The Inheritance

The Inheritance: Chapter Two

Early the next morning, Governor Lucan Kersen brought a stack of paperwork to Acaciah’s makeshift office at the villa.

Obi-Wan greeted him at the foyer. “Is it true? Are they here?” Lucan’s words tumbled out eagerly.

“That depends on what rumors you’ve heard,” Anakin’s baritone rumbled, filling the space between them. In the blink of an eye, Lucan found himself being appraised by the new Lord Sakarté.

Lucan was a bit taller than the average Fiona, but he still had to look up to meet Anakin’s gaze. His skin was the color of dark honey, its crimson undertones accented by tight dark curls with just a hint of red cropped close to his scalp. He grinned at Anakin. “Well, either Lady Miriam’s got herself a nice young consort now,” he winked at Obi-Wan, “Or the new Lady and Lord Sakarté have taken up residence at Lachere!”

“You must be Governor Kersen,” Anakin bowed. “I’m—”

“Anakin Skywalker, everyone knows!” Lucan laughed. “News travels fast around here, my Lord. I’m honored to finally meet you, Master Jedi,” he said, extending his hand. “Please call me Lucan.”

“Lucan,” Anakin smiled. “What brings you here today?”

“I have some paperwork for the Lady Acaciah,” he replied.

“She’s feeling a little peaked this morning,” Anakin answered. “Why don’t you let me review it?”

“Lady Acaciah allows her husband to make such decisions on the province?” he wondered aloud. “Truly she is more enlighten—I mean liberal than her predecessors!”

Obi-Wan shot Anakin a warning look.

“I don’t presume to make Acaciah’s decisions for her,” Anakin added smoothly. “However, I don’t want her overburdened when she’s not feeling well,” now he favored Obi-Wan with a meaningful glance.

Lucan observed them curiously; surely there was more going on here than a sniffle! Given the circumstances of Miriam’s illness, if something happened to Acaciah, who would get Lachere?

As if the thought of her summoned her, Acaciah entered the study, and Lucan gave an audible sigh of relief.

Three heads swiveled to him. “What is it?” Obi-Wan asked.

“She’s pregnant! Here I am, worrying about more foul play, and she’s only pregnant!”

“How did you know?” Acaciah asked.

“The Living Force, my Lady!” he exclaimed, as if it ought to be obvious. “I hope you two weren’t planning on keeping it a secret here!”

“I thought Force sensitivity wasn’t nearly as prevalent outside the ruling houses?” Anakin asked curiously.

“In a manner of speaking,” Lucan answered. “My father’s father was an Anolia-Sakarté, but he married an off-worlder. Here on Alameen you’re only a noble if your mother is. I’m a commoner because of it, and because I was born off-world.”

“I see,” Anakin replied, thinking that was arcane.

“It’s not the most democratic, is it?” Lucan chuckled. “Still, I don’t know that I’d want your responsibilities; Miriam’s created quite the scandal by allowing you two ambassadors of change run Lachere!”

“Who else could have inherited Lachere?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Funny you should ask that, Master Kenobi,” he opened a satchel. “I saw a bit on the inheritance lines when I started my investigation on Miriam’s attack.” He began pulling out holos. “Someone’s been in the family files, quite recently. Roge, Miriam’s brother is considered too old to be handed the province now, and he and his wife had only a son anyway. Geraint would actually be eligible if he were not already married to Lady Ravenas. That leaves two others, Fieravid or Jaegar Sakarté as eligible to inherit, and they’re both long shots.”

Alarm bells sounded in Anakin’s head at the sound of their names. “I want them both monitored,” he said aloud.

Lucan nodded. “Here’s what you’ll like even less—the only way for either one of them to have their children inherit Lachere is to marry Acaciah. Beware anyone who tries to start tension between you two; there’s a good reason for it.”

“It explains why Fieravid threw such a tantrum that Miriam approved of their wedding,” Obi-Wan said. “We’ve definitely got motive,” he said, stroking his beard.

“Now all we need is proof,” Lucan agreedBefoBefore we round him up I’d like to see who else he’s got suckered into this. He had to have had help.”

