Chapter Four: A Wound Reopens

Carth stood on the deck of the Republic war ship Martian, he was deep in thought and dwelling on his situations at hand. He knew that he had done a great service to the Republic by fighting the war against some rebellions on the outer rim. There was a lot of blood shed and misery just as he had expected. He knew that he had saved Reven pain that could have possibly destroyed her.

"Reven..." the name fell from his mouth as though she was just a distant memory, a being that was lost so many years ago. And yet the love he felt for her grew stronger every day.

" Where would you like to go Admiral Onasi?" the officer stood in direct respect to his superior. Now was the time that everyone was waiting for, now most of them would be able to retreat to there homes.

" Dad he's right we're done with the war and I haven't had a shot of juma jucie in days. I don't know about you, but I really want to settle." Dustil stood there with a stern look on his face. He really missed his juma.

Carth stood with excitement and fear, he knew what he had to do. There was only one set of business that he had to attend to, and he knew that he might be walking to his death, but he had to do it.

"Set a course for Dantooine, there is something that I need to take care of, somebody that I need to see." He looked stright ahead as he said it and found his son talking to him.

"Dad are you sure? You don't need to do this, I'm sure she's fine and doing well without you. Besides what about Mikara?" The words that Dustil spoke threw spears into his heart. He knew what he spoke was true, but he didn't to accept it. He still remembers the day that he left Reven, and the day Mikara poured her heart to him. He knew that if he where to go with her he would be living a lie for the rest of his life.

" I didn't love her, and you know that as well as I do. I need to find Reven and tell her how I feel. I know that she probably won't want me back, actually knowing Reven she's gonna kill me." Carth said

"Then why are you going back?" Dustil nearly screamed it at his father, he really didn't see the logic in his father's reasoning. Dustil didn't want his father to get him wrong, he loved Revan as a mother, but when they left he saw no point in returning.

" Because I much rather die in the arms of someone I love than sit an old man and wondering if she ever still loved me. And knowing Revan, she will still love me, but she will be trying hard to bury it." Dustil stood in silence and looked at his father, and as he looked closer he saw tears in his eyes.

He ran with such swiftness and grace he wondered if his pursurer had lost him. His brown hair fell loosely around his face and his hazel eyes were wide and alert. he didn't hear a sound. Then he heard himself breathing hard. He calmed his breath. He remembered what his mother and aunt taught him. He heard a crack of a twing and saw that it was him. As he looked up he felt himself forced to the floor. His attacker had got him.

"Pompay give it back!" Alianna yelled, Pompay had took her beloved doll for the last time. Her mother had given it to her for her fifth birthday and she wasn't about to loose it due to her brother's carelessness.

"You need a better hobby," he started " Why don't you play with your girlfriends, have some fun in the market?" Pompay asked as he struggled to keep the doll out of reach of his equally strong sister.

"Why don't you go find Kordan and your goons so you stop tormenting me and my doll.?" replied Alianna. Pompay made a swift turn and escaped the grip of his sister. Alianna knew that he was headed for the beach, she quickly got down and did a floor round kick. Pompay tripped and fell to the floor, the shock made him loose his hold on the doll and Alianna did a sumersault to quickly recover it.

"Besides," Alianna started " They're all getting ready for the Father's Festival they have every year." She drew sad at the thought of it knowing that there was no use in going. Pompay knew exactly how she felt.

"Hey," he said " don't get down in the dumps about it, my friends are gone for the same reason. Tell you what, let's go home and have the rest of our birthday cake."

Alianna smiled, Her eyes sparkled with delightment. Sometimes her twin brother was a pain, and other times he knew just what to say. "Sevan was always our favorite number, maybe this year has something in store for us." Pompay made for a sudden dash home, knowing his appitite the cake would be gone if Alianna took her time, So she quickly ran after him.

As they both entered the house the were greeted by the smell of a just finished supper. They knew that Aunt Bastila would be in the kitchen preparing the table. Pompay and Alianna would have to make a secretive attempt to the freezer. They tip- toed to the kitchen and saw Bastila's back to them, she was humming a tune as she was putting down the china. Pompay got to the freezer and reached out for it. He had never gotten that far, maybe today was a lucky day.

"Don't even think about it." Bastila's voice had been bland and barely audible. Pompay and Alianna gave out a groan that showed defeat."Don't groan, you know the rules, if you want dessert you better eat real food first." They knew that there was no point in arguing, so they sat down to eat.

"Aunty, do you know when my mom is coming home, and how is she doing? Have you heard from her?" asked Alianna

"Why don't you ask her for yourself?" suggested Bastila. Revan came into the room with a cent of newly renewed shower treatment.Her children ran to her and started to exaplain the last two weeks to her.

"Whoa, slow down I can only take in so much. How are both of you?" Revan asked

"We're fine, our friends are all getting ready for the Father's Festival coming up in a couple of months." they said

" Well do you want to go? I'll be glad to take you." said Revan

"No," the twins saiud in unison " it's o.k, but can we eat some cake?" they asked

"Sure," said Revan "Take it to your room if you like, but you must be in bed after that, is that clear?" asked Reven

"Yes Mom, I love you." they both said. Before you could blink they where gone with their portion of their cake,and some of their mom's. Reven took delight on seeing her children and their sceames, they where full of it.

"Revan I need to talk to you," Bastila started "There's something you need to know."

"What is it?" asked Reven, she hated it when Bastila fed around the bush. Ske wanted the news stright forward.

"I was meditating in the chamber and found out some news through the Force." said Bastila

"Why are you hesitating, just tell me what it is." Reven was growing worried

"Its Carth..." Bastila began. Reven could feel her heart jump to her throat. She was not prepared for what she was about to hear."He's coming back for you."