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Author	Topic: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Jacen's Trial" UP 11/5
Valley_Lord Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 10/23 9:41pm Subject: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Jacen's Trial" UP 11/5 - Date Edited: 11/5 9:31pm (4 edits total) Edited By: Valley_Lord
	Knight Fall In the still valleys a caravan moves. It is a trade caravan, dozens of carts and wagons, driven by pack animals. With them are their escorts. The Dathomiri. The Dathomiri are a tribe of warrior women. For centuries now they have hired their Witches out as mercenaries. They have fought wars, defended young princesses of other lands, even carried out assassinations in the name of land and of gold. Today they are here to protect a minor princess, now 18 and being taken to her betrothed. The Girl’s father a Fief-Duke had hired them to pass the child and the caravan through the unclaimed valleys. Between the two great civilizations a great rift in the earth divided them with few if any passages in between. To this geological boundary both Civilizations have remained peacefully separated. In the South the prosperous and United Republic reigns. From here hails the princess’ affianced. A minor General amongst hundreds of generals of the Republic armies. It is relatively common for such duties to fall to the Jedi, or in lieu of them to the Dathomiri, whom fathers do not have to fear will betray them for bodily demands. The Dathomiri quietly scanned the silent valleys, though it was unclaimed land, it was inhabited. By Bandits and others of the unsavory sort. The boundaries of the valleys had hemmed the villainous sort in for millennia, both the high mountains of the northern border, upon which the very air was poisonous in the relatively low passes. And by the Southern boundary, a Twenty meter tall wall extending from ocean to ocean. And its walls were not just guarded, they were inhabited. By the Jedi. There was no force more respected or feared in the world. They had emerged from the crusades on the Holy Isles. Nine Knights had ventured to the Isle of the Ancients, and returned a decade later, and rapidly anointed as a holy Military Order of the Republic. What secrets the Jedi held was known to them alone. They and the current Chancellor. Their reach and clout was almost unfathomable among the Southern peoples. When one had a dispute, one consulted a Jedi. From Farmer to Noble, to vassal King they all spoke to the Jedi. When an exploratory expedition was to be undertaken, one always took at least one Jedi Knight if not more. When war was to be waged, it was at the consent of the Jedi. Even more importantly, when one had a treasure to be guarded, you left it in the Jedi’s care. In addition to their various roles, the Jedi were Bankers. The most powerful Bankers of all. Even among the most barbarous peoples of the far north, one could find a Jedi outpost where a chit from a Jedi outpost in the far south was good. “We know this Alara.” Said Reytha. “All know this.” added Nareem. “Yeah, you can find a Jedi anywhere, but when you might need one, say here. . .” Alara said making her point. “Enough.” said their leader. The three glanced at her. “Our charges are skittish enough.” she added. Alara frowned. “With good reason. The four of us are simply not enough, not on this route. Our people are feared by all but the Jedi, but Four Witches will not evoke enough fear to allay greed.” she said. Their leader glared. “Highness, even you mother was hesitant when you told her of this deal.” said Nareem. “It is done, my word has been given.” Tenel Ka said firmly. The others grimaced. “Not, I hope at our expense.” Reytha said. Tenel Ka glared. Alara sighed and broke from the others toward the caravan. “I’ll call upon that pampered princess. Oh how I hate royalty.” Alara said with a long suffering tone. Tenel Ka glared. “I do not appreciate being undercut, much less than what I had thought were my loyal companions.” she said. The other two looked away. “Tenel Ka.” Nareem said in a regretful tone. “You wish to prove yourself, your worth to a position, that you are over promoted to.” she said. Tenel Ka stewed slightly. “But this.” Nareem gestured around them. “This is vain pride.” “This assignment should call for Twelve Sisters, not Four.” Reytha said. “Be it as it may we cannot turn back now.” Tenel Ka said coldly. “There are times that I do not like who you are.” Reytha said and abruptly left. Tenel Ka sighed. “So do I.” Tenel Ka said quietly. “You can always change, learn and adapt.” Nareem said. “Yes.” Tenel Ka agreed absently. “With luck we may find a Jedi patrol.” Nareem added, unconvincingly. “That would solve our present problem.” Tenel Ka said. They both knew that the Jedi would drop what they were doing if they thought the caravan was at risk. For the Jedi, keeping a noble quiet was worth such effort alone. The gods know the Jedi have enough problems. “You three should have stopped me.” Tenel Ka said at length. “This was a terrible idea.” “Right now it is, should we find that Jedi patrol or arrive without incident it will be a brilliantly shrewd, albeit