Chapter 103

"A dress? ... Oh, that white dress you wore when Luke and I were heralded as the heroes of the Rebel Alliance after we blew up that first Death Star. That dress, you mean. Yes, I remember that Liane wore it during our wedding ceremony. It fitted her even better than you, sweetheart." Han grinned, shaking his head.

"So my kid-brother stayed behind on Myr to pick ... Leia, where is that dress?"

"I don't know, Han. Maybe Liane took it with her when she fled Na'ctaMagh'Ba. She knew that my brother loved it to see in that dress. She especially dressed up after Luke had come to the residence while we were there to ask Liane about her possible connection with Trevor Matrik on Morantan. You even teased Luke and made my brother blush."

Han Solo grinned aloud.

So, if Liane has taken Luke's favorite dress when she fled, they might have gone to ... Tatooine, for she could have left it there after she decided to go to Palomintar Four."

"I don't know if Liane has told Luke anything about that dress, but yes, Luke might have taken Liane to Tatooine, or Liane has asked him to get the dress, for she knows he loves it."

Han shrugged his shoulder and looked at his wife.

"Do you know how much time the Astræga needs to get to Tatooine?"

"About thirty standard hours, I estimate," Leia answered.

"Exactly, that means that they won't arrive on Tyr for at least three standard days. By that time Cantamaga has been deserted and all those Quelans are busy to clean up what's left of Ribana."

"I won't be surprised if my brother is avoiding the festivities on Tyr deliberately. Luke hates small talk. He always avoids the celebration of the Alliance's victory every year."

"I can't blame him for doing that, my love. I don't like those gatherings, either. Could Liane have hidden that dress on other planets. Hey, wait a minute, she possible have hidden it in the Astræga. She has told Luke and he wanted to see her in that dress again ... No, that doesn't make sense. Why is that guy always so elusive about his plans."

Leia smiled.

My brother is a Jedi Knight, Han Solo, and educated by the last most famous Jedi Knight this galaxy has ever seen: master Yoda. Perhaps Luke has taken Liane to Dagobah to meet the old Jedi to present him Shaayla-Car Kenobi, the daughter of Obi-Wan and Severini."

"Liane won't wear that dress on that swamp planet. She will be soaked in minutes," Han said snappy.

"You have never been on Dagoabh, darling, but you're right. It's not really a good place to wear a dress and certainly not a white one." Leia laughed and put her arms around her husband's neck. "Get dressed, general. We're expected to be some of the guests of honor. Toallin and Mugin surely will mention all of us in their opening speech."

Han grumbled.

"I hope they're not too talkative or verbose as a certain protocol droid, you know who I mean, right."

Leia kissed him, before she went over to the closet to take out her ceremonial Jedi outfit. Han looked at her while she put on those special Jedi garments and smiled.

"Those clothes suit you, darling. They give you dignity and status. Leia Organa Solo, Jedi Knight,.. oh no, Jedi master and special envoy to the Supreme Chancellor Lady Mon Mothma of the New Republic."

Leia gave her husband a push and threw his jacket at him. Han caught it and took it on.

"Ready, let's get to the main plaza. Wait, Leia, I'll have to warn Chewie."

Leia and Han weren't the only ones who wondered about the absence of Luke and Liane. Ian and Yarmod shared one of the guest rooms. They had refreshed themselves quickly and had gone for a walk through Cantamaga. A group of younger Quelans had surrounded them, asking all kinds of questions about the liberation of Ribana. Politely the two Jedi Knights had given evasive answers and had referred to the governors and the council of the Elders. Together they had walked through the farmlands behind Cantamaga and admired the growth of the different vegetables, but most they liked the borders around the agricultural areas which were blooming with all kinds of flowers. They walked up the hillside to the plateau halfway of the top and used the quiet area to mediate on the Force for a while.

Finally they were looking at the hustle and bustle on the roads to the center of Cantamaga, as all the inhabitants of the different farms were going to join the festivities on the main plaza.

Yarmod laughed and looked at his companion.

"It feels really great to see this community so happy, don't you think," He said.

"Absolutely, Yarmod," Ian said, but seemed absent minded, before he turned to his friend.