***
Later that day...

The traditional home of the Lord and Lady Ravenas was nicknamed Raven’s Keep, and it was situated due west of Lachere, on Indios’ spectacular Decordan River. Obi-Wan, Anakin and Acaciah were going there to pay a visit to the home ostensibly to see Geraint and Janae and be formally welcomed, but Anakin hoped privately that they would be forthcoming about the forces opposing them. (their inheritance of Lachere?)

Before they’d left, Acaciah had squeezed his hand and reminded him that Geraint and Janae were both in his debt for his aid when Janae’s former guardian had opposed their union. Anakin had helped them keep in touch, and had also ferreted out proof that the late Lady and Lord Ravenas had approved Geraint’s suit before their untimely deaths. Geraint and Janae had married recently, thanks to Anakin’s sleuthing. “They’ve only been married about a month,” she remarked. “Grandmama favored that match too. It makes me wonder if these aren’t related.”

Anakin gave a curt nod, he’d considered that possibility as well. “I wish I could send you somewhere else while I clear this place out,” he said at length. “I don’t like you and the baby being in harm’s way.”

“We’ll be fine,” she hugged him tightly, but Anakin wasn’t reassured. His Force sense told him the Dark Side was growing, and he’d already seen much of the damage left in its wake.

“Anakin?” Acaciah’s voice prompted him out of his reverie. “We’re here, darling.”

***
Raven’s Keep had a warm, exotic atmosphere; it was decorated in hues of garnet and deep turquoise, accented with gold. It radiated an earthy, inviting air as the trio entered the manor. Janae awaited them, looking every inch the Lady of the House; she had plaited her long raven tresses into coils atop her head. Geraint, Acaciah’s cousin, stood beside her; he was quite a contrast in comparison. Geraint was built like a typical Fiona man, with ivory skin smattered in freckled and coppery curls the same color as Acaciah’s.

“Welcome, cousins!” she kissed each of them on the cheek.

“Good to see you,” Geraint hugged Obi-Wan. “I’m cross with you two!” he waggled his finger at Anakin and Acaciah. “You didn’t tell me you were expecting a wee babe!”

“We’re not that far along,” Acaciah laughed. “We haven’t really announced it to anyone yet.”

“Not the Jedi either?” Geraint asked curiously.

“Is that something you actually have to tell Yoda?” Acaciah wondered aloud.

Anakin laughed. “I doubt it. We were just going to wait until she was further along to formally announce it.”

“Fat chance of waiting here, mate,” Geraint replied, bemused. “I’ll bet Jaeger has announced it to half of Saestra already.”

“Jaeger lives in Saestra?” Anakin’s interest was piqued. “Is he friendly with the Savros?”

“Yes, and no,” Geraint answered. “Jaeger lives on the Lachere/Saestra border, and he’s very friendly with the Savros; all his immediate kin are.”

“Interesting,” Anakin said. “How friendly are they? Do they intermarry?”

“You don’t trust them?” Geraint asked.

“Do you? After the way they have handled Celianthos and Janae’s guardianship, why should we?” he gave Geraint a searching look.

“Aye,” Geraint nodded. “They do intermarry, quite a lot; they have for centuries. Many generations ago, there were two eldest Sakarté girls, twins, Naeda and Tesia. Naeda was the eldest by a couple of minutes and inherited Lachere; her sister, Tesia, was a scholarly girl and she started a Chanterie out on the Lachere/Saestra border. Eventually she fell in love and got married; Jaeger’s family is her descendants.”

“I see,” Anakin replied. “Does his branch have good relations with the main house Sakarté?”

“Most do, usually,” Geraint answered. “Fieravid’s an exception to the rule. There’s a lot of Savros blood there; many of their sons have married into that line. They’ve helped keep relations smooth over the years, actually. There’s a bit of a rivalry going between our two houses.”

“Fieravid’s from that line?” Acaciah interjected.

“He’s a hothead,” Janae dismissed. “I’m not certain he’s patient or intelligent enough to pull off what was done to Miriam.” Her dark eyes turned graven. “I think someone helped him.”

