Love and War
Chapter 21
Obi-Wan and Ahsoka had no trouble sneaking into the compound. There were many places to hide among the rocks. Though, Ahsoka was curious as to how Obi-Wan knew that Lady Thrice was missing. She didn't hear of any reports of the lady ambassador being kidnapped or what kind of connect Obi-Wan had to her through the Force. Ahsoka was sure that the Force was involved. It was the only explanation for his strange illness.
"Obi-Wan," she whispered. "What kind of connection to you have to Lady Thrice? I mean, I know you and she are married, but I have a feeling its something more."
Obi-Wan remained focused. He sensed that she was near. They had traveled down to the dungeons and were able to avoid detection so far. He snaked low against the wall and that he saw movement in one of the cells.
"We are connected by the Force, Ahsoka, now please this is not the time for a conversation."
The young Jedi huffed, but decided that he was right. They were in a dangerous place. Ahsoka noticed that Obi-Wan looked more and more feverish as they got closer to the cells. She wondered if he was going to be okay.
Obi-Wan signaled for her to stay behind with a gesture of his hand. She sank down low and waited by the entrance. Her hand was ready and hovered over her lightsaber. Though, she sensed something in another cell and moved to investigate. She turned down another corridor and saw another prisoner. It was Padme.
Ahsoka moved closed and got her attention. Padme smiled and went to bars and grabbed them. She could not believe her eyes.
"Ahsoka!"
The padawan approached and used her lightsaber to break the lock and set her free. Padme emerged from her cell and went to her.
"Oh, Ahsoka. Thank the gods. Come on, we have to save Thrice. She's being interrogated by Count Dooku."
Ahsoka frowned. The Count was bad news but fact that Thrice was also prisoner confirmed Obi-Wan's feeling that she had been kidnapped. Though, it still didn't explain his odd behavior. She placed her hand on Padme's shoulder and comfort her and tired to put her at ease.
"Don't worry, Padme. Obi-Wan is on it."
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan stepped out into the corridor and approached the cell he knew Thrice was in. Her Force-presence was screaming to him. Her aura was overwhelming. He felt himself being drawn in. He turned the concern and was shocked to see Count Dooku. He was in the mists of kissing Thrice passionately on the lips and tangling his hand into her raven hair. She was chained to the wall with her arms above her head. Her ruby eyes were clouded with fever. She moaned with need like a small animal. The Count was taking delight in her alluring presence.
Obi-Wan snapped. The sight of the Count pawing at her was more than he could bear. Obi-Wan damned caution and stepped out. He used the Force to shoved Count Dooku aside and into the wall. He then broke open the gate on the cell. He activated his lighstaber to cut Thrice free from the chains and catch her as she fell.
Count Dooku shook his head but recovered from the unexpected blow. He saw that it was Obi-Wan. He was standing in the cell with Thrice in her arms. He rose and glared daggers at the Jedi Master.
"She is mine."
Obi-Wan turned to the Sith and said, "Wrong. Thrice is my wife."
Count Dooku wasted no time. He drew his lightsaber and prepared to do battle for the war-maiden. He lunged at Obi-Wan and in a flash their lightsabers clashed. Sparks flew as they fought for dominance. Yet, all reason had left Obi-Wan's mind. Thrice's primal call had awoken something primal within him. He used the Force to shove him back. The blast was strong. Count Dooku was shoved out of the cell and into the corridor. Obi-Wan slowly approached him. He was different from his usual self.
The Jedi Master was usually level headed and composed, but the Count did not sense any of his typical feelings. Instead, Obi-Wan's presence was violent and raging yet his exterior was cold and composed. He felt like a Sith. Count Dooku saw that Thrice had recovered from her stupor. Over Obi-Wan's shoulder he saw that her red eyes were aglow and she wore on her face a satisfying smirk.
The commotion had drew Ashoka and Padme's attention as well as several of Dooku's masked guards. Ahsoka easily took them out, but was confused at the scene unfolding in front of her.
She watched as Obi-Wan deflected Dooku's attacks almost effortlessly. It was strange because normally Dooku was the better swordsmen, but somehow Obi-Wan was driving him back. However, Dooku still had one ace up his sleeve. He raised his hand and shot Obi-Wan with a bolt of Force-lightning. Obi-Wan recoiled in pain.
