"Simple Tricks": A Concise Narrative
This short story, entitled "Simple Tricks," was penned collaboratively by Chris Cassidy and Tish Eggleston Pahl. Its initial release occurred in 1999 as part of the Tales from the New Republic anthology, published by Bantam Spectra.
The storyline revolves around Fenig Nabon, whose business associate is kidnapped. A self-proclaimed Jedi, identifying himself as Zeth Fost, becomes involved in the mission to locate and save the missing individual. However, Fenig's burgeoning faith in Zeth is undermined when his real identity surfaces, accompanied by a confession regarding his history of suffering and remorse.
Simple Tricks alludes to the financial backing and building of the Darksaber, thus situating the story in the timeline around 12 ABY, preceding the events of the Darksaber novel.