Trials of an Outrider: Ruusan: The Beginning Part 2 Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Unwelcomed News
The world felt more vibrant and alive. The sounds of the people, the exotic smells of cooking, the colours of merchandise in the stalls all blurred together as Sarah took my hand and lead me through the bustle of the marketplace.
"Come on." She said giddily. "There is something I want to do first."
I stayed close to her to avoid running into people as did my best to keep up with her.
"Here we go." She said as she stopped outside a stand, her eyes lit up by the items on display.
"Good morning." A weathered elderly lady greeted us from behind the stand. "See anything that catch your eye?"
"Morning Agatha," Sarah said to the lady. "Do you still have the items I saw last week?"
"Just a moment." The lady smiled and went to a large trunk behind the counter. She pulled out a small box and returned with it, the lid was opened showing off three sparkling necklaces. "These are just new. I'll get the older stock if you want."
"They're beautiful." Sarah gasped, her hand reaching for the one.
"I want your honest opinion, which one suits me better?" She turned to me and held each one up to her neck.
I studied each one on her closely but whilst each one was unique, nothing really caught my eye that suits her, I shook my head for each of them.
"Show me what else you have for sale." I asked the merchant. Sarah placed the jewellery back in the box and gave me a curious look. I gave her a wink then turned back to the jewellery.
The merchant showed off the rest of her merchandise which consist of a variety of jewels, necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants and more. As I looked at each one, I saw something I didn't expect to see. A golden medallion with bas-relief of a figure on it standing proudly. The rim bordered with a incantation scribed in Olys Corellisi.
"Well now, where did you get that?"
"Near the valley a couple of weeks ago." The lady answered me. "My granddaughter found it."
"I'll be... a Jedcred." I murmured.
"What is it?" Sarah asked
"It's a Jedi Credit, a medallion." I explained to her. "It is traditional on Corellia to have these minted to celebrate a knight's elevated status to the rank of Master. They were given only to the individual and to those closest to them."
"Who's is this one?"
"This belonged to Laecain Tomaas. A Jedi of the Corellian Order." bowed my head slightly as a sign of respect. "He was my Master, and now, officially dead."
"Dead?" Sarah sounded shocked "How can you tell?"
"Otherwise the medallion would still be attached to his neck." I answered her, now feeling the hopeless weight of my mission on my shoulders. "Tomaas is a proud man, he never took it off, ever."
My thoughts drifted to when I first met Tomaas, back at the Jedi Temple on Corellia. He chose me to be his apprentice from among other young hopefuls. That day had been a significant occasion -
"Rowan!" Sarah said sharply, waving her hand up and down in front of my face. "Hellooooo."
I blinked and noticed that both Sarah and the old lady were staring at me. "The poor child has been consumed by grief." Agatha spoke to Sarah. "He's in shock by the looks of it."
"I missed something, didn't I?" I asked, feeling a bit foolish for letting my mind wander.
"Your face went blank for a few minutes. We were beginning to worry if something happened to you." Agatha told me. "A few minutes?" I repeated, sounding shocked. "How is that possible? It should of been a few seconds, I wasn't even using the force."
I felt Sarah's hand squeeze my arm and then gave me a smile. "You are asking the wrong people sweetie. We do not have the powers that you and Kal possess." She said. "I gather that you didn't hear what was happening?"
"No... why?" I asked, not understanding what just happened. The two regarded me for a moment before Sarah told me.
"Agatha said that you can take the medallion, free of charge, as a gesture of sympathy for your loss."
Agatha held out the Jedi Credit for me but I remained motionless, staring at it.
He is dead. I can't believe it.
"Rowan?" Agatha said.
"Thank you." I nodded, not even acknowledging what was going on.
Sarah picked up the Jedi Credit from her and paused when she turned to me. Her fingers ran over the impression. "What does the inscription say?" she asked.
"Mahn uhl Fharth bey ihn valle." I uttered the ancient words fluently without even looking at them. "May the Force be with you."
I held out my hand for her to give me the Jedi Credit. She hesitated then placed it in my hand. " Lost to some, preserved through others. It is the ancient language of the Corellians."
"What are you two doing?" A loud voice bellowed behind us.
Sarah and I turned in shock, I almost dropped the Jedi Credit. The person who asked the question was the soldier that was present during the council meeting yesterday, still in uniform. The same one that gave me the odd look. His brown hair was cut short and I could see a long scar that ran the length of his face. His eyes were full of distaste as he glared at me.
"Bryton. What are you doing here?" Sarah recovered from her surprise.
"Am I not allowed to enter the markets?" He said sarcastically. "I believe that I asked you that question first. And what is he doing here?" He spat and pointed his finger at me. A small crowd started to form around us.
"We were just picking up supplies." Sarah answered him casually.
"At a jewellery store?" He demanded.
"I am not answerable to you." Sarah held her head up high, her voice dignified. "Don't you dare speak to us like that again."
I could see Kal squeezing his way through the crowd and make his way to our side.
"Calm down now buddy." Kal reasoned with Bryton. "No point is getting hurt again over nothing. Or are you looking to lose in another sparring match with me?"
Bryton's face turned red and looked like it was about to explode. What he said was not what I was expecting.
"Sarah, we have to talk." He growled, his voice barely audible. "Privately."
Sarah looked at me then at Bryton and then nodded.
"Outtie." Kal grabbed my arm and lead me a way from the others. "I need to have a word with you."
We walked away from the market place to the perimeter fence, ignoring the strange looks the locals were giving us.
"What is it Kal?" I finally asked him when no one was in sight.
"I'm just looking out for you. That guy would of pasted you to the pavement if I wasn't there."
"I'm a Jedi mate. I could of taken what is thrown at me." I replied.
"True, but can you throw it back?"
I opened my mouth to speak but paused. "What are you getting at?"
"That is what I wanted to tell you. They are in a relationship together."
"How did you know?" I asked, trying not to let disappointment show on my face. I felt a bit hurt and misled but I refused to let it get to me.
" You didn't want me to tell you what I saw remember? I saw the two of the arguing last night at her place."
"What does that matter to me?" I asked making it sound like I couldn't care less.
"She came to see you very early this morning. I've seen the way you are falling head over heels for her."
"What would you know?" I laughed at what Kal said. "Maybe all she wanted was to talk."
"Jedi remember? You two might not realise it but I can see what is happening. It's against the code."
"Corellian remember?" I countered.
"Oh yes, I forgot you bastards are allowed to marry. Carry on then."
"Carry on? So you approving a dishonourable act of taking someone's girl?"
"A woman isn't owned by any man, she has a mind of her own, but sometimes she just needs a little help to know what she wants."
"I'm a man of honour. I will not be responsible for breaking apart someone's relationship. And how is it that we are the ones who decides what she has to do?"
"Kid, rules are meant to be broken, that is why we are here, I shouldn't have to remind you of this."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" I asked.
"Listen mate. All is fair in love and war." Kal said "Keep your eyes open, don't go rushing into anything and to keep your options open."
"Anything else I should think about before we go back?"
"Sure, what do we do about lunch?"