Chapter 107

"When was that?" Luke asked, "for Nori didn't tell me about that nightly event."

"Wedge and I had gone back to the Astræga to make a transcription of those two files. Nori had become curious and wanted to know if we had succeeded, but he got stuck in the woods as he reached this steep wall.

"Did Wedge and you blame him for being inquisitive?"

"We were indeed suspicious, but after Wedge had made contact with the Tychorion those three leaders from Coruscant assured us that Nori a trustworthy Coruscant undercover agent, something he already had admitted."

Liane looked up to the top of the steep wall.

"This must be the fastest way to leave this valley, isn't it?" She said, reaching out to the Force for a first jump. She managed to grab the roots of a tree and worked herself up to the stem. A next jumped was more difficult as she landed on a very small ridge and nearly lost her balance, but her connection with the Force kept her from falling. She reach the branches of a tree and found a steady spot to prepare for her next jump. It happened to be the last jump before she stepped on the broad ledge. Luke had watched her and smiled as he sensed her full connection with the Force. He made several jumps, also using the roots, or the branches of the trees and stepped next to her on the ledge. Liane looked down into the valley.

"Great spot, Luke to land the Astræga. From up here its invisible, although I know you've activated the ship's cloaking."

She cast her view along the ledge. Luke pointed to the right.

"There's only one minor obstacle to solve. The path to the right ends with another wall without trees. To the left it runs down to a dead end, where some gigantic entangled trees block further progress."

They went right and reached the bare rock in a few minutes. Liane cast a Force glance along the rock, before she made a decision.

"Those ledges, Luke, look like they form somewhat widely spaced steps. Those steps lead to the top of these hills, don't they?"

"Well observed, my darling princess of Felusa," Luke said.

"Stop it, you're words made me blush." Liane said, but she laughed.

"They already did, but you're answer, made me think." Luke said teasingly.

"Keep thinking, farm boy."

Liane reached out to Force so easily that she could made it halfway up the bare rock. She found a solid foothold to make her next move. Without hesitation she covered the next three steps, then she made a high jump and disappeared over the top. Luke immediately joined her. For a moment they stood close together watching down under cover of surrounding trees on the town of Ribana where still quite a number of Quelans were doing clean up chores, or repairs. Loud voices clang up the hillside.

"They will certainly manage to make their living here again, Shaayla-Car," Luke said as he put his hand around her waist.

"They are doing well, Luke. That reminds me, Luke, can I help the second and the third group using Force Battle Meditation to encourage those groups as well. I understand that it might spoil our cover up, but I can't let them down."

"Splendid idea, my padawan learner, or should I say, my Jedi peer." Luke grinned and pull her close. "I have to pretend to be your Jedi master, but I really wonder what I can teach you."

"Think about what I said in the Astræga," Liane said in a teasing tone.

"I can arrange that, my love."

"I'm sure you can, but we're not married yet, master Skywalker."

"I could comment on your words, naughty pixie, but I'd better keep my thoughts this time to myself. Shall we go to the vineyard. We can descend along the path to the right. It's bit steep at some stretches, but I'm sure you'll manage."

Luke ran off and Liane watched him go, thinking about what he just had said. She shook her head and ran after him, making several forward somersault to catch up with him. They made a fast progress and reached the vineyard from the rear. Slowing down their pace they stopped for a moment and look at each other. Liane put her arms around Luke's neck.

"One last kiss, my love, before I will behave again as a dutiful padawan learner should do."

"I'll pay you a visit tomorrow, pretending I want totake you with me for some Force exercises at the surrounding hillside, I'll now come along with you and pay my respect to Udine and Carmona.

They found their way to the front door of the vineyard building where the door stood wide open. The loud happy voices of the two wives of the governors came toward them. They entered the hall and looked for the source of the voices.

"Udine, I have arrived, " Luke called.

Immediately the voices stopped and some rushing footsteps came down the stairs.

"Master Skywalker, at last. My sister and I were already worrying. You're late, but it gave us the opportunity to prepare Shaayla-Car's chamber. We're delighted to have you with us, dear, but we only could make you a sober accommodation as all our old furniture has vanished. My husband said that the intruder has looted it. Well, I hope he has been happy, using it. We don't want it back, although was really good stuff. Never mind, we will get new furniture step by step. Our first needs have to be very sober, but useful. My sister has put a stack of nagawa's fleeces in your room, Shaayla-Car. For the time being those fleeces will serve as a mattress. I will ask Toallin if he can find some crates to store your belongings."

"I'll manage, Udine. You should tell me what kind of help you need."

"We'll discuss that tomorrow. Now I want you and your Jedi master to follow us, for we have prepared a supper for both of you. We expected you to be early, so it might be a bit cold. Master Skywalker, are you staying here also tonight."

"No, Udine. I will leave after have enjoyed your cooking, but I want to lend a hand in the town itself."

