Chapter 125

"I don't know if any of you realize that there's a lot of dissatisfaction among a number of harvest men about Cornell's leadership and the way he wants to enforce his will." He said.

It took some time before any of the Jedi Knights responded, but finally Yarmod shove the empty bowl aside.

"What I have sensed in the short period I have worked on their project is that he seldom listened to what others are saying or suggesting. He also couldn't come to terms with the fact that his father, Master Manall, had a better insight into situations, and did any of you notice that Filann use the word 'forced,' when he spoke of how Lorann had to become a member of the harvest men's group. He also mentioned that Lorann should marry a Quelan girl who seemed already to be chosen to become his wife. I remember that I heard him tell us that when we're having a meal, before we were heading through the wild lands to the western plains," Yarmod said. "You did well, Luke, to tell the members of the council what prospects Lorann has. Tama-Hin has told me that Lorann wants to become his padawan."

"That boy has an extraordinary Force potential, I guess," Han said, and the others looked at him.

Leia smiled.

"If my husband dares to make such a statement, it probably indicates that Lorann's skills need guidance which means that one of us has to take him under his or her wing, so that the boy becomes more aware of the influence of the Force."

Luke shook his head.

"Leia, Lorann isn't ready to become a padawan of one of us, yet. Not only his father objects against it, but there isn't Jedi master who can take up that task at the moment." He said.

'What about you, Luke'. Leia asked.

'No, not now, Leia. What about you? Do you really think Han will accept a young boy as a new crew member. I think not. Lorann has to wait, until Tama-Hin feels ready for the task.'

Han, unaware of the chat between his wife and her brother, tapped Leia on her arm.

"Darling, you haven't seen the drawing he has made of Shaayla-Car, just after she and Luke came back to Tyr," He said, "It was incredible, she looked so fantastic, so beautiful. I only have seen her that way once, when I teased her and Luke about their relationship."

Liane looked at Han and laughed.

"Thank you for the compliments, Han. I haven't seen that particular drawing. Lorann only mentioned he had made another drawing of me, but he wasn't satisfied with it, but I have seen the many drawings he has made of Ribana, before and after the cleaning up and repairs the first group had done. Especially the drawing of the vineyard building struck me. It was exactly as it was before, with the overgrown roof of the building," Liane commented, "In the second drawing after Udine and Carmona had done some first cleaning I saw the building as it must have looked like before Trevor expelled the Quelans. By that time Lorann was a toddler. The vineyard is at quite a distance of Ribana, so it isn't likely that he has ever seen it like it once was."

Luke looked pensively around his friends.

"I hope that the Council focuses again on the intention of Filann and Cemall, that's the issue the council has to look at. Lorann's Force potential is important and has been the cause of what the two brother intended, but the problem is that when Cornell had come to Tyr it looked as if nothing has happened to Lorann and the particular jacket. The Urams don't have attacked him, Lorann is in good health, that jacket hasn't a tear, and Lorann and Chati are still going into the nut woods to feed the young Urams with the fallen nuts." He said thoughtfully.

"I sense your doubts, Luke," Leia said.

Luke nodded.

"I have, Leia. I can't get the thought of my mind, that something else has happened and that all who were present in the nut wood, Tama-Hin, Wedge, Chati and Lorann have decided to cover up the real story to protect the Urams."

"Since when do the Urams attack the harvest men when they harvest the nuts," Yarmod asked.

"Since Cornell took over the leadership from his father." Liane said. "Domarr mentioned that fact during the hearing. Before Cornell became the leader most of the men were used to harvest the nuts the way Manall had been doing, but Cornell developed a new method which will be disastrous if it won't stop.

Luke, Wedge, Tama-Hin and I have had a chat with the leader of the Urams Oltomyran. He asked me to help them to heal their friends, the chopped down nut trees. I couldn't tell him that once chopped down there isn't a way to undo that, but if this way of harvesting the nut will continue, there will be no nut trees to harvest one day and there will be no Urams to survive the slaughter the harvest men do."

"The harvest men slaughter the Urams?" Yarmod asked.

