The sound of the wind slicing around the surrounding skyscrapers was a thin, highly pitched whistling sound that made me shift uncomfortably on my feet. I pulled my cloak more tightly around me as I searched the sky for any sign of the Hesperasian shuttle that was due to arrive at any moment.

Master Yoda was to travel to Hesperas with a delegation from the senate.

I was on my own for the first time in my life and it felt good; albeit scary too. This would be the first time in ten years that I was free to make my own decisions regarding an investigation without Obi-Wan Kenobi guiding me.

It was true that Master Yoda would be on Hesperas and I would be reporting to him on my discoveries, but the manner in which I chose to investigate Queen Teresea's death would be my own. Another world was opening before me and for the first time in my entire life, I truly felt like I was free.

Only the sound of the winds whipping my robe and the dull roar of the ships in the space lanes above kept me company out on the deserted landing platform. I shifted impatiently and let loose a sigh of gratitude as the sleek black ship of the Hesperasian royal family came into sight.

"Anakin!"

I turned and faced my master with a smile as he came toward me. "Master, I'm pleased to see you before I leave." I felt a sudden gust of air that came whenever ships landed so close by.

Obi-Wan was frowning and looked over my shoulder at the Hesperasian ship before meeting my eyes again. "Promise me that you will contact me, Anakin, if you need help. I know that Master Yoda will be there, but I am responsible for you until you pass the trials."

"Master Obi-Wan, I'll be fine," I insisted with a slight grin tugging at my lips. "But if you'll feel better; I promise I'll contact you if I need you."

He arched one eyebrow, but an expression of relief swept across his face before his expression changed to one of serenity. "Thank you, padawan. I will sleep better indeed." Obi-Wan stepped closer and rested one hand on my shoulder. "May the Force be with you, Anakin."

I nodded and swallowed the thick knot in my throat. "And with you, my master."

He squeezed my shoulder once and released me; turning, he headed back into the Temple docking bay. The wind swept his rust-colored robes back from him and gave him a look of grace that made me feel a coldness in my gut that we had argued over the past two days.

I didn't like leaving without settling things between us, but I knew I would have to be satisfied with our goodbye. A part of me was frightened to leave him, my comrade, my teacher, my older brother, and I was torn by the feeling of exhilaration that also flowed within me.

I could feel a presence approaching and I turned.

Walking toward me, long maroon skirts whipping in the breeze, was Kadal Nafora. She had twisted her waist-length hair up into a dark braid that coiled at the base of her neck. Golden hairpins tipped with glittering red jewels secured a long, sheer veil that covered her head. My eyes were drawn to the long gold needle she had inserted into the tender skin beneath her bottom lip. I had seen few beings that pierced their face, or any part of their bodies for that matter, and I was fascinated as to whether it was painful or not.

She smiled at me warmly. "Padawan Skywalker, we are honored by your presence." Kadal bowed and met my eyes again, a twinkle in her own alien blue orbs. "The piercing is not painful. We on Hesperas pierce our flesh for two purposes; one, to show that we have reached the age of maturity and may marry, and secondly, to show our status in society."

I kept my expression placid. "So you are Force sensitive."

The statement was one of utter truth and both of us knew that she could not refute it. Silence, broken only by the rage of the wind and the sound of ships passing above us, stretched into what seemed an eternity.

"Surely you are not surprised?" she questioned me.

I shook my head. "No, I've read everything in the Jedi Library over the past few days regarding Hesperas. Of course, there is a great deal the Jedi don't know about your people."

Kadal Nafora's open demeanor suddenly changed and her eyes dulled. "The Jedi need not be privy to every aspect of our world. Please follow me on board so we can start the journey." she turned and headed toward the ship. "I must extend my father's sincere apologies, but he elected to travel to Hesperas with his aides a few hours ago."

I followed her, my pack slung casually over my shoulder. "Why are you so upset about the fact that we Jedi wish to learn more about your people, Your Highness?"

She drew to a stop in front of the boarding ramp of the ship. Her face was a mask of uncertainty as she studied me. "I am not a princess, Padawan Skywalker, please refer to me as Kadal or Lady Nafora, if you feel the need for such a formality."

"You didn't answer my question, milady." I gazed at her expectantly and was rewarded with a small shrug before she turned her back on me and continued up the ramp. My blood began to boil and I forgot my place… again. "Tell me, milady, are you always so rude?"

Kadal turned and stared at me with a look of shocked surprise. "Excuse me? Perhaps, padawan, your master should be summoned to replace you. If you read as much as you say you did on Hesperasian culture than you should be aware that one does not question ones social superiors on Hesperas."

"Superiors?" I sputtered in disbelief. She must be crazy!

"Pardon me, my dear, but it would seem introductions are in order."

Kadal and I both turned at the gentle, melodious voice that came from the hatch of the ship. A petite woman veiled in deep blue silk stood smiling at both of us with a look of long-suffering patience. She was a lovely woman with shoulder-length silvery white hair and a sweet, heart-shaped face that had lost none of its beauty despite the lines around her eyes and mouth. It was clear that she was in her mid-sixties, but she had a timeless elegance that spoke of nobility. The Force sang to me and I felt at peace in her presence.

Clear gray eyes, normal human eyes, looked into mine and I was instantly mortified at my earlier outburst. She came to stand beside Kadal and turned toward her with a smile.

Kadal cleared her throat and gestured toward me. "Padawan Anakin Skywalker," she then swept her hand toward the older woman beside her. "my mother, Lady Sorona Nafora."

Sorona nodded at me, her eyes alight with laughter. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Padawan Skywalker. It has been many years since I've made the acquaintance of a Jedi Knight."

