Chapter 13

"What am I to you?" Obi-Wan had dared to ask the King.

After a year of living at the palace. He had learned there were rules. Certain things he was and wasn't allowed to do. But he didn't know what his purpose was. All he did was read and write and learn. The King gave him free access to the library. He let him visit the town whenever he wanted to. Sometimes they played games. Sometimes he asked him to talk about where he was from.

Obi-Wan had his own servants. He was never asked to do anything apart from attend lessons and follow the simple rules. He briefly wondered whether the King was treating him like a friend or a child. He ruled out friend because he never got the feeling they were on the same level, and he ruled out child because of the way the King sometimes looked at him.

He hadn't asked until now because he worried everything would go away if he did. He liked Solice. He liked living at the palace. It was safe and people took care of him. After his year on Kessel that was so much more than he ever could have hoped for.

The King placed a card on the table. "I would like you to be my Zhelan."

Obi-Wan compared the cards in his hand to the one the King had played. "What's a Zhelan? I don't know the word."

"You haven't made your move."

Obi-Wan frowned and went back to looking over his cards carefully. When he picked one, he lay his deck face down and pulled out the one he wanted to play. His left hand was still pretty much useless. He could have tried to pick up the card, but he didn't want to risk the pain. So, he kept to doing things onehanded.

"I think Pjedro explains it best. I'll arrange a meeting for tomorrow." He played his card and then looked Obi-Wan in the eye. "If you are uncomfortable with what I am asking from you. You may leave. But being my Zhelan has its benefits."

"Like what?"

"For starters, I can heal your arm."

That was a big promise, Obi-Wan thought. Something in the way the King had said it made him believe him though. And that wasn't the only big promise he had made. So, the next morning he was escorted into town to meet Pjedro.

It wasn't until he found himself standing in front of the Solice pleasure house that he got an idea of what a Zhelan was. Was the promise of being whole again worth that? He took a step back again and then stopped because he realised that being the King's Zhelan wouldn't just give him his hand back. It would allow him to stay. It promised he would be safe. He didn't know where he would go if he said no. There was nothing for him out there.

Meeting Pjedro wasn't making any promises. Cautiously he stepped into the building and was surprised to find it looking almost as luxurious as the palace.

A tall boy who didn't look much older than himself came at him with a wide grin on his face and open arms.

Obi-Wan froze as he was taken into a tight embrace.

"You must be Obi-Wan! Well, I see why the King likes you. You're certainly zotika."

Obi-Wan stared at him blankly. This was presumably Pjedro. "What does zotika mean?" He asked although he wasn't sure he wanted the answer.

Pjedro thought and then made a few meaningless gestures. "You look different. Special. It's a complement. Now let's have a look at what we're working with."

Pjedro pulled him away from the guards who would no doubt be waiting there until they took him back to the palace. He took him into a room and closed the door behind them.

"Take your shirt off."

Obi-Wan just stood there. He didn't know whether he was prepared to do this.

"Don't be shy. I've pretty much seen everything."

Awkwardly, Obi-Wan took his shirt off. It wasn't like no one had ever seen him shirtless before.

Pjedro walked around him, looking him over carefully, stopping at each scar as he went. "You've led an unkind life, I see."

"I can imagine you have a few stories too."

Pjedro laughed. "Because of my job? No one gets to do anything to me I don't agree with. If they do, I have the right to put a knife between their eyes. Unsurprisingly, no one has been that stupid so far," he grinned, "Don't worry, the scars will go with time. That arm, how damaged is it?"

Obi-Wan lifted his hand and took hold of it with the other when it started shaking. "If you're trying to figure out whether I'm damaged goods, the answer is yes. I don't know what you're planning on doing but things like this don't just disappear."

Pjedro frowned and took a seat. "First thing's first, you're nobody's goods. You're a person with the right to decide what they do with themselves. Damaged?" he shrugged, "A little perhaps. But kiska, trust me there's nothing a little time won't fix after you've gone through with the ritual. And even if you don't want to be his Zhelan, your scars don't define you. Everyone's a little damaged somewhere."

