From their hiding spot, Keiran risked a look outside. She saw Obi-Wan on the ground, overpowered by the viscious beasts. She bit back a scream, it would not do them any good to have Keiran and Querin captured as well.
The guards pulled back the animals and some started to kick Obi-Wan. He groaned but he could not do anything else. The animals sharp claws had cut into him deeply and painfully. Their teeth left their marks on his head, neck, and limbs.
Obi-Wan was vaguely aware of two guards taking his arms and dragging him back up to the camp.
Obi-Wan was dropped onto the hard ground. He was too weak and in too much pain to do anything. It was taking all of his strength just to breath.
The overseer stepped forward, "Where are the other two?"
One guard stepped forward, "We only found this one."
Anspa then came into veiw, "I will pay for him now, go."
The overseer asked in a suspicious voice, "Why do you want him now? Clearly he is no good for anything. Besides the punishment for an escape attempt is death. The Royal Prince himself is coming to see that it is done."
Anspa was at a lost at what to do. The overseer stated, "You may go. We will not be selling anymore slaves today." Anspa had no choice but to leave the camp and go and regroup with the others.
After Anspa left the prince arrived. He did not look happy. Staring daggers at the overseer he demanded, "How is it this boy was able to escape? I thought you kept them so weak and hungry that all they could do was work just for survival."
The overseer looked nervous, "Your Majesty, I do keep them that way, but this boy is...how can I explain it...different."
The Prince shouted, "OF COURSE HE IS DIFFERENT!" The prince made his way to where Obi-Wan lay bleeding and broken. Grabbing the small tail on the back of Obi-Wan's head he roughly yanked up the poor Jedi's head, he then snarled, "See that braid? That is a PADAWAN braid. This kid is a Jedi Apprentice. And I just recieved word from my spies that there are Jedi Masters on the planet. They are looking for this snot-nosed brat. He needs to be dead and gone."
The overseer raised his blaster, "As you wish my Lord."
The prince then ordered, "No, too easy. I want his death to be as painful as possible. For the Jedi almost brought down my family at one time. For that, this one will suffer. Flog him. Flog him good. But stop just short of death. Then put him in the 'hot house'. That will finish him off nicely."
The guards all smiled, one even said, "This is going to be good."
Obi-Wan only had on his leggings, his tunic had been destroyed, and he no longer had his cloak. The guards took delight in tormenting the boy.
Time after time the whips landed on torn and bloody flesh. After a while Obi-Wan could no longer block it out, he screamed outload and cried for Qui-Gon, and then he fainted.
The overseer looked down at the boy. He was still alive, but barely. He stated, "Six hours in the hothouse and the kid is history." Two guards grabbed Obi-Wan's arms and drug him across the ground.
The hothouse was a small metal building about two feet high and six feet wide. The building has no windows exept for a small slot at the door. No air can get in. The purpose was to suffocate the victims. For after the sun shines on that small building for even an hour, it becomes so hot and unbearable that most people placed inside never came out alive. It was the cruelest punishment.
Obi-Wan was becoming aware again, just as they shoved him inside and closed and bolted the door.
===========
Keiran was at a lost at what to do. Obi-Wan would be killed if he was not rescued soon. She had to do something. Hugging her baby to her she went back and forth in her mind, My baby needs me, but if it were not for Obi-Wan, my baby and me would be dead. I have to help him. She took off the sling that held her baby and placed it around Querin. She then said, "I know that this is going to be hard for you, but you need to follow the route that Obi-Wan set. I am going to try to help him."
Querin looked at her as though she lost her mind, I probably have. She thought wryly, leaving my baby with a boy who is still himself a baby. A boy who has seen his parents murdered in front of him and who has had his brother taken away. But I just feel as though this is the right thing to do.
She gave her baby a kiss and then gave Querin one too, she then took off running, as if she was afraid she was going to change her mind.
****************
Anspa regrouped with Qui-Gon, Bren, Mace, and Plo Koon, as well as the other soldiers in the reistance army.
Bren was asking, "So you saw the boy, but not Keiran or the child that they were with."
Anspa nodded, "Yes, I saw the apprentice kid. Was pretty beat up too. It would be senseless to go in there..."
Qui-Gon cut in, "What do you mean."
Anspa looked at the knight sadly, "I am sorry Master Jinn, but there is no way that kid is going to survive in there in the condition he was in."
Qui-Gon looked for Obi-Wan through the force and found him, alone and in pain. He was dying, Qui-Gon knew this. Qui-Gon looked at them. "He is not dead yet. And I am not going to stand here while he dies. We need to storm the camp...now."
Bren considered this, then one of his men, one who acted as a spy, came up and said, "Sir, security around the camp has been doubled. The royal prince is there. He found out the boy was a Jedi."
