Chapter 119

"Good day to you, masters Jedi," the humanoid said. "You come at the right moment to visit Ktafunda. Local producers from around the town are presenting their wares in front of our normal shop. You will find all kinds of useful items. You can leave your speeder safely here. I'm here all day to take care of them. Do you want to take a droid with you to gather your purchases. You also can get one after you have bought any items."

"Thank you," Luke said and took Liane's hand. "We'll have a look around first. Which way do we have to go to reach the center?"

"Just followed this long, narrow alley, master. It brings you to the shops and to our open air market. Enjoy your stay in Ktafunda."

Together they walked in the indicated direction, when they had followed the alley halfway a door open and three huge Kayvoks stepped outside.

"Master Jedi! Luke Skywalker!" sounded some different voices.

Luke and Liane looked at the three towering humanoids. One of them grabbed Liane's right hand, as he looked at the other two.

"What did I tell you, Nimon? You thought I was fooling you? This is the lovely lady whose future husband has given her this wonderful alliance ring." He said as he turned to Liane "You're even more beautiful than you first visited my shop, miss. I should say you look radiant. Master Jedi, you surely have made her very happy with this exclusive gift.

He pointed the two other Kayvoks.

"My cousins, Nimon and Hidon. They run a excellent bar with lodging facilities."

"How do you know Rajshoo, master Skywalker?" Nimon asked.

"Rajshoo, I thought his name is Jarosho," Liane said surprised.

"Ma'am, our cousin always loves to mix up the letter of his name. We even don't know what his real name is. Did he introduce himself as Jarosho. That's fine. We know him Rajshoo, same letters different sequence." Hidon said laughing.

Luke and Liane also began to laugh. Jarosho was still looking at her, before he turned to Luke.

"What brings the two of you to Ktafunda again, if I may ask. Perhaps you'll need some advice."

Luke looked at Liane who immediately understood his gaze.

"We're leaving this planet today, but we want to replenish our food storage. We're looking for canned food, dried fruits and vegetables and bottles of water. Do you know where we have to go."

Jarosho grabbed her right hand again.

"What is your name, lovely lady, if I may ask?" He said. "I heard that my cousin Hidon called your future husband, Luke Skywalker. Is he really the Luke Skywalker? I guess there aren't going two Jedi master with the same name, right."

"He is the Luke Skywalker, Jarosho. Why do you put so much emphasis on his name??"

"He saved the lives of my two cousins here. The story of the attack on their bar has been going around for months, but you still haven't told me your name?"

"I'm Shaayla-Car Kenobi." Liane said.

Jarosho looked at her in disbelieve.

"Your surname is Kenobi. May I ask you, have you ever heard of a Jedi Knight named Obi-Wan Kenobi?" He asked.

Liane began to beam with joy..

"You seem to know a lot of famous name, don't you, Jarosho. How did you know my father's name?"

"General Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi is your father, miss Shaayla-Car?"

Liane nodded with a broad smile.

"Have you known him?" She asked.

"I have fought along side him during the Clone War several times. He always was in the company of a younger Jedi Knight, also a general in the Clones Army. His name was ..."

Jarosho looked at Luke.

"Skywalker, Jarosho. Anakin Skywalker, my father?" Luke laughed while he put his arm around Liane.

Jarosho laughed louder.

"This is incredible! Nimon, Hidon, do you believe this. The son of Jedi Knight and general Anakin Skywalker is going to marry the daughter of Jedi Knight and famous general Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is really incredible. I really have to think this all over quietly, for I feel some inspiration to make something breathtaking of this revelation. But I had forgotten that you were looking for food that lasts a long time on all your trips together. Indeed you shouldn't take too much fresh items, for you always can get fresh food when you will stay longer somewhere."

Jarosho turned to his cousins.

"The guy who's providing you with the ingredients of your meals. Where can master Skywalker and miss Kenobi find him. I know you prefer fresh, when available, but you often have to use canned and dried food. Come on, you guys, speak up. This lovely couple doesn't have the whole day to get what they wanted."

