Jedi Keliam Kenobi - Hold onto your hat! I love cliffies!
Padawan Sydney Bristow- Glad you are reading! I will make this one shorter.
Hakkai-Gojyo-Goku-Sanzo- Hope you enjoy your Obi in this chapter.
REMEMBER, Italics denotes mind speech.
Chapter Two:
Yoda felt it. He felt the severing of a master from the Jedi order brought on by the force's decision to remove that Jedi from its sentient life in the galaxy. Master Tahl joined the force of the unseen; her mortal being climbed the last rung on the ladder of physical and stepped into metaphysical existence of the force.
Yoda sat silently in his tiny little apartment that matched his diminutive size. He cursed himself, the idea he had come up with; the idea that Tahl go to Qui-Gon.
Sense I did, time it was to mend their nearly non-existent lover's bond. Fear I did to wait longer would mean the total extinguishing of that delicate filament they still shared. The force directed me and this happens. Qui-Gon's beloved dead; with my suggestion, my adamant demand she go and spend time with Master Jinn.
Had it been any other Jedi, Qui-Gon included, it would have been the force that received the blame. Yoda, however wasn't just any Jedi, he was THE Jedi, the grand Jedi, head council master. His faith in the force had never wavered as it did not falter now, now that one of their most prized Jedi had been killed on a mission Master Yoda felt he was directed to send Tahl on.
The small green master of unknown origin slid from his common room couch to his knees without ever actually rising, to meditate on the sudden and so sad happenings.
Fate it is. Except it as such Qui-Gon must.
Yes, his thoughts had already turned to the living half of his sixth sense. The force had so strongly directed him to cause the meeting between the two masters. One master he could do nothing for, she was gone. The other master, Qui-Gon Jinn he could not even begin to think of how to bring solace and acceptance too.
Know my former apprentice well I do. Feel his wrath at Tahl's death I do just as strongly as I felt her passing to the force.
The knock at his door was not an unexpected one. However, Master Yoda, in his guilt ridden thoughts had forgotten what a death of a master with an apprentice would do to that said apprentice. He knew instantly it would be someone with a report on Obi-Wan's reaction to his master's death.
A timid seemingly fearful Jedi master Windu opened Yoda's door when he was beckoned to do so. He found Master Yoda still in the meditative position he had slipped too earlier.
"You felt it?"
"As did any Jedi here at the temple, though stronger I think it was for me. Connected I was strongly to both masters. Yes, my old friend certainly felt it I did. "
"Then I think you will want to attend her ailing apprentice."
Yoda sucked in a sharp breath, the only sign that all this had brought him any strife at all. He'd never been one to share his emotions. How ever hurt, dismayed, and yes even a touch put out by something, those emotions never presented themselves outwardly. Nevertheless, Mace knew the beloved Jedi troll of a master well enough to know he suffered from this loss; probably only after Jinn and her apprentice Kenobi.
Tahl had been one of his favorites, possibly because of their shared connections and love for Qui-Gon
" Thoughtless of me it is. Should have inquired about the apprentice upon the master's passing."
Yoda realized he had not even checked to find out what the death severage of Tahl's bond with her apprentice had done to him.
"Padawan Kenobi, how is he now?"
"Stable is about all the healers have to say.. Master.. You know in and out of consciousness but.. Well… stable.. You know…"
The normally gleaming chocolate-colored eyes, now dimmed by concern looked deep into the eyes of the Head master, Yoda.
"Forgive me, but I have to ask. I have felt nothing through the force but I know how close you are to Qui, enough to still have a weak bond with him. Is Qui-Gon well, not injured in any way?"
Ever how responsible Yoda wanted Mace to be for his newly acquired apprentice, he wasn't. He had done what was he thought he was obligated to do, nothing less, nothing more. Obi-Wan Kenobi was not the Jedi Master Mace Windu was worried about now. Tahl was gone. In Mace's mindset the only other Jedi involved in this tragedy was his friend Qui.
He'd given Yoda the briefest of a report on the Kenobi boy's well being before he delved into the real reason he was there, concern for his oldest and trusted friend.
Yoda's bedroom eyes drooped as did his normally pointed perfect ears. The disappointment he felt in Mace's curt dismissal of his duties to Tahl's apprentice went unmentioned.
"Fine Master Jinn is. That much I know. My padawan is safe though I don't know where he is safe and I don't know what could have brought on Tahl's death. Wait and see you and I will. Now return to the healers you should. In your care Padawan Kenobi still is, is he not?"
