Saga The Killer of Ghosts: (post-ROTS), Ben, Vader, Leia, Sabé, OCs (Finished 4/29/07)

Hey,
This is great! Please post more!
UP!

 

Yeah, I just found this! This great! Please post soon!!!

~*Amilight

 

I'll get to replying to your comments when I post the next part on Friday, which will be my scheduled posting day for this story.

 

Well, thanks nonetheless for putting that scene in there so I would know that you know..... A little wet Obi Wan never hurt anyone - just ask Sabe

The sky over Aldera was congested with dark clouds spilling moisture upon the city, the occasional flash of lightning turning night into day as the accompanying thunder pealed and shook windows.
I just loved this sentence! Stunningly worded, KA, stunning! I liked more than just that with the last two posts, but what can I say, when I find I passage I love I get stuck on it and that one definitely captured me.

 

This'll be shorter than my norm, but I thought I'd respond, anyway. I agree with AnderGroupie's thoughts on that poetic sentence and imagery you created with it. Very nice. A good example of the expressive quality of your writing. I really enjoyed this last post with the touching little moments between Winter, Leia, Anna, and Inni. They are like a little family of their own, even without the blood ties. Beautiful moments of familiarity and understanding. Nicely done, and very enjoyable. I can see these scenes so well the way you write them.

The previous post with the arrival of Ben and Inni was good as well. The different greetings Mistress Delu (sp? I think I got that right) gave the two men were humorous and enjoyable. That was an interesting treatment of a glitch with the hyperdrive. Instead of a 'we had to stop to fix the hyperdrive' it was more of a 'we lost a day somehow'. Cool! That takes into consideration that time is involved in such travel, in that either they lost a day by going slower, or by the drive miscalculating time and faster-than speed-of-light travel they actually did just lose a day, and not really by going slower. It's an ambiguous and interesting treatment of potential hyperdrive errors. I'm sure there are theoretical science know-how that might better explain what I mean, but oh well. I'm sure my reading of the hyperdrive problem wasn't totally intentional or the one you expected us to read into the non-issue. But too bad. I always latch onto random details, you know that.

What else? I can't wait to see what kind of disguise Ben comes up with or in what covert manner he plans to use to assist with security for the parade. And just what this necklace is... and if wearing it endangers Leia somehow because of a connection to Anakin that maybe Vader would someday be able to use or notice? I also wonder what Leia will make of Ben or if she will meet him...

Oh yes, one more thing:
Uppity up Up UP!!!

Anywho. Take care,
L

PS You know... Where I live it is already Friday... so-oh, new postie soon? Please??? Pretty please? I can go get you some mint oreos to encourage you...

 

I'm going to have a busier Friday than I initially thought, so the next post will be much later tonight, but I will reply to your responses now.

CYN - His memories of the birth of the princess are downright haunting - and make me want to know more.

First page of Along the Edges (link above and in my BIO) is where you'll find more about the twin's birth.

BTW, the title of the 'moss painting' sounds familiar. I haven't had a chance to do more than browse through Tatooine Ghost yet - but is it the same painting?

Yep, I read about that in TG and knew that I just had to give it a cameo here in this story.

Sache - Has this necklace been mentioned before? I have an inkling that it might turn out to be what they're looking for in this story.

The necklace first appeared in ...Edges, somewhere in the middle of the story, I think. Go to A Jedi for the Killing (link above) for more on what needs to be found.

bobilll - I liked how Leia was mad at Inni like that, and then all of the sudden forgot all about it!

Children can be easily manipulated at times.

Lex - Thanks for your observatons.

Sabe - Was the history of the shard covered in Along the Edges or will we learn more about it in this story?

It was covered in ...Edges, but I'll probably review it a little in this story. Thanks for the UP.

Clef and Jedi of Twilight - Welcome! I hope you stay and enjoy.

Groupie - I just loved this sentence! Stunningly worded, KA, stunning! I liked more than just that with the last two posts, but what can I say, when I find I passage I love I get stuck on it and that one definitely captured me.

