Republic. We're also a Force dyad, an eternal connection of Force souls. That is sufficient proof of our close bond, which we wish to see further strengthened through marriage."

"Luke, my dearest, I just want to remind you of what others might think or say about our relationship. I promised to marry you because I love you with all my heart. I have loved you for a very long time, and my feelings for you have only grown stronger over time. I believe in our marriage; there is no doubt about that, but we must not forget the truth about my past."

"I understand your point of view, my lovely naughty pixie." Luke nodded, "I've experienced the same after Leia and I became known as the offspring of Darth Vader. We were accused of collaboration with and espionage for the Empire. Leia lost her title as princess of the Royal House of Alderaan and I wasn't allowed to train new Jedi Knights."

"See Luke, some similar accusations might still cling to me." Liane said softly and stroke through his hair. Luke grabbed her hands and started to laugh.

"But after Leia and I returned from the attack on Ortel, we were rehabilitated. Since then, no one has ever spoken about our parentage again, darling.

On Palomintar Four, you resolved and ended the illegal occupation which could have plunged the galaxy into war once again. Your attempt to persuade former admiral Trevor Matrik to surrender and accept his fate, will surely be enough to rehabilitate you in the eyes of those who once harbored doubts about you. No, Shaayla-Car, my eternal comrade, our marriage will be accepted with great acclaim. I'm sure they will.

Luke took her in his arms and kissed her.

"Convinced, my love?" He asked.

"Are you, Luke?" Liane asked.

"Completely, no doubts about it" He said. "We're going to marry and we will defy any criticism, for our lives have a similar background and we have proven that our past isn't a threat, or influencing our deeds as Jedi Knights."

Liane leaned with her head against Luke's shoulder.

"You're right, Luke. Maybe I'm still feeling upset by those silly words of an imperial leader who did not take the trouble to really investigate the facts and listen to Mon Mothma and her advisors."

Luke caressed Liane's hair.

"Coruscant is just one planet in the galaxy. There are millions of other systems. One of them is the Palomintar system where we and our friends have restored justice and brought peace and happiness to an indigenous community of Quelans."

Liane looked up and nodded with a smile.

"I think it's wonderful idea to ask Toallin and Mugin to marry us, Luke."

"So do I, Shaayla-Car" Luke said, but Liane sensed some reluctance in his voice. "But we can't asked them to officiate our wedding as soon as we return to Tyr. Months ago I promised Toallin and Mugin that I would helped to liberate Ribana and expel the occupier, Darth Golluth as he called himself, from those cave system. I also said that I would help the Quelans to get back to Ribana. I have seen Ribana, Shaayla-Car. The town is ruined. Most of the houses have deteriorated, walls have collapsed, streets and gardens are overgrown with weeds, windows are broken."

"Luke, you have told me about that promises. They are obligations for both of us, and for the other Jedi, which we have to fulfill first, before we can think about our own personal promises." Liane said.

Luke caressed Liane's hair, and looked pensively away over the lawn and the pond.

"You're such a fine understanding companion, my love, for you fully understand the difficulty of the decision we have to make. We can't celebrate our marriage, until Ribana will be restored and the Quelans, living now on Tyr, have gone back to their former town and way of living."

Liane nodded and ran her hand through his hair.

"Luke, then we keep our marriage plan secret until Ribana is restored. We won't tell anyone what promises we have made here to each other. We absolutely won't tell no one, not even our close friends. We're going back to Tyr and celebrate the liberation of Ribana with our Quelan friends. Next we will to take part in all the work that is needed to restore Ribana and once Ribana is restored, we ask Toallin or Mugin, or both to officiate our wedding ceremony."

She saw Luke frown for a moment, but then he nodded.

"You're right, my love, there is no other way then to postpone our marriage and help the Quelans first. That's our main task as Jedi Knights," Luke said thoughtfully.

"We only have to keep our promises secret until Ribana will be back in its former brilliance, and while helping the Quelans in Ribana we shall be together. I'm sure that, when all the work in Ribana will be finished, Toallin and Mugin will arrange new festivities and while they are also celebrating Ribana's restoration it will be the perfect moment to the governors to marry us. We should put our obligations to Toallin and Mugin first.

