The meditative stance had not done much good for Lun Whent in years; he adopted it these days merely as a tradition, a formality when sitting with members of the Order.  Even in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, calming though it was, surrounded by peaceful and beautiful foliage and company alike, he found it hard to attain anything approaching the "oneness" that his master spoke of, that feeling of entering the Force's flow that had seemed so easy in the early years of his apprenticeship.  Instead, he felt mostly the same as he always did: his emotions dulled by years of control, his thoughts proceeding rationally rather than instinctively, and of late, feeling a near-constant desire to put his skills to the task of doing good.  So, when Master S'Jet searchingly asked them for the will of the Force, he could not keep a minute quirk from his lips, whether of bitterness or genuine amusement he could not say.  This circle of young Jedi hopefuls was unlikely to produce such a nebulous answer.  Still, he felt grateful to be in like-minded company, to be given the chance to voice his own opinion and have it given weight, unlike his own master Bartarius' peremptory admonitions of trust in the Council.<br/><br/>Shifting slightly as Jaidam, one of Master S'Jet's padawans, spoke his mind, Lun could not help agreeing in his heart, which lent his next words a somewhat unsure tone.  "We are all veterans of missions, and likely of combat as well," he began, looking from one padawan to the next questioningly in case he was incorrect, "and the Republic needs us, but perhaps the High Council has some design we cannot see?"  His sparsely haired green brow furrowed.  "Some vision that ... justifies sitting out, though I can hardly imagine one."