Chapter Text
Obi-Wan rubbed the grit out of his eyes; he should have been relieved from his watch by Master Jinn but the man had slept right on through till sun up; as did Satine. Obi-Wan had never relaxed during the night, keeping his guard up, listening to the Force and hoping he wouldn’t have any visions.
Not that the other two would listen; he’d had visions of a Mandalorian for weeks; with silver armour and a red cape, they were glorious in battle as well. There was something about this Mandalorian that scared Obi-Wan. He knew, though, that this was not what the Force was warning him of. Only that this particular Mandalorian was part of it.
He had tried to broach the subject many times, he was simply brushed off with a “ stay in the moment, Padawan.” from Master Jinn and a “ Yes, Obi. in the moment.” from Satine who had somehow picked up the same anti-Force Vision bantha kark that his Master always had since taking him on after Bandomeer.
Obi-Wan stopped after that, meanwhile the Force dove about him in warnings all the time and he was having a hard time shielding and Master Jinn simply wasn’t any help andSatinefelthewasaburdenand….
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, letting his thoughts run away like that wouldn’t help. He started a small fire to get their first meal ready. They had a little bit of oats and tea, it wasn’t enough really. And he knew he should let the other two go whole hog on the small pot but his Master hated it when Obi-Wan divided food up amongst them equally; after all he was a Jedi Master, and Satine was the Duchess and they were far more important than Obi-Wan. It was a small sacrifice, afterall.
Obi-Wan never complained. He knew it would get him nowhere. He couldn’t help but remember the one time a Mando’ade had simply paid for some type of fruit from a stall, walked up to him, amd when he was about to ask them what he could do for them, they just put it in his mouth then walked off.
Having a Master like that would be nice; he thinks in the darkest of night when he’s on watch. Making certain that no one is sneaking up on them. It was very nice of them to do that.
Master Jinn stretched and leveled a gaze at Obi-Wan who gathered the dishes and started to clean up; he’d been caught up in his memoires. Not shielding well at all; he would be better at it if someone taught him properly. Master Jinn wasn’t in a mood to teach.
“I need to go and check on some contacts, the two of you need to go to Sundari and wait for me.” Master Jinn said. Satine perked up at that. Obi-Wan was glad that he had his back to them. He cringed. He was afraid his Master would say that.
“The com message said it was safe there.” Satine said proudly. And boy, Obi-Wan couldn’t wait for this whole thing to be over so that he could go back to the Temple and learn to be a proper Jedi from someone other than his Master. He’d been pushing Obi-Wan and Satine together far too often for the Padawan’s comfort. He didn’t know why Qui-Gon wanted him to form an attachment to her.
“Yes, you’ll meet your advisor there.” Master Jinn said. They continued to ignore Obi-Wan as he packed up their supplies. Master Jinn looked over the supplies Obi-Wan had parceled out and with a nod of satisfaction latched his satchel about his shoulder. Obi-Wan had waited for the rebuke but it hadn’t come.
“Remember, Padawan, the Duchess is in charge.” he said, then left the small outcropping of rock they had used for cover. Obi-Wan frowned. She didn’t know anything about sneaking around. Or looking inconspicuous. Of the two of them Obi-Wan blended in better. She and her faction were from another moon on Mandalore and did not look like the natives at all, with their darker skin tone and hair. Of course, Mandalore adopted a lot of sentients, especially back when they were a strong Empire.
A lot of the alien species who had immigrated to or had been adopted into Mandalorian culture gave the system a whole other outlook. If Satine were Chiss, it’d be better for their cover.
“Well, shall we get going.” it wasn’t a question even if she phrased it like one. Obi-Wan hefted their bags, at least, he looked on the bright side, he didn’t have three to carry.
&*&*&*&*&*&
Obi-Wan gave the map a glance and realized they were going in the wrong direction. Satine had decided she should be in charge of navigating their way out of the desert and into society. Only, they were nowhere near Sundari.
