Pausing outside the entrance, Luminara turned to their guides. "You three will have to wait out here. You don't repre-

sent the Republic Senate, and we can't risk any distractions during the meeting."

Kyakhta and Bulgan indicated understanding. The Gwurran understood also, but that didn't keep him from objecting.

"Tooqui no distraction! Tooqui keep quiet, say say nothing, mouth become like closed cleft in rock, speak no words unless asked, can be as quiet as a-"

Reaching out and down, she put a forefinger against the up per edge of his lipless mouth. "I know you can, Tooqui. But this is our mission, and our time. We'll tell you all about it when we come out."

The Gwurran folded his furry arms across his chest and sniffed, his single wide nostril rising slightly. "Humans no need blabbermouth Tooqui when come out. Human squinchy-faces easy to read as gogomar entrails!"

"Hear that?" Anakin murmured to an expectant Barriss. "You've got a face like gogomar guts."

"Thanks," she replied flatly as they turned to enter the tem porary structure. "You're no prince of the realm yourself."

It was meant as a returning jest, but as she stepped past him it was just as well she did not see the look that came over his face.

The council consisted of twelve elders of both sexes. They sat on a semicircle of slightly raised, carpeted divans facing the entrance. With a few exceptions, every mane in the room was either white or gray, though some showed striking black spots or stripes. As the offworlders arrived, one particularly aged Borokii raised a hand in greeting, all three fingers spread wide.

"We welcome you to this council of the overclan, and will listen to whatever you have to say. Questions will be asked. It is to be hoped that answers will be imparted."

It was that simple, that straightforward. Obi-Wan made the presentation, repeating what they had already told the Yiwa, the Qulun, and the Gwurran, explaining why they had come to An-sion and why it was so important that the Alwari reach agreement with the Senate's proposal. Telling them that not only the future of Ansion depended on what they decided here today, but perhaps that of the Republic as well. There was no need for embellishment or fancy oratory. That was not the Jedi way, in any case. Such trimmings and flourishes were the province of professional diplomats. Though Obi-Wan was a fine speaker, he disliked superfluities.

When he was finished, he stepped back and took a seat next to Luminara on a settee provided for the purpose. As befitted their status, Barriss and Anakin sat behind their teachers.

His presentation was followed by a good deal of muted but vigorous conversation among the members of the council. One female elder looked up to ask a question worthy of the Qulun.

"We understand what the Alwari are supposed to get if we agree to this proposal. What does the Senate obtain?"

"Assurance that the law will be respected, and that Ansion will remain within the Republic," Luminara replied without hesitation. "As goes Ansion, so will go the Malarians and the Keitu-mites. The integrity of the Republic will be preserved."

"But Ansion is not a powerful world," another of the elders pointed out. "Why so much attention to our internal problems, our border disputes with the people of the Unity, and so on?"

"A small crack can lead to the collapse of a huge dam," Obi- Wan told him. "True, Ansion itself is not powerful. But it is entangled in powerful alliances. These need to be preserved within the framework of the Republic."

"We have heard little of this secessionist talk that seems to so inflame many of the city folk," another of the senior Borokii commented.

"Just as well that you don't," Obi-Wan told the speaker. "When Ansion declares its intent to remain within the Republic, it will all blow over. Such movements have manifested themselves before. The history of the Republic is full of them, and all that remains of them today are their names."

But this one was different, he had been told. Far more sinis ter. Potent outside forces were at work, stirring up discontent and trouble on multiple worlds. His briefing from the Jedi Council had spoken of rumblings on Coruscant itself. Still, there was no need to tell the elders more than they needed to know. The situation was delicate enough without invoking the dangers that existed on other worlds.

Another elder was speaking. "If we agree to what you ask, how can we be assured the city folk of the Unity will not go back on their word?"

"The Republic will guarantee the arrangements between you," Luminara told them, to which she added quickly, to forestall intimations of rising laughter, "and so will the Council of Jedi Knights." That announcement was met with murmurs of evident satisfaction. "We will also see to it that you are not taken advantage of by the incursions of the Commerce Guild, the Trade Federation, or anyone else."

There were more questions; some general and friendly, others pointed and challenging. When at last there was nothing more to be said, the senior elder of the Situng Borokii raised a shaky hand.

"Retire in peace, friends from another prairie. We will give you your answer before the setting of the sun. Rest assured it will not be given in haste, nor thoughtlessly." Looking to right and left, she regarded her fellow elders. "This is a decision that will affect not only the Borokii, but every member of every clan, from the newborn to the dying. It must be taken with care."

As was so often the case in matters of diplomacy, the summit itself was much easier to deal with than the waiting that ensued. There was nothing for the offworlders to do but retire to the visitors' house. As they waited, they were badgered by Tooqui and to a lesser extent by the equally inquisitive Kyakhta and Bulgan for details of the meeting. The Gwurran in particular was especially entertaining or annoying, depending on one's mood of the moment.

When Bayaar finally entered, everyone turned immediately in his direction. Taken momentarily aback by the attention, his expression was unreadable. When at last he spoke, it was with uncharacteristic solemnity.

"The elders are ready to see you again." He stepped aside. "Please come with me."

The two Jedi exchanged a glance, then followed the sentinel out the door. As before, Anakin and Barriss trailed behind, conversing softly among themselves.

"So they've come to a decision." Anakin shortened his stride so Barriss could keep up. "About time."

"Always impatient, you are," she told him, mimicking Master Yoda. "Better to live a calmer life and a longer one, it is."

"No calm in my life have I had, say I," he shot back without missing a beat. His smile was unreadable. "I wouldn't know how to react if I wasn't on edge most of the time."