Chapter 142

"Iljon, I thought ... " he stammered in disbelieve.

"I'm Anddra Jecolin, I'm Iljon's twin sister. You probably know what has happened to her." She said.

"Eh... yes... I know... I was there ... I saw it happen ... I wanted to help, but I ... was ... My father ..." Filann stammered.

"It happened very quickly. I'm sure that my sister hasn't realized what happened to her when those birds pierced her heart. Who are you?"

"I'm Filann Radilan. My grandfather Manall has sent me here. You have asked governor Mugin for help. What can I do for you, ma'am." He asked finding his composure again.

The girl laughed, but Filann saw that the look in her eyes remained sad.

"Call me Anddra, Filann. You're a harvest men, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm. Tell me, Anddra, what help do you need. If I can't do it alone I will call some other harvest men for extra help."

"This is my former home, Filann. I want to live here again and continue with the farm. We grew all kinds of fruits here before ..." Her voice stopped.

"Before we all were expelled by this men in white armor?" Filann said

Anddra nodded. Filann looked at the large number of entangled bushes that surrounded the farm house. Not all the bushes looked the same, and at some bushes Filann saw ripened fruits. Between the bushes the remains of the fences were visible, but many bushes were overgrowing the fences and had pushed the fences aside.

"Shall I begin repairing the fences around the land that belongs to the farm?" He asked.

"That's a good idea. I leave that up to you, Filann. I'm still busy cleaning the house on the inside. When I first entered I felt devastated. All the rooms where empty. There was nothing left of the furniture. I understand that the man who has given the order to expel us, has taken everything. I brought some of my belonging from Tyr with me. Those two boxes are still stored in those tents down there. They are too heavy for me to carry them all by myself." Anddra said.

"You also don't have any furniture, right. I mean a bed, a chair, a table, and kind of side board?" Filann asked.

Anddra shook her head.

"I have some nagawa fleeces to sleep on. I went to Ribana to get all necessary tools and cloths to do the cleaning first."

"I'll go back to Ribana and get your personal things first. I also will find you some furniture, if you don't like what I will bring with me, you must let me know what you want and I will make some furniture to your liking." Filann said and almost stumbled over his own words.

Filann looked at the broken remains of the fences.

"I'll will also get what is necessary to repair the fences. You shouldn't bother with the more difficult repair. I will fix that for you, Anddra. I'll be back here in an hour. Bye, Anddra." He said and he quickly walked down the path back to Ribana.

Anddra Jecolin watched him go.

'He called with the name of Iljon. How did he know her? He also knows what happened. He wanted to run for help, but he probably was a young boy by that time. Iljon and I were young girls.' She mused and entered the farm house again.

She looked around and she had to admit that for the first time she had come back here, she felt less desperate. She took the cleaning cloth and continued cleaning the room that once had been the living room. While she removed the layers of dust covering the window sills and the floor, she thought of the odd encounter with that young harvest man. She hadn't much when another knock on the door interrupted her chores. She walked over to the door. As she opened the door Filann stood next to a large speeder in which Anddra recognized immediately recognized her personal belongings, but her new helper had also brought a bed, a mattress, pillows, sheets and blankets. Astounded she looked up at him.

"Where shall I put the bed, Anddra?" He asked. "And those are the boxes with your own stuff. Can I put them inside for you?"

"Can you put the bed in the small room at the end of the corridor, Filann. I have completely cleaned that room. It's clean and as long as I haven't cleaned the former bedrooms upstairs I will sleep on the ground floor. If there enough room left after you have put the bed there I would like if you can also put those boxes there. I will help you to bring the pillows, the sheets and the blankets."

Filann handed her what she wanted to bring inside herself, and hoisted the bed frame on his shoulders. Carefully avoiding that he would bump against the walls of the corridor or the door to the small room he brought the bed frame inside and put it down. Anddra looked at him.

"Do you mind to put it along the wall opposite the window, Filann. I love to wake up early in the morning by the warmth of the sun." She said.

Filann noticed the nagawa fleeces and pointed at them.

"Where do you want these?" He asked.

"On the floor in front of the bed. Just temporarily until I have earned enough credits to buy a rug." She said.

"I'll get the mattress, so you can make the bed, Anddra. At least tonight you won't be sleeping on the floor on those nagawaa fleeces only."

He walked back to the speeder and returned with the mattress. Anddra watched him went he put the mattress very painstakingly on the bed frame. As he seems satisfied he looked up at her.