"Yes, I have seen images through the Force about a raid the harvest men under the leadership of Cornell have done in the nut woods not to harvest the nuts, but to kill any Uram they could find." She said softly, "It frightened me to realize that a group of Quelans can be so violent against a species which are as dependent on the nuts as the Quelans are. The future of both is a stake I fear. I promised Oltomyran to find a solution, but for now I can only hope that master Manall will be the harvest men's leader again. I want to tell the Council about our Force connection with Oltomyran, but what I will say will meet a lot of skepticism, for the harvest men absolutely don't care about the needs of the Urams at the moment. "

"Roshann has chosen master Manall in the Council, that might be an indication that the harvest men are aware of their dissatisfaction with Cornell's leadership," Han said. "Master Manall is a very sensible guy with a extremely good insight in many matters, I think."

Liane looked at Luke.

'We know, he has, but it isn't to us to mention more of it.' He let her know through the Force.

"Shaayla-Car, you just mentioned that the Force has shown you image of what has happened to the Urams during Cornell's leadership, but have you also seen what will happen in the future?" Yarmod asked suddenly.

"For us the future is always in motion, as you know." Leia commented.

"Sure, Leia, but Shaayla-Car possesses a Force skill which might convince the harvest men what devastating future may lay ahead, if they continue the way they do now." Yarmod said and looked very optimistic. "Don't you remember, Shaayla-Car, how you showed those wounded Ewoks that they would become healthy again and live. I have sensed you've been doing that every time you helped them."

Leia looked at Han who immediately was eager to tell his own experience.

"Good idea, Yarmod, she has also done that when she took care about me in the Falcon. Don't look so surprise, young Jedi Knight. I'll tell you the whole story another time, but Shaayla-Car, at that time still Liane Solichor or Eilidh Grann, showed me my wedding and the beautiful wedding dress Leia wore. It wasn't just an image to boost my believe in what she told me, for what I saw in my mind turned out to be true when I married Leia on Na'ctaMagh'Ba."

Completely stunned, Liane looked at Yarmod and Han, while Leia looked at her too.

"You mean I should influence the members of the council with Force Battle Meditation to show them what might happen if they continue to harvest the nuts the way they do?" She asked surprised and not really convinced. "Isn't that misuse of the Force?"

"Don't influence the council members only, Shaayla-Car. Influence all the harvest men, or even all the Quelans." Yarmod said elated now.

"Like you have done already two times, Shaayla-Car," Leia said gently and look at her.

"Yes, Luke and I used Force Battle Meditation to encourage the Quelans after they saw the devastation of their houses. I don't know if it will be right to show them images of a future they don't expect. " Liane said reluctantly. "Force Battle Meditation is meant to bend the outcome of a strive, a fight, a struggle, feelings of despair and fear into hope. Showing a future that tell the Quelans that their hope will be shattered if they proceed the way they do, won't bring hope, but fear and inquietude. I don't think this is a good idea, " She continue and shook her head. She looked at Luke.

"So far, you have used Force Battle Meditation to encourage those who fought a battle against despair, illness, or even death." He said.

"Yes, you've told me that before," said Liane, looking at Luke in surprise. "Are you saying now that Battle Meditation can also be used to make opponents or hostile groups aware of the disaster awaiting them if they don't stop fighting? To destroy their belief in victory?"

"Even stronger, Shaayla-Car, to turn the group members upon each other." Luke said.

"Fight each other? Luke. That doesn't feel what a Jedi Knight should do?" Liane protested.

"The Jedi have used it in their strive with the Sith army thousands of years ago, but don't take 'fight' too literarily, Shaayla-Car. It also can achieve a possible change from point of view."

It was Han who changed Liane's mind.

"Sweetheart, you could show Cornell and his supporter the negative outcome of chopping down all nut trees. There is a silent opposition against his leadership, so those who want to go back to the old way of harvesting nut could be encouraged to see that gathering nut from the forest floor, leaving the nuts in the tree for the Urams could improve the relationship between the Quelans and the Urams. There are different ways of thinking among the harvest men, Shaayla-Car." Han said.

