"How many?" Keith practically growled at his council members.
"Over 4,00 You Majesty. We believe the sickness will die out shortly. Less people have fallen ill in the passed few days.
"You mean it'll die out when my people do?! How could we have let this happen?! " Keith was beside himself at this point. Hearing news of his innocents dying horrid deaths only sent him into a rage. Luis was still barely hanging on to life and he still had not heard from them other than an update on Luis. Thank the Gods Lance seemed unharmed thus far but Keith's stomach was still heavy with dread knowing something was going to happen.
"Your Majesty.. As horrible these tragedies they come on their own. We could not have foreseen these events nor have prevented them."
"Your Highness, If I may?" Shiro started and Keith waved him on to continue.
"I may.. have a theory but it is only that. " Shiro started not knowing if he should even bring it up in fear of frightening everyone again.
"Takashi continue." Keith said waiting for him to explain himself.
"Well. I have reason to believe the sickness may have been carried in on purpose. By ship." He said glancing around hoping others would catch on.
"By the Gods! You think Zarkon somehow brought this upon us?!" One man asked and Keith felt so much resentment fill him. Of course it was him. The timeline matched perfectly.
"Takashi. Send my fleet. Destroy that bastard and his fleet. They better be at the bottom of the ocean by sunrise." Shiro looked shocked but it was Kolivan who spoke up.
"Your Majesty. It would be a death wish for our men. We are far outnumbered and will surely take defeat." He said but Keith stood up his chair being thrown back by the force.
"I don't care! My people are dying because of him!" His voice was raised and his arms trembled slightly. He had never felt so much rage at one time in his life. Shiro stood up and told everyone to disband, The men filed out hurriedly as Shiro came over to try and calm him.
"Keith.." He said softly but Keith brushed him off and started pacing chewing his thumb nail.
"Your Majesty. I know you're hurting, these past weeks have pained us all, but surely if you wish to save lives you won't send our men to their deaths. It is a hopeless mission without our allies backing us. I know this is an awful thing to have happened but we can only stand as strong as we can and wait for help. "
Keith stopped pacing clenching his fists so hard his nails dug painfully into his palms. "Shiro. So many have died and I could only sit around and watch. I-I can't do this." His voice broke as he willed his tears away. He was the King,he shouldn't be crying. "I'm too weak Shiro." He said his voice barely above a whisper.
"No Keith. You care. There's a difference. You're strong and so are your people. They will survive this." He said laying a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Send a message to King Alfor of Altea, Make sure they have not experienced this sickness and plead with them for their help. The send a contact to King Lubos and demand an answer as to why he hasn't made a decision. " Shiro nodded and excused himself shutting the door behind him. Keith stayed in the room trying to compose himself before he headed out.
"Your Majesty" Kolivan said approaching him as soon as he stepped out of the council room. Keith sighed and continued walking.
"What can I help you with Kolivan?" He asked trying to keep his anger from his voice. Kolivan kept in step with him as they made their way through the halls.
"I may be overstepping, but this may be a sign Your Majesty. That boy came to court and next thing we know a disease has taken thousands of lives. It may be a bad omen of your decision to cour-" He was unable to finish because Keith turned on him so fast throwing him against the wall their faces inches away.
"You have the audacity to blame this on Lance?! This is not some curse from above you arrogant asshole. He lost his baby sister to this sickness and possibly a brother too and you think you have the right to blame this on my decision to court him? You are walking a very thin line Kolivan. " Keith let go of the larger mans shirt and gave him one last dirty look before storming off to his chambers.
"Move aside! Move! I have news for the King!" A man yelled as he raced in skidding his horse to a halt before jumping off and running up to Hunk who happened to hear the commotion and rush over.
"What is it?" He asked catching the man as he was breathing heavily having come from a far distance.
"The King..I have.. news" He breathed and Hunk lead him into the castle. Shiro was talking among some fellow council members when he saw Hunk enter with a winded man on his arm.
"Cardinal! What is wrong?" He asked rushing over.
"New for the King sir!" The man said finally having caught his breath.
"Get this man some water!" Shiro called and a boy ran off to fetch some. "Come, sit and rest." he said pulling the man to a chair nearby. The man thanked him and sipped the water that was soon delivered.
"Now, tell me. What news do you have?" Shiro asked. The man wiped his mouth before setting his empty cup down on the small table next to him.
"The McClain boy, Lance. Has fallen ill as well."