"Yarmod, do you have any idea why Luke and Shaayla-Car haven't come here yet? I have used Jedi telepathy to ask my sister where she and Luke were, but I didn't get any response. I also don't sense her presence any longer on Palomintar Four."

"Ian, your sister is a fully-fledged Jedi Knight. Yes, she is your younger sister, but Luke is with her, so you should bother about her. You're not her guard any more, Ian."

Ian silenced.

"You're right, of course, Yarmod, but it's regrettable that they haven't come to Tyr with all of us."

"I'm sure they will arrive shortly, and if not that's up to them. They are both Jedi Knights. Luke even is a Jedi master. What's the use to worry about them."

"Nothing, in fact, but I wonder why they have left Palomintar Four, for they are not on their way to Tyr, Yarmod."

For a moment Ian closed his eyes.

"They have lift off and vanished into hyperspace I sense."

Yarmod frowned.

"Into hyperspace, that means that they are going to some place else. Do you think, that they don't want to come to Tyr?"

Ian shook his head.

"No, I think Liane has told Luke about my father's diaries and that special datapad with recordings he left for Luke. Then it would make sense that they went into hyperspace and heading for Tatooine."

"I thought we all would go there, for didn't Wedge tell us that we still have to do a final trial to finish our initiation."

"True, but maybe Luke has been wondering what his former master wants to share with him. I don't know, Yarmod, but the Astræga has gone into hyperspace, so Shaayla-Car and Luke are no longer near Palomintar Four."

Chati looked at Wedge Antilles.

"What is it, Chati?" He asked.

"Master, Ben ... I mean master Skywwalker and Shaayla-Car still haven't arrive on Tyr."

"That's right. They will arrive later," Wedge answered.

Chati was silent, but Wedge sensed his new padawan had more questions.

"What's on your mind, young padawan?" He asked.

"I can tell, master, but I have feeling that they have gone elsewhere, just the two of them, without telling us anything."

"And you find that odd?"

"Yes, master, don't you think, it's odd?"

"Looking at this for our point of view, it's odd indeed, but Luke and Shaayla-Car certainly have a good reason to be later, don't you think?"

Chati frowned, but after some moment she nodded.

"And they do not have to account for where they want to go or stay. They have their own responsibilities."

"Excellent thinking, Chati," Wedge said, but he remained elusive.

Chati sighed.

"Still, I think it's a shame that they aren't here." She sighed. "They have done so much for us. I mean, without them Ribana probably would suffer under that weird intruder. Have they really forced the water flow to reach the dried riverbed, master?"

"Luke and Shaayla-Car used their combined Force abilities to remove a massive pile of fallen trees obstructing the water flow, so that the water could reach the riverbed."

"And then the intruder could reach the western plains any more, just like I hoped."

"And like you told us."

"Msster, B...Master Luke once has told me that Shaayla-Car was his padawan learner, but that was before I met her in the Astræga. Does their disappearance have something to do with their relationship as master and padawan?"

"No, Chati, Shaayla-Car has learned to trust what the Higher Power prompts her and desires of her. It has been a long struggle, but my friend has always believed in her and supported her."

"Does that mean that she has find her own way to become a Jedi Knight?"

"Absolutely not, but she has met several Jedi of Old, those that went before us. They have taught and explained to her what the Force wants a Jedi Knight to do."

Chati nodded.

"I think I understand what you mean, master. She had to do it all on her own, because master Luke had also come to Palomintar Four to make sure that the intruder wouldn't do her any harm. It must have been very difficult for a master to protect a padawan from afar."

"That's right. Luckily Luke and Shaayla-Car had found a way to communicate, and Shaayla-Car has often told him what she was doing and learning."

"It must have made her believe in her Force skill strong, for I have seen how she and her brother Tama-Hin have completely cure the terrible wound of master Thai. Before she helped him, she had a long chat with him, for I saw how master Thai struggle with his fears. He was scared, master, very scared. He feared that was going to die."

"He certainly would have, Chati, if you and Tama-Hin hadn't taken care of him, the way you did. Shaayla-Car has had a lot of experiences healing other species and humans in the past, so she has learned to sense their pain and fear so strongly, that she could feal their pain and fears herself."

"But now she is a Jedi Knight, like master Luke. I think master Luke is very happy about that, isn't he, master?"

