Chapter 102

"Did your journey to the forest went well, master Cornell?"

"Never enjoyed it better. We could make fast progress and reach all the cabins as we planned. Where are you and the others at the moment? On your way to Tyr, I guess?"

"We're still on the western plains. We will give you a head start, for we want you and your men to be the massagers of the good new to your community on Tyr, master Cornell." Yarnick said, looking at the others who were listening.

"Then we'd better hurry ourselves, master Yarnick." For it feel as a great responsibility, it feels great to tell our governors and the rest that our work has been a success and that the Jedi Knights have freed Ribana of the intruder. We meet all of you on Tyr."

The holo image of Cornell disappeared. Yarnick turned to the company around him, checking his chrono.

"If their crossing can be done in the estimated time of about fourteen hours they will reach Tyr late this afternoon. Shall we stay here for another night, or take a chance and lift of this afternoon. Our space ships can reach the other continent in no time. We also can wait until dusk, for I think that no one will be sleeping, after they have heard the good news."

"I vote for your last suggestion, Yarnick," Han said, "What about you, Luke?"

"I think that we all will second the motion, at least I do. Let start organizing our departure. We don't have to hurry, but let's thoroughly check that all our ships are ready to lift off."

The Grann brother, Han, Leia and Chewbacca, Luke, Wedge and Liane went over to the different space ships. Ian and Yarmod gathered Threepio and Artoo, together with Lorann, Chati and Manall at a safe distance of the three space ships. They had pulled a few crates and one chair from the Grann Traveler. Threepio and Artoo were kept busy, serving food and drinks from the pantry of the Astræga.

Chati and Lorann were still exchanging their experiences of their space flights.

"My fellow schoolmates will be jealous," Lorann said, "when I tell them about flying through hyperspace and watching most of the planets in this system from above. When I'm home again I'm going to make drawings of what I have seen. I have already made several sketches, but I want them to look more stunning."

"You made sketches, Lorann, when did you do that?" Yarmod asked.

"While you all were sleeping. Master Conor has given me some special foil and pens, with which I have drawn some first impressions. Want to see them, master Yarmod?"

Yarmod nodded

"I'll get them for you," Lorann said and jumped to his feet.

"You aren't allowed to enter the Grann Traveler while the brothers are busy, Lorann," Manall warned.

"I will asked master Conor to allow me a quick entrance, grandpa. I won't get in the others' way." He said and hurried away.

The others watched him go. Manall shook his head. Chati looked at the elder harvest man.

"Lorann has a lot of different talents, hasn't he, master Manall?" She asked.

"Indeed he has, Chati, and that worries me." Manall answered.

"Why is that, master Manall? " Ian asked.

"Because, master Kenobi, I fear that his father won't be willing to accept Lorann's talents. Do take me wrong, master Kenobi, my son Cornell is a good father, but he isn't really able to look at thing with a more open mind. It's good that he has learned to appreciate the friendship of some Jedi Knights, but he will never accept that one of his sons might also have a talent which is inconsistent with traditional views of the work of the harvest men. He will make Lorann a harvest man, like my other grandsons Cemall and Femall are. I fear that will make Lorann unhappy, for my youngest grandson see more and know things in advance which is quite peculiar. Sometimes I have the feeling that he also can foresee what's going to happen, like master Kamalin."

"And like yourself, master Manall," Yarmod said.

The elder harvest man looked at the young Jedi Knight. Yarmod looked at him with a intense look.

"You're also Force-sensitive, master Manall, like Chati here, and like your grandson Lorann."

Amazed Manall looked at the two Jedi Knights, then he nodded slowly.

"And like master Kamalin, master Yarmod. Then you also know why I fear that being a harvest man will make Lorann unhappy."

Chati had listened to Manall and the two Jedi Knights.

"Ian, can't Lorann become your padawan learner, like master Antilles took me as his apprentice?" She asked.

"That's not up to us, Chati. Luke, Wedge and Leia are already Jedi masters, we're only Jedi Knights. It's not our prerogative to take a padawan learner, yet. We have to wait until Luke will asks us to train, educate and guide some else along the Jedi path." Ian answered.

"Master Kenobi, I want a honest answer at a question which haunts me," Manall said. "Do you think that my grandson can learn to use the Force like you do?"

Ian looked at Manall.

"I do, master Manall," He said.

"And will you be his master, one day. The one who will teach him everything a Jedi Knight has to know."

"I will, master Manall," Ian answered.

"Thank you, master Kenobi. You've reassured me and taken away my worries. I understand that it's too premature to talk about it, but I know that one day you will come back to Palomintar Four and take my grandson as your padawan learner."

"I will talk about it with Luke Skywalker, master Manall. As I said it's up to Luke to decide if a Jedi Knight is ready to become the master of an padawan. I'm sure that Luke also have sensed Lorann's Force talents."

"All I want, master Kenobi, is that Lorann will find a happy life and can develop his talents. I have seen the many struggles of Chati Fonaldris who turned into an obstinate young woman due to the opposition she has experiences while developing her Force talents."

Manall looked at Chati who looked astounded.

"Yes, Chati, I know what you've been through, but your determination has brought where you belong. You will become a Jedi Knight and fulfill your dream. I want the same for Lorann."

