23
"The Queen had not exaggerated the difficult journey to find the hill people. At first, the roads had been clearly marked. Qui-Gon had found a ride in a speeder to the outskirts of the city. A kind farmer had taken him far on a turbo cart, a young teenager on his speeder bike. But as the roads grew worse and the landscape more desolate, there were no more rides to be had."
By the time Qui-Gon had met up with Kazaran in the palace gardens and learned everything about Elan the sun was starting to set in the sky. The temperature dropped and the gardens were thrown into beautiful silvery twilight. A cold breeze blew through the garden and pink muja-blossoms fluttered through the air like butterflies. Qui-Gon picked a stray blossom out of his hair and let it fall to the ground.
"Are you even listening to me Qui-Gon?" Kazaran asked in annoyance.
"That's what I've been doing for the past hour or so," Qui-Gon snapped back.
Kazaran grimaced and fought very hard to keep his eyes from rolling. Jedi rarely get into the habit of asking others for help. Thus, each Jedi knew the importance placed on such a request from their colleagues. This thought seemed to have slipped Qui-Gon's mind. Kazaran understood that Qui-Gon had lost his padawan, but a Jedi had a duty to all people. Elan was instrumentally important to the safety of Gala. He felt it. Giba was too suspicious of Kazaran and his padawan. He knew he was being followed. Kazaran also knew that Giba could not limit Qui-Gon's access of the planet. Prince Beju had completely shut down any argument Giba came up with to keep him in the city.
"You should leave early tomorrow." Kazaran suggested. "From what I hear, it is a long journey to the Hill-country."
Qui-Gon looked off into the darkening sky and let the pink blossoms caress his face as they cascaded to the ground.
"Don't look so upset Qui-Gon. Your padawan could've very well been taken in by the Hill people. You'd probably have to search there eventually. Actually if you think about it, the possibility is very likely." Kazaran reasoned. "The Galacians make them out to be barbarians, but I suspect they are quite the opposite."
Qui-Gon reached into a pocket and pulled out the river-stone. It felt cold in his hand. Qui-Gon frowned at that. In his youth he had used it as a hand warmer whenever he was without gloves. It had always been a source of warmth and beauty. It was just a rock now. The Jedi Master had the urge to fling the rock as far away from his body as possible, but thought better of it. The Force was still present in it. The Force could never truly leave anything. Why did it seem strangely absent now?
"There is still a problem if I can't convince Elan to return to Galu with me." Qui-Gon said.
Kazaran snorted and crossed his arms.
"When has that ever stopped you Jinn?" His bushy beard stuck out comically. "You're the Master of Stubborn, or so I've heard."
"Hmmph," Qui-Gon muttered.
"Besides, she will listen to you because despite all appearances she is just like us. If anyone can reach her it'll be you."
Qui-Gon felt this to be true as well. He could sympathize with Elan. She had chosen to live apart from society with those of like mind. She only followed the rules she agreed to. He could definitely relate with her. Qui-Gon sighed and composed himself. This would have been a very good first official mission for his padawan. Obi-Wan may have been upset with the tediousness at first but when he figured out how much intrigue was truly going on he would rise to the challenge. Perhaps Obi-Wan would've made friends with Prince Beju.
"Will you please stay focused for a second?" Kazaran rolled his eyes.
"I don't see what else we have to discuss. I will go and try to convince Elan to return to Galu with me while you and your padawan oversee the election and watch over Giba."
Kazaran crossed his arms and looked at the now dark-violet sky. Qui-Gon could tell that he was calling upon the Force for patience. Qui-Gon looked at the sky as well. The three moons rose slowly and cast the garden in a silvery glow.
"Qui-Gon, I know you are aware of the importance of this. Just don't let yourself get too distracted." Kazaran said softly and with a hint of compassion.
"I won't. I know what is at stake." Qui-Gon replied.
"Good. Yoda said I could count on you,"
"You contacted him?" Qui-Gon asked, mildly surprised.
Kazaran's laughter came out as a gruff bark. He slapped Qui-Gon on the back like he had just made a joke.
"It was a little strange seeing you here; especially since you specifically said you weren't going to be. I thought Yoda was pulling a practical joke on me for a second."
The two Jedi Knights were silent for a second but they both ended up in a fit of laughter. In their whole life-times they had never know the little green Master to crack a joke. Qui-Gon shook his head and tried to get the image of their venerable Master Yoda sending teams to the wrong worlds just for kicks. Their laughter subsided and the pair looked at the night sky with a serene expression.
"Watch Giba closely; I sense greed in him." Qui-Gon advised and Kazaran nodded. "Also, the Prince mentioned something about Deca Brun being funded by an outside source. That might be worth looking into."
