PART 2 - Unbroken
The Living Gardens were alive with activity the next day when Obi-Wan and Taj got there. Several of the crèche masters had groups of initiates there exploring species of plants. But the gardens covered such a large area, the groups didn't interfere with the lone padawan sitting in the corner writing in his data-pad. His pen moved quickly, it was writing with a purpose. Few Jedi used the old pen/pad method anymore. Most just spoke what they wanted written, and it was automatically recorded. Still, some did enjoy the actual writing process. A lost art is what Qui-Gon often referred to it as. Taj spotted Arun first and pulled the sleeve of Obi-Wan's robe. They hurried over. As they did, Arun abruptly stopped his writing and turned off his data-pad.
"Hi Arun," Taj said, hoping their presence was welcomed. "We thought maybe you'd be here today. We wanted to ask you if you wanted to go eat with us. It's a place just outside the temple called Dex's Diner. The food is the best around."
Arun shook his head immediately and kept eye contact at a minimum. "No thank you. I usually eat lunch in my quarters."
Obi-Wan tried not to push, but he wanted to be sure. "We won't stay long. Our masters will be with us. You can invite yours along."
"NO!" he responded, a bit too quickly and aggressively than he meant to. "I mean, no. I can't. He…can't. He prefers eating away from the company of others."
The padawans were disappointed. There was obviously something wrong. But it was not their place to interfere. They could only go so far. "Okay, but if you change your mind…"
"I won't change my mind. Other than missions I'm not permitted to leave the temple. My master believes that outside influences will distract me from my studies and training."
Arun's comm link buzzed. The deep growling voice of Master Vaan sounded. "Arun, you are late. Your two hours ended five minutes ago. Your free time for the next week has been eliminated. You are to report to quarters at once."
The boy buzzed back with an obedient, "Yes, Master," then pocketed his comm link, gathered his data-pad and walked towards the door.
Obi-Wan put a hand on his arm to stop him and was surprised when Arun immediately pulled away.
"I have to go."
"Arun, my comm code is 2131. Just in case…"
"I won't change my mind, Obi-Wan. I cannot. Goodbye." And he walked away.
"Obi-Wan, we should tell someone about this." Taj said as he fiddled with his braid.
"But we don't know what's going on. It feels so strange though. The whole thing is very uncomfortable. Something isn't right. Did you see the bruises on his neck?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think…" Obi-Wan didn't even need to say the words. They both could feel the pieces beginning to slide together.
"I can't believe something like that would be allowed to happen in the temple. The council would almost certainly find out about it."
"Master Qui-Gon told me that from what he knows of Master Vaan, he was surprised that he ended up taking an apprentice. I guess he found something in Arun that changed his mind."
"Yeah, he found someone he can control with fear."
"Come on, Taj. We're jumping to conclusions. We don't know. And we can't go around accusing Jedi Masters of things like that."
"I know, but it's all coming together."
"Yeah."
They didn't see Arun again until the next week. And it wasn't in the gardens. It was in the dining hall. Again he sat in the corner. Only this time it was with Master Vaan. It appeared a stern lecture was being laid out from the way Vaan had postured himself and the way Arun was holding his head…low and in a submissive position. A few minutes more passed and Vaan strode out leaving the boy alone. The data-pad came out, and with pen in hand, Arun started his writing again.
Taj kicked Obi-Wan under the table, trying not to alert their masters.
"Master Jerra, may we be excused? There's a friend of ours over there, we want to say hi."
The tall, thin master nodded. "Sure. Run along. Qui-Gon and I have things to discuss anyway," he smiled.
The boys hurried from the table and over to where Arun sat. The pattern hadn't changed. When he saw them coming, he would stop writing and close his data-pad.
Taj sat across from him. "Hi Arun. We were worried we hadn't seen you recently. Have you been ill?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"You carry your data-pad a lot. Do you keep a journal?" Obi-Wan didn't want to intrude, but engaging in friendly conversation was difficult with Arun. He was extremely inverted.
"No, I…I just write things down. It helps me concentrate and focus. My master always tells me that my focus is lacking. I was hoping this would help."
A lie. Both the other padawans felt it. Neither called him on it though. The last thing they wanted to do was push Arun away from them.