"Think about it, Shaayla-Car. There is a way to influence those who want a change with more encouraging images, where the Urams and harvest men will share the nut woods in peace again," Luke suggested.

"Why not show the Council, all members and crowd for a short moment, that if they continue like this, one day there won't nut trees left," Han said, "We all can confirm them that chopping down the trees will end in a disaster."

"What you propose, Han, is undermining Cornell's leadership," Leia said.

"Shaayla-Car don't have to say that, Leia. The harvest men are able to step up for themselves. They have to realize that how they did it in the past, is much better than fighting the Urams." Han said. "The Urams are attacking the harvest men, because they have begun to chop down the trees. The easiest way out of the conflict is to acknowledge that both parties will prosper if they are willing to share the nuts in a way that once worked for both sides."

"As was under master Manall's leadership," Luke said and looked at Liane.

"Shaayla-Car, do you think, that Force Battle Meditation can be use two way to solve this conflict between the harvest men and the Urams?." He asked.

"I have to think about it, Luke. I don't like to use Force Battle Meditation to frighten, but if necessary I'm sure I can show Cornell and those who support him the negative outcome of their intentions. The Quelans and the rest of the harvest men need encouragement and acceptance, that living in peace with the Urams will have mutual advantage for both parties. " Liane said. "But maybe another good solution which isn't clear to me yet will come up."

The harvester tent was packed, as not only the harvest men were gathered in front of the dais, but also many Quelans of the second group, had come to listen what would be decided after they had heard about the action of Cornell's two oldest sons.

The four Jedi Knight stood sideway at the back of the tent together with Han, after Chewbacca had brought in Filann and Cemall again.

There was a lot of buzzing in the tent as several Quelans and harvest men vented their opinion about the two brother and what they had intended. Also Udine and Carmona had left the vineyard building to gather among the crowd.

Udine's eyes immediately search the crowd until she saw Shaayla-Car and Luke standing together among the other Jedi. She gave Carmona a slight push and made a gesture with her head.

"They also has come," Udine whispered.

"Of course they has. She and Luke have brought Cornell to Tyr." Carmona answered.

"Yes, and Toallin and Manall came back with them too. This is really a serious matter." Udine whispered again.

Roshann stepped in front of the dais and raised his hand.

"We will continue with the hearing," He said in loud voice. "Cornell, you told us that what your sons had in mind, frightened you, for you feared for the life of your youngest son."

"That's right, Roshann. I was mad at them." Cornell said.

"You went to the Millennium Falcon and asked Han Solo to bring you to Tyr?"

Cornell nodded.

"But one of the female Jedi, Ben's fiancée as she introduced herself to me, stepped up and told me that nothing had happened to Lorann." He said. "I asked her how she knew and she convinced me that what her brother who is still on Tyr had told her was true. She asked Ben to bring me to Tyr after all, which I gladly accepted, because it would give me the opportunity to see for myself that Lorann wasn't wounded."

"What did you do after you arrive on Tyr?" Roshan asked.

"We, Ben, his fiancée and I, went to my father's house where I expected Lorann would be."

"Had his wounds been tended?" Roshann asked.

"I ordered Lorann to undress and I have seen no wounds. The boy was unharmed."

"Did you check the old jacket, Cornell?"

"Yes, there wear no tears, what so ever. The two Jedi Knights who always protect Chati and Lorann said that the Urams hadn't attacked my son although he wore that former harvest men's jacket, which is hardly impossible to believe. But as everything looked normal it is my believe, Roshann, that Filann and Cemall are innocent as their brother hasn't been attacked." Cornell said.

"That's not for you to decided, Cornell, for after you had left Myr, your two sons have attacked Wollin." Roshan said looking very seriously. "That's why governor Mugin has put them into custody in the Millenniium Falcon."

"Yes, I have heard what happened?" Cornell asked.

Roshann nodded.

"Wollin, will you tell the council what has happened after Cornell had gone to Tyr?"

Wollin stepped in front.

