Niil listened to the conversation between Collan and Ch'lana with interest, although he kept quiet through it all. Mostly out of manners, but a part of him was still recalling Ch'lana's warning that he didn't want to see or hear from Niil for at least two hours. He fought back a smile; well, Ch'lana didn't tell him to get the hell out of the lounge, so he supposed that was a good sign. Still, there was no sense in pushing it, was there?
And it also served to leave Niil alone with his own thoughts for awhile. Despite all that had happened in the past two days, he felt an odd sort of calm about him. Or was it shock insulating him from what happened? No . . . no, that wave of peace and hope that had washed over him just as they jumped into hyperspace triggered something. Or perhaps brought something back? The time that he'd spent one-on-one with Master Dhoresh had been far too short, but the man had shared his philosophical outlook on life with Niil, and it had been enlightening and fascinating. It was also, in effect, a meditative technique that often helped to put a great many things into perspective. Nill was chagrined that he'd let so much of that slip while on Karvis III.
Karvis. Yes, that needed to be put into perspective. Would returning to Karvis at this time do any good for the resistance or the royal family? No. Word would get around quickly enough of what happened, and the resistance cell in the south would hopefully have the presence of mind to make themselves scarce. Searching for the royals - if they still lived - would likely draw attention, and would probably do more harm than good. No, the hornet's nest was still buzzing madly on Karvis, and returning now would be stupid. Suicidal. More importantly, it might make matters worse. Perhaps one day he could return to help, but not now. Patience was called for.
Niil smiled faintly. The feeling of peace that hit him before they had jumped to hyperspace left him believing that they were on a path that led to hope. Collan had probably felt the same thing, too. Did it come from Demaia, or the Force itself? Was there any distinction? And what was it that Master Dhoresh had said to him once? "Jedi don't believe in coincidences, Niil. We trust in the will of the Force and accept the fact that nothing happens by accident. We believe in destiny, and that there is some method to what happens in the universe. Things happen when they are meant to happen; there is perfection; nothing happens by accident." Was it coincidence that Niil and Collan just happened to encounter both Ch'lana and Demaia on that prison ship mission? No, a "pure coincidence" didn't hold water with Niil.
And it was no accident that compelled Niil to go looking for Ch'lana. He had asked Demaia about the man on his own initiative. Of this he was certain, despite Ch'lana's apparent dislike of the woman and her "meddling". There were many options that Niil could've taken, but he went with his intuition, his feeling. And now that feeling was showing him another path.
Niil's face had a ghost of a smile on it as he looked at one of the ship's chronometers. He still had an hour to go until his period of silence ended. After that, he'd seek Ch'lana out. Hopefully the Jedi would be willing to accept another student. And perhaps, in the process, Ch'lana in turn could learn from Niil, Collan and Nightshade.