It was as close to a reprimand Yoda was willing to give to Mace Windu. He knew how much he cared for Qui-Gon's well being. He also knew how much Mace did not care to have a padawan, a stone around his neck. Yes, Yoda knew very well of Mace's tumultuous feelings at having been saddled with the overseeing of the young man in the first place. Tahl's death only complicated Mace's dilemma.
Yoda not only wanted to be thoughtful of Mace Windu's feelings in all this, he also wanted to impress upon him that his temporary guardianship of the apprentice did not end with the apprentice's master's death.
"Yes, yes of course but Master… I can do very little while he is in the healer's ward and if he awakens I suspect I am the last person Apprentice Kenobi would want to see there."
Yoda seemed to know what was on Mace's mind.
"Take permanently Obi-Wan Kenobi as your apprentice you will not be forced to do. If my suspicions are right, know exactly who will be Padawan Kenobi's master I do. Now hurry see to the child. Much support he will need, until another master is gifted him by the force."
Mace let his anger show but just momentarily. He did not question who Yoda had in mind for Obi-Wan's new master. He could have cared less. He certianly never suspected Yoda had Jinn foremost in line to replace Tahl as Kenobi's master.
"I am not sure how much support Kenobi will need from any of us. He was derelict in his duties today as he was when his master was sent on the mission. No apprentice sends their master into danger without someone to watch their backs. That someone should have been Obi-Wan. How will you ever be able to find a replacement for Tahl is beyond me. No other master really wanted him before Tahl took him because of his uncontrolled emotions and now that he refused to go on a mission that resulted in his own master's death, it will be even harder to find a replacement for Master Tahl. It lends credit to Tahl's enormous ability to train apprentices by having the boy at the top of his class. Because frankly I direct no credit Kenobi's way for his advanced abilities."
Yoda angrily tapped his gimer stick.
"Will not have Kenobi take the blame in this. Tahl wanted to go alone, encouraged her wants I did. Will of the force it was."
"Yeah well you will have a devil of a time convincing Jinn Tahl's death was the will of the force. I for one shudder to think what he will say or attempt to do to the apprentice for his actions."
Yoda did not feel comfortable in revealing all of the reason Kenobi had not gone on the mission with his master. Mace had simplified it to make it appear it was dereliction of duty on Obi-Wan's part. That simple it is not.
Mace on the other hand, thought the master was covering for the apprentice to make the rebound from his loss easier on him. If the boy is not blamed, it will be easier to shirk his responsibility in all this.
Mace definitely felt Yoda was just shielding Tahl's apprentice. Yoda went on.
"Unwise to give the master, any master all the credit when the apprentice excels as Padawan Kenobi has. Assume your remarks made about the boy made under extreme duress over your friend Qui-Gon's well being. Ignore them I will THIS time."
Mace grew livid.
"If it was the will of the force that she go alone, the force has killed her."
Yoda visibly grimaced at Mace's hateful words directed at the force. It was a physical hurt for him to hear one so strong in the force and its belief to question it so soundly. He again let the statement go as he forced himself to control his emotions that bordered, though not on anger, a certain amount of disdain for his fellow council master.
"Works in mysterious ways the force does. Many a time the force has directed Jedi down through the ages to take up a cause, a mission that resulted in their death. No different in this is Master Tahl. Maybe her reasons for going was more personal but it was directed by the force. Just as my reasons personal they were. Hoped to bring happiness and resolve to the two finally. That was the plan of the force's as well, so I think."
"Hope Qui-Gon is as understanding with the direction the force sent Tahl on. For some reason I don't think he will be and I suspect neither do you."
"Handle my padawan I will. See about the boy now you should."
Yoda stopped, thought and went on with something else he wanted to say to Mace.
"Been there had he been dead now the apprentice would also have been. Instead he will suffer. Suffer from the pain of the torn bond, suffer much more he will from accusatory thoughts from others he also will. To the healers ward you go. Report to me as soon as the young one has regained consciousness. Meditate more I will."
Qui-Gon
It had been easy to leave the planet. Too easy in Master Jinn's opinion. Something inside him wished his escape would have been more deadly-like-daring, anything that would justify the wicked death of his friend and only love.
However, once "RG" pulled the battle droids away from them Qui-Gon found it so easy to escape with a dead Tahl in his arms.
He commandeered a small freight ship, put Tahl in a private room, ignoring the pilot's insistence she be stored in a cargo hold like a piece of mining equipment stored there. "RG" stood in the corner of the small room while Qui-Gon sat as if on guard right beside her body, respectively wrapped in his Jedi robe. Once in a while the master would put his hand up under the robe and clasp the cold rigid hand of the only love of his life.
