From the moment she set foot on the foreign planet, Indaria Flare was bombarded with foreign sights and sounds. On Mandalore, they spoke Basic and Mando'a. Given her upbringing, in the Lower city, nowhere near the spaceport where the foreigners would stay, she'd not heard any other language. The strange noises were fascinating. With wide eyes, she looked at all the people, the different species and ships, and strained her ears to hear the many languages.

She eagerly listened to these new sounds as she trailed silently behind Satine. The Duchess had ordered her to stay close until they reached her apartments where Indaria would stay before their meeting with the Jedi. The girl had agreed readily, although at the time she hadn't realized what a challenge that would be. She wanted to stop and hear everything. Look at everyone. She wanted to know what they did. Who they were. What they were saying.

She might not know what to expect in this new place and of these new people, but she was amazed by them, and with each minute her lingering fear dissipated. Indaria Flare had an adventurous heart and curious nature that had been stifled due to her circumstances on Mandalore. Now that she was here, perhaps she'd be able to ask the questions she'd always squelched down. Th galaxies were vast, so it was possible that the Jedi would not have heard the stories of the shameful Flares. If that were the case, then she would be just another student. Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't have to hide anymore.

Is that why Buir let her go? Indaria wondered with the stirrings of revelation and understanding. Did her mother send her off to another planet so that she wouldn't have that burden? So that she wouldn't be running from the people who bullied her?

When she was being sent away, Indaria had barely registered her mother's words. She hadn't realized all that leaving Mandalore would mean beyond leaving her mother. Beyond the possibility of becoming Jedi. It was only now that the six-year-old began to appreciate what her mother had done for her. She'd given her the opportunity for an entirely new life.

Keeping step right behind the Duchess, despite her urges to linger, Indaria followed the older woman through the Spaceport which is where the Senate landed their diplomatic vessels. She held tightly to the bundle of clothing and the beskar armbands. Indaria hadn't been able to bring herself to examine them since they'd been wrapped up by Mother. Still, she knew she would in the years to come, as they would be the only real connection, she had to the identity she'd had for the last six years.

"Thank you, Consort Organa," Satine told one of the elaborately dressed men who'd come to meet their ship. "I would like to accompany you to meet Senator Antilles, if you'll give me one moment to make a few arrangements."

It was only then that Indaria turned her attention back to Satine. The man who'd she'd addressed as Consort Organa was quite handsome and young. She thought he might be in his early to mid-twenties. He was human with warm skin and pitch-black hair. He had a neatly trimmed beard and carried himself with the air of an aristocrat. His clothes were finely made with elaborate detailing and his purple cape made him look even more distinguished. Indaria had never seen anyone like him.

"Of course, Duchess," the handsome man agreed instantly with a smile and a bow. Raising his head, he caught her curious gaze and sent her a warm smile and mischievous wink, causing Indaria to blush and look away.

Once the Duchess had finished addressing other members of her party, including a few that Indaria now knew were a part of the elected Council of Mandalore, the woman turned to her with a warm smile.

"You will go with Nika, and she will relay you to my apartment. The Senate has decided to meet on this particular matter ahead of schedule and I am urgently needed."

"Yes, Duchess," Indaria agreed with a small grin of appreciation.

Over the course of their travels, they'd become quite fond of each other, both absurdly outspoken. Satine had explained to Indaria aspects of the galaxy that Indaria had never before considered. Satine had explained how the planets depended on each other. How the goal of the Republic was to co-exist peacefully and ensure that none got too powerful so that others would be repressed. How she was not only there to attend meetings with the Senate but to meet with other politicians on neutral ground to discuss possible trade agreements to bring new commerce to Mandalore.

It was all fascinating to Indaria, who devoured the information with a hunger she'd never felt. She'd not only learned from the Duchess, but Satine had learned from her. Indaria had no difficulties describing the types of problems that the people in the Low Town of Sundari experienced. How those working in the mines were often shorted on payday and blamed the new system for taking taxes that seemed to appear out of nowhere. She told about how officials would 'lose' the money allotted towards revitalizing the historic parts of Lower Sundari at the gambling tables and in the Red House. By the end of the trip, Satine had a list of people she'd planned to investigate and replace.