"Absolutely, Chati, but there's still a lot to learn for her, so for the time being Luke and Shaayla-Car will do a lot of things together."

"Does he see her as his padawan, master?"

"No, Luke sees her as his peer, his equal."

"That's good," Chati murmured

Wedge laughed

"You like her, don't you?"

"I do, master. I feel she has a strong believe in her Force skills and she is kind and helpful. I have heard that she has gone to the intruder and gave him something to eat and drink. She has talked to him while she was alone with him and she has convinced him to go to the honorable leaders of Coruscant and confess what he had done wrong. I think that was very risky, for my father said the intruder was a dangerous man. He could have attack her."

"Tama-Hin, Yarmod and I were standing by, Chati. We would have helped her if Trevor would have resisted."

"Master, would you or one of the others have killed him?"

"Definitely not, Chati. A Jedi has other possibilities to stop an opponent. A Jedi always relies on the Force to act to avoid unnecessary harm. I'm sure that Shaayla-Car would have done so, for she is a very compassionate person."

"There's a lot for me to learn. I hope that master Luke and Shaayla-Car will come to Tyr, before we're going to Myr. I would like to talk to her about what she knows about plants and herbs that can help to heal."

"And you can teach her was you know, Chati. I'm sure that Shaayla-Car has great interest in your knowledge. Enough talking about our missing friends, young padawan. They will be here soon. Shall we now go to the main plaza, for the festivities are about to begin.

On Na'cta Liane woke up and immediately jumped from her bed. She started smiling as she saw her reflection in the mirror. After a quick shower she put on her Jedi outfit and carefully folded the white dress.

"I will wear this dress again, when I'm marrying Luke." She whispered, while she put the dress and the shoes in a box and put it on her bed.

She left her quarter, walked through the corridor to reach the living.

"Did you have pleasant dreams, lovely pixie?" A voice said.

She turned around and flung her arms around Luke who took her in his arms with a radiant face.

"I've dreamt of you, my love," She anwered and kissed him. "Oh, Luke, I feel so happy. I could embrace everyone in the galaxy."

"Share your happy feelings only with me, my eternal comrade," Luke whispered.

Liane laughed, before she kissed him again.

"That's selfish, Luke, but as you're the only other one here, I will fulfill your wish."

They walked over to the terrace and sat close togeter on one the couches for a moment forgetting everyone in the galaxy. After a while Liane jumped to her feet.

"I have to look if there's something for breakfast, Luke. I'm starving."

"I'll help you." Luke said and together they went over to the pantry. Liane rummaged in the cupboard and look in the storage closet, but the automatic food control system has cleaned all the perishable food. They only found a sealed box with pilot bread. Liane grimaced as she had broken the seal, tasted it and let Luke have a bite.

"Well it's better than nothing," He said, "Is there any juice left."

"Yes, it's a concentrate. I only need to add some water from this bottle to it."

"It's not really a breakfast to celebrate our new future, but it will do. We can have a better meal in Mas'onom or on the Astræga. I've checked the pantry before we left." Luke said and took the box with hard biscuits to the terrace. Liane followed with two glasses of juice. In silence they took time to eat two biscuits each. When they had finished they threw the remaining biscuits in the automatic food control system and went back to the living. Liane looked around, before she looked at Luke.

"We can't stay here without enough food and I don't want to activate the complete system that would start the normal food processing system I used. I never realized that a shutdown of the complete system would result in a lack of food. We should consider this when the Jedi are allowed to live here."

"I understand that during the months you've lived here you haven't got replenishment, right?"

"I've never bothered myself with the way Threepio and Artoo made my dinners and I never have asked Mon Mothma about it. It's inconsiderate, Luke. I should have been aware of it."

"I don't think so, Shaayla-Car. Don't forget that Mom Mothma's residence has been developed to provide a long time of safety during insurrection or crisis. So there still have to be enough food in storage to cover a long period. We'll check it out later."

Liane put her arm through Luke's.

"Have you already given it a thought who we will ask to marry us, my love? The Supreme Chancellor? Do you think that she will agree with our marriage, master Skywwalker? And what will our friends think, Yarnick and his brothers, the other Jedi Knights, if they hear our wedding plans?"

"Why do you think Mon Mothma will be against our marriage, Shaayla-Car?" Luke asked questioning.

