"I don't know how you do it."
"Do what?"
"Wear all this...this bulk. All day, every day."
Once again, Koril Rys'tihn felt a bit out of place. This time, though, he blended in perfectly.
"You get used to it. Quit tugging at the tabards."
Elena-May Lyran, formal Jedi knight, led him through the heavily populated hallways of the new Jedi Temple. They were headed for the Temple's hangar to get a small transport they were being loaned. Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker had dressed Koril up in traditional Jedi garb to allow him to travel through the Temple unnoticed. Relatively unnoticed, at least.
"You're not fooling the Jedi," Elena whispered to him.
"That's not the intent," he replied just as quietly.
"At least try to not look so nervous?"
"Sorry. The last time I wore this much fabric, I was camping in the Naeron Mountains, and I wasn't moving. I'm trying my hardest to not trip over this robe..."
She sounded a bit more sympathetic. "Master Skywalker did give you a heavy one; mine's lighter."
The busy Temple hallways were packed with all kinds of life forms of all ages, some dressed just like he and Elena, some not, but almost all were Jedi, carrying the trademark weapon. Koril adjusted his belt, moving his lightsaber's clip a little further to the side. Master Skywalker had outfitted him with just the bare basics, and the lightsaber itself was just the heavy metal casing and power cells, no crystal or refracting chamber. It was impossible to tell just by looking at it that it didn't work, but he felt a little awkward carrying it. Didn't Jedi have to earn the right to make their own?
"The hangar's just up ahead."
They had traveled through what seemed like a maze to him, though the hallways had narrowed along the way. A relatively small door quietly swept aside and opened to a long, gigantic hangar. Koril barely managed to suppress his amazement as he scanned the various vessels that populated the busy hangar: bulky cargo haulers, streamlined starfighters, expensive yachts, and average transports.
"All these belong to the Jedi?"
"No, not all. Some belong to New Republic squadrons, officials... Some are personal craft." Koril was too preoccupied with a nearby Rogue Squadron X-Wing being repaired by its pilot to notice Jedi Master Amina Kanomin approaching them from the opposite end of the hangar. She spoke quickly but quietly as they met.
"Change of plans," she began, looking directly at Koril. "I'm sorry, but you won't be able to talk to Zane."
"Why not?"
"Well, frankly, there's no reason to - he hasn't stopped talking since we started interrogating him. He's given up their employers, their methods, how they tracked these people, how they got into your father's-" Master Kanomin immediately halted, barely keeping her expression neutral. Koril turned his head briefly, controlling his reaction, before looking back at her to continue.
"Anyway," she said cautiously after a moment, "he's said he doesn't think there are other hired hunters after the Paneau, but that doesn't mean there aren't any." The petite Jedi Master's face mirrored the urgency in her voice as she held Koril's gaze. "You need to get the rest of the Royal Families home. You're the only one they'll trust."
Koril looked at her skeptically. "Why do you say that?"
Master Kanomin's only response was in her eyes, her expression. She knew.
Elena broke their gaze. "Royal families? There's more than one?"
Koril turned to her and nodded, doing his best to be apologetic with his answer. "I'll explain on the way." Looking back to Master Kanomin, he lightly sighed. "Who's still here?"
Amina pulled a small data pad from her belt and scanned through its contents a moment before rattling off names. "Davik Ordeel, most of the Trislenas, and Sol Gedall. Mr. Ordeel is probably well enough by now to be released from our medical center; the Trislenas would ''love'' to get rid of the security detail we've had with them, I'm told; and Sol Gedall is keeping a very low profile - good luck finding him." Master Kanomin handed Koril the data pad and started to step away but stopped.
"Oh, and one more thing... You've a guest awaiting you at your transport."
Koril glanced at Elena, confused. Master Kanomin just smiled genially and continued.
"I took the liberty of having Kaydee refitted; all new parts, but the same programming and memories - at least, what we could salvage. She's been waiting, very patiently, to see you."
"Master Koril!"
Kaydee's digital but pleasant voice was a welcome one to hear. Like Master Kanomin had said, Kaydee was standing just beside their borrowed transport, smoothly but excitedly stepping towards them.
"Kaydee! You look great!"
Save for her familiar voice, Kaydee was completely new. She moved with ease, no longer hindered by faulty servos and old joints, and showed no signs of her previous disrepair.
"Thank you, Master. I am glad to be back in service, thanks to your friend, Jedi Master Kanomin. She was most helpful."
Koril glanced at Elena at his side and was slightly surprised to see her smiling at the droid, as well. Elena had been with Kaydee when she was taken out by the Scornes at the Natiyrs' apartment. Maybe she felt guilty about the incident and was glad to see the kind protocol droid operating again.
"Master, are we returning home?"
Koril nodded. "Eventually. We have to pick up the Royal Families first."
Satisfied, Kaydee nodded and stepped back, allowing Elena and him to board the transport as she rambled quietly to herself, true to form. Once inside, he looked around, glad the ship they were loaned opened up to a spacious cabin that could comfortably accommodate more than ten people. Sighing, Koril mentally counted how many people they'd be taking with them while Elena powered up the engines.
Master Kanomin had said ''most of the Trislenas''; even just a few of them was going to be a handful. Three of the four had children, and some of them were just a few years old. Koril didn't mind kids...except when they were Trislenas, part of the wealthiest family on Paneau, nevermind royalty. Sighing again, he glanced about the cabin and the relatively close quarters they'd be keeping for the duration of the two and a half day trip. Hopefully, they'd keep each other occupied.
"So, where are we going?"
Elena had turned from the ship's main console and was looking at him expectantly. Intent on prolonging any quality time he could have with her, Koril made a quick choice.
