Timeline

29 122 Venna 22th Jerrid's arrival at Othala (tavern)
29 128 Gwion 02th Jerrid's arrival at Monsegor (a curious letter)
29 152 Rayda 02th Jerrid visits McBlein (a small visit)
29 153 Rayda 03th Jerrid pledges allegiance to the House of McGreggor (the chest)

True Teachings

Jerrid wanted to ask why Wallace should inquire of such a thing. Was it not the true faith of the people here? Or... had they lost or abandoned the faith? Without faith, how could they control the Dragon Fire and rise above it? Jerrid decide to refrain from asking, as it was apparent that Wallace wanted to retire early for the evening.

Jerrid would do as Wallace asked. He would meditate... sleep. Sleep would allow him to awaken with a clear mind in the morning. This must be what Wallace meant. As both men agreed to meet and discuss matters in the morning, they retired for the evening.

The young Zarkan stayed up a few more hours. He had the "True Teachings' on his mind. He was partially reciting them with his heart. He unknowingly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep... ...To dream... Once more... young children playing a favorite game... Dragon and Knight... Dreams of valor... dreams of virtue... dreams of honor..

At the first rays of sunlight that touched his chambers, Jerrid awoke. His mind was clear and open. He lay there motionless, following the movement of light creeping along the wall. He stayed in this state, hearing every small minute sounds around him. His trance was broken upon hearing the footsteps, then heartbeat and finally, the water in the pitcher moving around. A servant girl was making her way across the courtyard to his chamber...

An hour later Jerrid was all washed up and dressed. He made his way out to the central courtyard and started walking amongst the ould statues of Lords past. Funny... two had almost the likeness of the ones in his own father’s courtyards. Yes... many people here looked like his own on Kilia 4. A small smile came to his face... He realized his own people were misplaced Othalans' also. A thousand years had passed since they were uprooted. Jerrid had thought nothing less then himself a Kilian.

Yes... He did feel Sheia welcoming and embracing him upon his arrival on Othala. Sheia here, was the same mother. Somehow, she was in two worlds at the same time.

He heard Wallace getting up... Jerrid snapped out of it! This state he had elapsed into (staring at the statue), had creeped up on him. Nearly another hour passed and Wallace finally made his way down and into the courtyard. The older man looked refreshed and his state seemed to be of open mind. He had a smile on his face. “So… it was thee, that beckoned me to awake… little brother”, jested Wallace. But with the last two words, it could of seemed he just as well have slapped the young man hard in the face. The way Jerrid had jerked in surprise made Wallace take notice. “Hmm… Still jumpy from yesterday, I see”, observed Wallace out loud.

Although the Othalan knew it could not be so, maybe in due time he’d know. After all, he had decided not to go about asking Jerrid more about his upbringing like an interrogation. He had something better planned. “Come. It’s been a while since I found the time to walk the grounds here… And we can talk more of your home.” As he smiled on Jerrid.

And so it started with a walk and talk. This led them out of the courtyard and on to the fields and grounds around Monsegor. Wallace it seemed, enjoyed this trek… As it had been a long while since he had done so… As Jerrid revealed the old beliefs, it brought a familiar feeling within Wallace. Yes… he had recently felt there was more to him than just a Dark side. It seemed as Jerrid explained, the power to resist the force or rather “The Dragon Fire”, does make one more complete.

The morning wore on to early afternoon and both men found themselves at the foot of an old stone outlook. It was still manned, out of tradition… more than necessity. They quenched their thirst and got a small bite to eat and carried their talk back out onto the hills again. The day was a good one and it was welcomed and also overdue for Wallace. He now realized how beautiful his countryside really was.

It was also apparent that his ould ways weren’t as ould as he thought. Jerrids' world had been frozen in time so to speak. His people had been isolated and not slowly corrupted by the Republic/Jedi government. Yes… Jerrids people. They were Othalans by origin and blood.

The afternoon wore into the evening and Wallace had realized why Jerrid believed in what he did. He surmised that the force was very strong in Jerrid. Just this lad had no use or desire to be a slave to it. Jerrid felt stronger standing on his own two feet than relying on the force, or “Dragon Fire” as a crutch.

Fascinating… These were his exact feelings, but just could not put it in words as ancient as Jerrid spoke of. Yes… He too was always fighting hisself to obstain from using the force to do what he knew his own spirit could do. He did feel more pride and strength when he resisted and accomplished tasks and challenges without the force. It was all too easy and weak of him to fall back on it. He never truly felt like himself when he used it. It seemed… some other spirits…wanted to take over when doing so. They wanted to control his actions… more for their own self-preservations. “The Midiclorrians, overriding my own thoughts… controlling me?’ were now the thoughts running through Wallace. 'It does feel like a disease… a curse.”

A few hours after the sun had set, they were finally back at the gates of Monsegor once more. The day and outing had been long, but neither men were tired and a good full meal and drink were awaiting them at the dinning hall. Throughout dinner, their talks continued. Listening to Jerrid it was apparently revealed that a lot of the oulder beliefs on Othala, were somehow modernized.

Now Wallace understood all too well. Jerrids' base and mentor had been his father, but what puzzled him was why did he start his training a 12 years of age? This question he did not peruse, as it seemed to be a personal family matter. So… Jerrid received training and discipline for aprox five years. Then traveled the galaxy for another two. Wallace would get to the travels some other time. He sort of knew why Jerrid may of done this, as he himself had taken a seven year leave of his home.

Of course this lad had never engaged in real combat. But his spirit was true and his heart was in the right place. This Zarkan would fight the enemy at whatever cost to preserve his people’s true freedom. Jerrid had no trace of any Jedi influence in his ways and this too would prove very useful. He could tell the difference between the true faith and the Jedi corruption within the layers of the more modern influenced versions.

“Thank you Jerrid’, Wallace spoke before they once more retired. He’d have to meditate and write all this down. “Wonder what the ould Earl would think?” thought Wallace. “He just may know all this anyway…” “Sharpen his blade”, recalled Wallace. That he would… “Jerrids' blade will cut deep… into the enemies heart!”

Jerrid Syn