First Knight - Part Eighteen
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"What?" Anakin cried. "That's the miracle you were talking about?"
Anakin, Obi-Wan, Healer Eo and Dynast K'lia were in one of the drawing rooms scattered about the manor. They had gone there to have some privacy so that Eo could discuss with them his idea as to how Onara could be saved. Now having heard Eo's idea, Anakin still couldn't believe it. Obi-Wan gave him a sharp glance.
"Padawan," he said softly. "Let's hear Master Eo out."
Anakin released a heavy breath. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked over at the Quarren.
"As I was saying," Eo went on in his watery voice, "if there is one person in this galaxy who can help me reverse the damage done to Onara by the midi- chlorian poisoning it is Master Sinja-Bau."
"Ex-Master Sinja-Bau," Anakin interjected.
"Ex-master?" K'lia asked.
"She was expelled from the Jedi Order some years ago," Obi-Wan explained to the Dynast.
"For heresy and for conducting unsanctioned experiments," Anakin added.
"That was the Council's position," Eo said calmly.
Anakin frowned. "Well, from what I heard it was the appropriate position."
Obi-Wan gave Anakin a warning look, then turned back to Eo.
"Sinja-Bau hasn't been heard from in years, Master Eo. Do you think she's even still alive?"
"I have reason to----"
But Anakin, despite Obi-Wan's warning, was unable to keep quiet.
"Master, this is ridiculous. Sinja-Bau was not only a heretic, she was insane. She can't help Onara."
"Insane?" K'lia gasped.
Anakin turned to him. "Yes, Dynast K'lia. I learned all about her at the Temple. She had been one of the most revered Healers in the Jedi Order. Her ability to heal even the most hopeless of cases was unmatched. Then," and Anakin shrugged, "one day she just went crazy. Started ranting and raving about the sentience of midi-chlorians. That all the midi-chlorians in the universe were just one gigantic life-form and that we were just cells in its body. Crazy stuff."
"Anakin..."
"And then," Anakin went on ignoring Obi-Wan, for he was too caught up in his tale, as it had both fascinated and frightened him the first time he heard it, "she started conducting unauthorized experiments on non-sentient life forms. It was only a matter of time before she started doing experiments on sentient life forms."
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said sharply. "You don't know that. As far as anyone knew at the time, Sinja-Bau limited her experiments to non-sentient life-forms. But the experiments were still considered dangerous and harmful to the life- forms and she was told to stop."
"But she didn't. She was warned and warned," Anakin told K'lia, "Finally, she was expelled from the Jedi Order and blinded to the Force."
"Blinded"" K'lia cried, horrified
"Not physically blinded," Obi-Wan said quickly. "It is a procedure, only done in rare and extreme cases, whereby a Jedi is stripped of his or her ability to use the Force. It was done in Sinja-Bau's case because of the danger it was felt she would pose to others if she were allowed to retain her Force abilities, considering how insane she was."
"And you believe such a person can help Onara?" K'lia asked.
Anakin was about to speak, but he was silenced by the angry glare Obi-Wan gave him. He bit his lip and looked down. Then he heard Eo's voice. He looked back up.
"Yes, Dynast K'lia, I believe she can. You see, Sinja-Bau was once my master."
Anakin's eyes widened. He hadn't known that. He looked over at Obi-Wan and could see by his expression that Obi-Wan had. Anakin looked back at Eo.
"Please, forgive me, Master Eo. I...I didn't know."
"Yes, she was my master, but you are quite correct, Padawan Skywalker. She did go insane and she was expelled. But her knowledge of midi-chlorians is such that, if anyone can help Onara, it is she."
"But, Master Eo," Obi-Wan asked him. "Is Sinja-Bau even still alive?"
"She is alive."
"But she hasn't been seen or heard from in years."
"That is true."
Anakin moved a step closer to Eo. "Then how can she help---?"
"I have spoken with her, Padawan Skywalker."
"You've been in touch with her?" Obi-Wan said. "You know that is forbidden."
Then Anakin saw his master's cheeks color. Considering what he had just done a few hours ago, calling upon the dark side, he probably felt he was the last person to chastise anyone about what was or was not forbidden. Eo, as was his custom, ignored Obi-Wan's statement.
