Chel's father had been a surveyor for a mining company trying to establish a station on an outlying moon in the Suarbi system. After a number of years, Chel's father fell in love with a local woman of the Jensaarai tradition. Joy and tragedy soon followed as the birth of their son, Chel was celebrated, Chel's father was fatally injured in an accident at the mining site.
Brought up within the Jensaarai tradition, Chel was found to have both a strong connection to the Force, but that he could access with an ease available only to a few. His tutor in the ways of the Force turned out to be Master Stannus, already in his 70s, very wise and learned. However, Chel's mother has reservations as Stannus had reputation of leaning quite a bit further than most in the direction of thier more darker Sith secrets. Nonetheless, young Chel took to Stannus' tuteleage and quickly mastered the most basic of exercises. Year after year followed , the older man testing and even sometime abusing the young protoge, seeking to temper the natural Force connection that the boy possessed.
Thus it came to pass one morning, Stannus, now 82 years, stood stooped and weary in his sanctum. Chel, now a young man of puissant Force power kneeling before him.
"There is much I would teach you, young Chel, had I the time. But, this physical form betrays me and I grow weaker every day. Thus, I've reached the decision to set you on your way and release you from your apprenticeship."
Chel's head came up in surprise at his master's words, a question on his lips, when his masters raised hand silenced him.
"There is but one last test, temper the blade, so to speak." Stannus hissed, his lightsaber igniting and flashing forward towards Chel, who's own blade came immediately to life to intercept.
As the blades met, sparks illuminated the dark room, highlighting the delighted grin on Chel's face and the englightened satisfaction on the master's gaunt visage.
"Excellent, Chel. But the test is not so simple." the old man said, flicking a finger. An enervating field enveloped Chel, freezing him in place, lightsaber held horizontally toward's his master's chest.
With a faint pop, Stannus' lightsaber was extinguished. "The Sith have a particular custom where the student will always slay the master after ammassing enought power to make the attempt. A fascinating act, a betrayal that is expected, nay even celebrated. We do not share this custom, despite it's somewhat poetic nature. Forgive, though , for borrowing something of its nature for what we do here today. "
Stepping in front of Chel's lightsaber, the old master advanced until the blade's point lay a hair's bredth from the skin and muscle above his heart. Chel tried in vain to pull back , but could not, his master's strength that much stronger than his.
"Fear not, I've left a note with the council of my intent with this little drama, you will not be held responsible." Stannus said softly, meeting Chel's gaze "I've taught you all I could , but I would instruct you one more time: Your father, though an outsider, was a learned man, strong with the Force, though he knew it not. He searched, for what he knew not, but the Force guided him. His notes, there on the table behind you, may give you insight into the man he was. It could be that it is your destiny to follow in his footsteps, perhaps not, that is for you to decide."
With that , the old man nodded to his now former student, and slowly walked forward onto Chel's blade. Such was the control and power of the Jensaarai master , that the stasis field holding Chel never wavered until the Master Stannus's eye dulled and his body slumped and slowly slid off of the impaling lightsaber; another lesson Chel thought wryly as he suddenly was free.
Standing over his master's body, he nodded his thanks and cleared his throat to clear the emotions roiling there.
Taking up his father's notes, he strode from the sanctum , never sparing a glance backward.
