Luke took the personal effects back to his own library, away from the capital building. They were spartan rooms, only a few effects to indicate who lived there. On one shelf were Ben Kenobi's journals, kept from the day he set foot on Tatooine with the young Skywalker child. Diagrams of lightsabers, ships, and other such objects were neatly stacked on a lower shelf, next to a model of a T-16. His own journals were on the nearby desk, next to a hologram of his sister and brother-in-law on their wedding day.
Luke set the items on the desk, selected another vid-chip and let it run. Her voice filtered out, a little older than the last one. She was probably 16 when it was made: "Good morning Ben. We're on Kalyo today, another diplomatic mission. Master Rees is with the Regent right now, so I have a little time to myself. What are you doing today? I spent the day in the markets with Master Rees wandering aimlessly while he listened to the Regent drone on and on about taxes and how much the farmer's rebellion was crippling the government. From what I could tell, the only problem was the Regent. He was only concerned with what sacrifices he was making, how he was suffering. One of the servants told me to go out to the outlands and see the leader of the farmers and listen to them. They were too afraid to approach Master Rees" She giggled then continued, "When we were alone, he asked me observations. I told him what I'd heard and then he tells me to go to the outlands in the morning and report back to him. Can you believe it? He said my presence was tolerated only because I was Jedi and his apprentice, so it may be a bit dangerous. Oh, did I tell you this is an extremely patriarchal culture? Hopefully tomorrow will go well. Either way I'm sure it will be an adventure."
The picture fizzled then resumed. "I just got back from the outlands and guess what. The farmers are women! They seemed impressed that I was padawan to such a powerful Jedi and asked me exactly what my duties were to maintain this prestigious position. When I asked what they meant, they asked if my master was umm... demanding in certain ways. At first I didn't understand, then I felt like an idiot. Can you imagine? When I explained our relationship was more teacher/student or parent/child they didn't believe me! It took me a while to make them understand that padawans were not the playthings of their masters. In any case, I told my master my findings, leaving out the thing about duties and such of course, and said I thought the Regent was a spoiled brat. The farmers here are taxed beyond their means just to keep them from gaining any power at all. It's up to my master now. If it were up to me I'd send Master Adi Gallia to finish these negotiations, and have her bring a male padawan with her just to shake things up. Master Rees has considered it. You know how warrior-like she can get. But here we stay while he comes up with his usual brilliant solution."
She paused a moment. "Oh did I tell you, I found a new candidate, a female child in the outlands. The Regent will adore that. I can't wait to tell him." She giggled again then turned her head quickly to the side and nodded. Looking back at the screen, "I have to go; we have an audience to attend. Master Rees said we may stop in to see you both on our way back before we meet the council. Hopefully I'll see you. Miss you. Til then."
Sleep was starting to overtake him, so Luke changed and lay back on his bed. He pondered what he'd gleaned from the records: Tal-Ishara Kender was a former Jedi Knight who was killed in a cloning facility. The Republic files had no record of her as one of the resistance fighters on Coruscant, nor was she listed as a member of the resistance anywhere. The Imperial files stated she was caught and executed, but no crime was listed. Being a former Jedi was crime enough, he mused. But why was she dismissed from the order? Did she turn to the Dark side? That was unlikely, since the Empire made such a blatant note of her execution. The emperor was a sadistic brutal man, but he did not like his failures made public.
Luke sighed deeply, hoping his dreams would offer more insight. Willing himself to relax, he began his usual nightly meditation. So weary from his travels and investigations, he didn't feel the small form materialize.
"Troubled you are." Yoda's voice shook Luke out of his trance.
Exhaling hard, Luke sat up shaking his head. "Yes Master Yoda."
"Answers you have already," Yoda said, pointing his ever-present cane at the books.
Luke shrugged, "I know Master, but I feel like there is more to this." With a flash of insight, he then asked, "Did you know her?"
Yoda's face relaxed with a soft smile. "Yes, Tal-Ishara Kender, know her I did. A good woman she was. Talented and powerful."
"Why was she dismissed from the Jedi?" Luke asked. He felt stupid for not calling on Yoda before.
"Dismissed she was because of our ancient codes," Yoda answered. His ears fell, showing his sorrow. Shaking his head, he then added softly, "Though not unanimous was the decision."
Luke studied the master carefully. "Did you dismiss her from the order."
Yoda sighed, lowering his head. "No. Dismiss her I did not. Save her I could not. Her path, already determined by the Force it was. And follow it bravely she did."
"What code was it that condemned her?" Luke half-demanded. Then catching himself, he stammered, "Forgive me Master, but I must know."
Yoda gave him a stern look, then sighed again. "Dismissed she was because no longer a Jedi was she."
Luke blinked at the words. "She turned to the Dark Side then," he breathed.
"No."
"But Master..." he started.
"Turn she did not. A grey witch she became." Yoda began to fade. "Speak to your student. Learn from her the story."
Luke watched his Master leave, his mind now more clouded than before.
* * *
He crossed the courtyard with a quick purposeful stride. Yara would be in the training room now with the other apprentices. He needed to speak to her, to find out what she knew. He remembered when she approached him on Dathomir, asking to be trained as a Jedi. The witch's life was taxing to her mentally and physically. She wanted to live in peace, developing her gifts gradually, learning new skills that did not involve kill-or-be-killed precepts. Luke invited her back to the academy where she flourished.
She stood in line with the other trainees, learning sword techniques. She brow was furrowed with concentration as she moved in unison with the others. Luke watched for a few moments then called her.
"Yara, may I have a moment of your time?" he said.
The other candidates looked at her in shock. How had she caught Master Skywalker's attention today? She nodded quickly and hurried to his side. "Yes, master."
Noticing the curious stares, he gestured for her to accompany him. "I need to ask you some questions, in private." She nodded and followed behind him. They left the room and stood in the hall.
"What can you tell me about the grey witches?" he asked.
She blinked, surprised at his question. "Master?"
"I need information about a Tal-Ishara Kender," he said.
Yara thought a moment, then recited from an old memory. "There was a Tal Kender, the last grey witch of Dathomir. She was killed after being taken by a Sith trainee and turned over to a cloning facility. Her death was said to be a warning to the other witches not to cross the empire."
Luke was confused. "What do you mean a grey witch?"
"She followed the Jedi code from what I was told, but because of her ability to wield both light and dark energy, she could not be considered a Knight anymore." Yara then asked. "Master, why do want to know all this?"
"Tal Kender was a friend of my master," he said simply.
Yara nodded. "My mistress before knew her, I believe she was an apprentice of hers. She spoke well of her, and made me promise to find out what happened to the trainee who betrayed her and act accordingly."
"You mentioned a Sith trainee. Who was he?" This was the first real reference to the Dark side he'd found.
"A man named Jinn. He was force sensitive and she was supposedly quite taken with him. He was her downfall." She spoke simply. Luke flinched at the name.
"Thank you Yara," he said dismissing her. "You've been a great help." This new information, while answering some questions, created more. He barely heard Yara's request.
"Master, if you find the trainee..." she asked.
"I will act accordingly."
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