Qui-Gon's heart jolted, They know. Obi-Wan, hang on. I will come for you.
Bren nodded, "I am sorry Qui-Gon, but we need to wait until morning. There is to much at stake to risk all these men."
Qui-Gon nodded, "I understand, I will go alone."
Mace Windu interupted, "Qui-Gon, you can't do that. You will not do Obi-Wan any good getting captured yourself. You will remain here with us, that is a direct order from a council member."
Qui-Gon thought. Big deal. Like I have never gone against the council before. But deep down he knew that Mace was right. He had to wait. Qui-Gon thought of the last time he left Obi-Wan in a terrible place by himself. It was on Phindar. The boy survived that. He came through it with flying colors. Qui-Gon could only hope that Obi-Wan would live.
Qui-Gon decided that he would spend the night in meditation. He sent tendrils of love and strength through the force, hopeing that Obi-Wan was able to recieve them.
**************
Obi-Wan was aware of the heat, even though the sun had set, it was ungodly hot inside the small building. He could barely breath.
Obi-Wan was also aware of the insects inside the terrible place crawling all over him, but he did not have the strength to brush them off. They were feasting on the blood that flowed from his wounds.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes again, This is it. I am really going to die. Master, I love you, please hear me...I love you.
Obi-Wan then thought, If I am going to die, I am going to die thinking good things. I am going to focus on the light. Pushing the pain as far back as possible, Obi-Wan remembered all the wonderful things in his life.
And in times of danger, he never felt afraid, Qui-Gon's presence was always soothing.
Obi-Wan moaned, and then he felt danger, he wanted to yell for Keiran to run, but was not able to.
Keiran felt the danger to late. She turned around and saw the Prince standing there with the guards. The prince looked at her, "SO you have come back. Interesting. Also it is interesting that you are not a male, and yet you have survived here."
Keiran set her jaw, she would not back down to this man, "Survival of the fittest. Obi-Wan and I are survivors."
The prince considered her words, "We shall see. We shall see."
The prince took Keiran to an interrigation room. There they did a scan of her eyes and her entire history popped up on the computer's screen.
Keiran's heart was beating a mile a minute, now they knew who she was.
The prince smiled, "So you are the great Bren Niral's wife. His bond mate, his soul mate. Interesting."
One of the guards asked, "Shall we punish her sir?"
The prince shook his head, "No, she is way to valuable to kill...at least now. Now we have a bargaining chip. Bren will have a choice, stop raiding my camps, or his wife will die."
Keiran then stated, "I would rather die. There are innocents in those camps. Prisoners because of your sick prejudice. If I have to die to save many...so be it."
Ignoring her outburst the prince asked, "Why did you come back for the Jedi?" Keiran did not answer, so he said, "He is a little young for you."
Keiran answered, "I came back because he is my friend. And I could not leave my friend behind. I have a concience, unlike you." She then spit in his face.
The prince slapped Keiran and wiped the spit off his face, "Put her in one of the holding cells. A comfortable one. I don't wish to kill her yet, alive she is worth more."
===========
At the camp Bren was lost in his thoughts. He was worried for Keiran who was alone and missing. He was worried for Obi-Wan Kenobi, whom he had never met, but was still indebted to the fifteen year old boy for protecting his wife. He was also considering Querin. His older brother and sister-in-law had two sons. The youngest named Querin. Was it possible that Jaret and Querin were alive. He was told that they were murdered along with their parents. Could it be possible that they had escaped death?
======
It was dawn and Querin was growing tired. He looked down at his sleeping charge wondering what he would do when the baby became hungry. Querin then heard voices. He shrunk back and hid in a grove of trees. Watching he saw several men at the river getting water. Two were dressed in long brown cloaks and the others in a uniform that looked vaguely familar. Then he got exited. His father had worn a uniform like that! His father was a soldier! And he was a soldier for this army!
Querin was still far to frightened to make his presence known, and then another man joined the men at the river. He too was dressed in a long brown cloak. Querin studied his proud features and his long hair. It was Obi-Wan's master. The one in the holo. Querin knew then that he was safe. Stepping out he made himself known.
The soldiers looked at the little boy holding a baby. They were shocked. One asked, "Where did you come from?"
Querin did not answer, because he was still afraid. But he went over to Qui-Gon and looked up at him. Qui-Gon smiled at the child and knelt down, "Hello Little one. Where is your mother and father."
Querin began to shake, but faught it, he had to tell them what he knew. It would be hard because he had not spoken for over three years, but he had to for Obi-Wan and Keiran's sakes.
In a small voice he said, "Ma...Ma...ster Qui-G...Gon?"
Qui-Gon was stunned, How does this child know my name? Outloud he said, "Yes, that is me. How did you know that?"
