First Knight - Part Fourteen
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"Welcome, Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker. We are so glad you were able to come."
Anakin watched as Simtro, Dynast K'lia's manservant, walked towards them across the marbled floor of the large vestibule of K'lia's manor. Only a day had passed since Obi-Wan had received the message from Ahjane. Anakin, with the help of Chancellor Palpatine, had been able to secure a small, but fast ship.
He had ached to get his hands on one of the new Jedi Starfighters but, since this little trip to Ahjane wasn't exactly sanctioned by the Council, and the ships only carried one passenger, he'd had to settle for the ship the Chancellor had loaned him.
Anakin knew that Obi-Wan didn't particularly care for politicians, and he seemed especially suspicious of the Chancellor and his motives, but Anakin thought Palpatine was a good man. He hadn't even asked Anakin what he needed the ship for. He had just given it to him.
Fortunately the ship had been large enough to carry more than two, for when Obi-Wan had shown up at the starport he had been accompanied by the Jedi healer, Master Eo. Anakin had felt a wave of foreboding wash over him when he saw the healer.
Master Eo was a Quarren, amphibious creatures from Mon Calamarri. He had leathery orange skin, turquoise eyes and four tentacles that sprouted from the lower half of his face. Anakin had never met the Quarren Jedi, but he had heard Eo was one of the most highly regarded, if somewhat unorthodox healers in the Order.
Obi-Wan had offered no explanation as to why Eo was accompanying them and Anakin had not asked. Ever since he had received the message, his master had been tense and non-communicative, his only words to Anakin curt instructions. And, during the trip to Ahjane, Obi-Wan had spent most of his time in his cabin, leaving Anakin alone with Master Eo, who had been equally uncommunicative. All Anakin knew, therefore, based upon what he sensed through the Force and the way his master was acting, was that something terrible had happened on Ahjane.
Now, as Simtro came closer, Anakin felt that sense of foreboding even more. The manservant looked as if he had aged a decade. There were shadows under his eyes and his skin was pale and drawn as if he had not slept in days. He bowed upon reaching them.
"It's good to see you again, Simtro. I wish the circumstances--" Obi-Wan stopped and swallowed. He gestured toward the healer. "May I present Jedi Master Healer Eo. I brought him with us in the hope that---"
Obi-Wan once again stopped and Anakin noted with alarm his master's voice was near to breaking.
"Dynast K'lia will be pleased you have done this, Master Kenobi," Simtro said. "Our own physicians have given up all hope."
Anakin was almost twitching. What is going on? he wanted to scream. But he kept quiet, painfully aware this was not the time to indulge in what Obi- Wan liked to call his predilection for impulsive behavior. As Simtro turned and led them into the interior of the manor, Anakin urged himself to be patient. He would soon learn what was wrong.
But, as they walked up the wide staircase to the upper rooms, and he noted the woeful expressions on the faces of the servants they passed, he wasn't sure he wanted to know what was wrong. He was suddenly afraid. Not for himself, but for Obi-Wan.
Simtro took them down a long hallway. Anakin did not recognize this part of the manor. He and Obi-Wan had stayed on the other side during their visit here. They arrived at a large, ornately decorated door. Simtro opened it and they stepped inside. It was a sitting room. Anakin saw one of Onara's elderly aunts and a thin, sallow-faced man with a long, black mustache standing near a closed door that Anakin assumed led to a bedroom.
The aunt turned and, upon seeing them, her eyes widened. Anakin had never learned the names of Onara's aunts. He wasn't even sure if they had any. They seemed to live in the shadow of their mother, the formidable Lady Tsara.
The aunt moved towards them and, reaching over, clasped Obi-Wan's arm. Anakin recognized her as the one who, before they had left Ahjane, had given Obi-Wan the message about Onara's despair at being parted from him.
"Thank you for coming, Master Jedi," she said in a querulous voice.
Anakin could see she had been crying. Her eyes were red-rimmed and, even as she spoke, she would lift a handkerchief to her nose and sniffle. Obi-Wan introduced Master Eo. For a moment, the aunt seemed taken aback by his appearance. Obi-Wan must have noted it.
"Master Eo is one of our most respected healers," he told her. "If anyone can help Onara, he can."
"Oh, I see," the aunt said as Eo solemnly bowed to her.
"May I see the patient?" he asked, his voice sounding as if it were coming from under water.
"Yes, yes, of course," the aunt said.
