Obi-Wan's Shotgun Wedding
Part 2
The hospitality began with the chance to scrub the stink of the prison cell out of their skins with warm water and rough soap. Their clothes were taken away to be washed and replaced with clean ones, and Obi-Wan bit down a smile to see his master dressed in the Getran fashion, then noticed with indignation that Qui-Gon was smiling at him, too. Back in the great hall, they were entertained with music and dancing girls while a feast was prepared, and then they spent the evening consuming the mounds of food. It was late at night when they were finally shown to lavishly decorated bed-chambers, and Obi-Wan fell asleep almost instantly.He awoke to voices.
"Please, amma, let me tell him. Please. I didn�t get to see the strangers at all last night.�
"Young ladies should not be in the bedchambers of young men,�came the fierce reply.�Especially not when the young men are still in bed.�
"It�s not fair! Just because I am a young lady, I�m shut off from everything!�
"I don�t want to have to explain this to your father...�
"Then you give him the message. I just want to have a look at him!�
Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan sat up. Standing between his bed and the door were two women, one very young and beautiful, and the other much older and not beautiful at all. The young one put her hands to her mouth and blushed as she saw him looking at her, then collected herself and came forward two steps, bowing her head.
"My lord of the light, the king desires your company at breakfast.�
"Right,�said the older woman.�You�ve told him. Now out with you. Let him get dressed.�
"Wait,�said Obi-Wan.�Who are you?�
"My name is--�
"None of your business, even if you are a lord of the light, which I doubt,�the older woman interrupted.
"Amma, don�t be blasphemous. My name is Jenan-Kahan. My lord of the light, you don�t look a bit like my brother.�
Obi-Wan blinked in surprise.�I don�t?�
"You�re much more handsome.�Jenan-Kahan giggled, which made her dangling earrings jiggle, and the older woman put a hand on her shoulder, steering her around towards the door.�That�s enough. The king will have my ears and then where would I hang my earrings?�
*****
It wasn�t just Obi-Wan that the king and his counselors wanted to see, but Qui-Gon and the four Enkerran men as well. They had started to plan the evacuation of Getra and were debating on how to get three thousand people away from the city without the Imilachil garrison noticing, when a servant came in.
"Your Majesty, there is a messenger from King Imilachil.�
"I shall see him in the great hall.�King Tul-Kahan stood up, and when he returned, the light had gone out of his eyes and he slumped down at the table.
"King Imilachil demands an extra tribute of wine as soon as possible,�he said. Only his two counselors looked dismayed; the puzzlement of the others showed in their faces, and Rassak explained,�It�s part of the condition of our slavery that a member of the Royal Household must accompany every tribute. The last few years, it was His Royal Highness Prince Tohar-Kahan who took the tributes to the Imilachil.�
"I can�t send my son this time,�King Tul-Kahan said quietly.�He would die on the road and the Imilachil would leave his body for beasts to devour. I can�t refuse the tribute, or King Imilachil would become suspicious and send someone to investigate. And I can hardly send my daughter. King Imilachil would take her as part of the tribute.�
"Your Majesty, you must not consider going yourself,�said Rassak.�If anything should happen to you, you would leave us not only without a king, but without an heir.�
"You could send me, your Majesty,�Obi-Wan volunteered.
Everybody turned to look at him. Qui-Gon frowned, but the king brightened visibly.�Yes, I will! Why else have the lords of the light given you the face of my son and sent you to me in this time of need? Thank you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Rassak, get the wine ready and we�ll send it off as soon as possible. You should be there and back before the harvest is finished and we�re ready to leave. And when you come back, I shall offer you my daughter in marriage.�
"That won�t be necessary,�said Qui-Gon quickly as Obi-Wan tried not to smile at the memory of Jenan-Kahan.�We will be leaving as soon as our help here is no longer needed.�
"My daughter will be disappointed, I think, but may it be as you wish,�said the king. He paused, then said to his other counselor,�Get him that pair of gold and lapis earrings that my son always likes to wear and have his ears pierced immediately.�
*****
The wine barrels had been lashed to wooden frames which the animals would drag behind them. The servants who were to accompany the animals stood ready, holding a halter in each hand. Watching them from the window of his chamber for a moment, Obi-Wan heard the household servants go out, leaving him and Qui-Gon alone. They had brought all of Prince Tohar-Kahan�s own clothing for him to choose from, and he�d dressed in something that looked both royal and practical for the journey. Practical! What could be less practical than a skirt that ended just above his knees, and sandals instead of boots? At least the tunic was similar to his own, though coarser and infinitely more colourful.
