[center][h2]ZELT VUDO[/h2][/center]

The past year spent on D’Qar was the longest Zelt had remained in one place since living on Nar Shaddaa. It was actually a pleasant experience, always going back to the same bed each night, even if the Jedi Temple beds were quite basic. But even so it was just relaxing for Zelt to be at the temple, not running around and risking death. This past year had given Zelt the chance to better figure himself out, as the Force was beginning to guide him. It was only under lectures from Master Skywalker that Velt learned to hear the Force properly, as it had quietly whispered to him since he was a child, aiding him.

Zelt could often be found sitting in the Jedi Temple garden, sitting under the massive tree in the center of the room. Apparently this tree had once been placed in the old Jedi Temple on Coruscant, before being absconded by the Empire. But Master Luke had managed to recover it and bring it to D’Qar, almost as a way of connecting with the Jedi of old. Whenever Zelt sat beneath, he swore he could feel a presence.

It was under that tree that Zelt was mentally preparing himself for the next day. Tomorrow he and several apprentices and knights were to leave for Ilum, an ancient Jedi world, where they would craft their own lightsabers. Zelt was definitely excited as when he was a child all the legends he heard of Jedi were about their signature weapon. It kind of irked him that he had been studying for a full year and was now only getting a lightsaber, but Master Skywalker had been trying to teach him to be patient.

But with that excitement also came trepidation. Apparently the crystals that were needed to build a lightsaber would call out to a Jedi, the Force directing them to the correct one. Zelt had a silent fear that he would hear no such call, finding nothing but snow and ice on Ilum. The thought sent a shiver through Zelt’s body.

That night, Zelt would avoid eating dinner, a thing he did far too often. While he realized that he no longer had to maintain a celebrity appearance, something within Zelt still commanded him to maintain a certain image. So he remained in the garden, meditating deep into the night.

Zelt would eventually go to his quarters and get some sleep. But before Zelt could even dream, his holo-clock woke him up. The music of the Max Rebo band classics caused him to become fully alert, his mind triggered by the funky tune. Shutting off the alarm and dismissing the holo-news articles that popped up, Zelt rose from bed and began to pack for the flight to Ilum as well as for the cold environment.

After doing this, Zelt would relent to hunger and head to the mess hall. Still, he kept the meal small, a basic protein bar and a glass of Bantha milk. After consuming his food, Zelt realized that he still had an hour before they were due at the shuttle pad. Wishing to gain more guidance from the Force on his fears, he would return to the garden. And yet the Force would remain silent to him as he sat under his favorite tree. Eventually Zelt would give up and head to the shuttle.

[hr]

Even with a hyperdrive it took several days to reach Ilum. The long flight was hard on Zelt’s injured leg, as he was sitting for most of it. And yet he concealed his pain, calling on the Force to soothe it so that no one noticed it. Zelt would try and walk around when he got the chance, but there was only so many times one could pace up and down the ship.

The usually talkative Zelt was oddly quiet during the trip, focused on the thoughts in his head. The fear of not finding a crystal still bumped around in Zelt’s mind, as did the silence of the Force. As days passed and he received no guidance, Zelt felt down but tried to cheer himself up with remembering Master Skywalker’s lessons.

[i]Trust in the Force.[/i]

And that’s what Zelt did, trying to reach out with his mind. Zelt would remain in meditation for the last day of the trip, only being brought out of it the shaking of the shuttle. Zelt’s eyes opened quickly as the Jedi vessel shook in a snow storm as it began to land on Ilum.

Prior to the shuttle landing, Zelt would head to his bunk and grab some appropriate clothing for the ice planet. After putting on a thick Jedi robe and wrapping his head in a violet scarf, Zelt would follow after his fellow Jedi.

The second Zelt stepped onto the ground, he suddenly heard the Force. He couldn’t make out what it was saying, but it was all around him, like whispers on the wind. That feeling of awe was only added to when Zelt finally looked up and down the massive Jedi Temple in front of him.

It was clearly old, but still in great shape. Zelt wondered just how old it was, but then remembered that he would know if he paid attention in the history classes provided on D’Qar. At the sight of this Jedi creation, Zelt made a note in his mind to pay attention in class.

Jedi Knight Shyth would then tell them to take a break for a few minutes before heading to the caves to look for crystals. The other Jedi would then break into groups to talk, Knight Sehl conversing with her apprentice, Sildarg engaging her master. Zelt would decide to remain by himself, trying to listen to the whispering of the Force that was all around this area.

But his trance was broken when Knight Rar said it was time to head for the caves, making a joke that Zelt didn’t hear fully. Zelt sped up to catch up with his fellow apprentices, minding his steps as he did, not wanting to make a fool of himself by slipping and falling.

“So how deep do these tunnels go?” Zelt asked to no knight in particular.

Zelt was curious as he felt something calling to him from deeper into the temple. Maybe Master Skywalker had been right and all he had to do was trust in the Force.