Hospitality
Part 2
The game ended with Arun and Khian winning by one goal. Despite getting whacked in the legs a few times, Obi-Wan had caught on quickly and managed to assist Eald in several goals. Towards the end, he had managed to make a few of his own. Iorn had even shot a goal, which had excited him so much that he�d thrown up his stick and narrowly missed hitting Obi-Wan in the nose with it. But the shadows were lengthening across the grass, and eventually, Arun called the time. He and Khian put their heads together for a moment, then came apart laughing."And now,�Khian called,�the winning team gets to throw the losing team in the lake!�
Expecting them to start with Iorn, who had got to the heorlan pitch the last, Obi-Wan was taken unawares as they came up on either side of him. Suddenly, he was being propelled towards the water, and before he could offer any serious resistance, they had each gripped an arm and a leg. He hung above the surface for just a moment and then splashed in.
As he came up, spluttering and coughing, Eald and Arun, locked in a tussle, fell in at the same time and almost swamped him. The three of them crept out onto the bank together, grinning at the sight of Khian chasing Iorn around the pitch, and Arun called out,�Oh, let him go, Khian, the little coward!�
In a low voice, he said,�Eald, Obi-Wan, let�s get her!�
They waited a moment until Khian came back, and then they lunged towards her. Obi-Wan managed to catch her legs as Arun and Eald took her by the arms, and she made a very satisfactory splash as she went under.
"All right,�she grinned as she came up again.�I deserved that. There�s just one problem, Arun. I haven�t got any spare clothes here.�
"Neither have I,�Obi-Wan suddenly realised. Everything was still aboard the ship, and the ship was now somewhere on the other side of the planet.
Arun reached out a hand to haul Khian from the water.�You can wear something of mine, then, Obi-Wan. We�re about the same size. And Khian can wear something from...Iorn.�
"I�m not that small!�
"I�d offer you mine, but since I�m actually taller than Arun--�Eald began.
"You are not! Anyway, we can find something that I�ve grown out of.�
They started walking down the path to the house and Iorn, who had been hiding behind a tree, raced on ahead. He must have told Yrnan that they were coming, because she met them in the courtyard with a handful of towels.
"You are not going to drip water all over the house,�she announced.�Strip down and dry yourselves off before you come in. Khian, my dear, you come with me.�
Leading the young lady around to the side entrance of the castle, she hushed her into the equipment room for some privacy. Arun and Eald began to peel off their wet clothing, and after a moment, Obi-Wan did the same. He was just knotting the towel around his waist when Arun suddenly said,�Freezing hells, Obi-Wan, what happened to your back?�
Startled, Obi-Wan tried to look over his shoulder, wondering if he�d got an injury in the game that he hadn�t noticed, but couldn�t see anything. And then he realised what Arun, and now Eald, was staring at, and felt his face turn hot with embarrassment.�Oh...that.�
There was a silence, and he stared over the wall around the island to the water beyond. Trying to keep his voice emotionless, he said simply,�I was tortured. On our last mission.�
"Freezing hells,�said Arun again.�Did they flog you, or what?�
"Yes.�He hoped they didn�t ask more. He didn�t want to remember. He didn�t want to tell them about how it had happened, what they had done to him besides the flogging. Glancing down at his hands, Obi-Wan saw that he had clenched them to fists, and that he was shaking at the memory. Why was he reacting like this? He realised he hadn�t had a chance to get over it. He had only come out of the bacta tank that morning, when the rescue ship had dropped them off close to Aldaraan, and they had flown straight to Khian�s school as soon as he�d got dressed. There hadn�t been time to meditate, to release his feelings to the Force, even to tell Qui-Gon about it. Trying to calm himself, he reached out automatically to the Force, searching for the peace that it brought.
"I�m sorry, Obi-Wan, I had no idea.�
"It�s over now,�he said, trying to convince himself as well.�It doesn�t hurt anymore.�
"Were you in bacta for a long time?�asked Eald.
"About a day. It was already partially healed by the time my master rescued me.�That part was easier to talk about. Obi-Wan turned around to face the brothers once more.
