When Tress arrived back at The Jedi Temple, it was late at night and she was sure everyone had gone to bed. She was surprised when she saw both Master Windu and Master Yoda were waiting for her.
"Where have you been? Do you have any idea of how late it is?" Master Windu practically shouted.
Tress bowed quickly. "I'm sorry, Masters, but I do have something to report. When I arrived at my intended destination, I encountered an apprentice to a Sith lord."
Master Windu's eyes widened in surprise. "A sith's apprentice? Did you engage him in combat?"
"N-No, Master Windu. He, at first, was about to kill me but I had convinced him to let me go."
"How, if I may ask, was that burn on your neck sustained?" Master Yoda asked.
"Burn, Master?"
Tress felt her neck and when she touched a certain point, she winced in pain. Lifting her hair, she could see a small, second-degree burn on her neck.
"He held his lightsaber to my throat, I suppose the heat of it has caused it."
"Go the Halls of Healing and see that our healers tend to your burn." Master Windu ordered.
Tress sighed and bowed. She walked all the way to to the Halls of Healing, where one of the Jedi healers led her to a room and got her to sit on an examining table. While the healer examined the burn, Tress hardly noticed; her mind was focused on Darth Maul choosing to save her.
"Well, it's nothing that can't be fixed. You are fortunate that you still have your head." The Healer said.
While the Healer used the force to heal the burn, she sensed that something was distracting her patient.
"You're confused." The Healer noted.
"What do you mean?" Tress asked.
"Well, I can sense that you're distracted and that something this evening has greatly confused you."
Tress shrugged her shoulders, but managed to keep her head still. "I admit that I'm puzzled by something."
"You told me that the Sith apprentice released you. Is that what confuses you?"
"No, it was easy to trick him, but...He had a chance to tell his master that I was there, but he didn't."
"Ah, now I see." The Healer was able to heal the blisters that had formed on the burn, and the rest had to heal naturally. "Well, I've done what I'm able. Let me dress it."
The Healer took a bandage, cut off a small piece, and placed it over the burn. "There. I would like it if you stayed here until its healed completely."
"I still don't understand. The Sith hate the Jedi, that's what I've always been taught. That they show no mercy towards them."
"That is true."
"Then why-"
"Hush now. Lay down here and get some sleep."
The Healer helped Tress lay down on the table. She gave her a pillow and blanket, and turned down the light.
"Oh no, I forgot to tell Master Yoda. The rumors about a planned assassination are true, I have to-"
"I'll report this information to him. You've done your duty, young one. Rest."
The Healer's words had a calming effect on Tress and she relaxed. She resolved that once she had healed, she would find Maul and confront him. As dangerous as it was, she would be not be at ease until she knew what had come over the Sith.