First Knight - Part Twenty-Four
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"Anakin!"
Anakin reeled around from where he had been staring out the window of Onara's bedchamber. He looked over at her bed. Onara, who had been holding Ben as she liked to do every morning, was shaking wildly, her skin deathly pale, sweat streaming down her face. Anakin saw she was so weak she could hardly hold Ben. He ran over and quickly grabbed the baby before she dropped him.
"Onara, what's wrong?" he cried.
Onara collapsed back onto her pillows, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I...I don't know. Oh, Anakin, help me."
Anakin turned, Ben still in his arms, and raced for the door. He opened it.
"You!" he barked at one of the two guards stationed in the sitting room. "Master Eo. Get him. Hurry! He's in the garden."
The guard nodded and ran out of the sitting room. Anakin gestured with his head to the other guard, indicating he should follow Anakin back into Onara's bedchamber. As they entered the bedchamber, he handed Ben over to the guard who awkwardly took the baby. He then hurried over to Onara. Her head was tossing back and forth on the bed, her dark hair flying about her face.
"Onara," Anakin said softly as he sat next to her and took her gently in his arms. She was shaking so hard he could barely hold her.
"What's wrong? What can I do to help?"
But Onara either couldn't hear him or was unable to answer. Her eyes had rolled up into her head and low moans were slipping from between her trembling lips as she continued to jerk in his arms. Anakin held her tighter. Where was Master Eo? He glanced over at the guard who was holding Ben. The man's dark eyes were wide as he looked over at them. Then Anakin saw Ben was staring at Onara, his blue-gray eyes locked on his mother.
"Blast it, man!" Anakin cried. "Turn around. Don't let him see her like this."
The guard nodded and turned around, his back to Anakin and Onara. Anakin was aware that Ben, as a newborn, was still too young to really understand what was happening, but there seemed to be a connection between the baby and his mother unlike any he had seen before; therefore, he didn't want to take any chances.
Onara continued to twitch violently in Anakin's arms. Then he looked up, relief flooding through him, as Master Eo ran into the room, his healer's robes flapping.
"What happened?" the Quarren asked as he moved next to Anakin.
"I don't know, Master," Anakin said as he moved to let Eo tend to Onara. "She was fine, then all of a sudden she was like this."
Anakin watched as Eo placed his suction-fingered hands along the side of Onara's head. After a few moments, she stopped her frantic shaking. Her breathing slowed and her eyelids dropped over her eyes.
"Is she all right?"
Eo didn't answer him. He reached into his robes and pulled out a slender medipad. He consulted it as he ran it over Onara's body. Anakin turned to the guard.
"I'll take him," he said.
The guard gently handed Ben to Anakin.
"You can go now," Anakin said as he adjusted Ben in his arms.
"Will milady be all right?" the guard asked, his face creased with worry.
"I hope so," Anakin said softly.
The guard inclined his head, turned and left the room. As Eo continued to minister to Onara, Anakin did as the guard had done and turned his back to the bed, not wanting Ben to see Onara in such a state. However, the baby kept moving his head as if trying to see around Anakin. Finally, his movements became so desperate, Anakin turned back towards the bed. Ben immediately quieted once he saw his mother.
"How is she, Master?"
Eo sighed. He closed his medipad and put it back into his robes. Anakin could see Onara was now sleeping. The healer rose from the bed and took Anakin's elbow, guiding him to the side of the room.
"She's all right. For now," he said in a low voice.
"What happened?"
"A systemic reaction to the midi-chlorian poisoning." Eo sighed. "I've sedated her. She'll sleep for the rest of the day."
"We're running out of time, aren't we, Master?"
Eo looked at Anakin, his turquoise-colored eyes unreadable. He gestured for Anakin to follow him over to some chairs that were set in a corner of the bedchamber. Anakin sat down and, as he did, Ben stirred in his arms. Anakin then noted the baby couldn't see the bed from where they were sitting. He scooted the chair around until the bed was in view. Ben settled down and gazed quietly over at his sleeping mother.
"I will not lie to you, Anakin," Eo said, his voice still pitched low. "The chances of your master not only finding Sinja-Bau in time, but bringing her back and her even being competent enough to help Onara are miniscule at best."
"But, I don't understand? If you knew that, why did you send him on such a hopeless quest. He could have stayed here and spent the last days of Onara's life with her."
"Because I have known Obi-Wan Kenobi far longer than you, Padawan Skywalker," Eo said. "And he is not the kind of man to give up, no matter how hopeless the odds are. Yes, he could have remained here with Onara until she died, but he would have always tortured himself afterwards, and would have eventually convinced himself that if he had at least tried to save her, she would have lived."
Anakin sighed. He looked down at Ben and was surprised to see he was staring up at him. He gave Ben his finger and the baby grasped it firmly, his tiny fingers locked around it.
