Chapter 110

Leia grabbed her Jedi coat and rushed over to the cargo ramp.

"Where are you going, Leia?" Han yelled and rushed after his wife.

"Taking the speeder to intercept my former stubborn padawan. Han, he needs to leave Luke and Liane alone too, just like you. They don't have to answer to any of us for their disappearance. They don't have to answer about what's going on between them. I going to tell all our friends that it is their business and not ours."

"Leia, your brother is making Liane unhappy. You have to admit that his behavior raises questions, a lot of questions."

"Shut your mouth, Han. You've already making things worse by addressing my brother with 'master Skywalker' as if a stranger you just met. You have been doing a great injustice to him; don't be so unreasonable. Gather everyone here, including Yarnick and his brothers, and look for Yarmod Martan and Nori Thai. I want them all here. I am going after Tama-Hin now. Oh, and don't forget Chewie."

Leia sped away in the speeder, leaving Han furious on the ramp of his ship. He walked toward the Grand Traveler with large, angry strides. Yarnick looked up when Han entered the control room.

"Angry, Han?" He asked.

"In fact, I won't go into detail now. Leia wants you and your brothers to come to the Millennium Falcon as soon as possible."

"What is the matter?" Yarnick asked.

"You will hear, when Leia is back."

Han stormed off and ran to the administration building. He ran up the stairs to the room where Nori was installing the communication system, but there was no one there. He ran back and bumped into Nori, who was just entering the building.

"You have to come to the Falcom by order of her Royal Worshipfulness of Alderaan," Han snapped.

"Why, Han? What's wrong? Where is Leia?"

"On the way to the vineyard building, because Ian wants to a talk with his sister."

"I'll come with you. Calm down, Han. Who else is coming?"

"Everyone, all the Jedi Knights who are in Ribana, you and the Granns."

"Since Leia is on her way to stop Tama-Hin from doing something stupid, it seems wise to talk to each other. After all, it is about Luke and Liane, isn't it?"

"That's right. Leia doesn't want any of us to interfere in their business. I think we need to ask them to tell the truth.."

"Has everyone come to the Falcon yet, Han?" Nori asked.

"I only have to find Yarmod Martan."

"He probably is with the harvest men. I'll get him for you. You go back to the Falcon."

Meanwhile Leia drove with high speed towards the eastern hills. She reached out to the Force to look for Ian and suddenly sensed him on the path which ascended to the vineyard building. He was talking to Toallin who was about to get back to Ribana.

Leia sped forward and reached Ian when he was about to walk on.

"Ian Tydon, get in. Now!" Leia said outraged.

The young Jedi stopped and Leia blocked his path.

"Get in, Ian. No discussion. Get in!" She snapped

Toallin had left his speeder and looked at the outraged wife of Han Solo.

"Leia, Tama-Hin only wants to visit his sister," Toallin said. "I just told him, that they are both having a meal with Udine and her sister. What's wrong?"

"Get in my speeder, Ian, Now. Yor're not going any further. I forbid it"

Ian walked over to Leia.

"I want to see Shaayla-Car, Leia. I want to know if she really has decided to become Luke's padawan, or if Luke pressured her to admit that she wasn't sure about her Jedi Knight initiation," he said.

"That is none of your business, young padawan. Get in the speeder. I want to have a serious conversation with everyone who is harassing Luke and Liane. With you, with Han, and perhaps there are even more who want to ask my brother and my foster sister rude questions. Get in, Ian, or should I make it clear in another way?"

Ian looked at his former master and jumped at the passenger seat. He looked at Leia dejectedly.

"No, master, you don't have to," He said and greeted Toallin.

Leia steered the speeder back to Ribana at high speed. Ian sat silently beside her. When they reached the Millennium Falcon's landing site, she stopped and looked at her former padawan.

"Get to the control room and tell Han that I'm back. I'll be there within moments."

Ian nodded and walked onto the loading ramp. The six Grann brothers were present in the control room, along with Han, Chewbacca, Nori Thai, and his friend Yarmod. Ian took a seat on the couch next to his friend. Yarmod leaned towards him.

"What is all this about, Tama-Hin? Nori came to the harvester's tent and asked me to go with him to the Millennium Falcon. Why are the Granns here too? It seems that Han and Leia had a big fight."

Ian shrugged his shoulders.

"Leia came after me when I was on my way to ask Shaayla-Car what exactly happened, or is still going on, between her and Luke Skywalker."

"I told you to mind your own business, didn't I, friend? You're just her brother, not her prison guard or a Jedi protector. Those two roles are over. Oh, here comes Leia. I'm afraid she's in a very bad mood, judging by her eyes." Yarmod whispered

Leia stood in the control room hallway, and everyone stopped talking when they saw her fiery, furious eyes.

"I see, Han, that you managed to get everyone here. Now raise the ramp, go to the cockpit with Chewie and lift off," She snarled.

"Why, Leia?" Han snapped, getting outraged again.

"Do what I say, Han Solo, and don't argue with me. I have no desire for a useless debate with you."

Han, seeing that his wife would not change her mind, walked to the cockpit and beckoned Chewie to follow him. The cargo door of the Millennium Falcon slammed shut, the sub light engines were activated, and the ship took off.

""Where do you want us to go, dear Leia?" Han shouted from the cockpit. "Shall I tell the navi-computer to bring us to the island of Felusa on Morantan too?""

"Find a landing spot on the western plains, as far away from Ribana as possible!" Leia shouted back, still in a bad mood.

Han flew the Falcon towards the western plains, crossed the new river, and flew into the wild lands. When he reached the border where the western plains met the wild lands, he landed his ship and returned to the control room.

"We have reached our destination, your Worshipfulness," He said sarcastically.

Leia nodded and looked around the group, who were looking at her in astonishment.

"Does anyone have any idea why I invited you all here?" she asked in a calm voice.

"Leia, it's about Shaayla-Car and Luke and their changed relationship, right?" asked Nori Thai.

