Shafts of morning sunlight were just beginning to make their way through the leaves of the forest when Menalu awoke. He sat up and looked around him. For just a moment, this jungle that had held them prisoner seemed a peaceful and beautiful place. The dappled light through the leaves danced across the forest floor glinting off the dead leaves and the tiny colored flowers that poke through them.
The rock that had been their destination for so long stretched high above them, the top disappearing into the treetops. Menalu stood up and ran his hand along its surface and then pressed his forehead against its cool surface reverentially.
"Please, Rock," he said to it, "take us home safely." The Yebbi teachers had taught him that everything in the world was alive with its own power. He hoped that today the rock was listening.
Obi-Wan lay on his side where he'd dropped down the night before. Menalu had fallen asleep to his coughing and doubted Obi-Wan had slept much. Now he was silent and Menalu felt a chill. He tentatively reached out and shook Obi-Wan's shoulder and felt a great relief when he stirred. Menalu saw blood caked around his eyes and knew that Obi-Wan had the dreaded pilgrim's disease. It was such a fast poison; Menalu wondered how many pilgrims similarly afflicted had perished before even reaching Es-Speeth? Had anyone been cured? Menalu wished he knew the answers.
Though Menalu had grown up surrounded by people, the fact that he'd been the Divine Prince of Enlightenment had always gotten in the way of his truly knowing them. How do you have a simple chat with one who cannot look you in the eyes? He couldn't look out of the temple on the village side for fear that he'd be recognized and the whole village would stop what they were doing and prostrate themselves on the ground to honor him. When he traveled under the usual circumstances, he was accompanied by a procession of over one hundred people, most of whom were not allowed to speak to him.
With Obi-Wan things had been different. Menalu was always amazed that Dash-te Dey had tolerated his tricks over the years, but of course Dash-te wasn't allowed to punish him or show anger. To Obi-Wan, Menalu's status as temporal leader of his people was irrelevant. They had simply enjoyed each other's company and looked each other in the eyes and called each other normal names. Menalu had received many gifts over the years from various visiting diplomats; most of them were expensive jewel encrusted things that he'd found completely uninteresting. His friendship with Obi-Wan was the greatest gift Menalu had ever gotten.
He didn't want Obi-Wan to die. Not when they were so close to a rescue. He saw in his mind a future in which they visited each other as men. He could see himself as a grown man, wearing the robes of office as the true leader of his people and Obi-Wan, no longer an apprentice, an older and wiser Jedi Knight. They sat and talked in private, calling each other by name and looking each other in the eyes as they did now. He didn't know if he was seeing the future or just seeing a future he hoped would be. He wasn't sure if there was a difference between the two.
Menalu took out the same Kalla scarf that he had used the day before and wiped the fresh blood from Obi-Wan's eyes and nose. He took Obi-Wan's hand in his own and tried to imagine channeling strength into the body of his friend. He pictured a light, warm with its own energy and goodness flowing from all the living things on his planet. He found that the less he concentrated the more effortless the flow; it was so easy, he just had to let it happen.
Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open. "Menalu, what are you doing?" He said. Moments before he'd been awake, but in too much pain and too weak to speak. He'd been touched by Menalu's gesture of kindness, wiping the blood off his face and wished he could somehow reciprocate. He had realized that he would die here. And it was inevitable that Menalu would die with him. And worst of all, he would die a failure. It had almost been too much to bear.
Then Menalu had taken his hand and done something he'd never felt before. The closest was one time when Qui-Gon was meditating. Obi-Wan hadn't realized and laid his hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. For a moment he felt like he'd touched a live power cell. He hadn't realized how strong the force flowed through his master and he found himself unable to move. At the same time it showed him how much he still needed to learn. The touch felt strange and forbidden, as though it was too great an intimacy to be shared so early in his apprenticeship. It was transfixing though and just when Obi-Wan thought he couldn't handle it anymore, Qui-Gon had reached up and removed his hand releasing him.
Suddenly energized, Obi-Wan sat up. "They're on their way. We don't have much time." He said.
"I'm so glad you're feeling better." Menalu said, surprised and pleased by the change in his friend.
"I don't know what you did, but it helped. Come on, let's go."
Obi-Wan faced the rock. It was much taller than he'd thought it would be and there were no large handholds that he could see. It would not be easy to climb. He turned to Menalu; "I'll have to carry you."
Menalu nodded. Using the cloak that had served them so well on the journey, Menalu took his now familiar perch and Obi-Wan began climbing.
