Ashla

Chapter Two

Kanan and Ezra were waiting outside of the Fardis's house.

"Are you sure this is the right house?" Ezra asked.

"Should be," Kanan answered, "Everyone we asked pointed to this house." Even though everyone called him a near- hermit, Kanan thought.

"Then why isn't anybody answering," Ezra said. Just then, Mr. Fardi opened the door.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"Excuse me, but we need to talk to you in private," Kanan said, "Do you mind if we step in for a moment?"

"No one comes into this house without stating their purpose," Mr. Fardi stated.

"Sir, it's not okay for us to state our purpose in the open," said Kanan, "Now if you would just let us in..."

"I WILL NOT LET ANYONE IN MY HOUSE!" Mr. Fardi shouted.

"You will let us into your house," Ezra said, waving his hand.

"Ezra..." Kanan whispered.

"I will let you into my house," said Mr. Fardi in a daze. Then, he let them into his house.

"Why did you do that?" Kanan said.

"He wouldn't let us in otherwise," Ezra protested. As they walked in, Kanan talked to Mr. Fardi.

"Excuse me, but could the three of us talk in private?" he asked.

"Sure, we'll go to my room," Mr. Fardi said. As they walked into Mr. Fardi's bedroom, Kanan couldn't help but sense a dark shadow nearby.

As the two men walked in, Hedala followed them and ran into Ashla.

"Who were those two?" Ashla asked.

"I don't know," Hedala answered, "Uncle Fardi has never let strangers in, not since your mother left."

"And why is the taller one wearing a mask over his eyes?" Ashla asked.

"All I know is that Uncle Fardi seemed in a trance when he let them in," Hedala said.

"You don't think the legends are true, do you?" Ashla asked, "About the Jedi?"

"I don't think so," said Hedala, "But maybe we should listen in on their conversation anyways."

"So, how can I help you gentlemen" Mr. Fardi asked.

"We believe you might be housing two force sensitive children," Kanan said.

"So you're mechanics then?" Mr. Fardi asked, raising his eyebrow.

"No... " Ezra said. He was starting to think that he'd have to do another mind trick on the old man.

"No, that's what we refer to as Jedi. It was started by a Jedi who was hiding in our house," Mr. Fardi said.

"You had a Jedi here?" Ezra asked.

"Long ago, yes," Mr. Fardi said, "She was the one who identified that one of my nieces was Force Sensitive. Then she left her daughter here with us, and I've been keeping a close eye on them ever since."

"Well, we believe the Empire's looking for," said Kanaan, "An inquisitor to be exact."

"What's an inquisitor?" Mr. Fardi asked nervously.

"Someone you do not want to meet," said Ezra, "If we could just take them with us, we could train them and keep them safe. They could even visit you sometimes." Mr. Fardi put his head in his hands.

"I tried so hard to protect them, but the Empire found them anyways," he whispered. Then, he straightened up. "Very well, if that's what's must be done, so be it. I'll talk to them about leaving."

"I don't think that's necessary," Ezra said as he walked to the door. He opened it and Hedala and Ashla tumbled in, giggling nervously.