"We have heard that all our fellow Quelans have rolled up there sleeves. A lot of work has already been done. Toallin was here about an hour ago. He expected to find you here, but he told us that the main plaza already looks like in the old days. He was amazed with how much fervor everything was tackled. At first everyone who arrived was walking around, not knowing where to begun, but then some males started to do repairs or clean up the main plaza. One thing led to another and just before sunset everyone seemed to have found a place to spend the night. The harvest men had set up some tents, but probably they won't be used, for the houses which had gotten a clean up were enough to house the Quelans who needed some extra help. Now come with us and have your supper. We won't disturb you, for it must have been a hard day's work for the two of you as well."

Udine guided them to a room which formerly had been the kitchen. The two women had done a clean up and on a counter stood two trays with bowls of broth and nut bread with nagawa chees. Luke thank the two Quelan women on behalf of Liane and himself. They folded their coats and Liane brought Luke his tray, before she took hers. Silently they ate the late meal. As they had finished Liane brought Luke to the door and said goodbye.

"May the Force be with you, master," She said.

"Thank you, padawan. Have a good sleep. May the Force be with you too. I'll see you tomorrow." He said and walked away along the path that lead to the stony stairs up to the northern hills. Liane watched him go, sighed before she went back into the building. Carmona was watching her.

"Do you want to get to your room, Shaayla-Car, or will spend some time with us downstairs."

"I would love to talk to you and Udine, Carmona. A lot has happened today, hasn't it."

"Yes, surely, Shaayla-Car. I'm sure that my brother-in-low will bring us more good news tomorrow."

Liane followed Mugin's wife to a clean up room, where Udine was still busy preparing new curtains for the broad windows that looked out on the eastern mountain ridge and part of the vineyard around the building. She immediately stopped her chores when her sister entered with Liane.

"Feeling better, Shaayla-Car, after your supper. Where is master Skywalker?"

"My master went back to Ribana to see if any help is needed there."

Udine watched Liane and shook her head, but she refrained to comment on Liane's remark. Meanwhile Carmona had managed to make a herbal tea and poured it in three bowls. They sat down on some cushions on the floor and the two sisters began to tell Liane what had happened, after the Quelans had felt the optimistic influence of Force Battle Mediation. Udine told that she had felt down-hearted when she had noticed that the vineyard building had been stripped of all the furniture, but then she and Carmona had began to improvise. They had looked at the different rooms and decided that the rooms on the ground floor and the entrance hall had to be cleaned first. With their normal fervor they had begun to strip off the torn and decaying curtains, using the better parts of the rags as cleaning cloths. Toallin had brought them various cleaning products with which they had cleaned a guest room, the old kitchen and the former parlor on the ground floor. Liane listened to their elated stories and asked in which way she could be of any help, but Udine and Carmona seemed reluctant to set her to work. After having drunk two cups of herbal tea Liane excused herself and Udine brought her to the prepared guest room on the first floor. As the Quelan woman opened the door she excused herself for not having a better room available.

"The windows in the room are still in one piece. It once has been the bedroom for my two son, before we had to leave Ribana. There's a lot to be rearranged Shaayla-Car. My boys have grown up and my daughter Chati will leave with master Antilles I presume. That's a big change for me, but I'm still thankful that you have prepared me, showing me Chati with master Antilles as her Jedi master. Chati has my blessing, Shaayla-Car. Master Antilles will certainly take good care of her. Is master Skywalker as friendly to you, as my daughter's Jedi master is to her."

"He is, Udine. I'm glad he accepted my request to become his padawan." Liane said with a smile.

"It has been a huge change for you, Shaayla-Car."

"It is, Udine, but my master will help me to put all things I have learned about the use of the Force in the right perspective and that's very important."

"You're a clever woman, Shaayla-Car. I guess, that you won't be his padawan for long, but you're right, it's important obtain the deeper knowledge needed to be a powerful Jedi Knight. I'm sure master Skywalker's teachings will of great value for you. Sleep well, Shaayla-Car, pleasant dreams."

Udine left and closed the door behind her. Liane sat down on the nagawa fleeces and smiled when she recalled Udine's remark about Luke's teachings. She smiled and felt how her face got red hot again.

Nori Thai and Han Solo were busy in one of the rooms of the administration building. Toallin had generously relinquished his former office to become Ribana's new communication center with Quoith. Nori and Han turned out to get along well with each other, for Nori never got tired of explaining to Han exactly how all the equipment, materials and tools, General Madine had given him, could be attached together to form the main unit to communicate. For his part, Han asked endless questions about the future possibilities of the system.

"Will it be possible to reach Irithim directly from here, Nori?"

"In the future, it will, but I have to set up a stable connection with Quoith first. Haym Nefloren has already informed me that the Supreme Chancellor has asked him to set up a separated system on Quoith which will be used to communicate with Ribana, exclusively. Once that connection will be established the Quelan community can stay in touch with Irithim, using Quoith. At a later stage a direct connection with Irithim has to be set up. Han, this really is a job once in a life time. I have worked on many already installed system, but building a system from scratch is a real challenge for me too."

