Star Wars - [Jedi Apprentice 04] - The Mark of the Crown (by Jude Watson)

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Jedi Apprentice

The Mark of the Crown

Jude Watson

.lit by DrB 12/04

As soon as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn stepped off the departure ramp of their transport onto

the planet of Gala, a cloud car purred to a stop at their feet. The door opened noiselessly. A ramp slid

down. A driver dressed in a navy tunic and pants scrambled out, then waited by the open door. Inside,

Obi-Wan glimpsed a luxurious interior.

"Queen Veda has sent her personal transport for the Jedi," the driver announced.

"Please thank the Queen for her hospitality," Qui-Gon said with a small bow. "It is such a fine day. We

prefer to walk to the palace."

The driver looked startled. "But the Queen instructed me to-"

"Thank you," Qui-Gon said firmly, and walked past the driver.

Obi-Wan followed his Master. He knew that the weather had nothing to do with why Qui-Gon had

decided to walk. A Jedi mission began the moment a Jedi's feet touched the surface of a new planet.

Every sense he or she had was to be focused on the surroundings. Attunement to sight, smell, sound, and

touch helped to bring the Force to bear. It was said that some Jedi Masters could see all the way to the

end of a mission just by taking a few short steps on a new world.

Thirteen-year-old Obi-Wan wasn't a Master - or even a Jedi Knight - yet. As an apprentice, he had a

long journey ahead. But even an apprentice could feel the dark tremors rippling under the calm surface of

Galu, the capital city ofGala . Obi-Wan couldn't see to the end of the mission, but he could already sense

that success would be hard-won, and far from assured.

They exited the spaceport and entered the wide boulevards of the city. Galu was a city built on three

hills. On top of the tallest hill was the gleaming white palace, visible from any point on the city streets.

Gala had once been a prosperous planet, the jewel of its system. It still had its share of rich citizens, but

the gap between those with wealth and those without was wide. Evenas cloud cars almost as luxurious as

the Queen's hummed by, beggars groveled for credits and food on the city streets.

Obi-Wan had been to Galu on his last mission. He had already seen the decay behind the once-grand

buildings. The stone was chipped and weathered, and had not been restored. Graceful lindemor trees

had once bloomed along the wide boulevards, but now they stood abandoned, dead, and twisted, rising

up from the ground like clawing fingers.

"The Queen has made the right decision," Qui-Gon remarked. "Elections should stabilize the planet. It is

time for democracy to come to Gala."

"Past time, it seems to me," Obi-Wan agreed. "Why do you think Queen Veda made the decision

now?"

"There was great danger of a civil war here," Qui-Gon said. "The Tallah dynasty has ruled for a

thousand years. They were successful at one time. But power can corrupt. After King Cana died, the

Queen knew that the power of the monarchy was slipping. She gave in to the people's wishes and

opened the government to elections."

"Which is why her son, Prince Beju, may be dangerous," Obi-Wan said. "How do you think the Prince

will react when he sees us?"

Just days ago, the Jedi had thwarted the Prince's scheme to become a hero to the Galacian people.

Prince Beju had caused a bacta shortage on Gala. Bacta was a substance used to heal wounds and

regenerate damaged flesh. Its miraculous properties saved lives. After he'd created the fake shortage, the

Prince had made an agreement with the Syndicat, an illegal political group on neighboring Phindar, to

bring some of their bacta home with him. Obi-Wan had foiled the plan by posing as the Prince and

helping Phindar's citizens remove the Syndicat from power.

"I don't think he'll greet me with open arms," Obi-Wan continued. "After all, I did kidnap him."

"He has much to lose if he opposes us," Qui-Gon pointed out. "He might have had help with that bacta

scheme, but I'm fairly certain it wasn't from Queen Veda. If we keep silent about what we know

happened on Phindar, no doubt the Prince will as well."

"Good," Obi-Wan said.

"But he will still see us as the enemy," Qui-Gon added.

