Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Star Wars. I am not making any profit from this work of fanfiction.
Author's note: And speaking of intertextuality (which we weren't, but whatever). One of Gunryth's lines here is a reference to LOTR, because I couldn't resist. See if you can spot it! And let me know if you can't. :)
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Sarta's house –– "It belongs to the whole family, of course, but I use it the most" –– was a high-ceilinged, circular structure built of stone. The tapestries hanging on the walls stirred in every gust of wind, but he either didn't notice or didn't care.
The entire ground floor was a single open room, with something like a dance floor in the middle and hearths set into the walls, evenly dividing the perimeter into thirds. A trapdoor near one led down into a basement or cellar. The center was open all the way up to a skylight, though not much could be seen through it at night. Against the walls, however, a platform supported on intricately carved stone pillars circled the central opening at about three meters' height, forming what was in effect a second story, hollow in the middle. This upper space was divided with elaborate wooden screens and hung with even more vividly decorated tapestries than the lower story. Lacquer gleamed in corners, and Anakin caught the glint of precious metals as the tapestries moved.
There were robed women moving about the ground floor, who paused in their work to bow and smile a welcome, but the first word of greeting came from above.
"Sarta!" said a female voice, warm and rich.
Anakin looked up to see a tall, fair-haired woman pushing aside one of the curtains and stepping forward to the carved railing that ringed the upper story. "You bring our guests?"
Anakin stared. The last time he'd been this overawed by a woman, he'd called her an angel.
It didn't seem outside the realm of possibility this time, either.
"My sister," Sarta informed them in an aside. Louder, he said, "They are here! Come down and greet them!"
She gave the group a brilliant smile and turned to descend the stairs, moving in a graceful flutter of brightly colored fabric. Anakin recognized the cut of the kyril and dawora, but they were brighter and more intricately embroidered than anything he had seen Ryn or Evinne wear. Mirrored discs flashed in the him of her floating skirt as she sped lightly down the stairs, and her bare toes sparked with deep red lacquer.
Watching her, spellbound, Anakin was only dimly aware that his master was similarly entranced. Engine seemed to be having some trouble just breathing. Even the Lorethans were not unmoved, thought it might be a bit of a stretch to classify what Ryn was feeling as admiration.
"May I present Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan Anakin Skywalker, and a friend of Clan Orun, by name Engine," Sarta said. "I also bring to your remembrance Aesin'Evine Ardel, Makesh Aravel the Disinherited, and your own foster-sister, Areth'ryn Orun." He turned to his guests. "My sister, Gunryth Ar'Dain Ri-Domna."
"Milady," Anakin and Obi-Wan said, bowing in unison.
Gunryth stepped forward to acknowledge them and the three Lorethans dropped to the left knee, right fist clenched against heart. Anakin could feel Ryn's simmering tension leap.
"Rise," said Gunryth in that low, musical voice. "I would speak with you."
She went first to Evinne, her blue eyes stern and commanding on the younger woman's face.
"You have changed," she pronounced solemnly.
Evinne actually blushed. "A little, Ri-Domna."
"It is well," Gunryth announced. "I like who you have become. But you will be a greater warrior yet."
Evinne bowed, ever so slightly. "By the will of the gods, Ri-Domna."
"Makesh Aravel, come forward." She laid her white hand against his cheek, brushing back his unkempt dark hair. "You will earn a name of your own. Be not impatient."
He bowed, more deeply than Evinne had done. "May the gods will it so, milady."
She repeated the gesture with Ryn, turning the younger girl's face to the light, lacquered nails glistening like blood against the stark white skin.
"You have been tried since last we met," she said at length. "The shadow of death lies heavy on you."
"I have died."
Gunryth and Sarta caught their breaths. "Tell me."
"I was brought back."
"Tell me."
"Anakin asked me not to go."
Gunryth's gaze sharpened into challenge. "You refused your destiny for him?"
Ryn stared back, unshaken. "We make our own destiny."
Gunryth pressed her lips together. "We do not make our own deaths."
"Love is stronger than Death." The words rang with conviction.
"It will change you."
"It has already changed me."
"This love is forbidden," warned Gunryth.
Ryn's mouth twisted with wry humor and a sudden, unexpected vulnerability. "It is unrequited."
Gunryth breathed a laugh in response. "More fool he."
The beginnings of a smile turned rueful. "Maybe."
Gunryth brushed Ryn's cheek with the backs of her fingers, a lingering touch almost like a benediction. "I am sorry for your pain," she said softly, and moved on.
She came next to Anakin, no great surprise, considering. Ryn hadn't so much as glanced in his direction since Gunryth descended the steps, but if the jewel-toned woman had been paying any attention at all to their introductions, she must surely have caught on. Anakin wanted to be angry with Ryn for outing him –– them –– so openly, but she clearly regarded herself as under testimony. Lying to Gunryth wasn't an option.
When Gunryth touched his face, her fingers light and cool against his jaw, she looked straight into his eyes and Anakin felt his soul laid bare.
"So," she said consideringly. "Here is the boy who has caused so much pain. What have you to say for yourself, young Anakin Skywalker?"
"That I am sorry."
She lifted her perfectly arched brows. "That is not much of an answer."
Anakin forced himself to return her clear gaze. "I have no other." He swallowed. "I didn't meant to hurt Ryn."
"Mmm," said Gunryth, sounding unaccountably like Yoda. She stroked her cool thumb over his cheekbone. "I sense conflict in you. The struggle within. Time will tell what you become."
"I will be a Jedi," Anakin promised, and saw a flicker of ... not quite sorrow, maybe closer to resignation ... in her eyes before she hid it in those blue-shadowed depths.
"Time will tell," she repeated, and let him go.
"You are troubled," she informed Obi-Wan, before she even touched his skin. "I make you nervous?"
"Merely curious," Obi-Wan corrected, just managing to hold still for her examination. "Do you use the Force?"
Gunryth looked amused. "All living things take from the Force, and give to it as well. You Jedi teach this, do you not?"
Obi-Wan gave her his best charmingly rueful smile (Anakin knew it well). "I'm afraid I meant a more specific application of the Force."
"If you are asking me whether I draw upon the Force to help me understand others: not consciously. I seek the truth in each heart." She cupped his face carefully in her hands. "Now be quiet." He obediently fell silent as her eyes searched his.
"I sense love denied," she said at last.
Obi-Wan flinched, just barely. "A Jedi must not form attachments."
"And yet you cling to the pain." She shook her head at such folly. "You worry also for your apprentice. But you fear the wrong things." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "As a father you shall be to him, if only for a little while."
She came last to Engine. "Well met, Stranger," she said softly, while the boy made some inarticulate noise of admiration. Gunryth laughed and stroked his fiercely blushing cheek. "Fear not," she said, her rich voice gently teasing. "There is little a woman likes more than to render a man speechless."
Anakin could see the edge of Engine's grin even as he ducked his head, practically glowing with pleasure.
"You have a gentle heart," Gunryth murmured. She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the mouth. "May it bring you peace."
She stepped back, the bright jewel colors of her raiment fluttering around her with the movement, her coiled golden hair flashing with a hint of red in the firelight, and flung wide her arms. "Well met, my guests!" she cried. "The peace of this house be upon you, as long as you stay under our roof! No doubt you will want refreshing. Come this way!"
