Thanks again Ziptango! Some of the italics aren't working, so I'm puting these words in these brackets. So if you see that, just pretend it's italics!
She is walking down the corridor again. The identical doors pass on either side of her. She stares straight ahead. She reaches her destination, noticing vaguely how the sunlight casts pretty patterns across the marble floor. Her feet are cold. She steps out into the light. For a moment time is frozen as the sunlight streams across her golden skin. She tilts her head back, and a sudden weightlessness overcomes her, a sudden emptiness in her heart. Pain explodes through her body, and she falls to the ground as everything goes black.
Leyana woke with a cry, the dream curling around her senses like smoke. She choked, desperate for air, trying to break free from the imaginary hold.
"It's just a dream." Her own voice was soothing, bringing her into the moment, her senses once again alert.
It was day. The sun poured through the glass doors at the end of the room, bathing her in gentle warmth. Across the room, Shara's bed was neatly made, the sheets folded back, the Jedi Knight nowhere in sight. Everything was normal.
Did you enjoy the elevator ride?
Leyana's eyes were draw to the small piece of paper on her bedside table, the words echoing in her mind.
Did you enjoy the elevator ride?
In a sudden burst of anger she snatched at the paper, hurling it across the room. It landed face up, the black taunt mocking her against its sunny background.
Did you enjoy the elevator ride?
She wanted to rise above the sudden fear those words induced, push it from her mind, show how strong she was. But the feelings threatened to overwhelm her: fear, uncertainty, anger…
"All Jedi are human."
Her own words from the previous night echoed through her mind. They were able to give Obi-Wan comfort, but could she find that same solace? Sighing, she pulled her brown Jedi cloak over her nightshirt, picking up the unpleasant note and placing it in her pocket. Perhaps she could. Perhaps she could seek her solace in another.
***
Obi-Wan Kenobi stared out over the city of Sera, the natural beauty marred by the blackened ruins of Governor Thelos's house. He had been deep in meditation for over an hour now, but still could not quite banish the remaining grief and anger. It was the little girl, he knew, who caused him to hold on to such feelings. The memory of her silver eyes dimming as the life vanished from them, the helplessness as he stood and watched, unable to save her. It was so like his dream…
A quite knocking invaded his thoughts, and he turned, surprised at the prospect of a visitor. He rose and made his way across the room, hesitating for a moment in front of the door. Closing his eyes he tested The Force, but felt no threat, only light. Pure, golden light.
She looked afraid, her eyes tired, her hair limp. She was dressed only in her hooded cloak, wrapped protectively round her body. She looked beautiful.
Obi-Wan shook his head, trying to extinguish the thought as he stepped back to let her in. When she spoke it was haltingly, avoiding his gaze, apprehension on her face.
"I'm sorry," her voice was so soft. "I…I didn't know where else to go."
He frowned, taking a step towards her. "Is something wrong?" She nodded, and drew something yellow from her pocket, holding it out to him wordlessly.
He blinked as he stared at the words, confusion giving way to disgust. "Have you shown Shara?"
She shook her head. "When I woke she had already gone. I came straight here." Her lips tightened in sudden anger. "Who would do something like that? Who would be so cruel?"
"The same kind of person who would blow up a house full of children," he said quietly.
She looked at him, and he sensed her sudden stillness, anger forgotten. "Where's Qui-Gon?"
"He left with Cahn early this morning, they were going to get the bomb analysed."
Leyana nodded. "Maybe Shara's gone with them."
"Maybe."
An uncomfortable silence followed, both their minds unconsciously remembering the way her finger had brushed his cheek.
Such tenderness. And sweetness. A tiny gesture, and yet… Obi-Wan was so confused. He knew these feelings were wrong. Attachment was strictly forbidden in the Jedi Order. He had no place in his life for such desires.
But he couldn't forget the fire in his cheek, or the look in her eyes.
He moved over to the balcony, trying unsuccessfully to escape his thoughts. She moved with him, the slight swish of her cloak against the floor magnified to his ears. He could hear her breathing, sense the slight rise and fall of her chest. Loose himself in the golden depths of her eyes…
"What's it like? On Levitãs?"