Then, as she turned around, she noted the man with the long mustache who had been standing to the side.
"Oh, forgive me, this is Dr. Anel, our family physician."
Dr. Anel walked over and bowed to them. He was clearly in awe at being in the presence of Jedi.
"Where is Dynast K'lia," Obi-Wan asked, looking around.
"He's in with Onara," the aunt answered. "As is my sister."
Obi-Wan was about to go towards the door that led to Onara's bedroom, but Master Eo raised a suction-fingered hand to stop him.
"I would like to examine the patient first, Master Kenobi, before you go in to see her."
Obi-Wan nodded, but Anakin could sense it was taking all of Obi-Wan's willpower not to rush into that room. The aunt went to the bedroom door. She opened it slowly, peering in. Then she called softly.
"K'lia. They are here."
At first there was no answer, then Anakin saw Dynast K'lia appear in the doorway. He gasped. If Simtro looked like he had aged decades, K'lia, who had already been elderly when Anakin had last seen him, looked upon the verge of death. His bleary eyes seemed to need to focus as he gazed out at them from the doorway. Then an exhausted, but welcoming smile, appeared on his face.
"Master Kenobi. You came. She will be so happy. She was afraid you would not want to see her."
"Why would I not want to see her?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice tightening with pain. "There hasn't been a day that I haven't thought..."
Obi-Wan stopped, took a deep breath and quickly collected himself. He turned and gestured towards Master Eo.
"This is Master Healer Eo. He would like to examine Onara. With your permission, of course. He is one of our most revered healers."
K'lia, like his sister, seemed startled by Eo's appearance, but quickly recovered.
"Of course, please, Master Healer."
K'lia turned and escorted Eo into the room. He soon returned, gently closing the door behind him. Obi-Wan went over to K'lia and took his arm.
"What has happened? All your message said was that Onara was dying. That she wanted to see me." Then a darkness swept over Obi-Wan's face. "Edress. Did he harm her?"
K'lia shook his head. He slowly made his way towards one of the chairs in the sitting room, Obi-Wan assisting him.
"No, no, he did not harm her. Unless you call giving her that most precious of gifts harm," he said wearily as he sat down.
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A child, Master Kenobi. Onara, blessed be the gods, became pregnant soon after the marriage. It was an unexpected, but welcome surprise. However, a month later, Edress contacted me and said she was ill. I sent Dr. Anel to see her. He has been her physician since she was a baby."
Dr. Anel stepped forward. "Yes, I went to see her. I examined her thoroughly." He wrung his hands "It's not unusual for some women to react badly to a pregnancy. Onara was weak, fatigued, so I prescribed vitamins, plenty of bed rest, that sort of thing. I had no idea..."
He stopped, bit his lip and turned away. Obi-Wan stared at him for a moment, then turned back to K'lia.
"Dynast, please. Tell me what happened to her."
K'lia sighed heavily. "She soon became so ill Edress thought it best she return home."
Onara's aunt, who had been standing to the side listening, scoffed.
"Hardly that, K'lia. He just didn't want to be bothered with her."
"Gendra," K'lia said softly and Anakin finally learned what her name was. "You mustn't say such things."
Gendra snorted loudly, reminding Anakin of Lady Tsara. Then he frowned. Where was that krayt dragon anyway? But he forgot about Onara's grandmother when he heard K'lia speaking again.
"I told Edress to send her home. And I tell you, Master Kenobi," and K'lia reached up and grasped Obi-Wan's hands, "never was a father more happy to see his little girl. But she was so weak."
K'lia released Obi-Wan's hands, lowered his head and sighed. For a moment he remained silent. Then he raised his head.
"Again, we all thought it was something that would pass once the baby was born. A couple of weeks ago, Onara's strength returned. She was even able to get out of bed and take a walk in the garden. The honeyroses had bloomed and she wanted to see them."
He smiled, then his face fell. "A few days ago her water broke. All seemed fine. Then..." He stopped, his wrinkled throat working. "She suddenly seemed to have no strength in her. She couldn't even push the baby out. Dr. Anel had to remove him by surgery." The Dynast's red-rimmed eyes brightened for a moment. "Yes, a boy, Master Kenobi, a fine, healthy boy."
"Edress's son," Anakin heard Obi-Wan whisper.
