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“We spoke to two of the Yuuzhan Vong through their villips,” Tenel Ka related. “One of them made mention of this Yun-Harla. Jaina named the stolen ship Trickster in an attempt to annoy and distract them. She succeeded.”

“From what I know of the Yuuzhan Vong, they would see that as blasphemy,” Isolder agreed.

She leaned forward, her gray eyes intense. “Of what significance are twins?”

Isolder thought this over. “Judging from the information available, twin births seem to be uncommon among the Yuuzhan Vong. I can recall three mentions. Each was thought to be a portent of some great event. In each, one twin killed the other as a prelude to some great destiny.”

Tenel Ka nodded thoughtfully. “And if one twin dies in some other fashion?”

“I don’t know. It seems likely that the survivor will still be viewed as an important person. Why do you ask?”

“Jacen Solo is dead,” she said bluntly, “and the Yuuzhan Vong know he has a twin sister.”

Isolder sent her a sympathetic look. “I see.”

“With respect, I don’t think you do. I fear for Jaina’s safety, yes, but the Yuuzhan Vong can do far worse than kill. Tahiri, Anakin Solo’s friend, was captured on Yavin Four and turned over to the shapers. They scarred her body and implanted memories in her mind in an attempt to make her over into something more like them.”

“Jaina is not under their power.”

“Not directly, no. But if the Yuuzhan Vong perceive her to be the central figure in some important event, they may create a situation that will force her into that role. It is a form of shaping.”

Isolder gave her shoulder a comforting pat. “She is a strong-willed and resourceful young woman.”

“Fact,” Tenel Ka agreed, “but the path she is taking concerns me. In claiming affinity to their Trickster goddess, she has thrown down a challenge they cannot refuse. And in taking on this role, she has already begun to assimilate the Yuuzhan Vong’s expectations. I do not like to contemplate what Jaina’s ‘great destiny’ might be, as defined by these invaders and her response to them.”

“Is this so different from what we all must do? No one is born free of the burden of expectations.”

She cut him off with a swiftly upraised hand. “If you’re trying to nudge me onto the throne of Hapes, you might as well save your time and mine.”

Her father was silent for several moments. “You have seen your mother since your return?”

“Of course!”

“Then you have seen the truth: if you do not take the throne, someone else will have to.”

Tenel Ka began to pace, trying to think of some rebuttal. But the specter of Queen Mother Chelik was all too credible. The woman was niece to Ta’a Chume and a legitimate heir. She would swiftly repudiate her daughter’s attempt on Isolder’s life, and no one would be able to prove her involvement. But Tenel Ka would know, of course, and so would her ailing mother.

No wonder Hapes had a history of distrust for those with Jedi powers! The ruling queen mothers survived by their ability to dissemble and manipulate. They did not appreciate those who could see through their plots and perceive the venal natures doubly hidden beneath scarlet veils and beautiful faces.

Tenel Ka had few illusions about her family. Chelik was not the worst of Ta’a Chume’s possible successors. Alyssia, younger sister to Chelik, was even more devious. Alyssia was too canny to make an open attack on Prince Isolder. More likely, she had slyly manipulated Chelik’s daughter into acting on her mother’s behalf. The girl would be executed for this crime, and the loss of an heir weakened Chelik’s bid for the throne.

Such was the royal family, its court, even Hapan culture. Tenel Ka could not conceive of a life defined by these values. Would she, like Jaina, reshape herself to the expectations of her foes?

“Will you at least consider the possibility?” Isolder pressed.

Tenel Ka ran her hand over her red-gold hair, plaited as always into the braids of a Dathomiri fighter. “I’m not a ruler, but a warrior.”

“Who better to lead in time of war? Surely your grandmother