Chapter Fifty-Two
Qui-Gon watched, his arms folded within the sleeves of his robe, as Epena, First Minister Shiro's aide, questioned a servant. They were in the main reception room of the Residence Hall.
"And you don't know where Mistress Nyal went?"
"No, Salu Epena," the servant replied.
"Or the caste or the man's name with whom she left?"
"No, Salu Epena. The man came and asked if he could speak with Mistress Nyal. I took him to where she was walking in the garden. They talked for a bit and then Mistress Nyal left with him."
Epena glanced over at Qui-Gon.
"I'm sorry, Master Jinn. This man was the only one who saw Mistress Nyal leave."
Qui-Gon nodded.
Epena then quickly dismissed the servant and turned back to Qui-Gon.
"Perhaps she made mention to you as to what her plans were for the day."
Qui-Gon shook his head.
"I haven't spoken to Cian since late yesterday afternoon."
"Well, I would not worry, Master Jinn. Perhaps she has gone sightseeing and hired the man as a guide. Or shopping. She did make inquiry to me yesterday regarding a shop. She said she wanted to pick up some, let me see, what was the word she used? Ah, yes, souvenirs."
Qui-Gon nodded, a smile on his face.
"She probably wanted to purchase something to take back for Obi-Wan and Aalea."
"Obi-Wan and Aalea? They are her children?"
Qui-Gon laughed. "No, though as protective of them as she is, they might as well be. No, Obi-Wan and Aalea are Jedi. Obi-Wan is my apprentice and Aalea is," and Qui-Gon tilted his head as he thought of her. "Aalea is my heart," he finished softly.
"Ah," Epena said. "Well, I am sure Mistress Nyal will be back later. Meanwhile, Master Jinn, since it appears your day is free, would you care to join me in a game of doua."
"Doua? I'm not familiar with it."
Epena smiled. "Ah, doua is a wonderful game. A game of chance and strategy. I think you will like it."
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Rukal watched as Cian and Tydre disembarked from the shuttle. He stood in a window in the citadel. Excellent, he thought. He had not doubted she would come. She was so eager to please. He had seen it at the audience.
He turned from the window and sat down in his chair. As he waited for Tydre to bring her to him, he laced his long fingers before him.
When the Jedi realized the woman was missing, Rukal knew he would tear the capital apart in search of her for Rukal had noted at the audience the way the Jedi had looked at her. When Rukal had focused his will on her, the Jedi had sensed it and moved closer to her. She was important to him. Very important. And, as much as Rukal wanted to believe the Jedi was no match for him, he also knew he could prove a formidable enemy if he ever discovered Rukal had anything to do with her disappearance.
But Rukal had made certain there was no way her abduction could be traced back to him. And if, by some small chance, a link was made between him and her, the woman would be well on her way to Lord Sidious by then.
A knock on the door jerked Rukal out of his musings.
"Come," he called.
The door opened. Rukal's breath quickened. Tydre escorted Cian Nyal into his office and Rukal could not help but think of a beautiful butterfly flying blindly into a spider's web.
She wore a dark red gown which clung to her like a second skin. Rukal's lips trembled as she walked towards him. She burned so brightly with the Syad it was a wonder she did not burst into flames. If he succeeded in turning her to the dark side, she would truly be a prize for Lord Sidious.
She stopped before his desk. He stood up and bowed to her. She returned his bow.
Rukal gestured to the chair in front of his desk as he took his seat.
"Please, sit, Mistress Nyal."
As Cian sat Rukal noted how gracefully she moved.
"Salu Rukal, may I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course, Mistress Nyal."
"Could you arrange for a message to be sent back to the Residence Hall? I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to inform Qui-Gon about my meeting with you."
"Of course. My aide will see to it."
Rukal raised his eyes and gave Tydre a long hard look.
Tydre nodded to show he understood no message was to be sent.
Rukal turned and smiled thinly at Cian.
"Do not worry, Mistress Nyal. The Jedi will be told all he needs to know regarding your whereabouts."
"Thank you, Salu Rukal."
"You may leave us now, Tydre. I will send for you if I need you."
Tydre bowed deeply and left the room.
Rukal folded his hands before him on his desk. As his eyes roved over Cian's lush figure, he felt his body hardening. Perhaps, before he turned her over to Lord Sidious, he would take his pleasure of her. He noted, with some admiration, that she did not fidget nor break his gaze as he continued to stare at her. Finally, he took a deep breath and leaned forward.
"Mistress Nyal?"
"Yes, Salu Rukal?"
"You don't know how much I've looked forward to our meeting."
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Qui-Gon stood in First Minister Shiro's office, his body tense with worry. It was well past midnight. Shiro had just arrived in the capital from his villa. Upon receiving Qui-Gon's message regarding Cian's disappearance, he had immediately returned.
"I have contacted General Neeshin," Shiro said as he walked over to Qui-Gon from his desk. "He has promised men to help in the search." He sorrowfully shook his head. "This is terrible, terrible, my friend. But, I can assure you we will not rest until she is found."
Qui-Gon nodded and took a deep breath. When Cian had not returned to the Residence Hall by the end of the day and no sign of her had been seen in the capital, it had not taken his Jedi instincts to know something had happened to her. When he had tried to reach out to her through the Force, he had felt nothing. No sensation, no awareness, no indication she even existed. It was as if she had fallen into some black hole.
Qui-Gon turned and looked out the window. He reached out with his feelings once more, to try and sense some trace of her in the darkness which stretched before him but, like all his efforts before, there was nothing.
He felt Shiro's hesitant touch on his arm.
"I have contacted the Chancellor and apprised him of the situation."
Qui-Gon looked down into the First Minister's kindly face.
"Thank you, Salu Shiro."
The door opened and Epena walked in. He bowed.
"I did as you requested, Master Jinn, and contacted Chief Priest Rukal. He says that, unfortunately, he has not seen nor heard from Mistress Nyal. He conveys his condolences on this most unfortunate incident."
Shiro looked questioningly over at Qui-Gon.
"I asked him to contact Salu Rukal for me," Qui-Gon told him. "I thought perhaps Cian had arranged to meet with him."
"Would she have done so without you?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "It is officially her mission, First Minister."
Qui-Gon was tempted to tell Shiro about his having sensed a disturbance in the Force at the audience hall and that Rukal had appeared to be the source, but he knew he was on very shaky ground. He had no evidence that Rukal was involved in Cian's disappearance and, without such evidence, he could not risk a diplomatic incident by accusing him.
"Do not worry, my friend," Shiro said as he squeezed Qui-Gon's arm. "We will not stop searching until she is found."
Qui-Gon nodded and turned back to the window. And neither will I.
To be continued...