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The Books of Oyja I: The Tenju
Chapter 7 Becoming a Learner

My left leg had healed much from the time of the Acklays. The Tenju that were gathered here didn’t much care for any part of my body. They were mad about my killing Padawan Kino. I had tried to explain to them that I was defending my life, but they would have none of it. They valued Kino’s life above mine.

Kuhn Tenju, Kino’s master, was staring hard at me. His black hair seemed to add to the dangerous look he was wearing. Jake Tenju, the Wookie who had taken my crystal out, was watching me intently. A male Wookie looking at you isn’t a very calming sight. Liem Tenju, a weapons maker who was a Yuuzhan Vong, was there in the hopes that he could free me. Iam Tenju; he was the communicator who was a Chadra-Fan, did not seem interested. They all surrounded me, making me feel as if I didn’t have a right to even breathe.

“Slave Oyja,” Iam Tenju said. “You have murdered a Padawan, making you exceed your position as Slave.”

“Tenju,” I replied. “I was defending my life. Padawan Kino had betrayed me and I had no choice.”

“You should’ve died!” Kuhn screamed. “You should’ve died under Kino!”

“I don’t see any logic in dying for someone that was trying to kill me. Letting her go lame was not an option. My death by her hands would have come eventually.” I replied calmly.

“We still have another area to discuss.” Jake Tenju said. “I know you couldn’t have made the weapons you used. They are too advanced for you. A Padawan couldn’t have made them. Who did you buy them from?”

I realized my answer could harm Liem, a Tenju who had become a dear friend of mine. Tell who did it and I would have one less ally. “I bought them from a weapons maker.” I replied.

“We know that!” Iam replied angrily. “Who was the dealer?”

Liem glanced at me, his skull-like face piercing into me. A Vong was a very dreadful character to look at. I wanted to tell the Tenju, but feared the loss of Liem Tenju. “She wishes not to tell, Tenju, let it rest.” Liem said.

“Liem,” Jake asked. “You are hiding something?”

“No,” Liem replied. “I am merely trying to state that you might destroy a dealer’s reputation.”

“This is the death of a Padawan not any old Slave! A Padawan!”

“But doesn’t it seem that Kino might have not been great, being defeated by a mere Slave?” Liem said and they all listened closely. Kuhn was the only one that didn’t look interested. “Kino might have been nothing but a test, Master Tenju has been known to do that. Kuhn, have not you yourself stated her strength.”

“I admit to Oyja’s strength,” Kuhn said unwillingly. “But she isn’t allowed to step over the border between Slave and Padawan. Stepping over that border is a crime.”

“Slave Oyja, leave this room.” Iam said and I did so. They would make a final decision as to what became of me. It left me with some fear as I limped out.

The waiting room was a fine dedication to art but my feelings of my situation blurred it. I sat on a chair and waited. Since arriving in Tenju Hell I didn’t feel like I fitted in. My independent streak that had helped me before had come back to haunt me. Such strength betraying you shouldn’t be allowed to happen. What had happened to me had been the entire definition of a tragedy.

The room was quiet and no sound was to be heard. A painting of a rancor eating another creature showed on the wall. The carpet was pure gold and the floor was silver. There were many spells protecting this place of decision. The room would not allow me to leave, that I knew.

Hours of waiting finally paid off as I went into the other room. Kuhn looked disappointed and said, “I hand you over to Liem Tenju.”

Liem beamed and replied, “If you would, Oyja, I would like to take you on as a Padawan.” I was speechless, it was an honor. “Defeating a Padawan while being a Slave isn’t most people can boast about.”

“Yes, I would be honored, Liem Tenju.” I bowed and I felt my life was going to change.

The pound reflected a red sunlight. It was my first full day as a Padawan. Liem Tenju had been good to me, giving me a bedroom that reflected the natural world. Pictures of flora and fauna adorned my room. It was a very calming sight.

Liem walked toward the pound with a black cloak and a sword, I bowed down to him. “You have started on a long journey. Long but one that will pay off in the end. You are to learn to become one with time and space. The encounter with the Acklays was just a test. Master Tenju wishes you to become a Tenju.”

I dearly hoped Liem was telling the truth. Liem had skinny arms and legs. The worst part was his skull-like face. It seemed hollow and empty. “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

Liem smiled and said, “I want you to become a Tenju.”