K'lia nodded, smiling. "Yes, Edress's son. And my heir. Someone to rule after I am gone." Then his face sobered. "But, having the baby seemed take all Onara's strength. The physicians could do nothing. We brought her home from the hospital so she could spend her last days here with us. With her family and those who love her."
He clasped Obi-Wan's hands and squeezed them.
"She asked me to contact you, Master Kenobi. Forgive me for doing so, for I know you are a very busy man. But, she wanted to see you...before...before...oh, my little one!"
K'lia sobbed and, releasing Obi-Wan, lowered his face into his hands. Obi- Wan bent down and took the old man in his arms. Anakin felt tears stinging his eyes. Then he turned as the door to Onara's bedroom opened.
Master Eo came back into the sitting room. Anakin often found it difficult sometimes to discern the emotions of aliens, especially ones like Master Eo. His expression was no different from what it had been when he had gone in to examine Onara. He walked over to where Obi-Wan was still holding K'lia. Obi-Wan looked up, as did K'lia. Both men had the same expression of desperate hope on their faces.
"I am sorry," Master Eo said. "There is no easy way to say this. She is very ill. Near death. I fear there is not much I can do to help her."
Both Obi-Wan and K'lia's faces fell, but the elderly man seemed to crumple within himself like an imploding building. Obi-Wan reached over and put his arm around K'lia's shaking shoulders. Gendra began sobbing into her handkerchief as Dr. Anel patted her on her back.
"The damage done to her body by the baby's high midi-chlorian count was too extensive," Eo went on.
Anakin's eyes widened. Midi-chlorians! He glanced at Obi-Wan. His master's face was as white as a sheet.
"If she had received the proper medications...." and Eo stopped as he looked over at Obi-Wan.
"Midi-chlorians? I...I don't understand," K'lia said. "What are these midi- chlorians you speak of and what did they do to Onara?"
"Midi-chlorians are microscopic life-forms that exist within the cells of all living creatures," Eo explained. "A high concentration of them enables one to touch and manipulate the Force."
"And you're saying that Edress's and Onara's baby has a high concentration of these...these midi-chlorians?"
Eo's face tentacles wriggled. "Edress? Who is Edress?"
"The baby's father." K'lia answered.
Eo glanced at Obi-Wan, then back to K'lia, clearing his throat.
"Although it is rare," Eo went on, "sometimes there is an adverse reaction by the mother's body to the high midi-chlorian count of the baby she is carrying. The baby, because it is so strongly connected to the Force, can weaken the body of the mother if she herself is not Force sensitive. As I said, it's very rare. And, when it does occur, most of the time this condition is not fatal. The woman has to spend more time recovering from the pregnancy, but she does recover. But in rare cases such as this.... Eo stopped, his face tentacles wriggling. "However, there are drugs that could have been administered to the young woman to counteract the condition."
"Do you have such drugs?" K'lia asked.
Eo shook his head. "They would do no good now. The damage to her body is too extensive. I'm sorry."
K'lia lowered his head. He released a heavy, deep sigh. Then he looked back up at Eo.
"How long does she have?"
"A few days. A week at best."
K'lia slowly closed his eyes. Obi-Wan held him firmly by the shoulder for it looked as if the Dynast was going to collapse. K'lia then took in a deep breath, straightened his back, opened his eyes and looked over at Healer Eo.
"I understand. I am honored and grateful that such a one as you would take the time to come to Ahjane."
Master Eo inclined his head. "You are welcome, Dynast K'lia."
"May I ask a favor of you, Master Healer?"
"Of course."
"Would you be so kind as to examine my grandson? If he does carry these high levels of midi-chlorians of which you speak---"
"Of course. I would be happy to."
K'lia gestured towards Simtro. "My manservant will take you to the nursery."
Simtro bowed and indicated Eo should follow him. The two left the sitting room. As they did, Dr. Anel asked permission to leave. He was overdue for his rounds at the hospital. K'lia thanked him for his time. The physician bowed and left the chamber.
Anakin was still digesting the news that Onara was suffering from midi- chlorian poisoning. He recalled having heard something about it in one of his biology study modules at the Temple. He looked over at Obi-Wan, then at K'lia. The Dynast was still so shaken regarding the news about Onara, it was clear he hadn't yet made the connection. That Onara had given birth to Obi-Wan's child. Obi-Wan touched K'lia on his shoulder.
"Dynast K'lia? May I please see Onara now?"
"No, you may not!" a shrill, strident voice cried, cutting through the air like a sword.
