Title: Specific Obligations* (1/?)

Author: Ali Faye

Rating: PG for part one (as for the rest, I’m not sure yet.)

Characters: Mira, Obi-wan, Qui-Gon, and a whole bunch more

Category: Drama,Romance (?)

Archive: Sure, just let me know (:

Feedback: Please, please, please, please, please!

Disclaimer: Well, anything you recognize,( like Qui and Obi), is George’s, and
all the rest are products of my caffein stimulated imagination. Please don’t sue
me Mr. Lucas, I’m just a poor student and I made no money.

Summary: Ummm... Obi-wan and Qui-Gon are sent to evacuate refugees from a
hostile world.

Notes: This little bunny followed me home last week and has been camped out side
my door. This is the first fic. I’m showing to people, so I would really love
any kind of feedback, positive or negative.

* the tittle comes from that line in Ever After, “You were born to privilege and
with that come specific obligations...”

<telepathy>

Part 1:

      Mira Sa’DeGent, daughter of the So Sect, head of the house of DeGent, and
crowned Princess of the Saunderi nation, shivered and rapped the coarse wool
blanket more tightly around her as the wind picked up. Covered in rags an dirt,
she certainly didn’t feel like a princess. Her eyes wandered over the dreary
Saunderi refugee camp.
      ‘Much different from the palaces I grew up in,’ she thought, ‘Have we really
been her four months !?’
Indeed , the whole last year seemed like a hazy blur. The Saunderi and the
Hiatachi Clans had never been friendly neighbors, but until the last year there
had been a cold peace. But then a new clan came to power, more violent and
ruthless then any before. Mad, driven, and lead by their leader Vong, they
rallied the other clans into declaring war on the Saunderi. It was a slaughter,
the Saunderi were scholars and statesmen, not fighters. In fact, they cold trace
their roots all the way back to Aldrean, but he Haitachi were worrier, who’s
culture thrived on violence.
      ‘And here we are,’ Mira thought bitterly.

      Four months ago the Clans broke through the last of the Saunderi defense and
took the capital city, Saundera. Mira and her brother and sisters had barley
escaped, their parents had not been so lucky. Mira pushed the bad memories of
that dark night aside and tried to focus on the situation at hand, like her
father had taught her. She, her siblings, and a couple other thousand survivors
had escaped Saundera’s destruction and were now camped out on what the Haitachi
called, Chi-de-rell. Chi-de-rell was a holy spot for the Haitachi go
Chi-de-lara, their god of earth. It was three acres of “pure” land set aside for
the god as a symbol of respect and it was absolutely forbidden by the haaitachi
high priest, for any Haitachi clansmen to step foot on that land. It was also
forbidden to spill blood on the land, so it was the only area left on Lentatti
were she and her people could stay without being slaughtered by the Hiatachi
Clan Warrior. It had been Mira’s idea to flee here after the fall of Saundera
but they could not stay here forever. Already conditions at the camp were
deteriorating rapidly. The lack of food, fresh water, a proper hygiene as well
as the upcoming winter season were great concerns. There was no longer a choice,
they had to leave Lentatti. A great feeling of sadness filled Mira but no matter
how her heart might ache, her mind knew they had no other choice. The only
problem was getting off the planet. The Hiatachi would never allow a transport
to land on Chi-de-rell, and if any Saunderi step out of the red painted boundary
that surrounded the land, they would be killed instantly. If only there was some
way...

      “Mira, Mira!” the urgent shot brought Mira out of her daze. One of her younger
brother ran down the path to were she stood.
      “What is it Rafee?” Mira asked as the boy came to a stop in front of her. Rafee
was undoubtedly the most reckless of the Sa’DeGent children. Their father had
called Rafee “the little hell raiser” and now, at 16, he was already a handsome
young man with brown hair, their mother’s hazel eyes, and sharp, aristocratic
features.
      “What, Rafee?” Mira asked again as he hurried to catch his breath.
      “General Sa’Len want you,” Rafee gasped, “The Republic ambassadors have
arrived.”
      “Finally,” Mira breathed, and put a hand on her brother’s shoulder, “Where is
he?”
      “Over by the South entrance,” Rafee pointed.

