The Knight shifted beside him on the bench, long, lithe fingers plucking at a stray fiber on her brown robes. The conversation had turned serious, as it had a tendency to do when Yerbol was involved. He was a force of nature when he had to be, that fire and passion as wild as the horses that thundered across Dathomir. Yet on a dime, he could grow as philosophical as they came. Despite her discomfort at the subject change, Leoria smiled inwardly. Capable, but contemplative. Responsive, but reflective. No wonder the powers that be pegged him as a good Jedi Knight.

"I can't say for sure how they see us." The sound of her own voice over the soft babble of the waterfall brought her back to the present. "I think it varies, depending on where you are. There are some people who are going to dislike us, no matter what we do." [i]And you cannot lose yourself to please those people.[/i] The teaching of her master echoed in her ears. It had been a hard lesson for Leoria to learn. Secretly, she wondered how others would have reacted had they known just how hard. Arianth had been patient, warm, and accommodating. Another mentor may not have been so understanding. Yerbol believed that there was a grand scheme, and so did she. Most days. [i]Believe that, or you'll go crazy.[/i] There was no room for doubt, as Arianth had also ingrained within her. She would drive herself crazy questioning whether or not she was an effective Knight. [i]I wouldn't be here if I weren't.[/i]

Suddenly putting voice to her thoughts, she said, "I think we'll drive ourselves mad trying to figure out the Masters. If we do what we determine is the right thing, every time, we'll remain a force for good. And that's something. But maybe it is best that we don't worry about how we're viewed." Her words an octave softer now, she added, "but easier said than done."

Another smile, this one slightly more forced than the others. "In the spirit of not worrying, let's not stress this meeting you have with the Council member. I'm sure it is good news anyway."