Chapter 28: The Matriarchs

The grate before them irised open, flooding the dark tunnel with light.

Jas winced and looked away as Val led him through, security droids stood before the entrance, but powered down when the protector produced a pass key from her belt.

Jas tensed, but felt the danger fade as the machines powered down.

Lucky us, he thought.

He wondered what might have happened had Val forgotten the key.

He didn't mention it to Val, she was all business. She motioned him forward.

"This way," she said, "The lift should already be on its way down."

He nodded and followed.

"Interesting," Jas could think of nothing else to say, their journey had been…enlightening.

He turned to Val, she had been all business since they had left the safehouse early this morning, the intimacy of their talk the night before fading in the face of duty and their mission.

The air was different here, he noticed, the smell and oppressive darkness of the lower levels replaced with an openness…

His eyes narrowed.

…No, it was only the illusion of openness. Though the room was spotless, the carpeted floor smelling only of cleaning supplies, he recognized this place for what it was.

This chamber was not meant to exist, or rather, its existence was not to be known.

He had expected for them to board a speeder and head straight for the Senate district and 500 Republica, they had not done that, instead, Val had brought him to an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district, and from there, underground. They had made their way through pitch black corridors making so many turns that even his sense of direction had been confused. Finally, they had come to a small transit car, and ridden it for an hour to this place.

The lift before them hissed open, revealing even more opulence, that…and the gentle sound of Coruscanti classical music being piped in through hidden speakers.

Val motioned for him to follow, saying nothing, he complied. The doors closed behind them and the lift began to rise. The smoothness of the journey telling Jas all he needed to know.

"I can see why you were so confident that we couldn't be followed," he told his companion, "I wonder how many other secret entrances the Republica has."

Val merely shrugged.

"Nobles are the same everywhere. They like their secrets, and are willing to do much to protect them. The palace of Bantoon has its own secret entry points, it was my job to know them all during my days as security chief."

"And if an enemy learns of their existence, or some poor soul happens to stumble on one of these secret paths?"

Again, Val shrugged.

"There was more of a security presence than we could see, Hotshot. As I said, nobles are willing to do much to protect their secrets."

"Mmhm," he replied, not entirely pleased, but he understood.

The world of the highborn was not so different from the smuggler life he was leaving behind. The organization had its secrets too.

For the unwary, or the ignorant, those secrets could be dangerous…dangerous…and deadly.

He shivered despite the heat.

His adjustment to this new world would likely not be as hard as he expected.

The lift quickly left the shadows of the underground behind, soon the glass of the lift revealed the skyline of the Senate district, both the seat of government, and the Jedi Temple merely small shapes in the distance.

Jas took a deep breath, and smoothed out his clothes. He had considered wearing Jedi robes for this meeting, but finally decided against it. Choosing instead his pants with blood stripes, a plain white shirt, and his nerf hide jacket. He did choose to wear his lightsaber on his belt though. It was better that the matriarchs learned quickly who exactly they were dealing with.

And what are you going to say when you meet them?

He frowned, old insecurities trying to rise up and stifle him.

This is not where you belong, Vess' world is not for you. She is not for you.

You would have been wiser to have ended things after Dantooine.

He tried not to dwell on those concerns, despite what he believed, Vess was still in danger, and he had sworn to help her, keep her safe.

He could do that even if she chose to end things, he would not turn craven just because he now found himself among the rich and powerful.

Their world is not so different from the one Coop and I have lived in for years.

He took a deep breath, and centered himself.

Yes.

I can do this.

He turned to Val, his one true ally in this, she had lived among the leaders of her world.

He hoped she might have some advice.

"What do I say to the matriarchs when I meet them? Is there any sort of protocol that I need to remember?"

"For the moment, leave the talking to Vessaria and Lady Dorma. The matriarchs that have agreed to meet with them are taking a chance. We need to show them that not only is Vess capable of leading, but that she has taken steps to ensure that her leadership goes beyond the present day."

"To continue the bloodline," he said with a nod.

Val nodded back.

Again, he felt a tinge of nervousness.

Vess' bloodline…a bloodline that she thought he was worthy of joining.

That thought…it was a bit unsettling.

The next generation…children.

HIS children.

The Dar Bynn family had been a part of the Jedi Order for centuries, dozens of his ancestors had been Jedi Knights and Masters. Of course, since the fall of Exar Kun, those children had come from family members outside the order. None of the children given to the order had ever tried to leave and start a family, none of them…

…was…was he to be first?

