Prologue- The Bridge
Du riechst so gut You smell so good
Du riechst so gut You smell so good
Ich geh dir hinderher I follow you
Du riechst so gut You smell so good
Ich finde dich I find you
Qui-Gon Jinn walked hurriedly through the halls of the Med Center if Isel, the capital of the world Ise. His face was taut, straining to hide emotions, though his mask was slowly crumbling by the second.
"Excuse me, madam, do you know where the Head Nurse is?" He asked a young woman, short with straw colored hair.
"That would be me, sir. Can I be of any help?"
"Yes. I'm looking for a patient- he may be in the Intensive Care Ward- and he goes by the name Obi-Wan Kenobi." The girl's face lit in recognition.
"Yes, I remember him! You must be Master Jinn. I am Klavier Lied." Qui-Gon shook her hand. She noted how shaky and pale the hand was.
"How is he?" he asked, his voice softer. She frowned.
"He's doing well, considering the damage he sustained. Cracked ribs, internal bleeding, fractured fingers, contusions- oh, shuisse. Forgive me, Master Jinn, I don't mean to sound so cold." Qui-Gon nodded numbly, his mind mulling over the injuries of his poor Padawan. If only Qui-Gon had gone with him …
"He's awake, if you would like to speak with him," Mer suggested in an attempt to redeem herself.
"Thank you."
"Master!" Obi-Wan called when he caught sight of Qui-Gon. "What are you doing here?" The look of relief on Qui-Gon's face startled Obi-Wan. His Master had obviously been very worried.
"I heard you were hurt. I came as quickly as possible. How are you?"
"I feel as if I was beaten by a Hutt. And how are you?" Obi-Wan asked. He was anxious to get out of bed. His mission was not yet completed…
"I am well, Padawan. You are lucky to be alive. Everyone else in the mansion was killed, down to the Korican bird." Obi-Wan's face fell. He had failed his mission.
"It was not your fault, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, putting a hand on his apprentice's shoulder.
"I should have expected an attack, Master. I should have been prepared." Obi-Wan wanted to cover his face, but such actions would cause intense pain, as his fingers had been crushed and broken.
"Easy, Obi-Wan. You mustn't ask yourself what might have been. Accept what was, and move on. But first, Padawan, you must tell me everything."
She slept gently, safe from harm, fearing nothing. Her dreams were filled with desires and ecstasy that could only be experienced in the mind. Before her, she could see an endless bridge that could lead her down a path of love and joy. She wanted to take that path with all her heart, and she would.
But just as she stepped onto that bridge, the Bridge of Insanity, a strange wave of familiarity swept over her. She knew that bridge; she had crossed it before.
"Vogel!" The wind suddenly hissed, blowing harshly through her hair, tearing at it almost. She froze in her step.
"Who's there?" She called out, her voice small against the hissing of the wind.
"The bridge is burning, Vogel! Just as it burned for me. What will you do, Rosa? Will you come and find me, as you swore you would do? Vogel!"
She awoke suddenly, sweat pouring, mixing with her tears of fear and remembrance. She knew who had called to her.
The wind blew through her room, soft, chilling her damp skin. She felt at peace, but at the same time fearful. She sensed something, someone near her. Her blood froze when she smelled the familiar tangy scent of the Oran fruit.
"Elend?" She asked. But as soon as she called that name, that name that had haunted her dreams, the presence faded away and the spell was broken. The scent faded away, replaced by the usual cinnamon aroma.
Then the blaster rifle sounded, and blasted through the window, the glass shattering. She screamed, dived to the floor, and the wind howled, laughing in sadistic bliss.
