The Guardians
Rating: K
Summary: Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to find out the truth from miners reports of another possible candidate for the Jedi.
Notes: This story is a sequel to Initus.
Disclaimer: All canon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled one, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Timeline: 43 BBY
Speech: " "
Training bond communication: /
Internal thoughts: italics
Chapter Two
Obi-Wan smiled as he looked up again to the leaves far above. The ash had stopped falling some time ago leaving everything looking gray, or better yet a dingy snow. He turned to Qui-Gon and watched as his master meticulously put his canister back together and then into his pack. Deep inside, he knew there would be small bags of sapir tea, ready to be brewed into his next batch.
As before, and on the edge of his senses, he felt something. It wasn't wrong, just odd. "I hope we didn't scare the villagers away."
Qui-Gon looked towards the village. His eyes narrowed, "I don't think so, Padawan."
Putting their supplies away, the two Jedi rose and went back to the edge of the settlement. This time there were several human, or at least humanoid creatures doing various tasks. The surprising thing was that there were no droids. While keeping out of sight, and their Force signatures hidden, they were able to remain in the trees and scout around the small settlement.
"Darna?"
Obi-Wan stopped, which made Qui-Gon stop. They watched as an older woman appeared from one of the tents.
Two girls, at that age with long gangly legs followed her into the clearing. From their coloring along the children looked to be the older woman's. She paused and motioned for the girls to stay then went towards another tent. One said something, but the woman shook her head. Leaving the two girls behind, she approached one of the larger shelters. A woman in brightly colored clothing came out and said something while pointing.
"Ne, no volu,1" Darna shook her head. The protest didn't work and Darna's shoulders slumped in defeat then left.
Obi-Wan wanted to march out and give that woman a piece of his mind. No one should be treated in such fashion. /Master?/
Qui-Gon placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. /I know you want to help, but I'm not certain it would be wise, at least at this time./
/She didn't do anything./
/That we know of. Now come./ Qui-Gon put a bit of Force suggestion in his words, not sure if it would work through their training bond. Obi-Wan never said it didn't, but he did follow him out of earshot.
As soon as Qui-Gon stopped, he turned and looked at Obi-Wan. "I know you, Padawan." His voice softened, "I know you want to make whatever it is, right."
"But…."
"You might make things worse for everyone, including the woman." He placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, "There is a reason for what you-we saw."
Obi-Wan frowned then sighed. "Yes, Master."
Rustling from the underbrush was the only warning they had. A creature neither Jedi had seen before burst from the foliage with claws outstretched from multiple hands, lept towards them, its mouth open and razor sharp teeth barred.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon threw the animal against the nearest tree.
Obi-Wan shook his head then pulled out his lightsaber, while stretching out his other hand, ready to use the Force to defend them.
Behind them, another creature attacked, and Obi-Wan was ready. He lit his lightsaber and cleaved the animal in half while in mid-jump.
The first creature stood up and shook its head. Something slipped and the Jedi could feel cold and darkness emanating from it. It snarled and lept again but was impaled by a spear, killing it instantly.
/Force sensitive./ Obi-Wan whirled around, reaching out with his senses to see if there were any more.
Instead of another creature appearing, it was a youngish girl with dark hair holding another spear. She backed away at the lightsabers, fear mixed with caution coming from her.
Taking the first step, Qui-Gon deactivated his lightsaber and put it back where it belonged, then spread his hands wide. "We mean you no harm, young one."
The girl looked back at Obi-Wan who, eyes narrowing at the glowing blue blade he held out before him.
/Padawan./
The warning was all he needed, and soon it too was now deactivated.
"Kiu vi estas2?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't understand her, Master."
Making slow, but deliberate motions, Qui-Gon pulled out his datapad and entered what she said, well, at least close enough to what she said into the small computer. After a moment, it dutifully beeped its answer. He pursed his lips.
/Master?/
/It's a variation of basic spoken over three thousand years ago./ Qui-Gon tapped the datapad and waited a moment before he spoke in that strange language, "We are not here to harm anyone."
