The end of my apprenticeship is at hand. Two years in the company of the Nogri had not gone by quickly, but they had been quite eventful. I won't kid myself - at first Irbis and I were ready to kill each other. But now... After all this time, I see him as a good friend, if not a teacher. Maybe a friend. He has shown and told me a lot of things, despite all the difficulties I had carefully provided him with.
Passing the wanderer's exam was no problem for me. Since Irbis was first of all a humanitarian, I was chased by the accepting committee represented by one Master of the Temple and a couple of masters in his direction. Maybe not brilliantly, but I passed the exam, qualification was accepted, status was given and, in general, I was no longer Irbis's disciple.
At the exam, the noghri almost shed a tear when I answered the questions. Yeah, well, he remembers what we had to go through for me to learn that. But still, he earned my respect, yes, a very stubborn and, to put it bluntly, intelligent man who just had the misfortune to have a student. Hmmm... I'm a bit too self-critical, but what can you do, we're not even close to being perfect.
And now, when everything was settled, when he got a couple of days off to rest in the temple Qigong Kesh, and I found independence, we could stand quietly on one of the balconies of the temple and look at the stretching in the distance Silent Desert. An invisible barrier separated us from it, and it also dampened the excessive Force of the academy's students to reduce the impact on Tython.
«Well, Irbis... It's time for you and me to go our separate ways. When I looked at this day two years ago, I was not only counting how far away it was, I was praying for it to come sooner.
«Yeah... Me, too," the noghri said with a wry chuckle. - But you know, I'm glad the Force brought us together.
«Mm-hmm. I'm sorry, why did you punch me in the forehead?
«What am I hearing? - Nogri recoiled, eyes rounded and clutching at one of his hearts. - Say that again, please, did I mishear you?
«Yes, you misheard me. I didn't apologise, you just imagined it.
«Heh. It's a good thing I imagined it, cos I was getting scared for you. What are you gonna do now?
«I'm gonna wait for my friends. We agreed that when we finished our training with the masters, we'd meet here and go on the pilgrimage together. It's safer and more fun.
«Yes... It's always more fun with friends," Irbis said with a smile of his own. - I remember when my team and I went to the temples when we were young. There were three of us then. How many of you?
«Me, Wes, Gris, Ramira, Zeng and Feng.
«I remember a year ago, we crossed paths with a Twi'lek-- What's his name?
«Vaal.
«That's right, Vaal! Isn't he a friend of yours? It seemed to me at the time that you two were on good terms.
«He died, along with his master, in a shipwreck.
«'Oh...' the nogri beside me glowed with shame and sympathy. - I'm sorry, I didn't know.
«Alas, he wasn't the only one who died in those two years. Lina, our Miraluka and the common sense of our bruised company, has also gone into the Force. I've heard from the lads that they died here on Tython. Some of ours are still off the path, some of them couldn't stand it and fell to one side of the Force and are now on one of the moons," I raised my eyes to the sky. - Anyway... All those who are left in my group, those are the ones who will gather.
«I-" Nogri wanted to say something, but didn't. He put a hand on his shoulder.
«It's all right, Irbis.
«You're not worried? - Master Irbis wondered.
«I am worried, of course. And what's more, it hurts me just thinking about it. But... I understand the world we live in. I realise how dangerous it is. And that it will befall us all. Besides, my mother always told me that the J'Daii don't die. We go into the Force. And that we can always ask for help from our friends who left us. I don't know, I can't say if that's true or not, I don't even want to find out. But I just believe it, Irbis. Just because I want to believe that, somewhere out there, my friend has found peace in the Force.
«Well, it's safe to say that she has. It's true. The J'Daii do go into the Shade Force. But...," I looked at Irbis. - Ahem. Yeah... I think I'll keep quiet.
We're standing there, silent, looking at Ashla. It's hard not to see the dark, big dark spot in the sky. Bogana's out there somewhere, beyond the horizon.
«Shade.
«М?
«I'm proud to have had you and to have given you something. I know you've got a lot of challenges ahead of you. That's just a fact, and one will be harder than the other. I've meditated on this for quite some time.
«Irbis, you may know how to teach, but your message needs work.
«Heh, no. I mean, along with these trials, you've got some amazing new things to look forward to. Your sword alone is worth something if you can get it right. And I've seen you can. And that's just one example.
«Since you've seen so much, is there anything else you can tell me?
«Alas, I can't. The images are blurred and inaccurate, I just can't convey them to you.
