Book Two - "The Middle Kingdom"
One
King Zarkon arrived on Arus. It was just after his last fleet attack of some months ago. He smiled. He was glad that Alfor had the sense enough to see him now. When Zarkon had offered a truce in their fighting and offered Alfor peace, he had grabbed for it Zarkon knew that their long war was wearing Alfor down. He had lost his wife in the last attack. Surely Alfor would surrender now.
He was greeted by Alfor's Royal Guards who bowed and escorted him to the old Castle of Lions. Zarkon glanced about about the castle grounds. Although the planet had been under his attacks for years, the countryside seemed to have a very resilent quality to it. He was sure the ground was rich - perfect to grow crops and such. Arus would be a great source for agriculture goods for his Empire - not to mention the vast mineral deposits on the other side of the planet. Oh, Arus was rich. That was the reason he did not want to destroy it utterly.
As he walked to the enterance of the Castle, he saw Alfor and a young woman with him. Zarkon thought that the young woman must be Alfor's daughter - the celebrated beauty. Well he would see for himself. Alfor greeted him with a handshake. Zarkon noticed how tired and haggard Alfor looked. Surely this would be to his advantage in his dealings with him today. Alfor greeted him.
"Welcome, King Zarkon to Arus.."
Zarkon noticed he looked uneasy as he said, "May I introduce you to my daughter, Princess Allura.."
The girl bowed slightly before him. Zarkon surveyed her face and figure. She was exquisite. She would be perfect for his son - or that matter, himself, if he were so inclined. He bowed regally to her, raised her hand with his and kissed it, his lips lingering a second longer than necessary. He felt her repress a shiver as he did so.
He smiled and said, "An honor to meet such an enchanting and lovely young woman as yourself, Princess."
She said stiffly, "Thank you, King Zarkon. You are kind to say that."
He straightened up and bowed to her. "It was only the truth, my dear."
Alfor interrupted him and said, "Excuse me, King Zarkon. I must excuse my daughter for now. "
He turned to his daughter and said, "You have your studies on diplomacy to do, Allura.."
The girl sighed and said, "Yes father.."
She turned back to Zarkon and said, "If you will excuse me."
Zarkon smiled and bowed again. "Of course, my dear."
She turned and walked away from them down the hall of the Castle. Zarkon appraised her again as he watched her walk. He noticed the gentle sway of her hips as she did so. Yes, he would definitely give her to his son. She would be a great asset. His thoughts were interrupted by Alfor.
"King Zarkon, I do apologize for my Prime Minister being absent from these proceedings, but he is attending a conference in the Metara sector. If you would come this way, please."
Zarkon, smiled charmingly, said, "Of course, King Alfor.."
Hours later, in King Alfor's conference room, they were shouting at each other. Zarkon ralled against Alfor, "What do you mean, you don't want to be a part of the Empire? Do you realize what a fool you are? Do you? All the other planets in this sector have surrendered to me, Alfor! All! You are the only holdout!"
Alfor said angrily, "And I said , Zarkon, that if I joined your Empire I would not rule here - you would! I will not surrender my world to a cruel tyrant like you! "
Zarkon banged his hand upon the marble table and shouted, "At least I can manage a whole empire! All my worlds know peace and prosperity!"
Alfor raised up and shouted, "They know slavery and cruelty! You take the people and turn into slaves for your profit! You give back nothing to those worlds, Zarkon! You take and take! I will not allow Arus to become part of your Empire!"
Zarkon felt such rage. He wanted to strike Alfor down where he stood. Instead, he yelled, "You are a fool! You don't derserve to rule, Alfor! I swear it! If you do not change your mind, I swear I will make Arus into a ruin! I will personally kill you, Alfor. Your blood will be upon my sword and perhaps your head upon a pike!"
He saw that Alfor remained stoic. Then Zarkon thought of a way to get to him. He smiled evily and said, "What about your daughter, Alfor? The fair and beauteous Allura?"He was gratified to see Alfor pale.
Alfor said, "Do not threaten my daughter, Zarkon.."
Zarkon gave Alfor a affronted look. "I? Threaten your beautiful daughter? She is too exquisite to kill - she would make an excellent mate for my son..she is the right age."
Alfor was angry. "I won't let Allura's marriage be arranged - especially into your line!"
Zarkon snarled, "Perhaps you had better take care of your daughter's welfare, Alfor...when you are dead she'll all alone, won't she?"
Alfor roared, "Get out! I swear Zarkon! I have never wanted to kill anyone as much as I want to kill you now! You are a vile monster! I was a fool to allow you here!"
