Bell saw a flash of gray and red just behind Stellan and caught up with the dog moments before she jumped up onto the Master’s robes. Stellan was back with Indeera and the others, asking about another Jedi.

“Have any of you seen Elzar Mann? He was here just a few minutes ago.”

Stokes shook her head. “I haven’t seen him.”

“Neither have I,” Nib admitted, the others saying the same.

Stellan looked vexed.

“You said something was wrong,” Bell spoke up, Gios whirling around to face him, a look of annoyance in a face that had been so kind minutes ago.

“Not so loud!”

Bell blinked at the reprimand. “I’m sorry.”

Stellan’s expression softened. “No, I’m sorry. I felt … not exactly a disturbance in the Force but a sense of unease, emanating from Elzar. I must find him.”

“We’ll help,” Nib said, beckoning Engle over from where he was perusing a tray of spiced rycrit strips.

“No,” Stellan told the older woman. “You must stay here. People will be concerned if we all leave at once. I’ll go.”

He made for the door, nearly tripping over Ember who insisted on trotting at his feet.

“Bell? Could you?”

Bell apologized—again—and told Ember to sit. The dog ignored him, scurrying after Stellan. What was she doing?

“Looks like someone has a new friend,” Nib chuckled, watching the dog follow Gios out of the pavilion.

“Yes, because Stellan is such an animal lover,” Indeera replied. “I hope he doesn’t break the little lady’s heart.”

“I better get after them,” Bell said, wishing he’d never come to the reception in the first place. This was the last thing he needed.

He found Stellan standing in the fair’s main thoroughfare, looking forward and then back as if trying to spot Elzar in the crowd. Bell couldn’t help. He’d heard of Mann but had never laid eyes on the guy. Ember was hopping around like an excitable puppy at Stellan’s feet, her tail wagging furiously. She barked as Bell hurried up, ready to pull her away if necessary.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. We’ll get out of your way.”

“No need. Hold this, will you?” Stellan said, pulling his lightsaber from its holster and handing it to Bell. The Padawan looked at it in confusion as Stellan proceeded to unbuckle the holster and pull it from his waist.

“I told you Elzar and I go back a long way,” he said, smiling at Bell’s obvious bewilderment. “We had different Masters, but we were taught in many of the same ways, especially when it comes to looking after our equipment.” Stellan sniffed the leather and grinned all the wider. “Muttamok oil. We’ve both been using it since we were Padawans.”