Chapter 5: Dorin “You are the first jedi to visit here since the Dark Wars,” the Kel Dor guide said. The Jedi Academy on Dorin was now the home of the Baran Do Sages. Zev, Arlynn, HanK, the Mandalorian Kael, and their twi’lek pilot Filly followed him through an almost exact replica of the Coruscant Jedi Temple. It was amazing, with tall columns and many rooms off the main hall for various training sessions. The primary difference between this hall and the Temple were the beautiful murals on the ceilings, walls, and floors. “Who painted all these murals?” Filly asked. They depicted various figures throughout the past and future of the Jedi Order. Some of the faces were familiar, like Ulic Qel Droma and Exar Kun, and others like the strange Dark Lord made of black metal. “Most of us have the sight, but it manifests itself in different ways,” he explained. “With this gift comes others, such as artistic ability.” “They are amazing,” said Arlynn, soaking in all the visions. There were more of great storms and Kel Dor historical figures. The tour was like a visual history of the Sages. “I believe you will be most interested to meet one of our artists,” the guide told them, bringing them to a room full of carvings, busts, and more painted depictions. However these were more familiar. “Filly, that’s you!” Arlynn exclaimed rushing over one of the statues. It was a perfect image, right down to her pistols ‘Honey’ and ‘Baby’. “I look good,” she cooed. “I need to meet this guy.” “Me too,” Kael responded. He was still wearing his Mandalorian armor including the helmet to filter out the helium gas of the Dorin atmosphere. The others in the group were wearing personal gas masks. They walked slowly around the room and took in all the artwork. The pieces had been brought to this room specifically from around the temple and the artist’s personal collection. There were depictions of them all including their allies that were currently on Kashyyyk… Jakk, Ishhkalwarr, Shan, and Asheemi. While they observed the pieces, the artist entered. Since none of them were familiar with the subtle difference between them, the two Kel Dor could have been twins. “I am Koth Drii,” he said in Basic. The voice was smooth and comfortable. “I am the artist.” “Love your work,” Filly said. “Thank you, Bene,” he replied. “What?” “As we have not had the pleasure to meet until now, I have given my artwork names based on their, your, auras,” he explained. “It is that aura with which I address you now.” “I assume ‘bene’ means ‘beautiful’?” she said smiling. “It means the Feint,” he explained. Kael laughed under his breath. The Kel Dor was the first one who put Filly in her place, and he didn’t even mean to. “I am Zeven Thanas,” Zev introduced, “you can call me Zev.” “Yali,” Koth replied. The other Sage nodded. “And Sayyadina,” he said in Arlynn’s direction. “Arlynn,” she corrected politely. She was sure this wasn’t a negative term, but she liked being called by her name. Often the jedi referred to her as ‘padawan’ and Filly called her ‘sticky buns’. Being called Arlynn reminded her of her mother. “Arlynn,” he said back. “How long have you been having these visions?” Zev asked. “I sculpted this at least ten years ago,” he said referring to the statue of Filly. “Wow, I just got Baby two years ago,” Filly said referring to her heavily modified hold‐out blaster. She still hadn’t fully grasped the way the Force allowed the Sages to see the future. Even Zev and Arlynn, who had limited visions themselves, didn’t understand the clarity they were looking at in these depictions. “This is all very fascinating,” Zev responded, “but unfortunately we are here for a more dire purpose. The Sith believe this Temple holds an access point to the Jedi Archives. They are seeking information held within. We believe they will be attacking in force, and doing so soon.” “Yes,” the Sage agreed. “Will we win?” Kael asked rhetorically. “The future is in motion. It changes with our actions,” Koth replied, “but you will bring a great storm.” “Cool,” Kael replied. The battle in the canyons went as expected. Although some of them were a little worse for wear, most of the team held their own against twice their number in Sith Troopers. Returning to the temple was the part none of them saw coming. The Sith Lord, Darth Chimera, was waiting for them. He hadn’t had time to execute many of the Sages, but they were securely locked away to keep from helping. The jedi and their allies fought feverishly against the dark jedi and his minions; armored Sith warriors attacked with lightsabers, although their lack of sensitivity to the Force