Chapter 143

After the three Jedi Knights had shared a joint meal with Toallin's family and the Quelan's schoolmaster, Kamalin had taken Lorann and Chati to the school building for the rest of the evening.

Luke looked at Ian and Wedge.

"You haven't exaggerated, Tama-Hin. Lorann is indeed a great Force-users with an endurance stamina that almost matches that of a full-fledged Jedi Knight."

"Could you catch up with him?" Ian asked.

"Yes, and he loved matching his skill with mine." Luke said.

"I sense that you enjoyed that too, Luke," Wedge said. "I remember our endurance training on Dagobah. You were always challenging me to run faster than you, but I never match your skills."

"Be glad, Wedge, that you had to face me. During my own training, Master Yoda forced me to run through the Dagobah jungle while I had to carry him on my back." Luke answered. "Well my friends I will tell you now why I'm here.

"Tama-Hin, not only you, Yarmod and Leia are leaving Palomintar Four soon, Shaayla-Car and I also have to go on a journey, for Toallin has told me that he needs proof of our births to make our wedding official. It doesn't mean that he will not officiate our wedding, but without proof of our births our marriage on Palomintar Four might not be acknowledge on other systems. It even might mean that the government at Irithim might not acknowledge our marriage as valid."

"Where do you have to go to get those documents?" Ian asked.

"That's something we don't know. Anakin has told me that he had found Shaayla-Car as a one-year old toddler on Felusa, but he wasn't sure that she was Severini's daughter. Through the diaries of Obi-Wan, Shaayla-Car and you, Tama-Hin, have found out that Obi-Wan and Severini are your parents, but I wonder if Obi-Wan's diaries are proof of Shaayla-Car's date of birth, or even yours.

My own birth and that of Leia is even more shrouded in secrets for at that time nobody should know that Anakin had any offspring. After our births our mother Padmé died, but master Yoda told Obi-Wan and Bail Organa that she had to be brought back to Naboo still showing her pregnancy. That's how she has been embalmed and laying in a mausoleum build for her, I've been told. Bail Organa adopted Leia as his daughter and master Yoda told Obi-Wan that he should bring me to Owen Lars and his wife on Tatooine. It's unknown if our births have been officially registered somewhere. The same could be said of your birth Tama-Hin and that of Shaayla-Car."

"So, you don't know where to started looked for the documents you need." Wedge asked. "Isn't there anything documented at Irithim? During your trial there's has been an investigation that proved that Leia and you are Anakin's offspring, I remember."

"That's right, but that investigation only proved that we hadn't told the High Council that Anakin was our father. General Madine has shown me excerpt of the investigation and it didn't mention when or where we were born.

So, Shaayla-Car and I will go to all known possible places where anything of our births could have been registered. You, Wedge, already suggested that we should ask master Yoda on Na'ctaMagh'Ba. We certainly will follow that lead and Shaayla-Car suggested to go to Tatooine to retrieve Ben's diaries.

But another serious issue has turned up, because Lorann would be without guidance when we both would also have to leave Palomintar Four. I certainly trust master Kamalin. He absoultely will take good are of Lorann, but there are also huge changes coming up within the Quelan community, for I sense that master Manall will use his prerogatives as the harvest men's leader to bring up to the Harvest Council some items which are living among the young harvest boys and possibly also to the Council of the Elders. I'm already familiar with the discontent, frustration and dissatisfaction that lived among the young harvest men which will certainly have consequences for the whole Quelan community. What master Manall want to change is not of the Jedi Knights' business, but it might have impact on our the way the Quelans will keep their trust in the help of the Jedi Knights as five of us will be away for an uncertain period.

Your presence with Chati on Myr will certainly contribute to the trust the Quelans have in us. Also Han en Chewi, Yarnick and his brothers and Nori Thai will keep up to the promises we've made, but our young harvest boy Lorann threatens to be lost, while he stays in Tyr, or comes to Myr, for neither Kamalin, nor Manall will be able to pay enough attention to him.

Tama-Hin, I know how worried you are, because you have to leave Lorann. Your relationship with him is strong and I certainly see you as his Jedi master in the future, also because Lorann has expressed that he doesn't want some else as his master. That's a sound indication that it is also the will of the Force that the two of you will be Jedi master and padawan. You have told me that you can't take that responsibility at the moment, and I agree.

Tama-Hin, while you are away on that mission to Lumeara I don't want you to be distracted because you're worrying about what is going on here, and especially what's going on with Lorann. You should fully concentrate on your mission. Therefore, I and, to be more precise, Shaayla-Car have decided that we will take Lorann with us while we are looking for those documents we need."

After Luke had finished with his thorough explanation both Wedge and Ian were silent.

"What about Cornell, Lorann's father?" Ian asked carefully.

"He agrees, and to be more precise, Tma-Hin. I have the impression that Cornell has given up his objection against Lorann's future." Luke said, while he watched his two friends and started smiling.

"But you both have to tell me something too, don't you?" He said.

Ian nodded.

"Luke, I have broken my promise that I wouldn't teach Lorann any Force use, but I was so worried to leave him alone that I taught him how to use Jedi telepathy since I know that I have to join the Supreme Chancellor's mission to Lumeara. Luke, I have sincere doubts ... " Ian continued, but Luke interrupted him.

"Sorry, to interrupt you, but what did you achieve, Tama-Hin?" He asked.

"What I expected, Luke. Quelan Force-users are very susceptible to Jedi telepathy and can make use of our way of communication with only minor teaching on our side. Yarmod and I had already that experience with Chati when we were on our way to fix the explosives at the wall in the riverbed and find our way inside Trevor's underground abode."

Ian looked at Wedge.

"Chati also can use Force communication to have a talk with Oltomyran, like Shaayla-Car had done." Wedge explained.

"How is Lorann doing, Tama-Hin. Can you already easily communicate with him that way." Luke asked.

Ian nodded, looking very apologetic.

"Tell me about the way you have taught him, Tama-Hin," Luke asked.

"I went to the cave with him, for I wanted to be alone with him. Up there I explained that he should concentrate more consciously on the Living Force so he could sense my presence and the Urams, but also other life forms. At first he mentioned tiny ones, a spider, young birds in a nest, but when I asked him to stretch out through the Force, he said he sensed the presence of a farmer behind Cantamaga tending the nagawa's and some moments later he mentioned his mother Tronama and two of his sisters.

