This Author's Cut is dedicated to my cowriter scifigirl33, who is not only my sister but my BBF. I could not write any of my fanfics without her critique, her insight whenever I had writer's block or just needed a really good or simple idea or detail, and for her to slap me when I lost track of reality. Sorry it's late but thank you for your patience.
(And for any who are curious, I pictured this period to be similar to that of the 1300s.)
This Is Only The Beginning
Jonathan Kent, Duke of Kansas and Lord Protector of Krypton, was carried into a bedchamber in Kent Castle. Red Shard knights gently lay him onto the bed and the physician, Conrad MacIntyre, began to examine the wound. Conrad winced when he saw the wound. "How bad is it?" Jonathan asked, panting.
They removed Jonathan's red tabard to see the stab wound go through his dark gray armor. They carefully removed his breast and back plate, gorget, hauberk, and red gambeson. He had a stab wound to the abdomen. "Only a scratch, my lord." Doctor MacIntyre lied and applied pressure with a cloth of stop the bleeding.
Jonathan grunted. "Just speak the truth." Doctor MacIntyre hesitated. "You can tell me, old friend." Jonathan said.
Conrad sighed. "The damage is done, Jon. The blade pierced an organ. There is nothing I can do but to stop the bleeding and cleanse the wound to prevent infection." Conrad said.
Jonathan laid his head back. "How long?" Jonathan asked, staring up at the ceiling.
"The other organs will fail in a few days time." Conrad said and Jonathan sighed.
"Do what you can." Conrad applied more pressure to the wound making Jonathan grunt. "Damn Luthor!" He exclaimed from the pain and took a deep breath. "Commander Fine…" Milton Fine V, Duke of Daxam and Commander of the Red Shard, stepped forward. "These shall be the last commands I give to you, Milton." Jonathan said.
"You should not be so morbid, my lord." Jonathan chuckled for a few moments. "I swore to serve and protect the prince, you and your family until your last breath and you have yet to stop breathing." Milton said.
"Well, that day is finally upon us." Jonathan motioned for him to come closer and Fine knelt at his bedside. "I want you to send knights to collect my wife and son at the farm. And I want you to go to the frontlines and collect His Royal Highness." Fine nodded. "And send for my priest and the High Priest of Rao as well." Jonathan said.
"If I send for His Eminence, then nobles shall accompany him out of curiosity, my lord. And when they find out you are on your deathbed, they shall try to take advantage of the prince's youth." Milton said. Jonathan put a hand on Fine's shoulder.
"Then you shall have to not only protect him from this realm's enemies but from those vultures as well." They laughed. "Smallville has fallen. The Genesis Army shall soon march onto here. Promise me when I am dead, you will take my family away from here and get them somewhere safe." Jonathan said.
"I promise, on my honor, that I shall take them to safety." Fine said.
"Thank you, Milton. Send for General Nox-Van as well. Tell him I am dying. He knows what to do. Now go and carry out my last command." Jonathan said. Milton Fine stood, bowed to the Lord Protector, and then left the bedchamber.
What was left of the Kansas Forces were camped out in the valley between the Kent Castle and Smallville. They had lost the fortified town of Smallville some hours ago and had retreated to the lower valley some miles away.
Sir Ak-Var, a lieutenant in his battalion, walked through the camp observing the soldiers. He found one of his best soldiers tending to a wounded soldier. "Kent!" Ak-Var called and Sergeant Clark Kent looked up. He was wrapping a bandage around a wounded soldier's leg after removing an arrow from it. Clark finished binding up the leg and then knelt in the Kryptonian manner to his lieutenant. "Rise." Clark rose. "I will never get used to all this kneeling." Ak-Var said.
Since he was now a knight, Ak-Var wore all black: gambeson, hauberk and chausses, gorget, breast and back plate, spaulders, hourglass gauntlets and a sugar loaf helm. His House crest was engraved into his breastplate over his heart. He wore a fur-trimmed cloak as well. Clark Kent was an infantry soldier. He wore a black gambeson, a red brigandine, a black kettle hat, trousers, gloves and boots. If he wanted chainmail, then he would have to purchase it like any other soldier.