"I got caned once at school, for a practical joke. I could hardly sit down for two days. What I wouldn�t have given for a bacta pack for that!�Eald smiled hesitantly, but Arun did not. He looked sickened, somehow, and after a moment, he said,�I don�t know how one person could do that to another person. I don�t know how you can take it, and still act so...normal.�
"It�s over now,�Obi-Wan repeated. The Force was flowing through him now, bringing the tranquility he longed for, and he almost sighed in relief.�We Jedi get...injured a lot. We don�t focus on it.�
"Well,�said Eald,�I don�t know about you, but I�m starving. Let�s get dressed and then we can eat.�
"I�m starving, too,�said Obi-Wan, smiling fully this time. Arun managed a weak, tentative smile in return, but it soon faded.
*****
Dressed in Arun�s clothing, Obi-Wan sat quietly at dinner, concentrating on the delicious food but aware of Arun and Khian grinning at each other across the table. Khian had already given a report of school on Aldaraan, and there was a gap in the conversation.
"Obi-Wan, is it true that Jedi can talk to each other in their minds?�That was Iorn.
"No, it�s not true,�he replied with a gentle smile.�We can usually sense each other, and sometimes, I can know what my master is feeling, if his emotions are very strong. But we don�t have conversations through the Force, if that�s what you mean.�
"Oh.�Iorn looked disappointed. Then he said,�Father, if you give him back his light saber, maybe he could show us a few moves before bedtime.�
"I don�t think so, Iorn,�said Betwioh.
"I really want to see it, Father!�
"I�ll give it back when he�s ready to leave, and not before.�
"Obi-Wan, tell us about the last planet you visited before you met up with Khian,�said Yrnan, deftly changing the subject, and Obi-Wan found himself struggling to conceal the more brutal facts and still give them an impression of the planet whose name he had never discovered. They listened raptly as he told them how he and his master had helped to free an entire city from slavery, and thankfully did not ask any questions that he did not want to answer, but he was still relieved when the subject changed again.
*****
It was bedtime, but Obi-Wan had not undressed. Instead, he sat on the floor of the bedroom, his eyes closed in meditation. It had been a long, busy day, but he had the feeling it was not over yet, and was not surprised to hear the soft knock on his door.
"Come in,�he called out.
It was Betwioh.�Obi-Wan, would you come with me, please. I�m ready to contact Harjis now. You might be able to talk to your master for a moment.�
"What about Khian?�he asked, standing up.�Is she coming, too?�
"She�s just getting dressed again now.�
They walked down the corridor to Khian�s room and she appeared in the doorway a moment later, tying her hair back and looking eager. As they went down the stairs, she looked at Obi-Wan and remarked,�I haven�t spoken to my father for three years. I hope he recognises me.�
"Didn�t you send holo-transmissions?�Obi-Wan asked.
"We sent letters to each other, under different names. My father was afraid to transmit anything in case Betwioh intercepted it and found out where I was--�she stopped, looking puzzled.�I wonder how he did find out. You didn�t have any trouble finding me. He must have found out everything--but how?�
"A spy? A traitor?�
"There weren�t all that many people who actually knew, and I thought I could trust them all.�
Obi-Wan shrugged, and they went outside to the waiting speeder. It took them to an official-looking ship, and from the estate, they flew to the government buildings in the capitol city. Here, Betwioh took them to a communications room and set up a connection with Harjis.
Sceatt Harjis appeared instantly, as though he had been waiting.�Khian! Are you all right?�
"I�m fine, father. Betwioh has treated me like an honoured guest the entire time.�
"Good, good. Betwioh, I�ve had time to think about your proposals. The life of my daughter is worth more to me than any territory. I�ll give you everything you want.�
"I thought you�d see things my way, Harjis,�Betwioh smiled.
"I want her back. Now.�
"I�ll keep her until the end of the negotiations. You have her own word for it that she�s being treated well.�
"I give you my word as a Harjis that I will do as you say, but now I want her back.�
"I don�t trust you, Harjis. You�ll get her back at the end of the negotiations, when everything is official and has been witnessed by the Jedi.�
Qui-Gon stepped forward and said,�Betwioh, this has been witnessed by the Jedi. You would show true magnaminity by returning his daughter before the negotiations start.�
"I would, yes, but I know from experience that Harjis would immediately try to bargain something else, and keeping his daughter with me is the only way to prevent this. Here, Obi-Wan, tell your master how well you�re being treated here.�
Obi-Wan came to stand next to him.�It�s true, master, we�re being treated as though we�re part of the family. We played a game called heorlan this afternoon and then we threw each other in the lake, that�s why I�m dressed like this. And they�ve got a protocoll droid that can cook even better than you!�
This made Qui-Gon smile, as he�d hoped.
