"My Lord.. I have an update.."

"Speak, Witch." Zarkon commanded as he gazed out towards the shore from his place on one of the main ships in the fleet.

"The King has tried to hide the boy. He thinks no one sees. Though I see everything." Haggar said. Zarkon turned to look at the cloaked figure behind him.

"Good. You have proved yourself useful. Send the druids. I want him. Kill whoever gets in your way. Bring the boy back. I want to personally send his head to the King." Haggar bowed deeply before taking her leave. Zarkon turned his attention back to the empty shore and a small smile formed on his lips. Finally, he was ready to shed some of their filthy blood.

Later that evening two drunken boys stumbled through the door before flopping into their own chair.

"I must admit. It was quite enjoyable." Lance smiled lopsided at Adam who was just nodded in agreement. They may have drank too much but the music was good and they danced and drank the night away. "Adam? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." Adam agreed and grabbed a small pitcher of water pouring them eah a glass. Lance thanked him as he took it. He sipped it a bit before setting it down.

"You and Shiro.." He started before shifting nervously.

"Have you guys..like..you know.." Adam raised an eyebrow not quite getting what Lance was trying to say.

"Have we what?" Lance sighed and leaned over to whisper.

"Have you guys done the dirty?" Adam's eyes narrowed as his slow drunken mind processed and once he realized his eyes grew wide and he barely contained his eruptions of cackles.

"Are you asking if Shiro and I have done the do?!" He asked and Lance just reddened and covered his face. He was not drunk enough for this and he regretted it so much. Once Adam's laughter died and wiped at his eyes and gulped some more water.

"Yes, Lance. We have done the do many, many, many times. Why? You have questions I assume?" He asked with a soft smile seeing the poor boys embarrassment. Of course he would have questions, this wasn't a commonality.

"I just.. I want to be prepared for when Keith is ready." Lance said rubbing his hands together nervously. Adam leaned back rubbing his chin. He hadn't expected to be the one to break the news of the birds and the other boy birds but he didn't mind. "Well. First things first."

"You did what?!" Shiro exclaimed the next morning as Adam was telling the stories of the last evening.

"What?! He asked! How could I deny him the knowledge of our people? Plus, he should know what happens. It's important. " Adam said in his defense. Shiro scooped him up in a hug.

"I know it is. " Shiro smashed his cheeks gently before giving him a big kiss. "I'm proud. I never thought you had it in you to speak of those things so freely."

"It wasn't me. It was the alcohol." Adam laughed. Shiro saw Lance come out of the small house and they made eye contact. Shiro wasn't sure but Lance was eyeing him with a strange look before reddening and going back inside. Shiro frowned a bit and looked down at Adam.

"How did the boy take all that knowledge?" Adam glanced up with a smirk.

"He was hilariously horrified."

"Is Keith not coming?" Lance asked once Shiro had come inside.

"Sorry, he could not sneak away today. Soon hopefully. He won't shut up about how quiet the castle is without you around." Lance grinned glad to hear he was being missed as well. Adam served them both warm cups of tea before sitting down next to Shiro. Lance averted his eyes unable to get the mental images that Adam had burned into his mind last night. He had no idea what to have expected but it seems way more scary than he had thought. Shiro leaned over to whisper to Adam.

"I think you broke him." Adam shrugged a bit before responding.

"I may have used too many gestures." Shiro rolled his eyes but couldn't help being amused. He was happy being here with Adam and even Lance, the boy seemed happy and worry free. This plan may have been a great idea after all.

"Must you go back so soon?" Adam whined refusing to released his tight hug. "You hardly come home anymore."

"I know.. with everything happening I need to be by the King's side. I am his Right hand after all. Someone needs to make sure he doesn't ban blue cheese." Shiro teased.

"Blue Cheese is the best cheese!" Adam said exasperated at Keith's hatred towards the moldy treat. They shared a laugh and one more kiss before Shiro pulled away.