I worked pretty hard on crafting that passage, so I'm happy that you pointed out that you enjoyed it.

Padawan L - Your observations on the hyperdrive problem are correct. I was looking to use an unusual malfunction that you wouldn't notice while traveling through hyperspace, and that would frustrate Doona, making him feel out of control of the situation.

I can't wait to see what kind of disguise Ben comes up with or in what covert manner he plans to use to assist with security for the parade.

Hint... think Alec Guiness in Laurence of Arabia. I haven't seen the movie for a while, but there was one scene with him in it that I just can't get out of my head visually.

I also wonder what Leia will make of Ben or if she will meet him...

I'm hoping to get that into the next post.

See you all then.

 

Chapter Five: Faces In Crowds
part: one

Having left his spacious rooms in the palace, Ben Kenobi strolled along the macadam that cut through the East Garden and led to the outer bailey where preparations for the parade were just ending. Arriving at the great courtyard, he observed the captain-of-the-guard, dressed in a dark-blue formal uniform, his golden epaulettes the only display of rank, marched swiftly to the front of the column where he consulted a man dressed in a similar, dark-brown uniform. When that conversation ended, the man in brown moved unhurriedly pass the assembled five hundred piece marching band to consult with its director.

Ben did not witness what happened as a result of that conversation because a palace page, who had been racing around the palace for the last ten minutes trying to find him, finally did. ?General Kenobi, sir?? the dark-haired, pimply-faced youth puffed.

Ben, having heard the boy coming up behind him through the garden several seconds ago, slowly turned to face the boy. ?Yes, lad. What can I do for you?? He spread his deep-sleeved arms to indicate that he would hear and honor anything the page had to tell him.

The page bowed at the waist before saying, ?Viceroy Organa will be honored if you will join him at his box in the main viewing stand for the parade.?

Ben raised his head to look across the courtyard to where Bail Organa was climbing into the ornate equus drawn carriage that would take him along the first half of the parade route before stopping at the royal box. ?Please tell the viceroy that I am honored by his invitation, and that I will join him at the royal box in due course. It has been such a long time since I?ve been to Aldara that I would like to walk the city streets first for a bit.?

The page swallowed and nodded. ?Yes, sir. Is there a specific time the viceroy can expect your arrival at the royal box??

General Kenobi pursed his lips in thought. ?Shortly after the parade reaches his part of the route, I believe.?

?Thank you, sir,? the page nodded with another deep bow. ?Is there anything else I can do for you, sir??

Ben brushed his eyes over the gathered parade participants crowding the courtyard. ?Yes. Do you know where I can find Princess Leia?s carriage??

After the page gave him directions to the princess? mode of transportation was being prepared, he was dismissed by General Kenobi who watched him dart through the crowd to the viceroy?s carriage. When the page passed on Ben?s message, the viceroy looked to where he stood, and although his countenance expressed disappointment in what he had to hear, Organa just nodded, returned to his seat, and ordered his driver to take him from the palace grounds. Ben moved to find the princess as cheers greeted Bail Organa outside the palace gates.

*****

Leia was standing on the carriage?s front seat cushion and talking to the driver when Doona finally arrived. The driver had his left shirt sleeve rolled-up to display a red and gold tattoo of intertwined dragons. ?You?re damn right it hurt,? the driver said, momentarily forgetting his language in front of the princess.

Leia?s little fingers traced the golden dragon?s tail, fascinated. ?Then why did you get it if it hurt??

?That?s why,? the gruff, middle-aged driver smirked, rolling-down the sleeve when he spotted Doona.

?You got it because it hurt?? Leia asked as she sat back on her heels, confused.

?It was called a rite of passage,? Doona said, startling the girl. ?Move over to your seat.?

Leia bounced ---as only little girls in long, flowing white gowns can--- from the rear facing seat to the center of the forward facing seat at the back of the carriage. ?What?s a rite of passage?? she asked, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

Doona ignored the question. ?Where?s Mistress Anna??

