Author Notes: Sorry this chapter took a bit longer, I've been having relationship problems to say the least so I have been having a hard time dealing with that. Hope you guys like the chapter though!I hope the next one doesn't take as long, also I love all the reviews I have been getting thank you all so much!
Update: Hey guys so I later pointed out I had some typos. I actually hadn't proof read the chapter yet and without thinking I posted it, don't drink and write kids. Anyways I think I got the mistakes but knowing me I missed some but alas.
Ezra laid back against his bed, three days had passes since he first woke up. Despite Amare's warnings, Ezra still attempted escape. Almost every time someone would come in to bring him food he would make a dash, fight back, and eventually be brought back up to the room. It became an agonizing cycle. The only thing that relieved Ezra was that he hadn't seen Amare since. He was sure that Amare must have heard of what he had been doing, but was overjoyed that he hadn't shown up.
Well that is until today…
Ezra heard the sound of his door opening. He prepared himself for another attempt at freedom. There was no way he was going to give up hope.
He quickly turned, only to see Amare standing there with a tray of food. He had been so surprised that in his hesitation the door had already been closed. Karabast.
Amare placed the tray next to Ezra. Ezra sat up and eyed the man warily, however Amare remained silent and moved to stand near the wall where the window would have been.
Ezra looked back at the tray to see it was a type of stew, maybe if his mouth was full Amare wouldn't attempt to talk him. He had to awkwardly grab the spoon due to his restraints but started eating, trying to ignore the fact that Amare was watching him. They continued this for a few minutes until Amare finally broke the silence.
"I feed you, take care of you, and promise you a better life. How do you repay me? With being a naissance, with trying to escape my care. You have not even told me your name." Amare said, sighing dramatically.
"Oh yes because I am obviously the problem here, and you haven't asked for my name. It's Ezra, maybe you should use it." Ezra said rolling his eyes. Amare was aggravated by his response.
"You don't even understand! I am going to solidify a political alliance! You are helping in something bigger than yourself. Think of how much better people's lives would be with this alliance. By fighting it you are only fighting the wellbeing of the people. It's selfish."
Ezra refused to listen. He knew Amare was just trying to manipulate him, and he was going to respond when he suddenly found it hard to sit up. He body crumpled onto the pillows. He felt so weak, like his body was too heavy for him. Even when he tried move his hands he was sluggish. Ezra's eyes dashed to the stew.
"You drugged me!" He hissed, as he watched Amare approach.
He saw Amare pull something from his pocket. From the looks of it, it was a golden necklace, a choker to be exact, with a large blue stone in its center. Amare put it on Ezra, before stepping back to examine him.
"I had this made especially for you. You see the stone in its center has a tracker. You can run wherever you want, but I will find you." Amare said, a sneer on his face.
Ezra's eyes grew wide as the reality settled in. He grabbed the necklace, or at least tried to. His hands instead grazed over its smooth surface, unable to clasp around it in their weakened state. He couldn't even feel where it had been locked, it felt smooth all the way around.
"Yes, as you may have figured out, there is no way for you to take my gift off." Amare said, a smug grin on his face.
"You call this a gift!? It's a curse!" Ezra snarled from the pillows.
Amare ignored his comment and seemed to want to move on from topics.
"It seems that the planet Kloric is very excited to meet you, however their royal family is too busy to come at the moment, so we made a compromise."
Ezra did not like where this was going.
"Here on Kendros we intend to hold a ball. All of the Kloric nobles will be invited to see you."
Ezra really did not where this went. Amare, however did not seem amused by Ezra's expressions. He moved over, grabbing Ezra's hair, ignoring his yelp, to ensure that he was looking him straight in the eye.
"You will behave. I have been easy on you the past few days but my patience is wearing thin. I advise you to not test it!" Amare seethed.
Amare released Ezra and then grabbed the tray. Amare turned as the door was opened, mocking Ezra as the door was wide open and he was unable to do anything.
"We also discussed your age. We decided that you will be married, then remain here until you are of an older age."
With that, Amare closed the door behind him. Ezra stared at the door. There was no way he was staying here for any longer than he had too. The idea of having to spend years with Amare actually scared him; Ezra was pretty sure he would go insane if he had to stay in this room for years.
"Kanan…"
It had been over a week since Ezra had gone missing, and the crew searched relentlessly for him. They had searched planets nearby, looked at prison records, and even asked various pirates if they had information. It was almost like the Empire didn't even have him, there were no signs of Ezra anywhere.
The crew was currently returning to the other rebels in the hopes that someone would have found information on them. Ahsoka seemed to have ties everywhere, she had to have heard something of Ezra's whereabouts.
They all gathered in their meeting area after landing as Ahsoka entered. Hera, in an attempt to ease Kanan's nerves put her hand on his shoulder.
"So, any news?" Hera asked, breaking the silence. Ahsoka shook her head sadly.
"I'm sorry, but any information about Ezra alludes me. However for you and Kanan I do have a mission." She said.
"A mission!? Are you serious! We can't just give up on him!" Kanan shouted, agitated that Ahsoka would even think of putting him on a mission in a time like this.
"I'm not telling you to give up. The others and I will continue to look, however if this rebellion is going to take hold we can't stop for one person." Ahsoka answered in a collected manner, trying to calm Kanan down.
Kanan was about to respond when Hera drew his attention to her. They appeared to have a silent conversation with a look before Hera turned to Ahsoka.
