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The King's Justice

by Susan Anthony

Title: The King's Justice
Author: Susan Anthony (LdyGossamer@aol.com)
Pairing: QG/OW
Category: AR, drama, romance
Rating: R
Spoilers: None
Summary: In a Medieval world, the King's Justice is sent to investigate why Qui-Gon Jinn, Earl of Kinnion, has been found guilty of murder.

Feedback: Very welcome.

Warnings: M/M relationship, don't know medieval attitudes on M/M relationships but in this world it's accepted.

Notes: Thank you Maig, for your patient beta.

More Notes: This story was written for zine 'Force of a Different Color 2' published in July of 2003.

Disclaimer: The Boyz aren't mine. More's the pity. This story is for the pleasure of the readers only. I don't make a thing.

His Most Honorable and Serene Highness, Obi-Wan Kenobi stifled a groan as he entered his tent to find his squire, Tarren, laying out his formal chain mail. He started cursing under his breath. The younger man heard his master's voice and grinned.

"Forgive my pointing this out, your highness, but you said you wanted the troop to look imposing when we approached the castle this morning," Tarren noted easily as he pulled out the thick padding Obi-Wan would wear under the mail. "That does require the chain mail, I think."

Obi-Wan sighed as he seated himself and pulled off the light cloak he'd taken when he'd left for an early morning inspection of his troops. "I was thinking more along the lines of not allowing Ken-Dar his morning meal and then sending him in first," the prince teased his squire. Tarren grinned as he reached down to pull off his master's boots.

"You said imposing not ferocious," the squire replied lightly as he continued to undress Obi-Wan. Then the squire picked up the padding and motioned his prince to stand.

"Indeed," Obi-Wan replied as his squire buckled on the heavy material. "Your mate is quite ferocious before he's had his morning feed."

Tarren chuckled at the prince's words as he tended to his work. Obi-Wan watched the young man move around him with a quiet proficiency that he had long taken for granted. He had apprenticed the young man five years earlier while still on the continent and still in training himself with the Truth Sifters. Tarren had been a younger son of a younger son but Obi-Wan had seen his potential and offered the lad a squire's braid. It was a decision he had never regretted.

During the past year in which Obi-Wan had held the rank of King's Justice, the pace his company of knights kept had been grueling but the prince didn't remember Tarren ever complaining or not completing his duties less than perfectly. The squire would make an honorable knight as well as a suitable mate for Obi-Wan's mouthy cousin, Ken-Dar.

Once Tarren finished buckling on the thick padding, the older man reached out and touched the long braid that began just behind the younger man's ear. "It won't be long before I'll be cutting this off, Tarren," Obi-Wan said softly. "I think it's time to start looking for a replacement for you to begin training.

Tarren stared at Obi-Wan with wide eyes. Then a brilliant smile raced across his face before he gave the prince a deep bow. "You honor me, your highness," he said, his tone serious.

"No Tarren, you have honored me," Obi-Wan said as he awkwardly returned a short bow. "And it'll be damn hard to replace you. So I'd suggest you start looking because I'm not going to knight you without a suitable squire to lug that chain mail around."

"I'll compile a list of recommendations, Master," Tarren said firmly as he lifted the chain mail shirt and eyed the prince. Obi-Wan sighed again and waved the man forward.

"If I must, I must," he said in a forbearing tone.

"You must," Tarren noted wryly as he slid the mail over his master's head. It settled heavily onto the prince's shoulders and Obi-Wan grimaced as he tried to find a comfortable fit. "And now the rest."

A few minutes later, Obi-Wan stood silently as his squire unfolded the royal blue tabard that held the crest of the King's Justice. The prince felt his humor fading as the solemn demeanor of his position came to the fore and his squire quietly draped the knight in his crest and colors. Tarren arranged the mail coif around Obi-Wan's neck before he finally buckled on the longsword his master favored.

Then Tarren circled his master, glancing over his form from the spurs at his feet to the thick, red-gold hair cropped close to his head. The prince's lips quirked with amusement.

"Will I do, Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked gently. Padawan, trusted and beloved student, was the greatest compliment a knight could give his squire. Tarren's eyes were bright with happiness though his face hardly changed expression.

"Indeed, your highness. You lack only this," he replied as he picked up his knight's most treasured possession, the sheathed dagger that Obi-Wan never went without. The prince accepted the dagger with a thoughtful look in his eyes. He fingered the crest inlaid in the hilt with a light touch.

"Lord Jinn gave me this," the prince said softly.

"I know," Tarren replied in a low tone and Obi-Wan glanced up at him with an unspoken question. "Ken-Dar told me," the younger man answered.

"Ah," the knight said as he tucked the dagger into his belt. "Ken-Dar of the ever moving lips." Tarren said nothing as he started to gather up the prince's clothes. "Leave those things for the guards to pack with the tent, Tarren," Obi-Wan said, suddenly brisk. "And see about saddling our horses."

The younger man bowed and left the tent. Behind him, the prince fingered the sheathed dagger again, letting his thoughts wander for a moment. Their destination was Kinnion castle, a place well known to him and well loved. A place where he'd spent the finest years of his youth until his father had abruptly decided to send his youngest son for training across the continent.

Obi-Wan directed away the regret that still rose at the thought. The king hadn't even given his son the chance to say goodbye to his friends or his Master Knight before sending him off for the mystical training so important to the office of King's Justice. Obi-Wan had never even been considered for the post, traditionally a position that went to the King's second son. But after his elder brother, Rei-Nen, got caught up in a treasonous plot to oust his own father and was subsequently exiled, there was no choice but for Obi-Wan to be sent in his stead. Only a child of true royal blood could wield the subtle power the Trust Sifters granted.

Now to return to this place so treasured in his memory under such circumstances was disheartening. But nothing could have kept him away after he'd received his father's commission to find out what was really happening in this district. A hard fortnight's ride had brought them close to Kinnion Castle hopefully in time to help the earl.

The prince pushed his thoughts away with a grimace and glanced around the tent a final time before he stalked out in search of his Captain.

"Obi-Wan!" a loud voice called across the camp as the tent flap dropped behind him. The prince glanced up in time to see a tall, rangy knight moving through the morning darkness with long steady strides. The man eyed his prince a moment as he came to a halt before he gave a graceful bow. "Or shall I say, Honorable Lord Justice," he said with a smirk that was easily visible as he straightened.

"Ken-Dar," Obi-Wan replied as he crossed his arms. "You must have eaten already to be in this good of a mood."

"For certain, my prince, I dined on tender roast venison." The man gave a grin as he offered his prince a mug of steaming tea. "And quite tasty it was."

Obi-Wan sighed as he sipped the warm, sweet tea. Ken-Dar always had been and always would be a morning person. Tarren was more than welcome to him.

"Is the troop ready to move out?" Obi-Wan asked as his eyes wandered over the camp. Tents were quickly disappearing and fires were being quenched as squires and their knights purposefully moved through the camp.

"A short time more, cousin, and we'll have enough light to see where we're going," Ken-Dar replied as he too watched the progress with narrow eyes. He didn't allow room for slacking in the ranks of the King's Justice and he didn't hesitate to skewer verbally anyone he thought could move faster. After a moment, however, he started to chuckle and the prince glanced up curiously from his tea. "And just in time, my prince, here comes Tarren with that splendid mount of yours," the captain noted.

Obi-Wan kept himself from snorting with disgust as his squire led forward the prancing horse he'd had to take when his own mount, Sabre, had pulled up lame. Sabre was, in Obi-Wan's considered opinion, a perfect horse and the prince had traveled with him for years. This beast, however, could only be categorized as uniquely, almost terminally stupid.

The big brown horse trotted up to the prince and huffed happily as it shook its head. Beside the animal, Tarren looked a bit cautious as Obi-Wan's eyes were drawn to a small red wound almost centered between the horse's eyes.

"What happened, Tarren?" the prince asked as he touched the horse's nose gently.

"I'm sorry, my prince, but apparently he got loose from the lines and decided to chase a pretty little mare." The young man looked almost embarrassed. "The mare swerved and Jar Jar ... didn't." Tarren grabbed the reins firmly as the horse pranced again. "Ummm, he ran into a tree, your highness. But it didn't seem to affect him in the least," the squired hastened to assure his master. "I don't know that he even noticed actually."

The prince glanced at his squire, unable to speak. Then he turned to his Captain.

"Ken-Dar...."

"No, your highness," the captain said as he inched away. "You may be the king's youngest son and someone I love like a brother but you are not trading that animal for mine." Ken-Dar turned and made his escape as the horse stepped forward, almost crushing Obi-Wan's foot, and nuzzled the knight in apparent ecstasy. The prince sighed.

"Easy, Jar Jar," the man soothed as he rolled his eyes. "Saints, what a name!" he complained. He noted that his squire was studiously studying the ground putting out 'please don't take my horse either' vibes. "Go get your horse, Padawan," the man grumbled. The squire disappeared almost immediately.

Castle Kinnion, shortly after dawn

His Grace, the Duke of Surance, leaned back and surveyed the woman standing near him with gleaming eyes. Then he gently picked up his mug of wine, slowly tasting it as he made the woman wait for his words.

"Truly, Lady Shmi, I am surprised that I and my people continue to feel less than welcome in this castle," he finally noted as he set the mug down and turned to focus his pale blue eyes on the woman. "It is not what I had expected at all."

"And what did you expect, my lord?" came the quiet question. The woman's dark eyes looked back at the duke with something close to hate though her face showed none of her thoughts.

"A proper welcome to the new lord of the hall," Lord Nutarin said reasonably. "I have been here almost a week and still there are parts of the castle that I know have been hidden from me." His eyes narrowed, as his gaze seemed to heat the air. Shmi restrained herself from stepping back. He was but a man and he needed her to run this castle since his people had shown themselves inept at the task - with a little help from her people, of course.

"I was not aware that the king had officially given you this estate, my lord, since my brother has been gone but a month," Shmi replied, clasping her hands in front of her. "Just that it had been forfeited to the Crown."

Nutarin waved his hand casually though his eyes briefly darkened with anger at her words. "It is but a matter of time. I have long admired this castle and now with its master a proven murderer and unworthy of its honor," he paused for a moment to see the woman's reaction. When she did nothing, however, he continued, "There is no question that the king will find me a worthy recipient."

Shmi merely nodded. "I'm sure the king sees very clearly what goes on in his lands, my lord," she noted softly. Nutarin glanced at her sharply but she had lowered her gaze to the floor.

"The king trusts my loyalty and my judgment," Nutarin stated in a hard tone. "I have no doubt this estate is mine and several things will change now that I have ownership, the first of which will be teaching your son respect."

The Lady of the Hall looked up sharply at that comment, her eyes showing the anger she dared not display.

"You've let the boy run wild, Lady Shmi," Nutarin noted in a disparaging tone. "I understand that even now he is gone from the castle with no one knowing his whereabouts."

"Anakin has had the freedom of this estate since he proved that he could find his way home from anywhere on its lands," the woman said quietly.

"Yes, it was to be his, after all. It was fitting that he know the lands he was to inherit. It is amusing how circumstances can change so quickly, is it not?" the duke said with a smile. Shmi didn't reply and the new lord of the castle carefully set his mug on the table.

"But now I think his ability to come and go as he pleases is no longer necessary. I would hate to find that he has been abusing his freedom by consorting with your brother. I would have to take steps to make certain that didn't happen again." Nutarin gestured for a nearby servant to fill his mug before he turned his attention back to the lady standing before him.

"I am certain he would not do anything so foolish, my Lord," Shmi said firmly.