Obi-Wan was still trying to get used to the unaccustomed weight of the massive blue and gold earrings that now dangled just above his shoulders. Although he�d baulked at first, the king had been adamant. Everybody in the royal household wore earrings, from the laundry servants on up, and the rings got bigger according to rank. He would be spotted immediately as an imposter if he had none. Obi-Wan still wondered that Qui-Gon had not protested, either about the earrings, or about the plan in general, and now he waited for his master to berate him about rushing headfirst into things without thinking them out first. But Qui-Gon remained as silent as he had been the entire time.
"Master, aren�t you going to say anything?�he finally asked.
Qui-Gon smiled.�They look good on you.�
"I didn�t mean that.�Obi-Wan felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment for a moment.�I meant about me volunteering for this.�
"Are you having second thoughts?�
"No, but you always protest whenever I have an idea like this. I must be doing the right thing for once.�
"I think you are. That�s not to say there couldn�t be danger ahead, but all in all, I have a good feeling about this. I believe that the Force led us here to help the people of Getra gain their freedom. You have your part in it, and I have mine.�
"What�s your part?�
"I�ll suggest to the king that he send drugged wine to the Imilachil garrison in the afternoon before the people leave the city. He sends provisions up there regularly anyway, so this won�t look suspicious. And the drugs will be just enough to make them sleep for a day or two. I�ll influence them through the Force to drink more than they normally would.�Qui-Gon smiled.
"It doesn�t seem like very much. You said you thought that we were supposed to be here, but we don�t seem to be doing anything very important. Conak and his men would probably have found Getra on their own anyway.�
"I don�t think so, Obi-Wan. From what they said, they would very probably have marched straight into Imilachil territory if they hadn�t seen our ship. That might be just a little thing that doesn�t seem important, but remember the navigational computer. One little thing was broken, one little thing upon which everything else was dependent. I think, right now, you and I are little things like that. And who knows? Your part in all this might turn out to be bigger than you think.�
There was a silence while Obi-Wan considered this, and then Qui-Gon said suddenly,�Give me your light saber.�
"Master, couldn�t I--�
"No. You have to be a prince now, not a Padawan.�
Obi-Wan unclipped it from his belt and handed it over with a little pang of regret.�Master, what if the rescue ship comes while I�m away?�
"Don�t worry. We won�t leave without you, no matter what happens.�Qui-Gon regarded him for a moment.�May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan.�
"And with you, master.�
"Come on, let�s get you going then.�
*****
The journey to the Imilachil city lasted all day. At the end of it, Obi-Wan was ready to believe that his earlobes had stretched to twice their length under the weight of those earrings. They didn�t hurt much anymore because he�d used the Force to speed up the healing, but he still hadn�t got used to them as he�d become accustomed to the feeling of the skirt around his thighs as he walked. He just hoped he didn�t have to wear either of them much longer.
A group of Imilachil warriors were waiting for them near the gate. The old servant at Obi-Wan�s side slowed at the sight, but Obi-Wan kept walking at his normal pace until he was close enough to address them.
"I am Prince Tohar-Kahan,�he announced,�and this is the wine tribute for King Imilachil.�
"You�re right about one thing,�the warrior retorted.�This is the wine tribute. But you�re nothing but a Getran slave!�
He hit Obi-Wan in the side of the face, knocking him down, and two other warriors jumped on him, pressing his face in the dirt while they tied his hands behind his back. He could hear the first warrior telling the servants,�Leave the animals here and get back to Getra. Tell your so-called king that we�re keeping his son as a hostage!�
They pulled him up, removing his sword and dagger, and he saw the servants scrambling down the path as fast as they could go. Then the warriors turned him around to face the leader again. The man reached out and took hold of Obi-Wan�s braid.�Look, here�s a leash! How practical for a slave!�
Obi-Wan was dragged by his hair all the way to the great hall of King Imilachil�s palace. Although he could not see anybody sitting on the golden throne on the dais, the warrior kicked him in the back of the leg to make him kneel down anyway. Another warrior was sent off to inform the king, and then they waited.