dangerous, bargain.” Nareem said. “Even you must fail sometimes, and we would rather be there when you do.” she said. Tenel Ka smiled, a genuine one. “Thank you, friend Nareem.” she said. “You are welcome friend Tenel Ka.” “I suppose I will be indebted to you three.” “Just help us get our capture warrants. You may be young and promising but we are older than you. Next summer I shall be too old to voyage, Reytha and Alara shall follow the summer after. You can observe even.” Nareem said. Tenel Ka uncomfortably coughed. In some ways Tenel Ka was as much a warrior as her companions, but in some ways she was still girlish in comparison to them. “Your capture warrants are a simple matter, but . . . I would rather not intrude.” she said. Alara grinned at her. “As you will Princess.” she said. Tenel Ka glared, not liking it when the older woman used her years of experience on her. “And do not call me that, the last thing I need is that girl knowing I am royalty.” Tenel Ka said, displaying her distaste for the minor princess. “Your mother said the same thing of Skraeling princesses.” Alara said with mirth. “Alara.” Tenel Ka said tiredly. “I know Tenel Ka, come on, we need to move soon, we haven’t found those Jedi yet. Staying in one place too long is a bad idea.” “Corran!” The elder Knight turned his head toward his most junior of Knights under his command. “What is it?” Corran said a little impatiently. “Tracks.” Corran stiffened in his saddle. “Bandits?” he asked. “Most likely, I see the tracks of a caravan and . . . Rancors?” The young Knight said hesitantly. Corran urged his mount toward the younger knight. Dismounting he joined the younger man in kneeling in the dirt of the trail. He glanced at the younger man. “Most Knights your age would discard tracking altogether, much less recognize the tracks of a beast from the north.” Corran said. He glanced at the tracks. Long years of experience told him the tale at a single glance. But telling the younger knight would not aid the younger man's education. “What do you see?” he asked the young knight. The younger man too a moment to take stock of the tracks. “There are bandits, traveling light, following a caravan. No more than six wagons or carts. I see three maybe four Rancor tracks. I cannot tell if the Rancors travel with either group.” The young man said. Corran patted the younger man on the shoulder. “Good. The Rancors are with the caravan, the Bandits follow less than a six hours behind.” Corran said. He glanced toward the three other knights and the group of Sergeants that traveled with them. “Prepare to ride hard, with fortune we may catch the bandits before they catch the caravan!” Corran told them. Corran quickly remounted and wheeled his mount toward the caravan’s path. “Onward!” It was just past midday when the Rancors abruptly stopped and wheel to face behind them, snarling angrily. Tenel Ka looked to Reytha. She motioned to the short hill along their path. Reytha nodded and urged her Rancor up the hill. The beast bounded to the top in a few short leaps. “Brigands!” Reytha shouted from her vantage point. Tenel Ka bit back a curse. “Flee toward the Grand Wall! We will stall them!” Tenel Ka shouted to the Caravan leader. Reytha’s Rancor skidded to a stop next to Tenel Ka. “There are too many for us to fight!” Reytha said in a low urgent tone. “We cannot flee now. And all know what capture will mean.” Alara said. Tenel Ka tried to hide the real fear she suddenly felt. “Sound your horn Nareem. The Jedi will hear, we are close enough now.” she said. Nareem frowned. “They wouldn’t be able to find us in the Valley, the sound carries within, but they could never tell which path to take!” “Just do it!” Tenel Ka snapped. Nareem's jaw tightened but she lifted the horn and blew. The Jedi had rode for hours when they all heard the low mounting tone. One of the older Knights recognized the sound. “That’s a Dathomiri horn!” Corran listened to the sound intently. “The sound is coming clear, we are near!” he said. “Hurry!” The five Knight and their twenty companions sent their mounts into a gallop. “Can we reach them in time?” Shouted the youngest Knight. “We shall soon find out!” Corran shouted back. Tenel Ka and her three companions stood in the road as the bandits approached. They we all dismayed to see no less than thirty approach them at high speed. She glanced at her companions, finding them looking at her. They were not condemning her, she found to her distaste, for she was cursing herself. