Hospitality
Part 6
In the dead hours between midnight and dawn, Qui-Gon stood up from his bed and moved silently down the corridors to the Governor�s rooms. The other bodyguards were on duty now, and he avoided them easily with a little mind trick, slipping unnoticed into the office and through it to the apartment. He had to see the body for himself so that he could be counted as a witness. In the light of the bedside lamp, Qui-Gon examined the dead man, removing his clothing and checking the body for anything unusual. And there, on his upper shoulder, was a puncture mark, similar to the one he had seen on Niehstar�s body. So, the stroke had been planned, and was not the result of a painful decision. Quickly, silently, Qui-Gon pulled the clothing back the way it was, and hushed out of the rooms.He had to get word to Teokhian. She was the rightful heir of Harjis now and, being of age, she could negotiate with Betwioh, even without counselors. Qui-Gon had to find a way to communicate with her without Cyning finding out, or even suspecting. The man was obviously planning a coup, and expected Betwioh to get rid of her for him, though Qui-Gon was in no doubt that he had a back-up plan in case the hoped-for execution did not take place.
That morning at breakfast, Qui-Gon said,�Counselor Cyning, I have meditated long and hard about the situation and I feel that I should offer to speak to Governor Betwioh in person. I might be able to convince him to resume the negotiations and compromise on some of your demands. I�m sure he does not want another war, or any other unpleasantness.�
"You�re worried about your Padawan, aren�t you?�
"Forgive me my weakness, but I am. I admit, I was hoping to make sure that he is all right.�Qui-Gon did not mind emphasizing this aspect of the truth if it helped ensure Cyning�s permission.
"Betwioh shouldn�t have tortured him. He�s got nothing to do with this.�
"No, he has not.�
"Well, if you can convince that tail-end of a mud-worm to give in to my demands, your help will be welcome. I don�t like seeing Governor Harjis sacrifice his daughter, but I am oath-bound to help him maintain his oath to his country, and this would make my duty easier.�
"I will do what I can. With your permission, I will leave after the meal.�
"Permission granted.�
They had almost finished eating when a guard came to the door, glanced around the room, then settled his eyes on Qui-Gon.�Master Jinn?�
"Yes?�
"Your Padawan is here. Shall I send him in?�
Qui-Gon felt the first stirrings of anger. What was Obi-Wan thinking? Why hadn�t he obeyed orders and stayed where he was? He�d specifically told him no heroics.�Yes, send him in.�
The brown-clad figure came into the room and bowed to everybody, then came over to Qui-Gon and bowed again.�Master, may I speak to you in private?�
It took all of Qui-Gon�s control to keep his face neutral.�Yes, of course, Padawan. Come with me, please.�
They walked in silence to Qui-Gon�s room and they sat down opposite each other. Raising his eyebrows questioningly, Qui-Gon waited for an explanation.
"Master Jinn, my name is Arun Betwioh, Governor Betwioh is my father. I want your protection. I want to offer myself to Cyning Harjis as a hostage.�
"Is this your idea?�Qui-Gon indicated his clothing and his hair.
"No, it was Obi-Wan�s idea.�Arun saw him inspecting the braid, and smiled self-consciously.�It�s Khian�s hair. Obi-Wan did it. He told me to come to you in this disguise so that Counselor Cyning wouldn�t just have me executed. He said you�d make sure that I was protected. But he thought it might help the peace process if there could be an exchange of hostages. Then everybody would be back where they started, and you could help negotiate a fair treaty for both sides. He said you�d make sure, absolutely sure, that we were exchanged, me for Khian. Master Jinn, I love Khian. I didn�t know that my father was torturing her--them--and I don�t want him to do it again. I don�t want her to be executed, or Obi-Wan, either.�
Qui-Gon sat back and looked at him for a long moment. Then he said,�Sceatt Harjis is dead, and nobody knows it except Cyning Harjis, myself, and now you.�
"Dead? I thought he was ill--my father thinks he is in hiding.�
"Cyning is keeping his death quiet, and by the fact that he wants Khian out of the way as well, I suspect he is planning a coup. I have already asked him for permission to travel to Betwioh Territory this morning, under the guise of persuading your father to give in to his demands. The real reason is to inform Khian that she is now Governor Harjis.�
"She can negotiate with my father and this whole thing could be over in less than a day!�Arun declared excitedly and Qui-Gon shushed him.