"It is, Nori, and you have formulated it well. It is about their current relationship as master and apprentice. My brother has taken on the task of becoming Shaayla-Car's Jedi Master because she asked him to. It was a difficult decision for him, but he accepted her request. Some of us already knew that Shaayla-Car was not entirely convinced of her Jedi Knight initiation, and I fully understand why she had doubts about it.

When Liane was taken to Na'ctaMagh'Ba to protect her from Trevor's bounty hunters, she and Luke decided that Luke would accept her as his padawan as soon as she was free. On Na'ctaMagh'Ba, Luke encouraged her to seek the knowledge preserved in the remains of the treasure of the former Jedi Temple. Among those treasures are the Jedi holocrons, in which the Jedi Knights who preceded us had recorded their wisdom.

Unfortunately, Luke had to join Han and me to find out what had happened to Ian Tydon, but he had given her access to everything in the Jedi Archives, including the holocrons. Against all odds, Liane managed to make contact with various Jedi of yesteryear while activating the holocrons. The old masters had imparted very valuable knowledge to her, but Liane did not have a true master-apprentice relationship with them.

She has gained a great deal of knowledge about the Force and its use, but not in the way a master would teach and guide his padawan. In other words, her knowledge is fragmented; she knows a lot, but she does not see the connection between the different items of her knowledge. Nevertheless, Liane is a very powerful Force user and has managed to perform the very difficult Illum meditation to make her own lightsaber, which is amazing in itself. Liane, who had by now discovered her true origins, came to the Palomintar system to work with Luke.

Wedge Antilles, who had joined Ian, Yarmod, and Liane on Tatooine, noticed the growth in the two padawans designated as Liane's protectors, as well as in Liane herself. Her more than excellent understanding of the Force and her achievement of being able to fully complete the Illum meditation, gave Wedge the absolute conviction that she was ready to become a Jedi Knight. In my opinion, Wedge was right, but the problem was that Shaayla-Car had her doubts. She accepted what he told her, but he did not truly convince her.

After our problems here were resolved Shaayla-Car and Luke have talked a lot about what she had done in Na'ctaMagh'Ba and on Tatooine. Although my brother didn't object against her initiation she eventually decided that her initiation had come too soon, despite what Wedge Antilles had told her. Wedge knows that he made the right decision, and I know that too, as does my brother, but as long as Shaayla-Car herself does not share the same conviction, she will continue to doubt. That is why she has asked Luke to become her Jedi Master for a while after all, to discuss the knowledge she gained from the Jedi of old with him and put it into the proper perspective. That is the reason why Shaayla-Car and my brother, against all expectations, now have a completely different relationship than we all thought.

Luke has tried to explain it to Han and me. He is struggling with his new relationship with her, because he forms a Force dyad, an unbreakable connection in the Force, with her.

Luke told me and Han that it has never happened before that an initiated Jedi Knight has asked his master to become his padawan again, because it is not the padawan who chooses the master, but the Jedi Master who asks a Force user to become his padawan.

However, my brother has accepted Shaayla-Car's request, and it is not up to us to question her request and their new relationship, however strange it may seem to us.

I have noticed that doubts are circulating among you, and I have even heard rumors that Luke has become jealous of what Shaayla-Car has learned from the old Jedi. That is not true. I have also heard that Luke is disrespectful towards Shaayla-Car. That is not true either. Luke behaves as a Jedi Master would towards a Padawan. A third rumor I have heard is that Shaayla-Car has become depressed because she is a padawan now. That is not true. She is actually very happy that my brother was willing to be her Jedi Master, although he has never doubted Wedge Antilles' decision.

That is how things stand now, so there is absolutely no reason for any of us to question their new relationship. It is up to Luke to decide when he will tell Shaayla-Car – and I hope she will believe him – that she has earned her initiation just as much as any of us. The only thing I ask of you is that you leave them alone. No questions, absolutely not."

Leia had ended her narrative and looked around the group. Yarmod Martan nodded in agreement.

"Leia, thank you. I actually didn't need your explanation, because I am convinced that Shaayla-Car had doubts from the very moment Wedge told her she was a Jedi Knight. She admittedly accepted his words, but reluctantly and without real conviction. That might feel disappointing for some, but it is absolutely not up to us to keep telling her she is wrong. The only one she trusts is Luke, and we must leave this to the one who received his Jedi training from the last Master of the Jedi Council, Master Yoda. I am certain that Luke is the best master Shaayla-Car could wish for, because he has the power to tell her that she is a Jedi Knight, just like all of us. The idea that Luke would be jealous because she has learned a lot from the Jedi of old sounds like pure nonsense to me. I speak for myself, but I have absolutely no problem with their new relationship," said Yarmod.

"Thank you, Yarmod. Your opinion matches mine completely." Leia said and looked at the others. "Yes, Nori, what do you want to say."

"I am not familiar with how a master-apprentice relationship develops, but I find it a bit strange that I have seen Shaayla-Car do things I cannot explain: the reassurance she gave me after I was injured, the way she and Tama-Hin healed the wound, her calm diplomatic answers aboard the Tychorion during the final joint meal with the leaders of Coruscant, and I could mention many more events, including when I was with her in Trevor's main cave. I really don't understand it, Leia, but I accept your explanation. I only hope that, as soon as Luke has convinced her that her initiation as a Jedi Knight was the right decision by Wedge Antilles, they will tell us what happened between them after they had left Myr.

"Do I understand correctly, Nori, that you won't interfere with my brother's new relationship with Shaayla-Car?" Leia asked resolutely.

"You have my word, Leia. From what you told me, I conclude that it is none of my business, and I would like to add that that applies to all of us," said Nori, while looking at Han Solo.

Leia looked at Yarnick and his brothers. They all nodded in agreement.

"We fully agree with what Nori Thai just said, Leia. It is none of our business," Yarnick said.

Leia looked at her husband and Ian.

"Now the last ones here must give their opinion. Han? Ian?"

Han looked surly and shrugged his shoulders.

"You’re putting us all on the spot, aren't you? We have no choice but to do what you want. You definitely seem to know more about this, Leia." He answered still in a bad mood.

Leia looked at her husband and nodded.

