First Knight - Part Thirty Four
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As Obi-Wan pulled in front of the manor and powered down the speeder's engine he was now so overwhelmed by the sensations of death and pain that he sensed through the Force, it almost made him ill. The closer he had gotten to K'lia's manor, the stronger the feeling had become until it was no longer just a scream, but a long-drawn out howl of horror.
He looked up. All the lights within and outside the manor were out. The moon was hidden by thick clouds and there was no sound but the ticking of the speeder as it cooled down. As Obi-Wan climbed out of the vehicle, he glanced down the smaller road that led away from the estate.
Something, or someone, had gone down that road that was faintly recognizable to him, but he couldn't focus on who or what it was because of all the dark eddies of pain and death that were muddying up the Force. His heart kicked wildly in his chest as his mind imagined all manner of terrible scenarios.
He looked over. Sinja-Bau was sitting, as she had ever since they had landed, mutely in her seat. Her blue-green eyes were wide as she stared up at the manor and, although, Obi-Wan knew she could no longer sense or use the Force, one did not have to be a Force user to know something was wrong. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
"Onara," Obi-Wan cried.
He turned to Sinja-Bau.
"Stay here," he shouted as he unclipped his lightsaber and ignited it.
She didn't appear to hear him. Her gaze was focused on the manor. Obi-Wan ran up the stairs and threw open the large front door. As he ran across the vestibule he stopped for a moment. A young man was lying dead on the floor. Obi-Wan didn't recognize him as being part of K'lia's household staff. However, before he could dwell further on who the young man was, Onara screamed again. Obi-Wan Force-ran up the stairs.
He saw K'lia's body lying on the floor of the hallway near Onara's bedchamber and the grief he felt at the sight nearly blinded him, but he made himself keep going. The door to Onara's sitting room was open, as was the door to her bedroom. Obi-Wan ran in.
Onara was on the floor, screaming, as she watched a black-clad man with a red sash about his belt stabbing a man Obi-Wan recognized as Jerule. The man released Jerule, who slumped lifelessly to the floor, then turned towards Onara, his knife dripping with Jerule's blood. He grabbed Onara by the hair, pulled her head up and placed the edge of the knife along her throat. Then Onara looked over and saw Obi-Wan. Her eyes widened. The man also looked up, his dark eyes narrowing.
"Let her go," Obi-Wan said calmly as he brandished his lightsaber at the man, but his heart was beating so hard he feared it would burst out of his chest.
"Who are you?" the man growled. "I thought we killed all you Jedi."
Obi-Wan felt his mind nearly shut down at the man's words, knowing he was referring to Anakin and Eo, but he forced himself to remain focused. He swallowed and, keeping his eyes locked on the man's, slowly drew upon the Force.
"Let her go," he said, his voice pitched persuasively. "I promise. You won't be harmed."
The man's face clouded for a moment, as if he was trying to sort out some puzzle in his mind. Then his dark eyes sharpened and narrowed and he pressed the knife harder against Onara's throat.
"Orders are orders and the pretty one here must die. Then, after I'm done with her, you're next."
"I don't think so," Obi-Wan said softly.
He shifted his gaze to Onara. The man still had the knife at her throat, but there was no fear in her eyes. All Obi-Wan saw in them as she gazed silently back at him was her love and her trust in him. Obi-Wan gave her a small smile. He focused his attention back on the man. His mind was much stronger than that of the average Ahjane, but Obi-Wan was determined.
"Release her. Now," he said, adding just enough of an edge to his voice to compel the man.
The man's expression clouded again. He slowly lowered the knife from Onara's throat and released her. Then Onara gasped.
"Obi-Wan, look out!" she cried.
Obi-Wan, who had been concentrating fiercely on the man holding Onara, had not detected the two men coming up behind him, but at Onara's cry, he swung his lightsaber first to the right. It slid through the neck of the man next to him. The knife that assassin had been aiming towards his back fell to the floor.
As Obi-Wan's body followed along the line of the trajectory of his swing, the other man, who had been coming up on his left, was also quickly bereft of his head. Obi-Wan turned back to Onara and the man. He stared wide-eyed at his two dead companions.
Then, his face bloated with blood lust, he threw his knife at Obi-Wan, aiming for his heart. Obi-Wan deflected the knife away with the blade of his lightsaber. The man made as if to grab Onara, hoping to use her as a hostage, but Obi-Wan raised his left hand and pushed hard at the man with the Force.
He flew back, slamming against the wall. Then, before Obi-Wan could stop him, the man turned and leapt through the window next to him, breaking the glass. Obi-Wan ran to the window and looked out. The man's broken body lay on the ground, his neck twisted at an angle that indicated it was broken. Obi-Wan powered down his lightsaber and ran over to Onara. She was lying on the floor, her face covered by her hair.
"Onara," Obi-Wan cried as he knelt down and lifted her so that she was leaning against him.
"Obi-Wan," she said softly as she looked up at him. "You came back. You came back."
"I told you I would, love," he said as he held her close, gently kissing her face and hair. Then he pulled away from her.
"Onara, what's happened? Who are these people and what are they doing here?"
"They're Red Tide. Hired killers."
"Hired killers? But, what was Jerule doing here?"
"I don't know. He came into my room. I tried to fight him, but I was so weak. He was pulling me out of the bed when one of the Red Tide came in." Onara's eyes widened with horror. "He just started stabbing Jerule. I don't know why. Jerule was crying, begging, asking him why, why, but the man said nothing. He just kept stabbing him."
Onara lowered her head into her hands. Obi-Wan tightened his arms about her.
"Onara, where's Anakin?"
Onara raised her head, the tears sparkling on her cheeks. "He went after Ben."
