What's in a Name?
Part 2
Obi-Wan caught the girl automatically as she collapsed, then turned to face Qui-Gon.�How did she do that?�The Jedi Master seemed as perplexed as he was, but conjectured,�We can use the Force to move large objects. Why not be able to use it to move very small things, like bone cells or blood cells? Come, let�s get her aboard the ship. She�ll need rest before we can speak to her.�
Obi-Wan carried her inside and placed her on the narrow bed in his own tiny cabin, and Qui-Gon helped him remove the girl�s damp jacket and boots. Opening a small compartment in the wall, Qui-Gon pulled out the flexible plastic cuff of the medical surveillance system and fastened it around her wrist. It was standard equipment aboard every Coruscant ship, though the Jedi rarely used it. Studying the tiny screen, he said,�Exhaustion. Her reserves are depleted, but not to a dangerous level. Let her sleep now, we�ll give her something to eat when she wakes up, and she�ll be fine.�
Qui-Gon turned and went out, but Obi-Wan remained. Pulling the cover up to her chest, he stared down at her for several minutes. Was this the girl he had dreamed about? It couldn�t be. He�d been so eager to find her and now he felt betrayed. The thought of marriage itself had not dismayed him. Obi-Wan known all his life that most Jedi found a mate through the influence of the Force and lately he had started to wonder when his turn would come. But this! The Force couldn�t have led him to her! He had truly believed that, when they found her, she would be as beautiful as the girl he�d seen in the vision. But she wasn�t, she was plain. Surely, he thought, the vision had shown him someone else, and he had only got it mixed up in his own mind with the girl they�d been looking for. That was it. Of course it wasn�t the same girl. In the vision, she�d had very short hair, as short as than his own. This girl�s hair was long, caught back in a tangled plait, dirty and wet from her time in the forest. Wishing he felt relieved at this simple solution, he turned and went back into the main part of the ship, feeling only miserable.
Qui-Gon had opened the medical box and removed a microscopic scanner, and Obi-Wan scowled at the expectant look on his Master�s face.
"It�s fine, Master, really.�
"I�d like to check her handiwork, that�s all.�
Sighing impatiently, Obi-Wan removed his waterproof coat, draped it over one of the seats, then sat down on another one and stretched out his leg for Qui-Gon to scan.
"Well?�
"A bad break. Oh, there�s no doubt it�s completely healed, but there are a few rough edges. You can still see where it was. Considering her lack of formal training, though, it�s very well done. I�ll report this to Master Yoda. Perhaps we can incorporate this aspect of the Force into our own training.�
"The girl said she�d trained herself.�
"It�s probable. She is very strong-minded and not at all easy to influence. Just like you, really.�Qui-Gon smiled, but Obi-Wan did not.
"She seemed to recognise me. She said,�I didn�t know it was you.��
"When I met her, I asked her what she was doing here in the forest, and she said she was waiting for the man of her dreams,�Qui-Gon said, smiling gently.
"Do you think she dreamed about me?�Obi-Wan hoped she hadn�t.
"Why not? You said you dreamed about her.�
"It wasn�t a true dream.�
"I thought it was.�Qui-Gon looked at him curiously.
"I mean, she�s not the girl I dreamed about.�
"What makes you so certain?�
Obi-Wan ignored the question by standing up and trying to change the subject.�Should I fly us back to the city now, Master?�
"No. We�ll wait here until she wakes up. I want to talk to her away from her father and Nurno.�Qui-Gon�s voice turned stern.�Obi-Wan, why are you so certain she�s not the girl you dreamed about?�
"Tthe girl in my dream had short hair, not long.�
"Hair can change.�Qui-Gon waited.
"I dreamed she was beautiful, Master, and she�s not.�He couldn�t help sounding sullen.
"Do you remember when you were very young, Obi-Wan? You used to be frightened of Ki-Adi-Mundi until you learned to see him with the Force.�
Obi-Wan nodded reluctantly, remembering how long it had taken him to get used to the grotesquely shaped head of the Jedi Council Member.
"The Force can show us things the way they really are, and not just the way our eyes see them. Think about that, young Padawan. Trust the Force.�
Obi-Wan remained silent with refusal, and Qui-Gon sighed, shaking his head slightly.�It�s your decision. I will not interfere.�
*****
Tai�hal opened her eyes, responding to the sharp ache of hunger, then sat up in surprise, staring at the Jedi Master standing next to her.
