Perisa the slave walked to her new station as servant to the new Queen of Doom. She was an older woman in her mid-40's, still attractive and like the rest of the slaves at the Castle of Doom was not as beaten down as say, the slaves who worked the Pits or the production plants.
She was considered very fortunate to have this position, for although the Queen had only been on Doom for the past few days, she had already a reputation for her kindness to the slaves.
Perisa though, knew of the Queen of old, for Perisa had not always been a slave. Once she had been lady-in-waiting to Queen Meryll of Arus, Allura's mother. She remembered the Queen when she was a pretty little girl named Princess Allura.
Perisa had been loyal to Alfor and Meryll, and loved the little Allura like her own. Perisa never had children of her own. She had always hoped to marry but the attacks came, and in one of them she was captured as a slave.
Her skills assessed, she was found to be an excellent castle slave and so she was placed at Castle Doom. She had always wondered for what purpose she was placed here for and now she knew.It was to be a messenger- a messenger of hope.
Tonight was the Royal Ball. The first one that King Zarkon ever held for his Queen. Ever since the invitations were sent, the whole planet was abuzz with the news. Perisa's duty was to ready the Queen for her ball. Tonight Perisa hoped that all would work out-that both the Queen and Planet Doom would be free of the tyrant Zarkon. She had waited for this day for years-especially after the Voltron Force came and tried to liberate Doom. Perhaps this time, they would be successful.
Perisa knocked before she entered the chambers of the King and Queen. She never knew when the King would be there. He was unpredictable. Perisa felt sorry for Allura, for it seemed that Zarkon would avail himself of her quite a bit. She, as all the slaves knew that the Queen did not marry Zarkon willingly. She was just as much a slave as they were-perhaps even more so.
Her knock was answered by a female voice. "Come in..." Perisa smiled. Good, she was alone. She entered and bowed slightly, knowing that Queen Allura did not like the slaves to bow to her.
"Good Evening, Your Highness, King Zarkon has instructed me to prepare you for your Ball this evening."
Allura was sitting at her dressing table in a silk robe, her head in her hands. She looked like she was tired.
She turned and said, "Yes, Perisa, I guess you do, don't you." Then she smiled and said, "Perisa,I really hate it when you talk that way..."
Perisa whispered, "Princess, you know that there are spies all over this castle, I cannot let on that I knew you once."
Allura sighed, "I know, but I just hate the fact that you and everyone else is a slave!"
She sighed again. "I'm one too."
Perisa came close and as she had done when Allura was small, stroked her hair. "Allura, do not despair.I have news. Tonight you will be free."
Allura turned quickly and looked up at the slave. "What?"
Perisa whispered, "SShhhh!! Not so loud...listen, we are overthrowning Zarkon tonight! Everyone will come-the Alliance, the Garrison...the slaves will also revolt..but the main thing is that someone will be here to rescue you-tonight!"
Allura shook her head, "I can't believe it." Perisa said, "Princess, believe it.I have a message from Coran-I don't understand it, but he said you would..."Queen's Knights - Checkmate." (we are coming to rescue you...)
Allura's eyes lit up. She knew that code! They were the only two who knew what it meant. They made it up after her father died.
She took hold of Perisa's hands and said, "I believe you! When..?"
Perisa shook her head. "I don't know the exact time, but I was told that your rescuer would be there in the ballroom-you will not recognize this person. We were instructed not to harm you or your rescuer. However, we do have a cue-two prisoners will be captured-more than likely Zarkon will bring them out so that he can show them off to his court. When the prisoners break their bonds, that is the signal to strike..."
Allura stood up and gave the slave a hug, hope in her eyes for the first time in months. "Perisa, we'll be free!"
Perisa said with a slight smile, "If you don't sit down, Majesty, we'll never get you ready! The sooner we get you ready, the sooner we can be ready - for the Ball."
Allura smiled back and said, "You're right! Well, let's get started!"
Kate and Keith waited until they saw the guard B'arrin come towards them. B'arrin took the manacles that the two and bound them. He made sure that their weapons could not be detected. Satisfied, he walked in back of them, and lightly shoved them towards the castle, whispering, "I will take you to Commander S'aaul who will take you to the throne room where King Zarkon is.I wish you good luck."
Kate cringed at that name and Keith whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry...we'll be in front of Zarkon - he'll show us off, he always does his prisoners that way." Kate looked at him and said nothing, not sure of anything!
Castle Doom: A Welcome Interruption
BEEeeeeeP!
Jarius' comm went off. He grabbed it in annoyance.
"Commander S'aaul, sir!"
"What is it?" he hissed. "I'm meeting with King Zarkon!"
The voice of the young officer came over the com again, "Sir, I am sorry to disturb you, but I have the two fugitives that you have been searching for."
Jarius moved aside quickly and said, "Two? A Terran man in a Doom uniform and a Drule mix woman?"
"Affirmative, sir."
