NOTE: For those of you asking for more description of the planet, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it, I haven't put it in yet for some various reasons, but mainly because none of our characters have actually seen much of the planet. There is some about the planet in this chapter, a bit of history as well, and there will be more in later chapters.

For next week's chapter, I may not have it out next weekend, I am busy Friday and Saturday, so Sunday will be my only day to get everything done, but I will do my best to get it out on time.

R2R

Halfling-

It seems as though I enjoy keeping you in suspense. And this chappie isn't too much of a cliffie…

Mellaithwen

I don't know where he got the name ben either, but I think that was a crafty way. And yes, you must work on your story,. Another quick note though, was wondering if you got the activation mail yet for FF, and the C2 unit, check your junk mail, because I cant add you on until you activate that.

K-Rock,

Okay, maybe I don't take care of them, but at least I'm not as bad as a few other authors. Besides, I would never kill them off, I love them too much. Without them there wouldn't be any story.

The only way I can answer your question without spoiling anything would be to tell you to just read. I know it's a bit unfair, but we haven't quite got there yet, sorry

Chapter Six

The Dining hall was unlike anything Obi-Wan had ever seen before. Three long tables lined the room, able to seat as many as a 100 at a time, but hardly ever did according to Serr. Stained glass windows decorated the walls, with tapestries hanging in between each one. The floor was marble, lined with decorative jewels in the corners. Obi-Wan marveled at the architecture as the young Prince led him behind the counters and into the kitchen, which at the time, was empty.

"Back when my father was alive, we would have grand feasts in here, about once a month, where many people came and dined like kings. It was a special tradition my father did, everyone was invited, the poor and the rich. The feasts were splendid, with music and Bards that told stories. I remember only a few, for I was young then," Serr told him as he gathered some fruit for himself.

Obi-Wan picked up a few small pieces of bread and sat down next to the prince. "Serr, I need your help, it is rather important that I get out of here and find my friend. But I don't know the city, so I'll need a guide, but I don't have any money."

"So you were wondering if I could guide you around the city?" Serr asked, biting into his fruit.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I know it is a lot asked of you, but.."

"Of course I will, better than staying here and doing nothing. We will be perused, you do know that, don't you?"

"Won't bother me unless we are caught," Obi-Wan responded with a grin.

When Qui-Gon awoke he was certain of two things. One he was completely alone, silence encumbered him as well as darkness. The other was that he was starving. How long had it been since he had last eaten? With a deep breath, Qui-Gon eased himself into a sitting position, leaning against the wall for support.

His wounds were healing, and he could tell that the infection was gone, for he no longer held a fever as he did before. He wrapped his arms around his chest, shivering as a chill passed through him. Even though as hungry as he was, he knew that something had been given to him in order to keep his strength up. He was not dehydrated, nor was he thin, but he hadn't eaten nor drunk anything since his capture.

Qui-Gon flexed his muscles, wincing at the pain. Pulling up the sleeves of his tunic, Qui-Gon could feel, rather than see, the small wounds left behind from that of a dart or a needle. Diritate, the Jedi Master mused, he had heard of it a few times, being used on patients who were badly injured, and unconscious. It was a type of clear liquid, thick with vitamins and minerals, and able to supply a body with its needs.

With a sigh he pulled the sleeve back down and closed his eyes. He tried his best to meditate, but his mind would not rest. So many questions raced through without a moment's stop, ones he could not answer. What if he had never taken Xanatos as a padawan, what if he had listened to Yoda's warnings? Had he failed as a Master and a Jedi?

Qui-Gon could not even begin to think of the numerous lives that had been lost due to Xanatos' doings. He remembered the time on Bandomeer were his ex-padawan had been willing to destroy an entire planet in order to kill him. He had begun to realize that anyone close to him had been in danger. The Jedi, the Temple, and Obi-Wan…they had all been attacked, a plot in order to destroy him.

Perhaps now it all would end. Perhaps Xanatos would leave after he had killed his old master. Still Qui-Gon could not let go of his past. There were so many things he could have done differently, so many things he shouldn't have done.

"Dwell on the could haves I must not, focus on the solution I must," Qui-Gon said softly, remembering Yoda's words.

"Still quoting that old gnome?"

Startled Qui-Gon looked up to see Xanatos standing in the doorway. For the briefest second, Qui-Gon thought about fighting him here and now, only to calm himself a moment later. That was folly. He couldn't force a situation to happen, but he had to wait for the opportune moment.

"It's a surprise how helpful they can be when you listen," Qui-Gon said sternly. Grinding his teeth he pushed himself to his feet so that he was eye level with his opponent. He steadied himself against the wall, uncertain if his legs would support him or not.

"If you've come to kill me, you best do it now," Qui-Gon told him. Xanatos just laughed.

"And ruin all the fun? I think not. It is good that you have awoken, food will be brought to you shortly, as I'm sure you are hungry. Don't expect anything much, we have a lot of mouths to feed. Then I suggest you take some rest, you're fighting again tomorrow, I expect you to do well. But on the offhand you don't, the punishment is death, so you can have your choice, it is up to you. Until then, farewell."

Qui-Gon watched him leave, the door closing behind him. If a guard was bringing the meal, then he may have his chance then to escape. But what if Xanatos was expecting that? Qui-Gon shook his head, sliding back down to a sitting position.

