First Knight - Part Thirty-Seven
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"And you're absolutely certain about this?" Obi-Wan asked.
Sinja-Bau looked over at him and smiled. The two were walking through the gardens behind the manor. It was the morning of the day he and Anakin were scheduled to leave to return to Coruscant. Sinja-Bau had invited him to join her in the garden for a morning meditation. Afterwards, he had asked if she was still of a mind to remain on Ahjane.
"Yes, I am absolutely certain, Obi-Wan. Onara and I have, as you've more than likely observed, become very close. I will stay here with her."
"But, now that your powers have been restored to you, you could be of service again."
Sinja-Bau sighed and shook her head. "Oh my dear Obi-Wan. So wise and yet so naive."
Obi-Wan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Sinja-Bau stopped walking, forcing Obi-Wan to turn and face her.
"Who was it that blinded me to the Force?"
"The Council."
"Correct. It was their decision as the arbiters, or so they believe, of the will of the Force that I be stripped of my ability to use it. And, in light of what happened to me, of my madness, their decision was the correct one. However, in spite of what they did, my powers have been given back to me. Think, my young Jedi. How do you think that will sit with the Council?"
Obi-Wan quickly ran through his mind all the different members of the Council, recalling their individual personalities, beliefs and value systems. Then he sighed.
"There will be some who will not be pleased," he finally admitted.
Sinja-Bau raised her eyebrows. "Some who will not be pleased? That is a major understatement, my brother. Trust me. It will not only upset some of them, it will frighten them. You can not deny that what has happened to me is unprecedented."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
Sinja-Bau's blue-green eyes narrowed. "And I read Eo's mission notes regarding what happened with you and your apprentice. How you called upon the dark side of the Force and used it to bring Onara's spirit back from the abyss with the aid of the one who is believed to be the Chosen One. The One who will bring balance. Again, unprecedented."
Sinja-Bau then stopped and looked around the garden. Obi-Wan looked with her. He had noted during his meditation that the honey-roses were no longer in bloom. There was a chill in the air that hinted at the coming of autumn and, after that, the cold and sterility of winter. Sinja-Bau looked back at him.
"Change, revolution, transformation," she said. "For some, such words bring promise, hope and optimism. For others, fear, dread and apprehension. No, my brother, I will not return with you to the Temple. There is nothing for me there. You have told me that when I was in the grip of my madness, I spoke of the destruction of the Jedi Order."
Sinja-Bau shrugged. "I can no longer remember those visions or what they mean. But, change is imminent, Obi-Wan. An upheaval is coming, politically, socially, spiritually, and it will shake the very foundations of the galaxy. Whether for good or ill this change comes, I do not know, but it is coming. And one does not need to be a Jedi or Force sensitive to see this."
Obi-Wan nodded. He and Qui-Gon had often discussed the growing corruption in the Senate, the fraying along the borders of the Republic as more and more of the outer systems spoke of breaking away from what they saw as the choking grip of an inefficient and decadent political system, and the equally alarming inability of the Jedi to hold things together. And, in the years since Qui-Gon's death, things had only gotten worse.
"I can not deny the truth of your words, Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said. "And, in light of them, I wish you would reconsider your decision. The Order needs you. However, I will respect and honor your wishes not to return."
"Thank you, Obi-Wan."
Then she reached over and tightly gripped his arm. "But, as for you, my brother, be careful. There is danger and great peril in the wind, of that I am sure. If I thought you would listen, I would urge you to take Onara and your son and flee with them to the Unknown Regions."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Even if I could do such a thing, I would not. Now, more than ever, the Order needs all its Jedi and I will not abandon it. And...." Obi-Wan stopped and sighed. "Onara is not mine to take or to have. She and Dalan are to be married in a month."
"That is true. But Ben is and will always be your son."
"Yes," Obi-Wan said softly, trying to hide from Sinja-Bau the pain that was even now twisting around his heart. "But Onara has assured me he will always know I am his father."
Sinja-Bau reached up and cupped Obi-Wan's face. He looked down at her. She was no longer the half-starved, raving madwoman he had found on the icy wasteland of Toola. She was more like the image of the woman at the Jedi Temple. The Ahjane gown she worn of green and gold accentuated her lithe, trim figure and her white hair, having been seen to by Onara's servants, now lay thick and shining upon her shoulders.
"Onara will marry this man, for the good of her people and her world," Sinja-Bau said to him. "She will marry him, she will share his bed and she may, perhaps, even bear him a child, but trust me, my brother, you are and will always be her one and only love. This I know."
Obi-Wan nodded, but said nothing. He quickly blinked away the tears that were stinging his eyes. Sinja-Bau removed her hand from his face and, slipping it through his arm, walked with him back towards the manor.
"So, what will you do here on Ahjane?" Obi-Wan asked, once he was certain he could speak without his voice betraying his heartache.
"Onara has asked me to help with the Regency for your son. And, poor dear, I don't think she has any idea what it's going to be like having a Force- sensitive child. I will help her with that also."
"I'm glad you'll be here to help her with Ben." Obi-Wan smiled, pleased he could still do so despite the pain ravaging his heart. "And you're right. The first time Ben levitates one of his toys..."
Obi-Wan shook his head, chuckling, as he imagined the look on Onara's face. Sinja-Bau laughed with him as they entered the manor.
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Anakin loaded the last of his gear into the blue speeder-car. Glancing down, he made sure his lightsaber was attached to his utility belt. Having lost it during his fight with Rhad, he was determined never to have such a thing happen to him again. He then looked over at the front of the manor.
There was a small crowd gathered there. Onara, Ben in her arms, along with her aunts and Sinja-Bau, were standing on the front steps. A few of the servants were also present, including Simtro and Keria, the young blonde girl who had tended Anakin's leg. She looked over at Anakin and waved. He waved back.
Obi-Wan was walking towards the group after having loaded his travel bag into the speeder. He stopped in front of Onara who had come down the rest of the steps to meet him. The two stood and looked at each and, even from where he was standing, Anakin felt the powerful currents of emotions running between them. Obi-Wan smiled and, leaning down, gently took Ben from Onara's arms. He kissed his son tenderly on his forehead, held him for a moment, then handed him back to Onara.
Onara gazed up at Obi-Wan, her dark eyes brimming with tears. Obi-Wan bent down and pressed his mouth against her ear. Anakin saw his lips moving. As Obi-Wan continued to whisper to her, the tears flowed unchecked down her face. She nodded at some of his words, her throat working. Obi-Wan then pulled away and, putting his hands on her shoulders, looked solemnly down at her.
"I will remember," Anakin heard Onara say. "I will always remember, my love."
Obi-Wan smiled and kissed her forehead. He looked over at the rest of those gathered and went over to them, taking their hands, receiving their farewells and good wishes. Anakin stood apart, leaning against the speeder. He hated goodbyes. Then he saw Onara walking towards him. Once she reached him, she stopped.