"Yes. I�ll have to take you back with me, for your own protection. The way things stand, I do not doubt for a moment that Cyning would hesitate to kill you and make it look like an accident. He wants Khian dead and will not be willing to exchange hostages. Thankfully, he also wants as much territory as he can get his hands on, otherwise I do not think he would be willing to let me go.�
"I�ll come with you. To tell the truth, Master Jinn, I was a bit worried about being a hostage...well, Obi-Wan told me about torture and everything...and Harjis has a reputation for being inhumane...but I would have done it for Khian.�
"It will be all right, Arun. You�ll just have to pretend to be my Padawan until we get out of here. Put your arms in your sleeves like I do. Walk one pace behind me and one step to the right, and nobody will suspect a thing.�
Taking his own robe, Qui-Gon led him back to the dining room, but let him wait in the hall while he went in alone. "Counselor Cyning, I have just received some important information that will help me convince Governor Betwioh to resume the negotiations. With your permission, we will leave immediately.�
"Yes, Master Jinn. Do what you can to help us avoid another war.�
"I will, Governor.�
*****
Obi-Wan glanced up from his position on the floor as Betwioh stepped into his room. He had not been meditating, simply waiting for Betwioh to get back from the city, and now one look at the governor�s face told him the worst.
"Jedi clothing again, Obi-Wan, please,�was all Betwioh said.
"I gave them to Arun, Governor.�
"Arun? What is he doing with your clothes?�
"I sent him to Harjis Territory, to my master. He is disguising himself as me in order to get through, and then he will hand himself over to Harjis as a hostage,�Obi-Wan explained.�Master Jinn will protect him, so that Cyning does not have him executed, but he will be a hostage, and Master Jinn will ask you to exchange Khian for him.�
"I don�t believe you!�Betwioh was suddenly furiously angry.
"It was my idea, but he was willing to go, to protect Khian. He should have been there by now. Perhaps Harjis is already trying to contact you.�
Betwioh looked at him for a moment in disbelief, then shook his head.�My son! You sent my son to Harjis as a hostage! I�ll punish you for this, by all three frozen hells, I�ll make you pay for this!�
He gripped Obi-Wan�s Padawan braid and dragged him out into the corridor, then downstairs, calling for his bodyguards.�Bind his hands behind his back and get him on board the ship. We�re going back to the capitol.� In the governor�s official transport, they flew to the same governmental building as before, and marched straight to the room in the cellar. Releasing the handcuffs, Betwioh pushed Obi-Wan against the wall and personally closed the manacles around his wrists and ankles, then stood there, watching the man place the electrodes on Obi-Wan�s head and neck.�You might have thought it was bad last time, but now it will be even worse.�
He did not start the torture right away, however, but opened a transmission to Cyning Harjis instead, moving the transmitter so that Obi-Wan was able to hear, but not see, and Cyning could not see him.
"I want my son back,�Betwioh growled.
"I don�t have him,�Cyning Harjis replied, surprised.
"Where is Sceatt Harjis?�
"He had a stroke, you know.�
"I�ll believe that when I see him myself! But for now, I have it on good authority that my son is headed for Harjis Territory with the intent of giving himself up as a hostage.�
"What a rash idea. Too bad he hasn�t arrived yet.�
"Where�s Master Jinn?�
"Actually, he�s on his way to you, to help persuade you to agree to our demands. With your son coming here, though, I don�t think you�ll need much persuasion.�
Obi-Wan felt the blood drain away from his face. Qui-Gon wasn�t there? He�d sent Arun into a trap!
"I want an exchange of prisoners as soon as my son gets there.�
"No,�said Cyning in a hard voice.�You can keep Khian. Have her executed if you like. It won�t change a thing. I�ll keep your son here, and you will agree to my demands or you will have seen him for the last time.�
Obi-Wan had that sinking feeling that he had just made things infinitely worse.
Frustrated, Betwioh shut the transmission off, then marched over until he was standing in front of Obi-Wan, then struck him in the face with the butt of his blaster.�Did you hear that? My son is stuck there because of you! Cyning will probably have him tortured, too, if not executed. Interfering Jedi!�
Obi-Wan felt sick. What had he done? He�d been too rash, too headstrong, and had thought only of saving himself a round of torture. Now it was only fair that Betwioh should give him exactly what he�d tried to avoid. He didn�t want to think about what Qui-Gon was going to do to him when he found out how badly his Padawan had messed everything up.�I�m sorry, Governor, I didn�t mean for it to end this way.�
Betwioh hit him again, then went around to the console.�You only had ninety percent last time, Jedi. That was bad enough, wasn�t it. I�m increasing it now to one hundred procent, for twice as long!�
And then there was only pain and the sound of his own screams echoing in his ears.
*****
After arriving in Betwioh Territory and landing in the capitol city, Qui-Gon and Arun were shown to the government building and taken into the cellar. They could hear the tormented screams all the way down the hall and as they approached the room, Arun turned to Qui-Gon, his eyes wide with horror.
