"Awww common, Master Katarn. We both know that 'size matters not!'"

At her words, Kenshin paused and gave her an exaggerated look, as if he was thinking really really hard about what she had just told him. The comical face lasted for only a moment however and he soon turned back to face her.

"I guess you're right." He said with a pouting look before propping her up on his shoulder with a laugh. She was probably getting too old to be seen riding on his shoulder, but he didn't care. She was being forced to grow up too fast, with the many trying situations of the galaxy these days, and he just wanted to remind her that even in what seemed to be the darkest days, there is always a bit of light.

"So, how have you been...?" He asked as he made his way out of the docking bays. "Well, probably really busy I can guess. Anything happen I should know about? Oh, and tell me how has your Jedi training been going?"

A few of the passing officials on board gave the Cortogen Captain and his charge disapproving looks, but refrained from making a comment lest they insult the Princess. Kenshin paid them little heed. Most of the workers and officers, however, gave them amused smiles and Kenshin nodded to them in silent thanks of their understanding.

Hearing his response to her words, Amarie couldn't help squeel as he picked her up and placed him upon his shoulders, her squeel quickly turning into that of a riot of laughter.

Force, you have idea how much I've needed a chance to laugh, to breathe and to be myself. All these politics are driving me crazy!

His next questions came so quickly, that Amarie was unable to put in a reply or two to space them out. Though, the final two seemed to quickly squelch her laughter as he continued down the hall, carrying her with him. The reactions to them seemed mixed, though Amarie could get the general sense that they somehow understood that their princess was only getting a reprieve from her office duties.

"One, I've been so busy and frustraited, that I'm tempted to pull my hair out. Two, did you want the whole story, or just the general run down for starters? Three, I've been trying to make progress, but since father's capture and imprisonment on Kessel, I haven't anybody around to guide me further."

Sighing in both frustrustraition and the tiredness from earlier that was creeping back in, Amarie knew that her answers were bound to get nothing more than more questions.

At the mention of her current situations, Amarie's expression immediately became grave. It was obvious that she was feeling some difficulty as her reply was in an exasperated tone. Kenshin could only listen seriously as she spoke of her frustrations with her duties as a leader for her people.

"Tell me what you think I should know..." He said after a moment of thought. "And anything extra you'd like me to know." He added as an afterthought as he rounded a corner.

He didn't want to force her to tell him anything she wasn't comfortable with him knowing, but he would like to know enough to be able to do his duty as a friend, a Cortogen Guard, and a Jedi; to protect her. If she gave him more, he just might be able to beyond that and do what he could to help her.

"As for the continuation of your training as a Jedi, that is one thing I can definitely do so don't worry about that." He said with a laugh and a mischevious twinkle in his eye. "We'll have lots of fun, I'm sure of that."

They were soon walking through the halls of the living compartments on The Hope designated for the royal family. The chambers were uncharacteristically, as well as disturbingly, empty. A reminder of their devestating losses. Kenshin could only wonder what it was like for Amarie to have to live in these rooms with the memories of her family. Probably unpleasant at best.

"Subcommander," an Ensign swallowed tightly, as he rounded a corner to face his superior outside the prisoner's door. "We've just got word from Farfalen, sir: a patrol of <I>Cutter</i>-class vessels are in route to intercept us to acquire our visitor we have picked up, since now he falls into their jurisdiction."

"Very good," Tage nodded. "Did our Farfalen comrades relay what they are to do with him?"

"They did not say, but I assume more interrogations," he expressed.

"I hope so," Tage said grimly. The Kessel sector held a strategic position in the borderland regions of the Black Dragon Empire, and intelligence reports within the Imperium indicated that the Farfalen were closing down all borders within its sector to make way for a new secret project to go underway inside the Maw cluster. And since their new visitor was enroute to Kessel, might as well let them handle it. The <I>Solice</I> would remain here, should anything happen.

Stepping to the door, Subcommander Tage straightened his black tunic and stepped inside the prisoner's chambers. The alien remained in the same position as he was left: sitting upon a desk with his hands folded.

