Chapter Three
Something was different, and it hadn't escaped the Jedi Knight's notice. He may only be a standard twenty-five years of age, but he wasn't born yesterday. There had been a switch. The woman he had met in the hangar just an hour ago was not the one who was addressing him from the throne. Her eyes were slightly more golden brown and her brows closer together.
"My apologies for the deception," she announced, apparently noticing the Jedi's perusal. "In times such as these, it is often necessary. We couldn't be certain if you were who you claimed to be."
That made sense, Obi-Wan thought, and he smiled and nodded. "No apologies required. Protecting oneself from a potential attack is always a wise decision."
Although this Queen, slightly older than the knight himself, had a countenance similar to someone eating sour grapes, she appeared pleased at the Jedi's comment.
"My Second Maiden will now read to you the details of the latest atrocities the Merfolk have inflicted upon the people of Theed."
The one who had stood for the Queen in the hangar stepped forward and produced a datapad, from which she read a long list of crimes the Naboo claimed the Mer had committed. They ranged from vandalism to outright murder; the latest being an attack on the fishing vessel, The Milliflower, which was sunk over the open sea. The entire crew had been lost.
Obi-Wan hated hearing the news, although he had already been informed of the details during his trip. However, the claim begged one question, one which he had no choice but to ask.
"In the original treaty signed by King Tapalo over one-hundred years ago, it stipulates that all Theed fishing vessels stay a minimum of thirty meters from the border of the Abyss, for the protection of both the Mer and the Naboo."
"That is correct," Queen Jamilla agreed, a small wrinkle appearing in her forehead just above her brows. Apparently, she wasn't liking where this knight's conversation was headed.
"And that the Milliflower was sunk nearly fifty meters out over the Abyss. They had crossed the border and broke the treaty."
"True," the Naboo leader replied with the slightest smile of acknowledgment. "But that doesn't give them the leeway to slaughter a dozen men! Their vengeful actions are becoming bolder and this latest atrocity is the final straw!"
The young knight bowed his back and gathered his hands together to present a calm demeanor. This negotiation may be more difficult than he had previously thought. "I understand," he reacted softly, lowering his voice dramatically. "What is it you wish for me to achieve?"
If she was hoping he'd come here to avenge the crew of The Milliflower, she would have to think again. The Jedi were the protectors of peace, not warmongers.
The Queen took her time to answer, obviously trying to relax. She took a deep breath and let it out before continuing. "I am hopeful that the treaty may be amended to satisfy both parties, although I do not believe you will be successful. The Mer are quite disdainful toward humans. I wish you luck, Jedi."
Luck wasn't something he needed. He had learned to rely upon the Force, and from the sound of things, he was going to need all the help it could give him.
"I'm looking forward to returning with good news, Your Highness," Obi-Wan announced confidently. "I am ready to be shown the way to the Mer Kingdom at your discretion."
"Sabé," the Queen called out, bringing forth yet another handmaiden with similar looks, although this one was a few centimeters taller than her predecessor. "Take Knight Kenobi out to the Abyss. You may use the Royal Barge. Surely, the Mer would hesitate before attacking it. You are dismissed."
Obi-Wan had a few more questions, but apparently, the Queen had grown tired of his presence. Perhaps this young handmaiden had some information she would be willing to share.
He followed her quick steps through the palace and down a long stairwell to a stone patio south of the palace grounds. Another set of stone steps carried them down to the water's edge, where several guards were posted to protect the palace vehicles. Instead of a motorized boat, the barge used wind power, and as soon as they had boarded, the crew went to work to ensure it was ready. Thankfully, the breeze was cooperating and he would estimate it was blowing at somewhere around twenty knots. They should make good time as long as it held out.
Sabé sat on the edge of the relatively flat vessel, dragging her hand through the water. Obi-Wan didn't wish to interrupt her peaceful moment, but he needed some inside information.
"Perhaps you can tell me how I'm to negotiate with a population who lives underwater. I do have a breather with me, but it doesn't allow verbal communication. You see my problem."
The handmaiden studied the object Obi-Wan had withdrawn from his utility pouch and handed it back to him with a smile. "King Tapalo gifted Theed with a set of artificial gills. Wait here."
Artificial gills? He had never heard of such a thing, but soon the young woman returned with a mask attached to several folds of material that draped down over her chest. She handed the pile of silver material to the Jedi who studied it carefully. Inside was tubing and along the breastplate was a system of oxygenators. Now he understood. The Mer were more advanced than he had initially realized. They had been able to figure out a way to pull oxygen from the water and provide enough to sustain breathing beneath the surface. He just hoped it worked.
"Has this been used before?" Obi-Wan felt inclined to ask.
Sabé smiled, obviously understanding his concern. "Of course. You aren't the first human to venture below to try and talk some sense into Queen Kailana."
"Is that so?" Interested in anything the handmaiden could tell him, Obi-Wan sat down on the rail next to her as the wind whipped the sails over their heads. "What do you know about her?"
"She's very protective of her kind. So much in fact, that she tends to react before she considers any evidence."
"Such as in regards to the destruction of The Milliflower and her crew," Obi-Wan suggested.
"No. That was the Captain's fault. He knew what he was doing and intentionally crossed the border to bring in a bigger catch. He was notorious for breaking the rules," she explained. "What I'm talking about are the barriers she constructed a few years ago which kept most of the fish from coming into the lagoon. The people of Theed suffered because of her indignation."
"Why would she do such a thing?" Obi-Wan asked. From his experiences, even tyrants had reasons for their actions. Rarely did even the most vicious dictator attack without some type of ulterior motive.
"Her reason goes way back, before you and I were even born," Sabé explained.
"You're talking about Prince Dathan, King Tapalo's heir."
"You've studied your history," the handmaiden noted with a grin. "Tapalo was reasonable and raised his son to be the same. However, after Dathan's death, the King's younger sister went into a rage. She claimed the Naboo killed him, although it was never proven exactly how he died."
Knight Kenobi recalled the details from the ship's comm. The history of the Merfolk of Naboo was long and complicated, and he was having trouble keeping all the names straight.
"The King's sister," he began though stalled while trying to remember.
"Jharna," Sabé supplied to help him.
"That's right. Jharna became ruler of the Mer until her death when her daughter Kailana took over."
"Queen Jharna was the one who infected the realm with her poisonous thoughts. She was the one who began seeking revenge on Theed for her nephew's untimely demise. They say she nearly went mad due to her inability to obtain vengeance," Sabé explained.
"And her daughter inherited her hostile attitude, apparently," Obi-Wan deducted. He was beginning to understand somewhat why the Mer acted the way they did. Insanity was a common trait amongst royalty gained through inheritance, which usually resulted from the bad habit of inbreeding under the false belief it kept bloodlines pure.
It was good to know beforehand that he would be dealing with a leader whose sanity was somewhat questionable. At least now he knew what to expect.