"Let's find the Gedalls."
Even though Master Kanomin had said that Sol Gedall was keeping a low profile, he wasn't hard for Koril to find. For a Paneau, keeping a low profile on Coruscant meant living in the second family home, one almost in the underlevels of the city-planet, and staying there with a number of private guards and servants. Koril's family never had a need to live down there, but he knew they owned a smaller apartment; its location had shown up on the list of safe places his father had compiled for the exiled Veon Banarecc to live in. He often questioned the logic of such a proposed "hiding place" among the royal families who frequented Coruscant - wouldn't the lower dwelling be an easier target for trouble? Less security, less visibility, less access to help?
Sol had taken some time to convince that Koril was who he said he was. Even after he was shown the Rys'tihn family crest, which Elena still happened to be wearing, the former Paneau Ambassador was skeptical. Koril didn't blame him, though; he had his wife and two young children with him to protect. Elena had stepped in to help them believe what he had told them, and thankfully they were easy to load up for the return home. They were already packed, prepared to leave the city-planet after receiving word of Koril's reported death.
As Elena navigated Coruscant's busy skies headed for the Trislenas', Koril looked back from the cockpit at the four Gedalls behind him. Sol was nearly ten years older than he, yet even with his one-year-old daughter Cora on his lap, he hardly looked two years older than Koril. Though Sol was still on the Interplanetary Relations, or InterRel Board, as his family had been for generations before him, he had relinquished his position as ambassador following Veon's crowning. Koril wondered if the move had anything to do with a dislike for Veon; if so, the meeting Koril was convening between the known heirs of the royal families was going to have less support for his plan than he had thought.
Tegg Gedall, their three-year-old boy, caught Koril's attention as he played on the floor with a set of blocks he had brought. After constructing a complex pyramid, the young boy stood and handed his mother Kander a brightly colored block, one that didn't seem to belong with the others. Tegg and Cora looked just like their Mirialan mother - jet black hair, dark green eyes, and greenish-yellow skin. The only difference between them was Kander had a series of black diamond-shaped tattoos on her forehead, traditional Mirialan markings representing some sort of achievement. Despite being heavily pregnant with their third child, Kander serenely attended to Tegg as he played, easily keeping him occupied and quiet.
While navigating a particularly vacant stretch of air space, Elena glanced at Koril then followed his line of sight back to the Gedalls. She returned her attention to the controls after a moment, but not before Koril caught a glimpse of a growing smile. He, too, turned back to his copilot's console, smiling a little to himself as he discerned their location. Elena must have noticed his query.
"We've still got about ten minutes before we get to the Trislenas'."
Koril nodded, mentally computing the same estimated travel time they had remaining. He had just started to ask if she wanted a break when she interrupted with her own prompt.
"The Royal Families. Tell me about them."
All traces of her earlier smile had disappeared as she stared out the viewport, her expression neutralized. Koril sat back in his seat and ran a hand through his hair before he spoke.
"You're familiar with the Royal Crest, right? That one with the six-pointed star?" She nodded and curiously glanced at him while he continued. "Well, the six points represent the six continents, as well as the six royal families. The Banareccs, obviously, are the current ruling family right now. The family's first monarch is allowed eight terms; each subsequent generation's rule is diminished by one. Veon inherited four terms, Jec, three. After the last heir serves out his or her term, the crown goes to the next family in the order, which starts again with eight."
She continued to glance at him expectantly. Hesitantly, he continued. "The six Royal Families are the Banareccs, the Trislenas, the Gedalls, the Ordeels, the Ot'rios...and the Rys'tihns."
Koril watched Elena closely for her reaction. Strangely, though, she didn't seem to have one. Her brows were furrowed but she continued to stare straight ahead, silent and motionless until she finally spoke.
"You never told me you were royalty."
"Because technically right now, I'm not."
"Which family is next after the Banareccs?"
Again, he hesitated. "Mine."
This time, she turned to meet his gaze with a strange, mixed expression. Was it betrayal and fear, or compassion and pity? She was so hard to read.
The nav computer began to chirp, indicating their close proximity to their destination. Wordlessly, Elena neutralized her expression once more and returned to the controls, guiding the transport the rest of the way to the Trislenas' personal landing pad.
Coruscant security quickly swarmed the transport, and Elena stood after powering the ship down. Koril began to stand, as well, but she held her hand out and shook her head.
"No, you should stay here. Coruscant security could identify you." She paused briefly, glancing about the cabin. "Let me take Kaydee with me. She could help ease their concerns."
Kaydee stepped towards them after overhearing mention of her, seemingly excited to leave the ship. "Yes, Master Koril, the Trislenas are familiar with me. At least, Mr. Xavius Trislena is, and he usually has the most say in their familial matters."
"I'll go, too," Sol Gedall added as he walked up behind Koril who was still seated at the copilot controls. "Xavius may need quite a bit of persuading." Koril sighed lightly and nodded, wincing a little as Sol clapped him on the shoulder. Apparently he was still sore from his encounter with the Scornes a few days prior. Elena left with Sol and Kaydee, but not before brushing the back of her hand across his cheek as she passed him. She didn't look back as she exited the back of the ship, but he felt a bit better.
Kander must've noticed. As soon as the hatch closed behind the three, she sat beside him in the pilot's seat, holding a quieted Cora carefully seated on her knee.
"He may not show it, but Sol is happy to see you. We both are."
Koril smiled at her. "Thanks, Kander."
"We decided to return home when we heard."
"Didn't the Jedi come by to tell you about the murders earlier? Why didn't you leave then?"