"And if we did accept, what would the mission be?" She asked.
"The mission wouldn't be long. Only a day actually. On the planet Kloric there is a wealthy noble, a rebel sympathizer. It would be good for our cause if we could convince him to give us financial aid in our fight."
"And how would we get the chance to meet him?" Hera asked.
"Well it seems that there is a celebration on the neighboring planet Kendros. It appears that the two planets are creating a political alliance with a marriage, and this is the meeting of Kendros's betrothed. All of the nobles have been invited, and we managed to get out hands on one invite. All you two have to do is go in, convince the noble to aid us." Ahsoka explained.
"Seems easy enough." Hera said. She looked back at Kanan and noticed his less than satisfactory expression.
"Kanan, it's only one night," She said, "the rest of the crew will keep looking. We are not giving up. I don't want to stop searching either but he would want us to do this."
Kanan seemed conflicted for a moment then said,
"One night. That's it."
Ahsoka nodded, accepting the answer.
"The ball is tomorrow night. We will have clothes ready for you by then."
Kanan looked confused for a minute.
"Wait it's a ball?"
Kanan for the most part hung around in the wings of the building, Hera at his side. He would be lying if he said he hadn't admired Hera in her blue ball gown. It was tinted lighter at the top than the bottom, and it has several shades of green in it. The dress seemed almost fluid on her as she moved. Meanwhile Kanan felt so plain in his suit. He had a blue flower to match Hera's dress, but it's not like he wanted to draw attention.
Kanan traced his eyes along the crowd. It was times like this Kanan really hated being able to tell what people were feeling with the force. He could pretty much feel the greed rolling off of these people. He tried his hardest to ignore the buzz in the back of his head.
The two of then waited for the noble to show up. They knew his name was Lord Kassai, and that he would be wearing a broach in the shape of a feather.
Kanan groaned. They had been here for hours, and so far he had only heard people talking politics or ways to get their rank better among the nobles. When he finally saw the feather broach Kanan silently thanked the force before he tapped Hera and gestured in the man's direction. They both made their way towards the man.
"Not the usual broach you see in a place like this." Hera said. It was actually a code to let Lord Kassai know who they were. The Lord slowly nodded his head.
"Yes I suppose it is. Come, let us find somewhere a bit more private." Lord Kassai said as he walked them to the corner of the room. Once it appeared that no one was near them, Hera was the first speak.
"Lord Kassai, the rebellion needs any resource it can get. If you could help us, it could really make a difference."
"I would love to do anything that screws the Empire, however we have run into one problem." Lord Kassai answered.
Kanan and Hera exchanged glances, clearly confused.
"And what problem would that be?" Kanan asked. The Lord looked at then like they were clearly idiots, Kanan chose to ignore that look.
"The very reason everyone is here. The wedding." He said. When he saw that this still didn't explain the problem he sighed and continued.
"This wedding will bring Kendros and Kloric into a military and economic alliance, which means that in the coming years the King of Kendros will see our finances." He explained.
"Which means that they could find out you are supplying to the rebellion." Hera sighed. Can't believe we wasted time on this mission.
"There could be one solution though." Kassai said, Kanan and Hera leaned in clearly interested, "I don't know how King Amare feels about the Empire. He could possibly be a rebel sympathizer. But sadly I can't give any financial support unless I know that my well-being is safe. Wouldn't want to find out what they do to nobles who betray the Empire."
Well this mission just got a lot more complex. Kanan thought to himself. He didn't have time for this! Ezra was lost somewhere in the galaxy!
"Well, what can you tell us about this King Amare?" Hera asked. The Lord appeared to think for a minute.
"Well to be fair I don't know much about him, but I do know that is arranged marriage is a bit on the strange side if you ask me." He said, scratching his chin.
"What does that mean?" Kanan asked.
"Well you see King Amare lacks an heir, but he offered to marry off the 'fairest one of all'." He said.
"Fairest one of all?" Hera asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Attractive," Kassai clarified, "From what I've heard Amare has really been bragging about finding the boy. Although I hear he was a bit young side so he will remain on Kendros until he's older. Many of the nobles here have been very excited to see him. Conceited bastards is what I think."
It appeared that Hera and Kanan wanted to ask more questions about Amare, but they were interrupted when attention was called to the ball. Everyone turned and moved towards the stage in the front.
"We will continue this conversation later." Kassai said, indicating that they should follow. A man who Kanan assumed was King Amare stood next to a smaller figure. Kanan guessed it was the betrothed. The boy wore a black formal wear with blue embroidery, but most of their features were covered by a dark blue cape and hood that covered his head. Amare had his hand clenched on the youth's shoulder, a bit too tightly Kanan noticed.
"People of Kloric I hope you have enjoyed this evening, and I know you have been waiting for this moment. I hope that this future marriage between out worlds will bring prosperity. I now present Kendros's betrothed, Ezra!" He said, as he pulled down the boy's hood.
Kanan felt his stomach drop and he heard Hera audible gasp. Here he had been searching relentlessly for his padawan, and the entire Ezra had been here. Kanan looked upon the face of his apprentice; Ezra was clearly uncomfortable but there was something else was mixed in with it. Kanan had been trying so hard to ignore everyone's emotions around here that he didn't even sense his own padawan's fear. He felt like such an idiot.
"Karabast."