Indaria was sad to see the Duchess leave her behind, when she wanted to watch her meet with these officials, but was glad that Satine had at least left her in the care of Nika. Nika was one of the Duchess's many assistants, and she was by far the girl's favorite. The others were stodgy and overly concerned with decorum. Nika was a petite redhead in her early twenties who was quick to laugh and often asked the most absurd questions of the universe.

"Come, youngling," the bubbly woman reached down and took Indaria's hand, leading her to a speeder on the landing platform that Indaria hadn't previously noticed. Indaria did as instructed and when Nika called for the driver to take them to the Senate's apartments, the girl marveled at how far she'd come from that one room on Mandalore.

Closing her eyes, she gently stuck her hand under the bundle of fabric she carried and gently caressed the cool metal of the beskar. For although she felt as if she were floating through this foreign place of strange people and droids, she had that connection to home. As her index finger gently traced the Flare clan's crest, she remembered what her mother had told her. Silver, was for redemption.

She'd do what her ancestors had been unable to. So the child took a deep breath, pushing back the pangs of homesickness and grief, and smiled as Nika explained about where they'd be going and all about the different ships and places they could see.

**********

Unwilling to send Indaria into the Jedi Temple without herself as an escort, but unable to make the trek in between meetings and Senate sessions, Duchess Satine sent word to the Jedi Council hours after arriving. She informed them that she'd found a six-year-old girl who she believed to be gifted by the Force, that she'd brought this girl to Coruscant, and that she would await their visit.

In response, the Council sent Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi to the Duchess's apartments in order to meet with the child and discern if the leader of Mandalore was correct. The two Jedi agreed readily enough to this mission although it was slightly outside their usual duties. They'd just returned from an assignment in the outer rim, arriving as the Council received words from the Duchess. If they found that she was strong in the Force, they were to bring her before the Council to be tested.

Just five years previously, they'd been on an extended mission with Duchess Satine Kryze, keeping her safe from those who wished to keep her out of Power. During that time, a forbidden bond had begun weaving itself between the young Padawan and the young Duchess. A bond that both had denied because of duty to their chosen roles in society. Nevertheless, the pangs of regret and of what could have been found themselves to the front of Obi-Wan Kenobi's mind at the news that they would see her again.

"Six is a bit old, isn't it Master?" Obi-Wan asked cautiously, as they made their way up the elevator into the Senatorial apartments.

The tall building gleamed sterling and reflected glass as they'd approached it. The entrance was well guarded by the military presence of multiple systems and they'd had to identify themselves to be allowed up. The clear panes of the elevator saw out into the vast expanse of Coruscant while the opaque doors offered privacy into the lives of the Senators.

"Hmm," the wise Jedi Master contemplated his Padwan's words while staring out at the ships zooming past in the afternoon sun.

Traditionally, Jedi initiates were taken from their families early, often as infants just a few months old to younglings around the toddling age. Initiates were to grow up in the Order and raised with each other at the Temple until they eventually separated and graduated to become Padawans. Obi-Wan, for instance, barely remembered his family as he was taken at the young age of three. He vaguely recalled parents, the warmth of a hug, the smell of freshly baked bread, and in his most distant recollections he believed there might have been a cradle for a baby brother.

Obi-Wan shook himself out of his memories and came back to the present where Qui-Gon hadn't yet answered his question. The Padawan didn't recall hearing of an initiate over the age of four entering the Order, but then again, he and his Master were not the chosen ones usually tasked with the job of retrieving Younglings. So, he hoped that he was wrong, in this case. Obi-Wan hadn't seen Satine Kryze in over a year and knowing that she'd personally contacted the Jedi Order for this girl, he didn't want their first interaction in such a long time to be him letting her down.

Because, within those forbidden feelings and regrets that he'd felt stirring at the mere thought of her, there was guilt. Guilt that he had those feelings when his duty was to the Jedi Order. Guilt that he'd not acted on those feelings and that he'd left her on Mandalore at the conclusion of the mission. Master Qui-Gon had wisely not addressed that undercurrent of turbulence his Padawan was feeling even though he felt his confusion.