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, taking the scents in the air before opening them again. “Now!” Nareem lifted her horn to her lips and let out a furious blaring sound. Their Rancors erupted from the trees, assailing the Bandits. The Bandits clearly hadn’t expected the Rancors. They wheeled and faltered in their path as they lifted their spears and tried to circle around the massive beasts. Tenel Ka and her companions charged into a full sprint, each lifting their short javelins. The Rancors were never seen in the south lands or even the isolated valleys. Not without a Dathomiri. Since they had burst out of their corner of the North lands, no enemy had survived long enough to impart what tactics the Dathomiri used. The Rancors roared and bound amongst the Bandits crushin man and mount in single blows. In panic the Bandits armed with spears hurled them toward the beasts. Most glanced off, but some did penetrate the Rancors thick skin. At first it merely enraged the Rancors who snarled and attacked more of the Bandits. But all too soon the Bandits realized that a thrust spear is more deadly to a Rancor than a hurled one. Tenel Ka felt her heart sink and break as she heard her Rancor, impaled by dozens of spears, uttered a faltering death roar and fall. She turned her heart break into rage and hurled her javelin. It was only fleet satisfaction to see a Bandit fly off his mount, javelin sticking through him. Tenel Ka placed her throwing arm onto the base half of her spear and continued her charge. As they closed with the bandits they uttered the high pitched scream the Dathomiri were famed to yell in battle, known only from what bystanders could hear from afar. Two bandits outright ran away at the sound. Reytha’s yell was silenced as an arrow felled her, struck in the thigh, alive but crippled. The other three had no time to expend on her and continued their charge. Theirs spears met their first victims as the last Rancor was slain. Tenel Ka and her companions had been fortunate, the bandits had expended their spears on the Rancors, and lacked other weapons aside from short swords, and other melee weapons. But their was still nearly twenty of them. Tenel Ka and her companions had felled two each but their fight was fast becoming desperate. The struggle had slowly pushed the warrior women back to when Reytha had fallen. The injured warrior joined the fight but was severely handicapped. She none the less slew her first opponent with ease. Alara and Nareem had stood their ground, but in the rush Tenel Ka had been separated. As the Nine men who surrounded her companions cautiously probed the trio, the remaining four surrounded Tenel Ka. Tenel Ka, still had her shield and her rapier. Two of her opponents had swords, one carried a cudgel, the last had a long dirk. The swordsmen struck first attack from both sides trying to force Tenel Ka into fatally meeting either strike. Instead she attacked the man with the dirk. He backpedaled as she drew near. The swordsmen were close on her heels when she whirled around with a horizontal strike. One of the swords men managed to lift his sword in time, the other wasn’t and suffered a slash across his throat. Tenel Ka slashed again and then came down upon the last swordsman’s unprotected head. In her haste she had forgotten the man with a cudgel. The hard club slammed into her armored ribs. The armor was mean to protect from arrows, spears or swords. Objects that could pierce, rip, or slash at her. Not something that would batter and crush her bones. Tenel Ka let out a pain cry as she hurled onto her side. She rolled onto her feet, the movement causing her greater pain as her broken ribs ground against another. But not so much pain as the dirk stabbing into her just above her hip. She screamed and reflexively ran the man through with her blade. The Cudgel struck her again. This time she felt her ribs splinter and shatter. She lay on the ground defenseless. She looked up at the man who had killed her. “I’ve got you now.” he said tossing the club to the side. Tenel Ka's eyes widened, even Dathomiri fear this outcome above all others. “I’m going to enjoy this.” he said as he drew near. But Tenel Ka’s gaze was not on the man. He seemed to realize her attention was not on him. He spun to face what she looked upon but never saw his attacker. Because they had beheaded him. Tenel Ka lamely covered her head as the Armored men swept past her to engage the remaining Bandits. One however, had not carried on past her. He stopped his mount and dismounted, the gravel of the road crunching under the weight of the man and his armor. He wore the White tabard with the Red Bladed Lily. Tenel Ka knew then that he was a Jedi Knight. He lifted his hands to his helm and took it off. Tenel Ka was in pain, but she was coherent enough to be confused. Every Jedi she had encountered was older, fully bearded, most often with grey infecting their hair. This Jedi was young, and the scruffy hair on his jaw could not justifiably be called a beard. As he knelt down beside her another Knight approached. Tenel Ka couldn’t contain the whimper that escaped her lips when the younh man gently removed her torso armor and touch her ribs. The young man frowned as he saw blood escaping her lips. He glanced to the elder Knight. “She is badly injured.” he said. Tenel Ka was fighting to stay awake. “I can save her.” The older Knight had a look on his face that Tenel Ka usually found on a sick person. “You know what will happen if you do that. She is still awake.” “If she passes out she will die.” the younger Knight reasoned. Tenel Ka’s eyes opened wider in alarm. The old Knight closed his eyes in pain. His voice had a pained mournful tone. “Do what you believe in.” he said and turned away. The younger knight looked into Tenel Ka’s eyes. “I am sorry, but this will be painful.” he said