Balog looked surprised. 'Not at all. They were taken in by Roan after their father's death. They are living in the official residence, two blocks away.'
Chapter 5
Obi-Wan looked at his Master as they left the security building. He could see that Qui-Gon was worried. If the twins were safe, why did they summon Tahl?
'Do you think the twins don't want anyone on Apsolon to know that they are afraid?'
'Most likely,' Qui-Gon said. 'Still, it is odd that they lied about being in hiding. I think it's time we saw them.'
They asked a passerby for directions. Everyone knew where Roan's residence was. It was a gracious building built of the same mellow gray stone, not far away. Qui-Gon threw back his hood as he entered. He knew he would have to give his true identity in order to be allowed to see the twins.
At the security checkpoint, the screen flashed blue and a voice asked for his name. Qui-Gon gave it, explaining that he was friend of Eritha and Alani.
'Step forward for a retinal scan.'
Qui-Gon, then Obi-Wan, did so. Qui-Gon didn't object. He was glad to see that the security was tight.
At last the door opened and the two were ushered into the private quarters of the residence. There, two young women waited in a brightly furnished room with a cheerful fire. They were identical, with long, braided blond hair and narrow faces enlivened by bright dark eyes. They both broke into dazzling smiles when they saw Qui-Gon.
'Qui-Gon!' they cried together, and hurried toward him.
Qui-Gon bowed. 'I was not sure you would remember me.'
'Of course we do.' Qui-Gon was not sure which one had spoken. Six years ago, Alani had been slightly taller than Eritha, but now they were the same size.
As if recognizing his difficulty, the other girl smiled. 'I am Eritha. This is my sister Alani.'
'I'm afraid I can't tell you apart,' Qui-Gon said.
'It's hard, but in time people can,' Eritha replied.
'Some people,' Alani amended. 'Why are you here on New Apsolon? Is it a Jedi mission?'
'Not exactly. Let me present to you my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.'
'Any friend of yours is one of ours,' Alani said. 'We will never forget your kindness to us six years ago.'
'How is Tahl?' Eritha asked eagerly. 'We were hoping she was with you.'
'Tahl is on New Apsolon, but I'm afraid I'm not in contact with her yet,' Qui-Gon said. 'Did you send for her?'
The twins exchanged surprised glances. 'No,' Alani said. 'Why would we do that?'
'You do not feel in danger?' Qui-Gon asked. 'Since your father's murder, you might feel that New Apsolon is not safe for you.'
'We are safe here with Roan,' Eritha said. 'He was our father's best friend. He will protect us. We have everything we need here and don't need to go out if we don't wish to. We have private gardens in the back of the residence.'
'I see that you are troubled, Qui-Gon,' Alani said. 'Of course Eritha and I are aware that there are those on New Apsolon who believe Roan had our father assassinated. We do not believe such a thing.'
'Roan has been like a father to us,' Eritha said. 'After our father's death, we saw his grief.
It was real. He would not allow us to leave this residence. He said he would be our father now.' 'We are a family,' Alani said firmly.
Qui-Gon nodded. He would not challenge the girls' beliefs. But he would not take them as truth, either. He had known the girls at the age of ten, bewildered by their world's conflicts and longing for their father as he spent long years imprisoned. They had been protected by Ewane's followers, who had proven their devotion to their leader by sheltering his daughters. Perhaps they still were unable to cope with the complexities of a world where sabotage and treachery were practiced. The cozy room and private compound told him that they were still sheltered.
'So you haven't heard that Tahl is on New Apsolon?' Qui-Gon asked.
The girls shook their heads.
'If she is, I wish she would come and see us,' Alani added.
Qui-Gon nodded. A feeling of dread loomed inside him. If the girls had not called Tahl, who had? And where was she?
Chapter 6
With no leads, Qui-Gon decided that until they thought of a plan of action, observation was their best strategy. They walked past the government buildings, noting the high security. Everyone seemed to be on alert.
Obi-Wan read the inscription on a windowless building nearby. Unlike its graceful neighbors, this one was squat and long. 'It's the former headquarters of the Absolutes,' he said to Qui-Gon. 'It's now a museum.'