To be continued.....
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"Welcome, Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker. We are so glad you were able to come."
Anakin watched as Simtro, Dynast K'lia's manservant, walked towards them across the marbled floor of the large vestibule of K'lia's manor. Only a day had passed since Obi-Wan had received the message from Ahjane. Anakin, with the help of Chancellor Palpatine, had been able to secure a small, but fast ship.
He had ached to get his hands on one of the new Jedi Starfighters but, since this little trip to Ahjane wasn't exactly sanctioned by the Council, and the ships only carried one passenger, he'd had to settle for the ship the Chancellor had loaned him.
Anakin knew that Obi-Wan didn't particularly care for politicians, and he seemed especially suspicious of the Chancellor and his motives, but Anakin thought Palpatine was a good man. He hadn't even asked Anakin what he needed the ship for. He had just given it to him.
Fortunately the ship had been large enough to carry more than two, for when Obi-Wan had shown up at the starport he had been accompanied by the Jedi healer, Master Eo. Anakin had felt a wave of foreboding wash over him when he saw the healer.
Master Eo was a Quarren, amphibious creatures from Mon Calamarri. He had leathery orange skin, turquoise eyes and four tentacles that sprouted from the lower half of his face. Anakin had never met the Quarren Jedi, but he had heard Eo was one of the most highly regarded, if somewhat unorthodox healers in the Order.
Obi-Wan had offered no explanation as to why Eo was accompanying them and Anakin had not asked. Ever since he had received the message, his master had been tense and non-communicative, his only words to Anakin curt instructions. And, during the trip to Ahjane, Obi-Wan had spent most of his time in his cabin, leaving Anakin alone with Master Eo, who had been equally uncommunicative. All Anakin knew, therefore, based upon what he sensed through the Force and the way his master was acting, was that something terrible had happened on Ahjane.
Now, as Simtro came closer, Anakin felt that sense of foreboding even more. The manservant looked as if he had aged a decade. There were shadows under his eyes and his skin was pale and drawn as if he had not slept in days. He bowed upon reaching them.
"It's good to see you again, Simtro. I wish the circumstances--" Obi-Wan stopped and swallowed. He gestured toward the healer. "May I present Jedi Master Healer Eo. I brought him with us in the hope that---"
Obi-Wan once again stopped and Anakin noted with alarm his master's voice was near to breaking.
"Dynast K'lia will be pleased you have done this, Master Kenobi," Simtro said. "Our own physicians have given up all hope."
Anakin was almost twitching. What is going on? he wanted to scream. But he kept quiet, painfully aware this was not the time to indulge in what Obi- Wan liked to call his predilection for impulsive behavior. As Simtro turned and led them into the interior of the manor, Anakin urged himself to be patient. He would soon learn what was wrong.
But, as they walked up the wide staircase to the upper rooms, and he noted the woeful expressions on the faces of the servants they passed, he wasn't sure he wanted to know what was wrong. He was suddenly afraid. Not for himself, but for Obi-Wan.
Simtro took them down a long hallway. Anakin did not recognize this part of the manor. He and Obi-Wan had stayed on the other side during their visit here. They arrived at a large, ornately decorated door. Simtro opened it and they stepped inside. It was a sitting room. Anakin saw one of Onara's elderly aunts and a thin, sallow-faced man with a long, black mustache standing near a closed door that Anakin assumed led to a bedroom.
The aunt turned and, upon seeing them, her eyes widened. Anakin had never learned the names of Onara's aunts. He wasn't even sure if they had any. They seemed to live in the shadow of their mother, the formidable Lady Tsara.
The aunt moved towards them and, reaching over, clasped Obi-Wan's arm. Anakin recognized her as the one who, before they had left Ahjane, had given Obi-Wan the message about Onara's despair at being parted from him.
"Thank you for coming, Master Jedi," she said in a querulous voice.
Anakin could see she had been crying. Her eyes were red-rimmed and, even as she spoke, she would lift a handkerchief to her nose and sniffle. Obi-Wan introduced Master Eo. For a moment, the aunt seemed taken aback by his appearance. Obi-Wan must have noted it.
"Master Eo is one of our most respected healers," he told her. "If anyone can help Onara, he can."
"Oh, I see," the aunt said as Eo solemnly bowed to her.
"May I see the patient?" he asked, his voice sounding as if it were coming from under water.
"Yes, yes, of course," the aunt said.