"Ben?"
"We heard Ben crying. I told Anakin to go after him. It's Grandmother, Obi- Wan. I know this is all her doing. She has Ben."
"What about Master Eo?"
Onara shook her head wordlessly. Obi-Wan lifted her up in his arms. He carried her out of her bedroom, making sure she didn't see K'lia's body where it lay in the hallway. He wasn't ready for her to deal with that just yet. He went down the hall to Ben's nursery and, as he entered it, stopped. Both he and Onara gasped.
All the furniture in the nursery was upended or turned over, including Ben's crib. Obi-Wan could see a fierce battle had been fought here. There were four black-clad bodies lying about the room. Then he saw something that made his heart clench so hard it almost stopped.
Sinja-Bau was sitting on the floor, Master Eo's head in her lap. She was stroking the tendrils on his face, her head bent over him. Obi-Wan slowly walked into the room and kneeling down, set Onara on the floor next to him, but he kept his arm about her for he could feel she was very weak.
"Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said softly as he reached over and touched her shoulder.
She lifted her head slowly towards him, her blue-green eyes swimming with tears, but they were lucid and clear.
"He was never much of a warrior, you know," she said, her voice low and soft. "He much preferred to heal then to hurt."
Obi-Wan looked around at the four dead bodies of the Red Tide assassins sprawled about the nursery. A lump formed in his throat when he saw how fiercely the Jedi Healer had fought to protect his son. He turned back to Sinja-Bau. She continued to caress Eo's tendrils, fingering them gently.
"I grieve with you, Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said gently. ""But, I must go and look for Anakin and Ben. Will you watch over Onara for me? I don't know if there are more of these Red Tide still about the manor."
Sinja-Bau gently laid Eo's head upon the floor. She picked up his lightsaber where it lay next to him. Then she stood, tall and proud, and held it firmly in her hand as she looked down at him and Onara.
"I will watch over her, my brother. The Force is with me."
Obi-Wan stared up at her, startled by her words. He wondered for a moment if her madness had returned. However, she appeared sane, at least for the moment, and he could only trust she would remain so for the time being. He picked Onara up and, gesturing with his head, directed Sinja-Bau to follow him. He led her to one of the smaller drawing rooms near Ben's nursery. There were no windows in the room and only one entrance. He gently laid Onara on a small settee.
"I'm going to go look for Ben and Anakin," he said softly as he caressed her cheek. "Sinja-Bau will watch over you."
Onara nodded, her eyes full as she looked up at him. He leaned over and kissed her softly. Then he rose and looked over at Sinja-Bau.
"Do not worry, my brother," she said, her eyes fierce, her hands clasped firmly about Eo's lightsaber. "She will be safe with me. I will protect her."
Obi-Wan smiled at her. "I know you will."
He turned, left the drawing room. and ran down hallway to the main stairs. Once he reached the bottom, he suddenly stopped for he sensed something coming from the hall which led to the kitchen. Igniting his lightsaber he went down it. Then he heard it. It was voices crying out for help. They were coming from one of the large pantries just outside the kitchen. The door to the pantry was locked. Obi-Wan used his lightsaber to knock away the lock.
"Master Kenobi," a voice cried as the door opened.
"Simtro," Obi-Wan replied.
K'lia's manservant along with the rest of the house hold staff were all inside the pantry. As they filed out of it, Simtro grabbed Obi-Wan's arm.
"Dynast K'lia? Have you seen him?"
Obi-Wan sighed and released a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Simtro. He's dead."
"No, no, oh, no," Simtro cried, wringing his hands. The other servants all began to cry too, some beating their chests with their hands.
"The Red Tide. They were everywhere," Simtro said, the tears flowing down his face as he looked over at Obi-Wan, grief twisting his features. "Someone sabotaged the security droids and then the lights went out. The next thing we knew they were herding us all in here. Some of us tried to fight them."
Obi-Wan looked over and saw that some of the servants had makeshift bandages around their arms or heads.
"But none of you were killed?" Obi-Wan asked.
Simtro nodded. "Although Cheran is missing. He was Lady Tsara's valet. The Red Tide didn't seem interested in us, Master Kenobi. Just wanted us out of the way so that they could....could..." Simtro's eyes widened. "Onara, is she...?"
"She's alive, Simtro. She's upstairs with Sinja-Bau."
"Sinja-Bau? You found her?"
"Yes, but I must go, Simtro. Anakin and Ben are missing."
"Ben?" Simtro gasped.
"Yes. I don't know how many of these Red Tide invaded the manor. Some are dead, but there could still be more about. Find what weapons you can and guard Onara. She's in the drawing room next to the nursery."
"Yes, Master Kenobi, right away."
Simtro told the other servants what to do, then followed Obi-Wan to the main entrance. Once they reached it, the lights suddenly flared in the manor. Simtro looked over at Obi-Wan.
"Someone must have reactivated the energy cells," he said.
In the bright lights of the vestibule, they could clearly see the body and face of the young Red Tide member.
"Do you know him?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No," Simtro replied. "But definitely Red Tide. He's wearing the sash."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "He was just a boy."
"A boy can be a killer, too, Master Kenobi."
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed sadly. He put his hand on Simtro's shoulder.
"Watch over Onara. I'll return as soon as I can."
"Don't you worry, Master Kenobi," Simtro said firmly. "Those Red Tide devils caught us unawares before but we're ready for them now. They'll have to kill all of us before we let them harm one hair on Onara's head. Go and find Master Ben and Master Skywalker. We'll watch over Onara."
"Thank you, Simtro."
