Spar anyone?

[Xazor]

Xazor stepped into the Jedi Academy. She breathed in the cool morning air as she walked to the middle of complex. She looked around and saw a few padawans training with their masters but no one else. She wondered if anyone would want to spar with her this morning. As she stretched, she noticed that people were slowly leaving the complex.....leaving her by herself. She stopped and stood there for a moment and then spoke outloud.

I am here if anyone is up for a challenge...

She unclipped her lightsaber and activated it. She was also hoping that they would like to spar against her, using their sabers. She practiced some positions as she waited for anyone to step up.

[Aura Allei]

Out of the shadows of the Academy, emerged a young Padawan, clad in an ivory robe, with typical loose fitting Jedi attire. Learner to Master Jubei SaDherat Vader, Aura was the victim of a vicious mind attack, by Sith Master, Jedah Lynch, which rendered her memory, as a Knight of the Noble Warriors of Light Clan, dispersed in most areas, as his assault also drained her of most of her vital blood fluid, demanding a lengthy medical stay.

Through her Master's adept tutelage, she is slowly uncovering, that which was appropriated from her at the Sith tavern, Rama's Corner. Aura smiled to the young Jedi, Xazor, offering a challenge to any, as Aura reached down for her saber hilt, hoping she had not forgotten how to use her saber, seeing this spar as a good opportunity to try her skills, taking a break from meditation.

"I accept your challenge. Greetings, I am called, Aura Allei."

[Xazor]

Xazor turned around and saw the young padawan who had spoke to her. She smiled and walked over to her and bowed.

Greetings Aura...........very well then. You may make the first move, since you are the one in acceptance.

Xazor said in a kind voice.

[Aura Allei]

"As you wish." Aura replied with a soft voice.

:*:Aura bowed to her opponent, and activated her saber hilt, adjusting the power setting to low stun. Instantly, a rush of cobalt blue energy boiled out from the concave disk, emerging into a meter long lance. She then raised the saber before her in an honorable salute, followed with a pronounced bow to her fellow Padawan.

Walking to Xazor, she halted a meter and a half from her front, extending her dominant right arm holding the hilt, as she transported the barbed core to her opposer's left flank in a thrusting action, of which Xazor offsetted with a sweep of her saber while stepping back, parrying it to her left, then motioned forward for a side kick to Aura's open left side.

Aura sensed the attack and drop rolled right, getting slightly grazed, followed with a flip up and resumed her stance. She smiled as the skills she thought were a devoured memory, returned to her to commence an enduring foundation which once aided in her ascention to Knighthood.

Repositioning herself 3/4 a meter apart from Xazor's front, Aura raised her saber before her diagonally casted up, as she then side stepped generously left and pivoted 90 degrees right, her blade descending towards her contestant's lower right aft side with a back handed strike, if not sufficiently countered, would render a slight burn.:*:

[Xazor]

ooc: hey Aura.....I am leaving tomorrow, but I will be back Feb. 12th, so I am going to put this on hold until then. I will post right away when I get back! Later........

Xazor

[Aura Allei]

::OOC::no prob, take care<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Xazor]

ooc: thanks, you too <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Xazor]

Xazor spun around and did a back flip over Aura's head. She leaned back slightly and side-thrust kicked her in the middle of her spine. By the time she had re-chambered her leg, Aura had turned around with a look of pain on her face. Xazor let another kick go, this time landing it right in her solar plexis. Aura flew back several yards and hit the wall. She dropped to the ground as she gasped for air. Xazor ran over to her and put her hand on the back of her neck, triggering two painful pressure points. She forced her to crawl along the ground to the middle of the temple. Xazor then pushed her to the ground and raised her saber above her back, slamming the heavy metal hilt of it into the base of her neck. Aura screeched in pain as Xazor ran to the opposing wall. She knelt on one knee and dis-engaged her lightsaber. She quickly snapped it to her belt and paused for a moment. Aura didn't move at all. She laid in the middle of the floor. Xazor knew she would be okay, though. She reached behind her and took a shiny, beautiful silver bladed sword from it's place on her back. It's wide, long blade glisened in the light. Engraved right across it was the name "Chase". The sword meant a lot to Xazor........it had been given to her by a once dearly loved friend, Chase Dragonfire. She had loved him once...........but he was gone now..........killed by the Sith. It was the fire she felt in her heart that gave her the strength to use his weapon. On the underside was engraved the motto that once belonged to him.........and now was etched on her heart......"Pain is weakness leaving the body", it read. She smiled as memories flooded her mind. She had almost forgot about the spar, when she suddenly heard a slight moaning coming from the center of the academy. She looked up from her thoughts and saw Aura, trying to raise herself up by her weak arms.