"She contacted me a few years ago, Master Kenboi. I knew it was forbidden to speak with her, but she was my old master, and I still carried a deep fondness for her, despite her insanity."
"What did she want?" Obi-Wan asked.
Eo shrugged. "Nothing. Just to talk. I sensed she was quite lonely, but, unfortunately, still quite insane. But now her insanity had taken a different turn. Instead of the sentience of this galactic organism she claimed the midi-chlorians comprised, her obsession was now the destruction of the Jedi Order."
"What?" Anakin gasped.
Eo nodded. "Yes, according to her she had been having visions. Visions of the Jedi Temple in flames, the bodies of dead and dying Jedi scattered about the worlds of the Republic and of two dark figures, their shadows encompassing the galaxy. She urged me to flee to the Unknown Regions. Take as many Jedi as I could with me. Told me to hide and wait. Wait for the return of the Light."
Eo shook his head sadly. "Babbling nonsense, all of it. Anyway, I spoke with her for a bit because, believe it or now, interspersed among her insane babbling were moments of lucidity and I found myself speaking once again with my old master." He looked over at Anakin. "You never knew her, Padawan Skywalker, but before the madness took her, she was a kind, compassionate, intelligent woman."
"But I don't understand," K'lia said. "Could she not have been cured of this madness?"
"Do not think we did not try, Dynast," Eo said sadly. "She was one of the bright lights of our Order and to lose her would diminish us. But, whatever this madness was, and we never discovered either its source or its true nature, it was incurable."
"And she's supposed to help Onara," Anakin said in a peeved voice.
"If she can be found, yes, I believe she can help her," Eo said calmly.
"But, you just said---"
"That was a few years ago that I spoke with her, Padawan Skywalker. She may have moved on to another system. From her conversation, addled as it was, I got the feeling she did not remain long in one place. Her insanity, I'm sure, would not endear her to the local populace."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, his head down. Anakin recognized that posture. It told him his master was thinking hard, quickly analyzing in his mind all the permutations and alternatives of a situation. Then Obi- Wan looked up at Eo.
"Where was she when she last contacted you."
"On Lianna."
Anakin nodded. He'd heard of Lianna. It was an industrial world located in the Allied Tion sector of the galaxy and outside of the Republic.
"I'll go to Lianna first," Obi-Wan said. "She may still be there."
Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan, his eyes wide. "You're not seriously going through with this, Master?"
"Yes, Anakin, I am going through with this and most seriously, I can assure you."
"But, Onara only has a month. We should be spending that time---"
"Doing what, Padawan? What would you suggest we do?"
Anakin opened his mouth, then closed it. Obi-Wan smiled, but it was a lopsided, bitter smile.
"You see. We have no other choice. If Master Eo says that Sinja-Bau is Onara's only hope, then I believe him. And believing him, I will therefore find her."
"She could be dead, Master. Or, if not dead, she may refuse to help you. I'm sure she has no love for the Order that expelled and took away her Force powers. Your being a Jedi will probably only enrage her. And, even if you do find her and bring her back, she's insane. She may not know anymore how to help Onara. She can't even use the Force!"
Obi-Wan went over and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and squeezed it.
"That is one of your more endearing traits, Anakin," he said with a soft smile. "Your ability to see all the barriers and obstacles of any given situation."
Anakin's face warmed. He didn't know if his master was teasing him or not.
"But, yes," Obi-Wan said, moving his hand away from Anakin's shoulder. "All those things are quite possible. But, first I must find Sinja-Bau and bring her back. And then, and only then, will we know if you are correct in your assumptions."
Obi-Wan turned and looked over at K'lia. "However, I will only do this with your permission, Dynast K'lia. Onara is my heart, but she is your daughter."
Anakin could see K'lia had been digesting all he had heard. His wrinkled face went through a gamut of expressions, ranging from doubt to fear to, finally, acceptance and determination. He nodded at Obi-Wan.
"Find her, Master Kenboi. And bring her here."
Obi-Wan inclined his head. "I will. I promise."
Anakin shook his head. He still didn't think this was a good idea. But, if finding an insane, Force-blinded, ex-Jedi Master was Onara's only chance, he would do all he could to see that it was done.
"Well, I'm coming with you, Master."
Obi-Wan looked over and gave Anakin a warm smile.
