by Джуд Уотсон
"Naturally we oppose such a step," Qui-Gon said. "That's why we are here. We can meet with Leed and assess the situation."
"Bring him home," King Frane said. "And eat your dinner. It is the best Rutan has to offer." Qui-Gon took polite bites. "Meenon has agreed to our coming."
"He is a pig! He is a savage!" King Frane cried. "Do not believe a word he says. He stole my son. What does he know of loyalty? My son is a jewel. I kept up with his progress on their filthy planet. They have annual contests of speed and endurance and skill. He has won every year since he was thirteen. He is a jewel, I tell you. A natural leader!" He thumped the table. "Meant to be my heir. He is the only one who can succeed me! Everything I have, everyone around me is worthless if I cannot have my firstborn son follow me."
Qui-Gon glanced at Taroon. The younger son was pretending not to listen, but King Frane's bellow was certainly audible to him. Why did his father treat him as though he were invisible? He was only a year younger than Leed, a thin, awkward young man with long arms and legs. Was he worthless to his father?
"I will read the truth in Leed's eyes," King Frane continued, heaping another helping of meat onto Qui-Gon's still full plate. "Bring him to me, and I will know. If they will not let him go, I will invade their planet and bring them to their knees. You tell Meenon that."
"Jedi will not deliver a threat," Qui-Gon said firmly. "We will try to persuade your son to come back. We will not force him, or force the government of Senali. But if we bring him back, you cannot force him to stay. I must have your word on that."
"Yes, yes, you have my word. But Leed will want to stay, I guarantee you. The boy knows his duty. I will send my younger son Taroon with you to deliver the threat to Meenon. He will also take Leed's place on Senali when my boy returns home."
"I will not allow Taroon to deliver a threat, either," Qui-Gon said. "If that is your objective, Taroon must stay behind. His presence could compromise a diplomatic mission. Meenon could feel pressured by the presence of someone from the royal family. Besides, Jedi always negotiate alone."
King Frane tore off a piece of meat with his sharp yellow teeth. Craftiness gleamed in his eyes. "I have just signed an order to imprison Meenon's daughter, Yaana, here on Rutan. I hear she is just as beloved to Meenon as Leed is to me. Let him know the pain of a grieving father! What do you think of that, Jedi?"
"It is a mistake," Qui-Gon said quietly. "Meenon will take it as a provocation. It will bring you close to war. I don't think you want that, no matter what you say. Your people do not want war."
"My people want what I tell them to want!" King Frane bellowed furiously. "Am I not king?"
Qui-Gon didn't blink. "We will allow Taroon to accompany us if you rescind your order to imprison Yaana."
King Frane stopped chewing and gave QuiGon a hard stare that lasted several moments. Then he slammed his hand down on the table again. "Done! The Jedi is clever!" He turned to the rest of the table, beaming. "The Jedi will bring Leed home again!"
The rest of the royal party erupted in cheers.
King Frane turned back to Qui-Gon. "In three days," he said. "That is all I give you. If you don't return with Leed, Yaana gets thrown into the foulest prison on Rutan." In another abrupt change of mood, he slapped Qui-Gon on the back. "Now enjoy!"
The rest of the royal party now felt free to relish their food. Conversation rose and buzzed amongst them.
Obi-Wan leaned over and spoke to Qui-Gon. "Taroon does not seem happy to be accompanying us," he said in a low tone.
"I noticed that," Qui-Gon answered. "Yet the negotiation went well. I wanted Taroon with us all along. I suspected that King Frane would imprison Yaana. We have bought her a few more days of freedom."
"But how did you know these things?" Obi-Wan asked, puzzled.
"Find the emotion, predict the deed," Qui-Gon replied. "It was a natural step — it is the only thing King Franc has to threaten Meenon with. King Frane is the type of ruler to lash out in the only way he can. Yet he is afraid of war, so he will allow himself to be persuaded to wait. Now all we have to do is bring back Leed. If we believe he is sincere and wants to remain on Senali, we must help him reconcile his father to his decision. If nothing goes wrong and every party acts with honesty and forgiveness, the situation will resolve itself."
Qui-Gon glanced over at Taroon. The young Rutanian had not joined in the feasting or conversation, but had kept his arms folded. His eyes were watchful and sullen.
"So you don't see danger ahead?" Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon gave a brief smile. "I see tangled loyalties and the potential for misunderstandings. And even the smallest misunderstandings can bring danger when a situation is as volatile as this one. Words do not always echo what is in the heart. And things are rarely as simple as they appear."
Chapter 4
From above, the planet Senali looked like a shining blue jewel. So much of its surface was water that it reflected light and seemed to shimmer. As their transport skimmed over the surface toward Meenon's landing platform, Obi-Wan thought he had never seen such a beautiful world.
The seas seemed to hold a thousand shades of blue and green. Chains of islands dotted the water like necklaces. Lush green foliage and blooming flowers dotted the islands and were planted on the docks of the floating cities. Many of the structures were fashioned out of the branches and fronds of a native tree with bright red bark.
