Chapter Two: Flamma fumo est proxima
Obi Wan pulled down his hood so he could feel the familiar warmth of Parcae's white sun on his face. There was a beautiful storm raging in his mind, a chaotic jumble of thoughts and sensations, stirring with reminiscence and emotion. Each section of the port, and the promise of the city beyond filled him with countless happy memories of this planet. He had been here many times before, as a Padawan under Qui Gon, and had loved it each time. Even now, his eyes began to sting as bittersweet memories came to the forefront of his mind- as each sight, and smell, and sound connected to a remembered one that had been long, long forgotten. He could feel the stone of the ancient city underneath him, could feel the pride of a people, and in his chest, his heart swelled with emotion for them all.
These people had given him his Master and for that, he loved them. He loved their simple nobility, their innocence and beauty. Qui Gon, he reasoned, had been a prefect son of Parcae and thereby, everything that had been good and whole in him belonged also to the people. And he would die to protect that.
As he walked, he felt the Force swell around him, welcoming him to a city at peace. Behind him he was only faintly aware of Anakin, Amri and Gai Vinn. He frowned as he felt Anakin's contempt for Gai Vinn and wondered how anyone could feel so in such a paradise. He turned towards a fruit vendor, preparing to ask in his own broken knowledge of the native language for one of his favorite sweets.
And in the next sensation, he became acutely aware of the rough cobblestone road next to his cheek and the pressure of a lighter person on top of him whose laughter rang out like wind chimes, both lovely and whimsical.
"Obi Wan, you should be ashamed of yourself or were you so entranced by the beautiful women all around you that you could not sense danger when we approach so easily? What would Master Qui Gon think? I knew I should have become his Padawan instead…you didn't deserve him."
"And he didn't deserve the headaches that you would have given, Briand."
"So, you do remember me!" Laughed Briand as she rose and offered her hand to Obi Wan.
"How could I forget you, scars don't fade." He joked, taking her hand and looking into the Jedi's playful blue eyes. Without looking at Anakin, he said, "Anakin Skywalker, meet Briand Creed."
"A pleasure," Briand said, her hands now working on returning her short blond hair to its place. Obi Wan had to smile. Everything about Briand had always given him joy and her presence here only added to his serenity. Although the same age, she had matured more gracefully then he, and it seemed that the decade that had parted them had only served to make her more beautiful. Her short gold hair was pulled into a tail, but bangs hung over her crisp blue eyes. Her arms were slender but strong, with long fingers that wove quickly over her hair and then fell to her side, with her left resting on the hilt of her lightsaber. Instead of the usual tan and brown robes of a Jedi, she wore fine simmersilk robes of rose and bright red, the color of the Imperial family, complete with the crest of the King over her chest. Obi Wan's eyes ran over her body, and then- upon feeling a pang of embarrassment and guilt- he brought them quickly back to her round face and that small knowing smile that always scared him as a child.
"Yeah," She said, shyly. "I missed you too, Obi Wan." She turned. "Padawan, go to the Sovern and tell him the convoy has arrived without incident."
"Yes, Master." The boy said, meeting Obi Wan's eyes for a split second then running away to fulfill his task.
"Amri, you're welcome to go with him, if you like." Gai Vinn said kindly, walking closer to Obi Wan and Briand.
The Padawan had paused, and lingered, clearly pleased with the idea of company. There was a kinship between the boys that Obi Wan could feel in the Force. He was impressed by the Padawan's connection to the Living Force, but couldn't shake an unease that was growing in the pit of his stomach. In the moment Obi Wan had caught of the boy, he had seen clouded eyes that gleamed from a strong, noble face, and a curtain of dark brown hair. His body, appearing painfully thin, looked like he could not hold his in a battle- causing Obi Wan to worry even more about him.
This child was barely a child, how could he be a Jedi?
"I sense your anxiety, Obi Wan." Briand's voice broke his musing, and brought his attention back to the moment. "But believe me, it is unfounded."
"He's a frail boy." Anakin interjected, knowing the questions Obi Wan was too polite to ask. "We're only concerned with his safety, and yours for that matter."
"Qui Gon is an able fighter…"
Obi Wan frowned. "His name is Qui Gon?"
"Qui Gon Manasseh." Briand nodded. "Did you not see your Master's spirit in his grandson's eyes?"
"He's Adame's son?" Obi Wan asked, with emotions that betrayed him.
Behind him, Anakin noticed the influx of emotion and flinched from it. Briand met Anakin's eyes knowingly for a brief second before returning her full attention to the questions that Obi Wan was rapidly firing at her.
"Have seen her? Is she alive? The boy…who is the father?"
Gai Vinn leaned over and touched Anakin's arm when he saw that the Padawan meant to interrupt and ask about this. The Senator leaned over and whispered into his ear. "In a place where emotion reigns, my young friend, it is best to remain quiet and learn what you can."
"Who is Adame?"
