Took me awhile to get back to this. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
000
.
"Ben you seem worried, is something wrong?" Mon Mothma asked taking in the worried expression on his face.
"I'm not certain, but I have a feeling that the disfigured man I saw at the space port a few days ago just stole a speeder. I gave my report to the Commander and he's sending out soldiers to search for him."
"I see, but I think you have something else on your mind too if I'm not mistaken?"
Obi-Wan didn't know what to do with his hands as he tried to decide how to tell the senator and friend that he was thinking of leaving with the Jedi.
He picked at the hem of his sleeve. "Master Yoda and Master Jinn have asked me to return to Coruscant with them."
Senator Mothma knew that was the reason the two Jedi had followed him back to Chandrila. She'd been expecting this conversation.
Obi-Wan's heart was open for her to see, and it would always be with the Jedi. She also knew he was dedicated and honour bound.
"Is there anything I can do to help you see where your future lies?"
Obi-Wan could perceive the genuine concern in her eyes, but he didn't want to hurt anyone with his decision. Yet he worried that someone would ultimately be hurt, whichever way he turned.
He sat down and lowered his head. "I'm so confused, you have been so good to me and I've been happy here... I don't know what to do!"
"Obi-Wan when you came here you needed someone to care about you and a direction to travel in. You were just a child and you were lost. However now you have a chance to follow your destiny, just as Lance is doing. Would you hold Lance back from his chosen career?"
"No! He's always wanted to be a pilot and join the air corps. He spoke about it all the time."
"I think of you as a son, and I would be sad if you stayed here because you felt obligated to me or Chandrila. I want you to be happy and if that means being a Jedi then so be it. You may not have spoken about what was in your heart as Lance did about the air corps, but it was always on your mind wasn't it?"
"Yes M' lady, I've always recognized that I was meant to be a Jedi." He admitted.
She came around to where he was sitting and kissed his forehead. "Then you will make the right decision. Now it is getting late, so why don't you go and think about what 'you' want, and then have a good night's sleep."
.
000
.
Obi-Wan woke the next morning to awareness that someone was watching him.
Peering through the window of his room, he searched the garden, but the sensation disappeared.
The early morning sun was glistening on the water, and in the distance he could see the island where Lance and he used to talk about their hopes and dreams. It looked so inviting.
He felt the urge to meditate now that he could. He was pretty sure of his decision now, and wanted to meditate on his own.
So after first meal he told Master Yoda that he was going to swim out to the island and would give them his answer when he came back.
He asked Yoda not to let Qui-Gon follow him, because he wanted to be alone and think about his decision without any outside pressure from the master. He'd been hovering around him since they connected other day on the beach.
Leaving his weapons behind and just wearing a loose shirt over his swimmers he dove in and swam out to the island.
It was refreshing; the water was calm and warm. It was going to be a beautiful day on Chandrila, and from the distance Obi-Wan could see the flowering trees that graced the top of the island.
There was so much beauty emblazoned on one small island. Small trees grew on the side of the hill clinging out of rocks. It amazed Obi-Wan that they could grow without an abundance of soil to nourish them. Bird nests swayed on the branches as the breeze picked up and abundance of wild flowers covered the top.
Stepping out of the water onto the soft white sand; he left his shirt on to protect him from burning. Drops of water dripped off his shirt onto the sand as he walked up the beach.
Sitting under the shelter of the same rock where Qui-Gon had helped him close his fractured bond, he settled down facing the mainland to meditate.
The natural vibration of rolling waves breaking on the beach soothed him and helped him sink into the flow of the Force.
Gliding through the currents he was engulfed in the living force. He sensed an abundance of life all around him; the flapping of Honeysuckle birds buzzing around as they drew in pollen from the flowers, and the soft patter of little animals scurrying through the undergrowth. He smiled.
Life was beautiful and he'd forgotten how much he'd missed not having the link without getting a headache.
He'd missed the intimate union that came with meditation and he thanked the force for allowing him to be on the receiving end of such a wondrous feeling.
His thoughts went to Master Yoda, and realised why the old Master had kept on insisting that he should meditate. There was nothing like it to give inner peace.
He was grateful that Master Yoda believed in him and in their meditations together over the last few days, he came to realise how much the old Master thought of him.
Then he reflected on Qui-Gon, and their meditations together. Qui-Gon had opened his entire life to him and allowed Obi-Wan into the inner sanctums of his mind. They'd shared good memories and bad and neither one judged the others memories.
.
Obi-Wan sank deeper into correlation with the force, and after following the flow for sometime, a different sensation filled him.
