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A Change in the Winds
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com

Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
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Chapter 16
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Neive followed Shane into the Castle's library as they searche the shelves for books concerning Arus' books on Mythrias. As Shane looked among the old tomes, he found himself wandering among the books written by the elders and past kings of Altaire, Helena and Mythrias. He quickly scanned the titles, making note of who wrote them and what they were about.

One book, however, caught his attention and he slowly reached up to remove it from its shelf. Carefully, he opened the old tome and quickly scanned the pages, written in Arusian for any information he could find concerning the old laws that governed the three Kingdoms.

He knew that the laws were fashioned to maintain the peace between the three kingdoms, with Altaire being delegated as the main kingdom of Arus. To prevent quarreling among the three, laws had been formed, so that the bloodline and heritage could solely remain within each royal family, but there were times when exceptions were made when a royalty did not produce heirs to seceede to the throne. If all three kingdoms had only daughters, then they were allowed to find a suitor among the high lords of the kingdoms; preferably within their own.

That was how his mother married his father.

Though, as with the royal bloodline, the High Lords themselves were careful not to marry their children off to commoners, in hopes that should there be a time, their own children could...would be chosen to marry into the royal family. Neive knew it was selfish, but understood why the rich heritage was so important to the different kingdoms. It was to ensure that the legacy of each kingdom would prosper. Now, marrying into Altaire's royal family, was considered an achievement on everyone's part.

He somewhat smiled to himself at the thought. If Orla wasn't Marlena's sister, and he Allura's cousin, he would have probably found himself being groomed to be Allura's betrothed. He shook his head at the thought. Allura was too much of an older sister to him than anything else. And he shared the same predicament as she.

Even if he were to give up his controlling rule to her, he was still in a role to find a suitable wife, because of his duty to carry on the legacy of his own family, and his uncle was more than doing his part to remind him of that fact. In a few short years, he would have to go through his coronation, and at that time, he would give up his role as part ruler of Arus, to his cousin, and Helena would only be a kingdom to rule on its own, and observe all laws as handed down by Allura as ruler of Altaire.

It still didn't absolve him of the fact that he was still a Prince himself. And even on his most recent trip home to Helena, his uncle was there to introduce him to many of the available daughters of the High Lords, hoping he would find an interest in one of them.

Was this how Allura felt when Coran and Nanny used to show her off to any visting dignitary?

Yet, he knew that there must be an exception to their old laws, if Coran and Nanny were trying to get Allura to recognize Prince's from other planets as worthy suitors for her hand in marriage.

But what was it? Were they allowed to find suitors if none on Arus were available?

He didn't want to confront Coran as of yet, to ask, so he came to the library in search of any answer he could find.

"Neive, I found an old topography map..."

Neive looked up as Shane came down the section he was in.

"What are you reading?" Shane asked as he quickly glanced over the book Neive had in his hands.

"Some old Arusian laws," Neive stated. "Kind of a personal project."

Shane slowly nodded, before dismissing it. "Well, this old map here gives a detailed description and imaging of the are where Mythrias once stood," he continued. "Those coordinate you gave us, well according to this map, there is a high mountain located here."

Shane opened to book to show Neive the area he was describing. "The funny thing is, this mountain didn't exist in another map done only a year earlier."

Shane flipped the page to show and older map of the same region.

"Shane, I think we may have found what we were looking for," Neive stated with a smile. "Let's show this to Allura."

Shane nodded and watched as Neive closed the book he was carry and tucking it under his arm. He met his teammates gaze.

"You know, if you wanted to know more about Arusian law, I could have helped you on that," Shane stated.

"How is that?"

"My uncle is an authority on the laws here," he stated. "He helped write many of them during Alfor's time."

"But, Shane, you're not from here."

"My uncle and mother are Arusian," Shane stressed as he started to walk away. "His sister, my mother moved to Pelas IV when she wanted to train for the Galaxy Alliance Academy. It was then she dropped out because she married my father. Why do you think I understand some Arusian?"

"And you didn't tell us this?" Neive asked.

"No one asked," he stated. He then turned and regarded his teammate. "So what laws did you want to know about?"

Neive looked away from him for a moment. "The old betrothment laws," he stated. "The laws that dictate whom the royalty can marry."

Shane slowly nodded. "Ah," he stated. "Well, assuming that this concerns... you, then Im sure that my Uncle will know in detail of such laws...and of course any...loopholes."

Neive turned to him. "Loopholes?"

Shane slowly nodded. "As with any rules in place, Neive, there's always a loophole to be found and of course exploited," he said. "So, um, why the sudden interest?"