Clark was quite tall for a young man of nineteen years. He was muscular, had blue eyes and black hair. Ak-Var was 25 years, blond, and the same height as Clark. They had been fighting together for the past year and had grown to be close friends.
Clark took off his kettle hair, put it down onto the ground, and ran his hand through his hair. He picked up his sword belt from off the ground and put it on. It was a plain Kryptonian steel longsword but it had served Clark well. "Well then you should have refused the knighthood, Sir Ak-Var." They smiled. The two began walking. "We suffered a grave defeat today." Clark said.
"Yes. We underestimated Lionel Luthor and his son, Alexander. Even our captain believed the rumors of plans to attack Smallville were too bold. Now we are without a captain and worse, without a general. And you has lost someone precious as well." Ak-Var said.
"At least, we were able to halt their attack. And we do have a captain…you." Clark said, nudging him. Ak-Var sighed. "You earned your knighthood and the new rank that came with it. And I shall be fine. For now, there are more important things than my pain."
"Thank you, Clark. However, I still do not understand why Prince Kal-El would propose a knighthood for me to the Lord Protector. We have never met. I have heard only whispers that he prefers to shy away from war and politics." Ak-Var said.
"Well, do not believe all the whispers said of the prince. He may not be as awkward as they say." Clark said and Ak-Var nodded. Clark froze when he saw two Red Shard knights riding into the camp with an extra horse. The two knights stuck out due to their dark gray armor, red tabards and fur trimmed cloaks. Soldiers pointed to them and whispered as they trotted past. The knights were obviously searching the crowd.
"What is this?" Ak-Var muttered. Commander Fine and Sir Jeq-Vey stopped in front of Ak-Var and Clark, and dismounted. Ak-Var knelt in the Kryptonian manner and Fine motioned for him to rise. "Commander Fine, you honor us with your presence but may I ask why you have come?" Ak-Var asked. Clark remained still and silent.
"I am here by the command of the Duke of Kansas to personally come collect His Royal Highness, Prince Kal-El, lieutenant." Milton Fine said. Ak-Var was obviously confused.
"There must be a mistake for his Highness cannot be here. I know every knight here and he is not among them." Ak-Var said.
"I did not say he was here as a knight." Fine then walked past Ak-Var to Clark. Fine and Jeq-Vey then did something that surprised everyone. They knelt before Clark Kent. "Your Highness." Commander Fine said. Ak-Var turned around confused. Then all the soldiers in the camp followed suit and knelt.
Kal-El looked at Ak-Var but then Ak-Var knelt as well. "Rise! Rise!" Prince Kal-El commanded and everyone rose. "Let us speak in private, my lord." The prince was obviously annoyed. He and the Red Shard knights walked into the command tent set up just over an hour ago.
Two commanders and the last surviving captains were discussing possible battle strategies until reinforcements from Granville arrived. They were surprised to see them enter. They knelt when they recognized the sigil of the Red Shard, the most sacred order of knights in all of Krypton. "Leave us," Fine said. Everyone left, leaving the three of them alone.
Kal-El crossed his arms. "So this is how the Duke will force me to return to court… By telling the whole camp who I truly am. I did not think he could ever resort to such low tactics. So you can now return to him and say…" Kal-El said, raising a warning finger at Fine.
"The Duke is dying." Fine cut him off and Kal-El slowly lowered his hand. His angry expression now became somber. "He sent me here because he wishes to see you before he dies." Fine said.
Kal-El ran his hand down his face and took a deep breath. "There…there are some matters I must attend to and then we shall depart." Kal-El said and immediately left the tent before they could even bow.
Everyone whispered and stared at him so Kal-El walked as quickly as he could. This is what he was afraid of when he decided he wanted to fight so he enlisted under the name Clark Kent. He was able to be himself for one year, with no special treatment like he had been given his whole life from everyone except for the Kents.
Prince Kal-El soon made it back to the makeshift infirmary to quickly check up on the men he helped. Unfortunately, they were all too nervous to speak to him. Everyone around him who could stand only knelt and the seriously wounded bowed their heads. This dismayed Kal-El but he was just glad to see that they were alright.
