Path of Destiny - Chapter 4
The Path of Destiny
Chapter Four
Part One
A dwelling deep in the heart of Jinix
Drayce came out of the refresher, after he cleaned himself up and put on another set of clean clothes.
He looked around to see his other personal guard, Jeyzen, enter the area with a
tray of food. Like Myrek, Jeyzen was extremely good-looking with short hair.
�I hope that you find this adequate, my lord,� Jeyzen said, setting the tray on a nearby table.
Drayce seated himself in front of the tray. �After what passed as food in prison, this is definitely a
feast,� he commented, choosing a piece of fruit. �Has Myrek returned?�
�Not yet, my lord.� Jeyzen paused. �Do you suppose that Myrek encountered any...problems?�
The former chief of staff leaned back in his chair, studying the younger man, as he considered his
question, while munching on a piece of fruit. The fruit reminded Drayce of Ori,
but he quickly pushed it to the back of his memory. �He should not encounter
any problems,� he finally replied.
Just then, a door slid open. Both men looked to see Myrek enter the room, carrying someone over his
shoulder.
�Well done, Myrek,� Drayce said, allowing a smile to cross his lips.
Myrek inclined his head slightly. �Thank-you, Lord Drayce.�
�I trust that...Counselor Ryvinia is...unharmed.�
�As per your instructions.�
�Excellent. Put her in the spare room. Make certain that she is unable to escape.�
Myrek nodded once. �As you wish.� He crossed the room and went through another door that slid open at his
approach.
Jeyzen watch Myrek for a moment or two, then turned to Drayce. �Why did you not just have
her...eliminated, my lord?�
�Because one of the members of the Tribunal would assume control. I can not allow that. This way, I can
force Ryvinia to do my bidding,� Drayce replied with uncharacteristic patience.
�What if she refuses?�
A sardonic smile spread slowly across Drayce�s face. �Then her family will pay the price.�
Part Two
Holding cells
From the corridor, a male voice called out: �Since when is starvation a fair punishment for a prisoner?�
Qui-Gon turned to Entok. �Who is that?� He questioned.
�Our only other prisoner. His name is Sharvin,� Entok replied.
Krysira stepped forward to join them. �Perhaps he either heard or saw something,� the pretty female Jedi offered.
Entok looked thoughtful then nodded. �Possibly,� he replied.
�May I be permitted to question him?�
�By all means. Follow me.�
Entok led Krysira down the corridor. Qui-Gon started to follow, but stopped upon seeing Trip and Archer
follow her. The Jedi Master was pleased that Krysira was taking on more of a leadership role.
When Trip passed by him, Qui-Gon�s gray eyes widened ever so slightly, upon feeling something through
the Force. �Is it...possible?� The Jedi Master mused to himself.
They reached the cell to see a rugged, unshaven Exoian man in simple clothing, standing near the criss
crossed beams with his hands on his hips.
�Where is my food?� The prisoner demanded.
Entok raised an eyebrow. �I think that you are in no position to demand anything, Sharvin,� he said
firmly. �You will receive food after you answer a few questions.�
Sharvin�s eyes narrowed, as he eyed his visitors suspiciously. �About what?� He wanted to know.
Krysira joined Entok. �A prisoner has escaped and a guard has been found dead. We were hoping that you
could help us,� she said softly.
Sharvin�s eyes swept over the attractive female Jedi�s figure, liking what he saw. He allowed a smile to
spread across his lips. �And what is it worth to me...beautiful?� He questioned
in a husky voice.
Trip bristled, hearing the tone in the prisoner�s voice. He began to move forward, when he felt a strong
hand grip his shoulder, holding him back. He shot a hard look at Archer.
�Easy, Trip,� Archer said quietly. �He can�t do anything to her.�
Trip, although he didn�t like the prisoner�s attitude towards Krysira, merely grunted, staying put.
Krysira was very much aware of Sharvin�s tone and look, but chose to ignore both. She casually waved her
hand in front of him. �I would hope that you would be willing to tell us what you know, because it is the right thing to do,� she said a bit
forcefully.
Sharvin gazed passively back at Krysira. �What would you like to know?� He questioned politely.