"Oh, if that I had no doubt, my young padawan."
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Onara looked down at her baby. It was the following morning. Not many were up in the manor for it was still quite early. Her son was sleeping soundly in her arms now that his little belly was full. The wet-nurse, a buxom, smiling woman named Gretta, who had just left her chamber, had told Onara that not only did he have a healthy appetite, but he was one of the most well-behaved babies she had ever nursed.
Onara smiled fondly as she let her gaze travel slowly over her son. She had already memorized every part of him; his thick, black hair, his long, dark lashes, and his eyes, which never failed to make her breath catch, for they were so much like Obi-Wan's. She sighed. If not for what Obi-Wan had done in bringing her back, she would not have had this chance to truly know her son. And, even if she still had only a month to live, she was going to cherish each and every day of it.
Last night Onara had awoken for a bit from her Force-induced slumber to find Obi-Wan sitting in a chair next to her bed. She could tell he had been watching her sleep. She had been very drowsy and had felt herself falling asleep again. But she did remember Obi-Wan reaching over to take her hand and hold it to his lips.
The next thing Onara knew it was morning and the sun, which she had not thought to ever see again, was streaming like spun gold through her windows. Gendra had already been in her chamber, readying her bath. She had asked where Obi-Wan was. Getting some sleep finally, her aunt had told her. Once Onara had been bathed and readied for the day, the wet-nurse had brought her son in for a visit. Gendra had left for a moment to check on Onara's morning meal.
Now, leaning over, Onara gently rubbed her face against her son's soft, warm cheek, breathing in his sweet, baby smell. The day after tomorrow her father had chosen for the naming ceremony. At the rising of the sun the priestess from the cathedral, who would come to the manor since Onara was too ill to leave it, would conduct the ceremony and gave her baby a name. Onara imagined the priestess diligently consulting the lineage charts of Onara's family, searching for the perfect name for a future Dynast.
Then Onara frowned. Her son wasn't just the grandson of a Dynast, but the son of a Jedi Knight and, according to the Jedi Healer, quite capable of becoming a Jedi. Onara sighed. She remembered telling Obi-Wan the night of the blessing ceremony that she would never have to worry about whether to give a child of hers to the Jedi Temple. Now, she found herself faced with that possibility.
She gently tightened her arms about her son. No, she could never give him up. But, she also knew, she could not deny Obi-Wan anything either and if, by chance, he wanted to take his son back with him to the Jedi Temple what would she do? Then she remembered. She would be gone in a month. It would be up to her father and Obi-Wan as to what her son's future would be.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to her chamber opened. She watched as her father and Aunt Gendra walked into her bedroom. Her father smiled at her, but she could see in his eyes that something was on his mind.
"Father," Onara said. "Pleasant morning."
"Pleasant morning to you, little one," he said softly as he sat next to her on the bed.
He reached over, kissed her on the forehead, then leaned down and kissed the baby on his.
"And how is my handsome grandson this fine morning," he whispered."
"Sleeping the sleep of the innocent, Father," Onara whispered back. "Gretta says he has the appetite of a alok and the disposition of a sharna."
"Hmmm, interesting combination," K'lia said with a smile. He looked over at his sister. "Gendra has come to take him back to the nursery. You need to rest. He may only be a newborn, but it can still be tiring holding him for too long."
Onara wanted to protest, but her father was right. Although she was nowhere near as listless and tired as she had been before, it didn't take much to exhaust her. She still couldn't walk about on her own and there were times when she felt as if were fading away, as if the life-force that animated her was turning on and off. Leaning over, she kissed her still sleeping son, then handed him to Gendra.
"I'll bring him back, dear," her aunt promised. "Later this afternoon. After you rested for a bit. And I'll bring your morning meal when I come back."
Onara nodded. She watched until Gendra had left the room. Then she turned to her father. She saw he was staring solemnly at her.
"What's wrong, Father."
K'lia hesitated.
"It's about the naming ceremony."
"What of it?"
"The priestess has refused to conduct it."
"What? But why?"
"Because the baby is not Edress's. She says it would be sacrilege for her to go through with the naming ritual since the baby came about as the result of the blessing ceremony, not from a marriage."