The girl's eyes widened, but she raised her spear in a threatening manner. "You speak strange words. Who are you?"
It took longer to translate her more complex sentence. "I am Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi." Qui-Gon indicated Obi-Wan with his hand.
The girl looked from one Jedi to the other. Eventually she lowered her spear, but still watched them carefully.
"Is there someone we can speak to?"
She opened her mouth to say something, then crouched while looking around. She said a jumble of words while waving her hand towards the small settlement.
Obi-Wan frowned. /I don't sense anything./
/Neither do I. Come./
Her actions were enough that they did follow her at a rapid pace. Soon they were in the middle of the settlement. Both men and women appeared and she spoke again. Everyone scattered to their shelters then reappeared with similar weapons.
"I think there's more of those creatures on their way," Obi-Wan muttered as he looked around.
Instead of looking around, Qui-Gon sank to his knees and closed his eyes. "Yes, there is someone coming."
Obi-Wan looked around, not exactly nervous, but concerned. He had his hand on his lightsaber, ready to bring it to bear if needed.
On the other side of the settlement a man burst through the trees holding a bow with an arrow ready to be released. Strapped to his back was an ax. As he came to a stop several villages surrounded him and they spoke quickly with hands gesturing wildly.
Standing, Qui-Gon placed his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, more as a comforting gesture than anything else. The villagers scattered. A couple of the men followed the last one who appeared, back into the forest in the direction the Jedi had originally come from. It was the wrong direction.
A dozen creatures burst through from the opposite side of the village, snarling.
"Master," Obi-Wan turned and pulled out his lightsaber and lit it. As one lept at him, he was able to cleave it in half, its body dropped to the ground in mid-jump.
Instead of going after the cooling body, another one took its place. Not even thinking, he threw one against the closest tree. It slid to the ground and shook its head before getting back to its feet. That one was stopped by an arrow through its eye. He turned to see who it was. A girl, who looked about his age, held a bow in hand and was already getting it ready to shoot again. "Thanks," Obi-Wan nodded with a smile.
She hesitated, but eventually returned the it.
The clearing swirled with cold eddies, but he was too busy to even pay that much attention. Just as he threw another creature Obi-Wan felt a sharp stab of pain through the Force. He stopped and looked around, only to find several creatures had not only cornered Qui-Gon, but one had a hold of his arm.
"No!" Obi-W threw his hands to either side and the creatures flew apart. The villagers pounced on the stunned animals, killing them. Obi-Wan didn't even pay any attention. He clipped his lightsaber to his belt and rushed over to Qui-Gon. The older Jedi's arm was the least of his worries for his tunic was ripped apart and there were deep cuts across his chest seeping blood, along with claw punctures.
"You're safe, good," Qui-Gon slumped as he closed his eyes.
"Master." Obi-Wan cupped Qui-Gon's face. "Just hold on. I'll get you out of here and back to the Temple." Warmth came from Qui-Gon's side of the training bond.
The hunters who left, reappeared, shock and surprise on their faces as they surveyed the damage. The ones that weren't injured were already tending to the wounded, or carrying the ones that were killed into one of the shelters. Some were chanting while others were openly weeping.
Slipping his pack from his back, Obi-Wan opened it and began rummaging through its contents. In his lessons at the Temple he was constantly reminded to bring things like bacta patches and other first aide items. Finding a package, he tore it open and began squeezing out the viscous liquid and, like a salve, he spread it gently across one of the deeper gashes on Qui-Gon's chest.
A tug at his arm and Obi-Wan looked to see who it was. It was the girl who helped him earlier. Even though he couldn't understand what she said, he could feel her intentions. He squeezed out the rest of the liquid onto her hand to let her help. They worked in tandem until most of the wounds were covered.
Just as Obi-Wan reached into his pack for bandages, he caught out of the corner of his eye the girl resting her hand on one of the deeper wounds and she closed her eyes. He felt the Force swirl around them and then directed into the wound. He shook his head and blinked his eyes.