"I leave the rest to you, Anddra, or do you want me to help you?"

Anddra shook her head

"I'll manage, Filann, thank you."

"Then I'll get those boxes, for you. Shall I put over there in the corner?" He asked and pointed to the corner of the room at the side of the window.

"That will be fine, Filann."

Filann left and Anddra began to make her new bed. Within minutes Filann came back with both boxes and put them in the corner. He looked at the neatly made bed. Anddra saw it and looked up at him.

"I love doing house hold chores and make everything pretty, but cleaning up this whole house isn't easy." She said.

Filann nodded.

"We harvest men have to do a lot of chores ourselves while we're living in the wild. We have to cook our meals and do some cleaning. We also have to wash our clothes."

"Don't you have a wife?" Anddra asked, but immediately she saw that his eyes darkened. "Oh, sorry I should have asked that, that's too inquisitive of me."

"I have a wife," Filann asked, "but our wives never accompany us when we're in the wild lands. That why we have a lot of house hold chores to do ourselves. Why isn't any one else helping you, Anddra? Sorry, that inquisitive of me."

Anddra laughed and this time Filann saw a glimmer of laugh in her eyes too.

"My parents are dead. My father was shot when Ribana was occupied. Iljon and I took care for our blind mother when all the Quelans had been expelled from Ribana. Iljon helped Mayan Fonaldris to take care of a little four year old boy and her younger brothers. I stayed with my mother. When we finally reached Tyr. Iljon went into the nut woods with a lot of other young Quelan girls to gather fallen nuts, for we were very hungry."

She looked up to him and shrugged her shoulders.

"You know what has happened in the nut woods. Tell me, Filann, how did you know my sister?"

"While we were on our way to the harbor I joined your sister and Mayan, for it was my duty and that of my other brother to take care of that four year old boy, our youngest brother. I became friends with your sister and Mayan. They often helped me and Cemall with Lorann my youngest brother. He was always hiding himself or running away, so we had constantly look for him. Anddra, I'm so sorry for what has happened to Iljon. I like her, I wish I could have save her, but the attack of the Urams came so unexpected."

"You were probably a young boy yourself, Filann, when we were had reached Tyr. Even the adult harvest men were shocked when they had seen what happened I've heard. I'm still glad that I have seen it. I took care to burry the remains of Iljon at the foot of hill behind what was called Cantamaga. All the victims were buried there. "

"I was sixteen and Cemall was fourteen. We wanted to rush over, but my father held us back." Filann said.

"That was wise of your father, otherwise those birds would have also killed you and your brother. Iljon and I were fourteen when we reached Tyr. I'm now twenty two, for eight years I have taken care of my blind mother. When we heard the new that we could return to Ribana, because the man who has expelled us has left it my mother couldn't believe it, and just before the first group went back to Ribana she died." Anddra looked sad after what she had told him and Filann had an odd feeling to give her a kind of consolation, but he didn't know how.

"Do you want me to get some other furniture, Anddra. A chair, for instance, so you could take some moments of rest after you have done a lot of cleaning. There's a lot of furniture available for all the Quelans. Maybe you also need some curtains at the windows. Do you have enough food? Can make yourself a good meal."

"There are two droids which come here every other day with a meal. I always safe half of the meal for the next day. The food is good and they also bring vacuum sealed nut bread with nagawa cheese which I use as breakfast. You talked about a chair. Can you get me one, for you're right I would love it to take a moment to rest."

"Don't you want to come with me and have a good meal at my grandfather's. He is the leader of the harvest men. He lives in Ribana at the main plaza. I can bring you back here after you have finished your meal." Filann asked.

Anddra shook her head.

"It's a nice offer, Filann, but I need to do some cleaning before I go to bed. I will look forward tomorrow for the chair."

"I'll come back tomorrow with it and I will start repairing the fence around the house, Anddra. Are you sure you don't want anything else. All the Quelans can tell the governor Mugin Fonaldris or master Woldrin of the Council of the Elders what they need."

"I will think about it, Filann. Thank you for the bed and the boxes. I'm very glad to have my belonging with me now."

They walked through the corridor to the door. Filann jumped behind the wheel and started the engine, before he drove off he raise his hand. Hesitantly Anddra answered his greeting.

Luke and Liane were laying in the panoramic meditation room on the comfortable heap of nagawa fleeces. Liane leaned on her elbow watching him.