It was one thing to care about Vess, but he also had to accept that if they continued down this path; if they continued in a relationship…he…

The thought of having a family had always seemed an impossibility for him. That idea had been drilled into him since he was a young boy. Even with the vision he had seen on Alderaan, part of him had remained skeptical.

Could he be that man?

Would he be a good husband, or father?

Was anyone ever ready for it? Did all ask those questions at such times.

If Val sensed his nervousness, she didn't show it.

The protector gave him a warm smile.

"Having a strong man at her side is part of that. The sight of you alone offers an alternative to Lyron and his cronies."

Jas chuckled at that.

"So, what you're telling me is to just stand there and look pretty?"

She laughed.

"I wouldn't be that shallow, Hotshot. All I can say is, try to be yourself, things will go smoothly from there."

Jas nodded, and looked over his clothes again, they were mostly dry, the speeder that had brought them here had been temperature controlled. Yet, he was still sweating…he was nervous.

Relax…take a deep breath.

He did that, tried to remember both his experience, and his training.

I got this.

I CAN do this.

The lift opened up, not inside the main building, but upon a large balcony, a terrace for lounging out under the sun, a swimming pool took up most of it.

The sound of children laughing filled his ears.

Lady Dorma's two young children waved to the two as they passed. Though Jas had never gotten a chance to speak with them, he had seen them a couple of times during his time staying on Alderaan. He didn't see their parents, but both a nanny droid, and a life guard unit stood watch, just in case.

Jas was happy that Vess had been reunited with her adopted family. He had made them a promise after all, before striking out in pursuit of Targo Sei.

It was…pleasing to know that he had been truly successful in doing that, helping people, that is what the Jedi's true mission should have been.

Val led him inside, and towards a small office area. He could hear familiar voices from up ahead.

He smiled. A familiar presence filled the Force, warm…and inviting.

Vess.

It had been months, but now…she was here.

He was most eager to see her.

The door opened, revealing both the girl and her foster mother. Dorma sat behind a small desk, while Vess paced nervously before it. The Lady was dressed in the classic Alderaani style, a long flowing gown of deep crimson and gold. She looked every bit the noble that she was.

Vessaria was clad in a far simpler garment. Dark blue leggings, boots, a button up shirt, and the old nerf hide jacket that Jas had given her years ago. She also wore a blaster on her hip, surprising where they were, but Jas could understand why.

Dorma and Val had been working to have the galaxy see Vess as a strong warrior, she had taken credit for the destruction of the Sunset Collective, and seeing her so armed, and ready to fight on, it would be a strong symbol to the nobles that had come to see her today.

Plus, she looked incredible!

The thought came unbidden, but he couldn't deny it. The leggings clung tightly to Vess' shapely form; the shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and knotted at the bottom, showing just the right amount of skin.

He couldn't deny that the sight intrigued him, but for now, he held that in check.

He was here on business, not pleasure.

The girl continued to pace, her energy radiating out like the light of a star.

Jas could sense her excitement, for the first time Vessaria was taking real steps towards regaining her throne.

Nerves were to be expected at such times.

"So," she said, "I…um…just need to discuss the points we talked about, like we planned."

"Try and relax, Starfish," Lady Dorma said, "Remember your teachings, you trained in both civics and government affairs. You can do this."

"That is easy to say, Aunt Dorma, but I…JAS!"

The girl spun away from her aunt and practically leapt at him, stopping him in his tracks. Before he could even speak, she was in his arms, her head pressed against his chest.

Jas closed his eyes, the Force filling with the presence of her, the smell of her hair, the warmth of her body.

It almost took his breath away.

The Force wrapped them in warmth, despite the heat of the day, it felt…comfortable.

Jas sighed with contentment.

If only they could have stayed this way…forever, but that was not to be.

The galaxy beckoned.

Val and Dorma said nothing, they merely waited for the girl to finish, to conclude this moment of greeting.

Jas did nothing, having her here, memories of their time together flooding back. It was comfortable…soothing.

Part of him didn't want it to end.

"You're here," the girl murmured, "Safe, thank the gods."

"Hey gal," he smiled lifting her chin, looking into her smiling face, those deep blue eyes.

"I'm alright. I'm happy to see you."

Vess leaned in and kissed him, a sweet chaste kiss hello. It warmed him, he returned, it, wanting to pull her tighter, offer her more.

