Chapter 106

The governors, in consultation with Cornell, Wollin and Manall and the Jedi, had to make a difficult choice which of their fellow Quelan should be going as a first group as almost all Quelans volunteered.

It were the Quelan women who came up the solution. They suggested that the Millennium Falcon and the Grannd Traveler should bring Cornell and Wollin and half of the harvestmen back to Ribana, together with a third of the male Quelans and a third of the female Quelans. These three goups would start with the first most important cleaning and needed repairs. Those who stayed on Tyr had to take care of all the young Quelans and the elderly.

After approximately two standard weeks, the cargo ships would return with the group of harvest men and the two groups of Quelan men and women. The spaceships would take the harvest men who had remained on Tyr to Ribana to join Cornell and Wollin, along with another third of the men and women, to continue the necessary repairs. Once they had completed their work, the spaceships would bring the men and women back to pick up the third group. The first group of harvest men would join their comrades on Myr for the final, more difficult repairs and restorations. If everything proceeded according to plan, all the Quelans would have done their part, and Toallin and Mugin decided that, once Ribana was habitable again, everyone on Tyr would be brought to Myr, along with the young and the older Quelans. There would still be plenty to do, but it would be beneficial for the community to be in Ribana as a whole. The first groups would leave Tyr within two standard weeks.

One the day the first groups would leave, it was a hive of activity on the plains behind Cantamaga as those who would go to Ribana wanted to take not only necessary equipment and cleaning supplies, but already also a part of their personal belongings.

Mugin with the Council of the Elders would stay on Tyr, while Toallin would go to Ribana to guide his fellow Quelans who, he feared, would be taken aback, when they would see what was left of their former homes.

Therefore Luke, Wedge and Leia had advised the governors to choose strong characters in the first group. Upon return, they could support those left behind and explain what was needed to be done. Kamalin and Woldrin had supported the Jedi's point of view and the two chairmen had made a selection for the first group which they had discussed among the Council of the Elders.

Luke's new role as Shaayla-Car's Jedi master had raised a few eyebrows, but was in general accepted, although master Kamalin had asked Luke why Shaayla-Car had taken a step back. After Luke's explanation he had called her a resolute woman who deserved to fully earn Luke's guidance until he would be fully sure about her use and knowledge of the Force.

Toallin and Mugin had accepted Luke's and Shaayla-Car's new relationship without questioning.

Leia and Chewbacca had prevented Han from going to the Astræga to ask Liane for clarification. Reluctantly, he had accepted their position that Luke had already explained what Liane's new relationship with him entailed.

Yarnick and his brothers had joined Luke when he went to the Astræga. The six brothers hadn't talked about what had been decided, they simply paid her a visit to show they respect her decision.

Only Nori Thai didn't seem convinced. He sought out Shaayla-Car on the day of his departure to Ribana where he would start to install and implement the new communication system. Somewhat bewildered, he looked at her when he entered the control room of the Astræga

"Hey, sorry I don't want to be intrusive, but I heard that you have asked Luke to be his Jedi apprentice."

Liane looked up from the book she was reading.

"That's right, Nori. All the time after Wedge Antilles initiated me as a Jedi Knight I have kept many doubts about that initiation. For me it feels like I haven't done enough to deserve that status. Sit down, Nori. I appreciate your visit. It's been a difficult decision, but after I talked about my doubts with Luke he accepted to be my Jedi master."

Liane pointed at the book she had been reading.

"Master Luke has instructed me to study the book of the Jedi path. It's quite similar to the book my foster-father told me to learn by heart: the Ways of the Sith, that how I learn to understand the Sith language. This one is a much better read. I enjoy it, although is difficult to make a good practise of these lessons."

Nori Thai looked at her.

"Why are you're wearing your hair like that, Shaayla-Car. Sorry, but it's not really flattering."

"This is the normal hairdo of a padawan learner. My master insisted that I had to redo my hair, so everybody would recognize me as his padawan."

"I don't understand why you took this step, Shaayla-Car. I have seen you doing something I still don't understand and now you have taken a huge step back and be someone Jedi apprentice again."

"Not someone's apprentice, Nori. Master Skywalker is the best Jedi master I could have. He's the last one who got his training from master Yoda, the grand-master of the Jedi Order. I'm really happy that he accepted and understood my plea. Did you come for him? He told me that he would be back late, as he is helping with the boarding of the first group of Quelans and the harvest men who will leave Tyr, tonight. Do you want me to leave a message for him."

"I didn't come for Luke. I have already spoken to him. He said that you were on your own in the Astræga and he was certain that you would appreciate some company."

"I do, but I need to finish my lesson, before my master comes back." Liane said.

Nori shook his head.

"I can't imagine, that Luke would be so demanding as a Jedi master. You and Luke always gave the impression that you were very good friends."

"We're still good friends, Nori, but there's a difference in the approach between a Jedi master and his apprentice. You're scholar by profession. You probably also expect that when you're instructing your students will do what you assign to them. The relationship between a Jedi apprentice and a Jedi master is quite similar."

