First off, thanks to those who are still sticking patiently with me on what's turning out to be a very long journey - I promise we've almost reached the destination! To those who are anticipating the reunion between Obi-Wan and his father, bear with me for one more chapter; my characters made it known that this should come first. That reunion is forthcoming in the next installment (and take heart, it's already written, and I'll be posting it by the weekend, I promise!). Anyway, I'll stop rambling now, as I know those of you who haven't given up on me will be eager to get on with this installment. Just let me thank my very loyal, very patient readers: ResistanceIsNotFutile - a new reviewer, I think; JediKnight13, Gwenneth, JediAngel001, XxKenobiGirlxX - another first-time reviewer; anakinpadmekenobi, starwarsforever, Star Wars for Life, Mystic Winter, Valairy Scot - who's work I have long been a fan of, and who flatters me greatly by checking out mine!; Maraness, Jedi Hsoj, Steve and Estoria. Thanks guys, you're all awesome! Hope this chapter was worth the wait!

Chapter 25 – A Few Steps Back

Zak made his way down to Tai-Me's dungeon area. Having been there several days previous, he had no trouble finding his way there again. He tried not to think about what he would fine when he found Si-Lon; having witnessed first hand the efficiency of Tai-Me's men when it came to punishment, he could not help but fear what he might find.

It was still incomprehensible to him that Tai-Me would subject his own wife to such rough treatment; the only explanation seemed to be Tai-Me's apparently complete loss of sanity.

XXXXXX

Ferri led Tu-Shen past the bound, and now gagged, Tai-Me. The deposed Regent looked past them, his stare vacant; the fight, seemingly gone, and perhaps what little sanity that had remained to him as well. But Tu-Shen still regarded the Prince nervously and took great care that he was not within his reach.

Ferri shook his head, "He's not exactly in a position to hurt you anymore, Tu-Shen." He assured the boy, "Even if he weren't catatonic."

"Maybe he's just pretending." Tu-Shen suggested.

"That could be. But there isn't much he can do with his hands tied behind his back and surrounded by armed guards, now is there." Ferri countered.

The boy shrugged, but Ferri could still sense Tu-Shen's fear, and so, he laid a hand on the boy's shoulder and guided him swiftly away and out of sight of Tai-Me.

XXXXXX

When Pi-Tong brought the news of Terra-Khai's arrival to the couple in hiding, Ti-Lo wanted to go immediately to Si-Lon's rescue. It took a great deal of persuasion to convince her to wait at least until they knew Tai-Me had been arrested.

Terra-Khai's explosion nearly knocked Pi-Tong off his feet just as he triggered the secret door, intending to go discover how soon it would be before it would be safe for Po-Ku and his wife to come out. Ti-Lo huddled against her husband and covered her ears, fully expecting another. For several tense minutes the three waited, "What do you suppose they are doing?" Ti-Lo asked.

"Tai-Me has locked himself in the Throne room." Pi-Tong said, "They must have blasted their way in."

"Then it should be safe to go find Lady Si-Lon now." Ti-Lo decided, pushing herself away from Po-Ku's sheltering arms.

Pi-Tong shook his head, "Not necessarily. Terra-Khai may have breached the door, but that does not mean Tai-Me has surrendered yet." He argued, "Let me see if it is safe first."

Ti-Lo started to protest but Po-Ku laid a hand on her arm, "Pi-Tong is right, my dear; let us wait just a little longer." He suggested gently.

With a sigh, Ti-Lo nodded.

"I shall not be long." Pi-Tong assured them and then slipped out quickly.

After leaving the secret chamber, Pi-Tong made his way to the kitchens, knowing he could learn what was happening there. He found most of the servants clustered there, whispering among themselves. What he learned confirmed his suspicions; Terra-Khai had set charges to blow the door, apparently on orders from the Lord Regent himself (though, apparently, the assumption was that Lord Obi-Wan Kenobi was officially claiming the title; Pi-Tong did not bother to enlighten them). Just minutes before, said Regent and his Jedi friends had entered the Residence and passed through the kitchen presumably to confront the besieged Prince Regent; young Pi-Sin had then followed so to bring word of the Heir's success...or failure back to his fellow workers. The servants gathered in the kitchens waited for word of the Heir's success, and Pi-Tong waited with them.

It was barely quarter of an hour later that an euphoric Pi-Sin returned with the welcome news of Tai-Me's defeat and arrest. Minutes later, Pi-Tong rejoined Po-Ku and Ti-Lo, announcing happily that Tai-Me had been arrested. With Tai-Me neutralized, Ti-Lo wasted no time in insisting on going to the rescue of the imprisoned Royal Consort.