Only a few minutes later, Obi-Wan heard the sound of running feet which stopped abruptly behind him, and a girl�s voice asked,�Is that him?�
"Yes, your royal Highness,�the warrior replied, and then the girl, actually a young lady, came around in front of Obi-Wan. She stood staring down at him for a moment, then suddenly spit in his face.
"Stinking Getran slave scum!�
Obi-Wan stared up at her in surprise as she slapped him soundly across the right cheek. One of her rings caught and ripped his skin, leaving a trail of blood behind it.
"Your royal Highness,�the warrior began,�the king has commanded--�
"Don�t tell me!�she shouted.�Filthy, crawling, snuffling--�
Not finding the right expression, she slapped him again.
"Zoe,�said someone, coming up behind her.�That�s my slave. Not yours. And I gave orders that nobody was to mistreat him before I got here.�
"I never heard any such order,�Zoe replied contrarily, whirling around to face him.
King Imilachil hit his daughter with his fist, knocking her to the floor. She got up again, a bit shakily, and cried angrily,�Go on, hit me again! Break my neck, like you did with my mother! Come on, you son of a one-legged she-ulfa, get rid of me once and for all!�
The king appeared to explode with rage.�Zoe! How many times do I have to tell you that your mother�s death was an accident! You�ve been intolerable ever since, but now you really have provoked me once too often! Go sit down over there and wait while I think of a suitable punishment for you!�
"Just have me flogged and get it over with!�she challenged him.�Come on!�
"Flogging�s too good for you! You�d forget it in two days. Go. Sit. Down.�
Zoe crossed the room to the great fireplace and sat down on the bench he�d indicated, holding the side of her face and looking around murderously. King Imilachil watched her for a moment, then turned back to Obi-Wan.
"Tohar-Kahan,�he said slowly.
"Yes, your Majesty.�
"You have a choice. You can give me your word that you will stay here until I give you permission to leave, and I will consider you a member of my household.�
"He�ll probably treat you better than he treats his own daughter,�Zoe called out, but a look from her father silenced her.
"Or you can refuse, and I will drop you into a cell the way you are now and leave you there.�
"How long do you plan on keeping me here, your Majesty?�Obi-Wan asked.
"Until the tribute has been completely paid. The garrison has reported unusual activity in Getra. I want to make absolutely sure that your father is not planning anything.�
Obi-Wan did not let his dismay show. King Tul-Kahan had no intention of paying the tribute at all, but he could not let King Imilachil know that, or even become suspicious. Qui-Gon would just have to rescue him from here. He could hear Qui-Gon�s voice in his mind, telling him to be patient, but there was no reason why he had to be patient in a cell, was there?
"Your Majesty, I give you my word that I will stay here until you give me permission to leave,�Obi-Wan said and King Imilachil smiled.
"I knew you�d be reasonable. Now let�s see what kind of man I�ve just welcomed into my household.� The king glanced beyond him to the group of warriors and said,�Take his sandals off and hold him down.�
The warriors pushed Obi-Wan to the floor and two of them immediately sat on him, forcing his head to the right, while a third unlaced his sandals and pulled them off roughly. Watching the king go to the fire and stir it with the poker, letting the metal instrument heat up, Obi-Wan began to prepare for the torture that was planned, building Force barriers in his mind against the pain that would come. It was a test, he knew, and he was determined to do his best. At last the poker was glowing red at the end, and King Imilachil brought it slowly towards him, staring him in the eyes the entire time until he finally turned and pressed it against the sole of his right foot.
Obi-Wan shuddered, but managed not to cry out at the agony in his foot. After several moments, the king removed the poker and returned it to the fire, then repeated the process again and again with controlled deliberation until Obi-Wan finally screamed in pain.
Get the Healer,�King Imilachil ordered, then returned the poker to its place at the side of the fire.
Retreating inside himself, struggling to maintain his concentration, Obi-Wan reached out for the Force with the intention of aiding the healing process and dampening the torment. He was surprised to feel something touch his head and his mind at the same time, a channel of pure Force that penetrated every cell in his body and repaired what had been damaged. It did not happen instantly, but it was quick enough. Opening his eyes, he saw a very old woman crouched down by him, one hand resting gently on the top of his head. She gave a resigned sigh and straightened up.
"Stay here, you might be needed again,�said the king.
