Chapter Fifteen (Patreon)

The Initiate Trials were, on the face of it, simple. Far less dangerous than the Gathering, the Initiate Trials were not a test by the Force--a higher and sometimes uncaring power--but rather one set by the Jedi Order to examine the commitment, dedication, and abilities of the Initiates. The first trial was one of commitment. The initiates were to recite the Jedi Code perfectly, from memory. It was not a difficult task in and of itself and the main goal of it--at least so far as Ali’ya could figure out--was not the actual completion of the task, but the ability of the observing Jedi Masters to peer into the minds of the initiates and discover who was actually willing and able to uphold such a code. Had she been her body’s age, Ali’ya would likely have failed this task. There was much of the Code she did not agree with. There is no Emotion, there is Peace. The first and perhaps stupidest of the lines. Emotion and peace were not opposites. True peace came from accepting one’s feelings and circumstances. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. This one she actually agreed with. In a galaxy-wide society, where information could be found at the push of a button, ignorance was a willful act. One could not know everything, of course, but one must always be willing to learn. There is no passion, there is serenity. Ali’ya hated that line. What is life without passion, without joy and excitement? Passion for peace was what ended wars, passion for life and care fed people, passion--there was no life without passion. There is no chaos, there is harmony. The first fully religious tenant of the Jedi Code. The belief that all was the Will of the Force, and therefore within the chaos of the universe there was a hidden harmony. Perhaps. Ali’ya had some skepticism. There is no death, there is the Force. Given what the movies showed of Yoda and Obi-Wan’s death, that seemed likely. In this galaxy death was followed by joining with the Force, where one might be able to retain some individuality depending on how they arrived.

Had Ali’ya truly been eleven years old, her doubts and skepticism would have been obvious. Instead she concealed such feelings, allowing only a vague sense of doubt to rise to the surface as the Jedi Masters observed her.

The second trial of the Initiates was one of dedication. Two hours of meditation was a difficult task for most, let alone for children. Only a truly dedicated child (or one who fully absorbed their lessons about meditation trances) would be able to sit still for that long. It was rare that someone outright failed the second trial, but fidgeting was common and a lack of focus was--from what Ali’ya had read in past Council reports about the Initiate Trials--often viewed as sufficient reason to keep someone at the initiate level for a while. Ali’ya passed with ease. So too did she pass the third trial, the one of skill. Though perhaps ability was a better descriptor. The third trial involved lifting a series of objects with the Force. Some were light, some were heavy. Some deceptively so. Some were large, or small, or in blocks and spheres and varying shapes. They lifted them, rotated them, and set them back as neatly as they could. To some it was an easy test, their natural Force abilities allowing them to coast by. Others had to press themselves hard to pass, but pass they usually did. A few rare people, Kirana being one of them, were forced to fully open themselves to the Force in order to find the power to lift the objects. At the lower end of the Jedi’s accepted midichlorian count, Kirana’s abilities were focused more on finesse and academics than fighting or brute strength in the Force. While Kirana passed--if only barely--Ali’ya coasted by, floating all objects simultaneously before setting them down exactly as they had been.

In addition to the three formal trials, there was an unofficial fourth trial. The Temple Apprentice Tournament. Those who passed the Trials were invited to compete in the tournament. With Knights and Masters alike coming to watch the tournament, it was an opportunity few turned down. Even Kirana, who had little interest in the blade besides passing her classes, agreed to compete.

With an age range of eleven to fourteen, nearly everyone expected the older children to win. They had longer to study, greater maturity, and usually greater physical abilities than their younger counterparts. Ali’ya, however, felt confident. Her maturity was greater than her physical age might indicate, she had made great progress in both Makashi and Soresu. And she was Togorian, something that came with its own advantages. At eleven she was roughly equal to an adult human in both agility and strength, something that gave her an advantage over nearly every other competing initiate.

Most initiates--nearly all of them in truth--used Ataru. The form was strong, fast, aggressive, and entertaining. The flips and jumps were fun and energetic. For all Ali’ya did not care for the form, she could see why so many children (and adult children) liked it. It was also meant for someone of about human-child size. Designed in part to compensate for the small bodies and shorter limbs of Aleena the form involved acrobatics, flexibility, and Force-enhanced strength. For children it was a well-matched form--when their eagerness could be tempered. Ali’ya met them head-on with Soresu, the Endurance Form. She deflected their strong attacks, pivoted when they jumped around her, took small steps as they hopped about. She let the children tire themselves out against her impenetrable defense. Then, when they were exhausted, she lashed out with the precise thrusts and slashes of Makashi, cutting through hastily assembled parries and adjusting her attack vectors as they tried to move out of the way. Her efforts were far from flawless--she knew for a fact that Mace would have found a way through her defenses, damned prodigy that he was--but she was good by padawan standards. By initiate standards she easily stood out, though it seemed the knights and masters were paying as much attention to her relentless patience as to her skills.

