Unification

Part Five

One year later…


“Called you before us we have Jossiah Kadeen. Answer you must, for your transgression against our laws.” Yoda’s dispassionate voice floated through the fog that swirled inside of Joss’ head. His head bowed, he awaited the Councils decision on his fate.

So, it has come to this. Joss’ Master, Blucher Vale looked at his former padawan sadly from his position outside the circle of chairs. It was only his connection with Master Windu that he had been allowed into the Council Chambers at all. As if reading his thoughts, Mace Windu looked up and caught Vale’s gaze Mac Mace’s strong baritone filled Vale’s mind. * Be at peace my friend. He will only be banished, not expelled for his offense. He may return in three years time, when she has come of age. As he knows, we will not disregard the will of the Force. * Vale looked at his former Master and bowed his head gratefully in thanks.

At a small nod from Master Yoda, Mace stood, addressing Joss. “You shall be banished for three years to the outer rim planet of Tatooine. You will still be known as a Jedi, yet you are unwelcome in this Temple until that time period has passed. You will cease contact with Padawan Elizara Simone entirely. If you do contact her, we will consider that a violation of your punishment and you will be banished forever from the ranks of the Jedi. You may take this time to reflect on your actions.”

Joss looked up at Master Windu, his gray eyes turning eerie silver in his anger. “You punish me for having feelings, Master, for wishing to bond my life with another and share the joys and sorrows of everyday life. Have you forgotten what it is like to be human, Master Windu? Do you even still recognize your heritage beneath the cold austere shell of the Jedi?” Joss’ voice shook with anger, his hands clenching at his sides. Master Vale sent him calming waves over their link; still in place five years after Joss had been Knighted.

“Have you forgotten what it is to be a Jedi? A Jedi shall not know love, or commitment, Knight Kadeen, attachment is forbidden. Do you defy the most basic tenets of our code so easily?” Master Windu asked him solemnly, staring deeply into those angry silver eyes.

“Anger leads to hate, hate leads to fear and fear is the path to the dark side.” Yoda intoned from his chair, watching the proceedings carefully.

Joss struggled to rein in his emotions, taking several deep, calming breaths, feeling the support of his master. He also felt another’s support, his friend Anakin Skywalker. Unusual they both were, Anakin being touted as the Chosen One to fulfill an ancient Jedi prophecy and Joss an enigma, an orphan placed on the steps of the Temple a few short hours after his birth, found to be Force Sensitive and accepted for training.

“I will accept your punishment, with one condition.” Joss said, his defiance evident in his stance.

“And that is?” Mace intoned solemnly, sitting back down.

“You only punish me. Elizara was innocent in all of this.” Joss said quietly, staring Master Yoda directly in the eye.

“Two it takes to make a choice like this one.” Master Yoda replied, steepling his hands together over his gimmer stick.

“Please Masters, she is innocent. If you must punish her, add it on to mine, I will gladly take hers as well as my own.” Joss implored, falling to his knees. Master Yoda looked at him impassively, before nodding to Master Windu.

“Accept your condition we shall, but no further punishment receive shall you. Goodbyes now you must say, for leave you will at dawn.” Master Yoda pronounced, his wise eyes watching Joss carefully.

Joss sagged to the floor in relief, grateful that Liza would bear no punishment for their actions. He rose dejectedly to his feet, bowing his head to Master Yoda and striding from the room. Master Vale turned to follow him but Mace’s voice stopped him.

“Master Vale, be at ease, he will return.”

“But will he return the same man he left Master Windu? That is the question that we must ask ourselves. He has loved that girl from the very beginning, when we first found her wandering naked among the wasted ruins of the colony. She chose him as much as he chose her; they were destined by the Force to meet. Have we not gone against its will by separating them?” Master Vale said sadly, his black eyes bright with unshed tears.

“Question not the Council you will.” Master Yoda said, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. Master Vale exited the council chambers, going in search of his former Padawan. He knew exactly where to find him.

***

“Joss, please, take me with you!” Liza begged, grabbing onto his arm as he packed his few belongings. He gently disengaged her arms and pulled her into his embrace. Stroking her honey curls, he struggled to keep his voice even, knowing that he had to be the calm one, even though he was dying inside at the thought of being away from her for so long.

“Liza, love. I can’t. You must stay here and finish your training. We will be together again, as soon as the Council gets their pound of flesh” he whispered. Her broken sobs were killing him, tearing away at his soul.

“Joss, I can’t be here without you. I only ever wanted to be a Jedi because I wanted to be near you. You are my life, my very soul. Joss, I can’t live without you!” Liza wailed, beating her fists against his chest.

Joss grabbed her arms, pulling her away from him and staring deeply into her eyes. “You must Liza! You have to be stronger than them. They cannot separate us completely, for they would be denying the will of the Force. She is a jealous mistress and will not be denied, not even by the High Council of the Jedi” he spat, his eyes turning that eerie color from before, like molten silver.

Liza hung her head in defeat; she hung limply in his strong arms, only his support holding her upright. Pulling her back against him, he murmured softly against her hair. “I will be with you love, in your dreams.”

She started crying again in earnest, great heaving sobs that wracked her small body. He sent a brief message to Anakin, asking him to bring Acaciah and Galaxa to his quarters, quickly.

A few minutes later, the door slid open and Acaciah ran inside, Anakin and Galaxa tri Sephone following closely behind.

“Liza, they are going to help you love. I have to leave now.” Joss said, stroking her hair, unwilling to let her go. She looked up at him and then over to the healer standing with Anakin and screamed, a raw, broken, pained sound.

Acaciah sobbed softly in the corner, watching her friend’s life being torn apart. Galaxa and Anakin moved over to her, pulling her from Joss. She screamed and fought, clawing to get back to him. Joss looked at her sadly, tears gathering in his eyes. He bowed his head and turned to grab his bag, walking from the room.

