For Jedha

10 BBY. Guardian Chirrut Îmwe travels through Jedha, hiding precious kyber from the Galactic Empire. Far, far away, Guardian Baze Malbus stays one step ahead of the Imperials offworld. A Star Wars story in pictures. Photography by @CheekyChirrut and @BrazenBaze

[guardiansofthewhills]

A week later, Chirrut received a special delivery, along with a holo message from Baze:

“I’m sorry to hear about the illness at the monastery, brother. You should see the flowers blooming now where I am! I’m sending some, so at least you can smell and touch them. I hope the spacer who delivers them doesn’t crush them, or I’ll crush him!” Baze’s deep voice boomed. “Hope the monks like the basket, but the bouquet of moon flowers -- that’s just for you.”

Chirrut found the moon flowers and inhaled deeply. He smiled as he walked back to his quarters, remembering tender secrets from better days.

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“This outpost is pretty lame,” Baze complained to Chirrut in a holovid. “There are no pilots anywhere...or the wrong kind!”

“I may be stranded on this planet for a while, brother.”

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Chirrut sat facing the holocam, recording a brief message for Baze. As he talked, he kneaded the dough in his lap while the monks prepared the ovens for the daily bread baking.

“There is a great sickness here on Jedha and the valley is impassable with snow.” He set the dough-ball aside and started on another. “I will stay here until the sickness and the weather break and help where I can. May the Force of others be with you, brother.”

He hoped Baze was having better luck locating artifacts of precious kyber elsewhere in the galaxy and keeping them out of Imperial hands.

[guardiansofthewhills]

While Chirrut kept a low profile on Jedha, working hard to hide what holy kyber he could from the Empire, Baze took a more direct approach off-planet. As the evening crowds began to gather outside an ancient Guardian temple, Baze reached out to a pilgrim shuffling past.

“What do you know of kyber crystals, ma’am?” He pressed gently. When she looked away, pulling her cloak tightly around her, he turned to an old master. “Sir, what do you know of kyber crystals?” The man sadly shook his head, but Baze wasn’t about to give up. He tried again and again until the crowd thinned out.

Finally, he exploded, incredulous. “Can’t anyone tell me a kriffin’ thing about kriffin’ kyber crystals!”

He sighed. Maybe he’d have better luck hiring a speeder tomorrow to take him to a legendary pond rumored to be lined with kyber.

[guardiansofthewhills]

“The kyber you seek,” the Jedi said, indicating the distant peak painted in orange by the brush of dawn, “is across the Valley of Shadows.” He lowered his hand with a soft chuckle. “Forgive me, my friend. With your strong connection to the Force, I forget you cannot see. The valley is far more vast than it seems. It will take you the better part of a season to reach the cave that lies hidden beneath the Hollow Mountain. It is a journey I do not recommend you undertake alone.”

Chirrut smiled. “In the Force, I am never alone.”

“That you are not.” The Jedi returned the smile. He glanced at the tortoise at Chirrut’s feet. “And you have a loyal travelling companion.”

“I do,” Chirrut agreed, but his smile faded. “Although the decay of winter gives me hope, I feel the icy chill of the Empire breathing down our necks.”

[guardiansofthewhills]

Outside the monastery, the night wind blew cold through the desert canyons, lifting fine sand off the mesas in long, flowing streamers. Chirrut moved closer to the fire pit.

“Wherever you are, my friend,” he said softly, hoping the Force would carry the traditional Guardian prayer to Baze, “tonight on this Festival of Lights, in darkness may you follow the light.”

He listened to a playback of Baze’s last message and chuckled to himself. “Plug it in, my friend! The light will always be with you!”

Tomorrow, Chirrut told himself, he would find a way to send a reply.

[guardiansofthewhills]

“The Imperials started tracking me the moment I left Jedha,” Baze said, holo-recording his journey for Chirrut. “Hiding out in the Festival of Lights on a lonely planet is easy. Figuring out how this thing works is the hard part....It was a gift from a merchant....What the kriff am I supposed to do with this?”

“Happy Holidays from deep within the stars!”

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“I do not understand, Master Jedi,” Chirrut said, chewing thoughtfully, “how the Force can will the rape of Jedha.”

“There are many realities in the universe,” the Jedi answered quietly, “some of them quite harsh. One reality that is inescapable is that there is nothing more valuable than a friend. More than food, more than shelter, and more than weaponry, an ally can save your life."

Chirrut smiled and inclined his head. “I do not doubt the Force has brought us together. May the Force will more friendly realities!”

[guardiansofthewhills]

At dawn, Chirrut and his travelling companion made their way to a dry seabed, where the morning mist made Jedha smell new. “Ripe domrai fruit!” Chirrut said, leading the way with his nose to an ancient stand of the crop. “Are you hungry, little brother?”

As the tortoise grazed, Chirrut felt a prickle through the Force. He froze but did not turn around. “You’re a Jedi,” he told the stranger as the bootfalls that swished softly through the sand drew nearer.

“There is no need to scavenge, my friends.” The stranger’s voice was low and gentle. “I have plenty food to share, water, and a place to rest away from prying eyes. All who are one with the Force are welcome here.”

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“I don't often see the Water Temple from a repulsor skiff. The view is bittersweet. It's beautiful, but I don't want to see it like this ... it means I'm leaving home. I don't know how long my journey will be, but it's already too long .... I know my duty, but my soul is here and here it will end. I shall return, Chirrut. May the Force will it.” -- Baze Malbus

[guardiansofthewhills]

“I’m Baze Malbus. While Chirrut’s looking after the Guardians’ most sacred relics on Jedha, there’s more across the galaxy that the Empire must not find...before I do...or there will be hell to pay! Leaving these holy places is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but they are in good hands.”

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“We did our best to get the fire going, but the Force did not will it. Perhaps a fire would only be a beacon for trouble tonight. Come, little brother, and find warmth with me.” -- Chirrut Îmwe

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“The Force is with us, my friend. We’ve found a good shelter, but we need more wood for the fire. It will be a cold night.”

“Thank you for bringing sticks for kindling....”

“Wait! Not THAT one!”  -- Chirrut Îmwe

[guardiansofthewhills]

“Every difficult climb deserves a rest. Come, sit with me, little one.”

An hour later...

“Ah! You are a tortoise! Now I understand your silence -- you have no words but a heart as strong as kyber. I’m happy to meet you, little brother.” --  Chirrut Îmwe

[guardiansofthewhills]

“To travel well, one must have no fixed plans and no intention of arriving. It is the journey, not the destination, that is important....I sense the clouds are drifting away. We may have a fine evening yet.” -- Chirrut Îmwe

[guardiansofthewhills]

“You have followed me a long way, little one. Will you not speak to me, tell me your name?...I’m glad you’re with me on this journey. I sense you love Jedha and fear the Empire as much as I do.” -- Chirrut Îmwe

[guardiansofthewhills]

“The River ShenSheng. It was here that the Jedi Revan spoke to a crowd of 10,000 about the balance between the dark and the light -- how each is a part of the other. My Guardian ancestors were responsible for maintaining order that day....You can still feel his spirit at the water’s edge....We should cross before it gets dark.” -- Chirrut Îmwe