XXXXXX

Leaving Po-Ku and Ti-Lo to rescue Si-Lon, Pi-Tong returned briefly to the kitchens, rallying the rest of the servants, instructing them to begin preparations for a feast in celebration of the return of Antigalia's ancestral ruler line. His enthusiasm was infectious, and soon the entire kitchen staff was bustling about, determined to prepare a meal worthy of the occasion that no one would soon forget.

Satisfied, Pi-Tong paused to watch only for a moment before continuing on, meeting Ferri with an unfamiliar, and rather distraught-looking youngling just outside the kitchens. Pi-Tong looked down at the boy curiously and then back up at Ferri, "Long story." Ferri answered in explanation, "We were just going to get him something to eat."

Pi-Tong said nothing as he stepped out of the way, although he stared after them as they passed. But he had more pressing issues to deal with than a strange youngling, besides, he was with a Jedi, so it must be alright. With a shrug, he headed toward the Throne room to find Terra-Khai. He had never actually met the military leader, but his contact, La-Me, had shown him images, so he was confident he would know Terra-Khai by sight.

As luck would have it, Terra-Khai was just outside the Throne room, speaking with several of his men, "Captain?" Pi-Tong hailed.

Terra-Khai turned toward the old servant, "Do I know you?" He asked.

"We have not met; however, you would know La-Me." Pi-Tong answered.

"I do know La-Me, yes; but I do not know your connection to her." Terra-Khai replied.

"I am Pi-Tong." Pi-Tong revealed.

"Ah, yes; Pi-Tong." Terra-Khai acknowledged, "Your information has been very valuable to us. What can I do for you?"

"May I ask the honor of admitting the Lord Regent into the Residence?" Pi-Tong asked humbly.

"Yes, of course; we have word from La-Me that they should be arriving momentarily." Terra-Khai replied and then nodded toward the massive main doors, "Li-Na thought it would present a bold statement if they made a proper entrance instead of sneaking in the back way."

Pi-Tong bowed, "Thank you...uh, Captain." He said distractedly, noticing for the first time, the heavily guarded, bound and gagged prisoner.

Terra-Khai looked apologetic, "He tried to kill the Heir, and then began to rave." He explained, "He left us no choice."

"Has he been drugged?" Pi-Tong questioned, taking a step forward, then squatting down stiffly and waving a hand in front of Tai-Me's face.

Tai-Me did even blink as he stared past Pi-Tong, appearing not to even see his old retainer let alone recognize him.

"No. He has been like that since we were forced to gag him." Terra-Khai answered.

Pi-Tong straightened up, "I do not think he needs a gag any longer; it seems cruel not to remove it." He observed.

"Forgive me, Pi-Tong, but I am not feeling particularly sympathetic at the moment." Terra-Khai retorted.

Pi-Tong shrugged, "It is your decision, of course; pardon my interference." He said.

Terra-Khai sighed, "I was about to have him moved to the banquet hall so that Prince Sjo-Me will not see him like this." He said, "I will instruct my men to remove the gag once he is settled there."

Pi-Tong nodded and then moved on toward the main door to await the arrival of the Lord Regent.

XXXXXX

Zak had just reached the the area of the dungeons reserved for punishment when Ti-Lo and Po-Ku arrived; together they entered the chamber apprehensively.

At first, the chamber appeared to be deserted, but then they heard sound of metal on stone and, turning toward the sound, found the captive Si-Lon, her gown in tatters and her arms chained above her head to the wall against which she was slumped. Of the torturer, there was no sign. With a cry of alarm and shock, Ti-Lo rushed to the aid of her mistress, but Zak beat her there, waving his hands over the shackles binding the prisoner and then cradling her as she fell forward into his arms, "Milady?" He whispered, lowering her gently to the floor, then shrugging out of his cloak to cover her.

Ti-Lo knelt by her side with Po-Ku peering over her shoulder, "Is she...?" He questioned.

"No, she's alive." Zak assured him, carefully turning her over on her side and then shaking his head, "Force." He uttered.

"Dear Lord." Ti-Lo gasped, spying the bruises covered the Royal consort's back.

Zak glanced up at Po-Ku, "Find some water." He instructed.

Ti-Lo removed her own cloak, balled it up and slipped it under Si-Lon's head, "That monster!" She exclaimed, "How could he do this to his own wife?"

"He is no longer sane, Ma'am." Zak answered, stroking Si-Lon's forehead lightly.

"So you are excusing him from responsibility?" Ti-Lo demanded, accusingly.

"No, of course not." Zak insisted, "We all must take responsibility for our actions. But I don't believe a sane Tai-Me would have condemned his wife to this, do you?"

With a sigh, Ti-Lo shook her head, "No, I suppose not." She admitted.

Po-Ku returned with cup and a flagon of water, filling the cup and handing it to Ti-Lo. Zak lifted Si-Lon's head and Ti-Lo put the cup to her mouth, tilting it slightly to allow a little water to moisten her dry lips.

