Raven's child is
chasing salvation,
Black beak turned white from the crack and the
snow.
On the streets of despair the answer is simple,
A
spoonful of mercy can set free the soul. – Denver
And Vega Lights my Way, Chapter 10
By the time Aubé arrived back at the apartments, her parents had already left for the meeting with Princess Leia – Luke's sister, she thought, with a little chill.
And that Shaak cow.
She snorted derisively as she pulled out the outfit that she had purchased to wear to supper with Luke. It was fairly simple; blue leggings and a close-cut blouse with only a little adornment.Not too bad, she thought admiringly. It's pretty without being… well it's definitely not… it will work.
She cast her eyes to the note on the end table. As was common in the Canaille household, the message was written on a nice piece of real paper instead of flimsy-plast, and in her mother's flowing script.
Aubé, your father and I had to leave; there is a light meal in the warmer to hold you over until your supper with Master Luke. Kay'leb is resting, so please let him sleep. Please use the com if you are going to be out too late, you know your father will worry. It was unsigned, but for a mark of affection.
Resisting the temptation to burst in on her brother with a container of ice water, Aubé sat down to her small meal unaware that the room next to hers was actually empty.
Kay'leb had only pretended to drink the sedating tea his mother had prepared for him, and had managed to slip out of the apartment unnoticed after his parents had left.
I'll explain it to them later, he thought to himself. I don't think even Mother would understand. The spirits here want to talk to me…
He shivered as he entered the Temple. He now understood that there were at least some places that he should study at more of a distance. The Master's voices were one thing; the sickness was another. He would only stay a little while tonight, to try to commune with the pure souls that had remained in the Templein and leave. He would not return to the portion of the Temple where the clouds of the darkness coalesced and circled like a predator looking for a meal.
Yes, there it was, the dark shadow that resonated such feelings of despair, near what was once the site of a great fountain. Despite his good intentions, Key'Leb found himself walking towards it as surely as if he were being pulled in by a tractor beam.
Come to me young Jedi, a cool voice called to him. Let me show you everything that they would not…
No… I can't… I shouldn't…
However, as he made his way further into the courtyard, his resolve began to dissipate with the light.
Come… the voice called softly, hypnotically. Come to me…
He couldn't cry out, not physically nor through the Force, and soon enough he found he didn't want to anymore.. He felt… assured…. welcome…. needed.
The presence – he could no longer think of it as a sickness – began to caress him like a lover.
Come….
Show me then, he thought as a euphoria rushed through his body, clouding his consciousness. Teach me …
He closed his eyes and let the darkness envelop him.
At the reception, Kampher suddenly felt lightheaded and ill, and clung to Schurke's arm instinctively. Then, as quickly as it had happened, the moment passed.
"Are you alright?" Schurke murmured softly, holding his wife closer. "Kam?"
"Yes," she replied, a little shake to her voice. "Perhaps some water…"
"What was it?" Schurke pressed. "Kam, do we need to go home?"
Kampher shook her head. "I thought I heard Kay'leb, that he was in pain,but it's gone now – I think he's still asleep."
"Do you want to call?"
Kampher closed her eyes and gently brushed her son's mind.
"Well?"
"Still asleep," Kampher said, the relief evident in her voice. "But I still think I need a drink."
Without another word, Schurke led her over to the refreshments, where the Princess and her entourage were engaged in a rather heated conversation with another one of Schurke's colleagues, Ezels Gat, a portly, self indulgent man who seemed to live for confrontations. In the thick of it was young Skywalker – oblivious to his bored escort a few paces behind – his eyes flashing dangerously.
Just like his father's. Kampher thought.
"So, Master Skywalker," Ezels sneered. "You intend to restart the whole Jedi business all over again, as if we haven't had our fill with the likes of Darth Vader for the last 20 years…"
"My father was a good man before Palpatine…"
Kampher felt Schurke flinch at these words, but he did not walk away.
"Ahh yes," Ezels interrupted Luke. "Of course I should have seen this coming! Not content with merely claiming to be the savior of the Republic and wanting to resurrect the group of wizards that many believe to be the very orchestrators of the Great Clone Wars."
"Now Ezels," Schurke began quietly, gritting his teeth. "We've been down this road before."
Ezels continued as if no one had spoken a word. "…but of course we must add weight by being the untainted son of the Dark Lord himself…"
Without warning, the glass Ezels held shattered violently in his hand, spilling a large quantity of ale over his resplendent tunic. He began cursing loudly.
"Parlor tricks and nonsense!" he shouted as a bevy of cleaning droids began to attend him. "Your Highness, we'll continue this discussion at another time, preferably with out your pet Jedi…"
With in an instant, Schurke and Kampher found their view of the man blocked by a very large and angry Wookiee that was growling warningly. A few moments later, the crowd had cleared, leaving Kampher alone with Luke and Leia. Luke's guest had left them for other company as well.
"That went well," mused Leia thoughtfully as she watched Han and Chewbacca escort the seething representative away. Schurke, too, had excused himself momentarily. "Luke, not everyone can see past the fact that Darth Vader was…"
"I don't want to talk about it now, Leia." Luke said abruptly, his voice careful and cool. "In fact, I have to meet with my student." He turned to leave but Kampher touched his arm.
"Luke," she said softly. "Before you
go, may I have a word?"
Luke rubbed his hand over his face
wearily. "Of course, Master…" he replied too softly for anyone
but her to hear. He bowed slightly to Leia and followed Kampher to a
quiet corner near the exit.
"Luke, this will never be easy for you," Kampher told him without preamble. "Even Schurke has refused to discuss your father – what he became. Give the rest of the Galaxy time." She touched his cheek, and Luke took her hand and pressed it close, holding it there. Kampher smiled. "And now Master Skywalker, my daughter awaits…"
Luke flushed, but didn't drop his eyes, then he kissed her palm, gave a little bow and left, his feet seeming to barely touch the floor.
If Kampher had delved deeper into her son's mind and soul, she would have realized that although he was in a dream like state, he wasn't totally unaware of his surroundings. A small part of him still cried out for succor – at least the part of him that wasn't completely enamored and enchanted – but with every step he took, with every item he withdrew from the vaults of the Temple, his resistance became a little less.
It's all for the best, the voice inside his head echoed softly, sending a thrill of purely physical pleasure through his body, masking at least for moment the pain that racked his muscles from overuse. One more item, then you can rest for a while… just one more…
I can't, Kay'leb pleaded, regaining some semblance of control. Please… let me go.
Yet he did as he was asked, and as soon as the holocron was removed, a great lethargy came over him as his worn body finally gave out. He sank to the floor and into a deep, true sleep, and although the darkness left his body, it still stayed near, almost protectively watching over him.
