Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 04_ Backlash - Aaron Allston [51]
“No.” There was considerable scorn in Luke’s voice. “Clearly, this man speaks for you. It’s just as clear that he doesn’t think at all.”
“I spoke the truth.” The bearded man hurled the knife hilt down between them. “No man of the Broken Columns would send vipers against us. Killing our own champions. It was them.” He pointed variously among the Raining Leaves gathered around, and his finger stopped when it found Halliava. “It was her! She even dresses in kodashi colors.”
Halliava fixed the man with a look of mixed irritation and pity. “Many of us do. Some of you do. Their stealth and power are to be admired. But would I dress in their colors and then send them against you, implicating myself? I’d have to be as stupid as you. Besides, who among us could control so many snakes at once?”
That question did make them think. Tribesmen and tribeswomen began looking around for a likely suspect. As often as not, their attention became fixed on the Jedi.
“That’s an easy one to answer.” The speaker was Tasander Dest, just arriving. He stepped out into the open space, joining the Jedi, the bearded man, and Firen. Kaminne Sihn was right behind him.
He clapped the bearded man on the shoulder. “Drola, think about it. Who has the Arts to command the serpents? Who wants to return things to the way they were generations ago? Who would be happy for brave men to die and for Raining Leaves women to take the blame?”
Drola didn’t answer immediately. His mouth moved as if he were reluctant to speak. Finally the word came: “Nightsisters.”
“Yes, Nightsisters. The Nightsisters have caused a tragedy today. The Skywalkers have prevented us from having a second one.”
Kaminne now addressed the crowd. “We will double the guard tonight. If you see or feel anything strange, untoward, report it to a clan leader or chief.”
“Tonight we will have funeral rites for the fallen, and tomorrow, special games in their honor.” Dest’s tone became more forceful. “We will watch out for each other, Broken Columns for Raining Leaves and Raining Leaves for Broken Columns. And in giving us a common enemy, the Nightsisters will find that they have furthered our union of the clans, not prevented it.” He turned as if to speak privately with Kaminne, all but telling the gathered onlookers, You are dismissed.
Conversations rose among those gathered, but Ben was relieved to feel a lessening of tension. The rear edges of the crowd began to turn away, people drifting back toward the campfires.
Luke stepped in close to Ben. He pitched his voice low enough that it would not carry beyond the two of them. “Nice work with the knife.”
Ben shrugged. He returned the lightsaber to its clip. “The arm would have been an easier target. But it’s kind of clear that there aren’t lots of prosthetics to be had on Dathomir.”
Dest and Kaminne moved in their direction, but Luke spoke first. “So, where are these Nightsisters?”
Kaminne gestured out among the departing crowd. “Some live in the forests and mountains in small groups. But these days, the majority are among us. They keep the fact that they are Nightsisters a secret. They are better these days at concealing the effects that dark uses of the Arts have on their flesh. It is said that all clans have a few Nightsisters among them. And sometimes there are Nightsister gatherings.” She looked unhappy. “It seems that there is such a gathering now, and that it wants to prevent this union of clans.”
“New ways threaten them.” Dest seemed matter-of-fact about it. “I guess we’ll just have to keep shooting them.”
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF OF
STATE, SENATE BUILDING, CORUSCANT
Wynn Dorvan paused before reentering his office. He had to brace himself for the remainder of his encounter with the Jedi waiting for him. Seldom had Dorvan encountered a personality that was simultaneously so strong, so focused, so …