"Governor Betwioh, why don�t you let me visit my father for a few hours and show him that I�m all right, and then I�ll come back willingly to your estate,�Khian suggested, but Betwioh shook his head.�He wouldn�t let you come back. No, I�m sorry, Khian, but this is how it�s going to be.�
He reached out and abruptly ended the transmission.�The negotiations will start to-morrow, Khian. They won�t take long, and you�ll be home soon enough.�
*****
The next day passed much the same for Obi-Wan and Khian, keeping themselves amused with the three Betwioh brothers. They played heorlan again, but didn�t end up in the lake, and wandered around the estate in the afternoon, just talking. Obi-Wan showed Eald and Iorn some of the katas that did not involve a lightsaber while Arun and Khian sat in the shade of a nearby tree and giggled occasionally.
"Obi-Wan,�said Iorn,�now that my father�s not here to listen, you never did answer my question. Have you ever been tortured?�
He�d been expecting the question to come up again eventually, and had had time to consider a non-threatening answer.�Yes. At least, it was like torture to me. I had to wear earrings once.�
"You had to wear earrings?�Eald sat up in astonishment and Iorn made a face.
"I was undercover and I had to blend in,�he explained.�It was the planet I was telling you about last night at dinner. They didn�t have any technology, and so when they wanted to pierce my ears, they did it with a hammer and an awl.�
"Freezing hells!�Iorn cried, and Eald said automatically,�Watch your mouth.�
"But that�s what you always say, Eald! Frizzers, Obi-Wan! Really? I�ll bet that hurt!�
"Yes, really. And yes, it hurt.�Not as much as the real torture, but it had still hurt.
"Have you still got the holes?�Iorn leaned forward to inspect his ears.�No. They�ve healed up. Not even a scar.�
He looked disappointed, and Obi-Wan said,�The bacta healed them perfectly.�
"But I thought bacta left scars,�said Eald.�Or is it just with bigger injuries?�
"Just with bigger ones. They heal, too, and the scars fade with time until you can hardly see them.�Obi-Wan knew what Eald meant, and tried to reassure him about it.
"Have you ever been in a bacta tank?�Iorn pressed.
"Yes, lots of times.�
"What�s it like?�
"Boring. You just float there. If you�re not unconscious, you usually meditate, put yourself in a healing trance.�
"Can you put yourself in a healing trance now?�
"I could, but I�m not hurt, so there wouldn�t be any point.�
"Why don�t you just sneak in and look at him while he�s asleep, Iorn, it probably looks exactly the same!�exclaimed Eald.
"You�re right, it does.�Obi-Wan laughed.
Arun and Khian stood up from under their tree and came over.�What are you talking about?�
"Torture and bacta tanks and healing trances!�Iorn said excitedly.�And what are you two talking about the whole time over there? Or were you just snogging?�
"Didn�t I just tell you to watch your mouth!�Eald cried.
"Snogging�s not a bad word, is it, Obi-Wan?�
"I don�t know. I don�t know what it means.�
Everybody laughed then, and after exchanging glances with Khian, Arun finally explained,�It means kissing.�
"Oh.�
"Do Jedi ever snog?�Khian asked, giggling over the word, and Obi-Wan felt his face burn with embarrassment.
"I suppose so,�he finally managed to answer. And then, to keep her from asking if he had ever done such a thing, he tried to change the subject.�Is it dinnertime soon? I�m starved.�
"Typical male, always thinking about your stomach!�Khian teased.�You�re just like Arun!�
"As a matter of fact, it is dinnertime,�Arun said.�Come on, or we�ll be late.�
"Speaking of dinner, Obi-Wan, do Jedi really eat baby meat?�Iorn asked.
"No, of course not!�Obi-Wan exclaimed. Then he added teasingly,�We wait until they�re just about...your age!�
He made a grab for the boy, who ran off towards the castle, shrieking happily.
