Thace heard footsteps at the edge of the square, but paid it no heed, instead tightening his hold on the boy in his arms. The sounds persisted, growing in volume. Laying back his ears in annoyance, Thace held Keith's head to his shoulder and whispered, "Take the kits to the land crosser, Krolia. I'll be along soon."

She looked over her shoulder and stood. "Come with me, little one."

Keith resisted a moment and looked up at Thace. Thace lifted his chin and nodded towards Krolia. Keith exhaled and ducked under her arm, leaning into her. Krolia wrapped her arm around him securely and awakened her sword, holding it at her side. She called to Coleen and the others. They formed up on her with the kits in the center, and left the small village.

"Where are they going? Will the lion goddess return?"

Their plaintive pleas only angered him. Thace stood to his full height and glared down at the natives. "No, our kits will not be back." They flinched at his tone, but they found no sympathy from him. "You do not seem to understand how close you came to destruction. I should kill you all for this. It is only by his word you yet stand, that child you stole from us."

The natives shrunk away in fear. Thace turned and caught Antok staring at him. Gripping his blade tighter, he threatened, "If you take them again, what gods you worship will not save you."

Then he followed the others before he lost what little self control he still had. When he reached the base of the bluffs, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Focus. They were safe. That was all that mattered.

"Are you alright?"

Thace rolled his shoulders and started climbing. "I'm fine."

Antok didn't reply as he climbed beside him. When they reached the top, the lions were laid out protectively around the vehicle. Chad's jacket was draped over Lance's shoulders and the blanket from the med kit was wrapped around Keith. Coleen fussed about him, lifting the edge over his head and making sure he wasn't sick or feverish.

Krolia looked up from where she sat on the hood of the vehicle when he and Antok approached. Sliding off, she reached for Keith's hand and called, "Load up. It's five hours back to camp."

"Shotgun!" Brad called as Lance opened his mouth.

Lance protested, "Hey!" as Brad laughed and jumped in the front passenger seat. Chad ruffled Lance's hair and climbed into the driver's seat muttering, "I've been wanting to take this thing for a spin."

Antok put a hand on Krolia's shoulder in passing and took his place in the rear where he'd ridden before. Ulaz and Coleen took one bench and Thace climbed in next to Krolia. Keith sat on the floor and Lance settled next to him. Keith shifted the blanket until it covered both of them and Lance lifted the jacket to cover their heads. Then the vehicle started and they began the long trek back to the ships.

Within minutes, Keith's head rested against Thace's calf. The silence below the blanket said they'd fallen asleep. The lions loped silently beside the vehicle, though their eyes often landed where their paladins rested. Halfway back, Coleen pulled her feet onto the bench and leaned into Ulaz's shoulder to sleep.

Thace smiled at his friend. Then another weight pressed into his side. He glanced sideways where Krolia had finally succumbed to fatigue. He shifted, careful not to wake her or the kits, and wrapped an arm around her. That was right. It wasn't just Keith he'd been worried about. Krolia had been inconsolable during the stalemate. But now it was over. Thace only wished her restful sleep. The other blades would surely question her motives when they returned to camp.

The vehicle jerked to a halt and Thace snorted awake. He blinked in the afternoon sun and stretched. Krolia arched her back and yawned. She reached down and barely lifted the edge of the jacket. Smiling, she whispered, "They're still asleep. Should we wake them?"

Thace supported Keith's body as he knelt beside him. "You saw how tired they were. Even if they wake up early tomorrow, they need the rest."

"To the lions?"

Thace blinked slowly. "To the lions." He gently scooped Lance into his arms as Krolia brushed Keith's hair aside. This was how she saw him. Not as a young warrior, but as a vulnerable child. Her child. Thace swallowed the lump in his throat. She wasn't alone in that thought.

Krolia shifted the blanket and cradled Keith in her arms. They climbed from the vehicle and walked toward the lions. Blue turned the corner between the ships first while Red waited for them to pass. Blue used a foot to rake the grass bed they'd made back together and laid out beside it. When Thace approached, her cool breath blew over him. He placed Lance in the nest and smiled when the boy curled up with a sigh.

Krolia knelt in the nest and set Keith beside Lance. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. Then she stood. Thace watched her lift her chin and regain the image of a woman with complete control. The image of a blade, the daughter of their leader. His chest burned with pride for her. He was about to follow when a burst of air fluttered his hood.

Looking back, Thace saw the blue lion drop her chin to her chest and close her eyes. A faint rumbling purr emanated from her. Thace bowed his head with a hand over his heart and answered the wordless apology, "Thank you, brave lion. I am sorry for frightening you last night when I stopped him. He does not even know the lengths of his own abilities. You and your sister... I hope your other siblings find paladins like them."