After I asked him to release himself from his Force connection he immediately pointed at the spider at the entrance of the cave. I also explained to him that he already was using the Force this way we had just been practising, because he and Chati can always predict when you and Shaayla-Car are on your way to Tyr. I told to practise this Force use as often as he could for I wanted to go a step further, Luke, and see if I could teach him our way of communication, like Yarmod and I had done with Chati.

Lorann didn't disappoint me. For already during our stay at the cave I used Jedi telepathy to reach out to him and he heard what I told him to do.

On a next occasion I use Jedi telepathy to ask him to join me on the plateau behind Cantamaga. I started again to practise his connection with the Living Force as I had done the day before. I let him focus himself on the nut woods where he became aware of the Urams and unexpectedly I heard him greeting the Urams leader Oltomyran who seems to be aware of Lorann reaching out to him.

I intensified my practise of Jedi telepathy with him and he easily answered on every thing I shared in him mind. I told him how Yarmod and I practise the same way to communicate with Chati and he asked me if he could also communicate with other Jedi and mentioned Shaayla-Car. I told him he'd better not do that, for I reminded him that what I taught him, hasn't your approval, Luke." Ian said. "I have broken my promise, Luke, but somehow I felt that I had to find a way to stay in touch with Lorann while I would be away. It's not that I will seek contact with him every moment, but I have a strange feeling about that mission."

"Don't apologize, Tama-Hin. Yes, you didn't keep our agreement, but what you have taught Lorann, saves me a lot of early practise with him, for I intended to do the same."

Bewildered Ian looked at Luke.

"You, what, Luke! Have you come to Tyr, because you want to teach Lorann how to become consciously part of the Living Force and sense the presence of people or other life forms around him, and you also wanted to teach him our way to communicate?" Ian asked.

"Teaching Lorann Jedi telepathy wasn't my first goal, but if he can use that special Force use to communicate it will be abosulte a great advantage. I wanted to teach Lorann to sense the presence of persons through the Force, for when he will be traveling with Shaayla-Car and me I don't want him to feel frightened or scared when he would wake up at night and shouldn't realize where he was.

If I could teach him to reach out to the Force and sense the presence of me and Shaayla-Car it would be reassuring, even he shouldn't know where on board we are." Luke said and winked at his friends. "Now that he also can use Jedi telepathy I could tell him where he was and tell to get to sleep again. Thank you, Tama-Hin, you certainly have a good way to teach a beginning padawan his first steps, but don't assume that you can be Lorann's master already."

"I don't, Luke and thank your for the compliment, for I have broken my promise to you."

All the time Wedge Antilles had listened to Luke and Ian. Now he looked at his friend.

"Luke, at my insistence Tama-Hin and I have gone a step further. We have practised to establish the more explicit Force connection with our Force-users, like you, Leia and I use to communicate. I first taught that way to Tama-Hin and we practise together while Chati and Lorann were feeding the Urams. They didn't hear what we were talking about."

Luke nodded.

"Like we did this afternoon. I thought that Leia had taught Tama-Hin that strong way of communication, but it was you." Luke said pensively.

"Yes, I taught it to Yarmod, while we were on that first mission on Lumaear.

Luke, I share, Tama-Hin's feeling about the mission of the Supreme Chancellor, so I decided that Tama-Hin should be able to establish an explicit strong Force connection with Lorann. Just in case, if necessary, so Lorann could warn one of us who are staying behind on Palomintar Four. Of course Leia and Yarmod can do the same, but if Tama-Hin could reach Lorann, the boy would realize the importance of this Force use, so I have asked Lorann to practise this more intense Force connection to communicate specifically with Tama-Hin all the time that rest those two until Tama-Hin will go to Irithim.

Luke, I know that we can't change the Supreme Chancellor mission to meet the Lumearanian leaders, but they cheat and are deceitful. They can't be trusted. We should warn Leia that the delegation shouldn't use infocoms to communicate, for I'm sure the Lumearanians track and yam them. The Jedi explicit way to connection to one of the other Jedi member in the delegation might be a safe way to exchange information as most of the other delegation members aren't Force users. If those on Lumeara might be able to use this strong Force use of telepathy they also could reach out to me, you, Shaayla-Car and Lorann."

"I will warn Leia, Wedge. We can't change the mission, but at least we have to be able to exchange information in a secure way. We all need to able to use our Force skills to communicate with each other, and I certainly want Lorann and Chati to learn this.

So there's still something to do for me," Luke said with a soft grin. "While you were telling me what you have done I thought fjor a moment that I could immediately go back Myr, but we're going to strengthen our Force telepathy use among us and with Lorann and Chati. The oncoming time we must practise with Chati and Lorann to increase their more explicit awareness of Jedi telepathy. It's lucky that these two Quelan Force-users so easily seem to learn what they need to know.

I'm very glad, guys, that you took the initiative, especially you Wedge, for you know the possible dangers that might lay ahead on Lumeara. As soon as Shaayla-Car arrives here I will also make her aware of this better and saver way to communicate. During our practise session I also want to include my sister and Yarmod, so that we all strengthen our Force awareness in this particular Force use."

"Thanks for your support, Luke," Wedge said and grinned, "I didn't expect you would have any objections, after I would have told you why I think this is needed."

The next day Filann drove up hill with the harvest men's speeder and stopped for the farm house. A bit hesitant he knocked on the door. Almost immediately the door opened and Anddra Jecolin looked at him.

"I heard the noise of a speeder, so I assume that it was you, Filann." She said.

Filann pointed at the loaded speeder.

"I've collected two armchairs and a coffee table for you. If you don't like them I'll take them back to Ribana." He said.

"Aren't those things belonging to some else, Filann?"

"No, they are part of the gift the New Republic government has promised to provide the Quelans with new furniture, because all we once had has disappeared. I also found two rugs and some curtains. You can use it until you're able to get some stuff more of your liking." Filann said. "And I have brought my own equipment case to repair the fences and perhaps do some pruning of those bushes. Do you know how to tend them?"

Anddra shook her head.

