She
was jolted awake just in time to see the Salt Cliffs of Crait looming
majestically at the end of the Imperial Road. Most of the people who
lived alongside the mountains were fishermen, miners who dug the salt
out of the sides of the mountains, or laborers in the Death Star
Fortress. A lone crow joined flocks of white and gray seagulls in the
endless horizon. While not as large as Imperial Castle in Coruscant,
it was much taller, with high towers that were said to house the
worst criminals in Naboo. Her brother was being held prisoner here.
She could feel it.
“State
your name and business.” Two guards on either side of the main
drawbridge sported the heavy white and black armor of the Naboo
soldiers.
“My
niece, our dog, and I are bringing supplies to the kitchen and
infirmary,” Obi-Wan said easily.
The
soldier didn't move. “Let me see your identification.”
Obi-Wan
smiled and waved his hand in front of the man's face. “You don't
need to see our identification. In fact, neither of you ever saw us
at all.”
They
both seemed to sway in place, as if sitting on a waving swing. The
taller one with the red cloak over his armor finally nodded his head.
“You may go about your business.”
Her
uncle waved his hand again. “Move along.”
“Move
along!” Three men in armor turned the cranks, lowering the chains
that held the drawbridge. The wolf howled at the racket as they drove
across and into the main courtyard.
“Father
told me that the Force could be used to sway others.” Leia leaped
out of the cart the moment her uncle stopped. “I've never seen
anyone actually do it, though.” She helped the wolf over the side.
He still limped slightly, but his foot seemed to move much better
than it had that morning.
“The
Force has a strong affect on the weak-minded.” Obi-Wan took a
little longer climbing out. He handed Leia his extra cloak and pulled
the hood over his. “You'll need this to disguise your weapons. This
is a high-security prison. It can get a little rough.”
She
did as she was told, sheathing her sword and covering her bow and
arrows on her back. “I'm ready for anything, Uncle.”
They
lead Twilight and the cart to the stable, alongside several other
carts. They followed several stable hands into the kitchen. Leia
couldn't resist swiping a bowl of cakes as they passed. She was
hungry! All they'd had for breakfast was a watery root stew her uncle
threw together. The wolf snitched a small piece of beef from a table
no one was watching.
Leia
shuddered as they followed a row of servants in similar cloaks down a
hallway. “This place is so dark, Uncle. And not just because there
aren't many torches. The dark magic here is thick enough to nearly
touch. It's like a wool blanket smothering anything. I can barely
feel you, much less Luke.”
The
wolf's nose was to the ground the moment they hit the base of the
tower. “Do you smell something, boy?” Obi-Wan rubbed the back of
his head. “Is your master imprisoned here?”
“You
belong to a criminal, boy?” Leia frowned. “Only the worst
criminals are kept way out here.”
“Not
always.” Obi-Wan held the ruff of the wolf's neck. “Palpatine
throws anyone he doesn't want found in here, whether they've
committed a crime or not.”
The
wolf's nose lead them to a room at the base of the tower. It appeared
to be a small office, with maps of the enclosure hung on the wall,
books piled on shelves, and fine weapons hung on hooks alongside
them. Obi-Wan sat at a desk and inspected one of the maps, while Leia
ran her fingers over the black iron handle of a beautifully engraved
sword. Its red needle-sharp blade glowed wanly in the dull light.
Just touching it made her feel sick to her stomach.
“That's
a Sith's sword, the weapon of a black magic user,” Obi-Wan
explained. “May even be Palpatine's.”
“Ugh!”
Leia pulled away. “No wonder it makes me feel sick. It's
concentrated black energy.”
Chewbacca
was sniffing at a mechanical bow leaning against the wall. A leather
scabbard, filled with well-crafted arrows, was slung across the chair
next to it. He howled happily and brought it over to Leia. “What is
it, boy? Does this belong to your master?” The bow and the scabbard
were finely carved with leaves and vines and trimmed with gold and
silver leaf. “I've never seen such a magnificent bow. Does this
belong to your master, boy? He if he is a criminal, he must be a very
good one to have stolen such a prize. This is the type of weapon a
nobleman uses. Maybe even the royal family.”
The
wolf sniffed at the bow again, then darted for the door. “We have
to be careful, boy.” Obi-Wan stood creakily, rubbing his back. “I'm
getting too old for this sort of thing.” He turned to Leia.
