" she said, taking his two hands in her four. "I hope that I have not brought you to your death. "
"Jedi are not so easily killed, " he said.
"If you are half the warrior Master Yoda is said to be, you will prevail, " she said.
Jesson’s eyes narrowed at that. If Obi-Wan had felt more confident in reading X’Ting facial expressions, he would have said the soldier’s dominating mood was one of contempt.
"Well, let us begin. " Obi-Wan turned to his guide. "We descend into the bowels of the planet together, " he said. "Will you tell me your full name? "
"First Rank Jesson Di Blinth, " the other said, and bowed formally. "Of the volcano Di Blinths. "
"Well met, Jesson, " the Jedi replied. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, of Coruscant. Are we ready to leave? "
Jesson conferred swiftly with the other members of the council. Two members touched scent glands at the sides of their neck, and with damp fingers made a series of dots on the table before them. Jesson made moist markings of his own in a similar fashion.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, and Duris explained: "Much of our information is stored in scents. "
"These contain most of what we currently know or remember about the path, " Kosta said.
"No one has taken it in so long . . . "
"I thought you said that four of your number tried, and were slain in the process, "
Obi-Wan said.
"Not completely accurate, " Jesson said, studying the tabletop. "The first attempt was through the direct opening to the egg chamber, which buttresses a lava tube. My brother never returned, and we know that defensive mechanisms were triggered. A backup entrance was tried next. My second brother never returned, and the door was jammed. "
"Did you attempt to open it? "
Jesson regarded him with scorn. "Whatever happened there cost the life of a brave warrior.
We will not disrespect him by assuming we can succeed where he failed. "
"What, then? "
"There is another way down, through the old tunnels. "
The mention of that word quieted the room for a long moment, and again G’Mai Duris raised an objection. "I should go. Obi-Wan risks his life because of me. "
"Later, perhaps, when you have shifted back to male, " Kosta said, her emerald eyes flashing with compassion. "But now you are not as strong and light as you will be. We cannot risk you. You are our face with the offworlders. "
Duris took Obi-Wan’s hands in hers. "Then go with luck, " she said.
Obi-Wan nodded. "The Force is what we will need. " He turned to Jesson. "Well, if it is to be done, it is best done swiftly. "
And together they left the chamber.