[Legacy Of The Force] - 03(12)

“I have a Master,” Ben retorted. “Jacen is training me-and he’ll protect me from Lumiya, too.”

Luke shook his head. “Jacen can’t protect you all the time, and he’s not training you. I’ve sparred Rontos who are better.”

Despite the affront-Rontos were eight-to ten-year-old academy students-Ben remained surprisingly calm. “I’m not sure I believe that. I’m pretty sure I’m better than any kid who’s still working with a training prod.”

“Then prove it,” Luke said. “You don’t even have to make me ignite my lightsaber. Just make me move my feet.”

Ben scowled, obviously suspicious. “Dad, come on. Wi both know…”

“Do it!” Luke ordered. “If Jacen is training you so well, prove it. Just make me move one foot.”

Ben furrowed his brow but slipped into a fighting stance and began to circle behind Luke.

Luke closed his eyes and concentrated on the drone of the lightsaber, all the time tracking Ben’s presence through the Force, waiting for the telltale flicker of resolve that would mean his son was attacking. It did not come until Ben was directly behind him, where Luke would bt forced to pivot to see the attack.

But Luke didn’t need to see. He merely listened until tru. drone of the lightsaber began to change pitch, then raised his free hand and made a grasping motion, grabbing thi hilt of Ben’s weapon through the Force and holding it mo tionless two meters away.

Ben grunted in surprise, but he was both resourcefu and quick. Luke heard the lightsaber deactivate as the hit was released, then felt his son flying toward the center o his back. He dropped his own lightsaber and turned hi weapon hand toward the floor, rooting himself to tru

Force. Ben struck an instant later, kicking out with both feet in an attempt to send Luke flying.

Luke did not budge, and Ben hit the floor with another loud thump.

“Rodder!”

Luke remained motionless, but he opened his eyes and summoned Ben’s lightsaber into his grasp. “Does that mean you give up?”

“Not…yet.”

Luke sensed another flicker of excitement in the Force, then glanced over his shoulder to see Ben summoning the lightsaber Luke had dropped just a moment earlier.

When it arrived, Ben hefted its weight a couple of times, then scowled and opened the base.

Nothing came out.

Ben turned to Luke in astonishment. “You couldn’t activate the blade!” he complained. “There’s no power cell!”

“No, there isn’t.” Luke turned to face his son full-on. “A Jedi’s greatest weapon is his mind.”

Ben’s face grew red. “So I’ve heard.” He rose and handed Luke’s lightsaber to him. “Thanks for rubbing my nose in it.”

Luke returned Ben’s weapon to him. “That’s not what I was doing.”

“I know what you were doing, Dad. You had to test me.” Ben returned the lightsaber to his utility belt, then added, “But I’m not going dark. Anger has no control over me-and neither does fear.”

Luke nodded. “I can see that, Ben. I still want you to take a proper Master.”

“Then make Jacen a Master,” Ben replied. “He knows more about the Force than anybody.”

“That’s not going to happen, Ben,” Luke said.

Ben considered this a moment, then spoke in a resigned voice. “I guess that’s your decision, Dad. You’re the Grand Master.” He started to gather up his sparring armor, “I’ve got to get going-we’ve got a raid at twenty hundred.”

“Ben, I wish you…”

“I have to, Dad. They’re counting on me.” Ben stood and started toward the door, then suddenly stopped and faced Luke. “But I could use some more sparring, if you’ve got the time.”

“Sure.” Luke was as surprised by the peace offering as he was delighted. “I’d like that, a lot.”

“Me, too.” Ben turned away, then called over his shoulder, “But you’d better bring a power cell. Next time, I won’t go so easy on you.”

Mara entered the Sparring Arena to find Luke kneeling in the center of the floor, staring at the hole Ben had made, but not really examining it. She could sense that he was more worried than ever, though whether it was about Ben’s training or something else, she could not tell.

“Does it really bother you that much?” she asked.

Luke furrowed his brow. “What?”

“Ben passing your test,” she said. “Whatever he’s learn ing from Jacen, it’s not turning him to the dark side. didn’t feel any anger in him.”

“Neither did I.” Luke’s gaze grew distant and thoughtful. “He was almost too calm.”