XIV
The young woman was immediately brought before the Master Jedi who had taken up residence in the small turret chambers at the top of the castle's tallest spire. "Master Yoda," Sarah pushed the door open slowly before taking a tentative step inside. "Found the questor, you have." Yoda croaked sadly. "How did you know?" She knelt before him. "The disturbance is great." Yoda sighed and shuffled past Sarah toward the door. "Enter," he commanded and the door creaked open as Padmé stepped into the room. Immediately, Yoda stepped away. "Alive, you cannot be." He shook his head slowly. "Master Yoda," Padmé tried to approach him once more. "How?" He slumped back into his small chair. "What do you mean she cannot be alive!" Sarah looked between the two. "Died, Padmé did. There, I was." Yoda shook his head once more. "I must speak to Obi-Wan," Padmé pressed, stepping closer to Yoda. "No. Too dangerous, it is. Explain how you survived, you must." He reached out as she knelt before him.
"I cannot tell you how I survived, Master Yoda. There are many in our realm who would kill for that information. I can tell you, however, that I have been watching the movements of the Empire and they have been sending more and more Inquistors to the central systems and troops to the outer realm to put down the disputes. The more I tracked their movements the more afraid I became for the children's well-being. One night I wished in earnest that they could be taken somewhere safe where Vader would never have a chance of finding them. I never realized they would actually be taken away," Padmé fell silent.
Sarah stepped behind the young woman who still knelt at the Master Jedi's feet. "Let me run the Labyrinth in your place." Sarah placed her hand on the woman's shoulder, "I've already defeated it once. If you let me go in your place I know I can beat it and return your children." Sarah took Padmé's hand and held it tightly. "Why? Why would you offer this?" Padmé searched Sarah's gaze. "No one should suffer the trial alone. Please, let me help you." Sarah offered a gentle smile. Padmé sighed but finally spoke the words, "I volunteer the Queen to run the Labyrinth in my place," and with little ceremony Sarah was whisked off to the outer gates.