Si-Lon responded with a low moan and then licked her lips and parted them to take more of the water. Zak raised her a bit higher so she would not choke and little by little, Si-Lon drained the cup, "More...please." She whispered, and Po-Ku filled the cup again.

"Not too much, Milady, it will make you sick." Zak warned as Ti-Lo again tilted the cup to allow Si-Lon to drink.

After finishing the second cup, Si-Lon raised her hand and pushed it away, "Is it...over?"

"Yes, praise God." Ti-Lo answered, squeezing her hand.

Si-Lon sighed, "And...my son?"

"He is safe, Milady; with Li-Na and the Lord Regent." Zak assured, "By now they should be on their way back here."

"What of...of...the Prince?" Si-Lon wondered.

"He's been arrested and is under heavy guard." Zak answered, "We will not let him hurt you or your son again."

A slight nod was Si-Lon's only immediate response, and then she gazed up at Zak, "He...was not...always like this...you know." She said.

"I'm sure you're right." Zak replied.

With a groan, Si-Lon sat up, "Take it slowly, Milady." Zak warned.

Si-Lon put a hand to her forehead, "Oh..." She gasped, feeling dizzy at the effort.

"Perhaps you should rest a bit before moving." Po-Ku suggested.

"I wish...to see my son." Si-Lon protested, gathering her legs under her so that she was now kneeling.

"My husband is right, you should rest a little more first." Ti-Lo said.

"No." Si-Lon replied stubbornly, pushing herself up until she was standing, unsteadily.

Zak rose with her as she staggered forward, her legs giving way beneath her, "Oh...no...please..." She cried, sobbing as she crumpled against him.

"Here, help me." Zak appealed to Po-Ku who quickly moved to help.

"What do you wish me to do?" Po-Ku asked.

"Please...my son...I wish...to see...my son." Si-Lon whimpered.

"Alright, I'll take you to him." Zak assured her as he wrapped his cloak around her and then turned to Po-Ku, "Help me lift her."

Po-Ku did as he was instructed, supporting the Royal consort until Zak could get one arm under her knees and the other in back her shoulders, "Just put your arms around my neck, Milady; I don't want to drop you." He said.

Si-Lon obeyed, "Thank you...young Jedi." She whispered, leaning into him.

"I am at your service, Milady." Zak told her as he followed Po-Ku toward the doorway with his burden, Ti-Lo following behind.

XXXXXX

After speaking with Pi-Tong, Terra-Khai gave the order for Tai-Me be removed from the corridor, so that, as he had intimated to Pi-Tong, his son not be subjected to the sight of his bound and gagged father. Not that Terra-Khai cared about embarrassing Tai-Me in front of his son; his concern was for the child, who was surely too young to understand why his father was being treated in such a way. He also instructed the pair escorting the deposed Prince Regent to remove the gag when they were inside the banquet hall; again this order had nothing to do with Tai-Me's welfare, he simply did not wish to renege on the promise he had made to Pi-Tong.

As he looked on, one of his men pulled Tai-Me to his feet. Tai-Me did not resist as a second man took his other arm, meekly tottering between the two as they guided him down the corridor and into the banquet hall. To even the casual observer, Tai-Me appeared to have retreated within himself, seemingly unaware of his surroundings; whether this condition was permanent, and his mind was completely gone, Terra-Khai did not know.

Nor, he had to admit, did he care.

Once Tai-Me was safely out of sight, he contacted La-Me with the word that it was now safe to enter the Residence. Then he returned to the throne room to inform Lord Kenobi of the Lord Regent's imminent arrival.

XXXXXX

La-Me steered her speeder toward the front of the Residence; there would be no backdoor appearance for the Lord Regent, he would make a formal entry through the main doors, in full view of a small crowd that had gathered nearby. Pulling to halt as close to the front gates as she could get, she hopped out, first helping Li-Na, then lifting the little Prince out before giving Sho-Wan a hand and guiding him to firm footing.

The onlookers did not know the identity of the well-dressed old man, but they recognized both Li-Na and the child Prince. There were murmurs of speculation amongst the crowd on the meaning of the Prince Regent's son in the company of the Resistance leader. Was the boy Li-Na's hostage? Or had Li-Na and Prince Tai-Me finally settled their differences? And who was the old stranger with them, and what was his purpose?

La-Me took Sho-Wan's hand and placed it on her shoulder while Li-Na took the hand of little Sjo-Me, then the four of them walked through the gateway, past the sentry who bowed and waved them on instead of challenging them. This action caused more murmurs from the people watching; did that indeed mean a truce between the two opposing sides? Was the old man a mediator, then? Their questions, for the time being, went unanswered as one of the great doors swung open, the objects of their curiosity disappeared inside and the door closed behind them.

XXXXXX

"Where...where are we...going?" Si-Lon demanded, "My...son, I..."

"Upstairs to bed." Zak told her, "Then, I will go find the Prince Sjo-Me and bring him to you."