Inwardly, Obi-Wan gave a sigh. Qui-Gon often told him reassuring news, only to contradict it in the

next sentence. It was his way of telling Obi-Wan that situations were not fixed, but fluid. "Count on

nothing. Only change," Qui-Gon had told him several times. He was always right

Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt a disturbance in the Force like a dark wave.

"Yes," Qui-Gon murmured.

They stopped for a moment. The street they had turned down was deserted. And then they heard the

sound of shouting. They moved together, without speaking, toward the sound. Neither one reached for

his lightsaber, or even rested a hand on the hilt. But every nerve was poised, on alert.

Suddenly, a crowd surged around a corner, heading for them. They carried laser-pulsating signs that

spelled out DECA. Obi-Wan relaxed. It was a political rally, he realized. Deca Brun was one of the

candidates for Governor of Gala.

"Already democracy is working," he observed. The people cheered as the laser sign flashed gold, then

blue.

Qui-Gon was still alert. "Something else," he murmured. He turned to look back.

From an intersecting narrow street behind them, another crowd suddenly spilled onto the boulevard.

They bore signs reading WILA PRAMMI.

"Wila Prammi, the third candidate," Obi-Wan noted. Yoda had briefed the Jedi on the two candidates

opposing Prince Beju.

The Deca Brun crowd surged forward, and the Prammi supporters ran to meet them. Obi-Wan and

Qui-Gon were caught in the middle. All of a sudden, signs were used as clubs, and fists and feet flew as

the two groups attacked each other. Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon. This was not a time for lightsabers.

Neither of the two groups had blast weapons. But still, the Jedi were in danger. They were in the middle

of a brawling mob.

A burly Galacian man holding a laser sign suddenly lunged at Obi-Wan, his sign held high. Leading with

his left shoulder, Obi-Wan went into a roll. He sprang to his feet only meters away as the sign glanced off

someone else's shoulder.

Two Deca supporters held Qui-Gon's arms as a third pulled a fist back to strike him. Qui-Gon

employed a classic Jedi escape technique, twisting his body and striking upward with his head. The two

Deca supporters were left with sore arms and ringing ears. They looked around for Qui-Gon, but he was

already gone, heading for Obi-Wan at the sidelines.

"We can't do anything here," he told Obi-Wan. "Let's keep moving."

They dodged a Wila Prammi supporter as she tripped a Deca supporter,then smashed him on the head.

"The road to democracy can be a rough one," Qui-Gon observed as they hurried past. "But on Gala, it

seems rougher than most."

The Grand Palace of Gala rose before them, an impressive, sprawling white building with two tall

towers. Surrounding the windows and inlaid in the tower spires were sparkling blue azurite crystals and

gems in mosaic patterns. The roof was gilded. Together the gold roof and glittering mosaics made the

palace shimmer, as if it weren't quite real.

The Jedi were led through vast hallways to the receiving room, where Queen Veda waited. She was

dressed in a gown of shimmersilk that appeared to change color when she moved. Different shades of

blue and green were sewn in fluttering panels that appeared and disappeared as she walked forward to

greet them. Her gold headdress was studded with blue and green crystals.

Qui-Gon barely made note of her elegant dress. He was shocked to feel her living Force.Or rather to

not feel it. It was so dim. The Queen was only in middle age, yet he sensed a serious disturbance, as if

she were extremely ill, or dying.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed their greeting.

"I welcome the Jedi to Gala," the Queen said. Her voice still rang with firm authority. Qui-Gon

wondered if she had gathered her strength for the meeting, wanting to appear well. Galacians were

known for their distinctive pale skin, a bluish tone they called "moonlight." But the Queen's skin was not

luminous, but an unhealthy-looking color reminiscent of bone.

"We have brought a shipment of bacta as a gift," Qui-Gon told her. "We left it at the spaceport loading

dock."

"It is desperately needed here," the Queen answered. "Thank you. I'll arrange to have it distributed to

the med centers."

