The other passengers had disembarked the transport before the Jedi appeared at the ramp. Anakin quickly glanced around under his cowl at the landing port, searching for a friendly face in the masked crowd, but the Dilurian was nowhere to be seen.
Important emissaries had been greeted by a large delegation of bejeweled, masked faces but they did not hold the respect of the welcoming party that the Jedi did. The moment the Jedi stepped onto the landing platform, a tall figure in a flowing red robe emerged from the crowd. Tight black coils wrapped around the figure's elongated neck. The black mask that hid the face was a smooth oval without features. From Anakin's studies, he recognized the figure as Egrarian, the high priest of the palace of Reft.
A voice, Egrarian's, boomed, seeming to be everywhere and nowhere at once. "The peoples of Cath are blessed by your visit and welcome you as friends." Gloved black hands came together, palms up as if cradling the air in a sacred greeting.
Obi-Wan, quickly followed by Anakin respectfully bowed.
Something about the tall Cathian made Anakin wary.
Egrarian motioned to his left, the red robe flowing like water in the slight breeze. "The High Lady Denara and her consort, the Lord Reftaan."
The Jedi bowed.
Anakin glanced about curiously; it did not appear that the soon to be crowned high lady was present.
Denara immediately stepped from the line of advisors and approached the Jedi. Reftaan chased after her.
The Cathian were tall creatures that made even Anakin have to look up.
Her silver hair was pulled back into a tight knot that seemed to stretch the side of her face painfully. A pale blue mask obscured her features.
"Greetings, honored guests," she said formally. "We are sure you are tired from your long journey and have prepared comfortable arrangements for you."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan answered as the woman wrapped herself around his arm and started to lead the Jedi toward the large stone palace.
Reftaan motioned Anakin to follow. "We hope you had a comfortable journey."
Anakin quickly glanced to Obi-Wan for an appropriate response. "Yes, thank you," he finally said after receiving no guidance.
"Many from off world have arrived for the celebrations, we expect more later as the day progresses, but you are by far the most honored of our guests," Reftaan said.
The shiver that ran down his spine disturbed Anakin.
Noting his brief discomfort, Denara turned her masked face to Reftaan and lightly shook her head as she lead Obi-Wan up the steps to the living area of the palace.
The four, followed by the entire delegation of advisors, walked down a long stone hall to the far end of the great palace. The walls glowed with their own inner light, illuminating the corridor.
Turning back, Anakin glanced at Egrarian, who followed close behind.
A slight motion of the Lady's hand sent the padawan staring down another long hall. "There," she began, "is where Halor and her entourage are sequestered. No one shall see her prior to the ceremony." She did not slow her pace and continued on.
Reftaan spoke up happily in Anakin's ear. "Halor cannot wait for all of these formalities to be over. Youth, I suppose."
He suddenly broke away from Anakin to rush to the nearest door. His small hands fumbled with the intricate handle, but finally pushed it open.
Anakin noted there was no lock on the door.
"These will be your quarters, honored guests," Reftaan said cheerfully as the large door swung open revealing a large room. "You are welcome to stay as long as you wish."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan answered.
Inside the apartment consisted of a simple sitting area and to each side were private quarters. Anakin choked back a small smile. It was one of the nicest places they had been offered on any assignment. For guest quarters, it rivaled the palace of Naboo.
"We hope these quarters are suitable," Reftaan asked a little nervously.
Anakin wanted to scream yes' but held his tongue.
"They are much too extravagant for just us," Obi-Wan offered humbly.
Biting back the urge to roll his eyes, Anakin stifled a groan, fearing they would be shifted off to some little service apartment in the deepest, darkest corner of the palace.
After the door had been closed behind them, the High Lady Denara pulled her mask away from her face and walked across the room. She drew the heavy plate blinds to the side revealing a large balcony that stared out over gently rolling hills. The city lost behind pinkish walls in the distance did not disrupt the country-like scene.