"Ben wants to say goodbye, Anakin," she said smiling, her face glistening with her tears.
Anakin looked down at the baby. He was staring up at him, his blue-gray eyes bright.
"Hey, you," Anakin said as he gave Ben a finger to hold. The baby grasped it tightly.
"Now, I want you to be a good boy and don't drive your Mommy crazy, okay?" Anakin went on. "Mommies are very special people and you should always be nice to them."
Ben gurgled at Anakin, his toothless mouth spread in a smile.
"I'm going to take that as an affirmative," Anakin said grinning.
Onara laughed, then reaching over, took his arm.
"I will never forget what you did, Anakin," she said gravely. "Going after Ben and saving him. If ever you need anything, anything at all, come to me and, if it's within my power, I will give it to you. I promise."
"Thanks, Onara. But, you don't have to do anything for me. I just wish..." Anakin stopped. He bit his lip and looked down. "I just wish you and Master Obi-Wan could be..." He stopped and shook his head. "I can't help feeling it's my fault that you and he can't---"
"No, Anakin, no," Onara said firmly, her dark eyes serious as she squeezed his arm. "You must never think that. It's not your fault. It's just the way things are. Obi-Wan is a Jedi Knight. And, someday, you will be one too."
Anakin nodded, but he still wasn't convinced he wasn't at the heart of why his master and Onara couldn't be together. He looked over as Obi-Wan came and stood next to Onara.
"It's time," he told her.
"Yes. I know." She looked up at him, then over at Anakin. "Good luck you two, and may the Force be with you both."
"And with you, Onara," Anakin said.
Then, still hating goodbyes, Anakin turned and got into the driver's seat of the speeder. He watched as Obi-Wan cupped Onara's chin with his fingers.
"Goodbye, love," he said softly, and Anakin could hear and sense all Obi- Wan's grief and sorrow and loss in those two simple words.
"Goodbye, my heart," Onara said, her voice breaking, the tears once again flowing down her cheeks.
Obi-Wan held her face a moment longer, gently caressing it. He leaned down, kissed her long and soft on her lips, gave Ben another kiss, then, with a wide sweep of his Jedi robes, quickly turned and climbed into the speeder.
"Go, Anakin," Obi-Wan rasped, his voice tight and raw as he gazed longingly over at Onara and Ben. "Now. Please. Before I..."
"Yes, Master, I understand," Anakin said quietly.
He activated the speeder and, with a low roar of its engine, hit the accelerator and sped away from the manor towards the starport.
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The Red Tide member who had survived and escaped the debacle at Dynast K'lia's manor stppd before Latan, the leader of the Red Tide. He had just given his report of what had occurred that night.
"And the bodies?" Latan asked in a clipped voice, his storm-gray eyes hooded.
"All burned, sir. Their ashes scattered. Along with Lady Tsara's."
"Who cares about that old witch?" Latan snapped.
This was all her doing. Latan had not only lost ten of his best men, but his only son, Rhad, was among the dead.
"And the name of the one who killed my son?"
"Skywalker, sir. Anakin Skywalker."
Latan stared at the man, then dismissed him. Once the door had closed and Latan was alone in his study, he clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. Skywalker. That was a name he intended to remember. Yes, remember for as long as it took for him to get his revenge against the Jedi for having taken the life of his son.
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Anakin nervously adjusted the collar of his robe. He glanced over at Obi- Wan. As he had since they had arrived back on Coruscant, the Jedi Knight was the epitome of stoicism. His blue-gray eyes revealed nothing of what was going on inside him. His expression was one of utter and complete calm, his arms were folded within the sleeves of his robes and, unlike Anakin, who couldn't help fidgeting and sighing, he stood still and quiet, his gaze fastened on the large, closed doors of the Jedi Council Chamber.
Obi-Wan and Anakin had been back only a day when they were summoned to appear before the Council. And the only reason they hadn't been summoned earlier, Anakin later learned, was because the Council had wanted to read Obi-Wan's report of what had happened on Ahjane, particularly as it related to the death of Master Eo.
Obi-Wan had quickly written a report and had it delivered to the Council late last night. The summons to appear had come early in the morning, giving both master and apprentice just enough time to shower and eat. Anakin cleared his throat, conscious of beads of sweat popping out on his forehead.
"Relax, Padawan," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"It's hard, Master," Anakin replied. "They tell us to hurry up and get here and now they have us standing out here waiting."
"Then wait we shall. I would suggest that in the interim you practice some of your meditations."
Anakin released a deep breath. He closed his eyes but, just as he was about to begin his meditation, he heard the doors of the chamber opening. He opened his eyes, readjusted his robe and followed Obi-Wan into the chamber.
As was expected all the members of the Council were inside and seated. Anakin recalled his first time ever standing in this room. He had been only nine, a recently freed-slave, still dressed in his dusty, rough work clothes, full of fear as he stood alone during his testing, but determined not to show it. But Yoda had sensed his fear and had warned Anakin of how it could lead to the dark side.
Now, as Anakin walked inside and stood on the mosaic floor in the center of the large circular room, he felt that fear again. But not for him. This time he felt it for Obi-Wan. Outside the large, wide windows of the chamber, Anakin saw that the sky was furrowed with low-lying formless gray clouds. They reflected his sense of foreboding.
As his master bowed to where Yoda and Mace were sitting, Anakin did so also. Rising from his bow, he cast out with his feelings and tried to discern the mood of the Council, for there was no use attempting to do so by looking at their stoic, emotionless faces. But, he couldn't detect anything. The Council, as usual, was effectively concealing their thoughts.
"Master Obi-Wan. Padawan Skywalker. Before this Council you have been called your recent actions to explain."
"Yes, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied.
"Grave are the charges that stand before you. Understand this you do?"
Obi-Wan nodded and Anakin followed him a beat after.
"However, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said quickly. "I hope it is clear to the Council that my Padawan is entirely blameless in this matter. Whatever he did, he did because I ordered him to."
"But, Master, I----"
Obi-Wan glanced over at Anakin and gave him a hard stare. Anakin looked down at the floor, then back at Master Yoda. He knew what Obi-Wan was doing, but Anakin didn't want to be protected. Whatever punishment his master suffered, he wanted to share it with him. But he remained silent.
"Understand that the Council does. Summoned here your Padawan was because what will happen to you, affect on him it will have."
Anakin frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. He looked over at Master Windu, but he could discern nothing in his dark eyes. Yoda glanced over at Windu who cleared his throat and leaned slightly forward.
"Master Obi-Wan, we have read your report and, I daresay, what you have relayed to us is most disturbing."
Windu then paused and glanced around at the other members of the Council.
"Not only did you deliberately ignore a summons from the Jedi Council to appear before us, but, as a result of your actions, one of the Order's most revered Healers is now dead."
"But, Master Eo wanted to help---" Anakin begin.
"Be silent, young one," Yoda said quickly, but gently.