A knock was heard on Keith's door but he was in no mood to answer it. To his surprised the door opened anyways and Shiro stepped in.
"Shiro.. I am not in the mood to discuss my..." He trailed off having looked up and seeing the distraught on the man's face. He sat up quickly his whole stomach filling with acid.
"Shiro. What's wrong?" He stood up an made his way over to his brother.
"Keith.. I'm so so sorry." he said and knew he didn't need to say more as realization dawned in Keith's eyes.
"No. No No No" He said stepping back. "Lance?" He asked unable to process it. Shiro only nodded and stepped forward to console him but Keith backed out of his reach.
"No! No no no!" He yelled grabbing the nearest thing off the table and chucking it against the wall, the vase shattering. "Shiro! NO!" He screamed and he looked for something to punch or break or anything.
"Keith.." Shiro said softly but kept his distance. Keith gripped his hair and closed his eyes trying to calm down. He was so close to just breaking down after these passed few weeks.
"Shiro.. I n-need to see him..I-I need to be there" He said his throat already tight and his eyes stinging as he forced his tears away. Shiro stared not knowing what to do. He cursed under his breath but grabbed Keith and lead him out of his chambers.
"Thomas! Fetch the King's and my own riding clothes and meet us in the stables." Shiro called as he helped Keith through the halls. Keith's body was moving by itself as his mind was trying to comprehend everything. Lance was sick. Lance was dying. Lance, beautiful, pure, sweet Lance. His Lance... Shiro pulled him in front of him once they made it to the stables.
"Keith." He shook him a bit before raising his voice louder to snap him out of it. "KEITH." Keith widened his eyes a bit realizing they were in the stables and two horses were being prepped.
"I'm going to go see him?" he asked seeing red all ready to go.
"I'm coming with you." Shiro said and Thomas appeared with their riding outfits.
"Shiro, I can't let you. You could get sick." Keith said but Shiro was still slipping his riding coat on and shoving his hands in the gloves.
"I am not allowing you to leave this castle alone now let's go." he said mounting his own horse. Keith quickly gt his own attire on and mounted Red.
"Your Majesty! Dismount this very instant you are forbidden to leave these castle grounds! " Hunk came out yelling but Keith and Shiro tore off leaving them in a cloud of dust.
Keith felt bad for overworking Red like this but they couldn't go fast enough. He needed to be by Lance's side. He kicked at the horses sides until the trees were just a blur as the rode down the road. It wasn't ling before the familiar hill hiding Lance's house at the bottom came into view. They rode right passed heading towards the river cottage. The smell of smoke was heavy in the air and plumes of the dark clouds were lifting into the sky from multiple locations. The closer they got to the town the heavier the stench and smoke. Bodies laid on the edge of the road waiting for their turn in the burning flames. They rode right through both lifting their cloth kerchiefs to cover their nose and mouth as they crossed through.
Once the cottage was in sight Keith urged Red faster before practically flying off the horse and towards the door.
"Keith wait!" Shiro barely caught him before he could run inside.
"Shiro!" He barked but the man pulled him back. Shiro tied both his and Keith's kerchiefs over his face.
"You need to be careful. You're the King, do not let this sickness take you to." Shiro said but Keith tried taking one off but Shiro stopped him.
"Wear both. I'll be fine." Keith went to argue but the door opened and Maria walked out. It broke Keith's heart seeing what had been such a bright warm woman look so pale and broken herself.
"Keith?" She asked in disbelief. Her voice was raw and thick with sorrow and her eyes were red and swollen. "You shouldn't be here" She said but Keith was already heading inside. He stopped once inside seeing Marco and Veronica sitting by the fireplace in each other's arms. They looked up in surprise when Keith had came in.
"Where is he?" Keith asked his voice muffled by the cloth. Marco pointed a shaky finger to the separate room in the back. Keith hurried over but hesitated his hand on the handle. He didn't know if he was ready to see Lance like this. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open but nothing had prepared to see what lay in the bed before him. The shell of the boy he had grown so fond of lay trembling under layers of blankets. His face sunken in and ghostly pale the only sign of life was the raspy breaths and the sheen of sweat on his face.
"Oh God Lance." Keith said closing the door. He carefully walked over and sank down slowly in the chair beside his bed. He reached out gently grabbing hold of his hand which was so hot to the touch. His skin was burning and at Keith's touch Lance took a shuddery breath and opened his eyes slowly. His eyes no longer bright and vibrant but dull and colorless as they stared at him. It took a while for recognition to light up in his eyes.
