'I think you're being poisoned, Queen Veda,' Obi-Wan blurted.
The Queen seemed to move her head with difficulty. She fixed her eyes on him.
'What did you say?'
'I don't know who it is,' Obi-Wan said desperately. 'I have no proof — not yet.
But if it is true, you must not drink or eat anything that is prepared for you.'
'This is impossible,' the Queen whispered.
'Impossible it is,' Prince Beju announced, striding in. Giba followed on the Prince's heels. 'The Jedi is lying!'
'Why would he lie, my son?' Queen Veda asked weakly.
'To discredit the palace,' Prince Beju answered. 'Or for some other reason we have yet to discover. I do not trust either of them, Mother!'
'And where is the other?' Giba demanded silkily. 'Time and time again I have asked to see him, only to hear that he is resting, or walking about. I do not believe it! This Jedi lies already, I think. So why should he not lie about this?'
'You both are ready to accuse me. Strange that you do not give a thought to whether what I say is true,' Obi-Wan pointed out. 'Even if there is a chance that it's true, I would think you would be concerned. Look at the Queen. She grows weaker every day.'
The Prince turned to his mother. His angry look faltered for a moment, and he took a half step toward her. Then he collected himself and turned to Obi-Wan.
'My mother's illness is not your concern. And spreading lies about it doesn't help her. It only upsets her! Perhaps Qui-Gon Jinn is mixed up in this poisoning you speak of. Giba is right. It is strange that we haven't seen him. He agreed to our rules, and then broke his promise. He is capable of anything!'
'Qui-Gon has gone to the mountains to try to convince Elan to bring the hill people to vote,' Obi-Wan said. It was a half truth, but at least it gave an explanation for his disappearance. He could not reveal the Queen's secret.
'What a ridiculous story!' Prince Beju scoffed. 'Why would the hill people make a difference? Why should we care what they think? Obviously, you are lying again.'
The Queen pushed herself to her feet. The act seemed to cause her great effort.
'He is not lying, Beju,' she said. 'I know it. I asked Qui-Gon to contact Elan.
For me.'
'But why?' Prince Beju asked, wheeling around to face his mother.
'Because she is your half sister,' Queen Veda replied steadily. 'It is time you knew. Your father had an early marriage, and a child. He divorced his wife and abandoned the child. The decision haunted him-'
'I don't believe it!' Prince Beju shook his head. 'Now you are lying. Father would not act so dishonorably. Family is the cornerstone of life on Gala. How often he said that. He would not disgrace the Tallah name by marrying a hill person. And he would not abandon his child! You know this!'
'I am sorry to tell you this, Beju,' Queen Veda said gently. 'It is true. He regretted it. He wanted to make it right.'
'You defile Father's memory,' Prince Beju whispered in horror. 'Will you go to any length to shame me?'
The Queen turned to Giba. 'Tell him,' she begged. 'You were there. You know it is true.'
Giba shook his head. 'I'm sorry, Queen. I will do anything for Your Highness.
Except lie for you.'
The Queen staggered backward. Obi-Wan moved forward to support her.
'Now I see it all,' Prince Beju raged. 'You are in league with the Jedi. You have conspired against me. You will do whatever it takes to make sure I do not gain the crown.'
'No, Beju, my son,' Queen Veda said weakly. 'No-'
'I am calling the guards,” Prince Beju said firmly. He moved toward the tubes mounted in the wall.
Obi-Wan was still holding on to the Queen's arm. He could feel her shaking. She was close to collapse. Yet with a sudden burst of strength, she pulled away from Obi-Wan. She had time to give him a look that told him to run. Then she staggered forward and collapsed against her son.
Prince Beju was thrown off balance. He held on to his mother so that she wouldn't fall. Giba took a step forward to help him.
Obi-Wan quickly ran out the door.
Obi-Wan fled. He burst through the door to the gardens and saw the flick of a silver robe as the elder council member with the milky blue eyes moved off into the trees. Obi-Wan turned in the opposite direction and snaked through the orchard. He had to leave the palace grounds, and he could not leave by the main gate. He was sure now that Giba was behind the Queen's poisoning. The only question was if Prince Beju knew about it. The Prince had seemed genuinely stricken by his mother's condition.
He heard running footsteps behind him. Obi-Wan quickened his pace. He was almost to the high stone wall that surrounded the palace grounds.
'Obi-Wan! Wait, friend!'