Blue closed her eyes, her purr becoming slightly louder for a few seconds. When Lance stirred, she quieted and placed her head on her front paws. When Thace walked away, the red lion stepped over him and curled up over her sister. She became immobile except for the occasional flick of her tail.

Thace put a hand on the ships and looked around the camp for Krolia. The eyes of his fellow blades shadowed his movements. It wasn't direct staring, but it was heavy. He straightened up. This was expected. He'd warned Keith of this exact thing.

"Thace."

Like a thrown switch, the weight vanished as Kolivan called his name. The relief it brought made him take a deep breath, barely managing not to gasp. He sought out his leader and found the humans, Ulaz, and Krolia. Kolivan gestured them to follow and walked to the ship the blades had arrived in. Thace followed. Let the inquisition begin.

Kolivan led them to the conference room. The room where tasks were delegated and risks assessed. Risks like the humans. There were definite gaps in their knowledge about the blades, but it varied from person to person. Honestly, Thace was curious how they would answer Kolivan's questions because he wasn't sure how extensive it was. A quiet presence in the corner went unnoticed by the humans. Thace didn't draw attention to it and stood against the wall.

"I will start this interview by telling you all that the other beings you referred to as 'refugees' have been cleared and released. They were deemed a non threat and know little that would put our guild at risk. They left this planet just past dawn." Kolivan took in the faces in the room and exhaled. Lifting a hand, he said, "Ulaz, I believe it was you who initiated first contact with the colony 'Earth'. Let us start there. How did these people gain close confidence within your circle?"

Ulaz didn't look at anyone except Kolivan as he answered, "That is a sensitive answer I do not feel comfortable giving."

Kolivan blinked and asked, "Thace, perhaps you can answer?"

"I believe officers Holt, Miller, and Davis could provide more succinct explanations, leader." Thace felt the cold stare of his leader even though his expression didn't change.

Kolivan ignored Krolia and asked, "Which of you earth kind would like to answer my question?"

Brad looked to Coleen and stepped forward. He put two fingers to his forehead, a salute Thace had seen Lance and Keith give, and stood at attention. "My name is Brad Davis. I was a Spec Ops agent trained in tactical invasion and enemy suppression. After serving actively for a decade, I taught at a facility called the Galaxy Garrison, one of many throughout our world that trained the next generation in military tactics. My particular complex focused on teaching pilots to fly our ships. Fighter jets.

"After the invasion, myself and Officer Chad Miller were brought aboard what we now know as the Galra Star Cruiser under the command of General Sendak. We only dealt with his underlings, imprisoned for months, until Retired Officer Coleen Holt appeared amidst the chaos of an attack your agents orchestrated. We fled the cruiser, meeting two of our former students by pure chance. They had weapons and a route we followed. It led us to the lions and a docked cruiser. Upon the destruction of Sendak's vessel, we found ourselves marooned on this planet and set about making ourselves useful. That was seven weeks ago."

Kolivan raised an eyebrow. Krolia interpreted, "He means seven quintants short of two pheobs."

Kolivan exhaled, the gears turning behind vacant eyes. "Two pheobs. Are you aware of how much time has passed since your planet's colonization?"

Chad shook his head. "Time wasn't exactly on our minds when we were prisoners of the galra empire."

Kolivan tilted his head. "Understandable. Then I shall inform you that it has been nine pheobs since the blue lion was confirmed to be hidden on your planet."

Coleen gasped and covered her mouth. Brad and Chad looked at her and she whispered, "Nearly a year," with a glance at Krolia to confirm. Krolia barely nodded.

Thace shared a glance with Ulaz. Had Kolivan already made up his mind to trust the humans? Kolivan continued, "And these kits... your students... what do you know of their connections to the lions and what are your intentions toward them?"

"Connection? You mean how they talk to each other?" Chad flexed his arms as he crossed them. "Look, I don't know what you want to hear, but whatever those boys are messed up in, we're not letting them handle it alone. Lance and Keith are our responsibility as teachers. Wherever they go, we go. Capiche?"

"Capiche?"

Coleen put a hand on Chad's arm. "It's italian, a language from earth. It means, do you understand... in a somewhat coarse manner." She gave Chad a disapproving look. "I have a more personal stake in this." Coleen looked Kolivan straight in the eye. "The kit paired to the red lion is very important to me. In the absence of his mother and after the death of his father, I spent many years raising him. He is like a second son to me... and... I know he is more than he appears." She dropped her gaze to the floor and wouldn't look at anyone.

