What's in a Name?
Part 1
"What else do you know about Pira�a, young Padawan?�Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn asked his apprentice."They don�t have droids there. They don�t even allow them on the planet,�said Obi-Wan Kenobi, keeping one eye on the controls of the small cruiser that he was piloting.�And they�re supposed to have the fastest, most efficient system of justice in the Republic.�
"That�s not a rumour; it�s true.�
"But I still don�t understand why they think a Jedi must be involved in the disappearance of this girl,� Obi-Wan Kenobi stated, wrinkling his forehead slightly in confusion.
"Our reputation precedes us, and our abilities grow with every re-telling,�Qui-Gon smiled.�Pira�a is far enough away from Coruscant that Jedi are rarely seen there. They have an exaggerated idea of what we can do.�
"If any Jedi were involved, she�d be halfway across the galaxy by now and impossible to trace.�
"I don�t think any Jedi have even been near this system for years,�Qui-Gon mused.�And as far as I could check, all the other masters and Padawans are accounted for elsewhere. That means there�s something else going on there. It must be a measure of their desperation that they�ve sent such a message asking for our help. They�ve had very little previous contact with Coruscant.�
"A girl disappears right before her marriage. A small speeder is found crashed in the mountains, far beyond its normal range. They�ve been searching for more than four days, and their sensors only get faulty readings or none at all.�Obi-Wan shook his head.�Naturally, they assume that a Jedi is hiding there in the forest, manipulating the sensors in order to shield the girl and let the animosity between the two houses continue. And then they send for us, other Jedis, to find the girl and prevent civil war. It just doesn�t make sense.�
"It�s not exactly logical, but it is human to turn for help to those who have experience in solving such problems,�Qui-Gon said.�I still feel that there is more to this than they�ve told us on the hologram. Something to do with the Force, perhaps, but not necessarily with a Jedi.�
He was silent for a moment, then added,�The Force is not unknown on Pira�a. Some Jedi knights in the past were even born there. If the Force leads us, we might even find a promising youngster to take back to Coruscant for testing.�
For one quick second, Obi-Wan saw a vision of a face. It was too quick to know if it was male or female, young or old, though he felt fairly certain that it was not a child�s face.�I also feel that the Force will lead us to someone, Master.�
Qui-Gon nodded approvingly, and Obi-Wan turned back to the controls, bringing the cruiser out of hyperspace. For a moment, the stars seemed to race past the cockpit as long streaks, but then, as they slowed, the streaks became shorter and disappeared, and the planet of Pira�a was there ahead of them, glowing green and blue.
Obi-Wan set the cruiser down on the public landing strip of the main city, following the directions he�d received from transportation control. Turning off the engines, he left the cockpit, gathering up his brown Jedi robe on the way from the seat beside him. He pulled it on and followed Qui-Gon down the open loading ramp. It was evening in the main city, and the sky was completely overcast. On the ground, a cluster of people were waiting for them in a sharp wet wind that whipped their hair and clothing. Then a man of middle age came forward, bowing slightly. He was dressed in a red coat, a colour that flattered his short dark hair.