Behind him, Val smirked. Lady Dorma said nothing, but at the same time, showed no sign of surprise through the Force.

She knows, Jas realized, he had hoped to approach the Rists and make a formal declaration of his intentions towards the girl, but it seemed that that might not be necessary.

He couldn't say if that was good or bad.

"Welcome, Ser Jas," Dorma Rist said with a gentle smile, "It…it is good that you have returned."

"It is my honor," he replied as Vess left his arms to stand beside him, close beside him, their hands barely touching.

It was no secret how she felt, not to anyone with eyes.

"I…I didn't get the chance to thank you for what you did," the lady continued, "You brought my daughter back to me, fulfilled every promise you made when Vess and her protector were taken…"

The lady bowed her head respectfully.

"House Rist, and all of Bantoon, is in your debt."

"I did my duty," he answered, "it was an enemy of mine that took them, revenge against me, as much as it was to serve Vessaria's enemies."

"And now, those enemies are gone," Val added, "Now we must turn out attention to the matters of Bantoon. Vessaria will never truly be safe as long as her aunt and uncle sit the throne."

"Four matriarchs have arrived," Vess informed him, "As well as Brother Oswell of the Gods' Temple."

The girl grinned brightly.

"My people are beginning to listen."

Only four, he thought to himself, if he recalled correctly, there were over forty matriarchs that ruled over Bantoon, four…that was nothing in the larger scheme of things.

"Can these few matriarchs truly help Vess' claim?" he had to ask.

"Alone, no," Dorma said, "But…it is a start, and having the ear of the faith is never a bad thing. Great things can grow from small beginnings. These are not the most powerful of the matriarchs, but they are greatly respected. If they can be convinced to support Vessaria, then others will surely follow."

Jas nodded.

He could almost see his master's face, hear her words from one of his early lessons.

"A single snowflake falling on a mountain, in just the right place, could help start an avalanche. Never underestimate the small things, my padawan."

He would trust in Vey's wisdom, as he always had.

He nodded and bowed again.

"I'm ready to help," he said, his hand moving around Vess' waist pulling her closer.

"Then follow me," Lady Dorma said rising.

"They're waiting."

IOI

The main room of the Rists' apartment had been converted into a small meeting hall, the furniture pushed against the walls, with a large table in the center, a table that had been fitted with a military-style holo-plate showing scenes of the planet Bantoon and its moons.

The four nobles stood around it, talking amongst themselves, at each of the rooms four corners stood an armed guard, men and women clad in armor similar to Val's, or perhaps, her armor was meant to be similar to theirs.

Sworn protectors, he realized, the matriarchs had each brought their personal bodyguards. He wondered if Val knew any of them, perhaps they had trained together before being chosen to serve their respected mistresses.

He would need to ask her about that later.

As for the matriarchs; they had a uniform of their own. All of them wore a similar gown, each displaying the same decorative pin, a symbol of their position, Jas supposed.

Beyond that, the four were quite different, the first was a small elderly woman her dark hair frosted with grey. The second was muscular with dark skin, her short black hair flowing in braids down to her shoulders. The third looked to be in her mid-forties, with sandy strawberry blonde hair; she looked similar to Vess, leading him to believe she was likely of the Istillo family as well, a distant cousin perhaps. The fourth matriarch was young, perhaps Vess' age, or younger, with dark blonde hair, green eyes, and a wide merry smile.

That smile grew even larger when she saw Vess, the young queen at his side brightened under the other girl's regard. It was safe to say that they knew each other.

As Vess approached them, a small fatherly-looking man rose from his seat behind the eldest matriarch, clad in robes and wearing a long chain.

Vess nodded to him and then to the noble women at his side.

"Matriarchs, Brother Oswell," Vess called out with a smile.

"Welcome to Coruscant."

The women nodded while the man stepped towards them. His curly black hair and beard streaked with grey, his brown eyes warm and intelligent.

He stopped before Vessaria.

"May the gods smile upon you child," he said bowing respectfully.

Vess grinned.

"Brother Oswell, it has been a long time."

"Indeed," the man said, "Now, if you will permit me, my dear, would you allow me to see your left arm?"

Jas looked over at Vess, curious what was going on.

She chuckled.

"Looking for something in particular, brother?"

"Yes," he replied.

The girl did as he asked, rolling up her sleeve, and showed him the inner side of her arm.

The older man reached out, turning it just so, finding a small scar just above the elbow.

He smiled.

"You remember how you got this mark, yes?"

