Only a handful of nobles dared to raise their cards and oppose Vaklu. Voices clamored in the audience as the speaker made the final count. Someone shouted,
"Royalists! Traitors of Onderon!"
There was much applause at this outburst, with jeers and boos echoing in the spacious chamber. The speaker banged his gavel on the desk again, as the crowd began to quiet.
"The Council has spoken. General Vaklu of Iziz, your proposal to initiate martial law has been accepted and ratified by the Council by a vote of seventy-seven to twenty-three. This will go into action immediately, per the instructions written on your proposal. Item one: The military, as governed by General Vaklu, may arrest anyone without a warrant on suspicion of Republic treachery. Item two: No citizen may leave without a visa given expressly by the Department of Foreign Affairs…
Talia winced as the scene from earlier that afternoon rang in her ears, the final vote lingering in her mind like a bad aftertaste. Seventy-seven to twenty-three. Virtually the only lords and nobles not on Vaklu's side now were those who lived with her in the Palace. And so more than a three-fourths majority had given authority to Vaklu to control the city, based on dubious reports given by biased reporters. Coupled with the media attention drawn to Lord Nigel's misguided attempt on Vaklu's life, the public was wrapped around Vaklu's little finger.
The idiots, she thought furiously. If only they could see through his lies, his schemes for glory. But that is only wishful thinking.
She stood at the edge of the ornately designed Palace gardens, searching desperately for some peace of mind. The past month had been gruesome to say the least, and Talia had felt increasingly stifled in the Palace walls. Even now, while overlooking the beautiful city below, Talia felt the weight of the world hanging upon her.
A vibrant pink sunset shimmered over the ivory roofs of Iziz, its domed buildings arched gracefully like cats in the sun. The last of the covered market stands fluttered in the breeze like colorful birds. From this altitude, she could see the full complexity of the White City rolled out in resplendent glory amidst the fierce tangle of the endless green jungle below. A light breeze ruffled through the garden, and as it blew through her black hair, Talia was glad that she had decided to leave her usual head scarf indoors.
She turned around, delighting in the scene of the garden. It was prized throughout Onderon as one of the best. There were rows and rows of fragrant Onderonian jasmine flowers, their peach colored petals intertwining along neatly manicured hedgerows. Soft deciduous trees lined the walkways with dappled light. Entire walls of the Palace were smothered in sweet purple donar blossoms and petite white climbers, and in the center of the garden sat a pale marble fountain, with a statue of Oron Kira holding Princess Galia. Talia thought her parents looked much more attractive in stone than in their portraits hanging in the grand hallway. Her mother in particular looked serene and lovely in the arms of her husband, the rays of the setting sun hit her marble visage and splintering into diamond-like specks of light.
What would you do? Talia wondered. In the face of opposition, you defied centuries of tradition, followed your heart, and united a planet. Whereas I can't even hold myself together.
Her musings trailed off when she spotted Kavar walking, from across the garden. She couldn't help but take an intake of breath as she saw him; he was flawless, and it was made all the more obvious in the luscious surroundings. Talia felt the sinking claws of longing and disappointment dig into her as she watched him approach.
And here is the culprit of my chaos, she thought wryly to herself.
Stopping before her, Kavar made a friendly bow.
"Good evening, your majesty," he said. "Do you mind if I interrupt you?"
"No, not at all," she said, brushing her morbid thoughts away with a smile.
He turned to stand by her side, silently overlooking the city for a few moments.
"This view… this is incredible."
Talia nodded, her hair caught in a gust of air.
"I used to come out here when I was a girl," she said quietly. "My sister Siala and I would hide near the jasmine bushes whenever my father was angry at one of us."
"From your tone, I'm guessing that happened often?" he said with the trace of a smile.
"All the time. My father was a great man, very patient, but I was stubborn and disobedient. So was Siala. We didn't like to be told what to do, even in the simplest things."
Kavar laughed, surveying the strange rocky valley surrounding the city of Iziz.
"Contrary to what you might think, I've always admired Onderonians for their indomitable stubbornness," he said bemusedly. "It's inspiring. After all, they built this city amidst the most aggressive wildlife in the galaxy."
"Only after hundreds of years scrounging as nomadic clans, fighting with the beast-riders. To tell the truth, it was Freedon Nadd who first brought order to my people. A Sith Lord, of all things."
"Figures," he said. "There are times I'm convinced the Force has a sense of humor. Isn't he your relative?"
"My great grandfather, on my mother's side. As you know, I also have the misfortune to be related to Vaklu. I have an… interesting family," she said dryly.
"So I've noticed," Kavar said with a chuckle.
They stood quietly for a few moments, enjoying the night air, before Talia continued.
"Do you remember anything of your family? Before the Jedi Order?" she ventured.
"Bits and pieces. I was only seven when I was taken for training," he said thoughtfully. "I was originally from Tatooine, if you can believe it. My father was a hunter and explorer on the silent Dune Sea. The starport of Anchorhead was small. That's why I hated Coruscant. All the bustle of the city, the billions of inhabitants. It made my head spin."