"It is peaceful on this side of the palace, blessed guests. It is also farthest from the celebrations should you choose to take in the peace of our former temple."
Her words caught Anakin's attention.
"It is also quite near the Lady Halor's apartments," Obi-Wan remarked as he pulled his hood back. "Our presence here is for her protection."
Anakin followed and removed his hood, better allowing him to take in the ominous glow of the walls. A sense filled him that the stones were alive. He reached toward the roughly carved surface and the lights burned brighter at the tips of his fingers.
A look of alarm paled Denara's noble face. "Great Maker, you're both so young," she said in surprise. Panicked silver eyes searched Reftaan's for help.
Reftaan seemed to share her alarm even as he stared at Obi-Wan curiously. "No offense, but during the treaty negotiation--"
"A venerable Knight Jinn and his apprentice were sent," Denara finished.
Obi-Wan's voice was even as he spoke. "Master Jinn rejoined the force nearly seven years ago."
Denara's expression became solemn as she sank to a nearby chair. Another fairy tale shattered. Jedi do die.
"We had not known," she said softly, mourning the passing of a Jedi who had once visited her palace.
"My Master would have been pleased to know that the treaty is still held by your people." Obi-Wan conveyed great calm and assurance through his tone on the currents of the Force.
For a moment Denara just stared at the floor then her eyes lit as she looked up at Obi-Wan. A smile returned to her lips as recognition overtook her. Her laughter filled the room and Anakin sensed the walls rejoiced in her happy sound.
"We are truly blessed, Reftaan," she said still laughing as she held her hand out before Obi-Wan. "You are hardly the boy I remember."
In a very un-Jedi fashion, Obi-Wan gently took her hand and kissed her pale skin just below the wrist.
Anakin dearly hoped it was not some strange Cath tradition that he would be forced into.
"Knight Kenobi, we are truly honored in your return," Denara said, glowing in happiness.
The walls gave the room a rich glow reflecting Denara's joy.
Denara glanced over to Anakin, who quietly watched the scene. "And who is this? Your apprentice?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan answered calmly. "This is Anakin Skywalker."
"Greetings," Denara said formally. "The Makers have doubly blessed us."
"Your daughter," Obi-Wan said, bringing the happiness in Denara quickly down. "We understand her life is in danger."
"Some would like to stop the coronation," Reftaan answered.
"Who are they?" Anakin asked, sensing a chance at adventure looming on the horizon.
"We do not know," Denara said. "They have tried to kidnap her four times. They very nearly got out of the palace with her just yesterday. She is still quite shaken."
"May we speak with her?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I will make arrangements for an audience with her after the evening ceremonies are complete."
The Jedi knight nodded in ascent.
Her hand reached out and lightly rested on Obi-Wan's folded arms. "You will protect her, Knights Kenobi and Skywalker?"
_____________
The Cath sky had turned a blood red as the bright orange sun passed beyond the distant hills. A cool mist hung in the air. From the wide balcony, Anakin sighed as he roughly pulled the folds of his cloak tight.
He had tried resting and when that didn't work, he meditated. He had failed at that. The apartment seemed so quiet the boy almost wished they had been roomed near the celebrations just for the noise.
As the hours slowly rolled past, his unease had mounted. Quickly, the youth turned and stared back into the empty living area. His fingers twitching as they rested on the hilt of his lightsaber. Slowly he wandered back into the large room. The walls glowed, following him and lighting the way. Again, Anakin was persuaded to reach out and touch the gray stone. To his surprise there was warmth.
And something else.
Obi-Wan had long since disappeared into the sprawling palace. Trying to get a feel of the place, doing reconnaissance, whatever he called it. Anakin knew it was just an excuse to be far away from him.
His master might have made a joke about the subject of his meeting with Yoda outside the Council chambers, but Anakin had sensed when he was spoken of. There was graveness in the conversation he could not shake.
If it was something he had done wrong, he wished Obi-Wan would tell him. How was he supposed to learn if he was not told his mistakes? Was there some sort of secret that was being kept from him? It had to be his fault, otherwise Obi-Wan would never have closed him out like he was.
