Unification Part Deux

Sheelagh Noble stood in the center of the small clearing and looked around nervously. Her intended, Gelfren Mitchar of Clan Peltar had sent her a message, asking her to meet him here. Her honor guard was stationed outside the small perimeter, watchful and alert.

A high-pitched whine suddenly broke the still night air and Sheelagh looked around in shock as one by one, her father’s mightiest warriors were cut down where they stood. Sheelagh began to keen loudly. The awful sounds coming from her throat ceased abruptly as a figure stepped from the shadows to confront her. A hood obscured his face and his voice dripped venom as he spoke. “Sheelagh, you carry within your womb the key to my destiny.”

Sheelagh looked at him in shock, she had told no one of her pregnancy, not even her intended Gelfren, she wasn’t sure how he would react since she had never lain with him, or any man for that matter. She had been hoping to tell him this evening. Her hand flew protectively towards her stomach and she straightened, her voice firm. “You will not be taking my child for any bastardly deeds, stranger. I am the daughter of the High King and as such, my son shall rule after him.”

An evil laugh floated on the air and the hood was abruptly thrown back, revealing the patrician features and thick black hair of the stranger. His eyes seemed to glow with an eerie light as he leaned closer, his mouth inches from her face and spat, “He will never rule this backwards planet you stupid bitch, he is destined for more, much more and with my help, I will see that he accomplishes it!”

Sheelagh stared in shock as manacles were locked onto her wrist and then the world went black as his hand passed over her face. He knelt, picking up her unconscious form and slinging it over his shoulder, stepping over the bodies of the slain warriors to reach his ship. In his haste, he failed to see that one pair of eyes still watched and then closed in horror as his lady was taken roughly into the ship before it roared off into the night. Morrell Cameron opened his eyes as the ship left, summoning his remaining strength and began to pull himself out of the clearing and back towards the palace. He was found by searching parties a few hours later and brought before King Fergal, frantic with worry over the disappearance of Sheelagh.

Morrell licked dry lips and began to speak, Fergal listening with rising terror as he realized that Sheelagh was gone and he had no idea where to even begin looking for her. He stood and placed his hand on the wounded warrior’s shoulder before spinning on his heel, bellowing loudly for his remaining warriors to attend him. A sizeable crowd gathered and he sent them out far and wide, searching for answers.

Three months later, Clan Peltar declared war on Clan Chatham, for the betrayal of trust and the dissolution of the marriage treaty. Fergal sent the remaining warriors under his command into battle and they were slaughtered quickly, the best and most gifted having been with Sheelagh when she was taken and killed in the ensuing battle. As he realized that his entire clan’s warriors had been systematically slain, he had retreated to his mountain stronghold, to lick his wounds and mourn his daughter and her unborn child and plot to keep his crown.

“That’s the entire account, written by one of your clanswomen, I believe actually that it was Morrell’s bondmate, Alidra who wrote it, the name has been erased but when I checked the marriage register of the holy house on Shintel, that is who was listed as his bondmate.” Liza said softly, her eyes on her husband as he absorbed the tale of his missing mother.

Joss stood and began to pace the large office, his hands raking through his hair. He stopped and looked at her again. “And when she escaped him, who helped her? Is there any record of his name? Maybe I can speak to him or something!” Joss looked at her expectantly and she shook her head, tears pricking her eyes as she watched his face fall.

“Perhaps I might be able to answer that question Jossiah Kadeen,” a soft voice said from the doorway and he spun in shock, looking into the haggard face of Jedi Master Adi Gallia and the Dark Woman, Morgaine. Liza moved out from behind the desk and ushered them into her office, cluttered with holocubes and actual books along with the toys that her sons were playing quietly with in the corner.

Master Gallia perched on the couch and looked around nervously, Morgaine reaching over and patting her hand. She swallowed audibly and began to speak. “What I am about to tell you has been eating at me for the last thirty years. I knowingly participated in the cover-up of your heritage and others of your brethreThe The Jedi who helped your mother was Johan Tain. He found her as she was in the beginnings of labor lying on the street outside of a hovel in the lower levels of Coruscant. She gave her name as Kadeena and told him that she was a dancing girl from one of the clubs but she was badly malnourished and delirious with pain. Tain however detected the Force signature of the baby she was carrying and brought her to us.”

Morgaine nodded at her and Joss sat down next to her, Liza reaching for a data pad, to make notes as she spoke. The entire conversation was also being recorded on holocube since the moment they had entered the office

“Go on please Master Gallia,” Liza said softly, coming up behind Joss and perching on the arm of the couch. Adi looked at her and smiled sadly, she had always had a soft spot for these children of the Force and had been saddened beyond belief at the schism between them and the Jedi.