Lastly, Kal-El cautiously approached Ak-Var, whose back was to him. He hesitated and turned to walk away. Commander Fine and Sir Jeq-Vey were waiting by the horses. "It would be rude to leave without saying a proper farewell." Ak-Var said and Kal-El stopped in his tracks. The two men turned and faced each other.
Kal-El sighed. "I have never been one much for saying farewells for they are awkward situations after all." Ak-Var smiled. "I hope you will not think ill of me for my deception." Kal-El said. Ak-Var walked up to him and put his hands on Kal-El's shoulders.
"I would only think ill of you if you abused you true power as crown prince when you joined your army. You are one of the best men I have ever trained and one of the best soldiers to ever fight beside me. I am proud of you, Clark…Kal-El. That shall take some time to become accustomed to." Ak-Var said. Kal-El smiled.
The two men then gripped forearms and embraced. "We shall meet again soon, my friend." Kal-El said and Ak-Var nodded. Kal-El then walked to the waiting Red Shard knights. He mounted the brown horse and gave Ak-Var a quick nod before riding off.
The three of them made it to the Kent Castle at sunset. They rode into the castle courtyard and dismounted. The Red Shard knights in the courtyard knelt. "Have the Duchess and Earl arrived?" Kal-El asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. They are with the Duke in the bedchamber at the top of the south tower." A knight answered and Kal-El nodded. He ran into the castle.
Kal-El ran to the Great Hall, through the door at the back of the hall, and ran up the spiral staircase to the south tower. He stopped when he saw two Red Shard knights standing guard at the door and a boy of 15 leaning against the opposite wall, pale and nervous. The knights saw him and knelt. The boy looked up. "Clark." The boy said.
The boy was Henry Kent, the Earl of Smallville and the only surviving child of the Duke and Duchess. Henry was the average height for a boy of his age with light brown hair like his father and his mother's eyes. They embraced and Henry cried into his shoulder. "Do not weep, little brother, for I am here. I am here. Where is mother?" Kal-El said softly. They broke apart.
"In there with father. She has not left his side since we arrived. Not even when Conrad has to cleanse the wound with a hot iron. Mother sent me to the Great Hall but I could still hear his screams." Henry said and Kal-El put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Go to your chambers and rest. I will stay with them." Kal-El said and Henry nodded. Henry went down the spiral staircase and soon Kal-El could no longer hear his footsteps. Kal-El then took a deep breath and entered the bedchamber.
Jonathan had passed out from the pain some time ago. He was now tucked into bed. Martha Kent sat on the edge of the bed dabbing her husband's brow with a wet cloth. "Mother." Kal-El said softly. She turned her head and gave him a sad smile. Martha kissed Jonathan's forehead and stood, putting the cloth aside.
"Clark." They embraced. She then cupped his face in her hands. "My son." Martha said. However, Martha Kent did not carry him for nine months nor gave birth to him like she did with Henry. Jonathan and Martha Kent had fostered him when his parents were murdered when he was only three years old.
"I have missed you." Clark said.
"As have I. We all have." Martha said and looked back at Jonathan. At first glance, he would appear to be sleeping peacefully. But Kal-El noticed the bloodied armor and bandages tucked away in a corner. Then he saw how sweaty and pale Jonathan was.
"I assumed he would still be angry with me. Our last words were spoken in anger." Kal-El said and stood at the end of bed, looking at Jonathan.
"He only wanted you to finish your training to become a knight but you went and joined the army without our blessing. You just left the castle in the middle of the night. We were not angry but hurt. Every day he wanted to send knights after you but Jonathan wanted you to be your own man. He soon believed you would learn something precious in your time away." Martha said.
Kal-El sat down on the edge of the bed and took Jonathan's hand. "Forgive me." Kal-El whispered and Jonathan groaned at that moment. "You should go rest, mother."
Martha stood beside Kal-El and looked at her sleeping husband. "I do not want to leave him alone." Martha said.