As he left, Liza collapsed into Anakin’s arms, too anguished to speak or even move. Galaxa nodded to Anakin and they left for the infirmary, Acaciah following them.

***

Anakin stood at the ramp of Joss’ small ship, watching him make his final checks. As he straightened for the last time, Anakin looked over at his friend. He seemed to have aged ten years overnight. He had bags beneath his eyes and a defeated air.

“Joss, this is only temporary, remember that friend.” Anakin said, walking over and putting his hand on Joss’ shoulder.

“I know Anakin. But think how you would be feeling if they did this to you! But of course, you are the Chosen One, they would never dare.” Joss spat bitterly, turning away before the tears started again.

“I will watch out for her. She will be safe here.” Anakin said softly, feeling the depth of his friends despair.

“I know, and for that you will have my undying gratitude. Geo has also offered his assistance. Can you give this to her, tomorrow after I am truly gone.” Joss handed Anakin a small data pad, before gripping his shoulder.

“I will. Contact the people whose names I gave you. They will make your stay on Tatooine much more pleasant, my friend. They will help you in any way possible.” Anakin pulled his friend into a tight embrace. “Take care of yourself out there, I won’t be around to get your back” he said gruffly, emotion tightening his voice.

“You too. Just because you are the Chosen One doesn’t make you invincible, you know. And watch out for Kenobi, he wants your hide for daring to desire his daughter.” Joss said, his voice thick with unshed tears, pounding Anakin roughly on the back before pulling back.

“Kenobi is no threat. Her mother will see to that.” Anakin said shortly, brushing aside his friends concern. “The Force be with you Jossiah.”

“With you as well, Anakin.” Joss said as he stepped into the small ship, the door shutting softly behind him.

***

Two days after Joss’ banishment, Liza opened her door to find Anakin standing there. She dissolved into tears as he drew her against him. He walked them into the room, letting the door close behind them and waited for the flood of tears to lessen.

“I’ve brought you somng,”ng,” he said, when the torrent ceased to a few strangled hiccups.

“From Joss?” Liza breathed, bringing her tear-swollen eyes up to look at his face.

“Of course. Here.” Anakin said, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a small data pad. She reached for it eagerly, going over to sit on her narrow bed to read it. Anakin leaned against the table, watching her.

My love,

How I miss you already. We will be together again, I promise you. My friend Geo Astara has reserved a private holosuite for you once weekly at the Borash Plum Teahouse in downtown Coruscant. All you have to do is be there each seventhday at noon. We will have an hour each week to ourselves without the Council’s interference. If you should need anything in the meantime, go to Anakin. He will help you or get word to me if the situation requires it. Keep to your lessons; let no one suspect that we are still in contact.

I will see you in our dreams my beloved,
Always,
Joss

Liza wiped the tears away with the back of her hands and looked over at Anakin. He nodded his head before striding towards the door. Turning around to face her once more, he said “be careful who you trust, there are those who would do you both harm.” With that cryptic statement, he left her room, the door closing softly behind him.

Liza stared at the closed door for several minutes, trying to process this new development. She looked back down at the data pad in her hand, realizing that she needed to hide it and hide it well. Who can I trust? She thought frantically, before she jumped up and ran out the door.

Running down the hallway to Acaciah’s quarters, she stopped short as she saw Master Kenobi arriving at the door. Frantically backpedaling, she ran right into the Dark Woman, almost knocking them both to the ground.

Turning around, Liza saw whom she had almost knocked over. “Mmmmaster, please forgive me.” She stammered, her head bowed low and a blush heating her pale cheeks.

“Elizara, my child. Are you okay? Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Morgaine asked her softly, her hand gripping Liza’s wrist.

“Fffine, Master. I just forgot something for class and Master Jehrik will be most displeased if I am late.” Liza mumbled, her hand fumbling under her robe to get the forbidden data pad into her pocket.

She’s lying, and desperately in need of a friend. Morgaine thought, her frank gaze sweeping Liza head to toe, noting her slightly swollen eyes and wan face. “I think a visit to the healer is what you really need right now Padawan Simone.” Morgaine’s fingers tightened on Liza’s wrist, pulling her closer.

“But-“ Liza began, only to be cut off by Morgaine’s curt “Silence.” Morgaine dragged the protesting Liza down the hallway behind her.

They reached the infirmary quickly and Morgaine stepped inside, searching the room, her gaze finally settling on the tall dark haired healer in the corner. “Ah, Galaxa tri Sephone, I have need of your services please.” Morgaine called to her.

Galaxa looked up, her eyes widening slightly when she saw who it was that had called to her. She strode quickly across the room, wiping her hands on a small towel. “Master, Padawan Simone, how may I be of service?”

“Somewhere more private, perhaps?” Morgaine suggested, looking pointedly at Galaxa.

“Of course, this way please.” Galaxa said, gesturing for them to follow her into a small office across the room. Closing the door behind them, Galaxa turned and looked expectantly at the Dark Woman, noticing that Liza wanted to be anywhere but here. Her wan complexion would have been a dead give away, even if Galaxa weren’t a powerful empath. The anxiety rolling off of her in waves smacked Galaxa hard, almost like a physical blow. She knew that Liza was remembering the last time Galaxa had been in her company and it wasn’t a pleasant memory.

“I believe that the Padawan is in need of your services. Please see to her.” With that pronouncement, the Dark Woman turned to regard Liza, sending a piercing thought to her. * You can trust her, Joss and Anakin always did. *

Liza gasped audibly, her eyes darting to Morgaine’s impassive face to Galaxa’s concerned one. She knew Galaxa of course, but Anakin’s statement burned in her brain. Morgaine swept from the room, leaving Galaxa and Liza alone.