"Am I right, Nori, that the separated system on Quoith will function as a relay to Irithim?" Han asked.

"Exactly, but the intention is that this communication system will later take over that relay task, so that, for example, Ktafunda on Palomintar Six can also establish a direct connection with the government in Irithim. At the moment Ktafunda can't warn or send a message to Irithim as these Outer Rim systems are too isolated."

"Sounds great, Nori, for we had a lot of trouble on Palomintar Six while we were looking for Liane's brother Tama-Hin."

"I've heard part of that story. Tama-Hin was Leia's padawan, right, but while you and Leia were on your honeymoon Luke has taken him as his padawan temporarily. I should say that's generous offer, right."

"Sure it was, Nori. Luke has always been a very cooperating fellow, but I don't know what to think about his behavior here."

"Something is bothering you, isn't it?" Nori said and put down some tools he was using. "Want to talk about it, Han?"

"I don't know what to think about Liane's request that she wanted Luke to be her Jedi master. I have the idea that ... "

"That there's more behind their new relationship. Is that what you mean?" Nori finished Han's sentence.

"Yes. The way Liane is behaving these days does not match her character. She a woman to take initiatives, tell what has to be done and take responsibility. What I see now, is a docile cooperating woman who does what her master has ordered her to do, but seems to have become dependent on a Jedi master's judgment. She's no longer the Liane I know."

"I know what you mean, Han. Before I traveled back to Myr I paid her visit in Luke's space ship. He had ordered her to read a special book about the Jedi knowledge. Her reaction to some of my questions didn't respond with what I have experienced. Take for instance my own healing. Her brother had done almost everything to cure my wound, but after Shaayla-Car entered the Astræga, she forced me to admit what really was the matter with me, for she seems to know what I had feared after I had become Trevor Matrik's hostage. She gave me permission to watch the last part of the healing process, before she told her brother to proceed, after which she joined him. While I'm telling you this, she told me that she has helped a tribe on Endor to cure their wounded."

"That's what she has been doing all on her own. No Jedi master has ever told her how to use her healing skills, Nori. I have a similar experience. Years ago Leia and I got separated, because we ... no, I quarrelled with her. By accident Luke and Liane met with Chewbacca who told Luke that I had got wounded during a dogfight. My wounds weren't sever and already cured, but I had remained unconscious. Liane sensed my deep worries about what I had said and done to Leia and she managed to let me admit my faults. She entangled the mess in my mind so I could wake up after she had shown me the image of my wedding day. At first I didn't want to believe what I saw, but gradually I became convinced I saw the truth and so it was, for when I married Leia she was wearing a wedding dress, she had ordered shortly after the Battle of Endor. No one knew about it, not even her brother, but Liane, who was a stranger to Leia and her brother, knew precisely what the dress looked like. Luke and Liane always have had a close relationship, for somehow their Force connection is stronger than among other Jedi Knights, and now it seems that their relationship is breaking up."

"You seem to have a reason for their break up, haven't you, Han?'" Nori who had listened well to Han narrative, asked.

I have, but it seems impossible and ridiculous. Nevertheless I think that my brother-in-law has become jealous on Liane's gained knowledge about the Jedi and the Force. For her safety we brought her to Na'ctaMagh'Ba. There Luke showed her the knowledge that once had been stored in the Jedi library. Being on her own she certainly has studied that knowledge and what's more she had been able to communicate with the Jedi of Old through the Jedi holocrons, a kind of recording device on which the Jedi who once lived have recorded their knowledge. Nori, on Na'ctaMagh'Ba Liane has gained a knowledge that is presumably far greater than what Luke has been taught on Dagobah from his Jedi master Yoda. When Luke met her again here, after Wedge Antilles had initiated her as a Jedi Knight, on Palomintar Four, he has become aware how powerful his girlfriend has become."

"And you assume that Luke has difficulty to cope with that."

"Exactly, Nori. I think that it isn't Liane who has asked Luke to be his padawan learner, but that Luke has told her that the knowledge she has gained is not enough to make her a Jedi Knight. His words must have been a shock for her, as it seems that she has had doubts about her initiation as her brother, his friend and my wife has told me. It might be that Luke has made use of her uncertainty to convince her to become his padawan until he decides that she has learned enough from him be initiated to Jedi Knight again. Leia doesn't agree with my point of view, but I have the idea that there is more behind that so-called master and apprentice relationship. But it's not what I would suspect of Luke, who is the best friend I ever had. We've been through a lot together. I'm glad you wanted to listen, Nori, for Liane means a lot to me, and I'm worried about her."

"I understand what you mean, Han. Thank you for your trust. I hope that you feel a bit more relieved now."

"Yes, because Leia doesn't share my idea and told to leave Luke and Liane alone."