“The birth was difficult, you were an exceedingly large child Jossiah and she was just too weak to recover. She died several hours after your birth, having seen and held you, giving you your name and homeworld, making us promise to find her father and tell him of your birth. We kept this knowledge from you and he all these years to protect our way of life. Master Yoda knew about the prophecy from his time as a Padawan and had been waiting for the appearance of the Chosen Ones. He had sent Jedi far and wide searching for any clue to your whereabouts. What we did not know then was that there was another who also was searching for you, a Sith Lord who had discovered the prophecy in the readings of the Fiona and had traveled to Shintel to kidnap you and keep you for himself, using your talents to help him on his rise to power. He was the one who kidnapped your mother and decimated the warriors of your tribe.” Adi finished, her voice breaking on the last sentence.

Joss looked at her before rising again, pacing quickly across the lush carpeting. His eyes were stormy silver as he looked back at Morgaine and Adi. “And this Sith, does he have a name? I wish also to speak with Johan Tain, I would like to know more about my mother and her final hours.”

Morgaine picked up the tale, patting Adi’s hand softly before beginning to speak. “Tain is dead, he was killed several years ago by an unknown assailant after he had gone on a mission to Lasan IV. His body was found in the scrub by the locals and brought to the territorial governor’s house who then returned it to us. Not a mark was found on him and to this day we have no idea who or what killed him. As for the Sith, that too is a mystery, it could have been the one that Anakin killed or he could have been the apprentice, we just do not know for sure. I do have a bit of good news for you. Fergal Noble, your grandfather, is alive and well and living on Shintel. I am sure that he would very much like to meet you and see a piece of his beloved daughter again.” Morgaine said softly, her eyes on Joss as he paced the room again.

Morgaine rose and beckoned to Adi. She rose and turned to follow Morgaine out of the office, turning back and smiling hesitantly at Liza and Joss. Liza returned her smile as Joss stood there, stoic. She sobbed again and turned around quickly, leaving the office behind Morgaine.

Liza went over to Joss and put her arms around his waist. He raised his arm and pulled her close, pressing a soft kiss onto her head. “Perhaps love it is time we visited Shintel and discover more about your grandfather Fergal,” Liza whispered and he smiled down at her, nodding his head.

“We need to go and talk with the others,” Joss said softly. Liza motioned to Goran and Micail and they hurried away from their toys and each grabbed one of her hands. They left the office, going to the hangar bay and their large speeder, Joss settling the children in before helping Liza get into the front seat.

***

They pulled up in front of the large building and went inside. Anakin had bought a large apartment right above theirs for the time they must spend on Coruscant. While they preferred living on Alameen, he knew that those times were going to be few and far between in the upcoming years.

They entered their apartment and Joss went to the holo screen to ask Anakin to meet him downstairs.

Joss looked over at Liza, smothered by their children and began to laugh. He reached over and plucked Goran out of her arms and pulled Micail towards him with his other hand. “I think we need a vacation, Liza, what do you think of taking a trip to Shintel?”

Liza looked up at him and smiled, her hand going to her rounded belly. “Yes, before it gets too difficult to travel, I would like to look around a bit, take in some of the sights.”

“Good, I will tell Anakin and Acaciah that we are leaving in the morning.” Joss said, kissing the top of her head. He laid down on the floor, laughing mightily as the two small bodies jumped on him. Liza watching them play with a soft smile on her face.

Anakin walked into the large common area with Aiden and laughed as he saw Joss being tickled by his sons. Aiden pulled away from his dad and jumped into the melee, laughing as hard as the other two. Anakin sprawled on the couch next to Liza and smiled fondly at his son. “We are going to Shintel for awhile,” Liza said softly.

“Are you sure that’s wise? You are due soon, aren’t you?” Anakin asked.

Liza nodded and ran her hand over her large stomach. Another set of twins, this one more rambunctious than the first. Joss looked up and smiled. * I have to talk to my grandfather; he is the only link to my past. * He pathed to Anakin.

Anakin nodded thoughtfully. * I am just concerned about your safety, friend. There has been strife there for the last thirty years. *

Liza smiled at Anakin before looking back at her children on the floor with their father, wrestling and playing wildly. “Boys, come on, its time to get a bath.” Liza rose and her sons followed her out of the room, pushing and shoving each other to be the first in the tub.

Joss laughed and rose, picking up Aiden and setting him on his lap as he sat down next to Anakin. Aiden leaned back and closed his eyes, falling asleep against Joss’ warm chest.

“Are you sure its safe to take Liza and the boys with you?” Anakin asked him, stretching out his long legs and crossing his arms behind his head.

“I think so, I haven’t felt any warning signs. I am not going to stir up trouble, I just want to see where I could have grown up, see old Fergal and talk with him. I know that most of my clan has been wiped out and if we keep a low profile, we should be okay. You won’t be very far away, I can always call you if I need some help right?” Joss said, looking over at Anakin.

“That goes without saying Joss and you know it. Still, I would feel better about you going there if you had some Fiona warriors with you, just to watch your backs. I would go myself but I want to be with Acaciah while she is pregnant.”

“And I totally understand. That is why I didn’t ask you to come along.” Joss laughed.

“Then take the Fiona, they will blend in and be able to watch your back.” Anakin said, slapping Joss on the shoulder and rising, taking his sleeping son from him and going to put him into bed. Joss rose as well, going to help Liza with the baths.