TITLE: Dark Sacrifice  11/36

AUTHOR: Cara & Quintus

E-MAIL:  [email protected]

RATING: PG-13

CATEGORY: Pre-TPM, Jedi Apprentice, Original Characters

ARCHIVE: Yes. Please keep headers intact.

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars is the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. No copyright infringement intended, no profit is being made from this fiction. All original characters and story belong to the authors. 

FEEDBACK: Constructive feedback appreciated.

TIME FRAME:  Pre-TPM @ 1-2 years

SUMMARY:  When Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan join a diplomatic mission to the planet Sahmly II, they uncover a strange vergence in the Force, centered around a young padawan whose actions may determine far-reaching changes in the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan’s decisions about the padawan could save the boy's life, or drive him to the power of the Dark Side.

DARK SACRIFICE

By Cara & Quintus

Chapter 11

Obi-Wan turned. Sitting in the back at their table was a tall, non-descript looking Jedi. With the brown robes, brown hair, and unremarkable face half covered with a short beard, the Jedi looked as if he could blend in almost anywhere. Obi-Wan certainly hadn't noticed him when they walked into the kitchen. On second glance, Obi-Wan realized it was the watchful Knight from the gardens. The Jedi had a big hand cupped around a stoneware mug and one long leg hooked casually around the stool.

"The Sahmlians told me of the mystical Jedi that healed one of their caste." His sharp blue eyes examined them from head to toe. "I expected a Master on the scale of Depa Billaba or perhaps Evek Piell, not a padawan,” he said as wry amusement twitched on his lips. “So, which one of you is the Force's gift to Sahmly?" His eyes locked on Obi-Wan's.

Obi-Wan shook his head. He reached out, hooked an arm around Remii's neck, and pulled the boy to him. Remii had been staring at the kitchen staff while they stared back. His gaze jerked to the unknown Jedi and his eyes widened. "Who are you?"

Obi-Wan rapped the top of Remii's head with his knuckles. "Be polite. It's obvious he's Jedi."

"Go easy on your friend, kid. It's rather refreshing to find a padawan hasn't had his inquisitiveness lobotomized by the masters yet." The Jedi unfolded himself from the stool and stood. His amused gaze settled on the younger apprentice. "So, you are the padawan who has single-handedly managed to wreak havoc on Master Toock's carefully thought out negotiations. Not that she knows this yet." He came forward until he loomed before the two apprentices. "I am Adin-Duanath Yeriamman, Jedi Knight and Explorer." He gave a short bow.

Obi-Wan released his hold on Remii and returned the bow. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, apprentice to Master Qui-Gon Jinn. I am pleased to meet you."

"Likewise, kid. I'm honored to meet a protégé of Master Jinn. I’ve heard great things about him." Yeriamman put his hands on his hips and stared at the other apprentice. "And you are?"

"Remii Hajradurama. My master is Ak'ra Dushiko," Remii replied in a soft voice. He gazed up at the tall knight, eyes wide. "You are truly an Explorer?"

"Yes, I truly am." Yeriamman stepped closer to the young apprentice and reached out a hand. Remii flinched away, then looked down, unwilling to meet the Jedi's gaze. "Sha, youngling…" Yeriamman placed his palm over the bruise on Remii's face, his other hand on the padawan's shoulder, and closed his eyes. "You have nothing to be ashamed of." Remii closed his eyes, and leaned into the knight's touch.

Obi-Wan watched them curiously. He felt a tug on the Force, a glimpse of the blue-hedged gardens and a curious undulation of Force energy. Obi-Wan felt a reverberation, images flashed by his senses with frightening speed, then came an outpouring of gentleness, soothing in its completion. He tried to follow, but the ripple dissipated like waves against a distant shore. Obi-Wan watched the expression on Remii's face change from anxious to calm. He sensed the youngster had found his center. After a minute, Yeriamman opened his eyes and removed his hand. The bruise still marked Remii's face, it wasn't healed, but Yeriamman looked satisfied.

Remii's eyes flew open. He gave the Jedi Knight a puzzled look, then a slow dawning smile. He reached out a hand and placed it on the Jedi's chest. For a long moment the two stared at each other. Obi-Wan could sense a deep satisfaction, and the start of something, although he did not know what. All he knew was, at that moment, everything was right with the Force.

Remii's stomach growled and Yeriamman laughed, breaking the spell. He threw a friendly arm around the small apprentice's shoulders and gave him a quick hug. "The mysteries of the Force can wait, kid. It's no match for a hungry padawan." Yeriamman dropped his arm, turned, and questioned one of the Sahmlians in their language before he moved over to a cooking area and grabbed some bowls off a shelf. He filled them from a simmering pot, came back and set them on the table. One more trip and the knight secured an additional bowl of food and three spoons. Gesturing for the padawans to sit, he dropped a spoon in each bowl and reclaimed his stool. The two apprentices waited politely until he took the first bite before they started.

