Qui-Gon crouched by Drenna’s side. “He was kidnapped by Senalis, Drenna,” he said gently. “He won’t be harmed.”
“How can you know this for sure?” she whispered. “What if Rutanians took him back to their planet? What if he gets thrown in jail?”
“I don’t know anything for sure,” Qui-Gon admitted. “But I do feel that Leed is safe, for the moment. The question is, why would Senalis kidnap him?”
“I don’t know,” Drenna said, shaking her head. “Leed’s decision has split many Senalis. Most believe he should remain, if he wishes. But there are some who do not want a Rutanian to live permanently on the planet.”
“We must contact my father at once,” Taroon insisted. “He must know that Leed has been taken.”
“Yes, he must know,” Qui-Gon agreed. “But it would be better if we waited. If we investigate, we might turn up some clues. When we give him the news, we can give him hope as well.”
Taroon was already shaking his head. “He must be told now.”
“But he could declare war!” Drenna cried.
“That was the risk the Senalis took when they abducted him,” Taroon countered. “I was a fool to trust any of you!” He threw a bitter glance at Drenna.
“And I was a fool to think you could have a heart,” she replied, just as bitterly.
Taroon stalked off. Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan with a sigh.
“We have no choice,” he said in a low tone. “We must contact King Frane immediately. If we don’t, Taroon will, and our trust with the king will be violated.”
He activated his holocom and was put through to the king at once. The king shimmered in the dark night, a ghostly blue presence. Briefly, Qui-Gon told him the news.
“Who took him?” King Frane roared.
“We do not know yet,” Qui-Gon answered. “But we will. I can give you my assurance that we will not sleep until we find your son.”
“I think you’ve got enough sleep!” King Frane thundered. “While you fools were dreaming, they stole him from right under your noses! How could you let this happen? You are Jedi!”
Obi-Wan admired again how Qui-Gon could meet insults with composure.
“Jedi are not infallible, King Frane,” his Master said evenly. “We are living beings, not machines. I will find your son.”
“You’d better,” King Frane responded. “Where is Taroon?”
Taroon reappeared out of the darkness. “Here, Father.”
“Start for Rutan at once,” King Frane ordered. “I do not want you taken as a prisoner of war.” “War?” Qui-Gon asked.
King Frane was grim. “If you don’t find my son within the next twelve hours, my army will invade Senali, and we will find him ourselves!”
CHAPTER 11
Taroon gathered his pack hastily, grabbing his items and stuffing them inside.
“You’ll need a guide,” Qui-Gon said. “Perhaps Drenna will lead you back.”
“I do not need a guide,” Taroon said angrily. “She will lead me astray and leave me to die, no doubt.”
Drenna fixed him with her cool silver gaze. “Don’t be a fool. If you go alone, you’ll get lost. If you wait until daybreak, the Nali-Erun will lead you to the road.”
“That is more time than I want to spend on this vile planet,” Taroon said. “Every minute I am here is torture.”
Drenna shrugged. “Then swim to shore and find your way through the swamp. Drown or get lost. I don’t care.”
He glared at her, but she ignored him. Finally Taroon stomped off. He sat down on the dock at a distance from them, facing the horizon where the sun would soon appear.
Qui-Gon motioned to Obi-Wan. “We must contact Meenon and tell him that King Frane is threatening to invade.”
Obi-Wan nodded. “I hope he does not insult you the way King Frane did.”
Qui-Gon’s blue gaze was clear. “King Frane wraps his fear in insults. But what he said was true, Padawan. I should have been more alert. I had not thought it necessary to stay awake, or to trade shifts with you. I had not felt even a trickle of apprehension or danger.”
“I did not, either,” Obi-Wan admitted. “We were both wrong.”
“Then we must accept the consequences,” Qui-Gon said. “Now, let us face Meenon.”
Qui-Gon activated the holocom. He imagined that Meenon would have to be awakened, but the Senali leader appeared immediately.
“You do not need to tell me your news,” he said heavily. “King Frane has threatened invasion. You should be aware that if this occurs, he will bring catastrophe to the entire planet of Rutan. Senalis will no longer allow themselves to be ground under the boot of Rutanian forces. All Senalis will fight, just as we did in the great war. And we will triumph once again.”