"This is Koben, our main city," Serr explained as he led Obi-Wan through the city streets. Both the boys wore hooded cloaks, and stayed off the main roads, hoping to conceal their presence. Guards were always heavy in the streets during the day to watch for any trouble.

"Not much of a city," Obi-Wan muttered, looking around at the ramshackled buildings. They looked worse in the daylight than they had in the dark. The main street was busy as people made their way from shop to shop, many carrying large loads of food and supplies.

One thing that had caught Obi-Wan by surprise was the fact that technology was rather poor here. The only vehicles here were speeders, owned by some of the richer people. Serr had explained to him that due to the humidity, and lay of the lands, it was often difficult to maintain a speeder or other vehicle, because the moisture in the air often damaged them. It was much easier, and less costly to use your own feet.

"We used to have a grander city, about twenty miles past the tree line over there," he pointed north to indicate the direction he was talking about. "About twenty years ago, our moon Struni was hit by a meteorite. Causing massive damage. It may have been our moon, but it was also a neighboring planet. Seeking refuge, the remaining Strunians pleaded with my father for a place to stay. Our history with the Strunian race hasn't always been the greatest, but lately we had let each other well enough alone. So my father granted them a valley just below a ridge, off past the marshes. They were small in number, a handful at the most, but they reproduce quicker than humans do. You see my father's fault in this?" Serr asked, coming to a stop.

Obi-Wan nodded, turning toward him. "They grew in numbers,."

Serr nodded, "Vast numbers, and quickly. Within six years, they had already run out of room, and had asked my father for more land. He disinclined; he wanted them to leave the planet. Our people were growing in numbers, and his son had just been born."

"You," Obi-Wan said, as they continued walking. They turned down another back alleyway, walking alongside a large brick wall. Serr turned toward it, grasping bricks that were jutting out and made his way to the top. Obi-Wan followed his suit, jumping to the ground on the other side.

"Six months later they attacked, seven thousand strong. Our people were barely two thousand. The result was devastating. Their army ransacked the castle, and with my father's back to the throne they killed him, only after he promised to give rule to them. Terrified my mother fled with me, and handed me off to one of the servant guards. I was told later that she was killed shortly thereafter. The servant carried me off past the river, and left me in charge of a family there. When I was five my uncle came, and took me back to the castle. I've been trying to leave ever since," Serr told him, walking down the hill.

In the distance, Obi-Wan could see another city, beyond a line of trees. He hurried up and caught up with the retreating prince. "But you still remain here, wouldn't the Strunians want you off?"

"They let us remain here, but only under their rule. Two years ago an agreement was made to have to separate rulers, one for our people and one for them. The planet was divided in half basically, actually three quarters to one. As long as we stay on our side, and under our rule, we aren't a problem for them. But it is hard for most to live from day to day. We get supplies imported to us once a week, so many buy in bulk, for there are times when the supplies are limited or no good."

Obi-Wan nodded, he had seen something like that on Phindar, were supplies were intentionally withheld. He removed his hood as they entered the trees, and Obi-Wan hoped that it was just trees, without hidden mud and sand traps. He followed the prince closely, trusting him that he knew where he was going.

"So, do you have any idea where this friend of yours may be?" Serr asked, removing his hood as well.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Not really no, he may not even be here anymore, but I need to be certain, it's a matter of life and death actually. The man who took him, maybe you've seen him, a tall man, black hair."

Serr shook his head. "I don't know any of the people, only the guards and my uncle. I don't think my people even know that I exist."

"What about a republic ship, did any land here within the last few weeks?"

Serr shrugged. "Maybe one or two, but they left again, but I don't keep up with any ship logs. They're may have been more that landed on the other side, near the Strunian city," he added, making his way over a fallen log.

"So what is your story?" Serr asked, waiting for Obi-Wan to catch up with him. "Why did you come here? I mean, I know why you came, but why did you come alone? Was there no one else that could have come along?"

Obi-Wan sighed, trudging down that path. "I'm not really supposed to be here, but I could not stay while I knew my Ma..friend was here," Obi-Wan had almost said Master, but had stopped himself. Serr still did not know he was a Jedi, and for that he felt bad. He didn't like to lie, it was forbidden to lie to a master, or elder, and Obi-Wan respected that rule as best as he could.

"So, does your Master know you are here, or is he the one who is captured?" Serr asked, grinning as Obi-Wan's face broke out into shock.

"How did you..?" he started.

"You are lucky I ran into you, you wouldn't have made it on you own. You stand out too much, you look as though you are trying to hide something. I've read enough about your kind to know something about Jedi. No one else here would breath that word though. I found out about Jedi when I was seven, and ever since then I had hoped that one would come one day, and find out about me, and take me away."

"You want to be a Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked confusedly.

Serr laughed again. "No, I wouldn't be able to, I don't have that, connection thingie you guys have with that force thing of yours. I just want to get off of here, and the only way that would happen if someone of higher authority took me away."

Obi-Wan nodded, understanding now. "I promise you then that I will do what I can to help, I'm only an apprentice you see, I can't make a decision like that."

Serr nodded, "I figured that, but don't worry, let's find your Master, then we'll talk."

TBC