*She’s the second one to say that today* Obi-Wan observed.

“Auntie Miriam treated her help well,” Geraint reddened. “I can’t imagine any of them trying to hurt her!”

“Someone helped him,” Janae insisted. “Sumae, my younger sister went to school with him. She says he’s an imbecile.”

“I’d like to speak with her, if you don’t mind, Janae,” Anakin stated.

“I’d be happy to arrange it,” Janae smiled, and took Acaciah and Anakin’s hands in her own. “I am sorry to see you two come under such duress, but I am glad you’re here.” She looked at them both intently. “I hope that all your welcomes will be as warm but if they aren’t, you can at least know that you’re welcome in Indios.”

“Jedi are not popular here, nor are those who support them,” Obi-Wan interjected quietly.

“It is a risk I will take, Master Kenobi. We are family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said firmly.

Anakin smiled. “We appreciate that, more than you know. I’m going to find out who did this to Miriam,” he added.

“Acaciah’s probably in as much jeopardy as Miriam,” Obi-Wan interjected. “I will take care of my wife.”

Anakin grimaced; Obi-Wan was right. “I don’t like the idea of you investigating alone,” he replied. “They’ve probably got it in for all of us.”

“If Miriam would wake and name her assailant, it wouldn’t matter,” Geraint sighed. “What does the healer say today?”

“That she’s still unconscious,” Obi-Wan replied. “That it will take her a long time to heal, if ever.” His head bowed.

“She’ll recover,” Anakin sounded determined. “She’s made more progress already than she was supposed to.”

“Speaking of healers,” Janae began. “Acaciah is going to be in need of one. Isoke Anolia has an excellent reputation, and no love for the Aramatiea or the Savros.”

“I believe the Jedi Temple is sending a healer,” Obi-Wan said tactfully.

“For the same reasons you’re using a Temple Healer for Miriam?” Geraint inquired. “Heavens, Obi-Wan, don’t you trust anyone?”

“No, not really,” Anakin replied. “Janae’s right, someone helped Fieravid.”

“We don’t know that, Anakin!” Obi-Wan scowled.

“I can sense it,” he rejoined. “No Temple Healer can be bribed.”

“Perhaps,” Acaciah placed a gentle hand over his, “we could use both. I’ve heard good things about Isoke before; it would be a good balance of courtesy and caution. I take it you’re using Isoke for your baby?”

Obi-Wan allowed Acaciah to see a pleased smile cross his face; she was tactfully assertive. It reminded him of Miriam, he thought.

Anakin swallowed hard and nodded. “Very well,” he said, though she could tell he was not pleased.

Janae offered him a reassuring smile. “Dear Master, I would think an assassin would fear going into Lachere now; the two men who love Acaciah best are there with her! Who would be foolish enough to fancy picking two lightsabers out of his hide?”

***
After dinner, the trio rode back to Lachere, and settled in Acaciah’s study. At length Obi-Wan spoke. “You two need to be careful how you carry on in public,” he suggested. “Your political enemies will jump on anything they can to disparage your judgment.”

“I do not like having a local healer,” Anakin snapped. “I don’t care if it is a matter of etiquette to them, it is a matter of safety to me! None of these others have their matriarch lying in the healer’s ward!”

“No one is more aware of that than me,” Obi-Wan replied.

“I do not trust anyone here except for the people in this room,” Anakin began to pace. “If something happens I do not trust the Savros to prosecute it properly. The Council needs to come in here and clean house!”

“Fancy doing it for them?” Obi-Wan inquired.

“If need be.”

“You’ve been on edge since we got here, darling,” Acaciah said. “Why don’t you out with what’s bothering you?”

“I still can’t pin it down, other than that I think this Fieravid had help,” he answered.

“Then case it out,” she replied. “I’m the Lady of this House, and I give you free rein to investigate it as you see fit, how’s that?” Anakin gave her a tight smile. “Take the good Governor Kersen with you, since he seems to already have some leads. We’ll be going into Caemeron tomorrow anyway, perhaps we can drop by his office.”