"But, that wasn't my fault. It wasn't my son's fault. Grandmother---"
K'lia cupped her face. "You and I know that and so does the priestess. But, tradition says it is forbidden for a woman to have a child by a man other than her husband. It doesn't matter how the conception came about. It is still wrong in the eyes of the priestess."
Tears stung Onara's eyes. It wasn't her son's fault how he came to be born. Was her child to be denied a name as a result of her Grandmother's machinations? Then Onara wondered if her grandmother had even thought of that when she conceived her plan to have Obi-Wan impregnate her.
"Then my baby is to have no name, Father?"
"Of course he will have a name, my love. We will go through with the ceremony. I will conduct it myself. It will just have to be a secular ritual, rather than a religious one. But, I have consulted with my advisors. Since he is my grandson, he will still be my heir. Of that there is no question, but his name will not be recorded in the family scroll at the cathedral."
Onara lowered her head. "Oh, father, is this just the beginning?"
"What do you mean?"
She raised her head. "Is my son to be ostracized and reviled for something that wasn't even his fault?"
K'lia sighed heavily. "I do not know, Onara. Nothing like this has ever happened before, a child being born as a result of a blessing ceremony. But, let us not worry about that now. For now, let us celebrate his birth. The future we will leave to itself."
"You're right, Father," Onara said, then she frowned. "But if the priestess is not going to give my son a name, who will do it?"
"I thought you and Master Kenobi could come up with one."
"What? Oh, Father," Onara shook her head. "What a strange idea. The parents choosing the name of the baby."
"Well, why not?" K'lia insisted. "You and Master Kenobi created the child. Why shouldn't you name him?"
Onara looked at him for a moment, then softly smiled. "Yes, you're right, Father. Why shouldn't we?"
"I'm glad you agree. But, you must choose one quickly."
"Why?"
"I'm going to hold the naming ceremony in the morning."
"In the morning? But why?"
K'lia cleared his throat. He looked away for a moment, then back at Onara.
"Because Master Kenobi and his apprentice are leaving tomorrow."
Onara gasped, her heart turning over. She was about to ask her father why Obi-Wan was leaving, but then she stopped herself. Obi-Wan wasn't her husband, and he certainly hadn't willingly given her this child. He was under no obligation to remain with her. Her father must have seen her expression, for he quickly told her of Obi-Wan's plan to go in search of the ex-Jedi Master Sinja-Bau.
"No, father, please, don't let him go."
"Onara, he must. If he succeeds it will save your life."
"And if something should happen to him? Then I will still die. And our child will have no mother and no father."
"You mustn't think such things. Master Kenobi will find this woman."
Onara's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Father, this is all my fault."
"What do you mean?"
"Obi-Wan is doing all these...these things for me. Things that I fear will harm him, if not now, then in the long run. Master Eo told me Obi-Wan deliberately ignored a summons from his Council to come to Ahjane. And bringing me back the way he did. Calling upon the dark side of the Force. Risking his soul and his life to do so. Father, I'm afraid for him."
Onara knew her father was unaware of the story Obi-Wan had told her the night of the blessing ceremony. Of how he had almost touched the dark side as a boy, and how dangerous it was for a Jedi to do so. Now, he had touched it, and he had used it to bring her back, and it had left his mark on him. She could see it, not only in his face, but in his eyes. And, although her memory of what had happened was dim at best she did have nightmares about it; horrible dreams of fire and darkness and a swirling tempest that howled out her name. She reached over and grabbed her father's hand.
"Father, please, I beg you. Don't let Obi-Wan go on this dangerous quest. He's done enough for me. He need not do anymore. I was supposed to die. You and I both know that. But, I have a month now. A month I did not have before. A month to spend with my son. If that is all I am fated to have, then I am thankful for it. Please, don't let Obi-Wan risk any more for me."
"I will not, Onara. I can not. Call me a selfish old man, but if there's a chance to save you, then I will grab it and hold onto it with all my strength."
Onara drew her hand away. She closed her eyes and turned her head.
"Oh, Father, don't you see. I can not bear the thought of losing him," she whispered.
"I know. But, trust me, I do not believe Master Kenobi will fail. He will find this Sinja-Bau, and he will return with her. And she will heal you."
Onara opened her eyes and looked at her father.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because he can not bear the thought of losing you," K'lia said gently.