"You're right," Anakin admitted softly. He looked over at Eo. "Should we inform Dynast K'lia of what just happened with Onara?"
Eo shook his head. "No. There's nothing he can do to help her and he has enough on his mind."
Anakin nodded. The news that Edress had died the day before yesterday had shocked the household. No word had been forthcoming from Kindah province as to how the Dynast had died. All that was known was it had been sudden. Then, following immediately upon the news of his death was the announcement that Jerule, a friend of Edress's, had been designated as his heir, news which had much surprised K'lia and his sisters. They told Anakin that Edress had designated his nephew to be his heir if he were to die without male issue, but apparently, a few days prior to his death, Edress suddenly and inexplicably changed his will and named Jerule as his heir.
Once Jerule was installed as Dynast, an event that one of Onara's aunts observed happened with almost obscene alacrity, he sent a message to K'lia demanding the return of Onara and her child to Kindah Province, stating that the peace accord between their two provinces was still to be honored, despite the change in leadership. Since the peace accord had included Onara being married to the Dynast of Kindah Province, and since Jerule was now said Dynast, Onara was his.
K'lia, whom Anakin had noted had acquired a backbone of iron since the banishment of Lady Tsara, had fired back a message of his own, stating that Onara had married Edress, not the office of the Dynast. Therefore, she was not Jerule's and K'lia would not send her or her child to Kindah Province. With Edress's death, Onara was now a widow. However, K'lia had gone on to say, if Jerule wished to renegotiate the terms of the peace accord, K'lia would be willing to do that, but Onara would no longer be a part of any settlements reached by the two parties.
There had been no response yet from Kindah Province to K'lia's message, and that had filled Anakin with a sense of foreboding. In addition, although there had been no word since her banishment as to the whereabouts of Lady Tsara, everything that had happened in Kindah Province had her imprint on it. In order not to distress Onara, in light of her condition, K'lia and Eo had decided that none of these recent happenings would be relayed to her.
Now, as Anakin took in and released a deep breath, he glanced down at Ben. The baby had gone back to gazing over at Onara. Anakin gently squeezed him, rocking him in his arms. Master Eo was staring thoughtfully out the window.
"Master Eo?"
"Yes, Padawan Skywalker?"
"Why are you doing this? Why are you risking censure from the Council to help my master?"
Eo looked over at Anakin. his face tentacles wriggling gently.
"A long time ago his master saved my life."
"Master Qui-Gon?"
Eo nodded. "He never let me repay him for it. He didn't even take a thank you. By helping Obi-Wan, I am repaying that debt."
"But, you could get in trouble."
"I have been a Jedi for a long time, Padawan Skywalker. Getting in trouble doesn't concern me much anymore. But, it is for you and Obi-Wan that I fear the most. Your futures within the Jedi Order are being jeopardized."
Anakin scoffed. "Humph, I don't much care if I get in trouble with the Council. But I worry about Master Obi-Wan. He believes so much in the Jedi Order."
Master Eo nodded slowly.
"That is true. Or perhaps," and he looked at Ben, then over at the sleeping Onara, "he has found something else to believe in."
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Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, refusing to take Jareo's hand.
"I don't like games," he said frowning, his voice tight.
Jareo stopped in front of Obi-Wan, his hand still outstretched, a wide smile on his black-bearded face.
"But I do, Master Kenobi. Come, come, don't be such a wet blanket. That's one of the problems with you Jedi. You take things far too seriously."
"My mission is of a most serious nature. I don't have time to play."
Jareo laughed. "Yes, yes, isn't everything you Jedi do of a most serious nature. Now, come, take my hand and let us be friends. I have decided I like you and I don't want to change my opinion."
Obi-Wan reached over and took the man's hand. It was large and strong and reminded Obi-Wan for a moment of Qui-Gon's hand. Jareo squeezed his hand hard, then released it.
"Now, let me introduce the cast of our little play," Jareo said. He pointed at the Codru-Ji female. "The lovely damsel in distress was Auna. In real life she's my pilot and a pretty good mechanic. But, who wouldn't be with all those hands."
She bowed to Obi-Wan, a shrewd smile on her lovely face. Jareo turned to the Gamorrean, slapping him on his wide shoulders.
"This big fellow is Ziab. Bodyguard and chef extraordinaire. Also, teller of tall tales, if you care to take the time to listen."
The Gamorrean bowed slightly to Obi-Wan who returned it. Jareo gestured toward the red-fleshed, leathery-faced Nikto.
"The one with the pretty face is Jole, communications and weapons expert, and the one still nursing his sore snout is Shon, my doer and obtainer of all things."
The Rodian inclined his green, scaly head to Obi-Wan, wincing as he did so. Jareo turned back to Obi-Wan, his face still wreathed with a smile.
"Now that you've met my happy little band, what say we retire someplace more relaxing where we can drink and talk."