They landed on the royal landing platform and were greeted by several members of the chief's guard. Senali were the same species as Rutanians, but they had a silvery cast to their skin due to the tiny scales that covered their bodies. They were excellent swimmers with unusually strong breath control. Unlike Rutanians, their hair was worn short, and many of them wore headpieces and necklaces fashioned from coral and shells.
The Jedi and Taroon followed the guards into Meenon's dwelling. It was a long, low building that floated on the waters of a deep, green lagoon. The guards led them to an interior courtyard that had been transformed into a blooming garden, with drooping fronds that shaded them from the hot sun.
Meenon was tending to the garden, but straightened up and gave a formal bow to the Jedi when they arrived. He was dressed in a linen tunic and was barefoot. A simple headdress of white shells circled his shaved head.
"I am honored to have the Jedi on my beautiful planet," he said.
"We are honored to be here," Qui-Gon responded. He introduced himself, Obi-Wan, and Taroon. "We would like to see Prince Leed as soon as possible."
"Ah." Meenon looked down at the basket of flowers in his hand. He touched one bloom. "We have a small problem."
Beside him, Obi-Wan felt Taroon tense. "Problem?" Qui-Gon asked neutrally.
Meenon looked up. "Leed has gone into hiding."
Qui-Gon did not react, but studied the leader carefully.
Taroon threw his chest out in a challenge. "What a surprise to hear my brother has disappeared! And you should refer to my brother by his title. He is Prince Leed. You show him disrespect."
Meenon bristled. "We do not believe in titles on Senali. Titles make divisions. We are all equal on Senali, unlike on your barbaric world."
Taroon's eyes glinted. "Unlike primitives, we value our bloodlines."
Qui-Gon inserted himself smoothly into the conversation before it could flare into open argument. "You say that Leed has disappeared. He left no word of where he was going?"
"No," Meenon said, turning his back to Taroon. "I do not know where he is."
Taroon put himself in front of Meenon again. "And you'll swear to this?" he demanded, eyes flashing.
Meenon gazed at Taroon. "I do not need to swear. I do not lie."
Qui-Gon spoke a beat more quickly than his usual reserve. Obi-Wan knew that he was trying to restrain Taroon without seeming to. "This is unfortunate."
Meenon shrugged. "He knew of your coming. I assume that is why he is in hiding. He does not want to return to Rutan."
"We are not here to force him," Qui
-Gon said. "We only wish to talk to him."
"I assured him that if he met with you I would not allow him to be taken back to Rutan by force," Meenon said. "Apparently he has taken matters into his own hands despite my advice."
"We will search for him, with your permission," Qui-Gon said as Taroon fumed beside him. "Can we question the family who brought him up?"
"Here on Senali we live in clans," Meenon said. "I entrusted him to my sister's clan, the Banoosh-Walores. They live one kilometer to the west, on Clear Lake. You are welcome to question them."
Qui-Gon nodded. "We will be in touch."
"I wish you ease and serenity," Meenon said, bowing.
Obi-Wan could feel Taroon's anger as they walked out of the courtyard to exit Meenon's dwelling.
"He wishes us ease and serenity after such news?" Taroon said, disgusted. "He was mocking us!"
"It is a traditional good-bye of the Senali," Qui-Gon remarked mildly.
"This is intolerable!" Taroon continued. "He plays us for fools!"
"Your father will not take this news well," Qui-Gon said. "He will be angry, as you are."
"I am nothing like my father," Taroon said through his teeth.
"I wonder if Meenon knows more than he is telling," Obi-Wan wondered.
"Of course he does," Taroon spit out. "All Senali are treacherous. This is simply a tactic to delay us."
"Let's hope we can learn something from his sister's clan," Qui-Gon said. "Until then, let us remain calm."
They walked out into the bright sunlight. Suddenly Taroon wheeled and kicked a tall flowering bush that stood near the entrance to the dwelling. He attacked it in a frenzy, fists flailing and feet flying. Red petals showered from the bush and soon were strewn all over the walkway.
"Well, I see you have inherited your father's temper, at least," Qui-Gon remarked.
Chapter 5
The red-and-blue dwelling of the BanooshWalore clan was part of the main city of Senali, which was built on floating docks and platforms. The various islands were connected to each other by graceful silver bridges that arched over the blue water.
The brightly painted structure sprawled over a large area. The main part of the dwelling was merely a frame connected with walls of woven fronds that rolled up to let in sea breezes. One wall was let down to protect those inside from the sun. The rest of the house was open on three sides. There was no need to knock. They could see the members of the clan gathered in the large central room.
A tall female Senali with pink coral studded in her short dark hair beckoned them inside. "Meenon said you were arriving. Welcome, welcome! Let me introduce you. I am Ganeed, Meenon's sister. These are my sons Hinen and Jaret, and this is Jaret's wife Mesan and their daughter Tawn. That is Drenna, my youngest, and Wek, my sister's boy, and Nonce, and my husband, Garth, and my father, Tonai. Oh, and there's my elder mother, Nin, and the baby, we call her Bu."
A small boy tugged on Ganeed's tunic. "And me!"
She put a hand on his head. "Of course, Tinta. I didn't forget you. I saved you for last because you are so important."
