Summary:
A Jedi Padawan witnesses a terrifying scene that will mar his life and everything, he has believed in. How will he choose to react to this?
A Jedi Master witnesses a heartbreaking scene and is torn between duty and love. Which one is he going to choose and what consequences will come out of his decision?
A Royal Aide witnesses the death of his past and the birth of an uncertain future. What will result out of his choice to fulfill his duty?
Unbeknownst to anyone, a Sith Apprentice witnesses a turning point in the life of a young man, who could be his future Apprentice. Will he choose to interfere?
Chapter 10. Broken Circle
Xanatos was running as fast as his feet could carry him. Propelling himself forward with the Force, he cursed his waning strength. Sheer willpower could fail at carrying him fast enough to his destination. His vision was blurred. He wasn't even registering his surroundings, only his instincts were guiding him forward. He couldn't think. His mind was muddled and sluggish. All he knew was that something terrible would happen, if he wasn't fast enough to prevent it.
After having slowed down in order to turn the last corner, he entered a wide hallway only to stop dead in his tracks. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. Was this for real? Hot and cold waves were running through his body simultaneously.
"Father!" he screamed in desperation and cast himself forward in another reckless run.
The King was lying on the ground near the decorative fire. The young man slumped on his knees next to him. He bent down towards the older man, lifted gently his shoulders and supported his head.
Crion was gravely injured. He was breathing heavily. But his eyes were still open and recognized Xanatos. Miraculously, all shadows disappeared from them. The madness was gone. They turned a warm, clear, bright blue.
"My son..!"
"Father! Stay with me! Everything will be alright, I will take care of it, you will be fine, I promise!"
"Xani… 's too late…"
A choked "NO!" escaped the young man's lips. Undeterred by it, the dying man continued, gathering all the strength he had:
"My son..!" Crion repeated, taking in every detail of the noble features of his only child. "I'm so proud of you! Your mother… would be so proud of you! Don't… mourn us. We are the happiest… parents… couldn't be happier… because of you."
Tears were running down the young man's cheeks.
"Live on! Live… long. For… both… 'f… us."
The King's eyes closed. His head drooped limply.
No, no, no, no… was whirling in Xanatos' mind. His father was still alive. The wound was not severe. He could heal it.
The Jedi Padawan tried to calm down. He had to summon healing energies. He tried to calm his breathing but he couldn't. Unrestrained sobs started escaping his throat instead.
No! This couldn't be happening! His father would open his eyes any moment and laugh at him. This was some kind of a cruel joke! Maybe he wasn't injured at all?
He shook the man's body, as if to wake him. But his father remained motionless. No signs of life were visible. The body was limp.
Xanatos fell in despair. He embraced his father's form and started rocking it forwards and backwards. Unabated grief and heartbreak had taken hold of him. The Force was circling around him in a bewailing dance.
SWSWSWSWSW
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn watched with unbelieving eyes as the King fell to the ground. A desolate scream had pierced his heart seconds ago. He simply stood there and watched Xanatos reach his dying father. He observed the heartbreaking scene in shock. A father, saying his final words to his beloved son. He could feel the pure love and pride, emanating from the lethally wounded man. It was breathtaking. A lump formed in his throat. Guilt was tearing him apart. What had he done?
He watched his Padawan drown in desolation. He called his name, but received no answer. He couldn't bear this anymore. He needed to get away from this hallway. But he had to try to calm his Padawan. He crouched by Xanatos, laid a hand on the young man's shoulder and called his name again. He couldn't reach him. The training bond was closed, as it had been for a whole day already.
Qui-Gon couldn't remain there. He felt suffocated by his apprentice's grief. It was so deeply rooted… It meant one thing – Xanatos loved Crion more than the Jedi Master had ever imagined. Qui-Gon could not believe this. How could his Padawan have cared so much about this man? Did he even care half as much about his Master?
Appalled by his thoughts and by everything that had happened, Qui-Gon suddenly heard a clashing noise, coming from the opened windows. Angry screams were audible. A riot had erupted! The Jedi shot a final look at his apprentice. He couldn't do anything for him right now. He was needed elsewhere.
