Dynasty: Chunk Twenty-Six
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
They were wandering through the mostly deserted halls of the museum. The Grand Moff sponsored the most well-known art museum in the system, which contained well-known pieces from all over the galaxy. State-of-art climate control carefully preserved thousand-year-old pieces for future generations. Few others were inside the museum today. Closed to the public, only the wealthy supporters could visit today.
Luke was looking at a painted desert landscape, browns and reds sweeping across the large canvas. Anjaleen walked up behind him.
"Do you like it?"
Luke shrugged. He had been thinking about his reaction to the painting. "It is well done. But I don't think I like it."
"Oh. Well, the Grand Moff is in the next room. They were going to go through the special sponsor's exhibit. Do you want to go?
"Of course. What is it?"
"Well, it's everything that doesn't fit out here. There is a large Alderaanian exhibit- but that is being taken down. There are also several pieces that the museum doesn't have enough examples of in order to have a complete exhibit."
They walked down the hall, trailing the Grand Moff. They entered the special hall through large wooden doors, and Luke felt a faint flash of Light in the Force. He looked around, suspiciously. Several other wealthy sponsors were in the hall, and they turned to the newcomers, bowing to their Grand Moff.
The Grand Moff was glaring down a corridor that was barricaded with a sign that said 'Closed for Repairs.' "Well, Skywalker, the trustees I hired to manage this place won't let me burn them. They say that 'in time, the collection might become educational. We should store the pieces until we determine what the future will bring.' I'd rather just get rid of them all."
Skywalker shrugged. "I can understand both views. And it doesn't hurt to dump them in a warehouse for a few decades."
"True enough." The Grand Moff turned, "I wanted to show you some of the things we've got back here. They really defy description. The trustees send out representatives to all over the galaxy to see if they can find things of cultural interest, but some of these pieces are just interesting."
He walked into the next room, the group in tow. "Take this vase, for instance. Looks beautiful, doesn't it Skywalker?"
"Yes, it does." Luke replied. The vase was a shimmering swirl of color that looked like a fountain of water meant to hold flowers.
"But it neither holds water, nor anything else. It is more of a sculpture than a vase. I find the tension of the piece interesting, but our representatives couldn't figure out when it was made, or by whom. So it isn't fit for display."
Skywalker nodded. The Grand Moff moved to the next display table, and the Force shivered again, trembling with Light.
"Then there is this. It isn't a sculpture, it isn't art. It isn't even any sort of machine, that we can tell. But it does seem to glow- and some people say that it feels odd when they hold it. All we really know is that it is very old and extremely durable. What do you think?"
Luke looked down at it, as several of the locals silently walked a little closer. They had heard his name, and recognized him as the young man that had been in the Emperor's favor of late. Skywalker reached out, deftly picking up the pale cube in one hand. It darkened, looking dead. It was only about a finger length long and wide. The Grand Moff was startled, almost dismayed at Skywalker handling the piece, but held his tongue, the young man was glaring at it.
"You don't know what this is, Grand Moff?" Skywalker asked, voice soft as it carried across the room.
"No idea. It was picked up during an exhibition to some of the worlds along the Rim."
"It's a Jedi artifact, Grand Moff. Used for teaching, I'm afraid. I'm going to have to take it back to the Emperor, and Lord Vader. So he can destroy it. It can't be allowed to continue to exist."
The Grand Moff paled, "I had no idea! I would have never!"
Skywalker smiled. "Actually, it's good that your representatives did. Now it can be properly dealt with."
"Of course." The man nodded, as several of the locals eyed the cube fearfully. The Grand Moff glared at the small cube as well. "When do you need to take it? Are you sure you can't just handle it here? I would hate for you to have to miss the wedding, but I would understand if you must leave."
Skywalker looked at the holocron, mussing. He still had to ask Anjaleen to marry him, he didn't want to cancel the reservations Nastalia had gotten for him tomorrow night. He could destroy the holocron himself, in a pinch, but he didn't want to reveal himself for a little box. "It can't run away, and if your security can keep all these treasures safe, then it can hold this for a few days. However, I'm afraid that I will have to take it back to Lord Vader. That is what I was told to do by the Emperor, if I ever found something like this."