"I have to learn how to prune and tend hose fruit bushes. It was my father's task to take care of them. I have finished cleaning our former living room. Can you put the armchairs there. Maybe you can put the coffee table also there. I'll have a look at the rug, for I would like to have one in that small room where you put my bed.

It's nice of you to bring already your own tools, for I don't possess anything with which you could repair the fences." She said. "I'll help you to bring everything inside, Filann. Thank you for come back so soon. I'm sorry I don't have anything to offer you like some special drink or some food."

"Oh, Anddra, before I forget I brought and ion-stove with me. I asked master Roshann, he is the leader of my group, if I could give one of our ion-stoves in use to you, so you can prepare your own food. I can show you how it works. "

All of a sudden Anddra began to laugh.

"You're not only here to help me to restore my former home, but you also seem concern about my wellbeing, Filaan. You're a nice man. Are all the harvest men as nice as you?" She asked. "Do you know what. While you are bringing the furniture inside, I'm going to clean a counter in the kitchen so you can put the stove there. I haven't had a close look at the kitchen, but what was fixed hasn't been removed, so it might be an idea to clean up the kitchen first, before I will have a look at the upstairs floor."

Filann walked over to the speeder and took the rugs from the backseat.

"I have taken these two rugs for the gift furniture, a large one and a smaller one." He said and and unrolled the two carpets over the armchairs.

Again Anddra laughed.

"Those aren't rugs, Filann, these are complete carpets. Can you bring the small one to my bedroom. Oh, and are those curtains matching the carpets."

"Eh, ...yes,... they were .... stacked together. So I assumed I'd better take everything." Filann stammered.

"With the carpet and the curtains my new sleeping room will look great. Thank you, Filann, you made a good choice. You certainly know how a nice house should ..." Anddra stopped as she saw again the darker look in his eyes which lasted only a few moments.

"And the other carpet you want in the living room?" He asked quickly.

Anddra nodded, but kept looking at Filann's eyes. He smiled a bit uneasy and walked over to the other side of the speeder to unload the coffee table. It was simple and very common right-angled low table and put it before her.

"I assumed that you don't wanted a too decorated piece. We Quelans like simple, but functional furniture, right." He said looking at her uncertainly.

"Our furniture was always simple, but functional. We decorated with plants in lovely pots, bowls filled with flowers, or fruits and my mother loved to make decorations with all kinds of yarns. I still have some her creations in those two boxes you brought here yesterday. She taught Iljon and me how to make them, but she could make such wonderful things. If, in the future, I will have enough time I want to pick up what she taught me, just to improve my skills, and it's nice to put some decoration on display you have made yourself.

But we'd better bring everything inside instead of talking near the front door. I'm going to the kitchen, Filann. It's the second door to your left if you're looking for me to bring me that ion-stove."

She went inside and Filann took the small carpet and the matching curtains to the small rooms at the end. He laid the nagawa fleeces aside and put the carpet in front of the bed. He looked at the neatly made bed with a certain pleasure. Next he unrolled the curtains and held them before the window. They fitted and would make the small room into a nice bedroom. He went back to the speeder and took his own equipment box inside. He took out the right tools and used the box to reach the upper side of the window. With a content smile he noticed that the old curtain rod was still fixed at the wall. As it was a bit dusty he took a piece of cloth from the box and cleaned the rod until it got back its old shimmer. The rings on the curtain fitted at the rod and not long afterwards he could open and closed the curtains easily. Content he took some steps backward and bumped into Andra, who came to see what he was doing.

For a moment she threatened to fall backward, but Filann grabbed her around the waist to prevent her fall. He quickly released her and laughed apologizing.

"Sorry," he murmured, but he could prevent that his cheeks got a reddish reflection.

Anddra looked at the carpet and the curtains hanging neatly on both sides of the windows.

"Wonderful. What luck that those rings fit exactly. Tonight I will close those curtains, but I will leave a tiny opening so I can see the sun coming up. Filann, I've cleaned a corner on the counter in the kitchen where I think you can put the stove."

She walked back through the corridor and opened the door to the kitchen. Filann stood amazed in the opening and looked at all sides.

"What a great place." He said. "This only needs a table with some chairs and it will be a fine place to have a good meal."

"We indeed have always had our meals in here, before all those terrible events happen. I don't know if I will eat here, for there are too many said memories here."

"I understand, Anddra. Maybe you should furnish another room as a dining room, something more cozy."

"You're making a lot of funny remarks. Did you furnish your own house?" She asked.

Filann looked at her and nodded silently.

"I have built a house. I completely furnished it. I bought everything that's needed to run a house hold." He said surly.

"A complete house with everything." Anddra responded amazed.

Filann nodded.

"I'm going to bring the rest of the furniture inside. Tell me where I have to bring those armchairs, Anddra." He said. and left the kitchen. Anddra followed him and opened the door to the living room she had been cleaning.

"If you can put them in here, Filann, then this room will also look a lot better than when I entered the house days ago." She said.

Filann went outside and came back with the carpet and the curtains. He look at the windows and saw tha curtain rod was still in tact. He walk back to Anddra's sleeping room to get his equipment box. Doing the same as he had done in the small room he managed to fitted the curtains on both sides of the window. All the time Anddra watched him. When he had fixed the curtains he carefully put all his tools back in his equipment box and put the box in the corridor. Then he walked outside again to the speeder and first brought the coffee table inside, after which he brought in the two armchairs. As he had finished he looked at Anddra who was still watching him.

"You're pretty handy, Filann, but you already told me that as a harvest man you have to do a lot of thing yourself." She said.

Filann nodded.

"Is everything to your liking, Anddra. Maybe I should have taken you to Ribana, so you could have made your own choice."

"Are you always apologizing for everything you do, Filann? I mean, are you thinking that you're not able to please some one." She asked.

"It's not easy to find out if people like what I do. My wife has never appreciated the house I built for her." He said and again Anddra the surly tone in his voice.

"You're married?" She asked inquisitively.

"I was," Filann answered.

"Was? Did your ...?"

"No, she's still alive, I assume. I haven't spoken to her for at least a year, maybe even longer," He said. "Actually, she isn't my wife at all."

Anddra said nothing but kept looking at him.

"Sounds odd, doesn't it. I tell you I have a wife, but then I say that she isn't my wife at all, although I'm already married to her for two years. Well, Anddra, I'd better be going. I have to do some clean up in Ribana, because tomorrow we're all going back to Tyr. Are you going back with those six brothers, or with general Solo and his wife?"