Qui-Gon broke into a run in the direction of the Palace's main entrance.
SWSWSWSWSW
From somewhere far away Xanatos suddenly felt his Master's presence and a touch of a hand on his shoulder. He was confused for a moment, until his memories started falling back in place.
The disturbance in the Force. The feeling of foreboding. Endless running. A green blade impaled in his father's chest.
No, no… NO! Why?! Why did he do this? How could he do this?
Disbelief. Pain. Betrayal. Anger.
He killed my father! He ran him through with his lightsaber!
He will pay for this! Red hot rage enveloped the young man. Despite his exhaustion, he was ready to jump to his feet and make sure Crion's murderer met the deceased man's fate.
Something stopped him. The pain and disbelief won over for a moment. His Master couldn't have done this. Qui-Gon cared about him. He wouldn't.
NO! another part of him protested. He had seen it with his own eyes. Qui-Gon had betrayed him. He was a murderer. Xanatos would avenge his father's death.
Revenge is not the Jedi way, sounded from somewhere deep in his consciousness.
And murder is? an angry voice countered. Then I am as much a Jedi as that filthy Jinn!
The Padawan's body was trembling. This conflict was ripping him apart. He couldn't resist any longer. Qui-Gon would pay for all this. He was a murderer. Justice would be served.
Rising to his feet, he took his lightsaber in his right hand, but did not ignite it yet. He opened his eyes to search for his adversary. He had to look into Jinn's eyes. He had to attest what he had come to realize, before he could act. But the hallway was empty.
There was no trace of Qui-Gon Jinn.
He killed him. He killed him. Killed him and left. He simply left! Left me! ME!
This was the last drop.
Anger. Rage. Hatred.
All three erupted from Xanatos simultaneously. The ground shook beneath his feet. Nearly collapsing, the young man tried to steady himself on his feet. His head was fuzzy.
"You are always alone, and betrayal is inevitable," sounded in the young man's head. This was the moment, when he realized it had been said in Jedi Master Dooku's voice.
The red-hot anger started turning into cold contempt. It somehow ordered his thoughts.
Qui-Gon has always believed this! His Master had told it to him, after all, Xanatos was thinking contemptuously. So, he simply decided to exact the betrayal first, not wait to be betrayed!
No, this statement is wrong. Dooku couldn't have been serious, a more sober voice chimed in out of nowhere.
Shut up! You should have been dead by now! What are you doing still here? the vicious voice sounded again. Your father betrayed you! He lied to you and committed lowly crimes! You loved him and he hurt you. Your precious Master killed your beloved father in cold blood! You respected him and he betrayed you. Oh, or did you love him as well?
Pain enveloped the young man's body. Pain and anger.
No one will hurt me ever again! Maybe that bastard Dooku was damn right! They all betrayed me! Not only Jinn and Crion, the Jedi! Those hypocrites! They hate me and sent me here to suffer!
The young man slammed down his shields. He had no idea whether he had been broadcasting all this or not. But he suddenly realized he didn't care that much anymore.
Why should I care about what Jinn thinks of me? He is a damn murderer! He doesn't care about me. Like all the other Jedi…
Xanatos felt cold. Cold, alone and betrayed. He shivered. He had to start doing something. If he continued thinking, he would go mad. But as he tried to move, his body finally gave up. He collapsed. Remaining on the ground for some time, he tried to think logically, devoid of any feelings. He wanted neither to be blinded by animosity and rage, nor to feel the seductive cold calmness of contempt. He wanted to feel nothing.
His inborn sense of logic took over. His sharp mind had not given way under the assault of all these unwanted emotions. Yet.
The Jedi Padawan stirred slowly. He had to take care of his father. This was the most important thing. He couldn't leave him here. But he couldn't make himself go anywhere near the man's body, either.
One name sounded in his mind – Vallenthyne! His father's aide. He would know what to do. He took out his comlink and a durasheet his father had given him a day ago – all the numbers of his Advisers and more high-ranking personal aides were listed. They were supposed to help him with the investigation. The investigation on his own father.