Anakin closed his mouth, but he felt like he was going to blow apart for he could already see where this was going. Mace looked at Anakin for a long moment, then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan.
"In addition, you freely admit that you fathered a child while on a mission for the Republic and called upon the dark side in order to bring back the spirit of that child's mother."
Obi-Wan nodded, but remained silent. Then Anakin heard a sound from just behind him. It took all his willpower not to turn around, but he didn't need to for he knew who had made that sound and why. The sound was the one the mouth made when conveying disgust and it was coming from Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis. The Thisspiasian was well-known for his rigidly conservative views and unwavering loyalty to the Order.
"Something to say have you, Master Rancisis?" Yoda asked, directing his voice across the room to where Oppo was sitting.
"I do not see why we are even wasting time discussing this," Oppo said in his high nasal voice. "Master Kenobi not only willfully ignored a summons from the Jedi Council, but from his own words admits he has violated some of the most sacred of our tenets."
Oppo leaned forward over his serpentine body. His eyes peered intensely at Obi-Wan from amid the long white hair that covered his face and head. He lifted his gnarly, long-clawed hand and counted off.
"First, a Jedi's loyalty must be to the Force, to the Jedi Order, to the Republic, and to himself, in that order. That is why relationships, such as the one Master Kenobi indulged himself in, are forbidden. Second, a Jedi must practice honesty. Master Kenobi deliberately left out in his initial report regarding his mission to Ahjane this blessing ceremony he participated in. Third, a Jedi must always conduct him or herself in a manner that will reflect positively upon the Order. Master Kenobi's actions while on Ahjane, Lianna and Toola have done the Order incalculable harm. Finally, a Jedi should honor life and seek to avoid taking it. The deliberate ending of a life strengthens the dark side. Master Kenobi confesses that while on this unauthorized search for Sinja-Bau he killed, taking the lives of whose who, it not for his having strayed from the Jedi path, would still be alive."
Oppo leaned back in his chair, his clawed hands folded before him.
"What should be done is clear," he went on. "Master Kenobi must be expelled from the Jedi Order."
Anakin's heart thumped hard in his chest and, just as he was about to whirl around and confront Oppo, he felt Obi-Wan bumping him gently against the shoulder. Anakin closed his eyes and drew in a deep calming breath. Then he opened his eyes and looked over at Obi-Wan. His master was still facing Yoda and Windu, but Anakin took some comfort from the fact that Obi-Wan seemed unperturbed by Oppo's statement.
"That's rather harsh and quite premature, Master Rancisis," Anakin heard Adi Gallia say in her soft, melodious voice.
"I do not think it is neither harsh nor premature, Master Adi," Oppo replied. "It is more than obvious that Master Kenobi has violated the Jedi Code and done so quite deliberately and willfully. Expulsion is the only answer."
Yoda shook his head, his hands folded beneath his chin as he stared across at Oppo.
"No such thing is there as an only answer, Master Rancisis. As to fate of Master Obi-Wan, vote on that the Council will."
Yoda directed his gaze back at Obi-Wan. "Have you anything to say, Obi- Wan?"
"I regret and I deeply grieve the loss of Master Eo," Obi-Wan began, his voice low but clearly audible in the acoustically perfect chamber. "I asked him to accompany me to Ahjane to save the life of the woman who bore my child and, while there, he gave his life trying to protect my son. I...."
Obi-Wan stopped and Anakin detected some emotion slipping through the impassive, smooth tone Obi-Wan had been using to address the Council.
"I only wish he were here so that I could thank him," Obi-Wan finished softly. "As for the other charges that have been levied against me, I did what I thought best under the circumstances."
"Be that as it may, Master Obi-Wan," Oppo's shrill voice interrupted, "if not for your reckless, inexcusable and immoral behavior in conceiving this child, none of this would have happened."
Anakin firmed his mouth, his hands clenching and unclenching. Oppo is a Jedi, he kept reminding himself, and you can't go around throttling fellow Jedi.
Yoda raised his hand as a signal to Oppo to remain silent.
"Approval I gave to Master Obi-Wan to participate in this ceremony. Conception of this child was not his intention."
Oppo snorted at that. "It may not have been his intention, but his having engaged in carnal relations with this woman brought the conception about, whether voluntarily or not."
Yoda frowned at Oppo. "What was done is done. Going over this now, good it will do not. What matters now is what is to be done."
"Expulsion," Oppo spat out. "This is not the time for the Jedi Order to be sullied by such irresponsible behavior as has been displayed by Master Kenobi. There is already enough unrest within the Republic regarding our place in the scheme of things. We certainly do not need members of our Order running about renegade."
"Master Kenobi is not a renegade," Anakin heard the low, throbbing voice of Master Even Piell.
Although not much taller than Yoda, the Lannik was a fearless warrior. Having lost his left eye in battle, he repeatedly refused a prosthetic replacement, looking upon his scar as a sign of honor.
"He is one of the finest Jedi in our Order and I find it reprehensible and most disturbing that he has been called before us and required to answer charges as if he were some common criminal," Piell went on. "I do not entirely condone everything he did, but I see nothing in his report to suggest that Master Kenobi acted other than with compassion and empathy. He did none of these things he's accused of to aggrandize himself, nor out of a desire for power or glory. He did what he did to save the life of a woman and her child. And if that is a violation of the Jedi Code, then perhaps being a Jedi is no longer what I wish to be."
Again, Anakin had to bite his tongue, but this time to keep from cheering. He glanced over at Yoda and saw something moving behind those large, leaf- green eyes as he looked over at Piell, but he could not discern what it was.
"Master Obi-Wan, what of Sinja-Bau?" a calm, cultured voice asked.
Anakin looked over at Ki-Adi-Mundi. At the time Anakin had been brought before the Council for his testing all those years ago, the Cerean had only been a Jedi Knight, the only member of the Council of that rank. Since then he had trained a Padawan through knighthood and become a Jedi Master.
"Excuse me, Master?" Obi-Wan said.
"You mentioned in your report that you found her and brought her back to Ahjane, but you did not mention what became of her."
"Sinja-Bau chose to remain on Ahjane, Master."
"Chose to remain?" Oppo sputtered. "How could she choose to do anything? She's mad."
"No, Master Oppo," Obi-Wan said calmly. "She is not."
"What do you mean?" Mace asked, leaning forward quickly.
"I did not put this in my report, because I thought it best to relay this information in person," Obi-Wan said. "Sinja-Bau is no longer insane. Her sanity was restored to her. Along with her ability to use the Force."
Cries and shouts of disbelief and surprise echoed around the room. If the situation weren't so dire, Anakin would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many esteemed Jedi Masters in such a lather. But he also sensed that this news about Sinja-Bau wasn't going to do his master any good.
"That's impossible," Eeth Koth's deep voice pierced through the clamor.
