I turned one year old.
By then, I could move around the house without much trouble.
Most of my time was spent playing with Fen’rar, who never let me out of his sight.
My caretaker had been personally chosen by my mother.
Her name was Alia, and she took care of feeding me and attending to all my needs.
I won’t lie…
I was definitely going to miss this level of comfort when I grew older.
In the meantime, I continued deepening my connection to the Force.
I wasn’t trying to move objects or perform anything spectacular.
Instead, I focused on expanding my perception and sensing the world around me.
Something similar to Observation Haki from One Piece…
If I could develop it, that is.
It wouldn’t be easy.
But I had time.
A lot of time.
One day, bored of being confined indoors, I decided to escape and explore the clan.
Of course, the first challenge was getting past Alia’s watchful eyes…
And the giant wolf.
Alia was easy enough to fool.
A carefully planned distraction did the trick.
Fen’rar, however…
That bastard was already waiting for me outside the house.
I sighed.
If he was going to follow me anyway, he might as well be useful.
I climbed onto his back.
He didn’t seem particularly pleased by the idea, but neither did he try to throw me off.
With my short legs, traveling on foot would have been painfully slow.
Though I physically looked closer to a three-year-old child, riding him was still far more practical.
It wasn’t long before I heard the sounds of impacts, shouts, and barked commands.
I pointed toward the source, and Fen’rar moved with surprising stealth.
Despite his massive size, he was remarkably agile.
We climbed a rocky ledge and concealed ourselves behind a tree to observe.
A group of children and teenagers were training with spears.
Some practiced intricate stances while others sparred fiercely against one another.
All of them were supervised by a warrior with an imposing presence.
She wore a beskar helmet and dark armor accented with silver details.
Her bearing was firm and authoritative.
I didn’t need to see her face to know that nobody dared disobey her.
I was fascinated.
Everyone used spears.
I liked that kind of weapon.
Unlike swords or lightsabers, a spear offered greater reach and versatility.
I watched every movement with eager attention.
I couldn’t wait to train like that myself.
Then—
“Hssss…”
Damn wolf.
Fen’rar apparently decided it was the perfect moment to mark his territory…
On the very tree that was hiding us.
I tried smacking his side to make him stop.
Too late.
“And who do we have here… if it isn’t the little patriarch?”
The voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
A chill ran down my spine.
A memory surfaced in my mind.
The last time I had attempted to sneak out, I had run into my mother at the front gate.
I could still remember those blue eyes.
Cold as a glacier.
Ever since then, Fen’rar had practically become my personal jailer.
Slowly, I turned around.
There stood the warrior.
I tried blaming the wolf with my eyes…
But the traitor had already vanished.
Unbelievable.
“Come along,” she said casually.
She lifted me with ease and started walking.
Before leaving, she issued a brief command for the training session to continue.
A gray-furred she-wolf followed silently behind her.
When we arrived home, I found Alia pale-faced and desperately searching for me.
For a brief moment, I thought I might still escape punishment.
Then I heard:
“Lady Fela, thank you for finding the young master. Your sister would be quite upset if I failed to bring him back.”
I froze.
Fela.
My mother’s sister.
Perfect.
Now I was truly doomed.
“What’s wrong, little one?” Fela asked teasingly.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of your mother.”
She removed her helmet.
She was beautiful, though clearly hardened by years of battle.
A moon-shaped scar crossed the right side of her face, giving her an almost mythical, heroic appearance.
I seized my final chance.
“Auntie… couldn’t you tell Mom I was at the training grounds? I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
I put on my most innocent expression.
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
“And why should I keep quiet, you little rascal? It doesn’t seem like this is your first escape attempt.”
I sighed dramatically.
“I just wanted to see the clan. I’m tired of being stuck inside. I want to learn about our customs… our people.”
Fela studied me silently.
Then she leaned forward until her forehead touched mine.
“You’re just like your father,” she said quietly.
“Always chasing whatever catches your interest. Always exploring.”
She straightened up.
“We’ll let it slide this time. Right, Alia?”
“Y-Yes, my lady,” the caretaker answered immediately.
Before leaving, Fela bent down and whispered:
“Next time… don’t get caught.”
Then she walked away with her wolf.
I remained silent for several seconds.
Fen’rar appeared shortly afterward as if nothing had happened.
I stared at him suspiciously.
One day, I’ll make you pay for this betrayal, you oversized mutt.
From that day forward, I perfected my escape attempts.
My Force-enhanced perception had improved considerably.
I could anticipate movements, avoid adults, and disappear before anyone could catch me.
I explored the training grounds.
I visited the farms where vegetables and livestock were raised.
I wandered into the forge and watched the smiths shape metal with fire and hammer.
Every corner of the clan gradually became my territory.
Only two places remained undiscovered:
The wolves’ den—whose location still eluded me.
And the starship hangar.
I smiled.
Perhaps that would become an adventure…
For when I was a little older.