Chapter Forty-Seven

Calling upon the Force, Aalea leapt over the running guests. She landed next to Nadira who was cowering on the floor. Aalea quickly drew her lightsaber and ignited it. She whipped it around her, careful not to touch anyone, but wanting to clear a space around Nadira.

"Stand back!" she shouted.

The sight of the lightsaber stopped the guests in their tracks.

"All of you, drop your weapons!" Aalea cried out as she stood over Nadira.

Most of the guests who were near her and had drawn weapons complied, but Aalea could still see pockets of fighting going on about the hall and Tahal and Markus were still struggling.

Lucan was restraining Cassia who screamed for Markus and Tahal to stop. Queen Samar, meanwhile, had fainted and Marni was bent over her, trying frantically to revive her.

"Drop your weapons," Aalea cried again.

Then, just as she was about to run over to stop Tahal and Markus, she saw a blur of movement. Suddenly Obi-Wan was standing next to the two men, his lightsaber blazing.

"Do as she says. Drop your weapons. Now!" he shouted, his eyes fierce.

Markus, who was bleeding from his side, looked over at Obi-Wan, shrugged, then dropped his knife to the floor. Tahal, who was bleeding from his arm, frowned at the Jedi, then dropped his. Obi-Wan powered down his lightsaber.

Queen Cassia immediately ran over to Markus. She waved frantically at the healers who, accompanied by servants, rushed into the hall with stretchers for the injured.

As one of the Sylvonann healers went over to Markus, Lucan grabbed the healer's arm.

"I will not have my son treated by a Sylvonnan," he cried, his hazel eyes blazing.

Obi-Wan walked over to Lucan and pulled the king's hand away from the healer.

"You will allow Prince Markus to be cared for, King Lucan."

Lucan jerked his hand away and glared at Obi-Wan.

"This is all your fault, Jedi," he hissed. "I promise, your superiors will hear of this."

He turned and tried to take Cassia's arm, but she snatched it away. She then followed her son's stretcher as the servants took Markus to the infirmary. Lucan watched his wife leave with a frown then, glancing angrily over at Obi-Wan, strode quickly from the hall.

Obi-Wan turned and walked over to where Aalea still stood guard over Nadira. She powered down her lightsaber.

Obi-Wan gave her a quick look, then knelt next to Nadira who was being rocked by Badalah.

"Are you all right, your highness," he asked gently.

"Yes, Jedi Obi-Wan," Nadira said, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I am very fine. Thanks to Jedi Aalea."

Obi-Wan helped Nadira to her feet. Her robes were all in disarray and her veil had been torn off. She thanked him, then, when she saw her father being carried out of the hall, ran quickly over to him. Badalah followed her.

The stretcher bearers stopped for a moment. King Tahal reached up and gently stroked Nadira's cheek, assuring her he was all right. Nadira clung to his hand, tears streaming down her face. Queen Samar, who had been revived, gently drew her daughter away as Tahal was taken to the infirmary. Then she and Badalah escorted the weeping princess out of the banquet hall.

Obi-Wan turned towards Aalea. "Are you all right, Aalea?"

Aalea nodded. She looked around at the ruined banquet table, overturned chairs and broken glasses and dishes.

"Things got a little out of hand, Master."

Obi-Wan looked around him unhappily. "Yes, a little."

"What happened? Where's Prince Ishan."

Obi-Wan sighed. "When I went to the anteroom to escort him into the hall, it was empty. I thought Ishan had been delayed for some reason, so I went to his quarters. That's where I found Seleth, Lucan's Major-Domo. He'd just found a note left by Ishan saying he would not marry Nadira and he was running away to become a Jedi Knight."

Aalea shook her head. "A Jedi Knight? What ever gave him that idea?"

Obi-Wan looked at Aalea uneasily.

"That may be my fault. He and I talked a great deal about the Jedi Order while I was on Tarkasia. But I had no idea...." Obi-Wan sighed deeply. "I was on my way to search for him when I sensed you were in trouble."

Aalea glanced sharply at him. "You sensed I was in trouble?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said distractedly. He watched as more servants began moving into the hall to start the clean-up. He shook his head.

"This is not good, Aalea. The entire peace accord is in jeopardy."

Aalea agreed and she was certain Lucan would hold to his threat and contact the Jedi Council.

"What should we do, Master?"

Obi-Wan looked over at her.

"We must find Ishan. I'm going to go look for him. Remain here and make certain no more blood is shed."

"Yes, Master."

As Obi-Wan started to move away, he turned back.

"Aalea?"

"Yes, Master?"

"You did a good job protecting Nadira." He smiled at her, then turned away, his robe flying out behind him as he ran from the hall.

Aalea tilted her head as she watched Obi-Wan leave. He had smiled at her, something he'd not done since their mission had begun. He should smile more often, she thought. He had a nice smile.

Then she looked about her at the wreckage in the hall. How were they going to fix this?

To be continued...