Chapter 10:
A figure cloaked in a light brown robe moved surreptitiously through the winding paths of Eithir's Gardens. The Gardens themselves surrounded Eithir's palace like a miniature maze that snaked in and out. For any visitor, the Gardens proved to be an enigma with its many turns, but to this cloaked figure, it was nothing more than a parch of land with trees and flowers.
The mysterious figure didn't waste any time and moved swiftly towards the Far East corner of the Gardens. He was in haste, glancing several times at his chronometer. Though the sun had already been up for a while, making the temperature rise, the figure still had his robe cover him from head to toe. This made it impossible to reveal any of his features.
Finally, he stopped at a small area. The area that he came to was densely enclosed by several willows and bamboo-like shrubs, making it not only secluded of sunlight but of wind. The figure stood there momentarily in thought as though he was waiting for someone, but all the time, his right hand fidgeted with an object well hidden underneath his robe.
He waited there for a few minutes but there seemed to be no signs of what or who he was waiting for. He began to pace around in frustration when he heard some rustling in the leaves. Turning around, he saw two other figures also cloaked in robes from head to toe.
The two figures approached him and one of them, apparently taller than the other, began to address, "The deed is done. Where's the The Item located?"
"You sound different, how do I know that you're L'rew?"
"You masked your voice to us. What makes you think we can't do the same?" The taller of the two figures replied. "After all, the deed is done. The bombs have exploded, now keep your end of the bargain."
"I will only give you the location of The Item if you can prove to me that Eos is dead."
"You want proof? The Main Hall exploded, how much more do you need?" the one called L'rew answered.
"How do I know Eos was in the Main Hall. The deal was to have him killed. If he's not dead, then no deal."
"Fine. I've got your proof right here." L'rew announced as he pulled from under his robe a double gold sash.
Looking at it, the mysterious figure recognized it immediately. "It's the King's royal sash."
"Yes it is. We made sure he was in the room when the explosion went off. Trust us, there will be no connection traced to you. It will just seem like a random terrorist attempt. Now give us the location of The Item!"
With one hand reaching under his robe, the mysterious figure said, "Come closer and I will tell you the location. I do not wish to say it out loud. Even trees have eyes and ears."
Both of the cloaked figures advanced towards the mysterious figure. Just as the two cloaked figures were but a few steps in front of the mysterious figure, out from underneath his robe, the mysterious figure drew out a blaster gun and aimed it at the two cloaked figures.
"You want the location of the The Item? Better luck next lifetime." The mysterious figure said as he pulled the trigger.
But as soon as the flash of light escaped from the blaster's nozzle, the two cloaked figures had already jumped off to the sides, escaping from the deadly blast. The mysterious figure was surprised that his targets could block something as close and unexpected as that, but he continued to fire upon his two opponents with deadly rampage.
Ducked, rolled, somersaulted, the two cloaked figures escaped the deadly blasts. Once on their feet, both fumbled for something underneath their robes and pulled out two silver cylindrical objects. With a touch of a button, the two cloaked figures ignited the silver cylindrical objects to reveal the hums of two lightsabers…one green and the other purple.
At the very second the lightsabers were drawn, the mysterious figure gave out a shocked gasp as he aimed at the two with an even more determined look. He tried to shoot at them but they were too fast for his aim. They ducked and rolled and deflected his shots with such ease that he knew who he was up against…the Jedi. But it was all or nothing now and the mysterious figure tried to recede into the bushes but one of the deflected shot hit his hand.
He screamed out in pain and dropped the blaster to the ground. He bent down to pick it up, but a foot clenched his hand. Looking up, he saw the two cloaked figures now with their hoods drawn back. One was bald with a rich chocolate color skin while the other had long brown hair with fair skin.
"M…m...Master Jinn, Master Windu." The mysterious figure stammered.
"Get up Eoli, your scheme has ended." Mace Windu announced.
"I…I don't know what you mean…I'm…I'm sure it's all a big misunderstanding. I…I thought…"
"Thought what Eoli?" Qui-Gon interjected. "You thought that we were the Hutts' assassins that you dealt with?"
"No! No, of course not. You see…I uh I was trying to find out about…"
"Save your breath Eoli. We all know about your scheme now." Mace Windu said.
"Yes that is true." A voice behind Qui-Gon and Mace Windu replied.
As Qui-Gon moved to the side, Eoli saw the person who had said that and it was King Eos himself, well and alive.