"Honoured Jedi Masters, my name is Bodar of the House of Krata�an. Please be welcome.�
"Qui-Gon Jinn,�the Jedi Master announced, also bowing.�My Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.�
The next man smiled suddenly as though amused, then quickly bowed. He was younger, with longer, lighter hair, purple clothing that did not suit him, and an earring in one ear.�I am Nurno, of the House of Freda�un. Please be welcome.�
It seemed that the representatives of both houses were determined to keep an uneasy truce and that every meeting would be on neutral ground. The Jedi were taken to a large tent that was grotesquely set up in the middle of what, in the summer, would have been a beautiful garden in the middle of the city. At the round table, Bodar and Nurno took seats exactly opposite each other, and a third man, older than the other two, took the remaining position across from the Jedis. At Qui-Gon�s questioning look, he explained,�I am the President of the Union of Guilds and therefore Constable and Lawspeaker of this city. My name is Zarquo.�
"You are a neutral observer?�
"I renounced any allegiance to any house on Pira�a when I joined the Guild.�
Qui-Gon nodded approvingly.�Then perhaps you�d like to begin, Constable, and tell us exactly what the problem is.�
"Less than a year ago, Nurno of Freda�un lost his first wife in an accident,�Zarquo began.�He expressed an interest in marrying the oldest daughter of Bodar of Krata�an. After much consultation, an agreement was made. The dowry was given to Nurno in a special ceremony five days ago, and the wedding was to take place the next day. In the night, the bride-to-be disappeared. There was a small speeder missing as well, which was later discovered crashed near the mountains. We�ve been scanning the area around the speeder since then, but either the sensors pick up nothing, or they malfunction completely. Human searchers have also found no trace of her; no footprints, nothing. It is the opinion of both gentlemen that someone is shielding the girl, someone with the ability to manipulate humans and equipment. After the visit of Master Hak-Lyn Dayar and his Padawan to Pira�a ten or eleven years ago, we know that only Jedi have this ability. That is all, Master Jinn.�
"But Jedi wouldn�t do that--�Obi-Wan burst out and was silenced by a hand on his leg.
"That was an extremely neutral report. Thank you, Constable Zarquo.�Qui-Gon leaned back thoughtfully in his chair.
Almost immediately, Nurno exclaimed,�This entire situation is nothing but an insult for the House of Freda�un! I was ready to forget the feud between our houses. I was ready to take Bodar�s oldest daughter off his hands. But now they�ve found a renegade Jedi and bribed him to hide the girl, in the hope that I�ll give up and look elsewhere for a bride. They want to humiliate me by forcing me to choose a wife of lower rank or from a lower house!�
"I will not hear such things!�Bodar retaliated.�I also believed that we could forget our differences. But how do I know that the House of Freda�un has not paid a Jedi knight--a renegade--to kidnap my daughter, to take what I was already willing to give! No doubt they want to insult the house of Krata�an by proving they can snatch our most valued possession! Of course they�d need a Jedi to get past our security system. No one from the house of Freda�un could manage it!�
"If we had wanted to do such a ridiculous thing, we wouldn�t have to bother with a Jedi. Anyway, she�s hardly your most valued possession,�Nurno said scornfully.�You do have two other daughters, and both prettier, I might add.�
"They are younger daughters, Master Jinn,�Bodar stated, turning to the Jedi in appeal.�Our law states that a younger daughter may not marry until the oldest daughter has. As long as she is not known to be dead or married, none of the younger daughters may marry, and my house will die out! It�s a malicious plan!�
"And you have sent out search parties from both houses,�Qui-Gon interrupted smoothly, sketching a gesture in the air.
Both men blinked, confused at the sudden change of subject, then nodded. Obi-Wan glanced from one to the other, feeling how Qui-Gon was using the Force to influence the men, calming their temperaments, letting further insults go unspoken. It was a useful trick that demanded complete impartiality, and he himself was still trying to master it completely.
"Do you have a map of the area? Show me where the speeder was discovered.�
Constable Zarquo silently produced a hologram transmitter, laid on the table, and switched it on. An image of the main continent of Pira�a appeared. The capitol and other cities were shown in miniature format in the west, with the Great Forest close by, divided by a range of mountains, then plainland beyond it, and assorted strips of forest between that and the eastern sea. A blinking red light showed the location of the speeder in the middle of the Great Forest, close to the mountains.
"And there are no magnetic anomalies there, anything that would interfere with sensors?�
"No, Master. The area has always been unusually easy to scan, in fact.�
Qui-Gon stared silently at the hologram for a moment, then said,�It is already dark, and we will need time to consider. I must consult with my Padawan and we will listen to the Force.�
"An apartment has been arranged for you and your apprentice here in the city,�Nurno said, giving Bodar a grudging look.
