A/N: Thank you to everyone still reading this. I know it's a little weird.

Chapter 7

The vibrations that shook through the ship when they broke through the atmosphere woke Obi-Wan. He felt sick and the throbbing in his head was only getting worse. Gingerly he touched the side of his head and found it sticky with dried blood.

He couldn't remember where he was going. Had he even been told?

Slowly he tried to sit up, hoping he wouldn't throw up. Stars danced in his vision, but he could see other people.

"Where are we?"

No one paid attention to him apart from an Elder sitting in one of the corners.

"We're on Zygerria, boy."

Obi-Wan was sure he had heard incorrectly. He had never seen a Zygerrian before, but he had heard of them. They were slavers.

As they were dragged out of the ship into the blinding sun Obi-Wan found himself wishing he had died in the attack after all. Everything hurt, there was no escape, and he knew no one was coming for him.

The Zygerrians didn't tell them what was going on, they just moved them to a cell and left them there.

It must have been days before three of them turned up again.

"On your feet!" one of them demanded.

Obi-Wan was too exhausted to do anything but obey. The ones who were too slow got a shock through their collar and Obi-Wan winced at their cries.

One by one the Zygerrians looked them over. When they got to Obi-Wan they tilted his head left and right and then felt his arms.

"He's pretty. Will he go to Elios?"

The one who poked him harshly in the stomach, shook his head. "We have enough for Elios. This one is strong, he's going to Kessel."

The third Zygerrian grabbed his arm and injected something that pulsed an ominous red.

..oOo..

Obi-Wan left Qui-Gon to get himself and Anakin ready for the trip into town.

He stood still as one of the servants covered him from head to toe in sun cream. Being ginger on a desert planet was tedious. With a bow almost as low as she would offer the King, the servant left him to get dressed.

His thoughts circled around what Qui-Gon had said about the Chancellor being interested in Beimeni. Had he sent the Jedi because he knew about the planet's power or was it something else? The problem was, he couldn't for the life of him think of any other reason. Had he sent any other Jedi, this would have been so much easier. Qui-Gon had already asked about his age once. He would ask again and Obi-Wan had no good answer. He would either have to let the King kill them or tell them the truth and hope they understood.

He sighed, letting his head fall against the wardrobe. He couldn't trust Qui-Gon. But his sentimentality couldn't let the King kill him. So, his only hope was that the stubborn old man would listen and leave like he told him to.

o-O-o

Qui-Gon waited by the entrance to the palace. He could already feel the heat of the morning sun. He wasn't surprised that most of Beimeni's people slept at midday and traded at night.

Obi-Wan appeared with three people in tow. Two of them were armed guards and the third was a young, nervous-looking servant holding an umbrella. He was a little shorter than Obi-Wan and had to hold his arms up to keep the umbrella over Obi-Wan's head as they walked.

"I didn't realise you were bringing an entourage."

"The King's orders. You get used to it. They won't bother us."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow but decided not to comment.

"Where's Anakin?"

"He's still sleeping. He had a rough night."

Obi-Wan's expression didn't give much away when he spoke. "Journeying to your ship on foot would be rough indeed. Whatever he's up to, you should know the King doesn't like people sneaking about."

Stunned silence was all Qui-Gon managed until they were walking towards town. "You saw him?"

"Don't look surprised. They might not be able to understand us, but they're not blind," Obi-Wan warned, daring a short glance towards his guards. His voice was light as if they were talking about the weather. "No one saw him if that's what you're worried about. He wouldn't have made it back alive if they had."

Qui-Gon did his best to match Obi-Wan's light tone. The last thing he wanted was to get the boy in trouble. "But you saw him?"

"I felt his presence, yes."

"And you didn't tell the King?"

A small scowl appeared on Obi-Wan's face. It disappeared quickly but his tone had changed slightly.

"You should know that I don't like deceiving him for you. I will give you this warning only once. If anything you do threatens him or Beimeni, my kindness will run out."

The threat was clear, but Qui-Gon couldn't believe that Obi-Wan would side with the King if worst came to worst. Not if he knew Qui-Gon would save him.

"I never realised you were so powerful. To have sensed Anakin leaving the palace is quite a skill."

The surprise at the way Qui-Gon had ignored his warning showed on Obi-Wan's face before nonchalance took its place.

"Clearly I'm full of hidden talents."

They came off the palace grounds and entered the city. The servant was still holding his umbrella, making sure Obi-Wan stayed out of the sun whilst the two guards continued to follow. Their hands drifted to their blasters as they drew closer to the crowds.

"Welcome to Solice."

"I didn't realise the city was dangerous."

"The town isn't dangerous," Obi-Wan said with a smile, something had clearly amused him, "but the last time I was out alone, I got kidnapped."

"What?"

The amusement didn't fade from Obi-Wan. "They were idiots. They stole the King's property and then tried to sell it back to him. I doubt it would happen again, but the King is a cautious man."