"I don't mean to be rude, Master Jareo," Obi-Wan said firmly, unable to control his rising frustration, for every moment that passed was like the tolling of an ominous bell to him, "but I don't have time to relax or indulge in social amenities. I am operating under the most dire of time constraints. I have been three days waiting to hear from you. Three days I could ill afford to lose. This little deception of yours has cost me even more time. Dex said you could help me find the person I'm looking for. Can you?"
For the first time since greeting Obi-Wan, the smile disappeared from Jareo's face. He stared at Obi-Wan for a long moment.
"I am a businessman, Master Kenobi," Jareo said, his thick, black eyebrows drawn low over his green eyes, his voice hard and clipped and in total opposition to his good-natured joviality of a moment ago.
"Dex told me to help you and to charge you nothing for my services," he went on. "However, that is not in my nature. When I give something, I expect to receive something in return. So, in lieu of money, I staged that little deception in the tavern. Partly for my entertainment and partly for another reason. Teb, the one who nearly took your head off with the blaster rifle? He's my partner. He recognized you as soon as you walked into the tavern."
Obi-Wan frowned. "If that's true, why did you---"
"Because I wanted to see what kind of man you are, Master Kenobi. Dex told me you were on some desperate mission. But, he also told me a rumor was circulating around Coruscant that some Jedi Knight had gone renegade. Dex likes you a lot, Master Kenobi. He wanted me to see if you were still yourself."
Jareo gestured at the black outfit Obi-Wan was wearing. "Never seen one of you Jedi dressed that way."
"I didn't want to be recognized as a Jedi," Obi-Wan said. He released a deep breath. "But, it is true. I'm not operating under the auspices of my Order."
Jareo nodded. "Figured as much, but you're still a Jedi." He pointed over at Auna with his thumb. "You helped her, even at the risk of not making your contact. That says a lot. And not many men would have turned down a night with Auna."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. Jareo suddenly grinned and, turning, pointed to a vidscreen on his desk.
"Security cams. Both outside my little warehouse and in the tavern. So, either you're still one of those priggish Jedi, or you've got something better waiting for you at home to have refused the comfort of Auna's delectable, and I must tell you from experience, most unique embrace."
Jareo winked and the rest of the gang laughed in response. Obi-Wan swallowed, conscious of the pedant containing Onara's and Ben's images lying cool and heavy against his chest.
"You know, you're pretty good in a fight, Master Kenobi," Jareo went on. "If you ever decide to leave the Jedi, I could use a man like you."
Obi-Wan nodded, but said nothing. The impatience he was feeling was like a spring uncoiling bit by bit in his body. It was taking all his willpower not to grab Jareo by the arms and shake him, demanding to know if he had any information about Sinja-Bau. Then Jareo put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and squeezed it.
"Don't worry, Master Kenobi. I have the information you want. I know where Sinja-Bau is."
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As Dooku's ship sped away from Ahjane, he grimaced. He was sitting in the ornately decorated cabin of his solar sailer sipping a fine Corellian brandy. The brandy had reminded him of his first meeting with Jerule and Tsara. Amateurs, the both of them, he thought sneeringly. Nothing but a pair of pathetic amateurs. He hoped Master Sidious knew what he was doing in having asked him to leave Ahjane immediately and return to Coruscant.
As his dark master had instructed, Dooku had assisted Tsara in her plan to eventually rule Ahjane through her great-grandson. Edress, like Jerule, had been easily impressed by Dooku's wealth and status and, therefore, arranging a private dinner with the Dynast had proven simple enough to achieve. Once alone with Edress, whose mind had been as weak and pliable as a Dulervian slug, Dooku had used voice manipulation to convince the man to change his will and name Jerule as his heir.
Once that was completed, Dooku had given Tsara a poison that was both deadly and undetectable. A few credits slipped into the hands of one of the servants in the kitchen, said poison sprinkled over Edress' food and, in the blink of an eye, one dead Dynast. And, also, one hapless kitchen servant who just happened to have an untimely accident when she somehow managed to slip down some stairs and break her neck.
However, before Dooku could continue with his assistance regarding Tsara's plan to get her hands on her great-grandson, Sidious had contacted him and requested he return immediately to Coruscant. Dooku had wondered aloud if perhaps it would be best if he remained and monitored the situation, but Sidious had told him their other work was of more importance. If the underlings on Ahjane failed, he had told Dooku, once their great work was accomplished, systems like Ahjane would have no choice but to become part of the new order or perish. And Jedi like Obi-Wan and his spawn would be of no consequence.
Dooku raised his glass to his lips, the brandy sliding down his throat like a song. He hoped that wrinkled old crone heeded his warnings about Skywalker. He did not relish having to return to this backwater world in order to show her what true power was capable of if she dared disobey him.