She looked at him in slight surprise, but he detected pleasure at his interest. Not many Jedi visited the planets they were born on. Leyana, he knew, had had a mission there with Shara a few years ago, and his curiosity about the planet had grown ever since. Leyana had always been a mystery at the Temple, although they had many classes together. She was top of every test, her fighting technique flawless, and her beauty…her beauty was legendary amongst the Padawans.
Glowing golden skin, silky golden hair, sparkling golden eyes. She was of The Meliorem, The People of the Light, and, true to their name, they seemed to radiate light, an embodiment of the sun itself. If Leyana was anything to go by, Obi-Wan imagined Levitãs to be a very beautiful place indeed.
"It's unimaginable," she said softly. "Everything is light and bright and beautiful. There's no sadness, or pain, just beauty."
He knew at that moment she was far away, back on Levitãs, her birthplace. Perhaps even wondering how her life would be if she had not become a Jedi, if she had had a different destiny.
"The sky is blue, and the trees are green. The sun is always shining…Lesta intãyrim esæynar."
He glanced at her. "What does that mean?"
"A place like heaven," she replied.
"In Meliorem?"
She nodded, staring out over the city, still so far away. "It's funny," she said. "I have spent less than a year of my whole life on Levitãs, but during that brief visit I knew. I just knew that was where I came from, where my roots are."
"I don't remember where I came from," Obi-Wan said softly. "I don't really remember my parents, or my brother. But some things remind me, a smell, a sound, an image." He paused, then said even more softly, "Perhaps it's better that way. I am satisfied with what I have, there is no need for more."
Leyana reached a hand up to her neck, cradling the pendant she wore. "I don't wish for more," she said. "I am contented, and proud to be a Jedi. I believe this is the right path for me. I'm glad I had the chance to see Levitãs, and I hope to go back there some day, but it has not made me wish things were different."
She turned to look at him suddenly, her eyes surprisingly serious.
"I'm glad you are here Obi-Wan Kenobi."
He was warmed by this unexpected confession, touched by her raw emotion.
"I'm glad too."
Her hand moved hesitantly on the balcony rail, hovering over his. He reached for her, a spark of warmth humming across their skin where it touched. A tension flared between them as they sought each other's eyes, and Obi-Wan knew they were standing on the edge, all it would take was one more step…
The door burst open behind them, and Obi-Wan instantly recognised Qui-Gon's footsteps. The two Padawan sprung apart, grateful for the curtain that partially hid them from view.
"Obi-Wan," called Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan swallowed, fighting to keep his tone level. "Out here Master."
Qui-Gon strode onto the balcony, greeting Leyana with a quick smile. "I have some news," he announced. "The casing used on the bomb has been traced to an iron works on the far east of the planet. We may be able to find out who it was made for."
Leyana frowned. "I don't understand. I thought you said the bomb had to be imported from off planet."
"The ionite had to be imported," Qui-Gon explained. "However, this bomb was definitely made on planet. We found markings that were distinctive to this particular iron works."
"It seems a little careless," remarked Obi-Wan. "Why would they use such distinctive metal? Surely they know we could trace it. Qui-Gon, this could be a trap."
"Perhaps they didn't expect the bomb to survive," suggested Leyana.
Qui-Gon nodded thoughtfully, and Obi-Wan could see his Master considering both opinions. "We must be careful," he said finally. "It could just be that the bombers are careless, but equally it could be a trap. We will tread with caution."
"I'll get dressed," said Leyana, heading for the door.
As Obi-Wan watched her go it occurred to him Leyana hadn't mentioned the note to Qui-Gon. He was about to speak up, but changed his mind almost instantly. He had a feeling Leyana would rather Shara heard it first. Then they could tell Qui-Gon, and maybe find out exactly who was behind the threat.
And speaking of Shara… "Is Master Estaan with you?" he asked Qui-Gon. He saw Leyana hesitate in the doorway.
Qui-Gon frowned as he looked from one apprentice to the other. "I thought she was with you."
Leyana shook her head. "I haven't seen her all morning."
She gasped suddenly and bent over double, as if in great pain. Almost in slow motion, Obi-Wan watched her sway, collapsing gracefully onto the cold floor. He moved towards her, but Qui-Gon was already there, crossing the room in three easy steps. She hung limply in his arms, like a rag doll.