A slight warning interrupted his contemplation, and then a sharp disturbance rushed through his link. The urgency of it made him jump to his feet as he opened his eyes.
Gazing out across the water in the distance a speeder was heading towards him. The driver was concealed by a hooded cloak, but a vision from the space port formed in Obi-Wan's mind.
The force was warning him… of danger…. it was advising him to retreat….that he wasn't ready for this confrontation.
He shook his head and thought. Yes he was unarmed, but where could he retreat. The speeder was almost on him; he would stand his ground.
The speeder slid up the beach halting in front of him. The man stepped onto the sand and took off his dark robe draping it over the seat.
Obi-Wan saw the shine of polished metal hanging off his belt. It was a light sabre. Yet he wasn't dressed as a Jedi, his clothes were black, and his long black boots were dull and dirty.
His neck and head were a mass of scars, and except for a tuft of white hair protruding from the back of his head; he was bald.
"Well if it isn't Obi-Wan Kenobi!" He said with a grating raspy voice.
"You have me at a disadvantage sir, as I do not know you?" Obi-Wan said calmly.
The man laughed hideously. "I suppose you wouldn't know me in my present form, nevertheless that doesn't matter, you will know me soon enough." He snarled.
"What a double delight it turned out to be when I was about to rid myself of a Jedi master. One who deserves to die a horrible death, only to find out on Naboo that Obi-Wan Kenobi still lives. What a pleasure it will be to rid myself of another insignificant pest, who dared get in my way." his hoarse voice ground out.
Obi-Wan felt the cold tendrils of fear climb up his spine, it was a hot day, and yet suddenly he felt a chill settle in.
"Who are you … what do you want from me?" he asked.
The man cackled "I'll tell you who I am just before you die; after you beg me to end your worthless life."
Obi-Wan stepped back, however before he could move further, the man pulled out his sabre and ignited it. Obi-Wan had never seen such a deep red blade before and it made him stumble backwards falling onto the sand.
The man sneered and brought the blade up to Obi-Wan's neck. "Now I know why you never became a Jedi, you're a coward. No wonder the great Jinn, didn't want you as his apprentice, 'what a weakling you are…This is going to be too easy." he cackled arrogantly.
While he laughed, Obi-Wan kicked him in the legs sending him sprawling backward across the sand.
He didn't waste time; leaping onto the rocks and began to climb away, however the man was right behind him and pain flared in his back.
He couldn't hold back a scream as he arched back losing his grip; rolling down the rocks.
His shirt and skin tore as he hit rocks on the way down and a pair of gloved hands pulled him to his feet.
"You can't escape me!" he screamed as he pulled the offending dagger out of Obi-Wan's back and held it up to show him.
"My, my, this is your blood? Do you feel it running down your back? Well get used to it, because you'll see a lot more of it before I'm finished with you."
Obi-Wan grabbed at the dagger and they both fell to the sand struggling for control of the sharp instrument.
The man dragged the dagger down through Obi-Wan's hand and raked it across his chest.
Through the pain Obi-Wan scooped up a handful of sand; and threw it in his eyes.
"Arrrgh!" he screamed dropping the dagger, and stumbling back as he pulled his sabre out blindly waving it back and forth, trying to hit Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan didn't wait to be slashed by that blade; taking off across the sand.
His shirt fell onto the sand, but he kept going until he was out of sight. Knowing that he had to escape he climbed the rocks. He had to find a place to hide and he hoped that Yoda or Qui-Gon would sense his distress and come to his aid.
Climbing as fast as he could and opening up to the Force; he remembered when the Jedi sensed his sickness before, and hoped they could sense the danger now.
The scarred man seemed delusional and there appeared to be nothing but hate and vengeance in his eyes.
Obi-Wan had the Force, and he sensed the man did too, but in him it was distorted and erratic. There was something very wrong about the sabre wielding black clad being.
Even though he wasn't equipped with any weapons; he had the knowledge of this island and all its hiding places. Calming his anxiety and clearing his mind, he struggled to keep climbing as he considered his options to hide.
As he climbed he could hear the scarred man screaming his name and swearing to claim his revenge on him.
.
000
.
Back on the mainland Qui-Gon was looking for Obi-Wan. "Master Yoda have you seen Obi-Wan I was going to teach him an advanced Kata this morning, but I haven't seen him since first meal?"
"Alone he wants to be, come to a decision he has, meditate on it he is doing. Went to the Island; wait here for him we will." Yoda stated.
"Oh! Do you believe he will come back with us?" he asked.
