Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T for kissing and groping. I know, who knew that I would write a story with some mild groping? Flavor is DotU, but is part of the "Just a Kiss" story arc. 1. Just a Kiss, 2. Shirts vs Skins, 3. More, and , Answers, and Intrigue. You really need to read them all to make sense of the story. Stories 1-3 are all pretty short and should be a quick read if you are interested.


Chapter Four

In the Arusian city of Alder, unrest was brewing that neither the council knew of nor the Castle of Lions…

Ignatius sat at a local tavern having ale with his supper. He was talking freely with some of the men and women from the area. Perhaps the ale had loosened his tongue a bit more than usual although he was known to be free to give his opinion easily when it came to government in general and Princess Allura in particular.

Swallowing a large mouthful of roast mutton, Ignatius said, "You should have seen how they looked at each other." He snorted. "Anyone with a brain could see that there was something there." He pointed the mutton leg at the man across from him. "Plain as the nose on your face, something is going on between those two. The princess covered it all over real pretty-like and made it seem like I was ungrateful to the Voltron commander." He tore a bite off the leg and waited to speak until he swallowed. None of his audience said a word to break the spell of his tale. "Don't get me wrong. I am grateful to the Force but everyone knows they're off-worlders. With hardly any royalty left on Arus, the princess will have to look off-world for a mate, but at the very least it should be planetary ruler or someone with the money and clout to assist Arus in rebuilding. Commander Kogane only has a military salary." He saw the nods of agreement from his listeners. He then went into a lecture on the upcoming funding of projects in Alder.

Several of the audience drifted away to a shady corner of the tavern to speak in low voices that bespoke secrecy and intrigue. Mina, Loren, and Carp looked around them. The woman and two men didn't draw any attention. More of their group were in the tavern listening for information that could be helpful in their plan.

Mina glanced over her shoulder at Ignatius who was still talking and eating. "Falling for a poor, military off-worlder," she scoffed with a derisive tone. "An added nail in the princess' coffin as far as I'm concerned. Allowing those space explorers to fly the Lions when native Arusians could be trained was bad enough. The thought that she would think of romantically allying herself with one of them instead of looking for a more lucrative alliance shows that she is being selfish."

Carp's eyes were still on Ignatius. "You know that Councilman Ignatius isn't a fan of the princess. Do you think he's embellishing?"

A laugh sounded deep from within Loren's round belly. "I sure he embellished when he spoke of Commander Kogane's fear. I don't see that man shrinking away from anyone, much less Ignatius. Kogane is a true warrior."

"True warrior or not, he and the Alliance should be providing support for Arus and Arusian pilots. They shouldn't be the primary pilots of Voltron," Mina said, continuing her line of concern from earlier.

"Agreed," Carp acknowledged. "We'll gather the rest of the scout team and meet with the Circle's leadership to discuss our findings and our plan of action." Carp stared at the group around Ignatius with a thoughtful look. "The councilman has provided us with valuable information. He may not agree with our political agenda, but his loose tongue has been useful."

"How so?" Mina asked.

"Kogane," was his simple reply.

"Kogane?" she repeated and looked at Loren. "Do you know what he's talking about?"

A thoughtful look appeared in Loren's eyes as he turned to look at Carp. Slowly and deliberately, he said, "Yes. Yes, I believe I do."

"Pray enlighten me then," was Mina's sarcastic response.

It wasn't Loren but Carp who responded. "You know we've considered abducting the princess in order to get concessions from the government." Mina nodded and Carp continued. "We've never had the opportunity to snatch her. She is always guarded so well by the Force and castle guards."

"I don't see how Ignatius' information helps with that."

Leaning forward, Carp's voice lowered even further. "If she is enamored of Kogane, what concessions would she agree to in order to get him back?" He saw the dawning of understanding in her eyes. "The princess is guarded by those who would give their lives for hers. They expect attackers to take the princess. They will never suspect that Kogane is our target."

A look of excitement came over Mina's face. "When?"

