by Джуд Уотсон
"Of course," Qui-Gon said. "Aurea is noted for its fine artisans."
"They have the best glass workers in the galaxy there," Tahl went on.
"Many have wondered why this world has advanced the art so much. Is it the golden sands, the temperature of the fires, the long tradition? Whatever it may be, they make the most beautiful vessels in the galaxy, so highly prized that they are priceless objects. But occasionally, someone is careless, or an accident occurs, and one is broken."
Tahl picked up her cup again. "Just like I could break this cup. But these artisans have a greater art than the fashioning of the vessels. They remake the shattered ones. And in that remaking they find their highest art.
They take the pieces of something beautiful that has been smashed and create something even more beautiful. You see the seams of the break, but the piece is still flawless. Because it had once been broken, it becomes more valuable than before."
Tahl placed the blue cup before Qui-Gon. The Jedi sat in silence, absorbing the lesson. Could it be, he wondered slowly, that the process of rebuilding his trust with Obi-Wan would not be painful, but satisfying?
He picked up the delicate cup. It almost disappeared in his large hand.
His fingers closed around the fragile shape, yet the cup did not break.
He could not make again what he'd had. But what if the new thing he made was stronger than before, because it had once been broken?
Qui-Gon stood before the Jedi Council with Obi-Wan by his side. They had finished their debriefing on the episode with Xanatos.
Obi-Wan noted Qui-Gon's frown with dismay. He sensed the roiling unrest in his former Master.
Obi-Wan himself had reason to feel satisfied. The Council had also delivered news to him. Obi-Wan had humbly asked not to be taken back, but to be given probation. It had been granted. He would be required to remain on Temple grounds and have sessions with various Council members. He had not received what he had wanted, but he had received what he felt was right.
But Qui-Gon had not. The Council had opposed Qui-Gon's wish to pursue Xanatos.
"I do not understand your hesitation," Qui-Gon said. "Xanatos is a powerful enemy of the Jedi."
"Enemy of yours, I think he is," Yoda said, his gray-blue eyes intent on Qui-Gon. "Fruitless, a search may be. Wasted energy, it is. And too much anger I sense in you, Qui-Gon. Xanatos will reappear. Meet him you shall.
But seek it you shall not."
"We do not forbid you," Mace Windu said. "But know that if you do, you go without our support."
Qui-Gon did not react. He bowed stiffly and turned on his heel. Obi-Wan followed him from the room.
They stood in the hallway together. Obi-Wan saw that Qui-Gon was struggling to contain his emotions. He knew the Jedi Knight was bitterly disappointed.
"You have told me many times that Yoda always turns out to be right,"
Obi-Wan tried cautiously. "Even when it doesn't seem so."
"Not this time," Qui-Gon said grimly. "I am going after him, Obi-Wan."
Surprised, Obi-Wan fell silent. He knew how much Qui-Gon respected the wishes of the Council. To oppose them must be a wrenching decision.
Then he pictured Qui-Gon alone, hunting his enemy, and an essential truth pierced him. The picture was wrong. There was a piece missing. Even if Qui-Gon couldn't see it, Obi-Wan could.
Obi-Wan's hand fell on the hilt of his lightsaber. He took a deep breath. He did not need to pause to weigh all the implications of what he was about to say. He knew it was right.
"Then I am coming with you," he said.
FB2 document info
Document ID: 2d664a23-4811-4ac5-bd73-28efbe89e822
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 22 August 2010
Created using: FictionBook Editor Release 2.5 software
Document authors :
Your Name
Document history:
1.0 — создание файла
About
This file was generated by Lord KiRon's FB2EPUB converter version 1.1.5.0.
(This book might contain copyrighted material, author of the converter bears no responsibility for it's usage)
Этот файл создан при помощи конвертера FB2EPUB версии 1.1.5.0 написанного Lord KiRon.
(Эта книга может содержать материал который защищен авторским правом, автор конвертера не несет ответственности за его использование)
http://www.fb2epub.net
https://code.google.com/p/fb2epub/