"Perhaps," Qui-Gon murmured in thought as to what Obi-Wan had said, "But if she is truly as strong with the Force as reported, it could be a mistake to let her go untrained if she were willing. Dark times...dark times we live in. I have a sense that this girl could be important."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded.

"Besides, we're just going to see if we sense the Force around her. If we do, we will simply bring her into the Temple before the Council. It will be for them to decide, although while six is a bit old, it's not unheard of."

Obi-Wan was quick to agree. Glad that it wouldn't be upon him to give bad news to Satine, if indeed, there was bad news to give.

"Wait here," Qui-Gon murmured as they got off the elevator. "I'll go inquire as to where the Duchess and the youngling are."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan bowed his head and watched as Qui-Gon went into the other room.

In this rare moment of solitude, for he was almost always with his Master, Obi-Wan took the time to calm himself down. He was in an empty recession room, a desk at the entrance where one of Satine's many attendants would receive her appointments and direct them. That the desk was empty, told him that she wasn't expecting them so soon. The mere idea of seeing Satine again was causing his pulse to speed up and his hands to sweat. Such a blatant physical reaction was no good. He'd promised himself that he'd put these feelings and emotions behind him. He was so consumed by these emotions, these distractions that he failed to rid himself

"Are you waiting for someone?" a high-pitched voice echoed in the room, causing the young Padawan to startle.

Obi-Wan turned quickly, confused for a moment to find no one there before it occurred to him to look down. There, a pair of violet eyes that seemed to see right through him, stood out to him in a pale innocent face. He knew at once that this little girl had to go to the Jedi Temple, but it was the strangest thing. He didn't feel the Force stirring around her at all. The energy was still, yet he knew she had to be a Jedi. For the life of him, Obi-Wan couldn't explain it beyond instinct.

"I startled you?" the girl asked this as a question, but she seemed sure of the truth of her words. "I'm sorry, Sir."

"No," Obi-Wan immediately assured her, "don't apologize. I should have been paying more attention. I...I'm not often surprised."

Indaria gave him a small smile, "Don't feel too bad. I'm good at disappearing."

She took this new arrival in with interest. The man was young, mid-twenties, a little older than the Duchess was she guessed. He had sandy-brown hair shorn to his head with a single braid that hung down to his shoulder. He was quite tall, and despite his young age, he possessed a quiet authority about him. He was in brown, loose robes and he wore a black and silver cylinder on his belt. Indaria stared at it for a moment, as she had never seen the like of it before.

However, she knew that there were other questions she'd need to ask first before she'd reasonably expect the young man to answer her intrusive questions about what he wore on his belt. That much, she had learned on the trip with Duchess Satine, who'd told her in no uncertain terms that she ought not blurt out every thought she had. Pleasantries had to be exchanged. Strangers would only give her the information she sought if they felt as if they were receiving more information in return.

This miniature lesson in diplomacy had been taken to heart and Indaria had practiced such tactics within the Duchess's household. For instance, she learned that if she asked Nika vague questions then she'd prattle on for hours but if Indaria was too specific, the young woman was slower to answer. Captain Renard, who'd driven the ship they took to Coruscant rarely said anything of use, but when he did, it was only after he was complimented. However, Indaria didn't think such tactics would work on this young man.

He, she thought, would appreciate directness. Perhaps her blunt nature wasn't completely inappropriate for everyone. Fortunately, before she could make a rudimentary attempt at an interrogation, another man appeared in the room, causing both heads to turn in his direction.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon came back into the hall and gestured for his apprentice to continue on through to Satine's apartment. "The Duchess is running a few minutes behind in her last meeting and we've been directed to wait for her here. Oh," he turned to the little girl, "hello there."

"Hello," she greeted.