"Very well. I will have extra precautions taken."
"You would not believe who was at the museum today!" The lady tittered to her husband at the dinner table as the servants served the food.
"I don't know dear, tell me."
"The Grand Moff, and some of his guests. Including Luke Skywalker, the one who has been leading the Navy to all those victories recently."
"The one the holochannel said was living in Lord Vader's Castle?"
"The same. The strangest thing happened. I was in the special exhibit room when they came through. Do you remember that funny little cube?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"Skywalker said that it was a Jedi teaching device, and that he had to take it back to the Sith Lord to have it destroyed. The Emperor had ordered him to do it, if he ever found one."
One of the servants dropped a serving bowl onto the floor. It broke with a loud crash. "Nelly!" The lady gasped.
"Sorry, mistress. Just- a Jedi thing here! I was startled." The servant apologized.
"Of course dear, it is terrifying. But it will be gone in a few days."
"He isn't taking it straight back?" The husband asked.
"No, he isn't."
The servant carefully picked up the broken pieces of crystal, listening to her mistress' every word. She would have to tell her cell about this!
"I'm sorry that we can't join you for dinner tonight," the Grand Moff began as they returned to his residence. "But my wife and I need to attend a dinner. I'm sure you'll amuse yourselves here."
"We will," Anja replied before he left.
"Come," Nastalia said as she motioned for them to follow her. "I told the servants that we'd be eating outside today."
"Why don't you go ahead," Luke said. "I need to contact Lord Vader and inform him of the day's events."
"Of course," Nathaniel replied as he was reminded once more of the fact that his friend reported directly to the Dark Lord. Sometimes that fact, although hugely important, was easily forgotten.
Luke quickly headed to his chambers and activated his com after making sure that the line was secure. He only needed to wait a few minutes before the masked image of his father appeared.
"Have you asked her?" Vader inquired.
"Not yet," Luke informed him. "I'll do it tomorrow night. I did, however, learn something important this afternoon."
"Yes?"
"One of the artifacts the Grand Moff has in his museum is a Jedi holocron," Luke stated.
"What?" Vader demanded, instantly alert. "Did he know?"
"No," Luke replied. "I probed him to make sure. As far as he knew it was simply an interesting artifact as no one could figure out exactly what it was."
"Where is it now?"
"It is still in the museum," Luke began. "I thought that it was best left there until I can destroy it or bring it back with me as the security at the museum is better to guard it. Too many people wander through the Grand Moff's residence and there's no telling if the servants are all loyal."
"True," Vader agreed. "If you can, destroy it. If there is no good opportunity to do so, bring it back and we can destroy it on Coruscant."
"As you wish," Luke responded.
"I shall inform your grandfather of the events," Vader said. "We would both like to be informed of Miss Winiterure's decision as soon as possible."
Luke nodded his head in reply and watched as the holo faded. Thinking of the engagement, he couldn't help but move to the closet and finger the fabric of the outfit he planned to wear tomorrow night. It was one he hadn't worn before, but one that he liked a lot. The fabric itself was made up of deep, royal blue and silver, covered with small purple, green, black, and gold colored stones. The Moonlight Splendor, although formal, was more of an evening dress place than a restaurant on Coruscant where court dresses were the norm. Other than the Grand Moff's family, nobody in the system could afford dresses such as were worn in court. Smiling to himself he turned around and left the room. Heading back downstairs, one of the servants showed him to where the others sat around a small table, already sipping wine.
"Everything in order?" Anja questioned as he sat down next to her.
"Yes," Luke replied with a smile. "So, what's on the schedule for tomorrow?"
"There's going to be an annual festival in the morning over at Jessa, the third inhabited planet here in the system," Nastalia began. "Father, naturally, has a special box to watch the festivities and there's more than enough room for all of us if you want to go. Then, at noon, there will be a cultural piece at the theater which should take a few hours."
"Sounds good," Luke said as the first course of the meal was served.
"What about the evening?" Anjaleen inquired. "Surely the theater doesn't take the whole evening?"
"Well..." Nastalia started as she looked to Luke for any indication of what she should say.
"Luke?" Anja questioned as she caught the look and saw Nathaniel smile. "Am I the only one who doesn't know something here?"
