Kolivan looked around their circle. "If Krolia will not be swayed, we must think of a contingency plan. We are closer to open war now than we've been since the fall of Zarkon and-" Lance walked in alone, but none of the paladins seemed surprised. Alphonse simply sighed with a disappointed shake of his head. Kolivan continued, "war may break out before we can formally set the armistice in motion. Alphonse, I want you to volunteer as mediator.

"Of course. The more of us there, the better."

Allura put a hand to her chin. "Haggar and Sendak will never agree to meet if the lions are there."

"Oh, we'll be there," Pidge said. "My camouflage will fly under their radar and if we get the chance, we'll end everything there."

"Good." Kolivan directed the conversation for another few hours before he yawned and said, "That should suffice for now. Lance, where did you ditch Lotor?"

Lance folded his arms. "I'm surprised Coran hasn't called in a panic."

"Lance," Alphonse warned.

Lance lowered his brows and unwillingly answered, "He's in the east wing closet." He placed Keith's dagger on the table and left. Allura shared a worried look with Hunk and Pidge then they went after him.

Alphonse shook his head and said, "I'll take you to him."

When they started walking, Kolivan tested, "Has Lance been different since he returned?" Alphonse stopped and looked around. making sure the hall was empty, he grabbed Kolivan's arm and dragged him into an abandoned room. Kolivan sputtered, "Alpho-"

Alphonse held up his hands. "Just listen. Please. I'm at my wit's end with that young man."

Kolivan eased into a chair as Alphonse started pacing. The altean ran a hand through his hair and sighed in exasperation. "I don't know what to say to him anymore. He's so... stubborn. He simply refuses to listen to anything I suggest."

"In reference to..."

"Keith," Alphonse blurted out. "The bond is there, but there are ways of maintaining distance and privacy. Just earlier, I used it to see the girl Keith took in, but I didn't breach any boundaries or alarm him in any way. Then Lance," he gestured wildly with one hand "goes out of his path to watch over Keith. Kolivan, I'm scared that he's going to give us away."

Kolivan crossed his arms and scowled. "That... is cause for concern."

"Right!" Alphonse shook his head and looked at the ceiling. "He means well, but..."

"Has he been different in the past few hours?"

Alphonse hugged himself and shrugged. "He's been quieter, but he usually is for a time after these meetings. I give him time to think about everything and he comes to me more level headed."

Kolivan nodded. "Keith was like that. Lance learned how to lead from him. It makes sense. Keep an eye on Lance and if his actions change more, I will talk to the boy."

Alphonse smiled softly and nodded with his chin to his chest. "Thank you, Kolivan. Perhaps a different voice will convince him." He cleared his throat and went to the door. "The closet is this way."

They walked for five minutes, giving Kolivan time to gather his thoughts. he folded his arms and frowned while Alphonse unlocked the closet. When the door swung open, Lotor blinked in the sudden bright light sitting dejectedly on the floor. He raised his gaze and glanced away after making eye contact.

Kolivan called, "Come, kit. It is time I brought you home."

Lotor stood and shambled out. Alphonse put a hand on Kolivan's arm and whispered, "Remember, he is sensitive."

Kolivan nodded and quickly caught up with Lotor who said nothing. He frowned and looked the prince over. He hadn't noticed, but Lotor had lost tone and his cheeks were thin and sallow. Gray around his eyes was partially hidden by his paler than normal complexion.

Kolivan's heart went out to the hurting youth and he stopped Lotor with a hand on his shoulder. Before Lotor could say anything, Kolivan wrapped an arm securely around Lotor's chest the way he had to teach Keith to calm his emotions. Kolivan felt Lotor tense and whispered, "Be at ease, Lotor. Let everything come to rest."

Kolivan held him still until he relaxed. Lotor let his full weight fall into Kolivan who easily adjusted. Kolivan put his forehead to Lotor's hair and breathed, "Lotor, I know today has been frustrating for you, but I will train you if you promise to take care of yourself. Will you do this for me, young one?"

"The blade does not listen to me, Kolivan, I..."

Kolivan squeezed Lotor and corrected, "It is not the blade that must learn to listen." Lotor pulled loose and looked up in confusion. Kolivan smiled warmly and winked. "Now you're getting it, boy." He kept Lotor close to his side and guided him along.