The new arrival was a tall man of middling age. He had long brown hair and a matching beard that were both gently graying, and his robes matched those of the younger man. He also bore that same cylinder on his belt, although his was fashioned differently. His eyes were kind, and his nose even had just a slight bump in it. Such a feature paired with kind eyes, put Indaria at ease with this new arrival. On Mandalore, a bump or crook in the nose was often considered a badge of honor, a mark of a warrior. She liked him immediately.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn. And you are?"

"Indaria Flare. Are you both Jetti?"

"We are," the older man answered. "Have you met my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

Indaria smiled up at the younger man a bit smugly. Obi-Wan in return merely raised his eyebrows, resisting the urge to huff.

"I didn't know his name," Indaria explained, "but I did apologize for scaring him."

"You caught him off guard, did you?" Qui-Gon asked thoughtfully.

"No-" Obi-Wan began but was cut off by the small girl.

"It's not his fault. I was hiding and no one sees me when I'm hiding."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean...that I'm good at it. I'd be standing right in front of someone, and they couldn't even see me."

"You become invisible?" Qui-Gon's eyebrows were raised.

The small girl laughed despite herself. Whoever this man was, he had some odd notions. She'd heard plenty of stories, but she'd never heard of any species that became completely invisible. "No! I hide. Should I lead you inside? It's where I'm supposed to be, I promised the Duchess that I'd stay there, but I couldn't resist exploring when I heard you both come up."

"By all means," the Master gestured Indaria ahead of them, "lead the way."

Like all of the Senatorial apartments, the room was vast. The view to the outside was panoramic, letting in the bright daylight throughout the space. There was a large area for seating deep set into the floor and on various side tables were small mementos from Mandalore and trinkets covered in the crest of the House of Kryze.

Resisting the childish urge to flop down on the comfortable and overstuffed couches, Indaria went to the edge of the seat and cautiously perched herself on the edge of it. She didn't want to do anything to make these men think that they should send her back. Of course, she wanted to go home, but home was her mother, not Mandalore. Indaria's mother had explained that it was the Jedi or the Duchess, and as much as the little girl already admired the young ruler, she didn't want the pain of being so close to her mother and being unable to visit. It was better to stay here, in this foreign place, than to be reminded of what she couldn't have.

Beyond that, she was also six and thought the stories of the Jedi sounded like a grand adventure. She did want to be there, the more she'd thought about it.

"May I ask you questions?" Indaria queried, guessing correctly that like his Padawan, Master Qui-Gon Jinn would appreciate honestly and directness over the subterfuge the Duchess and her attendants seemed to require. Adults, the child had decided, were complicated.

"You may," the Jedi Master nodded at her before moving to sit at the other end of the couch, his Padawan following into a seat beside him.

"Do you like being a Jedi?" the child began simply, not understanding how loaded the question might have been for both men. For, it was only after an extended pause that the older man could answer.

"I do," Qui-Gon said. He didn't say anything else, even though the child raised her eyebrows at such a short answer. Unsatisfied, she turned to the younger man, and once again, Obi-Wan gave a start at her intensity.

"Well, uh," he looked at his Master, who he swore was repressing a smile at his nervousness, "I do-"

At that moment, Duchess Satine Kryze entered the room and Obi-Wan's embarrassment was all but forgotten. She was beautiful, he thought, wearing elaborate green and black embroidered robes and her platinum hair elaborately arranged up into the shapes of flowers. Noting that he'd momentarily forgotten himself, he followed Master Jinn who'd already stood up and begun to bow. Indaria was sitting, as Satine had ordered her to stop bowing.

"Master Qui-Gon," Satine Kryze raised her eyebrows at the appearance of his familiar face, and she had to swallow hard to attempt to bring moisture back to her mouth at the sight of the individual beside him. "Padawan Kenobi. It is a pleasant surprise to see the both of you again. I didn't realize the Council would send the two of you when I sent them the message about Indaria."

"We were just arriving when they received it," Qui-Gon explains, purposefully ignoring the tension between his Padawan and Satine. "As they had just sent out our colleagues elsewhere, we were deemed acceptable representatives."

