Hello All - Life got a bit in the way, a shout out to massive hours a work. Thanks for that. But, here is a bit longer update to make up for a slight delay! Thank you very much to those who have added an alert, posted a review or just looked at this story! I appreciate everything! If the spirit moves, please leave a review for this new part! And with that, on with the story...
As promised, the Jedi were collected ten minutes before dinner began. Madame Thelcar and another elderly woman, Madame Bailo, preceded the Jedi down the elaborate hallways. This time Qui-Gon did not bother himself with the decor as they made their way. Something was nagging at the back of his mind. He was uneasy. The lack of light seemed to press on the passing party. The darkness kept at bay only by the faint glow of low hung lamps. It felt incredibly cramped for corridors as wide as these. The halls were silent, save for the sound of their footfalls. The silence. Where were the servants and palace workers? They had not passed another soul since they had stepped into the palace. The Force abruptly surged, pressing on Qui-Gon almost painfully.
Silence. And as they turned a corner, the whole world exploded.
Qui-Gon was certain that every bone in his body would be aching if he would allow himself to feel it. And he would when there was time. If there was time. The Jedi were currently sequestered with the royal family, partly as body guards and partly to discuss what this unexpected event would mean for the upcoming talks. Qui-Gon was not sure what had become of Madame Thelcar. He could feel that she was injured, but he did not know how badly. He had only enough time to grab her away from the spot where the bomb went off, hoping that Terral would be able to pull back Madame Bailo.
She had not been successful. The padawan had not become aware of the warning in the Force in time. Qui-Gon had felt the elderly woman's split-second surprise, then the void that was left where her Force Signature had once glimmered, however dimly. He hated feeling a death through the Force. He spent his life dwelling in the warm glow of the Living Force. A fact he had always been supremely grateful for, but it heightened some of the...less desirable experiences in life.
"This is unacceptable! Nothing so appalling...so, so..." King Burin Doorna sputtered. The man eased back down in his designated chair, the situation visibly unnerving him. King Doorna had probably at one time been a tall, imposing figure. Age had not agreed with him, leaving him stooped and frail, his royal attire billowing around him in a misguided attempt to hide his diminished frame.
"Father," The princess, Kayda Doorna, said quietly placing a on the old king's arm. The Princess had not said one word since they had entered the room. Admittedly, Qui-Gon had not paid much attention to her until this moment. Dark, auburn hair framed her face. She was attractive, but not remarkably so. Average would be best used to describe her, with the exception of her eyes. She had the darkest color of brown Qui-Gon had ever seen. The aged king looked at her and seemed to calm almost immediately.
One of the military guard entered the room and bowed in front of the King, "Your Highness, we have made contact with Prince Doorna. He and his wife are safe at the Irimore Estates. More of the Royal Guard has been assigned to them and the perimeter around the grounds is secure."
"Thank you, please keep me informed of any changes," the King said waving, the guard away. The guard bowed again and retreated out of the room. The King rubbed his knotted hand across his forehead.
"I just cannot comprehend why the Grasslanders would engineer such an attack."
"Father, we cannot assume that the Grasslanders were involved. We have no-"
"I agree whole heartedly Milady," Vash Qorbin, who had been loitering in the background, spoke cutting Princess Doorna off mid sentence. The Princess was able to hide her annoyance with the interruption, barely. "It could have been anyone. The Grasslanders certainly have motive. But, there is no precedence for such an act from them. There are small groups of City Dwellers, disenchanted and misguided, member of our society who may have acted out. Or perhaps," Qorbin paused, rounding on the Jedi, "it was some who are...displeased with the honorable Jedi's presence here at these talks."
The King looked up at Qorbin surprised, "The Jedi? Abrole's relations with the Republic and the Jedi has always been exemplary."
"Yes your Majesty, but there are those who would the Jedi's participation in these negotiations. Negotiations that have been controlled only by native Abroleans for centuries."
Qui-Gon watched Qorbin carefully. This was not the first time he had questioned the advisor's motives and he had a feeling it would not be the last. If anything, Advisor Qorbin certainly felt threatened by the presence of the Jedi. A longer than comfortable silence descended on the small group. Qui-Gon waited for Padawan Novar to take the control back. King Doorna appeared to be giving far too much thought to Qorbin's ill-founded speculations. Unable to wait any longer, Qui-Gon entered the conversation.
"Anything is possible, but I do not believe we have enough evidence to blame anyone just yet."
"What would you suggest Master Jedi," King Doorna asked, looking past Qorbin.
"It would be wise to continue the negotiations as planned tomorrow. The objective of the bombing was to cause mayhem and mistrust. Postponing, even for a day, could make the discussions more difficult."
"And we are to just forget the death that the House of Doorna has suffered this evening?"
Qui-Gon looked at Princess Doorna, put slightly off balance at the amount of anger emanating through the Force. Anger that was aimed directly at him. Advisor Qorbin moved behind the Princess, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Madame Bailo's death is regrettable, but it should not endanger peace between yourselves and the Grasslanders."
"So, we are not to acknowledge it? I admit I'm surprised you even knew her name Master Jedi, as it seems the loss of her life means so very little to you." Princess Doorna leaned towards Qui-Gon, causing Qorbin's hand to slip of it's previous perch.
Qui-Gon resisted the urge to respond with his own anger. Distantly, he was stunned at how quick she was able to get under his skin. "A Jedi laments every loss of life, Milady, but it is foolish to endanger the lives of a whole people because of the loss of one."
"I agree with Jedi," The King said, ending the confrontation. "Tomorrow, we will begin the talks as scheduled. The representatives have already assembled in the capital and the damage to the palace will not be an imposition. I suggest we all retire for the evening." King Doorna looked exhausted.
The Jedi stood and bowed to the royal family. Qui-Gon, wishing to avoid the constant escort, exited quickly before one could be assigned to them. Princess Doorna continued to stare icily at Qui-Gon until he passed out of the room.
They took a small detour around the damaged corridor. Terral was the first to break the silence, "I should have been aware of what was coming."
"There is nothing you can do about it now. Concentrate on tomorrow and on the negotiations."
While what he said was true, he knew it was too harsh as soon as the words left his mouth. One glance at Terral's features confirmed his suspicions. Qui-Gon sighed inwardly. He longed for the ability to dispense advise and criticism with ease. He knew that it would come as he grew more comfortable in his relatively new role as a Knight, but it did not make situations like this any less disconcerting.
He thought for a moment and then continued, "You still have much to experience and much to learn young one. And you will continue to learn long after you have taken the trials. No Jedi is able interpret every whisper that comes from the Force."
They stopped in front of the doors to their rooms and Qui-Gon placed a hand on her shoulder, "We cannot save everyone."
Terral smiled weakly at him, "That doesn't make it any easier."
Qui-Gon sighed, "I know. I know."