"Well,�he said with a smile.�You�ve slept more than a day. I just wanted to make sure you were still alive.�
She felt a pull on her wrist and glanced down in alarm at the cuff around it.�Am I your prisoner now?�
"No,�he said, sounding surprised.�Oh. That�s just the medical surveillance system. See, it says you need something to eat.�
He pointed to the screen, then undid the cuff and added,�My Padawan and I were just about to have some lunch. Sit down and eat with us, and we can talk.�
He turned to lead her into the main part of the ship and she followed him to where the younger Jedi was taking a steaming plate out of a food unit in the wall. He saw her and hesitated, then finally placed the food on the table and gestured for her to sit down.
"Go ahead,�said Master Jinn, taking a seat next to her.�Don�t wait for us.�
Too hungry to be polite, Tai�hal took a bite, immediately burning her mouth.
"Careful,�the Padawan warned.�It�s hot.�
Tai�hal, drowning the pain in the cup of liquid provided, simply nodded. The Padawan put another plate on the table for Master Jinn, then got one for himself and sat down across from him.
"This is my Padawan,�said Master Jinn.�Obi-Wan Kenobi.�
Had she heard correctly? His name was Obuwon? No, Obi-Wan, but it sounded almost the same. She mustn�t smile at that, she thought, even as her lips twitched. Choosing his title instead, she repeated,�Padawan Kenobi. Master Jinn.�
"Is it considered impolite to ask a woman of Pira�a for her name?�Master Jinn asked.
"Tai�hal, the daughter of Bodar, of the House of Krata�an,�she recited as soon as her mouth was empty.
"Tai�hal. That�s pretty.�
"It means Hope-Son. My father was hoping for a son.�Now why did she feel compelled to tell him that?
"So we gathered,�Master Jinn commented.
Looking directly at him, Tai�hal guessed,�He asked you to come and find me.�
"Yes,�he agreed.
"And now you�re going to bring me back to him.�
"Not just yet.�
Tai�hal looked surprised, and the Jedi Master continued,�It�s obvious that you weren�t kidnapped and held in the forest against your will, as your father seems to think. You ran away, and you�ve been using the Force ever since to confuse the searchers and keep them from finding you. We can both feel that you�re frightened and you don�t want to go back. Now tell us why.�
Forking over what was left on her plate for a moment, Tai�hal looked up again and said,�Master Nurno was planning to kill me.�
"What?�the Padawan spluttered in astonishment, but Master Jinn only raised his eyebrows and gestured for her to continue.
"There is a law on Pira�a, that the oldest daughter must marry before the younger daughters may,�she explained, and saw them both nodding in agreement. Had her father told them that--or Master Nurno?�It was always obvious that Master Nurno was very attracted to my younger sister. She is very beautiful and, I think, more suited in temperament to him. But until last winter, Master Nurno was married--and I was not. His wife died in an accident, and after half a year, Master Nurno was free to marry again. He asked my father for my hand. It was the only offer of marriage I had ever received--the only one I might ever receive--and my father did not hesitate to say yes. I knew Master Nurno didn�t love me, but I thought we could come to an arrangement...�
She let her voice trail off, swallowed a bite of food without tasting it, and began again.�At the dowry ceremony, I could hear--no--feel his thoughts. He thought I was ugly--he was disgusted by me! All during the meal, I could feel him planning to push me down a particularly long flight of stairs so that I would break my neck and he could then ask my father for my younger sister. By the time we got to the kiss, he�d decided to do it directly after the marriage, on our way to his chamber. He kept going over it in his mind again and again, adding more details each time--it was sickening!�
She skipped over the memory of how she�d rushed away into the privy after the obligatory kiss and had been very sick, then had washed--scrubbed--her face three or four times to remove the feeling of his lips.
"I ran away to the forest,�she said.�I landed the speeder somewhere, got out, and picked it up with the power of the Force, then threw it towards the mountains. When I could no longer see it, I let it drop, and started walking in the other direction. I�ve been walking ever since, trying to keep out of scanner range. Sometimes, when the speeders flew over, I used the Force to jam their scanners. I trained as a mechanic, so I knew which parts to focus on as they went by.�
"You said you were waiting for the man of your dreams here,�Master Jinn reminded her.
