I'm sorry I haven't been able to get back to this before now, but I've been dealing with more than I could possibly list here.

Lyda Mae

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The Last Defender

By Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Huff

Chapter Nine: Sleep as Death

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Leia stood with Ambassador Kiben as he made ready to board the ship that would take him back to Hapha. His injuries had been minor and he had been treated and released from the medical bay the day before. He had been called back to Hapha by the Matriarch immediately after word of the incident that had happened on the observation deck reaching his home world.

Andok Kiben had refused to press charges against Fenice, "I know she was not herself." the old Ambassador told Leia. "I could swear while I lay there I saw an unearthly figure hovering above me. It was gloating and I know it was controlling Defender Fenice."

"I saw the figure too and Fenice's eyes glowed red." Leia admitted.

"On Hapha there is a legend of a Jedi that came to us before we had the capability of space flight. He saved us from self destruction by his peaceful ways. It is said his only regret is that he could not save his own people from one of his kind that turned to darkness." Kiben told Leia softly.

"Is there truth in the legend?" Leia asked.

"They say the Jedi was an Aran." Kiben said hoping it would imply what he thought it did. "She is trying to save the Aran from something done by one of her kind that turned to darkness. I don't know if it is connected, but she is the only Tein'kal Defender left. She is their only hope. Right now I must go home and keep a bad situation form becoming worse." At that the Ambassador boarded his ship.

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At another part of the East platform Han was Trying to keep Kyp's mind off Fenice. He looked up from where he was doing some maintenance on the Falcon that was really not necessary to find a familiar blue-haired Aran youth arguing with security. He headed toward the disturbance gesturing for Kyp and Chewie to follow.

The Habin bolted toward Han on approach. "Captain Solo I must speak with Master Skywalker and Defender Fenice. It is urgent. I have a message from Terick."

"Slow down Habin." Han said taking in the Aran's appearance. He wore nice breeches and shirt with a dark-green vest of the style Fenice preferred and his hair was tied back unlike when they met on Ansath.

"You know this man Captain Solo?" on guard said scrutinizing Habin's ID.

"Yes," Han replied, "and if he says he has a message for Master Skywalker it's no joke."

The guard handed back Habin's ID, "If you say so, I'm letting him pass on your authority."

Han frowned, "Come on kid I'll take you to Master Skywalker."

"And Defender Fenice?" Habin asked timidly.

"And Defender Fenice." Han replied sadly.

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Luke Skywalker was standing outside a window in the medical-wing of the palace. Fenice drifted unconscious in a bacta-tank in the room beyond her long hair now lose barely concealing her breasts. He stood there contemplating events since he had met the half-Aran. He held the burned gaberdine she had worn; wondering at its meaning. Artoo warbled beside him. Luke looked down the hall knowing who was coming.

Habin hurried to the Jedi Master's side as soon as he came in sight. "Master Skywalker," the youth said breathlessly as he reached Luke's side, but he turned seeing Fenice out of the corner of his eye and nearly collapsed against the window before another word escaped his lips. "Fenice..." he whispered.

"She will recover Habin," Luke said comely as he laid a hand on the youth's shoulder, "but she is not the reason you came."

Habin took the gaberdine from Luke's hand, "Her initiates gaberdine." He paused to take a breath, "I was sent with a message from Terick and Gen. The Healers lie as if between death and sleep; their hearts do not beat, and they do not breath. Yet they grow neither pale or stiff. Terick found them in the woods in their night dresses but does not know what happened."

"I think I do," Luke admitted, "I've been in such a state myself." Han, Chewie and Kyp all nodded with knowing looks.

Kyp looked at his teacher guiltily, "Unfortunately I had something to do with that."

Luke shrugged, "We all make mistakes Kyp, a-lot has happened since then."

"Kyp Durron?" Habin questioned. "The rouge Jedi that destroyed Carida?"

"A long story Habin," Luke grimaced, "one I'm sure you never heard all of."

Fenice sat on the bed in the medical-wing where she had come to the day before. Four days had passed since the incident at the East platform. She was half dressed in breeches and shirt and Luke was bringing her up to date on what was happening as she braided her hair. Her strawberry-blond tresses were a little shorter now, having been singed at the ends when the rest of her was burned.

"Habin went back to Ansath to let Terick and Gen know we would be coming as soon as you could travel." Luke finished.

Fenice let out a weighted sigh, "Thank you." She let a thousand unsaid words pass through her eyes. "I just wish I'd had a chance to finish translating that scroll before destroying it." she said fastening the end of the single braid. "I didn't make a data scan of the whole thing."

"If you'll pardon me mistress," Threepio interrupted, "I did get a look at the whole scroll."

"But how can that help?" Fenice asked skeptically, "You don't know the written language."

"Just because Threepio can't understand something doesn't mean he can't remember it." Luke answered, "And I'm sure he's developed a better understanding of Aras dien than you give him credit for."

