The Hidden Truth
Chapter 27: whispering hope
Draju paced in his bedroom full of rage. How could something like this have happened? The guard who was responsible for their escape would suffer for his mistakes. He went to his window and looked into the distance. He would find them and then he would kill every single one with his own hands. Draju was so lost in his thoughts of revenge that he didn't hear soldiers entering his bedroom.
"Your Highness, we have found the responsible guard who let the prisoners escape," a dark voice said and threw a trembling man at Draju's feet. The soldier kissed the tyrant's feet and didn't look at him.
"I'm so sorry, your highness, but the Master Jedi, who seems to be responsible for their flight, must have bewitched me. I can't explain what happened," the man stuttered.
"You can't explain what happened because you were asleep, Agricus. Your Majesty, we found this bottle of alcohol under his desk."
"So, you were sleeping! You know what I will do to you, don't you? Your sleep could be counted as treason. You know what kind of punishment stands on such a betrayal," the king asked with menace. He wanted to see blood. This pathetic guard may have destroyed his life. If he had to die, he would take with him as many people as he could. His insanity gained the upper hand. The despot laughed hysterically and waved his hand. The arrested soldier awaited a painful death. The other guards dragged him away to execute him. The king dropped onto his bed and laughed himself to sleep. His fury burned inside him, but he couldn't control his emotions anymore. Tomorrow, he would gather his loyal soldiers who would defend him without thinking even once of their own lives. They would defend his precious palace and life.
****
The shuttle flew low over the rainforest of Dakona. Three figures sat in the small cockpit of the spacecraft.
"The camp is over there," Kyah said pointing her finger in the correct direction. Det kept silent during the flight. The girl and the boy had never been on such a transport before. Normally, they would have been bursting with curiosity and asked questions of all kind, but not today. The shock sat too deep. Qui-Gon landed the ship in a small clearing next to the camp. He led the two youngsters into the common room of the shuttle and let them sit down. He faced the two and began to speak.
"Kyah, Det, I know that the last 48 hours were hard for you." He struggled for the right words. Suddenly, Anakin came out of his cabin. His eyes were slits and his hair was standing in every direction.
"Master, why did we take off?" He was too sleepy to focus on the two passengers.
"Kyah, Det, meet my apprentice, Anakin Skywalker," he said, cocking one brow at his student. Suddenly, Anakin realized thay were having visitors and tried to straighten his hair nervously. Then, he bowed to the two.
"Master I think it would be better for me to join Obi-Wan in the med-bay," he said hastily and ran off. Kyah and Det looked at each other in surprise. They thought that the Knight was dead.
"What did he say? Obi-Wan?" Det opened his mouth for the very first time on board.
"Yes, he is alive, but far from being alright," the elder Jedi told them
"Can we see him," Kyah asked, her eyes sparkling again with hope.
"In a few hours maybe, but first we have to prepare a strike against Draju and his men."
Det and Kyah nodded in understanding. They encouraged Qui-Gon to tell them more.
"Jedi teams will arrive within the next couple of hours and we will be able to form an "army". Don't get me wrong. I don't want to start a war against the king, but I want to scare him off. Diplomacy, talks or war won't help against this Draju. We have to beat him by playing tricks on him and therefore we need your supporters. How many are there exactly?"
Kyah thought for a moment.
"There are 112, 65 men, 37 women and 10 children."
"Very well then. Could you call for an assembly here at the ship? I need to speak with them."
"Could we just have a look at Obi-Wan before we go," she asked, almost begging the Master. He gave them a small smile and they ran into the med-bay, where Anakin lay sleeping against Obi-Wan in the knight's warm bed. The duo neared the bed and watched the battered sleeping form of Kenobi. He looked much healthier than the last time they had seen him. Remembering their promise, they left the sick-bay and the ship. Enjoying their newly-won freedom, they took deep breaths when they stepped onto the rich, green grass. Then, they parted.
Thirty minutes later, they met with 112 people at the ship. Kyah hoped that Qui-Gon's plan was a good one because this was their last chance to survive this never-ending ordeal. She hadn't the strength to start another hopeless venture anymore.
Tbc…