"Leyana." Qui-Gon lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Obi-Wan could see the fear written across her features.
"It's Shara," she whispered. "She's in trouble."
***
Shara blinked through the darkness.
"Hello?"
Nothing except the sound of her own voice. She silently cursed herself for not telling Leyana where she was going. It had been foolish to come alone. But she'd been so eager when she received the note she never stopped to think, too eager to wait for her apprentice to wake so they could investigate together.
She pulled it from her cloak pocket now, squinting at the words written on yellowish paper.
I know who destroyed Governor Thelos's estate. Meet me in the abandoned warehouse to the west of Sera, early this morning. I will tell you all I can.
The warehouse was abandoned alright. It was just a huge, empty space, gathering dust and dirt, but nothing else at all. Admittedly, she had thought it was a little odd, but in her excitement at the thought of a lead, she had run off without thinking. She shook her head ruefully.
Sometimes I act more like a Padawan than a fully trained Knight!
No one was coming. She had been waiting for more than an hour now, if they were going to appear, they would have done so by now. She turned to the doors through which she had entered, old wooden things with peeling paint, reached expectantly for the handle, and pulled.
Nothing happened.
The uneasy feeling she'd had since last night had reached its peak. Alarm bells were definitely ringing. She tried pulling again, then using The Force.
Still nothing.
Just like in the lift
She shuddered. That was not a good thought.
It was almost as if something was blocking her ability to use The Force…but that was impossible. Only someone powerful in the Dark Side could do such a thing. She would have felt the use of the Dark Side. She would have.
She turned, peering through the gloomy warehouse, hoping to find another exit.
Her heart stopped.
Sitting in the middle of the floor, terrifying in its innocence was a yellow envelope.
She walked towards it, feeling as if each step was bringing her closer to doom. She reached down and picked it up, carefully breaking the seal. She pulled out the contents.
Every muscle in her body became very, very still as a feeling of mixed fear and rage swept through her.
Anything but this
A sudden roaring filled her ears and she looked up, only to be blinded by bright white lights, shining right in her eyes. A speeder bike soared over her head, missing the top of her hair by inches. The rider leapt from the bike, drawing a weapon from its belt. Shock raced through Shara as she recognised the red glow of a lightsaber, humming to life as it cut through the air towards her. In a flash her own lightsaber was in her hand, countering the attack, purple against red. The weapons tangled and hissed as the fighters spun, leapt and jabbed in a fight as fierce as Shara had ever known.
The mysterious fighter was one of the toughest opponents she had ever met. Their technique was perfect, and they fought with a fury that was hard to deflect. But they were using the dark side of The Force, and Shara drew strength from this knowledge, protecting herself with white light, throwing the darkness back at them.
They aimed a blow at her right shoulder, but she twisted away at the last second, bringing her own lightsaber swinging toward their head. They ducked, parrying the move from below, using pure strength to knock her backwards. She stumbled but immediately regained balance, launching into a backward somersault, slashing at the air in front of her. Every move was deflected, every blow bounced back. She was fighting as hard as she cold, using every trick she knew, but it wasn't enough. Slowly but surely she was being driven backwards, further into the darkness of the warehouse. She feinted left then plunged right, but her weapon was knocked aside, missing her target completely. In her moment of distraction, a well-aimed kick to her chest sent her flying back ward through the air, weapon torn from her grasp. She felt the danger behind her, but could do nothing to stop her doomed flight, and could only brace herself for the pain.
Everything exploded as she slammed headfirst into the tower of concrete blocks. She felt the tower giving way beneath her, as her body passed right through it, destroying the stability of the pile. And then she was falling, falling right into the nest of concrete as the world collapsed on top of her.
***
The figure carefully slid its lightsaber back into its sleeve, then looked down at her body dispassionately. It turned and walked away, its footfalls silent on the stone floor.
Shara lay lifeless amongst the fallen blocks, her body crushed and broken. A bloody hand stretched from the mess, still clutching a yellow piece of paper and a photograph of a sleeping girl with golden hair.
I'm watching her