Use the Force for your strength.......it is the center of your soul. You will be able to fight in a minute......heal yourself with it..........

Xazor's kind voice flowed to her mind through the Force. She smiled at Aura's willpower.

[Aura Allei]

Aura was already in the process of rejuvenation with the Force, when Xazor beckoned her to heal with the light energy. Reclaiming her footing, she approached her fellow Padawan. With a blurred dispatch, she feigned a stab to her mid-section with her light saber, as her opponent raised her blade for the interception, Aura then instantly dropped to her left side, for a precise sweep to her ankles from behind, which pitched Xazor to the ground on her back with a thud. Giving her no time to react, as the force of impact pilfered her breath, Aura lowered her blade to her throat slightly touching it. The shock made Xazor recoil, as she batted it away with her sword.

Aura flipped up, and stepped back as Xazor regained her stance. She lunged at Aura with her sword to her right side, which she evaded by pivoting on her left foot and turning 90 degrees right, stepping back, as Aura then locked blades with her, raising her blade under her challenger's, which ensued with a side kick to Xazor's right side of chest, her left foot making a deligent percussion. The painful kick was written in her eyes as they embraced the pain.

"I sense you originated from a dark past, Xazor. Care must be utilized in times of a battle as well as a spar, never to allow anger to envelop you, as this is a magnetic pull to the cryptic side."
Xazor nodded, gritting her teeth.

"Unlike the Sith, we block out pain, and don't employ it to feed power. Of this, I am sure you have ascertained in your training. You fight with much aggression. A spar should double as a trial for future battles with a Sith or Dark Jedi. My Master once told me, there is no need to wound or kill. It can be avoided. As a Jedi Knight, in my past life, I was taught to end a confrontation with my blade, as the Darksiders cannot be reasoned with. I now see the wise words of my Master. Violence is the conduit of darkness, and must be avoided if one is to progress in the light side."

[Xazor]

Xazor nodded at her words.

It is very difficult to fight away the darkness while I am sparring or involved in battle.........as a Sith Warrior Knight, I was raised and taught to harness my aggression while fighting. Now that I am a Jedi, I deal with this issue everyday.......but I am getting stronger in the light. My Master has been helping me also, along with another Knight of the Order. Your words are wise, and I heed them well for I know I cannot overcome the darkness on my own. I apologize for my assertive ways with you.........I did let my aggression take over my mind and body. Many things have been happening in my life lately, and they all seem to feed into this agression.

Xazor took a breath and looked at the ground for a moment. She nodded in aggreement to her own words and then looked back up at Aura. She wiped a streak of blood from her right arm before repositioning the grip on her sword. She smiled with a new hope in her heart and a new light about her aura.

Let's try this again........and please help me in this struggle. I need to learn how to overcome my anger when one brings me to that point. Do not let up on your aggressiveness, for I think it good to have a hard spar now and again. Tell me when you notice the dark taking over me.............please......

She smiled at Aura and got in a defensive position, with her sword parallel to the ground at waist level.

[Aura Allei]

:*:Aura nodded with a smile.:*:

"You will in time, learn to dissipate the darkness from your being. You need only your own awareness to sense when its tendrils are snaring you in the stygian abyss of the darkside. Care must be addressed to avoid these obstacles of temptation."

:*:Having said this to Xazor, Aura felt a twinge of pain as she recalled the assault by Jedah Lynch. Most of her blood was devoured by the Sith Master, weakening her hold on the force, as he accosted her memory of the past. The haunting memory invaded her thoughts at times, strengthening her resolve.:*:

:*:Aura bowed to Xazor.:*:

"Let us begin."

:*:She moved with fluid grace to Xazor's left side, raising her saber in her left hand, as she directed the plasma beam to her opponent's aft neck base, at a 45 degree angle.:*:

[Xazor]

The saber beam hit Xazor and she gritted her teeth in pain. She spun around and ducked to miss another blow from Aura's weapon. She then swung her right leg out and swept Aura off her own feet. She shoulder rolled backwards and stood up into a ready stance.

