Chapter 5
Tenel Ka felt her bed trembling as she woke up to see Jacen next to her, shaking violently. Small whimpers escaped his lips. Her mind raced. She sat on his stomach, straddling his torso to try and stop the convulsing. She put her hand to his cheek, trying to calm him through the Force. "Jacen," she called to him.
Jacen Solo sat up, inhaling sharply. He opened his eyes and realized that he was only centimeters from Tenel Ka's face. He leaned his forehead against her collarbone, trying to catch his breath. He could sense waves of fear and concern pouring out of her. "I just had the most terrifying vision."
Tenel Ka moved to sit at his side, facing him. She knew how serious these visions could be. "What did you see, Jacen?"
"That's the thing. I didn't see anything. All I could hear was Allana calling for me, but I couldn't find her."
"We will find her, Jacen. It is merely a matter of when."
"I keep trying to tell myself that."
A small knock came from the door. "Yes?" Tenel Ka called.
A young serving girl entered. "Your morning meal, your highness." She placed the tray on the bed in front of them. "A message has arrived for Jedi Solo. It has been forwarded to your personal data port."
"Thank you." She nodded approvingly to the girl.
"Who knows I'm here?" Jacen asked as he walked over to the holoscreen. He quickly retrieved the file he needed. His aunt, the Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker, suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Jacen, you must return to Ossus immediately. Someone has taken many of the younglings, including Ben." She paused, trying to hide her fear. "Your uncle believes there may be a connection between this and the disappearance of the Queen Mother Tenel Ka's child. We will be expecting you." Static covered her face as the message ended.
"Kriff," Jacen muttered.
"Jacen," Tenel Ka scolded him. She was now standing behind him.
"Sorry. I just can't believe this."
"How do they know about Allana?"
"Uncle Luke probably felt your distress when you opened up to the Force again.
She nodded. "Perhaps they are correct; perhaps these events are indeed connected."
Jacen began to gather the few belongings he had unpacked. "I'm ready. You might want to pack a few things but we need to get to Ossus."
"Jacen."
"What? You are coming, right?"
"Of course. However, you may want to wear pants on this trip." She crossed her arm across her chest and raised an eyebrow at him.
Jacen looked down to see that he was only wearing the underpants he had slept in. "I think that's a great idea."
Isolder paced outside his daughter's bed chamber. He had knocked a few moments ago and was troubled when he heard Jacen Solo reply. The Jedi had always been a close friend of Tenel Ka's, but now they were older. Isolder didn't like the idea of his daughter alone with the young Jedi. He certainly didn't need another illegitimate grandchild, especially one fathered by Jacen Solo.
Tenel Ka and Jacen emerged from the room. Jacen had two rucksacks thrown over his shoulders.
"Jedi Solo, it is a pity you must leave us so soon. I suppose you are off on another one of your little adventures, or whatever it is that you do." He glared at Jacen. "Tenel Ka, after you escort your guest to an appropriate vessel, we must discuss the investigation."
"That will not be possible father. I am leaving with Jacen. We shall conduct our own investigation with the other Jedi on Ossus."
"Tenel Ka, I have never heard you make a joke, let alone at a time like this."
"She isn't joking, sir," Jacen replied.
"You stay out of this, Solo. My daughter knows that no Queen Mother has ever left Hapes for such a personal matter."
"Well, father, perhaps there is a first time for everything." She motioned to Jacen and the two started down the corridor.
"This is all your doing, Jedi. You're simply using my daughter's suffering to drag her back into that cult." Isolder yelled.
Tenel Ka spun on her heels and marched back to her father. "This is a decision that I am making for myself, father. It is much like the decision I made to spend a night with Jacen Solo and produce his child." She knew these words would cut her father deeply. She had kept the name of Allana's father from him until that moment. She walked back to Jacen.
Isolder took a moment to gather his thoughts. "If you leave, you should plan on never returning. I shall have you declared dead, murdered in your sleep! You will no longer be my daughter!"
Tenel Ka stopped. She looked up at Jacen with confident eyes. She began removing each piece of jewelry she was wearing. Her bracelet and necklace fell to the floor at her feet. She dropped her jeweled tiara on the floor, sending a clanging echo up and down the hall. Finally she pulled off her ring, her coronation ring. It had been worn by a woman in her family for generations. Walking away would end her family's line of rulers. She rolled the ring around in her palm, fully aware of what her was about to do. The ring slid between her fingers and fell to the floor.
Jacen's mouth hung open in amazement. Tenel Ka smiled at him and took his hand. The walked out to the hangar where Tenel Ka's old ship, the Rock Dragon, was docked. Tenel Ka reached out through the Force, using her mind to lower the ramp. The pair walked onto the ship. The Rock Dragon was years behind the latest Hapan technology, but Tenel Ka would never think of destroying the ship. There were far too many memories encased in its hull.
Jacen carried their bags to the sleeping quarters. He sat on the simple mat, running his fingers through his hair. He felt the ship lift off the ground and sour through the atmosphere. He closed his eyes and tried to find his daughter's presence in the Force. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"I believe Allana's Force presence is not yet strong enough to be detected," Tenel Ka said.
"It was worth a try."
Tenel Ka felt strong waves of worry surging through Jacen. She furrowed her brow, realizing that she was the cause of some of it. "Jacen, is there something else bothering you?"
"It's just…are you sure this is what you want? You just gave up your position as ruler of the Hapan cluster. You were one of the most powerful people in the galaxy." He paused and looked into her eyes. "It just seems like a drastic career move."
"That does not bother me. My only responsibility should be caring for those I love."