"I still can use these last two to do some pruning together with Cemall, Luke. It will also be the last piece I can do as we have to leave immediately after the third group has arrived here. I certainly want to encourage that third group, as we can't start searching for those documents we need before the third group has been brought to Myr and Ribana." She said.

"I want to spend as much of the time that's left between now and the arrival of the third group to make Lorann more aware of the Living Force. I want to teach him to become part of the Force and feel her influence surrounding him immediately, at any moment. I still can give help in Ribana for the next two days, but Lorann's Force training feels more urgent, Shaayla-Car." Luke said and stroke her cheek.

"Why don't you go to Tyr with the Astræga tomorrow, Luke. I'm sure Wedge and Tama-Him will love it to discuss Lorann's training with you, especially with you. Both have been your padawan learners once." Liane suggested.

"Without you?"

"I'll can come to Tyr with the Millennium Falcon, for both freighters ship will transport everyone to Tyr." Liane said. "If you go two days ahead of the crowd it will be advantageous to start Lorann's training without being disturbed, for once we're all on Tyr a lot of things have to be solve. We have to support Filann and Cemall in the nut woods, and master Manall wanted to take Cornell there too, and probably Chati and Lorann will join the group with Wedge and Tama-Hin."

Luke looked at her seriously.

"It means that we'll be separated again, naughty pixie," He said on a teasing tone.

Liane pushed him on his back and Luke pulled her to him.

"Will you miss me, when I'm away?" He asked.

"I always miss you, darling, when you're not holding me," Liane said teasing him, "but it's relief that as a Jedi Knight I can always sense your presence which makes me feel less lonely."

"You're teasing me, naughty pixie," Luke said and pulled his arms around her.

"Glad you know, master Skywalker," Liane commented. "You're always enjoying teasing me, don't you?"

Luke smiled.

"I do, for I love to see the frown on your face appear, if you realize that you shouldn't take what I'm saying too seriously." He said and kissed her.

For a while Liane wasn't able to comment on Luke's teasing comment, but after he let her go, she sat up, looking at him.

"Use those two days on Tyr without being disturbed by so many Quelans we are acquainted with, Luke.

You need to teach Lorann to fully concentrate on what you want he learn. Sure, you can continue his training while we all are there, but I'm sure that master Manall wants to see his grandson as well and have a word with him about our plan.

There also is Filann who probably want to tell his brother about his encounter with Oltomyran and tell him what the Uram leader has shown him. By the way, Filann will definitely bring up his relationship with Sumall during a Harvest Council meeting. His story is so strange. He did everything to please her, but no matter what he tried, she stubbornly refused to actually become his wife. She claimed she was in love with Cemall, who, as he told me, has never had contact with her. This is really so sad, Luke. Those guys aren't really the troublemakers everyone thinks they are. They are just so frustrated and disappointed with their lives and their future." She said. "While you're on Tyr I can sleep in my guest room in the vineyard building and I can help Udine and Carmona to prepare our departure. "

Luke nodded.

"I don't want to leave you behind, Shaayla-Car, but ..." He began, but Liane interrupted him.

... I'm too much devoted to my task as Jedi master to stay here on Myr, while I have to give my support to a young Force-user who needs my guidance.

So, tomorrow you will bring me to the vineyard building, go back to the Astræga and set course to Tyr. I will make contact with Leia and ask her if I can go to Tyr with the Millennium Falcon together with Filann and Cemall who still seem to kept in custody at night in Han's ship.

Once on Tyr you have time to talk things over with Wedge and Tama-Hin and you can build a teacher's relationship with Lorann."

"But I won't accept the guest room we have shared the last times," Luke said with a soft grin, "for sleeping in that four poster bed without you next to me, will make me feel so lonely."

"You're exaggerating, Luke Skywalker, for you're a sound sleeper," Liane retorted. "I suggest, you sleep in the panoramic meditation room of the Astræga on these numerous nagawa fleeces and remember all the nights I have spent with you. You certainly feel less lonely, for before you could have recalled all those nights it's early in the morning of the next day." Liane said and took off the tunic she was wearing, "And now I want to add another memory to that long list, for I'm longing for that special Jedi treatment you always gave me."

She laid down and huddled herself in his arms, enjoying his longing kisses which she answered with the love she felt for him.

Toallin and Josferin Kamalin looked at each other, as they were sitting in Kamalin's office.

"Finally we will get which we have always aimed for, Josferin," Toallin said with a gleeful smile. "Finally those harvest families have to give up their separate position in our community, but we have to prepare that joint meeting very carefully. Did you read the records Manall Radilan has sent us." Toallin asked. "It's really a revelation I never suspect him and you, Josferin, to have received some real Force training in the past."

