Chapter 7

Mara shook Skywalker more roughly and allowed herself a small sigh of relief when he elicited a small groan. He opened his eyes and slowly sat up. "Are you all right?" she asked anxiously.

"Y-yeah. Remind me never to drink that caf of yours again. I think you've poisoned me." He gave her a weak smile, but the look in his eye told her everything was definitely not okay.

"I'll have a room set up for you by the time we reach the main house," Guru offered. "You can rest there."

"Thank you," Mara replied gratefully. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he spoke into a comlink. Something didn't feel right. She needed to talk to Skywalker in private. She sent the thought out to him. It was then she realized what had been bothering her. She couldn't sense him in the Force. She fought back the uneasiness the crept up into her throat. It didn't feel like there were ysalamiri nearby. She could sense the Force, but it was a confused jumble in her mind, like trying to watch a holo that was being jammed with static.

Mara was confident that she could handle herself without the Force, she rarely used it anyway. But the Force was an integral part of Skywalker's life. She remembered the dizzy spell she had earlier. Whatever was interfering with her Force abilities, must magnify in proportion to how powerful the user is. It would explain why Skywalker passed out.

"On second thought, I think maybe my co-pilot could use some fresh air," she interjected smoothly.

"Of course," Guru replied. "I will assign you a guide to show you around my home. I'm sure the gardens will do wonders to refresh you after your trip." Mara opened her mouth to object, but he was too quick. "My home can be a quite a maze. I wouldn't want you to get lost. I assure you, my servants are highly trained and will give you whatever degree of privacy you require."

Mara ignored the suggestive tone he added at the end of that last statement. She merely forced a smile and accepted his hospitality.

The hover craft dropped off its occupants in front of an immense half-circular building several stories high that opened onto an expansive courtyard. Each had wide steps leading up to a marble veranda bordered by high, ivory columns. Large windows were cut into the stone, the panes arranged in an artistic mosaic that gave the building added beauty without restricting the view.

"I will have lunch prepared by the time you return." He made a silent hand gesture to one of his servants and disappeared inside the building in the center.

Mara and Skywalker took off at a leisurely pace into the courtyard. True to his word, the servant remained a respectful distance behind them, out of earshot but never out of visual range. Mara was quick to note the surliness of their escort and the firepower he carried not quite out of sight.

Mara had to admit that Guru had nice taste when it came to gardens. The courtyard was sprinkled with wide-leafed trees, flower-lined walkways and life size statues of various species. High hedges lined the interior walls creating the illusion of a natural barrier. At the very center stood a massive fountain several meters tall with a larger than life statue of a human male standing magnificently on the top. At closer inspection, Mara realized with a barely controlled smirk that the statue was actually an artistic representation of Guru, himself.

Mara pulled Skywalker down onto the bench encircling the statue. "How are you feeling?" she whispered. "And keep your voice down so our friend doesn't hear."

He hadn't said a word since the incident in the hovercraft. Mara saw confusion and fear written across his face. "It feels really weird. I can feel the Force, but I can't interpret it. It's like sitting in on the Senate without any interpreter droids."

"I guess that rules out ysalamiri," she mused. "You aren't still feeling sick are you?"

"No, I didn't really feel sick before either. Just really dizzy, then I blacked out."

"Looks like your not going to be as much help as Karrde thought."

"Gee, thanks. I guess we'll just have to hope our disguises are enough to keep anyone from recognizing us."

"So far, I think we're safe. Though, this certainly increases my suspicions of our charitable host. I guess we'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way. You up for a little fun tonight?" she asked with an unmistakable twinkle in her eye.

"Fun?"

"I think we should do some exploring."

"You mean prowling."

"Let's not get hung up on semantics," she replied with a careless wave of her hand. "For now, just keep your eyes and ears open. And watch what you say. He's probably got listening devices planted throughout the complex."

Luke nodded looking a little exasperated. "You know, I have done undercover work before."

Mara looked doubtful, but she said nothing.

"Also, he'll probably have guards posted around the house and on the grounds. That means you'll have to be discreet," he teased.

"Hey, it's me!" She exclaimed, mimicking Solo's legendary cockiness and ignoring the pained look Skywalker gave her.

They got up and headed back toward the main house. Another of Guru's servants greeted them in the marble-floored foyer and guided them to a lift that would take them to the dining room where their host was already waiting.

Mara's mouth dropped slightly as they stepped out into a large, brightly-lit room. Three of the four walls and the ceiling were glass giving them a breathtaking view of the rain forest below them and the ocean on the horizon. The sky was a perfect azure, though clouds were beginning to form in the distance promising rain. The Imperial Palace on Coruscant didn't come close to the beauty and elegance Guru's fortress held. She quickly recovered her voice. "Your home is spectacular."

"Thank you," he replied with a dazzling smile. "I like to surround myself with beautiful things."

As if on cue, a beautiful woman appeared from a side door. She was tall and supple dressed in a flowing floor length skirt of some light fabric that swirled around her legs when she moved and showed off her curves. Her ebony hair was done up in an elegant twist. No hair dared to find itself out of place. She bowed her head slightly in greeting toward Guru and then turned her eyes appreciatively on Skywalker.

"I see our guests have arrived," she purred and held out a perfectly manicured hand first to Skywalker, then Mara.

"This is my assistant, Auria," Guru explained as he introduced everyone.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said graciously, then she led the group to a long table that had been prepared for lunch.

Mara wasn't sure what she was eating, but whatever it was, it was delicious. She and Guru chatted idly during the meal. Auria positioned herself next to Skywalker at the table and tried to engage him in conversation. Mara glanced over once or twice and had to suppress a smirk at Skywalker's obvious discomfort under the flirtations of the voluptuous assistant. She refrained from guessing what she assisted him with. She concentrated on Guru.

"I hope you are not in a hurry to leave, because I insist that you stay a few days as my guests to enjoy the natural beauty of my home," he was saying.

"Trying to lower my price with a free vacation?" Mara inquired lightly. Inwardly she was somewhat relieved that she had not had to come up with an excuse to stay, but was suspicious of Guru's hospitality. Whether he was genuinely trying to be friendly or not, a few days would give them plenty of time to snoop around for clues as to the fate of the missing crews. "I have nothing pressing at the moment," Mara replied airily. "Again, we thank you for your hospitality."

"Your welcome. I've already had my staff prepare your rooms. Feel free to stay as long as you like. Also I'm hosting a small party tomorrow night," Guru continued. "I would be honored if you would join us."

"That is very kind of you," Mara answered, "but we didn't exactly come prepared for a party."

"Oh, that's no problem." He waved his hand dismissively. "You'll find appropriate clothing in your rooms. Just inform one of my servants if something does not meet to your liking."

She nodded and gave him a small, appreciative smile.

"Perhaps we should begin discussing your price for the amulet," he said abruptly changing the subject.

"Five million," she responded without missing a beat. She casually took a sip of wine giving him time to let the figure sink in.

"Done."

Mara nearly choked and stared at him incredulously. Even if she had found a buyer who would pay such an exorbitant amount, no one ever accepted the first offer. It was bad business. Guru smiled serenely at her. "I guess you're not one for bargaining," she managed once she found her voice again.

"Believe me, I would have paid double for that piece," he replied.