Nimon turned to Luke.

"We still owe you, Luke Skywalker, for saving our lives. May we offer you a delicious meal and an exquisite drink in our bar. You certainly remember it's not far from here and our supplier has a shop nearby. We would be delighted if we can welcome as our guest this time."

Luke looked at Liane, who smiled, nodded pleased and beamed.

"So, these are the two old friends you wanted to visit when we first arrived here, Luke?. Let's spend some time with them. I would love to have a good meal."

"Well spoken, miss Kenobi." Jarosho said. "I suggest that you two are joining my cousins, enjoy a excellent meal and afterwards I'll come over and go with you to their supplier to chose what you need."

"Gladly, Jarosho," Luke said, with a broad smile.

Nimon and Hidon pointed in the opposite direction. Luke and Liane said goodbye to Jarosho who promised that he would turn up at his cousins' bar in three hours, after which they followed the two other Kayvoks.

Udine and Carmona sat together in a corner of one the private quarters of the Grannd Traveler. They looked around at the different items which were positioned here and there. Udine wrinkled her nose.

"These cabins certainly need a clean up, Carmona. Look at all those different items which doesn't seem to be useful. I would love to start cleaning up here." She said.

"Those two brother, what are they called? Kieran and Ronann are young guys. They collect all kinds of stuff they think might be useful, Udine. Doesn't your Talann comes home with items he has found? My son Dolann often surprises me. Of course I often tells him to clear out his room, but what he collects doesn't bother me." Carmona answered.

"Sure, Talann also brings many different items home, but I have told them to put them in a shed, until he knows what he wants to use them for. I don't want all his trash in my quarters."

Carmona shrugged her shoulders and they both were silent for some time. Then Udine bowed over to her.

"Do you think that Shaayla-Car has been safe, while we're away?" She whispered.

"We're not allowed to discus that, Udine," Carmona answered whispering too.

"Why not. I'm not talking about what we're not allowed to talk about at the moment," Udine answered, "I'm just wondering if Jedi master Skywalker has behave as a Jedi Knight should do."

"Udine, those two young Jedi Knight are in love. That none of our businness. What they do when nobody is watching them, is up to them. We're not their parents." Carmona objected.

"If I was her mother I would forbid her to meet him again," Udine said determinedly.

Carmona began to laugh imperceptible.

"Well, then it is lucky for Shaayla-Car that you aren't, Udine. Do me a favor and leave her alone if she will be our guest again."

"Oh, I will surely welcome her as our guest again, but I will tell him that he should stay away from her. She really deserve a better husband, some one like my Chati's master, master Antilles. He is a real Jedi Knight, just, honest and highly competent. Chati adores her Jedi master." Udine said somewhat louder, but immediately lowered her voice.

Carmona looked at her sister, but didn't comment.

The door of the cabin opened and Kieran entered. He smiled at the twenty five Quelans who were gathering in the cabin.

"It's bit cramped, I realize that. I'm sorry my brother and I hadn't time to do some clean up here. I would have love to stack some of this bigger item in boxes so you would have had more room to sit." He said apologetic.

"We'll manage, master Kieran. It's only a short trip I heard to reach Ribana. I long to see the town again," One of the Quelans said.

"I don't want to disappointed you, sir, but there still is a lot to be done," Kieran said carefully.

"Yes, yes, young friend, as I said: we'll manage. We've been traveling through the wild lands when the intruder had expelled us from Ribana, and we managed to set up a living again on the other continent in Cantamaga. It was a good stay, but I never felt really at home. So I'm glad to see Ribana again and live in my old house, spending my time, tending my garden."

Kieran looked at the older Quelan male.

"One day Ribana will be as beautiful as it once has been, sir," He said carefully again.