"I love you Adam. I'll be home soon." Adam waved until the carriage was out of view before huffing a sigh and retreating back into the warm house. Lance was snoring softly near the fireplace so Adam decide to head to bed early to. He placed a blanket over the boy before turning in for the night. Adam was unable to sleep well, his mind too busy so he stayed up writing. He had a passion for writing children's stories and sharing them with the town's children. They kept his mind in happier places than the looming war. He was deep in his work but a quiet thumping noise pulled him from his thoughts. He listened for a few seconds and went back to work assuming it may be Lance finally waking and heading to his actual room for the night. He sat his quill down when the thumping got more clear. It was footsteps. Adam glanced out his window, pitch black. It was at least the midnight hour by now. Who could be up? He stood and wrapped himself in a small wool shawl for warmth as he crept from his room. Lance was still snoring, sprawled over the chair in the living room, the fire was glowing low with embers. The footsteps had stopped once Adam had come out. He immediately got an uneasy feeling. He struck a match and light a lantern before continuing towards the dark kitchen where the other window was. Maybe some drunken person was stumbling about? He held the light up to the window as he peered out. He thought he saw a shadow from the corner of his eye but when he looked there was nothing but the empty street. A soft fall of snow left the ground powdered white. Adam walked to the front door before walking out quietly not to wake the boy. He shivered almost immediately as the freezing air bit into him. He walked the perimeter of his home and was feeling calmer seeing no footprints in the snow. He decided it was nothing and returned inside. He sht the door behind him and headed into the living room when he felt something behind him. Before he could turn around and see what it was he was knocked forward from a blow to his back. His cry of alarm woke Lance who frantically tried to jump up but got tangled in the blanket.

"Adam?" He called turning to see what was going on. "Adam!" Adam was on the floor and Lane rushed over.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly and Adam sat up wincing.

"I don't know.. I think-" He was cut off as his eyes widened.

"Lance! Behind you!" Lance swung around and came face to face with what he could only describe as the face of death. A tall cloaked figure his eyes only dark sockets of emptiness and no other facial features. He could only let out the unholiest of screams at the sight. Before Lance knew it he was in the cold grip of the figure kicking out in panic. Adam was up on his feet immediately and charged.

"Let go of him!" He yelled swinging the lantern trying to make a hit.

"Adam!" Lance cried out being swung around as the intruder dodged easily. Lance himself twisted and fought trying to free his arm from the steel grip. His foot landed a blow but his heart sank as his foot went straight through the creature, it's body seeming to disperse in a black cloud before reforming. Adam went to charge the figure again but another appeared in front stopping him suddenly. Adam cried out in surprise and threw the lantern as his defense but it passed right through the figure's body too and shattering on the floor immediately igniting the blanket that had landed on the floor. Adam's panic grew with the fire but all he could do was protect Lance. It was the job he was given by the King himself. He would not let thee things take Lance.

"Put him down. Now!" Adam yelled as he looked around for another weapon but the second one lunged towards Adam. Adam wheeled backwards but was not quick enough to avoid the grip to his throat. Adam struggled or breath as the horrific face stared at him. His vision and hearing got fuzzy and he could see Lance fighting and screaming, most likely for Adam to help him. He clawed at the hand around his throat and was luckily released and fell to the ground. Adam coughed and sputtered grabbing his chest as he took deep breaths.

"Adam!" Lance called out relieved he was dropped. The second figure turned and drifted over to Lance but stopped as Adam charged again.

"Adam no! Stop! They'll hurt you!" Lance begged as the figure turned around. By now the fire was spreading and the whole kitchen was engulfed, Smoke was filling the small house quickly causing Adam even more trouble. Adam didn't stop though. He never would until Lance was safe. The figure stood still letting Adam come and easily grabbed his arm and twisted it sending Adam to the ground again. Adam cried out feeling his arm break and Lance begged to stop this. Adam's arm was released before the hand that was holding him started to glow a soft purple.

"Stop! Don't hurt him!" Lance screamed thrashing against the other captor. He ended coughing as he inhaled the smoke. He could barely see through it but he saw it happen. The seconds leading up to it. The purple glow getting darker before some short of energy hit Adam square in the chest causing him to scream out. A cold hand clamped over Lance's mouth to quiet his screams as he was drug away. All he could do was beg in his mind for Adam to get up. To get out. Lance was drug from the house and the second figure emerged moments later it's hand dripping with a red substance. Blood. Lance's eyes widened as Adam's blood dripped onto the perfect white snow on the ground and the last thing Lance remembered was watching the house burn and Adam inside it.