«That's a shame. I wouldn't mind a glimpse into the future.
«Then you should go to the temple of meditation, - laughed Irbis.
«How long will that take?
«I've been learning it all my life. The result is in front of you.
«Oh... No, I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way, so to speak, I'll act according to the situation.
«Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh.
So, after a bit more standing around, we said our goodbyes. If anything, we still have contacts, so we can get in touch. Now we just have to wait for our people.
Shoo! - A sword flew overhead, and out of the shadows came none other than Master Bug himself.
«No way, Master Bug! - I snickered, not even paying attention. - I saw you come in.
«I don't understand... I refuse to understand it, that's how you do it! No one sees, you see...
«It's a peculiarity of mine, - I smile. - Why are you here?
«I heard that you'll be staying at the temple for a while, - I nod. - Would you like to practice?
«Oh! I'd love to.
***
Sitting alone at a table across the dining room, stirring the contents of my mug, I was dejected. Yeah... It's a long wait for the guys, and I've already got my favourite teachers. They saw me and slid down the wall, not believing their own happiness and my return. So I found something to do to keep myself busy. By the way, thanks to Master Bagi, since he was trained in Stav Kesh, he could fight pretty well.
I was distracted from lunch by the familiar echo of the Force. I've made it a habit to send out Force waves all the time, unless I'm purposefully hiding, and I always try to monitor my surroundings. In the time I'd spent with Irbis, it had come in handy more than once. And now I felt a familiar response. Or rather, three responses.
«AERO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!" came a shout from across the dining room. I turned around and saw the twins and Ramira. They're standing there, smiling, looking at me.
"Learning from a militant tracker has definitely not brought them peace of mind," I hummed to myself as I looked at my friends approaching.
«Hey, guys," I bow slightly.
«Come here, you maniac," Feng hugged me, followed by Zeng. Yeah... I haven't seen them in a long time, both of them were getting older and had a series of scars each. Zeng's cheek was covered with a large scar, while Feng had a serious scorch mark on his left arm. Also missing were the horns.
«It's good to see you guys too. Ramira," I wanted to give a slight bow, but stepped forward and gave her a hug.
«Shade.
«Yes, yes, I already have a girlfriend, but I'm so happy to see you. - I looked at the three of them, and then I took a step back. - Tell me, how did you get so lucky?
«Ta... - Feng waved away.
«As usual, we went where the stars don't shine," Zeng added, sitting down at the table.
«Literally.
«Here we go.
«Thanks Ramira," Zeng put his arm around her shoulders. - She's been tailing us, so most of our injuries have been stitched up by her," Zeng said, kissing his beauty on the temple.
«Some scars irritate me," Ramira quipped. - It's the lack of experience, so they look ugly. But that's all right, we can fix them with the Force at the Temple of Healing.
«No, don't," Feng shook his head. - They're not a nuisance, but they look solid.- You could have told me earlier that the three of you were travelling in secret," I chuckled.
«Well, in general, you can't do that, but..." Feng stopped meaningfully.
«But with your job, you can't do it without a medic on hand," I nod.
«Shade.
«Yes, Zeng?
«Remember that conversation? When you... showed Ramira in a different way to us?
Or is it a girl?
«Thank you. You were as right as ever in that moment," Zeng hugged Ramira harder. - Thank you. Thank you, too, Rami.
«Oh, who would look after you but me? - Rami rolled her eyes, blushing but not showing it.
«That's what I mean," Zeng gave Ramira another peck on the cheek.
«By the way, Feng. Where's Ayana, you two used to hang out together, didn't you? - I looked at the Zabrak. He gloomed, his eyes lowered to the floor.
«She didn't make it. She lost her balance," he said, putting a hand on his scruff. - I don't know what it was, but something... made her crazy, and she lunged at the teacher.
«They were on Tython, weren't they? - Feng nodded. - I sympathise.
«Hey, Shade, where are the others? Where's Gris, Vess, Lina? - Ramira changed the subject, asking with glee.
«Gris and Vess are still flying. Lina is now one with the Force.
«Oh...
«Who else of ours?
«Half.
We're sitting, silent, staring at the table. Somehow all the positive vibes from the meeting have gone to zero.
«Shmug.
«Well, Rami... - Zeng tried to comfort his close friend.
And that's when the forester came in and dispersed everyone, in the person of Qigong Temple Master Kesh.
«Hey, little ones! - came a new voice from beside us. - Why are you so sour?!
Turning round, we saw Qikuna.