"It is already beautiful again, young friend. Haven't you seen those beautiful drawing in the administration building main hall. The contrasts between what the first group saw and how it looked when they went back to Cantamaga are definitely a big difference. I am feeling very hopeful, and I have heard I am not the only one. I'm really looking forward to sleep in my own house again tonight. Yes, maybe I have to do something, sweeping the floor or so, but once my woman will join me, we will have our lives back and enjoy the quiet and peaceful stay in Ribana."

Udine and Carmona had listened to what the elder Quelan had been saying.

"Master Kieren has just warned you not be disappointed when you see what has to be done, Wogomnil. We have been cleaning day in day out our former home in the vineyard and our work was still unfinished when we went back to Cantamaga for a break. I even can't tell if we will manage to do enough clean up, so after the third group will have come to Ribana, the vineyard building will be completely restored so our families can live there, like they have done in the past." Udine said. "You haven't seen what we saw. The vineyard itself is still a mess and what I have seen from Ribana center is was even messier. You should not have overly high expectations about what you think you will see."

"The harvest men will do all necessary repairs," The male Quelan Wogomnil answered. "Females shouldn't bother themselves with repairs and restoration. "

Udine snorted indignantly.

"If you expect that Cornell and his men can do all the repairs and restoration that will be needed, no one will have a comfortable live for the next seven or eight years. You can't expect them to do your job, Wogomnil. You have to roll up your sleeves and start the necessary repairs on your house yourself." She said in a high-pitched voice. "You wait and see."

Udine looked at Kieran.

"I guess, master Kieran, that we're almost there, aren't we?"

"We have reached the western plains, ma'am," Kieran answered. "We will land at the same spot just outside Ribana. Jedi master Leia and Jedi Knight Yarmod Martan will help to unload the goods and furniture you have taken with you. My brothers and me will distribute them and bring them to your house, or you may store them in one of the harvester's tents, if your house needs repairs that had to be fixed first."

Some of the gathered Quelan began to look less optimistic, as they had been listening to Kieran and Udine's comments. They shared some whispered words among each other. Some of them clearly began to doubt about what awaited them. Udine noticed the changes in their view and triumphant look appeared in her eyes. She gave her sister a slight push and nodded at her.

In the Millennium Falcon Woldrin and Mugin had joined Leia, Nori and Chewbacca in the control room. The other Quelans had found a place to sit and rest in all the passageways of the freighter. Here, too, the mood was optimistic. After Leia had flown the Falcon through the cloud layer Han had taken over piloting his ship to the other continent. Leia had left the cockpit and made her way through the crowded passageways, listening to what the Quelans were talking about. As she had joined Mugin and Woldrin she felt worried.

"Governor," She said looking at Mugin Fonaldris, "Your fellow Quelans haven't good view of what they can expect in Ribana. I fear that their first impression of the work that needs to be done, will leave them devastated."

"Leia, I hope that one or two of them will inspire the others to start with what's need to be done. My brother told me that it has amazed him that a short while after the first group had arrived several Quelan began to do necessary repairs. Their enthusiasm work contagious and at the end of the day the whole group seemed more hopeful than when they had arrived. I will do my best to keep up a good spirit myself and inspire them." Mugin said.

"Yarmod Martan and I will do everything to help the Quelans with all the necessary work that needs to be done, governor, as will my husband and the Wookiee." Leia said.

"And so will Cornell and Wollin and their men, Leia. All the harvester have come to Myr this time. I'm sure that this second group will also find ways to do what is necessary to rebuild Ribana. And we also hope that your brother will be back on Myr at our arrival, for my wife and her sister were very glad with the work Shaayla-Car is doing in the vineyard. Normally my brother and me and our sons are doing the pruning, but Toallin has told me that she has done a good job so far, so I certainly hope that she will be doing the pruning again. I know she won't be able to do the whole vineyard, but with a small part cleaned up we might see the grapevines produce the grapes again we use for our wine. Do you know that I'm still wondering where our whole stock has gone. We had stocked countless of bottles and I haven't seen one bottle when we first visited the wine cellar. Toallin said, that the intruder Trevor Matrik has taken it all."