?I?m here,? a voice suddenly squeaked from behind the tall rear wheel on the opposite side of the carriage. ?I?m here, Protector Doona,? Anna said after circling around the rear of the carriage to join h

 

It is an honor to finally meet the daughter of my friends ? Sniff! What a moving moment for Ben. LOL at Antilles and Anna! Leia practically jumps off the screen. Looking forward to seeing what happens at the Parade.

 

I agree with Sabe126 -- what a line. So much emotion in that one sentence.

Did it just wink at me?


And it's cool that he recognizes Artoo and wants the Naboo language removed... Smart man.

I loved Kenobi in this -- the disguise, the alias, the demeanor. So perfect.

Hee hee! Anna and Lon. Too funny!

 

I dislike having to play catch-up, but that's what you get when your internet keeps deciding to not work.

Anyway--excellent post, from beginning to end. I love the last line, it's ambiguity--what it means, and what it seems to mean to everyone else--I like Obi-Wan's choice of planet, I even like Anna's smeared lipstick. It wasn't important, but it was there--a little touch of realism that shows you exactly what a good story can do--bring you into the setting by showing how real it could be.

And I could go on for hours about how perfect Leia is--not Mary Sue perfect, but "actual kid" perfect. She doesn't seem too advanced or too childish, she's just right where she should be. I love her never-ending curiosity.

 

Sabe - Sniff! What a moving moment for Ben.

It was as tough a line for me to write as it was for Ben to say.

Lex - And it's cool that he recognizes Artoo and wants the Naboo language removed... Smart man.

The secret behind that wink will be explained in just a moment.

Moonbeam - I even like Anna's smeared lipstick. It wasn't important, but it was there...

Yep, just a little sillieness to show that there is more to Anna's life than taking care of Princess Leia, and that there is more to Lt. Antilles' life than his droids.

Speaking of which....

"Given Artoo's jaunty mood, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he knew some way around the memory wipe--all this time, Threepio has no idea about anything in Episode IV, and Artoo's just whistling smugly.

I can see him doing that."

Lady Moonbeam, 10/9/02

Yep, way back in Along the Edges, when the droids were being taken away to have their memories erased, Moonbeam made that observation, and it's stuck with me since, so that was dedicated to her.

 

Everyone beat me to the last line, but I loved it equally as well. I'm a sucker for the uber-nostalgic that way. I wonder what was going through Ben's mind all that time. No doubt thoughts of her resemblence to Padmé, and painful thoughts of his history with Anakin that he surely must relive any time he encounters someone or something connected with Anakin.

And methinks that Mistress Anna could use a few lessons from the handmaidens. I mean, social life is wonderful, but not while you're supposed to be on duty!

 

As Kenobi raised his head, Leia lifted her chin. ?It is an honor to meet a friend of my father?s.?
And Little Leia has no idea how profound that comment was to Obi Wan! Sniffle..sniffle....

A long moment passed between the two as brandy-brown eyes met sea-blue while the noisy hustle and bustle of the parade preparations seemed to evanesce.
I like this sentence! Very, very much!

He swallowed hard before looking up at the girl with a soft smile, saying, ?It is an honor to finally meet the daughter of my friends.?
Sob......................
Dang it. Ander...you made me sniffle!!!

 

Just got into this one. A very nice start to a great story about Leia's youth. Can't wait for more.

 

That post was wonderful & don't worry, I plan on staying. Please keep this up and don't have us wait too long!!!

~*Amilight

 

NEXT POST, PLEASE!!!
UUUUUPPPPPPP!!!!

Impatient aren't I?

 

Sache - And methinks that Mistress Anna could use a few lessons from the handmaidens. I mean, social life is wonderful, but not while you're supposed to be on duty!

Don't be surprise if she happens to meet a former handmaiden in the near future.

Groupie - Dang it. Ander...you made me sniffle!!!

That's the problem with some of the stories on these boards, you never know when you're going to need a box of tissues.

starwarsfan68 - Welcome! More coming later today.