lifting a hand to her shattered ribs. As she watched she was shocked to find that his hands were glowing. Despite her pain she gaped. Slowly the pain receded. The young man moved his hands to the other side of her chest and healed the ribs on that side. Finally he reached down and slowly extracted the Dirk, healing her all the while. The Dirk caused Tenel Ka much pain as he pulled it out, and she screamed long and hard. When it was out he took his hand off her and the glow disappeared. She met his eyes again. “Do you still hear me?” he asked. Before she could answer, a figure barreled into him knocking him flat. Tenel Ka could only numbly watch as the figure sat on his chest and drew a sword, holding it to his throat. She then recognized her. “Nareem.” She managed to utter. Nareem froze and glanced at Tenel Ka. “Stop Nareem.” she managed. Nareem stared at her and then slowly stood, and crouched down to her friend. The young man slowly stood, groaning. The sounds of men dismounting and drawing swords took Tenel Ka’s attention. She could count three other Knights, and at least a dozen of the Sergeant, in their brown tabards, affixed with the Jedi emblem. Nareem’s eyes hardened and she clenched her sword tightly. But they were both surprised when the men surrounded the young Knight and held him at blade point. The young man calmly stood. The other Knight Tenel Ka had seen him speak with approached. “I’m sorry, but you knew this would happen.” The younger Knight looked solemnly at the Eldest. “Yes master.” the young knight said. The older man closed his eyes and sighed. “Jacen Solo, you are under arrest.” he said. He turned his gaze at the two confused women. “I’m afraid you will both need to come with us.” he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm calling the Rebel Alliance/New Republic insignia the Red-Bladed Lily in this fic. -----signature----- <click>I'm sorry, Glenn is not here right now. Leave your name number and a complete message after the beep . . . . . . <click>
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Valley_Lord Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 10/25 8:00pm Subject: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Tenel Ka's Folly"
	As any one who has read this fic, if anyone has, would notice, I am basing the Jedi heavily off of the Knights Templar. If anyone thinks its strange, then think again. The Concept of a fallen Order itself is a derivation of Templar legends, as the other two major Military Orders survive in some form to this day(Knights Hospitallers, and Teutonic Knights, now the Knights of Malta, a fraternal Order akin to the Knights Order of the Bath; and the Modern Teutonic Knights, which is now more of a fraternal order of medical professionals.) -----signature----- <click>I'm sorry, Glenn is not here right now. Leave your name number and a complete message after the beep . . . . . . <click>
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Valley_Lord Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 11/5 9:30pm Subject: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Tenel Ka's Folly"
	JEDI TOWER, DESERT OF TATTOO For the fourth time of the day Kyp Durron cursed his fate. First, as the Senior Jedi Knight in the Southern Wastelands, he had to observe the negotiations between the Farmers of Tattoo and the Tusken Nomads. Second he did not speak the languages of either people and could not use the force as Master Horn or his apprentice might have been able to do, and thus had to use an intermediary to understand what was said. Third, said intermediary was one of the two apprentices in his prefracture. Fourth the intermediary seemed to be able to translate using the maximum number of words possible. “Tahiri, please use the exact wording and phrasing they are using.” He said tiredly. The other apprentice and the three Knights under his commands held wooden faces. The apprentice was the least successful in hiding his mirth. “I’m sorry Sir, but the Tattoo use implied verb endings that take at least four words to describe, and the Tuskens speak entirely without using monemes so each utterance uses wholly implied meanings and emphatically applied . . .” “Just be as succinct as possible!” Kyp burst in before the girl got into a groove. One of the Farmers unsuccessfully covered laughter with a cough. While neither the Tattoo or the Tuskens could understand the common tongue, the had no problem understanding Kyp’s problem. The Tuskens were a disciplined people, and had reasons not to openly express their mirth, the Tattoo however were barely containing themselves. For his part Kyp didn’t have the heart to be angry or annoyed at the girl, she was in fact trying very hard, unfortunately when it came to quickly translating words between languages, Tahiri was unparalleled in depth and speed of her conversions. “Okay, so as quickly as you can, what is the issue?” Kyp said. Tahiri blinked and then spoke. “Sir, the Tuskens are concerned because the Tattoo are letting their herds graze on the scrub lands the Tuskens depend on for the migrations to pass through.” Tahiri said. Kyp sighed and nodded. The Tuskens, somehow deciding that Kyp now understood