"Please follow Constable Zarquo,�Bodar added, giving Nurno an equally grudging look.�He will take you there.�
*****
"Tell me your impressions, young Padawan,�Qui-Gon invited.�What did you feel through the power of the Force?�
They had eaten and were now seated on comfortable sofas in the apartment that Constable Zarquo had alloted them in a building close to the park. Obi-Wan leaned forward slightly, staring at a point left of Qui-Gon�s shoulder to concentrate his thoughts.�Bodar was angry and afraid for his daughter. There was only anger in Nurno--anger and hate.�
"They each accused the other of knowing where the girl was.�
"I didn�t sense--I don�t think either of them knows where she is.�Obi-Wan recalled the conversation and stopped at a point that didn�t make sense to him.�Master--there aren�t any renegade Jedi, are there?�
"No. And that raises questions, Obi-Wan. How did she disappear, and why? Who is shielding her, if anybody?�
"Where is she, and how has she managed to evade the searchers for four days--five now?�
"Reach out with the Force, young Padawan, and let�s see if we can locate her.�Qui-Gon had already closed his eyes, and Obi-Wan obediently closed his, extending his thoughts to the Great Forest, hoping to sense something, anything that would help them find the girl. He thought of calling her name, but realised he didn�t even know it, and concentrated instead on feeling any flicker in the Force, any sign of human life in that vast expanse.
When it came, at long last, it was so slight that he almost missed it, but Qui-Gon opened his eyes, sitting upright in satisfaction.�She�s there. She�s alive, but I think she must be asleep. We�ll try again to-morrow.�
*****
Tai�hal awoke with a start, using all her senses at once to scan the surrounding area. No, no one was there and for the moment, there was no danger. She could feel the panic inside her drain away, leaving her only hungry, damp, and cold. Standing up, she shook the water off the silver survival blanket that had kept most of the rain off her in the night, then wrapped it around her head and shoulders. She�d dreamed about him again, the man with the dark blond hair cut short except for a thin braid at his right ear, blue eyes, and a blue light saber in his hands. The man who would be her husband, the father of her children. The Jedi Padawan. She wondered when she would find him, and where.
She took up the plastic box that she had set out overnight to collect rainwater, and drank it down without pausing. It tasted good, cold and clean. Although she would have liked to remain long enough to collect more, she put it away in her pack. The need to continue walking was still there, perhaps even stronger than before. Turning her back on where the sun was invisible behind the clouds and the fog, she started moving wearily through the trees, trying not to think about breakfast although her stomach cramped in protest. She had brought food with her when she�d fled the city, but she�d eaten the last of it two evenings ago. Since then, she had not even seen a nut tree. She was tired, too, tired of walking all day and waking up in the night for fear that a nawei or other animal was near. Putting it firmly out of her mind, she listened for speeders, wondering when they would fly over to resume the search.
*****
"I dreamed that I was married to her,�Obi-Wan announced at breakfast.�She was beautiful. We were happy together.�
"And is the wedding to-day, is that why you woke me up before dawn?�
"I wanted to get an early start. She�s been out there long enough--too long.�
"She�ll still be there when we�ve finished eating. Don�t be so impatient, young Padawan.�
"Yes, Master.�Obi-Wan tried to sound properly crestfallen, but couldn�t help smiling, and Qui-Gon laughed tolerantly.
After they had eaten, Qui-Gon indicated that Obi-Wan should try to locate the girl on his own. He closed his eyes, using the Force to reach out with his thoughts, sweeping through the Great Forest until--yes--there it was, the sudden connection with another personality.
"She�s alive,�he reported, his eyes still shut in concentration.�And alone. She�s not hurt, but she�s frightened, and hungry.�
Qui-Gon nodded approvingly.�And where shall we look for her?�
"Not close to the speeder. Closer to the city.� Obi-Wan gave a sudden gasp, jerking his head backwards as his eyes snapped open.