Obi-Wan turned and ran through the door. Once outside he stopped and closed his eyes. Drawing upon the Force he cast his senses out and around him, especially down the smaller road to his left. He quickly opened his eyes. Anakin had gone down that road. Obi-Wan jumped into the speeder-car and, turning it in the direction Anakin had gone, roared down the road after him.
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"We're being followed."
Lady Tsara, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the speeder-car, looked over at Cheran, her former valet and the man who had been her eyes and ears inside the manor since her banishment. He was looking at the sensor display on the speeder's dashboard.
"Followed?" she cried. "By whom? I specifically chose this road because it's rarely used since the main one was built."
"I don't know, but they're coming up fast" Cheran said, his voice clearly betraying his fear, his long, doleful face greasy with sweat, his yellowish eyes wide. "It could be one of those Jedi."
Tsara scowled at him. Spying and sabotaging were easy enough for Cheran to accomplish, but when it came down to actual physical confrontation the man was nothing but jelly. She reached down and picked up the high-powered blaster she had purchased in the capital before the raid. Cheran's eyes widened even more. Tsara looked through the window and pointed.
"See that grove of trees up ahead on the right? Pull over and hide the speeder within it."
She chewed on her lower lip. "It can't be the Jedi," she went on. "I saw that freak Jedi die with my own eyes."
Then Tsara's mouth twisted with anger. She hadn't had time to watch Rhad take care of Skywalker as he'd boasted he would. She had wanted to escape with Ben before Kenobi showed up. But if Rhad had failed, then more than likely it was the Jedi brat coming up behind them. Tsara fingered the blaster, her mouth stretching in a wide, malicious smile. Well, she'd have a nice little surprise waiting for him.
She turned and looked at the back seat of the speeder. Her great-grandson was in a baby carrier on the seat. He had finally stopped that ear- splitting squalling. Now he was staring silently at her and, for a moment, Tsara felt a frisson of fear. The baby's eyes were so much like that damn Kenobi's eyes it was downright scary and the look on his tiny face was far too knowing for that of a month-old infant.
When the baby suddenly smiled, Tsara's heart kicked in her chest. From the moment she had taken him out of his crib he had either screamed or frowned at her, as if she were something repulsive and abhorrent to him. Now he was smiling and turning his head as if whoever was coming up the road behind them was someone he was eager to see.
"No use your smiling and looking around like that," Tsara snapped at him. "Whoever that is coming up the road, you won't be going anywhere with him. You belong to me now."
The baby ignored her, turning his head quickly as if trying to look behind him, his blue-gray eyes seeming to light up in the darkness of the speeder's interior. Tsara scowled at him, then noted out of the corner of her eye that Cheran was staring at her, his face clearly showing he was wondering if she had lost her mind.
"Hurry up and pull over," she snarled.
Cheran did so, easing the vehicle in between the trees. He powered it down and looked over at Tsara.
"Bring the baby with you," she told him as she opened her door and got out of the speeder.
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As Anakin tore down the dark road on the speeder-bike, he sensed he was getting closer to Ben. His Force signature was definitely growing stronger. Then, seeing something up ahead in the road, Anakin pressed down hard on the speeder-bike's brake. He saw an ovoid-shaped object in the middle of the road.
He eased the speeder-bike closer to it and saw it was a baby-carrier. It was facing away from him so Anakin couldn't see if anyone was inside. Anakin knew it was a trap. The carrier was more than likely empty and Ben was someplace else. Then Anakin heard a sound coming from the carrier. It was Ben!
Again, although Anakin yearned to race over and grab the carrier, he knew Tsara had to be somewhere, waiting for him to do just that. Then, as he was figuring out where she could be hiding so he could sneak up behind her, he heard blaster fire.
The blood rushed through his head. The crazy old witch was firing at the baby carrier! She wasn't hitting it, but the blasts were landing close enough and, at the sound, Ben started crying.
Anakin raced the speeder up to the carrier. He leaned over to grab it but, just as he tried to do so, a blaster bolt ripped through his leg. He fell to the ground, the speeder-bike careening from him. Then he watched as another blaster bolt tore the speeder-bike apart.
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"Got him!" Tsara shouted from where she was hidden with Cheran among the trees on the side of the road.
She lowered the blaster and grinned over at Cheran. Then she saw the uneasiness in his eyes. Clearly he thought she was insane for firing at the baby. Well, she had to do something to draw Skywalker closer. It wasn't like she was going to kill her own great-grandson, for goodness sake. She had plans for him.
"What?" she cried.
"Can we leave now?" Cheran said. "I don't like this. Something doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean something doesn't feel right? I got him."
Then she looked back to where Anakin was lying on the ground. "And now I'm going to finish him. But I want to see his face when I do."
She moved through the trees, Cheran trailing behind her.
"Please, Lady Tsara," he said as he grabbed her arm. "Let's just go. He can't follow us now. Let's just take the baby and go."
"No," Tsara snarled as she jerked her arm away from Cheran's hand. "I don't care what the Count said. I'll just say it was an accident, that one of the Red Tide got a bit overzealous. He can't blame me for that."
She looked over at Anakin as he lay moaning on the ground, her heart swelling with rage.
"That Jedi brat is going to pay for what he did to me," she hissed. "None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for him. It's all his fault. He forced me to do this. Forced me to have K'lia and Onara killed. Now he will join them."
"I don't want anything more to do with this!" Cheran cried, backing away. "You didn't say anything about killing Dynast K'lia or Lady Onara when you asked me to help you. You said you just wanted the baby. No, I've had enough of killing, I tell you. I've had enough!"
Cheran turned and ran towards the speeder. Tsara fired at him. The blaster bolt went past him and hit the speeder.
"Damn!" she shouted.
