The Legend of the Jedi Queen

7. The Kyber Master

Boxes of crystals and mechanical parts were everywhere, and the rugs that covered the dirt floor were beaten and worn past the point of being able to recognize their colors or patterns. In the back was a hammock, and Nellith spotted two dirty, worn boots peeking out. She approached cautiously, hand on her lightsaber.

As soon as she approached, the hammock swung dramatically, and out tumbled a boy her age. He scrambled to his feet, and grabbed an elegant, old-looking saber-staff off of his belt.

The two stood there a moment, sizing each other up.

"Nice hair," he said snidely.

Nellith reached her hand up to her hair— her braids were losing tendrils— she'd forgotten all about the hairstyle.

Don't play his game— just be firm and to the point.

"Are you Tallis Shan?" Nellith asked. "We need a passport to get off-planet."

He blinked. "Yes."

Nellith removed her hand from her lightsaber. "My mum said the locals recommended you."

He nodded, clipping his lightsaber on the patched belt he wore. "It's the better part of my reputation. I didn't make that lightsaber— where did you get it?"

"I made it," Nellith said with a slight frown. "You make lightsabers?"

"For profit," Tallis said, gesturing to the boxes. "It brings a little more money than the passports and forgeries."

"Then you must have the Force," Nellith said.

Tallis shrugged. "I can do a few tricks. Nothing like a full Jedi, though."

His strange lilac-gray eyes looked at her pointedly.

"I'm not a Jedi yet," Nellith admitted. "But I'm going to be."

"What would bring a Jedi here, to Corellia?" Tallis asked. "Especially one that's what— thirteen?"

"Fourteen," Nellith said softly. "And I have my reasons."

Rey entered the tent, and Tallis did a double-take.

"So you're the guy," Rey said. She glanced from Nellith to Tallis. "I see you've got a knack with lightsabers."

Tallis nodded, speechless.

"Now, I've heard you can write us passports out of this place?" Rey asked.

"Yes," Tallis said. "How many do you need?"

"Three," Rey said. "Chewy's guarding the Falcon again for us."

"I can do that," Tallis said. He hurried over to a drawer and pulled out paper templates.

"How much do you need?" Rey asked, reaching for the pouch on her hip.

Tallis only hesitated for a split second. "Free of charge."

"What?" Nellith cried, glancing from Rey to Tallis. "I thought this was your business—"

"It's free of charge for a galactic hero like Rey Qel-Droma," Tallis said.

Rey's expression softened. "Thank you."

Tallis pulled out a pen. "What names do you want for the papers?"

"Kireya Veila and Tahiri Veila," Rey said without hesitation. She tilted her head. "Are you alone?"

Tallis's skinny body went rigid. "I used to have my mom here. She died a year ago."

Nellith felt a bit of sympathy in her chest for the boy. "You can't be much older than me."