5.
Scarlett.
Darn! I hate it when Mom’s mad! By the time I got to the roof the bolt I had watched Skywalker deflect had been fired from, the assassin was nowhere to be found. I seethed in anger as I returned to the Jedi and my downed cousin. I don’t like it when I don’t get my way, and my way would’ve been to make the would-be assassin pay dearly. I was terribly confused at the turn of events. Ele had leaped into the path of an incredible lightning bolt, which, I had every reason to believe, she herself had caused by somehow making the Pattern to generate a storm that could not be on that desert world. Yet again Ele had used the Pattern in strange and skillful ways that even I, daughter of Fiona, suspected was beyond my abilities and understanding.
When I reached the concerned group, it was obvious that saving my badly burned cousin was beyond Skywalker's powers. I did the only thing I could think of – I used a trump to contact my mother. I quickly pulled her through to us and, without even asking what had happened, she called Llewella – who pulled all three of us to Rebma – and then carried Ele onto the Pattern. By that time Uncle Brand had arrived and taken her, with me tagging along, to a hospital on Shadow Earth. There we were joined by Uncle Bleys. She was in a coma for a week or so, and we all spent most of the time at her side. Mom was a bit sharp with me, sometimes glaring. That part was not fun, nor was worrying about my cousin, but I also got a chance to tell Uncle Bleys of our marvelous adventures on Tatuine. Finally Ele regained consciousness and began to quickly get better. Mom, Uncle Bleys and I soon departed, leaving Ele and her father with Shadow Earth doctors.
It is late at night a couple days later that mother sends for me. I enter her private chambers with a lump in my throat, expecting to receive my punishment. She is dressed in a long, green, silk nightgown and stands in front of her mirror, brushing her luscious red hair. It is then that I notice silver streaks, that I’ve never seen in her hair before and my eyes fill with tears while I gaze at the price she’s paid to save my cousin… my fault but her price! She turns to me, a hard look in her eyes, and then speaks in a measured tone.
“Everyone leaves sooner or later to traverse Shadow. I guess that’s just our way. Of course, I would’ve preferred later, but…” she says, sighing before she continues, “It just comes when it comes. Would I be more prepared if it came later? That’s the one to ponder, but I have a couple of more urgent ones, Scarlett. What is it Elektra was looking for in Shadow? And did she have with her any metal objects embedded with the Pattern?”
“Mother, Ele let me tag along because I wanted adventure,” I say, speaking slowly at first, knowing I would be chattering quickly by the time I finish, “but in truth she told me little of what she was up to. I know she was looking for something... I think she was seeking for a way to reach the Courts of Chaos, though I’m not too sure she knew what or where they are. She... err, seemed rather naive at times. She seemed reluctant to use any weapons! I saw no metal objects embedded with the Pattern, though she did somehow direct the Pattern’s powers into my sword to keep a light saber from damaging it. I must say, I’ve never seen or heard, not even from you, of the ways in which she employed the Pattern!”
I pause and take a deep breath and then begin asking questions of my own. “Will Ele be okay? Can I see her again? Is something up? Are you mad? What are you going to do to me??!” The lump’s still in my throat as I wait for answers.
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