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Having finally convinced Obi-Wan to at least take a seat, Jareo settled his bulk on the corner of his desk, his hands folded in front of his huge stomach.
"Yeah, I know of your insane, ex-Jedi. She arrived on Lianna about three years ago. Spent most of her time in the city square, near the market area. Couldn't miss her. Striking woman, despite that wild-eyed look and those rags she was always wearing. Don't know how she lived, what she ate or even where she slept. She seemed to spend all of her time ranting and raving about how all of us were just tiny cells in the body of some galactic-sized creature she called the Boonooba."
Shon, who was standing against the wall, snickered. Then, when he saw the look Jareo was giving him, the Rodian tried to cover his snout, crying out as he did so, for apparently it was still sore from Obi-Wan having kicked it. Jareo turned back to Obi-Wan.
"Anyway, two years ago, her rants changed. She started raving about the end of the world. Or at least the end of the Republic. The fall of the Temple, the purge of the Jedi, the Mother of the Light, the Father of the Dark." Jareo shrugged. "Crazy stuff, but fascinating in a morbid kind of way."
Obi-Wan shifted in his seat. "Jareo, this is all very interesting, but I--- ."
"Just hear me out. You're going to need to know this if you hope to get her."
Obi-Wan nodded, but he was still terribly mindful of the passage of time.
"Now, if her stuff about this Boonooba had been popular with the fringe crowd, this new stuff about the fall of the Republic was drawing them like flies to offal. And it drew the attention of someone that, well, you don't want to draw his kind of attention."
"Who?" Obi-Wan asked, then noted that everyone in the room was exchanging anxious glances.
"An Arkanian by the name of Douro."
Obi-Wan had heard of the Arkanians. They were a near human species from the planet Arkana. The only thing that differentiated them from humans was their solid-white eyes, four-fingered clawed hands and their remarkable stamina. Another interesting thing about them was that their homeworld had once been a repository for ancient Sith knowledge.
"Douro," Obi-Wan repeated.
"And a nasty piece of work if ever there was one, Master Kenobi," Auna said, her long, pointed ears twitching.
Jareo gave Obi-Wan a piecing look. "She's right. He's insane too, but in a different sort of way. He can still function in society, which makes him doubly dangerous."
"What does he have to do with Sinja-Bau?" Obi-Wan asked.
"He heard her one day, raving in the square. Douro's very superstitious. He's obsessed with prophecies, fortunetelling, that sort of thing. He thought Sinja-Bau was some kind of prophet. So he took her in and now she's his personal soothsayer."
"Soothsayer?"
Jareo shrugged. "That's what he calls her. She reads runes, cards, stones, the entrails of animals, anything he throws at her, she mumbles over it and he thinks it means something. Like I told you, he's nuts too. Anyway, she's been with him this past year."
"Where are they now?"
Jareo looked over at Auna. She gave him a guarded look, then shrugged her slender shoulders as if to say you'd better tell him. Jareo looked back at Obi-Wan.
"They're on Toola."
Obi-Wan felt as if he had been kicked in the chest. He was so certain Sinja- Bau was here on Lianna, within reach, and now to learn she wasn't even on planet. Jareo must have seen the despair in his face for he moved off the desk and stood in front of Obi-Wan.
"Hey, look, I'm sorry. I said I knew where she was. I didn't say she was here."
Obi-Wan lowered his head. He had to focus, clear his mind. Wallowing in his anguish wasn't going to help Onara. He raised his head.
"How far away is Toola from here?"
Auna came over and stood next to Jareo.
"It's not far," she said. "It's an ice planet. Douro does ice harvesting there."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Ice harvesting?"
"Yeah, ya know, ya harvest the ice, take it to some hot, arid planet and sell the water. Douro goes to Toola about twice every solar cycle to do that."
"And you're certain Sinja-Bau is with him?"
Jareo nodded and raised his hand as if taking an oath.
"I'll stake my life on it. He never goes anywhere without her."
Obi-Wan stood and bowed to Jareo.
"Thank you, Master Jareo, for your help."
Just as he was turning to leave, Jareo grabbed his arm.
"What kind of ship you flying?"
Obi-Wan told him. Jareo pursed his lips.
"I'll have Auna fly you to Toola. Her ship is faster and she'll know where Douro is doing his harvesting. And, well, it's the least I can do for having played that little trick on you."
"Thank you, Master Jareo."
Obi-Wan looked over at Auna.
"Meet me at the starport at docking bay 429 in an hour," she told him.
Obi-Wan nodded. Jareo squeezed his arm.
"Good luck, Master Kenobi. Be wary of Douro," he warned. "Your ex-Jedi might be crazy, but the Arkanian is deranged."
"I will. And thanks again."
Obi-Wan turned and made his way out of the warehouse, heading for his lodgings so he could collect his things and meet Auna at the starport.