Kander smiled serenely, bringing Cora to lay up on her shoulder as the infant yawned. "Sol didn't want me traveling. I've just a few days left."
"A few days?" Koril asked incredulously. "Kander, it'll take us a few days to get home."
"We'll be fine, Koril. I was overdue with both Tegg and Cora, I'm sure this one will be no different."
"I hope so, because we'll be traveling through some rough parts of the galaxy to get back to Paneau as quickly as possible. Stopping may not be an option."
Again, Kander just smiled, gently rocking Cora to sleep. Seeing the infant girl so peaceful and calm soothed Koril, as well. The Gedalls had worked closely with the Rys'tihns between the InterRel and Security Boards for centuries, and even though Sol wasn't Koril's generation or his father's, the two families were close. A distant Rys'tihn had even married a Gedall, but that branch of the family was by law removed from heir contention. Between the six families, there were always pairs that remained close allies of each other. The Ordeels and the Banareccs were usually close, with members spanning both the Business and Finance Boards respectively, leaving the Ot'rios and the Trislenas to dominate the Governor and Law Boards. Sometimes there were exceptions, like his own close relationship with Veon Banarecc, but the general alliances were well defined. The Gedalls had helped him when he had relocated to Coruscant with his family for a few years; now it was up to Koril to return the favor.
Koril watched Tegg playing on the floor behind them. The toddler had since lost interest in his building blocks and had moved onto playing with a toy ship, flying it around in the air in his small grip. Koril noticed himself smiling, but intent on keeping his thoughts in the present, he let out a long sigh as he turned back to the controls, grimacing with a sudden chest pain. He must have taken a harder fall than he had originally thought, or maybe it was simply soreness and bruising he was just starting to notice after his mind had stopped racing. The chest pain dissipated as he took slower breaths, though he noticed his head had begun pounding in its place. Headaches had become commonplace after his concussion in the Dalon Palace collapse, so he was accustomed to that pain.
Still, Kander took notice of his discomfort and put a hand on his arm. He shook his head, smiling a little as he tried to dismiss her concern. "I'm just sore." Initially, she didn't look too convinced, but nodded and sat back, cradling the sleeping girl against her.
A brief flash of light caught his eye just outside the transport's viewport. Though flanked by Coruscant security, Kaydee's shiny chrome covering had caught a quick gleam of sunlight as she approached with Elena and Sol, as well as Xavius Trislena and his brother Jethro. Two teenage boys, whom Koril guessed to be Xam and Dakar Trislena, followed behind them with a separate pair of security guards, and yet another group of guards escorted three women, Neyne, Celia, and Annaliza Trislena.
Koril opened the back hatch from the front controls and stepped back to greet the group as soon as they got inside. The two boys, Xam and Dakar, were the first to enter, and their expressions were less than inviting. Koril nodded a greeting to them and offered to take their bags, but they shook their heads disinterestedly and held tight to their belongings, keeping to themselves as they sat near the back of the transport's seating area.
The rest of the older Trislenas boarded silently, and Koril could tell the three women were cautious and concerned. They scanned him carefully as they stepped past him but eased a bit as Kander greeted them and sat with them near the two boys. Jethro Trislena seemed to be the only one relieved to see him, and after shaking hands firmly with him, Xavius forcefully stepped between them.
"After that stunt, you expect me to trust you?"
Xavius Trislena was one of, if not the wealthiest person on Paneau, an immensely successful lawyer serving the biggest businesses on their home planet. His reputation as a tough man to befriend and an even tougher opponent to beat preceded him in all his travels, and facing him for the first time in several years, Koril wondered if the man had ever smiled.
Jethro immediately rebuked his brother. "Xavius! The boy was nearly killed and that's how you greet him?"
Xavius continued to glare at Koril calculatingly, intent on not dignifying Jethro's outburst with a response. Koril knew Xavius wanted to unnerve him so he held the older man's gaze, determined to match his intensity.
"I pulled no 'stunt,' Xavius." Celia Trislena, the youngest of the four siblings, approached them and without speaking a word forced Xavius to back down and take his seat inside. Jethro put a hand on Koril's shoulder sympathetically then silently sat beside his wife, Neyne.
Kaydee and Sol Gedall filed in moments after, engaged in small conversation, and Elena stepped up beside him after closing the transport's back hatch.
"I saw," she said simply. Her eyes searched his intently. "You okay?"
He knew he wasn't convincing, but he nodded anyway, glancing back towards their passengers who were already busy talking amongst themselves. This meeting was definitely going to be harder than he thought. Still at his side, Elena brought a hand up to the side of his face and gently turned it back to her. She placed a light kiss on his lips then embraced him tightly. He tensed, prepared to feel the same soreness but was relieved to not feel anything but the warmth from her hug. Maybe he had just bruised muscles. She released and took his hand, walking with him past the Trislenas and Gedalls back up to the cockpit before speaking.
"They, too, were already preparing to return home. A few are already in hyperspace on their way."
Koril had looked back to count and identify which of the Trislenas were missing. He subdued an angered sigh when he realized Xavius' wife and sons were the only ones not present. He had started to respond when a holo of Master Kanomin appeared on the console.
"Elena, Koril," she addressed them. Though the Jedi Master's expression was fairly neutral, her voice sounded somewhat hesitant.
Elena responded. "Master Kanomin, we've collected almost everyone, we're just about to contact Davik Ordeel."
"That won't be necessary. He is already on his way back with his wife and son in their own transport. He knows to convene at the Rys'tihn Manor, and he'll be bringing his brother with him, as well."
Koril nodded, glad they'll be making one less trip. Time was of the essence, and not just for his own plan's sake...