"Yeah," she answered, "I borrowed one of the palace page's wind-sailers when I was nine. I went up too high, and well…I crashed."

"I remember," Brother Oswell said, "We heard your cries throughout the palace."

"Actually, I didn't cry at all, I was frightened though, I knew my mom would be mad at me. You were the first to arrive, to find me. You comforted me, and helped to set the bone yourself."

"And I spoke up for you, reminding Her Grace that she did such things as a girl. Your mother accepted my reasoning without complaint.

"But not all at once, and she still grounded me for a month," Vess reminded him.

I remember," the brother said with a wistful look, "Do you remember what happened next, what I said to you after we were sure that you were okay?"

Vess shrugged.

"You said the spin that I managed at the end was impressive, but that: You need to work on your landing, dearie."

The old man chuckled; warmth radiated out of him through the Force.

He bowed his head again.

"Your Grace," he said, "It is so good to see that you are both safe and alive."

The brother's pronouncement was all it took. The two younger matriarchs came forward and embraced Vessaria, the youngest of the pair squealing excitedly.

"I knew you weren't dead," she exclaimed, "From the moment we heard you were alive, I knew it was true."

"Thank you, Tobbi," Vess said, then turning to the red hair matriarch.

"Thank you for coming, Aunt Charys. In my father's name, and memory, I thank you."

Matriarch Charys smiled.

"You are my brother's child, what else could I do but come when you called for aid."

The woman's words pleased Vessaria, but Val remained cold, her demeanor icy.

Especially when she turned to face Brother Oswell.

Val frowned.

"You would test your queen, Brother Oswell? You didn't believe that it was her?"

"The brother did as we asked, protector," the oldest of the matriarchs said.

"And what exactly did you hope to learn, Matriarch Bedoria?"

"That we had not been tricked, protector," the older woman replied.

She sighed and shook her head.

"Since the loss of our Annara, several young women have shown up on Bantoon in the last decade, claiming to be Vessaria returned. They came, usually with the backing of others, supported by this noble or that merchant. All those girls were proven to be imposters; by now…our people are used to such false hopes."

"And what became of those girls, matriarch," Vessaria asked, "Were any of them punished for their deception?"

"Public confessions were shown over the holo-net, Your Grace. The people responsible for those attempts were given light prison sentences or fined, and the girls returned to where ever it was they had been found."

"Extremely light sentences, for such a deceit," Vess said, her eyes falling on the dark-skinned matriarch.

"Do you have any explanation for such behavior, Matriarch Honoria?"

"Your Grace?" the woman answered.

Vessaria's eyes narrowed.

"I remember you. Many a time you visited my mother while I played in her office. You were her minister of law, what do you make of these false princesses, why would my aunt and uncle be so light on them?"

The other woman frowned, she didn't like being called out, perhaps, but…she did answer her queen.

"If I had to guess, knowing now that you still live. I would say that the appearance of, at least one of these imposters, were staged. Someone desiring to discredit the return of our true queen by presenting them with false hope, and then…dashing those hopes."

Vessaria gave her an icy smile.

"Someone?"

The matriarch didn't respond, none of them did, they didn't need to.

It didn't take much to think about who might profit from such a gambit. Who could have made sure that the people knew?

Vess sighed, and shook er head.

"What is in the past, is in the past," she said, "Now…my ladies…are we ready to begin?"

"We await one other," Matriarch Bedoria said, "Hudlo asked to join us by hyper-comm. He should be contacting us shortly.

That announcement drew Val's attention, her eyes widened.

"Baron Hudlo wished to be involved in this?"

The old matriarch smiled.

"He is one of the most successful merchants on Bantoon, protector. Not to mention one of the main voices behind our sworn protectors. Why wouldn't he wish to be involved in the succession?"

Jas' eyes narrowed. Val had mentioned Baron Hudlo during their time together on Alderaan. Officially, he was simply the money man behind the sworn protector program, but he was often seen by the protectors; choosing to be visible during their training.

A powerful ally for Vess' cause, to be sure.

"This baron does know that hyper-comm signals can be traced," Jas said, "I can't imagine that he would want to be linked to this meeting, not by the high general?"

The older woman looked at him for the first time, she gave him a cool look.

"Hudlo is no fool, we spoke of this before we left home, he assured us that his signal will not be traced, and that we will be able to speak freely."

Matriarch Honoria turned to Jas, her expression…curious.

Who is this young man, Vessaria? Why is he at your side?"