"Let us hope that is the case, Lady Shmi. Lord Anakin must come to understand his place in the new order at Kinnion Castle." The duke studied his mug thoughtfully before he picked it up and took another sip of wine. "In the future he will request my permission to leave the Hall. I have already sent men to find him and return him here so that I might instruct him in his new duties."

Shmi stared at him, an expression of worry darting across her features. Then her expression was blank once more. "As you see fit, my lord," she said in a perfectly bland tone. "If there is nothing else, I have duties to attend."

"I would rather you attend me here, lady," Nutarin replied, gesturing her towards a chair beside him. He knew how much she hated him and he reveled in her anger. But she could do nothing but seat herself beside him. "Now, my lady," Nutarin began with a cold smile, "since I have settled the matter of your son, perhaps you could provide me with a personal tour of the castle this morning. I find myself quite...eager to explore its many secrets."

Shmi's eyes snapped up to meet his gaze and the expression in his eyes left her in no doubt as to his intentions. Nutarin was delighted to see the first stirrings of actual panic in her dark eyes.

Before he could continue, however, one of his guardsmen appeared in the hall and moved towards him. The duke leaned back with a resigned sigh. "What is it?" he asked wearily.

"Forgive me, my lord, but we have found the boy," the man said as he gestured behind him. Another guardsman followed, his hand firmly holding the fourteen-year-old, former heir to Kinnion by the neck. He dragged the boy over to stand before the duke and Nutarin leaned back with a smile. He looked the boy over carefully. His fine clothes were rumpled and his blond hair was messy.

"Well, Anakin, I must say that you are quite the troublesome lad," he said. "And where have you been this morning?"

"Out and about," came the boy's cocky reply.

Nutarin studied him for a moment before he stood and walked over to stand before the boy. A loud slap echoed in the hall and a red hand mark appeared almost immediately on the stunned youth's face. "You will answer respectfully, boy," the duke stated in a flat tone. "I am allowing you and your mother to stay in this castle and you will do nothing to anger me or I'll have to take sterner measures to make certain you do not do so again."

Anakin was stunned by the man's action but his features quickly arranged themselves into a look of anger.

"You are all graciousness, my lord," he said, his tone dripping with a sarcasm Shmi had never heard in his voice before.

Nutarin's eyes narrowed. "I see you already intend to defy me," the lord stated with a calm tone. The man glanced up and gestured to someone. A moment later, the figure of Lord Nutarin's Captain of the Guard stalked across the hall to his side. He was not very tall but lean and compact, a man whose every movement was controlled. His hair was short and black, as were his eyes, a dark color that refused light and expression.

"Yes, your Grace?" the man asked, his voice soft as his gazed raked over Shmi.

"Lord Anakin needs to be taught respect, Captain," Nutarin stated with a faint smile. "I have no doubt that you can accomplish this with no trouble."

Shmi couldn't help her horrified expression as the Captain looked over her son with a dark gaze. Then the man smiled.

"Of course, my lord," he replied.

"I don't wish to have to call the healer, Maul," Nutarin noted absently. "But the boy is resilient. I'm certain he could handle a few bumps and bruises."

The man bowed. "As you wish, my lord," he said, sounding faintly regretful as he reached forward to grab the back of the boy's neck and pull him across the room.

"Now, my lady," Nutarin said, again focusing on the lady of the castle, who was angrily watching her son being dragged away. "Where were we...?"

"Your Grace!" another soldier came through the main double doors at a fast trot and stopped in a low bow before the duke. The noble stilled for a moment before he turned to the soldier.

"What is it?" he asked in a tone that promised retribution if it wasn't something extremely important.

"Your Grace!" the man said in an excited breath. "The King's Justice has arrived at the gates demanding entrance!"

Nutarin was on his feet in an instant. "What?" he hissed.

Across the room, Maul stopped and listened. Anakin took the opportunity to slam his foot down hard on the guard's instep before he jerked away and ran towards his mother, the Captain close behind.

"The King's Justice! And a troop of knights at his back!" The soldier glanced up. "The gatekeeper allowed them in. They are even now riding into the courtyard."

"No!" the duke grated as Shmi stood and stepped back.

"Indeed, the king sees very clearly," she murmured in a low tone but Nutarin heard and he stepped towards her with a menacing stride.

"Did you know he was coming?" the man growled as he reached out to grab her arm in a painful grip. But Anakin was there first, snarling in his face.

"Don't you touch my mother!" he shouted before Maul grabbed his arm and tried to haul him away.

Nutarin ground his teeth and considered smacking the boy again before he stepped away.

"Maul, leave the boy," he snapped. Anakin pulled his arm from the guard captain's grasp and moved to his mother's side, glaring first at Maul and then at the duke. "We must prepare for His Highness's arrival," the duke continued, but already servants were bowing their way inside, opening the great double doors leading into the main hall of the castle.

Then a young man wearing a squire's braid and the brilliant royal blue color of the King's Justice appeared in the center of the doorway, only to step two paces to the right. He glanced around the hall where all activity had ceased abruptly.

"All stand and make way for the most honorable and noble King's Justice!" the young man called in a deep voice that echoed across the room. "All welcome, his Honorable and Serene Highness, Obi-Wan Kenobi," the man finished with a graceful bow as a lithe, hard figure in chain mail and a royal blue surcoat appeared in the doorway.

Shmi glanced up with a gasp upon hearing the prince's name before she bowed in a deep curtsy. She elbowed her son and surprised, Anakin also gave a deep bow. As she rose, she found the prince's eyes on her, his expression blank. She pulled her son a little closer to her side and wondered if he remembered her at all. It had, after all, been more than ten years since she had last seen him, a rather gawky lad of only a score of summers.

Now, however, the prince stalked down the steps with a deadly grace, his head held at an arrogant angle as he glanced around the hall. The herald who announced him followed a step behind and to the left as more soldiers in the royal blue colors entered the hall. Obi-Wan stopped expectantly before the duke. Nutarin bowed low and when he rose again, it was with a smile.

"Your Highness," he said in a welcome tone. "What a delightful surprise."

"Yes, I imagine it is," came the even reply. "I am also surprised to find you here, your Grace. I had expected to find you at Surance."

"A happy situation, my prince," Nutarin noted. "I am glad to be able to greet you in person."

"Indeed," the word dropped from the prince's mouth like a flat stone. Beside her, Anakin snickered and Shmi almost laughed. She could hear her brother saying the word in exactly that tone.

The prince turned to her and she stifled her expression. Obi-Wan stepped forward, took her hand and gently bowed over it. "Lady Shmi, it has been far too long," he said, his voice slightly more gentle.

"Yes, your highness," she replied, her mouth curving into a smile she had not known in more than a month. Her fingers tightened around his. "Far too long. We have missed you."

The prince glanced up at her, his face showing a pleased surprise for a moment before the neutral mask dropped back into place. He straightened and looked at the youth at her side.

"And you must be Anakin," he said with a softer smile. The boy looked surprised that Prince Kenobi knew him and Obi-Wan's smile widened. "You had passed but three summers when I left this estate last, young man, and your mother had a habit of calling you...."

"...Ani," the adolescent said with a grimace. "She still does that."

The prince chuckled and ruffled the boy's blond hair. Then he carefully turned the boy's chin to the left and studied the bruise that was already showing on Anakin's fair skin.

"And where did you get such a mark, young Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked seriously.

The boy turned a venomous blue glare towards the duke. "Lord Nutarin was teaching me the error of my ways, your Highness," he said flatly.

Obi-Wan's expression grew grim and he turned back to Nutarin. He looked the man over for a long moment.

"The boy was disrespectful, your Highness," Nutarin said as though it were an obvious reaction. "He needed to learn his place."

"As I understand it, the boy's place is the Heir of Kinnion, is it not?" the prince asked softly.

"It was, your Highness," the duke agreed. "But with his uncle's conviction and the estate's forfeiture to the Crown, the boy is no longer the heir to anything."

"Nevertheless, Lord Nutarin, the boy has been raised as a Lord and will be treated with respect," the prince stated with no compromise in his eyes. "You will not touch Lord Anakin or anyone of Kinnion blood in such a manner again. Is that understood?"

The duke nodded slowly. "Of course, your Highness," he said.

"Very well then," Obi-Wan continued. "It is actually a propitious circumstance that you are here, your Grace, as it gives me the chance to officially inform you of His Majesty's grant of the Kinnion Estates to the King's Justice."

Nutarin was completely still for a moment as he stared at the man before him. The silence in the hall was extraordinary.

"Forgive me, your highness," he finally said in an expressionless tone, "but I had assumed that they would fall to me as the ranking nobleman in the district."

"In some cases, that is the precedent," the prince replied in an even tone. "But the king has seen fit to grant me these estates which have so recently been turned over to the crown."

"I see," the duke replied calmly though his eyes burned with anger.

"You may not remember, but I was fostered here for several years when I was younger and I find it very much to my taste," the Justice continued casually as he walked to the head of the table and seated himself in the chair so recently vacated by the duke. He looked up at the duke. "I'm only to take possession, however, should I find that the Earl of Kinnion is actually guilty of the charges presented against him after the hearing tomorrow."

Nutarin's face actually showed an expression then. Anger flashed across his cold features. "But your Highness, I have tried and sentenced the earl for the murder of his cousin," he said with an edge to his words. "There was no doubt of his guilt. It only remains to find him and carry out his sentence."

Obi-Wan looked at the angry lord before him as he leaned back in his chair. "And what sentence did you lay upon Lord Jinn?" he asked idly.

The duke's expression smoothed out again as he warily searched Obi-Wan's face for a clue to his thoughts. "Death, of course. He was found guilty of the murder of a Lord. Even his rank couldn't keep him from that sentence."

"Unfortunately, while you might have been within your rights to try a commoner or even a Baronet for such a crime, my father disagrees with your attempt to try an Earl of the Realm," the prince said in a thoughtful tone. He leaned forward and caught Nutarin's gaze. "That is why I am here. There will be another hearing, here at Kinnion, tomorrow at noon. I have already sent messengers to the district Lords requesting their presence. The King's Justice will be the one to determine the Earl of Kinnion's innocence or guilt."

There was a long silence as Obi-Wan held the man's gaze. Finally, the duke dropped his eyes and bowed slightly. "I will be here early, your Highness," he said, his tone again expressionless.

"We look forward to your presence, your Grace," the prince replied with a nod. "You should probably leave now if you wish to arrive at Surance before nightfall." Then Obi-Wan glanced at his squire, who approached with a goblet of cool wine. It was a blatant dismissal and something Nutarin had never received in his life. Without another word, the man turned and stalked from the hall.

"Tarren, have Ken-Dar make certain that all of his Grace's men leave the estate," Obi-Wan murmured softly. "And keep your eyes open for anyone else leaving the castle. You know what to look for." The young man nodded and bowed before he moved towards the Captain of the Guard.

Then the prince turned back to the still stunned Lady of the Hall. "Please, my lady, be seated," he said in a gentle tone. "I would like to hear what exactly has been going on here since your brother's exile."

Lady Shmi gave a rather strained smile as she sank into the seat just to the right of the Justice. "Your Highness, your coming could not have been more fortuitous," she said simply. She reached out to take her son's hand and pull him to her side. "The duke has spent the last sennight trying to establish himself here and had thought to use Anakin as a way to...keep us controlled." The women sighed and looked away. "I'm afraid he stumbled upon precisely the way to do so."

Anakin hugged her shoulders for a moment before he pulled away. He turned to the prince and gave a short bow.

