"No. No lightsaber."

"Then your presence only." Didi put his hands together. "Such a big favor it would be, and I would repay it a thousand times over."

"Do you really think," Obi-Wan said, exasperated, "that I have time to help you make up a bad deal?"

"Of course not, you are so busy being strong and good," Didi said.

"But while we are together, I can give you a behind-the-scenes, sneak-peek look at the Games. Bog is my son-in-law and on the Council. I have a unique perspective." Didi could see that Obi-Wan was unmoved. "Now, don't do it for Qui-Gon's sake. I would never want you to remember how much he loved me and how many times he helped me. Don't even mention his beloved name!"

"I don't have to," Obi-Wan said. "You just did." But he knew from the first moment that Didi had drawn him aside that he would help him. The truth was that Obi-Wan had a soft spot for Didi just as vulnerable as Qui- Gon's had been. And he had come to see that it wasn't such a bad thing, to feel affection for a worthless scoundrel with a big heart.

Still, there were limits.

"I will give you ten minutes," Obi-Wan said. "You are the best and kindest friend I ever — " "Nine minutes, fifty-seven seconds — "

Didi's mouth snapped shut. "I will tell Astri. One moment."

Didi dashed off, and Siri came up next to Obi-Wan. "You are worse than Qui-Gon," she said in an amused tone Obi-Wan shrugged. "I am still his Padawan in many ways."

"Ry-Gaul and I are going with Liviani. She has some swoops available for us so we can get an overview of the area. We're sending the Padawans off on their own. The opening rituals will begin in a few minutes."

"I'll keep in touch and meet up with you," Obi-Wan said. "This won't take long."