"Well, idiot! Bring them in the throne room immediately! I want the king to see them before the ball! Hurry!"
"Affirmative, sir."
All was hustle and bustle in Zarkon's throne room. The floor shone brightly, all the tables were set up with all manner of delicious food and drink. There was even a live orchestra consisting of musically inclined slaves,dressed in black livery for the evening.
The throne room was actually beautiful. King Zarkon was overseeing the last of the preparations. So far so good-he hadn't had to kill a slave yet. Everything had to be perfect. He was in a good mood for Coran would be arriving soon. He couldn't wait to talk to him. It was as good as having Alfor there!
Suddenly, Jarius S'aaul came up to him and bowed in deference. "King Zarkon, I have good news- the spies we were looking for have been found."
With this, he gestured for the guard to bring up the two. King Zarkon smiled and said, "You have such perfect timing, S'aaul-you'll be rewarded for this.
He looked Keith over and said, "Well, Akira, you must like Doom.You keep coming back."
Keith spat back. "Well, it isn't because I want to, Zarkon!"
Zarkon merely smiled and said, "Well, I will soon relieve you of that burden, Akira-after we get a little bit of information from you."
Zarkon turned to Kate and looked her over, especially in the face. "Hmm, this is a new one.Do you have her name, S'aaul?"
Jarius said smugly, "Her name I believe, is K'ttryn Ale'der, Your Majesty...Lt. Commander of the Garrison.She is pretty, is she not?" Zarkon continued to stare at her, making Kate's eyes flash.
Keith thought, ...Kate, don't do anything stupid!...
Zarkon cupped her chin and said, "K'ttryn.I know that name from my family-you seem to have the look of my family, girl. How is that?"
Kate was mad! She wanted to kill the man in front of her and he was asking twenty questions! She looked King Zarkon in the eye and said, "Does the name Aman'daa ring a bell, Zarkon?"
She saw that it did. "You are my sister's child? Interesting! I will scan your DNA.Perhaps I could sell your dowry-make a profit, eh,S'aaul?"
Jarius said nothing, thinking...she is my cousin! I never noticed her resemblance....
Kate said, "Yeah, you would do that sort of thing, wouldn't you, Zarkon! I guess it's no worse than..."
Keith thought,...Kate, don't say it! don't say it!" He finally yelled, "Kate, don't!" which got him a hard cuff on the head by Jarius.
Kate continued, "It's no worse that raping your half-sister is it?"
Zarkon's face was shocked. Kate smiled, "Yeah, you got it! I'm your daughter, you bastard from hell, and believe me, I'm not proud of it!"
King Zarkon slapped her in the face, but Kate simply grinned. "Yeah, just do that, Zarkon. You'll pay, believe me, you'll pay for what you did to my mother."
King Zarkon smiled, "I see the resemblance more clearly now, daughter..."Kate winced.
Zarkon turned to Jarius and said, "Take them and place them in one of the cells until I am ready to bring them out. And, Jarius-do not touch my daughter. I know your reputation-I will be selling her dowry!
Akira? We will save him for "entertainment" later! Now go, hurry! I must go get my lovely Queen!"
Jarius took the two and placed them in a holding cell. He wasn't too happy about how things had happened with K'ttryn. He had looked forward to paying her back for the wound she caused him. Then he smiled-perhaps tonight the Queen would give him the answer he was looking for. He hoped so. This was the closest he had ever been to reaching his uncle's throne. Just one little word from her-yes, and he would rule. Just thinking about it put him in a better mood.
Allura: Hope
Finally, she was done. Allura looked stunning in the black velvet dress. She looked completely grown-up. Perisa thought that there was nothing of the little girl in her now.
She wore the solid diamond crown jewels upon her head and her hair, as King Zarkon seemed to prefer it, was down in waves streaming down her back. Perisa was satisfied with her work. She knew that she would have to leave now, for King Zarkon would be coming to escort Allura down to the ballroom, and he would not want any slave in the way.
Perisa hugged her and said, "Watch for your rescuer....and I pray all will be well..." Allura nodded and Perisa left quickly.
A few moments later, Z'aale walked in the door, as usual, unannounced. His eyes surveyed her and he said, "Allura...by the evil stars you are stunning!"
He came to her, placed his arms around her waist and kissed her stirringly. Allura felt both desire and repugnance as he did so. He murmured, "I have half a mind to make them wait...you seem to glow with an inner light tonight.I am tempted...." He kissed her again, a groan escaping his lips.
Allura thought ....please, please don't, not tonight..Z'aale lifted his head reluctantly and said, "I am tempted, but-I do not wish to keep everyone waiting for our moment of triumph...but later, Allura, I will make good my desire."
She was both repelled and excited by his words. Z'aale took her arm and looped it around his own and said, "Are you ready, S'auh'eya? " He did not wait for her answer. "Then let us go." And so they went.
BOOK SEVEN:Reaching For Daylight-One