For the moment, Bell was doing everything in his power not to be on edge. He needed to remain calm, steady, and focused for the work to come.

So obviously the best thing to do was to swing a lightsaber around.

“Ungh!” He stumbled backward from the might of Burryaga’s blow. Sparring with a Wookiee took full concentration and considerable strength. Bell had the first in hand, but he was increasingly unsure of the second.

Burryaga whined inquisitively, cocking his head. Did Bell need to take a break?

“You wish.” Bell grinned, and leapt into the air.

His velocity took him sharply upward, heels over head, pinwheeling above Burryaga—only for an instant, but enough for him to possess, for one second, the advantage of height. Their blades clashed in a burst of light…

…which was when Burryaga twisted to the side, angling himself perfectly to throw Bell off and send him crashing down. Bell managed not to belly flop—he got his feet under him in the nick of time—but it was hardly a dignified landing.

Burryaga’s chuckle made Bell shake his head and deactivate his lightsaber. “Master Loden always said it was a fool who either fought angry or fought a Wookiee.”

Self-effacing Burryaga claimed he’d hit a lucky strike, but they both knew better. Bell appreciated it anyway.


Star Wars The High Republic The Fallen Star Chapter 5