"Which is not bad advice in itself, Han. Maybe it's indeed the best for now, not meddled this affair, although you feel worried and responsible for Liane. but she and Luke are grown up people, so I should say that it's their responsibility to see at their relationship in a different light. Maybe one of these days Luke will convince Shaayla-Car that she fully deserve the initiation Wedge Antilles has given her."

"That's what I hope for, but if that happens, I will certainly ask them why they put on this masquerade."

"You will probably be in for a surprise, Han. Don't worry to much. We'd better stick to our own chores, so this community will get a connection with the government on Dalmaran."

Several hours later Nori Thai was still working on the new com system when he recalled Han Solo's words. He nodded pensively. Shaayla-Car's behavior these last days was indeed odd and didn't match the image he had from her. He thought about what she had told him about what had happened to Luke Skywalker on Hoth before Skywalker's son had become a Jedi Knight. She had clearly taken the initiative herself to ask him for help. That was how he knew her, and that was not what she wanted to show at that moment, because she cared about Luke Skywalker as a person and loved him, not the Jedi Knight she now called her Jedi Master. She was a brilliant person, but in his eyes, she was a bad liar. He decided to keep an eye on her and Luke without them knowing that anyone was observing them.

'Luke, I want a word with you,' Wedge's voice sounded in Luke's mind.

He tuned in on the Force.

'About Lorann, Wedge?' Luke asked.

'So you are aware too about the boy.'

'I am, Wedge, but it's far to early to mention this to Cornell.'

'Manall has asked Tama-Hin if he will be Lorann's master one day. He has agreed he will. Did he talk with you about Lorann.'

'No, he didn't, Wedge. Who told you this?'

'My padawan. She also senses that Lorann possesses Force skills. She has heard Manall ask Tama-Hin to take Lorann as his padawan.'

'I will talk with Tama-Hin, Wedge. I fear that Cornell won't agree that his son might become a Jedi Knight.'

'Chati told me, that Manall fears that Lorann will become unhappy when Cornell will make him a harvest man and have him married with one of the harvest Quelan girls.'

'Lorann is twelve years old, isn't he?' Luke asked.

'I'm not sure. Shall I ask Chati. She probably knows. But I have my doubts if Tama-Hin is ready to be someone Jedi master. It's better if we give him time to get more experience and become aware what it means to be a Jedi Knight.'

'I agree, Wedge. I can't take Lorann as my padawan, as you know.' Luke said.

Luke heard Wedge laugh.

'No you can't, Luke, that's for sure. Well, my friend I leave it up to you to come up with a solution. Cornell will be difficult to convince, I fear.'

'I'll have a word with Tama-Hin, Wedge. I surely appreciate your concern. How is your padawan doing?'

'She doing fine. There's one slight problem, but I'm sure I can solve that. She wants to please me, instead of surrendering herself to the Force.'

'I understand why, Wedge. Ask her about those two holo image of me, she possesses. In her youth she has idolized me being the hero who blew up the first Death Star. Ask her about it. You probably will hear her story.'

'That's good, Wedge. Carry on the way you seem fit. Chati Fonaldris will become a Jedi Knight and we all will be proud of her, because she had found herself a very good master.'

'Thanks, Luke, for your encouraging words. Give your wonderful padawan my regards. Tell her I still believe I took the right decision.'

'I will, Wedge. After you'll come with Chati to Ribana, we'll talk again.'

Luke released himself from his Force connection with his friend. In thoughts he started to look for Ian and Yarmod who had accompanied the first group of harvest men under Cornell. He found the two Jedi sitting among the harvest men in the community tent the harvest men had set up as a temporary community center to have their meals together. Luke entered the tent and was welcomed with cheers.

"Good to see you again, Ben," several of the men greeted him. "Want to share our meal. We made our broth again."

"Wonderful idea, no you don't have to bring me a serving. I'll do that myself."

"You're still one of us, Ben." One of the men said. "For you're harvest man yourself as you told us."

"That's a long time ago, Domann. I hardly remember, but living among you, has brought back memories of those old days."

Luke went over to the fireplace where in a huge kettle the smell of the harvest men's famous broth whirled up. He took a bowl from the stack and took a spoonful of the broth. Taking a spoon he found a seat next to Yarmod Martan. f

"It's always delicious, Luke," the young Jedi said. "We all love it. Where is Shaayla-Car? I expected she would be with you all the time."

"She is helping the governor's wifes cleaning and redecorating the vineyard building. I have brought her there and had a look around, but those empty rooms feel uninviting, although those two woman are masters in improvising. They have suggested to bring the furniture they have made in Cantamaga to Myr earlier, which I think is a good idea. Not all of it at once, but gradually of what is needed. Maybe you and Tama-Hin could have a word with some of the Quelans about it, or you could talk to Toallin. Where is your friend?""

