[Jedi Apprentice] - 15(18)

Only a minute, when they hadn’t seen each other in years!

“So tell me everything as fast as you can,” she said, laughing. “You look well. I hear you are now a Knight.”

“As are you,” Qui-Gon said. “I’m thinking of taking a Padawan. Yoda is urging me to consider it.”

“Do you have a candidate?”

“Xanatos.”

She nodded slowly. “He is gifted. I would consider carefully, however. I’m not sure he’s the right one for you.”

“I haven’t seen you in years, and you’re giving me advice?” he teased.

“Who else in the galaxy understands you so well?” she answered, smiling.

“No one,” he admitted. “You were wrong about that. Remember what you said when we said good-bye?”

Her smile grew soft. “I am glad,” she said, “to have been wrong about that. I’m glad to still be the one who knows you best. And we never said good-bye. Remember?”

They sat for a moment in silence, remembering the Temple, the days when they had looked forward so eagerly to becoming Jedi Knights. They hadn’t known then how hard it would turn out to be. Neither had they known how deeply satisfying it would be at the same time. Yes, a life of service suited him. Suited Tahl, he could see. And it was something, to have this connection now, still so strong after so many years.

“I have to go,” she said softly. “l will see you soon. Missions can be short, you know.”

He smiled, remembering the eager, young Tahl who had said that so confidently years ago.

She stood. She did not say good-bye. He knew she wouldn’t, no more than she ever said hello. With a last smile, she walked out of the cafŠ and did not look back.

Dusk fell quickly. Qui-Gon checked on Obi-Wan and found him in deep meditation. He quietly went out again, glad to see it. Obi-Wan was focusing his mind on healing. Maybe his Padawan would be ready to travel by morning. He had no doubts as to Yanci’s diagnostic abilities, but she had never treated a Jedi before.

Qui-Gon strolled through the Rock Workers’ settlement, taking deep breaths of the cool night air. He was impressed with its design and organization. He could see that though the quarry work was difficult, the Workers themselves had created a good life. They took care of each other and their young. Under other circumstances, he would have enjoyed the brief stop. Now he only wanted to be gone.

He found Yanci, Bini, and Kevta sitting outside a small housing unit, and they waved him over.

“We were enjoying the stars,” Kevta said. “It is a hard life out here, but I tried city work. It didn’t take.”

“I’m glad to have run into you,” Qui-Gon said, settling himself beside them. “Would you mind if I asked you more questions about the raids? It might help us track the Absolutes.”

“We will tell you what we can,” Kevta said.

“I think I’ll make sure Eritha is settled,” Yanci said, rising. “Bini and Kevta are the strategists here.” Qui-Gon noted how her hand lingered on Kevta’s shoulder. He gave her a gentle smile as she left.

Qui-Gon questioned Bini and Kevta closely. By listening to the details, he was able to find a pattern in the direction of the attacks and the minimal amount of tracking the Rock Workers had done.

He left the two of them and walked slowly back to the med unit. Without knowing it, Bini and Kevta had given him good news. The Jedi did not have to return to their last coordinates. They could track Balog from a point a few kilometers from the Worker settlement. If Balog was heading to the Absolute camp, they should find some evidence of his route. There were only a few possible routes through the canyons.

Of course, it all depended on whether Balog was heading for the secret hideout of the Absolutes.

It was a chance they had to take.

Qui-Gon checked on Obi-Wan, who was now sleeping deeply. Good. Qui-Gon needed to do the same. It had been days since his last sleep. He quieted his mind, allowing sleep to come. He knew he had to operate at his peak, and his body told him that he needed rest.

He slept, but his dreams were vivid and disturbing. Once again he was in the cafŠ on Zekulae. His heart lifted at the sound of Tahl’s voice. He rushed forward to greet her. But her gaze was lifeless, her eyes a dull black color. He realized she could not move or speak.

He woke with a start, his heart pounding. It was still dark, but dawn was near. He immediately swung his legs over his sleep couch and went to check on Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan seemed to feel his gaze. His eyes opened slowly, and then he came awake at once.

He tested his leg muscles, stretching beneath the thermal blanket.

“Better,” he said.