Qui-Gon watched her face carefully. He read only relief and gratitude in her pale blue eyes, the color of

ice shadows. She gave no indication that she'd heard even a whisper about Prince Beju's plan. Still

puzzled about her health, Qui-Gon studied her the way a Jedi studies, without seeming to stare. He was

surprised when she boldly captured his gaze, her sharp eyes knowing.

"Yes," she said softly. "You are right. I am dying."

Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's start of surprise next to him. He knew the boy had not noticed the Queen's

illness. Obi-Wan had excellent instincts, but often he lacked a connection to the living Force.

"My condition simplifies meetings such as this," Queen Veda continued, waving a jeweled hand. "I can

be direct, and I hope you will be the same."

"We are always direct," Qui-Gon answered.

Queen Veda nodded. She lowered herself into a gilded chair and gestured for the Jedi to do so as well.

"I have thought a great deal about what I wish to leave behind," she began. "Gala needs to be a

democracy. The people have asked for it, and I have granted it as my last act as Queen. That will be my

legacy. There is great unrest here in the city, and in the countryside. My husband, King Cana, ruled for

thirty years. His intentions were good, but corruption invaded our council of ministers and the governors

of the surrounding provinces. A handful of powerful families controlled the high posts. My husband was

not able to stop it. Now I am afraid of civil war. The only thing that can prevent it will be free elections.

So you see why I have asked for Jedi monitoring."

Qui-Gon nodded. "What do you foresee as problems we might encounter?" he asked carefully. He

didn't want to bring up Prince Beju. He wanted the Queen to introduce the topic. That would tell him

where her sympathies resided.

"My son, Beju," she said flatly. "The last in line of the great Tallah dynasty - a fact he does not let you

forget for a moment. All his life he has waited to rule Gala. He has not forgiven me for calling elections.

He will be some trouble for you, I'm afraid. If he wins the election, he will retain the monarchy." She

shrugged. "He has some support. But what he cannot inspire, he will buy or steal, I'm afraid."

Qui-Gon nodded, trying not to show his surprise at the mother's harsh words about her son.

"I will not oppose my son," Queen Veda continued. "It is true that I've denied him his birthright. I owe

him my loyalty at least. I won't endorse another candidate publicly. But privately, I wish my son to lose. It

is not only best for Gala. It is best for Beju. I wish him to become a private citizen, to be rid of all this."

She waved her hand to take in the immense chamber. "I saw what this power did to my husband. It

corrupted him, and he was a good man. I do not want to see my son suffer the same fate. He's only

sixteen. He will understand in time why I've done this. He is also my legacy," Queen Veda finished softly.

"I wish to leave behind a son with a life that is good."

"Do you think he has a chance to win?" Qui-Gon asked.

The Queen frowned. "There is still a core of royalist supporters. The Prince has been secluded for much

of his life, since we feared for his safety. He was even schooled off-planet. Not much is known about

him, and that can work in his favor. He might be able to squeak by. I do hope not."

Queen Veda smiled at Qui-Gon. "You are surprised at my honesty. When time runs out, you don't

waste it by fooling yourself."

"What about the other candidates, Deca Brun and Wila Prammi?" Obi-Wan asked. "Is there a

favorite?"

"Deca Brun is favored," Queen Veda answered. "He's a hero to the Galacian people. He promises them

reform and prosperity. It won't be that easy, but he makes it sound so."

"And Wila Prammi?" Qui-Gon prompted.

"She has more experience," the Queen replied. "She was an underminister here at the palace. Her ideas

are sound and grounded in reality. Unfortunately, her palace experience hurts her in some quarters, and

her bluntness hurts her in others. She has her faction, but is expected to lose."

"Were you anticipating violence?" Qui-Gon asked. "We ran into some supporters on the street.

Tempers are running high."

"Yes, there have been clashes," the Queen admitted. "But I believe the people want a peaceful

transition. As long as they feel the elections are honest, they won't revolt, I hope."