Then, as she turned around, she noted the man with the long mustache who had been standing to the side.
"Oh, forgive me, this is Dr. Anel, our family physician."
Dr. Anel walked over and bowed to them. He was clearly in awe at being in the presence of Jedi.
"Where is Dynast K'lia," Obi-Wan asked, looking around.
"He's in with Onara," the aunt answered. "As is my sister."
Obi-Wan was about to go towards the door that led to Onara's bedroom, but Master Eo raised a suction-fingered hand to stop him.
"I would like to examine the patient first, Master Kenobi, before you go in to see her."
Obi-Wan nodded, but Anakin could sense it was taking all of Obi-Wan's willpower not to rush into that room. The aunt went to the bedroom door. She opened it slowly, peering in. Then she called softly.
"K'lia. They are here."
At first there was no answer, then Anakin saw Dynast K'lia appear in the doorway. He gasped. If Simtro looked like he had aged decades, K'lia, who had already been elderly when Anakin had last seen him, looked upon the verge of death. His bleary eyes seemed to need to focus as he gazed out at them from the doorway. Then an exhausted, but welcoming smile, appeared on his face.
"Master Kenobi. You came. She will be so happy. She was afraid you would not want to see her."
"Why would I not want to see her?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice tightening with pain. "There hasn't been a day that I haven't thought..."
Obi-Wan stopped, took a deep breath and quickly collected himself. He turned and gestured towards Master Eo.
"This is Master Healer Eo. He would like to examine Onara. With your permission, of course. He is one of our most revered healers."
K'lia, like his sister, seemed startled by Eo's appearance, but quickly recovered.
"Of course, please, Master Healer."
K'lia turned and escorted Eo into the room. He soon returned, gently closing the door behind him. Obi-Wan went over to K'lia and took his arm.
"What has happened? All your message said was that Onara was dying. That she wanted to see me." Then a darkness swept over Obi-Wan's face. "Edress. Did he harm her?"
K'lia shook his head. He slowly made his way towards one of the chairs in the sitting room, Obi-Wan assisting him.
"No, no, he did not harm her. Unless you call giving her that most precious of gifts harm," he said wearily as he sat down.
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A child, Master Kenobi. Onara, blessed be the gods, became pregnant soon after the marriage. It was an unexpected, but welcome surprise. However, a month later, Edress contacted me and said she was ill. I sent Dr. Anel to see her. He has been her physician since she was a baby."
Dr. Anel stepped forward. "Yes, I went to see her. I examined her thoroughly." He wrung his hands "It's not unusual for some women to react badly to a pregnancy. Onara was weak, fatigued, so I prescribed vitamins, plenty of bed rest, that sort of thing. I had no idea..."
He stopped, bit his lip and turned away. Obi-Wan stared at him for a moment, then turned back to K'lia.
"Dynast, please. Tell me what happened to her."
K'lia sighed heavily. "She soon became so ill Edress thought it best she return home."
Onara's aunt, who had been standing to the side listening, scoffed.
"Hardly that, K'lia. He just didn't want to be bothered with her."
"Gendra," K'lia said softly and Anakin finally learned what her name was. "You mustn't say such things."
Gendra snorted loudly, reminding Anakin of Lady Tsara. Then he frowned. Where was that krayt dragon anyway? But he forgot about Onara's grandmother when he heard K'lia speaking again.
"I told Edress to send her home. And I tell you, Master Kenobi," and K'lia reached up and grasped Obi-Wan's hands, "never was a father more happy to see his little girl. But she was so weak."
K'lia released Obi-Wan's hands, lowered his head and sighed. For a moment he remained silent. Then he raised his head.
"Again, we all thought it was something that would pass once the baby was born. A couple of weeks ago, Onara's strength returned. She was even able to get out of bed and take a walk in the garden. The honeyroses had bloomed and she wanted to see them."
He smiled, then his face fell. "A few days ago her water broke. All seemed fine. Then..." He stopped, his wrinkled throat working. "She suddenly seemed to have no strength in her. She couldn't even push the baby out. Dr. Anel had to remove him by surgery." The Dynast's red-rimmed eyes brightened for a moment. "Yes, a boy, Master Kenobi, a fine, healthy boy."
"Edress's son," Anakin heard Obi-Wan whisper.
