Part Six
Just before dawn, Qui-Gon and Ben left the house where they stayed. Qui-Gon felt impatient about where Ben had found Obi-Wan's lightsaber. The Jedi Master knew he had to be careful about asking Ben about the weapon. Ben didn't know what a lightsaber was, and Qui-Gon was sure that Ben might have seen Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan. Where was he? Finding his padawan's lightsaber had eased Qui-Gon's mind a little bit; at least he knew that Obi-Wan was here on this planet. But it didn't stop the worry and fear Qui-Gon had concerning the apprentice's whereabouts or if he was even alive.
Looking over his shoulder, Qui-Gon could see that Ben was better today then he was the day before. Ben was still a bit sore, but he was determined to go on with Qui-Gon. Determined or anxious, Qui-Gon thought. He remembered very well yesterday that the fort hadn't been a place where Ben wanted to be.
"Where did you find the object you had yesterday?" Qui-Gon asked, acting like he could care less and was just wondering. Ben looked him with a skeptical look. Ben remembered the look that had come over Qui-Gon's face.
Ben didn't want to give an answer too easy. "Why do you want to know?"
Qui-Gon didn't want to tell Ben any information, but he knew that Ben was going to be stubborn about it. He sighed. "The object you had belongs to someone I know. I just want to know if you may know where that person is."
Ben thought for a moment, and then said, "I found the object in a lake. I didn't steal it off of anyone." He said the last sentence brusquely.
Qui-Gon wasn't really surprised that Ben would be defensive. He had no doubt that Ben was telling the truth about finding the lightsaber in the lake. But that would mean Obi-Wan was somewhere on this forsaken planet. Qui-Gon felt hopeless because he couldn't use the Force to help find Obi-Wan through their bond. There had been times in Qui-Gon's life where it had been difficult to use the Force for one known reason or other, like from a Force suppressed collar.
"Who is this person you know?" Ben interrupted Qui-Gon's thoughts. Qui-Gon looked at him with a look Ben couldn't understand. Qui-Gon simply said, "He is like a son to me."
As the sun dawned over the melting snow, the trio continued steady on in hopes of finding a farm or homestead where they could ask for food. They had no money, but maybe if they worked on something, like cutting wood or cleaning out a stable, they could get fed.
Sam forced herself not to yawn. They had been on the move all night; they did not dare stop to rest. She really hoped they would be able to find Ben, but she knew that finding her brother would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Sam was still furious at Tom for just coming along and wasn't speaking to the man. She wouldn't admit to herself that she was glad that he had come with them. Though the redhead cared for the now ex-lieutenant, she would never tell anyone.
Obi-Wan still kept the rear of the group but was ever alert if something was amiss. He wasn't that tired just cold. The padawan had a light coat, but he would give anything, aside from seeing his Master, to have his robe again.
The young Jedi noticed that Sam was very quiet. She talked to Obi-Wan somewhat, but did not speak to Tom at all. The older man did not break the silence, either.
Tom walked in front because he was somewhat more knowledgeable in this area. Even though he really didn't know where they were, he had seen maps of the area when they were talking about strategy and comparing where the British and the patriots setting for the winter.
After rounding some trees, Tom noticed thin string of smoke coming from a distance. Could it be from a house nearby? He picked up his speed, heading toward the smoke.
A few minutes later, Obi-Wan too noticed the smoke and saying, "Is it a house?"
"Is it?" Sam also asked tiredly, while forgetting that she wasn't speaking to the older man at the minute. Tom could tell she was tired from walking all night, but said, "I am sure of it." Well at the same time thinking, I sure hope it is.
Soon they come upon a home with a barn. Who lived there? And for their safety were the people of the house patriots or Tories?
They didn't have long to wait. A man came out of the house and saw them.
"Can I help you?" he asked. He knew very well the three strangers were not British and that was good because he didn't want lobsterbacks coming around.
Tom spoke in a friendly easygoing voice, "Possibly. We were wondering if you would like a few spare hands to help." Even though he appeared to be friendly enough, Tom didn't want to be off guard in cause this man was a Tory.
"Your aren't Redcoats, so you have nothing to fear from me, friend." The man said while he continued on, " I could use some help with my barn." The barn he pointed at was only partly finished. He had the structure part done, but he just had a cloth that was sewed together as a makeshift roof. "I thought I would have time before the snowstorm hit, but I wasn't so lucky. I don't mind feeding you for your help. The name's Jacob Leery." He held out his hand for a shake.
Tom said, "We'll be happy to help," taking the offered hand.
Both Obi-Wan and Sam knew how to build from wood from the work on the log cabins they helped build at the fort. Even though Tom was the most experienced of the three, he would agree that Obi-Wan and Sam could to a fairly good job. Although Tom knew Sam could hold her own with the labor, he didn't want her doing more then necessary. While Jacob tended to his animals, Sam helped more from the ground more than on the roof, while Obi-Wan and Tom worked on the roof itself.
