Star Wars_ The Jedi Academy Trilogy 03_ Champions of the Force - Kevin J. Anderson [118]
The winged aliens had allowed no off-worlders to hear the concert of winds since the Emperor Palpatine had established his New Order; but with the success of the Rebellion, the Vors had finally permitted spectators again, not only representatives from the New Republic but also dignitaries from a host of populated worlds. Leia’s first attempt to come here with Ackbar had ended in disaster, but she was certain that this time everything would turn out well.
Han stood beside her, dressed in the diplomatic finery that he obviously found uncomfortable, but she thought it made him look dashing. That seemed no consolation to her husband as he chafed under the rough and stiff formal dress.
He must have sensed Leia looking at him, because he glanced down to give her a roguish smile. He snuggled closer, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her tightly against him. The wind whipped around them.
“Feels good to relax,” he said. “And it’s good to be with you, Your Highness.”
“I’m Chief of State now, General Solo,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Maybe I should order you to stay home more often.”
He laughed. “Think it would make any difference? You know how good I am at following rules.”
Leia smiled as the wind stirred her hair. “I suppose the two of us will just have to work out a compromise,” she said. “Why does it seem as if the whole galaxy conspires to keep us away from each other all the time? We used to have adventures together!”
“Maybe it’s payback for all the lucky breaks I’ve had,” he said.
“I hope your luck comes back soon, then.” She snuggled against him.
“Never quote me the odds.” Han ran his fingers up and down her back, making her skin tingle. “I feel lucky enough right now.”
The wind picked up and the hollow music lifted higher.
Chewbacca’s matted fur blew in all directions, making him look as if he had toweled off after a steam bath and forgotten to comb his body hair. He bellowed over the winds and the music of the cathedral.
Threepio’s tinny voice rang out. “Anakin. Jacen and Jaina! Children, where are you? Oh, please do come back here. We’re growing very worried.”
Chewbacca and Threepio waded through the thick grasses in search of the twins and their little brother. Anakin had crawled off to hide during the cathedral’s opening ceremony. Distracted by the ethereal harmonies, none of the spectators had noticed the baby disappearing into the grasses, including Chewbacca and Threepio.
Upon seeing their little brother missing, Jacen and Jaina had both dashed out into the expansive fields, claiming they would help find baby Anakin—and of course now all three children were lost. Chewbacca and Threepio tried not to cause too much of a distraction as they searched.
“Jacen and Jaina!” Threepio said. “Oh, dear, what are we to do, Chewbacca? This is most embarrassing.”
They stumbled through thick rustling grass that rose to Chewbacca’s chest. Threepio spread his golden arms to clear a path for himself. “This is scratching up my plating,” he said. “I was never meant for duty like this.”
Chewbacca cocked his head to listen, ignoring Threepio’s complaints. He heard children giggling somewhere among the whispering grass blades. The Wookiee plunged through the thickets, swiping with his hairy paws to knock the blades out of his way. He found no one—only a trampled path from where he had heard the sounds. He would find them sooner or later.
From behind him, swallowed up in the dense grass, he heard another thin voice. “Oh, Chewbacca! Where have you gone? Now I’m lost!”
Standing on the polished mosaic platform of synthetic marble squares, Admiral Ackbar held himself rigidly at attention beside white-robed Winter as the cathedral played its music. They sat among other off-world dignitaries and lavishly clad representatives from various planets.
He had been reluctant to come for the christening ceremony, since he had