"I still don't get this, Shaayla-Car. As I said before I have seen you healing the last part of the wound in my side. I saw those blue streaks coming from your fingers and touching my skin. I saw how all the damage of my skin was undone. Isn't that enough evidence that you're entitled to be called a Jedi Knight."

"What you saw me do, I have done many times before. I healed severely wounded Ewoks on Endor in the same way, but there is much more that a Jedi Knight must know, Nori. Luke always wanted to be my Jedi Master, but circumstances did not allow him to stay with me long enough to teach me everything I needed to endure the trials, for he had promised the governors of Quelan to help them against Trevor Matrik, who had destroyed their way of life. After I was taken to a safe place on Na'ctaMagh'Ba so that Trevor could not abduct me and take me to Palomintar Four to carry out his nefarious plans, it became almost impossible for Luke and me to have the proper relationship as a master and an apprentice. A master and padawan must be together most of the time, if not always, so that the master can observe his apprentice, teach him the proper Force Methods, and, should the apprentice make a wrong decision, correct him and explain the right path. "Are you satisfied with this explanation, Master Thai?" Liane asked with a laugh.

Nori had taken a seat on the opposite couch and Liane sensed his bewilderment. She rose and went over to the pantry to serve him a drink.

'This could be a good opportunity to ask Nori Thai if he can find out to which planet in the Outer Regions Eminil and Padmé were taken. He likely has many connections and is reliable, as his superiors have told Wedge and me. That is the impression he made on me as well.' She thought, while she put two glasses of juice on the worktable. She quietly sat on the couch and looked at her visitor.

"Nori, I appreciate you coming to visit me, because I want to ask if you would do me a favor.",

Immediately Nori paid his full attention to her.

"Any favor, Shaayla-Car, what ever you want. You and your brother saved my life. Without the two of you I would be dead. What can I do for you?"

"What I'm going to ask you is personahl, very personal, but you're the right person to ask."

"What's on your mind, Shaayla-Car?"

"It's about events that has happened many years ago, around the time while the Civil War was still raging on and the Rebel Alliance had established themselves on the ice planet of Hoth. Have you ever heard of the Baroonta Clan on Coruscant?"

Nori's eyes narrowed and he frowned.

"Do you mean one of those women's groups with a single male leader who is the father of all the newborn children? He raises the girls, but the newborn boys always disappear without a trace. Only girls are welcome, because they are raised to behave as willing sexual prey for lonely men, such as groups of soldiers. Why are you interested in a Baroonta clan, Shaayla-Car?"

"I sense you despise them, don't you?"

"To despise is the just word, yes, I do."

"I am going to tell you what happened on Hoth before the Rebel Alliance had to flee the planet, because Darth Vader had discovered their new secret base. Nori, this is once again very personal, because it is about Luke Skywalker."

"It's concerning Luke?"

"Yes, and what happened then and later has given him very traumatic memories."

"Tell me, Shaayla-Car, because I already feel obliged to cooperate. Has Luke fallen victim to one of those Baroontarian slu ... priestesses, as they called themselves."

Liane nodded and told Nori what had happened to Luke Skywalker. Nori listened without asking any questions or interrupting her narrative. When she finally stopped he noticed how emotional she had become.

"I feel the same horror as you, Shaayla-Car. This is truly terrible, and it was all a plot ordered by Palpatine."

Liane nodded.

"Luke Skywalker told me all of this because I was aware of the memories that caused him so much pain when he recalled them. As a Force healer, I wanted to reassure him. He has done a lot for me in the past. He has always continued to believe in me, even when I did stupid things. Nori, I ask you if you can find out on which planet in the Outer Regions Eminil and her child were left without sufficient provisions to survive. I think you are the right person to ask this, but I won't blame you if you can't help me."

"That is out of the question, Shaayla-Car. This must be resolved. I fully understand that Luke feels this is a heavy burden. That woman abused her position within the Baroonta clan to evade the consequences of her actions, since she voluntarily signed up to seduce him. I will investigate the matter, even though it was several years ago and took place during Palpatine's reign."

"I don't expect you to find immediate results. I just want justice to be served, Nori. If it were even just possible to find out the name of the planet she was taken to, I would be relieved."

"Don't worry, Shaayla-Car, one way or the other you will hear from me. I'll let you know what I can find."

"Thank you, Nori. I'm glad I have met you."

Nori saw that Liane cast a look at the book that laid on th couch next her.

"You have some homework to do, before Luke comes home, Shaayla-Car. I'm going now and leave you to your chores. Rest assured, no one will hear what you told me, not even Luke. Tell him, that I will see him again on Myr."

"I will, Nori, thank you for listening."

"You're welcome. I owed you something. Are you also going to Ribana?"

"Yes, master Luke will take me, Threepio and Artoo with him to Myr in the Astræga. Also the droids will set to work there."

Nori Thai left. For a moment Liane sat motionless, staring at the opposite wall of the control room. Suddenly she started to smile, grabbed the book and opened it at the last chapter. She unfastened the chain around her neck and took the Jedi-pendant in her hand. With a loving gaze, she compared the image with the Luke's precious gift to her.