JoT - Thank you. I'm trying to stick to a post every Friday schedule.

Clef - Thanks for the UP!

 

Chapter Five: Faces In Crowds
part: two

?Your Highness.?

Everyone?s eyes turned to face the new arrival, the man in brown Ben saw speaking to the captain-of-the-guard earlier. ?Yes?? Princess Leia piped from her spot in the carriage.

?We are ready to begin the parade upon your order, Your Highness.?

Leia?s high-brow composure seemed to melt into concern as she turned her gaze to her protector. ?But Inni, the candy isn?t here yet!?

Doona appeased the girl, saying, ?You are positioned well towards the end of the parade. The candy should be here by the time we have to leave, and if it isn?t,? he smiled, patting the small hand gripping the carriage?s frame. ?We?ll just wait until it is.?

Happily assured, the princess returned Doona?s smile before turning to the new arrival. ?You may begin the? the procession, Grand Marshal,? she ordered, hesitating only briefly on her choice of words.

The grand marshal bowed stiffly before turning and marching back to the center of the courtyard where trumpeters sounded the call for attention. When the murmur of conversation died moments later, he shouted, ?Let the celebratory proceedings in Princess Leia?s honor commence!?

Horns sounded near the front gate, announcing the beginning of the parade to the crowd outside. The crowd?s adulation swept over the palace walls, adrenalizing the participants inside those walls. First through the gates was a row of children not much older than the princess herself, diligently waving a rainbow of banners, marking the parade?s beginning, followed by row of trumpeters heralding the parade. Hoverfloats representing different departments in service to Organa Royal House slowly followed, and the parade was officially underway.

Ben turned to face Princess Leia whose gaze was being held enraptured by the proceedings. ?If you?ll excuse me, Your Highness,? he said with a less formal bow than before. ?Your father has asked me to join him at the Royal viewing stand, and I should not delay joining him any longer.? Leia was too caught-up in watching the parade leave the palace grounds to dismiss him with more than an absent wave. ?Well, I?ve been ignored because of lesser things than this,? he chuckled as Doona escorted him to a guard station by the gates.

?Despite her heritage, she?s still a child, which is comforting,? Doona said as he led him through the station and to the exit that led out into the city. ?I?m glad you decided to clean-up,? he told Ben as he looked over the man?s disguise. The two men figured-out General Kenobi?s back story while on the trip from Tatooine, but not what he would wear.

Ben ran his fingers over his closely-manicured goatee, dyed black for the occasion. ?The image of an itinerant man an associate of mine introduced to me came to mind this morning when I was considering my appearance.?

?I?d be very surprise if anybody recognizes you.? Doona said as they stepped outside the walls, just behind the line of citizens gathered to watch the parade.

?I think I could handle anybody if they do,? Ben assured him, patting a slight bulge in the wide sash around his waist above his hip.

Doona frowned. ?Don?t be too hasty using that thing.?

Ben cocked an eye in his direction. ?Thanks to my previous experience in such matters, I can assure you that I know when to and when not to use it,? he told Doona before disappearing into the crowd.

Upon returning to his position at Princess Leia?s carriage, Doona found the candy makers hauling small barrels into the bottom of the carriage for the princess to toss to the citizens gathered to watch the parade as it went by. ?This is the bestest idea I?ve ever had,? Leia grunted as she help to haul a barrel onto the seat next to her, sitting on her knees to peer inside the container.

Doona climbed to his spot next to the driver after helping Anna position the last barrel next to her. ?Looks like it?s almost our turn to get in line, Your Highness.?

?Then let?s go!? Leia shouted gleefully, throwing candy even before they left the pal

 

Did someone say.... CANDY?

CANDY!!!! REal live sweet candy! I agree Your Highness, it IS the BESTEST idea you've ever had !

Hehe very good charecterization of the young princess, sort of bouncing between regality and childness, so cute!

 

Loved the characterization of Leia. You're doing a great job with her!

Inni and Ben crack me up. These two are meant to be a pair; you can just feel it in their words.

