THE EARLY DAYS DUET:
BOOK TWO: THE WILL OF THE FORCE
Chapter Two – Honor Bound
Theed Palace, Naboo
As soon as Kasaré's hologram went offline, my counterparts spared no moment to make their opinions known.
Yané had risen from her chair and glared angrily at me. "Are you out of your mind, Sabé?" she demanded incredulously.
Rabé sat poised and still, but her body was tight with controlled anger. Her sharp dark eyes and angular features only further accentuated her quiet ferocity. "What were you thinking? Kasaré has done nothing to earn our trust."
"Kasaré also has nothing to gain by engaging with us," I pointed out. "There is no harm in investigating the possibility of her accusation. If we find nothing, we'll have at least managed to placate her. But if there is even a shred of truth to her accusation, then at least we will be prepared to deal with it when the time comes."
"It is more likely that her information was fabricated," Yané countered.
"And why would she make this up?" I asked
"To condemn the monarchy," she said simply. "If she digs up enough dirt against the government, Kasaré could spin any argument she likes to publically taint the Amidala administration. Her motive may well be to overthrow Amidala and reign in her place. If we accept to do the grunt work of an investigation that she can't touch, we will be digging our own political graves."
"That suggestion is just as outrageous as Kasaré's accusation," I retorted. "But at least Kasaré had evidence."
"I hardly think that a partially decrypted database constitutes as evidence," Rabé said. "She never even submitted the details of that list to us. It's not sufficient information, not by a long shot."
"And even if her allegation is true, this is not something we have the authority to investigate, Sabé."
"Have we really grown so complacent in our time of peace that we've forgotten our primary directive?" I was growing frustrated. "We are to protect our queen. She is and always will be our top priority."
"And the founders of that very directive are now the ones being accused of misconduct." Rabé said. "Do you see the flaw in that logic?"
"Technically, Kasaré said that the Advisory Council may have had more to do with the manipulations. And that's not too horribly far-fetched, since most of them served under Ars Veruna as well. Something may have thrived in the underbelly of his political scandal after his exile. The Order may still be innocent."
"Or the entire dilemma is a farce." Yané wouldn't budge from her opinion on the matter.
My assertion was just as fixed. I couldn't deny that my counterparts had raised good points, but I also couldn't dismiss the possibility that Kasaré may have been on to something. I wouldn't be able to live with myself she turned out to be right and I had done nothing to stop it.
I sighed. Arguing with my colleagues clearly wasn't going to accomplish anything. "I deflected my executive power," I reminded them. "And I've made no promises to Kasaré. I only assured her that we would deliberate the matter and provide an answer the next time she makes contact."
"If she makes contact…" Yané muttered.
"Padmé isn't going to like this." Rabé said, rubbing her temples wearily.
"Make of Kasaré what you will. I still think that the issue is worth pursuing," I said. "And I intend to unravel this mystery regardless of what Padmé's reaction might be."
"You can't be serious." Yané said, dumbstruck. "If Padmé dismisses Veruna's plea, you would have no authority to begin an investigation. You'd be a cohort of a fugitive. That's grounds enough for imprisonment."
"Then I'll examine the situation from a different angle," I replied. "Rather than interrogating the Advisory Council, I could just look for Kasaré's former retinue. Enquiring with them puts me well within my legal bounds."
"Don't be ridiculous. Whomever you question, the situation would remain the same. Don't do this, Sabé." Yané's voice was firm, but her eyes were pleading.
"I refuse to be held back by procedural inhibitions. The last time we were sequestered to protocol, we endured a global invasion. If we let ourselves be dampened by authorities who are used to bending the rules that they create, then we will have lost all semblance of true protection. Now are you both going to help me or not?"
Yané hesitated. "I won't sell you out," she said, crossing her arms. "That's the best I am willing to do. If you get caught, you're on your own."
"Very well," I said, gracious she was willing to afford me her silence. I turned to look at Rabé. She had leaned forward in her seat, her brows furrowing as she internally debated her response. I waited.
Rabé heaved a sigh before saying "I'm in. What must we do?"
I gave a moment's pause. "For now, we'll play it status quo," I said.
Rabé looked relieved. "All right. I can do status quo."
