Before - Legends Tale of a Jedi: Volume 2 The Birth of the Sith Killer - COMPLETE Author's Note and Replies 12/28

Title: Tale of a Jedi: Volume 2 ? Birth of the Sith Killer
Timeframe: 1100+ years before TPM
Characters: OCs (Ben?al Houk, Amare Kred?dha, Sollus Leeu, Kakasha Girn and many others)
Genre: Drama, Action
Keywords: Original Characters
Summary: The second in a series of short stories on the life of Ben?al Houk, a Jedi who live more than 1100 years before the events of TPM. This story is about recovery from the events on of Volume 1 and how Ben?al came to be known as the Sith killer.
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The usual disclaimers apply. George Lucas owns it all; I am not making any money on this.
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Author?s Note: This is the second of several short stories on the life of Ben?al Houk. The first story Tale of A Jedi: Volume 1 ? Embracing the Light He first appeared in The Long Twilight Path and also currently appears in Wild Knights: Grasping an Ancient Fire.

 

Tale of a Jedi: Volume 2

The Birth of the Sith Killer

Chapter One

As with every morning in the grand Jedi Temple of Coruscant, with every morning even in the field, Kakasha Girn began his day the same way. After securing the lightweight, yet flexible material of his tan inner tunic and adjusting the sleeves, time and care were placed in the drawing on of his simple outer tunic. The slightly crinkled, hand woven cotton dyed a warm tea brown slipped easily over his shoulders. Long ebony fingers pulled the loose edge of the inner wrap of the tunic and pressed it against his abdomen. With the ease of a lifetime of practice he pulled the outer edge over, drawing it across and securing it in a light material hook.

Carefully reaching out to the dark wood clothing stand that neatly held his clothing, he removed the matching tabard and brought over his shoulders. Careful adjustments aligned the two front pieces. He took up the thick folded material of his obi and secured it around his waist making sure the tabard was held neatly in place before folding a loose end into the layers of the rich soil colored cloth.

Finally, his dark leather utility belt, of the same tone as his custom cut boots, was secured in place. Taking a moment more to adjust the gap and fold of the material, making sure it fell in the proper manner. The formfitting inner tunic sleeves were pulled on until the scrunched material fell at his narrow wrists and the larger, billowing sleeves of his outer tunic draped neatly over his hands.

From the stand, he removed his lightsaber hilt that patiently waited and clipped it to his utility belt. Pausing only long enough to see that the weapon was secured, he then drew his cloak from the tall, horizontal frame that it was neatly draped across.

Once he was satisfied with his appearance, the Jedi Master then reached to the back of his head and grabbed the two thin sticks that pinned his plaited hair into a tight bun and pulled them free allowing the long white braid to cascade down his back over the dark cloak material.

With the morning ritual complete, he stepped boldly from the safety of his private chamber into the narrow corridor that separated the personal rooms from the more common areas of his large apartment.

Passing by his apprentice?s empty room, he entered the main area where simple seating and a desk took up the sparsely decorated space.

The pale, polished wood floors held a slight spring with each step as the Kashinai Jedi quickly crossed the chamber. All along the wall opposite the entryway, snaking purple vines of dongineeli plants had covered the large surface. The deep lavender leaves shifted in the slight breeze of the tall man?s movements giving a distant impression of water tumbling over falls.

The dongineeli had once been a potted plant that had decided the confines of the large metal pot were not enough and had leapt to the wall. All the Master could do was struggle to keep the rebellious vine limited to that one section of the apartment. In time, he suspected it would overtake the room if it did not receive its weekly trimming.

Unfortunately, the dongineeli was the least frustrating of his two roommates.

Stopping at the long bench that took up much of the center of the common chamber, Girn sighed as he spied Master Horus Juurmon?s lightsaber laying abandoned on the floor just under one of the legs. Frustration creased the skin between his white brows as he knelt and picked up the weapon.

Rising slowly, his white gaze sought out the empty food preparation area. He expected to find no one there as neither he nor his apprentice ate in the apartment, duties or other social demands usually kept them away.

At least, that was the way things were before the mission to Bourmak.

Pacing around the bench to the raised meditation platform under the shelter of the purple vine, he found his apprentice sitting in a quiet cross-legged pose, facing the wall in meditation on a sizeable straw woven mat.

 

My poor Ben'al. It's good that he has a master who knows just how to handle him during this trying time. Thrilled you have already begun this Red! I love this character you have created.