'My eternal comrade, my dearest lovely Jedi friend. You once made this special piece of jewelry for me, so that I would remember how important our meeting on Morantan was. Perhaps I can now help you right the wrong that has been done to you, or at least somewhat alleviate it. You are everything to me, Luke Skywalker, there is no better man for me.' She thought.

She put the pendant away again, after which she began to read the text carefully. " 'Mezorahimed dejan Forka imajors dejan bacarlam tarminan.' Which means: May the Force always be with her servants who are forever united with her. I will, Luke. I am forever united with you. In this life, in a next one and in the many lives we've already been together." She whispered.

Meanwhile Nori Thai walked pensively over to the Millennium Falcon that would bring him to Myr

'I still don't get it,' He thought, 'When she told me that nefarious story how Luke had been betrayed on Hoth, she was again the Jedi Knight I remembered. She took the initiative to tell me herself, for I'm certain that Luke hadn't asked her to discuss this matter with me. Several times she emphasizes that the story was very personal. What's going on between Luke and Shaayla-Car?'

Threepio and Artoo were nearing the Astræga.

"Yes, Artoo, master Luke has told me that he will bring us to Ribana, where we will help to prepare and serve food and drinks, while many Quelan people are working so hard to restore their city. Yarnick and some of his brothers will help us too." The golden droid said.

"KDKLSISK-DKJJDIKS-DLANNDKE" Artoo commented.

"No, we're not serving mistress Liane, or master Luke, this time. Have you heard that mistress Liane has become master Luke's padawan. When I heard it I couldn't believe it."

"OEKDOSDI-DKIIKKND-WWKILKKD-KKEISAKKD" Artoo answered.

"No, she is no longer dressed as a Jedi Knight. Now she looks a master Yarmod and master Ian, before they became Jedi Knights."

"EIIENNDI-EKKDILCM-KKKLLDEU-KDKKLSLGI-DWQISKLO."

"What? Who told you that? So, it is not true. Then why is everybody believe it?"

"KDKKNNDI-SKKNEIKD"

"It's a secret? Why is it kept secret?"

"KKDJDIDL-SSSDLELD-QQELCMDO-LLQQMJT" Threepio's counterpart answered.

"They are doing this on purpose? Who?"

"KKDNCIID-AKAKAICI-DKIISNNN-DKKEIMS-LDJJJAIR"

"Master Luke and mistress Liane. Why should they?" Threepio asked in disbelieve.

"DJWNNDKK-DKKSISKN-DKKDISNN-KKDKIIS-DDKIINNS-LLDOIONM"

"You've heard master Solo talking to Chewbacca. Artoo, we'd better ask master Luke himself. Look there he is? Master Luke!"

"Oh, hello, Threepio. Hello Artoo. Get on board. I want to take off soon." Luke answered and pointed to the cargo ramp of the Astræga

"Master Luke, Artoo says that you and mistress Liane are doing something secretive. Master Solo said that to Chewbacca."

"There is nothing secretive, Threepio. Probably Han said that to Chewbacca, so he shouldn't tell others, that it has been Shaayla-Car who asked me to accept her as my padawan learner." Luke made a gesture to the cargo ramp. "Get in, Threepio and you too, Artoo."

Luke walked away. Threepio and Artoo walked up the ramp of the Astræga and met Liane in the control room.

"Mistress Liane, what happened to your hair?" Threepio exclaimed, "Are you really master Luke's padawan. So it is true."

"You mean the rumors you have heard, haven't you? Yes, I am a padawan, Threepio. Master Skywalker is my Jed master."

"But you became a Jedi Knight, like master Ian and master Martan, after we landed here from Tatooine?"

"It, was not the right moment for me,Threepio. Ian and Yarmod deserved their new status. I have a lot to learn."

"But everyone accepted you as a Jedi Knight. I haven't heard that anyone has doubts about you becoming a Jedi Knight. And master Antilles even gave you his brooch as badge so everyone would recognize you as a member of master Luke's group of new Jedi."

"I have felt being part of that group, Threepio, but more and more I began to feel doubts about being a Jedi Knight as I never have had a real Jedi master to guide me."

"KDKDJISKL-DKKKSEIN-DJCUWLAS-DKDKNSKL," Artoo beeped.

"No, Artoo. I don't know when I will be a Jedi Knight. That's for master Luke to decided."

"KKNNCJJDD-KKKKXBNB-MMDTGWQS-KDKDICND-NNXHZHSK.'

"I am going with you and master Luke to Ribana. There's a lot of work to do. Maybe I also can be useful serving meals and refreshments to the Quelans and their harvest men while they are restoring the town."

Luke entered the Astræga and closed the ramp.

"I have found work for you in the vineyard building. You're going assist Udine and Carmona while they begin cleaning up their former quarters. Now, join me in the cockpit. You're my co-pilot." Luke said to her."

"Yes, master," Liane answered uncomplaining and she rose.

"See you later, my friends," She said to the droids.

