Keith polished his knife in silent introspection. The sharpened edge caught the edge of the cloth and ripped it. He flinched and put the cloth down. When he turned the blade, he caught the reflection of his daughter curled up on her bed. Acxa sat beside her, speaking softly and gently stroking her hair. Three days had passed since the incident in the study. Three days and he still wasn't sure Rhea would ever trust him again. He sighed and fell back on the couch.

Footsteps approached and the knife was pried out of his hand. Keith looked over as Acxa sat on the floor beside him and put her cheek to his chest. "She needs you to talk to her, Keith."

"How?" There was a desperate note in his voice he hated. "She won't even look at me."

"She's scared, but we're the only ones who can change that and we need to work together for that to happen."

Keith felt the sting of self loathing settle in his chest. "Maybe she should be afraid. I nearly lost control again, Acxa. You saw what I did to Serad."

"And I've made my own share of mistakes," Acxa replied. "We can't give up just because of our past."

Keith laid there pondering her words, a sense of dread building into a headache behind his eyes. She was right. Sighing, he sat up and said, "I've put this off too long."

Acxa didn't say anything, though he knew she would have agreed. They entered Rhea's bedroom and shut the door. Keith wandered the perimeter, not sure if he was welcome. Acxa went to the bed and said, "Rhea, sweetie, we have to talk to you about what you saw the other day."

Keith looked at the shelf where several stuffed animals and a small chest of toys sat in tidy order. A small oddly shaped box caught his eye and he idly played with it while he listened in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Rhea sit up and pick at a loose thread on her comforter. She still wouldn't look in his direction, an action that stung worse than any of Haggar's spells. He stared at the box, struggling with it until he realized Acxa was waiting for him. He was about to set it down when Acxa held out her hand. "Bring it here?"

Keith approached the bed maintaining as much distance as he could. Acxa took the box from him, but yanked on his arm so he was forced to sit beside her. He gave her a look and she returned one of annoyance. Then she began a complicated set of turns to rotate sections of the box. Keith watched as the entire thing opened up and a small dancer began to move within. Acxa set the box on the bed, closing it before music could play more than a few notes. It was enough for Keith to recognize the melody.

He pushed away his questions and said gently, "Rhea, I know you're scared and I know I am the cause, but I want you to know that I will never do anything to hurt you. Do you understand?" She nodded after a moment, still not looking at him.

He closed his eyes and went on, "There are many things that seem confusing. My fight with your grandmother and Serad was to protect you and Acxa. She was going to do bad things to your mother, and if I didn't fight, I was going to lose you too." That finally earned Keith a glance from the child. He went on cautiously, "Serad is also confused, Rhea. He doesn't understand that your grandmother is very sick."

Rhea sat up and Keith felt a rush of relief when she made direct eye contact. Acxa squeezed his hand and explained, "Even she doesn't know that she is sick, Rhea, and we cannot tell her without making her angry."

"It's a secret?" Rhea asked.

Keith nodded. "Your grandmother and I have our magic, but she has been broken by it," Keith explained as simply as he could. "While I use my magic to heal and protect, she uses her's to force others to obey her. I only disobey when she is in direct opposition of what I want. That is why you must do whatever she tells you unless your mother or I say otherwise. Will you do this?"

Rhea's eyes were wide, but he was sure she understood, which she confirmed by saying, "Yes, daddy." He sighed in relief and tears stung his eyes. He blinked back tears and looked at the ceiling before a small warmth was pressed to his chest, her small arms wrapping as far as they could around him. "Don't be angry, daddy."

"I'm not angry, Rhea." Keith returned her hug and put his forehead to her curls. "I was scared, too. Thank you for forgiving me, child of my heart."

The music began to play again and Rhea looked over to watch the dancer in the box. Keith listened to the lullaby before asking, "How did you know how to open it?"

Acxa blushed and looked away, one hand playing self consciously with her hair. "The music box was a christening gift for Lotor. I believe your father made it."

"That doesn't explain-"

"Everyone report to your stations," Apothica said over the PA system. "We have reached the yoluak system."

Acxa closed the box and stood to place it back on the shelf. Keith picked up Rhea and carried her from their rooms, grabbing his mask on the way out. They were the last to arrive on the bridge of Sendak's destroyer. Serad and Apothica stood beside Haggar and Keith fell in on her other side between her and Sendak. "Mother."

"Keitaran."

Sendak leaned over the control console and pulled up the screens. "The empire has complied with our requests to meet here. As we agreed, our ships and those of the empire will maintain this distance for the duration of the meeting. Your majesty, I take it you will be joining myself and the witch?"

Keith kept his tone neutral by replying, "Brother Serad will accompany you. I have work here." He didn't turn even when Sendak raised a questioning eyebrow.

Haggar was about to speak when a lion roared. Keith was the only galra not to jump. The blue lion flew down to the surface of the desolate planet. The radar zoomed in as Azurine landed with feline grace and turned around before laying on her chest.