To be continued....
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"What?" Anakin cried. "That's the miracle you were talking about?"
Anakin, Obi-Wan, Healer Eo and Dynast K'lia were in one of the drawing rooms scattered about the manor. They had gone there to have some privacy so that Eo could discuss with them his idea as to how Onara could be saved. Now having heard Eo's idea, Anakin still couldn't believe it. Obi-Wan gave him a sharp glance.
"Padawan," he said softly. "Let's hear Master Eo out."
Anakin released a heavy breath. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked over at the Quarren.
"As I was saying," Eo went on in his watery voice, "if there is one person in this galaxy who can help me reverse the damage done to Onara by the midi- chlorian poisoning it is Master Sinja-Bau."
"Ex-Master Sinja-Bau," Anakin interjected.
"Ex-master?" K'lia asked.
"She was expelled from the Jedi Order some years ago," Obi-Wan explained to the Dynast.
"For heresy and for conducting unsanctioned experiments," Anakin added.
"That was the Council's position," Eo said calmly.
Anakin frowned. "Well, from what I heard it was the appropriate position."
Obi-Wan gave Anakin a warning look, then turned back to Eo.
"Sinja-Bau hasn't been heard from in years, Master Eo. Do you think she's even still alive?"
"I have reason to----"
But Anakin, despite Obi-Wan's warning, was unable to keep quiet.
"Master, this is ridiculous. Sinja-Bau was not only a heretic, she was insane. She can't help Onara."
"Insane?" K'lia gasped.
Anakin turned to him. "Yes, Dynast K'lia. I learned all about her at the Temple. She had been one of the most revered Healers in the Jedi Order. Her ability to heal even the most hopeless of cases was unmatched. Then," and Anakin shrugged, "one day she just went crazy. Started ranting and raving about the sentience of midi-chlorians. That all the midi-chlorians in the universe were just one gigantic life-form and that we were just cells in its body. Crazy stuff."
"Anakin..."
"And then," Anakin went on ignoring Obi-Wan, for he was too caught up in his tale, as it had both fascinated and frightened him the first time he heard it, "she started conducting unauthorized experiments on non-sentient life forms. It was only a matter of time before she started doing experiments on sentient life forms."
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said sharply. "You don't know that. As far as anyone knew at the time, Sinja-Bau limited her experiments to non-sentient life-forms. But the experiments were still considered dangerous and harmful to the life- forms and she was told to stop."
"But she didn't. She was warned and warned," Anakin told K'lia, "Finally, she was expelled from the Jedi Order and blinded to the Force."
"Blinded"" K'lia cried, horrified
"Not physically blinded," Obi-Wan said quickly. "It is a procedure, only done in rare and extreme cases, whereby a Jedi is stripped of his or her ability to use the Force. It was done in Sinja-Bau's case because of the danger it was felt she would pose to others if she were allowed to retain her Force abilities, considering how insane she was."
"And you believe such a person can help Onara?" K'lia asked.
Anakin was about to speak, but he was silenced by the angry glare Obi-Wan gave him. He bit his lip and looked down. Then he heard Eo's voice. He looked back up.
"Yes, Dynast K'lia, I believe she can. You see, Sinja-Bau was once my master."
Anakin's eyes widened. He hadn't known that. He looked over at Obi-Wan and could see by his expression that Obi-Wan had. Anakin looked back at Eo.
"Please, forgive me, Master Eo. I...I didn't know."
"Yes, she was my master, but you are quite correct, Padawan Skywalker. She did go insane and she was expelled. But her knowledge of midi-chlorians is such that, if anyone can help Onara, it is she."
"But, Master Eo," Obi-Wan asked him. "Is Sinja-Bau even still alive?"
"She is alive."
"But she hasn't been seen or heard from in years."
"That is true."
Anakin moved a step closer to Eo. "Then how can she help---?"
"I have spoken with her, Padawan Skywalker."
"You've been in touch with her?" Obi-Wan said. "You know that is forbidden."
Then Anakin saw his master's cheeks color. Considering what he had just done a few hours ago, calling upon the dark side, he probably felt he was the last person to chastise anyone about what was or was not forbidden. Eo, as was his custom, ignored Obi-Wan's statement.
