Vision of the future

'Maybe. What's he saying?'

'He says that from the fastenings he doesn't think the wall sconces were part of the original furnishings,' Luke said. 'For whatever that's worth.'

He straightened up and pointed toward the unseen part of the room. 'He also says there's a very strong power source operating somewhere over there.'

'Really,' Mara said with interest, taking a step in that direction and shining her glow rod into the darkness. 'Let's go take a look.'

No! Keeper Of Promises said sharply from above Luke.

'Hang on,' Luke said to Mara, looking up. Keeper Of Promises was perched on one of the wall sconces, his wings quivering with agitation. 'What's wrong?' he asked. That way lies destruction, the Qom Jha said. Others have searched that direction. None have ever returned.

'He says there's danger that way,' Luke translated for Mara. 'Specifics unknown.'

'Except that it eats Qom Jha, I presume,' Mara said. 'On the other hand, the only way out of here has to be that direction.'

No, there is another way, Splitter Of Stones said from one of the other sconces. Come. He flew across to the wall to their left and settled to a perch in one of the other gaps beneath the ceiling. Here, he said. Here is the entrance to the hidden passage.

'Really,' Luke said, feeling his eyes narrow. The Qom Jha hadn't said anything about a hidden passage before. 'And this hidden passage leads into the High Tower?' Come, Splitter Of Stones said. You will see.

'Hidden passage, huh?' Mara commented as they crossed the room, Artoo rolling along behind them. 'I don't recall that being mentioned before.'

'Me, neither,' Luke said. 'It could have been just an oversight.'

'Or an awkward but conveniently forgotten fact,' Mara said darkly. Artoo twittered questioningly. 'Awkward because hidden passages usually also have hidden exits,' Mara said to the droid over her shoulder. 'And unless the Qom Jha have found a way through those exits, they won't know any more about the layout of the High Tower than we do.'

'How about it, Splitter Of Stones?' Luke asked. 'Have you and your people been inside, or haven't you?'

We have traveled all through the hidden passage was the somewhat sullen reply. There are places where we can see the Threateners and hear what they are saying.

'Let me guess,' Mara said. 'They've never actually been in the High Tower, but they're sure they'll be able to find their way around once we get them in.'

'Basically,' Luke said heavily. 'Apparently, for all their talk, no one's actually been inside the place.'

Some of the Qom Qae have been inside, Child Of Winds spoke up. I know of some who have done so.

Luke frowned at him. 'They have? Who? When?'

Friends from other nestings have entered from above, Child Of Winds explained. But they have always been quickly driven out, and have seen very little.

'Still, that's apparently more than the Qom Jha have done,' Luke said, looking at Splitter Of Stones again. The Qom Jha was maintaining a stiff silence, but Luke could tell he was not at all pleased with this revelation. 'Have you yourself been inside, Child Of Winds?' No, he said. Only friends from the nesting nearest here.

'What's the debate?' Mara asked.

'Child Of Winds says some of the younger Qom Qae of the region have poked around inside the upper areas of the High Tower,' Luke said. 'But how is it you're in contact with these others, Child Of Winds? I thought Hunter Of Winds said matters outside your nesting were of no concern to you.' They are of no concern to adult Qom Qae, Child Of Winds said. But all children may fly freely wherever they wish.

'Ah.' So adult Qom Qae were territorial, but their children mixed together across nesting boundaries however they