The Smoke be for the Fires: (Book 1)

[Akirapryde]

Ending of the beginning
The Grand Garden, Jedi Temple
Coruscant, The Galactic Republic

Losh slowly moved around his garden with great care not to harm his beloved plants. This was one of few places he actually felt at peace and relaxed. He knew each and every plant by both sight and smell. His hands slowly touched the leafs and he could feel their energies flowing about him. He closed his eyes and felt deep in to the heart of the energies flowing about him. There was warmth here and calm around him. He opened his eyes and could see the multiple colors flowing around him as he allowed the force to show him this wonder.

Lush came to a pause next to a small shrub. He keeled next to it and signed deeply. Its energies were so very weak from the injuries it had suffered. He slowly caressed its limbs and leafs. His sadness was more then evident on his face, “My friend, he did not mean you harm. For him, you were very tasty and filled him well. I shall talk to him about this and make sure he pays more respect.” Losh said softly in a caring voice. He closed his eyes and opened himself up to the flow of energy around him. He did everything he could to channel the energy in to the shrub. Adding to this flow of energy, Losh gave himself to the plant. He could feel the plant's injuries slowly healing.

Beyond his sight a new energy entered the Garden. A light blue orb flowed through the garden leaving behind it a soft blue mist as it moved. Losh didn't need to look around as he felt the orbs presence He continued to channel the flow of energies in to his beloved plant. He could feel the Force about him flowing and moving through him. He slowly stood up and looked around. He could see the rhythm of energies flowing through the garden. It was times like this that truly made him feel like he was one with the Force. He turned his attention to the shrub to see its own energies growing a bit. It was no where near fully healed but it was on the road to recovery. Losh slowly dropped to his knees, “Don't worry little one, he will learn.” Losh said softly and then continued, “I was much like him when I was his age. Blind to the footsteps we leave behind.” he finished.

The bluish orb drifted behind Losh silently then slowly formed in to a ghostly image. Once more, Losh didn't need to look around. He knew what was behind him, “I have done all that you have asked of me.” Losh said calmly.

The ghostly image only shivered a bit as it replied with, “Yesh....” Its empty voiced carried across the garden as if it were coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Losh carefully inspected the shrub to make sure its injuries were taken care of. His mind now more on his visitor then the shrub, “They are complete now?” he said making it both a statement and question.

“No....” The ghostly image stated flatly.

Looked up to a near by tree. He knew the truth of the answer. He also knew it was foolish to question it. Even before he made his statement he knew already he was wrong. “Who remains?” he asked

The answer was the same he had been given since he began this quest, “Desert Song.”

Losh slowly got up while he turned to face the visitor, “I know, I know.” he said in desperation, “I have searched across the entire republic. Thousands of languages. Thousands of Races. I have enlisted some of the brightest farseers in the Order. Still no one can come up with this Desert Song. Is it a person? Is it a thing?” he said pacing back and forth. “And before you say it, I know, I get it, the 'Truth will point to its self.' You can be very helpful when you want to.” he said finally turning to the image. “How am I to find this Desert Song?” He asked.

The image looked deep in to Losh's soul. He could feel the visitors gaze, “You're not.” was all that it said. Then Losh understood the reason why. The images in his mind now were of a battle in which many innocent people suffered. The end result was plain to him. The Visitor was showing him, his own death.

Losh lowered his head in great sadness, “So my work here is done?” he asked softly as he turned to see his garden once more.

The ghostly image shifted a bit once more, “Yesh...”

Losh nodded then turned back to the visitor, “You taught me that things written are written and will happen. However you have also showed me that how these things happen are up to us. Is this the same for what you are showing me now?” he asked hoping to save the lives of those he cared about.

“Yesh....” the visitor replied with.

Losh nodded slowly, “So I will face this death alone while others will be saved from it.”

“Yesh.....” it said then continued, “You were never alone. Within this, you will not be alone. We will be there with you.”

Losh felt a great deal of comfort within the visitor's words. He had longed for this day. Service to the Force has taken its toll on Losh. He greatly looked forward to his release of service and the ability to join with the Force once more. So long ago he was chosen for this task and he did his best. Slowly he guided others in to place like a master chest player. Each action he took had its affects in the future and some of his most recent actions have not seen its affects yet. A profound sadness came over him as he realized that he would not be able to see his friends live up to their own destinies.

Losh nodded his head accepting the fate, “I need time to prepare myself, My Friend” he said with respect to the visitor behind him. “I know what needs to be done.” Master Losh said as he turned and walked away. He didn't need to know if the visitor left or not. He could feel his friend within him. Losh walked up to a small wooden desk. He pulled out a stool and took a seat. He opened a small box and pulled out a crystal and smiled. He opened up his heart and channeled his own link to the Force within the crystal till it started to glow softly. He spent the next few hours working on the small crystal and other components. Each moment he spent silently in a sense of calm reverencer.

Master Losh looked at the finished Holocrom with a sense of pride. He has spent so much of his life gaining the skills and knowledge that was now held inside this device. He had spent the past four years working on this little holocrom and finally it was completely. “I only hope my friend that you are able to guide our Wookiee friend through his life and his exploration.” he said softly.

Captain Efeat waited at the doorway for Losh to notice him. Losh had summoned him and now he waited for Losh to address him. “My Friend” Losh said with a great sense of respect and remorse. “I have one last mission for you. It is of the most gravest of importance that it be carried out as I tell you.” Losh informed, “Should our enemies not believe our actions, then all is lost in the attempt. Many will suffer needlessly.” Losh slowly got up and walked over to Captain Efeat, “I fear though, what I ask of you will cost you dearly in your career. I am sorry My Friend, but for others to be saved, it must be this way.” Losh explained.