“According to a message from General Brendol Hux in Coruscant to
Counselor Wilhem Tarkin here at the Death Star Fortress, they're
holding a very important prisoner in the room at the top of the
tower. It could be Luke. They don't say the person's name. The second
floor has a well-stocked torture chamber. The top is the cell itself,
and is heavily guarded.”
“There
has to be a way in.” That was when Leia looked down at the bowl in
her hand. “That's it! Come on, Uncle.” She opened the door for
her Wookie wolf friend. “Here you go, boy.” The scabbard went
under her cloak as her uncle pressed the bow to the canine's
sensitive nose. He sniffed around it before letting out a small howl
and dashing upstairs.
The
stairs themselves were steep but empty, and they seemed to keep going
and going forever. Darkness was even more persuasive here, blanketing
everything. Leia felt sick to her stomach. Obi-Wan moved much slower
behind her, panting a bit and complaining that he really needed to
spend more time practicing and less in his garden. Even the wolf
whimpered.
Two
guards in white armor and a man in a gray chain-mail uniform were
guarding a heavy barred door at the top of the stairs. “What are
you doing here?” The man in gray demanded. “State your name and
business.”
“I'm
just a simple maid.” Leia held out the bowl and tried to sound
demure. “I brought food for the prisoner.”
“How
did you know about the prisoner?” The guard narrowed his eyes.
“Counselor Tarkin said only a select few even knew he was alive.”
“He
has to eat sometime.” Obi-Wan chuckled. “Now, I think you'll let
us through...”
The
officer grabbed Obi-Wan's hand, breaking his concentration. “Oh no,
you don't. I don't like this. Why wasn't I notified?”
Leia
let out a growl that nearly matched the wolf's and threw the bowl in
his face. Obi-Wan tripped him downstairs as his niece dispatched the
remaining soldiers before they had the chance to cry out. A light
from Obi-Wan's waving hand silenced the groaning man on the stairs.
“I
put him to sleep.” Obi-Wan pulled off his hood. “He won't
remember a thing when he wakes up.”
“Good.”
Leia shuddered, trying not to think that she'd just killed two men.
The shining blue blade was able to cut through the lock on the door
as if it were made of paper. The wolf let out a happy howl as he lead
them in.
An
arched window on one side was the only source of light in the dismal
little room. She held her sword aloft, ordering it to illuminate the
room. Dirt-crusted stone walls were enlivened only by a slightly
splintered old chair and a straw pallet on the floor.
Chained
to the side of the wall near the window was a lone figure in tattered
black vest and navy hose, his ragged blue cape hanging loosely around
his broad shoulders. Thick iron manacles bound his wrists and ankles
to the wall. His sinewy arms and legs were a mass of burns, bruises,
and deep cuts. Greasy brown hair hung lankly to his broad shoulders
and covered his grime-smeared face. His back sagged against the wall,
too tired to stay upright.
The
wolf let out a loud, happy howl and rushed straight to the man,
licking his torso and nudging his legs. “Wh...Chewie? Boy? Is that
you?” His deep voice creaked from disuse. “How did you get here?”
“We
brought him.” Leia stumbled through the darkness. ““Have you
seen my brother Luke? Short, blond hair, blue eyes. He was kidnapped
and is being held somewhere in this fortress. ”
“No,
I haven't seen anyone but me and the walking skeleton and his goons.”
There was something in his voice. For all the gruffness, it had a
refined quality to it. He sounded more like a nobleman than a
criminal. All the nobility vanished when he somehow managed to give
her a lopsided smirk. “What's your name, girl? Came all the way up
here because you couldn't resist me?”
“My
name is Leia.” She glared at him. “And we came up here to find my
brother. What makes you so important that they dumped you all the way
up here?”
The
smirk instantly vanished. “I don't know. I can't remember. I was
dragged off my horse...” His eyes flew open, the sparkling hazel
orbs concerned. “Falcon! My horse. He and Chewie...if they've hurt
him...”
Leia
rubbed the wolf's back. “We'll find him.” The wolf gave the man a
nudge when he said “Chewie.” “Is his name? I've never seen a
tame Wookie wolf before.”
That
irritating smirk was back. “I can tame a lot of things.” He
actually had the gall to wink at her, though he winced afterwards.
The
girl in armor glared at him. “I'm sure you can.”