"He will not be alone. I shall stay with him." Kal-El said. Martha stroked Kal-El's hair.
"Very well but first go and change out of this dreadful armor." Martha said and Kal-El gave her a small smile. He nodded, kissed her cheek, and then left the bedchamber.
Jonathan awoke to see a dim light from through the window, meaning that dawn was approaching. He looked around the bedchamber and saw someone he was not expecting to see so soon. Kal-El was now wearing a simple white shirt laced up in the front, brown trousers and high boots. He was sleeping on a wooden settle with a sheathed sword. "Clark?" Jonathan said but it was barely audible. He then tried to sit up but then he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and cried out in pain.
Kal-El's eyes shot open and he grabbed the grip of his sword. When he saw Jonathan was awake and in great pain, he dropped the sword and rushed to his side. Jonathan threw back the fur blanket to reveal blood seeping through his bandages. Kal-El then pushed his palms down onto the wound to stop the bleeding making Jonathan cry out again. The Red Shard knights standing guard then rushed in the bedchamber. "Get the physician! Now!" Kal-El cried and the knights ran out of the bedchamber.
Doctor MacIntyre soon rushed into the bedchamber with Martha. Martha was wearing a white chemise, a red robe, and her hair was down. She must have just woken up. Kal-El moved out of Conrad's way so he could mend Jonathan's wound. Kal-El saw the tears streaming down Martha's face so he led her out of the bedchamber.
Some time later, Conrad exited the bedchamber while wiping the blood from his hands with a cloth. "The Duke reopened the wound but I have resealed it. He is awake now but very weak. I have given him something for the pain so he may fall back to sleep soon." Conrad said and then walked down the spiral staircase. Martha then rushed into the bedchamber, leaving the door ajar.
Kal-El took a step toward the door but halted. His heart was pounding so fast that he had to rub his chest. Then he turned away and went down the spiral staircase. He needed air. He exited the castle and breathed in the morning air. It was a cold morning but the cold had never bothered him. Then he saw Milton Fine removing a piece of parchment from the leg of a messenger bird. "You are up early, my lord." Kal-El said, walking toward Fine.
"As are you, Your Highness." Fine replied. He set the bird down onto a perch and removed his glove. He unrolled the parchment and read the note. "It appears that His Eminence is already on his way here. He heard of the surprise attack and is on his way with his priests to bless the dead. They shall arrive by sea and General Nox-Van is only a few days behind them. When the general's ship reaches port, they shall ride here without stopping." Milton finished reading.
"I will inform the household to prepare chambers for them." Kal-El said and turned to walk away.
"Jonathan Kent is the most honorable man I have ever known. I wish for you to know that I share your pain, Highness. He was like a father to me as well after my own father's treason came to light." Fine said and Kal-El turned to face him.
"You speak out of turn, my lord. The Duke is not dead and yet you speak as if he already is." Kal-El said harshly. Fine walked up to him and they were in each other's faces.
"You are not my king nor my commander yet so I shall speak to you how I wish. Jonathan is going to die and there is nothing you nor I can do to stop it. Now, you need to prepare yourself or the pain shall be unbearable. Trust me, I know. And this kingdom needs not a wounded king but a king who is both wise and strong. Good day, Your Highness." Fine said and bowed. He then walked past Kal-El and into the castle.
Some Days Later
Two carriages rode into the courtyard of the Kent Castle. Martha and Henry Kent, and Prince Kal-El were outside the castle entrance waiting to greet the High Priest of Rao and the other priests. Kal-El had commanded Commander Fine to take command of the frontlines since General Ser-Dar was killed.
Martha wore a green dress with bell cut sleeves and a brown fur trimmed cloak. Henry wore a brown doublet and trousers, boots, and a brown fur trimmed cloak. Kal-El wore a red knee-length tunic with gold trimmings, black trousers, a black fur trimmed cloak, and his sword belt. Kal-El felt uncomfortable if he did not have his sword and dagger with him after spending over a year on the battlefield.