"Say he did not; give him every chance we have. His decision it is, have confidence in him I do." Yoda confirmed.
"Do you think he will accept me as his master? But do I have the right to expect anything after the way I treated him."
"Learn to listen and allow him to have a different opinion than what you believe to be true, and succeed you both will."
"He is an exceptional young man and I hope that you will guide us both Master Yoda."
Yoda turned to gaze at Qui-Gon. "Decided to listen to me now have you?"
Qui-Gon dipped his head. "Always Master."
They sat on the veranda taking in the beauty of Chandrila. Not only was the lake clear and calm it was home to an abundance of fresh water fish and surrounding the lake ducks and swans swam near the edges.
It was peaceful and this was the first chance they had to relax. Qui-Gon knew Master Yoda had to return to the temple soon and he hoped that they could all return together.
It wasn't long before a sense of apprehension filled them; at first brief and then growing stronger into fear and confusion.
"Obi-Wan is in trouble sense it I do." Yoda said.
The warning peaked causing Qui-Gon to rub at his temples. "I can feel Obi-Wan's emotions. I shouldn't be able to; I haven't initiated a bond with him yet, but he is in danger!"
"To the island quickly we must go!"
An overwhelming fear struck Qui-Gon's heart as a flood of emotions assailed his senses. Fear, confusion and pain, Obi-Wan was hurt. Something or someone was on the island with him, something evil.
Qui-Gon's feet pounded heavily across the ground as he ran for the hanger.
He saw the Commander speaking to some of his men as he hurried toward a speeder and jumped aboard.
"Commander, bring help to the island; Obi-Wan is there and he's in trouble! 'Hurry!" he called as he sped off.
He stopped long enough for Yoda to climb aboard, and then they streaked across the water at full power.
The beach was empty, but splashes of blood covered the rocks and it appeared a struggle had taken place on the sand. Obi-Wan's blood stained shirt lay further along the beach. Indents in the sand showed the results of the struggle and foot marks in the sand led away from it.
"Up there!" Yoda pointed and they could see a glimpse of a black robe disappear behind some rocks.
They jumped back on the speeder and rode it up the side of the hill, making it to the top as another speeder took off away from the island.
"Find young Obi-Wan you must Qui-Gon, leave that one to me."
Qui-Gon jumped off the speeder, as Yoda took control and sped across the island in pursuit of the man.
Yoda was a fair distance behind the perpetrator, when the speeder spluttered and stopped settling on the sand; it was out of fuel.
In Qui-Gon's urgency he'd taken a speeder that was in line to be refuelled. Yoda could do nothing, but watch the man and speeder disappear off into the distance.
.
000
.
Blood trickled down his back as he climbed up the side of the hill. He kept close to tall bushes and used narrow crevices hidden by trees to make his way to a cave that only he and Lance knew about.
They had explored every niche and hiding place over the years and with his shields up he hoped that he would make it to the cave before the man caught him..
He was losing a lot of blood; feeling weak he had to stop the bleeding. Glancing around he headed to a young banana palm and stripped off some long soft branches. Scraping some moss off the rocks he put it over the wound and wrapped the leaves around it holding them with his hands.
.
000
.
Qui-Gon followed the trail of blood until it disappeared by the palm tree; Obi-Wan had somehow stopped the bleeding. "But where is he?" Qui-Gon wondered.
Qui-Gon was still searching when Yoda arrived.
"Escaped the perpetrator did, find him later we will."
"I can't find Obi-Wan; he was bleeding, but the trail stops here." he told Yoda.
"Sense his aura I do. Raised his shields he has, weakening he is. Close by, but where I cannot sense."
Yoda said as the rescue party led by the Commander arrived with a medic and supplies.
"Commander, somewhere on the island our young one is, but find him we cannot."
"He and Lance have been exploring this place for years. They know every inch of it. I remember Lance telling me about a cave they found here that runs under the ground and comes out over the water." The commander explained.
"Then find it we must, before too late it is."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes but he couldn't define Obi-Wan's aura.
"Shielded he has, blocked off his connection. Afraid he is. Break through the block you must." Yoda stated.
"Is it possible without hurting him?"
"Possible it is, always been connected you two have, better a slight discomfort now, rather than to die from whatever injuries he has sustained."
Qui-Gon sat down in a meditative pose, and opened himself to the currents of the force. He honed in on Obi-Wan's aura; he hadn't pushed for a workable bond with him, because he didn't want to hurt him again.
Nevertheless, they were running out of time and Qui-Gon needed to push through Obi-Wan's shields.
It was a matter of life and death and he got the chance he would apologise later.
Tbc...