"Kitty!"

Keith choked off a laugh, but several of Sendak's officers failed. Sendak glared at them and they immediately stopped. Keith glanced past Serad to see Rhea looking at the blue lion with excitement. Serad tipped his chin toward Keith and faced the screens again where another ship had begun descending. Keith said, "Mother, we await your command."

Haggar answered, "Serad, accompany Commander Sendak. Apothica, Keitaran, let us begin the ritual."

Keith followed, but paused near the door. He whispered, "Acxa, take the Retribution and get as far away from here as you can. If this turns bad, I want don't want you and Rhea anywhere near the fallout zone. Land on one of my colonies, and I'll meet up with you once this is over." Acxa nodded, determination and anxiety in her eyes. Keith smiled and kissed her cheek, then Rhea's forehead before vanishing to catch up.

The ship's inertia pulled against him as they descended through the atmosphere. Apothica gave him a sideways glance when he was late, but he went to his place across from her. Haggar raised her hands and the occult symbols on the floor lit up. Keith and the other druids crouched with their hands on the circle. He focused his quintessence, maintaining a steady flow of alchemy. He could feel the others' magic as well, slightly weaker though still stronger than the average person's quintessence. He stopped thinking and let himself settle into mindless state of the ritual.

Kolivan leaned on the door frame of the hangar. He frowned as a red streak crossed the sky before disappearing, but the rest of the cruisers didn't follow. Gnov asked, "Was that one of ours'?"

Krolia shook her head. "It was the Retribution. Keith is gone again."

"I would not be so sure," Alphonse denied when a druid in a black mask appeared kneeling outside of Sendak's ship. Alphonse muttered, "About quiznacking time."

Krolia and her entourage started walking toward the predetermined coordinates as Sendak walked down the hangar ramp. The druid appeared beside him and they approached from the other side of the plateau. Alphonse took up position between the parties and asked, "Is everyone who wishes to partake in this truce present?"

A flash of smoke revealed the witch and no one reacted. Krolia rolled her eyes. "Must you always be so dramatic, Honerva?"

Haggar chuckled and Alphonse cringed. He settled his nerves and said, "As an un-involved third party, I will act as mediator for the duration of this ceasefire."

"Truly?" Sendak asked sarcastically.

Alphonse raised a derisive eyebrow. "As the father of Prince Keitaran and a consort of Blood Empress Krolia, there could be no third party more determined to prevent another war."

"Very well, Prince Alphonse, let us begin the negotiations," Haggar graciously agreed.

Acxa rubbed her temples where she sat in the captain's chair. She had been against an armistice since Keith had mentioned it. She clicked on the star chart and traced their path. Swiping it to the navigation officer, she stood and said, "If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room."

Her nausea was acting up again. She took two pills and flopped down on the mattress. Twenty minutes passed without relief before she realized how quiet Rhea was being. Turning on her side, she called, "Rhea, honey, what are you up to?" No response. Never good when dealing with small children. Groaning, Acxa climbed out of bed and went to Rhea's room. "Rhea, wh-"

The room was empty. Everything was in its place completely untouched. Acxa bit her lip and tried to remain calm. She looked under the bed, inside the toy chest, but Rhea wasn't there. Returning to the main room, she checked everywhere, a rising sense of panic making her hyperventilate. Running to the door, she hit the PA system and announced, "I have a level one emergency. Rhea is missing. I repeat, Rhea has disappeared. Everyone begin search and rescue."

Acxa went to the bridge, but most of the officers were already gone. She paced for an hour before her lieutenant saluted her and announced, "Princess Rhea is not on board, my lady. We've searched everywhere."

"But that means..." Acxa gasped and ran to the captain's chair. "Take us back to Yoluak! Rhea is still aboard Sendak's destroyer! Hail their ship!" The communications officer tried several times, failing every one. Acxa demanded, "What's happening?"

The com officer replied, "I'm sorry, my lady, but as per the agreement, all fleets have gone radio silent. We cannot reach your husband's ship." Acxa took control of the Retribution and checked on fuel reserves before revving the engines and gunning the ship back the way they'd come.

Pidge lay on the ridge between Hunk and Allura while Lotor was between Allura and Lance. She asked for the third time since she'd discovered the prince was tagging along, "Why is he here again?"

Lance could feel the contempt he felt for her with only his body posture. Lance raised his binoculars again and said, "Knock it off, Pidge. We're all on the same side."

"I highly doubt that," she muttered under her breath.

Hunk asked, "Any chatter on the radio?"

Pidge quadruple checked them. "Nothing for the last three vargas. They're all holding to their word."

"Of course they are," Lotor quipped in annoyance. "They have nothing without their honor."

Allura handed her binoculars to Lotor. "Here, take a look. Tell me what you think?"

Lotor hesitantly took them and raised them to see. "Nothing seems out of turn. It's hard to judge without hearing what they're saying."

Lance sighed in frustration. "I wish we could just get down there and do something."