"Please, your Highness, are you serious about another trial for my uncle?" he asked hopefully.

"I am," Obi-Wan replied sternly. "The King was not pleased to hear that the duke had so overstepped his boundaries."

"Then I have found out some news that you have to know!" the youth said excitedly. He practically bounced in place and Shmi called him to task.

"Anakin, be still and mind your manners before the prince," she told him. The boy just gave her a beaming smile.

"But mother, this is important!" He turned his hopeful blue gaze to the King's Justice. "Will you excuse me for a moment?" Obi-Wan's brows rose at the boy's excited demeanor. "Please."

"Very well, Lord Anakin," the prince said with a nod. "I shall content myself with your mother's company for the time being."

The boy grinned and turned to run off before he suddenly remembered to bow. "Don't worry, I'll be right back," he said gleefully and ran across the hall and out one of the servant's entrances. Shmi just watched him go with smile.

"It has been at least a month since I saw him so excited, your Highness," she said as she turned her dark eyes to the man sitting at the head of the table. "Again, you have my thanks."

"There is no need, my Lady," Obi-Wan said quietly. "I want you to know that it is not my intention to displace the Jinn family from the Kinnion estates but I need to know everything that has happened in as much detail as you can manage."

Shmi nodded but even before she could begin to speak, Anakin appeared again, dragging another, slightly older boy behind him. The second youth had short, dark hair and a slim wiry build. He was dressed in the colors of a page of the Jinn Household but looked extremely uncomfortable as he followed the young Heir of Kinnion. When the new arrival got a good look at who was present in the main hall, he set his feet hard on the floor and dragged his friend to a stop.

"Ani, I'm not sure this is a good idea," the youth stated, his eyes darting from the guards to the prince and back.

Anakin shook his head and held onto the boy's arm tightly. "No, Des, you said you'd tell my Mom what you saw! Now you can tell the prince."

"The prince?" Des practically shouted as his gaze widened and he started moving in the direction they had just come from, dragging Anakin with him. "Anakin you didn't say anything about the prince being here!"

Anakin planted his feet this time. "Stop being such a big baby, Desrin!" he chided his friend. Then he glared. "You said you'd help my uncle and this is the only way."

Shmi watched her son and his companion with something almost approaching amusement until her son mentioned the other boy's name. Then her gaze grew thoughtful as she tried to place the name. After a moment, she was able to place where she'd heard it before and she stood and hurried over to where her son was still arguing with the taller lad.

"You're Desrin, the boy Xanatos has been training," she asked as she carefully approached the pair of youths. "You're his son, aren't you?" The dark-haired teen glanced up at her warily and nodded as she looked him over and compared his appearance with everything she'd been told about him. Since her cousin was not married, the boy was obviously not legitimate but Qui-Gon had never worried over his association with Anakin. After a thoughtful moment, she held out her hand in appeal. "Please, if you know anything that might help clear Lord Jinn's name, I would give you anything you ask for."

Desrin's eyes lit up and he grinned.

"Mo-ther!" Anakin interrupted before his friend could start talking. "Don't promise him something like that! He'll walk off with Uncle Qui-Gon's treasury!"

Desrin glared at his friend, his hands on his hips. "Hey, she said anything!"

Anakin returned his friend's defiant stare. "She meant like a horse or some armor or something! You can't have the treasury cause I'll need it when I'm the earl!"

"What would I do with armor?" the taller boy demanded of his friend. "And besides, I already have a horse!"

"Well, this would be one that's normal!"

Desrin crossed his arms belligerently. "Aethelhard is normal!" he said, his lower lip coming out in a pout. "I raised him! He's exactly as he's supposed to be!"

"Boys?" Obi-Wan approached unobserved by the arguing pair of youths. Both looked up at him with wide eyes, surprised that anyone in the room would interrupt them. "Young man, you have nothing to be afraid of," the prince said as gently as he could. "If you know anything that would lead to clearing Lord Jinn's name, I would very much appreciate hearing it."

"Come on, Des," Anakin appealed to him. "You know you want to help Uncle Qui-Gon."

"S'why I'm here, isn't it?" the taller boy mumbled and he stared down at the stone floor. "Don't want anything to happen to Lord Jinn." He glanced up with a dark gaze. "Worse than it already has, anyway."

"Then tell them what you told me," the blond youth requested. "And you can have anything I already have - which is not the treasury."

Desrin took a deep breath and slowly let it go. Then he chewed on his lip. "You don't have to give me anything, Ani," he finally said quietly.

Anakin stared at his friend for a moment and then nodded. Then he turned to the prince. "Your Highness, this is Desrin Naberrie. He has news of his father."

"His father?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Lord Chiyari, sir," Lady Shmi explained quietly. "Naberrie is his mother's name."

"I see," the prince said as he looked over the boy. "Go ahead, Desrin."

Then the youth turned ice-blue eyes to the prince. "Lord Jinn didn't kill my father and I can prove it."

Qui-Gon Jinn leaned against the cave wall and watched as his oldest friend paced frantically back and forth.

"The King's Justice, Qui-Gon!" Mace said as he threw his hands up. "We're finished! We should move, take the loyal and relocate to the islands." The tall, dark man stopped and stared. "I hear the tropics are quite beautiful this time of year."

"Calm down," Qui-Gon said soothingly. "We're going nowhere."

"But it's the King's Justice! He is ruthless!" Mace began to pace again. "You heard what he did down in Kaithshire?"

"The Count deserved what happened," the former lord said firmly. "I have no doubts about that. I knew the man well enough to know he was a traitor in more ways than one." Qui-Gon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The King's Justice is fair. He will give us a fair hearing.

"Fair? You've met Yves! How can you possibly think he would be fair? He's been the King's Justice for so long he has forgotten that he was ever a mere mortal himself!" The dark skinned man paced up to his friend. "Nutarin has the county firmly on his side! And Yves doesn't bother looking too deeply if he thinks there's nothing else to find."

"People change, Mace. What I've heard lately of the King's Justice doesn't match what I knew of him years ago."

"It's not wise to trust our well being to rumors. I still think we should relocate," the man muttered under his breath. His voice trailed off as one of his guardsmen entered the cave and bowed.

"My Lord, your sister's maidservant has arrived in camp," the man said and Qui-Gon straightened to his full height, a frown coming onto his face.

"Bring her in," the earl said as he waved Mace to follow. "Make sure she wasn't followed," Qui-Gon instructed. "We don't need to take chances at this point."

The dark skinned man nodded and left the cave even as the slight figure of Shmi's maid entered. The little woman bowed hastily.

"My Lord," she said her eyes on the ground.

"Shasti," Qui-Gon said in a soft tone.

"Her ladyship sent me with news of the King's Justice," the woman said as she bit her lower lip. She darted a glance up at the tall, silent earl. She wasn't quite certain how he would take the news and wished for the hundredth time that her mistress didn't trust her so implicitly.

"Go on, lass," Qui-Gon said his face expressionless.

The timid young woman took a deep breath. "Sir, the King's Justice arrived at Kinnion this morning to take over the Jinn Holdings. The King has granted them to his Justice as a reward for work well done."

Qui-Gon's expression stiffened for just a moment before it settled into a neutral look once more. "I see." The man looked thoughtfully at his sister's maidservant. "And what of Lord Nutarin?"

"His Grace and his men were escorted off the estate after the Justice suggested he leave the hall and return to Surance." The woman shuddered for a moment. "His Grace was so very angry, your Grace.

"I imagine he was," Qui-Gon said with a rather pleased tone. He was certain that the duke had been behind the plot to betray him. Qui-Gon had no doubt that it was so the duke could get his hands on the Jinn estates. And now that plan has fallen apart thanks to the king.

The renegade's eyes narrowed briefly as another thought occurred to him. "What of Anakin?"

"He is safe, my lord," Shasti hastily assured the man. "The boy was in Lady Shmi's care before I left to bring you this news. The Justice was quite concerned with the way Lord Anakin has been treated since your disgrace. I believe he may have further things to discuss with His Grace after the hearing tomorrow."

"So there is to be a hearing tomorrow." Qui-Gon's smile grew. He turned to meet Mace's dark eyes as the man reappeared at the cave entrance. "I imagine His Grace didn't take kindly to the King's Justice disregarding Nutarin's trial."

The young woman rubbed her arms as she shivered at the memory. She'd been one of the dozen or so servants who had managed to get to the hall by the time the prince arrived.

"His Grace was...." Her words trailed off as she struggled for words that wouldn't offer insult to someone so high above her in rank.

"Frothing at the mouth?" Mace offered lightly with a grin. He was quite delighted with that image. Shasti blinked at him.

"No, sir, not quite."

Qui-Gon gave his guard captain a glare before he nodded to his sister's maid. "Please continue, Shasti."

The woman glanced up at him nervously. "Lady Shmi also asked me to tell you that the King's Justice has called for an open trail, set for tomorrow at noon, to establish officially the innocence or guilt of the Earl of Kinnion in the murder of Lord Xanatos."

The earl flinched slightly at the name and Mace was immediately at his side, a hand on his shoulder. Qui-Gon gave his oldest friend a look of thanks before the dark-skinned man stepped back again.

"I understood that my guilt had already been 'proven'," Qui-Gon noted the young maid bit her lip again.

"The Justice did not agree," the woman said as she shook her head. "He has called for all the Lords in the district to attend him on the morrow at noon."

"The man moves quickly," Mace said in a wary tone. Qui-Gon spared a brief nod.

"It's rather unlike Yves to move so fast," the former earl replied.

"Oh it's not old Prince Yves, my lord," Shasti said quickly. "It's Prince Obi-Wan." Both men stared at the young woman and she blushed hotly. "Forgive me, sir, for not saying that right off. Lady Shmi wanted me to be sure and tell you."

After a moment of silence, Qui-Gon asked, "Obi-Wan has taken the office of the King's Justice?"

"Yes, sir," came the soft reply.

The earl leaned back before he turned to Mace. The tall man was looking almost as stunned as he felt. Qui-Gon didn't even know the lad was back in the country.

"Was there anything else my sister wanted to pass along?" the earl finally asked as he turned back to Shasti. Slowly, the woman shook her head with a relieved look on her face. "Thank you, lass," he said as he gestured to one of his men at the mouth of the cave. "Ostin will make sure you get safely back to Kinnion"

The woman gave him a low curtsy before she scurried from the cave. Qui-Gon said nothing for a moment before Mace walked to his side.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said thoughtfully, "the King's Justice."

"That explains much considering the rumors you've heard," his friend stated, his tone lighter than it had been before. "If anyone could find the truth, it would be your lad."

Then former earl's brows rose almost warily. "My lad?" he asked.

Mace just nodded. "Your lad," he confirmed. "Had the king not dragged the boy off for training elsewhere, you'd have had his braid round your wrist the minute he was knighted."

Qui-Gon looked at his friend for a long, silent moment. Mace didn't look away, just held that steady regard until the earl sighed and turned away.

"That was a decade ago, Mace, and much has changed." The taller man gave his friend an almost wistful smile as he seated himself on the ground and gestured Mace down beside him. "I have changed if nothing else. He'll be a knight in his Prime and I'm just a decade older. Hopefully, he'll at least remember me fondly."

His dark-skinned friend just stared at him before he snorted and walked over to retrieve a skin flask and two mugs from a rather rickety table. "Qui-Gon, that boy was besotted with you and it wasn't just the affection a padawan had for his master," he as he settled down beside his friend. "Even if his feelings have mellowed over the years, I can tell you that he'll remember you a damn sight more warmly than just 'fondly'."

