The Shattered Peace

10

“You are behind this!” Taroon shouted at Drenna. “You did this! I’m supposed to think he’s kidnapped, and you’re hiding him.”

“Your father did this, you fool!” Drenna shouted back. “You only pretended to go along with Leed’s decision!”

“That makes no sense at all,” Taroon said scornfully. “Leed was headed back to Rutan. Why would my father kidnap him?”

“Because it was too late to change the plan. I don’t know! All I know is that Leed is gone.” Drenna suddenly slumped on the deck. She did not weep, but she rubbed her hands up and down her arms compulsively. “My brother is gone.”

Was Drenna’s emotion genuine? Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon for a clue. He found himself adrift on this mission in more ways than one. He was not sure what anyone was feeling. He was not sure if anyone was telling the truth. But he was sorry to see that the truce between Drenna and Taroon had ended. Now they hated each other more than ever.

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!”