Queen Veda sat silently for a moment. Qui-Gon wondered if she was fading. Then he realized that she

was gathering herself to say something. He knew that what she would tell them next was the real reason

she had summoned them here. He glanced at Obi-Wan to make sure the boy would wait for the Queen

to speak. Obi-Wan nodded.

"There is a wild card," the Queen said at last. "Another factor that is important for you to understand.

Elan."

"Elan?" Qui-Gon had not heard this name before.

"There is a faction of Galacians known as the hill people," Queen Veda explained. She smoothed the

tiled mosaic of the table in front of her and a piece of blue azurite came off in her hand. She rolled it in her

palm, her rings flashing in the sunlight that poured through the window behind her. "Elan is their leader.

The hill people are exiles who opposed the monarchy and gathered in the rough mountain terrain outside

the capital city to live outside its laws. They recognize no king or queen. They are rumored to be

ferocious, unfriendly. They never stay in one place for long. They raise their own food and have their own

healers. They are rarely seen by outsiders. Yet they are greatly feared and hated. Elan herself is a legend,

almost a ghost. I have not managed to find one person who has actually seen her."

"Will they vote in the election?" Qui-Gon asked.

Queen Veda shook her head. "No. They have refused. They were courted by both Deca Brun and

Wila Prammi, but Elan refused to meet with them. She will not recognize the new governor, just as she

never recognized King Cana ormyself ."

"If this is true, why do you call Elan a factor in the election?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Ah," the Queen said. "The last piece slips into place." She slid the piece of azurite back in the mosaic

design. "Now the picture is complete."

Obi-Wan shot Qui-Gon an impatient look. Queen Veda stared down at the mosaic, lost in thought. She

had gone back to the past, Qui-Gon realized.

Long moments passed before she raised her head again. "I admire your patience, Qui-Gon Jinn," she

said quietly. "I wish I had that gift."

"It is not a gift, but a lesson to be relearned daily," Qui-Gon responded with a smile.

She smiled back at him, nodding slightly. "Yes, I am learning that.Which brings me to my story. When

my husband, King Cana, was young, he fell in love. Our marriage had been arranged, you see. I lived in

another city. We had never met. King Cana broke his vow to me and secretly married another woman.

She was one of the hill people. Naturally, the Council of Ministers was outraged. They had already

arranged our marriage. And the fact that King Cana had married a hill person was unacceptable. The

Ministers' influence was great. They forced him to relinquish the woman. When he told his wife that he

had decided to obey them, she left the city and returned to her people. He did not know it, but she was

with child."

The Queen smoothed the mosaic with a hand that shook slightly. "King Cana later discovered this. Still

he did not search for her. I knew nothing of this at the time. I arrived for my wedding and was married. If

there was a shadow on my husband's heart, I never understood why it was there.Until the last year of his

life. He told me the story. It was his greatest regret, he said. He had never recovered from the loss of his

true love, or his cowardice in not seeking out his child."

"He may have acted wrongly," Qui-Gon said. "It is good that he recognized that before his own end.

But I must ask you: What is its relevance to today, Queen Veda?" He asked the question, already

knowing the answer.

"Elan is his daughter," Queen Veda answered quietly. "The past lives in the present always."

"And why have you told us this?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Because now I, too, am dying," the Queen answered. "Elan is my last secret. I want to do justice

before I die, justice to Elan. She should know her birthright. She is the true heir to the throne, not Beju.

She must have the Mark of the Crown on her," the Queen finished softly. Her gaze became unfocused

again, as though she were back in the past.

"The Mark of the Crown?" Qui-Gon prompted.

"The mark of succession," Queen Veda explained. "It's not an actual mark on the body. Only the

Council of Ministers can identify it."

"Prince Beju doesn't have it?" Qui-Gon asked.

"If what my husband said is true, he will not," the Queen replied. "It is not in the Council's best interests

to test him. As you may imagine, most are not happy about the elections. Whoever becomes governor

will have the right to open the Council to elections as well."

Qui-Gon nodded. The Council would naturally back Beju in order to retaintheir own power. "What

would you like us to do?" he asked.