A bitter smile formed on Xanatos' face. He left a voice message for Vallenthyne, stating:
"He is dead. The Warrior's Hallway. Take care of his… body. Arrange for a Royal Funeral. Xanatos du Crion out."
The young man wanted to look at his father one more time, but he could not. Instead, his eyes fell on a small, yellow object near the decorative fire.
His father's wedding ring.
It was split in three. No wonder it had slipped from his father's finger.
The circle was broken.
That was how Xanatos felt. Broken. Something was gone forever.
He took the hot metal pieces and pressed them on his right cheek.
He didn't even feel them burning his flesh. He was numb.
The young man threw the ring back into the fire and stumbled towards his quarters. He wasn't able to do anything anymore. He was broken. Exhausted. He had gone crazy. This contempt, the anger… They could take firm possession of him any moment now. He'd better go to sleep before this could happen. Maybe everything would be better, after he woke up.
SWSWSWSWSW
Darth Sidious was angry.
First of all, there would be no invasion against Toprawa. That stupid coward Fidelius must have sent Jinn the recording. Darth Plagueis would not be pleased.
Normally, the Sith Apprentice would not have been so exasperated. After all, Jinn had killed Crion. A possibility Sidious had foreseen. The perfect opportunity for du Crion to finally turn to the Dark Side and kill his Master in anger.
The only problem was that he still hadn't.
The Sith Lord had only felt unabated grief and sorrow in the Force. Pathetic grief and sorrow! What kind of Sith could du Crion possibly become, if he saw his own father's murder and simply felt sad! He should have directly attacked his father's murderer! Why hadn't he?
Love?
Maybe he had loved his dear father so much that he hadn't come to his senses yet? This had better be so! – The Sith Lord thought. But this didn't satisfy him either. It was disturbing that the boy could feel so deeply such pathetic emotions. Yes, deep love could easily turn into deep-rooted hatred. But the process was reversible. According to du Crion's reputation in the Jedi Temple, he was cold-hearted, arrogant and vindictive. That would have been preferable.
However, there was a more disturbing possibility. Maybe Darth Sidious hadn't gauged the boy right at all. Maybe du Crion was too loyal to the Jedi and he couldn't turn against his Master! Or he loved him like he loved his father? And the love was stronger than the anger he felt at witnessing Jinn kill Crion? Had this pathetic Jedi even felt angry?!
But the Sith Lord definitely did. This was supposed to be a win-win situation. The invasion had failed. He had to make sure that du Crion would turn.
Suddenly, he felt a powerful anger tantrum in the Force. The man's thin, bloodless lips curved in a malicious smile.
Good, good! I knew I hadn't been mistaken about the boy. Darth Sidious does not make mistakes! However, as a punishment for his initial pathetic reaction, du Crion will be the first to test my newly acquired Sith torture mask!
The Sith Apprentice had providently brought with him a Sith torture mask he had stumbled upon some time ago on Korriban. He had to test it on someone – Force-sensitive, of course – in order to see what exact effects it had.
It was preferable not to interfere directly in the unfolding events on Telos, because it was far too early for the Sith to officially reveal themselves. But since that pathetic Jedi du Crion had disappointed him, he had brought this upon himself. Darth Sidious had to have some fun from time to time. And he wasn't about to reveal anything to the boy, simply torture him. Even if he was smart enough to suspect his jailor's true identity, who would believe him? He was already more anchored in the Dark than in the Light. After he wore the mask for the rest of the day, he could even be irreversibly turned. He could still kill Jinn while both of them were on Telos. The Jedi Council would label him a Dark Jedi and a rogue immediately.
Senator Palpatine slipped into Darth Sidious' black cloak, put the hood over his head and drove off in the direction of the Royal Palace.
SWSWSWSWSW
Qui-Gon Jinn reached the Palace's front entrance. To witness mayhem. The main gate was broken down. Angry people were fighting members of the King's Guard in hand-to-hand combat. There was an armed group among them, which posed an even bigger danger. The Jedi Master figured they had destroyed the main gate. In the meantime, a squadron of blue-clad guards was firing stun bolts from a terrace above, but they hit their own almost as frequently as they hit the intruders.