A footman opened the door to the first carriage and a middle-aged man exited first. The High Priest of Rao gave up his true name when he joined the order like all the other priests. The High Priest wore long black and purple robes, a plain gold livery collar with a large crystal pendant. His dark hair had a long gray streak. The other priests wore either black and purple robes or black and red robes with white face masks. They all wore dark fur lined cloaks for the cold.
"Welcome to our home. It is an honor to have you here, Your Eminence." Martha said softly and held out her hand. The High Priest kissed her knuckles.
"The honor is all mine, my lady. I just wish we were here for a more joyous cause." The High Priest said and Martha nodded somberly. "My lord." He greeted Henry, who nodded once. "Your Highness." He bowed to Kal-El.
"It is good to see you again, Your Eminence. Will the other priests be staying?" Kal-El asked.
"Only for the night. In the morrow, they shall go to the frontlines to give last rites to the dying and the dead yet to be burned. And not just the soldiers of our faith but to all soldiers." The High Priest said.
Kal-El nodded. "Young Thomas here shall take you to the chambers the Duchess has made ready for you all." Kal-El said. The High Priest bowed his head to him and Kal-El bowed his head in return. The servant and priests walked away.
Kal-El went into the Great Hall. He walked up the spiral staircase to see Doctor MacIntyre leaving the bedchamber. "The Duke is awake. Martha and Henry are already with him." Conrad said and patted Kal-El's shoulder before walking down the staircase. Kal-El took a deep breath and entered the bedchamber quietly.
Martha was sitting on the edge of the bed holding Jonathan's hand and caressing his face. They smiled at each other; however, you could see the sadness in her eyes. "Forgive me, my love. I am breaking my promise of growing old together." Jonathan said softly.
"Hush. I wish we had more time together but we have had a great life, Jonathan. I do not regret one moment of it." Martha said caressing his face and then she kissed his hand.
"Neither do I. I love you, Martha." Jonathan said.
"As I love you." Martha said. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. A tear rolled down her cheek. Jonathan wiped it away.
"Henry…" Henry cautiously approached and knelt at his father's bedside. "My son." Jonathan smiled at him. "When I am dead, it shall be your duty to look after your mother as you have always done when I rode off to war. I have made preparations as well for you to become the new Duke of Kansas after your 18th birthday." Jonathan said.
"But I do not want to be the Duke if it means you are dead, father. I know nothing of being a duke." Henry said somberly.
"We cannot change our destinies, son. If you ever need guidance, turn to your brother. He is one of the few who shall not try to take advantage of you. And serve your dukedom with wisdom, honor, and strength." Henry nodded. "I do not want to leave you or your mother but I have lived a full and wonderful life. I have had everything a husband and father could ever possibly dream of. But it is my time. Just know that I love you, Henry." Jonathan said.
"And I love you, father." Henry said somberly. He leaned over to kiss Jonathan's pale forehead. Jonathan let go of Martha's hand to ruffle Henry's hair. Instead of groaning like he usually did, Henry chuckled with tears in his eyes.
Jonathan then noticed Kal-El standing in the background. "Clark?" Kal-El stepped forward towards the foot of the bed. "Now I know I am truly dying." Kal-El averted his gaze, ashamed. "I have not seen you in a good while." Jonathan said.
"Well you clearly voiced your disdain of my choice to become a soldier. I thought it best that we did not see each other for some time." Kal-El said.
"But that is not what I wanted, Clark." Kal-El looked down. "Come closer." Martha kissed Jonathan's brow, put her arm Henry and they left the bedchamber. Kal-El cautiously approached and knelt at his bedside. Jonathan looked him over. "Your hair is longer and you look fit." Jonathan said. They smiled nervously.
"I had planned this conversation in my mind in a thousand ways but this is not how I imagined it." Kal-El said somberly. Jonathan took his hand. "Can you ever forgive me for sneaking off like a thief in the night?"
"I forgave you not long after you had left. I was not always a duke nor a lord protector. I was once a soldier and I am still a knight. I understand why you did what you did. I am so proud of you. I am proud of the man you are becoming. And I just want you to be happy." Kal-El looked down. "What is it?" Jonathan asked.
"I met a girl. A blacksmith's daughter named Alicia. I told her who I truly was and asked for her hand… She said yes." Kal-El said.