Zarkon walked up to Alfor and said, "Yes, you are a fool, Alfor! You're a fool who can't see when he is beaten! I swear Alfor, I will kill you on the battlefield. Your blood will be upon my blade! And when you are dead, I will claim Arus and I will claim your precious daughter as well! Perhaps I will take her for myself first before I give her to my son!"
Alfor yelled, "Get out of my sight, Zarkon! You will never have Arus and you will never get near Allura! You think we are beaten because of what your vile witch did to Voltron, but we're not! I swear Zarkon, Arus will never be yours!"
Zarkon walked towards the door and said, "Don't bother to see me out, Alfor! Consider yourself warned! I will resume my attacks. Within the year you will be dead and Arus will be mine! Remember that!"
Alfor said not a word as he let himself out. Zarkon walked down the hall of the Castle on his way out when he saw her in a garden. He smiled . Perhaps she would listen to reason where her father would not. He went out to the secluded garden where she was gathering flowers.
She did not see him standing there at first until she whirled around with some flowers in her hands. Upon seeing him, she gasped and dropped the flowers she was carrying.
Zarkon hid his anger and said gallantly, "I am so sorry if I startled you, my dear. We do not have such beautiful things on my planet." He looked her at her up and down meaningfully.
She said shakily, "It is all right, King Zarkon. No harm done."She bent to pick up the flowers, and he helped her, despite her protests. She got up and as she did so, he placed a steadying hand upon her waist. He could sense her nervousness.
He said, "Please, my dear. Don't be frightened. I am merely helping you."
Her eyes were fearful. She knew he wasn't telling the truth. She backed away from him and said, "Please, King Zarkon, you - you must excuse me please.."
He lunged for her suddenly, making her drop her flowers again. She tried to scream. Zarkon quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and pinned her to where she could not move.He had backed her up against a wall. He was gratified to see the fear in her eyes.
He said, "Now, my dear princess. You will listen to me since your father will not. I promise you I will obliterate Arus if you do not surrender it to me. Your father will die within the year. This I promise. When he is dead, you will give Arus to me. When you do, I will see that you are wed to my son, Lotor and Arus will be spared..what do you say, my dear?"
He released his hand and was suprised to see anger in her eyes like her father's.
She said, "No! I will not! If my father will not surrender, neither will I! I will fight you!"
Zarkon's eyes narrowed and he hissed, "You are as foolish as your father, girl! You don't know who you're dealing with..."
He saw the defiance in her eyes and he was even more angry. He wanted to see fear in her eyes. He wanted her to know who she was dealing with. Suddenly, he pulled her by the waist even closer to him, grabbed her hair and pulled her face to his. He kissed her savagely, opening her mouth with his. She struggled against him and when he drew away, he was gratified to see the fear in her eyes again, but it wasn't quite enough. His hand around her waist tightened and his other hand caressed her hip.
He whispered, "Perhaps I should take you now, Princess..then you will know who you will serve..."
He kissed her again, enjoying the feel of her mouth. He saw her fear magnify as he did so. With sudden force, his large hand ripped her bodice, exposing the skin at her throat She couldn't cry out she was so fearful. He saw the tears in her eyes. He said,
"Are you convinced now? I mean what I say, Princess Allura..if you do not surrender, Arus will be a graveyard. I will take all your people as slaves. You will be my slave as well.."
She said, "I will not surrender!"
Zarkon smiled evily and said, "Oh, you will - you will. When you see your people suffering and starving, crying out for food, you will. You will beg me to help you and I will - for a price."
He looked down into her terrified blue eyes and said, "You will give anything to help your people, Princess - anything.." His hand caressed her waist.
He murmured, "It will be a pleasure when you surrender, Princess. My son will be pleased with his bride.."
He kissed her deeply, enjoying the terror that came from her in waves. Gad, she was a wonder! His lips traveled down her neck and she cried out in revulsion.
As a parting shot, he said, "You will get used to a man's touch soon enough, princess..I will be glad to teach you all before you marry my son.."
She gasped and then she fainted in utter shock. He let go of her. As she slumped to the ground, he chuckled. She would be terrified of him! Oh when Alfor was dead, she would surrender Arus to him easily. He would call back his son and he would wed them. All would work out. Without a second glance, he left and went back to Planet Doom...
When Allura was found by one of the maids, she remembered nothing of what transpired with King Zarkon. All she knew was that from that point on, whenever his name was mentioned, she felt a pitch of terror in her stomach....