"My master keeps a journal. He says it's the only way he can keep up with all migraines that I give him," Taj attempted a bit of humor. That didn't work either. Then he saw the vivid discoloration on the back of Arun's head, under where his braid sat. "Did you hit your head in sparring practice? You've got a nasty bruise under your ear. I've done that before. Took a week for it to stop hurting."
Reaching up and gently brushing the area with his finger, Arun shrugged. "I guess I must have. I didn't know it was that bad." As he lifted his hand, his bare wrist showed. He wasn't wearing a normal under-tunic that wrapped around his wrists. There was only a loose fitting tunic there, and it showed the same discoloration that was on the back of his head.
"Is your wrist okay? Must have been a crazy day of sparring, huh?"
At that moment, Obi-Wan swore that he saw Arun's eyes glisten for the smallest of seconds. A slow blink, and there was no evidence of it.
"Yes. I'm still working on my counter-attacks. I have trouble holding off certain types of attacks. I need to go. Maybe…maybe I'll see you tomorrow." And once again, he hurried off leaving the other two boys to wonder.
"Obi-Wan we have to tell someone. He didn't get those bruises from sparring. Unless someone hit him with a saber hilt. Possible. But it didn't happen in practice."
The younger padawan sighed and dropped his chin into his hands that were elbowed on the table. "Let's tell our masters. I'll get Master Qui-Gon to invite you both to dinner in our apartment. We'll tell them what we think is going on. If we're wrong, then we're wrong, and no one else knows. If we're right, then they can back us up."
"Tonight then. We can't draw this out. Arun is in trouble. We just have to be careful about this. Make sure we don't make any mistakes. His life may depend on it."
The door chime sounded. Obi-Wan hurried to answer it. It swished open to reveal a sable-haired student and his tall, slim master. Obi-Wan welcomed them in. Master Jerra. Taj. Please come in. And I promise you that Master Qui-Gon did not cook."
"I heard that, Padawan", the voice from behind replied.
"We picked up from Dex's place."
Jerra and Taj shed their robes as they entered the apartment. The elder of the two still nursing the injured leg. He presented with a limp and walking stick, and was careful with his steps. They were invited to sit at the small dining table. The masters allowed the boys to sit next to each other. They knew something was up. What it was appeared to be the only question that needed answering. Qui-Gon wasted no time beginning the interrogation.
"Obi-Wan, explain please."
The apprentice stopped in mid motion and put his fork down, trying to look surprised by his teacher's question. "Explain what?"
"Why we are here. We never invite each other for dinner. We just meet in the dining hall. And you taking money out of your own pocket to buy for the four of us? Something is amiss. Explain."
There was some thought going on in that spiky head of his, Qui-Gon could see it. Jerra joined the fray. He sat back in his chair, arms crossed, staring at his own apprentice who at the moment was looking just as guilty as his friend.
"Taj, might you explain instead?"
"Um…"
"Boys, you got us together here for a reason. And I don't think it has anything to do with food. I also assume that it's important because it's obvious you don't want others to hear, hence the reason we are here as opposed to a more public area. Obi-Wan, the fact that you checked the hallway for others after we entered did not go unnoticed by the way." Jerra ran a hand through his shoulder length brown hair and eyed the two students."
Taj swallowed hard before starting. Nervous, his eyes began to pale, until they were ice-blue. His master knew the change. There was something eating at his learner. But he waited for the young man to begin.
"Master Jerra, Master Qui-Gon, we are…concerned about another apprentice. We met him a week or so ago but only briefly. He was watching us play in the Living Gardens. We introduced ourselves to him, but he was nervous and withdrawn. Like he was scared to talk to us. Then we saw him again the next day. That's when we noticed the bruises on his neck. He had to leave in a hurry when his master called him home."
"More like growled at him, you mean," Obi-Wan said in a hushed tone.
Jerra looked off Obi-Wan then back to his own. "Continue, Taj."
"We didn't see him for a few days then. Until the dining hall. He had more bruises. One really ugly one on the back of his head, right here." He pointed to the area under his braid. "And then on his wrist, large discolored rings that wrapped around the whole area."
Obi-Wan swallowed a bite of food then placed the fork on his plate. "We asked him about it, asked if he hurt himself in sparring practice. He sort of went along with us on that explanation. We both could feel him lying, Master. It was very obvious. He seems so different than most other padawans. His demeanor is like he's scared to do anything. He says his master will be upset if he's late. Things like that."