Querin replied,"O...Obi...Wan. Showed me holo."
Qui-Gon took the boy gently by the shoulders, "You are Querin?" The boy nodded, "Where is Obi-Wan?"
Querin's eyes filled with tears, "Took him. Bad animals hurt him. Took him back to bad place."
Qui-Gon was so angry and worried he wanted to scream at the gods. He wanted to hurt who ever had hurt his beloved padawan. But he pushed back his anger because he did not want to frighten the young boy who had already seen to much in his lifetime.
By this time Bren had come to see what the matter was. Looking at Querin his heart swelled, "Querin? Is that you? Where is your brother?"
Querin looked at Bren and then exclaimed, "Uncle Bren?" The boy ran to his uncle and then grew sad, "Jaret gone...sold. Obi-Wan took care of me. Took care of all of us. Took a beating for me. Helped Keiran wif..."
Bren asked, "What about Keiran?"
Querin adjusted his grip on the baby, "Obi help Keiran."
It took Bren a minute to understand what was being said, "This...is Keiran's?"
Querin nodded still not making the connection with the baby's name and his uncles name. Holding out the baby some he stated, "Bren-Kenobi."
Bren wanted to cry, his poor brave wife had survived the deadly camps and gave him a son. And though he never believed in the force before, he believed in it now. How else could his pregnent wife end up in a camp with a hero Jedi and her own nephew?
Qui-Gon answered, "The force works in mysterious ways. Now we have a rescue to see to."
Bren held his son to him and said, "Definately."
*************
Keiran paced back and forth in the small cell. She knew that every second that Obi-Wan was in the 'hothouse' the closer he came to death. If he is not dead already. But no, I can't think that. He has to live. He has to. Keiran thought. Looking at the wall she contemplated her options. She could stay here and be a bargaining chip, or she could try to escape. Either option posed great risk. But she would rather die escaping then die a prisoner of the Royal family. Looking around she saw the knife that came with her midday meal. It was not sharp enough to be a weapon, but she did not want a weapon.
Walking over to the wall she tested it. And just as she expected it was made of a soft sandstone. Using the knife she bagan to dig away at the wall surrounding the window. She was slightly surprised that the wall was so weak, but she guessed that many prisoners did not want to escape from this part of the camp. It was way to comfortable compared to the huts. Digging she said to herself, Hang on Obi...hang on.
====
Bren and Qui-Gon were at the ridge overlooking the camp. It was midday and the sun was high and hot. Qui-Gon was troubled that at this close distance he could not rouse a response from Obi-Wan. He must be severely injured. Obi-Wan, I am near, do not let go. Qui-Gon just hoped that Obi-Wan could feel his thoughts.
Bren and the soldiers checked their weapons, Bren was giving orders, "OK, now when we get in, the Jedi and I will search for Keiran and Obi-Wan, you are to provide cover and liberate the other prisoners. Is that all understood?"
The soldiers all responded, "Yes sir."
Bren nodded at Qui-Gon, who returned the nod. Qui-Gon, Mace, and Plo Koon got their lightsabers ready. Then they left the safety of the ridge for the uncertainty of the camp.
At that time Keiran was removing the window from her cell and climbing outside.
*************
Obi-Wan was having trouble breathing. His ribs hurt. They were definately broken. It hurt to draw a breath, and the air was so thick and stagnet. He was slowly suffocating. Obi-Wan hoped that Querin and the baby were safe, he was sad that Keiran felt compelled to return, he only hoped that they were not going to torture her the way they were him.
The insects crawling caused some discomfort, but he did not have the strength to care, briefly he wondered, Will my body disappear when I die?
====
The guards at the gates sounded an alarm, then the resistance army stormed the camp bravely. The Prince smiled an evil smile, "Bring me the girl." One of his aides rushed to do his bidding. A moment later he returned, "Your Highness, the girl is gone."
The Prince was livid, "What do you mean GONE? Where could she be?" He himself went to the cell and saw the window removed. "Find her! Without her we have nothing!"
Keiran was creeping around the camp when she heard the animals, she knew they were tracking her. She also knew that the resistance army was near, she had to find them.
Suddenly one of the animals saw her and lunged for her. She let out a scream and raised her hands in a futile attempt to shield herself. But before the animal could reach her, a glowing green beam of some sort swung a graceful arc and beheaded the animal.
Keiran looked up into kind blue eyes and said in awe, "Master Qui-Gon Jinn?"
Qui-Gon smiled at the girl, "My reputation proceeds me. You are Keiran Niral."
Keiran smiled, "My baby...Querin...Bren..."She looked as though she was going to be hysterical any minute. It had all caught up to her.