The Jedi Master had no idea how he could part the two fighting groups. Instead of fighting back, the guards should have sealed the Palace's front door and contented themselves with firing stun bolts!
Surely, the security forces* will arrive any moment now, the Jedi Master thought. But how long would it take them to break through the mob, surrounding the Palace, until they actually reached the front yard? Qui-Gon knew that people would have already died. He could not allow this to happen.
They are angry at someone, who is already dead, Qui-Gon remarked bitterly. The Jedi have already done the Rebel Front's dirty work.
The Jedi Master shook his head. He wasn't thinking straight. He had to keep his focus here and now.
What if I amplify my voice and tell them the news? That there is no reason for them to fight?
This was when a powerful outburst of hate and anger nearly knocked him out. He would have regained his balance, had he not felt the ground beneath his feet move. As Qui-Gon fell to the ground, the whole hill, on which the Palace was standing, seemed to be shaking. Several windows broke. Xanatos! What has happened to him? The Jedi Master felt dread fill him. Such anger… He shuddered. He had to go back to his apprentice. He cast a glance towards the yard – the small earthquake, caused by Xanatos, had scared some sense into the angry mob. The people had stopped fighting. But how long would the cease-fire last?
This was the perfect moment for his announcement. The people would listen to him and return to their homes. The Jedi Master gritted his teeth. He had promised Yoda that duty would come first on this mission. Hating himself for the decision, he stepped towards the yard. His Padawan would have to wait.
SWSWSWSWSW
Xanatos was slowly dragging his feet towards his room. He was almost there! Several steps more and he would collapse in his bed. Maybe he would be lucky enough not to wake afterwards. Why would one want to wake up, after all that had happened?
Out of a sudden, something hit his head hard. The Jedi Padawan fell to the ground. His face collided with the cold, marble floor. Darkness enveloped him.
SWSWSWSWSW
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was sitting on a chair in his quarters in the Royal Palace. It was already late in the evening. He had successfully separated the two battling sides earlier. Many had been seriously injured, but there were no casualties.
Except for the King himself.
An angry mob hadn't managed to kill a single man of the King's Guard, while an angry Jedi Master had murdered Telos' King.
What an irony. The guards had been protecting the King from the Rebels, but had welcomed Crion's actual murderer through the front gate minutes prior.
The Jedi Master's head ached. He massaged his forehead. But more and more disturbing thoughts started assaulting him.
All morning he had been trying to avert a horrible event from coming to pass. In the end, he turned out to be the one, who caused it.
The most horrible part was what followed after.
Xanatos disappeared. He was nowhere to be found. As though he had dissolved in thin air.
No one besides Qui-Gon had seen the Padawan ever since he had left for Than-Onna Temple the day before.
Why did he have to suddenly appear to witness his father's death? He should have remained wherever he had been all along!
But where was that? Where had he been? Where was he now?
Qui-Gon could not continue sitting in a chair, while his heartbroken Padawan was Force-knew-where, doing Force-knew-what in this late hour. He jumped on his feet.
Only to slump back into his chair in defeat.
He had already checked everywhere. Asked everyone.
There was no trace of Xanatos.
Qui-Gon had the nagging feeling he had killed the only person, who could have had any idea where his apprentice had been the night before and the midday afterwards.
Anger enveloped the Jedi Master. At that hateful person, he had killed. Curse Crion, he couldn't have simply conceded to confess everything, he had to exact his revenge on Qui-Gon in one of the worst ways possible. He had condemned the Jedi Master to feel guilty for killing a corrupt, deranged, vile criminal.
The same criminal his Padawan loved so much.
Had Xanatos' anger been aimed at him? Had Xanatos disappeared, because he didn't want to meet his Master? Would he come back at all?
Qui-Gon didn't know the answer to any of these questions.
Cold dread filled the Jedi Master for the second time that day. In his death Crion might have accomplished what he had failed to in his life – he had taken Qui-Gon's Padawan away from him.
Where are you, Xani? Will you ever come back, Padawan?