Jonathan patted his son's shoulder and smiled. "Well then, I must meet this girl. She sounds lovely if she has captured your heart." Jonathan said. Kal-El's eyes then filled with tears.
"Alicia is dead…killed in the attack." Kal-El said upset. He laid his head down on the bed and cried into the blankets. Jonathan stroked his shaggy hair as he wept.
"We all experience loss at some point in our lives. There is no remedy for the pain but to live with your memories of them. Like I did when I lost my father and mother…and like when I lost my closest friend, your father, Jor-El." Kal-El raised his head. "If he could only see you now, he would be so proud." Jonathan said.
"Would he be proud to see me like this? Zor-El would not." Kal-El said somberly, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Forget what Zor-El would think. He was a cold man. Your father loved you and he would have loved you no matter what your faults are, like I do… Now listen to me. When I am dead, you must accept your birthright, the throne and crown of your father and his father, and his father before him. You shall be the new King of Krypton." Jonathan said.
"I only know the life of a farmer and a soldier. I do not know if I am ready." Kal-El said.
"It is for that reason that I know that you are. I have had you working on that farm since you were young so you could understand hard work and all the consequences and rewards that come with it, and that is a quality you shall need as king. And your time as a soldier shall only aid you more. Trust me, it has aided me in my three years as lord protector. You shall be a great king." Jonathan said and took a slow, shallow breath.
"But you cannot die. I need you. I cannot do this without your guidance and counsel." Kal-El said and Jonathan took his hand.
"Yes, you can." Jonathan squeezed Kal-El's hand. "Martha and I have raised you as if you were our own but now you must become who you truly are: Kal-El, son of Jor-El II and Lara, crown prince of Krypton. It is your destiny to carry on the legacy of your forefathers." Jonathan said.
"Just tell me how." Kal-El said.
"I cannot. You must walk your own path. This is your destiny, son. You are going to touch the lives of so many people, not just as a man but as a symbol. You are a symbol of peace. You are a symbol of justice. It is now your time to reign. I have faith in you. I have taught you and Henry everything I know about being a man. There will be many trials ahead but do not lose faith in yourself. And promise me that you will be a just king and that you will look after Martha and Henry." Jonathan said.
Kal-El nodded and squeezed Jonathan's hand. "I promise." Kal-El said.
"I love you…son." Jonathan said.
"And I love you…father." Kal-El said and Jonathan smiled. Kal-El leaned over to kiss Jonathan's brow.
Late the next day, more Kryptonian knights arrived led by General Nox-Van of the Kandor forces. They had ridden nonstop to the Kent Castle once they had reached Granville by sea and they had the blisters to prove it.
Nox-Van wore black doublet, and trousers, a brown fur trimmed cloak, and his sword belt. His knights wore their black chainmail and tabards, sword belts and fur trimmed cloaks. He was just a little taller than Kal-El, and he had a short hair with a short boxed beard. Nox-Van and his knights knelt before Kal-El.
Kal-El motioned for them to rise. Kal-El wore a red doublet, black trousers and boots, his sword belt, and black fur trimmed cloak. "Welcome General and knights of Krypton. We have been expecting you." Kal-El said and motioned for them to follow him. "We suffered a grave defeat in Smallville.
"We never thought Luthor would attack in winter. He never has before. And we lost many fine soldiers to Prince Alexander's new weapon. They say he calls it a cannon." Nox-Van said.
"I have never seen any weapon like it. It was no battle but a slaughter." Kal-El said.
"Yes. It shall take time to replenish our forces. I have all Your Highness's generals assembling their forces for when or if they are needed. But the Kansas forces did well. They were still able to get most of the people of Smallville to Granville even though they were being overrun. They are holding the line now that the reinforcements from Granville have arrived… And I should also warn you that the nobles are only a day behind me." Nox-Van said and Kal-El sighed.
Kal-El and Nox-Van entered the Great Hall and went up the spiral staircase to the south tower. The knights standing guard knelt and then opened the door for them. Jonathan was awake and Martha remained at his side, smiling at one another.