"Master Jinn--when you�re dealing with my father--if you want me to be your hostage--I--�
"No, Arun, Jedi do not take hostages.�
"But he�s got Obi-Wan!�
"We will resolve this another way, Arun.�
They entered the room together, and Qui-Gon�s gaze was immediately drawn to Obi-Wan, who was writhing in agony as much as the manacles would let him, and scraping his head against the wall, trying in vain to rub the electrodes off. He had to force himself to look away and address Laisian Betwioh in a loud, commanding voice.�Release my Padawan!�
Betwioh turned and looked from him to Arun, clearly perplexed and not recognising his son until Arun ran forwards and pleaded,�Father, please, let him go!�
"Arun! You�re here!�Betwioh held out his arms for an embrace, but Arun sidestepped him impatiently and started scanning the console, almost crying in empathy for Obi-Wan.�Which one, father, which one shuts it off?�
Betwioh moved the appropriate slide bar down to the zero position, and Obi-Wan�s screams died away as he collapsed, hanging limply from the manacles.
"Release him,�Qui-Gon commanded again, and Betwioh removed the electrodes, then unlocked the cuffs. Obi-Wan slumped to the floor, and Betwioh turned back to his son.�Arun! He told me that you went to Harjis to be a hostage!�
Arun ignored his father for the moment.�Is he dead, Master Jinn?�
"No, he�s still alive.�Qui-Gon had knelt down next to Obi-Wan, turning him on his back and placing a hand on his chest to make sure his heart was still beating. His pulse was more rapid than normal, but still strong, and Qui-Gon breathed silent thanks to the Force.
"Yes, Father, I went to Harjis. It was Obi-Wan�s idea, but I was willing to go, to keep you from torturing them again, to keep you from murdering them! I would have been safe with Master Jinn, but he was coming back here anyway, so he brought me with him.�
"I owe you my thanks, Master Jinn. When I spoke to Cyning Harjis, he said that Arun had not arrived yet but that he would never agree to an exchange of prisoners. I thought my son was gone forever!�
"Torturing my Padawan would not have brought him back, Governor.�Qui-Gon�s voice was cold with barely contained emotion as he stood up.
"No, but he was responsible and he deserved to be punished.�
"He needs medical attention, Governor. I insist that you call a medic.�
"What? Oh, there�s no need for a medic, just let him sleep it off. The torture is painful, but never leaves any lasting damage. Why were you coming back here anyway?�
"I need to speak to Teokhian. I have some information for her.�Qui-Gon looked at Arun. He�d already cautioned the boy not to say anything to his father until the next morning, and now Arun nodded in renewed confirmation.
"She�s back at the estate.�Betwioh stepped out into the hall and called for the guards to bring a stretcher. Arun insisted on staying with the Jedi, all the way into Qui-Gon�s ship, but Governor Betwioh preferred to take his own transportation, and they landed next to each other on the tarmac at the estate. The guards carried Obi-Wan into the castle and up to his room, and Qui-Gon followed, throwing back the covers so that they could place him in the bed. Covering him with a sheet, Qui-Gon then turned to Arun, who led him to Khian�s door and knocked lightly on it himself.
"It�s very late,�he said.�She�s probably asleep already.�
But there was movement inside the room, and then Khian opened the door.�Master Jinn!�
"I must speak to you in private,�he said, and followed her into the room. She shut the door and sat down on the sofa, pulling her robe around her.
"Something�s happened,�she said.
"Yes. Khian, I am so very sorry. Your father is dead.�
"No. He can�t be. I never--�her voice caught and tears started to flow as she continued--�I never got the chance to see him, talk to him. He can�t be dead, he just can�t be!� "I�m very sorry, Khian,�Qui-Gon said again.�I saw his body myself. I want you to know this, because Cyning Harjis will deny it, but I am telling you the truth. He is dead.�
"No...�
"You are now Governor Harjis. I can let you grieve to-night, but to-morrow you must start negotiations with Governor Betwioh. They must be completed as soon as possible.�
"I...yes...to-morrow.�
"I will leave you now. I am so sorry, Khian.�
He went out, back into the corridor where Betwioh was hovering curiously.�Well, Master Jinn?�
"To-morrow, Governor.�With a hint of a bow, Qui-Gon returned to Obi-Wan�s room to watch his sleeping Padawan and wait for dawn.
*****
At breakfast time, Qui-Gon escorted Khian into the dining room, subtly suggesting to Betwioh that she was now under his protection. It was obviously a family affair here, not as ornate or formal as in the Harjis Palace, and he was soon introduced to the other two sons and to Yrnan Betwioh. Arun was as silent as Khian, looking at her in a concerned manner, and she managed a smile for him, but nothing more.
"Arun, who cut your hair like that?�Iorn asked.
"Obi-Wan,�he replied shortly.
"Do you think he could do mine, too? Where is he, anyway?�
"He�s ill,�Betwioh said, all but snapping.