Sith grinned and said, "I don't know what the lady has done to you, Obi-Wan, but this ends now."
Count Dooku raised his lightsaber and was about to strike Obi-Wan dead, but Ahsoka let out a cried and jumped into the fray. She pulled both of her lightsabers out and clashed swords with the Sith.
While the Sith was distraction, Thrice ran to her Knight and whispered something into his ear. "You cannot lose. Here, use my power. Let my powers be yours and yours shall be mine. "
Obi-Wan gasped and felt a surge of power course through his body with an overwhelming surge. Suddenly, his injuries were nothing. He felt at one with the Living Force. He felt invisible. He felt the flow of the universe all around him like a sea. He felt the currents and they were now at his command. He rose to his feet and extended his hand and in an instant summoned Thrice's black sword from beyond the dungeon and into his palm. He was now armed with both steel and light.
He saw Ahsoka battle Count Dooku to the best of her abilities. She was agile and fast, but her skill was no match for the Count. Obi-Wan drove the black sword into the ground and the earth exploded with a booming crack that forced the foes apart. Debris flew everywhere. The smoke clouded the air and in a flash Obi-Wan attacked the Count. The Count deflected Obi-Wan's attack and when the smoke cleared they were locked in the cross blades of both of the Jedi Master's swords.
"She has bewitched you, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan did not reply. Instead, he used the black sword to cut the Count across the chest. He winced in pain and drew back. He pressed his hand over the wound. It bleed freely into his hand. He realized than that given Obi-Wan strange new power that he may not win. He decided to retreat.
"Very well, Obi-Wan. We shall meet again."
The Count then moved to cut down one of the pillars in the dungeon to create a diverse so he could escape, but Obi-Wan threw the black sword and pinned his arm against the pillar with his sleeve.
He said, "Running away? Oh, I don't think so. You need to be taught a lesson for stealing my lady."
Count Dooku saw the look of cold rage in his eyes. He knew he meant to kill him and he knew he had the power to do it too. He glared at Obi-Wan. He wasn't afraid.
Ahsoka shouted, "Obi-Wan! No! This isn't you. I don't know what happened, but this isn't you."
Obi-Wan narrowed his brow and shook his head. He knew that Ashoka was right. He couldn't kill in cold blood and lowered his weapon. Count Dooku smirked. He used the Force to remove the black sword and grabbed Ahsoka from behind as a hostage.
"How very touching, however it is your feeling that well be your undoing."
The Count then used his lightsaber to cut the pillar and down came the ceiling. The dungeon began to collapse and Count Dooku shoved Asoka away just before he disappeared.
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Padme ran to Ahsoka and shouted, "Come on! We have to get out of here."
Obi-Wan grabbed Thrice by the hand and together the four friends ran out of the dungeon just in time before it caved in. Smoked flumed out from the exit as they ran out and they saw a ship break orbit and into the night. The Count had made his escape.
Ahsoka turned to Obi-Wan and said, "I'm sorry, Master. I shouldn't have interfered. Now, Count Dooku has escaped."
"It's all right, Ahsoka. If it weren't for you I would not have come to me senses."
The padawan smiled. She was glad Master Obi-Wan wasn't mad and was back to his old self again. Though, Ashoka looked at Thrice and noticed that she was cling to Obi-Wan very closely. She looked feverish and was breathing hard.
"Huh, Obi-Wan? What's wrong with Lady Thrice?"
Padme answered and said, "She ate an aphrodisiac while we were held captive by Count Dooku. He wanted Thrice to tell him about Lord Blackswan's clones."
Ahsoka was surprised. "An aphrodisiac? You mean something that increases your desire?" Her eyes then widen with shock and turned to the Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan blushed and looked away. He knew that Ahsoka would be able to figure out what was wrong with him. He knew it would be best to pull away from Thrice. Her close proximity only made things worse, but he could not bring himself to break a way. He rather enjoyed her allure and quietly directed her to their ship.
"Yes, well I'm sure the effects are temporary. Ahsoka, I'll leave piloting the ship up to you. I need to make a report on Lady Thrice's and Miss Padme's kidnapping and we need to rondevu with Anakin back at the battleship. Hopefully, the attack went well and Anakin won't require our assistance."