Doona frowned. ?Don?t be too hasty using that thing.?
Oh, don't worry. He only cuts off arms in bars; parades are fine.

 

Long into the distant future, in a galaxy far, far away, the time of night Angel Blue and her crew returned to Alderaan would be called the witching hour. The sky over Aldera was congested with dark clouds spilling moisture upon the city, the occasional flash of lightning turning night into day as the accompanying thunder pealed and shook windows. The modified yacht lowered itself carefully onto a platform circled by landing-lights, a broad walkway stretching from the platform to the Royal Palace.

The weather conditions reminded Ben Kenobi of a trip to the planet Kamino several years ago where another mystery needed to be solved. This time his quest wasn't about discovering who wanted to kill a galactic senator, but who wanted to destroy the future of the Jedi before the order even had a chance to be reborn.

If Inni Doona cared to spare a moment to dwell upon the weather, it would have reminded him of darker days in his past, and a day six years ago that would be celebrated in the morning.


Had to quote that whole thing because I loved the description so much and it had a very nostalgic feel to it. I love nostalgia. Very good. Or as they say in German, sehr gut.

"According to this, it seems our mystery guest has arrived."

*raises eyebrow* Another mystery? Good grief, KA! Will this mystery be cleared up soon?

I loved how Mistress DeLu was so polite with Kenobi, and then so um...not...with Inni! Reminds me of Mrs. Weasley and the way she treated Harry vs. Ron. I loved it there, and I love it here.

The two men exchanged a look, Kenobi's looking slightly amused, Doona's looking slightly exasperated.



Some days, during his darkest nightmares, he wished he had never been there. But there were many, many more days when he was so glad that he was.


*sigh* I loved that.

Alas, Anna's eyes weren't open to appreciate Killik Twilight like they should have been


*snickers*

The door opened whisper-soft at his touch.

"Whisper-soft" was what got me to post that line. I really liked that adjective you used there.

?I don?t like seeing people sad,? Leia explained.

That makes the scene in ANH when Leia puts a blanket around Luke so much more poignant and sweet.

?You knew my mom?? Leia asked, her eyes going wide.

Um...didn't Leia kind of remember her mom?

?Inni? Should I wear my mommy?s necklace tomorrow??

Please remind me about the necklace again? I seem to have forgotten...

I have to reiterate that I absolutely love Leia! She is so adorable!

?General Kenobi, sir??

*raises eyebrow* I thought he wanted to keep a low profile? Even with the history and the disguise, wouldn't people recognize that name and link him to being a Jedi?
I don't know why, but I really liked the page and the way you wrote him. 'Twas...fitting.

Leia bounced ---as only little girls in long, flowing white gowns can--- from the rear facing seat to the center of the forward facing seat at the back of the carriage. ?What?s a rite of passage?? she asked, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

Aww...how cute!

?Yeah, you look like me after I tried putting on lipstick all by myself.?

LOL!!

Did it just wink at me? Doona thought, staring down into the droid?s optical sensor.

Oh, goodness! I wouldn't put that past Artoo! He seems so human most times.
?You didn?t even have to use the---?

Jedi Mind trick?

Leia suddenly found herself in a quandary of protocol. Was she suppose to tell him to stand before formal introductions were made, or was she suppose to ask for an introduction from a third party before he can raise his head?

I can't imagine myself at 6, wondering about protocol! Leia is truly extraoridinary.

A long moment passed between the two as brandy-brown eyes met sea-blue while the noisy hustle and bustle of the parade preparations seemed to evanesce. Kenobi bowed his head, lifting a hand to adjust the knotted, blue cord ho

 

I hope that nothing goes wrong with the Parade. Leia is looking forward to it so much, she seems to be her mothers daughter alright, very self assured. If something does happen and Ben has to use his lightsaber, Bail will not be pleased. He must live in fear of anything connected to the Jedi being discovered on Alderaan. When do we find out who the contact is?

 

I'll reply to everbody's feedback later. Here's that little extra I promised on Friday. Next post will be this coming Friday.