"I had a vision that night. I saw a Jedi Padawan with a blue light saber, and I knew that he was my husband. We had two sons, two little Padawans. I knew he�d find me in the forest.�Tai�hal turned to the Padawan.�It was you. I dreamed about you again last night, but I didn�t recognise you with your hood up.�
"You dreamed about me?�Padawan Kenobi repeated, looking stricken.�You dreamed you were married to me?�
"Yes,�Tai�hal said.
"I dreamed last night that I was married to you,�he admitted slowly.�I mean, I dreamed that I was married to the girl we were searching for in the forest. But it wasn�t you. You don�t look anything like her.�
The vision had been so clear--her, the Padawan, the two boys, the feeling of happiness--that Tai�hal had never once doubted it would come true, and the rejection was so unexpected that she simply gaped at him in astonishment. Giving his Padawan a disapproving look, Master Jinn changed the subject and asked,�Where did you learn about the Force at all, Mistress Tai�hal?�
She had to collect her thoughts before she could answer.�Oh, about ten years ago, a Jedi Master came and stayed in our House. His name was Master Dayar, Hak-Lyn Dayar. He had a Padawan a bit younger than I was, called Bar. I don�t remember the rest of his name, just Bar. He was quite arrogant, and liked to tease me. One day, he told me that I had the Force and that I should come to Coruscant for training. He even started showing me how to use it to move small objects. Then he stopped and suddenly said that there were no girl Padawans and that I was too old to train. He ran off laughing after that. I don�t think he ever told his master what he�d done, however, because Master Dayar never spoke to me at all. I felt so disappointed that he didn�t invite me to come to Coruscant with them, that I just started practising on my own.�
Master Jinn nodded.�Yes, Hak-Lyn spent many years trying to teach Bar to be more humble. He often wondered if he would ever succeed. I was more lucky with Obi-Wan here. He�s only headstrong and impatient.�
The Padawan smiled briefly and Tai�hal felt her heart ache unaccountably at the sight. Then he said suddenly,�I didn�t know that you could use the Force to heal injuries. None of the masters ever do it.�
"They don�t?�Tai�hal was shocked.�What do they use the Force for, then?�
"Almost everything else, but not that.�
"But it seems the most logical use of the Force,�Tai�hal mused. Remembering the episode, she began to wonder if he was angry that she had thrown those boulders at him, and said formally,�I apologise for attacking you, Padawan Kenobi. I thought you were going to take me back to Master Nurno, and I panicked. I�m sorry.�
"Thank you for healing me,�he replied, equally formally.
They looked solemnly at each other for a moment, and then both glanced away. Master Jinn spoke up.
"It seems that we have two choices, Mistress Tai�hal. We can either take you back to your father and help you explain what has happened, or you can go back out into the rain, here in the forest, with no food and no shelter, and walk on until you drop dead of exhaustion.�
Tai�hal flinched, although Master Jinn was only telling the harsh truth. Along with the walking, it had drained her strength to use the Force so much and so often, and she�d been so hungry after she�d eaten the last of the food. The nights had been so dark and cold, and the rain maddening in its unpredictability. She hadn�t dared to light a fire, in case it called attention to her, and once in the dark, she�d had rather a bad scare with a hungry na�wei. Fortunately, she�d been able to use the Force to influence it into thinking that food was farther away. The experience had left her almost too scared to sleep at nights in case another one came around.
"I�ll go back. I�d like to have the marriage contract annuled,�she said wistfully.�But I have no proof of Master Nurno�s intentions. Nobody would believe that I heard his thoughts. My father believes that Jedi have the Force, not ordinary Pira�an like us. I tried to talk to him about it, once, tell him what I could do, but he wouldn�t listen. He said it was ridiculous to imagine such a thing. And now he would only see that I have brought dishonour upon the House of Krata�an by refusing a good marriage for no reason at all.�
She paused, choosing her next words deliberately, then added,�In all truth, I could not even tell him that there is another man willing to marry me.�
Padawan Kenobi said nothing and Tai�hal felt her heart sink. That had been her only hope during all those long, cold days and nights in the forest, that she could go back and ask her father to annul the contract because a Jedi was also offering to marry her. After breaking this news, she had even planned to suggest that Master Nurno marry her sister instead, which would have made everybody happy all around.