"Listen, and you will find out all that you need to know…for now." The Senator said, quietly and motioned again to the two Jedi Knights.
Briand had her arm on Obi Wan's; as if touching him would give him some peace the name had taken. Her eyes were warm, and worried and the way she continued to stroke his arm with almost loving affection told Anakin that the person who meant a great deal to Obi Wan.
Adame was also someone who had affected his master negatively.
"The boy was born at Megiddo over a decade ago, and when he was tested he was returned to the Jedi Temple on Golian. We only know his mother, she would not reveal the father."
"Does she know he is being trained?"
"I don't know."
"Does the boy know who his mother and grandfather are?"
"He knows he is a son of Parcae, and the Crowned Prince has ask that we allow him to take his rightful place among the Elite at the Coronation. Until that, however, the Jedi have chosen to keep his legacy a secret."
There was long pause as Anakin sensed Obi Wan struggle to contain a storm of feelings that he dared not show on his face. Out of the corner of his eye, Anakin saw Briand reach over and grasp Obi Wan's hand. Between them, he could sense love, trust, but in Obi Wan, there was now pain and confusion and one feeling that overwhelmed even Anakin's senses- love, betrayed.
"Why don't you explain the situation to me?" Anakin said suddenly, and felt Obi Wan's relief that he was no longer the center of Briand's attention. "What exactly is our mission?"
"Our duty is to protect Prince Elias until his coronation." Briand said, carefully. Gai Vinn took over, giving Briand a sharp glare. "And to ensure that Elias will support the Republic in the upcoming Loyalist-Separatist struggle."
"There's no indication that there will be a struggle." Briand said, in a voice that clearly told Anakin and Obi Wan that Gai Vinn and her had had this argument many times before.
"But there is no guarantee against it." Gai Vinn said smartly.
Before them, the royal palace of Aziton gleamed with stately beauty and prestige. White stone, with red banners that swayed majestic in the breeze crowned the vast, looming gardens. Unlike the palace of Theed, which Anakin had a habit of comparing everything too, Aziton an age to it. A nobility that came from it's withering architecture and intricate masonry and cravings. The spires that recalled the Jedi's own temple reached towards the white sun and clear blue sky creating a specter of heavenly peace. The feel of surrealism increased when the Jedi entered this great palace. The polished marble floors did not echo eerily like most dead places but instead rang against the halls and sang to the hearts of the servants and diplomats that crossed them as they passed. Upon seeing their Jedi robes and Isidor, the people would smile at them sincerely and bow in honor.
And then again, like Anakin had sensed on the ship was the presence. That passing whisper of a forgotten memory but now this specter was cold, calculating and menacing. Unlike the ship's vision, now the ghost was malevolent and cocky. That soft teasing nature that had infuriated him was beckoning him closer now, and in response, Anakin hurried his step. He could sense the ghost in the room beyond and he would not lose again. He would not be taunted by a ghost; he would destroy it first.
"Anakin, that's the Throne Room…" He ignored Obi Wan's plea, followed by Gai Vinn's strained voice. "You can't go in there until summoned!"
Bursting past the doors, he felt the surprise of the Prince, his guardian and attendants. He felt the guardians move into position around the Prince, and heard, rather then saw the attendant rise and demand the meaning of his interruption. No, instead Anakin's eyes were owned by the ghost made flesh.
It was a woman who sitting on the steps under the throne. She was a beautiful woman, with strong features that were poised in study of him. Gray hazy eyes ran over his body, before resting on his like if he were some exotic toy she could play with until he no longer amused her. The cockiness and arrogance that surrounded her like a cloak, was alien when attempted to be allied with the face that demanded nobility and respect kept it with quiet strength.
She rose to her full height, walking pass the boy Prince who was still hidden from view by his company of aides and guards. The black of her uniform was set violently against the teal cape that whipped around her like a serpent. She rose gloved hands, and smiled a tight, knowing smile.
"Aha, young Skywalker, honor and welcome. It has been many years since last I saw you and indeed you are no longer the boy my father saved. By all means, enter and bow before the new King of Parcae." She lifted her head and looked up, and with that action the smile grew. "This is indeed a happy reunion! Obi Wan, my father's pride and Briand Creed…welcome, come in! Gai Vinn, you should come into. What we are discussing involves you too…"
"And what are you discussing?" Gai Vinn asked, quietly. After years of surprises and shocks in the Senate the appearance of a woman who had not been seen in a decade affected him less.
"Why, the succession of the Parcaen Kingdom from the Galactic Republic, of course. I came with a mission from my Master to talk of a possible departure and am pleased to announce that upon his coronation, a new day will be dawning for Parcae." She smiled, brightly. "Isn't that grand?"
The color from Obi Wan's face had returned and now, even though each word seemed to bring great pain he spoke. "Anakin, this is Adame Jinn, Qui Gon's daughter. You've met before if you'll remember…"