Doctor MacIntyre approached the two men. "It shall not be much longer now. I have given him something stronger for the pain." Conrad said softly and Kal-El nodded.
"Nox-Van, my friend." Nox-Van walked up to Jonathan's bedside. The two men smiled at each other. "Help me up." Martha grabbed Nox-Van's arm when he reached for Jonathan. "Please Martha, this is something I must do." Jonathan said and she reluctantly let go of Nox-Van's arm. Martha rose from the bed and Nox-Van pulled back the fur blanket. He put Jonathan's left arm around his neck and hoisted him up. Jonathan groaned but he was on his feet. Henry went over and helped hold his father up. "My sword." Martha retrieved his sword from the corner with the rest of his armor.
Nox-Van then understood what Jonathan was doing. "My prince, come and kneel before the Lord Protector." Nox-Van said. Kal-El knelt in the Kryptonian manner before Jonathan.
"Kal-El, son of Jor-El, do you swear to safeguard this kingdom and its peoples from all enemies whether they be foreign or Kryptonian, to follow our knight's code, and to do no wrong?" Jonathan asked weakly.
"I pledge my sword and my body to the safeguard of the kingdom and its peoples from all enemies foreign or Kryptonian and to follow our knights' code, and to do no wrong. I swear this on the honor of my House and on my life." Kal-El said. Jonathan nodded to Nox-Van, who removed Jonathan's sword from its sheath. He handed it to Jonathan. The sword shook in Jonathan's hand but Henry steadied his arm.
"Then I dub thee Sir Kal-El, knight of Krypton. Now rise a knight." Jonathan tapped both of Kal-El's shoulders with the blade. He then handed the sword to Nox-Van and removed a ring from his right ring finger. Kal-El rose and Jonathan gave him the ring bearing the crest of the House of El. This was the ring of the king. Martha stepped forward with a beautifully crafted sword in its scabbard. "Prince Kal-El, I present to you Tahrao, the sword of the king." Jonathan said. Kal-El took the sword and held the hilt up this face to examine it.
The round pommel bore a silver star. The hilt was gold with a red wrapped grip. This was not the first Tahrao. That sword was in the Hall of Kings at the Crystal Palace in Kandor. The first Tahrao was presented to King Seyg-El I from his generals when he took the throne more than 100 years ago. Tahrao was the best sword craftsmanship the world had ever seen and today no sword rivals it. It was forged with the Kryptonian metal Kryptium. It never chips nor rusts. When the king dies, another is forged and given to the new king before his coronation. Tahrao was Kryptonian for Justice.
Jonathan then felt weak and collapsed but Nox-Van caught him. Kal-El immediately put the sword down onto a table. They helped Jonathan back into bed and his breathing was now very labored. He then started coughing harshly. Martha knelt beside him. She took his hand and kissed it. Henry and Kal-El knelt beside her. Conrad and Nox-Van stood back.
Jonathan took one last look at everyone in the bedchamber. Martha leaned over and kissed his lips. When they parted, they smiled at each other. Then Jonathan Kent, Duke of Kansas, took his last breath.
Martha's smile disappeared. She knew that her husband, the love of her life and the father of her children, was dead. His hand was now limp in her hand. She tearfully kissed her hand and then cried into the blankets.
Kal-El leaned over to close Jonathan's eyes. Tears rolled down both his and Henry's faces. Kal-El put a comforting hand on Henry's shoulder. "General, inform the High Priest and the men. I shall inform the household." Kal-El said.
"Yes, my king." Nox-Van said, bowed, and left the bedchamber. The word king echoed in Kal-El's ears.
Two Days Later
Carriages arrived at the Kent Castle escorted by men at arms. The passengers were Kryptonian nobles from court. Word was spreading that the honorable Duke of Kansas was dead.
In an empty chamber, Jonathan Kent's embalmed body lay atop a funeral bier and a red banner bearing the Kent crest: it was diamond shaped with a large K at the center. He was dressed in his dark gray armor with his red tabard and knight's cape. His basicnet helm lay at his feet and his sword in his hands. A thin white sheet covered his body.