"I came to Myr in freighter wit a huge hairy humanoid. He looked very scary, but he was very polite to all of us."

"That's Chewbacca. He is a Wookiee, and the co-pilot and friend of general Solo. So you will travel back to Tyr with the Millennium Falcon, a famous space ship and a very famous owner and pilot."

"I haven't met him, did you?"

"Yes, Cemall and I did."

"Cemall?"

"My brother, two years younger than I. We're often seen by many Quelans as big troublemakers." Filann grinned.

"You're kidding, aren't you," Anddra asked.

Filann shook his head and walked to the door. He looked back at her and smiled.

"Haven't you attended the Harvest Council meeting about twelve standard days ago."

Anddra shook her head.

"No, after I came to Myr I immediately went over to the farm house and the first days I have done nothing else but crying. I didn't know where to begin, but now it all looks much better. I'm glad that you came here to help me."

Filann walked back to her and grabbed her hands.

"Anddra, I know you'll come back with the third group. I will come back to you and help to get this farm completely restored. I want to help you and fix everything here. Do not feel sad. I'm going to help you." He said and pressed her hands.

"Thank you, Filann." She said.

She looked up at him and suddenly had the strange feeling that he needed her to overcome some unspoken misery. She had heard when he had said he hadn't spoken to his wife for a year or longer, despite he was married with her for two years.

Filann walked over to the speeder.

"I hope to see you on Tyr, Anddra. Maybe we even will meet on the Millennium Falcon, for I'm traveling with it too."

He started the engine and drove off along the steep path that leaded to Ribana. At a bend in the road he stopped and looked back. He raised his hand to greet her and Anddra answered his gesture, before she entered the farm house again.

Luke had gathered Wedge and Chati, Ian and Loran on the plains near the Astræga. With a nod he wanted them to sit down cross-legged around him. Chati and Lorann looked a bit impressed, but Luke gently smiled at them.

"Chati, Lorann, my two Jedi friends have told me what they have been practising with you." He said.

Lorann immediately looked at Ian, but the young Jedi Knight nodded at him reassuringly.

"Chati, on Myr I taught you to become aware of the Living Force and you surprised me how easily you could become one with the Force and sense many life-forms around you at the clearing, but you also were able to sense the presence of your fellow Quelans in the community tree house. Excellent performance for a first time, and using your connection with the Living Force has become a habit, for your Jedi Master has told me that you are often aware of the presence of Shaayla-Car and me, well before we have been arrived. Also this time you referred to my arrival before the Astræga had landed. You're developing an excellent Force skill as a padawan."

Chati beamed and looked at Luke thankfully.

"Thank you, Ben. I love to practise what you and master Antilles teach me." She said.

Luke nodded at her with a friendly smile, before he turned to Lorann.

"Lorann, your Force skills are amazing me. You are very gifted Force-user with great talents. Yesterday you and I went to your favorite spot half way the mountain ridge to a plateau in front of a shallow cave. You challenged me to run uphill together and I have to complement you, for you used your Force skills during that endurance test. Not every Jedi Knight will be able to do what you do unwittingly. In your running uphill you showed me how strong your connection with the Force is. What you can do, Lorann, is a natural gift and you should cherish it."

"I love running uphill, master Skywalker, and you loved it too, didn't you?" Lorann exclaimed.

"I certainly did, Lorann." Luke answered smiling. "But my friend Tama-Hin Kenobi has told me that he has taught you some new Force use, right?"

Lorann's olive green skinn got a reddish color.

"Master Skywalker ... you shouldn't ... blame, master Kenobi, for ... teaching me. He ... wants too ... hear ..." Lorann stammered.

"Master Kenobi, wants to hear from you while he is away on mission to the Lumeara system. He and his friend master Martan have been chosen to accompany the Supreme Chancellor and her delegation." Luke said in a gentle voice, but Lorann quickly rattled again, before Luke could continue

"Master Skywalker, I know ... that you don't ... approve ... what master Kenobi wanted to teach me, but I like talking to him like the Jedi Knights can do, and Chati can do that too."

"Yes, Lorann, Chati can do that too, but Chati has a Jedi master to teach her the use of the Force." Luke answered and waited for Lorann's response which came immediately

"And I don't have a Jedi master, for master Kenobi may not take me as his padawan, yet, master Skywalker?"

"It's not a matter of 'may not take you as his padawan', Lorann. Master Kenobi wants to be sure that when he takes you as his padawan that he will be able to teach all a Jedi Knight needs to know, for being a padawan's Jedi master is a great responsibility."

"Master Skywalker, are you saying, that you don't want master Kenobi to ask me, while he is away, how I'm doing, but he already has taught me that and I want to tell him what I do." Lorann said with a small voice and he looked at Ian who gently put a hand on his shoulder.

"You'd better listen to master Skywalker," Ian said.

"Lorann, I sense that what I just said has hurt your feelings. You love to learn more about the Force and how to use the ally of the Jedi Knight, but you shouldn't let emotions dominate your wishes. For a Jedi it's important to learn to control emotional feelings. I'm not going to explain why this is important now, but what master Kenobi has taught these last days are some very important lessons and a true improvement of your Force skills, for like Chati you're as susceptible to these new Force skills as she is.

Master Kenobi has practise with you to feel the presence of life forms while you are consciously connected to the Living Force. Like Chati you sensed smaller life forms at first, but you have also sensed the presence of some of your fellow Quelans here you Tyr and you sensed master Kenobi's presence while he used Altus sopor a special Force skill which allows a Jedi Knight to become temporarily invisible. While he was invisible for you, you heard his voice and he urged you to become one with the Force again so you would sense his presence."

Lorann nodded.

"That was great, master Skywalker, for I can also make myself invisible if I want, no because I use the Quelan's skin color change, but I think I can do that same as master Kenobi did."

"I've heard Loran, that you have used that particular Force skills while all the Quelans where on their way through the wild lands to reach the western harbors, right?" Luke asked.

Lorann began to laugh.