�Did anyone visit the prisoner next to you?�
�Yes. The other prisoner called him Myrek and sounded surprised to see him.�
Entok grunted in a disgusted manner. �He is one of Drayce�s personal guards,� he told Krysira.
Krysira merely nodded in acknowledgement. �Did they talk about anything before they left?�
�Something about going to his place in the city. But there was something that he wanted Myrek to do
first,� Sharvin continued.
�And that was?� She prompted.
�Kidnap Counselor Ryvinia.�
Upon hearing this, Trip paled.
�Oh...boy!� Archer exclaimed.
Although she was disturbed by this revelation, Krysira kept her composure, as she was taught at a very
young age. She casually passed her hand in front of Sharvin again. �Sleep now
and when you awake, you will have food,� Krysira said softly.
Sharvin merely went over to his cot and lying down, immediately went to sleep.
Krysira turned to Entok. �Thank-you,� she said, seeing the guard bow slightly in response. She then
turned to Trip and Archer. �We must rejoin the others.�
Krysira walked back down the corridor with Trip beside her, while Archer and Entok followed. They rejoined
the rest of the group.
Krysira stepped forward and announced: �Everyone, return to the conference room. We have an urgent matter
to discuss.�
Part Three
Conference room
Once again, the group minus Ryvinia was seated around the large table. Krysira stood to address them.
�I questioned the prisoner, Sharvin and found out some disturbing facts,� Krysira began, her soft voice
uncharacteristically strong. �Drayce indeed had a visitor. One of his personal
guards named Myrek. But Drayce was surprised to see him.� Her silvery/blue eyes
swept over the group to rest briefly on Malcolm. �Drayce also ordered Myrek
to...kidnap Counselor Ryvinia.�
Sedona suddenly jumped up. �Not Aunt Ryvinia!� She blurted out, then clamped a hand over her mouth looking
horrified.
Malcolm noted Sedona�s reaction and found it oddly familiar.
Sedona started for the door when...
�SEDONA!� It was Gadi. �This is no time to act childish!� He chided in a firm tone.
The female page stopped and turned to the elder healer. �I promised not to say anything about that!�
Sedona blubbered.
�That is no longer an issue, Sedona,� Gadi replied, his tone a bit softer.
�Aunt Ryvinia?� Krysira questioned softly.
The female page nodded.
�Please explain, Sedona,� the female Jedi urged, as she gestured towards the vacated chair.
Sedona reseated herself, taking a deep breath to collect her thoughts. �Aunt Ryvinia thought it best if
our being related was not disclosed, when I applied for my position as a page.
I wanted to get the position on my own merit and not because of Aunt Ryvinia�s
influence,� she began.
�No one is faulting you for that, Sedona,� Krysira pointed out.
Sedona took in a shaky breath. �But that is not all, Knight Krysira. I found out that Healer Gadi was
not the only one to know about this.� She stared at her hands. �Drayce found
out.�
�Are you sure that he knows?� Trip questioned.
The female teenager nodded. �About a month ago, Drayce came to me and told me to do as he
instructed...otherwise...harm would come to Aunt Ryvinia.�
�Did he force you to do anything?� Caden asked softly.
�Yes. He needed to know which room the young Jedi was in.�
Lonan leapt to his feet. �WHAT?� He exclaimed, glaring at Sedona.
Caden, who was sitting next to Lonan, laid a large hand on the youth�s chest, easing him back down into his
chair. �Hear her out,� he suggested.
Lonan crossed his arms over his chest. �Why should I? Obi-Wan could have been killed!� He retorted angrily,
pointedly looking away from Sedona.
Obi-Wan laid a hand on Lonan�s shoulder. �But...I was not. She did what she had to do,� the teenaged
apprentice replied.
�What do you mean?� Lonan questioned curiously.
It was Caden who responded: �Had she not disclosed the information, then Counselor Ryvinia might have been
killed.� He looked at Sedona. �Please explain.�
�Since Drayce told me that he knew that Aunt Ryvinia and I were related, I did not see nor hear from him.�
She shrugged a little. �I thought that he had perhaps forgotten about me.� Her
expression grew sad. �But I was wrong, for he contacted through an audio
communication device yesterday.�
�How did you know that it was him?� Malcolm wanted to know.