"Now that the dowry has been paid, I think I have only one option, and that is to break the contract and refuse to marry him, in front of three witnesses,�she concluded. It was the choice she�d been trying to avoid, but now that she had no others, she began to mentally fortify herself to take the consequences it would bring.
"There are two of us, and Constable Zarquo,�said the Padawan, grasping eagerly at the suggestion. �That�s three.�
He did not ask about the consequences, and Tai�hal did not mention them. There was no point. His rejection had been clear enough, and begging would only bring another one.
"Obi-Wan, get the engines started. We�ll fly back to the city and arrange a meeting with everybody involved,�said Master Jinn.
"Yes, Master.�Padawan Kenobi stood up quickly and walked to the cockpit. When he was gone, Master Jinn turned to Tai�hal with a gentle smile.�The Force shows us what can happen, but it doesn�t always show us the way. Have patience.�
"I�m not what he expected,�Tai�hal said sadly.�He wants the girl of his dreams.�
"You are the girl of his dreams. He just hasn�t recognised you yet,�Master Jinn said. "Maybe I was wrong and I only thought I recognised him. Maybe there�s another Padawan who looks like him, and he�s the one I�m supposed to marry.�
"You weren�t wrong. Come with us to Coruscant. Have patience, and trust the Force.�
Tai�hal glanced up.�You�d take me?�
"I believe that your destiny is leading you there.�
"No matter what happens with my father and the contract, and everything?�
"I give you my word.�
*****
Obi-Wan landed the cruiser on the same spot as before, and Master Zarquo met them with transportation to the tent in the park. Bodar and Nurno were already there, glaring at each other across the table, but when they entered, Bodar jumped to his feet.�Daughter! Are you well? What happened? Where have you been?�
"I am well, Father,�Tai�hal replied. They touched hands briefly, pressing their palms together, then sat down.
"Who kidnapped you? Were you treated badly?�asked Nurno, shooting a sideways glance at Bodar.
"Nobody kidnapped me,�Tai�hal explained calmly.�I was alone in the forest.�
"But nobody could find you. The scanners showed no readings, or else they malfunctioned. Somebody must have been manipulating them to keep you hidden!�Bodar also cast an angry look at Nurno.
"Mistress Tai�hal ran away to the forest and was using the Force to keep herself hidden,�Qui-Gon explained gently.
"The Force?�sneered Nurno.�Only Jedi have the Force--not little girls from Pira�a.�
"You ran away? You ran away and hid--deliberately?�Bodar asked. He sounded more insulted than worried, thought Obi-Wan.�We arranged a better marriage for you than anyone could have hoped for, and you ran away? You bring dishonour on our house!�
"She just doesn�t know what�s good for her,�said Nurno.�I�ll overlook that--she�s still young and inexperienced. The wedding can be arranged for to-morrow.�
Obi-Wan felt the anger and hate in him, caught the triumphant picture in his mind of Tai�hal tumbling down the steps, and a glimpse of another girl, strangely beautiful, and looked at Qui-Gon in horror. The Jedi Master gestured with his hand, and the image disappeared.
"I�ll keep her under guard,�Bodar declared.�She won�t run away again, and the wedding will go ahead.�
"I refuse to marry Master Nurno,�Tai�hal stated.�Before these three witnesses, Constable Zarquo, Master Jinn, and Padawan Kenobi, I refuse to marry him. I find him revolting. I spit on him. I spit on the House of Freda�un!�
"She insults my house!�Nurno roared.�This insult must be avenged!�
"Daughter!�threatened Bodar.�Think of the consequences! Retract your statement at once!�
"I know the consequences, Father, and I will not retract. I say again, before these three witnesses, I refuse to marry Master Nurno.�Obi-Wan could see that Tai�hal had started to shake slightly.
"Constable Zarquo, she cannot mean this.�Bodar turned to the older man.
"She is of age, Master Bodar, and she has stated it twice of her own free will,�the constable replied.�The dowry has been paid and the contract sealed. She will be punished within the law for breaking this contract. Afterwards, she will be free to go.�
"She is technically now a member of my house, is she not?�Nurno demanded, looking angrily at her.