She fired again and managed to hit him square in the back this time. Cheran screamed and tumbled into the underbrush.
"Weakling," she muttered.
She went over and looked at the speeder. It had a huge hole in the engine. She cursed. Well, she'd worry about that once she was done with Skywalker. She turned back and, making her way through the trees, went over to the Jedi as he lay on the ground clutching at his leg. Those hated blue eyes of his stared calmly up at her.
"So, brat," she sneered. "It's finally come down to just you and me. You should have stayed at the manor. All Rhad was supposed to do was cripple you. Now I'm going to kill you."
She aimed the blaster at him.
"Know something, Lady Tsara?" he said softly as he looked up at her with his insufferable, boyish face.
"What?" she snapped.
"You lose."
Skywalker's hand, where it had been lying on his leg near his boot, suddenly arched up. Tsara felt a sharp pain in her neck. She dropped the blaster, her hands flying up to the dagger that was embedded in her throat.
She groaned as she felt the blood spurting around the wound, her fingers weakly trying to grasp onto the handle, but there was a darkness and a roaring in her eyes and in her ears. She fell to the ground.
"Bas...tard," she managed to spew out around the blood churning from her throat before death wrapped his arms tightly around her, whispered her name, and she knew nor spoke no more.
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Obi-Wan slowed the speeder down as he approached the body lying in the road. He stopped and jumped out. It was Lady Tsara, a dagger lodged in her throat. Her dark eyes were open and staring, seemingly surprised at something she saw in the sky, but Obi-Wan knew she saw nothing.
He looked around. The side of the road was filled with dark rows of tall trees and thick underbrush. Then he heard what sounded like singing. He followed the sound, nearly stumbling over another body. That body had a huge blaster burn in the back. Obi-Wan went past it until he came upon a speeder-car among the trees. The singing was louder now and was coming from inside the car.
The womp rat and the desert mouse Agreed to have a race To see who was the fastest In that hot god-awful place.
The Jawas and the Tuskens They all laid down their bets To see which of the rodents Would prove to be the best."
Obi-Wan looked inside the speeder. Anakin was in the front seat singing to Ben who was inside a baby carrier. Ben was smiling up at Anakin and waving his tiny hands, seemingly in time to the song.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan called.
Anakin stopped singing, drew a huge blaster and pointed it at Obi-Wan.
"Oh, it's you, Master," Anakin cried in a relieved voice.
Ben turned his head and looked up at Obi-Wan. His smile grew wider and he gurgled happily. Obi-Wan thought his heart would burst with happiness at the sight of the two.
"Are you all right, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, Master. Got a bit of a blaster burn in my leg, but I'm all right."
"What happened?"
Anakin quickly told Obi-Wan what happened and how, after Tsara was dead, and not knowing when help would arrive, he had managed to get himself and Ben into Tsara's speeder where it was hidden among the trees.
"I was hoping I could fix it, but it was too badly damaged, but I thought it would at least be a warmer place to wait."
"You thought right," Obi-Wan said with a smile. Then he frowned. "What about the other body?"
Anakin shrugged. "I don't know who he is, Master. Before Tsara came up on the road I heard her arguing with some one. Then I heard blaster fire."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I think he may be the man Simtro said was missing from the manor. He used to be Tsara's valet. More than likely he's the one who sabotaged the security droids."
Anakin nodded. "Did you find Sinja-Bau, Master?" he asked as Obi-Wan, Ben's baby carrier slung over one arm, helped him out of the speeder. "And Master Eo? Is he all right?"
"Yes, I did find Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said. Then he stopped and sighed. "But I'm afraid Master Eo is dead, Anakin. He died trying to stop Tsara from taking Ben."
"No, no," Anakin said softly as he lowered his head. Then he raised it, his eyes wide. "Onara? Is she all right? I'm sorry I left her, Master, but Ben was----"
"She's all right, Anakin," Obi-Wan quickly assured him. "Don't worry. You did the right thing."
Obi-Wan then looked fondly down at Ben in his carrier. He was now sound asleep.
"You did the right thing," he repeated softly.
Anakin looked over as Obi-Wan helped him back onto the road and over to the speeder.
"I'm glad you're back, Master," he said, his blue eyes warm.
"And I'm glad you're safe, Padawan. And thank you for saving my son."
Anakin gave Obi-Wan a wide smile as his master secured Ben in the back seat and helped him into the passenger seat.
"Just all in a day's work," he said cheerily.
"Humph," Obi-Wan grunted as he climbed into the driver's seat but he was smiling.
"What about Lady Tsara's body?" Anakin asked as Obi-Wan activated the speeder.
Obi-Wan's smile slid away. He didn't answer for a moment. The response he wanted to give Anakin was not, he knew, the proper one for a apprentice to hear from a Jedi but, as far as Obi-Wan was concerned, Tsara's body could lay there until it rotted. Then he sighed heavily. He knew what he was feeling was wrong, but he would never in his heart forgive Tsara for what she had done.
K'lia and Eo, both kind and noble souls, were now dead; Onara and Anakin had nearly been killed, and Ben had almost been lost to him, and all of it was Tsara's doing. No, he would never forgive her. However, he would keep his true feelings regarding her hidden deep in his heart.
"I'll have Simtro send someone for her body," he said in a clipped voice. "And for that of her valet."
Anakin looked at him for a moment. "I understand, Master."
Obi-Wan glanced at him, wondering if there was more to Anakin's words than what was on the surface. He reached over and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and squeezed it.
"Thank you, Padawan."
Anakin nodded. Obi-Wan turned the speeder around and headed back towards the manor where Onara was waiting for her son and her love to come back to her.
To be continued...
