Here is where people are laid to rest.

It is of Naboo belief that the body must be cremated within 2 days of death so that the life force would return to the planet.

The funeral pyre was lit that evening, the fire building steadily around the objects replacing the body of Asane, the flames slowly beginning to envelop and consume them.

There was an odd assortment of items on the pyre, from Asane's handmaiden robes, to the engraved box she'd received her robes in when she'd first become a handmaiden. There were also a few holo-images of her, a few trinkets and a beautiful green dress with sequins and diamonds running up and down the bodice.

Those who had been chosen to honour the dead girl, encircled the pyre. Queen Kylantha was there, along with a small group of handmaidens who had known Asane the best. Then there was Amelia, standing a little away from this group. Hopal and the rest of Asane's family stood across from them, and a few guards who'd also known Asane the longest and best completed the circle.

A long, sustained drum roll traced the passage of the flames as they reduced Asane's possessions to ash and when the fire had died down, a flight of snowy doves was released into a crimson sunset. The birds rose in a flutter of wings and a splash of pale brilliance, winging softly away - as if carrying Asane's spirit to another life...a better place.

Amelia stared at the smoldering ashes for a long time, crying softly. She flinched a little when someone placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and turned to see that it was the Queen herself.

"She has become one with Naboo now, Amelia. You must let her go."

Amelia shook her head softly, never looking away from the last few flickering flames as they danced over the wood of the engraved box. "I miss her."

The Queen nodded. "I miss her too. And I'll remember her always. But she's gone. Let her go."

Amelia took a deep breath, as if steadying herself, and then continued. "What will happen now?"

"Now, we will go and celebrate the life that Asane led, and then tomorrow you will become the new teacher and trainer, just as Asane was. But you won't be replacing her. No-one can ever do that. You will simply be continuing the work that she started."

"And what of my decoy training?"

"As far as I am concerned, you do not need to train any further. You have learnt all that you can."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Amelia bowed a little, and Kylantha nodded, then walked back to her little retinue of handmaidens.

Amelia continued to stare at the pyre for some time, before looking up again to find that she was completely alone in the room. Everyone else had gone. Everyone that was, save for Hopal. She smiled gently, nodded a silent thanks in Amelia's direction, then also left. This strangely reminded Amelia of something and she plunged a hand in her pocket.

Pulling Asane's silver necklace out, Amelia studied it for a while, then put it on carefully and tucked it beneath her robes. Stepping up to the pyre, she took a handful of the ash - as was Naboo tradition - and carried it to the bridge outside.

"Goodbye," she whispered, opening her hand and blowing the contents gently from her hand, watching as the wind caught the ash and carried it away into the night.