Chapter Six

The palace's submergible was large enough for the Queen, her eight handmaidens, and a couple of the Royal Guard. Obi-Wan squeezed into the cockpit with everyone else and stood, facing the wide viewing portal out the front.

An arrangement such as this had never occurred, the Jedi had learned, which explained why Queen Jamilla was so nervous. Typically, messages were carried back and forth when the need arose, although those apparently hadn't been exchanged in a very long time.

These two kingdoms were symbiotic and it was vital for the sake of both their futures that they learned how to co-exist. Before he left, Obi-Wan had to ensure that would happen.

The pilot of the vehicle parked upon a cliff's edge overlooking a steep drop-off. From this point on, the ocean was much deeper. Behind them was the lagoon, which was the set meeting place. Once Queen Kailana and her court appeared, the pilot planned on reversing the engines to allow them room to settle here as well, although no one knew if the Mer actually ever settled.

Obi-Wan hadn't been able to answer that question. He had only seen one who wasn't upright and that was Kailana herself. And even then, she appeared to have been floating and not actually sitting down.

It was a little past mid-day when a few shadowy figures appeared in the mirky depths of the water straight ahead, and it took a moment to be able to discern that they were the Mer and not a school of large fish. There was a rather large host of them. Obi-Wan counted four carrying a type of royal litter with the largest shell on top he had ever seen. He assumed Queen Kailana was hidden inside and this was her way of making a grand entrance.

On either side of the queen's protection were six more guards, each heavily armed with golden broad swords and spears. Behind the Queen were the handmaidens, who wore so much jewelry, Obi-Wan worried they might sink to the bottom of the sea.

The entire collection made quite an impression, although there was one Obi-Wan kept his eye on. As always, in the back of the procession was Padmé who somehow outshone all the rest.

The group of Mer stopped a few meters from the drop-off where the sub had parked and a single Mer swam forward. It was the one called Sheev who apparently was going to initiate the meeting and he waved his thin arm dramatically through the water, although his voice was apparently heard in Obi-Wan's mind only.

"Announcing the arrival of her Highness, the Ruler of Thalladi and the surrounding Kingdoms of the Mer, Queen Kailana."

Obi-Wan translated the message as the crowd awaited her appearance. No doubt, she had dressed in all her splendor for this presentation. The shell was opened by an attendant before everyone within the submerged vehicle gasped. Kailana was obviously dead. Her body was slumped slightly forward and to the side and there was a noticeable hole in the middle of her chest.

Even from this distance, it was obvious what the murder weapon was. At least to Obi-Wan. He had seen many similar wounds in his lifetime. The edges were charred and all signs of bleeding cauterized. That type of damage could only be made with one thing.

"Seize the Jedi!" Sheev called out. Immediately, the armed Mer swam forward and surrounded the submergible.

"What's going on?" Queen Jamilla asked in a frantic tone.

Obi-Wan knew for a fact he hadn't killed the Queen, but that wasn't going to matter to the Mer. Someone had set him up, and he suspected it was the sneaky advisor. But why? What could Sheev possibly achieve by blaming him for the Queen's death?

There was only one way to find out, and that was to surrender and investigate the matter on his own.

Obi-Wan faced Kailana and bowed graciously. "Apparently, the treaty session has come to an abrupt end. I'll be giving myself up now in hopes of resolving this matter."

"This matter?" the Queen angrily shouted. "There is no resolution to this situation! I shall report you to the High Council on Coruscant at once!"

Sabé immediately came to Obi-Wan's aid. "Mi'Lady, Knight Kenobi had nothing to do with this! Surely, you can't believe a Jedi Knight is capable of murder!"

"I don't know what a Jedi Knight is capable of!" Queen Jamilla argued."What I do know is that his presence here has only made things much worse. Take him to the hold, release him, and let the Mer do what they will with him."

"You can't do that!" Sabé replied tearfully before the young Jedi silenced her by touching her arm.

"It's all right. These things happen. They've happened to me before and I'm still breathing aren't I?" He smiled at her to try and ease her worry, as he would any friend. "I'll be fine."

