'And Elan?'
'I found her,' Qui-Gon said. 'My masked rescuer turned out to be the one I sought. But I haven't had much success. She thinks the Queen is lying to further some plan of her own.'
'That could be true,' Obi-Wan said.
'And you?' Qui-Gon asked. 'Have you discovered anything?'
'I think the Queen is being poisoned,' Obi-Wan said. Hurriedly, he explained his suspicions and his visit to the substance analysis lab.
Qui-Gon's face grew grave. 'This is very bad news,' he said.
'Who could it be?' Obi-Wan asked.
'Ask yourself who would benefit from her death,' Qui-Gon said. 'If she dies, the elections could be suspended by her successor.'
'Beju!' Obi-Wan cried. 'But would he poison his own mother?'
'He might,' Qui-Gon said. 'Though I don't think so. I think under his anger there is genuine affection.'
'I'm not so sure,' Obi-Wan muttered. He didn't have a very good opinion of the Prince.
'Or it could be someone who wants the royal line to continue,' Qui-Gon continued. 'Like Giba. Or it could be someone whose motive isn't obvious. You must be careful, Padawan. You must have proof. Maybe when the substance analyzer gives you the poisonous agent, you will be able to figure out the culprit.
Didn't you say that Jono brought the nightly tea?'
'It can't be him,' Obi-Wan said. 'He only picks it up in the kitchens and delivers it.'
'You sound very sure of your new friend,' Qui-Gon replied neutrally. 'But sometimes the obvious is the answer.'
'I am sure of him,' Obi-Wan said. Annoyance rose in him at Qui-Gon's suggestion. His Master had chosen to leave Obi-Wan in charge at the palace. Why couldn't Qui-Gon trust his judgment?
'In the meantime, you must warn the Queen,' Qui-Gon said. 'I see no other way.
She must only take food from those she trusts. Better yet, she should prepare it herself.'
'Are you coming back soon?' Obi-Wan hoped the answer would be yes.
'In a few days. My wounds might prevent me from traveling.'
'But you said you were healing!' Obi-Wan protested.
'But they don't know that. Elan won't take well to hearing that her healing arts are slow. She is proud of her skills.'
'Elan is a healer?' Obi-Wan asked. A thought struck him. 'But that means she could know about such things as poisons.'
Qui-Gon's tone turned stern. 'That is quite a jump in logic, Padawan. Are you saying Elan could have something to do with the Queen's illness? She never comes to Galu.'
'But we don't know that,' Obi-Wan argued. 'You said she was in disguise when you met her. What if she had knowledge of her position as heir? You asked me who would benefit from the Queen's death. Isn't Elan that person?'
'She didn't know she was the heir,' Qui-Gon said shortly.
'Or so she pretended,' Obi-Wan said stubbornly. If Qui-Gon could accuse Jono, why couldn't the web of suspicion extend to Elan as well?
'Concentrate on the palace,' Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan heard disapproval in his voice. 'I will handle Elan.'
The communication faded. Obi-Wan slipped the comlink back in his pocket, disappointed in their exchange. Sometimes it felt as though he and Qui-Gon would never achieve the mind communion that is the mark of the ideal Master-Apprentice relationship.
Obviously, Qui-Gon had not been able to convince Elan that she was the heir to the crown. Why was he wasting his time with the hill people?
Obi-Wan followed the path back to the kitchen gardens. As he rounded a corner, he almost ran into Jono.
'Obi-Wan! There you are,' Jono said. 'I left a tray for you. Fresh juna berries for you this morning. Very sweet.'
Obi-Wan nodded and headed back toward the palace. Jono had been so close. Had he heard Obi-Wan's communication? Was Jono a spy for Giba and Beju after all?
Obi-Wan guessed that the Queen was being poisoned with her night tray, but he couldn't be absolutely sure. He had no way of knowing how long the poisonous agent took to act. He couldn't take any chances with the Queen's life.
He hurried to the Queen's chambers. The Queen sat in the outer chamber in her morning robe. Dark circles were under her eyes, and her long hair fell lankly down her back. The table was set for her breakfast — tea, fruit, and a protein cake. She was just lifting the tea to her lips with a shaking hand…
'No!' Obi-Wan cried. He sprang forward and knocked the cup away. It fell and smashed on the stone floor.
The Queen slowly turned to stare at it. 'That was part of my betrothal gift,'
she said.