Before Vess could answer, the hyper-comm on the table blinked and beeped. Matriarch Charys was the closest to the controls and pressed the button to receive the signal.

The space between Honoria and Bedoria filled with the shimmering blue hologram of a man dressed in finery. He stood a good head taller than both Jas and the women around him, he regarded each with a cold careful gaze.

"Baron Hudlo," Vess said with a nod, "in my mother's name, I welcome you."

Though clearly in the later years of life, the Baron still cut an imposing figure, he stood straight and tall. His beard neatly trimmed and his grey hair slicked back. Small dark glasses hid his eyes, those lenses perched on a nose that was slightly bent, broken at some point, and never properly fixed.

He looked upon Vess and smiled, he gave her a slight bow in greeting.

"A child flees her home, frightened and alone," the Baron's voice was cultured, he spoke with a slight accent of Bantoon, but…another one as well, one that Jas couldn't place.

The baron's smile grew wider.

"And now, a young woman seeks to return, a woman whose eyes are familiar to me. I remember them well. Queen Annara maybe lost, but her fire remains, its burns behind the eyes of her daughter and heir. Welcome Vessaria, it is good to see that you still draw breath."

The Baron bowed again, and then looked around, though he should only have been able to see what was inside the holofield.

"Is Protector Valenthyne there? I would like to speak with her."

Val almost leapt into the holo field, quickly snapping to attention.

"Lord Baron," she said standing like a soldier.

The old man chuckled.

"I cannot say how you survived the death of your original mistress, protector, but…I'm grateful that you have. Vessaria could not have asked for a better guardian.

"Yes, sir," Val said, "Thank you, sir."

The Baron nodded thoughtfully, he turned to the matriarchs.

"As you can see, dear ladies. The sworn protector program remains secure, the system is strong, perfect, and always wins."

"The system always wins," every sworn protector in the room parroted the baron's words, even Val, in unison, and in the flat monotone one would expect of a droid, not a person.

Jas was not happy to see that, he looked at Val, her eyes seemed strangely glassy, just like the other protectors.

She is a woman, damn it, he wanted to snarl at the baron, a human being!

How dare you smile when speaking of turning people into living droids!

He almost voiced that opinion, but pulled back at the last second.

His words would do no good, he feared.

Plus, he didn't wish to distract either Vess or the matriarchs, so…he held his tongue…for now.

There would be time to discuss Val and the protectors later.

For now, they needed to focus on Bantoon, freeing it from the usurpers that had stolen it.

Everything else, could wait.

The baron now turned his attention to Jas, those eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses, two lifeless doll's eyes in the face of a powerful nobleman.

"And who is this?" he asked, "To stand at the right hand of our queen, he must be important to her."

It was Vess that answered.

"Friends, allow me to introduce Jas Dar Bynn, a knight of Bantoon, and my most trusted advisor."

"May the Force be with you all," Jas said bowing to his queen's guests and potential allies.

He didn't fail to notice Vess referred to him only as her advisor, nothing more.

He wasn't sure how to take that, but his Jedi training held firm.

Vess knew what she was doing, he would not second guess her.

The youngest matriarch, the one Vess called Tobi, grinned.

"Your…advisor?"

"Yes," Vess answered.

The girl giggled, clearly, she though that he was more…and…she would be right.

What that was, Jas couldn't' say, not yet.

Brother Oswell looked him up and down, his eyes finding the lightsaber on his belt.

The man frowned, he suddenly seemed worried.

"That is a laser sword," the holy man exclaimed, "A Jedi weapon?!"

"This man is a Jedi!" Matriarch Charys gasped.

Matriarch Bedoria frowned.

"Dorma said that Vessaria had allied herself with a smuggler, she said nothing about him being a Jedi?"

"I am no knight of the order," Jas informed them, "I am trained in the ways of the Force, but…"

Matriarch Honoria stepped back, reaching for the knife on her belt.

"He knows the power of the Reevan red-blades that tried to enslave our people. Powers that nearly destroyed us in the days before Bayla the Bold!"

Jas reached out with the Force trying to sooth the matriarchs.

He had no desire to end Vess' campaign before it even began.

"I am no enemy. I have sworn to aid Vessaria, and will not stop until she finds what she seeks."

Vess turned to Honoria, her expression angry.

"It was Ser Jas that plucked me from the Bantoon space port eight years ago. It was he, and his crew, that saw me safely to Alderaan. He has saved my life many times since. He is no enemy to me, you, or Bantoon."