«Master..." I smiled faintly.
«So, you sit, - they looked at me, - and you - get ready! You're relaxing too soon, in two hours there'll be a test for the wanderer's title.
«Erm...
«I don't get it, why are you still here?!
In the blink of an eye, all three of you immediately rushed out of the canteen to prepare for the exam.
«Yeah... You know how to make a mess," I smiled genuinely, looking after my friends. Tsikuna sat down at the table without shyness.
«Experience makes itself known. But I just came by... The day after tomorrow, the rest of your group will arrive. Gris and Vessira will be in it, Aala took him with her.
«And?
«My point is, when you set off, be careful. Especially you. I understand your point of view on the Force, and I even approve to some extent. But others will make it a point, so be careful.
«I'll remember that.
«Here. That's about it. Now, tell me about your adventures.
«Tell me what? You already know everything from Irbis.
«He gave me the official version," Cicuna countered. - I want to hear the real one. For instance, how is it that after your visit to Chikagu, a whole clan disappeared, but others moved on? How come one of the towns on Ska Mountain almost collapsed? And how come on Knox, after your visit, one of the leading companies offered a fantastic deal to the Je'Daiy council that was very, very favourable to us?
«It was Irbis who negotiated it! - I deny it immediately.
«Yes, and you stood by and watched," Tsikuna nodded, but she looked like Stanislavsky. And even though I didn't see him, I swear that he looked the same way! - And also, I really want to know what the two of you forgot on Krev-Kyor, that you even rented one of the ships for that purpose.
«Erm...
«What? I've been collecting enquiries and reports. Alas, Irbis has already fled, but you're still here.
«Shit... Master, don't you think we should?
«What do you mean, don't? Come on, let's go to my office!
«Eh...
After following Cicuna to her room, I began my story. I briefly outlined each episode as it really was, not as Irbis had reported it upstairs, and by tacit agreement we stuck to that report. It was just that neither he nor I were sure that the council would adequately take some of... our precedents.
So, too, had to be told about the unplanned trip to Creve Coeur. After I explained to Irbis about the lightsaber idea, we sat and thought, and came to the conclusion that more crystals were needed. And kyber-crystals are not usually lying on the ground, so I had to make a detour and fly to the place where they grow, and there to collect at once with a reserve for further experiments. Now I carry not one, but two stones with me and constantly pass the Force through them, thus preparing them for further use.
Tsikuna was also interested in this interesting weapon, so I had to explain about this project as well. But, when the interrogation was over, I was released and even promised to help, if anything, by arranging with the master of the temple of science. So if I get ridiculed (which I'm leaning towards), it won't stop me from bringing the project to life! At least try.
And then, two days later, Mum flew in with Wes and Gris. No sooner had we exchanged pleasantries than both of us were sent off to study for the exam. While one of them was preparing, I hung out with my mother, discussing my own and their adventures. They also arranged a couple of practice sparring sessions, where I was wiped off the floor and told reproachfully that I had slacked off and even lost a bit of form. If Irbis had been here, he would have been happy to see my sad face lying on the floor.
So I had to stay for a few more days, during which I was being chased around. Just to keep me on my toes, just to get back in shape a little. One consolation - when I crawled back to my room, there was a relaxing massage, a cup of hot, sweet grub, and very nice company waiting for me.
The only bad thing was that Wes was as complex as she used to be about the fact that she was quickly exhausted, and she still was, constantly looking at me with a bit of guilt, embarrassment, shame and suspicion. Eh... There's no such thing as sadness, man.
But everything comes to an end, and my agony is over. The boys finally came to their senses, bade farewell to their teachers, and now the road to Akar Kesh, the temple of balance, was waiting for us, as the closest temple to us among all the others.
But before we set off, a small feast was organised, with the light hand of Cicuna. The day was significant, after all. We had come to this temple as padawans, learnt to wield the Force here, and now we were leaving its walls as wanderers. Master Garos even sincerely wished us good luck on our journey, though he was usually the one yelling at us. Mm-hmm, me in particular, but let's not get into details. But Uval, the bastard, didn't come, because he'll be dreaming about me soon.
The festive dinner itself, though it was called loudly, in fact passed quietly and peacefully, under light unobtrusive music and congratulations of teachers. Bugi told me in confidence that at best two thirds of the students, or even half, reached our moment. In addition to us, there were two other groups of travellers. Yeah.