"What happened?�
"She hit me with the Force!� "She lashed out in fear, not anger,�Qui-Gon analysed.�Very strong, but not controlled.�
"She�s using the Force to manipulate their sensors, that�s how she�s managed to stay hidden for so long!�Obi-Wan reached for the thin braid of hair that dangled behind his right ear, twisting the end of it contemplatively around his fingers, then dropped it at a look from Qui-Gon.�But why? Why would she want to hide for so long and what�s frightening her?�
"We must speak to her alone and gain her confidence.�Qui-Gon stared at the remaining fruit in the bowl. �I feel it would be wrong to turn her over to her father without discovering the reason for her flight.�
He picked up one of the fruits and weighed it in his hand.�This might come in handy.�
*****
"Talk to her?�Nurno repeated dumbfoundedly.�What�s to talk about? Just help us to find her!�
"As her father, I really must insist that I accompany you,�Bodar began to explain, but was cut off by Qui-Gon saying smoothly,�Nobody would be expecting two Jedi to be out searching for your daughter. If we went alone, we would have the advantage of surprise. If you were with us, I fear we would not be successful.�
"Just bring her back alive,�Bodar said, and Nurno added sourly,�Just bring her back.�
They used their own ship, Qui-Gon politely rejecting the offer of a speeder, and took off, flying slowly over the trees. As always, Obi-Wan piloted while Qui-Gon stared out into the forest ahead of them, using the Force to sense where the girl was.�A little more to the north...a little more...straight ahead now.�
Finally, he announced,�Set it down somewhere here, Obi-Wan.�
A quick scan of the area showed a little clearing close to a stream, about twice the size of a cruiser, and Obi-Wan maneuvered into the middle of it, his own feelings confirming that this was the right place. It had rained all the time while they were flying, and Obi-Wan found himself feeling sorry for the girl, stuck out in this weather for so many days. He and Qui-Gon exchanged their Jedi robes for waterproof coats and flipped up the hoods as soon as they had descended the loading ramp.
"She�s here. Over in that direction. Let�s split up and pretend we�re surveying the area. You go that way, I�ll go this way, and we�ll circle around towards her.�
*****
Tai�hal was on constant alert as she walked, sweeping the surrounding area regularly with her enhanced senses, but the sound of the ship landing was audible even to normal ears. Was it a coincidence that it was setting down so close to her, or not? There�d been that feeling in her mind, almost a voice, a sudden sense of someone searching for her, and although she�d lashed out with the Force, trying desperately to break the connection, she began to be afraid that she had unwittingly betrayed herself. Despite her exhaustion, she began to move faster, eager to put more distance between her and the ship.
As she walked, Tai�hal rolled her feet to minimize the noise, and tried to avoid brushing against branches. The wind blew a sudden gust of rain into her face, and she shivered with cold. Her stomach growled with hunger, and she froze, afraid that someone would hear. But there was no one there when she looked around, and she hastily continued walking. She didn�t see the man until she�d moved around a particularly large tree, and then suddenly he was right in front of her. Gasping with the shock, she stared dumbfoundedly at him, too surprised to turn and run away.
"Hello,�said the man simply.
"Hello,�Tai�hal replied automatically. He was tall and under the hood of his waterproof coat she could see that he sported a short, greying beard. He also seemed to radiate goodness and benevolence, not ill-concealed malice like Nurno, or just plain nonchalance like her father, and almost immediately, she knew why.
"You�re a Jedi,�she exclaimed.�A Master.�
"Yes,�he smiled.�My name is Qui-Gon Jinn.�
He waited expectantly for her to give her own name, but Tai�hal said nothing, and after a moment, he remarked,�What are you doing out here, in weather like this?�
"I am waiting for the man of my dreams,�Tai�hal replied truthfully.
Master Jinn smiled.�Does he look like me?�
"No,�she said, then asked,�Do you have a Padawan?�
"I do, actually. Come back to my ship with me. You can get out of this rain and have something hot to eat while we wait for him.�He gestured with his hand, but Tai�hal hesitated. The thought of food was compelling, however, and then there was the Padawan. She had to see him, see if he was the one she was waiting for. At length, she nodded, and they walked to the ship together.