"What those two Jedi could teach us was very limited, Toallin. For a full training we had to go Coruscant and join the masters in the Jedi Temple, but with a war going on our two friends advised us against it.

In hindsight it has been better, although I would have love it to learn more. Now we both are too old to complete what we once began, but we will use what we know to benefit our community," Kamalin said.

"You haven't always been good friends, have you?" Toallin asked.

"Our opinions often differed. Manall thought we should focus all our time on our training. As much as possible. I took it upon myself to use my knowledge to build the education of our youngsters, as I expected that more Quelans could be influenced by the Force. After I was chosen as chair of the Council of the Elders I found myself in a very influential position, where Manall was struggling in his family with the untimely death of his wife and the upbringing of his only son. I have offered him more than once my support, but Manall is as proud as we know the harvest men are. He rejected my offers, saying that it was his duty to look after his son himself.

It's good that once those Jedi Knights arrived here we both could let them know what we really know about the Force. Your encounter, Toallin, with those Jedi Knights on Palomintar Six has certainly been the influence of the Force. It's not a coincidence as you said, after you came back. It feels so good that two of our young Quelans will become Jedi Knights in the future.

Master Antilles has chosen well, for your daughter Chati deserve to fulfill her dream, and she will, Toallin." Kamalin said.

Toallin looked at his long time advisor.

"He is a good teacher, for she already has become more obedient, less obstinate. I only hope to convince Udine that it's unlikely that master Antilles will ever be Chati's husband. That's what Udine is still dreaming off. She too still sticks to the traditional way of life the Quelans have always been living. I've been told that the Jedi Knights never were allowed to marry among each other."

"Our old Jedi friends were indeed single, but after I've heard all the Jedi have told us, that there have been marriages between some Jedi Knights," Kamalin said with a smile, "otherwise we never could have welcomed Luke Skywalker and his sister here, not to forget the offspring of Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi master Severini Solichor."

Toallin laughed.

"And, Josferin, in the near future we will officiate the wedding between the offspring of both those former friends of you and Manall. It feel so good that they have decided to get wed on Palomintar Four. We surely have to arrange a wedding feast they will never forget, for not only are they the children of those old friends, but thanks to their efforts our community will prosper again."

There was a soft knock on the door. Kamalin looked up and voiced imperceptible to Toallin: "Lorann", and smiled.

"Come in, Lorann, how can I help you?" He called.

The door opened and Lorann wanted to step inside, but stopped when he saw Toallin.

"Apologies, governor, master Kamalin, I'll come back later." He said and wanted to leave the room.

"Come in, Lorann. This is not a secret meeting, the governor and I were just discussing that in two days our whole community will be back on Tyr again." Kamalin said.

For a moment a slight worried looked appeared on Lorann's face.

"Everyone, Lorann, also your grandfather," Kamalin said reassuringly and saw that the worried look on the boy's face disappeared.

He nodded. Toallin looked at the twelve year old Quelan boy.

"Also all the Jedi Knights will be here, Lorann." Toallin said.

"They are coming to say goodbye to us, governor," Lorann said.

"Some of them, Lorann, but after they have fulfilled their duty they will come back, and master Antilles and Chati will stay."

"Will they be staying on Tyr, governor, or will they join the third group. If they do I will be here alone, for grandpa will also go back to Ribana. My father will probably tell me that I have to go back to my mother and my three sisters."

Kamalin shook his head.

"No, you're still assisting the Council of the Elders with your drawings, Lorann, and with the second group coming back there will be a lot of drawings to make, I guess. Your grandfather has asked me to keep an eye on you, so you'll remain my ward. Your father knows that and he agrees with what you're doing here.

You also shouldn't worry about your friendship with the Urams. I will accompany you when you want to go there."

Lorann's face became all smiles.

"Thank you, master Kamalin, I was really worried about that and so was Chati. Master Antilles has indeed told her that they will join the third group. At first Chati objected, saying that the young Urams need those fallen nuts, but master Antilles told her that a padawan has to obey her master. Now Chati and I have thought about a solution for those young Urams and we made this." He said and took a long braided chain where a regular place a nut had been fixed but in such a way that the nut could be easily eaten.

Kamalin took the braided chain of twigs and let it slip through his hands.