Obi-Wan couldn't put what he was feeling into words even if he tried, so he didn't. He put his shirt back on and simply asked what kiska meant.

"It means you're small and cute." He patted the spot next to him on the sofa and Obi-Wan made sure not to sit too close. "So, you're thinking about being the King's next Zhelan?"

"Maybe."

"Do you like him?"

"Who?"

"The King."

Obi-Wan thought it over. He had been living with the man for a year now. He was kind and more generous than anyone had ever been to him. Even if he did have his moments where he scared Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan was never scared for himself. If Pjedro meant in a more romantic way, he didn't know. He was attractive but how much did that really count for? Still his answer was simple. "I do."

"Then here's my advice. Unless you have a better offer, take his. He'll treat you well and he's not going to ask you for anything you're not willing to give."

"But I don't want to be like you." Unfortunately, he didn't know what "no offense" was in Beimeni.

Pjedro frowned at him and then burst out laughing as he understood something that was clearly going over Obi-Wan's head. He pulled himself together again, but the amusement was still in his eyes. He apologised but Obi-Wan still narrowed his eyes at him.

"You don't know what a Zhelan is, do you? What I'm meant to teach you, kiska, isn't what being a Zhelan is about. If all he wanted was that, he'd come here. A Zhelan is a lot more respectable," he changed position to better look at Obi-Wan, "simply put, your job is to keep him company. You take care of his isha." He put his hand against his chest and then his head when he understood that Obi-Wan hadn't understood the word. His soul?

"A Zhelan keeps him from being lonely?"

Pjedro raised his eyebrows but then nodded slowly. "I suppose yes. I don't think he would admit it, but yes, I like that."

..oOo..

"So what's the plan?" Qui-Gon asked as they all followed Obi-Wan back to Solice. The first signs of sunrise were already on the horizon.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes in thought. "They haven't found it yet but they're getting close."

"I'm surprised Dooku hasn't got the King to give up the location."

"He would rather die than let the fountain fall into enemy hands." Obi-Wan looked offended. Qui-Gon couldn't believe that he actually cared so deeply about the man.

"You love him, don't you?"

Obi-Wan didn't even look at him, when he replied. "Love doesn't matter. All that has ever done is bring me pain. I trust him."

Qui-Gon hummed. He could see it now. For whatever reason, Obi-Wan's heart belonged to the King. He just hoped the King deserved it.

"But I think you're more equipped to make a plan than I am."

Anakin shot Qui-Gon a look before saying, "we'll need to take Dooku out." Qui-Gon could read that look easily. How long had Anakin known that he had let Dooku escape on Geonosis?

Obi-Wan looked between them, "then that's what we'll do. I'll need to get my weapon first."

"I think you're underestimating Dooku," Anakin said.

"I think you're underestimating me."

Anakin huffed and Qui-Gon got between them again.

"I have your weapon," Qui-Gon held out the lightsaber and Obi-Wan simply stared at it like it was a ghost.

Ever since Melida/Daan Qui-Gon had carried it with him. Now it was finally time to give it back. But Obi-Wan shook his head. "I haven't fought with a blade since I gave you that. Chances are, I'd decapitate myself. Keep it. I have my own means." He closed his hand around the vial that hung from his neck.

o-O-o

The first rays of light spilled into the throne room. Maison had stopped fighting his restraints hours ago. He simply looked up at the old man Dooku who paced the floor in front of the pillar Maison was tied to.

He felt weaker than he could ever remember feeling. If he were kept like this for much longer, the effects of the water would wear off and then there would be no going back for him. Time would catch up and with 800 years behind him, he wasn't likely to survive that. At least then he would miss the chaos that was bound to ensue once the secret of the fountain got out.

Something at the upper level of the room caught his eye but it was gone when he looked.

"Ah!" Dooku cried out and then activated his red weapon.

Maison looked back to him but couldn't see what had alarmed him.

The old man cried out in anger as he fell to the ground. This time Maison thought he had caught a glimpse of white.

