This story occurs immediately after the events of Dark Tide: Ruin. Because this contains many spoilers, do not read this unless you have already read the book. These characters and situations belong to Lucasfilm, Ltd. No money was made off of this, as it was created solely for entertainment purposes. Do not repost anywhere without the permission of the author!
No one knew he existed. Not for the moment at least. Sure, there were the usual poorly hidden points and stares, but no one had ever asked him how recent events made him feel. Only here, atop the Jedi Temple, with the wind blowing through his hair and the Force flowing through every fiber of his being could Valin Horn make sense of it all.
But did the entire Ithor event make sense? No, it didn't...at least not to Valin. How could Master Skywalker, knowing his Dad's goodness, agree to let him disassociate from the Jedi simply because he failed? Valin sighed to himself, and struggled to stay in meditation.
But his Dad hadn't failed. The Yuuzhan Vong, who had not kept their agreement, had betrayed him. And now his Dad was being betrayed by the Jedi too...
"Valin?" a familiar voice called.
Valin opened his eyes slowly and turned toward the direction of the voice, not surprised that it belonged to Luke Skywalker. "Yes, Master Skywalker?"
"You've been missed in several lessons today. What's wrong?"
As if everyone doesn't know, Valin thought to himself.
Sensing his pupil's distress, Luke sat next to him and placed his left hand on Valin's right knee. "I know this is a hard time for you, but it is also a dangerous time for you. You need to try to keep up with your studies, it is the best thing for you right now."
He tried to stop it, but the emotions just wouldn't go away. "When did anyone ever ask me what I thought was best? When did anyone even ask me how I feel about all of this?" Valin blurted.
Master Skywalker didn't seem at all surprised with this outburst. Valin suspected he knew it was coming.
"You're right," Luke said simply. "How do you feel about all this?"
It was the question Valin had been waiting for, and now that it was upon him, he realized he didn't even know the answer to that. If he didn't know, then how could anyone else?
"Valin?" Luke prompted calmly.
"I...I just don't know. I feel...betrayed...hurt...alone. I don't understand how you can allow my Dad to leave the Jedi. He needs friends right now. People he can trust..." Valin didn't want to cry, but even so, tears were blurring his vision.
"Your Father knows he can come to the Jedi anytime. What he is doing now is his decision, and I can't change his mind," Luke reasoned.
"And you are letting him allow everyone to hate him? To help the government or something? I think the Jedi should work together and help out good people even if they are in trouble. Is this what will always happen now? Will a Jedi have to leave us if what he does to help defeat the Yuuzhan Vong doesn't work?"
"It's more complicated than that, Valin. If the Jedi are to work together with the government, we must make some sacrifices to earn their trust."
"How much though? How many good Jedi must leave so that the government knows we are on their side?"
"When the time comes that the loss is too great, the Force will guide us to a different path."
"And until then?" Valin persisted.
"Until then we trust that we are doing our best and that every Jedi is allowing the Force to direct his path. Valin, I know you don't understand everything that is happening. The truth is that none of us understand it all. But the Force is guiding us. Here at the Academy is where your family feels you belong, and where they feel you will be the safest."
Valin nodded his head, slowly. "I know everyone just wants the best for me. I'm just having trouble dealing with all this."
"I know," Luke answered. "But it is the time we go through trials that we learn the most. I know you can't see it now, but there is a reason all this is happening."
"And if I never see that reason?" Valin questioned.
"You will, just give it time," Luke explained patiently.
"You are right about one thing, Master Skywalker."
"And what's that?"
"I don't understand all this, and it's going to take a lot of time for me to figure it out."
Luke nodded, thoughtfully. "And me as well."
The two sat there, on top of the Temple for a few moments, each one asking himself questions. Valin wondered if he'd ever have the clarity of mind to accept the unexplainable as Master Skywalker did, and Luke wondered if this was, in fact, the right decision for Corran Horn to disassociate from the Jedi. It made so sense in many ways, but even so he just wasn't sure about it. But now was not the time to doubt it. The Force would guide the way.
"So how about you take the first step and ask Kam Soulsar what you've missed? Luke asked, finally breaking the silence.
Valin nodded. "I can do that. And Master Skywalker?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for asking me how I feel."
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