CHAPTER FOUR
Luxury's Taste
Duros' Corellian Defender class light frigate landed on a well decorated landing pad just outside the presidential palace located in the center of Cimri's capital city. The landing pad was reserved for special guests only and a visit from the Jedi was an exceptionally rare event. Cimri's government had prepared a full welcoming party worthy of the Republic's Chancellor himself.
The frigate's loading ramp lowered to the sound of a full marching band. Two dozen soldiers in full ceremonial dress scrambled to line up on either side of the ramp before the guests could walk down. Surrounding the landing pad hundreds of Cimri's citizens stood behind metal gates, stretching their necks and holding their children on shoulders trying to get a peek at the important guests. In front of the gates stood the heads of the entire presidential administration. The highest ranking general moved into position at the end of the ramp to greet their guests.
Inside the frigate, just out of sight of the adoring crowds stood the Jedi Knight Lenora Cyntesa and Jedi Master Duros Sar'on.
"This is incredible," Lenora gasped as she peeked out of the ship at the crowds and music. "Is this how Jedi Masters are usually greeted? I've never seen anything like it!"
Duros peeked out as well.
"This is a little over the top," he said dryly.
"I guess they really want to make an impression. Maybe they were expecting the whole Jedi Council?" she joked.
Duros stood up straight and pulled the hood of his brown robe up over his head.
"Let's not disappoint them. Let us accept their hospitality on behalf of the Council, and the Republic."
Lenora peeked outside again then turned and bowed to Duros.
"After you, Master Jedi, your people await."
Duros shook his head and frowned as he walked passed her down the ramp. The crowd's loud murmur increased in volume at the appearance of the first boots to emerge from the ship.
Duros' traditional Jedi robe was tied closed around his waist. The hem nearly touched the floor as he descended onto the platform in front of the General. He walked with his arms folded in front of his chest hidden inside the sleeves.
Lenora followed him down the ramp wearing a similar traditional styled robe, the hood raised and her arms held in the same pattern as Duros. Her outfit was for the crowd's and Duros' benefit. She did not like the look of the robe at all and chose to wear it as infrequently as possible.
She kept her head still under her hood but her eyes were moving around trying to keep one eye on Duros for clues as to protocol and the other on the adoring crowd.
They stood astride at the bottom of the ramp and were greeted by the general. He snapped into position in front of Duros and saluted. Duros gave a slight bow in acknowledgment. The General slid to his side and snapped into position in front of Lenora and offered the same salute. She copied Duros' response. The crowd applauded loudly in appreciation.
"I am General Kin Shivtel, and it is an honor to welcome you to Cimri, the greatest nation on Ryus," said the general in a voice loud and concise as he spoke over the music. He continued, "Please allow me to show you the palace where you will meet our wise and gracious President."
He stood at attention and waited for a response. The crowd noise lowered slightly.
"Thank you, General Shivtel, for your most generous welcome. Please show us the way," Duros replied.
The general snapped around 180 degrees and walked crisply toward the palace escorting the Jedi passed the now frenzied crowd that had become a sea of hands stretching to touch the guests passing by. Soldiers kept the crowd contained and neither Duros nor Lenora accepted an extended hand.
They were not taken directly to their rooms. A path through the palace was chosen to demonstrate the luxury of the Presidential Palace. The corridors they walked were lavishly decorated. Statues of generations of heads of state stood inside small cut-outs lining the main hall. The General stayed in front of the Jedi leading them on this winding path. The President's cabinet moved as a pack behind the Jedi for the entire journey.
As they approached individual offices along the way, its occupants would empty out into the hallway and line up along the wall waving and bowing as they passed.
Lenora was taken away by the respect and honor she was being showered with. No where on Tython would she ever receive such respect from the locals, some of whom owed her their very lives. Duros seemed to have no reaction at all. She kept her feelings to herself, not betraying them outwardly, though she had no doubt Duros could sense it.
Just as the circuitous path taken to their quarters was about to border on the absurd they finally reached their destination. The General held up an arm directing attention to two large double doors. Two servants immediately grabbed each handle and with a well rehearsed motion opened both doors simultaneously.
Lenora's eyes widened and mouth dropped open when she looked inside. The room was immense and decorated everywhere with gold, silver, and other precious metals. It was densely furnished with tables, chairs, couches, all finely hand crafted. Baskets of fresh fruit were on several tables. There were more closed doors around the edges leading into additional rooms. She felt the reaction form on her face and tried quickly to return to a neutral look.
"These accommodations were prepared for you," the general announced. "You must please forgive us, we were unaware you would be accompanied by your Padawan…"
Lenora lifted her head to speak but Duros stopped her with subtle gesture.