"Threepio, you and Artoo stay in the control room during this short flight. Strap yourself it and don't disturb Shaayla-Car and me, as I'm instructing her how to fly through the cloud layers, relying on her Force skills."

Luke join Liane in the cockpit. She already had taken the co-pilot seat. As Luke entered he gentle bowed over the backrest and put his hand gently on her shoulder. Liane grab his hand.

'You're unhappy, my love. I can feel it.' He said using Jedi telepathic communication.

'You have been very busy these last weeks. There hasn't been much time for you to see me, Luke. Will that change, when we have arrived on Myr, will we have some moments together soon. Can't you land the ship in that deep valley?'

'I'm sorry, Shaayla-Car. I have promised to drop off the droids at the main plaza where Conor, Kieran and Bran will take care of them. Threepio loves to serve people and Artoo has been instructed he should follow the Grann brother's instructions. Next I will bring you to the vineyard building. It's best I could do at the moment. Toallin and Mugin have asked their wives to be nice to you and don't ask questions about your padawan status.'

Luke bowed further and put his arm around her.

'I'm sorry, lovely pixie, I also don't really like it, but we have agreed to keep our future marriage secret.'

Liane looked up at him.

'I miss the warmth and friendliness in your voice, Luke. Sometimes it feels as if I'm back on Morantan while Anakin is instructing me. Since we agreed that I would be your padawan it feels as if you no longer feel affection for me.'

Luke turned the co-pilot seat around and sat in front of her.

'Don't talk that way to me, my eternal comrade. Your words hurt me. Please, keep in mind that I love you, but we need to keep a certain distance as we don't want to reveal our true relationship.'

'I understand, but it's so difficult to be convincing.'

Luke cast a glance to the passage. Quickly he bowed further to Liane's face and gave her gentle kiss.

'It feels the same for both of us, my precious love. I have arranged that you will stay in the vineyard building all the while. It's a large building and there's lot clean up to be done. There you will be out of sight so others won't come over to you and ask you too inquisitive questions. You should also leave it to me to arrange secret rendez-vous.'

Liane nodded, but the unhappy look in her eyes didn't disappear.

'I begin to fear that you won't be able to see me often, Luke. There's so much to do in Ribana. You'll be too busy to ...

... don't say anything more of what you're thinking. It's not true and you know it. Listen, my lovely dream girl, tonight, after sunset. I'll meet you in the vineyard. Tell Udine and Carmona that you want to make a walk alone. I'll be there. I promise. It will be a short rendez-vous, but I too need time to find a convincing way to be your Jedi master. I'm thinking about taking you with me every afternoon to do some physical training. The hilly terrain behind the vineyard building is ideal to exercise. Together we can carefully explore the entire area, so that we can find a safe, well-hidden path to the deep valley where I will land with the Astræga, but all depends on our behavior. We have be more than convincing in our new roles, you as my padawan and I as your master. '

Liane produced a slight smile and nodded.

'Once again I feel that I'm a nuisance, a spoiled woman who wants to do things her way and not be depended on others.'

'You're not a nuisance, my lovely pixie, but it's difficult for you to rely on me, as your Jedi master, as you always have made your own decisions. Shall we go now, otherwise I fear that Threepio will neglect my order.'

Luke took the pilot seat and started the engines. Liane looked at him from the side and felt her overwhelming love for him. For a short moment she recalled what she had been reading that afternoon. There certainly was no need for her to feel depressed, because they were together, they were living again as the Force dyad, a union in the Force which couldn't broken, because the Force had forged an unbreakable bond between them. Yes, during the oncoming clean up and restoration of Ribana there wouldn't much time to be together, but Luke would surely find many ways to meet, she had to leave it up to him while she had to pretend convincingly that she wanted to be his padawan learner.

Luke sensed her train of thought and stretched out his hand. Liane took his hand in hers and looked at him.

'We will do fine, my love.' He said smiling. Liane nodded a bit relieved.

The Astræga was flying through the green colored whirl of the cloud layer. Liane reached out to the Force to feel her union with Luke, and began to enjoy the flight and the time it would take, for they were together.

The Astræga shot through the cloud layer and reach the clear sky above Tyr. Luke adjusted the coordinates of the landing spot. Looking through the windscreen Liane saw the coast line of Tyr and the ocean that divided the two continents. Myr wasn't visible yet, but within minutes Liane saw the first vague contours of the other continent and recognize the western harbor where the hover pulse boats used to moor. At sublight speed they flew over the wild lands which she had crossed four days on foot. The western plains came into view and moments later they crossed the restored river, where the water was flowing south as a kind of silver ribbon. Luke made contact with Han and Yarnick to made sure he could safely land on the main plaza. Down below Liane saw the Quelans who had traveled with the two cargo freighters, walking around with a look of despair. Once this was their city, now it was abandoned, ruined and destroyed. Suddenly Liane felt how the Force made clear to her that she should use Force Battle Meditation to bring hope to the despairing feelings of the inhabitants. She reached out to the Force, became one with her unseen ally while many encouraging words and clear images of a thriving, blooming town began to whirl in her mind. While these images filled her mind she reached out to the Quelans who were walking in disbelieve along the main plaza and the surrounding streets.

