Communique from Tolan, Dral, to Xard, Caira.

In light of the recent events, my family no longer feels safe living so near to your facilities, or those of your allies. In addition, we've been operating on certain assumptions lately, including the existing custodianship of Ertai Surool. Since Darn's passing, Celesi and I have been caring for the boy. This is as a continuation of our arrangement prior to Darn's death, in which Ertai, to receive a more balanced upbringing, was to be cared for by my wife, and allowed to play with our children.

Sadly, Ertai is also a student in your academy, and as such, has other obligations and special needs which I cannot provide. At the same time, he is but a child, and cannot be expected to lay in wait for the inevitable attack from our enemies.

Effective immediately, I am relocating my family, and by extension, Ertai, to the Pillar of Autumn, to be brought to an undisclosed location until such time as the Academy facilities are deemed safe by both your council and my family. The very idea of training children in broad daylight in these circumstances strikes me as unusually risky and unwise. While I'm sure that you disagree, this is a personal matter, and one that I must insist upon.

If you are able to propose a workable alternative, please let me know. While Tempus is not a student, and spends much of his time with me, Millie is quite attached to Kalita and some of the other students, and I feel that while this relocation plan is crucial to her physical safety, any attempts to mitigate the psychological effects would be most appreciated.

Respectfully yours,
Dral Tolan

Response from Caira

The Jedi respect the rights of parents of our students, as well as your wishes and feelings, Mr. Tolan.

You should know that Ertai approached me on his own and asked to be trained as a Jedi after hearing of Darn's death. Have you discussed this with him yet? I will respect the boy's wishes as well, and if the boy chooses to remain here than our authority over him will supercede yours. Should he choose to go with you than we will release him to your custody and trust you will raise him well and keep him safe.

Where will you go that the Sith will not find you I wonder? And what of the Bounty Hunters chasing you? Good luck, though I fear you are safest surrounded by the Rangers and the Jedi and you may be making an error.

Sincerely,
Caira Xard
Jedi Master of the Jedi Temple at Tatooine

Re: Response from Caira

I feel that your authority and mine clash somewhat equally here. In the end, I'm concerned with Ertai's best interests. If he makes a conscious decision to stay with you at the Academy, then he may stay. It is up to him in the end, as I have never, and never will, doubt your own capacity as a parent, regardless of my oft-vocal opinions of the Order as a whole. That is a different matter, and one that is best discussed separately.

As for where I will go that the Sith will not find me? There is no such place in this galaxy. We're both well aware of that. Daedon alone is an amazingly powerful threat. However, I know nothing these days that he isn't already aware of, or capable of getting through other sources. Bounty Hunters are admittedly a problem, but not one that I can't handle. I'm not helpless. Others have survived in the Galaxy without constant Jedi supervision and protection, and while I appreciate your concern, I feel it to be somewhat unwarranted. Essentially, my tactical value is strongly negated these days, and a small ship with two or three Force-Sensitive children is far less important to our enemies than your installation.

I still regret coming to this decision, but what choice do I have? What guarantee do I have that Daedon's fleet won't attack Tattooine next, and that my family will be atomized by the opening volley? I'll be the first to admit that I'm afraid, and that yes, I'm running in fear. However, more importantly, I'm hiding that which I hold most dear. It's my only option. I'm not a fighter. I'm not a warrior. While I plan on returning shortly, my wife and children will not.

Thank you,
Dral Tolan

I wish to point out one thing Mr. Tolan.

No one in written history has had the entirety of the Bounty Hunter's Guild after them on a personal vendetta before. I fear you may need Jedi protection more than anyone ever has before... and it might extend to your family. Bounty Hunters are not the most... honorable of sorts.

But the decision is yours.

- Caira

Pardon?

I settled my debts with them, and they settled their debts with me, most unfortunately, roughly ten years ago.

Is there something you'd like to tell me?

- Dral