Chapter 39
"Rey," Ben murmured in her ear.
Rey opened one sleepy eye to find Ben on the bed next to her. "When did you get back? What time is it?"
"Late. I needed to warn you that the knights are on their way."
Rey bolted upright to stare at Ben. He sat up with her, and he was close enough that she could see his room overlap with hers. "What? Here? Why? Are they attacking?"
"No, they're not attacking the Resistance. They're coming to help you. I told them about the challenges you faced, and they volunteered."
Rey shook her head, still trying to clear her thoughts from the muddle of sleep. "All of them?"
Ben shook his head. "No. Nighwitch, Rypo, and Teva are the ones coming. Nighwitch will pose as your padawan-your apprentice, that is. Teva and Rypo will pretend not to know you and do some reconnaissance separately."
"Why?" Rey asked.
Ben shrugged. "They're tired of the war too, and they believe you need help. Apparently you made quite the impression waving your new light staff at them."
Rey groaned. "You know, on Jakku, all I had to do was hold my tongue or counter offer most of the time. I know how to be patient and stubborn, but I know nothing about actually negotiating."
Ben smiled at her. "I'm not sure they do either. Hama-Ki and Banto are the ones who know the most about political power plays, and they're staying behind. However, the knights joining you have their hearts in the right place. I'm sure you'll figure something out between you."
Rey wrapped herself into Ben's arms. "I hope so. Do you trust them? I mean, can I trust them?"
"They want the peace treaty to happen just like you, Rey."
Rey nodded, mulling over how this would impact everything. "I'm not sure they will make matters better, but I appreciate their help."
"I wish I could be there to help you too," Ben said.
Rey kissed him. "I know."
Hours later, Rey stared at the young woman brought before her by Poe in a small lounge, where she had been catching up with Finn and Rose in some relative solitude. They were the only ones present.
Even with Ben's forewarning of what to expect, Rey was shocked to discover how much a change of clothes and atmosphere could alter the image of Nighwitch, who had introduced herself to the Resistance as Alice. Her soft blonde hair had been pulled back into a gentle ponytail and tied with a brown ribbon that matched the modest brown robes she wore over khaki pants and blue sandals.
"Greetings, master," Nighwitch said and bowed deeply to Rey.
Rey froze for a moment, then remembered that others were watching. "Greetings, Alice. I'm glad you were able to join us safely."
"Much praise be to the force for guiding us together again," Nighwitch said.
"Rey, that is so cool! I didn't know you had a padawan! Why didn't you tell me?" Finn asked. "Especially one as pretty as-ow!"
Rose had kicked Finn with her good foot.
"I thought you said you would quit that!"
"You were ogling her!" Rose protested.
"I was not!"
Nighwitch turned with interest to the bickering couple, then zoned in on Rose's ankle. "You're injured! Why haven't you treated it in bacta yet?"
"The Resistance doesn't have the resources to use bacta for anything other than life-threatening circumstances," Poe explained to Nighwitch. "You must be pretty upper-class yourself to expect that sort of treatment. Of course, the First Order also has those kinds of resources. When did you come across Rey again?" He narrowed his eyes at Nighwitch.
Rey's heart thudded in her chest, and she wondered yet again if she should clue her friends in on Nighwitch's real identity. Wouldn't it be better if they all worked together. She looked up and saw Poe's eyes narrow more on her. She sighed. She was always a lousy liar for things like this.
"Do the First Order has easy access to bacta?" Nighwitch said, ignoring Poe's question. "No wonder you have so much trouble with them. Master Rey, would it be okay if I healed your friend's ankle?"
Rey stared at Nighwitch in shock. She had thought Ben said that Hama-Ki was the healer among the knights. "You can do that?"
Nighwitch smiled. "I picked up a few things before the force guided me to you. I can show you, if you like."
"Can we trust her?" Poe asked, looking at Rey.
"Why wouldn't we? She's Rey's padawan. Rey wouldn't take on just anyone, would she?" Finn asked.
Poe scoffed. "Oh come on, Finn. Rey comes in from spending several days in the First Order, and suddenly today a padawan arrives that she's not told anyone about? How are you not suspicious?"
"Well, when you put it like that," Finn said, studying Nighwitch.