Yeriamman paused and took a greenroll from the basket a silent Sahmlian server put on the table before him. "So, tell me what you kids have learned about these people." He leaned his bearded chin on a hand and looked ready to listen all afternoon.

Obi-Wan began to talk, and told Yeriamman about his impressions of the city and the Sahmlians from his investigations with Qui-Gon. As he spoke, he became aware of Remii retreating within himself. Obi-Wan stopped talking and turned to the youth. "Tell Knight Yeriamman what you've learned, Remii."

"Call me Adin," Yeriamman said absently, not taking his eyes off the younger apprentice.

“Tell Adin," Obi-Wan said.

"There is nothing to tell. I know nothing. I am not allowed off the grounds, how could I know anything." Remii would not look at the tall knight.

"You know more than you think, young one. Tell me about healing the woman. I would like to hear about that."

Obi-Wan felt the small Force push of encouragement Yeriamman gave to Remii. The Knight bathed the apprentice in a pool of support, and waited.

Remii finally looked up. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because you did something wonderful, Padawan. You saved a life. And I would like to hear you tell me about it," Yeriamman said quietly. He leaned across the table and fixed his bright blue eyes on the apprentice. "I am proud of you."

Fascinated, Obi-Wan watched as Yeriamman drew the story out of Remii, bit by bit, until the reluctant boy told of healing the woman's arm and his embarrassment at failing to heal it completely.

Yeriamman sat back. "Burns are tricky. Temple healers have a hard time with them; so do not disparage your abilities, Padawan. Sahmlian anatomy is more complex than many of us are aware of. You did well."

Obi-Wan felt pleased at the Knight's praise of his friend, and a little annoyed he hadn't thought to commend the youth himself, instead of worry about how it happened. That Remii needed encouragement was very obvious. Now. Obi-Wan looked up to find the knight smiling.

"There is much to learn through the Force, if we keep an open mind. Correct, Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

"Yes, Knight Yeriamman. There is much to learn."

"Call me Adin. 'Knight Yeriamman' makes you sound like a Council member about to hand out an unpleasant assignment." Adin grinned at him.

Obi-Wan grinned in return. It was hard not to.

"Why don't we go outside and walk in the gardens?" Adin suggested. "I find myself in need of a stroll."

Obi-Wan readily agreed. Remii hesitated, then gave a brief nod. The younger apprentice picked up their bowls. He jumped when a Sahmlian rushed over to snatch the bowls from him, bowing and avoiding Remii's eyes. Ga-Ree-Jen appeared to shoo the bowing servant off.

"You do not serve us, Master Jedi, we serve you," she said to Remii in Basic.

"I can take care of myself," Remii protested.

Ga-Ree-Jen gave a smile and small bow. "Of course, Master Jedi." She then did something that set up a collective gasp from the watching Sahmlians. She reached out one six-fingered hand and gently stroked the bruise on Remii's cheek. Her rills fluttered. A flush colored Remii's face, and he looked at the ground. "We wish to help," Ga-Ree-Jen said.

Adin stepped forward and put his arm around Remii's shoulders. "The help of the Ga Scree is valued by these Jedi. The wisdom of the Ga Scree is also valued."

Ga-Ree-Jen dropped her hand. "The Ga Scree are unworthy."

Remii reached out to touch her arm. "Not to me," he said. "You are my friends."

Obi-Wan felt the atmosphere in the kitchens shift imperceptibly. He saw the Sahmlian's rills flare wildly, underneath his visual perceptions he became aware of a collective consciousness. It radiated determination, and pride. His eyes went to the tall knight.

Adin stood with his head tilted to the side, listening. Obi-Wan sensed though the Knight’s powers of observation might appear latent, waiting to be called upon, there was little in their surroundings the big Knight missed. Adin finally smiled, and turned his gaze to Obi-Wan a moment before giving Remii's shoulders a squeeze. "Come on, kid. Let's get outside in the fresh air." He gave Ga-Ree-Jen a nod, and started for the door, arm still around Remii's shoulders.

Obi-Wan trailed, still puzzling out the undercurrents in the kitchens. The explorer walked with his arm still around Remii and spoke quietly. Something he said made the boy laugh, a musical sound much like the notes Remii played on his flutepipe. The two Jedi disappeared around a turn in the hedges. Obi-Wan slowed, lost in thought. He wandered on, realized he didn't see the other Jedi ahead of him and backtracked.