"Hush, master Manall, there he comes," Chati said and looked at the ramp of the Grannd Traveler where several moment later Lorann hurried down, carrying some sheets of foil in his arms. He sat down on the crate between his grandfather and Ian Tydon and handed the two sheets to each of them.

"That one shows our planet from above, grandpa. Just as we have seen it through the windscreen of the Grannd Traveler, and this one is master Luke Skywalker's space ship after it lifted off from Tyr."

Ian, Yarmod, Chati and Manall looked at the drawings.

"Wow, this is great, Lorann," Chati exclaimed, "Look there is Ribana with the main plaza and there are the eastern hill. Oh you've also drawn the vineyard."

"I could see the building of your house, Chati, for it's overgrown with those wine vines. Look, there's the entrance of cave where that guy has lived who told us to leave Ribana. I saw the water coming out of it. There are two small waterfalls that lead to the cleft and the old riverbed. From above you can still see vegetation which has grown there. I've also seen the forested hills south of Ribana, but there's so much forest that it's a bit difficult to draw precisely. Oh, and the mountains were so wonderful to see. I've did my utmost to draw them."

Lorann pointed to his second drawing.

"This is how I saw how the Astræga was hovering above the plain on Tyr, when master Skywalker's friend took the two droids to Myr. I had to draw this one by heard, for I have never seen again the way those vertical wings spread. I would love to fly such a space ship."

Manall looked thoughtfully at the image of the Astræga. Lorann looked at him.

"Don't you like it, grandpa?" He asked, sounding a bit disappointed.

Manall put his arm around his grandson.

"It's really great, Lorann. I'm impressed. It just looked like ... "

Manall didn't finish his sentence and shook his head.

"What did you want to say, grandpa?"

"It's nothing, Lorann. I want you to show this drawing to master Skywalker, once we're back in Ribana. Take good care of it. The other drawing of Ribana from above should get a prominent place in our restored administration building, so everyone can see what our planet looks like from above."

Lorann beamed and looked the two Jedi.

"Do you also think they are good, master Martan."

"Absolutely, Lorann, you're a very talented artist. Your grandfather is right. The one showing Ribana from space should be visible for all the Quelans living in Ribana. "

Lorann carefully collected the two drawing.

"I'm going to put them back, grandpa. Oh, and I heard that master Yarnick and master Brion wants us to board the Grannd Traveller. Oh, look there they are to tell us."

The two pilots of the Grannd Traveler had walked up to them.

"We're ready. You may board and find yourself a seat in the control room. My brothers will help you to fix the safety straps, master Manall. Ah, Lorann, you have shown them your drawings. They are amazing. I've never seen a better image of a planet. It's like you're looking at it through the windscreens of a space ship." Yarnick said and turned to Ian and Yarmod.

"You're our pilots on this trip, so follow us. We'll wait until they others also inform us they are ready to go."

Manall and Lorann joined Yarnick and Brion back to the Grannd Traveller.

Ian looked at Chati.

"Shall I ask Han, if you can board the Millennium Falcon?"

"You can go on, Ian. I'll bring Threepio and Artoo to the Astræga, before I go over to the Millennium Falcon. Oh, there is master Antilles. So, I think General Solo's ship is also ready to go."

"We'll see you on Tyr, Chati. Enjoy the flight. May the Force be with you?" Yarmod said.

"May the Force be with you, master Yarmod?" Chati said and walked over to Wedge Antilles who beckoned her to come over. He and Chati brought the two droids to the Astræga, after which they walked up the ramp of the Millennium Falcon.

Yarmod looked at Ian.

"Just one question, my friend. Are you seriously thinking of taking Lorann as your padawan learner?" He asked.

Ian smiled and grabbed the Yarmod's sleeve.

"Of course not immediately. I have to talk with Luke about Lorann."

"What made you think, Lorann can become a Jedi Knight. Not those drawings, I guess."

"Absolutely not, although they showed great powers of observation. Certainly a good quality for a Jedi Knight. No, Yarmod, I became intrigued during the speeder ride. He took us to the first cabin, but he never looked at the speeder's navigation computer and drove fast without hesitation. Once we arrived at the first cabin, his primary concern was his grandfather's wounds. He cared for the old harvester with compassion. You saw Teebo's wound on Endor, remember? Well, the Urams had ripped a piece of flesh from Manall's back. In a vision of the Force, I saw those wounds while Lorann was tending to them. Later that night, I was able to use the Force to alleviate Manall's pain and start his recovery. Lorann was surprised, and so was Manall. I didn't tell them anything, but after I had cared for and healed Nori, Lorann wondered how it was that his grandfather had recovered so unexpectedly. He still doesn't want to ask me if I helped his grandfather, but he compares what happened to Manall to what he has heard about Nori's recovery. Since then, he looks at me and I feel the questions he has, but which he doesn't dare ask yet. I expect that one day he will ask me and that I will then admit that I helped his grandfather too, just as I helped Nori. Just wait and see, my friend. Lorann is not yet aware that his talents and unbridled curiosity point to his greater abilities with the Force, but I fully agree with you that it is certainly much too early to become his master. I am not ready yet to bear such a great responsibility, and I am sure Luke knows that. Come now, Yarnick and Brion are waiting for us to take the Great Traveler safely to Tyr."

