Obi-Wan nodded to the bustling, busy group. He knew he would never be able to keep the names straight. He had recently begun memory training at the Temple. He could redraw a tech blueprint that he had only glimpsed for ten seconds or recite a complicated formula he had just heard once, but he still was not very skilled at remembering the names of a crowd of living beings. He counted on Qui-Gon to do that.
One of Ganeed's sons, either Jaret or Hinen, sat at a long table, peeling fruit with a young Senali female. Was it Wek or Mesan? The elder Senali stood at a stove, stirring something in a pot that smelled delicious. A young man rocked the baby, and a slender young Senali female with silvery hair sat in a corner, mending a fishing net. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, and he could not distinguish any one voice except for Ganeed, who called for everyone to be quiet. Finally she picked up a pot and spoon and banged on the pot bottom. The clan members finally were still.
'There,' she said with satisfaction.
Taroon remained a stiff presence by Obi-Wan's side. Obi-Wan felt just as awkward. He admired the way Qui-Gon swung his leg over a stool and began to speak earnestly with Tinta, admiring a toy in the small boy's hand. Obi-Wan did not have the knack of ease with strangers.
'I should say right away that we have no idea where Leed is,' Ganeed said, without waiting for Qui-Gon to ask a question. 'He left a note which said only that it would be better for his clan if we did not know.'
Qui-Gon nodded. 'I see.'
One of Ganeed's sons spoke up. 'That is just like Leed. He does not like to cause trouble.' His wife nodded. 'He is very kind.'
Ganeed's husband, Garth, chimed in. 'Even as a boy his kindness endeared him to everyone. It is a pity such trouble has come to him.'
'A pity his father will not listen to reason,' Hinen — or was it Jaret? — said.
Obi-Wan saw Taroon's hands clench into fists, hidden by his tunic. The prince was struggling to contain himself. Qui-Gon had warned him to let the Jedi do all the talking.
The elder Nin looked up from the stove. 'He always had his own way of doing things, our Leed. Set the table for the meal, Wek, if you please. Will our guests join us?'
'I'm afraid we cannot, but I thank you,' Qui-Gon said politely.
The boy Wek began to set places at the long table. He appeared only a year or two younger than Leed. Were they close companions? Obi-Wan wondered.
The same thought must have crossed Qui-Gon's mind. 'Is there any special place Leed is fond of going, Wek?' he asked in a kind tone.
Wek placed a bowl on the table. 'Well, he likes to swim,' he said.
'When he isn't sailing,' Jaret or Hinen said.
'True, Jaret,' the other son said. At least Obi-Wan could now keep the two of them straight.
'I love to sail!' Tinta cried. 'Leed taught me how, and —'
'But he was always walking in the forest, don't forget,' Mesan interrupted, turning to Jaret. 'That's where I would look —' She stopped abruptly to pick up the baby, Bu, who had begun to fuss.
'He only goes in spring,' Nonce broke in over the wailing of the baby. He walked to the stove and began to help Nin, slicing bread for the meal. 'He —'
'He goes in summer, too! Everyone goes in summer!' Wek argued. 'You just don't notice because —'
'Who goes in summer? It's too hot,' Tawn broke in. 'Leed likes the cool water and long swims. And —'
'Food,' Hinen said, leaning over to snatch a piece of bread off the counter. 'Leed likes his meals. He'll be back before long — ow!' he cried as Nonce rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon.
The baby began to cry again, and Jaret took her from Mesan's arms. Tinta began to quarrel with the other young boy.
'I agree with Jaret,' Tonai said serenely over the noise of the baby crying and the voices raised in a quarrel. 'I would search the forest, not the sea.'
'I said the sea, not the forest!' Jaret protested. 'You never listen to a word —'
'What do I know anyway?' Tonai broke in, shrugging.
'You know plenty, old man,' the elder Nin said. 'Except when to go to bed.'
'I know when to eat,' Tonai said, seating himself at the table with great pleasure. Nin ladled some soup in a bowl.
'I think he went back to Rutan on his own,' Garth said. 'That would make sense. He did not want to worry us.'
A storm of argument broke out over this last suggestion. Jaret and Hinen began to shout. Tinta upset the plate full of bread. Bu began to hiccup, and Jaret handed her to Ganeed.
Ganeed smiled at the Jedi over the baby's shoulder as she patted her back. 'You see? We have no idea where Leed could be.'
'Even Drenna doesn't know,' Tinta said.
Qui-Gon cast his keen gaze on the young boy. 'Is Drenna a special friend of Leed's, Tinta?'
'She is closest to him in age,' Ganeed said, handing the baby to Mesan.
Obi-Wan shot a searching glance at Drenna for the first time. Her close-cropped hair almost matched the silvery cast to her dark-blue skin. She raised her silver eyes to the Jedi.
