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After all … he seemed to remember that the Sith always kept their promises.

ABELOTH’S PLANET, INSIDE THE MAW

“IT WAS REAL,” SAID BEN AS THEY CAME IN FOR A LANDING. “WHAT WE saw with the Mind Walking. Look at this place.”

Luke nodded. Everything was tinged azure, bathed in the light of the cold-seeming blue star that served as the sun for this world. Below them, they could see the crater of a volcano, and below that, somewhat obscured by the dark tendrils of smoke coming from the volcano, a crimson river twining like a scarlet snake.

Vestara had guided them to where the Sith had first landed. En route they had passed a battle cruiser locked in a decaying orbit.

“That is the Eternal Crusader,” Vestara said. “The vessel that brought us here.”

Ben whistled softly, impressed. “Why did you leave it and go to Sinkhole Station in Ship?”

Vestara didn’t answer, and Ben sighed and shook his head. “Fine. Keep your secrets. Just find us somewhere safe to land.”

“That’s a relative term here,” Vestara said. She peered over Ben’s shoulder, then said, “I know this place. This is where we first met Abeloth. Set down on the beach. I will at least know the lay of the land.”

As they drew closer, heading for the stretch of blue sand Vestara indicated, she said, “See that cave there? About a kilometer up from the base of the volcano? That is where we found her.”

“Oh great, so we’re ringing the doorbell within minutes of landing,” Ben said.

“Not necessarily,” Luke said. “I never saw her here when I Mind Walked. She could be anywhere. But it’s as good a place as any to start.” He frowned, as if something had occurred to him.

“What is it?” Ben asked.

“There might be a better place … but let’s land here for now, and regroup with Taalon.”

Luke brought the Jade Shadow to a very gentle landing on the wide stretch of blue-colored sand. A few Sith vessels were able to land close to him; others had to find space elsewhere as best they could.

The steamy heat hit Ben almost physically as he, Vestara, and Luke stepped out onto the sand. Vestara’s lightsaber had been returned to her, and she activated it at once and looked around. The red glow of the blade looked purple in the blue light, and it seemed to burn more brightly than Luke’s and Ben’s lightsabers.

Her eyes were on the tall ferns that clustered against the bank, and as Luke watched, she sprang forward, severing those that protruded over the sand. They writhed, as if in pain, and pulled back, fluid dripping like blood from the severed pieces. Even those Vestara reduced quickly to pulp, then stepped back.

“Stang,” said Ben. “The plants really are carnivorous.”

“Vestara said so, did she not?” came a melodious, arrogant voice. It was, of course, Gavar Khai, his own red blade lit, striding over to them. With him were High Lord Sarasu Taalon and a female Keshiri, slender and lovely, her short hair framing her perfect features. “Did you think she could be mistaken about something like that?”

“Not at all,” Luke said. “I thought she lied.”

Gavar Khai did not look insulted on his daughter’s behalf. “She also said that Abeloth was first encountered right over there,” Luke continued. He pointed to the mouth of the cave, a tiny, fingernail-sized dark oval against the base of the volcano. “But I feel certain she is not there.” He nodded to Taalon. “It is good to finally meet you, High Lord Taalon.”

“And you, Grand Master Skywalker. This is Captain Leeha Faal.”

Luke inclined his head cursorily to Faal. Ben remembered the name—this was the woman who had cheerfully abandoned her companions when they got caught in the act of desecrating the Fountain. Great.

“Now that the courtesies have been observed, I think I know how best to proceed,” Luke said.

Ben took petty pleasure in watching a High Lord bridle, and then be forced to calm himself. “I am open to suggestions. However, it seems to me that if Vestara knows that this cave is one place Abeloth visits, then we should investigate it.”

“I agree, but first, let’s do a search.”

“That is a waste of time and resources,” Taalon said