Chapter Fifty-Seven

"Congratulate you, I must," Yoda said. "Fine job you have done."

Obi-Wan and Aalea bowed to Yoda's image as it was being generated in the Sylvonnan communications center.

"To Coruscant you will now return."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said.

Aalea stepped forward.

"Excuse me, Master Yoda. But have you heard from Master Qui-Gon and Cian? Is their mission going well?"

The expression on Yoda's face stiffened. His large eyes gazed somberly back at them.

"News I fear to say is not good."

Obi-Wan and Aalea exchanged quick, worried glances.

"What's happened?" Obi-Wan asked

"Mistress Nyal is missing. Even now Master Qui-Gon for her searches."

"Missing?" Aalea cried.

"No time is there for this to discuss. Return to Coruscant you must immediately."

Obi-Wan stepped closer to Yoda's image.

"Master Yoda, I would like permission to go to Jalat and assist my master in his search for Mistress Nyal."

Aalea stepped next to him.

"I would like to go also, Master."

"No. Permission denied. To Coruscant you will return. Jalat is not yet member of the Republic. Authority you do not have to go there."

"Master, please," Obi-Wan said, "we can't just stand by while---"

Yoda's image leaned forward.

"Return to Coruscant. Master Qui-Gon this can handle. Find her he will. Your help he needs not."

Yoda's image faded away as he cut the communication.

Obi-Wan lowered his head. He took a deep breath.

Aalea reached over and touched his arm. He looked over at her and saw his own concern for Qui-Gon and Cian reflected in her lovely eyes. She squeezed his arm.

Together they left the communications center, their hearts heavy with worry.

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Nadira kissed Aalea on both cheeks as tears flowed down her face.

"I shall miss you so much, Jedi Aalea," she cried.

She, Aalea, Obi-Wan, and Ishan were at the starport in front of the skipship. Sylvonnan and Tarkasian guardsmen stood at attention behind them. Nadira and Ishan had insisted on coming to see Aalea and Obi-Wan off. However, Aalea suspected they were also feeling sentimental about seeing, for the last time, the ship where they had met.

Aalea hugged the little princess.

"And I shall miss you, your highness," she said.

She felt Nadira slip something into her hand. Aalea looked down. It was a small golden vial. The Attar of Love.

"You are no longer in two pieces, Jedi Aalea. I can see that," Nadira said, her green eyes sparkling. "Your heart and head are one."

Nadira then turned to Obi-Wan and, reaching up, kissed him on the lips. He blushed.

"Jedi Obi-Wan?" she said.

"Yes, your highness," he replied gently.

She stood on tiptoe so she could whisper in his ear, but Aalea and Ishan heard her clearly.

"I am thinking Jedi Aalea likes you very much and one day you will receive a very nice present from her."

Obi-Wan smiled down at Nadira.

"Is that so, your highness? Then I shall look forward to receiving it."

He glanced over at Aalea and winked. Aalea's heart thudded and the blood rushed through her head.

Nadira stepped back next to her husband. Ishan then reached over and took Aalea's hand in his and kissed it.

"Mistress Ve'Red, it was a pleasure to have met you, if only for such a brief time."

"Thank you, Prince Ishan."

Ishan turned to Obi-Wan and took his arm.

"Thank you so much, Master Kenobi. For everything."

"You're welcome, your highness. May the Force be with you both."

As Aalea and Obi-Wan walked up the ramp of their ship, Nadira cried out to them to stop. They turned.

"Promise me you will come back and visit me when I have had my babies," Nadira cried. "I am thinking I will be having very many of them. My husband is an incredibly excellent lover."

Ishan blushed and grinned sheepishly.

Nadira then smiled up at Obi-Wan, her green eyes sparkling.

"You instructed him very well, Jedi-Obi-Wan."

Aalea turned sharply and gave Obi-Wan a wide-eyed look.

"The things you told my husband to do to me on our nuptial night made my toes curl," Nadira went on cheerfully.

She then tilted her head and winked at Aalea. "I am thinking you are a very lucky woman, Jedi Aalea."

Obi-Wan looked guiltily over at Aalea, then shrugged slightly, a small smile on his lips. Evidently Obi-Wan and Ishan had talked about more than just the Jedi Order. Aalea gazed at Obi-Wan for a long moment, then turned to Nadira.

"We promise to return, your highness," she said. "Take care."

She waved, turned and followed Obi-Wan into the ship, sealing the door behind her.

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As Obi-Wan completed the pre-flight check, Aalea came into the cockpit and sat next to him in the co-pilot seat. She watched him silently for a few moments.

"Obi-Wan?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, Aalea?"

"We're not really going back to Coruscant, are we?"

He stopped his pre-flight check and looked over at her.

"I sense that Cian is in great danger," he said, his voice grave, his eyes somber. "Don't you?"

Aalea nodded, her eyes full upon his.

He took a deep breath.

"Are the coordinates for Jalat programmed into the nav computer?"

Aalea quickly accessed the computer.

"Yes they are."

"What about fuel?"

"We have enough to get there, but not enough to get back to Coruscant."

Obi-Wan nodded. He stared at her for a long moment.

"You understand, Aalea," he finally said, "that if we do this, if we disobey a direct order from Master Yoda and the Council, it will most likely ruin your chances of ever being chosen by another master."

"I know that." She gazed deeply into his eyes. "And you may not be allowed to take the Trials. Ever."

"Yes," Obi-Wan said quietly. He turned and stared out the cockpit window.

Aalea watched him for a moment, then leaned over and touched his hand.

"Come on," she said softly. "What we are waiting for?"

Obi-Wan glanced at her, then nodded. His hands flew over the instrument panel as Aalea fed him the coordinates for Jalat. Once they received clearance to take off, the skipship tore through the Sylvonnan sky and out into space.

To be continued...