"This is Master Vaan's padawan. The one you asked me about, isn't it Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked with more than just curiosity.
Next to him though, Jerra seemed surprised. "Vaan has an apprentice? When did that happen? And why did it happen? He's quite the field Jedi, but a teacher he is not."
"It's been about two and a half years now. I don't know the boy. It appears though that our padawans do."
Taj decided he just come out and say it. "Obi-Wan and I think that Master Vaan is abusing Arun."
Rubbing at his beard, Qui-Gon showed no sign of surprise although he was careful with his words. "To accuse a Master Jedi of such a thing can have grave consequences for all involved. You both are aware of that, yes?"
The padawans nodded in unison.
"But I know that neither of you would be so concerned or careful about this if you did not feel there was some truth to it. You would not be so foolish. What do you want Jerra and I to do?"
"We don't know, Master. That's why we needed to talk to you. I know things like this happen in the galaxy. But I've never known it to happen here, at home. The temple is supposed to be a safe place. We didn't want to believe it, but everything keeps adding up. We've seen the bruises. We've seen how Arun acts when he's alone. We've seen how quickly he reacts when his master calls for him. It's not a normal padawan reaction. It's easy to feel the nervous energy coming from him." Obi-Wan looked at the two masters hopefully. Trying to silently motivate them to come up with an idea. A solution. "We can't just not do anything."
The elder Jedi were caught between what action to take. Take the word of their padawans and take this information to the council? Confront Vaan himself? Or allow this to play out further and attempt to see the evidence for themselves?
"Master, please. Arun needs our help. He won't ask for it, because he knows what will happen if Master Vaan finds out. But…"
Qui-Gon looked at Jerra. Both knew there was only one option at this moment. "We shall meditate on this. See if the Force can move us in one direction or the other. We cannot do anything rash, Obi-Wan. You and Taj have shown great concern for another apprentice. And I know I speak for both Jerra and myself when I say we are proud of you for that. For noticing something was wrong and for coming to us. However, we must do this correctly. We cannot falsely accuse a Jedi and we cannot allow Arun's safety to remain in jeopardy. Finish your dinners. Then we will meditate and discuss this in the morning. All right?"
The two boys looked disappointed, but they knew Qui-Gon was right. They would have to be patient.
Qui-Gon was called to the council early the next day, not giving Obi-Wan a chance to speak to him. The master left him instructions to go to the sparring gym and train with Jerra and Taj until he could meet him there. Never refusing a chance to spar with his best friend, Obi-Wan sprinted to the gym. As he hurried through the halls, he heard a bellowing voice followed by a thumping sound. Turning the corner, he caught a glimpse. Two Jedi. The smaller one was picking himself up off the floor then yelped in pain as he was grabbed by the neck and pushed violently forward. The larger Jedi let go abruptly and followed the other through a door. They disappeared from view.
For a few moments after, Obi-Wan still stood there watching the empty space where the pair had been. He didn't have to guess who they were. It was obvious. When he finally managed to shake himself out of it, he continued on to the gym. The thought of sparring with Taj didn't seem all that enjoyable any longer.
He was greeted in the gym by Master Jerra leaning on his walking stick, while he examined his own apprentice warming up with basic kata's. "Obi-Wan, you're late. Come on, now. Get ready. Taj has been waiting."
"I'm sorry, Master Jerra. Can I have a few minutes to get myself together?"
"Certainly." He felt intense sadness in the boy. "Is everything all right, Obi-Wan?"
Taj approached as Obi-Wan began to explain what he'd seen. "I was coming here, then I heard yelling in the far corridor. When I went to see what was going on, I saw Arun getting up off the floor. His master grabbed him by the neck and started pushing him around. Master Jerra, we have to tell the council. He was really hurt this time. He was limping when I watched them leave the hall. I don't understand why the council hasn't felt something wrong."
"If a recall correctly, Vaan is from Hallath. His type excel at hiding their feelings and emotions. Are you sure it was them, Obi-Wan? You need to be absolutely certain."
"Yes, Master Jerra. I am."
Even though he wasn't bonded with Obi-Wan, the tall, wiry master could feel
that he was hiding nothing. What he did feel was the intense anxiety surrounding him in the Force. The boy would not have come to him with this if it wasn't much more serious this time. He put a hand on the shoulders of both learners and escorted them from the gym. "Come on."