Qui-Gon didn't know quite how to respond to Mace's statement as he accepted the mug of ale his friend handed him. Before he could speak, however, three of his guardsmen appeared at the cave's mouth escorting a fourth, unfamiliar figure. The man's hood was down and the earl could see that he was young with sharp, angular features of the Far Eastern continent. He had perhaps a score of seasons behind him yet the young man's dark eyes met his own gaze confidently and with a calmness that seemed out of place in a captive.

The young man was sharply jerked to a halt by a rough hand on his shoulder as the ranking guardsman bowed before his the earl.

"My Lord, we found this foreigner in the forest near our perimeter. He was unarmed but we think he was spying. He says he has a message for you." The guard's tone indicated his disbelief but the young arrival just gazed steadily at the earl.

"Indeed?" the earl said his tone neutral. For some reason that made the young man grin. Qui-Gon's left brow rose slightly at the captive's apparent amusement, which made the young man snicker. "You are amused by your predicament?" the earl asked, honestly curious.

"Forgive me, my lord, but I now understand where my Knight Master learned his favorite expressions," the young man said, his words holding only a slight accent.

"You're a squire?" Mace suddenly asked, his tone carrying much of the guardman's disbelief. The young arrival nodded and slowly pulled a long, slender braid of dark hair from its hiding place under his cloak.

"And who is your master?" Qui-Gon asked, already certain of the answer.

"I am apprenticed to his Highness, Prince Obi-Wan Kenobi," the young man said proudly. "I am called Tarren Il'manthia," he continued with a low bow. "My master sent me to follow Lady Shmi's maid with a message for his Lordship, the Earl of Kinnion."

The hand on Tarren's shoulder dropped as though it had been burned. Qui-Gon just looked the young man over with a keen eye.

"The Earl of Kinnion has been exiled and declared a murderer," he said in a soft, dark tone. The squire shook his head.

"His Highness has declared that until he, himself, rules on the matter that Lord Qui-Gon Jinn is innocent. He would like you to appear at the trial on the morrow to defend your case first hand."

"It could be a trap, my lord," the guardsman standing beside Tarren stated flatly with an unfriendly glare aimed at the squire. Tarren didn't even bother to glance his way.

"What assurance do we have from Prince Kenobi that he will not take Lord Jinn into custody if he appears?" Mace asked as he stepped forward and tried to loom over the shorter squire.

"I am the assurance, sir," Tarren returned calmly. "I am his Highness's squire, honored also with the title of Padawan. Prince Kenobi will make no move against you so long as I am held as an Assurance."

Qui-Gon looked over the young man, wondering just how deep his bond with his master knight was.

"Surely you cannot believe that a squire wouldn't be sacrificed to bring a renegade lord to Justice," Mace replied haughtily.

Tarren turned his dark gaze on Mace and shook his head. "His Highness would and has moved mountains to secure my safety, sir," he said with a quiet pride. "We encountered more than one battle while Prince Kenobi was training with the Sifters of Truth. But I believe Prince Obi-Wan wishes you to rely more on the fact that my betrothed is Lord Ken-Dar Kenobi, Captain of his Guard. Ken-Dar will insure that no one will attack you, either from our troops or anyone else's, as long as I am in your party."

Qui-Gon's brow rose curiously. "I have heard of Ken-Dar, Captain of the Justice's Guardsmen. A fierce warrior, they say."

Tarren beamed at the earl.

"Anyone could say they are affianced to a guard captain but proving it is something else," Mace pointed out rather snidely.

Tarren's expression turned to a scowl. "Sir, I have no token other than my lover's regard," Tarren grated. "I am but a squire and not yet able to take on Ken-Dar's mark. But my master trusted me to convince my Lord Earl to attend the prince on the morrow as his Highness wishes nothing more than to clear Lord Jinn's name."

"That does nothing to convince me, boy," Mace replied haughtily. He would have continued but Qui-Gon stepped to his side and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I believe the lad," Lord Jinn stated quietly, looking the squire over from dark hair to modest shoes. "We will break camp before dawn and make our way to Kinnion."

"But Qui-Gon..." Mace began only to be interrupted by Lord Jinn.

"We cannot hide here forever, Mace," Qui-Gon stated firmly. "I know I'm not guilty. If anyone can prove that over the bias of the duke, Obi-Wan can." The earl gave a reminiscent grin. "He could always out-stubborn any number of mules. I am eager to see what kind of man my padawan has become."

"If you're hoping he's any less stubborn, you're doomed to disappointment, my Lord," Tarren popped out before he could stop himself. Teasing his master was one thing but this was an earl.

Qui-Gon just chuckled and ruffled the young man's spiky black hair. "Of that I have no doubt, Tarren," he stated. Mace just rolled his eyes and sighed grandly.

The next day

Obi-Wan paced the stone floor of his room, muttering dire imprecations under his breath. His chain mail rattled more than it usually did, no matter what his borrowed squire had done before the prince sent him on his way; Obi-Wan ka-chinged every time he took a step. He stopped suddenly, shook his body from head to toe and then straightened. Then he took a few steps.

ching ching ching

"Dammit!"

"It's your own fault," an irritated voice informed him and the prince turned to glare at his cousin. Ken-Dar glared right back. "If you hadn't sent Tarren to Jinn, he'd have you turned out perfectly as always." The guard captain leaned back against the wall with an angry expression. "But you just had to send him straight into danger, right into the hands of a renegade murderer."

"Qui-Gon Jinn is not a murderer! Tarren will be perfectly safe," Obi-Wan snapped as he took a menacing step forward. Then he stopped and curled his hands into fists before he slowly released them. He forced himself to take a long, calming breath. Today the tranquility that usually came with donning his tabard of office was nowhere to be found and that was worrying him. Above all things, the King's Justice must be unbiased and focused when sifting for well-hidden truths. It was especially vital now since he was known to have a previous relationship with the alleged criminal.

With a surprised expression, Ken-Dar watched his prince calm himself. During the past year in which he'd served as Obi-Wan's Captain, he'd never seen his cousin so restless while wearing his symbol of office. Yet here he was, pacing like a groom before a blade-wedding.

"I apologize, Ken-Dar," Obi-Wan finally said formally, "but truly Tarren is safe with Lord Jinn. I would never have placed him in danger. Qui-Gon would never hurt him."

"It's been a decade, Obi-Wan," the Captain replied quietly. "People change. How do you know Jinn is innocent?"

"I know, Ken," the prince replied with no doubt. "Lady Shmi is much the same as I remember and her son, Anakin, seems a strong, steady boy. Qui-Gon's servants defend him without question. Someone who would lose his temper to the point of murder would not be so beloved by his household." Ken-Dar opened his mouth to speak but Obi-Wan held up his hand. "And what of the boy's words? You know he could not lie to me."

"We have yet to see what he promised," Ken-Dar noted absently as he walked up to his prince and circled him, making slight adjustments here and there to the fit of the mail. With a final yank, the Captain stepped away and studied the younger man. He glanced up to meet his cousin's eyes. "Where's the dagger?" he asked quietly.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath before his eyes glanced towards his belongings piled on the bed and then back to his cousin. "That dagger was given to me by a close friend, a mentor, my Knight Master. Wearing it after I had been sent away to the continent kept his friendship and wisdom close to me when I felt completely lost." The prince took a few blessedly ching-free steps and smiled slightly before he forced himself to stillness. He caught and held his cousin's gaze. "But this matter is one in which I can acknowledge Qui-Gon Jinn only as the Earl of Kinnion, a possible murderer. I am...finding it difficult to distance myself in this matter." Obi-Wan slowly rubbed his forehead. "Even after a decade away, I find myself longing to see him."

Ken-Dar studied the younger man for a long moment. "There is more here than just friendship," he stated calmly.

Obi-Wan sighed and walked across the room, stopping before the pile of clothing on his bed. He rummaged through the clothes for a moment before he found the sheathed dagger he had carried for more than ten years. The prince studied it, tracing the coat of arms on its hilt.

"I had entertained certain hopes," he finally replied quietly. "Lord Jinn had...implied that he did as well."

Ken-Dar took a step closer to his cousin, his best friend. "Obi-Wan...." he began only to be cut off as the prince turned to him.

"Do you understand now why I must prove his innocence beyond all doubt? I cannot just say Nutarin is lying though I can feel it without even trying. I cannot make a Judgment of Sight this time as my previous relationship with Lord Jinn would be called in as possible bias. I could lose all the credibility of my office." Obi-Wan carefully replaced the dagger on the bed and then joined his cousin by the door. "If the boy can provide the proof he says he can, I won't have to worry about that. Nutarin will be shown as false and Qui-Gon reinstated to his rank."

"And if the boy can't?" Ken-Dar asked quietly. "What then Obi-Wan. What if Jinn did kill his cousin?"

The prince glanced away for a long, silent moment. His whole body went still as he gathered his power. When Obi-Wan returned his gaze to his Captain, Ken-Dar saw only the cold hazel eyes of the King's Justice.

"The boy has pledged on what honor he has that what he says is truth and truth is what I saw in him. But should that not be the case, I will do what must be done," Prince Kenobi said with no expression. "Come, Cousin, I believe the Lords await us."

Ken-Dar opened the door for his prince and then followed at his heels as they left the room.

"All stand! Stand and make way for the most honorable and noble King's Justice!" an unfamiliar voice cried out as Obi-Wan approached the raised dais set up on one side of Castle Kinnion's enormous receiving courtyard. The prince idly decided that whomever was crying out his welcome didn't do so quite as well as Tarren. "All welcome, his Honorable and Serene Highness, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Obi-Wan moved up the steps with his usual determined stride, his head held high and his expression carefully neutral. There was a single, throne-like chair in the center of the dais and Obi-Wan sat down without hesitation. He knew his guard captain had stationed himself just behind him and to the right. The position just to his left remained unoccupied until such time as Tarren returned to take up his duties as squire.

The King's Justice looked out over the nobles seated before him and further out, at the commoners who had come to witness the retrial of the earl. A formal hearing by the Justice of the royal line was a rare thing and had not happened in this area for several years. All the District Lords were present with the notable exception of Xanatos, who was the subject of the inquiry. The one other ranking lord, the Viscount of Gahrin, sat quietly with the District Lords, as far away from Nutarin as it was possible to be. Nutarin, himself, sat in a seat slightly removed from the lesser lords and surrounded by his guardsmen.

"Thank you, my lords, for attending my call today," Obi-Wan began. He used a trick the Truth Sifters had shown him to project his voice across the courtyard so that all could hear him effortlessly. "I am here to determine the guilt or innocence of Qui-Gon Jinn, Earl of Kinnion, in the murder of Xanatos Chiyari, Lord of the Telosian District."

The warrior leaned back slightly in his chair as his eyes swept over the assembled nobles. He watched their expressions, as they understood it was possible that Lord Nutarin's verdict of guilty might be overturned. On many faces, there were smug looks of glee. Obi-Wan noted them as well as the ones who looked hopeful. None of the gathered lords looked as though they were upset by the possibility of Qui-Gon Jinn being cleared. Only Nutarin pressed his lips together and glared straight ahead.

"I have been told that Lord Nutarin has gathered information that indicates Lord Jinn was responsible for Lord Chiyari's death," the prince continued with a slight nod in Nutarin's direction. "I will hear the accounts of the witnesses and then allow Lord Jinn a defense against the accusations."

The duke's expression became smug as he rose from his seat and gave a shallow bow.

"Your Grace," Obi-Wan called.

"Your Highness," Nutarin began, "How will Lord Jinn defend himself when he has not even shown himself for his own hearing. His absence speaks for itself."