"This is only a small piece, master Kamalin. I made this one, for Chati had to teach me how to make it, but she has made a much longer chain which has already a hundred nuts attached to it. She told me that she has developed these chains on Myr to attach explosives at the wall of the dried riverbed. We want to make several strings and fix them between the trees and we hope that the young Urams can learn to eat the nuts from the strings. These strings don't have to become permanently, for the young Urams can eat the nuts hanging among the leaves again, now that the nut trees wouldn't be chopped again. That's what miss Kenobi told me, master Kamalin, after she had talked with master Oltomyran. She said that the governors have forbidden to chop the nut trees."

Lorann looked expectant at Toallin who nodded in agreement.

"That's not only a decision of the governors, Lorann, but also of the Harvest Council." He said.

"That's a wise decision, governor, for we have to live together with the Urams and we shouldn't make them angry at us again."

"We made a mistake to chop those nut trees, Lorann, but I'm sure that we all have learned that we should only take the fallen nuts and leave the nuts in the trees to the Urams.

I like the idea to make strings with nuts for the time being and you and Chati should certainly continue making these strings. As your two brother will have gather the first harvest of fallen nut after they are back on Tyr, we will ask them to fix those strings between or on the trees. We will find a solution." Toallin said with a soft grin. "And if Chati and master Antilles are on Myr, your schoolmaster will accompany you into the nut wood and see if the Urams have already eaten the nuts on those strings."

"We're going to make a lot of strings, governors. How many days do we have until the third group will go to Ribana?" Lorann asked.

"That will certainly take some time, Lorann, so you also will have some time to make drawings of what the second group will tell you."

Kamalin gave the string with nuts back to Lorann. The boy made a slight bow, greeted and left. Kamalin looked at Toallin.

"Those two are really a great asset to our community, Toallin."

"They are, but we have to make sure that the changes they represent will be translated by us into measures that apply to all Quelans." Toallin said determinedly, "And that means that the tradition within harvest families of forcing sons and daughters into forced marriages must become void and no longer valid. Existing marriages between forced partners must be examined more closely, and if the Council of the Elders concludes that such a marriage does not meet the expectations of one of the partners, that such a marriage be dissolved. Existing agreements about future marriages between a young Quelan harvest boy and a still under aged Quelan harvest girl are also no longer valid. I am referring to what I heard from Lorann about the agreement that Kalinn, Wollin's daughter, will become his wife when she turns fifteen.

I want the Council of the Elders to take a clear position on this. My brother and I are the governors of all the Quelans and we do not want to impose rules that will cause dissatisfaction, disappointment, or discontent among the Quelans.

Josferin, during that joint meeting of the Harvest Council, the Council of Elders, and my brother and I, I wish to emphasize that the Council of Elders together with the chosen governors are the only combined authority over all matters concerning the well-being of all Quelans, and that includes the way young Quelans chose their partner."

Kamalin smiled.

"That's exactly, Toallin, what Manall Radilan has in mind. If we clearly express our position and point of view, Manall will absolutely stay with us and stands his groud. It's a big change. It will meet opposition, but I'm sure that we will have a lot of supporters among the younger harvest men and women."

"Are you sure, Shaayla-Car, you want me to go to Tyr?" Luke asked.

Liane put her arms around his neck.

"What will you do, if I say 'no', master Skywalker?" She asked.

"I will stay on Myr, go to Ribana, give whatever Quelan help, and come back tonight to have dinner with your two hostesses."

"Fine! I'll meet you on Tyr, master Skywalker. Now go, for there's work to do for a Jedi master there," Liane said.

She kissed and ruffled his hair.

"Get going, master Luke. Time is sparse, you have to make sure that Lorann will feel your presence through the Force. Don't forget to tell my brother that we will take care of Lorann while he's away and ask his opinion about our plan. Look, there is Udine!

Liane pulled Luke's head to hers and kissed him, while she cast a quick glance at Udine Fonaldris. Luke answered her kiss and walked over to the speeder.

"See you on Tyr, Shaayla-Car," He said and drove off.

Udine walked over, raising her eyebrows.

"Is Luke leaving you, Shaayla-Car. What is he going to do on Tyr?" She asked.

"Special mission, Udine," Liane grinned and pulled her arm through Udine's, "Luke needs to talk to Wedge and Tama-Hin."

"And you're not allowed to know what he is talking about?" Udine asked with a frown.

"No, my sweet hostess, I told Luke, that I wanted to continue pruning those vines. Cemall and I have done two rows of grapevines, but it's only minor. Oh, there's Han with Cemall." She said and released herself from Udine.