�I recognized his voice...plus he reminded me that he knew about my being Counselor Ryvinia�s
niece and that it was time for my...�help�,� Sedona explained. �It was then I
realized that Drayce was going to ask something of me.� She swallowed visibly.
�I was scared. I was not sure what Drayce was going to ask me to do. When he
inquired where the young Jedi was, I immediately said that I was not sure.�
�What was Drayce�s reaction to this?� Qui-Gon questioned gently.
Sedona shuddered. �He was very angry with me. He threatened to have Aunt Ryvinia killed if I did not tell
him.� Tears veiled her eyes. �I...did not want anything to happen to her, but I
did not want to betray the Jedi either.� She sighed. �I was torn. Finally...I
reluctantly disclosed Obi-Wan�s location, He praised me for being such a dutiful
page, then ended the communication. She looked at Obi-Wan. �I am sorry.�
Obi-Wan merely nodded, smiling gently. Sedona forced a smile, knowing that the young apprentice had
already forgiven her. She hoped that...Lonan would do the same.
Throughout this part of the discussion, Gadi looked thoughtful. He held up a hand. �A moment, please,� he
began, seeing that he had everyone�s attention. �There is a pattern to Drayce�s
behavior. First the Rybrillians, then Sedona, and now Ryvinia. It appears that
Drayce uses fear and harm to get control over other people.�
�What do you mean?� Hoshi questioned.
�Drayce likes using people as pawns. Therefore he needs Ryvinia for some plan.�
�What kind of plan?� Trip wanted to know.
�That is one thing that we will need to investigate.�
�We also need to discover how Myrek took Counselor Ryvinia without being seen,� Krysira added.
�Not to mention where he took her,� Archer pointed out, seeing a nod from Krysira.
�How?� This was from Roxx.
�For starters, by going back to the scene of the crime,� Malcolm pointed out.
�If everyone approves, I will lead this investigation,� Krysira offered.
There were murmurs of approval throughout the room.
She bowed slightly. �Very well. Then with Captain Archer�s permission, I would like Trip and Malcolm to
accompany me.�
Trip and Malcolm looked at their commanding officer expectantly.
Archer grinned. �How can I say no?� He replied.
Krysira bowed slightly. �Thank-you, Captain,� she replied. �Caden, I could also use your assistance.�
�By all means, Knight Krysira,� Caden replied. �I will do all I can to assist.�
�It is greatly appreciated. Then...shall we be off?�
Trip, Malcolm and Caden rose to their feet.
Trey stood. �Might I be of assistance as well, Knight Krysira?� He offered.
�Certainly, Trey,� Krysira agreed.
Krysira headed towards the door with Trip, Malcolm, Caden and Trey, when Sedona got up, stepping in front
of Krysira, who stopped, gazing passively at the young female teenager.
�Knight Krysira...please allow me to go with you,� Sedona began. �I would like to...make amends...for my
actions.�
Krysira slipped her arms into the sleeves of her cloak, studying Sedona intently.
Caden laid a large hand Krysira�s shoulder gently. �I will keep an eye on her,� he offered, as he
removed his hand.
Krysira nodded. �Very well. Sedona, you are to follow Caden�s orders. Is that understood?� She told Sedona.
The girl nodded. �Yes, Knight Krysira,� she replied. �And thank-you.�
Elkan suddenly rose to his feet. �Knight Krysira, what do the rest of us do in the meantime?� His tone was
on the hard side.
�I must limit the size of my group in order to be lesser of a target,� Krysira replied, unfazed by Elkan�s
tone. �However, if you do not hear from us in 2 hours, form another group and
follow us. Qui-Gon, you will lead the second group.� She saw a nod from the
Jedi Master, then looked back at Elkan. �Is this satisfactory?�
Elkan merely nodded, reseating himself.
Krysira nodded and continued out of the conference room. Trip and the others followed.
As she walked out of the door, Sedona stole a glance at Lonan, who refused to look her way. She sighed
sadly and followed the adults out the door.
Part Four
Ryvinia�s quarters
Sedona entered the chambers of the missing counselor, followed by Krysira, Trip, Malcolm, Trey and Caden.