By mid afternoon, everyone started to show some weariness from building the barn, but with a few more boards to go, Obi-Wan and Tom continued on with the work, determined to finish it. After the last board was nailed, they got down form the ladder to look at their handwork.
Jacob knew the three men worked hard for some food, so he gave them beef stew and bread as much as they wanted. After eating he thanked them and said they could stay the night if they wanted to rest and journey on in the morning.
Obi-Wan noticed Sam going to get some water from a nearby well, and Tom was close behind her. She didn't seem to notice that Tom was following her, but Obi-Wan felt he should just leave them be.
Turning around, Obi-Wan heard a horse coming from a distance. A man was coming from the opposite direction that Sam and Tom were going. He was dressed as a civilian, not in a soldier's uniform.
Jacob walked up to the rider and greeted him after the rider got off his horse. Obi-Wan didn't go toward the two men, but stayed where he was at. The rider looked at him for a second then come over.
The rider looked at him longer, as if expecting Obi-Wan to know who he was. Finally understanding that Obi-Wan couldn't be someone he knew; the rider inducted himself as Daniel Matthews. Obi-Wan still didn't enjoy lying about what his name was, said that his name was Ben.
Daniel seemed a bit surprised at this, but said to Obi-Wan and Jacob, "I had two men stayed my home yesterday. They said that they were an uncle and nephew traveling, but the boy had gotten into a brawl with a few lobsterbacks. Thankfully they didn't go looking for the boy. What is more strange is that you, Ben," he said looking at Obi-Wan, "look just like that boy, and he was called Ben too."
Before Obi-Wan could reply to that, Jacob said with a whisper of contempt, "Redcoats!"
Obi-Wan saw that Jacob was right. Coming their way were about eight men which Obi-Wan could now recognize as British. With orderly red coats with gold buttons, and blades at their sides, they looked more triumphant than the simple Colonial army, who only had rags for clothes, and old broken-down muskets. But the colonists had something that the British didn't have – they were fighting for independence.
British were on top of them now, and they couldn't run because they all knew that if they did, the British wouldn't hesitate to shoot them. All of the men dismounted except for the one in front who had to be the commanding officer. One of the men looked pointedly at Obi-Wan and said, "He is the one."
Obi-Wan tensed instinctively, he didn't know these men, but he felt if he waited around, he would not like what they had to tell him. He went in a defensive stance, even though he was outnumbered.
"Don't try anything, boy," the commanding officer said while nodding to his men. The men had their weapons out before Obi-Wan could blink. The officer continued to speak, "You do anything, boy, and your friends are as good as dead."
Obi-Wan saw that some of the men had their blades inches away from Daniel and Jacob's throats. Obi-Wan knew that if he tried to do something, they were all dead.
The offer pointed to Daniel and Jacob and ordered his men, "Take these two in to Philadelphia to be questioned. And I will take you back to the general myself, boy. When he gets done with you, you will wish you were dead," he sneered when he said that.
Obi-Wan felt a moment of fear, but did not dare show it, he was a Jedi and he would die like one if he must. Obi-Wan hoped that Sam and Tom would be able to escape without being seen.
Sam sensed that someone was following her, and she had a good idea who it was. She snapped out, "I am still mad at you."
Tom hid a small smile. "Well, I should be happy that you are at least talking to me."
Sam glared at him over her shoulder. She knew she was acting a bit childish, but this man infuriated her to no end!
Turning, she opened her mouth to speak, but a heard a horse coming in the distance. "Do you hear that?"
"Yes. Maybe Jacob is expecting company?"
"Then I better get the water." Sam turned to go, but Tom put his hands on her shoulders to stop her.
"Listen, I know you can be stubborn to no end," he put a finger to her lips to stop her denial. He continued on, "I am just as worried about Ben as you are. So you should just accept the help." Tom knew full well that if something happen to Sam he would never forgive himself. Somehow through the past weeks he got to know her little by little, and he cared for her in a way that he never had before.
Sam saw an intense look in Tom's eyes, but couldn't name it. Her heart started to beat a bit faster. She couldn't speak; she had lost what she was going to say. Tom had placed his hands on her shoulders but didn't step back. Was he waiting for her to answer?
Tom turned his head sharply, listening. Sam heard horses coming, but not just one. It was more than one horse. Could it be danger? Silently they walked toward the house. When they got near enough, they saw what they both feared. Redcoats had surrounded Obi-Wan, Jacob, and another man they didn't know.
They stayed hidden so as not to be seen. Tom quietly got his musket and aimed at the officer on the horse. His shot hit the man in the leg. Before the officer could react, his horse reared, throwing him out of the saddle. That gave enough time for Obi-Wan, Jacob, and the other man to defend themselves.
The two older men fought with simple punches, but Obi-Wan fought in a style Tom and Sam had never seen before.
Obi-Wan kicked out sharply at the nearest blade. The blade fell to the ground as the British soldier stiffened at the pain in his hand. He glared hatefully at Obi-Wan. The soldier knew he wouldn't have time to get his gun to shoot Obi-Wan so he just charged at him with his good hand in a fist. Obi-Wan could have easily step sided the blow, but he got shoved from behind. The push itself was not painful, but the agony from his still-healing back made him gasp. Ignoring the pain in his back he twisted penetratingly, trying to throw the soldier off of his back.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Tom and Sam coming to help even their odds.