"Shaayla-Car will you stay with Carmona and me?" Udine asked before Liane greeted Han and Cemall

"Oh, sorry, Udine, yes, I'll stay with you and your sister until we all leave for Tyr. That's in two days. It's not inconvenient if I stay, is it?" Liane asked laughing for she knew Udine's answer.

"Of course not. I will ask Carmona to look if your guest room needs preparation," Udine said and vanished inside the building.

Liane walked over to the speeder. Cemall had all jumped out and intended to go over to the equipment container, but Liane beckoned him to wait. She turned to Han.

"Han, the day after tomorrow, we're leaving for Tyr, right?" She asked.

"Yes. Where is Luke?" He asked.

"On his way to Tyr." Liane answered.

"Without you?"

"Special mission for a Jedi master. My presence here is more important, but can I go to Tyr on board the Falcon?"

"Of course. So Luke won't come back for you?"

"No, I will tell when I'm with you, Leia and Chewbacca."

"I'll come here and take you to the Falcon and I will bring Udine and Carmona to the Grannd Traveler. See you tonight, sweetheart, you're staying here, I guess."

Liane nodded, tiptoed and kiss Han's cheeks.

"Thank you, dear future brother for allowing me to travel with your ship," She teased.

"You never change, Liane." Han said while jumped behind the wheel.

"I'm Luke's naughty pixie, remember." She said above the sound of the starting engine and walked to Cemall. She looked at him with a teasing glance.

"Come on, Cemall. No, Jedi master around, no future brother-in-law, only two lovely ladies and us two for the coming two days. We have work to do, Cemall. How's your grandfather's house?"

"Finished, Filann and I are restoring the shed at the end of the garden. Grandpa has asked us to plant a hedge around the house to make a more natural fence, but we have to find out where we can get some seedlings or tiny bushes. I don't what the occupying force has done with the vegetation, but at some house there's nothing left of it. It looks like whatever grew there has been roughly removed. That counts even more for the farm lands between the foothills and the northern outskirts of Ribana.

At the moment the harvester's tent are set up there, but the ground looks as if it has been scorched. The harvest men have helped two farmers to prepare the soil for new plants. It's lucky that those trader friends have brought numerous sacks with different seeds. If those seeds germinate, it could improve the soil—at least that is what those two farmers say, who are also busy fixing up their farms, by the way. There a lot to learn here, more than I ever realized, miss Kenobi."

"Don't blame yourself, Cemall. You were a young boy while growing up here. It's obvious that what the farmers did around Ribana never took your interest. Eight years have passed since you left, so you're looking at things now from a different point of view, and you're a harvest man's son so your interest has always been focussed at a different matter. How is your plan going to bring a group of your friends here and do the pruning under your leadership?"

"Oh, miss Kenobi, I first have to gather the right guys. Not all of my friends are suitable to form a good team. I have to be very careful when I select the members of my group, but my grandfather has promised to help me and Filann, for he took has to form such a group.

I'm still amazed that my grandfather could move a box without touching it, like you take those entangled bushes away after we have lopped off those long vines. When I saw him doing that I wondered if he secretly has been a Jedi Knight somehow. He must have learned these Force skills from those two friends that visited him here. I'm proud that he knows so much about the Force."

Meanwhile they had started with the pruning again. Liane took a moment to walk along the row of grapes to see if something need to be done, when she saw that some vines were already producing bunches of small flowers. She called Cemall over and pointed at the plumes. Cemall looked at it inquisitively.

"Will those tiny flowers on those plumes become the grapes that will produce the wine?" He asked.

"I guess so, Cemall, if governor Mugin will come tonight I will also show this to him. He probably can tell me more."

"The more I see how nature restores itself, the more I appreciate the work I'm doing here, miss Kenobi."

"Within two day I will accompany you and Filann inside the nut wood. For you it will be the first time you enter it. I want you to look at the tree stumps on the clearing. Once a nut tree was growing there, but have a good look, Cemall, and you will see the power of nature, the power of the Living Force as we say."

"My grandfather and my father will also join our group, miss Kenobi. We will gather fallen nuts like it was done before my father became the harvest men's leader. Do you think, miss Kenobi, that my father understands what went wrong under his leadership. I've seen the imagines in my mind that appeared after you told the Harvest Council what the consequences would be if all the nut trees would be chopped."