“Should we be heading south west?” Obi-Wan asked. Satine snorted at him. She rolled her eyes and took the map away. Rolling it up, it was old and on parchment, she decided a lecture was in order.
“Don’t be dumb, Obi, we’re heading in the right direction.” she said. And that’s when he realized she had beenholding the map backwards and that somehow one could read Mandalorian backwards and wasn’t that a surprise.
He shrugged and they continued onwards.
&*&*&*&
They had run out of food the next day and were glad when they finally reached a small village that boasted a market. Obi-Wan quickly took stock of their credits. It wouldn’t get them a lot if the bartering system here prevailed as it had done in the larger domed cities.
“Alright, I’ll get us something to eat and…”
“No, you’ll spend too much.” Satine grabbed the bag of credits. Obi-Wan simply trailed after her as she made bad bargains upon bad bargains. Obi-Wan looked ever more mystified and embarrassed as they went from stall to stall. And Satine hadn’t even hidden her iconic hair.
He really wished for the True Mandalorians to get this war over and done with right then and there by taking Satine out. Hell, they could kill him too for all he cared. He wanted out.
“Well, that should be enough.” Satine smiled brightly. Obi-Wan nodded. He went to say something then when the Force blared a warning. Obi-Wan noticed that the market had gone quiet and there were not- Kyr’tsad Mandalorians at all the exits.
He hated that he noticed this too late.
“Uh, hate to break it to you….” he muttered as a large figure emerged from the main way into the market. “But we’re surrounded.”
Satine glowered, “Do something.” she insisted.
Obi-Wan looked around, none of the Mandalorians had their weapons out. They were expecting a fight but Obi-Wan didn’t want to fight and after months of being told what to do and how to do it and how he wasn’t doing it well enough. He finally frowned and shrugged at her.
“No, I don’t think I will.” he said as a tall armoured figure, red cape billowing out behind them, entered the market sitting area, stopped in front of Satine. She looked scared. Obi-Wan watched but never reached for his lightsaber.
“Satine Kryze of the former house of Kryze…” the modulated tone broke no argument.
“Yes, I am your Duchess.”
Obi-Wan smacked his forehead. But said nothing.
“I am Mand’alor and you will call me Buir.” he replied.
“What?” both Satine and Obi-Wan asked. He glanced at the Mando from under his hand. Was he insane?
“Ah, she isn’t allowed to be adopted. Remember?” Obi-Wan pointed out.
“I do not see this faction as having a right to changing laws that I have instilled into our people.” the Mando replied. “As of such, Satine Kryze, I know your name as my child.”
She sputtered. Obi-Wan hid a small smile. Now she could take some of her own medicine. The Mando then turned to Obi-Wan who was half expectant of the same line when he simply held out his hand.
Obi-Wan cringed briefly but slowly took his lightsaber from his belt and handed it over. He heard Satine gasp for a half second.
“Obi, I demand that you…”
“You are done giving orders, young one.” the Mando said. Jaster Mereel if Obi-Wan remembered right.
“I’m glad you survived Galidraan.” Obi-Wan interrupted the two.
The Mand’alor would have given him a quizzical look if it weren’t for his helm. “Why so?”
“Because you’re the only one around here with any sense, I haven’t gotten this one -” Obi-Wan pointed at Satine, “Or my Master to see any of it from the start of this whole thing.”
“Speaking of Jetti…”
“Not here, he sent us to Sundari.” Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “Only she cannot read a map and therefore brought us here by mistake.”
Satine sputtered.
“Hush now.” Jaster put a hand on her shoulder. “My child, you have much to learn of your true heritage.”
Satine frowned up at him; “It is vile and I will not stand for it.”
Obi-Wan cringed, whenever he took that tone with Master he got a beating for it. His ribs twinged in sympathy, the last time they had been in an abandoned farmhouse and he had to be very quiet. Lest Kyr’tsad find them.
“Come.” Jaster said. He grabbed Satine by the scruff of her neck. Obi-Wan, used to bring up the back end, grabbed their stuff and followed.