*deleted*Author's Note: *end deletion*

Description
The Books of Oyja I: The Tenju
Chapter 7 Becoming a Learner

My left leg had healed much from the time of the Acklays. The Tenju that were gathered here didn’t much care for any part of my body. They were mad about my killing Padawan Kino. I had tried to explain to them that I was defending my life, but they would have none of it. They valued Kino’s life above mine.

Kuhn Tenju, Kino’s master, was staring hard at me. His black hair seemed to add to the dangerous look he was wearing. Jake Tenju, the Wookie who had taken my crystal out, was watching me intently. A male Wookie looking at you isn’t a very calming sight. Liem Tenju, a weapons maker who was a Yuuzhan Vong, was there in the hopes that he could free me. Iam Tenju; he was the communicator who was a Chadra-Fan, did not seem interested. They all surrounded me, making me feel as if I didn’t have a right to even breathe.

“Slave Oyja,” Iam Tenju said. “You have murdered a Padawan, making you exceed your position as Slave.”

“Tenju,” I replied. “I was defending my life. Padawan Kino had betrayed me and I had no choice.”

“You should’ve died!” Kuhn screamed. “You should’ve died under Kino!”

“I don’t see any logic in dying for someone that was trying to kill me. Letting her go lame was not an option. My death by her hands would have come eventually.” I replied calmly.

“We still have another area to discuss.” Jake Tenju said. “I know you couldn’t have made the weapons you used. They are too advanced for you. A Padawan couldn’t have made them. Who did you buy them from?”

I realized my answer could harm Liem, a Tenju who had become a dear friend of mine. Tell who did it and I would have one less ally. “I bought them from a weapons maker.” I replied.

“We know that!” Iam replied angrily. “Who was the dealer?”

Liem glanced at me, his skull-like face piercing into me. A Vong was a very dreadful character to look at. I wanted to tell the Tenju, but feared the loss of Liem Tenju. “She wishes not to tell, Tenju, let it rest.” Liem said.

“Liem,” Jake asked. “You are hiding something?”

“No,” Liem replied. “I am merely trying to state that you might destroy a dealer’s reputation.”

“This is the death of a Padawan not any old Slave! A Padawan!”

“But doesn’t it seem that Kino might have not been great, being defeated by a mere Slave?” Liem said and they all listened closely. Kuhn was the only one that didn’t look interested. “Kino might have been nothing but a test, Master Tenju has been known to do that. Kuhn, have not you yourself stated her strength.”

“I admit to Oyja’s strength,” Kuhn said unwillingly. “But she isn’t allowed to step over the border between Slave and Padawan. Stepping over that border is a crime.”

“Slave Oyja, leave this room.” Iam said and I did so. They would make a final decision as to what became of me. It left me with some fear as I limped out.

The waiting room was a fine dedication to art but my feelings of my situation blurred it. I sat on a chair and waited. Since arriving in Tenju Hell I didn’t feel like I fitted in. My independent streak that had helped me before had come back to haunt me. Such strength betraying you shouldn’t be allowed to happen. What had happened to me had been the entire definition of a tragedy.

The room was quiet and no sound was to be heard. A painting of a rancor eating another creature showed on the wall. The carpet was pure gold and the floor was silver. There were many spells protecting this place of decision. The room would not allow me to leave, that I knew.

Hours of waiting finally paid off as I went into the other room. Kuhn looked disappointed and said, “I hand you over to Liem Tenju.”

Liem beamed and replied, “If you would, Oyja, I would like to take you on as a Padawan.” I was speechless, it was an honor. “Defeating a Padawan while being a Slave isn’t most people can boast about.”

“Yes, I would be honored, Liem Tenju.” I bowed and I felt my life was going to change.

The pound reflected a red sunlight. It was my first full day as a Padawan. Liem Tenju had been good to me, giving me a bedroom that reflected the natural world. Pictures of flora and fauna adorned my room. It was a very calming sight.

Liem walked toward the pound with a black cloak and a sword, I bowed down to him. “You have started on a long journey. Long but one that will pay off in the end. You are to learn to become one with time and space. The encounter with the Acklays was just a test. Master Tenju wishes you to become a Tenju.”

I dearly hoped Liem was telling the truth. Liem had skinny arms and legs. The worst part was his skull-like face. It seemed hollow and empty. “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

Liem smiled and said, “I want you to become a Tenju.”

*deleted*Author's Note: *end deletion*