"You're no one's property."

Now the amusement was gone. "I am in service of the King. Same difference." He shrugged.

As they continued walking, Qui-Gon realised the crowds parted for them. Some people stopped what they were doing to bow as they passed. They treated Obi-Wan like he was royalty, but Qui-Gon sensed their fear. They clearly knew that one wrong look would get them killed if the King heard about it.

"And what is that service exactly?"

Obi-Wan looked unwilling to answer but after a moment's thought, he spoke. "If you must know, a Zhelan is a servant to the King's soul."

"And that means?"

"Simply put, it means it's my job to keep him happy."

The mere thought of what Obi-Wan was implying repulsed him. Obi-Wan did not belong to the King. "You are his slave."

The sound that came from Obi-Wan could only be described as an angry laugh. "I am not a slave. A slave works 16 hour shifts in the mines of Kessel on nothing but a stale bread roll and a sip of dirty water." He had kept his tone relatively calm, but his eyes were full of pain. Qui-Gon noticed Obi-Wan was rubbing his forearm like it hurt him. "Here I get taken care of. I'm safe here. I'm happy here. Why can't you see that?"

"You're not free here and you can't possibly expect me to believe you're happy."

"Well, I am. I am the King's Zhelan by choice. He saved my life, and this is how I repay him."

Qui-Gon couldn't believe that was true. Obi-Wan might be delusional, but he wasn't happy, how could he be? Obi-Wan had been a Jedi. A good Jedi. The boy Qui-Gon had known wouldn't have been able to stand by as the King murdered people for him. The boy Qui-Gon knew wouldn't be happy as someone's pet.

"What happened to you on Melida/Daan?"

"You mean after you ignored my message?"

Those words hit Qui-Gon like a knife through the heart, but he nodded anyway.

"It's a long story."

o-O-o

It was a story Obi-Wan didn't want to tell.

He scanned the crowds of bowing people and cringed a little as he searched for an excuse to end the conversation. And then the tall, grinning man stepped into view, offering him an excuse to leave Qui-Gon's conversation.

"Pjedro!" He called out, running towards his friend who caught him easily.

"Well, if it isn't the famous Zhelan," Pjedro lifted Obi-Wan off his feet and spun him around before putting him down again. "The whole town's talking about yesterday," he pulled an odd face, "everyone wants to be in your good graces again."

"Lucky you then. My good graces are full at the moment." He hated the attention he got when the King killed someone on his behalf. It wasn't like he had much say in that anyway. The King did what he wanted.

"I'm honoured." Pjedro bowed dramatically, making Obi-Wan laugh. He really needed this.

"So how is his Majesty doing?"

"You know I don't kiss and tell."

"You know I know that's a big, fat lie."

Obi-Wan chuckled. It was true, they hardly ever spoke about anything else. Pjedro had been one of the… teachers the King had hired for him when he agreed to be his Zhelan. His lessons had been awkward to say the least, but they certainly came in handy. As one of the few people on Beimeni who could understand what Obi-Wan had gone through, he was a valuable friend.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the time to talk, I'm here on business."

Pjedro glanced over Obi-Wan's shoulder to Qui-Gon.

"The off-worlder? I'm surprised the King lets you walk through town with him like this."

"He trusts me."

"I know he does," Pjedro looked him over curiously, "You have the old man wrapped around your finger, don't you?"

"Mind your tongue, he's still your King." Obi-Wan couldn't keep the amusement from his voice. Pjedro had always been too bold for his own good. He was lucky that the King had a soft spot for Obi-Wan's soft spots.

Pjedro mimed, zipping his lips shut and then shrugged. "But I'm counting on you visiting soon. Anya has been dying to see you again and I need your weekly dose of gossip."

"I'm sure your clients give you enough gossip."

"Not interesting gossip," Pjedro pouted and then looked thoughtful, "although, I do have a funny story for you, when you have the time."

"I'll make time for you as soon as I can. With the off-worlders here, I don't know when that will be though." Obi-Wan sighed, making a delicate crease appear between Pjedro's eyebrows.

"Jokes aside, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Obi-Wan was surprised by the question. Was he being so obvious?

"I hope he's not working you too hard. You're a delicate thing, I told him to take care of you."

"I'm not that delicate," Obi-Wan objected with a sly wink.

Pjedro's lips quirked into a half smile, "I suppose not. Don't distract me though."

"The King is not to blame. I'm just not feeling myself today."

"Hm, well I'm glad it's not the King, because you know I would kick his ass if he ever hurt you."

Obi-Wan chuckled and fell into Pjedro's embrace. "I appreciate the sentiment. But you know he would never hurt me."

"I know. When you've finished being a tour guide, take a really long bath okay? I don't like seeing you like this." He kissed the top of his head, making Obi-Wan really glad that he could be this close to Pjedro without making the King jealous.

"I will. And I'll make time to visit everyone, I promise."

"Look after yourself first, Kiska."