The constable nodded.�Yes. Technically.�
"I am within my rights to punish her for bringing dishonour upon my house.�
"Yes,�the constable repeated.�Technically.�
"Then I demand that her name be erased, along with the punishment for breaking the contract.�
"It is within your rights to demand it, but because the wedding has not been completed, the head of the House of Krata�an must also agree,�the constable said.�Any lesser punishment would be up to the House of Freda�un alone.�
"No! Master Nurno, that is too harsh. Return the dowry to me and annul the contract, and I will punish her,�said Bodar.
"The insult to me and my house is too great to bear, Master Bodar,�said Nurno.�However, I will not bear a grudge against your house because of her. Let the punishment be carried out, let her name be erased, and the insult and the dishonour will be forgotten. We can end this animosity between our Houses only if she is the scapegoat. I will marry your second daughter instead, and if Mistress Ren�hal bears me two sons, I will give the second one back to the House of Krata�an, so that it may continue.�
Everyone in the room was suddenly silenced, stunned by the sheer audaciousness of the man, and then all eyes turned from him to Bodar. Even without the Force, Obi-Wan could all but hear the older man calculating in his head, weighing the benefits and risks against the loss, and finally coming to a solution. Slowly, resignedly, Bodar nodded.�Let it be so. We have been enemies long enough. Now is the time to become allies. The sacrifice is great, but the House of Krata�an must continue.�
Tai�hal stared at her father with an expression of shock and utter disbelief on her face. He turned his head away, looking instead at Constable Zarquo, who slowly declared,�The punishments demanded are within the law. They will be carried out to-morrow after sunrise. Gentlemen, you may return to your houses. Mistress Tai�hal will remain in my custody.�
Nurno stood up and strode out without a further word or look. Bodar stood up as well and stood staring down at Tai�hal for a long moment, then said,�If only you hadn�t refused him, daughter.�
"You always wanted a son,�she said slowly, still shocked, and Obi-Wan could sense that she was trying not to sound bitter.�And Nurno always wanted Ren�hal anyway. Now you�ll both get what you want.�
"When you make a choice, you have to take the consequences, daughter. I�m sorry.�
"Sometimes we have to take the consequences of other people�s choices too,�Tai�hal said quietly, and with a twinge of conscience, Obi-Wan wondered if she meant Nurno--or himself.
"I�m sorry,�Bodar said again.
"We�ll be taking Mistress Tai�hal back to Coruscant with us, afterwards,�Qui-Gon said, laying his hand reassuringly on Bodar�s shoulder.�She�ll be well looked after there.�
Bodar nodded in acknowledgement, hesitated for another long moment, then finally turned and exited the tent. When he�d gone, Tai�hal murmured,�My father...my own father...�
Constable Zarquo removed a com-link from his pocket and spoke into it, summoning two guards inside. "Mistress Tai�hal will be punished to-morrow for breach of contract. Take her to the holding cells,�he ordered.�But make sure she�s comfortable and has enough to eat.�
"Yes, Constable,�replied the senior guard. As they escorted Tai�hal out of the tent, she kept her head high, but her face showed that she was holding back tears. Obi-Wan looked away uncomfortably.
"Constable, what is the punishment for breach of contract?�asked Qui-Gon.
"For a woman, twenty lashes with a short whip,�Constable Zarquo replied.�It would be thirty for a man. And after Mistress Tai�hal�s name is erased, she will be as good as outlawed, no longer a member of any house or guild on Pira�a. The nameless are allowed to beg what they need from the guilds--most of them leave the planet as soon as they can.�
"Is it really possible for one man alone to decide such a harsh fate?�Obi-Wan was amazed.
"As young and hotheaded as he is, Master Nurno is the head of the House of Freda�un,�affirmed the Constable.�He has the right to punish the members of his house in any way he sees fit. It was only necessary to ask for Master Bodar�s agreement because the wedding had not been technically completed.�
Seeing Obi-Wan�s expression, the constable continued,�You might think our laws on Pira�a are barbaric. But they are effective, and they�ve kept Pira�a civilized for almost as long as the Republic has existed.