To be continued....
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"Anakin!"
Anakin reeled around from where he had been staring out the window of Onara's bedchamber. He looked over at her bed. Onara, who had been holding Ben as she liked to do every morning, was shaking wildly, her skin deathly pale, sweat streaming down her face. Anakin saw she was so weak she could hardly hold Ben. He ran over and quickly grabbed the baby before she dropped him.
"Onara, what's wrong?" he cried.
Onara collapsed back onto her pillows, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I...I don't know. Oh, Anakin, help me."
Anakin turned, Ben still in his arms, and raced for the door. He opened it.
"You!" he barked at one of the two guards stationed in the sitting room. "Master Eo. Get him. Hurry! He's in the garden."
The guard nodded and ran out of the sitting room. Anakin gestured with his head to the other guard, indicating he should follow Anakin back into Onara's bedchamber. As they entered the bedchamber, he handed Ben over to the guard who awkwardly took the baby. He then hurried over to Onara. Her head was tossing back and forth on the bed, her dark hair flying about her face.
"Onara," Anakin said softly as he sat next to her and took her gently in his arms. She was shaking so hard he could barely hold her.
"What's wrong? What can I do to help?"
But Onara either couldn't hear him or was unable to answer. Her eyes had rolled up into her head and low moans were slipping from between her trembling lips as she continued to jerk in his arms. Anakin held her tighter. Where was Master Eo? He glanced over at the guard who was holding Ben. The man's dark eyes were wide as he looked over at them. Then Anakin saw Ben was staring at Onara, his blue-gray eyes locked on his mother.
"Blast it, man!" Anakin cried. "Turn around. Don't let him see her like this."
The guard nodded and turned around, his back to Anakin and Onara. Anakin was aware that Ben, as a newborn, was still too young to really understand what was happening, but there seemed to be a connection between the baby and his mother unlike any he had seen before; therefore, he didn't want to take any chances.
Onara continued to twitch violently in Anakin's arms. Then he looked up, relief flooding through him, as Master Eo ran into the room, his healer's robes flapping.
"What happened?" the Quarren asked as he moved next to Anakin.
"I don't know, Master," Anakin said as he moved to let Eo tend to Onara. "She was fine, then all of a sudden she was like this."
Anakin watched as Eo placed his suction-fingered hands along the side of Onara's head. After a few moments, she stopped her frantic shaking. Her breathing slowed and her eyelids dropped over her eyes.
"Is she all right?"
Eo didn't answer him. He reached into his robes and pulled out a slender medipad. He consulted it as he ran it over Onara's body. Anakin turned to the guard.
"I'll take him," he said.
The guard gently handed Ben to Anakin.
"You can go now," Anakin said as he adjusted Ben in his arms.
"Will milady be all right?" the guard asked, his face creased with worry.
"I hope so," Anakin said softly.
The guard inclined his head, turned and left the room. As Eo continued to minister to Onara, Anakin did as the guard had done and turned his back to the bed, not wanting Ben to see Onara in such a state. However, the baby kept moving his head as if trying to see around Anakin. Finally, his movements became so desperate, Anakin turned back towards the bed. Ben immediately quieted once he saw his mother.
"How is she, Master?"
Eo sighed. He closed his medipad and put it back into his robes. Anakin could see Onara was now sleeping. The healer rose from the bed and took Anakin's elbow, guiding him to the side of the room.
"She's all right. For now," he said in a low voice.
"What happened?"
"A systemic reaction to the midi-chlorian poisoning." Eo sighed. "I've sedated her. She'll sleep for the rest of the day."
"We're running out of time, aren't we, Master?"
Eo looked at Anakin, his turquoise-colored eyes unreadable. He gestured for Anakin to follow him over to some chairs that were set in a corner of the bedchamber. Anakin sat down and, as he did, Ben stirred in his arms. Anakin then noted the baby couldn't see the bed from where they were sitting. He scooted the chair around until the bed was in view. Ben settled down and gazed quietly over at his sleeping mother.
"I will not lie to you, Anakin," Eo said, his voice still pitched low. "The chances of your master not only finding Sinja-Bau in time, but bringing her back and her even being competent enough to help Onara are miniscule at best."
"But, I don't understand? If you knew that, why did you send him on such a hopeless quest. He could have stayed here and spent the last days of Onara's life with her."
"Because I have known Obi-Wan Kenobi far longer than you, Padawan Skywalker," Eo said. "And he is not the kind of man to give up, no matter how hopeless the odds are. Yes, he could have remained here with Onara until she died, but he would have always tortured himself afterwards, and would have eventually convinced himself that if he had at least tried to save her, she would have lived."
Anakin sighed. He looked down at Ben and was surprised to see he was staring up at him. He gave Ben his finger and the baby grasped it firmly, his tiny fingers locked around it.