"It was boring, master Skywalker. I wasn't allowed to run, so I hide myself so others wouldn't notice where I was. I often stay close to the group of my two brothers and Chati with her younger brothers. It was great fun when they missed me and started looking for me, but master Kenobi told me I shouldn't use it any more to make fun, for it's a very special use of the Force he said. A Jedi Knight uses it if he isn't sure if species in a crowd are harmful. I will remember what master Kenobi told me, and here on Tyr I haven't really used it anymore, for grandpa always could find me."

They all laughed and Luke knew the reason why Manall had always sensed the presence of his grandson.

"Chati, Lorann, you both are familiar now to become one with the Living Force and sense life forms like people all around you. Next my two friends have taught you to use Jedi telepathy to communicate without other non-Force-users hearing what you're talking about. Your thought can only be heard by all others who communicate that way. You also have taken one step further to communicate that way when you combine your Force connection with someone more explicitly and wrap him or her in the same Force connection.

While establishing such a connection no other species can over hear what you're talking, not even another Jedi Knight. That special way of Jedi telepathy connect only two Force-users, two Jedi Knights, or a Jedi master and his padawan, at the time. It's an absolute safe way for us to tell a Jedi friend what is going on. I always urge initiated Jedi Knights to learn this safest way of Jedi telepathy, but it needs practice and that's what we four are going to do while I'm on Tyr.

As soon as Jedi Martan, Jedi master Leia, and Jedi Shaayla-Car have arrived I will also include them in our practise sessions. It means that from now on we will communicate via Jedi telepathy as much as possible, if you want to say something to a Jedi Knight. You may make your own choice if you don't mind if other Jedi Knights will hear what your talking about, or that you want to have an exclusive connection with a special Jedi Knight, or ... master Kamalin or master Manall, for I will ask them to join us while we are practising."

Chati and Lorann looked at Luke with elated faces.

"Master Antilles said, that he would teach me this at a later stage, but he told Lorann that he should do his utmost to conquer this Force use." Chati said and gave Lorann a push. "Hey, Lorann, we're privileged to have Ben as our Jedi master."

"Master Antilles is your Jedi master, young padawan. I'm taking this task upon me as a Jedi teacher not as anyone's Jedi master. " Luke said on a slight more stern tone.

Lorann focussed his attention only on Luke.

'Master Skywalker, if I use Jedi telepathy will I also be able to communicate with the Urams' leader Oltomyran?' He asked.

'When we're visiting the nut woods this afternoon and we meet master Oltomyran you should use what you have learned, Lorann.' Luke answered through the Force.

Lorann looked at Chati, Wedge Antilles and Ian and winked at Luke.

'They haven't heard what I asked you, master Skywalker.' He said.

Luke didn't comment, but it amazed him how easily this young boy was applying what he had only learned the day before.

Nori Thai and Yarmod Martan were sitting at the comsystem room. Nori had spread and enhanced and enlarged copy of the drawing Lorann had send over on a table.

"As far as we know now, we can make an overlay and marked the houses which aren't yet restored or repaired," He said.

Yarmod took a list from another table.

"I have here a first list of the house along the main street and around the main plaza. Checking the four outskirts quarters might take some time for there are numerous streets and alleys."

"Let's mark those main street house and along the main plaza on the overlay, Yarmod. We have to be very precise and check our findings before we show the results to master Manall. I like his plan to include the harvest families in the community in Ribana."

"He will meet a lot of opposition I fear, Nori. I hope the get as much of this task finish, before I have to go to Irithim."

"You sound unhappy, Yarmod, but that's what superiors can do to us underlings, although I should call a Jedi Knight an underling. Where are you exactly going, or is it a secret mission?"

"No, as far as I know it's not secret. I have already been with Wedge Antilles on Lumeara. I was his padawan at that time."

"So the Supreme Chancellor is going to Lumeara?" Nori said. "Do you know why?"

"Wedge and I have handed the credentials of the New Republic's government to the Lumearanian leaders. They had asked the Irithim government for help and the Supreme Chancellor send Wedge and me to do some first negotiations. I understand that the Lumearanian leaders have send the Supreme Chancellor an invitation to come to Lumeara for further negotiations."

"How was your stay there?" Nori asked.

"Difficult, for before Wedge and I left we were informed that the Lumearanians have a grudge against the Jedi Order, that's to say the Jedi Order as it existed during the former Republic. Intelligence told us that the Lumearanians have accused the Jedi Order that the Jedi Knights have slaughtered some thousand Lumearanians because the Jedi thought they were sympathizers of the Separatists, or even Separatists themselves. The information intelligence had couldn't be verified, but Wedge and I we presented ourselves as consular negotiators and didn't dress as Jedi Knights. It was a tedious job and all in all it took nine months and a lot of negotiating before the leaders accepted the New Republic credentials. And now I'm send again to that system with Leia and Tama-Hin. It feels good that Leia is going too, for it will be my first mission as a Jedi Knight."

"But the three of you will have to disguise yourselves, for that grudge against the Jedi Knights still exists on Lumeara, I guess." Nori Thai said.

"We sure will, Nori, but after Wedge and I came back and were on Na'ctaMagh'Ba Wedge has done some research in the Jedi Archive. He couldn't find any proof of the alleged mass slaughter of Lumearanians. The records in the Jedi Archive are supposed to be very accurate.

Anyway, before I have to leave I want as much of the task master Manall has requested to fulfill, so he can work out his plan to make one joint community of all the Quelans, harvest families included. What do we have?"

Yarmod bowed over the overlay of the drawing and started encircling the houses he and Nori had listed as still needing restoration.

"After the third group has arrived we can cross off the houses which will be restored by them." Yarmod remarked. "But I have to leave the final result to you Nori and probably to some of the Grann brothers, for Han Solo will bring the three of us to Irithim."

"Han surely doesn't like it that Leia will join this mission, does he?" Nori asked.

"Not really, but Luke convinced Leia that, as the Supreme Chancellor's special advisor, it was her duty to be part of the delegation."

"Sounds reasonable. Will Han come back to Palomintar Four, as he has brought you and the others to Irithim.?"

"I guess, that he will ensure that all kind of safety precautions have been taken, before he comes back. That's why I think that one of the Grann brother will help you further to complete master Manall's request, so he can allocate the abandoned houses to the harvest families which will stay on Tyr until their husbands have restored those houses."

"The fourth group?" Nori asked.