The King's Justice nodded. "Many would say that is the case. I am not one of those people," Obi-Wan replied as he motioned to one of his guardsmen who was stationed on the outer walls.

The man nodded and then waved at someone beyond the walls. A few moments later, the commoners who had filled the outer courtyard melted out of the way to allow several horsemen to move past them. Qui-Gon Jinn sat calmly on the leading mount, followed by Tarren and Mace and the rest of the men who had exiled themselves with their lord. They came to a halt near the noblemen's area of seats and some of Obi-Wan's guardsmen moved to take their horses and the men dismounted. A moment later, the Earl of Kinnion bowed for the first time before Prince Kenobi, King's Justice.

"Lord Jinn," Obi-Wan said.

"Your Highness," Qui-Gon replied.

Many eyes watched the pair for their reactions. It hadn't taken long for the gossips in the area to remember that Obi-Wan had once been named Padawan to Lord Jinn and now here was the boy presiding over his Knight Master's trial.

But the expression on the prince's face was entirely neutral and if Lord Jinn expected anything different he gave no sign. It had, after all, been more than a decade. Perhaps there was no feeling left between them.

"You know the gravity of the charge laid before you, Lord Jinn," the younger man said, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

"I do, my prince," the man replied quietly.

"Will you give up your arms and give yourself into the custody of the King's Justice?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "I come before you unarmed having given up my weapons to your Padawan Squire," the earl said with a glance at the silent young man to his left. Tarren held up a sword and dagger for the prince's inspection.

"Very well. Your men may adjourn to what seats they may find," Obi-Wan said and then turned to his guard captain. "Captain Kenobi, would you please escort Lord Jinn to the Defendant's seat and stand at his side until his guilt or innocence is proclaimed?"

Showing no sign that the prince's request was highly unusual, Ken-Dar bowed and gestured for his second to take his place at Obi-Wan's side.

The prince knew Ken-Dar would guard the earl against anything unusual Nutarin might have planned for the hearing. The Justice almost hoped the duke attempted something as Ken-Dar stepped down and moved towards the earl. It would be entertaining to see what would happen should Ken-Dar get truly irritated.

As the Captain approached the newly arrived party, Obi-Wan thought Ken-Dar was probably spending more time eyeing Tarren for any damage rather than assessing how dangerous the Earl of Kinnion might be. However, none of that showed as Ken-Dar gave the earl a bow and then gestured towards the smaller dais set aside for the Defendant and his guards.

Qui-Gon just nodded before he turned and instructed his people to disperse into the crowd. Mace, however, looked stubborn. Obi-Wan headed off the possible storm with a single sentence.

"You may have one advisor by your side, Lord Jinn, should Captain Windu wish to accompany you," the prince stated calmly.

Qui-Gon nodded and then moved to follow Ken-Dar. When Tarren would have followed, however, the earl stopped and shook his head.

"Attend your master, Squire Il'manthia," Lord Jinn stated, his tone brooking no disagreement. After a moment of surprise, the squire turned and approached the dais where Obi-Wan was seated. The young man bowed before the prince and then moved up the stairs to take his place just to the left of his master. Obi-Wan was surprised at how much his squire's presence eased his inner nerves.

After Lord Jinn and his Captain were settled into seats and Ken-Dar found his place standing just behind, Obi-Wan turned his attention back to Nutarin. The duke had had to remain standing since the prince had not given leave for him to sit and Obi-Wan could see the anger snapping in the man's dark eyes.

"Your Grace, you may now present your evidence against Lord Jinn," the Justice allowed with a nod.

"Thank you, your Highness," the man replied tightly before he turned to a man seated just behind him. "My barrister, Glenin, will present the evidence."

"Very well, your Grace, you may be seated," Obi-Wan said, turning his gaze to the obviously nervous man who now rose and approached the dais.

"If your Highness will permit, I will present the charges." Obi-Wan waved him to continue and the man opened the folded parchment he held and cleared his throat. "Lord Qui-Gon Jinn, Earl of Kinnion has been accused of the murder of his cousin, District Lord Xanatos Chiyari."

"By whom?" the Prince asked, interrupting the man. Glenin looked surprised and then confused.

"Your Highness?"

"Who has accused Lord Jinn of the murder?" The barrister floundered for a moment before his gaze darted back to the duke. Obi-Wan fought the urge to roll his eyes and gestured to the paper the man held. "Is that the official accusation?" he asked and the man glanced down at it.

"Yes, your Highness."

Obi-Wan turned to Tarren. "Fetch it for me please, Squire."

Without a word, the young man left his master's side to retrieve the accusation from the barrister's hand. A moment more and the prince was reading it himself. Then he handed it to Tarren.

"Read it off please, Tarren, including the accuser's name and reasons.

The young man took the paper and stepped forward.

"Lord Qui-Gon Jinn, Earl of Kinnion has been accused of the murder of his cousin, District Lord Xanatos Chiyari by his Grace, the Duke of Surance," Tarren stated in his fluid tenor, which carried almost as well as his master's voice. "On the eight night of April, it is stated that Lord Jinn and Lord Xanatos argued over the purchase of a prime stallion at auction which Lord Xanatos won. It is suspected that Lord Jinn followed Lord Xanatos and killed him for the horse. However, before he could flee with the animal, Lord Nutarin's guardsmen happened along and saw Lord Jinn as he escaped into the darkness. Signed, Avrem Nutarin, Duke of Surance."

Tarren then refolded the parchment and handed it to his prince before stepping back to his position.

"Very well, Barrister, present your witnesses," the King's Justice stated, "and know each one, that I will be using the Sifter's Sight to determine if they are lying. Should I find that they are lying, their testimony will be thrown out and that witness will be charged with attempted deception of the King's Justice. The penalty for such is immediate exile to the continent with attempted return resulting in death. That penalty is the same whether common or high born." The barrister stared at him for a long moment before the prince gestured for him to proceed.

Glenin cleared his throat again before turning to call the first witness, an obviously wellborn young man who approached the dais with a wary expression. After only a slight hesitation, he bowed and then seated himself in the chair that was set up for the witnesses.

The barrister then began to question the young man, having him state his name and occupation. He was Kopil Reperin, son of the man who auctioned off the horse that supposedly led to Xanatos' death.

"And did Lord Jinn bid against his cousin for the horse?"

"Yes, sir. The bidding was fierce between them. Lord Xanatos barely edged out Lord Jinn for the purchase of the stallion."

"And after the purchase, did Lord Jinn argue with Lord Xanatos?"

The young man grimaced and glanced quickly up at the prince before he replied. "Yes, they argued."

"And did Lord Jinn leave shortly after Lord Xanatos?"

"Yes."

"Very well, you may step down."

The young man looked relieved until Obi-Wan leaned forward.

"Hold, please, I have some questions to ask," he stated. Kopil glanced up with a nervous look but settled himself back into the chair.

"You said Lord Jinn and Lord Xanatos bid fiercely on the stallion," Obi-Wan noted. "Was anyone else bidding for the horse?"

"There were a number of bidders, your Highness," Kopil replied before he glanced away.

"But towards the end, how many people were bidding on the horse when Xanatos won him?"

"Three, your Highness."

"And who was the third?"

"His Grace, the Duke of Surance was the third bidder," the young man said reluctantly with a glance at the aristocrat in question.

"And when you say Lord Jinn and Lord Xanatos were arguing, was it a fierce argument? The kind that would lead you to expect murder?" The prince was watching the younger man's expression closely, looking with more than just his eyes.

"Well..." he began and the prince's hazel eyes narrowed. The man practically flinched. "No, sir, it was more of a teasing argument. I was surprised to find that it had led Lord Jinn to kill Lord Xanatos."

"One final question," Obi-Wan said as he glanced over the assembled crowd. "Lord Jinn allegedly murdered his cousin over a horse and then fled. Do you know what happened to the stallion?"

"Ummm..." The auctioneer's son shot another nervous glance towards the duke before he chewed his lower lip for a moment. Then he sighed. "The stallion is currently in Lord Nutarin's stables. I was called the next morning to ascertain its health."

Prince Kenobi nodded. "Thank you, Master Reperin, you may go." The words were barely out of Obi-Wan's mouth before the young man bowed and disappeared into the crowd. The Justice then glanced at Glenin. "Your next witness, Barrister?"

The man absently wiped a few drops of sweat from his forehead before he continued. The next witness he called was a young warrior from the duke's personal guard who had been with the patrol that had stumbled upon the crime.

"...And did you see the man who murdered Lord Xanatos?" Glenin asked.

The guard quickly glanced at Nutarin before he sent a worried look at the silent prince. "I saw the one who I thought had killed his Lordship," he stammered out.

"And was it Lord Jinn?"

"It was so dark, I couldn't see very clearly," the warrior grated with another wary look at the royal. "It could have been Lord Jinn."

Glenin wiped his forehead again. "Very well." Before he released his witness this time, however, he glanced at the prince. "Did you have further questions, your Highness?"

"I do," Obi-Wan said in a neutral tone. "You say you came upon someone who might have been Lord Jinn who had just killed Lord Xanatos, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir," the man replied with a wary tone.

"Can you tell me how the assailant killed Lord Xanatos? I have been told the murderer ran off into the wood so I assume he was not on a horse himself at the time of the assault."

The warrior froze for a moment and then licked his lips. "He had been shot with an arrow. As to how that happened, I guess the murderer must have been some distance away when he fired and then came to check the body."

"You guess? You didn't see this happen?"

"No, sir," the man admitted. "The body was on the ground and a figure was crouched over it. He saw us coming and bolted."

"And what led you to believe the figure who ran off into the darkness was Lord Jinn?"

"Well...ahhh...basically," the man stammered for a moment before he pressed his lips together and stared straight ahead. "Because the guard captain shouted out Lord Jinn's name when the man ran into the forest."

"So do you believe it was Lord Jinn?"

"I...can't say it was and I can't say it wasn't."

"Very well, you saw the assailant whom you, yourself, could not identify, is that correct?"

The guard chewed his lower lip a moment before he answered. "Yes, sir," he finally stated.

"Very well. My final question is what happened to Lord Xanatos body?"

The guard actually looked startled. "Sir?"

"What happened to Lord Xanatos' body? I understand the remains were never returned to his family."

"I-I-I don't know, sir," the warrior stammered, glancing towards his lord and then back at the prince. "I was sent with half my patrol to escort the stallion back to Surance."

Obi-Wan stared at the guard for a long moment before he leaned back and rubbed his forehead. After a long, silent minute of contemplation, the King's Justice allowed the guardsman to step down. Again the man was up and gone within seconds of Obi-Wan releasing him from his time on the witness chair.

"Barrister, you may call the next witness," Obi-Wan said with almost no expression.

Over the next half hour, Glenin called four other witnesses, all guardsmen of Lord Nutarin's patrol. Noticeably absent was the guard captain who, Nutarin said at the prince's question, was assigned other duties and unable to attend the hearing. Obi-Wan had nodded slowly and continued the questions.

From his seat just to the right of the main dais where the prince sat, Lord Jinn kept his expression passive throughout the questioning. His eyes, however, were highly amused as the prince tore gaping holes in the witnesses' testimony with only a few logical questions. The guardsmen, who had been so easy to prompt for the answers Nutarin had wanted to hear during the initial trial, were not quite so confident of their answers when they knew the penalty for lying was disgrace and exile.

