Chapter 2
Xanatos and Obi-Wan stood outside the suite provided by Queen Amidala for their stay. Obi-Wan raised his hand, knocking softly and they heard a young feminine voice.
"Come in."
The Jedi entered and both Anakin and the young woman stood to meet them. The hood of the handmaiden's cloak was drawn back revealing blonde tresses pinned neatly at the top of her head. Apparently, Xanatos thought, they weren't all clones of the queen after all.
"Jedi Kenobi." She smiled shyly and then looked to Xanatos. "I don't believe we have met, Sir. I am Eirtae, one of the queen's handmaidens."
"Xanatos Marojni. I was Master Jinn's first apprentice," he said bowing slightly.
The smile dissolved and she bowed her head politely and spoke in formal tones. "I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Xanatos said graciously.
She returned her attention to Obi-Wan. "If you are in no need of further assistance, I must return to the queen now."
"Of course. Thank you for accompanying Anakin back to our rooms, Milady."
The words slipped from Obi-Wan's lips in his usual rich, cultured tones as he bowed. Xanatos rolled his eyes at the slight blush that crept into the girl's cheeks. It must have taken every ounce of training she had to not dissolve into complete giddiness. His padawan brother had a way of doing that to the opposite sex without even realizing it.
Xanatos bowed as well. He didn't miss the passing glance in his direction as she hurried from the room. Apparently he hadn't lost his charm either. It was actually a troubling thought, though, as he remembered that the ruler of this world and her attendants were only a few years beyond needing to return to the crèche for snack and naptime. He turned his attention to Obi-Wan and the young boy who was inquisitively looking at him. A multitude of questions were trapped behind the youngster's bright blue eyes.
"Master Qui-Gon trained you too?" the boy asked skeptically.
It probably was difficult for Anakin to believe the two men had been trained by the same teacher, Xanatos mused as he glanced at Obi-Wan, picture of a proper Jedi, complete with cream-colored tunics and brown robe. Xanatos' tunics were dark, nearly as black as his hair, giving him the image of someone dangerous and mysterious.
"Yes, he did, a long time ago," Xanatos replied.
Both Xanatos and Obi-Wan had agreed not to say anything about Anakin's training until they had opportunity to speak with the Council. The boy did not need any more uncertainty in his life. Obi-Wan stooped down to make eye contact with Anakin.
"I have to go and speak with the Council, Anakin. Xanatos is going to stay with you until I get back."
Xanatos shifted his gaze quickly to Obi-Wan, not missing the smirk threatening to erupt across the younger Jedi's face. As Obi-Wan turned to leave, Xanatos glanced to Anakin.
"I'll be right back."
He followed Obi-Wan out into the hallway and closed the door behind.
"You didn't say anything about leaving me with him," he whispered in protest. "I thought I was going to be morale support while you are in front of the Council."
"This is something I need to do on my own," the younger Jedi said with determination, and Xanatos realized Obi-Wan was right. "Besides, I don't want to leave Anakin alone."
"You're right; he must feel lost right now."
"That, and the last time he was left alone he managed to blow up a droid control ship," Obi-Wan added with a deep sigh.
Xanatos closed his eyes and took a deep breath against the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Xan, if you are going to be his master, you should get to know him a little. You will eventually have sole responsibility for him."
The words twisted into Xanatos's gut like a knife. He had never been particularly comfortable around children.
"Okay … okay. I can do this."
Xanatos waited until Obi-Wan disappeared down the hall and turned his attention back to the door, contemplating it as one would a prison cell. He entered the room again and took a seat on the sofa.
He worked alone; he'd never considered taking a padawan as he was certain that the Council would never allow someone with such a tainted past to train a child. He supposed that training would mean returning to mainstream missions as his usual undercover assignments among the scum of the galaxy wouldn't be fitting for someone so young. It might even mean a lot more time at the Temple, at least at first. Obviously, his life was about to change.
He realized the room was uncomfortably silent and glanced over at Anakin. The boy was staring at him ... studying him intently.
Say something Xanatos. Anything. What would Master say? He was good with children.
Instead of speaking, he found himself inexplicably focused on picking at a piece of white lint stuck to the front of his tunics.
What does one say to a … how old is he anyhow … child?
"Is he going to be okay?"
The softly spoken words drew Xanatos from his thoughts and he noticed the concerned expression on Anakin's face.
"Pardon me?"
"Is Obi-Wan going to be okay? He had to try harder this time to hide."
Xanatos marveled at the boy's perceptions. It hadn't occurred to him until then that with the Council present on Naboo and the coming funeral, Obi-Wan's shielding would be more stressed.
"He isn't sleeping. I hear him up at night," Anakin continued. "I understand, you know. I miss my mom."
"It will take time," Xanatos said. "Just like you love your mother; he loved Master Qui-Gon very much."
"Why doesn't he talk about it?" the boy asked. "I would listen."
"You're going to find that it's not the Jedi way, Anakin," Xanatos explained.
Anakin moved so that he could sit next to Xanatos on the sofa.
"Did you love Master Qui-Gon? I mean, you were his apprentice also."
Now that's a question. He let out a rush of breath.
"I loved him, but we weren't as close as he and Obi-Wan."
"Why?"
"Do you always ask so many questions?" Xanatos snapped impatiently.
"I'm sorry, Sir," Anakin said scooting away from him to the other end of the sofa.
Xanatos cursed inwardly. He hadn't meant to make the child cower. It was just that he was not used to so many personal questions – questions he still struggled with on his own.
"It's okay, Anakin," he said softly. "It's difficult to talk about. I made some very poor choices when I was younger; including leaving the Jedi Order for a while. It hurt Master Qui-Gon greatly, and now I wonder if he knew how I really felt about him."