�Lieutenant Reed,� Trey began. �What are you hoping to find?�
�Some kind of...secret passage,� Malcolm replied. �Otherwise, how else would you explain how Ryvinia�s
kidnapper was able to get her out of the government center without being seen?�
Trey folded his arms across his chest, nodding. �Quite true.�
Malcolm frowned slightly. �I just wish that my scanner was still working.�
Trip looked curiously at his fellow officer. �What�s wrong with it?� He questioned.
�It overloaded after temporarily neutralizing a force field that held Obi-Wan prisoner.�
Trip held out his hand. �Let me see that thing,� he drawled out, as he pulled a multi-tool from a belt-pouch
with his other hand.
Malcolm pulled out the scanner, handing it to Trip, who took it.
Enterprise�s chief engineer began to work on the device, very much aware of Krysira�s presence
next to him. Normally, Trip did not like someone watching over his shoulder
when he worked, but the lovely Jedi Knight was the exception. Her presence was
warm, comforting and encouraging.
After about five minutes, the scanner burst to life. Trip grinned at Malcolm, handing the device back.
The armory officer began to walk slowly through the chambers, scanning the
area, while the others waited.
Malcolm walked into another room, which appeared to be a study. He was anxious to find Ryvinia, praying
that nothing serious had happened to her. He felt anger well up inside him, the
likes of which he had never experienced before. This surprised Malcolm. No...he
could not allow anger to interfere with his duty. Yet...the feelings that he
had for Ryvinia were there. He could not ignore that. He shook his head and
went back to business. Studying the readout out, his dark eyes widened.
Although it looked like a bookcase, Malcolm was able to discern that there was
some kind of passageway behind it. He touched the side of the bookcase, sliding
his hand slowly down one side of the wooden-type case. His hand stopped upon
feeling a slight give in the wood. He slowly pushed inward until he heard a
soft click and the bookcase slid away from him, revealing a semi-lit
passageway.
�Commander! Krysira! Everyone! I found a passageway!� Malcolm called out to the others.
Part Five
Dining/recreation hall
Obi-Wan seated himself next to Lonan. He could feel the anger from his friend. He drew the Force in to
shield himself. The Jedi apprentice waited patiently, knowing that Lonan needed
to speak.
After a couple of minutes, Lonan turned to his friend. �I still can not believe that Sedona betrayed us,�
the Exoian page said tersely.
�As I said before, Sedona was only doing what she felt was right,� Obi-Wan replied. �She was forced to do
Drayce�s will to protect Counselor Ryvinia.�
�But how can we trust her? How can Knight Krysira trust her, after what she has done? What if Sedona
betrays the group to Drayce?�
�I do not feel that will be the case. I felt her regret and she wishes to right the wrongs that she has
done. She wants a second chance and I believe that she deserves one...do you
not think? Besides...I do not think that she expected Drayce to go back on his
word.�
Lonan was quiet for a minute or so. �I suppose so...but, I...am...still...uncertain.�
Obi-Wan laid a hand on Lonan�s shoulder. �Search your heart and you will find the answer.�
�But how will I know if it is the right answer?�
Obi-Wan smiled. �You will know, my friend. You will know.�
Archer leaned back in the chair, arms crossed over his chest, as he looked at Hoshi sitting across from
him. �Why did I think that everything would go smoothly once we found Trip and
Malcolm?� He questioned.
�Things never go as planned, do they, sir?� Hoshi replied.
�Not always.�
�Captain...is it right that we stay and help? I mean...aren�t we interfering...somehow?�
�I thought about that. We�re not interfering with the normal development of the culture...as far as I can
tell. And to help others...isn�t that what we do? Besides, people who didn�t
even know us risked their lives to help us. I can�t forget that, Hoshi.� He
looked at her meaningfully.
Hoshi�s dark eyes misted suddenly. �Neither can I.�
Archer merely nodded in understanding. �Counselor Ryvinia�s kidnapping hit Sedona pretty hard. I don�t
think that she expected Drayce to go back on his word.�
�Lieutenant Reed�s taking it pretty hard as well,� Hoshi blurted out.
