The Path of the Grey

Chapter 4

20 ABY

The Nightsister settlement on Yavin IV, was just beyond the large grove of the reddest flowers. Asajj had chosen it because the color reminded her of the old garments her people wore back on Dathomir. Esmin scurried ahead, looking back at Luke and Ben every so often to make sure they were still there. The sun was beating down on the moon and she could feel the sweat drip down her legs, but she could care less. A large smile spread across her tan face as she skipped ahead.

"Master," Ben said after some time. "Do you suppose she was raised by Nightsisters?"

Luke shrugged. "Aren't they a myth?"

"Aren't we?"

"True."

Esmin called back that they were near and leapt easily over a large bush. "Scrappy," Luke chuckled at the child.

Ben was lost in thought and didn't say anything for a few more minutes. "It's not that I don't trust your judgement-"

"However?"

"However," Ben repeated, "The Nightsisters are not something to dismiss."

Luke laughed, "You were just whooping around like she was the greatest Force user you had ever seen."

"Yes, Master."

"However," both Ben and Luke said together.

With a huff Ben faced his Uncle, not moving. "No one knows more about the Clone Wars than I."

"Yes," Luke replied warily.

"If they are the true Nightsisters," Ben began arrogantly, as if he had years more of knowledge compared to his uncle. "let me just give you a bit of a warning."

Luke tried not to roll his eyes at his nephew's forthcoming lecture.

"They were defeated in a great battle on Dathomir," Ben stated. "Around twenty of them were slain protecting their home. And that took an entire droid army, just to take down twenty."

Luke stared at his nephew waiting for the point.

"This is an entire settlement we are about to walk into and there are two of us," Ben concluded.

"Well, then smile," Luke said with a friendly slap on Ben's back and continued after Esmin.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Ben grumbled to himself.

They finally arrived past the flowers as a wave of the Force passed through Luke and Ben. It was strong, yet felt different from what they were used to, like the Force was equal in dark and light at the same time. As they approached the actual settlement, they saw the modest dwellings that had been constructed, hidden partially in caves and giant tree trunks. Women and girls suddenly stopped what they were doing and ogled at the strange men. A few headed for a building in the center.

Luke smiled and cordially greeted them, but received no response. Esmin overly excited now, pulled on Luke's hand to guide them to the same center building. It was dome shaped with high ceilings and red curtain for a door. They entered and were immediately stopped by Asajj and her daughters.

"Leave," Asajj said abruptly.

"Why?" Esmin pouted as her aunt pulled her away from Luke.

"I'm Luke Skywalker," he began, followed by a pause.

"Am I supposed to feel honored?" Asajj laughed.

"No, but I assure you, I mean no harm. " he said quickly but with a sense of calm. "I'm a Jedi Master. I train anyone Force sensitive who wishes to learn."