"Yes I do, Han. Luke is my brother. We are twins and know each other's minds. Liane is our foster sister and I will always stand up for both of them. Your emotional feelings for Liane makes it impossible for you to accept their master-apprentice relationship, because in your eyes Liane can do no wrong. I understand your feelings, Han, but you have to trust me on this and you have to accept their new relationship for a while."

"Fine with me, Leia. I'll stay away from them if that satisfies you, but I stand by my opinion that Luke is jealous of what Liane learned from that old Jedi master." Han said grumpy.

Leia didn't respond to Han's words and looked at her former padawan.

"And you, Ian Tydon, are you going to leave your sister and Luke alone."

Ian shook his head.

"I can't. Shaayla-Car is my only relative. I feel a responsibility towards her as her older brother. I want a clear answer of them of what is going on between them." Ian answered.

Yarmod gave his friend a hard poke in the side.

"Wrong answer, buddy." he hissed.

Leia nodded.

"I knew already you would tell me so, Ian Tydon, then only one option remains for me. If you cannot agree with what I have told all of us, I will send you back to Tyr, where you will have no further direct contact with Luke and Shaayla-Car. I will inform Luke of your forced departure from Myr, so that he can decide whether he wants you to contact Liane, in the customary way among Jedi Knights." Leia said determinedly.

Startled, they all looked at Leia.

"Leia ... you ... can't do this. ... You can't ... banish me." Ian stammered.

"I can, Tama-Hin Kenobi. It is my prerogative as a Jedi Master. You are ignoring a Jedi master's demand. Yarnick Grann, I command you to bring my former padawan back to Tyr immediately after the Falcon has returned to Ribana."

Yarnick Grann and looked at Yarmod.

"I need a Jedi pilot to fly the Grannd Traveler, Leia"

"Yarmod Martan can accompany you and you both will return immediately back to Myr, after Tama-Hin has left the ship. Tama-Hin, I will also ask Jedi Master Antilles to take you under his wing, even though he has a padawan of his own. You have disappointed me, Tama-Hin. You will not return to Myr as long as your sister is my brother's padawan."

"Leia ... please... I only ... want to ... know if Shaayla-Car ... feel happy... with ... what she.. is doing." Ian stammered anew.

"You have heard what I have told. You are stubborn, Tama-Hin. Accept your new assignment as a disciplinary measure. You will brought back to Tyr. Han, please, take us back to Ribana, so Yarnick and Yarmod can take the Grannd Traveler to bring my unruly former padawan back to Tyr."

"You are abusing your authority, Leia," Han said grumpy, but he and Chewbacca went to the cockpit.

In the control room, Ian Tydon looked at Yarmod and the others in disbelief.

Leia left the control room and went to the aft of the Falcon. She sighed.

'Oh Luke, you and Shaayla-Car have truly made it difficult?' She thought.

She entered the private quarter she and Han shared. She sighed again.

'I have to inform Luke of my decision. If Ian hadn't been so stubborn, this wouldn't have been necessary, but he isn't using his Force skills properly to uncover the truth behind the relationship between Luke and Shaayla-Car. He has to find out for himself what went wrong.'

Leia sought her connection with the Force to make contact with her brother.

'Luke, I have sent Liane's brother back to Tyr.'

'You must have had a good reason, my dear sister,' Luke answered almost immediately. 'What was the matter?'

'He keeps insisting that he wants to know what's going on between you and Liane. He doesn't accept the master-apprentice relationship between the two of you,' Leia said. 'All the others: the Granns, Nori, Han, more or less and Yarmod Martan have agreed, that it's none of their business, except Ian. I had to use my authority as a Jedi master to discipline him. Yarnick and Yarmod will bring him back to Tyr, but this young Jedi certainly will use Force telepathic skills to contact Liane.' Leia explained.

Luke was silent for some moments

'You did well, Leia. I will tell Shaayla-Car what has happened.'

'I also want to tell Wedge to team up with him.'

'Splendid. Ian and Chati are going along well. Moreover he can make himself useful in Cantamaga.'

'Luke, I do understand why you and Liane have agreed to be master and apprentice.' Leia said with a sigh

'I know you do, Leia, and I don't need to explain to you what the most important task of the Jedi is, do I? Our primary obligation is to fulfill the promises to Toallin and Mugin and their fellow Quelans. Our personal agreement is subordinate to the restoration of Ribana; we remain master and apprentice until the city is largely rebuilt and all Quelans have returned to Myr. Being master and apprentice gives us the occasional chance to be together without being disturbed.' Luke said and Leia heard a laugh in his voice.

'I hope those moments will bring you both the same happy joy as the moments I often experience with my sweet, but sometimes unpredictable Han Solo.'

Now Luke laughed even louder, but he immediately became serious again.

'Thank you, Leia, for this wish, but are you sure that none of our friends will try to bother Shaayla-Car and me?'

'No one, Luke. All of them promised that your new relationship with Liane is none of their business.'

'That's good to hear, Leia. Thank you for handling this matter. Tell Tama-Hin I want to talk to him. He has become a great Jedi Knight, but just like my friend Han, he is too emotional bound to what he sees as his duty as Shaayla-Car's elder brother. '

'I tell him , Luke. May the Force be with you.'

'May the Force be with you, Leia.' Luke answered

Their connection vanished. For a moment Leia was silently recalling Luke's words. She smiled, for she had sensed her brother's tremendous happy feelings. She nodded understandingly and smiled again.

'Shaayla-Car, please, hear me.' Ian Tydon reached out to the Force to contact his sister, while he was sitting in separated quarter on the Grannd Traveler. Yarnick had told that he wouldn't make use of his Jedi skills as a pilot this time and has brought him to the quarter he shared with Brion.

"I'm sorry, Ian, for what has happened. I hope you'll make the best of your stay on Cantamaga." the eldest of the Grann's had said, as he had put his hand on Ian's shoulder.

Again Ian reached out to his sister, but he plea wasn't answered and downhearted he placed his face in his hands. Once again he sought contact with his sister, but to no avail.