"Haven't you forgotten who raised me? Will there be representatives from other systems who know you, and will disagree with our marriage?"

"I don't care, naughty pixie. If we can't marry on Irithim, I'll will marry you somewhere else, if necessary in secret."

"Where? Every one in this galaxy knows who Luke Skywalker is, I guess."

"What about Coruscant? I'm sure that the grand-admiral would be willing to marry us."

"No, Luke, I definitely don't want him to marry us. They apologized for misunderstanding my intentions, but I wonder if they're really convinced. Any one else who has the authority to officiate a wedding ceremony. Marek Grann? He is the governor of Rasth. I think we can ask him."

"He might be a good choice, Shaayla-Car," Luke said pensively, "What about the governors of Ribana, or master Kamalin?"

"But all our friends are on Palomintar Four too, then it wouldn't be a secret marriage," Liane commented.

"No, but do we really want to be marry in secret? Shaayla-Car, my love, do you really believe that what my father taught you, can be an argument for not accepting you as my wife?" Luke looked hurt after his words, "Wedge initiated you. You're a Jedi Knight. You have become what Anakin asked me to promise."

Liane put her arms around Luke's neck.

"No, darling, our friends on Palomintar Four won't object, that's for sure. Also most of the Quelans are also our friends, but even among them there might be doubts about me."

"How do you know?" Luke asked.

"After Wedge bestowed Jedi knigthood on me I have had a very serious chat with master Kamalin. He had heard about my upbringing by Anakin and what knowledge of the Dark Side I might be able to use. I could convince him of my intentions for master Kamalin is a thoughtful and reasonable person.

Luke, your heralding deeds for the Rebel Alliance are well known throughout the galaxy. Everyone respects you, but there are also others who know a lot about me and how I have used Anakin's dark teachings on Morantan. Being a Jedi Knight now hasn't wiped out what I have been in the past."

Luke shook his head.

"I will neglect all their criticism, Shaayla-Car. You are no longer Anakin's adopted daughter; you are the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi, my first master. The High Council pardoned you and Mon Mothma made you a citizen of the New Republic. We're a Force dyad, an eternal connection of Force souls. That is sufficient proof of our close bond, which we wish to see further strengthened through marriage."

"Luke, my dearest, I just want to remind you of what others might think or say about our relationship. I promised to marry you because I love you with all my heart. I have loved you for a very long time, and my feelings for you have only grown stronger over time. I believe in our marriage; there is no doubt about that, but we must not forget the truth about my past."

"I understand your point of view, my lovely naughty pixie." Luke nodded, "I've experienced the same after Leia and I became known as the offspring of Darth Vader. We were accused of collaboration with and espionage for the Empire. Leia lost her title as princess of the Royal House of Alderaan and I wasn't allowed to train new Jedi Knights."

"See Luke, some similar accusations might still cling to me." Liane said softly and stroke through his hair. Luke grabbed her hands and started to laugh.

"But after Leia and I returned from the attack on Ortel, we were rehabilitated. Since then, no one has ever spoken about our parentage again, darling. On Palomintar Four, you resolved and ended the illegal occupation which could have plunged the galaxy into war once again. Your attempt to persuade former admiral Trevor Matrik to surrender and accept his fate, will surely be enough to rehabilitate you in the eyes of those who once harbored doubts about you. No, Shaayla-Car, my eternal comrade, our marriage will be accepted with great acclaim. I'm sure they will.

Luke took her in his arms and kissed her.

"Convinced, my love?" He asked.

"Are you, Luke?" Liane asked.

"Completely, no doubts about it" He said. "We're going to marry and we will defy any criticism, for our lives have a similar background and we have proven that our past isn't a threat, or influencing our deeds as Jedi Knights."

Liane leaned with her head against Luke's shoulder.

"You're right, Luke. Maybe I'm still feeling upset by those silly words of an imperial leader who did not take the trouble to really investigate the facts and listen to Mon Mothma and her advisors."

Luke caressed Liane's hair.

"Coruscant is just one planet in the galaxy. There are millions of other systems. One of them is the Palomintar system where we and our friends have restored justice and brought peace and happiness to an indigenous community of Quelans."

Liane looked up and nodded with a smile.

