This place is so cold, thought Anakin Skywalker. Not just a temperature cold, but something else as well. Something deeper. Anakin looked up at his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite the calm look on the Jedi's face, Anakin could feel the uneasiness inside. What could be here that had even Obi-Wan upset?
Something is very wrong here, Obi-Wan was thinking at the same time. Like a dark shield around the whole place. I haven't felt anything like this since...since I fought the Sith. A Sith couldn't be here! he thought in a brief moment of panic. No, there is no Sith here. But there is something dark at work here.
"Master?" It took Obi-Wan a second to realize that he had not heard this in his thoughts. He shook his head quickly and turned to Anakin. But Anakin had seen that he had lost his focus and gave Obi-Wan a worried look. "Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself."
Obi-Wan ran his hand over the beard he had begun to grow. "I'm fine, Padawan. There is just something about this place that gets me uneasy."
Anakin nodded. "I feel it too. But I can't figure out what it is." He grimaced; he hated not knowing what was going on. Obi-Wan noticed his face and laughed. Anakin stared at him. "What?"
"Your face. You get this little look when you find out you don't know everything." He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Things will become clear as we move on," he said, becoming serious again.
"I know, Master." Anakin's face brightened as a new idea dawned on him. "Hey Obi-Wan. Before we leave Teyrallist, can we go check out that technology fair they're having in the main city?"
"What for?"
"To look at all the new stuff!"
Well, it's not why we came here, but what can it hurt? It's time to let Anakin do something that he wants to do. "Sure. After we visit the Memorial," he said pointedly.
"Alright! You're the best Master ever!" Anakin was smiling from ear to ear, putting Obi-Wan at peace about his decision. Let the boy have a little fun.
Obi-Wan studied the boy. In four years Anakin had grown almost a foot and a half. His hair was still cut in the short style of a Padawan learner, and his braid was long enough that it reached the base of his throat. When nervous, Obi-Wan noticed that Anakin would unknowingly chew on it. Obi-Wan was trying to break the boy of that habit, especially after they'd gone through a garbage chute. The boy has changed so much since I met him, he thought.
Obi-Wan looked down at his map, and was unaware that Anakin was studying him as well. He usually seems so unsure of himself, Anakin thought. He's not sure if he's the right Master for me. Well, I wouldn't want any Master but him. He's the only one who tries to understand me. Everyone else just kind of drifts away. He's still young, maybe that's why he's so open to me sometimes. How old is he? 28, 29? Hard to tell. He looks older with his beard and hair.
"This way." Obi-Wan said, breaking into Anakin's thoughts. "The Memorial is two miles this way," he pointed in the direction of a dense forest.
Anakin groaned. "I guess this means we won't be taking the speeder."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Right you are, Anakin. The forest is much too dense; we'd run into a tree. Besides, a nice hike will be good for you."
"Ooh, fun." Anakin replied sarcastically
"Glad you agree." Obi-Wan quipped as he began walking up the steep hill to the first tree.
Anakin rolled his eyes and trudged after his Master. After a few minutes they reached a thin, underused path. Anakin stared at it for a moment, but Obi-Wan simply began to follow it.
"Is this the path to the Memorial?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, it isn't far now. If a certain someone would hurry, we may get there before nightfall."
"I am hurrying!" Anakin protested, unaware of his Master's smile. They followed the beaten path for about an hour at a leisurely pace. Anakin was eager to just get where he was going, but stayed at his Master's pace. He would have complained, but the concerned look on his Master's face stopped him. Obi-Wan was worried about something, but what? I wish he would tell me what's wrong, Anakin thought as he followed his Master.