'Forget those despairing views and feelings. Imagine how Ribana will get its former brilliance again. You all can do it. Believe in a brilliant future. Ribana will be a beautiful town again. She told the Quelans through the Force.

Some Quelans seemed to look around more focussed and took others at their arms pointing at certain houses. They began to walk over to the fences, entered the gardens and looked through the broken windows. Then some of them ran back, collected spades, rakes and other equipment. They began to clean the main plaza of the overgrown weed, yelling to each other with happy faces. Their enthusiasm had a contagious effect on other Quelans, and cheerful exclamations began to ring out back and forth.

Luke who had sensed how Liane had used her Force skills to influence the first group of Quelans with Force Battle Meditation, let her connect to more Quelans, so all became aware of a better future and the possibilities they envisioned to rebuild their city. It took a while before Liane released herself from her deep connection with the Force.

"I have to land. We have reached our destination, Shaayla-Car," Luke said.

"Yes, let's join them and gave them all the support they need," She whispered. "They need encouragement, Luke. Much encouragement, but I see they already have begun to believe in what needs to be done. "

"You managed to let them envision a better outcome of what they were seeing, Shaayla-Car. Force Battle Meditation is a very powerful use of the Force," Luke said and Liane heard the admiration in his voice.

She began to laugh as she took off the safety straps.

"But probably not the right Force use for a padawan learner, master Skywalker. What do you think?"

"No one is aware that you have influenced their minds with Force Battle Mediation, my very powerful pixie." He answered and pulled her to her feet.

For a moment they stood looking at the hustle and bustle around the Astræga, until a loud knock at the cargo ramp and Han's voice.

"Time to roll up your sleeves, master Skywalker. Put that ramp down, so those two droids can do their chores and take that padawan of yours with you. She might be useful too." Han yelled.

Toallin, Han and Leia stood on the main plaza when Luke and Liane left the Astræga followed by the two droids.

It was bustling around the buildings surrounding the central square. Toallin looked satisfied at his very busy fellow Quelans.

"It was a shock for them to see what was left of our beautiful town, but suddenly some took the lead and have encourage the others. Yes, there's a lot to be done, for sure, Luke. I have tried to give a good picture of what they might expect, but the reality of these deteriorated houses, still was a shock. I'm glad that not everyone saw it so bleakly. I had a look at the administration building and it seems to be in reasonably good condition. I have given the order to prepare several of its parlors as a place to take some rest and enjoy a meal together. It will be crowded, but the weather is good, so I expect that most of them will enjoy their meals outside. Those three traders guys are cleaning out the basement, for that's the best place with enough room to prepare hearty meals. They have asked the harvest men to join them. Several ion-furnaces have already been installed. Your droids can help them to distribute the meals along the plaza and the surrounding streets. I think it's a good idea to clean up the center first, but those who want to clean up their former home in the outskirts have my blessing. I'm all too glad, that the extensive work is being tackled expeditiously.

I have already informed Udine and Carmona that Shaayla-Car will stay at the vineyard building and help them to clean up our former home. It's a large building with many rooms. Well you have seen it, so you also know that all the furniture had been looted. For the time being we have to improvise and use our imagination to make a living here.

Master Solo, has suggested that it might be a good idea to get some of our furniture on Tyr and bring it here. I have to think about it. If you don't need me any further I'm going to do my share in cleaning up this mess. "

Toallin walked over to the administration building and vanished through the open door. Liane looked around. A slight smile appeared on her face.

"What's so funny, Liane," Han asked a bit grumpy.

Liane pointed at the broken wall next to the building.

"Behind that wall Wedge and I have hidden those killer droids after we defeated them."

"That was in the time when you were convinced you were a Jedi Knight," Han commented surly. "Liane, I still don't get it, why you have asked Luke to be your Jedi master and you asked him that on Morantan in the island of Felusa. Why there? What's so particular at Felusa."

"There I was born, there my parents have lived, there my mother has died and there Anakin took me with him to practise the evil Sith use of the Force I had to master. Felusa is part of my life, Han. It's beautiful island and the house my father build for his family is in very good condition, thanks to Anakin's interference," Liane answered .

"If it's that beautiful, I suggest you should consider to marry your friend Luke there, Liane," Han snapped.

Liane shrugged her shoulders and looked at Luke.

"Master, you said I would be helping the governors' wives, when are you taking me to the vineyard building. I guess that Udine and Carmona are expecting me," She said.

"Very well, padawan. Han, Leia, after I brought Shaayla-Car to the vineyard building I will come back and see if I can be of any use here. Come Shaayla-Car, we're going."

Liane made a bow for Leia and followed Luke up the ramp of the Astræga. Han watched her go. The Astræga's engine started and the space ship disappeared over the eastern hills.

""Well, I don't think Liane will really keep up the pretense for long that she asked your brother to become her Jedi Master. She wants to keep something a secret. We'll find out soon enough where those two really went together and why, Leia," Han snarled. "I could barely contain myself. I felt the urge to give her a good shake."

