ELEVEN

The House Inais was brilliantly lit from within and without, celebration lights hanging throughout the gardens and in every alcove, scented tapers and sparkling pattern lights in hallways or side rooms. The Grand Hall itself, which was little more than a ballroom, really, had been transformed into a glorious riot of color, light, and music. The Bahreena were nothing if not aesthetic, and their arts reflected that graciousness.

Obi-Wan clenched and unclenched his hand beneath the sweeping sleeve of his robe. It continued to twitch although the trembling had slowed considerably. From beneath the hood of his robe he took in everything; his master's measured paces to his left, the glow-torch carried by the page, the narrowness of the hallway and the smell of more of those scented petals that now graced the entryway.

Qui-Gon set a quick pace, but Obi-Wan kept in step with him as they strode along behind their guide. There was a sense of urgency in the air, almost a palpable pulse in the Force. A quick glance at his master told Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon felt it too.

"Strange, isn't it?" He said quietly, looking briefly to his left. Qui-Gon spared him a glance as their rapid steps covered the distance toward the large doors at the far end of the passageway.

"No stranger than any ripple in the Force. The Force is never to be regarded as an oddity, Obi-Wan. It and everything in it is as natural as the air we breathe and the blood that flows in our veins. Even a death felt is part of the Living Force."

"I understand, Master." Kenobi answered, resolving to pay more attention to the living pulse and make it his own. Qui-Gon watched the slight changes in his apprentice's expression that marked the transition from lesson to truth.

"That said," Jinn continued with a slight inclination of his head, "there does seem to be a strong sense in the Force…a warning. I've felt it getting stronger. Stay alert."

"I will."

For Qui-Gon, it was almost like deja-vu, walking a hallway not unlike this one to be announced to a House of Bahreen. Only then, she had been at his side, unaware of what was to come. Indeed, neither of them could have known…

The page reached the doorway and two more of the household servants--internal guards it looked like--swung wide the doors and they were ushered into the Great Hall. The entrance was actually on the second floor; a great staircase stretched out before them, stopping just shy of the expanse of polished dance floor. An instant hush fell over the comfortably filled room, as nearly a hundred pairs of eyes focused in on the threesome standing a floor above them. A corridor was made for them as the guests parted, creating a passage that led up to a small dais on the other end of the room.

The page stepped forward and called out over the gathered guests in a strong voice,

"Ketero v'ndi chah!" (Peace on you all!) At this the entire floor erupted in a single mass voice,

"Ketero san vei!" (Peace is with us!)

The page switched to Basic standard, in deference to their honored guests in spite of the formal occasion.

"I give good greeting to you in the name of the Roeh of the House Inais! From time past remembering, the people of our Houses have been kin to the keepers of our peace, the honorable Jotar…the Jedi Knights. We are favored this night by honored guests from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant." Qui-Gon bowed deeply and Obi-Wan followed his lead. Both Jedi pulled back their hoods now to reveal their faces fully, and a polite applause scattered throughout the room; mainly because they knew the page was not yet finished speaking. "We have gathered this night to make our honored friends welcome in this House and to aid the Jedi once more in the care of their Order. Give good greeting to Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Learner, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Now there was a louder, more sustained greeting, many of them calling out the now familiar, "Peace be on you" as they now walked down the steps. Qui-Gon returned it many times to those around him, and Obi-Wan picked it up as well, although the first few attempts at pronunciation were a little mangled.

Accent on the last syllable, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon suggested through the bond. Let it roll off your tongue, very fluid, not harsh. Obi-Wan tried again, giving the greeting to a boy who looked to be about ten, and was pleased when the child didn't laugh at his efforts but instead returned the greeting with all the seriousness he could muster. Very good, that's much better.

The people gathered drew a little closer now, so that the path they had cleared to the dais was slightly narrower than it had been, many of them still calling out the greeting of peace. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reached the dais upon which was standing Roeh Inais along with his wife and two children. The Jedi bowed once again, and Obi-Wan fought to still the trembling of his hand as he clasped them in front of himself, left hand crossed over right wrist.

"Good greeting, Master Jedi." Touko spoke in Basic as well. "We are honored to have you and your Padawan." Now Touko bowed, a sweeping graceful thing, and he motioned to his wife. "This is my life-mate, Cherida and you have already met my children. Now let the hospitality of this House be yours." The greeting was spoken quietly, privately, and graciously. Then Touko waved his hand generously to his guests. "Let the celebrations begin!"

His call was instantly responded to with a long, loud cheer and then the music began to play.

It is a party; that is for certain. Qui-Gon's tone was amused.

A black chill stole over Obi-Wan briefly, however and he spared his master a sharp, questioning glance. There on the dais they were still central objects of attention, surpassed only by the Ruler and his family themselves. But it was unmistakable; there was a dark presence here…in this very room.