When Kolivan landed in the central hub, they had barely stepped out of the ship before Krolia rushed them. She was practically in tears when she held Lotor's face in her hands before pulling him against her chest. "My sweet boy, where have you been? I've been worried sick!"

Lotor slowly returned her embrace. "I'm sorry, aunt. It won't happen again."

"It's bad enough that one ran away. I can't handle the pain of losing another."

Kolivan put a hand on Krolia's shoulder and whispered, "When you are ready, we need to discuss recent events."

Krolia put her cheek to Lotor's hair so she could look at Kolivan. She said, "Wait for me in my chambers."

Kolivan nodded politely and left the prince to explain what had happened. Gnov waited in the hangar entrance and fell in beside him. She said nothing, though he felt like she wanted to. It wasn't until they were in Krolia's bedroom that Gnov asked, "What did he do?"

"I don't follow," Kolivan dodged.

"Blickack! Lotor is different now than when he ran away. Either he did something, or you did what I couldn't."

"You are grasping at shadows, adviser." Kolivan went to the bed and laid down. "The boy is under my care now, Gnov. Don't worry your brilliant little head about him."

Gnov snorted, but folded her arms and sat on the sofa. A little while later, Krolia entered. She sat on the other side of the bed and teased Kolivan's braid. "I sent Lotor to bed. The poor child seems exhausted."

Kolivan smiled at his lover. "He refused to sleep over the past two quintants. I don't believe he trusted my judgement at first."

Krolia gently caressed the corner of his lips with a finger. "And now?"

Kolivan kissed her hand. "I have begun his initiation into the Blade of Marmora. I cannot afford to go easy on him." Krolia held eye contact, a hard glimmer in her gaze. Kolivan blinked and kissed her hand again. "I will take care of him, my heart, the way I took care of our other son."

Krolia put her forehead to Kolivan's and whispered, "I cannot lose him, too."

"I know."

Gnov cleared her throat and asked, "So what were you up to, Kolivan?"

Kolivan sat up and folded his hands in his lap. "I was discussing the inevitability of open war with the paladins. Krolia, there must be a response from the empire. I believe... I believe if we hold an armistice, we may be able to-"

"Why?"

Kolivan looked at Krolia. "Please, Krolia, this is the last step before a declaration of war. We should at least consider the option viable until Haggar and Sendak refuse."

"And what of her favorite agent?" Gnov asked. Kolivan frowned and Krolia gasped. Gnov pushed, "Her executioner is a threat more when he isn't giving himself away."

"You think he will start a war?" Kolivan glared at Gnov. "You do not understand how he thinks in the slightest."

"And you do?" Gnov pushed off the wall. "You may think you know him, but he's changed, Kolivan. He isn't-" She turned and put a hand to her mouth.

Krolia shot Kolivan a look before crossing to Gnov's side and gently held her arms. "Gnov, don't... don't blame yourself. Please."

Kolivan stood wide eyed and in shock. "I- I'm sorry, Gnov. I didn't know."

Gnov turned into Krolia and sobbed. "I thought I could get through to him."

Kolivan met Krolia's eyes and went to the liquor cabinet. He poured Gnov a stiff drink and Krolia walked her to the lounge. He put the tumbler into her shaking hand and watched her drink the contents. Taking the glass back, he refilled it and drank before filling it again and giving it back to Gnov. She sipped more cautiously.

Kolivan crouched beside the couch and soothed, "What happened was not your fault."

"Those soldiers died because of my orders. I told them to halt our advance and he killed them."

Kolivan frowned. That wasn't right. Keith had explained that Haggar had commanded him to attack, but her druids had followed through when he'd hesitated. She'd punished him. But he couldn't tell Gnov and Krolia that. So instead, he pressed, "An armistice may be what it takes to bring the witch to order. Separate her from Sendak and we can kill him once and for all."

"And Keith? Kolivan, what of our son?"

Kolivan sighed and nodded. "He will protect those under his guard. If surrender is the best option to keep them alive, I know he will."

Krolia and Gnov shared a look. Then Gnov downed the contents of the glass and leaned forward. "Alright, Kolivan. How are we going to do this?"