Hi, Moonscribe here! Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have taken the time to review my story so far! Really, truly do appreciate your comments. And to those who are just reading, but not reviewing, thanks for reading! I do appreciate your taking the time to read my fanfic. Take care and May the Force be With You! :-)
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Chapter Thirty-Two
As Cian and Qui-Gon exited from the shuttle which had brought them from the capital, a breeze rich with the smell of the sea swept over them.
Cian took a deep breath and smiled up at Qui-Gon.
"It's been a long time since I've smelled the sea."
"Yes, it's been a long time for me too." He also took a deep breath. "What I find fascinating is that the sea, no matter what world I'm on, always seems to smell the same."
Qui-Gon then looked over at what First Minister Shiro called his "humble home."
The villa was magnificent. Situated on a bluff which overlooked the Emerald Sea, the alabaster stones of which it was built glowed beneath the enormous Jalatan moon and star-speckled sky.
"It's beautiful," Cian gasped as she looked over at it.
Qui-Gon glanced down at her. He was still amazed at how much clothing she had been able to pack in the single travel case she had brought.
Tonight she wore a dark gray strapless gown bordered in black. Her bronze-colored hair was loose and flowed over her shoulders. Tiny black pearls ringed her neck and she wore a matching pair of earrings. She had worried that the gown was too somber-looking, but he had told her it was fine and brought out the color of her eyes.
"Yes," he agreed as he gazed down at her. "Quite beautiful."
She looked up at him and when their eyes met, she blushed slightly. She took his arm. "Shall we go in?"
They walked towards the entrance of the villa. A Jalatan servant, dressed in white, hurried toward them. He bowed deeply, then gestured for them to precede him into the house.
They entered the ornate foyer. Giant jade urns overflowing with scarlet and saffron blossoms stood against the gold lacquered walls. The fragrance from the flowers was delicate, but enticing.
The servant darted around them and gestured for them to go through a set of large double doors to the left of the foyer.
Qui-Gon and Cian entered what appeared to be the library. The high walls were covered with leather bound books. A fire burned cheerfully in the large marble fireplace in front of which stood Shiro.
"Welcome, Mistress Nyal, Master Jinn," Shiro cried as he walked across the richly carpeted floor to greet them. He took their hands and squeezed them warmly. "I hope your flight here was uneventful."
Qui-Gon smiled. For some reason, flying in the transparent shuttle at night had not distressed Cian as much as doing so during the day did. Therefore, his hands had been spared her punishing grip this time around.
"It was a very pleasant trip, First Minister," he said.
"Good." Shiro took Cian's arm and drew her away from Qui-Gon. "Come, my dear, and you also, Master Jinn. My wife has been wanting so much to meet the two of you."
He led Qui-Gon and Cian into a small anteroom off the library. In it was a divan upon which lay an elderly Jalatan woman. She was dressed in a light green gown and around her shoulders she clutched a thick blue shawl.
"Vati," Shiro called softly as he guided Cian over to the woman. "She is here. Just as I promised."
The woman lifted heavy-lidded eyes. A soft smile spread across her weathered face.
"Oh, you are as lovely as my husband described," she whispered.
"May I present my life and my love, my wife Vati," Shiro said as he gazed fondly down at the elderly woman.
Qui-Gon bowed deeply and Cian curtsied.
She acknowledged them with a slight incline of her head.
"Welcome to our humble home, Master Jinn, Mistress Nyal."
"Are you up to joining us for dinner, my wife?" Shiro asked her.
Vati smiled. "Yes, I believe I am. You were right, my husband. Resting here has refreshed me."
As Vati tried to rise, Shiro quickly let go of Cian's arm and rushed over to her. He slipped his arm about her shoulders and helped her from the couch.
Shiro turned to Qui-Gon and Cian.
"Go ahead, please, my friends. My servant will show you to the dining room. We shall be along shortly."
As Qui-Gon and Cian turned to leave, Vati called softly after them.
"I am so very glad you were able to come."
Qui-Gon turned back and looked deeply into her eyes. They were dim from the sickness he could see was ravaging her body, but the goodness of her spirit blazed through her illness like sunlight burning through a cloud.
"Thank you for inviting us," he said warmly in turn.
He took Cian's arm and the two of them walked back into the library where the servant escorted them to the dining room.
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Later, after dinner, which Qui-Gon had found not only pleasant, but quite filling, Shiro escorted him and Cian to a veranda which overlooked the sea.
Vati, who had excused herself halfway through the meal, was already there, lying on a long couch, her back supported by heaps of cushions.
"Come, my dear, sit here," Vati said to Cian. She pointed to a chair beside her. Cian went over and sat next to her. Qui-Gon and Shiro took chairs adjacent to them.
"Have you enjoyed your visit to Jalat so far?" Vati asked Cian.
"Very much, Sala Vati," Cian replied. "Your world is very beautiful."
Vati nodded. She gazed out over the moon-rippled waters.
"Yes, it is very lovely, but there is also a darkness upon it."
Shiro glanced sharply over at his wife.
"Vati, you promised you would not speak of such things."
She turned back to her husband. "It must be spoken of, Shiro. And if not to them, then to whom? For too long have you refused to see what is before your eyes. If we are to ask Master Jinn and Mistress Nyal to report back to their government what goes on here, whether it would be wise to establish relations with us, then they must have the truth."
Shiro sighed. He turned to Qui-Gon and Cian.
"My wife speaks of Rukal."