"More than acceptable," the Duchess nodded for them to take a seat, and then smiled down at Indaria when she noticed the child taking them all in with shrewdly, curious eyes. Not wide in wonder, as they'd momentarily been when they first arrived. No. She was assessing and analyzing the situation. She'd be brilliant, Satine thought, wherever she ended up.

"I see that you've both met Indaria," Satine took a seat on Indaria's other side. "The situation in which we encountered each other was most curious. She rescued me, you understand."

"Rescued?" Obi-Wan latched onto that word. "Were you injured? What happened to-"

"I am quite well, as I'm sure you both see, and those responsible for the attack have already been seen to by the Sundari Police force."

"My Padawan," Qui-Gon stressed the second word, causing Obi-Wan to remember himself and relax his posture, "and I are both relieved to hear that, my lady. Would you be willing to tell us what happened?"

"Certainly," and so Satine began a retelling of the events of that morning. Obi-Wan was caught up in what she was saying, constantly reminding himself that he could not interrupt her, no matter what he wished to ask.

Qui-Gon listened, but more than that, he was taking in the child before him. He focused on the living Force around them. He felt it coming strongly from himself and his Padawan. He felt the barest hints of it from Satine, not enough to be gifted, but the tiniest bit more than what the average human might have had. Around Indaria Flare however, it was the strangest thing.

Her eyes were wise and nearly overwhelming, not only in their vibrant color but also in their intensity. It was as if he could see the inner workings of the intricate universe in those eyes, and before he could push, again, she lowered her gaze to her feet. Now, she was just an ordinary girl. Any trace of that scary vastness was gone and now if he hadn't been told that she'd thrown three grown men with her mind, then he'd think she was the most average of female younglings. Astounding, Qui-Gon thought, truly astounding.

He pushed at the Force gently around the room, and there was nothing. Not one bit of reaction around the girl. He pushed again, wondering if there had been a different Force user around protecting them both, before he realized what was stranger to him than her not having the Force. He could feel no Force around her.

None at all.

Every living thing was imbued with the Force. If she were a mere girl, he'd feel at least something. Instead, it was empty, as if where she sat was a black hole of nothingness. He'd never felt anything like it before. Still, he couldn't base bringing her to the council on that alone. They were weary, nowadays. Rumors of Sith recruiting a new apprentice had spread, and as such, they focused on determining the voracity of such rumors and eliminating the possible threat. If he brought in a girl who had no Force at all into the Council, it wouldn't go over well.

He had to push, somehow. Perhaps...

When Satine finished talking, Qui-Gon gave her a polite smile, that revealed nothing of what was in his mind.

"I'm sorry to say, Duchess Kryze, but I haven't felt the Force with Indaria. She's an extraordinary child to be sure, and I hope that she will find her place in the galaxy, but I don't believe her to be a Jedi. We must go, now. Obi-Wan." He stood up abruptly, almost rudely, and Obi-Wan had no choice but to follow.

The young man was shocked. He'd never known his Master to be so abrupt, especially to Duchess Kryze. He also disagreed with his Master, although he didn't know why. He hadn't felt the Force around her either, but she was gifted with it. If Obi-Wan could sense that, then surely his Master could as well.

"Master-" he began to protest, startled to find that Qui-Gon was nearly to the doors that lead back out to the elevators.

Indaria, too, was startled at Qui-Gon's abrupt departure. They couldn't leave without her. They couldn't.

"Wait!" Indaria yelled, reaching out her hand, and using the air as she'd done before, she closed the doors right in front of the two Jedi, keeping them there, and releasing a large echo into the Force. But, just as quickly as it was there, it was gone.

Qui-Gon Jinn turned to Indaria then, eyes widening. The Force...it was with her. Unmistakably so, as the sudden burst of power was great. However, now, it was as if it were completely gone. Hidden from him as it had been before. Hidden. That was it!

"May we be alone, Duchess Kryze?" Obi-Wan asked gently, gesturing for her two attendants who'd been standing silently at the door.

"Of course," Satine dismissed them, and no one moved until the door to their private chambers were closed behind them.