"You're right," Anakin admitted softly. He looked over at Eo. "Should we inform Dynast K'lia of what just happened with Onara?"
Eo shook his head. "No. There's nothing he can do to help her and he has enough on his mind."
Anakin nodded. The news that Edress had died the day before yesterday had shocked the household. No word had been forthcoming from Kindah province as to how the Dynast had died. All that was known was it had been sudden. Then, following immediately upon the news of his death was the announcement that Jerule, a friend of Edress's, had been designated as his heir, news which had much surprised K'lia and his sisters. They told Anakin that Edress had designated his nephew to be his heir if he were to die without male issue, but apparently, a few days prior to his death, Edress suddenly and inexplicably changed his will and named Jerule as his heir.
Once Jerule was installed as Dynast, an event that one of Onara's aunts observed happened with almost obscene alacrity, he sent a message to K'lia demanding the return of Onara and her child to Kindah Province, stating that the peace accord between their two provinces was still to be honored, despite the change in leadership. Since the peace accord had included Onara being married to the Dynast of Kindah Province, and since Jerule was now said Dynast, Onara was his.
K'lia, whom Anakin had noted had acquired a backbone of iron since the banishment of Lady Tsara, had fired back a message of his own, stating that Onara had married Edress, not the office of the Dynast. Therefore, she was not Jerule's and K'lia would not send her or her child to Kindah Province. With Edress's death, Onara was now a widow. However, K'lia had gone on to say, if Jerule wished to renegotiate the terms of the peace accord, K'lia would be willing to do that, but Onara would no longer be a part of any settlements reached by the two parties.
There had been no response yet from Kindah Province to K'lia's message, and that had filled Anakin with a sense of foreboding. In addition, although there had been no word since her banishment as to the whereabouts of Lady Tsara, everything that had happened in Kindah Province had her imprint on it. In order not to distress Onara, in light of her condition, K'lia and Eo had decided that none of these recent happenings would be relayed to her.
Now, as Anakin took in and released a deep breath, he glanced down at Ben. The baby had gone back to gazing over at Onara. Anakin gently squeezed him, rocking him in his arms. Master Eo was staring thoughtfully out the window.
"Master Eo?"
"Yes, Padawan Skywalker?"
"Why are you doing this? Why are you risking censure from the Council to help my master?"
Eo looked over at Anakin. his face tentacles wriggling gently.
"A long time ago his master saved my life."
"Master Qui-Gon?"
Eo nodded. "He never let me repay him for it. He didn't even take a thank you. By helping Obi-Wan, I am repaying that debt."
"But, you could get in trouble."
"I have been a Jedi for a long time, Padawan Skywalker. Getting in trouble doesn't concern me much anymore. But, it is for you and Obi-Wan that I fear the most. Your futures within the Jedi Order are being jeopardized."
Anakin scoffed. "Humph, I don't much care if I get in trouble with the Council. But I worry about Master Obi-Wan. He believes so much in the Jedi Order."
Master Eo nodded slowly.
"That is true. Or perhaps," and he looked at Ben, then over at the sleeping Onara, "he has found something else to believe in."
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Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, refusing to take Jareo's hand.
"I don't like games," he said frowning, his voice tight.
Jareo stopped in front of Obi-Wan, his hand still outstretched, a wide smile on his black-bearded face.
"But I do, Master Kenobi. Come, come, don't be such a wet blanket. That's one of the problems with you Jedi. You take things far too seriously."
"My mission is of a most serious nature. I don't have time to play."
Jareo laughed. "Yes, yes, isn't everything you Jedi do of a most serious nature. Now, come, take my hand and let us be friends. I have decided I like you and I don't want to change my opinion."
Obi-Wan reached over and took the man's hand. It was large and strong and reminded Obi-Wan for a moment of Qui-Gon's hand. Jareo squeezed his hand hard, then released it.
"Now, let me introduce the cast of our little play," Jareo said. He pointed at the Codru-Ji female. "The lovely damsel in distress was Auna. In real life she's my pilot and a pretty good mechanic. But, who wouldn't be with all those hands."
She bowed to Obi-Wan, a shrewd smile on her lovely face. Jareo turned to the Gamorrean, slapping him on his wide shoulders.
"This big fellow is Ziab. Bodyguard and chef extraordinaire. Also, teller of tall tales, if you care to take the time to listen."
The Gamorrean bowed slightly to Obi-Wan who returned it. Jareo gestured toward the red-fleshed, leathery-faced Nikto.
"The one with the pretty face is Jole, communications and weapons expert, and the one still nursing his sore snout is Shon, my doer and obtainer of all things."
The Rodian inclined his green, scaly head to Obi-Wan, wincing as he did so. Jareo turned back to Obi-Wan, his face still wreathed with a smile.
"Now that you've met my happy little band, what say we retire someplace more relaxing where we can drink and talk."