My ancestral mother Nomi told me, that her love for Ulic Qel-Drama didn't prevent her from punishing him for the murder of his brother Gay. It surely has hurt her, as it has hurt Ulic, my ancestral father. After Nomi had encased him in a Force Wall of Light, she left him, taking her two daughters with her. Her personal feelings for Ulic didn't outweigh the punishment he deserved for the murder and for betraying the Good Side of the Force as a Sith lord."

Luke had listened to what Liane had told about what Nomi Sunrider once had to decide.

"From ancient times the main task of the Jedi Knight to bring peace, justice and property to those in need have always outweighed personal emotions and interest. We have to help the Quelans first, Shaayla-Car, but during the town's restoration, there will be very few moments where we can be together."

"Most important is, that we aren't separated anymore, that we are together on the same planet, even at the same continent, the same town, my love. It surely must be possible for us to keep our marriage plan secret, even if there won't be many occasions that I will be alone with you."

"I will make sure that every now and than I can take us to a remote spot where we can be together without anyone disturbing us, so you won't forget your promise and how much it means to me. I will now give you some of my love, embraces and kisses in advance."

Luke wrapped his arms tightly around her and gently leaned her back, then kissed her passionately. Liane returned his warm embrace but began to giggle when he let her fall back onto one of the couches in the living room. She grasped the pleads of his tunic and gently hooked her free foot around his leg. Luke lost his balance and fell on top of her. They both laughed, yet simultaneously enjoying their new intimacy.

"This is what I want to do, and I shall find many ways to spend these intimate moments with you, my dearest," Luke whispered in her ear.

"I will remind you, my eternal comrade," Liane answered with chuckle while buried her face against his tunic.

"I know a wonderful remote location on Palomintar Four, Shaayla-Car. There's a deep valley ...

... which is very difficult to find. Will be a wonderful place, Luke."

They both laughed, while they kept each other in their warm embrace of mutual love for a long time, before Luke pulled her upright and put his arm around her shoulders.

"As we can't stay here. It's about time to head back to Mas'onom and go to Palomintar Four, Shaayla-Car. The plan to keep our marriage secret, is not really what I imagined, but it will also give me some time to get you a beautiful ring as a token of my love for you, and a reminder of what I asked you." Luke said.

"I think, there won't be an opp..." Liane started, but Luke shook his head.

"I know what you want to say, but you should leave that to me."

"I will, Luke, only keep in mind that as long as our marriage plan is secret I can't wear your ring."

"That's why the delay I will give me time to make the best choice." Luke said with a warm smile, "For the most loveliest Jedi Knight in this galaxy deserves the most precious ring I can find. Where is the white dress you wore yesterday? I suppose you want to take it with you."

"I'll get it," Liane said and jumped to her feet.

A little later she came back with the box.

"I won't be able to wear it while we're on Palomintar Four, Luke. Is there a good hiding place somewhere inside the Astræga."

"I'll help you to keep it well hidden."

They prepared to leave, Luke closed the blast doors, while Liane switched off the lights. Through the dark corridor they reached the last storage room. They activated a new code and vanished behind the hidden wall. The walk to the Jedi Archive gave them many moments to share a quick kiss. Luke didn't activated the light tubes in the Jedi Archive cave, but walked straight over to the other wall. He pushed the wall aside, and together they followed the path along the river. Arriving at the steep wall, they jumped into the passage leading to the cave, where they found the amphibious vehicle that took them to the landing stage. From there, they crossed the sea straight directly to Mas'onom.

Beautiful fireworks colored the clouds about Tyr and especially the younger Quelans cheered every time a new explosion was heard. The harvest men with Cornell in the lead were telling how the long standing project had been finished and how the water was flowing through the underground riverbed to the exit cave and had filled the dried riverbed.

Toallin and his brother with the council of the Elder moved through the crowed, talking to their guests and their fellow Quelans. All the inhabitants of Cantamaga had done their utmost to set up many stalls with edible food and drinks.

Chati enjoyed being back on Tyr and was surrounded by some of her former girl friends. To her surprise several have been married during her stay on Myr.

"He is a wonderful husband, Chati," Dronina said, "I'm really a lucky woman to have found some one like him, and my parents were very happy when he ask them to set a date for our marriage, because I was expecting his child."

She put her hand on her already swollen belly.