He knew all too soon upon their arrival to Coruscant in a little more than three hours her body would be scurried away, prepared, and laid upon the pyre before the next sun set, as was the custom of the Jedi.
All too soon even her body will be gone along with her aura. All too soon will she be taken from me.
Jinn surprised himself with such macabre thoughts. Always he had accepted the finality of death. Always before with the death of another Jedi, he was comforted by the fact that they were one with the force. This time was so different. Although in some way he was reassured by the fact Tahl was safe in the arms of the force, the wanton selfishness in him could only think of having her once again at his side.
Long enough to have a life together, grow old together, share our love for each other just one more time. That will never happen now.
Something clicked in the master's mind. Unbeknownst to him, his thoughts grew acutely muddled with more than just the selfishness of wanting to keep his beloved with him. Master Jinn's thoughts turned abruptly from the way of the force and toward the dark side. His thoughts focused on who he blamed for her death.
Had Tahl been accompanied by her apprentice on this mission, she would not be dead. He could have held them off. Without her sight and her supposed loyal apprentice she didn't have chance.
In the time he sat stoically, zombie-like with Tahl lying stretched out dead by his side, he plotted his revenge, not once considering they were thoughts a true Jedi should never harbor, let alone actually act upon.
Qui-Gon braved another glance of his tattered and torn brown robe that draped Tahl's eerily still body, a body he would never hold in a loving embrace again. His face took on a dark shadow of evilness.
I must be careful though when I request the boy become my apprentice. If I do not stay focused and my shields tightly in place, Master Yoda will see through to my darkest intentions. He will know, because he knows me so well. Yes, I must be cunning in my plan. I don't intend to fail. Kenobi will pay for his part in my Tahl's death. I will make sure of that. Her hopeful visions of a future for her apprentice in the Jedi order was clouded by her absolute loyalty to him, something he had none of for her. Tahl did not think clearly when she asked me to train her apprentice who is not worthy to walk the ground she did, but train him I will. For his incompetence in caring for his master, I will see to it Obi-Wan Kenobi is TRAINED right out of the Jedi order.
Yoda made his way slowly up the many steps that rounded the temple tower. On top of the highest point of the tower was the Jedi burial pyres, three of them, ready to have kindling and heavy logs laid upon them when needed.
The head Jedi master chose the first pyre not because of its close proximity to the tower steps but because of the glow that the setting twin suns would cast on the pyre. Yoda looked up for a moment to watch those quickly setting suns.
Yes beautiful, purple, lavender, and pink hues they will cast this clear night. Tahl loved purple nearly as much as Mace did. A befitting end for a more than fit Jedi.
To the other side of the roof of the Temple Yoda turned his attention to a small transport that had just descended onto the temple's landing port located there.
Qui-Gon that would be.
Yoda had insisted he trek up to the tower section that housed the burial pyres alone. He had given Mace orders to meet and direct Qui-Gon to him, but to make sure his former apprentice came alone.
Mace remained with Obi-Wan until a comm had come in that alerted him that Jinn "RG" and Tahl's remains would be arriving within the half hour. He hurried to the landing port. He wanted to be the first to give Jinn condolences, to embrace him in a fierce hug, and let him know he need not go through all this alone.
Yoda was not a selfish being. He would be content to allow Mace to be the first to greet Qui-Gon. He wanted a more private place to spend a few moments time with his former padawan before the formal services began, which by the look of the quickly setting suns would be a hurried process to make it on time.
Yoda wanted he and Qui's meeting to be personal one between the two at the pyre area because he was not sure how the Jedi master would react when he finally got home. Yoda did not necessarily think of the temple as being Jinn's home but his own arms wrapped around his favorite former padawan.
The expanse of the glass encased skywalk that connected the landing port on the temple's roof to the funeral pyre was a short one. Certainly not long enough to plan a future as Qui-Gon made his way to Master Yoda. He didn't need to think through his next part of his plan too much. He had carefully thought through every little detail of how he would so cleverly be granted permission to train Tahl's apprentice. Once it was given he would complete his devious, dark side of a plan to destroy Obi-Wan's chances of taking the next step within the Jedi order, becoming a Knight.
After the apprentice is entrusted to my care and I officially become his master, I can really start my strategy to waylay Kenobi's future in the Jedi order. Yes, I must cover my true directive, convince my former master heart and soul I want to train Obi-Wan. Only then will he relinquish the devil apprentice to me.
