Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 02_ Omen - Christie Golden [67]
Beside him, Ben nodded. “We’ll do our best. And … thank you. For agreeing to teach me.”
Tadar’Ro seemed satisfied. “It is approaching the time when we rest,” he said. “Tomorrow, at first light, we will begin the sharing. Do you wish to stay here, or return to your vessel for the night?”
“We’ll return to our vessel, thank you. But a question before you go?” Luke asked.
“Speak.”
“There are many items here that are designed for humans. May we take them to our vessel?”
The Aing-Tii nodded. “If they will be of use to you, of course. I would ask that you not keep them, however, as they have become …” He floundered a little. “They are part of who we are now.”
Luke inclined his head. “I’m pleased that one of my species is well thought of among the Aing-Tii. We will return everything we take. You have my word.”
After Tadar’Ro had departed, Luke turned to Ben. His son held up a hand. “I know what you’re going to say, Dad. But he said it was all right.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know, and thanks for not putting your foot down.”
Luke sighed and shook his head. “You know how I feel about this, Ben, but I won’t stop you from learning this if you really feel you must.”
Ben shifted uneasily on the makeshift mattress. “I … I kinda feel like I do need to, Dad. I can’t explain it better than that.”
Luke didn’t want to think that the Force was prompting Ben to do this, but it was beginning to seem that way. He knew that there were times when a parent had to let his children make their own choices—and their own mistakes. Ben had made his choice, and the Aing-Tii had agreed to instruct him. It was out of Luke’s hands now, and he chose to let it go.
“I noticed there were a lot of datapads around here, as well as droid and ship parts,” Luke said, rising and changing the subject. “Let’s see if we can learn anything from them.”
They felt eyes upon them as they emerged from Car’das’s house and headed back through the passageway to the Jade Shadow. Now that Luke knew what the situation was, the division of those who had regarded them with favor, or at least neutrality, and those who resented him made sense. It was unfortunate and awkward, but it was the situation. Luke only hoped that he and Ben would be able to find some sort of answers for them.
When they returned to the Shadow, Luke began sorting through the datapads and other items they had brought with them while Ben prepared dinner.
“These … these are journals,” he said. “It looks as though what Car’das was permitted to bring back with him was just the barest fraction of what he learned.”
“Maybe,” Ben said. “Or maybe it’s just filled with ramblings along the lines of Get me away from the rock creatures with the tongues.”
Luke chuckled despite himself. “One way to find out,” he said. He hooked up one of the pads to the holoreceiver, and an image appeared. It was a human male, with dark hair and a short, neatly trimmed beard. He seemed hale and fit, and wore a shirt, pants, and boots.
“If you’re watching this, then presumably you, too, are a guest of the Aing-Tii,” he said, smiling. The voice was deep, pleasant—and very familiar.
“That’s Tadar’Ro’s voice!” Ben said as he came back with a tray of spiceloaf sandwiches.
“No,” Luke said, “Tadar’Ro got his voice from Jorj Car’das.” He snagged a sandwich. “Let’s listen to what he’s got to say.”
KESH
TWO YEARS EARLIER
VESTARA’S HANDS WERE TIGHT ON THE REINS AS TIKK FLEW TOWARD THE Temple. He cawed and bobbed his head. Vestara turned her attention toward the beast who bore her and, sensing his discomfort, immediately relaxed her grip. Her thoughts had been so crowded that she had become distracted. She felt bad. Just like weapons and slaves, transport animals were valuable property, and the wise Sith did not abuse them without good reason. Too, Tikk was more to her than