I wasn't sure how long this process would take, but I knew that I had to tread carefully. Time would have to be a factor to which I'd need to permit patience. If I was too foolhardy in my investigation, I would be revoked of my status as both a handmaiden and a decoy queen. It was unlikely that Padmé would sentence me to long term imprisonment, but the risk still bore weight. Not to mention, with Rabé's willing assistance, I felt even more inclined to refrain from my usual impulsive nature. I was more willing to riskmy reputation than hers.
"We still have three other appointments to attend before Padmé returns. I don't want to raise any more suspicion than I already have."
"Are you going to tell Padmé and the others?" Yané asked.
I wouldn't be ready to tell Panaka yet; he was too close to the Advisory Council and the birthing of the Order. I definitely wanted to inform Padmé, but I didn't want to springboard the information on her too quickly. I needed evidence of my own first before I could convince her of anything. Eirtaé retired about a year ago in favor of becoming a housewife. And the new handmaiden protégées were from a different generation within the Order. I wasn't ready to trust them yet. Not in this matter. Saché, however…I knew that Saché would want to be involved if Zam Wesell was entangled in Kasaré's conspiracy.
Saché had been the only one among the handmaidens to suffer through torture at the hands of the Trade Federation and Zam was one of two mercenaries that had been hired for the job. I had found her after the liberation of Naboo, and to this day, the memory of her trauma still haunted me.
The experience had changed Saché to the core. She was no longer the imposing, overconfident leader that she used to be. Depression and depersonalization kept her in constant company. It wasn't long after her recovery that she decided to back down from her formal duties as handmaiden, and requested to serve simply as an aide instead. Her role now entailed waking us, dressing us, maintaining our living spaces, and running mediocre errands. The simplicity of her new role managed to eliminate the worst of her mental unrest. And while that relieved the rest of us, it left Saché perpetually frustrated with her mental inhibitions.
She and I both felt a particular resentment towards Zam Wesell. Finding Zam's real employers would lead us closer to finding Zam. And putting her to justice would give us both a deep sense of satisfaction. Despite her shortcomings, I had no doubts of Saché's willingness to be involved.
I relayed my answer to Yané. "When I have incriminating information to bring to the table, I will inform Padmé and possibly Panaka. Otherwise, I'd like to keep this secret contained within the primary cadre of handmaidens. If the Order of Sanctuary has indeed been corrupted, then any handmaidens may be culpable, so it is better that fewer know of our intentions."
I had always been a guardian of secrets. But I had a strange sense of ownership with this particular secret. I was drawn to the desire of it. My hollow façade had finally fractured and a new sense of purpose began to seep into me. I refused to decay as an idle shell of a girl. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had agency in my life again. The concept was a dangerous one, but the compulsion to act on it was too delectable an opportunity to ignore.
At long last I had completed my separate delegations with the Supreme Judicial Court, the Duke of Moenia, and the superintendent of Theed's Academy of Education. It was another long, exhausting morning. Padmé had informed me yesterday on what my stance was to be for each conversation and what results I was to push for. Which was easy enough for most interactions.
The Duke of Moenia was a residual pain in the neck, though. I had the misfortune of engaging in an hour-long discussion with him. He was a haughty, voracious man who had been as adamant about expanding his provincial property line as Amidala was in containing it. Thankfully, after I had convinced him that being too ambitious in procuring land would result in financial disaster he relented…but only after I allowed a compromise by letting him raise the tourist tax. Since Moenia was such a highly sought-out place for vacationers, I knew that the additional costs wouldn't inhibit progress in financial savings. The entire exchange felt like a verbal arm wrestle, but by the end of it, we had both departed feeling satisfied with our results. Before I knew it, my tasks as decoy had finally neared completion. The throne room was now delightfully silent.
For a time, anyway.
Panaka, naturally, was still churlish about his earlier dismissal. For most of the morning, I had managed to shield myself from his aggressions by keeping ignorant dignitaries nearby. I knew that would only last me so long. As predicted, by the time all of my appointments were completed, Panaka asserted the full extent of his disapproval in how I handled the situation with Kasaré Veruna.
"I was perfectly safe," I defended. "I neglect to see how having a holographic conversation qualifies as dangerous."
"It's not about the conversation," Panaka growled. "You accommodated and submitted to the demands of a criminal."
"I simply gave Veruna an opportunity to vocalize her discontent," I countered. "I made no promises to her. She knew better than to believe that the monarchy would trust what she had to say."
"And what did she say?"