"Let's just say that tomorrow evening is a surprise," Luke explained as he smiled at her. "I also thought Nastalia and Nathaniel would like an evening alone before their wedding. As to not knowing, don't worry, there's a major thing about my plan that they don't know about either."
"What?" Nastalia said, her mind instantly going over what Luke had planned and looking for something that would logically go with it.
Unable to come up with anything, she looked at him and saw him smiling secretively at her, enjoying her reaction. Frowning she glanced at Nathaniel who simply shrugged, clearly unable to guess what Luke meant either. Turning her attention to Anjaleen, Nastalia saw that her friend was studying all of them, pretending to be angry that she didn't know what was going on. She knew, however, the Anjaleen didn't mind and even liked Luke's surprises.
"What is it Nelly?" Commander Jasno demanded as one of her spies was led into the room. "Why did you risk your cover coming here yourself instead of simply sending a message?"
"Because what I have is too important," Nelly replied as she took a seat, looking at her commander and the lieutenant that had showed her to the room. "Besides, the lady always gives me time off after the dinner has been served and cleared."
"As long as you don't get caught," Jasno warned, once again reminded of what Nelly's cover was. "Now what do you have?"
"No doubt you know Skywalker's on planet?" Nelly questioned and continued when she nodded. "Well, the lady was at the museum today and was in the special exhibit hall when Skywalker along with a few others, including the Grand Moff, entered. Upon hearing his name, the lady approached the group."
"Get to the point," Jasno ordered. "I've got a few other things to do tonight, including contacting Mon Mothma."
"Anyway," Nelly continued, ignoring her commander. "When Skywalker's party reached the table with that funny cube... You do know which artifact I'm talking about, don't you?"
"Yes," the Lieutenant replied as Jasno nodded her head impatiently.
"Then I'm sure you know that no one knew what it was," Nelly said and hurriedly continued as Jasno glared at her. "Anyway, Skywalker identified it as a Jedi artifact, a training device to be exact."
"What?!" Jasno exclaimed as she leapt out of her chair and leaned forward over her desk towards the startled servant/spy. "A Jedi training device?"
"Yes," Nelly confirmed. "Skywalker said that the Emperor had given him orders to take any such object he found back to Coruscant so that Lord Vader could destroy it."
"Where is it now?" Jasno demanded, her mind already going over possible ways to retrieve it and bring it to Alliance High Command. If they could get hold of that device, then there was the possibility of training more Jedi, which would help them tip the balance of the war. "When does Skywalker plan to take it back to Coruscant?"
"From what the lady said, I believe the device is still in the museum," Nelly said. "Skywalker thought that since it's been there for a while, it'll be safe there for a little longer. He plans to take it back to Coruscant after the wedding."
"Excellent," Jasno said as her eyes gleamed. "This means we can grab it and run. By the time they realize that it's gone, we'll be long gone too. I wish I were there when Skywalker reports that he's lost a Jedi training device to the Emperor or Lord Vader. Or, perhaps, both."
"He'll drop straight from his perch of favor," Lieutenant Ramsre stated.
"No," Nastalia said as Anjaleen opened her mouth once more. "Don't ask me about tomorrow night again. Nathaniel made me promise not to tell you before he told me what Luke had in mind."
"Nathaniel?" Anja inquired as she moved over to the window of her bedroom.
"Yes," Nastalia confirmed with nod. "Luke asked him and he got me to arrange everything. All I can say is that you'll love it."
"Very well," Anjaleen said as she turned to face her friend. "If you won't tell me what it is, then at least help me decided what to wear. I have no idea what the occasion calls for."
"Not your usual court dresses," Nastalia stated as she got up and walked over to the closet her friend had just opened. "Let's see," she continued as she looked at the dresses and pushed them aside. "Too fancy, too fancy, too fancy. This isn't, after all, the court."
Anjaleen frowned as she watched her friend push aside some of her better dresses. Although this wasn't the court, she wanted to look good for Luke. Taking a seat she waited and decided that Nastalia knew what she was doing and wouldn't let her go in something that would embarrass her.
"This is perfect," Nastalia said as she pulled out a dark purple silk dress with yellow and orange jewels and strings of silver and white pearls.