"Something personal," Neive stated.

"It wouldn't have to do anything with a certain white haired princess?" Shane inquired.

"That is, none of your business," Neive said as he glared at the young man.

Shane shrugged. "I can send a message to my uncle, now if you want," he said. "Im sure he'll be more than willing to come and visit us."

"If he isn't busy, and we aren't busy in what we are doing," Neive stated. "Remember, this is just a personal project of mines. We do have to worry about other things."

Shane nodded. "I'll be sure to let him know that it isn't imperitive that he get here soon, that should he be in the area, just stop by," Shane said. "Fine?"

Neive nodded. "Till then, Im just gonna brush up on some of these laws," he said. "Just reading a few of these, I hadn't realized there were so many that I didn't know about."

Shane smiled. "Some of them are so outdated, that you'd wonder why they are even still used," he said.

"Well, I will have to talk to Allura about seeing that some of these laws get updated, or at least abolished," Neive stated. "I mean look at this; a farmer is supposed to be taxed if they do not at least produce 1 head of cattle in the harvest season, otherwise, they must make up for it by offering 2 tons of wheat, or their tax would be 10 of their gross yield for the year. If they are to meet the requirements, then their tax would only be 2 of the their gross yield for the year. Who the heck came up with this?"

Shane nodded. "Wait till you get into the section about fining those who commit crimes," he said. "Its pretty...archaeic."

Neive shook his head. "And a society is supposed to be judged by the laws that they observe and use," he stated. "Im seriously thinking that I should sit down with Allura to go over some of these."

Shane smiled. "Come on, all this talk about laws is making my stomach turn," he said. "Let's just show this map to Allura, and maybe locate this Sixth Lion."

Neive nodded and then followed his young teammate out of the library.

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Zeya's head hung low as she closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She cringed every time she felt the sting of the whip across her back, hearing Amoris grumble about how long he had to spend to get her to talk.

Her vision was hazy, and she felt weak, but she knew that she wasn't going to give in to anyone. Not for any reason. She would not pass out, so that he could just find a reason to torture her again.

"Your efforts are commendable, Amoris," she heard a voice echo through the cell she was in. "But if there is anything I've taught my protege, its never to give into the will of a man."

Zeya slowly lifted her head as she tried to focus on the voice. She recognized the dark hooded form of her former teacher.

"What do you know, witch?" Amoris stated as he went to raise his arm again.

"If its information your master wants, I can get that information for you."

"How would you."

"Listen to Haggar, Amoris, since you've been unable to loosen her toungue, maybe she is able to succeed."

Zeya's head flinched up as she saw Rolsin' dark figure fill the Cell door. He was probably here, wondering why it was taking Amoris, longer than expected to get her to talk.

The man who had been torturing her stepped aside as the witch came to stand before Zeya. The young princess could only stare at the woman before her.

"So, what kind of information did you need?" Haggar asked.

"I want whatever there is to know about the activities of the Voltron Force," Rolsin stated. "What she knows about the Sixth Lion. And anything pertaining to their Voltron Captain."

Zeya's eyes widened at the mention of him. And with Haggar standing before her, she knew that the witch would be able to pull that information from her easily. When she performed the connection for Keith to speak to the others on his team, she had open access to everything about him. What had she done?

"Is that all?"

Rolsin slowly nodded. "Im sure there is more that I need, but if I do, I know whom to turn to."

"As you wish," Haggar stated.

Zeya tried to struggle against the bonds holding her hands together, to try and move away from the witch. All in vain however as Haggar stretched out her bony hand and covered Zeya's forehead with it. The princess then let out a scream as a sudden shock was sent through her. With one final gasp, Zeya felt her mind go blank and the strength she had leave her. As her head fell forward, she felt the herself being lowered to the ground and the searing pain she was feeling, began numbing her senses.

"Clean her up, and take her to my quarters," she heard a voice in the background.

"Sire, now that you have what you need, I would like to start on my new projects to help your forces."

"So be it, Haggar, and I thank you for your help."

Zeya could only breathe in deeply as her eyes grew heavy. She felt herself being picked up roughly, and a bright light filler her vision. Though, she could not help but feel exhausted and tired, she felt herself slip into unconsciousness.

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Zeya slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry, but she knew that she was in a dimly lit room. She could feel her muscles ache, even as she breathed in deeply.