      Mira turned and headed south. If she could convince the Republic to guard their
evacuation, they could finally leave this place. Rafee fell into step behind his
sister. He understood perfectly well, that it was imperative that they gain the
Republic’s sapport. Mira and Rafee made their way south, towards a tall, gray
haired, bearded man who waited by the last tent on the southern side. General
Sa’Len had been Mira’s father’s closest friend and he was god-father to several
of the Sa’DeGent children, including Mira, herself. Sa’Len had been the one to
smuggle the children safely out of Saundera, after King Sa’DeGent had placed
them into his protection. Now he was one of Mira’s most trusted advisors and
friends. Sa’Len greeted them with a warm smile.
      “I’ve sent for Ma’Fettra and Fa’Drake,” he told Mira as she came to stand
beside him.
      “Good,” Rina Ma’Fettra and Anglo Fa’Drake were the only other survivors of her
father’s council. Both were experienced statesmen and Mira figured she could use
as much help as possible. “As soon as they arrive we’ll go speak to the
ambassadors.” As if sensing her nervousness, Sa’Len took her hand and squeezed
it.
      “Don’t worry, little princess. You were taught by the very best, we all have
faith in you.”
Mira gave Sa’Len a small smile, faith from her people she had, it was faith in
herself that she needed. Ma’Fettra and Fa’Drake arrived a moment later.

      “All right,” Mira took a deep breath and let it out, “lets go.” Straightening
her shoulders, Mira lead the way down to the southern boarder were two men
waited on the other side of the red line. As she walked, Mira made quick mental
notes to herself. Both were human, male, and one was older then the other. They
wore identical brown robes, and the elder had long, fine, brown hair and a
beard, while the other was clean shaven with short hair, and a tiny braid behind
his right ear.
      ‘There’s something familiar,...’ Mira thought, then it hit her, ‘Jedi! The
Republic had sent Jedi!’
      “Jedi!” Fa’Drake gasped out loud, echoing her thoughts. The group exchanged
worried glances. Most people were nervous about dealing with Jedi, believing
that they had magical mind reading powers, and could manipulate a person with a
thought.
      “Your Highness,...” Sa’Len started but Fa’Drake interrupted him.
      “We can not deal with Jedi,...” he exclaimed and then added, as an after
thought, “...Your Highness.”
      “That is not a law I was aware of, Counselor.” Mira stated, in what she hoped
was a regal voice. She glanced dow to the Jedi, “I do not need to explain to you
that this is our last hope.” She looked each of them in the eye, “We will see
what these Jedi have to say and then we will decide were to go from there.”
Rafee took a step closer to his sister, Sa’Len and Ma’Fettra nodded, but
Fa’Drake still looked unsure.

      Taking another deep breath, Mira rapped her blanket more tightly around her and
started to move toward the Jedi again. ‘Please, let them help us,...’ Mira
prayed silently before coming to a stop before the two robbed figures.

                  *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     

      Obi-wan Kenobi did not like Head Clan Chief Vong. He knew hate was of the dark
side and as a mediator, he was suppose to be impartial, but he could not help
the fact that he did not like the Head Clan Chief. Obi-wan and his Master,
Qiu-Gon Jinn, had been sent by the council to look into the situation on
Lentatti. The Republic had offered, at the start of the war to evacuate the
Saunderi from the planet, but King Sa’DeGent had refused. He believed that
Lentatti was the Saunderi home world, too, and that the conflict would soon be
resolved. It seemed, however; that the King had been wrong. The council hope
that now the Saunderi would except Republic help in relocating.
     
      The two Jedi had been greeted, upon their arrival, by Head Clan Chief Vong of
the Hiatachi. The Hiatachi were a worrier race that’s society was broken up into
clans. Obi-wan tried to remember the information he had been given at their
briefing before the mission. The strongest clan was the ruling clan, and at this
time that was the Harp-Hiata Clan. Vong was the Harp-Hiata chief. The Hiatachi
were a strongly build race, with leathery, olive skin. they had yellow eye with
extremely large, turned up, noses and small tusks. Vong was dressed in full
Hiatachi battle armor complete with a large head dress, decorated with various
bones.
      “I, Vong, Chief of the Harp-Hiatachi, strongest of the Hiatachi clans, welcome
you honorable Jedi Worriers,” he announced in his slightly slurred basic.
      “Thank You, Head Chief Vong,” his master replied with a nod, “I am Jedi Master
Qui-Gon Jinn      and this is my apprentice, Obi-wan Kenobi.” Obi-wan nodded. Vong
motioned to some worriers behind him.
      “Come, and I will take you to the vermin that infest our Chi-de-rell.” They all
left the hanger and entered a ground transport speeder.

