Anakin was busy thinking these thoughts when he turned the next corner and saw the flash of a weapon. It was held by a young woman in a gray cloak that blended with the rocks.
"Don't come any farther," she said in a clear voice. "I promise you, I know how to use this. And it's aimed straight at your hear."
Chapter Five
Anakin waited. The Force was around him, rising up from the ground beneath his feet and the forest below. It was not strong in the girl. Anakin guessed she was close to his age. She was afraid, he suddenly knew. He felt her fear ripple out and touch him, as clearly as if she had pout out a hand.
And he felt something else — his Master was near. Obi-Wan was above him. He needed to keep the girl's attention on him.
"Why do you want to shoot me?" he asked in a reasonable tone.
"Do not try to trick me," she said. "I know you've been following me. I know you killed my friends and my teacher." Now her voice wobbled slightly. "I won't let you kill me too."
Anakin saw a blur above. It was his Master, leaping down from the sheer cliff above.
Obi-Wan dropped behind the girl and disarmed her in a move so fast she did not have time to turn or even take a breath.
Obi-Wan tossed the weapon to Anakin.
"You know how to use a hydrospanner?" Anakin asked in disbelief.
"I didn't have a real weapon," she said in a small voice.
"Were you threatening to kill me, or fix my speeder?" Anakin asked. He couldn't believe he had been fooled by a hydrospanner. What kind of Jedi was he?