"I think it's wonderful idea to ask Toallin and Mugin to marry us, Luke."

"So do I, Shaayla-Car" Luke said, but then he saw the mischievous look in Liane's eyes and he started to grin.

"Your thoughts betray you, naughty pixie, but what you were thinking is challenging, not to say tempting." He said.

Liane nodded.

"Let's keep our marriage plan secret for the time being, Luke. We won't tell anyone about it. Absolutely no one. We're going back to Tyr and celebrate the liberation of Ribana with our Quelan friends. We are going to take part in all the work that is needed to restore Ribana and once it's restore we ask Toallin or Mugin to lead our wedding ceremony."

She saw Luke frown.

"Yes, but that will mean that we have to postpone our marriage for quite while," Luke objected.

"Only until Ribana will be back in its former brilliance, and while helping the Quelans in Ribana we will be together all the time. I suppose that, when all the work in Ribana will be finished, Toallin and Mugin will arrange new festivities and that will be the moment when we will ask them to marry us while they are also celebrating Ribana's restoration. Agree, Luke?"

"Agree, naughty pixie. I have only one of objection, for during the town's restoration there will be very few moments where we can be together."

"Most important is, that we aren't separated anymore, master Skywalker. It surely must be possible for us to keep our marriage plan secret, even if I will miss your tender embraces and kisses which I love so much."

"I will make sure that every now and than I will take you to a remote spot where we can be together without anyone disturbing us, and to make sure you won't forget how much your promise mean to me, I will now give you my love, embraces and kisses in advance."

Luke wrapped his arms tightly around her and gently leaned her back, then kissed her passionately. Liane returned his warm embrace but began to giggle when he let her fall back onto one of the couches in the living room. She grasped the pleads of his tunic and gently pushed a free foot against his legs. Luke lost his balance and fell on top of her. They both laughed, yet simultaneously enjoyed this new form of intimacy.

""This is what I want to do if I manage to spend many of these intimate moments with you, my dearest," Luke whispered in her ear.

"I will remember you, when you won't make frequent of such moments, my eternal comrade," Liane answered with chuckle while buried her face against his tunic.

"I know such a remote location on Palomintar Four, Shaayla-Car. There's a deep valley ...

... which is very difficult to find. Will be a wonderful place, Luke."

They both laughed, while they kept each other in their warm embrace of mutual love for a long time, before Luke pulled her upright and put his arm around her shoulders.

"It's about time to get back to Mas'onom and head to Palomintar Four, Shaayla-Car. Your plan to postpone our marriage is a bit disappointing, but it also will give me time to get you a beautiful ring as a token of my love for you." Luke said.

"I think," Liane started, but Luke shook his head.

"I know what you want to say, but you should leave it to me."

"I will, Luke, only keep in mind that as long as our marriage plan is secret I can't wear a ring."

"That's why the delay I will give me time to make a right choice." Luke said with a warm smile, "for the most loveliest Jedi Knight in this galaxy deserves the most precious ring I can find. Where is the white dress you wore yesterday? I suppose you want to take it with you."

"I'll get it," Liane said and jumped to her feet.

A little later she came back with the box.

"I won't be able to wear it while we're on Palomintar Four, Luke. Is there a good hiding place somewhere inside the Astræga."

"I'll help you to keep it well hidden."

They prepared to leave and Liane switched off the lights. Through the dark corridor they reached the last storage room. They activated a new code and vanished behind the hidden wall. The walk to the Jedi Archive gave them many moments to share a quick kiss. Luke didn't activated the light tubes in the last cave, but walked quickly over to the other wall. He slit the wall aside and together they followed the path along the river. After having reached the steep wall they jumped to the corridor which lead to the chasm, where they found the amphibious vehicle which brought them to the jetty, after which they crossed the sea straight to Mas'onom.

Beautiful fireworks colored the clouds about Tyr and especially the younger Quelans cheered every time a new explosion was heard. The harvest men with Cornell in the lead were telling how the long standing project had been finished and the water was flowing through the underground riverbed to the exit cave and had filled the dried riverbed. Toallin and his brother with the council of the Elder moved through the crowed, talking to their guests and their fellow Quelans. All the inhabitants of Cantamaga had done their utmost to set up many stalls with edible food and drinks. Chati enjoyed being back on Tyr and was surrounded by some of her girlfriends. To her surprise several have been married during her stay on Myr.

