NINE

Bahreen was a world of contrasts. Its cities boasted graceful architecture yet a simple economy. Its ecology was incredibly beautiful but also incredibly dangerous; the cities were pockets of habitation in the midst of fire-forests and sand-swamps.

Its people were a study in contrasts as well. They were an elegant race, humanoid, pale skinned, and fair of voice, cultured. Yet they were a society bound heavily in tradition, including their government, a collection of "Houses;" basically clan leadership. In this they had not changed in over seven centuries.

As they disembarked from the Caldorian vessel, both Jedi took in their surroundings in a practiced sweep, taking note of everything, instinctively reaching out with the Force to establish their situation. At the foot of the ramp awaited a tall, slender Bahreena female, her eyes luminously orange and next to her was a shorter Bahreena male. Both were dressed in the clothing of a House page, the highest ranking servant of the clan.

Upon reaching the bottom of the ramp, the two servants silently guided them to a nearby transport, an older model airspeeder that had been meticulously maintained. Taking the controls, the female darted off through the spaceport and on through the city. There was no true capital as such on Bahreen, but the leading House was here in the city of Khuta En. Their first stop as Jedi would be here, both to observe the protocols of the Bahreena and to establish their presence here for the mission at hand.

No one spoke; outspoken servants were considered a bad reflection on the House they served and so therefore rarely engaged in idle conversation. As each of the Jedi were wrapped up in their own thoughts much like the robes they wore, it was a very quiet ride into the interior, and then beyond, to the outskirts of the city.

The building itself was formidable; a tall, broad structure lending itself to the idea of a mansion, although perhaps on a slightly smaller scale. The grounds were meticulous, and the path from the speeder to the house was lined with sweetly-scented petals, a gracious welcome to the guests from Coruscant.

Obi-Wan followed his master at a discreet pace behind, a show of respect among a people for whom respect and honor were a way of life. Most clansman-based peoples were like that, not unlike the Jedi in that way.

A tall, regal looking Bahreena gentleman came striding out toward the speeder and he was flanked by two young, rather excited looking children.

"Is that them, Dajo?" One of them whispered in awe. The man did not answer but continued his approach of the two robed figures coming to greet him.

Stopping just paces of each other, Qui-Gon bowed deeply, as was the Jedi tradition of honor, and Obi-Wan followed suit, both men straightening in tandem.

"Ketero v'ndi roeh nuh." (Peace on the Ruler of this House.) Qui- Gon's traditional greeting, delivered in Old Bahreeni rather than Basic and in an almost melodic tone took both their host and Obi-Wan quite by surprise. Both sets of eyes were riveted on the Jedi Master. "San Jotar Qui-Gon Jinn." A smaller bow. "San Kesh Obi-Wan Kenobi." Following his master's lead, Obi-Wan inclined his head a second time. Their host smiled broadly.

"It is rare enough, Master Jedi, to hear my own people speak in the language of their fathers. To hear it so beautifully spoken by an outworlder honors my House and is a great credit to you."

"Bash tai." Qui-Gon responded, thanking him. "We are grateful for the kindred relationship the Bahreena have maintained with the Jedi over the years."

"I am Touko, Ruler of the House Inais. Welcome to my home and my people." The man glanced down at the children standing nervously at his side. "This is my daughter Inais Le and my son, Inais Kor.'

"You're really Jedi?" The children chorused almost as one, their eyes round. Qui-Gon chuckled softly, and nodded in the affirmative. The walk back to the house was punctuated by curious questions and several 'but my friend says Jedi are…' type of statements. For a planet ripe with Force- sensitives, these young ones seemed to know very little about the very Order that some of their friends would soon join. Obi-Wan smiled mirthfully as Qui-Gon patiently fielded the questions, some of them reminding him of his young days as an Initiate at the Temple, wanting to know everything, hardly ready to know anything.

"Come now, Kor…Le. Go on to your studies and leave our guests in peace for the time being." The children ran off, rounded up by their tutor, the female page who'd driven the speeder. "I apologize for that, Master Jedi. My children are curious about everything and they feel compelled to ask the nearest person who might have the answer."

"Curiosity is no crime, Roeh Inais Touko." Qui-Gon addressed his host formally, the traditional title of 'Roeh' or Ruler, followed by the surname and finally the given name. Obi-Wan frowned slightly to himself. There was an ease of speaking the unfamiliar language that suggested either some form of Force-knowledge or…or Qui-Gon Jinn had been here before. "It is often the curious who discover their deepest potential in the Force. Your daughter, for instance, has a strong Force aura."

"My daughter…" Touko replied smoothly and evenly, "…as eldest child will be Head of this House when I am gone. Sensitive or not, her place is here serving her people."

"No offense intended, Roeh."

"None taken. Now I'm sure you two would like a chance to rest from your long journey before the others arrive."  The slender head of the lead House of Bahreen gestured to the tall staircase that wound up from the left, and the two Jedi followed him. The room prepared for them was perfectly laid out, and Qui-Gon inclined his head again.

"You honor us with your kindness, Roeh."

"I will send Asvhi to tend to your needs."

As soon as the door had closed behind them, Obi-Wan released a breath he'd forgotten he was holding.

"Master…" He breathed out.

"I sense it too. Be mindful of the Living Force." Qui-Gon instructed. "I feel that we're going to know what this disturbance is before very long."

"Yes Master."

"Try to get some rest; I'm sure this first night will be a late one; a House reception is no small matter."

Obi-Wan nodded obediently, and turned toward the nearest sleep couch.

++++

"A reception for our honored Jedi in the House Inais." Nacena mused thoughtfully. She had personally been nearby to watch the Jedi disembark from the less-than-impressive (she thought anyway) Caldorian vessel, but it was Yhriel that had been sent to discover the Knights' final destination. Stood to reason it would be Inais; they were the largest House on Bahreen and quite often the most intelligent as well. "How long has it been since we've attended one of those?"

Yhriel was loathe to answer the question honestly; it brought up too many bad memories when he did.

"I suppose, Mistress, that it has been quite some time."

Nacena smiled to herself. Uncanny self-preservation skills that one had.

"Well I think it's about time we did something about that."