"Roshann, I witnessed the screaming after Cornell realized what might possible have happened to his youngest son. He asked me to take over the harvest men's group. I decided that his sons shouldn't stay among the men, so I went with them to our community building where I asked you to take all the harvest men who were still doing repairs there, back to Ribana.

I stayed with Filann and Cemall in the central room, but Cemall found it necessary to insult Ben, so I gave him a sever beating. After which Filann found it necessary to attack me with his knife in an attempt to harm or even to kill me. Of course I also gave him a more sever beating and I tied both hotheads.

All the night I have been watching them to avoid that they would try to free themselves and attack me in my sleep. To my surprise governor Mugin, Han Solo and the Wookiee appeared at the community building and they took my prisoners into custody as governor Toallin on Tyr had asked his brother to do."

"Thank you, Wollin. This case becomes even more threatening and complicated, " Roshann said.

"Governor Mugin, are you willing to tell the council why you went to the harvester community building?"

Mugin stepped in front.

"My brother, governor Toallin, made contact through the old communication system we once have set up to communicated with the harvest men, Roshann, when you were on Tyr for to nut harvest. He told me what had happened on Tyr and said that he would come back to Myr to attend the hearing of the Harvest Council. I leave it to my brother to tell you what he has done on Tyr."

Roshann looked at Toallin.

"Governor, you came back to Myr, because of the seriousness of this case, didn't you?"

"Indeed, master Roshann. After I had heard, in master Manall's house, what Cornell's sons had intended to do, I send Cornell to his family to tell his wife what Filann and Cemall had had in mind.

The next day I summon him and his wife Tronama to a hearing between master Kamalin and myself. We didn't find it surprising that Tronama kept thinking her boys were innocent and should be acquitted, because no harm had been done to her youngest son, who lives with his grandfather. Master Kamalin couldn't really convince Cornell and his wife that the Council of the Elders thought that what their sons had had in mind was very serious. The Council of the Elders forbid any Quelan to threaten, or even take, the life of a fellow Quelan. Our common rules counts for all Quelans also the harvest men, although we acknowledge the legitimacy of the Harvest Council.

As master Manall also decided to go Myr, master Kamalin is taking care of Lorann, who is still occupied making drawings of what the Quelans of the first group are telling him."

Cornell walked up.

"Is Lorann still making visits to those Urams in the nut woods. Has he gotten permission from master Kamalin?" Cornell asked angrily.

"He does, not alone, but always in the company of my daughter Chati, her Jedi master and my friend Ian Tydon, also a Jedi Knight.

"And nothing has happened on that particular day, governor?" Cornell asked in high pitched voice.

"No, Cornell, as I told you."

"Thank you, governor," Roshann said. "It is a pity that the two Jedi Knights who always accompany Lorann and Chati Fonaldris aren't here. This makes it difficult for the council to decide if going into the nut woods can be done safely from now on, or that the harvesters still have to fear the Urams."

Liane walked over to the dais.

"Master Roshann, I'm Shaayla-Car Kenobi, the female Jedi Knight and Luke Skywalker's fiancée, master Cornell talk to in the Millennium Falcon. When I sense his agony about what might have happened to his youngest son I contacted my brother Tama-Hin, the governor's friend Ian Tydon and asked him if the Urams had harmed Lorann. My brother denied, nothing had happened and Lorann and Chati had been feeding the young Urams with fallen nuts as they have been doing since several days, maybe even weeks. All that time there has been no talk of an Uram attack."

"That is remarkable, miss Kenobi, don't you think, for when the harvest men have to harvest the nuts the Urams always attack, before all the Quelan went into exile on Tyr, several of our men have fallen victim. We have even had to mourn a few deaths. May I ask you have you ever been in the nut woods?"

"I have, master Roshann. After I have heard that Lorann and Chati were feeding the Urams there I wanted to see the nut woods for myself. Three other Jedi accompanied me: my brother Tama-Hin, master Antilles and master Skywalker."

"Did you meet with the Urams, miss Kenobi?"

"I met their leader, master Roshann, Oltomyran. As a Jedi Knight I was able to communicate with him through the Force.

