Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 02_ Omen - Christie Golden [105]
He squared his shoulders and turned to Tadar’Ro. “I thank you for teaching me this technique. And I hope you won’t be offended, but … I have to tell you, I don’t intend to do it again. Ever. I—I think for me, it’s better to just live in the present.”
Luke remained silent, but Ben felt his father’s pride wash over him like a warm, comforting wave. He blinked hard, not wanting to cry again.
“There is no offense,” Tadar’Ro reassured him. “The ways of the Aing-Tii are not for all. You wished to learn; we teach those who ask. It was the same with Jorj Car’das. In answer to his questions, we only asked him to learn about us, not become like us.”
Briefly Ben wondered what the ways of the Aing-Tii were, now that they had to decide such things for themselves. But it was not his concern, nor should it be.
“While you were … gone,” Luke said, “Tadar’Ro and I had a very interesting conversation. It turns out that you and I were not the only humans to have handled the Codex.”
Ben felt a jolt, then gently pushed it down. Despite what he had witnessed through flow-walking, he knew that sooner or later he’d have to learn to not wince when someone talked about Jacen. “Jacen did, too?”
Luke nodded. “I told Tadar’Ro what we experienced, and apparently Jacen felt the same thing happen when he touched the Codex.”
“The whole augmenting-your-powers thing?”
“Well, yes, that. But more importantly, he had the sensation of something wrong in the Maw that I did. He told Tadar’Ro that when he left, he was going to investigate the Maw and find out what it is.”
About forty million questions crowded Ben’s mind. He opened his mouth to try to articulate at least sixty-three of them, but Tadar’Ro interrupted.
“I told Jacen Solo not to go. And I give the same message to Luke Skywalker and Ben Skywalker.”
“Why not? If there’s something wrong there—” Ben began.
“There the Mind Drinkers dwell,” Tadar’Ro said. “It is a dangerous place for those who use the Force.”
Ben looked at his father. Luke nodded slightly.
“We embarked on this journey to find out what happened to Jacen Solo to turn him into Darth Caedus,” Luke said, “and also to see if we can find out anything about the strange mental illness that is crippling the Jedi Order one by one. Tadar’Ro … we have to go investigate this.”
Despite the intensity with which he had warned them, Tadar’Ro did not seem surprised at their decision. Perhaps, after knowing four humans, he was starting to figure out how stubborn they could be.
“So said Jacen Solo. And I will give you the same parting gift I gave him: a riddle. The Path of Enlightenment runs through the chasm of Perfect Darkness. The way is narrow and treacherous, but if you can follow it, you will find what you seek.”
Ben and Luke exchanged glances. “No other clues?”
“As you told my people earlier … you must figure it out for yourselves.”
Despite everything, Ben found himself grinning. He had no idea that the Aing-Tii had such a sense of humor.
“And for Ben Skywalker, I have another gift. One that is not quite so difficult to understand.”
He had been carrying one of the Vor’cha stun sticks attached to a belt around his waist. Now he reached to unfasten it, offering it to Ben.
“You and your father were attacked with such a weapon. I deeply regret that attack. Now the weapon is yours. I know you will wield it carefully. It can render your enemy unconscious, even through armor.”
“Lubed!” Ben said, grinning, as he accepted the stick. He bowed to Tadar’Ro. “Thank you, Tadar’Ro. Thank you for everything.”
Luke caught Tadar’Ro’s eye and smiled a little. Then, before Ben knew what was happening, there was a sharp pop of displaced air. The Vor’cha stick simply vanished from his hands to reappear in his father’s. He gaped for a second, and then realized that while he had been studying so hard to learn flow-walking, Luke had readily mastered the other known Aing-Tii Force technique.