This One is Not Alone

[Kazahan]

For some time, Kazahan had needed to remain out of sight in Ossus. He did not like to think that the Jedi were blaming him, but he knew whether or not they did he needed to let things cool down, until his face would no longer cause a diplomatic incident.

So, he had retired into exile into the forest some distance outside of Sanctuary, close to the mountains where the trees were humongous, and large enough to support a residence of the size he'd required. He loved that part of the Forest, where he could feel the magic of life everywhere. There he would build himself a tree house, and the labour and work would help him process his emotions and the consequences of his actions.

A month passed, and while he'd always been gone on long reconnaissance missions to map and survey the planet before, he'd never simply stayed in one place and built something. The project was unlike anything he'd ever needed to undertake before; a home required planning, and resources, and diagrams and spatial awareness of a type he'd not quite understood before. The huge trees, the green ferny undergrowth, the streams and hills and creatures were all soothing and not tame; everything was a challenge. Solomon came and visited him, and would bring him supplies for his home and stay and give him company and teach him, but Solomon was a Master, on the Council, and he was needed back at Sanctuary.

So he would go, and Kazahan would be alone again, unless Gossam visited him from the mountains. He liked the Gossam generally; they were not personable in the sense that he was used to, but they were direct and affable and not likely to take offence to things he said or did. Some would help him build his home, but not much, and not for very long. They had their own village to care for, and he wouldn't keep them from that.

Kazahan would go, map and survey, speak to Ysanna that were not hostile to the Jedi and Gossam, and return and continue building a tree house.

"Kazahan," Solomon said to him, some two and a half months into his exile. The Tree House was nowhere near completed; a stair case had been made into the tree going up a long ways, and presently was the only way up or down to the Tree House, which consisted of a bare floor plan of three rooms: one where Kazahan slept and another where he kept his things and spoke to other people who visited him. A floor, an exterior wall, and a roof, and a carefully maintained cooking pit of stones and dirt. He slept in a camping roll he brought with him. "The Jedi are going to be having guests soon. We'd like them to stay with you, if it wouldn't trouble you."

He nodded.

"Of course, Master. Kazahan will endeavour to be hospitable."

Solomon smiled.

"I have no doubt. I'm hoping the extended company will do you some good, and maybe after you'll come back to Sanctuary on your own." The human raised one hand, silencing his Trianii student's interruption. "You've been away for long enough. A Jedi does not dwell on the past. Accept, let go, move on. We've discussed this."

Kazahan nodded.

"Acceptance is much harder and much easier than most believe it to be, Master," the leonine Jedi apprentice said. "But this one shall do as you ask. When shall our guests be arriving, hmm?"

Solomon's smile grew, and Kazahan's own expression, though opaque to most humans, was as easily read by the man as a book; the Trianii had, though not without hardship, grown and matured. Though he had not quite let go of his pain and frustration, he had at last comprehended.

"I've brought you some supplies," the Jedi Master said. "Let's talk about it while we set everything up, hm?"