"Master, why does the council deem it necessary to have four Jedi at this negotiation? Seems like overkill." Obi-Wan remarked, watching their surroundings skim past the transport's windows before fixing his master in his clear blue gaze.

"At best, these negotiations will move swiftly due to our influence. At worst, there will be bigger problems on our plates."

Obi-Wan frowned and waited for Qui-Gon to elaborate, a practiced technique after their few years together.

"The council suspects an issue with Master Drum and his apprentice." Qui-Gon said when he saw that his apprentice wouldn't be satisfied with a vague answer.

"That's a serious accusation, Master. Do you think that the Dark Side has something to do with it?"

"The Dark Side clouds everything. We will need to think for ourselves and listen to the living Force when we can hear it."

Obi-Wan continued to look outside, meditating on what he'd just learned. He'd never met Master Drum or his apprentice before, only heard of their skill in negotiating from others at the temple. Master Drum spoke hundreds of languages, making him a valuable asset in delicate times as these.

"What do you know of his young apprentice?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Nothing, Master. I assume we may have been younglings together at the temple, but the acquaintance goes no further, so far as I am aware."

"Master Yoda implied that she is coming to terms with knighthood and is struggling without her Master's care of the matter. I have been tasked with guiding her without overstepping."

"I see. I will offer my assistance as well." Obi-Wan replied.

"Making landing soon, sirs." The Pilot's voice came from the front of the ship. The thick forest of the planet began to thin as buildings cropped up out of the rocky terrain. The landing pad jutted out of a large building built like a tree house, with balconies encircling its entire front. There was very little movement around the area, Obi-Wan noticed.

"There's Master Drum's apprentice waiting for us." Qui-Gon pointed, looking at the small robed figure waiting on the dock for them.

"Let the negotiations begin." Obi-Wan replied.

The Padawan greeted them with the customary bow, which was returned. "Greetings Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi. I am Padawan Thy'la. Master Drum is expecting you in his quarters."

"Greetings, Padawan." Qui-Gon said. "Please lead the way."

Obi-Wan took his time in observing their companion as they moved inside to meet the other Master, entering a rocky outcrop and beginning to scale a circular staircase up many levels. She was small, delicate featured, with her blonde waves tacked up in several delicate buns. She moved gracefully and temperately. Of her connection to the Force, he could sense a surprisingly open and vulnerable connection that he was careful not to intrude upon. She did not have the same shields that Qui-Gon and others had encouraged him to keep.

The same was not true of Master Drum. As soon as they entered his quarters Obi-Wan's sense of the Force was met with a cold wall of shields, emanating from the imposing presence of the tall Master Drum.

"Greetings, Master Drum." Qui-Gon said. "It has been many moons."

"Greetings, Master Jinn. I am sorry for you and your padawan, but there has been some mistake. I have negotiations with the Bereens under control."

"The council would disagree. They believe you and your padawan are in over your heads." Qui-Gon replied cooly. Obi-Wan could tell that his master was watching the other master's behavior carefully. He looked over to the other padawan, who was standing with her hands in her robes and studying the floor carefully. Her Force connection was swirling with unease and emotion.

"The council is mistaken. I have just finished details on a treaty to bring them into the Republic. I have utmost confidence it will be accepted."

"Very well. We will stay until the negotiations are complete, since you have such confidence they will be over quickly. My Padawan is beginning work on the Sha'ra lightsaber technique and could use opportunity to spar with another at his level. Surely you could permit them train while you are finishing negotiations?"

At mention of her person, Padawan Thy'la looked up in surprise. Master Drum's lip curled.

"My padawan will not be of much use, she struggles with basic lightsaber technique. But you may do as you wish, simply keep the children out from underfoot."

Padwan Thy'la's cheeks flamed and she looked down at her feet. Obi-Wan was taken aback by the other master's words, and he could feel the animosity bubbling under Qui-Gon's mild countenance. His Master looked like he had something else to say, but instead inclined his head in a barely polite bow and turned to leave. The bow was not reciprocated.

"Allow me to show you to your accomodations." Padawan Rose said once they were out of the tense room. "The Bereen people have been kind enough to allow us this entire wing of the building for our various functions. Our accommodations are on the opposite side."

They walked in silence for some time, taking several turns and another short staircase up. Out the windows they were well above the treeline now.