"I'll get him, Luke. Let's discuss this together. I think it's a good idea," Yarmod rose and walked over to his friend who was talking to Wollin about a plan to build a new bridge to be able to cross the river.

"Luke, wants a word with us, Tama-Hin, about helping to move some necessary furniture from Tyr to Myr." Yarmod said.

Ian looked up, Wollin nodded as he heard Yarmod's words.

"Splendid idea. It would solve a lot of work, for we wouldn't have make everything new, and Cornell assumes that Cantamaga will serve again as our location when we're harvesting the nuts. Master Kenobi, we will discuss the bridge at a later moment, after we have talked to the Grann brother. They also had splendid ideas how to get the water from the lake into the canal. I expect them to come up with good idea for the bridge as well."

"Shall I have a word with them, master Wollin?" Ian asked.

"No, Cornell has already asked them. They promised to have a look at it."

Ian followed his friend back to the place were Luke was waiting for them.

They sat down in a corner of the tent and Luke told the two friends what he has seen in the vineyard building.

"It looks inhospitable, guys. If Toallin and Mugin wants to live there with their families, we have to help them. Udine and Carmona will certainly be able to do most of the clean up, but we can't expect them to make new furniture, carpets, draperies and all other things that is needed to make a cozy home. I suggest that the two of you talk to Han and Yarnick if they have an idea to solve this easily. Probably some Quelans females, like Udine and Cormana have to travel back to Tyr to select what they want to take with them from Tyr. It's the females' task to furnish a home.

"Luke, the first group will stay two weeks, right, so the females can select what's needed, label their possessions and the Falcon and the Grannd Traveler can take everything to Myr together with the second group. Tama-Hin and I can take care to distribute the furniture to the houses those females have already clean. The second group can select their possession two weeks later as the third group goes to Myr," Yarmod suggested.

"Talk to Han and Yarnick about it. Maybe all the furniture should be stored at a central location first, before you distribute it to selected houses. The clean up and restoration is Toallin's first priority," Luke said.

"We'll discuss our ideas with Toallin, Han and Yarnick, Luke. Storing all the labeled furniture centrally, might be a good idea, for I think that redesigning the houses will only happen when everyone is back in Ribana which I guess will also be arranged in the three groups." Ian said as he looked at Luke, "How is my sister doing. Do you think she will soon accept that her idea that she is not worthy of her initiation, is wrong? Has she spoken to you about that?"

"We have, Tama-Hin, and she has mentioned, she still feels there are several gaps in her understanding of the Force. I promised her that we would make a list of everything she had learned, so that we could go through it together, but it will take some time, before I have explained everything she has doubts about."

Luke sensed that Ian was worried about his sister.

"I thought, Luke, I did what Severini had asked me. I mean, I have always done my best to be the role model, my mother asked me to be. I'm sorry I haven't done better. "

"And I once told you that your sister isn't easily to convince, Tama-Hin."

"Luke, why don't you go to Dagobah with her where Leia and Wedge have done there final trials. You would be alone with her, away from all this hustle and bustle here which is distracting you and her."

"Thank you, Yarmod. I have already thought about that, but Shaayla-Car wants to help the Quelans to return to Ribana which she sees as her obligation, for she knows I have promised that to Toallin and Mugin. I agree with you, that's it's an odd situation, but I'm sure I will find the right way to fill the gaps in her knowledge and give her back her confidence about her initiation."

Yarmod patted his friend on his shoulder.

"Come on, Tama-Hin, we have a job to do. Leave the problems your sister has with her Force use to Luke. He is the best Jedi master there is. Even we could learn a lot from him."

Luke started to laugh.

"Guys, I don't want to become your Jedi master, once I have convinced a stubborn lady that she has deserved her Jedi status." Luke said and looked at Ian.

'I want to talk with you alone about Lorann, Tama-Hin.' He said.

'I will meet you tomorrow here, Luke.' Ian answered, averting his eyes.

Yarmod and Ian went back to the group harvest men and Luke left the tent. He crossed Ribana to reached the southern hills. He ascended the hills and found the path to reach the Astræga to get some rest for the night. After he had entered the control room he went over to the panoramic meditation room to relax. Opening the cover of the transparisteel bulb gave him a tremendous view of the sky above Palomintar Four. He laid down on his back and watch the stars, becoming part of every star system as they are all part of the Unifying Force. After his deep meditation he look around and suddenly began to smile.

'I will make it into something unexpected,' He thought, before he left the meditation room and went to his quarters.

The next morning Luke went back to Ribana to see Tama-Hin, before he would go to the vineyard building to see Liane. The young Jedi was already waiting near the harvest men's tent and walked over to him.

"Better get out of hearing range, Luke. Shall we go for a walk along the path to the lake?" Ian suggested.

"Splendid idea, Tama-Hin. Did you had quiet sleep?"

"I had, Luke, that is to say, more or less. It's puzzling me that my sister has taken such a odd decision."