'Luke is holding her away from me. He doesn't want she will answer me.' He said aloud

'You still don't show a proper insight, my son. You're not relying on the Force, as you have learned to do,' A voice said. 'You must look at what you have seen from another point of view. You should use your Force insight to see what's going on. Remember what I told you about the relationship between Luke and Shaayla-Car.'

"Mother?" Ian said, as he looked up.

In front of him the Force ghost of Severini Solichor Kenobi had appeared.

"Mother, Luke Skywalker told Shaayla-Car that she isn't a real Jedi He has pressed her to admit that her knowledge of the Force has gaps and isn't coherent He has made her think, that it wasn't right that Wedge Antilles gave her her initiation, that she didn't deserve the title of Jedi Knight" Ian yelled at the Force ghost of his mother. "I hate him, for what he is doing that to her."

'I never thought that I would ever live to see my son take steps that lead to the Dark Side of the Force. Tama-Hin Kenobi. Luke's sister taught you well, but it seems that you no longer listen to her lessons or pay attention to them.' A second voice sounded 'Didn't she tell you that hatred and anger lead to suffering and are dangerous steps for a Jedi Knight toward the Dark Side of the Force?'

Ian bowed his head.

"My apologizes, father, but I would like to hear from Shaayla-Car what's going on between her and Luke Skywalker, but she isn't answering me as I use Force telepathy. Luke has probably even forbidden her from using telepathy with the Force."

'Why should he do that, Tama-Hin? Have you ask him? Have you use Force telepathy to contact him?' Severini said on a soft soothing tone.

"I don't want to talk to him, mother." Ian said as tears came into his eyes.

'Tama-Hin, why do you cling so tightly to your conviction that Luke Skywalker cannot be trusted? What has he done wrong in your eyes that you don't dare to tell him what is bothering you?' Obi-Wan said sternly. 'I have sensed dangerous words and thoughts in your mind about my former padawan, my son. You've never thought that way about him, while he was your master.'

Ian looked up the two Force ghosts who looked at him pitifully.

"Luke makes her unhappy, I have seen what he does. He is so unfriendly and unkind to her, so she will believe that he can be her stern master," Ian said.

'You should listening well to what you're saying, Tama-Hin?' Severini said again.

"Yes, mother. He is so unfriendly and unkind to her, so she will believe he can be her stern master. Shaayla-Car is not his padawan. She is a Jedi Knight, like me."

'I'm asking you once again, Tama-Hin: Listen to what your saying.' Severini said with more emphasis.

Ian was silent while looking at the Force ghosts of his parents. It took some time before he hesitantly answered Severini's words.

"I said, that he is so unfriendly and unkind to her so she will believe ... " Ian stopped in the middle of his sentence.

'Very well, my son, now you're realizing what you're thinking, isn't what is going on between Luke and your sister. I finally sense you're using your deeper Force insight now.' Severini said.

In disbelieve Ian frowned.

"You mean, mother, that Luke is pretending he is Shaayla-Car's Jedi master." Ian said, feeling some relief, "but why is he doing that?"

'You should concentrate on the Force, Tama-Hin, if you really want to see through Luke and Shaayla-Car's behavior. Let the Force show you what's going on and recall what I once told you about the special bond between Luke and your sister.' Severini said gently on a soothing voice.

It was a long time silent in one of the quarters at the Grannd Traveler. Ian had put his face in his hands again, desperately concentrating on the Force. The Force ghosts of Severini and Obi-Wan looked at their son. Ian managed to tune in on the Force to find help for the turmoil in his mind. At last he looked up at the two Force ghosts of his parents in disbelieve.

"Do you mean that not only Luke is pretending he is Shaayla-Car's Jedi master, but that my sister is also pretending she is his padawan learner. Hasn't she ask Luke to be her Jedi master? But why are they doing that?"

'You have find out yourself, Tama-Hin, but first I want you to recall what the main task of a Jedi Knight is.'

Still looking at Severini and Obi-Wan Ian formulated what his master has learned him.

"The main task of a Jedi Knight is to bring peace and justice to those in need." Ian said.

'And what does that tell you about Shaayla-Car and Luke, Tama-Hin.' Obi-Wan asked.

"That they want to help the Quelans to make Ribana their home town again and give them back their old way of life."

'Very good, my son. You see the obligations those two Jedi Knights feel for the Quelan community. Obligations, promisses, bringing justice always transcend all personal interests that's what every Jedi Knight has to see as his main task. That has always been the main cause why the Jedi Council has forbidden emotional attachments between the Jedi Knights. The thought behind it was that a personal attachment would distract a Jedi Knight from his main task. Even I referred to that Jedi rule when Severini told me that we should marry to avoid being immediately detected as Jedi Knights who had fled the Purge. I knew that the Jedi Order didn't exist any longer and that all my Jedi friends had been murdered. Yet it took sometime before Severini really could convince me.'

'Luke Skywalker is the first Jedi of the New Jedi Order, and he will set his own rules, but he will never distract himself from a Jedi's main task. However, he will regard personal feelings between Jedi Knights, or between a Jedi Knight and a non-Power User, such as his sister and Han Solo, as a matter over which the new Jedi Order has no control, as long as the Jedi Knights remain aware that their primary duty as Jedi always outweighs their personal interests or agreements, provided they are bound by an obligation.'

'Luke's obligation to the Quelan community outweighs any personal agreement he and Shaayla-Car may have made with each other. Luke had once promised Toallin and Mugin that he would help liberate Ribana from the occupation by Trevor Matrik. After he told your sister what had happened, she knew immediately that it would be her duty as well, because she knew Trevor better than he did, and that meant that their friendship and their feelings for each other would become less important. ' Obi-Wan said, looking at his son.

Ian had listened to his father's explanation and averted his eyes.

"I feel unworthy being a Jedi Knight, father. I should have used the Force to look at what I thought I saw going on between Luke and Shaayla-Car from a different point of view. I have to apologize to Luke, for he still loves her," Ian murmured, as a shameful color appeared on his cheeks.