"Chati," Womayn asked, "What kind of man is your master?"

"He is very kind, Womayn, and he truly believes I can be a Jedi Knight one day."

"Is he in love with you, Chati? He is always looking where you are going. He doesn't seem to loose sight of you, but he looks being a very nice man. Do you think he will ask your father if he may marry you."

"Womayn, you're talking nonsense. Master Antilles is my Jedi master. He is my teacher, yes, I know he likes me, for he is a kind and dedicated Jedi Knight. I'm sure he can teach me a lot about the Force." Shocked Chati looked at her former friend.

"But after you're a Jedi Knight you have to find a man to take care of you, right, and give you a secure life. I thought that Cemall, master Cornell's son, wanted to marry you. Has Cemall agreed that that Jedi Knight will be often around? Cemall is a very jealous fellow. Chati, you also should teach that master of yours our way of living, don't you think."

Chati looked again displeased at Womayn.

"You all don't understand anything. You have absolutely no idea what I have done on Myr. I have helped the harvest men to build a huge wall to direct the water fall to the inlet of the underground riverbed. I have been inside the underground riverbed before it was flooded. Master Cornell gave me the tools and the weapons the harvest men used and I've learned how to use them. With the other two Jedi Knights, Ian and Yarmod, I went to the wall at the end of the riverbed and they made a hole in the wall with their lightsabers, so we could enter the cave system where the intruder lived. And I released Ben ... master Skywalker from hibernation and I gave him his lightsaber back," Chati began to stammer, "and master Antilles met us and then he said to wanted me to become his padawan learner. I couldn't believe hem at first, but he took me to a space ship, because he wanted me to be safe, for I'm not a Jedi yet. He had to go back to Yarmod and Ian, but he returned with a man who had been shot by a droid and he asked me to help the man. I found the leaves of the Dimajoli plant that stems bleeding wounds and master Antilles encouraged me to use those leaves, so we could save the man's life."

Chati had began to stutter more and more and could hardly express herself any longer. The Quelan girls who were sitting around her shrugged their shoulder.

"Great fantasy story, Mayan, but I don't believe a word of it." Dronina said.

Chati was about to lose her patience when she suddenly heard her name. She looked around and saw her mother beckoning.

"I'd better go. Enjoy the celebration," She snapped and ran away.

While she ran up to her mother she felt tears in her eyes and gave in to her anger. Udine looked at her daughter and immediately understood what had happened. She held out a coat and looked at Chati. Chati's anger subsided.

"Take it on, Chati." Udine said and put the coat around her daughter's shoulder. Chati put her arms through the wide sleeves.

"When did you made this, mother?" She asked.

"Last night. It's a very easy, but comfortable model and I have found the right material in Somarian's shop. I didn't tell what I needed it for and she offered it to me for a fair price. I promised her that I would send her one of my special cakes."

Udine put the cowl on Chati's head, before she made some steps backwards to look at the result.

Chati wrapped the coat around her, before she put her arms around her mother.

"Thank you mother. It's lovely. It certainly looked similar to my master's cloak."

"I've handed it back to him and thanked him for his kindness. I'm sure he will be a good teacher, my daughter. What were you and your friends talking about?"

Chati's face became gloomy.

"It's again, like before I went to Myr. I told them what I've done and they smiled and they dismissed my story as fantasized. They didn't believe a word I told them. They are so silly, mother. Dronina could only talk about her husband and her baby and Womayn kept insisting that I should teach my master our way of life, so that father would accept him as my future husband. It felt so insulting, mother. How can they talk about my master in that way. He is such a great Jedi Knight."

Chati embrace her mother.

"Thank you, mother, for this wonderful coat. I'm going to take a walk. Maybe I will look for master Kamalin, but he probably is celebrating the liberation of Ribana."

With slumped shoulder Chati walked away. Her mother watched her go and sighed.

Chati walked away from the center of Cantamaga and follow a small path that lead her to the nut woods. The tears and frustration she felt had come back and disappointed she sat down on a flat rock and covered her face with her hands. Feeling desperate and neglected she started to cry soundlessly.

"What's wrong with you, Chati", a friendly, concerned voice said.

Chati looked up and saw through her tears the calm face of Wedge Antilles.