He eyed his communications officer. �What?�
�Oops.�
�Care to explain, Ensign?�
Hoshi rested her forearms on the table, staring at her hands. �Well...to make a long story short...it seems
that, according to Commander Tucker, that Lieutenant Reed...has some deep
feelings for Counselor Ryvinia and she for him...but they had a
misunderstanding and he was going to talk to her about it during the break.�
Archer sighed heavily. He closed his eyes, while rubbing the bridge of his nose. �First, my chief
engineer, now my security officer.� He opened his eyes. �Are you next?�
Hoshi stared up at her commanding officer, then flushed slightly. �Well...not now...not yet, anyway,
sir,� she replied, haltingly.
He merely nodded.
Elkan looked up to see Qui-Gon standing across from him.
�May I join you?� The Jedi Master asked.
The resistance leader merely nodded, as Qui-Gon seated himself.
�Master Jinn, I would like to be in this second group,� Elkan said after about a minute.
�I would like that as well, Elkan, but I must be certain of your intentions.�
�My intentions?� Elkan looked at Qui-Gon curiously.
�Yes. What do you think we should do to Drayce if and when he is found?�
Elkan sighed heavily. �I am torn. Kaylar was right. Had I killed him, then I would be no better than he
is.� He paused. �But part of me still wants revenge for Vallen. A guard was
killed and Counselor Ryvinia has been kidnapped, because Drayce was allowed to
live.� He sighed heavily. �I do not know how to put these feelings that I am
experiencing into perspective.�
�Let me assist you with that. Drayce did not kill the guard...Myrek did. Had Drayce been killed instead
of imprisoned, what do you suppose Myrek would have done?�
Elkan thought a moment. �Possibly...what I tried to do. Take revenge.�
�On whom?� Qui-Gon cajoled.
�On the one who killed him. At the time, I was willing to take a risk like that.� He paused. �I suppose...I
still would be.�
��And what if Myrek took his revenge on your family instead of you? Would you be willing to take that risk?�
�My little girl, Ebby...is all that I have left,� he murmured partly to himself, partly to Qui-Gon. He
shook his head slowly. �No, Master Jinn. I would not.�
�Elkan, what you must keep in mind at all times, is that we can never predict all of the results our
actions will have. We can only strive to do what we feel in our hearts is the
right thing. It is difficult to do...even for a Jedi.�
�I understand.� He thought for a few moments. �Master Jinn, on my honor, I will promise you that if you
allow me to join your group, I will not attempt to take matters into my own
hands and I will not act without direction from you.�
The Jedi Master smiled gently. �That is good enough for me. Let us make preparations.�
Elkan grinned back at Qui-Gon, feeling as though a great weight had been lifted off of his heart
after talking with the wise Jedi Master.
Part Six
Passageway
The rest of the group had rejoined Malcolm at the entrance to the passageway.
�Good job, Malcolm,� Trip complimented.
Malcolm nodded. �Thank-you, sir,� he replied.
�Malcolm,� Krysira began, then continued seeing the British armory officer look at her. �How were you
able to trigger the bookcase to open?�
�When I slid my hand along the side, I found a slight give in the wood and the bookcase slid to one side,�
Malcolm explained, pointing to the right side panel of the bookcase.
�Thank-you,� Krysira said, closing her eyes. /�Qui-Gon,�/ she thought.
/�Krysira?�/ Qui-Gon�s reply was immediate.
/�We have found a passageway behind a bookcase in the counselor�s chambers in the study. The trigger to move
the bookcase is on the right side panel.�/
/�Well done.�/
/�We are about to follow it.�/
/�As always proceed with caution, my young friend. I am about to assemble my group.�/
/�Of course, Qui-Gon. I will keep you informed of our progress.�/
/�Excellent. May the Force be with you.�/
/�And with you as well.�/
Krysira closed the connection and opened her eyes to see Trip gazing at her.
�Everything okay, Krys?� Trip gently questioned the woman he loved.
�Yes,� she replied, smiling softly at the man that she had professed her love for. �Qui-Gon is now aware of
this passageway and is making preparations to assist us, should the need
arise.�
�Then...shall we continue on?� Trey suggested.
Krysira nodded.
�Lead on, Malcolm,� Trip said.
Malcolm nodded and entered the passageway, followed by Trey, Caden and Sedona. Trip entered with Krysira
right behind him.