Episode 10 :: A Test

Instructions

“Very good, Alera.” Master Nu smiled when the young Padawan finished her test on the galaxy. “You are a very quick learner.” “Thank you,” Alera rose from her seat, her white braid falling into her yellow eyes, “but I’ve got to see Master Yoda now.” “What about practicing searching the archives?” the older woman called after the girl, her face full of concern as she whispered, “Dalen was very strict about her lessons.” But Alera was already running across the floor, headed up the stairs to the long halls surrounding the archives. “Already did that!” she cried, smiling as she turned a corner. “That girl will work herself sick,” muttered the librarian with a sigh, turning to assist another Jedi with her helpful smile. “Back again, Alera Danta?” asked Master Yoda when she entered the room after her knock had been answered. The blinds were shut, letting in only lines of light that fell across the carpet. The wizened master sat on a round stool, his eyes shut in meditation. “Yes, Master.” She took a seat across from him, settling into her own position to concentrate. “Returned, your master has not,” he remarked. “Yet no assignment, Master Dyarron was sent on.” Alera’s eyes flew open. “What do you mean, Master Yoda?” “Training a Padawan, his mission is. Not travelling the galaxy.” Frowning, Alera relaxed her shoulders, eyes shut once more. “I’m sure he has a good reason. Master Dyarron always does.” “Yes, but wonder what his reason is, I do.” Master Yoda stepped down from his chair. “Not here for meditation are you.” “No, but I enjoy practicing it with you, Master. Your presence is very powerful,” admitted Alera as she followed him. “What do you see, Master?” “Many things, Padawan. Searching for the Sith lord, am I.” “Have you had any luck?” She watched the weathered green face with hopeful expectations. With saddened eyes, he shook his head. “Training with another Padawan, today you are.” “Who?” she demanded, her chest tightening. “Ahsoka Tano. Padawan of Master Skywalker, she is.” “We’ve met,” Alera replied flatly. “Master, I don’t think that I’m ready for this.” “Ready, you are. Told me so, Master Dyarron did.” Shuddering, Alera lapsed into silence, knowing that arguing would go nowhere without her master present. Master Skywalker was waiting for them, Ahsoka practicing in the center of the room with her two lightsabers, one glowing green and the other yellow. Alera bristled with jealousy, but she managed a faint smile to the young girl, who watched her with curiosity. “Battle with bowstaffs, you will,” announced Master Yoda, and he and Master Skywalker sat down to watch. “Disarm your enemy, you must.” Her heart pounding, Alera moved opposite Ahsoka, both tense. “So, you’re not out k!lling droids?” she asked. “You don’t k!ll droids; you destroy them. They’re not alive.” Alera nodded. “I guess. They do feel real.” “Not like you’ve seen one before.” Ahsoka moved in first, knocking Alera off balance. She rolled across the floor, rising up before the Torgruta could get another swing in. “I have, Tano, just not fighting them.” “Really?” Her blue eyes softened, and Ahsoka took a step back. “Yeah. I was running from them.” Alera leapt up, disarming Ahsoka, but her opponent flipped backwards, her hand reaching out to pull her staff back into her hands. With a frustrated groan, Alera glanced at Master Yoda, biting her lip to fight a complaint about the unfairness of this test. Ahsoka watched her, blue eyes devoid of any remorse, and Alera set her jaw. “You can’t beat me, Danta,” said Ahsoka as she barraged Alera, the Pantoran girl dodging the looming staff each time. “Yes, I can, Tano, and I will.” She smiled. “Challenge accepted, Danta.” Leaping over and behind Alera, Ahsoka grinned wider, seeing a clear victory. As she shut her eyes, Alera felt out for Ahsoka’s presence, and she spun around, the end of her staff landing against the Torgruta’s ch3st. With a groan, Ahsoka landed on the floor, rolling to meet Alera again. “Nice,” she remarked, and Alera nodded her thanks, blue lips twitching to hide her own smile. While the two sparred, both falling and rising, Master Yoda watched with thoughtful dark eyes. “Very skilled, your Padawan is, Skywalker.” “Thank you, Master,” he replied with a faint smile. “But I don’t trust Dyarron’s Pantoran.” Turning his head, Master Yoda gazed at him, a question on his face. “She’s too stubborn, to the point that she’s going up against Ahsoka even though she’s not experienced.” “Condemn her, you do,” stated the old master. “But condemn her for surrendering, you would as well.” Sighing in defeat, Master Skywalker nodded. “I suppose.” “See her future, I do, and great, it is.” “What about mine?” asked Master Skywalker after a moment. “Clouded, your future is, Skywalker. Watch the rest, you must. Other lessons, have I.” “Very good. I shall see you later, Master Yoda.” Alera looked over to see the green Jedi hobble away on her staff, and she sighed, her stomach dropping.