Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 02_ Shadow Academy - Kevin J. Anderson [26]
"My mother has always taught me to have respect for Jedi, and most of all for you, Master Skywalker, but . . . please do not be offended"- she gasped, tears of mirth rising to her eyes-"I am certainly glad she did not succeed."
Luke, still smiling, reached over and gave her shoulder an understanding squeeze. "So am I. Your parents belonged together."
"I love my father, you know," Tenel Ka said, sobering, "and my mother."
"And yet you've never told your friends who your real parents are," Luke said. "Why?"
Tenel Ka squirmed uncomfortably in her crash restraints, which suddenly felt too confining. She had often mulled this problem over, and had come to the same decision again and again. "It is difficult to explain," she said. "I am not ashamed of my parents, if that is what you think. I am proud that my mother is strong in the Force and that she, a warrior from Dathomir, now rules the entire Hapes Cluster. And I am proud of my father and what he managed to become, despite the way he was raised-despite the one who raised him."
Luke nodded sagely. "Your grandmother?"
"Yes," Tenel Ka gritted. "Of that part of my family, I am not proud. My grandmother is power-hungry. She manipulates. I am not sure she even knows how to love." She felt a bleak bewilderment as she turned to look at Luke. "Yet my father is loving and wise. He is not like her."
"No, he isn't," Luke said. "Long ago your father Isolder did something difficult and very brave. Realizing that your grandmother loved power so much she was willing to kill anyone who threatened her, he rejected her teaching. She is a strong, proud woman, but her lessons were poisonous.
He chose instead to value and honor life wherever he found it. Your father's difficult decision was the right one."
Tenel Ka nodded. Her thoughts were bitter. "My lineage is tainted by generations of bloodthirsty, power-hungry tyrants. I am not proud that I was born to the royal family of Hapes," she spat. "I do not wish my friends to know that I am heir to the throne, because I have done nothing to earn it, choose it, or deserve it."
Luke's face was thoughtful. "Jacen and Jaina would understand that. Their mother is one of the most powerful women in the galaxy."
Tenel Ka shook her head violently. "Before I tell them, I must prove to myself that I am not like my ancestors. I choose to take pride only in what I accomplish, first through my own strength, and then through the Force-never through inherited political power. My parents are very proud that I have decided to become a Jedi."
"I understand," Luke said. "You've chosen a difficult path." He smiled at her warmly. "It is a good start for a Jedi."
10
The next day, Jaina's joy at seeing her brother again was overshadowed by Tamith Kai's presence and the fact that they were each being shepherded down the corridor by a pair of well-armed stormtroopers.
When Jacen broke away from his guards just long enough to give her a quick hug, she spoke her words in a whispered burst. "I've got a plan. I need your help."
Rough, armored hands pulled the brother and sister apart. One of the armor-clad guards leveled his blaster pistol at the twins and motioned them to move on.
Jaina smiled in wry amusement. Even with Tamith Kai present, Brakiss still wasn't certain of their cooperation. The stormtroopers were here to ensure that they caused no trouble.
A slight nod of Jacen's head told Jaina that he understood her words.
"Want to hear a joke?" he asked brightly, purposely changing the subject.
"Sure," Jaina answered with feigned innocence.
Jacen cleared his throat. "How many storm-troopers does it take to change a glowpanel?"
Jaina cringed inwardly. Her brother certainly was brave-or perhaps foolhardy. Nonetheless, she took the bait. "I don't know, how