Tage dispensed with any small talk. "Lahout, as you are known as, you will be transferred to another ship and possibly taken to Kessel. I believe my comrades, the Farfalen, wish to continue their questioning about you," he announced. "As for my questions-- well-- it seems the Farfalen will be asking those. It seems we were just a taxi service for them." He waved two helmeted BDE death infantry soldiers inside, their TC-11's pointed downward as they stepped in line behind him.

"A Farfalen vessel is on approach to dock with us," he informed the gray-skinned alien. "You will be boarded onto their ship and taken to the prison planet, I believe. From there, you will be under their jurisdiction and questioning. We will remain here in orbit until ordered by the Farfalen. These men will escort you." Tage nodded to the soldiers beside him.

"I do apologize for the unpleasantries, but as you know, this is a highly restricted area." Subcommander Tage nodded once more, then exited the room. The two soldiers stepped forward and one of them raised his muzzle up.

"The Farfalen will be docking shortly. Please come with us to the hangar bay. Your ship will be cared for, here..."

"It's been so ... empty in here. " Amarie murmured, noting the cooridors of The Hope itself, a sad smile upon her lips.

"My only comfort, would be this ship. He always cared for it as if it were a sibling of mine. And I'm trying to keep that tradition going, since he's been at Kessell.

Though, it would be nice to have somebody to at least talk to. None of those who seem whine and rant all day. From most of them, they appear to be sympathetic, but I know that somehow they don't really give a damn."

Lahout nodded placidly as this sub commander told him of the developments. Looking over toward where an ensign was standing, though he couldn't see him, he could feel him. There was a bit of uncertainty, (or was it fear?) coming from the man, but fear towards what?

"Let us go, then," said Lahout suddenly, breaking off his momentary pause. "My quest does not end if the man I seek is not found on this planet, and there is much of this Galaxy left to search."

"You just look to all the wrong souls." Kenshin said, gently lifting her from his shoulders and setting her down on the ground before him. "Politicians tend not to be very sympathetic as they have the problems of their own worlds to deal with and no doubt it is a great burden for each."

"The game of power clouds the mind and hardens the heart of many of its players. I am slightly disturbed that you have been thrown into the matches at such and early age, but I suppose it would be your destiny as a princess. I can only hope that you remember who you play for and that you learn the game well..."

The young man then slowly lowered himself to her eyelevel, his stormy sea hued gaze peering out to study her own from behind those unruly strands of his dark mane. "When you seek strength, look to the people of Alatar, for they are your people and you make your stand in the galaxy for them. It is they who understand your loss because it is their loss as well. You have lost your father and in a sense they have lost theirs too. Kamon was their leader. Now you'll have to grow up and take his place."

Kenshin then slowly rose, breaking his gaze from hers. "You must become the light that will guide your people out of this darkness. You must take care of them. And in turn they will fight for you with their very lives. Me included. You are the light that I swear to protect, as a Cortogen Guard, as a Jedi Knight, and as your friend."

Amarie gave him a sad smile, a tired sigh once again escaping from her lips.

"The question is: will the listen to a mere child? They'll push that issue as hard as they'll want to shove it. Can a kid keep hope alive, and not lose her mind in the process?"

Would they listen to a mere child? He wasn't sure. But he didn't think that they would disown her either. She was their last connection to their Prince. She was Kamon's flesh and blood. They wouldn't disrespect that would they? Not if they were still loyal to him. But then there was the possibility of a rebellion. If the people were discontent with the direction they head, no doubt they would at least try to overthrow it.

"Hope is an irrational emotion." Kenshin said with a slightly crooked grin. "I'm sure a child will find it to be much easier to hold onto than a rational adult." However his demeanor soon sobered again. "Find something or someone to hold onto. Seek sanctuary in a world no one can touch. One person can hold up the world, but someone else has to be there to hold their soul..."

The young man frowned. It was not something he could easily describe, he himself still a bit unsure of what to say. But under pressure, that was the only true way he understood to preserve one's sanity. Someone had to understand the insanity one went through and hold your hand as you walked the broken path.

Amarie nodded, taking in his words as she found a nearby chair to sit in, leaning upon her hands as her elbows sank onto her weary legs.

"I don't know what to do to be honest. But at this point, hope is the only thing I can cling to."