"I cannot contact Elan," the Queen said. "Obviously, she wouldn't meet with me. But if you could send a

message to her and request ameeting .. .most do not refuse a Jedi request, you must admit. The hill

people often jam communication to the outside. I could send someone with your message. Travel in the

hill country is difficult and dangerous." The Queen looked down at her clasped hands. "And there's

something else I haven't told you. The Council didn't want you to come. I had to negotiate with them.

Under the terms of our agreement, you are forbidden to leave the city ofGalu ."

"That makes things more complicated," Qui-Gon observed neutrally.

"Yes, but not impossible," Queen Veda said eagerly. "Perhaps you can -"

Suddenly, the ornate metal door to the chamber was thrown open with such force that it hit the wall

with a loud clang. Prince Beju strode in, with a tall, bald man in a silver robe at his side.

The Prince pointed a finger at Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

"You must leave Gala at once!" he cried.

The Queen rose to her feet. "Beju, explain yourself," she ordered, her voice shimmering with anger.

Beju slowly circled around the Jedi, his gaze contemptuous. He was a solidly built young man the same

approximate height and weight as Obi-Wan, but with shoulder-length hair that was so pale it was almost

white. His eyes were the same ice-blue as his mother's.

In his short encounter with the Prince, Obi-Wan had been granted a full picture of the boy's arrogance.

He kept his own gaze steady but neutral. Qui-Gon was right. They should not antagonize the Prince any

further.

"They call themselves Jedi, but they are nothing but troublemakers," Prince Beju spat out. "Have you

heard about their doings on Phindar? They meddled and sowed discord. As a result, there was a great

battle. Many were killed. Do you want that to happen on Gala, Mother?"

"They broke the back of a crime organization that had taken over the planet," Queen Veda replied

calmly. "The Phindians are free. And they also brought us bacta to help with our own shortage."

The Prince flushed. "Some gift," he said contemptuously. "It was I who went to Phindar to negotiate the

release of the bacta. Thanks to the Jedi, the bacta was off-loaded from my ship by the Phindian rebels!

No doubt the Jedi ordered them to do so. And now they bring my bacta here as a gift? It is a joke!"

Obi-Wan stiffened. Why didn't Qui-Gon speak? The Prince was giving his own version of what

happened on Phindar. It was filled with lies. Prince Beju knew that the Jedi had no proof that the Prince

meant harm to Gala. Obi-Wan took note of his cleverness. But why wouldn't Qui-Gon speak the truth to

Queen Veda?

The frail, bald man by Beju's side turned to the Jedi. "Do you have anything to say to this?"

"This is Lonnag Giba," Queen Veda said, turning to the Jedi. "He is the Head of the Council of

Ministers, and graciously agreed to your visit."

"That was before I heard Prince Beju's charges," Giba said sternly. "I ask you again, Jedi. What do you

have to say?"

"We differ with the Prince about what happened on Phindar," Qui-Gon replied. His voice betrayed no

irritation or anger at the Prince's charges. "But it would be pointless to argue. We were invited here. Why

should we defend ourselves? If you wish us to leave your world, we shall."

"No!" Queen Veda exclaimed.

"Yes, Mother," Prince Beju said, flicking his cape behind him as he turned to face her. "Let them go.

They are nothing but meddlers masquerading as guardians, weaklings masquerading as Knights."

Queen Veda sighed. "Enough, Beju," she said. "You have made your point. But Qui-Gon Jinn is right.

The Jedi were invited here as guardians of the peace. We want the elections to go smoothly, don't we?"

"We don't want them at all," the Prince replied sullenly. "I am the true king of Gala. Father meant it to be

so, and well you know it. If I ruled Gala, I would send these troublemakers on the first transport back to

their so-holyTemple ."

"YetI am ruler now," the Queen said softly. "And I say they shall stay."

"Of course," the Prince said bitterly. "You deny me the crown. Why not deny me everything else?"