 

Gotta agree with OE - I love the characters you've created here. Ben'al is wonderfully drawn, as is his Master. I'm looking forward to seeing your take on Temple life a thousand years before TPM.

Why do I think it's going to be a hell of a ride?

Great job, Red! Can't wait for more...

Shaindl

 

You go Girn!!! Boy, Ben'al has quite an attitude problem and a little on the mouthy side as well. I'm surprised his Master didn't toss him over his shoulder and make him do what he was told!

Excellent!

 

Poor Master Girn. Has to live with a Padawan who could use a good smack on the head.

 

Loved your description of how the master dresses so carefully in what has become a morning ritual!

 

First Bali, now Ben'al! I'm caught by surprise (again) by how much I come to care about the characters you create.

 

WOoooot!

Yay! It's started

Good going Master Girn - don't let Ben'al wallow. His self-recriminations will kill him. It's nice to see a Master who is so attuned to the possibilities. I too loved the description of the Master's ritual dressing.

 

The dongineeli wine gave me a good laugh (why don't my plants ever do that?)

What really struck me was how Ben'al apparently just threw the lightsaber aside, as if throwing away the life that comes with it.

EDIT: Oops! Vine, not wine

 

Nice start.

 

Wookiee runs through and ups thread !

 

obi ew?My poor Ben'al. ?? Your poor Ben?al? Hmm. I don't know if I want to share him.

Shaindl?I'm looking forward to seeing your take on Temple life a thousand years before TPM. Why do I think it's going to be a hell of a ride? ?? There will be some differences. Hopefully you will get to see the in depth of a fully functioning Temple and not just a few areas of Temple life. And if you thought Temple life could be boring, hang on because it is going to be a bumpy ride.

dianethx?Boy, Ben'al has quite an attitude problem and a little on the mouthy side as well. I'm surprised his Master didn't toss him over his shoulder and make him do what he was told! ?? Yup, Ben?al isn?t quite like the version of his ancestor. Girn isn?t finished with him yet so not to worry.

ca tron? Poor Master Girn. Has to live with a Padawan who could use a good smack on the head. ?? Girn can handle himself.

PK?Loved your description of how the master dresses so carefully in what has become a morning ritual! ?? Thanks! Looking over my outline I am beginning to think dressing is going to be the theme of this volume. [face_shocked]

Calantha?First Bali, now Ben'al! I'm caught by surprise (again) by how much I come to care about the characters you create. ?? You? How about me? I am always surprised and happy to hear readers say how much they like my original characters.

Wookiee? Yay! It's started ?? Even better, here is a follow up post!

JadeSolo? What really struck me was how Ben'al apparently just threw the lightsaber aside, as if throwing away the life that comes with it. ?? He is taking the wounding very hard. His arrogance and attitude do not leave much room for dealing with things like this. I think his recovery will be more mental than physical.

Keeper of Swords? Nice start. ?? Thanks!

Today?s posty started to get so long that I split it, so expect another post in the next day or two. Probably between WK and Muzio Gambit posts. Thank you everyone for the kind replies and support of this story.

Currently, the voting is going on for The Winter Fan Fiction Awards. There are plenty of good authors and stories nominated so show your support and vote!

 

Chapter Two

Moving silently through the warm apartment, Amare Kred?dha worked her way from the simple duranium desk she spent much of her knowledge sessions studying at to the deep red couch perched on a thick shag carpet in the middle of the common room. Sinking to the soft cushions, she pressed her hands together. The thick smell of carafe lingered in the still air of the chamber. It was Sollus? favorite beverage, especially first thing in the morning. She claimed that it brightened her to take on a room full of knights and masters?all with their own agenda?and organize them into an intelligent discussion of field protocols.

There were a few times that the apprentice thought she should take up the stimulant laden drink but figured it would be better to avoid such vices. After all, she had seen the large Paka in the morning before her first mug of the black liquid. Her golden mane a tangle, walking about in a daze as she fumbled to heat water leapt to the apprentice?s mind.

It would frighten even the bravest Jedi.

The thought quickly faded and after the briefest pause, she twisted about, seeking anything or anyone that would help her take her mind off the nightmares that had plagued her during the short night.

Since the mission to Bourmak, sleep had been a rare event. The short slumber periods spent meditating. She had thought her master?s keen amber eyes had not noticed. Yet, she was grateful when the older Jedi intervened with a powerful sleep suggestion that gave her a brief respite.