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As Obi-Wan pulled in front of the manor and powered down the speeder's engine he was now so overwhelmed by the sensations of death and pain that he sensed through the Force, it almost made him ill. The closer he had gotten to K'lia's manor, the stronger the feeling had become until it was no longer just a scream, but a long-drawn out howl of horror.
He looked up. All the lights within and outside the manor were out. The moon was hidden by thick clouds and there was no sound but the ticking of the speeder as it cooled down. As Obi-Wan climbed out of the vehicle, he glanced down the smaller road that led away from the estate.
Something, or someone, had gone down that road that was faintly recognizable to him, but he couldn't focus on who or what it was because of all the dark eddies of pain and death that were muddying up the Force. His heart kicked wildly in his chest as his mind imagined all manner of terrible scenarios.
He looked over. Sinja-Bau was sitting, as she had ever since they had landed, mutely in her seat. Her blue-green eyes were wide as she stared up at the manor and, although, Obi-Wan knew she could no longer sense or use the Force, one did not have to be a Force user to know something was wrong. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
"Onara," Obi-Wan cried.
He turned to Sinja-Bau.
"Stay here," he shouted as he unclipped his lightsaber and ignited it.
She didn't appear to hear him. Her gaze was focused on the manor. Obi-Wan ran up the stairs and threw open the large front door. As he ran across the vestibule he stopped for a moment. A young man was lying dead on the floor. Obi-Wan didn't recognize him as being part of K'lia's household staff. However, before he could dwell further on who the young man was, Onara screamed again. Obi-Wan Force-ran up the stairs.
He saw K'lia's body lying on the floor of the hallway near Onara's bedchamber and the grief he felt at the sight nearly blinded him, but he made himself keep going. The door to Onara's sitting room was open, as was the door to her bedroom. Obi-Wan ran in.
Onara was on the floor, screaming, as she watched a black-clad man with a red sash about his belt stabbing a man Obi-Wan recognized as Jerule. The man released Jerule, who slumped lifelessly to the floor, then turned towards Onara, his knife dripping with Jerule's blood. He grabbed Onara by the hair, pulled her head up and placed the edge of the knife along her throat. Then Onara looked over and saw Obi-Wan. Her eyes widened. The man also looked up, his dark eyes narrowing.
"Let her go," Obi-Wan said calmly as he brandished his lightsaber at the man, but his heart was beating so hard he feared it would burst out of his chest.
"Who are you?" the man growled. "I thought we killed all you Jedi."
Obi-Wan felt his mind nearly shut down at the man's words, knowing he was referring to Anakin and Eo, but he forced himself to remain focused. He swallowed and, keeping his eyes locked on the man's, slowly drew upon the Force.
"Let her go," he said, his voice pitched persuasively. "I promise. You won't be harmed."
The man's face clouded for a moment, as if he was trying to sort out some puzzle in his mind. Then his dark eyes sharpened and narrowed and he pressed the knife harder against Onara's throat.
"Orders are orders and the pretty one here must die. Then, after I'm done with her, you're next."
"I don't think so," Obi-Wan said softly.
He shifted his gaze to Onara. The man still had the knife at her throat, but there was no fear in her eyes. All Obi-Wan saw in them as she gazed silently back at him was her love and her trust in him. Obi-Wan gave her a small smile. He focused his attention back on the man. His mind was much stronger than that of the average Ahjane, but Obi-Wan was determined.
"Release her. Now," he said, adding just enough of an edge to his voice to compel the man.
The man's expression clouded again. He slowly lowered the knife from Onara's throat and released her. Then Onara gasped.
"Obi-Wan, look out!" she cried.
Obi-Wan, who had been concentrating fiercely on the man holding Onara, had not detected the two men coming up behind him, but at Onara's cry, he swung his lightsaber first to the right. It slid through the neck of the man next to him. The knife that assassin had been aiming towards his back fell to the floor.
As Obi-Wan's body followed along the line of the trajectory of his swing, the other man, who had been coming up on his left, was also quickly bereft of his head. Obi-Wan turned back to Onara and the man. He stared wide-eyed at his two dead companions.
Then, his face bloated with blood lust, he threw his knife at Obi-Wan, aiming for his heart. Obi-Wan deflected the knife away with the blade of his lightsaber. The man made as if to grab Onara, hoping to use her as a hostage, but Obi-Wan raised his left hand and pushed hard at the man with the Force.
He flew back, slamming against the wall. Then, before Obi-Wan could stop him, the man turned and leapt through the window next to him, breaking the glass. Obi-Wan ran to the window and looked out. The man's broken body lay on the ground, his neck twisted at an angle that indicated it was broken. Obi-Wan powered down his lightsaber and ran over to Onara. She was lying on the floor, her face covered by her hair.
"Onara," Obi-Wan cried as he knelt down and lifted her so that she was leaning against him.
"Obi-Wan," she said softly as she looked up at him. "You came back. You came back."
"I told you I would, love," he said as he held her close, gently kissing her face and hair. Then he pulled away from her.
"Onara, what's happened? Who are these people and what are they doing here?"
"They're Red Tide. Hired killers."
"Hired killers? But, what was Jerule doing here?"
"I don't know. He came into my room. I tried to fight him, but I was so weak. He was pulling me out of the bed when one of the Red Tide came in." Onara's eyes widened with horror. "He just started stabbing Jerule. I don't know why. Jerule was crying, begging, asking him why, why, but the man said nothing. He just kept stabbing him."
Onara lowered her head into her hands. Obi-Wan tightened his arms about her.
"Onara, where's Anakin?"
Onara raised her head, the tears sparkling on her cheeks. "He went after Ben."
