Chapter Eleven

DiArta's plan to get the queen out of her chamber in order to gain free access to her jewels had worked, up to a point. What she hadn't anticipated was the insistence of the queen and her handmaidens that she, as a jedi, accompany the queen to safety.

They hurried along the back corridor towards the passage which led to the courtyard. DiArta looked back longingly at the queen's chambers, knowing the farther away they got from them, the more unlikely her chances were of carrying out her plan.

Resigned and annoyed, DiArta's mind changed gears. By now, Tamerlane would have had time to alert the palace guards about her. Perhaps, since they were heading for the courtyard anyway, now would be a good time to simply escape.

Something else DiArta had not anticipated was a jedi running to catch up to them. DiArta panicked then, shoving Rabe' away from the queen and backhanding her so fiercely, the handmaiden was rendered unconscious. Amidala screamed, shocked and confused by the jedi's action. DiArta drew the blaster she had been given, having told them she'd lost her lightsaber, and trained the weapon on Amidala. She concluded that her only chance now was to take the queen as a hostage. Everything was happening so fast, DiArta really didn't have the luxury of thinking through her actions.

"No!" Anakin screamed. He drew his lightsaber, prepared to do whatever he had to in order to get Amidala out of danger.

"Stay back!" DiArta growled.

"Anakin..." Amidala's voice was an expelled breath.

"Let her go," he seethed and took a challenging step towards DiArta.

DiArta jabbed the nose of the blaster into Amidala's neck. Anakin saw her wince in pain and stepped even closer.

"Don't you dare!" DiArta snapped. "Or I blast her....and you. I'm getting out of here now and she's coming with me to make sure I'm not detained any longer. So you just back off."

Anakin exchanged looks with Amidala. She appeared more concerned for his safety than her own. Her eyes pleading him not to do anything rash.

"Do what she says Anakin. I'll be alright," the queen assured him.

Anakin sighed heavily and lowered his lightsaber, then reluctantly deactivated it.

"Good!" DiArta told him. "That's very smart of you. Now, put the sword on the floor and kick it over here," she directed.

Anakin tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber, staring back at the Maschan in defiance.

Angrily, DiArta seized Amidala's wrist suddenly and twisted her arm roughly behind her back, pushing her up against the wall. "Tell the boy to do as I say."

Amidala remained silent. She tried hard not to let her expression betray any pain or fear she was feeling. She didn't want him to act irrationally out of concern for her.

"All right," Anakin said evenly. "Just don't hurt her." He carefully placed his lightsaber on the floor in front of him, his eyes never leaving DiArta's.

"Now kick it over here," DiArta said impatiently and tightened her grip on Amidala's arm. The queen closed her eyes against the pain.

Anakin could feel the anger rise in him. He kicked the hilt hard, sending it skidding down the hall, and coming to rest well out of DiArta's reach.

"Now let her go," he demanded, struggling to quell his emotions.

DiArta just glared at him. She pulled Amidala away from the wall and forced her to walk ahead of her.

"I'm telling you for the last time, boy, don't try anything or Her Almightyness, gets it. They walked over to where the lightsaber was and DiArta snatched it up, tucking it securely in her belt.

Anakin watched them move slowly down the hall away from him and disappear around the corner. He rushed over to where Rabe' lay stunned on the floor and helped her up. Her lip was split and bleeding and she still looked a little dazed.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asked. She nodded slowly, then looked around in alarm.

"Her Majesty?"

"Come on," Anakin continued. "We can't lose track of them."

"Which way did they go?" she asked and gingerly touched her lip with her fingers.

Anakin's mind was racing . He knew his emotions were getting the best of him and saw this as a test of his control. He commanded his anger to leave him and cleared every thought from his mind, welcoming the presence of the Force in its stead. It filled him with a great sense of calm and he was able to hear its guiding voice.

"This way," he told Rabe' and started up the hall.

His dream suddenly came to mind. The evil from an unexpected source. Fighting Tamerlane. Being distracted and losing something precious. It all made perfect sense now. He stopped and closed his eyes. He could see Obi Wan. He knew exactly where he was at. He called to him, letting the Force carry his thoughts to his master. Obi Wan could intercept DiArta. He had to stop fighting Tamerlane and see the real enemy, the real danger that DiArta posed.

Tamerlane circled and advanced again. Her arms were sore and one of her wrists was burned. She was tired and beginning to see the pointlessness of this duel. Neither one of them wanted to actually injure the other but neither one seemed willing to back down either.