"Not yet. We need to plan with the Circle." Carp smiled at Mina. "But it won't be long, Mina. It won't be long."

XXXXXXXXXX

Two days later, the leadership of the Circle met in attack shelter on the outskirts of Alder. The leadership consisted of three men and four women of varying ages and colors. They came from the three largest cities that were just to the west of the Castle of Lions: Alder, Mynos, and Bellamy. Carp was one of the seven leaders and he shared what he had learned from Ignatius at the Alder tavern.

The remaining members of the leadership were Morgan, Isis, Valeria, Kareem, Daphne, and Loretta. None of them were moderates in their political thinking. All felt that the Arusian Council needed to have more say in the governing of the planet and that the input of the Alliance should be severely limited. The first step in limiting that power would be to make sure that the Voltron Lions were flown by Arusians who were loyal to Arus first. What if the Garrison pilots decided to take the four Lions they controlled and left Arus? What would happen to the planet? The only way to make sure that didn't happen was for Arusians to pilot the Lions.

Valeria fingered the end of her long plait of hair. She was the head of the group although they considered themselves equal. Someone had to start things off and maintain order during discussions and the lot had fallen to her. She was in her mid-fifties and had dark brown hair that was sprinkled liberally with strands of gray and white. Her face was weathered from her years of hard work after Doom decimated Arus. Her memory of the days of Arusian glory was still very vivid and she respected Alfor's daughter. However, she was not Alfor and needed a more seasoned hand than what the Arusian Council and the Royal Advisor were giving her. "You really think that she is enamored of the commander?"

"I think it is very much a possibility. Ignatius seemed certain of it although I know that he is not one to always be truthful when he can spin a good story," Carp said as he looked around the group. "I suggest that one of us infiltrate the Castle staff to see exactly what goes on in the Castle and if there truly is something between the pilot and the princess."

"I'll do it," Isis said without hesitation. She was a pretty girl with honey blonde hair cut into a short bob. Being only in her early twenties, her memories of a time without war were those of a child. Her childhood ended abruptly with the Drule invasion and she resented the Alliance for not having assisted them sooner. Her feelings about Allura were uncertain as she didn't have many memories of the government before the invasion and hadn't had much of an opportunity to see the princess in a governing role. "I'm old enough to get work as a maid in the castle. From the little I have been around the Castle servants, many are willing to talk. I should be able to find out what we need to know."

The remaining members agreed. Isis was to set out for the Castle immediately once she had references in place and a transmitter that she could use to send messages. A plan for relaying messages from the smaller villages outside the castle was set up. Transmissions from inside the Castle would only be used for emergencies as they could be traced by the Force.

As the group disbanded, Valeria pulled Carp to the side. "You think this could be our opportunity?"

A determined smile appeared on his lips as he watched Isis walk away from the shelter. "I do."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two days later

Nanny looked over the spectacles sitting low on her nose at the young girl in front of her. "Your references are excellent, Isis. If all checks out, you can start work tomorrow. Plan on reporting to the Castle at 7:00 a.m. I will have your uniform and locker ready."

"Madam?"

"Yes, child?"

"Is there any housing in the Castle? As you can see, I live on the outskirts of the village and it would be a dreadfully long trip to and from the Castle each day." Isis gave Nanny her best innocent look as she wrung her small hands together.

"Hmmm." Nanny eyed the girl. She was a pretty little thing. Having her at the Castle would be just another temptation for that wild Lt. McClain. But she couldn't punish the girl for the pilot's wild ways. "Bring your things with you tomorrow. You'll be rooming with Betty." Standing, she indicated the interview was over. "Just be warned, Isis. The Voltron pilots are not from Arus and can be a little free with their ways. Be sure that you aren't."

Isis bobbed a curtsey and said, "Yes, madam." A smile was on her face as she left the room. Perhaps she could get in with one of the pilots and get even more info on Kogane and the princess. Glancing back at the shining Castle behind her as she walked across the bridge, she thought that this was an assignment she would really enjoy.