Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [20]
That got her attention, and she snapped out of her reverie with a little start. “No, sir, of course not, sir!”
It was too quick a reply to be sincere. Khai knew, as he knew Tola Annax knew, that the word from the Tribe was that Abeloth had attacked Vol. But he decided to turn the identity of the aggressor around. Better for his crew to think that Vol had violated the agreement and suffered for it, while the innocent Abeloth moved on to greater things. Better to think they had chosen rightly, because even if anyone felt they had not, there was nothing to be done now. The fabled City of Glass lay in molten ruins, its Grand Lord crippled, though not killed. Nothing, no abasement, no apology, nothing could return anyone in this fleet to favor in the Lost Tribe.
Ever.
He felt a faint brush of approval in the back of his mind—Abeloth sanctioned the revision of history.
“The true essence of the Lost Tribe will be preserved,” Khai said. “And as allies of Abeloth, we are much closer to achieving our destiny of ruling this galaxy.”
“Of course, sir. I am in complete agreement with you. Sometimes, the useless chaff must be forced away if the seed is to grow.”
Annax’s voice was sincere and strong. Khai didn’t believe her for a moment.
“What now, sir?”
Khai realized he didn’t know, but he had to take action, some kind, any kind, or else he would be deemed weak by his own second in command.
“Hail Ship and tell him I would speak with our mistress in my quarters,” he said firmly. It was the first time he had used the term, but it felt appropriate. Abeloth needed to believe that all of them were on her side. Of course, all of them were. They had to be. And even as he rationalized it coldly, Khai found himself glad of the events. There was something … pure about Abeloth, purer than the elaborate masques and traditions of the Lost Tribe. This was no glamour, no false dazzlement he was experiencing. He had seen Abeloth at her best and worst, had fought against her and with her. He would never have imagined events would turn this way but … he was not unhappy that they had.
Annax nodded brusquely, her fingers flying as she went about her task.
Khai opened his mind to the Force, calmly content in his thoughts, so that Abeloth would sense him immediately and know the gist of his intentions. She was, of course, ensconced in Ship once more, cradled in its strange embrace while she healed.
He felt her mental touch immediately upon entering his quarters, even before he heard her voice over the comm. It was, as before, strangely slurred.
“You wish to know my plans,” she said.
“As much as you care to share with me, that I may best serve you.”
He felt tired humor from her. “So, you are firmly on my side now, are you not?”
“You know I am. Any bridges that I once had are surely well and truly burned.”
“Good. You will not be a Lord of the Lost Tribe, Gavar Khai. You will be something greater. Something infinitely more important. I need someone by my side I can trust.”
“I would be that being, Mistress.”
“Your ambition pleases me. See that your wisdom is as true, and there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”
“The Lost Tribe thought too small,” Khai said. “I can see that now.” It wasn’t the complete truth, but it was true enough so that he could believe the words as he spoke them. “You are far greater than anything Lord Vol could become, and I am not a fool, to blindly follow a leader simply because I have always done so.”
“You are right in your expanding vision,” she said. “And you are smarter than Taalon. You see without having to be altered.”
Despite himself, Khai shuddered.
“My path—I am not sure. It is possible that your daughter has revealed the location of Kesh to the Skywalkers by now.”
Khai shifted uneasily. “I still do not believe my daughter is a traitor,” he said.
“Be that as it may, it is possible,” Abeloth said, a touch sternly. “Do not attempt to lie to