"Possibly, but I don't know if after the third group has done their chores the governors want all Quelans to come back. I don't know what they have in mind, for the first and second group are also on Tyr. Maybe one of the governors will asked the Grann brothers and Han Solo, after he has returned to bring a group of Quelans from Tyr to Myr for a permanent stay in Ribana. Many Quelans still have some belongings on Tyr, which they certainly want to bring to Myr. Well, that's not really our concern, Nori."

"How long do you have before you leave for Irithim?"

"From the message Leia got from the Supreme Chancellor we have calculated that we are expected at Irithim two standard weeks after the third group has been brought to Myr, but there shouldn't be a delay at the arrival of the third group, for a standard week after our arrival on Dalmaran we're heading for the Lumeara system. That's what I know, Nori. Tama-Hin and I are joining Gold Squadron as two the Squadrons pilots. The delegation will travel with the Tychorion. As soon as we have reached the Lumeara system Tama-Hin and I will dock on the Tychorion and join the delegation of the Supreme Chancellor which will be transferred to the main planet of the system in one of the transport shuttles. The Tychorion will stay in orbit near the system till the end of the negotiations. This is just a general overview of what will happen, but there is no time schedule for the negotiations themselves. As Wedge and I needed nine months to became on speaking terms with the leaders there I not reassured about the outcome of this mission."

Nori Thai at the young Jedi who also had become one of this new friends.

'And you shouldn't have that either, Yarmod Martan. I will keep a close eye on any information the Supreme Chancellor's delegation and her advisor will be able to pass through, for I know the deceitfulness of the Lumearanian leaders. My dear lady Mon Mothma, you had better turned down their request for help as the leaders on Coruscant have done.' He thought and marked some of the possible abandoned houses on the drawing overlay.

"Does everyone know with which freighter they will be brought back to Tyr," Mugin asked.

"Yes, I've heard that most Quelans of the second group will gather in the harvester's tents already tonight, for most of them have finished with what they were doing. Not everything is fixed, but that's a matter for later, after we all have come back here. The houses of the first and the second group are ready to give the inhabitants an almost normal way of living. They have done the impossible, Mugin." Woldrin said.

Mugin nodded.

"You're right, Woldrin. I have seen what Ribana looked like before the intruder had left. It was shocking, but as I'm walking now through Ribana I feel hopeful." Mugin commented, "Not everything is completed, but a lot of progress has been made, since the first group began to do the repairs and cleaning.

Maybe it's good idea to bring my wife and her sister also earlier to Ribana, that might save some time tomorrow, for the earlier we're back on Tyr the better.

Toallin and Kamalin are already busy with the preparations of the joint meeting with the Harvest Council as Manall wants, but they certainly will need our information. I know, for instance, that one harvest man has been doing repairs and cleaning in one of the abandoned houses. He talked about his plan with Manall who asked me about it. I have agreed, but I have to talk it over with Toallin.

It's a first step, Woldrin, for Manall himself has inhabited a house at the main plaza. If we want to form one community with all the Quelans it's good to point to some who already have chosen to live in Ribana and not separate at the foothills. "

"Indeed, you'd better go to the vineyard and get Udine and Carmona. We can prepare a place to sleep for them in the administration building." Woldrin said, "We've also finished our chores. We can close off."

Mugin left the administration building, took the speeder and drove to the vineyard. At the sound of the speeder Carmona came outside. She kindly greeted her husband.

"What brings you here, Mugin. We thought you would come tomorrow morning?" She asked.

"The second group is already gathering in the harvester's tent near the landing spot of the two freighters. Woldrin and I think we should go back to Tyr as early as possible tomorrow. Can you close off the vineyard building now, my dear?" Mugin said.

Meanwhile Udine has joint her sister and brother-in-law.

"We have a guest, Mugin. Shaayla-Car is staying with us, for Luke has gone to Tyr already. Cemall is also here. They are both still busy pruning our vines. That boy is doing a good job, Mugin, and he turns out to be a decent fellow." Udine said. "I like him."

"You two gather your belonging, Carmona. I'll go over to the vineyard and get Shaayla-Car and Cemall. I will tell them why we're leaving tonight instead of tomorrow morning." Mugin decided and pushed his wife in the direction of the building, before he walked over to the entrance of the vineyard itself, where he immediately saw Liane and Cemall working together fixing several pruned grapevines. Liane looked before he had reach them and put down the pruning shear.

"Mugin, you're coming to tell us we can stop with our work, for you want us to go to Ribana with you and Udine and Carmona." She said.

Somewhat bewildered Mugin looked at her, before he started to laugh.

"Yes, Shaayla-Car, but Udine told me you're their guest." He said.

"You shouldn't worry about that, Mugin." Liane said and looked at Cemall. "We're done here, Cemall. You'd better clean the shears, while I will put aside the last bundles of vines. The governor wants to take us to Ribana as soon as possible. You and I are going to the Millennium Falcon, I'm sure we will be welcome there."

Cemall looked at Mugin.

"Governor, my community work is over, I think, but did your wife tell you about my grandfather's plan to let me work in the vineyard together with some friends of mine?"

"She did, Cemall, and it's good plan, but I have to coordinate it with my brother, although I don't think he will have objections. I will also speak with my two sons and my nephews. They know the work and can be of your assistance. I will make sure that we will take enough shears with us from Tyr when we go back to Myr with the third group. Carmona has seen you working in the vineyard and she has great confidence in your help." Mugin answered.

They went back to the building where Udine and Carmona had gathered their personal belongings they wanted to take with them.

"We're ready, Mugin. We have done a quick check of our food supply, but what's left can be used when we come back here." Carmona said, while she carried a small container "Only Cemall's favorite dessert is in here. Take it, young man, and share it with those who love it as well as you do."

She handed him the container and smiled at him. Cemall took the container and thanked her.

"Will it stay fresh, ma'am, until I've arrived on Tyr. I want to share this with my mother, my three sisters and Lorann." He said.

"Oh, yes, it will," Carmona said.

"There is an ion-cooler at the Falcon, Cemall. We will ask Han or Leia to keep it there for you." Liane said.

"Well, if we're all ready, let's get back to Ribana. Shaayla-Car, I will bring you and Cemall to the Millennium Falcon, before I take my wife and her sister to the administration building." Mugin said. "Get in the speeder. Cemall, you take the passenger's seat. We, Quelan men, leave the chatter to these three ladies. Get at the back seat you three." Mugin said with a grin.