Qui-Gon did not return his Padawan's look; he was already scanning the room with his eyes and with the Force, trying to feel out from whom the dark wall of hatred had come. Obi-Wan, at once understanding also turned his eyes toward the gathered Bahreena; he stretched out through the Force, briefly brushing against minds as carefully and casually as possible so as not to arouse suspicion. Some of the Bahreena, he knew, were almost adept- level sensitives and would not appreciate such a probing, honored Jedi or not.

Suddenly, almost like a power cord being yanked from its source, the darkness faded and Obi-Wan blinked a little, his single-minded search abruptly cut off. He gave his master another look, and there was a nearly imperceptible shrug from Qui-Gon as if to say he hadn't been any more successful than his apprentice.

It was here, Master. He found himself thinking, almost as if to convince himself rather than Qui-Gon. To his relief, his mentor nodded curtly once, an expression of dissatisfaction darting over his features ever so slightly.

Be mindful, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon admonished, knowing that should there be trouble here, it could spell certain disaster for the Jedi Order. Bahreen was one of the few worlds whose people still produced Force- sensitive offspring in the kind of numbers that ensured the continuation of the Jedi way of life. The continuation of keeping the peace for a galaxy sorely needing it…Qui-Gon looked out over the crowd, his intense gaze still searching for anything unusual. They could not afford to be taken by surprise.

++++++

From her place she watched them. They were unassuming looking men, truly, but formidable in their Jedi robes and serious expressions. And one could not miss the hilts of lightsabers dangling casually at their waists. It was truly a welcome for them; a celebration of the likes she had not seen in quite awhile. Not since…the fall of the great House. The master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had an intelligent air about him, perceptive, attentive. Even now, when he was being greeted as a guest and bade to enjoy the pleasures of the celebration, he was all Jedi Knight; wary, and alert. Watching for danger that could leap out of anywhere…or anyone. She turned her attention to the shorter one standing at his side, undoubtedly his apprentice, barely more than a boy by a few years, youthful and exuberant, open and honest. He too appeared to be concentrating, and a feathered finger brushed past his mind told her that he was very concerned. At last, he understood evil was standing nearby, and she couldn't help but smile a little triumphantly.

++++++

"Master Jedi." Qui-Gon looked to his right to see Inais Cherida standing there, a gracious-looking woman by any race's standards. Her smile was genuine and she was more than ready to do her part for the celebration. "The Hopefuls are here…I realize that the selections will not begin until tomorrow, but we thought that it would only be proper for their households to give their respects to you and your apprentice."

"Peace be on you, Mistress Inais." Qui-Gon answered in a kindly tone. "We would be most pleased to meet the candidates and their families."

On the main floor, several of the Bahreena were performing an ancient, traditional dance, and its very rhythm blended with the music and lent an air of joy to the festivities. Young and old together lifted up their voices in song, encouraging the dancers to continue their fluid display. Cherida skirted the edge of the crowd, leading the two Jedi from the dais and over to the near corner of the room, where a small knot of Bahreena awaited them. Without exception, each adult or pair were accompanied by young children. A few of them, Obi-Wan knew immediately would be too old for the training, too many memories already imprinted upon their young minds that would interfere with the ways of the Order. Some of them were mere babies, months old but already possessing a Force-signature strong enough to be considered for selection. And there were several toddlers, wide-eyed and curious, fingers in their mouths and unabashedly probing the approaching Jedi with their Force-enhanced curiosity, not yet having learned the subtle art of control.

It was one of these, a young girl with a mop of thick auburn curls that caught Qui-Gon's attention first. Her eyes were as blue as the sea in a slightly pale face, displaying an openness that could easily be formed to the will of the Force. He glanced up at her parents, seeing the normal expressions of pride and concern and wistful worry. They would miss this young one, he knew but they would also be marked among their people as a household deserving honor for her service to the Jedi.

"Peace to you." Qui-Gon said to them, and they both deferentially bowed their heads, watching silently as the tall Jedi master knelt down so that he was nearly at eye-level with their daughter. "And…" Jinn chuckled slightly. "…Peace to you, little one."

"Dajo!" The child exclaimed happily, the traditional Bahreena word for 'papa.' Often Bahreena padawans would address their masters as "dajo;" it was a symbol both of their loyalty and their honor for their mentors. It was a title rarely refused even by the Council because of its rich tradition.

"What is her name?" Qui-Gon asked, not taking his gaze from the child's face. Her mother spoke first, and he heard the small quiver in her voice.

"Avria."

"One day," Qui-Gon assured her, "you will hear your daughter's name being spoken of as a Jedi Knight. I sense she is more than capable to receive the training."

"Master Jedi!" The father now spoke, his voice tinged with pride and sadness and curiosity. "I thought the selections were not to begin until morning."

"They aren't." Jinn confirmed as he rose to his feet. "But I have a strong feeling about this one." He ruffled the soft reddish curls. They took their time, greeting the families, gathering initial impressions of the children, talking to some of the older ones about the journey their younger siblings were about to take. The entire time, however, both Jedi remained attentive, bright eyes scanning the area from time to time.