"We shall," Kazaran bowed his head.
Qui-Gon's thoughts drifted to his padawan. Was Obi-Wan looking at a sky similar to this? If so, did the boy even know what he was looking at? Qui-Gon wrapped his fingers around the cold stone. He felt a wave of comfort wash through him. Even if his padawan was all alone, he still had the Force. The Force would never abandon him.
"Tiku!" Atri called out as he ran outside the house.
The sky was dark and the little white lights called 'stars' were coming out. Atri thought they were very pretty and everyone in the family agreed. Tiku was looking at these stars with a strange expression on his face. Atri ran up to him and stood beside him. He was only a head shorter than his adopted older brother but he always felt like Tiku was much taller. Tiku always had a way of confusing the boy with his words. This led Atri to believe that Tiku was incredibly intelligent and wise. He was perhaps even wiser than Avlo, but then again Avlo knew a lot more about plants than anyone Atri knew.
"Hello Atri," Tiku murmured.
"Sera said to say that dinner is done." Atri said dutifully.
Tiku nodded and looked up at the stars again. Atri looked at Tiku and wondered what he saw when he looked at the stars. Atri only saw pretty glowing dots, but Tiku had told him once that they were much more than that. Atri felt hundreds of questions burning inside of him, but he was more concerned about dinner. The problem was that Tiku didn't seem concerned at all, and Sera told him not to come back without him.
"Tiku, what's it called when you know something is going to happen?" Atri asked.
"Huh?" Tiku asked absentmindedly and tore his attention away from the stars.
"I mean when you just know something is going to happen because you get a feeling?" Atri tried to clarify.
"Oh, that's called intuition." Tiku said with a smile.
"In-tu-it-shon?" Atri tried to say.
"Yeah,"
"Do you have in-tu-i-shon?" Atri asked.
Tiku smiled and clapped Atri's back as they headed towards the house and a warm dinner.
"Everyone has it." Tiku answered with a chuckle.
"Really?" Atri asked with wide eyes.
"Yeah, but some people have it more than others. It depends on how much you observe what is going on around you and understand people. You can practically predict what they're going to do by previous actions they've made."
Atri tried to understand all of what Tiku said, but it was making his head hurt.
"I think I have a lot of intuition," Atri stated as the pair walked through the house.
"I think you might be right," Tiku smiled and messed up Atri's hair playfully.
Sera smiled at her oldest son and the newest addition to her family. They both laughed as they sat in their respective chairs. Shiko was looking at them impatiently and Keta rolled her eyes. Her posture clearly stated that she wanted to be any place but at that dinner table. Avlo began the usual ritual of thanking the land for being bountiful and providing food for the family. The first time Atri heard it, he had no idea what Avlo was saying. Now that he knew that food came from the earth he thought it fitting. Atri had gotten into the habit of thanking the flowers for being so beautiful. Shiko always laughed when he did this, but then he started doing it as well.
After the ritual, the family began to eat their food and Shiko would fling vegetables at his sister when his parents weren't looking. Keta growled and threw her fork down on her plate. Shiko giggled and the rest of the family eyed her curiously.
"Mom, will you please tell Shiko to stop being so immature!" She barked.
"Shiko dear, don't throw vegetables at your sister." Sera sighed.
"I didn't do anything!" Shiko denied.
"What did I tell you about lying Shiko?" Sera asked sternly.
"It's bad." Shiko said softly.
"Apologize." Avlo ordered, but couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"I'm sorry for lying," Shiko said to Sera.
"Now apologize to your sister," Avlo said.
"But I'm not sorry!" Shiko said innocently.
Keta glared at her younger brother and Shiko stuck his tongue out at her. Keta stood up and the anger practically radiated from her. Atri frowned as he felt the bad feeling again.
"I am so sick of this family!" She screamed and stalked off to her room.
Avlo and Sera jumped at the sound of a door slamming. They both shook their heads in confusion.
"Tiku was never this difficult to deal with," Avlo sighed.
"She's a teenager. I'd be concerned if she wasn't like this." Sera chuckled.
"Why'd you both decide to be rebellious at the same time?" Avlo asked Tiku.
"Rebellious?" Tiku asked indignantly. "Just because I don't want to—"
"Stop." Sera commanded and all conversation ceased. "Just try to be civil towards one another."
Sera, Tiku, and Avlo were locked in a stare. They were trying to see who backed down first. Shiko started flicking vegetables at Atri now and Atri ducked as the vegetables nearly hit him in the face. He retaliated by flicking his own unwanted vegetables. The three adults broke their stare and turned outraged faces to the two youngest members of their family involved in a food-fight.