Mugin began to laugh.

"Well if he drank the whole stock he certainly will have felt miserable. Palomintar wine is a heavy wine which should be tasted one glass at a time, not a whole bottle. Well you have tasted it yourself, Leia, when you told us that your brother and you showed your willingness to have a look at what happened on Palomintar Four after my people had been expelled."

Nori Thai began to laugh

"Governor Mugin, I have seen him drank a whole bottle every evening while I had to serve him. He always left dead drunk at the arm of a droid."

"Ribana and its surroundings need time to recover from all the years the town had been abandoned, governor," Leia remarked. "Having an optimistic view isn't enough to get things done."

"Of course, Leia," Woldrin joined the conversation, "but our future looks better. Certainly after Yarnick and his brother will sell the aludium crystals for us. With the money we can buy what we can't make ourselves immediately. Is it true that a first gift from the leader of the New Republic will be transported to Ribana once they have sold those crystals. The amount of credits one of those brother estimated still seems unimaginable to me. This community never has had such an amount at their disposal. It's absolutely necessary that we use these credits very carefully. We should not waste to buy unnecessary items, but some more luxury will improve our way of life. I'm looking forward to make sure that the credits will benefit our community as a whole. Once everyone will be back here Kamalin will also support my first set up."

"The future of Ribana is laid in wise hands, master Woldrin," Leia said. "That is a prospect, for once all the Quelans will have come back to Ribana and live again in prosperity we have to get back to our different chores. We love to stay with you as long as you need our help, but you must realize that one day the Quelans of Palomintar Four will be on their own again."

"We, as the leaders know that, Leia. Yet, I hope that you and all our other friends will enjoy the restoration of our town and our former way of life." Mugin said.

"Don't worry, governor, we all will stay as long as necessary and after that. We have promised to help you, and we all will keep our promise." Leia answered.

Han entered the control room. Leia looked up.

"We're almost there, Leia. Chewbacca is slowing down the engines. Within a couple of minutes we will land at the same spot we've landed the first time. Have you heard anything for Luke?"

"No, I haven't, but I expect him to be with us, not long after we have arrived," Leia said.

Luke and Liane were enjoying a extensive meal in a separate booth at Hidon and Ninom's bar. Liane, in particular, thoroughly enjoyed it, as she nibbled at all the different dishes the two Kayvoks brought to their table. The two brothers did their utmost to please their unexpected guests.

Nimom told Liane what had happened the day their bars was raided by some thugs and how happy they were that Luke and his friends were present at that moment.

"We will always remember how Luke did that somersault and came down behind the leader. He hasn't been on his feet yet, when he slashed the guy's arm. Almost immediately the fight was over. There were several thugs dead, only a few managed to find the back door and fled. We've never saw them back." Nimon told. "Those lightsabers you Jedi can wield are formidable weapons. I assume that you also know how to use it, don't you, miss Kenobi."

"I do, but its use is only for defence. We never attack. Also with what you told me Luke and his friends have been defending you, your brother and your guests." Liane said.

The back door opened and Jarosho stepped inside.

"Did my cousins serve you a good meal, master Jedi?" He asked Luke.

"Call me Luke, Jarosho, like your cousin do." Luke answered.

"Great honor, Luke," the towering Kayvok said and turned to Liane.

"May I also call you Shaayla-Car, miss?" He asked with a big grin.

"Most certainly, Jarosho. My first visit to Ktafunda has brought me new knowledge about the many species which live in the galaxy. I saw a lot of different species when we enter Ktafunda this morning."

"You haven't done many travels, yet?" Jarosho asked.

"A few. I had to fulfill a mission and for a Jedi that the most important task to fulfill." Liane said calm and she saw Luke's appreciated look.

"If you're ready here, shall we pay that food supplier a visit?" Jarosho asked, looking at them.