"I'm glad you didn't do it, honey, but I do find it amazing how compliant she is acting."

"They are pretending, they are playing master and apprentice. But there is absolutely more to it. She is a born leader, just like you and your brother. You know, Leia, I think it is the other way around. It wasn't Liane who asked Luke to become his padawan. No, it was Luke who had doubts about her initiation as a Jedi Knight. I think he told her that the way she uses the Force is incomplete or doesn't match the training he received from his former master on Dagobah. He pressured her to take a step back and become his padawan, probably because he realized she is more powerful than him. She healed those Ewoks on Endor, she healed me and showed me our wedding and your beautiful dress. She spoke with many Jedi from the past, using those holocrons. She taught him how to read that strange Jedi language he has been studying for years without progress. She made a transcription of that file in the Sith language. She and her brother healed Nori after he was seriously wounded, and eventually she persuaded that weirdo to surrender. Your brother is jealous and is looking for a way to humiliate her, causing her to believe that she is not a Jedi Knight at all. That is what I think is going on."

Leia looked at Han and nodded.

"Nice conclusion, darling, but most of the Jedi have confirmed that Liane has felt very unsure about her initiation."

"Her insecurity has made her vulnerable to Luke's Jedi machinations, Leia. Why don't you talk to your brother and tell him to treat her for all she has done with more respect."

"Since he is currently her Jedi Master, he will certainly do that, Han. Luke was my Jedi Master and he never behaved the way you describe, because it concerns Liane. I also never heard Wedge say an unkind word during his time as a padawan. Luke is always generous and very approachable, never rude or demeaning. He shares all of Master Yoda's knowledge with his padawan without any reservation."

Han kept grumbling something inaudible and turned around.

"I'm going to help Nori. Leia, it's my believe that Liane is unhappy and that's something I blame your brother. Maybe I will tell him clearly what I think about this situation one of these days."

"I think you shouldn't. Leave those two alone. They are longer together than any of us ever has been. They understand each other better than I understand you sometimes."

"Fine!" Han said and stormed away angrily. Leia watch her husband go and walked in the opposite direction where she started to help a few Quelan women who were struggling to get some deteriorating curtains down.

On board the Astræga, Luke felt that Liane immediately sought contact with the Force to summon the images and words she had disseminated through Force Battle Meditation to help the Quelans below visualize how their combined efforts would restore Ribana to her former glory. He shrouded the ship in an invisibility cloak and looked to aside to her.

"I will make several turns above Ribana so you can use Force Battle Meditation to influence more of our Quelan friends. The more Quelans experience the hope you are disseminating in their minds, the better, Shaayla-Car. I'd wish there would be a way to support you."

"We can do that Force Mind merge we did when I wanted to warn Trevor, Luke? I don't know if it will strengthen the influence of Battle Meditation, but it will absolutely strengthen the influence of the Force."

"I have to go on a higher altitude. There I can activate autopilot to keep the ship to fly in circles. Your idea is worth to carry out. Shall we do it, Shaayla-Car? You said that the Quelans need much encouragement. Maybe our combined Force use will boost the influence of Force Battle Meditation."

Luke flew the Astræga to an altitude so that all of Ribana and its surrounding area was visible below them. They saw many Quelans busy cleaning up the deterioration and the overgrown gardens. Luke activated the autopilot and made secure that the Astræga kept a wide circle above the town. Liane waited until he was convinced that the Astræga would hold her steady course.

They released their straps and went to the control room. They sat close together opposite of each other. Gently Liane place her hands around Luke's head, while Luke took hers between his. They bent forward until their heads touch each other. Liane felt how the Force began to encapsulate them stronger than ever before and how their minds touched while her Force Battle Meditation began to show them both the images and the words of a restored and thriving Ribana. Luke sensed how Liane was passing what the Force was showing her to the town below and he increased their strength with his own powerful connection with the Force. He became part of what she saw and even managed to evoke several images the Force began appear in his own mind. For more than half a standard hour they remained in their strong Force connection. They both opened their eyes slowly, sat upright and released their hands.

They went back to the cockpit where Luke turned to the console of the Astræga and activated the magnifier to cast a glance at the planet surface in more detail. While holding hands, they checked whether their collective use of the Force through Force Battle Meditation was influencing the returned group of Quelans: the men, the women, and the harvesters. Below, they saw the increased diligence with which all the Quelans were working. Much weeding was being done, cleaning fences, digging, and carpentry work was being carried out, and some Quelans had already begun repairing the destroyed domed roofs.

"This is so amazing, Shaayla-Car. You have brought hope to those who were devastated when they saw their ruined town," Luke said.

"We brought that hope, master Skywalker, through our combined Force connection. You even managed to call some of your own images of Ribana's future. Isn't it time now to go to the vineyard building, for I have obligations there? Is there a safe spot to land the Astræga? You said you wanted to take me there using the speeder."

"That's right, but I wanted to leave Han and Leia immediately. Han still thinks there's more behind our unexpected disappearance. He is right, but I need to avoid that he will gets too curious. The only way to avoid more questions was a lift off. I will land in the deep valley? It is quite a climb and a run to reach the vineyard building, but I can use my prerogative as your Jedi master to explain why we're late."