In the meantime Cornell and his men were mooring the two hover pulse boats in the harbor behind the peninsular. There was nobody to welcome them back as Cornell hadn't informed Toallin and Mugin he and his men were coming back to Tyr. He and his men grinned and after having secured the boats they started their short walked from the harbor to Cantamaga. They met no one until they reached the center of the small village, where some of their fellow Quelans were busy building up the upcoming market. Amazed they greeted Cornell and Wollin who walked over to the center building. There they met with Kamalin who also looked at them, not amazed but with a bright look in his eyes.

"Cornell, good to see you again. You bring good news, right?" the old man said.

"We do, master Kamalin, we do. We want to tell the governors first." Cornell said.

"They absolutely will surprised about what you're going to tell them, Cornell."

"You are not, master Kamalin?" Wollin asked.

With a smile Kamalin shook his head.

"Although I was sure, when some of you would come back, but for some days I had the feeling that the problems we have encountered on Myr are a thing of the past. Come with me, all of you and tell Toallin and Mugin the great news."

The Quelans who had been preparing their market stalls had gathered around the harvest men. They were busy talking to each other about what Kamalin was saying, and their loud murmur reached the study where Toallin and Mugin were going about their daily work. The change in the sounds from outside made them look up from their activities. Mugin walked to the window and saw the group of harvest men talking with Kamalin.

"Toallin, better have look. The harvest men have returned," He said, but before Toallin also could have a look the door of the study flew open and Kamalin, followed by Cornell, Wollin and a few other harvest men entered.

"Governors, Cornell and his men have returned to tell us that ... Cornell, tell them." Kamalin said and pushed Cornell ahead.

"Governors, it is my pleasure to tell all our Quelan fellows that there is the river is back to the west of Ribana. We succeeded to finish the work which my father has started decades ago. We had a lot of help from many new friends and they have handed over the man, who was a former imperial admiral, to the leaders on Coruscant. Governors, Ribana has been liberated! We can return to Myr!"

For a short moment Toallin and Mugin had listened to the elated words of Cornell, but then they shared his enthusiasm and shook hands with Cornell.

Outside the murmur of the Quelan had become louder and cheers were heard all over the place. Loud outcries were heard and from all sides the inhabitants left their houses and came over to the central plaza.

"Have you heard it, Cornell and his men are back and we can return to Ribana. They managed to chase away the guy who send us into exile. Hurray, for Cornell and his men. They are heroes. Never expected that we would see this day."

All kinds of loud yells and screams were heard back and forth from all side.

"They have killed the guy who did this to us. They drowned him, for they have released a huge water flow through the caves. They have found his dead corpse just outside the main cave entrance."

Toallin and Mugin immediately called all members of the council together, but the meeting room was too small to accommodate everyone present, so they moved the meeting to the central square. Cornell and Wollin, together with Toallin, Mugin and Kamalin stood on the stairs of the central building. Just in front of the stairs stood the other harvest men who were interrogated from all side by their fellow Quelans, but they only gave short answers.

Toallin and Mugin had some difficulty to quiet the crowd which has gathered all over the central plaza.

"We just have heard the great news, my fellow Quelans," Toallin began, "that we can return to Ribana."

A loud cheers rose from the crowd. Again Toallin silenced his fellow Quelans.

"But Cornell and his men have told us that a lot of work has to be done before Ribana can be inhabited again. Our former houses are deteriorated, all furniture has been looted and the gardens are overgrown with weeds."

"We can all fix that, governor," A voice chanted from the crowd.

"I'm sure we can, but we also have to sleep and eat while we're restoring our town. We have to consider and plan how we should proceed. Cornell has also told us, that we will get a lot of help from the Council on Coruscant and the High Council at Irithim. They will send us tools and all kinds of equipment we might need. From Irithim our farmers will get new seeds and agricultural tools to prepare for a new harvest, but the best new is, that west of our town a new river is flowing. That means that we need to build some bridge to reach the western plains where our nagawas use to pasture. A lot of work has to be done. We suggest that we will send a group of male Quelans ahead to start ...

Toallin was interrupted by Udine his wife.

"We also want to take part in the restoration of Ribana, Toallin. My daughter has been helping the harvest men I've heard, so the female Quelans in our community can do their share as well."

Udine's words received loud cheers from a large group of female Quelans. Toallin and Mugin didn't know immediately how to respond, but one of the harvest men answered in their place.

"Great idea, Udine Fonaldris. I've worked with your daughter. She has become a great harvest woman. Toallin, why not include the help of our females who want to volunteer to go to Myr. We are also going back to help with the work that needs to be done."

"We will discuss any plan later. For now I think we should celebrate our new found freedom." Mugin said aloud.

His proposal met with enormous support. Several younger Quelan began to yell.

"Let's have fireworks like when we lived on Myr," Some of them screamed.

Then suddenly a voice sounded from the crowd.

"What happened to the Jedi who visited us. Have they gone back home, and where is master Manall?"

Toallin looked at Cornell who started grinning.

"A huge company is on it's way to Tyr, my fellow Quelans. We have bid them a great welcome, for without the support of all the humans who have come to our aid we would have been able to finish our project and expel the guy who ruined our former lives."

