Private [THP] A Lantern in Shadowed Halls

[Caelan Valoren]

Eshan. Home of the Echani. He’d never been, but perhaps he should have visited sooner. Even though Caelan didn’t relish the idea of combat, he found a level of enjoyment in learning martial arts. He wouldn’t call himself a master of any, but he still remembered the lessons the late Caltin Vanagor taught on Broken Gate, may he rest well in the Force, and his friend Azurine Varek had taught him some of the Iridonian Martial Arts as well. As he understood it, the Echani had their own martial art, and were heavily versed in bladed weapon combat. At some point he should make an effort to learn from them. Perhaps at a point when the children were older and needed a little less of his attention now that he was alone in raising them.

As it was, when he stepped foot on the world, he had Serenya wrapped in a blanket and in a carrier on his chest while Kastiel, who was now walking quite well, held onto his hand. The boy was interested in everything and it was often a struggle to keep him walking, but it was a lot easier on his back to only have to carry one of the kids in a carrier.

The reason Caelan was there was simple: there was an enclave on the world that he had learned was associated with the Hidden Path, which he already knew his friend and the Grandmaster he looked up to, Valery Noble , was a part of. With the Alliance in an absolute state of internal turmoil, he was looking for something more stable, and a way to actually help the galaxy that didn’t rely on him having to be a combatant more than it did having to be, as he viewed it, what a Jedi should be. The Hidden Path had a more humanitarian arm, but it was, like most of the organization, shadowed in nature. Caelan wanted to be open in his efforts. Not for personal gain or recognition, but for the sake of transparency and to make it easier for people to ask him for help.

However, that didn’t mean the Hidden Path couldn’t help him.

His intention was to speak with the council about the formation of a sub-organization he deemed the Wardens of the Light. Warden’s because of their nature as guardians and keepers, protectors and librarians.

Thus he entered the enclave, with both of his children, and sought the chamber within where the council would be located, provided they were all there. He had a feeling they were at least in part. Knocking on the door to the council chamber, he gently pushed it open and leaned his head in, careful to keep Kastiel from rushing in and accosting everyone out of curiosity.

“Hello,” he said, glancing around. “I wondered if it would be alright if I took a moment or two of your time to discuss possibly getting your help with the organization of something.”

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANIONS: Serenya and Kastiel Valoren | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Valery Noble | The Broker | Csariden | Thexann Pehnataur | Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Thexann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL MEMO (Encrypted)

Author: Thexann Pehnataur
Subject: A meeting with a King
Location: [REDACTED]
Access Level: [Red-Alpha Priority]

It was a busy day for me.

One I really did not have the time to sit and chat with people. I had several meetings lined up, as well as had to jump on a flight out to see Halpern for an update on something we are working on.

It’s also not every day you have a king requesting an audience with you.

Lazerian IV, not a planet I have ever visited, but one I knew about. It’s of the Galactic Alliance, King Valorean. I got the message from my assistant on Eshan that he was looking for a meet with the entire Council. Well, I can’t speak for them, but I couldn’t just jump out there rights now. Especially since he may not have time to wait.

So, I cancelled my next meeting.

The holovid camera scanned over me, as I sat, and all he would see is the blue shimmer of my image over the chair I would sit in. He would recognize it, it’s (at least what I’m told) is like the Jedi Council did, or does.

Anyway.

... and that is? Forgive my curt response, Your Highness, but you are a busy man and would not be here without a good reason.

Neither would I, but his station deserves respect.

This is what he is saying to people, just like a cutaway

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery looked up from her place in the chamber when the door opened, her gaze softening the moment she saw who stood there. She dipped her head in greeting, orange eyes flicking briefly to the two small figures at his side before returning to Caelan himself.

"Of course, Caelan," she said, her voice steady but warm. "You are welcome here." She rose from her seat, a small gesture of respect, and extended her hand toward the chamber. "Come in. We have time." Her attention lingered on the children for another moment, a faint smile curving her lips. "You are both welcome as well. There is no need to stand at the threshold."

She stepped back to give them space, her expression turning a little more serious as she addressed him again. "You said you wished to discuss something with us. The floor is yours."

Caelan Valoren Thexann Pehnataur The Broker Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Caelan Valoren]

Caelan wasn’t sure what he expected when he arrived, but at least the kids were behaving, for the moment. Serenya was awake, which could be trouble depending on how things went. Kastiel saw Valery and immediately wanted to walk to her. Somehow the woman seemed to have a control over the people, and droids, he held dear. First Fate liked her more than him, now Kastiel wanted away from his father to go to her. He was starting to wonder if there was something wrong with him, or if she was just that enticing. Either way, he let the boys hand go, since this was a safe place, so he could go and see Val.

“Thanks, Grandmaster Noble,” he said, keeping things formal on his end since the purpose of his being there was for business.

He turned his head to the projected form of Thexann and nodded in agreement with what he said. Yes, this was a group of busy people, just as he was busy, so he shouldn’t waste time with pleasantries if he could avoid it.

“I fully understand the existence of this group of people and why it is needed in this time. As a King, I agree that the forces of darkness are not being stopped by the current galactic powers as they should be, and it’s clear that they aren’t capable of it on normal terms. I want my people protected as much as you want yours protected. I do think someone needs to wage the war that you are, and I want to find a way to monetarily support you in doing that.