"He is a wonderful husband, Chati," Dronina said, "I'm really a lucky woman to have found some one like him, and my parents were very happy when he ask them to set a date for our marriage, because I was expecting his child."

She put her hand on her already swollen belly.

"Chati," Womayn asked, "What kind of man is your master?"

"He is very kind, Womayn, and he truly believes I can be a Jedi Knight one day."

"Is he in love with you, Chati? He is always looking where you are going. He doesn't to loose sight of you, but he seems a very nice man. Do you think he will ask your father he may marry you."

"Womayn, you're talking nonsense. Master Antilles is a my Jedi master. He is my teacher, yes, I guess he likes me, for he is a kind and dedicated Jedi Knight. I'm sure he can teach me a lot about the Force." Shocked Chati looked at her former friend.

"But after you're a Jedi Knight you have to find a man to take care of you, right, and give you a secure life. I thought that Cemall, master Cornell's son, wants to marry you. Does he agree that that Jedi Knight will be often around? Cemall is a very jealous fellow. Chati, you should teach that master of you our way of living, don't you think."

Chati looked again displeased at Womayn.

"You don't understand anything. You don't know what I have done on Myr. I have build a huge wall to direct the water fall to the inlet of the underground riverbed. I have been inside the riverbed before it was flooded. Master Cornell gave me the tools and the weapons the harvest men used and I've learned how to use them. With the other two Jedi Knights, Ian and Yarmod, I went to the wall at the end of the riverbed and they made a hole in the wall, so we could enter the cave system where the intruder lived. And I released Ben ... master Skywalker from hibernation and I gave him his lightsaber back," Chati began to stammer, "and master Antilles met us and then he said to wanted me to become his padawan learner. I couldn't believe it at first, but he took to a space ship, because he wanted me to be safe, for I'm not a Jedi yet. He had to go back, but he returned with a man who had been shot by a droid and he asked me to help the man. I found the leaves of the Dimajoli plant that stems bleeding wound and master Antilles encouraged me to use those leaves, so we could save the man's life."

Chati stuttered more and more and could hardly express herself any longer. The Quelan girls who were sitting around her shrugged their shoulder.

"Great fantasy story, Mayan, but I don't believe a word of it."

Chati was about to lose her patience when she suddenly heard her name. She looked around and saw her mother beckoning.

"I'd better go. Enjoy the celebration," She snapped and ran away.

While she ran up to her mother she felt tears in her eyes and gave in to her anger. Udine looked at her daughter and immediately understood what had happened. She held out a coat and looked at Chati. Chati's anger subsided.

"Take it on, Chati." Udine said and put the coat around her daughter's shoulder. Chati put her arms through the wide sleeves.

"When did you made this, mother?" She asked.

"Last night. It's very easy, but comfortable model and I have found the right material in Somarian's shop. I didn't tell what I needed it for and she offered it to me for a fair price. I promised her that I would send her one of my special cakes."

Udine put the cowl on Chati's head, before she made some steps backwards to look at the result.

Chati wrapped the coat around her, before she put her arms around her mother.

"Thank you mother. It's lovely. It certainly looked similar to my master's cloak."

"I've handed it back to him and thank him for his kindness. I'm sure he will make you a good teacher, my daughter. What were you and your friends talking about?"

Chati's face became gloomy.

"It's again, like before I went to Myr. I told them what I've done and they smiled and they dismissed my story as fantasized. They didn't believe a word I told them. They are so silly, mother. Dronina could only talk about her husband and her baby coming up and Womayn kept insisting that I should teach my master our way of life, so that father would accept him as my future husband. It felt so insulting, mother. How can they talk about my master in that way."

Chati embrace her mother.

"Thank you, mother, for this wonderful coat. I'm going to take a walk. Maybe I will look for master Kamalin, but he probably is celebrating the liberation of our home town."

With slumped shoulder Chati walked away. Her mother watched her go and sighed.

Chati walked away from the center of Cantamaga and follow a small path that lead her to the nut woods. The tears and frustration she felt had come back and disappointed she sat down on a flat rock and covered her face with her hands. Feeling desperate and neglected she started to cry soundlessly.