“As
much as I'm enjoying your banter, children, I'm afraid we can't
linger.” Obi-Wan turned back. “I hear people coming upstairs.”
“How
are we going to get out of here?” She made a face. “The stairs
are the only way in or out.”
“There's
always the window.” The prisoner managed a weary grin. “We could
jump down, if you like having your bones broken into tiny pieces on
the cliff below.”
“He's
right.” Obi-Wan turned around. “Which is why we're not going to
leave. Leia, get back into your cloak.”
She'd
just thrown the hood over her head when the door was flung open. “You
there!” The man who pointed a bony finger at her was small and
slender, like a walking skeleton in elegant gray cape and tunic.
“Girl! How did the lock on this door break?”
“I
don't know, Your Excellency.” Leia bowed low. “We're just
bringing this man his dinner.”
“Forgive
me, sire, but the lock was already broken when we came.” Obi-Wan
also bowed. “I'm a monk, here with my niece and our dog to bring
this poor criminal some comfort in his final hours.”
“Hey
ugly, who the hell are you?” The man glared at him from the wall.
“And could you tell me what's going on? My head feels like it's
been dragged over the Salt Cliffs by sixteen orcs.”
Tarkin
smirked. “Certainly. I am Counselor Tarkin, head of the Death Star
Fortress. His Excellency Chancellor Palpatine has decided to be
merciful and spare your life. You have outstanding debts with Jabba
Du Hutt, the Sultan of Tatoonie, that he insists must be paid. I've
made arrangements to sell you to Sultan Du Hutt as a household
slave.” The counselor's tight smile was nearly demonic. “I've
heard he's quite rough on his slaves. He expects them to...amuse him.
You may last a few days, at most.”
The
prisoner narrowed his eyes. “If you think I'm gonna be a plaything
for some sultan, you have another thing coming, Skull Face.”
“You
have no choice in the matter.” Tarkin smirked as a crow's cawing
was heard in the distance. “There's a freighter leaving for
Anchorhead at first light tomorrow. You will be part of a shipment of
slaves being brought to the Mos Eisley markets.”
“But
I thought slavery was outlawed in the Kingdom of Naboo!” The
outburst leaped from Leia's lips before she could stop herself. “Even
a criminal doesn't deserve to be sold like cattle at market! How can
you break your own laws?” Obi-Wan gave her shoulder a little shake,
while Chewie growled at her side.
“Slavery
is outlawed in Naboo, girl. However, it's perfectly legal in
Tatoonie.” Tarkin reached over, slapping Leia in the face. “And
I'll thank you to keep your tongue and know your place, or I'll have
it cut out.”
“And
I'll thank you to not touch me.” Leia whipped out her sword and
threw off the cape before Tarkin had the chance to move. “My name
is Lady Leia Skywalker. I want to know what you've done with my
brother Luke.”
“Skywalker?”
Tarkin's grin widened. “As in Anakin Skywalker? You're very much
like your father. Same bravado, same temper, same disrespect for
authority, same inclination to speak before you think. Do you really
think you can fight your way out of this?”
The
moment two of his men lunged for her, she jumped back. Her sword cut
through one as Uncle Obi-Wan cast his spell over the other, throwing
him out the window. The prisoner's eyes widened as she whirled
through the men, knocking two downstairs, then dueling with two more.
Chewie bit into the rear of another man, who ran downstairs clutching
his wounded appendage.
“He's
getting away!” Leia pointed to Tarkin as he flew down the stairs.
“Leave
him.” Obi-Wan dangled a set of keys from his fingers. “We have to
release this man and find Luke. He must be in the lower cells for the
common criminals.”
“That
walking skull would treat my innocent brother like a criminal.”
Leia snatched the keys from her uncle and tried them on the
prisoner's manacles.
“Thanks,
sweetheart. You don't know how uncomfortable this is.” Obi-Wan put
his arms around the fellow to keep him from falling to his knees.
Even his voice shook. “I'm all right, old man.”
Obi-Wan
frowned. “You're nothing of the kind. You're barely walking.”
Chewie pushed himself under the man's other side, letting him hold
onto his fur as he got his footing. “I'll take you and the wolf to
the cart. Leia, you see if you can find Luke.”
No
sooner did they reach the entrance than they ran into Tarkin and a
platoon of guards. Tarkin sounded as if he were disinterestedly
ordering soup for dinner. “Kill the old man and the wolf, but bring
the girl and the younger man to me unharmed.”