[Aura Allei]

:*:Aura regained her composure as she stood up, motioning with a slight nod.:*:

"When someone comes behind you with a blade, you must use the force to discipher their actions. By stepping forward for distance, with a speedy 1/4 turn, while simultaneusly raising your sword, meeting my blade, you could have offsetted it."

"I take it hand to hand is your speciality. Please feel free to utilize your talents if you wish, but beware the darkside when you become engulfed in a spar. Focus must be directed to ward off all emotions that can escalate in battle."

:*:Aura repositioned herself before her challenger, as she lunged for a stab to Xazor's upper chest. Dropping flat back, her opponent avoided the core and then raised her sword up connecting and binding Aura's, as she drove her foot into the other Padawan's knee. Aura's face contorted in pain, as she dispersed it from her with the aid of the Force, numbing the knee, and continued her concentration stepping back from Xazor, unlocking from the bind.:*:

:*: Xazor stood up and rushed Aura with a sweep to her knees with her blade, which Aura sailed over with a side flip. As she landed, Aura immediately charged Xazor with a blinding horizontal slice aimed before her left side of waist.:*:

OOC: I was trained in detailed RPG dueling in TC, if you would like, I can help you with this type of fighting. I get the feeling you have rl martial arts training, then perhaps you can help me in this area as well, since my knowledge of this is limited. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Xazor]

Xazor spun away from the blade and it missed her by just a few inches. She spun around and switched her saber to her left hand. She went to jab at Aura's left side, but she blocked it with a swift upward motion. Xazor smiled at the speediness and agility that Aura possessed. She suddenly deactivated her blade and clipped it to her belt and stopped. Smiling she spoke softly.

Hand to hand is my specialty, and I can see that sword play is yours. We can help each other to learn what the other knows. For now, do you mind if we go to hand to hand?

She questioned curiously.



ooc: Yeah, that would be cool if you could help me learn how to use my saber better. I have had the training from my Master, but it's hard to remember it all and put it into words. I know what I want to do, but actually writing it is the tricky part! It's funny that you guessed that I have RL martial arts training, because I do! It is so much fun, and it is easier to describe while RPing <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)"> . I can teach you some of this too, if you'd like. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Aura Allei]

:*:Aura deacivated her saber, as the effulgent core regressed into the titanium hilt. With a smile, she clipped the saber hilt, and readied herself for Xazor, geting into a defensive stance, her right foot ahead of her left.:*:

"Hand to hand is the root of a warrior's skills. One must learn to defend themselves at times, without a weapon in a confrontation."

OOC: cool thanks..**gets ready for a ringer** <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/smile.gif ALT=":)">

[Elieen Cross]

Was this the one I was tipped off about? I asked myself as I sat quietly in the back corner. I had been in here meditating and they had not noticed my presence.

What was her name again? Aura?

If it was, I would watch her now.

[Aura Allei]

:*:Shifting her gaze to Elieen, Aura nodded, having heard of her, and wished to meet with the Jedi warrior. She then regained her focus on the spar with Xazor.:*:

[Xazor]

Xazor's heart was rooted deeply in the ways of a warrior. She smiled and focused all of her attention on the spar. Suddenly, she ran at Aura and did a front flip over her head. She dropped to the ground and swept her feet out from under her, kicking her in the face as her leg followed the other. Doing a shoulder roll into a ready stance, she stood there and waited for Aura to stand up. As a Sith, she had been taught that the best time to attack, was when the opponent was down...........that is something she would never do again. Now she always waited until the other was ready. Glancing quickly over her right shoulder, she noticed Elieen watching them. She smiled and then returned her attention back to Aura who was about to make a move on her.

[Aura Allei]

:*:Aura shook her head to clear her faculty, then smiled to Xazor as she rose to her feet.:*:

"You are fast."

::*:She studied her opponent, as the Force guided her movements. Aura then moved in on Xazor, clenching her right fist, as she transported it towards her jaw for a right cross, which Xazor offsetted with her left forearm, then proceeded with an open palm thrust to Aura's stomach with her right, which took the wind out of her. Coughing, slightly doubled over, Aura then rocketed Xazor off her feet with a blinding spin kick which contacted with her opponent's chest, spilling her to the ground. Aura waited for her to regain her footing.:*:

[Xazor]

Smiling as she jumped to her feet, Xazor spoke.

