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He responded uninterestedly. “I did what Master Obi-Wan told me to do. What I had to do.”

“That’s the second time I’ve seen you wield a lightsaber. You’re very strong.” Unconsciously, she felt her hand where it had been cut. That kind of experience would teach her not to relax and lower her guard, she told herself firmly, even in the face of a seemingly inferior opponent.

“I’ve practiced hard.” Raising its front, then its middle, and finally its hind legs, his suubatar cleared a low ridge of gray stone. “There are those who say you can define a Jedi by his skill with a lightsaber. I want my ability to be respected. Respect forestalls fights.”

She smiled. “Watching you, one would almost think you could give Master Yoda a good contest.”

That made him blink. “Master Yoda? You must be joking.”

Her smile vanished. “Why would I joke about such a thing? Master Yoda is reputed to be the greatest lightsaber master ever. Don’t tell me you never had a fighting class with him?”

“Of course I had classes with him. And I agree that he’s a fine teacher—of technique. Even if he does have to stand on a platform so that his students can see him. His dexterity is amazing to see, especially considering his lack of reach.” Earnestness crept into his voice. “That’s just schooling, Barriss. It’s all theory and supposition. Even if it’s being taught by Master Yoda. It’s not real fighting.”

This time, instead of replying immediately, she gave his observations some thought. “What makes you think Master Yoda has never used a lightsaber in an actual fight?”

He almost laughed out loud, then thought better of it. Obi-Wan and Luminara might overhear, and choose to inquire as to the source of so much hilarity. Anakin’s explanation, he knew, would not go down well with his teacher. Like all other Jedi, Obi-Wan revered the grand Master. Certain subjects, Obi-Wan would lecture him tirelessly, were not appropriate subjects for humor.

That didn’t mean he was going to ignore his companion’s question.

“Come on, Barriss. Master Yoda, engaged in serious dueling outside the fencing arena? Can you actually envision such a contest?” Of the images that sprang to mind at such a thought, each was more amusing than the next. “Who could he reasonably be expected to fight? Someone Tooqui’s size, maybe?”

“It’s not the size of the Jedi or the amount of power running through her lightsaber, but the strength of her heart.”

Anakin nodded knowingly. “Give me size and power any day, and keep your heart.” His response verged on blasphemy, he knew, but he was curious to see how the other Padawan would react.

She handled it more calmly than he expected. “You should be ashamed to say such things, Anakin Skywalker. How can you question the proficiency of Master Yoda?”

“I’m not questioning his proficiency,” Anakin shot back. “I can’t, because I’ve attended his teaching sessions. There’s no one faster or more adept with a lightsaber—in a classroom. All I’m saying is that teaching technique is not the same as using it in battle. Besides, Master Yoda is—well, he’s not young. As for questioning anything at all, a good Jedi is supposed to question everything. Self-assurance is the best kind.”

“It’s good that you think so,” she retorted. “It means you’ll never have to worry about ever making a mistake.”

“We all make mistakes,” he countered. “That’s what questioning is supposed to help prevent.” He tapped himself on the chest. “I question everything that comes my way. Right now we’ve got whole systems questioning the way the Republic is run. Ansion is just one of them, and it’s being watched closely by all the others.”

She eyed him intently. “Are you doing that, too, Anakin? Are you questioning the way the Republic is being governed?”

“I’d be the odd one out if I wasn’t.” He gestured past the head of his galloping mount. “Even Master Obi-Wan has reservations. About corruption, about the direction the government is taking, about the directions it’s not taking because it’s becoming more and more bogged down in bureaucratic twaddle—sure I have