"Indaria," he strode forward and knelt down to one knee, so that he was looking her straight in the eyes. "What do you do when you hide?"

Her forehead scrunched up, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how do you feel when you hide?"

"I feel safe," she said softly. "At home...others didn't like me...or they liked me too much. I had to hide."

"So, you change your appearance?"

"A bit. I mean, I just wear clothes that are a bit too big and plain looking is all. The kind that can blend into the walls and shadows. I also have to be quiet, and I make sure that the air isn't too loud."

"The air?"

"Not the air, exactly. I don't know the word yet, but...it's in the air. It's all around me and it's always loud, but when I have to hide, I make it hide with me."

"That feeling," Qui-Gon explained gently, "is the Force."

"What is the Force? I mean- what is it really? The Duchess has tried to explain it, and I feel it, but I don't understand."

"And you like to understand things, don't you?" the girl cautiously nodded in agreement, for she did like to understand things. That, she thought, was how she gained her small bites of control. Knowledge was power.

"The Force," Qui-Gon Jinn explained, "is what gives the Jedi their power. That much, I know you understand, but it is much more than that. It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together."

"So...it is both in the world around us...and inside us?"

"Yes, youngling," Qui-Gon smiled. "I'm sorry for startling you, and I apologize to the Duchess. I'd wondered if startling it out of her might work, and I see I was correct. I could feel it where you sit, this absence of Force, but not the Force. This ability to hide, it is a rare, rare skill, youngling. One, I think, you would be better to put aside for now, until a situation arises where it is necessary."

"What does that mean?"

"That means," Qui-Gon urged gently, "that when I bring you to the Temple, that you must not hide. You have to allow them to see you."

"But-" she looked behind her to Satine and back to Qui-Gon, her face...scared. "They'll get me if I don't hide."

"Who will?"

"Everyone," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "If I don't hide, they do bad things because I'm cursed."

"Perhaps you might have been cursed on Mandalore," the Jedi told the child, "But on Coruscant you are not. You are incredibly gifted. However, your gift...it is rare. So rare that it could mean dangerous things if people know you have it."

"Then...what do I do?"

"In this case," he spoke calmly, "the best way to be hidden, is not to hide. Everyone at the Temple has the Force. If they feel that you do not..."

"Then that will attract more attention," she finished. "How do I do this then Master Qui-Gon?"

"Close your eyes," he directed. "Focus your mind on the vibration you feel around you. Allow yourself to feel it. Allow yourself to become lost in its power. A small being in the greatness of the galaxy's power."

"O-okay. I'll...I'll try." Indaria closed her eyes and scrunched up her nose in concentration. A part of her didn't want to. No matter what the Jetti said, she knew better. She knew it wasn't safe, but she wanted to believe him. Her mother had told her to do what the Duchess told her, and the Duchess had told her to do what the Jetti told her. So, she had to do it, or she'd be disobeying her mother.

Which was something she had never done. Not directly anyway.

Besides, she didn't understand this strange new environment. If what this man had said was right, if it were others who felt the Force, then the best hiding she could do would be to blend in. She focused her mind, and gradually relaxed. The buzzing was soft at first, a gentle tickle at the edges of her mind and then it became louder. Overwhelming. So suddenly overwhelming that she immediately shut it down.

"I- I can't do it."

"You can," the Master disagreed. "You can do it, but you are scared. Let go of that fear, Indaria Flare. Let it go, and I think you will be surprised at what is there."

She did it again. Except this time, when the energy of the Force threatened to overwhelm her, she took another deep breath, and pretended that she was flying along the Sundari rooftops. That feeling of exhilarating power and freedom was there, and she embraced it. Feeling, she realized, that same tickling buzz coming from the two men in front of her, and from every living thing around her.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon immediately felt it when her barriers came down. The Force vibrated around her, like it did many great Jedi Masters. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was real, and it was strong. Stronger than it felt with Obi-Wan and perhaps as strong as Qui-Gon. She was quite powerful, and both believed that with training, Indaria Flare would become a great Jedi indeed.

"You succeeded youngling," Master Jinn encouraged. "Do you believe you can remain unhidden?"