"Zhelan?" he whispered.

"Run," that unmistakable voice said from behind him and then his restraints loosened. When he turned there was no one there.

"What are you?" The old man yelled but he got no reply.

o-O-o

"Are you sure he can handle himself?"

"I trust him more than I trust myself to face Dooku."

Anakin looked away but then forced himself to face his master. "I should have been there with you. You shouldn't have been put in the position to make that choice."

"I should have made a better choice."

There was shame in his master's eyes. When he placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder there was something else there too. "This is what the code means by attachment."

Even if he had had a response to that, the moment passed.

"Generals, the men are in position."

Anakin turned to Rex. "Good. Let's take out as many droids as we can and buy Obi-Wan some time."

He turned back to Qui-Gon, "I hope that water is as good as he says it is." and then he jumped out of their hiding spot, activating his lightsaber mid-air.

o-O-o

Obi-Wan could hear the fight going on outside but wouldn't let it compromise his focus.

The tall pillar provided cover as the Sith turned frantically, looking for him. He pulled the Force around him, sensing every particle in the room. He took a deep breath, hiding his presence for another attack. The empty vial tapped against his chest as he jumped out in a sudden burst of speed. His staff hit the Sith in the back of the knee, bringing him down before he retreated back into the shadows at the opposite end of the room.

He knew his staff wouldn't hold up against a lightsaber, so he needed to rely on his stealth. As soon as the King was out of the way, he could attack more directly without risking him. But he didn't seem to be leaving.

"Enough with the games!"

And then the Sith locked eyes with him. So much for stealth. Obi-Wan ran, bounding off one of the pillars to take him up to the next level. He felt the Force bowing to the Sith's will. It moved angrily through the air, crackling with electricity.

Obi-Wan rolled, narrowly avoiding getting singed. He threw out his hands and the Sith flew backwards against the wall. The Force carried him into a smooth landing as he jumped back down and slipped into the shadows again to catch his breath.

"That's an impressive trick."

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. He had never fought anyone like this before. He spared a glance towards the King who still hadn't left like he had told him to.

As if the Sith could read his mind, he stopped looking for him and directed his lightsaber at Maison.

"No!" Obi-Wan didn't need to hear the threat. He jumped out, throwing his hands forward.

He never doubted that the Force would follow his command. The Sith was strong, but he was stronger, he had the fountain's water flowing through his veins. He closed his fists and pulled on invisible strings that dragged the Sith to his knees. The lightsaber clattered to the ground as Obi-Wan held him there.

"Now what will you do?" He asked, sounding almost interested. But Obi-Wan couldn't listen. It was taking all his concentration to keep him from moving.

He felt the warning, but he couldn't let go of the Sith. The doors flew open revealing a group of droids aimed to fire.

Deep breaths. The world went silent. He saw Maison take cover and then turned to the droids. The Force hummed around their cold mechanical bodies, it flowed through the wires, it echoed in the code that controlled them.

4 droids. Target locked.

Maison didn't like droids. They ran on code that any fool could alter if they knew how.

Fire.

"Deactive." His hands stretched out towards them as he sent the command rippling through the Force. For a moment he thought it hadn't worked but then they collapsed like their strings had been cut.

He felt a single drop of blood fall on his lip, his body straining under what he had asked of it. Time had stopped for a moment and then it sped up. He had missed the warning this time. The Sith was behind him.

Pain tore through his chest. The red beam burned a hole straight through him before the sound of a single blaster shot echoed off the walls. He hadn't been the only one to miss a warning.

The world tipped as he fell but the ground never came.

"Zhelan? Obi-Wan?"

He saw the blaster slide across the floor as Maison threw it away and then that face came into view. He couldn't read the emotion on it, but frantic hands shook him.

"No. No. Please."

Obi-Wan couldn't speak. He didn't know what he would say if he could. He just held onto Maison's shirt. He felt Maison's thumb brush a tear off his cheek and fell deeper into his arms.

You're safe, Maison's promise echoed through his mind.