She then let out a gasp as she quickly sat up, pulling the covers tight against her as she looked around. She looked herself over seeing that she was wearing a loose dress, which was only held together by a thin rope belt. She felt almost naked, and hating that feeling, she held the covers closer to her.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim room. She slowly moved off the bed she was in, finding little strength in her legs. Her balance was a little shaky, but once she found her footing, she made her way across the room to the door at the far end.

Just as she neared it, the door then slid open and she backed up when she saw the three brothers slowly enter. Her eyes met each of their gazes as her legs gave way and she fell to the ground.

"It looks like she finally got up, Rolsin."

Zeya's gaze then turned to Rolsin, who out of the three brothers was standing the furthest from her.

"Whatever spell Haggar used on you, Princess, you've been out for at least two days," Rolsin stated. "Risen, Relins, I will continue our discussion later. Risen, since you're ready to go, you can conduct your plan accordingly. Report back to me when you are done."

The other two slowly bowed before leaving the room. Zeya slowly pulled herself along the floor as he approached her.

"Now, now princess," he stated as he grabbed her by her arm and pulled her to her feet. She struggled against him as he lifted her into his arms and laid her back down on the bed.

"Let me go!" she yelled as she fought against him. She clutched the blankets to her as she drew back her hand to slap him.

Rolsin only smiled as he caught her arm and twisted it toward her back, pinning her against him. Zeya winced in pain, and she breathed in deeply.

"Do you honestly think that you could hurt me?" he asked. "In your condition, Im surprised that can even lift your head."

Rolsin then released her as he moved away from the bed and walked over to the far side of the room. Zeya breathed in deeply, as her vision began to spin, trying to hold herself up.

"As I remember it, I hurt you at least one time," Zeya said almost breathlessly. "And I would do it again if necessary."

Rolsin only smiled to himself as he stood at the bar and poured two glasses of wine from his collection. In one, he opened a small flask and poured a green liquid, and swirled the wine around till it was gone.

He then turned to her as he walked over to his bed and handed her the glass.

"This should help you calm your nerves," he stated. "A wine from my home planet."

Zeya felt like slapping the glass from his hands, but she knew she needed something to dull the pain she felt. She reluctantly took the glass and drank half of it before breathing again.

"Why am I here?" she asked as she looked toward him. "You have the information you needed from me."

"Well, after learning what your role is in trying to find Arus' last defensive weapon, I surely cannot just let you go," Rolsin stated as he drank the wine from his glass. "But, I did want to thank you for the information you had on their Captain. It was most intriguing."

"You know that you can't defeat him," Zeya said as she finished off her glass. She then smiled as she regarded him. "You are actually afraid of him, aren't you. You've never encountered any one invidual in battle that had been able to match you in a fight."

"I just call it a stroke of luck," Rolsin stated as he placed his glass down on the table before him and stood. "It wont happen a second time."

Zeya moved across the bed, clutching the covers against her as he neared the bed. She then hit the glass she held in her hand against the wall and held the broken goblet in front of her.

"Dont come near me," she stated.

Rolsin only smiled as he grabbed her arm which held the glass, and squeezed it until she let go of it. She then gasped as he lifted her off the bed then pulled her until she was prone, as he pinned her to the soft matress. Zeya fought against his hold on her, as he got onto the bed to hold her in place. She then relaxed as she started to breathe in deeply, a sudden warmth filling her being.

"Ah, even the likes of you can fall to the effects of Nebris," Rolsin stated as he eased his hold on her.

Zeya could not understand the warmth she was feeling. She felt dizzy, yet euphoric. Suddenly, she could feel her senses come alive, as her body tingled from within.

She then felt herself being pulled up as her gaze met his, his fingers dancing across the bare skin around her neck and down her arm. Her skin felt like fire everywhere he touched her. She then closed her eyes as she felt his lips touch her neck, nipping at the tender flesh under her ear.

"Ever since I saw you, I knew I had to have you," he whispered in her ear. "And now that you are here, you will be mine forever."

Zeya could only close her eyes as she felt herself succumb to the sensations her body was experiencing. She could not form a coherent thought, but just relish the in the feelings that her body betrayed.

As she felt herself pushed down onto the matress again, she felt his warm lips brush over her exposed shoulder. She then felt his hands wander down her body. Her mind screamed, almost repulsed by his touch on her. She wanted so much to get away from him.

Zeya's head then turned as the door to the room slid open and a figure in a dark cloak entered the room. Rolsin quickly reacted to the figure's presence, but the dark figure was quick to confront him and she watched as he rendered the young lord unconscious.

The dark figure approached her, quickly wrapping the blankets around her.