"Shiko! Atri!" Sera harped.
The pair froze immediately and turned well practiced innocent faces towards the angry woman. It was possible to endure such a look from one of them alone, but as a pair they were practically irresistible. Sera's glare softened slightly, but she still managed to look threatening.
"No throwing food!" She chastised.
"Never?" Shiko asked with a waver in his voice.
"Never!"
"Not even at Tiku?" Shiko asked again.
"No!"
"Keta?"
"No, Shiko!"
"Kiban?" Shiko asked.
There was a silence and then Avlo and Sera answered opposingly at the same time.
"No!" Sera denied.
"Yes!" Avlo said and Sera glared at her husband.
"What are you trying to teach these boys Avlo?"
"By the moons Sera! You know you would enjoy it!" Avlo reasoned.
"I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to see it happen, but it is not polite nor acceptable to throw food in this house!"
"Dad said I can throw food at Kiban…" Shiko said sneakily and laughed.
"Can I as well father?" Tiku asked with a smirk.
Avlo laughed and slapped the table. Sera crossed her arms but knew she was clearly outnumbered. Soon Tiku, Shiko, and Atri were laughing with the patron of the house. The laughter died down after a minute and Sera rolled her eyes.
"Speaking of Kiban," Tiku began solemnly. "I don't think he should be permitted into this house again."
"Tiku, I know Kiban is not very well liked but he is a good tutor and Keta likes him." Sera defended and Avlo eyed his son critically.
"I don't trust his intentions towards my sister." Tiku barked out.
"What are you talking about Tiku?" Sera asked.
"I just don't trust him okay?" Tiku snapped.
"Does this have something to do with the incident a few days ago?" Sera asked critically.
Tiku said nothing and glared at his plate. Avlo forked vegetables into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Shiko was making a landscape with his food while Atri watched in fascination.
"Tiku?" Sera asked compassionately.
"Can't you just trust me on this?" He whispered.
"Tiku, it's the only thing she seems to be happy with. I wouldn't want to take that away from her."
Tiku growled in frustration and Atri looked up from Shiko's artistic plate. An awkward silence passed over the room. The family continued to eat in relative silence. Atri didn't feel any of the badness that he had before, but there was something else.
"What's this called?" Atri asked.
"Huh?" Tiku blinked.
"This!" Atri asked and outstretched his hands to encompass the room and the people in it.
"This is the dining room Atri." Tiku said strangely.
"No I mean…" Atri tried to explain himself, but couldn't find any adequate words to describe what he wanted to say.
"It's all right Atri," Sera soothed. "We're just a little tense that's all."
"What is tense?" Atri asked curiously.
"Well, it's a little difficult to describe." Tiku said with a thoughtful grin.
"Even for you?" Atri asked in awe.
"Yeah, even for me." Tiku smiled back.
"Maybe that's it then!" Atri said excitedly. "So then tense is… bad?"
"Yes Atri, tense can be really bad." Sera said.
"Oh, then why are you tense?" Atri asked innocently.
The three adults looked back and forth at each other, unable to answer the question.
"I guess we can't help it sometimes." Avlo said.
"Why not?" Atri asked, clearly puzzled.
"Atri, you ask harder and harder questions." Sera smiled.
"They're not hard!" Shiko exclaimed. "It's cause that's who we are. We get mad and sad cause that's who we are. People just are these things cause they have to be something."
Atri nodded in understanding. Sera eyed her youngest son with a confused but very pleased smile. How did Shiko always have the best way to explain things to Atri? Perhaps it was because he offered the simplest explanation. Sometimes Sera forgot that Atri didn't know about many things they all took for granted. It was very difficult for her to explain abstract concepts to the boy. Regardless of how much the boy didn't know he was still very bright. He picked up concepts fast and he remembered them. He also had an intense desire to learn everything. Sera wondered if Atri was afraid of losing his memory again and that's why he strove so hard to remember everything he saw.
"Shiko, you're amazing." Tiku shook his head and smiled.
Shiko beamed under the compliment from his older brother. The family returned to friendly conversation as if nothing had happened. Atri felt the good feelings swirl around the room and he basked in them. Sometimes the bad feelings overpowered everything, but the goodness always returned. He understood this. The bad feelings could be driven away. There was still a lingering trace of the bad feelings, but those came from Keta. Atri frowned. His 'intuition' showed him that she was going to be all right, but it was confusing. He didn't know when she would be all right or how it would happen; only that it would.