Anakin looked over at him. The Sith who killed Qui-Gon was rumored to have been of the same species as Koth and, although the Zabrak had conducted an extensive investigation into the matter, had yet to discover the true heritage of the deceased Sith Lord. Anakin was of the opinion that, as a result of the rumors, Koth was even more of a conservative than Oppo when it came to the Jedi Order and its Code.
"She was blinded to the Force," Koth continued firmly. "There is no way she could have regained her ability to use it."
"No way that we know of," Plo Koon said, his voice filtering through the antiox mask he wore to protect himself from oxygen-rich atmospheres. The Kel Dor had been a very close friend of Qui-Gon's and had shared some of his friend's beliefs regarding the Force.
"No, no, it's impossible," Oppo said shrilly. "Impossible. Master Kenobi is lying."
Obi-Wan turned slightly so that he was looking at Oppo.
"I can assure you, Master Oppo," he said coolly. "I am not lying. The Force is with Sinja-Bau. It gave her back her powers."
"Well, if what you say is true, and I find it hard to believe that it is, why is she not here?" Oppo demanded. "Why did she not come back?"
"Why would she want to!" Anakin suddenly blurted out.
Then his face warmed as all the Council members stared at him. Although Anakin had feared Sinja-Bau, based upon all the stories he had heard about her madness, once he finally did meet her he had discovered she was a warm and gentle woman who reminded him a lot of his mother.
"Forgive me, Masters," he said quickly. He looked down at the toes of his boots.
"Padawan Skywalker speaks truly," Yoda said in the echoing silence that had followed Anakin's outburst. "Cast out from the Order she was. Another path she has chosen to follow. Respect this we will."
"But Master Yoda," Oppo said, his voice rising even higher, "if what Obi- Wan says is true, Sinja-Bau is dangerous. She should be brought here before us and----"
"And what, Master Oppo?" Obi-Wan suddenly interjected, his voice low, but throbbing with, Anakin sensed, barely suppressed anger. "Blinded to the Force again? Sinja-Bau is no longer a danger. You have my word on that. Her madness is gone. She remains on Ahjane to assist Lady Onara and to see after...to see after my son."
"Train him she will?" Yoda asked.
Obi-Wan turned back to the tiny Jedi. "She will...see to his needs. And to that of his mother as she faces the challenges of dealing with a Force- sensitive child."
Anakin was surprised to see a small smile on Yoda's face as he nodded.
"And that's another thing," Oppo cried out. "If this child is Force- sensitive, he should be here at the Temple where he can be properly trained."
"Lady Onara wants her son to remain with her. And remain with her he will," Obi-Wan said in a firm voice. "He's the future Dynast of her province. Her wish is for him to assume that office someday."
"Then respect her wishes we will," Yoda pronounced. "Only with the parents permission, both the parents' permission," he emphasized, "are children to be brought to the Temple to be trained. Therefore, discuss this no more we will. Now, time it is for us to vote on what should be done with Master Obi- Wan."
He looked over at Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Dismissed you both are. Our decision we will apprise you of when reached it we have."
The two men bowed deeply to Yoda and, turning as one, left the Council Chamber. Once they were through the tall doors and they had closed behind them, Anakin turned to Obi-Wan.
"Master, I have a bad feeling about this. What do you think they're going to do? They can't expel you. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Didn't I, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said softly. "Remember the Code, Padawan. There is no passion; there is serenity. I let my passion for Onara override all I have been taught as a Jedi. And because of that passion I neglected my duty, brought about the death of a fellow Jedi, tainted myself with the dark side...and I killed. And you killed also, Anakin. But you did so because I asked you to protect Onara and Ben. I let my feelings for them take precedent over my responsibility to you as your Master."
"But, Master---"
Obi-Wan reached over and took Anakin's arm. "The Council is right. I have not set a good example." He stopped and looked around him. "Perhaps it was coming back here after all that has happened which has made me see the errors of my ways. This is who I am, Anakin. This is where I belong."
Anakin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Everything Obi-Wan had done on Ahjane to save Onara's life and protect his son had felt right to Anakin and had rang true in every fiber of his being. If you truly loved someone, Anakin ardently believed, nothing else mattered. Nothing. You gave up the world for them, you gave up your life for them, you gave up everything for them. And he knew that Obi-Wan truly loved Onara and Ben.
"You haven't wronged me," Anakin said, his voice thick with emotion. "You haven't set a bad example. I was proud of you, Master. I was proud of everything you did. And I agree with Master Piell. If saving the life of the woman you love and the child she bore you is a violation of the Jedi Code, then I'm not sure I want to be a Jedi either."
Obi-Wan gripped Anakin's arm. "No, do not say that. You are a Jedi and I will see to it that you become a Jedi Knight."
"But what about Onara? What about Ben?"
Obi-Wan's eyes suddenly clouded over and even without the Force Anakin could feel the deep pain surging through his master.
"They are lost to me, Anakin," he said softly. "Now, all I have is you and the Jedi Order."
"But you're still Ben's father."
"I think....I think I will write Onara and ask her not to tell Ben about me."
"What?" Anakin cried. "But why, Master?"
"Dynast Dalan will be a good father to him, Anakin. Ben doesn't need to be confused that way. It would not be good for him. I want him and Onara to be happy. And I know they will be happy with Dalan. He truly loves her, Anakin."
Obi-Wan smiled at the look on Anakin's face. "Yes, truly. He told me so. He has loved Onara since the first time he saw her when Edress brought her to Kindah Province as his wife. But, being that she was his uncle's wife, he kept that love to himself. Don't you see, Anakin. I can not make Onara happy. I know that. If I were to remain a Jedi, I could not be there for her and Ben the way a husband and a father should be. And if I were to leave the Jedi...I would not be myself. Dalan can be the husband and the father that I can not."
"But Master---"
Obi-Wan quickly shook his head and withdraw his hand from Anakin's arm.
"I do not wish to discuss it any longer, Anakin. Come, we will go and await the Council's decision."
As Obi-Wan walked down the hall away from the Council Chamber, Anakin stood and watched him. He knew what his master was doing and it made his heart ache. Obi-Wan was going to sever all ties with Onara and Ben, not only because he thought it was best for them, but for Anakin.
Anakin sighed heavily, then ran to catch up with his master. He wanted to grab Obi-Wan, shake him and tell him that it wasn't a sin to love, that the Code was wrong on that. Anakin loved his mother and he would always love her and the Order's attempts to lessen that love would never succeed. And there was one other he loved, a love from long ago, a love that had walked out of the bright, dusty streets of Mos Epsa and into the darkness of Watto's shop and claimed his soul. It was a secret he kept hidden deep in his heart and a love, he now swore, he would never give up.
But, as Anakin strode down the hall with Obi-Wan towards the lift that would take them to the lower levels of the Temple, he remained silent. Instead, he wondered if his dream to become a Jedi was going to prove a nightmare for everyone else.
To be continued....
