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Whining, the speeder's engine pushed the vehicle through forested hills and on to narrow crevasses which their uniquely trained driver effortlessly maneuvered through. Master Jeron had become the renowned Master-At-Arms of the court and used his training in the ways of the Force to pass on his knowledge to many a student. Those who were able to graduate the initial training, that is.

Miriam tried to keep her mind on the here and now without allowing her fears to govern her heart. Even though her grandmother wasn't with them, she knew that the matriarch of their family had far reaching telepathy that was probably listening in on her thoughts now. Turning to the window, she watched as green and grey streaks sped by on their journey to Kangavar. Very few outside those who were going there to train were ever allowed to know it's location, but this was a special case.

"It won't take long to get there," Gilan informed to his quiet guests. "Just hold tight."

Soon, the mountains melted into verdant hills again as the sun dipped low on the western horizon, casting deep purple hues on the clouds and foliage. Banking to the right, Gilan navigated through narrow treelines, scraping the roof on several low branches as they sped by. After several near misses, he leveled the speeder to come head on into a line of high bushes and Miriam initially wondered if this was intentional.

"What are you doing," Jabin asked, then all ducked below the front seat, waiting for the collision with the small trees, but heard none. Suddenly, switches were tapped and the vehicle was stopped and Miriam's blue eyes turned and looked up through the window to see dark grey, smooth walls.

Opening the door, one of the acolytes stepped back and allowed her to step out into the large garage as droids busily tended to a freighter to the far left. The stench of the hangar soon wafted into her nostrils with strong, pungent odors that she couldn't place. Places like this had never been on her training agenda either.

"Welcome to Kangavar, my lady," the younger student said, his clean face and shortly cropped hair denoted an elder teenager, the white collar on his tunic a full-fledged student in his second term.

"Thank you," Miriam returned as Tia shouldered their packs and followed her on towards Gilan who awaited them at the front of the speeder. Stealing a glance at the entrance, she noticed the seam of the large door and realized that the bushes that they thought they were heading to must have been an illusion of some sort.

"Admit it," Izir chided as he followed on Jabin's heels. "You were scared."

"I was not," Jabin defended, glaring at his younger brother whose fiery personality wasn't reflected in his white flattop or small stature. "We all ducked, remember."

"You two stop it," Miriam spoke up, then turned to Gilan who then led them on to the right and entryway where she noticed an older instructor in blue robes whose wide grey borders fell low from his shoulders, broken up by a dark brown weapons belt which obviously contained a lightsaber.

"Welcome to Kangavar, my lady and lords. I'm Master Jorgan. Master Jeron won't be able to attend you but, he's left strict instructions as to your departure. We're preparing the vessel as we speak but, until that time you can rest and refresh yourselves."

Miriam smiled politely as he bowed, then turned to lead them into a main hallway. "Wait a second," Miriam interrupted. "We're not leaving the world. What's the ship for?"

Jorgan glanced back. "The countess instructed us to transport you from Antares to an old friend of hers who will continue your training, my lady. All the arrangements have been made."

Miriam stared at him, dumbfounded as she tried to make sense of what was going on. Nothing had been said about flight from their home. "Where are we supposed to be going?"

"I don't know the ultimate destination, for security reasons. But, Gilan, Colman and Arras will be your escorts to the one's that will take you to him," he motioned to the three acolytes.

"What's his name," Miriam was finding it difficult to control herself as the moments ticked by.

"I believe she said he was a master of the arts, much like herself. Master Celanon. He's apparently expecting you as we speak." He smiled politely, then turned and continued down the well lit hallway as Miriam followed, shocked at the news.

"How long ago did my grandmother tell you about these plans?"

"This morning."

The whole day had been in preparation of her departure, Miriam realized as she recalled her grandmother setting aside Miriam's chores and classes with her tutorial droids that morning. She still had a lot to learn about sensing avoidance and slight manipulations.

* * *

Soon, they boarded the frieghter as a sense of urgency had spurred ahead their departure time. Miriam jogged with her brothers and Tia in tow as their escorting trio stowed their gear and headed to the cockpit along with two others she didn't recognize. Strapping herself in, Miriam felt the rumbling repulsors ignite and soon lift them into the air, spin and rush from the hangar and up into the air. She could sense, to a degree, that they were hugging the terrain for some time, then suddenly the ship lurched into the air as the sublights kicked in and roared to life. Tia instinctively grabbed her hand and held it tightly as the jerking of turbulence eventually smoothed out and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Shortly afterwards, they felt shuddering and soon heard the hyperdrive erupt as the lights dimmed. They were away.