"There's something else, Master?" Elena picked up on Master Kanomin's hesitance, as well, and they both listened and watched intently.
"You both should know," she began, "that a small Jedi detail has been cautiously inspecting each of those listed safe residences for Veon Banarecc." Koril felt the tension in the air between himself and Elena as they both anticipated and dreaded what the Jedi Master was about to reveal.
"I'm not sure if this is good news or bad news, but we haven't located him yet. Neighbors deny seeing him, and we've found no evidence that he had ever been in any of those places."
Koril heard Elena release a breath she had been holding, but as he glanced at her, she maintained a stoic expression. He, too, was somewhat relieved but would have preferred a more positive report.
"We'll be doubling back and checking a few places again just in case he's on the move, but there's not much else we can do."
"Thank you for doing what you have so far. We appreciate it."
"I'll keep you updated. In the mean time, have a safe trip, and may the Force be with you."
"Thank you, Master Kanomin." As the small holo disappeared, Koril looked at Elena. She seemed worried but immediately corrected her expression when he turned to her. Though she was trying to hide it, he knew she was concerned about Veon and wanted to find him.
"He'll turn up when it's safe."
She nodded and glanced at him, apparently intent on quickly changing the subject. "You'll be returning to Paneau now, right?"
Koril nodded after a moment, waiting a few more before asking her the question he had been wanting to ask since they left the Jedi Temple earlier in the day.
"Come with me." As he had expected, she began to protest, but he continued before she could say much. "I know you can't do anything, but can't you at least just...be there with me?"
She gave no response. Initially, she remained motionless, holding his gaze, but after a few moments she wordlessly began powering up the ship's engines.
"...Elena?"
"We need to talk to Jec, first, make sure he's up to this." She continued to keep her attention on the controls, monitoring the ship's systems, but he nodded in agreement. After making the necessary adjustments at his controls, they both guided the transport out of Coruscant's busy skies and made the calculations for the jump to hyperspace. As the stars began to streak past the viewport, lighting up the cockpit, Elena took his hand tightly, locking her fingers with his. Though he was apprehensive about the meeting awaiting him on his home planet, he'd at least have her at his side. For the first time since the fateful, catastrophic day on Paneau that had set all the recent events in motion, Koril allowed himself to relax and drift into a light sleep, still clutching her hand.
Koril awoke with a start several hours later in a cold sweat. The seat beside him was empty and the transport was still traveling at hyperspeed, but he felt like something was wrong. His head was pounding as his heart was seemingly trying to beat out of his chest, and he had no idea why. He hadn't come out of a dream or nightmare that he could recall, and everything seemed calm in the cabin.
Though he hadn't said anything, Elena was instantly at his side.
"Koril?" She knelt beside him, feeling his forehead as she had before back in the Jedi Temple. This time, though, she was much more concerned. Sol Gedall stood behind Elena, looking just as concerned.
Koril closed his eyes; his throbbing headache was making them water. Elena still had a hand on his face and he heard more footsteps approaching from behind him.
"Koril, you're not well," Elena said, moving her hand to caress his cheek. Her touch eased his pain a little, but he still felt terrible.
"Why don't you lie down in the back chamber?" Sol asked, putting a hand lightly on Koril's shoulder. "I'll take your place at the controls."
Koril nodded shortly, stopped by the intensified throbbing. Both Elena and Sol supported him as he slowly stood to the sound of hushed whispers. He only opened his eyes to look down at his steps as the two guided him through the ship.
The small room at the back of the modified transport had a padded bench that Sol and Elena sat him on. As Elena helped him shed the heavy Jedi robe he was still wearing after leaving the Jedi Temple, he felt every muscle in his body ache as he moved. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so sick; he had always been in good health, even as a young boy.
He swung his legs up onto the bench and laid his head down on the robe Elena had rolled up as a pillow. Again, lying down helped to alleviate some of the tension in his body, but whatever this was, he didn't think sleep was going to cure it.
"I'm no medic," Elena began as she sat beside him on the bench, "but you've got a fever. What else is bothering you?"
"My head is pounding, and my entire body aches." He closed his eyes again, shutting out the rest of the light in the already darkened room.
"Probably related to the fever," she surmised. Sol's footsteps shuffled beside him as a light blanket was carefully draped over him, and one of Elena's hands found his and held it tightly. He turned his head to look at her as she ran her free hand through his hair.
"I'm also no healer," she added quietly. Koril heard the regret in her voice. "I can put you into a regenerative sleep, if you want. You could probably use the rest anyway, after all you've been through."
Sol was standing just behind Elena, as was Kander, he noticed. Koril hadn't even heard her enter the room; she always moved about quietly. Kander softly smiled when he glanced at her, and he tried to weakly muster one in return.
He looked back at Elena. "Regenerative sleep?" She nodded.
"It'll be like a meditative state that allows your body to get a deeper rest, so you can regain some energy. It may help your system fight the fever, too."
Koril squeezed Elena's hand, glad to have her with him this time. "Just don't stop our trip on account of me."
Elena simply brushed her fingers across his cheek. Sol and Kander left the room quietly, leaving them alone to talk.
"I will if you worry me enough," she said softly. "You won't be able to help Jec if you're sick."
"These families need to get home quickly and safely," he rebutted.
Elena held his gaze with a serious expression. "And you are no exception." She almost said more, but he understood her meaning. He still had yet to convince himself he was the last Rys'tihn.
After a long moment, she released his hand and reached around the back of her neck, unclasping the necklace she had been wearing for him. She brought the two ends around his neck, and though it hurt, he raised his head so she could fasten it onto him. Settling back down, she moved the pendant around on the chain so it sat just at the base of his neck. Though her expression hadn't changed, she maintained her gaze on the Rys'tihn family crest, seemingly perplexed by it.
