Bound

Blinded by Vision

A/N: This is the first book of my series The Force of Providence. This series will follow Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprenticeship with Master Qui-Gon Jinn and is projected to end somewhere approaching the Phantom Menace timeframe, but of course that can and probably will change. Though this will have some similarities, and thus some spoilers, with the Jedi Apprentice book series by Judith Watson, this is still most definitely AU. Please enjoy what I anticipate will be my newest obsession.

A/N 2: I will attempt to post weekly, but as this is a work in progress I would expect some irregularities in posting. However, the story will be completed.

A/N 3: Italics indicate emphasis, visions, personal thoughts, and flashbacks. Context should illustrate which device is being used. / / indicates mindspeak.

I neither own these characters or the literary universe in which they live, though there are a few new faces and places that are of my own design. I neither make nor intend to make any profit off of this writing, but indeed I expect to die poor, clutching a legal pad and pen to my chest, a half written chapter scribbled on the fading yellow page.

Some spoilers from Jedi Apprentice.
No betas, therefore the mistakes are all mine.

1 year ago...

The Grand Hall was packed. Knight, masters, padawans, and initiates of all ages and species had converged on Coruscant to witness the Temple's Annual Initiate Exhibition. Though conducted as a tournament, the true competition was not to win first place, but instead to impress a master who might take a promising competitor as his, her, or its padawan. That was the true motivation behind each young participant and Obi-Wan Kenobi was no exception. At eleven standard years of age, it was not unusual for Obi-Wan to not yet have been selected as a padawan, but time was running out. His birthday was only a few days after the exhibition meaning he had only one year to catch the eye of someone, some knight or master who would take him on as an apprentice, but Obi-Wan had faith. He was a more than fair student academically and was tremendously talented with a practice saber. The young boy was certain that he would be chosen in time. In fact, perhaps today was going to be the day...

Obi-Wan entered the hall, scanning the room for a set of familiar faces. A quick glance to his right showed him his target. On a bench near the far arena sat his best friends and agemates, all smiles and waving arms. He walked over to join them, a large smile plastered across his face as the excitement of today's events began to grow inside him.

"Obi! Are you ready? Are you nervous? Don't be nervous! You're so good with a saber!" Bant babbled enthusiastically answering her own questions as she drew Obi-Wan into a tight hug.

"Thanks, Bant," Obi-Wan said once he was released from his friend's grasp. "And no, I'm not nervous."

"What's he got to be nervous about?" Garen joined as he also greeted his friend with a hug. "Our Obi's the best in our division. This is your year, Obi. I just know it!"

Obi-Wan looked happily upon the faces of his dearest friends. Garen Muln and Bant Eerin, along with Reeft who was unfortuanately away on an academic field trip, had been Obi-Wan's constant companions since his first memories in the crèche. The four initiates had been inseparable over the years, but as excited as each of them was to be taken as a padawan, they also knew that that change would mean their eventual separation, a separation that would only grow over the long years to their knighthoods. Obi-Wan pushed those thoughts aside and chose instead to focus on the task before him.

"I don't know about that, Garen," Obi-Wan replied with a blush. "Do you know who's here?" he asked. Garen did not need to ask him exactly which who he meant. Every initiate was keeping tabs on the available knights and masters that were currently on planet and free to take a padawan should they find one to their liking.