It was as though the thick clouds overhead parted, for suddenly he felt the blow of the hot suns of Tatooine on the back of his neck. He could taste the grit of sand between his teeth. And he could feel the rise of the same fierce desire that had filled him as a young boy, the simplest, most powerful feeling he knew: the will to win.
Anakin felt his Master’s eyes on him, as though the surge of feeling had touched Obi-Wan like a warning finger. A mask of serenity dropped over Anakin’s face. He could call it up at will for times such as this, times when his blood seemed to race closer to his skin.
Liviani was speaking, and Obi-Wan turned back to her. Anakin kept his expression calm but interested, Like a Jedi would be. But inside… inside he was a slave boy, on fire to race again.
CHAPTER THREE
Does he really think he’s fooling me?
Obi-Wan’s exasperation with his Padawan did not show on his face. Anakin’s attempts to hide his excitement may have tricked the others, but Obi-Wan felt it charge the air. He had never seen Anakin compete in a Podrace, and Qui-Gon had not given him many details, but he knew how outrageously dangerous Podracing was. Pilots sat in open cockpits, racing fragile crafts that were powered by massive engines tethered to the racer by flexible cables. Obi-Wan could imagine that the prospect of Anakin once again pitting his skills and reflexes and daring in such a race would be irresistible.
But it would not be worthy of a Jedi. Jedi did not seek thrills.
Obi-Wan could understand a momentary tug toward the past. He would expect his Padawan to overcome it. A longing for such things was childish, in his opinion. As soon as they were alone, he would speak to Anakin about it….
“Obi-Wan, my friend?” Didi spoke in a low tone at his elbow. “A word?”
Liviani had received a call on her comlink and had turned away, so Obi-Wan followed Didi a few paces away from the others.
“I just wanted to say,” Didi began, smoothing his tunic with plump fingers, “how my entire being is convulsed with joy to see your handsome and noble face once again - “
“You want a favor,” Obi-Wan said flatly. He was fond of Didi, but he did not for one second think that Didi would hesitate to take advantage of their friendship.
Didi looked wounded. “Not a favor. Some company on a little errand - “
Obi-Wan began to turn away in dismissal.
“All right, all right! The truth! A favor!” Didi said quickly. He spread his hands, palms out. “But such a tiny one it hardly qualifies.”
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a second in irritation. Qui-Gon would ask for my patience. “What is it?”
“Shortly after arriving in Eusebus, I bought a swoop bike,” Didi said. “I thought it would make navigating these crowded streets much easier. However, hardly had I gone two meters when the engine… whoosh, ka-blam!” Didi’s fingers traced an explosion in the air. “I want my money back, yet I fear that slimy son of a monkey-lizard will refuse me.”
“But not if a Jedi is along,” Obi-Wan said wearily.
“You would not have to do a thing! Just stand there and look invincible. Maybe casually take your lightsaber out and test it…”
“No. No lightsaber.”
“Then your presence only.” Didi put his hands together. “Such a big favor it would be, and I would repay it a thousand times over.”
“Do you really think,” Obi-Wan said, exasperated, “that I have time to help you make up a bad deal?”
“Of course not, you are so busy being strong and good,” Didi said. “But while we are together, I can give you a behind-the-scenes, sneak-peek look at the Games. Bog is my son-in-law and on the Council. I have a unique perspective.” Didi could see that Obi-Wan was unmoved. “Now, don’t do it for Qui-Gon’s sake. I would never want you to remember how much he loved me and how many times he helped me. Don’t even mention his beloved name!”
“I don’t have to,” Obi-Wan said. “You just did.” But he knew from the first moment that Didi had drawn him aside that he would help him. The truth was that Obi-Wan had a soft spot for Didi just as vulnerable as Qui-Gon’s had been. And he had come to see that it wasn’t such a bad thing, to feel affection for a worthless scoundrel with a big heart.
Still, there were limits.
“I will give you ten minutes,” Obi-Wan said. “You are the best and kindest friend I ever - ” “Nine minutes, fifty-seven seconds - “
Didi’s mouth snapped shut. “I will tell Astri. One moment.”
Didi dashed off, and Siri came up next to Obi-Wan. “You are worse than Qui-Gon,” she said in an amused tone