Captain Efeat didn't have to think about the risks or the costs. There was nothing to say other then to carry out the orders. Since that day that Losh broke with Jedi Code to help him rescue his deceased brother's family, Efeat had been waiting for the day to pay back this debt of honor. Efeat smiled broadly at this finally chance to do the right thing, “What would you have me and my Rangers do, Sir?” The Captain said with pride.

Losh smiled and nodded to his old friend, “I have this message that must be delivered by personal messenger.” he said as he pulled out a paper scroll and a long stem blue reddish rose. “Please use a messenger that is trusted not to read it or speak of the mission later. It must be delivered in to the hands of only Master Bevurn'Age at the Temple on Oulaven.” he said as he handed the items over to the Captain, “She will know what to do from there.” he paused to give the Ranger time to review what has been said so far.

“Next Captain, I need you to personally send this message to the Temple on Oulaven.”Losh said handing a data pad over to the Captain, “The details of how and when to send the message are included.” Losh paused as the Captain read the details.

The Captain shot a stair at Losh, “Wait a second Sir. This code you are using has been reported broken by hackers last week. If we use it then it will be a security breech....” He paused his comments as he looked in to Losh's eyes, “Oh, I understand now Sir.” he finished.

Losh nodded then continued, “Let your crew know we are leaving for Oulaven in twenty four hours.” he said then as an after thought, “That Ranger you have. Rigs, Him and the other Jedi are to remain here on Coruscant.” he turned back to the table and picked up his Holocrom, “I have so much to do before we leave, My Friend. I wish I could spent this final hours talking about our past adventures.” he said then placed the holocrom in to a sack as well as some other items. He then turned to face Efeat, “You have been one of my closest Friends. Please know that it was an honor knowing you.” he said as he started to walk out. The Captain slowly followed behind. They both knew no further words were needed to be said. The Captain went to tend to his tasks as Losh left the ship to tend to his own.

It took some time for Losh to meet with all those whom he wanted to meet with. To tend to his last minute affairs. He spent the better part of his last twenty four hours on Coruscant spending time with old friends, all but one. He didn't have to go looking for the last name on his list. He knew that his old friend would find him. Losh merely went about his business as he had planned to do normally. There was just so much to do and so little time to do it. Losh knew all to well what was on the horizon for the Order. He hoped he had done enough to ensure that the Order would survive it.

“Saying Goodbye, you are not?” asked Master Yoda. Walking up behind Losh as he was making his way down a hallway that lead to the landing pads.

He turned to Master Yoda and smiled, “Not wanting too, but somehow I found this parting the most painful, My Old Friend.” he said then moved to a sitting position right there in the hallway. Master Yoda moved to sit next to his friend. The pair had been such good friends for so long that formalities no longer meant anything to them. “You know I have to go.” Losh said flatly.

Yoda nodded, “Indeed, but alone I know not why.” he added.

Losh didn't bother to look, “I will not be alone. But this is the only way to ensure that others will not have to suffer through this.” he explained, “It is the will of the Force” he finished with.

Yoda made that same sound he always did when he disapproved of something. “Argue not I shall.” he said, “Miss you I shall, friend, brother, Master.” Yoda commented.

Losh finally turned and smiled, “Of all here, I trusted you the most. Even with my deepest secret. Thank you for keeping it. No one can know the truth. Most importantly Tra Vae. They would not understand.” he said Yoda only nodded, “I have a favor for you my Friend.” Losh said pulling the Holocrom from his sack. “Please make sure my Padawan gets this.” he said handing the Holocrom to Yoda. “Within this is all that I know.” Losh explained then added, “That is all but one secret.”

Yoda nodded, “Never discovered should Immortality had been.” He exclaimed “Passing with you, this secret is?”

Losh nodded, “Yes, I have made sure that there is nothing left to be found.” Losh looked down, “I never imagined how tired I would have become after so many years. I am actually looking forward to this.” he said then turned to Yoda as his face turned more serous, “I fear though I am leaving you with a great mess to contend with.” he added.
Once more Yoda nodded, “Corrupt has our Order become. Walks within these walls Darkness does.” Yoda now looked away as in distant thought. “War is ahead of us, I see coming.” he finally said then added, “Pushed the Council to its breaking point, Tra Vae has. Suffered greatly, your loss will be.”

Losh nodded, “I know. But I have to do this. Watch over my students. They are chosen for something greater then us” Losh requested.

“If we are to survive this as an Order, fate is in their hands it is.” Yoda said then turned to Losh, “Bid you good bye My Friend, I must.”

Losh nodded then got up, “Good bye my friend.” Losh said sadly. He turned and walked down the hallway of the Temple. He stopped at the door to the landing bay and took in a deep breath. Without further a due he simply opened the door and walked out on to the landing platform and boarded the ship. Within moments a great Jedi Master would depart the Temple never to return. What he left behind is in the legacy of those whom he touched and taught. He has entrusted all of his hopes and dreams for the Order in them.

As the ship slipped in to hyperspace, the night sky over Coruscant was filled with stars. Some bright and full of energy while others not so bright. Each added their own beauty to the night's sky. In tonight's sky a long burning bright star in the heavens flickered then dimmed as it slowly vanished from sight for ever.