"She contacted me a few years ago, Master Kenboi. I knew it was forbidden to speak with her, but she was my old master, and I still carried a deep fondness for her, despite her insanity."
"What did she want?" Obi-Wan asked.
Eo shrugged. "Nothing. Just to talk. I sensed she was quite lonely, but, unfortunately, still quite insane. But now her insanity had taken a different turn. Instead of the sentience of this galactic organism she claimed the midi-chlorians comprised, her obsession was now the destruction of the Jedi Order."
"What?" Anakin gasped.
Eo nodded. "Yes, according to her she had been having visions. Visions of the Jedi Temple in flames, the bodies of dead and dying Jedi scattered about the worlds of the Republic and of two dark figures, their shadows encompassing the galaxy. She urged me to flee to the Unknown Regions. Take as many Jedi as I could with me. Told me to hide and wait. Wait for the return of the Light."
Eo shook his head sadly. "Babbling nonsense, all of it. Anyway, I spoke with her for a bit because, believe it or now, interspersed among her insane babbling were moments of lucidity and I found myself speaking once again with my old master." He looked over at Anakin. "You never knew her, Padawan Skywalker, but before the madness took her, she was a kind, compassionate, intelligent woman."
"But I don't understand," K'lia said. "Could she not have been cured of this madness?"
"Do not think we did not try, Dynast," Eo said sadly. "She was one of the bright lights of our Order and to lose her would diminish us. But, whatever this madness was, and we never discovered either its source or its true nature, it was incurable."
"And she's supposed to help Onara," Anakin said in a peeved voice.
"If she can be found, yes, I believe she can help her," Eo said calmly.
"But, you just said---"
"That was a few years ago that I spoke with her, Padawan Skywalker. She may have moved on to another system. From her conversation, addled as it was, I got the feeling she did not remain long in one place. Her insanity, I'm sure, would not endear her to the local populace."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, his head down. Anakin recognized that posture. It told him his master was thinking hard, quickly analyzing in his mind all the permutations and alternatives of a situation. Then Obi- Wan looked up at Eo.
"Where was she when she last contacted you."
"On Lianna."
Anakin nodded. He'd heard of Lianna. It was an industrial world located in the Allied Tion sector of the galaxy and outside of the Republic.
"I'll go to Lianna first," Obi-Wan said. "She may still be there."
Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan, his eyes wide. "You're not seriously going through with this, Master?"
"Yes, Anakin, I am going through with this and most seriously, I can assure you."
"But, Onara only has a month. We should be spending that time---"
"Doing what, Padawan? What would you suggest we do?"
Anakin opened his mouth, then closed it. Obi-Wan smiled, but it was a lopsided, bitter smile.
"You see. We have no other choice. If Master Eo says that Sinja-Bau is Onara's only hope, then I believe him. And believing him, I will therefore find her."
"She could be dead, Master. Or, if not dead, she may refuse to help you. I'm sure she has no love for the Order that expelled and took away her Force powers. Your being a Jedi will probably only enrage her. And, even if you do find her and bring her back, she's insane. She may not know anymore how to help Onara. She can't even use the Force!"
Obi-Wan went over and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and squeezed it.
"That is one of your more endearing traits, Anakin," he said with a soft smile. "Your ability to see all the barriers and obstacles of any given situation."
Anakin's face warmed. He didn't know if his master was teasing him or not.
"But, yes," Obi-Wan said, moving his hand away from Anakin's shoulder. "All those things are quite possible. But, first I must find Sinja-Bau and bring her back. And then, and only then, will we know if you are correct in your assumptions."
Obi-Wan turned and looked over at K'lia. "However, I will only do this with your permission, Dynast K'lia. Onara is my heart, but she is your daughter."
Anakin could see K'lia had been digesting all he had heard. His wrinkled face went through a gamut of expressions, ranging from doubt to fear to, finally, acceptance and determination. He nodded at Obi-Wan.
"Find her, Master Kenboi. And bring her here."
Obi-Wan inclined his head. "I will. I promise."
Anakin shook his head. He still didn't think this was a good idea. But, if finding an insane, Force-blinded, ex-Jedi Master was Onara's only chance, he would do all he could to see that it was done.
"Well, I'm coming with you, Master."
Obi-Wan looked over and gave Anakin a warm smile.