"That?" Anja asked, a little skeptical.
Although she liked the dress, she wasn't sure if it was the right thing to wear. Instead of being tight up to the waist and flaring wider, it was tight all the way down. In other words it was an evening dress, the kind her mother sometimes wore when she and Randolf went out when they were at home instead of on Coruscant.
"Yes," Nastalia stated with confidence. "The color brings out your eyes and the red highlights in your hair. You also won't get stared at for being overdressed, but you'll still stand out as being higher then the others present in the restaurant. Except for..."
"Except for Luke," Anjaleen finished, realizing that her friend hesitated due to the fact that no one knew where Luke stood.
"Anjaleen," Nastalia said, instantly aware of the fact that her friend knew something she didn't. "What?"
"I can't tell," Anja stated with a smile and continued when she saw that Nastalia was going to press on. "I promised him."
Nastalia frowned as she realized she was stuck before holding up the dress. "What do you think?"
Anjaleen looked at the dress for while. She knew that Nastalia knew the restaurant better than she did, and her friend, unlike many others at court, could be trusted. It wasn't like she disliked the dress, it just wasn't what she'd expected to be wearing. On the other hand, it would show off her figure. Hesitating a moment longer, she nodded her head.
"I'll wear it."
"Great," Nastalia said as she carefully hung the dress back in the closet. "Now. I've heard rumors of what you and Luke did the night before coming here, are they true?"
"If you mean did we go to the Royal Symphony and then to dinner, yes," Anja said with a smile as she remembered the good part of the evening.
"What about the thing with the Emperor's box," Nastalia questioned. "Is that part true?"
"It is," Anjaleen said. "It felt weird though as everyone was looking at us."
"I can image."
The dancers twirled and twisted, bright green and yellow scarves swirling with their movements. As one, the yellow scarves fluttered to the ground, leaving the green clad dancers swaying gently with their remaining green scarves. The Grand Moff saw Skywalker glancing at the program, reading that the dance symbolized the blooming Azlal trees, who lost their yellow blooms each year during the late spring storms. The trees could not bear fruit without having the blooms removed. The dance symbolized how hardship was required for growth and success. Luke clapped with the rest of the crowd.
The Grand Moff glanced to his other side, Nathaniel was busy listening to Nastalia, whom had leaned forward to whisper in his ear. The women sat behind them. The custom of women in back had originated from the thankfully retired fashion of women wearing outlandish hats to the shows. It was fortunate that custom dictated that all the men would sit in front, because it meant that the Grand Moff didn't have to risk insulting Skywalker by seating him in the back.
Nathaniel had told him last night of how Skywalker had casually mentioned his need to report to Lord Vader and the Grand Moff was reminded once again how important the unassuming man really was. Skywalker wasn't afraid of Lord Vader, and that meant that the young man was either a fool or had earned some level of respect from the Dark Lord. And Darth Vader didn't suffer fools.
"Skywalker knew what he was doing when he left that cube at the museum," snarled the Rebel Operative Ramsre. "I've gone over these security schematics six times, and the only weakness I can find is when the building is actually occupied. And we will set off the alarms, we can only hope that we can make enough confusion to slow the Imperial response enough so that we can get away. Possibly a diversion combined with disabling the security system cameras. We just aren't able to turn off the entire security system."
"Damn. I was hoping to avoid a daytime hit. We'll kill far to many bystanders for public relations during the day." Commander Jasno mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes.
"I know. If only he had taken the thing back to the Grand Moff's place. There are a hundred ways we could have gotten into there. Even if he had taken it up to the ship he came on, the Judgment, we could have retrieved it with far less hassle. A good portion of the crew is being given leave on planet right now, it would have been easy to get aboard with all the shuttle traffic."
"What about that dance the Grand Moff's sister is putting on for high-society later this week? It's at night, in the museum, and most of the people will be in the museum's grand hall." Another Rebel said, paging through the local news station datacard. "The local high society is supposed to be out in force to honor the Grand Moff's daughter's wedding, but with our customs there won't be too many guards in the actual hall."
"It might be rather fun to run a strike with all the high ladies screaming in the background." The Commander grinned, then frowned. "But Skywalker will be there. I don't know if I like that."
