“We’re not ignoring legends,” Orla interjected. Her eyes met Master Cohmac’s, as if they were in on some kind of secret that apprentices were not yet senior enough to know. Reath might’ve thought it was a shared joke, if Master Cohmac had smiled.

Best to simply keep going. “So,” Reath continued, “it looks like the statues were placed on this station some centuries after it was first built. Our best guess is that those statues are of the first type—Force containers. If so, they were put here specifically to contain the dark side. Somehow darkness took hold here; maybe that’s why the Amaxine station was abandoned to begin with. Or maybe it was abandoned first, so people thought this would be a safe place for the idols. Whatever powers the statues are meant to contain, they keep it in check—mostly. Not completely. Which is why most of us have had those weird visions.”

Orla nodded. “Makes sense to me. The Force has been warning us to deal with this or else. What are our next steps?”

Master Cohmac finally spoke. “The statues should be removed from this station. If their containment is failing, then the darkness they hold could break free at any time. Since it looks like this station is already in use by smugglers from time to time”—he nodded toward Affie, who for some reason winced—“that could prove extremely dangerous.”

Leox raised his hand. “How do we keep it from being extremely dangerous to us, is my question.”

“A binding exercise,” said Master Cohmac. “The three of us should be able to summon the necessary power. I’ll teach those who need to learn the ritual’s particulars.”

“I already know it.” Reath could hardly contain his delight. Always going for extra credit had paid off again. “It came up during one of my past projects.”

Master Cohmac put one hand on his shoulder. “Then you already comprehend how dangerous it is. Your bravery is an example to us all.”

The risks, which had previously been theoretical, stood out more sharply to Reath. But he didn’t quail. Learning was most powerful when it was made real. He was ready.

After Reath’s briefing, Orla was finally able to catch a moment alone with Cohmac.

“What’s wrong with you?” The question was half concern, half exasperation. “It’s one thing to be moody, another to turn your duties over to an apprentice who isn’t even your own. Losing Dez is tragic and difficult, but you barely knew him—or is there a connection there I’m unaware of?”