The Path of Dreams

~Chapter 10~

Council Chambers Jedi Temple, Coruscant

The Council meeting ended, but not without great disagreement. Luke glanced over at his nephew, who was speaking quietly with Corran Horn, Kenth Hamner, Tresina Lobi and Kyle Katran, all of whom supported many of Jacen’s ideas and his placement on the Council. Even Luke had to admit that a lot of Jacen proposed for the Jedi seemed in the Order’s and the GA’s best interests. However in the back of his mind he couldn’t ever shake the nagging feeling that Jacen had an ulterior motive, which is what bothered Luke because he couldn’t understand why Jacen would want anything but what was best for the Jedi Order. Luke felt a great sadness in the way his relationship with Jacen had deteriorated. Although, Luke thought with a heavy heart, it isn’t just with Jacen; my entire family is torn apart.

He took a deep breath and looked over at Mara. She met his gaze and gave a microscopic nod, and he felt her love, support and her concern for their son. Letting that bolster his resolve, Luke moved over to Jacen and the other Masters.

“Excuse me, Masters,” Luke interjected when Kenth paused in his speech, “I’m sorry, but I need to speak with Jacen regarding a personal matter.”

“Of course, Master Skywalker.” Kenth bowed his head and then turned back to Jacen and said, “Master Solo, we will continue this later.”

Jacen smiled and nodded as he replied, “Most definitely. Your input is greatly appreciated.”

As the group moved away Luke called out, “Corran.” Luke waited for the younger man to turn and then went on to say, “I just wanted to say that despite the decision today, I will personally stand behind Valin through this.”

Corran nodded, “Thanks Luke. I appreciate your support and I know Valin will also. But as I said in the meeting, I don’t think it will do the Order any favors to openly support someone the GA will try as a traitor. We can’t afford anymore bad press.” Then he looked at Mara, who came to stand beside Luke, smiling he said, changing the subject, “Mara, Jysella was telling Mirax that she wants to wait to take her trials. What do you think? Isn’t she ready?”

Mara shrugged and responded, “I think she is. I really don’t know what is bothering her. She is usually pretty open with me, but recently she hasn’t been. I think that’s because of how close she and Ben have become, and her knowledge that we aren’t thrilled by it. But maybe he knows why she wants to wait.”

Corran looked from Mara to Luke, and then said, “This really isn’t the time or the place to discuss this, but I believe we should talk about the—ahh—complications involved with how close they are. Mirax related something to me that has me extremely concerned.”

Luke nodded, “I agree. I will admit I’m not completely comfortable with their relationship either. Ben is so young and Jys is—“

Corran smiled and finished, “Too old for him. I agree,” Corran looked back at where Kyle and Kenth were waiting for him at the door, “maybe I can stop you your office later?” Luke nodded and gave him a time. Corran finished with, “Then I’ll see you later this afternoon.” After bowing his head in respect for the Grand Master, he moved toward door and his waiting colleagues.

Luke watched as the group left the chamber and then he turned to Jacen, who smiled, looked from Luke to Mara and then said, “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I know what you want to talk about.”

“Jacen, we need to discuss Ben’s apprenticeship and where he’s going,” Luke said before Mara had a chance to.

She looked at Luke, and then openly glared at Jacen. “We’re concerned about his use of his anger and emotions to tap into the Force.”

Jacen sighed and responded, “I understand your concern and I am too. I’ve spoken to Ben about it, explaining the dangers of tapping into such emotions—”

“Maybe if he wasn’t placed in situations where there were as many dangers, he wouldn’t feel that touching the Dark Side was the only option,” Mara spat.

“Aunt Mara,” Jacen’s tone was almost condescending, Luke thought, “we have discussed Ben’s involvement in the GAG more times than I care to remember. Ben is doing what he wants to do. He is contributing to the unit and he feels like he is accomplishing something important. And almost as importantly, he is doing well at it. I do not force him to go on missions. I make the assignments, but he knows he can back out at any time he doesn’t feel comfortable.”

“Like he would do that?” Mara’s frustration was very clear. “Come on, Jacen, he’s only sixteen. He doesn’t want to look weak in front of the other GAG officers. Besides, he wouldn’t back out of assignments once he’s assigned. He wants acceptance and he wants to be grown up.”

“Mara, he has been doing this since he was thirteen.” Then Jacen turned his gaze to Luke. “And he has been going on missions with me since he was ten. I never expect Ben to do anything that he is not capable of doing, however it is important to his development as a Jedi to participate where he can.”