My companions were also aware of what Oltomyran told me. He is sad, master Roshan, very sad, for he asked me if I could help him to heal his chopped down friends, the nut trees.

I don't have to tell you and the harvest men present here that once a nut tree has been chopped down even a Jedi healer can't undo the damage. I didn't want to disappoint him and asked him to tell me why the nut trees had been chopped down. He recalled that in the past the harvest men only took the fallen nuts under the trees, but one day they have started to chop down the nut trees and take the nuts that still hung among the leaves.

I can't tell if what Oltomyran told me was the truth, but the four of us stood on clearing where several tree stumps and a hug stack of fallen trees showed me that what Oltomyran was telling what he had seen that happened, was true.

Master Roshann, the harvest men you represent, have to realize that the Urams and the Quelans form a symbiont circle, they are dependent of each others. Once the nut trees will be chopped down entirely, there won't be any nuts to harvest. That means that the Quelans will be cut off from an important food source, but not only the Quelans will suffer, also the Urams will, for the nuts in the trees are their food source as well. Without the nuts the Urams will become extinct."

"That would safe us a lot of worries," Cornell said in a loud voice.

Liane turned to him.

"Master Cornell, you haven't really listen and heard what I said before. If the nut trees are gone, the food source for the Quelans is also gone; gone for the Quelans and for the Urams. Without the nut trees, neither of you will ever taste or use the nuts as food supply"

There a huge commotion arose in the group of harvesters after Liane's story.

"That's what I always have been saying, Cornell, but you never listened." A loud voice sounded. "Ever since we have handed you the leadership, five members of my family have died while the Urams attacked us."

"And we have killed tens of them," Cornell retorted angrily. "If we go on like we have done so far the Urams will become extinct before all the nut trees have been chopped down, then the remaining nut trees are ours."

"And how will you harvest the nuts still hanging in those remaining trees," Another voice snapped. "By chopping them down. Cornell, do you see that you're ruining our food source, because you could make more credits selling the unripe nuts."

"Those extra credits have improved our way of life," Cornell commented, becoming enraged. "The gathering of the fallen nuts didn't make enough credits, for most of the harvest we had to use for ourselves."

All the while Liane stood in front of the dais and suddenly the Force began to show her the images of what she had mentioned. She reached out to her ally and passed on the images that had appeared in her mind. Several harvest men who supported Cornell's vision were startled, looking frightened and began to look at each other. "

"This is what the Jedi meant, this is how it will look. All the nut woods are gone. There are no nut woods to harvest.

Cornell who also seemed susceptible to the images the Force spread among some of the harvest men only. His face showed his surprise and disbelieve. Some other also looked frightened to what they saw in their mind, others began to shake their heads, looking at their fellows in despair. Roshann raised his hand.

"Miss Kenobi, can you explain what is happening to some of our men?" He asked. "For a moment I saw that the whole nut wood forest on Tyr had vanished. The area was barren and the soil was whirling up in the air."

"What some of you are visualizing, master Roshann, is what I have just told you. Once the nut trees will be chopped down only a barren land will be left, but there are others among you who know how this can be avoided, don't you." Liane said standing in front of the dais, looking at Manall. "There is a former leader in your midst who knows the solution, not only for the Quelans, but also for the Urams."

Manall stood up and smiled at Liane.

"Yes, Shaayla-Car, there is a solution, but it depends on what the Quelans and the harvest men decide. Do they want some improvement of their way of life because the traders offer more credits for unripe nuts, or will they accept that the harvest of the fallen nuts will be enough to cover their own needs. The little surplus can be sold but it won't yield much less that the yield of unripe nuts."

Liane smiled while in her mind new images started appear. Manall looked at her as she began to pass those new images to all the harvesters and the Quelans present. Amazed some Quelans started to cheer and began to talk to each other about what they saw.

"We always were content when the harvest men brought us the harvest of the fallen nuts. The fallen nuts are more than enough to make our famous nut bread." Several voices sounded mix together.

"The way I see how we can gather the nuts, reminds me of the way master Manall it always did. Under his leadership the Urams watched us from the trees, but they didn't attack us. Maybe we should gather the nuts like we did before, like master Manall has taught us." Some harvest men voiced, among them Domarr and Wollin who cheered.