"King Eos! You're alive. That is great!!! Everyone's been so worried with the explosion and all." Eoli tried to say.
"No Eoli, stop it. You won't be able to fool me anymore. Master Jinn had told me about what he heard in the forest about the planted bombs. You wanted to have me killed, why?? I always thought you were my friend and never once did I consider you as anything else."
Eoli's whole expression of shock had now changed to an angry look. "A friend? Ha!!! I hardly consider you as a friend Eos. All these years I've worked for you and for Eithir but what do I get out of it? Nothing but a lousy position as your Royal Advisor. Everything that needed to be done…it's always Eoli this Eoli that. The people praise you as their great king, but you've done nothing for them. All of your accomplishments in their eyes were really mine. Mine!!!"
"I never knew you felt that way." King Eos said sadly.
"Yeah well I do. After all, I SHOULD be the rightful heir to the throne, not you."
Mace Windu gave King Eos a surprised and questioning look. Turning to Mace Windu, King Eos responded, "it is true Master Windu. Eoli is my cousin. The throne was supposed to be his. The king before me was his father and my uncle. When his father died, Eoli was incarcerated on Gousha, a planet on the other side of the galaxy. The government needed someone to take the place and they placed me on the throne. Years later, Eoli came back and I wanted to relinquish my title to him, but tradition of Eithir forbids a King with a past history." King Eos now turned to face Eoli. "You must understand Eoli, I had no desire to be king and would have given you the position if it can be done."
"Don't give me your crocodile tears." Eoli replied curtly.
King Eos sighed. "I know now why you'd want me dead, but where is Kitzu? I beg you, he's just a little kid."
"I thought you were smarter than that Eos. If you had died in the explosion, the throne still wouldn't be passed down to me because of your grandson. Kitzu would still be the heir. But if both of you died then whether the officials like it or not, I will become King."
"Your plan is foiled now Eoli, why don't you just tell us where you've hidden the kid." Mace Windu asked.
"And take away the fun of it? No." Eoli laughed.
"Take him away to be questioned." King Eos commanded and several guards appeared out of nowhere to incarcerate Eoli.
After Eoli had been dragged off, King Eos turned to the Jedi with a sad face. "I thank you for your help Jedi Ambassadors. Without it I'm afraid I'd be dead and still wouldn't know why."
"I am only glad I got back in time to warn you." Qui-Gon answered.
"A good timing that was too." Mace Windu added as he remembered how Qui-Gon had rushed in breathless to the Main Hall to warn Mace Windu and King Eos. "If you came a few minutes too late, we'd be all blown to pieces."
"It is a shame that the Main Hall is destroyed." Qui-Gon said, looking at the demolished palace.
"What was destroyed can be rebuilt." King Eos said. "I just never suspected that Eoli was behind it all. I thought he had changed."
"I don't think any of us was expecting Eoli to be the spy." Mace Windu added.
"But I thank you again Master Jinn and Master Windu." King Eos began. "However, if I may ask for help again…please help me find Kitzu."
At the very moment King Eos mentioned Kitzu, Qui-Gon winced inwardly as he remembered his confrontation with Obi-Wan and with Antes. "Don't worry King Eos, we will find Kitzu." Qui-Gon finally said. "Though I don't know what sort of connection Eoli has with …" Qui-Gon tried to fumble for words. How could he say that his back from the dead Padawan was involved?
"The Sith" Mace Windu interjected for his friend.
With an affectionate nod to his friend, Qui-Gon continued. "Yes, with the Sith, I promise you that Kitzu will be back safe and sound."
"Thank you my friends. Kitzu is all I have left since his parents died…" King Eos trailed off.
Qui-Gon looked sadly at King Eos. He, too, was torn to pieces inside, not knowing how he was going to deal with it if he must fight against Obi-Wan. His commitments and responsibilities to help King Eos find Kitzu was clear, but then so was his duty to help Obi-Wan. He couldn't just let Obi-Wan go after everything? And how did everything get so convoluted? One moment he was grieving over Obi-Wan's untimely death then the next he found out that his Padawan had been brainwashed.
Qui-Gon sighed in thoughts when he heard the running footsteps of one of the guards. The guard came immediately to King Eos.
"King Eos, we've just received a transmission from someone with the initials DV who said that he's got Prince Kitzu."
"What? Give me the transmission immediately." King Eos took the transmission data chip from the guard in a flash.
//DV? I wonder if it's…// Qui-Gon's thoughts was answered right away as the data chip projected a small screen to reveal the top half of a man dressed in black with dark brown tousled hair. It was Antes.