spoke. “He says that they will not tolerate it.” Tahiri said. The Tattoo farmer shrugged and spoke. “They have nowhere else to graze their herds.” Both men spoke at the same time. “The Tuskens say they will make war. And the Tattoo will . . . Exterminate the Tuskens if they interfere.” Tahiri said in a more subdued tone. The Tusken leader shot to his feat and yelled. Whatever he said made Tahiri’s face go white with shock and anger. She growled dangerously in the Tusken language. The male’s response was short and (from Tahiri’s reaction) offensive. The other Apprentice, Anakin Solo shot to his feet, hand on the pommel of his sword. “SIT DOWN.” Kyp barked sharply. Those standing found themselves sitting. The Tusken male seemed confused. As Kyp was about to speak he stopped and then shut his mouth again before he spoke. “Tahiri tell them we will adjourn for an hour.” he said tightly. Still confused about his body’s abrupt betrayal the Tusken male numbly stood and left the room with his party. When the Jedi were alone Mike Reglia spoke. “What is going on? The council was scheduled for another day, at night.” he said. Kyp frowned. “Something must have happened. Nothing serious, else there would have been an urgency.” he said quietly. Anakin frowned. “Why are you speaking like that?” he asked in confusion. “Because we don’t know who may be listening.” said Ganner Rhysode. Kyp led them out of the room “Come on, we have fifteen minutes to try to find a solution while we wait in the tower. CHISS EXPLORATION VESSEL INQUIRY, WESTERN OCEAN Jaina Solo had abruptly stopped mid conversation. And just as abruptly stood. “I’m sorry, I need to get to the crows nest.” she said. The Captain of the vessel frowned. “We’re in the middle of a storm.” he said. “I know, I just need to be alone in the mast head for a bit.” she said. The Captain frowned. As was custom, they invited Jedi to accompany them on their explorations. The Chiss had been doing it for fifty years. In that time they had discovered that the Jedi were somehow able to commune with each other over long distances, but they couldn’t figure out how. Always the Jedi requested to be in the highest vantage point they could find. After fifty years the Chiss had taken it as Jedi being Jedi. What disturbed him was that the Jedi had some sort of schedule. She shouldn’t have needed to go off alone for another week. “Don’t think so much Jag, it makes you look old!” Jaina yelled from the rigging. Jag Fel frowned as some of the hands coughed suspiciously. JEDI FORTRESS, CITY OF CORUSCANT “Jacen Solo, you stand accused of violating the law of silence. How do you plead.” said one of the Thirteen Masters. Jacen Solo stood in the Court of Law within the Jedi Fortress. The room was a full arena, perfectly circular, and if it needed too, could seat three thousand. The floor was a circle, perfect but for the doors at each axis. Jacen stood tall and erect in the center of the room. He stood directly in a shaft of light that came through the oculus above him. The light made it impossible to make out anything but the shape of the Master in front of him, those in the seats were indistinguishable. Jacen remained calm as he spoke. “I am guilty of violating the law of silence.” he said calmly. The crowd did not gasp or comment to another. The only people there were Jedi. No one person in the crowd was so undisciplined to exclaim out loud. The presiding Master observed Jacen for a while and then spoke. “For what reason?” “Tenel Ka, of the Dathomiri Djo clan was fatally wounded, I used my healing abilities before her and Nareem of the Ayal clan.” Jacen said. “To what effect?” asked one of the masters. “Tenel Ka survived, Nareem mistook my healing powers for some sort of attack and assailed me. Tenel Ka recalled her and I was arrested.” Jacen said succinctly. “What are your feelings about your arrest.” another of the masters asked. Jacen was taken aback for a moment. “I was aware of the consequences when I violated the law. I have no negative or positive feelings about my situation.” Jacen said. “Then why did you decide to violate our law. You should have learned never to violate our silence toward our abilities.” The presiding master said. Jacen said nothing. Corran stood in the crowd and stepped onto the speaking floor. “Master, with respect, Jacen violated only the letter of that law. He in no way violated its intent.” “Knight Horn, be seated and wait to be recognized!” the least senior of the Masters said. “I preside in this court.” the Presiding Master said. The youngest Master bristled slightly. The Presiding Master glanced over to the Grand Master who sat silently. “Anakin be seated.” the Grand Master said. The presiding master sat down, with apparent relief. “He is the presiding master, his duties remain even if the accused is his grandson.” said one of the silent Masters. The Grand Master slowly gave him a pained look. “There will be no bickering in my Temple.” The Grandmaster said. The room had reached a level of silence beyond absolute. The Grandmaster was old. Old even when the Masters were children. When he spoke all listened. “Jacen Solo, son of Han. You have violated our law, but