The Halcyon Line Part 2

By Don J'Bar

Jonas Halcyon sat cross-legged on the ground, his face a rictus of intense concentration. He was trying to move a small rock with nothing but his mind as he had seen Master Lee do time and time again. In the first three years of his studies with Master Lee, he was not yet able to do this, and he was unwilling to admit defeat. Master Lee could do it with such ease, he made it look so simple! Even some of the lesser gifted students had demonstrated this ability, albeit not as easily as Master Lee, but it still caused him great discomfort to not have an ability that was a Jedi hallmark.

Just then Master Lee's thoughts were melded to his own. This was one area that he did excel at. No matter how far apart they were, they could still communicate directly, without the need for electronics. He was proud of this fact, but Master Lee chided him on his cheap feelings of pride whenever he stepped a little out of line in that direction. This time was no exception.

"Jonas, do you still try to move objects with the Force? When will you accept the fact that you do not have this ability. The Force moves in mysterious ways, we cannot be all knowing in this regard. Anyhow, come, I have an assignment to attend to, and I wish you to accompany me."

"Are we going offworld, Master?" Jonas only thought the words, but it was as if he were right beside his Master, speaking directly.

"No, Jonas, we do not venture abroad. However, we will be guests of the Royal Family, so I expect you will be here as soon as you can. We cannot afford to be tardy, as relations between the government of the Republic and the ruling family here are beginning to sour." Abruptly, the mind link was broken.

***

Jonas entered the Royal Courtyard, awe in his every breath. He couldn't believe the splendour in which he now stood! He had never seen anything like it! It was the complete opposite of the Praxeum where he resided with Master Lee and the other disciples of the Force, where simplicity was king. He could not help but notice how even Master Lee seemed awed by the haughty elegance on display here. A droid skittered forward, vaguely humanoid in appearance and with a horrible digitally synthesized voice, announced itself. "I am A1-AO human-cyborg relations. I can converse in the 3600 known languages of the Republic. I am the first protocol droid of a new series developed on the planet Kuat. Come forward, His Royal Highness wishes to speak to you immediately."

The two ascended the elegant staircase side by side, their simple cloaks contrasting vividly with the oppulence shown by Correllia's ruling family. Master Lee could feel the inadequacy in his apprentice. He sent a thought over to his young friend."Do not be intimidated by this display of wealth, Jonas, for you have a far greater wealth that these people could only dream of-The Force!" Jonas immediately relaxed, seeing the truth in Master Lee's words.

"How can we be of service Your Majesty? Have we done something to offend you? I feel tension in the Force." Master Lee started the conversation without preamble.

"Such insolence, Jaku-mon Lee! How dare you speak to me without having been invited to do so! I knew from the first that allowing you and your friends from Coruscant to stay here would be trouble!"

Master Lee dropped his head in the age old symbol of submission." I beg forgiveness Your Highness, I am still new to some of your customs. I did not mean to intrude."

"Such weakness! And you call yourself strong in this "Force" you speak so much of? You are nothing but a pathetic caricature of a human, Lee!"

Jonas was taken aback at the vehemence spoken towards his Master. He could not stand it! He was so angered by it, he wished a serpent would strike the King, and he would die a lingering death, uncurable by modern medicine. His vision had such strength and vividity that it was almost tangible in his mind's eye.

Suddenly, the King cried out in alarm! "Get it away from me! What manner of serpent is that anyway! Oh no, it has struck me!" Jonas looked at the King and could see just the serpent he had envisioned indeed attacking the King repeatedly! Jonas, startled, looked at his Master. Master Lee had a look of horror on his face! He was tring to Force pull the snake but nothing was happening. Suddenly as fast as it had appeared, the serpent was gone.

"Wha.....Did you try some sorcery upon me, Lee?" Looking at the others in the Palace, the King asked "You all did see that, did you not?" Without a second's hesitation they all agreed. They had all indeed seen it.

Jonas, coming quickly to his senses, knew the answer-he may not be able to Force move objects-but he could inject a vision of his choosing that others would completely believe to be real. He communicated this to Master Lee, in their own way of course. He let him know that it was indeed his vision they had all seen.

Master Lee looked over at his young apprentice, an unspoken-or unthought-query in his eyes. He would have to explore this further.......

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