“At the same time, as a Jedi, I cannot support what you’re doing. I know I differ in beliefs from the likes of you, Grandmaster Noble, and other Jedi, but I don’t believe it is my place to be in a position of aggression. I know there are other Jedi who feel the same way I do. Still, we want to help and I believe I can facilitate that.”

He paused for a moment to take a breath and then continued.

“The galaxy needs a visible presence from the Jedi. While you operate in the shadows, someone needs to operate in plain sight, doing what people expect Jedi to do: mediate, provide relief, heal. To that end, I’d like to ask for you to back me, as I will back you, in the formation of the Wardens of the Light. Wardens because we are protectors and keepers of the peace. Our duties will be simple: we go where conflict is brewing and seek to bring it to a non-violent conclusion, and we assist in relief efforts after conflicts.

“Moreover, we wont just be made up of Jedi, but of people without access to the Force, as well. While you fight the war, we seek to stop that from being necessary through our means. It also gives you a legitimate, public front from which we can shuttle, secretly, assistance back and forth. Leadership won’t be confined to a central figure, but a group of Stewards in order to keep the Wardens in good functioning order should something happen to members of leadership.

“As for location, there’s an old Jedi outpost, it’s run down but we can revitalize it, on the continent of Laz. We will fix it up and make that our base of operations. This effort, a focus on peace, will also help me to bring Lazerian IV into a unified government, as the people of Doxeti value peace.”

Kind of a mouthful, but he’d needed to explain it. Hopefully he explained it well enough.

“Will you back me in this endeavor?”

ATTIRE: Link | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace), Prosthetic Left Arm

TAGS: Valery Noble | Thexann Pehnataur | The Broker | Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He'd lingered by Valery's side in the wake of Caltin's funeral to help her get things organised for the fledgling rebellion and set up communications with the growing number of enclaves across the stars. While tedious at times, it proved a welcome distraction for the High King to set his focus on something tangible, and his experience in diplomacy came well in hand. In time, he would return home to lay his brother to eternal rest.

Thurion had just finished advising the Grandmaster on their next move when the door to the council chamber opened to reveal a man, along with two children. So Immediate was his attention turned to the little ones, that it took some time for him to recognise their father. Caelan Valoren, who fought so bravely on the frontlines of Bogan in spite of his wounds, and in spite of his fears. He was but a kid last time they met, yet here he stood a grown man with two little ones of his own. The boy had returned a king in his own right.

He stood by and listened to Caelan's request, looking like a proud father whilst his gaze was drawn to the small boy navigating the council chambers with tentative steps. As he drew nearer, the giant by Valery's side knelt and held out a vast hand, his expression that of kindness incarnate.

"Fear not, little one," said the Lion, softly as to not interrupt his father's request. "Woe to he who would wish thee ill, child. You are among friends."

Valery Noble Thexann Pehnataur Caelan Valoren The Broker Csariden ​

 

[Thexann Pehnataur]

PERSONAL MEMO (Encrypted)

Author: Thexann Pehnataur
Subject: A meeting with a King
Location: [REDACTED]
Access Level: [Red-Alpha Priority]

I get it.

He’s basically looking to create a public face to our operation. Something to sort of “keep the attention away”. Not sure what he is looking to get out of this, but the guy wants to stick his neck out. He wants to potentially put the lives of his people on the line for us, for the greater good. Is that something we want?

It is.

Your Highness, you’ve spoken more truth in five minutes than the Senate managed in five years. You’re right — the people still expect Jedi to appear as healers, mediators, and symbols of peace. Without that, we leave a vacuum that charlatans, false prophets, and the Empire will be all too happy to fill.

You call them Wardens of the Light. I call them necessary. After all, there are those in the Galactic Alliance who firmly believe that the New Jedi Order, or at least the majority of it, abandoned them. I know this, I’ve seen the vids and while I feel the sentiment in the purpose of those vids… well… we can’t exactly come out and say what we’re doing.

Maybe that is where you come in, in a manner of speaking.

Make no mistake — the Hidden Path will wage war. We must. But a sword alone cannot win hearts, and I will not argue with you when you say the galaxy needs to see Jedi in the light. A visible Order that the common citizen can point to and say, ‘they are here for us.’ That is something Valery Noble and I cannot provide from the shadows.

So yes, I will vote to back you. I am just one vote, but I will not hide the truth — your Wardens will be scorned by some, especially those who mistake diplomacy for weakness. You may even find that the more successful you are at keeping the peace, the more some will resent you. But that is the burden of the path you choose.

In return, I will ensure the Wardens are not left wanting. Guardian Authority Ltd. has assets that can be masked as relief supplies, starships, or survey equipment — whatever you need to make this appear legitimate while still serving the greater fight.

But understand this: when the day comes that mediation fails and the Empire bares its fangs, your Wardens must be willing to step aside so that we can strike clean and hard. You hold the torch, King Caelan. We hold the blade. Together, perhaps, we can light the galaxy again.

I didn’t mince words, but is it something that we can afford to do right now?

This is what he is saying to people, just like a cutaway