There was just enough of a nip in the air to need a jacket, but it was nice enough that Darcy and Allura decided to walk into town. With Cady bundled into her carriage, they made their way toward Alforia.
"What do you need to get?" Darcy asked.
"I heard that Deana has some new dresses in stock."
Darcy rolled her eyes, "You know, Allura, she's six months old, she doesn't need a bigger wardrobe than you."
"Okay, now you sound like Keith. You're supposed to back me up on this, if she's going to meet Grandma Whitaker in person for the first time, then she needs something special to wear. What are you getting?"
"I was thinking I should take something for Lance's parents. And we're going to be arriving a couple of weeks before my sister's birthday, so I thought I would get her present."
"What are
you getting Lance's parents?"
"My mother always told me that
when you're staying with someone, you should always take them a little thank
you gift."
Allura smiled, sheepishly, "You're right, I don't know why I didn't think of that."
"You're used to people coming to visit you, what with you being royalty and all." Darcy teased.
Allura stuck her tongue out at her, "Jealous?"
"Not at all."
It was a twenty minute walk into town. They chatted and laughed. Without the fear of an attack hanging over her, Allura was able to relax a bit and enjoy herself. For a long time, a simple walk into town was something she couldn't do. Now she and her daughter were free to enjoy an afternoon out with a friend.
They stopped in front of Baby Steps, the children's clothing boutique in the center of town. Allura looked down at the big blue eyes dominating her daughter's face. "Ready to go shopping, babe?"
Cady gurgled and tried to stuff her fist into her mouth.
"Isn't that cute! That's exactly what Keith does when I ask him the same question."
Darcy laughed and pulled open the door.
"Ah! Your Highness! Welcome! And little Princess Cadence! It has been so long, we have some wonderful new dresses!" Deana, the store's owner, had a voice as big as herself.
Allura smiled as the rotund woman approached them. "Deana, it's so nice to see you."
"Please, come and have a seat. K.J.!" She called to her daughter. "Bring Her Majesty some tea! Come, Your Highness, have a seat. I will bring you the latest fashions!"
Allura sat on a heavily upholstered chair with Cady on her lap. Darcy settled into the chair beside them. K.J., Deana's teenage daughter, brought out a tray with two tea cups, a tea pot, and a plate of small cookies. She curtsied and left to help her mother.
"Now this one just arrived from Terra," Deana held up a pink dress with flounces and bows.
"It's lovely, but we're trying to stay away from a lot of pink." Allura smiled.
"Of course, well, let's try this one. It was made by a dress maker here in town." She held up a pale green dress with a touch of lace at the cuffs and hem. It was simple and so cute.
"I love that," Allura fingered the soft fabric.
An hour and several dresses later, Allura, Cady, and Darcy left the store with their purchases.
"We'll have to have a fashion show for Daddy, won't we?" Allura cooed to her daughter.
"He'll be happy to know you stopped after seven." Darcy quipped.
"I have to say that has to be a new record, that is the fewest dresses I ever left that store with. I think Deana looked a little disappointed."
"Well, to be honest, I think you're keeping her in business."
"You're probably right. Where to now?"
Darcy spotted the gift shop, "I want to run into Arusian Delights, maybe I can find a few things in there."
They parked the carriage outside and Allura carried Cady into the small shop. As Darcy priced books for Becca and frames designed by a local artist, Allura wandered around trying to calm a fussy little girl.
"Darcy," Allura appeared at her side. "I'm going to take Cady to the park up the street. We'll wait for you there."
"We can leave," Darcy set down the frame she held in her hand.
"No, no, we'll be fine. Finish up here and we'll be waiting out there. She'll calm down, it's getting close to her nap time."
"Alright, I'll only be a moment." Darcy told her.
Outside the store, Allura settled Cady into the carriage and pushed her to the small park in the center of town. She found a tree and settled underneath it. Cady lay on the ground in front of her, amusing herself by tugging at the thick grass. Looking around, Allura was amazed and thrilled at the changes she saw around her. Alforia was more beautiful now than it had ever been. Businesses were thriving, people were free to walk around, and life was returning to some form of normalcy.
"Good afternoon, your highness!" A young woman with two little boys called out.
Allura smiled and waved.
Numerous people walked by, greeting her and Cady. She recognized a few people as former Doom slaves that had settled on Arus after Lotor's death. Over the years, several hundred slaves were sneaked off Doom and went into hiding on a small planet, Deikun. It had all been planned and carried out by Romelle's former lady in waiting, Paget, and another slave, Rankin. Today, Paget and Rankin were happily married and living on Pollux where Rankin served as a high ranking official in the Polloxian military and many of the freed slaves were living on Arus.
Out of the corner of her eye, Allura saw Darcy leaving the store. She scooped up Cady and settled her into the carriage. The little girl's eyes fought to stay open as she yawned.
"Go to sleep, honey." Allura stroked her soft cheek.
"Your Highness?"
She turned and found herself face to face with an old man. He was shaking and obviously agitated. Darcy quickly jogged up the street. Allura held up her hand letting Darcy know to not come any further. Unclipping the safety on her blaster, Darcy rested her hand on the butt of her weapon, ready.
"What can I do for you?" Allura asked, trying to keep her calm.
"I lost my family during one of Zarkon's attacks." His voice was low and gravelly.
"I'm so sorry."
"No you're not! You could have stopped him a long time ago, but you didn't! You and the Voltron Force let him come, you let him attack and kill people and ruin lives!" Tears ran down the creases in his craggy face. Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a small laser pistol.
