Master Skywalker’s smile looked as if he were trying to repress some secret amusement. “Thank you. I’ve heard a great deal about your successes on Mechis III. Your droid works are the most … productive in the New Republic.”
Uncle Tyko beamed even more brightly than before. “It’s nothing really,” he said, with a vain attempt at a modest shrug. “Success seems to come naturally to my family. To me, to my brother—I daresay you’ve noticed it even in Raynar. I’m certain he quite surpasses most of your other students in sheer Jedi ability.”
Raynar felt his cheeks warm with discomfiture.
How could Master Skywalker respond to such a display of pompous self-importance?
To his credit, however, the Jedi Master answered smoothly and without hesitation. “Raynar is a unique and earnest student who has more Jedi potential than even he is aware of.”
Before his uncle could push Master Skywalker further, Raynar broke in. “And I’d like you to meet some of my fellow students: Jaina and Jacen Solo, Lowbacca from Kashyyyk, and Tenel Ka, a princess of Hapes and Dathomir.”
Uncle Tyko pursed his lips in surprise.
“Very distinguished guests,” he observed.
“They certainly are,” Raynar’s mother said. “You are all welcome to stay as long as you like. I think this calls for a celebration.”
Her midnight-blue gown, shot with silver thread and belted with a sash in the colors of the House of Thul, glittered like the star-studded wedges of space visible through the viewports.
“I’m afraid I must return to the Jedi academy as soon as possible,” Master Skywalker said with a regretful shake of his head. “Artoo and I need to get back. We have many other students and much work to do.”
“But we’d like to stay,” Jacen hurried to assure Aryn Dro Thul. “Just for a few days, of course, to make sure that Raynar’s okay and settling in here.”
Lowie urffed his support of the plan.
“Why, what a splendid idea!” Em Teedee said. “Civilization, at last.”
The details and arrangements were soon settled. Jacen, Jaina, Lowie and Tenel Ka would stay for five days, then return to the Jedi academy in the Rock Dragon.
In less than half an hour, Luke Skywalker and Artoo-Detoo departed in the Shadow Chaser. Raynar’s mother sighed as she watched their sleek ship vanish. “Well, I suppose we’ll have to make another hyperspace jump now, just to keep moving.”
Uncle Tyko nodded. “To be sure no one can follow us by picking up on the Shadow Chaser’s log of recent stops.”
Raynar’s mother clasped her hands and smiled. “When that’s done, I have a special treat for you children. To celebrate my son’s return, you’re all invited to an Alderaanian Ceremony of Waters.”
The Ceremony of Waters was long and elaborate, and apparently filled with great meaning for the Thul family … but Jacen found his mind wandering during the endless rituals. He squirmed and tried to sit up straighter on the hard narrow bench that ringed the small, elegant fountain that served as a centerpiece for the ceremony.
He absently reached to where his lightsaber usually hung at his side, planning to run his fingers along its ridges, as he often did when he was bored … but then he remembered the weapon wasn’t there. Everyone had been asked to change into their best clothes for this special occasion. And since it was a ritual of peace, all the young Jedi had left their weapons in their cabins.
Aryn Thul, her long chestnut hair braided in an intricate pattern, looked beautiful and serene in her midnight-blue gown. The hairstyle reminded Jacen of his mother.
Sometimes he wondered how Leia managed to put up with all the boring ceremonies, rituals, and meetings her duties as Chief of State required her to endure. In times past, Jacen, Jaina, and their younger brother Anakin had often attended events their mother thought they might especially enjoy. Even at those, however, Jacen had frequently found himself wishing he were out with his friend Zekk exploring the fascinating, and sometimes dangerous, lower levels of Coruscant.
Jacen remembered a disastrous time when he and Jaina had persuaded Zekk to be their guest at a simple state dinner. Had that experience been this bewildering—this excruciating—for the dark-haired young man? He missed Zekk. Letting his eyes drift around the room, Jacen wondered if anyone else was as bored as he was.
On the other side of the fountain, Raynar and Tyko sat flanking Aryn Thul while she performed the ceremony. All three were apparently engrossed in every detail of the rituals. Beside him, Jaina watched attentively as Aryn filled an array of brightly colored transparent flasks, cups, and beakers. At Jacen’s left, Tenel Ka sat laser-straight, her cool gray eyes dutifully following each step.
Completing the circle, his eyes half closed, Jacen noticed Lowie taking this opportunity to practice his Jedi relaxation techniques … or perhaps just napping. Em Teedee’s glowing optical sensors were alert, though the little droid made no sound.
Setting aside the last of the filled vessels, Aryn Thul began to hum a slow, lilting tune.
As she did so, she held her hands under one of the clear streams of liquid that gurgled from the fountain. Water flowed across the backs of her hands, and then she turned them over, Jetting the water run into her palms. Still humming, she nodded.
Raynar and Tyko placed their hands under the trickling water as well.
Tenel Ka—always fast to catch on—stretched her arm out and held her hand under the stream of water. Jacen noticed the glow of pleasure that lit Aryn’s and Raynar’s eyes at this. Lowie opened his eyes at the same time that Jaina nudged Jacen. Six more hands entered the flow from the fountain. Jacen was amazed to find the water warm and silky to the touch.
The remainder of the ceremony consisted of drying their hands, then passing around the various cups and beakers. Aryn hummed while Tyko or Raynar recited words about purity or peace or the life-giving qualities of water. Then they would sip from the beaker or empty it and refill it from the fountain or sprinkle drops in the air to fall like rain. Occasionally, Em Teedee even hummed along with Aryn; Raynar’s mother did not seem to mind.
Jacen was glad, at least, to see Raynar distracted from his misery. The blond-haired boy looked happier than Jacen had ever seen him on Yavin 4.
When the humming stopped, Raynar’s uncle Tyko let out a long sigh.
“It’s wonderful to be among civilized beings again,” he said. “You have no idea what it’s like to live and work on Mechis III, surrounded all day long by mechanicals. We keep only a few living beings on the planet, and very few of them come from worlds with culture. Of course, I’ve programmed a droid or two for protocol, but it’s simply not the same. They’re so dull.”
“Well, really!” Em Teedee exclaimed before Lowie slapped a furry hand over the translating droid’s speaker grille.
“This is my favorite ceremony,” Raynar said wistfully.
“Mine too,” his mother agreed. “It reminds me of the days when I lived on Alderaan. I grew up in Terrarium City,” she said. “My parents were on the ruling council. It was a beautiful serene place, and every home was surrounded by plants and fountains like this one. I left to study at Alderaan University.”
“Where you met father,” Raynar put in.
“Yes.” Her forehead wrinkled slightly at the mention of her kidnapped husband. “I was studying music and business, and Bornan was studying business and art. We took several courses together and found we had similar goals. When we finished our studies, we formed this trading company.”
“Where were you when Alderaan was destroyed?” Jaina asked in a hushed voice.
Aryn flinched, struck by yet another painful memory. “Sometimes I wish I’d never left, that I could have spent those last few days there…. “She sighed. “Bornan is an excellent businessman, and he believes in overseeing negotiations personally. We were in the middle of very sensitive trade talks with one of the Imperial worlds when our home was obliterated.”