“Jacen,” Luke calmly said, “we are worried that’s all. We’ve seen and heard of some of the things that you’ve done. What concerns us is to see Ben in situations where, not only he could be bodily injured, but feels that the only way out is to touch the Dark Side in the belief that it is alright because it is part of the Unifying Force.”

“Uncle Luke, we’ve discussed my belief in the Unifying Force nearly as much as we discussed Ben’s apprenticeship. There was a time that you also believed in the Unifying Force.” Jacen smiled and went on to say, “But I will reiterate that I’ve taken your concerns into consideration in my instruction, and that I haven’t taught Ben anything that isn’t traditional Jedi teachings.” Jacen paused and looked at his wrist chrono then he smiled graciously and concluded, “Unfortunately, we will have to continue this some other time. I have to go. I have a meeting with my command staff regarding my recommendations to the promotion board.”

Jacen smiled and concluded, “I have Ben’s best interests at heart and would never do anything that would jeopardize him.” Jacen then bowed and said, “Aunt Mara, Uncle Luke, have a good day.”

They watched as he turned sharply on his heel and headed out the door. Finally, Mara softly said, “Luke, I still don’t like that he has so much control over Ben.”

Luke met her eyes and agreed, “Me neither, Mara, me neither.” Then he asked as another thought tugged at his mind, “Mara, do you really think Jysella is ready for her trials?”

Mara narrowed her green eyes and she pierced him with a sharp look. “Skywalker, what do you have up your sleeve? What does Jysella’s training have to do with Ben’s?”

He sighed and looked back at the door. “It’s just that I really am not comfortable with Jysella’s feelings toward Ben.” He looked at her and went on, “If Ben was older I would more than support this relationship, but Ben is still too young and Jysella is an adult. I almost fear Jysella’s influence over Ben more than Jacen’s.”

“Luke, what are you talking about?”

“I’ve seen how those two act around each other, especially since we came back from Mullin. I know that they are bonded through the Force and I,” Luke looked away and then quietly said, “I think they are more than just friends.”

Mara looked as if he had just slapped her. “You don’t mean…”

Luke swallowed and shook his head. “I only know that I’m concerned that something like that will happen. Ben thinks he’s an adult, and Jys considers him one. Worse, I remember what it’s like to be a hormonal sixteen-year-old boy, but I didn’t have a pretty girlfriend who thought of me in the same way.”

“You think if Jysella passed her trials, she could be sent on a mission and therefore be away from Ben for a while.”

