Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 01_ Outcast - Aaron Allston [126]
Ben froze, trying desperately not to look like a woodland creature caught in the spotlight beams of an oncoming speeder. Aware of numerous Kel Dors now looking at him, he offered them a scowl, a tough-guy posture.
“And what is it that you bet?” The Hidden One was seated on his throne again. His voice was cold.
“If Ben fails, I abandon the subject for as long as I live in these caverns.”
“Very well.” The Hidden One waved at Chara. “Do it.”
Chara nodded, decisive. “Yes, Master.”
The Kel Dors drew back from the center of the chamber, leaving the area ringed by columns empty but for Chara, Ben, and Luke.
Ben turned to his father. “You're doing it to me again,” he whispered.
“I am, aren't I? I'm a terrible dad.” Luke gave him a reassuring smile. “You'll do fine.”
“What if I lose?”
“Two things. First, you'll still demonstrate to all these people just what it's like to be alive. Second, I promised that I'd abandon the subject … not that you would.”
“Hey, you are sneaky.”
“Besides, you won't lose. Unlike them, you have something to fight for.”
Ben handed Luke his lightsaber.
Luke looked at the weapon. “Are you sure?”
“I'm not going to convince anybody of the value of life by cutting him in half. Win or lose, I'm doing it without my lightsaber.”
Luke nodded and withdrew to the circle of pillars.
Ithia presented Ben with a staff, a meter and a half of hardwood—gnarled, black, and polished. Then she withdrew as well.
Ben and Chara faced each other from opposite sides of the open space.
* * *
Luke leaned against the nearest pillar, trying to look relaxed but feeling no more nonchalant this time than during the fight Ben had waged their first night on Dorin.
Ben faced his opponent, features set in the neutral expression he always assumed when he didn't want anyone to know what he was thinking or feeling. Chara's eyes were on the Hidden One.
The Hidden One looked at the two opponents, made a little expression of displeasure, and said, “Go.”
Ben and Chara moved toward each other. When about a meter and a half separated them, they began circling.
Chara lashed out, the lower end of his staff flashing up toward Ben's groin. Ben reacted almost too late, parrying awkwardly. Chara responded with reflexive speed, striking down at Ben's collarbone with the other end of his weapon. Ben caught that blow, too, interposing his own staff mere centimeters from his skin; the blow hammered Ben's weapon down into his flesh. It staggered him, and as he stumbled backward, Chara swept with his staff, catching Ben's ankle and hurling him to the stone.
Ben continued the roll into a backward somersault and came up on his feet. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet like a prizefighter anxious for action. Luke could tell that he was testing his ankle, determining how forcefully it had been struck.
There was more than just vigor to Ben's bounce, though. Luke could feel the boy getting mad—angry with himself for being the first to fall, angry with his father for putting him in this situation, angry at the Kel Dors for forcing Luke's hand. Luke restrained himself from sending calming thoughts through the Force. This was Ben's fight, and the many Baran Do Sages present would be able to detect any interference from Luke.
Ben and Chara came together for another exchange. This time Ben managed to get a grazing shot against Chara's bicep before the more experienced fighter struck him. Chara's riposte connected with Ben's staff, raised in an across-the-body block, and was still strong enough to take Ben off his feet.
Again Ben rolled backward to get up, but this time Chara gestured, an exertion through the Force, and Ben's somersault continued out of control. Ben smacked up against one of the support pillars, his back and head hitting the stone hard enough to make Luke wince.
Groggy, Ben shook his head. As Chara advanced, staff up and back for a thrusting, spearlike