"Greetings King Eos." Antes in the message began to speak. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Darth Verus and I'd like to inform you that I have your grandson, Kitzu. Now, now, don't be too alarmed. He's in good hands." Darth Verus smiled evilly. "At least he will be if you agree to my demands. I want you to give Master Qui-Gon Jinn the data chip for the Hagobad Formula and have him meet with me at the far Eastern corner of the Pine Forest in two standard hours. Then, I will exchange your grandson for the Formula. Keep in mind that only the Jedi Master goes or else the next transmission that you receive from me will be the whereabouts of your precious grandson's body. I am not one to wait King Eos."
With that, the screen turned blank abruptly. King Eos looked gravely at Qui-Gon, "Master Jinn, is it true that he has my grandson?"
"I'm afraid so King Eos."
"Then I will give him what he wants. Kitzu is more important to me than any Formula."
"I understand how you must feel King Eos." Mace Windu began, "But there must be some way we can get around to that. If the Formula falls into the wrong hands, the Fate of the universe could be on the balance."
"Look, I am not worldly. In fact, you can call me a coward for all that matters. I just want to have Kitzu back safe and sound." King Eos choked.
"And we will get him back" Qui-Gon reassured. "But you have to trust us and our actions."
King Eos nodded in agreement. "Come, I will show you to where I keep the Formula. Then you can do whatever with it you want as long as you keep your promise to bring Kitzu back."
King Eos turned to leave the enclosed area, followed by the two Jedi Masters. Both Mace Windu and Qui-Gon purposely lagged behind King Eos in discussion.
"I sense it will be booby-trapped." Mace Windu pointed out.
"Yes, I sense it as well, but we have no choice left." Qui-Gon replied.
"But what will you do if Obi-Wan is there?" Mace Windu asked the inevitable.
"I…" Qui-Gon stopped and faced Mace Windu. "I know my priorities Mace. No matter what happens, I will bring Kitzu back and safeguard the Formula." Qui-Gon turned to follow King Eos, leaving Mace Windu behind in thoughts.
Knowing just how much it probably hurt Qui-Gon to say that, Mace Windu could only sigh softly, "I hope it shall not have to come to that."
A figure cloaked in a light brown robe moved surreptitiously through the winding paths of Eithir's Gardens. The Gardens themselves surrounded Eithir's palace like a miniature maze that snaked in and out. For any visitor, the Gardens proved to be an enigma with its many turns, but to this cloaked figure, it was nothing more than a parch of land with trees and flowers.
The mysterious figure didn't waste any time and moved swiftly towards the Far East corner of the Gardens. He was in haste, glancing several times at his chronometer. Though the sun had already been up for a while, making the temperature rise, the figure still had his robe cover him from head to toe. This made it impossible to reveal any of his features.
Finally, he stopped at a small area. The area that he came to was densely enclosed by several willows and bamboo-like shrubs, making it not only secluded of sunlight but of wind. The figure stood there momentarily in thought as though he was waiting for someone, but all the time, his right hand fidgeted with an object well hidden underneath his robe.
He waited there for a few minutes but there seemed to be no signs of what or who he was waiting for. He began to pace around in frustration when he heard some rustling in the leaves. Turning around, he saw two other figures also cloaked in robes from head to toe.
The two figures approached him and one of them, apparently taller than the other, began to address, "The deed is done. Where's the The Item located?"
"You sound different, how do I know that you're L'rew?"
"You masked your voice to us. What makes you think we can't do the same?" The taller of the two figures replied. "After all, the deed is done. The bombs have exploded, now keep your end of the bargain."
"I will only give you the location of The Item if you can prove to me that Eos is dead."
"You want proof? The Main Hall exploded, how much more do you need?" the one called L'rew answered.
"How do I know Eos was in the Main Hall. The deal was to have him killed. If he's not dead, then no deal."
"Fine. I've got your proof right here." L'rew announced as he pulled from under his robe a double gold sash.
Looking at it, the mysterious figure recognized it immediately. "It's the King's royal sash."
"Yes it is. We made sure he was in the room when the explosion went off. Trust us, there will be no connection traced to you. It will just seem like a random terrorist attempt. Now give us the location of The Item!"
With one hand reaching under his robe, the mysterious figure said, "Come closer and I will tell you the location. I do not wish to say it out loud. Even trees have eyes and ears."