SWSWSWSWSW
"I should have never brought you to the Jedi Temple! You are not worthy to be a Jedi, you disgrace the Order! How could you do this? I am ashamed that you are my Padawan! …"
The furious voice of Qui-Gon Jinn was ripping through his apprentice's mind, in what was the young man's most terrifying memory. The one time he had made his Master so angry that he said such horrible things. Tears were running down Xanatos' cheeks. Maybe his Master had been right. He should never have left Telos. He should have remained in the Palace with his parents. At least they had loved him, in spite of the fact that they abandoned him. They had, hadn't they?
Wait. His Master might have been ashamed of him, but he still had said that Xanatos was his Padawan. And he had remained by his side. He had supported Xanatos through everything he had ever gotten himself into afterwards. He had argued numerous times with the whole Council for his sake. He had convinced Master Yoda to give him a trial mission.
Trial mission. Telos IV. His father. Green lightsaber. Death. Betrayal.
He killed my father and left me. He left me.
My parents abandoned me.
The Jedi sent me to betray my father.
"You see? Everything fits into place. No one has ever loved you. I told your Master long ago that love did not exist. He was an excellent apprentice. He learned all my lessons. He has taught you the most important one through experience – you are always alone and betrayal is inevitable. People are selfish and always choose themselves, even before the ones they claim to love."
Jedi Master Dooku's cultured voice was speaking seductively in the young Padawan's head. Where did Dooku come from? What does he want? Can't he just leave me alone? Where am I?
But more and more bad memories continued assaulting the young man's consciousness.
Dooku didn't miss an opportunity to comment on anything.
After what seemed to be an eternity, spent in agony for the Padawan, the Jedi Master uttered:
"The conclusion from all this, du Crion, is that pathetic feelings such as love and compassion only make you weaker. Why do you think even the Jedi forbid attachments?
But they are fools not to understand that compassion is as detrimental as love.
What makes you stronger is your anger. It breaks your chains and makes you invincible. You serve no one. They serve you.
Do you want to be a slave to pathetic life forms such as your parents, that old green troll Yoda or the traitor Jinn? He is a fool, for he has not understood the power of the Dark Side.
Embrace your anger.
Revel in your hate.
Take what's rightfully yours.
Ultimate power.
The ultimate prize for the one, strong enough to reach for it."
SWSWSWSWSW
Darth Sidious was very pleased with the influence the Sith torture mask was exerting on du Crion.
It is perfect for turning Jedi to the Dark Side. Plagueis also has one, but as far as I'm concerned, it is not this advanced. It only inflicts pain. This one seems to actually manipulate the subject's mind. How intriguing. What a shame that I have to return my probable future apprentice back to his Palace. This mask seems to be doing wonders with him.
The Sith's alter ego Palpatine had to leave for Coruscant early in the morning, so Darth Sidious had no other choice but to drop Xanatos back from where he had taken him. However, even this would be entertaining for the Sith. Sneaking up in Palaces, destroying security holocameras, finally some action. He had not killed a single person in several years. He had the right to some sort of entertainment.
He would regret returning the noble also because he was actually looking forward to training an apprentice. It would be an interesting experience. Especially if the apprentice indeed turned out to be Xanatos himself or someone similar to him. Of course there was also the issue of that Zabrak youngling an impudent Dathomirian witch had dumped on Palpatine not too long ago. But Plagueis himself had wisely observed that the Zabrak Maul could be trained as a Sith Assassin at best. His only useful quality was the higher than average midichlorian count. Furthermore, in several years he would turn into a fearsome red, horned beast. A human couldn't possibly have a more terrifying influence on people even if he wore an inscription on his forehead, stating "Beware: Evil Sith Lord". But what Sidious needed was a sharp-looking, intelligent, persuasive, manipulative and powerful apprentice. Not a beast on a leash.
SWSWSWSWSW
Alden Vallenthyne, the King's personal aide and valet and the Royal Palace's main steward, was walking through the said Palace's corridors, upset, distraught and unsure of his future.
And, if he had to be honest with himself, more than a bit angry.