Luke nodded and responded, “That is exactly what I think. We can see what Corran thinks when he meets with us later. Then we can concentrate on getting Ben away from Jacen.”

~~~

Training Room, Jedi Temple, Coruscant

She twisted away as she parried his strike with her lightsaber, and when she came to a stop she came back with a lunge which Ben caught on his blade and easily deflected. Ben’s lightsaber skill was a flawless, dance of smooth strikes and perfectly placed parries. Jysella’s style was more Dathomirian then anything—a choreographed mix of athletic spins and leaps with well placed lunges and counter strikes. Not surprising, considering the Master who shaped her into the Jedi she had become was Dathomiri Master Kirana Ti. What did surprise them though was that they were becoming very well matched, and each time they dueled Ben had a harder time keeping up with her.

Jys allowed herself a small smile as she back flipped over a low strike and, as she landed on her feet, she caught Ben’s lightsaber near the hilt with hers, stunning them both as the contact knocked it out of his one-handed grip.

“Ugh!!” he growled in surprise as the hilt hit the mat several yards way.

Jys broke out into a smile as she deactivated her silver blade and clipped it to her belt. “Well, that wasn’t too difficult,” she said smugly as she stood straight with her hands on her hips while trying to steady her breathing.

Ben reached out with the Force and called his saber to him. As it landed in his hand, he looked at her and grinned lopsidedly, “Like I said, weak as a whisperkit.”

She walked over to the side of the training room and picked up her outer light green robe from their things. She said as she pulled it on over her tan pants and white tunic, “Oh, no, you don’t!” She turned on him and pointed her finger at him. “I won that fair and square.”

He stepped close to her and grinned as he raised a brow. “If you say so.” He reached down to the bench and picked up his outer uniform shirt. As he put it on over the sleeveless undershirt, Jys watched the toned muscles of his shoulders move under the newly healed skin. Ben was tall and lanky, but he also had a very well developed musculature, which came from the training regimen that was demanded of all the Stormies in GAG. When she noticed that he caught her watching him, she turned away, but not before she saw his smile at her blush. Of course, he had one on his face as well. As he buttoned the shirt, they stared at each other for a long moment, and Jys could feel her heart race, which had nothing to do with the exertion of sparring. She wanted to kiss him again and be kissed by him. He had totally taken her breath away before they came to the Temple when he kissed her at the apartment. He excited her in a way that she had never felt before and she couldn’t stop thinking about him, but she knew that she shouldn’t feel this way. Her mother was right, Ben was still too young and if they truly loved one another they could wait.

As he reached out to touch her face, she quickly turned away. She instantly felt his disappointment and his soft voice only intensified that feeling. “Jys? What’s wrong?”

Slowly she turned and swallowed, “Ben, I told my mom about us.”

Ben straightened and said, “And what did she tell you? No, let me guess: she told you that I’m too young for you and that you shouldn’t love me. Am I close?”

Jysella could only stare at him and slowly nodded. “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

He turned and moved away from her. She watched as he ran his hand through his hair to push it off his forehead. She could feel his frustration through the bond that had strengthened over the past few weeks. “Ben,” she said quietly, “Maybe we shouldn’t rush this. I mean we both are young. I’m almost nineteen, but I’m not even ready for where this is heading.” Despite her words, Jysella didn’t sound convincing even to her. She wanted Ben’s love as much as he wanted hers.

He turned and met her gaze again. “I know you don’t mean that, Jys. I can feel it.” He stepped closer and this time she let him gently touch her face. “Jys, I know I’m young. I know that I feel far more emotion for you than I should, but I can’t help it. It’s like I’m drawn to you, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Mom and Dad are always saying that I’m growing up too fast. Well, maybe I have.”

She couldn’t move, he completely mesmerized her with his bottomless blue eyes, and for several long moments he was as enthralled by her green. However Ben was the one to break the spell by moving away again. Jys hated to admit that she was greatly disappointed.

She didn’t want to end their day like this either. They were enjoying themselves until her mind got in the way of her heart. She took a deep breath and grinned, saying, “You promised to take me out to lunch after we were done.”

He turned and grinned back. “Emmm…I seem to remember that it was you who brought up the idea of lunch. Not me. So, you should be the one doing the buying.”

She raised her brow and said, as she picked up her bag, “Okay, I’ll buy, but you have to at least try salm soup.”

He made a disgusted face and said, “On second thought, it is very ungentlemanly of me not to buy you lunch since you did beat me and all.”

She laughed, as they left the training room hand in hand, “Smooth, Skywalker. Real smooth.”

~~~

Grand Master’s Office, Jedi Temple, Coruscant

Corran stepped through the door and came to a stop before the desk of Luke Skywalker. Mara was sitting before the simple wood and metal desk, and she turned to greet him with a smile. Luke stood and Corran bowed his head as he said in way of greeting, “Luke, Mara, I’m sorry that I’m late. I just received a call from Valin.”

“How is he?” Luke said as he returned to his seat and motioned for Corran to take one of the others before the surprisingly bare desk.

“He’s doing okay. He’s shielding me, but when I talked to him I got the impression that he’s trying hard to be as emotionless as possible. You know Valin.” Luke nodded and Corran added, “But I think he’s scared. I know I would be.” Corran’s dry laugh held no mirth.

“Treason is a pretty serious charge,” Mara said as she turned the chair to face her friend more than her husband.

Corran looked at her and swallowed. “I know that. I just wish the media wasn’t having such a field day with this. The fleet just arrived in Coruscant and already the Fifth Fleet HQ has been put under maximum security due to the media trying to get in. Mirax and I are being hounded by reporters. Fortunately, they’ve seemed to have left Jysella alone so far, but I’m sure it won’t be long that they attack her too. My assistant has already fielded a dozen calls here at the Temple wanting to talk to me, and Mirax has changed our comm frequency to cut down on the influx at home. Of course, the worst and most persistent are from Coruscant Tonight.”

Mara scowled as she said, “The reporters from that tabloid are lower than Hutt’s slime. One of them confronted Jysella while we were in Mullin to see Ben.” Mara then smirked, “Jys put him in his place, though. I was proud of her.”

Corran smiled and said, “She can be a spitfire when she wants to be. She really has flourished under your instruction, Mara. Mirax and I are so glad that you agreed to complete her training.”