Kolivan's brow furrowed. Antok finally shifted, startling the earthlings. He tilted his head and suggested, "Perhaps if we cleared the room, Mrs. Holt would be more willing to share." To the earthlings, he said, "I was analyzing your testimony as you spoke. It proved honest. We shall discuss what your purpose in the coming quintants will be Officers Miller and Davis. You are both excused. Mrs. Holt, if you would be so kind, please remain for further questioning."

"That's not-"

Coleen cleared her throat and Brad stopped advancing toward the lieutenant. He shot her a look and she insisted, "I trust Krolia. They won't hurt me."

"Keith wouldn't like us leaving you alone."

Coleen smirked. "Then it's a good thing he's asleep. Go, Brad."

Chad glared menacingly toward Antok, flexing his impressive physique another time, and paced toward the door. Brad followed a second later, his posture tense. Kolivan asked, "Have they been hostile before?"

Ulaz nodded. "They were when we were thrown together after commandeering a vessel. The kit, Keith, was able to calm them and explain the situation."

"And what situation was that, Ulaz?" Antok poignantly asked. Ulaz looked to Krolia, but said nothing. Then Antok coaxed, "I know, sister. There is nothing you need hide here."

Krolia looked at him, the motion sudden and frightened. Coleen slid her hand into Krolia's and squeezed. They made eye contact. Coleen nodded with a half smile. Krolia lifted her head and looked at Kolivan. "The kit, Keith, is mine. I am his mother. I gave my blade to his father when I returned to the order. Ulaz recognized it during the initial days of earth's conquest and schemed with Thace to take Keith when they recovered the lions from the empire. When I heard about the blue lion's discovery..."

"You set the final stages of your own mission into action and returned to earth. I understand, Krolia. Though you know that is not our way." Kolivan closed his eyes and leaned more on the table behind him. "I take it Mrs. Holt was aware of this complication whereas Officers Miller and Davis are not? And what of the boy? Does he know of the blood in his veins? Have you told him your secret, Krolia?"

Thace and Ulaz shared a look again. Ulaz opened his mouth, but slowly closed it and looked expectantly at their teacher. Krolia looked at the ground and shook her head. "No, I haven't told him. I was ashamed... as a mother. I wanted him to know his father, Kolivan. It was my intention to return when this war was finished, but it found him first and..." She swallowed thickly and knelt with her hands on her thighs. "I know I should have taken him into hiding, leader, but please don't punish him for it. I am responsible and I alone."

"Does he know he is galra, sister?" Antok asked again.

Ulaz finally found his voice and said, "Yes. Thace and myself told him when he was held aboard Sendak's cruiser, though he did not tell his previous teachers or the blue paladin."

"Previous?"

Thace nodded once and stepped forward. "I am his mentor." He knelt beside Krolia and looked at the floor. "It was I who made the final judgement to begin the kit's initiation into our order. I trained him in secret aboard Sendak's cruiser. I shared information about his mother's origins at that time. He has proven resourceful and talented. He shares our interests in bringing down the empire. He..." He paused to gather his thoughts. Rambling would not help Keith's case to join the blades. He felt Kolivan's gaze burning a hole into him, but refused to look up.

"Mrs. Holt, Krolia, and Thace, you are free to go. Ulaz, I have several questions for you specifically."

Thace stood and glanced toward Ulaz. Ulaz offered an encouraging smile and tilted his head at the door. Krolia took the lead. When Thace saw her hand form a fist, he blocked her from view. Coleen walked a few steps ahead of him and didn't stop until she was outside. Thace put a hand on Krolia's wrist and stopped her before she entered the sunlight.

She paused, pulling lightly, but he knew that wasn't what she really wanted. She swallowed hard again and put a hand to her face. "I thought I could tell him without getting emotional."

"It's not... Krolia, we knew..." He pushed her hair behind her ear and gazed down at her, the woman he respected so much.

She leaned into the wall behind her and pulled Thace against her. Krolia's arms crossed behind his neck and the pressure between them was strong. She whispered, "Thank you, Thace."

"Anything for you... teacher."

The hall was quiet. Even their breathing was hushed as they shared air. He didn't notice a third person until Antok called, "Thace... come spar with me."

Their eyes met. Krolia blinked, her energy and heartbeat a raging storm she did not show. Thace stepped back against the other side of the hall. "Lead on, Antok."

Antok passed, pausing to put a hand on Krolia's cheek, and led outside with a flick of his tail. They walked from camp, passing where the lions slept. They seemed undisturbed, but Thace stopped at a small sound.

"Thace?"

Thace smiled over his shoulder. "It's alright, little one. Go back to sleep. You've had a few harrowing days."