Si-Lon struggled weakly, "I...I do not need...a bed..." She protested, "I...I need...my son!"

Zak held her as tightly as he dared without causing her further pain, "Please, Milady."

"Let me...go!" Si-Lon insisted, pushing away from him.

"Milady, surely you do not wish your son to see you like this." Po-Ku reasoned, "It will certainly frighten him."

The Royal Consort sighed and ceased fighting, "No, I...do not wish...to frighten him." She conceded.

Ti-Lo stroked her hair, "We know you do not." She said, "The Lord Regent has not yet arrived. Time enough for me to help you change into a sleeping gown and settle you into bed while our young Jedi goes in search of Sjo-Me. He need not know what has happened."

Si-Lon relaxed and leaned her head against Zak's shoulder, "Perhaps...you are right." She replied.

They continued up, Zak bearing his burden effortlessly as they made their way to the Royal apartments where Zak lowered Si-Lon to the edge of the bed and then bowed, "I promise to bring your son here as soon as I find him." He said.

As Zak turned to leave, Si-Lon gripped his hand, "Lord Kenobi must be very proud of you." She said.

"Milady, I..." Zak began, more than a little uncomfortable at the compliment and not sure how to respond.

"Oh...I am sorry. Now, I have embarrassed you, have I not." Si-Lon added hastily.

"A bit, yes." Zak admitted then cleared his throat.

Ti-Lo smiled, "Best you go now." She interjected and then looked toward her husband, "Both of you; the task ahead will require privacy."

"Yes, of course, my dear." Po-Ku replied, "Come, young Jedi."

With great relief, Zak followed the former Royal aide out.

XXXXXX

The proximity sensors signaled the arrival of Li-Na, Sjo-Me and Sho-Wan Kenobi, the Lord Regent. Pi-Tong triggered the door and then knelt down and bowed his head as Sho-Wan entered, guided by La-Me, "My Lord Regent." He said.

"Is he on his knees?" Sho-Wan asked.
"Yes, Lord Regent." La-Me confirmed.

"Get up, Pi-Tong." Sho-Wan ordered, "You are too old to be kneeling on this hard floor."

"But, My Lord..." Pi-Tong protested.

"I would do as he says, Grandfather." La-Me suggested, moving to help the old man to his feet.

"Grandfather? La-Me, My Child, you told me you were his liaison, not his kin." Sho-Wan said.

"It did not seem important, My Lord." La-Me answered.

"Not important? That the family of my old friend survived the purging?" Sho-Wan questioned, "How could that not be important? And you, My Old Friend; why did you not tell me you had family left alive when last we spoke?"

"My apologies, Lord Regent; I suppose I must blame so many years of being cautious." Pi-Tong confessed, "Excuse my foolishness."

Reaching out, Sho-Wan managed to find the old retainer's shoulder and gripped it, "I understand, Pi-Tong; however, I am eager to hear how you managed to keep them from harm's way." He told Pi-Tong with a smile, "Now, if it is not too much trouble, I would like to finally meet my son."

Sjo-Me, who had remained silent until now, tugged on Sho-Wan's cloak, "I see Mama now?" He asked.

Sho-Wan turned his head downward, "Very soon, Little Prince." He answered.

"This way, My Lord." Pi-Tong indicated with a wave of his hand.

Then he stopped and turned to Royal party, "Beware of debris inside the Throne Room; I do not believe they have had time to clear it away." He warned.

Li-Na gripped Sjo-Me's hand tightly, "Stay close to me, Little Prince." She instructed.

"Yes, Li-Na." Sjo-Me answered obediently.

Sho-Me moved his hand from La-Me's shoulder to her arm, "I am at a distinct advantage and will need your guidance, Child." He said.

"I will choose our path carefully, Lord Regent." La-Me assured him.

They could hear a discussion taking place inside the ruined throne room as they drew closer, and it was not difficult to discern that one of the parties involved was the Heir himself. Sho-Wan's heartbeat quickened at the thought that he was actually going to reunite with the son he had long ago given up hope of ever meeting again, "Do not let me stumble, La-Me." He whispered, "I would not have my son see me falter."

La-Me patted the hand holding her arm with her free hand, "Not to worry, Lord Regent." She assured him, "You will not stumble."

"He is my father, Anakin." They heard the Heir say.

"I know. But what does it matter whether you go to meet him, or he comes to meet you?" And both La-Me and Li-Na recognized Anakin's voice responding.

Li-Na shook her head, mumbling under breath, "Typical stubborn Kenobi."

Then she stepped into the doorway "I would think it would make no difference." She interjected.

I hope you all understand my need to kind of fill in what was happening in the time period before Sho-Wan's arrival. As I promised, I will post another chapter by the weekend. Hope this was worth the wait! Let me know what you think.

TamsynDell