They reached Ribana and the Millennium shortly after they had left the vineyard. Liane thanked Mugin for the ride and beckoned Cemall to walk up the ramp with her. She took him to the control room where only Chewbacca was busy fixing some complex device.

"Hey, Chewie, where are Han and Leia?" She asked as she walked over to the pantry and beckoned Cemall to hand her the container.

Chewbacca grunted a sentence which sounded like a laughter. Liane nodded.

"I understand. Do you mind if we keep you company until they turn up." She asked.

Chewbacca looked at Cemall, but Liane shook her head.

"No, you don't want to bring him to that cargo quarter, yet. Where is his brother?" She said and sat down on the couch.

Chewbacca put his chores aside and grunted a sentence at Cemall.

"Filann is with your grandfather, Cemall. Chewie asks you if you want to play holo chess with him."

Cemall nodded and Chewbacca activated the table and set up the holo chess figures. Cemall took a seat opposite the Wookiee and within minutes the two players had become completely absorbed in the game. Liane poured herself a drink from the pantry when she heard a door slid apart in the aft of the ship. Some moments later Han and Leia came over to the control room, looking in surprise at the two visitors.

"What are you doing here, Shaayla-Car," Han asked.

"Thanks, for the warm welcome, Han Solo," Liane retorted, "I'm without a sleeping place for the night, so I wanted to ask my family if I could get a lodging in their ship, as my future husband has left me alone on Myr."

"Where is Luke?" Leia asked.

"Already gone to Tyr to have a word with Ian, Wedge and their two Quelan wards." Liane answered.

She saw Leia frown.

"Are there again troubles on Tyr about Lorann?" Leia asked.

"No, but I'm sure that Luke will tell you why he has gone there already." Liane answered.

Meanwhile Han was looking at the chess players.

"You're losing, Cemall, and that's obvious, for Chewbacca always wins." Han said.

"I love the challenge, general Solo. I'm not a real good player, but I want to do your friend a favor." Cemall answered.

There was some rumor at the entrance of the ship and, Nori Thati, Yarmod Martan, together with Filann and the two droids who were carry five seven meals with them.

"One short, Goldenrod," Han said and grinned as he saw the distraught posture of Threepio.

"Master Solo, I always bring seven portion here. Two for master Cornell's sons, two for master Yarmod and master Nori and the other three for you, mistress Leia and Chewbacca. That makes seven portions."

"You can't count, Goldenrod, we're eight tonight. So go back and get an other portion." Han said teasingly.

Leia and Liane shook their head.

"Threepio, don't listen to my husband. You know that he is always teasing you. Seven portion will do. Go back to your chores as you still have to serve the Quelans." Leia said.

"Artoo and I have an easy task tonight, mistress Leia, for all the Quelans have already gathered in those large tents and master Cornell and his men are helping them to get a serving. It's very crowded, but the atmosphere is elated. All the Quelans seemed happy to go back to the other continent. Artoo and I only see happy faces. Master Wollin and master Roshann told us that they will ensured that Artoo and I can recharge tonight, before we all fly back. Come on, Artoo, we're going."

Liane watched them go.

"Threepio love to be subservient. He and Artoo were fine companions while I was on Na'ctaMagh'Ba." She said pensively.

Leia looked at Han, while she pulled Liane next to her on the couch where the two watch the chess game.

"Han, can you make sure, that Shaayla-Car, will have a place to sleep, darling?"

Han nodded and turned to the Wookiee.

"Chewie, finish that game, for we have crowd for dinner tonight." He said.

The Wookiee grunted an answer and made a formidable move with one of his piece. He looked up at Cemall with a gleeful smile. Cemall put out his hand.

"You beat, Chewbacca. Thanks for the game. I loved it." He said and looked at his brother, before he turned to Leia.

"We're going to our custody room, ma'am," He said, but Leia shook her head.

"You and Filann will have your meal with us, Cemall. The imposed sentence is over as far as I am concerned. It will be a bit cramped with eight people, but I bid you welcome among us. Find yourself a place to sit, both of you." Leia said.

"Thank you, ma'am. Shall we get some seat from the quarter where we have talk with our grandfather." Filann asked.

Leia nodded and a little later all of them were joining the shared meal in the control room.

Luke Skywalker looked at the young Quelan boy who seemed to possess some very promising Force talents which would enhance the New Jedi Order Luke was establishing. With enthusiasm and care Lorann was feeding two young Urams with the nuts which were laying in small heaps near his knees. Erect the young boy sat cross-legged among the vegetation. He held his left arm straight on which the two Urams were sitting. In his right hand filled with fallen nut he held in front of their beaks. They took the nuts very carefully before they swallowed them. When Lorann's hand was empty Luke saw how the bird gently nibbled at the tip of his fingers to ask for more food. Without looking Lorann reach out to the nut head at his knees and grabbed a handful of nuts. The two birds on his other arm squeaked, as if they agreed, and they ruffled the feather when Lorann held out the nuts again.

Luke created a Force connection with Lorann, encapsulating the boy explicitly with him.

'I want to show you something, Lorann.' He said using Jedi telepathy.

Lorann didn't look at him. Instead he answered Luke using the Jedi way to communicate.

'These are the last nuts I will give them, master Skywalker. I'm taking care they won't overeat, for they might get sick, I guess.'

Luke smiled and waited, keeping his Force connection with Lorann who gave the last nut to one of the birds. The boy closed his hand and shook his head and Luke saw how the two birds stretched themselves before flying away.

'You have a great way, Lorann, to communicate with your friends.' Luke complimented him.

Now Lorann looked at him and laughed. He got up and stretch like he himself was able to fly up to the trees, before he walked in Luke's direction.

'Where are we going, master Skywalker?' Lorann asked.

Luke put his hand on Lorann's shoulder and gently took to the other end of the clearing, where the path began that led deeper into the nut wood.

'Stay close to me, Lorann. We're going to the place where most of the Urams live.'

'Also master Oltomyran, master Skywalker?'

'Yes, but also many of his relatives, for the Urams form a large family which contains many generations of Urams.'