He look at the two Force ghost who were standing in front of him. "Thank you both for putting my thoughts in the right direction again, father. Thank you to remind me of your words about their strong bond, mother. I admit that I have been terrible wrong." Ian said humbly.

The Force ghosts of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Severini Solichor vanished, leaving their son with a mind full thoughts.

The Grannd Traveler landed on Tyr and the cargo ramp lowered. Ian Tydon walked down and stepped on the plains near Cantamaga. The ramp wasn't raised again and Yarnick and Yarmod followed the exiled Jedi Knight.

"Shall we bring you to Cantamaga, Tama-Him?"

"No, thanks, you'd better do what my master has told you. Go back to Myr. I'll will do what she has ordered. I'll seek out Wedge Antilles tomorrow or so." Ian said.

"You should talk to Luke, Tama-Hin," Yarmod said, "Admit that you have been wrong, that you have been too emotional about the wellbeing of your sister."

Ian Tydon nodded.

"I should have listened to you, my friend, instead of believing what I held for the truth." He said to Yarmod.

"You will be back to celebrate the restoration of Ribana with all of us. Leia won't let stay here if everyone has moved to Ribana." Yarnick grinned.

"I hope not. If one of you should see my sister, tell her I love her."

"We will, Tama-Hin." Yarnick said and pulled Yarmod with to the cargo ramp.

Ian walked to a safe distance from the Grannd Traveler and watched as the freighter vanished among the cloud layer. He slowly started to walk in the direction of Cantamaga when a speeder came in his direction.

"Get in, Tama-Hin," Wedge Antilles greeted, "I have been expecting you. I'll bring you to Cantamaga. Mugin has already arranged a guest room for you. Have you already made contact with Luke?"

"No, I haven't yet." Ian answered.

"You'd better do it, Tama-Hin. It will be a relief for you after what has happened."

"Did Leia told you?"

"She told me that she has taken a disciplinary measure against you, but no reason why?"

Wedge started the engine of speeder and drove back to Cantamaga where he brought Ian to the main plaza. Mugin welcomed the young Jedi.

"Master Antilles told me that you will stay with us for the time being. You're greatly welcome, Ian, for I'm sure you can help us to tell the second and third group what they can expect. All my fellow Quelans are looking forward to get back to Myr, but I fear that they will be so disappointed when they see the damage that has been done. The day after tomorrow the first group returns. I hope that their stories will help those that were left behind here to encourage them. "

"All of them comes back, Mugin. Toallin, the first group, the harvest men, the Jedi, Nori Thai, Han, the Wookiee and Yarnick and his brothers. Toallin wants to all of them to take some days to relax. That will also give the first Quelans the opportunity to tell what work needs to be done. Of course I will help you." Ian said.

Mugin looked at his young Jedi friend and felt that something else had happened on Myr, but he was too polite to ask questions.

"I have prepared the room you will share with your friend again, master Martan. He will join you after they have come back again."

Ian followed Mugin to the lofty suite just above the main building. He thanked the kind governor who closed the door with a frowned face. Ian sat down on one of the beds and sighed.

'Forgive me Shaayla-Car, forgive me Luke. I should have known better. I should have used my Force insight to know why this is happening. You're such great Jedi, both of you, for you really know what matters while I couldn't see the reason behind what you were doing. I should have understand that the relationship between you isn't your first obligation. I should have seen it, but I didn't. I need to tell you what makes me feel ashamed, but will you talk to me so I can explain why I took those wrong conclusions."

He took a meditation stances and concentrated on the Force, but it took some time before he felt that his ally had become one with him again. He reached out with Force telepathy to contact his former master.

'Master Luke,'

'Just Luke, Tama-Hin. I'm not your master anymore.' Luke answered. 'I have sensed the confusion in your mind, Tama-Hin, when you saw Shaayla-Car and me in the vineyard that day. Why didn't you trust the Force to give you a better insight. Your eyes have deceived you, young Jedi.'

'I know, Luke. I'm back on Tyr now, because ... The thought pattern in Luke's mind broke off.

'Because you neglected my sister's strict demand. You wanted to find out yourself what's going on between your sister and me,' Luke answered soothing the turmoil in the young Jedi's mind.

'Master Leia has discipline me for what I had in mind, Luke.' Ian murmured through their Force connection.

'Tama-Hin, you should first listen to me. Neither I, nor Leia are your Jedi masters. You're a Jedi Knight, you're our peer. What's bothering you, Tama-Hin' Luke said kindly.

For a while Ian didn't answer.

'Luke, what I wanted to know was wrong. I wanted to talk to Shaayla-Car and asked her how she feels, being your padawan' He finally said.

'Why did you want to know, Tama-Hin. '

'I ... I ..., Luke, ... I wanted ... to ... be sure, that she really feels happy.' Ian stammered, feeling uncomfortable with Luke's questions.

'She the happiest woman there is, Tama-Hin, and I'm her most happiest friend.' Luke answered sounding a bit aloof.

'You met the Force ghosts of your parents? Obi-Wan and Severini have talked to you, Tama-Hin? When did that happen?' Luke answered surprised.

'When I was on my way to Tyr on the Grannd Traveler. They reproached me, for how I thought about you. They let me see, how wrong I am.'

'I'm glad that you got help from my old master, Tama-Hin, and your mother?' Luke said, and Ian sensed Luke was smiling.

'Luke, they forced me to face the facts about what is truly important for a Jedi Knight, as I seemed to have forgotten what the main task for a Jedi must be.'

'I don't think you had forgotten that lesson, Tama-Hin. You have always kept a Jedi's main task as your lead. Without your help Nori Thai would have died, Tama-Hin? Without your help I wouldn't have found Liane on Endor, for it was you who put the Jedi-pendant in her hand. It was you who set Leia's mind on Darth Golluth, because you feared that he would do harm to Liane. You put yourself in danger when you thought that Toallin and Mugin still were in their burning quarters, and you convinced me that we as three Jedi Knights would help those two governors to restore their community in Ribana. You're always committing yourself to a Jedi's main task.'