"What's wrong with you, Chati", a friendly, concerned voice said.

Chati looked up and saw through her tears the calm face of Wedge Antilles.

"The girls, ... master ... they insulted ... you." She stammered, "They ... said ... that ... you're in love ... with me, because ... you're always ... keeping an ... eye on me."

Wedge sat himself next to the still very upset padawan woman.

"You'd better first quench your tears, young padawan, before you tell me more," Wedge said calmly.

Chati took a tissue from a pocket at her belt and wipe her eyes. Wedge left her time to get calm again. At last Chati looked at him and her olive green skin of her cheeks got a rosy blush.

"I'm sorry, master, I shouldn't have told you this? It's so humiliating."

"Why do you think, it's humiliating, Chati?"

"They didn't show respect for you. You're a Jedi Knight and they just talked about you as if you are just an ordinary man."

"I'm just an ordinary man, Chati. There's not exceptional on me. I'm a fighter pilot and the commander of a group of pilots. It's normal, but though job, but it's my way of live and I love it."

"But ..." Chati stammered, "you're also a Jedi Knight. Someone who can use the Force."

"You're right. I can use the Force, but I haven't been a Jedi Knight all my life. During the Civil War I was just an ordinary space pilot who feared that he would meet an untimely death. It's has been Luke's teaching and support that I became a Jedi Knight, but I faltered many times on my way to reach Jedi knighthood. So, I'm just an ordinary space pilot who has been so lucky to meet the last Jedi who was willing to taught me the ways of the Jedi. Why are you feeling so frustrate of what those women were saying to you? I saw you talking to them and sensed your raising frustration because they didn't believe you."

"They are so stupid, master. They always have been stupid and they always have ridiculed me. They never take me seriously. Everything I tell them they dismiss it as fantasy. I once told them I have seen a young Uram. It flew down from a nut tree and looked at me, while it came a bit closer. I heard the cries of some adult birds high up in those trees and I felt that it was as if they encourage the young one to get to know me better. It came so close that I was tempted to caress the feathers on its head, but then master Cornell gave a terrible scream and it flew up and vanished among the leaves of the tree. Master Cornell was outraged and told my parents."

"How old were you when that happened?" Wedge asked.

"We just had arrived on Tyr, master. Twelve, maybe thirteen. Yeah I was still at school. When I told them what I had seen, they laughed at me and called me a liar and dreamer who was making things up. But it was true, master, if master Cornell hadn't frightened the young Uram I'm sure it would have allowed me to touch the feather on its head. Master, sometimes I really think I'm fool. No one ever takes me seriously" She said and Wedge heard the tears in her voice, "Except for you and Ben, of course. You respect a silly Quelan woman who wants to become a Jedi Knight."

Chati put her face in her hands and started crying again.

Wedge put his hand on the sleeve of her new coat.

"Come with me, Chati. Let's make a walk under those nut tree. It's quiet there and no one will disturb us this time, for they all are celebrating the good news and their upcoming return to Ribana."

Still sobbing Chati shook her head, as she saw that Wedge pulled her to the nutwoods

"We can't enter the nutwoods now, master. It's too dark there."

"If that true, than we go back to Cantamaga, but first let's have a look."

Chati followed Wedge Antilles and entered the nut woods. To her surprise the opaque green whirls the trees evaporated have lit up with a soft light high up among the canopy, and the leaves, branches and stems seemed to be surrounded by a whitish glare. Amazed she stop, looking at it.

"Bioluminescent fungi and bacteria, Chati, are causing these glares."

"Oh, master, this is wonderful. Never seen this before."

It was deadly silent among the trees. Chati had forgotten her sadness and now enjoyed every step of their walk. Even the many fern and herbs under the trees were surrounded by the luminescent light. Every now and than Wedge look aside and sensed that his padawan had found her composure again. When they reached a dense group of nut trees Chati pointed to some old withered stumps, glowing up among the trees.

"There I met with that young Uram, master. I've never forgotten the spot, although it's long ago." She whispered.

"Let's take a rest and enjoy this beautiful surrounding." Wedge said.

"Do you really like it here, master?" Chati asked.