Vess looked over her nobles, her eyes flashing.

"And I do not take kindly to anyone who would insult him!"

It was rare that he had heard steel in the girl's voice, but in that moment, he saw it, the power of the Istillos.

Damn, Jas thought.

It wasn't his lover Vess that had spoken, it was Queen Vessaria IX.

Her words had surprised the nobles as well.

He could sense the tension in the room. It would not take much for the Matriarchs to decide that Vess' cause was not worth it. They could choose to leave, and that was the end of it.

I've endangered her mission, he realized.

I should not have come.

He struggled to think of something to say, but it ended up being unnecessary.

Baron Hudlo spoke up first.

"Friends, do not let the past sabotage the future. I know nothing of this man, besides what I've heard from Lady Janyss and the contacts that Lady Dorma has used to spread Vess' tales on our world."

He smiled at Jas.

"We should not make snap judgments, not until we know more."

"The man was a smuggler, Hudlo," Bedoria said.

The Baron merely shrugged.

"One man's smuggler, is another's independent trader. As a young man, I also dabbled in similar affairs. I was accused of being a smuggler then, and much worse."

Hudlo snorted in amusement.

"Smuggler is such a loaded word, but I do not blame one who was once Finance minister for using it."

Matriarch Bedoria grumbled but fell silent; conceding the point to the man.

He once again turned his attention to Jas.

"As for being a Force user, before settling on Bantoon I travelled far and wide across the galaxy, and I saw many amazing things. What the Force can do is not unknown to me, or those who wield it, and not all of those that I have known have been Jedi, nor have they been enemies."

The Baron shook his head. He once again looked at Val.

"Protector Valenthyne, can this man be trusted?"

"Yes, baron," she replied quickly, "I trust him with my life."

"And mine," Vessaria added, "Jas has sworn to protect me, and has proven it many times."

"Then…I see no reason to revisit this matter," the old man said with a shrug.

"I will trust our queen's wisdom. She says that Ser Jas is with us, so…I shall accept that it is so."

Jas looked at the hologram, unsure of what to say.

He tried to reach out with the Force, reading a hologram was not easy though, sometimes a Jedi could sense the emotions of a person over such a link.

Sadly, he was not skilled enough to do so here.

He was grateful for the man's words, but his emotions were hidden, shrouded by distance perhaps…

…perhaps.

"Friends," Vessaria said, interrupting any further argument, "We cannot forget why we have gathered; the future of our world is at stake."

"My niece speaks true," Charys agreed, "Any argument here aids Adira and her lord husband. The rule of law on our world is being threatened by outsiders. Will we stand idly by while what it means to be Bann is disregarded, cast down and forgotten? Our people's destiny handed to High General Lyron and his Republic friends?"

"Yet, we must be cautious," Honoria added, "As you say, the High General has powerful friends, and would like nothing better than to classify those that speak against him as traitors."

"It is more than that, Honoria," Matriarch Bedoria sighed, "Lyron has always been popular among our fighting men, and has used them to secure several of our cities, and now, with Republic and mining guild support, he is even stronger."

"Plus, there are the Jedi," Matriarch Tobi said, "Adira addressed the matriarchy, she said that the Jedi were coming, that they would insure her rule."

Jas wasn't sure what to make of that, as far as he knew, the council had made no decision on the matter of Bantoon. He couldn't believe that they would act so, not without good reason."

"High General Lyron has powerful friends, and made many allies in the matriarchy and faith," Brother Oswell said, "Those allies will not abandon him without reason."

"The right of succession and the rule of law might not be enough to unseat him." Honoria added.

The holy man turned to her.

"Are you suggesting revolution? Open war in the streets?"

"I will not condone a civil war in my name," Vessaria stated.

The nobles looked at her, and at each other, Jas could sense the uncertainty they all felt, and now…they looked to Vess for support, their queen.

She gave them a sly smile.

"There are alternatives to war, Ser Jas has shown me that. We simply have to find the right one."

"And how do we do that, your grace," the Baron asked.

"We have already started, Baron," the young queen motioned them to come in closer, even Jas and Val, they looked up at the map before them, Bantoon and its moons.

It looked impossible, Jas thought, but remembered that nothing was impossible through the power of the Force.

He trusted in it, it had drawn him back to Vess, and he would trust her.

"Now," she said standing proudly before them, her voice calm and sure, the voice of a queen.

"We can begin."