Qui-Gon decided to head for the Hill Country on foot. He knew Prince Beju would've provided him with any sort of transportation he desired, but Qui-Gon felt in order to reach Elan he had to make the journey with his own two feet just as she had probably done. He didn't want to arouse the suspicion of Giba either. Kazaran and his apprentice were having enough problems with the councilor as it was. Qui-Gon slipped out of the palace without being seen and began his hike towards the mountains.
The city's wealth was concentrated towards the gilded palace. As Qui-Gon headed towards the outskirts the buildings became more decrepit and abandoned. Landscaping was left to decay and black weeds were starting to overrun quaint little gardens. Qui-Gon took all of this in, but did not dwell on it.
Democracy would stabilize Gala—with time. The Jedi knew all too well that democracies had problems as well. They were slow, but they ensured that the rights of the people were not being trampled. Gala could never be a direct democracy; very few worlds held a small enough population for that to work. A representative democracy would be best. The governor would have power, but they would still be subject to the whims of the people. Gala still didn't have plans for a senate or if they would change their judicial system. This election was just the beginning.
It was nearing midday when Qui-Gon reached the edge of the city. There were tiny dots in the horizon that identified the houses of suburbial dwellers, but the closest city was many miles away. Gala was truly a quiet planet and Qui-Gon knew if things were different he would truly enjoy this chance to find Elan in the Hill-country. Qui-Gon's feet tread lightly and with purpose on the road. As he got further and further away from Galu the roads got worse. They were only a dirt paths outlined with rocks whose upkeep was left only to the whims of the sparse houses spread around the area.
The Jedi tried to push the image of Obi-Wan out of his head but it came back with a vengeance. The Jedi Master felt despair well up within him. His padawan was gone. Were these feelings simply from his continual failure or did he actually miss the boy? He had been so eager to please and at times angry. He knew exactly what he wanted and he was not afraid to do anything possible to get it. Obi-Wan had been willing to sacrifice his life for him and the people of Bandomeer. He was impatient, but he was so young. He was brimming with hope and promise and he made friends fast. He had already shown signs of having a wry sense of humor and was skilled with a lightsaber. There was an inherit goodness in him that even some Jedi didn't possess.
He would've been a great padawan and an even better Knight. A boy with such goodness in him wouldn't betray him like his last apprentice. Qui-Gon grimaced as the image of Xanatos' leering face came to his mind. The betrayal still stung fiercely in the Jedi's heart. Seeing him on Bandomeer was a pain he did not want to revisit. He could hear his old apprentice's voice in his mind, voicing his own fears.
"So this is the Jedi's way of treating their children? I know you screwed me over, but this is a new low for you Qui-Gon."
The Jedi shook the voice away. He needed to focus on the present. The task at hand was vital to the stability of Gala's elections. Kazaran was counting on him. Obi-Wan would have to wait.
"Again? At this rate your precious padawan is better off without you!"
This continued on for hours. Qui-Gon mentally argued with his own fears as he walked towards the Hill Country. The voice always sounded like Xanatos even though Qui-Gon knew there was no way it could be. Qui-Gon was so distracted that he didn't notice the turbo-cart that pulled up next to him.
"Hey traveler!" A very deep and gruff voice called out.
Qui-Gon stopped in his tracks and his hand went to his lightsaber. He looked warily at the large Galacian seated rather uncomfortably in the small turbo-cart. The Galacian was a brute, but he had a kind face. The Jedi felt a disorientating sensation as he continued to inauspiciously observe the large Galacian. It was almost as if the Force was screaming at him, but Qui-Gon could not understand a single word. Qui-Gon blinked as the man waved at him again. What was the Force trying to tell him?
"Where you headed?" The man asked.
"As far as you can take me." Qui-Gon admitted with a smile.
The man laughed hugely and motioned for Qui-Gon to hop into the cart. Qui-Gon nodded his thanks and sat in the passenger seat next to the man. The Galacian looked up at the sky critically. His face scrunched up in a sign of disappointment and he made slight clicking noise.
"Storm's coming," He commented.
Qui-Gon looked at the perfectly clear sky and raised an eyebrow. The weather had been very pleasant so far on Gala. It didn't appear like it was going to change anytime soon. The man steered the turbo-cart carefully along the road.
"This is going to raise havoc on harvest." He shook his head.
"You're a farmer?" Qui-Gon asked with interest.
"Sixth generation!" The Galacian said proudly. "My family has been on the same plot of land for almost two-hundred years. 'Course we had to rotate the crops a couple of times, but that's no problem."
"Impressive," Qui-Gon complimented politely.
"We do pretty well. You'd be surprised what some people will pay for wheat these days. It's becoming harder and harder to grow."