In the tournament’s final bout Ali’ya was pitted against Ug’otor, a Wookiee initiate. Perhaps the only one in the tournament stronger than her, Ug’otor was also older, having just turned thirteen. While he too favored Ataru he was much more adept at it, mixing in more economical attacks from Djem So as he battered through the defenses of his opponents. Strong and skilled at Soresu as she was, Ali’ya would prefer not to spend an hour fending off his attacks. So, when the bout began, she made a surprising move. Rather than wait she lunged, Force Dashing across the open floor of the Salle. She attacked swiftly and brutally, Force-enhanced limbs knocking aside Ug’otor’s blade before her wrists pivoted. She halted, panting, the plasma blade held against Ug’otor’s neck.

“Match, Initiate Ali’ya,” the battlemaster declared. Ali’ya bit back a smile, and deactivated her lightsaber. Ug’otor glared at her.

“The only reason I acted so fast is because of how good you are,” Ali’ya said in an attempt to prevent ill feelings. “I could probably defend against your Ataru and Djem So, but I’d be covered in bruises. So I took a risk.”

It paid off, Ug’otor signaled in Dai Bendu hand sign. I had hoped to test myself against you.

“Another time,” Ali’ya replied. “I could do with some practice defending against those physically stronger than myself.”

Of which I am one.

“In our age group? Perhaps the only one,” Ali’ya giggled.

Another time then, Ug’otor signed. He sighed. I had hoped to attract Master Tyvokka’s attention.

“He has retired from taking apprentices,” Ali’ya stated. “Perhaps you should consider his last apprentice, Knight Plo Koon?”

Perhaps, Ug’otor signed, looking over at the Kel Dor inquisitively.

“I, uh, have another question,” Ali’ya said. “Would you mind teaching me Shiirywook? It’s a fascinating language, but I haven’t been able to learn much by reading about it and for obvious reasons I’d prefer a native speaker to a tutor.”

I’d love to, Ug’otor signed, delight flashing brilliantly in the Force. Perhaps you can teach me your language as well?

“It would be a pleasure.”

A hand clapped her on the shoulder, and Ali’ya was glad she’d shed most of her adrenaline already. The calm peace of the Temple replaced the excitement of battle and so, instead of reaching for her blade, she turned.

“That was impressive fighting, young one.” Ali’ya smiled up at Master Bulq. “Yet it was what you did after that impressed me the most.”

“Master?” Ali’ya asked.

“Though I am primarily known for my skill with a blade, such warlike actions should never be the sole focus of a Jedi,” Master Bulq said, smiling. “Battles are sometimes necessary. War is sometimes necessary. But what happens when the fighting is over, when the dust is settled, matters far, far more. This could very well have ended with Initiate Ug’otor carrying a grudge against you. Instead, you have managed to exchange lessons, and point him towards a more likely Master.”

Ali’ya followed Master Bulq’s finger, pointing across the room. Already taller than Knight Koon, Ug’otor’s eyes were wide as he listened to Shyriiwook being spoken from behind the rebreather. He responded in kind, and though Ali’ya could not understand the language (yet) she could feel the hope-eager-happiness that floated between them.

“I hope it works out for him,” Ali’ya said. “Knight Koon seems a good match for him. They are both so eager and caring in the Force.”

“A common trait among Tyvokka’s lineage,” Master Bulq said. “I did not come here to speak of young Ug’otor’s padawanship, but rather yours. Initiate Ali’ya, would you do me the honor of being my padawan leaner?”

Ali’ya stared up at him. She’d thought. She’d hoped, perhaps. She knew that in the old canon Sora Bulq would fall. She knew he might bring her with him. But he was so kind, so thoughtful, so good at teaching and willing to listen. She didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

Quest: Time to Learn Completed!

Have a Jedi take you as their Padawan Learner

Rewards: 4,000 experience points

Bonus Quest: Be taken as a Padawan by one of the High Councilors Failed

Bonus Quest: Be taken as a Padawan by a Jedi Master

Rewards: People will respect you more for who your master is

Quest: Top of the Heap Completed!

Win the Initiates Tournament

Rewards: 2,000 experience points

Bonus Quest: Win your final match without suffering a hit

Rewards: +2 Agility, 500 experience points