Cornell stepped in front of the dais.

"If this Harvest Council decides to harvest the nuts as my father did I will step back as leader of the harvest men." He said showing his disappointment. "I wanted to give the Quelans a better way of life, but if ...

Toallin stepped up, but Manall held him back.

"Son, you have done what you thought was right. You have brought improvements, but there are new ways for the Quelans to profit from another source, no longer of the yield of unripe nuts. You and your men have unearthed aludium crystals while working on the water project. We can sell those crystals and their yield will improve all the Quelans's way of living" Manall said and looked at Toallin who nodded.

"I will issue an official statement once our friends, the six trader brothers, are back, but I can tell my fellow Quelans that what they have offered me, my brother and the Council of the Elders will help us all to make Ribana as brilliant as before."

"Then we should not chop down the nut trees any longer, governor, should we?" one of the harvest men asked.

"No, from now we won't chop any nut tree. We will leave the trees to Urams and gather the fallen nuts they can't eat."

"Governor, only the despicable action of Filann and Cemall remains. Do you also have a solution for that, for it's my idea that those two have done a lot of harm to our community. " Wollin said.

Toallin looked at Liane.

"What is your point of view on this, Shaayla-Car Kenobi?" He asked.

"I should say, governor, that Filann and Cemall should have a first look at the nut woods themselves, for I sense that they have never been there. Their presence could convince the Urams that the harvest men will gather the nuts in the old way as Filann and Cemall can start gathering fallen nuts. I will gladly accompany them and I'm sure that Lorann and Chati will be present too."

"I agree with this suggestion, Shaayla-Car. As soon as the second group heads back for Tyr Filann and Cemall will have to carry out what you just said.

Master Roshann, does the Harvest Council also agrees with this proposal?" Toallin asked.

Roshann looked at the three remaining members of the Council on the dais. All three nodded in agreement. Roshann turned to Manall.

"Master Manall, what is your opinion about the Jedi's suggestion?"

"I agree, Roshann, but I would like to add, that my son Cornell and myself will be present too and join those two instigators, for not only they have to change opinion about the Urams, so has my son Cornell."

"Then the Harvest Council decides as follows," Roshann said, "When we're back on Tyr, the sons of Cornell and their father will pay a visit to the nut woods to meet the Urams, after which miss Shaayla-Car will tell the Urams' leader that the nut trees won't be chopped down any more, as master Manall will lead harvesting the nut as has been done in the past. As long as we're here on Myr and helping the Quelans of Ribana with the restoration of their houses I think master Manall and the other four member of this Council will find a proper task for Filann and Cemall which they have to carry outside the harvest mens' community, for the Harvest Council can not tolerate a vicious attack on another member of our community. Governors, the Harvest Council will carry out this judgment and take full responsibility fulfillment. "

"Thank you, master Roshann," Toallin said and looked at his brother, "We will inform the Council of the Elders on Tyr, but I expect that they will comply with the decision of the Harvest Council."

All around Toallin and Roshann began to cheer and what Roshann and Toallin had proclaimed spread quickly among the harvesters and the Quelans.

Luke walked over to Liane and smiled at her in admiration.

Loud cheers followed as he gave her a heartfelt kiss. Udine and Carmona pressed forward. Liane saw them coming and released herself from Luke's arms.

"Shaayla-Car, did I really saw what you told us all, that it would be to our advantage if the nuts will be harvested like we did before," Udine said, "how is it possible that your words have become such clear images in my mind. Now I won't fear the nut woods and those birds any longer. Maybe I even will dare to have a look there myself, for I would love to see, what my daughter has been talking about."

Luke still had his arm around Liane.

"Udine, Shaayla-Car, has a special Force skill with which she wants to help all the Quelans to give hope and the prosperity to the Quelan community as you all will be back in Ribana in the future."

The night sky above the hidden valley on Myr was sprinkled with thousands of tiny pricks of light. Liane laid on her back next to Luke on the forest floor next to the Astræga. She looked up to sky and sought her union with all around her and far beyond, to become part of the Unifying Force.

