Knights and Eros Bound
Chapter 5
Both Anakin and Schurke were stunned into momentary silence. Master Aliéné ? The idea seemed absurd, and yet...
"Where is Gris anyway?" Canaille asked suddenly. "I haven't seen her since this morning, after the knighting…"
"That's the other thing," replied Kampher, in an almost conspiratorial whisper. "She's gone… I think she went looking for something… or someone."
Anakin shifted uneasily. Part of him wanted to hear more about their lost companion yet the siren song of Padmé's state of dress pulled at his very being. He cast a quick glance in her direction, and to his dismay, found that the Chalactan Senator was standing close to her. Too close.
"If you'll excuse me…" Anakin said rather abruptly, beginning to make his way back to Padmé's side as graciously as he could.
"Anakin…" Kampher called him back momentarily. "Please…"
With one last glance at Padmé, (who had diplomatically distanced herself a little, much to Anakin's relief,) he came back to the others.
"I needed to tell someone…" Kampher continued softly. "I'm going after her…"
"When? How?" Shurke broke in but Kampher motioned for him to be quiet. "Tomorrow after Temple Evesong." She looked back and forth at the two men's faces, seeing the same look of stunned disbelief on their faces, and perhaps something else.
"We're going with you…" Anakin said at last. "You knew that we would…"
Shurke nodded in agreement. "We all hang together or we'd all swing alone." It had been their motto for many months when the four had fought together as Padawans, a vow of unity. Kampher lowered her head.
"I haven't asked the Council…" she said softly.
"Rule breaking!" Shurke broke out into a grin. "Anakin, won't Master Obi-Wan be surprised…"
Anakin stole another glance at Padmé, who blinked coquettishly at him. Gods! She was a temptress!
"Anakin?" Kampher cupped his chin gently. "Are you all right ? You seem… distracted…"
"Senator Amidala…" Schurke's grin widened, but then withered under Anakin's glare, as he seemed to sense that this was a subject not to be broached. At least not now.
"Together…" Anakin said at last. "Where are we to meet?"
Kampher sighed with relief. "The 4th quadrant, second level… I've arranged transport to Ord Mantell. I think that's where she would go first... "
A discrete chime indicated that it was time to be seated, and as Anakin fairly raced to Padmé's side, Kampher held Schurke back momentarily.
"There's something between them…Anakin and Senator Amidala," Schurke whispered to Kampher with out the slightest hint of rancor. "But I can't tell you exactly what it is…"
"It's love…" Kampher whispered back. "It's the one thing that might save us all…"
* A/N "We all will hang together" was inspired by Benjamin Frankin who said "We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately." Just so you know J