"I don't mean to be rude, Master Jareo," Obi-Wan said firmly, unable to control his rising frustration, for every moment that passed was like the tolling of an ominous bell to him, "but I don't have time to relax or indulge in social amenities. I am operating under the most dire of time constraints. I have been three days waiting to hear from you. Three days I could ill afford to lose. This little deception of yours has cost me even more time. Dex said you could help me find the person I'm looking for. Can you?"
For the first time since greeting Obi-Wan, the smile disappeared from Jareo's face. He stared at Obi-Wan for a long moment.
"I am a businessman, Master Kenobi," Jareo said, his thick, black eyebrows drawn low over his green eyes, his voice hard and clipped and in total opposition to his good-natured joviality of a moment ago.
"Dex told me to help you and to charge you nothing for my services," he went on. "However, that is not in my nature. When I give something, I expect to receive something in return. So, in lieu of money, I staged that little deception in the tavern. Partly for my entertainment and partly for another reason. Teb, the one who nearly took your head off with the blaster rifle? He's my partner. He recognized you as soon as you walked into the tavern."
Obi-Wan frowned. "If that's true, why did you---"
"Because I wanted to see what kind of man you are, Master Kenobi. Dex told me you were on some desperate mission. But, he also told me a rumor was circulating around Coruscant that some Jedi Knight had gone renegade. Dex likes you a lot, Master Kenobi. He wanted me to see if you were still yourself."
Jareo gestured at the black outfit Obi-Wan was wearing. "Never seen one of you Jedi dressed that way."
"I didn't want to be recognized as a Jedi," Obi-Wan said. He released a deep breath. "But, it is true. I'm not operating under the auspices of my Order."
Jareo nodded. "Figured as much, but you're still a Jedi." He pointed over at Auna with his thumb. "You helped her, even at the risk of not making your contact. That says a lot. And not many men would have turned down a night with Auna."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. Jareo suddenly grinned and, turning, pointed to a vidscreen on his desk.
"Security cams. Both outside my little warehouse and in the tavern. So, either you're still one of those priggish Jedi, or you've got something better waiting for you at home to have refused the comfort of Auna's delectable, and I must tell you from experience, most unique embrace."
Jareo winked and the rest of the gang laughed in response. Obi-Wan swallowed, conscious of the pedant containing Onara's and Ben's images lying cool and heavy against his chest.
"You know, you're pretty good in a fight, Master Kenobi," Jareo went on. "If you ever decide to leave the Jedi, I could use a man like you."
Obi-Wan nodded, but said nothing. The impatience he was feeling was like a spring uncoiling bit by bit in his body. It was taking all his willpower not to grab Jareo by the arms and shake him, demanding to know if he had any information about Sinja-Bau. Then Jareo put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and squeezed it.
"Don't worry, Master Kenobi. I have the information you want. I know where Sinja-Bau is."
--------
As Dooku's ship sped away from Ahjane, he grimaced. He was sitting in the ornately decorated cabin of his solar sailer sipping a fine Corellian brandy. The brandy had reminded him of his first meeting with Jerule and Tsara. Amateurs, the both of them, he thought sneeringly. Nothing but a pair of pathetic amateurs. He hoped Master Sidious knew what he was doing in having asked him to leave Ahjane immediately and return to Coruscant.
As his dark master had instructed, Dooku had assisted Tsara in her plan to eventually rule Ahjane through her great-grandson. Edress, like Jerule, had been easily impressed by Dooku's wealth and status and, therefore, arranging a private dinner with the Dynast had proven simple enough to achieve. Once alone with Edress, whose mind had been as weak and pliable as a Dulervian slug, Dooku had used voice manipulation to convince the man to change his will and name Jerule as his heir.
Once that was completed, Dooku had given Tsara a poison that was both deadly and undetectable. A few credits slipped into the hands of one of the servants in the kitchen, said poison sprinkled over Edress' food and, in the blink of an eye, one dead Dynast. And, also, one hapless kitchen servant who just happened to have an untimely accident when she somehow managed to slip down some stairs and break her neck.
However, before Dooku could continue with his assistance regarding Tsara's plan to get her hands on her great-grandson, Sidious had contacted him and requested he return immediately to Coruscant. Dooku had wondered aloud if perhaps it would be best if he remained and monitored the situation, but Sidious had told him their other work was of more importance. If the underlings on Ahjane failed, he had told Dooku, once their great work was accomplished, systems like Ahjane would have no choice but to become part of the new order or perish. And Jedi like Obi-Wan and his spawn would be of no consequence.
Dooku raised his glass to his lips, the brandy sliding down his throat like a song. He hoped that wrinkled old crone heeded his warnings about Skywalker. He did not relish having to return to this backwater world in order to show her what true power was capable of if she dared disobey him.
