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Prompt: “And this doesn’t have to be goodbye forever; maybe one day when the time is right, I’ll come back to see you again. But it is goodbye… for now at least.”
Lambert's POV
A part of him felt bad for the fact that he was leaving. The Temple on Dantooine was the closest thing to a home he had. Even if he was one of the oldest children to ever be brought to the temple.
Lukas Lambert was a 5 foot 9 inch male, sixteen standard year older human with dirty blond hair and dark blue eyes. He was originally from a small mining village on an Outer Rim planet. His parents had died when he was seven in a mining accident. The village had done their best to take care of him.
When he was eight a Jedi Master and Padawan duo had come. Pirate had been in the system and the Republic had asked the Jedi for help. It was while they were in battle that Lukas had felt their emotions. Even from the planet's surface he could feel their trepidation and the padawan's excitement.
It wasn't until after the battle did he learn that they could feel him too. That day the Master came to speak to the village elders. They agreed it would be best for Lukas to return with them to Dantooine. For his part Lukas didn't want to leave. The village was the only life he ever known.
In the end it was the Padawn that convinced him to go. The Padawan was called Kavar. He was tall just over six feet, with dark blond hair and light blue eyes. Like Lukas he was a human male of sixteen standard years when they met. This made the other eight years older than him.
Kavar would later end up becoming his first ally within the Temple. Even when he was Knighted just a few months later. They trained together whenever he was on planet which wasn't often. When Lukas's own master was killed protecting him Kavar was the first to reach out a hand and offer comfort.
Shaking his head Lukas checked his bag over one more time. He couldn't focus on the past. No there was only time for the here and now.
Sunrise wasn't for another hour and it was fifteen minutes before the shuttles left. Lukas had made a choice like so many others in the Temple. The Republic had requested aid in defeating the Mandalorians. The Council refused to stand against them. They said it wasn't a Jedi's place to go to war. Revan begged to differ.
Every Padawan, Knight, and Master he thought may agree with had been gathered. Revan and Alek requested that they join them in the fight. To go to war with them and defy the Council.
Lukas didn't want to go. Not really. The reason he was going was to protect the innocents. Others were going for the thrill of battle. XIII was one of them. He was a newly Knighted Jedi Guardian and an old friend. They would not be separated if he could help it.
There was a knock on his door. It was familiar and heavy handed. Time to go it seemed. A brief hesitation filled him. Was he really ready for this? There was a chance that he wouldn't come back. Then he squared his shoulders. No matter the hesitation he had to go. A promise made between those as close as brothers could not be broken.
Throwing open the door he found XIII standing there. Like Lukas he had a pack thrown over one shoulder. Unlike the padawan he was not in his robes. Instead he wore light combat armor that wouldn't restrict the Force. His lightsabers hung from his belt.
"Ready to go?" Asked his sworn brother.
Lukas replied coolly, "Yes. Let's go."
Then they headed towards the landing pads. Around them the doors opened padawans and apprentices who chose to stay watched them go. A few held curiosity as well as a longing.
Discreetly he shook his head. No they should not follow their path. He didnt need to add their deaths onto the ones he would personally kill. Younglings should stay as far away from the war as possible.
Taking the lesser known hallways to the landing pads. Revan and Alek were already there directing those who chose to go to the ships. At seeing Lukas, Revan's eyes lit up. It was as if he hadn't expected Lukas to actually come. A promise made was to be kept. No matter any second thoughts he may have.
XIII entered the indicated ship. Lukas was about to follow when he saw a flash of anger in Revan's eyes. Alek's shoulders tightened and his hand went for his lightsaber.
Lukas turned expecting many things but not what he saw. The now Jedi Weapon's Master and member of the Jedi Council Kavar stood in the entrance. His blue eyes searching the crowd of those leaving for war.
They fell on the Lukas who moved away from Revan. As much as he wanted to he couldn't leave without speaking to the man.
Revan said in a low growl, "Lukas you don't have to speak with him."
Lukas shook his head as he replied, "That's where you're wrong. I do need to speak to him."
Revan glanced at him searching Lukas's gaze for a moment. Then he sighed, "Don't take too long. We need to be gone before first light."
Not wasting a single second he went to Kavar's side. The man's force presence encased him. It soothed the fear in his heart and calmed him.
Kavar said in a low baritone, "You don't have to go. The Council will eventually see reason."
Lukas shook his head as he said, "I can't stand by and do nothing Kavar. Too many planet's are falling to the Mandalorians. Without help innocents will die."
Kavar gripped his shoulder and turned the younger to face him. Lukas couldn't bring himself to look Kavar in the eyes. He didn't want to see the anger of the one person he thought the most of.
"Don't go," pleaded Kavar, "Become my padawan and stay here."
“Kavar I can't," denied Lukas shaking his head, "I have to go. And this doesn’t have to be goodbye forever; maybe one day when the time is right, I’ll come back to see you again. But it is goodbye… for now at least.”
Kavar gritted his teeth but released Lukas's shoulder. A few seconds later his presence eased away. This left him feeling empty.
Lukas stepped away as he said, "Don't be greive my leaving Kavar. I'll be back one day. Ask me again when I return."
Then without hesitation he spun on his heel heading back towards the ships. His steps didn't falter and he didn't look back. If he had he would have seen Kavar open his mouth to say something. Only to hesitate then close it again.
Revan gave him a sharp nod as Lukas got onto the ship. He was the last excluding the two Knights who planned it. As the ship took off he finally glanced at Kavar again.
The Jedi Master raised a single hand in farewell. The gesture he returned just before the ramp closed them in.