Obi-Wan was taken back to the depressurization hold and was quickly taken into custody by the awaiting Mer guards. Without the gills, he was forced to use his breather and they roughly handled him, dragging him through the water toward the Queen's Advisor.

"You know I didn't do this," he told the rather haughty old Mer using his mind.

"You will be brought before the Mer High Court and will be allowed to testify at that time. You should be aware, however, that one found guilty of assassinating Mer Royalty receives the penalty of death. And it isn't a quick demise. You will be held by chains in the deep waters to be used as bait for the Sando. Take him away."

The expression on Sheev's face was enough to convince Obi-Wan that not only had he been the one to set him up, but he would enjoy watching him die. This Mer really did seem to have a problem with humans. Or maybe just Jedi. It was something to consider.

The guards took his lightsaber and belt from him and led him down through the cave system Obi-Wan had ventured through before, although they apparently weren't taking him to the palace. Instead, they turned into an alcove that contained a series of smaller caverns, all closed off by iron gates. Behind some of the barricades, he could see withered, emaciated bodies of poor Mer who had apparently made the mistake of crossing Sheev.

"Don't worry, Jedi," a gruff voice spoke in his mind, apparently from one of the guards. "You're being held in a special chamber meant for humans."

Obi-Wan wasn't sure what that meant until he was shoved inside the smallest opening he had seen thus far. He barely fit through the narrow tunnel before he was relieved to find a larger cavern beyond it. He glanced up, noticing the ceiling was above the water and he swam upward, grateful to be able to breathe on his own.

There were dim glowlights embedded in the hallways though their light didn't reach very far. He was, therefore, left in the dark. It was a good thing he wasn't claustrophobic because his cell was completely closed in. Even if there was an escape, the walls were likely too slippery for climbing, although he did manage to lift himself up and out of the water to perch upon a narrow ledge in the air pocket above.

Now might be a good time for meditation, he thought and was just about to relax his mind when someone asked for permission to intrude on his thoughts. It was Padmé who wished to speak to him. She wouldn't have been allowed inside the detainment area, but she must be close.

"Knight Kenobi? Can you hear me?"

It was as if she was sitting right next to him. "Yes, I can hear you."

"I'm so sorry for what they did to you. I knew something bad was about to happen, but I didn't think they would frame you for murder."

She was sorry for him? "I'm sorry you've lost your mother," he told her. "But I promise I'll find out who did this and bring them to justice," Obi-Wan swore.

The maiden paused and he was worried he must've said something wrong. "Are you still there?"

"Yes," she told him quietly. "I'm just trying to figure out how to explain to you why I don't feel anything over my mother's death. I don't want you thinking ill of me."

Obi-Wan realized she could do little wrong in his eyes, which came as a surprising thought. He didn't know her very well.

"She was a cruel Mer," the Princess explained. "She didn't raise me. She had a nursemaid do it. A maid by the name of Jobal took care of me. She was my true mother; until she was Forsaken, that is. I was far more upset about that than I am about this. Does that make me a terrible Mer?"

"No," Obi-Wan told her. "That makes you human."

He could feel her smile - if that were possible.

"Being trained as a Jedi from a very early age, I never knew my parents," Obi-Wan explained. "The Jedi Master who trained me is my father. In situations like these, blood relations matter very little."

"I'm glad you feel that way," she told him. "I'm going to get you out of here."

It was a promise she couldn't keep, even if she wanted to. If he broke out, where would he go? And how could he resolve anything? Plus, if he ran away, he would only look guilty. He needed to stay and somehow he had to convince her to allow him to.

"I didn't kill your mother," Obi-Wan told her honestly.

"I know that. I don't know how I know that, but I just do."

He was grateful for her trust and was starting to believe Padmé was a remarkable creature.

"I'm going to do everything I can to help you."

It was good to have some assistance. Since he was now locked up, it only made things more difficult.

"I need evidence to prove my innocence," he told her. "But I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks."

"I'll be careful. Your trial is in two days. Before then, I'll find something to help you, Obi-Wan. I swear."

He couldn't recall telling her his given name, but he liked hearing her say it.