"Perhaps there is a compromise we can reach," Giba broke in smoothly. "The Jedi will remain on Gala.

But they cannot leave the palace unescorted. We should send someone with them.Someone who knows

the city well." He turned to the Jedi. "It is for your protection as well. The city is a dangerous place right

now. There is much unrest. You'll need a guide."

Giba spoke diplomatically, but Obi-Wan didn't believe a word. The old man knew that Jedi didn't need

help to defendthemselves . It was just a way to get them to accept a spy who would report on their

movements. Obi-Wan waited for Qui-Gon's protest. But again, the Jedi Knight said nothing. How could

he agree to such humiliating terms?

Queen Veda's gaze rested on her son for a moment. She looked tired - very tired. "As you wish, Beju,"

she said softly. "It is true. I cannot deny you everything." She wrapped her hand around a glowing rod

that hung on the wall. It changed color to a soft blue. "Jono Dunn will escort the Jedi."

A moment later, the metal door opened. A boy about Obi-Wan's age stood at attention, dressed in a

navy tunic and pants.

"Jono Dunn, come forward," the Queen said. "These are the Jedi sent to Gala to oversee elections.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. You will be their escort during their stay."

"They are not allowed to leave the palace without you," Prince Beju said quickly.

"Is this acceptable, Qui-Gon?" Queen Veda asked. Her eyes pleaded with him to agree.

Qui-Gon nodded. "We thank you for the assistance, Queen Veda," he said quietly.

Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. Not only was Qui-Gon accepting a guard, he was thanking the Queen!

Qui-Gon's sharp blue gaze moved to Giba. "And thank you, Giba. I'm sure our guard will protect us on

the dangerous streets of Galu."

Qui-Gon put a hand on Jono Dunn's shoulder and positioned the boy between himself and Obi-Wan.

Large and powerful, Qui-Gon towered over the slight boy. Although he was the same age, Obi-Wan's

size and strength dwarfed the boy's as well. Qui-Gon had effortlessly made the point that Giba's offer

was hollow. Jono was no protection for the Jedi. He was only a pawn in the game.

The Queen's lips quirked in a smile. Giba's narrow face flushed red with anger. He pressed his thin lips

together. "Enjoy your stay," he said through clenched teeth.

"I'm sure we shall," Qui-Gon responded.

Qui-Gon bowed and left the chamber. Obi-Wan followed only a second later. When he reached the

hall, Qui-Gon was already gone.

Legacy.

The word struck a chord in Qui-Gon. He needed time to consider why it had lodged so deep within

him. He took the exterior stairway to the gardens below. Obi-Wan would no doubt make his way to

their quarters.

Trees were bursting with fruit, or were in blossom within the palace walls. Qui-Gon recognized a few -

muja and tango. Masses of white, red, purple, and yellow marked the flower gardens beyond. The

palace was famous for its extensive gardens. Qui-Gon knew that every plant, tree, and flower native to

Gala was represented here. He strolled in the orchards. The muja trees were in blossom, and every

sudden breeze sent a shower of pink petals drifting to the grass below.

The Queen had spoken of her legacy. Dying, she considered what she wished to leave behind. Her first

thought was for her son. She even felt a bond with a stepchild she had never known. The Galacians were

a people of strong family bonds. Jobs and land were often passed down from parent to child. Marriages

were carefully chosen to strengthen the family.

Qui-Gon had given up family and children for the life of a Jedi. He had chosen freely. No Jedi was

bound to the life. He could choose to leave it at any time. Yet he knew he would not.

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JediApprentice#4 TheMarkoftheCrown byJudeWatson .litbyDrB12/04 AssoonasObi-WanKenobiandQui-GonJinnsteppedoffthedeparturerampoftheirtransportontotheplanetofGala,acloudcarpurredtoastopattheirfeet.Thedooropenednoiselessly.Arampsliddown.Adriverdressedinanavytunicandpantsscrambledout,the...

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Star Wars - [Jedi Apprentice 04] - The Mark of the Crown (by Jude Watson)

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