--------------
"And you're absolutely certain about this?" Obi-Wan asked.
Sinja-Bau looked over at him and smiled. The two were walking through the gardens behind the manor. It was the morning of the day he and Anakin were scheduled to leave to return to Coruscant. Sinja-Bau had invited him to join her in the garden for a morning meditation. Afterwards, he had asked if she was still of a mind to remain on Ahjane.
"Yes, I am absolutely certain, Obi-Wan. Onara and I have, as you've more than likely observed, become very close. I will stay here with her."
"But, now that your powers have been restored to you, you could be of service again."
Sinja-Bau sighed and shook her head. "Oh my dear Obi-Wan. So wise and yet so naive."
Obi-Wan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Sinja-Bau stopped walking, forcing Obi-Wan to turn and face her.
"Who was it that blinded me to the Force?"
"The Council."
"Correct. It was their decision as the arbiters, or so they believe, of the will of the Force that I be stripped of my ability to use it. And, in light of what happened to me, of my madness, their decision was the correct one. However, in spite of what they did, my powers have been given back to me. Think, my young Jedi. How do you think that will sit with the Council?"
Obi-Wan quickly ran through his mind all the different members of the Council, recalling their individual personalities, beliefs and value systems. Then he sighed.
"There will be some who will not be pleased," he finally admitted.
Sinja-Bau raised her eyebrows. "Some who will not be pleased? That is a major understatement, my brother. Trust me. It will not only upset some of them, it will frighten them. You can not deny that what has happened to me is unprecedented."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
Sinja-Bau's blue-green eyes narrowed. "And I read Eo's mission notes regarding what happened with you and your apprentice. How you called upon the dark side of the Force and used it to bring Onara's spirit back from the abyss with the aid of the one who is believed to be the Chosen One. The One who will bring balance. Again, unprecedented."
Sinja-Bau then stopped and looked around the garden. Obi-Wan looked with her. He had noted during his meditation that the honey-roses were no longer in bloom. There was a chill in the air that hinted at the coming of autumn and, after that, the cold and sterility of winter. Sinja-Bau looked back at him.
"Change, revolution, transformation," she said. "For some, such words bring promise, hope and optimism. For others, fear, dread and apprehension. No, my brother, I will not return with you to the Temple. There is nothing for me there. You have told me that when I was in the grip of my madness, I spoke of the destruction of the Jedi Order."
Sinja-Bau shrugged. "I can no longer remember those visions or what they mean. But, change is imminent, Obi-Wan. An upheaval is coming, politically, socially, spiritually, and it will shake the very foundations of the galaxy. Whether for good or ill this change comes, I do not know, but it is coming. And one does not need to be a Jedi or Force sensitive to see this."
Obi-Wan nodded. He and Qui-Gon had often discussed the growing corruption in the Senate, the fraying along the borders of the Republic as more and more of the outer systems spoke of breaking away from what they saw as the choking grip of an inefficient and decadent political system, and the equally alarming inability of the Jedi to hold things together. And, in the years since Qui-Gon's death, things had only gotten worse.
"I can not deny the truth of your words, Sinja-Bau," Obi-Wan said. "And, in light of them, I wish you would reconsider your decision. The Order needs you. However, I will respect and honor your wishes not to return."
"Thank you, Obi-Wan."
Then she reached over and tightly gripped his arm. "But, as for you, my brother, be careful. There is danger and great peril in the wind, of that I am sure. If I thought you would listen, I would urge you to take Onara and your son and flee with them to the Unknown Regions."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Even if I could do such a thing, I would not. Now, more than ever, the Order needs all its Jedi and I will not abandon it. And...." Obi-Wan stopped and sighed. "Onara is not mine to take or to have. She and Dalan are to be married in a month."
"That is true. But Ben is and will always be your son."
"Yes," Obi-Wan said softly, trying to hide from Sinja-Bau the pain that was even now twisting around his heart. "But Onara has assured me he will always know I am his father."
Sinja-Bau reached up and cupped Obi-Wan's face. He looked down at her. She was no longer the half-starved, raving madwoman he had found on the icy wasteland of Toola. She was more like the image of the woman at the Jedi Temple. The Ahjane gown she worn of green and gold accentuated her lithe, trim figure and her white hair, having been seen to by Onara's servants, now lay thick and shining upon her shoulders.
"Onara will marry this man, for the good of her people and her world," Sinja-Bau said to him. "She will marry him, she will share his bed and she may, perhaps, even bear him a child, but trust me, my brother, you are and will always be her one and only love. This I know."
Obi-Wan nodded, but said nothing. He quickly blinked away the tears that were stinging his eyes. Sinja-Bau removed her hand from his face and, slipping it through his arm, walked with him back towards the manor.
"So, what will you do here on Ahjane?" Obi-Wan asked, once he was certain he could speak without his voice betraying his heartache.
"Onara has asked me to help with the Regency for your son. And, poor dear, I don't think she has any idea what it's going to be like having a Force- sensitive child. I will help her with that also."
"I'm glad you'll be here to help her with Ben." Obi-Wan smiled, pleased he could still do so despite the pain ravaging his heart. "And you're right. The first time Ben levitates one of his toys..."
Obi-Wan shook his head, chuckling, as he imagined the look on Onara's face. Sinja-Bau laughed with him as they entered the manor.
-------------
Anakin loaded the last of his gear into the blue speeder-car. Glancing down, he made sure his lightsaber was attached to his utility belt. Having lost it during his fight with Rhad, he was determined never to have such a thing happen to him again. He then looked over at the front of the manor.
There was a small crowd gathered there. Onara, Ben in her arms, along with her aunts and Sinja-Bau, were standing on the front steps. A few of the servants were also present, including Simtro and Keria, the young blonde girl who had tended Anakin's leg. She looked over at Anakin and waved. He waved back.
Obi-Wan was walking towards the group after having loaded his travel bag into the speeder. He stopped in front of Onara who had come down the rest of the steps to meet him. The two stood and looked at each and, even from where he was standing, Anakin felt the powerful currents of emotions running between them. Obi-Wan smiled and, leaning down, gently took Ben from Onara's arms. He kissed his son tenderly on his forehead, held him for a moment, then handed him back to Onara.
Onara gazed up at Obi-Wan, her dark eyes brimming with tears. Obi-Wan bent down and pressed his mouth against her ear. Anakin saw his lips moving. As Obi-Wan continued to whisper to her, the tears flowed unchecked down her face. She nodded at some of his words, her throat working. Obi-Wan then pulled away and, putting his hands on her shoulders, looked solemnly down at her.
"I will remember," Anakin heard Onara say. "I will always remember, my love."
Obi-Wan smiled and kissed her forehead. He looked over at the rest of those gathered and went over to them, taking their hands, receiving their farewells and good wishes. Anakin stood apart, leaning against the speeder. He hated goodbyes. Then he saw Onara walking towards him. Once she reached him, she stopped.
