Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron and all its characters.
Beta: Dawn!
This is the second installment in my "Chivalry" arc. 1. Chivalry, 2. Lion House Restored
Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor but is AU in some ways.
Chapter 13
Lord Kurt was true to his word. The next morning, he called Akira to his chambers after breakfast. Akira and Eleanor were standing before him now. He had only summoned Akira, but he had brought the woman with him. It seemed that they were next to inseparable. The only odd thing he noticed was that they displayed little to no physical affection to each other. But it was of no matter to him at the moment.
Waving to the chairs near him, he said, "Akira. Eleanor. Please have a seat." Once they were seated, he proffered, "I have a proposal that I'd like to make to you, Akira." Seeing the interest in the younger man's eyes, he continued, "I'd like for you to train Doren. He's woefully unskilled in many areas and I think that he will listen to you better than he does his current instructors."
"I'd be happy to work with Doren."
"I'd also like for you to work with any of the other young men that would also like to train." Kurt saw the surprise in Akira's eyes.
Looking intently at Lord Kurt, Keith asked, "But you already have skilled trainers. Won't they be offended if I begin training the men?"
Letting out a grunt, Kurt said, "We have trainers. A few are skilled, many are not. They take no pride in what they do, and the young men sense this and put no effort into their own training." Kurt went on to describe the games that were coming up in eight weeks and how Lion House was expected to finish near the bottom.
Nodding, Keith said, "Eleanor and I will be happy to aid you in whatever ways we can, Lord Kurt. We ask for no money, but some supplies and perhaps clothing."
"Ask and it is yours." Kurt paused. He saw Eleanor give Akira a startled look when he said that she would assist. "But may I ask for clarification about something?" At Akira's nod, he asked, "Did you say that Eleanor would be helping?" A broad smile broke out on Akira's face. It was the first one that Kurt had seen on the young man. He had been so serious since his arrival.
Keith glanced over at Allura. "Indeed, Lord Kurt, she will be assisting me. It is she who has trained me with the bow and while I am a good shot, she is better." Keith saw the surprise in Lord Kurt's eyes as well as the gratitude in Allura's. Speaking to Lord Kurt he said, "I know some of the men may be hesitant to take training from a woman, but let me handle that if you would."
Inclining his head, Lord Kurt said, "I will let you handle all matters related to the training, Akira. With the games so close, I'd like you to start today."
"As you wish, my Lord," Keith said as he stood. Bowing to take his leave, he stopped dead in his tracks at the lord's next words.
"We've been hoping for someone like you, Akira. We feel that you are the one to restore Lion House to its glory." Seeing the tenseness in the young man's body, he attributed it to the weight of the expectation he had just given him. "Don't worry, Akira, we will be pleased with whatever you accomplish."
Looking the lord in the eye, Keith nodded and then exited the room with Allura right behind him. In his first show of affection since they had arrived, he reached his hand out to her as they walked. He did it blindly, without looking at her and was grateful when he felt her soft skin on his hand. In a low voice he said to her, "Well, I guess that seals it. This is where I am supposed to be."