"Ben?"
"We heard Ben crying. I told Anakin to go after him. It's Grandmother, Obi- Wan. I know this is all her doing. She has Ben."
"What about Master Eo?"
Onara shook her head wordlessly. Obi-Wan lifted her up in his arms. He carried her out of her bedroom, making sure she didn't see K'lia's body where it lay in the hallway. He wasn't ready for her to deal with that just yet. He went down the hall to Ben's nursery and, as he entered it, stopped. Both he and Onara gasped.
All the furniture in the nursery was upended or turned over, including Ben's crib. Obi-Wan could see a fierce battle had been fought here. There were four black-clad bodies lying about the room. Then he saw something that made his heart clench so hard it almost stopped.
Sinja-Bau was sitting on the floor, Master Eo's head in her lap. She was stroking the tendrils on his face, her head bent over him. Obi-Wan slowly walked into the room and kneeling down, set Onara on the floor next to him, but he kept his arm about her for he could feel she was very weak.
"Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said softly as he reached over and touched her shoulder.
She lifted her head slowly towards him, her blue-green eyes swimming with tears, but they were lucid and clear.
"He was never much of a warrior, you know," she said, her voice low and soft. "He much preferred to heal then to hurt."
Obi-Wan looked around at the four dead bodies of the Red Tide assassins sprawled about the nursery. A lump formed in his throat when he saw how fiercely the Jedi Healer had fought to protect his son. He turned back to Sinja-Bau. She continued to caress Eo's tendrils, fingering them gently.
"I grieve with you, Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said gently. ""But, I must go and look for Anakin and Ben. Will you watch over Onara for me? I don't know if there are more of these Red Tide still about the manor."
Sinja-Bau gently laid Eo's head upon the floor. She picked up his lightsaber where it lay next to him. Then she stood, tall and proud, and held it firmly in her hand as she looked down at him and Onara.
"I will watch over her, my brother. The Force is with me."
Obi-Wan stared up at her, startled by her words. He wondered for a moment if her madness had returned. However, she appeared sane, at least for the moment, and he could only trust she would remain so for the time being. He picked Onara up and, gesturing with his head, directed Sinja-Bau to follow him. He led her to one of the smaller drawing rooms near Ben's nursery. There were no windows in the room and only one entrance. He gently laid Onara on a small settee.
"I'm going to go look for Ben and Anakin," he said softly as he caressed her cheek. "Sinja-Bau will watch over you."
Onara nodded, her eyes full as she looked up at him. He leaned over and kissed her softly. Then he rose and looked over at Sinja-Bau.
"Do not worry, my brother," she said, her eyes fierce, her hands clasped firmly about Eo's lightsaber. "She will be safe with me. I will protect her."
Obi-Wan smiled at her. "I know you will."
He turned, left the drawing room. and ran down hallway to the main stairs. Once he reached the bottom, he suddenly stopped for he sensed something coming from the hall which led to the kitchen. Igniting his lightsaber he went down it. Then he heard it. It was voices crying out for help. They were coming from one of the large pantries just outside the kitchen. The door to the pantry was locked. Obi-Wan used his lightsaber to knock away the lock.
"Master Kenobi," a voice cried as the door opened.
"Simtro," Obi-Wan replied.
K'lia's manservant along with the rest of the house hold staff were all inside the pantry. As they filed out of it, Simtro grabbed Obi-Wan's arm.
"Dynast K'lia? Have you seen him?"
Obi-Wan sighed and released a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Simtro. He's dead."
"No, no, oh, no," Simtro cried, wringing his hands. The other servants all began to cry too, some beating their chests with their hands.
"The Red Tide. They were everywhere," Simtro said, the tears flowing down his face as he looked over at Obi-Wan, grief twisting his features. "Someone sabotaged the security droids and then the lights went out. The next thing we knew they were herding us all in here. Some of us tried to fight them."
Obi-Wan looked over and saw that some of the servants had makeshift bandages around their arms or heads.
"But none of you were killed?" Obi-Wan asked.
Simtro nodded. "Although Cheran is missing. He was Lady Tsara's valet. The Red Tide didn't seem interested in us, Master Kenobi. Just wanted us out of the way so that they could....could..." Simtro's eyes widened. "Onara, is she...?"
"She's alive, Simtro. She's upstairs with Sinja-Bau."
"Sinja-Bau? You found her?"
"Yes, but I must go, Simtro. Anakin and Ben are missing."
"Ben?" Simtro gasped.
"Yes. I don't know how many of these Red Tide invaded the manor. Some are dead, but there could still be more about. Find what weapons you can and guard Onara. She's in the drawing room next to the nursery."
"Yes, Master Kenobi, right away."
Simtro told the other servants what to do, then followed Obi-Wan to the main entrance. Once they reached it, the lights suddenly flared in the manor. Simtro looked over at Obi-Wan.
"Someone must have reactivated the energy cells," he said.
In the bright lights of the vestibule, they could clearly see the body and face of the young Red Tide member.
"Do you know him?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No," Simtro replied. "But definitely Red Tide. He's wearing the sash."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "He was just a boy."
"A boy can be a killer, too, Master Kenobi."
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed sadly. He put his hand on Simtro's shoulder.
"Watch over Onara. I'll return as soon as I can."
"Don't you worry, Master Kenobi," Simtro said firmly. "Those Red Tide devils caught us unawares before but we're ready for them now. They'll have to kill all of us before we let them harm one hair on Onara's head. Go and find Master Ben and Master Skywalker. We'll watch over Onara."
"Thank you, Simtro."
