Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.
That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand. ~Emily Kimbrough

The 7th Hymn of Tiresias

Chapter 20

"Master," Toa ventured carefully, fearful of Kay'leb's quick temper and even sharper tongue. "Master, they have called for you again."

This time, only a grunt. Encouraged, Toa tried once again. He gently placed his hand on Kay'leb's shoulder. "Master? Kay-sa?"

Kay'leb whipped around, cloudy eyes as dark and stormy as a thunderhead. "Toa, I said to tell them that I cannot possibly leave the Healing center right now! There's too much work to be done!"

"Master…" Toa pressed, not to be put off. "Master, It has reached the Core. There are outbreaks on Coruscant. There is talk of quarantining the city… of martial law being declared."

Kay'leb cocked an inquisitive eyebrow. "I think you missed your calling, my friend," he said softly, taking Toa's hand. "You should have joined the dramatic troops of Ord Mantel instead of becoming a Healer. What you hear is only fear being given voice by the Elders. The outbreak on Coruscant is small and already well contained, although they do not understand completely what they are facing."

He grew thoughtful, while Toa shuffled back and forth in place like a restless Bantha.

"My niece remains stable?"

Toa nodded. "As have the rest of the sick– the ones we caught early enough – who were placed in the first ward. Healer Fiore gave me the report before I came to you."

Kay'leb absently stretched out his hand towards a colorful bloom that rested in a pot next to his desk. As if sensing his presence, the blossom shivered.

So did Toa.

Toa swallowed hard, hoping Kay'leb wouldn't notice. Unfortunately, he did.

"Toa," Kay'leb sighed. "When will you learn to stop acting the old maid around my Nursery Bloom?"

"I… I'm sorry, Kay-sa," Toa mumbled as he backed away. "It is difficult to separate the stories from your research."

"The facts, Toa," Kay'leb corrected him gently. "The Nursery Bloom thrives on sharing energy! I promise you that the plant is not going to 'suck out your soul'!" He began to laugh. "But if it disturbs you so, we shall leave it for now. I believe it is time for another meeting of the staff."

Visibly relieved, Toa straightened up and handed Kay'leb his walking stick.

**

After sending a message to Leia back on Coruscant, this time it was Luke who made tea for Kampher. She took it gratefully.

"What are you going to do, Luke?" She asked softly. "When Pem is well? Will you stay with us?"

When Luke lowered his eyes, Kampher smiled. "No, there's too much of your father in you to be rooted in on place like a tangle vine."

"I love her, Kam." Luke sighed as he ran his hand through his sandy hair. "I love them both…"

"… But?"

"But I don't know what's best for them." Luke concluded, tracing his fingers over the stubble of his chin. His hands seemed to have a life of their own, refusing to stay still, even for a moment. He found himself wishing for the presence of R-2. At least then he could occupy them with something.

Kampher only offered another enigmatic smile as she rose to answer the flashing com.

Is that smile something that comes with age in a Jedi? Luke wondered fretfully, balancing his lightsaber between his fingers. Obi-Wan had it… Master Yoda had it… Is that why Leia sighs in exasperation every time I try to explain something to her? Do I have it?

"Kam? Sweetheart, are you there?" Schurke's voice came over the com line. It was light and pleasant, and yet had an undercurrent of worry.

"I'm here, Schurke. We're here."

"All of you?" Schurke asked, now there was no mistaking the anxiety in his voice. "Luke? Aubé? Pemberian?"

"Master Canaille?" Luke rose to join Kampher next to the com center. "Aubé and Pem are at the Healing Center."

"I don't have a lot of time," Schurke interrupted suddenly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "They're calling us back now – But Kam, I really think that Toboo needs to take a walk. Do you understand?"

Kampher knitted her eyebrows. "Schurke?"

"He needs to see the flowers Kam, or in this case, the flowers need to come to him…and it needs to be done soon. Now if possible. Yesterday if not."

A light seemed to dawn on Kampher's face. "Yes, Schurke," She answered softly with a smile. "I understand."

"They're calling us back, Kam," Schurke said in a normal, if a little overly bright voice. "Don't hold last meal for long."

"We won't," Kampher assured him as the com signed off in her hand. She turned to Luke, gazing at him thoughtfully.

After a moment, she seemed to come to a decision. "Yes, Schurke's old robes will work…"

"Master? You aren't going to leave me hanging again are you?" Luke sighed. "What did Schurke mean by 'Toboo needs to see the flowers?' Wasn't Toboo…"

"Your father's nickname, yes," Kampher replied anxiously as she veritably raced past him, her hair flying behind her like streamers in a breeze.

"More important, Luke, was the second part…"

"…taking him to see the flowers, yes. But I still don't…"

"It was a code between us back when your father was in the Healing Center. We used it when we would smuggle him out to meet… her," Kampher replied, buried in the depths of a small closet. "We would say that I was taking him to go see the flowers."

"But Schurke said that we need to…"

"Bring the flowers to you, yes," Kam called back, pulling and discarding various items on to the couch.

"Let me guess, we need to get Bé and Pem?"

"Out of the Healing center, yes… there you are, you old womp rats!" she cried triumphantly, pulling out a set of hooded black robes.

"And you have a plan, Master?" Luke asked as Kampher returned from the depths of the closet.

In her sparkling eyes – so reminiscent of Aubé's – Luke saw his answer.