Chapter Six

Warmth.

Candlelight.

Soft blankets.

Saria drifted back to wakefulness slowly, taking in the surroundings, first within the flow of the Force, then by listening, then finally opening her eyes.

She was alone. Beyond the soft, handmade blankets covering her was a small comfortable room, filled with items that spoke volumes about its owners. The paintings on the walls suggested family, perhaps they were parents. The desk against one wall, cluttered with papers and books, told her these were learned people, and yet she saw no evidence of modern…anything. She noted with pleasure that a wash basin and a towel had been left for her on its polished surface.

She was still wearing her own tattered clothes, but saw a folded outfit on a nearby chair. On top of it was her belt, and still hooked to it, her lightsaber. She smiled when she saw it – these people most likely hadn't even known what it was.

Lazily stretching her tired limbs, she slid out of bed, quickly taking stock of herself. She seemed to be unhurt, to her relief, with both arms and legs still attached. After quickly finger-combing her hair, she splashed her face with the cool water from the basin. As she dried herself off, the door quietly swung open and a friendly looking Giinkar female entered. She was of medium height, slightly taller than Tatl, with dark hair and eyes and tanned skin, possibly from working outdoors. She smiled at the Ranger as if they were best friends.

"Greetings," she said happily, "I am gratified to see you well. My husband and I were worried you may have been injured. Did you swim here?" Saria almost laughed.

"Not by choice," she explained, but would not go any further. "I am most grateful for your help to me. I am Saria."

"Yolaan," the woman responded. "You must be hungry," she continued, "I have just put out third meal if you would like to join us."

"Thank you, I will." Yolaan showed her the plain dress she had left for her, and then closed the door to give her privacy. After slipping it on, she noted with surprise that it fit perfectly. She looked to her belt and was about to strap it on when she thought better of it. She was among friends – she would not need it.

Outside her room was just as warm and inviting as the bed she'd woken up in. More pictures lined the walls, and the wood floors were covered in rich hand-woven rugs. Enticing smells drew her forward to the dining area where Yolaan and her husband were sitting.

An unfamiliar shyness came over Saria and she meekly moved to join them. The male Giinkar had a handsome yet rugged face, and his clothes had her placing him as a farmer or other laborer. She saw calluses on his large hands.

"My wife tells me you're name is Saria," his deep voice reminded her of her lightsaber instructor from her childhood. "I am Taani." She nodded to him, but found herself captivated by the view through the window that comprised the whole back of the house. It showed a stunning portrait of the ocean, sparkling in the cool twilight. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Taani echoed her thoughts. She smiled and sat next to him, across from Yolaan.

"How many children do you have?" she asked curiously. When Taani and Yolaan shared a painful look, she suddenly felt terrible for asking. Yolaan forced a smile and picked up her fork, pushing the food on her plate nervously around with it. "I'm sorry…" she started to say, but Yolaan cut her off with her response.

"It's alright, you couldn't have known." After a composing breath, she looked to her husband for support, and then continued. "We had four children," she said, a flicker of pure joy in her eyes. "Three boys and a baby girl. Our sons….were conscripted in the militia when they came of age." Saria felt pain stab her heart. She'd received intel on this 'militia'. Most members did not survive their first year.

"And your daughter?" she was almost afraid to ask. With those words, any self-control Yolaan had broke down, and she cried. Saria placed her comforting hand on Yolaan's, regretting even bringing up the subject. "I am so sorry," she soothed. She didn't want to press for further details, but figured she could most likely fill them in quite accurately herself.

Giinkar is not a happy planet. In retrospect, she figured she should have expected this.

Two or more factions of the broken government were constantly vying for power. Depending on whatever province you were unlucky enough to live in, you may have compulsory conscription as young as fourteen. Young boys were dying by the thousands, and what happened to the young girls she didn't even want to think about. No matter how many times the Republic or the Jedi try to intervene, nothing ever gets better. Usually, due to outrage at the interference, they get worse.

The three ate the rest of the meal in silence, but none of them much felt like eating.

After clearing the table, the silence was finally broken.

"You are not from here," Taani said softly. His wife had retreated to their room, compounding the guilt she felt at bringing up the subject in the first place. She shook her head.

"No," she said, "but I hope you will understand if I don't tell you how I came to be here." She studied his face for reaction but it remained neutral. "I…I lost my apprentice." She lowered her head as her voice broke, heat coloring her cheeks at her loss of control.

"I understand," he said softly, sympathetically. "Many families lost children to the militia. They have ships all over, even beneath the ocean." Saria shook her head.

"No, they did not take her," she almost said, but stopped herself. "Ships?" She stopped to consider the implications of this revelation. 'Tatl could be alive?' "Taani, where would the Militia take someone recently captured?" He paused and thought for a moment, but shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I don't know." When he was the Ranger's shoulders slump, he added, "however, I'm sure you could find some information in town, it's crawling with their people."

"How far away is it," she demanded, hope returning.

"I can take you there, only…" he looked her up and down.

"What?" He grinned at her.

"You won't get any information dressed like that." Saria looked down at the dress she wore, wondering what could be wrong with it. It was a neutral color and quite modest, long sleeves and a hemline at mid-calf. Then suddenly, realization dawned on her. She groaned. He nodded.

Not another mission in a sleazy bar!