Jerra requested counsel with Master Yoda. As they waited, Qui-Gon exited the council chambers, surprised to see the three of them there.
"Obi-Wan, what's going on?"
Obi-Wan quietly replayed what he had seen and without hesitation, Qui-Gon agreed on Jerra's course of action. They could not wait for this to play out. A boy's life depended on their interference.
Yoda met with them in his private chambers. All four Jedi knelt before the ancient master.
"Concerns you have, Master Jerra. Asked for me, yes?"
Jerra bowed his head briefly. "Our padawans have come to us with a disconcerting issue. They believe that one of their fellow students has become a victim of abuse by his master."
The small green troll blinked his large eyes. "Proof they have of this?"
"Just what they have seen and witnessed, my master. Most recently by Obi-Wan this morning."
Obi-Wan described what he had seen and heard in the corridor, and then told the details about the previous encounters they'd had with Arun. Yoda wavered between watching him intently and closing his eyes to look into the Force.
"Master Vaan hides himself well within the Force. Difficult to feel. Padawan Na'dav, shielded strongly he too is. Not all of his own doing. Feel his master's influence in his mind I can. Erected his own shields to block the boy from others, I sense. Unusual this is."
"What will the council do, Master?" Qui-Gon knew the council's ways. He knew there would be no quick action. Yoda would bring this before the rest of the group, discussion would follow, and then perhaps action would result. But that would take time. If he believed the feelings of the two padawans, there was immediate danger.
"Discuss this we must. Contact you tomorrow I will."
"Master, the boy is in danger. You must act quickly."
"Correct action we must take. Quick judgments will not be made. Reputations of a master and padawan, at stake they are. Tomorrow." An emphatic thump of his gimmer stick announced the end to the conversation.
Obi-Wan made motion to move forward and address Yoda more forcefully, but Qui-Gon's hand on his arm prevented it. It would be useless to irritate the situation. The four Jedi bowed their heads, stood and left.
Yoda turned toward the window to watch the Coruscant skyline. He closed his eyes tightly, looking deeply into the Force.
Arun sat at his desk. His small bedroom held few personal items. A couple small trinkets from the few missions he had been on was about all there was. His most treasured possession was his data-pad. His right hand moved determinedly as his imagination took off again. This time it took him to a beautiful water-world. He was with several other Jedi, including the man he'd written as his master. They worked together to help sick children and those left for dead by a recent illness that devastated a floating city. They nursed many back to health. They eased the final suffering of others. Their work was meaningful, despite the heartbreak. When the scenes became too much, his master would pull him aside and put a hand on his shoulder, comforting him and pulling him close. They shared such a deep bond that sometimes just that simple contact was enough to ease all his fears. His master loved him and cared for him. He…a booming voice sounded on the other side of his bedroom door, breaking him from his writing. Arun quickly saved his story and hid the data-pad. He tried to make it appear as if he was studying when Vaan barged in.
"Have you studied those texts I sent to you?"
A quick nod. "Yes, Master."
"Do you lie to your master?"
"No, Master. I did study them. I'm still working on the last one though."
"You should have finished by now. Why have you not?"
"I…I was having trouble with a couple of them. They were difficult to understand. I had to research additional information and then go back over them. I understand them now."
"But you are not finished."
The huge man stood over the boy, arms crossed and teeth bared. Arun could feel the hot air from Vaan's elongated nose with each exhale. The boy had no response, knowing that any he offered would not be good enough.
"Come with me. Now."
"But, Master. I'm trying. I just didn't understand. I will study all night if I have to. Please."
There was no additional warning. Vaan did not take to his apprentice pleading and begging when he should have had these studies completed. He was tired of the boy's incompetence. He grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, catching a hold of his braid as he did so. Pain shot through Arun's ear as the braid pulled at his scalp. Once out of the bedroom, Vaan put his hand under the small chin, lifted the apprentice and threw him into the wall. Before Arun could recover, the man was closing in on him again.
Arun closed his eyes and sought his escape. The fictitious world he'd created came to his mind. He focused on the friendship and love that he knew was there as he tried to forget the blows that he was being assaulted with.
Tbc…
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