"How will they arrive on Tyr?" Some voices asked.

"Like they did before, using their space ships. Two larger freighters and master Luke Skywalker with his ship. They will bring master Manall and Lorann back to Tyr, but all the Jedi and their friends will arrive shortly. So we have to make them feel welcome and celebrate the liberation of Ribana together with us."

Udine turned to Cornell and asked whispering.

"Is Chati among them too?"

"Yes, she is, Udine Fonaldris, and you should be very proud about her, for I understand that one of the Jedi masters wants to fulfill her dream and will guide and protect her to become a Jedi Knight."

Udine nodded and looked at her husband. Toallin took her hand.

"I have seen him, Toallin," She said softly, "He has been here too. The sister of your friend showed me him and Chati stood aside him wearing similar clothes as your friend."

"We will talk with him, Udine, and if necessary with master Skywalker." Toallin said, but Udine shook her head.

"We don't have too, Toallin. I know he will take good care of Chati. Chati trusts him and will obey him and that's more than I have ever hoped for. He will certainly teach her a lot of good manners."

The engines of the Corellian freighter roared and slowly the two space ship rose. Luke and Liane watched them go as their velocity increased and the two ship vanished in western direction. Liane cast a look at Luke.

"Why did you tell Han and Yarmick to we will join them later? You even ask Nori to make the trip on board the Falcon, and you brought Threepio and Artoo to the Grannd Traveller. I thought they would join us."

"We're also leaving soon, my dear pixie, but we're not joining the others immediately. I want to take this opportunity to be together with the most beautiful female Jedi Knight in this galaxy," He teasingly said.

"We're not joining the other immediately, what do you mean, Luke." Liane said, neglecting his teasing words.

"Aren't you happy to be finally alone with me again, my dearest comrade." Luke said grinning.

Liane frowned.

"Stop teasing me, Luke. You're up to something, aren't you?"

"Me?" Luke said laughing and pulled her up on the cargo ramp of the Astræga

"Yes, you, Luke. Where are we going, before we are going to Tyr?"

"Where do you want to go first, now that you're finally free, Shaayla-Car, my dear? Shall we go to Endor, or Tatooine, or Wegoyy, or Ortel, or Coruscant, for you have an invitation for grand-admiral Thai, or would you like to visit Dagobah, where I got my Jedi training, or maybe you want to see the imperial domains on Morantan."

Liane looked at him and shook her head.

"I don't no what you're talking about, master Luke. I thought we would join the others to Tyr and celebrate the liberation of Ribana together with the whole Quelan community."

"We will, my beautiful princess, for I think that the festivities on Tyr will last long enough to join them in time."

In the meantime Luke had walked over with Liane to the cockpit of the Astræga. By force of habit Liane took the co-pilot seat, but Luke pointed to the pilot seat.

"You fly this time, Shaayla," He said.

Liane changed seats and automatically unlocked the sublight engines, after she had fixed her straps. Luke had taken the co-pilot seat and switched on the navi-computer.

"Where shall we go, Shaayla-Car, have you already made up your mind? Is any of the planets I mentioned your most favorite."

Liane looked at, feeling annoyed by her friend's elusive behavior, but then she started to look at him with a decisive look.

"Let's go to Na'ctaMagh'Ba, Luke. As a real Jedi I know have access via the Jedi Archive. I want to go to the residential area again and pick the white dress your sister gave me. I left it when we fled the underground residence, for taking the dress with me, didn't fit in with what I had planned."

"Good thought, dearest, and now the time is right to pick it up?" Luke said.

Again Liane heard the teasing tone in his voice.

"Yes, it has taken a bit more time that I estimated, but I've always wanted to pick up that dress because you like it when I wear it."

"Very considerate of you, my lovely pixie," Luke said and searched the logbook of the Astræga to activate the coordinates of Mas'onom.

"Let's head for Mas'onom. Ready for lift off." Luke said.

Liane nodded and activated the sublight engines. The Astræga detached from the surface of Palomintar Four. Liane increased the velocity to leave the gravity field of the planet and switched at the right moment over to the ion-drive. She cast a glance on the screen of the navi-computer.

"Going into hyperspace at ten seconds ... eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Activiate the hyperdrive, Luke."

"Hyperdrive activate." He said.

The Astræga vanished from the Outer Rim. Liane looked at the synchro dials.

"We will reach Dalmaran Mas'onom in eighteen standard hours, Luke."

"Switch to auto-pilot. We can monitor our flight from the control room. You did well, Shaayla-Car. Remember that I once told you that you would become a good pilot."

Liane unbuckled her straps and rose. For a moment she looked at the plasma streaks which were flowing along the windscreen pushing the ship to the calculate destiny. Luke put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to the control room.

"Time enough, Shaayla-Car, to tell me the whole story of your unexpected flight from Mon Mothma's underground residence, your arrival at Tatooine and the discovery of your relationship with Ian, my old master Obi-Wan 'Ben' Kenobi and your mother Severini Solichor. I have heard some details, but I'm eager to hear what really happen, after you told me that the underground residence was under attack and that you, Ian, Yarmod and the droids had gone to the Jedi Archive cave. That's been our last real contact. Our next short contact was on Palomintar Four when I asked you to tell that Chati was on Myr."