Two
growls overwhelmed the soldiers as a large Wookie wolf and a girl in
armor leaped into the fray. Han's eyes widened as she sliced into men
who were twice her size and strength. He'd never seen anything like
it...that he could remember.
“Leia,
we'll come back for you!” Obi-Wan clutched Han as he nearly passed
out. “I have to get him to the cart.” He managed to get Han
against a tree long enough to wave his hand and toss a bit of
sparkling powdered herbs. A light swirled around them, obscuring the
duo and the growling canine. When it subsided, they were gone.
“At
least he's all right.” Leia was outnumbered and overwhelmed. The
largest of the soldiers finally lifted her off her feet, as if she
were a rag doll.
“Bring
her with us.” Tarkin smirked. “She may have some use yet. Perhaps
you could join our brigades, child. You're quite extraordinary with
that blade.”
Leia
spat in his face. “I'd rather see you blow Naboo to ashes than join
you!”
“That
may be arranged, my dear.” He grabbed her arm. “But right now,
you're coming with us. I have a matter of great importance to deal
with in the stables. We just received a most...unusual...horse from
the Chancellor when he was dealing with rebel sympathizers in the
Endor Woods.”
The
stables were on the edge of the property, near the tower. Rows and
rows of mostly black or gray stallions used for Palpatine's storm
rider army watched them from their stalls with bright liquid eyes. “I
don't know how he did it,” Tarkin purred, “but His Excellency
brought us one of the greatest prizes to be found in all the Imperial
Kingdoms. I give you, gentlemen...and lady,” he nodded at Leia, “a
genuine unicorn.”
Leia
thought most unicorns were gone, and that the remainder were fairy
stories her mother told them at night. This magnificent animal,
however, was no myth. It took three men told hold down the pure-white
horse, and another to drag on the bridle around its mouth. Flowing
gold hair and a golden tail snapped in the wind as it struggled,
trying helplessly to throw the men off. One man screamed, jumping
back as he was stabbed in the hand by a long, sharp horn.
“Isn't
it stunning?” Tarkin's spooky grin twisted in pride. “His
Excellency intends to have it's horn removed when he comes tomorrow.
It's said to contain pure, concentrated light magic, if you believe
the stories.”
“No!”
Leia kicked the big man holding her in the shin, then threw herself
in front of the unicorn. The poor creature was going wild, bucking
and stabbing at the sky. “These animals are sacred to the Jedi
order! I read it in a book. None but the Jedi magicians may touch
them.”
A
white nose pressed into her back, even as his hooves continued to
prance nervously. “I won't hurt you, boy. In fact, I think I know
you.” She stroked his silky neck, leaning against the snow-white
head. “There's something about you that's so...familiar.” Her
eyes and the unicorn's closed. “I can feel it.” Dark brown eyes
met blue ones that were surprisingly human. “You're not always like
this, are you?”
“Stand
back, girl.” Tarkin nodded at the large man, who narrowed his eyes
as he nursed his sore ankle. “This is none of your concern.”
Leia
drew her sword as it's light danced around her. “I'm not going to
let your so-called Excellency harm this animal. And if any of you
try, you'll get it in the gut from me!”
“Stop
her!” Tarkin's men tried to obey him, but the unicorn galloped in
front of her, kicking two of them into a near-by pile of hay. The
unicorn nudged her, grabbing her cloak and pulling onto his back as
Tarkin ordered his remaining men to take their horses after them.
“The
light...” She ran the unicorn down the line of stalls. The light
from the sword opened each and every one. “Come on, boys.” She
grinned as the horses bolted. “Let's get out of here!”
The
horses raced every which way, leaping over carts and kicking water
buckets. Tarkin had his hands full sending pages, soldiers, and
stable boys after them. They were too focused on the horses to notice
a rusty black crow land near the main entrance, just as a cart came
barreling out from behind the kitchen.
Uncle
Obi-Wan met her in the main courtyard.. “A unicorn!” The old mage
gasped. “Where...how...”
“There's
no time to explain now, Uncle.” She overtook Twilight and the cart,
galloping towards the gate. “We have to open that drawbridge!”
“Well,
you'd better do it quick.” The prisoner clutched the sides of the
cart as it bounced across the dusty courtyard. Chewie let out a howl
of annoyance. “Hey, where's my horse? Where's...”