* * *
The tension was even thicker in the cockpit of the Talusian cruiser than it had been the day before. As they skimmed the treetops once again, Qui-Gon tried to clear his mind and concentrate on the moment. Somewhere behind him Dash-te and Governor Laoul were engaged in a heated discussion. It was about the status of the Divine Prince no doubt. With Sheniko's ban from the night before lifted, it was all anyone talked about. Qui-Gon had remained silent as though discussing it would seal their fate.
In front of them, the rock's bald gray dome rose from the trees like a monolith. A hush fell over the assembly in the cockpit as the cruiser slowed and circled, looking for the two boys.
"No signs of them." The pilot reported.
"Any evidence of life below?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yes, but there's no way we can tell what's what. It's teeming with living things down there."
"Then we will have to assume." Dash-te began and was interrupted by the Governor.
"The Divine Prince is dead. We cannot waste any more time. We must return to Talus City."
Qui-Gon turned and left the cockpit without a word. He walked through the passenger compartment and saw Sheniko's eyes shining with tears. The cabinet of eight monks sat with their heads bowed, openly weeping. He thought of Sheniko who had cared for the young sovereign with a mother's love. He knew he should stop and offer some words of sympathy, but he couldn't think of anything to say. For a moment their eyes met and it was though Sheniko could read his sorrow. He turned and closed himself into one of the smaller passenger compartments.
What had he done? He couldn't think. Had he consigned his apprentice to his death 3 days ago when he'd sent him away from the battle outside the downed shuttle? Or had Obi-Wan's death been sealed days before that when Dash-te Dey had lied to the Jedi Council. He felt the ship turn and speed back to Talus. He wished he had said goodbye.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes and leaned against the smooth walls of the compartment. He still felt Obi-Wan's living presence. But even he had to accept that they had been gone a long time. And it was possible that he was letting his feelings for his apprentice cloud his judgment. He had to face reality. Obi-Wan was dead. Qui-Gon had to say it aloud before he could believe it. And then once he believed it, he wished he hadn't said it.
The sobs of the monks in the next room seemed to grow louder until Qui-Gon realized they were his own.
Then he felt something. It was an incredible sense of release and seeing open spaces for the first time. It was Obi-Wan, seeing the sky for the first time in 3 days. They'd made it. They were on top of the rock. He burst out of the room and returned to the cockpit.
The Governor and Dash-te now had new worries. Two small fighters showed on the scope and were moving to intercept them.
"Turn around." Qui-Gon said.
Dash-te's face registered irritation mixed with sadness. "You must give up Master Qui-Gon. They're dead and we're under attack."
"I know they're alive. Turn around. You must make another pass."
The Governor's face softened in sympathy. "They say the Jedi are very closely bonded." He said to Dash-te as if in explanation.
Qui-Gon was determined. "Dash-te, if you don't do this now, they will certainly perish. You trusted us enough to call us here. Trust me now when I tell you that this ship must turn around."
Dash-te shook his head. "I shouldn't have called you. I was envious of you and your training. I did it to satisfy my own curiosity. I'm sorry you're apprentice had to die for my mistake."
"You will turn around and make another pass. You can decide whether you do it of your own free will." Qui-Gon said.
"Are you threatening us?" The Governor asked.
"No. Make another pass."
The occupants of the cockpit were thrown off balance as the pilot banked the cruiser and set a new course for the forest.
* * *
Only a Jedi could climb this, Obi-Wan decided. Reaching for handholds and footholds that were barely there, he climbed higher and higher. The day before he'd been unable to walk without falling, but he banished that thought from his mind. The dizziness was still there, but he channeled his whole focus to ascension. Neither the weight of Menalu on his shoulders, the way the sharp stone wore the skin of his fingertips, nor the fever that still clouded his vision distracted him from his goal. He and the rock were one, a single entity as his head parted the leaves above and he saw the sky.
On the small domed mesa, he and Menalu hugged and shouted with joy. Two ships appeared on the horizon.
"There they are." Obi-Wan said pointing. They jumped up and down waving their arms and were shocked when the ships fired on them.
Obi-Wan grabbed Menalu and they scrambled down lower on the rock and into a small crevice.
* * *
The Liberation Front fighters, which had appeared on the cruiser's scopes moments before now hovered around the rock ahead of them.
"They're firing on the rock face!" Dash-te shouted.
Qui-Gon turned to the pilot, "Do something." He growled.
Reluctantly the co-pilot manned the controls for ship's guns and fired on the fighters. Instead of moving to attack they took off for Talus.
"Not very brave." The Governor commented.
"It doesn't matter. Move the ship over the rock and lower the ramp." Said Qui-Gon.
* * *
Obi-Wan and Menalu covered their heads as shards of rock rained down on them. Then, as abruptly as the blaster fire had begun it stopped and the ships moved away.