Luke nodded and rose. Hidon assisted Liane to stand up. She thank him with a smile.

"We had a wonderful time here, Hidon," She said.

"You're welcome, Shaayla-Car. My brother and me hope you won't forget where we are. You're always welcome in our bar." Nimon said.

"We gladly will come back here," Luke said, while he ordered his cloak. Nimon offered Liane her cloak and together with Jarosho they let the bar. The tall Kayvok let them through the maze of alleys and brought them to a small square where a shop annex warehouse dominated the surrounding.

"I've already told my cousins' supplier what you need. He promised he would have a selection of his best wares at your disposal." Jarosho said, as he pushed a button, causing the door to slide aside.

Almost immediately the shop keeper, another towering Kayvok turned up.

"These are the customers I talk you about, Galin," Jarosho said. "Galin isn't family, but a very good friend."

Galin pointed at a counter where a huge selection of canned food, dried fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable concentrates and water bottles had been stacked.

"If you need more I can provide what ever you want," He said.

Luke nodded and looked at the displayed products. He looked at Liane.

"Make your choice, Shaayla-Car. I should say this is exactly what I normally chose." He said.

Liane walked over to the counter when all of a sudden she seemed to stiffen, while she turned to Luke.

"They have arrived," She whispered as in a trance. "Earlier than we expected."

'Luke, we have to leave as soon as possible and head back to Palomintar Four. The second group had reached Ribana and I sense they don't understand what they see. They are disillusioned. They don't believe this is their town.' She said, reaching out to him through the Force.

She looked at Jarosho and the shop keeper apologetically.

"I apologize, but I sense that on Palomintar Four the community of the Quelans need my help," She said and turned to Luke.

"Luke, ask Galin what price he wants. We take it all," She said determinedly, while she turned to Jarosho.

"Do you have some droids to help us to transport this to our speeder. It's somewhere outside the center. I'm sorry, but we can't stay any longer in Ktafunda."

"I'll get my speeder, Shaayla-Car," Jarosho said and left the shop.

It took only a few minutes before he came back. Meanwhile Luke had paid for their purchases. The shop keeper had called two droids which started to load their purchases in Jarosho's speeder. Liane jumped at the wheel, leaving Jarosho a bit flabbergasted, but he took the passenger's seat. Luke jumped at the back seat. Liane accelerate and drove at high speed along the narrow streets and alleys. They reached the place were the humanoid was still watching the many parked speeder. He gave them a hand transferring their wares from Jarosho's speeder to Luke's.

Feeling a little bit guilty for their sudden departure Liane thanked Jarosho for his help and promised that she and Luke would come back after their wedding. She jumped next Luke. They waved goodbye and went back to Ktafunda space port, where Luke immediately asked for a clearance for take off.

Meanwhile Liane used her Force skills to bring their purchases in the cargo hold of the Astræga next to the speeder. She went over to the cockpit where Luke was waiting for the tower to answer is request. Impatiently she sat down in the co-pilot seat and waiting, slowly breathing in and out to find a way to become one with the Force, so she would know what was going on in Ribana.

Finally Luke got his clearing. He started the engine and the Astræga rose. Once above Palomintar Four he set the navi-computer with the coordinates of Ribana and the ship vanished into hyperspace.

In Ribana the second group of Quelans looked devastated at what was left their houses. Some of them began to cry when they saw the ruin that once had been their home. Some other went over to Mugin and Wodlrin and requested to be transported back to Tyr which both leaders refused.

Han, Leia and Chewbacca were busy unloaded the cargo holds of the Falcon when Mugin came over to them.

"Leia, I don't know what I have to do. They are walking around among their houses crying, and when I tell them to start cleaning up or doing some repairs they shrug their shoulder and tell me that they don't want to live here any longer. They want to go back to Tyr. This is all so different of what my brother told me about the first group."

"I'll come with you, governor, and see if I can inspire them to begin with what has to be done." Leia said and grabbed her cloak.