Kal-El sat in a chair looking upon Jonathan's body. He had barely left the chamber in the past two days. He then stood and approached his guardian's body. He pulled the white sheet back from his face. Kal-El sighed. "I was not yet ready to say goodbye but I know you would not want me to seek vengeance for your death. But I do promise that I shall do all in my power to end this war for you, father, and the countless other families who have lost loved ones." Kal-El said somberly. He covered Jonathan back up and then left the chamber.
Kal-El walked through the corridors of the castle. He was in all white: knee-length tunic, trousers, boots, and he wore layers under his clothes for warmth. He ignored all the people muttering, "Your Majesty." Kal-El found Martha staring at a portrait of the four of them above the fireplace in the Great Hall. Everyone wore all black to honor the funeral rites of Kansas. It had begun to snow outside.
Kal-El placed a fur trimmed cloak on Martha's shoulders. She turned around and caressed his face. He smiled at her but it was a sad smile. She then began to cry and Kal-El embraced her. Henry was sitting, watching his mother cry in Kal-El's arms. Henry's eyes began to fill with tears and Kal-El motioned for him to come over. Henry walked up to them and Kal-El wrapped his right arm around Henry. "All is prepared, Sire." A servant said and Kal-El nodded.
Kal-El took Martha's hand and kept his arm around Henry as they exited the castle to the carriages. The funeral was to be held a mile away because they could hear the sounds of battle not far off. Prince Alexander was trying to take advantage of this day of mourning to try to march on Kent Castle but the frontlines were holding them back, especially since they could not move the cannons in the snow.
The ride did not last long before the carriages stopped at a hillside. Gravediggers were waiting at the top of the hill to bury the Duke. All Jonathan wanted was to be buried on his land, which he had loved so much. This hillside was his favorite and they used to have picnics atop it. Kal-El exited the first carriage and walked to the wagon carrying his guardian's body. He opened the back of the wagon himself.
Kal-El grabbed the front handle of the bier. Henry grabbed the handle across from Kal-El. General Nox-Van grabbed the handle behind Henry and Milton Fine V grabbed the handle across from Nox-Van. They lifted the slab to their shoulders and began to walk up the path to the hill. Martha led them, holding her husband's helm. Everyone followed them with somber looks.
When they made it to the spot, they slowly lowered the Duke's body into the fresh, neat grave. Martha handed the helm to Henry, who looked at it and then handed it to Kal-El. Kal-El did not even look at the helm but he ran his hand over it, feeling smooth and chipped metal from battle. He then knelt down and placed the helm on Jonathan's chest. He then nodded to the High Priest of Rao.
"Jonathan Kent, Duke of Kansas and Lord Protector of Krypton, was a great and honorable man. He lived a full life but it was ended too soon in this time of war. He shall be long remembered for his courage, honor, his great love and devotion for his family, and his long and faithful service to the crown. He was a man we all looked to for leadership and guidance. May Rao grant him the peace he so rightfully deserves," The High Priest said and nodded to the gravediggers. The High Priest threw a white rose down into the grave.
The gravediggers then began to fill the grave. Everyone began to walk back down to their carriages. "Farewell, my love." Martha said and put her arm around Henry.
"Farewell, father." Henry said. Jonathan's body was now almost completely covered in soil. Martha rubbed Henry's shoulder and they began to walk back down to their carriage. Only Kal-El remained with Red Shard knights guarding him.
Clark stared down at the grave as more soil piled on top of his father. He then knelt down and grabbed a handful of soil with his gloved hand. He slowly let it fall from his hand and into the grave. He did not want to say goodbye. This still all felt like a dream; no, a nightmare. Anger boiled inside him but he took a deep breath in order not to lose control.
Kal-El then stood tall and looked down at the Duke of Kansas's grave. He then turned and walked back down to the carriage. He stopped at his carriage, looked back up the hill, and then entered the carriage. Jonathan's words echoed in his ears:
This is your destiny, son. You are going to touch the lives of so many people, not just as a man but as a symbol. You are a symbol of peace. You are a symbol of justice.