Obi-Wan nodded to the bustling, busy group. He knew he would never be able to keep the names straight. He had recently begun memory training at the Temple. He could redraw a tech blueprint that he had only glimpsed for ten seconds or recite a complicated formula he had just heard once, but he still was not very skilled at remembering the names of a crowd of living beings. He counted on Qui-Gon to do that.
One of Ganeed's sons, either Jaret or Hinen, sat at a long table, peeling fruit with a young Senali female. Was it Wek or Mesan? The elder Senali stood at a stove, stirring something in a pot that smelled delicious. A young man rocked the baby, and a slender young Senali female with silvery hair sat in a corner, mending a fishing net. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, and he could not distinguish any one voice except for Ganeed, who called for everyone to be quiet. Finally she picked up a pot and spoon and banged on the pot bottom. The clan members finally were still.
"There," she said with satisfaction.
Taroon remained a stiff presence by Obi-Wan's side. Obi-Wan felt just as awkward. He admired the way Qui-Gon swung his leg over a stool and began to speak earnestly with Tinta, admiring a toy in the small boy's hand. Obi-Wan did not have the knack of ease with strangers.
"I should say right away that we have no idea where Leed is," Ganeed said, without waiting for Qui-Gon to ask a question. "He left a note which said only that it would be better for his clan if we did not know."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I see."
One of Ganeed's sons spoke up. "That is just like Leed. He does not like to cause trouble." His wife nodded. "He is very kind."
Ganeed's husband, Garth, chimed in. "Even as a boy his kindness endeared him to everyone. It is a pity such trouble has come to him."
"A pity his father will not listen to reason," Hinen — or was it Jaret? — said.
Obi-Wan saw Taroon's hands clench into fists, hidden by his tunic. The prince was struggling to contain himself. Qui-Gon had warned him to let the Jedi do all the talking.
The elder Nin looked up from the stove. "He always had his own way of doing things, our Leed. Set the table for the meal, Wek, if you please. Will our guests join us?"
"I'm afraid we cannot, but I thank you," Qui-Gon said politely.
The boy Wek began to set places at the long table. He appeared only a year or two younger than Leed. Were they close companions? Obi-Wan wondered.
The same thought must have crossed Qui-Gon's mind. "Is there any special place Leed is fond of going, Wek?" he asked in a kind tone.
Wek placed a bowl on the table. "Well, he likes to swim," he said.
"When he isn't sailing," Jaret or Hinen said.
"True, Jaret," the other son said. At least Obi-Wan could now keep the two of them straight.
"I love to sail!" Tinta cried. "Leed taught me how, and —"
"But he was always walking in the forest, don't forget," Mesan interrupted, turning to Jaret. "That's where I would look —" She stopped abruptly to pick up the baby, Bu, who had begun to fuss.
"He only goes in spring," Nonce broke in over the wailing of the baby. He walked to the stove and began to help Nin, slicing bread for the meal. "He —"
"He goes in summer, too! Everyone goes in summer!" Wek argued. "You just don't notice because —"
"Who goes in summer? It's too hot," Tawn broke in. "Leed likes the cool water and long swims. And —"
"Food," Hinen said, leaning over to snatch a piece of bread off the counter. "Leed likes his meals. He'll be back before long — ow!" he cried as Nonce rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon.
The baby began to cry again, and Jaret took her from Mesan's arms. Tinta began to quarrel with the other young boy.
"I agree with Jaret," Tonai said serenely over the noise of the baby crying and the voices raised in a quarrel. "I would search the forest, not the sea."
"I said the sea, not the forest!" Jaret protested. "You never listen to a word —"
"What do I know anyway?" Tonai broke in, shrugging.
"You know plenty, old man," the elder Nin said. "Except when to go to bed."
"I know when to eat," Tonai said, seating himself at the table with great pleasure. Nin ladled some soup in a bowl.
"I think he went back to Rutan on his own," Garth said. "That would make sense. He did not want to worry us."
A storm of argument broke out over this last suggestion. Jaret and Hinen began to shout. Tinta upset the plate full of bread. Bu began to hiccup, and Jaret handed her to Ganeed.
Ganeed smiled at the Jedi over the baby's shoulder as she patted her back. "You see? We have no idea where Leed could be."
"Even Drenna doesn't know," Tinta said.
Qui-Gon cast his keen gaze on the young boy. "Is Drenna a special friend of Leed's, Tinta?"
"She is closest to him in age," Ganeed said, handing the baby to Mesan.
Obi-Wan shot a searching glance at Drenna for the
first time. Her close-cropped hair almost matched the silvery cast to her dark-blue skin. She raised her silver eyes to the Jedi.
"You can see this place is confusing," she said, making a wry face. "Maybe Leed just wanted some peace and quiet to make up his mind. I think he will return soon."
"Drenna, help Wek set the table," Nin called. "Go sit down, boy, you are underfoot."
"Let's eat," Jaret said. "I'm hungry."
"Well, come to the table, then," Nin scolded. "I can't do everything for you."
Drenna sprang up and began to ladle the food into bowls.