You're not so bad yourself......

Not wasting any time after saying this, Xazor ran at Aura. Once in good range, she did a tornado kick to her head. First her right, a blinding spin and then her right again. It was almost as if she hadn't moved from her original position. Hitting the ground, Xazor repeated her first move of the fight and swept Aura right off her feet, landing her right where she had just been. Smiling as she moved, Xazor got up and darted to the other side of the room and knelt to one knee. It was unknown to everyone why she did this, but nonetheless, you were sure to see it in every fight.

[Aura Allei]

Aura flipped up, staggering a bit from the surprise kick, as a brow lofted at the sight of Xazor kneeling in the corner. She walked over to her fellow Jedi Learner.

"Are you in meditation? Do you wish to continue the spar?"

[Xazor]

Xazor grinned as she questioned her.

Yes, I am in a sort of meditation. Everytime I do a series of attacks, my energy is run down. Though you may not see it..........I feel it. That is why I do this. As you recover, I call on the Force and store up energy until I need to act again. That way, when my opponent is tired and weary from a spar, I am not. Yes, of course I wish to continue the spar. I always do this.......you are actually the first person to ask me why.

She said as she continued to draw the Force into her body.

[Aura Allei]

"Then since you are powered up, sort of speak, let us resume this spar."

Aura grinned as she as waited for Xazor to stand. Then, backing up a few meters, she approached Xazor with three consecutive round houses. Each 360 degree rotation increased her momentum, which would make the block difficult. Aura was using the force to heighten her awareness of the vulnerability of her supporting leg, with each kick, as the final one connected to Xazor's upper chest. She didn't follow with aother attack, curious how Xazor would counter the blow.

[Xazor]

Xazor grinned as Aura approached. She ducked under the first kick and stood again. A second came at her and she turned away from it. The third came at her quickly and Xazor reached out, grabbing Aura's leg with both of her hands. She turned Aura's leg hard and the woman fell to the ground. Smiling, she decided to use some more martial arts techniques. She quickly knelt down at the woman's side and grabbed her arms. She turned her over and held them firmly behind her back, applying a great amount of stinging pressure.

So......how feel you?

She said in an amused tone. Releasing her from the hold, she ran toward the center of the complex and did a front hand spring. She ended in a left front defensive stance, her hands in fists next to each other right at her belt.

[Aura Allei]

Aura turned around, rubbing her sore arms, looking up to Xazor, she grinned.
"Where in the blazes did you learn that trick? It would seem I need to bring the big guns out." Aura winked as she had a plan.

Her opponent was well versed in martial arts, there was no doubt about that. She would have to be cautious. Aura walked over to Xazor,as she called on the Force. Xazor suddenly turned to a sound originating from her left. Using the distraction, Aura raced behind her right side, and with her left hand, she drove her fist into Xazor's kidney area, the pain dropped Xazor to her knees, as Aura then applied pressure to her neck in a sleeper hold, crouched by her right side.

[Xazor]

Xazor reached her hand up and took hold of Aura's. She quickly slipped a painful wrist lock on her and got a strong hold on her arm. Using all of her energy and help from the Force, Xazor threw Aura over ger front and she landed on the ground with a hard thud. She jumped on top of her and pinned her upper body to the ground.

[Aura Allei]

Aura smiled looking up at her, her arms pinned back behind her in a vulnerable position.

"You are quick, but let's see how quick."

She rolled back a bit, working against the weight of Xazor seated on her, as she rotated back just enough to hook her ankles around Xazor's neck. By doing so, she spilled her opponent off of her to the ground, and applied pressure. If this were a duel, Aura could snap her neck.

[Xazor]

Xazor reacted quickly and grabbed for the behind part of Aura's ankle. She felt it with her hand, and squeezed as hard as she could right on a pressure point. This sent pain shooting through Aura's leg and she soon let go of her hold. It temporarily paralyzed her whole leg and Xazor took this as an advantage. She rolled her leg over and kicked Aura in the face. She then grabbed her arms and placed them behind her and Xazor sat on her back, digging Aura's own elbows into her spine.

I am quicker than most think.......

