Chapter Sixty-Two

Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan landed the shuttle near a grove just beyond the citadel. It was night and the Jalatan moon was hidden by thick clouds. The Jedi and Tydre quickly jumped out.

Qui-Gon looked about him. He could hear the furtive movement of night creatures among the undergrowth as the wind sighed mournfully through the trees. Just off to his right, he could hear and smell the sea and, for a moment, he was reminded of the night he and Cian had gone to Shiro's villa and the way the moonlight had shone on her hair.

He turned to Tydre. "Which way?"

Tydre pointed to the right where Qui-Gon could see a small path.

"It leads down to the beach where the passageway is."

Tydre started down the steep path, Qui-Gon, Aalea and Obi-Wan behind him.

The path led to a small strip of shoreline. Black waves frothed upon the silvered sand. Tydre then took them to a small cave which lay just under the towering cliffs.

Glancing up, Qui-Gon could see the shadowed hulk of Rukal's citadel as it loomed against the cloud-scudded sky.

Hold on, Cian. We're coming.

As Qui-Gon entered the cave he noted the walls had been smoothed out. As they walked deeper into it, it grew darker. Obi-Wan pulled a small glow rod from a pouch on his belt and turned it on. Their shadows lurched and shifted against the faceted walls.

They continued on, their boots occasionally kicking small stones which clattered against the walls. Soon Tydre stopped before a large iron door which glowed greenly from the luminescent moss that covered it.

He turned, his eyes wide.

"What a fool I am," he cried. "The door can not be opened from this side."

Qui-Gon went over to the door and saw Tydre was right.

"I will go into the citadel and open it for you from the inside," Tydre said.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "You should remain with us. There's another way."

He looked over at Obi-Wan and Aalea. They nodded and unclipped their lightsabers from their belts.

Qui-Gon took Tydre by the arm. "Stand back."

Tydre moved to the side as Qui-Gon unclipped his lightsaber and ignited it. Aalea and Obi-Wan followed suit and the three carved an entrance in the door.

Stepping through the opening, they entered a tunnel.

"This tunnel lies beneath the lower levels where Mistress Nyal is being held," Tydre said. "Come."

Tydre led them down the tunnel to a damp stairway. They went swiftly up the stairs and entered a long corridor. Dim glowlamps were set at intervals along it.

Qui-Gon raised his hand and motioned for the others to stop. He peered down the hallway and reached out with the Force. The hallway was empty. He gestured for the others to follow.

They ran down the hallway and stopped before another iron door. Tydre pulled it open and led them up another flight of stairs. They passed through a stone-arched entrance into another hallway along which were a number of heavy windowless doors.

Tydre pointed to where two mercenaries stood guard before one of the doors.

"Mistress Nyal is there," he whispered.

Qui-Gon looked over at Obi-Wan and Aalea.

"Aalea, stay here with Tydre."

She nodded. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan then raced towards the guards who, at the sight of the Jedi, pulled out their blasters and fired. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan easily deflected the shots.

Obi-Wan swung his lightsaber at one of the guards, singeing him on the arm. The guard dropped his blaster. Obi-Wan quickly powered down his lightsaber and used the hilt to knock the guard out.

Qui-Gon took care of the other guard who slipped unconscious against the wall. Checking to make sure there were no more, Qui-Gon waved at Aalea and Tydre to join them.

Tydre ran over and knelt next to one of the guards. He searched through his clothing and found the key to the cell. He quickly opened the door.

Qui-Gon ran in and his heart nearly stopped. Cian lay on a cot, her dark red hair a curtain about her still face. Qui-Gon went over to her and knelt. He touched her cheek. It was cold, but she was alive.

"Cian," he whispered as he stroked her hair. She didn't move. Her eyes stared sightlessly at the ceiling above her.

Aalea moved next to Qui-Gon.

"No, oh, no," she cried. She knelt down, took Cian's hand in hers and held it to her cheek, her eyes filling with tears.

Qui-Gon took a deep heavy breath, then turned to where Obi-Wan looked over with anxious eyes.

"Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Master."

"Take her to the shuttle. Aalea and Tydre go with him."

"But, Master, where are you going?" Aalea asked.

Qui-Gon stood, his eyes grim.

"To Rukal."

Obi-Wan moved next to Qui-Gon.

"Master, we have her. There's no need for you to---"

"Do as I say, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said curtly.

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon for a long moment.

"Yes, Master," he finally said. He ran over and carefully lifted Cian in his arms. As he turned towards the door, Qui-Gon reached out and stroked her face. He looked over at Obi-Wan.

"Get her out of here, Padawan," he said softly.

"Don't worry, Master. I will."

He and Aalea ran out of the cell.

Tydre touched Qui-Gon's arm.

"Master Jinn, please, do not do this. Do not go to him."

Qui-Gon looked down at Tydre.

"I will do what I must, Tydre. Go now. And thank you."

Tydre stared at Qui-Gon, then bowed deeply and hurried after Obi-Wan and Aalea.

Qui-Gon stood in the bleak dank cell for a moment and stared at the stained cot upon which Cian had lain. Then, squaring his shoulders, he turned and went to where he knew Rukal waited for him.

To be continued....