-----------------
Having finally convinced Obi-Wan to at least take a seat, Jareo settled his bulk on the corner of his desk, his hands folded in front of his huge stomach.
"Yeah, I know of your insane, ex-Jedi. She arrived on Lianna about three years ago. Spent most of her time in the city square, near the market area. Couldn't miss her. Striking woman, despite that wild-eyed look and those rags she was always wearing. Don't know how she lived, what she ate or even where she slept. She seemed to spend all of her time ranting and raving about how all of us were just tiny cells in the body of some galactic-sized creature she called the Boonooba."
Shon, who was standing against the wall, snickered. Then, when he saw the look Jareo was giving him, the Rodian tried to cover his snout, crying out as he did so, for apparently it was still sore from Obi-Wan having kicked it. Jareo turned back to Obi-Wan.
"Anyway, two years ago, her rants changed. She started raving about the end of the world. Or at least the end of the Republic. The fall of the Temple, the purge of the Jedi, the Mother of the Light, the Father of the Dark." Jareo shrugged. "Crazy stuff, but fascinating in a morbid kind of way."
Obi-Wan shifted in his seat. "Jareo, this is all very interesting, but I--- ."
"Just hear me out. You're going to need to know this if you hope to get her."
Obi-Wan nodded, but he was still terribly mindful of the passage of time.
"Now, if her stuff about this Boonooba had been popular with the fringe crowd, this new stuff about the fall of the Republic was drawing them like flies to offal. And it drew the attention of someone that, well, you don't want to draw his kind of attention."
"Who?" Obi-Wan asked, then noted that everyone in the room was exchanging anxious glances.
"An Arkanian by the name of Douro."
Obi-Wan had heard of the Arkanians. They were a near human species from the planet Arkana. The only thing that differentiated them from humans was their solid-white eyes, four-fingered clawed hands and their remarkable stamina. Another interesting thing about them was that their homeworld had once been a repository for ancient Sith knowledge.
"Douro," Obi-Wan repeated.
"And a nasty piece of work if ever there was one, Master Kenobi," Auna said, her long, pointed ears twitching.
Jareo gave Obi-Wan a piecing look. "She's right. He's insane too, but in a different sort of way. He can still function in society, which makes him doubly dangerous."
"What does he have to do with Sinja-Bau?" Obi-Wan asked.
"He heard her one day, raving in the square. Douro's very superstitious. He's obsessed with prophecies, fortunetelling, that sort of thing. He thought Sinja-Bau was some kind of prophet. So he took her in and now she's his personal soothsayer."
"Soothsayer?"
Jareo shrugged. "That's what he calls her. She reads runes, cards, stones, the entrails of animals, anything he throws at her, she mumbles over it and he thinks it means something. Like I told you, he's nuts too. Anyway, she's been with him this past year."
"Where are they now?"
Jareo looked over at Auna. She gave him a guarded look, then shrugged her slender shoulders as if to say you'd better tell him. Jareo looked back at Obi-Wan.
"They're on Toola."
Obi-Wan felt as if he had been kicked in the chest. He was so certain Sinja- Bau was here on Lianna, within reach, and now to learn she wasn't even on planet. Jareo must have seen the despair in his face for he moved off the desk and stood in front of Obi-Wan.
"Hey, look, I'm sorry. I said I knew where she was. I didn't say she was here."
Obi-Wan lowered his head. He had to focus, clear his mind. Wallowing in his anguish wasn't going to help Onara. He raised his head.
"How far away is Toola from here?"
Auna came over and stood next to Jareo.
"It's not far," she said. "It's an ice planet. Douro does ice harvesting there."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Ice harvesting?"
"Yeah, ya know, ya harvest the ice, take it to some hot, arid planet and sell the water. Douro goes to Toola about twice every solar cycle to do that."
"And you're certain Sinja-Bau is with him?"
Jareo nodded and raised his hand as if taking an oath.
"I'll stake my life on it. He never goes anywhere without her."
Obi-Wan stood and bowed to Jareo.
"Thank you, Master Jareo, for your help."
Just as he was turning to leave, Jareo grabbed his arm.
"What kind of ship you flying?"
Obi-Wan told him. Jareo pursed his lips.
"I'll have Auna fly you to Toola. Her ship is faster and she'll know where Douro is doing his harvesting. And, well, it's the least I can do for having played that little trick on you."
"Thank you, Master Jareo."
Obi-Wan looked over at Auna.
"Meet me at the starport at docking bay 429 in an hour," she told him.
Obi-Wan nodded. Jareo squeezed his arm.
"Good luck, Master Kenobi. Be wary of Douro," he warned. "Your ex-Jedi might be crazy, but the Arkanian is deranged."
"I will. And thanks again."
Obi-Wan turned and made his way out of the warehouse, heading for his lodgings so he could collect his things and meet Auna at the starport.
To be continued....