Chapter Eight

"Thank you, Your Highness. Your hospitality has been most gracious," Tamerlane was saying. "But we must be on our way now."

"Of course," Amidala replied with a benevolent smile. "Know that the court's doors are always open to you. We are pleased to have you as our honored guests. While you are in Theed, please, consider these walls your home."

Bowing, Tamerlane nodded and quickly turned to leave. DiArta stepped forward however.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" she gushed and bowed deeply. "We shall do just that!"

Tamerlane's hand was on her arm, pulling her towards the door.

"Come visit with me again before you leave Naboo," Amidala said and bid them farewell. As soon as they had gone, she faced Sabe' with a troubled expression.

The young handmaiden was quick to recognize the look in her friend's eyes.

"Your Highness? Is something wrong?"

Amidala pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Of all the jedi I have met, those two were the most un-jedi like pair I've encountered." She smiled to herself, realizing she was being kind in saying that much. There was something strange about those two, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. "That master seemed very young to me."

Sabe' smiled. "There are young masters about these days."

Amidala returned her smile. She knew her friend was referring to Obi Wan Kenobi. He was a jedi knight Sabe' particularly admired. On Tattooine, he was the one who had stayed behind with her on the crippled ship. Afterwards, Sabe' had told Amidala how he often stayed close to her, knowing she, as queen, was distressed over the plight of her people. His kindness had meant a lot to her then, for he probably sensed that she was frightened, and he frequently offered her words of encouragement and consolation.

"Yes," Amidala agreed. "Perhaps circumstances brought those two together as it did Obi Wan and Anakin." A thought suddenly occured to her. "Did you notice, the jedi Tamerlane was wearing a braid? And the apprentice was not?" She remembered when she'd first met Obi Wan, he sported a long thin braid just behind his right ear. At the time, he was Qui Gon's apprentice. And then, she recalled Anakin telling her about his own braid which now identified him as an apprentice.

"Yes, I saw her braid," Sabe' said, interrupting her thoughts. "What of it?"

"It's the apprentice who wears the braid," Amidala stated. "I thought there was something odd about those two."

"Maybe in their case, the opposite is the norm," Sabe' offered.

Amidala sighed. Sabe' was right not to think anything of it. Perhaps it was disappointment that made her so judgmental all of a sudden.

She had to admit, when she had first heard that the jedi council was sending two jedi to Naboo, her heart had soared. Surely it would be Anakin and Obi Wan. Instead, the council had sent this young master and her much older non-human apprentice. Naturally she would think there was something wrong with them. Quite simply, they weren't the right jedi at all.

Amidala waved the rest of her handmaidens over and addressed the guards and courtiers milling about the throne room.

"I am retiring to my chamber for the rest of the afternoon. I want to be left alone for awhile. I won't be receiving anyone else until this evening. Please see to it that I am not disturbed."

The guard nodded and bowed. "Yes Your Majesty."

Tamerlane thanked Terza and walked calmly into the room with DiArta at her heels. Once the assitant had left and the door securely closed behind her, Tamerlane turned and glared at DiArta.

"What are you thinking? We can't stay here! We can't prolong this charade any longer. We need to leave this place now. Right now!"

DiArta passed her long tongue over her teeth and turned away from the irate jedi without showing the slightest bit of concern. She picked up a small ornate clock from a shelf and examined it closely.

"We'll leave when I'm ready," she said flatly. "I'm not ready, so pipe down, will you."

Tamerlane moved to confront her companion. "Don't you realize they've rolled out the red carpet because they are 'expecting' two jedi to come here? Two real jedi knights are coming here!" DiArta seemed unphased by this bit of information. Tamerlane took a deep calming breath. "Look, for all the disturbance I'm feeling, they are probably already here! The jig is up! We have to leave!"

DiArta just shook her head. She took the clock and tucked it into one of the pouches on her belt. She didn't care if Tamerlane saw her or not.

At first Tamerlane was too startled for words. Then she appeared too numbed. She closed her eyes and swore softly, dragging her hand through her bangs in exasperation.

"What are you doing?"

DiArta ignored her and continued pawing the contents of the room.

"Answer me!" Tamerlane yelled.

DiArta shot her a warning look. "Mind your tone, girl. We have to eat, don't we? We need money for transports. Supplies. How do you think we got this far?"

"No!" Tamerlane countered. "You will not rob these people. I will not allow it."

DiArta turned to face Tamerlane and put her hands on her hips. She stood silently regarding her, then ground her teeth together in irritation.

"So, you think there are other jedi about? Here in the palace maybe? You think maybe they are here on an assignment?" She paused and slowly walked over to where Tamerlane stood. She leered up at her forcing Tamerlane to sway backwards. "I just have to wonder what kind of assignment would lead the jedi here of all places. Maybe they are looking for someone."

Tamerlane paled. "That's exactly what I think. That's why we need to leave."

DiArta just smiled. She took a step back and sighed. "No. I say we stay here for the night. It'll give me a chance to wander about. See if there is anything else that catches my eye. Who knows what treasures could turn up."

Tamerlane turned from DiArta in disgust. She took several deep breaths and tried to clear her mind. If she thought she was in trouble with the council before, she was ten times in trouble now. Her dreams could only be interpreted one way now. She was getting herself in deeper and deeper. It was time to look towards the other outstretched hand.

Summoning her shredded courage, she faced DiArta again. This time with steadfast resolve.

"I'm leaving the palace now. With or without you. But if you choose to stay and insist on pursuing your criminal intent, I have no choice but to intervene."

DiArta frowned deeply, then slowly, the corners of her mouth turned upwards and then she burst into laughter.

"Spoken like a true jedi!" she cackled. "Still clinging to your senseless code of ethics. Oh how those jedi abhor evil." She waved Tamerlane away. "Go on and leave me. I'm tired of you anyway. You're too pathetic for the likes of me." She walked back over to the shelf of ornaments and began pocketing several other items.

Tamerlane felt a rising anger at DiArta's defiance.

"You have been warned," she seethed.

"And you have been warned," DiArta shot back. "Go on. Get out of here."

Tamerlane turned, then decided to try one last time. "If you don't stop this insanity now, I will be forced to turn you over to the palace guards."

At that DiArta dropped what she was holding and spun around to confront Tamerlane in a frightening display of fury. "You do that, my little snitch, and I'll go straight to those phantom jedi you sense and turn you over as well! They are the ones who are hunting for the kill!"

Tamerlane didn't answer. She turned slowly and walked steadily through the door.

DiArta suddenly panicked. She tried to convince herself that Tamerlane lacked the courage to go to the guards. By doing so, her pretense would be exposed. Surely the girl must realize that. If anything, she would only leave the palace and disappear into the city.

Something else told DiArta she had underestimated Tamerlane's devotion to her training and beliefs. Tamerlane just might follow through with her threat.

In a split second, DiArta decided not to hang around.