Talia smiled, unsurprised by his revelation.
"I can just see that. I would feel the same way, I think. I love the quiet of Onderon. Not everyone appreciates it."
Kavar breathed in, closing his eyes.
"I've always liked it here. If I weren't a Jedi, I'd…" he stopped himself halfway through the sentence. Talia was intrigued, and turned to face him.
"What were you going to say?" she said inquisitively.
He glanced evasively at her from the side, searching for words.
"Well… I just meant that… the life of a Jedi Master is often very difficult. I've been wandering the galaxy for a long time now. Fifteen years, in fact."
"That is a long time," she said in agreement. Still puzzled, she continued tentatively, "But that isn't all you meant to say, is it?"
He sighed, looking down at her luminous green eyes.
"Stubborn," he said gently.
"So I've been told," she replied.
There was a pregnant pause as the two locked eyes.
"Well, I've often dreamed of staying somewhere permanently. You have no idea how good it feels to stay in one place after being a stranger for so long," he said reluctantly, after a moment had passed. "But the Code doesn't generally allow for such luxuries. Have you ever heard the Jedi Code, your majesty?"
Talia shook her head, gesturing for him to continue. Kavar began to pace as the habitual words poured out of his mouth.
"There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force."
A bird chirped in the distance as Talia thought over the meaning of the lines.
"It's beautiful," she said. "Like poetry. But I can't quite see how it forbids you from staying in one place."
"In theory, the Code doesn't directly forbid anything. It is simply the measure by which we are supposed to judge all situations, to live our lives honorably. Our use of the Force affects all life, for good or for ill. One slip from us, one moment of raw anger, passion, or fear, and it can all backfire in an instant," he said grimly. "That is why we must be ever watchful of our emotions. That is why the Jedi can't afford to attach themselves to a home, or a family. That is why… why Jedi must ultimately remain alone. Even love can bring despair and darkness. In that regard, you could say love is forbidden to us. It's the sacrifice we must make, for the greater good." He stopped pacing, staring off into the distance over the sweet-smelling hedgerows. The slowly dying sun cast his golden hair in a brilliant halo of light. Talia cocked her head, regarding him with growing confusion.
"Why are you telling me this, Kavar?" she said softly.
Turning to face her once more, the Jedi Master stood directly before her, a pained expression on his chiseled face.
"Can't you guess?" he said in a husky voice, cupping her chin in his hand and stroking the soft skin of her white cheek. A hole seemed to open in the bottom of her stomach, as the swooping feeling devoured her whole with delight. He leaned in close, pulling her towards him as she reached for his neck. His warm lips had barely grazed hers when he paused, lifting his head away with what seemed to be a gargantuan effort. The sun finally dipped below the horizon, and the dark haze of night was creeping over the garden.
"Every time your life is in danger, I'm at risk of succumbing to the enormity of my anger. I see you, and all I want is to be near you, when I should be thinking of how to restore the Order, or save the Republic. I should have known better than to return here, with the feelings I have. But perhaps we all make mistakes."
He lightly let go of her, taking a step back.
"I won't be coming back after this business with Vaklu is finished. I wanted to tell you, so that you're not taken by surprise after all this is done. I tried to fight my feelings, but it's no use. I can't risk staying here much longer."
Talia dizzily looked up at him, seized by the frantic hope that she could change his mind.
"Must you go? Is there nothing I can do to persuade you to stay for a while?"
Kavar shook his head.
"No, I really must. While I'm sure that it would be an easy persuasion, my mind is set."
"I wish you hadn't told me this, Kavar," she said. She was unable to keep the deep sadness out of her voice.
A dark gloom veiled his eyes as he examined her face once more.
"Perhaps this comes as a shock to you? I didn't mean to trouble you if you don't feel the same way." he said, a hint of dejection underlying his words.
"It is surprising. I will be sad to see you go," said Talia in a strained voice.
What an understatement, said the voice in the back of her head. A lie of omission, even.
Better this way, if he must leave.
Better he never knows that you love him? Better to let the opportunity for happiness leave without a fight?
Yes.
The voice protested against her final response, but she removed it from her mind. Kavar seemed to visibly flatten at her platonic words, before shaking himself and standing upright again.
"It won't be for a while yet, I just thought that I should say what's on my mind for clarity's sake. We will continue to prepare for whatever Vaklu has in store for us. I won't bring this up again, if you prefer."
"I think that would be for the best, if you feel that you must go," she said in a low voice.
Kavar sighed, taking in a deep breath.
"Well, that wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. I hope that you and I will continue to be … good friends."
"Indeed we will," said Talia with false cheer.
"Goodnight then, your majesty."
And with that, the Jedi Master walked back to the Palace.
Talia remained outside, staring hopelessly into the sky. The stars overhead sparkled and the wind was fair, but she found no comfort in it.
What to do now? What a galaxy we live in; where it's better for two people in love to part ways and never meet again.
The wind whistled through the trees in the garden, and to Talia it sounded like the cry of a broken heart.