---

[b]Chapter Five: Faces In Crowds[/b]
[i]part: three[/i]

?Inni, throw some up there. To the little the little girl waving, up there,? Princess Leia told Doona, climbing from the back of the carriage to the front to pound on her protector?s back to get his attention. ?She?s leaning out of that window there.?

Doona looked to where Leia was pointing. ?I think I can make it from here,? he observed as he reached down into the barrel propped between his feet to retrieve a handful of colorfully wrapped sweets. He had spotted the girl several minutes earlier while scanning windows, rooftops, and the crowd for any possible dangers. Spotting the handful of plain clothes security officers in the crowd during the parade?s progress was reassuring. All was tranquil and safe, there was nothing to fear, or so he kept telling himself.

Everything was running fairly smooth as the procession made it?s way through the narrow streets of the Old City neighborhood near the palace. Old City reminded Doona more about his home planet of Naboo than any other part of Alderaan with it?s brick buildings, hanging flower baskets, and ivy covered walls. Even the smell, the overpowering scent of flowers during a walk through Old City?s streets in the afternoon, reminded him of Theed, Naboo?s capital. But it just wasn?t the same, and never would be. The flowers were different, their scent slightly unfamiliar, the buildings were a different design, and a brighter, more modern city had never evolved to encircle Theed like the rest of Aldera had done around Old City. They were nearing the Vestion neighborhood now, where the streets were wider, the buildings were taller, and the crowds were bigger.

*****

?Your Highness, General Kenobi is finally here.?

Bail Organa?s dark eyes lifted to focus on what the page was directing his attention to. ?Ah, General Kenobi,? he said, leaving his gilded chair of office to shake hands with the man just striding into the royal observation box. ?I?m so pleased to see you here for the celebration.?

Ben clasped the viceroy?s hands firmly. ?I was rather surprised at the invitation, but I am honored to be here,? he said sincerely.

?Bail, you?re being rude. Please introduce us to this stranger you seem to know but we don?t.? The two men turned to face the speaker, a woman with long, silky black hair, thick, pouty lips, and almond-colored eyes as she swayed from the other side of the luxurious box where the royal family was watching the parade. She offered a long-fingered, bejeweled hand from a cuff of frilly lace to Ben. ?I am Tia Organa, the viceroy?s youngest sister.?

Ben bowed over the woman?s hand and waved the edge of his robe with a flourish. ?An honor to meet you, Milady.?

?Tia, Celly, Rouge. This is General Kenobi,? the viceroy said as two other women joined Tia to be introduced to Ben.

?We were able to figure that out when the page informed you of his arrival,? Celly Organa, who had considerably more curves than her younger, slimmer sister said, offering her hand to Ben. ?Where are you from, General Kenobi??

?From the planet Jinn, Milady,? Ben told Celly after bowing over her hand.

?Did you serve in the senate with our brother, General?? Rouge Organa, who posed with the slit in her skirt revealing more than a modest amount of a long leg. ?Did [i]you[/i] help Palpatine become Emperor??

?Rouge, please,? Viceroy Organa snapped at his sister. ?This is not the time, nor the place to have an argument about politics.?

?It?s alright, Viceroy,? Ben said, holding up a hand to belay the argument that was about to ensue. ?I assure you, Miss Organa, I did not serve in the senate. I became a general in the Army of the Republic because of my experience as a judicial on my home world,? he explained. His story was new to Bail Organa?s ears, so he was careful to make sure he understood. ?I enlisted in the army and was rewarded the rank of general.?

Celly Or

 

Well.... dang!

Now we have to wait a whole week more to maybe find out that Sabé is on Alderaan.

Are these the three aunt's mentioned in The Crystal Star along with the infamous pittens? As one of three people who actually didn't mind The Crystal Star as a book, you'd think I'd know. lol

Methinks something bad might happen during the parade.

 

Great posts!!!
UP!
Oh to quote way too many Star Wars characters and fans,
"I have a bad feeling about this..."

~Clef