Chapter 2

Tenel Ka struggled to keep her expression neutral as she felt a disturbance in the Force. She felt the faint, but unmistakable presence of her eldest daughter for the first time in twenty-five years.

When her eyes met Jacen's, she knew that her husband had felt the same disturbance.

"We must return to Hapes." Tenel Ka knew that from the disturbances she felt, Sil had appeared near her home planet and she had a feeling that a party was about to erupt.

The Hapan sun counted amongst one of the bright stars in the galaxy, emitting unimaginable amounts of white-blue light each second. Some of that light landed on the seven moons of Hapes, which redirected the path of the fast-traveling waves to illuminate the Hapan night. Of that light, a small fraction traveled through a bedroom window in Fountain Palace and bounced off of a pair of dark, indigo blue eyes, a few locks of elegant, straight hair that resembled dark chocolate, and a handsome, sad face.

Prince Anakin could not help but doubt his actions as he retired to his chambers. His marriage to Senator Lavant had made up for his lack of political power that he had as a male, but the former Jedi could not approve of everything she did. Although Prince Anakin did not choose the path of a Jedi, it was still difficult for him to watch and listen as the woman he put on the throne ordered all the tortures and executions. At least he was not another dead Jedi Knight named Anakin. Especially not a one with blue eyes and a pretty face.

The prince wished for a different queen on Lavant's throne, but he could not safely dispose of the former senator. If he divorced her, he would have to find another woman in order for him to stay in power as a prince and Lavant would have him killed. Then again, life with Lavant was a small price to pay for the powers of a prince, especially after he worked so hard to convince the galaxy that he, like any traditional prince, would take no family name.

"We are approaching the palace, um, Princesses." The captain of the Trebuchet announced as the ship approached the royal palace.

"Drop us in front of the entrance." Ordered Sil, who took command of the Battle Dragon as soon as her sister finished the story. She then turned to the red-headed Murra. "Ironic we have to infiltrate the home from where we once ruled, is it not?"

"Sis, we were senators, not rulers. I didn't even want that power. You dragged me into politics."

"Our mother may have given her throne for a democracy, but we were still viewed as royal princesses. It was the least you could do to fill the role you were born to play."

"Sil! You 're as annoying as ever." Murra retorted.

"You have not changed a bit, either, little sister." The other woman replied, emphasizing her last two words. She then ordered the crew of the Battle Dragon, "Cover us. Make sure everything goes right."

"Yes, ma'am." The crew saluted in unison.

The princess removed her hood as she viewed the Hapan night scene from the viewport. It was good to be able to dress comfortably without having to worry about cremation under the sun. She had wanted to push forth her remarks, but chuckled instead. She would not turn and kill her little sister in front of the Trebuchet's crew. No, she would drink her sister's blood another time, in private.

Should we jump, Murra? The dark haired Dathomiri mentally asked the younger princess as he joined the two sisters in the airlock. The man did not stand tall, but his mud colored skin, Force presence, and jet black hair, with the help of his piercing, blue eyes, gave him the persona of the imposing shade, making the people around him always think twice about their actions. He crouched as his muscles tensed, adding a predatory sense to his profile.

Murra responded with a nod. She then said to her consort, "Van, here, it's okay to speak up. Sil, are you sure you can do it by yourself?"

When the older sister smiled and nodded, Murra and her consort dived toward the palace in unison. Then, drawing upon what remained of her connections to the Force, the older princess followed suit.

Murra opened herself to the Force to slow and guide her descent. For a moment, she felt that in the midst of the reunion, something was horribly evil and wrong. She shook the thought off as soon as it came. She could not afford to doubt when she could hit the ground any minute. Probably my brother. Hapan politics must have brought out his darkest side and he wasn't trained to fight it off, though he thought he was. Murra heard the thought from her husband, not knowing the irony of what she had picked up.

As Murra landed softly on her feet, she brought her right hand to the hilt of one of her twin sabers. She could definitely see why her sister insisted upon attacking by night, as there were no guards in sight. She glanced over her shoulder to check for her sister and her husband.

Slowly but carefully, the three royals approached the closed entrance to the palace. When Murra found the large, wooden doors locked, she stepped back. Then, in a sweeping motion too fast for the unaided eye to follow, Murra brought her muscular leg up and kicked the door. When the doors refused to open, she gave it more kicks.

"Princess Murra, are you sure this is wise? We're getting way too much attention." Van'Ya-el Djo whispered to his wife.

"C'mon, we got a whole Battle Dragon protecting us. If you're still not confident, watch our backs." Murra replied as she pushed further into the palace.

"Halt!" The trio found several blasters at their necks.

"I come to claim the throne that rightfully belongs to the first-born daughter of Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo. Guards, take me to the current holder of the throne that I may win back my Consortium in a fair, traditional duel." Sil showed her face and lazily waved the blasters aside. Murra struggled to hide her shock. Never, in her fifteen years with her sister, had she seen Sil Chume Ta Djo use, no, abuse her royal powers and Force abilities like that.

"Y-your royal highness, the prince and, um, his consort, are asleep at the moment." One of the guards stammered.

"Bring me to them or wake them up and bring them to me." The older sister snapped coldly.

"As you wish, Chume Ta Sil. Follow me."

"Princess Murra, do you accompany your sister or do you also wish to duel for the throne? Same goes for you, sir." A short, male guard inquired as the group followed the head guard to Prince Anakin.

"I'm helping my sis, as is my consort, Van'Ya-el." Murra replied curtly.

"A Jedi like yourself, I see." Noted another guard. Van wanted to talk, but he did not have the strength to overcome his shy nature in the royal environment. Even though he long knew that his wife was a princess, it was the first time he set foot in her palace.