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Jedi were supposed to remain impartial. But Obi-Wan felt Leed's words strike his heart. Now instead of co
"I understand all that you say," Qui-Gon said. "And I ask you this: Is your decision to act according to your heart worth plunging two worlds into war? Are your individual desires so important?"
Leed angrily tossed aside the line. "I do not start a war. My father does."
"He does it for you," Qui-Gon told him.
"He does it for himself!" Leed protested.
Taroon had been restraining himself, but now he stepped forward. "I don't understand you, brother," he said. "What is it that is worth so much to you? A world of strangers? How can you risk the peace of your home planet just for your own desires?"
"You don't understand," Leed said, shaking his head.
"No, I do not!" Taroon shouted angrily. "I do not understand this deep wish of your heart. Is it more important for you to live with primitives than to take up your birthright?"
"Primitives?" Dre
Taroon turned on her. "Where are your great cities?" he demanded. "A cluster of shacks bobbing on the sea. Where is your culture, your art, your trade, your wealth? On Rutan, we have centers of learning. We develop new medicines and technologies. We explore the galaxy —"
"Our wealth is in our land and our seas and our people," Dre
"I know your world," Taroon said. "Any culture you have the Rutanians brought to you."
"I know you brought your taste for blood sports and your arrogance," Dre
"I do not think it helpful to debate the differences between Rutan and Senali when —" Qui-Gon began, but Dre
"Only a fool debates with ignorance," she said fiercely. "I do not debate! I speak truth."
"You speak with your own arrogance," Taroon exclaimed. "You don't know Rutan any better than I know Senali! All you know is prejudice and disdain."
"You came here to look down on us," Dre
"Because I am his family!" Taroon roared.
"As am I!" Dre
"You are not his family," Taroon shouted. "You were just his caretakers. We are his blood!"
"No, Taroon." Leed stepped between them. "Dre
"Is that what you think of us?" Taroon demanded. "Now I know you've been brainwashed! There is more to Rutan than that, and more to our father as well."
"I spoke hastily," Leed said, gathering control of his voice. "I apologize. Yes, there are good things on Rutan. But they are not things that interest me."
Taroon grasped his brother's arms. "Leed, how could you want to live like this?"
Leed shook him off with an angry gesture. Dre
"No," Leed said. "I can't go back."
"You ca
"I am not afraid of him," Leed countered angrily. "I do not trust him. There is a difference. I don't want to be under his influence. I am glad was brought up by others, without being exposed to all his faults. You know after our mother died that there was no one to check him. He is not a bad man, Taroon. Just a bad father."
Taroon's face was tight. "And I was brought up by his side, inheriting all his bad traits, while you have all the good. Is that right?"
Leed took a breath. "That is not what I'm saying." He rubbed his hands over his hair in frustration. "I am not going back, Taroon."
"That is fine," Taroon said, his icy rage now burning hot. "I realize now that I was wrong to try to persuade you. Because even if you were to change your mind, I would not stay here in your place."
Qui-Gon exchanged a helpless glance with Obi-Wan. They had come to Senali hoping that gentle persuasion would help the situation. Qui-Gon had thought that brother to brother, the obvious affection between Leed and Taroon would bring them to common ground.
Instead, the two brothers were farther apart than ever. And the two worlds were now closer to war.
Chapter 9
Night fell swiftly on Senali. The four moons rose and stars appeared. Leed silently rolled out bedding for them. He placed a simple meal before them. No one spoke. Qui-Gon thought it better to let the tensions cool. He had found through long experience that one thing was the same for all cultures on different worlds: Even the most extreme crises looked better in the morning.
He lay on his sleep mat next to Obi-Wan. "What do you think, Padawan?" he asked softly. "Is Leed right or wrong?"
"That is not for me to say," Obi-Wan responded after a short silence. "I am to remain neutral."
"But I am asking you what you think," Qui-Gon said. "You can have a feeling. It does not have to affect your behavior."
Obi-Wan hesitated again. "I think that personal happiness is less important than duty."
Qui-Gon frowned. His Padawan had evaded the question. He had not lied, but he had not told the truth, either. Yet Qui-Gon would not chide him. The evasion came from a place of goodness. Somehow Obi-Wan must feel that to tell Qui-Gon the truth would be wrong. Qui-Gon would let the question rest there. He would not push. He was learning how to be a Master as surely as Obi-Wan was learning how to be a Padawan.