kept them from being truly effective. Darth Chimera was a well‐known fallen jedi. He was a Chiss, a being from a frozen planet in the Outer Rim. It was thought he was killed by the Triumvirate during the Dark Wars. While he served the Order, he was a talented dual wielder and strategist. His loss was a great blow to the Order and might have helped turn the tide in the Jedi Civil War. Now they faced him as an enemy. With his strength enhanced by the Dark Side, Darth Chimera was going to be a difficult opponent. The Sith ran into the action, slashing at Zev and Koth with each blade. Zev tried to parry the blow but missed and was seared by the weapon. Koth saw the attack the same as he saw it during his morning meditation, and dodged the blow easily. Zev was growing in skill with his own second blade, but he still had difficulty concentrating when trying to move and attack at the same time. Since Chimera had made the mistake of getting too close, he didn’t have to. Zev counterattacked with both blades simultaneously, landing both hits against Chimera’s blades. He was forced to his knees and twin bolts burned through his collarbone. Filly stood on the other side of the smoking blaster, smiling. A blink later, Chimera was on the ground with a hole in his chest, and it was Kael that was smiling. “Body count,” Zev said loudly. He knew no one had been seriously injured. “Here master,” Arlynn replied. She had already check out everyone visually to make sure no one needed attention. “Acknowledgement!” HanK responded. “In one fine piece,” Filly chimed in. “Ditto,” Kael announced. “Amazing,” Koth said, “to see you in action was better than in my dreams.” “That’s what ‘he’ said,” Filly chirped. Arlynn had to suppress a giggle. “Clarification: Are you referring to your Mandalorian lover or to the master who often dreams vigorously?” “WHAT!” Filly exclaimed. “Zev, I had no idea…” “It’s not what he means,” Zev clarified, “but I’m glad you are all in a light mood. Koth, where would they have imprisoned your brothers?” “I will release them,” Koth said with his eyes closed. It was his priority as well and he was looking for them through the Force. “I hope he can teach me how to do that,” Arlynn said. Zev felt a familiar pang of shortcoming as a teacher. Once all the Sages were freed, they thanked the jedi for their intervention. The assassinations of the Kel Dor knights during the Dark Wars had made the Sages suspicious that the affiliation with the jedi brought death to their planet. With this latest assault from a rogue dark jedi, it was clear that the Sith did not discriminate. “What will happen to you, Koth?” Arlynn asked. “Will you stay here and continue your art?” “Actually, Arlynn,” he said, using her name as she had requested, “I plan to come with you.” “The Order could use the help,” Zev agreed. “Is this permitted by the Baran Do?” “We do not limit the actions of our members,” the leader told him. “Koth is an important member of our circle. He is highly skilled, but learning the higher arts of the Jedi will strengthen our brotherhood. If you would permit it, we would as well.” The jedi gathered around the Darkhorse Courier’s encrypted communicator. After explaining the situation on Dorin, Atris agreed that Koth should be invited to join them with full rights to the Order. “There is another issue we wished to discuss with you,” she continued. “Arlynn, step forward.” Arlynn usually stood back away from the screen in case Filly or Kael needed to chime into the conversation. Atris intimidated her, and she preferred to listen and not speak. She obeyed the white‐ haired jedi master and put her face nearer to the viewscreen. “You have become very powerful, Arlynn,” she said. “Visas has felt your power grow, and everything Zev has reported back exceeds our expectations. As with your master, defeating a Dark Lord is a task reserved for Jedi Knights. Thanks to your participation in the defeat of now three denizens of the Dark Side, it is my pleasure to promote you to Jedi Knight.” “Ha!” laughed Filly out loud. “Go girl!” Arlynn was shocked. She just assumed that it would be years before she was promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight. With the exception of Bastila Shan, it took all of the contemporary jedi years and years to prove themselves. Arlynn had been with the Order less than a full year now, and already she was being promoted? “I don’t want to question this too much,” Arlynn began, “but I thought there would be a great trial?” “The Jedi Trials include three primary parts,” Atris clarified, “the lightsaber, the Jedi Code, and the Final Test.