Rose, however, was quicker. "You're one of the knights, aren't you?" she asked.
Nighwitch frowned. Her image shifted slightly to reveal ugly scars under her previously perfect skin, and Rey realized the young woman must have created an illusion with the force. "Should I silence her?" Nighwitch asked Rey.
"What? No!" Rey said. "They're my friends. I was already wondering if I should tell them about you and…"
Nighwitch glared at Rey. "This mission is of critical importance for not only the future of the Resistance and the First Order, but also the happiness of Master Kylo. Do not let your sentiment become a stumbling stone!"
"And the truth comes out," Poe said, rubbing his brows. "Rey, you've got this, right?"
Rey reached into the force and did the same trick on Nighwitch that Ben had once done on her what felt like a lifetime ago. "Sleep," she said, and Nighwitch fell unconscious.
Poe stepped in and scooped up Nighwitch before she hit the floor hard. Unconscious, her force illusion was gone, and they saw her true appearance. Scarred, with flesh gouged out in places, and deep sunken eyes.
"Man, she has seen better days," Finn said.
"I wonder what happened to her," Rose added in a worried tone.
"Let's go somewhere more private than this lounge, and I'll get Ben. I think he'll need to be here to keep her from attacking us when she wakes up," Rey said.
"Or we could just lock the door," Poe said.
"Yea, let's lock the door," Finn said. "I don't think we need to be dragging an unconscious woman across the ship."
Rey sighed and reached down her connection to Ben. He answered immediately, and the bond formed between them. "Ben, we need your help."
"What happened?"
Rey took his hand, allowing him to see fully into her world. As he became visible to the others, Rose and Finn both yelped. Even Poe flinched. Ben inhaled sharply as he saw the unconscious woman on the ground. "Nighwitch. What happened? She didn't fight you, did she?"
"Your precious little knight was about to take out Rose for discovering her identity," Finn said. "What do your knights have against Rose, anyway?"
"Nothing," Ben answered honestly. "Just bad luck. Rose, how did you figure it out? Nighwitch usually excels at disguise and infiltration. As you might have noted, she's very good with illusions."
"It wasn't me! Poe was the one who pointed out we should be suspicious," Rose said, pointing at Poe.
"I was suspicious from the start since Rey hadn't said anything about having a padawan, which didn't seem like something she would forget, and then Rey's face when this… Nighwitch, you called her? Anyway, Rey acted like she had never seen the girl before."
"Sorry," Rey said to Ben.
Ben shrugged and looked at the others. "I suppose we should have informed them from the start. It's out now. Nighwitch is one of my knights. She volunteered to help Rey convince the Resistance to form the treaty. Will you allow her to stay and continue aiding Rey?"
"Can she really heal ankles?" Rose asked.
Ben's mouth dropped slightly. "I… don't know. It's possible. I never learned the healing arts, but that doesn't mean Hama-Ki never taught her."
Rose pursed her lips. "Well, I am tired of limping, so if we can wake her up, get her healing, and not have her kill me, I'm all for letting her help Rey. I'm pretty sure we'll need whatever help we can get."
"Poe? Finn?" Ben asked.
Poe sighed. "I'm pretty sure this technically counts as treason. However, since I'm already working with you and that's little different, I'm okay with it. Finn, I know you don't trust Ben as much as Rose, Rey, and I do, but you can keep your mouth shut on this, right?"
Finn frowned. "She didn't seem bad… and if she can help Rose… alright."
"Rey, wake her, please," Ben said.
Poe held up a finger. "Before we do that. I just need to know one thing. Will there be any other surprises coming in the form of helpful knights?"
Rey and Ben looked at each other, and Poe threw his hands up.
"Of course," Poe said. "Of course I get stuck in the middle of all this. Okay, I need to know who and when, now."
Because things never go as planned...
I've noticed that my regular reviewers for this story have nearly all moved to Premonition instead. I'm not boring y'all, am I? Hope not. Anyway, please tell me what you think. I am trying to wrap this crazy beast up.
Also, I'm excited that I now have 3 different reylo stories with 100+ favs each! I'm feeling loved. Thank you!
Ack! I made errors! Much thanks to Xanderlike and WhatIsThis'Sleep'YouSpeakOf for catching them!