*****
For Qui-Gon, the next morning started with the promised communciation from Betwioh. After the announcement by one of Betwioh�s civil servants that the Governor would be contacting him within the hour, Sceatt Harjis sat in front of the transmitter in eager anticipation. Qui-Gon stood behind him, next to Counselor Cyning, and at length, the transmission came through. Khian was there in the foreground, with Betwioh next to her.
"Khian! Are you all right?�Harjis asked.
"I�m fine, father. Betwioh has treated me like an honoured guest the entire time.�
As Harjis began to insist that he would give Betwioh anything he wanted, in exchange for the immediate return of his daughter, Qui-Gon thought to himself that Khian looked content. She obviously had no fears of being tortured, probably had no idea that anything like that could happen, but the lack of fear was not the only thing he could sense in her. There was something else, something he couldn�t quite identify. In any case, she looked almost radiant.
"I don�t trust you, Harjis,�Betwioh was saying now.�You�ll get her back at the end of the negotiations, when everything is official and has been witnessed by the Jedi.�
Qui-Gon felt compelled to step forward and say,�Betwioh, this has been witnessed by the Jedi. You would show true magnaminity by returning his daughter before the negotiations start.�
"I would, yes, but I know from experience that Harjis would immediately try to bargain something else, and keeping his daughter with me is the only way to prevent this. Here, Obi-Wan, tell your master how well you�re being treated here.�
Obi-Wan came into the picture from the side. Qui-Gon couldn�t help twitching an eyebrow at what his Padawan was wearing, but the clothes were certainly more concealing than what they�d been given to wear on the last planet they�d visited before Alderaan.
"It�s true, master, we�re being treated as though we�re part of the family,�Obi-Wan said. He looked happy enough. Qui-Gon hadn�t been entirely easy in his mind about leaving his apprentice behind in yet another hostage situation, but now he felt his fears had been ungrounded--at least for now.�We played a game called heorlan this afternoon and then we threw each other in the lake, that�s why I�m dressed like this. And they�ve got a protocoll droid that can cook even better than you!�
That last statement made Qui-Gon smile. No, Obi-Wan was definitely not suffering if he could make jokes about his master�s cooking. He almost sounded like he was having fun. That was good. After having been brutally tortured on that uncivilized planet, Obi-Wan needed time to relax and recover.
The transmission ended abruptly, and Qui-Gon blinked. He�d missed actively concentrating on the last few sentences and had to reconstruct them in his mind. Khian had been willing to return to Betwioh Territory if she were allowed to visit her father even for a few hours, but Betwioh had refused. The negotiations were scheduled to start in about twelve hours anyway, in a city located in a neutral strip of land between the two territories, and if Harjis was willing to give in to all of Betwioh�s demands as he�d claimed, the talks wouldn�t last long.
"Master Jinn, would you care to take your breakfast with me?�asked Harjis.�You can get started on your spying business afterwards. A man always works better on a full stomach.�
"Thank you, I would be honoured,�Qui-Gon replied. He followed Sceatt Harjis, Cyning Harjis, and their four bodyguards into the vast, ornate dining room, where other people were already starting to assemble. Governor Harjis made sure that Qui-Gon was shown to a place on his right hand side.
"Khian always ate with me,�Harjis said as they sat down and the droids began to serve.�I miss her still, after three whole years. She was always so cheerful and active--is she still like that?�
"Yes, she seems very cheerful,�Qui-Gon confirmed.�I did not have the chance to get to know her very well, however. The flight from Aldaraan was relatively short, and she slept through most of it.�
"She does love her sports, Master Jinn. Sometimes I think she�ll never be able to sit still. I worry about her not being able to get through Cabinet meetings and matters of state without having to jump up and run around the palace a few times.�
"Is she your only child, Governor?�
"Yes, and the best one a father could want. Do you have any children yourself?�
"No, none of my own. I have an apprentice, however, who is almost like a son to me.�
"That�s the boy whom we saw?�Cyning Harjis asked, sliding smoothly into the conversation.�You seemed a bit worried about him.�
"Obi-Wan, yes,�Qui-Gon agreed, but saw no need to reveal his concerns for his Padawan any further.
"Then you know what I�m going through, sitting here worried about what that monster might do to my daughter,�Harjis growled.
"Yes, I know. The waiting is the hardest part. Patience is a lesson to be relearned daily.�
"Jedi wisdom, huh?�Harjis grimaced for a moment, then sighed.�But true. Very true.