"The girls, ... master ... they insulted ... you." She stammered, "They ... said ... that ... you're in love ... with me, because ... you're always ... keeping an ... eye on me."

Wedge sat himself next to the still very upset young Quelan woman.

"You'd better first quench your tears, young padawan, before you tell me more," Wedge said calmly.

Chati took a tissue from a pocket at her belt and wipe her eyes. Wedge left her time to get calm again. At last Chati looked at him and her olive green skin of her cheeks got a rosy blush.

"I'm sorry, master, I shouldn't have told you this? It's so humiliating."

"Why do you think, it's humiliating, Chati?"

"They didn't show any respect for you. You're a Jedi Knight and they just talked about you as if you are just an ordinary man."

"I'm just an ordinary man, Chati. There's not exceptional at me. I'm a fighter pilot and the commander of a group of fighter pilots. It's a normal, but though job, but it's my way of live and I love it."

"But ..." Chati stammered, "you're also a Jedi Knight. Someone who can use the Force."

"You're right. I can use the Force, but I haven't been a Jedi Knight all my life. During the Civil War I was just a space pilot who feared that he would meet an untimely death. It's has been Luke's teaching and support that I became a Jedi Knight, but I faltered many times on my way to reach Jedi knighthood. So, I'm just an ordinary space pilot who has been so lucky to meet the last Jedi who was willing to taught me the ways of the Jedi. Why are you feeling so frustrate of what those women were saying to you? I saw you talking to them and sensed your raising frustration because they didn't believe you."

"They are so stupid, master. They always have been stupid and they always have ridiculed me. They never take me seriously. Everything I tell them they dismiss it as fantasy. I once told them I have seen a young Uram. It flew down from a nut tree and looked at me, while it came a bit closer. I heard the cries of some adult birds high up in those trees and I felt that it was as if they encourage the young one to get to know me better. It came so close that I was tempted to caress the feathers on its head, but then master Cornell gave a terrible scream and it flew up and vanished among the leaves of the tree. Master Cornell was outraged and told my parents."

"How old were you when that happened?" Wedge asked.

"We just had arrived on Tyr, master. Twelve, maybe thirteen. Yeah I was still at school. When I told the girls what I had seen, they laughed at me and called me a liar and dreamer who was making things up. But it was true, master, if master Cornell hadn't frightened the young Uram I'm sure it would have allowed me to touch the feathers on its head. Master, sometimes I really think I'm behaving foolish. No one ever takes me seriously," She said and Wedge heard the tears in her voice, "Except for you and Ben, of course. You respect a silly Quelan woman who wants to become a Jedi Knight."

Chati put her face in her hands and started crying again.

Wedge put his hand on her arm. Chati felt his gentle touch through the sleeve of her new coat.

"Come with me, Chati. Shall we make a walk under those nut trees? It's quiet there and no one will disturb us this time, for they all are celebrating the good news and their return to Ribana."

Still sobbing Chati shook her head, as she saw that Wedge pulled her to the nut woods

"We can't enter the nut woods now, master. It's too dark in there."

"If that's true, we go back to Cantamaga, but let's have a look first."

Chati followed Wedge Antilles and entered the nut woods. To her surprise the opaque green whirls the trees evaporated have lit up with a soft light high up among the canopy, and the leaves, branches and stems seemed to be surrounded by a blue whitish glare. Amazed she stop, looking at it.

"Bioluminescent fungi and bacteria, Chati, are causing these glares."

"Oh, master, this is wonderful. Never seen this before."

It was deadly silent among the trees. Chati had forgotten her sadness and now enjoyed every step of their walk. Even the many ferns and herbs under the trees were surrounded by the luminescent light. Every now and than Wedge look aside and sensed that his padawan had found her composure again. When they reached a dense group of nut trees Chati pointed to some old withered stumps, glowing up among the trees.

"There I met with that young Uram, master. I've never forgotten the spot, although it's long ago." She whispered. "I have gone back a few time, but I never saw or heard the Urams again."

"Let's take a rest and enjoy this beautiful surrounding." Wedge said.

"Do you really like it here, master?" Chati asked.

