Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 05_ Agents of Chaos 02_ Jedi Eclipse - James Luceno [49]
Leia refused to take the bait. “Isolder shouldn’t have allowed himself to be provoked.”
“But, my dear, what other course of action was open to him after Thane insulted you?”
“He could have allowed me to respond.”
Creases formed at the corners of Ta’a Chume’s eyes. “My dear Leia, here on Hapes noblewomen are expected to comport themselves as something other than warriors. It has been thus since the founding days of the Consortium. Blame the Lorell Raiders for placing us on pedestals.”
“I’m not a Hapan noble, Ta’a Chume. And I’ve been called far worse than a liar.”
“I’m sure you have.”
Leia bristled, then regained her composure. “I’m more concerned about unity among the Consortium worlds than I am about defending my honor.”
Ta’a Chume forced a world-weary sigh. “There can be no unity without honor, Leia. And speaking of honor and dishonor, I’ve been meaning to inquire about your charming rogue of a husband. Why isn’t he here with you?”
Leia held Ta’a Chume’s piercing gaze. “Han is contributing in his own way to the war effort.”
“What a curious answer.” Ta’a Chume lowered her voice in feigned intimacy. “I trust there are no troubles at home.”
“There are troubles everywhere. That’s why I’m here.”
“Indeed.” Ta’a Chume fell silent for a moment, then said, “Since your arrival on Hapes I’ve been meaning to tell you how wrong I was about you.”
Leia waited.
“Unlike the Dathomiri witch’s daughter”—she glanced in the direction of Tenel Ka—“you chose against becoming a Jedi.”
Leia had to remind herself that she was talking with a woman who had not only ordered the murders of her elder son and Isolder’s first love, but whose own mother had despised the Jedi almost as passionately as Palpatine had. Isolder’s grandmother had wanted to see the Jedi extinguished, if only to prevent the resurrection of what she had deemed an oligarchy ruled by sorcerers and readers of auras.
“Tenel Ka chose wisely,” Leia said at last, “as did your son. Teneniel Djo is perfect for Isolder.”
Ta’a Chume shook her head. “No, my dear. Their marriage is beset by difficulties. There is talk of Teneniel Djo’s returning to Dathomir.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”
“You would have been perfect for my son. He undertakes this duel as much to demonstrate to me that a man is capable of taking initiative, as to demonstrate to you his continuing affection. That’s why, regardless of the outcome of today’s contest, you can rely on having my full support in the matter of the Consortium allying itself with the New Republic against the Yuuzhan Vong.”
Leia was still recovering from the unexpectedness of the disclosure when Isolder, Teneniel Djo, and Astarta strode into view.
“With mere moments to spare he arrives,” Ta’a Chume remarked on seeing them. “How like him.”
Trailing the prince and queen mother came staffers and other witnesses, including C-3PO, who hurried to Leia’s side.
“Mistress Leia,” the droid began in a fret, “I had hoped you would decide to spare yourself the torment of having to watch Prince Isolder engage in such an antiquated and obviously vain exercise, in what can only be considered pecking-order politics.”
Leia frowned at him, thinking of Corran Horn’s contest with the Yuuzhan Vong commander Shedao Shai at Ithor. “As the insulted party, I could hardly absent myself, Threepio.”
“But, Mistress,” C-3PO pressed, “do you have any idea of what Prince Isolder and Archon Thane are about to do?”
Leia glanced at the lawn where Thane’s seconds and Astarta were establishing the ground rules, and the archon and the prince were already donning the sensor- and electrode-studded headgear, power gloves, boots, and body armor that were integral to the contest.
“I have some idea,” Leia said.
The droid tilted his head to one side and flapped his stiff arms. “Then you shouldn’t permit yourself to watch. This form of hand-to-hand combat has its origin in a martial art developed by the Lorell Raiders when their chief