Liane nodded.

"I sensed your concern, Luke, about her. You had told me about her and how she bad been a stowaway on the Millennium Falcon. I could relieved the sorrow her mother felt."

"You also gave me a quick insight about your discovery and actions on Tatooine."

"Yes, I possibly told you a very incoherent story by then, so it's reasonable that I will tell you all that's happened after Ian, Yarmod, the droids and I left Dalmaran, for since we've met inside Trevor's cave system there was time to have a talk in private, although I'm relieved that Chati knew how to undo your Force hibernation."

"Your Force visions about me have turned out to have a complete different outcome. You've never seen me in hibernation, have you?"

Liane had taken a seat on the couch in the control room.

"No, I haven't. Like you once told me the future is always in motion and those frightening visions about you and a possible encounter with Trevor never took place. Nevertheless I all too glad, that I found you back safe and sound."

She took his hand and pulled him next to her. Luke put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him. Liane looked up to him and let her hand slip through his hair.

"I've missed you, Luke. I've missed you ever since you had to leave me so suddenly to rescue Ian."

"Which you did, my love. When we met Ian, he had completely recovered thanks to you and your help and that of Severini, your mother."

"He told me what has happened and how our mother had shown him the Jedi Garden of Healing. He still cherishes those memories."

Liane put her head against Luke's shoulder.

"I hope we will never be separated again, Luke. Those months without you, alone in Na'ctaMagh'Ba, Mon Motha's personal visit, the unexpected caller, all those confusing visits from friends trying to comfort me, the attack on the residence and my flight through the entrance to the Jedi Archives, the flight with Yarmod and Ian to Tatooine and what happened there, my arrival on Tyr where Wedge Antilles struggled to convince me that I was ready to be initiated into the Jedi Knighthood, and the events with Trevor and Nori—those months were long, long and lonely months, because we were not together."

"If we never won't be separated again lies in the future, lovely pixie, but I will also come back to you. You're my most precious pixie."

Luke lifted her chin and looked into Liane's eyes. He gently bowed over to her and kissed her. Liane answered his gentle kiss passionately.

"I love you, Luke Skywalker," She murmured between two other kisses.

For a long time they sat together in silent embrace. Slowly, Liane pulled herself free from Luke's arms and sat up against the backrest of the couch. As always, she still felt Luke's reassuring presence as she leaned against his shoulder. Luke kept his arm around her shoulder. With a calm voice, but on a blissful tone she told him all that had happened to her and Ian after their flight to Tatooine. Luke listened without interrupting her story, and he rejoiced when she told him about the diaries of his former master, in which Obi-Wan had meticulously recorded his married life, his growing love for Severini, the birth of their son, his flight with Tama-Hin to Corellia, and his exile on Tatooine, where he had felt how his beloved wife became one with the Force, after Severini had returned to their shared home and had defended himself and their young daughter, when Darth Vader had discovered the former Jedi healer.

"Where you all alone in Ben's hovel, when all this happened?" Luke asked surprised.

"I was, for Ian, Yarmod and Threepio had gone to Mos Espa to buy replenishment of our stocks. I had stayed indoors with Artoo."

Liane began to laugh and put her hand on Luke's knee.

"Artoo showed me the message you recorded when you addressed Jabba the Hutt. I loved it and asked Artoo to play it again, because seeing your towering image brought some comfort. Midway through the second time, your holo image became distorted and Artoo played a forgotten message for you which Ben had recorded while hiding in the secret compartments of the Falcon. The content was surprising me, but after I had heard it I felt sad."

"Artoo has never showed that message to me," Luke said amazed.

"A laser shot had damaged Artoo and after the technician had repaired him he could retrieve the message any more. "

"It must have been an important message, that Ben recorded it when we were trapped in the Death Star." Luke said pensively.

Liane looked at him and nodded.

"That why I felt sad, after I had heard it. In it Ben asked you to go to Corellia and find the third son of Lucian Tydon. His real name with Tama-Hin and he was his son. Ben wanted you to team up with his son, so the two of you would learn from each other's Force skills."

For a long time Luke was silent and Liane didn't disturb his train of thought, but simply surrounded him with comforting and consoling feelings.

"What happened after you had listened to that forgotten message?" Luke finally asked.

"After that, my whole world turned upside down, Luke. Ben's Force image appeared and asked, me to tell Ian, he was his son."

"Ben told you that Ian was his son?"

"I already knew that, Luke, for after Severini had given her support to me to help Ian on Palomintar Six, I've got a Force vision in which I saw how Ben was running through a forest with a little boy in his arms. I recognized the boy's eyes, for they were the eyes of my friend Ian. Ben persuaded me that I should keep what I had seen secret until Ian would be ready to accept the truth about his parentage. On Tatooine Ben begged me to tell Ian the truth. At first I refused, but Ben resisted and instructed me how I could get into a hidden room in his former home. Artoo and I discovered the entrance and there I found the diary of Ben and a separate datapad with your name on it."

Luke frowned. Liane sensed his curiosity.

"Luke, we also can go to Tatooine instead of Na'ctaMagh'Ba, if you want to retrieve that specific dataset."