"Tell us about the Bereen. They hardly seem threatening, yet the senate is very interested in their republic participation." Qui-Gon said.

"The planet's core is rife with valuable metals. The senate has requested a generous treatise in order to use the resources for production in the capital."

"Greed. The primary drive of the bureaucrats. What of the Bereen culture? How will the appropriation of resources affect the population?"

"I'm afraid I don't know. Master Drum did not perform a cultural and ecological survey before moving ahead with the negotiations."

Qui-Gon stopped short. "No surveying? What was his reasoning for failing to follow the guidelines?"

"I do not know." Padawan Thy'la said sadly. "Since he has been too busy to continue our training, I have been conducting what research I can. But without my Master's approval I cannot send my findings to the senate or the temple. I'm afraid that his vision has been clouded recently."

Obi-Wan could practically hear the puzzle pieces shifting around in Qui-Gon's brain. This revelation was concerning to say the least, it gave him a bad feeling. Padawan Thy'la's Force connection was overwhelmed by anxiety as she watched Qui-Gon think.

"Padawan, what is your name?" He asked softly.

"Rose Thy'la, Master." She replied.

"You have done good here, and your instincts are to be trusted. We have been sent because the Council suspects that something is off about this negotiation. Obi-Wan and I will get to the bottom of this."

"Thank you, Master." Rose said, once again looking at the ground. "It is my hope that my master's vision becomes clear through your guidance."

"Show me where I may meditate, and take Obi-Wan to his rooms. I must also brief the council before we go any further."

"Yes, Master." Rose bowed.

They continued down the smooth stone hallway, their path dimply lit by the natural light filtering in. There was very little artificial list source in the architecture, and Obi-Wan could see simple fireplaces in the rooms they passed. There was a library, a bathing room, and a wide open space with a table and chairs.

"I have been using this space for my meditations, Master Jinn. I find that the open view of the terrain channels the living Force. Your chambers will be adjacent, through that arch. Obi-Wan and I will be through the next arch over."

"Where does Master Drum sleep?" Qui-Gon asked. "He does not share accommodations with his padawan?"

Rose flushed and shook her head. "He prefers to sleep in his office, where we met with him."

"Obi-Wan, you are free to stay with Padawan Thy'la though my door will also be open to you both." Qui-Gon said. "I do not seek out barriers between myself and my students."

"Yes, master." Both padawans replied. Qui-Gon disappeared into his quarters, leaving them to theirs.

"I hope the disparity between genders does not disturb you." Rose said evenly. "I had thought it suitable that the padawans keep quarters together, leaving the masters free to their work. The room is larger in size, unsuitable to just one individual."

"I trust your judgement, padawan. I will be fine no matter where I sleep."

Rose nodded quickly and then proceeded through the doorway to their quarters. It was modestly decorated, with two bed rolls laid out in the middle of the space. A meditation pallet was thoughtfully laid out next to one of them, and a stack of books was gently shelved next to the other. A fireplace and a large unglassed window bracketed the ends.

"The window leads to the balcony of this level, which also connects to Master Jinn's quarters. The Bereen believe that open spaces allow for freedom of movement, and the climate is temperate enough to support the open doorways."

"Are there any natural predators?" Obi-Wan asked. Rose shook her head in reply.

"There are many native species in the jungle, but the most that have come into the settled area are the birds and a few lumpuku cats, which are harmless and good for pest control."

"And how soon does it get dark?" Obi-Wan moved to look out over the balcony. "With little natural lighting I imagine activity stops early."

"Correct. It will be dark in approximately 3 hours. I will serve you our dinner soon and then retire to my meditation."

"Will you see your master again?" Obi-Wan asked. Rose shook her head again.

"I see very little of him. He will give me my tasks for the day and dismiss me once finished. I will meditate alone."

"Forgive me, one more question. Has it always been that way? Or only recently?"

Rose's eyes fixed on the floor once more and her Force connection was a wash of unhappiness.

"My master was a great teacher of the Force. He has lost sight of his path since these negotiations began, and I can do little but wait for resolution." She said.

"I'm sorry that I pressed. You are doing well with what must be a stressful situation." Obi-Wan said.

"Thank you, padawan Kenobi. Allow me to take my leave and prepare our meal." She said. He gave her a respectful bow which she returned. He turned to look out on the jungle once more, brow creasing in worry. He had a bad feeling about this.