The dim conference room was abuzz with the voices of frustrated nobles, murmuring with great anxiety one to another. Talia rubbed her temples, struck with an awful headache. She looked up to see Kavar watching her, and he offered a small, sympathetic smile. She noticed that the Jedi had faint dark circles under his lovely blue eyes, and Talia guessed that he had endured a particularly restless night on the cold floors outside her room.
She too had been unable to sleep, thoughts buzzing through her head faster than a mynock's wings. The adrenaline rush produced by the attempt on her life had been overwhelming. And then the utter surprise of Kavar's reaction gave her cause to replay the scene over and over in her head. She thought that it might have been a sign of his true feelings for her, and she secretly delighted. But judging by his reserved and cordial behavior in the light of morning, Talia concluded that it must have been the heat of an unexpected battle that shook him so. It seemed logical that he would be worried about the consequences that Talia's death would cause. It was nothing more than friendly concern, she told herself.
The nobles continued to mutter in the background, like a harsh strain of white noise. Talia was tempted to cover her ears. They had been arguing ever since Kavar had told them about the Sith assassin, and the possible implications of the attack. Finally, Lord Nigel stood up, looking heated.
"I cannot help but feel, Master Kavar, that it would be better to alert the public to this attack. How dare Vaklu try to take the life of our rightful Queen! Many would stand against him."
Several of the others banged their fists on the table, exclaiming "Hear, hear!"
Kavar turned around in his chair slowly, speaking in quiet and deliberate tones.
"And who would believe that Vaklu is the one behind it? We have no incontrovertible evidence, although all of us know the truth. He would only invent lies to cover his crime. Telling the public would be exactly what Vaklu wants. It would sow discord and cause the Queen to appear weak."
At the head of the table, Talia nodded.
"I agree with Kavar. Vaklu can only hope to gain from public accusations, and he knows it."
"Then what are we to do, your majesty?" demanded Lord Nigel, his red curls bouncing. "Something has to be done to stop Vaklu once and for all! I refuse to sit by and watch him take over the world, bold as brass."
"Nigel, they have a point," said a petite lady to the right side of Kavar. "Nothing can be done. The less we stir up trouble with Vaklu, the better chance we have of avoiding a civil war altogether."
Some of the councilors shook their heads in dismay, but most of them seemed to reluctantly agree.
"Are we in agreement, councilors?" Talia inquired in an exasperated voice. "Kavar has already talked with the Captain of the Guard here in the Palace, and I'm sure we will be well prepared if there is another incident. I do not want to make this event known. Vaklu's support is growing by the day, and we can't risk any chance that he could gain the upper hand! If anyone disagrees, please speak up now; I have little patience today for these pointless discussions."
There was silence among the nobles, and Talia was relieved. She noticed the hint of an admiring smile on Kavar's face, and she steadied the swooping feeling in her heart.
"Good. You are all sworn to secrecy from now on. Now, we should probably begin to discuss…"
Suddenly, the door to the conference room burst open, and a frantic guard walked in, out of breath. He looked around timidly at the councilors and nobleman.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt, your majesty, but there's urgent news…"
He paused to catch his breath before continuing.
"Within the last two hours, Colonel Tobin and his ships shot down a Republic capital ship called the Ebon Hawk in the skies above Onderon."
The chatter amongst the councilors resumed, only louder. Talia quieted them with a gesture, looking distressed.
"Do you know what happened, exactly?" she asked in a strained voice.
"I'm not sure, but they're already claiming that the Ebon Hawk fired first. And that over fifteen Onderon fighters were taken down, along with two of our capital class vessels."
One of the nobles turned his head to face the guard.
"They?" he said sharply. "Do you mean the news reporters? Surely Vaklu hasn't already sent out a report about the fight! Normally it would take a few da-"
"Of course he's already sent out his own twisted explanation for the incident," interrupted Lord Nigel sardonically. "He's been jailing anti-Vaklu journalists for months for just this reason: Only the ones loyal to Vaklu are allowed to pick up their datapads."
Talia sighed, rapping her knuckles impatiently on the oak table.
"Has the media begun covering this story, then?" she asked, addressing the flustered young man.
"Yes, your majesty. I just saw the news reports myself. The only thing is…" The guard trailed off, unsure if he should continue.
"Go on," Kavar said gently. "What's the problem?"
"Well, sir, they're all saying that Colonel Tobin is a war hero, and that the Republic has gone too far this time. The worst ones… the worst ones claim that it is a call to war, since the Republic fired the first shot."
A heavy silence fell like a hammer upon the group. Talia stood up, turning to her nobles.
"Excuse me, but I think this meeting will have to be adjourned for the moment. I would like to discuss with Master Kavar alone."
There was a scraping of chairs as the councilors rose from their cushioned seats and began to file out of the conference room, still whispering to each other in heated tones.
Talia lingered back to walk with Kavar, turning to talk with him as they walked towards the throne room together.
"Vaklu's saying that the Republic ship attacked first? I don't believe it, that's madness!" she said fervently.
Kavar sighed, running his hands through his hair.
"Unfortunately, lie or not, it's a madness that people will believe. These reports will feed right in to the public's growing anti-Republican sentiment."
"The timing of this is atrocious. A space battle above our skies, so many of our fighters lost..."
"Don't forget an assassination attempt and a looming Sith threat…" Kavar added wryly.
"What else could go wrong?" Talia demanded as they reached the throne room.
"What I find most interesting is that only Colonel Tobin's men were involved in that battle," said Kavar with a thoughtful look. "Curious."
"That schutta!" burst Talia angrily, emphasizing the expletive. Several of the guards around the throne room stared at her. Kavar chuckled lightly, looking down at her.
"Strong words, your majesty," he said with a smile. "But there is no good time for news like this."
"I suppose you're right," she said delicately. "Even so, I was hoping that things were looking up. In the Council of Lords yesterday, it seemed that many began to see Vaklu for what he is."
Kavar looked at her sadly.
"You still have supporters, but they will become few and far between once Vaklu's propaganda does its work. It is a difficult time, your majesty. We must be on our guard."
Talia shook her head bitterly, turning to face away from him. Behind her, Kavar made a tentative motion, almost as if he were going to reach out and comfort her. But he stopped himself midway, and turned to his customary place by the throne. Talia approached her chair with frustrated steps, seating herself. She rested her head on her hand, deep in thought.