Both of the cloaked figures advanced towards the mysterious figure. Just as the two cloaked figures were but a few steps in front of the mysterious figure, out from underneath his robe, the mysterious figure drew out a blaster gun and aimed it at the two cloaked figures.
"You want the location of the The Item? Better luck next lifetime." The mysterious figure said as he pulled the trigger.
But as soon as the flash of light escaped from the blaster's nozzle, the two cloaked figures had already jumped off to the sides, escaping from the deadly blast. The mysterious figure was surprised that his targets could block something as close and unexpected as that, but he continued to fire upon his two opponents with deadly rampage.
Ducked, rolled, somersaulted, the two cloaked figures escaped the deadly blasts. Once on their feet, both fumbled for something underneath their robes and pulled out two silver cylindrical objects. With a touch of a button, the two cloaked figures ignited the silver cylindrical objects to reveal the hums of two lightsabers…one green and the other purple.
At the very second the lightsabers were drawn, the mysterious figure gave out a shocked gasp as he aimed at the two with an even more determined look. He tried to shoot at them but they were too fast for his aim. They ducked and rolled and deflected his shots with such ease that he knew who he was up against…the Jedi. But it was all or nothing now and the mysterious figure tried to recede into the bushes but one of the deflected shot hit his hand.
He screamed out in pain and dropped the blaster to the ground. He bent down to pick it up, but a foot clenched his hand. Looking up, he saw the two cloaked figures now with their hoods drawn back. One was bald with a rich chocolate color skin while the other had long brown hair with fair skin.
"M…m...Master Jinn, Master Windu." The mysterious figure stammered.
"Get up Eoli, your scheme has ended." Mace Windu announced.
"I…I don't know what you mean…I'm…I'm sure it's all a big misunderstanding. I…I thought…"
"Thought what Eoli?" Qui-Gon interjected. "You thought that we were the Hutts' assassins that you dealt with?"
"No! No, of course not. You see…I uh I was trying to find out about…"
"Save your breath Eoli. We all know about your scheme now." Mace Windu said.
"Yes that is true." A voice behind Qui-Gon and Mace Windu replied.
As Qui-Gon moved to the side, Eoli saw the person who had said that and it was King Eos himself, well and alive.
"King Eos! You're alive. That is great!!! Everyone's been so worried with the explosion and all." Eoli tried to say.
"No Eoli, stop it. You won't be able to fool me anymore. Master Jinn had told me about what he heard in the forest about the planted bombs. You wanted to have me killed, why?? I always thought you were my friend and never once did I consider you as anything else."
Eoli's whole expression of shock had now changed to an angry look. "A friend? Ha!!! I hardly consider you as a friend Eos. All these years I've worked for you and for Eithir but what do I get out of it? Nothing but a lousy position as your Royal Advisor. Everything that needed to be done…it's always Eoli this Eoli that. The people praise you as their great king, but you've done nothing for them. All of your accomplishments in their eyes were really mine. Mine!!!"
"I never knew you felt that way." King Eos said sadly.
"Yeah well I do. After all, I SHOULD be the rightful heir to the throne, not you."
Mace Windu gave King Eos a surprised and questioning look. Turning to Mace Windu, King Eos responded, "it is true Master Windu. Eoli is my cousin. The throne was supposed to be his. The king before me was his father and my uncle. When his father died, Eoli was incarcerated on Gousha, a planet on the other side of the galaxy. The government needed someone to take the place and they placed me on the throne. Years later, Eoli came back and I wanted to relinquish my title to him, but tradition of Eithir forbids a King with a past history." King Eos now turned to face Eoli. "You must understand Eoli, I had no desire to be king and would have given you the position if it can be done."
"Don't give me your crocodile tears." Eoli replied curtly.
King Eos sighed. "I know now why you'd want me dead, but where is Kitzu? I beg you, he's just a little kid."
"I thought you were smarter than that Eos. If you had died in the explosion, the throne still wouldn't be passed down to me because of your grandson. Kitzu would still be the heir. But if both of you died then whether the officials like it or not, I will become King."
"Your plan is foiled now Eoli, why don't you just tell us where you've hidden the kid." Mace Windu asked.
"And take away the fun of it? No." Eoli laughed.
"Take him away to be questioned." King Eos commanded and several guards appeared out of nowhere to incarcerate Eoli.
After Eoli had been dragged off, King Eos turned to the Jedi with a sad face. "I thank you for your help Jedi Ambassadors. Without it I'm afraid I'd be dead and still wouldn't know why."