"I do, for I sensed so many living beings around here. They live in peace among the undergrowth, on the tree stems and high up among the canopy. Close your eyes, Chati and use your Force senses to become aware of all these living creatures, the bacteria which spread their soft light and the fungi which are enhancing the glare. "

Almost immediately Wedge sensed how Chati was reaching out to the Force and became one with the Living Force. Her easily strong surrender to her unseen ally amazed him. This was the first time that he let her experience what the power the Force could give and her commitment was complete. A rush of wings was heard flying from the canopy down to the lower branches of the trees. Wedge reached out to the sound and sensed the coming of four large predator birds with two younger ones. Another rustling sound was heard as the two younger ones flew to the forest floor. Wedge tapped Chati on her arm.

'Open your eyes. Don't speak aloud just look at who is paying us a visit. He said using Force telepathy.

Chati opened her eyes and looked amazed at the two young Urams which were looking at them from a distance. She looked up at Wedge who smiled and nodded.

'Oh, there are two of them this time' She answered him through the Force

Dead silent Wedge and Chati watched how the two young Urams became closer, while from above shrill sounds from the older birds seemed to encourage the two young to get a closer look at Wedge and Chati. One of the young Urams spread its wings and hopped near Chati's feet. It turned it head and looked at her with its yellow colored fierce eyes. From above an encouraging shrill whistle was heard

'Stretch out with your feeling, Chati. Reassure it and make it sense that you won't do any harm to it'

Chati intensified her connection with the Force. The young Uram carefully pecked at the seem of her tunic. Slowly Chati move her hand when the bird pecked her tunic again. Meanwhile the other young Uram had neared Wedge who gently stretched his arm invitingly.

'Do as I do and don't move.'

Chati cast a quick glance aside and slowly stretched out her arm.

From above a shrill squeak was heard and both young Urams flew up and landed on the sleeves of their outstretched arms. Chati held her breath and looked into the yellow colored eyes the Uram.

'You're beautiful and brave. I will never harm any of you. You belong to these tree. I respect these woods as you respect them. These tree are valuable for you. The nuts are your food.'

The Uram held its head aside as if it was listening, then it sat at ease on Chati's outstretched arm and bowed its head. Very careful Chati stretch out her other hand and caressed the feathers on its head. The other Uram mimicked what the older one did and allowed Wedge to touch its feathers.

'They are some beautiful, master'

'You have made sure, you can be trusted, because they are strongly relying on their connection with the Force. They sense we're like them, part of the Living Force, Chati'

Again a shrill sounded from above. The two young birds seemed to waken up, stretched out their wings and flew up to lower branches of the tree. Chati looked up and saw how the four older birds seemed to inspect and listen to what their offspring was telling them, for soft cackling sounds were heard back and forth between the young and the older birds.

'Before we leave, Chati. We pay our respect to them'

Wedge stood up and beckoning Chati to step at his side. They both looked up at the six birds and made a deep bow. The birds looked down, gave a shrill sound and all six flew up high, seeking a safe spot among the leaves in the canopy. For a while Chati looked if she could spot them, but Wedge put his hand on her shoulder.

'Time to leave the nut woods, young padawan. I'm very proud of you. You have shown a great commitment to the Force and she rewarded us with the meeting of one of her many species'

With a quiet step they left the nut woods. Once outside and back on the path Chati looked back to the glowing trees, before she looked up at Wedge.

"This was so amazing, master. The nutwoods are beautiful at night and I felt that the young Uram understood what I was telling it."

All of them felt our strong connection with the Force and acknowledged us as part of their environment; living creatures who met through the Living Force. You're an exceptionally fast learner, Chati Fonaldris. Moreover I see that your mother has made you a Jedi's coat. It's well done. I love seeing you in this full padawan outfit."

Chati beamed and became all smiles

"I won't tell any one about the trees and our meeting with the Urams, master. I will keep it to myself, as a secret but wonderful experience."

Wedge looked at the young Quelan woman.

'She must have had a hard life among her fellow Quelans. It is therefore not surprising that she occasionally becomes emotional about the injustice and lack of respect she has experienced all these years. She longs to be treated for who she is, but her fellow human beings show only distrust and skepticism. Even her mother underestimated her Force Skills and tried to make her accept their way of life. I hope I can strengthen her self-confidence so that she no longer allows herself to be influenced by the criticism of her people.' He thought.