CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Anja's eyelids weakly crawled open, her gaze still out of focus, but at least Obi-Wan knew she was conscious. Her now frail body was limp within his arms. Obi-Wan could sense through the Force how badly battered and bruised his beloved's body was. Painfully, she let a slow, shuddering breath escape her punctured lungs.
"Obi-Wan.I.I.I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Love, not at all. Shh." His careful fingers gently brushed the bloody, sweat-streaked hair out of her clouded eyes. "Master Qui-Gon and Ianol are coming. Just.hold on. Everything will be okay." Obi-Wan gently rocked Anja in his lap, helping her try to get through the pain of her injuries. The couple sat underneath the large, bowing braches of the tree, awaiting Ianol and Qui-Gon's hurried arrival.
Interrupting the night with a harsh cough, Anja's body lurched and twisted painfully. Her shaking hand rose to her pale lips as blood trickled out upon her bony fingers. Obi-Wan's hand tightened within Anja's limp fingers.
"Master. Where are you.?" Obi-Wan's pleading whisper was evaporated by the thick blackness around them.
"Obi-Wan?" A stern voice strung with worry broke the horrible silence.
"Master!" Obi-Wan's cry of desperation answered Qui-Gon's call. His arms enveloped Anja tighter, bringing her cheek to his strong chest. Anja's skin was beginning to run cold along with the color in her face. "She needs to see a healer, and fast. That wrath." Obi-Wan spat with disgust.
"Enough Obi-Wan. The ship is about to land. We must move her quickly." The male apprentice nodded solemnly as he ever so carefully cradled Anja between his arms. Ianol watched in sad, worried quiet as she accompanied the two other Jedi to the ship home. The bowels of the ship opened wide, casting the eerie, unnatural glow of artificial light upon the grim group. They stepped upon the platform and were raised up into the ship to ready for their departure to Courscant.