Qui-Gon touched her shoulder, "Your baby and Querin are safe. They are at my ship being looked after by the healers from the Jedi Temple. But I must know where Obi-Wan is."
Keiran's eyes filled with tears, "He is in the hothouse. But I don't see how he can be alive after so many hours."
Qui-Gon's eyes turned grim, "Oh he is alive, and he will remain alive."
**************
The prince was pacing back and forth, he was waiting for an update. His aides came bustleing in, "Your highness...it seems that the girl found one of the Jedi. The army is immobilizing our attacks, all is lost."
The prince was not going to go down without the last word, "The hothouse...destroy it. Make sure the Jedi child is dead."
==============
Qui-Gon and Keiran raced around the war zone until they met up with Mace and Plo Koon. Qui-Gon asked, "Where is Bren." Before the two Masters could answer Bren stepped forward and pulled his wife into his arms, "He is beautiful...our son is beautiful." Looking at his wife he saw that her beautiful hair was gone and she had lost alot of weight, but other then that she was fine. "I am so glad that you are safe."
Keiran returned the embrace, she had missed him very much, "Bren...Obi-Wan, we have to get to Obi-Wan."
===============
Obi-Wan was laying in his prison, which was to be his coffin. Why is it getting warmer in here? He could not understand how, but it was almost twice as hot in the place then it had been.
Obi-Wan started to groan, MASTER...MASTER...MASTER! Then he lost concienceness.
====
Qui-Gon said outloud, "Obi-Wan?" Turning to his companions, "We need to find him now! It will be to late in moments."
Keiran quickly led them to the hothouse. Qui-Gon screamed, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" There was a fire raging around it. But before he could do anything the slaves rushed out with what water they had, they dumped it all on the fire, and Qui-Gon and the others ran forward. The men all stomped out what was left of the flames. Qui-Gon used his robe to protect his hands from the hot metal and pulled on the door. As he did he felt Obi-Wan's life force slip away.
Qui-Gon pulled on the door, but it had a lock on it. Quickly drawing his lightsaber he cut the door completely off. The heat and the stench that flowed into the midafternoon day caused Qui-Gon to make a face. Getting on his hands and knees he looked inside, it was dark, Obi-Wan hates the dark. Qui-Gon grimly thought. And the temperature of the air was deadly.
Qui-Gon saw the form of his Padawan and pulled him out as quickly and gently as he could. The sight of the fifteen year old was almost more then he could handle. He was cut up from the whips. Some of the stipes were cut to the bone. Qui-Gon brushed furiously at the insects that were crawling all over Obi-Wan. With that act Qui-Gon felt nauseaus, but he pushed it back. Through the blood and the inscects, Qui-Gon could see the bruises that were everywhere on his body.
Checking for a pulse, Qui-Gon cried, "No, Obi-Wan, come back to me! You are not going to die, not here, not now!" Qui-Gon started life saving measures. Keiran came over to help. Qui-Gon was briefly aware of Mace calling to the pilots of the cruiser to get to where they were immediatly and of Bren and the army gathering up what was left of the guards and overseers.
Bren saw the prince, "Well your Highness, you have just been dethroned. You will pay for all the lifes that you have ruined. The republic will see to it."
The Prince responded, "This planet does not answer to the republic."
Mace turned to the prince, "It does now, the new leaders have asked for and recieved Republic Intervention. We as Jedi will see that it happens."
The Prince still wanting the last word snarled, "Well that kid won't be good for anything anymore. We worked him over quite nicely. He will die, all night and most of the day in the hothouse, it is a surprise that he is still alive."
Qui-Gon's eyes turned fiery, but he had to concentrate on Obi-Wan. But Qui-Gon did not have to do anything, because Bren went over to the prince and slugged him hard in the stomach, "That is for every slave that you have ever hurt," He hit him again, "That is for my wife, whom you imprisoned and for the son she had in your camp."
The fist came down again, "This is for my brother and sister-in-law whom you murdered in front of their children, and for those children one of whom you sold." And then he landed his fist for the final time, "And that is for Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, who at fifteen is more brave then you will ever be."
Qui-Gon finally got a pulse an eratic and weak one, but it was still something. He pulled back from Obi-Wan and heard the boy moan, "Ma...ster?" Qui-Gon leaned real close, "I am here Obi-Wan. Shhhhh, don't try to speak."
Obi-Wan did what he was told but lifted his hand to touch Qui-Gon's face as to see if he was really there. Obi-Wan then made a small smile and fell unconcience again.
His heart slowed, and Qui-Gon said, "Obi-Wan, you must stay with me. Do not let go. Help will be here soon. An-Paj will be here, he will help you. Obi-Wan....STAY WITH ME!"
But Obi-Wan was walking towards a bright light.
TBC
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