"The Chief Priest?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Shiro nodded. "You see, Rukal became Chief Priest of the religious caste five turns ago---"
"And since that time," Vati interrupted, "there has been a darkness in the temples. The ceremonies are tainted, the people are uneasy and you, my husband, do nothing."
"But, my wife, there is no evidence for your suspicions. Each time I have asked you to provide me with some proof that I might present to the Council to address your concerns, you have none to give. All you have said is you have felt a disturbance."
Qui-Gon jumped visibly at Vati's words. Cian glanced quickly over at him.
Vati drew her shawl tighter about her.
"Rukal is evil, Shiro. Ignore that and you condemn us all."
Qui-Gon leaned forward. "This Syad which Rukal spoke of at the audience this morning, Sala Vati. Can you explain it?"
"It is the foundation of our religious belief, Master Jinn," Vati replied. "The Syad is the force which binds the universe together. It is the living embodiment of the godhead. Priests like Rukal are able to channel the Syad, to perform miracles and feats of power. However, according to the tenets of our belief, such power is to be used only for good. To heal, not to hurt. To serve, not to master."
"It sounds very much like the Jedi concept of the Force."
Vati nodded. "I have heard this. That is why my husband asked for a representative of the Jedi order to accompany the Republic emissary. He had hoped that by showing Rukal there was much the Republic and Jalat had in common, it would help to ease Rukal's fears about the possible pollution of our beliefs."
"But that has not happened?" Cian asked.
Vati shook her head. "It appears the opposite has occurred. For example, Rukal has been preaching in his cathedral in the capital that you, Master Jinn, will be the harbinger of the rise of a new Dark Age."
"That's ridiculous," Cian cried. "Qui-Gon the bringer of darkness?"
Vati shrugged. "Nevertheless, that is what he has been saying."
Cian looked over at Shiro.
"I have heard this, too, Mistress Nyal" he told her. "I should have mentioned it to you, and I apologize for not having done so, but I did not think it was of any great matter."
"Well, it is of great matter, my husband," Vati chided.
Qui-Gon looked over at Shiro. "I would like for you to arrange for Cian and I to meet with Rukal."
"What?" Shiro cried. "After what my wife has just said, you and Mistress Nyal wish to walk into the lion's den?"
Qui-Gon glanced over at Cian and gestured with his eyes she should speak. She nodded back at him.
"First Minister Shiro," Cian said. "Qui-Gon and I were sent here to establish relations with your world and its people. If there is some misunderstandings within the religious caste regarding us, the only way to clear it up is by meeting with Rukal."
Shiro sighed heavily and looked over at his wife.
"She is right, my husband. Only by confronting the lie, can its power be diminished."
"Very well. I shall contact Epena and arrange it. I still do not think it is a good idea. But I will do as you have requested."
"Thank you, Salu Shiro," Cian said.
Shiro then slapped his hands together briskly.
"Now, tomorrow I have arranged for you and Master Jinn to go on a tour of our largest military installation in the Tuhar Provinces. General Neeshin has arranged everything. We're to leave at the hour of the Gentle Dawn."
Qui-Gon quickly translated that into Republic time.
"Then perhaps Cian and I should make arrangements to return to the Residence Hall." It had taken them two hours flying time to reach Shiro's home. If they left now they would be lucky to get four hours of sleep once they arrived back.
"No, no," Shiro protested. "I have already arranged it. You are to stay here tonight, my friends."
"Oh, but we can't," Cian said. "It would be such an imposition."
"Not at all," Vati said smiling. She gestured towards the large villa. "As you can see there is plenty of room."
"But, I," and Cian glanced quickly over at Qui-Gon, "we didn't bring anything..."
Shiro rang a tiny silver bell on a table next to his chair.
"I will have my servants see to your needs, Mistress Cian. You will stay here. That way you will get plenty of rest and be completely refreshed for your tour in the morning."
A servant appeared on the veranda and Shiro quickly explained the situation to him. The servant bowed deeply and hurried back into the villa.
"My husband," Vati said.
"Yes, my wife?"
"I believe I am ready to retire for the evening."
"Of course." Shiro went over to his wife and helped her as she rose from the couch. Qui-Gon stood and Cian rose next to him. Shiro looked over at them as he helped his wife into the villa.
"No, please, remain here, my friends. I shall be back. Unless you wished to retire now?"
Qui-Gon looked over at Cian. Now that they didn't have to worry about getting back to the capital, he was content to sit a little longer on the veranda and enjoy the beauty of the Jalatan night. Cian smiled over at him and he saw she agreed.
"No," he said turning to Shiro. "We're not quite ready to retire. We shall remain here until you return."
"Yes, please do stay, Master Jinn," Vati said. "Do not let me spoil the rest of the evening for you and Mistress Nyal. I shall see you in the morning. Pleasant night to you both."
Shiro took his wife inside.
Cian looked over at Qui-Gon as she returned to her seat. "She's very ill, isn't she?"
Qui-Gon nodded. He sat in his chair.
"I could not discern the nature of her illness, but her life force is very weak."
He then looked beyond Cian and watched the waves moving upon the shore below them and, as the rhythmic ebbing and flowing of the water worked upon his mind, he thought of Vati's words regarding Rukal's depiction of him as the harbinger of a Dark Age. He had kept his expression still, but a menacing current of unease had swirled through him as if the Force were trying to warn him of some yet to be faced danger.
To be continued....