Ahsoka nodded her head and led the group back the ship. Padme followed her, but she was still concerned about Thrice's condition. She looked back and noticed that Obi-Wan and Thrice had fallen behind. She saw them walking side by side while holding hands. Padme smiled. She was glad that her friends were happy.
XXX
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan had made his report to the Jedi High Council. He explained about his encounter with Count Dooku and his involvement in the kidnapping of Lady Thrice and Miss Padme. They were not pleased by the news but were thankful that the ambassador and the Senator were safe. Obi-Wan was also glad, but wanted to talk to Thrice about his reaction to the aphrodisiac.
He knocked on her cabin door before entering. He saw that she still looked feverish and she was holding her head while sitting on the edge of the cot. He sat beside her and offered her some water from a cup.
"Drink this. It will help."
Thrice took the cup and sipped. She brushed her mouth with the back of her hand and closed her eyes. Her presence was still so alluring and Obi-Wan could feel her fight for control.
"Milady, is there anything I can do to help?"
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Oh, there are many things you can do to help, Sir Knight."
Obi-Wan smiled back. He knew what she desired. Though, the image of Count Dooku holding her at his mercy while he pawed her still lingered in his mind. The desire to possess filled his veins. Thrice didn't belong to anyone but him. She was his because he knew that she desired him.
"I heard you calling to me; that was how I knew where to find you."
"Yes, and I knew that you had heard. I knew you'd come."
Obi-Wan held her close and began to kiss her ear and said, "I know your feelings. You shared with me your strength. You warned me not to. Why?"
She answered, "Because you nearly went over the edge."
Obi-Wan laid her down onto the cot and said, "You said you'd teach me your warrior ways."
He bent down to kiss her and she whispered against his lips, "Yes, I will."
She then raised her hand and used the Force power she had borrowed from him to shut the lights.
XXX
Location: Republic battleship
Anakin was waiting anxiously at the docking bay on the battleship. He had heard from Obi-Wan that Padme and Thrice had been kidnapped by Count Dooku. He had no idea that she had been taken and he balled his hand into a fist. He promised himself that he would make the Sith pay for taking his Angel.
A second later, Anakin saw the ship come into range. It pulled into the shields and landed on the platform. The engines cut and he was greeted by Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Thrice and Padme. Anakin wanted to greet Padme more warmly, but he had to pretend that they weren't married. It hurt, but at least she was safe. She smiled at him and gave him a hug.
"Anakin, how are you?"
"Fine. How you are, Padme?"
"I'm fine thanks to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka."
He said, "Well, I'm glad you're safe." He then turned to Obi-Wan and said, "Oh, and the attack on the droid base went well."
Obi-Wan replied, "Very good, Anakin. Though, a battleship is no place for the Senator or the Ambassador. I suggest we arrange a ship to take them back to Corescant. I will also be returning. I have some matters I wish to discuss with Master Yoda."
Anakin was curious, but replied, "Ok, Obi-Wan. Whatever you say."
The young Jedi watched his former-master strode pass the dock and towards the main station. He was probably making a call to Master Yoda to announce his arrive, but Anakin had a suspicion that whatever Obi-Wan had to say it was about Lady Thrice. The Ambassador looked tired and so did Padme. He decided to talk about what happened with Padme after she got some rest.
"Ahsoka, why don't you show Padme and Thrice to the guest quarter so they can some rest?"
"Ok, Master."
Anakin watched the three women leave and decided to return to the bridge. There was still a lot to be done.
XXX
Meanwhile, on Count Dooku's ship, he activated the holo-vid and kneeled before his Lord Master. The blue-flickering image of the hooded Sith Lord stood before him. He's face was hidden behind the shadows.
"What have you to report, Lord Tyranus?"
Count Dooku said, "I have failed you, Master. The Clan woman and the Senator managed to escape with interference from Master Obi-Wan and Ahsoka Tano. I was not able to learn any new information from the Clan woman."
"I sense there is more."
The Count bowed his head lower in shame and said, "Yes, I have been tempted, Master. The Clan woman; she has managed to bewitch me."
"Explain yourself."
"Yes, Master. The Clan woman ingested an aphrodisiac and it caused her Force-presence to change. It affected me. I was not able to interrogate her thoroughly."
"Intriguing. Lady Thrice continues to surprise me. She is of no consequence. I will devise other distractions for her instead. Something closer to the heart."
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TBC
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