Lorana winced. She herself was already twenty-two, and C'baoth had made no mention of recommending her for Jedi Knighthood anytime soon. Was Anakin that much stronger in the Force than she was?

"And yet he began his training so much later than usual," C'baoth pointed out, smiling almost fondly at the boy. "That makes his development even more impressive."

"Indeed," Kenobi said. "In hindsight, I think it's clear that the Council made the right decision in permitting me to train him."

There was just the slightest emphasis on the wordme, and for half a second a dark cloud seemed to hover at the edge of C'baoth's face. Then the darkness faded and he smiled again. "This has been a pleasant meeting," he said. "But the negotiators are assembling, and I have work to do. I trust you'll excuse me if I go and deal with legitimate Council business."

"Certainly," Kenobi said, his cheek tightening slightly at the implication that he and his Padawan were not, in fact, on legitimate Council business themselves.

"But I forget my manners," C'baoth continued. "This is a full and rich city, and you and Master Skywalker will undoubtedly wish to sample its amusements while you're here." He gestured to Lorana. "My Padawan, Lorana Jinzler, would be honored to escort you on your explorations."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Kenobi said, throwing Lorana a measuring look. "We'll be fine."

"I insist," C'baoth said, and there was no mistaking the command in his tone. "I wouldn't want you getting in the way of the talks, or accidentally running afoul of any of the negotiators." He looked at Anakin. "Besides, I imagine Master Skywalker would enjoy the company of another Padawan for a while."

Again, Anakin looked at his teacher. "Well. ."

"And I'd take it as a personal favor, as well," C'baoth added, looking back at Kenobi. "There's really nothing for Lorana to do in the negotiations, and thus no real reason for me to keep her there. I'm sure she'd prefer to be out and about, and I'd feel better knowing she was touring the city with someone reliable."

Kenobi's lip twitched. He wasn't at all happy about this Lorana could see that even without the Force. But he'd been outmaneuvered, and he knew it. "As you wish, Master C'baoth," he said. "We'd be honored to have your Padawan's company for the present."

"For as long as you wish," C'baoth said. "Now I must go. Farewell." Turning, he strode away.

Lorana watched him go, her throat tightening. She'd been perfectly content to sit behind C'baoth during the negotiations, and up to now he'd seemed equally content to have her there. Had she done something to displease him?

Still, whatever the reason, she had her orders, even if they'd been largely unspoken. Bracing herself, she turned back around.

To find Kenobi and Anakin gazing expectantly back at her. "Well," she said, wincing at the inanity of the word. A Padawan of Jorus C'baoth's should be more urbane and eloquent than that. "I've only been in the city for a day, but I did pick up a guide card for visitors at the spaceport."

"So did we," Kenobi said, lifting his eyebrows slightly. Clearly, he wasn't going to make this easy on her. "Master Kenobi-"

"You know anyplace to get good tarsh maxers?" Anakin spoke up hopefully. "I'm hungry."

Kenobi smiled at his Padawan, and when he looked back at Lorana she could feel the tension between them fading away. "Actually, that sounds good to me, too," he agreed. "Let's hunt down a diner."

Seated on the balcony of his hotel room, Doriana watched as the three of them headed off toward one of the city's more mid-scale restaurant districts, scowling as he followed their leisurely progress through his macrobinoculars. So the Jedi Council had pulled a fast one on him, sending Obi-Wan Kenobi and his upstart Padawan to keep an eye on C'baoth. That hadn't been part of Sidious's plan.

But then, these two seemed to be making a career of that sort of thing. He remembered vividly Sidious's anger after the Naboo incident and the unexpected defeat of his Trade Federation allies. Their army should have been able to occupy the planet for months or years, creating a turmoil and paralysis in the Senate that Sidious and Doriana could have used to devastating effect.

But all that had been lost, thanks to Skywalker and his dumb luck in taking out the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. Darth Maul's death at the hands of Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn had been equally devastating, short-circuiting a quiet reign of terror that would have distracted the Jedi even as it pruned the edges of their close-knit group.

And now here they were on Barlok, threatening to interfere with Sidious's plan to eliminate Jorus C'baoth.

He set his lips firmly together. No-not this time. Not if Kinman Doriana had anything to say about it.

Inside his pocket, his special comlink beeped. Still watching Kenobi and his companions, he fished out the device and flicked it on. "Yes?"

"Defender?" a hoarse Brolf voice asked.

"Yes, it is I, Patriot," Doriana said. "I have returned as I promised to help you in your time of need."

"You are late," the other growled. "The negotiations have already begun."

"But nothing is yet decided," Doriana said. "There's still time to send a message that the Brolf people will not be cheated. Has everything been prepared according to my instructions?"

"Almost," Patriot said. "The final components should be on the way. The question is whetheryou've brought the contribution you promised."

"I have it right here," Doriana assured him.

"Then bring it," Patriot said. "Third North from Chessile and Scriv Streets. Two hours."

"I'll be there."

There was aping as the connection was broken. Putting away his comlink, Doriana glanced at his chrono. Excellent. The address wasn't more than half an hour's walk away, which would give him time for a leisurely stroll and a careful survey of the neighborhood before he arrived.

But first, he would see what he could do to keep Kenobi on the sidelines where he belonged.

Fortunately, that shouldn't be a problem. Whatever his purpose here, chances were he wouldn't make any serious moves without first consulting the Jedi Council. A little tweaking of the city's HoloNet computer access system, and there would be nothing coming into or going out of Barlok for the next day or two. Plenty of time for him and his Brolf allies to finish the job.

Stepping over to the desk, he opened his computer and set to work.

The cantina they found didn't have the most promising decor Obi-Wan had ever seen. But like Dex's Diner on Coruscant, appearances could be deceiving, particularly where food was involved. The hearty aroma of roast tarsh was definitely in the air, maxers were the headliners on the menu, and Lorana's guide card gave the place a triple-porken rating. All in all, it looked like a pretty good bet.