"I understand, Tama-Hin."

"Should I talk to her?"

Luke shook his head.

"I'd rather not. You wouldn't be able to convince her. There is only one way: to discuss everything she has learned from the old Jedi, so that I can discover whether she truly lacks knowledge a Jedi needs to know about the Force use, as she herself thinks."

They had left Ribana and walked along the road which lead to the low foothills behind the deserted farm lands. Ian looked around and sighed.

"There also much to do here, Luke. Look at those farm houses, look at the surrounding area. Don't you think, that it might take years before the farmers will have rebuild their homesteads, and harvest anything from this land."

Luke sensed how downhearted Ian felt.

"Growing new crops will certainly takes time, but given the diligence with which the clearing was undertaken on the first day, I have full confidence that the farmlands will also be back in use soon."

Ian smiled and looked at his companion.

"That certainly is true, Luke. It was amazing how some of the Quelan males and females took the lead in the necessary chores. They inspired others and by midday, everyone was busy cleaning up, repairing, and rebuilding. Even the harvest men were amazed about the fervor of their fellow Quelans. Their enthusiasm also inspired Yarmod and me, so we have helped some Quelan males to build scaffolds so those domed roofs could be repaired more easily and safely, for we saw some males climbing on the roofs of half deteriorating sheds to reach the roof tops. Toallin warned them to find a more safe way, but they hardly listened. Yarmod and I went over to the harvest men and they provided us with as much poles and rope we needed to build safe constructions."

Now Ian had become very cheerful.

"I never thought that I would use the Force to build a scaffold, Luke, but in fact it was great fun. Luckily most Quelan houses are two-storey buildings with a domed ceiling. How was your day with my sister, Luke?"

"After we brought Threepio and Artoo to Conor, I lifted off with the Astræga. Your sister said she wanted to talk about her use of Force push and Affect Mind, so I had to find a deserted location to land the ship on the western plains near the wild lands where the uphill forest begin."

"You've probably kept your ship cloaked for no one has seen where you landed. Haven't you thought about that deep valley behind the southern steep hills." Ian asked.

Luke immediately was alerted.

"I have thought about it, but it's too well known, I fear. Have you ever been there?"

"Wedge brought me there after he had brought a severely wounded Nori Thai to the Astræga. It really is a safe spot, Luke. I guess that only the Jedi know about it."

"And Nori Thai, for I discussed my plan with him after I would have brought myself into Jedi hibernation."

"What you did was stunning, Luke. Who taught you this use of the Force?"

"The Force ghost of my father, Tama-Hin."

"I had a look at you, just before Chati woke you up. It was creepy. Your face was grey, but you were still alive, for I sensed your breathing and your heartbeat. All very slowly. Are you willing to teach me? It's very useful to know in case I have to survive. I wish I had known it after I tried to safe Toallin and Mugin from the burning lodge in Ktafunda. Severini told me I had been acting stupid and she was right, for if I had listened to the Force I would have known they weren't inside."

"Your mother let you experience another powerful Force use: your own Force healing powers which we all possess. Jedi Force hibernation is a deeper meditation form of Force healing. I will tell you later, Tama-Hin. I now want to know what you have promised to Lorann's grandfather, master Manall." Luke said, changing the subject of their conversation.

"I have promised the old harvest man that one day I will take Lorann as my padawan, Luke" Ian said straight.

"One day? In the future?"

"Yes, in the future, Luke, for I'm not ready to be someone's master."

Luke nodded.

"You just answered my question, for I wanted to ask you if you thought you're ready to be a Jedi master?"

"I am not, Luke. I need much more experience using the Force as a Jedi Knight."

"That's good, Tama-Hin, for Chati told Wedge what you had said to master Manall. You also didn't tell the boy he is a Force-user."

"No, I haven't, Luke. Yes, Lorann is a Force-user, but his Force-use is very strongly focused on observation. I amazed me how detailed his drawing were of an off planet view of Palomintar Six, he had made after he had traveler with Yarnick and his brothers. He also made a extremely detailed drawing of the Astræga. So detailed that it came as a kind of shock to his grandfather. I don't know why and master Manall did talk about it. I saw that Lorann gave you the drawing and you have framed it on the wall of the control room. You surely did the boy a great favor, Luke."

"I know, Tama-Hin. I'm glad that you look upon your future as Lorann's master from the right perspective. When I heard that you had more or less promised that Lorann would become you're padawan I thought that you overestimated your skills."

"I told master Manall, that it's your prerogative to assign a future Jedi Knight to one of us, Luke, and I tell I honestly tell you, that I'm not ready to take responsibility for the boy now. Moreover a lot of talk has to be done with Lorann's father Cornell. Master Manall knows that Cornell has other plans with Lorann. The boy is already betrothed to one of the female harvest Quelans, a girl of seven years old. Lorann is supposed to marry her when she has reached the age of fifteen. By that time Lorann will be twenty and already trained as a harvest man. Master Manall is strongly opposed to his son's plans for he is sure that Lorann will become unhappy with a life as a harvest man, taking care of and raising his own family."