Keith frowned and rubbed an arm self consciously. "It's just... my knife. I left it when they took me, but I don't know where it is. Thace... I can't lose it."

Thace looked at Antok who nodded permission. He went to Keith and settled a hand on Keith's head saying, "It is not lost, kit. I know exactly where your blade is. If you focus, I know you would find it as well. But now you must rest. When you wake, we can go into the prairie. How does that sound?"

Keith slumped where he stood. "You really want me to sleep that badly?"

"To prove it, I will only take you if you rest." Thace smirked at Keith and ruffled his hair. "Now back to the lions. Lance will miss you." Keith fought a yawn, his face twitching before giving in. Groaning, he turned back to the lions and crawled through a gap between Red's paws. Thace turned and followed Antok facing the setting sun.

Keith sat next to Lance facing the grasslands. Coleen popped up at his shoulder with a short, "Hey." She held out two shallow bowls and asked, "How long are they going to be at that?"

Keith signed her words absentmindedly at this point and answered, "Who knows? They started last night." He put his chin on a fist and pouted, "I still don't know where my knife is. I mean, how can I focus when no one will even talk to me to tell me what's going on?"

Coleen chuckled under her breath and fluffed his hair. "I don't know what to do about that, but a hot meal always helps. Eat up. I doubt we'll have access to fresh foods much longer."

Lance perked up when Keith kept signing. "Are we leaving Arus soon?"

"It's only a matter of time, boys," Coleen answered and started backward. "Now eat your food."

Lance made a noise in annoyance and stirred the food resembling coarse oatmeal and berries. Keith blew on a large spoonful and dug in. He made a mental note not to leave leftovers this time and ate diligently. It was hard to believe there was a time he'd actually turned down home cooked meals after what they'd been through. As he chewed he faced the prairie again where Thace still sparred with the stranger from the day before. So much for training.

It was impressive though. Since Keith'd woken up a few hours before dawn, they hadn't taken a break. Lance had said the blades hardly slept while he was missing. To go so long without crashing was not recommended... and still they fought without any signs of collapse. Then there was the fighting itself. Thace wasn't holding back. If his opponent missed or failed a block, they'd seriously injure if not kill one another. Their speed and strength was intimidating. For the first time in months, Keith doubted whether he would ever be that good. Maybe becoming a blade was a bad idea.

The log jostled as someone sat on the opposite end with a heavy sigh. Keith glanced sideways with a raised eyebrow. They were galra, unsurprisingly. They hadn't seen any of the other refugees since they'd woken up. This particular galra wore a uniform similar to the ones he and Lance wore. His visible skin was light blue in contrast to Ulaz who had 'tanned' with exposure to the sun. A silvery gray braid peeked out from the depths of his hood and a long tail curled over the log. The tufted tip twitched like Red's when she was annoyed.

Keith followed the stranger's gaze toward Thace and asked, "Is your mentor ignoring you, too?" The galra grunted and folded their hands under their chin. Keith scooted closer and offered a hand. "My name's Keith."

The galra turned slightly and curiously scrutinized the offered hand. After hesitating, he grasped it and said in a surprisingly mellow tenor voice, "Regris."

Keith grinned and leaned back on the log. "It's an honor to meet you, Regris." Lance tilted an ear toward the conversation. "It's nice to talk to someone new for a change. How long have you been a novice?"

"Far longer than you, no doubt," Regris quipped with a tinge of ego.

Keith smirked. "Try me."

Regris sat up straighter, but his tail still twitched at the challenge. "My father began training me when I came of age. My mother's blade became mine after her passing four deca-pheobs ago. I wonder whether you understand that weight."

Oh. Keith's smile fell and he glowered at the ground. Of course. It wasn't a gift to bear the blade. He apologized, "I'm sorry about your mother, Regris. Krolia and Thace told me of the traditions of the Tribe of Marmora, but I wasn't aware they were still practiced."

Regris's bitter expression softened in surprise and he looked back at the dueling pair. "It was a long time ago... before I was given her blade." He cleared his throat and asked, "So how long have you held your blade?"

Keith rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly hot. "Actually... my dad gave it to me..." he did some quick math, "about fifteen deca-pheobs ago, but Thace has only been training me for a total of maybe six pheobs."

Regris nodded in understanding. "Your father's injury is not dishonorable for him to pass on his blade while he yet lives... and your mother must have been quite the individual to draw the attention of an active agent."

"Uh..." Keith deadpanned, "Actually..."

"Regris."