"Now, " Obi-Wan said. They climbed up on what was left of the rock mesa.
As the Talusian Cruiser hovered in close to the rock Qui-Gon stood on the lowered ramp, holding the hydraulics for purchase. Behind him, nearly the entire population of the ship, which included several physicians and other Talusian officials along with the entourage from Rengaia, waited expectantly. Something in him got much lighter as he watched Obi-Wan climb up onto the rock top and then the Divine Prince after him. They looked worn, but they were both standing albeit unsteadily. He was close enough that he could see their faces. The Divine Prince merely looked tired, but Obi-Wan's face was a frightening mask of dried blood and grime. Qui-Gon reached his hand down.
"Hand him up if you can." Qui-Gon called. Obi-Wan lifted the Divine Prince up as high as he could and Qui-Gon caught his hands and dragged him aboard.
"Are you alright your High Holiness," he asked. The prince nodded.
"Don't forget Obi-Wan." He said.
Qui-Gon smiled, touched by the boy's concern. "I won't." he replied and handed the Divine Prince up into Sheniko's waiting arms.
Looking back out, Qui-Gon saw that the fighters that had been chased off so easily before were returning in greater numbers. They didn't have much time. He reached down as far as he could but he wasn't low enough to reach Obi-Wan's outstretched hands. Watching his apprentice swaying on his feet, Qui-Gon wasn't sure if his apprentice had the strength to jump up onto the ramp.
"I'll come down." He shouted.
"No, Master. I can do it."
"Are you sure? We haven't much time." The fighters were much closer now and were beginning to break formation.
"Yes. Trust me."
Qui-Gon backed away to give Obi-Wan room and nodded. Gathering his strength and taking a few steps back, Obi-Wan took a running leap. It was more than he needed and he passed Qui-Gon and slid clumsily into the cargo hold. He dropped to his knees and let gravity take him the rest of the way to the floor. Obi-Wan realized that Menalu hadn't cured him, but merely given him the strength to continue. The dizziness returned and with it, the pain only it was worse than before. He struggled to draw in a deep breath, but he felt like he was trying to breathe water. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and felt the cool metal deck plates against his cheek and sighed. This was exactly what he'd wanted for so long that the fact that they'd been rescued seemed secondary. So divine was the feeling of coldness and the lack of movement that Obi-Wan silently vowed never to move from this spot.
As the landing ramp rose Qui-Gon returned to the cargo bay. He watched the doctors whisk the Divine Prince away and then he and Obi-Wan were alone save for a single guard. The way Obi-Wan lay unmoving on the floor concerned him. He knelt beside his apprentice and slowly turned him onto his back. It was like nothing Qui-Gon had ever seen. Blood flowed from Obi-Wan's nose and mouth. It even trickled from one ear. Obi-Wan opened his eyes slowly and a single red tear fell to the floor. For a moment, Qui-Gon was at a loss for what to do.
His padawan stirred and tried to speak. Fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Obi-Wan was in a great deal of pain and Qui-Gon tried to speak to his mind, to tell him to relax and that he would be okay, but it was difficult to keep his attention.
It was the guard who spoke up. "I've seen it before, " he said, "It's nearly always fatal. You haven't much time. Bring him and I'll show you to the sick bay."
Ignoring Obi-Wan's weak protests Qui-Gon scooped him off the floor. "Show me." He said.
* * *
The sick bay was small and seemed bursting with people. The locus of the activity was around the Divine Prince who lay on one of the narrow beds. He sat up when Qui-Gon entered. From the way everybody was being thrown around the room, Qui-Gon could tell that the cruiser was now giving chase as the fighters closed in around it.
"Help him," the Divine Prince demanded.
Qui-Gon attempted to lay Obi-Wan down on one of the free beds when the ship bucked so violently that it threw them both on the floor. He stood up as one of the physicians reluctantly turned from the throng to help him lift Obi-Wan onto the bed.
"Why don't we fire back?" Qui-Gon asked. The ship bucked and rolled again. This time Qui-Gon was prepared and kept Obi-Wan from hitting the floor a second time.
"Those are Talusian fighters and this is a Talusian ship. They won't fire on their fellow pilots." Governor Laoul said.
"Even if their fellow pilots fire on us." Qui-Gon said. And then as abruptly as it started, the bucking stopped and the ship flew smoothly.
Visibly relieved, the physician moved to Obi-Wan's side. He looked into his eyes and felt his forehead. Then he checked a few instruments and looked up at Qui-Gon.
"I'm sorry," the physician said, "It's in the advanced stages. He's bleeding internally. There's nothing I can do."