K'lia nodded, smiling. "Yes, Edress's son. And my heir. Someone to rule after I am gone." Then his face sobered. "But, having the baby seemed take all Onara's strength. The physicians could do nothing. We brought her home from the hospital so she could spend her last days here with us. With her family and those who love her."
He clasped Obi-Wan's hands and squeezed them.
"She asked me to contact you, Master Kenobi. Forgive me for doing so, for I know you are a very busy man. But, she wanted to see you...before...before...oh, my little one!"
K'lia sobbed and, releasing Obi-Wan, lowered his face into his hands. Obi- Wan bent down and took the old man in his arms. Anakin felt tears stinging his eyes. Then he turned as the door to Onara's bedroom opened.
Master Eo came back into the sitting room. Anakin often found it difficult sometimes to discern the emotions of aliens, especially ones like Master Eo. His expression was no different from what it had been when he had gone in to examine Onara. He walked over to where Obi-Wan was still holding K'lia. Obi-Wan looked up, as did K'lia. Both men had the same expression of desperate hope on their faces.
"I am sorry," Master Eo said. "There is no easy way to say this. She is very ill. Near death. I fear there is not much I can do to help her."
Both Obi-Wan and K'lia's faces fell, but the elderly man seemed to crumple within himself like an imploding building. Obi-Wan reached over and put his arm around K'lia's shaking shoulders. Gendra began sobbing into her handkerchief as Dr. Anel patted her on her back.
"The damage done to her body by the baby's high midi-chlorian count was too extensive," Eo went on.
Anakin's eyes widened. Midi-chlorians! He glanced at Obi-Wan. His master's face was as white as a sheet.
"If she had received the proper medications...." and Eo stopped as he looked over at Obi-Wan.
"Midi-chlorians? I...I don't understand," K'lia said. "What are these midi- chlorians you speak of and what did they do to Onara?"
"Midi-chlorians are microscopic life-forms that exist within the cells of all living creatures," Eo explained. "A high concentration of them enables one to touch and manipulate the Force."
"And you're saying that Edress's and Onara's baby has a high concentration of these...these midi-chlorians?"
Eo's face tentacles wriggled. "Edress? Who is Edress?"
"The baby's father." K'lia answered.
Eo glanced at Obi-Wan, then back to K'lia, clearing his throat.
"Although it is rare," Eo went on, "sometimes there is an adverse reaction by the mother's body to the high midi-chlorian count of the baby she is carrying. The baby, because it is so strongly connected to the Force, can weaken the body of the mother if she herself is not Force sensitive. As I said, it's very rare. And, when it does occur, most of the time this condition is not fatal. The woman has to spend more time recovering from the pregnancy, but she does recover. But in rare cases such as this.... Eo stopped, his face tentacles wriggling. "However, there are drugs that could have been administered to the young woman to counteract the condition."
"Do you have such drugs?" K'lia asked.
Eo shook his head. "They would do no good now. The damage to her body is too extensive. I'm sorry."
K'lia lowered his head. He released a heavy, deep sigh. Then he looked back up at Eo.
"How long does she have?"
"A few days. A week at best."
K'lia slowly closed his eyes. Obi-Wan held him firmly by the shoulder for it looked as if the Dynast was going to collapse. K'lia then took in a deep breath, straightened his back, opened his eyes and looked over at Healer Eo.
"I understand. I am honored and grateful that such a one as you would take the time to come to Ahjane."
Master Eo inclined his head. "You are welcome, Dynast K'lia."
"May I ask a favor of you, Master Healer?"
"Of course."
"Would you be so kind as to examine my grandson? If he does carry these high levels of midi-chlorians of which you speak---"
"Of course. I would be happy to."
K'lia gestured towards Simtro. "My manservant will take you to the nursery."
Simtro bowed and indicated Eo should follow him. The two left the sitting room. As they did, Dr. Anel asked permission to leave. He was overdue for his rounds at the hospital. K'lia thanked him for his time. The physician bowed and left the chamber.
Anakin was still digesting the news that Onara was suffering from midi- chlorian poisoning. He recalled having heard something about it in one of his biology study modules at the Temple. He looked over at Obi-Wan, then at K'lia. The Dynast was still so shaken regarding the news about Onara, it was clear he hadn't yet made the connection. That Onara had given birth to Obi-Wan's child. Obi-Wan touched K'lia on his shoulder.
"Dynast K'lia? May I please see Onara now?"
"No, you may not!" a shrill, strident voice cried, cutting through the air like a sword.
To be continued.....