"Master Luke, my love, you're still coming up with all kind of funny arguments to stay together, aren't you. This plan reminds me of your stay with me on Endor, our flight to Tatooine and your unexpected visit to Na'ctaMagh'Ba." she teased.

"I have never denied my intentions, my love," Luke answered.

"And I will not object, master Luke, for after our landing I want to hear from you, that you're still in love with me."

Providing that you will tell me the same, naughty pixie." Luke said with a warm loving laugh. "Let's go."

Luke deactivated the autopilot and activated the navi-computer with the coordinates of the deep valley. The Astræga turned to her new position and Luke flew in the direction of the southern hills. Within minutes he reached the landing spot which he intended to use as their rendez-vous location. The Astræga touched down. Luke stopped the engines, but kept his ship cloaked. As soon as everything around them became quiet, Liane jumped up, pulled Luke out of the pilot's seat, and dragged him with her to the control room. She pushed him onto the couch and flopped down beside him.

"Tell me," She ordered.

"Tell you what?" Luke said, teasingly, but enjoying that she had lost her depressed mood. "What I want you to know can't be said, but I know a much better explanation."

He took her in a tight embrace and kissed her. Their mutual love engulfed them and for minutes they only enjoyed their new relationship without any fear for detection.

"Is my naughty pixie still feeling unhappy," Luke teased.

"Not when I'm alone with you, Luke Skywalker." Liane said, "for then you aren't aloof, but the man who I love and who tells me he loves me."

Luke looked into her bright blue eyes and pulled her to him.

"It still feels so unreal that you want to marry me, Shaayla-Car. I never thought I would be so lucky. I can hardly wait until you are truly my wife."

Liane began to laugh before she kissed him.

"So maybe Han was right, my love, if you're so impatient, which is a very bad habit for a Jedi master, we should go to Ferlusa and asked Ereminan to officiate our wedding. Why did you made a story that we went to Felusa?"

Luke looked at Liane somewhat guilty.

"Han kept interrogating me when I told him you had asked me to be my padawan. I didn't want to tell we've gone to Na'ctaMagh'Ba to get the white dress, so the first name that I thought of was Felusa."

"Lucky shot, master Skywalker. You probably remembered that I have told you that Anakin took me there to avoid the spying eyes of Trevor Matrik. Maybe we should go to Felusa one day, for Severini has told me that she has hidden a green holocron in the building on which she has recorded all her knowledge about Jedi healing."

"Might be a lovely location to go on our honeymoon. Anakin might have taught you there forbidden knowledge for a Jedi, Maybe I can teach you there how you can turn me into a slightly less naive and unexperienced farm boy."

Luke began to laugh when Liane's face became red hot.

"You're blushing, my love, what are you thinking?"

Liane gave him a push.

"Maybe what you're suggesting will be a bit different, master Luke, for I'm an unexperienced woman who has been warned to avoid being alone with an attractive man. Maybe a naive farm boy has to teach an unexperienced woman what dormant desires she has."

They both began to laugh and they took some moments to enjoy another short moment of happiness.

"We have to go to the vineyard, Shaayla-Car. It's quite a distance we have to cover."

"I understand, master Luke. What do you want me to do?"

"Force climbing and an Force run. We both haven't been practising much. Might be a good challenge."

Wedge was watching Chati who was running uphill along the steep path. For the first stretch she did well, but halfway she stopped and panted. Disappointed she looked back at her master who hurried up the path.

"You're alright?" Wedge asked.

"I can't do this, master. The path is so steep." She answered sadly

"The first stretch you did went very well. What happened that you had to stop halfway?"

"I can't tell. It felt as if my legs stopped moving. I could take another step."

"Did you feel the Force as I told you should do, while running uphill?"

"I thought I did, but I didn't really try to feel the Force. I mean, I just expected I would get help from the Force, so I would know what to do."

"That's not how it works, you have to become part of the Force, so she can extend your physical exercises.

'Now, close your eyes, reach out to the Force, let you be engulfed by her power,' Wedge said calmly using his Jedi voice

Chati looked at him with a laugh.

"I always hear your voice in my mind, master, when you're encouraging me." She said.

"That's what I want, Chati. Now do as I said and run uphill from this spot to the plateau halfway. Oh, and believe in what your doing."

Chati stood up.

"I will, master, but I find this difficult."

"It isn't easy to control, but being able to use the Force to run, is very valuable when you encounter an opponent who is threatening your life. It's the easiest way to stay in control of a situation."

"But running away isn't courageous, master. Running away is something cowards do, my mother has told me. As kid I often ran away when my schoolmates laughed at me because they thought I was weird. When I came home, and told my mother what had happened, she told me that only cowards run away. According her I had to learn to stay my ground."

"That different from what I said, Chati. Your classmates hurt your feelings, for you they ridiculed you and laughed because you did things they didn't understand, or believed a Quelan girl could do. In the past you had many experiences using your Force skills intuitive. What I want you to learn, is, using your Force skills consciously. If you become more aware of the Force's presence you will be able to use that power whenever you need it. Let me show you. Here, take my coat, while I run uphill."