Together with Mugin she set course in the speeder to reach the center of Ribana, where numerous Quelan sat on the pavement of the main plaza with their heads in their hands. They looked up as Mugin and Leia arrived, but immediately took on their former pose. Leia saw Udine and Carmona already talking to some Quelans who shook their heads in despair. Everywhere she looked she sensed the great despair the Quelans felt.

Cornell and Wollin came over with necessary equipment like spades, rakes and hoes. They began to distribute the tools to the Quelans who took them in their hands, looked at them and put them next to them on the pavement.

Meanwhile Yarmod had also come over to the main plaza, looking in amazement at the group of Quelans. Leia went over to him.

"We need to set an example, Yarmod. Maybe if we start using those tools some will get inspired and will get up to help us." Leia suggested.

Yarmod grabbed a hoe, walked over to an overgrown garden and began to clear the path to the door. The Quelans looked at what he was doing, but none of them showed any initiative to follow his example. Leia had taken an pruning shear to cut away the longest branches of the hedges, but her work also doesn't seem to inspire any of the Quelans. They looked at the hard working Jedi Knight, but none got up to give them a hand.

Mugin looked at the group he was supposed to lead and shook his head, feeling desperate himself. He went over to Udine and Carmona who also looked taken aback.

"This is not what I expected should happen," He said to his wife.

"Neither do we," Carmona answered, "I don't understand this the first group went to work almost immediately and look at this group now. They have given up all hope it seems. What's the difference between these groups. They have seen the drawings Lorann made. They must have realized that we expected they would roll up their sleeves and started cleaning the mess they see. When I look at them I beginning to feel desperate myself,"

Han and Chewbacca had also come over to the main plaza.

"What's going on here?" Han asked. "Why haven't they start cleaning up, like the first group did."

"I can't tell, Han. This is really unexpected. I thought that this group too would realize that a great deal of work is still needed before Ribana is like it used to be."

"Have you seen the Astræga, Leia. I expected Luke and Liane would be here." Han said.

"He isn't on Palomintar Four, Han. I don't sense neither his presence, nor of Shaayla-Car." Leia said.

"Can't you contact him and ask him when he thinks he will be back here. Leia, this isn't what he has promise the Quelans. I'm sorry, love, but this feel like Luke and Liane are still enjoying themselves on Palomintar Six, forgetting the obligations they have here."

Leia shook her head.

"I can't believe why they haven't come back yet, Han. You're right we'll get back to the Falcon and I'll ask Luke where he is and when he will be back here. I'll tell Mugin what I will do." Leia said and went over Mugin Fonaldris and told him that she and Han would get back to the Falcon where she would contact her brother.

Han waited for her and together they went back to the landing spot of the Falcon. Leia went over to their private quarters and reached out through the Force.

'Luke, where are you? Why haven't you come back yet? Is anything wrong?"

She waited for an answer, but her brother didn't respond. Once again she reached out to him through the Force, but to no avail. She left their quarters and went over to the control room. Han looked up. Leia shook her head.

"He hasn't responded through Jedi telepathy, Han. I couldn't reach him." She said, now feeling a similar despair to which the two group of Quelans had fallen prey. "Any idea what we can do to motivate them?"

"The only option I see, Leia, is that we - you, me, Chewbacca, Yarmod and the Granns - are starting with the work that needs to be done. If no one will follow our example I guess that we have to bring them back to Tyr, but we have to discuss that with the governor and master Woldrin. What about the harvest men?"

They have brought the necessary tools, but I sense that also Cornell and his men aren't really motivate. Where is Luke, when I need him."

Han grinned.

"Our Jedi in love is probably enjoying himself with his future bride, darling, although I never expected that he would put his personal pleasure before what he has promised Toallin and Mugin. I'll go the Grannd Traveler and ask Yarnick to postpone his trip to Dalmaran, until we hear from your brother. If our effort won't have result we have only one option: get back to Tyr with the group."