The Color of Truth: The Places in Between
Chapter Twenty-Five
Word spread of Leia's pending departure and despite the fact I tried to talk them out of it, the townspeople decided to throw the couple a going away party. Dela had insisted, even after I'd suggested the event wasn't necessarily something to celebrate. I imagined the people of Dantoo Town were used to saying goodbye to their loved ones and this was naturally something they did.
When I had told Padmé about our daughter's decision, she did the opposite of what I'd expected. She shut down completely. I couldn't even reach her through our bond. In a way, she was coping as one would with a death. She was in denial and soon, anger would take over. Personally, I was hoping that particular phase would take place after Leia had left.
I knew our daughter loved us and would do her best to return to visit as soon as possible. The trouble was, I didn't trust her chosen mate. He was leading them both down the path of failure and poverty. And there's never anyone as desperate as someone who is poor and doesn't wish to be. Thoughts of my daughter using her talents in order to get by were haunting me, although I pasted a smile upon my face and did my best to appear to be happy for them both.
I was anything but happy. In fact, I had put Qui-Gon's advice into action as soon as possible. It was sound and I asked none other than Quinlan to do the task for me. It would look less obvious, I had argued, although he seemed willing enough to do it. It seemed no one liked Jaxson. Perhaps unfairly, when so far, he wasn't guilty of doing anything but taking away our brightest light.
I had no way to communicate with Voss during his mission, and therefore, he was unaware of the party occurring this very evening. He further didn't know the couple had moved up their departure time, now wishing to leave right after their celebration. There was a transport ship due to arrive later that evening and Jaxson had told me he'd hoped to perhaps exchange some of Leia's gifts for a lift. When I asked him where he was headed, he shrugged his shoulders and told me that all depended upon the transport's destination.
Each word the young man spoke was like a tiny blade piercing my heart.
"Hurry up Voss," I uttered to the Force.
Silently, Padmé helped prepare for the event. From the outside, she seemed to be a gracious and understanding mother. Only I seemed to know the truth. Inside, she was beginning to boil and soon would erupt with brimstone aimed at one person: Jaxson Mor'ta.
The party was created in typical Dantoo Town fashion, with too much food, too many decorations, and the majority of the villagers attending. We'd had to carry out both the long tables from the Temple to accommodate the well-wishers, as well as provide seats for them also.
Come sunset, everything seemed ready and there still was no sign of Voss. I had calculated the time I thought he would return and he should've already gotten here. I refused to believe that something bad had happened, that he had failed his mission. Failure wasn't something Quinlan Voss was familiar with. He'd succeed. I knew he would. I only hoped he wasn't going to be too late.
The Council had lit a roaring fire at one end of the main street and glowlamps that paralleled the town's walkways. The long row of tables was also aglow and covered with the best dishes and meals they could provide. It was a feast and only proved how much Leia was adored.
She appeared pleased and happy. I had to give her that and she rarely left Jaxson's side. The couple had been given the seats in the middle of the tables, so as to be the focus of attention, while Padmé and myself were seated on either end. These places were considered seats of honor and were designated for the parents of the one departing. Apparently, the families of Dantoo Town had had these types of celebrations in the past and sadly, had formed traditions for such events.
I counted fifty citizens sitting down. Along with the Jedi, Padmé, and the thieving murderer, that made fifty-four. Each one wished the couple well and even a few stood and spoke. Dela was one of them. She barely made it through her prepared poem she had written without tearing up and Leia rushed to her to embrace her warmly, which started a tidal wave of tears amongst many of the older women.
Padmé sat at the opposite end like a statue, her face revealing a slight grin set in stone.
/Are you okay?/ I asked her for the tenth time in the last hour. So far, all I'd received in reply was the same answer.
/I'm fine,/ she'd say without the slightest emotion. This time was no different.
I was hoping that Voss would return with some information. I didn't wish to hurt my daughter. I was actually doing my best to protect her from getting hurt. Even if Voss was too late and my suspicions were correct, I would pursue them and bring her back home. If I were wrong? I'd have to accept Leia's decision and hope for the best.
While the celebration continued with everyone providing gifts from everything from clothing to credits, I kept my eyes on the distant field where I finally sensed someone approaching.
Quinlan appeared and stepped up to my seat to whisper his findings in my ear. While doing so, Padmé became quite alert. Although I hadn't told her what I had requested Quinlan do for us, she had to know I was doing everything I could to stop our daughter from leaving.
/What is it? What does he know?/
The evidence was strong enough in my mind to at least confront Jaxson, although it lacked enough details to turn Leia against him. I needed to be careful how I handled this.
/It's barely enough to get the job done, but I'm going to try,/ I informed her before standing and lifting a glass of spirits.
"To Jaxson and Leia. During your time here, you've obviously touched a lot of people and they are all sad to see you go, no more than your mother and I are. I know we've shared our differences of opinions and we both still think you're too young to be running off to begin your own life. The galaxy can be a dangerous place and it's going to be a struggle, but you're a strong young woman and you'll do fine. Jaxson? You, on the other hand... I have a gift for you.…"
Abruptly and with as much speed as the Force possessed, I threw a table knife at the boy. I'd been aiming for his throat, but just as Quinlan had assumed, he effortlessly intercepted the projectile between his hands. There was absolutely no way anyone could've done that at such speed unless they were in touch with the Force, of course.
"Dad!" Leia shouted at me. "Why did you do that?"
"It's okay," the young man said with a smirk while twirling the sharp utensil between his fingers. "I've done pretty good hiding it from you until now. You know, I should've been one of you, but my father wouldn't allow it. So, I taught myself. By doing so, I avoided all your conformist rules and codes. I was free to be exactly who I wanted to be."
"Is that the real reason you killed your father?" I asked him, one hand slowly moving to the hilt of my lightsaber.
"To be free? Nah," the young man blew out a raspberry. "I was already doing whatever I wanted. He had to die because he kept getting in my way and I needed his money. You wouldn't believe the cost of investing in the spice trade these days. There's overhead, shipment fees, bodyguards. The list goes on and on. It was so easy," he continued with a distant look, a sparkle lighting his eyes. "I didn't even have to touch him. I imagined strangling him and the Force did it for me!"
"Jax? What are you talking about?" Leia asked, confusion plus a hint of the pain she was about to experience beginning to show.
"We got close, didn't we?" the young man smiled at our daughter although it was nothing remotely close to apologetic. "Some relationships just are meant to be. Good thing I had an alternate plan."
Faster than expected, Jaxson moved to the end of the table. I possibly could've encountered him along the way to try and stop him, but there were too many innocent lives blocking my path. I couldn't figure out what his actual plan could be until he reappeared at the opposite end of the table; the blade I had thrown at him now pressed tightly against Padmé's throat.