His fingers tightened around the saber hilt as he stepped into the hallway. The first thing Anakin noticed was the stone in the hall was different than that of the guest apartments.
Regardless of how the stones were carved, the sensation that they were the same remained.
Lighting the hall as he walked.
Following him.
Whispering to him.
That was it.
He could hear their voices and yet couldn't quite make out what was being said.
With a cautious pace, Anakin approached the nearest wall. It glowed brilliantly with his close proximity to the stone. Vaguely it reminded him of the Jedi temple, alive and pulsing with its own kinetic energy, though this was not the beat of the Force he felt beneath his hand. It was strange, beckoning.
Whispering in an alien tongue.
Alive.
Reaching out with the Force, he grasped at the shining thread and followed it through the building hall. Its gleaming form blended and vanished into the light emanating from the walls.
The youth came to a stop as he noticed the stones glowing brightly with Obi-Wan's approach.
The Jedi knight's hands were folded into the sleeves of the reddish brown cloak, his face concealed by the cowl. "Put your hood up."
Anakin obeyed. "Yes, my Master."
"Until after the coronation," Obi-Wan instructed, "keep your head covered. Unless you just want to wear a mask?"
"No, Master. Tradition, of course," Anakin responded, realizing his error as he fell into step next to the knight.
Obi-Wan glanced over at Anakin, briefly forgetting that he had to look up at the boy.
Without warning, Anakin spun, activating his lightsaber in a fluid motion. The blue blade hummed softly as he scanned the empty hall.
Gently, Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's arm, forcing him to lower his weapon. "You cannot fight stone."
"They're speaking to me."
"Yes," the Jedi said calmly, not at all surprised.
"You hear them?" Anakin asked cautiously, searching for an answer in the impassive eyes. A slight nod was all the permission he needed to continue. "I've never heard a language like that before."
"You're not likely to ever again," the knight whispered. "The ability to understand their words was lost hundreds of generations ago." Slowly he approached the wall and it glowed more brightly than even Anakin had seen it. Obi-Wan carefully pressed a hand against the warm stone and after a moment removed it. A perfect, luminous handprint remained. "It's a dead language."
"Do only Force-sensitives hear it? High Lady Denara's laughter made the walls glow, but I didn't feel she was Force-sensitive."
"There are no Force-sensitives among the Cathian. The walls are alive," the older Jedi said softly.
A second hand print, a mirror reflection of the first, appeared next to Obi-Wan's, then quickly faded.
Anakin touched the wall and it glowed but faded when he withdrew his hand.
Two large creatures, vaguely resembling Teserek under their ornate gold masks, approached and briefly watched the two Jedi with curiosity. The taller Teserek whispered to his companion as they passed, "The Cath should be greatly blessed with the presence of Jedi."
As the Jedi walked, Anakin noticed the glowing handprints on the wall were following them.
Obi-Wan spoke calmly as if not noticing the lighted antics. "We are to meet with the Commander of Lady Halor's private guard."
_____________
"Your services are not required," droned an angry voice from behind a silver mesh faceplate.
"Respectfully, the High Lady Denara disagrees," Obi-Wan said flatly, not intimidated by the large man glowering before the Jedi.
"Your kind would just be in the way," the commander growled as his fists tightened.
Anakin bristled.
The walls glowed white with hundreds of handprints surrounding the three men.
"We are here in service to protect the Lady Halor."
The commander snarled under his mask radiating his anger at the intrusion. He swung a heavy fist, which Obi-Wan easily dodged.
"Where were you the last twenty years, Jedi? I was here protecting the Lady." He threw a second punch, which Obi-Wan caught on his palm. The man's brute strength failed against the true nature of the Force. The knight released the man's hand and abruptly the Commander turned and started toward the Lady's private apartments.
Anakin reached for his lightsaber. Didn't this guy know they were just trying to help?