Qui-Gon smiled lightly as the man went on and on. He was one of those rare type of people that are completely open upon first meeting them. Qui-Gon immediately liked the man. After about an hour Qui-Gon had practically learned all he wished to know about farming and then some.
"You know, you remind me of someone." The Galacian said with puzzlement.
"Really?" Qui-Gon asked.
"You're obviously not Galacian though. Where you from?"
"Coruscant mostly. I travel a lot."
"Ah Coruscant. Couldn't imagine a whole planet that's a city. How do they grow anything?"
"They don't. Food is imported from other planets."
The Galacian shook his head in disgust.
"What do they do there then?" The Galacian asked, clearly not seeing anything beyond a life of farming.
"Anything and everything they can. Everyone is just trying to get by."
"Pfff," The man dismissed. "What do you do then?"
Qui-Gon briefly wondered if he should lie, but then thought better of it. This man probably wouldn't care what a Jedi was anyway.
"I'm a Jedi Knight," Qui-Gon answered honestly.
The Galacian gave him the strangest look and then burst out in laughter.
"What is so humorous?" Qui-Gon asked as the man continued to laugh.
"Don't take offense stranger, but the way the holonet portrays Jedi you'd think they had shining white lights all around them. You look normal." The Galacian snorted.
"Thank you, I guess."
"My eldest son thinks that a Jedi put some sort of spell on Prince Beju to make him act more like a human being."
At that Qui-Gon chuckled and the Galacian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"How old is your son?" Qui-Gon asked curiously.
"He's eighteen and he thinks he knows everything." The man growled.
"Well you can tell him that Jedi do not cast spells," Qui-Gon said with a wry-smile. "Let's just say that Beju had a little push in the right direction."
"So do you really have a laser-sword?" The Galacian asked curiously.
"We call them lightsabers." The Jedi corrected.
"Why?" He asked, as if he thought the name was completely pointless.
Qui-Gon merely shrugged and looked at the rapidly passing landscape.
"So where do the Jedi get their food? You guys eat right?" The Galacian asked—his questions were becoming limitless.
"I'm not entirely sure. I never really thought about it." Qui-Gon admitted.
"Just think," The Galacian said with a proud smile. "Some guy like me is providing the Jedi with food. Makes you think doesn't it?"
"Yeah…" Qui-Gon trailed off.
"Gotta wonder whose job is more important though," The man commented.
Qui-Gon simply could not believe this Galacian. He was proud and opinionated, but he was also one of the friendliest beings he had met.
"You know," Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. "There are many Jedi who become farmers. They use their connection to the Force to help plants grow for other worlds."
"Now that I respect." The Galacian said and Qui-Gon chuckled.
"Most Jedi don't view it as such a great thing." Qui-Gon admitted.
"That's stupid." The farmer said simply.
Qui-Gon was going to make a reply when the turbo-cart suddenly slowed to a halt at a fork in the road.
"Well this is where I leave you stranger. My farm is just a few miles off the main road." The Galacian said.
"Thank you for the lift and the company." Qui-Gon said graciously as he got out of the cart.
"It's no problem," The Galacian said. "Just watch out for the Hill people. They've been known to come down this far sometimes."
At the mention of Hill People the Galacian's face changed into disgust and hate. Qui-Gon was a little taken aback by the abrupt shift. Hatred of the Hill People must indeed run very deep.
"Farewell farmer!" Qui-Gon called out.
"And you Jedi!" The Galacian called back with a wave of his large hand.
Qui-Gon began to head down the road again but stopped when he heard the man call out to him. He turned around and blocked the weak sunlight from his eyes.
"So do you have a name?!?" The farmer bellowed.
"Qui-Gon Jinn,"
"Qui-Gon Jinn? What kind of name is that?" The farmer criticized loudly and Qui-Gon ignored it.
"What about you?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Avlo Lundus!" The man bellowed back.
Qui-Gon waved one last time at Avlo and turned towards the road. He felt that strange disorientation again, but it got weaker as he traveled farther and farther from Avlo. Soon the feeling was forgotten and he made his way to the Hill Country with a single-minded determination.
A/N: Yeah yeah yeah… It took longer than usual. I seriously had planned to have Qui-Gon and Obi meet up in this chapter but it was already getting too long. Perhaps next chapter?!?! Thanks as always for reviewing. Love ya guys! Oh I totally had a question for you guys. I was thinking about how Qui and Obi went straight to Gala from Phindar so do you think they had an official ceremony saying Obi was a padawan? I was slightly wondering about this because if not does Obi have a padawan's braid or not?