Fenice blushed, "I haven't dealt much with driods"

"Understandable Mistress Fenice." Threepio put in. "I would be glad to help finish the translation," he hesitated a moment, "if you promise not to pull my arms off again."

Fenice turned even redder at the comment. "I don't remember doing that, but I can promise never to consciously do such a thing."

Threepio seemed relived at the statement. Fenice pulled on her vest and boots, and Artoo beeped happily at the exchange.

"Kyp is getting the Markiea ready." Luke said offering a hand to Fenice.

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It was a little less than ten hours later that the Markiea landed in Santik'sa. After shutting down and securing the freighter Luke, Fenice and Kyp emerged to be greeted by a crowd. Habin stood at the front with Magistrate Alhead, who Luke remembered from his last visit to Ansath. Alhead was an older man with pale green eyes, and long lilac colored hair that he kept tied back with a simple metal clip. By now Luke knew that all Aran kept their hair long, but not even Fenice in her fanciful hair styles wore ornaments in her hair. Martina had pointed out the clip as a sign of his office.

"Defender Fenice," the Magistrate said as he approached the woman, "It is good you return, as you can see Ansath has grown restless."

"Do the people sense the reckoning, or merely know from signs?" Fenice asked griping the older Aran's hand firmly.

"Some sense." he answered.

A flat skiff came through the crowd which willingly parted. Luke saw Kaynar at the controls with Emay at his side. The skiff came to a halt at the edge of the crowd.

"Your ride is here." Alhead said pointing to the skiff.

Habin helped Fenice onto the skiff climbing up after her. Luke and Kyp easily made their own way aboard for the ride. The crowd dispersed as they passed heading to the Tein'kal homestead. All were silent for the short journey.

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Gen was guarding the front door when the skiff arrived. "Master Skywalker," he nodded to Luke, "Fenice." He said gathering her in his arms. "I'm glad you're here." he held her for a moment then turned to Kyp. "You must be Kyp Durron," he said with a glum expression, "I'm Gen." he turned to the house and led them to the chamber below where Terick held his vi dual.

Terick had not slept in days and it showed. He took his honorary triplet in a firm embrace, "Habin told me what happened on Coruscant, I was so afraid I'd lost all my sisters."

"It's alright Terick, I'm here." she said comforting him. She let go surveying the room. Each of her sisters lay peacefully their cloths meticulously straight and unwrinkled. Their Healer's medallions lying directly in the center of their chests. "Reposed with dignity." she whispered to her adopted brother.

"They deserve as much." he whispered back.

Fenice looked a while longer and found with disbelief she saw Enora sitting in the corner with her legs drawn to her chest. Onaia was pacing the room, and Martina stood across the room watching patiently. Fenice walked toward her eldest sister and held out her hand, "Martina?"

Martina was startled at the contact and chided herself for being so. Fenice was Tein'kal, if anyone could see them she would. Martina tried to speak.

Fenice knotted her brow, "I see your lips move but I hear nothing." Fenice hung her head, "I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be." Luke came from behind her. "When Exar Kun trapped my spirit outside my body only Jacen and Jaina could see and hear me."

"Not even your twin could?" Fenice asked with shock.

"Leia was too busy trying to keep Anakin from being kidnapped to really look." Luke shrugged. Fenice looked back to her sister only to see Martina shrug as well.

"You said it was when your students worked together and destroyed Kun that you were able to return to your body." Fenice stated.

"Yes," Luke admitted, "but this is different somehow."

"This happened around the same time we were fighting Gam'nead." Fenice stated. "I've been thinking about what happened. We didn't destroy Gam'nead. According to the scrolls her power lies with the tare."

"So you think if we find the way to repair the Aran Force link it will restore your sisters as well?" Kyp asked.

"I have no doubt Gam'nead did this to them through me, if we remove the last source of Gam'nead's power it should restore them the way Exar Kun's destruction restored Master Skywalker."

"It would make sense." Luke admitted.

"The fifth scroll had the locations for two scrolls, one on Hapha and one on Tealro." Fenice stated. "The one on Hapha will be found by the Matriarch's quest. The one on Tealro is in the care of the Analhay monks. Time is running out; we have a decision to make."

Luke looked at her curiously, "I thought this wasn't our quest." he gestured to himself and Kyp.

"Not by obligation, but till now you've made it your quest." Fenice admitted. "I'm not fool enough to refuse help."

"You've got mine." Kyp smiled.

"Then I say we split the search." Luke offered.

Fenice nodded, "If you will go to Tealro, Kyp and I will go to Hapha. I believe I have some apologize to do there anyway."

"My shuttle is yours for the taking." Habin said from across the room.

"If you won't be needing it for a few days." Luke said as he turned to the cargo pilot.

"I owe you plenty anyway." Habin shrugged.

Luke smiled, "We'll meet back here when we've found the scrolls."

Fenice reached for the medallion at Martina's chest. "One last thing," she got a nod of approval from her eldest sister's apparition. Removing the medallion she handed it to Luke, "You will need this to prove to the Analhay monks who sent you."

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