Chapter Eight
Word was there was an abandoned hovel just outside the housing district of Mos Eisley, on the cliffs above the plaza. Remaining inconspicuous in a city this large wasn't difficult, but asking too many questions draws notice. Whatever shape this building was in, we'd have to make do. Perhaps we could fix it up, although our meager credits wouldn't do much.
Tired, having been pelted by sand for several hours, and hot, we approached the home a vendor had pointed us to. It was owned by the Hutts, like everything on this planet, but anything abandoned was free for claiming. Rent would be collected later.
"I see why it's empty," Padmé spoke my own thoughts.
I studied the mud domed structure from afar, noting the cracks in the roof, the hole in the door, and the way the entire thing seemed to lean a little to the right. Ragged and torn curtains fluttered in a window without a shutter, so I imagined the place was full of sand. First things first, I'd create a broom to sweep it out. Then, we'd have to return to town and purchase a few supplies.
"Home, sweet home," I told her, adding a smile I hoped was charming and would improve her mood. She deserved so much better than this! But what other choice did we have?
The interior wasn't in much better shape. It was a typical shelter for this area, with one room that contained kitchen, common area, and sleeping area. We had passed a dozen of these types of homes on the way up the cliff where this one had been perched, though it was by far in the worst shape.
"We're going to run out of daylight," Padmé noted, spurring us both to action. "If you'll start unpacking, I'll find something to cover the window."
I cleared the top of a small table that had been left behind and began to rummage through her bag, before pulling out a long piece of heavy cloth.
"How about this?" I asked.
Padmé's face looked stricken as she took the fabric in her hands, although I sensed no physical discomfort.
"This is spun silk from Toong'l. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I paid for this."
As she spoke, her fingers were running longingly across the luxurious material.
"Madame Toussiere back in Theed would have a stroke if she knew what I was about to do with this."
I chuckled once I realized what was going on, although her feelings of loss only added to my own guilt. One day, I would make things better for her. I would.
From her utility belt, she withdrew her small vibroblade and after she'd measured the fabric, split it in two. Afterward, her countenance shifted and the loss was forgotten. I had no doubt she wouldn't speak another word about it.
Together, we fashioned a curtain and attached it to the nails that were already sticking out of the wall. Until I was able to fashion an actual shutter, it would have to do.
Padmé then returned to her bag and began emptying it out. I, too, rummaged through my duffel, to find the protein bars I had packed inside. I was starving, and I could feel her hunger pangs as well. Now that she was eating for two, it was important she consumed enough nutrition.
At the very bottom of the bag I found them and hollered out my success when I heard Padmé call out my name.
I turned to see her holding a small leather bag, tied at the opening.
"What's this?" she asked me.
I didn't recognize it by sight. "It isn't mine. Be careful," I warned her, although I could detect no danger.
Carefully, she opened the pouch and dumped its contents onto the edge of the table. Our eyes flew wide when we observed almost every type of currency known throughout the galaxy; credits, druggats, Calamari flan, and even a few nova crystals fell onto the worn wooden slats.
Both of us started counting and Padmé looked at me with some concern. "We're rich! But this isn't ours. Where did it come from?"
At almost the exact same time, we both spoke the same name. "Elda."
"We can't keep this," I told her while her head nodded in agreement.
"How did she ever collect this amount? This must have taken her years!"
"My question is why did she give it to us?" I picked up the pouch, preparing to fill it back up when the sound of crumpled paper came from inside. Reaching in, I pulled out a folded piece of yellow parchment with writing on it that was quite difficult to decipher.
"My dears," it began. "I have no family. They were taken from me years ago. You two mean more to me than anyone in this god-forsaken place and I want to leave you everything I have. I wish you both well. Love each other and your child the best you can. Love, Elda."
"She meant well, but you need to take this back," Padmé told me.
I immediately replaced the currency. "I should have enough daylight if I rent a speeder in town, but that will take the last of our credits."
"We'll figure out something," she assured me.
I kissed her cheek and then headed back to the plaza where I rented a speederbike that was older than two of my lifetimes. Perhaps with the help of the Force, the thing would make it to Mos Espa and back. It sputtered and growled its way across the sand and backfired once I pulled up to Elda's residence. However, no one answered her door, and her vendor's booth was empty. I didn't know what to do, which must've shown on my face, because a small child ran up to me.
"Are you looking for Elda?" he asked me.
"I am," I told the blonde-headed boy. "Have you seen her?"
"Not lately, but she told me to give you this."
The lad shoved another piece of parchment into my hand and then ran off.
In the same writing was sprawled another note, although this one filled me with dread.
"I knew you'd try to return my gift, but it's too late. This life has gotten to me and I've gone to be with my family. Return to yours young man and keep them close."
I wadded the note into my pocket and glanced about before returning to Elda's hut. Inside, everything looked exactly the same as if she would walk into the room at any second. Not a knick-knack was out of place.
There was nothing I could do and it wasn't like I could go around asking questions. Life meant very little on this planet, at least when it came to someone else's. Nobody would care what had happened to an old woman.
Disappointed, I returned to my speederbike and left town, only to decide on the road that headed out toward the dunes. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but my instincts were leading me in that direction. At a rise, I stopped and gazed toward the setting suns. I would run out of light soon and would need to hurry back. However, just before I took off again, I spied a figure in the distance. From my vantage point, it appeared to be a body sitting upright in the sand.
Alarmed, I flew down the dune and pulled up next to a gray-haired figure I recognized. Her face was littered with debris sand, but she was smiling. From the looks of her, Elda had taken her own life, most likely by some type of poison.
"I wish you would've come with us," I told her lifeless form. "We would've taken care of you."
Sadly, I gathered stones from nearby and covered her, just as the suns dipped on the horizon.
/Obi-Wan? Where are you?/
Padmé's voice filled my mind. I was going to have to drive home in the dark, which would present an entirely new set of possible dangers.
/I'm burying Elda,/ I informed her. /I'll explain when I get home./
/Oh, no/ she replied with despair. /Do what you need to, but hurry back./
/I'll get there as quickly as I can,/ I promised while I added the final stones.
Elda was a kind soul who had helped us more than once. She deserved words to be spoken, although only a few came to mind.
"May you find peace, serenity, and harmony within the Force. I'm certain our paths will cross again one day."
With a glance at the sky, I realized the light was dimming and already the cries of hyenas were filling the air. If I were smart, I would find shelter for the night, but I wanted to get back to Padmé and nobody had ever claimed I was very intelligent.
A/N: Yep. That's all you'll see of little Ani in this story. :D