The King had been murdered! No one seemed to care about this. Frankly, everyone looked relieved. Crion's political enemies celebrated. No one cared to question the Jedi's motives. Even the Telosian Security Forces* had neither interrogated Jinn, nor demanded the security recordings to find out what had happened. They were supposed to have already done so! If they failed to do this by noon the next day, Vallenthyne would make sure to file an official complaint. The Jedi were not above the law. They couldn't go around killing people and get away with it. Moreover, Crion was no common person, he was the King!
Vallenthyne could not believe he was dead. He was so accustomed to taking care of the man. He wished Crion had trusted him more. Not that he didn't trust him, he just… rarely thrust upon him any significant task to accomplish. Vallenthyne was far too well-educated and highly born to be a simple valet or a steward. And even as an aide, he never quite got to do the more important work.
In fact, the Vallenthyne family line had served the Telosian Kings for centuries. Not a single family member had ever betrayed the Royal Family's trust. Crion should have let him take more responsibilities.
And now it was too late, anyway.
As it seemed, Crion would most probably remain Telos' last King. Upon hearing about his demise, the members of the Telosian Council immediately started discussing the prospect of democratic elections for a Telosian Governor. Of course, since there was an actual heir to the throne, they could not put this to a vote. Crion's son had to be present and, in case the young man had the intention of claiming the title, matters would get complicated.
Everyone speculated whether Xanatos du Crion would claim the title of King of Telos.
Vallenthyne did not know what to think. The boy was a Jedi. But he seemed to have been close to his father nevertheless. They had been working together the previous night about the issue of the Antarian Ranger and had left together early in the morning.
The young man had been the one to inform Vallenthyne about the King's death. The aide had watched the security holorecordings. The boy had been devastated after Jinn had killed Crion. His behavior after the Jedi Master had left the hallway was controversial. Vallenthyne did not know what to think of Xanatos du Crion. He knew one thing – he would serve Crion's son to the best of his abilities, whatever the young man's decision would be. Alden Vallenthyne had sworn an oath to serve the Royal Family. That was just what he intended to do. Only if du Crion remained a Jedi, would Vallenthyne be officially released from his vow. He doubted a Jedi would accept the services of a Royal Aide.
Vallenthyne could only hope he would choose otherwise.
As he continued with his late night walk around the Palace, Alden heard a strange noise. It resembled a groan. After initially dismissing it as his mind playing tricks on him – after all, it had been a trying day for him, he eventually decided to check up on it.
Entering a corridor near the King's quarters, Vallenthyne saw a young man's form, barely stirring on the ground.
It was Xanatos du Crion.
SWSWSWSWSW
Xanatos made an effort to open his eyes. He felt as though his eyelids had been glued together with the rest of his face and simply wouldn't open.
Gathering all his willpower, he made them obey his command.
All he could see at first was shadows.
Slowly, he managed to discern some objects. He was lying on a bed in an unknown room in an unknown place.
He tried to rise, but was too weak. His muscles hurt. He groaned.
The door opened.
"Your Majesty?" he heard an unknown, yet slightly familiar voice say.
Xanatos was unsettled. Was this man talking to him?
He tried to answer, but his mouth was too dry and his lips – too swollen.
The man seemed to get this, because he came back with a glass of water.
He helped him take several sips.
"Where am I?" Xanatos managed eventually.
"In my quarters in the Royal Palace, Your Majesty. I found you, lying on the ground near your quarters, barely conscious. You have slept for about 3 hours."
"Why are you calling me that? I… am just Xanatos."
"You are the only heir to the throne. You are the rightful King of Telos."
Xanatos' swollen face contorted in what seemed to be a frown. After a long pause, he asked:
"What happened? What time and date is it? Who are you?"
Vallenthyne was worried. He should have called the healers immediately!
"I am Alden Vallenthyne, King Crion's former aide and valet. Former, because…" Should I tell him? He might be in shock. What if his condition gets worse? "… your father died yesterday, Your Majesty. You have my deep condolences. But you informed me about it yourself. Don't you remember?"
Xanatos closed his eyes. His face contorted even more in indescribable emotion.