For a little while, the sleep was good.

Then the nightmares returned.

The apartment, where the temperature was always little warmer than the rest of the massive Jedi Temple, was not enough to hamper the chill that wrapped itself around her. She was on her feet again, pacing over the thick weave of the deep brown carpet as it shifted and mashed under her footfalls. Sighing loudly, she folded her arms across her chest.

Anger rippled through her and she struggled with it, but it only made her unhappier knowing that she was still so bothered, rendering her accomplishment meaningless. She had murdered one of the Furies, one of the Sith, Lord Jathra?s prized assassins. A mere padawan had done something great.

Reaching up, she grabbed her long padawan braid that draped over her shoulder. Tugging on it, she could barely make out the white thread bound into the gray and silver strands. She had killed Sith and their followers before but none had been of such great importance, but more than that, her master and the Jedi High Council had decided that the way she had carried herself throughout the incident at the Governor?s Manse was worthy of remark.

Sollus had said in private that if she had been a few years older, she would have been knighted, for she had passed the most trying of tests.

The truth was, Amare was happy to receive only a white marker. She was not ready for knighthood.

Seeking her new golden brown cloak, recently acquired from Knight Wengli, the master tailor, by the door, she drew the warm material over her lithe form, sheltering from a phantom chill. She had felt cold since she and her master had faced off against the Fury, Ater. The healers said there was nothing wrong with her.

She agreed that there was nothing physically wrong with her.

The Sith had radiated such hatred and evil that it was like bitter cold stealing her light and warmth. Even in death, the black shrouded figure still held powerful sway; still stole the heat from her body.

If only it had been that black-hearted creature?s sister, Sceadu, that Amare had killed.

Time, she patiently thought.

Sceadu would pay for the murder of her first master. She just had to be patient. When the opportunity came again, no one?not her master, not Ben?al Houk?would stop her from taking her revenge.

Tugging at the billowing sleeves, the apprentice noted that the old craftsman had outdone himself with the new cloak. It was not a stock piece of clothing as her previous one had been. The littl

 

Interesting how Ben'al and Amare reacted to the events so differently, and yet in many ways so similarly. The descriptions were once again wonderful. Can't wait to find out who's out in the corridor.

More soon, hopefully?

Shaindl

 

Maybe it's Ben'al at the door One can only hope

Wonderful contrast between Amare's humbleness over becoming a knight, and Ben'al's (former?) arrogance. I was also very taken with the way Amare has been able to pull herself together, when before it seemed that Ben'al was the one with the greater inner strength. Then again, fueled by revenge--that's never a good thing...

 

I love your jab at the reformists vs. the idealists. Obviously the reformists won out.

 

I also liked the way that you contrasted two reactions to the same incident. Very good human emotion reading.

yep, I'm thinking it's Ben'al at the door!?

Wonder if they will discuss their emotions about this?

 

Great job describing the arguments between the reformers and the idealists. Too bad the wrong side won or rather perhaps they should have compromised.

I liked that the two viewpoints of the battle were so very different. Makes it seem richer somehow.

Lovely!

 

Yay! A post! Sorry can't write more, off to try to kill myself and my flight instructor, or so he says. But I wouldn't want to kill someone as cute as he is...such thoughts are not allowed between a student and teacher. Damn. O well. He still has pretty, Obi eyes.

 

Jedi would be automatons feeling nothing and serving in the name of the Force without question.
Pretty dang close to what they became.

 

Was going to reply sooner but got caught up in something. Now what was i going to say. *thinks.*

I hope you don't make me feel sorry for a bad guy and begin to like him/her and then kill him/her. again.




super posts.

 

Shaindl? Can't wait to find out who's out in the corridor. ?? Well, I won?t keep you hanging. At least not in this story

JadeSolo? Wonderful contrast between Amare's humbleness over becoming a knight, and Ben'al's (former?) arrogance. I was also very taken with the way Amare has been able to pull herself together, when before it seemed that Ben'al was the one with the greater inner strength. ?? There will be plenty more chances in this volume to get to know more of the differences between the two. They are an interesting pair.

PK? I love your jab at the reformists vs. the idealists. ?? There will be more on the Order in flux, but I just wanted to show that a lot of things?yet very little?have changed over time.