Again he heard Remii's laughter, and followed it to a hedge opening. Remii and Adin stood face to face in the middle of a sprawling garden, hands on each other's shoulders in a wrestling pose. Obi-Wan walked into the garden and sat on a nearby bench to watch. Adin-Duanath must have conceded a great deal, because Remii struggled mightily, and toppled the big knight to the ground. Adin just laughed, reached out, grabbed Remii by the ankle, and dumped the youth on top of him. Remii used a flip to regain his feet and stood with a smile, eyes shining. Adin rose to his feet and looked over.

"Come wrestle with us, Obi-Wan. I won't give you as much a head start as this one, but I'll make it even."

"No thank you, Adin," Obi-Wan said. "I just want to watch."

"Suit yourself." The knight removed his cloak and tossed it to the grass. He then removed the blaster and light saber, and placed them carefully on the cloak, within easy reach. Remii mimicked the Explorer's movements and laid out his light saber. He fingered the flutepipe a moment before placing it as reverently as Adin when he laid down the light saber.

Adin nodded towards it. "Will you play for me later?"

"Yes," Remii replied. He ducked his head. "If you like."

"I would like." Adin took off his shirt and folded it, placing it next to the cloak. He looked at Remii. "Grass stains are hard to get out of a good shirt."

Remii hesitated.

"I do not think your master would appreciate you getting your tunic dirty, Padawan."

Remii glanced over at Obi-Wan, then back to Adin. He slowly pulled the shirt off, and folded it, back to Adin and Obi-Wan.  When he turned, his cheeks held patches of color and the brown eyes were defiant. "Let's go." Remii said to Adin.

Obi-Wan watched the Explorer take in the bruises and nod to himself. When Adin reached out a hand to touch them, Remii backed away. "Say nothing! They are my fault and mine alone." He glared at the knight.

Adin nodded. "Yes, Padawan. I understand. Did you want to try that Force push again or shall I show you another method?"

"S…Same one," Remii stammered.

The two took up positions shoulder to shoulder again. Obi-Wan watched them and the contest. Adin was a powerful Jedi, Obi-Wan could feel it in the Force, but Adin did nothing to use it to his advantage in wrestling Remii. He seemed content to let the small padawan pummel him. The two often ended up on the ground with Remii attempting to pin the big Knight.

Obi-Wan was unsure why their actions bothered him. Had he grown up too much to enjoy the simple pleasure of wrestling with another? He didn't think so. Obi-Wan couldn't recall Qui-Gon ever rolling around on the ground with him in the carefree way Adin and Remii did. Perhaps it was just… undignified. He certainly couldn't picture Master Dushiko rolling about on the ground with his apprentice.

His com link chirruped. Obi-Wan jumped, both in surprise, and relief. He pulled it out of his pocket. "Yes, Master?"

"Where are you, Obi-Wan?"

"In the gardens, Master."

"I need you to come to the negotiating room. I have an assignment for you. We need you to go out to the Da Scree and talk with a caste leader."

"Right away!" Obi-Wan cut the connection and stuffed the com link back in his pocket. He walked over to where Adin and Remii wrestled on the ground. They broke apart, panting, and looked up at him.

"I have to go. My master has an assignment for me. I am to interview a Scree leader."

Remii jumped to his feet. "Truly? You get to go out in the city? Alone? That's not fair…"

"Yes." Obi-Wan looked to Adin. The man got up and stood by Remii. "Adin, would you keep an eye on Remii? Until I get back? I promised his master-"

"I am not a child, Obi-Wan Kenobi! I need no one to watch me!"

"I promised Master Dushiko, Remii. You will listen!" Obi-Wan stepped forward in front of the youth. "I do not make promises lightly. Do you understand me?"

"Yes…" Remii looked at the ground. "I understand, Apprentice Kenobi." He kicked the ground and scowled. "It's not fair," he muttered. Remii wiped his arm across his eyes and turned his back on Obi-Wan.

"Will you make sure he gets back to his rooms, Knight Yeriamman?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Certainly, Apprentice Kenobi. I will take responsibility." Adin placed his hand on the back of Remii's neck and squeezed lightly. "I think we will stay in the gardens a while longer. I want to hear Remii play his flute, and there are other wrestling moves I wish to teach him. Will that be acceptable?"

Obi-Wan searched the other Jedi's eyes for sarcasm. He found none. The Explorer treated him as an equal. Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Knight Yeriamman. Thank you." Obi-Wan turned and walked away. In the distant hedge opening he turned and looked back. Remii stood with his face pressed to Adin's chest. Adin had one strong arm wrapped around him. He ran his other hand through Remii's hair, speaking words Obi-Wan couldn't hear. Obi-Wan frowned and walked out the opening, headed for the security of his master.

-Continued in Chapter 12--