"Ben wants to say goodbye, Anakin," she said smiling, her face glistening with her tears.
Anakin looked down at the baby. He was staring up at him, his blue-gray eyes bright.
"Hey, you," Anakin said as he gave Ben a finger to hold. The baby grasped it tightly.
"Now, I want you to be a good boy and don't drive your Mommy crazy, okay?" Anakin went on. "Mommies are very special people and you should always be nice to them."
Ben gurgled at Anakin, his toothless mouth spread in a smile.
"I'm going to take that as an affirmative," Anakin said grinning.
Onara laughed, then reaching over, took his arm.
"I will never forget what you did, Anakin," she said gravely. "Going after Ben and saving him. If ever you need anything, anything at all, come to me and, if it's within my power, I will give it to you. I promise."
"Thanks, Onara. But, you don't have to do anything for me. I just wish..." Anakin stopped. He bit his lip and looked down. "I just wish you and Master Obi-Wan could be..." He stopped and shook his head. "I can't help feeling it's my fault that you and he can't---"
"No, Anakin, no," Onara said firmly, her dark eyes serious as she squeezed his arm. "You must never think that. It's not your fault. It's just the way things are. Obi-Wan is a Jedi Knight. And, someday, you will be one too."
Anakin nodded, but he still wasn't convinced he wasn't at the heart of why his master and Onara couldn't be together. He looked over as Obi-Wan came and stood next to Onara.
"It's time," he told her.
"Yes. I know." She looked up at him, then over at Anakin. "Good luck you two, and may the Force be with you both."
"And with you, Onara," Anakin said.
Then, still hating goodbyes, Anakin turned and got into the driver's seat of the speeder. He watched as Obi-Wan cupped Onara's chin with his fingers.
"Goodbye, love," he said softly, and Anakin could hear and sense all Obi- Wan's grief and sorrow and loss in those two simple words.
"Goodbye, my heart," Onara said, her voice breaking, the tears once again flowing down her cheeks.
Obi-Wan held her face a moment longer, gently caressing it. He leaned down, kissed her long and soft on her lips, gave Ben another kiss, then, with a wide sweep of his Jedi robes, quickly turned and climbed into the speeder.
"Go, Anakin," Obi-Wan rasped, his voice tight and raw as he gazed longingly over at Onara and Ben. "Now. Please. Before I..."
"Yes, Master, I understand," Anakin said quietly.
He activated the speeder and, with a low roar of its engine, hit the accelerator and sped away from the manor towards the starport.
---------------------
The Red Tide member who had survived and escaped the debacle at Dynast K'lia's manor stppd before Latan, the leader of the Red Tide. He had just given his report of what had occurred that night.
"And the bodies?" Latan asked in a clipped voice, his storm-gray eyes hooded.
"All burned, sir. Their ashes scattered. Along with Lady Tsara's."
"Who cares about that old witch?" Latan snapped.
This was all her doing. Latan had not only lost ten of his best men, but his only son, Rhad, was among the dead.
"And the name of the one who killed my son?"
"Skywalker, sir. Anakin Skywalker."
Latan stared at the man, then dismissed him. Once the door had closed and Latan was alone in his study, he clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. Skywalker. That was a name he intended to remember. Yes, remember for as long as it took for him to get his revenge against the Jedi for having taken the life of his son.
------------------------
Anakin nervously adjusted the collar of his robe. He glanced over at Obi- Wan. As he had since they had arrived back on Coruscant, the Jedi Knight was the epitome of stoicism. His blue-gray eyes revealed nothing of what was going on inside him. His expression was one of utter and complete calm, his arms were folded within the sleeves of his robes and, unlike Anakin, who couldn't help fidgeting and sighing, he stood still and quiet, his gaze fastened on the large, closed doors of the Jedi Council Chamber.
Obi-Wan and Anakin had been back only a day when they were summoned to appear before the Council. And the only reason they hadn't been summoned earlier, Anakin later learned, was because the Council had wanted to read Obi-Wan's report of what had happened on Ahjane, particularly as it related to the death of Master Eo.
Obi-Wan had quickly written a report and had it delivered to the Council late last night. The summons to appear had come early in the morning, giving both master and apprentice just enough time to shower and eat. Anakin cleared his throat, conscious of beads of sweat popping out on his forehead.
"Relax, Padawan," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"It's hard, Master," Anakin replied. "They tell us to hurry up and get here and now they have us standing out here waiting."
"Then wait we shall. I would suggest that in the interim you practice some of your meditations."
Anakin released a deep breath. He closed his eyes but, just as he was about to begin his meditation, he heard the doors of the chamber opening. He opened his eyes, readjusted his robe and followed Obi-Wan into the chamber.
As was expected all the members of the Council were inside and seated. Anakin recalled his first time ever standing in this room. He had been only nine, a recently freed-slave, still dressed in his dusty, rough work clothes, full of fear as he stood alone during his testing, but determined not to show it. But Yoda had sensed his fear and had warned Anakin of how it could lead to the dark side.
Now, as Anakin walked inside and stood on the mosaic floor in the center of the large circular room, he felt that fear again. But not for him. This time he felt it for Obi-Wan. Outside the large, wide windows of the chamber, Anakin saw that the sky was furrowed with low-lying formless gray clouds. They reflected his sense of foreboding.
As his master bowed to where Yoda and Mace were sitting, Anakin did so also. Rising from his bow, he cast out with his feelings and tried to discern the mood of the Council, for there was no use attempting to do so by looking at their stoic, emotionless faces. But, he couldn't detect anything. The Council, as usual, was effectively concealing their thoughts.
"Master Obi-Wan. Padawan Skywalker. Before this Council you have been called your recent actions to explain."
"Yes, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied.
"Grave are the charges that stand before you. Understand this you do?"
Obi-Wan nodded and Anakin followed him a beat after.
"However, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said quickly. "I hope it is clear to the Council that my Padawan is entirely blameless in this matter. Whatever he did, he did because I ordered him to."
"But, Master, I----"
Obi-Wan glanced over at Anakin and gave him a hard stare. Anakin looked down at the floor, then back at Master Yoda. He knew what Obi-Wan was doing, but Anakin didn't want to be protected. Whatever punishment his master suffered, he wanted to share it with him. But he remained silent.
"Understand that the Council does. Summoned here your Padawan was because what will happen to you, affect on him it will have."
Anakin frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. He looked over at Master Windu, but he could discern nothing in his dark eyes. Yoda glanced over at Windu who cleared his throat and leaned slightly forward.
"Master Obi-Wan, we have read your report and, I daresay, what you have relayed to us is most disturbing."
Windu then paused and glanced around at the other members of the Council.
"Not only did you deliberately ignore a summons from the Jedi Council to appear before us, but, as a result of your actions, one of the Order's most revered Healers is now dead."
"But, Master Eo wanted to help---" Anakin begin.