She said confidently as she held Aura with mass strength.

[Aura Allei]

Accumalting the force for flexibility, Aura rolled on her side, as she propelled her knee into Xazor's exposed rib side, knocking her off to the ground, the impact causing a stinging sensation to her side. She quickly grabbed her opponent's right leg under the knee, and brought it up to her face, as her left arm got behind Xazor's neck, and she locked her hands together with a grin, wondering how she would get out of this one.

[Xazor]

Xazor grinned as she thought over her plan. She called on the Force and shot cold waves through her body. Aura was holding onto her hands, locking them together. Suddenly, she felt an extreme coldness about Xazor's skin. She did not let go and Xazor pushed the cold shock through Aura's hands and into her arms, numbing them completely. She let go, and Xazor rolled over and kick Aura in the face. She then rose to her feet and jumped over Aura's head, landing behind her. The cold shock stunned and basically froze Aura's arms and hands. Xazor laughed sligtly as she saw the confused look on her face. She turned around and gave her a strange look. Xazor bent over and gently pushed the woman onto her back. It would be difficult for her to get up without the help of her hands and arms.

[Aura Allei]

Stunned, with her mouth bleeding from a cut, Aura summoned the force for aid, as she regained slight movement in her chilled arms to effectively flip up from the ground, following with a jumping spinning heel kick that connected with Xazor's chin, which took her by surprise knocking her down. Aura reacted speedily as she pinned her upper body right at the sternum area with her right foot, using the force for added restraint, gaining full mobility in her arms in the process.

[Xazor]

Xazor grinned, despite the pain in her chest. She reached around the back side of Aura's ankle and grabbed the muscle connected to her heal. She positioned her hand in just the right spot and then squeezed it hard, using the Force to add pain. Aura winced and fell away at the pain that felt like arrows shooting through her leg. It was a simple pressure point.......another aspect of Xazor's martial arts which she was grateful for. She did a shoulder roll and quickly returned to her feet. As Aura was on the ground still suffring from the pain attack, Xazor walked over to her and took her sword from its spot on her back. She sent a powerful Force blast at Aura and sent her into the ground once more, knocking the wind out of her. Xazor then sat right on her chest and held her sword just centimeters from the woman's neck. She had a battle hardened look in her eyes as she glared at Aura.

[Aura Allei]

Aura maintained her focus during the intrusive attacks, as she compiled the Force to deter the force blasts, that no Jedi should use against one another. Her achilles tendon was sore from the potent pinch, and she should have remembered that vulnerable spot.

As Xazor unsheathed her blade, Aura was already unclipping her hilt, and activating the core. The weight on her chest was painful, yet unbeknownst to Xazor, her light saber's blade was held horizontally behind her lower back, at the exact distance Xazor held it to her throat.

"Seems we have a stalemate here."

Aura averted her gaze to her right hand holding the ignited hilt, as Xazor frowned, following her glance, surmising the standoff.

"Xazor, your aggression may lead you astray back to the darkside, if you fail to control it. May I suggest a lengthy meditation session to stave further compromises to your vulnerable soul."

[Xazor]

Xazor looked confused for a moment and then laughed slightly. She noticed Aura's saber and quickly moved to the side and rose to her feet, avoiding a slice from it. She slipped her sword onto her back and tied it back in place. Smiling at Aura, she spoke.

I had no aggression. You mistook my intense attacks.

She said with a gentle voice. She had not meant to alarm, disturb, or harm her friend in any way. It was how she faught everyone........and this was the first time someone had tried to stop her.

Really, I was not feeding any anger. I was just having fun. Don't worry about me and the darkside.......that's my business..........

She said and turned toward the doors and started to walk away from Aura.

[Aura Allei]

Aura sighed, as she recollected a friend in the Noble Warriors of Light clan, she was a Knight in. He too, was in denial of the dark that was shadowing his soul. As it eclipsed the remnants of light, his arrogance and anger surfaced. The Jedi Knight's spars were of an aggressive nature. Eventually, the Darkside claimed another victim, as she lost a good friend. As Xazor exited the arena, Aura called out.

"May the Force be with you friend. I thank you for the spar."

[Xazor]

Xazor had picked up on Aura's thoughts immediatly. She shook her head as she approached the doors of the academy.

Like I said........don't worry about me and the darkside. Sometimes.........things are not as they appear.