"Oh, if that I had no doubt, my young padawan."
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Onara looked down at her baby. It was the following morning. Not many were up in the manor for it was still quite early. Her son was sleeping soundly in her arms now that his little belly was full. The wet-nurse, a buxom, smiling woman named Gretta, who had just left her chamber, had told Onara that not only did he have a healthy appetite, but he was one of the most well-behaved babies she had ever nursed.
Onara smiled fondly as she let her gaze travel slowly over her son. She had already memorized every part of him; his thick, black hair, his long, dark lashes, and his eyes, which never failed to make her breath catch, for they were so much like Obi-Wan's. She sighed. If not for what Obi-Wan had done in bringing her back, she would not have had this chance to truly know her son. And, even if she still had only a month to live, she was going to cherish each and every day of it.
Last night Onara had awoken for a bit from her Force-induced slumber to find Obi-Wan sitting in a chair next to her bed. She could tell he had been watching her sleep. She had been very drowsy and had felt herself falling asleep again. But she did remember Obi-Wan reaching over to take her hand and hold it to his lips.
The next thing Onara knew it was morning and the sun, which she had not thought to ever see again, was streaming like spun gold through her windows. Gendra had already been in her chamber, readying her bath. She had asked where Obi-Wan was. Getting some sleep finally, her aunt had told her. Once Onara had been bathed and readied for the day, the wet-nurse had brought her son in for a visit. Gendra had left for a moment to check on Onara's morning meal.
Now, leaning over, Onara gently rubbed her face against her son's soft, warm cheek, breathing in his sweet, baby smell. The day after tomorrow her father had chosen for the naming ceremony. At the rising of the sun the priestess from the cathedral, who would come to the manor since Onara was too ill to leave it, would conduct the ceremony and gave her baby a name. Onara imagined the priestess diligently consulting the lineage charts of Onara's family, searching for the perfect name for a future Dynast.
Then Onara frowned. Her son wasn't just the grandson of a Dynast, but the son of a Jedi Knight and, according to the Jedi Healer, quite capable of becoming a Jedi. Onara sighed. She remembered telling Obi-Wan the night of the blessing ceremony that she would never have to worry about whether to give a child of hers to the Jedi Temple. Now, she found herself faced with that possibility.
She gently tightened her arms about her son. No, she could never give him up. But, she also knew, she could not deny Obi-Wan anything either and if, by chance, he wanted to take his son back with him to the Jedi Temple what would she do? Then she remembered. She would be gone in a month. It would be up to her father and Obi-Wan as to what her son's future would be.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to her chamber opened. She watched as her father and Aunt Gendra walked into her bedroom. Her father smiled at her, but she could see in his eyes that something was on his mind.
"Father," Onara said. "Pleasant morning."
"Pleasant morning to you, little one," he said softly as he sat next to her on the bed.
He reached over, kissed her on the forehead, then leaned down and kissed the baby on his.
"And how is my handsome grandson this fine morning," he whispered."
"Sleeping the sleep of the innocent, Father," Onara whispered back. "Gretta says he has the appetite of a alok and the disposition of a sharna."
"Hmmm, interesting combination," K'lia said with a smile. He looked over at his sister. "Gendra has come to take him back to the nursery. You need to rest. He may only be a newborn, but it can still be tiring holding him for too long."
Onara wanted to protest, but her father was right. Although she was nowhere near as listless and tired as she had been before, it didn't take much to exhaust her. She still couldn't walk about on her own and there were times when she felt as if were fading away, as if the life-force that animated her was turning on and off. Leaning over, she kissed her still sleeping son, then handed him to Gendra.
"I'll bring him back, dear," her aunt promised. "Later this afternoon. After you rested for a bit. And I'll bring your morning meal when I come back."
Onara nodded. She watched until Gendra had left the room. Then she turned to her father. She saw he was staring solemnly at her.
"What's wrong, Father."
K'lia hesitated.
"It's about the naming ceremony."
"What of it?"
"The priestess has refused to conduct it."
"What? But why?"
"Because the baby is not Edress's. She says it would be sacrilege for her to go through with the naming ritual since the baby came about as the result of the blessing ceremony, not from a marriage."