"Be silent, young one," Yoda said quickly, but gently.
Anakin closed his mouth, but he felt like he was going to blow apart for he could already see where this was going. Mace looked at Anakin for a long moment, then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan.
"In addition, you freely admit that you fathered a child while on a mission for the Republic and called upon the dark side in order to bring back the spirit of that child's mother."
Obi-Wan nodded, but remained silent. Then Anakin heard a sound from just behind him. It took all his willpower not to turn around, but he didn't need to for he knew who had made that sound and why. The sound was the one the mouth made when conveying disgust and it was coming from Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis. The Thisspiasian was well-known for his rigidly conservative views and unwavering loyalty to the Order.
"Something to say have you, Master Rancisis?" Yoda asked, directing his voice across the room to where Oppo was sitting.
"I do not see why we are even wasting time discussing this," Oppo said in his high nasal voice. "Master Kenobi not only willfully ignored a summons from the Jedi Council, but from his own words admits he has violated some of the most sacred of our tenets."
Oppo leaned forward over his serpentine body. His eyes peered intensely at Obi-Wan from amid the long white hair that covered his face and head. He lifted his gnarly, long-clawed hand and counted off.
"First, a Jedi's loyalty must be to the Force, to the Jedi Order, to the Republic, and to himself, in that order. That is why relationships, such as the one Master Kenobi indulged himself in, are forbidden. Second, a Jedi must practice honesty. Master Kenobi deliberately left out in his initial report regarding his mission to Ahjane this blessing ceremony he participated in. Third, a Jedi must always conduct him or herself in a manner that will reflect positively upon the Order. Master Kenobi's actions while on Ahjane, Lianna and Toola have done the Order incalculable harm. Finally, a Jedi should honor life and seek to avoid taking it. The deliberate ending of a life strengthens the dark side. Master Kenobi confesses that while on this unauthorized search for Sinja-Bau he killed, taking the lives of whose who, it not for his having strayed from the Jedi path, would still be alive."
Oppo leaned back in his chair, his clawed hands folded before him.
"What should be done is clear," he went on. "Master Kenobi must be expelled from the Jedi Order."
Anakin's heart thumped hard in his chest and, just as he was about to whirl around and confront Oppo, he felt Obi-Wan bumping him gently against the shoulder. Anakin closed his eyes and drew in a deep calming breath. Then he opened his eyes and looked over at Obi-Wan. His master was still facing Yoda and Windu, but Anakin took some comfort from the fact that Obi-Wan seemed unperturbed by Oppo's statement.
"That's rather harsh and quite premature, Master Rancisis," Anakin heard Adi Gallia say in her soft, melodious voice.
"I do not think it is neither harsh nor premature, Master Adi," Oppo replied. "It is more than obvious that Master Kenobi has violated the Jedi Code and done so quite deliberately and willfully. Expulsion is the only answer."
Yoda shook his head, his hands folded beneath his chin as he stared across at Oppo.
"No such thing is there as an only answer, Master Rancisis. As to fate of Master Obi-Wan, vote on that the Council will."
Yoda directed his gaze back at Obi-Wan. "Have you anything to say, Obi- Wan?"
"I regret and I deeply grieve the loss of Master Eo," Obi-Wan began, his voice low but clearly audible in the acoustically perfect chamber. "I asked him to accompany me to Ahjane to save the life of the woman who bore my child and, while there, he gave his life trying to protect my son. I...."
Obi-Wan stopped and Anakin detected some emotion slipping through the impassive, smooth tone Obi-Wan had been using to address the Council.
"I only wish he were here so that I could thank him," Obi-Wan finished softly. "As for the other charges that have been levied against me, I did what I thought best under the circumstances."
"Be that as it may, Master Obi-Wan," Oppo's shrill voice interrupted, "if not for your reckless, inexcusable and immoral behavior in conceiving this child, none of this would have happened."
Anakin firmed his mouth, his hands clenching and unclenching. Oppo is a Jedi, he kept reminding himself, and you can't go around throttling fellow Jedi.
Yoda raised his hand as a signal to Oppo to remain silent.
"Approval I gave to Master Obi-Wan to participate in this ceremony. Conception of this child was not his intention."
Oppo snorted at that. "It may not have been his intention, but his having engaged in carnal relations with this woman brought the conception about, whether voluntarily or not."
Yoda frowned at Oppo. "What was done is done. Going over this now, good it will do not. What matters now is what is to be done."
"Expulsion," Oppo spat out. "This is not the time for the Jedi Order to be sullied by such irresponsible behavior as has been displayed by Master Kenobi. There is already enough unrest within the Republic regarding our place in the scheme of things. We certainly do not need members of our Order running about renegade."
"Master Kenobi is not a renegade," Anakin heard the low, throbbing voice of Master Even Piell.
Although not much taller than Yoda, the Lannik was a fearless warrior. Having lost his left eye in battle, he repeatedly refused a prosthetic replacement, looking upon his scar as a sign of honor.
"He is one of the finest Jedi in our Order and I find it reprehensible and most disturbing that he has been called before us and required to answer charges as if he were some common criminal," Piell went on. "I do not entirely condone everything he did, but I see nothing in his report to suggest that Master Kenobi acted other than with compassion and empathy. He did none of these things he's accused of to aggrandize himself, nor out of a desire for power or glory. He did what he did to save the life of a woman and her child. And if that is a violation of the Jedi Code, then perhaps being a Jedi is no longer what I wish to be."
Again, Anakin had to bite his tongue, but this time to keep from cheering. He glanced over at Yoda and saw something moving behind those large, leaf- green eyes as he looked over at Piell, but he could not discern what it was.
"Master Obi-Wan, what of Sinja-Bau?" a calm, cultured voice asked.
Anakin looked over at Ki-Adi-Mundi. At the time Anakin had been brought before the Council for his testing all those years ago, the Cerean had only been a Jedi Knight, the only member of the Council of that rank. Since then he had trained a Padawan through knighthood and become a Jedi Master.
"Excuse me, Master?" Obi-Wan said.
"You mentioned in your report that you found her and brought her back to Ahjane, but you did not mention what became of her."
"Sinja-Bau chose to remain on Ahjane, Master."
"Chose to remain?" Oppo sputtered. "How could she choose to do anything? She's mad."
"No, Master Oppo," Obi-Wan said calmly. "She is not."
"What do you mean?" Mace asked, leaning forward quickly.
"I did not put this in my report, because I thought it best to relay this information in person," Obi-Wan said. "Sinja-Bau is no longer insane. Her sanity was restored to her. Along with her ability to use the Force."
Cries and shouts of disbelief and surprise echoed around the room. If the situation weren't so dire, Anakin would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many esteemed Jedi Masters in such a lather. But he also sensed that this news about Sinja-Bau wasn't going to do his master any good.
"That's impossible," Eeth Koth's deep voice pierced through the clamor.