"It's good to know that many harvest men have visualized what I said, Cemall. I didn't intend to frighten your father, the members of the Council and numerous others, but I had promised to defend the rights of the Urams, for all species have the right to defend their way of living, but not at the expense of other life forms."

They continued with lopping and pruning the vines until Carmona came to the vineyard and invited them to have break with a light meal. Cemall enjoyed the company of the governors' wives who treated him as a respected helper. After their meal he and Liane returned to the vineyard again. They were working together on a far spot at the row of vine trees, when Cemall looked at Liane.

"Miss Kenobi, I almost forgot to tell you that Filann has told my father and master Pohinn, Sumall's father that he doesn't consider himself Sumall's husband anymore. Master Pohinn asked me if I would be willing to become her husband, but I said, I wouldn't. They were outraged, but Filann and I left, for Filann wants to bring the cancellation of his marriage before the Council of the Elders, not the Harvest Council, as my father said he would do. I hope that the Council of the Elders will be willing to listen to what my brother tells them."

Liane looked at him.

"When and where did that happen, Cemall?"

"When we had got permission from the governor to restore grandfather's new house at the main plaza. We were busy in the garden when my father and master Pohinn come over to grandfather's. My father wanted me to go back to my chores, but Filann said that his answer was also involving me, so we both stayed. I must say, miss Kenobi, that one moment I felt sorry for master Pohinn, for he clearly seemed worried what would happened to Sumall if the Council of the Elders would agree with my brother's request."

"Your father and master Pohinn left before you and Filann went back to your chores in the garden?" Liane asked.

"No, Filann and I left before them. When we came back later to have a joint meal with our grandfather he told us that he had sent my father and master Pohinn to go back to their own tasks. My father, probably, must have been outraged about with Filann told him."

"I sense that you have still doubts about the outcome of the Council, Cemall, right?"

"Yes, ma'am, I still fear that I might be forced to accept that immature girl as my wife. It's not that I detest her, but I will never love her. If the Council will decide in her favor I will go to the campsite permanently and make living there. I will never come back to Ribana to stay with her in one and the same house. I even will not build her house on Myr. Filann told master Pohinn that he can bring her back in his own house hold. Well, as far as I'm concerned, she can stay there, as long as she stays away from me." Cemall said and Liane heard the angry tone in his words.

She thought about what Udine and Carmona had told her about Sumall and how the young woman had been behaving staying long days and afternoons on the central plaza with some girl friends as if she wasn't a married women at all. Liane wondered what those girl friends would have been thinking, for they surely must know Sumall's married status. Could it be that Sumall also was protesting against the way she had been forced in a marriage she never had foreseen and didn't want. Could it be that her arguments made against Filann that she was in love with Cemall should not be seen as a protest. Maybe she also had to speak up for herself during the hearing of the Council of the Elders.

'I have to lay this before master Manall, but without Filann or Cemall overhearing me. How does master Manall go back to Tyr. Does he travel with the Grannd Traveler. It's a pity that I don't have the speeder available.' Liane thought, but she returned to her chores and continued to prune the grapevines.

The Astræga landed on Tyr and Luke immediately went over to Cantamaga to seek for Wedges Antilles and Ian. He met them both with Chati and Lorann on the Main plaza, while they were talking to Kamalin. When Luke jumped out of the speeder Lorann pushed Chati and laughed.

"See, I was right, master Skywalker was on his way to Tyr" He whispered.

Luke greeted his two Jedi friends and Kamalin formally and looked with a smile at Chati and Lorann.

"How are you two doing, young padawans?" He asked.

Lorann beamed, but shook his head.

"Only Chati is a padawan, master Skywalker. I'm just a friend of master Kenobi, because he and master Antilles take me with them to the nut woods to feed the Urams. Chati and I have developed something special, haven't we master Kamalin," He said and turned to his schoolmaster.

"Welcome back to Tyr, Luke," Wedge said, "What brings you here before the others are coming back, or are they already on their way too.?"

Luke shook his head.

"No, the whole second group is still on Myr, as are our other friends."

Lorann suddenly looked a bit disappointed at Luke.

"Where is master Kenobi's sister, master Skywalker. Why isn't she here too?" He asked.

"Shaayla-Car is doing her chores at the vineyard, Lorann. There a lot to do there, but she will come to Tyr with the others." He said smiling, as he sensed adoration of the young Quelan boy for Liane.

Kamalin looked at Luke and the four others.

"I will tell the governor you have arrived, Luke. He probably wants to tell you what going on here. Can I tell him you're staying with us until the others are arriving?"

