Jediya Quest

Chapter 9

After roughly half an hour of hearing his options, Makono decided that it would be in his best interests to step down from his throne. However, he refused to stop encouraging the persecution of the Arlings and most certainly refused to apologize for any wrongdoing that had happened under his rule. In the end, Obi-Wan settled for what he could get for the moment. He, Anakin, Suriyama, and her father escorted Makono and the remaining guards to the prison cells below where they would be dealt with by the Eloylian public's decisions.

Finally allowing himself to rest, Obi-Wan sank down into a couch in the throne room. There is still so much to be done, he thought, and I am desperately in need of a good night's sleep. But not quite yet.

"Anakin, go find Sekiro and bring him back here. There is one more thing that we must do."

* * *

It was morning outside in the city of Gatamo, and the citizens of the large city were busy carrying out their daily errands. However, as soon as the large holovid screen in the main square began to crackle and come to life, everyone forgot what they were doing and moved in to get a better view.

The static finally cleared out and the face of a wizened old Arling came into view. Whispers of confusion rippled through the crowd, but as soon as the man began speaking the square grew silent.

"Citzens of Gatamo, my brothers and sisters, I ask for your attention. As of very early this morning, while most of you were still in your bed, the Rey stepped down from the throne."

This comment sent everyone to talking again.

"Please, listen to me," the bearded old man continued and the uproar soon dimmed. There was something about the man's presence that commanded their attention. "I am here to say that his throne will not be assumed by anyone else. Eloyl will return to the democracy that it was before."

Much to the surprise of the people who were standing off to the side behind Sekiro as he made his speech, the crowd rippled with approval.

"Also, I ask you to put aside the prejudices that Rey Makono had imposed on your Arling brothers and sisters. We lived together as soul cousins before. We were happy then and we shall be happy now. Eloyl will be united once again."

The crowd was silent for a long time. Finally, one girl stepped forward from the throng of Trians, her long silvery hair blowing in the wind. She raised her arms to get their attention.

"The Arling elder is right! We can live together!" she shouted to them. One by one, the Trians began to voice their agreement. Before long, the entire crowd was cheering the reuniting of Eloyl.

The Trian girl smiled. Suriyama pushed her hair from her shoulders and turned around to wave at the screen. Sekiro smiled back.

* * *

"You have done it, Jediya Kenobi. You have saved my people," Sekiro spoke slowly as he watched Suriyama disappear off the screen. She was working her way through the gathering and back to the palace.

"No, Sekiro. We saved your people," Obi-Wan spread out his arms to encompass the people in the room. Only seconds later, Suriyama stepped into the room.

Sekiro got up from his seat and turned to face her. "You are a most remarkable young woman," he stated, walking towards her and smiling gently. "From what I have heard, you are headstrong, yet you are also aware of your surroundings, brave, and most of all intelligent. I think you would make a fine Eloylian philosopher. And it has been some time since there has been a Trian philosopher, let alone a female one."

"M-me?" Suriyama stammered. "Oh but sir, surely there is someone else better suited for the job."

"No, there isn't," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You will do quite well. You will be a new breed of philosopher, to help lead this new era on our planet."

Suriyama beamed with pride.

"And," Sekiro continued, "I even have a robe that you can use, once a certain Padawan Jediya has it cleaned and repaired."

Obi-Wan's laughter echoed throughout the room as he clapped his blushing Padawan on the back.

"Don't worry, Sekiro, he'll return it to you." Obi-Wan then turned and began walking out of the room. "Now, if you'll excuse me, it is long past my bed time and I am desperately in need of some shut-eye."

Their laughter echoed after him as he shut the throne room door and collapsed on a couch in the hallway. He was asleep in minutes.

* * *

"Master! Master, wake up!" Anakin shook his teacher's shoulder.

Obi-Wan groaned and rolled over, not wanting to open his eyes. However, he was pleased to note that he was now fully healed. His apprentice's badgering continued, so finally Obi-Wan rolled over again and opened his eyes.

"What is it, Ani?" The sounds of a great celebration reached his ears from outside the palace walls.

"I brought you some dinner."

The Knight's stomach growled appreciatively. He reached for the plate of meat and vegetables and began eating with zeal.

"This is delicious! What is it, Ani?'

"Grilled tigra steak with greens."

At the mention of "tigra" Obi-Wan spit out his mouthful of food, staring open-mouthed at his Padawan.

"Gotcha."

"Why you little womp rat!" Obi-Wan leapt off the couch and dashed after his rapidly fleeing Padawan, the plate of food clattering to the ground. Their shouts and laughter echoed down the hallway to join in with the revelry of the reunited citizens of Eloyl. The joy of these people, the loyalty of his Padawan, and the mere fact that he was alive were all the reward that Obi-Wan needed from this mission.