Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 11_ Dark Journey - Elaine Cunningham [72]
Tenel Ka sent a cool glance at her grandmother, acknowledging the comment about her mother but not rising to the bait. “Jaina and Lowbacca managed to block the frigate’s tracking mechanism. At the time, this aided our escape. I suspect she is seeking another way to exploit this.”
Isolder nodded. “Such knowledge could prove extremely valuable.”
“Fact. But because of who Jaina is—a Jedi, and Jacen Solo’s twin—she can’t afford impulsive actions and shouldn’t take unnecessary risks. She’s plotting something, and I cannot follow the path her mind is taking.”
“Perhaps I should speak to her parents,” the prince mused.
“And what makes you think they’ll have more influence on their daughter than you do on your own?” Ta’a Chume snapped, sending a fulminating look at Tenel Ka. “If you must meddle, speak with Jaina directly. Perhaps she will be wise enough to take advice.”
The prince’s lips thinned at this criticism. Before he could respond, a light step on the walkway stairs drew their attention.
Jag Fel climbed the stairs. He stopped when he noticed the Hapan royals and dipped into a low bow. “Your pardon. I came seeking Tenel Ka. The captain of the guard sent me here.”
Ta’a Chume’s gaze took in his black flight suit, the helmet under his arm. She looked to her granddaughter. “I suppose you’ve made arrangements to fly off somewhere. You seldom see fit to grace Hapes with your presence for more than a few days.”
“I was hoping, Your Majesty, that Tenel Ka might be able to help me find Jaina. I’m recruiting pilots to help scout this sector.”
Ta’a Chume pointed to the frigate. Braying yelps of Wookiee laughter wafted from the open vessel, followed by a female voice raised in a string of imaginative curses.
“It’s well that you’ve had combat experience,” she said in a dry tone. She raised one hand in a peremptory hail to catch the nearest guard’s attention, then pointed first to Jag and then to the Yuuzhan Vong ship. He snapped a salute, his fist touching his temple.
“Good luck,” she told Jag. She made a little gesture of dismissal, and the young pilot bowed again and left promptly, as was proper. But he clattered down the stairs to the docking bay with an alacrity that had little to do with protocol.
The former queen watched his quick departure with a speculative little smile. “He hasn’t a chance of recruiting Jaina for this or anything else,” she pronounced. “Mark me, any interest there will be fleeting at best. Jaina won’t waste much time on a mere pilot.”
“Her mother didn’t think as you do,” Isolder pointed out.
Ta’a Chume turned a patronizing smile on her son. “Jaina is not her mother, though I’m not surprised you can’t tell one pretty face from another.”
He blinked in astonishment as the old woman’s meaning came clear. “I have never considered her in that light!”
“Just as well,” the queen said tartly. “While I would not shed tears if you decided to seek a new queen, I would prefer that you look elsewhere. Jaina Solo’s breeding, training, and temperament would serve her well, but she is a young woman and would require much guidance. Unless you plan to rule Hapes yourself, you would do well to seek a more seasoned consort.”
Isolder turned his gaze away. “No man can rule Hapes,” he said in a flat tone.
“My point precisely! The problem is that someone must.” She arched an eyebrow. “Perhaps it is time for me to resume the throne.”
“Never,” the prince said. “That, I will not allow.”
“That, you cannot control!” she retorted. “If your daughter will not rule, your wife must. If Teneniel Djo cannot, then find a wife who can. Because if you do not, then a member of my family will fill the void and will no doubt kill the three of us in the process! Choose, and then act, or the choice will be taken from you!”
She spun and stormed off. Isolder watched her for a moment, then turned and stalked off in the opposite direction.
Left alone, an enlightened Tenel Ka stared