A gleam of humor lit Anakin's eyes. 'The day isn't over yet.'
'Come on, let's backtrack,' Obi-Wan suggested, heading back down the train. We must have taken a wrong turn.'
Dappled sunlight streamed through the thick leaves overhead. They moved from pools of light into shadows and back again. The sun warmed their skin, then the shadows cooled it. The air smelled fresh and softly scented. It was a good day to be lost.
Anakin suddenly crouched down and examined the trail. 'He stopped here.' He pointed to the dirt on the trail.
Obi-Wan bent down. 'Yes, I think so.'
'Definitely.' Anakin's voice rose in excitement. 'And then he passed over the grass here. This way.'
He led the way off the trail into the forest. Obi-Wan noted the clues and followed. After a morning of looking for tiny changes in the ground and leaves overhead, Wren had left a substantial clue to his progress. It must be part of his strategy to mix up his hard clues with some easier ones.
Anakin led the way through the dense forest. It was easier to track Wren now. The ground was soft and the leaves underfoot were still wet. Obi-Wan allowed Anakin to take the lead, enjoying the fragrant walk through the trees.
Anakin stopped and turned. 'There's a clearing ahead,' he said in a hushed tone. 'and some coves. Do you think we've caught up with him already? Those marks still look fresh.'
'I doubt it,' Obi-Wan said. 'But proceed carefully. We have to get close in order to end the exercise.'
'A lightsaber's length away,' Anakin said. 'But I think our only chance is to surprise him.'
'Anakin — '
'Obi-Wan's call was swallowed in the shadows. Anakin ran silently ahead, then dashed out into the clearing.
Obi-Wan followed, wishing he could teach his Padawan to curb his impatience.
He wished this even more when he realized where Wren had led them. They had stumbled on a malia den.
He remembered the malia from his first trip to Ragoon-6. They were fast, agile, deadly creatures, fierce predators with triple rows of teeth.
Anakin stood frozen in the middle of the clearing. He had seen the malia spread out on the rocks. At first their blue- gray fur had melted into the shadows.
At least they hunt at night.
He had fought them with Qui-Gon. He remembered the gleam of fluorescent green eyes, the cunning of the creatures as they circled. He did not want to meet up with them again.
'What are they?' Anakin whispered.
'Just. back. up. ' Obi-Wan murmured.
But even as they took two steps backward, Obi-Wan saw one creature stir. A long, tapered snout lifted. Two fierce eyes opened. A low rumble deep in the malia's throat told Obi-Wan that they were in trouble.
Chapter Three
The malia sprang at the same time as Obi-Wan. The creature was just a blue streak in the air. Obi-Wan slashed at it and it fell with a wounded howl.
The rest of the pack rose. Obi-Wan counted swiftly. Sixteen. But there could be more in the caves. They were lean rangy creatures. One malia stepped forward and lifted its snout. Its eyes flashed as it bared its triple row of yellow teeth.
'Attractive creatures,' Anakin said, his lightsaber at the ready.
'Back up slowly. Perhaps they won't attack. But if they do, don't underestimate them,' Obi-Wan said rapidly as he backed up a step. 'I fought them with Qui-Gon. They have very quick reflexes. They will come at us from the trees. They will try to separate and surround us.'
Anakin took a cautious step back. 'How did you defeat them?'
'We didn't,' Obi-Wan said. 'A native tribe helped us.'
'You needed help?' A flicker of nerves crossed Anakin's face.
'Yes, Anakin. Even Jedi need help occasionally. So just keep backing up. very. very. slowly. Oh, and another thing. Don't look them in the eye.'
'Oops,' Anakin said.
The snarling pack surged forward. Obi-Wan saw a streak of blue as two malia separated from the others and headed for the trees. Another dodged to come at Anakin from his left.
'Anakin — '
'I see it — ' Anakin almost stumbled, surprised by the speed the malia took on as it pounced. He barely got his lightsaber lifted in time to slash at the creatures neck.
Obi-Wan made sure his Padawan has succeeded even as he tracked another malia that was circling toward him from the left. At the same time, he kept his gaze roaming in the trees, where two malia were jumping from branch to branch. 'Whatever you do, don't let any of them get behind us,' he said as he leaped toward the malia, brandishing his lightsaber. The malia retreated, snarling, its eyes a flash in the shadows.