Qui-Gon felt like he'd been stung. He was speechless. It was too much. He rested one hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and looked down at his apprentice. So much pain and confusion. He didn't even know what was wrong with him.
Before Qui-Gon could think of something to say, Sheniko stepped to his side. She looked at the doctor with narrowed eyes. "How could you say such a thing to this man who loves him like a father does a child. You haven't even tried to help. Go away." Surprised, the physician took a step backward. Qui-Gon couldn't help but be amused by the way Sheniko shooed the doctor away with her hands like he was an annoying gnat.
She returned to the bed and pressed her palm against Obi-Wan's forehead. He swallowed and opened his eyes. "You're safe." Sheniko said to him.
Staring up at her with feverish eyes, he said, "We entrust the spirit to the love advocated."
Sheniko smiled and clasped his bloody cloth wrapped hands between her slender fingers. "Very good Obi-Wan. Did His High Holiness teach you that?" she asked.
"Menalu." He answered.
Sheniko put her finger to her lips. Then she leaned down and whispered at length in his ear. Obi-Wan listened intently and then nodded when she was done. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"What did you tell him?" Qui-Gon asked.
Sheniko smiled enigmatically. "Perhaps when he's well enough, he'll tell you." She said.
* * *
The ship was once again parked near the outskirts of Talus City. Their fighter escort had followed them all the way down and now Qui-Gon could occasionally hear one buzz by. He sat in a small anteroom outside the sickbay. He had done so much waiting on this mission. He felt restless, but had been unable to remain in the room as Sheniko worked on healing Obi-Wan.
From his brief encounter with her skill days before, he knew her to be capable. He also knew that the Yebbi's skill in the healing arts far exceeded anything he'd seen before. He trusted her. But, Qui-Gon had found it difficult to block out the agony and fear that his apprentice broadcast. The fact that he was delirious with fever only made the emotions more confused and extreme. As Qui-Gon grew closer to his apprentice, just as he found it difficult to keep his subconscious from Obi-Wan, he also found it increasingly difficult to block Obi-Wan from his mind. He'd tried to calm his apprentice and even put him to sleep, but Qui-Gon was aware that his presence distracted Sheniko. Finally Qui-Gon had excused himself and now he waited.
Sheniko let herself into the room quietly and sat down beside him.
"Obi-Wan has been poisoned by a tree known as 'Rubu Riekee'. Roughly translated it means, 'tree of bad luck'." She said. Qui-Gon nodded. That was certainly a good name for it.
Sheniko continued. "The tree has very delicate leaves that wither and die if they are touched. To protect itself, it developed a powerful defense. The springy branches snap back with great force and impale anyone who comes near with sharp thorns. The thorns carry one of the most toxic poisons known on this planet. They inject it deep into the body. It causes a hemorrhagic fever. The cell walls break down and eventually the body bleeds to death. It is most serious."
"Is there an antidote?"
"Yes. We've given it to Obi-Wan, but he has lost a lot of blood. Most of the damage has been done. The most distinct symptom, the bleeding from the mucous membranes, the eyes and nose, is frightening to see, but not so threatening as internal bleeding. Many people drown in their own blood at this stage."
"He's going to be all right though." Qui-Gon said.
"I think so. He's strong. He shouldn't have been able to climb that rock. I believe he will recover."
Qui-Gon nodded in relief. Then he remembered. "How is His High Holiness?" he asked.
Sheniko smiled warmly. "He will make a full recovery. Your apprentice is quite a medic."
Qui-Gon laughed. "Obi-Wan? He has much to learn when it comes to healing."
"He set the fracture in His High Holiness' leg. It is healing well. Perhaps you should pay better attention to what he already knows." She said. "The Divine Prince has been moved into another room. Obi-Wan could use a friend to keep him company."
Qui-Gon smiled, impressed by her compassion and wisdom, and bowed his head slightly. "You have been very helpful." He said.
"You Jedi are not at all what I expected." Sheniko said. "Come, Obi-Wan is waiting." She took Qui-Gon's arm and led him from the room.
* * *
Menalu sat in the large meeting chamber inside the ship, which had become their base. Several days had passed since their rescue. His leg was much better though at times it still throbbed painfully. The bones were knitting and he could even put some weight on it. He'd become quite attached to the stick that Obi-Wan had given him in the forest and he still used it to walk about the corridors. After they had been pulled of the rock, it had been determined that Obi-Wan was much more in need of medical attention than he and for the first time in his life Menalu was enjoying a certain anonymity. His delight was short lived however.
Dash-te Dey sat staring at a datapad. Around the table the faces of his cabinet and now the governor and Qui-Gon Jinn were grim.