"The bastard," was all the comment he heard from him as he took her into his arms and carried her out of the room. "He gave you the Nebris."

Zeya could not understand but he pulled the blanket over her, and covered part of her head with it. She could only make out the passing of lights as he carried her down a long hallway.

Her mind was numb, barely comprehending what was going on around her. All she knew was that her head was spinning, her back ached, and her senses were alert to everything around her.

She then felt herself being placed in a metal chair as the audible sound of a ships door. The man in the dark cloak came to stand before her, careful to not show her his face.

"You may not understand what is happening to you, Princess Zeya, but the Nebris is a powerful aphrodesiac," she heard him say. "You must pardon me while I cover your eyes, because if you look upon the first man you see, you will succumb to its effects. Im not sure how much Rolsin gave you, but it usually lasts a couple of days."

Zeya could only breathe in deeply as she closed her eyes. She was so tired, she knew that she couldn't fight the exhaustion that threatened to take her.

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Neive looked up the face of the mountain as he stared up into the sky. He slowly made his way around as he looked for anythign out of the ordinary.

"I dont know, Kit, but all my sensors say that this is a mountain," Neive said into his communicator.

Well according to these two maps, there is no way a mountain of that size can just appear after one year, Kit answered. Have you heard anything from Shane?

"No," Neive answered. "I think he's as confused about this as I am."

I guess that test our theories then, Kit replied. Return to the Castle, and we will try it with all three armlets. Allura just wanted to be sure that this was the correct are, and the coordinates given suggests that.

Neive slowly nodded. "I should be back at the Castle in ten minutes," Neive stated. "Let Shane know that we are returning."

I will.

Neive looked at the mountainside again, before turning to walk back toward his Lion ship. He then stopped as he saw a dark figure standing before him.

"I trust that you are one of the Voltron Force members?"

Neive watched as the man approached him. Neive saw that there was someone bundled in a swath of blankets in his arms.

"Keep her eyes covered for the next few days," the man stated. "She needs her rest."

Neive slowly nodded as he handed the bundle to him and he gasped when he saw that it was Princess Zeya. As he looked up again, he saw that the man was gone. Neive turned to the woman he held in his arms, as she slept silently. He slowly made his way to his Lion before returning to the Castle.

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"So, you're saying that some man appeared before you, and just handed her over to you?"

Neive slowly nodded as he met Katherine's gaze. "And just as quick as he appeared, he disappeared," he stated. "Did you detect any ships in the area we were in?"

Katherine turned to Pidge as the young man shook his head. "If he did, he came in undetected," he answered. "Just to let you know, Dr. Gorma has examined her, and she is doing well. However, it is apparent that she was tortured while in captivity."

"Tortured?" Katherine asked.

Pidge slowly nodded. "One of her wrists was broken and there were over a hundred whip marks across her back," he said. "Of course, all of it will heal over time, but he's not sure how it has affected her."

"Do you think we can visit her?" Neive asked.

Katherine turned to him.

"Gorma says that its fine, since you all may want to check in on Keith as well," Pidge stated. "He finally woke not long ago, while you guys were on patrol. The others have already gone down to see him, so you two are left."

Katherine stood as she joined Neive and took his hand into hers. "Thanks, Pidge," she stated as she started to pull him toward the control room door. "We'll be sure to hand in our reports later today."

Neive looked at Katherine once they were walking down the hallway toward the infirmary.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Dont you find it suspicious that someone would all of a sudden, just bring Zeya back to us," she asked.

"Didn't Siaras tell us that there was a rebel force forming among the Triasian force?" Neive asked.

"But remember, she turned tail on us, and almost murdered Lance," Kit answered.

Neive slowly shook his head as he followed her down the hall. "Maybe she was telling the truth to an extent," he stated. "Maybe three are some dissidents among the Triasian force. If that is the case, then maybe we can reach out to them and have them help us."

Katherine looked at him. "Maybe," she stated. "We'll run this by Lance later."

Neive nodded. "Now that the three of us are here, we can get back to finding that damned lion."

Katherine could only breathe in deeply. "I just hope that we aren't doing this all for nothing," she stated. "It would be a cruel joke on us, if this lion didn't exist."

"I believe it does," Neive stated. "And we all have to believe it does."

"Otherwise, there is no hope in trying to fight off this new force?" Katherine asked. "You're scared of that aren't you?"

"Arus is my home, Kit," he stated. "I fear for everyone if we can't fight this enemy off."

Katherine slowly nodded. "Then I will pray that our answers can be found soon."

tbc
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