Ocean Blue

Chapter 47

Iverson approached the Castle of Lions as it came into the dock, holding a white flag. "The governor wishes to- you!"

"Captain," Keith said coolly.

"I'm alive," Shiro said helpfully, "Also, as you can see, the pirates were close to our port. They won't be the last, I'm sure. We want to talk to Sandas."

Iverson's eyes swept over all of them. "What are you doing with a runaway slave?"

"She is a loyal friend and companion," Shiro said in a 'and that's final' tone, "You will treat her as such. She played a pivotal role in defeating the pirates, and came with us in good faith, at personal risk. If you want to recapture her, you'll have to go through us first. And her name is Allura."

Coran materialized to shoot Iverson a glare, and he stumbled back.

"A demon!"

"Not quite."

Iverson hesitated. "We can arrange a meeting. You'll come unarmed. And we won't come on your haunted ship, nor will your ghost come to the meeting. Meet us outside of the town, on the hill."

"Accepted," Shiro said, "Provided that we have your word that we'll be given safe passage."

Iverson inclined his head. "You have my word. I promise on my honor that you won't be harmed. Midday. The governor will be there."

Xxx

"Why are we here?" Pidge whispered as Shiro walked up a hill, alone, to meet Sandas and Iverson.

"We just saved them. We're entitled to make a few demands, as well as let the public know what happened," Hunk whispered back.

Keith shifted uncomfortably, his hand going to where his sword was normally be and, of course, finding nothing. "I don't like this. Why do we have to come unarmed, but they get to bring their guns? Why couldn't we hold this meeting on the Castle? With Coran? Do you think they know that he's bound to the ship?"

"I don't see that they could."

Shiro reached the top of the hill, and Governor Sandas leaned forward, Iverson rigid at her side. They exchanged a few unhearable words, and Shiro nodded gravely.

Then came the gunshot.

A single bullet whizzed through the air and struck Shiro in the chest. He seemed to fall in slow motion, his mouth an "o" of surprise. The others just stared in shock at Shiro's fallen body. Iverson looked just as startled, turning to Governor Sandas with his face a mask of betrayal, shouting something at her.

Keith didn't hear the words through the rush of blood in his head. His eyes glowed fiercely, and he screamed, his ears morphing, and claws coming out on his hands. He heard frightened shouts, but he ignored them, running up the hill where Shiro lay, and Sandas watched with a smirk as thunder and lightning boomed overhead.

"What the hell is that thing?!"

"Is that Keith?!"

"Has he been able to do that the whole time?!"

"Don't kill it," Sandas ordered as Keith ran towards her, and he felt a stinging, blinding pain in his right side, like a hot knife had stabbed him. Still, he pushed on. Something hit him in the leg, and it was knocked out from underneath him. He scrabbled his way towards Sandas, managing a few more feet before falling to his stomach, his vision hazing in and out. His ears had returned to normal, his claws sinking back in and his skin fading to a pale color.

"Sh-Shiro- no- Shiro..."

"No use, creature. He's dead."

Iverson growled at his supervisor. "I promised them safe passage!"