'Chati and I only meet the younger Urams. Do their relatives trust us that much that they send them all alone to the clearing?' Lorann asked surprised.

'There are several adult Urams which keep an eye on what's happening to the young ones, Lorann.'

Meanwhile they were following the winding path through the nut forest. Luke noticed that Lorann was constantly looking around, taking in all the impressions of the unknown environment. Yet, Luke also sensed that Lorann fully trusted the walk with him.

Finally they reached the large clearing with the lake. Luke stopped at the edge of the clearing and kept his hand on Lorann's shoulder.

'You should consider this clearing as the home and the house of the Urams. We wait here if they will welcome us.'

'Standing here, master Skywalker, they think we're knocking at their door, right?'

'Yes, Lorann, and I hope they will let us in. They let in your eldest brother Filann, but he was in the company of Oltomyran. The Urams will notice that I'm a powerful Jedi Knight, but that doesn't mean I have the same prerogatives as their leader.'

'If they open up, master Skywalker. I will tell them you're trustworthy.'Lorann said and looked around the clearing where nothing seem to move.

'There are hundreds of Urams watching us, master Skywalker,' Lorann and looked up to the canopies.

'You sense their presence?' Luke asked.

'Clearly, master Skywalker. They are looking curiously at us. Not hostile.'

All of a sudden a rustle of feathers was heard and in front of Luke and Lorann Oltomyran landed at the clearing and walked majestically over to them. Luke released Lorann from his explicit Force connection.

'Welcome to the place where we're all living in peace for years now.' Oltomyran said.

Bewildered Lorann looked up at Luke.

'Answer him, Lorann, for you've heard his welcome.' Luke said.

Lorann looked at Oltomyran again.

'Master Oltomyran, like Chati, I know can understand what you're saying. I'm glad to meet you again.' Lorann said and made a deep bow to show his respect.

'You've come here in good company, young one. Your guide is an important Force-user.' Oltomyran said and nodded at Luke, who brought the formal Jedi salutation.

'Master Skywalker is a Jedi Knight, master Oltomyran. He is the most important Jedi Knight of all the Jedi Knights. He has been the Jedi master of master Antilles and master Kenobi. He taught and trained them to become Jedi Knights.' Lorann explained.

'Will he be your Jedi master too, young one?'

'No, master Oltomyran. I would like to learn from master Kenobi, but master Kenobi still has a lot to learn himself, before he will feel that he can teach me. I will wait for him, master Oltomyran.'

'Why, do you want to wait for master Kenobi, young one?'

'Master Kenobi's father, master Obi-Wan was a friend of my grandfather, master Oltomyran. My grandfather has told me a lot of stories about master Obi-Wan and master Anakin, who is the father of master Skywalker.' Lorann explained.

Oltomyran made a sound that sounded like a chuckle.

'You are surrounded with a lot of great Force-user, young one. They will make you awareness of your own Force skills more clear. You should listen to them, for what they teach you is important.' The Urams's leader said.

'Oh, I will, master Oltomyran, for I would like to learn how to use the Force and become a Jedi Knight myself. Master Oltomyran, are all the other Urams, I sense, listening to what we're talking about.' Lorann asked.

Again Oltomyran made the chuckling sound, but he also turned to the clearing and Lorann saw how some tens of adult Urams came down from the tree and formed a half circle around their leader. He made another deep bow and heard that the Urams were talking to Oltomyran. Placidly Lorann waiting until the Urams' leader looked again at him.

'Young one, my fellow Urams express their gratitude to you and the other young Quelan for feeding our young Urams. During the period our friends the nut tree were chopped we have also suffered loses among our young ones, for there weren't enough nuts to feed them. After the chopping of our nut tree friends stopped it took much time to find trees with enough nuts to feed our youngsters.' Oltomyran told Lorann.

'The Urams can only eat the nut which are still hanging on the trees, can't they?' Lorann asked.

The group of adult Urams nodded.

'Master Oltomyran, Chati and I have made long chains with fallen nuts and we are going to attach those chains at the nut trees around the clearing where we always come, for Chati and master Antilles are going to Myr and master Kenobi has to leave this planet too. I may not go alone into the clearing. I have to wait if master Kamalin or my grandfather have time to accompany me. Therefore Chati and I have made those long chains with nuts. Before they all leave we will hang them among the trees. We hope that the young Urams can eat the nuts which we have fixed on those chains.' Lorann said stammering and a bit apologetic.

'That's a fine plan, young one, but we hope that you and your friends will come back to play and feed with our youngster, for they are your friends, like we are the friends of your grandfather.' Oltomyran said.

'I can't tell you, master Oltomyran, if we will come back, for all the Quelans are going to live on Myr again, but I will ask my grandfather what I should do.'

'Your grandfather will have a solution, young one, you shouldn't worry too much. We have heard that none of our nut tree friends will be chopped, that good, for that means that old times will reappear and there will be enough nuts on the trees to feed all the Urams. Now you should go back with your guide and ask him how you and the other young Force-user could attach those chains with nuts at the nut trees around the clearing.' Oltomyran said and ruffled his big wings. The adult Urams flew up and vanished among the trees. Lorann watched them go, before he looked at the Urams' leader again.

'Master Oltomyran, yesterday master Kenobi was teaching me how I could communicate with him as the Jedi do. We were at the hills behind Cantamaga. I saw the nut woods and I felt all the life forms living there. I also felt you. You seemed to be sleeping. I'm sorry if I woke you up, but I used my new skill to greet you.' Lorann said.

'I was aware of your presence, young one, that's why I'm glad that I have also made my acquaintance with you. Your guide had heard you greeted me, therefore he brought you here, so we could meet. Goodbye, now, young one, thank you for taking care of our youngsters.' Oltomyran said, spread his wings, flew up and vanished over the lake to find a place on a nut tree to rest.

Luke established his explicit connection with Lorann.

'You've made an excellent impression on Oltomyran, Lorann. When we're back at the clearing you and Chati should show me and the others the chains with nuts you have made.' Luke said.

'Do you know a way to hang them on those trees.' Lorann asked.

'I think I will, Lorann.'

'Then we should go back now, for Chati and I want to make even more chains, but we didn't know how to attach them on the trees.' Lorann said, pulled at Luke's arm and turned around to the path that led back to the clearing.