Chapter 3

He watched. And waited. For his time. He hadn't forgotten about his plan. But he found himself drawn more towards the child now. Who was she, really? And he wondered for the umpteenth time. Somehow, he felt that this girl held the key, the answer, to his ultimate goal. To have revenge. He must solve this puzzle, find the answer. He smiled bitterly. Yes, always her and words.

He arrived as usual, to find her there, waiting. Sitting, this time, on a couch in the room. She held something in her hands. A string, he realized. A golden colored string. And something else, too, hidden in her palm.

"Brat."

To his amusement, she gave him a shy smile.

"Because I made it before you, as usual?"

He couldn't help but smile at her quick wit and humor. "Perhaps."

"You seem to like that word. Maybe I can give you some more."

"Brat."

She let out a childish giggle. And for the first in a long time, he felt- oddly, peaceful. He walked towards her and sat down beside her. What was it about this girl that could make him feel so much at calm? What was it that made him gravitate towards her?

"Here. I want you to have this." Her voice was quiet, shy.

He looked at the thing she offered him and took it, studying the small crystal. It was golden and shimmered faintly in the light. "Amber."

She nodded. "It's like the color of my hair."

He looked at her hair and found himself admiring it. It looked like moth's wing, or a shimmering silk, or even a dew-flecked spider's web. Soft and silky. It was a brownish-blonde color, like the amber that he now held in his palm. He suddenly wondered what her hair felt like, but restrained himself. What did he care?

"So. What made you come here in the first place?"

She smiled at his wordless acceptance of her gift, and he inwardly felt awkward.

"I was waiting."

"For whom, may I ask?"

"For you." Her simple answer made him start.

"How did you know I would come?"

"Because I had a dream that you would."

His eyes narrowed again. "I see. And why me?"

She paused. "That is part of the puzzle, Xanatos."

His lip curled for a moment in irritation, but then she asked a question.

"And you?"

"Because I had business here."

Her voice was a little mortified. "I know. I meant with who."

"With one of the Jedi."

She rolled her eyes. "And you complain about me not answering a question."

He smirked. "Give what you get."

She looked at him grimly. "Why don't you?"

He raised his eyebrow.

"I mean, what did he ever do to you?"

He snarled. "He murdered my father."

"Why?" Her voice was not judgmental, just curious.

He hesitated. "Because my father was corrupt." He hastened to justify himself.

"But he was my father nonetheless!"

To his surprise, she nodded. "I know. I just wanted to see what you thought about it. You are right in your thinking, but perhaps you should also think about it from this other person's point of view too. There are always two sides of a story. Did you ever talk to him about it?"

Her wisdom and insight baffled him. "No. How do you know, insolence?"

She smiled mysteriously. "I know much. And little." She shrugged. "I heard your story."

He felt embarrassed. Of course. She lived in the Jedi temple, after all. In his embarrassment, he spoke gruffly.

"So why should I give anything but murder as well?"

"Because after you do it, would it make you feel any better? Not ever knowing what he truly felt about it? Not ever having your questions answered?"

He mulled for a moment. "I- never thought about it." His voice was reluctant.

Wisely, she didn't say anything else. Until they heard the wall chrono chime.

"I see that my nightly piece of wisdom has been given and you have fitted another piece of my puzzle put into place." He smile was slightly amused.

He smirked and stood. Before he stepped into his speeder, he turned his profile to her and studied the halo of light that graced her silky hair. "Next time I come, I might just bring you a gift, brat."

She smiled. She understood his awkward way of thanks for the amber. Yes, he would think of something.