[Jedi Apprentice] - Special Edition - 01(9)

Qui-Gon strode back to the table, giving Bant an encouraging look on the way. Bant came forward. Her salmon skin glowed, but her eyes were dim with nervousness. When she sat, Obi-Wan saw how she reached down inside to calm herself. Her chin lifted, and she turned a resolute face to Pi T’Egal.

Pi T’Egal spoke gently, for Bant inspired gentleness in everyone. “Tell us what happened that afternoon, Bant.”

“I was captured by Xanatos and Bruck Chun,” Bant said in a clear, steady voice. “They took me to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. We used the water tunnels so that we would not be seen. There, Xanatos chained me to the bottom of the waterfall pool. He told me to prepare for death, that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon would not be able to save me. I did not believe him. But as the time went on, I realized that I had reached the limit of how long I could stay underwater. Then I went beyond it. I knew I was close to death. I prepared for it. And then I felt Obi-Wan’s presence. I could not see him, but I knew he was there. I felt the Force surge and give me strength to hold on. A short time later, I felt Obi-Wan release me and carry me to the surface. He dragged me up onto the bank. I saw Bruck Chun lying nearby. He was dead,” Bant concluded in a soft voice and bowed her head. “That is all I know.”

The note of insolence in Sano Sauro’s voice changed to the soft purring of a deadly animal. “You say you were near your limit underwater. Is there a prescribed amount of time a Calamarian can be without oxygen?”

“No,” Bant said. “It varies from individual to individual.”

“Have you ever passed out underwater, Bant?”

“No.”

“Never reached your limit?”

“No,” Bant said. “Not until that day.”

“Yet you did not pass out, did you? How old are you, Bant?” Sano Sauro asked, suddenly switching gears.

“I am twelve. I was eleven at the time this happened.”

“If you had never reached it before, and you did not reach it that day, how do you know you were close to death?” Sano Sauro fired the question abruptly.

She blinked slowly. “I felt death was near-“

“So it was a feeling.”

Obi-Wan’s muscles tensed. Confusion flittered over Bant’s face. She had not expected this attack.

“Jedi are taught to trust our feelings.”

“Ah. And what was your state of mind?”

“I was in a meditativestate, waiting for death should it choose to come.”

“Can you say for sure how much longer you could have held out, if Kenobi had not rescued you?”

Bant hesitated.

“The truth,” he warned.

“No … I cannot …”

Sano Sauro spun around and faced the Senators. “So we are to trust the feeling of an eleven-year-old that she was in mortal danger, so that any efforts to free her were justified. A young man is dead because of this?”

“But I know my abilities and my capacities,” Bant cried. “I am sure I was close to death!”

“I have no more questions,” Sano Sauro said.

“I think it’s time to end for today,” Pi T’Egal announced. “We will meet again tomorrow at the same time.”

The Senators rose. Bant rose shakily from the chair and approached Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

“I failed you. …”

“No,” Qui-Gon said firmly. “You told the truth.”

“It’s all right, Bant,” Obi-Wan said. “It was that Sano Sauro, twisting everything. He has no respect for Jedi.”

“The Senators do,” Qui-Gon told her. “They will not swallow his interpretation. Do not fret about it.” He led her gently toward the door, speeding up his pace a fraction in order to avoid Vox Chun and Sano Sauro, who were also heading in that direction.

Obi-Wanwas left with Kad Chun. Their eyes met. A wave of anger washed over Obi-Wan, a wave he knew he must resist. But he could not. They had attacked Bant, and he could not forgive them for that.

Kad caught his anger. Obi-Wan saw the flash of satisfaction in the pale gaze that was so like Bruck’s.

“So you are not so perfect, are you, Obi-Wan Kenobi?” Kad asked in a tone of soft menace. “I see the hate in your eyes.”

“I don’t hate you, Kad,” Obi-Wan answered, struggling to keep his voice even. “But that attack on Bant—is that your idea of justice?”

Kad’s hands balled into fists. “And killing my brother—is that your idea of mercy?” he spat out.

Their gazes locked. Obi-Wan had never faced such blazing, personal hatred and pain. He felt the shock of it hit him. He wanted to run, but he stood his ground.

Kad finally tore his gaze away. Then he turned and hurried after his father.