"I do, for I sensed so many living beings around here. They live in peace among the undergrowth, on the tree stems and high up among the canopy. Close your eyes, Chati and use your Force senses to become aware of all these living creatures, the bacteria which spread their soft light and the fungi which are enhancing the glare. "

Almost immediately Wedge sensed how Chati was reaching out to the Force and became one with the Living Force. Her easily strong surrender to her unseen ally amazed him. This was the first time that he let her experience what the power the Force could give and her commitment was complete. A rush of wings was heard flying from the canopy down to the lower branches of the trees. Wedge reached out to the sound and sensed the coming of four large predator birds with two younger ones. Another rustling sound was heard as the two younger ones flew to the forest floor. Wedge tapped Chati on her arm.

'Open your eyes. Don't speak aloud just look at what is paying us a visit. He said using Force telepathy.

Chati opened her eyes and looked amazed at the two young Urams which were looking at them from a distance. She looked up at Wedge who smiled and nodded.

'Oh, there are two of them this time' She answered him through the Force

Dead silent Wedge and Chati watched how the two young Urams became closer, while from above shrill sounds from the older birds seemed to encourage the two young to get a closer look at Wedge and Chati. One of the young Urams spread its wings and hopped near Chati's feet. It turned it head and looked at her with its yellow colored fierce eyes. From above an encouraging shrill whistle was heard

'Stretch out with your feelings, Chati. Reassure it and make it sense that you won't do any harm to it'

Chati intensified her connection with the Force. The young Uram carefully pecked at the seem of her pants. Slowly Chati move her hand when the bird pecked again. Meanwhile the other young Uram had neared Wedge who gently stretched his arm invitingly.

'Do as I do and don't move.'

Chati cast a quick glance aside and slowly stretched out her arm.

From above a shrill squeak was heard and both young Urams flew up and landed on the sleeves of their outstretched arms. Chati held her breath and looked into the yellow colored eyes the Uram.

'You're beautiful bird and so brave. I will never harm any of you. You belong to these tree. I respect these woods as you respect them. These tree are valuable for you. The nuts are your food, not ours to take.'

The Uram held its head aside as if it was listening, then it sat at ease on Chati's outstretched arm and bowed its head. Very careful Chati stretch out her other hand and caressed the feathers on its head. The other Uram mimicked what the older one did and allowed Wedge to touch its feathers.

'They are so beautiful, master'

'You have made sure, you can be trusted, because they are strongly relying on our common connection with the Force. They sense we're like them, part of the Living Force, Chati'

Again a shrill sounded from above. The two young birds seemed to waken up, stretched out their wings and flew up to lower branches of the tree. Chati looked up and saw how the four older birds seemed to inspect and listen to what their offspring was telling them, for soft cackling sounds were heard back and forth between the young and the older birds.

'Before we leave, Chati. We pay our respect to them'

Wedge stood up and beckoning Chati to step at his side. They both looked up at the six birds and made a deep bow. The birds looked down, gave a shrill sound and all six flew up high, seeking a safe spot among the leaves in the canopy. For a while Chati looked if she could spot them, but Wedge put his hand on her shoulder.

'Time to leave these nut woods, young padawan. I'm very proud of you. You have shown a great commitment to the Force and she rewarded us with the meeting of one of her many species'

With a quiet step they left the nut woods. Once outside and back on the path Chati looked back to the glowing trees, before she looked up at Wedge.

"This was so amazing, master. The nut woods are beautiful at night and I felt that the young Uram understood what I was telling it."

All of them felt our strong connection with the Force and acknowledged us as part of their environment; living creatures who met through the Living Force. You're an exceptionally fast learner, Chati Fonaldris. I see that your mother has made you a Jedi's coat. It's well done. I love seeing you in this full padawan outfit."

Chati beamed and became all smiles

"I won't tell any one of those stupid girls about the trees and our meeting with the Urams, master. I will keep it to myself, a secret but wonderful experience."

Wedge looked at the young Quelan woman.

'She must have had a hard life among her fellow Quelans. It is therefore not surprising that she occasionally becomes emotional about the injustice and lack of respect she has experienced while growing up in this traditional community. She longs to be treated for who she is and what she is, but her fellow Quelans show only distrust and skepticism. Even her mother has underestimated her Force Skills for a long time and tried to make her accept their way of life. I hope I can strengthen her self-confidence so that she no longer allows herself to be influenced by the criticism of people.' He thought.