"Yes, your Majesty.�The old woman hobbled towards the bench where Zoe was sitting, but King Imilachil snapped,�Not for her.�
Turning his attention back to Obi-Wan, he said,�All right, let him up and untie his hands.�
The warriors pulled him roughly to his feet and one of them slit the rope around his wrists. He wasn�t surprised to discover that the bruise on one cheek and the gashes across the other had disappeared as well. Even his ears felt better.
"Give him a sword and let�s see what he can do against--you,�King Imilachil ordered, pointing at one of the warriors.
One of the men pressed a sword into Obi-Wan�s hand and then fell back with the others as they spread out along the walls to make room for the duel. His opponent had drawn his sword and stood motionless for a single second, sizing him up, then attacked, thrusting directly at his heart. Obi-Wan countered, then spun away, and the man followed with a swipe from the left.
It was easy enough to defend himself. He�d been learning such moves all his life at the Jedi Temple, practising every day, even blindfolded, letting the Force guide his movements. It was no different now, not even with a sword instead of a light saber. They moved around the room for several minutes, evenly matched, Obi-Wan blocking every attack until, quite unexpectedly, he tripped over his own feet and fell hard to the floor. In a moment, the warrior was standing over him, the tip of the blade jabbing into his throat, and he froze, silently cursing the growth spurt that he had not reckoned with at his age.
"Hold,�called King Imilachil. The warrior retreated, and Obi-Wan stood up, wondering whether he should continue the fight, but the king was already coming towards him, holding out his hand. Obi-Wan surrended the sword by its hilt, and the king took it.
"Tohar-Kahan,�he said with a secretive smile,�you have proved that you can defend yourself and that you can withstand a great deal of pain.�
King Imilachil paused dramatically, still smiling, then announced,�You are a worthy husband for my daughter.�
There was a cheer from the surrounding warriors, but Zoe leaped up from the bench and screeched, �No! I�d rather rut with a one-legged ulfa than with that filthy Getran slave!�
Stung, Obi-Wan retorted,�I had a better offer in Getra anyway! And I�m not a slave!�
"Tohar-Kahan,�said King Imilachil in a dangerous tone of voice.�When your forefathers came here, they agreed to supply us with food and wine in exchange for land. They sold themselves into bondage for the privilege of living where their ancient fathers once roamed. That makes you my slave. I could crush your people at any time, but I choose not to, because you are useful. But you will do as I say or I will slit your throat and throw your body to the dogs. Anything that�s left will be sent back to your father in a basket. Is this understood?�
So that was the Imilachil version of the history of Getra. Realising his limited options, Obi-Wan bowed his head and gritted his teeth as he imagined the real Tohar-Kahan would do.�Yes, your Majesty.�
"As for you, Zoe, you are still my daughter, and your consent to this marriage is not needed. You will look at your husband every day and remember how your father punished you for your insolence and disobedience by marrying you to a slave. When I send him back to his father, you will accompany him.�
"No!�Zoe shouted again, but her father raised the sword in her direction and she fell silent. Obi-Wan did not dare protest. It was only for a few days after all. The real Tohar-Kahan was dying anyway, if he wasn�t dead already, and in a few days, he�d be rescued and Zoe would be happily widowed. Thinking of the alternative, Obi-Wan decided he could survive a few days of marriage with Zoe.
The ceremony took place immediately and was very brief. A priest, dressed in black with red trimmings, came forward and stood on the dais. The warrior whom Obi-Wan had fought now prodded him with his sword, motioning him to move. King Imilachil was doing the same thing to Zoe, and together they walked slowly to where the priest was waiting.
"Give me your left hand,�the priest said to Obi-Wan. He took it and jabbed the point of a ceremonial dagger into the tip of Obi-Wan�s index finger, squeezing it to bring out more blood, then asked,�Tohar-Kahan, son of Tul-Kahan, do you agree to take this woman as your wife?�
The warrior pressed the sword threateningly into his back and Obi-Wan hastily said,�Yes.�
"Give me your right hand,�the priest said to Zoe. Zoe hesitated for a moment, but her father, standing directly behind her, gripped her arm and thrust it forwards. Catching her hand, the priest repeated the process with her. He didn�t ask for her consent, simply pressed their bleeding fingers together and held them in his hand for a moment, then announced,�Tohar-Kahan, the son of Tul-Kahan, and Zoe, the daughter of Imilachil, are now joined in marriage for the rest of their mortal lives.