She said and continued toward the door. She stopped for a moment and looked back.

Thank you for the spar too.......andmMay the Force be with you, also..........my friend.

She turned away and exited the academy in silence......only her thoughts to accompany her.

[Elieen Cross]

There was a fairly hard look to my eyes as I stood up. watching this spar had been.... interesting.

"Stay a moment Auri Allei" I requested.

[Aura Allei]

Aura rose to her feet, and deactivated her saber, as the hilt consumed the lance, instantaneously. The tendon Xazor pinched was throbbing. She shook her head at herself for forgetting the areas of anatomy that could easily subdue an opponent. Xazor was well versed in martial arts, yet her anger could not be stilled. Aura shifted towards the other Jedi.

"Yes, Elieen..?"

[Elieen Cross]

"That was.... interesting. But why did you say what you did to her? I dont feel it was the Dark side, I feel... she has her mind elsewhere"

[Aura Allei]

Aura sighed having to explain what should be discernible.

"No Jedi should use a force blast against another in a spar. You condone this? Did you not see her battle hardened look? The way she fought was like a Sith. I said she fought aggressively, and it could lead her to the Darkside. You forget I was a Knight. I have experience in this area, having lost a friend the same way to the Dark Jedi."

She sighed wondering if this Greater Jedi Order was the right place for her, thinking maybe she should procure her past with the Noble Warriors of Light, and her original mentor. She mused there was a lot of aggression in this order. While she held great reverence for her Master, Jubei Sadherat Vader, he was only one of the few who understood. She nodded to Eileen and traversed out of the arena.

"I must meditate. This spar has been trying."

[Elieen Cross]

"No. You are the one that does not understand. And I would say I have more experience in this than you do, by some considerable margin."

I stepped on front of Allei, blocking her exit

"You disterned someone giving into the Darkside. You then presented a harsh face, an unforgiving and relentless face. You, by your own actions, will contribute to that fall"

I changed my voice to something a good deal softer and gentler.

"Will you be so swift to judge? Are you seeing a person with an unrelenting fall to the Dark Side......or are you seeing someone like I do, crying out for help? Are you blind Aura? Cant you feel her suffering? Dont you think what you said, dont you think that will only make her feel worse in a time of real trial for her?"

"Dont you think that a gentle word, spoken to Xazor would help much more than your rebuke?"

[Aura Allei]

"I never said she harbored the darkside, aggression is a path that leads one astray from the light."

[Aura Allei]

Aura nodded.

"You are right, I am a creature without emotion. Sometimes it bruises another, especially one who struggles to expel the darkness from their soul."

She sighed taking a lotust position, as her Master had frequently settled into.

"The Jedi I speak of who fell from grace, was to be my husband. He acted just like Xazor. Perhaps I was too stern in my ways with her. I didn't want to see her lost in an abyss of darkness, like my beloved threw himself into. I may be like her in a way, harboring a hint of anger. If the Sith master had killed me, I would be free of my pain. Now it haunts me again."

[Elieen Cross]

I nodded and something inside me winced when she said husband. But I managed to keep that concealed, I hoped.

"Tell me two thing Aura - the first is, how old do you think I am?"

[Aura Allei]

She stood up, walking around the arena, as Eileen followed her.

"I have been through alot. I lost my memory, and was almost killed. Too much is changing, I can't control this drive in me to retrieve what has been abducted. Please convey my apologies to Xazor. I have not been myself."

[Aura Allei]

She took a quick glance..

"25 basic years old, I would specualate."

[Elieen Cross]

"86"

[Aura Allei]

Aura stopped and turned to her.

"How is this possible? You are not a vampyre. Are you not human?"

[Elieen Cross]

"Correct.... I'm not human. I come from a high gravity planet on the back end of the Galaxy. I'm a long way from home..."

I had to smile. I loved my home.

"As it may, the other question I have is - what do you know of compassion and of being a servant as it relates to being a Jedi?"

[Aura Allei]

"A Jedi serves to protect the innocent. As for compassion.."

Aura paused as she thought of the harsh way she treated Xazor.

"In Compassion, one must show clemency for the persecuted. In Xazor's case, she is the victim of her heritage. I overlooked this, and declined to exhibit it. Eileen, why are you adding salt to my open wound?"