'Maybe I have done so, Luke, but this time I have misinterpreted what's going on between you and my sister. Something very personal has come up between the two of you, while you left Palomintar Four and went into hyperspace.'

'That's right, Tama-Hin.' Luke said.

'Severini made me realize that you and Shaayla-Car agreed that your obligation to the Quelan community outweighs that personal agreement, because the promises you made to Toallin and Mugin take precedence. Ribana has been liberated, but the city is still a mess. We all promised to help our Quelan friends, but for you and Shaayla-Car, those promises are even more important, because you have committed yourselves to the promise you made to those governors, two Quelan leaders who spent years searching for a way to restore freedom to themselves and their fellow citizens. When it turned out that Darth Golluth was the same person Shaayla-Car knew as Trevor Matrik, a former staff officer on Morantan, she also became involved and fully supported your obligation to Toallin and Mugin. Your obligation became hers as well. Your strong Force Connection with my sister is a bond which I still don't fully understand, but it has made me clear that your personal feelings and attachment for each other have grown even stronger, so that it gives you, as my sister's Jedi Master, and she your padawan, the opportunity to spend short moments together and enjoy a secret rendezvous, even though your obligations to the Quelan community will prevail.' Ian said.

'I think, Tama-Hin, that you understand what Shaayla-Car and I agreed upon, right? Then you also know why we didn't want to make our agreement public, yet, but instead created an opportunity to see each other without being disturb,' Luke said friendly

'Tama-Hin. I love Shaayla-Car, there's no one in the galaxy I love more and Shaayla-Car's feelings are mutual. She love me with all her heart. Nothing has changed in the friendship we've always felt for each other, only our feelings have intensified, but first of all we both want to make sure that the Quelan community will have restored their home town of Ribana. Their happiness about their restored way of life, will also add happiness to your sister and me. All we're asking from you is to give our relationship as master and apprentice your support.'

Flabbergasted Ian had listened to Luke's explanation.

'Luke, does that mean ... Ian asked startled, but Luke interrupted his question.

'Yes, it does Tama-Hin, but not before Ribana has been restored for the most part.' Luke answered and Ian sensed the tremendous happiness his former master felt. 'Tama-Hin, I want you to use your skills as a Jedi Knight at Cantamaga. There is enough that has to be done there too. You will be back on Myr for I'm absolutely sure that Shaayla-Car wants her brother to witness of her happiness.'

'There is no reason to apologize, for what has happened, Tama-Him. Your sister and I created this situation deliberately, and it turns out to be more complicated than we've intended, for not only you, but several others have become suspicious.'

'You've been very honest to me, Luke.' Ian said.

'That goes without saying, Tama-Hin, for soon you will also be my brother, and I could not wish for a better family member.' Luke said while their Force connection suddenly vanished.

Liane looked very thoughtful when Luke told her that Leia had banished her brother back to Tyr.

"I may not like the way he pestered me about where we have been, but he still feels responsible for me, Luke. He already has felt that obligation after I met him on Wegoyy. After all he is my older brother." She said, "And now he is no longer allowed to come and visit me while I'm working in the vineyard building. Shall I contact him through the Force to reassure him."

"Better wait for some days. We must give him time to realize that his stubborn belief in clinging to what he saw as the truth, instead of viewing the situation from multiple perspectives, is the reason why Leia sent him back to Tyr. He refused listen more carefully to her explanation, but I had a good talk with him this morning, before I came to the vineyard. Your brother has an exceptional Force insight."

Liane looked up her friend.

"Do you mean, he knows what we're up to. That what we're doing isn't a real master-apprentice relationship."

"Your brother is a Jedi Knight, Shaayla-Car. A great Jedi Knight, meanwhile. What he saw has confused him. He didn't know how to cope with what he sensed through the Force. That is why he resisted Leia's demand. Give him time to accept her disciplinary measure. I have told him that he will be back at Myr in time."

Luke had taken her hand in his. They were walking together through the dense forest on the top of the southern hills. Liane looked up at him and saw him smile.

"Luke, you are fond of him, aren't you?"

"I am, my love, I have been very fond of him from the moment I met him on Wegoyy, where he told me what had happened to you. His Force skills have developed in a good way and have made him a great Jedi Knight, just as I have expected, but, like you, he can be stubborn in his believes, probably you both have inherited that stubbornness from my former master, your father." Luke said teasingly and pressed Liane's hand more tightly.

"Was Obi-Wan, my father, a stubborn Jedi Knight, Luke? How do you know?"

Luke put his arm around her shoulder, pulled her close to him, as he had heard her familiar inquisitive tone.

"He told me on Dagobah. After Leia, Chewbacca, Lando and me had saved Han from the clutches Jabba the Hutt, I went back to master Yoda to complete my training. It's wasn't the reunion I expected. Master Yoda had become ill and he passed over to the Force, after he had told me I didn't need any more training. When I asked him if what Darth Vader had told me, he confirmed that the Dark Lord was my father. It would be my task to destroy the evil he represented, only then I would become a Jedi Knight. After master Yoda had gone I felt desperately alone, no knowing what to do.

Ben's Force ghost appeared and walked over me, reassuring me that master Yoda would always be with me. On the one hand I was glad about Ben's appearance, on the other hand Ben had once told me that my father had been killed by one of his pupils. I didn't understand why he had lied to me and I argued that he should have told me the truth. He understood my double feelings for him and told me what really happened.

Your father was knighted after he defeated Darth Sidious' first dark apprentice, Darth Maul, after the Sith apprentice had killed Obi-Wan's master Qui-Gon Jin. His master's death devastated him, for he love him and admired him, despite their difference in character."

"He must have been a young man at that time, Luke. Was he ready to become a Jedi Knight?" Liane asked.

"Qui-Gon had told the Jedi Council that Obi-Wan was ready for the trials, but the Council refused, because the members didn't agree with Qui-Gon's next plan to take young Anakin as his padawan learner. Anakin was nine years old when he had to appear before the Jedi Council and the members decided that he was too old begin the training. The Council demanded that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had to find the Sith attacker, and destroy him. After Qui-Gon's death Obi-Wan insisted that he would take Anakin as his padawan, as he had promised a dying Qui-Gon, before he passed away. Master Yoda reproached him for being just as stubborn and defiant as his master.

