[Junior Jedi Knights] - 01(14)

“Well, at least we’re not rafting in a storm like we do in the dream,” Anakin said as he began to paddle.

Tahiri sat in the front of the raft staring down at the water. This place is amazing, she thought. Enormous Massassi trees hung down over the river, their branches arching. The sunlight danced off the clear green water. The only thing that keeps this afternoon from being perfect is Artoo, Tahiri thought. Since they had begun rafting he hadn’t stopped whistling and beeping.

“Can’t you make him be quiet?” Tahiri asked Anakin.

“He must have something on his mind, because he hasn’t stopped whistling for ten minutes,” Anakin replied.

“I wish I’d had more time to figure out a way to understand him.” Tahiri turned back to face the droid. She was going to make Artoo be quiet, even if she had to disconnect his speaker. But when Tahiri turned around she couldn’t say a word. She was too shocked by what she saw.

“Ah, Anakin, I t-t-think we m-might have a problem,” Tahiri finally managed to say.

“What’s that?” Anakin asked as he paddled. “I think Artoo has been trying to tell us to look behind the raft,” Tahiri replied.

Anakin turned quickly. The sky of Yavin 4 had become black. Large purple storm clouds rolled across it. In a flash the sun was covered and Yavin 4 grew cold and dark. The wind rose, tearing over the river.

“What’s going on?” Tahiri yelled to Anakin above the roar of the wind.

“I’m not sure, but I think this might be ‘one of the terrible storms Uncle Luke told me about when I got to Yavin 4. He said that every few months strong winds and rains tear across the moon,”

Anakin told Tahiri. He didn’t tell her that his uncle had also said that perhaps the only safe place to be during the storms was the Great Temple. Tahiri’s sea green eyes grew dark, just like the water of the river. She saw the waves begin to form.

“This is going to be just like my dream,” she said in dread. “Only this time I might really drown.”

“Don’t think that way, Tahiri,” Anakin commanded. “Just hang on. I’ll try to paddle us to land.”

Tahiri gripped the side of the raft. The water was now crashing over them in giant waves. The raft tipped dangerously to one side. Tahiri’s blonde hair whipped around her face. For a moment she couldn’t see. Artoo beeped loudly behind her. Then a gigantic wave hit her and she toppled backward. She couldn’t see anything as she tumbled. Then she was in the water. It was bitterly cold. Every time she tried to gasp for breath another wave struck her. Tahiri felt herself beginning to drown.

Help me, Anakin, she screamed in her mind. But all she could see was water. And all she could hear were her own cries.

“Grab the paddle, Tahiri!” Anakin screamed above the storm. He could barely see his friend in the tumbling waves. Her orange jumpsuit flashed between the rolls of water. He watched as Tahiri struggled toward him, her arms thrashing wildly.

“I can’t reach the paddle!” she cried.

“Try again,” Anakin yelled.

Tahiri tried, but was once more swept beneath a wave. She was running out of strength. Anakin didn’t know what to do. He had power in his arms, but that couldn’t help his friend.

“There are all different kinds of power,” a strange voice spoke inside Anakin’s head.

“What does that mean?” Anakin screamed into the wind. There was no answer. He turned toward Tahiri. “Try again,” he called. But this time his voice wasn’t a scream-it was a command, a command said with the power of the Force. Anakin knew that some Jedi Masters could use their voices to control people. Could it be that he also had that ability? He watched as Tahiri thrashed toward the paddle he was holding out to her. She seemed stronger than before, but Anakin wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold herself above the water. He closed his eyes and focused on Tahiri’s body, just as he had focused on the two-kilogram weight that he and Tahiri had lifted in class. Be light, he commanded. Anakin opened his eyes and saw that Tahiri’s head and shoulders were now above the water. Before another wave could sweep Tahiri away, she grasped the paddle.

“Hang on,” Anakin instructed. He leaned over to pull his friend toward him. A large wave hit the side of the raft. Anakin lost his balance and began to fall into the river. For a brief flash his eyes met Tahiri’s. They were filled with fear. If Anakin fell into the river they might both drown. Anakin knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on making Tahiri light or giving her strength if he had to focus on keeping himself afloat. Anakin watched the wild river dance before his eyes. He knew he was about to plunge into the cold water. He could feel his body falling out of the raft.