"This man of your dreams,�Master Jinn said conversationally as they strolled along.�Did you arrange to meet him here?�
"No,�Tai�hal replied, then asked,�Did you mean to land on Pira�a, or did you come here by accident?�
"We have business in one of the cities.�
"All the large cities are to the west of the Great Forest, by the sea. If you head in that direction, your sensors will soon show you where they are.�
"I shall keep that in mind. Thank you.�They had reached the ship by now, and Master Jinn pressed the button on the control that brought the loading ramp down. He indicated for Tai�hal to board, but they were interrupted by the sound of someone crashing through the trees and bushes behind them.
Tai�hal turned around abruptly, cursing herself for having let her guard down, then realised that it must be the Jedi Padawan who was racing in their direction.
"Oh, you found her,�he called out eagerly as he got closer.�I thought I sensed her making for the ship. I didn�t know you were with her, Master.�
"It�s all right--�Master Jinn began, but Tai�hal realised with sudden, sickening clarity that the Jedi had not landed here by accident, as she had believed. Instead, they had been out searching for her--and she had almost walked right into their trap! Had her father sent them--or Nurno? It didn�t matter. She turned and ran, choosing a course between the two men that led her deeper into the forest, panting the word �no� with every breath. She lost hold of the survival blanket and it flattered away behind her, but she didn�t stop.
"We just want to talk to you!�she heard the Padawan shout, and then he started running, too.
Tai�hal had almost reached the edge of the forest when it seemed that a dead branch lying in her path suddenly lifted itself up and snagged her ankle. She fell hard, banging her head against the trunk of a tree, and remained prostrate in the mud, sobbing with pain and anger and frustration.
"I�m sorry, but we want to talk to you,�the Padawan said, coming closer. He reached out to help her up, but she shrugged off his hand and got up to a sitting position by herself. Her head throbbed, and when she took her hand away, there was blood on her fingers.
"Come to the ship,�he said, gesturing at her.�We�ve got a emergency medical box on board.�
"No!�Tai�hal trembled with the effort of fighting the compulsion to do exactly what the Jedi suggested.
"Then I�ll bring it to you. Stay there,�Master Jinn said, and disappeared up the ramp.
Tai�hal immediately seized the opportunity, glancing around for anything she could use as a weapon, and caught sight of a group of small boulders near the other side of the clearing. As she lifted them with the power of the Force, she stood up to distract the Jedi Padawan. He stepped back to give her room, and, edging away, she sent the boulders flying towards him. Reacting instinctively to the danger, he spun around, his light saber already in his hands and activated. He managed to deflect the highest boulder, but two of the others slammed into him and he fell backwards into a heap.
Emerging from the ship again with the box in his hand, Master Jinn gave a shout, and Tai�hal suddenly felt a burst of the Force knock her down to a sitting position again. She wanted to inch away, but Master Jinn was coming forward with one hand extended in her direction and she was strangely powerless to move. As the Padawan struggled to get up, clasping his left knee with both hands and bending over it with a cry of pain, the hood of his waterproof cloak fell back to reveal his head. Tai�hal gasped in horror. It was him! The man from her dreams! The long, stern face, the dark blond hair clipped very short, the thin braid that dangled behind his right ear, the blue light saber--that was him!
"Oh, no!�she exclaimed, aghast.�What have I done! I didn�t know it was you! I�m sorry--I didn�t know! I�m sorry! Let me help. Please.�
Master Jinn lowered his hand, and she found that she could move again. Kneeling down by the Padawan, she reached out and placed her fingers gently on his leg. She could feel his pain now; the sharp agony of the broken bones and deeply bruised flesh. Closing her eyes, she sent her consciousness further in until she was able to identify every cell and begin repairs. That one here, this one there...her energy was dwindling, she had to concentrate better...a little more there...not enough yet...she was weakening...concentrate...there. She opened her eyes, dizzy now with sudden, total exhaustion.
The Jedi Padawan sat up, flexing his leg and staring at her in astonishment.�You healed it. You�re not a Jedi, but you used the Force to heal it. How did you do that without training?�
"I trained myself,�Tai�hal replied. It was an effort to move her mouth at all. Her voice seemed faint, very far away, and the forest around her was no longer green and grey, but black.