“Well, she’s been a real joy,” Mara looked at Luke and concluded, “to both of us. She will be an outstanding Jedi.”

Finally, Luke took a deep breath and said, “Which brings us to what we are going to about the situation with Ben. I suggested to Mara that it may be a good idea to send her on a long term mission following her trials.”

Corran thought about it for a moment. “I actually think that is a good idea. With this thing with Valin, it may do for her to be away from here. They’ve always been close and I can only imagine what the trial will be like.” He paused and looked down at his hands which he clenched into fists, quietly he added, “I think we all know what the outcome will be. I only hope they don’t make it into too much of a circus. I wasn’t around when Tycho was tried for his charge of treason and for my ‘murder’, but I’ve heard the stories, and I’m afraid this could end up being just as bad, if not worse.”

Luke sadly nodded and then looked at Mara, “How soon do you think we could arrange for her trials?”

Mara shrugged, “I can contact Kam at Ossus after we are finished here. But unfortunately, I think it can’t be before her birthday. She may be ready for her trials, but I do think she could use the two months for refinement. I’ve assigned her to do some legal and negotiating training with Tresina. If we send her anywhere long term it would be in those capacities.”

Corran agreed and then said, “I’ve received word that Jaden Korr would like to be reassigned.”

Luke actually chuckled, “I was surprised when he asked to be assigned on Krylon in the first place. I never expected him to want a legal mission. He’s too much like his old Master.”

Corran laughed too as he said, “I agree there. I could never see Kyle as a legal negotiator, unless it required the use of a lightsaber.” The three of them shared a chuckle, and then Corran sobered when he said, “I think that would be a good place for Jysella, but she should have at least another experienced Knight with her, even Jaden isn’t alone. His wife is a lawyer employed by the Jedi.”

Luke thought about it for a moment. “Tahiri Veila would be good there. She knows how to deal well with diverse beings. She should be back from her current mission in a few weeks, about the same time Jysella would be ready for her trials.”

Mara smiled and agreed, “I think they would be good together. But more importantly, Krylon is far enough out on the Outer Rim that Ben won’t be able to go off and see her often, if at all.” She paused and smiled at Corran, “You know I really wouldn’t mind them together if Ben was older. But right now the prospect of then spending so much time together, and much of it unsupervised, just makes me very nervous.”

“Actually, I hope that the time away from each other cools this relationship off.” He smiled as he said, “Nothing against the two of you, but I’d rather they never become more than they are now. It is my hope that if Jysella is away from Ben, she’ll find someone closer to her own age.” Then he chuckled, “Of course, I’d prefer if that didn’t happen for some time from now.”

Mara narrowed her eyes and pinned the Corellian with a stare. “You really don’t like my son much, do you, Corran?”

He looked away for a moment and then said as lightly as he could, “Actually, no, I don’t.”

“Why?” Luke leaned back in his chair as he scrutinized Corran. “What is it about Ben that you don’t like? I get the impression that it is more than the Corellian over-protective father in you.”