Another
horse leaped over the hay carts after Leia. She was surprised he was
able to make it. The poor thing was old and worn, gray with reddish
patches and a thin red-gray mane. It raced right up to the cart,
nudging the prisoner on his cheek and nibbling at his hair. “Falcon!
I'm sorry, boy, but I'm not up to ridin' ya right now. You're gonna
have to follow along.”
“We
might be able to use our powers,” Obi-Wan called to her, “if we
do it together. Focus on the drawbridge and what you want it to do.”
“I
can't!” Leia was swinging her sword at the arrows from the guards.
“There's too many of them.”
The
prisoner struggled onto his knees, grasping the mechanical bow. “I'll
cover you.” To Leia's surprise, despite barely being able to lift
it, his aim was perfect. He leaned out the cart as well as he could,
shooting at any guards with arrows.
That
was all Leia needed. “Close your eyes,” Obi-Wan told her.
“Stretch out with your feelings.” She held her sword up to the
drawbridge, stretching out to it, trying to push it open. The unicorn
did the same, green fire leaping from its crystal horn.
It
seemed like hours, but really, it only took a few minutes for the
telltale creak of slightly rusted metal turning wooden holders to
penetrate her concentration. “You did it!” Her eyes snapped open
just in time to see the flat wood bridge fall across the gorge. The
prisoner gave her that half-grin. “Brains and beauty. You're really
something else, sweetheart.”
“Thank
you.” Even as he spoke, she was already half-over the bridge.
“Uncle, hurry!” Leia and the unicorn were first down the winding
road that lead back to the valley. “Damn it!” She held up her
sword to fend off two arrows. “There's at least three of them after
us!”
The
man aimed his weary grin at her. “That's where I come in. I can
pick these villains off easily.” As worn as he was, the man's aim
was truly impressive. He took down two men with one arrow, then aimed
another to knock two more into the mud. Another shot went into their
wheels, sending the first carriage careening into the mud on the side
of the road. A third cart ran over the cliff, dashed to a thousand
pieces on the jagged rocks below.
Leia
swung her sword into two horsemen, knocking them off their mounts.
“Uncle,” she yelled over her shoulder as she fought with another,
“where are we going?”
“Back
to the woods!” Obi-Wan turned off the main road and into the
foliage. The wolf and his master fell back into the cart, smacking
against the burlap bag. “And hold on back there. This road can get
a little rough.”
The
wolf's annoyed howls mingled with his master's unamused “Now you
tell us!”
Leia
ignored the unicorn's protests as she and Falcon followed her uncle
into the woods. Falcon whinnied in horror as he just barely missed an
arrow hitting his flank. The unicorn let out an angry snort and
pointed its horn at the cart. Green mist shot from the unicorn's
horn, block the soldier's line of sight. They ran into a tree, their
horses abandoning them as they went back towards the fortress.
“I
think that's the last of them.” The man finally collapsed into the
cart. “Where are you taking us, old man?”
“We're
going to have to camp in the woods for tonight.” Obi-Wan shrugged.
“After that, we'll take the back roads to Alderaan Manor. Padme's
cousin Bail and his wife Breha may already have heard about your
parents' deaths. They're both sympathetic to the queen and may be
willing to help find her son.”
“Oh
no.” The man waved his hand, even as his eyes fluttered. “I'm
not...getting involved...with any queens. I just...want...out...”
He finally sagged, passing out again. The wolf barked and hurried to
his side as the mechanical bow slid from his fingers.
“We'll
stop at the first clearing and rest.” The older man's gaze went up
to his niece. “I'm proud of you today, Leia. You've done well. I'm
sure Anakin would have been proud of you, too.”
She
nodded, trying to fight back the tears at the mention of her father.
“I know he would, Uncle.” The unicorn lifted his nose, nuzzling
her side as she leaned into him. “I think the unicorn agrees with
you.”
Obi-Wan
leaned over to stroke its mane. “Why don't we all rest? We need to
figure out what to do about you, my equine friend, and about that
poor soul in the cart.”
Leia
turned up her nose. “He's just some thief and scoundrel. Did you
hear how he flirted with me?”
“I
think there's far more to him than that.” His light fingers shook
the reins. “But we really should find a place to set up camp,
before darkness descends.”