under compassionate grounds. For this you shall not receive the full punishment. Your actions, however, shall not go unpunished.” The old master said. “For one year beginning this sunset, you shall be shunned. Tomorrow at noon, you shall receive the minimum physical punishment. Lastly, you shall be held accountable for Tenel Ka of the Djo clan until your shunning is over.” The Grandmaster finished. Jacen nodded and kneeled in respect before rising. The Oculus closed above him, leaving the room lit only by the torches around the periphery. “I understand Grand Master.” Jacen intoned. The Grand Master nodded and banged his gavel with a surprising loud tone for one so old. “This court is adjourned.” Those in the crowd stood and filed out of the building as the Jedi gathered in the balconies opened their eyes, abruptly standing. Throughout the known lands in the Towers the Jedi built over centuries, other JedI stood having receive no further telepathic message.” WESTERN OCEAN Jaina opened her eyes with a crestfallen expression. She sighed and stood and made her way down the rigging. SOUTHERN WASTES “What the hell!” Tahiri said angrily. Kyp frowned at her. “Tahiri, Jacen violated the Fourth Law.” “Yeah but he doesn’t deserve to be shunned and receive twenty lashes. For it!” she said. “You knew the minimum physical punishment?” Miko said in surprise. Kyp glanced at the other apprentice. Anakin was quiet. “You alright Anakin.” he asked. Anakin nodded. He glanced at Tahiri. “Tahiri, Jacen knew what could happen and he still did it. He would probably appreciate your support but he would still be willing to receive the punishment.” Anakin said. “But its barbaric.” Tahiri said in a small voice. “No, it is discipline. Hiding what we are has kept us safe for centuries.” Miko said. “Jacen did the right thing.” Tahiri said defiantly. “Did he?” Anakin asked. “He’s your brother! How can you doubt him like that!” Tahiri said, her expression showed the shock and disgust she held. Anakin held his head in a clearly ashamed expression. “That’s enough. Tahiri, we cannot hold anything but the devotion to the Order. Family is important, but not more so than the commitment we all hold to the Order.” Kyp Durron said. Tahiri had a truly wounded expression. Kyp relented. “But I feel that Jacen did do the right thing.” he said. Tahiri seemed slightly mollified. “But at what cost?” Miko asked. Kyp swallowed and looked away uncomfortably. CORSUCANT, JEDI COURT OF LAW When the last of the assembled Jedi left, only Jacen, Corran Horn and the Masters remained. “Come with us.” said Master Skywalker, walking with the other Masters to the Master’s Chambers. Jacen followed Corran into the chambers, both finding that the masters had seated themselves much as the had in the larger room behind them. “You naturally understand why you have been censured.” said Master Kenobi. “I do master.” Jacen said. “Why then?” asked Master Skywalker. “The common people still do not know what we are. When they find out they will have even more reason to fear us. That can only end in bloodshed.” Jacen said. Some of the Masters exchanged uneasy looks. “If you knew the full reason of the Law of Silence, then you were welcoming the bloodshed.” said one of the masters. Jacen shook his head. “No, the Dathomiri exist outside the Southern realm, the people fear and distrust them. Furthermore, the Dathomiri share our gift.” Jacen said. “That is true young knight, but the Dathomiri have yet to recognize their abilities, they yet believe that their skills and abilities to dominate their men are of their prowess with the arts of combat.” The Grandmaster said. “Would you do it again?” asked Siri Tachi. That question Jacen clearly hadn’t expected. He looked at her for a moment before replying. “Yes.” “Even if it had meant death?” “I knew I could have been executed for violating this law the first time I broke it.” Jacen said calmly. “Why?” “Saving Tenel Ka’s life was not a mistake, nor a threat to the JedI Order or the relative peace we have.” Jacen said firmly. “Tell me you knight was she pretty?” The grandmaster asked. Jacen openly blanched in shock at the question. Several of the Masters chuckled. “Grandmaster?” he asked in an incredulous tone. The Grandmaster gave Jacen an expectant look. “Just answer the question.” Master Skywalker said with a broad grin on his face. Jacen obviously flustered frowned and thought. “I . . . I’m don’t know, I was more concerned with her wounds than her aesthetics.” The Masters were openly grinning. “If I risked my life for a woman I don’t know, I would have checked her aesthetics.” Master Skywalker said. Jacen glared at him. “What would grandma have to say about that?” he shot at him. His grandfather grinned. “Easy now.” The Grandmaster said. Jacen glanced around him, relaxing slightly at the jovial mood the Masters suddenly seemed to be in. “As you may guess, we do not hold your actions in as much contempt as we are publicly forced to be.” Grandmaster Yoda said. “Quite the opposite in fact.” Master Kenobi said. Jacen blinked in mild astonishment. “Expecting to be chewed out were you not?” Siri Tachi asked. Jacen numbly nodded. “You have done well