Anakin looked over at him. The Sith who killed Qui-Gon was rumored to have been of the same species as Koth and, although the Zabrak had conducted an extensive investigation into the matter, had yet to discover the true heritage of the deceased Sith Lord. Anakin was of the opinion that, as a result of the rumors, Koth was even more of a conservative than Oppo when it came to the Jedi Order and its Code.
"She was blinded to the Force," Koth continued firmly. "There is no way she could have regained her ability to use it."
"No way that we know of," Plo Koon said, his voice filtering through the antiox mask he wore to protect himself from oxygen-rich atmospheres. The Kel Dor had been a very close friend of Qui-Gon's and had shared some of his friend's beliefs regarding the Force.
"No, no, it's impossible," Oppo said shrilly. "Impossible. Master Kenobi is lying."
Obi-Wan turned slightly so that he was looking at Oppo.
"I can assure you, Master Oppo," he said coolly. "I am not lying. The Force is with Sinja-Bau. It gave her back her powers."
"Well, if what you say is true, and I find it hard to believe that it is, why is she not here?" Oppo demanded. "Why did she not come back?"
"Why would she want to!" Anakin suddenly blurted out.
Then his face warmed as all the Council members stared at him. Although Anakin had feared Sinja-Bau, based upon all the stories he had heard about her madness, once he finally did meet her he had discovered she was a warm and gentle woman who reminded him a lot of his mother.
"Forgive me, Masters," he said quickly. He looked down at the toes of his boots.
"Padawan Skywalker speaks truly," Yoda said in the echoing silence that had followed Anakin's outburst. "Cast out from the Order she was. Another path she has chosen to follow. Respect this we will."
"But Master Yoda," Oppo said, his voice rising even higher, "if what Obi- Wan says is true, Sinja-Bau is dangerous. She should be brought here before us and----"
"And what, Master Oppo?" Obi-Wan suddenly interjected, his voice low, but throbbing with, Anakin sensed, barely suppressed anger. "Blinded to the Force again? Sinja-Bau is no longer a danger. You have my word on that. Her madness is gone. She remains on Ahjane to assist Lady Onara and to see after...to see after my son."
"Train him she will?" Yoda asked.
Obi-Wan turned back to the tiny Jedi. "She will...see to his needs. And to that of his mother as she faces the challenges of dealing with a Force- sensitive child."
Anakin was surprised to see a small smile on Yoda's face as he nodded.
"And that's another thing," Oppo cried out. "If this child is Force- sensitive, he should be here at the Temple where he can be properly trained."
"Lady Onara wants her son to remain with her. And remain with her he will," Obi-Wan said in a firm voice. "He's the future Dynast of her province. Her wish is for him to assume that office someday."
"Then respect her wishes we will," Yoda pronounced. "Only with the parents permission, both the parents' permission," he emphasized, "are children to be brought to the Temple to be trained. Therefore, discuss this no more we will. Now, time it is for us to vote on what should be done with Master Obi- Wan."
He looked over at Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Dismissed you both are. Our decision we will apprise you of when reached it we have."
The two men bowed deeply to Yoda and, turning as one, left the Council Chamber. Once they were through the tall doors and they had closed behind them, Anakin turned to Obi-Wan.
"Master, I have a bad feeling about this. What do you think they're going to do? They can't expel you. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Didn't I, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said softly. "Remember the Code, Padawan. There is no passion; there is serenity. I let my passion for Onara override all I have been taught as a Jedi. And because of that passion I neglected my duty, brought about the death of a fellow Jedi, tainted myself with the dark side...and I killed. And you killed also, Anakin. But you did so because I asked you to protect Onara and Ben. I let my feelings for them take precedent over my responsibility to you as your Master."
"But, Master---"
Obi-Wan reached over and took Anakin's arm. "The Council is right. I have not set a good example." He stopped and looked around him. "Perhaps it was coming back here after all that has happened which has made me see the errors of my ways. This is who I am, Anakin. This is where I belong."
Anakin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Everything Obi-Wan had done on Ahjane to save Onara's life and protect his son had felt right to Anakin and had rang true in every fiber of his being. If you truly loved someone, Anakin ardently believed, nothing else mattered. Nothing. You gave up the world for them, you gave up your life for them, you gave up everything for them. And he knew that Obi-Wan truly loved Onara and Ben.
"You haven't wronged me," Anakin said, his voice thick with emotion. "You haven't set a bad example. I was proud of you, Master. I was proud of everything you did. And I agree with Master Piell. If saving the life of the woman you love and the child she bore you is a violation of the Jedi Code, then I'm not sure I want to be a Jedi either."
Obi-Wan gripped Anakin's arm. "No, do not say that. You are a Jedi and I will see to it that you become a Jedi Knight."
"But what about Onara? What about Ben?"
Obi-Wan's eyes suddenly clouded over and even without the Force Anakin could feel the deep pain surging through his master.
"They are lost to me, Anakin," he said softly. "Now, all I have is you and the Jedi Order."
"But you're still Ben's father."
"I think....I think I will write Onara and ask her not to tell Ben about me."
"What?" Anakin cried. "But why, Master?"
"Dynast Dalan will be a good father to him, Anakin. Ben doesn't need to be confused that way. It would not be good for him. I want him and Onara to be happy. And I know they will be happy with Dalan. He truly loves her, Anakin."
Obi-Wan smiled at the look on Anakin's face. "Yes, truly. He told me so. He has loved Onara since the first time he saw her when Edress brought her to Kindah Province as his wife. But, being that she was his uncle's wife, he kept that love to himself. Don't you see, Anakin. I can not make Onara happy. I know that. If I were to remain a Jedi, I could not be there for her and Ben the way a husband and a father should be. And if I were to leave the Jedi...I would not be myself. Dalan can be the husband and the father that I can not."
"But Master---"
Obi-Wan quickly shook his head and withdraw his hand from Anakin's arm.
"I do not wish to discuss it any longer, Anakin. Come, we will go and await the Council's decision."
As Obi-Wan walked down the hall away from the Council Chamber, Anakin stood and watched him. He knew what his master was doing and it made his heart ache. Obi-Wan was going to sever all ties with Onara and Ben, not only because he thought it was best for them, but for Anakin.
Anakin sighed heavily, then ran to catch up with his master. He wanted to grab Obi-Wan, shake him and tell him that it wasn't a sin to love, that the Code was wrong on that. Anakin loved his mother and he would always love her and the Order's attempts to lessen that love would never succeed. And there was one other he loved, a love from long ago, a love that had walked out of the bright, dusty streets of Mos Epsa and into the darkness of Watto's shop and claimed his soul. It was a secret he kept hidden deep in his heart and a love, he now swore, he would never give up.
But, as Anakin strode down the hall with Obi-Wan towards the lift that would take them to the lower levels of the Temple, he remained silent. Instead, he wondered if his dream to become a Jedi was going to prove a nightmare for everyone else.
To be continued....