"That certainly is true, Tama-Hin. Do you have a suggestion how we Jedi can avoid that his father will push him. Cornell won't accept that one of us will raise the boy as a Jedi Knight if we tell him openly that Lorann is a Force-user. Cornell has accepted my presence, but has remained very skeptical about the Force and the Jedi." Luke said.

"As Lorann's padawan ship will not be discussed very soon, it might be an idea to ask master Kamalin to take Lorann under his wing, like he has done for years with Chati Fonaldris. Master Kamalin is the first advisor of the Council of Elders and possibly Lorann's father will accept him as the boy's first Force teacher." Ian suggested and looked at Luke. "Just to make Lorann and Cornell about the skills the boy possesses."

"You have done a good deal of thinking on this matter, Tama-Hin, and I agree with you. I think you're indeed the right person to become Lorann's master one day, but I want you to leave it me or Leia, your old master, to decided if you're ready. It also means that you and I have to keep an eye on the boy's development, so we have to pay a visit to this system more often than we had in mind. In the mean time other missions might be assigned to you and Yarmod, for I think it's a good idea if the two of you work together in a team." Luke said and tapped Ian at his shoulder. "One day, Tama-Hin, you will have gained the confidence you need to be someone master, I'm sure of that."

Ian looked pleased and relieved.

"I thought, that you would tell that you don't want me to become a Jedi master, Luke. That it would be your prerogative of you, Leia and Wedge."

"Any Jedi Knight that has passed the trial one way or the other can become a Jedi master, Tama-Him. That counts for you and Yarmod and ... for your sister."

"You'd better convince my sister that she rightfully deserve the title of Jedi Knight, Luke. With all what's going now in her mind, I think that being some one's master, isn't what she thinking about."

They had reached the low foot hills. Ian pointed at the stack of entangled furniture against the low wall at the cave exit.

"He took it and now it's trash. Why did he think he could establish a new Empire from this outpost?"

"Sometimes, people become over-confident, Tama-Hin. Even master Yoda once admitted that the Jedi Council thought they could master all problems and troubles in this galaxy. It was hubris, and it heralded the downfall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Sith. The Jedi Council underestimated the possibility that the Sith would rise again. They were wrong and all the Jedi paid the price. It's lucky that a few Jedi Knight saw the disaster coming and fled: your father, your mother and master Yoda. They knew that they had to pass the knowledge of the Force to a next generation that would learn from the mistakes they had made. Making mistakes will always be the best way to learn, Tama-Hin. Shall we pay your sister a visit. From here it isn't far to reach the vineyard building. It also might reassure you a bit, right."

"I didn't want to ask you, Luke. I would gladly meet Shaayla-Car and see how she is doing."

They ascended the foot hills rapidly and found their way along the rushing water coming from the main cave. Luke led Ian to the hidden stairs, so they could find their way to the front door of the vineyard building easily.

While Luke was having a word with Ian, Liane was trying to help Udine and Carmona with the cleaning of the ground floor of the vineyard building, but very soon she had to admit that the two Quelan women were the better workers. Udine saw her struggle.

"You'd better get to work on the outside of the building, Shaayla-Car. Yesterday we saw that the whole roof top is covered with vines. Could you find a way to make the roof free of them. I've found the tools we used in one of the cupboards. You can prune down and take off all the vines that are overgrowing the building."

She had put a pair of garden shears in Liane's hand. Liane glad that could do something that might give her more use of her Force skills went outside and walked around the building to get a better view of what Udine expected of her. At the rear side of the building near the back door she saw part of the roof not yet completely overgrown. She reach out to the Force and jumped on the roof. Carefully seeking her way through the entangled vines she began to cut some stems. Looking at the whole roof she discovered that the vines had been overgrowing from different sides. Walking along the edge of the roof she began to separate parts of the entangled vines which she could clear out without real effort, lifting the parts with the Force and lowering them along the path which ran around the building. Her chores were absorbing her and she did not notice Toallin, walking up from the front of the building and looking at what she was doing in amazement.

"What are you doing there, Shaayla-Car," He called.

"Oh, hello, governor, I'm clearing the roof of the overgrowing vines." She called back and laughed. "I can see the whole vineyard from up here."

"That's no work for you to do, Shaayla-Car. I told Udine you should help her to clean the rooms. Please, come down, what you're doing up there is dangerous."

"Look out, Toallin, I want to throw this bunch of vines on the path." Liane said

Effortlessly she lifted a huge part of entangled vines, kept it afloat and lowered it on the path."

"That was easy," She said and looked at her companion who was looking at her in disbelieve. "Governor, haven't you never seen what a Force-user can do? This kind of work is better for me. I am not suited for cleaning; I have never had to do that. Wait I'll come down, so we can talk."