"K-keith...why.." he managed but Keith silenced him.
"Lance, just rest." He said trying to keep his voice firm. He needed to b strong so Lance could be too.
Lance smiled best he could before closing his eyes again. Keith rested his forehead on the boy's hand whispering prayers and hopes. It wasn't long before Maria walked in and placed a soft hand on his shoulder.
"How long has been like this?" Keith asked looking up at her not ashamed his eyes were glassy already.
"Since this morning.. He developed a cold and it happened so quickly.." She said resting a hand on his leg gently trying to keep her own sadness at bay.
"Luis is holding on..Lance can too. He's strong." She said almost to convince herself.
"Maria.. I am so sorry." Keith said unable to imagine what she was going through. He was only feeling a part of it.
The two sat with him for hours before deciding to check on the others. They all sat around the table sharing stories trying to keep the mood light, Maria checking on Lance every few minutes.
"So one day Lance was doing the laundry at the river and Luis thought it would be funny to throw a mud ball at him!" Veronica giggled and Marco finished for her.
"It started a full out mud ball fight! Mama was not happy when we came home." Maria smiled a bit at the memory.
"They were more mud than boy at that point." She said running a brush gently through Veronica's hair. Keith rested his chin on his hand propped on the table.
"When is the physician coming back?" Keith asked looking over at Maria. Shiro was trying his best to keep Marco entertained with a game of chess.
"Tomorrow hopefully. He wanted to move Lance to be with Luis but he is too ill to move. So he must travel to both boys." She said softly but her expression wasn't one of hope. Keith's heart sank realizing she wasn't expecting him to last that long. He reached a hand over gripping hers tightly.
"He's strong Maria. He'll make it." Keith reassured her and multiple coughs rose them all to their feet as Keith and Maria rushed in to see Lance rolled over coughing and wheezing trying to catch breath.
"Lance!" She cried running over rubbing his back to comfort him. He gasped for breath and his head dropped down as he just cried in pain clutching his chest.
"Lay back Lance" she said guiding him back down. Keith had to look away as his whole body started jerking involuntarily and his cries of pain were more frequent.
"Mama" he gasped and she was pulling his head into her lap stroking his hair softly.
"Shhh" She whispered trying to wipe her tears but unable to catch some as they dripped on his face. His eyes were barely open as he stared up at her.
Keith had to sit down or he'd be sick. Seeing Lance so frail and in so much pain just struggling to fill his lungs had him nauseous. Maria started singing what sounded like a lullaby so softly as she rocked him gently. He closed his eyes and Keith took his hands needing to hold him.
"Mama" His weak voice was hear and Maria stopped singing and caressed hiis cheek softly.
"Shhh. Don't try to talk. You need to keep up your strength." She said her voice barely able to be made out between her silent sobs. She was watching her oldest boy slowly wither away in her arms.
"Mama it's okay." He said before swallowing hard speaking obviously a struggle at this point. "I'll take care of Sophia." He said his eyes opening and he gazed up at his mom before smiling a bit.
"I love you mama" he said before ending in another fit of coughs causing Maria to break down further pulling him into a hug.
"Lance you can't go." She sobbed burying her face in his neck and Keith's vision was swimming and he stood up and stumbled out of the room unable to watch any longer. Shiro stood u worriedly.
"Keith?!" He asked following him outside. Keith barely made it before bending over and throwing up. Shiro patted his back soothingly.
"He's dying Shiro" Keith gasped between his tears as he just sank to the ground. This brought back too many memories and emotions of losing his parents. Both his parents were killed in an assassination attempt and the only reason Keith was saved was because Shiro had ran away with him. He had witnessed his parents slaughter and seeing Lance like that it was too much. Shiro pulled him into a hug and let him cry into his shoulder for what seemed like an eternity Keith's whole being shaken. Once Keith was able to compose himself the two walked back inside and sat at the table. Keith couldn't go back in there, he couldn't see Lance as he was. He had been so full of light and happiness but now was barely a corpse his whole body wasting away with disease. Shiro placed a wool blanket over Keith's shoulders before sitting down against the wall letting the two younger kids curl up on him and sleep.
"Get some rest Keith." Shiro said softly trying to get comfortable himself. Keith pulled the blanket tighter and knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. All he could hear was Maria's cries and small moans of pain coming from the room. Keith was afraid to sleep knowing when he awoke Lance would be gone from this world and that thought terrified him. How can he live in a world without Lance in it?