In her mind she relived parts of events that had happened in her past. Events that seemed long gone, like an encounter with Tijan in the mysterious ruins just outside the domains, she even seems to feel how he has always kissed her. Then there was Eremian telling her the many secrets of the plants and herbs he used as medicines. His image evolved into the presence of Logray, her shaman master on Endor, before she found herself back near a nice building where the looming figure of her foster father was teaching her one of his evil way of Sith Force use.

She let those image pass through her mind without feeling disturbed, frightened or enjoyed. It felt good to look at what once had happened. It had been her path to learn to cope with what the Force knew would be her destiny.

As she saw herself back at the domains at the moment Luke Skywalker stood before her and saw her reaction on their first encounter, she felt that with their first encounter, she had set her first step to become the Jedi Knight Wedge Antilles had initiated on Palomintar Four.

Yes, she was a Jedi Knight and she knew that it would be her task to give her help wherever it would be needed, but she wouldn't be no longer alone, for the Jedi Knight, she had first met years ago on Morantan, Luke Skywalker, would be at her side as her husband, as would be the other Jedi Knights that were following the path along the Good Side of the Force: her brother Tama-Hin, his friend Yarmod Martan, Luke's friend Wedge Antilles, and Leia, Luke's sister.

In the future there certainly would be more Jedi Knights: Chati's Fonaldris, possibly Lorann Radilan.

There also would be friends who understood the will of the Force, but never had become Jedi Knights: Master Kamalin and master Manall, who was the leader of the harvest men again, but who had decided that he wanted to share his leadership with his son and in the future also with his grandsons.

And there was the Uram leader Oltomyran, influenced by the Force, which would take care of the nut woods where never again he had to mourn the death of one of his nut trees.

She released herself from her connection with the Unifying Force, concentrated on her surroundings and became aware that Luke was watching her. She rolled onto her side and stretched out her hand to touch him.

"You did so well, Shaayla-Car," He whispered.

"I didn't expect this outcome, Luke," She said in a whisper. "How did you know that Force Battle Meditation works two ways?"

"I read about it when I was transcribing the story of your ancestral mother Nomi, my dearest,' he said, pulling her towards him with his arm. 'Nomi described how she saw that her daughter was in danger when two snake-like creatures wanted to attack Vima. She influenced the creatures and turned them against each other. She didn't mention that she had used Force Battle Meditation, a Force skill she would not learn until years later. You did the same thing when you healed Teebo and his friends and gave them hope to survive."

"It felt so strange to pass on those cruel images the Force showed me of the barren land behind Cantamaga. It didn't feel good, it frightened me, Luke."

"The Force began to show you those images after you had told the Harvest Council the consequences of Cornell's harvest method, and you were following the Force's will to make some harvest men aware of what they were doing."

"Even master Roshann got influenced and he knew how the nuts had been harvested under master Manall's leadership. Those image really shocked him, Luke."

"They surely did, Shaayla-Car, but look at it in another way: master Roshann has worked under Manall, and under Cornell. He has experience with both strategies. These points of view are to be very important for the chairman of the Council."

"He didn't mention he saw the second images too, Luke." Liane said with concern. "Those images could have encouraged him."

"Master Roshann found the encouragement in the approval of the harvest men and the Quelans who saw those second images in their mind, my love. Their approval and cheers heightened the minds of the members of the Harvest Council that master Manall's strategy would be mutual beneficial for the Quealans and the Urams. I understand that you're feeling unsure about passing on frightening images, but sometimes it is necessary to make opponents, enemies, or fighters aware of what they are doing, and who have set them on the path to destruction.

We have seen what serious harm has been done to the nut woods, but it's not too late to stop and look at what have been done and why.

Your use of Force Battle Meditation has worked out well, for both the harvest men and the Quelans could see what would happens, if the harvest men uses Cornell's strategy or master Manall's way of gathering nuts. They became aware that they have a choice and they have chosen wisely. No nut tree will be chopped down, That's what you promised to Oltomyran."