"I'll get you a ladder, Shaayla-Car." Toallin said and wanted to look for it, when he heard a soft thud. He turned and saw Liane standing behind him.

"How?" He began, but then he started to laugh.

"I'm worrying for nothing, I guess. You're a Jedi Knight, so you can do things I don't understand, like the miraculous recovery of Ian."

"I can use the Force, governor, but I'm not a Jedi Knight, not yet." Liane said.

Toallin didn't comment on her words. He looked up at the roof and saw that about a quarter of the building had already been undone of the entangled vines. Liane followed his gaze.

"I'll want to finish this before master Luke will come to visit me, governor. He said that every afternoon he wants to take me aside, so he can tell me exactly how to make better use of my Force skills."

Liane jumped and landed on the roof top. She separated another heap of vines and lowered it. Toallin was still watching her while gradually she managed to clear half of the roof."

"Those vines have been a good protection of the roof, governor. There no damage, or deteriorating. The rooms Udine and Carmona are cleaning look much worse. Some to the windows are broken and I have seen that the vines are growing inside. Once I have clear the roof. I will clear out the vines on the second floor."

"You're doing man's work, Shaayla-Car," Toallin said.

"What do you mean, governor?" Liane asked, while continuing clearing away the entangled vines.

"A women, like you, shouldn't be on the roof of a building. Would you please do my a favor, Shaayla-Car? Come down and leave the rest of those vines to be cleared away by some of the harvest men."

"Or to us," voice said and Liane recognize Luke's voice.

"Master Luke, I'm up here." Liane called, "I'm taking away the overgrowing vines."

To her surprise she also saw her brother walking over next to Luke. With a somersault she jumped down and rushed over to Ian.

"Tama-Him, dear brother, it's good to see you. What have you been doing to help this community?"

"Yarmod and I have been building scaffolds, as some males wanted to do repairs on the roofs of the house."

"That's what I wanted to say, Shaayla-Car. Master Skywalker, could you convince your unruly padawan that what she is doing is not a woman's chore." Toallin sighed, shaking his head, "Well, I'm going inside and see if my wife and her sister needs anything."

"Governor," Ian said, "Do you mind to give a ride back to Ribana. Luke is staying with my sister this afternoon, and my friend Yarmod and I have some other work to do. I only joined Luke to say goodbye to my sister."

"I will warn you, Ian, when I'm leaving. Won't the three of you come with me. I'm sure my wife has made some food and drinks for us."

"We will join you after I had a word with my padawan, governor," Luke answered, as he took Liane's arm, "Shaayla-Car, why aren't inside helping Udine and Carmona as I told you to do."

"I'm the worse female to clean up a house, master. All my life I have had droids around to all the household chores. Udine herself said that I could start clearing away these overgrowing vines. She was right, that's better work for me." Liane said, while she bowed her head in submission. "I'm sorry, master, that I have followed your demands, but will you allow me to finish the roof."

Ian looked at his sister. Her docile behavior hurt him and he pitied her as he noticed the demanding way in which his friend Luke spoke to her.

Luke still had a firm hold on Liane's arm.

"Let's get inside and join Toallin and the two ladies. I'll talk to you later, Shaayla-Car." He said.

Liane nodded wordlessly. She followed Luke who had let her go.

Stunned, Ian had watched the strange interaction between his sister and his friend. It felt so strange, so totally different from anything he had ever seen. He remembered how Luke had taken Liane in his arms and kissed her. Luke, Yarmod, and he had sought a safe place to hide in those caves after Wedge Antilles had taken Chati away. When his sister and Nori Thai appeared, Luke had greeted them kindly, clearly happy to see Liane. What had happened between them after the Astræligæga had entered hyperspace? Ian remembered his conversation with Luke about her unexpected disappearance. In his mind, he saw her image, and suddenly he felt that something was wrong. When he had spoken to her, she did not wear her hair like a padawan, and on the clip of her coat, he had seen the brooch Luke had given her. Afterward, she had gone with him and Yarmod to Cantamaga, where they had joined the festivities. At that moment, nothing indicated that Liane was Luke's padawan, although Luke had barely concerned himself with his sister during dinner. The next day, Luke asked Yarmod if Liane had shared her doubts about her initiation as a Jedi Knight with them. They told Luke that they had sensed her doubts. Luke had been very serious and had told them that Liane had asked him to become her Jedi Master. He had accepted the message but hadn't thought it through properly. Now that he had seen what had really happened between his friend and former master and his sister, Ian began to doubt the relationship between Luke Skywalker and his sister. It seemed that they were no longer the good friends they once had been. Something unexpected must have happened during the disappearance of the Astræligæga and its return on Tyr. Ian decided that he would talk to Yarmod about the strange behavior between Luke and his sister.

'I have a bad feeling about this,' He thought as he silently followed Luke and Liane inside the vineyard building.