“The Alconians will pay dearly!”
“An all out attack! Immediately!”
“The two Alconian Jedi must suffer!”
Masro turned and placed a hand on Malka’s shoulder, “Perhaps it will be better for me to go alone Malka.”
“No brother. I won’t let you face the Domelans alone. This is my doing. I will face the consequences.”
Masro nodded, appreciating the responsibility his brother was taking.
As they neared the throne room a Domelan guard spotted them and let out a warning, “The Jedi approach!”
The brothers were quickly surrounded by the Royal Guard. Malka looked at his brother, “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Everything will be fine, “Masro assured. He once again tapped into the Force and projected feelings of ease to the Domelans as he spoke, “Put down your weapons, the evil here has been defeated.”
Gradually the battle axes in the hands of the surrounding guards lowered as Masro continued to ease the Domelan’s collective anger.
“We request to speak to Lord Noe’ray,” Masro said.
Noe’rays booming voice was heard from the throne, “Let them pass.”
The Domelan guards parted and left a walkway to the throne.
Masro could see that Noe’rays arm wound was being tended to by several aides, “No mind tricks Jedi, I have had enough manipulation,” Noe’ray warned as the brothers approached.
Masro bowed, “Lord Noe’ray. No mind tricks. Let me offer any medical assistance the Republic has at its disposal for your wound.”
“The Domelans need no help from you or your Republic, “Noe’ray replied, “The Jedi have brought nothing but deceit and dishonor to my world. We will have no more dealings with the Jedi. Alconia will fall and we will restore our honor”
“I know that the Domelans view of the Jedi is not good one based on history, but as the Ambassador for Alconia I am resigned to a peaceful solution.”
“No peace,” Noe’ray shouted, “You and the Jedi Malka will die first and then Alconia is next.”
Masro saw that the formerly lowered battle axes were being held higher now in a ready position. He knew he needed to think quickly.
Masro turned to his brother, “You owe the Domelans an explanation.”
Malka nodded in agreement and stepped forward, “Lord Noe’ray I,” Malka paused, “I am no Jedi. The true Jedi are much like the Domelans. They are an honorable breed. For my own evil purpose I used mind tricks to deceive you into believing the Jedi were responsible for dishonoring your people. I have twisted your mind and the truth at every step. The Alconians are victims as well. The treaty is just and should be upheld. I am the one to blame here. Please do not let my people suffer anymore for my misdeeds. Enough blood has been shed by my hand”
Malka dropped to his knees, “Punish me as you like, but please let my brother go. He is honorable. He has saved me from a life of darkness.”
Noe’ray stood from his throne and approached the kneeling Alconian, taking a battle axe from one of the guards. Masro knew that if Noe’ray was going to kill Malka he could not stop him. Even if he stopped Noe’ray the brothers would have to fight there way off the moon, and many more Domelans would die. He knew that his brother was not evil and could be helped, but he could not risk starting an all out war, even if it meant his brothers’ life.
Masro hoped diplomacy could win here, after all he was an Ambassador, and a Jedi could fight with his wits as well as his blade, “Lord Noe’ray, Malka was not in total control of his senses. Before you decide his fate late me explain.”
Never taking his eyes off Malka Noe’ray stood before him, battle axe in hand, “You have one minute Jedi.”
“As Malka said, he is not a Jedi, but he does have some latent talent in the Force. This potential went untrained as he grew older. He harbored hate and resentment towards me and the Jedi Order. His hate and anger awakened the Dark Side of the Force in him. The Dark Side is very seductive and powerful. It led Malka down a dark path. He then led you down the same path with his lies. You are an honorable leader. Do not let someone else’s dark path become your own. Now that you know the truth to continue to break the treaty would be dishonorable. Reinstate the treaty. Live in peace with the Alconians.”
Masro’s words hung in the air. To the Domelans their honor was everything. Noe’ray knew that Masro was right. He was lied to and tricked into breaking the treaty.
“You are a wise and honorable man Jedi. Your represent your Republic well,” Noe’ray pointed the battle axe at Malka, “But this one knows nothing of honor.”
“Malka was seduced by evil. He was infected. I have purged that evil from him. Let me take him to Coruscant for further help and he will never trouble this system again.”
“He should die here, and then he will never trouble this system again,” Noe’ray responded.
Malka merely hung his head at Noe’rays feet, saying nothing.
“Noe’ray please. While his actions were misguided he was acting out of pain and suffering. I will take responsibility of him from here.”
Noe’ray looked at Masro, “You love your brother, which is honorable. I have a brother as well Jedi. Out of respect for brothers take him and go. The treaty is reinstated. You have safe passage on my world.”
Masro bowed, “Thank you. You are an honorable leader.”