As Qui-Gon understood it, each of these men had named him without a doubt as being the man who'd fled the scene when the duke's patrol had arrived. When questioned by the King's Justice, however, none had personally identified him when to do so was to lie outright. And worse, none of the men had been able to state what happened to the body of Lord Xanatos. His remains had never been returned to his estate. When questioned, Nutarin had only said his priest had taken care of the business and unfortunately was unavailable to comment.

Obi-Wan's lips had actually twitched into an angry sneer for a moment before he rigidly controlled his expression. Such disregard for the remains of anyone was near to dishonor and that the body had been kept from the family was something Qui-Gon suspected his prince would discuss with Nutarin after the hearing was concluded.

"Fortunately, Lord Nutarin, I took the liberty of having Father Lilan brought to Kinnion early this morning," the prince finally responded to the duke before he turned and gestured to a pair of his guards. They immediately moved forward, escorting a man Qui-Gon recognized as the priest who held the Surance's diocese. Despite, Nutarin's influence, Qui-Gon had always considered Lilan to be a rather trustworthy and religious man. Since the priest had not testified at the trial that had found him guilty, Qui-Gon was interested in hearing Lilan's testimony.

The priest stopped before the prince and gave a humble bow. "Your Highness," he greeted Obi-Wan with a sincere warmth.

"Father Lilan," Obi-Wan replied with a nod. "Thank you for coming so quickly to relate your testimony concerning the death of Lord Xanatos?"

The man's face fell into an expression of sadness but he nodded. "Of course, your Highness. A sad business that."

Qui-Gon's eyes caught a movement in the crowd and noted Lord Nutarin speaking intently with his barrister. Glenin was looking faint but he just shook his head. The earl grinned at the man's discomfort before he turned his attention back to the priest who had settled calmly into the witness chair.

"Barrister Glenin, do you have any questions for the father?" Obi-Wan asked, glancing over at the man who straightened away from the duke and stepped forward.

"Yes, your Highness," he replied and approached the priest. "Will you tell us when was the first time you saw Xanatos Chiyari on the evening of April 8th?"

The priest nodded. "I was just completing my evening devotions when someone came knocking at my door. It was two of Lord Nutarin's guardsmen with the body of Xanatos Chiyari. The young man had been shot through the back with an arrow and the guardsmen had been instructed to bring him to me for the last rites and burial."

"And what did you do?"

"I requested the guardsmen to bring the body to the chapel and I had them lay it on the table there. I wasn't strong enough to lift the body on my own but I wanted to clean him and prepare him to be sent to his family."

"And did you ask the men who brought the body what had happened?"

"Yes, they said Lord Chiyari had been shot down in an attempt to steal his horse but I confess I wasn't truly paying attention. I was more concerned with getting the young man's remains prepared."

Glenin shot a look at his duke before he nodded and stepped back. "I have no further questions, your Highness.

Obi-Wan nodded and then turned to the priest. "Father Lilan, can you say for certain that the body that was brought to you that evening was that of Xanatos Chiyari?"

"Oh yes, Highness," the old man stated calmly. "He had that long black hair they all like to sport and he looked just like his father, god rest his soul."

Obi-Wan was still for a long moment before he continued. "Can you tell us what happened to Lord Chiyari's remains?"

"Yes, your Highness. Lord Nutarin requested the next day that I bury the young man in the cemetery behind my little church."

The prince glanced at Nutarin for a moment. "But isn't it custom to return the remains to the family?"

"It is, sir, but my lord Nutarin gave these instructions and said the family would prefer it that way. I thought it was strange at the time but Lord Chiyari's mother and sisters visit his grave often with flowers and prayers."

Qui-Gon snarled inwardly at Xan's fate but only allowed himself a brief glare in Nutarin's direction as Obi-Wan released the priest from the witness chair. His younger cousin might have been brash and arrogant but Xanatos had been as dear to him as any younger brother. He should have been interred in his own family's cemetery with his father. Who was Nutarin to deny that to the Chiyari family?

Since he'd spent the better part of the month keeping away from Nutarin's guards, Qui-Gon had, so far, been unable to find out who had killed his cousin. Hopefully, that would change when the prince cleared his name.

As the priest was escorted away, a familiar page in the Jinn colors ascended the dais and leaned down to whisper in the prince's ear. Briefly, Qui-Gon wondered exactly what young Desrin was doing sporting the Jinn family colors. And why was he whispering into the prince's ear? What news could the boy have that would be of interest to the King's Justice?

During that brief respite in the hearing offered by Desrin's report to the prince - whatever it might be - Qui-Gon turned his attention to Nutarin, who was having a difficult time maintaining an expression of polite interest. Prince Kenobi had easily shown that his witnesses' testimonies were sorely lacking in weight and now the duke had nothing to prove his accusations.

If he were lucky, the duke would escape with a stern reprimand from the Crown for such an obvious misuse of his authority. Qui-Gon found himself hoping the duke would not be lucky.

He returned his gaze to his former padawan just as Obi-Wan nodded at the page and the prince smiled for a moment. Then their eyes met for the first time since the testimonies began and Qui-Gon couldn't help but hold that gaze he'd so missed when his padawan was sent away to the continent. Obi-Wan had just enough time to wink before his expression turned impassive again and he waved the page away.

"Now, Barrister, if that is the total of your witnesses for the prosecution, you may present your witnesses for the defense of the accused," Obi-Wan stated calmly. Qui-Gon watched in silent amusement as the barrister wiped his forehead again.

"There are none, your Highness," the man practically squeaked as the Justice narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. Obi-Wan turned to the duke.

"Lord Nutarin, you tried a man, an Earl of the King's line, and condemned him to death with no witnesses for his defense?" the prince asked quietly. For the first time this morning, there was some expression in the Obi-Wan's tone, that of blatant disbelief.

The duke slowly stood to reply. "Your Highness, no one came forward to plead on his behalf," the man replied with a slight smile.

"And you convicted him based on the testimonies of the men I've heard here today?" the prince demanded. "Not a single witness you've provided has been able to place Lord Jinn undeniably near the scene. Not a single witness has even been able to describe the assailant. You don't even have a body to show that anyone was murdered. Please explain to me your reasoning for condemning a man to death when you cannot prove his guilt."

An angry expression flashed across Nutarin's face at the prince's scornful w ords but he stepped forward, intent on defending his verdict of guilty. A moment later, however, the prince waved him off.

"Never mind," Obi-Wan said in a tone that indicated he'd decided that Nutarin's reasons were useless. "Fortunately, I have a witness of impeccable reputation who sent word to me last evening that he would be willing to speak on the earl's behalf. You and your barrister may be seated."

The duke flushed hotly at the prince's dismissal but obviously Obi-Wan had reached the end of his patience with the farce of a trial Nutarin had held to convict Lord Jinn. Glenin wasted no time is moving back to his seat. Nutarin, however, walked slowly back to his place.

Obi-Wan waited until the man was seated before he leaned forward again and addressed the crowd.

"Thus far I have not heard any testimony that would lead me to believe that Lord Jinn is guilty of the crime he has been accused," the prince stated as he glanced towards the defendant. "However, since Lord Nutarin saw fit to convict Lord Jinn of his cousin's murder, I would be doing the duke a disservice were I not to prove Lord Jinn's innocence completely. Therefore, I ask that Page Naberrie bring forward the final witness of the morning."

The surname, Naberrie, was not familiar to Qui-Gon though he thought he knew all the pages that were trained in his hall. Nevertheless, the same page that had earlier brought the prince a message now slowly escorted a cloaked figure through the crowd closely followed by two other Guardsmen wearing the Royal Blue surcoats of the King's Justice.

The little group came to a halt before Obi-Wan's dais. The cloaked figure gave an awkward bow, his hand resting rather heavily on the page's shoulder. Obi-Wan gave the figure a respectful nod.

"We thank you for your willingness to testify on Lord Jinn's behalf," the prince said before he glanced at his squire with a grin. "Call the next witness, if you will, Padawan."

Qui-Gon saw the squire's answering grin before he stepped forward.

"The King's Justice calls Lord Xanatos Chiyari to testify," Tarren called in grand tones that echoed through the complete silence of the courtyard. A moment later, the figure dropped his hood and Lord Jinn clearly saw the quirky grin of his favorite cousin flash at him before the page helped him towards the witness' seat.

Then the crowd started to believe that Xanatos Chiyari really was about to testify in his own murder trial and murmurs became outright questions, which became shouts of surprise. The earl didn't even realize he had risen to his feet for a better view of his unexpectedly alive cousin until the gentle hand of Obi-Wan's Captain settled on his shoulder.

"Please be seated, my lord," Ken-Dar said with a smirk quite like the prince's. "It won't be much longer now."

"Of course," he said absently, his gaze caught by the pallor of Xan's face. The younger man was obviously very weak but there was determination in his eyes as he sent Qui-Gon another grin. The earl returned his cousin's grin and then sank back into his chair even as his gaze turned to find Nutarin in the crowd.

The man was blatantly furious and unsurprisingly there was now a wide space of empty chairs surrounding him.

Obi-Wan waited a few minutes until it was obvious that the crowd wasn't going to calm on its own. He gestured again and Tarren stepped forward.

"His Royal Highness calls for silence!" the squire stated and again his voice rolled across the courtyard. Qui-Gon suspected that it wasn't just the squire's lung power that accomplished the total silence that followed.

"Thank you," the prince stated politely as his squire stepped back into place. Then he turned to the young man seated in the witness chair. "I am going to assume that since Barrister Glenin didn't call any witnesses for the defense that he doesn't have any questions for you, Lord Chiyari."

"As you will, your Highness," the dark-haired man said.

"Obviously, you are not dead," the prince stated, "so would you please tell me how that came about?"

"Of course, your Highness," the man replied. "On the evening that I won the stallion, Lord Jinn and I parted ways before I left to return home. My groom, Xansin, was riding my new acquisition, checking him over for possible problems. We were almost to the gates of my estate when an arrow came out of the darkness and killed him instantly." The man turned to glare at Nutarin for a long moment. "It was not something spoken of openly but Xansin was my younger, half-brother and had more than a passing resemblance to me."

Xanatos took a long breath before he continued. "It was only a moment later that Lord Nutarin's patrol arrived and the first words from their mouths were 'stop murderer' so I ran. I took a bolt in my shoulder from the bowman with their party but I was able to keep running. There wasn't much of a pursuit."

"And where have you been for the past month while your cousin was accused of your murder?" Obi-Wan asked.

Xanatos turned an apologetic look towards his cousin. "I took refuge in the home of a friend and soon after the wound I had received from the arrow became infected. I understand it was several days before I was lucid enough to tell what had happened and by then Lord Nutarin had already convicted Lord Jinn and his estate was forfeit."

"Why did you not step forward at that time?"

The man shrugged delicately. "Until I was strong enough, I was waiting to announce my not-death before I could make my way to my cousin's band of followers. I did not believe it would be safe to appear again until I had some support to keep me not-dead."

"You believed yourself to be in danger?" the prince asked, his eyes watchful.

"I did, your Highness, Xanatos replied with an unusually serious expression in his eyes. "Obviously, someone had wanted me dead and my half-brother had already paid the price. I didn't want anyone else that might be associated with me to meet the same fate."

"Very well," Prince Kenobi said with a nod. "You may step down, Lord Chiyari."

The man nodded and stood, still a bit wobbly as Page Naberrie helped him back towards the castle.

Obi-Wan then turned his attention to the red-faced duke. "Lord Nutarin, based on the court's findings, do you agree that Lord Jinn is innocent of the murder of his cousin, Lord Chiyari?" he asked officially.

