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Harrar’s scarred brows met in a sudden scowl. “What motive might she have in sending them back?” he mused.

“They claim to have escaped.”

“And the priestess Elan claimed to be a defector. This Jeedai was able to block the yammosk—a most unexpected development. What more might she have done?”

The warrior snorted derisively. “Forgive my presumption, Eminence, but it seems to me you give this infidel far too much credit.”

The clatter of boots announced the humans’ approach. Khalee dismissed the escort with an absent wave and rounded on the pirates.

“Tell us,” he demanded.

The pirates gave a meandering and self-serving version of a story Harrar had already heard. He cut them off when he could bear no more. “So after your warriors were bested by a one-armed female, you surrendered your ship and submitted to captivity.”

“But we escaped, and we returned,” one of the men dared to say. “That’s got to mean something.”

“I’m sure it does,” Harrar agreed. “What, precisely, remains to be seen.”

He nodded to Khalee Lah. The warrior spun forward, his hands moving in a blur. Several quick, precise jabs sent the men staggering back, clutching at their throats and gasping like beached fish. Harrar took a small coral shard from his sleeve and cut the slaves’ implants free. He examined them carefully.

“They seem unchanged. Release these men.”

Khalee Lah drove one of his fists into each man’s stomach. They fell to their knees, dragging in ragged gulps of air.

“Sacrifice them,” Harrar instructed, “and then set course for the Hapes Cluster.”

The warrior bowed deeply. “Your Eminence, we lack the forces for an effective attack on a planet of that size.”

“We need not attack the planet,” the priest said grimly. “Just the Jeedai. And unless I am very mistaken, she will come to us.”

TWENTY-THREE

Jag Fel made his way to the Trickster’s docking bay on the first day after Jaina’s return. She glanced up from her work and scowled.

“Yes, I took one of your pilots. But Kyp is back and in reasonable working order. If you have any complaints, take them up with him.” She jerked a thumb in Lowbacca’s direction. The Wookiee obligingly rose, folded his massive arms, and fixed Jag with a challenging stare.

The pilot’s gaze flicked over the Wookiee and then returned to Jaina. “I came with a message from your mother.”

He quickly told the story of the attack on Han, and Leia’s decision to leave Hapes.

“Where did they go?”

“She said they would rejoin Luke Skywalker, and that you would know the location.”

“Makes sense,” Jaina said absently. “How badly was my father hurt?”

He described the injuries and repeated the medical droid’s assurances.

“My mother must have been surprised,” Jaina murmured. “She always said Dad’s skull was thicker than a Star Destroyer’s hull.”

Jag’s lips twitched. “She intimated something along that line.”

Jaina shook her head and blew out a long sigh. “Knowing my father, this might have started with some sort of misunderstanding. I’ll talk to Ta’a Chume about it.”

“Perhaps you should reconsider that,” Jag said carefully.

Jaina’s ire returned. She propped her fists on her hips. “Oh? And why’s that?”

“I don’t trust the former queen mother. Frankly, I’m rather surprised that you do.”

A sharp clatter drew their eyes to the walkway overhead. Tenel Ka stood there, her face inscrutable. After a tense and silent moment, she turned and strode out without a word.

Jag scowled. “That was unforgivably tactless of me.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. People who eavesdrop deserve whatever they hear,” Jaina observed.

“Perhaps, but I should speak to her.”

He nodded to Jaina and hurried after the Hapan princess. “Your Highness, a word,” he called after her.

She stopped and turned toward him. “My name is Tenel Ka,” she reminded him.

“Of course. I wanted to apologize for the insult to your family. It was not my intention to gossip or offend.”

The Jedi stared at him for a moment, and then turned away. “Walk with me,” she called back. Jag matched his pace to her