AN: Much as I wish otherwise this part is short, mostly because there is not good way to connect it to any other part. Doing so would take away from the scene, I think. Any and all feedback appreciated, though flames will be laughed at.

Fourteen

Everything has changed. Too many secrets sleep with too many lies. Truth waits behind every corner. His agents report limited success of the attack in Embare. The Jedi are still alive. Plans are unraveling, promises breaking, and power falling. The longer the Jedi survive, the shorter his life becomes. His sanity, long suspect, begins to fade as the reality of his fragile position overwhelms him.

Much as Anakin wished to stay and explore Eldalye, time and circumstance necessitated a hasty departure. Dawn had yet to break and the morning was wrapped in a comfortable stillness, much like the dew painted on the canvas of forest, as Obi-Wan and Anakin gathered their supplies and saddled their equaras.

A refreshing night's sleep had done wonders for Anakin. His injuries were healing well and although he should be resting, he knew how far he could push. The easy calm with Obi-Wan proved to be more than a passing moment; in fact Anakin was just beginning to realize how much tension he carried with him on a daily basis by letting it go in Obi-Wan's presence. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this free to be himself, without censure, instruction or restraint. It was intoxicating.

And he had two days of Obi-Wan all to himself. Certainly they were on a mission, heading toward the source of what they believed to be the foothold of Darkness on Siesna. But it would take two days to get there.

Anakin mounted his equara, his anxiety dissolving as he saw Obi-Wan do the same. He would have started in on his million and one questions immediately if not for the arrival of Ren'aki Nerae.

He had only a hazy recollection of meeting this woman, and it was not favorable to say the least. But who was she to Obi-Wan that she would see him off? Their body language told Anakin they weren't lovers, and they differed too greatly in appearance to be related. But what puzzled him most was the complete lack of conversation.

Ren'aki simply stood there, watching Obi-Wan with sad resignation. Obi-Wan returned the look with one of his own, time passing unnoticed by either of them. The morning sun filtered through the treetops to highlight the gold in Obi-Wan's hair as he bowed his head. "Thank you," he whispered.

She smiled with tears in her eyes. Looking up, he captured her gaze and said "Goodbye, Ren."

"Arda Kenobi." Her voice was strong and sure, carried on the winds to ring out through the forest.

Obi-Wan's smile was painful to watch and again Anakin curbed his instinct to comfort and protect. He had no idea what was happening, but its effect on Obi-Wan was obvious. He felt as though he should promise Ren'aki that he would return him safe and unharmed, but Anakin dared not break the moment.

He waited for Obi-Wan to take the lead, and followed him without looking back.

tbc