"He's only a man." Ramsre argued.
"I know." The Commander thought for awhile, then nodded. "We'll do it. But I want Alliance Command to know of our plans on this one. Please write a quick summary of the security measures we will have to overcome and a rough strike plan. I'll have to transmit the data to them by our most secure means."
Later, Jasno walked back to the communications room, nodding to the technician. She waited until the technician nodded, and then began to speak. "Alliance, this is Zeltron Base." The new codes actually used the names of other systems, and Jasno thought it was pretty silly, but she didn't make the codes. "Alliance, this is Zeltron Base. Come in."
"This is the Alliance." The cool, collected voice of Mon Mothma replied. "Anything you need to report?"
"Yes. It has come to our attention that Skywalker is actually on planet now and has identified an object at the local museum as a Jedi teaching device. Naturally, we are going after it, before he takes it back to Darth Vader to have it destroyed. I have our information and I will transmit it on our secure data link." She nodded to the tech, who touched some buttons.
"A Jedi teaching device?" Mon Mothma asked, slightly awed and worried. "This naturally takes priority, but are you sure it isn't a trap?"
"As sure as we can be. I will take every precaution, but I can't let this slip by." Jasno replied, acutely aware that her father had died in an Imperial ambush, and she had inherited this command from him. Mon Mothma had known her father well, and still took personal interest in her progress.
"Very well, I trust your judgment. If that is all?"
"Yes."
"Alliance out."
Jasno breathed a sigh of relief. She had always been gratified by Mon Mothma's personal interest, but had sometimes wondered if the older woman had truly trusted her.
The Grand Moff walked out onto his balcony from his personal quarters that overlooked the gardens. He had a few moments before he had to dress for the evening's engagement. He looked over his land, smiling at the flowers in bloom. It wasn't as exotic or as extensive as the Imperial Palace gardens, but he was proud of his little plot.
His eyes stopped on a strange sight. At first he had thought that it was his daughter and the young Admiral walking side by side through the gardens, but it was Skywalker and Anjaleen. He pressed his lips together, thinking. He really hadn't realized that they were so close, but they were going to dinner tonight. And they had gone to the symphony together just within the last week. And they were constantly talking, whenever Nastalia and Anjaleen weren't in deep conversation.
Anjaleen playfully pulled away from Skywalker, clearly wanting to go back inside, probably to get ready for tonight. The young man was smiling as he said something, then pulled her back.
Then he kissed her.
It wasn't a long kiss, just a brief brush on the lips. The Grand Moff took a step back, trying to look like he wasn't watching as the two parted ways. He sighed. He knew that Mr. Winiterure had been talking with a Mr. Jerklin about his daughter, and now he didn't know what to do. Well, that wasn't completely true. Skywalker had taken Miss Winiterure to the symphony, so her father wasn't against the young man. The Grand Moff just doubted that her father knew how serious young Skywalker was.
He turned back to his bedroom, closing the glass door behind him. He would play the part of a good host, and watch over the two. He wouldn't be caught letting any impropriety happen under his roof. Her own father wasn't here, after all. And after the wedding, he would call on Mr. Winiterure, and politely drop a hint regarding Skywalker.
"There," Rachel said as she picked up an elastic band made up of black Mecojan Star jewels and used it to fasten the end of the braid, which was interwoven with lace and pearls, she had just put into Anjaleen's hair.
Anjaleen got to her feet and moved to stand in front of the full length mirror. Rachel had done her hair so that while most of it was pulled back into an elaborate braid, some of it was left hanging loose to frame her face. Smoothening her dress, she smiled before she fingered the bracelet Luke had given her and that she was now wearing.
"Is there anything else you need?" Rachel inquired as she watched her mistress.
"No," Anja replied as she briefly glanced at her maid before moving to pick up her handbag. "That'll be all for now."
"Very well," Rachel said as she headed back to her own room.
Anjaleen exited her room and started down the hall towards the gardens where Luke had told her to meet him. Why she didn't know, but then the mystery was half the fun. Smiling to herself, she couldn't help but wonder what the evening was going to bring. Although she enjoyed being with Nastalia and Nathaniel, she loved being alone with Luke.