With Panaka, it was better to be partially honest than fully deceitful. "She's clinging desperately to the belief of her innocence," I said. "She wants her good reputation back. Nothing more."
Panaka looked to Yané and Rabé for confirmation.
"She speaks the truth," Yané said evenly.
"Princess Veruna poses no threat," Rabé assured him.
Panaka was wary but satisfied. With no way of accessing the holographic data, their allegation of the situation would have to do. He crossed his arms and looked back at me, softening his scowl. "Don't do anything like that again," he said firmly.
"Yes sir," I said meekly, raising my shoulders to my ears for good measure. Let him think I was kowtowed by his authority. I didn't want to drag out the conversation any longer than I had to.
Panaka's comlink chirped for his attention. He held up the receiver. "Panaka," he said curtly.
"A Mantaris-class transport is requesting permission to dock in the main hangar, bearing serial number OD-001." a voice crackled from the comlink.
It was Padmé's ship. I knew that with certainty. The Mantaris transport was the first vessel constructed as a hybridization of Gungan and Naboo technology. Its design was to transfer ecological flora and fauna between destinations. It sounded like her diplomatic mission had drawn to a successful close.
"Update acknowledged. Inform the vessel's occupants that the Royal Guard will receive them once they land."
"Understood. Dispatching docking protocols."
"Well 'Your Majesty,' I guess you finally get to resume your usual duties," Panaka said drily.
Praise Shiraya. That meant my next step was to wait in the turret room so that "the Queen" could get a full report from Padmé and her crew of consulates.
"Until then: good day, captain," I said, inclining my head to Panaka. Unamused, he rolled his eyes at my mockery and departed.
"He didn't seem horribly fazed by Kasaré's plea of innocence," Rabé observed. "You think he knows anything?"
"If he did, I think he preferred masking it with his aggravation toward me," I said. "It's too soon to be sure of anything."
"But you can be sure that hunting down Kasaré is next on his list of priorities," Yané said assertively. "If I were you I'd keep close tabs on how that endeavor progresses." She paused, caught herself, and then repeated, "if I were you."
I gave her a lopsided smile. She may yet change her mind. I didn't want to push my luck if she had an inkling of interest.
"Come on," I said. "Let's get to the turret room. We have one more appointment to see through."
As we made our commute, I observed the numerous marble statues that aligned in the vast hallways. Some alternated between pillars and windows, while others occupied their own niches that pocketed the vast estate. I'd glided past them often enough that my mind had a tendency to automatically catalog each statue's regal representation as I crossed. It was as much an idle mind game as it was an exercise. Queen Jarma, King Jafan II, Queen Yram, King Narmlé, Queen Minrota….
Sabé Evoria.
I heard the voice again. Eerie, regal, familiar. I swerved in search of the source, causing my colleagues to step back in surprise.
"Are you all right?" Rabé inquired.
"Did you hear that?" I asked, feeling my heartbeat knock loudly against my chest. Hearing it in dreams was one thing…but in the conscious world? The last time I had experienced that was prior to the funeral of Master Qui-Gon Jinn almost three years ago.
"Hear what?" Yané asked guardedly.
"That voice…" I said, my certainty waning. They couldn't hear it, and I just looked like a raving idiot.
"What voice?" Rabé asked.
I tried to shake off my sudden anxiety, and smothered it with a wave of fake exhaustion. "I…never mind. I'm operating on high stress and little sleep. I suppose I'm just hearing things."
"You should get some rest when Padmé returns," Rabé said sympathetically.
"Perhaps I might," I responded eliciting a self-deprecating laugh. I knew Rabé could see right through me, recognizing my apprehension. She was the best among us at interpreting micro-expressions. But she respectfully pretended to overlook my charade.
In truth, sleep was the last thing I wanted. If the voice had penetrated through my dreams and into reality, I wasn't sure I would be brave enough to face the wielder of such a power.
We recommenced our commute; but before I reached the turret room, I slipped a brief glance back at the corridor…as though I might discover the cause of my unrest in the vacancy of the hall.
But the row of statues all stood proud and immobile, revealing nothing.
As obvious as the possibility should have been to me, the sight of Obi-Wan Kenobi still took me entirely by surprise. The reality of seeing him again seemed too…convenient. Too providential; but his past involvement with Naboo and the native communities made him an ideal ambassador to the project on Ohma-D'un.
