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Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences. ~Norman Cousins
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It is with great hesitation that Sabé found herself entering the small but elegant temple dedicated to Naboo's most worshipped goddess, Shiraya. Normally this place would have filled her with such peace and calm. Now it served to remind her of what she was about to do and how much she dreaded doing it.

Harmony, loyalty and honesty were the three most important things the great goddess represented. They were also three values that Sabé followed most seriously, yet she was about to break them all. Sighing deeply to herself the handmaiden tried to ignore the sense of foreboding that seemed to also linger in ther heart. This is my duty and I will not hesitate to complete it. Sabé reminded herself in fierce tones though even this took some convincing, for never had she felt so torn between the call of duty and personal loyalties before. For before this time there was never any question of her stance. Duty always came first and foremost. But when had duty ever demanded she compromise her codes of honour?

Another deep breath was taken as Sabé quietly cleared her thoughts and found her center. Bowing deeply as per tradition she gently slipped out of her shoes grateful for the feel of the cool flooring beneath her barefeet. It was only then that she fully registered her surroundings breathing in the soft scent of candles burning and cool smells brought on by scent stones being warmed.

All around her beautiful stained glass paintings of historical events and legends decorated the small temple casting colourful light throughout the darkened grand hall. Small statues dedicated to the goddess herself and to her disciples decorated the outer regions of the small building while in the center stood a rather large chalice that held water from the river Solleu. For legends said this powerful river was known to have been blessed by the goddess herself and was considered to be the gateway between the realms of mortals and gods. Sabé couldn't say if any of this was true but she did believe what the goddess stood for and felt shamed by the fact she was about to dishonour her in the name of duty.

In truth the only thing that was gave her the strength to go through with this was the silent support of her dearest friend Obi-Wan. He understood better than anyone the complications and her feelings on this situation. He also offered the one thing she needed the most, but would never dare to ask; silent support. Unable to stop herself Sabé quietly approached the massive chalice and bowed once more before it. Nearing it she gently touched the edges as she peered into its mouth. As always the water was crystal clear, revealing nothing but the bottom of the massive carved silver chalice and the dancing rays of sunlight that poured down from the great opening in the ceiling. It was a beautiful sight to behold yet once again Sabé could appriciate none of its beauty.

"Gods grant me the strength to do what I must do." She whispered softly as she studied the water hoping that in some small way she could find a little peace in it. But instead of peace she found something entirely different. For the water in front of her began to grow dark. Furrowing her brow Sabé's eyes drifted to the ceiling figuring it was just a cloud covering the sun. However the sun was as bright as always and the sky still a vibrant blue. She quickly looked the water figuring it was just her eyes playing tricks on her but to her concern the water continued to grow darker taking on an almost blackish red tone before finally turning into an oily shade of black.

Glancing around quickly Sabé wondered if the others who were approaching the chalice had noticed this strange phenomenon. But no one save herself seemed to pick up on this strange and rather cryptic sight. Sabé remembered from legends and tales that such a sign was regarded as an omen of the worst sort.

"You see it too, don't you young one." A voice stated in concerned but kind tones causing Sabé to almost jump. She nodded not even bothering to try and lie.

"Yes I do Milady." She replied as the old priestess nodded slightly in reply before placing a hand on her shoulder as she gave a reassuring smile.

"Do not worry and do not let it consume your thoughts. If you wish to stop this possibility from coming to pass then you must leave it be.

"Fate is always found on the path taken to avoid it."

Sabé felt her throat go dry as she immediately wondered if the old frail woman before her was Force sensitive. As her instinctive reaction to seeing the dark waters was to refuse her mistress's request for Sabé to make arrangements to have their local priest on Naboo marry her. She didn't know what the sight before her could possibly mean but she knew it was a bad omen and couldn't shake the feeling that somehow in someway it was linked to this marriage. Or more exactly to Padawan Skywalker himself.

"I think I understand." Sabé finally breathed in reply as she swallowed hard feeling almost cold now. The older woman studied the handmaiden for a moment before placing a hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. Speaking once more she gave Sabé a warm smile that seemed to almost erase the wrinkles on her worn but elegant features.

"You go on now young one to where you must go. Just know that whatever comes to pass you will never be alone and the burdens you will carry will always be shared."

With that the old priestess quietly turned and walked away leaving Sabé alone with her thoughts once more. But now instead of dread she found a sense of hope and in place of hesitancy, she now found courage. So with this in mind Sabé quietly left the chalice with its now crystal clear water and headed to the back chambers of the temple where the high priestess's chambers were located. For she knew to make such a request would require the high priestess's permission and blessing though Sabé was already certain there would be no problems.

But despite the old woman's words of wisdom Sabé was far from happy to be here. For between the division of loyalties and the strange incident at Shiraya's chalice Sabé couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.