Qui-Gon hesitated another moment and looked through the window of the walkway, up to the stars just becoming visible as the suns crept closer to the planet Coruscant. Always before in the bedazzling spectacular of those sparkling stars that showcased his home world, he saw promise for the galaxy, for those lives he felt he'd made better by the Jedi mantra of peace and love.
Now the stars seemed dimmed. He no longer cared about any of those who his help had brought renewed hope for their lives. He considered his life nothing more than a shamble because of Tahl's death.
A mockery of the hope I brought to others when I myself was given no hope. No future for myself because of what Yoda will surely claim as the will of the force.
As he finished his short walk to where he knew Master Yoda would be, Qui-Gon watched the shadows dance across the cement pillars of the walkway. The setting twin suns along with the lights from passing ships above created a dancing merriment of long and short spectral shadows that caused a smile to form on Jinn's lips.
He was remembering again the good times shared with Tahl. Now though as his hand grasped the handle to the pyre room door he steadied himself, got composed, and prepared for what would be a grueling and very thorough mind inspection. Yoda would want to know that although his heart was torn apart, Qui-Gon's mind was Jedi, in all things Jedi in thoughts of obligation and desire to train Tahl's apprentice.
Yes, I must put on the appearance both inside and out that I hold nothing against Kenobi and I indeed sincerely want to train him. Anyone else it would be easy to trick, Yoda not so.
Everything had to seem Jedi honorable when Yoda searched mentally for any problems or revenge Jinn held for Obi-Wan Kenobi. The façade of the desire to train Tahl's apprentice was cloaked with deceptions and lies on Jinn's part. New to him but he was quickly learning how to appear honorable, with such ease it even startled him a bit.
I have always brought hope to those who have none. There is no one to bring me hope. Was I not entitled to a life outside of the Jedi, Force? Must you control everything? Did you have to take the only good thing outside the of the Jedi order I had? If it is so easy to turn your back on my edicts in my personal life then shouldn't it be just as easy to turn my loyalty away from you?
The door opened. A serene tranquil master stepped through it. Certainly not the Jedi Master Yoda expected to see or feel through their training bond.
"Glad to see you it is my padawan. Surprised though I am. Thought I would feel in you not so much as peace. Cover from me something do you?"
Yoda did notice Jinn's demeanor. He observed the passive appearance the big Jedi illuminated as he walked through the door and felt the aura around Qui-Gon as being nothing but true acceptance and resolve.
There was a certain mistrust of that calmness he saw with his own eyes. However, there was no mistrust of what he felt along the thin but still intact training bond. The absolute acceptance of Tahl's death that strummed through their shared bond left him with no doubts that Qui-Gon was being straightforward, that he had come to grips with his beloved's death.
There was one thing Yoda failed to notice. He did not notice that each time he took a step closer to Qui-Gon, his former apprentice took a fragment of a step back. The Jedi master feared his former master's touch. He feared with a brush of his arm by Master's Yoda's hand, that intimate touch of solace would cause all of his composed calm mantle to crumple and his true feelings would show.
"Master Yoda, I have never been able to hide anything from you. I have wrestled with the reason for Tahl's death, yet I would never doubt the wisdom of the all knowing force. After all, you taught me the will and way of the force. And thus during my trip back to the temple I have come to understand it was truly the will of the force, that Tahl died, nothing more, nothing less."
Qui-Gon held his breath. Never before had he lied to Yoda and it did feel peculiar. He checked his shields again and battled with his inner self to keep every bit of hatred for the apprentice Kenobi in check. He waited to see if Yoda believed him or not.
Have I pulled off one of the most difficult tasks of my Jedi career?
"Now if you will excuse me Master I must prepare a bit for the funeral. Later though, I wish to discuss a request made by Tahl. She asked me to train her apprentice. As was it the will of the force that called her home, I feel the will of the force directs me to fulfill her last wish."
With his saddest eyes, Yoda looked up into Qui's face and nodded his agreement. He already knew or suspected Tahl, if given time before her death would have requested of Qui-Gon that he train her left-behind apprentice Kenobi.
Qui-Gon's robe bellowed and swirled with the abruptness at which he left. Yoda could only stare at the man he had raised from childhood, astonished at the quickness Qui-Gon had recovered. However Yoda did believe Jinn was being truthful.
The force speaks mistruths it does not and felt my former padawan's true feelings I did. Accept this he has as the will of the force. Most proud of him I am."
