Chapter Ten
Anakin walked into his closet and scowled. That maid had been through his stuff again. She wouldn't find anything. None of the things he brought with him were actually his, they all belonged to the real Christian Karlind; but it was still incredibly annoying. Anakin grabbed the vest that the maid had haphazardly thrown on the floor and put it on.
"Sir?" A voice called, "Mr Karlind?"
Anakin emerged from the closet to see a young man standing nervously in his room, "Uh, the King wishes to see you." He muttered.
Anakin nodded and signed, I'll be right there.
The young man looked confused and Anakin realized that he must not know sign language. Anakin grabbed a piece of paper and scrawled a quick message on it, then he handed it to the young man.
"Oh, alright." The young man bowed and walked out. Anakin stuffed the pen he had used into his pocket along with a notebook. Since he was 'mute' it was a good idea to carry a pen and some paper around in case he encountered someone who didn't know sign language. He and Shyreea both knew sign language quite well. They had learned it when they were Padawans and then had used it to secretly talk with each other when they were in lessons.
Anakin exited his room and wandered down the hallways towards the King's office. Padmé's stay with the King was almost over. They would be leaving in two days and there was still no sign of the assassin. Secretly Anakin had begun to think that the assassin would never show itself again, and he was glad. He didn't like the idea of Padmé being in danger.
Anakin reached the King's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Aleck, Obi-Wan, Shyreea, and Padmé were already there along with the King.
"You're late." Obi-Wan said.
Sorry. Anakin signed, noting that there was a maid in the room, someone was digging through my stuff.
King Arald laughed, "Actually that's why I called you all here. We've been discovered."
"What?" Shyreea cried.
"Sarah." The King said, and the maid stepped forwards, "This is Sarah. She used to work for the Karlind's. She came to me this morning, telling me that there was an imposter."
"My lord," Sarah said, her voice quaking with fear, "I am certain of it. This man," she pointing an accusing finger at Anakin, "is not Christian Karlind."
"I know." Anakin replied and Sarah jumped, "I'm Anakin Skywalker."
Sarah's eyes widened, "Anakin Skywalker?" She asked.
"Yes." Obi-Wan replied, "And I am Obi-Wan Kenobi and this is Shyreea Jade. We are here to protect the Senator."
"Sarah," King Arald said, his voice strict, "You must not tell anyone!"
Sarah nodded, "I promise Your Majesty! And I apologize General Skywalker."
Anakin smiled, "Its okay, you were doing what you thought was right."
Sarah bowed and left the room and the King exhaled in relief, "Well, now that we got that fixed, any news on our assassin?"
The three Jedi and Aleck shook their heads.
"There are no Knights of Amma to be found." Aleck said, "I've even checked the city, there's nothing."
"Our plan isn't working." Shyreea replied, "We wanted to draw out the assassin, but we seem to have scared it away."
It was well past midnight and Sarah was in the upstairs rooms rekindling the fireplaces. Over the past couple of days the temperatures had plummeted and the castle had cooled down significantly. She was currently in Christian Karlind's room, and his fire was being particularly stubborn.
Sarah couldn't believe that she was mere meters away from the famous Hero With No Fear. Anakin Skywalker was a household name in the galaxy and she never dreamed that she'd be able to meet him. She also had met the famous Negotiator, Obi-Wan Kenobi and she couldn't believe how normal he looked. She had imagined Kenobi and Skywalker to be larger than life heroes, but in reality they were just average human beings.
A gust of cold wind blew out the meagre fire that Sarah had started. She turned around and saw that the balcony doors were open.
Were they open when I came in here?
Sarah crossed the room to close the doors and prevent more of the freezing air from getting in the room. Just as she closed the door, she thought she heard footsteps and she turned around in alarm. Then a hand clamped over her mouth.
"Hello." A sinister voice said, and Sarah could feel the cold metal of a blade pressed against her throat. She screamed.
Aleck found that he was unable to sleep. His mind was whispering terrible things to him.
Anakin knows. That's why he'll never trust you.
No. Aleck thought firmly, there's no way that Anakin could know.
He knows who you are. He knows what you did.
Aleck angrily pushed the thoughts away and fell into a fitful sleep.
A muffled scream awoke Aleck from his sleep and he lay disoriented for a few moments before realizing that the scream came from the direction of Anakin's room. Instantly awake, Aleck bolted out of bed and ran across the hallway to his sons room.
Anakin was on his feet facing Gayzzon. There was a woman lying on the floor, unmoving, and Aleck had the feeling that she would never move again.
"Anakin!" Aleck called a warning, but it was too late. Another Knight of Amma leapt out of the shadows and pressed a needle into Anakin's arm, Anakin swung at her, but it was too late. He slumped to the floor, unconscious.
"Aleck," Gayzzon said, "Long time no see."
"What do you want?" Aleck growled, "You're after the Senator, why are you taking Anakin?"
Gayzzon laughed, "Oh, we're not after the Senator anymore, she's quite safe. We're targeting you."
Aleck scrunched his brow in confusion, "What-" but he didn't finish his sentence because another Knight came swinging out of the shadows.