But it was Cicuna who got me. Just like the others. She told us in a straightforward text that if we felt that we could not cope, we should not risk further, and even better - to leave the Order altogether. At least that way we would be alive and well. And for a Master, there is no greater sadness than burying her own students. She's a good woman, a very good woman... Though she can be cruel at times, as I've seen in my own skin when Uval ran out of imagination to invent punishments for me, but she's a kind soul.
And the next day we were on our way. Packed and ready for new problems... I mean, adventures! Yeah. So, I had a light rucksack with my gear and supplies on my back, two swords on my belt, and a pistol on my hip. "We were all supposed to have firearms, if you've collected them yourself, it's good, and if you haven't, well, they'll give them to you. Another thing is that we had to be taught how to use them by personal teachers. And it so happened that I was the only one in our company who didn't know how to shoot. Given my profile, Irbis was thinking of anything but teaching me how to use a gun as well. Mum missed that point, too, relying more on the Force than guns. So I still had to learn how to shoot.
The others didn't have that problem, not even Ramira, who could aim and hit a small pebble from ten metres away. Gris had brought a gun with him from Ska-Gor. Being a local law enforcement officer, he was given a bigger gun, but technically considered a pistol. Yeah, for a Wookiee, it's really a pistol, except it shoots like an assault rifle.
Now, we're walking through the desert, two by two. Me and Wes at the beginning of the column, Ramira and Zeng in the middle, Gris and Feng at the end. The sun is blazing, there is no breeze around, we could have glued our flippers together right here, but thanks to the masters of the Qigong Kesh temple who taught us how to create a microclimate with the help of the Force. Yes, even if we're uncomfortable under it, but there's a huge difference between "It's hot" and "We're going to fry".
«Shade," Feng called out to me.
«What?
«Where's your cheerfulness? Where's your optimism? You never shut your mouth in this situation before.
«Heh. You want fun? I will. Ahem. In the green spring! Under an old pine tree. Vanyusha says goodbye to his beloved. "Don't weep, don't weep, Marusya, my beauty!" - I sang at the top of my voice, dispelling the silence.
«Feng... Who pulled you by the tongue... - Ves pressed her ears.
«Gra-a-a-a-a-ak.
«No, but what? You have to admit, it's become more fun!
«Ma-ru-xia! She's silent and crying...
«My ears are going to pop, Shade, stop it," I was elbowed.
«Heh-heh-heh, why don't you do it?
«?
«Wes-si-rah! Wes-si-rah! Wes-si-rah! - I began to chant to the nods of approval from my friends. - Come on, come on! - I turn back.
«Wes-si-rah! Wes-si-rah! - the boys began to cheer me on.
«R-r-ruga-r-r-r!
«All right, all right, all right! - Wes gave in. - Well Shade... I'll remember that for you.
«Remember it," I nod, smiling wickedly. - I'm really excited.
«I'll remember it, smart-ass! - I got a little slap.- Hmm... No, not on the kidneys, I'm afraid our medic won't pump me out," I squinted at Ramira.
«And deservedly so," she said, hiding her smile.
«A song... I don't know.
«Any song. Whatever you want.
«Well... There's one. I used to sing it when I was a kid.
«Come on, come on, come on.
«All right. Ahem... Like a knife's edge, you walk the path of the Force. Balancing on the edge, you'll find meaning in the Force. Light and darkness call to you like ghosts, but you will not give up, you are J'Dai. And no matter how much darkness tempts you, no matter how much light entices you, you will stand..." Vessira sang softly, her velvet purring voice enchanting. I had not just dropped the arrows on her, for when she wanted to, she could charm with her voice alone, without any Power. And right now, humming about Je'Dayi, about the way of the Force, she could mesmerise us. All of us.
The song's point was that it is not the Je'daii who write their own destiny. The Force makes its own path, and all we have to do is follow it to the end. The song had a sad ending, but a very beautiful one. Je'dai, mentioned in the song, tried his best to change his destiny, but he failed. What must happen will happen, and all we have to do is prepare ourselves to the best of our ability for the coming ordeal.
«Listen, Wes, do you know who wrote the song? - Ramira asked.
«It was written by Darion Ar'nakal. He was a wanderer who graduated from the Temple of Arts. A good talid, he was driven from one extreme to another, but he managed to keep his balance and went into the Force as one of the most respected J'Dayi.
«Ur gr-r-ra arg-r-i-i.
«Oh! So you've heard his other works? - The wookiee nodded. - Interesting. Shade, have you?
«I know who you mean, and I've heard his compositions too. I can't say I like them, but... They're good. They're just good.