Jacen Solo, you forgone the glories of combat to aide a woman who’s people have ever been our allies. And furthermore you willingly risked yourself to save a person you have never met, and it wasn’t because of a pretty face.” Yoda said with a prideful look. Kenobi gave Anakin Skywalker a baleful look. “Unlike others I could name.” Several Masters chuckled as Anakin glared at his former mentor. The mirth slowly drained away to a more somber mood. “Nonetheless you will have to face the minimum physical punishment of twenty lashes.” Yoda said. “I understand.” Jacen said. “I deeply regret that you must be shunned however.” Yoda added. “Yes Master.” Jacen said. Yoda nodded. “Very well then, you may leave our presence for now. Tenel Ka of the Djo clan, remains your responsibility as she recovers from her injuries. She is not to be released until the Queen’s emissary comes to collect her, and you shall escort her to her home. After which you shall join our ambassadors command.” Yoda said. Jacen lifted his head at this. His mother had been the ambassador to the Dathomiri for five years now. “Your shunning does not apply to your duties, nor toward family.” Siri Tachi said with a slight smile. Jacen nodded. “Very well, resume your watch over Tenel Ka of the Djo clan. Return to the court tomorrow for punishment at noon. May the Force be with you.” Yoda said. Jacen nodded and knelt reverently before the Masters before turning and leaving with Corran following. “He’s far too humble. Are you sure he’s your grandson?” Siri Tachi asked Anakin. Anakin bristled, Siri had known Anakin since he was a child, even married his mentor. Still she was not above teasing the boy she remembered. The fact that his son had married their duaghter had done nothing to change their existing relationship. “Pretty darn sure yeah.” he responded giving his mentor an annoyed look. Obi-Wan smiled patiently. “You should be proud Anakin.” Obi Wan said. “He is far more of a knight than either of us were at his age.” Anakin grinned. “I am concerned however.” Yoda said quietly. The other masters glanced at him. “He willfully disobeyed our laws.” he said. Siri Tachi frowned, even if it was through marriage the boy was a relative. Siri was never one to not stand up for her family. “He made the right decision.” she said. “True, but not for the right reasons. He acted purely upon instinct.” Yoda said. “His reaction was as natural as breathing is to him. Acting without thinking is not something I want to encourage.” “If that is the way you felt, then why did you not-” Hal Horn began. Yoda raised his hand. Hal respectfully backed down. “He is guiless.” Yoda said. “right or wrong, foolish or courageous, Jacen Solo made his choice in honest innocence. I can hardly condemn him for being what he is, and following his heart and instinct when it serves him, and the Order for the matter.” Yoda said. Siri Tachi glanced at Anakin. “What have the Dathomiri said about this?” she asked, for the moment treating him as the longtime friend he was. Anakin sighed. “The Queen was thankful, but the fact that Jacen, a male, and also the son of a ‘sister’ among them may cause problems.” “Oh?” Yoda asked. “Tenel Ka, is much more than a mere clan member, she’s their princess. Worse she had to be saved by a Jedi. Leia has been smoothing it over though, Jacen himself did not engage the Bandits. He merely healed her.” Anakin said. Obi-Wan could see from her expression, that Siri was about to add some choice comments about Anakin's line and royalty. She smirked at him but kept silent. “But Tenel Ka’s remaining companion and Tenel Ka herself had to be saved by Horn’s Knights and Sergeants.” “Yes, but by the time they engaged them, only one of Tenel Ka’s opponents and three of Nareem’s had survived.” “That is a weak argument.” Hal Horn observed. “Which is why we are leaving Jacen in his mother’s care for now. Where the Dathomiri can see him and judge him.” Obi-wan said. “They found Anakin the Elder, Luke, even Han worthy of respect when they respect few men. I seriously doubt they will find Jacen all that lacking.” Obi-wan said. Yoda sighed. “Very well. We have exhausted this topic. What is next?” he said. When Tenel Ka awoke she was greatly disoriented for a long moment before she took notice of the people in her room. There was a Mon Cal, this one she stared at for some time as she had never seen one before, Nareem, and the young Knight she remembered healing her. The Knight that had saved her. She really didn’t know what to feel at that moment. Fortunately the Mon Cal demanded her attention. “Tenel Ka. How do you feel?” the Amphibious creature asked. Tenel Ka had never seen one, but she sensed that this one was female. Tenel Ka blinked and considered. “Ribs ache and I feel exhausted.” she said succinctly. The Mon Cal nodded. “That is what we expected. I am Chilgal, Master of Healing within the Jedi Order.” Chilgal said. Despite her tired brain Tenel Ka dimly recalled that the Jedi Knights themselves were dived into three classes. At the bottom were the Knights, who were found everywhere. At the top were the Thirteen Master Jedi. In between were the Knight who held mastery in a subject