"We are starting to get reports from the other monasteries." Dash-te said. He began to read from the pad, recounting grim tales of monks imprisoned in monasteries and humiliated but the soldiers of the Liberation Front. Even in the small villages, tanks and soldiers had moved in and now the once peaceful lives of the Yebbi were shattered. At a large monastery, monks were forced to slaughter livestock or die. Many refused and were shot in large groups as the Liberation Front members laughed and pointed. The most disturbing tale was in a small monastery where the monks and nuns were taken into the streets and forced to break their vows of celibacy with each other for the benefit of onlookers.
At this Menalu held out his hand to stop the litany of offenses against his kind. He rose to speak. For a moment he regarded his cabinet and the grave expression on Qui-Gon's face. He could not sit and watch this happen. Anger welled up in him and he hit the table with his fist. The entire room jumped at the sound.
"How can they do this!" he shouted. "How can they be such monsters to humiliate my people like this? Master Qui-Gon, there must be something you can do."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "I can only act as your protection. The Jedi cannot get involved. I can act as your escort and as a neutral mediator in negotiations, but I cannot involve myself or the Jedi in your civil war."
Menalu lower himself in his chair. "Then we are lost." He said. "There's nothing we can do."
"You must at least speak to Astrid Stovall." Dash-te said.
"Yes," Menalu nodded his head. "Governor Laoul. Can you arrange a meeting?"
The Governor agreed to try and the discussion came to a close with nothing decided. Qui-Gon walked the corridors towards his temporary quarters. He was disturbed by the reports of the ruthlessness of Stovall's troops. Even more confusing was the mixing of the Talusian forces with those of the liberation front. It was hard to know who sided with whom. All and all a very confusing situation. He heard a rustle of cloth behind him and turned.
The Divine Prince stood alone in the hallway carrying a small cloth wrapped bundle in one hand. "Master Qui-Gon," he said. "I am in need of your council."
"Mine?" He asked. Qui-Gon was surprised for His High Holiness had his entire cabinet with which to confer.
"It is on matters that my cabinet would consider unorthodox. I fear that they want me to continue to consider negotiation as my only tactic, and yet I am coming to the conclusion that this may be a time for action."
"What kind of action?"
"We cannot fight back. We have no army and no weapons. I feel that the time has come for us to leave. It is not an easy decision to make and as I am not yet in my majority, I do not have authority to make such a decision. But I feel that the time has come for me to lead my people. The regency has bowed to the wishes of others for too long. I need your help to evacuate my people."
"The Jedi cannot help." Qui-Gon said. He saw so much of Obi-Wan in this young leader. Underneath the joyful exterior lay a solemnity and a sense of purpose. And the Divine Prince's plan of evacuation of half of an entire planet was the product of a young and active mind. He longed to help him, but the plan was impossible.
"But why? I am not asking you to take sides."
"Where would you all go? How would you get there?"
Menalu's posture slackened as he saw his own plan crumble. "I don't know. I simply know that it is our only hope."
"Might I suggest a simpler plan? Why don't you leave the planet with your government to make a plea to the Republic Senate for assistance."
Realizing he wasn't going to get any further, Menalu nodded. "I will consider it Master Qui-Gon. In the mean time, the Governor has arranged for me to meet with Astrid Stovall in two days." He started to turn away and then remembered. He handed the bundle to Qui-Gon. "These are for Obi-Wan. A gift from the Rengaian Government."
Qui-Gon took it and bowed. "Thank you" he said and the two parted.
* * *
With Obi-Wan out of immediate danger from the poison, Qui-Gon had asked that he be moved to their shared quarters so he could look after him. He spent most of his time asleep, but he was clearly on the mend. The bleeding had slowed and finally stopped altogether and Qui-Gon could feel him getting stronger. He was sitting up in bed when Qui-Gon entered.
"Feeling better?" He asked.
Obi-Wan nodded. His face was pale and his eyes still rimmed with red, but he was clearly improved compared to the condition he had been in when he'd boarded. "Better." Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon handed him the parcel from the Divine Prince. "For you. A gift from the Rengaian government." Obi-Wan untied the cloth slowly and revealed a stack of folded cloth. He held one of the items up. It was a new tunic, exactly like his old one that had been torn and bloodied beyond repair. As he looked at the rest of the folded garments he realized that all the edges were delicately embroidered with thread that was the same color as the cloth. All the Yebbi garments had such embroidery that was for the wearer to see.
"It's amazing." He said.
"The Divine Prince will meet with Astrid Stovall in a day." Qui-Gon said. "Are you up for it."
"I'll be there, Master. My place is at your side."
Qui-Gon smiled. "I've certainly missed having you there." He said.
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