"What is it?" he asked softly. She looked up at him, speaking just as quietly.
"Why is it you keep giving it to me to wear?"
"Because I knew you'd take good care of it." He mentally winced. What if she wanted him to give a more personal reason, like he wanted her to wear it to demonstrate their relationship? She didn't seem insulted, though, but more curious.
"And you wouldn't?"
"Well, the first time, just after the Palace collapse, I was afraid someone might take it while I was unconscious or couldn't see."
She nodded in understanding. "It's important to you, to your family." He nodded, too, though painfully. She brushed his cheek with her fingers again at his wince. He took in a slow breath as he began the explanation.
"Each pendant contains a highly complex, specialized scanner that validates other Rys'tihn pendants as being authentic. The family keeps very close records of members, but in case any omissions or mistakes were made, the pendants were passed down through the generations, and only true Rys'tihns kept them."
"But I'm not a Rys'tihn."
"Like I said, I gave it to you for safe keeping, in case the Palace attack was aimed at Royal Families. If I had been killed, you would've been able to get my pendant to our Ghost Heirs so the coordinates of their location, which are also contained in the pendants, stay secret."
Koril watched her expression. He had just dealt another blow.
"...Ghost Heirs?" He nodded.
"At any given time, each of the Royal Families has two members whose existence is only known by very few people, most often just the parents of the heir and maybe their siblings. They're usually the youngest of each family, and no public record is kept of their birth. They're immediately sequestered at a family's private, secluded location, raised and educated by the older heir.
"The practice is in place to prevent the complete loss of a Royal Family - if there's some disaster, or if they're all assassinated, for example, the Ghost Heirs would surface and continue the family line."
"So who are your Ghost Heirs?"
Koril sighed. "I don't know. My father would've told me when I got married. He was the only one who knew."
"Couldn't you find them with the coordinates in your pendant?"
"They're encrypted; I'd need the decoding sequence, which is kept separate from the pendants, to get them."
"And your father had it, too," she correctly guessed. He was beginning to become irritated with his father for all the problems he had caused and left behind. The Rys'tihn family legacy was on the verge of collapse.
Koril shifted his sore body, trying to get more comfortable on the bench. He was quickly becoming more and more fatigued as the minutes wore on, as if all the trauma and stress of the recent past was compounding exponentially, sapping all his strength. Elena aptly sensed his condition and apparently decided to withhold further questions until later. He could tell she wanted to know more by the curious and confused look she had, though it dissipated as she reached over and caressed his face before speaking.
"You need to rest." He nodded and closed his eyes, turning his face into the warmth of her hand. She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead.
"Sleep well," she whispered softly, her face just inches from his. He opened his eyes and held her gaze until his eyelids fell heavily on their own. Before sleep, his last breath took in her sweet, familiar smell, reassuring him as she put him into a deep sleep.
Verojec Banarecc strode cautiously through the busy streets of Naeron Valley, keeping his eyes on the ground in front of him and his hat low over his face. He wasn't a fugitive, but he may as well have been one, the way he'd been having to live recently.
He and his half-sister Ri had been removed from their father's custody following the disgraced king's exile and were placed with Veon's brother, Veron. To avoid harassment and other problems, Veron quietly moved them to the remote coastal province of La'arton. They had spent the past few weeks in a small, secluded home far from any major city.
Far from any living thing, Jec thought. Veron had inherited substantial wealth from his parents, former monarchs themselves, when they died, as had Jec and Ri, so the three didn't have to worry about finances. Veron was the only one to venture from their home to arrange for food deliveries; Jec and Ri were hardly allowed outside.
In the past few days, Jec had noticed that Ri had become increasingly quiet. She had usually been quiet, anyway, observing more than interacting, but the 4-year-old seemed more inhibited than usual. After her mother's death, Ri had clung to Jec almost exclusively, but he was glad she could feel comfortable with him in the midst of such devastation. Her sudden silence saddened him and made him feel that much more guilty to leave her behind as he had.
His Uncle Veron wouldn't allow him to travel to Dalon to attend the memorial services and funerals for those who had recently been killed on Coruscant by bounty hunters. Veron refused to understand that as the Prince of Paneau, Jec had the duty to attend, nevermind the fact that he knew several of the victims. Veron said it was too risky, that Jec would be asking for rejection, scorn, and possibly physical abuse, but Jec had made up his mind.
He left a message beside his bed. He left with a small bag of clothes, a blaster pistol, and a handful of credits. He left in the middle of the night.
That was three days ago. He took cheap transport a few places and walked to others, keeping to himself and staying aware of his surroundings.
He didn't think anyone had recognized him, yet he wondered if some Paneau citizens had assumed he and Ri had left the planet after their father. Though the Governors who had banished Veon had done their best to make sure the entire system knew what they were doing to their former king, Jec wasn't sure how much the general public knew of his whereabouts.
Naeron Valley was a larger suburb of the capital city of Dalon, despite being situated on the opposite side of the Naeron Mountains. Dalon had engulfed the smaller surrounding cities over the millennia, but Naeron Valley easily held its own and sprawled up into the mountainside. It was a beautiful city, green and plush, but was also dotted with ancient intricate architecture and buildings that rivaled the royal establishments next door. Jec had visited the city often with his father when he was younger. He just never expected to feel unwelcome there; traveling the crowded streets at night by himself was more unnerving than he had anticipated.