"I… remember…" Each word broke off with great effort from the young man's lips. "How much time has passed since?"
"It is 0100 hour in the night, Your Majesty. King Crion passed away the day before."
"Will you… stop calling me that?"
"If you insist so."
"I do. Now… Does anyone else know I'm here?"
"No, Your…, uh, sir. I decided you would prefer so, after your disappearance yesterday. But are you sure you don't need medical attention? Your whole face is red and swollen."
"Oh…"
"And you have a broken ring scar on your right cheek."
The young man's eyes glinted at the aide's last sentence.
"Is that so? Give me a mirror!"
"Uhm, are you sure…"
"I never say anything I do not mean!" Xanatos interrupted in a harsh tone.
Vallenthyne nodded and fulfilled the order.
Xanatos looked carefully at his face. It looked awful. Just like the young man felt.
"At least the scar looks good."
Vallenthyne wisely assumed it was better to keep quiet.
"Why are you helping me?" the young man suddenly broke the silence.
"I would have helped anyone I found lying half-conscious on the ground in the Royal Palace. However, you are far from anyone. I am sworn to serve the Royal Family. Like I said, you are the rightful King, Your…, sir."
"You don't have to call me sir, either."
"I insist, sir."
Xanatos' swollen lips seemed to curve in a smile.
"You have a character, Vallenthyne, I give you that. But what I want is unquestionable loyalty."
"You have it, sir."
"Do I? You remember that Antarian Ranger from what is it… last night?"
Vallenthyne nodded.
"I did that to him. I remember now… He had been much worse. He would have died, had I not somehow managed to heal him. I almost killed him without breaking a sweat, without even realizing it. If you betray me, the same fate will come upon you. With the difference that I will not bother healing you."
"I have no such intentions, sir."
"But I have every intention of keeping my promise."
"The Vallenthyne family line has been loyal to the Telosian Kings for centuries, sir. You have my word that I will not be the first one to break my oath to serve you to the best of my abilities."
Xanatos shrugged stiffly.
"I don't care who your ancestors are. Have you ever betrayed my father?"
"Never. I will never betray you either."
The young man simply said:
"Good."
Vallenthyne was dumbfounded. After threatening to kill me, he just takes my word at face value?
"What?" Xanatos asked, as he noted Vallenthyne's unbelieving face.
"Excuse me, sir, but… After all this suspicion, how did you simply decide to trust me?"
"I know you are telling the truth. It's a Jedi ability I am extraordinarily proficient in. So don't you ever try to lie to me. I want the full truth. Always."
As Vallenthyne nodded, Xanatos continued:
"No one must know where I am. Especially Jinn. Is there another way to my father's quarters? As far as I remember, there is a secret one, which doesn't lead past Jinn's quarters."
"Yes, sir, there is."
"Then you will help me get there now. But, first, bring me something that will make me sleep for about 5 hours."
"Sir, you need more rest. 5 hours is not enough," the Aide argued with concern.
"7. Not a second longer. In the morning, summon a team of people, who can make me look like I should. Not like a tortured Jedi Padawan. Like a King," Xanatos said firmly, jaw clenched. But out of a sudden, his expression softened and his voice grew friendlier as he inquired, arching an eyebrow, "Kings have people, who take care of their appearance, right?"
The change didn't escape Vallenthyne's notice, to whom his King suddenly looked more like an inquisitive boy. He smiled inwardly.
"I will summon the ones, who did this for your father. But you also need a dermatologist, sir."
"Hear me well, Vallenthyne. Whomever you call must be 100 percent loyal. No word of any of this is to escape. I don't care who comes, as long as they make me look good."
"Yes, sir."
"I also need a team, who can capture an official announcement for the HoloNet. Again, no one must find out about this."
"Of course, sir. I will make sure of it."
"You'd better do. Now, go get the sleep medication and escort me to my father's quarters."
"You mean your quarters, sir."
Xanatos shrugged. "Call them as you wish."
Leaning heavily on Vallenthyne, Xanatos managed to reach the King's quarters in what seemed to be decades. He collapsed in his father's bed and Vallenthyne covered him with a warm blanket.
