Tales of Tenric's Training: VII

Part VII

A million things raced through Tenric’s head as he made for the clearing and the fishing log. What was the surprise? How would the lesson start? What would it be like? Would he do well? Would today be the day he remembered to keep his guard up after the low-end combination? His mind filled with such questions Tenric was unaware of the other’s presence until it was too late. Rounding a bend in the path he all but collided with his friend Dale.

“Hey! What the Hutt?” Dale blurted in surprise as Tenric almost ran him down. In order to avoid a collision both boys had jumped to one side and now stood on opposite sides of the path facing each other.

“Dale! Oh, man I’m sorry. I didn’t sen...hear you coming.”

“Where you off to in such a hurry? I was gonna stop by and see if your Gam’Ma was making those mornin’ cakes we like so much.”

“Uh, yeah, actually she did this morning.” Dale answered at a loss as to how to get out of what was coming. “If you hurry you can catch her before she clears everything up. She knows you love those cakes and will probably save a couple for you.”

“You think!” Dale responded excitedly. Then, eyeing Tenric suspiciously, he added; “You’re up to somethin’ Tenric, I can smell it.”

Tenric knew he’d have to give Dale a good answer for why he was racing through the forest this early in the morning. Though a few years older, Dale was his comrade-in-arms, which meant they usually got into trouble together. Reaching out with the Force Tenric added a slight nudge behind his reply, hoping it would be enough to get Dale to accept his answer and not push it. He knew if Dale wasn’t satisfied not even the Force could keep him from finding out what was going on.

“My uncle is waiting for me by the pond. He’s going to teach me how to make my own pole and line and then help me catch dinner. He says there is a huge Lurker-Fish in there waiting to be caught.” Tenric felt bad about lying to his friend and using the Force like this, but his Jedi training was a strict secret and had to remain so.

“Sounds like fun.” Dale responded in a non-committal tone; “Maybe I can join you…after I say good morning to your Gam’Ma.” He finished, obviously thinking more of the mornin’ cakes than the prospect of fishing. He wasn’t quite patient enough to enjoy it much.

“I’ll tell you all about it later.” Tenric called out as he started off again. Dale had bought the fishing reply and wouldn’t go near the pond ‘til at least lunchtime. That way he would hope to avoid all that waiting and teaching stuff and just get in on the catching.

“Sure thing!” Dale called out after Tenric. He turned and started off toward Tenric’s place hoping there were indeed a few ‘cakes left for him. Fishing was boring and he didn’t see the fun in learning how to make your own pole. Tenric seemed awfully excited about it too. For a moment Dale grew suspicious again, but the lingering Force-suggestion was just strong enough to make him decide to ask Tenric later…after all he was hungry and Gam’Ma would be clearing up real soon. His mind made up Dale trotted off thinking of butter and syrup and how to get the right combination of each…