Vrepit Sa

Chapter Five

  Lance looked towards the dark hallway where Coran had disappeared only moments ago, then back to Lotor. "I think we'll have plenty of time."

Lotor smiled grimly and sat up straighter. "Very well, Paladin. If you must know, this is the story of Allura and I's past."

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Allura stood at the head of the sofas in the lounge area, waiting patiently as the paladins filed in, talking seats. She frowned and looked around to the other entrances. "Where's Lance?" It was then that Coran stepped in.

"Oh, Allura, I have some tests to run on the security in the prison cells, to make sure they won't fail on us at any given time, I've left Lance to keep an eye on Prince Lotor until I'm certain there will be no system failure." Allura's frown deepened slightly. "Well, I was hoping to have him here with the others, to avoid having to tell this twice or more, but, I suppose it's better he stay guard down there for now." She sighed. "I can tell him later."

Coran nodded, a slight worry visible in his features, "Will you be okay to tell them this, Allura? You don't have to-"

"No, they have a right to know. If he's to be in the castle, it's bound to come up, and I'd rather tell about it while I'm level-headed."

Coran smiled, "I'm only a holler away." Allura nodded as Coran exited, and she turned her attention to the paladins.

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Allura watched the city below her from the top of the castle steps. The breeze was blowing gently through her hair. It was peaceful.

A shadow engulfed her, and she looked up, only to see Prince Lotor. She frowned and looked away, "What do you want?" She felt an arm snake around her shoulders and she tensed up. "You, of course," the Prince spoke, leaning down enough to lay a soft kiss on her cheek.

Allura turned her body to the side, shrugging his arm off. He frowned and moved to stand in front of her, but she turned away again.

"Allura, darling, what's wrong?"

She kept her voice low, as she spoke, "I saw you, earlier, down in the prison. I saw you and some of your father's men-"

"Allura, that's my job-"

"Your job is to protect. Not torture."

Lotor sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I, we needed information. He was fighting back- They're my friends Allura, I had to help."

Allura shook her head, tears in her eyes. "I can't stand to know that you would hurt a fellow Altean like that, Lotor." He reached out and pulled her into an embrace, stroking her hair. "I promise you won't ever have to witness something like that again, and I'm sorry."

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Only a few months had passed, the alliance between The Galra and Altea was growing weaker. For Altea, this was trouble. Allura knew this, but had chosen at the time to ignore it, do as her father had said and leave it to him and the counsel.

She lay in her bed, reading, waiting for Lotor to finish the meeting. It had been hours already, and she was growing impatient waiting, therefore opted to go to him instead.