Master Jinn adjusted his robes and stared into his fresher mirror. His beard, he'd agree to trim, the dred locks however he kept. They just seemed to fit his new persona, a persona no one knew yet he had taken on. He'd only agreed to cut down his beard after Mace insisted on it.
Wasn't even stalwart enough to attend his master's funeral, weakling. Kenobi could not have had a bond so strong that his master's death laid him up as profoundly as to cause him to miss Master Tahl's funeral. Must have been his guilt or he wanted to avoid the aspersions that would be cast upon him by other Jedi. The temple is abuzz with accusations some true, some unfounded for him. From knight, master, and apprentice, even a few initiates. The only one to defend him has been Yoda and then his excuse for the boy is nothing but flimsy.
Yoda's faith in Master Jinn's desire and ability to train Obi-Wan Kenobi was undoubting. Jinn found it disturbing though that a couple of the council masters, his friend included questioned his motives for taking Obi-Wan. Jinn suspected Plo Koon would put up some objection because the breathing apparatus garbed council master never liked him and questioned everything he did. Mace however?
I can't figure out if it is concern for me or the boy that has caused such hesitation in Mace's decision to approve my becoming master or not.. No matter. My former master has a way of swaying the council members, all of them to think his way. He is sure my destiny, as is the brats' is to be together. "Will of the force Yoda will proclaim."
Jinn shot himself a satisfied evil smirk in the mirror before the turned to leave. All in all he was quite proud of his plans and the way he'd handled Master Yoda. Revenge had clouded Jinn's mind. Revenge had allowed the dark side to filter through his mind and soul. That devilry released by the force of good's mirror image tainted his entire being and made it virtually impossible to differentiate good versus evil, pitted right against wrong, championed depravity over virtue. To Qui-Gon he was doing a Jedi duty to avenge his beloved's death with his diabolical plan to terminate Obi-Wan's chances of becoming a Jedi Knight.
All I have to get through is this meeting with the council and the with the boy there. My mind will appear free of vengeance and malice. I doubt Kenobi will be able to hide his guilt as easily as I hide my true reasons for taking him
Jedi council chambers
"I just don't like it Master Yoda. Can you honestly say you are comfortable with Qui-Gon taking Obi-Wan as his apprentice?"
"Comfortable with it I am or go along with Qui-Gon's suggestion to train Obi-Wan I would not. My former apprentice does not have the final say so in this. Feel it through the force I do."
"The force, the force. Sometimes you have to go on your gut feelings and not just what you think the force guides you to do. I think this is not a good idea."
"Care for the boy so much you do, train him you could have. First choice you had since under your care he was."
Mace let out an exasperated sigh and paced the council chambers.
"I. DON'T. WANT. A. PADAWAN. It is that simple. Besides, Kenobi and I did not exactly connect. That's one more reason for me not to have taken him. But because I could not get along with him, doesn't mean I want him put under a master's care that I feel uneasy about. I also don't want Jinn to rush into something because he made a promise to someone who lay dying. I care for both of them in that aspect. You know that!"
"Sure of it I am, this master and apprentice a pair they should become. However, assure you I do, my Qui-Gon will do nothing but compliment the boy as he becomes a Jedi knight. Much too long he has been without an apprentice. As good for the master as it will be for the apprentice."
"Oh don't start me. That is another thing. Can Kenobi thrive under Qui-Gon's tutelage with the weight of his master's death so heavily on his shoulders plus another stone around his neck? I mean he will have to live under Xanatos' mistakes. I have no doubt Jinn will be cautious with the next apprentice he has because of Xanatos' treacherous betrayal. Cautious to the extinct of being too stern and strict."
For once Yoda really seemed interested in what Mace had to say.
"Yes, yes, I see. Xanatos and his ruthless betrayal of Qui-Gon could fit in this although gone the dark sided apprentice now is. Nevertheless, Qui-Gon has friends many of them at the temple, not just you and I. Sure I am if becomes too focused on Xani's mistakes while training Obi-Wan another will correct his ways. Depend on you to intervene subtly if what you suggest should happen it does."
Mace rolled his big brown eyes and took his seat on the council board.
There was an actual jubilant step to Jinn's pace. He was indeed pleased with himself. Earlier he felt a twinge of guilt over what he planned for the Kenobi padawan, but only a twinge. His thoughts immediately went back to Tahl and the possibility that she might be alive had her bumbling apprentice accompanied her on her trip as he should have.