She sighed at her failure in the simple act of kindness towards Xazor.

[Elieen Cross]

"Becuase when you learn compassion...."

I turned and faced the young Jedi, looking her directly in the eye

"You will have understood what being a Jedi is truly about. And the complete corner stone of what a Jedi Warrior is built on, alongside of being a true servant, not just to the innocent, but to the weak, the poor, the homeless, the ones who are in bondage to evil, the old, the young. Do you understand that we Jedi put ourselves last, we put our needs behind what he Galaxy needs? And here is the paradox - we put ourselves last and we become The First. Have a heart of a servant, Aura. You have a good heart, but you needed a sharp lesson and for that I wont apologise. If i had not said what I did, I would have been failing you in my want as a servant to you.... that is a lesson I learned from the grestest Jedi this order ever had. He was a violent, aggressive, tough and ruthless man, who would not blink to kill if he had to. But his heart was full of compassion for the lost in the Darkness, his mind was always on how he could serve anyone else"

I sighed again.

"He would have loved to have met you"

[Aura Allei]

"To meet me why?" She lofted a brow, puzzled.

"So much is expected of the Jedi. How can we possibly accomplishn it all? My Master says not to use my saber, yet I was trained to wield it against my enemy as a Jedi Knight in my past. I am confused. Too much to absorb in too short a time. I need to ride my horse. Guardian always soothes my racing thoughts. Thankfully I never forgot him after the attack by Master Lynch. I will become that servant, but I need to embrace the night air at a gallop, and reflect on all that has transpired here."

[Elieen Cross]

"Yes, there is much expected to be a Jedi. That is why you must be strong, wise and clever to be one..... A Horse? What is that? I have not heard of such a thing"

[Aura Allei]

Large four legged beast..Very strong..Force sensitive as well..

[Elieen Cross]

"Would you show me this beast?"

[Aura Allei]

She smiled.

"Of course....May I say you are a wise Jedi, Eileen. I am only 25, but I see you have uncovered vast knowledge in your assembled years."

She motioned out of the arena to the stables. Aura waved her over.

"He is the white stallion over there. I call him Guardian. I bought him on Sira."

Aura smiled as she stroked his mane. The 2000 pound animal snorted and nudged her playfully, pawing the ground.. She spoke to him through the force.

~Say hello to my friend, Guardian. This is Eileen Cross.~

[Elieen Cross]

"Thank you Arua, for your kind words... THIS is a horse??"

I looked at this thiing, incredulous. These animals existed? Viewing the white coat was like.... I wasn't sure. I reached out uncertainly, touching the nose of this "horse", marvelling at it's existance.

"Will it accept another hand touching him?"

[Aura Allei]

"He won't bite." Aura chuckled.

"The history of the beast I was told by his handler is a mystery, for the most part. All I know of him is he was sired by Utopus, a mere portion of his size from a far blue world. He was trained on a high gravity planet, for endurance, strength, speed, and size. You mentioned your homeworld was like this. I would imagine you are quite enduring."

[Elieen Cross]

"To a degree... although you have to undergo harsh training to be truly enduring - training of the mind, body and spirit"

I touched the nose the noble beast, then as my confidence grew, stroked it.

"How do you ride it?"

[Aura Allei]

Aura motioned to the bridle hanging on a post, and a small saddle.

"The bridle fits over his head. The two reins are used for controlling the beast. Slight tug and squeeze on the right rein to go right, and visa versa for the left. In halting, pulling back easy on both reins renders a cessation of speed. Also leg pressure is needed for command. It took months of training to get the knack of it. The saddle is secured with a girth. Sometimes I don't use a saddle. It is a free feeling."

She grinned..

"Why, you wish to try him?"

[Elieen Cross]

"Errr...."

I looked at the 'horse' with some trepidation

"No. But I would love to see you do so"

[Aura Allei]

Aura grinned at Eileen, sensing her apprehension.

"I have a great idea. Why not ride with me on Guardian? You could learn by following my commands. Perhaps sometime you will wish to acquire a horse of your own, and we could be riding partners."

Aura took the bridle and slid the snapple bit into the horse's mouth, pulling the rest over his head and around his ears, fastening the chin and cheek strap.

"It will be enjoyable. A seasoned warrior such as yourself should harbor no qualms for Guardian." she said with a smirking grin.