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The being considered, then gave the forced nod. “It is best that you know. You are less likely to give offense.”

Ben made a soft snorting noise, but—thankfully, Luke thought—did not speak. Tadar’Ro continued.

“You have said you studied what Jorj Car’das brought back of our people. Then you will know that for long and long, the Aing-Tii have believed that certain things are a certain way. We deeply respect the Force, but do not use it. Not the way others do. To us, it is a thing to be respected and experienced. It is not a tool, a weapon, for us to use to make the universe what we wish it.

“We believe we are being guided. Events are not predetermined, but they flow, gently, to a certain place, in a certain manner.”

He was sitting back on his haunches, his tail tucked under him like a built-in chair. As he spoke, he moved his short forearms in a surprisingly graceful manner, the claws seeming to trace patterns in the air, and his eyes were half closed. Luke felt him even more strongly in the Force, and again wondered at these strange beings’ relationship with it.

Tadar’Ro opened his eyes and his hands stilled, then lowered again to his chest. “So we have believed for long and long. But over the last few years, a Prophet arose and spoke many things.”

“Do you believe in him?” Luke asked. “Do you think he prophesies truly?”

“It is such a strange concept, to prophesy,” Tadar’Ro replied, his voice, unnaturally created as it was, nonetheless conveying his confusion. “To think that events are so firm. Like stone, rather than like wind and water and thought. And yet—he has seen things, and they have come to pass.”

“Coincidence, or misinterpretation,” Ben said at once. “People hear what they want to hear. Keep it vague enough, and a prophecy or prediction’ll fit pretty much anything.”

“The young one speaks wisdom. And yet these are very specific. It could be, as you say, coincidence. Or it could be foreknowledge. The future is not unknown to my people.”

No, it wouldn’t be, not to flow-walkers, thought Luke. “Could it be that the Prophet simply has had good luck, or good judgment, in determining which of the possible futures will come to pass?”

“All these things you say, we have thought of already,” said Tadar’Ro. “And yet, it is hard to discount what we have seen. As I have said, the Prophet told us many things that later did come to pass. Specific, accurate things. In fact, everything he said … happened. Except for one final prophecy. He foretold the coming of Those Who Dwell Beyond the Veil in his lifetime.”

“And that’s really gotten people upset,” Ben said.

“It has indeed,” Tadar’Ro said. “Especially because a few weeks ago, the Prophet became one with the Force—and we have had no sign of the coming of Those Who Dwell Beyond the Veil.”

Ben grimaced slightly and glanced at his father. “So it’s been made apparent that he wasn’t infallible, then.”

Tadar’Ro made an odd, ducking motion with his head, and Luke sensed his agitation. “His death has thrown my people into an uproar. We have become divided … we, who never had schisms or even disagreements that were anything more than trivial. Now there is anger sown, and accusations of deception, or worse. We—are tearing ourselves apart.”

The pain he felt pulsed like a raw wound in the Force. Luke felt it almost as his own, and he saw Ben wince a little, as well.

“We cannot serve in this way. Not when we are focused on our own hatred and fear and desire to be right. We must find resolution on this matter. And that, Jedi Luke Skywalker and Jedi Ben Skywalker, is the only reason we permitted you to come.”

“You … want our help in figuring out if this Prophet was real or false?” Ben’s voice conveyed his puzzlement. “We know almost nothing of your people, and the Prophet is dead. How can we possibly help you?”

“You can touch the Relics,” Tadar’Ro said, his voice reverent. “We are forbidden to do so.”

Luke remembered one of the bits of information they had learned about the Aing-Tii. They traveled the Rift looking for artifacts regarding Those Who Dwell Beyond the Veil. The