Obi-Wan turned and ran through the door. Once outside he stopped and closed his eyes. Drawing upon the Force he cast his senses out and around him, especially down the smaller road to his left. He quickly opened his eyes. Anakin had gone down that road. Obi-Wan jumped into the speeder-car and, turning it in the direction Anakin had gone, roared down the road after him.
-------
"We're being followed."
Lady Tsara, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the speeder-car, looked over at Cheran, her former valet and the man who had been her eyes and ears inside the manor since her banishment. He was looking at the sensor display on the speeder's dashboard.
"Followed?" she cried. "By whom? I specifically chose this road because it's rarely used since the main one was built."
"I don't know, but they're coming up fast" Cheran said, his voice clearly betraying his fear, his long, doleful face greasy with sweat, his yellowish eyes wide. "It could be one of those Jedi."
Tsara scowled at him. Spying and sabotaging were easy enough for Cheran to accomplish, but when it came down to actual physical confrontation the man was nothing but jelly. She reached down and picked up the high-powered blaster she had purchased in the capital before the raid. Cheran's eyes widened even more. Tsara looked through the window and pointed.
"See that grove of trees up ahead on the right? Pull over and hide the speeder within it."
She chewed on her lower lip. "It can't be the Jedi," she went on. "I saw that freak Jedi die with my own eyes."
Then Tsara's mouth twisted with anger. She hadn't had time to watch Rhad take care of Skywalker as he'd boasted he would. She had wanted to escape with Ben before Kenobi showed up. But if Rhad had failed, then more than likely it was the Jedi brat coming up behind them. Tsara fingered the blaster, her mouth stretching in a wide, malicious smile. Well, she'd have a nice little surprise waiting for him.
She turned and looked at the back seat of the speeder. Her great-grandson was in a baby carrier on the seat. He had finally stopped that ear- splitting squalling. Now he was staring silently at her and, for a moment, Tsara felt a frisson of fear. The baby's eyes were so much like that damn Kenobi's eyes it was downright scary and the look on his tiny face was far too knowing for that of a month-old infant.
When the baby suddenly smiled, Tsara's heart kicked in her chest. From the moment she had taken him out of his crib he had either screamed or frowned at her, as if she were something repulsive and abhorrent to him. Now he was smiling and turning his head as if whoever was coming up the road behind them was someone he was eager to see.
"No use your smiling and looking around like that," Tsara snapped at him. "Whoever that is coming up the road, you won't be going anywhere with him. You belong to me now."
The baby ignored her, turning his head quickly as if trying to look behind him, his blue-gray eyes seeming to light up in the darkness of the speeder's interior. Tsara scowled at him, then noted out of the corner of her eye that Cheran was staring at her, his face clearly showing he was wondering if she had lost her mind.
"Hurry up and pull over," she snarled.
Cheran did so, easing the vehicle in between the trees. He powered it down and looked over at Tsara.
"Bring the baby with you," she told him as she opened her door and got out of the speeder.
----------------
As Anakin tore down the dark road on the speeder-bike, he sensed he was getting closer to Ben. His Force signature was definitely growing stronger. Then, seeing something up ahead in the road, Anakin pressed down hard on the speeder-bike's brake. He saw an ovoid-shaped object in the middle of the road.
He eased the speeder-bike closer to it and saw it was a baby-carrier. It was facing away from him so Anakin couldn't see if anyone was inside. Anakin knew it was a trap. The carrier was more than likely empty and Ben was someplace else. Then Anakin heard a sound coming from the carrier. It was Ben!
Again, although Anakin yearned to race over and grab the carrier, he knew Tsara had to be somewhere, waiting for him to do just that. Then, as he was figuring out where she could be hiding so he could sneak up behind her, he heard blaster fire.
The blood rushed through his head. The crazy old witch was firing at the baby carrier! She wasn't hitting it, but the blasts were landing close enough and, at the sound, Ben started crying.
Anakin raced the speeder up to the carrier. He leaned over to grab it but, just as he tried to do so, a blaster bolt ripped through his leg. He fell to the ground, the speeder-bike careening from him. Then he watched as another blaster bolt tore the speeder-bike apart.
--------------
"Got him!" Tsara shouted from where she was hidden with Cheran among the trees on the side of the road.
She lowered the blaster and grinned over at Cheran. Then she saw the uneasiness in his eyes. Clearly he thought she was insane for firing at the baby. Well, she had to do something to draw Skywalker closer. It wasn't like she was going to kill her own great-grandson, for goodness sake. She had plans for him.
"What?" she cried.
"Can we leave now?" Cheran said. "I don't like this. Something doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean something doesn't feel right? I got him."
Then she looked back to where Anakin was lying on the ground. "And now I'm going to finish him. But I want to see his face when I do."
She moved through the trees, Cheran trailing behind her.
"Please, Lady Tsara," he said as he grabbed her arm. "Let's just go. He can't follow us now. Let's just take the baby and go."
"No," Tsara snarled as she jerked her arm away from Cheran's hand. "I don't care what the Count said. I'll just say it was an accident, that one of the Red Tide got a bit overzealous. He can't blame me for that."
She looked over at Anakin as he lay moaning on the ground, her heart swelling with rage.
"That Jedi brat is going to pay for what he did to me," she hissed. "None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for him. It's all his fault. He forced me to do this. Forced me to have K'lia and Onara killed. Now he will join them."
"I don't want anything more to do with this!" Cheran cried, backing away. "You didn't say anything about killing Dynast K'lia or Lady Onara when you asked me to help you. You said you just wanted the baby. No, I've had enough of killing, I tell you. I've had enough!"
Cheran turned and ran towards the speeder. Tsara fired at him. The blaster bolt went past him and hit the speeder.
"Damn!" she shouted.
