"Anakin, of course you're disappointed," Obi-Wan said. "It is natural to want to be first."

"I am first!" Anakin exploded. "I was always first in my class. First in lightsaber training. First in the Force."

Obi-Wan frowned. "There is no such thing. We don't rank students at the Temple."

"That is what is said," Anakin answered. "But it's not the reality, and you know it."

Obi-Wan took a breath. "How good you are is not the point."

"What makes Ferus better?"

"That is not the point either. The fact is he is ready!" Obi-Wan's voice was raised, and that didn't happen very often. Anakin could see that he was pushing his Master to the limit.

But he couldn't stop. Not on something that was this important to him.

"I'm ready!" he insisted. "I'm just as ready as he is."

"That is something you cannot know," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head.

"It is not for the Padawan to know. It is for the Master and the Council."

Obi-Wan's words stopped Anakin in his tracks. A sudden knowledge seared his brain.

"You agreed with them," he said. "You voted for Ferus!"

"It was not a vote…" Obi-Wan began.

"You agreed — "

"It was a discussion," Obi-Wan interrupted. "To which all Masters were invited."

"You're not answering me."

Obi-Wan paused. "Yes. I agreed with the Council's choice."

Anakin felt as though he had received a sharp prod from an electrojabber.

"Anakin." Obi-Wan made a move to put his hands on Anakin's shoulders, but did not actually touch him, knowing somehow that Anakin would push him off. "This is not about your skills, your commitment, or your abilities.