A respectable taxi speeder service was just ahead of him. He had taken numerous rides with his Uncle Lutin Callegari using the same service, though it had been several years. Hopefully he wouldn't get a pilot who could easily identify him.
At least the line wasn't long.
"Passage for one to Dalon, please," Jec said quietly as he set the fare on the counter. The clerk eyed him a moment longer before taking the fare and entering in the destination.
"Aren't you a little young to be out this late?"
"I'm going home," Jec replied simply. The clerk shrugged and nodded, handing Jec a data pad to give to his driver.
"Number 47, just outside."
Jec thanked the clerk and walked back outside to the large luxury speeder. The pilot awaiting him was a young man, no more than 25. Silently thanking the dark for masking his identity, Jec climbed into the back seat, hoping the pilot wouldn't force idle chatter.
The majority of the hour ride was quiet until the pilot received a transmission and sighed.
"Apologies, but we have to take a slight detour and pick up a few extra passengers before we get to Dalon."
Jec was less than thrilled, but silently nodded when the pilot glanced back at him. The speeder was spacious enough, but quarters could get close quickly.
After some time traveling through a busier but smaller suburb of Dalon, the speeder slowed down in front of a large home that made Jec take a second look. The home was dimly lit from within, and just as he started to put together where he was, three people, a middle-aged, brown-haired man and blonde-haired woman and a blonde-haired young girl, climbed into the speeder, each carrying a small bag. Jec kept his head down so they couldn't see his face, but he recognized a bracelet one of them was wearing. He had given it to one of his closest friends, Seyiri Ordeel, as a birthday present two years ago. He carefully looked up and through the dark, Jec caught Seyiri's eyes. Though she seemed distraught already, she gasped quietly and looked alarmed.
Quickly, Jec brought a finger to his mouth to keep her from speaking or getting the attention of her parents, who were sitting on either side of her. Thankfully they were more occupied with monitoring their surroundings, as if wary of some kind of attack.
Since they were 3 years of age, he and Seyiri had been in the same classes at the Dalon Provincial Academy, the government-run but highly elite school in the capital. Like Jec, Seyiri was a member of one of Paneau's Royal Families and was required to attend the rigorous school to learn as much as possible about politics and government. As per tradition, the Royal Families were very much connected to the government, even when they weren't the current ruling family. The Ordeels were usually involved with the Business Boards, and Seyiri seemed destined for the same track.
Seyiri's parents, Kellan and Deri, continued to stay alert as the speeder made its way through the well-lit but vacant city streets. Safety and other issues weighed heavily on their minds, Jec guessed, in light of the recent events. Like Jec, the Ordeels had lost friends and family to the bounty hunters, too. Maybe that's why they were headed to Dalon, as well.
"Jec!" Kellan exclaimed quietly, having recognized him while he wasn't looking. Jec tried not to look alarmed, but thankfully Kellan hadn't been too loud. Deri, too, looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?" Kellan asked incredulously. "And why are you alone?" Jec kept a careful eye on their pilot who still seemed oblivious to them.
"I'm going to the memorial services," Jec answered quietly. Seyiri still looked alarmed.
"But by yourself, dear?" Deri was almost like a second mother to him as he had progressed in his schooling, spending as much time with Seyiri and friends at her home as he had with his own family.
Jec nodded without explanation. They didn't need to know that his Uncle Veron was intentionally being kept in the dark, although they'd learn eventually.
"And are you going?" Jec asked. He knew full well that Deri's youngest brother and his family had been killed by the bounty hunters in the first few days of their spree, and that they'd be honored at the service. Deri's expression fell at his question, and Kellan put a hand on her shoulder as he answered Jec, shaking his head.
"We've all been called to a meeting." Kellan's eyes flashed to the pilot, seemingly hoping he hadn't been overheard. The young man's posture hadn't changed, apparently still unaware of their conversation. Jec was confused. He was the one needing to be secretive...
Kellan read Jec's expression. "The six of us are meeting at the Manor." His voice was hardly audible, but the intensity was what caught Jec off guard. Kellan said no more, only his eyes implying there was more behind what he had said.
Jec thought for a moment. The six of us. Jec knew that Kellan and his brother Davik's families had six people combined, but Davik was separated from his wife. So did he mean the six Royal Families? The Manor. Only the Rys'tihns referred to their centuries-old family home as the Manor.
Of course, Jec thought instantly. He was on his way to Dalon to pay his respects to the last member of the Rys'tihn Family who had been killed on Coruscant: Koril, Veon's trusted personal pilot and family bodyguard. With Koril gone, the Rys'tihn Ghost Heirs would be coming out of their mysterious shelters and making themselves known to the current Royal Families. Jec wondered, though, what the ghost heirs had to say, and why all the families were being convened. Even though the practice of keeping Ghost Heirs had continued since the establishment of the Paneau monarchy thousands of years ago, this was the first time they were actually needed.
Kellan must have noticed the realization on Jec's face. He sat back in his seat, suddenly eying Jec disapprovingly, as a father would after having caught his child in a lie.
"You didn't have your uncle's permission to leave, did you?"
Jec sat silent, motionless, holding Kellan's gaze. It was almost like staring down his own father; he didn't need to answer.
"You would've known about the meeting if he knew where you were," Deri breathed. She, too, looked disappointed, though more out of concern for his safety than anything.
"You're coming to the Manor with us," Kellan stated plainly, leaving no room for argument, though Jec no longer had the intention to start. As much as he wanted to attend the memorial services the following morning, the more pressing matter at hand was meeting the new Rys'tihns and helping them establish themselves.
