Unbridled A Star Wars Story Night spread across the land as daylight took its final breath. A group of robbed figures, six in all, stood along the rocky shore of a large lake the surface of which was like unblemished glass, perfectly reflecting the sun s dying light. The leader of the robed figures was a sagely old man, his features creased and his hair whitened with age. He held himself upright with a long branch, which had its twigs and leaves plucked off in order to make it a suitable walking-stick. The old one s gaze was transfixed on an anomaly in the lake a large island, so distant it seemed to touch the horizon. He was forced to squint to make out the island at such a distance; age had robbed him of many of his senses. The deprecation of his senses, however, was no hindrance to the old man this in stark contrast to his younger charges. Master, said one named Claudius. Is Is this the right place? The uncertainty in the younger man s voice drew out a chuckle in the old one. Yes, dear Claudius, I am certain of it. He couldn t understand how the young could be so blind. The area around them was teeming with power. The Force was very strong and potent in the lake and all that surrounded it. Even now, the old one could feel it as a thrumming deep in his chest. Perhaps, he mused to himself, the dulling of his natural senses had strengthened his ability
2 to touch and feel the Living Force that the land generated. Of course, it was not the land itself that generated this disturbance in the Force s mystical energies. sanctuary. The culprit of that was the Shrine of the Jedi, nestled safely away on its island Master, Claudius said again. If what the elders said was true, and the balance is threatened, should not we hasten ourselves to the Shrine? After all, the answers to all of our questions are there. one. There was a low murmur of agreement among the other cloaked students of the old For the first time, the old man allowed a sigh to slip passed his lips short and punctuating his own growing frustration. way. Haste, the old one said. Leads to ruin. Patience, on the other hand, will light our At this, Claudius, whose brow was now creased in both confusion and annoyance, dropped all pretense of politeness. Patience? the young man scoffed. Patience for what? The old one didn t answer. Darkness had, by then, completely engulfed the land. The only light remaining was the dazzling twinkles of the stars and the pale, ghostly light of the moon. Many moments passed, during which the tension between the younger members of the group began to
3 mount. The old one could sense their restlessness, even though he made no attempt to turn and gauge their expressions. He resisted the urge to shake his head in disappointment. Decades had he taught the younger generation the skills and qualities that were needed to understand the Force and the various forces which sought to command it, yet each batch of students were the same: impatient, overconfident, and deluded by some misguided sense of destiny. Too often these things clouded their judgement and, consequently, their ability to transcend their limits and truly master their magical abilities. But he, who had been wizened by experience, knew the value in patience for soon, the moon peaked in the skies and shone its pale light down upon the island at the center of the waters. Even his dulled sight could make out what happened next. A bright burst of light suddenly appeared on the horizon, as if a signal fire had been lit on the island, casting a warm glow upon the dark waters of the lake. There was a collective, startled gasp from behind the old man as his pupils took notice of the new phenomenon. Many of them knew enough about the Shrine of Embers to recognize what they were seeing. Master, Claudius, voice full of wonder, said. Is that? Yes. the old man replied abruptly. The sacred treasure of the of the Jedi. A soft smile crept across his pale face. Didn t I tell you? Patience shall light our way. But what does it mean, Master?
4 The old one was suddenly relieved that his face was concealed by the shadow of his hood. Were it not, his students would surely have been able to see the sudden grave expression that had washed over him. The ancient scriptures were clear about the three sacred treasures. Each one was a crystal, strongly attuned to the Force, with deep ties to its balance. Whilst the balance was maintained, the treasures were unimpressive to say the least not but ordinary crystals resting upon stone shrines in obscure places throughout the land. But when the balance was upset confirmed. It means, dear Claudius, the old man replied. That our fears have been The group of men continued to watch the glow for several more moments. The old man was still waiting for something, though he didn t say what. Too lost was he in his own thoughts, that he nearly missed it. Legend has it that sirens dwell in these waters a student was saying, when, as if beckoned by the very mention, a haunting voice rose up over the waters and shattered the silence. The very sound of it sent cold chills down the spines of the assembled men, even the old one who had been waiting for this very thing. The voice was that of a woman s, and was shortly joined by at least two others. Their voices rose in concert, like a sweet aroma, until the old man no longer took notice of his students behind him, so transfixed was he by the meaning of their words:
5 First comes the day Then comes the night. After the darkness Shines through the light. The difference, they say, Is only made right By the resolving of gray Through refined Jedi sight.