"No, my love. We go to Na'ctaMagh'Ba to get your dress. There will be time enough to go to Ben's home later. You told me what was in his diaries, but did he also mention your name."

"Yes, he mentioned his two children, but after I had read the name of my mother I realized that I was Ben's daughter, that Ben was my father. After that I have read everything Ben had written down. When I had finished reading, Ben's Force apparition appeared again together with the Force ghost of Severini. Before Ian and Yarmod returned I felt asleep. I had left the datapad with the diaries unattended. So I haven't actually told Ian he is Ben's son, for he already had read part of the diaries. He was devastated that he would never meet his real parents, but I remembered him that our parents still protected us as Force ghosts. He has met them on Palomintar Four after we had arrived in Cantamaga, and Wedge had initiated Yarmod, Ian and me as Jedi Knights. That's what has happened on Tatooine, Luke. Recalling all these memories still fills with joy, for Ben's diaries made me aware of my true destiny."

Luke looked at the synchro.

"We're nearing Dalmaran Mas'onom space port, Shaayla-Car. We have to prepare our landing."

They walked to the cockpit. Liane called the space port to ask permission to land, after the Astræga had left hyperspace. Luke assisted her to dock his ship and together they went over to the briefing desk to confirm the landing of the Astræga and their ID-check.

The whole community of Cantamaga had come over to the plains where the two Corellian freighters had landed. The governors and the Council of the Elders were leading their fellow Quelans who cheered when the two space vessels had touched the landing site and the ramps of both came down. Manall and Lorann were the first to be welcomed by Toallin and Mugin, followed by Ian and Yarmod, Artoo and Threepio and the six Grann brothers. Great was the surprise when Wedge Antilles and Chati descended the cargo ramp of the Millennium Falcon surrounded by Han, Leia and Chewbacca.

Chati who saw her parents forgot all her dignity and ran over to them. Udine embraced her lost daughter as did Toallin. After the first emotion of their reunion Chati looked back where Wedge Antilles was patiently waiting. She smiled at him and Wedge walked over to Udine and Toallin. Wedge greeted them politely while Chati's brothers had surrounded their elder sister, looking at her padawan outfit. Chati saw master Kamalin and approached with great respect, but very shyly.

"Apologies, master Kamalin. I was wrong to leave our community without telling anyone," She said.

"You should apologize to your parents, you daredevil lady. They feared that those fierce predators in the nut woods had devoured you. "

Chati averted her eyes.

"I know, master Kamalin, that I have caused them a lot of sorrow. Shaayla-Car told me how sad they have been, especially my mother."

"You have to find a way to make it up with them, Mayan Fonaldris." the elder man said.

Chati bowed her head even deeper.

"I've done wrong, master Kamalin. I have also let you down. You wanted to teach me to use the Force, at least some basic use. Master Cornell and Ben were mad at me, when they discovered I had hidden myself inside general Solo's ship."

She looked up at her former teacher.

"Master Cornell has taught how the harvest men work and he demanded I have to do my share in the work and Ben took over your task and taught those basic Force-use."

"You're still the daredevil lady as you always have been, but there have been people who found believe in you, for you're a Jedi padawan learner now, and that means that you have to unlearn your recklessness."

"I know, master Kamalin," Chati said, but then she felt Wedge's gentle touch on her shoulder.

She looked at him and saw an appreciative look in his eyes.

'You did well, Chati, to apologize to master Kamalin first. Your parents already have forgiven you. They are all too happy that nothing serious has happened to you, but you had an obligation to master Kamalin.' Wedge said, using Jedi telepathy to express his appreciation.

"Thank you, master," She said.

Toallin, Udine and Chati's two brothers Talann and Roninn were gathering around Chati, Wedge and Kamalin.

"Thank you, master Kamalin, for telling my runaway daughter, that next time she has to warn us," Toallin said and turned to his daughter.

"Cornell and master Skywalker surely have reprimanded you after they found out what you have done, so I won't do that again. Your mother and I will leave that to master Antilles who has taken on the difficult task to make you a Jedi Knight in the future. Master Antilles, you keep a stern eye on my daughter, for she always wants to do thing her way. That's probably not what you expect of a Jedi apprentice."

"Chati has learned a lot during her stay on Myr, governor. Not only master Cornell and his man had taught her a hard lesson, but also my friend, Luke Skywalker has been her first demanding master as has been his sister Leia Organa. She has learned to obey and carry out task without complaining. Her further education of Force use will be my responsibility. That is to say, if you will give me your trust."

"Of course, we trust you, master Antilles, for Chati trusts you. She has chosen well," Udine said.

Chati looked at her mother and shook her head.

"I didn't choose master Antilles as my master, mother. That's not how it's done. It is the Jedi master who chooses his next padawan," She said decisive.

"I may hope, that he never will regret his choice, Chatinaro," Toallin said.

"I will do my utmost to carry out all his demands, father," Chati answered.

Toallin looked at Wedge Antilles and began to laugh.

"Remember these words, master Antilles, and remind her what she has promised to do."

Roninn, Chati's youngest brother, pointed to the lightsaber at Chati's belt.

"He gave you a Jedi's weapon. Wow, he really trusts you, Chati," the boy said, "Can you do, what we have seen the other Jedi could do when those devices attack him from all sides."