On Dagobah Ben admitted that Master Yoda had been right about Anakin, that it had been wrong to take Anakin as his Jedi apprentice. He confessed that he was convinced that he could be as good a Jedi master as master Yoda. His confession was a huge blow to me, because I couldn't imagine that Obi-Wan's overconfidence had had such disastrous consequences for the galaxy."

"My father has regretted many more mistakes, Luke, because what many plans he thought would be right, went wrong. He told me about it when I had seen the message he had recorded for you. He regretted that he brought his son to Corellia, that he has left his pregnant wife on her own on Morantan, when Anakin had occupied the planet for the Empire.

When he begged me to tell Ian the truth, it felt as if even a Force ghost could shed tears, as he looked back on a life of mistakes and wrong decisions. I felt so much pity for him that I agreed to do what he had asked me, but I still feel clumsy myself that I left the datapad with his narrative unguarded, so Ian read the truth about his parentage himself."

"You weren't shocked, when you discovered the truth about your relationship with Obi-Wan? I remember that we have talked a lot about your parents, especially after master Yoda had confirmed that both your parents had been Jedi Knights?" Luke asked and Liane sensed the compassionate sound in his voice.

"No, I wasn't. When I read my real name: Shaayla-Car, and realize Ben meant me, it felt as if it covered me with a protective blanket. It belonged to me.

Although I still felt doubts about becoming a Jedi Knight, the discovery of my parentage made clear to me that I couldn't let Ben and Severini down. I felt a kind of obligation to them. I had to embrace the Good Side of the Force fully and become a Jedi Knight."

They had stopped their walk and looked down on hustle and bustle in the city at the foot of the high hills.

"They still are doing all the necessary repairs and chores with the hope you have sent them using Force Battle Meditation, Shaayla-Car. You're as powerful as your brother." Luke said.

"Soon the next group will arrive. I also want them to feel hope, instead of despair when they see all the work that needs to be done?" Liane said.

"We will, my love, and I will support your use of Force Battle Mediation the way we did the first time." Luke answered, feeling Liane's compassion with the Quelan community.

"Udine and Carmona are going back to Tyr to select more furniture, like some sideboards They will come back with the second group, for the cleaning of the vineyard building takes more time than they expected. It's not really my job, but I help them as best as I can, if they ask for help. I'm much better pruning those vines," Liane said chuckling, while pulling her coat around her.

"They have expressed their gratitude about your help, my lovely padawan who is a Jedi Knight." Luke teased.

Liane gave him a push.

"I still have to remain your padawan, although Leia has made clear to our friends to leave us alone." She said, "So be careful with your words, master Luke."

"As soon as the Grannd Traveler and the Millenium Falcon have gone back to Tyr, I lift off with the Astræga to reach Ktafunda. "

"Are Leia and Yarmod also going back, and what about Nori?"

"They all will take a break on Tyr for several days. I have heard it yesterday when I was helping Yarmod building some scaffolds. He asked me if I could take your brother's place when I would be in Ribana. I agreed, for a moment I thought that you also could do the job, but it's better if you stay at the vineyard building."

"Did no one ask you if we also would join them on Tyr?" Liane asked.

"Yes, but Toallin suggested that if I stayed behind with you I would have more freedom to practise with you in and around Ribana."

"Ah, he is such a good guy. I hope he will not feel offended when we tell him we have been pretending our relationship as master and apprentice. If he feel cheated, Luke, he might refuse to marry us." Liane said concerned.

Luke shook his head.

"He won't, naughty pixie. He still is thankful that we all have helped his community to get their old way of life back. Don't you enjoy the idea to be completely alone with me for a few days on Palomintar Six, like we were on Na'ctaMagh'Ba ..., when I prevented that Leia and Han would confront you with their revelations about Trevor Matrik and your relationship with him ... on Morantan."

Luke deliberately had paused at some moments in his sentence, and got a fit of laughter when he saw Liane's raised eyebrows.

"I had no relationship with Trevor Matrik what so ever, neither on Morantan, and nor here." She snapped, before she continued on a more friendly tone, "but I surely remembered your unexpected visit and what we talked in the forest cave. Those memories are still giving very good feelings."

"What about my second visit to Na'ctaMagh'Ba together with a lovely Jedi Knight fairy?" Luke teased.

"Even better.' Liane answered, noticing his teasing mood.

"Even better? Is that all you remember of what I asked you in the waterfall cave." Luke said, pretending to be disappointed.

"Oh, that," Liane said with a teasing shrug of her shoulder, "Yeah, I almost forgot. Haven't you asked me if I wanted to marry you, Luke? What did I answer you?"

"You're not a lovely fairy, you're a naughty pixie. Come here my little mischievous pixie, I will tell you what I asked and what your answer was."

Luke grabbed Liane at her waist and lifted her. Liane let out a muffled cry and tried to get back on her feet. Luke laughed at her attempt.

"I will punish you for teasing me, pretending a lack of memory." He said and used the Force to keep her afloat. "This time I won't put you down until you will apologize for teasing me." He said laughing, but suddenly he felt how Liane used her Force skills to counteract his Force use. He kept his balance when Liane tried to take him of guard with a slight Force push against his legs. Next, she stretched out her hand to one of the surrounding trees and made a new counter-movement in the air, which was immediately followed by a high jump, after which she landed on a low branch. Astounded Luke looked up at her, but then he sat himself laughing at the foot of the tree.

"Well done, lovely pixie, but I will wait here until you have to come down one way or the other." He said laughing, looking up at where he had seen her, but Liane was nowhere in sight. Luke rose and looked around, then he reached out to the Force to feel Liane's presence, but he doesn't sense her.

"Shaayla-Car! Where are you! Liane!" He yelled.

Suddenly he felt her arms around his neck as she embraced him from behind, having released herself from the Force.