of the Force and of the professions Jedi take upon themselves. Chilgal fell into the middle category, while addressed as a master, she was not one of the Masters of the Jedi Order. “You will rest today, tomorrow you will be allowed a short walk. We will see after that what you can handle.” she said. Tenel Ka nodded, knowing she wasn’t strong enough at the moment to argue with the amphibian. Satisfied that her charge would not be trouble, for now, Chilgal left, taking time to nod at Nareem and then at the Jedi Knight. Nareem appeared next to Tenel Ka. “I am glad you have awaken princess.” Nareem said in their native language. “What happened?” Tenel Ka asked. “Where are Reytha and Alara?” she demanded. Nareem held her gaze. Tenel Ka had known her long enough to read her face. “They are dead.” she said with a self loathing voice and expression. “Yes.” Nareem said and took the time to nod at the Jedi who sat silently on the floor, eyes closed as he meditated. “He is Jacen, son of the Leia of the walkers of sky.” Nareem said. “He saved you from their fate.” she said. Tenel Ka closed her eyes. “I remember.” “He was arrested when he finished healing you.” she said. Tenel Ka opened her eyes. “Why?” “He used the force to heal you.” Nareem said. “The Force?” Tenel Ka asked. “That is what they call the source behind our spells.” Nareem said. “The Jedi are forbidden to use it in the presence of outsiders.” Nareem said. “Even if they are saving life.” “This sound very bad.” Tenel Ka managed to say, looking at the JedI with an unreadable expression. “He knew he was going to be arrested and punished and yet he healed you.” Tenel Ka glanced at the Knight who was serenly meditating. While tired she was aware enough to admire his ascetics. “What will happen to him?” Tenel Ka asked. “He is to be shunned by the JedI for a year, and tomorrow he will receive twenty lashes for his transgressions, this is the extent of JedI leniency.” Nareem said. Tenel Ka gaped at her for a moment. The Dathomiri did not strike another outside of combat training, not even for the most serious transgressions. Even if one had murdered another sister, and even refused to pay the woman's weregeld, the worst that could be done to them was exile. “How can they do that to him?” Tenel Ka asked. “The code is held above all else.” Jacen said, abruptly shocking both women by speaking in their language. Nareem sprang to her feet, drawing her blade. “Where did you learn our language?” she hissed. Jacen simply stared at her impassively. “I listened.” Jacen said calmly. They both stared. “From just this?” Nareem chocked out in a strangled voice. He smirked slightly. “Not quite, I learned years ago when my mother returned to us, she took the time to teach the language to my siblings and I.” he said. Nareem held an affronted look while she resheathed her blade. “You didn’t think my mother would not pass on her knowledge to us?” Jacen asked. Nareem gave him an affronted look.” “This language is for Sisters only!” she said angrily. Jacen canted his head slightly. “Very well, if it offends you so I will not speak in your language. Do know that I can understand you though.” He said calmly. Nareem bristled, not at all being used to being condescended to. Especially not from a male twelve years her junior. “Nareem calm yourself. I appear to owe a life debt.” Tenel Ka said quietly. Both of them frowned at her. Nareem clearly feeling affronted by the idea, and the young Knight warily shook his heads and both hands. “We do not accept life debts.” Jacen said plainly. “Nonetheless I feel indebted to you.” Tenel Ka said, trying to enforced the determination she held, but she was still weak from her injuries and her voice wavered slightly. Jacen sighed. “I will not argue with you, when you are disadvantaged as you presently are.” Jacen said closing his eyes and resettling into his meditation posture. Tenel Ka glared at him as he did. She did not like being condescended to either. And she was still unsure what to feel about this Jacen Solo. -----signature----- <click>I'm sorry, Glenn is not here right now. Leave your name number and a complete message after the beep . . . . . . <click>
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Valley_Lord Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 11/9 11:05am Subject: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Jacen's Trial" UP 11/5
	Hm, this one doesn't seem to be generating any interest at all. -----signature----- <click>I'm sorry, Glenn is not here right now. Leave your name number and a complete message after the beep . . . . . . <click>
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SHADOW_MASTER_W Registered: Jan '05	Date Posted: 11/9 12:46pm Subject: Knight Fall (A/T, J/J, J/TK) "Jacen's Trial" UP 11/5
	Very interesting story. I like the Old World retelling of EU. Definitely, like the fact that Yoda, Anakin, and Obi-Wan are involved. Sorry for now posting earlier. I'm a notorious lurker..... Keep up the good work! -----signature----- -Engineer of the Final Solution to the Sith Problem- "Proud member of the Jedi Technician Crew (JTC)" -The Shadow Master-
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