"Ýes, Wedge, can I share your guest room?" Luke asked his friend.

"It's easier, Luke, if you share Tama-Hian's guest room as long as Yarmod hasn't arrived," Wedge answered. "I'm occupying a small single room which is just enough for one."

Luke laughed and looked at Ian.

"If I may believe your sister, Tama-Hin, I'm a sound sleeper." He answered.

Ian made an imperceptible gesture and Luke understood what he meant as he sensed Ian's concern for the two young Quelans. he didn't comment on his remark.

Kamalin left the five friends and walked over to the entrance of administration building. Luke looked at Lorann.

"Are you still making drawings, Lorann?"

"Yes, master Skywalker, and I can make them even more detailed, since you gave me the drawing pad. I'm also making third images of some drawings on which the house looked like it will be, or perhaps once was, when it's been completely restored. On those drawing I use colors to make the impression as beautiful as possible. I've made a first one of the vineyard building and Chati nearly started crying when I showed it to her. She said it was exactly as she remember it, before she had to leave Ribana. Do you want to see it too, master Skywalker."

"I will, Lorann," Luke said and looked at Wedge and Ian.

"We just wanted to go the nut woods, Luke. Will you join us?" Wedge asked.

"Oh, yes, master Skywalker, for then Chait and can show you what we have in mind, when Chati goes to Myr with master Antilles with the third group, but master Kamalin has already promised me that he will accompany me into the nut woods, so I can keep feeding the young Urams. Chati feel sorry for the Urams, that she can no longer feed them when she has left Tyr, but she has taught me a great solution, even master Kamalin and Chati's father think is a good plan."

"Well, then it certainly necessary that I will join the four of you. I only hope that your Urams friends won't feel scared while I'm accompanying you." Luke said.

"They won't, master Skywalker, for you're also a Jedi Knight, and the Jedi Knights are part of the Living Force." Lorann rattled none stop.

Chati snorted audibly, but also grinned, as did Wedge and Ian.

"Lorann, they always complained that I talked too much, but I think that you're beating me." She said and pulled her young friend to the road that leads to the nut woods. Luke, Wedge and Ian followed watching in amazement at the two youngster.

As they reached the entrance of the nut wood Chati and Lorann went ahead to gather fallen nuts of which they made small heaps. Luke kept a close watch at Lorann as the boy sat cross-legged among the vegetation waiting for his special friends. he didn't have to wait long, for as soon as he had taken a handful of nuts from one of the heaps next to him some five young Urams flew down and hopped over. Lorann stretched out his other arm and two of the birds positioned themselves on the outstretched arm.

Meanwhile Chati has done the same and she too had two young Urams on her arm while she held her other hand close to them. The birds eagerly started swallowing the nuts and Luke sensed the bird trusted their presence.

'Is Lorann aware that he is part of the Living Force?' He asked Ian and Wedge in an explicit connection of Jedi telepathy.

'He is part of the Living Force, Luke, otherwise those young birds wouldn't come to him as soon as he sits down.' Wedge answered. 'Why do you need our confirmation?'

Luke looked at them.

'Have any of you been aware if he senses your presence through the Force?'

'Luke, Lorann senses you're presence and that of Shaayla-Car while you came back to Tyr after us.' Ian said. 'While the whole of Cantamaga was celebrating Ribana's liberation Lorann told his grandfather that you and Shaayla-Car were on your way to Tyr. I was with master Manall and Lorann and I had to prevent that he wouldn't run over to the Astræga before it has landed, for he wanted to show you the drawing of your ship.' Ian said.

'Both, Chati and Lorann are aware of other Quelans around them. Chati told me you taught her that on Myr, but Lorann stretches out within the Living Force intuitively.' Wedge said. 'Why do you want to know, Luke?'

'I will tell you the reason when the three of us are alone, but I want to be alone with Lorann before I explain my intentions to you.' Luke said.

'I should suggest that you should stay with him in the nut wood, Luke, or you should go over with him to a shallow cave up on the mountain ridge that shields off Cantamaga. I have been with him there several time. He loves running ahead, so he will give you a good impression of his Force use concerning endurance.' Ian said.

'Sounds good. I'll stay with you and when you're about to leave I'll will ask him to show me the cave.'

'He will be elated and I wonder if you will catch up with him.' Ian said 'The first time he took me there I felt overwhelmed by his Force use.'

'Then he may also surprise me, Tama-Hin.' Luke said with a grin.