The Mark of the Crown, a novel by Jude Watson, represents the fourth installment in the Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice series tailored for young readers. Jude Watson is the author of all the books in this series, with one exception: the initial volume, entitled The Rising Force, was penned by Dave Wolverton. The series delves into the adventures experienced by Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the time leading up to the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.
A monarch is nearing death. Her resentful son is scheming to undermine the planet's democratic process and retain his power. However, he might not be the sole successor. Another individual may possess the elusive Mark of the Crown.
Qui-Gon Jinn, along with his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, journey to the world of Gala to uphold peace. They now find themselves embroiled in a perilous conflict concerning authority and royal lineage.
The authentic heir must be located.
The Jedi must discover the correct path.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn make their way to Gala, where Queen Veda is on her deathbed. Her final action involves transforming the government into a democracy, which greatly displeases her son, Prince Beju. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are aware of Beju's past involvement in illicit activities on Phindar. Should he prevail in the election, he intends to preserve the monarchy, potentially triggering a civil war.
Deca Brun and Wila Prammi are his competitors, but Veda also foresees issues with Elan, the leader of the hill people, a separatist group residing in the mountains. Unknown to everyone except Veda, Elan is the daughter of her deceased husband, King Cana, and his first wife, whom he divorced due to council pressure. Veda is of the belief that Elan carries the Mark of the Crown, signifying her as the rightful successor.
Qui-Gon departs to meet with Elan, while Obi-Wan remains to oversee the election and give the impression that Qui-Gon is still present. Their guard, Jono Dunn, quickly discerns the truth, but his loyalty to the queen keeps him silent. Obi-Wan encounters the queen in the orchard, and her description of her illness leads him to suspect poisoning. He procures a sample of her nightly tea and delivers it to Mali Errat, who identifies an unidentifiable substance during testing but cannot definitively confirm it as poison.
Qui-Gon is ambushed by bandits but is saved by a swoop pilot who turns out to be Elan. Due to Qui-Gon's injuries, she allows him to spend the night with the hill people, though she doubts her status as King Cana's daughter.
Obi-Wan informs Veda of his suspicions, but Beju and Lonnag Giba overhear him and dismiss his claims. They inquire about Qui-Gon's whereabouts, prompting Obi-Wan and Veda to reveal his visit to Elan. Beju refuses to accept the possibility of a half-sister, and Giba, despite knowing the truth, accuses Veda of lying. Veda weakens and stumbles towards her son, collapsing in his arms and providing Obi-Wan with an opportunity to escape.
Jono intercepts Obi-Wan and escorts him to Deca Brun's campaign headquarters, where Obi-Wan discovers documents indicating that Offworld Mining Corporation contributed to Brun's campaign. He is apprehended by guards, who imprison him in the kitchen freezer.
The royal guard launches an attack on the hill people the following morning. Elan guides their tanks into a snowdrift, causing them to become trapped. The hill people extricate the soldiers and escort them back to their camp. The soldiers express surprise and gratitude, with one of them informing Qui-Gon that the hill people are nothing like Giba portrayed them to be when he dispatched them. Qui-Gon deduces that Giba is the mastermind behind the scheme. He resolves to return to Galu and invites Elan to join him in taking a stand.
Jono disguises himself as a delivery boy and aids Obi-Wan in his escape. Beju has imprisoned Veda, who is refusing to eat. The other councilors have turned against Giba and wish to speak with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan insists on meeting Mali first, and he discloses that the substance in Veda's tea was Dimilatis, a slow-acting toxic herb.
Obi-Wan realizes that Jono is the only individual who had access to both the gardens, where dimilatis grows, and the queen's food. Furthermore, he hails from the seaside, where the plant originates. When confronted, Jono admits his guilt, stating that he acted to prevent Gala from becoming a democracy. He may be a servant, but he is a royal servant. To evade the trap Jono set for him, Obi-Wan leaps out a window.
Beju apprehends Obi-Wan in a palace reception room. Obi-Wan persuades him that summoning the guards would be cowardly, and instead, they engage in a sword duel. Obi-Wan gains the advantage before Viso, a royal councilor, interrupts them. Viso leads Beju to "the square within the square" and reveals that he does not bear the Mark of the Crown. Beju is devastated, and Obi-Wan consoles him and convinces him to turn against Giba.
Qui-Gon, Elan, and the hill people arrive to cast their votes. Elan departs to meet Prammi, while Qui-Gon returns to the palace, where Obi-Wan updates him on the events that have transpired. Giba is arrested, and Jono confesses to his conspiracy to help Brun win the election with funding from Offworld. In return, he would secure a position in Brun's administration.
Beju steps down, Brun's deception is exposed, and Prammi secures a landslide victory in the election, thanks to the support of the hill people. Veda recovers from the poison, and she sends Jono back home to become a farmer like everyone else. Viso requests that Beju and Elan meet him in the Council Chamber. Elan stands in the square within the square, and an image of a crown manifests above her head. Beju and Elan acknowledge their sibling relationship.