Jec nodded resignedly and looked out to the side, watching the streets breezily pass by. The thirteen years of his life had seen drastic changes in his family, in his government, and in his people. So far, he had been a passive observer on the side. With a relaxed sigh, he nodded to himself, making a conscious decision to do what he could to change the current state of his disrupted planet. Even though his father had been exiled, and even though the Governors had seized power, Jec was still the Prince of Paneau, the Banarecc Heir, and it was time he took charge. Since the Royal Families were to be at this meeting they were heading to, he'd have the perfect chance to ask for their support.
Jec turned back to the Ordeels, his gaze resting on Seyiri. She had been watching him carefully, but even in the darkness, he could see her anxiously rolling one of the beads of her bracelet between her fingers. He caught her eyes again, and as her hand stilled, he detected the slightest hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.
Despite the rhythmic clicking of her travel boots on the transport's durasteel floor, the only sound that her ears registered was a slow, peaceful breathing pattern.
Elena-May Lyran, anxiously pacing the small room, was fixated on Koril's life force, which made little sense to her. Comfortably situated on a padded bench, he was in a helpful, Force-induced sleep, at her suggestion, and was at a very low risk for problems. Why was she hovering, and why was she so worried?
His sudden illness had her more concerned than anything. In a way, she was impressed with him, how he was still able to function with all he had been through. So many losses, changes, problems... She had to admit: though she was upset by the past weeks, she hadn't been affected nearly as much as he had. It wasn't her beloved home planet that had crumbled and self-destructed. Like so many of his friends and acquaintances, he had suffered through a lot in the past month, and all the stress surely had an adverse affect on him, as it had on all of them. She, too, had noticed her own fatigue, but she had the advantage of being able to combat it with regular Jedi meditation. Others weren't so lucky.
Elena hadn't slept the entire two-day trip, another advantage she had. She could postpone sleep without consequence, whereas the rest of the royal passengers of the transport headed for Paneau couldn't. She watched their interactions as the hours passed by, at least when she wasn't at Koril's side, and noticed their increasing fatigue as they got restless, useless sleep in the less than accommodating transport. They mostly kept to themselves as time wore on and the two youngest children remained quiet and well-behaved, but she could sense the adults' falling spirits. At least they would be home soon.
Even though he was sleeping, Koril's feelings seemed...different. Perhaps that was what was keeping her on edge. She seemed more acutely in tune with his thoughts after being reunited with him, even though she hadn't done anything different. She had believed him dead for more than a full day, and it had left her numb. But instantly after seeing him alive, standing in front her in that dark Jedi Temple room, she was keenly aware of everything he was feeling: uncertainty, joy, fear, love, pain...
Maybe his feelings seemed so pronounced because she, too, was feeling the exact same way. With all of them compounding at once, she was nearly overwhelmed, but so was he, and somehow she found comfort in their shared emotions.
Koril's feelings shifted, though, while he was sleeping. They felt more...foreboding, fearful, as if some subconscious terror plagued him when he was the most vulnerable. It perplexed her and kept her near him as long as she could spare. If only she knew what it was, she could help him, help him fight it or resolve it. She just wasn't sure how.
Elena had kept him sleeping for the majority of the two-day trip, only briefly waking him up from time to time to have him eat and drink. He seemed to be getting better with each successive meal, the regenerative sleep effectively combating his fever, but she still worried. Some kind of nightmare was still haunting him in his dreams, and she hadn't worked up the courage to ask him about it. Later, she reasoned with herself. Not aboard an uncomfortable, unfamiliar transport. They were less than an hour away from Paneau.
Tired of pacing, she glanced out the door into the main cabin of the transport, watching Sol Gedall as he needlessly sat at the controls. It took her a moment to notice his attention on someone's faint holoimage at the console beside him. Instantly on edge, she quickly glanced back at Koril, decided he was stable, and silently strode up to the cockpit.
The holo was of a man she didn't recognize, but Sol was already well into a conversation with him. She hung back a few steps, not wanting to intrude.
"...tried to contact him to let him know, but he had already left. Vianne and Joshua are with him now, and they'll be meeting us shortly." The holo broke and became distorted, but apparently the man had finished his statements. Sol nodded and responded as the image returned.
"That's good. We're no more than an hour out. Have you heard from Jenni?" The man hardly suppressed a sigh of frustration, much less an eye roll.
"She's refusing to come. I'm sure you can imagine why." Sol nodded, his own voice sounding slightly irritated.
"The 'it's too dangerous' excuse. Classic." The holo nodded in accordance but continued on another subject.
"I think Dran contacted Ariler; apparently she'll be here soon." The holo hesitated. "...I'm not so sure she should come."
"We'll deal with that later. Just focus on staying safe and alert there, alright?" After an affirmative nod from the man, Sol sat back and finished. "We'll see you all soon." As the holo disappeared, Sol swung his chair to the side, looking directly at Elena. Though she was sure he had gotten just as little sleep as she, the former ambassador didn't look or sound tired in the slightest as he quietly briefed her.
"That was Kellan Ordeel. He and his family are already at the Rys'tihn Manor, waiting with other families, as well. We'll be bringing the last group in."
Elena nodded, stepping closer to him. The passengers behind her in the main cabin were mostly still sleeping, so she kept her voice soft.
"Do we have a rough count?"
Sol thought for a moment. "30, including you." Elena arched her eyebrows.
"The Rys'tihn Manor can house that many people?" Sol seemed just as surprised at her.
"I thought you'd been there before."
She had. Once. She had walked through the grand foyer and up the monstrous staircase into a small study at the top of the stairs where Koril had stayed for days after the Dalon disaster. She hadn't noticed much about the Manor itself, save for its grandiose presence on a beautiful, lush landscape and obvious opulence inside. She had thought it almost ostentatious, but now understanding its potential as a replacement Palace, she thought better of it and nodded. Sol glanced behind her.
