Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 07_ Shards of Alderaan - Kevin J. Anderson [6]
Her friends understood this; Lowbacca, the twins, and sometimes even their little brother Anakin worked at finding novel ways to help her overcome various obstacles.
Strangely, these small victories had become a source of secret enjoyment for her.
Whenever a situation arose that normally required the use of two arms, Tenel Ka challenged herself to find another way to accomplish the task-such as resetting some of these flagstones in the practice courtyard.
Clearing the debris from the explosion had been a fairly simple matter.
Other Jedi students had helped, using the Force to remove broken rubble and chunks of vinecovered stone. One group had used the enthusiastic ronto to haul heavy fallen blocks away from the opening of the hangar bay.
Putting the pieces back together, however, proved to be much more complex.
Tenel Ka caught a flash of color out of the corner of her eye and noted Raynar striding up. The young man set to work near her, his spiky blond hair damp and his robes drooping in the misty rains. The usually haughty teen was trying to maneuver a flagstone into place with his foot to avoid getting more mud on his purple, orange, red, and yellow clothes.
Tenel Ka had noticed that ever since the Shadow Academy's attack, Raynar had found reasons to stay near the four young Jedi Knights. Though his bearing remained proud, the young man worked hard and @gly.
Tenel Ka pounded her flagstone firmly into place and filled in the surrounding cracks with packed dirt and mud. Then she helped Raynar rotate his stone so that it fit better beside hers. The two of them remained quiet, intent on their tasks.
Jaina and Lowbacca continued rebuildthe adjacent courtyard wall. "You mg know, I think repairs on your T-23 are coming along pretty well, Lowie,"
Jaina said. 'Maybe we can tinker with it again this afternoon after I finish my shift watching Zekk."
Lowbacca barked his agreement. "An excellent idea, Mistress Jaina," Em Teedee chimed in. 'With my new set of diagnostic subroutines, we ought to have that skyhopper fully operational again in very little time."
"This is a fact,' Tenel Ka said, standing up. 'I will be happy to assist you. Your brother will no doubt offer to provide entertainment."
'I don't know... I think one of us still needs to stay with Zekk,' Jaina said doubtfully, "even if he's still unconscious."
"Then again, maybe not," Jacen's voice came from the opposite side of the wall.
Tenel Ka turned to see the young Jedi appear, stepping over a low pile of rubble in the broken wall and flashing a wide grin.
"Hey, good news-Zekles out of his coma.
Everything's going to be just fine now."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jaina asked, brushing herself off. Her cheeks, damp from the mist, flushed pink with excitement. "Come on.
Let's go see him." 'Whoa!" Jacen said, holding up his hands.
'I just got him some soup. Old Peckhum fed it to him, and after they talked for a few minutes Zekk fell asleep again. I think we'd better let hiirn rest for a while."
'Okay," Jaina agreed, looking disappointed though greatly relieved now that her friend seemed to be out of danger.
From his place on the second level outside the broken pyramid, Master Skywalker called for his students to assemble so that he could speak with them. The Jedi trainees gathered and watched their teacher with great interest. A hush as light as the falling mist fell over the group.
"It's an unusual experience for us to meet out in the open like this, but new experiences, even painful ones, can be good," Master Skywalker said.
"They help us grow.
We must learn the lessons each experience offers us, and then move forward."
Tenel Ka nodded, thinking of all the ways she had had to adapt after her accident.
"The galaxy does not stay the same. It changes from day to day, and we must change and grow to meet new challenges." Master Skywalker continued.
'As Jedi, we must never allow ourselves to become