Chapter 11

Anakin and Obi-Wan had separate rooms, but one could easily visit the other through the doors that joined the rooms. The heavy wooden doors were open for the time being, allowing the gentle night breeze to easily flow between them.

R2-D2 rolled back and forth between the two rooms exploring his surroundings. Anakin had washed and changed into a nicer tunic and robe. He was currently standing outside on a balcony watching the palace grounds. In the background he could hear water running in his Master's bedroom as Obi-Wan used the refresher.

Music from down below drifted up towards Anakin. He smiled and waved to a group of children who looked to be his age. They waved back and then started dancing around a musician who was playing a flute-like instrument. Up the brightly-lit path that meandered behind them was the section of the palace holding the actual banquet. It was the center of activity and shone like a Corusca gem in the moonlight. It was a full moon, and it lent a brilliant silvery glow to the revelers below.

Obi-Wan walked out of the refresher with a towel wrapped around his waist and another towel rubbing at the water in his hair. He saw that Anakin was ready to go before him for once. Obi-Wan grabbed his clothes off of his bed and quickly got dressed. He was wearing black pants that tucked into knee length, shiny black boots. He pulled a black turtleneck over his head, and soon followed it with a sandy colored tunic. He tied the tunic off around his waist with a black belt that had a silver buckle, attached his lightsaber and comlink, and was ready to go. He stepped back to admire his reflection in the mirror. Not bad. Maybe I should wear something other than standard issue Jedi-brown more often.

"Ready to go, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, stepping into the other's room.

"Yup," Anakin replied, bounding away from the window.

"Let's head on over then to the gardens, then. Cort said he'd meet us there."

"Alright," Anakin answered falling into step behind his Master. R2-D2 followed suit, but came to an abrupt halt when Obi-Wan turned around.

"Sorry, Artoo, but you can't come," Obi-Wan explained.

"Aw, why can't he?" the boy wanted to know, with R2's beeps echoing the query.

"This is a formal banquet tonight. We won't need Artoo's services. He'd only get in the way," the Jedi explained, casting a glance at his wrist chrono.

Anakin turned around to his metal friend. "Sorry, Artoo, you'll have to stay here. You can guard the rooms for us."

Obi-Wan walked out the door as he heard the music outside grow louder. "Come on, Anakin! It's starting," his voice carried out from the hallway.

"Bye, Artoo. Keep an eye on things for us!" A wave of the hand, and the giant wooden door shut and locked with a definitive click. The droid swiveled his dome, and seeing nothing of interest, rolled over to the open balcony window to watch the only part of the party that he would get to see.

* * *

Oh, there is no way that I can go back to food in the cafeteria after this! Anakin thought with glee. He was enjoying the enormous buffet table to his full capability. His goal was to at least try everything, but he had been slightly turned off by what he thought had been beans. They turned out to be the eggs of some sea creature. "Caviar" he had heard some old man call them. Those had quickly wound up in a napkin that was now somewhere under the blue tablecloth that ran to the floor.

"Does he always eat like this?" Cort asked Obi-Wan from the table where they were sitting.

"Only when he's hungry, so . . . yes, he always eats like this. Usually not so many different things at once, though!" Obi-Wan exclaimed with a smile, watching the boy dart from one platter to the next. He looked down at his plate and picked at the seasoned poultry in front of him. He finally set his fork down and set his hands on his stomach with a satisfied grin. "Anakin may be hungry, but I can't eat another bite."

"Me neither," Cort agreed. He stood up from his chair. "I have to stretch my legs. I'll be back."

Obi-Wan stared after his friend as Cort headed out for the patio area, then laughed as his friend found himself intercepted by a large group of young ladies. A slightly panicked look crossed the face of the young royal as the ladies showered him with praise. One attractive girl grabbed his arm and manuvered him out towards the dance floor.

Help, please? he heard a voice in his head plead.

Obi-Wan shook his head and laughed again. No way, ladies' man! Go have a waltz and enjoy yourself! He laughed again as his friend was twirled out onto the floor to join in the Alonian waltz that was drifting through the air. Cort shot another look at Obi-Wan, but only received another shake of the head in return. Suddenly, though, Obi-Wan did not like the mischievous smile that crossed Cort's face. Don't even think about it . . .

Cort danced his partner towards Obi-Wan, whispered something in her ear, and before he knew better, the Jedi found himself being swept out onto the dance floor in a waltz with the prince's former partner.

I'll get you for this one! he directed towards Cort.

Sure you will, was the sarcastic answer.

Obi-Wan shook his head.

"Is something wrong?" the girl asked. She hoped she hadn't offended this man. The prince had said he was a Jedi, and she didn't want to find herself in trouble. He certainly was handsome, she found herself thinking, and almost a better dancer than the prince. Just wait until she told Sari and the other girls about this!

"No, nothing's wrong," Obi-Wan answered.

As soon the words left his mouth, though, he knew something was very wrong. The music stopped, he bowed to the girl, and left the dance floor before she could get him started on the next waltz. He began walking the perimeter of the room, trying to find the source of the sense of danger he was feeling. With the thoughts of so many people bouncing around the room, it was a difficult task. Not being able to locate it, he walked out to the center of the dance floor to tell Cort.

Anakin dropped the food he was holding as he felt a tingle in his head. Something's wrong, he thought. He saw his Master striding purposefully towards the center of the room, and he began to follow.

* * *

Located in a speeder, two kilometers away from the palace grounds, a lone figure reached into a bag. The moonlight highlighted the white streaks in his hair and the slow smile on his face as he pushed the red button of the remote detonator.