Lance wasn't sure where he was. All he knew was it was pitch black and very cold. As he became conscious he realized quickly he was bound and on a cold metal floor.
"H-Hello?" He called out wincing as his head throbbed. He must have been hit. He sat up slowly groaning and tried to peer through the darkness in hopes of finding any identifying structures. His body was shivering uncontrollably as he had been stripped of his warm clothes and was in only his undergarments. He strained to hear anything but the only sound was of soft water drips on the cold floor. He tried to swallow his panic and ry to keep a clear head. He didn't know what was happening and all he could think about was the fire and Adam.. This was all his fault. If he had just stopped fighting Adam would still be alive. Lance couldn't hold in the sobs any longer and crumpled onto the floor.
He wasn't sure how long it had been but he jolted up hearing distant footprints. His head ached from crying and the whack he had gotten but he was crouched and ready to spring into action if needed. His hands were behind his back and he had tried to pry them apart but the metal cord wrapped around them was far too tight to budge. He could feel his wrists were raw already but he was determined to fight back. They killed Adam. They would not be let off so easy. Lance couldn't stomach the idea of Shiro finding out. He would never wish that upon anyone. The footsteps were growing louder but then stopped suddenly. Lance listened for any sounds but it was dead silent. He sighed and sat back against the wall. So much for hs escape plan. All he could do was wait in the darkness and hope he doesn't lose his mind in the suffocating silence.
Laughter erupted from the banquet hall as food was distributed.
"Then, the poor man said, but it wasn't my goat I swear!" Keith couldn't help his laughter as the tale of the traveling goat was told. Keith smiled a bit remembering Kaltenecker and how she likes to wander too. How she was the one who brought the two together. It was quite amusing that a cow was a better mathmaker than anyone else. Keith was pulled from his thoughts ads SHiro entered the room.
"Join us! You ms be starved." keith said and Shiro sat down eagerly.
"I've been speaking and sorting out details with Kolivvan. Everything is seeming to be going as planned. Now that Adam and Lance are safe we can actually get rid of the pests on our shores for good." Shiro grinned and helped himself to a big serving of duck. Keith nodded quite pleased at the situation. He missed Lance and his warm smile more than anything but knew where he as now was far safer than if he was to stay at the castle.
Lance was started awake hearing the sounds of a door unlocking. He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep but was in full panic mode as he didn't know what to expect. The door opened and a deep purple light poured into the small room Lance had been held in. He couldn't make ou he faces of the three figures standing in the doorway.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Lance asked trying to keep the obvious fear from his voice. If they could kill Adam they wouldn't mind killing another and Lance was terrified. The figures didn't move making Lance even more uneasy. Finally one spoke, a female voice.
"Hello, Lance. It's nice to see you again" The figures stepped into the room and Lance scooted back quickly but soon bumped into the wall not allowing him to retreat further.
"Who are you?!" He asked again, the panic clear now. They were getting close enough he could see them all grinning and it formed a pit in his stomach.
"How rude.. I thought you'd recognize me.." The woman said and Lance was able to see them more didn't look familiar at all. Her long white hair and cloak. She looked old but not familiar.
"I..Don't.." She grinned wider.
"You don't recognize me? How about now?" Lance's eye widened as she shrank into a bent over beggar that he had definitely met, and introduced himself too.
"I don't understand.." he said staring at the poor woman who he had thought was blind and in need.
"Don't worry your pretty little head. It'll be all over soon."
The two people beside her lunged forward but Lance was quick to roll away from the grabbing hands. He stood to make a run for it but his legs gave out immediately and he fell right into their cold hands. He kicked and screamed but it was no use. They drug him out of the room and down the hall. Lance looked around frantically, every hallway dimly lit and looked exactly the same.
"Please! I don't have anything worth taking! I'm just a farm boy! I can get you money! Please!" He begged but they didn't hesitate. They turned and entered a large room and Lance was tossed harshly onto the steel floor. Lance groaned at the impact and looked up. As soon as he met eyes with the man in front of him his blood ran cold and he swore his heart stopped. He'd never seen a man so tall and horrific to look at. His face unrecognizable with scars and deformations. The only thing that sent more fear through him than his appearance was the deep hatred blazing in his eyes.
"Lord Zarkon.. The boy you wanted." The woman spoke, now in her original form. The man gazed at him and LAnce's skin crawled under the burning stare. Zarkon? Wasn't that who Keith was at war with?
"Good work, Witch. I am very pleased." The man, Zarkon, spoke his voice deep and full of anger.
"What do you want from me?" Lance asked and almost immediately regretted it as Zarkons attention came back to him.
"He's brave speaking to you without permission, My Lord. Shall we take his tongue?" Haggar asked and Lance looked up at her in horror then back at Zarkon his heart racing.
"No. I'd rather hear him scream and beg later. " Haggar bowed slightly and Lance felt nauseous. They were planning on hurting him. His eyes stung but he refused to show these people how weak he was. He didn't understand.
"You.. killed Adam." It was Haggar who spoke this time.
"No, My Druids simply crippled him. It would have been more merciful for them to have killed him. I couldn't imagine the pain he felt being burnt alive." Haggar said amusement clear in her voice. Lance had to put his head down as to not puke at the thought. Adam hadn't just died but in such a gruesome way.
"Don't worry boy, I would not feel bad getting your friend killed. Your death will be much worse. Think of it as..pay back for allowing our friend to burn."
"What did I do?!" Lane was unsuccessfully holding in his tears at this point and he heard laughter from the three behind him.
"Nothing boy." Zarkon spoke. "I have been trying to annihilate Keith for years now. I could never find a weakness. But, now he has one. You. And I will destroy you so I can destroy him." Lance held his breath as the man crouched down in front of him.
"And I will enjoy every second of it."