*****
The breeze drifted across the open space, warm, cloying, almost suffocating; much like the accusing glares directed his way. So different from the calm, cool currents of the morning. Obi-Wan stood in the center of the rectangular wooden platform, suspended in the middle of the forest, his attention wandering between the harsh voices of the six Elders and the simple embellishments carved into the floor.
The austere pattern of vines flowed with the grain of wood, then spiraled in different directions, fracturing, asymmetrical, growing more complex and more beautiful; yet still bound to the single vine at its center. As his visits to this sacred place became more frequent, the design gained deeper meaning and provided Obi-Wan with hope. He clung to that hope almost desperately as the knot of foreboding in the pit of his stomach grew worse.
"Secrecy has been our only defense for generations. I find it difficult to believe you would so callously disregard the safety of our people, Obi-Wan." The resigned expression on Ken-yi Alar's face saddened Obi-Wan.
From early childhood, Ken-yi had been his guide, a respected mentor who taught Obi-Wan the intricacies of harnessing and directing the life-power. He instilled the respect for life, the sense of responsibility such power engendered, the duty that came with this calling. If not for Ken-yi, he would never have achieved the rank of Arda, a mage of the old tradition. Now they stood on opposing sides of the same principles, and Obi-Wan could see no way to bridge the gap.
Ken-yi's thoughts seemed to have followed a similar path, his comforting baritone tinged with grief as he regarded his one time student. "We have tolerated your excursions outside of Eldalye.We have listened to your arguments. I can even respect your tenacity in holding to your convictions. But this is more than a philosophical disagreement."
Venale Denor took over the narrative, her voice cold and hard with contempt. "Bringing the Jedi here was a direct violation of our orders. I'm not sure you understand the consequences of what you've done. Tell me, what will happen when the Jedi leaves and reports our existence to his Council? Our people were hunted mercilessly during the so-called Sith War over millennia ago, by warriors of both the Dark and the Light! "
Obi-Wan remained silent. Clearly this was anything but the open debate of past disagreements. Venale almost looked as if she enjoyed the opportunity to insult him by reminding him of the legends every Quenya knew as well as they knew how to draw breath.
"We were once a thriving civilization, dedicated to life aboveall things. Reduced to displaced refugees being chased across the galaxy because the righteous fools decided their way was the only way."
`A decision you are close to repeating,' Obi-Wan thought.
"Their division eliminated any existing tolerance for our beliefs, and now, when we have finally disappeared into memory, you threaten to expose us?"
So this was how they were going to play it. Venale could invoke ancient struggles and a noble history filled with martyrs, but she--all of them, even Ken-yi--adamantly refused to acknowledge the price of their all important secrecy. All of Siesna could fall to Darkness in a travesty of injustice. Simply because inaction guaranteed secrecy.
"I have done nothing but save a life," Obi-Wan said. One life that could become two, twenty, a hundred; when had the Quenya ever believed that the good of the many outweighed the individual?
The angry protests that followed his statement assaulted his ears, before Ken-yi managed to regain order. "Obi-Wan, you must admit there are consequences to your actions." Ken-yi lowered his head as a mirthless laugh escaped him. "You had to rescue one of the two Jedi on the entire planet."
Obi-Wan's heart clenched as a picture of Anakin, lying broken and bleeding on the ground, pierced through his frustrated anger and replaced it with inflexible conviction. "He was a dying man thatI could help. I accept responsibility, but I can't changewhat's happened, nor would I do any differently given the chance to."
Venale smiled. Ken-yi simply looked at him, his face unreadable, while the others turned away. The silence was deafening.
After a long moment, Ken-yi replied, "And that is what most concerns us. We have not come by this decision lightly, Obi-Wan. But you have left us no other choice."
Venale's voice grated on Obi-Wan's nerves, "We cannot keep the Jedi here against his will, but we can prevent others from coming here. By your own admittance, you would place Eldalye in danger for the sake of a single individual, and for this we cannot trust you."
Time slowed, and her next words seemed very loud and small, spoken over a great distance and whispered into his ear. "Arda Obi-Wan Kenobi, to protect our people, our knowledge, our way of life, you are hereby banished from the borders of Eldalye. You will depart at sunrise tomorrow, accompanied by the Jedi."
*****