"MASTER!" Obi-Wan shouted, suddenly wheeling around, one hand pulling his lightsaber free.

It was only a slight, warning nudge they received before a powerful rolling wave of fear crashed down over the assemblage, pushed along by a dark hand. There was no discernable reason for it save the dark force behind it alone. For the Bahreena, innocent of the ways of the Dark Side, it was sheer terror they knew not how to fight off.

Panic ensued, people running in all directions, seeking to escape a danger that quite simply didn't exist. Or, well, not as they thought it did anyway. Qui-Gon knew it was useless in such a panic to try to shout above the noise, Force-assisted or not, and so made no move to stand in anyone's way as they rushed past him. The first priorities were to get the family of the House and the Hopefuls to safety and to ascertain the identity of the dark one.

"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon shouted as he turned toward the dais. "Take the children! Get them out of here!"

Fighting down the sense of panic that was even now reaching out toward them, pushing his way into the Force, Obi-Wan tried to get the small band of Hopefuls and their families to safety, but it was harder than expected, even with Force-planted suggestions of calm and relaxation. Qui- Gon meanwhile leapt up onto the dais, intending to get the Roeh and his family to safety.

Obi-Wan felt her rather than saw her first. There was no mistaking the familiar sweep of her Force signature…his hand began to tremble violently again as he frantically handed over the child he'd swept up into his arms to his mother.

"Go now!" He said forcefully, and still terrified the young families scattered down the far hallway. Not quite how he or Qui-Gon had envisioned protecting them, he was sure. He slewed around sharply, saber ignited but wavering in his unsteady hands. The crowds were beginning to thin out some now; their panicked rush having taken most of them from the building.

She was standing nearly in the middle of the room, her hands outstretched as if calling something to her, but nothing materialized there. When she looked at Obi-Wan her eyes were just as in his vision, haunted, frightened. And she looked exactly like Qui-Gon's holopic.

DANGER!

Her voice inside his head staggered him; it was apparent that she had no control over the power of her projections. Obi-Wan reeled a bit, saber blade dipping sharply. He was unable to control his shields; as before her immense presence flooded them…

…this time filtering back sharply along the training bond with Qui- Gon.

Jinn turned hard on his heel, the Roeh in the hands of his household guards, in time to see Obi-Wan go down on one knee, obviously overwhelmed. Qui-Gon jumped down from the dais, saber ignited to face the threat to his Padawan…

…and froze momentarily in mid-stride.

It was almost as if she'd never left his side all those years ago, her face and eyes and shape of her lips the same. Stunned, he opened his mouth to speak, but she spoke first, her voice the same as he remembered.

"The children!" She said urgently. "Don't let them take…the children."

Obi-Wan struggled to his feet, the echo of her Force-shouted warning still pounding through his skull like a maddened gundark. Before either Jedi could move however there was another black wave of dark power; and then a scream could be heard from the hallway down which the ruling household of Inais had fled.

"Master, go!" Obi-Wan urged. "I'll get the children." He looked at his vision for a moment, now flesh and blood, and then raced off back the way he'd come. Qui-Gon too hesitated just a moment longer before darting off around the dais and into the hallway beyond to protect their hosts.

++++++

They were separated, just as she'd intended. Nacena didn't need to be right in the Hall itself to know that Yhriel had done her bidding in drawing the master away from the apprentice. Inais Cherida's scream was enough to know that even without the Force. She could sense the Padawan racing off the narrow corridor to gather the candidates for the Jedi Temple and their families to safety.

Like a sinewy shadow of death on the hunt, she slipped into the same corridor from the side passage she had been waiting in and followed after the young Jedi.

++++++

It was happening just as in her vision…she knew that the one she had drawn to her side was in terrible danger. She'd known that quite likely he would not be strong enough to bear her, but she'd also known that fate had chosen him for something great. And now… the Black One was after him.

His teacher was out of sight, and no one else was left to come to the apprentice's aid. Moving as quickly as she dared, she headed off down the passageway in pursuit of both him…and the Black One.

When she found them, the murderous intent of the dark robed figure facing the padawan was clear. Clearer still to her was the fact that he was in no condition to fight it off, despite his standing ready with his saber in shaking hands. He was ready, she could sense, to give his life if necessary to protect the people huddled behind him. So it was that she did the only thing she could do…

++++++

Qui-Gon hustled the small family into an anteroom, one that was relatively secluded and easily guarded.

"Stay here." He said firmly. "And don't go anywhere until I return for you. Understand?"

"Yes, Master Jedi." Inais Touko responded instantly.

He closed the door behind him, the house guards taking up position on both sides and Qui-Gon rushed to find his Padawan.

When he arrived in the small cul-de-sac in which Obi-Wan had taken his stand, there was no sign of either darkness or the Force-adept girl who had been calling out to his apprentice. The only sight that met his eyes was the children, standing in a ring.

A ring encircling a fallen form…

Dropped lightsaber.

Brown robe.

"Obi-Wan…"