Blood Tied (Galtean Klance)

- ELEVEN -

Lance's POV

Lance awoke to the sound of Melvark, the Galran Commander.

"Rise and shine, Paladins! It's time for a productive morning!"

The Blue Paladin rose, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"Morning... " He mumbled. "Thanks for breakfast... uh..." Lance squinted up at the lieutenant who had passed him a reflective silver parcel.

"This is Korvok," Melvark piped up. "You can tell the difference between him and Xarvok..."

Lance looked down at the packet in his hands.

I wonder what's in this package...

He pulled the sides of the packet away from each-other, ripping the package open, and he began to consume the contents.

This place has better food than I would expect from a Galran captor... Not as good as home cooking, or Hunk's cooking.

"Lance, did you hear a thing I said?"

"Hmm?" Lance stopped eating to look up at the commander from his position on the floor.

Melvark sighed. "Never mind, then. Once you have finished, we'll get right to work."

"First off, we'll start with Lance. Lance, I'd like to work on revealing your Altean form." Melvark gestured at Keith. "At the same time, Keith, we know you have Galran blood, but you don't use it -- instead, you keep it hidden. I'd like to change that, and transform you into your Galran form. And we'll see if we can do both of those... with this!"

The lieutenants grabbed Lance, one on each arm, and they forced him to his knees.

"Lance!" Keith whipped around, but was knocked to the ground by a blow from Melvark.

"Keith!" Lance cried out.

Melvark laughed while landing blow after blow on Keith. "Well, Lance? Will you accept your Altean blood, change to your Altean form, and help your friend? Or will you sit there, while he is harmed?!"

The commander turned to Keith. "And you, Keith. You have no chance against me in your human form -- but if you changed forms...! You know your Galran form is better in combat, so use it!"

Keith glared at the commander, fire blazing in his eyes. "I don't need my Galran form to beat you." He flicked his wrist, summoning his bayard into the palm of his hand.

Melvark grinned, pulling a staff from a pocket on his leg. He twirled the staff, elongating it, and them with a shake, two blades of light formed near the tip of the staff. Melvark charged Keith, axe in hand.

Lance watched as the two ran at each other, blades clashing.

Quiznack! Why aren't I out there, fighting?! Why can't I help out? Why am I always so useless?!

Lance glanced up at the lieutenants holding him in place.

And I can't use my bayard -- these guys are stopping me. And the thing the commander said about changing into my Altean form... How the heck am I supposed to do that?!? What does that even mean??

Lance looked back at the fight. Melvark swung at Keith, who ducked under the axe, and then slashed at Melvark's leg.

Melvark growled. "Stupid half Galran..."

Keith ducked and weaved through Melvark's swings, nicking and slicing the commander when he had the chance.

With a roar, Melvark swung the axe upward, knocking the bayard out of Keith's hand. Before Keith could summon the bayard, Melvark lunged, placing his hand on Keith's neck.

Keith screamed, back arching, and muscles tense.

And then he was limp, collapsed on the floor.

"Keith!" Lance struggled against the grip of the lieutenants. "Keith!"

Lance watched as Keith trembled, breathing shakily.

Quiznack. Quiznacking quiznack. Come on, Altean blood -- I need to help Keith! Can't Alteans heal others?! That would be great if I could just turn that power on! Quiznacking magic powers and their complications...

"Hey -- stop it!" Lance shouted at Melvark. "Stay away from Keith!"

The Galran commander turned to face Lance, a crooked grin plastered across his face. "Well, Lance, why don't you stop me? Altean healing powers would really help Keith right now."

I would've used my healing powers by now, if I had any...!

"Shut up!" Lance looked at the ground. "I don't know how the powers work, okay?"

I don't know how to use them -- I don't know how to activate them -- I don't even know if they exist!

"Tch!" Melvark kicked Keith. "Well, tomorrow, we'll try something else." He sneered. "Maybe you'll figure out how 'the powers work' by then."

Melvark walked through the wall, trailed by his lieutenants.

Lance cradled Keith's head in his lap.

How in the universe am I supposed to turn on magical alien powers that I might not have?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ A/N ! ~

Well... Season 8 is on our doorsteps...
Best of luck to you all.
It's been an honour flying with you.

See you on the other side,
Latté