Wookiee? Wonder if they will discuss their emotions about this? ?? There will be plenty of discussion, just not quite the way you expect.

dianethx? Lovely! ?? Thanks!

ca tron? A post! Sorry can't write more, off to try to kill myself and my flight instructor, or so he says. ?? Yikes! Be careful!

obi ew? Pretty dang close to what they became. ?? Yup.

jacen200015? I hope you don't make me feel sorry for a bad guy and begin to like him/her and then kill him/her. ?? Oh, don?t worry, the bad guys are the bad guys and the good guys are the good guys unless they turn bad and then all bets are off.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I really appreciate them. Here is the next post and then I promise, really, to get a WK post up next.

 

Chapter Three

?Tirati??

?I was beginning to think you were not going to come out,? a tall human padawan said with a deep voice. He broke into a friendly smile as he straightened. His head tilted to the side revealing an old jagged scar just above his right brow. The dark colors of his tunic offset the short dark blond, lightly curling spiked hair framed dark brown eyes that sparkled in the stark lighting of the hall. ?Amare,? he breathed as his roving gaze moved slowly over the female Jedi.

She frowned, pursing her pale painted lips together before quickly turning it into a smile. Tirati Bak?Alma had always been kind to her, even when she did not always deserve it, but she often wondered if there was not more in his stare. Shifting her weight to one foot, she folded her arms protectively across her chest and studied her patiently waiting agemate. ?What are you, my escort now? Afraid I might get lost wandering aimlessly about the Temple??

Warm laughter filled the nearly empty corridor as he held out a scarred hand to her. An explosion that had killed a Senator, but thanks to the padawan, had spared the man?s family, had left their mark on his arms, chest and face. The healers had done their best to minimize the worst of the damage, but far more extensive procedures were still required. Procedures he was rare to volunteer for, wearing his scars like a badge. ?Our lovely Hayna is stuck with crèche duty and a thermal detonator could not blow Ben?al from his apartment. Everyone else is off on missions. I am getting a little tired of walking about carrying on conversations with myself.?

Amare smiled. ?They are starting to get worried, aren?t they?? she said in a conspiratorial tone.
Leaning forward, Tirati returned with a soft voice, ?Master Wita caught me debating political ethics with an aristois bush.?

?That was a shining moment, I bet,? she said as she threaded her arm in his.

?Stellar.? He laughed. ?I thought you would like a little company on the way to the top.?

?That would be nice,? she answered as they walked through the narrow housing corridor toward the lifts. To the top was an affectionate term for the Sun kata. A popular morning ritual for the war weary padawans during Temple stays. The affirmation was performed en masse in the bright orange light of the Coruscant dawn in a windowed chamber.

With a slight shift of her head, she stole a glance toward the tall apprentice. ?So, Ben?al is being stubborn?? she carefully inquired, hoping not to sound too interested.

?I do not really know.?

?But you just said??

Rich, boisterous laughter filled the corridor. Tirati stopped and turned to stare at her. ?Not curious at all, are you??

?Well??

?That is what I was hoping you could tell me,? the tall young man asked. The laughter and teasing was replaced by the seriousness of a concerned friend. ?He refuses to leave his apartment. I have left messages that have gone ignored. There is even rumor that Master Girn is going to drag him through the Temple.?

?You should not believe all rumors that float around the Temple,? the gray haired apprentice said with a hint of admonishment. The soft sound of a cleaning bot caught her attention and she stared along the wall where a small, domed droid slowly traveled over the gray tile. She pulled her arm free and folded them across her chest once more, yet her gaze focused on the black body of the droid as it slowly moved past.

Shifting about, the male apprentice frowned as he cast his deep brown gaze toward the lifts. ?So what about the story that the witch carved some ancient Sith curse into him??

?Purely rumor,? Amare replied in a firm tone. ?Honestly, do you really think in a fight for her life that Kavara had time to spell out some curse??

Shaking his head, Tirati nodded in agreement. ?One of the healer padawans was talking about it.?

?She burned him. Bad. That is probably what they were seeing.? She shook her head, but raised her gaze toward a Twi?lek knight passing quietly by the lifts. The tall, pale

 

No Ben'al at the door. Darn Though picturing him covered in fruit was pretty funny.

It was the stuff of legends. And it seems like those in the Temple who look up to Ben'al will think he's infallible, now more than ever.

Would she have been brave enough to do the same thing in that situation? Would she have been mentally capable of plotting the death of her enemy even as she was being struck down? Based on the inscription on Ben'al's statue, and having just finished "A Gift of Warmth," I have a bad feeling about this...