“Don’t be so quick to thank me,” Noe’ray replied, “The Jedi are still not welcome on my world.”
Masro helped his brother to his feet, “I understand.”
Masro looked again at Noe’ray severed arm, “Please allow me to send a Republic Medical Ship here to repair your arm. The Republic surgeons are quite skilled with prosthetic limbs.”
Noe’ray looked at his wound, “I would miss picking up my son with two hands. Send your Medical ship Jedi.”
Masro bowed before leading his brother away.
Chapter XXIII
Back on Alconia Masro left Malka with Benine in the hanger with his star fighter while he left to address the Council of Elders and brief them on the situation.
Masro took the comlink off his belt, turned it on and handed it to Malka, “Please keep Malka company while I’m gone Benine. I won’t be long.”
“Of course sir, but must you leave that thing on.”
Masro laughed, “If you don’t want to hear it you could always keep quiet.”
“That’s not very nice.”
*****
Masro returned to the hanger a short while later. Malka was anxious to hear what the Council had decided on his fate.
“I have good news Malka, the Council has agreed to let me take you to Coruscant with me.”
“That is good news. I was afraid that I would be sentenced to hard labor in the mines for the rest of my life or worse.”
Masro sighed, “It is not all good news I’m afraid. The Council refused to overturn your exile. I have also spoken to the Jedi Council. You will not be able to train to be a Jedi Knight, but you will live in the Jedi Temple. You will be assigned to the Agricultural Corps and tend to the gardens of the Temple. I’m sorry Malka.”
“Is that where the Jedi send those that are not strong enough in the Force to be true Jedi?”
“Yes Malka.”
“Then I won’t be alone there. Don’t worry brother. Perhaps someday I can show the Council that I have reformed and will be allowed back.”
Masro was glad to see his brother did not dwell on the negative.
“I just wish that I could say good bye to our parents before we go,” Malka said.
Masro motioned Malka to the east hallway smiled, “I think we can arrange that.”
Malka turned to see Morsa and Jorna enter the hanger.
Jorna held out her arms and ran to her son, “Malka!”
Malka embraced his mother, “I am so sorry for everything mother.”
“It’s alright. I’m just glad
to have my son back.”
Morsa joined the embrace as well.
“The transport is ready sir.”
“Thank you Benine,” Masro acknowledged, “It’s time Malka.”
Jorna turned to Masro, “Please, not yet. We have so much to share before he goes.”
Masro put his hand on his mother’s shoulder, “You have plenty of time. My ship is a single seat fighter. I have chartered a transport to take Malka to Coruscant. You and Morsa can join him on the trip and it will bring you back to Alconia.”
Jorna hugged Masro, “Oh thank you Masro. You have brought my child back to me.”
Masro turned to Morsa and gave him a hug, “It was good to see both of you. Don’t worry, the Jedi will take good care of Malka.”
“Thank you Masro. We are very proud of you.”
Masro winced at the comment and looked at his brother.
Malka gave him a smile, “Don’t worry Masro. I am proud of you too.”
Masro nodded, “I will see you on Coruscant Malka.”
Masro stood alone in the hanger as he watched his family board the transport.
“Are you all right sir?”
“Yes Benine, thank you. Let’s go home.”
“Yes sir, just please turn that darn thing off.”
Chapter XXIV
Masro peered out one of the great windows of the Jedi Temple overlooking one of the Temples vast gardens and watched his brother. As he always did Malka sensed his brothers presence nearby and waved to him. Masro smiled and waved back.
A familiar voice came from behind him, “It has been several weeks, how is Malka adjusting?”
Masro turned to see his old Master approach, “Master Poof. Malka is doing well. He has been meditating daily with Master Yoda and he enjoys the work in the gardens. He says it remind him of home.”
“I am happy to hear that Masro.”
“Master, forgive me for asking, but I need to know.”
Poof finished his sentence for him, “Why I brought you to Coruscant and not Malka?”
“I know it is not my place to question a Master.”
“Nonsense Masro. When your parents took me into their home I could sense the Force strongly in one of their children. Your midi-chlorian count was much higher then Malka’s.”
“Was his count high enough to bring him to the Temple for training?”
“Perhaps,” Poof rubbed his chin, “And perhaps he would have still ended up in the Agricultural Corps. But when I brought up the subject with your parents they were reluctant to lose both of their sons. I could not bear to take both of their sons from them. I made the decision to not reveal the true extent of Malka’s potential with the Force. I regret that my decision hurt your family Masro. I’m sorry.”
Masro watched his brother tend the garden and laugh with his co-workers, “No Master, don’t apologize. The right decision is seldom an easy decision.”
“Very wise Masro,” Poof agreed, “Where did you learn such wisdom?”
“I had a very good teacher.”
The End
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends