T'Aqol | Chapter 3: Connecting

Chapter 3: Connecting

My time as a Padawan came very quickly after joining the order. I didn't notice, but Master Ryx was keeping a close eye on me during my Initiate training. I remember from the day him and Master Koth found me, Master Ryx seemed to form a connection with me and could sense my potential. The teachers reported to him my progress everyday. I was learning the ways of the Jedi very quickly, and at a rate that not many students progress at. Master Ryx and the council became very intrigued with the talents I may possess. There had only ever been one other Tusken Raider Jedi, A'Sharad Hett. He was a very strong Jedi and warrior, I hoped to be as notable as him one day, especially as I grew into my teens.

After about 5 years into my training as an Initiate I was called into the council room by Master Ryx. I wasn't sure what it could be about, at the time I had no idea about him and the council following my progress so closely. I honestly thought I was in trouble. A few days prior Lema, Hapa, Chūsei and I had been taking sweets and desserts from the kitchen after training. As the door to the council room slid open I expected to see them standing there. Instead I was greeted by all twelve council members staring straight at me. Immediately I felt more nervous than I had ever felt in my time in the order. I quickly did my best to hide it, I didn't want any of them to sense it, thinking I was afraid.

Master Windu spoke,

"Young Zrukirr, it has come to the council's attention that your training has been progressing at an impressive rate. Not many Jedi come into the order and are able to catch onto training this quickly. Your understanding of the Jedi Code is truly unbelievable."

I bowed and signed to thank him. Master Windu continued,

"It has been brought up by Master Ryx that he wishes to start training you as his Padawan. He trusts your knowledge and level of maturity for your age is capable of further expanding your knowledge and shaping you into a highly skilled Jedi. Your connection to the force and your ability to adapt to new learning and training is remarkable, we wish all Initiates your age could progress as well as you."

He paused, I stood there silently with my hands behind my back, patiently waiting for what he would say next.

"However, if you prove to Master Ryx and the council you are not capable of being his Padawan, you will have to go through Initiate training yet again, and be a padawan under another Knight or Master. Do you understand the responsibility you take in accepting this?"

Naturally I started to sweat once Master Windu said that, I really wanted to further impress Master Ryx and the council, and I felt it would show that I was responsible enough to become an apprentice at this age if I accepted. I nodded and signed that I was very grateful for the opportunity and that I would not let Master Ryx, Master Windu or the rest of the council down.

The next day I immediately started training with Master Ryx. Training with him was very similar to the style of training I was already learning as an Initiate, but it felt like all the training was made ten times more difficult. I assumed he wanted to keep the training familiar at first, but test my skills and capability of being able to keep up. I was only 9 years old and was in training as a Padawan.

Master Ryx was a very traditional style teacher, incorporating methods from the Old Jedi Order. For any normal Padawan these trainings were already very exhausting and hard on the body. They focused greatly on relying on the force and pushing your body to its limits.

I remember Master Ryx took me on an expedition to train on Hoth, it was to condition my connection to the force. I didn't find out until after that he didn't expect me to make it, and honestly thought it was too dangerous of me to complete. Hoth was surrounded by an asteroid belt, and occasionally meteors would hit the surface of the planet. Master Ryx instructed me to levitate for twelve hours straight, and to hold a meteor in the air as I levitated. At first it took a bit for me to get focused. The cold was so extreme and so harsh, I had never experienced anything like this before. Tatooine was incredibly hot and dry, I never thought I would want to be standing in the sand while the sun beat down on me more than I did now. Master Ryx told me when I was finished he would come get me, or if I gave up I could return to the ship. Even though it was incredibly difficult, I promised myself I wouldn't give up.