Corran shrugged uncomfortably; How do you tell your friends that you don’t like their only child, but yet can’t explain why? Finally, he met Luke’s gaze and said, “I don’t really know why. There is just something about him that makes me uneasy. He’s a good kid and I know that, but there is still…” He paused and then concluded with a snicker, “Maybe I’m more like my father-in-law than I’ll ever admit to.”

~~~

The Market Cross, New Theed, Coruscant

The Market Cross was a new restaurant that was a fifteen minute slidewalk ride away from the Temple, and bordered the small Naboo neighborhood of New Theed. It specialized in mostly Naboo and Gungan ethnic food, which both of them discovered they liked. The restaurant had become quite popular, probably due to some of the similarity to Corellian food some Naboo dishes had. Most Corellian places had been closed, either because of the boycott on all Insurgent goods, or because their owners had been arrested by GAG.

Ben and Jys entered the bright and cheerful establishment that boasted an open air dinning area. They were greeted by a bronze colored protocol droid who led them to a table near the stone-like low wall that surrounded the balcony. The area was beautifully decorated with several potted plants that were native to Naboo.

Jys smiled as she sat down and looked around. “I love this place.”

Ben grinned back and nodded, “I do too. It reminds me of when I went to Naboo with Dad, Mom, Aunt Leia and Uncle Han after the Swarm War.”

She folded her arms and leaned over them, “Is it really as beautiful there as they claim?”

Ben remembered the trip that took his father and aunt to the home of their mother who they had never known. He nodded and said, “Yeah, it’s nice there. Maybe someday we can visit.”

Jys smiled and said, “I would love that.”

A service droid interrupted them and asked for their orders. They placed them and after their no-ales arrived, Ben asked, “So, have you heard anything more about Valin?”

She took a sip of the soft drink and shook her head as she sat the bottle down. “No. Except that the trial is to take place within a few weeks. I overheard your dad tell your mom that he thinks Niathal will try to play politics with my brother’s charges.”

Ben looked concerned as he asked, “I wouldn’t doubt that. I know Jacen supports her, but sometimes I don’t think she will make a good Chief of State.” After he took a sip of his drink he inquired, “What do you think the Council will do?”

She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at her folded hands. “I don’t know. I really don’t think the Council should get involved.” She looked up and went on, “Ben, don’t get me wrong, I love my brother. I always will. And that he may have saved Syal is great. But as terrible as it is, Syal chose to become an enemy. And now my brother has become a traitor.”

Ben slowly nodded sadly and murmured, “I wish this whole war would just stop. Jacen keeps telling me that the war is necessary to bring about a lasting peace. He tells me that the Corellians are terrible for starting it in the first place. But I sometimes have a hard time believing that people like Uncle Han and Aunt Leia or Wedge and Iella Antilles are bad or wrong.”

She looked at him and said, “I want the war to stop too. I’m afraid of what this is doing to my family, Ben. Val will probably be—” her voice cracked as she said what almost everyone had been avoiding, “—be executed for treason. Mom and Dad fight all the time about his supporting Master Solo, and about her belief that the Insurgents should be allowed to leave the Alliance if they want to.”

Ben looked concerned as he asked, “But you still support the GA, don’t you?”

She narrowed her eyes and snapped, “Of course I do.”

“I’m sorry, Jys,” Ben apologized as he reached across the small table and laid his hand on top of hers. “Don’t bite my head off. I—” he looked away quickly before going on more quietly, “I just mean that I’d understand if you didn’t. That’s all.”

“Ben,” he met her gaze again and she laced her fingers through his, “I’m sorry too. I don’t agree with Corellia. The only way the galaxy can rebuild and be strong after the Vong war is by uniting. What Corellia and its supporters are doing is damaging whatever has been done since the end of that war. I don’t like that we had to go to war over this, and I wish there was another way, but the galaxy has to be reunited.”

“I miss Uncle Han and Aunt Leia,” Ben added quietly.

Their food was delivered and they ate in relative quiet, except for Ben’s occasional derogatory comments about Jysella’s soup and her defensive replies of her choice.

Finally, the droid took away their plates and brought them the traditional dessert of peca fruit torte. As they ate the flaky, sweet pastry, their conversation turned serious again with Ben asking, “So, has Mom recommended that you take your trials yet?”

Jys slowly swallowed her bite and laid her fork down on her plate, after a moment she said, “Yes.”

Ben could tell there was something wrong, “Jys?”

She looked up at him and then admitted, “Ben, I’m afraid, if I take my trials and am granted Knighthood, I’ll be sent away.”

Ben was shocked; nothing like that had ever crossed his mind, “What do you mean?”

“Ben, it’s simple. If I become a knight, I’ll have to go on missions. I’ll have to leave Coruscant and, if the Council assigned me to an outpost like Lorrd or some other Force-forsaken planet, I’ll have to go.” Her eyes were bright as she intently gazed into his. “Ben, I can’t be sent away, but that is what I fear will happen.”

Ben stared at her. His heart raced with the terrible thought of Jys going away. He reached across the table with his other hand and took both of her hands into his. Squeezing them, he quietly said, “Jys, I won’t let that happen to you—to us. I need you too much. Jysella, I can’t lose you.”

She squeezed his hands back and whispered, “Ben, you’ll never lose me. But I don’t want to be sent away.”

Fear suddenly ate at Ben. He knew their parents weren’t happy with their closeness. He didn’t understand what everyone’s problem with them was. Why do they feel that our love so wrong? he thought. His father had attempted to question him about his feelings for Jys after their return from Mullin. He avoided answering his questions, but he knew that Luke suspected that they were more than just friends. The only one who didn’t seem totally against them was Jacen.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. “Jys, if you are ready for your trials then you should take them, but we can talk to Jacen. He can help make sure that you aren’t sent away.”