      Once they were on their way Qui-Gon, turned to Vong.
      “What is the situation?” he asked.
      Vong snorted, “the vermin are encamped on holy Chi-de-rell. It is forbidden to
enter there, punishable by death and torture in the world after.”
      “Do you wish for the Republic to evacuate the Saunderi?” Qui-Gon pushed.
      “The vermin must pay for their crimes against the Gods!” Vong exclaimed.
Qui-Gon and Obi-wan exchanged looks.
      <What does he expect us to do, Master?> Obi-wan thought, <Force the Saunderi
off so he can have them killed?!>
      “We are not here to help you in your war against the Saunderi,” Qui-Gon
informed Vong, “We are ere to find a peaceful solution.”
      “The Gods demand!” Vong stated stubbornly. Obi-wan opened his mouth to object
but Qui-Gon silenced him with a look.
      <We will wait and talk to the Saunderi leaders,> he informed his Padawan,
<Hopefully they will be willing to compromise. Trust in the Force, Obi-wan.>
Obi-wan pressed his mouth into a firm line but he did not respond. In the
reports he had read on the Lentatti War, it had said that the Hiatachi had 
attacked the Saunderi because the new head clan had seen them as  offenders to
their gods. Millions of Saunderi were killed, and the saviors had retreated to
Chi-de-rell were they could not be touched by anyone, even Qui-Gon or himself.
Entering the sanctuary would brake Hiatachi holy law and they would become
fugitives. The situation frustrated Obi-wan but he had to be patient, as Qui-Gon
instructed him. They would find a way.
      When the speeder arrived at the temple of Chi-de-rell, Obi-wan took in the
scene in front of him. Acres of land were covered with camp sites and tents, all
enclosed by a red line painted on the ground. the conditions were very poor and
he could sense much suffering in the refugee camp. He and Qui-Gon started
towards the camp, but stopped when Vong started to fallow them.
      “We will talk to the Saunderi leader alone,” Qui-Gon informed the Head Clan
Chief.
      “But...” Vong started but Qui-Gon cut him off with a wave of his hand.
      “We will talk to the Saunderi alone,” he said.
      “You will talk to the Saunderi alone,” Vong repeated. He and Obi-wan turned and
headed back towards the camp. When they reached the red border they stopped. the
crowd of people in front of them stopped what hey were doing and stared.

      “Excuse me,” Qui-Gon called out into the crowd, “We’re representatives from the
Republic, we need to speak to Kin Sa’DeGent.” A tall, gray haired man with a
beard stepped forward.
      “Your four months to late,” he told them.
      “Excuse me?” Obi-wan asked.
      “I’m General Sa’Len,” he introduced himself, “and the King was killed four
months ago when Saundera was taken.”
      “I’m sorry,” Qui-Gon said sincerely, “Are you in charge then, General?”
      “No, his daughter, the princess, has taken charge,” he explained, “hold on one
moment.” And he turned back towards the camp.
      “Rafee!” The General called, and then waited until a boy, somewhere in his mid
teens Obi-wan esteemed, came hurrying to him.
      “Run and fetch Mira,” Sa’Len told the boy, “tell her that Republic ambassadors
have arrived.” The boy, Rafee, took of running down a path. Sa’Len then shoo-ed
away the gapping crowed and set two other children in search of two other
councilors. He then stopped by the nearest tent and waited.

      Obi-wan felt her presence before he saw her, strong and determined, yet tired
and nervous. He looked up to see a young woman rapped in a brown blanket
approach Sa’Len, followed by the boy, Rafee. Her blonde hair was pulled back
into a twist but several pieces had come loose and the curls framed her face.
Her checks were smudged with dirt and there were dark circles under her eyes.
Obi-wan guessed that she was probably younger then himself.
      ‘Who was she?’ he thought to himself but Qui-Gon must have guessed his train of
thought.
      <That must be the princess> Qui-Gon stated.
      <So young?!> Obi-wan exclaimed, surprised.
      <War makes people grow up very fast, Padawan> Qui-Gon answered. The Princess
spoke with Sa’Len for a few moments and he saw the general take the girls hand.
They were then joined by two others, a middle age woman who’s gray hair was tied
in a bun behind her head, and a man with a slight belly and a pointy nose. The
group, lead by the Princess, started heading toward them. Obi-wan stretched out
with the Force and he could feel the exact moment they realized that he a
Qui-Gon were Jedi. A rush of surprise and far passed through the group. He and
Qui-Gon exchanged glances and he knew his Master had felt it, too. There were so
many rumors and false stories going around about the Jedi, so they were not
surprised by their reaction. the group hesitated but the Princess spoke to them
and they continued on, stopping right in front of Qui-Gon and himself, but
obviously careful to stay on the other side of the red line.