The door to the apartments flew open, nearly slamming into Commander Sel. A dark cloaked figure blocked the open doorway. The lights in the wall faded around her presence, the handprints scattering and quivering behind Obi-Wan and Anakin.
"Commander Sel," the woman's voice said tersely.
The large Commander recoiled and trembled slightly as Anakin sensed a wave of fear flood through the man. "Your wish, my lady."
Through the choked bond, Anakin felt the same fear sweep through Obi-Wan.
"The Lady Halor commands you answer the honorable guest's questions."
"Yes, my lady," Sel said, his voice quivering as he bowed.
The woman's gaze brushed across the Jedi before settling on the commander, who in a matter of moments had gone from the aggressor to a fearful figure caught in between two dynamic forces.
The hood of the woman's cloak did little to disguise her face, allowing Anakin to lock eyes with her. For a moment he felt like he was drowning in eyes black as space, unforgiving and dense, like nothing he had ever felt before in his life.
__________
"Things have gone quite well," Qui-Gon said.
"Then why do we both feel so uneasy?" Obi-Wan asked softly as he stared across the room at the Adamere negotiations.
"There is something not right," Qui-Gon mumbled as he took notice of a small commotion at the large, round table.
"But I need the files," Minister Tepin cried out as he jumped up from his seat as if hit with a bolt of electricity. Sweat beaded on his broad forehead. "The case has all of my research in it."
"You will not leave these negotiations," Vison snapped, slamming a large fist against the black table. "That was the agreement."
"I must retrieve my research," Tepin said nervously, tugging at his green jacket as he quickly marched over to the Jedi. His eyes pleaded as he stared up at the tall figure before him. "Please Master Jedi, I must have my research or this negotiation cannot go on."
"It will not go on if you attempt to leave these premises," the small figure of Vison growled as he closed the distance between the two men.
Qui-Gon gently motioned with his hand and the two men stopped their glaring and faced the Jedi Master. "This case–"
"It has all my vital papers for this meeting," Tepin screeched. Sweat ran down his forehead.
Vison stared evenly at Qui-Gon. "If he leaves the negotiations are over."
"Where is this case?" Qui-Gon asked calmly.
"In my room, next to the desk. I was carrying so much, I must have forgotten it," the minister sputtered.
"Likely story," Vison hissed.
Qui-Gon focused on Ambassador Vison. "Would you allow the case to be retrieved by my apprentice?"
Vison thought for a moment while staring at Tepin. "Yes," he answered through clenched teeth.
Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon with a little surprise but said nothing to contradict his master.
Tepin fumbled and found his key card. "It's right by the desk, you can't miss it," Tepin said quickly as he handed the card to Obi-Wan.
*****
As part of the agreement on the negotiations, the Adamere Governmental House was emptied of all people, a few guards posted at the gates along the outer walls were all that remained.
Obi-Wan took the path through the large courtyard, as it was quicker to the official's living quarters. Half way across the light of the twin suns blinded him and he raised a hand to block out the piercing rays.
A shadow against the far wall caught his attention. Scanning with the Force he felt nothing. Reflections and shadows, he tried to assure himself.
Jogging to the long shadows of the veranda he paused before heading up the narrow stone staircase to the open doors. A glance over the long hall proved he was alone but the warning from the Force told him otherwise. Automatically he reached for his lightsaber.
"You're not Tepin," a voice echoed through the hall.
"These are secure premises. No one should be here," Obi-Wan called out as he activated his lightsaber.
"You are not Tepin," the voice called again.
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi. Here by order of Chancellor Valorum."
There was silence.
"He will do," the disembodied voice echoed.
Two figures melted out of the shadows.
Mindless, uncontrolled fear enveloped the two men as they converged on him. It wasn't just in their actions or the sensation in the Force that warned him, it was the frightened look coloring their faces. They didn't want to be there, nor did they want to be attacking.
The bigger man rushed him and Obi-Wan easily dodged being tackled. He spun and slammed the attacker on the side of the head with his lightsaber hilt.