As Obi-Wan got back up, he winced. The pain in his back wasn't as strong as it would have been two weeks ago, but he had to focus on getting out of this alive.
Sam was fighting the first man Obi-Wan had to deal with, so that left him with the one who had shoved him. The solider came at him with a punch, which Ob-Wan ducked. Before the man had time to recover, Obi-Wan hit him in the side of the neck with the side of his hand. The man grabbed his neck in pain, forgetting Obi-Wan for a moment, which Obi-Wan used to his advantage.
Obi-Wan knew the jump he was going to do was going to aggravate his back more, but did it anyway. Leaping up, he made contact with the side of the man's head with the side of his shoe. The man fell to the ground out cold.
Gulping for air as though he would never get enough, Obi-Wan looked to see that all the British soldiers were on the ground either in pain or out cold.
In the distance they all heard horses coming. They all looked at one another and ran for the forest the opposite way.
"We have to separate, and stay hidden." Jacob spoke quietly. They also could see the sun setting. That gave them an advantage. Daniel and Jacob started go to a different way, west of them. Obi-Wan remembered something. "Wait." The two men stopped. "Daniel, where are the traveling uncle and nephew?"
"They headed north. Are they people you know?" Daniel asked.
"Maybe." Daniel seemed satisfied with Obi-Wan's answer so before he and Jacob continued on he said, "Good luck finding them."
As they started walking quickly away, Tom asked. "What was that all about?"
Obi-Wan didn't want to raise hope for Sam, but they needed to know what he thought. "I think we may have just found out where Ben is."
"What?" Sam wasn't sure if she heard that correctly.
Obi-Wan felt guilty for just hearing that whispered question. Sam looked younger then her eighteen years.
Tom looked back from where they had come. "If you don't want to be caught by Redcoats, I say that we get moving."
They started moving in a fast pace but not running. The melting snow wasn't able to hide all their footprints, but being in a forest helped hide them some.
Tom looked at the setting sun and said more then asked, "We go north, then?"
Obi-Wan nodded. Sam still appeared to be in a state of shock.
Obi-Wan was in front of the group, but he turned his head when he heard Tom slow down. Tom fell into step with Sam; Obi-Wan felt he may be in the middle of a serious discussion, so he picked up his pace. It didn't help his healing back, but he could accept the pain.
Tom looked at Sam from the corner of his eye. The sun was making her red hair a coppery gold color. It turned her skin into a gold tone and not the white it normally was.
Touching her arm gently, he said softly, "I am certain that Ben is fine. We will find him."
Sam looked up at him, her eyes wet. She hadn't let any tears fall, and her eyes
were also full of emotion. "Will we?" she said that so quietly, Tom could scarcely hear it.
They all knew it would be too cold to sleep, so without saying so, they just walked in the night. The stopped for a short time to get some water from a creek they found. It wasn't easy finding food, but they did manage get a few fish to cook over a fire they used long enough for that purpose.
As Sam wondered and worried over Ben; her thoughts turned to Tom. She cared for him that was for certain, but she didn't really know anything about him.
Tom was in front of the group once again, he knew more about were they where than Obi-Wan and she did.
Sam just went ahead and started to ask what she wanted to know. "Tom," she said, and then stopped. She couldn't continue. Tom stopped and turned around. "Yes?" he asked.
Sam just rushed on, "Where are you from? What is your family like?" She wasn't sure if she should even ask him.
Tom looked up at the moon, giving his face a pale blue glow. He answered her with a bit of bitterness. "I was born in Britain. My family? They don't think I exist." Turning, he picked up his pace as if the demons of the past were after him.
Sam blinked with surprise. She felt rotten about asking him personal questions. She looked at Obi-Wan, but he stood unmoving, waiting for her to move on. His face was unreadable. It showed nothing of what he was thinking or feeling.
They continued walking in the night silently with their thoughts to themselves.
In the morning, they found an open space among the trees. They looked around. There was no one in sight.
Obi-Wan walked a bit away from Tom and Sam. The air had a bite to it, but seeing the sunrise was always a wonderful. He smiled ruefully. Qui-Gon was the one who took beauty in an alien sunrise and saw things differently then Obi-Wan did. Would he have to accept the fact that he would never see his Master again?
Obi-Wan turned to his left and stopped. There in the distance he could make out what appeared to be two people walking. They were too far away to see. Before he could say anything, he heard something singing in the air.
He felt something hit him sharply from behind. Pain gripped his shoulder and he yelled out. He fell to the ground in agony. He wasn't sure what had hit him but the pain was intense.
He couldn't see or hear what was going on around him, except for screams, whether it was because of pain or victory he wasn't sure. One thing came to his ears loud and clear. He heard "Obi-Wan!" Before he closed his eyes, giving into the pain, he thought that the voice sounded ghostly familiar.