The Mark of the Crown(17)

“Or so she pretended,” Obi-Wan said stubbornly. If Qui-Gon could accuse Jono, why couldn’t the web of suspicion extend to Elan as well?

“Concentrate on the palace,” Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan heard disapproval in his voice. “I will handle Elan.”

The communication faded. Obi-Wan slipped the comlink back in his pocket, disappointed in their exchange. Sometimes it felt as though he and Qui-Gon would never achieve the mind communion       that is the mark of the ideal Master-Apprentice relationship.

Obviously, Qui-Gon had not been able to convince Elan that she was the heir to the crown. Why was he wasting his time with the hill people?

Obi-Wan followed the path back to the kitchen gardens. As he rounded a corner, he almost ran into Jono.

“Obi-Wan! There you are,” Jono said. “I left a tray for you. Fresh juna berries for you this morning. Very sweet.”

Obi-Wan nodded and headed back toward the palace. Jono had been so close. Had he heard Obi-Wan’s communication? Was Jono a spy for Giba and Beju after all?

Obi-Wan guessed that the Queen was being poisoned with her night tray, but he couldn’t be absolutely sure. He had no way of knowing how long the poisonous agent took to act. He couldn’t take any chances with the Queen’s life.

He hurried to the Queen’s chambers. The Queen sat in the outer chamber in her morning robe. Dark circles were under her eyes, and her long hair fell lankly down her back. The table was set for her breakfast - tea, fruit, and a protein cake. She was just lifting the tea to her lips with a shaking hand…

“No!” Obi-Wan cried. He sprang forward and knocked the cup away. It fell and smashed on the stone floor.

The Queen slowly turned to stare at it. “That was part of my betrothal gift,” she said.

“I think you’re being poisoned, Queen Veda,” Obi-Wan blurted.

The Queen seemed to move her head with difficulty. She fixed her eyes on him. “What did you say?”

“I don’t know who it is,” Obi-Wan said desperately. “I have no proof - not yet. But if it is true, you must not drink or eat anything that is prepared for you.”

“This is impossible,” the Queen whispered.

“Impossible it is,” Prince Beju announced, striding in. Giba followed on the Prince’s heels. “The Jedi is lying!”

“Why would he lie, my son?” Queen Veda asked weakly.

“To discredit the palace,” Prince Beju answered. “Or for some other reason we have yet to discover. I do not trust either of them, Mother!”

“And where is the other?” Giba demanded silkily. “Time and time again I have asked to see him, only to hear that he is resting, or walking about. I do not believe it! This Jedi lies already, I think. So why should he not lie about this?”

“You both are ready to accuse me. Strange that you do not give a thought to whether what I say is true,” Obi-Wan pointed out. “Even if there is a chance that it’s true, I would think you would be concerned. Look at the Queen. She grows weaker every day.”

The Prince turned to his mother. His angry look faltered for a moment, and he took a half step toward her. Then he collected himself and turned to Obi-Wan. “My mother’s illness is not your concern. And spreading lies about it doesn’t help her. It only upsets her! Perhaps Qui-Gon Jinn is mixed up in this poisoning you speak of. Giba is right. It is strange that we haven’t seen him. He agreed to our rules, and then broke his promise. He is capable of anything! “

“Qui-Gon has gone to the mountains to try to convince Elan to bring the hill people to vote,” Obi-Wan said. It was a half truth, but at least it gave an explanation for his disappearance. He could not reveal the Queen’s secret.

“What a ridiculous story!” Prince Beju scoffed. “Why would the hill people make a difference? Why should we care what they think? Obviously, you are lying again.”

The Queen pushed herself to her feet. The act seemed to cause her great effort. “He is not lying, Beju,” she said. “I know it. I asked Qui-Gon to contact Elan. For me.”

“But why?” Prince Beju asked, wheeling around to face his mother.

“Because she is your half sister,” Queen Veda replied steadily.

“It is time you knew. Your father had an early marriage, and a child. He divorced his wife and abandoned the child. The decision haunted him - “

“I don’t believe it!” Prince Beju shook his head. “Now you are lying. Father would not act so dishonorably. Family is the cornerstone of life on Gala. How often he said that. He would not disgrace the Tallah name by marrying a hill person. And he would not abandon his child! You know this!”