Revelation: A Star Wars Fanfic

Chapter 5

"Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave,
Let me once know.
I sought thee in a secret cave,
And ask'd, if Peace were there,
A hollow wind did seem to answer, No:
Go seek elsewhere."
—George Herbert, "Peace"

My brother stood opposite me, having just delivered the bad news. "But you just got back."

Anakin sighed, though he was not completely upset. "The Chancellor specifically requested me for this. Senator Amidala's life is in danger."

I groaned and crossed my arms. I wanted to be angry, to be able to yell at my brother for abandoning me. But I couldn't. "Are you going to her home?"

"She will be safe on Naboo." He decided. As he leaned on the railing, I could see him study the faint stars under the bright lights of Coruscant. Anakin would do it often, like the stars would rescue him from the harsh duties and responsibilities of being a Jedi.

I wondered what had changed in the past decade. He had jumped at the chance to become a Jedi Knight. Perhaps the reality of the Order had made him question the hypocrisy of their ideals.

"I feel as if there is something you are neglecting to tell me." I said.

His intense stare affirmed my suspicions. "Nothing. I am going to Naboo with the senator."

Perhaps he was even lying to himself, but I could see the ugly tinge of falsehood in his aura.

As I looked up at the galaxy, I could hear the melody we shared. There was something new, like an instrument being added to an orchestra. It was faint, but I could always pick out the newest addition from across the stars.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Morning came early, and Anakin had left before the Dark Jedi were permitted out of our sanctioned area of the Temple. The regulation rules were harsh, and the punishment of disobedience was even harsher.

Walking toward the dining common, I realized how much more formal the Jedi were than the Dark Jedi. They were nearly silent as they ate, speaking only in hushed tones and making a conscious effort to not clang their cutlery.

My presence obviously interrupted everyone's personal space. Heads turned and pulled away from me, like the very air I breathed was enough to turn them into monsters.

Despite my self-assurance, I was prideful enough to feel a weight of shame. My head cast down to look at my feet as I walked.

I again felt like the little slave girl at three years old, forced to be impersonal and solemn even at that young an age. Everyone seemed higher than me, living on pedestals I could never climb.

I took my breakfast to the entrance of the Temple, where statues older than any recorded date stood, waiting for me to climb upon them and sit at their peaks. Most of the platforms were large enough to sit on as I ate in silence.

My legs swung from the height like the mature adult I was. I bit into a Jogun.

About four other Dark Jedi were currently at the Temple, each their mostly for diplomatic reasons. They were a century or two older than I was, and I could barely remember their names.