"Anjaleen," Nastalia called out as she exited her own room and saw her friend walking down the hall. "Wait for me."
Anjaleen turned and found her friend approaching her. Nastalia was wearing a light blue dress of a similar cut, but a little more revealing, a thing court protocol allowed her to do as she was already engaged.
"Ready for the evening?" Anjaleen questioned, knowing her friend was going out to a show and dinner with Nathaniel.
"Yes," Nastalia said as they continued on their way. "What about you?"
"I'm ready," Anja stated. "Although I must admit that I wish I knew for what."
"You'll love it," Nastalia promised as they descended the stairs and headed for the gardens.
As they rounded a corner the two of them nearly ran into Mrs. Bel-Zessa.
"Oh," Nastalia's mother began. "Sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. My, you two look lovely tonight," she continued and then smiled as she saw her husband approaching. "Don't they look fabulous, dear?"
"Yes," the Grand Moff was forced to agree even as he was a little surprised to see Miss Winiterure so dressed up for what he had thought to be a casual evening out with Skywalker.
Perhaps there was more going on here then he knew about. He really would have to contact Mr. Winiterure, but he didn't want to do it before the wedding as he knew Miss Winiterure was his daughter's closest friend and that Nastalia would be enormously disappointed if her friend needed to leave before the wedding itself. And then there was always the possibility that Randolf Winiterure knew what was going on. He had, after all, allowed his daughter to travel here with Skywalker.
"Nastalia, before I forget," the Grand Moff said as he remembered the calls he'd gotten. "Your two brothers contacted me and will be arriving shortly. Augre will arrive the evening after the dance and Lance will arrive the following morning."
"Thanks," Nastalia said as she started off with Anjaleen once more. "I'll see you later."
"I recall you mentioning your siblings earlier," Anjaleen began as they stepped outside and into the gardens. "But I forget who is who and if they're married or not."
"Augre is the one still in the Academy," Nastalia informed her friend. "And Lance is a captain stationed on Dslea. Lance is married to Jenfras and Augre is seeing a woman called Mienra."
"Yes, now I remember," Anja replied. "What party did your father mean?"
"Oh, in two days there will be a dance," Nastalia stated. "My aunt is hosting it and it's for the upper class in the system here that won't be able to attend the actual wedding itself."
"I see," Anja replied before they rounded a bend and caught sight of Luke and Nathaniel talking together.
Luke sensed Anja and Nastalia's approach and turned around to face the two young women, stopping when he saw Anjaleen. Although he had often seen her dressed up, he was totally unprepared for how beautifully she looked in a simpler, yet more elegant dress.
"You look stunning, Anja," Luke informed her as he took her hand and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks," Anjaleen replied as she blushed slightly, although enjoying the attention. "Will you tell me where we're going now?"
"No," Luke replied with a smile. "You'll have to wait and see."
"Don't worry," Nathaniel teased. "You'll love it. Now I'd love to chat some more, but Nastalia and I need to get going or we'll be late."
"Very well," Luke said as Nathaniel led Nastalia away.
"What?" Anja inquired, as Luke led her in the other direction. "Don't we need a speeder?"
"We're going to Essa," Luke told her. "Therefore we need a shuttle and it's waiting for us on the landing pad."
"Essa?" Anja repeated curiously as she tried to figure out what Luke had planned this time.
"And here we are," Luke announced as the speeder that had been waiting for them when they had descended the shuttle ramp on Essa pulled to a stop outside a restaurant with Moonlight Splendor written in big lights above the door.
Luke got out of the speeder and held out his hand for Anja, helping her out.
"It's lovely," Anja said as she looked at the richly decorated exterior of the restaurant and the reception behind the glass doors.
Luke escorted her up the stairs into the reception and approached the desk where a young man was looking over a datapad. "Name," the man said, his eyes remaining on the datapad before him.
"I have a reservation," Luke stated as the man finally looked up and stiffened upon seeing the jewels on their clothes. "The name is Skywalker."
"Sky... Skywalker," the man stammered as he stiffened even more before glancing at another datapad to get the table number. "Please follow me."