"I want to tell him that before the second group returns to Tyr, Luke. I also want to tell him that he can expect Filann, Cemall and Cornell gathering fallen nuts." Liane said.

"I agree, naughty pixie. Tomorrow we will tell your plan to master Manall and Toallin. Maybe Toallin want to get back to Tyr too."

"There is something else I want to discuss with master Manall and Toallin, for the Harvest Council has decreed that Filann and Cemall will be set to work outside the community for their wrong intention, but as long as those two guys will work on some project together it will boost their hatred against the Council's decision."

Luke nodded.

"You're not the only one to come to that conclusion, Shaayla-Car. Han, Leia, Chewie, Yarmod ... and I thought the same. We surely should talk to Manall to set those two troublemakers to work separately."

"I have thought about a possibility, Luke. It only means that you and I won't work together to help the Quelans." Liane said.

"What's on your mind, my lovely pixie?" Luke asked, and Liane heard him laugh, although it was too dark to see him.

"There still is a lot of work to be done in the vineyard. I love the work to lop the long vines and prune the grapevines. If Cemall could be set to work alongside me, he would be separated from his brother and he would be doing work that would benefit the community. Did I understood it right, that Han and Chewbacca will bring them to those cargo hold which are serving as a kind of prison cell every night?"

"Yes, on request of the governors and Woldrin those two brother will be kept in custody overnight, and you're idea to have them work at separate tasks might be a good idea to avoid they still might develop new plans to thwart the decision of the Council and get away with your suggestion that they should meet with the Urams in the nut woods while they had to gather fallen nuts"

"You don't mind, that we won't work along side in Ribana, Luke?"

"Absolutely not, you have done a good job as a padawan learner pruning the grapevines, I remember, although this time I will miss our secret rendez-vous," He grinned while he pulled her closer, "I can arrange that Han and I will go to the vineyard together, where he will pick up Cemall, while I will take you to the Astræga. Besides it will also satisfy Udine's curiosity about the true relationship between you and me. You also want to ask her for help, cleaning those stains from the white dress. I'm sure, Udine will be willing to help you, if you tell her that you want to wear the dress on our wedding day."

Liane started to laugh.

"We don't have find ways for a secret rendez-vous as we did before, master Skywalker." She said "You're allowed to kiss me while Udine and Carmona are watching us."

"I'm allowed to kiss you? What if I want a kiss in return from you?" Luke sounded seemingly indignant. "No one will prevent me to kiss you, it's my right, or is it you who will me deny to kiss you?"

Liane chuckled.

"If you're looking at me like Brion Grann said, maybe I should deny you a kiss, master Skywalker?"

"Are you referring to his remark about winning the Grand lottery on Tambrin?" Luke asked teasingly.

"Yes, I do." Liane laughed.

"Then let me tell you that Brion Grann was wrong, for I didn't look like I won the lottery on Tambrin, I had busted the bank, because I had won your love."

They both got a fit of laughter.

I tried to recall how you must have looked at me, when Yarnick and his brother paid us a visit on the Astræga shortly after I had become your padawan," Liane said. "If I look back on our so-called distraction I have to admit that we did something very foolish, like we're just two juveniles, like those Radilan brothers."

"Our distraction only harmed our reputation," Luke commented but also laughed.

"I'm feeling much better now that we can show our love without being secretive." Liane said. "Everyone in the Quelan community knows we have agreed to marry, even Lorann noticed the alliance ring you gave me."

"You teased me, saying that you had forgotten what I asked you. Therefore I gave you the alliance ring," Luke teased.

"As if I ever would, my love." Liane said. "There are so many moments with you that I will remember, but the moment you proposed to me will forever remain the most important moment in my life."

She pulled his head to hers and kissed him.

"I love you, Luke Skywalker," She whispered as she released him.

Luke sat upright and bowed over to Liane.

"I love to hear you say that, my beautiful princess. Do you want you hear my answer?"

Liane smiled and nodded. Luke rose, stretched out his hand and pull Liane to her feet. With their arms around each other they walked up the ramp of the Astræga, which closed behind them and the ship became invisible