If they weren't in control of their actions he could not justify harming them.
The other pounced on him. An elbow to the man's solar plexus gave him an opening for escape. Obi-Wan leapt and sprinted toward the apartments. The large man bore down on him. A metal pike cut through the air, catching Obi-Wan across the lower back. The young Jedi slammed into the tile floor, his lightsaber skidding out of reach. As he scrambled to his feet pain shot through his side where the pike had struck him a second time.
His attackers had regrouped and had surrounded him.
Eyeing his lightsaber and taking a deep breath as he pushed the pain away, Obi-Wan called for the weapon. The pike end glanced off the side of his head and darkness washed over him.
___________
"He didn't tell us anything new. Just the public facts about the attacks." A moment of silence passed as the Jedi walked down the hall.
"He was afraid," Obi-Wan remarked, adjusting the hood over his head.
So were you, Anakin thought behind the safety of dense mind shielding. "Commander Sel was hiding something," he pointed out, following Obi-Wan. "That woman helped him hide something. I sensed it."
Obi-Wan didn't answer.
Anakin wanted to point out that his master was projecting again, but decided at the moment to keep quiet. Gently he reached out on the Force, his thoughts lightly brushing against Obi-Wan's as he carefully tried to probe the impenetrable shields for the unspoken answer.
Obi-Wan suddenly turned, shoving Anakin against the wall. The Force moved menacingly as fire danced in his smoky blue eyes. "Do not test my shield like that," he warned.
It was not the tone of Obi-Wan's voice that made Anakin twist, but the threat enveloping the Force around him. Anakin realized that whatever Obi-Wan was hiding he would protect it with any measure necessary.
Obi-Wan rubbed his temples as he withdrew a few steps, a weak hope forming that this assignment would conclude itself sooner than later, as he didn't know how much more he could take. A deep sigh as he turned to face the youth. "Ani?" Pain radiated through his mind. Pausing briefly he closed his eyes and tried to center himself. "I'm sorry." But the words did nothing to take away the shock that painted Anakin's bright blue eyes.
Well skilled at changing the subject, Anakin's attention drifted to the living walls. "They were afraid of her," he said softly.
Still Obi-Wan didn't answer. Not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. The words just wouldn't form. The dull pounding in his head blotted out any thought concerning the woman with eyes as black as space.
Handprints of light followed the two Jedi through the palace.
The noise of a grand banquet crept into the hall as they approached the ballroom. The walls radiated, reflecting the sound of the celebration.
Masked revelers abounded, laughing and drinking, seemingly oblivious to the two Jedi.
Anakin glanced around at the passersby. "Maybe Padmé will be here," he spoke loudly, forgetting about the woman.
"If she is," Obi-Wan began with a weary edge to his voice, "she will be representing Naboo in an official capacity. The same as we are. This is not a pleasure trip."
"I am aware of that." The annoyance rippled in Anakin's voice. "I just thought maybe we could visit briefly." At least she will talk to me.
Just what I need, Obi-Wan thought, something else to distract Anakin. "We are on duty to protect the Lady Halor until further notice."
Anakin growled softly, his temper briefly flaring. "The Commander doesn't even want us around. The Lady has an entire security force. What difference would we make? No one is going to steal her, not now with all these people around. Why does every assignment have to be approached as a matter of life and death? This place is one giant party and we have to be serious, be above it all. Why? Just because we're Jedi? Is there a rule about never enjoying one's self? I'll admit it, my studies aren't the best, but I don't think I would have missed a rule like that. A Jedi must be stoic all the time? Give me a break, Master."
For a moment Anakin was going to say more, but the rush of anger that passed through him dissipated. Calmness warned him of opening his mouth and saying something he might later regret. Still, he couldn't hold all the bitter words back as he stormed away.
"Qui-Gon would have enjoyed himself here."
"And I will never be him," Obi-Wan whispered, mainly to himself as he watched the impatient padawan disappear into the crowd of revelers, leaving him standing alone. For the first time the knight truly took notice of the handprints that had been following him all afternoon.