As they followed the receptionist, Anja looked around. It wasn't as fancy as Coruscant, but it was nice. As her eyes roamed the room, she saw that several of the other people present were starting to look at her and Luke as they were led through the room. Some of the people clearly recognized Luke, while others simply looked at them as they saw the slight but noticeable difference in clothing that represented their status. Looking forward, she saw that the man was heading towards a set of double doors.
Anja frowned as she let Luke escort her and gasped aloud when the doors were opened and they stepped through them. Instead of having big tables for multiple people, the tables on the other side of the doors were strictly for couples only. Each table was covered in a pastel colored tablecloth, had two candles on it, and a small vase containing Salima floors of various colors. The floor here was also made of wood instead of stone and now they were outside on a terrace. The wooden supports that held the roof had flowers and candles hanging off of them, giving the whole area a dim and romantic glow. However the reason she gasped was because of the view. Beyond the wooden railing that guarded the edge of the terrace was a still water lake which stretched outward to end at a small beach which was lined with trees. Hanging above the scene and being reflected in the dark water were Essa's three moons.
"Here we are," the man escorting them said as he stopped at a table which was right next to the wooden railing. "A waiter will bring the menus at once."
"Like it?" Luke questioned as he held back a chair for Anja.
"I love it," Anjaleen replied as she sat down and saw that the terrace stood on stilts in the water itself. "It's beautiful here," she continued as she saw that the side of the lake was a garden where people were walking or sitting on benches overlooking the lake and the moons.
"Not as beautiful as you," Luke couldn't help but say as he sat down and looked at her only to see the soft candle light reflecting off her eyes and jewels.
Luke smiled as she blushed, pleased that she liked the restaurant so much. He had to admit to himself that it was superbly located. The view alone made it worthy of being attended by the high and mighty of the court. Nathaniel had been right that this was the perfect place to go.
"Here we are," a waiter said as he stopped at their table and handed each of them a datapad. "What would you like to drink with your dinner?"
"A bottle of klosm-wine," Luke replied, getting Anja's favorite.
"Very well," the waiter said as he made a note of it on a datapad he held. "I'll be back in a few moments to get your orders."
Anjaleen watched the man go before she turned on the datapad she held and scrolled down the menu. As with any good restaurant, there were a variety of options from all corners of the galaxy, however her eye fell on a particular item. Nogam fingers. She had had that particular dish once as a child and she had loved it. However it was difficult to keep fresh and hard to prepare as well as being scarce as the Nogam was a weak animal that could only live in a very narrow habitat range. Smiling, she highlighted the item on her menu as well as highlighting the seafood soup and put the datapad on the side of the table before she looked out over the lake once more.
There was a sense of peace in the air that Anjaleen thought went perfectly with the romantic setting of the restaurant. Looking to that well lit gardens on the lake shore to the right, she smiled as she caught sight of some of the sweet smelling flowers that grew in Nastalia's garden.
"The gardens are owned by the restaurant," Luke informed her as he put aside his menu and followed her gaze. "Customers can walk in the gardens if they wish. Perhaps we could take a stroll before dessert?"
"That would be nice," Anja commented.
"How do you think Anjaleen and Luke are doing?" Nastalia questioned as the show they were watching stopped for the intermediate break.
"Fine, I'm sure," Nathaniel replied as he looked at his fiancée. "I mean, what could go wrong? They clearly love each other, I just wonder if they both realize how much they do. It's clear from the way they act around each other."
"True," Nastalia agreed. "I'm just glad that Luke no longer seems to be as concerned with Jerklin as he was. After all, he did take Anja out to the Royal Symphony in the Emperor's box. I can't image what Jerklin's reaction was to that."
"I don't think I'd want to be around to see it," Nathaniel stated as he made a face. "I never liked the guy."
"Me neither," Nastalia admitted as she looked around. "Oh, while I think of it. The servants were asking this morning when they need to get the room for your aunt and uncle ready. Are they coming the day after the dance or later?"
"Later," Nathaniel replied as he smiled at the thought of seeing the people who had raised him after his father's death once more. "They said that they'd be arriving the day before the first of the four formal parties."
"Very well," Nastalia said. "I'll inform the servants so that the room will be ready."
"Now," Nathaniel said as he took hold of her hands and smiled. "Enough of such talk, we're here to enjoy the evening," with this he leaned forward and kissed her.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