"Oh.�Iorn seemed to slump a little, but during the next gap in the sparse conversation, he suddenly asked,�Master Jinn, did you have to wear earrings, too?�
Qui-Gon turned to the young boy with a smile.�Did Obi-Wan tell you about that?�
"Oh, yes! And did you?�
"No, just Obi-Wan. He was pretending to be the king�s son, not me.�
"I wish I were a Jedi, Master Jinn! I�d like to fly around to all different planets and have all sorts of adventures, just like you and Obi-Wan!�
"If you want to wear earrings like a Jedi, I�ll buy you a pair for your birthday,�Eald teased, and Iorn made a face.�That was only for undercover work, Eald. Master Jinn, can I see your light saber after breakfast, or has my father taken it away from you, too?�
"He has not taken it away, but I�m going to be very busy after breakfast.�
"I thought you were a guest in our house, too. Father, why did you take Obi-Wan�s away, and not Master Jinn�s?�
There was a silence at the table, and then Arun suddenly burst out,�Because Father is keeping Obi-Wan as a hostage, Iorn, and stop asking stupid questions, you�re embarrassing us all!�
"Arun, you may leave the table,�Betwioh snapped. Qui-Gon glanced around. Eald looked shocked, Iorn curious, and Yrnan simply angry.
"For telling the truth, father?�Arun demanded.
"I do not discuss politics at my table, Arun.�
"Father, what does he mean, hostage? I thought Obi-Wan was our guest.�
"He is our guest, Iorn. Arun. Go.�
"See, Arun! If Obi-Wan were a hostage, Father would have him chained up in the cellar somewhere, and torture him and--�
"Iorn, that is enough! Or would you like to leave the table with Arun?�
Arun stood up, flung his napkin down, and flounced out of the room. After a moment, Khian said,�May I be excused, please?�
"No, you may not, especially not if you�re going to run after him. Let Arun feel his punishment and maybe he won�t be so rash to break the rules next time,�said Betwioh, still angry.
Khian looked as though she were going to burst into tears, and Qui-Gon said quickly,�Iorn, I would be happy to show you my light saber after breakfast.�
"Wow! Thanks, Master Jinn! I�m finished already, may I be excused please, Father?�
"Wait until Master Jinn is ready, please.�
Iorn scowled, but Eald quickly asked,�May I see it, too? When you�re finished eating, I mean?�
"Yes, of course.�
The awkwardness was over, and Yrnan smiled gratefully at Qui-Gon. He finished what was on his plate and was about to stand up when the dining room door opened again and Arun burst into the room.�Master Jinn, do you know that Obi-Wan is shaking with chills and fever?�
*****
Obi-Wan opened his eyes, blinking aganst the bright light. Every nerve ending in his body throbbed, and the room spun slowly around him. Through the roaring in his ears, he could hear two people arguing. Their voices were penetratingly loud.
"He is very ill. Get a medic here at once.�That sounded vaguely like Qui-Gon, but it couldn�t be, because his master was on the other side of the planet.
"It�s just a side effect. Let him sleep it off and he�ll be fine.�Was that Betwioh?
"Are you so sure? Have you really seen this that often?�
"It happens sometimes.�
A new voice, softer, joined the conversation.�We�ve got some medicine here for when the children get sick. We can give him something for pain and fever, and if he�s not better by this afternoon, I�ll call a medic myself.�
"Thank you, Yrnan, I would be grateful.�
Silence. He felt the sheet being pulled back, and squinted up to see Yrnan bending over him. She smiled reassuringly and said,�I�m giving you some fever medication.�
The cylinder felt like an explosion against his arm and he cried out, then let himself succumb to the darkness that was creeping up on him.
*****
After Yrnan had administered the cylinder, Qui-Gon waited several minutes to make sure that it was having the desired effect. Iorn was dancing around impatiently in the doorway, and eventually, Qui-Gon decided that Obi-Wan�s temperature was actually receding. He followed the young boy down the stairs and through the house, then outside into the inner bailey. Eald joined them along the way, and Qui-Gon showed them his light saber and even went through one of the katas for them. Then he returned to find Khian, and spent the rest of the morning briefing her on the planet�s situation and making sure she understood the different demands that each side had made on the other. Although she had been away a long time, Khian quickly grasped the main concepts, and they finished just in time for lunch.
*****
The next time Obi-Wan woke up, the pain and dizziness had all but disappeared, but he felt so fatigued that even keeping his eyes open was an effort. He wasn�t even sure that he was really awake, and thought he might still be dreaming, especially when he saw Qui-Gon was standing near the bed, looking down at him with concern. �Hello, Obi-Wan.�
He managed to make a sound that passed for a greeting.
"Feeling better?�
"Mmh hmmh.�
"Do you want to get up and have something to eat?�
"Hunh unh.�
"I never thought I�d see the day that Obi-Wan didn�t want to eat. You really must be dying.�Qui-Gon was smiling as he spoke.
"Mmh hmmh,�he agreed.
"Go back to sleep, Padawan.