"But, that wasn't my fault. It wasn't my son's fault. Grandmother---"
K'lia cupped her face. "You and I know that and so does the priestess. But, tradition says it is forbidden for a woman to have a child by a man other than her husband. It doesn't matter how the conception came about. It is still wrong in the eyes of the priestess."
Tears stung Onara's eyes. It wasn't her son's fault how he came to be born. Was her child to be denied a name as a result of her Grandmother's machinations? Then Onara wondered if her grandmother had even thought of that when she conceived her plan to have Obi-Wan impregnate her.
"Then my baby is to have no name, Father?"
"Of course he will have a name, my love. We will go through with the ceremony. I will conduct it myself. It will just have to be a secular ritual, rather than a religious one. But, I have consulted with my advisors. Since he is my grandson, he will still be my heir. Of that there is no question, but his name will not be recorded in the family scroll at the cathedral."
Onara lowered her head. "Oh, father, is this just the beginning?"
"What do you mean?"
She raised her head. "Is my son to be ostracized and reviled for something that wasn't even his fault?"
K'lia sighed heavily. "I do not know, Onara. Nothing like this has ever happened before, a child being born as a result of a blessing ceremony. But, let us not worry about that now. For now, let us celebrate his birth. The future we will leave to itself."
"You're right, Father," Onara said, then she frowned. "But if the priestess is not going to give my son a name, who will do it?"
"I thought you and Master Kenobi could come up with one."
"What? Oh, Father," Onara shook her head. "What a strange idea. The parents choosing the name of the baby."
"Well, why not?" K'lia insisted. "You and Master Kenobi created the child. Why shouldn't you name him?"
Onara looked at him for a moment, then softly smiled. "Yes, you're right, Father. Why shouldn't we?"
"I'm glad you agree. But, you must choose one quickly."
"Why?"
"I'm going to hold the naming ceremony in the morning."
"In the morning? But why?"
K'lia cleared his throat. He looked away for a moment, then back at Onara.
"Because Master Kenobi and his apprentice are leaving tomorrow."
Onara gasped, her heart turning over. She was about to ask her father why Obi-Wan was leaving, but then she stopped herself. Obi-Wan wasn't her husband, and he certainly hadn't willingly given her this child. He was under no obligation to remain with her. Her father must have seen her expression, for he quickly told her of Obi-Wan's plan to go in search of the ex-Jedi Master Sinja-Bau.
"No, father, please, don't let him go."
"Onara, he must. If he succeeds it will save your life."
"And if something should happen to him? Then I will still die. And our child will have no mother and no father."
"You mustn't think such things. Master Kenobi will find this woman."
Onara's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Father, this is all my fault."
"What do you mean?"
"Obi-Wan is doing all these...these things for me. Things that I fear will harm him, if not now, then in the long run. Master Eo told me Obi-Wan deliberately ignored a summons from his Council to come to Ahjane. And bringing me back the way he did. Calling upon the dark side of the Force. Risking his soul and his life to do so. Father, I'm afraid for him."
Onara knew her father was unaware of the story Obi-Wan had told her the night of the blessing ceremony. Of how he had almost touched the dark side as a boy, and how dangerous it was for a Jedi to do so. Now, he had touched it, and he had used it to bring her back, and it had left his mark on him. She could see it, not only in his face, but in his eyes. And, although her memory of what had happened was dim at best she did have nightmares about it; horrible dreams of fire and darkness and a swirling tempest that howled out her name. She reached over and grabbed her father's hand.
"Father, please, I beg you. Don't let Obi-Wan go on this dangerous quest. He's done enough for me. He need not do anymore. I was supposed to die. You and I both know that. But, I have a month now. A month I did not have before. A month to spend with my son. If that is all I am fated to have, then I am thankful for it. Please, don't let Obi-Wan risk any more for me."
"I will not, Onara. I can not. Call me a selfish old man, but if there's a chance to save you, then I will grab it and hold onto it with all my strength."
Onara drew her hand away. She closed her eyes and turned her head.
"Oh, Father, don't you see. I can not bear the thought of losing him," she whispered.
"I know. But, trust me, I do not believe Master Kenobi will fail. He will find this Sinja-Bau, and he will return with her. And she will heal you."
Onara opened her eyes and looked at her father.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because he can not bear the thought of losing you," K'lia said gently.
To be continued....