"I am only glad I got back in time to warn you." Qui-Gon answered.
"A good timing that was too." Mace Windu added as he remembered how Qui-Gon had rushed in breathless to the Main Hall to warn Mace Windu and King Eos. "If you came a few minutes too late, we'd be all blown to pieces."
"It is a shame that the Main Hall is destroyed." Qui-Gon said, looking at the demolished palace.
"What was destroyed can be rebuilt." King Eos said. "I just never suspected that Eoli was behind it all. I thought he had changed."
"I don't think any of us was expecting Eoli to be the spy." Mace Windu added.
"But I thank you again Master Jinn and Master Windu." King Eos began. "However, if I may ask for help again…please help me find Kitzu."
At the very moment King Eos mentioned Kitzu, Qui-Gon winced inwardly as he remembered his confrontation with Obi-Wan and with Antes. "Don't worry King Eos, we will find Kitzu." Qui-Gon finally said. "Though I don't know what sort of connection Eoli has with …" Qui-Gon tried to fumble for words. How could he say that his back from the dead Padawan was involved?
"The Sith" Mace Windu interjected for his friend.
With an affectionate nod to his friend, Qui-Gon continued. "Yes, with the Sith, I promise you that Kitzu will be back safe and sound."
"Thank you my friends. Kitzu is all I have left since his parents died…" King Eos trailed off.
Qui-Gon looked sadly at King Eos. He, too, was torn to pieces inside, not knowing how he was going to deal with it if he must fight against Obi-Wan. His commitments and responsibilities to help King Eos find Kitzu was clear, but then so was his duty to help Obi-Wan. He couldn't just let Obi-Wan go after everything? And how did everything get so convoluted? One moment he was grieving over Obi-Wan's untimely death then the next he found out that his Padawan had been brainwashed.
Qui-Gon sighed in thoughts when he heard the running footsteps of one of the guards. The guard came immediately to King Eos.
"King Eos, we've just received a transmission from someone with the initials DV who said that he's got Prince Kitzu."
"What? Give me the transmission immediately." King Eos took the transmission data chip from the guard in a flash.
//DV? I wonder if it's…// Qui-Gon's thoughts was answered right away as the data chip projected a small screen to reveal the top half of a man dressed in black with dark brown tousled hair. It was Antes.
"Greetings King Eos." Antes in the message began to speak. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Darth Verus and I'd like to inform you that I have your grandson, Kitzu. Now, now, don't be too alarmed. He's in good hands." Darth Verus smiled evilly. "At least he will be if you agree to my demands. I want you to give Master Qui-Gon Jinn the data chip for the Hagobad Formula and have him meet with me at the far Eastern corner of the Pine Forest in two standard hours. Then, I will exchange your grandson for the Formula. Keep in mind that only the Jedi Master goes or else the next transmission that you receive from me will be the whereabouts of your precious grandson's body. I am not one to wait King Eos."
With that, the screen turned blank abruptly. King Eos looked gravely at Qui-Gon, "Master Jinn, is it true that he has my grandson?"
"I'm afraid so King Eos."
"Then I will give him what he wants. Kitzu is more important to me than any Formula."
"I understand how you must feel King Eos." Mace Windu began, "But there must be some way we can get around to that. If the Formula falls into the wrong hands, the Fate of the universe could be on the balance."
"Look, I am not worldly. In fact, you can call me a coward for all that matters. I just want to have Kitzu back safe and sound." King Eos choked.
"And we will get him back" Qui-Gon reassured. "But you have to trust us and our actions."
King Eos nodded in agreement. "Come, I will show you to where I keep the Formula. Then you can do whatever with it you want as long as you keep your promise to bring Kitzu back."
King Eos turned to leave the enclosed area, followed by the two Jedi Masters. Both Mace Windu and Qui-Gon purposely lagged behind King Eos in discussion.
"I sense it will be booby-trapped." Mace Windu pointed out.
"Yes, I sense it as well, but we have no choice left." Qui-Gon replied.
"But what will you do if Obi-Wan is there?" Mace Windu asked the inevitable.
"I…" Qui-Gon stopped and faced Mace Windu. "I know my priorities Mace. No matter what happens, I will bring Kitzu back and safeguard the Formula." Qui-Gon turned to follow King Eos, leaving Mace Windu behind in thoughts.
Knowing just how much it probably hurt Qui-Gon to say that, Mace Windu could only sigh softly, "I hope it shall not have to come to that."