His hair had grown longer, and had brightened from soft auburn into a distinctive shade of blond; but beyond that, the span of two years had not changed him in the slightest. He still had the same kind blue eyes, quiet demeanor, and wickedly charming smile.
Not unlike today, he had often prompted the same smile back in the day whenever he recognized me as Sabé beneath the layers of regalia. His knowing smirk was a simple action, but it only reawakened the familiar ache I had once felt for him.
He diligently played his part as Padmé and her group of ecologists debriefed me on the mission. Evidently, there was still work to do in implementing environmental flora and fauna, and the transport system for the Gungans' mass relocation was still far from finished; but the organizational efforts to enact the project had concluded with overwhelming success. I gave them my formal congratulations on their endeavor and assured them of the sovereignty's continued support.
"The Advisory Council expressed a concern for any socio-political ramifications that may have resulted from the migration," I said, prefacing my inquiry. "Am I to understand that there was no dissent from the Gungans associated with the project?"
"None at all, Your Majesty," Obi-Wan replied. "Your delegate Padmé and I had an open conversation with the civilians en route to Ohma-D'un. During the commute, we had determined what issues prompted further discussion."
Padmé nodded and filled in. "Their primary focus was on assurances of the moon's sustainability and the protocols for developing the new underwater cities. Their promised cooperation enabled an increase in productivity."
"It was evident that they were eager to be involved in the process," Obi-Wan assured me.
"The Naboo thanks you for your diligence and involvement on this matter."
"And we are most humbled by your gracious support, Your Highness," an elderly mustached professor of Ecology spoke up from the back of the group. Padmé had introduced him earlier as Hallem Celaar. "I must say the experience was unlike anything I had ever dreamed of. Our research indicates the promise of a thriving ecosystem with the moon and its new inhabitants."
I gave a vague Amidala smile. "I am glad to hear it. You are to be guests of Theed Palace until such a time arises for you to resume your duties," I declared. "I expect this process will involve your further involvement in the times to come."
It was a brief meeting. Other than extending my royal invitation, the meeting had been rather needless. To be honest I wondered at their even showing up at all. The pomp and circumstance was largely unnecessary if Padmé was directly involved. Upon my departure, I dismissed Obi-Wan and Padmé's ragtag group of botanical engineers.
Padmé fell into step with me as Rabé, Yané and I made our venture back towards the Queen's private chamber.
"Today must have gone exceedingly well," Padmé commented as we reentered the privacy of her room.
"What makes you say that?" I said, eagerly removing my heavy Shirayan headdress. Yané retrieved it and set it on the nearest end table.
Padmé took her seat so that Saché could get to work. From her vanity, Padmé casted a wry glance towards me from her mirror. "You seem happier since I left this morning."
I rolled my eyes "Well, unlike this morning, I'm actually awake now." Rabé and Yané began to disrobe me, and I assisted their process while we conversed.
"Did you have any arguments with the Advisory Council today? Your steps are always lighter after getting under Bibble's skin." Padmé probed, undeterred by my deflection.
"I would never compromise the Amidala persona out of idle irritation. You should know this by now." I said drily. I worried about the conversation detouring to Bibble's premature dismissal and Kasaré's message, and I was not ready to venture into that conversation yet.
"I think it may have had more to do with seeing Master Kenobi," Rabé redirected, sharing in my unspoken disquiet. She gave me an apologetic look as she uttered the Jedi's name. She knew that in most cases I would resent her for bringing up my apparent infatuation. But she also knew that any conversation with Padmé would be better if the Advisory Council remained taboo for the day. For that, I was grateful that the script of the conversation shifted into something more trivial. Nonverbally, I indicated my thanks to Rabé.
My friendship with Obi-Wan Kenobi was hardly an unknown topic between Padmé and the other handmaidens. They would often tease me; waving around the handwritten note he had left me and dramatizing the accounts of the letter—the contents of which informed that he had located my family during the planet's liberation. Yané would read it theatrically, swooning as she did so. Eirtaé would try to analyze the writing, as if his penmanship would somehow confirm his own infatuation; and Padmé laughingly dismissed the notion altogether, having never had the opportunity to see our friendship firsthand. Only Rabé and Saché knew the truth of how strange and enigmatic my connection was with the Jedi Knight, and I intended to keep it that way.