"This is a training lightsaber and I don't know what to do with it yet. My master said that it's his duty to teach me how it should be used."

"When he has taught you, you should give a demonstration of your new skills," Roninn said.

"That might take some time, my dear brother. I'm still really don't understand all the things a Jedi has to learn," Chati said.

Why don't you wear a coat like your master?" Talann asked.

"I'll get one when my master and I will reach the capital of the New Republic, Irithim."

Udine looked at Wedge and cast a quick look over his Jedi cassock.

"Master Antilles, will Chati wear a similar coat as yours," She asked.

"Yes, there no difference between the clothes of a padawan learner and the master." Wedge answered and nodded friendly.

"It's good idea, ma'am, if you can make a coat for your daughter. It would give her more comfort on her space travels."

"I see to it, master Antilles. Would you mind if I take your coat to copy the model."

"Mother!"Chati exclaimed, but Wedge had already taken off his cassock and handed it to Udine. She nodded and carefully folded the coat. She looked at her husband.

"You'd better take our daughter and all our guests to Cantamaga, Toallin. I'll will put master Antilles coat in our apartment." Udine said and left the group, hurrying in the direction of Cantamaga.

Toallin and his brother looked at all their other guests.

"We apologize for neglecting our duties as your hosts. We already have made arrangements for your stay." Mug said, and let his eyes wander over the new arrivals. He looks at Ian.

"Where is your sister, Ian Tydon, and where is master Skywalker?"

"They will join us later, Mugin."

"Without them we can't celebrate the liberation of our hometown, Ian. We've heard that especially your sister has played a part to arrest the intruder. And also our most important Jedi friend is missing."

Mugin shook his head disappointed, but then he saw Han, Leia, Chewbacca and Nori Thai.

"Welcome, sir, to the Quelan community in exile. I'm Mugin Fonaldris.

"This is Nori Thai, Mugin. He has fulfilled a dangerous mission while he voluntarily accepted to play an important part in the liberation of Ribana. You all will heard what has happened while were here, before you and your fellow Quelan will join us to go back to Myr and Ribana."

"Those who fought for Ribana will always be friends of the Quelan community," Mugin said, "Welcome to Cantamage."

Nori paid his respect to Mugin.

"I'm honored to meet your community after Chati has told me much about what has happened on the other continent. I bring you the respect of the leaders of the Provisional Coruscant Council who has promised your harvest men to deliver all the necessary tools and equipment to support the great work they have done. My superiors will also provide any necessary material to restore the town of Ribana."

"Thank you, sir. Will you please tell your superiors that my brother and I will gladly accept their support."

Mugin looked around.

"I see that most of the Quelan are already returning to Cantamaga. Let's follow them, so I can show you your guest rooms."

Mugin offered Leia his arm, who polity accepted the respectful gesture, and he beckoned all his guests to follow him.

Liane looked around in the Jedi Archive and turned to Luke.

"I really enjoying myself. It's so good to be here again, Luke," She said.

She walked over to the cabinet with the holocrons and smile serenely.

"Those mysterious device have brought me so much knowledge. Master Thon, master Oddan-Ur, master Nomi Sunrider. They all were so willing to tell them their knowledge and showed me how I needed to develop my Jedi skills."

She opened the cabinet door.

"Do you mind if I pay my respect to master Yoda, Luke?"

"Of course not, my dearest. I'm sure he will feel honored to see you."

Liane took the green holocron in her hand and immediately she and Luke were surrounding in a green whirling cloud."

'Jedi Knights, with joy I greet.' The voice of Yoda sounded.

Liane bowed her head to greet the Jedi master.

'Your destiny, found you have, Shaayla-Car Kenobi.'

"I have, master Yoda, as you already knew I would, didn't you?" Liane said.

'Yes, yes, know I did, of course. Parents, great Jedi Knights, they were. Both I taught them to use the Force.'

"Severini and Obi-Wan have been your padawans, master Yoda?"

'Both they were. Enjoyed them, I have.'

"Master Yoda, they were Jedi Knights, they secretly married against the rules of the Jedi Order. It mustn't have pleased you, haven't it?"

'Rules of the Jedi Order, strict they were, yes, but Severini and Obi-Wan, wise decision they took. You and your brother inherited, their strength and knowledge, you have, Shaayla-Car Kenobi. Strong in the Force you both are, like Anakin's offspring. Inheritance, good progress, will it provide. New Jedi Order on inherited strength, strong will be.'

"Master Yoda, thank you for everything what you have told me in the past. Without you and the other Jedi of Old I have met here I certainly wouldn't understood what the Force expected of me. I have learned a lot from all of you. I will come back here often and consult those Jedi of Old I have met and the ones I still don't know yet, but who certainly can also bring me new knowledge."

'No more knowledge do you require, Shaayla-Car Kenobi. A Force dyad with Luke Skywalker, you are. Always welcome meeting us, you both will be.'

The image of Yoda became translucent and disappeared. Liane put the green holocron back in the cabinet and closed the door.

"From the beginning they all knew who I was, Luke, and they guided me along the Jedi Path."

"You couldn't have better masters, little naughty pixie," Luke grinned, while he took her in his arms.