      General Sa’Len spoke up, “May I introduce her majesty, Princess Mira, daughter
of the Sa sect, head of the house of DeGent, and heir of King Sa’DeGent.”
      “Your Majesty,” Both Qui-Gon and Obi-wan bowed low.
      “I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my Padawan, Obi-wan Kenobi. The
Princess nodded to Qui-Gon then Obi-wan and he found himself staring into the
clearest green eyes he had ever seen. She hesitated a second then turned to
introduce the rest of her companions.
      “Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi, you’ve met General Sa’Len,” the General bowed,            
“,...this is counselor Rina Ma’Fettra,” the older woman gave a nodded of
egknolegment and a friendly, though hesitant, smile,
      “,...Councilor anglo Fa’Drake,” the man with the pointed nose bowed. Obi-wan
could tell that he was more agitated by his presence then the others.
      “,...and one of my brother,” she continued, pointing to the boy, “Prince Rafee
Sa’DeGent.” The Jedi bowed again.

      “Now that the introduction are over, we wish to immediately get to business,”
Princess Mira explained.
      “Of course, Your Majesty,” Qui-Gon answered, “What is your position?”
      The Princess offered a bitter laugh, “Our position?! Master Jedi, the Saunderi
are stuck between a rock and hard place. we can not leave this land, but we can
not stay either.”
      “I understand that, Your Majesty, but before the,...” Qui-Gon hesitated for a
moment. It had been this girls father who had refused the evacuation aid. Did
she share his beliefs? “...the Saunderi refused to leave. The question is, are
your people willing to be evacuated?”
      The Princess eyes became sad, “Lentatti is our home, it will always be in our
hearts. But we are not going to let our people die out.” She took a shuddering
breath, “If the Republic can guarantee our safety from the Hiatachi clans during
an evacuation from Chi-de-rell, we will leave Lentatti,...” She pause, “...for
good.”
      “Excuse me, Your Majesty,” Obi-wan spoke up, “but were will you and your people
go?”
She seemed surprised to hear him speak but she recover quickly, “i have been
contacted by Bail Oragano, Aldrean has offered to take us in. Our only problems
are getting from here to the shuttles and then leaving Lentatti with out getting
shoot down.” Obi-wan nodded. Qui-Gon continued the conversation.
      “We will do everything in our power to make this possible.” Obi-wan could feel
great relief come from the Princess. Consoler Fa’Drake, however, was not a
impressed,             “How do we know you’ll keep your word and not turn us over to the
butchers once we step foot out of here?, “ he asked. Obi-wan was surprised,
Qui-Gon was a very big man with an intimidating gaze. Not many questioned him to
his face.
      Qui-Gon arched his brow, “You have my word Counselor, that no harm will come to
the Saunderi under our protection if we can help it, and I will contact
Chancellor Vallurom and to get his agreement.” The rest of the group seemed
appeased but Fa’Drake still frowned.
      “Thank You Master Jedi,” the Princess said, “Please come back as soon as you
have word.” Then with a quick bow they turned and headed back towards the camp.
      <Well that went well,> Qui-Gon thought, watching them walk away. He could tell
his apprentice was distracted but he didn’t press the issue.
      <Yes, Master,> Obi-wan agreed absently, as he watched the Princess with the
green eyes.
      ‘Mira,’ he thought, ‘what a pretty name.’

                  *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     

      Against Fa’Drake’s protests, Mira decided to trust the Jedi. Thankfully Sa’Len
and Ma’Fettra had agreed. Now she stood under a small tree which grew a couple
of feet from were she and her siblings had put up their tent.
      ‘Good thing Father dragged us on all on thoughts camping trip,’ Mira sighed,
‘Gods, that feels like a life time ago.’ Mira stared p at the sky and watched
the moons. She tried to concentrate on the situation at hand but her thoughts
keep drifting to the Jedi Padawan with the intense blue eyes. He had a charming
accent, almost musical, and a handsome face.
      ‘What's wrong with me,’ she scolded herself, ‘there were lots of handsome men
at court, why does one Jedi leave me feeling all flustered?’ But mostly, she was
embarrassed; could he really read her mind.
      ‘Those weren't exactly princess like thoughts,’ Mira blushed and then frowned,
‘what must he think of me...’ A loud *thud* and several giggles interrupted her
thoughts, as her two youngest siblings bust through the tent opening. Mella was
ten and she, like Mira, had inherited their father’s fair hair and green eyes.
Mella acted a lot like their mother, though, sophisticated and regal. Qualities
that sometime Mira felt that she, herself, lacked. Gal was five, and the baby of
the family. He was also the family comedian, using everything from knock knock
to practical jokes. He and Mella would get in tons of mischief together. Once
they had put a mouse like creature, called a tail-ton, in the pocket of Mira’s
robe. Mira had let out such a screech when she found the rodent, that half the
palaces guards and servants had come running. Oh, those two had had a good
laugh, until their Father made them clean Mira’s room for a month as punishment.