"Obviously, Lord Jinn is innocent, your Highness," the duke snarled as he glared at the alive-and-well dead man he'd thought was well out of the way. Obi-Wan just narrowed his eyes in a dangerous expression.

"It wasn't obvious, your Grace, otherwise this hearing would not have been necessary," he pointed out. "You owe Lord Jinn a public apology for the slander to his name during the past month. Also, you can be certain I shall be discussing the abuse of the rights and privileges granted to the Duchy of Surance with my father. Expect a summons within the month to explain to your King exactly why you were able to convict an Earl of the Realm with the murder of a man who wasn't dead."

The duke stiffened but didn't dare to reply. Qui-Gon was certain he could hear the man's teeth grinding across the courtyard.

He would have smirked but the prince was now addressing him.

"Lord Qui-Gon Jinn, the King's Justice finds you innocent of all charges. All lands and titles previously stripped away by the duke's conviction are returned to you," Obi-Wan stated.

The earl stood and bowed to his prince. "My thanks, your Highness," he replied. Obi-Wan smiled in reply before he continued speaking.

"Captain Kenobi," he called as Ken-Dar stepped down from the Defendant's dais. "While Lord Jinn has been found innocent of the charges leveled at him, there has been a murder that has been ignored." Halfway to the main doors of the castle, Qui-Gon saw Xanatos stop and turned back with a surprised expression. "I charge you with the task of finding out who murdered Lord Chiyari's brother. You have free rein to investigate any lead. Do everything you can to bring the true murderer to justice."

Ken-Dar grinned widely at his prince's charge and he bowed from the waist. "I shall do my best to find the ones responsible, your Highness," he stated as his hand dropped to the hilt of his sword.

"I suspected you would, Captain," the prince replied before he turned back to the crowd. "This hearing is officially over. However, for those with issues of a judicial nature, I shall be imposing on the Earl of Kinnion for quarters for the next month at least," he said with an inquiring look towards his former master. Qui-Gon just smiled back and bowed. "Speak with his Lordship's reeve if anyone should have an issue they wish to bring before me."

The crowd began to press forward but Prince Kenobi turned once again and called out, "Lord Nutarin?"

The man looked up from where he was addressing his guardsmen in low, heated tones and forced his expression into one of neutrality.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Please be certain to return Lord Chiyari's horse in good condition to Kinnion Castle on the morrow," the Justice commanded gravely. "It would be a shame should the reason for all this grief not be returned to its owner."

Nutarin stared at the prince for a long moment, obviously taking in a slow breath before he bowed very slightly. "Of course, your Highness."

And with those words, the King's Justice stepped down from his seat and headed towards the main hall. Within a few steps, he was beside Qui-Gon, who bowed and allowed the prince to precede him but followed closely.

The afternoon had been long and many stayed to celebrate the innocence of the Earl of Kinnion. Most of the lords had remained, discussing in low tones what the repercussions of the duke's actions might be. While they had been unable to help Qui-Gon directly, some had aided him covertly with supplies and others had aided him with silence after seeing him and his people safely across their lands.

The prince kept his padawan in attendance and maintained his aloof image all afternoon. He formally spoke with each lord, learning their names and opinions on the proceedings of the trial. Most had no doubt that events had been manipulated so that Qui-Gon received the blame of Xanatos' death. The earl was known as a man of morals and ethical behavior. He was also known to be very fond of his cousin and had more than once bailed Lord Chiyari out of trouble that his rather wild nature led him into.

Late in the day, after he had spoken with each lord and a few of the higher-ranking townsmen, Obi-Wan made it a point to visit Lord Chiyari. Qui-Gon had sent Xanatos to bed immediately after the hearing was done and had called his healer to attend to the younger lord. The prince had heard that while Xanatos' wound was healing, the man was still weak and easily tired and Obi-Wan wanted to be certain there was nothing his own healer might do for the man.

He had also heard that Desrin had hovered around his father and generally made a nuisance of himself until he was finally chased from the room with strict instructions to behave himself in the earl's home. He and Anakin had adjourned to the kitchen to snack on the food being prepared for the evening's feast. Obi-Wan had carefully mentioned to his Captain that he would like one of his own men to be in sight of the pair at all times for the next few days. There was no guessing what Lord Nutarin's anger might provoke him to and Prince Kenobi did not wish to take any chances with Qui-Gon's heir or Xanatos' son.

It was while visiting with Lord Chiayri that Obi-Wan came face to face with his former Knight Master for the first time with less than fifty people surrounding them. Qui-Gon had answered the door when Tarren knocked and had looked quite surprised at the visitors. He only remained a few minutes into Obi-Wan's visit. Xanatos was actually chuckling weakly after Lord Jinn had made his excuses and fled. Obi-Wan almost glared at the older man.

"Forgive me, your Highness," Xanatos had said, his expression one of glee. "But Qui-Gon is rarely speechless around other people. He may choose not to speak but I have never seen him unable to come up with a single thing to say."

"Do you think he didn't care to speak with me?" Obi-Wan had asked with a bit or worry to his tone.

Xanatos had shaken his head and given him an almost exasperated glance. "I don't think that was it at all, your Highness, but perhaps you should speak with him to ascertain that for yourself."

Obi-Wan had only nodded before he questioned Xanatos further concerning his health and asked if there was anything he could do. The older lord had just shaken his head and then poleaxed the prince by thanking him for setting a guard on his son.

"How did you know already?"

Xanatos had laughed. "My prince, this is Kinnion Castle. Surely you know that gossip here flies faster than any arrow."

Obi-Wan thought about Xanatos' words as Tarren helped him remove his surcoat and mail. While Xanatos first words had given him hope that perhaps Qui-Gon would be receptive to Obi-Wan's suit, the lord's other words made him remember that it was not just his former Knight Master whom he would be pursuing but the Earl of Kinnion, a man whom he had just gotten freed from a death sentence. It had obviously been an unfair conviction seeing as Xanatos was actually not a murdered corpse, but if there was one thing he'd learned over the past year as Lord Justice of the Realm, it was that people saw what they wanted to see.

If they wanted to see that the prince had gotten the earl freed because he wanted to sleep with him, that is what they would see and that was a rumor Obi-Wan could not allow. He was still new enough in his office that such rumors could damage his effectiveness as a Justice. He could not have people questioning his judgments. The people of Angland needed to be able rely on his ability to be an unbiased and fair Justice just as they needed to be able to rely on his father's ability to rule the country.

Obi-Wan sighed audibly and Tarren glanced up from where he was laying out a more casual outfit for his prince.

"Master?" he asked in a concerned tone as he approached with one of the prince's favorite tunics. "Is there something wrong?"

Obi-Wan just held out his hand for the blue shirt. "Tarren, what would you say if I should decide to pursue Lord Jinn as a shield mate?" he asked after the boy had turned back to retrieve his pants.

"I would say about time, Master," he answered without hesitation. The boy then gave his master a rather impish wink as he handed over the garment. "It's not like it's a big surprise to me."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile at his padawan but the expression quickly fled. He dressed and then walked over to don his most comfortable pair of boots. "But what of the people of the castle, Padawan?" he asked as he completed his task and leaned back against the bed. "What would they think?"

"My prince, I can't tell you the number of times this afternoon I've been approached by the populace of the castle asking if you were going to make this your permanent residence once you and Lord Jinn had established your status as shield mates. They are hoping you would."

"But...how...." The prince straightened and gaped at his squire for a long moment. Tarren laughed to see his master so surprised. It didn't happen very often.

"Master, most of the people who asked were older retainers who had been here when you were training as Lord Jinn's padawan. They remembered that there was something between the two of you, more than was usual between a Knight Master and his favored Padawan."

"But it's been more than a decade!" the prince protested. "Why would they think he still felt that way? Or I did? We haven't even been together this afternoon for more than a few minutes at a time and that was always with several dozens of people present."

Tarren just gave him a rather pitying look. "My prince, Ken-Dar tells me that I am but a raw lad with only a score of seasons behind me but even I can see that Lord Jinn watched you constantly this afternoon and if he's in the area, you always know exactly where he is."

"Of course, I know where he is. He is my host!"

"Master," Tarren said, his tone serious. "Don't let this opportunity get away from you. You have held Lord Jinn in your heart for as long as I have known you whether you would admit it or not. Don't let him get away from you again."

"Tarren, I cannot pursue him," Obi-Wan said softly as he looked away. "While the people of the castle might understand, the rest of Angland might not. I cannot have it said that I ruled in his favor because I wanted to fuck him."

The words were harsh and crude but Tarren finally understood his master's worry. He could also see that it was a somewhat justifiable issue. He looked thoughtful for a moment before he suddenly grinned. He moved to rummage through his master's things and pulled out a small box that held his master's few prized possessions. Then he moved to Obi-Wan's side and opened the box. He held it up for his master's inspection.

"Master, if you cannot pursue him, then he must pursue you."

Qui-Gon Jinn was in the main hall, seated at the head of the table with a goblet of wine at his elbow. All of the visitors to his estate had left or been offered a room in the castle for the evening and it was quiet once again. Even his sister, Shmi, had herded Anakin and Desrin off the bed with dire predictions of what would happen should she check on them in the night and find their room empty. Lord Jinn had just smiled at his sister's words. He'd heard them every night since Anakin had discovered that there was a secret passage that led from the hallway in front of his room right out to the stables. It was those words that truly let Qui-Gon believe he was home and safe once again -all due to Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon picked up his goblet and sipped his wine, thinking about how the young man had grown into a fine, handsome warrior. He had fulfilled every promise he'd ever shown as a youth and now he stood confidently in his mantle of Lord Justice.

Lord Jinn sighed as he set down his wine. Such a confident, handsome warrior would have any number of offers to warm his bed. He wouldn't even wonder if his older Knight Master would also love to be one of them.

"Lord Jinn?" a voice said just from his left and Qui-Gon turned to find Obi-Wan's padawan at his side.

"Squire Il'manthia," Qui-Gon answered with a half-smile as he gestured to the seat beside him. "Would you care for some wine?" This young man had impressed him the evening before with his quiet show of confidence and his willingness to follow his master's orders, trusting that Obi-Wan would ask him to do nothing that would harm him. Obi-Wan had made a good choice when he had selected Tarren Il'manthia as a squire. Mace didn't like him. But then Mace didn't like anyone.

"No thank you, my lord," the squire replied before he presented him with a small box. "My master wanted me to give this to you. He wanted me to tell you he was sorry he couldn't present it to you sooner."

Qui-Gon looked at the young man with a curious glance but didn't hesitate to take the box. He carefully pried the top from the small metal container and then looked inside. He stared for a long moment before he reverently pulled out the long, slender braid of reddish, brown hair that was nestled in the velvet material inside the box. He absently noted that Obi-Wan's hair had darkened considerably during the last decade but it still had that tint of red.

After contemplating the braid wound around his fingers, Lord Jinn glanced up at the silent squire. "Why didn't the prince give this to me himself?" he asked quietly.

"The prince finds that while circumstance may have placed your life in his hands this afternoon, he would not have you feel beholden to accept his advances," Tarren stated bluntly. He had decided that he would have to be direct. When it came to their feelings for one another, this Master/Squire pair was almost as oblivious as Ken-Dar had been before he'd loudly made his interest known to the captain.

"Advances?" Lord Jinn said, actually looking surprised.

"Yes, my lord. My master would give you the choice in the matter."

"What matter?" Now the man looked confused.

Tarren closed his eyes for a moment and prayed for patience. This was an Earl of the Realm?

"May I have permission to speak freely to you, my lord?"

Lord Jinn looked up from his contemplation of the silky braid of hair between his fingers. "Of course."