Allura put a hand on his arm over Lotor's back. "We cannot risk escalating things. Keith will come through."

"Allura," Hunk warned.

She bit her lip and looked between the two men of her team. Lotor asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"It's nothing... just wishful thinking, I guess."

Lotor pressed, "Allura, if there's something you're not sa-"

"Quiet!" Pidge hissed, "I'm picking up a distress signal. It's increasing in dilation, headed straight for us."

"What are they saying?" Lance asked.

"Give me a tick." She tapped her gauntlet and played the audio over their helmets.

"This is the first lieutenant of the Retribution hailing all vessels of the Flame of Purification! Does anyone hear me? Please respond! I repeat, this is the Retribution calling to the Flame of Purification! This is not a drill! We have a missing child, last seen aboard Commander Sendak's primary vessel! I repeat-"

"Acxa," Lotor whispered as the woman's message continued.

Lance asked, "You know who is speaking?"

"Yes," he murmured, "though we used to be allies. Why is she the first lieutenant of that bastard's ship?"

"I'm more concerned about the child she's looking for."

Pidge looked at him, one name on both their minds. She pushed back, sliding down the incline on her stomach. Allura asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to try contacting the Retribution and waiving them off."

Hunk rolled onto his side and slid after her. "I'm coming with you."

Lance met Allura's troubled eyes and said, "Go."

She nodded and followed the other two. Lotor asked, "Won't they compromise the armistice?"

Lance raised his binoculars again and chewed his cheek. "We're trying to save it. If the Retribution makes contact with any ships, they're likely to open fire and the only way out will be to kill those three."

Lotor raised Allura's binoculars. "That is not something I'm opposed to."

Lance growled, "Hold your position, your majesty. Let Kolivan and Alphonse deal with them. We're only here to handle collateral."

"He's right there, Lance! It wouldn't take me a minute to avenge my blood."

Lance bit back a retort. This whole situation was a kindle box waiting for a flint striker.

Pidge dialed in her frequency and triple modified the channel so it couldn't be traced back to her, adding a voice filter as an extra measure of security. "Retribution, I read you loud and clear."

The woman audibly sighed and gasped, "Thank the sacred flame. Has anything been done to find the child? She is a full blooded galra child, eight deca-pheobs old. Last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and gray pants. She has curly hair cut at shoulder length-"

"I understand. There aren't many kits running around. A message is being relayed to the captain of your ship. Maintain your distance and keep chatter to a minimum. I'll be on the line the entire time until she's found."

"Thank you. Who am I speaking to? I don't recognize this frequency."

Pidge flinched and stammered, "I'm using a guarded channel to prevent alarming the empire. What's your name, lieutenant?"

The woman's voice was still raised in alarm, though she was obviously suspicious when she answered, "I am Acxa. Am I correct that this is Daren Neko?"

Pidge looked up at Hunk who made a cutting motion over his throat. Pidge shook her head and answered, "Affirmative, Lieutenant. Your daughter is as good as found."

Pidge silenced her end, but kept the call active and turned to Allura. "Can you reach him?"

She rubbed her temples and scrunched up her face. "There's something blocking his conscious and subconscious. I don't know if I can..."

Hunk put a hand on Pidge's shoulder. "Take your time, Allura. This is a sensitive case."

Allura opened her eyes and shook her head. "It's no use. Can you two join me? I don't think I have the strength alone." Then the three of them held hands in a circle and linked together through the bond.

Lance rolled, grappling with Lotor in the gravel and sandy grit. He struggled to take the remote from Lotor's hand. Lotor growled, "Do not stop me, paladin! This is my only chance!"

"You stupid idiot! You hit that switch, you've doomed everyone here and single-handedly started the war!"

"That's something I'll have to live with!"

Lance groaned as Lotor pulled his knees to his chest and kicked as hard as he could, sending Lance flying backwards. Then he depressed the button.

Keith frowned as a gentle nagging pulled at the edge of his mind. He slowly lost concentration and opened his eyes. Instead of the other druids and Haggar, he saw the void of the black lion and his friends. Keith asked, "What are you doing here?"

Allura answered quickly, "There isn't much time. Your ship returned to Yoluak and a woman claiming to be your lieutenant was hailing anyone with a distress signal. Your child is missing."

Keith felt his blood pressure drop. "Rhea isn't on the Retribution?"

Pidge nodded. "I've made contact with Acxa. Who is she? She knew about my alias."

Keith shook his head. "I'll explain later. Just know you can trust her. I know I do with my life. This is bad. There's so many places she could have-" He cut off as something heavy hit his side. He fell to one knee in the void and held his ribs. "Something's wrong."

The void faded and he returned to the ritual chamber. The other druids were standing after being tossed to the ground. A large chunk of metal from the wall had landed across Keith. He pushed up and slid out from under it. Jumping to the center of the circle, he grit his teeth against the pain and helped Haggar stand. "What was that?"

Haggar spat vehemently, "The empire double crossed us."