Xanatos decided it was better to not tell the boy that he had actually drawn his saber and attacked Qui-Gon – details weren't important. His late mentor was a hero and it wouldn't be the most endearing thing he could say as they forged new ground together.
"You didn't want to be a Jedi?" Anakin's jaw dropped. "It's what I've dreamed of."
"I didn't grow up in the temple like Obi-Wan or the others, so it was hard to adjust. The Council said things and wanted me to do things I didn't understand." Anakin nodded his head vehemently in agreement and it occurred to Xanatos that he also didn't have the best first experience with the Council – the Council had a way of doing that, after all.
"Master said that you would understand."
It was with a mixture of revelation and foreboding that Xanatos realized he saw himself in the boy sitting in front of him. Not exactly himself. This child was definitely not a spoiled, rich brat; he was a slave. But he still was going to be dragged kicking and screaming into Temple life away from everything he had known before … and he was going to clash.
"I still can't believe you left."
"I'll tell a secret," Xanatos said mischievously. Anakin leaned closer. "Obi-Wan left once too."
"Really?" Anakin asked in amazement. "But he seems like he does everything right."
Xanatos chuckled loudly. "Oh, I can tell you stories about Obi-Wan."
He would hear about it later from Obi-Wan. But the mutual friend was safe common ground for the time being, and Xanatos could feel the distance between him and his future apprentice shrinking.
As the sun set over the city of Theed, Obi-Wan waited in a small room of the Funeral Temple with Xanatos at his side. The Council had deliberated much of the afternoon, and he was glad to have Xanatos there, knowing how difficult what was coming would be. Master Yoda slowly entered the room, leaning heavily on his walking stick. He stopped in front of Obi-Wan.
"A decision the Council has reached. Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight it does."
Yoda extended a small, ceremonial knife towards Xanatos. He looked at the small master with questioning eyes. At Yoda's slight nod, he hesitantly accepted the blade as Obi-Wan knelt before him. Pulling the padawan braid taunt, he quickly severed it close to the scalp. He paused to compose himself, feeling as though he had just treaded on sacred territory. He could feel the sting of tears welling up in his eyes.
"Are you okay Xanatos?" Obi-Wan asked.
"He trained both of us, but never had this honor." Xanatos coiled the braid with trembling hands and pressed it into Obi-Wan's palm. "I was too angry on Telos and took my own." He smiled and squeezed Obi-Wan's shoulder before both turned their attention to Yoda.
"What about the boy, Master," Obi-Wan asked. "I expressed Master Qui-Gon's wishes to the Council earlier."
Xanatos joined Obi-Wan, squatting down on the floor to be on eye level with the small master.
"Clouded his future is." Master Yoda shook his head. "Much danger I sense in his training."
"I am aware of that Master Yoda," Xanatos said. "But, I sense this is the path set before me. I will train him without the Council's approval if I must.
"Hmph." The small master hobbled over until he was staring Xanatos right in the eyes. "Too old is he, set in his ways."
"So was I."
The master's eyes widened. "Yes, and betrayed your master … fell to the Darkside you did." He tapped Xanatos in the chest with the walking stick.
"Anakin is frightened, uncertain, and extremely powerful. The darkness will call to him whether he is trained or not. I know what that feels like. I can be a guide."
"Agree with you the council does. Your padawan he will be." His head and ears lowered in one slow, fluid movement. "Now go we must."
In the darkness of evening, the temple was illuminated by the flickering light of torches. Qui-Gon's lifeless body rested peacefully on the funeral pyre. Xanatos and Obi-Wan stood by Anakin as the pyre was lit and the flames began to consume the slain master.
Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan with a tear-stained face. Although Xanatos noticed the hitch in Obi-Wan's breathing, he knew that the padawan – no, he was a knight now, Xanatos reminded himself – would not cry.
"What will happen to me now?" Anakin asked uncertainly, tugging slightly on Obi-Wan's sleeve.
Xanatos kneeled down beside him. "The Council has given me permission to train you. You can be my apprentice if you would like."
Anakin nodded uncertainly before looking to Obi-Wan. "Will I still see you?"
Obi-Wan knelt down next to Xanatos.
"Yes, I won't be far away."
Anakin smiled, grabbing both Jedi's hands in his, as they returned to standing and to the quietness of the moment. And as Xanatos stood there, he felt something he had not felt in a long time. The Dark side stirred. He could sense the stray, veiled tendrils of darkness, moving like the smoke swirling up through the ceiling of the Temple. It first reached out and hovered over Obi-Wan, and the young Jedi shifted uncomfortably. The darkness hated him – the one that had taken one of its own. It hated the light that resided within him. Then it reached out and circled around Anakin as though stroking the face of a much loved son.
A shiver ran up Xanatos's spine – the Sith – was near, watching. Years of undercover assignments had given him the ability to be discrete and he casually looked around at those who had come to pay respects to one who had died defending Naboo. The young queen and her handmaidens were solemn-faced, as was the Chancellor. Among the members of the Council, he could see Master Yoda and Master Windu whispering. Did they sense it?
The thought stilled in his mind as Xanatos felt the tendrils of darkness reach out to probe him like fingers brushing across the edge of his mind. He met it with his mind, pulling a shield of light around himself. The darkness abruptly retreated, disappearing behind strong shields. Xanatos moved behind Anakin and Obi-Wan, resting a hand on each of their shoulders as though being closer could give more protection from the threat he sensed. He hoped the Sith comprehended the simple message. If it hoped to harm Obi-Wan or Anakin, it would have to deal with him.