Wedge took off his coat and handed it to Chati. She conscientiously folded it, and watched her master running uphill without any effort. She saw how easily he reached the plateau. There he stopped and looked back and waved at her. His always friendly manner gave her a happy feeling. The more he told her about the Force and how to learn to use it, the more she wanted to show him that she was worth his attention. Hesitantly she answered his kind gesture and waved back.

"Hi, Chati. What do you have to do today, I mean, what are you practising?" A voice called and Lorann came running up the hill.

"Hey, Lorann, you ran fast." She said laughing. "Master Antilles wants me to run even faster. He tells me to use my Force skills run up this steep path from the bottom to the plateau. I could run till halfway and then I got exhausted."

"I don't understand what you mean, Chati. I love running, but I never think while I'm running. The boys in my class always say I'm the fastest runner from my group and master Kamalin has explained that I can run so fast because I don't want to run fast, I just run because I like to run."

Chati looked puzzled.

"You can run fast, because you like running, but you don't want to run fast?"

In the meantime Wedge Antilles had descended the path quietly as had noticed Lorann's presence. He was in hearing range when he heard Lorann explaining to Chati why he could run fast."

'That's her problem. She wants to run fast to please me and show me she can do what I tell her she have to do.' He thought, walking over to the two Quelans.

'She must unlearn to want the Force to help her. In stead she has to realize that using the Force is just a helping experience.'

"Hey, Lorann. What brings you up on this mountain path?"

"Greeting, master Antilles. I was just having a greet day, because master Kamalin has sent us boys home, for the governor has asked to discuss and organize the next group of males and females will go back to Ribana. Having an afternoon free off, is always great, so I used it to go running fast. That's what I always do, when I'm glad. And I saw Chati running uphill, so I thought I might accompany her, for running together is even better, it's also challenging, don't you think. Do you mind if I run along with Chati, master Antilles."

"Absolutely not, Lorann." Wedge said and turned to Chati.

"Now do as I explained, Chati, use your Force skills, but don't think, stretch out with your feeling and let the Force help you to have great experience with the way you can use her power. Are you ready, young padawan. Give me your coat."

Chati looked up the steep path, but hesitated for a moment. Lorann stood next to Wedge Antilles and looked up to him.

"Master Antilles, why does Chati thinks that running uphill isn't a great experience?"

Chati turned to him.

"How do you know what I was thinking?" She snapped.

"I just felt it. You want to do what master Antilles says, but you don't feel the fun in what is asked. I don't want to do homework, for that's not fun, but master Kamalin says that not everything we have to learn is really fun, but we have to look at our homework to see something funny in it. That often works, not always, but most of the time."

"You are still a boy, Lorann, I'm an adult Quelan female."

"And being an adult Quelan female means that you can't see the fun in what you do?"

Chati looked at Lorann with her mouth open.

"Of course I can have fun doing things, but what my master want ... "

She stopped.

"Master Antilles, doesn't want you to do thing, Chati. He tells you that you can use those extraordinary things you can do, so it can help you to have a lot of fun. Master Kamalin has written some wise words on the wall of the school. You must have read it, and seen it very often. He wrote: Where there is a will, there is no way. I have asked him what he meant, but he only laughed and said I had to figure it out myself. I don't know if I'm right, but when I remain to want or will do something, good marks for instance, then I probably will be disappointed, for master Kamalin's test are difficult, but if I'm not too much concerned about my marks, my marks are mostly better than I thought, and that give me pleasant and funny feelings. I haven't told this to master Kamalin, yet, but I think I figured it out right. Shall we run uphill together, Chati?"

"No, I'll run first and when I have reached the plateau it's your turn."

"That fine with me, Chati." Lorann said.

Chati stepped on the path. This time she didn't look up to the plateau, and all at once she felt how the Force began to surround her. It felt very funny, and gave her courage. In a flash she started run uphill, forgetting Wedge Antilles and Lorann who were watching her in admiration. In an instant she had reached the plateau, where she released herself from the Force. Wedge followed her, while Lorann ran uphill and looked at Chati.

"Wow, you ran even faster than me. You were on the plateau in no time, and you weren't panting after you stopped. I have to stop sometimes while I'm running for then I'm out of breath." Lorann said.

"Well, done, Chati. This time you let the Force guide you and you accepted her guidance. That's what a Jedi has to learn. We carry out the will of the Force, of what the Force wants us to do and in return she guides us to get a good result."

They began to walk downhill in a quiet tempo. Wedge listened to the conversation between the two Quelans without disturbing them.

'Lorann is right. Chati wants to please me and that's why she fails. She has to learn to believe that the Force is her powerful ally, that can guide her along her goal. I'm just an intermediate, between the Force and her knighthood, I can learn her to listen what the Force is telling her.'

Wedge looked aside to Lorann and nodded pensively.

'And that young Quelan boy possesses the same skills as my padawan.' He thought.

To be continued...