The Chosen Apprentice/Chapter 13

Fortunately for Anakin, Obi-Wan had left instructions with Sarib, one of the youngling supervisors, prior to his leaving. The Rodian Jedi Master had also insisted on accompanying him, talking brightly of how delighted she was that Obi-Wan had the foresight to leave Anakin in charge of his class. Surely the children could only benefit from his own prowess with a lightsaber.

Anakin did not agree but chose not to say anything. In his mind facing a group of children seemed quite unnerving, almost like going to fight a Krayt dragon. What if they mobbed him? Bombarded him with questions? Anakin had ways of evading uncomfortable situations, but knew he couldn’t use them here.

As he walked into the room and all eyes were in him, Anakin considered that the Krayt dragon may have been the better option. At least he wouldn’t have to live with himself if he lost.

“Children, this is Jedi Anakin Skywalker,” Sarib said in hushed voice, “he will be teaching you for a few days while Master Kenobi is away from the Temple.” She paused for a moment. “Jedi Skywalker actually trained as Master Kenobi’s Padawan learner, so no doubt he will be familiar with his methods of instruction.” She then turned to Anakin with a smile. “They’re all yours.”

It’s like leaving me in a torture chamber, Anakin thought as she left the room. He was very conscious of all the eyes on him. For a moment he didn’t say anything as he couldn’t think of what he should say.

One of the younglings at the back put up a hand. Anakin nodded to him, at loss for something to do.

“Jedi Skywalker,” said a small voice, “is it true that you killed a Sith Lord?”

“Uhh…” Anakin felt himself blushing, the small faces were hanging on for his answer. “Not…not exactly.” He could feel the disappointment through the Force so he hastily added, “not that I haven’t fought a Sith though,” he added, seeing their expressions slowly light up.

“What’s it like?” someone else asked.

“It’s like…like…” He searched his mind for a suitable expression. “Like being in the middle of a whirling windstorm.”

There were a few giggles, and when Anakin formed a literal picture of what he had said he found himself smiling.

“Okay, I guess we start with the meditation,” Anakin said, slowly sinking to the floor and the others did the same. “And…normally someone leads?”

“I will,” piped up a small voice.

Anakin searched the faces to see who had spoken; it was the girl with dark eyes and hair. “And what is your name?”

“Sona, Sona Cantari.”

Anakin smiled again and closed his eyes, feeling the Force softly rising within himself and everyone else in the room. Perhaps this wouldn’t be too bad after all.



Walking back to his quarters after the class had finished, Anakin was surprised that he had actually enjoyed the experience. Especially half-way through when they moved into small duels, also called velocities. The younglings had retreated to the edges of the room and drew names to select the combatants.

Though they clearly had not the finesse or speed that Anakin had grown used to—after all they were eleven and twelve year olds—there was something satisfying at watching the display. The lightsabers would flash, the two would dance across the practise mats until one was felled and would call out “Solah!”—the sign to one’s opponent that you had been beaten.

And there was Sona, for some reason Anakin could not stop himself from watching her. He felt a strange jolt of pleasure as he had called out her name. But watching her fight…in a way it was like watching Padmé. That certain grace and fluidness that Padmé had possessed, the lightness and ease she seemed to carry herself with. This was all embryonic, merely rudimentary skills that had yet to be fully developed but Anakin could not help wonder what she would be like to watch once she was fully trained. And what kind of Master that she would have to see her through her training.

So deep in thought he was he failed to notice Threepio and Artoo approaching him. Anakin walked straight past the two droids without a glance.

Threepio looked disdainfully at the astromech droid.

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Artoo,” the protocol droid sniffed. “You said that Master Anakin was upset, yet I haven’t seen him this happy in…oh, a long time.”

Artoo beeped mournfully.

“Yes, that too,” Threepio agreed, walking away with his shorter counterpart.