«What do you listen to? Well, besides the stuff you make up," I raised an eyebrow. - Yes, I've recorded some of the 'songs' you play, but I can't find them.
«Oh... Actually, I didn't make them up, it's just that it's an unadvertised creation, so to speak.
«Really?
«Sort of. As for famous compositions, I like "Immortals in the Force".
«Ooh!
Alas, at this our conversation was interrupted by the blistering sand and the flint-jawed creatures that appeared from it.
«I forgot how much I missed you guys," I sigh, drawing my swords.
«The musical pause is postponed indefinitely, - added Ves, running her eyes from one opponent to another. - How are we doing?
«Gris," I called to the wookiee, who had already drawn his axe. - You're distracting me," he nodded. - Zeng, Feng, you work the flank. Pick a target, hit the side, then the next. Weight, you cover Ramira. I'll take the bulk of the men. We work carefully, we don't need to create a storm here for the fun of it.
The people silently agreed and we scattered. After hitting a few of the Flintstones, I drew their attention and just led the way while Gris pulled one by one and the Bazex brothers crushed them. In the end, seven Flintstones were defeated in a matter of minutes by our combined teamwork. And before that, we would have had to do the legwork from them.....
I caught the thought that during this fight, I didn't even swing my sword, unless you count light blows on monsters, purely to keep them from distracting me. Wes and Ramira didn't fight, and Gris and the twins looked like kids taking a walk in the park.
Finished dealing with the threat, we continued on our way. Teasing each other, making jokes, showing each other the tricks we'd learnt from our personal tutors. Weight, though, for me, showed nothing new, moreover, all that she demonstrated to my friends, I had learnt at the age of ten. On the other hand, and we could not be compared, how much time I spent with my mother, being home-schooled, and she only two years, and then most of that time they were on the road.
With me, the situation was more amusing. Since I hadn't learnt any special techniques under Irbis, I had nothing to brag about in the spirit of 'Waaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy'. I didn't want to recount the mountain of waste paper that this pacifist made me learn.
But then the twins came to my rescue. "So that's why you're so calm!" - Zeng jumped up. "It all makes sense now," added Feng. As it turned out, the pair had been puzzling over why I was so quiet for days. As Ramira admitted, I had changed even more than they had. Interested in this question, I began to dig into my friends and learnt a lot about myself.
It turns out that the person I used to be and the person I am now are two different togrutas, albeit similar. I've become sharper with my tongue, more reserved, more cunning. If I used to prefer to go straight ahead, now I've somehow cooled down and more often use my head. And in general, I've had fewer sudden outbursts.
I was confused by that assessment... I guess Irbis's influence was much greater than I'd thought. Or was it the lack of training? I had hardly learnt any new Force techniques while I was flying with him, and I reworked them all at once without trying to repeat them as they were.
On this basis, we switched from the personal to the general topic and began to list who had changed in the last two years. Ramira, for example, became more confident and serious, unlike her previous self, she could make a responsible decision immediately, instantly. A crowd of sick in the head invalids...
*Looking at the twins*
...meddling in the wrong places encourages this practice. Wess has become more sly and cheeky, and a little bit harsh, you can see her mother's influence. Gris remained the same, except that he began to take an interest in technology. Turns out our Wookiee built his own weapons. I wonder if these furry ones have a taste for machinery in their blood, or what?
The twins have also changed. Their instinct for self-preservation had atrophied as a matter of course, which affected them in the form of a slight touch of insanity. They were not frightened by even the most dangerous adventure, but on the contrary, even attracted, and the funny thing is that they kept their balance. If it were possible to give a medal for endurance, I would give it to both of them, they walk on thin ice, devils... hornless.
With these thoughts and conversations we reached Akar Kesh, the temple of meditation. A couple of times, of course, we had to deal with the "cute" fauna of Tython, but nothing serious. Akar Kesh itself was located at the junction of the desert and the sparse forests of Tython. And very close to it, along the border, ran a small rivulet.
The temple looked like a chain of triangular tall structures, lined up in a circle, with a pizza-like point in the centre. And in the centre was a faint source of Force that could be seen with the naked eye. A small, perfectly circular lake, with a faint greenish glow coming from the bottom. And since we were on a small hill, we could see the academy very well from the side. And right above it, To Yor was levitating.
«What's up? Welcome to Akar Kesh," I hummed. - Come on, let's go see what's inside.
---
patreon.com/posts/started-in-star-129917731