"Altus sopor," She said, as she sat herself next to him, "I didn't know that even my Jedi master couldn't sense my presence through the Force."

Luke looked at her with a mix of amazement, bewilderment and worry, before he took her hands in his.

"That wasn't Altus sopor, Shaayla-Car. You used Force Concealment. I couldn't sense your presence any longer. Who taught you this? Anakin? "

"Force Concealment. Never heard of it. I just completely became one with the Force so it would wholy engulf me. It's always such a great feeling to be part of the Unifying Force. Haven't you ever used it, Luke?" She said with a laugh, but then she sensed his worried feelings. "I'm sorry, darling, I didn't want to confuse you. What is Force Concealment?"

Luke breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's also called Force Stealth. It gives a Jedi Knight the possibility to seal his presence from other Force-users even Jedi Knights."

"Oh, yes, my love, I have learned that from Anakin. He explained to me that if I could use the Force that way a Jedi Knight wouldn't be able to detect me, while I could still use my Force skills to detect and defeat them. I practise it with him on Felusa. In the beginning it felt odd that I saw him, but didn't sense his presence through the Force anymore. He taught me how I could become one with the Force and had to conceal my presence for others. On Morantan I've never used it. I even couldn't when you had entered the domains."

"No, you didn't, for I sensed you're presence, before I had my first encounter with you. Why have you been using it this time. You're sudden disappearance confused me?"

"I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't do it on purpose. I thought I was using Altus sopor which we used in Trevor's cave system. I didn't know that it would have that impact on you. I'm really sorry, my love." Liane said, using her soft soothing Jedi voice to reassure her still worried looking friend.

"Is it forbidden Dark Side knowledge?" She asked.

"Not forbidden. Any Jedi Knight or Sith can use it. It is intended to remain undetected when a Jedi or a Sith finds themselves among a crowd of various species and to prevent potential Force users from plotting an assassination attempt on their life."

Liane was silent, while Luke still held her hands tightly. She sensed his immense worry about her Force use the way she had done.

"I won't use it again, Luke, I was just teasing you. I promise, I didn't know it's real impact. Please, forgive me I have confused you." She said, pulling a hand free to gently touch his face.

Luke look seriously at her.

"Anakin has taught you this, and it seems he taught you well. You have never made use of it on Morantan, but could it be that you once have used it accidentally? At some moment where you sealed yourself off from your surroundings?"

Liane want to shake her head, but suddenly she recalled something.

"I probably might, Luke. I'm not sure, but it could have happened when I assembled my lightsaber in the panoramic meditation room."

"You've assembled your lightsaber in the Astræga. When? After you had fled to Tatooine? I thought you assembled your lightsaber in Ben's former home?" Luke asked.

Liane shook her head.

"I didn't. I couldn't find the right spot to use the Force with the Illum-meditation. After we left Ben's former home I asked Yarmod to go in a stationary orbit around Tatooine, for all the revelations in Ben's home were still disturbing my Force concentration which I knew I needed to perform the Illum-mediation. I thought that being away from the surface, but still near where my father had once lived would help me.

After we had gone into orbit around Tatooine, Yarmod and my brother retreated to do some Jedi mediation themselves. I walked aimlessly through the Astræga to seek a place where I could concentration on the Force. It was Anakin who said that the panoramic mediation room would probably a good spot. You had shown me the magnificent room after we fled from Endor, but I didn't know how to enter it. Anakin suggested teasingly that I should call you for advice, but I didn't want to, for I didn't want to tell you at that moment that I was on my way to Palomintar Four. I uselessly pressed numerous combinations on the entrance panel, before I realize I had to use the Force to know the code.

Once I knew how to get in, I took all the different parts I needed, including the rock I had chosen with the kyber crystals inside. I opened the cover panels which gave me the tremendous view on Tatooine again, including the surrounding systems far away systems. I became one with the Force and felt united with everything inside and outside the transparisteel bulb. The Force surrounded the parts and the rock with her power and after I broke the rock one of the crystal started to hover in front of me. One by one I took the parts and assembled my own Jedi weapon in the way you taught me.

After my lightsaber had been assembled it remained hovering in front of me and I remember that I began to be lifted from the room's floor. For a long time I stayed united with the Force, looking at my own lightsaber, while being united and completely one with the Unifying Force. Finally I released myself from my Force connection, when the lightsaber landed in my hand. I left the panoramic room and went to the control room where Yarmod and Tama-Hin seemed astonished when I suddenly appeared. They had search for me everywhere in the Astræga. They asked me where I had been, but I only showed them my lightsaber and my two friends where so happy for me that they have searched your private quarter to find me a padawan's outfit."

Luke had listened to her narrative and nodded comprehensively. Liane also seemed to understand what had happened at the time. She looked at Luke questioningly.

"While you performed the Illum-meditation you have also used Force Stealth to become one with the Force, Shaayla-Car. Your Force connection during the composition of your lightsaber was so strong that your presence became undetectable for Yarmod and Tama-Hin."

"I didn't know I did it, Luke. It's no good use of the Force. It frightened you. I sensed I have done that." Liane whispered. "I'm still using the Force in the wrong way."

Luke took her in his arms

"Absolutely not, Shaayla-Car. You're using the Force in a great way. Anakin was right to teach you this Force use, for it's very valuable. You might not have used it often, but you're able to use it when you need it. Probably you have felt that your two friends unwittingly were putting some pressure on you to assemble your lightsaber. That might have triggered that Force knowledge, so you could assemble your lightsaber without those two padawan would be aware of where you were. Now that I know this it might be an option to use while we're here."

Liane shook her head vicariously.

"Definitely not, master Skywalker. Being your padawan learner has brought my brother enough trouble."

Luke laughed, and pulled her to him, while he laid back on his back at the forest floor. He kept Liane in a tight embrace, while he used one hand to put her head against his chest, but Liane managed to place her hands next to his head. Luke looked into her eyes.

"Do you already remember your answer on my proposal, naughty pixie," Luke asked laughing.

"I do, my love, and I will never forget what you asked me," Liane answered before she kissed him with great passion.