"You may as well give up now," the jedi said, retreating from her advance. "You hold your own in a duel, I'll admit that much. But you will not get the better of me."

Tamerlane swung low and was blocked easily. She stepped back, swung again and this time caught his upper arm, searing the sleeve of his cloak. He jumped back and winced. When he looked at her again, his eyes betrayed his escalating indignation.

"So where's this lesson you promised to teach me," Tamerlane taunted him.

The jedi nodded. "Very well. You want a lesson?" he panted. "How's this?" With lightening speed he rushed her and attacked. Tamerlane scarcely had time to block one blow when he advanced on her with another. He drove her back relentlessly, and Tamerlane realized how easily he could seriously hurt her if he truly wanted to. She tried lunging at him once to push him back, but he stood his ground and their sabers locked, their faces mere inches apart.

He must have seen the fear in her eyes or felt her weariness, for he backed away from her suddenly and merely stood watching her from the distance he'd put between them.

Gratefully, Tamerlane retreated as well and took the opportunity to catch her breath and wipe the sweat from her brow.

"Give me a minute and we'll pick up where we left off," she panted.

The jedi shook his head. He smiled at her, amused. "I must say, your tenacity is your strongest point. Your strength and stamina is also quite impressive. You've been well trained, Tamerlane. You have the potential to become a powerful jedi knight. Why do you wish to throw that chance away?"

"You still think I should go back?"

"You still have a lot to learn about what it means to be a jedi."

"What do I have to go back to? Humiliation and disrespect?" Tamerlane answered and cursed under her breath. "I don't have what it takes to be a jedi. Surely you can see that." She took a deep breath and lowered her eyes. "Please, just let me go. I'm no danger to anyone."

The jedi's demeanor changed. He deactivated his lightsaber. His voice when he spoke was warm and reassuring. "I see no such thing. You have the desire to be a jedi," he began. "I sense a deep commitment in you. You have courage and compassion. Don't belittle those virtues." He stepped towards her. "Granted, you're a bit unconventional, but I once knew a great jedi who was also somewhat unconventional. It was his compassion and his courage that set him apart. You can still be a jedi, Tamerlane. It's not too late. Come back with me. Resume your training."

Tamerlane deactivated her lightsaber and reattached it to her belt. She lowered her head.

"You make it sound as though I'm just a truant pupil, not a criminal worthy of punishment."

The jedi looked at her confused. "I told you, I haven't come to arrest you. The council is worried about you. They wanted to make sure you were all right. My apprentice and I were sent to find you and take you back to the temple. The masters wish to speak with you concerning your future. That is all. Why do you believe you are a criminal?"

Tamerlane looked up at him sadly. "Don't you know what I did? To make matters worse, I fled the order and have been keeping company with a thief. I'm a rogue." She paused and took a deep breath. "I wanted to go back, but I was afraid."

The jedi regarded her compassionately. "Believe me when I say you have nothing to be afraid of."

Tamerlane swallowed hard. "I have no master," she stated flatly. "He's rejected me. Even if I did go back, he will not train me."

"But there are others," the jedi continued. "Put this time behind you. Regard it as a learning experience and consider yourself all the wiser for it. You're still so young. You have so much opportunity ahead of you. Don't let pride take that from you."

Tamerlane gazed deeply into his eyes. She could feel his sincerity and his concern. She smiled wearily. "Aren't you a wise one," she teased. "And not so old yourself." Tamerlane leaned closer to him and studied his face. "Who are you?"

He grinned. "I am Obi Wan Kenobi," he said and extended his hand in greeting.

Tamerlane clasped his hand with hers and shook it. "I know that name. You should have introduced yourself when we first met. I would have thrown down my weapon right then and there."

"Ah, so I see the rumors of my reputation as a swordsman are actually true," he said and smiled.

Tamerlane nodded. "You are quite a hero in my ranks."

"Tamerlane, I--" he paused, a strange expression suddenly shadowing his features.

Tamerlane could feel it as well. The Force surged suddenly. It washed over them in a wave. A name was carried with it, a call and a plea. Tamerlane glanced around her.

Obi Wan closed his eyes momentarily and allowed his mind time to decipher the meaning behind the silent message. His eyes suddenly snapped open and he turned quickly and started running full tilt back up the hall.

"What is it?" Tamerlane called after him.

"It's Anakin!" he yelled over his shoulder. "I've no time to explain." He disappeared around the corner.

Not knowing what else to do, Tamerlane sprinted after him.