"They like you," High Lady Denara's voice echoed behind him. Obi-Wan turned to see the great lady, her face hidden behind an elaborate mask of jewels and viri feathers. "They remember you."
"So it seems," he answered softly laying his hand against one of the glowing prints. The wall reacted with an intense illumination of dozens of handprints.
"I have visited many of the old temples built by the dead ones. The stones whispered to me as they have to thousands. But in all those visits I have never seen the stones react to anyone as they do you. Do their words have any meaning to you?"
"No," Obi-Wan answered. He was calmed by the alien voices. They drowned out his throbbing headache. "Somewhere along the way, their story was lost and we are forever diminished by the loss." A part of him could understand the wall's plight with failed attempts at communication. Constantly crying out, unable to respond in a way anyone would understand.
Like a prisoner.
Obi-Wan turned to face the tall masked figure next to him. "Why is that creature in your daughter's entourage?" The words sounded crueler than he had meant them.
Denara straightened, her voice regal and even. "There are several so-called creatures in Halor's entourage. You will have to be more specific."
"The"
Why were the words so difficult? The pounding in his head became almost crippling when he thought of the shrouded figure that presided over their questioning of Sel. Slowly, Obi-Wan drew his finger along the wall. The lights gave chase.
"The walls fear her," he said, repeating Anakin's observation. The constant attack of the headache was sapping his strength.
The masked figure of Denara drew close to the Jedi, sensing his fatigue. "You're speaking of Thesia. It is Halor's decision to keep that Cere around. She believes that the presence of a fallen deity will be a blessing on her coronation. She pays that beast's price. I have often begged her to release that thing from her service but I think Thesia has poisoned her mind. That's what her kind does, you know, feed upon the thoughts. They nearly destroyed the Cath once before, before the Jedi saved us." Denara laughed sadly. "I tried to have that thing killed and instead she made two of my finest royal guards turn their own weapons against themselves as punishment. Stay away from that creature, Knight Kenobi, only unhappiness follows her."
Obi-Wan nodded a silent thank you. "I am keeping you, Lady," he said softly.
Without a word Denara wrapped herself around Obi-Wan's arm. "From what? Time in an honored Jedi's presence?"
_______________
Anakin moved among the masked figures. His mind reached out, scanning for Padmé's imprint. His attempts were drowned out as the pounding in the back of his head became worse. He turned in the sea of masked revelers, nearly over taken by the exuberance that filled the hall.
Egrarian's tall figure loomed over the milling crowd. Anakin could not help the cold that raced over him.
The strangely ethereal figure's blank mask seemed to focus on the youth. Then ever so slowly, he turned to the side entrance Anakin had used earlier.
Obi-Wan finally joined the celebration with Denara close by. Even though the walls lit happily around Anakin's master, Obi-Wan's Force signature was definitely disturbed.
Unsettled.
At the sight a part of Anakin was angry with the knight, for so many reasons that he couldn't begin to name them all. No, wrong, there was only one real reason that he was upset. It was for shutting him out. There were things he could forgive. Obi-Wan's sternness, for instance, although his master was often no more strict with him than other masters were with their padawans. Even when Obi-Wan was overly strict, or pushing him too hard, even though he didn't like it, Anakin understood why on some level.
This was different, though. Closing him out of their bond, withholding information from him. Obi-Wan had always been good about explaining things to him until recently.
Now, Obi-Wan hardly spoke to him. Barely acknowledging his existence, except to get onto him for no reason. It left the apprentice to wonder.
It stemmed from the incident with the Yinid Ambassador. If he had only listened, things would not have gone so wrong. Things wouldn't have been so bad had he only listened to his master's instructions. Obi-Wan hadn't lied when he said it would be sometime before he could truly trust the boy.
The thought left a small ache in his chest. He thought he had accepted his master's distrust. He just didn't think it would cloud their friendship for so many months.