Fortunately, Bell raised a hand, waving away any concern. “Master Engle is right. I barely made it out alive.” Stellan allowed himself to breathe again. There was no animosity in Engle’s clumsiness, and his lack of tact was as legendary as his lightsaberwork. Bell, however, seemed to take it all in his stride, although the pain that had stabbed the boy’s heart had been palpable. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Indeera and the arrival of Master Engle’s drift.”

Graceful and diplomatic. Stellan knew at that moment that he was going to like young Zettifar.

“Would you like to see the exhibition?” Stellan asked, Bell’s eyebrows raising slightly at the sudden invitation.

“Um … yes … yes of course.” The Padawan turned to his fellow Jedi. “Would you like to come?”

Engle looked as if he was about to say yes before Indeera cut in. “No, we need to discuss tomorrow’s display. You go ahead.”

Stellan offered his thanks to Bell’s Master and guided Zettifar through the throng. “It will be a little less crowded there.”

“That would be a welcome change.” Bell glanced down at his feet to check that his charhound was still at heel. “I’ve never seen so many people, at least not in such close quarters.”

“It can be overwhelming, especially after a period in a bacta tank. I’m intrigued to hear about the experience. When I was a Padawan, Master Kant would have us meditate in a sensory deprivation field so we could be truly one with the Force. I assume that it’s a similar sensation.”

A shadow passed over Bell’s face. “I think I would prefer the field.”

There it was again. The sadness Stellan had sensed on Bell’s arrival. He was in no way as empathetic as Burryaga, but he couldn’t help recognizing the emotion.

He stepped back to allow Bell to climb the steps to the exhibition doors. They parted obediently, the steward managing entry to the exhibition not likely to turn away a member of the Council. Inside, Stellan felt Bell relax, the Padawan’s shoulders falling slightly. Bell took a deep breath, spotting a spiral of pink flowers swirling gracefully in a repulsor field.

“Are those—?”

“Uneti blossom,” Stellan confirmed. “From the Great Tree on Coruscant. Master Wishan has manufactured incense from its petals. I can arrange to have a box sent to you, if you’d like?”

“That would be incredibly kind.”

“Not at all. I brought some with me on the Coruscant Dawn. I found it invaluable during meditation.”

He walked the young Padawan toward a cabinet containing a collection of small medallions arranged on velvet pillows.

“What are these?” Bell asked, fascinated by the tiny disks, each marked with a Coremaic rune.