I returned the nod. "Thank you, milady. I was not aware that any Hesperasians were familiar with Jedi."

"I'm not a native Hesperasian," she stated with a laugh. "I'm originally from Corellia and my former career brought me into contact with the Jedi from time to time."

My eyes drifted toward Kadal and I noted that she had turned a deathly pale, but it was impossible to sense any emotion at all from her. I turned my attention back to Sorona. "Really? May I inquire about your career?"

Sorona smiled. "Of course, Padawan Skywalker. The trip to Hesperas is not too terribly long, but I shall be able to bore you sufficiently with all sorts of trivial little details."

"Mother… "

"Kadal, would you please speak with the pilot and advise him we will be enjoying an escort to Hesperas from the Republic Navy?"

Kadal Nafora smiled at her mother and bowed to the older woman. "Of course, mother." the smile on her face died when she looked at me and she quickly left us alone on the boarding ramp.

I cleared my throat; a nervousness I had never known before, except in the presence of my mother, washed over me. "Lady Nafora… "

She reached out and took one of my hands between both of her own. "Please, call me Sorona. I was not raised in the world of royalty as Kadal has been and I prefer not to indulge in all the trappings of aristocracy when possible."

Her hands were small, but strong, and I found myself staring at them for a moment; my mind lost in a faraway place filled with sand and treachery. My heart jumped into my throat and tears burned my eyes.

Mom… gods, but I miss you!

Blinking the traitorous fluid from my eyes, I smiled at the woman before me. "All right, Sorona, may I ask you a question?"

She nodded and began to lead me into the ship. "Please do. I don't often have the chance to converse with those from outside worlds."

The interior of the ship was as luxurious as I had imagined, but also surprisingly austere. The bulkhead was upholstered in black leather as were all of the seats, but aside from the several small titanium tables that dotted the main cabin; there was nothing in the way of entertainment at all.

"Why are the Hesperasians so mistrusting of the Jedi?"

Sorona nodded to a black-uniformed soldier that shut the hatch doors and bowed before leaving the cabin. She waved toward a nearby seat and sat across from me. "It is a very long story, Padawan Skywalker, but the Hesperasians were raped as a people by the Sith four thousand years ago and they do not trust anyone with Force abilities; particularly those who hold any sort of power."

She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "You must understand that after the conflict with the Sith, Hesperas became very intolerant of outsiders. The Hesperasian people are very much dedicated to the teachings of peace; they believe that the best way to attain peace is to not involve themselves beyond what they deem necessary in the affairs of the galaxy. The Jedi are very much the opposite in believing that in order to assure peace, people in the Republic must become involved with the galaxy as a whole. I believe this is a deep cultural divide that may or may not be bridged in time."

I frowned and leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. "Please call me Anakin. How does the ordinary Hesperasian citizen feel about the fact that the ruling class is Force sensitive?"

"Most people on Hesperas are good and decent and more than satisfied to not know whether their leaders are delving into the Force or not." Sorona began to chew her bottom lip, her expression pensive, before smiling again. "The Hesperasian people trust their leaders, Anakin, and their trust is well placed for the most part. Almost everyone born into the seven royal houses is Force sensitive, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone among them that is able to control the Force to any great extent."

"Do not worry, Padawan Skywalker, there are no armies of Force wielders that lay in wait for you."

Kadal appeared quietly at her mother's side and rested one slim hand on her mother's shoulder. I had sensed her presence the moment she entered the cabin; she had a Force signature akin to a live wire, spitting and hissing energy. There was no threat in her, but neither was there any sense of serenity. She seemed far older than her years and for the first time, I noticed the dark shadows beneath her vivid, piercing eyes.

She gestured for me to remain seated as I made the first move to stand.

I nodded to her in deference though it was the last thing I wanted to do. "Princess Kadal… "

"Please," she stated in a soft, tired voice. "I am not a princess." Looking at her mother, Kadal smiled and kissed the older woman's lined cheek before drawing back from her. "With your permission, mother, I shall retire."

Sorona nodded sagely. "I think that would be wise, my child. Rest well and save your energy as I expect that Erron will keep you very busy the next few days."

Kadal nodded to me and drifted out of the room. I could sense her weariness and desperate unease and it bothered me; she had seemed so filled with peace when I had met her and her father at the Jedi Council meeting. She had even been able to block my attempts to read her, but now she seemed out of tune with the world around her.

Sorona followed my gaze and frowned as our eyes met. "Please forgive my daughter, Anakin. She is sensitive when it comes to her title and she may remain a bit on edge for the next week or so."

"Why? most people in this galaxy would give their right arm for the chance to carry such an honorable title."

"Kadal is not accorded the honor of a royal title because I'm an outworlder." Sorona shrugged and turned her face toward the empty doorway. "She and I are allowed to carry the nominal title of Lady Nafora."

"I see."

Sorona turned to me with a wistful expression on her face. "No, you don't and I pray you never do. It is a hard lot in life to be surrounded with people suspicious of your every motive and doubting that you are worthy to be in their company because you are different."

I nodded thoughtfully. I understand more than you could ever know.

Thoughts of Obi-Wan and the Council flooded my brain and I pushed them back; it would not due to dwell on feelings that could only interfere with the task at hand.

"Please do tell me of your former career," I coaxed. "I'm looking forward to hearing what you did before coming to Hesperas."

The remainder of the trip was spent in excellent spirits. Sorona Nafora regaled me with tales of her years as first a prosecutor and then finally, Minister of Justice on Corellia. My mind was split in two; one half listening attentively and interacting with the lively woman across from me and the other half planning the beginning steps of my coming investigation.