"Dinah," a woman called. The girl's eyes flew open and the Force stopped swirling, but the wound looked much better. She said something then got up and went over to another injured villager.
In her place a younger girl appeared. She was obviously a younger sister to the one who had just helped. Obi-Wan watched as she tried to do the same thing, but it was a feeble attempt. Force sensitive. They're Force sensitive.
The youngling frowned and then burst into tears when the wound she held her hand over wouldn't heal. "Kial ne funkcios3?" Her hands shook as she balled them up.
"Easy," Obi-Wan placed a hand on hers. He may only have the must rudimentary of Force healing abilities, but he could at least do this. Reaching out with the Force he sensed her somewhat dim signature and funneled what he could into the wound. After a moment it looked better.
The girl gave him a shy look as she pulled her hand away. "Ĉu vi estas kuracisto4?"
"I'm sorry, I can't understand you." Obi-Wan shook his head.
"Richada!" An older woman came over and pulled the girl away.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Look, she was only trying to help."
The woman glared at him while keeping the girl behind her, as if she was being protected. From what, Obi-Wan wondered. The two moved away and Obi-Wan watched the rest of the villagers with wary eyes while keeping his hand on Qui-Gon's chest. Finally waiting as long as he dared, he opened up the bandages and started covering the bacta infused wounds. He tried to be careful, but wasn't sure how successful he was. Qui-Gon gasped and tensed up.
"Sorry Master," Obi-Wan muttered, "I'm being as gentle as I can."
Qui-Gon's voice was soft, "Clearly you're not meant to be in the healer's ward."
Obi-Wan glanced up only to find Qui-Gon's eyes open. His eyes were clear, thank the Force.
"What were those creatures," Qui-Gon's gaze wandered over to the creatures.
"I'm not sure." Obi-Wan watched as the youngling that tried to help him was now working on skinning one of the creatures. /Master./
/Yes, Padawan?/
/There's a girl here who's Force sensitive. She actually knows how to heal./
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. "Oh really…very interesting."
"I would say so."
"Hold old do you think the girl is?"
Obi-Wan shook his head, thinking about the first one that came by. "I'm not sure, maybe thirteen standard? Would the Order know about this?"
"Not this far out. We're at the furthest reaches of Wild Space from the Core." Qui-Gon grimaced.
"Sorry, Master. I've done what I could."
"I know you have, and I thank you for that. I just need to rest." Qui-Gon closed his eyes.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan sat back on his heels. He looked around again. Apparently the villagers thought he was helping them, or they were just being ignored. He had no idea what was going on. Eventually an older woman with several pouches hanging from a piece of rope tied around her waist came up to them. She knelt down and then inspected the bandages. Seeing a bit of the bacta oozing out from under one of them she dipped her finger into it then brought it to her nose and smelled it.
"Bacta," Obi-Wan nodded.
The woman looked again to her finger then to Obi-Wan. "Baakta?"
Obi-Wan felt a pull and looked around. The younger of the two girls approached once again. Her hand was bloody and she was in tears, "Kuracisto Magrat."
The woman glared at the interruption. "Kio estas, Rihcada?"
Apparently the girl cut herself. Her palm was sliced open.
Obi-Wan smiled as he reached for the girl's hand and placed his over it. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, pulling in as much of the Force that he needed. A few moments later, he removed his hand and smiled. The cut was gone. Using the edge of his cloak he gently wiped away the blood.
The older woman's eyes widened as her eyes shot back over to Obi-Wan. They were wide as saucers, then narrowed. She stood and planted herself in front of the girl as if protecting her. "Sedt," she growled. The girl whom he helped cringed, and crept away from the two of them.
Not knowing what was happening, and feeling anger and danger now emanating from the older woman, Obi-Wan raised his hands in supplication.
Apparently the girl spread the word. Both men and women came rushing to him with their weapons in hand. They surrounded both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Oh dear. Not good. He looked down to the master Jedi who was blissfully asleep.
TBC….
Translation:
1 No, no please.
2 Who are you?
3 Why won't it work?
4 Are you a healer?