      As Gal came running down the path, Mira reached down and scooped him up.
      “What  mischief have you gotten into now, huh?” Mira asked, tickling the child.
      “Nothing!” he cried laughing. Mira tucked Gal under her arm and knelt down to
face Mella, who had stopped running when her brother was intercepted.
      “It was an accident, I swear,” she said in her most innocent voice. Just then,
Iriet came out of the tent. Mella ducked to hide behind Mira.
      “How many time have I told you not to make towers out of the cooking pots?!
There the only ones we have!” She asked the children.
      “Accident, huh?” Mira asked Mella, who  blushed.
      “Apologize to you sister,” she told them, as she set Gal down.
      “Sorry Iriet,” they mumbled together. Iriet sighed, neither she nor Mira could
hold a grudge on their siblings for long.
      “To bed,” she said, “Now.” But her voice had lost the sharp edge. Gal and Mella
both gave Mira a peck on the check before running into the tent.
     
      Mira turned to Iriet. She was the second oldest, only a year younger then Mira,
but unlike Mira, Iriet had no interest in the political arena. She was much more
content taking care of her family, then dealing with different world leaders.
Iriet had light brown hair and hazel eyes, like Rafee, with a soft smile and
voice. (Except when it came to to scolding her youngest siblings for trouble
making.)She had been the one to hold the family together the last few month, and
take care of the practical side of life in the camp.
      “Rafee told me how things went today,” Iriet said, “Is it true, Mira?”
      “I hope so, sister, I hope so,” Mira answered, looking down to the east to see
the boys approach. Rafee and Natti had gotten in the habit of walking the east
boarder after supper. they greeted their sisters with smiles. Natti was the
scholar, always reading some new data pad on physics or physiology. He was only
fourteen but he had already stared taking classes at the university before the
war. It was one of Mira’s dearest wishes, that Natti would be be able to
continue his education once they were relocated. Natti and Rafee were very
close, they seemed to balance each other out.

      “What were the Jedi like?” Natti asked once he reached them.
      “”Like anybody else, I guess.” Mira replied, “The older one, the master, seemed
very wise, and the younger,...” Iriet was the only one to catch the strange, far
away, look in her sisters eye.
      “You two are so lucky to have gotten to meet them!” Natti exclaimed, “I bet
they’ve traveled all sorts of places!”
      “Mira and Rafee will tell us more about the Jedi tomorrow,” Iriet announced, “
Now it’s time for bed.” Both boys groaned.
      “Iriet, your worse then a nanny!” Rafee complained.
      “Fine,” Iriet said, putting a hand on her hip and tapping her foot, “You can
cook your own food, wash your ow clothes, do your own cleaning, and then you can
choose your own bed time.”
      “Okay, okay, I’m going,” Rafee held up his hands in defeat, “G’Night Mira,” he
kissed his sister on the check before heading to bed.
      Natti followed suite, “Goodnight Mira.”
      “Goodnight, sleep well my princes,” Mira called after them. Iriet turned and
gave her sister a big hug.
      “Don’t stay up to late, come and get some sleep, tonight,” Iriet advised before
heading in.
      “I will,” Mira lied. the last thing she wanted to do is sleep. With sleep came
the nightmare of that terrible last night in Saundera. She barely slept anymore,
but she did not want to confide in any of her siblings. She didn’t want worry
them and although they knew that she rarely slept they didn’t know what kept her
up. Mira shivered. Those nightmares had haunted her for the last four months and
they had gotten so bad she was afraid to close her eyes. Usually she sat under
the tree at night, satrring at the stars and the moon, lost in thought. She’d
drift off eventually and usually caught an hour or two of undisturbed sleep a
night, but then the screams would come in her dreams, and she’d see them
again..., and the blood and she’d wake up in a cold sweat. Mira sat down tonight
and her thoughts again drifted to a cretin pair of blue eyes,...

                  *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *           

      Across the camp and field, on the balcony of one of the guest rooms of the
temple, Obi-wan also Gazed at the stars. His thoughts lingered on a pair of
green eyes... TBC