“Again,” repeated Master Dyarron while he sat on the floor and watched Alera spin the simple bowstaff in her hands. With a sigh, she shifted, her blue fingers adjusting her grip on the wooden stick. Her body ached from the hours of constant practice, but Alera pushed through, her mind moving through the combat moves from memory. Completing the last leap, Alera stopped, her arms shaking, and looked at her master, waiting for him to send her through it again. “That’s enough,” he said, rising and reaching out for the staff. “When do I get a real lightsaber?” she asked, her voice soft, while she followed him out the door into the empty hall. “When you are ready.” By now used to his cryptic answers, Alera fell silent, her yellow eyes watching the passing Jedi with curiosity. “Dalen.” Master Kenobi approached them, a tall, dark haired man and a young Torgruta, her skin bright orange, following behind him. “Kenobi,” Master Dyarron said and bowed, “and Skywalker. I see you and your Padawan are away from the battlefield.” “Only for a short while, Master Dyarron,” Master Skywalker replied, and Alera watched him with wide eyes. “Is this your famed apprentice?” “Alera, this is Master Anakin Skywalker and his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano.” Master Dyarron smiled at her while the other two eyed her with a wary curiosity. While the one filled her with confidence, the other two weighed her down with their suspicion. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” said the young girl, and Alera clenched her fists at the judgemental tone. “So have I,” Alera answered, keeping her voice even. “Now, Master, we have somewhere to be.” “Indeed we do.” He bowed again to his friends. “We shall have to catch up some time.” As the two groups parted ways, Master Dyarron walked in stride with his Padawan. “I did not know you were so eager for meditation,” he commented. “I’m not,” she said, her eyes looking up at him with fire in them. “I just couldn't stand Commander Tano’s haughty eyes.” He frowned. “I have never heard anything like that about Skywalker’s Padawan.” “He is a famed war hero, though he is also known for his recklessness. I’m sure Commander Tano is like him, so why should she judge me because of what I did in the heat of the moment?” His eyes turning thoughtful, Master Dyarron placed his hand on her shoulder. “That is a wise sentiment, Alera Danta, and I wish more people lived by it.” After being directed to sit in the center of the circular room, Alera sat down, her light robes draped over her crossed legs. Resting her blue fingers on her knees, she shut her eyes, awaiting her master’s command. “Calm your mind, Alera, and reach out. Search for a connection.” Alera sighed, but her brow scrunched in concentration, her fingers growing pale as they pressed against the rough material of her robes. The heavy silence kept her mind away from the busyness of the other Jedi outside the room. “They don’t matter, Alera,” whispered Master Dyarron, and he walked over to join her. “I’m here beside you, but I want you to feel it, not see it.” With a nod, Alera relaxed her tight shoulders, her hands trembling while she reached out in her mind, the clear, calming presence of her master appearing right where he had said he would be. She gasped, a smile forming on her serious face. “Now, what else can you feel?” Her hands still, Alera’s mind roved past the door into the hall, where more bright Jedi appeared in the map in her mind. “Master Yoda,” she mumbled, the strong but old master clear in the hall outside. “And–” Her smile fell when Master Windu approached his old friend, and in frustration, she opened her yellow eyes, letting her connection slip away. Master Dyarron was silent, his own mind focused. Alera shifted and leaned back, watching his serious face while he reached out through the Force. “You cannot let your emotions cloud your vision, Alera,” he said, his blue eyes opening after a pause. “That was your mistake. A very common one, but a mistake all the same.” Alera bit her lip, feeling the rebuke, but she only asked, “So you h Master Windu, too?” “I did not say that,” he replied, his lips twitching. “But sometimes we do not agree. You must not h, either, Alera.” “Yes, Master.” He smiled, nodding at her submission, and gestured for both of them to rise. “I cannot take you on a mission quite yet, Alera,” he began while opening the door with a swirl of his wrist. She watched with awe and vowed to learn the trick. “You must finish your flying training before that.” “I understand,” she answered, but her voice was filled with anger. “Good. I want you to be safe when you are in the midst of a battle. Not only for your sake, but for the sake of your soldiers as well.” “Of course.” “You needn’t agree so calmly, Alera. It is not in your character.” “But shouldn’t a Jedi Padawan be submissive to their master? I’m sure Commander Tano is.” Alera crossed her arms.
“She is not, and neither was her master to his. Still, while submission is excellent, you must feel it, not just speak the words.” Alera nodded, deciding to not reply verbally. “I have a mission to Rodia with Captain Derek. We shall return in a week. While I am gone, you will continue your training.” “Of course, Master,” she said with a smile. “I will make excellent progress in your absence.” He returned her smile and left her near the door of the cathedral-like hanger, where the captain waited inside. “I am counting on it, my apprentice.”