They both turned at the commanding tone of a man. He was tall, though not as tall as the blade Thace sparred with. Yellow eyes glowed from beneath the hood, a long white braid wrapping around his throat like a necklace. Red facial markings disappeared under the hood near his eyebrows and a severe frown marred his mouth. His uniform had bands across both shoulders like Krolia's. It reminded Keith of the bands officers at the garrison had when they increased in rank.

Regris stood and put an open hand over his heart. "Coming, leader." Keith jolted almost imperceptibly and looked at the older galra again. He almost missed Regris say, "I must go, but I would be gladdened to speak with you again. We'll have to spar sometime." Then he trotted toward the other man.

The leader of the blades whispered to Regris and gently shoved him toward the other blades gathered near a ship. Keith pushed off the log and ran to where the leader had started walking away. "Hey, wait!"

The leader paused and raised an eyebrow, that severe expression never changing. "Yes, kit?"

Keith refused to be cowed, but struggled to find his voice. "Um... I... I was wondering what was..." His question died on his lips and the galra continued to stare him down, his eyebrow arching further. Now he did shy away. His mouth went dry and his ears were on fire.

"Keith, come."

Keith felt cold relief at Krolia's gentle voice and saved, "Uh, I gotta go," and fled from the imposing galra. He shivered as the galra continued to stare at his back. No wonder they'd been nervous about being checked up on. Krolia put a hand on Keith's neck and looked over his head toward the other. Keith leaned into her and asked, "Why is he so intense?"

Krolia looked down at him, eyes wide for a moment, and snorted. Her face broke into a smile and she covered her mouth as she giggled. Keith's embarrassment started to fade as her laughter became infectious and he gave a twitchy smile. She wrapped an arm around him with her hand in his hair and started walking. She leaned in and whispered, "I've been wondering that my entire life. If you find out, let me know."

Keith noticed the bag over her shoulder and asked, "What are we going to do?"

Krolia said, "We're going to forage for grains to supplement the voyage. Do you remember how to tell the edible plants from toxic ones?"

"Watch what the animals eat. If we eat them, we can eat what they eat."

Krolia kissed the top of his head and reached for his hand. "That's a smart kit. We'll take Lance along. I'm sure he'd enjoy the fresh air."

Keith grinned and turned. Waving a hand over his head, he shouted, "Lance! Come with us!"

Lance looked up and called, "Okay! Be right there!"

When Keith turned around, Krolia was a few steps ahead of him. "Here. Let me take the satchel."

Krolia glanced back. "That's sweet, but I've got them. Though I'll let you and Lance carry them on the way back."

She giggled again at his sour expression and he bit his cheek to stop a snarky reply. Then he saw his blade. She had it on a belt around her waist. He slowed and frowned. Lance's words from the lake came back like a slap in the face. Krolia was his mom. He hadn't had time to process it before, but now it was so obvious.

Blades were passed from parent to child. Blades could only be awakened by galra blood. Galra blood they shared as mother and son. "Um... Krolia? Can we talk about something?"

Krolia adjusted the strap of the satchel and glanced back. She came to a stop and asked, "What's the matter? Did something happen?"

Lance's approaching footsteps made Keith back down. He forced a smile and said, "I wanted to thank you for coming after me. You and Thace and everybody really came through when I needed you." Then before he over thought it, he hugged her tight. He closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Back on earth, I was terrified and you did everything to protect me. Then on the ship, I was still in the dark, but when Ulaz said I'd come to love you, I denied it with everything I had. I was wrong. I do love you... I'm sorry I don't say it enough."

There were so many more times he should have said how much he loved the people in his life. Sam and Coleen for welcoming him into their family. Matt and Katie for treating him like a brother. The other cadets for being his only friends growing up. Takashi and Adam for being the catalyst that changed his life completely. He was infinitely thankful that he still had Lance. That he hadn't missed the opportunity to express his ever growing affection for the blue eyed sharpshooter.

He squeezed Krolia tighter, not even caring who saw. He might not tell her verbally that he knew about her secret for some time as he grew more comfortable with the idea of having his birth mom back in his life. He still wanted her to know it only mattered that she was here now. There was a comfortable synergy between them. She was quiet and still, her arms circling him and making him feel safe and loved.

"Can I get in on this?"

Keith smirked at Lance, but Krolia's smile was mischievous. "Can you handle it?" She reached out and grabbed the shoulder of his armor, yanking him against her and Keith. Lance sputtered and yelped as the two of them laughed and squished him. Then Krolia took a step back and said breathlessly, "Alright, you two. We should get going or we'll never fill the grain sacks before nightfall."

Keith stretched his side out. "Can we start with a jog?"

"Yes, little one."

Lance groaned and looked at the sky. "I'm looking forward to the cramps already."

And bam! My inspiration is on point! Review? Help a gal out?