Her first thought was of Cady, so she moved until she was between the pistol and the carriage. "Please, put the gun down so we can talk."
Darcy unholstered her weapon, "Drop the weapon, sir!"
"I lost my family!" He slowly turned the gun toward the buggy where Cady, sensing something wasn't right, had begun crying.
"No!" Her survival instincts kicking in, along with the moves she learned when she joined the Force, Allura kicked up and knocked the gun from his hand. With another quick kick she knocked his feet out from under him and pinned him to the ground with her arm at his throat.
Darcy bent down and dragged the man to his feet. She held his arms behind his back and waited while three officers came running up. The young mother with the two children had seen what was happening and had run to the police department.
"You'll pay!" The man shouted as the officers took him into custody.
"I wanted to help you," Allura responded. "But when you threaten my child you go too far."
One of the officers stayed behind, "When you're up to it, we'll need you to come and make a statement, your highness."
Allura nodded, "I'll be right there."
The officer bowed, bent down to retrieve the man's gun and left to take it back to the station.
Darcy slipped her gun back into its holster, "You okay, Allura?"
Picking Cady up into her arms, Allura soothed her. "Yeah, we're alright. Do you always carry your gun?"
"Lance asked me to. He said that you probably wouldn't take a guard with you, but then I guess you don't need one."
Allura gave her a weak smile, "I'm glad you were here. Come on, let's get this police report out of the way and go home."
"I'll call up to the palace and have them send a car down."
Allura nodded and settled Cady back into her carriage.
***************************************
Later that evening, Allura entered the rec room to find Keith alone on the couch, cradling a sleeping Cady in his arms. She watched as he gently ran a hand over her soft, pale blonde hair and stroked her cheek. He knew everything that had happened that afternoon. Darcy was required to give him a full report.
"I wondered where you went," she whispered, curling up on the couch beside him.
"How are you doing?" He asked her.
"I'm fine, Cady's fine. You're the one who's worrying."
"Can you blame me?"
Allura sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, looking down at their daughter. "I know what you're thinking. You feel guilty that you weren't there. You feel as though this is some how your fault because you weren't there to protect us"
He laid his head on hers, "Shows what you know. I was thinking about what I'm going to get Pidge for his birthday."
She laughed softly.
"Seriously, this is a big one. He's eighteen. He can vote."
"Keith…"
"Don't. I have every right to worry about my family."
"Yes you do, but you can't
live your life in fear. Trust me; I know
what I'm talking about."
Keith turned and kissed the top of her head, "I know you do."
"Ahem."
They both lifted their heads as Koran entered the room.
"Yes Koran?" Allura asked.
"I have the file about that man from the police."
"What does it say?" Keith held out his hand for the file.
"His name is Kenyon and he did lose his wife and son in a battle quite a few years ago, one of Zarkon's first attacks. He was injured, but survived. After losing his family and then being forced to move into the caves, he slowly began to lose his mind. At the time, we did not have the resources to help him and he got worse. He is going to stay at the police station until they can find a proper doctor to evaluate him."
"Have they considered sending him to Planet Jaler? They're well known for their psychiatric hospital." Keith suggested as he tried to flip through the folder one handed.
Allura gently lifted Cady out of her father's arms and left to tuck her into bed.
Koran sat in a chair beside the sofa. "That is something I will bring up next time I talk to Chief Lacko."
"I want him off the planet."
"I understand, Keith, but he is an Arusian and he has the right to stay on this planet to receive help."
"He lost that right when he threatened the Queen and the Princess."
Koran shook his head, as great a leader as Keith is, he always allowed his heart, rather than his mind, to dictate what happened when Allura was involved. Normally, Koran admired that about the young Prince Consort, but when it came to the rights of the citizens of his planet, he could not be so easily swayed.
Keith looked up when he heard the older man sigh, "I know, Koran. I'm just a little upset. Please, keep me posted on his progress."
"I will. Are you still planning to go through with your trip?"
"Yes. This was a local, independent threat. If I thought Landor or Haggar had anything to do with it, we wouldn't leave."
Koran stood, slowly. His body just didn't move as quickly as it once did. "I will turn in then. Good night, Keith."
"Good night, Koran."
Five minutes later Allura returned to the rec room.
"She didn't even open her eyes when I tucked her in."
"It was a long day, she's exhausted." Keith held out his hand and pulled Allura onto the couch beside him. "And you?"
"Really, Keith, I'm fine. I have you and the other guys to thank for teaching me how to kick butt."
"I want you to take a guard with you every time you go into town." He held up his hand when she began to protest. "I know, you can handle this yourself, and you have proven that today, but this is more than just you. We have to think of Cady too. What happened today shows that it isn't just Landor we have to fear. There are violent and insane people everywhere."
She nodded, "Alright."
"I talked to Paton. I told her we're pressing charges."
"He's a
sick man, Keith."
"I know. He's not going to serve any prison time, he'll get the help he needs."
"Good." Allura took his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. "Have you figured out where we're staying on Terra?"
"I talked to Lance's father. He wants us to stay with them. They have a couple of free bedrooms. My mother, my sister, and my brother and his family are going stay in a hotel."
"What about Sven and Romelle?"
"Sven's family can't afford to fly to the states, so they're going to go to Norway. They'll make it to the Academy in time for the graduation."
"I'm really looking forward to this trip. We haven't seen your family since the wedding and they haven't met Cady yet."
Keith wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "My mother is really looking forward to this too."
She turned her face up to him, "And you?"
He smiled down at her, "I'm looking forward to it too."