She fired again and managed to hit him square in the back this time. Cheran screamed and tumbled into the underbrush.
"Weakling," she muttered.
She went over and looked at the speeder. It had a huge hole in the engine. She cursed. Well, she'd worry about that once she was done with Skywalker. She turned back and, making her way through the trees, went over to the Jedi as he lay on the ground clutching at his leg. Those hated blue eyes of his stared calmly up at her.
"So, brat," she sneered. "It's finally come down to just you and me. You should have stayed at the manor. All Rhad was supposed to do was cripple you. Now I'm going to kill you."
She aimed the blaster at him.
"Know something, Lady Tsara?" he said softly as he looked up at her with his insufferable, boyish face.
"What?" she snapped.
"You lose."
Skywalker's hand, where it had been lying on his leg near his boot, suddenly arched up. Tsara felt a sharp pain in her neck. She dropped the blaster, her hands flying up to the dagger that was embedded in her throat.
She groaned as she felt the blood spurting around the wound, her fingers weakly trying to grasp onto the handle, but there was a darkness and a roaring in her eyes and in her ears. She fell to the ground.
"Bas...tard," she managed to spew out around the blood churning from her throat before death wrapped his arms tightly around her, whispered her name, and she knew nor spoke no more.
----------------
Obi-Wan slowed the speeder down as he approached the body lying in the road. He stopped and jumped out. It was Lady Tsara, a dagger lodged in her throat. Her dark eyes were open and staring, seemingly surprised at something she saw in the sky, but Obi-Wan knew she saw nothing.
He looked around. The side of the road was filled with dark rows of tall trees and thick underbrush. Then he heard what sounded like singing. He followed the sound, nearly stumbling over another body. That body had a huge blaster burn in the back. Obi-Wan went past it until he came upon a speeder-car among the trees. The singing was louder now and was coming from inside the car.
The womp rat and the desert mouse Agreed to have a race To see who was the fastest In that hot god-awful place.
The Jawas and the Tuskens They all laid down their bets To see which of the rodents Would prove to be the best."
Obi-Wan looked inside the speeder. Anakin was in the front seat singing to Ben who was inside a baby carrier. Ben was smiling up at Anakin and waving his tiny hands, seemingly in time to the song.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan called.
Anakin stopped singing, drew a huge blaster and pointed it at Obi-Wan.
"Oh, it's you, Master," Anakin cried in a relieved voice.
Ben turned his head and looked up at Obi-Wan. His smile grew wider and he gurgled happily. Obi-Wan thought his heart would burst with happiness at the sight of the two.
"Are you all right, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, Master. Got a bit of a blaster burn in my leg, but I'm all right."
"What happened?"
Anakin quickly told Obi-Wan what happened and how, after Tsara was dead, and not knowing when help would arrive, he had managed to get himself and Ben into Tsara's speeder where it was hidden among the trees.
"I was hoping I could fix it, but it was too badly damaged, but I thought it would at least be a warmer place to wait."
"You thought right," Obi-Wan said with a smile. Then he frowned. "What about the other body?"
Anakin shrugged. "I don't know who he is, Master. Before Tsara came up on the road I heard her arguing with some one. Then I heard blaster fire."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I think he may be the man Simtro said was missing from the manor. He used to be Tsara's valet. More than likely he's the one who sabotaged the security droids."
Anakin nodded. "Did you find Sinja-Bau, Master?" he asked as Obi-Wan, Ben's baby carrier slung over one arm, helped him out of the speeder. "And Master Eo? Is he all right?"
"Yes, I did find Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said. Then he stopped and sighed. "But I'm afraid Master Eo is dead, Anakin. He died trying to stop Tsara from taking Ben."
"No, no," Anakin said softly as he lowered his head. Then he raised it, his eyes wide. "Onara? Is she all right? I'm sorry I left her, Master, but Ben was----"
"She's all right, Anakin," Obi-Wan quickly assured him. "Don't worry. You did the right thing."
Obi-Wan then looked fondly down at Ben in his carrier. He was now sound asleep.
"You did the right thing," he repeated softly.
Anakin looked over as Obi-Wan helped him back onto the road and over to the speeder.
"I'm glad you're back, Master," he said, his blue eyes warm.
"And I'm glad you're safe, Padawan. And thank you for saving my son."
Anakin gave Obi-Wan a wide smile as his master secured Ben in the back seat and helped him into the passenger seat.
"Just all in a day's work," he said cheerily.
"Humph," Obi-Wan grunted as he climbed into the driver's seat but he was smiling.
"What about Lady Tsara's body?" Anakin asked as Obi-Wan activated the speeder.
Obi-Wan's smile slid away. He didn't answer for a moment. The response he wanted to give Anakin was not, he knew, the proper one for a apprentice to hear from a Jedi but, as far as Obi-Wan was concerned, Tsara's body could lay there until it rotted. Then he sighed heavily. He knew what he was feeling was wrong, but he would never in his heart forgive Tsara for what she had done.
K'lia and Eo, both kind and noble souls, were now dead; Onara and Anakin had nearly been killed, and Ben had almost been lost to him, and all of it was Tsara's doing. No, he would never forgive her. However, he would keep his true feelings regarding her hidden deep in his heart.
"I'll have Simtro send someone for her body," he said in a clipped voice. "And for that of her valet."
Anakin looked at him for a moment. "I understand, Master."
Obi-Wan glanced at him, wondering if there was more to Anakin's words than what was on the surface. He reached over and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and squeezed it.
"Thank you, Padawan."
Anakin nodded. Obi-Wan turned the speeder around and headed back towards the manor where Onara was waiting for her son and her love to come back to her.
To be continued...