As he rounded a corner of the hall that led to the Council chambers Qui-Gon came upon Padawan Kenobi sitting on the long wooden bench just outside the chamber's door. The little quirky half smile on Master Jinn's face quickly evaporated and was replaced with a frown.
The sight of the boy hadn't caused his glee to disappear. The anger and hatred that radiated from Kenobi's aura was so profound it nearly knocked the Jedi master down to his knees. Now just because Qui-Gon could feel the inner emotions of Obi-Wan Kenobi's because he failed to shield them, THAT was not the reason for Jinn's being nearly thrown to the floor. Those hateful and angered thoughts were directed right at him and solely him..
This is unbelievable. Kenobi blames me for Tahl's death. That his how unwilling he is to take any culpability for leaving his master with no one to watch her back.
Jinn stopped right in front of the young man. His first inclination was to reach down, pull the apprentice up by his braid, and shake him soundly. He wanted nothing better than to tell the young man how irresponsible he was, that it was his fault Tahl was dead; all the while shaking him until his teeth rattled. He didn't though.
I must allow my plan to come together. That way I will be sure of getting Padawan Kenobi out of the order. Only after he continually and obviously screws up will Yoda not let his bleeding heart for the boy come into all this.
Master Jinn did not say anything and Obi-Wan didn't look up. Tahl's apprentice was afraid too. He feared he would burst out and say things he would later regret. He blamed this intimating tower of a giant before him for his master's death. Still though Obi-Wan was willing to become his apprentice. He could not let Tahl down. He'd nearly forgotten how formidable, how very dangerous looking Master Jinn was.
Master Tahl asked Master Jinn to train me, according to Master Yoda. It is her wish, her last wish. It is the last thing I can do for her. I don't see how this match made in hell, he as master and I his apprentice can bring anything but total ruin for my chances at becoming a Jedi knight. I may kill the great Master Jinn in his sleep.
Obi-Wan had allowed more than a few of his thoughts to leak through and Jinn now knew how he felt about becoming his apprentice.
The miserable unhappy teen immediately felt guilty for his evil thoughts, something that Qui-Gon was unable to do, feel guilt. Qui-Gon did not take time to feel the guilt radiate through the force from Obi's slipped shields, however he did get remnants of what Kenobi thought of him and it exhilarated him. It added justification for what he had planned for the boy's destiny or lack of it.
If Jinn had vacillated on his decision to enact his diabolic plan to waylay the boy's career in the Jedi order he wasn't now.
This will be easier than I thought. With Padawan Kenobi's weasel of a mindset, he will, with no objections become my apprentice as a means to amend his mistakes to his dead master while his hatred for me simmers until I have pushed it to its boiling point. Yes, so much easier to destroy the boy when there is hatred in him already. Like Master Yoda always says. "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and Kenobi's hate will lead to his eventful destruction. With a little help from me, of course.
The silence between the two grew eerie. Jinn's shadow loomed over the teen but Obi refused to look up.
Qui-Gon shook his head and went to the council chamber's door.
He wanted to say innumerable vicious things to Tahl's inept apprentice but knew to hold his tongue. However, Qui-Gon wanted to see if he could rile the apprentice into an angry confrontation even before he became his master.
"Well do you plan to sit there like a dunce or are you going to attend the meeting. You are Kenobi right?"
Obi-Wan still refused to look up. Instead he studied the patterns made by the lines in his clasped hands.
" Yes, I am Kenobi but I have a tendency to obey the council's instructions. They wish to speak to you if you are indeed Master Jinn. They requested I stay out here."
Obi-Wan was glad he hadn't looked up at the master. The sweat that beaded up on his forehead and upper lip was a sure give away of how he really felt. He feared this master for some unknown reason.
As Jinn knew he was Kenobi, he knew who Qui-Gon was. Obi-Wan could be just as obstinate and rude as the master, without actually getting called on it.
Qui-Gon did not like the remarks made by Obi-Wan but he did not plan to give himself away.
" Well at least you can follow the simplest of orders like remaining here until called for."
It was said under his breath, just loud enough for Obi-Wan to here.
The burst of air created by the slamming of council chamber door was not the only thing that sent goose bumps down Obi-Wan's spine. It was also the horrifying thought of staying housed with the despicable master who he truly believed was responsible for all bad things that had ever happened to his master. It was too much to bear, along with the loss of his master. Tears rolled down Obi-Wan's cheeks only to be bravely wiped away.
I will do this Master Tahl, but only for you, to make you proud of me.
T.B.C.
PEACE ewen