"How's Koril?"
"Doing better. I was going to wake him in a few minutes."
Sol nodded, looking about the cabin, as well. "I'll get to work on everyone else." He stood and stepped over to some of the Trislenas, gently waking a few at a time.
Elena returned to the back room, carefully sitting beside Koril. He was still peacefully sleeping, though a dark presence slowly crept into her senses. Trying to ignore it as best she could, she gently stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. He hardly moved in response to her touch, though she did notice his pulse quicken slightly. She smiled a little at that and reached her hand over his forehead, about to bring him out of sleep.
Before she had even touched his skin, Koril instantly jolted awake, taking in a sharp, startled gasp as his eyes wildly looked around and his arms reflexively came up. She, too, was startled but quickly recovered, stroking his forehead.
"Koril, relax; it's me, Elena," she soothed. He lowered his arms and his breathing calmed as he focused on her, though his eyes still held some kind of latent fear. Forcing himself to relax, he closed his eyes and breathed intentionally slow as she continued to caress his face.
"Sorry," he finally breathed. He regretfully looked up at her but she shook her head to dismiss his apology. It was the first time he'd done that, even though she had done the same thing to wake him each previous time.
"Bad dream?" she asked concernedly. He had closed his eyes again, but his expression was suddenly confused.
"I don't remember." She could sense he was honest, and she didn't want to push the subject. He seemed to be bothered enough by it.
After a few more moments, he seemed sufficiently relaxed. "How are you feeling?" She watched him move every extremity slightly and bring his hands up to flex them in front of his face.
"Better; I'm not as sore." She smiled at him, briefly feeling his cool forehead.
"Seems like your fever is gone."
"How close are we?"
"Less than an hour."
"Is everyone alright?"
Elena stifled a laugh. "Everyone's fine, Koril." He could be on the brink of death, she thought, but he would ask about the welfare of others first. With her laugh, he relaxed some more and smiled, too.
The rest had helped him substantially; he physically looked better, and she could sense that even his spirits were lifted. Her relief must've been apparent on her face as he gave her a curious look.
She simply shook her head and took his hand, helping him to slowly sit up. He had hardly moved in two days, but she was surprised at the ease of his movements. As he brought a hand to his head as if dizzy, she kept a firm grip on one of his arms, but he stood shortly after, seemingly stronger than she expected. Still, she steadied him, watching his every move. Without warning, she felt his body weight begin to lean into her as though he had suddenly lost strength. Reflexively she braced his torso against hers and looked up, only to see his pleasantly smiling face barely an inch from hers. She could see in his sharp eyes he was feeling alright; she couldn't help but smile a little, too.
"Thank you," he breathed. Though she had an idea what he was thanking her for, she feigned ignorance to casually test his mind's current operating capacity.
"For what?"
"For taking care of me," he easily answered. His smile fell away, though, replaced by soft seriousness. "You never leave my side."
She swallowed. She knew he had recognized her hesitance to devote herself completely to him in the past, and she had yet to allow herself to do so in the present, but she was running out of reasons to resist.
Her expression remained serious with the slightest hint of a smile tugging at her eyes. "You can't get rid of me that easily." Koril nodded resignedly.
"You're right," he mused. "If I really wanted to get rid of you, I'd have sent Kaydee to stay with you." He paused, arching an eyebrow as he looked up at the ceiling in simulated thought. "Oh, wait..."
Elena laughed, shaking her head as she looked at the floor. Kaydee had spent weeks with her on Coruscant after the disaster on Paneau, per Koril's request. Though Elena was initially irritated with the droid, she appreciated his gesture. Koril's hand interrupted her thoughts and gently lifted her chin back up as he gazed into her eyes with a sly grin.
"She is starting to grow on me," Elena confessed with a smile. "We were just beginning to build a rapport when..." She trailed off as she realized what she was about to say. Her expression fell, her thoughts immediately returning to that torturous day. Elena had been standing barely a meter from Kaydee when a high-powered blaster bolt tore through her metal skull, just minutes before the same thing nearly happened to Koril half a world away... He must've picked up on her train of thought; he leaned in and kissed her gently, effortlessly dissolving her sadness.
Kaydee's digital voice disturbed their moment. "Master Kor-Oh! Excuse me!"
In a swift, fluid motion, Elena turned to face the doorway, releasing Koril instantly. She tried, however unsuccessfully, to give the inconveniently disruptive droid a small smile, relaxing a little as Koril took her hand at his side.
"Yes, Kaydee?"
"I apologize for interrupting; I will request permission in the future."
"What is it, Kaydee?" Koril's voice sounded slightly amused.
"Oh, yes! Mrs. Vianne Banarecc was curious if she could be permitted to move the children into a basement room. She is most concerned for their safety."
"Of course," Koril answered immediately. "She'll know her way." Kaydee agreed and left with a brief goodbye, accustomed to relaying messages in that manner. With the reminder of what was awaiting them, Elena felt Koril's increased anxiousness. It mirrored her own, but for different reasons. She turned to him, intensely studying his face.
"You're sure you're feeling alright?" He silently nodded, still holding her hand. She searched for any reason not to believe him, but he began to walk out of the small room before she could protest. She kept up with him as they returned to the cockpit, each taking their seat at the controls. They were quickly approaching Paneau and would be within range of Dalon's main spaceport control in minutes. Elena exchanged meaningful glances with Koril as they began the transport's descent, and she withheld a small smile, sensing Koril's improving mood despite the impending difficulties they were about to face.