"Sleep well, sir." the older man said softly.
"Wait… I will need some official clothing, too," Xanatos remarked.
"Your father has already taken care of this, sir."
"What?" the younger man asked incredulously.
Vallenthyne opened the wardrobe and pulled out two hangers. He strolled back to Xanatos with them.
An official robe was hanged on each one of them. A deep blue one with silver ornamentation. And a black one with deep blue and silver ornamentation.
Xanatos reached out and touched the fabric. Tears welled in his eyes.
"Two days ago he told me to make an express order. They were ready yesterday morning and I left them in your former quarters as Prince of Telos like the King had requested. However, after yesterday's events I moved them here."
Xanatos swallowed.
"Good."
"Good night, sir."
"To you as well."
After Vallenthyne left, the young man reached for the second pillow on the bed, embraced it and buried his face in it, although doing so hurt his skin. He could smell his father's perfume. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
SWSWSWSWSW
The first thing Qui-Gon did, after he woke up with a start, was to aim straight for his Padawan's quarters. The unnerved Jedi Master, long hair disheveled, eyes half-closed shuffled towards his destination, night robes on.
Both the refresher and the bedroom were empty.
It was still dark outside. The Jedi Master assumed there were several hours until dawn. He slumped into his Padawan's bed.
He would wait for him here.
SWSWSWSWSW
Xanatos rose from his father's bed. It took him some time to reacquaint himself with the recent events. Out of a sudden, he jumped and raced toward the mirror.
An unpleasant sight met his eyes.
Is this what I have turned into?
A swelled-faced, slumped creature with dead yellow-blue eyes, dark circles underneath them, was reflected there.
Anger ignited the blood in the young man's veins.
The image changed.
A straight-backed, red-faced, fearsome figure with terrifying bloodied yellow eyes looked at him.
A part of Xanatos cringed at the sight.
Let's do this one final time
The Padawan closed his eyes.
Opening them, he saw a straight-backed, swelled-faced, piercing blue-eyed, exhausted, yet imposing and still noble-looking young man.
I can live with that, a relieved and grateful voice sounded.
I preferred the previous one, a vicious one remarked.
I agree, but the latter will serve our purposes better, a contemptuous one answered.
"Just shut up!" Xanatos almost screamed aloud, violently shaking his head.
I am suffering from some multiple personality disorder, the young man stated.
He decided it would be best in this case to try to figure out what the bigger part of him wanted to do.
He could hear only squabbling voices.
Burning anger enveloped him for the second time.
This ends now. I am strong now. Everyone, who tried to break me, will pay for it! I will make them suffer. This is first on today's agenda.
But something in him was indeed broken. He looked at the broken circle on his cheek.
Yes, I know what is broken. That weak sniveling little Padawan, who loves his Master and his mommy and daddy. He should have been dead by now.
Pain and grief enveloped the young man.
A cold and calculating voice pushed everything aside. Icy-blue eyes pierced the mirror again.
All pathetic feelings are unimportant. There is one thing Xanatos du Crion definitely wants – to bring Theron crashing down. Let's work on this for a start.
And if you feel nothing, no one can hurt you. You will hurt them, the freezing voice concluded dispassionately.
Xanatos looked for a serial time in the mirror.
His eyes fell on several decorated with various beads, braided strands of black hair.
Fingers shaking, he removed all the beads – signs of his various achievements throughout his apprenticeship, and threw them in a dustbin.
He unbraided the hair.
Looking in the mirror again, his eyes fell on his wrinkled, sweaty Jedi robes.
He nearly tore them apart in his struggle to get them off of his body as fast as possible.
He threw what was left of them in a corner of the room.
Naked, he headed for the refresher. He had to wash everything off of his body. What he actually wanted to do was wash everything off of his heart and soul.
* Telosian Security Force = Telosian Police. I've mentioned the police before - Crion contacted the Chief of Police to initiate a planetwide search for the Antarian Ranger. I've decided to change the name, because in the SW Universe, the term police is uncommon. So, the Chief of Police = Chief of the TSF.