"Shall we go on, Shaayla-Car. It's quite a walk to the residence. I'm really looking forward seeing you again wearing your white dress," He whispered in her ear.

Liane blushed. Luke pushed her to the big boulder, while he dimmed the light tubes. They stepped through the chasm and found the slippery path along the underground stream. They walked in the total darkness, still sensing each other nearby presence. They reached to door that separate the entrance to the Jedi Archive from Mon Mothma's residence and entered the elongated cave. Luke took Liane to exit on the left, but Liane shook her head.

"We'd better use the other door, Luke. When we left the blast door were up to provide my safety."

"After you had gone, I have sent Leia to look after you," Luke said

"Leia had to unlock the blast door to get inside, Luke. When she didn't find us, she went back and left, probably with one of the surveillance subs of the Dalmaranian. Those intruders knew the coordinates of the residence. Nori told me that Trevor ordered him to inform his spies. If the intruder knew were the residence was, it's likely that they could have passed those coordinates the other fellows, just for safety. In my opinion Leia has thought the same, so I think she has used the Force to close off and raise the blast door when she left."

Liane got a mischievous look in her eyes.

"Let's split up, Luke. You take the path along the river and I will reach the residence through the last storage room."

"Deal, my loved one. What's price if I reach the residence first?" He asked with laugh.

"You may check if you can serve me a drink from the pantry," Liane said and rush over to the hidden door. Luke saw her go and walked calm to the niche in the left wall. Meanwhile Liane slid the door of the last storage room aside and rushed through the winding corridor. She reached the lawn with the lake and found the place in total darkness. Using her Force skills she reached out to the panel and activated the lights on the terrace, the living and the library. She saw that the blast door were up. In a hurry she ran to her former quarters, took off her Jedi outfit and put on the white dress. Quickly she brushed her hair and put the shoes that belonged to the dress. Taking some moment to restore her composure she walked back to the living and sat down on one of the couches at the terrace. She just had taken a seat when the blast door lowered and moments later Luke enter the residence through the artificial entrance, looking around. When he saw Liane in the white dress he walked over to her and pulled her to her feet.

"Cheater," He said, while he kissed her, "When you fled you have hidden the dress in the last storage room, right?"

"I haven't, my love," Liane said laughing, "But I know the way here better than you do. I've been here for almost eight months. Will you serve me a drink, Luke?"

"That's not fair, naughty pixie, you reached this place first, so I'm entitled to get a drink."

Liane put her arms around his neck.

"You cheated, Luke. The path along the river is much shorter than through the corridor. You deliberately waited ...

... until I sensed that you had reached the residential area and went to your quarter to put on this wonderful dress," Luke laughed. "Do you think there will be anything to drink left in the pantry. What happened to those technical droids that supported the residence."

"I deactivated them via the central panel. Oh, you don't know how that works. Come, I'll show you."

"First my drink, lovely daughter of my old master." Luke said.

Liane walked to the pantry and came back with two large glasses of juice.

"Everything is still running at a stationary level, Luke. This place is really great. I hope that Mom Mothma really wants to allow the Jedi to make use of this place for study and meditation. I would love to stay here every now and than."

"We will discuss it the Supreme Chancellor when were back in Irithim. My love, now that I'm here with you again, can we go to the waterfall cave?"

Liane's face got a gloomy expression.

"Wedge dismantled all my explorations, because what I had discovered didn't belong to the residence and wasn't protected with those blast doors. He was right, but I felt hurt."

Luke put his arm around her.

"Do you know the way to get there?"

Liane nodded.

"I have to put on other clothes. I thought you wanted to see me in this white dress?"

"Can you keep it on, while we go there. I know it's slippery, but I know enough ways to keep you from falling."

"I know you do, but don't use your Force skills on me again, for I've learned enough while you were away to rely my own Force skills." Liane retorted.

Luke pulled her to the artificial entrance. They turned right and followed the path that lead to the waterfall cave. Liane wondered that she easily remembered how to reach the far off cave. When they had reached the cave, they both ignited their flash lights. In the broad beam they saw the many crystal shimmering around them. The sound of the water added a wonderful backdrop to the scene. Luke took Liane to the edge of the water flow and with arms around each other the watch the stream in deep silence.

'This is how I found this spot the first time,' Liane thought while she leaned her head against Luke's shoulder. 'It's wonderful still, even without the lamps.'

"Liane?" Luke's voice woke her up from her reveries. She looked up at him as she sensed his familiar uncertain feelings.

"Yes, Luke, what the matter?"

"Liane, lovely daughter of Severini, will you marry me?" Luke asked.

Liane dropped her flashlight and took his head between her hands.

"And you don't you know my answer, my eternal love?" She asked, before she kissed him. "Yes, Luke, I will marry you. I want to become your wife."

She slipped her arms around his neck, and felt, as his flashlight dropped too, how he took her in a tight embrace. The tension she had felt had vanished and had made way for an overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy.

"My lovely, naughty, pixie," He whispered before he gave her a passionate kiss. "Your answer makes me the happiest man and Jedi Knight in the galaxy."

"As did your question, Luke Skywalker, for it made me the most fortunate woman and Jedi Knight, my love," Liane said before they kissed again.