"…if you will allow us some time we will have a second room prepared with haste."
"Thank you, General Shivtel, but these rooms will serve all of our needs. And please forgive me for not notifying you of your additional guest. May I introduce to you Lenora Cyntesa, Knight of the Jedi order. I only learned moments before our departure from Tython of her availability."
"Two Jedi," he replied with happy surprise. "We are truly honored."
The General motioned again to invite the Jedi to enter the suite. They did so and the crowd of escorts left them. Only the general and the servants holding the doors open remained.
"Please make yourselves at home and rest from your journey. And if you need anything, please, it would be our honor. We will have an escort come to bring you to dinner this evening. You will be guests of honor at a great banquet."
The general saluted again and left the Jedi alone. The two servants closed the doors with the same well rehearsed timing.
Lenora immediately pulled off her hood and worked the robe off dropping it across the back of a nearby chair.
"Padawan?" she sniffed.
Duros smiled and laughed silently. He slid his own hood down and looked around the room.
Lenora walked to the back wall that was lined with windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. She ran her fingers along the drapes that hung around each one.
"I've never felt anything so soft," she exclaimed. She massaged the drapes on the next window and rubbed the material against her face. She moved all around the room touching all the fabrics, slid her hands over the beautifully sculpted wood finishing, the gold pitchers, crystal glasses, enthralled by the luxury, every so many steps punctuated with new gasps and sudden inhales.
She popped a door open and found the bedroom. Her jaw dropped again as she stared into the room. She felt her way around this room as well, but hesitated with her hands above the pillows almost afraid to know. Finally she ran her hands reverently over one sliding her hand down and between the sheets.
"Wow," was all she could think to say. She turned to look back at the doorway that was now filled by Duros watching her and smiling.
"Master Sar'on, do you think…" she couldn't finish the sentence.
"You may have the bed. I'm sure the couch outside is both larger and softer than my bed at the Temple."
Lenora beamed a big grin and hopped up onto the bed sprawling out across it on her back and stared up at the sculpted ceiling.
"I can't believe this," she giggled.
"This is too over the top," said Duros. "I have a feeling there is more to this trip than a simple diplomatic meeting."
Lenora stopped fussing over the comforter and tried to mirror Duros' concern.
"What do you think it is?" she asked as she sat up.
"I don't know. Maybe it's nothing more than some over-zealous underling. Well let's get some rest anyway. It seems we have a state dinner to attend."
He shrugged and walked out of the room. As soon as he left the room Lenora yanked the straps loose and stripped off the armor covering her chest and shoulders. Then she made pile of boots, mesh skirt, and long sleeve body suit, belts, pack, and one double-bladed saber hilt on the floor. She wanted nothing between her skin and the lush sheets she slid in between. She hugged the covers around her neck, nestled her face into the pillows and quickly faded off to sleep.
She was awakened some time later by Duros' voice outside the door talking to a woman, their escort to dinner no doubt. She rubbed her eyes not sure how long she was out. She kicked off the sheets, scooped up the pile of clothes from the floor and leaned her back against the door so it could not be opened. She dressed there as quickly as she could. She used her fingers as a brush and did the best she could to smooth out her hair and tied it back again.
The Jedi Knights were guests of honor at a lavish state dinner. More than two hundred guests filled the large banquet hall. They did briefly meet the President but no business could be discussed at such an affair. They played the role of honored guests; acted as the President's props for the night and finished dinner making small talk with the others guests rich and powerful enough to garner an invitation. Lenora sat silently most of the night trying to act the role of the wise but silent Jedi, she gave the most cryptic answers she could think of to any question offered to her. She wore the Jedi robe over her armor per Duros' request.
The next day also proved too difficult to meet with the President, and the day after. Each time attempts were made to meet they were blocked by scheduling conflicts or last minute emergencies. Duros made it clear to the representatives that he was leaving to two days' time with or without an agreement.
Lenora made the most of her visit. She enjoyed the bed and slept better than she thought she ever had, and tried not to enjoy too much the constant attention to her every need. She questioned Duros frequently about the war before the Treaty of Coruscant. He told her stories about her former master to pass the time. He even taught her some of the strategies he used in lightsaber duels.
The time spent on Cimri was peaceful. Lenora especially enjoyed being away from Tython for a change. But the peace was undercut by a feeling of uneasiness that neither of them could fully understand nor discount. The President was obviously stalling them. They could offer no clear reason as to why. Underneath all the pomp and ceremony there was a growing fear. And it was getting near the time to leave.