'We are honored to be here,' Qui-Gon responded. He introduced himself, Obi-Wan, and Taroon. 'We would like to see Prince Leed as soon as possible.'
'Ah.' Meenon looked down at the basket of flowers in his hand. He touched one bloom. 'We have a small problem.'
Beside him, Obi-Wan felt Taroon tense. 'Problem?' Qui-Gon asked neutrally.
Meenon looked up. 'Leed has gone into hiding.'
Qui-Gon did not react, but studied the leader carefully.
Taroon threw his chest out in a challenge. 'What a surprise to hear my brother has disappeared! And you should refer to my brother by his title. He is Prince Leed. You show him disrespect.'
Meenon bristled. 'We do not believe in titles on Senali. Titles make divisions. We are all equal on Senali, unlike on your barbaric world.'
Taroon's eyes glinted. 'Unlike primitives, we value our bloodlines.'
Qui-Gon inserted himself smoothly into the conversation before it could flare into open argument. 'You say that Leed has disappeared. He left no word of where he was going?'
'No,' Meenon said, turning his back to Taroon. 'I do not know where he is.'
Taroon put himself in front of Meenon again. 'And you'll swear to this?' he demanded, eyes flashing.
Meenon gazed at Taroon. 'I do not need to swear. I do not lie.'
Qui-Gon spoke a beat more quickly than his usual reserve. Obi-Wan knew that he was trying to restrain Taroon without seeming to. 'This is unfortunate.'
Meenon shrugged. 'He knew of your coming. I assume that is why he is in hiding. He does not want to return to Rutan.'
'We are not here to force him,' Qui-Gon said. 'We only wish to talk to him.'
'I assured him that if he met with you I would not allow him to be taken back to Rutan by force,' Meenon said. 'Apparently he has taken matters into his own hands despite my advice.'
'We will search for him, with your permission,' Qui-Gon said as Taroon fumed beside him. 'Can we question the family who brought him up?'
'Here on Senali we live in clans,' Meenon said. 'I entrusted him to my sister's clan, the Banoosh-Walores. They live one kilometer to the west, on Clear Lake. You are welcome to question them.'
Qui-Gon nodded. 'We will be in touch.'
'I wish you ease and serenity,' Meenon said, bowing.
Obi-Wan could feel Taroon's anger as they walked out of the courtyard to exit Meenon's dwelling.
'He wishes us ease and serenity after such news?' Taroon said, disgusted. 'He was mocking us!'
'It is a traditional good-bye of the Senali,' Qui-Gon remarked mildly.
'This is intolerable!' Taroon continued. 'He plays us for fools!'
'Your father will not take this news well,' Qui-Gon said. 'He will be angry, as you are.'
'I am nothing like my father,' Taroon said through his teeth.
'I wonder if Meenon knows more than he is telling,' Obi-Wan wondered.
'Of course he does,' Taroon spit out. 'All Senali are treacherous. This is simply a tactic to delay us.'
'Let's hope we can learn something from his sister's clan,' Qui-Gon said. 'Until then, let us remain calm.'
They walked out into the bright sunlight. Suddenly Taroon wheeled and kicked a tall flowering bush that stood near the entrance to the dwelling. He attacked it in a frenzy, fists flailing and feet flying. Red petals showered from the bush and soon were strewn all over the walkway.
'Well, I see you have inherited your father's temper, at least,' Qui-Gon remarked.
Chapter 5
The red-and-blue dwelling of the BanooshWalore clan was part of the main city of Senali, which was built on floating docks and platforms. The various islands were connected to each other by graceful silver bridges that arched over the blue water.
The brightly painted structure sprawled over a large area. The main part of the dwelling was merely a frame connected with walls of woven fronds that rolled up to let in sea breezes. One wall was let down to protect those inside from the sun. The rest of the house was open on three sides. There was no need to knock. They could see the members of the clan gathered in the large central room.
A tall female Senali with pink coral studded in her short dark hair beckoned them inside. 'Meenon said you were arriving. Welcome, welcome! Let me introduce you. I am Ganeed, Meenon's sister. These are my sons Hinen and Jaret, and this is Jaret's wife Mesan and their daughter Tawn. That is Drenna, my youngest, and Wek, my sister's boy, and Nonce, and my husband, Garth, and my father, Tonai. Oh, and there's my elder mother, Nin, and the baby, we call her Bu.'
A small boy tugged on Ganeed's tunic. 'And me!'
She put a hand on his head. 'Of course, Tinta. I didn't forget you. I saved you for last because you are so important.'
