Iman was lying on the floor of the forest. When she closed her eyes, she heard what she didn’t want to hear – the distant sound of shelling. The sounds of nature should be louder than those of humans and their weapons. Early in the morning, she had sneaked off and gone on an adventure. She had taken the ferry and then the bus to the nearest town, walked into a hair salon and demanded a bob like that of Lady Evelyn. So much of her black hair had fallen on the ground. And how had she afforded all this? By stretching her hand into Moni’s purse. Given Moni’s carelessness with cash, she would never notice.

The crescendo of the forest suddenly in her ears. She turned and saw the trees blocking out the sun. A chill seized her body. She sat up and gathered her cape closer, over her hair and shoulders. Today’s costume was that of Padmé Amidala. Iman had ached and almost begged the cupboard for a tweed skirt or jodhpurs, for a hunting suit fit for the Highlands, but that was not what she got. She stood up and dusted off the leaves that clung to her tunic. She shook the cape out.

A movement caught her eyes. A sniper in a tree. She leapt and struck him down with her lightsabre. It was imperative that she protected the forest and everyone in it. They needed her. And this sniper had been a scout. There would be others following him, the bulk of the enemy force. She must be alert. She was strong now and moving. She could jump up and leap forward, swing the heavy lightsabre this way and that. It thrilled her, this strength. Knowing too that it was temporary, that it went as easily as it came, and she had little control of it. Ever since the dog had knocked her down and the earth had hugged her, she had experienced this duality. It was almost as if she had to be weakened to gain strength, she had to simulate dying to throb full of life. The dark energy was there in the middle of the earth, under the surface, coming from molten rocks, carried in smoke. She who had always been helpless knew it was invaluable. Her life would never be the same again. Today she was Padmé, queen warrior, mother of twins. With the cape around her head and shoulders, the weapon in her hand, she was able to fight.