Since his departure, it had been surprisingly easy to suppress the emotions that I had felt for him back then. Without his presence, those feelings remained tucked away to the point where I wondered if they even still existed. The passage of time often persuaded me in the belief that my feelings were merely repercussive to the events that entangled our growing friendship…but his sudden return to my life now began to implicate something else entirely.
"It was definitely a surprise to see him here," I conceded, allowing the conversation to detour accordingly. "I didn't think he'd report to us after the mission. Jedi Knights are normally expedient in their return to the Jedi Temple upon completion."
Yané nimbly returned with my ochre handmaiden gown, and I donned the outfit with the ease of routine. Simple and elegant, the gentle softness of the handmaiden's fabrics were designed for us disappear in the background of public attendance. The ochre gowns were particularly effective at letting us blend in behind the rays of sun that beamed from vertical windows of the throne room.
"I may have had something to do with that," Padmé said offering a smile. She swiveled in her chair to face me directly. "He was attempting to be nonchalant, but Master Kenobi had numerous questions about your well-being, Sabé. I told him that it might be easier if he just asked you himself."
I groaned. "Padmé, why?"
I was unprepared for Padmé's frank response. "I think part of the reason you've been so sullen is because you haven't been in contact with one of your dearest friends in over two years," she said. "You've fallen into a rhythm of monotony and I can tell that it's been killing you." She gave a mild shrug and continued, "Master Kenobi may be my only hope in restoring the Sabé I remember to be rash and impulsive."
What Padmé saw as idle teasing, I saw as a calculating opportunity. I was now in the perfect position to derail the conversation even further. My retaliation would only be a ruse, but I knew Padmé would fall for it. She was always susceptible to my ire. This would be advantageous to my cause: Diverting Padmé's attention with my temper ensured that Kasaré Veruna would no longer be an immediate topic of conversation.
"That's ridiculous and you know it, Padmé," I scowled, pretending to be offended. "I've had these arguments with you before: My apathy has stemmed from being used as a painted figurehead for public dalliances rather than for your protection. Kenobi has nothing to do with my temperament."
As I anticipated, Padmé's eyes went from playful to irate.
I felt like I was stoking a dangerous fire by provoking her in this way, but at least I could take comfort in knowing that she had expressly missed my argumentative nature. Offhand, I wondered if she missed arguing because she valued my opinion, or if fighting with me simply took the edge off her own anxieties.
"I see," Padmé said, clearly wounded by my verbal animosity. Her reaction was expected, but the extent of her reaction was surprisingly restrained. I hadn't expected her to maintain her resolve.
Yané, not recognizing my intention, intervened quickly in attempts to dilute the sudden tension in the room. "Padmé saw an opportunity to reunite you with an old friend, Sabé," she said calmly. "She made her gesture out of interest and concern for you. Not your political role."
"And while I appreciate the apparent concern, Padmé, my bitterness existed long after I had gotten over my feelings for the Jedi Knight. His presence won't nullify how I feel about my altered role as decoy."
"I can see that my assumptions were misled," Padmé said coolly. Probably the closest I would get to an apology. Since I was the instigator, she would leave that part to me.
I waited a couple of beats before resituating to submission. "My apologies, Your Majesty," I said, coddling to her authority. I was never a fan of resorting to false humility, but I had been through this argumentative circuit with her enough times to know that my opinion no longer held as strong a bearing that it used to.
"No apology needed." Padmé said. Her tone was so neutral it almost could have passed as the Amidala inflection. She swiveled back in her chair, revealing the grandiose hairstyle that Saché had diligently completed during our interaction. Her hair was coiled in the same way mine had been: with loops interlocking into a cascade that fell to her waist. The headdress I had adorned earlier would complete the look.
I noticed Saché give me a suspicious glare before returning silently to her handiwork.
Rabé, Yané and I exchanged awkward glances, awaiting Padmé's final word.
"Thank you for all the work you've put in today, Sabé. You may take the rest of the day off." Evidently, deflection was her solution. "Master Kenobi requested to visit you this afternoon. I advise you to acquiesce to the opportunity that has been presented to you."
I realized that by griping about my malcontent, I had also insulted Padmé's attempt at generosity in regards to Kenobi. I softened at this, and made it evident to Padmé. "Very well," I said, "I will do as you say."
Despite my accruing political issues with Padmé, I knew that a visit with Obi-Wan Kenobi was one that was long overdue. I was all too willing to comply to the scenario, even if meant that I risked falling in love with him all over again.