"My master cannot chase you as he would like because of the circumstances of the trial, but he wanted to express his definite interest in the matter of pursuing a relationship with you. So, because he can't chase you, he would like you to chase him," Tarren stated slowly and carefully.

Lord Jinn looked at him, confusion in his expression melting into a thoughtful look and then into a small grin. He stood and tucked the braid away in a pocket.

"Would you happen to know the whereabouts of Prince Kenobi?"

"He intended to wander in the gardens this evening, my lord," Tarren said, manfully struggling not to smirk.

"My thanks, Squire Il'manthia," Lord Jinn said with a preoccupied nod before he left the hall. Tarren watched him go, keeping his expression serene until the earl was gone. Then he slumped into the earl's chair and laughed. When Ken-Dar found him a few minutes later, he was still chuckling.

"Padawan."

Obi-Wan froze before he turned toward the approaching figure.

"Master," he returned with a smile. It had been a long time since he'd heard the term, padawan, directed at himself. "Your gardens are as peaceful as I remembered. Many were the times I wished that I was here."

"Many were the times I echoed that sentiment, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied softly as he came to stand before the younger knight. "I missed you when you left."

Obi-Wan looked at his friend, his mentor, the man he had modeled his behavior after. "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. My father demanded an immediate appearance and I couldn't wait for your return from Kaithshire."

"I understood why you had to leave so quickly," the earl replied, "but that made it all the more difficult to realize you were no longer at Kinnion." Almost hesitantly, Qui-Gon reached out to touch his former student's cheek. With a sigh, Obi-Wan leaned into the touch. "Thank you for my gift."

"You made me what I am today, Master," the prince replied with serious look. "I wanted you to have it."

Qui-Gon dropped his hand to his pocket and pulled out the slender braid. Then he offered it to his former padawan. Obi-Wan looked up at him with hopeful gaze.

"Would you honor me by fastening this around my wrist, Obi-Wan?"

The younger man's expression turned into a joyful smile. For a master to offer to wear a padawan's braid was showing his wish for their relationship to continue and hopefully deepen into one that would lead them to bonding as shield mates.

"I will, Qui-Gon," he said as he took the braid and twined it around his former master's wrist. He fastened it with a small pin that he had made especially for this moment, should it ever come. He caressed the silky braid wrapped around the earl's wrist for a moment before he looked up into Qui-Gon's blue gaze. "I have wanted this since I was seventeen, Qui-Gon," he said in a deep voice.

"That late, Padawan?" the earl replied as he drew closer to his former student and ran his fingers into Obi-Wan's thick hair. The younger man closed his eyes and sighed happily. "I knew the first time I tossed you on your tail and you looked up at me and laughed."

Obi-Wan's eyes opened with surprise. "But I was just fourteen!"

"Some things just are, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied as he leaned down and kissed his prince for the very first time. It was a dry caress of lips, a careful questioning taste. Obi-Wan sighed and opened his mouth, allowing the kiss to deepen. He tasted sweet wine on his lover's lips and the younger man treasured the feel of Qui-Gon's mouth against his own, remembering all the times he had wished to be right where he was at this moment. With a low moan, Qui-Gon pulled him closer and slowly learned his Obi-Wan's taste and scent even as his hands learned the shape of his lover's body.

"Hah! You owe me ten pieces of gold, Ani," a whispered voice said from the shadows nearby. "I told you they would be snogging out here."

"Damn it, Des! How did you know! Uncle Qui-Gon doesn't kiss anyone!" came the soft reply.

Qui-Gon pulled away from the prince and for the first time, Obi-Wan saw his master roll his eyes.

"Anakin?" the earl called. There was a short, dense silence before a wary voice replied,

"Yes, Uncle Qui-Gon?"

"If you and Desrin aren't back in your rooms in two minutes, you'll be cleaning out the stables for a fortnight."

"Leaving right now, Uncle Qui-Gon!" came an almost sheepish reply followed by the sound of two pairs of running feet moving away.

Beside him, Obi-Wan chuckled. "You must have gone through some interesting times with young Anakin," the prince noted lightly as he reached out to trace the lines of his lover's face. Qui-Gon caught his hand and carefully tasted each fingertip.

"The boy keeps me guessing but he has a good heart," the earl said with a deep chuckle of his own.

"So, Uncle Qui-Gon doesn't kiss anyone?" Obi-Wan murmured in a teasing tone.

"Not until now, anyway," Qui-Gon replied and moved to prove his point in-depth.

The next morning, Prince Kenobi and Lord Jinn were having a quiet breakfast in the great hall. Lady Shmi had already broken her fast and left the pair to their private conversation as she had much to do. She also knew that having to repeat every question she directed to either man indicated that neither was truly paying her much attention. She had left with a pleased smile and indicated that the servants were to keep well away from the two men at the table.

The pair was essentially alone until Guard Captain Mace Windu appeared in the hall, dragging a cursing, young Desrin beside him as he approached the table. Behind them, a chuckling Anakin followed. The Captain gave the prince and the earl a bow and forced the youth beside him to do the same.

Qui-Gon raised a brow as he looked at his old friend. "Good morning, Mace," he said in a pleasant tone.

Mace just glared back. "My Lord," he greeted through clenched teeth. "Your Highness. I would like your permission to punish this thief for breaking into my room and stealing my nightshirt." He shook the boy struggling in his grip for a moment. "Then he strung it up the main castle pole. It's fluttering in the breeze like a tourney pennant."

"You can't prove that I did it," the boy replied heatedly. "No one saw anything!"

"You've set a precedent boy," Mace growled through gritted teeth. "You were the one caught putting mice in my bedding. You were the one caught drilling a small hole in my favorite mug. You were seen last time you decided to steal my nightshirt. You expect me to believe that the culprit this time is not you?"

Desrin gave the man a sour glance. "That goodie goodie page Petrov squealed last time or you'd not have had proof!" The boy crossed his arms defiantly and glared. "Doesn't matter what you believe this time. You can't prove a thing. And you have to prove it to punish me!"

"Ah, but here sits someone who can tell just from a question whether you are lying or not," Captain Windu said with an evil smile. "Perhaps I could prevail upon his Highness to verify your whereabouts this morning."

Obi-Wan saw the quick look of worry that flashed across the boy's face before Desrin darted a quick look at the prince. Then the boy looked up at Windu with a wide, unbelieving gaze.

"You'd bother the prince about your nightshirt?" he asked.

Windu glared down at him with a narrow, brown gaze. "I'm sure he's more concerned with a lying, little thief loose in the castle."

Desrin straightened up to his full height. "I am not little!"

Obi-Wan glanced at his companion only to find Qui-Gon valiantly trying to suppress a grin. The earl just shook his head as an indication that this was not truly a serious problem.

The prince, however, still did not want to become involved and was delighted to find that his squire had entered the hall and was heading straight towards his master.

"Master," the young man stated with a formal bow.

"Padawan," Obi-Wan replied with the same formality.

"You mentioned that I should begin searching for someone to begin training as your next squire," the younger man said with an unnerving grin. "I believe I have found someone who will be worthy of your time and attention and who will be unswerving in his loyalty to you."

The prince raised his brow and again Tarren was reminded of the earl.

"And who would you recommend to me?" Prince Kenobi asked.

"It is convenient he is here, for I would recommend Desrin Naberrie as your next squire."

Obi-Wan just stared at his padawan, waiting for the teasing grin that should appear at any moment on Tarren's face. His squire's expression, however, remained serious.

"You're serious?" Obi-Wan finally asked, his gaze darting across the table to where Mace Windu stood with a flabbergasted expression and beside him, young Desrin looked even more astonished.

"I am, my prince," Tarren stated firmly. "Ken-Dar and I watched him as he and Lord Anakin sparred this morning. We both believe he has the foundation to become an excellent warrior. He is also cunning and agile, able to climb..." the squire glanced at the youth with a wink, "...just about anything. I believe if he pledged you his loyalty, he would stand by his honor and with your guidance, grow into a steadfast knight."

There was silence for a few moments as the people present took in the sincerity of Tarren's words.

"You can't be serious," Captain Windu finally stated in disbelief. He released the boy as he glanced over him. "Desrin is more likely to be found lazing about the stables fawning over that strange horse of his than honing a warrior's skills."

"Aethelhard is not strange!" Desrin replied flatly. "He just doesn't like you! I'd say it's a sign of intelligence."

Captain Windu moved to grab the boy by the neck again but Desrin was too quick and stepped away from him.

"Desrin, come here please," the prince called before Mace could begin chasing the boy around the hall. Desrin glanced at him warily before he moved to stand by Obi-Wan's chair. He gave the prince a proper bow.

"Your Highness?"

"Tarren has been my squire for almost eight years now and I trust his judgment implicitly, the prince said with a fond look at his padawan. "If he says you would make a good squire to me, I would say he knows of what he speaks. How do you feel about becoming a squire?"

Desrin looked at him with a shocked gaze. "I...have never considered it as an option, your Highness," he finally replied softly. "For all my father has acknowledged me and treats me as a son, I am still illegitimate."

"Perhaps that might matter with some Knights but I will do as I please," Obi-Wan said with a grin. "And when it comes to choosing a squire, I look at other virtues. Are you interested in seeing if you have what it takes to be squire to the King's Justice?"

Desrin opened his mouth and then closed it before he darted a quick look at, of all the people present, Mace Windu. The dark-skinned guard captain gave him a faint smile and a nod before the scowl appeared on his face again. The prince found that little interaction highly interesting but Desrin was already turning back to him with a smile.

"I would like that chance, your Highness," he said confidently.

Obi-Wan smiled at him. "Very well." The prince gestured to his squire and Tarren was immediately beside the youth. "Tarren, please take Desrin to your quarters and tell him everything you think he needs to know about being my squire. Should he still be willing to take on the position, take him out to the lists and run him through his paces. Should he still wish to consider replacing you, bring him back to me." The prince turned his gaze back to Desrin. "At that point, you and I will have a talk and then your father and I will begin discussions concerning you taking on the mantle of squire."

"Very good, my prince," Tarren said with a bow and a grin. Desrin bowed absentmindedly, still stunned at the turn of events.

"Thank you, your Highness," he said faintly.

"And remember, Naberrie, Tarren is in charge of you from this moment on. Consider that he owns every minute of your time."

Desrin looked alarmed at that and threw a worried glance back at Anakin. The young heir had remained quiet throughout the discussion but looked a bit distressed at not having time to spend with his best friend.

"I will have no time to myself, sir?" Desrin asked carefully.

"Speak with Tarren about it," Obi-Wan said almost off-handedly though he watched the youth. "He will be in charge of your schedule. I'm certain he'll keep you too busy for pranks but perhaps you may have a little free time once you earn it." The prince turned to Qui-Gon's heir. "Anakin, you may go with Tarren and Desrin should you wish it."

The blond youth smiled in relief and nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Very well, off with you then," Obi-Wan stated as waved his senior squire away with his possible junior replacement and the heir of Kinnion. "And if no one else has any other problems, Lord Jinn and I would like to finish our breakfast."

Obi-Wan eyed Qui-Gon's captain as he spoke and Mace Windu bowed. "On your head, be it, Your Highness," Captain Windu said with a smirk before he also left the hall. The prince sighed and leaned forward to pick up a piece of toasted bread and slathered it with jam.

"So, Qui-Gon," he said calmly. "Just what have I gotten myself into with young Desrin?"

Lord Jinn just reached out, took his shield mate's hand and laid a gentle kiss in its palm.

"Oh...on your own head, be it, my love," he said.

The End