"Yes," she marveled. "Its so...busy around here."

"It is," he smiled before turning to the Duchess. "My lady, I don't think I have to inform you how important it is to keep this skill of Indaria's a secret from all outside of this room. I will only relay this to Grand Master Yoda and he will do with this as he deems appropriate."

"Understood perfectly, Master Qui-Gon," Satine nodded. "I assume you will be taking her then."

"We will present her to be tested before the Council, and I believe she will be accepted."

"Very well," she smiled over at the small girl. "I will wish you goodbye when you come back for your things. As it is, I will now bid you good luck. This, Indaria Flare, is your cin vhetin. Use it well."

She stood and bowed to her former ruler, knowing that she was as of this point, no longer to be a citizen of Mandalore. She was going to be a Jetti.

"Vor entye," she began and then momentarily hesitated before she made a choice as to how to address her. An adress to properly express how truly greatful Indaria was. "Mand'alor."

If Satine's eyes were misty when she made her leave, she didn't let any of her compatriots see it. However, her heart warmed knowing that at least one person in the universe considered her to be the true ruler of Mandalore.

Indaria, to her general amazement, was taken from the apartments of the Senators and other planetary leaders and followed the two men to the ship and from the ship, up the longest set of stairs she'd ever seen in her life, towards the Jedi Council. The Council who would decide her fate.

The Jedi Temple was an intimidating structure, taller than any building Indaria had seen in Sundari. It appeared as a giant, extended box, until a closer look saw that the walls were slanted towards the top at 280 degree angles. The stairs leading up to the building were topped by five statutes and the temple was topped with five towering structures that Indaria took time to examine to some detail. She wondered if people ever climbed to the top, and if she'd be given the opportunity to. If not...well, she might have to make such an opportunity.

"This is the Jedi Temple? The same place that took in Tarre Vizsla?" her voice was rapturous as she considered this significance. His statue stood tall and proud on Mandalore, outside of the city. It was a beacon to people like Indaria who still held out hope for her future. A hope that had been put out repeatedly, but now, the embers were reigniting as this man said she might join the Jedi Order.

Maybe her mother was right, maybe she really would end this curse.

"Yes," this time it was Obi-Wan who responded.

"To think, that someone like me could be here. A place of honor."

"All who know the Force are welcome in the Temple," Qui-Gon told the child solemnly.

Yes. Maybe Mother had been right.

Indeed. That evening, Master Drallig was assigned to escort Indaria back to Duchess Satine for her things and then she was to be introduced into her Initiate Clan. A group of younglings that she would live and train with until she was selected by a Master and deemed ready for the Gathering and the Padawan trials. As of that evening, Indaria Flare was a Jedi Initiate.

After testing her, Master Qui-Gon Jinn asked to speak with Master Yoda privately. They secluded themselves and in a low voice, Qui-Gon told Yoda of her gifts.

"Wise, it was, keep this hidden for now. On this, I shall think."

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon bowed. "I directed her to speak of it to no one."

"Silent, she should be. Silent, she will be. Talented Initiate, you have brought us."

"Powerful and talented. With her ability...I feared for her safety. Power is one thing. The ability to possess such power and keep it hidden."

"Gift for dark side, it would be," Yoda nodded, but he appeared thoughtful. "Curious, it is, that we find her only now. Feel her presence at birth, I did. Search, I called, but clouded her presence was. Curious. Curious. Not found, the Force wanted her to be. Untrained. But found she was and trained she will be." 

Mando'a.................the language of Mandalore

Jetti........................the Jedi

cin vhetin.............. a fresh start or a clean slate, "white field"

Vor entye............... Thank You, more literally, "I accept this debt." 

Mand'alor................. "sole ruler", the official leader of the Mandalorians, a title of respect among the Traditionalists that was not bestowed upon those of the "New Mandalorians"

Hello lovely people! Thank you for reading! Please Read! Comment! Vote! Add to your reading lists! I'm so excited for the next few chapters. I promise that the next chapter has at least one familiar face that you really want to see!